this is bbc news. i'm lukwesa burak. the headlines at 9:003m... major disruption to christmas postal deliveries as more than 100,000 royal mail staff walk out across the uk after the latest talks to resolve their pay dispute broke down. the chancellor prepares to announce a major overhaul of the uk's financial sector. they're expected to include looser rules on banks and their staff, introduced after the financial crisis in 2008. us basketball star brittney griner is flying back home, in the us, released from a russian jail in a prisoner swap with a notorious arms dealer. millions of people start to receive

£25 cold weather payments as the met office issues several severe weather warnings. england gear up for their huge match against france tomorrow, as brazil and argentina are both in action today in the first of the world cup quarterfinals. postal workers at royal mail have begun a wave of strikes in the run—up to christmas, in a row over pay and conditions. the walkouts involving 115,000 workers will hit letters and deliveries across the uk. members of the communications workers union are planning another wave of strikes on the 11th,

1ath, 15th as well as the 23rd, and 24th december — some of the busiest days for pre—christmas deliveries. the royal mail brought forward the final deadline for deliveries with the last day for second class post now monday 12th december, and for first class post the deadline is next friday 16th december. david ward, general secretary of the cwu, was asked how much longer this could go on for. this is a fight forjobs. it's a fight for their livelihoods, and it's a fight for the services that our members are proud to deliver, and have been delivering for years and years. royal mail is a company, one of the greatest companies in the uk. and there's no other way of saying this, this is being destroyed in front of our eyes in the name of modernisation. and what we won't agree, and i want to be absolutely crystal clear on this,

what we will not agree is that as our members get sacked, and we are talking about thousands upon thousands ofjob losses, we are talking about compulsory redundancies. we are not going to agree that royal mail replace those workers with self—employed drivers, with new entrants on 20% less pay, terms and conditions, and with agency workers, around 11,000 that they want to keep on all year. now, if the company want to move this forward, it's not unreasonable for us to say that we wantjob security at a time when they are employing all those other people. surely your viewers will understand that this is a just fight for the service. we will have more on that later here on bbc news. a major overhaul of the uks financial sector will be announced by the chancellor today, in a bid to boost growth. at a speech in edinburgh, jeremy hunt will introduce more

than 30 regulatory reforms — including a loosening of rules on banks and their staff introduced after the financial crisis in 2008. but critics say it could be dangerous to forget the lessons of the past. let's speak to the banking analyst frances coppola. thank you forjoining us. more than 30 reforms are what we are hearing about. are they needed? i 30 reforms are what we are hearing about. are they needed?— about. are they needed? i think there's been _ about. are they needed? i think there's been quite _ about. are they needed? i think there's been quite a _ about. are they needed? i think there's been quite a feeling - about. are they needed? i think there's been quite a feeling in i about. are they needed? i think i there's been quite a feeling in the city for quite a long time now that the regulation, the heavy regulation since the financial crisis, has may be gone a bit too far and tied banks down too much. particularly some of the smaller banks, there has been quite a lot of pushback from challenge banks such as santander and virgin money, who say that some of the rules are supplied to them

are onerous. it some of those rules they are talking about relaxing, ring fencing rules, for example, that applied to challenge banks, they will be relaxed enabling them to compete better with high street banks. there has also been lobbying to water down other rules such as the personal responsibility on the senior managers. i personally have reservations about that because i think senior managers should be taking personal responsibility for their decisions. i am also disturbed by perhaps, more disturbed by the framing of this, which is about growth and competitiveness and the mooted idea that regulators were being tasked with fostering growth and competitiveness. to me that is not what regulation is about. let’s not what regulation is about. let's take one of _ not what regulation is about. let's take one of the _ not what regulation is about. let's take one of the first _ not what regulation is about. let's take one of the first points, just how competitive is london at the moment for investment? i how competitive is london at the moment for investment?- how competitive is london at the moment for investment? i think we have to be completely _ moment for investment? i think we have to be completely honest - moment for investment? i think we have to be completely honest and l moment for investment? i think we i have to be completely honest and say london at the moment is falling

behind on competitiveness. and the reason is the form of brexit that we had which didn't pay sufficient attention to the concerns of financial services companies. and we are seeing businesses move away from london. we are seeing for example the loss of companies to the european union and we are seeing other effects as well. we shouldn't ignore that. there has been quite a lot of damage and there is more damage going forward. we certainly shouldn't be using regulatory reforms as a form of compensation for the damage that has done to the financial services industry. we need to be taking steps to deal with the problems caused by brexit. we are talkin: problems caused by brexit. we are talking about _ problems caused by brexit. we are talking about the _ problems caused by brexit. we are talking about the financial- problems caused by brexit. we are talking about the financial sector. i talking about the financial sector. who is actually going to benefit here? those right at the top, those within the sector. when and how will that trickle down to the public? we that trickle down to the public? - should remember that the financial services sector is a major driver of

economic growth for the uk and has been for a long time. we want to have more economic growth earned more money in our economy. we do need to prevent further damage to the financial sector and we need it to be competing internationally and we need it to be providing good and safe and quality services to our domestic businesses and to households as well. regulation kind of tries to square all of that and there is an argument that in the last decade it has gone a bit too far towards making everything safe and hasn't paid enough attention to actually making, helping the economy grow. and may be some rebalancing of aspects of regulation is a good idea because of that, but it really shouldn't be going towards watering down the safety of ordinary people's

deposits and businesses' activity to foster risk—taking at the top end. 0k, frances coppola, thank you for that. us basketball star brittney griner is due to land back on american soil after being released by russia in a prisoner swap. she's due to touchdown in san antonio in texas and will then travel to a medical facility for health checks. the 32—year—old was arrested in february at a moscow airport for having cannabis oil in her luggage and sentenced to nine years in a penal colony in august. she was swapped for viktor bout who has served 10 of the 25 years he was sentenced to for arms dealing. it's one of the biggest challenges facing the healthcare system — how to improve home care support so that hospital beds

are kept free for those who need them most. in manchester, one organisation says it's pioneering a new way of working that helps ease the pressure on nhs services. 0ur health correspondent dominic hughes has been finding out more. it's the first call—out of the day for manju and cara. so, we're going on to see stephen now. stephen's had a fall yesterday. manju will do a medical and physical assessment. i had a look at his medical records and it looks like he has parkinson's. cara, a pharmacist, will check out stephen's medication. hello, sir. how are you? stephen lives alone, so as well as confirming there are no medical issues, they are making sure he can carry on living independently. that's an antihistamine. how about going up and down the stairs? i'm 0k, just about, yeah. we'll have another rail put up here over here, 0k?

yeah, because i need it. yes _ stephen's fall might have led to a visit to a&e. drinka bit more, 0k? i know, yeah. but in manchester, what's known as the local care 0rganisation, is now picking up cases that may not need that level of intervention. what we noted there was that there were side effects which caused him to be drowsy. it's something he is aware of, particularly when he combines certain medication for pain etc, and he walked at the same time, that drowsiness made him have that fall. so getting there quickly and having the most impact, each interaction with the patient is really important to prevent that deterioration. so the work you've done, that has essentially stopped him going into hospital? 0h, definitely. and also made sure that he is medically stable and can be at home. we've got helen, - a lady in a care home. back at base in north manchester, the local team — nurses,

social workers, pharmacists all working alongside each other — are running through their cases. if they decide she is going home, then, we're ready. so the team are having their morning meeting. it's still early in the day but they've already got a lot of cases on the go, and they are set for a very busy day. we would consider ourselves to be an admission avoidance service, so we're trying to prevent ambulances being called in the first instance. when an ambulance has been called, we're taking referrals directly from the ambulance service, and we respond within one or two hours, depending on need. that's an alternative to a&e. you like being photographed, don't you? no, don't go underneath. last year, eric slipped in the shower. he was stuck there for five days until he was rescued. the local care 0rganisation found him these new flat with on—site care, should he need it. it keeps eric independent. i'd sooner live in a tent

than go in a care home. instead of the traditional nursing home, which is like god's waiting room, you get shoved in, nobody visits you, nothing happens and you just wait for death. and i don't believe in waiting for death. afternoon, mohammed. how's things? part of the development is dedicated to helping get people discharged from hospital. mohammed broke his leg and his existing flat wasn't safe. so he's staying here for a few weeks while more suitable accommodation is found. i am really grateful for the team who helped me and put me in this apartment. even if it is for a short time, but i am so happy for that, to help me for my condition. this whole scheme has needed the council and the local nhs to integrate completely, a significant financial and political commitment.

what it provides is a real community offer that is able to pull and support people to come out of hospital as soon as they're ready, and the offers that we have now across manchester for people mean that we can make real inroads into some of the pressures the nhs is experiencing. working together to deliver care at home and avoid visits to hospital. this all sounds simple, but it could be the key to keeping the nhs going through some tough months ahead. dominic hughes, bbc news, manchester. more now on our top story — postal workers at royal mail have begun a wave of strikes in a row over pay and conditions. the walkouts involving 115,000 workers will hit letters and deliveries during the festive period across the uk. let's cross to the mount pleasant sorting office in london where our employment correspondent zoe conway.

where are you? i'm inside the sortin: where are you? i'm inside the sorting office. _ where are you? i'm inside the sorting office, the _ where are you? i'm inside the sorting office, the biggest - where are you? i'm inside the sorting office, the biggest in l where are you? i'm inside the i sorting office, the biggest in the uk. what you would normally expect here is about 1000 people working, sorting through the mail. but today, it being a strike day, they are relying on 100 managers and agency workers to get all this mail processed. pointing out a few things going on, this machine over here is a letter sorting machine. it can process 40,000 letters every hour. what you can probably see as there is a whole row of white letters at the front. those are nhs letters. that's because this machine has been programmed to prioritise nhs letters so they are the first to be delivered. they should go out for delivery tomorrow. that's not the only thing going on today. there's also parcels being sorted on this

machine over here. this machine can sort something like 7500 parcels every hour. in terms of what this dispute is about, this dispute is certainly about pay, although in a sign of how this service dispute is, the two sides can't even agree on what offer is on the table. royal mail say it is 9%, but talk to the union and they will tell you what's being offered is more like 3.5%. there is a disagreement there. this is also about terms and conditions. at the heart of this is the modernisation plan of royal mail, the shift from letters to parcels, which is where the money is, and that inevitably means a change to working conditions. joining me is ricky mcauley, the director of operations at royal mail. how much longer can this go on for? it has been 13 strike days, and there are

five more to come before christmas. why can't you get a grip on this? there will be another three days this week— there will be another three days this week trying to negotiate and -ive this week trying to negotiate and give the — this week trying to negotiate and give the cw you the opportunity to try to _ give the cw you the opportunity to try to understand the need for criticai— try to understand the need for critical change in the networks and call off— critical change in the networks and call off the — critical change in the networks and call off the strikes. it's disappointing to take that opportunity. royal mail is at a crossroads, losing £1 million every day. despite that we are putting 9% of pay _ day. despite that we are putting 9% of pay on _ day. despite that we are putting 9% of pay on the table for employees. the cw_ of pay on the table for employees. the cw you — of pay on the table for employees. the cw you dispute that. they of pay on the table for employees. the cw you dispute that.— the cw you dispute that. they can dis - ute the cw you dispute that. they can disute all the cw you dispute that. they can diapute all they — the cw you dispute that. they can dispute all they want _ the cw you dispute that. they can dispute all they want but - the cw you dispute that. they can dispute all they want but that - the cw you dispute that. they can dispute all they want but that is i dispute all they want but that is the often — dispute all they want but that is the offer. it's over an 18 month period. — the offer. it's over an 18 month period. and _ the offer. it's over an 18 month period, and £400 million of pay. we are trying _ period, and £400 million of pay. we are trying to — period, and £400 million of pay. we are trying to find the balance between that pay and how we afford it, between that pay and how we afford it. which _ between that pay and how we afford it. which is — between that pay and how we afford it, which is about change and modernisation. you can see that all around _ modernisation. you can see that all around you — modernisation. you can see that all around you in the sorting office. many— around you in the sorting office. many more _ around you in the sorting office. many more parcels and we need to involve _ many more parcels and we need to involve a _ many more parcels and we need to involve a network so we can compete involve a network so we can compete in delivering — involve a network so we can compete in delivering parcels. you involve a network so we can compete in delivering parcels.— in delivering parcels. you as a company _ in delivering parcels. you as a

company have _ in delivering parcels. you as a company have been _ in delivering parcels. you as a company have been saying . in delivering parcels. you as a| company have been saying the in delivering parcels. you as a - company have been saying the smaller the business, the smaller the workforce. you are losing a lot of money you save. at what point do you just drive this modernisation through and at what point do you, with or without the union just push this through? are we nearly at that point? we this through? are we nearly at that oint? ~ ., ., this through? are we nearly at that oint? . ., ., ., this through? are we nearly at that oint? ~ ., ., ., there point? we want an agreement. there is no agreement _ point? we want an agreement. there is no agreement insight. _ point? we want an agreement. there is no agreement insight. that - point? we want an agreement. there is no agreement insight. that is - point? we want an agreement. there is no agreement insight. that is up i is no agreement insight. that is up to the cw _ is no agreement insight. that is up to the cw we — is no agreement insight. that is up to the (wu. we believe _ is no agreement insight. that is up to the (wu. we believe it's - is no agreement insight. that is up to the (wu. we believe it's a - is no agreement insight. that is up to the (wu. we believe it's a good j to the cwu. we believe it's a good offer— to the cwu. we believe it's a good offer on _ to the cwu. we believe it's a good offer on the table, with pay and the changes— offer on the table, with pay and the changes at— offer on the table, with pay and the changes at royal mail, who have been here 500 _ changes at royal mail, who have been here 500 years. it's a would have a business _ here 500 years. it's a would have a business and can have a wonderful future _ business and can have a wonderful future but — business and can have a wonderful future but only if it meets the needs— future but only if it meets the needs of— future but only if it meets the needs of customers. that means change. — needs of customers. that means change, and we understand that change — change, and we understand that change is — change, and we understand that change is difficult for colleagues but it's— change is difficult for colleagues but it's a — change is difficult for colleagues but it's a change that will deliver the job— but it's a change that will deliver the job security that's important to the job security that's important to the union— the job security that's important to the union and employees. if the job security that's important to the union and employees.- the union and employees. if more strike days _ the union and employees. if more strike days are _ the union and employees. if more strike days are announced - the union and employees. if more strike days are announced in - strike days are announced in january, which will likely happen,

what will you do? will you just drive this through? we what will you do? will you 'ust drive this through?* what will you do? will you 'ust drive this through? we keep the network running _ drive this through? we keep the network running during - drive this through? we keep the network running during strike i drive this through? we keep the i network running during strike days. 11,000 _ network running during strike days. 11,000 colleagues are in work during the last— 11,000 colleagues are in work during the last strike days for stop the union— the last strike days for stop the union have not given them an opportunity to have a vote on the most _ opportunity to have a vote on the most recent offer and we can keep the network running for customers was that— the network running for customers was that we will continue to do that and hope _ was that we will continue to do that and hope the cwu will reflect on the offer on _ and hope the cwu will reflect on the offer on the table and give it to members — offer on the table and give it to members to vote on.— offer on the table and give it to members to vote on. ricky mcaulay, thank ou. members to vote on. ricky mcaulay, thank you- this _ members to vote on. ricky mcaulay, thank you. this is _ members to vote on. ricky mcaulay, thank you. this is a _ members to vote on. ricky mcaulay, thank you. this is a bitter _ members to vote on. ricky mcaulay, thank you. this is a bitter dispute i thank you. this is a bitter dispute with five more strike days to come. no end is in sight. zoe with five more strike days to come. no end is in sight.— no end is in sight. zoe conway, thank you- _ the uk, italy and japan have announced they willjointly develop a next generation fighter jet by 2035. the new tempest fighter jet will use artificial intelligence and can operate without a pilot on board. prime minister rishi sunak says the joint venture aims to create thousands ofjobs in the uk

and strengthen security ties. mr sunak will launch the first major phase of the programme this morning during a visit to raf coningsby, in lincolnshire the passport office is being urged to "learn lessons" from the massive backlog in applications earlier this year, and to prepare for similar levels of demand in 2023. the spending watchdog, the national audit office, has been looking into this year's problems, which saw tens of thousands of people face long waits for their passports to be renewed. now, let's talk about the weather. as temperatures plunge all over the country, thousands of people on the lowest income will receive a £25 cold weather payment. it is paid once in a seven—day period, and residents from over 300 postcode districts will get it. joining me now is abi reader,

a farmer in wenvoe, and the deputy president of nfu cymru. thank you forjoining us on bbc news. farming and cold weather mean for many people that's an obvious connection. tell us more about some of the issues the public may not realise. ,., ., ., ., of the issues the public may not realise. ., ., ., , realise. good morning from a frosty south wales- _ realise. good morning from a frosty south wales. this _ realise. good morning from a frosty south wales. this weather - realise. good morning from a frosty south wales. this weather can - realise. good morning from a frosty| south wales. this weather can bring a lot of challenges, lots of water pipes freezing and that can be a real challenge, making sure we have sufficient water. there is a dairy unit here. our milking parlourfroze up unit here. our milking parlourfroze up yesterday morning in the heavy frost so that springing challenges. a lot of us are working outside and we need to make sure you can keep yourself warm, making sure people don't slip on the ice. we need to watch for all those things.- watch for all those things. could ou do watch for all those things. could you do with _ watch for all those things. could you do with some _ watch for all those things. could you do with some help - watch for all those things. could you do with some help from - watch for all those things. could you do with some help from the | you do with some help from the

government? i you do with some help from the government?— you do with some help from the covernment? ~ . , , government? i think it all depends on the area — government? i think it all depends on the area you — government? i think it all depends on the area you are _ government? i think it all depends on the area you are in. _ government? i think it all depends on the area you are in. i _ government? i think it all depends on the area you are in. i know- government? i think it all depends | on the area you are in. i know parts of scotland are reaching incredibly low temperatures. if they start to fall into difficulty then it's always good to know your government has your back. at the moment i think we are seeing some good warnings coming out about the bad weather. it's giving us a chance to prepare and it's really to see what the winter will bring in the next couple of months. �* ., winter will bring in the next couple of months. . ., ., winter will bring in the next couple of months. �* ., ., , ., winter will bring in the next couple of months. . ., ., , of months. and how do you prepare? the absolute — of months. and how do you prepare? the absolute key _ of months. and how do you prepare? the absolute key thing _ of months. and how do you prepare? the absolute key thing is _ of months. and how do you prepare? the absolute key thing is to - of months. and how do you prepare? the absolute key thing is to make - the absolute key thing is to make sure you have space heaters for keeping water pipes running. making sure your stock have shelter if you are a livestock farm. if you have crops on the ground there is not a lot you can do other than hope they are well protected. it's all about planning ahead and making sure you have everything in place so you can continue your day to day operations. machinery need antifreeze. make sure where possible they are undercover and make sure there is great on the

roads for lorries that move in and out of your business. it's thinking ahead getting a winter plan. we have had uuite a ahead getting a winter plan. we have had quite a few _ ahead getting a winter plan. we have had quite a few extremes _ ahead getting a winter plan. we have had quite a few extremes in - ahead getting a winter plan. we have had quite a few extremes in the - had quite a few extremes in the weather. how were you impacted by the hot summer weather and have you recovered? the the hot summer weather and have you recovered? ., , ., recovered? the hot summer weather caused an extreme _ recovered? the hot summer weather caused an extreme amount - recovered? the hot summer weather caused an extreme amount of- recovered? the hot summer weather. caused an extreme amount of problems for us. throughout the country, really, with different areas having different issues. lots of people were struggling with the dry weather and it restricted grass growth. many people have gone into the winter with limited feed supplies for livestock. likewise, for those of us also growing crops, a lot of that crop growth was capped so you might not have had the yield you were anticipating. it is varied across the country. and heat stress on animals was incredible. by contrast, todayis animals was incredible. by contrast, today is very cold and you might see some cows behind me who quite like cold weather, as long as they keep the wind chill off. but they coped less well in the summer weather.

that queue and good luck. there is an arctic snap on the way but i hope it goes well for you. —— thank you and good luck. labour has said it would fast track the processing of albanians who arrive in the uk after crossing the channel in small boats to try to clear the backlog of asylum claims. the shadow home secretary, yvette cooper, said her party's policy would help "get a grip" of the situation, but a home office source said the plans lacked detail. let's get more on this with the shadow home secretary yvette cooper. good morning to you. i wonder if you could justify your claims and proved wrong that you have got plans and details in place. what can you tell us? , , details in place. what can you tell us? ,, , , details in place. what can you tell us? _ , , . , us? the system is currently in chaos. us? the system is currently in chaos- the — us? the system is currently in chaos. the home _ us? the system is currently in chaos. the home office - us? the system is currently in i chaos. the home office decision making hasjust chaos. the home office decision making has just collapsed. chaos. the home office decision

making hasjust collapsed. they chaos. the home office decision making has just collapsed. they are taking 40% fewer decisions than they were five or six years ago. that means over the last 12 months only 2% of us these small boat arrivals cases have been decided. it's actually less than 1% for cases of people arriving from albania. we have said that we need to get a grip on this, clear the backlog. 0ne have said that we need to get a grip on this, clear the backlog. one of the things we would do is have a fast—track processing system for designated safe countries. so where the cases are clearly unfounded they can be swiftly decided and swiftly returned in a matter of weeks. that's a common—sense approach. the un refugee agency recommended two years ago to the british government that they introduce kind of different tracking, a fast—track approach, to clear the backlog. the conservatives refused. 0ther conservatives refused. other countries are doing this, and other countries are doing this, and other countries are doing it must faster. we can too and we should. has? countries are doing it must faster. we can too and we should. how much would it cost? — we can too and we should. how much would it cost? it _ we can too and we should. how much would it cost? it would _ we can too and we should. how much would it cost? it would save - we can too and we should. how much would it cost? it would save money. i

would it cost? it would save money. if ou would it cost? it would save money. if you have — would it cost? it would save money. if you have people. _ would it cost? it would save money. if you have people, particularly - would it cost? it would save money. if you have people, particularly the l if you have people, particularly the cases that are unfounded, they end “p cases that are unfounded, they end up being in the system for a very long time. people are waiting one year. people are waiting over a year to have an interview in some cases. people waiting more than a year to have cases decided. that means you have cases decided. that means you have people in expensive and inappropriate hotel accommodation causing all kinds of difficulties and it's all because the system has got slower and slower. the conservatives have added more bureaucracy to the system and they have just allowed the number of decisions being taken to collapse. you have to get a proper grip on the system otherwise refugees don't get support when they need it, and those who are not refugees aren't returned. it'sjust not who are not refugees aren't returned. it's just not working at the moment. if returned. it's 'ust not working at the moment.— returned. it's 'ust not working at the moment. ., , the moment. if we can turn to events surrounding — the moment. if we can turn to events surrounding the _ the moment. if we can turn to events surrounding the unite _ the moment. if we can turn to events surrounding the unite and _ surrounding the unite and allegations of corruption that have been handed over to the police. what would labour support if criminality

was proven? you would labour support if criminality was proven?— would labour support if criminality was troven? ., ., �* , . was proven? you wouldn't expect me as shadow home _ was proven? you wouldn't expect me as shadow home secretary _ was proven? you wouldn't expect me as shadow home secretary to - was proven? you wouldn't expect me i as shadow home secretary to comment on any kind of ongoing criminal investigation. the police need to do theirjob investigation. the police need to do their job and investigation. the police need to do theirjob and need to be able to get on with that and it's not appropriate for me to comment on that. if appropriate for me to comment on that. . ., , , , ., �*, that. if criminality is proven, it's tuil or that. if criminality is proven, it's guilty or not. — that. if criminality is proven, it's guilty or not, isn't _ that. if criminality is proven, it's guilty or not, isn't it? _ that. if criminality is proven, it's guilty or not, isn't it? that's - that. if criminality is proven, it's guilty or not, isn't it? that's a i guilty or not, isn't it? that's a matter for— guilty or not, isn't it? that's a matter for the _ guilty or not, isn't it? that's a matter for the police - guilty or not, isn't it? that's a matter for the police and - guilty or not, isn't it? that's a matter for the police and for l guilty or not, isn't it? that's a i matter for the police and for the legal system. matter for the police and for the legalsystem. it's matter for the police and for the legal system. it's not really a matter for me as shadow home secretary. you will understand that. turning to pay rises. we are in what's been described as a winter of discontent. so much strike action at the moment. labour and pay rises for nhs staff. where do we stand on that? ., , , ., , nhs staff. where do we stand on that? , ., , ., , that? people should be fairly rewarded for _ that? people should be fairly rewarded for the _ that? people should be fairly rewarded for the job - that? people should be fairly rewarded for the job they - that? people should be fairly| rewarded for the job they do. that? people should be fairly i rewarded for the job they do. at that? people should be fairly - rewarded for the job they do. at the moment you have public sector workers, including particularly nurses and doctors, who have seen us through the terrible covid crisis,

but also more widely, people are facing real pressures at the moment as a result of the cost of living crisis that the conservatives have failed to get a grip on. this is also as a result of 12 years of conservative mismanagement of the economy. the low growth and running down of public services that people now feel really overstretched and there is a sense of desperation. there is a general consensus that the nhs is a hard one to crack. your colleague wes streeting has been speaking, 12 years of tory leadership on this. what did labour do write in power? we leadership on this. what did labour do write in power?— do write in power? we did a series of thints. do write in power? we did a series of things- we _ do write in power? we did a series of things. we had _ do write in power? we did a series of things. we had much _ do write in power? we did a series of things. we had much higher- do write in power? we did a series - of things. we had much higher growth in the economy. we invested more in the national health service that was linked to that. we supported the nhs and expanded the number of doctors and expanded the number of doctors and nurses and worked with them as well. we didn't have an nhs strike in 13 years of labour government because we were growing, building the nhs. there was a time when we

could get a guaranteed gp appointment within two days. you could get guaranteed appointments and get operations done much more swiftly. we had a system, and a proper national health service that was working for people. for the conservatives, this is notjust about the last couple of years. the conservatives have been running the national health service down and disrespecting and grinding down many of the people within the national health service who have been trying to keep everything going. i think we should be working with our nhs and one of the first things we would do is cancel the non—dom tax break for the richest people in the country, that rishi sunak is refusing to cancel, and put that money into training doctors, nurses and additional staff our nhs badly needs. we additional staff our nhs badly needs. ~ ., additional staff our nhs badly needs. . . ., ., needs. we are running out of time but thank you _ needs. we are running out of time but thank you very _ needs. we are running out of time but thank you very much. - rescue teams are searching for three people missing from a fishing boat off the island ofjersey.

the vessel is believed to have sunk early yesterday morning after colliding with a cargo ferry. robert hall reports. in port and visibly damaged, the freight ferry commodore goodwill is a regular visitor to the channel islands, travelling the route from portsmouth to jersey and guernsey with passengers and supplies. yesterday morning, on calm seas, she turned south intojersey�*s wide st 0uen's bay en route for st helier. an online tracking app captures the sequence of events that unfolded. ahead of the goodwill, is thejersey trawler l'ecume ii. the two vessels converge. the moment of collision is clear. the goodwill then turns back to retrace her course. and by now, an urgent call to the coastguard has brought lifeboats racing to the scene, followed by a small fleet of fishing boats anxious to join the search, fearful that one of their own may have been involved. a large number of local fishing vessels have also been helping with the search. i'd like to express

my thanks to them. we also have deployed drones, beach lifeguards on jet skis and honorary police officers on the beach. the vessel is believed to have sunk in approximately 40 metres of water, which will require specialist diving resources to examine. as the tide fell, the worst news was confirmed. one of the fishing vessels had spotted the lost trawler using its underwater radar. among the missing was experienced and respected local skipper michael michieli. jersey's fishing family, and those of their french neighbours, shared shock and disbelief. fishermen will rally together, and they do rally together, regardless of nationality. we have seen this in previous incidents. it's good to see the boys all out on the scene. it was one of our fishing vessels that located the wreckage on the sea bed around 9am this morning. they had been there since before daylight. the underwater survey, and the search for the missing, were due

to continue into the evening. meanwhile, the marine accident investigation is gathering pace, and the question it has to answer is how tragedy overtook two vessels and two crews so familiar with these waters. robert hall, bbc news, channel islands. now it's time for a look at the weather with darren. hello there. it's another cold day today. sunshine for many, mind you, and more sunshine developing in central southern scotland, away from snow showers in the north. quite cloudy, though, for northern ireland. a few wintry showers here. and moving out of the irish sea into north—west england and north—west wales. the showers and cloud across south—eastern parts of england moving away. a cold day again, 3, 4 degrees typically across many areas. temperatures dropping quickly overnight. more snow across northern scotland, some wintry showers in northern ireland and more widely across more western parts of england and wales, so icy conditions likely here, and again with that snow

in northern scotland. and once again, there will be a widespread sharp frost. temperatures could be —6 or —7, as we've seen of late. some more snow to come across some northern parts of scotland, turning drier and brighter in northern ireland, with some further wintry showers across more western parts of england and wales. other parts of england and wales probably seeing some sun. could be one or two freezing fog patches across areas that could linger into the afternoon. another cold day, with temperatures again, three or 4 degrees. hello, this is bbc news, with lukwesa burak. the headlines: major disruption to christmas postal deliveries, as more than 100,000 royal mail staff walk out across the uk, after the latest talks to resolve their pay dispute broke down. the chancellor prepares to announce a major overhaul of the uk's financial sector — they're expected to include looser rules on banks and their staff, introduced after the financial

crisis in 2008. us basketball star brittney griner is about to arrive back home, after being released from a russian jail, in a prisonerswap with a notorious arms dealer. millions of people start to receive £25 cold weather payments, as the met office issues several severe weather warnings. and at the world cup — england gear up for their huge match against france tomorrow, as brazil and argentina are both in action today in the first two quarter—finals. sport, and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre... and who got the best gig in town? hi, john. many thanks, good morning. it was raining a few months ago, but still not bad conditions here.

0utside outside of doha. it is quarterfinals day getting under way at this world cup, with brazil in action. argentina, too. we will look at those matches later. we are not far from the england hotel where gareth southgate and the team will go through their final reparations before their quarterfinal against france tomorrow. the big news is raheem sterling will return to link up raheem sterling will return to link up with his team—mates today. he headed home before their last match against senegal following that break—in at his family home. he wanted to be there so he could be with his children, but he is now preparing to head back out and he will link back up with his team—mates today, which they say will provide a real boost with that return to the squad. kalvin phillips, the midfielder, has been playing down suggestions england tend to come out on the wrong side a big matches against big nations in the knockouts of world cups going up

against france tomorrow, the first time they will have faced each other in a knockout match at a world cup, but he says the team have really grown and progressed, having lost to italy in that penalty shoot—out out in the final of the euros. i believe that we are stronger as a group, we are more knit as a group and we are a lot better now going forward and defensively. so i believe that the confidence is running through us and we are very confident to go out in the next few days and hopefully try and beat france. we know that potentially, it would be morocco or portugal lying in wait in the semifinals, that is the other quarterfinal to be staged tomorrow. argentina face the netherlands. how instrumental could lionel messi be later?

and brazil take on 2018 runners—up croatia, asjoe lynskey reports. nobody has won a world cup more than five for brazil. both matches will be shown later. the world cup has had two days of contemplation, time for eight teams to take breath, take stock and go again. to take breath, take stock and go atain. �* ., to take breath, take stock and go atain. �* . , ., again. brilliant, brilliant, brilliant! _ again. brilliant, brilliant, brilliant! don _ again. brilliant, brilliant, brilliant! don it! - again. brilliant, brilliant, brilliant! don it! croatia i again. brilliant, brilliant, i brilliant! don it! croatia go again. brilliant, brilliant, - brilliant! don it! croatia go on again. messi! it had to be! and the dutch are heading for a world cup quarterfinal on friday. in dutch are heading for a world cup quarterfinal on friday.— quarterfinal on friday. in the last eitht, the quarterfinal on friday. in the last eight, the netherlands _ quarterfinal on friday. in the last eight, the netherlands face - eight, the netherlands face argentina and, for inspiration, they will look back 24 years to the same game at the same stage, and a goal they play on loop. game at the same stage, and a goal they play on loop-— game at the same stage, and a goal they play on loop. dennis bergkamp! dennis iztergkamp! — they play on loop. dennis bergkamp! dennis bergkamp! dennis _ they play on loop. dennis bergkamp! | dennis bergkamp! dennis bergkamp! they won that day to —— one, but now the dutch are about more than just one name, their strength in qatar is

their collective and it is led by louis fan gaal, a 71—year—old coach who has dropped formalities. but behind the joy has been a struggle. this year, he revealed he had had prostate cancer and balanced time and charged with time in treatment. he only told his team when he had recovered. when he did have to reveal his cancer to the players to explain to them why he would not carry on after this world cup because it had taken a lot out of him, that was a very emotional moment and i am absolutely convinced that the players are fighting for their country, for the team, for each other, but especially for louis van gaal. the dutch have to keep lionel messi subdued and stop a route to one of the great semifinals. should argentina win and brazil beat croatia, they would meet

in the last four. both south american sides of favourites, but at this world cup, nothing is certain. and one coach is in their way and has beaten greater odds. joel mr bobulinski, bbc news. ——joe lynskey, bbc news. away from football, and it's the first day of the second test between england and pakistan. it's been a great day for pakistan bowler abrar ahmed. he's taken seven wickets on his test debut, leaving england in some trouble. a few moments ago, they were 245—8. so gareth southgate will take his team training later. as they prepare for that match to come tomorrow. and it is interesting the mood in the camp at the moment. we know gareth southgate is very good with how comfortable he is with his team and how well they have been playing, and he is hoping that that kind of

relaxed move will continue, won't they? john,thank they? john, thank you very much, enjoy that beach. you are watching bbc news. the family of harry dunn is calling for a review of the us—uk extradition treaty, ahead of a meeting with the foreign secretary, james cleverly. it comes after an american woman, anne sacoolas, was yesterday handed a suspended sentence for causing the death of the teenage motorcyclist in northamptonshire in 2019. harry's mother, charlotte, welcomed the verdict, but has criticised the actions of the us government in not handing mrs sacoolas over to the uk authorities. tim muffett reports. a three—year quest forjustice, finally delivered at the old bailey. harry dunn's parents had fought long and hard to ensure anne sacoolas was held accountable for her actions — actions which led to the death of their 19—year—old son in 2019.

having pleaded guilty in october to causing death by careless driving, anne sacoolas — appearing in court yesterday via video link from america — was told of her sentence. you are disqualified from driving for 12 months for the offence of causing the death of harry dunn by your careless driving. the sentence is eight months�* imprisonment, suspended for 12 months. job done. promise complete. properly — properly complete now. you know, anne sacoolas has a criminal record for the rest of her life. that was something that, you know, she never thought she'd see, the us government never thought that they'd see. and we've worked tirelessly and relentlessly to make sure that she, in the end, still had to do what you and i would have had to have done. so, yeah, harry, we've done it! harry dunn was killed when his motorcycle was hit by a car being driven by anne sacoolas on the wrong side of the road. it happened less than a mile from a secret american air force base,

raf croughton, in northamptonshire. she had previously worked for the cia, and claimed diplomatic immunity because her husband also worked for us intelligence. a few weeks after the crash, anne sacoolas left the country. harry's family campaigned hard on their late son's behalf. they met president trump, who refused to send sacoolas back to the uk. but following discussions between the then prime minister borisjohnson and a new president, joe biden, she was charged with causing death by dangerous driving. in october, anne sacoolas pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of causing death by careless driving. the judge urged her to attend yesterday's sentencing at the old bailey in person. harry dunn's family were horrified when she refused to do so, following advice from the us government. after yesterday's sentencing, others condemned her absence. the outcome is not particularly

satisfactory in terms of punishing the person who committed the crime, but it at least attributes the blame properly, attributes the sentence, even though that sentence will never be served. but what it does leave us with is a feeling that this treaty that it's happened under is not right and has to be put right. in a statement, anne sacoolas extended her sincerest condolences to harry dunn's family and friends. she said she lived with the regrets of her tragic mistake every single day, and offered to meet and apologise to them in person. harry's family said they were no longer interested in doing so. the offer, they said, was too little, too late. tim muffett, bbc news. not enough help is being offered to help people better insulate their homes — that's the warning from some charities and businesses. government grants to help people make these changes won't be available until the spring, and the scheme has been criticised for not going far enough.

hannah miller reports. 78—year—old audrey is living in just one room of her home. she has several health issues, including arthritis and poor circulation, but says this is the only way she can manage to keep warm. i can't really afford to keep warm, only this way. so i'm going to have tojust lie in bed. audrey lives in what's been identified by friends of the earth as one of the country's coldest neighbourhoods, where low energy efficiency and low incomes combine to put health and well—being at risk. the charity wants to see more government intervention to help people insulate their homes. i can't afford to get the jobs done anyway. it makes you fed up, being really isolated and cold, especially the cold. i've never known cold like it. and i have been doing this for a few years, because i know i can't afford the prices before. so now they've gone up more, it's terrible, really. so it's going to help you identify

the cold spots in your house. in london, waltham forest council started loaning out thermal—imaging cameras, so residents can see where they're losing heat. blue and purple means it's cold. those most in need will get money to better insulate their homes. shall we have a little look inside? and as this man faces his first winter in his new property, it's helping him to see what improvements he could make. it's really noticeable, i think. when i look at the door, - the contrast in the colours, like, most of it's orange, i but down the bottom and in the corners of the door, it's quite dark blue. _ so there must be quite a lot of cold air seeping through. _ i think there's a bit of a gap - between the frame and the door. seeing all the images now, i'm like, oh, actually there's all these - little bits and bobs. potentially, i can look at ways to try and, you know, - either block some of the cold air coming in, orjust look- at different options. so, yeah, i think it's really good. the government's recently expanded

a scheme that works with energy suppliers to install insulation, but for many households, it won't be available until next spring. and the boss of one of the country's biggest diy stores is calling for a rethink. do you think that scheme, as it stands, is fit for purpose? not really. it's not simplified enough and it's just putting another person in, a bit of bureaucracy, and i don't think it's really solving the grassroots problem that we've got. this is a big issue that's going to be with us for a long time. we need to get to the root causes here, and i think we need to create a fundamental step change in the uk that it's cool, chic — i don't know what the up—to—date word is — to make your house energy efficient. and as people brace for icy temperatures this weekend, many may wish they'd taken action like that much sooner. the headlines on bbc news: major disruption to christmas

postal deliveries — as more than 100,000 royal mail staff walk out across the uk, after the latest talks to resolve their pay dispute broke down. millions of people start to receive £25 cold weather payments — as the met office issues several severe weather warnings. and at the world cup — england gear up for their huge match against france tomorrow, as brazil and argentina are both in action today in the first two quarter—finals. president putin has promised to carry on attacking ukraine's energy infrastructure. russian missile strikes have left millions of people without electricity in ukraine, where winter temperatures are often below zero. he said growing global criticism would not interfere with missions in ukraine. 0ur correspondent hugo bachega gave us this update from kyiv.

the ukrainians have been saying that this is how russia is responding to military defeats on the battlefield, by attacking civilian sites and civilian infrastructure in cities away from the front lines, and i don't think president putin's comments will come as a surprise here. the authorities have been saying that russia is likely to continue targeting civilian infrastructure, accusing russia of weaponising winter. and as you can see, it is cold. temperatures here in kyiv and across the country are now below freezing, and you have potentially tens of millions of people across the country facing very difficult conditions, without heating, without electricity and, in some places, even without water. and some western officials have been saying that these attacks could amount to war crimes, because of the destruction that has been caused to this country's civilian infrastructure. but again, president putin yesterday saying that criticism, this criticism will not stop the attacks that have been carried out by russia.

so, we've seen that russia has been using missiles, but also iranian—made drones to carry out those attacks. and later today, the biden administration is expected to announce more sanctions targeting russia, specifically related to these drones that have been used by russia. and we had an update earlier this morning from the uk defence ministry, saying that russia is likely to have received a new supply of those drones, again, that have been used to attack this country's energy infrastructure. and that was hugo bachega. firefighters are battling a huge fire at a shopping centre in moscow. video footage showed several explosions, before flames engulfed the mega khimki mall, on the outskirts of the russian capital. one person has been reportedly been killed in the fire. local media says arson is being considered as a possible cause. this week, the central american country of honduras announced it

would legalise the morning—after pill, but only where the woman requesting it had been raped. honduras has one of the most restrictive female reproductive rights in the world, with abortion illegal under all circumstances, and the emergency contraceptive pill has been banned since 2009. women face jail sentences of up to six years for suspected termination of pregnancy. that's created a black market in abortion pills. as part of our bbc 100 women series, our gender and identity correspondent megha mohan went to honduras to investigate. laura is 25 and two months pregnant, and with little means to provide for a child, she's actively looking to terminate her pregnancy — even if that means taking illegal and risky decisions.

women's rights groups say hondurans like laura are turning to men likejose, who illegally buy and sell prescription medication that is misused for abortions. how much do you sell the pill for? you were showing me some of the text messages that you were getting from women earlier, and they're asking you for medical advice as well, how best to proceed, but you're not medically trained. do you worry about having that responsibility of giving women advice, when you're not qualified to give them advice when it comes to abortions?

across town, at honduras's largest public hospital, dr carolina deals with the complications from illegal abortions on a daily basis. for today... six. six today? seven. seven today? mm—hm. her colleague tells me that even in critical cases, their hands are tied.

this month, the country's health minister, jose manuel matheu, agreed to provide the morning—after pill for victims of rape. but as it stands, these reforms will not help women like laura. megha mohan, bbc news. the canadian singer celine dion has revealed she has been diagnosed with a rare, incurable disease. it's affecting her movement and her voice, which has forced her to reschedule next year's

tour of europe and the uk. wendy urquhart reports. # near, far, wherever you are... celine dion has topped the charts all over the world and her songs have won countless awards, but her lifestyle is about to change drastically. the 54—year—old fought back tears on thursday, as she told her 5.2 million instagram followers that she's suffering from stiff person's syndrome, or sps — a rare neurological disorder with autoimmune disease symptoms, which affects around one in a million people worldwide. unfortunately, these spasms affect every aspect of my daily life, sometimes causing difficulties when i walk, and not

allowing me to use my vocal cords to sing the way i'm used to. celine dion was due to tour in europe and the uk in spring next year, but fans will have to wait a bit longer to hear their favourite songs live, while she concentrates on getting better. but cancelling those concerts is clearly breaking her heart. i have to admit, it's been a struggle. all i know is singing. it's what i've done all my life, and it's what i love to do the most. celine is working with a team of doctors and gaining the strength to carry on from her family.

but she had this sweet message for herfans. i love you guys so much, and i really hope i can see you again real soon. celine dion. a world war two veteran has finally been presented with a medal that she should have received almost seven decades ago. ann marie allen was a plotter at raf northolt during the war and was instrumental in the triangulation pin—pointing of aircraft during the battle of britain. earlier this week, aged 98, ann marie received her medal. cheryl dennis was there. 0h! i can't tell you how wonderful it is to be back here. it's 67 years since leading aircraftsman anne marie allen was last here. it gives me great pleasure,

on behalf of the royal air force, to present you with your medal, after all these years. a really, really wonderful day. thank you. a proud moment, only 70 years late. thank you so much. oh, that's lovely. thank you. i shall treasure that. you were eligible for this seven decades ago. yes! how do you feel to be finally receiving that? well, actually, i don't think i deserve it, really. i mean, when i was demobbed, the last thing i thought about was i'd get a medal. i never even thought about a medal. and what will you do with the medal? 0h, i'll wear it. wear it! sleep in it! it was here, at raf northolt in london, where anne marie worked for the women's auxiliary air force. her role, locating ourfighter

pilots, supported our air defence system. this room is the birthplace of that system. you felt you were bringing them home safely, you know? 'first radar reports tend toward the probability i of the targets being fighterl airfields southeast and east of london.�* memories of wartime britain and her late husband, anne is living history. he would have been very proud of me, i'm sure. i'm sure he's looking down from heaven and saying, "well done, anne marie!" as the years go by, so the number of people who lived through world war two dwindles. assuming not all medals take 70 years to be claimed, it's thought anne—marie's could be one of the last from that war to be given. cheryl dennis, bbc news, raf northolt. now it's time for a look at the weather with darren bett.

hello there. it's another cold day today. sunshine for many, mind you, and more sunshine developing in central southern scotland, away from snow showers in the north. quite cloudy, though, for northern ireland. a few wintry showers here. and moving over the irish sea into north—west england and north—west wales. the showers and cloud across south—eastern parts of england moving away. a cold day again, 3, 4 degrees typically across many areas. temperatures dropping quickly overnight. more snow across northern scotland, some wintry showers in northern ireland and more widely across more western parts of england and wales, so icy conditions likely here, and again with that snow in northern scotland. and once again, there will be a widespread sharp frost. temperatures could be —6 or —7, as we've seen of late. some more snow to come across some northern parts of scotland, turning drier and brighter in northern ireland, with some further wintry showers across more western parts of england and wales. other parts of england and wales probably seeing some sun. could be one or two freezing fog patches

across areas that could linger into the afternoon. another cold day, with temperatures again, three or 4 degrees.

this is bbc news — these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. us basketball star brittney griner is about to arrive back home after being released from a russian jail in a prisoner swap with a notorious arms dealer. the uk's chancellor prepares to announce a major overhaul of the country's financial sector — they're expected to include looser rules on banks and their staff, introduced after the financial crisis in 2008. major disruption to christmas postal deliveries as more than a 100,000 royal mail staff walkout across the uk — after the latest talks to resolve their pay dispute broke down. president putin has promised to carry on attacking ukraine's

energy infrastructure as russian missile strikes have