this is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. meghan, the duchess of sussex reveals she's had a miscarriage, writing in an article of feeling "an unbearable grief". warnings over the five days of christmas. leaders of the four uk nations come together and urge caution over the relaxation of covid restrictions, but scientists say easing the rules could cause a fresh spike. effectively, what this would be doing is throwing fuel on the covid fire. i think it will lead to increased transmission that is likely to lead to a third wave of infection with hospitals overrun. whether it is safe, three, four, five households, most people are going to try and meet up no matter how many households they come from. i am really against it, i don't think it should be happening.

they should have kept us locked down. the chancellor prepares to set out the british government's spending plans for the coming year. the spending review will give a boost to the health service, but expect a sting in the tail for public sector workers in england and private pensions. france gets a partial reprieve from its strict coronavirus lockdown, as president macron announces his country has passed the peak of the second wave. britain's spending watchdog says ppe stockpiles in england were inadequate for the covid pandemic, with a surge in price costing the taxpayer around £10 billion. it's late — but it's sincere. us president—electjoe biden says the trump administration is cooperating "across the board" with the transition of power.

hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world, and stay with us for the latest news and analysis from here and across the globe. the duchess of sussex has revealed she had a miscarriage injuly. meghan markle said that prince harry was with her and holding her hand through the ordeal. meghan wrote in the new york times that "i knew, as i clutched my first—born child, that i was losing my second." the duchess spoke of feeling "an almost unbearable grief". meghan and prince harry had their first child, archie, in 2019. she wrote that "loss and pain have plagued every one of us in 2020." we can speak now to katie nicholl, who is royal editorfor vanity fair and author of the book harry and meghan. katie, hello, ithink

katie, hello, i think what strikes me first, looking at this article in the new york times is how all this is for meghan, the grief for her and harry, and how intimately she writes about the experience. well, i think you are right, annita, and she is not the first member of the royal family to lose a baby, the countess of wessex lost a baby, zara phillips lost two, but i think she is the first to speak about it or write about it, as you say, so openly. it is raw, this only happened injuly, it has only been a few months. i think it is incredibly brave of her to do this. she has clearly done this deliberately timed at a time when i think people are going through a lot of hardship, where we all need to be asking each other, she says in the article, are you 0k? i think it is lovely that she ends it on i think it is lovely that she ends itona i think it is lovely that she ends it on a positive note, we will be. but clearly they have gone through utter heartbreak. you know, this is a couple who are under huge public

scrutiny, and i think it is worth pointing out that the miscarriage itself happened in july, pointing out that the miscarriage itself happened injuly, a time where they were not out of the headlines, you know, royal biography is being written about them, you know, they couldn't escape the spotlight, and now we know, actually, the pain and, as she says, the unbearable grief that they were going through as a couple. drive to write about it, as you say, brave also that she opens this out, not just about her, about all of the grief that people are going through this year. yes, that's right, annita, she talks about breonna taylor, the pain seen in people's faces behind the masks, a smile or may be tears, and this has clearly been a very challenging year, and i think her point in all of this, yes, this is about miscarriage, the loss ofa this is about miscarriage, the loss of a baby, but she brings it back to, i think, of a baby, but she brings it back to, ithink, the of a baby, but she brings it back to, i think, the struggles that so many people have faced. this is a royal couple who have very much put

their focus on royal couple who have very much put theirfocus on mental royal couple who have very much put their focus on mental health, royal couple who have very much put theirfocus on mental health, mental health awareness, and it sort of links many of the things that she ca res links many of the things that she cares about, all wrapped together in a deeply personal story. as i say, i admire herfor doing a deeply personal story. as i say, i admire her for doing this, a deeply personal story. as i say, i admire herfor doing this, because i think it takes real guts to do it, and this is still, as you say, really quite raw. baby archie was born just really quite raw. baby archie was bornjust under a really quite raw. baby archie was born just under a year after the couple married at st george's chapel in windsor, born in hospital, we know, but a lot of the details around the birth were kept private. apart from that, we did seek meghan out and about during her pregnancy, looking well, but she reflects on that, doesn't she, when she writes about how so many women are affected by miscarriage and even though maybe they have had healthy pregnancy first time round, it doesn't necessarily follow that is what happens a second time around? there will be many couples watching your programme today knowing that this is

an experience that they have lived through. you know, often couples find it hard to have that second baby, and by speaking about it, i think the duchess is trying to break down the taboo, you don't hear people openly talking about it, and she talks about the shame that surrounds the subject, and i think she's trying to put this into the public arena, say, it is ok to talk about it. the fact that she is doing it, i think she hopes she is going to allow others to be more open about a subject that does affect so many, and she talks about being in that hospital room where there were so that hospital room where there were so many other couples that were going through what she and harry we re going through what she and harry were going through. katie, thank you very much indeed forjoining us today, katie nicholl or vanity fair. britain's chancellor of the exchequer, rishi sunak, will set out later how he hopes to protectjobs and help the economy recover from the devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic. his spending review will announce money for the coming year for the health service, schools,

and for devolved nations. but he is speaking against a backdrop of record borrowing and mounting debt, and forecasts from the office for budget responsibility will today indicate how long the economic pain is expected to last. our economics correspondent andy verity reports. we promise to level up with new roads, railways, broadband and homes! this budget gets it done! in march, when coronavirus was coming but no lockdown had yet been announced, the new chancellor, rishi sunak, promised a comprehensive review of government spending byjuly. but long before then, he had embarked on the biggest spending spree in peacetime, almost all of it funded by borrowing. at the march budget, the official forecast was the chancellor would have to borrow £55 billion this financial year. by august, the huge cost of the government's antivirus policies meant he was expected to borrow nearly seven times that figure, £372 billion. now, in the midst of a second wave

and renewed support measures, that figure's expected to jump even higher. that doesn't mean now is the time for cuts. with renewed restrictions pushing down consumer spending and few businesses investing, it's only higher government spending that's preventing the double dip we are in getting even deeper. the government's already promised to spend £4 billion a year extra on defence and about £1 billion a year on a restart scheme to help unemployed people find work. and it's under pressure to prevent millions slipping into poverty by extending a £20 a week boost to benefits beyond march. to try to show it can rein back spending, the government's floated the idea of cutting overseas aid and freezing or capping the pay rises of five million public sector workers outside the nhs. that's prompted unions to accuse the government of a return to the same austerity it promised one year ago to end. but with the pandemic still set to last months and the shape of a brexit deal still unknown, any forecasts for government spending remain deeply uncertain. andy verity, bbc news.

we can speak to our political correspondentjessica parker. she's in westminster for us now. a really unusual set of circumstances for the chancellor in the uk, given the great degree of uncertainty caused by a coronavirus, and the fact that we don't have a trade deal yet, we don't know if are going to get one as we approach the end of the brexit transition period, so end of the brexit transition period, $03 end of the brexit transition period, so a challenging time, but from what we have heard about this spending review already, there is not a huge amount of understanding of that in some quarters based on cuts that we are hearing about, or pay freezes. as you say, an incredibly uncertain time, andi as you say, an incredibly uncertain time, and i think that is one of the reasons why they have opted to go for a one—year spending review, rather than a three—year spending review, so setting out their plans for departmental budgets here in whitehall over the next year, rather

than a longer term forecast, simply because of all of the uncertainty of just talked about, whether it is of a coronavirus, whether it is what shape a trade deal might take with the european union, if indeed one is reached. i think today what the chancellor is going to try and do is suggest that he is prioritising jobs — jobs, jobs, jobs is the phrase thatis — jobs, jobs, jobs is the phrase that is coming out of the treasury over night, because of course there is very deep concern about the impact on unemployment. we've already seen rising unemployment, there are concerns that is set to continue as a trend, and as andy was reporting, this idea of brilliance going into extending jobcentre plus, into a restart scheme to help people retrain. —— this idea of billions. but there will be political flashpoint as well, we wait to hear what he has to say about

international aid, an expectation that he could cut that budget from 0.7% of national income to 0.5% of national income, which will be controversial not least of all among some conservative mps as well, and of course we have heard speculation about a possible public sector pay freeze, aside from front line nhs workers — you can be sure that the labour party will have heavy criticism of that. come out 0k, just, thank you very much, we wait to see what is said very soon. stuart fegan is from the gmb union, which represents around 620,000 working people in the uk. thank you for your time today. rishi sunak has said that people will not see austerity but some economic shocks will be laid bare. i mean, what is your reaction to the news of this apparent pay freeze for the majority of public sector workers, apart from front line nhs staff? do you think they are facing austerity?

well, we have to wait to see what the chancellor actually brings out this afternoon, but certainly if the reports are to be believed and there isa reports are to be believed and there is a public sector pay freeze on its way, i know, from reaction we have had from our members in the public services, that they feel absolutely and totally betrayed by this government, particularly as it is many of those workers that have actually got us through the coronavirus pandemic that we are witnessing. for example, our members in schools, and although schools have been closed in many parts of the country for most pupils, they have been open for the pupils of key workers and vulnerable adults, and so our workers and vulnerable adults, and so our members have actually been working in schools, putting themselves at risk on the front line from covid, actually supporting key workers and making sure that the country remains active during the pandemic. for them to be then told that they are going to have a pay

cut in real terms, a pay freeze, essentially a pay cut in real terms, is an absolute kick in the teeth, and hopefully the chancellor has already heard, and representations made to him, the anger out there from teachers, from police deloitte support staff, everyone in the public services, this is not the way to get out of the deepest recession i have seen in our lifetime. do you think you might have listened to that anger? we will wait and see for his announcement this afternoon, but any two, i sincerely hope he has. you mentioned in your question about austerity. at the start of the last decade, 2010, the austerity programmes or public sector borrowing, the structural deficit increase, because when you are not investing in the wages of public sector workers who go out and spend that money in the wider economy, generating and supporting jobs in the private sector also, effectively

you are reducing the tax receipts and income coming back into the treasury. sorry to interrupt, iwas just about to ask you, how do you make the economic argument, then, for not freezing the pay of public sector workers, if you look at it purely in those terms, making the economic argument for it? you are already explaining why you think that the chancellor shouldn't freeze the pay of those workers. yeah, sure, history tells us, and eton, whenever this country, indeed most developed countries across the world, have gone through an economic recession. —— annita. the way to get out of it is not to cut public spending budget to increase it, increase public sector spending, because every pound invested in the public sector, the treasury gets back to us all threefold in terms of vat, business rates, other income that it generates. i know it may sound counterintuitive, you know, too many people that when you have

gone through an economic recession like we have, you should spend more money, but that is exactly what you should do. 5 million public sector workers in this country absolutely keep the country going through very difficult times, as we have seen... but how is the borrowing going to be paid back? somebody has to pay it back at some point. well, you need to ta ke back at some point. well, you need to take a longer term plan and, you know, what we hope, and hopefully we will see from the chancellor this afternoon, is the start of a plan of reducing the deficit, reducing borrowing, but you don't do that by cutting, you don't simply do it by cutting, you don't simply do it by cutting the wages of essential workers in the country, you do it by investing. delight 0k, thank you very much. the headlines on bbc news: meghan, the duchess of sussex, reveals she has had a miscarriage writing in an article of

feeling "an unbearable grief". and we also, in the headlines today, have news of the uk chancellor due to outline the government's spending plans for the coming year, as public borrowing rises to levels not seen since world war ii. let's turn now to how coronavirus measures are being applied across european countries in the run—up to christmas. looking at the uk first, the leaders of all four nations are urging us all to think carefully as virus restrictions are relaxed over christmas. it comes as scientists warn the relaxation will cause a spike in infections. the changes will begin on the 22nd of december in northern ireland, and a day later elsewhere. people from three different households will be allowed to spend time together indoors for five days. and travel restrictions will be eased. but a formed christmas bubble must be exclusive and would not be able to visit pubs or restaurants together.

the prime minister and leaders of scotland, wales and northern ireland urged people meeting over christmas to be "mindful of the risks to themselves and others, particularly those who are vulnerable." this report from keith doyle. the 12 days of christmas have been reduced to five. restrictions on travel and mixing will be lifted from the 23rd to december 27th, after leaders across all four uk nations agreed on a common plan to allow families and friends to meet each other. but it's not going to be a christmas as normal this year. this year, christmas will be different. many of us are longing to spend time with family and friends, irrespective of our faith or background, and yet we can't afford to throw caution to the wind. the virus doesn't know it's christmas, and we must all be careful. the christmas rules are up to three households will be able to meet up

during this five—day festive period. and while people can mix in homes, places of worship and outdoor spaces, they can't visit pubs and restaurants together. and the three—household christmas bubble you make must be exclusive. that means no chopping and changing — your christmas bubble will stay the same throughout. whether it's say, three households, four households, five households, i think extended families are mostly going to try and meet up, no matter how many households they come from. i'm really against it. i really don't think it should be happening. i think they should have locked us down, keep us locked down, because we all want to get back to normal. further details for scotland and wales will be published tomorrow. but even with the relaxed rules, people are being asked to make a personaljudgment about the risks they take over the festive period, for themselves and those vulnerable around them. the virus is not going to be taking christmas off. so although we want to give a little bit of flexibility for christmas,

we are still urging people to be very cautious and to use this flexibility responsibly and only if you think it is necessary. northern ireland has an extra day either side of the five days to allow for travel. across the uk, these measures will give people more of a christmas than might have been. but it will still be far from the christmas most would wish for. keith doyle, bbc news. german leaders, including chancellor angela merkel, meet today to discuss their strategy for dealing with the coronavirus crisis over the winter months. reports suggest there could be an early start to the christmas holidays. regional leaders, who've been bitterly divided over how to tackle the second wave of infections, are keen to relax restrictions further, including allowing groups of up to ten people to meet. while shops are expected to stay open, it is proposed that bars, restaurants, leisure and arts facilities will remain closed during december. italy reported 853

covid—related deaths on tuesday, up from 630 the day before. it's the highest daily toll since march 28th. the northern region of lombardy, centred on italy's financial capital milan, remains the hardest hit area. prime minister guiseppe conte has told italians to expect a "more sober christmas, without christmas eve gatherings, hugs and kisses." they've been advised to stay away from the ski slopes. this weekend, france will start relaxing its second lockdown, with nonessential shops re—opening from saturday. then from mid—december, travel restrictions will be lifted in time for christmas. the french president, emmanuel macron, said the country had passed the peak of the second wave. paul hawkins has more. france has been under lockdown since the start of november. nonessential shops, bars and restaurants are shut, social gatherings banned. here you can only leave home

for work, shopping, exercise, or to get medical help. even then, you need a written statement justifying your trip. however, from this weekend... translation: all shops will be allowed to reopen, and home services will be allowed to resume within the framework of a strict health protocol. according to these rules, they can remain open until 9pm at the latest. the relaxing of restrictions is because, on monday, france reported 4452 daily infections, its lowest number since september 28th. as for christmas... translation: on december15th, if there are around 5000 infections per day and around 2500—3000 people in hospital, then confinement can be lifted. we will be able to travel without restrictions and spend christmas with our family. you will have to limit unnecessary travel, but i appeal to your sense of responsibility — it will not be a christmas holiday like the others. but bars and restaurants will remain closed until 20th january.

hospitality, like everywhere else in the world, has been badly hit by the pandemic. that's why, in the south of france, in cannes, more than 150 business owners demanded to be able to open. translation: we perfectly understand there is an emergency. we perfectly understand the coronavirus. we are like the rest, meaning we too can fall ill. we can also die. but in addition we can go bankrupt. it's difficult. restaurants and bars can access government help, either 10,000 euros compensation or 20% of their turnover. but the real lifeline will come with a vaccine. france aims to start vaccinations for the elderly and vulnerable from the end of the year or the start of january. in the meantime, the warning from government is that if infections rise, the country could seek a third lockdown. paul hawkins, bbc news. let's talk more about the relaxation of rules in the uk. elaine yates cares for her husband

michael, who has a brain injury. they isolated from march to september. because of that, she hasn't seen her children in months. she in irchester in northamptonshire. elaine and michaeljoin us now. thank you so much for coming on bbc news, you are very welcome. elaine, talk to us first of all about how this year has been — in isolation, how you have coped with that. it's been devastating. life has been very, very difficult, being locked in and not being able to see our families, missing all the birthday parties, not being able to see our grandchildren. i haven't seen my grandson, who was 90 and the other week, four months and months and months. they will be changed by the timei months. they will be changed by the time i see them. michael has found it very, very difficult, because with his dementia, he is slowly regressing, so that he is forgetting who people look like. even if i

showed him photos, he can't always remember their names. we've lost all that time that we'll never ever get back. and you have been the full—time carer throughout this time, or have you had any help?|j was time, or have you had any help?” was a full—time terror from march until september, then i found an agency in the village that was willing to come in and use ppe, and they have been absolutely wonderful. i have had them now for about five weeks, and i have been a big, big boon, one of the men come in and just say hello to him occasionally, which he desperately needed some male company. and how many children do you have, elaine? you have mentioned your grandchildren obviously. i have two, i have a daughter and a son. and as you take in the details of the relaxation of rules around christmas, what are you planning to do? what is it possible for you to do and safe for you to do? i am frightened, i must be

honest. my children and grandchildren have carriers, so they are obviously mixing with different people, so quite frankly we shall have christmas on our own, just to keep michael safe. he has not only got the brain injury and dementia, he has cancer and diabetes as well, soiam he has cancer and diabetes as well, so i am caring for him in so many different issues that i do not take the risk of mixing. so you have made that decision, i know from people getting in touch with me this morning, a lot of people say they are planning to do exactly the same thing. do you think the government should be allowing people to see each other, groups of three households getting together, or is that crazy given where we are with the virus? yes, i think it is crazy, but then people don't understand what it is like to be vulnerable and shielded. so i can understand people wanting to mix. of course, they want to see their families, we do, wanting to mix. of course, they want to see theirfamilies, we do, are you in to see my children, but if it is going to make michael polly, or

even me, because i am vulnerable too, we have to go with the flow and do as we are told. what impact has all of this had on your mental health? because you have had such a lot to cope with. it has been horrendous, on top of all of this michael has a treatment, he has been rushed to hospital, there have been so many times when it has been heartbreaking, and there is no shoulder to cry on, you just have to pick yourself up and dust yourself down. trying to cope with extra illnesses, as well as the one he has got, and being alone, i have had support on the phone through northamptonshire carers, age uk has been brilliant, but it is all telephone support, no shoulder to cry on, which we need. and, elaine, is michael able to communicate with us is michael able to communicate with us about how he's feeling about this situation? can you say how you feel?

i don't know. quickly. the only thing good about this is because i have got elaine looking after me and with all the work the northamptonshire carers are doing. that is the very best thing for me. yeah. you have got a fantastic team there, you aren't elaine, and the ca re rs there, you aren't elaine, and the carers as well. yes, they have been fantastic, they sent out parcels during the pandemic, when there were things like playing cards and books, which really boosted michael, gives him some stimulation, which he hasn't had, because he used to go to day centres, which obviously can't

go to any more. michael, have you been able to see your children and grandchildren on zoom or virtually in any way? well, no, no. i have tried to keep them apart from everybody. i have got a granddaughter that is in my bubble that i meet outside with my great—granddaughter, which i have been doing for a couple of weeks, but obviously i have to keep them away from him. have you been able to talk to each other on zoom of facetime in any way like that, through the computer?” facetime in any way like that, through the computer? i have done facetime with my granddaughter and great—granddaughter, because she loves our cat, and if i put the cat on the phone, she will talk to us! soi on the phone, she will talk to us! so i have done facetime, but no zoom. so difficult to communicate that way, and i appreciate, you know, with michael's condition, communicating in that way, as opposed to face—to—face, is very,

very different. what message would you have for people who are thinking of getting together over christmas, in terms of being careful? because we know all the scientists are saying, if households get together, the risk of transmission is clearly there, transmission will go up? please, just please, be careful. think of the vulnerable, i am not just going to say the elderly, because there are children that are vulnerable, all parts of society that are vulnerable, but please think of others, notjust yourself. please don't be selfish. and you would help presumably to get access toa would help presumably to get access to a vaccine when a vaccine becomes available, to get access to that pretty quickly, would you?” available, to get access to that pretty quickly, would you? i would be the first in line, to be honest, because nobody knows... nobody knows what it is like to be like this. i mean, i also do befriending on the phone to a couple of others that are really, really lonely, one of them

has actually lost. so the vaccine will perhaps give us a bit of life, perhaps... i would take michael to the seaside this year, he may never go again, and may be, if the vaccine works, maybe there will be a little bit of a light on the end of the tunnel. that hope is important? yes, vital. the quicker we get them, i would be a guinea pig ifi the quicker we get them, i would be a guinea pig if i had to be, to make sure i can, you have lost your confidence, i think everybody in our position has lost the confidence to mix, go out, do shopping. if i go in a shop, which is not that regular i put my head in first and i am looking round. it is strange you can't just looking round. it is strange you can'tjust do something that is so natural like walking into a shop. you know, elaine, we all feel that you are right, everything has to be thought, the normal things have to be planned out in such detail. you know, we send you here at the news

channel all our love and best wishes, you are a wonder, looking after michael, be fending people on the phone, and i hope that you get that vaccine, that it comes through and that you can be reunited with yourfamily very and that you can be reunited with your family very soon. thank you for talking to us. elaine yates and her husband michael in northamptonshire, isn't she wonderful? heartbreaking to listen to the situation there for them, taking the decision that they won't see their children, grandchildren, great grandchildren this christmas in order to protect michael who is vulnerable, and a very clear message from elaine, to people, just to be careful. and to avoid passing on this disease, if they possibly can. elaine yates. us president—electjoe biden has said the trump administration is cooperating "across the board" with the formal transition of power. in his first major interview since winning the election, mr biden told nbc news the process got under way quickly

after officials formally recognised his victory. he's been outlining his plans for government, after unveiling his choice for senior positions in his administration. peter bowes reports. building a new team with a new slogan — underjoe biden, america is back and ready to lead the world. formally unveiling his choice for some of the top positions in government, relying heavily on former colleagues from the obama administration, mr biden signalled a new tone for the white house and its world—view. the team meets this moment, this team behind me. they embody my core beliefs that america is strongest when it works with its allies. in his first major interview since winning the election, joe biden said the trump administration was finally cooperating with the transition process. he would soon be getting the daily presidential briefings, and he said plans were being made to meet the white house covid team for discussions about the distribution of a vaccine.

i think we are going to be so far behind the curve as we probably might not be in the past, and there is a lot of immediate discussion, and i must say, the outreach has been sincere. it has not been begrudging so far. he also expanded on his vision for a first term in office and said he hadn't ruled out appointing a republican into his administration. we still have a lot more appointments to make. i want this country to be united. the purpose of our administration is to unite it, we can't keep this virulent political dialogue going, it has to end. donald trump is still not conceded the election, but he has made two brief appearances at the white house. i hereby grant you a full pardon! one for the traditional pardoning of a turkey ahead of the thanksgiving holiday. he also gave a one minute news conference to take credit for the stock market reaching

a record high. the dowjones industrial average just hit 30,000... reporters had plenty of questions, but the president took none of them and left the room. peter bowes, bbc news, los angeles. there was an increase in domestic abuse and violence offences in england and wales during the pandemic, according to the official figures. police recorded 26,1192 domestic abuse offences between march and june, a 9% rise on the same period in 2019. the office for national statistics says that roughly a fifth of all offences recorded by police were related to domestic abuse. the victims are most likely to be women. unicef and un women have told the bbc that a generation of girls and women has been subject to domestic abuse due to the covid—19 pandemic, with an estimated 15 million more women vulnerable globally, for every three months of lockdown. economic pressures, care giving duties and lack of access

to education mean that girls are more likely to disproportionately face male violence at home. megha mohan reports my name is anne, and i am 19 years old. i have a son, and i live with my parents, brothers and sisters. we share a one—room shack in a township in south africa. my father used to do odd jobs, but since the covid—19 pandemic, he hasn't had any work. he ended up borrowing money from loan sharks and got into debt. with the lockdown, the entire family had to spend every day stuck together at home. in the first few months of the pandemic, my dad would get drunk and hit me, my mum and sister. we've changed anne's name and had an actor voice her testimony. she's one of the estimated 15 million more women around the world who, for each three months of lockdown, have experienced domestic abuse according to unicef and un women.

they say there's been a 40% increase of reported abuse in a home in some countries during the pandemic. we are at risk of losing a generation of girls and young women, and going back at least a decade on progress that we've made on gender equality. girls are not going back to school, and we know that young women have lostjobs and are not going back into work, the working environment, and also other principle caregivers. so i think it's really dangerous. this happened to me... but it's notjust women from poorer backgrounds that are vulnerable to domestic violence. cindy bishop is a un women goodwill ambassador and supermodel from thailand. violence comes in many, many forms — emotional violence, you know, neglect as well, and so just looking back, yes, there's been multiple times where i've seen, i've experienced it, i've had to put foundation on my friend's likes to cover up the bruises before we do fashion shows.

i've had to put foundation on my friend's legs to cover up the bruises before we do fashion shows. we're only talking to our girls, we're telling them to protect themselves, we're telling them to cover themselves up, don't get into the situations where you're the only girl. we're not talking to our boys about, you know, respect and consent and things like that. anne is now getting help from a local south african charity, child and youth care worker intervention. after she saw posters for a helpline in her neighbourhood and whatsapped the number. the charity is also helping her dad. it used to be really bad at home, but now that my dad is getting help, things are improving for the family, and i am also getting help so i can continue with my studies. anne says she hopes to become a firefighter and teach her son to be a polite man who treats women well. megha mohan, bbc news. dr nayreen daruwalla works

for the prevention of violence against women and children at the society for nutrition, education & health action — a charity based in mumbai. thank you have up forjoining us on bbc news to talk to us about this story. tell us there in mumbai, do your experiences reflect what we have been talking about an increase in the number of people suffering domestic abuse during the pandemic? yes. so i think first of all domestic violence is not new. we have been running this service for the last 20 years and we have been having 80% of our domestic violence. it is very difficult for woman. at times there is so much in their

lives they are not able to cope any more and what we saw was the men, we we re more and what we saw was the men, we were offering helpline services and these helpline service, the women are in extreme situations and the situation were so extreme, the mental health condition, we had to on the helpline we had to provider advices like calling the police and seeing if the women has any support network that can help her, to help her get out the situation. and i am sure, iam her get out the situation. and i am sure, i am sure her get out the situation. and i am sure, i am sure you her get out the situation. and i am sure, i am sure you know, looking at this at the start of the pandemic you were well aware this is how the situation would evolve it would make it more difficult for women to reach out to charities like yourself, for charities to reach out to women, and it is main rim suffering from this

domestic abuse, your charity works specifically with women and children, so what have you learned from this in terms of how you can help people in this domestic abuse situation, when you know something as huge as a pandemic is going on in society. yes, think we have learned, how best we do, have better skills, to provide help in that situation and second, if we want to help, then i think and second, if we want to help, then ithinka and second, if we want to help, then i think a lot of prevention needs to be done, the women need to know there is a helpline, or there is a place where they can ask for help, and this is what we are trying to do, maximise our needs.” and this is what we are trying to do, maximise our needs. i think you also do a lot of education with men, andindeed also do a lot of education with men, and indeed young boys as well. that

isa and indeed young boys as well. that is a really important element of this, isn't it. yes, it is. think when we do this, it really helps them to understand that they cannot ewe violence. and they cannot take the woman for granted. so we have had many, many men, many young girls who have suffered domestic violence and they are saying their fathers have been using a lot of it and a lot of... and not allowing the girl to do anything. so i think restrictions, these are the things we need to learn. 0k, thank you very much for talking to us about that. and if you've been affected by domestic abuse you can find

information in the uk about support and help — in confidence — on the bbc action line website. the address is on your screen now. we are hearing from the spending review the chancellor is going to be make, setting out spend for the next year because of the huge amount of uncertainty right now, the office for budget responsibility forecasts are showing that economic impact of coronavirus make a sobering read, the cabinet has been told according toa number the cabinet has been told according to a number ten spokesman, so we have been warned that these obr forecasts about the economic impact of covid—19, of the pandemic, are going to make very difficult reading, and that is what we have been told according to a number ten spokesman.

an inadequate stockpile of personal protective equipment in england before the pandemic and a surge in price because of a boom in global demand has cost the taxpayer around £10 billion. that's the findings of a report by britain's public spending watchdog, the national audit office. it says there was a particular shortage of gloves and aprons, and two orders for 75 million facemasks could not be used our special correspondent lucy manning reports. as nurses and doctors risked their lives to save others, they should have been protected. but a shortage of personal protective equipment left many feeling vulnerable. the report from the spending watchdog found in the early months of the pandemic, not enough ppe, huge increases in prices, and orders that failed to meet specifications. at the start of the pandemic, the government hadn't built the stockpile up enough. there were only nine days' worth of goggles,

seven days' worth of protective aprons, and not enough gowns to even last a day. so they were forced to buy as prices rocketed. the cost of body bags and gowns went up by more than 1000%. gloves went up by 500%. more than £12 billion was spent buying ppe. if it had been bought at the prices a year before, £10 billion could have been saved. your masks and your two boxes... dan archer runs an in—home care company in sheffield. the report highlights how care companies came close to running out of ppe. we support vulnerably placed adults in the community. i'm not a procurement expert, but we were finding ourselves in a position, with a little bit of work, a little bit of desk research, where we were able to find these facemasks for better value than we were being offered by government sanctioned providers. in august, the bbc revealed 150 million facemasks with ear loops, supplied by ayanda capital, couldn't be used in the nhs. and similar masks from

pestfix also didn't meet the safety specifications. pestfix agreed to supply other ppe instead. ayanda said it had met the requirements at the time. the report says there could be millions of other items of ppe, totalling hundreds of millions of pounds, that are potentially unsuitable. we're suggesting that there is a comprehensive lessons learned exercise that should be undertaken, that should involve local stakeholders, staff, representatives and care providers, to look at how we prepare for future emergency pandemics, orjust emergencies generally. the department of health said during this unprecedented pandemic, all the nhs providers audited were always able to get what they needed in time, thanks to the herculean effort of government, nhs, armed forces, civil servants and industry. at the start of the pandemic, huge effort was made, but prices were high and supplies were low. lucy manning, bbc news.

britain's equality and human rights commission says the home office unlawfully ignored warnings that changes to immigration rules would create "serious injustices" for the windrush generation. a report has concluded that the "hostile environment" policy, designed to deter "irregular" migrants from settling, had harmed many people who were already living in the uk. and it says it had a disproportionate impact on people from caribbean countries. the windrush generation came from the caribbean to the uk from 19118 to 1971. the headlines on bbc news. meghan, the duchess of sussex reveals she has had a miscarriage, writing in an article of feeling "an unbearable grief. " leaders of the four uk nations have come together and urged caution

over the relaxation of covid restrictions at christmas. but scientists say easing the rules could cause a fresh spike. the uk chancellor is due to outline the government's spending plans for the coming year, as public borrowing rises to levels not seen since world war two. no hugging grandparents, no playdates with friends, and months off school — children have had so much to contend with during this confusing and worrying year. now britain's schools are using art, music and drama, to help support young people through the biggest upheaval to a generation since since world war two. tim muffett reports. one, two, three... cheese! generation covid, a photography and art projects across eight london schools, aimed at capturing a unique moment in time. we want to know the impact. what has this pandemic hard on our children? so we'll be taking a photo, getting some reflections every year,

how the children are progressing, what they're enjoying at school and how it's affected them. it's a very different time. so it's good to take a snapshot of that. it's been challenging. we've had to learn a new way of working. but something that i've noticed is that the children are so resilient and they've really enjoyed being back to school. things like art and photography, why are they useful, do you think? how can they help? i think it's a way of children expressing their creativity, and a way of them understanding the world. so in their art, they'll draw people with wearing masks and that's their way of understanding. i like making pictures of my mummy. what was it like having your photograph taken? it was so good, because... ..i keep onjumping. a number of research studies have explored how covid—19 is affecting the well—being of children. some have highlighted their resilience. others have raised huge concerns about anxiety, physical fitness, even the loss of basic skills, such as using a knife and fork. i did notice that he's regressed a little bit in terms

of like, his independence. because he's quite young still. he was starting to gain independence in terms of doing things for himself, doing his jacket up, feeding himself. and when he had to stay at home, he just went backwards. lockdown was very difficult for us. and i think being able to go back to school has definitely been good. i don't think she was in a good place. laverne is a child psychologist. she's relieved she's able to work in schools once more. the first lockdown was so difficult for a lot of children, because it was something that couldn't be predicted. you know, lots of children have talked about feeling like they fell off a bit of a cliff edge. you know, one minute they were in school, the next minute they were being told that they had to be at home. i've been talking to parents about, you know, children who they felt were really well ahead in being potty trained, for example, could do things for themselves, suddenly needing a bit more help. # put down your phone and have a covid game plan...# music can help.

this song was written by 16—year—old river. at his school in mansfield, other students are being encouraged to use music to express themselves. we've had a significant increase in students opting for music lessons this year. so we're up around a0%, 50% on last year. students' mental health at the moment is a real concern. and learning an instrument, being creative, investing in the arts, i think — we think as a school — is a key factor in sustaining positive mental health. so when i feel down, ijust start playing on my saxophone, just learning new notes, learning new tunes. it has helped me. so i'm not bored and i can learn a new skill, because music's awesome in my opinion. until one day everything changed. polka theatre company has been running well—being workshops in primary schools. they focus specifically

on stories and characters, to explore the situations and emotions that children may experience during the pandemic. what can we do to help us stop feeling worried? we can talk to other people about it. of course — we can talk to other people about it. performing arts are an essential message of communication. it allows us to understand and express ourselves, and theatre can help children learn important values, such as respect, such as tolerance. and it allows children to put themselves in the shoes of the characters. i think we should all be very worried. be worried as parents that all children have been affected in one way or another, to varying degrees. it will continue to affect children for quite some time. the biggest upheaval faced by a generation of children since the second world war. understanding the full impact of covid will take many, many years. tim muffett, bbc news.

708 books entered. the twenty authors were announced last night across five categories for the costa book awards, which honour writers based in the uk and ireland. shortlists feature ten debuts, four previously shortlisted authors, two all—female category shortlists and author ages ranging from 28—74. we can now speak to author jeff young — who is nominated in the biography category for his book, ghost town. it for his book, ghost town. is about growing up in li geoff, it is about growing up in liverpool. geoff, lovely to have you with us. ——jeff. in a record—breaking year, in terms of the number of entries you must be very very pleased. yes, it is really exciting. and kind of unexpected you know, we are a small press and i'm not exactly famous. it is great. you do a lot of writing,

across radio, stage, film and tv, you have written for casualty, doctor, series that people know and love, and what has it been like the process of writing a book rather than writing for tv? well, to be honest in a way it was an extension ofa honest in a way it was an extension of a lot of the work i already do, a lot of stuff i do is rooted in my own life and in the city of liverpool, and, so it wasjust a really it was a matter of telling the same kind of stories but adjusting it slightly to think of something that would be within the pages of a book, rather than broadcast, you know. it is a very different form obviously but i am still telling the same series that, you know, that are about memory and place and and the kind of haunted

aspect of the city, you know, so it was a shift, but it was, you know, close. and i read that that love of the, you know, the very fabric of the, you know, the very fabric of the city, the buildings, the streets, came from your mum. yes, my mum was, i describe her in the book asa mum was, i describe her in the book as a trespasser, and from when we we re as a trespasser, and from when we were kids, she would just take us by the hand and walk us through the city, me and my sister, she would sneak us in building, up fires scapes and down corridors we weren't supposed to be there. she would make a.about talking about the architecture and the history of building and often who the architect was, and through that i learned to look at the city through that, and i learned to look at the city through her eyes, and she'd been the secretary of the city architect and, in the post—war region when the city

was being rebuilt, and she was passionate about liverpool and i inherited that from her. so, i mean, a story about liverpool, about you growing up in liverpool, i was due to speak to the booker prize winner douglas stewart ant shuggie bain but the time difference didn't help. i wa nted the time difference didn't help. i wanted to ask if, did you need a certain amount of time separating growing up in liverpool, to writing about that period ? growing up in liverpool, to writing about that period? yes, and i think time is important, i think a bit of space, away from the actual events is important, but i think that i could only have written this book by walking the streets every day. i have always been a great city walker, and you know, if i needed inspiration i would just take myself into town and walk down the back

alleys and go into the, those buildings that are used to go into when i could. jeffl am sorry, we are out of time but congratulations on the. no nation, we look forward to hearing the results. thank you. thank you. you're watching bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol kirkwood. hello. currently we have a band of rain moving west to east out of wales and across england, and as it does so the rain on it is weakening all the time. as it clears away, we will see sunshine and showers behind it, and it is a cooler feeling day today for most of us than yesterday. yesterday's top temperature was in rhyl, where it reached 15 degrees. so this is the cold front, which is producing the cloud and rain moving eastwards. as you can see from the isobars, it won't be a windy day today, just gentle breezes really, and a lot of dry weather. so as we go through the afternoon here is the cloud and and the rain,

increasingly light and patchy, moving into the south—east corner, as well as the channel islands. behind it a lot of sunshine, but a good peppering of showers, northern and western scotland and northern ireland, one or two getting into north—west england through the afternoon. some of those could be sharp. temperature—wise, widely around about eight to 11, but where we have the cloud from the weather front we are looking at something a little higher. now this evening and overnight we will have this cloud still, and some patchy rain in the channel islands and south—east england. still a few showers dotted around here and there, some coming down the east coast, but a lot of clear skies, so it will be a cold night in prospect. more widely colder than it was last night. so more of us likely to see some frost and, as well as that, there will also be some patchy mist and frost forming, which tomorrow will be slow to clear, some of it lifting into low cloud. some lingering all day. our weather front‘s still across southern areas, still producing spots of rain and a fair bit of cloud.

really, there won't be that many showers round tomorrow, just a few, there will be more dry conditions than wet, and temperatures, well, the lower temperatures infiltrating further south, but where we have the weather front still hanging on there in st helier 12 degrees. first thing friday morning there will be widespread fog. some of that will be dense, and also frost to watch out for. like the coming days, the fog will be slow to lift. for some it will only lift into low cloud and linger for much of the day. we will see some brightness develop, still a few showers affecting eastern coastal counties. a weak weather front coming in across the north—west, producing some light rain. these are the temperatures, so going down again in the south, 11 in st helier.

this is bbc news. i'm annita mcveigh. the headlines at 11: the chancellor prepares to unveil the government's spending plans for the year ahead, with money expected to be announced for the nhs, schools and the devolved nations. rishi sunak will also set out the extent of the damage done to the uk economy by the coronavirus pandemic — and there could be a public sector pay freeze for some workers in england. meghan, the duchess of sussex reveals she's had a miscarriage, writing in an article of feeling ‘an unbearable grief.‘ people across the uk are being urged to think carefully before they take advantage of the relaxation of coronavirus rules over christmas. effectively, what this would be doing is throwing fuel on the covid fire.

i think it will definitely lead to increased transmission that's likely to lead to a third wave of infection with hospitals overrun and more unnecessary deaths. the spending watchdog says ppe stockpiles in england were inadequate for the covid pandemic, with a surge in price costing the taxpayer around £10 billion. and coming up this hour, shut for the first time in a century — how the pandemic has led to the closure of village halls across the uk. good morning and welcome to bbc news. the chancellor, rishi sunak, is preparing to set out how he hopes to protectjobs in the uk, and help the economy recover from the devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

money for the nhs will be announced in his spending review along with funding for schools and settlements for the devolved nations. £3 billion for the nhs in england has already been trailed to tackle the backlog of operations due to covid. a £4.6 billion package to help people who are unemployed back to work, as well as an increase in defence spending. and there have been reports that the chancellor is considering a pay freeze for all public sector workers, except front line nhs staff. the cabinet has been told that spending forecasts that the chancellor will consider from the office for budget responsibility will make a "sobering read". our economics correspondent andy verity reports. we promise to level up with new roads, railways, broadband and homes! this budget gets it done! in march, when coronavirus was coming but no lockdown had yet been announced, the new chancellor, rishi sunak, promised a comprehensive review

of government spending byjuly. long before then, he had embarked on the biggest spending spree in peacetime, almost all of it funded by borrowing. in the march budget, the official forecast was the chancellor would have to borrow £55 billion this financial year. but by august, the huge cost of the government's antivirus policy meant he was expected to borrow nearly seven times that figure, £372 billion. now in the midst of a second wave of renewed support measures, that figure's expected to jump even higher. that doesn't mean now is the time for cuts. with renewed restrictions pushing down consumer spending and few businesses investing, it's only higher government spending that's preventing the double dip we are in getting even deeper. the government's already promised to spend £4 billion a year extra on defence and about £1 billion a year on a restart scheme to help unemployed people find work. and it is under pressure to prevent millions slipping into poverty by extending a £20 a week boost

to benefits beyond march. to try to show it can rein back spending, the government's floated the idea of cutting overseas aid and freezing or capping the pay rises of 5 million public sector workers outside the nhs. that's prompted unions to accuse the government of a return to the same austerity it promised one year ago to end. but with the pandemic still set to last months and the shape of a brexit deal still unknown, any forecasts for government spending remain deeply uncertain. andy verity, bbc news. let's get the thoughts of our business presenter, sima kotecha. so, ijust wonder, do you think the chancellor is going to be careful, very careful, or conversely, because he is looking ahead for the next year, not three years, whether he will try to be ambitious with this spending review? i think he has got to be tactical, it's probably the sensible word. and we know a lot of what he is going to announce today

because it has been trailed, said 3 billion extra for the nhs, 16.5 billion extra for the nhs,16.5 billion extra for the nhs,16.5 billion for defence, and yesterday'sannouncement, 4. 6 billion for defence, and yesterday'sannouncement, 4.6 billion for the unemployed, to try to help them get back to work. but the backdrop is so concerning and challenging. we know that debt levels are obscene. the country is facing a 2.8 trillion debt. we are also seeing the economy get smaller, 10% smaller than it was at pre—pandemic levels, and we are also expecting today from the chancellor, the lbr's for cats, the office for budget responsibility, the government's official forecaster. and what rishi sunak is said to his cabinet this morning is that that forecast will be a sobering read. we are expecting unemployment numbers to be very high, the contraction of the economy also to be high, and all of this is going to mean that at some point, it will be inevitable

that taxes will have to be raised. some economists are arguing against that and saying that will do the opposite of stimulating the economy because people will have fewer pounds in their pockets. and ijust wonder on the subject of public sector pay, we know this has been trailed, or suggested, i sector pay, we know this has been trailed, orsuggested, ishould sector pay, we know this has been trailed, or suggested, i should say, that this pay freeze is going to hit public sector workers apart from front line nhs workers. is there any chance that's not going to happen, as has been suggested? because talking to a union representative earlier, he was saying he hoped the chancellor had listened to the anger from public sector workers once this news broke last week, suggesting there would be a freeze. there is a strong indication that it will. we know that back injuly, the chancellor talked about there being a parity between the private sector and the public sector in terms of pgy- and the public sector in terms of pay. we know that he feels very strongly about this. and at the end of the day, the government would argue it needs to save some money, and it was so that public sector

workers this year has and, their pay has gone up more than it has for private sector workers. but this is an incredibly contentious topic, controversial, there are likely to be protests from unions if it goes ahead because it is worth saying, these people have been at the forefront of the pandemic, soldiers carrying coffins, doctors and nurses caring for the ill, teachers going into schools when every thing else is closed, so it will not go without its controversy. thank you very much. and let's talk about the summer with our political correspondent at westminster. let's talk about this office for budget responsibility for customer first, we then warned it makes sobering reading, you have any more details about its contents? that will be one of the interesting points today. as sima was saying, we know quite a lot about what rishi

sunak is expected tenants in terms of his spending review, but quite what does office for budget responsibility forecasts show, it will make interesting reading. we know that the chancellor has told cabinet this morning it's a sobering picture, it's an economic forecast, so the size of the economy, potential unemployment going forward , potential unemployment going forward, and i think you will see it matched with rishi sunak‘s emphasis on trying to shore up jobs, so this investment in a restart scheme trying to help people back into work who are unemployed, more money, as well, forjob centre plus centres, as well, trying to combat a rise in unemployment. but i think whatever rishi sunak does, whatever money he ploughs into trying to improve the economic picture, there is no doubt that today will be a difficult message, i think, for the government to deliver. because, yes, they can talk about investment and spending but this is not where the government expected to be. they were originally looking at a longer term spending review setting up to three years of departmental budgets but because we are still very much in the midst of this pandemic, in the midst of this

crisis, they are having to make sure to time decisions to really try and hold the economy through the current pandemic before they can really think about longer term plans. they are making short—term decisions. think about longer term plans. they are making short-term decisions. as wondering about higher office of then conservative party, how rishi sunak is going to handle this, how he will bejudged sunak is going to handle this, how he will be judged on sunak is going to handle this, how he will bejudged on his handling of this at a time of such uncertainty? there is quite a lot of discussion in westminster about it in terms of the politics of this place, he's been praised by quite a lot of people in his party for seeming to be fairly confident and has had a relatively successful time in terms of trying to make certain schemes happen but has had his bumps along the road, as well, of course reversing that decision in the end unfurlough, he said he wanted to end it but then decided to extend it to next year, and truthfully as well, look, he's spent an awful lot of money, much more money than he would ever probably have been comfortable doing, but the political

circumstances, i think he would argue, have forced his hand. but at some point, as sima was alluding might have to be an in—depth discussion about how to pay that money back, and whilst we are not hearing any discussion of taxes today in terms of what we will hear from the chancellor, if he talks about public sector pay freezes and cutting the aid budget, those will be controversial topics and he will come in for criticism. thank you very much. and we'll bring you live coverage on the bbc news channel of the chancellor's spending review, which gets under way at 12.30, followed by interviews and analysis throughout the afternoon. dojoin us for that. the duchess of sussex has revealed she had a miscarriage in july. meghan markle said that prince harry was with her and holding her hand through the ordeal. meghan wrote in the new york times that "i knew, "as i clutched my first—born child, "that i was losing my second" the duchess spoke of feeling "an almost unbearable grief". meghan and prince harry

had their first child, archie, in 2019. she wrote that "loss and pain have plagued "every one of us in 2020". a source close to meghan, duchess of sussex, confirmed to the bbc today that the duchess is currently in good health. i am joined now by alice weeden from the miscarriage association. thank you for coming along to talk to us about this. and first of all, i guess you think it would be, it's very encouraging that the duchess has chosen to open up in this way and give some really tough details of her experience, to allow people to talk about the subject more openly. i'd like to start by saying i was so sorry to hear the news. it can be so distressing, and absolutely, you're right, i think that when, particularly, somebody in the public eye talks about it openly, it's helpful for the public eye talks about it openly, it's helpfulfor other people to know that they are not alone. it's helpful for people to know that they are not alone. it's helpfulfor people people to know that they are not alone. it's helpful for people to

understand it can happen to absolutely anyone, and actually, it's very common. it happens to one in every four pregnancies, and is a and when sub it wants to talk about it, not everybody does, but when they do, it can really help others. —— when somebody wants to talk about it. and happening during a pandemic isa it. and happening during a pandemic is a particularly tough time, without, perhaps, for most people, access to the kind of support that one might look for in a situation like this. yes, i think it has made what is already often a very, very tough situation even tougher. people who are in a position of may be going in for their scans, who are in a position of may be going infortheirscans, going who are in a position of may be going in for their scans, going to appointments are not allowed to take their partner with them, having to deal with that on their own, and when they've had news that is hard to cope with, there are then in a position where they can't go to see their friends position where they can't go to see theirfriends and position where they can't go to see their friends and family and get hugs. it's all just their friends and family and get hugs. it's alljust been made really complicated and it is so sad, and

we're definitely seeing the effects of that at the miscarriage association, we've had so many calls to our helpline, people seeking support at this time. and you would presumably expect that now the duchess of sussex has written in this way, opened up in this way about her experience, that holes potentially, to your helpline will go up, potentially, to your helpline will go up, as well? —— that calls to your helpline will go up? yes, and i think it's important that people know where they can go to for help, and it can definitely be helpful when people are talking about it, but it does it stirs up memories, people who have lost a pregnancy some time ago, it can stir it up again, so we would definitely be prepared for that. but it's important that people know where they can come and get support and information, from people who have gone through it themselves, and also partners, as well. thank you for joining us to talk about the story today. and sources close to the

duchess are saying that she is now, after that miscarriage in july, duchess are saying that she is now, after that miscarriage injuly, in good health, although clearly still in grief. you're watching bbc news. it's in let's talk some more now about the news that the duchess of sussex has revealed that she had a miscarriage injuly. sussex has revealed that she had a miscarriage in july. a sussex has revealed that she had a miscarriage injuly. a royal correspondentjoins me now. and talking about this a little earlier, i was struck first of all that how she's written about this, given some really very intimate details of what she went through on the day of the miscarriage happened. yes, they have had nearly five months to deal with this and process it, as their spokesman says, and she is never in this article, as you say, for the new york times, disclosed that this miscarriage happened in july, new york times, disclosed that this miscarriage happened injuly, talked about her grief, almost unbearable grief, as she refers to it. and in a

sense this article is almost a lament and a rallying call in this exceptional year of so many challenges the top she writes, this year has brought so many of us to our breaking points. whether it's through loss and bereavement or polarisation within our societies, whether it's racial or political, and she refers to all of these sorts of incidences. she says that so much is alleviated if we look out for each other. she recalls this question that she was asked in that itv documentary, are you ok? and she exhorts all of us to look out, with each other in the eye and ask, how are you doing, are you ok? and she writes, being invited to share our pain, together, we take the first steps towards healing. and undoubtedly that as part of her purpose, to write about her own miscarriage, put it in the public domain, she is not the first member of the royal family to have suffered a miscarriage but certainly is the first person to write about it in

this way, and she says the conversation up until now has remained taboo but she hopes this will bring comfort to others who have gone through the same tragic circumstances she has experience. have gone through the same tragic circumstances she has experiencem underlines, i think, fundamentally very strong person, though she does speak about this unbearable grief, she is not just speak about this unbearable grief, she is notjust writing that herself, she is thinking about others, even through this.” herself, she is thinking about others, even through this. i think thatis others, even through this. i think that is absolutely right. i think it's very well written and, you know, it's a powerful article which i think will be widely read, and from this grief i think many people will be encouraged to do as she exhorts and to talk about this, and to examine what it is that we can do to examine what it is that we can do to help each other. thank you very much. the leaders of all four uk

nations are urging people to think carefully as virus restrictions are relaxed over christmas. it comes as scientists warn the relaxation will cause a spike in infections. the changes will apply between the 22nd and 28th december in northern ireland. the rest of the uk will be able to form their ‘christmas bubble' between 23rd and 27th december. people from three different households will be allowed to spend time together indoors for five days and travel restrictions will be eased. but a formed "christmas bubble" must be "exclusive" and would not be able to visit pubs or restaurants together. the prime minister and the leaders of scotland, wales and northern ireland have urged people meeting over christmas to be "mindful of the risks to themselves and others, particularly those who are vulnerable." this report from keith doyle. the 12 days of christmas have been reduced to five. restrictions on travel and mixing will be lifted from the 23rd to december 27th, after leaders across all four uk nations agreed on a common plan to allow families and friends to meet each other.

but it's not going to be a christmas as normal. this year christmas will be different. many of us are longing to spend time with family and friends, irrespective of our faith or background, and yet we can't afford to throw caution to the wind. the virus doesn't know it's christmas and we must all be careful. the christmas rules are up to three households will be able to meet up during this five day festive period. and while people can mix in homes, places of worship and outdoor spaces, they can't visit pubs and restaurants together. and the three—household christmas bubble you make must be exclusive. that means no chopping and changing — your christmas bubble will stay the same throughout. whether it's say, three households, four households, five households i think extended families are mostly going to try and meet up, no matter how many households they come from. i'm really against it. i really don't think it should be happening.

i think they should have locked us down, keep us locked down, because we all want to get back to normal. further details for scotland and wales will be published tomorrow. but even with the relaxed rules, people are being asked to make a personaljudgement about the risks they take over the festive period, for themselves and those vulnerable around them. the virus is not going to be taking christmas off. so although we want to give a little bit of flexibility for christmas, we are still urging people to be very cautious and to use this flexibility responsibly and only if you think it is necessary. northern ireland has an extra day either side of the five days to allow for travel. across the uk, these measures will give people more of a christmas than might have been. but it will still be far from the christmas most would wish for. keith doyle, bbc news. and you've been sending in your thoughts about the christmas plans, bubbles and so on, on twitter. let

me read out a couple of those. karen says, listening to the experts makes me sad, me and my husband have three children with families, how do you choose two out of three, you can't. this one says, are we now not following the science? sage says this is a mistake and doing massive damage. is the sign is not relevant now? another says, all of these rules and regulations of christmas commits nonsense, if somebody comes to your home you're probably all going to get it, it's madness. and one more says, i live alone, age 72 and ina one more says, i live alone, age 72 and in a bubble with my daughter, we only meet each other, the new rules area only meet each other, the new rules are a recipe for disaster, is it realistic people will only see no more than three households and who will police it? so most of you getting in touch with me, virtually all getting in touch with me today, really cautious about what you can do or not to do over christmas. i would be interested to hear from you more, if you'd like to let us know,

are you planning to get together in the bubble with two other households, or do you think it's not worth the risk? you can send me your thoughts on twitter. i will try to read out a few more. and what about christmas in other countries in europe? germany's chancellor, angela merkel, meets regional leaders today to discuss their strategy for dealing with the coronavirus crisis over the winter months. reports suggest there could be an early start to the christmas holidays. political leaders have been bitterly divided over how to tackle the second wave of infections, and are keen to relax restrictions further, including allowing groups of up to ten people to meet. while shops are expected to stay open, it is proposed that bars, restaurants, leisure and arts facilities will remain closed during december. france will ease its strict coronavirus restrictions this weekend, with nonessential shops re—opening from saturday. president macron has also said people will be able to share "moments with family" over christmas, as some travel restrictions are to be lifted.

but he said bars and restaurants will remain closed until the end of january, and that france had to do everything to avoid a third wave of infections. let's talk more about the relaxation of rules in the uk. for many this year has been a lonely and isolating experience, and this opportunity for quality time with loved ones will be seen as a lifeline. rosie weatherley is the information content manager at the mental health charity mind. hello, good to see you today. throughout this pandemic we have talked so much not only about the immediate physical impacts of the virus, but also all there is a secondary, and i use a secondary advisedly, because they are very thick, other impacts of the virus, whether it's the impact on mental health come on people being able to reach out for services they might need to, and so on. so where does

mind sit on this, the natural desire to get together with friends and family, versus the risks from the virus? good morning. ithink it's not within mind's gift to comment on what is an appropriate way to manage a virus moving through society. we are not epidemiologists, we are a mental health charity. so we have to defer to government to give us advice that is responsible, but we know that this year has been difficult for all of us, in loads of different ways, and lots of people have found that not been able to spend time with friends and family has had a really adverse effect on their mental health. christmas means different things to us all, and i think it's important to remember that it's already a very difficult time of yearfor that it's already a very difficult time of year for many people and these restrictions being relaxed will to be good news for everybody. we have seen other celebrations,

diwali, eid, people being encouraged to celebrate online and not get together in big groups, and now the government is saying for christmas, three households in a christmas bubble. so what are you saying to people who reach out to you and tell you that they are really struggling with their mental health, worries about the virus but they feel unbalanced that getting together with family and friends over christmas would be a massive benefit to them. —— who feel, on balance, that getting together. that's a good question, and i am trying to figure out with my family, what we are going to do, we are a large family and we would all be able to get together with these rules, we are trying to figure that out. lots of us trying to figure that out. lots of us might be feeling angry and frustrated because christmas has been given such high prominence and other festivals have not had the same significance placed on them, so it can feel really unjust that eid and diwali and thanksgiving have already happened without much

discussion so what is your advice, then, i know you say you're not epidemiologists but we have heard from lots of scientists that if people do get together the risk of transmission is there, so how do you ultimately balance these dilemmas up and decide what to do?” ultimately balance these dilemmas up and decide what to do? i think it's going to have to be a personal judgment. the government rules are the maximum, you don't have to socialise with other households if you don't want to. i can imagine that lots of people might be looking forward to it quite a christmas this year commits forward to it quite a christmas this yearcommits an forward to it quite a christmas this year commits an opportunity to try out some new ways of doing things. —— people might be looking forwards toa —— people might be looking forwards to a more quiet christmas this year. and there are ways technology can help us stay more connected. so i think the advice would be to have a think the advice would be to have a think about the things that are really important to you, the traditions and rituals that for your

signifiers of christmas and things that bring you comfort and happiness, and if they are not possible to have in their current format, can you adapt them? traditions are inherently adaptable, thatis traditions are inherently adaptable, that is how they survive. so can you adapt them? can you perhaps do them later in the year? or other things that traditionally have been part of your christmas that may be you might be feeling relieved that they won't happen this time around, and that's an opportunity to think, am i going to do that next year? just briefly, we are almost at a time, what services would be available for people to access over christmas if they need to talk to somebody about their mental health? samaritans is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 306 to five days a year. mind has an online community which is often active on christmas day, people are welcome to sign up, it's free, and expect a warm welcome. thank you very much.

the equality and human rights commission says the home office unlawfully ignored warnings that changes to immigration rules would create "serious injustices" for the windrush generation. a report has concluded that the "hostile environment" policy, designed to deter "irregular" migrants from settling, has the effect of harming many people who were already living in the uk. it says there was a disproportionate impact on people from caribbean countries. the windrush generation came from the caribbean to the uk from 1948 to 1971. the home office said it was determined to "right the wrongs suffered" by them. an inadequate stockpile of personal protective equipment in england before the pandemic and a surge in price because of a boom in global demand has cost the taxpayer around £10 billion. that's the findings of a report by the public spending watchdog, the national audit office. it says there was a particular shortage of gloves and aprons, and two orders for 75 million facemasks could not be used as they did not current pass safety standards.

the government said the nao's report recognised that nhs providers had been able to get what they needed in time. well, robert white is the author of the report and director of health at the national audit office. good to have you with us to talk about your report today. i just wonder, ultimately, does this report show, in your opinion, that the government in reasonable circumstances should have actually had that supply is in place? that's a good question and a slightly difficult one to answer, because the national stockpile that was in place was designed for an influenza pandemic and do not occur coronavirus pandemic. —— and not a coronavirus pandemic. —— and not a coronavirus pandemic. —— and not a coronavirus pandemic. and one of the things that should have been on hand in the first wave was gowns and there were none in the national stockpile, so on one level, good news there was a national stockpile but what had to be adapted very

quickly was getting the supplies that was needed. and then the supply and demand effect on pricing kicked m, and demand effect on pricing kicked in, iguess and demand effect on pricing kicked in, i guess a lot of people will look at that and look at, we're talking today about the imminent spending review, of course, where cuts and freezes may have to come into play, and ask questions about the management of the public purse. yes, we did see quite significant price rises and just to give you a flavour of that, in 2019, you might have expected gloves to cost 2p and they rose to 12p, i mentioned gowns, gowns of rover 33p and they rose to over 50. and there is a multiplier effect, just to give you an id of the number of items that were ordered to the end ofjuly. —— gowns rose to £4 50. the government had

new capacity to order globally, but it ordered 32 billion items of ppe entered the national stockpile was about 4 billion items. what's interesting that in the five months —— in the national stockpile there was 4 million items. in the five months, not all of that 32 billion is in the country, about 6.1 was in the country looks like i think one of the things that needs to be resolved is what is the right level of preparedness and resilience there needs to be held back and the government, one of, one part of the government, one of, one part of the government doesn't responses that your report recognise that nhs providers were able to get what they neededin providers were able to get what they needed in time yet many people will reflect back on the elements of the pandemic of interviews with

teachers, people making aprons in their homes, for example, to supply ca re their homes, for example, to supply care homes, did everybody really get what they needed in a timely way?” think this is one of the things that needs to be looked at. because we certainly picked up on a very different experience when looking at some of the service and feedback from front line workers, and how clear the guidance was, whether they had the right ppe at the right time, versus headline statements at an organisational level that no one ran out. and it's notjust the supply of ppe but how well people thought it was working. there is some very interesting survey results from the royal college of nursing, particularly the differences between black, asian and minority ethnic nurses, and how well certain ppe formed a seal around faces for the

higher specification masks, there was about 49% of that group that felt it inadequately formed a seal whereas 74% of white british nurses reported that they felt it fitted properly. so there is a number of m essa g es properly. so there is a number of messages that just don't properly. so there is a number of messages thatjust don't reconcile between the staff experience and what was being reported generally. thank you very much forjoining us today to talk about your report. now, we are waiting for the chancellor to make his way to the house of commons to tell us all about the spending review for the next year. we will try to show you the pictures of him leaving and of course bring you full coverage of that spending review statement when it starts, but before that, let's ta ke it starts, but before that, let's take a look at the weather. hello again. we have a band of rain moving eastwards across england, but increasingly through the day you will find it will turn that bit lighter and patchier in nature. essentially a cold front. behind it we are in cooler conditions, quite a bit of sunshine

but also some showers, and some of the showers across western scotland and northern ireland could be heavy. is pulling away from the weather because it lives we have just missed him, the chancellor that is, just left number 11 and has disappeared into that car and is on his way to the house of commons to deliver the spending review. the context of that, as we have been reporting, a report from the office for budget responsibility, the obr, on the likely state of the economy, in which a downing street spokesperson has said is making very sobering reading. the spending review that the chancellor making today are at the chancellor making today are at the spending plans for next year.

because of the huge amount of uncertainty in the economy with the pandemic, with no news yet on whether there will be a trade deal is at the uk exits at the brexit transition period. this is an unusual period of uncertainty, so the chancellor is making the spending plans are purely for the next year. once he starts speaking at around half past 12 in at the house of commons we will be bringing you that live, with lots of interviews and analysis of what he same throughout the day here on bbc news. we can actually go back to that weather forecast with carol. no, we can't. i'mjust that weather forecast with carol. no, we can't. i'm just waiting. we didn't have that weather for you, but we will have more weather very soon. let's take a look at the headlines right now. the chancellor prepares to unveil the government's spending plans for the year ahead —

with money expected to be announced for the nhs, schools and the devolved nations. rishi sunak will also set out the extent of the damage done to the uk economy by the coronavirus pandemic — and there could be a public sector pay freeze for some workers in england. meghan, the duchess of sussex, reveals she's had a miscarriage — writing in an article of feeling "an unbearable grief. " people across the uk are being urged to think carefully before they take advantage of the relaxation of coronavirus rules over christmas. the spending watchdog says ppe stockpiles in england were inadequate for the covid pandemic — with a surge in price costing the taxpayer around £10 billion. sport — and for a full round up from the bbc sport centre, here's olly foster. good morning. it was a good night in the champions league. manchester united are now a point away from reaching the knockout stage —

they beat istabnbul basaksehir 4—1 at old trafford. cheslea are through to the last 16 after a late winner against rennes — 2—1 the score in france. ben croucher reports. rennes couldn't quite grasp it. they're heading for the champions league exit. for chelsea, safe passage with a couple of games still to play. the win in north—west france was made in chelsea, as academy products, mason mount and callum hudson—odoi, combined for their opener. going down and out, but not without a fight, rennes made a game of it, but olivier giroud rose from the bench, leapt above the defence and powered frank lampard's side into the last 16. a busy schedule coming up, and the way we play means i will rely on players, so thankfully for me the player that always keeps the right attitude if he's not playing regularly, and i know when i call upon him he comes in as he did today. speaking of relying on players, bruno fernandes has become quite the hit for manchester united. what an unbelievable hit

from bruno fernandes! scorer of the spectacular and the simple. mert gunok will not want to see this one again. but we'll show you any way. it set united on the way to a 4—1 win over istanbul bashaksher, rounded off by danjames in stoppage time. just a point now from their last two games should be enough to join chelsea in the knock out stages. ben croucher, bbc news. fifa have revealed the nominees for their players and coaches of the year awards. marcelo bielsa has made the shortlist for his work at leeds united, getting them back into the premier league. liverpool'sjurgen klopp is also on the list. lucy bronze and ellie roebuck are up for player and goalkeeper of the year. they are the only british nominees for the main awards. nobby stile's son, john, has called on the professional footballers association chief executive, gordon taylor, and his leadership team to resign because of theirfailure to address the issue of dementia among former players. stile's had the disease

and died earlier this month. in a statement that is scathing of the pfa, his son has called on the premier league, the fa and the government to support the changes and has labelled the union "unfit for purpose." in an interview with the bbc yesterday, the pfa's assistant chief exec, simon barker, defended their record of helping players and funding research. the australian open is likely to be delayed by at least a week. the first tennis grand slam of the year is due to start on january 18, but with players unable to enter the state of victoria until the first of the month — and then having to quarantine for two weeks — that would affect warm—up events and the players' ability to train and prepare. andy murray is going to take part, and can see the benefits of shifting the tournament to later in the month. a lot of the players are coming from very cold climates are just now, so

to then go and ask players to go and play in the 35, 30 6 degrees heat with no match preparation itjust increases the risks of injuries, possibly, the quality of tennis is probably not going to be that high. yeah, it wouldn't be a deal—breaker for me, it is obviously makes it a little bit tougher. england's natalie sciver played a starring role for the melbourne stars as they booked their place in the t20 big bash final for the first time. sciver top scored in their match against perth scorchers, she hit five boundaries and was unbeaten on 47, as they chased down a target of 126 with seven wickets and 22 balls to spare. they'll face either brisbane heat or sydney thunder, who play their semifinal tomorrow. that's all the sport for now.

i'll have more for you later. here are some pictures of rishi sunak leaving number 11 a few moments ago, he didn't hang around before getting into his car. here is the chancellor leaving number 11 downing st on his way to parliament for the spending review. he will be setting out his plans and at less than an hour's time, you'll be able to watch all of that life here on the bbc news channel. let's talk more about the relaxation of rules in the uk. for some families the new rules are going to prove a real dilemma about what to do and who to see. jo dunbar is a journalist from newcastle who is facing that decision and she's talking to us now. thank you forjoining us to talk about your particular dilemma. let's begin by getting you to tell our reviewers what your family set up is and how problematic that is going to be in at this particular situation

with coronavirus. i live in newcastle with my husband and two children, my husband's family are all here in at the north—east, but my family all here in at the north—east, but myfamily are all here in at the north—east, but my family are all in gloucester shire. so the announcement made last night, while it does give us the opportunity to be down to gloucestershire if everyone is in agreement, then at least my north—east family out in the code are not able to see the grandchildren. —— that leaves my north—east family. grandchildren. —— that leaves my north-east family. we are talking about free house whose being in an exclusive bubble, it is either or, it is not seen one set of relatives and then another set, because you just can't do that under the set of rules which will be law. exactly, we basically have to make the decision whether we stay up here and see our work north—east relatives or do we ta ke work north—east relatives or do we take the decisions than to travel to own a 50 miles away, which won't be

much fun because i think the rows will be awful, and spent time with my family. we are not the only family in the country faced with this decision. i think a lot of people will be going through exactly what you are going through right now. lots of people have said to us today, really, why would anyone travel at this point? they should just stay put, sit tight, although it is horrible not to be able to see love ones at christmas, do their very best to make sure that this is why transmitted any further. i'm sure you can see that point of view as well? we had discussions last night, communication is to be key in at the family for everyone to raise their concerns. there is absolutely discussion that may be taking our two school—age children down the country to see my parents who are in their 70s isn't the most sensible plan at all. personally, my husband andi plan at all. personally, my husband and i are in a good position. we

have to children who love christmas, so we will have a lovely day wherever we are. i think it will be strange, but not normal, but that is 2020 so far. if i was to put you on the spot right now, which side of those various options are you coming down on as to what you'll do come christmas? we have been days having discussions. the north—east family all expect us to go to gloucestershire, and most of the gloucestershire, and most of the gloucestershire family are keen for us gloucestershire family are keen for us to come — but i think is a decision we can't make today, christmas are still a month away. my two children still don't finish school until december 18. so until we are on the way down, i don't think we can say for sure what are doing. if someone in your children's school of test positive for coronavirus, they would have to self—isolate, that would obviously make the decision for you? exactly.

we are kind of left in the position where there is a bit?. do we prep for question four christmas here or do we plan for further away? planning anything for christmas ta kes a planning anything for christmas takes a lot of headspace, so i think there will be more discussions. i don't think we will be making a final decision yet, although i would love to see my family i haven't seen since august. loads of people will be in exactly lease and i don't you're in and trying to weigh up exactly what to do, so thank you for giving insight in how you are trying to do that. the us president—elect, joe biden, has said the trump administration is cooperating "across the board" with the formal transition of power. in his first major interview since winning the election, mr biden told nbc news the process got under way quickly after officials formally recognised his victory. he's been outlining his plans for government after unveiling his choice for senior positions in his administration. our north america correspondent, peter bowes, reports.

building a new team with a new slogan — underjoe biden, america is back and ready to lead the world. formally unveiling his choice for some of the top positions in government, relying heavily on former colleagues from the obama administration, mr biden signalled a new tone for the white house and its world—view. the team meets this moment, this team behind me. they embody my core beliefs that america is strongest when it works with its allies. in his first major interview since winning the election, joe biden said the trump administration was finally cooperating with the transition process. he would soon be getting the daily presidential briefings, and he said plans were being made to meet the white house covid team for discussions about the distribution of a vaccine. i think we are going to be so far behind the curve as we probably

thought we might be in the past, and there is a lot of immediate discussion, and i must say, the outreach has been sincere. it has not been begrudging so far. he also expanded on his vision for a first term in office and said he hadn't ruled out appointing a republican into his administration. we still have a lot more appointments to make. i want this country to be united. the purpose of our administration is to unite it, we can't keep this virulent political dialogue going — it has to end. donald trump has still not conceded the election, but he has made two brief appearances at the white house. i hereby grant you a full pardon! one for the traditional pardoning of a turkey ahead of the thanksgiving holiday. he also gave a one—minute news conference to take credit for the stock market reaching a record high. the dowjones industrial average just hit 30,000... reporters had plenty of questions, but the president took none of them and left the room.

peter bowes, bbc news, los angeles. mr biden has stressed the importance of keeping the border between northern ireland and the republic of ireland open after the uk leaves the eu. he said it had taken a lot of hard work to reach a settlement there, ending decades of conflict. mr biden has previously said that brexit must not endanger the peace process on the island of ireland. the uk government has threatened to overrule the brexit withdrawal agreement, which is committed to keeping the border open. unicef and un women have told the bbc that a generation of girls and women has been subject to domestic abuse due to the covid—19 pandemic, with an estimated 15 million more women vulnerable, globally, for every three months of lockdown. economic pressures, caregiving duties and lack of access to education mean that girls are more likely to disproportionately face male violence at home. megha mohan reports. my name is anne, and i am 19 years old.

i have a son, and i live with my parents, brothers and sisters. we share a one—room shack in a township in south africa. my father used to do odd jobs, but since the covid—19 pandemic, he hasn't had any work. he ended up borrowing money from loan sharks and got into debt. with the lockdown, the entire family had to spend every day stuck together at home. in the first few months of the pandemic, my dad would get drunk and hit me, my mum and sister. we've changed anne's name and had an actor voice her testimony. she's one of the estimated 15 million more women around the world who, for each three months of lockdown, have experienced domestic abuse according to unicef and un women. they say there's been a 40% increase of reported abuse in a home in some countries during the pandemic. we are at risk of losing a generation of girls and young women, and going back at least a decade on progress that we've

made on gender equality. girls are not going back to school, and we know that young women have lostjobs and are not going back into work, the working environment, and also are the principle caregivers. so i think it's really dangerous. this happened to me... but it's notjust women from poorer backgrounds that are vulnerable to domestic violence. cindy bishop is a un women goodwill ambassador and supermodel from thailand. violence comes in many, many forms — emotional violence, you know, neglect as well, and so just looking back, yes, there's been multiple times where i've seen, i've experienced it, i've had to put foundation on my friend's legs to cover up the bruises before we do fashion shows. we're only talking to our girls, we're telling them to protect themselves, we're telling them

to cover themselves up, "don't get into the situations where you're the only girl." we're not talking to our boys about, you know, respect and consent and things like that. anne is now getting help from a local south african charity, child and youth care worker intervention. after she saw posters for a helpline in her neighbourhood and whatsapped the number. the charity is also helping her dad. it used to be really bad at home, but now that my dad is getting help, things are improving for the family, and i am also getting help so i can continue with my studies. anne says she hopes to become a firefighter and teach her son to be a polite man who treats women well. megha mohan, bbc news. and if you've been affected by domestic abuse you can find information about support and help, in confidence, on the bbc action line website. the address is on your screen now.

we've talked a lot about the closure of restaurants, theatres and gyms during the pandemic, but in some rural areas, it's one place — the village hall — that fills that gap in people's lives. jon kay has been to maiden bradley, in wiltshire, to find out how the community has been affected by the closure of their hall. brenda still comes to check every day, but it's not the same. it's cold, it's empty. it's sad. it just needs people. it needs people in here. for the first time in 100 years, maiden bradley village hall is silent. covid means nojumble sales, no exercise classes, and without a shop or pub right now, the village hall was everything.

people just used to come and mix, and it was — and quiz nights you know, all sorts of things. it's just sad and it's not being used and it's a building that needs to be used. it was all so different a year ago, when bbc countryfile filmed here. the hall fizzing with festive activity. and at its heart, edna. i used to love the coffee mornings and of course all of the bingo and things that went on. widowed and 92, she says the community is going to need this place more than ever after covid. how much do you miss it right now? when you're on your own, you like to get out and meet people, like, you know, but if we didn't have the village hall i think the village would be dead. many halls across the uk are now worried about their future. although some grants have been available this year, it's not clear what help there will be if the pandemic continues. and empty halls mean

empty bank accounts. all their income comes from hiring the space and fundraising. if they're not hiring out space and not fundraising, then they don't have any funding coming in, and neither are they building up the reserves or able to put money aside forfuture repairs and maintenance. you can see it is all moving. just down the road is horningsham village hall. ken normally deals with bookings, now he is dealing with cracks. how are they going to pay for repairs? the guttering, the roof leaks, the building itself is still deteriorating. it's like the forth bridge. all these things needs to be addressed, and they need to be addressed almost immediately, as if, as you know, certainly leaks in the roof are concerned. and without the income, it is going to fall down, simple as that. really? yeah. that serious? it is that serious. back in maiden bradley, they have

opened a shop inside the hall so villagers can buy essentials during lockdown. and they think this could be the future. village halls diversifying... 9.20, please. ..to bring them back to life and bring in money. bye. jon kay, bbc news, wiltshire. it's a big day in westminster — the prime minister will take questions from mps in the house of commons shortly, and following that the chancellor will lay out his plans in the spending review. our political correspondent, jessica parker, joins me now. all jessica parker, joins me now. they focus very muci spending all they focus very much on the spending review and the report from the office for budget responsibility on the economic outlook, which we are told is very sobering. so just remind us in a nutshell what we are expecting from the chancellor today.

that has obviously been a lot of speculation in terms of what the chancellor could announce today but i think there will be a few particular flashpoints looking ahead. there is expectation that he could announce a cut to the international aid budget from not .7% of national income to not .5% of national income. i think there will be controversial, including among some of his own conservative mps, who believe that would be the wrong step to take. it will be interesting to see whether rishi sunak announces that, how long it might last for as well. also a lot of special issue about a possible public sector pay freeze for some workers. i think there will be a lot of criticism from the labour party if the chancellor decides to go down that road. we have all they had trails in terms of money for a restart scheme to help people back into work you have lost their jobs.

to help people back into work you have lost theirjobs. i think the chancellor will try to do a major focus onjobs chancellor will try to do a major focus on jobs and supporting people back into work. that is of course a huge concern amongst already rising levels of unemployment and the potential for the rise over coming months. i think people want to try and demonstrate that the government is trying to get ahead of that and will support workers in the difficult months ahead. we always know from what rishi sunak has been sent to the cabinet this morning that the ob are forecast will look at the future shape of the economy and possible unemployment rates. he has told cabinet ministers that makes for sobering reading. —— obr. before all of that, look at the weather with carol. hello. currently we have a band of rain moving west to east out of wales and across england, and as it does so the rain on it is weakening all the time. as it clears away, we will see sunshine and showers behind it,

and it is a cooler feeling day today for most of us than yesterday. yesterday's top temperature was in rhyl, where it reached 15 degrees. so this is the cold front, which is producing the cloud and rain moving eastwards. as you can see from the isobars, it won't be a windy day today, just gentle breezes really, and a lot of dry weather. so as we go through the afternoon here is the cloud and and the rain, increasingly light and patchy, moving into the south—east corner, as well as the channel islands. behind it a lot of sunshine, but a good peppering of showers, northern and western scotland and northern ireland, one or two getting into north—west england through the afternoon. some of those could be sharp. temperature—wise, widely around about 8 to 11, but where we have the cloud from the weather front we are looking at something a little higher. now, this evening and overnight we will have this cloud still, and some patchy rain in the channel islands and south—east england. still a few showers dotted around here and there, some coming down the east coast, but a lot of clear skies, so it will be a cold night in prospect. more widely colder

than it was last night. so, more of us likely to see some frost and, as well as that, there will also be some patchy mist and frost forming, which tomorrow will be slow to clear, some of it lifting into low cloud. some lingering all day. our weather fronts still across southern areas, still producing spots of rain and a fair bit of cloud. really, there won't be that many showers around tomorrow, just a few, there will be more dry conditions than wet, and temperatures, well, the lower temperatures infiltrating further south, but where we have the weather front still hanging on there in st helier 12 degrees. first thing friday morning there will be widespread fog. some of that will be dense, and also frost to watch out for. like the coming days, the fog will be slow to lift. for some it will only lift into low cloud and linger for much of the day. we will see some brightness develop, still a few showers affecting eastern coastal counties. a weak weather front coming in across the north—west, producing some light rain. these are the temperatures, so going down again in the south, 11 in st helier.

this is bbc news, the headlines: the chancellor prepares to unveil the government's spending plans for the year ahead, with money expected for the nhs, schools and the devolved nations — but there could be a public setor pay freeze for some workers in england. rishi sunak will also set out the extent of the damage done to the uk economy by the coronavirus pandemic. number ten says official forecasts make for a sobering read. meghan, the duchess of sussex reveals she's had a miscarriage, writing in an article of feeling ‘an unbearable grief.‘ people across the uk are being urged to think carefully before they take advantage of the relaxation of coronavirus rules over christmas. and in a moment we will go live to the house of commons for prime ministers‘ questions.

hello and a good afternoon to you. i think are good to go straight to the house of commons, were prime minister‘s questions are starting. good morning, iam hoping very good morning, i am hoping very much our connection works today. this is my last day of meetings before i come out of isolation. i shall have further such virtual meetings later today. we now go across to laurence robertson in tewkesbury. thank you. can the prime minister guarantee

that in any agreement he reaches with the european union that british sovereignty will be protected for the whole of the united kingdom and that the uk will exit the transitional period on the 31st of december as a whole? prime minister. yes, indeed, ican december as a whole? prime minister. yes, indeed, i can make that guarantee, mr speaker, and our position on fish hasn‘t changed. we will only be able to make progress if the eu accepts the reality that we must be able to control access to our waters. it is very important at this stage to emphasise that. the leader of the opposition, the right honourable keir starmer. today is international day for the elimination of violence against women and girls. on average a woman is killed by a man every three days in this country, a shocking statistic. sadly the pandemic has

made a significant increase in domestic abuse. i willjoin those in marketing this day and i am sure the whole house would agree we need to do far more to end domestic violence. mr speaker, the prime minister may remember that in august of last year he wrote the forward to the ministerial code. it says, and i quote, there must be no bullying, no harassment, no leaking, no misuse of taxpayers‘ money, no actual or perceived conflicts of interest. that is five promises in two sentences. how many of those promises does the prime minister think his ministers have kept? well, mr speaker, i believe that the ministers of this government are working hard and they are all doing an outstanding job in delivering the people‘s priorities, and that is what we will continue to do. if he waits a little bit longer today he

will hear some of the ways in which this government is going to be taking this country forward with one of the most ambitious programmes of investment in infrastructure, in our schools and hospitals, for generations. if he wants to make any particular allegations about individual ministers or their conduct, he is welcome to do so. the floor is his. mr speaker, i didn't really hear an answer. so why don't we go through these commitments and turn? starting with bullying and harassment. now former independent adviser on ministerial standards concluded that the home secretary's behaviour was, in his words, concluded that the home secretary's behaviourwas, in his words, in breach of the ministerial code and he said it can be described as bullying. that means intimidating or insulting behaviour that makes an individual feel uncomfortable, frightened, less respected or put

down. what message does the prime minister think it sends that the independent adviser on standards has resigned, but the home secretary is still in post? mr speaker, the home secretary, sir al ‘s decisions are entirely a for him. the home secretary has apologised for any way in which her conduct fell short. frankly, i make no apology for sticking up and standing by a home secretary who as i said just now is getting on with delivering on the people‘s priorities, putting already 6000 of the 20,000 police out on the street to fight crime, instituting in the teeth of very considerable resista nce in the teeth of very considerable resistance a new australian style points based immigration system. she is getting on with delivering what i think the people of this country one. she is showing a steely

determination and i think that is probably why his side continue to bash her. mr speaker, the reality is any other prime minister would have fired the home secretary and any other home secretary would have resigned. i think we will chalk that up resigned. i think we will chalk that up as resigned. i think we will chalk that up as one resigned. i think we will chalk that up as one broken promise. on to the next. no leaking. overthe up as one broken promise. on to the next. no leaking. over the summer we saw repeated lea ks next. no leaking. over the summer we saw repeated leaks about which areas would go into restrictions. the prime minister‘s plans to go into a second national lockdown were leaked all over the national papers, resulting in a truly chaotic press conference. and we have seen more leaking in the last 24 hours. this serial leaking is causing huge anxiety to millions of people about what is going to happen next. i know there is supposed to be an enquiry under way, but can the prime minister tell us is he any closer to working out who in his government is licking this vital information? mr

speaker, i have already told you that as soon as we have any information about anybody leaking, we will bring it to the house. but i may say i think the right honourable gentleman is concentrating on trivia when what the people of this country wa nt when what the people of this country want is to seen support and support across the house for the tough measures we are putting into defeat coronavirus. he makes various attacks on my leadership and handling of the ministerial code. i ta ke handling of the ministerial code. i take them a lot more seriously if the leader of the opposition could explain whether or why the right honourable gentleman, the memberfor islington north, is still a member of the labour party. does he support his continued membership of the labour party? yes, or no.”

his continued membership of the labour party? yes, or no. i think! will answer the fact that it is actually prime minister's questions, not leader of the opposition's questions. it is a reasonable question. i think i will make that decision, antagonist we have got the same, we don't want to lose it! thank you, mr speaker. the difference is i am tackling the issues in my party, he is running away from issues in his. i take it from his answer that he has no idea who is leaking from his government. i think we will put down as another one in the know column. moving on, perhaps the most serious of the promises under the code. no misuse of taxpayers‘ money. for weeks i have raised concern about the government spraying taxpayers‘ money on contracts that do not deliver. the problem is even worse than we

thought. this week a cabinet office response suggests that the government purchased knock of 50 million unusable items or protective equipment, but 180 million. a new report this morning by the national audit office identifies a further set of orders taking £240 million forfacemask for the set of orders taking £240 million for facemask for the nhs that it cannot use. will the prime minister come clean. how many hundreds of millions of pounds of taxpayers‘ money has been wasted on equipment that cannot be used? prime minister. mr speaker, 99.5%, to answer his question directly, 99.5% of the ppe, the 32 billion items of pde that this country has secured, conforms entirely to our clinical needs once we have checked it. of all the lines

of attack, the pathetic lines of attack that we have heard so far, this is the feeblest. if you remember, mr speaker, we were faced with a national pandemic on a scale we had not seen before. and the government was being attacked by the labour party for not moving fast enough to secure ppe. i remember the right honourable gentleman saying we need to unblock the blockages in the system and we needed to shift heaven and earth to get it done. that is what he said at the beginning of the pandemic. then he complained that we moved too slow. now he is saying we moved too slow. now he is saying we move too fast. he has got to make up his mind what his attack is. it is obvious either the prime minister does not know how much taxpayers‘ money has been wasted or he does not care. so far, mr speaker, that is bullying, harassment, leaking and misuse of taxpayers for‘ money. i must say it is not looking good so far, so let‘s press on. the next one

is no actual or perceived conflicts of interest. where do i start on this one, mr speaker? last week, we learned that suppliers with political connections were ten times more likely to be awarded government contracts. this week, the sunday times reports that the health secretary appointed one of his closest friends to a key advisory role. friends also is a major shareholder in a firm that specialises in lobbying the government on behalf of its clients, and some of those clients have secured tens of millions of pounds of government contracts during the pandemic. was the prime minister aware of this apparent conflict of interest? mr speaker, insofar as there are any conflicts of interest they will be evident from the publication of all the details of all the contracts. again, hejust

seems to be attacking the government for shifting heaven and earth, as we did, to get the medicines, to get their ppe, to get the equipment, the treatments, that this country needed. what it reveals it really is a deep underlying labour hatred of the private sector. it is thanks to the private sector. it is thanks to the private sector and the government working with the private sector that the uk was able to produce the wealth was my first usable treatment for the disease in dexamethasone, the well‘s first... it has worked hard to secure huge numbers of doses of the world was my first usable room temperature vaccine. that is the private sector working to deliver for the people of this country. and this common—sense, conservative government working with the private sector, rather than a bomb and eating them, and relying exclusively on some deranged form of state control, how else does he

think we could possibly have done it? no one is knocking the private sector, the government is knocking the tax payer and that is not trivia. i think it is a clean sweep. bullying, harassment, leaking, wasting public money and obvious conflicts of interest. it is the same old story, one rule for the british public, another for the prime minister and his friends. just look at the contrast between his attitude to spraying public money on contracts that do not deliver and his attitude to pay rises for the key workers who kept the country going during this pandemic. if you have got a hotline to ministers, you get a blank cheque. but if you are on the front line tackling the coronavirus, you are picking up the bill. all the prime ministerfinally get his priorities right, stop wasting taxpayers‘ money and give police officers, firefighters, care workers and other key workers at the pay rise they so obviously deserve.

prime minister. mr speaker, it is this party and this government that has given key workers, public sector workers, above inflation pay rises this year, as he knows. for the police, the army, for nurses, they are now getting 12.6% more than they we re are now getting 12.6% more than they were three years ago. it is this government that will continue to increase the living wage, as he will discover if he just contains his impatience for a few minutes. indeed, it is this government that has not only delivered free school meals and a vast increase in spending on development around the world, but it has looked after the poorest. one of the important facts about the coronavirus package, the £200 million package of support that the chancellor has devised across the chancellor has devised across the country is the benefit that it

overwhelmingly prioritises the poorest in the country. the reason we can do that is because we have a government that understands how to runa government that understands how to run a strong economy and makes sure it takes the tough decisions now that will allow our economy to bounce back. that is what this government is doing. can i welcome the promised increase in education funding? i look forward to hearing the detail this afternoon. can i ask the detail this afternoon. can i ask the prime minister that some of this money is spent on school building repairs, particularly voluntary controlled and multi—academy trust such as those in my constituency? these types of schools were unable to apply for the most recent round of funding to apply for the most recent round offunding and to apply for the most recent round of funding and are in urgent need of repair. yes, mr speaker, and that is why we have allocated an additional £560 million this yearfor have allocated an additional £560 million this year for essential maintenance and upgrades in the school estate on top of more than

1.4 billion, and in kent, £20 million is going to the local authority, and nearly 6 million to kendall academy‘s trust, and i would encourage my honourable friend to continue her excellent campaign. protecting the foreign aid budget has long been a source of unity and agreement across this house and indeed across the four nations of the united kingdom and in the last general election every major party recommitted to that moral mission of helping the world‘s poorest and most venerable. indeed, his senior government minister said, and i quote, pave the way for britain to meet the un target for spending 0.7% on national aid and that remains our commitment. does the prime minister agree with that senior government

minister? listening to members opposite talking about the 0.7, you would think they had invented it. it was the conservative government that instituted it and i think this country can be incredibly proud of what we have delivered for the poorest and neediest people in the world. that will continue. on any view, this country is one of the biggest investors, donors overseas in all its forms. i think we are the second biggest in the g7 on any view, whether in percentage terms or in cash terms, and that will continue. we have seen a massive increase as the. and by the way the right honourable gentleman will know thatis right honourable gentleman will know that is of huge benefit to scotland. and doing a fantasticjob in

developed overseas. iam glad i am glad the prime minister seemed to agree with the quote, because the words were his. it is what he told the house of commons less than six months ago. i take it the .7% will remain in place. covid—19 is a global pandemic and whilst we are all in the same storm, some nations have a better life rafts. it is thought that it will push millions of people into extreme poverty. in the world‘s poorest countries hunger is rising and there are 11 million girls who may never return to education after school is closed. the uk government cannot eradicate covid—19 if there is still a threat around the world. does the prime minister agree with me that keeping the commitment of 0.7% is not only

the commitment of 0.7% is not only the right thing to do morally, but it is the sensible thing to do in helping with the eradication of covid—19? helping with the eradication of covid-19? of course i agree that the uk should be playing a leading role in eradicating covid—19 around the world. that is why one of the wonderful features of the oxford astrazeneca vaccine, if it is approved, is it will be sold at cost around the world. i wonder whether he knows quite how much the uk has already given to the global vaccine alliance. i can tell him, it is more than any other country in the world will stop we should be proud in this country of what we are doing. $800 million to support that, and to say nothing of what we are doing with other organisations. we are in the lead of promoting and inventing

vaccines and making sure the poorest around the world get those vaccines. people in this country should be proud of what they are doing. thank you, mr speaker. iwelcome proud of what they are doing. thank you, mr speaker. i welcome the prime minister‘s page and a ten point plan to plant 30,000 hectares of trees by 2025. farmers will play a crucial role in meeting this target. what financial incentives will be available to encourage them to make this long—term commitment? available to encourage them to make this long-term commitment? my honourable friend is dead right. what we are going to do is use the new freedoms we have after leaving the common agricultural policy to support farmers to beautify the landscape, to make it less prone to flooding and we are putting £640 million from nature for climate fund to help the supporting planting of 30,000 hectares of trees by 2025,

every year by 2025. three weeks ago i asked the prime minister to support unpaid carers who are facing extreme hardship by raising a carer‘s allowance by £20 a week. it is very disappointing that the minister have not found that money for carers, but have found hundreds of millions for contracts handed out to conservative party cronies. mr speaker, it is carers‘ rights day tomorrow, so can i asked the prime minister again, will he either raise the allowance by £20 a week, as liberal democrats are campaigning for? will he explain why conservatives unpaid carers do not deserve extra help? the speaker, i will be happy to look at that specific grant again. i have to say if you look at what we have done so far with supporting universal credit

and the substantial increases in the living wage, we are doing our best to support families who are the neediest across the whole of the uk. one of the most remarkable features of the package to support lives and livelihoods is that the benefits do fall disproportionally and quite rightly on the poorest and neediest. iam sure i am sure the prime minister welcomes the valuable contribution of our key workers and keeping us safe. but we know many constituents are facing challenges through covid. does the prime minister agree with me and many colleagues that now is not the time for an mp‘s pay rise

four yes, not the time for an mp‘s pay rise fouryes, mr not the time for an mp‘s pay rise four yes, mr speaker, i not the time for an mp‘s pay rise fouryes, mr speaker, ido not the time for an mp‘s pay rise four yes, mr speaker, i do agree with that and that is why we have frozen ministerial salaries this year, as indeed they have been frozen by successive conservative governments since 2010.” frozen by successive conservative governments since 2010. i know that it will have been heard. thank you, mr speaker, the northern ireland assembly is concerned it is now impossible to be ready to fully implement the protocol from the 1st of january. their top priority implement the protocol from the 1st ofjanuary. their top priority is implement the protocol from the 1st of january. their top priority is to ask the eu for an adjustment or grace period. this request is based on respect for the protocol and is not about an extension through the transition period. will the prime minister gave his support we are of course not going to extend the transition period but we will make practical arrangements to help businesses in northern ireland and we have agreed a one—year adjustment

period so there is no disruption to the flow of medicines. we have launched a 200 million trader support service to help food businesses and others. and more details will be announced shortly. flood risk from a new department is a key concern for constituents highlighted a case in eckford where developers promised that flood risks would be a once in 100 year eventuality, yet the village has flooded three times this year alone. with that in mind, will my right honourable friend to commit to seriously beefing up the way flood risk is assessed and treated as part of the planning process.” of the planning process. i have risk is assessed and treated as part of the planning process. i have deep sympathy for his constituency and it could, and what i can say is it is important that local authorities do follow the rules in making their

planning decisions. and we are investing £2 billion the flood defences d efe nces to investing £2 billion the flood defences to protect the 300,000 homes at risk across the country. mr speaker the transmitter in manchester cuts carbon emissions and reduces congestion on our roads. as pa rt part of reduces congestion on our roads. as part of the postcode recovery plan, will primers to commit funding to extend the tram network from east didsbury to stockport town centre to improve access. macri i‘m grateful to the honourable gentleman. and i should tell him there is already a massive infrastructure programme under way. and the chancellor will

surely announce in due time. let's head to romford. with this area potentially entering tier 3 or tier 2 lockdown measures. and the devastating consequences this will have on livelihoods and businesses, as the prime minister is committed to follow evidence, we agreed to a full public cost analysis on its impact on the economy and public health. before he introduces anything that will lead to years of economic harm that could end up being worse on people‘s lives than the virus itself. i have a high regard for my honourable friend and he is right to

call attention to the dangers and the damage that lockdown ethnic do. of course they have to be weighed against the damage to health that is caused by a wave of coronavirus that drives out all other patients from our hospitals and affect the health of non—covid pages as well so very badly. we will of course be setting out an analysis of their health, economic and social impacts of the tiered approach and the data that supports the decisions as we have donein supports the decisions as we have done in the past. when 72 londoners burned to death at grenfell because ofa burned to death at grenfell because of a cladding defect we all said never again, but for hundreds of thousands living nightmare waking up to it continues. will the prime minister commit that no leaseholder anywhere should foot the bill for

something that is no fault of their own and make good on the promise to end this neo— feudal absurdity of tenure once and for all but two yes, well, mr speaker, she is right to call attention to the difficulties that many people are facing because of the ews one form, and i sympathise with them. mortgage companies should realise they are not necessary for buildings under 18 metres and it is vital they understand that once we get on with the work of removing cladding from all of the buildings we can. that is what this government is continuing to do. i welcome plans for a green, industrial revolution and commitments to public transport. but delivering sustainable, rural bus services has always been a

challenge. in my constituency in south pennine community transport is trialling a new, low—cost, low carbon bus service which we believe could be a model for all services across the uk. would my right honourable friend meet with me and south pennine director to discuss this model and look at how some of the government‘s 5 billion commitment to buses could be used to transform rural services? she asks an excellent question and we are developing a national bus strategy that will look at the needs of how to get more people to use our buses, and in addition to championing low carbon buses, we are providing £20 million for a rural mobility fund to support demand in rural areas. food bank use in my constituency has been increasing steadily in my area as working

families including public sector key workers struggle to make ends meet. can the prime minister therefore tell us if he thinks the median pay of teaching assistants ofjust under £14,000 and nursing auxiliaries of £18,000 is enough to live on. instead of delivering a public pay freeze later today, can he give these key workers a well—deserved pay rise. she is right to value key workers and the amazing job they do, particularly teachers and teaching assista nts particularly teachers and teaching assistants and they have done a fantastic piece of work on getting our kids back into school over the last few months. and they continue to do an amazing job and i‘m proud of the work we have done, notjust to increase public sector pay, with an inflation busting package injuly for the third year running, but also for the third year running, but also for what we are doing to support the

increases, record increases in the living wage. delivered, mr speaker bya living wage. delivered, mr speaker by a conservative government, invented by conservative government because conservative government can do these things because we understand how to run a strong economy. lincolnshire has one of the highest populations of veterans in our country, and as such, can i warmly welcome the recent announcement to boost funding for our armed forces. does the prime minister agree that one of the best ways in which we can help our vetera ns ways in which we can help our veterans is to encourage employers to hirea veterans is to encourage employers to hire a hero. absolutely mr speaker and i thank my honourable friend for the campaign sees running to support veterans and we support schemes such as that run byjerry hilland schemes such as that run byjerry hill and his schemes such as that run byjerry hilland his team, schemes such as that run byjerry hill and his team, hire a schemes such as that run byjerry hilland his team, hire a hero. and we are encouraging business to hire vetera ns we are encouraging business to hire veterans with a new national insurance tax break for businesses that do so and making it easier for

vetera ns to that do so and making it easier for veterans tojoin that do so and making it easier for veterans to join the civil service. york will be placed at the global bioscience economy and cut carbon by 2800 killer times, create 4000 gene —— green collar jobs, 2800 killer times, create 4000 gene —— green collarjobs, upscale 25,000 workers and returned £5 billion to the treasury. the government are supportive but are delaying investment until at least the devolution deal. unemployment in york is soaring. we need this investment now. will he start the recovery by investing in bio yorkshire? mr speaker, as she knows the government is committed to the ten point plan for each green industrial revolution which will generate 250,000 jobs across the country in the immediate term and i hope very much that bio yorkshire will be amongst the beneficiaries andi will be amongst the beneficiaries and i can‘t see any reason why it should not. the news of a

coronavirus vaccine is great for both my constituents in wimbledon and across country. but i believe when my constituents get sick they should have the right to the highest quality access to health care. and the plans to improve and invest in st helier hospital would do just that. well the prime minister work with me to ensure those plans are brought forward as quickly as possible despite the opposition from local labour politicians. yes, indeed, mr speaker and how typical of labour politicians locally to oppose what they called for nationally, and i am proud that we are going ahead with a brand—new state—of—the—art hospital that‘s going be built in sutton and with most services staying put in a modernised set of buildings in epsom and st helier. the new hospital will come as part of the commitment to build 48 hospitals by 2030 and the biggest hospital building programme ofa biggest hospital building programme

of a generation. thank you, mr speaker. in the summer we stood on our doorsteps and clapped for all of our doorsteps and clapped for all of our key workers. today, they will be hit once again with a real terms pay cut to their wages by the chancellor‘s pay freeze. as to speaker, i really do wonder, does the prime minister actually realise that collapse don‘t pay the bills. the prime minister actually realise that collapse don't pay the bills.” think the honourable lady would recognise that at a time when the private sector, the uk economy has been so badly hit, when private—sector workers have seen falls in their incomes it is right that we should be in our approach to public finances, and that is what we are going to beef, be in no doubt. the commitments we have made have been outstanding so far, above inflation increases for public sector workers just in july. 12.6% increase for nurses over the last three years, the biggest ever

increase in the living wage, and more to come injust increase in the living wage, and more to come in just a increase in the living wage, and more to come injust a minute if she will contain herself. last month, year six students at the edward church of england school in biggleswade wrote to me about the impact of lockdown on —— on their ideas for promoting a healthier planet, including encouraging people not waste the sea, planting more trees, building more electric cars, making more nature reserves and cleaning the waterways and encouraging local electricity production and reducing air pollution so children can see stars. so will the prime ministerjoin me in thanking the students and their teachers, and tell the house if their ideas can play a part in his green plan. well, it is uncanny, it is as though the teacher and her class were standing over my shoulder asi class were standing over my shoulder as i wrote the ten point plan, and i thank them for their telepathic inspiration. i passionately agree

this is the right way forward for our country and it will mobilise about £12 billion of government investment, possibly three times more from the private sector and create 250,000, maybe 300,000 jobs. it isa create 250,000, maybe 300,000 jobs. it is a fantastic way forward for our country. i am sure that the prime minister will share the pleasure which all of us have in the great engineering skills displayed in our country, especially in the north. one of the greatjewels in the crown of the engineers at rolls—royce, but is he aware are about to offshore 350 jobs from the north of england, and that will be a devastating blow to that part of the country and remove part of our national industrial infrastructure. does he agree that it is in the national interest to retain those jobs in our country? and will use everything in his power to ensure that the off shoring does not take

place? can ijust say that the off shoring does not take place? can i just say to the that the off shoring does not take place? can ijust say to the right honourable gentleman, he is so right to support rolls—royce, one of the great companies in our country and we wa nt great companies in our country and we want to make sure, and it is obsolete suffering at the moment from the problems in the aerospace sector and the fact that no one is flying. when you make a lot of your money from servicing planes as rolls—royce does it‘s a very difficult time at the moment, and we are keen to work with rolls—royce to make sure that that company has a long—term future. it‘s a great british company and he makes an excellent point and i can assure him that the government is on it.” excellent point and i can assure him that the government is on it. i am aware there are obviously no perfect option is at the moment, but can i raise of the primary study issue of pubs and bars that might be affected by the tier 2 restrictions. many of these such as yorkshire ale is in my constituency have invested considerable amounts of money into

being covid secure and will now be denied access to their valuable pre—christmas trade. can the pry minister look again at tier 2 restrictions and maybe look at other financial support can be offered to the bars and restaurants that can offer substantial food offerings during this period? —— that cannot offer. my right honourable friend is com pletely offer. my right honourable friend is completely right about the need to support local business, particularly in the hospitality sector and he should know in addition to the £3000 grant for businesses with support to close, we have another grant of £2100 per month for businesses in the hospitality and accommodation sector, and that is on top of the support we have given via furlough, and via business rates, and the cuts

in vat, which are obviously intended to support the hospitality sector as well. i am keenly aware of how difficult it is for those pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels that will face a tough time in the tears as we come out next week. —— tier system. we will do our best to support them and we are also giving £1.1 billion to local councils to help them support businesses that are facing difficulties. i want to say one thing to the house as we come out of the lockdown, the way forward is not just come out of the lockdown, the way forward is notjust through the vaccine, which we hope we will be able to start rolling out in the course of the next few weeks and months, but also the prospect of mass community testing, and i want to pay tribute to the people of liverpool who have really stepped up in huge numbers, hundreds of thousands of people in liverpool who

have been tested, and that seems to have been tested, and that seems to have helped to drive the virus down in liverpool, and we want to see that type of collective action, stepping up to squeeze the disease happening across the country, and that, i think, happening across the country, and that, ithink, is happening across the country, and that, i think, is a happening across the country, and that, ithink, is a real way happening across the country, and that, i think, is a real way forward that, i think, is a real way forward that will enable the hospitality, accommodation, and hotel sector to come out are these restrictive measures quicker than has been recently possible. we have two new very scientific. i am very pleased the house of commons has delivered an improvement to the sound and vision from number ten today. but we would like our kit back this afternoon, prime minister. right, in order to allow the safe exit...

lam suspending i am suspending the house full three minutes. order. welcome to both of you. just set the scene in terms of the numbers we are expecting and the state of the public finances. no big bad historical numbers that we have heard about, that growth will be her hit by the biggest match in three centuries, that the boring proportion of our income will reach levels that we haven‘t seen except in world wars. a lot of that isn‘t old news, we sort of know some of it already. the question is how long these scores enjoy it into the

future. that then sets the context for all sorts of decisions that you would have expected had this been a normal spending review. that has been part of the spending review is notable for what is not going to be nn as for what will be in it. rishi sunak said we will do whatever it ta kes sunak said we will do whatever it takes when this pandemic really started to hit the uk. we always like to quote politicians words back at them. has he done that?” like to quote politicians words back at them. has he done that? i think ina large at them. has he done that? i think in a large part, yes. there have been gaps in the safety net that the government scrambled to put together. lots of people who are self employed feel very strongly that they have been left out of a lot of support packages, we know there are different kind of businesses and sectors in the economy. if you think about the

event sector, they have really struggled. in the main, that has beena struggled. in the main, that has been a solid broad political consensus about the budget busting actions that the chancellor has actually ta ken. they actions that the chancellor has actually taken. they are however pa rt of actually taken. they are however part of what has put the public finances into a sort of historically vulnerable position. no one is talking yet about him standing up saying that we have to pay this back, paid taxes. and that call has been made to early? i think the government today is really about, some ministers and mps and members of the public have just not absolved yet what the inside of the coronavirus has had on the economy was that no one is suggesting that the intervention from the bank of

england was the wrong thing to do. that is going to be a hell of a journey in fixing that, not just that is going to be a hell of a journey in fixing that, notjust in the short term, but really in the longer term. laura is right that the numbers are so big that is difficult to really absorb what that means for all of us and people day—to—day. i just mean for a lot of people already that they have lost their jobs businesses have gone to the wall. we‘ll be here a little bit about how that might be dealt with? —— will be here a little bit.” think the priorities of the chancellor is on jobs, they will talk about reinvigorating the work programme from the coalition era. the idea is that you get in ahead of a rise of long—term unemployment, and you try and create mechanisms through which long—term unemployed

are givenjobs. to give through which long—term unemployed are given jobs. to give you context, we we re are given jobs. to give you context, we were here at the last time the obr did the numbers, and we were looking at 50 billion in borrowing in the subsequent one. the 15—20% of national income deficit in this year, this one year, was roughly where the entire stock of national debt was in 1990. we will go straight back into the chamber for the spending review. before i called the chancellor of exchequer, i would like to point out that the british sign language interpretation of this statement is available on the parliamentary live tv. i know, the ex chancellor of the to negotiate. mr speaker, today spending reviews delivers on the priorities of the british people. our health emergency is not yet over. our economic

emergency has onlyjust begun. so our immediate priority is to protect peoples lives and livelihoods. but today spending review also delivers stronger public services, paying for new hospitals, better schools and safer streets. and it delivers a once ina safer streets. and it delivers a once in a generation investment in infrastructure, creating jobs, growing the economy, increasing pride in the places we call home. mr speaker, our immediate priority is to protect peoples lives and livelihoods. let me begin by updating the house on our response to coronavirus. we are powered housing jobs, businesses and public services. the fellow scheme, support for the self—employed, loans,

grants, tax cuts and deferrals, as well as extra funding for schools, councils, the nhs, charities, culture and sport, today‘s figures confirm that taken together, we are providing £280 billion to get our country three coronavirus. next year, to fund our programmes on testing, ppe, that seems, we are allocating an initial £18 billion. to protect the public services, those most affected by coronavirus, we are also providing £3 million to support nhs recovery, allowing them to carry out app to 1 million cheques, scans and operations. over to begin pounds to keep our transport arteries open, subsidising our rail networks. over £3 billion to local councils and an extra £250

million to help and rough sleeping. while much of our coronavirus response is uk—wide, the government is also providing £2.6 billion to support the devolved administrations in scotland, wales, and northern ireland. taken in scotland, wales, and northern ireland. ta ken together, in scotland, wales, and northern ireland. taken together, next year, public services funding to tackle coronavirus will total £55 billion. mr speaker, let me talk to the economic forecasts. can i thank the new chair, richie hughes, and his whole team, for their work. the ob are forecasts the economy will contract this year by 11.3%. the largest full and output for more than 300 years. as the restrictions are eased, they expect the economy to start recovering, growing by 5.5%

next year, 6.6% in 2022, then 2.3, 1.7 and 1.8% in the following years. even with growth returning, our economic output is not expected to return to precrisis levels until the fourth quarter of 2022. the economic damage is likely to be lasting. long—term scoring means in 2025, the economy will be around 3% smaller than expected in the march budget. mr speaker, the economic impact of coronavirus and the action we have taken in response means there has been a significant, but necessary increase in our borrowing and debt. the uk has forecast to borrow a total of £394 billion a share. that is equivalent to 19% of gdp. the

highest recorded level of borrowing in our peacetime history. borrowing follows to £164 billion next year, £105 billion in 22,2023, follows to £164 billion next year, £105 billion in 22, 2023, then remains at around £100 billion, 4% of gdp, but the remainder of the forecast. underlying debt, after removing the temporary effect of the bank of england‘s asset purchases, is forecast to be 91.9% of gdp this year. due to elevated borrowing levels and a forecast persistent current deficit, underlying debt is forecast to continue rising in every year, reaching 97.5% of gdp in 2526. high as these costs are, the cost of inaction would have been far higher.

but the situation is clearly unsustainable over the medium—term. we could only act in the way we have because we came into this crisis with strong public finances. we have a responsibility once the economy recovers , a responsibility once the economy recovers, to return to a sustainable fiscal position. mr speaker, this is an economic emergency and that is why we have taken, and continue to take, extraordinary measures, to protect peoples jobs and incomes. and it is clear that those measures are making a difference. the ob are now state as the bank of england and imf already have, that our economic response has protected jobs, supported incomes and help to businesses stay afloat. they have said today that business and solvency is how the full compared to last year and the latest data shows

the uk‘s unemployment rate is lower than italy, france, spain, canada and united states. we are doing more to build on our plan forjobs. i am announcing today nearly £3 billion from my right honourable friend, the work and pensions secretary, to deliver a new, three—year research programme, to help over1 million people who have been unemployed for over a yearfind people who have been unemployed for over a year find new work. but i have always said, we cannot protect everyjob. despite the extraordinary support we have provided, the ob are expect and implement to rise to a peak in the second quarter of next year of 7.5%. 2.6 million people. unemployment is then forecasted to full and every year, reaching 4.4% by the end of 2024. mr speaker,

today‘s statistics remind us of something else. coronavirus has deepened the disparity between public and private sector wages. in the six months to september, private sector wages fell by nearly 1%, compared to last year. over the same period, public sector wages rose by nearly 4%. unlike workers in the private sector, who have lostjobs, been furloughed, seen wages cut and hours reduced, the public sector has not. in such a difficult context for the private sector, especially for those people working in sectors like retail, hospitality and leisure, i cannot justify a significant across—the—board pay cannot justify a significant across—the—boa rd pay increase cannot justify a significant across—the—board pay increase for all public sector workers. instead,

we are targeting our resources at those who need it most. to protect public sector jobs at this those who need it most. to protect public sectorjobs at this time of crisis, and ensure fairness between the public and private sectors, i am taking three steps today. first, taking three steps today. first, taking account of the pay review body‘s advice, we will provide a pay rise to over 1 body‘s advice, we will provide a pay rise to over1 million nurses, doctors and others working in the nhs. second, to protectjobs, pay rises and the rest of the public sector will be posed next year. but third, we will protect those on lower incomes. the 2.1 million public sector workers who earn below the median wage of £24,000, will be guaranteed a pay rise of at least

250 p. what this means, mr speaker, is that while the government is making the difficult decision to control public sector pay, the majority of public sector workers will see their pay increase next year. and we want to do more for the lowest pa id. we year. and we want to do more for the lowest paid. we are accepting infill recommendations of the low pay commission to increase the national living wage by 2.2% to £8 91 and our. to extend this rate to those aged 23 and over, and to increase the national minimum wage rates as well. taken together, these minimum wage increases will likely benefit around 2 million people. a full—time worker on the national living wage will see their annual earnings increased by £345 next year.

compared to 2016, when the policy was first introduced, that is a pay rise of over £4000. mr speaker, these are difficult and uncertain economic times so it is right that our immediate priority is to protect peoples health and theirjobs. but we need to look beyond. today‘s spending review delivers stronger public services. our second priority. before i turn to the details, let me thank the whole treasury team and especially my right honourable friend, the chief secretary, for their dedication and ha rd secretary, for their dedication and hard work in preparing today‘s spending review. next year, total departmental spending will be £540 billion. over this year and next, day—to—day, departmental spending will rise in real terms by 3.8%. the

fastest growth rate in 15 years. in cash terms, day—to—day departmental budget will increase next year by £14.8 billion. and, mr speaker, this isa £14.8 billion. and, mr speaker, this is a spending review for the whole of the united kingdom. three the barnett formula, today‘s decisions increase scottish government funding by 2.4 pounds, was government funding by £1.3 billion and £0.9 billion for the northern ireland executive. the whole of the united kingdom will benefit from the uk shared prosperity fund and over time, we will ramp up funding so that total domestic uk—wide funding will at least match eu receipts on average reaching around £1.5 billion average reaching around £1.5 billion a year. to help local areas prepare for the introduction of the uk spf, next year, we will provide funding for communities to pilot programmes

and new approaches. and we will accelerate for city and growth deals in scotland, helping take cities, borderlands, murray and the scottish islands create jobs and prosperity in their areas. islands create jobs and prosperity in theirareas. mr islands create jobs and prosperity in their areas. mr speaker, islands create jobs and prosperity in theirareas. mr speaker, our public spending plans deliver on the priorities of the british people. today‘s spending review honours our historic multi—commitment to the nhs full stop next year the core health budget will grow by 6.6 and pans, allowing as to deliver 50,000 more nurses and 50 million more general practice appointments. we are increasing capital investment by £2.3 billion to invest in new technologies, to improve patient and staff experience, replace ageing diagnostic machines like mri and ct scanners, and fund the biggest hospital building programme in a generation, building 40 new hospitals and upgrading 70 more. we

are investing in social care, too. today‘s settlement allows local authorities to increase their core spending power by 4.5%. local authorities will have extra flexibility for council tax and aduu flexibility for council tax and adult social care which together, with £300 million of new grant funding, gives them access to an extra £1 billion to fund social care. this is on top of the extra £1 billion social care grant we provided this year, which i can confirm will be maintained. to provide a better education for our children, we are also getting on with our investment plan for schools. we will increase the schools. we will increase the schools budget next year by £2.2 billion, well on the way to delivering our commitment of an extra £7.1 billion by 22, 2023. every pupil in the country will see a year—on—yearfunding every pupil in the country will see a year—on—year funding increase of at least 2%. we are funding the

prime minster‘s commitment to rebuild 500 schools over the next decade and we are also committed to boosting skills with £291 million to pay for more young people to go into further education. £1.5 billion to rebuild colleges, £375 million to deliver the prime minster‘s lifetime skills guarantee and extend traineeships, sector —based work academies and the national careers service, as well as improving the way the apprenticeship system works for businesses. we are making our streets safer. next yearfunding we are making our streets safer. next year funding for the criminal justice system will increase by over £1 billion, we are providing more than £400 million to recruit 6000 new police officers, well on track to recruit 20,000. £4 billion over four years to provide 18,000 new prison places. new hospitals, better

schools, safer