this is bbc news with the latest headlines. the democrats cement their control of the us senate, as raphael warnock defeats trump—backed republican herschel walker in a run—off in the us state of georgia. the four most powerful words ever spoken in a democracy — the people have spoken. an end to strict quarantine rules in china, following weeks of protests. heat living rooms during the day and bedrooms before going to sleep — that's the advice from health officials as a cold spell hits the uk. if you've got any questions about how to affordably heat your home, send them in to me.

i'll put some of those to my guest, plumber hattie hasan, at about 9.15. 25 people have been arrested in raids across germany on suspicion of plotting to overthrow the government. moroccan fans across the globe celebrate as they reach the world cup quarter—finals for the first time. hello, good morning and welcome to bbc news. the democratic party has won a run—off in the us state of georgia, securing them a two—seat majority in the senate. the victory by the incumbent, raphael warnock, which has now been called by three american networks, will make governing easier for president biden. it's also a further blow to donald trump's ambition to return to the white house, after he strongly endorsed

the republican candidate. raphael warnock gave a victory speech at his campaign's election night party in atlanta. after a hard—fought campaign... or should i say campaigns? it is my honour to utter the four most powerful words ever spoken in a democracy — the people have spoken. cheering let's get more from angelia wilson who is a professor in politics at the university of manchester. good to have you with us again today, we spoke yesterday morning of course as well about this, so now we

have the result, what does this mean in practical terms for president biden? , ., in practical terms for president biden? ,., , �* , biden? ok, so first, let's acknowledge _ biden? ok, so first, let's acknowledge the - biden? ok, so first, let'sl acknowledge the historical biden? ok, so first, let's - acknowledge the historical and symbolic importance of this win, it is the first time we have had an african—american representing the upper house, the senate, the state of georgia, so that is an important historical moment. secondly, what this buys it for the biden administration is a little bit of breathing space in the senate, both in terms of appointments to committees and being able to head up particular kinds of committees and including the investigation committee that will be ongoing about the january six hearings. find committee that will be ongoing about the january six hearings.— the january six hearings. and for the january six hearings. and for the republicans, _ the january six hearings. and for the republicans, how— the january six hearings. and for the republicans, how much - the january six hearings. and for the republicans, how much of. the january six hearings. and for the republicans, how much of a| the january six hearings. and for- the republicans, how much of a blow to sister donald trump's ambitions to sister donald trump's ambitions to run again for president? —— blow

to run again for president? —— blow to donald trump. some of these candidates he endorsed were not successful and some rumblings in the party that perhaps he is not the golden ticket any more. the republicans _ golden ticket any more. the republicans it _ golden ticket any more. tue republicans it didn't golden ticket any more. tte republicans it didn't struggle golden ticket any more. ttj: republicans it didn't struggle in the mid—terms with those candidates trump had to directly endorse, but many of those mid—term elections were very close, so let's not discount the constituency, the right—wing constituency in the republican party. —— republicans did struggle. they continue to vote for those more extreme candidates so they are not going anywhere just yet so not to write them offjust yet. what does it mean for the democrats? a good vote effort in that the large scale, in the african—american community, can work, and that is really important going forward thinking about the democratic shift happening particularly across the south. , , ., , happening particularly across the south. , , .,, ., happening particularly across the south. , ., south. just developing a point you made yesterday — south. just developing a point you made yesterday and _ south. just developing a point you made yesterday and clearly - south. just developing a point you made yesterday and clearly here l south. just developing a point you| made yesterday and clearly here in this race we had two candidates who are african—american. you said

looking at the republican choice, clearly there were lots of issues, lots of controversies around him, and he made the point that the republican party is going to be looking at other potential candidates are now more seriously who they think might have a better chance of appealing to the african—american electorate, so we are going to see a change in strategy. are going to see a change in strate: . ~ strategy. well, the southern strate: strategy. well, the southern strategy has _ strategy. well, the southern strategy has served - strategy. well, the southern strategy has served the - strategy. well, the southern - strategy has served the republican party very well and with that strategy launched by nixon, they knew they only had to get a very small minority of the african—american vote and they pursued that policy for quite some time, splitting the republican party as the party of white people and the democratic party as the party of the other and that strategy worked for them but now as demographics shift they realise they need more of that african—american vote and it would suit them well to begin to choose some credible african—american

candidates to run certainly in state—wide elections and to build up that bench. but if they will do that, who knows, because given the fact they went with trump previously, they really doubled down on isolating the african—american community, so they do have a choice to make a. consistently over the last 20 years it has been to isolate the african american community but who knows, maybe they will make a different choice going forward. tqm. different choice going forward. 0k, aood to different choice going forward. 0k, good to talk— different choice going forward. 0k, good to talk to _ different choice going forward. 0k, good to talk to you, thank you very much. let's get more from cbs news correspondent skyler henry in atlanta, georgia. hello to you again. skyler, give me a sense of the reaction to all this. absolutely, good to see you again as well. we were in the room when herschel walker made his concession speech last night saying that he was disappointed, but he was not going to give up on georgia and continue to give up on georgia and continue to fight for georgia. meanwhile, the watch party at the warnock event jubilant as the incumbent senator

wins a full six—year term, the first black man from georgia to ever do that. certainly a lot of excitement, especially coming from the democratic party. we have seen leadership already come out to celebrate and congratulate senator warnock and it is everyone from president biden to senate majority leader as well, all thrilled about the opportunity of moving forward with their legislative priorities. meanwhile, members of the gop going back to the drawing board if you will, trying to figure out what went wrong, not only with this race, but several races across the country in this mid—term elections, avoiding that so—called red wave if you will that so—called red wave if you will that was anticipated heading into this mid—term election season and so now it will be interesting to see how republicans manage to regroup, what their plans are moving forward, especially as we look ahead to 2024, but for democrats, they want to continue to move forward with their legislative priorities and now, given the that 51 — 49 split in the

senate, they can do that and having to negotiate. they have room to afford some losses or some detractors if you will in terms of some of the issues that not every democrat is on board walking in lockstep intensive negotiations and also there is room for democrats who set certain committees as well, and so now they will be able to function more smoothly in terms of trying to get more of that biden agenda. triers; get more of that biden agenda. very briefl , get more of that biden agenda. very briefly. let's — get more of that biden agenda. very briefly, let's talk _ get more of that biden agenda. very briefly, let's talk about the turnout, record 1.9 million who cast early ballots and 1.4 million voting yesterday, tuesday, is that really testament to the vast amounts of money spent on this campaign in georgia or is it about the turmoil of the last few years in american politics galvanising people to get out and vote? briefly, if you would. yes, i think it is probably a combination of all of it. when you take into consideration what we have seen over the past few years are politically speaking, i think people wanted to make sure that their verses were heard, regardless of

whether they were republican or democrat, so that is what essentially we saw with these that continues to be the case moving forward ahead of that remains to be seen, but many are engaged and i think we can expect high voter turnout in the years to come. donald trump's property business has been convicted of tax fraud and financial crimes, in an embarrassment to the former president. a court in new york found the trump 0rganisation guilty on all 17 counts, including conspiracy, falsifying records and providing luxury perks to some executives which weren't taxed. china is easing its draconian covid lockdown policies after protests swept through many of its major cities this month in a direct challenge to president xi. the communist party's sero—covid policy has seen people forced into quarantine camps, sparking rare demonstrations and hobbling the country's economic growth.

the party now says... those with mild or no symptoms can stay at home and self—report results. the country has also scrapped pcr test requirements for most public venues, except hospitals and schools. but it comes as the country suffers its biggest wave of infections — over 30,000 each day. and in the past few minutes it's been confirmed that disneyland in shanghai will reopen. howard zhang is editor of the bbc�*s chinese service. to what extent is this a direct consequence, a direct response, to those protests against the zero covid policy?— those protests against the zero covidoli ? , . ~ , covid policy? very much so. albeit the government _ covid policy? very much so. albeit the government is _ covid policy? very much so. albeit the government is not _ covid policy? very much so. albeit the government is not admitting . covid policy? very much so. albeit| the government is not admitting it. if you read the official state media, they are calling this a major victory for the party and for the media, xijinping, and they say the party have always timed and their leader timed the timing of both lockdown at the beginning of 2020 as

well as the lifting of measures at the perfect timing and they say it now it is a different string of virus and the party have not made a mistake. if you read the state media, they are building this as another victory, so it is quite interesting to see. but for most people outside, you can clearly see after a few days, as you mentioned, of countrywide protests, all of a sudden all these draconian measures come to an end. sudden all these draconian measures come to an end-— come to an end. yes, this is really unusual, come to an end. yes, this is really unusual. isn't _ come to an end. yes, this is really unusual, isn't it, _ come to an end. yes, this is really unusual, isn't it, in _ come to an end. yes, this is really unusual, isn't it, in effect - come to an end. yes, this is really unusual, isn't it, in effect for - come to an end. yes, this is really unusual, isn't it, in effect for the i unusual, isn't it, in effect for the party to succumb to public pressure? it is rare, but i guess it is one of those issues. many people are also wandering outside that china has been locking down on and off for three years and most people in most countries have experienced some type of lockdown for a brief period and even that has cost, this country for example in the uk, for a few weeks of lockdown we had huge economic

sufferings to many people's daily lives and that you imagine there for three years and that is the knock—on effect on traders, workers, it is unimaginable at the moment. what unimaginable at the moment. what does this mean _ unimaginable at the moment. what does this mean for _ unimaginable at the moment. what does this mean for people in china and what is happening with the vaccination programme? again, the officials claim _ vaccination programme? again, the officials claim they _ vaccination programme? again, the officials claim they have _ vaccination programme? again, the officials claim they have over - vaccination programme? again, the officials claim they have over 9096 l officials claim they have over 90% vaccination rate overall and they say some senior groups have a lesser degree of vaccination rate and they are trying to concentrate on the older population, but the trouble is, many experts have pointed out that china is still using what they call the inactivated vaccines, which are the ones that were more effective against the earlier strains of covid and not the later strains, especially not against 0micron, so what is this really mean for the vaccine rate? and those are the things i think more experts will

explain to us later on. tqm. the things i think more experts will explain to us later on.— the things i think more experts will explain to us later on. ok, rank you very much — explain to us later on. ok, rank you very much for— explain to us later on. ok, rank you very much for that. _ —— thank you. people are being advised to heat their living rooms during the day, and their bedrooms before going to sleep, after forecasts of much colder weather. health officials issued the advice to people who cannot afford to heat every room in their home. 0vernight lows of —10c are predicted in northern scotland, with snow and ice warnings there, as well as in wales, northern ireland, and the east coast of england. joining me now is hattie hasan who is the founder of stopcocks, a national company of women plumbers and heating engineers. thank you very much. getting into this first really cold spell, take us through how we can heat our homes effectively and efficiently while being mindful of those increased costs. ,., ., being mindful of those increased costs. ., ., ,, being mindful of those increased costs. ., ., ., costs. good morning, thank you for havin: costs. good morning, thank you for having me- — costs. good morning, thank you for having me- it _ costs. good morning, thank you for having me. it is— costs. good morning, thank you for having me. it is a _ costs. good morning, thank you for having me. it is a double _ costs. good morning, thank you for having me. it is a double whammy, j having me. it is a double whammy, obviously, but if you are elderly obviously, but if you are elderly obviously you have to keep warm. i have to just say that first, keeping warm is much more important than

anything else, so this advice really goes out to those people who are not vulnerable in that way, but i would suggest that there are some practical things you can do. i live in yorkshire, west yorkshire, and my temperature is regularly a few degrees cooler than down south, so i am used to living at a cooler temperature. i think we can all get used to living at a slightly cooler temperatures between 15 and 20. i would suggest you close the doors of rooms that you are not heating so the heat does not get attracted to those rooms. some of it is just a common sense, move furniture away radiators need air around them to work properly. what i would actually suggest is if you are at home during

the day and if a lot of people are working at home after the pandemic, using hot water bottle. there are ways in which we used to keep warm in the old days before we had central heating, so i think there are lots of practical things we can do. �* ., , , ., are lots of practical things we can do. j ., , , ., ., do. and one size it is not fit all, one at temperatures _ do. and one size it is not fit all, one at temperatures does - do. and one size it is not fit all, one at temperatures does not l do. and one size it is not fit all, | one at temperatures does not fit do. and one size it is not fit all, - one at temperatures does not fit all when it comes to the various rooms in our home?— in our home? absolutely right. we used to recommend _ in our home? absolutely right. we used to recommend you _ in our home? absolutely right. we used to recommend you have - in our home? absolutely right. we used to recommend you have a - used to recommend you have a temperature of 22 degrees, i do not think that is actually necessary and i think our bodies have gotten used to living at the warmer temperatures and we can benefit from teaching temperatures, between 15 to 20 think is fine. i have been carrying out an experiment in the lead up to the phrase which isjust experiment in the lead up to the phrase which is just having the heating on at 15 degrees and i found that 15 degrees has managed to take the chill off and we do not need to feel warm, hot, we can survive perfectly well and healthily with just at not being called. yes.

perfectly well and healthily with just at not being called.- just at not being called. yes, a coule just at not being called. yes, a coople of _ just at not being called. yes, a couple of quickfire _ just at not being called. yes, a couple of quickfire questions. | just at not being called. yes, a - couple of quickfire questions. what about thermostats and lowering the temperature ever so slightly? is that a good way to save money but keep warm?— keep warm? yes, i think so. as i 'ust keep warm? yes, i think so. as i just said. — keep warm? yes, i think so. as i just said. if— keep warm? yes, i think so. as i just said. if we — keep warm? yes, i think so. as i just said, if we cannot _ keep warm? yes, i think so. as i just said, if we cannot readjust i keep warm? yes, i think so. as i i just said, if we cannot readjust our bodies, it will not take long, to live at say 18 degrees as opposed to 20 or 22, we will save money and we will adjust. 20 or 22, we will save money and we will ad'ust. j , ., ., ., will adjust. and if you have a coule will adjust. and if you have a copple of _ will adjust. and if you have a couple of radiators _ will adjust. and if you have a couple of radiators in - will adjust. and if you have a couple of radiators in a - will adjust. and if you have a couple of radiators in a room will adjust. and if you have a - couple of radiators in a room at, say, should you actually try to heat both up a little bit or turn one write—down? both up a little bit or turn one write-down?— write-down? there is a big propensity _ write-down? there is a big propensity to _ write-down? there is a big propensity to having - write-down? there is a big propensity to having too i write-down? there is a big i propensity to having too much write-down? there is a big - propensity to having too much heat produced, so what i would suggest is if there is an area, if one of the radiators is say under a window, traditionally under windows are cooler areas and you just need to heat up that area and just try, i would experiment frankly. 0ne heat up that area and just try, i would experiment frankly. one other thing i need to say, there are

thermostats that are now not attached to walls, make sure you do not put them in an area... you need to put them in an area that is more representative of what you want, if you put them in the kitchen the heating will turn off too soon because that is a thermostat you are moving around, so do not put those thermostats near somewhere that is producing heat. tqm. thermostats near somewhere that is producing heat-— producing heat. ok, that will give ou a producing heat. ok, that will give you a better _ producing heat. ok, that will give you a better representation - producing heat. ok, that will give you a better representation of- producing heat. ok, that will give i you a better representation of what the temperature is like in terms of the temperature is like in terms of the general circulation of our. yes. hattie, all — the general circulation of our. yes. hattie, all that _ the general circulation of our. yes. hattie, all that really _ the general circulation of our. t'j:3 hattie, all that really good the general circulation of our. tj:3 hattie, all that really good pieces of advice, thank you so much for your time today. fiona lamdin's at a "warm bank" in cheltenham this morning. we have been telling you about those that because of the cost of living crisis this winter. fiona, those kinds of facilities are going to be so important, particularly over the next few days. yes, absolutely. hundreds of these places are opening up and down the

country. here in cheltenham, this warm bank is open every day, monday to friday. it has been very busy this morning and i willjust show you round. this is alison who is getting some snacks ready for the toddler group. they are also making soup, because they are giving people super today, and we are going to come over to marie. you come here most days?— come over to marie. you come here most days?_ tell i come over to marie. you come here most days?_ tell us j most days? most days, yes. tell us wh ou most days? most days, yes. tell us why you like — most days? most days, yes. tell us why you like coming _ most days? most days, yes. tell us why you like coming here. - most days? most days, yes. tell us why you like coming here. the i why you like coming here. the community — why you like coming here. the community spirit, _ why you like coming here. the community spirit, to use the pantry, keep warm, — community spirit, to use the pantry, keep warm, charity shop, i come here a few— keep warm, charity shop, i come here a few times _ keep warm, charity shop, i come here a few times a — keep warm, charity shop, i come here a few times a week, just to keep warm _ a few times a week, just to keep warm and — a few times a week, just to keep warm and get out the house. does it mean ou warm and get out the house. does it mean you put _ warm and get out the house. does it mean you put your — warm and get out the house. does it mean you put your heating _ warm and get out the house. does it mean you put your heating unless? l mean you put your heating unless? yes, i do not put it on until late afternoon — yes, i do not put it on until late afternoon when the children are home, — afternoon when the children are home, it — afternoon when the children are home, it is _ afternoon when the children are home, it is too expensive. when the children— home, it is too expensive. when the children get — home, it is too expensive. when the children get home that is when the heating _ children get home that is when the heating gets on. children get home that is when the heating gets on-— heating gets on. brilliant, so you are here everyday? _ heating gets on. brilliant, so you are here everyday? every - heating gets on. brilliant, so you are here everyday? every day, i heating gets on. brilliant, so you i are here everyday? every day, yes. thank ou are here everyday? every day, yes. thank you very _ are here everyday? every day, yes. thank you very much _ are here everyday? every day, yes. thank you very much for _ are here everyday? every day, yes. thank you very much forjoining i are here everyday? every day, yes. j thank you very much forjoining us. james and mary are at the moment managing the clothes shop and it means people can get all sorts of

things, winter coats, hats, gloves, at a reasonable price, some 50 p. tell us about the demand you are seeing here since the cost of living crisis and cold weather. we seeing here since the cost of living crisis and cold weather.— crisis and cold weather. we are seeinr crisis and cold weather. we are seeing more — crisis and cold weather. we are seeing more and _ crisis and cold weather. we are seeing more and more - crisis and cold weather. we are seeing more and more people. crisis and cold weather. we are i seeing more and more people coming through— seeing more and more people coming through who need a bit of advice, help. _ through who need a bit of advice, help. and — through who need a bit of advice, help, and actually who are just finding — help, and actually who are just finding real financial struggles making — finding real financial struggles making ends meet, so we trying to do as much— making ends meet, so we trying to do as much as _ making ends meet, so we trying to do as much as possible to give them good _ as much as possible to give them good advice, put them in contact with the — good advice, put them in contact with the right people and of course we have _ with the right people and of course we have at— with the right people and of course we have at food pantries and everything going on as well and the warmor— everything going on as well and the warmer place. you everything going on as well and the warmer place-— warmer place. you have over 100 families accessing _ warmer place. you have over 100 families accessing this. _ warmer place. you have over 100 families accessing this. mary, i warmer place. you have over 100 l families accessing this. mary, show us a good little bargain here. t us a good little bargain here. i think someone has bought it! us a good little bargain here. i i think someone has bought it! there is a little coat _ think someone has bought it! there is a little coat here. _ think someone has bought it! there is a little coat here. how— think someone has bought it! there is a little coat here. how much i is a little coat here. how much would that _ is a little coat here. how much would that be? _ is a little coat here. how much would that be? as _ is a little coat here. how much would that be? as it... - is a little coat here. how much would that be? as it... to i is a little coat here. how much| would that be? as it... to pam is a little coat here. how much i would that be? as it... to pam 50.

-- £2-50- — would that be? as it... to pam 50. -- £2-50- we— would that be? as it... to pam 50. -- £2-50- we get— would that be? as it... to pam 50. -- £2.50. we get people _ would that be? as it... to pam 50. -- £2.50. we get people coming . would that be? as it... to pam 50. i -- £2.50. we get people coming here —— £2.50. we get people coming here for a broken _ —— £2.50. we get people coming here fora broken -- — —— £2.50. we get people coming here for a broken —— bric—a—brac, - fora broken —— bric—a—brac, christmas _ fora broken —— bric—a—brac, christmas presents. - fora broken —— bric—a—brac, christmas presents. it- fora broken —— bric—a—brac, christmas presents. it is- for a broken —— bric—a—brac,| christmas presents. it is nice for a broken —— bric—a—brac, i christmas presents. it is nice to come _ christmas presents. it is nice to come here _ christmas presents. it is nice to come here and _ christmas presents. it is nice to come here and meet— christmas presents. it is nice to come here and meet other- christmas presents. it is nice to. come here and meet other people christmas presents. it is nice to- come here and meet other people in here _ come here and meet other people in here. let— come here and meet other people in here. , .., , come here and meet other people in here. , . ., , �* , come here and meet other people in here. , , �*, , here. let because 's meet sandy, sandy has — here. let because 's meet sandy, sandy has all _ here. let because 's meet sandy, sandy has all sorts _ here. let because 's meet sandy, sandy has all sorts of— here. let because 's meet sandy, sandy has all sorts of advice. i here. let because 's meet sandy, l sandy has all sorts of advice. what temperature should we be keeping our houses at the moment. that temperature should we be keeping our houses at the moment.— houses at the moment. at about 18 celsius. if houses at the moment. at about 18 celsius- if you _ houses at the moment. at about 18 celsius. if you cannot _ houses at the moment. at about 18 celsius. if you cannot afford - houses at the moment. at about 18 celsius. if you cannot afford that? l celsius. if you cannot afford that? you should _ celsius. if you cannot afford that? you should heat _ celsius. if you cannot afford that? you should heat a _ celsius. if you cannot afford that? you should heat a room, - celsius. if you cannot afford that? you should heat a room, and i celsius. if you cannot afford that? you should heat a room, and if. celsius. if you cannot afford that? | you should heat a room, and if you cannot— you should heat a room, and if you cannot afford that, heat yourself so jumpers, _ cannot afford that, heat yourself so jumpers, electric blanket, hot water bottle. _ jumpers, electric blanket, hot water bottle. hot — jumpers, electric blanket, hot water bottle, hot drinks in a place like this and — bottle, hot drinks in a place like this and that will keep you healthy and as— this and that will keep you healthy and as cold snap. the this and that will keep you healthy and as cold snap.— and as cold snap. the people are really struggling. _ and as cold snap. the people are really struggling, there - and as cold snap. the people are really struggling, there are i and as cold snap. the people are| really struggling, there are grants out there? ., ., out there? there are, there are fuel vouchers for — out there? there are, there are fuel vouchers for those _ out there? there are, there are fuel vouchers for those really _ vouchers for those really struggling, so i think the key messages do not suffer in silence. there _ messages do not suffer in silence. there is— messages do not suffer in silence. there is help out there, there are lots of—

there is help out there, there are lots of organisations who can help you with _ lots of organisations who can help you with your fuel bills.— lots of organisations who can help you with your fuel bills. thank you for “oininr you with your fuel bills. thank you forjoining us- _ you with your fuel bills. thank you forjoining us. as _ you with your fuel bills. thank you forjoining us. as you _ you with your fuel bills. thank you forjoining us. as you can - you with your fuel bills. thank you forjoining us. as you can see, i forjoining us. as you can see, people gathering here, the doors opened at 7:30am and they have a busy schedule all week, homework club later, fitness class here, soup, knitting, anything you can think of it happening here and there are many of these up and down the country which right now for many people it means that not only do they not had to put on the heating, it means they can come and meet people and have a great help —— hot drink. the government has announced plans to make more use of the private sector to cut the record number of nhs patients in england waiting for care. a new taskforce will meet at downing street today to find ways of reducing the record backlog of 7.1 million people who need treatment. nurses and ambulance staff in many areas are due to go on strike this month, raising fears that the problems in the health service could worsen.

german police have made 25 arrests against members of a far—right terror group suspected of planning an attack on its parliament. more than 3,000 officers took part in early morning raids, in what has been described as "one of the largest police actions the country has ever seen". i'm joined now by our berlin correspondent, jenny hill. good morning to you. what do we know about the people who have been arrested, the group they belong to, and how long have the authorities been tracking them? the authorities sa this been tracking them? the authorities say this was — been tracking them? the authorities say this was a _ been tracking them? the authorities say this was a terrorist _ been tracking them? the authorities say this was a terrorist cell - say this was a terrorist cell consisting of around 50 men and women, right—wing conspiracy theorists. difficult to say exactly which kind of conspiracy theories they subscribe to be a mix of people, some of who are covid deniers, some of whom belong to what they call here at the reichsburger which rejects the post—war

constitution. 0thers following queueing on ideology, but what united this group was there idea to overthrow the german government. —— others following qanon. they were willing, investigators say, to kill members of the government in order to achieve their aim. it sounds like an extraordinary story and allegedly this group got together as a hunting lodge belonging to a german aristocrat in the 70s to put together their plans. he had decided he wanted to install himself as head of a new german state and allegedly had put together a cabinet of ministers ready to go so there was a doctor prepared to become a new health minister, a lawyer ready to become a new foreign minister. extraordinary as it sounds, the police say they have taken this extremely seriously because the group in their view is, was, extremely dangerous, and that is not

least because since the summer, they have been actively recruiting to form a military arm and they have been targeting former and current members of the german military and german army. allegedly, a number of former and current members of the german army are now in this group, which is led, the military arm, it is said, by someone with real specialist military training. so the authorities have taken this extremely seriously which is why a number of those 3000 officers who carried out the race this morning were from the special forces themselves.— were from the special forces themselves. ., ,, , ., , . sport and for a full round—up of the world cup, here'sjohn watson in doha. good morning. checking the very latest there, i can see. in terms of the leaderboard of drama in this tournament, that morocco and spain game right up there. it's world cup thatjust

keeps producing shocks and upsets. it seems to have been one of the big themes throughout this world cup so far. the performances from some of those big players, but i think morocco and their performance last night really underlines the surprise is that we keep seeing at this world cup. they were up against spain last night who are former champions, win the world cup back in 2010 in south africa. many would have predicted spain was to beat them last night but they did not and i think perhaps the signs have been there from morocco having topped the group ahead of belgium and croatia, that perhaps they were on the cusp of producing something really impressive and they have done so, reaching the last eight of a world cup for the first time in their history, the only african nation remaining in this world cup. we saw portugal progress as well in emphatic style last night without cristiano ronaldo, who was a second half substitute last night, as they beat switzerland at 6—1, and that means the quarterfinal line—up of this world cup is now complete.

patrick gearey reports. no moroccan footballer had ever had a chance like this. a pressure like this. 0ne kick from the quarter finals, and this is how achraf hakimi does history. what a way to do it! out of pure calm, perfect chaos. a north african team in the last eight, and laid out on the canvas, mighty spain. the drum roll had long been building. morocco, who'd only got this far once before, had chances to win the game before the shootout was needed. spain's approach is to make possession almost an obsession, but it took until extra time's final seconds for them to really come close. as it turned out, pablo sarabia had hit the post, and when the match went to penalties, that happened again. spain, who scored seven in their opening match, now couldn't beat the keeper — a hero named bono, who in morocco last night was even better than the real thing. portugal's frontman was kept offstage. cristiano ronaldo was on the bench against switzerland.

he'd reacted angrily to being substituted in the last match. whatever the reason, the photographer's location told its own story. coming into the frame, goncalo ramos, ronaldo's replacement — some task, some response. commentator: that's why he was picked. i the 21—year—old from benfica was at the heart of a scintillating portuguese performance — a brilliant night when almost everything they tried came off. they finished with six. ramos finished with a superb hat trick. ronaldo got on before the end. but the focus of the football, if not all the photos, has moved elsewhere. patrick gearey, bbc news. so we now know the full line—up for the quarterfinals. and that big win for morocco affects england's potential route to the final. they play france on saturday. if — and it's a big if —

they win that game then they would meet portugal or morocco in the semifinals a week today. we can see probably the bigger test that lies ahead as well. what i was a saturday? we know england will have to deal with the quality of kilian mbappe, there star striker who has scored more goals at this world cup than any other player at the moment. was some question marks about his fitness. he had a slight ankle problem but not shown much signs of this. scoring twice in the win over poland, he took his astonishing tally to nine goals in 11 world cup matches. kylian is basically one of the best players i played with, and is amazing

and is still young, which is scary because he still can improve his game. i think we've not seen... we still have not seen the best of kylian. i hope it's going to come sooner, and it will beat all the records. yes, it is inevitable that he will talk at the quality of their star striker. not that he needs much of a confidence boost, but we know also in this england side they have matchwinners of their own and are showing signs of cause of real progress with jude showing signs of cause of real progress withjude bellingham progress with jude bellingham emerging progress withjude bellingham emerging as one of the rising stars, one of the big talents, in that england team and bukayo saka and others, harry kane getting his first goal of this world cup so far, so plenty of matchwinners in the england side as well. it seems as we edge ever closer to that match on

saturday, it seems very hard to call, especially in this world cup with so many twists and turns. absolutely, thank you very much. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol. we have been talking a lot about the colder temperatures and there is a very frosty leaf to illustrate that point. temperatures last night fell lower than 4 degrees in parts of the north west of england, pressed on to be precise. furthersnow west of england, pressed on to be precise. further snow showers coming in across the far north of scotland, blowing in the strong wind, drifting blizzards along the tops of the hills. down the east coast we have showers, some wintry at times at lower levels. showers in northern ireland, wales and the south—west, tending to be rain at lower levels, wintry at times on the hills. a lot of dry weather and sunshine but a cold field to the day and where we have the strongest wind in the north and east the temperature will feel lower than you can see there, so

wrap up warmly. tonight the snow at scotland at lower levels travels further south and in towards northern england. at times we will see it at lower levels. showers to the west. under clear skies there will be widespread frost and the risk of ice on untreated surfaces. rain continues in north—east scotland and the southern uplands. we could have between one and three centimetres of snow in the north york moors but for many it will be dry and cold once again.

we are going to take you straight to the transport select committee. transport secretary mark harper is answering questions, including we think about the government bus responsibility when it comes to rail strikes. £1 responsibility when it comes to rail strikes. ' , ., ., responsibility when it comes to rail strikes. ', ., ., , ., strikes. £1 billion of support into the rail industry _ strikes. £1 billion of support into the rail industry over _ strikes. £1 billion of support into the rail industry over the - strikes. £1 billion of support into the rail industry over the last i strikes. £1 billion of support into | the rail industry over the last two years, driven by covid and the fact a significant number of passengers have not returned to the railways. that's the equivalent of over £1000 per household in the country and over £3000 per rail worker. that's the context of why we need reform and it means we protected railway jobs and also meant staff at dft contracted railway companies were not furloughed and did not lose pay in that period. we have seen 80% of passenger numbers return to the

railways so we have to have reform. i want a thriving and successful railway. that's the only way to protect jobs railway. that's the only way to protectjobs in the long term. my department spends over 60% of the department's total spending on capital revenue on railways and only 10% ofjourney miles in the country are on rail. i think we have to get that into a better sense of balance. that's what we are trying to do with the unions. i would urge them to keep talking and put those deals to their members, at least a neutral recommendation, and call off strikes for christmas that will be so damaging to individuals and businesses across a whole range of sectors. and the government will do what we can to try to encourage both employers and unions to keep talking. i hope that's helpful and i'm happy to take questions on that and any other questions the committee wishes to ask. tote and any other questions the committee wishes to ask. we have a schedule and — committee wishes to ask. we have a schedule and for _ committee wishes to ask. we have a schedule and for anyone _ committee wishes to ask. we have a schedule and for anyone watching, l committee wishes to ask. we have a | schedule and for anyone watching, in about— schedule and for anyone watching, in about 20 _ schedule and for anyone watching, in about 20 minutes we will get onto

that particular issue. thank you for that particular issue. thank you for that scene — that particular issue. thank you for that scene setting. leading on to that, _ that scene setting. leading on to that, my— that scene setting. leading on to that, my only question is, when we reach _ that, my only question is, when we reach the _ that, my only question is, when we reach the end of this parliament, presumably at this time in 2024, and we assume _ presumably at this time in 2024, and we assume you will still be in the role, _ we assume you will still be in the role, i_ we assume you will still be in the role, i hope — we assume you will still be in the role, i hope you will be, what would success _ role, i hope you will be, what would success look— role, i hope you will be, what would success look like for you? ifi role, i hope you will be, what would success look like for you?— success look like for you? if i step throu~h success look like for you? if i step through the _ success look like for you? if i step through the various _ success look like for you? if i step through the various areas, - success look like for you? if i step through the various areas, the i success look like for you? if i step l through the various areas, the most obvious one, coming back to where i started, is getting the railway system on a sustainable position. there's been a massive impact from covid in terms of the change, patterns of behaviour. commuter traffic is still only around 60% of what it was pre—pandemic and i think because of what people are now able to do with technology, changed working patterns, i suspect it will not come back. we have seen an increase in leisure travel so i think the railways need to be more flexible. we need a proper seven day railway where we don't depend on people coming into work voluntarily and we need a sustainable long—term

position for rail. i think that would probably be the first thing. i am also conscious that the vast majority of journeys that am also conscious that the vast majority ofjourneys that people take are either on roads or they are active travel, walking and cycling. 0r active travel, walking and cycling. or they are using buses locally. i think it's also making sure that as well as inevitable conversations we have about rail, driven by the current position, the impact of the pandemic and what the department spends its money on, i am conscious we need to continue investing in roads. we have to play our part in delivering our net zero ambitions, decarbonising transport across all modes and ensuring we continue investing in roads, buses, and we enable people to get around. the final thing is, the government is clear we need to grow the economy, improve economic growth, and the autumn statement and the fact the

chancellor maintained our budgets, both capital and revenue, the government sees investment in transport as a way of driving growth in the economy. i think all those things is how i would measure whether we are successful. thank you for that clarity- _ whether we are successful. thank you for that clarity. you _ whether we are successful. thank you for that clarity. you were _ whether we are successful. thank you for that clarity. you were appointed . for that clarity. you were appointed on my— for that clarity. you were appointed on my birthday, the 25th of october, so around _ on my birthday, the 25th of october, so around six — on my birthday, the 25th of october, so around six weeks in the job. some brief answers, no need for explanation, but what are your top three _ explanation, but what are your top three immediate priorities in the role after— three immediate priorities in the role after your first six weeks? the first thin role after your first six weeks? ttj: first thing that has been thrust into place, and i won't go into detail because we will come back to it, is dealing with the situation on the railways. partly industrial action, and connected to that, partly the lack of proper service delivery on some routes that people will know, avanti west coast, tpe. those are issues raised with me by colleagues and members of the public raise them as well and you get asked about them, understandably when i

met with the northern mayors. that's the first. the second one, i referred to the autumn statement and whilst it was welcome we had budgets confirmed, as with every department we are managing the impact of inflation and we are working through the settlement we got in the autumn statement and how we will continue delivering our priorities and that work is under way in the department iron diary is spending a considerable amount of time and that. that is driving other priorities. —— and i am spending a considerable amount of time on that. as new secretary of state, it is getting my head around the breadth of the department and meeting all key members of staff, working with bernadette and gareth and their teams and getting my head around the breadth of the department. those are the three things i have since being appointed. please do fruit, and i hope _ since being appointed. please do fruit, and i hope you _ since being appointed. please do fruit, and i hope you will - since being appointed. please do fruit, and i hope you will visit i fruit, and i hope you will visit other— fruit, and i hope you will visit other offices around the country of the department will stop i enjoyed

doing _ the department will stop i enjoyed doing so— the department will stop i enjoyed doing so in the summer. may be a question— doing so in the summer. may be a question for— doing so in the summer. may be a question for your two permanent secretaries but you might want to jump— secretaries but you might want to jump in — secretaries but you might want to jump in. ministerial portfolios in the department have been significantly reshuffled twice in the past — significantly reshuffled twice in the past three months. what effect does this— the past three months. what effect does this have on the direction of continuity— does this have on the direction of continuity of policy and is the department behind as a result? it is clear that it — department behind as a result? te 3 clear that it hasn't been ideal that there has been so much change in ministers and portfolios. i think it goes without saying a bit. but actually i am very fortunate. we have a strong ministerial team. this committee will be very familiar with the rail minister, yourformer chair. i have also got a very good ministerial team, the baroness remains the institutional memory, the continuity. we have a strong team across the board. i have altered the portfolios and settled

them i think to match people's skills. the blessing of a very strong department at official level, and the way our system works, is even with change in the ministerial team there has been a lot of continuity and the work that officials have been carrying forward so actually, as when i have taken on previous ministerial roles, you come into the department and you were brought up to speed very quickly but actually a lot of work goes on and the department has been very good at identifying key decisions that needed to be taken and getting them in front of ministers and i think we have managed to keep things going quite well. bernadette, do you want to add anything? t quite well. bernadette, do you want to add anything?— to add anything? i would strongly auree. to add anything? i would strongly agree. inevitably _ to add anything? i would strongly agree. inevitably we _ to add anything? i would strongly agree. inevitably we had - to add anything? i would strongly agree. inevitably we had a - to add anything? i would strongly agree. inevitably we had a fairly l agree. inevitably we had a fairly extended — agree. inevitably we had a fairly extended period _ agree. inevitably we had a fairly extended period of— agree. inevitably we had a fairly extended period of uncertainty. agree. inevitably we had a fairly- extended period of uncertainty since the start _ extended period of uncertainty since the start of— extended period of uncertainty since the start of the _ extended period of uncertainty since the start of the leadership _ extended period of uncertainty since the start of the leadership election i the start of the leadership election in the _ the start of the leadership election in the summer— the start of the leadership election in the summer and _ the start of the leadership election in the summer and then _ the start of the leadership election in the summer and then changes. the start of the leadership electionl in the summer and then changes of ministers _ in the summer and then changes of ministersand— in the summer and then changes of ministers and that _ in the summer and then changes of ministers and that caused - in the summer and then changes of ministers and that caused some i ministers and that caused some decisions — ministers and that caused some decisions that— ministers and that caused some decisions that absolutely- ministers and that caused some i decisions that absolutely needed to be put _ decisions that absolutely needed to be put in _ decisions that absolutely needed to be put in front— decisions that absolutely needed to be put in front of— decisions that absolutely needed to be put in front of ministers- decisions that absolutely needed to be put in front of ministers and i be put in front of ministers and ministers —

be put in front of ministers and ministers need _ be put in front of ministers and ministers need to— be put in front of ministers and ministers need to be _ be put in front of ministers and ministers need to be confident| be put in front of ministers and i ministers need to be confident they fully understand _ ministers need to be confident they fully understand before _ ministers need to be confident they fully understand before they - ministers need to be confident they fully understand before they can i fully understand before they can take them _ fully understand before they can take them. there _ fully understand before they can take them. there are _ fully understand before they can take them. there are some i fully understand before they canl take them. there are some areas where _ take them. there are some areas where we — take them. there are some areas where we need _ take them. there are some areas where we need to _ take them. there are some areas where we need to recognise i take them. there are some areas where we need to recognise thatl where we need to recognise that changes— where we need to recognise that changes in— where we need to recognise that changes in ministers— where we need to recognise that changes in ministers will- where we need to recognise that changes in ministers will mean. where we need to recognise that i changes in ministers will mean we have _ changes in ministers will mean we have to _ changes in ministers will mean we have to do — changes in ministers will mean we have to do take _ changes in ministers will mean we have to do take that _ changes in ministers will mean we have to do take that time - changes in ministers will mean we have to do take that time and i have to do take that time and rightly— have to do take that time and rightly allow— have to do take that time and rightly allow new— have to do take that time and rightly allow new ministers i have to do take that time and . rightly allow new ministers with have to do take that time and - rightly allow new ministers with new portfolios _ rightly allow new ministers with new portfolios to — rightly allow new ministers with new portfolios to be _ rightly allow new ministers with new portfolios to be comfortable - rightly allow new ministers with new portfolios to be comfortable with i portfolios to be comfortable with decision — portfolios to be comfortable with decision making _ portfolios to be comfortable with decision making but _ portfolios to be comfortable with decision making but we - portfolios to be comfortable with decision making but we are i portfolios to be comfortable with decision making but we are a - decision making but we are a department— decision making but we are a department that _ decision making but we are a department that is _ decision making but we are a department that is very- decision making but we are a i department that is very focused decision making but we are a - department that is very focused on delivery— department that is very focused on delivery and — department that is very focused on delivery and we _ department that is very focused on delivery and we are _ department that is very focused on delivery and we are operational- department that is very focused on delivery and we are operational ini delivery and we are operational in terms _ delivery and we are operational in terms of— delivery and we are operational in terms of dealing _ delivery and we are operational in terms of dealing with _ delivery and we are operational in terms of dealing with disruption l delivery and we are operational ini terms of dealing with disruption to the transport — terms of dealing with disruption to the transport network. _ terms of dealing with disruption to the transport network. those - terms of dealing with disruption to| the transport network. those sorts of activities — the transport network. those sorts of activities continue _ the transport network. those sorts of activities continue to _ the transport network. those sorts of activities continue to proceed i of activities continue to proceed and i_ of activities continue to proceed and i think— of activities continue to proceed and i thinkwe— of activities continue to proceed and i think we are _ of activities continue to proceed and i think we are able - of activities continue to proceed and i think we are able to- of activities continue to proceed and i think we are able to get. of activities continue to proceed | and i think we are able to get on and i think we are able to get on and do— and i think we are able to get on and do that— and i think we are able to get on and do that delivery— and i think we are able to get on and do that delivery and - and i think we are able to get on. and do that delivery and obviously we witi— and do that delivery and obviously we will always _ and do that delivery and obviously we will always make _ and do that delivery and obviously we will always make sure - and do that delivery and obviously we will always make sure that - and do that delivery and obviously. we will always make sure that when we will always make sure that when we have _ we will always make sure that when we have had — we will always make sure that when we have had a — we will always make sure that when we have had a new— we will always make sure that when we have had a new secretary - we will always make sure that when we have had a new secretary of - we will always make sure that when. we have had a new secretary of state and ministeriat— we have had a new secretary of state and ministerial team, _ we have had a new secretary of state and ministerialteam, we— we have had a new secretary of state and ministerial team, we prioritise i and ministerial team, we prioritise key decisions — and ministerial team, we prioritise key decisions to _ and ministerial team, we prioritise key decisions to get _ and ministerial team, we prioritise key decisions to get them - and ministerial team, we prioritise key decisions to get them in - and ministerial team, we prioritise key decisions to get them in fronti key decisions to get them in front of ministers — key decisions to get them in front of ministers at _ key decisions to get them in front of ministers at the _ key decisions to get them in front of ministers at the earliest - of ministers at the earliest possible _ of ministers at the earliest possible date _ of ministers at the earliest possible date and - of ministers at the earliest possible date and crack- of ministers at the earliest possible date and crack on| of ministers at the earliest - possible date and crack on and we have _ possible date and crack on and we have treen— possible date and crack on and we have been able _ possible date and crack on and we have been able to _ possible date and crack on and we have been able to strike _ possible date and crack on and we have been able to strike a - possible date and crack on and we have been able to strike a good i have been able to strike a good balance, — have been able to strike a good balance, i— have been able to strike a good balance, i think. _ have been able to strike a good balance, ithink.— have been able to strike a good balance, ithink. balance, i think. thank you dame kell , or balance, i think. thank you dame kelly, or bernadette. _ balance, i think. thank you dame kelly, or bernadette. anything i balance, i think. thank you dame kelly, or bernadette. anything to i kelly, or bernadette. anything to add to— kelly, or bernadette. anything to add to that, gareth? to emphasise, we have the —

add to that, gareth? to emphasise, we have the continuity _ add to that, gareth? to emphasise, we have the continuity of _ add to that, gareth? to emphasise, we have the continuity of the - add to that, gareth? to emphasise, we have the continuity of the civil. we have the continuity of the civil service teams and structures behind that so it means we are able to harness the institutional knowledge and expertise on areas, as bernadette says, say the delivery of h52, bernadette says, say the delivery of hsz, through to the transport decarbonisation plan or managing some of the operational issues we faced at the start of summer so that has enabled us to keep continuity while bringing ministers up to speed and giving them the opportunity to shape and direct the department. the departmental responses to a number of consultations across a variety of policy _ of consultations across a variety of policy areas — of consultations across a variety of policy areas are outstanding. is there _ policy areas are outstanding. is there a — policy areas are outstanding. is there a lack of capacity to see pieces— there a lack of capacity to see pieces of— there a lack of capacity to see pieces of work through our our day imminenttv— pieces of work through our our day imminently about to be released before _ imminently about to be released before christmas or in the new year? i'm before christmas or in the new year? in not— before christmas or in the new year? in not sure — before christmas or in the new year? i'm not sure. gn before christmas or in the new year? i'm not sure-— i'm not sure. on the reports outstanding, _ i'm not sure. on the reports outstanding, i— i'm not sure. on the reports outstanding, i know- i'm not sure. on the reports outstanding, i know that - i'm not sure. on the reports outstanding, i know that on | i'm not sure. on the reports . outstanding, i know that on the report on the integrated rail plan, we wrote and secured an extension on the report to respond fully by next march but we committed to providing an update by the end of the year and we plan to do so. on the report the

committee did on road pricing, that will be responded to by the treasury and they will reply in due course. i don't have a specific time.- don't have a specific time. thank ou for don't have a specific time. thank you for that _ don't have a specific time. thank you for that. ben? _ don't have a specific time. thank you for that. ben? one - don't have a specific time. thank you for that. ben? one of- don't have a specific time. thank you for that. ben? one of the . you for that. ben? one of the re5ponses — you for that. ben? one of the re5ponses we _ you for that. ben? one of the responses we are _ you for that. ben? one of the responses we are still- you for that. ben? one of the responses we are still waiting you for that. ben? one of the . responses we are still waiting for is the one on parking which closed two years ago. when might we see that? i two years ago. when might we see that? 4' two years ago. when might we see that? ~ ., ., that? i think a letter came to the committee _ that? i think a letter came to the committee to _ that? i think a letter came to the committee to set _ that? i think a letter came to the committee to set out _ that? i think a letter came to the committee to set out we - that? i think a letter came to the committee to set out we were i committee to set out we were considering that i'm looking at taking it forward. one of the things we are looking at is our legislative priorities. that's not been forgotten. i am aware of it and had it raised with me when i was a backbencher, a constituency member of parliament. it hasn't been forgotten but i don't have a specific date for the committee. your predecessor wasn't there very long but in the period had time to come and see us, and dropped the

bombshell the government was dropping the transport bill. she was very clear that she thought there would be a narrow, small transport bill. is that still the case in this session, is it your expectation? i session, is it your expectation? i think my predecessor said there wasn't going to be a transport bill in this session. there are clearly things that the department, and we will go back and look at exactly what she said,... she will go back and look at exactly what she said,...— will go back and look at exactly what she said,... she said she will brina what she said,... she said she will bring forward _ what she said,... she said she will bring forward a — what she said,... she said she will bring forward a narrow— what she said,... she said she will bring forward a narrow bill- what she said,... she said she will bring forward a narrow bill during l bring forward a narrow bill during this session. i bring forward a narrow bill during this session.— bring forward a narrow bill during this session. ., , this session. i thought she said we were check — this session. i thought she said we were check and _ this session. i thought she said we were check and clarify _ this session. i thought she said we were check and clarify but - this session. i thought she said we were check and clarify but i - this session. i thought she said we were check and clarify but i think. were check and clarify but i think she confirmed to the committee there wouldn't be a transport bill this session but we will go back and have a look and confirm. the department does always have legislative priorities for the fourth session and we will be making, setting out plans for that, but that depends on parliamentary time being available and those decisions are taken across government and their priority is. fin government and their priority is. on so many issues that are your

department's responsibilities, from pavement parking, causing misery for millions of constituents, to the fact we are years behind us a country, regulating e—scooters. all of these things that are holding us back, legislation and regulation on self driving vehicles, we are also falling years behind our economic competitors, because your department has failed to do this stuff. so when are you going to do it? i has failed to do this stuff. so when are you going to do it?— has failed to do this stuff. so when are you going to do it? i have made very clear. — are you going to do it? i have made very clear. mr— are you going to do it? i have made very clear, mr bradshaw, _ are you going to do it? i have made very clear, mr bradshaw, we - are you going to do it? i have made very clear, mr bradshaw, we have l are you going to do it? i have made very clear, mr bradshaw, we have a number of things where we require legislation. but you know as an experienced parliamentarian who has served in government, decisions about the legislative programme for the full session are not entirely for me. i will set out within government what i think our priorities for the department and then the government as a whole will conclude about its priorities. that will be set out in due course but it isn't entirely a matter for me, much as i wish it were. but the

department is clear on things we wish to prioritise and the committee will have discussed that with my predecessor and her predecessor. it's not within my gift to set out that legislative priorities for the full session but we are clear on the things i want to achieve and we will make that case strongly within government. make that case strongly within government-— government. what is it that is preventing — government. what is it that is preventing the _ government. what is it that is preventing the government i government. what is it that isi preventing the government as government. what is it that is l preventing the government as a government. what is it that is - preventing the government as a whole legislating on these important matters meaning we are left behind as a country? i matters meaning we are left behind as a country?— as a country? i think in the last coule as a country? i think in the last c°uple of _ as a country? i think in the last c°uple of years. _ as a country? i think in the last couple of years, it _ as a country? i think in the last couple of years, it is _ as a country? i think in the last couple of years, it is obvious i as a country? i think in the last. couple of years, it is obvious the legislative timetable for the entire parliamentary term has been rather transformed by events. covid clearly had a massive effect on the governmentmcintyre programme and there are other things going on in there are other things going on in the world that have meant the government has not... its the world that have meant the government has not. . .- the world that have meant the government has not... its not the turmoil in — government has not... its not the turmoil in government _ government has not... its not the turmoil in government itself, - government has not... its not thei turmoil in government itself, with constant chopping and changing of prime ministers, ministers, the inability to agree on policy and stick with it? you don't think that

has something to do with it? certain thins ou has something to do with it? certain things you mentioned _ has something to do with it? certain things you mentioned i _ has something to do with it? certain things you mentioned i don't - has something to do with it? certain things you mentioned i don't think l has something to do with it? certain things you mentioned i don't think i | things you mentioned i don't think i have change things at all but there have change things at all but there have been changes in priorities. to take one example, the government spent a lot of time since the beginning of the year, vladimir putin's war in ukraine has necessitated a very significant amount of government funding, what over 100 billion spent on supporting energy prices and a significant amount of government effort looking at supporting individuals. they have been a lot of changes across government to deal with the transformation in the economy and a lot of time taken up by ministers keeping with the consequences of that effect. that couldn't have been predicted. events are impacting on when the government focused its time. �* when the government focused its time. . , ., ., time. are you prepared to commit to addressin: time. are you prepared to commit to addressing those _ time. are you prepared to commit to addressing those three _ time. are you prepared to commit to addressing those three issues, - time. are you prepared to commit to addressing those three issues, not i addressing those three issues, not huge issues but issues of massive concern to constituents that they have been waiting for years on. pavement parking, e—scooters and

self drive vehicles. will this be done before the next election? i am done before the next election? i am ve clear done before the next election? i am very clear that _ done before the next election? i am very clear that those _ done before the next election? i —n very clear that those are priorities for the department, and you as an experienced parliamentarian know i don't have the ability to promise specific legislation in the session. i will make my case within government and there are competing priorities within government and decisions will be taken collectively about our legislative priorities but the things you have mentioned are important priorities for me and i will make that case very strongly. do you not see that it leaves the impression that government as a whole, not you because you fight for transport�*s interest, but the government as a whole really couldn't care less about transport in this country? he. couldn't care less about transport in this country?— in this country? no, i strongly disagree- _ in this country? no, i strongly disagree- l— in this country? no, i strongly disagree. i think _ in this country? no, i strongly disagree. i think it _ in this country? no, i strongly disagree. i think it is - in this country? no, i strongly disagree. i think it is very - in this country? no, i strongly i disagree. i think it is very clear, if you judge people by putting their money where their mouth is, as people do, i think it is clear from the autumn statement and the fact the autumn statement and the fact the chancellor didn't do what some governments in the distant past have done, which is to raid capital

spending to get out of... to plug gaps, we had our capital budget confirmed and capital budgets were confirmed and capital budgets were confirmed across government and our revenue but it was confirmed so i think the government is investing in transport very strongly. we have confirmed our investment in very significant transport projects to grow the economy and get it functioning better. iwould grow the economy and get it functioning better. i would say the government is investing in transport and putting it very highly. as far as legislation is concerned, there are competing priorities. there are lots of things important to constituents across a range of factors and the government has to weigh that up. i will make the case strongly for transport but those decisions are taken collectively across government and i want to get off on the right foot with the committee. i don't want to promise you things that i can't deliver. things that are entirely within my control i can promise. i can promise to argue for things within government but i can't commit at this stage forfall term

government but i can't commit at this stage for fall term legislative packages. this stage for fall term legislative acka . es. . , this stage for fall term legislative ackaues. . , _, packages. there have been some searchin: packages. there have been some searching questions _ packages. there have been some searching questions so _ packages. there have been some searching questions so we - packages. there have been some searching questions so we can . packages. there have been some l searching questions so we can seek clarification — searching questions so we can seek clarification from you and your colleagues with a written statement that we _ colleagues with a written statement that we can have. i understand it is difficult _ that we can have. i understand it is difficult for — that we can have. i understand it is difficult for you within the department to say when legislation might— department to say when legislation might come forward but it might be helpful— might come forward but it might be helpful for all of us.— helpful for all of us. absolutely. i will set out _ helpful for all of us. absolutely. i will set out perhaps _ helpful for all of us. absolutely. i will set out perhaps for— helpful for all of us. absolutely. i will set out perhaps for the - will set out perhaps for the committee the legislation we have currently got under way. there is some primary legislation people may ask about. and other things that the department is working on, for example we will have to spend a fair bit of time on retaining eu legislation to meet the requirements set out in primary legislation. if we set out perhaps what the department is currently working on and we can set out some of the things that will need legislation on in the future if that is helpful for the committee.— in the future if that is helpful for the committee. secretary of state, ou sa the committee. secretary of state, you say that _ the committee. secretary of state, you say that there _ the committee. secretary of state,

you say that there is _ the committee. secretary of state, you say that there is pressure - the committee. secretary of state, you say that there is pressure on . you say that there is pressure on the legislative timetable and there are budgets issues but many of the issues we are waiting for on legislation don't involve a lot of spend by the department. the legislative timetable is hardly under pressure. we have a longer than normal recess this christmas. there is an awful lot of days when we are not voting on bills. we do think there is more to this. the road safety investigation branch, hardly controversial. it won't cost a lot of money for stop its very popular. will you bring that forward? we are hearing in our self driving vehicles inquiry that the uk industry is losing out because of the delay in legislation here. that's good for uk business. that needs to come through quickly. you

say there is a lot of work to do and certainly there is a lot of work you will have to do to review the huge amount of eu retained law as you say. but will the uk regulations be updated to world leading standards or are we going to go with the jacob rees—mogg bonfire of regulations and a bonfire of red tape in our attitude to vehicle safety, which is so important to so many? a attitude to vehicle safety, which is so important to so many? a couple of thins. on so important to so many? a couple of things- on your— so important to so many? a couple of things. on your first _ so important to so many? a couple of things. on your first point _ so important to so many? a couple of things. on your first point about - things. on your first point about parliamentary time, you are absolutely right that parliament doesn't spend all its time voting on legislation but actually in the same way we do now, part of what parliament does, there is time made available for opposition day debate, backbench debates. it's not like the government consumes the whole of the parliamentary timetable. there is time in parliament made available for non—legislative purposes. the

government doesn't have the whole timetable to itself. i have made it clear in answer to mr bradshaw's question, there are priorities for my department. you are right that some of them don't require a huge amount of spending but they require time to get through parliament and i will make that case strongly. on your point about regulation, one thing i am mindful of and one of the arguments i feel all ministers are mindful of, if we can adopt a regulation which puts britain in a leading position, and sets out a clear framework, leading position, and sets out a clearframework, it is leading position, and sets out a clear framework, it is clearly then becoming a very attractive country for getting investment both from british companies but also from overseas investors. that's where i want to get the country. we have seen some examples of that already but i want to get to a position on these issues, as mr bradshaw set out, where we can be leading on these matters and being attracting inward investiture globally and we

can see steps forward being taken in britain. that's my ambition and it is the government's ambition because we want to drive economic growth. one argument i will make strongly with colleagues is to legislate to get that framework and put britain at the forefront of these important challenges. in at the forefront of these important challen . es. . at the forefront of these important challenues. , ., , challenges. in terms of self driving vehicles, what _ challenges. in terms of self driving vehicles, what discussions - challenges. in terms of self driving vehicles, what discussions are - challenges. in terms of self driving vehicles, what discussions are you | vehicles, what discussions are you having with uk firms who are developing this technology about the impact of the delay on them? i impact of the delay on them? i specifically haven't had any conversations at this point. perhaps if it can ask gareth to set out what the department has been doing and that might be helpful. lute the department has been doing and that might be helpful.— that might be helpful. me and my team have been _ that might be helpful. me and my team have been working - that might be helpful. me and my team have been working closely l that might be helpful. me and my i team have been working closely with the industry to understand the regulatory needs and particularly working — regulatory needs and particularly working with the law commission. we published _ working with the law commission. we published a _ working with the law commission. we published a review over the summer of the _ published a review over the summer of the needs to understand things like insurance, standardised definitions of autonomy because

there _ definitions of autonomy because there are — definitions of autonomy because there are still changes within the industry — there are still changes within the industry i— there are still changes within the industry. i saw the chief executive of wave _ industry. i saw the chief executive of wave recently to understand where the technology is. i don't know if you have — the technology is. i don't know if you have had the opportunity to go out in _ you have had the opportunity to go out in their— you have had the opportunity to go out in their vehicles but it is pretty— out in their vehicles but it is pretty impressive what they have achieved — pretty impressive what they have achieved and i think the progress is faster— achieved and i think the progress is faster than— achieved and i think the progress is faster than what a lot of people would _ faster than what a lot of people would have expected even a few years a lo. would have expected even a few years ago they _ would have expected even a few years ago. they have set out clearly what is helpful— ago. they have set out clearly what is helpful about the uk environment. it's is helpful about the uk environment. it's an— is helpful about the uk environment. it's an awful — is helpful about the uk environment. it's an awful phrase, but the regulatory sound boxes we have created — regulatory sound boxes we have created for the future. some of the r&d investments where the department has supported investment and branched it out in aerospace as well _ branched it out in aerospace as well they _ branched it out in aerospace as well. they are clear about the standardisation and clarification that is— standardisation and clarification that is needed to build out the industry — that is needed to build out the industry. we couldn't be clearer within— industry. we couldn't be clearer within the — industry. we couldn't be clearer within the department and in my team the needs— within the department and in my team the needs of the industry and we like to— the needs of the industry and we like to think we have been leading the debate, especially with the law commission who have done incredible work over— commission who have done incredible work over the summer. but that now

needs— work over the summer. but that now needs legislation.— needs legislation. listening to your answer is a — needs legislation. listening to your answer is a short _ needs legislation. listening to your answer is a short while _ needs legislation. listening to your answer is a short while ago, - needs legislation. listening to your answer is a short while ago, i - needs legislation. listening to your answer is a short while ago, i thinkj answer is a short while ago, i think the car manufacturing industry would like to see the country leading when it comes to legislation, certainly for the period of 2030—35 because their view is that we are lagging behind the eu and the rest of the world at the moment. i would particularly draw your attention to the fact your predecessor, and what she said to this committee and what you have referred to, i think we are right and unfortunately your department is wrong. but we will leave that for another day. moving on to the great british railways. good morning. good to see you. secretary— good morning. good to see you. secretary of state, is it still your plan _ secretary of state, is it still your plan to _ secretary of state, is it still your plan to fully implement the plan for rail, plan to fully implement the plan for rail. that _ plan to fully implement the plan for rail. that is — plan to fully implement the plan for rail, that is to say, great british railways? — rail, that is to say, great british railways? it rail, that is to say, great british railwa s? . , rail, that is to say, great british railwa s? , , . , rail, that is to say, great british railwa s? , , . _. ., railways? it is very much my plan to achieve what — railways? it is very much my plan to achieve what the _ railways? it is very much my plan to achieve what the intention _ railways? it is very much my plan to achieve what the intention behind i achieve what the intention behind that idea was that which is to get

the railways to have a guiding mind behind them, to have a more integrated position between how the different parts of the industry work. what i wanted to do was take some time. as you know there are different views about how exactly we achieve that, notjust outside parliament but also inside. i wanted to take some time, not too much time, but i wanted to take time to listen to alternative views from some of those who have failed the rail brief in the past, and others. i have started that work and have spoken to mr williams. i have spoken to a number of colleagues who have views on this matter and i will, in talking to my colleague the rail minister, and we will reach some conclusions. i haven't done yet but i wanted to take some time to make sure we make the right decisions. what we are saying is that the great british— what we are saying is that the great british railways proposal as it stands — british railways proposal as it stands is _ british railways proposal as it stands is currently up in the air? i

am stands is currently up in the air? am taking stands is currently up in the air? i am taking time to reflect on it and make sure when we move forward i am entirely happy with what you're doing. i know there are a range of views in parliament and it's important i take some time to listen and they are those in mind before i make final decisions.— and they are those in mind before i make final decisions. given what we heard from you _ make final decisions. given what we heard from you earlier— make final decisions. given what we heard from you earlier about - make final decisions. given what we heard from you earlier about the i heard from you earlier about the ability _ heard from you earlier about the ability to — heard from you earlier about the ability to process primary legislation, it feels as though certainly— legislation, it feels as though certainly in this session it will be impossible to fully implement gbr as has been _ impossible to fully implement gbr as has been set out, even though at our last session — has been set out, even though at our last session it was made clear to us that the _ last session it was made clear to us that the legislation required to fully implement gbr would be fairly short and _ fully implement gbr would be fairly short and not complicated. but i think— short and not complicated. but i think we — short and not complicated. but i think we are clear that legislative ability— think we are clear that legislative ability for— think we are clear that legislative ability for primary legislation will not be _ ability for primary legislation will not be possible this session. what are actually the options available and what — are actually the options available and what realistically are you considering and changing? |

and what realistically are you considering and changing? i have said in answer _ considering and changing? i have said in answer to _ considering and changing? i have said in answer to mr _ considering and changing? i have said in answer to mr bradshaw'sl said in answer to mr bradshaw's question that we will look at legislation for the full session. but there are things we can do without legislation which we are continuing to work on. we have made some commitments about rolling out contactless pay—as—you—go ticketing to more stations in the south—east. that work is under way. we already have the gbr transition team working. we already have... to come back to you — working. we already have... to come back to you on _ working. we already have... to come back to you on that, _ working. we already have... to come back to you on that, my _ back to you on that, my understanding is that contactless travel _ understanding is that contactless travel and ticketing was contracted some _ travel and ticketing was contracted some time ago and it is totally separate — some time ago and it is totally separate to this. there are, i understand, many hundreds of people working _ understand, many hundreds of people working on— understand, many hundreds of people working on gbr as it stands today at the taxpayers expense. we are at a situation — the taxpayers expense. we are at a situation where decisions need to be made _ situation where decisions need to be made very— situation where decisions need to be made very quickly and i wonder if you could — made very quickly and i wonder if you could share with us when you are likely— you could share with us when you are likely to _ you could share with us when you are likely to make that clear decision as to _

likely to make that clear decision as to what — likely to make that clear decision as to what extent gbr will be implemented. we as to what extent gbr will be implemented.— as to what extent gbr will be implemented. as to what extent gbr will be imlemented. . . . , implemented. we have already brought the transition — implemented. we have already brought the transition team _ implemented. we have already brought the transition team together. _ implemented. we have already brought the transition team together. it's i the transition team together. it's already the case that you have network rail and dft team is working closely together to look at how you align the business planning between track and train, which is one of the things we need to do. there is already a lot of bringing people together, working together under way already. i would ask the permanent undersecretary more about that in a minute. there are things you need to legislation for and we will make that case. it's the same answer as the one i gave mr bradshaw, i cannot commit to doing that, but clearly there is work that can be done ahead of legislation. a lot of planning can take place. on your final of legislation. a lot of planning can take place. on yourfinal point before i ask the secretary to comment, in terms of making a decision, i aim to do that at pace but i also want to say, given what i said in my opening remarks about the

amount of resource that department spends on rail and the importance of rail i want to make sure we make the right decisions. i think given i have only been on the road a few weeks, i want to take the time to get it right before we move ahead with it. bernadette, do you want to say anything about the work that's under way? absolutely, we had this discussion at the _ absolutely, we had this discussion at the last— absolutely, we had this discussion at the last hearing and i confirm that legislation would be relatively short as _ that legislation would be relatively short as and when it is brought forward — short as and when it is brought forward and as we discussed then, there _ forward and as we discussed then, there are — forward and as we discussed then, there are some things which you require — there are some things which you require legislation in order to change — require legislation in order to change fundamentally, including who is the _ change fundamentally, including who is the formal franchising authority, however. — is the formal franchising authority, however, as the secretary of state indicated, — however, as the secretary of state indicated, ill great deal of the purpose — indicated, ill great deal of the purpose and intent set out in the white _ purpose and intent set out in the white paper can be taken forward without _ white paper can be taken forward without legislation. steps to improve _ without legislation. steps to improve and roll—out