this is bbc news i'm tim willcox. the headlines at 2: thousands of ambulance workers across england and wales announce they will strike on december 21st in a dispute over pay. it comes as the rmt is accused of playing fast and loose with people's festive plans — as more rail strikes were announced over the christmas period. i booked coaches for most of the christmas period to avoid being touched by the strikes. if they have to strike, they have strike, i know a lot of them don't want to, so more power to them, i guess. the conservative peer baroness mone takes a leave of absense from the house of lords following allegations about links to a ppe firm awarded a covid contract by the government. the national farmers�* union warns the uk is �*sleepwalking' into a food supply crisis and calls

on the government to step in and help its members. and eddiejones is sacked as head coach of the england rugby team nine months before the rugby world cup. hello, become to the programme. ambulance staff and paramedics are the latest group of workers to announce a strike this month. in the last couple of hours, the unite, unison and gmb unions said staff will walk out in most of england and wales on december 21st. it comes as rail bosses accused the rmt of "playing fast and loose" with people's christmas plans, after that union announced more walk outs over the festive period — on top of the strikes already planned for next week.

we'll have more on the rail dispute in a moment, first let's speak to our health correspondentjim reed about the strike involving ambulance staff and paramedics. very rare for them to do this and it will affect hospitals up and down the country. it will affect hospitals up and down the country-— the country. it is rare and it is coordinated _ the country. it is rare and it is coordinated action _ the country. it is rare and it is coordinated action and - the country. it is rare and it is coordinated action and three. coordinated action and three different unions have decided to strike on december 21, the wednesday before christmas. at that stage the nhs is normally under pressure with christmas party and so on. as for who is striking, paramedics, ambulance technicians, 999 call handlers. the only exception the east of england's ambulance service the only region not involved in this. as for the impact on patients, well the unions involved, gmb, unite and unison say it will only affect

nonlife—threatening incidents. heart attacks and care accidents, the callouts should go on. you will see disruption in transporting vulnerable patients to hospital that need an operation. maybe less serious cases. trips and falls on ice. they're the kind of incidents that are likely to be affected. but that are likely to be affected. but that will be _ that are likely to be affected. but that will be impacted of the diagnosis ringing in and asking for ambulances to come out. something minor night not be minor? this ambulances to come out. something minor night not be minor?— minor night not be minor? this is the always _ minor night not be minor? this is the always the — minor night not be minor? this is the always the thing, _ minor night not be minor? this is the always the thing, every - minor night not be minor? this is the always the thing, every part i minor night not be minor? this is| the always the thing, every part of the always the thing, every part of the health service is closely connected. when you think about this, 21st, the day of the strikes, is the day after the second strike due to be held by nurses in much of england and wales and northern ireland. so you are likely to see a lot of disruption across the whole health service around this time. the government — health service around this time. the government has offered 4%. they're wanting 19%. the nurses want 19.

what does the pay review body say? this is an independent body set up ljy this is an independent body set up by the government to look into pay. they recommended a 4.75% increase on average across the nhs. that is what ambulance staff have been offered. you mentioned the nurses union, has asked for 5% above rpi inflation. the unions representing ambulance staff have not put a figure on how much they would like to see, they would just like to see, or may make the point that at the moment the pay award, because it is already in people's pay pact, it has not kept up people's pay pact, it has not kept up with inflation. they want something nearer the inflation rate. the strikes are not happening in scotland what is happening there? the scottish government increased

the pay offer and it is worth about 8% in scotland. as a result of that, the gmb union paused its strike action. it had balloted some ambulance members. the strikes haven't been cancelled in scotland, but while negotiations are going on and the unions are thinking about this and thinking about reba lotting members —— re—balloting members there is no strike action. the government has accused the rmt union of holding the country to ransom after it announced more strikes over christmas. the rmt — which is involved in two sets of talks in a long—running dispute over pay, jobs and working conditions — has acknowledged that passengers will be angry, but insisted that proposals tabled by network rail and the train companies weren't acceptable. our business correspondent theo leggett is at king's cross station in london.

it looks a as if the strikes will go ahead. is there any movement at all in talks? , ., , ., ., in talks? there is no sign of it at the moment. — in talks? there is no sign of it at the moment, tim, _ in talks? there is no sign of it at the moment, tim, i _ in talks? there is no sign of it at the moment, tim, i think- in talks? there is no sign of it at the moment, tim, i think it - in talks? there is no sign of it at the moment, tim, i think it is i the moment, tim, i think it is inevitable that at the least we will see widespread disruption next week. there are two disputes going on, one between the rmt union and the train operating companies and a separate dispute between network rail and the rmt, oversimilar dispute between network rail and the rmt, over similar issues. dispute between network rail and the rmt, oversimilar issues. now dispute between network rail and the rmt, over similar issues. now what this means is we have had it confirmed that the strike next week starting on tuesday will go ahead. an extra strike affecting network rail staff over christmas, that will largely affect engineering work. a lot of planned works tend to go ahead during christmas. today, mick lynch, the general secretary of the rmt has been explaining to people

what this is going to happen. picket lines outside stations, they'll be back again next week. it's been confirmed a new wave of strikes will go ahead. disputes between the rmt union and 1a train operating companies, as well as with network rail, show no signs of being resolved. at the centre of it all, this man, the union's general secretary, mick lynch. today, he defended himself before bbc listeners. you're not hurting the government and you're not hurting the train companies. you're hurting the people of the country that have to travel at christmas to see loved ones. well, maybe the government is hurting you. the government is hurting the public because they are imposing this on our members. what you've got to remember about the train operating companies, the train operating companies will not lose a penny. the government is paying them every day that we go on strike. so i'm trying to negotiate... the government isn't on strike. we've got who've got no desire

or motivation to settle. as it stands, there'll be 48 hour strikes on the 13th and 14th and 16th and 17th of december, as well as on the third and fourth and 6th and 7th of january. and on top of that, workers at network rail will down tools from late on christmas eve until the morning of the 27th of december. the rail delivery group, which represents train companies, has offered staff a 4% pay rise this year and the same next year. but they'd have to agree on changes to working practices, which the rmt says simply aren't acceptable. the transport secretary has facilitated discussions between the employer and the unions, between the rail delivery group and the unions, and they have offered 8% pay rise over two years to the rmt and they have rejected it without even consulting their own membership. it's very disappointing that the rmt think that the way to conduct these negotiations is through holding the country to ransom. but labour has more sympathy for the strikers and says

the government should be trying harder to resolve the dispute. i think that there is a deal to be done. every single day that those workers have been on strike, they've lost pay. so they don't want to do this. they want to find a resolution. for many businesses, especially cafes, restaurants and theatres, the timing of the latest strikes couldn't be worse. this is our busiest trading week before christmas. . it's the main week for christmas parties, for people coming - into the office for the last time before term ends at schools i and people break for christmas holidays. i it's also when people come in to to go to shopping. - so it hits the last big weekend for shopping before christmasj when people also eat and drink out. but here in birmingham today, travellers seem to be taking the news in their stride. i booked coaches for most of the christmas period. it does put you off travelling, but again, i understand why they're doing it. there's strikes going on. i work in a hospital so there's strikes everywhere at the moment.

if they have to strike they have to strike. you know, i know a lot of them don't want to. so more power to them, i guess. i'm not sure if i would have chosen the christmas period myself, - but yeah, just i see _ what they're doing and they want to make maximum impact. the stand off is one of a number of industrial disputes which are heating up as workers across the country face up to rising prices and a soaring cost of living. and it means that in the run up to christmas and the new year, the outlook for travellers is far from cheerful. so that is the situation at the moment. it isn't impossible the two sides could reach a deal, but that doesn't look likely at the moment. the train companies say they have to make changes to working conditions to run the railways cost effectively. but the union says that those changes that include compulsory weekend working, driver—only trains, they say that is not acceptable either. there is no

sign from outside at least that the two sides are coming closer together and what that is likely to mean is next week disruption is inevitable, evenif next week disruption is inevitable, even if the strikes are called off. beyond that, we have to hope the two sides get together, but at the moment it doesn't look likely. so millions of people are likely to face their christmas plans being disrupted and businesses who need the customer s who are normally around at christmas, but won't be, because they're stuck at home. thank ou. joining me now is a former director of network rail, anna—jane hunter, who is now a rail operations consultant at the railway industry consultancy winder philips. pay, one of the issues. can i look at some safety issues that rmt have been arguing about for many years now. that is d00, the driver,

operations, in other words, you don't need a second person to man the doors, to be in charge of that. what is the safety record of d00, bearing in mind i think 30% of the country's trains at the moment operate like that and it is used around the world?— operate like that and it is used around the world? , , ., �* around the world? yes, indeed you're riaht to around the world? yes, indeed you're right to highlight _ around the world? yes, indeed you're right to highlight it _ around the world? yes, indeed you're right to highlight it is _ around the world? yes, indeed you're right to highlight it is neither - around the world? yes, indeed you're right to highlight it is neither a - right to highlight it is neither a new discussion, a new debate or something that is new technology or a new way of working. we have around 30% of our operations using it. it is safe and it operates every day safely. usually it is the case there is still another member of staff on board in many cases, there is not only the driver, but the duties of the second person are different. the fault lines are around what is the role of that second person and how much is safety critical, involving

things like doors and how much is more customerfacing, perhaps things like doors and how much is more customer facing, perhaps with revenue inspection or customer service. i5 revenue inspection or customer service. , . ., ., service. is that a red line for the rmt? because _ service. is that a red line for the rmt? because |_ service. is that a red line for the rmt? because i have _ service. is that a red line for the rmt? because i have been - service. is that a red line for the i rmt? because i have been digging into it, i thought they had already done a deal with south western rail ways, where they allowed d00 to take place? t ways, where they allowed d00 to take lace? ~ , , , place? i think this is where it is caettin place? i think this is where it is getting complex. _ place? i think this is where it is getting complex, what - place? i think this is where it is getting complex, what we - place? i think this is where it is getting complex, what we have place? i think this is where it is - getting complex, what we have got going on, because rdg put forward an offer on behalf of all operators. but for the last 20 years, deals have been done individually and all the terms and conditions are different in the different operators. in some uk companies there are more than one set of terms and conditions operating within a grade and there will be conductors or guards with didn't terms of conditions that have been imher ritzed inherited. it is not an

absolute red line. but i think the rmt want to be involved how it is implemented, how it operates, rather than i suppose feeling done to or it being a blanket requirement and perhaps that is where the the red line is. , �* , .,, ., line is. isn't the problem for the rmt, they _ line is. isn't the problem for the rmt. they are _ line is. isn't the problem for the rmt, they are trying _ line is. isn't the problem for the rmt, they are trying to - line is. isn't the problem for the rmt, they are trying to get - line is. isn't the problem for the rmt, they are trying to get pay| rmt, they are trying to get pay increases in line with inflation, which is soaring is, and the rail companies themselves have guaranteed income in terms of compensation and the roscos, so the profits being made by the companies and give on the shareholders are huge. just looking at the figures, rosco, these are the companies which own the rolling stock, which are leased to the train operating companies, the government has stepped in during the pandemic to guarantee the figures and in 2020 the dividend paid to shareholders was 950 million pounds for no risk. that is unfair, is t

not? for no risk. that is unfair, ist not? ~ . ., , for no risk. that is unfair, ist not? ~ . . , ., for no risk. that is unfair, ist not? ~ . ., , ., ., not? well the chain is quite a long one between _ not? well the chain is quite a long one between what _ not? well the chain is quite a long one between what an _ not? well the chain is quite a long one between what an rmt - not? well the chain is quite a long | one between what an rmt member not? well the chain is quite a long - one between what an rmt member of staff gets paid and what a rosco shareholder earns. the industry is complex. but shareholder earns. the industry is comlex. �* .,, shareholder earns. the industry is comlex. �* , complex. but those those dividends are guaranteed _ complex. but those those dividends are guaranteed by _ complex. but those those dividends are guaranteed by the _ complex. but those those dividends are guaranteed by the government. j are guaranteed by the government. yes, but this is dispute is broader than just the yes, but this is dispute is broader thanjust the companies' yes, but this is dispute is broader than just the companies' profit and to do with network rail and modernization and those things have become linked and it is less about profit and more about and modernization and workers wanting to keepin modernization and workers wanting to keep in step with inflation like nurses and ambulance workers who are also striking. flan nurses and ambulance workers who are also striking-— also striking. can a deal be done? is it effectively _ also striking. can a deal be done? is it effectively in _ also striking. can a deal be done? is it effectively in the _ is it effectively in the government's hands as mick lynch said? , ., ._ ,

government's hands as mick lynch said? , . ., ., government's hands as mick lynch said? , . , ., ., ., government's hands as mick lynch said? , . ., ., ., , said? there is always a deal to be done, this — said? there is always a deal to be done, this always _ said? there is always a deal to be done, this always a _ said? there is always a deal to be done, this always a deal - said? there is always a deal to be done, this always a deal to - said? there is always a deal to be done, this always a deal to be - said? there is always a deal to be i done, this always a deal to be done. the government clearly is involved, because they have their stamp all over the contracts and all ore the way that the industry works. so they have a massive role to play. in recent times they have recognised that. mark arthur is getting involved more than the previous secretary of state. we hope the talks are moving in a positive direction. talks are moving in a positive direction-— talks are moving in a positive direction. ., ., _ , ., direction. you obviously used to work for network _ direction. you obviously used to work for network rail _ direction. you obviously used to work for network rail and - direction. you obviously used to work for network rail and you i direction. you obviously used to i work for network rail and you have been involved in negotiations ore the years, but is there a feeling in the years, but is there a feeling in the industry that perhaps if rmt have overplayed its hand by having the strikes over the christmas period in terms of alienating a vast proportion perhaps of the working general public who need to be able to take the trains and all the consequential impact on the economy as well, at what is one of the busiest weeks of year in terms of

hospitality. we busiest weeks of year in terms of hospitality-— busiest weeks of year in terms of hositali . ~ . , ., ., hospitality. we all understand how disru tive hospitality. we all understand how disruotive it _ hospitality. we all understand how disruptive it will _ hospitality. we all understand how disruptive it will be, _ hospitality. we all understand how disruptive it will be, the _ hospitality. we all understand how disruptive it will be, the segment l disruptive it will be, the segment you played with users of the rail network on indicates that people do have sympathy with the workers. how long that will continue is anybody�*s guess. but everyone is feeling the pinch and everybody understands people wanting to negotiate a pay rise they feel is fair and you know people don't take strike action likely. they don't get paid while they're not working p i think the public at the moment do sound like they have sympathy and you know we will see how long that lasts. thank ou. the headlines on bbc news: thousands of ambulance workers across england and wales announce they will strike on december 21st in a dispute over pay. it comes as the rmt is accused of playing fast and loose with people's festive plans — as more rail strikes were announced over the christmas period. the conservative peer

baroness mone takes a leave of absense from the house of lords following allegations about links to a ppe firm awarded a covid contract by the government. let's stay with that story. 0ur political correspondent helen catt has the latest from westminsterhelen explain what's happening here and what's been announced in the past few hours. a leave of absence, butjust explain the back ground to this and the opposition motion as well. so this is about baroness _ opposition motion as well. so this is about baroness mone, - opposition motion as well. so this is about baroness mone, known i opposition motion as well. so this| is about baroness mone, known as opposition motion as well. so this - is about baroness mone, known as the founder of a clothing brand. in a statement from her private office, said she was taking a leave of absence from the house of lords with immediate effect to clear her name of the allegations that have been unjustly levelled against her. it added that this was her decision. the accusations that she is facing

are about her involvement with a company called ppe med pro. that won more than £200 million of government contracts during the pandemic to provide masks and gowns. the bbc foind £150 million of that was not used. it was baroness mone who initially identified the company to the government as a supplier of ppe and it was referred to its so—called vip system by a minister, the system to get hold of ppe quickly. the guardian has since claimed that on the basis of leaked documents, that baroness mone benefitted financially from the company's profits. suggesting as much as £29 million went into a trust of which she and her children were beneficiaries. she is facing an investigation by the house of lords standards commissioner. that is on hold, it says, as it understands a criminal investigation is taking place linked to the company. this afternoon,

labour will try and up the political pressure on all of this by trying to force the government to release all of documents that relate to the company. of documents that relate to the com an . . ~' of documents that relate to the coman . . ~ i. a five year old girl in northern ireland has died from an illness linked to the bacterial infection strep a. it's understood the girl, who was a pupil at belfast�*s black mountain primary school, was being treated in the intensive care unit of the royal belfast hospital for sick children, but died yesterday. across the uk, 8 children have died due to complications from strep a bacterial infections since september. health experts say parents and doctors need to be alert to the symptoms of infection. more cases are expected, as the level of the bacteria circulating is higher than usual for this time of year. 100 firefighters in wolverhampton have been tackling a large blaze which engulfed a number of derelict factories near the city centre last night.

homes were evacuated, roads closed and trains in the area were cancelled. smoke could be seen more than 15 miles away in shropshire. west midlands fire service has urged people to stay away from the area. britain's farmers are warning that supplies of fruit and vegetables are being threatened by the soaring cost of fuel and fertilisers, alongside a shortage of workers. the farmers' union, the nfu, says the uk is "sleepwalking" into a food shortage crisis. our business editor simonjack reports. the soaring cost of feed, fuel, fertiliser and the impact of flu are creating a potential food supply crisis that the uk is sleepwalking into, according to the national farmers' union. the ukraine war, the pandemic and the resulting inflation and have taken their toll. there are now 7,000 fewer food producers in the uk compared to 2019 and some fear that war could fail.

that more could fail. farmers have had so many bad years that they have ended up having to borrow money against the farm, obviously inflation rates and interest rates have gone up, so interest on big loans, anything to do with farming is big kit, it costs a lot, it cost a fortune to produce the milk on your table. strains already seen in the avian flu affected egg market, where many supermarkets have introduced rationing, are expected to spread. fertiliser prices have more than tripled, while the cost of fuel is up nearly 75% since 2019. since 2019, what the nfu describes as the last normal year, animalfeed is up 75%, nitrogen fertiliser is up 240%, agricultural diesel is up 73%, wholesale gas is a whopping 650%. there are now 7,000 fewer i will businesses in the uk and before the pandemic.

production of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and pears are expected to be the lowest this year since records began in 1985. the nfu is urging the government to lift the cap on seasonal overseas workers and establish a new food security target. what we really want is some of that certainty put back in. so farmers know where they are at. certainty with the seasonal workers scheme, we anticipate that there are £60 million worth of fruit and veg left in the field last spring because the people weren't there to pick them. so we want that certainty on visas. we need to lift that the cap on numbers and the visas to be issued on time. the bbc that it was in regular contract with the food and farming industries to ensure they are well prepared for a range of scenarios and they continue to take all the necessary steps to ensure people across the country have the food they need. but uk farmers are concerned, the less

food produced here, increases the uk's reliance on food imported from abroad, at a time when global food supplies are stretched. joining me now is denise walton she is an ecologist by training and now runs a 100% pasture—fed farm and butchery located in south east scotland thank you forjoining us. it is a pretty dire picture painted by simon. is the government doing as much as it promised, if not as much as it should?— as it should? well, this perfect storm is not — as it should? well, this perfect storm is not just _ as it should? well, this perfect storm is notjust about - as it should? well, this perfect storm is notjust about food, i as it should? well, this perfect i storm is notjust about food, but about the whole farming and food chain and whoever in government said we have a highly resilient food chain is doing the sleep walking and worse is probably asleep at the wheel f that reflects the attitude of government to the crisis we are in, that is deeply proppic. —— problematic. many farmers like us and others are urgently working with nature to restore biodiversity and

mitigate climate change, but in a flawed and unfair market dictated by the multiple retailers. we need a joined up approach and government needs to support the joined up approach as a solution to creating a strong food chain and incidentally advocated by the network of which i'm involved in their recent report on rethinking food. the government have the information they need, they just need to act and stop sleep walking. just need to act and stop sleep walkinr. , ., just need to act and stop sleep walkinr. , , ,, , walking. tell us about the pressures that ou, walking. tell us about the pressures that you. as — walking. tell us about the pressures that you. as a _ walking. tell us about the pressures that you, as a farmer, _ walking. tell us about the pressures that you, as a farmer, are _ walking. tell us about the pressures that you, as a farmer, are facing - walking. tell us about the pressures that you, as a farmer, are facing at l that you, as a farmer, are facing at the moment, presumably energy costs, not sure about labour costs, talk us through the problems you have. energy is very high, fuel is very high, as members of the nature friendly farming network and if you

like an agriculture way, we reduced costs with a sense this was going to happen. the failure of the food system in the uk has been coming down the line for the last 20 years. the issues of brexit, covid and ukraine have simply quickened the pace. we started direct retailing early on and felt the signals earlier than the rest of the industry. we have changed to direct selling, so we face our customers and we know what they're selling. for the government to initiate exceptional market conditions is just a sticking plaster and won't address the underlying issues of market regulation. i address the underlying issues of market regulation.— address the underlying issues of market regulation. i was about to ask ou market regulation. i was about to ask you that. _ market regulation. i was about to ask you that, what _ market regulation. i was about to ask you that, what would - market regulation. i was about to ask you that, what would a - ask you that, what would a declaration of exceptional market conditions mean? it is declaration of exceptional market conditions mean?— conditions mean? it is 'ust a stickin: conditions mean? it is 'ust a sticking plaster. * conditions mean? it is 'ust a sticking plaster. buth conditions mean? it isjust a sticking plaster. but what i conditions mean? it isjust a i sticking plaster. but what does conditions mean? it isjust a - sticking plaster. but what does it mean? it will _ sticking plaster. but what does it mean? it will not _ sticking plaster. but what does it mean? it will not address - sticking plaster. but what does it

mean? it will not address the - mean? it will not address the underlying — mean? it will not address the underlying issue _ mean? it will not address the underlying issue of _ mean? it will not address the underlying issue of market i underlying issue of market regulation and getting the corporate retailers to accept responsibility for the impact they're having on the. ., ., ., , ., the. forgive me, what does it mean, does it mean — the. forgive me, what does it mean, does it mean there _ the. forgive me, what does it mean, does it mean there is _ the. forgive me, what does it mean, does it mean there is more - does it mean there is more compensation, that supermarkets have to negotiate more, or raise their offers? ,, , ., ,, , ., to negotiate more, or raise their offers? ,, , ., ~' , ., ., to negotiate more, or raise their offers? ,, , . ~ , . ., ., to negotiate more, or raise their offers? ,, , ., ,, , ., ., ., offers? supermarkets have got to pay the cost of production. _ offers? supermarkets have got to pay the cost of production. it _ offers? supermarkets have got to pay the cost of production. it is _ the cost of production. it is morally repugnant that farmers are only being paid perhaps a penny in the pound of the cost of production. why would it be a mistake to declare exceptional market conditions, wouldn't that help farmers? it exceptional market conditions, wouldn't that help farmers? it one a short-term — wouldn't that help farmers? it one a short-term help. _ wouldn't that help farmers? it one a short-term help. but— wouldn't that help farmers? it one a short-term help. but it _ wouldn't that help farmers? it one a short-term help. but it would - wouldn't that help farmers? it one a short-term help. but it would raisel short-term help. but it would raise rices? it short-term help. but it would raise prices? it should _ short-term help. but it would raise prices? it should help _ short-term help. but it would raise prices? it should help in _ short-term help. but it would raise prices? it should help in the - prices? it should help in the short-term. _ prices? it should help in the short-term, but _ prices? it should help in the short-term, but won't - prices? it should help in the short-term, but won't deall prices? it should help in the - short-term, but won't deal with the short—term, but won't deal with the real issues which is paying farmers the right price for the customer of production and that has to be addressed and can only be addressed with a joined up approach with government support tojoin with a joined up approach with government support to join up the

food and farming food chain. thank ou ve food and farming food chain. thank you very much- _ we have some break news, a man in his 20s has been arrested on suspicious of common assault during a walk about by the king in luton. police say an egg it believed to have been thrown in the direction of the king. a man arrested on suspicion of attempted i imagine common assault. no suggestion that the egg hit the king. more on that as we get it. we've all noticed shops disappearing from our high streets in recent years, particularly after two years of covid and trading restrictions. but new analysis of the changes shows it's not all doom and gloom — while traditional retailers like department stores have continued to decline, service—based businesses are booming, including cafes, beauty salons and tattoo parlours. our home editor mark easton

reports from cumbria. i'm joined by tom whittington, retail and leisure research director at savills uk. it isa it is a cliche the changing face of the high street, but the new businesses coming in, the nail salons and everything, are they providing the cohesion and value to the high street that we traditionally associate with it? yes and thanks traditionally associate with it? jazz and thanks for having traditionally associate with it? 123 and thanks for having me. this is part of a longer trend, a reduction in the general need for the traditional high street uses and an increase in vacancy rate and the questions about what we should do where the spaces. after the pandemic we are seeing an acceleration of trends that provide convenience and amenity and something for the community that is bringing people back to the high street and a food example of the analysis you have

shown, more cafes, more tattoo parlours that are cooler than they used to be when i was young. share used to be when i was young. are they creating _ used to be when i was young. are they creating real value in the high street in terms of the rents, the value of the properties as well, when you look at say supermarkets, so many have involved to out of town areas according to local planning, is it maximising the value of the property with your saddle hat on? it property with your saddle hat on? ht is a good point, there are different ways of valuing assets, increasingly we are thinking about the social value. because ultimately it doesn't matter what kind of property it is, if it is empty, it is of no value. the idea of reimagining high streets with alternative uses, bringing different people in, is what we need to do. there is an over provision of

retail nationally and it needs to be the right size. we need to think about alternative uses and if you think about the traditional reason for having a high street and a market place, it it was about serving that local need, not the high street fashion brands, they do well in big centres, but we need to think about the people who are served by those places. this is itjoined up thinking, some people are complaining that high streets are preventing access. so much of it is pedestrianised. which is stopping the ability of pick something up and drop off and move on. which is how my generation would remember the high street. i on. which is how my generation would remember the high street.— remember the high street. i think it is a aood remember the high street. i think it is a good point. _ remember the high street. i think it is a good point, there _ remember the high street. i think it is a good point, there is _ remember the high street. i think it is a good point, there is no - is a good point, there is no doubt that retail parks do well because

they are car driven, convenience places. 0ne they are car driven, convenience places. one of the things that came out from the pandemic was that the reason to embrace the communities, to walk into them and to make use of the things that are there, the local businesses. you mentioned about the green perspective, what we need to do is to give people more reason to visit these places, notjust retail and shopping, medical reasons, officers, working, for well—being and for living. if we bring all those things together, there is less reason to do a number of different journeys, reducing journeys is good for the environment.— journeys, reducing journeys is good for the environment. thank you very much. you are watching bbc news. thousands of abbott's workers announced that they will strike over a dispute over pay. it comes as the rmt is accused of

playing fast and loose with the festive plans as more rail strikes were announced over the christmas period. 1 were announced over the christmas eriod. ,., ., 1' were announced over the christmas eriod. , .. , were announced over the christmas eriod. , ., were announced over the christmas eriod. ., period. i booked coaches for most of the christmas _ period. i booked coaches for most of the christmas period _ period. i booked coaches for most of the christmas period to _ period. i booked coaches for most of the christmas period to avoid - period. i booked coaches for most of the christmas period to avoid being. the christmas period to avoid being affected by the strikes. if the christmas period to avoid being affected by the strikes.— affected by the strikes. if they have to strike, _ affected by the strikes. if they have to strike, they _ affected by the strikes. if they have to strike, they have - affected by the strikes. if they have to strike, they have to i affected by the strikes. if they i have to strike, they have to strike, i have to strike, they have to strike, i know _ have to strike, they have to strike, i know that — have to strike, they have to strike, i know that they don't want to more power— i know that they don't want to more power to— i know that they don't want to more power to them. the conservative peer baroness _ power to them. the conservative peer baroness mone takes a leave of absence — baroness mone takes a leave of absence following a leave of absence. �* . ., , absence. and ninth child has died due to complications _ absence. and ninth child has died due to complications due - absence. and ninth child has died due to complications due to - absence. and ninth child has died due to complications due to strep a, bacterial infections. the national farmers' union say that the uk to sleep walking into a food crisis. they asked the government to help. it's been confirmed that the england rugby union head coach eddiejones has been sacked after seven years in charge. a meeting was held betweenjones

and the rfu chief executive bill sweeney this morning. the move comes after england's worst year since 2008. but a huge decision considering the world cup is just 9 months away. patrick gearey has more on this. the end of the autumn, the end of the road, england's defeat to south africa, the last match of anyjoan's difficult career. a repeat of the last world cup final but for the head coach it really was final. england first turned to eddiejones, an aussie that reinvigorated a rugby nation. you'll make this opportunity was a once—in—a—lifetime opportunity i take it. immediately could see the energy, in his first six nations england won every match. grand slam, great start! their winning streak

lasted 18 games. that momentum couldn't be maintained but england still managed to beat the semifinals of last world cup. but they lost that final against south africa are never found the same momentum. that final against south africa are neverfound the same momentum. he has tried different players and different approaches but in each of the last 26 nations, england have only won two matches. i the last 26 nations, england have only won two matches.— only won two matches. i think the moment you _ only won two matches. i think the moment you start _ only won two matches. i think the moment you start losing - only won two matches. i think the moment you start losing the - only won two matches. i think the moment you start losing the faith | only won two matches. i think the i moment you start losing the faith of the fans, it becomes very difficult and i think that is the spot we are in right now. i think he said that this would be a watershed subseries. now they have removed jones, those running the sport must make decisions quickly. the six nations

starts and in six months england will begin another world cup. today marks the end of the second round of the world cup in qatar with portugal taking on switzerland and before that, morocco face spain. morocco caused one of the shocks of the tournament by winning their group and now they want to make history and reach the quarter finals for the very first time. spain are wary. translation: we know that morocco have talented players who play at the highest level. we all know that the highest level. we all know that the player for paris saint—germain and so we will have to pay out upmost respect. we know that morocco came that the top of the group so they will the final

after that match, the final round of 16 game is portugal against switzerland... where there'll be a questionmark over whether cristiano ronaldo will feature. portugal coach fernando santos says he "really didn't like" his reaction to being substituted in their defeat by south korea. he was taken off 65 minutes into their final group—stage defeat and has denied directing an outburst towards his coach. well after today the quarter final line up will be complete. and ahead of their game against england on saturday. we've been hearinfg from france's 0livier giroud. france are the reigning world champions and ranked fourth in the world, one place above england. giroud made history by becoming france's all—time men's top goal—scorer in their comfortbale win over poland to quliafy for the last eight. but giroud says they won't underestimate this england side. we are looking forward to this game, there are so many great players and there are so many great players and the young generation. if i can say,

i think they have a quality and quantity also, they have different options. it will be a nice game to watch, i think, options. it will be a nice game to watch, ithink, interesting. i hope it will go well for us. you watch, ithink, interesting. i hope it will go well for us.— it will go well for us. you are up-to-date _ it will go well for us. you are up-to-date with _ it will go well for us. you are up-to-date with all - it will go well for us. you are up-to-date with all the - it will go well for us. you are j up-to-date with all the sport up—to—date with all the sport for now. there is a humanitarian crisis in haiti. nearly half the population are facing acute hunger. the un says that 19,000 people in the capital are living in farming light conditions. people are also dealing with a cholera epidemic. armed group and gangs control nearly 60% of the

city, come get help to those in need. full the police evicting families from the public square in port—au—prince. many sought refuge injuly when gang warfare killed 300 people in ten days. they have had little help from their failing state. people who have already been displaced once have being displaced again. women have been leaving clutching small children and carrying whatever they can manage. there is a real sense of despair,

they are wondering where can they go to be safe. here is where they fled from. a place where most fear to tread. it is the poorest part of the capital and a bastion of the gangs. the un's world food programme has to negotiate its way in to give out life—saving aid. it says 19,000 people here are facing famine like conditions. all this is watched carefully by gang members who remain out of sight. they are also watching us as we film. we can't step outside the gate. how hard is it to feed your child? i can't feed my child this woman tells me. my little one

is with my mother. everyday hear gunfire. now there is another threat. cholera has returned. this five—year—old girl has been hit hard. she is already weakened by malnutrition like so many children here. with her godmother, she gets help in time. but this is one more plague in a country that is running out of strength. the capital is menaced by gangs who own most of the streets. the government has asked for foreign troops to come in. so far the international community is in no rush. there is anger at the idea of more foreign intervention. it has a bad history here. many people want

their government out, not foreigners in. the state is collecting taxes but it can't collect the rubbish. we will fight until we overthrow it. this man has been fighting for a better haiti as a lawyer and rights activist. but no one is immune here, no one is safe. he lost his entire family, his wife and daughters. here they were in life, sharing a happy moment. they were gunned down by gangin moment. they were gunned down by

gang in august. you moment. they were gunned down by gang in august-— gang in august. you are always waitin: gang in august. you are always waiting for— gang in august. you are always waiting for a — gang in august. you are always waiting for a call— gang in august. you are always waiting for a call from - gang in august. you are always waiting for a call from your i gang in august. you are always| waiting for a call from your child and in a blink of an eye, these criminals take it away. the connection to your child. they have to take the country hostage, they make the law. they kill they rape, they destroy. they rob children of what little they have. this boy is 12. he and his mother are now homeless for the second time. first they fled the city now the authorities have moved

on. , ., city now the authorities have moved on. y ., , y city now the authorities have moved on. , ., , , ., ., city now the authorities have moved on. , ., ., on. they told us they had no idea where they _ on. they told us they had no idea where they would _ on. they told us they had no idea where they would go. _ a group of disabled people is challenging the governments plan for making evacuation plans a requirement for high—rise buildings. they called for a judicial review when they didn't act on inquiry. i first ifirst spoke to i first spoke to adam this year. we were discussing the evacuation plans. at the time he had been stuck in this flat. he has been stuck at home on various occasions.

it's not the most ideal situation. the trained sound engineer and disability campaigner was offered this flat ten years ago, around the time he became disabled. it was purpose built, but in the time he's been living here, he's made it fully accessible and he loves it. but he lives on the sixth floor, and if there's an emergency, he has no way of getting out on his own. it's why he needed an evacuation plan. i'm very happy they've done it for me. but look what it's taken. this and what has it taken? me to get on your podcast, the bbc, you know, london radio, other channels, people getting involved. it means that they've taken my life into consideration and they've put some value on me as a human being, which is great. so why are we talking about peeps now? well, the grenfell tower inquiry recommended that peeps should be a legal requirement for anyone who lives in a high—rise building, who cannot self evacuate

independently in an emergency. so the disability action group claddag are taking the government to court. its co—founder georgie has a peep, but she still had to crowdfund for this evacuation chair. the amount of disabled people who died in the grenfell fire was disproportionate. they had no plans. people panicked and tried to help their neighbours and relatives to get out. many did not succeed. a plan so people know what to do, would reduce panic and risk. and with so many people living in known fire traps, this could happen again. the home office says it's committed to delivering proposals that enhance the safety of residents, and is working closely with fire chiefs to test evacuation strategies. adam's housing association says it's agreed an evacuation plan, but adam is worried about the chair he's supposed to use,

and who will help him use it. he won't feel fully protected until fire—safe lifts are installed, and they're due in the summer of 2023. god willing, this doesn't happen here, yeah? but i would just say my prayers, then, you know? it is what it is, mate, and it shouldn't be like that. until there's a fire lift, as i said, i'm not... my legs don't work, my brain works. hampers workers and says that they will strike. it comes as the rmt is accused of playing fast and loose as more real strikes were announced on the christmas period. the conservative peer baroness mone takes an absence after links to a firm would have covered contracts.

the bbc�*s annual 100 women series launches today. it's marking its tenth anniversary and it lists 100 influential and inspirational women from around the world. the theme this year is progress as yalda hakim reports bbc 100 women was created following the horrific delhi gang rape in 2012, with an aim to share more women's stories from around the world. ten years later we are seeing what progress women have made over the last decade.

we are talking to women you'll know. ifeel the most powerful when i feel masculine in my life. and other female trailblazers making history. basketball is life. for me it's been healing, coming from where i came from, where i didn't have the privilege of playing basketball. what i do for the raptors is manage the african scouting. being the first woman doing this on the continent, it's important because for some kids, representation, especially for the girls,

it's very important that they see somebody like them doing this. there have been huge steps forward for women's rights, from the number of female leaders to the #metoo movement. however, for many women there still feels a long way to go. this year's list highlights the war in ukraine... and iranian women fighting for their rights. see their stories and more across the bbc this week. yalda hakim, bbc news. and a reminder you can see all the women who make the list for 2022 on the bbc news website —

the latest data from last year's census shows there's been a decline in the number of people who speak the welsh language. the figure dropped from 19% to less than 18 per cent of the population of wales. 0wain evans reports. the government has a target of creating 1 million welsh speakers by 2050. according to census results, we are heading in the wrong direction. the percentage of welsh speakers has decreased by 1.2% since the last census. there has been a decrease in nearly every authority area. there has been a decrease of 6% in children who are able to speak welsh. there is plenty of work for the welsh government to do. i have come to a learners class to speak to them about their responses. tell me, what is your reaction to these

figures? what is your reaction to these fi . ures? , what is your reaction to these fiaures? , , what is your reaction to these fiaures? , figures? very disappointed, i was hoinr b figures? very disappointed, i was hoping by now — figures? very disappointed, i was hoping by now that _ figures? very disappointed, i was hoping by now that in _ figures? very disappointed, i was hoping by now that in the - figures? very disappointed, i was hoping by now that in the last i figures? very disappointed, i was hoping by now that in the last ten years, with the work that has been going on, learning welsh for adults and making more schools bilingual, that we would have seen an increase. it is disappointing to hear these figures. it is disappointing to hear these fiaures. ., �* . ., ., figures. you've decided to learn as well, but figures. you've decided to learn as well. but you _ figures. you've decided to learn as well, but you haven't _ figures. you've decided to learn as well, but you haven't managed i figures. you've decided to learn as well, but you haven't managed tol figures. you've decided to learn as i well, but you haven't managed to do it until retirement. i well, but you haven't managed to do it until retirement.— it until retirement. i didn't do it in school. _ it until retirement. i didn't do it in school. i _ it until retirement. i didn't do it in school, i don't _ it until retirement. i didn't do it in school, i don't have - it until retirement. i didn't do it in school, i don't have the - in school, i don't have the confidence but since i retired i have _ confidence but since i retired i have joined groups and at the moment, _ have joined groups and at the moment, i'm doing an intensive course _ moment, i'm doing an intensive course which is really interesting. maybe _ course which is really interesting. maybe the — course which is really interesting. maybe the pandemic helped people back, people didn't have the opportunity to go to the classes, face—to—face classes, and who knows but it _ face—to—face classes, and who knows but it is _ face—to—face classes, and who knows but it is something to consider. thank— but it is something to consider. thank you — but it is something to consider. thank you very much.

i'm joined now by welsh actress and tutor ceri bostock who uses the communications system makaton to teach the language. i thought that welsh was compulsory evenin i thought that welsh was compulsory even in english schools in wales, how would you explain this decline? i don't know how i can explain it. i'm very disappointed with the figures but i do think it is important to mention that since 1981, there is still an increase in 30,000 to where we were. we should use this as feedback, what we're from schools, they are using the system in welsh, to help teach welsh and they are seeing a massive increase in this. i think we should use this as feedback to see what else we can do to encourage it.

there are more welsh speakers since the 80s, we can work on that and we can see how we can increase that even further. can see how we can increase that even further-— can see how we can increase that even further. you use this system makaton, is _ even further. you use this system makaton, is that _ even further. you use this system makaton, is that going _ even further. you use this system makaton, is that going to - even further. you use this system makaton, is that going to help i makaton, is that going to help people pick it up and stay with welsh? �* ., , ., welsh? i'm not the person to say if it's the best. _ welsh? i'm not the person to say if it's the best, what _ welsh? i'm not the person to say if it's the best, what we _ welsh? i'm not the person to say if it's the best, what we have - it's the best, what we have noticed, over the years, without realising. using makaton in the classroom does teach welsh. when i teach at, i teach welsh. when i teach at, i teach bilingually and i have english people coming to me saying that they have learned more welsh than by themselves. because the signs are themselves. because the signs are the same in english and in welsh, the same in english and in welsh, the word order is different. by teaching it bilingually with young children. teaching makaton, in

english and welsh, it is encouraging them to learn the language. we have seen that in a school in holyhead where we have used the system with two girls from the ukraine. they are in a welsh medium school and we were signing and using the symbols and saying it in english and welsh. you could see their faces light up and you could see them copping us by repeating it back in welsh. you think people — repeating it back in welsh. you think people can _ repeating it back in welsh. you think people can feel passionate about welsh identity and support their rugby team, football team and everything else and yet not feel that they should learn the language? still feel that pride? i that they should learn the language? still feel that pride?— still feelthat pride? i have met many people. _ stillfeelthat pride? i have met many people. i— still feelthat pride? i have met many people, i was _ still feelthat pride? i have met many people, i was born - still feelthat pride? i have met many people, i was born in i many people, i was born in birmingham and i moved to birmingham wheni birmingham and i moved to birmingham when i was ten, and i am a fluent welsh speaker and i speak welsh with my children. i went to school,

everyone who surrounded me spoke welsh and that is why i was able to learn it. that is what is needed. many people tell me, i'm welsh but i want to speak welsh but there is no need for where i live. we need to look look at where we can bring welsh in, we need to start with the children, bringing it in as soon as possible. i know many parents with children, the parents don't speak welsh but they want their children to learn. i think people are definitely passionate about being welsh, just because you don't speak welsh, just because you don't speak welsh doesn't mean that you are not welsh. d0 welsh doesn't mean that you are not welsh. , ., welsh doesn't mean that you are not welsh. i. ~' welsh doesn't mean that you are not welsh. i. ~ . , welsh. do you think the welsh government _ welsh. do you think the welsh government should _ welsh. do you think the welsh government should do - welsh. do you think the welsh government should do more i welsh. do you think the welsh | government should do more to welsh. do you think the welsh - government should do more to enforce it. i spent a lot of time in catalonia, and i saw similarities there. in schools there most lessons arts taught in catalan, much more

than ince spanish. do you think that is something that the welsh assembly should be considering? i is something that the welsh assembly should be considering?— should be considering? i think there is alwa s should be considering? i think there is always space _ should be considering? i think there is always space for _ should be considering? i think there is always space for improvement. i l is always space for improvement. i think the welsh government are doing a lot and many councils are doing a lot. my council has £1.1 million invested in help teaching the welsh language. i can only talk for where i live, but i do know there are other areas of wales that do need more support. that is where we need to be concentrating on. speaking welsh is amazing, it is one of the best things. i'm so glad that i learned welsh and i know so many people that want to learn, we need to be encouraging it as a nation and inviting more people to learn it. we saw with the football, me and my

business partner, we are signing and using popular welsh songs and even the english people that we know loved it and they were trying to say the words and signing along with us. it is a fantastic way of trying to introduce it into schools especially with sign language. it is so important that we take this as feedback. it is disappointing but don't look at it as a negative. thank you very much. hello there. we have seen a developing through the first week of december and things are going to turn colder still the next few days, with risk of snow and ice for some of us but not all of us. here is what we're seeing at the moment, we are seeing these cold northerly winds developing through the rest of the week that introduce this chilly air mass right across the uk. for the here and now, the rest of today, into the evening,

some rain and showers for eastern england, a little bit of sleet over the higher ground, some sleet and showers over the north and east of scotland as we move through tonight. risk of icy conditions as we head through into tomorrow morning. temperatures overnight getting a few degrees below freezing for many of us, just about remaining above freezing towards east anglia and the south—east. do expect some icy stretches and a sharp frost first thing on wednesday morning. more snow and showers across northern and eastern scotland, could be between five to ten centimetres of snow over the higher ground many showers around the east coast of england but it will feel critically chilly. temperatures around three to six celsius but feeling colder in that northerly breeze.

this is bbc news, i'm tim willcox. the headlines: thousands of ambulance workers across england and wales announce they will strike on december 21st in a dispute over pay. it comes as the rmt is accused of playing fast and loose with people's festive plans — as more rail strikes were announced over the christmas period. i booked coaches for most of the christmas period to avoid being touched by the strikes. if they have to strike, they have strike, i know a lot of them don't want to, so more power to them, i guess. the conservative peer baroness mone takes a leave of absense from the house of lords following allegations about links to a ppe firm awarded a covid contract by the government.

the national farmers union warns the uk is "sleepwalking" into a food supply crisis and calls on the government to step in and help its members. and eddiejones is sacked as head coach of the england rugby team nine months before the rugby world cup. good afternoon. ambulance staff and paramedics have become the latest group of workers to announce a strike this month. in the last couple of hours, the unite, unison and gmb unions said staff will walk out in most of england and wales on december 21st. unions said staff will walk out on december 21st. it comes as rail bosses accused the rmt of �*playing fast and loose'

with people's christmas plans, after it announced more walk—outs over the festive period — on top of the strikes already planned for next week. we'll have more on the rail dispute in a moment, first let's hear from our health correspondentjim reed. he told me more about the details of those planned strikes by health sector staff. three different unions have agreed to strike on the same day here in england and wales, december 21st, what is that, four days before christmas? the wednesday before christmas. at that stage, the nhs is normally under quite a bit of pressure — you have got christmas parties and so on. as for who is striking, so it's paramedics, ambulance technicians, 999 call handlers. as you said, almost every part of the england and wales. the only exception actually, the east of england ambulance service, the only region not involved in this. as for the impact on patients, well, the unions involved, gmb, unite and unison, say this is only going to affect nonlife—threatening call out. so strokes, heart attacks,

road traffic accidents, the callouts should go on. you're more likely to see disruption in transporting patients to hospital, vulnerable patients that need an operation, maybe some perhaps less serious cases, so trips and falls on the ice before christmas. they're more likely to be the kind of issues and incidents that are likely to be affected by this. but that will be impacted of the diagnosis of the person ringing in and asking for ambulances to come out? something minor might not be minor in its ultimate effect? this is always the thing, every part of the health service is closely connected. the 21st, the day of the strikes, is the day after the second strike that is due to be held by nurses in england and wales and northern ireland. so you're likely to see quite a lot of disruption across the whole health service around this time. the government has offered what, 4%, they are wanting 19%, the nurses are

wanting 19. what has the pay review body said? the paid review body is this independent, orso—called independent body that was set up by the government to look into pay. they agreed or they recommended a 4.75% increase on average across the nhs this year. that is what ambulance staff have been offered. now the unions, you mentioned the nurses, union has asked for 5% above rpi inflation. the unions representing ambulance staff have not actually put a figure on how much they would like to see. they would just like to see, or they make the point at the moment the pay award, because it is already in people's pay packets, has not kept up, or anywhere near kept up with inflation. they want to see something nearer the inflation rate. what has been agreed in scotland? the scottish government increased its pay offer. it is complicated,

but it is worth about 8% in scotland, compared to 4.75 in england scotland the gmb paused its strike action. the ambulance and nurses have paused strike actions. the strikes haven't been cancelled, but while negotiations are going on and the unions are thinking about this, there is no current strike action planned in scotland. the government has accused the rmt union of holding the country to ransom after it announced more strikes on the railways over christmas. the rmt is involved in two sets of talks, in long—running disputes over pay, jobs and working conditions. it's acknowledged that passengers will be angry, but insisted that proposals tabled by network rail and the train companies aren't acceptable. our business correspondent theo leggett is at king's cross station in central london.

there is no sign of it at the moment and i think it is inevitable we will see disruption starting next week. there are two disputes going on here, one between the rmt union and the train operating companies over pay and proposed changes to working practice and a separate dispute between network rail and the rmt over similar issues. this means we have had it confirmed that the strike next week starting on tuesday will go a i head. an extra strike affecting network rail strike will largely affect engineering work. a lot of planned engineering works tends to go ahead during christmas, but it could disrupt services as well. today mick lynch of the rmt has been out and about explaining to people why this is going to happen. picket lines outside stations, they'll be back again next week.

it's been confirmed a new wave of strikes will go ahead. disputes between the rmt union and 14 train operating companies, as well as with network rail, show no signs of being resolved. at the centre of it all, this man, the union's general secretary, mick lynch. today, he defended himself before bbc listeners. you're not hurting the government and you're not hurting the train companies. you're hurting the people of the country that have to travel at christmas to see loved ones. well, maybe the government is hurting you. the government is hurting the public because they are imposing this on our members. what you've got to remember about the train operating companies, the train operating companies will not lose a penny. the government is paying them every day that we go on strike. so i'm trying to negotiate... the government isn't on strike. they've got who've got no desire or motivation to settle. as it stands, there'll be 48 hour

strikes on the 13th and 14th and 16th and 17th of december, as well as on the third and fourth and 6th and 7th of january. and on top of that, workers at network rail will down tools from late on christmas eve until the morning of the 27th of december. the rail delivery group, which represents train companies, has offered staff a 4% pay rise this year and the same next year. but they'd have to agree on changes to working practices, which the rmt says simply aren't acceptable. the transport secretary has facilitated discussions between the employer and the unions, between the rail delivery group and the unions, and they have offered 8% pay rise over two years to the rmt and they have rejected it without even consulting their own membership. it's very disappointing that the rmt think that the way to conduct these negotiations is through holding the country to ransom. but labour has more sympathy for the strikers and says the government should be trying harder to resolve the dispute. i think that there is a deal to be done.

every single day that those workers have been on strike, they've lost pay. so they don't want to do this. they want to find a resolution. for many businesses, especially cafes, restaurants and theatres, the timing of the latest strikes couldn't be worse. this is our busiest trading week before christmas. it's the main week for christmas parties, for people coming into the office for the last time before term ends at schools and people breakfor christmas holidays. it's also when people come in to to go to shopping. so it hits the last big weekend for shopping before christmas when people also eat and drink out. but here in birmingham today, travellers seem to be taking the news in their stride. i booked coaches for most of the christmas period. it does put you off travelling, but again, i understand why they're doing it. there's strikes going on. i work in a hospital so there's strikes everywhere at the moment. if they have to strike they have to strike. i you know, i know a lot of them don't want to. j so more power to them, i guess.

i'm not sure if i would have chosen the christmas period myself, but yeah, just i see what they're doing and they want to make maximum impact. the stand off is one of a number of industrial disputes which are heating up as workers across the country face up to rising prices and a soaring cost of living. and it means that in the run up to christmas and the new year, the outlook for travellers is far from cheerful. so that is the situation at the moment. it isn't impossible the two sides could reach a deal, but that doesn't look likely at the moment. the train companies say they have to make changes to working conditions to run the railways cost effectively. but the union says that those changes that include compulsory weekend working, driver—only trains, they say that is not acceptable either. there is no sign from outside at least that the two sides are coming closer together and what that is likely to mean is next week disruption is inevitable, even if the strikes are called off.

beyond that, we have to hope the two sides get together, but at the moment it doesn't look likely. so millions of people are likely to face their christmas plans being disrupted and businesses who need the customer s who are normally the customers who are normally around at christmas, but won't be, because they're stuck at home. nigel harris is the managing editor of rail magazine. hejoins us from he joins us from lincolnshire. hejoins us from lincolnshire. how far apart are hejoins us from lincolnshire. how farapartare the hejoins us from lincolnshire. how far apart are the union and government on this, bearing the red line it seems about certain safety issues as the rmt would sigh them? further apart than last week when they called off some of the strikes. i see no common ground at all between them. it seems to be getting

worse and more distant and there quite a bit of disinformation. help us with the _ quite a bit of disinformation. help us with the disinformation that we have been trying to unpick for the last few days, weeks, months. i’m last few days, weeks, months. i'm also trying — last few days, weeks, months. i'm also trying to _ last few days, weeks, months. in also trying to unpick it as well, i have been literally this last half hour been reading the various documents and the rmt press release complains about driver—only operation on all companies is the word used. and the actual documentation says the aim is to extend it as technology and suitable rolling stock applies, which not the same thing and it will be decades before many railways are ready for that. the rmt talks about the use of unsafe practices such as drive—only operation. currently about half the passengers are carried on driver only. we are not talking the same

language. closure after all ticket offices. well, that is certainly one for discussion. but they're not talking about getting rid of the facility. but they talk about bringing people from behind the glass on to the station, so they can help more people and let's not forget transport for london did this a couple of years ago and it is certainly a discussion that needs to be had about the level of service on the stations behind glass, given that sort of you know fewer and fewer people are buying the tickets. we reorganisation is difficult, but when it comes to the job losses that this would represent for the rmt, how many thinks are we looking at? the union is there to defend the livelihoods and the jobs of its members isn't it? it is livelihoods and the “obs of its members isn't it? it is absolutely there to do _

members isn't it? it is absolutely there to do that. _ members isn't it? it is absolutely there to do that. and _ members isn't it? it is absolutely there to do that. and i _ members isn't it? it is absolutely there to do that. and i do - members isn't it? it is absolutely there to do that. and i do not i members isn't it? it is absolutely i there to do that. and i do not know there to do that. and i do not know the answer to your question, because, as i have said, the booking office would come out from behind the glass so, no job losses there. on the trains they're talking about 0n the trains they're talking about the trains being staffed by people who are looking after the passengers more, the on board supervisor grade, there is a lot of redeployment, but we won't get down to a decent discussion of figures when we are not talking about the same thing. isn't the fundamental problem that the rmt and other unions are against the rmt and other unions are against the privatisation of the service, we were talking to somebody an hour ago looking at the dividends paid to the rail operating companies and whatever and the freight and profits on that and the fact that even during the pandemic, the train operating companies and the roscos were compensated to the tune of tens of millions by the government at no

risk, which then went into dividends?— risk, which then went into dividends? ~ ., ,, ., ., dividends? we could talk all about an of dividends? we could talk all about any of those _ dividends? we could talk all about any of those subjects. _ dividends? we could talk all about any of those subjects. first - dividends? we could talk all about any of those subjects. first if- dividends? we could talk all about any of those subjects. first if we i any of those subjects. first if we still had a franchise passenger network that would involve a lot of money. but all the trains are paid a sliver of revenue. every penny, let me stress that, goes to the treasury and a small amount is paid back to the train operators for the physical business of running the trains, like you would pay a decorator. in that case, its true that the train operators won't be getting any more money, but they're getting a small amount even now. to imply they have been protected is not true. the

roscos are entirely private and have put up billions worth of revenue. and the dividends and profit arguments comes up, but the rmt is a huge investor in its own pension funds in these thins. we have a lot of heat and precious little light and we need to get past the name—calling and the ideological issues — will never solve it. is it issues - will never solve it. is it the ideological— issues — will never solve it. is it the ideological argument that is causing the problem and could and should the government do? because they have been observing and directing from the sidelines and not sitting down and bang heads together as the cliche would suggest?- as the cliche would suggest? indeed. let me 'ust as the cliche would suggest? indeed. let me just think _ as the cliche would suggest? indeed. let me just think out _ as the cliche would suggest? indeed. let me just think out loud _ let me just think out loud personally. in the old days of british rail and the early days of the privatisation networks, a rail strike quickly hit home and caused

massive inconvenience for passengers and caused media intense discussion and caused media intense discussion and political mayhem and the governments tended to back down. now with the companies being paid a small amount to operate the network and the changes in passenger use and the fact that we are used to making other arrangements, the fact that we are used to making otherarrangements, in the fact that we are used to making other arrangements, in every corner of our lives, has blunted the power of our lives, has blunted the power of the strike as a tool and the government finds it easier to sit back and let it run its course. that does the rest of us no good at all, but it is a fact of life as to where we are. ., ., but it is a fact of life as to where we are. . ., .,, ., we are. can the train operating companies _ we are. can the train operating companies afford _ we are. can the train operating companies afford more - we are. can the train operating companies afford more than i we are. can the train operatingl companies afford more than the we are. can the train operating - companies afford more than the 896, companies afford more than the 8%, 4% this year and 4% next year? the 496 this year and 496 next year? the com anies 496 this year and 496 next year? the companies are _ 4% this year and 4% next year? ii2 companies are being 4% this year and 4% next year? ti2 companies are being paid like you would pay a building or a decorator and it is a small fee and they can't earn any more. there is a small amount of bonus that they could earn

for very stretched targets on punctuality. the old days, where if the railways' business soared and you sold more tickets that doesn't apply. it all goes to the treasury. evenif apply. it all goes to the treasury. even if you were to strip out every penny of the bonuses, it would nowhere near cover what is required to settle this dispute, which is another reason why the government, which is pulling the strings and holds all the cards, absolutely has to get involved. it can't pretend we have a privatised railway when network rail are public owned and we pay somebody to operate the trains. the government is in control and it will never be solved until they stop pretending they're not involved. thank you.

a five—year—old girl in northern ireland has died from an illness linked to the bacterial infection strep a. she has been named as stella mccork indale. 0ur ireland correspondent chris page is in belfast. what is the background? it is sad news and caused _ what is the background? it is sad news and caused a _ what is the background? it is sad news and caused a great - what is the background? it is sad news and caused a great deal i what is the background? it is sad news and caused a great deal of. news and caused a great deal of shockin news and caused a great deal of shock in belfast today. the death of stella mccorkindale. her school has paid tribute to her, saying she was a bright and talented girl, very popular and she will be much missed. it is understood she became ill last

week. she was taken here to the children's hospital at the royal group of hospitals complex in west belfast, but sadly she died yesterday. so, lunchtime public health officials in this part of the uk have been giving a briefing to reporters and i think what they have been trying to do is reassure people, understanding that people, particularly parents of children, will be concerned about this. there has been they say an unseasonalibly high number of strep a cases, in particular scarlet fever, 22 cases in northern ireland, much more unusual. scarlet fever is something that strep a can develop into.

0thers that strep a can develop into. others can develop invasive strep a condition that is the most serious form of infection and that is very serious indeed. the public health officials made clear that they don't think they're seeing an unusual i high number of deaths from that at the moment, compared with previous years. the message is that people shouldn't be alarmed, there is no need to be panicky about this, but on the other hand it is worthwhile for people to be aware of the symptoms of strep a infections, such as a high temperature, swollen glands, a sore throat, a rash that feels like sand paper and muscle aches. but the message is while the number of infections is high, that serious illness remains very rare and deaths even more so. share serious illness remains very rare and deaths even more so. are doctors handin: and deaths even more so. are doctors

handing out — and deaths even more so. are doctors handing out more _ and deaths even more so. are doctors handing out more antibiotics? - and deaths even more so. are doctors handing out more antibiotics? that i handing out more antibiotics? that was the advice from a few days ago? that's right. the pupils at the school where this child was a pupil, they were, the parents were written to by public health officials and asked the pupils were take on the a specialist clinic. that will be the operation where there is any other outbreaks. . 1' operation where there is any other outbreaks. . ~' , ., the conservative peer baroness mone is taking an immediate leave of absence from the house of lords — in the wake of allegations that she has links to a firm that benefitted from ppe contracts awarded during the covid pandemic. 0ur political correspondent helen catt has the latest from westminster. baroness mone is known as the owner of an underwear company and has been a conservative member of the house

of lords. in a statement today, it said she was taking ing a leave of absence to clear her name of the allegations that have been unjustly levelled against her. it added that this was her decision. now, the accusations that she is facing are about her involvement with a company called ppe med pro that won more than £200 worth of fallen victim government contracts to provide masks and gowns. the bbc understands more than £120 million of that was not used. baroness mone identified the company to the company as a supplier of ppe and it was referred to the so—called vip system, that was to get hold of ppe quickly. the guardian has since claimed that on the basis of leaked documents, that baroness mone benefitted financially, suggesting as much as

£29 million went into a trust of which she and her children were beneficiaries. baroness mone is facing an investigation by the standards commissioner. that is on hold it says, because it understands a criminal investigation is under way. labourwill try a criminal investigation is under way. labour will try and up the political pressure by trying to force the government to release all the documents that relate to the ppe deal. let's get more now on the ambulance strikes announced. the unite, unison and gmb unions said staff will walk out in most of england and wales on december 21st with further action planned on the 28th. i'm joined now by the national secretary of the gmb union andy prendergast, which has many ambulance workers and nhs staff among its membership. what impact is this going to have on the strike days?—

what impact is this going to have on the strike days? well, fundamentally what we will — the strike days? well, fundamentally what we will see _ the strike days? well, fundamentally what we will see is _ the strike days? well, fundamentally what we will see is a _ the strike days? well, fundamentally what we will see is a reduced - what we will see is a reduced service. we are talking to the ambulance trust about providing emergency care to make sure that the worst cases are covered. but unfortunately it is going to mean if they go ahead people will call ambulances and face even longer waiting times than they're facing already. waiting times than they're facing alread . ., . , waiting times than they're facing alread. ., ., , ., already. how many thousands of eo - le already. how many thousands of people are _ already. how many thousands of people are we — already. how many thousands of people are we talking _ already. how many thousands of people are we talking about? i already. how many thousands of| people are we talking about? the already. how many thousands of- people are we talking about? the gmb have around 10,000 _ people are we talking about? the gmb have around 10,000 members - people are we talking about? the gmb| have around 10,000 members included in the action. we will be agreeing emergency cover and not all those will be out, i don't have the figures for the other unions, but we can expect to see most ambulance workers walking out. so can expect to see most ambulance workers walking out.— workers walking out. so severe disruption _ workers walking out. so severe disruption and _ workers walking out. so severe disruption and potential- workers walking out. so severe disruption and potential loss i workers walking out. so severe disruption and potential loss ofj disruption and potential loss of life? ., ., , ., life? unfortunately we are looking at a service _ life? unfortunately we are looking at a service that _ life? unfortunately we are looking at a service that already _ life? unfortunately we are looking at a service that already has - life? unfortunately we are looking at a service that already has a i at a service that already has a service that faces potential loss of life. there were 200 deaths in november caused by the problems the service already has. 0ur

november caused by the problems the service already has. our members want to work for a service they can be proud of, they see a situation where it is not working and their wages are 20% lower than a decade ago. wages are 2096 lower than a decade auo. , , ~' wages are 2096 lower than a decade aro, , , ~' ., ~' wages are 2096 lower than a decade a u 0. , , " ., " ., , ago. this strike will make matters worse? we _ ago. this strike will make matters worse? we are — ago. this strike will make matters worse? we are trying _ ago. this strike will make matters worse? we are trying to _ ago. this strike will make matters worse? we are trying to negotiate ago. this strike will make matters i worse? we are trying to negotiate on -a and worse? we are trying to negotiate on pay and our — worse? we are trying to negotiate on pay and our members _ worse? we are trying to negotiate on pay and our members deserve - worse? we are trying to negotiate on pay and our members deserve a - worse? we are trying to negotiate on pay and our members deserve a pay| pay and our members deserve a pay rise, we heard from nadhim zahawi saying that we shouldn't strike, but go back to negotiations, we are sitting there saying we want to take part in negotiations. the meeting that our union have had with steve barkley have involved him wanting to talk about everything, but pay. pay has to be addressed. we are looking at 4% imposed, we have seen the budget for next year, 2%. when you look at the pay cuts around 20% this isn't good enough. this 130,000 vacancies in the nhs, they need to be filled and the only way to do is to put up wages.

be filled and the only way to do is to put up wages-— to put up wages. everyone, especially _ to put up wages. everyone, especially at _ to put up wages. everyone, especially at this _ to put up wages. everyone, especially at this time - to put up wages. everyone, especially at this time of i to put up wages. everyone, i especially at this time of crisis, would like to earn more, obviously, steve barkley makes the point for every 1% pay rise it costs the service £700 million a year. do you believe him on that? brute service £700 million a year. do you believe him on that?— believe him on that? we haven't checked the _ believe him on that? we haven't checked the figures _ believe him on that? we haven't checked the figures to _ believe him on that? we haven't checked the figures to the - believe him on that? we haven'tl checked the figures to the penny, but if you look at the impaz of liz truss government, 30 billion was lost. it seems that there is money for so many things, but neverfor the people who serve our essential services. they're coming into this after ten years of effective pay cuts. this can't go on. we have to deal with pay issues and get to a situation where our members get a fair rate for thejob. situation where our members get a fair rate for the job. when we get call handlers earning pennies above the minimum wage, it is a disgrace.

steve barkley says the pay increases are unaffordable when there are so many other demands on government money? many other demands on government mone ? ~ . ., , many other demands on government mone ? ~ , ., many other demands on government mone ?~ , ., ., money? when it comes to government mone , it money? when it comes to government money. it is — money? when it comes to government money. it is always _ money? when it comes to government money, it is always a _ money? when it comes to government money, it is always a choice _ money? when it comes to government money, it is always a choice about - money, it is always a choice about how you raise it and spend it. when we have the disaster that was the liz truss period, she was putting up the top rate, putting down the top rate of tax to give everyone tens of thousands, no one talked of inflation on that. when it is the working people who keep the country running and kept it running through the pandemic, who go out day and night, saving people's lives. the public can see this for what it is, it is an attempt to carry on the process of money going from working people to people who don't need it. it whats to stop.— it whats to stop. what supports are ou caettin it whats to stop. what supports are you getting from — it whats to stop. what supports are you getting from the _ it whats to stop. what supports are you getting from the labour - it whats to stop. what supports are you getting from the labour party? j you getting from the labour party? if they were in government, would they pay what you're demanding? t0 they pay what you're demanding? trr be honest our position with the labour party is as they're not in

government, we don't tell them how to do theirjob and they don't tell us how to do ours. if labour gets into government and the situation was the same we would probably look at a similar dispute. i have more faith they would put investments in the nhs, which saw that in the late 90s when the service has been run down and we saw a better service. i hope if keir starmer gets intro—government that would happen. but this not a political strike, but about getting good pay for members in the health service and that involves speaking to the government that are that. involves speaking to the government that are that-— that are that. what are row you lookin: that are that. what are row you looking for- _ that are that. what are row you looking for. we asking - that are that. what are row you looking for. we asking for - that are that. what are row you looking for. we asking for a i that are that. what are row you i looking for. we asking for a short ten- ear looking for. we asking for a short ten-year short — looking for. we asking for a short ten-year short fall _ looking for. we asking for a short ten-year short fall to _ looking for. we asking for a short ten-year short fall to be - looking for. we asking for a short i ten-year short fall to be addressed. ten—year short fall to be addressed. 0ur reps and members would accept it, ithink 0ur reps and members would accept it, i think the government have the ability... it, i think the government have the abili 2 ., it, i think the government have the abili 2 . ., it, i think the government have the ability- - -_ i'm i ability... what figure that is? i'm not auoin ability... what figure that is? i'm not going to _ ability... what figure that is? i'm not going to get _ ability... what figure that is? i'm not going to get into _ ability... what figure that is? i'm| not going to get into negotiations live on the television.— live on the television. you're talk about a ten _ live on the television. you're talk about a ten year— live on the television. you're talk

about a ten year short _ live on the television. you're talk about a ten year short fall, - live on the television. you're talk about a ten year short fall, you i about a ten year short fall, you must know what it is. it is about a ten year short fall, you must know what it is.— about a ten year short fall, you must know what it is. it is in the reuion of must know what it is. it is in the region of 2096. _ must know what it is. it is in the region of 2096. with _ must know what it is. it is in the region of 2096. with every - region of 20%. with every negotiations we are asking for our members have been getting poorer and poorer year on year. it has to stop. we went and clapped for these people at the end of the day they deserve a pay rise and what we are finding is the public support pay rises for essential workers who got us through the pandemic. the government need to listen, ma i can make the choice. [30 listen, ma i can make the choice. do ou listen, ma i can make the choice. do you think you will get the support for somebody who has waited for years for an operation and won't get taken to have that operation, because of your strike action? the reali is because of your strike action? the reality is the _ because of your strike action? the: reality is the people because of your strike action? tt;e: reality is the people have because of your strike action? tt9 reality is the people have waited months and sometimes years to get operations, that has happened without a single day's strike. the reality is people are seeing the service dying in front of them and starved of resources and as nye

bevan said the nhs will be there as long as people fight for it. we don'tjust represent long as people fight for it. we don't just represent the long as people fight for it. we don'tjust represent the people who work for the nhs, we represent people for whom its at matter of life and death. what they're telling us they believe the dispute is one they support, because they're seeing problems with their wages, but these people deserve a pay rise and that is what we are trying to deliver. 50 is what we are trying to deliver. so this strike helps the nhs? in - is what we are trying to deliver. so this strike helps the nhs? in the i this strike helps the nhs? in the lona run, this strike helps the nhs? in the long run. if— this strike helps the nhs? in the long run. if it — this strike helps the nhs? in the long run, if it i _ this strike helps the nhs? in the long run, if it i can _ this strike helps the nhs? in the long run, if it i can makes- this strike helps the nhs? in the long run, if it i can makes the i long run, if it i can makes the government address wages and we can can start filling the 130,000 vacancies wit will be better. if we don't and see the funding being cut and waiting lists going up and ambulance response times going up, we will all be in a worse situation. the government have have a choice

and they can listen and address the concerns or carry on watching the service getting worse and worse and i don't this that is good enough. thank you. hello there. we have seen a developing through the first week of december and things are going to turn colder still the next few days, with risk of snow and ice for some of us but not all of us. here is what we're seeing at the moment, we are seeing these cold northerly winds developing through the rest of the week that introduce this chilly air mass right across the uk. for the here and now, the rest of today, into the evening, some rain and showers for eastern england, a little bit of sleet over the higher ground, some sleet and showers over the north and east of scotland as we move through tonight. risk of icy conditions as we head through into tomorrow morning. temperatures overnight getting a few degrees below freezing for many of us, just about remaining above freezing towards east anglia and the south—east.

do expect some icy stretches and a sharp frost first thing on wednesday morning. more snow and showers across northern and eastern scotland, could be between five to ten centimetres of snow over the higher ground many showers around the east coast of england but it will feel critically chilly. temperatures around three to six celsius but feeling colder in that northerly breeze. hello this is bbc news. the headlines. thousands of ambulance workers across england and wales announce they will strike on december 21st in a dispute over pay. it comes as the rmt is accused of playing fast and loose with people's festive plans, as more rail strikes were announced over the christmas period. i've booked coaches for most the christmas period to avoid being touched by the strikes. if they have to strike, they have to strike. strike, you know. i know a lot of them don't want to, so more power to them, i guess. a girl in belfast who died due to complications from a strep a bacterial infection

has been named as five year old stella—lily mccorkindale. she's the ninth child known to have died in the uk since september. the conservative peer baroness mone takes a leave of absence from the house of lords following allegations about links to a ppe firm awarded a covid contract by the government. the national farmers union warns the uk is �*sleepwalking' into a food supply crisis and calls on the government to step in and help its members. sport and a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre. good afternoon. it's been confirmed that the england rugby union head coach eddiejones has been sacked after seven years in charge. the move comes after england's worst year since 2008. former england winger ben cohenjoins me now. there has been spec elation for a while, given the fact that their

world cup is nine months away, what you make of the timing? t world cup is nine months away, what you make of the timing?— you make of the timing? i don't think he is _ you make of the timing? i don't think he is a _ you make of the timing? i don't think he is a bad _ you make of the timing? i don't think he is a bad coach, - you make of the timing? i don't think he is a bad coach, i - you make of the timing? i don't think he is a bad coach, i think| think he is a bad coach, i think he's done a good job, you don't become a bad coach overnight. there is certainly a disconnect between the players and the coach. the world cup final, their worst run of all time. he has got a mixed bag. england have some world—class players, they have a potential world class players and world—class facilities. whoever comes in, it could be steve borthwick, it could be baxter from exeter. could be steve borthwick, it could be baxterfrom exeter. they have could be steve borthwick, it could be baxter from exeter. they have got to work on the mental side, being a games away from the world cup. they have to hit the six nations with speed, hit the ground running. and

turn up. they have a lot of pressure, to win a world cup and to get back on the world rankings, they have to perform under pressure which they can do. the coach has to be able to mentally bring them round. what we have seen in the last two coaches that have come in from lancaster, they have had a honey moon period and they have had winning streaks from that and whoever comes in can get them performing. it is about self belief and having a belief in the game plan which the coach and the players can share. so they can go out and deliver it. share. so they can go out and deliver it— share. so they can go out and deliver it. :, ., deliver it. how will the england -la ers deliver it. how will the england players he _ deliver it. how will the england players be feeling _ deliver it. how will the england players be feeling with - deliver it. how will the england players be feeling with the - deliver it. how will the england players be feeling with the six. players be feeling with the six nations a matter of weeks away and a world cup around the corner? isn't this destabilising?— this destabilising? being eight

names this destabilising? being eight games away — this destabilising? being eight games away from _ this destabilising? being eight games away from the - this destabilising? being eight games away from the world i this destabilising? being eight i games away from the world cup, this destabilising? being eight - games away from the world cup, you have to think about the mental approach, about winning big teams at home and away. going into the six nations, playing ireland and wales, two massive games, if they are looking at winning the championships they have to go there and put on the pressure. it feels great to go on the world cup, you need to be on your skill set and mindset have to be on top. you get those experiences by playing in big games like that. the mindset of the players, there is a disconnect and there is an issue with the coach and the players. that is why is the time to change, i think change is good. i think it will give the opportunity to get the england players back on track, maybe with a fresh approach. hopefully, it

will bring out their skill set and help them perform.— will bring out their skill set and help them perform. picking the right man is crucial, _ help them perform. picking the right man is crucial, you _ help them perform. picking the right man is crucial, you mentioned - help them perform. picking the right man is crucial, you mentioned are i help them perform. picking the right man is crucial, you mentioned are a | man is crucial, you mentioned are a few names. we know that steve borthwick had a press conference that was postponed, what would you make of his appointment? don’t make of his appointment? don't foruet make of his appointment? don't forget that _ make of his appointment? don't forget that steve _ make of his appointment? don't forget that steve borthwick - make of his appointment? tim�*it forget that steve borthwick worked very closely with eddie jones four years at saracens. there is a lot of how he is now an coaches is descended from eddie. maybe he can put it into his own words. he has proven himself at saracens and at leicester, he has the respect of the players. when i played alongside him, he knows his line—outs and

forwards. here's a real bookworm in knowing that inside and out. if someone like him is going to go to the cup then you are not going to get someone who is not to do their homework. maybe that is what england need. it is about detail. the outside chance could be a guy called wayne smith who coached me and coached the all blacks. attention to detail, and having that ability to make a good player great and international players world—class. that is what you need from a coach to draw the best out of people. whoever comes in, if they can get those players and hold them accountable for all their actions, on and off the pitch. to turn up at

the weekend and hit the ground running. that is the job of the coach. a long—term, i don't think you can think to long term past the world cup. it's about winning the six nations. i don't think there's any tour next year it straight into the world cup warm up games. you want your coach to be setting insight on the grand slam and momentum into the world cup. during the autumn internationals, i thought that england had no chance, although they had a good run in the world cup. the thing you want with your team is not to win by accident, you want them to win by design. you want to know what your preparation is, knowing how you approach the game and knowing your game plan. to come

back and draw with new zealand in the autumn international wasn't good enough. it was a good ten minutes, you want to keep performing and winning these games week in and week out and england do have that ability and it is now down to the coach to bring that out. if they do that they have a really good chance of going all the way in the world cup. thank ou ve all the way in the world cup. thank you very much- _ in qatar, morocco and spain are playing for a place in the quarterfinals, still 00. that's all the sport for now. the united nations says a humanitarian crisis is unfolding in haiti. it's the poorest country in the western hemisphere, and almost half the population four—point—seven million haitians — are facing acute hunger. in the country's capital, port—au—prince, the un says 19,000 are facing the prospect of living in “famine—like conditions'. people there are also dealing with a deadly cholera epidemic.

armed groups and gangs control as much as 60—percent of the city and surrounding areas, complicating efforts to get help and aid to those in need. from there our senior international correspondent orla guerin reports. and a warning, you may find parts of her report distressing. a little boy, lost, being put out on the streets. police evicting families from a public square in port—au—prince, consigning them to this. many sought refuge here injuly, when gang warfare killed at least 300 people in ten days. they've had little help from their failing state. what's happening here now is people who have already been displaced once are being displaced again. women have been leaving, clutching small children by the hand,

carrying whatever they can manage. there's a real sense of despair now, they're wondering, where can they go to be safe? here's where they fled from, cite soleil, a place where most fear to tread. it's the poorest part of the capital and a bastion of the gangs. the un's world food programme has to negotiate its way in to give out life—saving aid. it says 19,000 people here are facing famine—like conditions, a two—hour flight from miami. all this is watched carefully by gang members who remain out of sight. they're also watching us as we film. we can't step outside the gate. how hard is it to try to feed your child? "i can't feed my child," sara tells me.

"my little one is at my mother's. "every day, we hear gunfire." and now, there is another threat. cholera has returned. five—year—old jocelyn has been hit hard. she's already weakened by malnutrition, like so many children here. with her godmother by her side, she gets help in time. but this is one more plague in a country which is running out of strength. the capital is menaced by gangs who own most of the streets. haiti's government has asked for foreign troops to come in. so far, the international community is in no rush.

there is anger at the idea of more foreign intervention. it has a bad history here. many haitians want their government out, not foreigners in. "the state is collecting taxes," says abner, "but it can't "collect the rubbish. "it can't feed the people. "we will fight until we overthrow it." jean simpson des enclos has been fighting for a better haiti as a lawyer and human rights activist. but no—one is immune here. no—one is safe. he lost his entire family, his wife and daughters. here they were in life, sharing a happy moment.

they were gunned down by a gang in august. three women, no mercy. translation: you are always waiting for a call from your child. _ telling you "dad this" or "dad that". in the blink of an eye, these criminals take away the connection to your child. this was the family car, just hours after the attack. they have taken the country hostage. they make the law here. they kill, they rape, they destroy. and they rob children of what little they have. this boy is 12.

he and his mother are now homeless for the second time. first, they fled cite soleil, now the authorities have moved them on. they told us they have no idea where they would go. thousands of ambulance workers across england and wales announce they will strike on december 21st in a dispute over pay. it comes as the rmt is accused of playing fast and loose with people's festive plans, as more rail strikes were announced over the christmas period. a girl in belfast who died due to complications from a strep a bacterial infection has been named as five year old stella—lily mccorkindale. she's the ninth child known to have died in the uk since september.

the soaring cost of fuel and flue are creating a screwed supply crisis that the uk is slipping into. the pandemic and the resulting inflation have taken their toll. there are now 7000 fewer food producers have taken their toll. there are now 7000 fewerfood producers in have taken their toll. there are now 7000 fewer food producers in the have taken their toll. there are now 7000 fewerfood producers in the uk compared to 2019. some fear more could fail. the mac farmers have had so many bad years that ing to borrow money or borrow money against the farm. and obviously inflation rates

and interest rates have gone up. so interest on big loans, because anything to do with farming is big kit. it costs a lot, it costs a fortune to produce the milk on your table or food on your table. strains already seen in the avian flu affected egg market, where many supermarkets have introduced rationing, are expected to spread. fertiliser prices have more than tripled, while the cost of fuel is up nearly 75% since 2019. since 2019, what the nfu describes as the last normal year, animalfeed is up 75%. nitrogen fertiliser up 240%. agricultural diesel up 73%. wholesale gas up a whopping 650%. there are now 7,000 fewer agricultural businesses in the uk than before the pandemic. production of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and pears are expected to be the lowest this year since records began in 1985. the nfu is urging the government to lift a cap on seasonal overseas workers and establish a new food security target. what we really want is some of that

certainty put back in, so farmers know where they are at. so certainty on the seasonal workers scheme. we anticipate there were £60 million worth of fruit and veg left in the field last spring because the people weren't there to pick them, so we want more certainty on the visas, we need a lift on the cap of numbers and the visas to be issued on time. the government told the bbc that it was in regular contact with the food and farming industries to ensure they're well prepared for a range of scenarios and they continue to take all the necessary steps to ensure people across the country have the food they need. but uk farmers are concerned that less food produced here increases the uk's reliance on food imported from abroad at a time when global food supplies are stretched. simon jack, bbc news.

more than a hundred fire fighters have been dealing with a major fire at derelict factory buildings in wolverhampton. smoke and flames could be seen from 15 miles away. homes were evacuated and roads and rail services disrupted, with some passengers trapped on trains for up to two hours. joanne writtle reports. a huge fire close to wolverhampton railway line broke out bringing road closures and disruption to trains. 100 firefighters were at the scene. the fire service is not allowing us closer because this building is in danger of collapse. you can see just how close the fire is. you can see 'ust how close the fire is. :, you can see 'ust how close the fire is. ., . ., , you can see 'ust how close the fire is. :, , you can see 'ust how close the fire is. you can see the close proximity ofthe is. you can see the close proximity of the train — is. you can see the close proximity of the train line _ is. you can see the close proximity of the train line and _ is. you can see the close proximity of the train line and the _ is. you can see the close proximity of the train line and the impact - of the train line and the impact that has on the railway equipment. we also have a significant canal infrastructure nearby and some large

industrial businesses with their own significant hazards. across the road there is a large gas cylinder factory where they store gas etc. that was a significant issue. ittrul’ith that was a significant issue. with roads closed _ that was a significant issue. with roads closed and _ that was a significant issue. with roads closed and trains _ that was a significant issue. with roads closed and trains being diverted away, the fire caused chaos for many during the rush hour. t am for many during the rush hour. i am late to work — for many during the rush hour. i am late to work and _ for many during the rush hour. i am late to work and i'm _ for many during the rush hour. i am late to work and i'm in _ for many during the rush hour. i am late to work and i'm in the middle of making — late to work and i'm in the middle of making my arrangements, trying to find out _ of making my arrangements, trying to find out where to go.— find out where to go. trying to get to work and _ find out where to go. trying to get to work and we _ find out where to go. trying to get to work and we can't _ find out where to go. trying to get to work and we can't get _ find out where to go. trying to get to work and we can't get in - find out where to go. trying to get. to work and we can't get in because of the _ to work and we can't get in because of the massive _ to work and we can't get in because of the massive fire. _ to work and we can't get in because of the massive fire. we _ to work and we can't get in because of the massive fire. we have - to work and we can't get in because of the massive fire. we have lorries loaded _ of the massive fire. we have lorries loaded with— of the massive fire. we have lorries loaded with cargo _ of the massive fire. we have lorries loaded with cargo going _ of the massive fire. we have lorries loaded with cargo going to - of the massive fire. we have lorries loaded with cargo going to the - of the massive fire. we have lorries loaded with cargo going to the rail. loaded with cargo going to the rail terminal— loaded with cargo going to the rail terminal and — loaded with cargo going to the rail terminal and nothing _ loaded with cargo going to the rail terminaland nothing is— loaded with cargo going to the raili terminaland nothing is happening. nobody— terminaland nothing is happening. nobody is — terminaland nothing is happening. nobody is telling _ terminaland nothing is happening. nobody is telling us _ terminaland nothing is happening. nobody is telling us where - terminaland nothing is happening. nobody is telling us where we - terminaland nothing is happening. nobody is telling us where we canl nobody is telling us where we can no. nobody is telling us where we can to, , nobody is telling us where we can no. , ., nobody is telling us where we can no. go. the fire destroyed to businesses inside a industrial _ go. the fire destroyed to businesses inside a industrial unit. _ go. the fire destroyed to businesses inside a industrial unit. 25 _ inside a industrial unit. 25 firefighters remain at the scene and

the fire service say they expect to be there for the next 2a hours. the bbc�*s annual 100 women series launches today. it's marking its tenth anniversary and it lists 100 influential and inspirational women from around the world. the theme this year is progress as yalda hakim reports bbc 100 women was created following the horrific delhi gang rape in 2012, with an aim to share more women's stories from around the world. ten years later we are seeing what progress women have made over the last decade.

we are talking to women you'll know... ifeel the most powerful when i feel masculine in my life. ..and otherfemale trailblazers making history. basketball is life. for me it's been healing, coming from where i came from, where i didn't have the privilege of playing basketball. what i do for the raptors is manage the african scouting. being the first woman doing this on the continent, it's important because for some kids, representation, especially for the girls, it's very important that they see

somebody like them doing this. there have been huge steps forward for women's rights, from the number of female leaders to the #metoo movement. however, for many women there still feels a long way to go. this year's list highlights the war in ukraine... ..and iranian women fighting for their rights. see their stories and more across the bbc this week. yalda hakim, bbc news. and a reminder. you can see all the women who make the list for 2022 on the bbc news website.

you notice that things are getting colder. here is the picture a little earlier in cumbria, we had some blue skies but in the next few days we will see colder air moving in and risk of ice. we have these wins coming in from the northerly direction, spreading right across the map. daytime temperatures are barely getting above freezing and overnight could be as low as minus six celsius. some frosts on the card this week and some snow and ice in this week and some snow and ice in this forecast. for the rest of this afternoon there is a scattering of showers in the north of east of scotland, and some rain in the east coast of england. temperatures are a few degrees above freezing at this

stage, but it will turn colder during the night. some wintry showers in north and east of scotland under showers continuing around the east coast. overnight temperatures are around minus four celsius, even in the towns and cities. just above freezing in the south—east where we have a little bit more cloud. wednesday, some snow showers are heavy and frequent in north and east of scotland, snow falling right down to sea level. down the east coast of ink and we still have no showers, some sleet moving inland but mainly wrinkles the coast. temperatures between three and six celsius. with the wind chill especially around the north it will feel sub zero. heading into thursday, we have a frontal system thatis thursday, we have a frontal system that is heading south. still some uncertainty about thursday but there could be some snow showers, parts of

wales and south—west england, rain in eastern parts of england and ongoing showers across the north of scotland. temperature wise we are looking around to to six celsius. most regions will struggle to get above freezing. friday is similar, a cold frosty start with ice, sunny skies but it will feel cold with those wintry showers continuing around the coasts.

this is bbc news, i'm tim willcox. the headlines at 4: thousands of ambulance workers across england and wales announce they will strike on december 21st in a dispute over pay. our in a dispute over pay. members have been getting and our members have been getting poorer and poorer, this has to stop. we went and clapped for these people at the end of the day they deserve a pay rise and we find the public support pay rises for the essential workers who got us through the pandemic. it comes as the rmt is accused of playing fast and loose with people's festive plans — as more rail strikes were announced over the christmas period. the conservative peer baroness mone takes a leave of absense from the house of lords following allegations about links to a ppe firm awarded a covid contract by the government.

a girl in belfast who died due to complications from a strep a bacterial infection has been named as five year old stella—lily mccorkindale. she's the ninth child known to have died in the uk since september. and eddiejones is sacked as head coach of the england rugby team nine months before the rugby world cup. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. ambulance staff and paramedics have become the latest group of workers to announce a strike this month. in the last couple of hours, the unite, unison and gmb unions said staff will walk out in most of england and wales on december 21st. it comes as rail bosses accused the rmt of "playing fast and loose" with people's christmas plans, after it announced more walk—outs

over the festive period — on top of the strikes already planned for next week. we'll have more on the rail dispute in a moment, first let's hear from our health correspondentjim reed. he told me more about the details of those planned strikes by health sector staff. three different unions have agreed to strike on the same day here in england and wales, december 21st, what is that, four days before christmas? the wednesday before christmas. at that stage, the nhs is normally under quite a bit of pressure — you have got christmas parties and so on. as for who is striking, so it's paramedics, ambulance technicians, 999 call handlers. as you said, almost every part of england and wales. the only exception actually, the east of england ambulance service, the only region not involved in this. as for the impact on patients, well, the unions involved, gmb, unite and unison, say this is only going to affect nonlife—threatening call outs. so strokes, heart attacks, road traffic accidents, the callouts

should go on. you're more likely to see disruption in transporting patients to hospital, vulnerable patients that need an operation, maybe some perhaps less serious cases, so trips and falls on the ice before christmas. they're more likely to be the kind of issues and incidents that are likely to be affected by this. but that will be impacted of the diagnosis of the person ringing in and asking for ambulances to come out? something minor might not be minor in its ultimate effect? this is always the thing, every part of the health service is closely connected. the 21st, the day of the strikes, is the day after the second strike that is due to be held by nurses in england and wales and northern ireland. so you're likely to see quite a lot of disruption across the whole health service around this time. the government has offered what, li%, they are wanting 19%, the nurses are wanting i9. what has the pay review body said?

the paid review body is this independent, orso—called independent body that was set up by the government to look into pay. they agreed or they recommended a 4.75% increase on average across the nhs this year. that is what ambulance staff have been offered. now the unions, you mentioned the nurses, union has asked for 5% above rpi inflation. the unions representing ambulance staff have not actually put a figure on how much they would like to see. they would just like to see, or they make the point at the moment the pay award, because it is already in people's pay packets, has not kept up, or anywhere near kept up with inflation. they want to see something nearer the inflation rate. what has been agreed in scotland? the scottish government increased its pay offer. it is complicated, but it is worth about 8% in

in scotland the gmb paused its strike action. the ambulance and nurses have paused strike actions. the strikes haven't been cancelled, but while negotiations are going on and the unions are thinking about this, there is no current strike action planned in scotland. the government has accused the rmt union of holding the country to ransom after it announced more strikes on the railways over christmas. the rmt is involved in two sets of talks, in long—running disputes over pay, jobs and working conditions. it's acknowledged that passengers will be angry, but insisted that proposals tabled by network rail and the train companies aren't acceptable. our business correspondent theo leggett is at king's cross station in central london. there is no sign of it at the moment

and i think it is inevitable we will see disruption starting next week. there are two disputes going on here, one between the rmt union and the train operating companies over pay and proposed changes to working practice and a separate dispute between network rail and the rmt over similar issues. this means we have had it confirmed that the strike next week starting on tuesday will go ahead. an extra strike affecting network rail strike will largely affect engineering work. a lot of planned engineering works tends to go ahead during christmas, but it could disrupt services as well. today mick lynch of the rmt has been out and about explaining to people why this is going to happen. picket lines outside stations, they'll be back again next week. it's been confirmed a new wave of strikes will go ahead. disputes between the rmt union

and ia train operating companies, as well as with network rail, show no signs of being resolved. at the centre of it all, this man, the union's general secretary, mick lynch. today, he defended himself before bbc listeners. you're not hurting the government and you're not hurting the train companies. you're hurting the people of the country that have to travel at christmas to see loved ones. well, maybe the government is hurting you. the government is hurting the public because they are imposing this on our members. what you've got to remember about the train operating companies, the train operating companies will not lose a penny. the government is paying them every day that we go on strike. so i'm trying to negotiate... the government isn't on strike. they've got who've got no desire or motivation to settle. as it stands, there'll be 48 hour strikes on the 13th and 14th and 16th and 17th of december, as well as on the third and fourth and 6th and 7th of january. and on top of that, workers

at network rail will down tools from late on christmas eve until the morning of the 27th of december. the rail delivery group, which represents train companies, has offered staff a li% pay rise this year and the same next year. but they'd have to agree on changes to working practices, which the rmt says simply aren't acceptable. the transport secretary has facilitated discussions between the employer and the unions, between the rail delivery group and the unions, and they have offered 8% pay rise over two years to the rmt and they have rejected it without even consulting their own membership. it's very disappointing that the rmt think that the way to conduct these negotiations is through holding the country to ransom. but labour has more sympathy for the strikers and says the government should be trying harder to resolve the dispute. i think that there is a deal to be done. every single day that those workers have been on strike, they've lost pay. so they don't want to do this.

they want to find a resolution. for many businesses, especially cafes, restaurants and theatres, the timing of the latest strikes couldn't be worse. this is our busiest trading week before christmas. . it's the main week for christmas parties, for people coming - into the office for the last time before term ends at schools i and people break for christmas holidays. i it's also when people come in to to go to shopping. - so it hits the last big weekend for shopping before christmas| when people also eat and drink out. but here in birmingham today, travellers seem to be taking the news in their stride. i booked coaches for most of the christmas period. it does put you off travelling, but again, i understand why they're doing it. there's strikes going on. i work in a hospital so there's strikes everywhere at the moment. if they have to strike they have to strike. you know, i know a lot of them don't want to. so more power to them, i guess. i'm not sure if i would have chosen the christmas period myself, - but yeah, just i see _ what they're doing and they want

to make maximum impact. the stand off is one of a number of industrial disputes which are heating up as workers across the country face up to rising prices and a soaring cost of living. and it means that in the run up to christmas and the new year, the outlook for travellers is far from cheerful. so that is the situation at the moment. it isn't impossible the two sides could reach a deal, but that doesn't look likely at the moment. the train companies say they have to make changes to working conditions to run the railways cost effectively. but the union says that those changes that include compulsory weekend working, driver—only trains, they say that is not acceptable either. there is no sign from outside at least that the two sides are coming closer together and what that is likely to mean is next week disruption is inevitable, even if the strikes are called off.

beyond that, we have to hope the two sides get together, but at the moment it doesn't look likely. so millions of people are likely to face their christmas plans being disrupted and businesses who need the customers who are normally around at christmas, but won't be, because they're stuck at home. a five—year—old girl in northern ireland has died from an illness linked to the bacterial infection strep a. she has been named as stella—lily mccorkindale. earlier i spoke to our ireland correspondent chris page, who had the details. this caused a e great deal of shock in belfast today. _ this caused a e great deal of shock in belfast today. the _ this caused a e great deal of shock in belfast today. the death - this caused a e great deal of shock in belfast today. the death of- in belfast today. the death of stella—lily mccorkindale, she was five years old, she was a pupil at black mountain primary school in belfast, just a couple of mimes from

where i am now. the school has paid tribute to her on social media, saying she was a bright and talented little girl, very popular and she will be much missed. it is understood she became ill last week. she was taken here to the children's hospital at the royal group of hospitals complex in west belfast, but sadly she died yesterday. so, at lunch time public health officials have been giving a briefing to reporters and they have been trying to reassure people, understanding that people, particularly parents of children, will be very concerned about this. there has been, they say, a high number of strep a cases, uk scarlet fever cases in particular, in november, 122 cases of scarlet fever in northern

ireland. that is something that a milder strep a infection can develop into. a small number of people can then develop invasive, the most serious form of strep a infections, thatis serious form of strep a infections, that is serious and the public health officials made clear they don't think they're seeing an unusual number of deaths from that, compared with previous years. the message is people shouldn't be unduly alarmed, there is no need to be panicky, but it is worthwhile for people to be aware of the symptoms, such as a high temperature, swollen glands, a rash that feels like sand paper and muscle aches. the message

is while the number of infections is high, serious illness remains rare and deaths even more so. stand high, serious illness remains rare and deaths even more so. and are doctors handing _ and deaths even more so. and are doctors handing out _ and deaths even more so. and are doctors handing out more - doctors handing out more antibiotics? because that was the advice from a few days ago wasn't it? :, �* , , , , ., it? that's right. the pupils at the black mountain _ it? that's right. the pupils at the black mountain primary - it? that's right. the pupils at the black mountain primary school, i it? that's right. the pupils at the - black mountain primary school, where stella—lily mccorkindale was a pupil, they were, the parents there were written to by public health officials and the children were taken to a clinic to see a doctor who would give antibiotics. that will be the course of action in other schools, there is another school where that is the case. chris pare school where that is the case. chris page there- — a man in his 20s has been arrested on suspicion of common assault —

after an egg was allegedly thrown in the direction of king charles. these pictures were filmed immediately after the incident outside luton town hall this afternoon. bedfordshire police say the suspect is currently being questioned. the comes just weeks after a 23—year—old man was arrested for also throwing an egg at the king and queen consort during a visit to york. temperature headlinesz. thousands of ambulance workers have announced they will strike. it comes as the rmt is accused of playing fast and loose with people's festive plans as more rail strikes are announced. labour has been granted an opposition day debate following allegations about baroness mone. let's stay with that story.

the conservative peer baroness mone is taking an immediate leave of absence from the house of lords — in the wake of allegations that she has links to a firm that benefitted from ppe contracts awarded during the covid pandemic. our political correspondent helen catt explains more. we expect that debate to start in a few minutes. we expect that debate to start in a few minutes-— we expect that debate to start in a few minutes. this is about baroness mone known — few minutes. this is about baroness mone known as _ few minutes. this is about baroness mone known as the _ few minutes. this is about baroness mone known as the owner— few minutes. this is about baroness mone known as the owner of - few minutes. this is about baroness mone known as the owner of a - mone known as the owner of a lingerie brand she has been a conservative member of the house of lords, in a statement from her office, it said she was taking a leave of absence to clear her name of the allegations that have been unjustly levelled against her. it added that this was her decision. now, the accusation naas s are about a company called ppe medpro that won over £200 million of government contracts during the pandemics to provide masks and gowns. the bbc

found £120 million of that was not used. baroness mone initially identified the company to the company as a supplier and was then referred to the vip system by lord agnew. the guardian has claimed that on the basis of leaked documents, that baroness mone benefitted financially from the company's profits. suggesting that as much as £129 million went into a trust of which she and her children were beneficiaries. baroness mone is facing an investigation by the house of lords stand ards commissioner, thatis of lords stand ards commissioner, that is on hold, it says, as it understands a criminal investigation is taking place. this afternoon labour will try and up the political pressure on this, by trying to force the government to release all of the documents that relate to those contracts with ppe medpro. we are

exectin: contracts with ppe medpro. we are exoecting that _ contracts with ppe medpro. we are expecting that debate _ contracts with ppe medpro. we are expecting that debate to _ contracts with ppe medpro. we are expecting that debate to start - contracts with ppe medpro. we are expecting that debate to start as i expecting that debate to start as soon, an opposition day debate, we understand it has been led by angela rainer, due to start about 4 o'clock. that has been pushed back obviously. we will keep on keeping an eye on the chamber, just to see when that debate does start. more than a hundred fire fighters have been dealing with a major fire at derelict factory buildings in wolverhampton. smoke and flames could be seen from 15 miles away. homes were evacuated and roads and rail services disrupted, with some passengers trapped on trains for up to two hours. joanne writtle reports. a huge fire, perilously close to wolverhampton railway line broke out bringing road closures and disruption to trains. at the height 100 firefighters were at the scene. the fire service has brought us closer but is not allowing us closer because this building is in danger of collapse.

you can see just how close the fire is. you can see the close proximity of the train line and the impact that has on the railway equipment. we also have a significant canal infrastructure nearby and some large industrial businesses with their own significant hazards. across the road there is a large gas cylinder factory where they store gas etc. that was a significant issue. with roads closed and trains being diverted away, the fire caused chaos for many during the rush hour. i am late to work and i'm in the middle of making my arrangements, trying to find out where to go. trying to get to work -

and we can't get in because of the massive fire. we have lorries loaded - with cargo going to the rail terminaland nothing is happening. nobody is telling us where we can go. i the fire destroyed to businesses inside a industrial unit. 25 firefighters remain at the scene and the fire service say they expect to be there for the next 2a hours. britain's farmers are warning that supplies of fruit and vegetables are being threatened by the soaring cost of fuel and fertilisers — alongside a shortage of workers. the farmers' union, the nfu, says the uk is "sleepwalking" into a food shortage crisis. our business editor simonjack reports. the soaring cost of feed, fuel, fertiliser and the impact of flu are creating a potential food supply

crisis that the uk is sleep walking into, according to the national farmers union. the ukraine war, the pandemic and the resulting inflation have taken their toll. there are now 7,000 fewer food producers have taken their toll. there are now 7,000 fewerfood producers in have taken their toll. there are now 7,000 fewer food producers in the have taken their toll. there are now 7,000 fewerfood producers in the uk compared to 2019. the 7,000 fewer food producers in the uk compared to 2019.— compared to 2019. the farmers have had so many — compared to 2019. the farmers have had so many bad _ compared to 2019. the farmers have had so many bad years _ compared to 2019. the farmers have had so many bad years that - compared to 2019. the farmers have had so many bad years that they - compared to 2019. the farmers have l had so many bad years that they have ended up having to borrow money against the farm and inflation rate, and interest rates have gone up. so interest on big loans, because anything to do with farming is big kit, it costs a fortune to produce the milk or food kit, it costs a fortune to produce the milk orfood on kit, it costs a fortune to produce the milk or food on your table. strains already seen in the avian flu affected egg markets, where many supermarkets a introducedration. since 2019, animal feed

supermarkets a introducedration. since 2019, animalfeed is up supermarkets a introducedration. since 2019, animal feed is up 735%. 735%. there are new 7,000 fewer agricultural businesses in the usual than before the uk. production of tomatoes are expected to be the lowest ever. the government is being urged to lift a cap on overseas workers. ~ :, ,:, :, ., workers. we want some of that certainty put — workers. we want some of that certainty put back— workers. we want some of that certainty put back in, _ workers. we want some of that certainty put back in, so - workers. we want some of that. certainty put back in, so farmers know where they are at. on the essential workers there was 60 million worth of fruit and veg left in the field. we want a lift on the cap on the numbers. the government said that it was _ cap on the numbers. the government said that it was in _ cap on the numbers. the government said that it was in regular _ cap on the numbers. the government

said that it was in regular contact - said that it was in regular contact with the food and farming industries to ensure they're well prepared for a range of scenarios and continue to take all the necessary steps to ensure people across the country have the food they need. but uk farmers are concerned that less food produced here increases the uk's reliance on food imported at a time when global supplies are stretched. we've all noticed shops disappearing from our high streets in recent years, particularly after two years of covid and trading restrictions. but new analysis of the changes shows it's not all doom and gloom — while traditional retailers like department stores have continued to decline, service—based businesses you can't get a tattoo on line. one

miaht you can't get a tattoo on line. one might catch _ you can't get a tattoo on line. one might catch a _ you can't get a tattoo on line. one might catch a glimpse of the future for our high streets. tt might catch a glimpse of the future for our high streets.— for our high streets. if you go to some cities _ for our high streets. if you go to some cities in _ for our high streets. if you go to some cities in england, - for our high streets. if you go to some cities in england, you - for our high streets. if you go to | some cities in england, you have for our high streets. if you go to - some cities in england, you have can have five studios down the same street. , :, , ., street. this part of cumbria reflects a — street. this part of cumbria reflects a national - street. this part of cumbria reflects a national storey, l street. this part of cumbria - reflects a national storey, while retail declined, service—based businesses such as hair and beauty emerged stronger. 5,000 more outlets, including a 9,000 increase in tattoo studios. it shows the changing face of the high street, less of a place to buy things, but more of a place to do stuff. jamie is one of 200 surveyors keeping an eye on britain's towns and cities, what has shut and the new enterprises. aha, what has shut and the new enterprises.— what has shut and the new enterrises. : :, :, , ., enterprises. a lot of shops have been closing — enterprises. a lot of shops have been closing down, _ enterprises. a lot of shops have been closing down, but - enterprises. a lot of shops have been closing down, but other i enterprises. a lot of shops have - been closing down, but other shops and local community shops have been opening up, coffee shops, breweries, hair and beauty. thea;r opening up, coffee shops, breweries, hair and beauty-— hair and beauty. they have seen the

dechne hair and beauty. they have seen the decline of cash-based _ hair and beauty. they have seen the decline of cash-based retail - hair and beauty. they have seen the decline of cash-based retail and - decline of cash—based retail and 9,000 fewer retail shops, including 328 fewer department stores, 800 fewer banks, 6,000 fewer cash machines compared with prepandemic. but the eating and drinking sector emerged stronger, with 700 more pubs and bar, 2,000 more cafes and more food fast food joints. specially food shops proved resilient, local butchers could weather the covid storm. :, �* , :, ., butchers could weather the covid storm. . storm. you're providing a service, because people — storm. you're providing a service, because people are _ storm. you're providing a service, because people are not _ storm. you're providing a service, because people are not well- storm. you're providing a service, i because people are not well versed, all i think about is meat, you know, literally. all i think about is meat, you know, literall . :, all i think about is meat, you know, literall . ., , ., , literally. local independent traders are seen as — literally. local independent traders are seen as a _ literally. local independent traders are seen as a key _ literally. local independent traders are seen as a key part _ literally. local independent traders are seen as a key part of— literally. local independent traders are seen as a key part of the - are seen as a key part of the conditions and in kendal business people and politicians are work together on how to breathe life into the town centre. the

together on how to breathe life into the town centre.— together on how to breathe life into the town centre. the most important thin we the town centre. the most important thing we can — the town centre. the most important thing we can do _ the town centre. the most important thing we can do is _ the town centre. the most important thing we can do is invest _ the town centre. the most important thing we can do is invest in _ the town centre. the most important thing we can do is invest in the - thing we can do is invest in the public— thing we can do is invest in the public realm. we have the bones here and have _ public realm. we have the bones here and have an _ public realm. we have the bones here and have an amazing medieval town, but like _ and have an amazing medieval town, but like many places it has been neglected and there is opportunity to bring _ neglected and there is opportunity to bring that back. the neglected and there is opportunity to bring that back.— to bring that back. the pandemic made many _ to bring that back. the pandemic made many realise _ to bring that back. the pandemic made many realise the _ to bring that back. the pandemic. made many realise the importance to bring that back. the pandemic- made many realise the importance of their community spaces and local traders. :, , , :, traders. you see the number of --eole traders. you see the number of people out _ traders. you see the number of people out here, _ traders. you see the number of people out here, people - traders. you see the number of people out here, people want i traders. you see the number of| people out here, people want to traders. you see the number of- people out here, people want to come out and use the high street. the hirh out and use the high street. the high streets _ out and use the high street. the high streets and town centres best able to survive tough times ahead will be those which can bring fun and magic to our public spaces. merry christmas to one and all! i asked a guest and this new way of shopping. tt i asked a guest and this new way of sho inc. , i asked a guest and this new way of showin, , i asked a guest and this new way of sho inc. , ., .,

i asked a guest and this new way of sho-..in. , ., ., ., ., shopping. it is part of a londoner trend, a reduction _ shopping. it is part of a londoner trend, a reduction in _ shopping. it is part of a londoner trend, a reduction in the - shopping. it is part of a londoner trend, a reduction in the need . shopping. it is part of a londonerj trend, a reduction in the need for the traditional high street uses and the traditional high street uses and the increasing vacancy rates and what we are seeing after the pandemic is an acceleration of a trends that provide more convenience, amenity, something for the community, that is bringing people back to the high street. a good example of some of the analysis you have shown, more cafes, more tattoo parlours that are cooler than they used to be when i was young. these are all invigorating the high street. b. these are all invigorating the high street. : , ., these are all invigorating the high street. : , :, ., :, street. a they treating value for the value of _ street. a they treating value for the value of the _ street. a they treating value for the value of the properties, - street. a they treating value for i the value of the properties, when you look at supermarkets, so many have moved out of town, is it maximising the value of the property with your hat on? that maximising the value of the property with your hat on?— with your hat on? that is a good oint, with your hat on? that is a good point. there _ with your hat on? that is a good point, there are _ with your hat on? that is a good point, there are different - with your hat on? that is a good point, there are different ways l with your hat on? that is a good | point, there are different ways of valuing assets, there are financial

ways, but we are thinking about the social value. ultimately it doesn't what kind of property it is, if it is empty, it is of no value. the repurposing of retail that we are seeing with alternative uses bringing different kinds of people into high streets is what we need to do. there is an overprovision of retail and it needs to be the right size and we need to celebrate the retail we need. but we need to think about alternative uses. if you think about alternative uses. if you think about the traditional reason for having a high street and a market place it was about serving that local need and not the big high street brands, they do great in the big city centres, but actually we need to think about what works for the people that are served by those places. t5 the people that are served by those laces. , , :, , places. is it 'ust 'oined up thinking“ places. is it 'ust 'oined up thinking as h places. is itjust joined up thinking as well, - places. is itjust joined up thinking as well, so - places. is itjust joined up thinking as well, so manyj places. is itjust joined up- thinking as well, so many people complain whole worried about climate change and everything else, that perhaps high streets now are prevent

or cars and things are not allowed into the high street, so much is pedestrianised and that is stopping the ability just to pedestrianised and that is stopping the abilityjust to stop, drop off something off and pick up and move on, that is how some of us would remember the high street? yeah, i think it is a — remember the high street? yeah, i think it is a good _ remember the high street? yeah, i think it is a good point _ remember the high street? yeah, i think it is a good point and - remember the high street? yeah, i think it is a good point and there i think it is a good point and there is no doubt that retail parks did well, because they're car—driven places. one of the things that came from the pandemic, was the reason to embrace the communities in which we live, to walk into them to make use of the things that are there, the local businesses, and actually you mention them from a green perspective, what we need to do as a society is give more people more reason to visit these places, not just retail and shopping, but for medical reasons, for offices, for working, for medical, for well being and for living and we could bring

these things together there is less reason to do manyjourneys and that is good for the environment. tam is good for the environment. tom whittington- _ is good for the environment. tom whittington. sarah _ is good for the environment. tom whittington. sarah is _ is good for the environment. tom whittington. sarah is here with the weather. any snow? some of us will see a bit of snow. if you're crossing fingers for white stuff, it is a bit of pot luck. northern and eastern areas most prone to seeing snow. but it is turning colder. we have this cold air mass coming from the arctic and there are some snow showers in the higher ground of northern scotland. mostly rain around the east coast of england. and look at the temperatures, around minus four in the coldest spot. just above freezing in the south—east. a chilly start to wednesday, a lot of sunshine around, but some snow across the north of scotland. could

be about five to 10 centimetres over the higher ground. temperatures three to six, but feeling colder. into thursday more wintry showers towards the north and temperatures as low as minus four. hello this is bbc news. the headlines: thousands of ambulance workers across england and wales announce they will strike on december 21st in a dispute over pay. it comes as the rmt is accused of playing fast and loose with people's festive plans, as more rail strikes were announced over the christmas period. a girl in belfast who died due to complications from a strep a bacterial infection has been named as five—year—old stella—lily mccorkindale. she's the ninth child known to have died in the uk since september. the conservative peer baroness mone

takes a leave of absense from the house of lords following allegations about links to a ppe firm awarded a covid contract by the government. the national farmers' union warns the uk is 'sleepwalking' into a food supply crisis and calls on the government to step in and help its members. let mejust show let me just show you the scene at the house of commons. we are expecting an opposition debate by the labour party to be held into lady moan. who has taken an absence from the house of lords. she's been linked to ppe medpro,

a company which won government contracts during the covid pandemic, but her lawyers have previously said she "had no role or function" in the firm. angela rayner is in the commons. let's just listen in for one angela rayner is in the commons. let'sjust listen in for one moment. iam i am told that we will wait. let's go back to holly. what is the sport looking like? the forwards coach richard cockrill will be taking over the england rugby team. but eddiejones leaves behind a dismal year. former england pair ben cohen says that his tenure

will be remembered positively. i remembered positively. i don't think he's a bad coach, _ remembered positively. i don't think he's a bad coach, you _ remembered positively. i don't think he's a bad coach, you don't - remembered positively. i don't think he's a bad coach, you don't become| remembered positively. i don't think| he's a bad coach, you don't become a bad coach overnight. there is certainly a disconnect between the players and the coach. world cup final, to six nations her. he has a mixed bag. england are great players, they have some world—class players, they have some world—class players and a world—class stadium with facilities. whoever comes in, it may be swanlike steve borthwick, it may be swanlike steve borthwick, it could be baxterfrom exeter, if they are interested in the job. it could be baxterfrom exeter, if they are interested in thejob. they have to work on the mental side, being eight games away from the world cup. they have a lot of pressure on their shoulders and if they want to get back on the world rankings, they have to perform under pressure. the coach has to be able

to mentally bring them round. spain and morocco are going to play in the quarterfinals. at the moment it is still o—o. that is 15 minutes of the game left. this is this side, spain won the world cup in 2010. they had a mixed bag while morocco have been the surprise package so far. they have never qualified for the quarterfinals. 15 minutes left still goalless. they will be extra time if it is still without goals at full—time. follow that on the bbc sport website. after that match, the final round of 16 game is portugal against switzerland, where there'll be a question mark over whether cristiano ronaldo will feature. portugal coach fernando santos says he "really didn't like" his reaction

to being substituted in their defeat by south korea. he was taken off 65 minutes into their final group—stage defeat and has denied directing an outburst towards his coach. after today we know the quarterfinal line—up will be complete. ahead of the game we are being adhering from the game we are being adhering from the france player. he is france's all—time top goal—scorer. france are the reigning world champions and are ranked fourth in the world. one place above england but the french say they won't underestimate the england side. say they won't underestimate the england side-— england side. there are so many ureat england side. there are so many great players _ england side. there are so many great players and _ england side. there are so many great players and a _ england side. there are so many great players and a new- england side. there are so many i great players and a new generation. if i can say, i think they have

quality and quantity in the squad, they have different options. it will be a nice game to watch and interesting to watch. i hope it will go well for france.— go well for france. that's all the sort for go well for france. that's all the sport for now- — we'll be back to the house of commons in a moment if debate starts. the united nations says a humanitarian crisis is unfolding in haiti. it's the poorest country in the western hemisphere, and almost half the population — 4.7 million haitians — are facing acute hunger. in the country's capital, port—au—prince, the un says 19,000 are facing the prospect of living in "'famine—like conditions'. people there are also dealing with a deadly cholera epidemic. armed groups and gangs control as much as 60% of the city and surrounding areas complicating efforts to get help and aid to those in need. from there — our senior

international correspondent orla guerin reports. and a warning, you may find parts of her report distressing. a little boy, lost, being put out on the streets. police evicting families from a public square in port—au—prince, consigning them to this. many sought refuge here injuly, when gang warfare killed at least 300 people in ten days. they've had little help from their failing state. what's happening here now is people who have already been displaced once are being displaced again. women have been leaving, clutching small children by the hand, carrying whatever they can manage. there's a real sense of despair now, they're wondering, where can they go to be safe?

here's where they fled from, cite soleil, a place where most fear to tread. it's the poorest part of the capital and a bastion of the gangs. the un's world food programme has to negotiate its way in to give out life—saving aid. it says 19,000 people here are facing famine—like conditions, a two—hour flight from miami. all this is watched carefully by gang members who remain out of sight. they're also watching us as we film. we can't step outside the gate. how hard is it to try to feed your child? "i can't feed my child," sara tells me. "my little one is at my mother's. "every day, we hear gunfire."

and now, there is another threat. cholera has returned. five—year—old jocelyn has been hit hard. she's already weakened by malnutrition, like so many children here. with her godmother by her side, she gets help in time. but this is one more plague in a country which is running out of strength. the capital is menaced by gangs who own most of the streets. haiti's government has asked for foreign troops to come in. so far, the international community is in no rush. there is anger at the idea of more foreign intervention. it has a bad history here. many haitians want their government out, not foreigners in.

"the state is collecting taxes," says abner, "but it can't "collect the rubbish. "it can't feed the people. "we will fight until we overthrow it." jean simpson des enclos has been fighting for a better haiti as a lawyer and human rights activist. but no—one is immune here. no—one is safe. he lost his entire family, his wife and daughters. here they were in life, sharing a happy moment. they were gunned down by a gang in august. three women, no mercy. translation: you are always waiting

for a call from your child. _ telling you "dad this" or "dad that". in the blink of an eye, these criminals take away the connection to your child. this was the family car, just hours after the attack. they have taken the country hostage. they make the law here. they kill, they rape, they destroy. and they rob children of what little they have. this boy is 12. he and his mother are now homeless for the second time. first, they fled cite soleil, now the authorities have moved them on. they told us they have no idea where they would go.

a group of disabled people is challenging a government decision not to make personal emergency evacuation plans or peeps a legal requirement for high—rise buildings. the leaseholder disability action group called for a judicial review when the home office decided not to act on a recommendation from the grenfell tower inquiry. the high court is hearing the case today. nikki fox reports: hello, adam! i first spoke to adam injuly this year. nice to see you, too. how are you? we were discussing personal evacuation plans on our disability podcast, access all. at the time he'd been stuck in his flat for 11 days straight because both lifts were broken. turns out that was just one occasion he'd been stuck at home. it's been a very testing year. you know, 62 days i've been trapped, so...

to get in and out, adam had to be carried up and down several flights of stairs. it's not the most ideal situation. the trained sound engineer and disability campaigner was offered this flat ten years ago, around the time he became disabled. it was purpose built, but in the time he's been living here, he's made it fully accessible and he loves it. but he lives on the sixth floor, and if there's an emergency, he has no way of getting out on his own. it's why he needed an evacuation plan. i'm very happy they've done it for me. but look what it's taken. and what has it taken? me to get on your podcast, the bbc, you know, london radio, other channels, people getting involved. it means that they've taken my life into consideration and they've put some value on me as a human being, which is great. so why are we talking about peeps now? well, the grenfell tower inquiry

recommended that peeps should be a legal requirement for anyone who lives in a high—rise building, who cannot self evacuate independently in an emergency. so the disability action group claddag are taking the government to court. its co—founder georgie has a peep, but she still had to crowdfund for this evacuation chair. the amount of disabled people who died in the grenfell fire was disproportionate. they had no plans. people panicked and tried to help their neighbours and relatives to get out. many did not succeed. a plan so people know what to do, would reduce panic and risk. and with so many people living in known fire traps, this could happen again. the home office says it's committed to delivering proposals that enhance the safety of residents, and is working closely with fire chiefs to test evacuation strategies. adam's housing association says it's agreed an evacuation plan, but adam is worried about the chair

he's supposed to use, and who will help him use it. he won't feel fully protected until fire—safe lifts are installed, and they're due in the summer of 2023. god willing, this doesn't happen here, yeah? but i would just say my prayers, then, you know? it is what it is, mate, and it shouldn't be like that. until there's a fire lift, as i said, i'm not... my legs don't work, my brain works. voters in the us state of georgia will go to the polls for the fifth time in four years today. that's because of a state law which means election winners need to get notjust the most votes but at least 50% of those cast. neither of the two main candidates managed to pass this threshold in last month's mid—term election for one of the state's seats in the senate which means they're having to fight it out again. our washington correspondent gary o'donoghue reports. herschel walker!

the final push on the election trail for the first ever black republican candidate for senate in georgia. hello. despite facing allegations of violence against women, hypocrisy over abortion and lies about his past, the former football star, endorsed by donald trump, is still right in the race, just a couple of points behind his rival. i love you all. and we're going to win this election and get georgia back together because we together can make anything happen. for his supporters, herschel walker is a local hero, who's owned up to his past errors and deserves a chance. but i've always been a fan because he's a christian. i'm a christian. he stands for all the values that i stand for. we've got to save our country. and herschel walker- is the only one that can. how you doing? for the incumbent democrat, pastor raphael warnock, georgia's election rules mean this is the fourth time in two years he's had to face the voters.

and i promise you guys, if you stand up with me just one more day, i'll stand up for you for the next six years. and warnock thought no—one was watching when his ex—wife called police to report his abuse. in a sign ofjust how tight this race is, both sides have turned to negative attack ads, spending tens of millions of dollars in the process. walker pointed a gun to her head. walker threatened to kill her. the democrats have brought in some of their heavyweights to try to close out this race, thouthoe biden himself has stayed away, as he's not popular right now. hello, atlanta. but while the outcome here won't change his control of the senate, it could strengthen it. democrats will now have a solid majority in the senate, which means that they can arrange the committees within the senate to also reflect their majority status. so things that have trouble getting out of committee now will not have that same trouble because the democrats can just vote on the straight party line to get things out, to get them to the floor, so that they can be dealt with. so that should grease some

of the wheels of the biden agenda. this race is still too close to call. that's why herschel walker and raphael warnock are crisscrossing the state to turn out their voters. the challenge for herschel walker is to get those republicans that didn't vote for him last time to do so this time. gary o'donoghue, bbc news, gilmore county in georgia. the latest data from last year's census shows there's been a decline in the number of people who speak the welsh language. the figure dropped from 19 % to less than 18 % of the population of wales. owain evans reports. the welsh government has a target of creating 1 million welsh speakers by 2050. according to census results, we are heading in the wrong direction. the percentage of welsh speakers has decreased by 1.2% since the last census. there has been a decrease in nearly

every authority area. there has been a decrease of almost 6% in children who are able to speak welsh. there is plenty of work for the welsh government to do. i have come to a welsh learners class to speak to them about their responses. tell me, what is your reaction to these figures? very disappointed, i was hoping by now that in the last ten years, with the work that has been going on, learning welsh for adults and also making more schools bilingual, that we would have seen an increase. it is disappointing to hear these figures. you've decided to learn as well, but you haven't managed to do it until retirement? not having done it in school, i didn't have the confidence but since i retired i have joined groups and at the moment, i'm doing an intensive course

which is really interesting. maybe the pandemic held people back, people didn't have the opportunity to go to the classes, face—to—face classes, and who knows? but it is something to consider, i think. thank you very much. the bbc�*s annual 100 women series launches today. it's marking its tenth anniversary and it lists 1oo influential and inspirational women from around the world. the theme this year is progress as yalda hakim reports bbc 100 women was created following the horrific delhi gang rape in 2012, with an aim to share more women's stories from around the world. ten years later we are seeing what progress women have made over the last decade.

we are talking to women you'll know... ifeel the most powerful when i feel masculine in my life. ..and otherfemale trailblazers making history. basketball is life. for me it's been healing, coming from where i came from, where i didn't have the privilege

of playing basketball. what i do for the raptors is manage the african scouting. being the first woman doing this on the continent, it's important because for some kids, representation, especially for the girls, it's very important that they see somebody like them doing this. there have been huge steps forward for women's rights, from the number of female leaders to the #metoo movement. however, for many women there still feels a long way to go. this year's list highlights the war in ukraine... we are taking you live to the house of commons. the debate has started into the baroness our demand is clear. and the cover—up and begin the clean—up. we already know that the so—called vip

link for ppe enabled the shameful waste of taxpayers money and inexcusable profiteering by unfit and unprofitable providers. we know that the government has already written of £10 billion spent by ppe that was either un—usable, overpriced or undelivered. ministers have admitted that they are still paying £770,000 a day of taxpayers cash to store gloves, goggles and gowns. enough to pay for 75,000 spaces and after school clubs or 19,000 in full—time the lzary care. —— nursery care. part of that money is spent to china every day loan to pay for the storage cost. we already

know the £4 billion worth of un—usable ppe has been burned to generate power after 70 million ppe items were sold off forjust £400,000. what we don't yet know, madam deputy speaker is what was said in correspondence between the key participants of the benches opposite and the unqualified cronies on the make and the take. we don't even know exactly where our money ended up. but we do know that if ministers get their way, this system could be used again. and the scandal repeated, enriching fraudsters at the expense of the taxpayer and creating a new mountain of waste. i will give way. t creating a new mountain of waste. i will give way-— will give way. i am grateful to my honourable _ will give way. i am grateful to my honourable friend _ will give way. i am grateful to my honourable friend the _ will give way. i am grateful to my honourable friend the giving i will give way. i am grateful to my honourable friend the giving way. she is absolutely right that there is a scandalous waste of public money here. equally important is that we know our care sector and

health sector was desperate for ppe during the pandemic. especially candidates in my constituency, they change their manufacturing to be able to make ppe and got a large number of contracts and individual trust. but they were unable to get any contracts in the department of health. alongside the public money wasted was also the fact that we had nurses and carers unable to access ppe when they desperately needed it at the height of the pandemic. shocking. my honourable friend is absolutely right. the two points that he has made there which i will come unto in my speech in greater detail. one was the lack of ppe for those on the front line and also the total disrespect of the way in which these contracts were handed out at these contracts were handed out at the expense of businesses up and down the uk who had experience you could have helped during the pandemic who were not party to what zaps or whatever else that got them

to ministers access to the vip lane. links to a tory politician. while this is for authorities to decide whether or new law is broken and i won't be commenting on the ongoing investigations, we do know that ppe was referred to the vip lane by a sitting member of the cabinet. after lobbying from another tory politician. five days, five days before it was even legally registered as a company. the house said before that this particular company was subsequently awarded two contracts worth £230 billion to supply ppe. 81 billion... million pounds to supply 210 million facemasks was awarded on may 2020. £122 million contract to supply 25 million surgical gowns was awarded injune 2020. madam deputy speaker,

the facemasks bought by this government from that pro for more than twice the price is identical items from other suppliers in the surgical gowns, rejected for use in the nhs after a technical inspection. all of them, never even used. it points to a total failure of due diligence and the rotten stench of cronyism. i will give way. i thank my right honourable friend the giving way. during the early months of the pandemic, i was being contacted by ppe suppliers known to the nhs, long—term suppliers who told me that they were being rejected as they were offering help.

one of them wrote to me and he said, three april 2020, there was a good degree of total incompetence about the government handling ppe purchases. by the way they scrutinised our own office there after we believed they knew at least specification wired exactly what they were doing and that senior managers were taking steps to use preferred suppliers even though they were aware that these supplies didn't have the track record nor the competence to supply. what does my honourable friend think about that? i think it absolutely stinks. my honourable friend is absolutely right. the public can see through this and those businesses that are pretty angry because they wanted to do the right thing during the pandemic. they knew it was a situation that britain faces they had not faced before as a global pandemic and they wanted to do their bit and their frustration. my right honourable friend is right to quote

her business. there is no question that the specification should have been iiiiij.§tii iiiiiji; 12thizngii�*ij’iiiget�*t�*itmt 1; iiijigitiuii iillél “2 tiiigrginj iiiiij.§tii iiiiiji; 12thizngii�*ij’iiiget�*t�*itmt 1; iiijigitiuii iillél “it tiiigrginj should be criminal prosecutions long before an inquiry can progress. my before an inquiry can progress. my honourable friend is right to capture the mood of the public on this. at a time of the public are told that we have to show restraint, at a time when the public can see the finances, not least because of this government? former prime minister and chancellor and the crashing of the economy, but it calls them to think that ministers opposite were not doing the due

diligence that was required with the funds that we needed and now we have this situation where we are spending billions of pounds on wasted ppe and we also have got thousands of pounds every single day that is being wasted on storage for ppe. i will happily give way. we wasted on storage for ppe. i will happily give way-— wasted on storage for ppe. i will happily give way. we don't often get to see what — happily give way. we don't often get to see what the _ happily give way. we don't often get to see what the labour _ happily give way. we don't often get to see what the labour party - happily give way. we don't often get to see what the labour party would l to see what the labour party would do. we don't often get to see what the labour party would do in our place. on this occasion, on this occasion, on this occasion we had an insight because the labour party did recommend a whole series of people who could supply we did see what labour could have done. what

analysis has she made of the labour party's own suggestions of supply during the pandemic? t paitt party's own suggestions of supply during the pandemic?— during the pandemic? i will in the second. ithink— during the pandemic? i will in the second. i think the _ during the pandemic? i will in the second. i think the honourable i second. i think the honourable memberfor his comments. i ask second. i think the honourable member for his comments. i ask the honourable member, how many members from across the house that were not conservative members got vip access to the vip lane? i can give the honourable member the answer, none, zilch, zero. this is the problem, the due diligence was not done on those contracts. it was his government's problem, responsibility and failure. t government's problem, responsibility and failure. ~ , government's problem, responsibility and failure. ~' , :, :, and failure. i think my honourable friend for giving _ and failure. i think my honourable friend for giving way _ and failure. i think my honourable friend for giving way and - and failure. i think my honourable friend for giving way and she i and failure. i think my honourable friend for giving way and she is i friend for giving way and she is making an excellent speech. which you agree that there is a huge

comments —— contrast between the... this is a global pandemic but the uk government was constantly criticised about these contracts and the way they were doled out and given. all of this motion to the house today that they are asking for is transparency, what have you got to hide? iwill transparency, what have you got to hide? i will happily give away. t will thank her for giving way, she will thank herfor giving way, she is making a very powerful speech. today has been a very important day because we have met via brigades unions from across the country who have come down to stand up for a decent salary —— the fire brigades unions. what this debate illustrate is that the government can find billions of pounds to hand over in a crisis to well—connected supporters, and if the allegations are true in the memberfor the other and if the allegations are true in the member for the other place,

enough money from that alleged dividend would have settled the firefighters settlement in scotland in totality. one person against every firefighter. will she confirm that a labour government, an incoming labour government, will investigate this matter thoroughly, and transparently, and hold anyone who had bent the rules however how they have done so will be held to justice? t they have done so will be held to 'ustice? : ~ they have done so will be held to 'ustice? :, ~ :, :, ., , justice? i thank the honourable memberfor— justice? i thank the honourable member for his _ justice? i thank the honourable member for his point _ justice? i thank the honourable member for his point and i justice? i thank the honourable member for his point and he i justice? i thank the honourable member for his point and he is| memberfor his point and he is absolutely right. the fb union members, the fire brigade union members, the fire brigade union members were in parliament today, outside, and they are frustrated, like many others who have been told that there isn't money to give them a pay rise and actually they are going to get a real terms pay cut. at the same time, millions of pounds has been wasted. and as i said in my opening remarks, £770,000 per day on

storing this equipment. it is not acceptable to most people and most members of the public. i will happily give away. madam deputy becker i thank you for giving way. she has highlighted one particular illegal situation, but i'm sure she is away —— aware that the department of health and social remains in dispute on 176 contracts for ppe were £2.7 billion, and i wonder if she had any thoughts about that? ma; wonder if she had any thoughts about that? g ., ., ., , wonder if she had any thoughts about that? g :, :, ., , . ., that? my honourable friend the chair of the public— that? my honourable friend the chair of the public accounts _ that? my honourable friend the chair of the public accounts committee i that? my honourable friend the chair of the public accounts committee is | of the public accounts committee is absolutely right, it is absolutely eye watering and astonishing that 176 contracts remain in this situation. in the public can see that. the public can see this. and they are frustrated. because it is

not acceptable, it is not ok to govern in that way. and the public, rightly, want answers. and they want them now. now, the links between medpro and the tory peer in question were never publicly disclosed. in fact, they were denied repeatedly by the lawyers acting for those involved. we now know that the money ended up in offshore accounts directly linked to those individuals. by their own admission, this was for so—called tax efficiency. it seems they even dodged paying their own taxes on the profits they made from hours. only after a long legal battle was it revealed there was active lobbying for ministerial colleagues for access to the vip lane and substantial contracts were won by those companies. they say that the pier in question did not benefit

from these contracts. a denial which has been rather undermined by the latest revelations of the guardian, rather than any disclosure of your ministers. because it was only sometime after the guardian exposed to these links that finally told me, in answer to a parliamentary question, that, i quote, departmental records reflect that the link between baroness mone and ppe medpro was clear prior to contracts being awarded. but ministers have for months refused to show us those records, or tell us the nature of that link, and whether it was declared or whether it was discovered in due diligence. this is the subject of an investigation by the subject of an investigation by the standards commissioner is in the other place. and yet it appears ministers sat on the information they had. so, the question is very simple, madam deputy speaker. what of ministers opposite got to hide?

—— what have ministers opposite got to hide? did they know all along who was behind ppe medpro or was due diligence is so poor that they did not realise the problem? if they had nothing to hide, and no rules or laws were broken, then ministers will surely be happy to make the details of the meetings and the correspondence available. and while they're at it, will the minister give us clarity about allegations made by the former health secretary in his new book about a separate bid for business connected to baroness mone? :, :, ., , ., , for business connected to baroness mone? :, :, ., , , mone? the right honourable lady is venturina mone? the right honourable lady is venturing rather _ mone? the right honourable lady is venturing rather too _ mone? the right honourable lady is venturing rather too far _ mone? the right honourable lady is venturing rather too far into - mone? the right honourable lady is venturing rather too far into the i venturing rather too far into the territory — venturing rather too far into the territory that i urged her to avoid. i'm afraid — territory that i urged her to avoid. i'm afraid that these are the rules, so i do _ i'm afraid that these are the rules, so i do have — i'm afraid that these are the rules, so i do have to bring her up, pull herup. _ so i do have to bring her up, pull herup. if— so i do have to bring her up, pull herup, if she so i do have to bring her up, pull her up, if she is actively criticising a member of the other

place _ criticising a member of the other place i'm — criticising a member of the other place. i'm sorry about that, but that— place. i'm sorry about that, but that is— place. i'm sorry about that, but that is the _ place. i'm sorry about that, but that is the rule. angela rayner. madam — that is the rule. angela rayner. madam deputy speaker, i wasn't criticising members from the other place, i'mjust criticising members from the other place, i'm just quoting what a memberfrom this place place, i'm just quoting what a member from this place who was a health minister at the time has said. and asking the minister today if you can give us clarity on what was said. because that's now public record. that's all i'm asking the minister for. record. that's all i'm asking the ministerfor. i haven't said record. that's all i'm asking the minister for. i haven't said that about any person from the other place, that's what a minister has said in his diaries. so it would be nice if the minister opposite can give us some light on this whole murky affair. madam deputy speaker, let's turn to the numbers. because as they say, the numbers don't lie. ten, how many times a company was more likely to get a contract if it was in the vip lane. one in five, the proportion of emergency contract handed out by the government that have been flagged for corruption. 3.5 billion. that's the value, in

pounds, of contracts given to the tory party's makes that we know. 3 billion, the value in pounds of contracts awarded that merit further investigation. none, zero, zilch, the number of times this government has come clean on this dodgy medpro scandal. the cover—up, a whitewash, events swept over the carpet now they have been dragged kicking and screaming to the house today to give an honest account about their shameful dealings. the public are sick of being ripped off, and being taken for schools, and they want to know the truth. —— being taken full. i will give way. t5 know the truth. -- being taken full. i will give way-— i will give way. is it not clear to the public _ i will give way. is it not clear to the public now— i will give way. is it not clear to the public now that _ i will give way. is it not clear to the public now that the - i will give way. is it not clear to the public now that the party i the public now that the party opposite believe in one thing only, and that is how much money they can grab from the public purse and give to their crony friend and steals from the hard—working pockets of

people in this country? t from the hard-working pockets of people in this country?— people in this country? i think my honourable _ people in this country? i think my honourable friend _ people in this country? i think my honourable friend captures i people in this country? i think my honourable friend captures the i people in this country? i think my i honourable friend captures the mood of the public. they want answers. the public want answers, they want to know what happened. at the time when they needed this government than most to act responsibly, what has happened to their money, and what happened with these contracts? so today we have tabled this motion, and we will put it to a vote. let me be clear, madam deputy speaker. we're not asking the government to do anything that would undermine any chance of recovering our money or that would conflict with any police investigation. at the ten months they have told us that they are intermediation. what progress has been made? when will they conclude it has failed and take action now? can we actually get our money back, or are theyjust kicking the can down the road? so our motion asks ministers to hand over their records to the public accounts committee, a

body this house reminds —— it relies on to hold them to account for public spending. the only logical conclusion is that they do indeed have something to hide. the public deserve answers, and whether the dodgy lobbying at the heart of this scandal played a part in how vast sums of taxpayer's cass has been wasted, and whether same —— cash has been wasted, and whether shameful profiteering has been enabled by this government, which leads me to the second simple question for the house today. we'll members opposite, well, the few that are in, will members opposite now vote for a clean—up or yet another cover—up? just last week, the government led tory member is in the other place through the lobby to block an amendment to their procurement bill. it would have banned vip lanes in future procurement decisions. but they voted it down. they voted to

protect unlawful vip access instead of protecting taxpayers' money. the prime minister is peddling legislation full of loopholes that would give tory ministers free rein to do it all over again. fresh from writing off billions, he carelessly costs to covid fraud, the question is the house question to the house is the house question to the house is to prevent a repeat. i say to members opposite today, learn your lesson. don't let this shameful episode be repeated. madam deputy speaker, the loss and trauma of the pandemic was immense. millions of families lost loved ones. some only getting to say goodbye via ipad as mothers, fathers, husbands, wives and friends slipped away. and then we learned that throughout this trauma, companies with whatsapp

links to ministers were given special vip access to contracts which have seen billions poured down the drain. this government has done untold damage to the public�*s faith in politics. the first step in restoring this trust is publishing these documents today. the publicly dancers about how this happened. —— the public need answers about how this happened, and they need them now, madam deputy speaker. but they also deserve reassurances that this will never, ever be allowed to happen again. taxpayers' money must be treated with respect, not handed out in backroom deals to cronies or passport to profiteering. and ppe medpro isjust passport to profiteering. and ppe medpro is just the tip of the iceberg in this scandal. we now know that companies that got into the vip line were ten times more likely to

win a contract. we now know that many did not go through the so—called eight stage process of due diligence as ministers have now admitted. and we now know that this let dozens of experience british businesses left out in the cold. businesses that have the expertise to procure ppe and ventilators precisely and fast. businesses who offered their help in our darkest hour, and businesses whose only mistake was to play by the rules. not a single one of the companies referred to the vip lane was done so by a politician of any other political party other than the conservative party. then chancellor, the duchy of lancaster, the cabinet member who oversaw entire emergency commune —— procurement programme reported a fast track to a bit from

one of his own personal friends and donors, who went on to