this is bbc news with jane hill. the headlines at five... more disruption on the railways this christmas. the rmt union announces a series of 48—hour strikes in december and january. we have been reasonable, but it is impossible to find a negotiated settlement when the dead hand of the government is presiding over and blocking a resolution in these talks. the rmt says sorry to christmas commuters as the group which represents rail companies says that it had felt it had made real progress in talks recently. a mother dies two days after a flat fire in nottingham that killed her two daughters.

the manston centre in kent, which holds asylum—seekers who cross the channel in small boats, has been cleared. labour leader keir starmer tells businesses the country needs to be weaned off its immigration dependency. the days when low pay and cheap labour_ the days when low pay and cheap labour are — the days when low pay and cheap labour are part of the british way on growth — labour are part of the british way on growth must end. and the world cup in qatar has seen one of the biggest shock results in the tournament's history. saudi arabia beat two—time winners argentina 2—1. the king takes part in his first state visit as monarch after south africa's president arrives in london.

hello and welcome. rail passengers across britain are set to face fresh disruption over christmas, as the rmt union announces an escalation in strike action by rail workers unhappy at changes tojobs, pay and conditions. staff at network rail and 1a train companies are due to stage a series of 48—hour strikes on the 13th and 14th, and the 16th and 17th of december, and again on the 3rd and 4th, and the 6th and 7th of january. our correspondent helena wilkinson was watching that rmt press conference and joins us. again, the language that we heard from lynch, people will have been

listening no doubt, but it's going to be a tough time again. yes. listening no doubt, but it's going to be a tough time again. yes, and absolutely very _ to be a tough time again. yes, and absolutely very difficult _ to be a tough time again. yes, and absolutely very difficult time - to be a tough time again. yes, and absolutely very difficult time for i absolutely very difficult time for millions of commuters who will once again be disrupted by these talks that were announced in the last couple of hours by the rmt secretary mick lynch, where he gave that press conference. you mentioned that 4a8 hour walk out dates. two of those on the 13th, those are in the week before christmas —— four 48—hour. it will affect families visiting over christmas and also people going out shopping. it will cause huge description. there are two other dates that were confirmed. two further 48 hour walk—outs. the third in the 4th of january and the success to the seventh. massive

disruption ahead for millions of commuters, and we heard from the general secretary of the rmt a little earlier on standing where i am here, and he explained why they are going to go on strike again. this latest round of strikes will show how important our members are to the running of the country and will send a clear message that we want a good deal onjob security paying conditions for our people. we have been reasonable, but it is impossible to find a negotiated settlement when the dead hand of the government is presiding over and blocking a resolution in these talks. the employers are in disarray and saying different things to different people, sometimes at the same time. the whole process has become a farce that only the new secretary of state can now resolve, and i will be calling on him to act up to his responsibilities this thursday. in the meantime, our message

to the public is we are sorry to inconvenience you, but we urge you to direct your anger and frustration at the government and the railway employers during this latest phase of action. that was mick lynch. just to give you the background in the last couple of weeks, there have been very intensive talks to try and get some sort of breakthrough in what has been a long—running dispute. we have had a statement from the rail delivery group, that is the group that represents train companies. they put out a statement after that confirmation. in that statement, they said they feel that real progress had been made over the last fortnight in those talks. and for the first time in months, they said

they could see the outline of a credible deal. they are also urging the rmt to continue negotiating to get around the table. we heard from mr lynch earlier. that is not going to happen, from what he said earlier today. those four 48—hour strike days are going to go ahead, and don't forget we've seen in the past over the past six months or so, when we exceed previous strike action by members of the rmt union, it's not just those strike dates that have caused destruction to millions of passengers around those dates. there's disruption because of the knock—on effects of trains being in the wrong place, and then having to move them into the correct order. just to recap, if you are train user, the week before christmas, there are going to be two 48—hour strikes, one on the 13th two the 14th of december, 16th to the 17th

of december, and then two and january, the third and the fourth, then the six and the seventh. helena, thank you. just to tell you that we are going to be joined by mick lynch after half past. plenty to discuss with him. we want going to stay with this. i'm joined now by the press association's industrial correspondent, alan jones. —— we are. i am minded now to call you friend of the programme because you and i have discussed this topic now so many times. your thoughts. i'm really interested in your thoughts on the language we heard from the rmt, because clearly, putting the blame at the foot of government. of course, viewers will

want to know the veracity of that statement or what he's driving at. well, this is a dramatic escalation of this dispute. there's no question. effectively two weeks of disruption because it's disrupting either side of the strikes. from monday the 12th, there will be a week of disruption, and then the same injanuary. the rmt members will be banning overtime from the 18th of december right through christmas, right into the new year. this is as bad as it gets in terms of the disruption, and you heard from mick lynch, there was a feeling a couple of weeks ago that the rmt called off some strikes. and they haven't got anywhere. we're not even back to square one. it's worse than when this started in the summer, and

at the moment, there's absolutely no sign at all of this being resolved. 0k, and is not because, from everything you hear and the people you talk to hear, that the side simply have not moved? is neither side budging? this is about pay, this is about... as the government would say, modernising the railways and acknowledging how they have changed since covid. is neither side budging? i changed since covid. is neither side budauin ? ~ , , changed since covid. is neither side buduuin? ~' , , ., budging? i think the sides have budued. budging? i think the sides have budged- they _ budging? i think the sides have budged. they have _ budging? i think the sides have budged. they have moved - budging? i think the sides have | budged. they have moved since budging? i think the sides have - budged. they have moved since the start. as you heard from the rail delivery group, they say they're getting quite close. but it's difficult to see how that's the case. there's been months of talks and the two sides just cannot agree either to a decent pay rise or one that the union will accept. they cannot agree on the efficiencies not

the companies want. they cannot agree on thejob the companies want. they cannot agree on the job losses which network rail wants. you heard mick lynch saying he firmly believes not just the rmt, all the rail unions, they all believe that the government is preventing a dealfrom being made. he's saying it's a dead hand of government. most say it's the no hand of government. they're not involved at all and they plainly should be. isaid involved at all and they plainly should be. i said this to you before, there's no question the government should be in these talks to get this resolved. there will be office parties called off, hotels will be full. those of the stories will be full. those of the stories will be reporting on. meanwhile, this disputejust comes will be reporting on. meanwhile, this dispute just comes on and on

stuff like how is the this dispute just comes on and on stuff like how i— stuff like how is the secretary of state... stuff like how is the secretary of state- -- ls _ stuff like how is the secretary of state... is this _ stuff like how is the secretary of state... is this approach - stuff like how is the secretary of state... is this approach and - state... is this approach and departure? state. .. is this approach and departure?— state... is this approach and de arture? . ., departure? the current regime have not cotten departure? the current regime have not gotten involved. _ departure? the current regime have not gotten involved. grant - departure? the current regime have not gotten involved. grant shapps, l not gotten involved. grant shapps, the secretary of state, he made a point of saying there is nothing to do with the government. his successor had one meeting with the union leaders that led nowhere. and the current secretary of state seems to be saying the same thing. i think it is unusual, and i'm sure you'll get passengers talking to you that will be exasperated by this. it's going to throw so many plans out of the window now at a crucial time of yearfor the window now at a crucial time of year for travelling. the window now at a crucial time of yearfor travelling. and the window now at a crucial time of year for travelling. and it's the window now at a crucial time of yearfor travelling. and it's going to cause the biggest disruption, so i think there is quite a decent view now that the government should be

getting involved full—time to get this sorted. getting involved full-time to get this sorted-— getting involved full-time to get this sorted. ., ., , , , . this sorted. ok, for now, i suspect i this sorted. ok, for now, i suspect i can safely — this sorted. ok, for now, i suspect i can safely say. — this sorted. ok, for now, i suspect i can safely say, alan _ this sorted. ok, for now, i suspect i can safely say, alan jones. - this sorted. ok, for now, i suspect| i can safely say, alan jones. thanks i can safely say, alanjones. thanks forjoining us. very much hope that we, and i'm sure we'll be hearing from passengers over the course of the evening. we will be talking to the evening. we will be talking to the rmt. couple more stories to bring you. the manston migrant processing centre, a holding site for people who arrive in the uk on small boats, is now cleared, says the home office. thousands of migrants had been placed in tents at the former military airfield in kent during the autumn, leading to overcrowding and outbreaks of disease. our home editor mark eastonjoins me now. it's clear, how does it happen, what happens now?— it's clear, how does it happen, what happens now? well, the fact that we are ”uttin happens now? well, the fact that we are putting in — happens now? well, the fact that we are putting in the — happens now? well, the fact that we are putting in the headlines - happens now? well, the fact that we are putting in the headlines the - are putting in the headlines the story that manson is empty of migrants, tells us how far we've got

—— manston. the home office is saying the processing centre will operate now as business as usual. it was never intended to be a detention centre for thousands of migrants and their children for days, weeks and sometimes months on end. it's supposed to be somewhere where people go for a few hours. 24 hours at most, the law says. five days in exceptional circumstances. but we've seen so many problems there — overcrowding, disease, drug dealing. we had one migrant there who died recently having arrived on a boat just over a week ago. the fact that the weather has turned for the worse, we haven't had any migrants crossing the channel down for well over the week. manston is doing what it should do. it's supposed to be

empty, but the problem hasn't really been solved. what we have actually seen is the weather stopping people arriving, and we've also seen the home office expanding hotels, costing nearly £6 million a day. so the problem has not gone away, but the problem has not gone away, but the home office will have their fingers firmly crossed that the weather still remains a bit too choppy for more to come over. market, for now, thank you very much, we have to leave it there. we will of course turn her attentions to qatar. —— our attention. there has been a huge shock in the football world cup in qatar as one of the favourites, argentina, has been beaten two—one by saudi arabia in one of the biggest upsets in world cup history. lucy hockings is in doha.

it's a world cup that has been so beset by controversy, but today, given that score line, we can talk about the football itself. let's get all the very latest from lucy hockings. welcome to doha, where all the screens are showing the polling to match so far. —— the mexico— poland max. you may be able to hear the music. it's one of the biggest upsets in world cup history. when saudi arabia today beat argentina 2-1. saudi arabia today beat argentina 2—i. when the match started, everyone thought it would be a walk in the park. it's difficult to overstate what a massive upset this is. argentina our third right now behind brazil and belgium. is. argentina our third right now behind braziland belgium. saudi

arabia ranks 51st. no one expected these results. the saudi �*s are absolutely thrilled. the heroes today were the goal scorers for saudi arabia. what the commentators are saying is that they were so impressed with just the energy and the aggression of the saudi team, and the way they push forward throughout the whole match. these pictures showing just how absolutely delighted the team is as well. many of them have driven over the border to take part in this world cup. people back at random in the soda given the area, a few hours off to watch the master. i think what you're seeing is the beginning of the match. this was meant to be lionel messi's tournament. he's one

of the all—time greats and he's never won a world cup, and when he opened the scoring, i think everyone thought the present actions of an easy win we are going to come through —— the predictions. there is ready so much criticism back in argentina as well. fans weren't only sad and angry, they were a little bit confused. they really don't know what happened. let's bring you some saudi fans and celebrating and listen to the noise. cheering cheering a few said they were speechless. they couldn't describe the joy that they were it was the they couldn't describe the joy that they were nature it was the they couldn't describe the joy that they were nature of vas the they couldn't describe the joy that they were nature of the the they couldn't describe the joy that they were nature of the result and unexpected nature of the result and the convincing way in which their team played. i've been speaking to one of my colleagues from bbc arabic, who told me about the reaction. . ,

arabic, who told me about the reaction. ., , ., reaction. the fans here are in disbelief, _ reaction. the fans here are in disbelief, just _ reaction. the fans here are in disbelief, just like _ reaction. the fans here are in disbelief, just like here. - reaction. the fans here are in - disbelief, just like here. everyone is celebrating in the streets and in the houses with their family. it was unexpected and they are celebrating and having it as something big because... and having it as something big because- - -_ because... how big a sport is football in — because... how big a sport is football in saudi _ because... how big a sport is football in saudi arabia? - because... how big a sport is. football in saudi arabia? saudi arabia has _ football in saudi arabia? saudi arabia has the _ football in saudi arabia? saudi arabia has the strongest - football in saudi arabia? s:ic arabia has the strongest league among the country. they have a very good level competing with clubs like etihad. they are so good in asia. saudi arabia doesn't play outside the country, so some of us feel like, are they having the experience they need to complete and the world cup? that's why competing with argentina, it was like, are they

going to do it or not? you argentina, it was like, are they going to do it or not?— argentina, it was like, are they going to do it or not? you are one of my extraordinary _ going to do it or not? you are one of my extraordinary colleagues . going to do it or not? you are one | of my extraordinary colleagues that has so many talents, and one of them is that you lived in cairo, where you worked for a spanish news agency. i know your second language is spanish, not english. i also want to know what happened in argentina. they're really quite baffled and confused. i they're really quite baffled and confused. . ~ they're really quite baffled and confused. ., ,, ., , ., confused. i talked to them before and after the _ confused. i talked to them before and after the match. _ confused. i talked to them before and after the match. actually, - confused. i talked to them before and after the match. actually, it i and after the match. actually, it was like, we won. have you've seen the ranking? a lot of them are saying that they didn't do the best. they have a lot

of chances to win this competition, so they didn't do the homework as they had to. they have a lot of talent to play. they have a very strong team, and for the first time, they are not counting on messi. in this match, we have seen argentina just come up on messi and we don't know why. unbeaten for 56 games, and it was like, what happened? the first half was way different than the second half, so what happens there is a lot of criticism. the second half was like a disaster. it

was a huge chance and we know argentina are crazy about football. they are making the best macros to atmosphere. even in the stadium, they were among the loudest in the stadium. . ,, . . , stadium. . such a huge result. france are _ stadium. . such a huge result. france are also _ stadium. . such a huge result. france are also playing - stadium. . such a huge result. france are also playing today i france are also playing today against australia. they might be the clear favourites, against australia. they might be the clearfavourites, but against australia. they might be the clear favourites, but they are without some of their key players. we look at striker kareem benzema. he tore a muscle during training. paul pogba isn't here either. he hasn't even made it to qatar. it's been described as an embarrassment

of riches because they have mbappe and grisman, taking on the soccer ruse at the australian side. very young. they're certainly passionate and they have fans to support them. who knows what will happen? lucy, thank you. we'll keep an eye on of its at the world cup. 17 energy suppliers have been told they need to improve how they deal with vulnerable customers. the warning comes from the regulator ofgem, which has been reviewing data supplied by the industry. all the firms that took part were criticised, with five found to have severe weaknesses. but some companies said the review was incomplete. our cost of living correspondent, kevin peachey, has this report. the nights are drawing in, the heating is going on and bills are rising.

as costs increase, more and more people are struggling and vulnerable, but this is the response they're getting from suppliers. what we generally found, i think across all suppliers, but particularly those with severe weaknesses, really is a sense of inconsistency. a sense that some advisers were really good at helping vulnerable customers, others weren't. now, what we don't want, for someone who is in difficulties, is to face pot luck when they try and get in touch with their supplier. a typical household bill this winter is £2500 a year — double that of last winter. in april, that typical annual bill will rise to £3000. with many finding those bills difficult to pay, ofgem says all firms need to improve, but five of them — good energy, outfox, so energy, tru energy and utilita — had severe issues. campaigners say those on top—up meters are in the most critical situation. at citizens advice, we're hearing from many people who are struggling to top up their prepayment meters. to top up their prepayment metres.

already this year, we've helped more people with that issue than we have in the previous past five years alone. we really hope today's report is a wake—up call because we need to know that energy companies will step in and support people who are really struggling with their costs. ofgem has called for urgent action from suppliers, but the most heavily criticised suppliers have called for clarity from ofgem. they say they were condemned on incomplete evidence and that any improvements they made haven't been reflected and that, they say, is causing extra unnecessary concern for vulnerable customers. help is available, but with some of those most in need already choosing not to top up their metres because of their debts, and in one and in one case, an elderly man left without power for a fortnight, it won't take much to send stress levels, as well as bills, soaring. kevin peachey, bbc news. about 1000 nhs patients

will have their energy bills paid on prescription this winter in an expansion of a trial scheme. a pilot scheme in gloucestershire helped people who have conditions that get worse in the cold. it's being introduced in the scheme has had such good results, it's being introduced in aberdeenshire and teeside. colletta smith has the details. myjoints ache like there's no tomorrow, my bones feel like hot pokers, and i tend to end up either bedridden, or in the past i have ended up in hospital a few times with pneumonia, flu, pleurisy. with arthritis and a serious lung condition, michelle and her young teenage girls young teenage girls usually dread the winter. but not last year, because the nhs paid the entirety of her energy bill. it's mind—blowing how much of a difference it does make. it makes you happier. you're a bit healthier. you're not as in pain so you're not snappy as much, or you know,

as much, or you know, you're not stuck in bed. there are millions of people with cardiovascular and respiratory conditions that are made worse by living in a cold home. matt was the brains behind this pilot project, but it's the health service who made the decisions about who qualified. so, it's for people with the right health condition who can't afford the heating they need to stay well, warm and well at home. for the health service, they were saying this was having a benefit much more quickly than the pills and potions they normally have to give out. so, it was days, not weeks or months. despite energy bills being more expensive this year, and health budgets beings stretched, nhs gloucestershire have decided to expand the project to five times as many people. and tees valley and aberdeen have opted in, too, to see if it can work on a bigger scale. the reason this pilot scheme has worked so well here is that they've had a willing gp who knows people's health conditions, working in this surgery alongside social prescribers and people who visit homes regularly and know people's

financial conditions. they're therefore able to marry those two things up together and find the people that qualify under both criteria. do you want to just tell me about your cough that you've had? dr la roux says this project wasn't an extra pressure on him as a gp. it's going to save work because actually you're hopefully because, actually, you're hopefully going to be keeping patients fitter and well over the winter and stop them getting sick. so, i think it's actually saving the money for other services. so, i think it's actually saving| the money for other services. michelle is hoping everyone can feel warm and well this winter. if everybody could have the help that i was fortunate enough to actually experience, i think it would make such a difference in people's lives. coletta smith, bbc news, in gloucestershire. and as energy bills rise, there are money saving tips in our online article �*winter weather: keeping costs down when it's cold' — on our website at bbc.co.uk/news.

nottinghamshire police say a woman who was seriously injured in an arson attack which killed her two children has died. fattumoutta hydara was being treated in hospital after the fire at a flat in nottingham on sunday morning. her daughters, naima drammeh and fatimah drammeh, died shortly after being taken to hospital. a man was arrested on sunday night on suspicion of murder. in a statement, nottinghamshire police detective chief inspector mark sinski, who's leading the investigation, described the death of two young children and their mother as "one of the most horrendous crimes" and a "deeply unsettling tragedy". he said the woman's husband, father to the two girls, was not in the uk at the time of the fire, but that "both he and other members of the family "are being supported by specially—trained officers "at this incredibly difficult time and we ask for the media to give

"them privacy while they deal with this incredible loss." let's talk to our correspondent simon hare in nottingham for us. a deeply upsetting case.— deeply upsetting case. indeed. this is now a triple _ deeply upsetting case. indeed. this is now a triple murder— deeply upsetting case. indeed. this is now a triple murder inquiry - is now a triple murder inquiry following that latest death. the third victim of this fire in the early hours of sunday. it was the mother of the two children who had already died. the police of today identified all three victims who had perished as a result. 28—year—old fatoumatta hydara and her two children fatoumatta hydara —— naaemah and fatima. the police investigation is continuing. a man

was arrested on sunday and officers have been granted extra time to continue questioning him. detective chief inspector mark kaczynski has described this as a horrendous crime and deplete upsetting, but especially for the family involved, including the woman's husband and the father of the children, who wasn't in the uk at the time of the fire. he was thought to be in america, and tonight, we had a tribute to one of the two girls from the nursery, which she attended. rob perkins, the teacher, said the whole school �*s community, shocked and saddened and they described fatima as a kind pupil with a sunny personality who made friends wherever she went and enjoyed a cuddle and loves arts and crafts. she said she had an contagious laugh in the nursery will be the same without her. throughout the

afternoon, people have continued to arrive here to place tributes to the mother and her two young children. as well as many flowers and cards of condolence. also balloons and soft toys, highlightingjust condolence. also balloons and soft toys, highlighting just how young the two girls were. simon at the scene of that dreadful tragedy in nottingham. more coming up tragedy in nottingham. more coming up in the hour and we will talk pause to take the news the weather prospects from ben rich. up in the hour and we will talk pause to take the news the hello. it wasn't a completely dry day but we have some scarce guys to take us through the night. parts of

central scotland and england could see some fog patches. out west some change in a band of heavy rain pushing it with some squally wins. as a consequence of miles across the western corner of the uk. northeast it will be chilli with a touch of frost. some freezing frost patches to touch—up in scotland. i have a band of rain pushing eastwards across scotland. behind that a mix of sunny spells and heavy blundering first showers. particularly gusty for some irish closing english channel close as well. temperatures north to south eight to 12 degrees. as we look towards the end of the week it will turn at either. but there was still be some white and windy weather at times. hello, this is bbc news with jane hill. the headlines... more disruption on the railways this christmas — the rmt union announces a series of 48 hour strikes in december and january. we have been reasonable, but it is impossible

to find a negotiated settlement when the dead hand of the government is presiding over and blocking a resolution in these talks. a mother dies two days after a flat fire in nottingham that killed her two daughters the manston centre in kent, which holds asylum seekers who cross the channel in small boats, has been cleared. labour leader keir starmer tells businesses the country needs to be weaned off its immigration dependency the days when low pay and cheap labour are part of the british way on growth must end. and the world cup in qatar has seen one of the biggest shock results in the tournament's history. saudi arabia beat two—time winners argentina 2—i. the king takes part in his first state visit as monarch — after south africa's president

arrives in london. much more to come and we will be talking about those rail strikes as you would beasts expect will talk to the rmt and others. but right now we will catch up with all the latest sports news. gavin has that sub hi gavin we've seen one of the all time shocks at a world cup today — gavin orld cup today — as saudi arabia came from behind beat two time winners argentina 2 goals to i in qatar... the result ends argentina's 36 match unbeaten run — in an upset to live long in the memory. our sports correspondent andy swiss reports. they've andy swiss reports. turned the world cup upside down. they've turned the world cup upside down. a day of saudi celebration after one of the biggest shocks the tournament has ever seen. the rank outsiders were up against one of the favourites. argentina, and the mighty leonel messy. when he

converted an early penalty it seemed to business as usual. but come the second half, quite extraordinary turnaround. how their supporters enjoyed that. even better was to follow our moment of pure magic. a stunning goal and a celebration to match. i team stunning goal and a celebration to match. iteam rent stunning goal and a celebration to match. i team rent outside the turk worlds top 50 was suddenly i had could they hang on? argentina large attack after attack but saudi arabia brilliantly kept them at bay and the result was is brilliantly kept them at bay and the result was , ., ., result was this. cup all—time first defeat �* three for arabia id victory saudi arabia'ig ands «sister? is 59 in saudi arabia'ig ands 15549”th gets in folklore. the second match in group c —

between mexico and poland has about 20 minutes or so left... the match is live now on bbc one and available on the bbc iplayer nim then as it stands there is more urgency in the spirit as both teams searched for an opening goal. you can watch it action live now. well, after all that drama, we were due a 0—0 — that's what we got with denmark against tunisia! the group d opener never really threatened to get going. and goal line scramble here, perhaps the closest to a goal, from christian eriksen's corner. kasper schmeichel made a couple of good saves, and there was a late denmark call for a penalty through var, but it didn't materialise, and the match finished goalless. here's confirmation of today's results and fixtures. later, holders france take on australia, that game is also live on the bbc. you can also get full commentary on five live. away from the world cup but staying with football — arsenal and england star beth mead

will face a long spell on the sidelines — after a serious knee injury suffered during saturday's women's super league loss to manchester united. it puts her participation in next year's women's world cup in some doubt. mead, was the top scorer on the way to england winning the euros this summer. a statement from arsenal said mead will see a surgeon in the coming days — where timescales will be established. it's been another day to forget for t20 champions england in the cricket — they lost to australia this morning by 221 runs, which completes a 50 over one—day series whitewash. australia posted 355 forfive in a rain interrupted first innings — which gave england a revised target... openers travis head and david warner did most of the damage, both with centuries. england struggled in their reply falling from 57—1 to 142 all out. england losing the series 3—0. former england and sussex all—rounder — luke wright — has been appointed as england men's

selector. wright will take on the role in march afterfinishing a coaching job with auckland, and will be responsible for squad and team selections from the senior teams, lions and young lions. that's all the sport for now. there is some there is some breaking there is some breaking news there is some breaking news to there is some breaking news to bring there is some breaking news to bring you which concerns cristiano ronaldo. we have a statement from manchester united who have said he is to leave the club by mutual agreement with immediate effect. the club thanks him for his immense contribution across two spells at old trafford. scoring 145 goals in 346 appearances. this newsjust coming into us now it's on the bbc sport website. this follows that interview with piers morgan with talk tv last week which effectively looked like it was sigma god is and of his time at actress united. that

is the statement there from manchester united. ronaldo was also responded. more breaking news on the bbc website as we get that changed stop thank you very much gavin. the time not 21 minutes to six and will get more let's return to our top story — rail passengers across britain are set to face fresh disruption over christmas, as the rmt union announces an escalation in strike action by rail workers unhappy at changes to jobs, pay and conditions. of 48 hour strikes on the 13th and 14th, and the 16th and 17th of december, and again on the 3rd and 4th, and the 6th and 7th of january. in december it's the 13th and 14th

of december and then the 16th and 17th of december and look at the dates forjanuary the new year. it affected the third and 4th of january and the sixth and 7th of january. so that's those series of 48 hours strikes. there is an overtime ban as well for much of the spirit. so an awful lot of destruction. i let the destruction i had a head of the hull festive period. let's find out what's happening from the general sacred the general secretary of the rmt, mick lynch, joins me now. people might be sitting watching his head enhance the night. they have seen that list of dates. they know their christmas and new year plans are completely up in the air. what do you say to people who just had their christmas so bad it disrupted? well we apologise for that. we don't

want to be on strike. we don't want our members losing money. we don't want the public spans disrupted. we have tried to avoid the main parts of christmas. we aren't in on strike on the run up to christmas and the period in between where people who want to go and see their families and make arrangements. so we have avoided that. we have action in mid—december and the period after the festivities in the new year's and an overtime ban in between. so, the problem here is we haven't got any sediment for the subs we haven't got any proposals to settle this dispute. we believe that is down to the secretary of state and the conservative government they don't want to settle this dispute after several months. they don't want any negotiations with the train companies and we can't sit idly by while that continues. we need a settlement and we need the secretary of state to get mjg in this programme progress. so we can negotiate a settlement with our employments which we stand ready to do and we are still in the questions

with them right now. this do and we are still in the questions with them right now.— do and we are still in the questions with them right now. this has been auoin on with them right now. this has been going on for— with them right now. this has been going on for months. _ with them right now. this has been going on for months. how - with them right now. this has been going on for months. how much i with them right now. this has been - going on for months. how much money are your staff losing? they're not being paid when they are on strike was in mark know they don't get paid when they are in strike and they don't get strike pay either. thea;r don't get strike pay either. they are committed _ don't get strike pay either. they are committed to _ don't get strike pay either. they are committed to the _ don't get strike pay either. tie: are committed to the dispute. we just read by lifted them and they returned a heavy mandate on in favour of continuing the action. they want to keep theirjobs and their terms and conditions and they want to get a settlement. most of them have not had a pay rise for three years and that can't go on. we can't have a situation where we are trying to negotiate a deal with their employers and the governments at their shoulder. and they have not made a written proposal in that entire period of six months. in fact they pulled out of a meeting six yesterday. in which a guaranteed they would put a written proposal on they would put a written proposal on the table and they cancel that meeting with 55 minutes notice. we

believe that is down to the tory governments and secretary of state who want to keep this going for their own reasons. i know there is a settlement readily available at which we could write up in a couple of hours. if which we could write up in a couple of hours. ., , ., , of hours. if there was a settlement readily available _ of hours. if there was a settlement readily available would _ of hours. if there was a settlement readily available would need - of hours. if there was a settlement readily available would need all. readily available would need all have been sorted? llrrul’eiiii readily available would need all have been sorted?— readily available would need all have been sorted? well there was a settlement- — have been sorted? well there was a settlement. there _ have been sorted? well there was a settlement. there was _ have been sorted? well there was a settlement. there was proposals i settlement. there was proposals ready to go and they were ready to type them up and then somebody cancelled the meeting with 55 minutes. ~ ., ., , ., minutes. what reason where you were civen for minutes. what reason where you were given for the — minutes. what reason where you were given for the meeting? _ minutes. what reason where you were given for the meeting? i _ minutes. what reason where you were given for the meeting? i was - minutes. what reason where you were given for the meeting? i was given i minutes. what reason where you were given for the meeting? i was given a l given for the meeting? i was given a reason that — given for the meeting? i was given a reason that they _ given for the meeting? i was given a reason that they are _ given for the meeting? i was given a reason that they are not _ given for the meeting? i was given a reason that they are not allowed i given for the meeting? i was given a reason that they are not allowed to l reason that they are not allowed to make an offer. they told me they are not allowed to make an offer and the only people can stop them making an offer are the government for something is written into a contract the companies have with the secretary of state that he's responsible for industrial relations and he sets their mandate for negotiations. they told me they are not allowed to make at office at rmt

in this dispute. fik. not allowed to make at office at rmt in this dispute-— in this dispute. 0k. not what network really says _ in this dispute. 0k. not what network really says no i in this dispute. 0k. not what network really says no one i in this dispute. 0k. not what | network really says no one can in this dispute. 0k. not what i network really says no one can deny the precarious financial hole of the railways are in. strike and makes that hull bigger and the task of finding a resolution ever more difficult. we are not giving up hope and we hope that rmt will return to the table with a more realistic appreciation of the situation. share appreciation of the situation. are ou not appreciation of the situation. sé'e: you not being appreciation of the situation. site you not being realistic us appreciation of the situation. fie you not being realistic us in appreciation of the situation. fife you not being realistic us in mark we are being entirely realistic. they know what is needed to get a settlement and i don't think they're allowed to being put the settlement forward because of the departments and transport. they have chosen to pick a fight with real workers. and now they're picking fights all over the economy with nurses doctors, teachers. workers of every section of our society. they want to suppress wages while profits are up.

there are density of money in this economy to have distribution of wealth. that is what this is about. they want to meet working people pay for a crisis not of their creation. or members have not had a pay rise for three years. so they have very direct understanding of the realistic nature of really finances. in that time did really network and others have posted profits and did not lose a penny during the pandemic. every time we go on strike, the department for transport write them a check in excess of £30 million and they make no losses whatsoever. the only people who lose outs are our members who don't get paid and the travelling public we don't get trains. it's down to the government who said do they want to keep subsidising strikes? or that a once a settlement? if they put that money into it is dispute the we could've settle this months ago. fin could've settle this months ago. on a practical level. what actually

happens now? you've heard the group said they want you to get back run a table and what they want talks. people wanting washing this want the extracts to be cancelled so they can visit their loves one at christmas. how does this route progress? what happens now? who do you talk to? that's what we want. the rail with a group are standing on their heads. they cancelled the meeting yesterday and an hour later they put a press release out saying we need to get around a table. the we can't get on the table if they cancel my invites to meet them. you are correct. we want movement and progress on the discussions. jobs condition and pay need to be improved. i have not had an offer for need to be improved. i have not had an offerfor six months need to be improved. i have not had an offer for six months for negotiations. i would an offer for six months for negotiations. iwould be an offer for six months for negotiations. i would be seeing mr harper on thursday. i will be putting this to him. he has to be a person who creates an atmosphere of goodwill and creates a situation where we can get realistic

proposals. fund these companies that was settled they distribute. the ball is in his court. the employees are telling me we cannot make an offer members need an offer and the government is sitting on his hind hand while disputes break out all over the country. 50 hand while disputes break out all over the country.— hand while disputes break out all over the country. so you are going to sit with — over the country. so you are going to sit with the — over the country. so you are going to sit with the secretary _ over the country. so you are going to sit with the secretary of - over the country. so you are going to sit with the secretary of state l to sit with the secretary of state of transport on wednesday. there was a glib normal glimmer of hope. there was one meeting with the previous secretary. you are not going to sit down with the current secretary does that give you any more confidence? was i am met the new secretary of state and she got sucked and is now out of the government. i am met the mark harper gets i have met him yet i go to these meetings with a positive attitude about wanting a settlement. he's the only in this

hull scenario with people on strike and employers telling me they are not allowed to make an offer. that comes directly from his office and his decisions. he has to make his eye and mind up whether he's going to resolve this dispute or keep it going for whatever reasons they can put forward. we have an incoherent governments and an incoherent approach to this dispute. that is down to them. if they keep second people there will never get the settlement. hopefully before he moves on he can creates a situation where we can get a settlement. can ou sa where we can get a settlement. can you say hand _ where we can get a settlement. can you say hand on heart to the travelling public watching this. that you want those strikes to be cancelled? you don't really want to disrupt peoples christmases? i would love those strikes _ disrupt peoples christmases? i would love those strikes to _ disrupt peoples christmases? i would love those strikes to be _ disrupt peoples christmases? i would love those strikes to be cancelled. i love those strikes to be cancelled. i would love our members to be working normally and get paid for their labour. that's what we want. but we not are going to accept anything that's thrown at us. it has to be a realistic set of proposals.

onjob to be a realistic set of proposals. on job security, and their pay. which they have not had increases for three years. he needs a bit of goodwill and i governments in a position to broker that deal. at that moment we haven't got that. i would love to settled these disputes and i think they can be settled in a number of hours given that we people have people who want to make a settlement. have people who want to make a settlement-— have people who want to make a settlement. ., ~' , ., , . settlement. 0k, thank you very much ou are settlement. 0k, thank you very much you are seeing _ settlement. ok, thank you very much you are seeing mark— settlement. 0k, thank you very much you are seeing mark harper— settlement. 0k, thank you very much you are seeing mark harper on - you are seeing mark harper on thursday perhaps we'll hear more after that meeting. that is the general secretary of the rmt seeing the next age is a meeting on thursday. let's discuss all of that with oliver lewis. joined now by member of the pro—nationalisation pressure group, bring back british rail, and phd in rail privatisation at oxford university, oliver lewis. hello, very good evening to you. i hope you could hear that previous

conversation. i am interested hope you could hear that previous conversation. iam interested in your take away on that. mr; conversation. i am interested in your take away on that.- your take away on that. my first take is the _ your take away on that. my first take is the failure _ your take away on that. my first take is the failure of— your take away on that. my first| take is the failure of leadership. when the real weeks are privatised the conservative party privatised them in the 1990s. the worst to be handing over labour practices said the incident the department for transport and labour relations. it is clear that another thing the government said is the mr harper is unable to own the relationships he needs to manage. going back to the 1970s when the labour government was an able to deal effectively with the major unions. it's very sad. you mentioned _ major unions. it's very sad. you mentioned a — major unions. it's very sad. you mentioned a history _ major unions. it's very sad. you mentioned a history and the labour government in the 70s. is that about

governments not wanting about wage inflation. they're concerned about the pressure it puts on finances if people across any industry push for a wage inflation. the hull debate we know about wage inflation and what it does? is know about wage inflation and what it does? , ., ., ., �* it does? is that part of it? i don't think this current _ it does? is that part of it? i don't think this current government i l it does? is that part of it? i don't i think this current government i have thought through any of these things. in the 1970s we had a secretary of state who developed a huge range of policies that were designed to help with the cost of living. as well as keeping an eye on public finances. i see no evidence of that in this current situation. i think it's worth bearing in mind that the government has announced a new realist policy to defect to nationalise railways and create some form of british rail. as for as far as where we are plans for that have not followed through. supposedly it will be next year. when boris

johnson announced his great riches railways. as far as experts concede these proposals have not been taken forward other than launching a new discuss competition. that is a finer detail than what they should be doing is determing a structure for what the realist would be. there is no evidence of leadership of that from the secretary of state and i would add that the former secretary of states of transport is just not a way to run a country. the voter should be angry real worker should be angry. the customers and the taxpayer. does every time there's a strike and the treasury has the payouts are really operators. if there's one thing really operators is been good at doing is haemorrhaging money.

is been good at doing is haemorrhattin mone . , haemorrhaging money. oliver lewis thank ou haemorrhaging money. oliver lewis thank you very _ haemorrhaging money. oliver lewis thank you very much _ haemorrhaging money. oliver lewis thank you very much interesting i haemorrhaging money. oliver lewis thank you very much interesting to l thank you very much interesting to talk to you tonight as well thank you and doubtless continuous coverage on that. and we want to know what passengers are making of all of that tonight as well of course. more on that coming up in the six o'clock news. one of the story tonight. the labour leader, sir keir starmer, has addressed business leaders in birmingham, setting out his plans to train more british workers to end what he described as the country's "dependency" on immigration. the labour leader told the cbi conference that he believes it's important to invest in people who are already here, although he would accept an increase in the immigration of skilled workers. our political correspondent gave us this update. a day after the prime minister addressed the cbi conference in birmingham. today it was the labour leaders turn. he was very notable actually in the warm embrace he tried to give the business

leaders there. saying that labour now was probably pro growth and pro—business. of course, the economic backdrop to this conference is pretty bleak. the country is in recession. productivity is very low. growth has stalled. and one thing that businesses would like to see, certainly the cbi. is more skilled immigration to help plug the labour shortage of gaps that exist in the economy. they have been urging government ministers to loosen up the rules on the people they can bring into the country. and that's a question that rishi sunak addressed yesterday. and keir starmer did as well today. he did not give the cbi really what they wanted on that. sayingthat controls migration was essential. this is what the labour leader said. our common goals must be to help the british economy off its immigration dependence. the days when low pay and cheap labour are part of the british way

on growth must end. now, he said that he wouldn't agree to an arbitrary target on the number of economic migrants you would like to see in the country year—by—year. and insisted that the party would have a pragmatic approach to this question. and if they were going to be an increase in the number of skills migrants coming in and. that you would expect businesses to do more themselves. to sort of reach a set number of targets before they allow more people in. i think that's where the political battle is at the moment between labour and the government. frankly, on this question of economic migration. there really isn't much difference. certainly in the rhetoric between labour and the government. our political correspondent ben writes out letting those comments. i'm nowjoined by alp mehmet, who is a former immigration officer and the chairman of migration watch uk — a think tank that campaigns for reduced migration in the uk. very good evening to you. what did you make of keir starmer is comments? tats

you make of keir starmer is comments?— you make of keir starmer is comments? ~ , , comments? as your correspondent 'ust said. comments? as your correspondent 'ust said- there's — comments? as your correspondent 'ust said. there's not i comments? as your correspondent 'ust said. there's not much i comments? as your correspondent 'ust said. there's not much difference i said. there's not much difference between what sir keir starmer said andindeed between what sir keir starmer said and indeed what borisjohnson was saying in the 2019 election. i welcome the fact that we are now, finally, talking about immigration. general immigration and notjust the illegal immigration across the channel. but i know what the employers of the cbi is asking for. the system in place no, the points—based system that was supposed to bring in all the people we wanted and needed. and reduce immigration. it is so loose that frankly, it gives employers the opportunity to bring in whoever they like and as many people as they like. at the same time, it increases immigration. what i would like to hearfrom sir keir starmer is how he's going to go about reducing immigration. which is what the

majority of people in this country want. not how he's going to continue increasing it as is happening now. how do you reduce it when we know it they are still sectors that are crying out for staff? how often do we have a conversation about the lack of staff in the social care sector? how often do you walk into a hospitality set in and they told you they're not open for as many hours as you they would like because they don't have enough staff?— as you they would like because they don't have enough staff? look, jane, the fact is people _ don't have enough staff? look, jane, the fact is people can _ don't have enough staff? look, jane, the fact is people can look— don't have enough staff? look, jane, the fact is people can look at - don't have enough staff? look, jane, the fact is people can look at the i the fact is people can look at the moment they can bring in all the people they want. all you have to do is get an area on the occupations list and you can bring people in. having brought them and you can actually pay them 20% less than the going rate. that's why a shortage of occupation, and bringing in overseas work is attractive. because it's cheaper. and that is why our

productivity has flatlined over the last ten or 12 years. we have got to look at bringing in the people are genuinely skilled and not bringing all of those were going to make it cheaper and more profitable for employers. cheaper and more profitable for employers-— cheaper and more profitable for emlo ers.~ . ,., ., employers. which is all there after. all ri . ht, employers. which is all there after. all right. i'm _ employers. which is all there after. all right. l'm so _ employers. which is all there after. all right, i'm so sorry _ employers. which is all there after. all right, i'm so sorry we _ employers. which is all there after. all right, i'm so sorry we don't i all right, i'm so sorry we don't have longer. thank you very much. many thanks, very busy hour was up were going to pause and catch up with the latest weather pasta risks from beverage. it wasn't a dry day. most of us got to see sunshine and clear strays. central and part of scotland. out west in change and a band of heavy rain cushioning with some squally gusty winds as a consequence. quite mild across the uk. northeast it

will be chilly with a touch of frosting place. by certain central and southern scotland with freezing. have a band of rain moving slowly across scotland. behind that a mix of sunny spells and heavy thundering blustery showers on brisk wind. blustery for irish sequels and british post as well. temperatures north to south eight to 12 degrees. toward the end of the week it was turned a little reminder but there was still be some wet and windy winter at times.

today at six — a fresh wave of rail strikes in the run—up to christmas and in the new year — as strike action intensifies. the rmt announces four separate 48—hour rail strikes — two of them just ten days before christmas. the mother of two young children killed in a house fire in nottingham on sunday has also died — a man is held on suspicion of murder. they are all at sea suddenly argentina and they are now behind! saudi celebrations after a shock win over favourites argentina at the world cup.