good morning, welcome to breakfast withjon kay and sally nugent. our headlines today. rescue teams search through the night at a lake in solihull after a group of children fall through the ice. four have been taken to hospital, it's feared more are still missing. snow in southeast england brings roads and airports to a halt. drivers are being warned to travel only if it's absolutely essential. a december of disruption. this week nurses, rail workers and royal mail staff go on strike. the government will today discuss bringing in the military to help. we look at who's taking action and when and how you'll be affected. a breakthrough on funding for motor neurone disease research.

after intense pressure from campaigners, the government says it will fast—track nearly £30 million of support. england arrive home following their world cup exit. with manager gareth southgate still considering his future, following that quarter final defeat to france. # they're gonna put me on the tv. back on song, the story of story dave smith's recovery form ten months of covid to performing on stage. it's monday the 12th of december. our main story. emergency services have been working through the night at a lake near birmingham where four children were rescued from freezing water. they are believed to have fallen in after playing on ice in babbs mill park in solihull and are in critical condition in hospital. this report from our midlands correspondent phil mackie contains flashing images.

as light faded during the afternoon, the emergency services used every piece of equipment available to try to find anyone still missing. the lake had frozen and a group of children had been playing on the ice when first one, then others, fell through and into the water. police, paramedics and firefighters were all called just after 2:30pm and did all they could to save them. they pulled four out of the water. after being rescued, the four children were immediately assessed and actively treated at the scene by ambulance staff. all four children who were rescued were taken on blue lights to hospital, each within an enhanced care team travelling in the back of the ambulance, providing advanced life support. locals gathered to offer their support, including a local church who provided hot drinks for the rescuers. we were quite upset to see so many men working relentlessly and itjust, you know, we could come back and offer some hot drinks to them.

and we feel really upset about what has happened. the operation�*s gone on through the night and they've had to bring specialist equipment up here because the initial calls to the police mentioned six children. they don't know if that number was right, but they have to carry on the search just in case there's still somebody in the water. sadly, they say if there is, this is now regarded as a recovery, not a rescue operation. despite the appalling conditions, the search continues. phil mackey, bbc news, kingshurst. our correspondent kathryn stanczyszyn is at the scene now for us. kathryn, what more can you tell us about what happened? good morning, sally. the police still in place here at babbs mill lake east of birmingham in king says

in the borough of solihull. you might be able to see that bright light behind me, that is the surface of the lake and that is where the work is under way. as you heard in that report, yesterdayjust after 2:30pm emergency services were called to reports of up to six people playing on the ice who had fallen in. huge operation then ensued, including police officers and fire officers actually getting into the water to rescue four children, all of whom were in cardiac arrest and all of whom were giving advanced life support in ambulances on their way to two separate birmingham hospitals. it became very clear that the operation hadn't finished there because throughout the rest of the afternoon and evening, we know that there were specialist water rescue teams here. yesterday night west midlands fire service said they had still been looking but considering the conditions and the length of time in the water and the potential age of those they were looking for,

actually tragically it had become a recovery operation and is not a search and rescue one. we are not expecting any more updates until a search and rescue one. we are not expecting any more updates until little bit more further on this morning on the condition of the children or if they have found any other people. this community extremely shocked at this distressing turn of events and the message for authorities, in this cold snap, children and adults away, stay away from frozen bodies of water. . , ., ~ , ., , stay away from frozen bodies of water. . , . ~' , ., , . water. kathryn, thank you very much. we will bring — water. kathryn, thank you very much. we will bring you _ water. kathryn, thank you very much. we will bring you any _ water. kathryn, thank you very much. we will bring you any updates - water. kathryn, thank you very much. we will bring you any updates on - we will bring you any updates on breakfast this morning. this isn't just happening in the midlands where ice and snow is causing problems. heavy snow and low temperatures are causing serious disruption for travellers this morning, particularly in the south of england. national highways is urging people not to drive unless it is essential, while stansted and gatwick airports have had to suspend all flights. met office yellow warnings are in place across many parts of the uk, with temperatures expected to remain

well below freezing. aru na iyengar reports. if strikes and the cost of fuel wasn't enough, there's a new challenge this winter. snow, ice and fog affecting roads right across the uk. kent bore the brunt last night. this was the m20. and the going was slow on the m21 with large tree branches falling onto the carriageway. around london, parts of the m25 came to a standstill. national highways urged drivers in the south—east not to travel unless it was essential. ten centimetres of snow was forecast for the region. and in cornwall, people were advised against all but essential travel. looking to this week, the aa says driving conditions are treacherous, and that drivers need to adapt to winter conditions. it gave this advice.

the first thing any driver should do before they set out is make sure that they clean the entirety of their windscreen. we don't want people driving around like a tank commanders with just a little letterbox peek through the windscreen. they need to make sure they clear all that ice and indeed any snow at all as well off their car. and then they need to drive to the conditions. at the airports, no hope of a safari getaway here. this was heathrow airport where flights have been cancelled or delayed. at stansted, all flights were suspended after it was forced to close its runway. passengers are being advised to check with their airline before travelling to the airport. expect delays also on the rail network. it's touch and go whether there will be a full service. newspaper deliveries may also be delayed. it will be tough going all week on all forms of transport according to weather forecasters. aruna iyengar, bbc news.

motorists on the m25 have been facing huge delays overnight. tony stewart is one of them. we can speak to him now over the phone. and, good morning, i'm sorry we have been through, we can see your pictures. it been through, we can see your ictures. ., ., ~' been through, we can see your ictures. ., ., ~ , been through, we can see your ictures. , ., pictures. it took us through where ou are pictures. it took us through where you are summed _ pictures. it took us through where you are supposed to _ pictures. it took us through where you are supposed to be _ pictures. it took us through where you are supposed to be going - pictures. it took us through where you are supposed to be going and | pictures. it took us through where - you are supposed to be going and how long it has taken. i was supposed to be driving home from milton keynes, the weather was fine when i left, it should take me about an hour and a half to get too near sevenoaks, i live near sevenoaks, in the country there. and i have been on the motorway nearly eight and a half hours. , ., ., , , motorway nearly eight and a half hours. , ,, ., ., hours. oh, my goodness. how are you doin: ? we hours. oh, my goodness. how are you doing? we are — hours. oh, my goodness. how are you doing? we are stationary... _ hours. oh, my goodness. how are you doing? we are stationary... i'm - doing? we are stationary... i'm fine, i'm _ doing? we are stationary... i'm

fine, i'm fine. _ doing? we are stationary... i'm fine, i'm fine. i— doing? we are stationary... i'm fine, i'm fine. i did _ doing? we are stationary... i'm fine, i'm fine. i did take - doing? we are stationary... i'm fine, i'm fine. i did take the - fine, i'm fine. i did take the precaution of having enough clothing on under the car is warmer, the engine has been running. and i have got water in the car. haven't got any food, but, you know, i have been fine listening to the radio, talking to a few friends who are night owls and just keeping spirits up. but it has been tricky, treacherous driving conditions, i wouldn't recommend it to anybody, ever. find conditions, i wouldn't recommend it to anybody. ever-— to anybody, ever. and do you have an clue to anybody, ever. and do you have any clue at — to anybody, ever. and do you have any clue at the _ to anybody, ever. and do you have any clue at the moment _ to anybody, ever. and do you have any clue at the moment about - to anybody, ever. and do you have any clue at the moment about howj any clue at the moment about how much longer you might be stuck there? no, none whatsoever. legion much longer you might be stuck there? no, none whatsoever. won a oliceman there? no, none whatsoever. won a policeman was _ there? no, none whatsoever. won a policeman was trying _ there? no, none whatsoever. won a policeman was trying to _ there? no, none whatsoever. won a policeman was trying to move - there? no, none whatsoever. won a policeman was trying to move the i policeman was trying to move the vehicles out of the outside lane of the m25 over to allow two police vehicles through and i have seen one highway... vehicle go by. but that is about it. there is nobody to communicate with. i have looked up on the news and listened to the

news, i don't even know what the problem is. and it is also the same with the carriageway going in the opposite direction, anticlockwise. i'm going clockwise. there has been no traffic there. it's as if that side has been closed. and i saw a gritter going up and down, and there were two gritters near me, they were stuck to my car. i don't have a clue and i don't know what has caused the problem. we and i don't know what has caused the roblem. ~ , i. ., , problem. we wish you all the very best, problem. we wish you all the very best. hopefully — problem. we wish you all the very best, hopefully you _ problem. we wish you all the very best, hopefully you will _ problem. we wish you all the very best, hopefully you will get - problem. we wish you all the very. best, hopefully you will get moving very soon. best, hopefully you will get moving ve soon. ., ~' best, hopefully you will get moving ve soon. ., ~ y best, hopefully you will get moving ve soon. ., ~ , . very soon. thank you very much. eiuht very soon. thank you very much. eight and — very soon. thank you very much. eight and a _ very soon. thank you very much. eight and a half _ very soon. thank you very much. eight and a half hours! _ the treacherous weather is also having a huge impact on the airports. we're joined now by the independent�*s travel correspondent simon calder. he's outside heathrow. hello, simon. it is bad on the roads from tony, what it looking like from the air? �* ., .,

from tony, what it looking like from the air? �* . . ., , the air? i'm afraid there are tens of thousands _ the air? i'm afraid there are tens of thousands of _ the air? i'm afraid there are tens of thousands of people _ the air? i'm afraid there are tens of thousands of people waking i the air? i'm afraid there are tens| of thousands of people waking up this morning hundreds or maybe thousands of miles from where they wanted to be. the disruption actually began on saturday morning at manchester airport, which was closed for three or four hours, dozens of flights cancelled or diverted. by yesterday morning, sunday, the problems were at gatwick airport early on. there were issues with de—icing the aircraft so a lot of flights were cancelled or heavily delayed. then the snow came in, gatwick was closed with planes diverted all over the place, not just to airports, right across the uk, but also to places such as cologne in germany. then stansted closed, and that caused massive problems. dozens of cancellations there, i havejust heard problems. dozens of cancellations there, i have just heard from somebody who woke up in brussels after their flight from valencia to

stansted was diverted with not a clue how he is going to get back to his home in cambridgeshire. looking at today's operations, the airports are saying, do not come to an airport unless you have checked your flight is going, which is good advice, just to give you some idea at heathrow alone, 70 british airways flights to and from heathrow has been cancelled in advance. mostly short—haul departures to distillations such as belfast to geneva, various points around europe. in the airline is saying they hope they will be able to put on bigger planes and get people where they need to be. a at london city airport in the docklands, 22 british airways cancellations going out, the same number coming back and a whole load of cancellations at gatwick including to all of those lovely places we adore to be flying off to, such as portugal and tenerife. i hope, i cycled out here,

the weather seems to be a bit better thanit the weather seems to be a bit better than it was overnight, i'm hoping that things will get back to something like normal. but bear in mind every m line has an obligation to get you to your customer every airline has an obligation to get you to your destination as soon as it can after disruption like this. also airlines have to put you up in a hotel which has proved a problem with a shortage of rooms. 0n the railways, a strike starts at midnight tonight, cancellations begin early this evening, please check with those of you are trying to travel by train. but check with those of you are trying to travel by train.— to travel by train. but apart from that, to travel by train. but apart from that. everything _ to travel by train. but apart from that, everything is _ to travel by train. but apart from that, everything is good! - to travel by train. but apart from that, everything is good! yeah, l to travel by train. but apart from | that, everything is good! yeah, it is a difficult _ that, everything is good! yeah, it is a difficult old _ that, everything is good! yeah, it is a difficult old day, _ that, everything is good! yeah, it is a difficult old day, particularlyl is a difficult old day, particularly for people travelling by train trying to beat the rail strikes and get where they need to be. safe clina get where they need to be. safe cycling home. — get where they need to be. safe

cycling home, that _ get where they need to be. safe cycling home, that sounds very brave to be doing that on the morning like this. so how long will the temperatures last for? you have got a busy forecast for us this morning. yes, we have had the lowest temperature overnight we have seen since february 2021. you asked how long the cold weather would last, certainly into the weekend where we will see something a little bit milder. with that comes the risk of some more snow in the west. we have lots of treacherous conditions out and about, icy stretches to watch out for, snow showers still with us, freezing fog and a hard frost. with us for much of the week. where we have had the snow in the north and east, and in the south—east, we have had two or three centimetres particularly in kent. we have got freezing fog here which extends up

towards yorkshire as well. it will be slow to lift and for some it will not lift at all. interpreters will be held back. in the west it will be a bit brighter with blue skies. —— temperatures will be held back. still some snow flurries this morning in the south—east and midlands. it will feel cold this morning particularly if you have lying snow, temperatures not breaking freezing. as we head into the latter part of the day, we can see how the cloud moves north and this is going to be bringing wintry showers. some wintry showers coming out of the other showers as we push a bit further north as well. we are not done with the cold weatherjust yet! 0h, yet! oh, dear, and it is only monday morning. we will get the full forecast a bit later, thank you. police injersey have said it's likely to take weeks to complete a search of the block of flats destroyed in an explosion in the early hours of saturday. five people are known to have died, officers believe four others are missing.

danjohnson reports from st helier. this difficult work went on overnight, even though hope was gone of finding anybody alive. it wasn't possible to survive the impact of this explosion. and last night, the death toll increased again. we have now found five fatalities, an increase of two. and our working assumption is that there are probably four more. but you would understand why i can't be completely precise about that number. this is what shook the island's capital at 4am on saturday morning, a huge explosion that completely destroyed the block of flats. firefighters had been called on friday night when residents smelled gas. that's now being investigated. but the priority is the families of those who are still missing. it is a search operation that is focused on clearly making sure we understand exactly what happened and how it happened

to the best of our ability, but also, importantly, dignity. dignity for islanders and people's loved ones. it almost sounded like thunder, but really close. and it was just one kind of loud rumble. it's been really difficult for people here to take in what's happened. yolande lives nearby and was woken up by the noise. can you believe it now, seeing what's left? it's just heartbreaking, honestly. i just... there's nothing there, you know? and seeing all the other houses with their windows blown out and doors and things, itjust makes it real, you know? the families of those who are still missing have been promised that the search operation here will continue until everybody is accounted for. but they've been warned that that delicate recovery and identification operation will have to be done slowly, carefully, and that may mean that it takes weeks, not days.

the wait now is for news of those who are still missing and then the answers to what caused this and whether it could have been prevented. danjohnson, bbc news injersey. an emergency cobra meeting will take place today to discuss contingency measures for upcoming strikes, which include using the military and civil servants as cover. nurses, ambulance staff, and border force officials all have walk—outs planned before the end of the year. let's speak now to our political correspondent, jonathan blake. good morning, jonathan. what more do you know about today's discussions. with the prospect of near daily strike action through december and into the new year, the government says it is stepping up its efforts to mitigate the disruption that is going to be caused. there will be an emergency planning committee

meeting, cobra, today, chaired by overlooked —— 0liver dowden, attended by ministers from the defence, home office, transport and the health department and officials, and they will discuss ways in how the government is going to try mitigate the disruption caused by the strikes. that is, for example, members of the armed forces to train out —— stand in for border force and hospital staff, out —— stand in for border force and hospitalstaff, or out —— stand in for border force and hospital staff, or ambulance drivers. the government says it wants to pay people fairly but the union's demands are simply unaffordable. let's have a listen to the general secretary of the royal couege the general secretary of the royal college of nursing, pat callan, and her message to the health secretary steve barclay. this her message to the health secretary steve iirarclay-_ her message to the health secretary steve iivarclay-_ steve barclay. this is a historic week we are — steve barclay. this is a historic week we are heading _ steve barclay. this is a historic week we are heading into - steve barclay. this is a historic week we are heading into for. steve barclay. this is a historic- week we are heading into for nurses. the health _ week we are heading into for nurses. the health secretary should not be leaving _ the health secretary should not be leaving them out in the cold looking for answers — leaving them out in the cold looking for answers from himself and the government. mr barclay knows only too well _

government. mr barclay knows only too well that i will meet him for negotiation. either directly or through— negotiation. either directly or through the conciliation that we can do through— through the conciliation that we can do through acas. so when he talks about— do through acas. so when he talks about his _ do through acas. so when he talks about his open door, he is not really— about his open door, he is not really serious about stopping the action— really serious about stopping the action if— really serious about stopping the action if he doesn't take me up on that offer~ — action if he doesn't take me up on that offer. . ., ~ action if he doesn't take me up on that offer-— that offer. she talked there about an offer to negotiate, _ that offer. she talked there about an offer to negotiate, but - that offer. she talked there about an offer to negotiate, but the - an offer to negotiate, but the government has said it is not going to start talking about pay while the health secretary hasn't offered to meet union leaders. it seems the government is not budging on the settlement, which is based on the independent pay review body's recommendation. so, as the deadlock continues, it is going to be a december full of disruption but also plenty of determination from the trades unions to hold out for better pay as well. motor neurone disease charities have given a cautious welcome to a long—awaited announcement of how millions of pounds of funding grants will be allocated. the government promised £50 million pounds last year and has today

revealed how nearly £30 million of it will be spent, with a promise to fast track the remainder to other research projects. it follows intense campaigning from charities and those living with the condition, including the former rugby stars rob burrow and doddie weir. will batchelor reports. five sportsmen whose passion and commitment on the pitch has been surpassed by a new level of courage against the cruellest of opponents. from the former rugby league star rob burrow, sharing his own personal challenges of living with mnd, to his great friend kevin sinfield, raising awareness and funds through extreme physical challenges. and the charity set up by the rugby union legend doddie weir. he died last month, but his legacy lives on. last year, along with other mnd campaigners, rob burrow and the former footballer stephen darby travelled to downing street and convinced the government to commit to investing £50 million overfive years to help find new therapies and eventually a cure.

but more than 12 months on, campaigners said the money had still not materialised. this was something the health minister was challenged on last week. what does very, very shortly mean? because patience is running out. within days, not weeks. days, not weeks. now the government has finally announced where nearly £30 million of the 50 will be going, including £8 million for early phase clinical research, £i2.5 million to support frontal temporal lobe dementia research, and £6 million overall to join relevant research programmes together. the department of health is inviting mnd researchers to apply for a share of the remainder. the secretary of state's plans do fall short of an mnd research institute, which is what we're really looking for. but we are cautiously optimistic. there are some details that we would like to talk to the secretary of state about at the earliest opportunity. and people with mnd don't have time to wait. half of them will die within two years of diagnosis, and we need a treatment and cure

for this devastating disease. mnd is currently a disease without a cure, but the hope is that this funding will pave the way for a breakthrough. will batchelor, bbc news. at 7.30am we'll be speaking to the health secretary, steve barclay. king charles and the queen consort have revealed their official christmas card for this year. the image they've chosen, released by buckingham palace, shows the royal couple at the braemar highland gathering in early september. have they sent us one? no, but they have sent it — have they sent us one? no, but they have sent it early, _ have they sent us one? no, but they have sent it early, they _ have they sent us one? no, but they have sent it early, they are _ have they sent us one? no, but they have sent it early, they are well- have sent it early, they are well ahead of me! the image was taken just five days before her majesty queen elizabeth died. it isa it is a lovely picture. it's hoped it could pave the way for man to walk on the moon again.

the orion spacecraft touched down on earth yesterday after nearly a month gathering data and pictures in space. the unmanned capsule splashed down in the pacific ocean, marking the end of nasa's artemis mission. 0ur science editor rebecca morelle reports. after a million mile journey through space, our blue planet comes into view. it's time for the orion spacecraft to come home. with images taken from the capsule just after it entered the earth's atmosphere, 0rion has travelled faster and hotter than any space vehicle has done before. the spacecraft about to go subsonic. a series of parachutes open, rapidly slowing the capsule down. three good main chutes for 0rion. and there it is. high over the pacific, america's new ticket to ride to the moon and beyond now in view. then splashdown. the artemis mission is complete. from tranquility base

to taurus—littrow to the tranquil waters of the pacific, the latest chapter of nasa'sjourney to the moon comes to a close. we are adventurers, we are explorers. we always have a frontier. and that frontier is now to continue exploring the heavens. three, two, one. and liftoff of artemis i. the mission blasted off in november from the kennedy space center on the most powerful rocket nasa has ever built. and over the course of 26 days, it performed a close flyby of the moon twice, capturing stunning images along the way, revealing remarkable detail of the lunar surface. the capsule also flew far beyond, further than any spacecraft built for humans. no people were on board this time, it's a test flight. instead, mannequins covered in thousands of sensors recorded

data from the voyage. and this is vital because the next step is to get astronauts on board and eventually land them on the moon. when you take, just like a test campaign, you take a bunch of small steps that add up to something amazing like this. exploration is not going away. humans have been exploring the earth for as long as humans have been on the earth. and we're going to continue exploring deep space. the capsule is now being recovered and taken on board a navy ship to be assessed by the mission team. they'll be poring over data to see how the spacecraft has fared. preparations are already under way forfuture missions, with new crew capsules being built. we can have a look inside 0rion's capsule to see what it's going to be like for the astronauts when the rocket eventually does have a crew. at five meters wide, that's more than 15 feet, it is big. it can accommodate four people inside. in fact, there's more than twice

as much room as the apollo astronauts had for their missions to the moon in the 19605 and 70s. roger, on that. we leave as we came, and god willing, as we will return. it's 50 years since astronauts were last on the moon with apollo 17. their footprints are still preserved in the dust. no—one thought it would take so long to return. but now others may soon be making their mark, as the moon is within humanity's sights once again. rebecca morelle, bbc news. amazing pictures, it was worth the wait. , ..., amazing pictures, it was worth the wait. , . ., amazing pictures, it was worth the wait. , , ., wait. rebecca has been waiting quite a while for that, _ wait. rebecca has been waiting quite a while for that, hasn't _ wait. rebecca has been waiting quite a while for that, hasn't she? - wait. rebecca has been waiting quite a while for that, hasn't she? longerl a while for that, hasn't she? longer than most! — a while for that, hasn't she? longer than most! let's— a while for that, hasn't she? longer than most! let's get _ a while for that, hasn't she? longer than most! let's get some - a while for that, hasn't she? longer than most! let's get some really i than most! let's get some really important to travel and weather information for you.

hello and good morning from bbc london, i'm alice salfield. london's waking up to snow, fog and ice — which is causing travel disruption across the capital. thousands of air passengers have been affected after gatwick and stansted both had to close their runways for a time last night. heathrow stayed open but with cancellations and there are already more than forty flights cancelled there today. passengers are being advised to check with their airlines directly before they travel today for all airports. and on the roads, the m25 is closed clockwise at potters bar to recover a number of stranded lorries. there'll be more travel disruption tomorrow as well — as an unprecedented four days of strike action on london's train services begins. there'll be two 48—hour strikes on tuesday and wednesday and then again on friday and saturday this week. it's part of the long—running disute over pay and conditions with the rmt union. a leading charity which supports people with asthma and lung

conditions says it's growing increasingly concerned about the amount of damp and mould in rented homes. asthma uk says young children are particularly at risk and it's seen an increase in people concerned about the impact on their health from poor housing. the charity also worries the cost of heating is also adding to the problem. we need as many people as possible to be aware and be concerned as well, because we know people are becoming more unwell because of these things in their houses. and actually, it's putting them at risk of life—threatening asthma attacks and affecting their lungs going forwards. well on the tubes: not suprisingly there are lots of problems — on almost every line. so make sure you check yourjourney if you are heading out this morning. now onto the all—important weather with elizabeth rizzini. hello there, good morning. we saw some snow last night — here's stratford and bermondsey as recorded by our weather watchers. still plenty of lying snow out

there as we head through the rest of the morning and some very icy stretches, too. so there is a met office weather warning in place for snow and ice, do take care. now as we head through the rest of the day, most of the falling snow has now finished, but there could just be a few light flurries here and there, particularly through the morning. i wouldn't totally rule that out. a lot of low cloud around and again, some patches of freezing fog that will be very, very slow to lift and clear. but we could see something a bit brighter perhaps by the time we get to the end of the day. it will still be feeling very cold, the winds are light, top temperatures of only three or four degrees celsius. and then overnight tonight, in contrast, we should see a lot of clear skies around. it will feel very cold again, a widespread sharp air frost into tomorrow morning, lows of minus four degrees celsius. tomorrow dry during the daylight hours, the sunshine turning really quite hazy. there could possibly be some more snow maybe on tuesday night, but it's largely dry and very cold for the rest of the week. and of course many of you have been

taking pictures of the cold weather. particularly the beautiful icey cobwebs around. and with the snow settling overnight we'd love to see your snowy pictures. you can email them over to — hellobbc london@bbc.co.uk. that's it, back to sally and jon. bye for now. hello, this is breakfast withjon kay and sally nugent. strikes are expected to cause widespread disruption this week, with walkouts at royal mail and across the health service and public transport. nina is taking a closer look at the details. yes, we saw a summer of some strikes, and now a december of widespread disruption. by the end of this month it's thought a million working days will have been lost to strike action. this is largely about pay. this year has seen the sharpest fall

in living standards since the 19505. as prices rise, wages aren't — on the whole — keeping up. statistically that gap is greater if you work in the public sector. let's have a look at what's happening this week. well, there'll be four days of rail disruption, as 40,000 staff walk out. and as we move closer to christmas, more than 100,000 royal mail workers will take part in two days of strike action this week. talks on pay, conditions and redunancies broke down — deliveries are likely to be affected. if you're a learner driver — check your test date. because examiners are set to walk out over pay, pensions and job security. this one is a staggered strike, affecting different regions at different times. scotland and the north east of england will be disrupted this week. healthcare workers in northern ireland, including nurses, technicians and administrative workers, have gone on strike this morning. members of two unions rejected a pay award made last week because it was below the rate of inflation.

meanwhile, the royal college of nursing will begin its first strike for more than 100 years on thursday. more than 100,000 nurses are taking part, demanding better pay. some health services, such as chemotherapy, will be protected. it as chemotherapy, will be protected. is a very chall people it is a very challenging time for people working in the nhs and those aspiring for a career in the nhs. fiona lamdin has been speaking to nursing students. i'm lizzie. i'm a second year adult student nurse. i've been wanting to do nursing since i was 12. my name is lucy. i'm a second year student mental health nurse, and i wanted to do nursing since my best mate passed away. my name's briony, i'm a second year student mental health nurse, - and i wanted to go into this. because my mum has bipolar and i've always felt - a desire to care for people. three students studying in bristol, training for a life of caring for others.

i did my first injection. it was very good. they're currently all on full time placements, working on hospital wards or in the community, but none of this is paid. it's ok, it'll do. it's a student tree, isn't it? yeah. we can't afford to go out on nights out and socialise and do everything that a typical student would do. instead, we're just getting all of our pennies together to just afford a weekly shop and paying for petrol as well to get to placement, which we don't even get all of that back either. so it is really a struggle, especially at the moment and in the winter as well, we can't even put the heating on half the time. it is a bit of a struggle. i am finding it quite . challenging to be able to pay my rent this month. do you have any batteries free? a lot of girls on my course, they're single mums. it's a massive shame to hear the fact that you've got nurses and students using foodbanks. we students don't get paid.

we do not get paid at all for placements. airway, breathing, circulation, disability, exposure. and after a full day's work, they spend most of the evening revising for the next set of exams. the signs of sepsis are like, confusion. well, anything that scores are three or more. later this week, nurses are set to strike, demanding a 19.2% pay rise. if everyone in the public sector were to receive a pay rise in line with inflation, that will cost an extra £28 billion. but health secretary steve barclay told breakfast the country can't afford this. it's our futures. what would they rather have, nurses that are well paid, staying there able to have that time that so they're less overworked and less stressed and people are being well looked after? or would they rather there be minimal nurses, poor care and more deaths? it's sad that it's got to the pointl where this strike has to happen, but ijust think that nurses' voices have been not heard and just-

overlooked for such a long time now. and i think everyone's - exhausted with it and we just feel it's our last hope. by striking, you are putting patients at risk? i would say we're not putting people's lives at risk because currently they are already at risk with the nhs staff being underfunded, understaffed. as things stand, when these students graduate, they'll earn around £28,000 a year. do you think you'll stay in nursing? the way things are now, i wouldn't necessarily leave nursing, i would leave the nhs and maybe go to a different country where i might get treated better and have better respect for the profession. because it doesn't feel like it here at the moment. i do think that you can never really understand the pressures - and the stress involved - within the job unless you're kind of seeing it day in and day out. i mean, most of the nurses that i've spoken to have - been kicked, punched, l spat on, racially abused, you know, sexually assaulted.

nursing to me is what i want to do in life. but due to the living crisis and the pay at the moment, i honestly don't think i'll be able to afford it for my future. these these three are part of the future of our nhs. they should have decades of caring for others ahead of them, but already they're worried that low pay, lack of staff and lack of support might make these careers and their ambitions impossible. fiona lamdin, bbc news. lots of people are asking — why can't we just increase everybody�*s pay? you saw in fiona's report there, that on bbc breakfast last week, the health secretary said that giving every public sector worker a pay rise in line with inflation would cost an extra £28 billin — would cost an extra £28 billion — or £1,000 per household. but researchers at the institute for fiscal studies think those figures are too high.

it suggests the government was already budgeting for a 3% pay rise. so the extra cost would be a lot less — £18 billion, the equivalent of around £640 for each uk household. some economists say the governement could keep borrowing to boost workers' pay, others point to the possibility that would lead to a longer period of inflation — which is already damaging the economy. there are no straight answers here. at seven o'clock we get the latest figures which show how the economy was performing for october. if we see a similar contraction, that is the point we officially say we are in a recession and the space for pay rises diminishes even further. hard to see where this ends. thank you. let's speak now to the shadow minister for social care, liz kendall, whojoins us from westminster.

good morning. good morning. can we start on strikes, _ good morning. good morning. can we start on strikes, please? _ good morning. good morning. can we start on strikes, please? what - good morning. good morning. can we start on strikes, please? what wouldl start on strikes, please? what would you do if you were in power at the moment? i know you will not give us precise figures, you will not negotiate and you are not in government, but would you be giving the nurses more than the 4.75% offer? {lit the nurses more than the 4.75% offer? . ., , the nurses more than the 4.7596 offer? . ., , ., the nurses more than the 4.7596 offer? _, , ., ., , offer? of course we want to see nurses paid _ offer? of course we want to see nurses paid more. _ offer? of course we want to see nurses paid more. if— offer? of course we want to see nurses paid more. if you - offer? of course we want to see nurses paid more. if you look. offer? of course we want to see nurses paid more. if you look atj offer? of course we want to see - nurses paid more. if you look at our record in government, that is exactly what we delivered. let me say this simply, yesterday the rcn and unison said at the 11th hour they would press pause on the strikes if the health secretary would meet with them to discuss pay or go through the arbitration process. i think it is unforgivable he is not doing that. because nobody wants to see the strikes, passengers and patients don't want to see the trains on strike or the nhs nurses on strike. the way to solve that is

get round the table. let me say something about the comment steve barclay made about the country not being able to afford this. let's remember why. being able to afford this. let's rememberwhy. it being able to afford this. let's remember why. it is notjust the conservative crashed the economy with their disastrous mini budget, but we have had 12 years of low or no growth. so we haven't had the money to put into our public services, including to give staff a decent pay rise. that is the fundamental reason why we are in this mess and labour's plan to grow the economy shows are different approach. the economy shows are different a- roach. ~ , the economy shows are different a--roach.~ , j . the economy shows are different auroach.~ , .,�* approach. why won't labour say whether they — approach. why won't labour say whether they would _ approach. why won't labour say whether they would be - approach. why won't labour say j whether they would be prepared approach. why won't labour say i whether they would be prepared to pay the nurses more. i am not asking whether you would meet their full demands, but would you pay them more? ., , ., ., demands, but would you pay them more? ., ,., ., , demands, but would you pay them more? ., ., , ., more? the reason we will not put a fiaure on more? the reason we will not put a figure on it — more? the reason we will not put a figure on it because _ more? the reason we will not put a figure on it because who _ more? the reason we will not put a figure on it because who knows, i more? the reason we will not put a l figure on it because who knows, with this government, the state of the economy in two years' time. i don't want to make the student nurses a

promise that labour cannot deliver. where we have made a promise, like our pledge to have the biggest increase in the nhs workforce in its entire history, we have shown how we will pay for it by scrapping the non—dom tax status to make sure we have those 10,000 extra clinical placements for nurses and midwives, to make sure we double the number of medical places for doctors. you know, we are 50,000 nurses short in the nhs. today we have published figures from the nhs itself which shows, in the last year alone, the nhs spent £3 billion on agency workers. just half of that would fund the promises that labour has made. we're not saying the money would come from there, we are saying it should come from the non—dom tax status, but why on earth has the government not tackle the root cause of the problem here, which is there aren't enough doctors and nurses and

we are not growing our economy to get the funding for the nhs. you mentioned _ get the funding for the nhs. you mentioned the _ get the funding for the nhs. you mentioned the money would come from changing the non—dom tax rules. in the past you have said it could raise about £1 billion. at £1 billion would not cover all the extra doctors and nurses you are about, so how is the sum is working? that is not the right number, we have said scrapping the non—dom tax status would raise over £3 billion. that is not figures from us, but from warwick university and the lse. 1.6 billion is what we have costed to have this expansion in the workforce. it is crazy the government have cut the number of medical training places last year. it is crazy universities like brunel, who want to offer placements for people in the uk are only taking international students. the government's incompetence is what is causing the problem. they need to sort it out, but i am afraid they have run out of road, run out of

excuses and we really need a change in approach. excuses and we really need a change in approach-— in approach. training up doctors and nurses takes — in approach. training up doctors and nurses takes years _ in approach. training up doctors and nurses takes years and _ in approach. training up doctors and nurses takes years and i _ in approach. training up doctors and nurses takes years and i guess i in approach. training up doctors and nurses takes years and i guess the l nurses takes years and i guess the problem is so immediate and so acute, and as you say, maybe two years from a general election, but people are wondering what will happen right now to solve this and thatis happen right now to solve this and that is why people get frustrated why you won't say what you would do on the principle of paying more at the moment if you were in power? we have the moment if you were in power? - have said we want to see nurses paid more and our record in government, thatis more and our record in government, that is what we delivered. but you are right to say this cannot be solved overnight. i remember when i worked in and around the nhs and in the department of health, it took a long time to get those waiting lists down from 18 months to 18 weeks. you need a long—term plan. but on the immediate challenges, just take one example, the £500 million the government has promised to help get elderly people who are stuck in hospital when they don't need to be, out and back into the community,

which is really important, it is not what they want, they don't want to be stuck in hospital and we need to free up those beds. not a single penny has gone out of the door. it is supposed to be a winter plan and if you look outside, it is snowing. it shouldn't be a surprise we are now in winter.— it shouldn't be a surprise we are now in winter. they haven't got a enn now in winter. they haven't got a penny out — now in winter. they haven't got a penny out of _ now in winter. they haven't got a penny out of it — now in winter. they haven't got a penny out of it and _ now in winter. they haven't got a penny out of it and that - now in winter. they haven't got a penny out of it and that is - now in winter. they haven't got a penny out of it and that is at i now in winter. they haven't got a penny out of it and that is at a i penny out of it and that is at a incompetence. thank you forjoining us. we know england our home. butjohn is still in qatar because there is plenty of support to wrap up. good morning. yes, good morning. the dust is still settling on england's exit from the world cup. gareth southgate said he feels conflicted over his role. they are back in action in

march when they begin qualifying for the european championships in germany. he said the mood was very flat in the camp after the defeat to france in the quarterfinals of the world cup. the player is flying home yesterday and arriving at birmingham airport last night and after a few days' rest will be back in training with their club sides. the premier league resuming on boxing day. before leaving, one of the star performers, jude bellingham had a message for the fans. you've done well, you've done well. thank you, i appreciate that. the second test between england and pakistan is in the balance. england began day four needing to take six wickets to win. while pakistan started today needing 157 more runs for victory to level the series, that target's now down to less

than 100 and england have only taken one wicket. a short time ago, pakistan were 279 for five, needing 85 more to win. chelsea will spend the winter break three points clear at the top of the wsl. they had to survive a scare against reading though, jelena cankovic scored twice to put them 3—0 up. the visitors pulled a couple back but emma hayes' side held on for the win. manchester united are still looking for their first league win against neighbours city. they took the lead in front of the second biggest crowd in wsl history at the etihad, but city equalised through laura coombes. 1—1 it finished, united are third whilst city remain in fourth. and lizzie arnot�*s spectacular strike helped rangers win theirfirst—ever scottish women's premier league cup, they beat hibernian 2—0 at tynecastle, adding to the league title they won last season. and finally, you may have seen

the england squad get friendly with a cat who was a regular visitor at their training base in qatar. and now, two members of the squad have decided to adopt him. �*dave the cat�* as he was nicknamed by the team will be adopted by kyle walker and john stones. dave will have tests and spend a period in quarantine before being transported to the uk. dave the cat will feel like he has won the world cup. yes, dave has done well out of this. come home i think you should come home. we are heading him tomorrow. the lucky cat. how is it going to work? i don't know, they will have to do some kind of cat share. i know someone else who would like to share the cat. so do i.

here's carol with a look at this morning's weather. that cat is beautiful. he has the right fur coat on. that is not the lowest temperature ever recorded in the uk, that was minus 27.2 celsius. this week we're looking at icy stretches, snow showers, freezing fog and hard frosts. we have seen quite a bit of this morning and overnight moving up across the south—east. there are unofficial reports that stansted has 15 centimetres of snow but roughly speaking, two to ten centimetres higher levels are in kent with snow showers across western scotland and across the northern isles. away from these areas there is sunshine, freezing fog to watch out for this money across the south—east and quarter of england, heading towards

east yorkshire as well and as we go through the day, with all this cloud and freezing fog we will see a few more snow flurries around the midlands and heading to north—west england later. temperatures today, you can see it will be cold wherever you can see it will be cold wherever you are, but especially if you are under the freezing fog or have lines snow. temperatures struggling to break freezing for many. this line of cloud and freezing fog and snow flurries across north—west england. more significant snow coming in across the far north of scotland. in between it is going to be cold, icy and there will be a hard frost as well. tomorrow we start the significant snow coming in across the north of scotland, a cold northerly wind. in the south the cloud around and snow showers across the north—east of england. we are watching this area, an area of low pressure. at the moment could come into the cold air and produce snow

across southern counties, but the other school of thought is attracts more across the north of france, so it is something we are keeping a very close eye on. we are relying on you, carol. we need you. here on breakfast we're following the story of dave smith — the bristol driving instructor who had covid for nearly ten months. last week we heard how the virus had damaged his lungs so badly that he was no longer able to sing in his pub band. it's dave's dream to perform on stage again, but it's going to be a long journey to get there. i've been finding out how he's been getting on. # sunshine, i don't mind # if you keep shining all the time. dave smith has been singing all his life. a bit of a legend in the clubs and pubs around bristol. # have i told you lately that i love you? # have i told you there's no one above you?

but covid destroyed his lungs and he hasn't performed in public for two years. # hide all trace sadness # and ease my trouble, just like you do. whoo hoo! so can dave get his voice back? how much do you miss the singing, the performing? oh, it's like, it's like a part of my life has been missing, you know, like losing a leg. what would it mean to you to be able to sing again? well, it'd be like having a complete life... i know i've got my physical life back, but my mental life back as well. the first thing i want you to do isjust make sure your feet are nice and flat on the floor. after being assessed by doctors, he's been accepted onto a free online course run by the english national opera and scientists from imperial college in london. think about the way

they're lined up. so bring your shoulders up to your ears. lesson one, and his teacher is opera singer susie. as you breathe in, iwant you to pull the air up. as you breathe out, i want you to push the air away. as you breathe out... i spluttered then. covid has taken its toll. that was a bit too much, i think. so, really little, very gentle. we know that opera singers are used to filling big auditorium with their voices, completely unamplified. and so they understand breath control, they understand the physiology of breathing. and then tilt your head away from that hand. i so which hand have you...? oh, sorry, yeah. exactly, that's the winner. so what we're doing is working with some of that really key

expertise to give them skills and strategies to manage their breathlessness post—covid. what i'm going to ask- you to do is to use whatever hand you write with, - take the finger of that hand. this is going to be your penl and your voice is going to be the ink and you're going to write your name. i so i'll show you mine. my name is susie. it sounds like this. humming. can you write yours? i'll go at the same time. ready? some of it takes a bit of getting used to. but dave is giving it his all. right, so my... humming. over 90% of people who take part say that they have noticeable improvement in their symptoms and that they would recommend it to other long covid sufferers. arms straight up. nearly 2000 people have done the elo breathe course since

the pandemic hit. and then bring your arms down to shoulder height. | turn your palms to the ceiling. and by the time dave gets to his sixth and final lesson... his lung capacity seems to be improving. he's not spluttering anymore. # babies, that's a silver moon # sailing in the sky. and slowly his voice is getting stronger, even on the high notes. try it with me one more time. it's two years since dave last did this and performed with his old band. but now he's thinking he might have the confidence to get back on the stage again. i never thought i'd do it. when my lungs, when they told me my lungs were shot and i only had 51% capacity, i thought, that's it, i'm done.

but i'm going, i'm going to do an hour. i'm pretty sure i can do it. humming. singing, it makes you feel really happy. and when it goes well, you know, oh, its such a such a buzz. the endorphins or whatever it is get going. it's absolutely brilliant. ta ke two. # they're going to put me on the tv # they're going to make a big star out of me # tell the tale of a man with trouble breathing # all i got to do is act naturally. so he's booked the pub, he's picking the songs, and dave is getting ready for his big christmas comeback gig. # now all i got to do is breathe naturally # all i got to do

is breathe naturally. that worked in better, didn't it? yeah, yeah, getting there. getting there. isn't it amazing. i love that, all i've got to do is breathe naturally. if anybody tells you to breed naturally, you can't, can you? but spluttering on the sofa to singing like that, is incredible. 0bviously like that, is incredible. obviously doesn't work for everybody and we don't want to offer false hope. for him, it seems to have worked. under big gig to come before christmas. we have got crossed for him. he will be fine. but an hour? good luck. time now to get the news, travel and weather where you are.

good morning from bbc london, i'm alice salfield. london's waking up to a covering of snow, along with fog and ice which is causing travel disruption across the capital. thousands of air passengers have been affected after gatwick and stansted both had to close their runways for a time last night. there have already been more than 40 flights cancelled at heathrow today. nothing's taking off or landing at city airport. and passengers are being advised to check with their airlines directly before they travel for all airports. 0n the roads, the m25 was closed clockwise at potters bar all night to recover a number of stranded lorries. some drivers have been stuck for hours in freezing temperatures. well, on the tubes, not surprisingly there are lots of problems on almost every line. so make sure you check yourjourney if you are heading out this morning. there's expected to be problems on the trains too with network rail warning of cancellations and delays on some routes because of the weather. they say there are teams out clearing the snow and ice

but to check before leaving home. in other news, there'll be more travel disruption tomorrow as well as an unprecedented four days of strike action begins. there'll be two 48 hour strikes on tuesday and wednesday and then again on friday and saturday this week. a leading charity which supports people with asthma and lung conditions says it's growing increasingly concerned about the amount of damp and mould in rented homes. asthma uk says young children are particularly at risk and it's seen an increase in people concerned about the impact on their health from poor housing. the charity also worries the cost of heating is adding to the problem. now onto the all important weather with elizabeth rizzini. hello there, good morning. we saw some snow last night — here's stratford and bermondsey as recorded by our weather watchers. still plenty of lying snow out there as we head through the rest of the morning and some very icy stretches, too. so there is a met office weather warning in place for snow

and ice, do take care. now as we head through the rest of the day, most of the falling snow has now finished, but there could just be a few light flurries here and there, particularly through the morning. i wouldn't totally rule that out. a lot of low cloud around and again, some patches of freezing fog that will be very, very slow to lift and clear. but we could see something a bit brighter perhaps by the time we get to the end of the day. it will still be feeling very cold, the winds are light, top temperatures of only three or four degrees celsius. and then overnight tonight, in contrast, we should see a lot of clear skies around. it will feel very cold again, a widespread sharp air frost into tomorrow morning, lows of minus four degrees celsius. tomorrow dry during the daylight hours, the sunshine turning really quite hazy. there could possibly be some more snow maybe on tuesday night, but it's largely dry and very cold for the rest of the week. and of course many of you have been taking pictures of the cold weather. particularly the beautiful icy cobwebs around. and with the snow settling overnight we'd love to see

your snowy pictures. you can email them over. that's it, back to sally and jon. bye for now. good morning, welcome to breakfast withjon kay and sally nugent. 0ur headlines today. rescue teams search through the night at a lake in solihull after a group of children fall through the ice. four have been taken to hospital, it's feared more are still missing. snow in southeast england brings roads and airports to a halt. drivers are being warned to travel only if it's absolutely essential. we have just had the coldest night of this winter so far, the temperature in one part in scotland,

-16 temperature in one part in scotland, —16 degrees. widespread ice and hard frosts all week. as nurses, rail workers and royal mail staff prepare to go on strike this week, the government will meet to discuss bringing in the military to help. a breakthrough on funding for motor neurone disease research. after intense pressure from campaigners, the government says it will fast—track nearly £30 million of support. chefs, for the very last time, off you go. and cooking doesn't get tougher than this. we'll meet the winner of masterchef: the professionals. it's monday the 12th of december. our main story. emergency services have been working through the night at a lake near birmingham where four children were rescued from freezing water. they are believed to have fallen in after playing on ice in babbs mill park in solihull and are in critical condition in hospital. this report from our midlands correspondent phil mackie contains flashing images.

as light faded during the afternoon, the emergency services used every piece of equipment available to try to find anyone still missing. the lake had frozen and a group of children had been playing on the ice when first one, then others, fell through and into the water. police, paramedics and firefighters were all called just after 2:30pm and did all they could to save them. they pulled four out of the water. after being rescued, the four children were immediately assessed and actively treated at the scene by ambulance staff. all four children who were rescued were taken on blue lights to hospital, each within an enhanced care team travelling in the back of the ambulance, providing advanced life support. locals gathered to offer their support, including a local church who provided hot drinks for the rescuers. we were quite upset to see so many men working relentlessly and itjust, you know, we could come back and offer some hot drinks to them. and we feel really upset

about what has happened. the operation's gone on through the night and they've had to bring specialist equipment up here because the initial calls to the police mentioned six children. they don't know if that number was right, but they have to carry on the search just in case there's still somebody in the water. sadly, they say if there is, this is now regarded as a recovery, not a rescue operation. despite the appalling conditions, the search continues. phil mackey, bbc news, kingshurst. it isa it is a nightmare scenario. 0ur correspondent kathryn stanczyszyn is at the scene now for us. kathryn, the search goes on? yes, aood kathryn, the search goes on? yes, good morning. _ kathryn, the search goes on? yes, good morning. i— kathryn, the search goes on? yes, good morning, i am _ kathryn, the search goes on? yes, good morning, i am at— kathryn, the search goes on? yes, good morning, i am at the - kathryn, the search goes on? ya: good morning, i am at the police cordon which remains in place here at kingshurst lakejust cordon which remains in place here at kingshurst lake just east of birmingham in the borough of solihull. you can see —— at babbs mill lake. you can see the bright light on the surface of the lake,

that's where we understand the children were rescued from yesterday. there was a huge operation around us in this area, it's very quiet at the moment but we understand the work has continued overnight. freezing temperatures, below freezing temperatures here. yesterday the call came in just after 2:30pm to emergency services, they quickly arrived and we know that some rescue workers entered the water to pull the four children from the freezing water. one rescue worker treated for mild hypothermia. the four children were taken to hospitals, all of whom were in cardiac arrest. we don't know exactly how many children were here. the reports were of a group of six, but the fire service did not confirm they knew they were looking for two more children but they did say that search work was going on. due to the

conditions and the age of the possible age of the people involved, that that would sadly be a recovery operation. and no longer a search and rescue operation. it has shocked the local community here. just been talking to one dog walker here who says the rumour going around here was that a parent had a call from one of the children, that is not confirmed, but you can imagine every parent's confirmed, but you can imagine every pa rent�*s worst confirmed, but you can imagine every parent's worst nightmare. 0ur warning went out again from emergency services yesterday saying, in these conditions, children and adults alike, stay away from frozen water. ., ~' , ., , adults alike, stay away from frozen water. ., ~ , ., , . water. thank you very much, we will come back — water. thank you very much, we will come back if— water. thank you very much, we will come back if there _ water. thank you very much, we will come back if there is _ water. thank you very much, we will come back if there is any _ water. thank you very much, we will come back if there is any update i water. thank you very much, we will come back if there is any update to i come back if there is any update to the programme. heavy snow and low temperatures are causing serious disruption for travellers this morning particularly in the south of england. national highways is urging people not to drive unless it is essential, while stansted and gatwick airports suspended many flights. met office yellow warnings are in place across many parts of the uk, with temperatures expected to remain well below freezing. aru na iyengar reports.

if strikes and the cost of fuel wasn't enough, there's a new challenge this winter. snow, ice and fog affecting roads right across the uk. kent bore the brunt last night. this was the m20. and the going was slow on the m21 with large tree branches falling onto the carriageway. around london, parts of the m25 came to a standstill. national highways urged drivers in the south—east not to travel unless it was essential. ten centimetres of snow was forecast for the region. and in cornwall, people were advised against all but essential travel. looking to this week, the aa says driving conditions are treacherous, and that drivers need to adapt to winter conditions. it gave this advice. the first thing any driver should do before they set out is make sure

that they clean the entirety of their windscreen. we don't want people driving around like a tank commander with just a little letterbox peek through the windscreen. they need to make sure they clear all that ice and indeed any snow at all as well off their car. and then they need to drive to the conditions. at the airports, no hope of a safari getaway here. this was heathrow airport where flights have been cancelled or delayed. at stansted, all flights were suspended after it was forced to close its runway. passengers are being advised to check with their airline before travelling to the airport. expect delays also on the rail network. it's touch and go whether there will be a full service. newspaper deliveries may also be delayed. it will be tough going all week on all forms of transport according to weather forecasters. aruna iyengar, bbc news. the treacherous weather

is also having a huge impact on the airports. we're joined now by the independent�*s travel correspondent simon calder. he's outside heathrow. simon, i'm going to start with some news we havejust simon, i'm going to start with some news we have just had from south—eastern railways in the last few minutes, they are advising passengers not to travel this morning as a result of severe disruption to allow network rail to check the rails are clear of snow and ice. we can see the weather affecting all forms of transport now. , ., , affecting all forms of transport now. , . , , now. yes, that is definitely the case. now. yes, that is definitely the case- this _ now. yes, that is definitely the case- this is — now. yes, that is definitely the case. this is the _ now. yes, that is definitely the case. this is the company i now. yes, that is definitely the | case. this is the company which now. yes, that is definitely the i case. this is the company which runs trains from kent into london, they are having particular problems on the network where they have third rail power supply, problems with icing up there. as you say, they say if you do not have to travel this morning please do not try because basically all of the lines are gummed up. i think there will be repeated elsewhere in south—east england so please check in advance.

but of course there are lots of people trying to make journeys today on the trains because as from tomorrow, the national rail strikes begin again. so it's going to be, i'm afraid to commit a difficult time. as you can hear, flights are taking off from heathrow, but not nearly as many as we hoped. i'm counting around about 80 cancellations to and from the airport, mostly on british airways but also airlines like aer lingus and iberia of spain. it looking pretty grim at other airports today, gatwick airport has dozens of cancellations mostly on easyjet but also on wizz air and british airlines. luton airport, about a dozen cancellations for round trips on easyjet and whiz air. stansted, which had massive problems last night, there are thousands of people waking up when they did not want to

be because their flights were diverted as far afield as brussels, that has now reopened, but with a significant number of cancellations. and london city, the docklands airport for the capital, i'm afraid pretty much everything seems to have been wiped out this morning. but do check be in luck. —— do check, you might be in luck. check be in luck. -- do check, you might be in luck.— might be in luck. you never know. that's the — might be in luck. you never know. that's the situation _ might be in luck. you never know. that's the situation if _ might be in luck. you never know. that's the situation if you - might be in luck. you never know. that's the situation if you are i that's the situation if you are trying to travel. we that's the situation if you are trying to travel.— that's the situation if you are trying to travel. we heard earlier from a driver _ trying to travel. we heard earlier from a driver who _ trying to travel. we heard earlier from a driver who had _ trying to travel. we heard earlier from a driver who had been i trying to travel. we heard earlier| from a driver who had been stuck trying to travel. we heard earlier i from a driver who had been stuck on the m258 eight and a half hours in snow and ice, unable to move. —— on the m25, for eight and half hours. -16, the m25, for eight and half hours. —16, carol? yes, that is the lowest temperature we have had for two years but the lowest temperature since 2011 in december. this is one of the weather

watchers picture taken in luton, the snow has been falling quite steadily through the course of the night in parts of the south—east coupled with freezing fog. as we go through this morning, still a few snow flurries coming out of this cloud, the freezing fog very slow to lift. south—west england, wales and northern england seeing brighter skies. north—east england has got fog. northern ireland, some brightness, much of scotland as well but western and northern scotland seeing a mixture of rain, sleet and snow. accumulation is really starting to build. this afternoon you will find around the edges of the freezing fog, it will start to break, but the bulk will be moving north and it will have some snow flurries. wherever you are today, it is going to be cold, especially if there is a lying snow so make sure you wrap up warm this morning. this morning at overnight —— evening at

overnight, more significant snow coming in across northern scotland, and we will start to see the cloud build across the southwest. hard frost, icy conditions, and those are the temperatures, —6 but in rural areas even lower than that. pretty brutal in some places, thank you, carol. police injersey have said it's likely to take weeks to complete a search of the block of flats destroyed in an explosion in the early hours of saturday. five people are known to have died, officers believe four others are missing. ben woolvin joins us now from st helier. good morning, bender. it has for people there, —— i guess the searching continues today. teams have been here throughout the night.

this is a slow and painstaking work, families have been warned it could take weeks. five people conferred to have died, a further four people unaccounted for, and that number is based on what authorities think is the number of people who were in the flats at 4am when this expression happened. they are saying weeks not days, but they are in it for the long term? yes, indeed. question is already being asked about how this tragedy happened. at 8:30pm, the fire service was called after a smell of gas was reported at the flats. questions are being asked if anything could be done to prevent the exposure which happened five hours later. the fire chief yesterday said there would be a full

and thorough investigation to establish the facts. this tragedy comes just a few days after the loss of three fishermen ofjersey last week. when you speak to people around here, they talk of the disbelief that there could be two tragedies like this in such a short space of time. flags will be flying at half mast here today and there is due to be an island—wide silence at 11 may. —— at 11am. an emergency cobra meeting will take place today to discuss contingency measures for upcoming strikes, which include using the military and civil servants as cover. nurses, ambulance staff, and border force officials all have walk—outs planned before the end of the year. in a moment we'll speak to our ireland correspondent, chris page who is in antrim where nhs workers are on strike today. but first let's speak to our political correspondent jonathan blake who is in westminster. what we know about the situation with the government's potential

contingency planning? the government sa s it is contingency planning? the government says it is stepping _ contingency planning? the government says it is stepping up — contingency planning? the government says it is stepping up its _ says it is stepping up its contingency planning as of this morning and there will be a meeting of the government emergency coordination group, cobra meeting, attended by ministers and officials from various departments across the government, in this case the home office, the health department, the help —— transport department and the ministry of defence. it will be chaired by the cabinet office minister 0liver dowden who says the government wants to do all it can to minimise the disruption which is going to be caused by these strikes. they will be discussing as we have heard the use of armed forces personnel at ports and airports, stepping in for border force staff and ambulance drivers, will be military personnel, they will be visiting hospital trusts to familiarise themselves with ambulances and other vehicles they may well be requested to drive. if workers go out on strike as planned later this month. we are told the government is also talking to the

rail industry to ensure that freight flows as freely as possible when these strikes kick in. that's what they are doing to attempt to minimise the disruption. as for the strikes themselves, yesterday the government refused a last—minute offer from the royal college of nursing to meet over pay and discuss that in particular. let's have a listen to the general secretary of the royal college of nursing, pat callan, with her message to the health secretary steve buckley. it's a really historic week that we are heading into for nurses. the health secretary should not be leaving them out in the cold. we're looking for answers from himself and the government. mr barclay knows only too well that i'll meet him for negotiations either directly or through the conciliation that we can do through acas. so when he talks about his open door, he's not really serious about stopping the action if he doesn't take me up on that offer.

the arguments from the government side are very much based on the situation around inflation and rising prices. they say if pay increases were to be awarded to nhs workers and others that go over and above inflation it would simply make that problem worse. and also, its not affordable in the short—term either. so at the moment, what it looks like is going to be a december with plenty of disruption but also determination from the trades unions to hold firm and held up a better pgy- to hold firm and held up a better .a _ ., ~' to hold firm and held up a better la . ., " to hold firm and held up a better healthcare workers in northern ireland have gone on strike this morning over pay and staffing levels. let's speak to our ireland correspondent chris page, who joins us from antrim. what is going to be the impact from these strikes?— these strikes? dozens of picket lines like this _ these strikes? dozens of picket lines like this are _ these strikes? dozens of picket lines like this are being - these strikes? dozens of picket lines like this are being set i these strikes? dozens of picket lines like this are being set up. lines like this are being set up across northern ireland, members of the union —— e unison trade union

are making preparations for their members tojoin the are making preparations for their members to join the picket. there are two unions involved, the northern ireland public service alliance and unison, and it is over pay and conditions. staff are working out —— walking out including nurses, administrators,. truly life nurses, administrators, . truly life saving nurses, administrators,. truly life saving medical treatment cannot be interrupted under law, so for example scans and surgery will be going ahead as normal. whenever it comes to the heart of this dispute, last week, the workers were offered a pay rise of £1400 each but the unions rejected that saying if you take into account the rising cost of living, the high rate of inflation at the moment, that amounts to a pay cut in reality. so all of this is happening at a time when there is no devolved government here in northern ireland, the democratic unionist

party has been been blocking its participation over the brexit trade border with the uk. senior civil servants are in effect running northern ireland at the westminster government has been setting budgets for northern ireland in the absence of local ministers.— of local ministers. thank you for the update- _ the latest gdp figures have just come out. nina's here with the latest. good morning. this is something we look at every month, the overall value reflected what we make or do. interesting this month, this is looking at the month of october, during that period the economy grew by 0.5%. on the face of it, good news. it's partly because we compare that with september which was the month that the queen died so economic activity slowed down significantly. if you put it in the context of the three months up to october, overthe context of the three months up to october, over the period the economy 0ctober, over the period the economy contracted by 0.3%. it's the time

when prices are rising, belts tightened so economic activity slowed down. 0ver that period, if this continues, this trend, up to december, we will then see the second quarter in which the economy contracts which means the beginning of next year we are likely to see recession being confirmed. find of next year we are likely to see recession being confirmed. and that word, recession, _ recession being confirmed. and that word, recession, just _ recession being confirmed. and that word, recession, just spell - recession being confirmed. and that word, recession, just spell it - recession being confirmed. and that word, recession, just spell it out i word, recession, just spell it out why that is so alarming right across the economy. it is why that is so alarming right across the economy-— why that is so alarming right across the economy. it is alarming. as the economy gets _ the economy. it is alarming. as the economy gets slow _ the economy. it is alarming. as the economy gets slow -- _ the economy. it is alarming. as the economy gets slow -- smaller, i the economy. it is alarming. as the | economy gets slow -- smaller, less economy gets slow —— smaller, less investment and fewer jobs economy gets slow —— smaller, less investment and fewerjobs available, wages cannot keep up with inflation. 0ur standards of living which is quite significantly. is it a blip? the bank of england says not, we can expect the longest recession for a century, they say unemployment will double. we have heard from the chancellor in the last ten minutes who says that a's figures show one bit of growth but i want to be honest, there is tough times ahead.

like the rest of europe, we are not immune from the after—shocks of covid—19, putin's war and inflation rising. prices are rising and we have seen wages not keeping pace and there is discontent with millions of workers and all of us are feeling the forces of these economic shifts in one way or another.— in one way or another. thank you, nina. king charles and the queen consort have revealed their official christmas card for this year. the image they've chosen, released by buckingham palace, shows the royal couple at the braemar highland gathering in early september. it was taken just five days before her majesty queen elizabeth died. that is their christmas card this year. they are organised, obviously sending it out early and good job because today is the last day for second class postage.— because today is the last day for second class postage. would they send it second-class, _ second class postage. would they send it second-class, do - second class postage. would they send it second-class, do you i second class postage. would they i send it second-class, do you reckon? send it second—class, do you reckon? yes, probably. 0n send it second—class, do you reckon? yes, probably. on an economy drive

like the rest of us. the last day of first class post is on friday. you are on top _ first class post is on friday. you are on top of — first class post is on friday. you are on top of the _ first class post is on friday. gm. are on top of the details. first class post is on friday. you are on top of the details. well, | are on top of the details. well, someone _ are on top of the details. well, someone is! — with cold weather and longer nights, its peak time for using energy. last night the national grid eso, the electricity operator for the uk, started to prepare some of its contingency plans to help support the network. but with temperatures in the minus figures at the moment, how is the supply holding up? and many families will be worrying about rising bills. here are some of the best ways to save money. lucy and george are our third year students in cardiff and worrying about bills is a daily issue. fiur about bills is a daily issue. our bill comes _ about bills is a daily issue. oi" bill comes through and we are like, oh, my gosh, we need to stop. we have stopped us putting the heating on, using the oven as much, everything we would normally do has to be thought about now. but everything we would normally do has to be thought about now.— to be thought about now. but living in a really cold _

to be thought about now. but living in a really cold house _ to be thought about now. but living in a really cold house for— to be thought about now. but living in a really cold house for a - to be thought about now. but living in a really cold house for a long i in a really cold house for a long time can affect our physical and mental health. so what can they do to keep costs down? here are the bbc�*s five tips which could save as much as £500 a year on a typical energy bill. if you rent, you might need to check with your landlord first. turn the thermostat down to 18 to 21 celsius when the heat is on. consider reducing your boiler flow temperature to 60 degrees. have your radiator is turned down. turning on the radiators not at full blast was a new idea to me. draught roofin: blast was a new idea to me. draught proofing your _ blast was a new idea to me. draught proofing your doors _ blast was a new idea to me. draught proofing your doors and _ blast was a new idea to me. draught proofing your doors and windows. i proofing your doors and windows. keep your showers to under four minutes if you can. and you can also get an energy efficient shower head which costs around £10 to buy. for a uirl, it's which costs around £10 to buy. for a girl. it's not — which costs around £10 to buy. for a girl, it's not realistic— which costs around £10 to buy. for a girl, it's not realistic to _ which costs around £10 to buy. for a girl, it's not realistic to have - which costs around £10 to buy. for a girl, it's not realistic to have a i girl, it's not realistic to have a four minute shower! but in the times we are in now, ifeel as though

four minute shower! but in the times we are in now, i feel as though we are going to have to try and do that. forwashing are going to have to try and do that. for washing your hair in stuff like that, it's going to be varied. research shows that young people and those in shared housing are less likely to have made energy saving changes to their homes. so, will lucy and georgia take any of these permanently? i lucy and georgia take any of these permanently?— lucy and georgia take any of these permanently? i think it's something we can probably _ permanently? i think it's something we can probably keep _ permanently? i think it's something we can probably keep up. _ permanently? i think it's something we can probably keep up. but i permanently? i think it's something we can probably keep up. but at i permanently? i think it's something| we can probably keep up. but at the moment, we have been finding it a bit more difficult. i think no sorts of tips would be quite —— those sorts of tips would be quite useful. if you want more ideas about how to save money and help how to budget, go to the bbc home page, they have a brilliant section about the cost of living. lots of hints and tips about keeping costs down.— keeping costs down. there is also information _ keeping costs down. there is also information about _ keeping costs down. there is also information about how— keeping costs down. there is also information about how you i keeping costs down. there is also information about how you can i keeping costs down. there is also | information about how you can get keeping costs down. there is also i information about how you can get in touch with government help and that kind of thing, all on one page. we will be stalking to steve barclay in

a few minutes about the latest suggestion —— talking to steve barclay about the news that the suggestion that they could be more money promised for mnd campaigns. aha, money promised for mnd campaigns. lot of people have been waiting for quite some time on this. time now to get the news, travel and weather where you are. good morning from bbc london, i'm alice salfield. london's waking up to a covering of snow, along with fog and ice — which is causing travel disruption across the capital. thousands of air passengers have been affected after gatwick and stansted both had to close their runways for a time last night. there have already been more than 40 flights cancelled at heathrow today. nothing's taking off or landing at city airport. and passengers are being advised to check with their airlines directly before they travel, for all airports. 0n the roads, the m25 was closed clockwise at potters bar all night to recover a number of stranded lorries. some drivers have been stuck

for hours in freezing temperatures. not suprisingly there are lots of problems on the tubes too — on almost every line. so make sure you check yourjourney if you are heading out this morning. the trains also have major disruption with southern, thameslink, southeastern, south west railway and greater anglia worst affected. they say there are teams out clearing the snow and ice but to check before leaving home. in other news — there'll be more rail disruption tomorrow as well — as an unprecedented four days of strike action begins. there'll be two 48—hour strikes on tuesday and wednesday and then again on friday and saturday this week. a leading charity which supports people with asthma and lung conditions says it's growing increasingly concerned about the amount of damp and mould in rented homes. asthma uk says young children are particularly at risk and it's seen an increase in people concerned about the impact on their health

from poor housing. the charity also worries the cost of heating is adding to the problem. now onto the all important weather with elizabeth rizzini. hello there, good morning. we saw some snow last night — here's stratford and bermondsey as recorded by our weather watchers. still plenty of lying snow out there as we head through the rest of the morning and some very icy stretches, too. so there is a met office weather warning in place for snow and ice, do take care. now as we head through the rest of the day, most of the falling snow has now finished, but there could just be a few light flurries here and there, particularly through the morning. i wouldn't totally rule that out. a lot of low cloud around and again, some patches of freezing fog that will be very, very slow to lift and clear. but we could see something a bit brighter perhaps by the time we get to the end of the day. it will still be feeling very cold, the winds are light, top temperatures of only three or four degrees celsius. and then overnight tonight, in contrast, we should see a lot of clear skies around. it will feel very cold again, a widespread sharp air frost

into tomorrow morning, lows of minus four degrees celsius. tomorrow dry during the daylight hours, the sunshine turning really quite hazy. there could possibly be some more snow maybe on tuesday night, but it's largely dry and very cold for the rest of the week. and of course many of you have been taking pictures of the cold weather. particularly the beautiful icey cobwebs around. and with the snow settling overnight we'd love to see your snowy pictures as well. you can email them over to — hellobbc london@bbc.co.uk. that's it — back to sally and jon. bye for now. hello, this is breakfast withjon kay and sally nugent. very withjon kay and sally nugent. chilly morning outt will very chilly morning out there and we will have all the travel for you as the morning goes on. motor neurone disease charities

have given a cautious welcome to a long—awaited announcement of how millions of pounds of funding grants will be allocated. the government promised £50 million last year — and has today revealed how nearly 30 million of it will be spent — with a promise to "fast track" the remainder to other research projects. it follows intense campaigning from charities and those living with the condition, including the former rugby stars rob burrow and doddie weir. will batchelor reports. five sportsmen his level and courage on the pitch has been surpassed. rob burrow sharing his own personal challenges of living with mnd, to his great friend kevin simm field raising funds. and the charity set “p raising funds. and the charity set up by the rugby union legend, doddie weir. he died last month but his legacy lives on. last year along

with other mnd campaigns, rob burrow and stephen dobbie travelled to downing street and convince the government to investing £50 million over five years to help find new therapies and eventually a cure. but more than 12 months on, campaigners said the money had still not materialised. this was something the health minister was challenged on last week. ~ ., ., , , , last week. what does very, very shortly mean — last week. what does very, very shortly mean because _ last week. what does very, very shortly mean because patience l last week. what does very, veryl shortly mean because patience is running out. shortly mean because patience is running out-— shortly mean because patience is i running out._ days, running out. days, not weeks. days, not weeks- — running out. days, not weeks. days, not weeks- now _ running out. days, not weeks. days, not weeks. now the _ running out. days, not weeks. days, not weeks. now the government i running out. days, not weeks. days, not weeks. now the government has announced where _ not weeks. now the government has announced where the _ not weeks. now the government has announced where the 50 _ not weeks. now the government has announced where the 50 million i announced where the 50 million pounds will be going. and research, 12.5 million to support frontal lobe dementia research. the department of health is inviting mnd researchers to apply for a share of the remainder. it to apply for a share of the remainder.— to apply for a share of the remainder. ., , ., , , ., to apply for a share of the remainder. ., , ., ,, ., ., remainder. it does falls short of the mnd research _ remainder. it does falls short of the mnd research institute, i remainder. it does falls short of the mnd research institute, but remainder. it does falls short of. the mnd research institute, but we are cautiously optimistic. there are

some details we would like to talk to the secretary of state about at the earliest opportunity. people with mnd don't have time to wait, half of them die within two years of diagnosis and we needed treatment and cure for this devastating disease. ~ , , . , and cure for this devastating disease. ~ , ,. , disease. mnd is currently a disease without a cure _ disease. mnd is currently a disease without a cure but _ disease. mnd is currently a disease without a cure but the _ disease. mnd is currently a disease without a cure but the hope - disease. mnd is currently a disease without a cure but the hope is i disease. mnd is currently a disease without a cure but the hope is this i without a cure but the hope is this funding will pave the way for a breakthrough. the health secretary steve barclayjoins us now from westminster. we're also joined by doctor catriona crombie, who represents mnd charities. good morning to you both. steve barclay, i hope you just heard the peace we have just been playing there. explaining how this money will be allocated, but my first question is, why has it taken so long? question is, why has it taken so lona ? ., , question is, why has it taken so lon. ? ., , ., question is, why has it taken so lonu? ., , ., ., question is, why has it taken so long? there was a frustration and as our cli- long? there was a frustration and as your clip says. _ long? there was a frustration and as your clip says, time _ long? there was a frustration and as your clip says, time really _ long? there was a frustration and as your clip says, time really matters i your clip says, time really matters to those suffering with mnd. there was a frustration from campaigners the government had announced the money and they just wanted it

the government had announced the money and theyjust wanted it handed over. at the same time, from a government point of view, it wanted to make sure the money was going to the right research and they were therefore asking for details on that. it was stuck in essence, between the two sides. we have got through that, recognising the agency. the whole country has been moved by what kevin did with his ultramarathons, the late doddie weir. we have got through that to get 30 million out of the door with the announcement today. i will be holding a roundtable with researchers next month to ensure we get the other 20 million also out of the door. it get the other 20 million also out of the door. , _, , , the door. it is recognising there is existin: the door. it is recognising there is existing drugs _ the door. it is recognising there is existing drugs that _ the door. it is recognising there is existing drugs that can _ the door. it is recognising there is existing drugs that can be - existing drugs that can be repurposed, more we can do in terms of data and bore alongside that immensely research that is already happening which links very closely to mnd. brute happening which links very closely to mnd. ~ ., ., , happening which links very closely tomnd. ., ., , to mnd. we have a hugely positive announcement _ to mnd. we have a hugely positive announcement today _ to mnd. we have a hugely positive announcement today that - to mnd. we have a hugely positive announcement today that has i to mnd. we have a hugely positive i announcement today that has listened to the campaigners, recognise the urgency of this issue and ensure this money will now be allocated and

30 million is announced today. he mentioned the word urgency. six people will die from mnd today, statistically, 2200 in a year in a year since this 50 million was announced. doddie weir, who has been on this programme many times, died a couple of weeks ago not knowing this money was coming. what do you say to those people who are watching this and have been watching the day sticking by it knowing their time is running out? that sticking by it knowing their time is running out?— running out? that is why we are focused on _ running out? that is why we are focused on it. _ running out? that is why we are focused on it. been _ running out? that is why we are focused on it. been back- running out? that is why we are focused on it. been back in i running out? that is why we are focused on it. been back in the| focused on it. been back in the departmentjust a matter of focused on it. been back in the department just a matter of weeks. focused on it. been back in the departmentjust a matter of weeks. i heard those concerns, i am a rugby fan myself and i take a huge interest and i sawjust how much work ed slater, rob, and kevin have done. it has captured the mood of the country in terms of their campaigning. at the same time, government was under pressure to make sure the money was allocated

for quality research and that is the issueit for quality research and that is the issue it was stuck in. we have got through that and now we have been listening to those concerns. that is why we have this positive announcement, 30 million to mnd research today and we will have the roundtable next month to ensure we get there remaining 20 million out of the door. i get there remaining 20 million out of the door-— of the door. i know you have been followin: of the door. i know you have been following the _ of the door. i know you have been following the campaign _ of the door. i know you have been following the campaign that i of the door. i know you have been following the campaign that has i of the door. i know you have been i following the campaign that has been going on for years now and he will be familiar with the former rugby league player, rob burrow, who we have worked a lot with on this programme and he has sent a question for you. programme and he has sent a question foryou. he programme and he has sent a question for you. he says this, when will the promised funding be delivered? and his words, i would appreciate proper, honest answer that will give me and others confidence and hope for the future. so when will the promised funding be delivered? the 30 promised funding be delivered? tue: 30 million promised funding be delivered? tte: 30 million this promised funding be delivered? t'te: 30 million this week, promised funding be delivered? tte: 30 million this week, that is going out to organisations this week. we

will have a roundtable for the remaining 20 million. we want to make sure it goes to quality research bids. th make sure it goes to quality research bids.— make sure it goes to quality research bids. in their accounts this week? _ research bids. in their accounts this week? it _ research bids. in their accounts this week? it will _ research bids. in their accounts this week? it will be _ research bids. in their accounts| this week? it will be transferred research bids. in their accounts i this week? it will be transferred to organisations _ this week? it will be transferred to organisations and _ this week? it will be transferred to organisations and some _ this week? it will be transferred to organisations and some have i this week? it will be transferred to | organisations and some have asked for it for the start of the financial year, so that is something those receiving the funds have asked. we have given the commitment and we have the money. i know this is something that you yourself have done a huge amount to highlight, we have the funds and the frustration previously has been about the quality of the bids. we have done work with our chief scientists to cut through this. some of the receiving organisations have said they want it from the start of the financial year, so we will work with them on that. this money is clear to go and will be allocated and that is what we have announced today. iloathed what we have announced today. what research is that _ what we have announced today. what research is that you _ what we have announced today. what research is that you are _ what we have announced today. what research is that you are the most excited about? you say there are some drugs that can be repurposed and will work for people with mnd. because at the moment with a

diagnosis, there is no treatment and no cure, so what are the glimmers of hope you can point people towards this money?— this money? there is a particular dru: this money? there is a particular drug linked _ this money? there is a particular drug linked to — this money? there is a particular drug linked to hiv _ this money? there is a particular drug linked to hiv which - this money? there is a particular drug linked to hiv which the i drug linked to hiv which the scientists who know much more about the research than i do say has potential benefits to those with mnd. what we are doing is two things, we are funding the longer term research, which obviously for those listening will take longer to feed through. but it is important we have the long—term research. we are funding more data so we work with those suffering from mnd to get better data which then helps with clinical research trials. in terms of more immediate things for your viewers, each day diagnosed with mnd, one of the quickest things we can do is look whether any existing drugs actually have benefits that can be redeployed for those suffering with mnd. it is a three pronged attack with the funding and we have cut through the stalemate that had existed to make sure the

funding goes out to organisations. let's get some more reaction now to that discussion about mnd funding, with dr catriona crombie. your reaction to what steve barclay has been saying? t your reaction to what steve barclay has been saying?— has been saying? i represent a number of _ has been saying? i represent a number of different _ has been saying? i represent a number of different charities i has been saying? i represent a i number of different charities that work in the motor neurone disease research. we hope this will be a sea change for mnd research. the science, we need to understand how the disease works and how people come to have motor neurone disease. then we can develop drugs against it. now is the time we need to push forward with that more focus drug discovery research. [30 forward with that more focus drug discovery research.— discovery research. do you feel encouraged _ discovery research. do you feel encouraged by _ discovery research. do you feel encouraged by what _ discovery research. do you feel encouraged by what you - discovery research. do you feel encouraged by what you have l discovery research. do you feel i encouraged by what you have heard? discovery research. do you feel - encouraged by what you have heard? i think we are encouraged. as you saw

earlier, there is a cautiousness about what the detail of the investment is. i know some of the bits of the detail of what the government plan on doing with this money. the areas of focus around data and clinical trial are big areas that we really do need to focus on at national level to unlock the pipeline of drugs coming through for mnd patients.— for mnd patients. thank you, for the moment. for mnd patients. thank you, for the moment- steve _ for mnd patients. thank you, for the moment. steve barclay, _ for mnd patients. thank you, for the moment. steve barclay, you - for mnd patients. thank you, for the moment. steve barclay, you have i moment. steve barclay, you have mentioned him yourself, ed slater, former gloucester rugby player, he has a question for you. t5 former gloucester rugby player, he has a question for you.— has a question for you. is this the start of longer— has a question for you. is this the start of longer term _ has a question for you. is this the start of longer term commitment | has a question for you. is this the i start of longer term commitment to mnd funding and will continue once the £50 _ mnd funding and will continue once the £50 million is spent? | rdrill the £50 million is spent? i will re eat the £50 million is spent? i will repeat that — the £50 million is spent? i will repeat that for _ the £50 million is spent? i will repeat that for you _ the £50 million is spent? i will repeat that for you in - the £50 million is spent? i will repeat that for you in case i the £50 million is spent? i will repeat that for you in case the | repeat that for you in case the sound wasn't great, ed slater, diagnosed with mnd injuly. he is saying, is thisjust diagnosed with mnd injuly. he is saying, is this just the start to a longer road of mnd research funding, what will happen when this 50 million is gone? tt

what will happen when this 50 million is gone?— million is gone? it is, it is the start. i listen _ million is gone? it is, it is the start. i listen to _ million is gone? it is, it is the start. i listen to him - million is gone? it is, it is the start. i listen to him on i million is gone? it is, it is the start. i listen to him on the i million is gone? it is, it is the - start. i listen to him on the rugby podcast and was hugely moved in the summer by his story and hearing about how the other players at gloucester did the charity ride in support of him. what this 50 million does, it shines the light in terms of the government's privatisation of mnd, the call forfuture research of the government's privatisation of mnd, the call for future research to scientists we are putting out to prioritise mnd research. but what we are also signalling, where there is promising research from that research, we will prioritise that funding. i can say directly to ed slater, yes, this is about prioritising mnd. there is an urgency, as you touched on at the start of the interview, we recognise that and that is why we have got through the red tape to get this money out of the door and we have a three pronged attack and we will be working with leading researchers to take forward. flan working with leading researchers to take forward-— take forward. can you explain why the largest _ take forward. can you explain why the largest chunk _ take forward. can you explain why the largest chunk of _ take forward. can you explain why

the largest chunk of the _ take forward. can you explain why the largest chunk of the money i take forward. can you explain why i the largest chunk of the money that has been allocated, 12.5 million is going towards dementia research? how does that help people with motor neurone disease, what are the links? that is the advice in terms of our chief scientist. there is a very close link between the frontal lobe and i am told the work on dementia has a reader cross in terms of those suffering from mnd. so there is overlap between the two things and thatis overlap between the two things and that is part of the research that are leading scientists have said need to take place as part of that. that is one aspect of this, looking at the linkage between dementia and mnd. also looking at drugs already out there that could be redeployed and working with those suffering from mnd, in terms of the data which feeds into the clinical trials. one of the things we were working on toast this, is how we better use the nhs app to sign multiple up to clinical trials. nhs app to sign multiple up to clinicaltrials. i nhs app to sign multiple up to clinical trials. i think the response from the public to the

ultramarathons that kevin done shows, i think, ultramarathons that kevin done shows, ithink, there ultramarathons that kevin done shows, i think, there will be a groundswell of support from people to take part in clinical research trials. one of the things i will be doing in the weeks ahead is looking at how we can prioritise mnd in clinical research trials and get more of the public involved. steve barcla , more of the public involved. steve barclay. do _ more of the public involved. steve barclay. do stay — more of the public involved. steve barclay, do stay with _ more of the public involved. steve barclay, do stay with us. - more of the public involved. steve barclay, do stay with us. katrina, | barclay, do stay with us. katrina, can you talk about the research, the money going towards dementia and how it might help people with motor neurone disease? for it might help people with motor neurone disease?— it might help people with motor neurone disease? for some mnd atients neurone disease? for some mnd patients that _ neurone disease? for some mnd patients that have _ neurone disease? for some mnd patients that have particular - patients that have particular genetic— patients that have particular genetic alterations, they have a similarity— genetic alterations, they have a similarity with people who have front _ similarity with people who have front temporal dementia. you might not know the — front temporal dementia. you might not know the answer, _ front temporal dementia. you might not know the answer, what - front temporal dementia. you might not know the answer, what is - front temporal dementia. you might not know the answer, what is the i not know the answer, what is the percentage of people who might have that? a, , percentage of people who might have that? a, y a, percentage of people who might have that? ., , ., it , percentage of people who might have that? ., , ., ' i: , that percentage of people who might have that?_ that is - that? roughly about 1096. that is . uite that? roughly about 1096. that is quite small? _ that? roughly about 1096. that is quite small? they _ that? roughly about 1096. that is quite small? they have _ that? roughly about 1096. that is quite small? they have this - that? roughly about 1096. that is i quite small? they have this overlap and have dementia _ quite small? they have this overlap and have dementia symptoms - quite small? they have this overlap and have dementia symptoms as i quite small? they have this overlap i and have dementia symptoms as well. there _ and have dementia symptoms as well. there is_ and have dementia symptoms as well. there is some level of overlap but

that is_ there is some level of overlap but that is an — there is some level of overlap but that is an opportunity for mnd to lead the — that is an opportunity for mnd to lead the way amongst dementia. we understand mnd better than some of the more _ understand mnd better than some of the more complex dementia conditions, like alzheimer's. so hoaefully— conditions, like alzheimer's. so hopefully we can drive the whole field forward by this investment mnd and once _ field forward by this investment mnd and once we learn more about how we treat mnd. _ and once we learn more about how we treat mnd, we can move those learnings — treat mnd, we can move those [earnings into other neurodegenerative conditions. learnings into other neurodeaenerative conditions. ., ~ neurodegenerative conditions. thank ou. steve neurodegenerative conditions. thank you. steve barclay, _ neurodegenerative conditions. thank you. steve barclay, can _ neurodegenerative conditions. thank you. steve barclay, can we _ neurodegenerative conditions. thank you. steve barclay, can we talk- neurodegenerative conditions. f�*ufii�*ué you. steve barclay, can we talk to you. steve barclay, can we talk to you about the strikes? i know you say your door is open and you will talk to the nurses, but you say you won't talk to them about pay. isn't it time you sit down and talk money with them? this it time you sit down and talk money with them? �* , ,._ it time you sit down and talk money with them?— it time you sit down and talk money with them? �* , ,. , ., ., with them? as i say, we have engaged with them? as i say, we have engaged with them? as i say, we have engaged with them and — with them? as i say, we have engaged with them and we _ with them? as i say, we have engaged with them and we continue _ with them? as i say, we have engaged with them and we continue to - with them? as i say, we have engaged with them and we continue to be - with them and we continue to be willing to do so. i think it is far better we discuss these issues and what the trade unions have said to me, there is a range of factors impacting on nurse morale, including the quality of this day. we are

investing in new hospitals, also significant funds going into new tech. they talk about other challenges, like the security of staff, which is a key priority. but we do have an independent pay review body. it is important both sides respect that independent body, including trade union representation on it. that is what we have done, we have honoured in full the pay review body. it is additional to last year when the rest of the public sector had a pay freeze, prioritising the nhs but the extra 3%. we have an independent body for a reason and thatis independent body for a reason and that is what we have honoured. the nurses say — that is what we have honoured. the nurses say they would be prepared to pause their strike this week and there will be people watching this week you have had appointments and operations cancelled and desperate for the strike not to happen but they say they will pause it if you sit down in a room and talk money. not come to any conclusion, butjust

talk to them, surely it is worth sitting down and talking money with them? i sitting down and talking money with them? ., sitting down and talking money with them? . . , ,, ., sitting down and talking money with them? . ., , _ ., ., ,, ., them? i am happy to talk to them. .. but not them? i am happy to talk to them. .. ltut not about _ them? i am happy to talk to them. .. but not about pay? _ them? i am happy to talk to them. .. but not about pay? we _ them? i am happy to talk to them. .. but not about pay? we have - them? i am happy to talk to them. .. but not about pay? we have an - but not about pay? we have an independent — but not about pay? we have an independent process. - but not about pay? we have an independent process. you - but not about pay? we have an independent process. you say. but not about pay? we have an - independent process. you say about people waiting for operations, you're absolutely right. that is why we put an extra £6.6 billion into the nhs to help clear the pandemic backlogs in terms of operations. of your viewers waiting for an operation. it is important we prioritise ourfunding operation. it is important we prioritise our funding to patients to clear the operation backlogs. that is what we did at the autumn statement and we also put money into social care. 2.8 billion next year, 4.7 billion the year after, the biggest increase of any government into social care. we are focused on clearing the backlog is... let’s clearing the backlog is... let's focus on the _ clearing the backlog is... let's focus on the strike _ clearing the backlog is... let's focus on the strike for- clearing the backlog is... let's focus on the strike for now. i clearing the backlog is... let's focus on the strike for now. nicola sturgeon in scotland has sat down with the unions and for now, because

of that, strikes there have been paused. you could do the same? you started this — paused. you could do the same? wm. started this by saying the interview, by saying about people waiting for operations. i don't want to be taking money away from clearing the election backlogs, which is what we would have to do. we would have to take money away from patients waiting for operations to then fund additional pay. if everyone on the public sector were to get an increase in line with inflation it would cost £28 billion at a time when the government has to get inflation under control. because thatis get inflation under control. because that is the biggest factor in terms of cost of living. it is right we have a balanced process. that is what our independent pay review body does, it looks at tax and those in the private sector will not be getting 19%, which is what the trade unions have demanded. it is right in terms of your other reviewers, we have feted them, fair to the wider

economy. we have a balanced approach and we have an independent process that looks at that. we have accepted that looks at that. we have accepted that in full and it is important the trade unions do. the that in full and it is important the trade unions do.— trade unions do. the 28 billion is cuestion, trade unions do. the 28 billion is question. the — trade unions do. the 28 billion is question, the 40 _ trade unions do. the 28 billion is question, the 40 hospitals - trade unions do. the 28 billion is question, the 40 hospitals you i trade unions do. the 28 billion is i question, the 40 hospitals you are talking about have also not materialised, have they? you say it is up to the pay review bodies to sort this, nhs england to sort this out. but nhs england say it isn't up to them to sort it out to come to an agreement, it is up to you, as the government, to sort this out sooner rather than later to stop this strike? . , rather than later to stop this strike? , ., , _, rather than later to stop this strike? , strike? just a second, you've asserted _ strike? just a second, you've asserted investment - strike? just a second, you've asserted investment in - strike? just a second, you've asserted investment in the i strike? just a second, you've l asserted investment in the 40 strike? just a second, you've - asserted investment in the 40 new hospitals is not happening. that is not the case. i was in liverpool a couple of weeks ago looking at the government's commitment in terms of new hospitals. i government's commitment in terms of new hospitals-— new hospitals. i said the hospitals had not materialised. _ new hospitals. i said the hospitals had not materialised. of- new hospitals. i said the hospitals had not materialised. of course, i had not materialised. of course,

the take had not materialised. of course, they take time _ had not materialised. of course, they take time to _ had not materialised. of course, they take time to build. - had not materialised. of course, they take time to build. but - had not materialised. of course, they take time to build. but the | they take time to build. but the programme is well under way. as you saw with the royal liverpool, we are investing in new hospitals, likewise alder hey in 2018. the government is funding new hospitals and when i speak to nurses, one of the things they say to me is it is important to have better working conditions. that is why we are investing in the 40 new hospitals programme and why we are investing in tech. the essential thing is, we work together with the unions, with nurses, who were hugely value, to address the pandemic backlogs. that is the key priority, 7 million people waiting for operations as a result of the pandemic. it is essential we focus on those backlogs and get them down. steve barclay, thank you very much for talking to us this morning on a wide range of subjects. ijust want to get a bit more reaction from you about what steve barclay was talking about what steve barclay was talking

about the? 12.5 million going to dementia research, you have explained to us, the 30 million being allocated, still 20 million unassigned, is it enough? if you look at how _ unassigned, is it enough? if you look at how much _ unassigned, is it enough? if you look at how much a _ unassigned, is it enough? if you look at how much a former - unassigned, is it enough? if you - look at how much a former company get any particular drug to market, it is hundreds of millions of pounds. this will not deliver drugs to the market, to the patients who need them right now, but it is a good start. i do think where they are focusing the efforts are on things that will hopefully unlock the pipeline for multiple drugs coming through.— the pipeline for multiple drugs coming through. there coming through. what are they? there was a number — coming through. what are they? there was a number of _ coming through. what are they? there was a number of different _ coming through. what are they? there was a number of different approachesl was a number of different approaches in the pipeline across the different funders. gene therapies, nuclear acid therapy is coming forward and repurposed drugs and whether there is anything available already that

could rapidly be put towards motor neurone disease. i could rapidly be put towards motor neurone disease.— neurone disease. i know talking to campaigners _ neurone disease. i know talking to campaigners there _ neurone disease. i know talking to campaigners there is _ neurone disease. i know talking to i campaigners there is disappointment because there is no announcement of a centralised body, one place to go to one body to make it all happen? the coordination of research is important. we need to pull people together to make greater than the sum of its parts. we have pulled together the charity funders and government funders, that my name is duddy foundation. we need to pool our resources and collective scientific know—how to help to coordinate the field and to tackle mnd. ., ~ , ., coordinate the field and to tackle mnd. ., ~ i. ., , ., ., mnd. thank you for explaining that this money- — mnd. thank you for explaining that this money. the _ mnd. thank you for explaining that this money. the best _ mnd. thank you for explaining that this money. the best of— mnd. thank you for explaining that this money. the best of luck. - mnd. thank you for explaining that this money. the best of luck. you | this money. the best of luck. you are welcome. _ this money. the best of luck. you are welcome, thank _ this money. the best of luck. you are welcome, thank you. - this very cold monday morning and the weather is causing all kinds of

disruption on the roads and getting to work. ., ., , ., ., to work. how long is it going to last for? this cold weather will last into the weekend when we see something milder coming our way. you can see where we had the snow in kent. quite a bit of snow falling overnight and this is luton and another one, you can see how deep the snow is by looking at the footprint in greater london. snow showers continue through the course of this week, icy stretches, freezing fog and hard frosts. all of this applies to the weather forecast this applies to the weather forecast this morning. you can see the amount of snow that came to kent, east anglia and essex and towards the home counties. it is easing off but with the low temperatures it is freezing. we have some snow showers coming across western and northern scotland. it will continue through the day. i mentioned freezing fog

come anywhere from northumberland down toward southern england, we have this freezing fog. around the edges through the day it will live, but inland it will remain with us and what you find is it will produce and what you find is it will produce a few more snow flurries. out towards the north and the west we are looking brighter skies with sunshine but wherever you are, it is going to feel better. as we head into tuesday night it is going to be another cold night in prospect. more snow coming on across the north of scotland. these are the kind of temperature values you can expect, so you will need to wrap up warmly investing in the morning we have more significant snow coming on across the north of scotland. some of it getting down the north sea coastline and a lot of cloud in the southern half of the uk. some think we are keeping our eye on is this, another area of low pressure coming our way. another area of low pressure coming ourway. it looks another area of low pressure coming our way. it looks at the moment like it may bring some snow into the moors and the southwest and some other southern parts of england, but equally it could skirt off to the

north of france. there is a fine line so if you are travelling tomorrow, keep your eyes on the weather forecast. tomorrow, keep your eyes on the weatherforecast. it is tomorrow, keep your eyes on the weather forecast. it is going to be pretty cold where ever you are. as we head into the middle of the week we head into the middle of the week we lose the problems with freezing fog, still some wintry showers and pulling in a cold, northerly wind. what does that mean? well, you can see the significant snow across the northern isles, skirting across northern scotland, down the north sea coastline. the wind will pick up across the northern isles as well and we could easily have 60 miles an hour, so we're looking at blizzard. in between, bright conditions but we have this cloud. remember i was telling you about the uncertainty on tuesday, we have this rain, sleet and snow pushing away. but it still is going to be a cold day. as for the outlook it remains cold until we get to the weekend when we stop pulling in an atlantic influence, but we could see some significant snow before all that happens. ——

when we start. definitely time for the coat. pleasure. i cannot find my winter coat. i have lost my big, winter coat. how do you lose a winter coat? do we need to do a spoiler alert. we are talking about masterchef and if you have recorded it and i watched it yet, maybe come back in a couple of minutes. we are going to talk about the winner. it's the creme de la creme of cooking shows, and last night the heat was on to see who would win this year's masterchef: the professionals. heat in the kitchen, if nowhere else this morning. the winning dishes included sea bass cured in a citrus dressing, crispy chicken thighs and a custard tart — and we're about to speak to the talented chef who made them. look away now. let's find out who won. our professional masterchef

champion 2022 is... nikita. congratulations. nikita pathakji joins us now from her kitchen. the competition was intense, everybody was brilliant. nikita joins us now, live from her kitchen. congratulations, how are you feeling? congratulations, how are you feelin: ? congratulations, how are you feelina? ., ., ,, congratulations, how are you feelina? ., ., feeling? good morning. thank you so much, it feeling? good morning. thank you so much. it feels — feeling? good morning. thank you so much, it feels amazing. _ feeling? good morning. thank you so much, it feels amazing. listening - much, it feels amazing. listening back to that, it gets me every time. actually, you have known for a little while, what has it been like having to keep the secret? it has been the hardest _ having to keep the secret? it has been the hardest thing _ having to keep the secret? it has been the hardest thing i - having to keep the secret? it has been the hardest thing i have i having to keep the secret? it i—s been the hardest thing i have had to do. we finished filming injuly and

i have had to sit on it. along and it has been coming out bit by bit. it is such a relief and pleasure to share it with everyone now. please tell me you — share it with everyone now. please tell me you are _ share it with everyone now. please tell me you are able _ share it with everyone now. please tell me you are able to _ share it with everyone now. please tell me you are able to give - share it with everyone now. please tell me you are able to give some l tell me you are able to give some hints to yourfamily? tell me you are able to give some hints to your family? i know they have been such a part of your journey and experience, surely you didn't have to keep it from them as well? ., �* ., , , ., well? no, i'm not sure exactly how many people _ well? no, i'm not sure exactly how many people we — well? no, i'm not sure exactly how many people we were _ well? no, i'm not sure exactly how many people we were supposed i well? no, i'm not sure exactly how many people we were supposed to| many people we were supposed to tell, but i couldn't keep it from my closest family. i live with them and they are so involved in the whole process and they where the army behind me during the competition, so i couldn't keep it from them. the army behind _ i couldn't keep it from them. the army behind you, the creative engine as well? what you have done with them, the time you have spent with them, the time you have spent with them it seems to have shaped your whole cooking journey? whole cooking 'ourney? absolutely. m mum whole cooking 'ourney? absolutely. my mum has — whole cooking journey? absolutely. my mum has been _ whole cooking journey? absolutely. my mum has been cooking - whole cooking journey? absolutely. my mum has been cooking since i l whole cooking journey? absolutely. i my mum has been cooking since i was a kid. creating dishes and i have

been cooking with her in the kitchen and then my dad really sparked off the travelling so all of them together are the reason why i cook the food that i do. we together are the reason why i cook the food that i do.— the food that i do. we have said previously _ the food that i do. we have said previously your _ the food that i do. we have said previously your mum _ the food that i do. we have said previously your mum doesn't i the food that i do. we have said j previously your mum doesn't let anyone in her kitchen, doesn't trust anyone in her kitchen, doesn't trust anyone in her kitchen, doesn't trust anyone in her kitchen, has she had to change her mind?— to change her mind? definitely. before i became _ to change her mind? definitely. before i became a _ to change her mind? definitely. before i became a chef- to change her mind? definitely. before i became a chef at - to change her mind? definitely. before i became a chef at first, | to change her mind? definitely. i before i became a chef at first, she would let me do canapes and desserts. but now she will actually give me a course, if she is very excited. ~ ., , give me a course, if she is very excited. ~ . , ,., give me a course, if she is very excited. ~ . , , . , excited. we are seeing some pictures of ou, the excited. we are seeing some pictures of you. the dog _ excited. we are seeing some pictures of you, the dog and _ excited. we are seeing some pictures of you, the dog and the _ excited. we are seeing some pictures of you, the dog and the whole - excited. we are seeing some pictures of you, the dog and the whole family| of you, the dog and the whole family cooking together. it looks like you are a family that loves this, yes? absolutely. we are always a household that hosts the parties and cooks all the food for everyone. people come to our house for tupperware because they know there

will be so much to take home with them. ~ ., ., will be so much to take home with them. . . . ., ., will be so much to take home with them. . . ., ., them. what a great idea. watching them. what a great idea. watching the show, them. what a great idea. watching the show. i — them. what a great idea. watching the show, i could _ them. what a great idea. watching the show, i could see _ them. what a great idea. watching the show, i could see there - them. what a great idea. watching the show, i could see there were i the show, i could see there were moments when it looked incredibly stressful, such a lot of pressure, isn't it? how do you manage to keep calm, keep everything together and make everything look so pretty at the end? i make everything look so pretty at the end? ., make everything look so pretty at the end? . , ,., . the end? i mean, it is so much pressure _ the end? i mean, it is so much pressure but — the end? i mean, it is so much pressure but when _ the end? i mean, it is so much pressure but when i _ the end? i mean, it is so much pressure but when i am - the end? i mean, it is so much pressure but when i am in - the end? i mean, it is so much pressure but when i am in the | the end? i mean, it is so much - pressure but when i am in the studio doing the dishes, i have done them so many times, it becomes a dance and it is muscle memory at that point. i have practised and practised. itjust sort of happens, it is like a dance. aha, practised. itjust sort of happens, it is like a dance.— it is like a dance. a dance, and even the _ it is like a dance. a dance, and even the dance. _ it is like a dance. a dance, and even the dance. we _ it is like a dance. a dance, and even the dance. we are - it is like a dance. a dance, and even the dance. we are seeing it is like a dance. a dance, and - even the dance. we are seeing the moment when you hear that you have one. it looks like it took several seconds for it to actually sink in, but the secret is out what do you do now? what does it mean for your

career? what is your next step? it is very exciting because it is the first time in my career that there are people who really want to eat my food. and i want to do that for them, i want to do pop—ups, collaborations and work with the fabulous chef that i competed alongside. fabulous chef that i competed alongside-— fabulous chef that i competed alonaside. ., , . alongside. that sounds exciting, -o - -u s, alongside. that sounds exciting, pop-ups. where _ alongside. that sounds exciting, pop-ups, where will— alongside. that sounds exciting, pop-ups, where will you - alongside. that sounds exciting, pop-ups, where will you be - alongside. that sounds exciting, i pop-ups, where will you be popping pop—ups, where will you be popping up? we need to bring our tupperware. i don't know yet, it is all still i work in progress, but they will definitely be things in the new year. ., “ definitely be things in the new year. ., ~ ., ., year. you look like you are about to start breakfast, _ year. you look like you are about to start breakfast, what _ year. you look like you are about to start breakfast, what we _ year. you look like you are about to start breakfast, what we make - year. you look like you are about to start breakfast, what we make this| start breakfast, what we make this money question what you have prime just at the stove, what is on the menu? i just at the stove, what is on the menu? ~ , ., ., menu? i think this morning we are 'ust auoin menu? i think this morning we are just going to _ menu? i think this morning we are just going to sit — menu? i think this morning we are just going to sit around _ menu? i think this morning we are just going to sit around and - menu? i think this morning we are just going to sit around and have i just going to sit around and have some pastries and orangejuice just going to sit around and have some pastries and orange juice and celebrate last night with my family. you deserve it, you have earned it. congratulations on a brilliant,

brilliant win and the most amazingly pretty food i have ever seen. it is gorgeous. you need some hot porridge this morning, it is freezing. porridge this morning, it is freezina. , porridge this morning, it is freezing-— porridge this morning, it is freezina. , ., ,, porridge this morning, it is freezina. , ., . freezing. yes! thank you so much. it is freezin: freezing. yes! thank you so much. it is freezing out _ freezing. yes! thank you so much. it is freezing out there. _ freezing. yes! thank you so much. it is freezing out there. well _ freezing. yes! thank you so much. it is freezing out there. well done, - is freezing out there. well done, nikita, is freezing out there. well done, nikita. lovely — is freezing out there. well done, nikita, lovely to _ is freezing out there. well done, nikita, lovely to talk _ is freezing out there. well done, nikita, lovely to talk to. - is freezing out there. well done, nikita, lovely to talk to. i - is freezing out there. well done, nikita, lovely to talk to. i was i nikita, lovely to talk to. i was watching you with a packet of crisps. all of that delicious food and i had a packet of chris. packet of crisps? not good for you. we will have more on the weather but stay with us, the headlines are coming up.

good morning, welcome to breakfast withjon kay and sally nugent. our headlines today. rescue teams search through the night at a lake in solihull after a group of children fall through the ice. four have been taken to hospital, it's feared more are still missing. snow in southeast england brings roads, trains and airports to a halt. drivers are being warned to travel only if it's absolutely essential. this cold weather is set to continue through the week with further snow showers, widespread hard frost and a

risk of ice on untreated surfaces. a december of disruption. this week nurses, rail workers and royal mail staff go on strike. the government will today discuss bringing in the military to help. we look at who's taking action and when and how you'll be affected. england arrive home following their world cup exit. with manager gareth southgate still considering his future, following that quarter final defeat to france. # they're gonna put me on the tv. back on song, the story of dave smith's recovery from ten months of covid to performing on stage. it's monday the 12th of december. our main story. emergency services have been working through the night at a lake near birmingham where four children were rescued from freezing water. they are believed to have fallen in after playing on ice in babbs mill park in solihull

and are in critical condition in hospital. this report from our midlands correspondent phil mackie contains flashing images. as light faded during the afternoon, the emergency services used every piece of equipment available to try to find anyone still missing. the lake had frozen and a group of children had been playing on the ice when first one, then others, fell through and into the water. police, paramedics and firefighters were all called just after 2:30pm and did all they could to save them. they pulled four out of the water. after being rescued, the four children were immediately assessed and actively treated at the scene by ambulance staff. all four children who were rescued were taken on blue lights to hospital, each within an enhanced care team travelling in the back of the ambulance, providing advanced life support. locals gathered to offer their support, including a local church who provided hot drinks for the rescuers. we were quite upset to see so many men working relentlessly and itjust, you know,

we could come back and offer some hot drinks to them. and we feel really upset about what has happened. the operation's gone on through the night and they've had to bring specialist equipment up here because the initial calls to the police mentioned six children. they don't know if that number was right, but they have to carry on the search just in case there's still somebody in the water. sadly, they say if there is, this is now regarded as a recovery, not a rescue operation. despite the appalling conditions, the search continues. phil mackey, bbc news, kingshurst. our correspondent kathryn stanczyszyn is at the scene now for us. morning, kathryn. what more can you tell us about what has happened and any updates overnight? goad tell us about what has happened and any updates overnight? good morning. it is bitterly cold _ any updates overnight? good morning. it is bitterly cold here _ any updates overnight? good morning. it is bitterly cold here again _ any updates overnight? good morning. it is bitterly cold here again with - it is bitterly cold here again with minus temperatures here at babbs

mill lakejust minus temperatures here at babbs mill lake just east of birmingham minus temperatures here at babbs mill lakejust east of birmingham in kingshurst. they like starting to break now and i am right where the police cordon is. you might be able to see across the surface of the lake, the bright light which is where the children fell in and where that operation was concentrated yesterday. there was a huge hive of activity in the area that i was in yesterday afternoon, specialist diving teams and dozens of police vehicles. it has been a little quieter this morning although we have seen two fans just pull up, west midlands police vans, and about ten officers have come down towards this lake here. west midlands fire service last night said they will continue to search overnight, they had been called to reports of up to six children, that four had been rescued. all of whom were in a critical condition. it's still unclear exactly how many were here and affected but they said they

would continue to search and also they have tragically confirmed that it would now be more of a search and recovery operation, rather than a search and rescue operation. the local community here, it could be shocked as you would expect. i have just been chatting to one dog walker who said he had heard yesterday that one parent had run down here after receiving a call from the child in distress on the lake. itjust doesn't bear thinking about. we don't have the full picture yet. we are waiting for updates on the condition of the four children involved and whether or not there was anyone else in the water. emergency services have taken the opportunity last night once again to reiterate in this cold weather we're having, for and adults alike to stay away from frozen water.

it's an absolute nightmare. we will go back if there are any updates this morning. heavy snow and low temperatures are causing serious disruption for travellers this morning particularly in the south of england. national highways is urging people not to drive unless it is essential, while stansted and gatwick airports suspended many flights. met office yellow warnings are in place across many parts of the uk, with temperatures expected to remain well below freezing. aru na iyengar reports. these were some of the scenes on the m25 overnight as motorists faced hours of delays as a result of the treacherous weather conditions. i've been on the motorway nearly eight and a half hours. you know, it's been tricky, i wouldn't recommend it to anybody, ever. parts of the m25 came to a standstill. drivers waited for hours in traffic jams, not knowing when they'd move. national highways urged drivers in the south—east not to travel unless it was essential. ten centimetres of snow was forecast for the region. snow, ice and fog affected areas right across the uk. this was the m20 in kent.

and the going was slow on the a21, with large tree branches falling into the carriageway. and in cornwall people were advised against all but essential travel. looking to this week, the aa says driving conditions are treacherous and that drivers need to adapt to winter conditions. it gave this advice. the first thing any driver should do before they set out is make sure they clean the entirety of their windscreen. we don't want people driving around like tank commanders with just a little letterbox peek through of their windscreen. they need to make sure they clear all the ice and indeed any snow as well off their car. and then they need to drive to the conditions. at the airports, no hopes of a safari getaway here. this was heathrow airport, where flights have been cancelled or delayed. at stansted, all flights were suspended after it was forced

to close its runway. passengers are being advised to check with their airline before travelling to the airport. expect delays also on the rail network — it's touch and go whether there'll be a full service. newspaper deliveries may also be delayed. it'll be tough going all week on all forms of transport, according to weather forecasters. aruna iyengar, bbc news. the treacherous weather is also having a huge impact on the airports. we're joined now by the independent�*s travel correspondent simon calder. he's outside heathrow. we will talk about travel in a moment, let's talk about the trains first. i have seen a list of the rail affected this morning, it is a nightmare at there. it rail affected this morning, it is a nightmare at there.— rail affected this morning, it is a nightmare at there. it certainly is. we have got _ nightmare at there. it certainly is. we have got particular _

nightmare at there. it certainly is. we have got particular problems i nightmare at there. it certainly is. | we have got particular problems in kent in the lines going to london, wherever you are heading if it involves south east england, check involves south east england, check in advance because they will be widespread disruption today which is especially bad for anybody who is hoping to make journeys especially bad for anybody who is hoping to makejourneys particularly long distance ahead of the rail strikes today. because those will begin tonight, the cancellations will start at about 5:30pm. due to the next rail strike which happens on tuesday and wednesday plus friday and saturday this week. meanwhile, in the skies, i am afraid i have now counted more than 300 cancellations today. here at heathrow, british airways alone has cancelled around 70 flights, to and from the airport. mostly short—haul european and domestic routes, including multiple flights to and from belfast and some of the scottish airports as well. if you are at gatwick, easyjet has

cancelled is now 50 flights in and out, that's on top of the massive disruption we saw yesterday, with air and british airways also cancelling flights. luton also not looking great, with cancellations with easyjet and wizz air. at stansted, a dozen or so cancellations on ryanair but 70 passengers all over the place. i have just been talking about —— so many passengers all over the place, talking to someone who is in brussels, they were due in last night at 6:30pm but they have ended up night at 6:30pm but they have ended up in brussels, no hotel and no meals and no sign of how they will get back to the uk. the rules are very clear, if your flight is cancelled or diverted, the air line

is to provide you with hotels and meals in the first available flight back at this time of year it is easier said than done. we really need to know — easier said than done. we really need to know about _ easier said than done. we really need to know about the - easier said than done. we really need to know about the weather easier said than done. we really - need to know about the weather now. let's talk to carol. good morning. we have got unofficial reports of 15 centimetres of snow in areas of the south—east, there is a covering of snow in maidenhead. we have got snow showers across western scotland and also northern scotland. they are going to prevail as you go through the course of the day. the other issue this morning is freezing fog across part of eglin which will be slow to clear for some and it will not there at all for summer. —— for some. will not there at all for summer. —— forsome. in will not there at all for summer. —— for some. in northern ireland wintry

showers, but wintry sun in western england and wales. from newcastle to kent and into the midlands we have got freezing fog. around the edges that will break up through the day but it will still contain cloud and we are looking at snow showers. nothing particularly strong today but windier towards the south—west. wherever you are it will feel cold. if you are in an area with lying snow it will feel colder than the temperatures are suggesting. this freezing fog and cloud will move north, bringing snow flurries not just to the north west midlands but into north west england. more persistent and heavy snow coming in across the far north of scotland and cloud building up towards the west ahead of the area of low pressure. once again it is going to be a cold night with a hard, widespread frost and the risk of ice to greet you first thing in the morning on untreated surfaces.

thank you very much. police injersey have said it's likely to take weeks to complete a search of the block of flats destroyed in an explosion in the early hours of saturday. five people are known to have died; officers believe died, officers believe four others are missing. ben woolvin joins us now from st helier. good morning. can you give us any updates, any work going on overnight?— updates, any work going on overniuht? ., , overnight? good morning, sally. teams have _ overnight? good morning, sally. teams have been _ overnight? good morning, sally. teams have been working - overnight? good morning, sally. - teams have been working throughout the night and as you can probably see behind me, they are still here this morning. this is slow and very careful work and as you say, families have been told it could take weeks to complete. five people now confirmed to have died, a further four remain unaccounted for. and the number is based on what authorities have been able to establish about the number of people likely to have been in these flats at the time the explosion occurred at the time the explosion occurred at 4am on saturday morning. fight! at the time the explosion occurred at 4am on saturday morning. and what more do we — at 4am on saturday morning. and what more do we know— at 4am on saturday morning. and what more do we know about _ at 4am on saturday morning. and what more do we know about the _ at 4am on saturday morning. and what more do we know about the work - at 4am on saturday morning. and what more do we know about the work that. more do we know about the work that has been going on, there? we

more do we know about the work that has been going on, there?— has been going on, there? we know that whilst that — has been going on, there? we know that whilst that work _ has been going on, there? we know that whilst that work continues, - that whilst that work continues, there are questions being asked about how this tragedy occurred. the fire service was cold to the flats at 8:30pm on friday night, and that was to reports of a smell of gas. —— the fire service was called. questions being asked about whether anything can have been done to prevent the explosion which happened eight hours later. at the cross conference yesterday the fire chief said there would be a full and thorough investigation. this explosion happened just a few hours after the search for three fishermen was called off after an accident at sea here last week. the flags are due to fly at half mast here today, and there is an island—wide silence at 11am this morning. and there is an island-wide silence at 11am this morning.— and there is an island-wide silence at 11am this morning. thank you very much. an emergency cobra meeting will take place today to discuss contingency measures for upcoming

strikes, which include using the military and civil servants as cover. nurses, ambulance staff, and border force officials all have walk—outs planned before the end of the year. we're joined now by our political correspondentjonathan blake who is in westminster. what we know about what the government is planning to bring in? the government says it is stepping up the government says it is stepping up its response to try to limit the disruption caused by the strikes that are set to continue in the coming weeks. ministers will gather this afternoon in a meeting of the government's emergency contingency committee cobra, mod ministers, those from the home office, department of health and transport as well. and they will be discussing in the main plans we have been talking about for military personnel to fill in a full border force staff at ports and also drive ambulances

and potentially other vehicles for nhs trusts. so they will be discussing that and other measures as well, including talking to the rail industry to try to keep freight moving as freely as possible when rail strikes take place as planned very shortly. the government said it is doing it can to minimise disruption. what about trying to head off the strikes in the first place? ministers are sticking to their plan and their line which is that the independent pay review bodies for various sectors where workers are planning to go on strike have already offered pay review settlements which the government assists are fair and affordable. to go over and above that as for example nurses unions are arguing their members deserve come ministers argue, is simply not possible. let's have a listen to the health secretary steve barclay who was speaking to the bbc in the last hour

as for his reasons why. i don't want to be taking money away from clearing the election backlog, which is what we'd have to do. we'd have to take money away from patients waiting for operations to then fund additional pay. and if everyone on the public sector were to get an increase in line with inflation that would be costing £28 billion at a time when the government has to get inflation under control. because that is the biggest factor in terms of people's cost of living. the government that making the argument that two of the pay rises of an above inflation would simply make the problem of inflation worse, pushing up prices ever higher and exacerbating the issue that there is at the moment. unions argue that their members have had to deal with below inflation pay increases year on year and are seeing their wages fall in real terms so something more is needed now. labour say it is

unforgivable for the government to not get around the table with unions but they certainly don't want to seem to do that to pay any time soon. ., seem to do that to pay any time soon. . j~ , ., . soon. that £28 billion figure which the barclay mention _ soon. that £28 billion figure which the barclay mention is _ soon. that £28 billion figure which the barclay mention is disputed i soon. that £28 billion figure which the barclay mention is disputed by some analysts, there is a good piece of the bbc website this morning crunching those numbers. as we've just been hearing, this week walk—outs are planned at royal mail and across the health service and public transport. nina has all the details. we saw a summer of some strikes, and now a december of widespread disruption. by the end of this month it's thought a million working days will have been lost to strike action. this is largely about pay. as prices rise, wages aren't on the whole keeping up. statistically that gap is greater if you work in the public sector. let's have a look at what's happening this week. there'll be four days of rail disruption,

as 40,000 staff walk out. and more than 100,000 royal mail workers will take part in two days of strike action this week after a breakdown in talks. we're edging closer to christmas, expect disruption to deliveries. if you're a learner driver check your test date. because examiners are set to walk out over pay, pensions and job security. this is a staggered strike, affecting different regions at different times. scotland and the north east of england will feel it this week. healthcare workers in northern ireland, including nurses, technicians and administrative workers, have gone on strike this morning. workers rejected a pay offer last week because it was below the rate of inflation. and the royal college of nursing will begin its first strike for more than 100 years on thursday. more than 100,000 nurses are taking part, demanding better pay. it's a challenging time for people working in the nhs, and those aspiring for a career in the nhs. fiona lamden has been speaking

with student nurses in bristol. i'm lizzie. i'm a second year adult student nurse. i've been wanting to do nursing since i was 12. my name is lucy. i'm a second year student mental health nurse, and i wanted to do nursing since my best mate passed away. my name's briony, i'm a second year student mental health nurse, - and i wanted to go into this. because my mum has bipolar and i've always felt - a desire to care for people. three students studying in bristol, training for a life of caring for others. i did my first injection. it was very good. they're currently all on full time placements, working on hospital wards or in the community, but none of this is paid. it's ok, it'll do. it's a student tree, isn't it? yeah. we can't afford to go out on nights out and socialise and do everything that a typical student would do. instead, we're just getting all of our pennies together to just afford a weekly shop and paying

for petrol as well to get to placement, which we don't even get all of that back either. so it is really a struggle, especially at the moment and in the winter as well, we can't even put the heating on half the time. it is a bit of a struggle. i am finding it quite i challenging to be able to pay my rent this month. do you have any batteries free? a lot of girls on my course, they're single mums. it's a massive shame to hear the fact that you've got nurses and students using foodbanks. we students don't get paid. we do not get paid at all for placements. airway, breathing, circulation, disability, exposure. and after a full day's work, they spend most of the evening revising for the next set of exams. the signs of sepsis are like, confusion. well, anything that scores are three or more. later this week, nurses are set to strike, demanding a 19.2% pay rise. if everyone in the public sector were to receive a pay rise in line with inflation, that will cost an extra £28 billion.

but health secretary steve barclay told breakfast the country can't afford this. it's our futures. what would they rather have, nurses that are well paid, staying there able to have that time that so they're less overworked and less stressed and people are being well looked after? or would they rather there be minimal nurses, poor care and more deaths? it's sad that it's got to the pointl where this strike has to happen, but ijust think that nurses' voices have been not heard and just- overlooked for such a long time now. and i think everyone's - exhausted with it and we just feel it's our last hope. by striking, you are putting patients at risk? i would say we're not putting people's lives at risk because currently they are already at risk with the nhs staff being underfunded, understaffed. as things stand, when these students graduate, they'll earn around £28,000 a year. do you think you'll stay in nursing?

the way things are now, i wouldn't necessarily leave nursing, i would leave the nhs and maybe go to a different country where i might get treated better and have better respect for the profession. because it doesn't feel like it here at the moment. i do think that you can never really understand the pressures - and the stress involved - within the job unless you're kind of seeing it day in and day out. i mean, most of the nurses that i've spoken to have - been kicked, punched, l spat on, racially abused, you know, sexually assaulted. nursing to me is what i want to do in life. but due to the living crisis and the pay at the moment, i honestly don't think i'll be able to afford it for my future. these three are part of the future of our nhs. they should have decades of caring for others ahead of them, but already they're worried that low pay, lack of staff and lack of support might make these careers and their ambitions impossible. fiona lamdin, bbc news.

lots of people are asking, why can't we just increase everybody�*s pay? you saw in fiona's report there, that on bbc breakfast last week, the health secretary said that giving every public sector worker a pay rise in line with inflation would cost an extra £28 billion — or £1000 per household. but researchers at the institute for fiscal studies think those figures are too high. it suggests the government was already budgeting for a 3% pay rise. so the extra cost would be a lot less, £18 billion, the equivalent of around £640 for each uk household. what do pay deals mean for the wider economy? this morning we learned that in the three months to october the economy contracted by 0.3%. if that trend continues, by the new year we'll likely have confirmation that we're in recession. and there are two schools of thought here. increase wages and you risk stoking inflation. but keep wages stagnant

and you risk stifling growth. the government is setting their stall out on this. we had from the chancellor in the last half an hour, "we understand why people are angry, their pay packets are being eroded by inflation, but we don't want to do anything which would lock in high inflation. " basically, we know this is hard but don't expect a better pay deal from us any time soon. we're on bbc one until quarter—past nine this morning then it's time for morning live with gethin. let's see what they've got planned for today. thank you for saying gethin and friends! this is the line—up. coming up on morning live, with every penny precious in the run up to the big day, it's more important than ever to keep fraudsters at bay. our consumer champ matt allwright

investigates the paypal scam that matt says even he would have fallen for. he'll tell you the one thing you can do to stop yourself falling prey to it. plus, ourfinance expert iona bain's keeping a close eye on the extra money that could be coming your way right now. millions say they can't afford to keep warm, just as we're hit by dangerously cold weather. if you're struggling, i've got details of the cash available in december, which could include a christmas gift from the government. also, on top of money worries, expectations at this time of year can lead to serious levels of stress. dr xand's here to keep us calm. juggling finances, family and even the pressure to cook the perfect i meal can have a serious affect - on your mental and physical health. i'll explain the symptoms of stress and why staying off the sherry- might help you manage it. plus, with more than a quarter of people saying they can't afford are you going to stay off the sherry? b. are you going to stay off the sher ? �* , , ., , ., are you going to stay off the sher 7�* , , ., ., sherry? a little sherry goes a long wa . i sherry? a little sherry goes a long way- i can't _ sherry? a little sherry goes a long way. i can't promise _ sherry? a little sherry goes a long way. i can't promise necessarily i

way. i can't promise necessarily that i_ way. i can't promise necessarily that i will! — plus, with more than a quarter of people saying they can't afford to spend what they normally would on presents, the one show is hoping to spread a bit of festive cheer by setting up a brilliant event called "gift a bike for christmas". and we'lljoin richie anderson to see how you can help. and we've gone early, we're tucking into christmas dinner. you are excited about this? yes, i am. the winners of the festive bbc good food taste awards. - bring on the pigs in blankets! see you at 9:15am, i knew you would forget to say it. see you at 9:15am, i knew you would forget to say it— forget to say it. that is your bit. see ou forget to say it. that is your bit. see you at _ forget to say it. that is your bit. see you at 915! _ forget to say it. that is your bit. see you at 915! no _ forget to say it. that is your bit. see you at 915! no one - forget to say it. that is your bit. see you at 915! no one noticed! | forget to say it. that is your bit. - see you at 915! no one noticed! when ou all sit see you at 915! no one noticed! when you all sit next _ see you at 915! no one noticed! when you all sit next to _ see you at 915! no one noticed! when you all sit next to each _ see you at 915! no one noticed! when you all sit next to each other, - see you at 915! no one noticed! when you all sit next to each other, you - you all sit next to each other, you look more like then him and his twin brother. i look more like then him and his twin brother. ~ ., ., ., , , brother. i know, that has been said before, it brother. i know, that has been said before. it is — brother. i know, that has been said before, it is quite _ brother. i know, that has been said before, it is quite scary, _ brother. i know, that has been said | before, it is quite scary, sometimes we wear the same top and everything. you are turning into each other. what a double act. i onlyjust

sitting on the side! time now to get the news, travel and weather where you are. good morning from bbc london, i'm alice salfield. some schools in london, essex, kent, hertfordshire and buckinghamshire have announced they will be closed today because of the overnight snow and freezing temperatures. in london schools should provide information on email, the school's website or via apps if they aren't open. in the home counties you can head to the council's website for a full list of closures. the snow�*s also caused major disruption to london's transport. thousands of air passengers have been affected after gatwick and stansted both had to close their runways for a time last night. there have already been more than 40 flights cancelled at heathrow today. nothing's taking off or landing at city airport.

and passengers are being advised to check with their airlines directly before they travel — for all airports. on the roads, the m25 is closed between junctions 23 and 25. overnight, it was closed clockwise at potters bar to recover a number of lorries. some drivers have been stuck for hours in freezing temperatures. not surprisingly there are lots of problems on the tubes too on almost every line. so make sure you check yourjourney if you are heading out this morning. the trains also have major disruption with southern, thameslink, southeastern, south west railway and greater anglia worst affected. network rail says it has teams clearing the snow and ice and as always to check your route before leaving home. in other news, there'll be more rail disruption tomorrow as well as an unprecedented four days of strike action begins. there'll be two 48 hour strikes on tuesday and wednesday and then again on friday

and saturday this week. it's part of the long—running dispute over pay and conditions. now onto the all important weather with elizabeth rizzini. hello there, good morning. we saw some snow last night — here's stratford and bermondsey as recorded by our weather watchers. still plenty of lying snow out there as we head through the rest of the morning and some very icy stretches, too. so there is a met office weather warning in place for snow and ice, do take care. now as we head through the rest of the day, most of the falling snow has now finished, but there could just be a few light flurries here and there, particularly through the morning. i wouldn't totally rule that out. a lot of low cloud around and again, some patches of freezing fog that will be very, very slow to lift and clear. but we could see something a bit brighter perhaps by the time we get to the end of the day. it will still be feeling very cold,

the winds are light, top temperatures of only three or four degrees celsius. and then overnight tonight, in contrast, we should see a lot of clear skies around. it will feel very cold again, a widespread sharp air frost into tomorrow morning, lows of minus four degrees celsius. tomorrow dry during the daylight hours, the sunshine turning really quite hazy. there could possibly be some more snow maybe on tuesday night, but it's largely dry and very cold for the rest of the week. and of course many of you have been taking pictures of the cold weather. particularly the beautiful icy cobwebs around. and with the snow settling overnight we'd love to see your snowy pictures as well. hello, this is breakfast with sally nugent and jon kay. with cold weather and longer nights, its peak time for using energy. but with temperatures in the minus figures at the moment, how is the supply holding up? last night the national grid, eso, the electricity operatorfor the uk — started to prepare some of its contingency plans to help support the network.

we'rejoined now byjake rigg, from the organisation. good morning. really cold few days, cold weekend and more snow and ice forecast, how our energy supplies holding up? that forecast, how our energy supplies holding up?— forecast, how our energy supplies holdin: u? �* ., holding up? at the moment the system is doinu holding up? at the moment the system is doing what — holding up? at the moment the system is doing what we _ holding up? at the moment the system is doing what we wanted _ holding up? at the moment the system is doing what we wanted to _ holding up? at the moment the system is doing what we wanted to do - holding up? at the moment the system is doing what we wanted to do and - is doing what we wanted to do and absolutely working as it should. as you have said, we at the electricity system operator have invoked our cold contract, a special new thing reintroduced ahead of the winter risks we have discussed quite publicly. and today we are warming these cold parts so we have enough reserve in addition to what we already need to keep the lights on, just to be prudent, the kind of system operator you would want us to be. so absolutely, there is nothing to worry about from your viewers'

point of view, just as managing the system as we ought to.— point of view, just as managing the system as we ought to. when you say warmin: system as we ought to. when you say warming the — system as we ought to. when you say warming the coal— system as we ought to. when you say warming the coal plants, _ system as we ought to. when you say warming the coal plants, what - system as we ought to. when you say warming the coal plants, what does i warming the coal plants, what does that mean exactly?— warming the coal plants, what does that mean exactly? coal-fired power lants take that mean exactly? coal-fired power plants take a — that mean exactly? coal-fired power plants take a period _ that mean exactly? coal-fired power plants take a period of— that mean exactly? coal-fired power plants take a period of time - that mean exactly? coal-fired power plants take a period of time to - plants take a period of time to effectively get one, the furnaces. a bit like if you have got a fire or a stove at home, you have to kindle it up stove at home, you have to kindle it up from a small flame to something much bigger to get it running at speed. and then we can either use them at the evening peak or not use them, depending on whether or not we need to. it is one of a whole range of different things we have in our toolkit to manage the system and keep the lights on. just toolkit to manage the system and keep the lights on.— toolkit to manage the system and keep the lights on. just after 8.30 on a monday _ keep the lights on. just after 8.30 on a monday morning, _ keep the lights on. just after 8.30 on a monday morning, what - keep the lights on. just after 8.30 - on a monday morning, what pressures are you expecting through the day? really high demand, it is the highest electricity demand in britain since january 2020. that is driven by the really cold weather in

particular, causing people understandably to be turning up the heating, if people have electric heating, if people have electric heating particularly. we are working really closely with our counterparts in france and other european countries to make sure we can export to them this morning. in france they have a peak electricity usage in the morning, is in the evening. they will be able to import into britain a lot of electricity in the evening peak. so really a lot of things moving energy around, notjust great britain but around europe, to make sure everybody stays safe and comfortable.— sure everybody stays safe and comfortable. ., ., comfortable. you are asking some --eole comfortable. you are asking some eo - le to comfortable. you are asking some people to reduce _ comfortable. you are asking some people to reduce their— comfortable. you are asking some people to reduce their usage - comfortable. you are asking some | people to reduce their usage today, how is that going to work? we people to reduce their usage today, how is that going to work?- how is that going to work? we are runnina how is that going to work? we are running another _ how is that going to work? we are running another test _ how is that going to work? we are running another test called - how is that going to work? we are running another test called our i running another test called our demand flexibility service, i and my family are participating. if you are signed up with your supplier you can get paid, not to reduce your usage but shift it outside of a two hour

period this evening and you save any money that you would pay for that electricity if you reduce it, but you get actively paid, like a power plant, if you shift the energy usage outside of those peak hours. the kind of thing you can do is turn off vampire devices, tvs and things like that on standby also try not to use tumble dryers and energy intensive devices like tumble dryers, microwaves and maybe even kettles during the peak few hours. try and cook dinner beforehand or afterwards. that is the sort of thing i will be doing in my household.— thing i will be doing in my household. ., ,, ., , ., household. how widespread is that re . uest, household. how widespread is that reuuest, is household. how widespread is that request. is it _ household. how widespread is that request, is it something _ household. how widespread is that request, is it something you - household. how widespread is that request, is it something you will i household. how widespread is that | request, is it something you will be asking more people to do in the future? we asking more people to do in the future? ~ , ., , asking more people to do in the future? ~ , .,, ., future? we see it as part of the future? we see it as part of the future of the _ future? we see it as part of the future of the energy _ future? we see it as part of the future of the energy system i future? we see it as part of the future of the energy system is i future of the energy system is making it as flexible as possible. so the more we can reduce peak—time usage, be that through individual households or indeed big businesses

or even some small businesses, the lower cost the energy system will become and i am sure that is something we will all welcome at a time of such high energy prices. jake, head of corporate affairs from e50, jake, head of corporate affairs from eso, thank you for explaining that to us this morning. carol will have the forecast for the next few days in a few minutes. it is not going away, this cold snap. here on breakfast we're following the story of dave smith, the bristol driving instructor who had covid for nearly ten months. last week we heard how the virus had damaged his lungs so badly that he was no longer able to sing in his pub band. it's dave's dream to perform on stage again, but it's going to be a long journey to get there. i've been finding out how he's been getting on. # sunshine, i don't mind # if you keep shining

all the time. dave smith has been singing all his life. a bit of a legend in the clubs and pubs around bristol. # have i told you lately that i love you? # have i told you there's no one above you? but covid destroyed his lungs and he hasn't performed in public for two years. # hide all trace sadness # and ease my trouble, just like you do. whoo hoo! so can dave get his voice back? how much do you miss the singing, the performing? oh, it's like, it's like a part of my life has been missing, you know, like losing a leg. what would it mean to you to be able to sing again? well, it'd be like having

a complete life... i know i've got my physical life back, but my mental life back as well. the first thing i want you to do isjust make sure your feet are nice and flat on the floor. after being assessed by doctors, he's been accepted onto a free online course run by the english national opera and scientists from imperial college in london. think about the way they're lined up. so bring your shoulders up to your ears. lesson one, and his teacher is opera singer susie. as you breathe in, iwant you to pull the air up. as you breathe out, i want you to push the air away. as you breathe out... i spluttered then. covid has taken its toll. that was a bit too much, i think. 50, really little, very gentle. we know that opera singers are used to filling big - auditorium with their voices,

completely unamplified. - and so they understand breath control, they understand - the physiology of breathing. and then tilt your head away from that hand. so which hand have you...? oh, sorry, yeah. exactly, that's the one. so what we're doing is working with some of that really key. expertise to give them skills and strategies to manage i their breathlessness post—covid. what i'm going to ask you to do is to use whatever hand you write with, take the finger of that hand. this is going to be your pen and your voice is going to be the ink and you're going to write your name. so i'll show you mine. my name is susie. it sounds like this. humming. can you write yours? i'll go at the same time. ready? some of it takes a bit of getting used to. but dave is giving it his all. right, so my... humming.

over 90% of people who take part say that they have noticeable improvement in their symptoms and that they would recommend it to other long covid sufferers. arms straight up. nearly 2000 people have done the eno breathe course since the pandemic hit. and then bring your arms down to shoulder height. turn your palms to the ceiling. and by the time dave gets to his sixth and final lesson... his lung capacity seems to be improving. he's not spluttering anymore. # babies, that's a silver moon # sailing in the sky. and slowly his voice is getting stronger, even on the high notes. try it with me one more time.

it's two years since dave last did this and performed with his old hand. but now he's thinking he might have the confidence to get back on the stage again. i never thought i'd do it. when my lungs, when they told me my lungs were shot and i only had 51% capacity, i thought, that's it, i'm done. but i'm going, i'm going to do an hour. i'm pretty sure i can do it. humming. singing, it makes you feel really happy. and when it goes well, you know, oh, it's such a such a buzz. the endorphins or whatever it is get going. it's absolutely brilliant. ta ke two. # they're going to put me on the tv # they're going to make a big star out of me # tell the tale of a man

with trouble breathing # all i got to do is act naturally. so he's booked the pub, he's picking the songs, and dave is getting ready for his big christmas comeback gig. # now all i got to do is breathe naturally # all i got to do is breathe naturally. that worked in better, didn't it? yeah, yeah, getting there. getting there. dave's wife there. an amazing six weeks, you can hear the difference from the beginning to the end, how he has got so much stronger. all he has got to do is breathe naturally. we will follow him for his christmas kick. of course, that course doesn't work for everybody. a lot of people with long covid all suffering badly and it will not be the perfect answer, but for him it has worked so

far. we have been able to rely on a lot of things over the weeks. not always the football results. john is in qatar. it is nearly 8.45 in the uk, this is the last time we will be chatting to you live from qatar, take it away! it is, it is. do you know what i am most daunted about? the cold temperatures back home. i don't think i am ready for them. it has been a good ride out here, a world cup like no other. the dust is still settling as you can imagine, following income's exit from the world cup. not the run to the final they were hoping for. gareth southgate said he felt conflicted. he said some of the things that was

said and written about him. he considers whether he will lead the england side, he will be back in action in march as they prepare for qualification for the next european championships to come, in germany in 18 months. the players landed at birmingham airport around 7:00pm on sunday, and after a few days rest will be back in training with their club sides ahead of the premier league season restarting on boxing day. all eyes will be on harry kane, when he returns to tottenham after missing the penalty in the quarterfinal against france which could have seen extra time follow. away from the world cup...

england's cricketers have won the second test against pakistan in multan — and that's clinched the three match series 2—0, with a game to spare. england began day four with the match in the balance, needing six wickets to win. a fantastic spell from mark wood almost got them there. he took three wickets, before ollie robinson got mohammad ali out to clinch victory by 26 runs. it's the first time england have won two consecutive tests in pakistan in an historic series. they will be on cloud nine after that. chelsea will spend the winter break three points clear at the top of the wsl. they had to survive a scare against reading though, jelena cankovic scored twice to put them 3—0 up. the visitors pulled a couple back but emma hayes' side held on for the win.

manchester united are still looking for their first league win against neighbours city. they took the lead in front of the second biggest crowd in wsl history at the etihad, but city equalised through laura coombes. united are third whilst city remain in fourth. and lizzie arnot�*s spectacular strike helped rangers win theirfirst—ever scottish women's premier league cup, they beat hibernian 2—0 at tynecastle, adding to the league title they won last season. and finally, you may have seen the england squad get friendly with a cat who was a regular visitor at their training base in qatar. and now, two members of the squad have decided to adopt him. 'dave the cat�* as he was nicknamed by the team will be adopted by kyle walker and john stones. dave will have tests and spend a period in quarantine before being transported to the uk. we were saying earlier, england

might have not won the world cup but dave the cat will feel like he may have done so. dave will have a lovely time in leafy cheshire. you have been there through the whole thing, what has been the best fit for you? thing, what has been the best fit for ou? ., ., i. , thing, what has been the best fit for ou? ., ., , , ., for you? how do you pick? reynaldo's tears, for you? how do you pick? reynaldo's tears. lionel— for you? how do you pick? reynaldo's tears, lionel messi's _ for you? how do you pick? reynaldo's tears, lionel messi's magic? - for you? how do you pick? reynaldo's tears, lionel messi's magic? will- for you? how do you pick? reynaldo's tears, lionel messi's magic? will he i tears, lionel messi's magic? will he win the world cup for argentina? morocco, incredible run. for england, harry kane's penalty. harry kane's missed penalty. it is not the world cup victory england would have been hoping for and of course for wales, he went out in the group stage. but the players have shown how to win and lose gracefully. i think the future is looking bright for england, as we saw withjude bellingham, one of the standout stars of the tournament, the way he has handled himself and the rest of the players. yes, they showed us how to win with good grace and style and

they did so in defeat against france in the quarterfinals. sadly, we are heading home tomorrow. i think we are on the same flight as dave the cat. ., , ., are on the same flight as dave the cat. . . are on the same flight as dave the cat. have you checked your flight, do ou cat. have you checked your flight, do you know _ cat. have you checked your flight, do you know it _ cat. have you checked your flight, do you know it is _ cat. have you checked your flight, do you know it is quite cold - cat. have you checked your flight, do you know it is quite cold here? j do you know it is quite cold here? yes, —15 i heard? it is do you know it is quite cold here? yes, -15 i heard?— yes, -15 i heard? it is even colder in quarantine. _ yes, -15 i heard? it is even colder in quarantine, john. _ yes, -15 i heard? it is even colder in quarantine, john. that - yes, -15 i heard? it is even colder in quarantine, john. that is - yes, -15 i heard? it is even colder in quarantine, john. that is it, i yes, -15 i heard? it is even colder in quarantine, john. that is it, we j in quarantine, john. that is it, we are staying- _ in quarantine, john. that is it, we are staying- lt _ in quarantine, john. that is it, we are staying. it is _ in quarantine, john. that is it, we are staying. it is cold _ in quarantine, john. that is it, we are staying. it is cold and - in quarantine, john. that is it, we are staying. it is cold and you - in quarantine, john. that is it, we l are staying. it is cold and you need to check your _ are staying. it is cold and you need to check your flight _ are staying. it is cold and you need to check your flight if _ are staying. it is cold and you need to check your flight if you - are staying. it is cold and you need to check your flight if you are - to check your flight if you are planning to fly today. and check the weather, because it isn't going anywhere anytime soon, this weather. carol, snow queen. it was the coldest night of this year so far. this week they will continue with the risk of icy stretches and further snow showers.

freezing fog until about mid week when visibility will improve. we are looking at hard frosts. these are the current temperatures around the country. minus eight across north wales, minus eight across the borders. minus eight into the highlands, minus ten. if you are travelling, bear it in mind. you can see how the blue remains across our shows, notjust today but see how the blue remains across our shows, not just today but tomorrow and all the way into the weekend. it is at the weekend we see a bit of an atlantic influence coming our way. it would be quite as cold. we have seen a lot of snow overnight and this morning across the south—east and quarter of the country. a few snow showers left in its wake. we have further snow showers through part of the irish sea coming on across western scotland and also northern scotland. there is also freezing fog this morning anywhere from yorkshire, down towards the midlands, east anglia and the southern counties of england. also a lot of cloud to quite a grey start to the day. further snow flurries

across the midlands as we go through the course of the day. in the sunshine, to the rest of scotland, wales and south—west it is still going to feel cold. wherever you are it will feel cold. through this evening and overnight this slump of cloud and freezing fog moves north, so snow flurries getting into the north west midlands, north—west england and further significant snow coming in northern scotland. under clear skies the temperature will fall away rapidly when it gets dark and temperatures will be the slow in towns and cities. in rural areas it could be as low as minus ten in the highlands. freezing fog across parts of northern england tomorrow. across the rest of england and wales it will be cloudy and dull. further snow showers coming in across the north and east of scotland, potentially clipping the north—east coast of england at times as well. once again, it's going to be cold. i am going to draw your attention to this area of low pressure, which we will come back to in a sack and come out to the south—west. mid week

period will have a cold, northerly wind. improved visibility but we will have wintry showers, still the risk of ice on untreated surfaces and still frosty conditions to stop the day as well. on wednesday, significant snow coming in across the north of scotland clipping the north—east coast of england at times. gusts up to 60 miles an hour across the northern isles so you can expect some blizzards. remember the area of low pressure in the south—west? we think it could bring some snow into the moors and other parts of southern england. but it is such a fine line, it might sink a bit further south and head towards the channel islands and the north of france. if you are doing anything outdoors on wednesday, keep watching the weather forecast. it will be cold wherever you are under another good source of information is the bbc weather app. thank you for keeping us posted on that complicated weather picture.

well the snow and freezing temperatures have been causing disruption for people travelling this morning — particularly in the south of england. there have been treacherous conditions on some roads with parts of motorways including the m25 closed or at a complete standstill overnight. there is disruption across the country's railway lines, with delays expected to last until late morning. southeastern railways are advising passengers not to travel after cancelling the first trains on all routes to allow safety checks. snowfall last night caused disruption to flights from london airports — the runway at london stansted airport has now reopened but customers are advised to check with their airline before travelling. all this is good preparation for our

next guest. it's known as "the most dreaded ocean on the planet�* — the scotia sea was the site of ernest shackleton's infamous voyage after his ship endurance sank. now, jamie douglas—hamilton is part of a crew hoping to recreate that route. he's preparing for a 950—milejourney from antarctica to south georgia to raise money for the british heart foundation — when he's recently recovered from open heart surgery himself. good morning, jamie. how are you? good morning, jamie. how are you? good morning. much better, thank you. it does take time to recover from open heart surgery. six to eight weeks you cannot lift a kettle and your whole sternum are separated. to get back into training is very hard. you are at a beginner level, or even before that. you feel very tired afterwards. only in the

last week managed to get back into the times i managed to do. he last week managed to get back into the times i managed to do.- the times i managed to do. he only had the surgery _ the times i managed to do. he only had the surgery in _ the times i managed to do. he only had the surgery in august? - the times i managed to do. he only had the surgery in august? yes, i the times i managed to do. he only. had the surgery in august? yes, less than five months _ had the surgery in august? yes, less than five months from _ had the surgery in august? yes, less than five months from operation - had the surgery in august? yes, less than five months from operation to i than five months from operation to expedition. than five months from operation to exedition. ~ ., expedition. wow! tell us _ expedition. wow! tell us about - expedition. wow! tell us about the | expedition. wow! _ tell us about the expedition? this will be the first rowing ever across the scotia sea. it is will be the first rowing ever across the scotia sea.— the scotia sea. it is one of the roughest _ the scotia sea. it is one of the roughest parts _ the scotia sea. it is one of the roughest parts of _ the scotia sea. it is one of the roughest parts of any - the scotia sea. it is one of the roughest parts of any ocean. i roughest parts of any ocean. southern ocean is the roughest ocean in the world, average wind speed is for to six. it goes around antarctica and once it comes these storms are compressed and energised so they come through the scotia sea with huge energy. this is why it has never been attempted. an ocean liner went to antarctica through the scotia sea, was hit by wave so big they reckon it could have been 60 to 80 feet, it smashed all the windows on one side killing one person. that is an ocean liner and we are only one foot of the water in our boat.

when you hear about an incident like that, does it make you have second thoughts and think, what on earth am i doing? it thoughts and think, what on earth am i doinu ? . ., i thoughts and think, what on earth am idoinu? . ., , .,, thoughts and think, what on earth am idoinu? . ., , ., , ., thoughts and think, what on earth am idoinu? . ., i .,, ., i doing? it certainly does. two days before we left. _ i doing? it certainly does. two days before we left, are _ i doing? it certainly does. two days before we left, are fully _ i doing? it certainly does. two days before we left, are fully propelled i before we left, are fully propelled hercules was drowned in the drake passage by hurricane. this is an armoured vehicle that carries armoured vehicle that carries armoured vehicles into war zones and it killed everybody on board. we have made all the preparations, but it is a rough part of the world. what it is a rough part of the world. why this particular _ it is a rough part of the world. why this particular road? ro. we - it is a rough part of the world. why this particular road? ro. we are i this particular road? ro. we are doinu this particular road? ro. we are doin: it this particular road? ro. we are doing it with _ this particular road? ro. we are doing it with our _ this particular road? ro. we are doing it with our captain, - this particular road? ro. we are doing it with our captain, the i this particular road? ro. we are i doing it with our captain, the most record—breaking explorer. he has done indian pacific, arctic, indian ocean and this is the last one left. all five of us have rowed on an

ocean before. so it is an experienced team, but it is the last one left. , i i ., ., one left. given everything you have been through _ one left. given everything you have been through with _ one left. given everything you have been through with your— one left. given everything you have been through with your operation i one left. given everything you have been through with your operation a | been through with your operation a few weeks ago, i don't want to put it down on it, but should you be doing this? mr; it down on it, but should you be doing this?— it down on it, but should you be doin: this? �*, ., ., , doing this? my cardiologist, when the ave doing this? my cardiologist, when they gave me _ doing this? my cardiologist, when they gave me the _ doing this? my cardiologist, when they gave me the news, - doing this? my cardiologist, when they gave me the news, i- doing this? my cardiologist, when they gave me the news, i was - doing this? my cardiologist, when they gave me the news, i was sol they gave me the news, i was so shocked and said my heart had been leaking for 20 years. you only have two valves going into the aorta, not three. as a result it was leaking and i had six to 12 months left. i didn't believe him when he first told me. then i came back a week later and i said, told me. then i came back a week laterand i said, i told me. then i came back a week later and i said, i want to do this. i want to have the surgery straightaway, as soon as possible. he asked why i change my mind and i told him we were rowing injanuary. there was a long pause, then he realised where it was. i had a valve that wasn't working, it is now working. it is very uncomfortable in

my chest, the sternum still, but it is better now. my chest, the sternum still, but it is better now-— is better now. when you say you didn't believe _ is better now. when you say you didn't believe it, _ is better now. when you say you didn't believe it, why _ is better now. when you say you didn't believe it, why was - is better now. when you say you didn't believe it, why was that? l is better now. when you say you i didn't believe it, why was that? you must have had some symptoms, not being well? i must have had some symptoms, not bein: well? ., ., i ., being well? i had covid badly over christmas- — being well? i had covid badly over christmas- i— being well? i had covid badly over christmas. i had _ being well? i had covid badly over christmas. i had the _ being well? i had covid badly over christmas. i had the symptoms i being well? i had covid badly over| christmas. i had the symptoms for three years but i never thought it was related to my heart. it got so bad after covid i couldn't walk up the stairs, i couldn't run for more than three minutes, even rowing for three minutes, without gasping for air. this is something that affects one to 2% of the population and virtually no one, unless they are checked will know. it is quite fit people die, footballers die and people die, footballers die and people running the london marathon die. people think they are unfit, but they are fit, but they are ill and they wouldn't have been tested for it. ., i ., ., ., , for it. now you are doing this extraordinary _ for it. now you are doing this extraordinary expedition - for it. now you are doing this extraordinary expedition fori for it. now you are doing this i extraordinary expedition for the british heart foundation. in your

mind, tell us about the person from history? mind, tell us about the person from histo ? ., i mind, tell us about the person from histo ? . i a , mind, tell us about the person from histo ? . i n , ., ., history? harry mcnish, the forgotten hero. the history? harry mcnish, the forgotten hero- the story _ history? harry mcnish, the forgotten hero. the story has _ history? harry mcnish, the forgotten hero. the story has never— history? harry mcnish, the forgotten hero. the story has never been - history? harry mcnish, the forgotten hero. the story has never been told. | hero. the story has never been told. it has always been about ernest shackleton. it was a very sad story, he died completely destitute, his frostbite was so bad he couldn't shake anyone's hand. he was the only person who stood up to shackleton and told him to stop dragging the boat across the ice. they kept getting holes in the holes. if they carried on the boats would be unseaworthy. even when they get to south georgia, harry was the one who fitted nails and tissues to make crampons to get over to the whaling stations on the other side. but he was betrayed as this outspoken scot,

and mutineer. all of them he was given a polar medal. apart from four of them and he was one of them that didn't. so we are doing this to tell the story and get the polar medal for the family.— for the family. that's because he had fallen out _ for the family. that's because he had fallen out with _ for the family. that's because he had fallen out with shackleton? i for the family. that's because he - had fallen out with shackleton? yes. when endurance _ had fallen out with shackleton? yes. when endurance for _ had fallen out with shackleton? jazz when endurance for sinking, he created another hole in the ship, working it up to waist deep the 24 hours, already have frostbite on his hands, and gave the ship another three days before it went down. thank you for telling us about that but also about your own history making mission. we look forward to hearing about it when you get back and stay safe. if anyone wants to follow this, they can follow this at active water dot—com. that is super, the very best of luck. you're watching bbc breakfast. it's 8.59.

this is bbc news with the latest headlines. four children are in a critical condition in hospital, after being rescued from a frozen lake in solihull. snow, ice and fog are causing widespread travel disruption in parts of the uk with hundreds of motorists and air travellers stranded. let me know how the weather is affecting your day? get in touch with me on twitter @annitabbc or using the hashtag bbcyourquestions. new figures show the economy shrank by 0.3% between august and october with the uk expected to be in recession by the end of the year. the government will hold an emergency cobra meeting later on how to deal with planned strikes in the nhs and rail network. hospitals in england have paid out as much as 5,200 points for a shift