: resource that department 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 extend for

ticketing, — improve and roll—out extend for ticketing, to drive work forced reform. — ticketing, to drive work forced reform, ways to make sure the railway— reform, ways to make sure the railway is — reform, ways to make sure the railway is working more efficiently, there _ railway is working more efficiently, there are _ railway is working more efficiently, there are many things that do not require _ there are many things that do not require legislation and colleagues in my— require legislation and colleagues in my department, network rail etc and in _ in my department, network rail etc and in the _ in my department, network rail etc and in the industry working together to drive _ and in the industry working together to drive those improvements is far and effectively as we can with or without — and effectively as we can with or without legislation, so that work does _ without legislation, so that work does indeed continue. my does indeed continue. ij�*i: understanding does indeed continue. m: understanding is the does indeed continue. m; understanding is the only thing that is really required in legislative terms is the franchising authority change that is quite?— terms is the franchising authority change that is quite? yes. given this process _ change that is quite? yes. given this process started _ change that is quite? yes. given this process started back in 2017 if i recall correctly under the then secretary of state, we are some five years down the line. given we have many hundreds of people working on at considerable expense, do you have at considerable expense, do you have a timeline to which you are working

for certain milestones to be delivered, even if it is not the full suite of the original proposal? yes, there are still plans within the department for taking forward the department for taking forward the various work streams i have described — the various work streams i have described that do not require legislation and obviously we will work— legislation and obviously we will work with the secretary of state and under _ work with the secretary of state and under his— work with the secretary of state and under his direction to ensure those are taken— under his direction to ensure those are taken forward in a way that he is satisfied — are taken forward in a way that he is satisfied is right.— is satisfied is right. yes, thank ou. is satisfied is right. yes, thank you- the _ is satisfied is right. yes, thank you- the rail— is satisfied is right. yes, thank you. the rail network - is satisfied is right. yes, thank| you. the rail network planning, could you tell us when we will see that, please? could you tell us when we will see that. please?— that, please? yes, as i said in my answer earlier, _ that, please? yes, as i said in my answer earlier, and _ that, please? yes, as i said in my answer earlier, and we _ that, please? yes, as i said in my answer earlier, and we are - that, please? yes, as i said in my answer earlier, and we are doingl answer earlier, and we are doing this at— answer earlier, and we are doing this at some _ answer earlier, and we are doing this at some considerable - answer earlier, and we are doing this at some considerable effortl answer earlier, and we are doing. this at some considerable effort and pace. _ this at some considerable effort and pace, is _ this at some considerable effort and pace, is to— this at some considerable effort and pace. is to work— this at some considerable effort and pace, is to work through _ this at some considerable effort and pace, is to work through both - this at some considerable effort and pace, is to work through both our. pace, is to work through both our capital— pace, is to work through both our capital and — pace, is to work through both our capital and revenue _ pace, is to work through both our capital and revenue plans- pace, is to work through both our capital and revenue plans given l pace, is to work through both ourl capital and revenue plans given at the autumn — capital and revenue plans given at the autumn statement, _ capital and revenue plans given at the autumn statement, so - capital and revenue plans given at the autumn statement, so one i capital and revenue plans given at the autumn statement, so one of| capital and revenue plans given at - the autumn statement, so one of the things— the autumn statement, so one of the things i_ the autumn statement, so one of the things i am _ the autumn statement, so one of the things i am doing with— the autumn statement, so one of the things i am doing with my— things i am doing with my ministerial— things i am doing with my ministerial team - things i am doing with my ministerial team is- things i am doing with myl ministerial team is looking things i am doing with my. ministerial team is looking at things i am doing with my- ministerial team is looking at how we manage — ministerial team is looking at how we manage them _ ministerial team is looking at how we manage the... as _ ministerial team is looking at how we manage the... as i _ ministerial team is looking at how we manage the... as i said, - ministerial team is looking at how we manage the... as i said, we. ministerial team is looking at how. we manage the... as i said, we had capitat— we manage the... as i said, we had capital and — we manage the... as i said, we had capital and revenue _ we manage the... as i said, we had capital and revenue budgets - capital and revenue budgets confirmed, _ capital and revenue budgets confirmed, but _ capital and revenue budgets confirmed, but we - capital and revenue budgets

confirmed, but we are - capital and revenue budgetsl confirmed, but we are having capital and revenue budgets - confirmed, but we are having to deal with, _ confirmed, but we are having to deal with. as _ confirmed, but we are having to deal with. as all— confirmed, but we are having to deal with, as all government _ confirmed, but we are having to deal| with, as all government departments are, and _ with, as all government departments are, and indeed— with, as all government departments are, and indeed the _ with, as all government departments are, and indeed the private _ with, as all government departments are, and indeed the private sector, . are, and indeed the private sector, inflation, _ are, and indeed the private sector, inflation, so— are, and indeed the private sector, inflation, so we're _ are, and indeed the private sector, inflation, so we're looking - are, and indeed the private sector, inflation, so we're looking at - are, and indeed the private sector, inflation, so we're looking at our. inflation, so we're looking at our capital— inflation, so we're looking at our capital investment— inflation, so we're looking at our capital investment and _ inflation, so we're looking at our capital investment and is - inflation, so we're looking at our| capital investment and is looking inflation, so we're looking at our. capital investment and is looking at priorities— capital investment and is looking at priorities on — capital investment and is looking at priorities on those. _ capital investment and is looking at priorities on those. we _ capital investment and is looking at priorities on those. we will - capital investment and is looking at priorities on those. we will set - priorities on those. we will set out, _ priorities on those. we will set out, i— priorities on those. we will set out, i note _ priorities on those. we will set out, i note some _ priorities on those. we will set out, i note some of— priorities on those. we will set out, i note some of these - priorities on those. we will set i out, i note some of these things have _ out, i note some of these things have not— out, i note some of these things have not ireen— out, i note some of these things have not been published - out, i note some of these things have not been published for- out, i note some of these things. have not been published for some time, _ have not been published for some time, we — have not been published for some time, we will— have not been published for some time, we will set _ have not been published for some time, we will set all— have not been published for some time, we will set all of _ have not been published for some time, we will set all of those - have not been published for some time, we will set all of those out. time, we will set all of those out when _ time, we will set all of those out when we — time, we will set all of those out when we have _ time, we will set all of those out when we have reached _ time, we will set all of those out i when we have reached conclusions time, we will set all of those out - when we have reached conclusions on our capitai~ _ when we have reached conclusions on our capitai~ dire — when we have reached conclusions on our caital. �* ,, when we have reached conclusions on our caital. . i. , our capital. are you bringing particular— our capital. are you bringing particular pleasure - our capital. are you bringing particular pleasure from - our capital. are you bringing particular pleasure from the | particular pleasure from the treasury to say this? ida. particular pleasure from the treasury to say this? no, as i say, our budgets _ treasury to say this? no, as i say, our budgets were _ treasury to say this? no, as i say, our budgets were confirmed - treasury to say this? no, as i say, our budgets were confirmed in - treasury to say this? no, as i say, | our budgets were confirmed in cash terms _ our budgets were confirmed in cash terms but _ our budgets were confirmed in cash terms but there _ our budgets were confirmed in cash terms but there are _ our budgets were confirmed in cash terms but there are significant - terms but there are significant infiation — terms but there are significant inflation priorities— terms but there are significant inflation priorities we - terms but there are significant inflation priorities we have - terms but there are significant inflation priorities we have to. inflation priorities we have to manage _ inflation priorities we have to manage and _ inflation priorities we have to manage and we're _ inflation priorities we have to manage and we're working. inflation priorities we have to - manage and we're working through those _ manage and we're working through those now— manage and we're working through those now my— manage and we're working through those now my ministerial - manage and we're working through those now my ministerial team - manage and we're working through i those now my ministerial team across all of the _ those now my ministerial team across all of the areas — those now my ministerial team across all of the areas of _ those now my ministerial team across all of the areas of capital _ all of the areas of capital expenditure _ all of the areas of capital expenditure and - all of the areas of capital expenditure and all- all of the areas of capital expenditure and all the i all of the areas of capital - expenditure and all the areas of revenue — expenditure and all the areas of revenue as— expenditure and all the areas of revenue as i_ expenditure and all the areas of revenue. as i said, _ expenditure and all the areas of revenue. as i said, all- expenditure and all the areas of revenue. as i said, all the - revenue. as i said, all the information— revenue. as i said, all the information in— revenue. as i said, all the information in terms - revenue. as i said, all the information in terms of. revenue. as i said, all the . information in terms of total expenditure _ information in terms of total expenditure will— information in terms of total expenditure will set - information in terms of total expenditure will set out - information in terms of total expenditure will set out at l information in terms of total i expenditure will set out at the autumn — expenditure will set out at the autumn statement _ expenditure will set out at the autumn statement and - expenditure will set out at the autumn statement and those i expenditure will set out at the - autumn statement and those numbers are as _ autumn statement and those numbers are as they— autumn statement and those numbers are as they were — autumn statement and those numbers are as they were set _ autumn statement and those numbers are as they were set out _ autumn statement and those numbers are as they were set out in _ autumn statement and those numbers are as they were set out in the - are as they were set out in the spending — are as they were set out in the spending review, _ are as they were set out in the spending review, but- are as they were set out in the spending review, but there - are as they were set out in the i spending review, but there are are as they were set out in the - spending review, but there are some priorities— spending review, but there are some priorities we — spending review, but there are some priorities we need _ spending review, but there are some priorities we need to _ spending review, but there are some priorities we need to adjust. - spending review, but there are some priorities we need to adjust. it - priorities we need to adjust. ari this priorities we need to adjust. this moment in time we priorities we need to adjust. air this moment in time we are priorities we need to adjust.- this moment in time we are not priorities we need to adjust- this moment in time we are not able to indicate when we will see that

coming forward or confirmed? ida. to indicate when we will see that coming forward or confirmed? no, it is our intention _ coming forward or confirmed? no, it is our intention to _ coming forward or confirmed? no, it is our intention to publish _ coming forward or confirmed? no, it is our intention to publish it - coming forward or confirmed? no, it is our intention to publish it when i is our intention to publish it when we reach — is our intention to publish it when we reach conclusions _ is our intention to publish it when we reach conclusions but - is our intention to publish it when we reach conclusions but we - is our intention to publish it when we reach conclusions but we are i we reach conclusions but we are working — we reach conclusions but we are working out _ we reach conclusions but we are working out through _ we reach conclusions but we are working out through following . we reach conclusions but we are i working out through following the autumn _ working out through following the autumn statement. _ working out through following the autumn statement.— working out through following the autumn statement. thank you. i “ust want to move — autumn statement. thank you. i “ust want to move onto i autumn statement. thank you. i “ust want to move onto the i autumn statement. thank you. i “ust want to move onto the next �* autumn statement. thank you. ijust want to move onto the next section, | want to move onto the next section, if i may. i want to move onto the next section, if i ma . , ., want to move onto the next section, if i may._ disruption - ifi may. iwill let you. disruption on the railways. _ ifi may. iwill let you. disruption on the railways. your— if i may. i will let you. disruption| on the railways. your predecessor sent us a letter on the 20th of october, and i mean members of parliament, not the committee, outlining the transport strikes minimum service level bill and the intentions. could you tell us when we can expect the second reading of that to come forward to the house? yes, as you know, and for the way that szeto — yes, as you know, and for the way that szeto was _ yes, as you know, and for the way that szeto was set _ yes, as you know, and for the way that szeto was set out, _ yes, as you know, and for the way that szeto was set out, that - yes, as you know, and for the way that szeto was set out, that bill. that szeto was set out, that bill has been — that szeto was set out, that bill has been introduced _ that szeto was set out, that bill has been introduced in- that szeto was set out, that bill. has been introduced in parliament. -- the _ has been introduced in parliament. -- the way— has been introduced in parliament. -- the way that— has been introduced in parliament. —— the way that letter— has been introduced in parliament. —— the way that letter was - has been introduced in parliament. —— the way that letter was sent - has been introduced in parliament. i —— the way that letter was sent out. it —— the way that letter was sent out. it has _ —— the way that letter was sent out. it has not _ —— the way that letter was sent out. it has not vet — —— the way that letter was sent out. it has not yet had _ —— the way that letter was sent out. it has not yet had a _ —— the way that letter was sent out. it has not yet had a second - —— the way that letter was sent out. it has not yet had a second readingl it has not yet had a second reading and i_ it has not yet had a second reading and i cannot— it has not yet had a second reading and i cannot give _ it has not yet had a second reading and i cannot give a _ it has not yet had a second reading and i cannot give a specific- it has not yet had a second reading and i cannot give a specific time i it has not yet had a second reading and i cannot give a specific time on that, _ and i cannot give a specific time on that, but— and i cannot give a specific time on that, but as — and i cannot give a specific time on that, but as i — and i cannot give a specific time on that, but as i have _ and i cannot give a specific time on that, but as i have said _ and i cannot give a specific time on that, but as i have said publicly- and i cannot give a specific time on that, but as i have said publicly on| that, but as i have said publicly on that, _ that, but as i have said publicly on that, that — that, but as i have said publicly on that, that may— that, but as i have said publicly on that, that may well— that, but as i have said publicly on that, that may well be, _ that, but as i have said publicly on that, that may well be, that - that, that may well be, that legislation, _ that, that may well be, that legislation, leading - that, that may well be, that legislation, leading to - that, that may well be, that legislation, leading to an i legislation, leading to an improvement— legislation, leading to an improvement in- legislation, leading to an improvement in the - legislation, leading to an . improvement in the medium legislation, leading to an - improvement in the medium to legislation, leading to an _ improvement in the medium to long term, _ improvement in the medium to long term, but— improvement in the medium to long term, but of— improvement in the medium to long term, but of course, _ improvement in the medium to long term, but of course, that _ term, but of course, that

legislation, _ term, but of course, that legislation, however- term, but of course, that legislation, however fast| term, but of course, that i legislation, however fast it term, but of course, that - legislation, however fast it has progressed, _ legislation, however fast it has progressed, given— legislation, however fast it has progressed, given it _ legislation, however fast it has progressed, given it has - legislation, however fast it has progressed, given it has to- legislation, however fast it has progressed, given it has to gol progressed, given it has to go through— progressed, given it has to go through both _ progressed, given it has to go through both the _ progressed, given it has to go through both the house - progressed, given it has to go through both the house of. progressed, given it has to go- through both the house of commons and house _ through both the house of commons and house of— through both the house of commons and house of lords, _ through both the house of commons and house of lords, is _ through both the house of commons and house of lords, is not _ through both the house of commons and house of lords, is not a - and house of lords, is not a solution _ and house of lords, is not a solution to— and house of lords, is not a solution to dealing - and house of lords, is not a solution to dealing with - and house of lords, is not a solution to dealing with thei solution to dealing with the industrial— solution to dealing with the industrial action— solution to dealing with the industrial action we - solution to dealing with the industrial action we see - solution to dealing with the industrial action we see ati solution to dealing with the i industrial action we see at the moment _ industrial action we see at the moment the _ industrial action we see at the moment. the other— industrial action we see at the moment. the other thing - industrial action we see at the moment. the other thing i- industrial action we see at the i moment. the other thing i would industrial action we see at the - moment. the other thing i would say is that— moment. the other thing i would say is that whilst — moment. the other thing i would say is that whilst that _ moment. the other thing i would say is that whilst that legislation - moment. the other thing i would say is that whilst that legislation may - is that whilst that legislation may well improve _ is that whilst that legislation may well improve the _ is that whilst that legislation may well improve the service - is that whilst that legislation may well improve the service that - well improve the service that passengers _ well improve the service that passengers receive _ well improve the service that passengers receive on- well improve the service that passengers receive on strike| well improve the service that - passengers receive on strike days, i think— passengers receive on strike days, i think my— passengers receive on strike days, i think my priority— passengers receive on strike days, i think my priority is _ passengers receive on strike days, i think my priority is to _ passengers receive on strike days, i think my priority is to try— passengers receive on strike days, i think my priority is to try and - think my priority is to try and ensure — think my priority is to try and ensure that _ think my priority is to try and ensure that we _ think my priority is to try and ensure that we can _ think my priority is to try and ensure that we can resolve . think my priority is to try and i ensure that we can resolve the industrial— ensure that we can resolve the industrial dispute _ ensure that we can resolve the industrial dispute so _ ensure that we can resolve the industrial dispute so that - industrial dispute so that passengers _ industrial dispute so that passengers do _ industrial dispute so that passengers do not - industrial dispute so that passengers do not have. industrial dispute so that - passengers do not have strike days rather _ passengers do not have strike days rather than — passengers do not have strike days rather than achieving... _ passengers do not have strike days rather than achieving... that - passengers do not have strike days rather than achieving... that is - passengers do not have strike daysl rather than achieving... that is how you get— rather than achieving... that is how you get better — rather than achieving... that is how you get better service _ rather than achieving... that is how you get better service to _ you get better service to passengers, _ you get better service to passengers, to - you get better service to passengers, to resolve i you get better service to . passengers, to resolve the you get better service to _ passengers, to resolve the disputes rather— passengers, to resolve the disputes rather than — passengers, to resolve the disputes rather than having _ passengers, to resolve the disputes rather than having a _ passengers, to resolve the disputes rather than having a slightly - passengers, to resolve the disputes rather than having a slightly batty . rather than having a slightly batty service _ rather than having a slightly batty service on — rather than having a slightly batty service on a — rather than having a slightly batty service on a strike _ rather than having a slightly batty service on a strike days— rather than having a slightly batty service on a strike days will- rather than having a slightly batty service on a strike days will stop. rather than having a slightly batty service on a strike days will stop i should _ service on a strike days will stop i should declare, _ service on a strike days will stop i should declare, apologise, - service on a strike days will stop i should declare, apologise, as - service on a strike days will stop i should declare, apologise, as a l should declare, apologise, as a former— should declare, apologise, as a former member— should declare, apologise, as a former member of— should declare, apologise, as a former member of the - should declare, apologise, as a former member of the- should declare, apologise, as a former member of the rmt,, i'm sorry i did not former member of the rmt,, i'm sorry i did not do _ former member of the rmt,, i'm sorry i did not do that. _ former member of the rmt,, i'm sorry i did not do that. -- _ former member of the rmt,, i'm sorry i did not do that. -- slightly _ i did not do that. —— slightly better service. saying that legislation has little value at all? no tore if it is not going to affect

the situation _ no tore if it is not going to affect the situation today, _ no tore if it is not going to affect the situation today, because - no tore if it is not going to affect the situation today, because we i no tore if it is not going to affect - the situation today, because we have seen considerable strike action, is that will actually valuable? ida. seen considerable strike action, is that will actually valuable? no, two thins, that will actually valuable? no, two things. both _ that will actually valuable? no, two things. both of _ that will actually valuable? no, two things, both of those _ that will actually valuable? no, two things, both of those things - that will actually valuable? no, two things, both of those things are - things, both of those things are true. _ things, both of those things are true. the — things, both of those things are true. the biti— things, both of those things are true, the bill absolutely- things, both of those things are true, the bill absolutely may. things, both of those things are i true, the bill absolutely may well contribute — true, the bill absolutely may well contribute value _ true, the bill absolutely may well contribute value in _ true, the bill absolutely may well contribute value in the _ true, the bill absolutely may well contribute value in the future, i true, the bill absolutely may welli contribute value in the future, but it is clearly. — contribute value in the future, but it is clearly, given _ contribute value in the future, but it is clearly, given it— contribute value in the future, but it is clearly, given it would - contribute value in the future, but it is clearly, given it would have . it is clearly, given it would have to go _ it is clearly, given it would have to go through _ it is clearly, given it would have to go through parliament, - it is clearly, given it would have to go through parliament, if- it is clearly, given it would have| to go through parliament, if you look— to go through parliament, if you took at — to go through parliament, if you took at the — to go through parliament, if you look at the way _ to go through parliament, if you look at the way the _ to go through parliament, if you look at the way the bill - to go through parliament, if you look at the way the bill as - to go through parliament, if you i look at the way the bill as drafted, there _ look at the way the bill as drafted, there would — look at the way the bill as drafted, there would have _ look at the way the bill as drafted, there would have to _ look at the way the bill as drafted, there would have to be _ look at the way the bill as drafted, there would have to be some - there would have to be some agreement— there would have to be some agreement and— there would have to be some agreement and secondary- there would have to be some - agreement and secondary legislation and quite _ agreement and secondary legislation and quite a _ agreement and secondary legislation and quite a bit— agreement and secondary legislation and quite a bit of— agreement and secondary legislation and quite a bit of work— agreement and secondary legislation and quite a bit of work has _ agreement and secondary legislation and quite a bit of work has to - agreement and secondary legislation and quite a bit of work has to take i and quite a bit of work has to take place. _ and quite a bit of work has to take place. even — and quite a bit of work has to take place, even when _ and quite a bit of work has to take place, even when the _ and quite a bit of work has to take place, even when the bill - and quite a bit of work has to take place, even when the bill is - and quite a bit of work has to take place, even when the bill is on - and quite a bit of work has to take | place, even when the bill is on the statute _ place, even when the bill is on the statute book. _ place, even when the bill is on the statute book, it— place, even when the bill is on the statute book, it is— place, even when the bill is on the statute book, it is clearly- place, even when the bill is on the statute book, it is clearly not - statute book, it is clearly not going — statute book, it is clearly not going to _ statute book, it is clearly not going to be _ statute book, it is clearly not going to be something - statute book, it is clearly not going to be something that l statute book, it is clearly not . going to be something that will statute book, it is clearly not - going to be something that will help with the _ going to be something that will help with the industrial— going to be something that will help with the industrial action _ going to be something that will help with the industrial action we - going to be something that will help with the industrial action we face . with the industrial action we face today. _ with the industrial action we face today. and — with the industrial action we face today. and one _ with the industrial action we face today, and one of— with the industrial action we face today, and one of the _ with the industrial action we face today, and one of the reasons. with the industrial action we face today, and one of the reasons as with the industrial action we face i today, and one of the reasons as i set out _ today, and one of the reasons as i set out in — today, and one of the reasons as i set out in my— today, and one of the reasons as i set out in my opening _ today, and one of the reasons as i set out in my opening statement i today, and one of the reasons as i i set out in my opening statement why i felt set out in my opening statement why ifett it— set out in my opening statement why ifett it was— set out in my opening statement why i felt it was important— set out in my opening statement why i felt it was important to _ set out in my opening statement why i felt it was important to meet - set out in my opening statement why i felt it was important to meet with l i felt it was important to meet with the trade _ i felt it was important to meet with the trade union— i felt it was important to meet with the trade union leaders— i felt it was important to meet with the trade union leaders and - i felt it was important to meet with the trade union leaders and to - i felt it was important to meet with the trade union leaders and to try. the trade union leaders and to try and help— the trade union leaders and to try and help facilitate, _ the trade union leaders and to try and help facilitate, working - the trade union leaders and to try and help facilitate, working with i and help facilitate, working with the rail minister, _ and help facilitate, working with the rail minister, better- and help facilitate, working with the rail minister, better talks i the rail minister, better talks between _ the rail minister, better talks between both— the rail minister, better talks between both sides, - the rail minister, better talks between both sides, the - the rail minister, better talks - between both sides, the employers and unions. — between both sides, the employers and unions. to— between both sides, the employers and unions, to try _ between both sides, the employers and unions, to try and _ between both sides, the employers and unions, to try and get - between both sides, the employers and unions, to try and get us - between both sides, the employers and unions, to try and get us to - between both sides, the employers

and unions, to try and get us to a l and unions, to try and get us to a resolution— and unions, to try and get us to a resolution that _ and unions, to try and get us to a resolution that present _ and unions, to try and get us to a resolution that present industrial| resolution that present industrial disputes. — resolution that present industrial disputes, acknowledging - resolution that present industrial disputes, acknowledging it- resolution that present industrial disputes, acknowledging it will. resolution that present industrial. disputes, acknowledging it will lead to terribie _ disputes, acknowledging it will lead to terrible disruption. _ disputes, acknowledging it will lead to terrible disruption. there - disputes, acknowledging it will lead to terrible disruption.— to terrible disruption. there are millions adversely _ to terrible disruption. there are millions adversely affected - to terrible disruption. there are millions adversely affected by l to terrible disruption. there are l millions adversely affected by the strikes, and we have here in parliament when necessary pushed through legislation quite quickly and it can be done. as it no longer the government's intention to push this through rapidly? tau the government's intention to push this through rapidly?— the government's intention to push this through rapidly? you are right. usually legislation _ this through rapidly? you are right. usually legislation that _ this through rapidly? you are right. usually legislation that is _ this through rapidly? you are right. usually legislation that is pushed . usually legislation that is pushed through— usually legislation that is pushed through rapidly— usually legislation that is pushed through rapidly tends _ usually legislation that is pushed through rapidly tends to - usually legislation that is pushed through rapidly tends to have - usually legislation that is pushed through rapidly tends to have tol usually legislation that is pushed . through rapidly tends to have to be pushed _ through rapidly tends to have to be pushed through _ through rapidly tends to have to be pushed through when _ through rapidly tends to have to be pushed through when there - through rapidly tends to have to be pushed through when there is - pushed through when there is cross-partv _ pushed through when there is cross—party agreement- pushed through when there is cross—party agreement on - pushed through when there isl cross—party agreement on that tegistation— cross—party agreement on that legislation and _ cross—party agreement on that legislation and that _ cross—party agreement on that legislation and that i _ cross—party agreement on that legislation and that i do - cross—party agreement on that legislation and that i do not. cross—party agreement on that. legislation and that i do not think is the _ legislation and that i do not think is the case — legislation and that i do not think is the case here. _ legislation and that i do not think is the case here. but _ legislation and that i do not think is the case here. but look, - legislation and that i do not think is the case here. but look, it- legislation and that i do not think is the case here. but look, it is. legislation and that i do not think. is the case here. but look, it is my firm _ is the case here. but look, it is my firm intention— is the case here. but look, it is my firm intention to _ is the case here. but look, it is my firm intention to try— is the case here. but look, it is my firm intention to try and _ is the case here. but look, it is my firm intention to try and get - is the case here. but look, it is my firm intention to try and get a - firm intention to try and get a position— firm intention to try and get a position where _ firm intention to try and get a position where we _ firm intention to try and get a position where we can - firm intention to try and get a| position where we can resolve firm intention to try and get a - position where we can resolve the industrial— position where we can resolve the industrial dispute. _ position where we can resolve the industrial dispute. you _ position where we can resolve the industrial dispute. you are - position where we can resolve the industrial dispute. you are right, i industrial dispute. you are right, it is going — industrial dispute. you are right, it is going to— industrial dispute. you are right, it is going to cause _ industrial dispute. you are right, it is going to cause enormous . it is going to cause enormous inconvenience _ it is going to cause enormous inconvenience for— it is going to cause enormousl inconvenience for passengers, pa rticuia riv _ inconvenience for passengers, particularly over— inconvenience for passengers, particularly over christmas - inconvenience for passengers, | particularly over christmas and inconvenience for passengers, . particularly over christmas and it will also — particularly over christmas and it will also create _ particularly over christmas and it will also create tremendous - will also create tremendous inconvenience _ will also create tremendous inconvenience of— will also create tremendous inconvenience of the - will also create tremendous inconvenience of the manyl inconvenience of the many businesses _ inconvenience of the many businesses. i— inconvenience of the many businesses. i am - inconvenience of the many businesses. i am very- inconvenience of the many- businesses. i am very conscious for ekampie _ businesses. i am very conscious for ekampie with — businesses. i am very conscious for exampie with the _ businesses. i am very conscious for example with the hospitality- example with the hospitality industry. _ example with the hospitality industry. you _ example with the hospitality

industry, you know, - example with the hospitality industry, you know, who. example with the hospitalityj industry, you know, who the example with the hospitality- industry, you know, who the last coupte _ industry, you know, who the last coupte of — industry, you know, who the last couple of christmas _ industry, you know, who the last couple of christmas periods - industry, you know, who the last couple of christmas periods have suffered — couple of christmas periods have suffered tremendously— couple of christmas periods have suffered tremendously because i couple of christmas periods havel suffered tremendously because of covid. _ suffered tremendously because of covid. this— suffered tremendously because of covid, this was _ suffered tremendously because of covid, this was going _ suffered tremendously because of covid, this was going to _ suffered tremendously because of covid, this was going to be - suffered tremendously because of covid, this was going to be the . covid, this was going to be the first— covid, this was going to be the first christmas— covid, this was going to be the first christmas period - covid, this was going to be the first christmas period which i covid, this was going to be the first christmas period which is| covid, this was going to be the - first christmas period which is very busy first christmas period which is very busv for— first christmas period which is very busy for the — first christmas period which is very busy for the industry _ first christmas period which is very busy for the industry where - first christmas period which is very busy for the industry where they. busy for the industry where they would _ busy for the industry where they would be — busy for the industry where they would be able _ busy for the industry where they would be able to _ busy for the industry where they would be able to trade - busy for the industry where they would be able to trade normallyj busy for the industry where they. would be able to trade normally and i'm would be able to trade normally and i'm very— would be able to trade normally and i'm very disappointed _ would be able to trade normally and i'm very disappointed that _ would be able to trade normally and i'm very disappointed that they - would be able to trade normally and i'm very disappointed that they willi i'm very disappointed that they will be damaged. — i'm very disappointed that they will be damaged, which _ i'm very disappointed that they will be damaged, which is _ i'm very disappointed that they will be damaged, which is why- i'm very disappointed that they will be damaged, which is why i- i'm very disappointed that they will be damaged, which is why i call- i'm very disappointed that they will be damaged, which is why i call on| be damaged, which is why i call on the unions — be damaged, which is why i call on the unions even _ be damaged, which is why i call on the unions even at _ be damaged, which is why i call on the unions even at this _ be damaged, which is why i call on the unions even at this stage - be damaged, which is why i call on the unions even at this stage it - the unions even at this stage it took— the unions even at this stage it took all— the unions even at this stage it took all of— the unions even at this stage it took all of those _ the unions even at this stage it took all of those it _ the unions even at this stage it took all of those it strikes - the unions even at this stage it took all of those it strikes at i took all of those it strikes at christmas. _ took all of those it strikes at christmas, but _ took all of those it strikes at christmas, but all— took all of those it strikes at christmas, but all i - took all of those it strikes at christmas, but all i am - took all of those it strikes at. christmas, but all i am saying took all of those it strikes at - christmas, but all i am saying is is the legislation— christmas, but all i am saying is is the legislation is— christmas, but all i am saying is is the legislation is not— christmas, but all i am saying is is the legislation is not going - christmas, but all i am saying is is the legislation is not going to- christmas, but all i am saying is is the legislation is not going to be l christmas, but all i am saying is is the legislation is not going to be aj the legislation is not going to be a solution _ the legislation is not going to be a solution to— the legislation is not going to be a solution to the _ the legislation is not going to be a solution to the industrial- the legislation is not going to be a solution to the industrial dispute i solution to the industrial dispute todav~ _ solution to the industrial dispute todav~ i— solution to the industrial dispute toda . . ~ solution to the industrial dispute toda . ., ,, ., today. i will get a kicking for time, i today. i will get a kicking for time. ijust _ today. i will get a kicking for time, i just want _ today. i will get a kicking for time, i just want to - today. i will get a kicking for time, i just want to finally i today. i will get a kicking for. time, i just want to finally ask you, given he met with unions only last week and the rmt particularly has continued to call for more strikes, is a real value in at the meetings you have with union leaders if they will just continue to meetings you have with union leaders if they willjust continue to call for strike action?— if they willjust continue to call for strike action? look, i always think it is _ for strike action? look, i always think it is better _ for strike action? look, i always think it is better to _ for strike action? look, i always think it is better to keep - for strike action? look, i always think it is better to keep talking | think it is better to keep talking than _ think it is better to keep talking than not — think it is better to keep talking than not talking. _ think it is better to keep talking than not talking. it _ think it is better to keep talking than not talking. it is _ think it is better to keep talking than not talking. it is always - think it is better to keep talking . than not talking. it is always good to have _ than not talking. it is always good to have those _ than not talking. it is always good to have those channels _ than not talking. it is always good to have those channels of- to have those channels of communication. - to have those channels of communication. i- to have those channels of communication. i found l to have those channels of. communication. i found the to have those channels of— communication. i found the meetings, there were _ communication. i found the meetings, there were constructive _ communication. i found the meetings, there were constructive meetings. - communication. i found the meetings, there were constructive meetings. i. there were constructive meetings. i think— there were constructive meetings. i think the _ there were constructive meetings. i think the government _ there were constructive meetings. i think the government did _ there were constructive meetings. i think the government did what -

there were constructive meetings. i think the government did what we i think the government did what we said we _ think the government did what we said we would _ think the government did what we said we would do, _ think the government did what we said we would do, we _ think the government did what we said we would do, we would - think the government did what we said we would do, we would helpl said we would do, we would help facilitate — said we would do, we would help facilitate communication- said we would do, we would help| facilitate communication between unions _ facilitate communication between unions and — facilitate communication between unions and employers _ facilitate communication between unions and employers and - facilitate communication between. unions and employers and following my meeting. — unions and employers and following my meeting. the _ unions and employers and following my meeting, the employers - unions and employers and following my meeting, the employers made i unions and employers and followingj my meeting, the employers made a revised _ my meeting, the employers made a revised offer— my meeting, the employers made a revised offer which _ my meeting, the employers made a revised offer which i _ my meeting, the employers made a revised offer which i think— my meeting, the employers made a revised offer which i think most- revised offer which i think most people — revised offer which i think most peopie are _ revised offer which i think most people are looking _ revised offer which i think most people are looking at _ revised offer which i think most people are looking at it, - revised offer which i think most people are looking at it, giving| people are looking at it, giving that it — people are looking at it, giving that it involves _ people are looking at it, giving that it involves a _ people are looking at it, giving that it involves a reasonable i people are looking at it, giving. that it involves a reasonable fair pay settlement. _ that it involves a reasonable fair pay settlement, protection - that it involves a reasonable fair. pay settlement, protection against compulsory— pay settlement, protection against compulsory redundancies - pay settlement, protection against compulsory redundancies for- pay settlement, protection against compulsory redundancies for a - compulsory redundancies for a period. — compulsory redundancies for a period. but— compulsory redundancies for a period. but it _ compulsory redundancies for a period, but it does _ compulsory redundancies fora period, but it does insist- compulsory redundancies for a period, but it does insist on. period, but it does insist on necessary— period, but it does insist on necessary workforce - period, but it does insist on| necessary workforce reform, period, but it does insist on. necessary workforce reform, i period, but it does insist on- necessary workforce reform, i think most _ necessary workforce reform, i think most people — necessary workforce reform, i think most people would _ necessary workforce reform, i think most people would think _ necessary workforce reform, i think most people would think that - necessary workforce reform, i think most people would think that was l most people would think that was fair. most people would think that was fair won — most people would think that was fair won a — most people would think that was fair. won a trade _ most people would think that was fair. won a trade union— most people would think that was fair. won a trade union is- most people would think that was fair. won a trade union is puttingl fair. won a trade union is putting that deal. — fair. won a trade union is putting that deal. the _ fair. won a trade union is putting that deal, the network— fair. won a trade union is putting that deal, the network rail- fair. won a trade union is putting that deal, the network rail deal, fair. won a trade union is putting i that deal, the network rail deal, to its members — that deal, the network rail deal, to its members with _ that deal, the network rail deal, to its members with a _ that deal, the network rail deal, toi its members with a recommendation that deal, the network rail deal, to - its members with a recommendation to accept _ its members with a recommendation to accept -- _ its members with a recommendation to accept -- one — its members with a recommendation to accept. -- one trade _ its members with a recommendation to accept. —— one trade union. _ its members with a recommendation to accept. —— one trade union. that- its members with a recommendation to accept. —— one trade union. that is- accept. —— one trade union. that is what _ accept. —— one trade union. that is what i _ accept. —— one trade union. that is what i would — accept. —— one trade union. that is what i would hope _ accept. —— one trade union. that is what i would hope the _ accept. —— one trade union. that is what i would hope the rmt - accept. —— one trade union. that is what i would hope the rmt would i accept. —— one trade union. that is. what i would hope the rmt would do, -iven what i would hope the rmt would do, given the _ what i would hope the rmt would do, given the disruption _ what i would hope the rmt would do, given the disruption it _ what i would hope the rmt would do, given the disruption it will _ what i would hope the rmt would do, given the disruption it will cause - given the disruption it will cause to passengers— given the disruption it will cause to passengers and _ given the disruption it will cause to passengers and businesses, i given the disruption it will cause i to passengers and businesses, but keeping _ to passengers and businesses, but keeping those _ to passengers and businesses, but keeping those channels _ to passengers and businesses, but keeping those channels of- keeping those channels of communication— keeping those channels of communication open- keeping those channels of communication open is. keeping those channels of communication open is a. keeping those channels of- communication open is a good thing rather— communication open is a good thing rather than — communication open is a good thing rather than the _ communication open is a good thing rather than the opposite. _ communication open is a good thing rather than the opposite. iiusil - rather than the opposite. just before i hand _ rather than the opposite. before i hand over to jack to rather than the opposite- before i hand over to jack to ask about some of the issues in the north, it is our understanding a department offered a derogation which was taken to south eastern railway and south—western railway about its timetable changes. could

you tell us maybe where that is and whether or not they will continue derogation their going forward? i derogation their going forward? i think the derogation you're talking about— think the derogation you're talking about is_ think the derogation you're talking about is about _ think the derogation you're talking about is about whether— think the derogation you're talking about is about whether there - think the derogation you're talking about is about whether there wasi about is about whether there was consuttation— about is about whether there was consultation about _ about is about whether there was consultation about that. - about is about whether there was consultation about that. i - about is about whether there was consultation about that. i may. about is about whether there wasi consultation about that. i mayjust ask the _ consultation about that. i mayjust ask the permanent _ consultation about that. i mayjust ask the permanent secretary - consultation about that. i mayjust ask the permanent secretary on i consultation about that. i mayjust l ask the permanent secretary on that because _ ask the permanent secretary on that because that — ask the permanent secretary on that because that was _ ask the permanent secretary on that because that was taken _ ask the permanent secretary on that because that was taken before - ask the permanent secretary on that because that was taken before i- ask the permanent secretary on that because that was taken before i was| because that was taken before i was in the _ because that was taken before i was in the department. _ because that was taken before i was in the department. it— because that was taken before i was in the department.— in the department. it was a case that previous — in the department. it was a case that previous ministers - in the department. it was a case | that previous ministers concluded that previous ministers concluded that some — that previous ministers concluded that some timetable changes should not be _ that some timetable changes should not be formally consulted upon, so i think— not be formally consulted upon, so i think your— not be formally consulted upon, so i think your question is accurate. another— think your question is accurate. another question is a will that continue? will you continue to change the timetable without consultation? i change the timetable without consultation?— change the timetable without consultation? ,, . , ., consultation? i think that will be a matter of current _ consultation? i think that will be a matter of current ministers. - consultation? i think that will be a matter of current ministers. you l matter of current ministers. you specifically _ matter of current ministers. you specifically referred _ matter of current ministers. you specifically referred to the pasta decision— specifically referred to the pasta decision and _ specifically referred to the pasta decision and i— specifically referred to the pasta decision and i think _ specifically referred to the pasta decision and i think going - specifically referred to the pasta . decision and i think going forward, we witi— decision and i think going forward, we will look— decision and i think going forward, we will look at _ decision and i think going forward, we will look at those _ decision and i think going forward, i we will look at those circumstances. -- past— we will look at those circumstances. -- past decision _ we will look at those circumstances. —— past decision. it _ we will look at those circumstances. —— past decision. it will— we will look at those circumstances. —— past decision. it will be - we will look at those circumstances. —— past decision. it will be a - —— past decision. it will be a case-by-case _ —— past decision. it will be a case—by—case basis. -

-- past decision. it will be a case-by-case basis.- -- past decision. it will be a case-by-case basis. thank you, chris. case-by-case basis. thank you, chris- just _ case-by-case basis. thank you, chris. just two _ case-by-case basis. thank you, chris. just two quick _ case-by-case basis. thank you, chris. just two quick fire - case-by-case basis. thank you, i chris. just two quick fire questions for ou. chris. just two quick fire questions for you your— chris. just two quick fire questions for you. your predecessor - chris. just two quick fire questions for you. your predecessor told - chris. just two quick fire questions for you. your predecessor told us | for you. your predecessor told us your plans to review on ticket offices imminently, is that still the case? it offices imminently, is that still the case? , , , the case? it is still the case we are looking _ the case? it is still the case we are looking at _ the case? it is still the case we are looking at the _ the case? it is still the case we are looking at the way - the case? it is still the case we are looking at the way ticket i are looking at the way ticket offices — are looking at the way ticket offices operate. _ are looking at the way ticket offices operate. one - are looking at the way ticket offices operate. one of- are looking at the way ticket offices operate. one of the i are looking at the way ticket - offices operate. one of the things we are _ offices operate. one of the things we are talking _ offices operate. one of the things we are talking to _ offices operate. one of the things we are talking to the _ offices operate. one of the things we are talking to the trade - offices operate. one of the thingsl we are talking to the trade unions, part of— we are talking to the trade unions, part of the — we are talking to the trade unions, part of the discussions, _ we are talking to the trade unions, part of the discussions, is- we are talking to the trade unions, part of the discussions, is about i part of the discussions, is about reforming — part of the discussions, is about reforming the _ part of the discussions, is about reforming the way _ part of the discussions, is about reforming the way they- part of the discussions, is about reforming the way they work. i part of the discussions, is about i reforming the way they work. very few people — reforming the way they work. very few people now. _ reforming the way they work. very few people now, there _ reforming the way they work. very few people now, there are - reforming the way they work. very few people now, there are only. reforming the way they work. very i few people now, there are only about 12% i few people now, there are only about 12% i think— few people now, there are only about 12% i think of— few people now, there are only about 12% i think of ticket— few people now, there are only about 12% i think of ticket purchases - 12% i think of ticket purchases which — 12% i think of ticket purchases which are _ 12% i think of ticket purchases which are done _ 12% i think of ticket purchases which are done in _ 12% i think of ticket purchases which are done in ticket - 12% i think of ticket purchases i which are done in ticket offices, one of— which are done in ticket offices, one of the — which are done in ticket offices, one of the frustrations - which are done in ticket offices, one of the frustrations is - which are done in ticket offices, one of the frustrations is you i which are done in ticket offices, i one of the frustrations is you have staff who — one of the frustrations is you have staff who are _ one of the frustrations is you have staff who are then _ one of the frustrations is you have staff who are then in _ one of the frustrations is you have staff who are then in those - one of the frustrations is you have staff who are then in those ticketi staff who are then in those ticket offices _ staff who are then in those ticket offices not — staff who are then in those ticket offices not actually _ staff who are then in those ticket offices not actually able - staff who are then in those ticket offices not actually able to - staff who are then in those ticket offices not actually able to be - staff who are then in those ticket i offices not actually able to be used in front _ offices not actually able to be used in front of— offices not actually able to be used in front of house _ offices not actually able to be used in front of house to _ offices not actually able to be used in front of house to serve - in front of house to serve passengers _ in front of house to serve passengers. one - in front of house to serve passengers. one of- in front of house to serve passengers. one of the l in front of house to serve - passengers. one of the things that employers — passengers. one of the things that employers are _ passengers. one of the things that employers are talking _ passengers. one of the things that employers are talking to _ passengers. one of the things that employers are talking to unions i employers are talking to unions about— employers are talking to unions about is— employers are talking to unions about is having _ employers are talking to unions about is having those _ employers are talking to unions about is having those staff- about is having those staff retrained. _ about is having those staff retrained, able _ about is having those staff retrained, able to - about is having those staff retrained, able to come i about is having those staffi retrained, able to come out about is having those staff- retrained, able to come out of the ticket _ retrained, able to come out of the ticket offices... _ retrained, able to come out of the ticket offices... but— retrained, able to come out of the ticket offices. . ._ ticket offices... but 12% is still one eighth _ ticket offices... but 12% is still one eighth of _ ticket offices... but 12% is still one eighth of the _ ticket offices... but 12% is still one eighth of the population, l ticket offices... but 12% is still- one eighth of the population, might be elderly who like dealing in cash? it is, and we want to make sure

those _ it is, and we want to make sure those who— it is, and we want to make sure those who want _ it is, and we want to make sure those who want to _ it is, and we want to make sure those who want to deal - it is, and we want to make sure those who want to deal in - it is, and we want to make sure those who want to deal in cash| it is, and we want to make sure i those who want to deal in cash and needed _ those who want to deal in cash and needed to— those who want to deal in cash and needed to engage _ those who want to deal in cash and needed to engage physically - those who want to deal in cash and needed to engage physically the i needed to engage physically the tickets— needed to engage physically the tickets are — needed to engage physically the tickets are able _ needed to engage physically the tickets are able to, _ needed to engage physically the tickets are able to, but - needed to engage physically the tickets are able to, but you - needed to engage physically the tickets are able to, but you do l needed to engage physically the l tickets are able to, but you do not want _ tickets are able to, but you do not want to _ tickets are able to, but you do not want to put — tickets are able to, but you do not want to put as _ tickets are able to, but you do not want to put as much _ tickets are able to, but you do not want to put as much resources - tickets are able to, but you do noti want to put as much resources into ticket _ want to put as much resources into ticket offices — want to put as much resources into ticket offices and _ want to put as much resources into ticket offices and holding _ want to put as much resources into ticket offices and holding staff- want to put as much resources into ticket offices and holding staff to l ticket offices and holding staff to ticket _ ticket offices and holding staff to ticket offices, _ ticket offices and holding staff to ticket offices, so _ ticket offices and holding staff to ticket offices, so i _ ticket offices and holding staff to ticket offices, so i think- ticket offices and holding staff to ticket offices, so i think you - ticket offices and holding staff to| ticket offices, so i think you need to have _ ticket offices, so i think you need to have workforce _ ticket offices, so i think you need to have workforce reform - ticket offices, so i think you need to have workforce reform and - ticket offices, so i think you need to have workforce reform and it l ticket offices, so i think you need| to have workforce reform and it is about _ to have workforce reform and it is about delivering _ to have workforce reform and it is about delivering a _ to have workforce reform and it is about delivering a better - to have workforce reform and it is i about delivering a better experience to passengers— about delivering a better experience to passengers to _ about delivering a better experience to passengers to make _ about delivering a better experience to passengers to make sure - about delivering a better experience to passengers to make sure those . to passengers to make sure those staff are _ to passengers to make sure those staff are able _ to passengers to make sure those staff are able to _ to passengers to make sure those staff are able to work— to passengers to make sure those staff are able to work flexibly, - staff are able to work flexibly, setting — staff are able to work flexibly, selling tickets _ staff are able to work flexibly, selling tickets when _ staff are able to work flexibly, selling tickets when that - staff are able to work flexibly, selling tickets when that is - selling tickets when that is required. _ selling tickets when that is required, but _ selling tickets when that is required, but also - selling tickets when that is required, but also able - selling tickets when that is required, but also able to| selling tickets when that is - required, but also able to assist customers— required, but also able to assist customers in— required, but also able to assist customers in stations, - required, but also able to assist i customers in stations, particularly vulnerable — customers in stations, particularly vulnerable and _ customers in stations, particularly vulnerable and disabled _ customers in stations, particularly| vulnerable and disabled customers who need — vulnerable and disabled customers who need other— vulnerable and disabled customers who need other sorts— vulnerable and disabled customers who need other sorts of— vulnerable and disabled customersl who need other sorts of assistance. i who need other sorts of assistance. i know— who need other sorts of assistance. i know you — who need other sorts of assistance. i know you referred _ who need other sorts of assistance. i know you referred to _ who need other sorts of assistance. i know you referred to the - who need other sorts of assistance. i know you referred to the fact - i know you referred to the fact would all like to see the intended industrial action over the christmas period not take place but what consideration have you given to clarifications to the christmas engineering works if any? fine clarifications to the christmas engineering works if any? one of the thins engineering works if any? one of the things network— engineering works if any? one of the things network rail— engineering works if any? one of the things network rail is _ engineering works if any? one of the things network rail is now _ engineering works if any? one of the things network rail is now looking i things network rail is now looking at, things network rail is now looking at. given— things network rail is now looking at. given the— things network rail is now looking at, given the strikes _ things network rail is now looking at, given the strikes that - things network rail is now looking at, given the strikes that were - at, given the strikes that were called — at, given the strikes that were called by— at, given the strikes that were called by the _ at, given the strikes that were called by the rmt _ at, given the strikes that were called by the rmt network i at, given the strikes that were l called by the rmt network rail, at, given the strikes that were - called by the rmt network rail, is

looking _ called by the rmt network rail, is looking at— called by the rmt network rail, is looking at that _ called by the rmt network rail, is looking at that £120 _ called by the rmt network rail, is looking at that £120 million - called by the rmt network rail, is looking at that £120 million worth| looking at that £120 million worth of essential — looking at that £120 million worth of essential maintenance - looking at that £120 million worth of essential maintenance work i looking at that £120 million worth of essential maintenance work to| looking at that £120 million worth - of essential maintenance work to see the extent _ of essential maintenance work to see the extent to — of essential maintenance work to see the extent to which _ of essential maintenance work to see the extent to which that _ of essential maintenance work to see the extent to which that is _ of essential maintenance work to see the extent to which that is affected i the extent to which that is affected and even _ the extent to which that is affected and even though _ the extent to which that is affected and even though that _ the extent to which that is affected and even though that may- the extent to which that is affected and even though that may not - the extent to which that is affected i and even though that may not impact passenger— and even though that may not impact passenger services, _ and even though that may not impact passenger services, it _ and even though that may not impact passenger services, it absolutely - passenger services, it absolutely will affect — passenger services, it absolutely will affect the _ passenger services, it absolutely will affect the reliability- passenger services, it absolutely will affect the reliability of- passenger services, it absolutely will affect the reliability of the i will affect the reliability of the railway — will affect the reliability of the railway and _ will affect the reliability of the railway and of _ will affect the reliability of the railway and of course - will affect the reliability of the railway and of course it - will affect the reliability of the railway and of course it is - will affect the reliability of the railway and of course it is on i will affect the reliability of the l railway and of course it is on at christmas _ railway and of course it is on at christmas because _ railway and of course it is on at christmas because although i l christmas because although i recognise _ christmas because although i recognise it _ christmas because although i recognise it sometimes - christmas because although i. recognise it sometimes causes inconvenience _ recognise it sometimes causes inconvenience to _ recognise it sometimes causes inconvenience to be _ recognise it sometimes causes inconvenience to be black- recognise it sometimes causes - inconvenience to be black christmas, it is done _ inconvenience to be black christmas, it is done then — inconvenience to be black christmas, it is done then because _ inconvenience to be black christmas, it is done then because that - inconvenience to be black christmas, it is done then because that is - inconvenience to be black christmas, it is done then because that is the i it is done then because that is the least _ it is done then because that is the least busy— it is done then because that is the least busy time _ it is done then because that is the least busy time to _ it is done then because that is the least busy time to do _ it is done then because that is the least busy time to do it. _ it is done then because that is the least busy time to do it. —— - least busy time to do it. —— inconvenience _ least busy time to do it. —— inconvenience to _ least busy time to do it. —— inconvenience to people i least busy time to do it. —— inconvenience to people at| inconvenience to people at christmas _ inconvenience to people at christmas. it— inconvenience to people at christmas. it would - inconvenience to people at christmas. it would cause i inconvenience to people at - christmas. it would cause more inconvenience _ christmas. it would cause more inconvenience at— christmas. it would cause more inconvenience at other- christmas. it would cause more inconvenience at other times i christmas. it would cause more inconvenience at other times ofi christmas. it would cause more - inconvenience at other times of the year. _ inconvenience at other times of the year. so _ inconvenience at other times of the year. so network— inconvenience at other times of the year, so network rail— inconvenience at other times of the year, so network rail is _ inconvenience at other times of the year, so network rail is working i year, so network rail is working through— year, so network rail is working through what _ year, so network rail is working through what changes _ year, so network rail is working through what changes it - year, so network rail is working through what changes it may i year, so network rail is working i through what changes it may have year, so network rail is working - through what changes it may have to take in— through what changes it may have to take in response _ through what changes it may have to take in response to— through what changes it may have to take in response to the _ through what changes it may have to take in response to the action - take in response to the action called — take in response to the action called by— take in response to the action called by the _ take in response to the action called by the rmt. _ take in response to the action called by the rmt. [- take in response to the action called by the rmt.— take in response to the action called by the rmt. i will move onto graham. thank _ called by the rmt. i will move onto graham. thank you _ called by the rmt. i will move onto graham. thank you and _ called by the rmt. i will move onto graham. thank you and good - called by the rmt. i will move onto i graham. thank you and good morning to the secretary _ graham. thank you and good morning to the secretary of _ graham. thank you and good morning to the secretary of state _ graham. thank you and good morning to the secretary of state and - graham. thank you and good morning to the secretary of state and panel. . to the secretary of state and panel. i have a couple of questions on the rail dispute. and a couple of observations as well. just in relation to your comments that about

the proposed minimum standards rail bill, which will be hugely controversial, do not think anyone in any doubt that will completely sour industrial relations at a time when we are trying to build a settlement, why is it, secretary of state, that this time for this controversial piece of legislation thatis controversial piece of legislation that is being driven by your department, yet apparently there is not time to deal with quite a number of issues identified by my colleagues regarding pavement parking, regulation of e—scooters, autonomous vehicles and so on, that there is cross—party agreement we need to crack on with things? it seems slightly perverse we can find time for one hugely controversial piece of legislation and not for another. 1 piece of legislation and not for another. . ~ . piece of legislation and not for another. ., ,, ., , piece of legislation and not for another. w ., , ., , another. i take a couple of things, first, i think _ another. i take a couple of things, first, i think you _ another. i take a couple of things, first, i think you have _ another. i take a couple of things, first, i think you have confirmed i first, i think you have confirmed what _ first, i think you have confirmed what i _ first, i think you have confirmed what i was — first, i think you have confirmed what i was implying _

first, i think you have confirmed what i was implying in _ first, i think you have confirmed what i was implying in my- first, i think you have confirmedi what i was implying in my earlier answer— what i was implying in my earlier answer which _ what i was implying in my earlier answer which was _ what i was implying in my earlier answer which was taking - what i was implying in my earlier answer which was taking that - answer which was taking that iegisiation— answer which was taking that legislation forward _ answer which was taking that legislation forward rapidly, i answer which was taking that i legislation forward rapidly, the minimum _ legislation forward rapidly, the minimum service— legislation forward rapidly, the minimum service levels- legislation forward rapidly, the minimum service levels of- minimum service levels of legislation, _ minimum service levels of legislation, was— minimum service levels of legislation, was not- minimum service levels of legislation, was not be i minimum service levels of- legislation, was not be possible because — legislation, was not be possible because there _ legislation, was not be possible because there is _ legislation, was not be possible because there is not _ legislation, was not be possible. because there is not cross—party. answers — because there is not cross—party. answers without _ because there is not cross—party. answers without repetition - because there is not cross—party.i answers without repetition would because there is not cross—party. i answers without repetition would be helpful. answers without repetition would be helful. ., ., ~' , answers without repetition would be helful. , ., answers without repetition would be helful. ., . �* helpful. look, it is a balance. i'm t in: to helpful. look, it is a balance. i'm trying to give _ helpful. look, it is a balance. i'm trying to give it — helpful. look, it is a balance. i'm trying to give it full _ helpful. look, it is a balance. i'm trying to give it full answers, - helpful. look, it is a balance. i'm trying to give it full answers, but| trying to give it full answers, but if you _ trying to give it full answers, but if you wish — trying to give it full answers, but if you wish me _ trying to give it full answers, but if you wish me to _ trying to give it full answers, but if you wish me to move - trying to give it full answers, but if you wish me to move out - trying to give it full answers, but| if you wish me to move out more trying to give it full answers, but i if you wish me to move out more of trying to give it full answers, but - if you wish me to move out more of a pace _ if you wish me to move out more of a ace. �* if you wish me to move out more of a ma, �* ., , ,y if you wish me to move out more of a ace. �* ., , _ ., ., if you wish me to move out more of a ace.�* ., , _ ., ., if you wish me to move out more of a ace.�* . , , ., ., ., ., ., pace. i'm happy to do so. you do not need to repeat _ pace. i'm happy to do so. you do not need to repeat things _ pace. i'm happy to do so. you do not need to repeat things you _ pace. i'm happy to do so. you do not need to repeat things you have - pace. i'm happy to do so. you do not need to repeat things you have said. | need to repeat things you have said. that legislation of course was already— that legislation of course was already introduced _ that legislation of course was already introduced in - that legislation of course was already introduced in this - that legislation of course was - already introduced in this session. the wider— already introduced in this session. the wider transport _ already introduced in this session. the wider transport bill, _ already introduced in this session. the wider transport bill, my- the wider transport bill, my predecessor— the wider transport bill, my predecessor i _ the wider transport bill, my predecessor i think- the wider transport bill, my. predecessor i think confirmed the wider transport bill, my- predecessor i think confirmed it would _ predecessor i think confirmed it would not — predecessor i think confirmed it would not be _ predecessor i think confirmed it would not be taking _ predecessor i think confirmed it would not be taking place - predecessor i think confirmed it would not be taking place this l would not be taking place this session— would not be taking place this session and _ would not be taking place this session and i— would not be taking place this session and i have _ would not be taking place this session and i have made - would not be taking place this session and i have made it- would not be taking place this i session and i have made it clear would not be taking place this - session and i have made it clear in answer— session and i have made it clear in answer to— session and i have made it clear in answer to my— session and i have made it clear in answer to my earlier— session and i have made it clear in answer to my earlier question - session and i have made it clear in answer to my earlier question thati answer to my earlier question that it has— answer to my earlier question that it has a _ answer to my earlier question that it has a range _ answer to my earlier question that it has a range of— answer to my earlier question that it has a range of things _ answer to my earlier question that it has a range of things in- answer to my earlier question that it has a range of things in it - answer to my earlier question that it has a range of things in it which| it has a range of things in it which are priorities _ it has a range of things in it which are priorities for— it has a range of things in it which are priorities for me _ it has a range of things in it which are priorities for me but - it has a range of things in it which are priorities for me but i- it has a range of things in it which are priorities for me but i need i it has a range of things in it which are priorities for me but i need toi are priorities for me but i need to make _ are priorities for me but i need to make that — are priorities for me but i need to make that case _ are priorities for me but i need to make that case with _ are priorities for me but i need to make that case with colleagues i are priorities for me but i need toi make that case with colleagues in government _ make that case with colleagues in government i— make that case with colleagues in government-— make that case with colleagues in covernment. , ., , , , government. i understand, yet spent that early and _ government. i understand, yet spent that early and i _ government. i understand, yet spent that early and i appreciate _ government. i understand, yet spent that early and i appreciate that. - that early and i appreciate that. can i ask now particularly about the rail dispute? i do support your philosophy of continuing to talk and

am heartened by the fact the rail freight operating companies, the scottish government, the welsh government and i think the open access trade operating companies, have all reached settlements with the rail unions, so it must be possible, it is not an impossible task, to achieve a settlement. but they have not place preconditions in relation to ticket office closures or the acceptance of driver only operated trains. is there any prospect of continuing the talks to secure such a settlement if these preconditions are attached? 1 do secure such a settlement if these preconditions are attached? i do not want to net preconditions are attached? i do not want to get too _ preconditions are attached? i do not want to get too far _ preconditions are attached? i do not want to get too far into _ preconditions are attached? i do not want to get too far into specific - want to get too far into specific details. — want to get too far into specific details, because _ want to get too far into specific details, because i— want to get too far into specific details, because i do— want to get too far into specific details, because i do think- want to get too far into specific details, because i do think it. want to get too far into specific details, because i do think it is| details, because i do think it is important _ details, because i do think it is important that— details, because i do think it is important that negotiations i details, because i do think it is. important that negotiations take place _ important that negotiations take place between _ important that negotiations take place between the _ important that negotiations take place between the employers i important that negotiations take i place between the employers and important that negotiations take - place between the employers and the unions _ place between the employers and the unions and _ place between the employers and the unions and i_ place between the employers and the unions and i think— place between the employers and the unions and i think both _ place between the employers and the unions and i think both sides- place between the employers and the unions and i think both sides accept l unions and i think both sides accept

that _ unions and i think both sides accept that on _ unions and i think both sides accept that oh the — unions and i think both sides accept that. on the overall— unions and i think both sides accept that. on the overall stance - unions and i think both sides accept that. on the overall stance though, | that. on the overall stance though, i do think— that. on the overall stance though, i do think it — that. on the overall stance though, i do think it is — that. on the overall stance though, i do think it is important _ that. on the overall stance though, i do think it is important that- that. on the overall stance though, i do think it is important that this . i do think it is important that this is hot _ i do think it is important that this is hotiust— i do think it is important that this is hotiust a — i do think it is important that this is not just a dispute _ i do think it is important that this is not just a dispute about - i do think it is important that this is notjust a dispute about pay, . i do think it is important that this is notjust a dispute about pay, iti is notjust a dispute about pay, it is notjust a dispute about pay, it is a dispute — is notjust a dispute about pay, it is a dispute about _ is notjust a dispute about pay, it is a dispute about modernising . is notjust a dispute about pay, it. is a dispute about modernising the railway— is a dispute about modernising the railway and — is a dispute about modernising the railway and having _ is a dispute about modernising the railway and having workforce - is a dispute about modernising the i railway and having workforce reform and as _ railway and having workforce reform and as i_ railway and having workforce reform and as i said — railway and having workforce reform and as i said in— railway and having workforce reform and as i said in my— railway and having workforce reform and as i said in my opening - and as i said in my opening statement, _ and as i said in my opening statement, i— and as i said in my opening statement, ido— and as i said in my opening statement, i do think- and as i said in my opening statement, i do think in- and as i said in my opening. statement, i do think in order and as i said in my opening - statement, i do think in order for the railways _ statement, i do think in order for the railways to _ statement, i do think in order for the railways to have _ statement, i do think in order for the railways to have a _ statement, i do think in order for| the railways to have a sustainable future, _ the railways to have a sustainable future, we — the railways to have a sustainable future, we do _ the railways to have a sustainable future, we do have _ the railways to have a sustainable future, we do have to _ the railways to have a sustainable future, we do have to see - the railways to have a sustainable future, we do have to see reform| the railways to have a sustainable l future, we do have to see reform in the way _ future, we do have to see reform in the way they— future, we do have to see reform in the way they operate. _ future, we do have to see reform in the way they operate. it _ future, we do have to see reform in the way they operate. it is - future, we do have to see reform in the way they operate. it is not - the way they operate. it is not going — the way they operate. it is not going to — the way they operate. it is not going to be _ the way they operate. it is not going to be sustainable - the way they operate. it is not going to be sustainable for- the way they operate. it is not| going to be sustainable for the taxoayer— going to be sustainable for the taxoayer to _ going to be sustainable for the taxpayer to continue _ going to be sustainable for the taxpayer to continue to - going to be sustainable for the taxpayer to continue to put - going to be sustainable for the taxpayer to continue to put ini going to be sustainable for the i taxpayer to continue to put in the sums— taxpayer to continue to put in the sums it _ taxpayer to continue to put in the sums it has — taxpayer to continue to put in the sums it has put _ taxpayer to continue to put in the sums it has put in _ taxpayer to continue to put in the sums it has put in without- taxpayer to continue to put in the sums it has put in without seeing| sums it has put in without seeing that reform _ sums it has put in without seeing that reform. it— sums it has put in without seeing that reform. it is— sums it has put in without seeing that reform. it is the _ sums it has put in without seeing that reform. it is the reform - sums it has put in without seeing that reform. it is the reform that| that reform. it is the reform that generates — that reform. it is the reform that generates the _ that reform. it is the reform that generates the savings _ that reform. it is the reform that generates the savings that - that reform. it is the reform that. generates the savings that helped fund the _ generates the savings that helped fund the pay— generates the savings that helped fund the pay rise _ generates the savings that helped fund the pay rise and _ generates the savings that helped fund the pay rise and i— generates the savings that helped fund the pay rise and i think- generates the savings that helped fund the pay rise and i think bothi fund the pay rise and i think both of those — fund the pay rise and i think both of those things _ fund the pay rise and i think both of those things are _ fund the pay rise and i think both of those things are part - fund the pay rise and i think both of those things are part of- fund the pay rise and i think both of those things are part of the i of those things are part of the debate — of those things are part of the debate but— of those things are part of the debate. but i— of those things are part of the debate. but i think— of those things are part of the debate. but i think keeping i of those things are part of the - debate. but i think keeping talking as valuable — debate. but i think keeping talking as valuable. l'mu _ debate. but i think keeping talking as valuable. �* , debate. but i think keeping talking as valuable. �* . debate. but i think keeping talking as valuable-— as valuable. i'm sure the trade unions appreciate _ as valuable. i'm sure the trade unions appreciate that - as valuable. i'm sure the trade unions appreciate that over - as valuable. i'm sure the trade unions appreciate that over a l as valuable. i'm sure the trade i unions appreciate that over a long period of time, i was a member of the nui, the railway union, and then before it was the rmt, and over a

long period of time they have accepted changes, modernisation reform and so on, but one of the things that we identified as a committee in relation to another inquiry, dealing with access to disabled people, our concerns if there are echoes of ticket offices, if there are stations without staff, if there are stations without staff, if there are driver only operated trains, how will this square with our commitment under the equality and human rights commission requirements to ensure the disabled, elderly and vulnerable people can access the railways and if that's not a factor in your negotiations? is not a gradual approach more likely to be beneficial? because we have to address these legal considerations, wintry? look, on the reneral considerations, wintry? look, on the general point. _ considerations, wintry? look, on the general point. i _ considerations, wintry? look, on the general point, i do _ considerations, wintry? look, on the general point, i do want _ considerations, wintry? look, on the general point, i do want to _ considerations, wintry? look, on the general point, i do want to make - general point, i do want to make sure _ general point, i do want to make sure the — general point, i do want to make sure the railways _ general point, i do want to make sure the railways are _ general point, i do want to make sure the railways are very- sure the railways are very successfut _ sure the railways are very successful. you _ sure the railways are very successful. you may- sure the railways are very successful. you may well| sure the railways are very- successful. you may well know,

sure the railways are very— successful. you may well know, in my ministerial— successful. you may well know, in my ministerial history, _ successful. you may well know, in my ministerial history, i— successful. you may well know, in my ministerial history, i was _ successful. you may well know, in my ministerial history, i was the - ministerial history, i was the minister— ministerial history, i was the minister for— ministerial history, i was the minister for disabled - ministerial history, i was the minister for disabled people| ministerial history, i was the - minister for disabled people and take this — minister for disabled people and take this very— minister for disabled people and take this very seriously. - minister for disabled people and take this very seriously. it - minister for disabled people and take this very seriously. it was l minister for disabled people and i take this very seriously. it was one of the _ take this very seriously. it was one of the reasons _ take this very seriously. it was one of the reasons in _ take this very seriously. it was one of the reasons in setting _ take this very seriously. it was one of the reasons in setting up - of the reasons in setting up portfolios _ of the reasons in setting up portfolios from _ of the reasons in setting up portfolios from a _ of the reasons in setting up| portfolios from a ministerial of the reasons in setting up - portfolios from a ministerial team i have made sure _ portfolios from a ministerial team i have made sure everyone - portfolios from a ministerial team i have made sure everyone has- portfolios from a ministerial team i have made sure everyone has a - have made sure everyone has a responsibility— have made sure everyone has a responsibility to _ have made sure everyone has a responsibility to deliver- have made sure everyone has a i responsibility to deliver accessible transport — responsibility to deliver accessible transport part— responsibility to deliver accessible transport. part of— responsibility to deliver accessible transport. part of the _ responsibility to deliver accessible transport. part of the reason... i responsibility to deliver accessible| transport. part of the reason... all that the _ transport. part of the reason... all that the government _ transport. part of the reason... all that the government said - transport. part of the reason... all that the government said it - transport. part of the reason... all that the government said it would i that the government said it would need _ that the government said it would need to— that the government said it would need to see — that the government said it would need to see that _ that the government said it would need to see that reform. - that the government said it would need to see that reform. it - that the government said it would need to see that reform. it is- need to see that reform. it is important _ need to see that reform. it is important to _ need to see that reform. it is important to the _ need to see that reform. it is important to the detail - need to see that reform. it is important to the detail of - need to see that reform. it is| important to the detail of that reform. — important to the detail of that reform. how— important to the detail of that reform, how you _ important to the detail of that reform, how you deliver- important to the detail of that reform, how you deliver it, i important to the detail of that| reform, how you deliver it, the timescale _ reform, how you deliver it, the timescale over— reform, how you deliver it, the timescale over which— reform, how you deliver it, the timescale over which you - reform, how you deliver it, the. timescale over which you deliver reform, how you deliver it, the - timescale over which you deliver it and the _ timescale over which you deliver it and the flexibility— timescale over which you deliver it and the flexibility of— timescale over which you deliver it and the flexibility of the _ timescale over which you deliver it and the flexibility of the staff - timescale over which you deliver it and the flexibility of the staff and i and the flexibility of the staff and making _ and the flexibility of the staff and making sure _ and the flexibility of the staff and making sure there _ and the flexibility of the staff and making sure there is— and the flexibility of the staff and making sure there is proper- and the flexibility of the staff and l making sure there is proper service for customers — making sure there is proper service for customers is _ making sure there is proper service for customers is very _ making sure there is proper service for customers is very important. i for customers is very important. that— for customers is very important. that is— for customers is very important. that is why— for customers is very important. that is why the _ for customers is very important. that is why the detail— for customers is very important. that is why the detail needs - for customers is very important. that is why the detail needs to i for customers is very important. i that is why the detail needs to be hammered — that is why the detail needs to be hammered out _ that is why the detail needs to be hammered out between - that is why the detail needs to be hammered out between the - that is why the detail needs to be - hammered out between the employers, both on— hammered out between the employers, both on the _ hammered out between the employers, both on the point— hammered out between the employers, both on the point you're _ hammered out between the employers, both on the point you're talking - both on the point you're talking about, — both on the point you're talking about, the _ both on the point you're talking about, the train— both on the point you're talking about, the train operating - both on the point you're talking - about, the train operating companies and the _ about, the train operating companies and the unions, — about, the train operating companies and the unions, the _ about, the train operating companies and the unions, the detail— about, the train operating companies and the unions, the detail is- about, the train operating companies and the unions, the detail is to - about, the train operating companies and the unions, the detail is to be i and the unions, the detail is to be hammered — and the unions, the detail is to be hammered out _ and the unions, the detail is to be hammered out. but— and the unions, the detail is to be hammered out. but i— and the unions, the detail is to be hammered out. but i think- and the unions, the detail is to be hammered out. but i think the - hammered out. but i think the principle — hammered out. but i think the principle of— hammered out. but i think the principle of reform _ hammered out. but i think the principle of reform is - hammered out. but i think the principle of reform is very - principle of reform is very valuable _ principle of reform is very valuable. in _ principle of reform is very valuable. in answer- principle of reform is very valuable. in answer to - principle of reform is veryi valuable. in answer to my principle of reform is very - valuable. in answer to my question on ticket _ valuable. in answer to my question on ticket offices, _ valuable. in answer to my question on ticket offices, amid _ valuable. in answer to my question on ticket offices, amid the - valuable. in answer to my question on ticket offices, amid the point i on ticket offices, amid the point you do— on ticket offices, amid the point you do not— on ticket offices, amid the point you do not want— on ticket offices, amid the point you do not want people - on ticket offices, amid the point you do not want people tied - on ticket offices, amid the point you do not want people tied to i you do not want people tied to sitting — you do not want people tied to sitting behind _ you do not want people tied to sitting behind a _ you do not want people tied to sitting behind a desk- you do not want people tied to sitting behind a desk not - you do not want people tied to l sitting behind a desk not serving many— sitting behind a desk not serving many customers, _ sitting behind a desk not serving many customers, i— sitting behind a desk not serving many customers, i want - sitting behind a desk not serving many customers, i want them i sitting behind a desk not servingi many customers, i want them to serve people _ many customers, i want them to serve people in— many customers, i want them to serve people in the _ many customers, i want them to serve people in the station _ many customers, i want them to serve people in the station as _ many customers, i want them to serve people in the station as well. - many customers, i want them to serve people in the station as well. the - people in the station as well. the details _ people in the station as well. the

details of— people in the station as well. the details of how— people in the station as well. the details of how that _ people in the station as well. the details of how that works - people in the station as well. the details of how that works is - people in the station as well. the details of how that works is that. details of how that works is that the unions — details of how that works is that the unions and _ details of how that works is that the unions and employers - details of how that works is that the unions and employers to - details of how that works is that - the unions and employers to hammer out between — the unions and employers to hammer out between them _ the unions and employers to hammer out between them which _ the unions and employers to hammer out between them which is _ the unions and employers to hammer out between them which is why- the unions and employers to hammer out between them which is why i- the unions and employers to hammer| out between them which is why i want to see _ out between them which is why i want to see them _ out between them which is why i want to see them continuing _ out between them which is why i want to see them continuing to— out between them which is why i want to see them continuing to talk- out between them which is why i want to see them continuing to talk to - to see them continuing to talk to reach _ to see them continuing to talk to reach an— to see them continuing to talk to reach an agreement _ to see them continuing to talk to reach an agreement that - to see them continuing to talk to reach an agreement that they . to see them continuing to talk to| reach an agreement that they feel the unions — reach an agreement that they feel the unions can— reach an agreement that they feel the unions can then _ reach an agreement that they feel the unions can then recommend l reach an agreement that they feeli the unions can then recommend to their— the unions can then recommend to their members _ the unions can then recommend to their members i— the unions can then recommend to their members.— their members. i 'ust want to very cuickl their members. i 'ust want to very quickly refer— their members. i just want to very quickly refer to. .. _ their members. i just want to very quickly refer to. .. i _ their members. i just want to very quickly refer to. .. i am _ their members. i just want to very quickly refer to. .. i am not - their members. i just want to very quickly refer to. .. i am not a - quickly refer to... i am not a telegraph reader, i must confess, but there is an article in the telegraph today which suggests the treasury ought number ten are insisting on a precondition before the negotiations can move forward of the negotiations can move forward of the unions accepting driver only operation and i do not know what the timeframe is or if that is just in principle, but are you in a position to confirm or deny that that approach is correct? i to confirm or deny that that approach is correct?- to confirm or deny that that approach is correct? i have not seen the report. — approach is correct? i have not seen the report. so _ approach is correct? i have not seen the report. so i— approach is correct? i have not seen the report, so i cannot _ approach is correct? i have not seen the report, so i cannot really - the report, so i cannot really comment— the report, so i cannot really comment on— the report, so i cannot really comment on it, _ the report, so i cannot really comment on it, i— the report, so i cannot really comment on it, i have - the report, so i cannot really comment on it, i have not. the report, so i cannot really. comment on it, i have not seen the report, so i cannot really- comment on it, i have not seen it. on the _ comment on it, i have not seen it. on the specific— comment on it, i have not seen it. on the specific point _ comment on it, i have not seen it. on the specific point about - comment on it, i have not seen it. on the specific point about the - 0n the specific point about the driver— 0n the specific point about the driver only— 0n the specific point about the driver only operation, - 0n the specific point about the driver only operation, we - 0n the specific point about the driver only operation, we havej 0n the specific point about the - driver only operation, we have seen it on quite _ driver only operation, we have seen it on quite significant— driver only operation, we have seen it on quite significant parts- driver only operation, we have seen it on quite significant parts of- driver only operation, we have seen it on quite significant parts of the i it on quite significant parts of the railway— it on quite significant parts of the railway already. _ it on quite significant parts of the railway already, so _ it on quite significant parts of the railway already, so i _ it on quite significant parts of the railway already, so i do _ it on quite significant parts of the railway already, so i do not - it on quite significant parts of the railway already, so i do not think| railway already, so i do not think there _ railway already, so i do not think there is— railway already, so i do not think there is any— railway already, so i do not think there is any principal— railway already, so i do not think there is any principal objection . railway already, so i do not think| there is any principal objection to it. i there is any principal objection to it i know— there is any principal objection to it i know it — there is any principal objection to it i know it is _ there is any principal objection to it. i know it is controversial, - there is any principal objection to it. i know it is controversial, but| it. i know it is controversial, but it. i know it is controversial, but it is— it. i know it is controversial, but it is something _ it. i know it is controversial, but it is something that _ it. i know it is controversial, but it is something that exists - it. i know it is controversial, but it is something that exists on i

railways already. in terms of what i want to see, i want the _ railways already. in terms of what i want to see, i want the two - railways already. in terms of what i want to see, i want the two sides l railways already. in terms of what ii want to see, i want the two sides to continue _ want to see, i want the two sides to continue talking. _ want to see, i want the two sides to continue talking. i— want to see, i want the two sides to continue talking. i was _ want to see, i want the two sides to continue talking. i was asked - want to see, i want the two sides to continue talking. i was asked to - continue talking. i was asked to facilitate — continue talking. i was asked to facilitate an _ continue talking. i was asked to facilitate an improved _ continue talking. i was asked to facilitate an improved offer, - continue talking. i was asked to facilitate an improved offer, it i continue talking. i was asked to i facilitate an improved offer, it was made _ facilitate an improved offer, it was made clear— facilitate an improved offer, it was made clear to _ facilitate an improved offer, it was made clear to me _ facilitate an improved offer, it was made clear to me when— facilitate an improved offer, it was made clear to me when i- facilitate an improved offer, it was made clear to me when i met - facilitate an improved offer, it wasj made clear to me when i met mick lynch _ made clear to me when i met mick lynch on _ made clear to me when i met mick lynch on the — made clear to me when i met mick lynch on the train _ made clear to me when i met mick lynch on the train operating - made clear to me when i met mick lynch on the train operating side l lynch on the train operating side they had — lynch on the train operating side they had not— lynch on the train operating side they had not been— lynch on the train operating side they had not been on— lynch on the train operating side they had not been on offer- lynch on the train operating side they had not been on offer and l lynch on the train operating side i they had not been on offer and now has been _ they had not been on offer and now has been on — they had not been on offer and now has been on offer. _ they had not been on offer and now has been on offer. i— they had not been on offer and now has been on offer. i would - they had not been on offer and now has been on offer. i would urge - they had not been on offer and now has been on offer. i would urge thej has been on offer. i would urge the two sides— has been on offer. i would urge the two sides ticket _ has been on offer. i would urge the two sides ticket meeting, - has been on offer. i would urge the two sides ticket meeting, the - has been on offer. i would urge the i two sides ticket meeting, the unions to call— two sides ticket meeting, the unions to call of— two sides ticket meeting, the unions to call of the — two sides ticket meeting, the unions to call of the strikes, _ two sides ticket meeting, the unions to call of the strikes, i— two sides ticket meeting, the unions to call of the strikes, ithink- two sides ticket meeting, the unions to call of the strikes, i think it- to call of the strikes, i think it is the — to call of the strikes, i think it is the right— to call of the strikes, i think it is the right thing _ to call of the strikes, i think it is the right thing for— to call of the strikes, i think it. is the right thing for passengers and also — is the right thing for passengers and also for— is the right thing for passengers and also for the _ is the right thing for passengers and also for the industry. - is the right thing for passengers and also for the industry. me i is the right thing for passengers and also for the industry. we have heard that message _ and also for the industry. we have heard that message can _ and also for the industry. we have heard that message can at - and also for the industry. we have heard that message can at times. | heard that message can at times. there was a front—page in the telegraph... there was a front-page in the telegraph- - -_ there was a front-page in the l telegraph. . ._ excuse there was a front-page in the - telegraph. . ._ excuse me, telegraph... ben, wait. excuse me, chair, telegraph... ben, wait. excuse me, chair. this— telegraph... ben, wait. excuse me, chair. this is — telegraph... ben, wait. excuse me, chair, this is really _ telegraph... ben, wait. excuse me, chair, this is really important. - telegraph... ben, wait. excuse me, chair, this is really important. you | chair, this is really important. you said i was coming after graham. you said i was coming after graham. you said i was coming after graham. you said i was coming after graham. jack has been said i was coming after graham. jack has been waiting very patiently to ask questions. you has been waiting very patiently to ask questions.— ask questions. you answer it and then we will _ ask questions. you answer it and then we will move _ ask questions. you answer it and then we will move to _ ask questions. you answer it and then we will move to jack. - ask questions. you answer it and then we will move to jack. you i then we will move to jack. you cannot claim you do not see the splash on monday claiming a number ten at the last minute has added driver only trains is an issue to this dispute. driver only trains is an issue to this dispute-— this dispute. was that report incorrect? —

this dispute. was that report incorrect? i— this dispute. was that report incorrect? i was _ this dispute. was that report incorrect? i was specifically i incorrect? i was specifically talking, _ incorrect? i was specifically talking, mr— incorrect? i was specifically talking, mr morrison - incorrect? i was specifically talking, mr morrison asked| incorrect? i was specifically- talking, mr morrison asked me a question— talking, mr morrison asked me a question butter— talking, mr morrison asked me a question butter reports - talking, mr morrison asked me a question butter reports today... | talking, mr morrison asked me a i question butter reports today... [it question butter reports today... it was question butter reports today... was on monday. did you not see question butter reports today...- was on monday. did you not see this report? i have been very clear, i was asked to facilitate... have a driver only trains been introduced by number ten at the last minute? fin by number ten at the last minute? on reform... by number ten at the last minute? on reform. .. answer— by number ten at the last minute? on reform... answer the _ by number ten at the last minute? on reform... answer the question. - by number ten at the last minute? on reform... answer the question. we - reform... answer the question. we are ve reform. .. answer the question. we are very clear— reform... answer the question. we are very clear we _ reform... answer the question. we are very clear we need _ reform... answer the question. we are very clear we need to _ reform... answer the question. we are very clear we need to see - are very clear we need to see reform~ — are very clear we need to see reform~ 0n _ are very clear we need to see reform~ 0n the _ are very clear we need to see reform. 0n the detail, - are very clear we need to see reform. 0n the detail, it - are very clear we need to see - reform. 0n the detail, it detailed negotiations— reform. 0n the detail, it detailed negotiations are _ reform. 0n the detail, it detailed negotiations are taking _ reform. 0n the detail, it detailed negotiations are taking place - negotiations are taking place between _ negotiations are taking place between employers - negotiations are taking place between employers and - negotiations are taking placel between employers and trade negotiations are taking place - between employers and trade unions. it is between employers and trade unions. it is not _ between employers and trade unions. it is not the _ between employers and trade unions. it is not the government's— between employers and trade unions. it is not the government's role - between employers and trade unions. it is not the government's role to - it is not the government's role to micromanage _ it is not the government's role to micromanage the _ it is not the government's role to micromanage the detail- it is not the government's role to micromanage the detail of - it is not the government's role to micromanage the detail of the i micromanage the detail of the reform. — micromanage the detail of the reform. but— micromanage the detail of the reform, but we _ micromanage the detail of the reform, but we have - micromanage the detail of the reform, but we have been - micromanage the detail of the i reform, but we have been clear micromanage the detail of the - reform, but we have been clear we need _ reform, but we have been clear we need to— reform, but we have been clear we need to see — reform, but we have been clear we need to see both _ reform, but we have been clear we need to see both train _ reform, but we have been clear we need to see both train operators . reform, but we have been clear we i need to see both train operators and unions~~~ _ need to see both train operators and unions... . ,, need to see both train operators and unions... , ,, ., need to see both train operators and unions... , ,, , unions... this issue has been asserted _ unions... this issue has been asserted in — unions... this issue has been asserted in the _ unions... this issue has been asserted in the last _ unions... this issue has been asserted in the last week - unions... this issue has been asserted in the last week by. unions... this issue has been - asserted in the last week by number ten and the treasury which has scuppered a deal that was on the table. vote at the train operators

and the unions. just table. vote at the train operators and the unions.— table. vote at the train operators and the unions. just on that point about scuppering _ and the unions. just on that point about scuppering a _ and the unions. just on that point about scuppering a deal, - and the unions. just on that point about scuppering a deal, when i l and the unions. just on that point. about scuppering a deal, when i met mr lynch. _ about scuppering a deal, when i met mr lynch. he — about scuppering a deal, when i met mr lynch, he made _ about scuppering a deal, when i met mr lynch, he made it _ about scuppering a deal, when i met mr lynch, he made it very— about scuppering a deal, when i met mr lynch, he made it very clear- about scuppering a deal, when i met mr lynch, he made it very clear to l mr lynch, he made it very clear to me that _ mr lynch, he made it very clear to me that he — mr lynch, he made it very clear to me that he had _ mr lynch, he made it very clear to me that he had not _ mr lynch, he made it very clear to me that he had not had _ mr lynch, he made it very clear to me that he had not had an- mr lynch, he made it very clear to me that he had not had an offer. mr lynch, he made it very clear to| me that he had not had an offer on the train _ me that he had not had an offer on the train operating _ me that he had not had an offer on the train operating side _ me that he had not had an offer on the train operating side of- me that he had not had an offer on the train operating side of the - the train operating side of the house — the train operating side of the house there _ the train operating side of the house. there had _ the train operating side of the house. there had been- the train operating side of the house. there had been an - the train operating side of the i house. there had been an offer the train operating side of the - house. there had been an offer on network— house. there had been an offer on network rait _ house. there had been an offer on network rait i_ house. there had been an offer on network rail. i met _ house. there had been an offer on network rail. i met with _ house. there had been an offer on network rail. i met with the - house. there had been an offer on network rail. i met with the trade| network rail. i met with the trade unions, _ network rail. i met with the trade unions, i— network rail. i met with the trade unions, i was _ network rail. i met with the trade unions, i was asked _ network rail. i met with the trade unions, i was asked to _ network rail. i met with the trade unions, i was asked to facilitate . unions, i was asked to facilitate an improvement _ unions, i was asked to facilitate an improvement. we _ unions, i was asked to facilitate an improvement. we then— unions, i was asked to facilitate an improvement. we then sought... i unions, i was asked to facilitate an - improvement. we then sought... that was not my — improvement. we then sought... was not my question, you're improvement. we then sought... tiiijiii was not my question, you're not answering the question. i’m was not my question, you're not answering the question. i'm telling ou what answering the question. i'm telling you what was _ answering the question. i'm telling you what was going _ answering the question. i'm telling you what was going on. _ answering the question. i'm telling you what was going on. there - answering the question. i'm telling you what was going on. there was | answering the question. i'm telling l you what was going on. there was an improved _ you what was going on. there was an improved offer— you what was going on. there was an improved offer to— you what was going on. there was an improved offer to the _ you what was going on. there was an improved offer to the unions - you what was going on. there was an improved offer to the unions from . improved offer to the unions from network— improved offer to the unions from network rail _ improved offer to the unions from network rail and _ improved offer to the unions from network rail and offer— improved offer to the unions from network rail and offer then - improved offer to the unions from network rail and offer then on. improved offer to the unions from| network rail and offer then on the train operating _ network rail and offer then on the train operating side _ network rail and offer then on the train operating side of— network rail and offer then on the train operating side of the - network rail and offer then on the train operating side of the house l train operating side of the house that the — train operating side of the house that the unions _ train operating side of the house that the unions could _ train operating side of the house that the unions could consider. i| that the unions could consider. i regret— that the unions could consider. i regret that — that the unions could consider. i regret that they— that the unions could consider. i regret that they rejected - that the unions could consider. i regret that they rejected that. regret that they rejected that offer. — regret that they rejected that offer. i— regret that they rejected that offer, ithink— regret that they rejected that offer, i think it _ regret that they rejected that offer, i think it would - regret that they rejected that offer, i think it would have i regret that they rejected that i offer, i think it would have been better— offer, i think it would have been better if— offer, i think it would have been better if they _ offer, i think it would have been better if they had _ offer, i think it would have been better if they had continued i offer, i think it would have been. better if they had continued talking to try— better if they had continued talking to try and _ better if they had continued talking to try and hammer _ better if they had continued talking to try and hammer out _ better if they had continued talking to try and hammer out some - better if they had continued talking i to try and hammer out some detail, so they— to try and hammer out some detail, so they have — to try and hammer out some detail, so they have not _ to try and hammer out some detail, so they have not been _ to try and hammer out some detail, so they have not been at... - to try and hammer out some detail, so they have not been at. . ._ so they have not been at... you're not answering _ so they have not been at... you're not answering my _ so they have not been at... you're not answering my question. - so they have not been at... you're not answering my question. why l so they have not been at... you're. not answering my question. why do you think scotland and wales have accepted? you think scotland and wales have acce ted? ., ., .,

accepted? you need reform to drive the savings — accepted? you need reform to drive the savings and _ accepted? you need reform to drive the savings and i _ accepted? you need reform to drive the savings and i will _ accepted? you need reform to drive the savings and i will not _ accepted? you need reform to drive the savings and i will not provide i accepted? you need reform to drive the savings and i will not provide a l the savings and i will not provide a running _ the savings and i will not provide a running commentary. _ the savings and i will not provide a running commentary. you- the savings and i will not provide a running commentary.— the savings and i will not provide a running commentary. you are avoiding the question- — running commentary. you are avoiding the question. the _ running commentary. you are avoiding the question. the public _ running commentary. you are avoiding the question. the public wants - running commentary. you are avoiding the question. the public wants to - the question. the public wants to know what is going on here. they have a right to know if number ten intervened to stop a deal by adding driver only trains at the last minute which is what the companies, not the unions, say what happened. nobody is trying to stop a deal, quite _ nobody is trying to stop a deal, quite the — nobody is trying to stop a deal, quite the reverse _ nobody is trying to stop a deal, quite the reverse was _ nobody is trying to stop a deal, quite the reverse was not - nobody is trying to stop a deal, quite the reverse was not met i nobody is trying to stop a deal, i quite the reverse was not met with the trade _ quite the reverse was not met with the trade unions _ quite the reverse was not met with the trade unions and _ quite the reverse was not met with the trade unions and i— quite the reverse was not met with the trade unions and i felt - quite the reverse was not met with the trade unions and i felt that - the trade unions and i felt that conversation _ the trade unions and i felt that conversation was _ the trade unions and i felt that conversation was important. . the trade unions and i felt that| conversation was important. —— the trade unions and i felt that . conversation was important. —— i the trade unions and i felt that - conversation was important. —— i met with the _ conversation was important. —— i met with the trade — conversation was important. —— i met with the trade unions. _ conversation was important. —— i met with the trade unions. we _ conversation was important. —— i met with the trade unions. we are - conversation was important. —— i met with the trade unions. we are trying i with the trade unions. we are trying to reach_ with the trade unions. we are trying to reach a _ with the trade unions. we are trying to reach a deal_ with the trade unions. we are trying to reach a deal here _ with the trade unions. we are trying to reach a deal here and _ with the trade unions. we are trying to reach a deal here and it- with the trade unions. we are trying to reach a deal here and it is- with the trade unions. we are trying to reach a deal here and it is the - to reach a deal here and it is the trade _ to reach a deal here and it is the trade unions _ to reach a deal here and it is the trade unions that _ to reach a deal here and it is the trade unions that have _ to reach a deal here and it is the trade unions that have rejected, | to reach a deal here and it is the i trade unions that have rejected, all the rmt_ trade unions that have rejected, all the rmt that— trade unions that have rejected, all the rmt that has— trade unions that have rejected, all the rmt that has rejected, - trade unions that have rejected, all the rmt that has rejected, and - trade unions that have rejected, all the rmt that has rejected, and i. the rmt that has rejected, and i think— the rmt that has rejected, and i think that — the rmt that has rejected, and i think that is _ the rmt that has rejected, and i think that is regrettable. - the rmt that has rejected, and i think that is regrettable. i- the rmt that has rejected, and i think that is regrettable. i think| think that is regrettable. i think it is very— think that is regrettable. i think it is very disappointing - think that is regrettable. i think it is very disappointing from - think that is regrettable. i thinkj it is very disappointing from the point _ it is very disappointing from the point of— it is very disappointing from the point of your— it is very disappointing from the point of your passengers. - it is very disappointing from the point of your passengers. i - it is very disappointing from the point of your passengers. i am i it is very disappointing from the - point of your passengers. i am very clear— point of your passengers. i am very dear i_ point of your passengers. i am very dear i want— point of your passengers. i am very dear i want to _ point of your passengers. i am very clear i want to see _ point of your passengers. i am very clear i want to see a _ point of your passengers. i am very clear i want to see a deal— point of your passengers. i am very clear i want to see a deal reached. i clear i want to see a deal reached. you could — clear i want to see a deal reached. you could have _ clear i want to see a deal reached. you could have avoided _ clear i want to see a deal reached. you could have avoided the - clear i want to see a deal reached. i you could have avoided the christmas chaos if number ten had... number ten have guaranteed christmas chaos and. he is not even answering the

question. and. he is not even answering the cuestion. . ., , ., and. he is not even answering the cuestion. .., , ., , ., question. the record will show you have asked — question. the record will show you have asked your— question. the record will show you have asked your questions - question. the record will show you have asked your questions and - question. the record will show you | have asked your questions and this extra estate has answered. the ublic. .. extra estate has answered. the public -- you — extra estate has answered. the public... you might _ extra estate has answered. the public... you might not - extra estate has answered. the public... you might not like - extra estate has answered. thej public... you might not like the answer, public... you might not like the answer. but _ public... you might not like the answer, but there _ public... you might not like the answer, but there is _ public... you might not like the answer, but there is a - public. .. you might not like the answer, but there is a fair- public... you might not like the answer, but there is a fair and i answer, but there is a fair and reasonable _ answer, but there is a fair and reasonable offer— answer, but there is a fair and reasonable offer on _ answer, but there is a fair and reasonable offer on the - answer, but there is a fair and reasonable offer on the table i answer, but there is a fair and i reasonable offer on the table and answer, but there is a fair and - reasonable offer on the table and it is regrettable — reasonable offer on the table and it is regrettable the _ reasonable offer on the table and it is regrettable the rmt— reasonable offer on the table and it is regrettable the rmt is _ reasonable offer on the table and it is regrettable the rmt is going - is regrettable the rmt is going ahead — is regrettable the rmt is going ahead with _ is regrettable the rmt is going ahead with strikes. _ is regrettable the rmt is going ahead with strikes.— is regrettable the rmt is going ahead with strikes. secretary of state, we ahead with strikes. secretary of state. we are — ahead with strikes. secretary of state, we are moving _ ahead with strikes. secretary of state, we are moving on, - ahead with strikes. secretary of state, we are moving on, a - ahead with strikes. secretary of| state, we are moving on, a little bit behind time, butjack, thank you very much for your patience, the floor is yours. very much for your patience, the floor is yours— floor is yours. thank you, chair. wh is floor is yours. thank you, chair. why is it — floor is yours. thank you, chair. why is it rail — floor is yours. thank you, chair. why is it rail services _ floor is yours. thank you, chair. why is it rail services are - why is it rail services are particularly so bad in the north and parts of the midlands? the particularly so bad in the north and parts of the midlands?— parts of the midlands? the reason for the recent _ parts of the midlands? the reason for the recent downturn _ parts of the midlands? the reason for the recent downturn in - for the recent downturn in performance _ for the recent downturn in performance is _ for the recent downturn in performance is largely, i for the recent downturn ini performance is largely, not entirely, _ performance is largely, not entirely, but— performance is largely, not entirely, but largely - performance is largely, not entirely, but largely to - performance is largely, not entirely, but largely to do i performance is largely, not. entirely, but largely to do with performance is largely, not- entirely, but largely to do with the fact that _ entirely, but largely to do with the fact that there _ entirely, but largely to do with the fact that there are... _ entirely, but largely to do with the fact that there are... to _ entirely, but largely to do with the fact that there are... to issues - entirely, but largely to do with the fact that there are... to issues i l fact that there are... to issues i think. _ fact that there are... to issues i think. partly— fact that there are... to issues i think, partly driver— fact that there are... to issues i think, partly driver shortages i

fact that there are... to issues i l think, partly driver shortages with the pandemic— think, partly driver shortages with the pandemic and _ think, partly driver shortages with the pandemic and there _ think, partly driver shortages with the pandemic and there was - think, partly driver shortages with the pandemic and there was a - think, partly driver shortages with| the pandemic and there was a lack think, partly driver shortages with i the pandemic and there was a lack of driver— the pandemic and there was a lack of driver training, — the pandemic and there was a lack of drivertraining, so— the pandemic and there was a lack of driver training, so that _ the pandemic and there was a lack of driver training, so that is _ the pandemic and there was a lack of driver training, so that is one - the pandemic and there was a lack of driver training, so that is one of- driver training, so that is one of the causes. _ driver training, so that is one of the causes, and _ driver training, so that is one of the causes, and the _ driver training, so that is one of| the causes, and the department driver training, so that is one of- the causes, and the department has worked _ the causes, and the department has worked closely— the causes, and the department has worked closely with _ the causes, and the department has worked closely with the _ the causes, and the department has worked closely with the train - worked closely with the train operating _ worked closely with the train operating companies - worked closely with the train operating companies to - worked closely with the train operating companies to get. worked closely with the train - operating companies to get those drivers— operating companies to get those drivers are — operating companies to get those drivers are trained _ operating companies to get those drivers are trained and _ operating companies to get those drivers are trained and we - operating companies to get those drivers are trained and we have . operating companies to get those i drivers are trained and we have seen a significant — drivers are trained and we have seen a significant increase _ drivers are trained and we have seen a significant increase in— drivers are trained and we have seen a significant increase in driver- a significant increase in driver availability— a significant increase in driver availability which _ a significant increase in driver availability which has - a significant increase in driver. availability which has improved matters — availability which has improved matters the _ availability which has improved matters. the other— availability which has improved matters. the other issue - availability which has improved matters. the other issue is, i availability which has improved i matters. the other issue is, and this comes — matters. the other issue is, and this comes back— matters. the other issue is, and this comes back to _ matters. the other issue is, and this comes back to the - matters. the other issue is, and this comes back to the need - matters. the other issue is, and this comes back to the need for| this comes back to the need for workforce — this comes back to the need for workforce reform, _ this comes back to the need for workforce reform, too - this comes back to the need for workforce reform, too much - this comes back to the need for workforce reform, too much of| this comes back to the need for. workforce reform, too much of the timetable — workforce reform, too much of the timetable is — workforce reform, too much of the timetable is dependent _ workforce reform, too much of the timetable is dependent on - workforce reform, too much of the timetable is dependent on what i workforce reform, too much of the timetable is dependent on what is| timetable is dependent on what is called _ timetable is dependent on what is called rest — timetable is dependent on what is called rest day _ timetable is dependent on what is called rest day working _ timetable is dependent on what is called rest day working which - timetable is dependent on what is called rest day working which is i timetable is dependent on what is l called rest day working which is why drivers _ called rest day working which is why drivers have — called rest day working which is why drivers have to _ called rest day working which is why drivers have to volunteer— called rest day working which is why drivers have to volunteer to - called rest day working which is why drivers have to volunteer to work i called rest day working which is whyj drivers have to volunteer to work on days in _ drivers have to volunteer to work on days in order— drivers have to volunteer to work on days in order to— drivers have to volunteer to work on days in order to deliver— drivers have to volunteer to work on days in order to deliver a _ days in order to deliver a timetable. _ days in order to deliver a timetable. that - days in order to deliver a timetable. that means. days in order to deliver a . timetable. that means that days in order to deliver a - timetable. that means that the railway— timetable. that means that the railway is— timetable. that means that the raitwav is not— timetable. that means that the railway is not very _ timetable. that means that the railway is not very sustainable i railway is not very sustainable because — railway is not very sustainable because of— railway is not very sustainable because of those _ railway is not very sustainable because of those drivers - railway is not very sustainable because of those drivers are l railway is not very sustainable - because of those drivers are stopped working _ because of those drivers are stopped working on— because of those drivers are stopped working on those _ because of those drivers are stopped working on those rest _ because of those drivers are stopped working on those rest days, - because of those drivers are stopped working on those rest days, you - because of those drivers are stopped working on those rest days, you end| working on those rest days, you end ”p working on those rest days, you end up with— working on those rest days, you end up with the — working on those rest days, you end up with the trains _ working on those rest days, you end up with the trains being _ working on those rest days, you end up with the trains being cancelled i up with the trains being cancelled at the _ up with the trains being cancelled at the last— up with the trains being cancelled at the last minute _ up with the trains being cancelled at the last minute and _ up with the trains being cancelled at the last minute and a - up with the trains being cancelled at the last minute and a very- up with the trains being cancelledl at the last minute and a very flaky and reliable — at the last minute and a very flaky and reliable service. _ at the last minute and a very flaky and reliable service. that- at the last minute and a very flaky and reliable service. that is- at the last minute and a very flaky and reliable service. that is what. and reliable service. that is what we have — and reliable service. that is what we have seen _ and reliable service. that is what we have seen on— and reliable service. that is what we have seen on both _ and reliable service. that is what. we have seen on both transpennine express— we have seen on both transpennine express and — we have seen on both transpennine express and avanti _ we have seen on both transpennine express and avanti west _ we have seen on both transpennine express and avanti west coast. - we have seen on both transpennine express and avanti west coast. —— i express and avanti west coast. —— unreliable — express and avanti west coast. —— unreliable service. _ express and avanti west coast. —— unreliable service. one _ express and avanti west coast. —— unreliable service. one of- express and avanti west coast. —— unreliable service. one of the - unreliable service. one of the things— unreliable service. one of the things avanti _ unreliable service. one of the things avanti we _ unreliable service. one of the things avanti we are - unreliable service. one of thej things avanti we are exposing unreliable service. one of the - things avanti we are exposing them to do— things avanti we are exposing them to do with _ things avanti we are exposing them to do with their— things avanti we are exposing them to do with their new _ things avanti we are exposing them to do with their new december-

to do with their new december timetable _ to do with their new december timetable which _ to do with their new december timetable which kicks - to do with their new december timetable which kicks in - to do with their new december timetable which kicks in on - to do with their new decemberj timetable which kicks in on the to do with their new december- timetable which kicks in on the 11th of december, — timetable which kicks in on the 11th of december, there _ timetable which kicks in on the 11th of december, there will— timetable which kicks in on the 11th of december, there will be - timetable which kicks in on the 11th of december, there will be a - timetable which kicks in on the 11th of december, there will be a very. of december, there will be a very significant — of december, there will be a very significant increase _ of december, there will be a very significant increase in— of december, there will be a very significant increase in the - of december, there will be a very significant increase in the servicej significant increase in the service they are — significant increase in the service they are offering. _ significant increase in the service they are offering. the _ significant increase in the service they are offering. the only- significant increase in the service i they are offering. the only tragedy for passengers, _ they are offering. the only tragedy for passengers, and _ they are offering. the only tragedy for passengers, and i— they are offering. the only tragedy for passengers, and i heard - they are offering. the only tragedy for passengers, and i heard this i for passengers, and i heard this toud _ for passengers, and i heard this loud and — for passengers, and i heard this loud and clear— for passengers, and i heard this loud and clear when _ for passengers, and i heard this loud and clear when i _ for passengers, and i heard this loud and clear when i met- for passengers, and i heard this loud and clear when i met withl loud and clear when i met with northern— loud and clear when i met with northern mayor— loud and clear when i met with northern mayor last _ loud and clear when i met with northern mayor last week, - loud and clear when i met with - northern mayor last week, because of the industriat— northern mayor last week, because of the industrial action, _ northern mayor last week, because of the industrial action, that _ northern mayor last week, because of the industrial action, that improved i the industrial action, that improved timetable _ the industrial action, that improved timetable which _ the industrial action, that improved timetable which would _ the industrial action, that improved timetable which would have - the industrial action, that improved timetable which would have more l timetable which would have more services _ timetable which would have more services more _ timetable which would have more services more reliably— timetable which would have more services more reliably delivered, i services more reliably delivered, passengers — services more reliably delivered, passengers will _ services more reliably delivered, passengers will not _ services more reliably delivered, passengers will not see - services more reliably delivered, passengers will not see the - services more reliably delivered, . passengers will not see the benefits of that _ passengers will not see the benefits of that because _ passengers will not see the benefits of that because almost _ passengers will not see the benefits of that because almost as _ passengers will not see the benefits of that because almost as soon - passengers will not see the benefits of that because almost as soon as l of that because almost as soon as that new— of that because almost as soon as that new timetable _ of that because almost as soon as that new timetable kicks - of that because almost as soon as that new timetable kicks in, - of that because almost as soon as that new timetable kicks in, therej that new timetable kicks in, there will he _ that new timetable kicks in, there will he a _ that new timetable kicks in, there will he a set — that new timetable kicks in, there will be a set of _ that new timetable kicks in, there will be a set of national _ that new timetable kicks in, there will be a set of national industrial| will be a set of national industrial action, _ will be a set of national industrial action, so— will be a set of national industrial action, so again— will be a set of national industrial action, so again another - will be a set of national industrial action, so again another reason i will be a set of national industrial. action, so again another reason why i action, so again another reason why i hope _ action, so again another reason why i hope it— action, so again another reason why i hope it stops _ action, so again another reason why i hope it stops. part _ action, so again another reason why i hope it stops. part of— action, so again another reason why i hope it stops. part of the - action, so again another reason why i hope it stops. part of the reason . i hope it stops. part of the reason why we _ i hope it stops. part of the reason why we need _ i hope it stops. part of the reason why we need workforce _ i hope it stops. part of the reason why we need workforce reform . i hope it stops. part of the reason why we need workforce reform is| i hope it stops. part of the reason i why we need workforce reform is to -et why we need workforce reform is to get rid _ why we need workforce reform is to get rid of _ why we need workforce reform is to get rid of this— why we need workforce reform is to get rid of this reliance _ why we need workforce reform is to get rid of this reliance on— why we need workforce reform is to get rid of this reliance on rest- why we need workforce reform is to get rid of this reliance on rest day. get rid of this reliance on rest day working _ get rid of this reliance on rest day working and — get rid of this reliance on rest day working and to _ get rid of this reliance on rest day working and to have _ get rid of this reliance on rest day working and to have a _ get rid of this reliance on rest day working and to have a pop - get rid of this reliance on rest day working and to have a pop at - get rid of this reliance on rest day. working and to have a pop at seven day railway— working and to have a pop at seven day railway so _ working and to have a pop at seven day railway so that _ working and to have a pop at seven day railway so that we _ working and to have a pop at seven day railway so that we have - working and to have a pop at seven day railway so that we have a - day railway so that we have a reliable — day railway so that we have a reliable service _ day railway so that we have a reliable service for— day railway so that we have a reliable service for those - day railway so that we have a i reliable service for those people who need — reliable service for those people who need a _ reliable service for those people who need a reliable _ reliable service for those people who need a reliable train- reliable service for those people i who need a reliable train service, whether— who need a reliable train service, whether to — who need a reliable train service, whether to get _ who need a reliable train service, whether to get to _ who need a reliable train service, whether to get to work— who need a reliable train service, i whether to get to work committee member— whether to get to work committee member is— whether to get to work committee member is of— whether to get to work committee member is of the _ whether to get to work committee member is of the family— whether to get to work committee member is of the family or- whether to get to work committee member is of the family or do- whether to get to work committee member is of the family or do all. member is of the family or do all the important _ member is of the family or do all the important thing _ member is of the family or do all the important thing is _ member is of the family or do all the important thing is they- member is of the family or do all the important thing is they have i member is of the family or do all. the important thing is they have to do. the important thing is they have to do that _ the important thing is they have to do that would _ the important thing is they have to do. that would help _ the important thing is they have to do. that would help secure - the important thing is they have to do. that would help secure the - do. that would help secure the tong-term _ do. that would help secure the long—term future _ do. that would help secure the long—term future of— do. that would help secure the long—term future of the - do. that would help secure thei long—term future of the railway. do. that would help secure the - long—term future of the railway. is long-term future of the railway. as ou long—term future of the railway. you suggested, avanti are long—term future of the railway.- you suggested, avanti are proposing to increase the number of trains

from 180 to 264 a day, do you have any confidence they will be able to run those trends? let any confidence they will be able to run those trends?— run those trends? let me 'ust put aside and r — run those trends? let me 'ust put aside and i will i run those trends? let me 'ust put aside and i will try fi run those trends? let me 'ust put aside and i will try to _ run those trends? let me just put aside and i will try to keep - run those trends? let me just put aside and i will try to keep mr - aside and i will try to keep mr bedger— aside and i will try to keep mr badger happy _ aside and i will try to keep mr badger happy and _ aside and i will try to keep mr badger happy and not - aside and i will try to keep mr badger happy and not repeati aside and i will try to keep mr- badger happy and not repeat myself, putting _ badger happy and not repeat myself, putting aside — badger happy and not repeat myself, putting aside industrial— badger happy and not repeat myself, putting aside industrial action, - badger happy and not repeat myself, putting aside industrial action, if- putting aside industrial action, if industrial— putting aside industrial action, if industrial action— putting aside industrial action, if industrial action was— putting aside industrial action, if industrial action was not - putting aside industrial action, if industrial action was not taken . industrial action was not taken place — industrial action was not taken place than _ industrial action was not taken place than i _ industrial action was not taken place than i do _ industrial action was not taken place than i do think— industrial action was not taken place than i do think they - industrial action was not taken. place than i do think they would industrial action was not taken - place than i do think they would be able place than i do think they would be abte to— place than i do think they would be able to deliver— place than i do think they would be able to deliver that. _ place than i do think they would be able to deliver that. —— _ place than i do think they would be able to deliver that. —— mr- able to deliver that. —— mr bradshaw _ able to deliver that. —— mr bradshaw. there - able to deliver that. —— mr bradshaw. there has- able to deliver that. —— mr bradshaw. there has been able to deliver that. —— mr. bradshaw. there has been a significant _ bradshaw. there has been a significant number- bradshaw. there has been a significant number of- bradshaw. there has been a significant number of new. bradshaw. there has been a - significant number of new drivers and i_ significant number of new drivers and i think— significant number of new drivers and i think they _ significant number of new drivers and i think they are _ significant number of new drivers and i think they are able - significant number of new drivers and i think they are able to - significant number of new driversi and i think they are able to deliver that timetable. _ and i think they are able to deliver that timetable. [it _ and i think they are able to deliver that timetable.— that timetable. it was promised in october we _ that timetable. it was promised in october we would _ that timetable. it was promised in october we would see _ that timetable. it was promised in october we would see with - that timetable. it was promised in october we would see with the - october we would see with the september changes to the timetable we would see near enough return of full services and that failed to materialise, so we have been here and seen this before, haven't we? why should we now assume that from december, with timetable changes, we will see all of these trains being restored? let will see all of these trains being restored? . , ., will see all of these trains being restored? . , . , restored? let me answer that first and then i restored? let me answer that first and then i may _ restored? let me answer that first and then i may just _ restored? let me answer that first and then i mayjust ask _ restored? let me answer that first| and then i mayjust ask bernadette to comment — and then i mayjust ask bernadette to comment on _ and then i mayjust ask bernadette to comment on the _ and then i mayjust ask bernadette to comment on the previous - to comment on the previous implementation. _ to comment on the previous implementation. we - to comment on the previous implementation. we have . to comment on the previous i implementation. we have been to comment on the previous _ implementation. we have been working

very closely _ implementation. we have been working very closely with — implementation. we have been working very closely with the _ implementation. we have been working very closely with the company - implementation. we have been working very closely with the company to - very closely with the company to test the — very closely with the company to test the drivers _ very closely with the company to test the drivers they _ very closely with the company to test the drivers they have - test the drivers they have available, _ test the drivers they have available, the _ test the drivers they have available, the robustnessi test the drivers they have . available, the robustness of test the drivers they have _ available, the robustness of whether they think. _ available, the robustness of whether they think, whether— available, the robustness of whether they think, whether we _ available, the robustness of whether they think, whether we think - available, the robustness of whether they think, whether we think they. they think, whether we think they can deliver— they think, whether we think they can deliver that— they think, whether we think they can deliver that timetable. - they think, whether we think they can deliver that timetable. we . they think, whether we think they. can deliver that timetable. we think they can _ can deliver that timetable. we think they can as— can deliver that timetable. we think they can~ as i— can deliver that timetable. we think they can. as i said, _ can deliver that timetable. we think they can. as i said, the _ can deliver that timetable. we think they can. as i said, the difficulty- they can. as i said, the difficulty is, and _ they can. as i said, the difficulty is, and i'm — they can. as i said, the difficulty is, and i'm very— they can. as i said, the difficulty is, and i'm very clear, _ they can. as i said, the difficulty is, and i'm very clear, i- they can. as i said, the difficulty is, and i'm very clear, i wanted. they can. as i said, the difficulty. is, and i'm very clear, i wanted to hold _ is, and i'm very clear, i wanted to hold avanti — is, and i'm very clear, i wanted to hold avanti to _ is, and i'm very clear, i wanted to hold avanti to account _ is, and i'm very clear, i wanted to hold avanti to account to - is, and i'm very clear, i wanted to hold avanti to account to deliver. hold avanti to account to deliver the services _ hold avanti to account to deliver the services that _ hold avanti to account to deliver the services that they _ hold avanti to account to deliver the services that they promised | hold avanti to account to deliver. the services that they promised for passengers, — the services that they promised for passengers, one— the services that they promised for passengers, one of— the services that they promised for passengers, one of the _ the services that they promised fori passengers, one of the difficulties, i can passengers, one of the difficulties, i can hold _ passengers, one of the difficulties, i can hold them _ passengers, one of the difficulties, i can hold them to— passengers, one of the difficulties, i can hold them to account - passengers, one of the difficulties, i can hold them to account for - i can hold them to account for things— i can hold them to account for things they— i can hold them to account for things they can _ i can hold them to account for things they can control - i can hold them to account for things they can control and i i can hold them to account for| things they can control and the thing _ things they can control and the thing that— things they can control and the thing that will— things they can control and the thing that will stop _ things they can control and the thing that will stop me being . things they can control and the i thing that will stop me being able to do— thing that will stop me being able to do that — thing that will stop me being able to do that is — thing that will stop me being able to do that is the _ thing that will stop me being able to do that is the industrial - thing that will stop me being able to do that is the industrial actioni to do that is the industrial action because — to do that is the industrial action because they _ to do that is the industrial action because they will— to do that is the industrial action because they will perfectly- because they will perfectly reasonabty _ because they will perfectly reasonably be _ because they will perfectly reasonably be able - because they will perfectly reasonably be able to - because they will perfectly reasonably be able to turn| because they will perfectly - reasonably be able to turn around if they do _ reasonably be able to turn around if they do detiver _ reasonably be able to turn around if they do deliver that _ reasonably be able to turn around if they do deliver that timetable - reasonably be able to turn around if they do deliver that timetable and i they do deliver that timetable and point _ they do deliver that timetable and point to— they do deliver that timetable and point to industrial— they do deliver that timetable and point to industrial action. - they do deliver that timetable and point to industrial action. i- they do deliver that timetable and point to industrial action. i want . they do deliver that timetable and point to industrial action. i want a| point to industrial action. i want a period _ point to industrial action. i want a period where _ point to industrial action. i want a period where we _ point to industrial action. i want a period where we do _ point to industrial action. i want a period where we do not _ point to industrial action. i want a period where we do not have - period where we do not have industriai _ period where we do not have industrial action, _ period where we do not have industrial action, we - period where we do not have industrial action, we can - period where we do not have| industrial action, we can hold period where we do not have - industrial action, we can hold them to account, — industrial action, we can hold them to account, they— industrial action, we can hold them to account, they have _ industrial action, we can hold them to account, they have made - industrial action, we can hold them to account, they have made some. to account, they have made some clear— to account, they have made some clear commitments, _ to account, they have made some clear commitments, we _ to account, they have made some clear commitments, we think- to account, they have made some| clear commitments, we think they to account, they have made some - clear commitments, we think they can deliver— clear commitments, we think they can deliver those — clear commitments, we think they can deliver those commitments _ clear commitments, we think they can deliver those commitments and - clear commitments, we think they can deliver those commitments and i- clear commitments, we think they cani deliver those commitments and i want to see _ deliver those commitments and i want to see them _ deliver those commitments and i want to see them deliver— deliver those commitments and i want to see them deliver those _ deliver those commitments and i want to see them deliver those for- to see them deliver those for passengers _ to see them deliver those for passengers. but— to see them deliver those for passengers. but they - to see them deliver those for passengers. but they are - to see them deliver those for. passengers. but they are clearly to see them deliver those for- passengers. but they are clearly not going _ passengers. but they are clearly not going to _ passengers. but they are clearly not going to deliver— passengers. but they are clearly not going to deliver those _ passengers. but they are clearly noti going to deliver those commitments if two _ going to deliver those commitments if two days— going to deliver those commitments if two days after— going to deliver those commitments if two days after they _ going to deliver those commitments if two days after they roll— going to deliver those commitments if two days after they roll out - going to deliver those commitments if two days after they roll out new i if two days after they roll out new timetabies. — if two days after they roll out new timetables, we _ if two days after they roll out new timetables, we see _ if two days after they roll out new timetables, we see four- if two days after they roll out new timetables, we see four days - if two days after they roll out new timetables, we see four days of. timetables, we see four days of

industrial— timetables, we see four days of industrial action. _ timetables, we see four days of industrial action. you _ timetables, we see four days of industrial action. you want - timetables, we see four days of industrial action. you want to l timetables, we see four days of. industrial action. you want to just comment— industrial action. you want to just comment on— industrial action. you want to just comment on the _ industrial action. you want to just comment on the perfectly - industrial action. you want to just - comment on the perfectly reasonable point on _ comment on the perfectly reasonable point on a _ comment on the perfectly reasonable point on a september— comment on the perfectly reasonable point on a september timetable. - point on a september timetable. indeed. — point on a september timetable. indeed. and _ point on a september timetable. indeed. and i_ point on a september timetable. indeed, and i think— point on a september timetable. indeed, and i think in _ point on a september timetable. indeed, and i think in fairness i point on a september timetable. | indeed, and i think in fairness we are stress— indeed, and i think in fairness we are stress testing these bands, recognising overpromising and under detivering _ recognising overpromising and under delivering only exacerbates the frustration that passengers and people — frustration that passengers and people feel about services. i think a lot people feel about services. i think a tot more — people feel about services. i think a lot more work has been done now to deal with— a lot more work has been done now to deal with the — a lot more work has been done now to deal with the backlog of driver training — deal with the backlog of driver training and to reduce the reliance on rest _ training and to reduce the reliance on rest day— training and to reduce the reliance on rest day working which is why we believe _ on rest day working which is why we believe this — on rest day working which is why we believe this should be a more deliverable now proposition, and i think— deliverable now proposition, and i think lessons have been learned by the company and certainly my department working with the company to ensure _ department working with the company to ensure that is the case. as the secretary— to ensure that is the case. as the secretary of — to ensure that is the case. as the secretary of state rightly says, industrial action will prevent those service _ industrial action will prevent those service levels from being delivered. there _ service levels from being delivered. there is— service levels from being delivered. there is also an ongoing issue which i there is also an ongoing issue which i know— there is also an ongoing issue which i know the _ there is also an ongoing issue which i know the companies working hard with asief— i know the companies working hard with aslef on to make sure aslef is cooperating on rosters as well so it is also _ cooperating on rosters as well so it is also dependent on that. as i say,

certainty— is also dependent on that. as i say, certainty my— is also dependent on that. as i say, certainly my department has been working _ certainly my department has been working closely with avanti to make sure this _ working closely with avanti to make sure this new timetable is one which they can _ sure this new timetable is one which they can effectively deliver. the avanti west the ava nti west coast the avanti west coast services have seenin the avanti west coast services have seen in terms being less than half. the contract wasn't taken off them. is that a mistake? i the contract wasn't taken off them. is that a mistake?— the contract wasn't taken off them. is that a mistake? i have had strong oinions is that a mistake? i have had strong opinions expressed _ is that a mistake? i have had strong opinions expressed to _ is that a mistake? i have had strong opinions expressed to me _ is that a mistake? i have had strong opinions expressed to me both - is that a mistake? i have had strong opinions expressed to me both by l opinions expressed to me both by colleagues in parliament and also when i met the northern mayors last week about what they think should happen to the contract and i asked them for example to write to me to set out their views with the evidence. i am focused on delivering better services for passengers. decisions will be taken in due course about what happens to the contract. i think at the moment the best thing we can do is to try and get them to deliver against their promises. we have been stress

testing and kicking the tyres on their promises. the reduced reliance on the rest day working, the increased number of drivers. we think they can deliver these promises. the proof of the pudding will be in the eating but it would be disrupted by industrial action. i am very focused. i have heard from colleagues who use that service. i have heard from members of the public and others engaged with it. it is worth saying that the regime these companies get paid under, there is a small amount which is a fixed fee but a bigger amount is based on their performance and that is independently assessed and that determines how much money they earn from the contract. the company is well aware that if it doesn't deliver that will impact the amount of money it receives from the taxpayer. of money it receives from the taxpayer-_ taxpayer. are you looking at otential taxpayer. are you looking at potential financial _ taxpayer. are you looking at potential financial penalties | taxpayer. are you looking at i potential financial penalties on avanti and trans pennine? studio: we will come away from the transport select committee, transport secretary mark harper answering

questions. he began this session by saying that the rail dispute was not only about pay. he said it was about reform of the rail industry. he said the industrial action, dealing with in the —— industrial action was a top priority since coming into office and taking on the role. in including on some service routes. he urged unions to call off a planned industrial action, the first of four 48 hours strikes planned for this month and next is due to begin next tuesday. labour's lisa nandy has urged ministers to keep negotiating with nhs staff in england to avert a strike. the shadow secretary for levelling up spoke to the bbc this morning. i think the first thing

the government should do is sit down with the trade unions and negotiate their way through this crisis. i've met with firefighters, ambulance workers and nurses in the last two weeks, and not a single one of them wants these strikes to go ahead. all they are asking for is the government to get involved in the negotiations and get things moving again. there's a specific question here about nurses and nhs staff, who want more money. the government is saying it's not going to budge from the pay deal it's got. and the fundamental question is, should there be more money on the table? i think it's absolutely clear that britain needs a pay rise, rise, across the board. you've got ambulance workers who take on a real terms pay cut since 2010. nurses who've taken a real terms pay cut. firefighters, who i met with last week, who are doing fourjobs in some cases, just to try and feed their families. we can't go on like this. we've got people leaving our front line professions. yes, they need a pay rise. yes, the situation is incredibly difficult, but that's why the government should be in the room, sitting

round the table, moving heaven and earth to get this sorted. in the health example, the government is talking to unions, we are told, the health secretary is talking to unions. just to be clear, you think the pay offer on the table at the moment should be increased by the government to try and stop these strikes? i can't get involved in the negotiations. i haven't been invited in... it's a question of principle. to stop a strike later this month, should the government be prepared to put more money on the table? look, it's clear that britain needs a pay rise, but it's also clear that after 12 years of economic mismanagement and 44 days in which liz truss and kwasi kwarteng crashed the economy, money is tight. that's why the government should be sitting round the table negotiating with the trade unions. in the case of nurses, yes, they want real terms pay increases, they want their pay to at least keep pace with inflation, but they also want better working conditions, because at the moment they feel understandably that they can't do theirjobs well or safely unless there are more resources in the national health service.

it's why we have said we will scrap non—dom tax status to get more money into the national health service, get more staff into the national health service. there is a lot this government could do even in the current economic environment, that they are just simply not doing. the shadow levelling up secretary, lisa nandy. we have been hearing about a train crash in north—east spain. authorities in the region of catalonia say dozens of people were injured in the crash when according to the spanish train operator, a train travelling to barcelona hit another one at a station. dozens of people reported injured in the crash. the cause is being investigated. the democratic party has consolidated its hold on the us senate with a win in the state of georgia. in the final, bitter battle of the mid—term elections, the incumbent, raphael warnock, saw off a challenge from the republican, herschel walker, who was backed by donald trump.

the victory will make governing easier for president biden, but it's a further blow to mr trump's ambition to return to the white house. 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 earlier i spoke to cbs correspondent skyler henry who was in atlanta last night. 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 fight for georgia. meanwhile, the watch party at the warnock eventjubilant as the incumbent senator wins a full six—year term. he is the first black man from georgia ever to 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 that is everyone from president biden to senate majority leader chuck schumer 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 with several races across the country in this mid—term elections, avoiding 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 51—49 split in the senate, they can do that. they have some room to negotiate and they have room to afford some losses or some detractors if you will in terms of some of the issues of not every democrat is on board walking in lockstep in terms of negotiations, and also there is room for democrats to 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 across. skyler henry reporting. 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. overnight 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. earlier i spoke to hattie hasan who is the founder of stopcocks, a national company of women plumbers and heating engineers, and she spoke about how to effectively and efficiently keep your home warm during this cold spell. it is a double whammy, obviously, but if you are elderly obviously you have got to keep warm. i have to just say that first of all, 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. so, 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 slightly cooler temperatures, between 15 and 20. i would suggest that you close doors of rooms that you are not heating

so the heat does not get attracted to those rooms. some of it is just common sense, move furniture away from radiators because radiators need air around them in order to work properly. a lot of people put sofas, curtains... make sure you close your curtains behind your radiators and not in front of them. so what i would actually suggest is if you are at home during the day, and a lot of people are working at home now after the pandemic, use a 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. and one size does not fit all, does it? one temperature does not fit all, when it comes to the various rooms in our home? absolutely. you're absolutely right. we used to recommend back in the old days that you have a temperature of 22 degrees, i do not think that is actually necessary. i think our bodies have gotten used to living at warmer temperatures and we can actually benefit from teaching them to live at slightly lower temperatures, so between 15 and 20

i think is fine. i have been carrying out an experiment in the lead—up to the freeze which is just having the heating on at 15 degrees and actually i found that 15 degrees has managed to take the chill off and we do not actually need to feel warm, hot, we can survive perfectly well and healthily with just not being cold. yes, a couple of quickfire questions if i may. what about thermostats and lowering the temperature ever so slightly? is that a good way to save money but keep warm? yes, i think so. as ijust said, if we canjust 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. and if you have a couple of radiators in a room, say, should you actually try to heat both up a little bit or turn one right down?

well, there is a big propensity to having too much heat being produced, so what i would suggest is if there is an area, if one of the radiators is say under a window, then traditionally under windows are cooler areas and you just need to 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 those in an area... you need to put them in an area that is more representative of what you want, so if you put them in the kitchen the heating will turn off too soon because that is a thermostat that you are moving around, so do not put those thermostats near somewhere that is producing heat. a plumber who i was talking to earlier. that's some advice if you are at home. during the day and through the evening. other people are clearly very worried about

whether they should stay at home and try to heat rooms or find heat elsewhere. joining me now is liz dipple, who manages a warm bank in stafford. thank you for your time today. tell us about the facilities you have at the warm bank and how busy you are as we are getting into this cold snap. as we are getting into this cold sna -. ~ as we are getting into this cold sna n . . ., ., as we are getting into this cold sna.~ . ., ., ., as we are getting into this cold sna.. . ., ., ., ,. snap. we have one of our rooms at the church — snap. we have one of our rooms at the church dedicated _ snap. we have one of our rooms at the church dedicated to _ snap. we have one of our rooms at the church dedicated to a - snap. we have one of our rooms at the church dedicated to a warm - snap. we have one of our rooms at i the church dedicated to a warm bank and other church locations are open as well. that's five days a week and we have tea and coffee flowing with soup at lunchtime and a food bank is available there as well. we are seeing between 30 and 60 people every day coming through. has that number been _ every day coming through. has that number been getting _ every day coming through. has that number been getting bigger - every day coming through. has that number been getting bigger each i every day coming through. has that i number been getting bigger each day as the weather has been turning colder? it as the weather has been turning colder? . . as the weather has been turning colder? . , .. ., , as the weather has been turning colder? . , .. . , ., , colder? it has, actually. it was uuite colder? it has, actually. it was quite mild _ colder? it has, actually. it was quite mild when _ colder? it has, actually. it was quite mild when we _ colder? it has, actually. it was quite mild when we started - colder? it has, actually. it was quite mild when we started at| colder? it has, actually. it was i quite mild when we started at the beginning of november but now we are seeing people coming in wrapped up and ready for a cup of tea. bare and ready for a cup of tea. are those peeple _ and ready for a cup of tea. are those people saying they are

actively coming to you because they are worried about the expense of turning on the heating at home? i turning on the heating at home? i think it's a combination of food prices going up, it being really cold at home, christmas, lots of extra expense, so people are very happy to come in and be in a safe, warm place and socialise with other people. warm place and socialise with other --eole. ~ . warm place and socialise with other neale, . ., warm place and socialise with other --eole. ~ . ., warm place and socialise with other --eole.~ . ., , warm place and socialise with other n-eoler ., ., , ., people. what sort of people are cominu people. what sort of people are coming in? _ people. what sort of people are coming in? is— people. what sort of people are coming in? is it _ people. what sort of people are coming in? is it all— people. what sort of people are coming in? is it all age - people. what sort of people are coming in? is it all age groups? i coming in? is it all age groups? absolutely, toddlers to people in their 805. absolutely, toddlers to people in their 80s. ~ . ., , . their 80s. what sort of things are their 80s. what sort of things are they saying _ their 80s. what sort of things are they saying to _ their 80s. what sort of things are they saying to you? _ their 80s. what sort of things are they saying to you? obviously - their 80s. what sort of things are they saying to you? obviously a l their 80s. what sort of things are l they saying to you? obviously a lot of talk about _ they saying to you? obviously a lot of talk about the _ they saying to you? obviously a lot of talk about the weather - they saying to you? obviously a lot of talk about the weather and - they saying to you? obviously a loti of talk about the weather and bills. a lot of talk about how people can cut costs. there are ideas for keeping warm. all those sorts of things, it's very topical.- things, it's very topical. forgive me if you _ things, it's very topical. forgive me if you have _ things, it's very topical. forgive me if you have already - things, it's very topical. forgive me if you have already said - things, it's very topical. forgive | me if you have already said this, but i don't think you did. you have a food bank in the same room. taste a food bank in the same room. we have, a food bank in the same room. we have. yes- — a food bank in the same room. we have. yes- are _ a food bank in the same room. we have, yes. are people _ a food bank in the same room. we have, yes. are people coming - a food bank in the same room. we have, yes. are people coming in i a food bank in the same room. we| have, yes. are people coming in to

net warm have, yes. are people coming in to get warm and _ have, yes. are people coming in to get warm and accessing _ have, yes. are people coming in to get warm and accessing that - have, yes. are people coming in to get warm and accessing that food i get warm and accessing that food bank as well question yellow yes, it's working both ways will stop people coming in to get warm are accessing food. band people coming in to get warm are accessing food.— people coming in to get warm are accessing food. people coming in to get warm are accessin: food. . , ., , _, accessing food. and people coming in to access food — accessing food. and people coming in to access food will _ accessing food. and people coming in to access food will stay _ accessing food. and people coming in to access food will stay longer - accessing food. and people coming in to access food will stay longer and . to access food will stay longer and chat with people and spend more of their day in a warm place rather than going home to a cold house. bare than going home to a cold house. are ou than going home to a cold house. are you finding that donations to the food bank are dropping as the cost of living bites across the board? it has been noticed, yes. people are talking about how much things have gone up and where they would have donated they are finding it more difficult to do so now. what difficult to do so now. what challenges _ difficult to do so now. what challenges does _ difficult to do so now. what challenges does that - difficult to do so now. what challenges does that pose i difficult to do so now. what i challenges does that pose for difficult to do so now. what challenges does that pose for you trying to run the facility question yellow it is a hard job to make sure always have enough food at the moment. we are ok at the moment. it's an ongoing challenge. we're always working to make sure we meet the next day �*s demand. in

always working to make sure we meet the next day 's demand.— the next day 's demand. in terms of the next day 's demand. in terms of the church's — the next day 's demand. in terms of the church's own _ the next day 's demand. in terms of the church's own challenge - the next day 's demand. in terms of the church's own challenge in - the next day 's demand. in terms of| the church's own challenge in paying your energy bills, that is clearly a factor that you have to consider too. it factor that you have to consider too. . , ,., , , factor that you have to consider too. __ too. it absolutely is, yes. the church have _ too. it absolutely is, yes. the church have been _ too. it absolutely is, yes. the church have been very - too. it absolutely is, yes. the i church have been very generous. too. it absolutely is, yes. the - church have been very generous. we have been putting on applications for grants as well to make sure we can keep the heat on over the winter. i can keep the heat on over the winter. . . can keep the heat on over the winter. , . , ., . �* winter. i expect you imagine it'll aet winter. i expect you imagine it'll get busier— winter. i expect you imagine it'll get busier before _ winter. i expect you imagine it'll get busier before it _ winter. i expect you imagine it'll get busier before it gets - winter. i expect you imagine it'll| get busier before it gets quieter. yes, it will. bare get busier before it gets quieter. yes. it will-— yes, it will. are there lots of other spaces _ yes, it will. are there lots of other spaces like _ yes, it will. are there lots of other spaces like this, - yes, it will. are there lots of other spaces like this, warm | yes, it will. are there lots of - other spaces like this, warm banks in your area that you are aware of question yellow yes, the local libraries are open, the church halls. and on the warm space website people can see where their nearest warm space is. are you trying to give people advice on how can manage at home? taste give people advice on how can manage at home? ~ ., give people advice on how can manage at home? ~ . ., ., ., . ., at home? we have our own information and guidance — at home? we have our own information and guidance service _ at home? we have our own information and guidance service that _ at home? we have our own information and guidance service that helps. - at home? we have our own information and guidance service that helps. we - and guidance service that helps. we have colleagues from the nhs coming in and the fire service have come in to give out warm packs. we have quite a good network of people who can help. quite a good network of people who can hel.~ ., v

quite a good network of people who can hel. ~ . h . quite a good network of people who canhel-. . can help. what's in the warm packs ou can help. what's in the warm packs you mention? _ can help. what's in the warm packs you mention? a — can help. what's in the warm packs you mention? a blanket, _ can help. what's in the warm packs you mention? a blanket, hats, - can help. what's in the warm packs i you mention? a blanket, hats, socks, a scarf, you mention? a blanket, hats, socks, a scarf. and — you mention? a blanket, hats, socks, a scarf. and a — you mention? a blanket, hats, socks, a scarf, and a heat _ you mention? a blanket, hats, socks, a scarf, and a heat thing _ you mention? a blanket, hats, socks, a scarf, and a heat thing you - you mention? a blanket, hats, socks, a scarf, and a heat thing you can - a scarf, and a heat thing you can put in a microwave to warm up, and an insulated mug.— put in a microwave to warm up, and an insulated mug. some people coming in miaht not an insulated mug. some people coming in might not have _ an insulated mug. some people coming in might not have that _ an insulated mug. some people coming in might not have that at _ an insulated mug. some people coming in might not have that at home - in might not have that at home potentially. in might not have that at home potentially-— in might not have that at home otentiall . ., .. . , potentially. not the sara lee, they wouldn't, potentially. not the sara lee, they wouldn't. no- _ potentially. not the sara lee, they wouldn't, no. thank— potentially. not the sara lee, they wouldn't, no. thank you _ potentially. not the sara lee, they wouldn't, no. thank you for - potentially. not the sara lee, they wouldn't, no. thank you for giving | wouldn't, no. thank you for giving that insight _ wouldn't, no. thank you for giving that insight into _ wouldn't, no. thank you for giving that insight into what _ wouldn't, no. thank you for giving that insight into what you - wouldn't, no. thank you for giving that insight into what you are - that insight into what you are doing. —— not necessarily they wouldn't, no. the manager of a warm bank in stafford, thank you. 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 zero 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. in a sign that the economy

is reopening, disneyland in shanghai is reopening. earlier i spoke to the bbc�*s chinese service editor, howard zhang, about how the ccp is portraying the policy change. if you read the official state media, they are calling this a major victory for the party and for the leader, 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 now it is a different string of virus and the party have not made a mistake. so 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. yes, this is really 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 wondering 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 kind of sufferings to many people's daily lives and imagine there for three years and that is the knock—on effect on traders, on blue—collar workers, it is unimaginable at the moment. what does this mean now for people in china and what is happening with the vaccination programme, as well?

again, the 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 omicron, so what does this really mean for the vaccine rate? and those are the things i think more experts will explain to us later on. the government has announced a new compensation scheme for postmasters who were among the first to take legal action against the post office over the horizon it scandal.

it saw some of them falsely accused of theft. the scheme will enable these postmasters to claim reasonable legal fees and to receive similar compensation to their peers. 555 postmasters were ineligible for the historical shortfall scheme that was set up to compensate those who were affected by the failure. 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 task force 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. the duke and duchess of sussex have appeared on stage in new york to receive an award for taking what the organisers called "a heroic stand against structural racism in the monarchy". the event took place just 36 hours before the release of the netflix series, harry and meghan,

in which the couple are expected to speak about their rift from the royal family. our north america correspondent nada tawfik�*s report contains flashing images. the duke and duchess of sussex stepped in front of the cameras in new york for a star—studded gala. standing next to them, the daughter of robert f kennedy, who chose them as recipients of the ripple of hope award, alongside ukraine's president, volodymyr zelensky. kerry kennedy previously praised them for taking, as she put it, a heroic stand against structural racism in the monarchy. you know, we're so proud of their work on racialjustice and on mental health parity and awareness. and the multitude of things that they have done, showing up when people really need them. harry and meghan first made allegations of racism in an interview with oprah winfrey last march. prince william responded at the time that the royal family was very much not a racist family.

in the same interview the duchess discussed her own struggles with mental health and suicidal thoughts. on stage in new york she was asked about that. she said it hadn't been easy, but it was worth it if it gave even one person hope. the evening did have its light moments too. actually, to be honest with you, kerry, i actually thought we were going on a date night. so i found it quite weird that we're sharing the room with 1500 people. but, i mean, we don't get out much because our kids are so small and young, so this is completely unexpected. but it's nice to share date night with all of you. thank you for coming. laughter. harry and meghan have not shied away from the spotlight, and from speaking their mind. and here, this prestigious award honours them for doing exactly that. nevertheless, there has been scrutiny and it will only intensify when their netflix episodes are released. no one sees what's happening behind closed doors. the first three episodes of their docuseries drops thursday.

at least one celebrity here plans to watch it. what they are doing for the world, meghan and harry, and for themselves, and to try to say, yes, the royals have a wonderful, wonderful legacy, but the world is evolving and i think we should evolve with it. i don't know enough genuinely about accusations of racism within the royal family to comment about that, i really don't. i only know that in my lifetime, i'm 64 years old, in my lifetime what i've learned is racism is everywhere. harry and meghan are determined to keep control of their story with the upcoming six part series. and there is widespread speculation about what else they might reveal. nada tawfik, bbc news, new york. the technology giant apple is being sued in a us court by two women who say its airtags enabled former partners to stalk them.

the small trackers are designed to be placed on wallets or keys to prevent them from being lost. apple has not commented on the lawsuit but has previously said its devices contain several measures that prevent unwanted tracking. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol. hello again. over the next few days and nights it is going to turn colder and some of us will see some snow. if you want to find out what is happening where you are or where you are going, do not forget to check out the bbc weather app where you will find all the information that you need. but for the next few days, you can expect it to turn colder, there will be some sharp frosts by night. icy stretches are quite likely on untreated services and some of us will see some snow showers. we have had that already today across the north of scotland and we will continue with snow showers at lower levels, the risk of ice across northern scotland, some of that blowing in the strong winds, and we also have ice and some snow come across parts of the west. a lot of the snow will be on the hills. as we head on through today,

the snow will continue at lower levels across the north of scotland. there will be some showers down the east coast, some of those will be wintry at low levels at times. showers in northern ireland, wales and the south—west will be mainly of rain at lower levels. might be wintry in the hills and inbetween a lot of dry weather and some sunshine, but feeling cold and colder in the strong winds across the north—east of scotland and also eastern parts of england. through this evening and overnight, the snow in scotland sinks a little bit further south, but we will also have some wintry showers across eastern parts of england, at times lower levels. most of the showers in the west will be of rain at low levels. still wintry in the hills, but we are looking at a widespread frost and once again the risk of ice on untreated surfaces where we have had the wet weather. tomorrow, we have got this weak weather front splitting and sinking south. later in the day another weather front bringing snow across northern scotland will start to sink south. so here's that snow, moving southwards across scotland,

eventually getting into north—east england where there is the potential on the north york moors for one to three centimetres of snow. towards the west, again most of the showers will be of rain, wintry perhaps on the hills, and in between a lot of dry weather, but it is going to feel cold once again. and this snow across north—east england through the night and into the early part of friday will push southwards. we could see some in suffolk and kent, potentially we could see some in london, and again areas exposed to that northerly wind, that is where we are likely to see the winteriness in the showers. but again on friday, a lot of dry weather, but still feeling cold. as we head on into the weekend, it is going to turn even colder. overnight it could be as low as —7 with some freezing fog.

this is bbc news. the headlines at 11... transport secretary mark harper urges unions to call off new rail strikes planned from christmas eve. call off the strikes for christmas which i going to be so damaging to individuals and businesses across a whole range of sectors, and in the government will do what we can to try and encourage both employers and unions to keep talking. 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. 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. the transport secretary, mark harper, has urged rail unions to call off the strikes planned before christmas. giving evidence before mps this morning, he said the stoppages were damaging to individuals and businesses across the economy. the rail, maritime and transport union has vowed to press ahead with walk—outs from next week, after it recommended its workers reject the latest pay offer from network rail. industrial action at 14 train companies will take place on the 13th and 14th, and 16 and 17th of december, as well as further strikes injanuary on the third and fourth, sixth and seventh.

the rmt is also indispute with network rail — that's staff who maintain the railways — and staff from network rail will strike from late on christmas eve to the morning of the 27th of december. mr harper criticised the union's stance. my my department spends something, over 60% of the department's total spending on capital and revenue on railways and only 10% ofjourney miles in the country are on rail. i just think we have to get into a better sense of balance. that is what we're trying to do with the unions. i still urge the unions to keep talking, i have put those deals to their members, at least a neutral recommendation, and colourful strikes before christmas which i going to be so damaging to individuals and businesses across a whole range of sectors, the government will do what we can to

try and encourage both employers and unions to keep talking. let's talk to our tranport correspondent katy austin. how inevitable are the strikes looking? at the moment it very much looks like they will go ahead. the members at network rail, which is about half the rmt members involved in this dispute, they are having a referendum on a new offer that has been proposed by network rail, but that closes on monday afternoon next week and a defence strike is due to be on tuesday. coupled with the fact that the rmt has advised member to reject that offer, so even if they accepted, it would be far too late by that stage to avoid disruption evenif by that stage to avoid disruption even if they called off their strike, but also network rail has said it needed to know whether the strike would be called off by the end of monday this week to avoid disruption. there will certainly be a lot of disruption next week the people being told not to travel unless absolutely necessary, i would expect, under strike days and

effective services running at a lot of places having no trains at all. i have talked about network rail, train companies also representing half the workers involved, ideal was put forward on sunday —— a deal, the rmt rejected the offer and as far as i'm aware there hasn't been anything since then in any of the talks which have happened, not many, to produce a breakthrough on that front. as we sit here now, it looks like the strikes will go ahead and it is not just about pay, that is not the only argument, as the transport secretary said tout this morning, it is also about proposed reforms and changes to working practices which the government and industry say have to happen. some of these are very controversial in the eyes of the rmt. ~ ., ., controversial in the eyes of the rmt. . ., ., , controversial in the eyes of the rmt. ~ ., ., , rmt. what role is the government -la in: ? rmt. what role is the government playing? we _ rmt. what role is the government playing? we have _ rmt. what role is the government playing? we have had _ rmt. what role is the government playing? we have had labour- rmt. what role is the government i playing? we have had labour saying they are stepping back and not taking any part in trying to bring about a settlement. taste

taking any part in trying to bring about a settlement.— taking any part in trying to bring about a settlement. we have seen the a- roach about a settlement. we have seen the approach may — about a settlement. we have seen the approach may be _ about a settlement. we have seen the approach may be by — about a settlement. we have seen the approach may be by successive - approach may be by successive transport secretaries change slightly, mark harper has perhaps got more involved than his predecessors in terms of meeting union leaders, saying he has tried to facilitate an offer, but the position of the governor hasn't really changed in that they say it is not their place to directly intervene in negotiations, they leave that to the employers and unions. the government sets the mandate within which these negotiations are taking place and has final sign off on what is agreed. mark harper has said over the past couple of days when he met nick lynch from the rmt he was asked to facilitate an initial pay offer to facilitate an initial pay offer to make that possible, he said he had done that and the rmt had rejected it and he said again this morning that he was disappointed that that deal from the train companies had not been put to members for a vote, unlike video which has been put to network rail

members —— mick lynch. he would like the rmt to put both these offers members with at least a neutral recommendation.— the democratic party has consolidated its hold on the us senate with a win in the state of georgia. in the final, bitter battle of the mid—term elections, the incumbent, raphael warnock, saw off a challenge from the republican, herschel walker, who was backed by donald trump. the victory will make governing easier for president biden but it's a further blow to mr trump's ambition to return to the white house. raphael warnock gave a victory speech at his campaign's election night party in atlanta. are you ready, georgia? i are you ready, georgia? lam ready! standing upfor are you ready, georgia? lam ready! standing up for workers. standing up for women. to stand up for our children. i am

ready to build a stronger georgia, god bless you, keep the faith and keep looking up. i'm joined now by asha subas from the uk executive committee of democrats abroad. good morning. good news for you, this is the final result from the mid—term elections, what was it that gave mr warnock the edge? i mid-term elections, what was it that gave mr warnock the edge?- gave mr warnock the edge? i think it is what we have _ gave mr warnock the edge? i think it is what we have been _ gave mr warnock the edge? i think it is what we have been saying - gave mr warnock the edge? i think it is what we have been saying all - is what we have been saying all along, which is the democratic party is in sync with the normal ordinary american and their values and what they want to see and their elected leaders. senator warnock is a decent man, he is someone who has roots, deep roots in georgia, he has been standing up during his term for the ordinary american, whether it comes to the farmers in georgia, people who need insulin, people who need costs to come down, and walk out on

the republican side was not of these things and the gop really needs to do some soul—searching about the types of candidates they are putting forward and the extreme positions that they hold. they really are not in sync with the american people. you say that and yet the race as we know it was tight, that is why the was a run—off, because nobody got 50% in the first round, raphael warnock has one but by a percentage point, percentage and a half, it is a tight race and not quite the resounding rejection of republican values that you are suggesting. i would say that if you look at president bush in the early 2000, about the margins he would win in georgia, 10%, 20%, we are talking about very dramatic change in the electoral map. also just the nature of how us politics works these days,

one or 2% lead is a significant lead and it sends a resounding message to the republican party. what and it sends a resounding message to the republican party.— the republican party. what does this now mean in — the republican party. what does this now mean in terms _ the republican party. what does this now mean in terms of— the republican party. what does this now mean in terms of president - the republican party. what does this | now mean in terms of president biden and his authority and his ability to govern with more authority? given that we now have a clear democrat lead in the senate of 51 — 49, although not in the house of representatives which is controlled by the republicans. it is representatives which is controlled by the republicans.— by the republicans. it is a real moral victory _ by the republicans. it is a real moral victory and _ by the republicans. it is a real moral victory and it _ by the republicans. it is a real moral victory and it energises| by the republicans. it is a real. moral victory and it energises the party, even here in the uk, we had volunteers turning out over thanksgiving week to turn up to vote, this has proven the democrats having one of the best mid—term performances in decades. and having that type of win and proving the critics wrong is really... it gives the party a lot of strength going forward in terms of its leadership in what it wants to accomplish, even

without the house, the senate is an extremely important body for confirmation ofjudges, this means that we'll be going forward. abs]!!! that we'll be going forward. all right, good to get your thoughts, thank you. 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 zero—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. in a sign that the economy is reopening, disneyland in shanghai is reopening.

earlier i spoke to the bbc�*s chinese service editor, howard zhang, about how the ccp is portraying the policy change. if you read the official state media, they are calling this a major victory for the party and for the leader, 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 now it is a different string of virus and the party have not made a mistake. so 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. 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 operations the country has ever seen". our berlin correspondent, jenny hill, told me why this particular group had been targeted. well, the authorities here say they are extremely dangerous, not least because the terrorist cell had managed to recruit a military arm consisting of former and current members of the german army, at least one of whom reportedly had received specialist military training. this cell, consisting of about 50 men and women, had for the last year

actively prepared a plot, the investigators say, to storm the bundestag, the seat of the german parliament, and overthrow the german government. this plot was hatched apparently during meetings at a hunting lodge belonging to a german aristocrat in his 705 who had planned to install himself as head of a new german state. he'd even allegedly assembled a shadow cabinet of ministers — there was a doctor prepared to become health minister, a lawyer who was preparing to become the foreign minister. it is difficult to say what connects this group. you will hear the word reichsburger used a lot during reporting of this case and this is a movement of people here in germany who reject germany's post—war constitution, completely reject the current german state and want to return it to a rather more historical iteration of itself, but among this group are other right—wing conspiracy theorists including covid deniers and people who adhere to qanon ideology.

at this point we say goodbye to viewers watching on bbc two. the headlines on bbc news... transport secretary mark harper urges unions to call off new rail strikes planned from christmas eve. 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 an end to strict quarantine rules in china, following weeks of protests. people are being advised to heat their living thousands of ambulance staff logo strike before christmas adding to a

wave of disruption. the walk—out comes amid growing concerns over ambulance response times with one region in particular showing a significant rise in the number of patients who have died after a delay. the figures from west midlands ambulance service were uncovered by a freedom of information request from bbc newsnight. ijust i just assumed it within a few minutes and ambulance would be with you. is minutes and ambulance would be with ou. . . . .. minutes and ambulance would be with ou. , , , . ., minutes and ambulance would be with ou. . . . .. .. .. . . you. is she breathing at least twice eve ten you. is she breathing at least twice every ten seconds? _ you. is she breathing at least twice every ten seconds? i _ you. is she breathing at least twice every ten seconds? i have - you. is she breathing at least twice every ten seconds? i have no - you. is she breathing at least twice every ten seconds? i have no idea. i every ten seconds? i have no idea. when darren's _ every ten seconds? i have no idea. when darren's ten-month-old - every ten seconds? i have no idea. i when darren's ten-month-old doctor when darren's ten—month—old doctor had a seizure and free time stopped breathing, it took 47 minutes for the ambulance to come. the target

for the average response time on such a serious life or death call is seven minutes. it such a serious life or death call is seven minutes.— such a serious life or death call is seven minutes. it was horrendous, it is every parent's _ seven minutes. it was horrendous, it is every parent's worst _ seven minutes. it was horrendous, it is every parent's worst nightmare. i is every parent's worst nightmare. mostly darren's daughter survived, sadly many do not. data obtained by newsnight through a freedom of information request paints a worrying picture. in the whole of 2020, west midlands ambulance service had just one patient who was dead by the time the amplitude up following a delay. so far this year, up following a delay. so far this year, up until september, the total is 37, and that is with three—month status still to come. as we have heard repeatedly, one of the big problems is ambulances being stuck outside hospitals, unable to hand over patients. every single day newsnight journalist monitored ambulances at five hospitals covered by west midlands ambulance service to see just how bad the problem is right now. on the day we recorded data, the longest and ambulance had to wait to hand over a patient was at

worcester royal 21 hours, princess royal hospital in telford 19 hours, alexandra hospital in redditch eight hours, at royal stoke 15 hours, and at royal shrewsbury more than 20 hours. problems at the end of his task of finding pad than just delays. the number of serious incidents defined as an avoidable series outcome because my problems with care has shot up over 400% so far this year, compared with the same period last year. half of them are not directly attributed to delays. minutes of the endless trust's board meeting suggest part of the rise in serious incidents is down to mismanagement of things like choking and cardiac arrest. newsnight has been told by a senior ambulance trust insider that most of the serious incidents had their root cause in the long delays. experienced staff are getting fed up of hanging around outside hospitals for an entire ship, so they are

leaving theirjobs. in their place the new recruits, they are hanging around outside hospitals, so they are not getting experience of the range of problems that they will have to deal with. duh; range of problems that they will have to deal with.— have to deal with. duly elected councillor. _ have to deal with. duly elected councillor. after _ have to deal with. duly elected councillor. after what - have to deal with. duly elected | councillor. after what happened have to deal with. duly elected - councillor. after what happened to his daughter. _ councillor. after what happened to his daughter, darren _ councillor. after what happened to his daughter, darren ran _ councillor. after what happened to his daughter, darren ran four- councillor. after what happened to his daughter, darren ran four and l his daughter, darren ran four and won a seat on his local council. his one manifesto pledge, to try to sort out the ambulance delays. six months on, he says things have gotten measurably worse. the on, he says things have gotten measurably worse.— on, he says things have gotten measurably worse. the stories have one from measurably worse. the stories have gone from waiting _ measurably worse. the stories have gone from waiting 34 _ measurably worse. the stories have gone from waiting 34 hours - measurably worse. the stories have gone from waiting 34 hours to - measurably worse. the stories have gone from waiting 34 hours to five i gone from waiting 34 hours to five or six hours, 28 or nine hours, so now you have people waiting nine hours hours for an ambulance. nine hours hours for an ambulance. nine hoursjust for an hours hours for an ambulance. nine hours just for an ambulance. i think that the nhs isn'tjust in crisis any more, i think the nhs is failing and we are losing the nhs. and i think this winter's pressures are going to be the thing that topples the nhs over.

west midlands ambulance service said it is working very hard to prevent delays but it depends on other parts of the health service admitting patients quickly. the department of health in england says it's taking urgent action to support the ambulance service — including offering an extra 500 million pounds to speed up hospital discharge and free up beds. 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. annual task force is meeting at downing street today to find ways of reducing the record backlog of 7.1 million people who need treatment. 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. overnight lows of —10 celsius are predicted in northern scotland, with snow and ice warnings there, as well as in wales, northern ireland and the east coast of england. i'm joined by our weather presenter matt taylor. there's an amber cold weather alert in force for some, what does that mean? that is an initiative between the met office and uk health security agency, it is advised for the health providers across england in particular to prepare for cold weather, especially with impact it could have on the vulnerable and on services. it is one of four alert levels they have, basically for the health providers, when you get to read, which were not at don't anticipate we will get to that, is when impact on cold weather is particularly severe and prolonged time could have impacts on even if it had healthy, but not anticipated during this cold spell.

what other warning are in force? we have a number of yellow weather warnings issued by the met office, the lowest level of warnings, minor impacts on the areas shown, really extensive but some of the main population areas out of that, if fairly typical spell of december winter weather, fairly typical spell of december winterweather, but fairly typical spell of december winter weather, but with a mixture of snow, particularly for scotland, and ice by night and morning as well. those are the sort of things well. those are the sort of things we will have to watch out for. how cold will it get, and is it unusual? it is december, we are in winter, there is nothing unusual, we are expecting to see temperatures drop as low as —10, particularly across scotland as we go through the week, put that into context, oldest ever december night was in 1995 when we saw temperatures drop to —27. that is a long way off. but with what is happening, we have not been used to cool decembers recently, this year

we are on target for the warmest year on record, everything a month has seen above—average temperatures, autumn was its third warmest on record, this comes as a bit of a shock and particularly across the backdrop of those rising energy bills, people are more concerned of how long and how cold this cold speu how long and how cold this cold spell will be. it how long and how cold this cold spell will be— spell will be. it is causing a lot of worry- _ how long will it last? it will be the most prolonged cold speu it will be the most prolonged cold spell we have had since february last year, 2021, significant as far as that is concerned, it looks at least to go into the start of next week, it gets a bit complicated then, it is a fight between cold day from the north, milder af from the south, if it happens across the uk we could be talking about significant snow next week but at the moment it looks like the cold could be holding on for a lot longer yet. politicians will return briefly to the stormont assembly today but the sitting isn't expected to end a crisis which has left northern ireland without a fully—functioning devolved government.

the assembly has been recalled by sinn fein, which will criticise the democratic unionists for blocking moves to restore power—sharing. let's cross to belfast and to our ireland correspondent chris page. what is the point of this meeting today? what is the point of this meeting toda ? ., . what is the point of this meeting toda ? . , , ., . today? that is the question that the democratic unionist _ today? that is the question that the democratic unionist party _ today? that is the question that the democratic unionist party will- today? that is the question that the democratic unionist party will be i democratic unionist party will be asking when cds get under way. they are going to call it apical grandstanding, there will be no more substantive business, the dup will do, as it has done in the four previous occasions the assembly has been recalled since the election, they will block the election of a speaker, so the motion for debate that has been put down by sinn fein, which will call on the dup lift its veto on the formation of a devolved government so that local ministers can be put in place to deal with the

cost of living crisis, that motion will not actually be discussed. from the point of view of sinn fein, now the point of view of sinn fein, now the assembly�*s largest party, they have recalled the assembly through a petition which was backed by the cross community alliance party and the nationalist stl peak, they will point out again that it is —— sdlp, it is one party that is stopping the rest entitled to join a power—sharing executive from going to work, so it will be a bit of political tent pitching but you get the impression that sinn fein and those other parties behind this recall petition will want to highlight the issues around the cost—of—living as we move into this very cold period, people will of course be all the more conscious of rising heating bills, and they will be wanting to point the finger at the democratic unionist party, and the democratic unionist party, and the dup will responded that the

brexit trading arrangements for northern ireland, northern ireland protocol, which imposes checks on goods moving here from the rest of the uk, demise northern ireland because my place in the uk and therefore undermines the whole basis of power—sharing, so we will have another restatement of the dup of their fundamental position that they will not allow the assembly held substantive settings, they were not allow the devolved government to be formed unless that trade border with great britain is removed. talks between the uk and eu on that matter set to go into next year, so there is no sign that in spite of all today's meeting and recall, which is set to get under way in just over half an hour, that there will be any substantial movement towards ending the political deadlock in northern ireland which has gone now for ten months. 50 ireland which has gone now for ten months. . _, , ,, , months. so a complete impasse they are, as months. so a complete impasse they are. as you — months. so a complete impasse they are, as you describe _ months. so a complete impasse they are, as you describe it. _ months. so a complete impasse they are, as you describe it. meanwhile, i are, as you describe it. meanwhile, voters in northern ireland will prepare for another election at some stage.

prepare for another election at some sta . e. . prepare for another election at some state. . ., �* . stage. yes, that's right. legislation _ stage. yes, that's right. legislation at _ stage. yes, that's right. i legislation at westminster stage. yes, that's right. - legislation at westminster which stage. yes, that's right. _ legislation at westminster which has just become law in the last 24 hours actually has pushed back the deadline for the extension of a power—sharing devolved government. into the spring. as things stand, the latest that an election could be called if there is no executive by the start of march, we could be looking at an election in the middle of april, so it is down to whether there is some kind of unexpected breakthrough here, the dup is adamant it is not going to change its position, there are two routes where its concerns could be addressed, one is some kind of deal between the uk and eu alan dowson ongoing talks that will satisfy the dup's ongoing talks that will satisfy the dup�*s and says that a trade border no longer exists. rishi sunak�*s government is putting legislation through westminster that will give ministers the power to unilaterally override parts of the northern

ireland protocol and brexit trading arrangements, so that could be another route by which the dup could decide to return to power—sharing. it feels like an election is more likely than not, certainly as things stand, whenever those new deadlines over the next couple of months runout, the northern ireland secretary chris heaton—harris will be under legal duty to call an election, but there is no more certainty around all they said it feels like as every month goes by, the long—term future of devolution in northern ireland is coming more into question. when avatar was released in 2009 it became the highest grossing film in cinema history — and studio bosses promised a sequel by the end of 2014. last night — a mere eight years late — that sequel had its world premiere in london. stars including kate winslet and sigourney weaver, and directorjames cameron, were on the blue carpet for the first showing of "avatar — the way of water". our entertainment correspondent

lizo mzimba was there. the high—flying first movie is the biggest film of all time, and fans have been waiting 13 years for this sequel. it continues the story of the once humanjake sully, who's now part of the planet's indigenous population. james cameron wants this to be the first of four new, hugely expensive installments in the series. so this film really does need to be a huge smash to justify avatars 3, 4 and particularly avatar 5. i've always been nervous every time before we put a movie out into the marketplace, and this is a particularly fraught time because, after the pandemic, you know, the market has contracted somewhat, but we just have to see what happens. part of the reason for the massive success of the original film was undoubtedly its eye—popping 3d imagery.

this is our home. cameron wants the emotion... i need you. ..to bejust as important as the spectacle of the movie, something backed up by the cast. the movie is about protecting what you love. in this case, it's protecting your family. we can all relate to that. and, you know, that's very important. you know? that connectivity and taking what you care about and protecting it at all costs. you know, it's all about the emotion. the experience of the film is completely emotional. and, all the battles and all the flights and all of that is also absolutely amazing. but the heart of it is emotion. the reason why it took so much time is because his main — and sometimes only focus — is the heart of the story. it's not how many tickets he's going to sell in the box office and whether or not he's going to break a record, it's whether or not the story that he's going to create for avatar 2: the way of water is going to have the same impact from the heart.

joining the cast for this film is kate winslet, as a character whose tribe has a close relationship with the ocean. the last time she worked with james cameron also involved rather a lot of water. it was really different because, ithink, titanic, you know, it's such a long time ago. people keep talking about, oh, its the 25th anniversary. but hang on. sorry. yes. hi. people are shouting. it's actually for us nearly 27 years since we were filming. so it's over half of my lifetime. just a totally, totally different atmosphere and energy on avatar. you know, it's reallyjim's baby, obviously coming back to it for the second time. of course, it's notjust the studio that financed this that will be keeping its fingers crossed, the film industry still hasn't fully recovered from covid, and hollywood will be keeping a close eye on a film that has the potential to do something that neither spider—man: no way home nor top gun: maverick managed. and that is become the first multibillion dollar blockbuster

since the pandemic. lizo mzimba, bbc news at the avatar 2 premiere. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol. hello again. over the next few days and nights it's going to turn colder with a widespread frost. some of us seeing some snow. we've got that today across the northern half of scotland. the snow blowing in the strong winds. some wintry showers coming down the east coast, at times to lower levels. and we'll see some wintriness in the hills of northern ireland and wales. but in between, a lot of dry weather. in the north and east, these are the temperatures you can expect, but when you add on the wind chill it'll feel colder than that. tonight we continue with the snow showers across northern scotland. still some across some parts of eastern england. but a lot of clear skies meaning the temperature will fall away quite widely. there will be the risk of ice

on untreated surfaces and a widespread frost to start the day. so we still will have those wintry showers across northern scotland at low levels. through the day, getting into south—east scotland, the north york moors, for example, where we could see one or two centimetres. in the west there will be a few showers, wintry mainly on the hills. and a lot of dry weather with some sunshine, but cold. hello, this is bbc news with reeta chakrabarti. the headlines: transport secretary mark harper urges unions to call off new rail strikes planned from christmas eve. call off the strikes for christmas which are going to be so damage to individuals and businesses across a whole range of sectors and the government will do what we can to try and encourage both employers and unions to keep talking. 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 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. sport and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here's jane dougall. good morning. we start in doha where england will train later this hour, building up to their quarter final match against france on saturday. we now know all of the quarter finalists after a convincing win for portugal last night, beating switzerland 6—1, and they did it mostly without their talisman cristiano ronaldo. they'll now meet morocco. we canjoinjohn watson who's live for us there. john, how impressive were portugal?

very impressive. i think the most impressive element about it was ramos, the 21—year—old came in to replace ronaldo in that starting line—up only to score a hat—trick in that 6-1 line—up only to score a hat—trick in that 6—1 victory over switzerland. the youngest player to score a world cup hat—trick since pele. ronaldo was dropped to the bench for last night's match in response to his reaction for being substituted in the previous match. a lot of noise has followed ronaldo throughout this world cup. he gave that interview and with all the terminations that followed, with his club side manchester united, then a sign that

the portuguese minister showed some vindication in their decision and portugal march on and potentially could lie in wait for england if they can get past france on saturday. it would be the winner they would face. it would be the winner they would face. and as we mentioned, england train later, wat the mood like? of course they're without raheem sterling. he flew home because of a robbery at his home in the uk. we've still to hear whether he could potentially link up with his england team—mates again but gareth southgate seems to go into tournament mode at these big tournaments. he's done so again and it's that air of calm he seems to bring that emanate through the squad and we've seen the players looking very relaxed at the hotel and

trading. we wait to see what selection gareth southgate will make, will he bring marcus rashford back? he favoured saka in the last tie against the french. the attacking quality like mbappe, how will england deal with the threats posed by him? they have had a decent amount of time after the match with senegal. they prepare for that training session later. the belgium forward eden hazard has anounced his retirement from international football at the age of 31 after his country failed to make it out of the group stages at the world cup. the real madrid and former chelsea striker posted a statement on social media which read, "a page turns today. thank you for your love. thank you for your unparalleled support. thank you for all this happiness shared since 2008.

i have decided to put an end to my international career. the succession is ready. i will miss you." england women thrashed the west indies by 142 runs to secure a dominant one—day international series win in antigua. chasing 261, the hosts were bowled out for 118 with lauren bell taking her best international figures of 4—33. bell and kate cross, who took 2—35, tore through a fragile west indies batting line—up as the hosts slipped to 49—5 inside the first ten overs of their chase. surrey police have confirmed two men have been arrested following a break—in at the home of raheem sterling. more details on the bbc sport website but that's all for now.

let's go back to the sotry about the forecast for much colder weather than usual over the next few days. —— story. overnight 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 a david barclay, who is a manager from warm welcome, an organisation campaigning for more warm spaces for those suffering from rising cost of living this winter. good morning, david. you do rather more than campaigning, you help people find where they can go. just cut through that.— cut through that. that's right, on the warm welcome _ cut through that. that's right, on the warm welcome website, - cut through that. that's right, on the warm welcome website, we | cut through that. that's right, on - the warm welcome website, we created a map where people can find your nearest warm welcome space which is free and safe and warm and welcoming, and we've got over 3000 organisations that have signed up with us to be warm welcome —— warm welcome space so people are able to find somewhere near them on the map where they can go and get the welcome they might need. viewers can

see what it looks _ welcome they might need. viewers can see what it looks like _ welcome they might need. viewers can see what it looks like on _ welcome they might need. viewers can see what it looks like on the _ see what it looks like on the screen. what sort of organisations are offering a warm space? churches, other faith groups _ are offering a warm space? churches, other faith groups are _ are offering a warm space? churches, other faith groups are getting - other faith groups are getting heavily involved, but we're also seeing lots of libraries, schools, theatre groups, music even football clubs getting involved and businesses, cafes and other groups like that that are keen to support people. abs. like that that are keen to support eo le, �* , , , , like that that are keen to support n-eole. . ,, ,, . .,, people. a business particularly will alwa s people. a business particularly will always have _ people. a business particularly will always have one _ people. a business particularly will always have one i _ people. a business particularly will always have one i on _ people. a business particularly will always have one i on the _ people. a business particularly will always have one i on the profit --| always have one i on the profit —— one eye. that's not necessarily in the case here. people might buy a cup of tea or coffee but why are businesses doing it? abs, cup of tea or coffee but why are businesses doing it?— businesses doing it? a lot of businesses _ businesses doing it? a lot of businesses want _ businesses doing it? a lot of businesses want to - businesses doing it? a lot of businesses want to play - businesses doing it? a lot of businesses want to play that i businesses doing it? a lot of - businesses want to play that role in a community and show people it's not just all about the profit. i know lots of businesses in the warm

welcome campaign that are trying to send a message that people don't need to buy anything, it's ok just to come into a pub or cafe and just use that as a space to be... and we've seen other businesses where they are setting up pay it forward schemes where people who do maybe have the resource will want to give something and by a hot drink whatever and i can go to someone may be struggling —— and that can go to someone who might be struggling. we keep that door open to organisations who want to provide that space for people. who want to provide that space for eo - le. ., who want to provide that space for --eole. ., . , , .,, who want to provide that space for --eole. ., . , , . . . who want to provide that space for n-eole. ., . , , . . . ., people. how many people are aware of our people. how many people are aware of your website — people. how many people are aware of your website and _ people. how many people are aware of your website and how _ people. how many people are aware of your website and how many _ people. how many people are aware of your website and how many people - people. how many people are aware of your website and how many people are i your website and how many people are coming to it?— coming to it? we've seen about 80,000 coming to it? we've seen about 80.000 people _ coming to it? we've seen about 80,000 people using _ coming to it? we've seen about 80,000 people using the - coming to it? we've seen about 80,000 people using the map. coming to it? we've seen aboutl 80,000 people using the map in november. that's before the temperatures have really started to plummet so we can see that there is a demand, we've been serving local spaces about what they are finding and seeing, and we know that that demand is going up and we are expecting that to continue but we

also know there is the capacity so there are lots of these spaces that are willing and looking to help and support more people so i really would encourage anyone that might be struggling. and even if you're not struggling, there are lots of spaces that are offering co—working spaces and opportunities to volunteer. i think all of us could do with saving a bit of money on our energy bills at the moment so there is really space for everyone. it’s at the moment so there is really space for everyone.— at the moment so there is really space for everyone. it's great that these organisations _ space for everyone. it's great that these organisations are _ space for everyone. it's great that these organisations are getting i these organisations are getting involved and that you're helping to disseminate that information. what do you feel about the fact that this is needed? . do you feel about the fact that this is needed? , .,, ., , , is needed? there is obviously huge mixed feelings _ is needed? there is obviously huge mixed feelings when _ is needed? there is obviously huge mixed feelings when you're - is needed? there is obviously hugel mixed feelings when you're involved in this kind of work. on one hand, incredibly shocked, angry that it's come to this that we are living in a country where there are millions of people that can't afford to heat their own homes despite this being one of the wealthiest countries in the world. if that doesn't shock us

into having a wider conversation about poverty and policy in this country, i don't know what will. at the same time, i think it shows the resilience and compassion of civil society organisations, who really struggled during strep —— you really struggled during strep —— you really struggled during strep —— you really struggled during covid —— who really struggled during covid —— who really struggled during covid and i think these organisations give us a lot of hope for the country. the health secretary says there is no shortage of antibiotics, as he urged parents to remain vigilant for signs of strep a. steve barclay said checks within the department of health had not revealed an issue with supply of the medicines after the national pharmacy association said there were "blips" in the supply chain of liquid penicillin, which is often given to children. here is the health secretary

speaking this morning. we have very regular contact with the medical suppliers, we have a dedicated team that does this day in, day out within the department of health and the manufacturers have said they don't have concerns in terms of supply at the moment. it's always the case if you have a particular surge in one or two gps, then the response to that is in terms of looking at our warehouse depots and suppliers, look at the warehouse depots and how they move stock around but what the suppliers have said to us as they do have good levels of supply and that's not a concern at the moment. where those particular issues with gps are, they will move the stock around accordingly. in a moment we'll speak to dr leyla hannbeck, the chief executive of the association of independent multiple pharmacies, but first let's get the situation in wales from our correspondent tomos morgan. i think the message from the welsh government is rather different to

the one we just heard from steve barclay. the one we 'ust heard from steve barcla . ., f the one we 'ust heard from steve barcla . . j . barclay. yeah, they've said that the are barclay. yeah, they've said that they are where _ barclay. yeah, they've said that they are where the _ barclay. yeah, they've said that they are where the number - barclay. yeah, they've said that they are where the number of l they are where the number of pharmacies in wales are running low on antibiotics and are working with the uk government to get some more into the country to spread it around. one pharmacist told bbc wales that sometimes it isn't unusual there is a shortage of antibiotics, things move around but the difference now is because of this strep a infection, many more pharmacies are merely stockpiling some of these and they were also saying they believed that some of the companies may be holding some back so there was a shortage across the country. the gpa spoke to said they had been inundated with calls from concerned parents thinking that maybe their young ones had strep a and there have been a huge amount of calls but we cannot clarify it is to do with strep a but having had it in

the last 24 hours when we've had this surge in people saying they might have it or not, it might have something to do with it. it's important to stress its very rare for children and people to get seriously ill from this disease which transforms into streptococcus a which is when it potentially can be deadly but in wales, on their own 20 children across the country per year would get this more serious infection. it's a very low number, really stressing to urge the public that although strep a may be going around and there may be hotspots across the country, the chance of someone developing a really deadly strain are more difficult strain to get rid of is very small and unlike other diseases, there isn't a vaccine as such, it's treated by antibiotics which is why we having this conversation now, but it's interesting to see that there is a completely different dialogue going on between what the welsh government are saying and what the uk health

minister said this morning. let's speak to dr leyla hannbeck, chief executive of the association of independent multiple pharmacies. you heard what the secretary of state had to say and he has responsibility for supplies in england. what is your experience of the supplies of penicillin? melt. england. what is your experience of the supplies of penicillin?— the supplies of penicillin? well, we are caettin the supplies of penicillin? well, we are getting calls — the supplies of penicillin? well, we are getting calls and _ the supplies of penicillin? well, we are getting calls and information i are getting calls and information from pharmacies everywhere around the country basically saying that it's very difficult to get hold of antibiotics so when they go online to order, they get a message saying it is out of stock, so if there is a supply. it is out of stock, so if there is a supply, we would urge the department and the minister to please make sure

that we can look after our patients. we raised the issue with the department of health that there are challenges with patchy supply across the country, notjust in one area, and they are aware of the fact that pharmacies are struggling to get hold of these so we are hoping they quickly act and ensure the supply flows because we have seen a big rise in the number of antibiotic prescriptions this winter, so if we don't act quickly, it's going to be very difficult going forward. is the issue particularly _ very difficult going forward. is the issue particularly with _ very difficult going forward. is the issue particularly with liquid - issue particularly with liquid penicillin which is what is often given to children? the penicillin which is what is often given to children?— given to children? the current issues are _ given to children? the current issues are mainly _ given to children? the current issues are mainly with - given to children? the current i issues are mainly with penicillin, mainly liquid, and some other antibiotics that are commonly prescribed. these are mainly for children, so the first line is

running short than the second and third line and subsequent lines have shortages as well because gps have to change the prescription to have the stock that is available so the effects on the rest as well, so it's an important thing for the department to make sure that they prioritise this to ensure that this stock that they say they have flows to pharmacies as soon as possible. listening to the health secretary steve barclay, he seems to be saying that the stocks are there so one wonders is the problem actually one of delivery, one of getting the stocks to the relevant places? taste stocks to the relevant places? we have a stocks to the relevant places? , have a number of occasions asked the department of health in terms of sitting down with us, manufacturers and wholesalers, and discuss the challenges of where the issues lie and feign solutions and plan better.

this would allow us to either find exactly where the issues are. at the moment, we are working blind, as pharmacists we go online to the wholesaler and order the medicine and we basically get a message saying it is unavailable. that's where we are at the moment. if that ha ens, where we are at the moment. if that happens. when _ where we are at the moment. if that happens, when that _ where we are at the moment. if that happens, when that happens, - where we are at the moment. if that happens, when that happens, i - happens, when that happens, i pharmacies having to turn away patients? pharmacies having to turn away atients? ., pharmacies having to turn away atients? . ., , pharmacies having to turn away atients? . . , , �* ., patients? yeah, many times we've had atients patients? yeah, many times we've had patients coming _ patients? yeah, many times we've had patients coming in _ patients? yeah, many times we've had patients coming in and _ patients? yeah, many times we've had patients coming in and asking - patients? yeah, many times we've had patients coming in and asking for- patients coming in and asking for the antibiotic prescription and the pharmacy has no stock in so they have to send them to another pharmacy. this morning i was getting reports that a patient had been travelling 20 miles to get a hold of antibiotics. there was another report about a patient who had to visit well pharmacists before they got stock. i don't want people to panic that there is not going to be anything available because i'm a parent myself and i know how

stressful this is, so they need to be reassured we are doing everything we can to ensure that we get the stock in but we need the support from the department to get this a supply that they say they have into pharmacies as soon as possible. this is the second — pharmacies as soon as possible. this is the second time this year pharmacists have reported a patchy supply because we had the issue with hrt over summer. was at the same sort of situation?— sort of situation? yes, earlier this ear, sort of situation? yes, earlier this year. that — sort of situation? yes, earlier this year, that demand _ sort of situation? yes, earlier this year, that demand for— sort of situation? yes, earlier this year, that demand for hrt - sort of situation? yes, earlier this i year, that demand for hrt medicine went up and unfortunately the supply was patchy again so since the beginning of this year, we have raised this issue that there is something the matter with the supply chain and we need to address it, asking the department of health to identify this because we cannot continue being in this situation every time, in the spring and summer and winter, so there's going to be a solution to this going forward and that comes back to having that

communication and planning in place. thank you so much. the government has announced a new compensation scheme for postmasters who were among the first to take legal action against the post office over the horizon it scandal. the scheme will enable these postmasters to claim legal fees and to receive similar compensation to their peers. the post office it scandal was the uk's most widespread miscarriage ofjustice — the prosecution of postmasters was based on flawed information from the horizon computer system. the technology giant apple is being sued in a us court by two women who say its airtags enabled former partners to stalk them. the small trackers are designed to be placed on wallets or keys to prevent them from being lost. apple has not commented on the lawsuit but has previously said its devices contain several measures that prevent unwanted tracking.

time tojoin viewers time to join viewers on politics live. about seven minutes until prime minister's questions. we were talking about the reasons why so many people in a recent survey have said they don't intend to start work. you are disagreeing with drew. what are you saying? i work. you are disagreeing with drew. what are you saying?— what are you saying? i wasn't saying eo - le what are you saying? i wasn't saying people shouldn't _ what are you saying? i wasn't saying people shouldn't get _ what are you saying? i wasn't saying people shouldn't get benefits, - what are you saying? i wasn't saying people shouldn't get benefits, i - what are you saying? i wasn't saying people shouldn't get benefits, i was| people shouldn't get benefits, i was saying it's important we support young people and the different changes that we are bringing in, the different types of technical education, the skills that they can get, it has been in consultation

with employers. the increase in apprenticeships, i run an annual apprenticeships, i run an annual apprenticeship fare which is really popular in my constituency. we have operated benefits in line with those who —— in line with inflation for those who need it most. you can't keep people on support forever. . you can't keep people on support forever. , , ., , . , , forever. this story, stephen flynn elected as new _ forever. this story, stephen flynn elected as new snp _ forever. this story, stephen flynn elected as new snp leader - forever. this story, stephen flynn elected as new snp leader at - elected as new snp leader at westminster. your colleague, that election happened last night. there will be a change to the line—up at prime minister's questions and stephen flynn will be asking questions. will there be a change of tone? i questions. will there be a change of tone? ~ . questions. will there be a change of tone? ~' , . , tone? i think he will bring a fresh a- roach tone? i think he will bring a fresh approach to _ tone? i think he will bring a fresh approach to prime _ tone? i think he will bring a fresh approach to prime minister's - approach to prime minister's question time. anybody who has listened — question time. anybody who has listened to him over the past days or since _ listened to him over the past days or since last night, since he has been _ or since last night, since he has been elected can tell he wants to take a _ been elected can tell he wants to take a different way. what iain has been _

take a different way. what iain has been doing has been successful and most _ been doing has been successful and most commentators feel he has been effective _ most commentators feel he has been effective i_ most commentators feel he has been effective. i think stephen will bring — effective. i think stephen will bring a — effective. i think stephen will bring a different approach and it will be _ bring a different approach and it will be a — bring a different approach and it will be a good one. will bring a different approach and it will be a good one.— bring a different approach and it will be a good one. will he stand at odds toen some _ will be a good one. will he stand at odds toen some of _ will be a good one. will he stand at odds toen some of the _ will be a good one. will he stand at odds toen some of the policies - will be a good one. will he stand at odds toen some of the policies of l odds toen some of the policies of nicola sturgeon, i will show you this in the daily telegraph, nicola sturgeon's position on north sea oil faces challenge from snp's rising star. this is over whether or not to explore or extend and grant licences for more exploitation of oil and gas. stephen flynn in favour of it, more than nicola sturgeon, because of the jobs more than nicola sturgeon, because of thejobs in more than nicola sturgeon, because of the jobs in the area. bath more than nicola sturgeon, because of the jobs in the area.— of the “obs in the area. both of them of the jobs in the area. both of them have _ of the jobs in the area. both of them have said, _ of the jobs in the area. both of them have said, this _ of the jobs in the area. both of them have said, this is, - of the jobs in the area. both of| them have said, this is, people of the jobs in the area. both of- them have said, this is, people love when _ them have said, this is, people love when they— them have said, this is, people love when they have the snp trying you know _ when they have the snp trying you know to _ when they have the snp trying you know to put them in the same context as labour— know to put them in the same context as labour and the tories and pretend there _ as labour and the tories and pretend there is— as labour and the tories and pretend there is a _ as labour and the tories and pretend there is a big — as labour and the tories and pretend there is a big falling out. there isn't _ there is a big falling out. there isn't. �* , . isn't. i'm saying there is a different _ isn't. i'm saying there is a different position. - isn't. i'm saying there is a different position. nicola l

isn't. i'm saying there is a - different position. nicola sturgeon and stephen _ different position. nicola sturgeon and stephen are _ different position. nicola sturgeon and stephen are on _ different position. nicola sturgeon and stephen are on the _ different position. nicola sturgeon and stephen are on the same - different position. nicola sturgeon | and stephen are on the same page different position. nicola sturgeon . and stephen are on the same page on the need _ and stephen are on the same page on the need for— and stephen are on the same page on the need for a transition to renewables. they have money not matched _ renewables. they have money not matched by the uk government and they're _ matched by the uk government and they're on— matched by the uk government and they're on the same page about that. there _ they're on the same page about that. there is— they're on the same page about that. there is no— they're on the same page about that. there is no dispute.— there is no dispute. let's 'ust. .. can i there is no dispute. let's 'ust. .. can i say — there is no dispute. let's 'ust. .. can i say thankfi there is no dispute. let's 'ust. .. can i say thank you * there is no dispute. let's 'ust. .. can i say thank you for h there is no dispute. let'sjust. .. can i say thank you for the - there is no dispute. let'sjust. .. - can i say thank you for the 200,000 you got yesterday from, that scotland got from the shared prosperity fund. bare scotland got from the shared prosperity fund.— scotland got from the shared prosperity fund. are you going to sa thank prosperity fund. are you going to say thank you... _ prosperity fund. are you going to say thank you. .. i _ prosperity fund. are you going to say thank you... i will _ prosperity fund. are you going to say thank you... i will say - prosperity fund. are you going to say thank you... i will say thank i say thank you... i will say thank ou on say thank you... i will say thank you on both _ say thank you... i will say thank you on both of— say thank you... i will say thank you on both of your— say thank you... i will say thank you on both of your behalves. i say thank you... i will say thank i you on both of your behalves. we will dip into the chamber, questions continuing for another five minutes or so, until continuing for another five minutes orso, untilwe continuing for another five minutes or so, until we see rishi sunak and keir starmer take their places. partly the question to or about stephen flynn and nicola sturgeon's position on oil and gas is ahead of the coal mine decision in cumbria that we expect today from michael gove, notjust divisions in the conservative party over the issue of fossil fuels. conservative party over the issue of fossilfuels. wit conservative party over the issue of fossil fuels. wit be a conservative party over the issue of fossilfuels. wit be a big deal? it fossil fuels. wit be a big deal? it will be, it is a decision that has been on the back burner for a while

and it was talked about at the cop summit in glasgow and there was talk should we tell —— countries to stamp out coal when there was a possibility we could have a new coal mine. you will hear from possibility we could have a new coal mine. you will hearfrom a possibility we could have a new coal mine. you will hear from a few tory voices, including alok sharma. i think we can either see, or i can trail peter barnes, my colleague from the political research unit. he will be keeping an ear across any of the claims and counter claims, hello peter, as to what is happening in prime minister's questions. let�* show you this headline, labour takes in more donations than the tories. what should we read into this? the labour party _ what should we read into this? i'ie: labour party is what should we read into this? the: labour party is buoyed what should we read into this? ti9 labour party is buoyed by the figures and it shows people are seeing them as a serious party of

government. you talked to shadow front benchers and they say the last few years they have not had many invitation to speak to business leaders. now everyone want to speak to them. , , :, leaders. now everyone want to speak tothem. :, to them. disappointing that you're losin: the to them. disappointing that you're losing the financial _ to them. disappointing that you're losing the financial support - to them. disappointing that you're losing the financial support you i losing the financial support you have had? �* . losing the financial support you have had? �* , :, :, have had? i'm interested again, i have had? i'm interested again, i have mentioned _ have had? i'm interested again, i have mentioned it _ have had? i'm interested again, i have mentioned it before, - have had? i'm interested again, i have mentioned it before, the i have had? i'm interested again, i i have mentioned it before, the labour relationship _ have mentioned it before, the labour relationship with— have mentioned it before, the labour relationship with the _ have mentioned it before, the labour relationship with the unions, - have mentioned it before, the labour relationship with the unions, that i relationship with the unions, that is their— relationship with the unions, that is their big — relationship with the unions, that is their big pay— relationship with the unions, that is their big pay masters. - relationship with the unions, that is their big pay masters. .- relationship with the unions, that is their big pay masters. . 46- is their big pay masters. 46 million pounds. is their big pay masters. . 46 million pounds. i'm - is their big pay masters. . 46 million pounds. i'm talking i is their big pay masters. . 46 l million pounds. i'm talking ake is their big pay masters. . 46 - million pounds. i'm talking ake now, vic . 12 million pounds. i'm talking ake now, vicky- 12 years _ million pounds. i'm talking ake now, vicky- 12 years ago- _ million pounds. i'm talking ake now, vicky. 12 years ago. people - million pounds. i'm talking ake now, vicky. 12 years ago. people in - million pounds. i'm talking ake now, vicky. 12 years ago. people in my i vicky. 12 years ago. people in my constituency _ vicky. 12 years ago. people in my constituency are _ vicky. 12 years ago. people in my constituency are going _ vicky. 12 years ago. people in my constituency are going to - vicky. 12 years ago. people in my constituency are going to face i vicky. 12 years ago. people in my| constituency are going to face the impact _ constituency are going to face the impact of— constituency are going to face the impact of these _ constituency are going to face the impact of these strikes _ constituency are going to face the impact of these strikes and - constituency are going to face the impact of these strikes and they. impact of these strikes and they want _ impact of these strikes and they want to— impact of these strikes and they want to know_ impact of these strikes and they want to know you _ impact of these strikes and they want to know you have - impact of these strikes and they want to know you have a - impact of these strikes and they- want to know you have a government that isn't— want to know you have a government that isn't in— want to know you have a government that isn't in the — want to know you have a government that isn't in the pay— want to know you have a government that isn't in the pay of— want to know you have a government that isn't in the pay of the _ want to know you have a government that isn't in the pay of the unions. i that isn't in the pay of the unions. ithink— that isn't in the pay of the unions. ithihk wheh— that isn't in the pay of the unions. i think when you _ that isn't in the pay of the unions. i think when you look _ that isn't in the pay of the unions. i think when you look at _ that isn't in the pay of the unions. i think when you look at labour, l i think when you look at labour, again— i think when you look at labour, again and — i think when you look at labour, again and again. _ i think when you look at labour, again and again, they're - i think when you look at labour, again and again, they're in- i think when you look at labour, again and again, they're in the l i think when you look at labour, . again and again, they're in the pay of the _

again and again, they're in the pay of the unions _ again and again, they're in the pay of the unions.— again and again, they're in the pay of the unions. would you admit the relationship — of the unions. would you admit the relationship has _ of the unions. would you admit the relationship has changed? - of the unions. would you admit the | relationship has changed? listening to the figures now? that it is not the same relationship and some of the same relationship and some of the unions have disaffiliated. i the unions have disaffiliated. i still think time and time again it is impossible _ still think time and time again it is impossible for— still think time and time again it is impossible for labour- still think time and time again it is impossible for labour to- still think time and time again it. is impossible for labour to divorce themselves— is impossible for labour to divorce themselves from _ is impossible for labour to divorce themselves from their— is impossible for labour to divorce i themselves from their relationships and say— themselves from their relationships and say they— themselves from their relationships and say they could _ themselves from their relationships and say they could have _ themselves from their relationships and say they could have an - and say they could have an independent _ and say they could have an independent government. i and say they could have an independent government. labour aren't here. _ independent government. labour aren't here, but _ independent government. labour aren't here, but john, _ independent government. labour aren't here, but john, they - independent government. labour aren't here, but john, they do - independent government. labour i aren't here, but john, they do have aren't here, butjohn, they do have to perform contortions sometimes when they're responding to backing the unions and strikes.— the unions and strikes. definitely ou have the unions and strikes. definitely you have seen — the unions and strikes. definitely you have seen that _ the unions and strikes. definitely you have seen that the _ the unions and strikes. definitely you have seen that the last - the unions and strikes. definitelyl you have seen that the last couple of months, i don't think it the has been easy for labour, but they're saying the government is being unreasonable and we saw angela rayner saying the militants were the government not getting around the table. , ., ,., . , table. the temperature in politics has come down _ table. the temperature in politics has come down a _ table. the temperature in politics has come down a notch _ table. the temperature in politics has come down a notch or - table. the temperature in politics has come down a notch or two, . table. the temperature in politics has come down a notch or two, is table. the temperature in politics - has come down a notch or two, is not as high as it has been. is that a

win for rishi sunak? i’m as high as it has been. is that a win for rishi sunak?— as high as it has been. is that a win for rishi sunak? i'm not sure it is, there needed _ win for rishi sunak? i'm not sure it is, there needed to _ win for rishi sunak? i'm not sure it is, there needed to be _ win for rishi sunak? i'm not sure it is, there needed to be a _ win for rishi sunak? i'm not sure it is, there needed to be a reset - win for rishi sunak? i'm not sure it is, there needed to be a reset in i is, there needed to be a reset in terms _ is, there needed to be a reset in terms of— is, there needed to be a reset in terms of pace after the circus at the end — terms of pace after the circus at the end of— terms of pace after the circus at the end of the johnson and the short—lived truss administration. but it— short—lived truss administration. but it leaves a vacuum. i have been interested _ but it leaves a vacuum. i have been interested a — but it leaves a vacuum. i have been interested a couple of stories from the times— interested a couple of stories from the times opposition research on ambulance — the times opposition research on ambulance figures and then, in fact, in fact— ambulance figures and then, in fact, in fact nature fes story from laboun _ in fact nature fes story from laboun -- _ in fact nature fes story from labour. —— nhs story from labour. if the government is trying to stop the pace of— the government is trying to stop the pace of politics moving at speed, that does— pace of politics moving at speed, that does allow labour and the snp to speak— that does allow labour and the snp to speak more and issues like strikes — to speak more and issues like strikes aren't going to go away. do ou strikes aren't going to go away. you think it is strikes aren't going to go away. lip you think it is a deliberate strategy by no 10 and that is what they're actively doing, notjust that rishi sunak is a different politician and a different prime minister? i politician and a different prime minister? ., , ., minister? i do. there is a renewed sense of seriousness _ minister? i do. there is a renewed sense of seriousness about - minister? i do. there is a renewed | sense of seriousness about wanting to grappte —

sense of seriousness about wanting to grapple with policy issues and not having a hamster wheel of announcements of things that won't happen _ announcements of things that won't happen. they want to take their time and grip— happen. they want to take their time and grip their priorities, they know there _ and grip their priorities, they know there is— and grip their priorities, they know there is only two years to the election— there is only two years to the election and it needs to be things like the _ election and it needs to be things like the small boat crisis. but it does _ like the small boat crisis. but it does mean there is a sort of vacuum that is— does mean there is a sort of vacuum that is being — does mean there is a sort of vacuum that is being filled with dissenting vvices— that is being filled with dissenting voices and issues that are facing the country. | voices and issues that are facing the country-— voices and issues that are facing the count . ,, .. ., ., the country. i think we can go into the country. i think we can go into the chamber- _ the country. i think we can go into the chamber. just _ the country. i think we can go into the chamber. just before - the country. i think we can go into the chamber. just before we - the country. i think we can go into the chamber. just before we go i the country. i think we can go into | the chamber. just before we go in, do you agree? it has left a vacuum? they know we are in the middle of this war in europe and they know the impact that has had on prices. and it is incredibly difficult for whoever is trying to govern. let's no whoever is trying to govern. let's to into whoever is trying to govern. let's go into the _ whoever is trying to govern. let's go into the chamber. _

this morning i had meetings with the ministerial colleagues and in addition to my duties in the house i will have further such meetings later today. will have further such meetings later today-— will have further such meetings later toda . , later today. yesterday the united kin . dom later today. yesterday the united kingdom in _ later today. yesterday the united kingdom in its— later today. yesterday the united kingdom in its current _ later today. yesterday the united kingdom in its current form - later today. yesterday the united | kingdom in its current form turned 100 years old, but neither the prime minister nor the leader of the labour party seem to recognise the challenge of the supreme court ruling as to the very nature of the union. he did not answer me two weeks ago, so can the prime minister clarify if he still believes the uk is a voluntary union, and if so, can he explain the democratic route by which the people of scotland can choose whether to stay in it or not? we fully respect the decision of the supreme court and believes strongly in the united kingdom. and as i said to the honourable lady last time, we will work constructively with the scottish government to deliver for the people of scotland.—

the people of scotland. financial scams, the people of scotland. financial scams. the _ the people of scotland. financial scams, the most _ the people of scotland. financial scams, the most common - the people of scotland. financial scams, the most common form | the people of scotland. financiall scams, the most common form of the people of scotland. financial - scams, the most common form of crime causing immense emotional and financial distress to millions of people, government efforts in this matter have focused on making sure that scammers cannot launder the proceeds of crime and the victims get conversation in both of those are important but they are acting after it has happened. does my honourable friend the prime minister agreed with me that government departments, regulators and industry perhaps guided by an anti—scam tasks force could do more to stop scams happening in the first brace and could he meet with me to talk about it? mr; could he meet with me to talk about it? ~ , ,., could he meet with me to talk about it? g , could he meet with me to talk about it? ~ , ,., , ., it? my unborn friend is right to talk about _ it? my unborn friend is right to talk about the _ it? my unborn friend is right to talk about the hurt _ it? my unborn friend is right to talk about the hurt that - it? my unborn friend is right to . talk about the hurt that scammers and fraudsters and we are working to block a more fraudulent calls from reaching the public and importantly the new online safety bill will place more duties on the largest internet companies to tackle scam adverts and i will happily talk to him further.

adverts and i will happily talk to him further-— him further. can i start by welcoming _ him further. can i start by welcoming the _ him further. can i start by welcoming the new- him further. can i start by i welcoming the new member him further. can i start by - welcoming the new member of parliament for the city of chester? it's the best result for the labour party and the hundred and five years we've been fighting for the seat and i look forward to working for a better future with her for the people of chester. mr speaker, the conservative party promised the country would build 300,000 houses a year. this week, without asking a single voter, the prime minister broke that promise by scrapping mandatory targets. what changed? let me start by also welcoming the honourable lady to her place. the honourable lady to her place. the honourable gentleman comes in every week and i know he is focused on the process and the politics, but i don't think he's taken the time to read the detail of what we are doing

to improve our planning system. let mejust explain what to improve our planning system. let me just explain what we are doing. we are protecting the green belt. we are investing millions to develop brownfield sites. and we are providing support and protection for local neighbourhood plans. just this morning, the shadow housing secretary said communities should have control over where homes are built, and what sort of homes are built. that's my position, that's her position, what's his position? does he really expect us to believe that the member for chipping does he really expect us to believe that the memberfor chipping barton and the memberfor the isle of that the memberfor chipping barton and the member for the isle of wight are cheering him on because he will build more homes? pull the other one. i will tell him what changed. his backbenchers threatened him and, as always, the blancmange prime minister wobbled.

as always, the blancmange prime ministerwobbled. he as always, the blancmange prime minister wobbled. he did a grubby deal with a handful of his mps and sold out the aspirations of those who want to own their own home. mas who want to own their own home. was it worth it? as— who want to own their own home. was it worth it? as ever, engaging in the petty personality politics, not focused on the substance. again, let me explain what we are doing. we are delivering what i said we would do, we are protecting the character of local communities. we are cracking down on land local communities. we are cracking down on [and banking and irresponsible developers. and we are giving people a greater say in their decisions. just this week, on monday, the honourable gentleman said that the government should be giving people more power and control. now he seems to be opposing that policy. it's only wednesday. i know he flip—flops, but even for him, it's pretty quick. mr

know he flip-flops, but even for him, it's pretty quick. mr speaker, he has forgotten, _ him, it's pretty quick. mr speaker, he has forgotten, last _ him, it's pretty quick. mr speaker, he has forgotten, last week, - him, it's pretty quick. mr speaker, he has forgotten, last week, i - he has forgotten, last week, i offered him at labour votes to pass the housing targets. the former housing secretary, on their side, said scrapping mandatory targets, and this is his words from their side of the house, would be a colossal failure of political leadership. no wonder he doesn't want to fight the next election. the author of the manifesto that they all stood on said it would cut building by a0%, perhaps even more. why would he rather cripple house—building than work with us to get those targets through? irate house-building than work with us to get those targets through?- get those targets through? we are not auoin get those targets through? we are not going to _ get those targets through? we are not going to work _ get those targets through? we are not going to work with _ get those targets through? we are not going to work with a _ get those targets through? we are not going to work with a labour. not going to work with a labour party on housing. you know why? have a look at their record on housing.

in london, the former conservative mayor in five years built 60,000 affordable homes. the current labour mayor, half of that amount. in wales, we want to build 12,000 homes. what are labour delivering? half of that. the labour party talks, the conservatives deliver. figs talks, the conservatives deliver. is ever, too weak to stand up to his own side on behalf of the country. i noticed there was another u—turn last night, this time on wind farms. actually, i agree with that one, but is there no issue on which he won't give in to his backbenchers? how did his colleague, michelle mone, end up with nearly £30 million of taxpayer money in her bank account? let me sa , like money in her bank account? let me say, like everyone _ money in her bank account? let me say, like everyone else, _ money in her bank account? let me say, like everyone else, i _ money in her bank account? let me

say, like everyone else, i was - say, like everyone else, i was absolutely shocked to read about the allegations. it's absolutely right that she is no longer attending the house of lords, and therefore no longer has the conservative way. —— the conservative whip. the one thing we know about the honourable gentleman, he is a lawyer, and he should know there is a process in place and it's right the process concludes and i hoped it is resolved promptly, and i tell him what is weak. it is not being able to stand up weak. it is not being able to stand up to people. i know he has taken some advice from gordon brown lately. why doesn't he listen to a former minister in gordon brown's government who said, why does the labour party refused to stand up for workers and businesses like pubs and restaurants, who will lose business as a result of the train strikes?

labour should stand up for working people. if he's strong, that is what he should do. mr people. if he's strong, that is what he should do— people. if he's strong, that is what he should do. mr speaker, it might not seem like _ he should do. mr speaker, it might not seem like it, _ he should do. mr speaker, it might not seem like it, but _ he should do. mr speaker, it might not seem like it, but he _ he should do. mr speaker, it might not seem like it, but he supposed l he should do. mr speaker, it might. not seem like it, but he supposed to be the prime minister. this morning, his transport secretary said that his transport secretary said that his flagship legislation on strikes, this is what he said this morning, he might want to listen to this, it is clearly not going to help with the industrial action we are facing. he should stop grandstanding, stop sitting on his hands, get round the table and resolve these issues. and everyone can see what is happening here. a tory politician got their hands of hundreds of millions in taxpayers money and then provided duff ppe and he says he is shocked. he was the chancellor, he signed the cheques. how much is he going to get

back? mr cheques. how much is he going to get back? ~ ,, , ., ,, cheques. how much is he going to get back? ~ ,,, ., ,, �* , cheques. how much is he going to get back? ~ ,, , ., ,, �* , ., back? mr speaker, it's right that he brouaht u- back? mr speaker, it's right that he brought up legislation _ back? mr speaker, it's right that he brought up legislation with - back? mr speaker, it's right that he brought up legislation with regard l brought up legislation with regard to strikes and i'm happy to address it, actually. so hard—working families right now in this country are facing challenges. the government has been reasonable and accepted the recommendations of an independent pay body giving pay rises in many cases higher than the private sector. but if the union leaders will continue to be unreasonable, then it's my duty to take action to protect the lives and livelihoods of the british public, and that is why since i became prime minister i have been working for new tough laws to protect people from this disruption. that's the legislation he is asking about. will he now confirmed that he will stand up he now confirmed that he will stand up for working people and that he and his party will back that legislation? he and his party will back that legislation?— and his party will back that legislation? and his party will back that leaislation? , ., ., , ., legislation? he is someone who is of a sea not heard _

legislation? he is someone who is of a sea not heard what _ legislation? he is someone who is of a sea not heard what his _ legislation? he is someone who is of a sea not heard what his transport . a sea not heard what his transport secretary said about the legislation this morning and it's obvious why they are so opposed to the labour plan to clean up westminster. they all voted for tax rises for working people while one of their unelected peers pocketed millions flogging dodgy ppe. i want to raise something thatis dodgy ppe. i want to raise something that is worrying parents across the country. our hearts go out to the families of the children who have tragically died from the outbreak of strep day in recent weeks. and i am happy to work with the government on this, so can he take the opportunity to update the country on the measures that the country is taking to keep children safe this winter from strep a? mi; to keep children safe this winter from strep a?— to keep children safe this winter from stre a? g ., , ., from strep a? my thoughts are with the families — from strep a? my thoughts are with the families of— from strep a? my thoughts are with the families of the _ from strep a? my thoughts are with the families of the children - from strep a? my thoughts are with the families of the children who - the families of the children who have sadly lost their lives and we are seeing a higher number of cases from strep a compared to usual and

what i can say is that the nhs, who i've sat down to talk about with this are working hard to make sure parents are aware of the symptoms they should be looking out for because this can be treated appropriately with antibiotics. there are no current shortages of drugs available to treat this and there are well—established procedures in place to make sure it remains the case in the uk sha are monitoring the situation at pace and what they have confirmed is there is not a new strain of strep a, so people can be reassured about that. there is no reason to believe it's become more lethal or more resistant to antibiotics are the most important thing is for parents to look out for symptoms and get the treatment available for them. pair treatment available for them. air 3&3 treatment available for them. " b8b short—term lets provide a b&b short—term lets provide a positive experience for many vicki holiday—makers but too many because real issues for local communities. in westminster we have 13,000 air

bnb properties alone. does the prime minister agree with me that it is time to consider a registration scheme managed by local authorities so councils can manage this growing sector properly? mr; so councils can manage this growing sector properly?— so councils can manage this growing sector properly? my right honourable friend has indeed _ sector properly? my right honourable friend has indeed said _ sector properly? my right honourable friend has indeed said we _ sector properly? my right honourable friend has indeed said we will - friend has indeed said we will deliver a new tourist accommodation registration scheme, something i know my honourable friend has asked for that will increase appropriate registration of the sector to better understand and monitor the impact on local communities and we will also consult on whether planning permission should be required for new short—term holiday lets, especially in tourist hotspots. can i welcome the _ especially in tourist hotspots. can i welcome the new leader of the snp and thank— i welcome the new leader of the snp and thank ian blackford. stephen flynn _ and thank ian blackford. stephen fl nn. . ~' ~ and thank ian blackford. stephen fl nn. . ~ , flynn. thank you, mr speaker. i wish to beain flynn. thank you, mr speaker. i wish to begin by — flynn. thank you, mr speaker. i wish to begin by paying _ flynn. thank you, mr speaker. i wish to begin by paying tribute _ flynn. thank you, mr speaker. i wish to begin by paying tribute to - flynn. thank you, mr speaker. i wish to begin by paying tribute to my - to begin by paying tribute to my friend and colleague the memberfor ross, skye, who has served us with diligence and duty for the last few years and he is a giant of scottish

independence. he has seen off not one, not two, but three consecutive tory prime ministers and indeed he was onto his fourth in recent weeks and to that latest prime minister i have a simple question. what does he consider to be the greatest achievement of the conservative party in government since 2019? leaving the single market and customs union, ending freedom of movement, denying scotland democracy getting the labour party to agree with all of the above? can getting the labour party to agree with all of the above?— with all of the above? can i start by offering _ with all of the above? can i start by offering my — with all of the above? can i start by offering my genuine - with all of the above? can i start by offering my genuine and - with all of the above? can i start| by offering my genuine and warm with all of the above? can i start - by offering my genuine and warm and heartfelt best wishes to the right honourable memberfor heartfelt best wishes to the right honourable member for ross, heartfelt best wishes to the right honourable memberfor ross, skye and lochaber. i know the whole house will miss his weekly contributions. and may i also congratulate and join the first minister and congratulating the honourable gentleman on his appointment as a westminster leader of the snp and i look forward to a constructive debate with him across the dispatch

box and the answer to his question is actually very simple. the things we are most proud of in the last couple years is making sure that we protected this country through the pandemic, with furlough and the fastest vaccine roll—out. far be it from me to offer advice to a near billionaire, but he will have to up his game. in the last 15 minutes a poll has landed showing support for scottish independence has hit 58% and support for the snp 50%. can i ask the prime minister, does he consider increasing energy bills on households by a further £500 will cause the poll numbers to rise or fall? ~ . £500 will cause the poll numbers to rise or fall?— rise or fall? what we are delivering for households _ rise or fall? what we are delivering for households across _ rise or fall? what we are delivering for households across the - rise or fall? what we are delivering for households across the united . for households across the united kingdom, including those in scotland is £55 billion of support that will

save a typical homer £900 a year. that is an example of the united kingdom and the union delivering for people in scotland.— people in scotland. thank you mr seaker, people in scotland. thank you mr speaker. the _ people in scotland. thank you mr speaker, the project _ people in scotland. thank you mr speaker, the project north - people in scotland. thank you mr speaker, the project north is - people in scotland. thank you mr i speaker, the project north is now... getting _ speaker, the project north is now... getting right to the end of the process, — getting right to the end of the process, it has gone through to the levelling _ process, it has gone through to the levelling up stage 2. it has planning permission, it has land allocation. — planning permission, it has land allocation, it has everything that is going — allocation, it has everything that is going to offer the north of england. prime minister, when are we going _ england. prime minister, when are we going to _ england. prime minister, when are we going to be _ england. prime minister, when are we going to be getting the eden project north? _ going to be getting the eden project north? mr going to be getting the eden pro'ect north? ~ ,,, ., ~ , going to be getting the eden pro'ect north? ~ , ., ., north? mr speaker, my honourable friend, i north? mr speaker, my honourable friend. i think _ north? mr speaker, my honourable friend, i think the _ north? mr speaker, my honourable friend, i think the whole _ north? mr speaker, my honourable friend, i think the whole house i friend, i think the whole house knows my honourable friend has been a passionate campaigner north. . he knows i can't comment on a particular bid. but i wish him every

success. ~ ., , , particular bid. but i wish him every success. . . , , ., success. while there has been a clear improvement _ success. while there has been a clear improvement in _ success. while there has been a clear improvement in the i success. while there has been a clear improvement in the mood| success. while there has been a i clear improvement in the mood music between _ clear improvement in the mood music between the _ clear improvement in the mood music between the uk — clear improvement in the mood music between the uk and _ clear improvement in the mood music between the uk and the _ clear improvement in the mood music between the uk and the eu, - clear improvement in the mood music between the uk and the eu, there i clear improvement in the mood music between the uk and the eu, there is. between the uk and the eu, there is a growing _ between the uk and the eu, there is a growing frustration _ between the uk and the eu, there is a growing frustration and _ between the uk and the eu, there is a growing frustration and concern i between the uk and the eu, there is a growing frustration and concern at| a growing frustration and concern at the slow _ a growing frustration and concern at the slow rate — a growing frustration and concern at the slow rate of _ a growing frustration and concern at the slow rate of actual— a growing frustration and concern at the slow rate of actual progress i a growing frustration and concern at the slow rate of actual progress in l the slow rate of actual progress in those _ the slow rate of actual progress in those talks~ — the slow rate of actual progress in those talks. what _ the slow rate of actual progress in those talks. what steps _ the slow rate of actual progress in those talks. what steps could i the slow rate of actual progress in those talks. what steps could the| those talks. what steps could the prime _ those talks. what steps could the prime minister— those talks. what steps could the prime minister take _ those talks. what steps could the prime minister take to _ those talks. what steps could the prime minister take to inject i prime minister take to inject momentum _ prime minister take to inject momentum into— prime minister take to inject momentum into the - prime minister take to inject i momentum into the negotiations prime minister take to inject - momentum into the negotiations and can i momentum into the negotiations and can i encourage — momentum into the negotiations and can i encourage him— momentum into the negotiations and can i encourage him to _ momentum into the negotiations and can i encourage him to visit - can i encourage him to visit northern— can i encourage him to visit northern ireland _ can i encourage him to visit northern ireland as- can i encourage him to visit northern ireland as soon i can i encourage him to visitj northern ireland as soon as can i encourage him to visit - northern ireland as soon as possible to engage _ northern ireland as soon as possible to engage with — northern ireland as soon as possible to engage with local _ northern ireland as soon as possible to engage with local stake _ northern ireland as soon as possible to engage with local stake holders i to engage with local stake holders and hear— to engage with local stake holders and hear views _ to engage with local stake holders and hear views of— to engage with local stake holders and hear views of how _ to engage with local stake holders and hear views of how the - to engage with local stake holders . and hear views of how the assembly can be _ and hear views of how the assembly can be resumed. _ and hear views of how the assembly can be resumed. (an _ and hear views of how the assembly can be resumed.— can be resumed. can i thank the honourable _ can be resumed. can i thank the honourable gentleman - can be resumed. can i thank the honourable gentleman for i can be resumed. can i thank the honourable gentleman for his i honourable gentleman for his question and i enjoyed meeting him recently to discuss these issues. let me give him and the people of northern ireland my assurance that i want to see the issues of protocol resolved. i believe if people enter into the talks that we are having with a spirit of good will we can

find a way through and my right honourable friend the foreign secretary and the vice—president are in regular dialogue and i will take on board his invitation to visit northern ireland. irate on board his invitation to visit northern ireland.— on board his invitation to visit northern ireland. . . ., , ., northern ireland. we have had small business saturday, _ northern ireland. we have had small business saturday, where _ northern ireland. we have had small business saturday, where we - northern ireland. we have had small| business saturday, where we marked the impact small businesses have on local communities, i have spoken to these businesses and heard how great their concerns are for the future. when the prime minister was chancellor, he went with me to fred hallam, a business established in 2008. they are facing the pandemic and rising energy costs, can the prime minister lay out he businesses will be supported so they may thrive and provide services to my constituency? i and provide services to my constituency?— and provide services to my constituen ? ,, ., , ., ., constituency? i know my honourable friend is a fantastic _ constituency? i know my honourable friend is a fantastic champion - constituency? i know my honourable friend is a fantastic champion of i friend is a fantastic champion of his local businesses. it was a

privilege to visit the area with him and i remember we discussed some of the things we were planning to do that are now going to make a difference, saving businesses hundreds of thousand of pounds with energy and we can take small businesses to a new level. the author of— businesses to a new level. the author of the _ businesses to a new level. the author of the government's national food strategy and the un special representative have called for free school _ representative have called for free school meals to address the issue of hungry— school meals to address the issue of hungry children. how will the investment in free school meals will benefit _ investment in free school meals will benefit children and their family and at _ benefit children and their family and at no — benefit children and their family and at no extra cost to the

taxpayer? and at no extra cost to the taxpayer?_ and at no extra cost to the taxa er? ~ ,,, ., ,, ,, ., , and at no extra cost to the taxa er? ~ ,, ., , , taxpayer? mr speaker, i know this is an issue on — taxpayer? mr speaker, i know this is an issue on which _ taxpayer? mr speaker, i know this is an issue on which the _ taxpayer? mr speaker, i know this is an issue on which the honourable i an issue on which the honourable gentleman has campaigned for some time and he is right to highlight the importance of making sure our children have access to food and i'm proud we have introduced an expansion of free school meals and the holiday activity, i'm always interested in more ideas and i look forward to hearing from him. whether on defence. — forward to hearing from him. whether on defence. or— forward to hearing from him. whether on defence, or diplomacy, _ forward to hearing from him. whether on defence, or diplomacy, i _ forward to hearing from him. whether on defence, or diplomacy, i know- forward to hearing from him. whether on defence, or diplomacy, i know the | on defence, or diplomacy, i know the government— on defence, or diplomacy, i know the government recognised _ on defence, or diplomacy, i know the government recognised the _ on defence, or diplomacy, i know the l government recognised the importance of the _ government recognised the importance of the indoe _ government recognised the importance of the indoe pacific. _ government recognised the importance of the indoe pacific. the _ government recognised the importance of the indoe pacific. the challenges- of the indoe pacific. the challenges that exist. — of the indoe pacific. the challenges that exist, whether— of the indoe pacific. the challenges that exist, whether missile - of the indoe pacific. the challenges that exist, whether missile tests, l that exist, whether missile tests, are interconnected. _ that exist, whether missile tests, are interconnected. can - that exist, whether missile tests, are interconnected. can the - that exist, whether missile tests, l are interconnected. can the prime minister— are interconnected. can the prime minister confirm _ are interconnected. can the prime minister confirm that— are interconnected. can the prime minister confirm that the - are interconnected. can the prime minister confirm that the indo i minister confirm that the indo pacific— minister confirm that the indo pacific is— minister confirm that the indo pacific is a _ minister confirm that the indo pacific is a priority _ minister confirm that the indo pacific is a priority and - minister confirm that the indo pacific is a priority and we i minister confirm that the indo pacific is a priority and we will meet — pacific is a priority and we will meet the _ pacific is a priority and we will meet the challenges - pacific is a priority and we will meet the challenges and i pacific is a priority and we will i meet the challenges and capture pacific is a priority and we will - meet the challenges and capture the opportunities — meet the challenges and capture the opportunities that— meet the challenges and capture the opportunities that exist _ meet the challenges and capture the opportunities that exist in _ meet the challenges and capture the opportunities that exist in the - opportunities that exist in the region? — opportunities that exist in the re . ion? . , opportunities that exist in the reuion? , ., �*, ., region? last year's integrated review set _

region? last year's integrated review set out _ region? last year's integrated review set out our _ region? last year's integrated review set out our indo i region? last year's integrated review set out our indo pacific tilt. i reaffirmed our commitment to that the other week and he is right to highlight the economic and security importance of the region. he should be reassured that we are pursuing notjust free trade agreements, but ctpt and hopefully a new partnership with regard to our future combat air system. all evidence that we are delivering op the tilt. ~ , , evidence that we are delivering op thetilt. ~ , , , evidence that we are delivering op thetilt.~ , , , .,, the tilt. members across this house know the devastating _ the tilt. members across this house know the devastating impact - the tilt. members across this house know the devastating impact of i the tilt. members across this house | know the devastating impact of bank branch— know the devastating impact of bank branch closures _ know the devastating impact of bank branch closures on _ know the devastating impact of bank branch closures on our _ know the devastating impact of bank| branch closures on our communities. as banks— branch closures on our communities. as banks flee — branch closures on our communities. as banks flee the _ branch closures on our communities. as banks flee the high _ branch closures on our communities. as banks flee the high street, - branch closures on our communities. as banks flee the high street, our. as banks flee the high street, our free cash— as banks flee the high street, our free cash machines _ as banks flee the high street, our free cash machines disappear, i free cash machines disappear, putting — free cash machines disappear, putting the _ free cash machines disappear, putting the most _ free cash machines disappear, putting the most vulnerable i free cash machines disappear, - putting the most vulnerable hardest. surely _ putting the most vulnerable hardest. surely it _ putting the most vulnerable hardest. surely it can't — putting the most vulnerable hardest. surely it can't be _ putting the most vulnerable hardest. surely it can't be right _ putting the most vulnerable hardest. surely it can't be right that _ putting the most vulnerable hardest. surely it can't be right that a - surely it can't be right that a quarter— surely it can't be right that a quarter of— surely it can't be right that a quarter of atms _ surely it can't be right that a quarter of atms charge i surely it can't be right that a i quarter of atms charge people to access_ quarter of atms charge people to access their — quarter of atms charge people to access their own— quarter of atms charge people to access their own money? - quarter of atms charge people to access their own money? so - quarter of atms charge people to access their own money? so willl quarter of atms charge people to i access their own money? so will the prime _ access their own money? so will the prime minister— access their own money? so will the prime ministerjoin _ access their own money? so will the

prime ministerjoin dozens- access their own money? so will the prime ministerjoin dozens of- access their own money? so will the prime ministerjoin dozens of his - prime ministerjoin dozens of his own backbenchers _ prime ministerjoin dozens of his own backbenchers in _ prime ministerjoin dozens of his own backbenchers in backing - prime ministerjoin dozens of his own backbenchers in backing my| prime ministerjoin dozens of his - own backbenchers in backing my cross party amendment— own backbenchers in backing my cross party amendment and _ own backbenchers in backing my cross party amendment and ensure - own backbenchers in backing my cross party amendment and ensure even - own backbenchers in backing my cross| party amendment and ensure even has free access _ party amendment and ensure even has free access to — party amendment and ensure even has free access to their _ party amendment and ensure even has free access to their hard—earned - free access to their hard—earned money? — free access to their hard-earned mone ? , h, , money? this government is legislating _ money? this government is legislating to _ money? this government is legislating to safeguard - money? this government is i legislating to safeguard access money? this government is - legislating to safeguard access to cash and that is what the financial services and markets bill this afternoon will do through a significant intervention. i am also pleased we put in place initiatives to subsidise free to use atms in deprived areas and 50 communities are benefitting, because access to cash is important and that is what the new bill will deliver. i cash is important and that is what the new bill will deliver. i welcome the new bill will deliver. i welcome the government's _ the new bill will deliver. i welcome the government's commitment - the new bill will deliver. i welcome the government's commitment to | the new bill will deliver. i welcome l the government's commitment to its hospital— the government's commitment to its hospital buildings— the government's commitment to its hospital buildings programme. - the government's commitment to its hospital buildings programme. can. hospital buildings programme. can the prime — hospital buildings programme. can the prime minister— hospital buildings programme. can the prime minister clarify- hospital buildings programme. can the prime minister clarify what - the prime minister clarify what criteria — the prime minister clarify what criteria witi— the prime minister clarify what criteria will be _ the prime minister clarify what criteria will be applied - the prime minister clarify what criteria will be applied for - the prime minister clarify what criteria will be applied for the i criteria will be applied for the allocation _ criteria will be applied for the allocation of— criteria will be applied for the allocation of those _ criteria will be applied for the allocation of those new - criteria will be applied for the . allocation of those new hospital criteria will be applied for the - allocation of those new hospital and will it _ allocation of those new hospital and will it be _ allocation of those new hospital and will it be done — allocation of those new hospital and will it be done with _ allocation of those new hospital and will it be done with the _ allocation of those new hospital and will it be done with the prime - will it be done with the prime minister's _ will it be done with the prime minister's commitment - will it be done with the prime minister's commitment on i will it be done with the prime minister's commitment on a i minister's commitment on a merits-based _ minister's commitment on a

merits—based system? - minister's commitment on a merits—based system? my. minister's commitment on a - merits—based system? my hospital in medway— merits—based system? my hospital in medway serves — merits—based system? my hospital in medway serves half _ merits—based system? my hospital in medway serves half a _ merits—based system? my hospital in medway serves half a million - merits—based system? my hospital in medway serves half a million peoplei medway serves half a million people and is _ medway serves half a million people and is the _ medway serves half a million people and is the busiest _ medway serves half a million people and is the busiest a&e _ medway serves half a million people and is the busiest a&e in— medway serves half a million people and is the busiest a&e in kent. - medway serves half a million people and is the busiest a&e in kent. we i and is the busiest a&e in kent. we are one _ and is the busiest a&e in kent. we are one of— and is the busiest a&e in kent. we are one of the _ and is the busiest a&e in kent. we are one of the hardest _ and is the busiest a&e in kent. we are one of the hardest hit - and is the busiest a&e in kent. we are one of the hardest hit areas . are one of the hardest hit areas during — are one of the hardest hit areas during covid—19. _ are one of the hardest hit areas during covid—19. we _ are one of the hardest hit areas during covid—19. we need - are one of the hardest hit areas during covid—19. we need our. are one of the hardest hit areas l during covid—19. we need our fair share _ during covid—19. we need our fair share of— during covid—19. we need our fair share of allocation _ during covid—19. we need our fair share of allocation of— during covid—19. we need our fair share of allocation of resources. i share of allocation of resources. will share of allocation of resources. witt the — share of allocation of resources. wau the prime — share of allocation of resources. will the prime minister- share of allocation of resources. will the prime minister visit - share of allocation of resources. - will the prime minister visit medway hospital— will the prime minister visit medway hospital with— will the prime minister visit medway hospital with me _ will the prime minister visit medway hospital with me and _ will the prime minister visit medway hospital with me and fellow - will the prime minister visit medway hospital with me and fellow mps - will the prime minister visit medway hospital with me and fellow mps to| hospital with me and fellow mps to look hospital with me and fellow mps to took at _ hospital with me and fellow mps to took at our— hospital with me and fellow mps to look at our urgent _ hospital with me and fellow mps to look at our urgent needs? - hospital with me and fellow mps to look at our urgent needs? mgr- look at our urgent needs? honourable friend is a look at our urgent needs?- honourable friend is a fantastic champion for his area and his local hospital. he will know i can't comment on any specific scheme, but can i tell him that submissions to be one of the new hospitals are currently being reviewed and an announcement will be made shortly. on small business saturday i was delighted to name dazy rose coffee house as the small business of the year. like so many small businesses

daze si rose coffee house is the cornerstone of the community, but many businesses feel clobbered by business rates. the government must pick a side. are they going to continue to back the online giants or will theyjoin the labour party and back small business and scrap and back small business and scrap and replace the outdated business rates? ., and replace the outdated business rates? . ., ., _ and replace the outdated business rates? . ., ., rates? can i congratulate daisy rose for winnina rates? can i congratulate daisy rose for winning their _ rates? can i congratulate daisy rose for winning their award _ rates? can i congratulate daisy rose for winning their award and - rates? can i congratulate daisy rose for winning their award and being - for winning their award and being the beating heart of their high street. i hope they will benefit and i'm almost certain they will from our discount on business rates, on retail hospitality and leisure relief gives us 75% discount on business rates, on top of the support we will be providing with energy bills, with bills being half what they would have been without

our support. what they would have been without our smart-— what they would have been without oursu ort. ., ,, i. ~ .,~ our support. thank you mr speaker. can i our support. thank you mr speaker. can i thank— our support. thank you mr speaker. can i thank you _ our support. thank you mr speaker. can i thank you and _ our support. thank you mr speaker. can i thank you and colleagues - can i thank you and colleagues across— can i thank you and colleagues across the _ can i thank you and colleagues across the house for your kindness and encouragement in recent weeks? can i and encouragement in recent weeks? can i ask— and encouragement in recent weeks? can i ask my— and encouragement in recent weeks? can i ask my right honourable friend the prime _ can i ask my right honourable friend the prime minister this afternoon to recommit— the prime minister this afternoon to recommit the government he leads to our ambition of levelling up communities in every part of our great _ communities in every part of our great united kingdom? and to that end could _ great united kingdom? and to that end could i invite my right honourable friend to visit my constituency and see the latest schoot — constituency and see the latest school rebuild, the multimillion rebuild — school rebuild, the multimillion rebuild of the oak academy that will stand _ rebuild of the oak academy that will stand as _ rebuild of the oak academy that will stand as a _ rebuild of the oak academy that will stand as a tribute of opportunity to the people i have the privilege of serving _ the people i have the privilege of serving in — the people i have the privilege of serving in is in this house. it is nice to hear — serving in is in this house. it is nice to hear from _ serving in is in this house. it is nice to hear from my _ serving in is in this house. it 3 nice to hear from my honourable friend and he is right, there is no

better way to spread opportunity around the country than by investing in our children's future. i'm delighted that oak academy is benefitting from our school rebuild being programme and i will ask my office to keep his kind invitation in mind. mr office to keep his kind invitation in mind. ~ ,,, ., ,, , office to keep his kind invitation in mind. ~ .,~ , ., , , in mind. mr speak per, i raised this matter before. _ in mind. mr speak per, i raised this matter before, despite _ in mind. mr speak per, i raised this matter before, despite meeting - in mind. mr speak per, i raised this| matter before, despite meeting with the previous prime minister, this matter has not progressed. in 1984 i was a serving police officer when on 17th april wpc yvonne fletcher was killed outside the libyan embassy. no one has ever been charged in connection with her murder. last yearin connection with her murder. last year in a civil case a senior high courtjustice said, i'm satisfied that the defendant is jointly liable for the shooting of wpc yvonne

fletcher. will the prime minister meet with me to see how this case will be taken forward and find those responsible for the murder to justice in a criminal court? flan responsible for the murder to justice in a criminal court? can i thank the _ justice in a criminal court? can i thank the honourable _ justice in a criminal court? can i thank the honourable gentleman for his continued work on this case, it is something he has raised before. he will appreciate while i can't speak in detail on a particular case, there are differences in the standard of of proof in civil and criminal proceedings. but the crown prosecution service will consider any new information given to them and i would be very happy to meet with him. ., ., with him. returning to the theme of communities — with him. returning to the theme of communities deciding _ with him. returning to the theme of communities deciding whether- with him. returning to the theme of communities deciding whether to i communities deciding whether to build. _ communities deciding whether to build. in — communities deciding whether to build, in my area we are embrace our obligations _ build, in my area we are embrace our obligations to deliver small new homes — obligations to deliver small new homes and we have an application to

deliver— homes and we have an application to deliver 25— homes and we have an application to deliver 2.5 million homes. but there is a standing objective to new homes from the _ is a standing objective to new homes from the national highways. could i ask my— from the national highways. could i ask my right honourable friend what advice _ ask my right honourable friend what advice he _ ask my right honourable friend what advice he gives to the council as to how they— advice he gives to the council as to how they can deliver their housing obligations with is in national constraint?— constraint? well, i thank my honourable _ constraint? well, i thank my honourable friend _ constraint? well, i thank my honourable friend for - constraint? well, i thank my honourable friend for her - constraint? well, i thank my - honourable friend for her question and she highlights a council trying to do the thing. if she should write to do the thing. if she should write to the levelling up secretary we can give her a full response and i praise her council to make sure we can build homes where we need them. why can't the government process asvtum _ why can't the government process asvtum claims— why can't the government process asylum claims within _ why can't the government process asylum claims within six _ why can't the government process asylum claims within six month. why can't the government processl asylum claims within six month and save £56— asylum claims within six month and save {5.6 million— asylum claims within six month and save {5.6 million a _ asylum claims within six month and save {5.6 million a day— asylum claims within six month and save {5.6 million a day on - save {5.6 million a day on accommodation? - save {5.6 million a day on accommodation? granting save {5.6 million a day on - accommodation? granting asylum save {5.6 million a day on _ accommodation? granting asylum to those _ accommodation? granting asylum to those who—

accommodation? granting asylum to those who need _ accommodation? granting asylum to those who need it _ accommodation? granting asylum to those who need it quickly _ accommodation? granting asylum to those who need it quickly and - those who need it quickly and stopping _ those who need it quickly and stopping abuse _ those who need it quickly and stopping abuse of— those who need it quickly and stopping abuse of the - those who need it quickly and stopping abuse of the systemj those who need it quickly and - stopping abuse of the system which has a _ stopping abuse of the system which has a tracktog — stopping abuse of the system which has a tracktog of— stopping abuse of the system which has a backlog of 147,000 _ stopping abuse of the system which has a backlog of 147,000 claims. i stopping abuse of the system which. has a backlog of 147,000 claims. we are has a backlog of 147,000 claims. are increasing the number of case work earls, we are on course to double it by the spring. she is right that the process takes longer thanit right that the process takes longer than it should. often that is because people are able to exploit some of the rules in our system. and make claims. that is the type of thing that the home secretary and i are working on fixing and i look forward to having the party opposite support when we do.— forward to having the party opposite support when we do. there have been more reported — support when we do. there have been more reported deaths _ support when we do. there have been more reported deaths and _ support when we do. there have been more reported deaths and adverse - more reported deaths and adverse reactions following mrna vaccination than to every conventional vaccine administered worldwide for the last five years and given the vaccines

are not recommended for pregnant women, would my right honourable friend overturn the big farm ma funded recommendation that the vaccines are administers to children as young as six months of age? mr speaker let me fist first say i believe covid vaccines are safe and effective. no vaccine will be approved unless it meets the regulator's standards. we have an independent body determining which age group the vaccine is recommended for use in as part of programme and the decision will lie with parents. during covid we applauded the nhs nurses who put their lives on the line to help millions of our constituents and loved ones, but we now know at the same time tory spivs

were helping themselves, using their connections to millions of pounds of public money. why is the prime minister on the side of the spivs and not the side of the nurses? what and not the side of the nurses? what eve one and not the side of the nurses? what everyone was — and not the side of the nurses? what everyone was doing _ and not the side of the nurses? what everyone was doing at _ and not the side of the nurses? what everyone was doing at the time was working as hard as as quickly as they could to get the ppa —— ppe needed for front—line workers including our nurses and actually there was an independent procurement process and ministers were not involved in the decision—making, but it was right that people gave their ideas about where to get them from and indeed, the shadow chancellor herself suggested that we should get ppe from a law firm. she suggested we should get ventilators from a football agent. everyone was trying as hard as they can and they should remember the context and stop playing politics. tiara

remember the context and stop playing politics— remember the context and stop -la in: olitics. ., ., ., ., playing politics. two weeks ago more than 350 people _ playing politics. two weeks ago more than 350 people attended _ playing politics. two weeks ago more than 350 people attended a - playing politics. two weeks ago more than 350 people attended a meeting | than 350 people attended a meeting in skegness to discuss the use of five seafront hotels to house asylum seekers. they were united in their view that there was a long—term economic impact and the pressure on public services. they told me loud and clear that like the prime minister they think hotels are the wrong place for asylum seekers. does he agree with me that the government needs urgently to lay out a plan that moves beyond the use of hotels, puts asylum seekers in the right place for them in the right place for coastal communities such as those in skegness? i for coastal communities such as those in skegness? i completely a . ree with those in skegness? i completely agree with my — those in skegness? i completely agree with my honourable - those in skegness? i completelyl agree with my honourable friend. those in skegness? i completely - agree with my honourable friend. we are now spending £6 million a day housing asylum seekers. hotels are incredibly expensive and we will urgently bring forward proposals to reduce the pressure, but as he knows and i know, the best way to solve this problem sustainably is to

reduce the number of illegal migrants coming to the uk and that is what this government will deliver. �* is what this government will deliver. . . ., , is what this government will deliver. . . . , ., , is what this government will deliver. . . . , deliver. audit wales has confirmed the welsh labour _ deliver. audit wales has confirmed the welsh labour government - the welsh labour government responded well and got on with the job of delivering value for taxpayer money. can the prime minister told the house what first attracted him to awarding billions of pounds of covid to tory donors and supporters and what is he doing to claw taxpayers money back? again, we delivered 32 _ taxpayers money back? again, we delivered 32 billion _ taxpayers money back? again, we delivered 32 billion pieces - taxpayers money back? again, we delivered 32 billion pieces of- taxpayers money back? again, we delivered 32 billion pieces of ppe l delivered 32 billion pieces of ppe to the front line at a time when there was a global shortage. as i've already said, everybody tried to do their bit and we had recommendations on the shadow chancellor but it was right that her and everybody else's suggestion went through an independent process where ministers were not involved in the decisions. josh mcalister�*s independent review of social care has been with the

government since may and i understand there's been some disappointment that the response won't be published before christmas but can the prime minister ensure given the very important recommendations about some of the most vulnerable children in society and the families who support them and the families who support them and people who support them that there will be a strong and robust government response as early as possible in the new year? yes. government response as early as possible in the new year? yes, my honourable — possible in the new year? yes, my honourable friend _ possible in the new year? yes, my honourable friend obviously - possible in the new year? yes, my honourable friend obviously knows| honourable friend obviously knows the subject area well and is right to highlight the importance of making sure we provide good quality support to vulnerable children and the report has a lot of interesting suggestions in it and i can commit that we will respond in due course. over 70% of northern ireland's international torres arrived to dublin travel across the land border and the uk government supposed electronic travel organisers —— would mean the north being struck off the itinerary of operators and many independent travellers in the last thing we need is a barrier to one of the biggest economic drivers to say nothing of the impact on

non—irish and british people living in ireland. members from across the house of acknowledge that the border is not a normal one so will the prime minister commit to scrapping this unworkable proposal? i can prime minister commit to scrapping this unworkable proposal? i can give the honourable _ this unworkable proposal? i can give the honourable lady— this unworkable proposal? i can give the honourable lady my _ this unworkable proposal? i can give the honourable lady my assurance i this unworkable proposal? i can give| the honourable lady my assurance we remain committed to the common travel area and indeed do not want to see any checks on the island of ireland and that is why we are working very hard to resolve the issues with the protocol and ensure northern ireland's place in the uk. that brings us to the end of this week's prime minister's questions and i'm joined as always in this half of the thing is wrapping up on bbc two but we are going to move on after that lively session of prime minister's questions. 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. overnight lows of —10 celsius are predicted in northern scotland, with snow and ice warnings there, as well as in wales, northern ireland, and the east coast of england. david barclay is a manager at warm welcome, an organisation campaigning for more warm spaces for those suffering from rising cost of living this winter. he told me what information they are offering to help people keep warm. on our website, warmwelcome.co.uk, we created a map where people can find your nearest warm welcome space which is free and safe and warm and welcoming, and we've got over 3,000 organisations that have signed up with us to be warm welcome spaces, so people are able to find somewhere

near them on the map where they can go and get the warm welcome they might need. viewers can see what it looks like on the screen. what sort of organisations are offering a warm space? a huge range of organisations. churches as well as other faith groups are getting heavily involved, but we're also seeing lots of libraries, schools, theatre groups, music groups, even football clubs getting involved and businesses, community cafes and other groups like that that are keen to support people. a business particularly will always have one eye on the profit. that's not necessarily in the case here. people who go in to stay warm might buy a cup of tea or coffee, but why are businesses doing it? a lot of businesses want to play that role in a community and show people it's notjust all about the profit. i know of lots of businesses

in the warm welcome campaign that are trying to send a message that, actually, people don't need to buy anything, it's okjust to come into a pub or cafe and just use that as a space to be. and we've seen other businesses where they are setting up pay it forward schemes where people who do maybe have the resource and want to give something can buy a hot drink whatever and that can go to someone might be struggling. we want to keep that door open to organisations who want to provide that space for people. how many people are aware of your website and how many people are coming to it? we've seen about 80,000 people using the map in november. obviously that's before the temperatures have really started to plummet, so we can see that there is a demand, we've been serving local spaces about what they are finding

and seeing, and we know that that demand is going up and we are expecting that to continue, but we also know there is the capacity so there are lots of these spaces that are willing and looking to help and support more people so i really would encourage anyone that might be struggling. and even if you're not struggling, there are lots of spaces that are offering co—working spaces and opportunities to volunteer. i think all of us could do with saving a bit of money on our energy bills at the moment so there really is space for everyone. it's great that all these organisations are getting involved and that you're helping to disseminate that information. what do you feel about the fact that this is needed? well, there's obviously huge mixed feelings when you're involved in this kind of work. on one hand, incredibly shocked, angry that it's come to this, that we are living in a country where there are millions of people that can't afford to heat their own homes, despite this still being one of the wealthiest countries in the world. if that doesn't shock us into having

a wider conversation about poverty and about policy in this country, then i don't know what will. at the same time, i think it shows the resilience and compassion of civil society organisations, who really struggled during covid and i think these organisations give us a lot of hope for the country. with me now isjune davison from senior cardiac nurse at the british heart foundation. people who have heart conditions might feel particularly anxious given this cold spell we are in. can you just because through how cold weather affects the heart? {aid weather affects the heart? cold weather affects the heart? cold weather can _ weather affects the heart? cold weather can put _ weather affects the heart? cold weather can put you _ weather affects the heart? cold weather can put you at - weather affects the heart? crrlc weather can put you at extra risk if

you have a heart or circulatory condition. we know it puts extra strain on the heart so your heart rate will go up, your blood pressure will increase and it can also narrow the arteries is the heart tries to conserve the blood flow for the essential organs so these can bring on symptoms. if you've got a heart condition. we know that the elderly can be particularly vulnerable so it's going to be a worry for people with heart conditions and other health conditions too. what with heart conditions and other health conditions too. what steps can ou health conditions too. what steps can you take _ health conditions too. what steps can you take to — health conditions too. what steps can you take to protect _ health conditions too. what steps can you take to protect yourself? | health conditions too. what steps l can you take to protect yourself? if can you take to protect yourself? if you are indoors, one of the key things you can do is layer up. having lots of layers is usually more effective than one big jumper, so long sleeved tops, thermal vests, making sure your feet and head are warm, those are the most essential places. socks, slippers if you have them, even a woolly hat if you're feeling particularly cold. another

key thing is to try and eat lots of hot meals and hot drinks throughout the day, soup, stew, porridge, warming things like that. the british heart foundation have a whole host of winter warming recipes if you're on a budget to try to do that in a cost—effective way. you might want to think about cooking with a slow cooker or microwave, that can help costs as well. making sure any drafts are not getting through, so draft excluder is rolling up a towel can be helpful. try to heat the room that you use most, turn down the radiators in rooms you're not using frequently. closing the curtains before it gets dark and cold can help as well. those are a few tips for people who

have circulatory conditions and all people as well to try to keep warm. i must say, the british heart foundation say get moving, even light exercise in the house, go up and down the stairs are around the house, even a light bit of exercise can be helpful to warm you up —— or around the house. the can be helpfulto warm you up -- or around the house.— can be helpfulto warm you up -- or around the house. the other worry in the winter as — around the house. the other worry in the winter as viruses, _ around the house. the other worry in the winter as viruses, flue, _ around the house. the other worry in the winter as viruses, flue, covid, i the winter as viruses, flue, covid, what can people do to protect themselves and take extra measures? the most important thing for heart patients is make sure you're up—to—date with your vaccinations, that's really key, and try to say as well as possible, perhaps clear steer —— steer clear of others if they have a cough or a cold. if you have on yourself, drink lots of fluids, take paracetamol if you are able. have a chat with your gp or pharmacist about how to keep as well

as possible. some people might choose to take some vitamin d in the winter months which can help protect your bone health particularly but try to stay as well and warm as possible during this time of year. that's jun davidson from the possible during this time of year. that'sjun davidson from the british heart foundation. thank you. breaking news, italian police have arrested a 64—year—old former german army officer connected to the far—right group suspected of preparing a violent overthrow of the state in germany. police said the man was arrested in a hotel in perugia where material related to the subversive material was found. procedures to remove him from the country have begun. the group includes neo—nazis and gun enthusiasts and conspiracy

theorists. german prosecutors say they planned to storm the parliament in berlin and attack energy infrastructure. more than 25 people have been arrested. the health secretary says there is no shortage of antibiotics, as he urged parents to remain vigilant for signs of strep a. steve barclay said checks within the department of health had not revealed an issue with supply of the medicines after the national pharmacy association said there were "blips" in the supply chain of liquid penicillin, which is often given to children. here is the health secretary speaking this morning. we have very regular contact with the medical suppliers, we have a dedicated team that does this day in, day out within the department of health and the manufacturers have said they don't have concerns in terms of supply at the moment. it's always the case if you have a particular surge in one or two gps, then the response to that is in terms of looking at our warehouse depots and suppliers, look at the warehouse depots and how

they move stock around but what the suppliers have said to us as they do have good levels of supply and that's not a concern at the moment. where those particular issues with gps are, they will move the stock around accordingly. earlier i spoke to dr leyla hannbeck, chief exec of the association of independent multiple pharmacies, who described the issues that her members are having in england. well, we are getting calls and information from pharmacies everywhere around the country basically saying that it's very difficult to get hold of antibiotics so when they go online to order from their wholesalers, they get a message saying it is out of stock, so if there is a supply, we would urge the department

and the minister to please make sure there is a flow of stocks so that we can look after our patients. we raised the issue with the department of health and they are challenges with patchy supply across the country, notjust in one area, and they are aware of the fact that pharmacies are struggling to get hold of these so we are hoping they quickly act and ensure the supply flows because we have seen a big rise in the number of antibiotic prescriptions this winter, so if we don't act quickly, it's going to be very difficult going forward. is the issue particularly with liquid penicillin, which is what is often given to children? the current issues are mainly with penicillin, mainly liquid, and some other antibiotics that are commonly prescribed. these are mainly for children,

so once the first line is running short then the second and third line and subsequent lines have shortages as well because gps have to change the prescriptions to the stock that is available so that affects the rest as well, so it's an important thing for the department to make sure that they prioritise this to ensure that this stock that they say they have flows to pharmacies as soon as possible. listening to the health secretary steve barclay, he seems to be saying that the stocks are there, so one wonders is the problem actually one of delivery, one of getting the stocks to the relevant places? we have a number of occasions asked the department of health in terms of sitting down with us, manufacturers and wholesalers, and discuss the challenges in terms of where

the issues lie and find solutions and plan better. this would allow us to find exactly where the issues are. at the moment, we are kind of working blind. as pharmacists, we go online to the wholesaler and order the medicine and we basically get a message saying stock is unavailable. that's where we are at the moment. if that happens, when that happens, are pharmacies having to turn away patients? yeah, many times we've had patients coming in and asking for the antibiotic prescription and the pharmacy has no stock in so they have to send them to anothe pharmacy. this morning, i was getting reports that a patient had been travelling 20 miles to get a hold of antibiotics. there was another report about a patient who had to visit 12 pharmacists before they got hold of the stock. i don't want people to panic that there is not going to be anything available because i'm a parent myself and i know how

stressful this is, so they need to be reassured that we're doing everything we can to ensure that we get the stock in, but we need the support from the department to get this a supply that they say they have into pharmacies as soon as possible. thousands of ambulance staff in england and wales will go on strike before christmas, adding to a wave of disruption caused by disputes about pay. the walk—out comes amid growing concerns over ambulance response times, with one region in particular showing a significant rise in the number of patients who have died after a delay. the figures from west midlands ambulance service were uncovered by a freedom of information request from bbc newsnight. david grossman reports. ijust assumed, like 90% of other

people that when you ring 909 —— 999 and you call for an ambulance, that within a few minutes, that one will be with you. when darren childs'12—month—old daughter, myla, had a seizure and for a time stopped breathing, it took 47 minutes for the ambulance to come. the target for the average response time on such a serious life—or—death call is seven minutes. it was horrendous. it's every parent's worst nightmare. mercifully, darren's daughter survived, but sadly, many do not. data obtained by newsnight through a freedom of information request paints a worrying picture. in the whole of 2020, west midlands ambulance service had just one patient, who was dead by the time the ambulance turned up following a delay. so far this year, up until september, the total is 37. and that is with three

months' data still to come. as we've heard repeatedly, one of the big problems is ambulances being stuck outside hospitals, unable to hand over patients. over a single day, newsnight journalists monitored ambulances at five hospitals, covered by west midlands ambulance service to see just how bad the problem is right now. on the day we recorded data, the longest an ambulance had to wait to hand over a patient was worcester royal, 21 hours, at princess royal hospital in telford, 19 hours, at alexandra hospital in redditch, eight hours, at royal stoke, 15 hours, and at royal shrewsbury more than 20 hours. problems at the ambulance trust go far deeper than just delays. the number of serious incidents defined as an avoidable, serious outcome caused by problems with care has shot up over 400% so far this year, compared with the same period last year. however, half of them are not directly attributed to delays. minutes of the ambulance trust board meeting suggests part of the rise in serious incidents is down

to mismanagement of things like choking and cardiac arrest. newsnight�*s been told by a senior ambulance trust insider that actually most of these serious incidents have their root cause in the long delays. experienced staff, we were told, are getting fed up of hanging around outside hospitals for an entire shift, so they're leaving theirjobs. and in their place, the new recruits. well, they're hanging around outside hospitals, so they're not getting experience of the range of problems that they're going to have to deal with safely. childs, darren, is duly elected councillor for the town council. after what happened to his daughter, darren childs ran for and won a seat on his local council. his one manifesto pledge to try to sort out the ambulance delays. six months on, and he says things have got measurably worse. the stories have gone from we waited three, four hours to five, six hours, to eight, nine hours.

so now you've got people waiting nine hours for ambulances. nine hours? nine hours just for an ambulance. i think that the nhs isn't just in crisis any more. i think the nhs is failing and we are losing the nhs, and i think that this winter's pressures are going to be the thing that topples the nhs over. that report was by newsnight�*s david grossman. in a statement, west midlands ambulance service said it's working very hard to prevent delays but it depends on other parts of the health service admitting patients quickly. the department of health in england says it's taking urgent action to support the ambulance service, including offering an extra 500 million to speed up hospital discharge and free up beds.

government officials and activists are taking part in cop15 in montreal. they will try to decide ways to preserve sensitive ecosystems. the majority of the earth's land surface and two thirds of its oceans have been significantly altered in the last 50 years. nearly1 million species of animals and plants face extinction and human behaviour is at the heart of it all. at cop15, governments will have to find a way to protect what natural spaces we have left. .., , , , to protect what natural spaces we have left. _, _ , , ., to protect what natural spaces we haveleft. , ., , have left. ecosystems have become the playthings _ have left. ecosystems have become the playthings of— have left. ecosystems have become the playthings of profit. _ have left. ecosystems have become the playthings of profit. with - have left. ecosystems have become the playthings of profit. with our. the playthings of profit. with our bottomless appetite for unchecked economic growth, humanity has become a weapon of mass extinction. we are

treating nature like a toilet. you could be forgiven for feeling a little confused.— could be forgiven for feeling a little confused. after all, we only 'ust saw little confused. after all, we only just saw the _ little confused. after all, we only just saw the conclusion _ little confused. after all, we only just saw the conclusion of - little confused. after all, we only just saw the conclusion of the - little confused. after all, we only i just saw the conclusion of the cop27 summit in sharm el—sheikh, but this conference is different. unlike the climate process with its clear goal to eliminate global warming, this summit has different aims, largely focused on conservation.— focused on conservation. nature is as important _ focused on conservation. nature is as important as — focused on conservation. nature is as important as the _ focused on conservation. nature is as important as the climate, - focused on conservation. nature is as important as the climate, and l focused on conservation. nature is. as important as the climate, and for the climate — as important as the climate, and for the climate to succeed, it means nature _ the climate to succeed, it means nature has— the climate to succeed, it means nature has to succeed and that's why we have _ nature has to succeed and that's why we have to _ nature has to succeed and that's why we have to deal with them together. its headline policy is something known by 30x30, a pledge for countries to protect 30% of their land and water by the year 2030. canada's minister has championed the policy but some are not happy. indigenous groups who see it as a potential threat to their land rights disrupted justin trudeau's speech at the start of the summit.

delegates face a steep challenge to set ambitious but fair targets, addressing everything from farm subsidies to the spread of invasive species but with the health of our planet on the line, it's more important than ever that leaders find something they can agree on. the one o'clock news is coming up in a moment. a bit of breaking news, the ukrainian president volodymyr zelensky has been named as time magazine's person of the year, so that has just broken. let's go over to louise for the weather. 2022 has possibly been the warmest year on year could —— year on record. there is the risk of snow

showers. forthe record. there is the risk of snow showers. for the rest of the week, inland areas of england and wales are unlikely to see snow but the shaded areas, the risk of snow showers across the coastal areas and maybe some ice but a more significant risk of snow showers in the far north of scotland, up to ten centimetres of snow might accumulate over the next couple of days. this is the recent activity, quite a rash of snow showers being push in by a brisk northerly wind in the far north of scotland. i cold afternoon appear. we will see some showers running on of the north sea coast, may be of a wintry nature here as well and across wales and southwest england if you catch a shower, there will be rain. is between the two, dry and sunny, but not particularly warm. 4 celsius to 6 celsius but with the wind and the strength of it to the north, it will feel subfreezing for many. as we move into the evening, we will continue to see the showers and any coastal

areas are sticking out at risk of seeing showers, hence the reason we have those warnings for ice so bear that in mind. it looks like it will be a cold night with temperatures widely staying below freezing in places, minus four celsius 4—5 c. we've got weak weather fronts during the day on thursday which may well enhance snow showers, the wind direction coming from the arctic so it is cold. we'll see the risk of further snow and ice across the far north. i swear we have showers running through the coastal areas and we could see some accumulations across the north york mirrors into the afternoon, again another chilly day, temperatures struggling —— north york moors. it's going to stay very cold indeed and we could see some freezing fog developing. that's going to make it feel even colder. if you want more details, you can look on the bbc app and find out the

latest in your area. this programme contains scenes of repetitive flashing images. today at 1:00pm, 25 people have been arrested in germany on suspicion of plotting to overthrow the government. the accused are alleged to be part of a far right group that planned to storm the german parliament. translation: it should concern us lthat these people are not stupid. l they are educated people with experience in life. they have access to arms and to information and to important people. thousands of officers raided properties across germany, including an army barracks. we'll have the very latest. also on the programme... the health secretary signals there'll be no increased pay offer to stop ambulance crews and nurses going on strike. harry and meghan accept an award for antiracism work, ahead of their tell—all documentry, released tomorrow.

and, the sequel to avatar, the highest grossing film