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 by a doctor through an agency, according to figures obtained by labour through freedom of information requests. -- £5,200. welcome to bbc news. as severe weather grips parts of the uk, four children are in a critical condition in hospital after being pulled from a freezing lake near birmingham. the emergency services declared a major incident at babbs mill park nature reserve in solihull after reports that a number of children had gone through the ice. it's thought they were playing in the area. the west midlands fire service says as many as six youngsters might have fallen in, but they're not expecting to find any more survivors.

the alarm was raised around 2:30pm yesterday afternoon, with the first ambulance arriving within seven minutes. firefighters and police officers went into the water to help pull the children out. 0ne police officer is being treated for mild hypothermia and is said to be making a recovery after being taken to hospital "as a precaution." rescue teams have been working through the night. here's phil mackie with the latest. 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. let's talk tojosh sandiford, a reporter with the birmingham mail, who is at the scene this morning.

thank you. a really grim scene to be reporting from today. tell us what is happening right now and whether there is any more clarity over whether or not any more children are still missing. it is whether or not any more children are still missing-— still missing. it is a bitterly cold da here still missing. it is a bitterly cold day here in _ still missing. it is a bitterly cold day here in solihull. _ still missing. it is a bitterly cold day here in solihull. it - still missing. it is a bitterly cold day here in solihull. it is - still missing. it is a bitterly cold day here in solihull. it is pretty| day here in solihull. it is pretty quiet compared to yesterday. more than two dozen emergency services because yesterday, a huge amount of resource poured into what looked like a desperate rescue effort. this morning far quieter. i arrived around seven o'clock and it was quite eerie whether the television crew setting up. no emergency services i could see. specialist rescue teams had been working throughout the night. there was nothing here when i got here this

morning other than tv crews and a few police officers looking after the scene and guarding what is quite an extensive cording. we are waiting on more information. i an extensive cording. we are waiting on more information.— on more information. i appreciate the ma on more information. i appreciate they may not _ on more information. i appreciate they may not have _ on more information. i appreciate they may not have been - on more information. i appreciate they may not have been an - on more information. i appreciate| they may not have been an update on more information. i appreciate - they may not have been an update on they may not have been an update on the four children taken to hospital. all we know is that four children were taken to hospital in a critical condition and we have not been given an update on the condition. at a press conference yesterday emergency services were unable to provide any additional updates. we also know there are fears that two more people could be messing up emergency services received an initial report that six people had got into trouble and we had to wait. it is all unconfirmed. the four children in hospital are in critical condition and we are waiting on an update. 50 and we are waiting on an update. so shocking for the community. very i shocking for the community. very

shockina. shocking for the community. very shocking. yesterday _ shocking for the community. - shocking. yesterday was unlike anything i had ever seen. we had to dozens of residents my neighbours on driveways looking out, trying to process what had appeared to be really tragic news. we sell the community coming together and it was featured in your package, a local church came out to provide hot drinks for emergency workers and local residents. it is something that will have shocked this quite unremarkable part of solihull to the core. people will be hoping for the best but fearing for the worst. the really important safety message coming from all of this, it bears repetition about taking care around bodies of water like lakes, rivers in this weather.— in this weather. absolutely. that was one of— in this weather. absolutely. that was one of the _ in this weather. absolutely. that was one of the key _ in this weather. absolutely. that was one of the key messages - in this weather. absolutely. that| was one of the key messages the emergency services try to get across yesterday at the press conference. it might look inviting and these temperatures but people of all ages

need to be really, really careful. i think it will really bring it home today seeing these tragic reports. we can do now is wait an update and hope for the best. == we can do now is wait an update and hope for the best.— hope for the best. -- all we can do now. if hope for the best. -- all we can do nova if there _ hope for the best. -- all we can do now. if there are _ hope for the best. -- all we can do now. if there are any _ hope for the best. -- all we can do now. if there are any updates - now. if there are any updates through the next peter alliss and through the next peter alliss and through the next peter alliss and through the day we will bring those to you. —— is the next few hours. 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. the runway at stansted has now reopened. 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. 0ur weather presenter nick millerjoins me. give us an overview to the situation. it has been a very

difficult start to monday morning. several elements, whether the snow that fell over the weekend producing icy conditions, the heavy snow that fell last night into the first part of today into the south—east and east of england. freezing fog patches more widely across parts of england, wales and northern ireland under bitterly cold start as well. we been hearing braemar in aberdeenshire —15 celsius, the lowest temperature the uk has had since last year. the coldest night in wales and northern ireland since january last year. all of those elements combining to make it a tough monday morning. i5 elements combining to make it a tough monday morning.- elements combining to make it a tough monday morning. is there more snow to come? _ tough monday morning. is there more snow to come? we _ tough monday morning. is there more snow to come? we are _ tough monday morning. is there more snow to come? we are not _ tough monday morning. is there more snow to come? we are not expecting | snow to come? we are not expecting widesread snow to come? we are not expecting widespread snow _ snow to come? we are not expecting widespread snow but _ snow to come? we are not expecting widespread snow but areas _ snow to come? we are not expecting widespread snow but areas will - snow to come? we are not expecting widespread snow but areas will be i widespread snow but areas will be affected by snow showers at times this week, snow showers falling across parts of the northern and western isles of scotland. their wins will turn to more of a northerly and pick up on tuesday and

wednesday. —— the winds will turn. there could be some disruption and the met office has a yellow weather warning in full from tuesday to thursday. i am warning in full from tuesday to thursday. iam not warning in full from tuesday to thursday. i am not saying other showers could be possible elsewhere. much of the uk will be dry and sunny but continuing cold. hose much of the uk will be dry and sunny but continuing cold.— but continuing cold. how long will this really cold _ but continuing cold. how long will this really cold spell, _ but continuing cold. how long will this really cold spell, cold - but continuing cold. how long will this really cold spell, cold snap i this really cold spell, cold snap last? ~ , , ., last? western fringes of the uk will aet 'ust last? western fringes of the uk will get just above _ last? western fringes of the uk will getjust above freezing. _ last? western fringes of the uk will getjust above freezing. eastern - get just above freezing. eastern parts of the uk will see daytime temperatures struggling to get much above freezing if cattle. we are talking further widespread and at times hard spread frost all over the weekend. —— if at all. there are signs mild air will pushing at the weekend. it could have some success. this time next week it could be

considerably milder. the transition to milder air considerably milder. the transition to milderair coming in considerably milder. the transition to milder air coming in could well bring further snow for a time before it turns to rain. more eyes on that transition which is expected to get under way this weekend. aha, transition which is expected to get under way this weekend.- transition which is expected to get under way this weekend. a tough week ahead for many — under way this weekend. a tough week ahead for many people _ under way this weekend. a tough week ahead for many people as _ under way this weekend. a tough week ahead for many people as they - under way this weekend. a tough week ahead for many people as they try - under way this weekend. a tough week ahead for many people as they try to l ahead for many people as they try to keep warm in these temperatures. thank you very much. let's talk to edmund 0'leary, who is stranded in malta after his flight back to gatwick was cancelled. thank you very much forjoining us from malta, edmund. where are you trying to get back to, which airport? trying to get back to, which airort? . ~ trying to get back to, which airort? ., ~ i. , trying to get back to, which airort? . ~ ,, , . trying to get back to, which airort? . ~ , . ~ ., airport? thank you very much, anita, for havin: airport? thank you very much, anita, for having me — airport? thank you very much, anita, for having me on _ airport? thank you very much, anita, for having me on bbc _ airport? thank you very much, anita, for having me on bbc news. - for having me on bbc news. yesterday, i was hoping to fly back to london gatwick on british airways and my flight was cancelled. i expected as the evening progressed

and british airways weed that me on another flight today. —— and british airways weed that me on anotherflight today. —— rebooked me. guess what? the rebooked plight is also cancelled. tiara me. guess what? the rebooked plight is also cancelled.— is also cancelled. two cancellations in a very short _ is also cancelled. two cancellations in a very short space _ is also cancelled. two cancellations in a very short space of— is also cancelled. two cancellations in a very short space of time. - is also cancelled. two cancellations in a very short space of time. have | in a very short space of time. have you been given any indication of when you might actually be able to get back? the when you might actually be able to net back? , ., ., , , ., get back? the short answer is no. the longer _ get back? the short answer is no. the longer version _ get back? the short answer is no. the longer version of _ get back? the short answer is no. the longer version of that? - get back? the short answer is no. the longer version of that? the i the longer version of that? the [on . er the longer version of that? the longer version _ the longer version of that? the longer version is, _ the longer version of that? the longer version is, i _ the longer version of that? tue: longerversion is, i hope the longer version of that? tte: longer version is, i hope to the longer version of that? t"t2 longer version is, i hope to have some idea, maybe this afternoon, this evening. can ijust say that british airways does come in for a lot of flak but i have to say that on this occasion, they had come up trumps? they have looked after

people of malta airport very well. that was my next question. are you being communicated with well and looked after?— looked after? yes, you are. i am sta in: looked after? yes, you are. i am staying at _ looked after? yes, you are. i am staying at a _ looked after? yes, you are. i am staying at a nice _ looked after? yes, you are. i am staying at a nice apart _ looked after? yes, you are. i am staying at a nice apart hotel - looked after? yes, you are. i am i staying at a nice apart hotel called adagio somewhere on the island of malta. the accommodation is taken care of by british airways. the communication side is a bit poor. you know, often i had no idea what is going on. in terms of right now, i am being looked after well. find i am being looked after well. and what sort of _ i am being looked after well. and what sort of impact is is having on your plans, work or otherwise, that your plans, work or otherwise, that you were expecting to be back for? t you were expecting to be back for? i work for a national charity called

choice support centres case as an employment specialist. i was due back for work in london nine 0'clock. it is fair to say i will not be at work today. i will be at work tomorrow. i had to say that my manager has been very understanding and the company has been very good about my situation. dare and the company has been very good about my situation.— about my situation. are you feeling about my situation. are you feeling a bit frustrated _ about my situation. are you feeling a bit frustrated about _ about my situation. are you feeling a bit frustrated about the _ a bit frustrated about the situation, orare a bit frustrated about the situation, or are you pragmatically saying there is poor weather and this happens? to saying there is poor weather and this happens?— saying there is poor weather and this happens? to be honest, i am t in: not this happens? to be honest, i am trying not to _ this happens? to be honest, i am trying not to get _ this happens? to be honest, i am trying not to get stressed - this happens? to be honest, i am trying not to get stressed out - this happens? to be honest, i am l trying not to get stressed out about it. it is what it is. you know, heavy snow falling in london. you know. can ijust say heavy snow falling in london. you know. can i just say a heavy snow falling in london. you know. can ijust say a huge thank you to the british airways? i would

imagine contracted ground crew at malta airport. they were under immense pressure last night. they produced the goods in terms of sorting out accommodation and transport. there were some fraught scenes they were excellent.- scenes they were excellent. thank ou so scenes they were excellent. thank you so much _ scenes they were excellent. thank you so much for— scenes they were excellent. thank you so much for talking _ scenes they were excellent. thank you so much for talking to - scenes they were excellent. thank you so much for talking to us. - scenes they were excellent. thank you so much for talking to us. i i scenes they were excellent. thank you so much for talking to us. i do j you so much for talking to us. i do hope you managed to get back home soon. edmund 0'leary, who is stuck in malta for the moment because of the four weather. trying to get back to gatwick airport. you can keep up—to—date with all the latest news on the weather by taking a look at the live page online where you will find up—to—date advice and details of today's travel disruption. tweet here from ali watson, saying they were woken abruptly at eight. a bit selfish because we do not normally make till half past eight because we

are retired. people need to get places. difficult to keep everyone happy all the time. sorry you were woken up early. if you want to get in touch about the weather and the impact it is having on your day can you can do that on twitter. a recap of the headlines on bbc news. 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. 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. ministers will escalate contingency planning for forthcoming strikes with a meeting this afternoon of the emergency cobra committee. they'll discuss the deployment

of military personnel and civil servants, who are being trained to support the border force at ports and airports. other members of the armed forces are learning how to drive ambulances. the next three weeks to the new year resemble an advent calendar of disruption as nurses, transport workers, postal workers, baggage handlers and others have scheduled strikes. the blue indicates the nurses strike, the red is various travel disruption, and the yellow other industrial action is taking place, including of course the industrial action by postal workers. so that is what you are looking at dotted throughout december and into the new year, up until the 7th of january. 0ur political correspondent jonathan blake is at westminster for us. morning to you. one cobra meeting

today, another in a couple of days' time as well. realistically, does the government think that bringing in members of the armed forces as a contingency can make much difference to the potential disruption that people are looking at? i to the potential disruption that people are looking at?- to the potential disruption that people are looking at? i think they believe it will _ people are looking at? i think they believe it will make _ people are looking at? i think they believe it will make a _ people are looking at? i think they believe it will make a difference i believe it will make a difference but there is nobody in westminster who is pretending it will be a winter anything like as normal with the level of strike set are planned at the moment, as he werejust outlining. there is going to be near daily disruption to various different sectors of the economy and people's daily lives as a result over the next p weeks. that is why the government is stepping up it says its contingency plans to minimise that disruption. officials and ministers will meet today, this afternoon at the cabinet office. there will be ministry of defence staff as well as health ministers,

transport. they are talking about the plans we have been reporting for military personnel to step in for border. at ports and airports and several hundred military personnel visiting nhs trusts to familiarise themselves with ambulances before they are called upon to and drive thanif they are called upon to and drive than if the strikes go ahead. all that and more is part of the government's attempts to limit the impact of the strikes. there is only so much they can do, as you suggest. that is why, one reason labour and others are calling on the government to go further in meeting unions and discussing in particular pay, and whether there is any room for manoeuvre around what the government has offered, which at the moment is entirely in line with the office put forward and agreements reached by the independent pay review bodies, which are responsible for

recommending pay settlements for various public—sector workers. the government can change theirs or reject if it wants to but it has not in this instance. let's have a listen to the health secretary, steve barclay, he was giving his reasons as to why the government did not want to enter pay negotiations with the nurses on bbc brea kfast a breakfast a short time ago. i do not want to be taking _ breakfast a short time ago. i do not want to be taking money _ breakfast a short time ago. i do not want to be taking money away - breakfast a short time ago. i do not want to be taking money away from clearing _ want to be taking money away from clearing the election backlog. that is what _ clearing the election backlog. that is what we — clearing the election backlog. that is what we would have to do. take monev— is what we would have to do. take money away from patients waiting for operations— money away from patients waiting for operations to then fund additional p5y~ operations to then fund additional pay if— operations to then fund additional pay. if everyone in the public sector— pay. if everyone in the public sector were to get an increase in line with — 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— government has to get inflation under control because that is the biggest _ under control because that is the biggest factor in terms of people's cost of— biggest factor in terms of people's cost of living. that is the argument from the government, if you pay nhs staff more, the money has to come from somewhere and it will have an impact

elsewhere in the nhs. they also make the argument at downing street in particular are very clear that offering above inflation pay increases to public sector workers with making the problem of inflation worse in the longer term over and above the fact they argue it is unaffordable and unreasonable at this point. nevertheless, labour saying it is unforgettable that ministers are not willing to discuss pay with nurses unions and others at this point, with strikes looming and trade unions continuing to hold out printmaking among other arguments that workers have had inflation pay rises many years, meaning in real terms pay has gone down. fik. rises many years, meaning in real terms pay has gone down. 0k. thank ou for terms pay has gone down. 0k. thank you for that- — terms pay has gone down. 0k. thank you for that. jonathan _ terms pay has gone down. 0k. thank you for that. jonathan blake - terms pay has gone down. 0k. thank you for that. jonathan blake in - you for that. jonathan blake in westminster. figures from the office for national statistics show the uk's economy shrank by 0.3% in the three months to october.

that was despite growing in the final quarter. the chancellor, jeremy hunt, said there was a "tough road ahead." well, let's speak to andrew sentance, who's senior advisor at the economics consultancy cambridge econometrics. he's also a former member of the bank of england's monetary policy committee. good morning to you. just explain the key factors behind the shrinkage in the economy. it the key factors behind the shrinkage in the economy-— in the economy. it depends on the firures in the economy. it depends on the figures you — in the economy. it depends on the figures you look— in the economy. it depends on the figures you look at _ in the economy. it depends on the figures you look at whether - in the economy. it depends on the figures you look at whether you i in the economy. it depends on the l figures you look at whether you see a shrinkage in the economy. there was taking the last three months of gdp, a very slight fall of 0.3% with the previous three months. in terms of october where we had the latest figures today, there is a bounce back. that is partly to do with the bank holiday we had with the queen's funeral in september, which pushed down gdp. then again if we compare october this year to october last year, it is about 1.5% up on a year

ago. what we have is a rather mixed picture from all the various indicators that we have. i think the easiest way to interpret this is to say the economy has flattened out after a period of grace and will probably contract into recession of some sort but we are not yet clear what the recession will look like. aha, what the recession will look like. a recession being two successive quarters where the economy shrinks. on the point of how long might this recession, when it happens, when the uk economy is predicted to be in recession by the end of the year, when it happens, how long might it last and how deep might it be? difficult to say? i last and how deep might it be? difficult to say?— last and how deep might it be? difficult to say? i do not think you can say that _ difficult to say? i do not think you can say that at — difficult to say? i do not think you can say that at this _ difficult to say? i do not think you can say that at this stage. - difficult to say? i do not think you can say that at this stage. it - difficult to say? i do not think you can say that at this stage. it is - can say that at this stage. it is clear with their squeeze people are experiencing from high inflation, holding back consumer spending and

uncertainty holding back investment, there will be some form of recession. but it is only, as these recessions develop, you can really assess how long they are going to last. and perhaps the most significant thing to say is that this is a type of recession we have not seen for over 30 years. we had recessions driven by high inflation in the 70s, 80s and early 90s but since then it has been driven by other factors. since then it has been driven by otherfactors. it is since then it has been driven by other factors. it is outside the experience we have had in recent times. �* , ., ., times. but the rising inflation rates of recent _ times. but the rising inflation rates of recent times - times. but the rising inflation rates of recent times of - times. but the rising inflation| rates of recent times of those reflect the situation, the context of those previous recessions you have alluded to. what more can the bank of england do on this? it controls inflation through interest rates. what are we going to see happening with interest rates? i think they are going to need to

raise interest rates further. quite how high they need to go really depends on the data we see, how the economy appears to be responding. the sooner that inflation starts going down, the easier it will be for the bank to hold interest rates rather than to keep pushing them up. according to the bank of england, that decline in inflation is not really going to get going until the middle of next year. we are in for quite a long haul through the winter and spring with these really quite high inflation rates, probably over 10%. high inflation rates, probably over 1096. ., . ., , ., 1096. the chancellor is saying that the economic— 1096. the chancellor is saying that the economic outlook _ 1096. the chancellor is saying that the economic outlook is _ 1096. the chancellor is saying that the economic outlook is going - 1096. the chancellor is saying that the economic outlook is going to l 1096. the chancellor is saying that i the economic outlook is going to get worse before it gets better. he says these figures confirm this is a very challenging economic situation here and across the world. to what extent or how does the uk economic outlook compared to other economies? weill. compared to other economies? well, across the world, _ compared to other economies? well,

across the world, many _ compared to other economies? -ii across the world, many economies are seeing the same sorts of pressures. i think it is not right to say that the uk is massively worsley affected than other countries. other european economies experiencing the same situation of high inflation leading to a squeeze in the economy, the same in the united states. i the outlook in the uk is quite similar to the rest of europe and the us, where i think they are expecting a mild recession as well.— mild recession as well. thank you very much — mild recession as well. thank you very much for— mild recession as well. thank you very much for your _ mild recession as well. thank you very much for your time. - mild recession as well. thank you very much for your time. formerl very much for your time. former member of the bank of england monetary policy committee. let's talk to our economics correspondent, andy verity. what is your assessment of these latest figures? i what is your assessment of these latest figures?— latest figures? i was quite surprised _ latest figures? i was quite surprised to _ latest figures? i was quite surprised to see _ latest figures? i was quite surprised to see gdp - latest figures? i was quite surprised to see gdp rose | latest figures? i was quite l surprised to see gdp rose in latest figures? i was quite _ surprised to see gdp rose in october ljy surprised to see gdp rose in october by half a percentage point. in normal times that would be good

growth. actually it is quite artificial because what happened is it is a month on month comparison. in september activity was artificially reduced by the fact we all had an extra day off for the queen's funeral and that meant less work got done, fewer goods and services produced and that meant the economy was artificially suppressed in september and that flattens the comparison between october and december. unfortunately it isn't. on. you look at the three—month figure you have been quoting me that is a more reliable indicator. also some interesting nuggets here. there are figures on how much energy we were using. electricity and gas. according to anecdotal evidence the ons cited, it dropped quite a lot, about 4%, partly because there are higher prices and that is putting people off buying it and obviously because of the economic situation we

are headed into. figs because of the economic situation we are headed into.— are headed into. as people go throu~h are headed into. as people go through the — are headed into. as people go through the cost _ are headed into. as people go through the cost of— are headed into. as people go through the cost of living - are headed into. as people go i through the cost of living crisis, what can we say these particular figures mean for them in that situation? i figures mean for them in that situation?— figures mean for them in that situation? . . ., ., . ., situation? i mean, economic growth and what happens — situation? i mean, economic growth and what happens to _ situation? i mean, economic growth and what happens to people's - and what happens to people's personal incomes, we sometimes think of them is the same thing. the economy is growing and we are going to get better. that is not true that'll. underthe to get better. that is not true that'll. under the global financial crisis, a lot of people got better off because they slash mortgage rates super low. anyone with a tracker mortgage had lots of money to spend. people got better in the recession and worse of any recovery. in the ten years since the global financial crisis, they have been some of the week is to economic growth in a long time for them if you have good economic growth, you can hope it is distributed well and people get better and better. in the period from 1945 to 2005 we can rely on the fact every year are real

incomes would go up. people get outraged about real terms pay cuts. thank you very much about your clear explanation, as ever. angie verity are economics correspondent. —— andy verity. i think on a day like today, we need all the information we can get. yes, indeed, good morning, annita. there is some ice and frost around this morning and some of us have started with some snow. and you can keep up—to—date with where you are or where you are going on our bbc weather app. this morning, after the heavy overnight snow, is all of this cloud and some freezing fog across the far south of england. some snow flurries are still to come out of that. some wintry flurries coming out of the snow and rain across northern ireland and western scotland as well as the far north of scotland. but there will be some

brighter skies across scotland and northern england, wales and the south—west, but wherever you are todayit south—west, but wherever you are today it is going to feel cold. freezing fog and snow flurries moving through the midlands this evening and overnight, more significant snow coming in across the far north of scotland and once again we are looking at a widespread frost overnight and ice on untreated surfaces. in some rural guns, temperatures could get down to —10. hello this is bbc news. the 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. 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 for a shift by a doctor through an agency, according to figures obtained by labour through freedom of information requests. sport and for a full round—up, let'sjoinjohn watson in doha. good morning. we will be reflecting on what the future could hold for gareth southgate, as the england team flew back to birmingham yesterday, but we are going to start this morning on some big news in cricket. england's men'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. and england's women have continued their great form on their tour of the west indies. after winning their one—day series 3—0 they've won the first t20 match comfortably, by eight wickets. set a target of 106 to win in antigua, they reached it with over seven overs to spare, opener danni wyatt starred with 59 not out offjust 34 balls. 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 arnott�*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. england captain owen farrell says the rugby football union's decision to sack eddiejones as head coach was "unbelievably disappointing" and that the run of poor results this year "doesn't happen because of one person, it's everyone". farrell was speaking to bbc radio 5 live after playing a pivotal role in his club side saracens'

comeback against edinburgh in the champions cup. the fly—half kicked his side back into the lead and then pulled off a cruicial try—saving tackle in their 30 points to 26 win. it doesn't happen because of one person. it is everyone, and eddie has been a big part of england rugby for a long, long time now and he has been one of the best coaches i have ever had, and for that i'm massively thankful. as players we look at ourselves and see what we can do, and it is disappointing it has ended early. leicester tigers head coach steve borthwick is the favourite to replacejones in the england job. but after seeing his side come from behind to beat ospreys in the champions cup he said he's fully focused on next weekend's game against clermont auvergne. elsewhere there were wins for sale and toulouse. it was a low key end to england's world cup campaign.

the players arrived home last night after their dramatic quarterfinal exit. gareth southgate said the atmosphere was flat following saturday's defeat to the defending champions france. the players landed at birmingham airport around 7pm, 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. the world cup of course continues with the first semifinal between argentina and croatia tomorrow evening. that's all the sport for now. gareth southgate saying he feels conflicted now as to whether or not he will continue in the job after a run of poor results over the summer, some of the things that were said about him at the time he says have affected him and he is now going to have a moment of reflection over the next couple of weights he says, to decide whether or not he has the energy to continue in the role, to lead england, who will return to action in march, when the next qualifying campaign for the next major tournament, the european

championships, just 18 months away, in germany, gets under way. that is all from doha. it is back to you, annita. 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. the runway at stansted has now reopened. met office yellow warnings are in place across many parts of the uk, with temperatures expected to remain well below freezing. we can speak to simon williams from the rac. good morning to you, a challenging day for anyone trying to get about including all of the rac staff, i suspect? including all of the rac staff, i susect? , ., ~ ., suspect? yes, good morning, annita, very challenging _ suspect? yes, good morning, annita, very challenging indeed, _ suspect? yes, good morning, annita, very challenging indeed, we - suspect? yes, good morning, annita, very challenging indeed, we are - very challenging indeed, we are currently dealing with about eight breakdowns per minute, which will be about 11,000 today. something like

40% more than good we would be seeing on a normal day. so, we would urge people to only drive if it is essential, there is obviously going to be a lot of difficulty out on the roads today, we are working to get to people as quickly as possible, but with that many breakdowns, it is going to be difficult to get to everyone straightaway. 50. going to be difficult to get to everyone straightaway. so, 4096 more than ou everyone straightaway. so, 4096 more than you would _ everyone straightaway. so, 4096 more than you would see _ everyone straightaway. so, 4096 more than you would see on _ everyone straightaway. so, 4096 more than you would see on average - everyone straightaway. so, 4096 more than you would see on average when i than you would see on average when the weather isn't poor, i think we have got a highways map we can bring up, just to show our viewers. give us a sense of where some of the key issues are, as we look here at the south—east? issues are, as we look here at the south-east?— issues are, as we look here at the south-east? ., , ., , , ., , south-east? obviously the south-east has been hit — south-east? obviously the south-east has been hit pretty — south-east? obviously the south-east has been hit pretty badly _ south-east? obviously the south-east has been hit pretty badly overnight. has been hit pretty badly overnight and the weather is moving kind of north—west and causing problems for everyone, and the problems we have had overnight is that the snow on the ground would have been frozen overnight again, and that makes driving more difficult, so, anyone

thatis driving more difficult, so, anyone that is on the roads today need to really slowdown and drive appropriately to the conditions, give a lot of extra space to the car in front and if it is at all slippery, be extremely mindful of that because the last thing you want to do is to go into the back of somebody. to do is to go into the back of somebody-— to do is to go into the back of somebody. to do is to go into the back of somebod . �* ., somebody. better to get there even if ou are somebody. better to get there even if you are a — somebody. better to get there even if you are a bit _ somebody. better to get there even if you are a bit later— somebody. better to get there even if you are a bit later than _ somebody. better to get there even if you are a bit later than normal- if you are a bit later than normal than not get there at all. absolutely, and the message we always give at this time of the year is to travel prepared, make sure you have got a decent coat with you, good footwear, should you be broken down, but also in this day and age a power bank to keep your phone going, if you were to lose the battery in your car, then the battery in your phone will go and you would not be able to get in touch with us, it is really important to have a power bank with you and some food and a warm drink is always a good idea. generally speaking, how do you rate us in terms of taking those sorts of

precautions and getting prepared for weather like this? because it is pretty sporadic, isn't it, when we have these really cold spells here, certainly not including the north of scotland, the highlands of scotland, where they are much better at dealing with this sort of weather, but throughout the rest of the uk, these really cold snaps are pretty sporadic, so are we not that great at getting organised for the cold weather? i at getting organised for the cold weather? ~ , at getting organised for the cold weather? ~' , ., ., weather? i think there is a danger that we treat _ weather? i think there is a danger that we treat it _ weather? i think there is a danger that we treat it too _ weather? i think there is a danger that we treat it too lightly and - that we treat it too lightly and trust the reliability of our cars. we know from our ac data that people are driving far older cars these days, the average age of cars on the road has gone up to nearly ten years now so they are more likely to break down so we need to bear it in mind and to travel prepared just by putting a bit of this stuff in your boot just putting a bit of this stuff in your bootjust in case is a really good idea. in countries like canada and scandinavia and even in scotland people are far more cautious and far more aware of what the severe

weather conditions can do. if you are stranded there for any number of hours then you are going to be pretty vulnerable. this hours then you are going to be pretty vulnerable.— hours then you are going to be pretty vulnerable. this is a really im ortant pretty vulnerable. this is a really important message _ pretty vulnerable. this is a really important message especially i important message especially throughout the week with rail strikes happening, more people actually might be on the roads than other words?— actually might be on the roads than other words? , . , . ., other words? yes, we are expecting a busy week. the _ other words? yes, we are expecting a busy week, the car _ other words? yes, we are expecting a busy week, the car is _ other words? yes, we are expecting a busy week, the car is the _ other words? yes, we are expecting a busy week, the car is the natural - busy week, the car is the natural alternative to the railway, if there is a railway strike, more people will get in their cars so it is really important that they are prepared. there are some things that you can do beforehand, it is really good to make sure you have got a decent quality screen wash in at this time of the year, with the grit on the roads, your windscreen is constantly getting dirty and there for you need to clear it all the time and if you have not got a good quality screen wash which protectors down to at least —20 then you could risk that freezing up which would be a hazard in itself.— a hazard in itself. good luck to all of ou a hazard in itself. good luck to all of you and _ a hazard in itself. good luck to all of you and all— a hazard in itself. good luck to all of you and all of— a hazard in itself. good luck to all of you and all of the _ a hazard in itself. good luck to all of you and all of the staff - a hazard in itself. good luck to all of you and all of the staff at - a hazard in itself. good luck to all of you and all of the staff at the i of you and all of the staff at the irish sea. on flights, i have had

this from twitter, saying... stranded in belfast last night, no easyjet staff at the airport to let us know next step, airport staff said there was no accommodation, paid for another night in a hotel. still waiting for more information. keep your information coming into us and your stories on how this bad weather is affecting you. you can do that on twitter and you can also keep up—to—date with all the latest news by taking a look at our live page online. figures from the office for national statistics show the uk's economy shrank by 0.3% in the three months to october. that was despite growing in the final quarter.

the chancellor, jeremy hunt, said there was a "tough road ahead." i don't know weather inflation has peaked or not but i think it is likely to get worse before it gets better. this is a very, very challenging situation, more than a third of the world's economy is predicted to be in recession this year or next, but we have a plan, the obr say we will more than halve inflation over the next year and if we stay the course, we can tackle that high inflation. we can now speak to a journalist and economist will hutton. how do the economic woes of the uk at the moment compare to other economies? irlot at the moment compare to other economies?— at the moment compare to other economies? ., ., , ., economies? not good. the household incomes, economies? not good. the household incomes. people's _ economies? not good. the household incomes, people's spending, - economies? not good. the household incomes, people's spending, is - economies? not good. the household incomes, people's spending, is one i incomes, people's spending, is one of the big drivers of economic growth, and the growth over the last two years is the worst in europe. investment is already below others

in europe and it is falling. the trade picture isn't very promising, either. government expenditure, which is another driver of growth, is not going anywhere. government investment is stagnant. everywhere you look it's not great. i don't know what to say!— know what to say! well, the chancellor _ know what to say! well, the chancellor did _ know what to say! well, the chancellor did say _ know what to say! well, the chancellor did say it - know what to say! well, the chancellor did say it was - know what to say! well, the i chancellor did say it was going know what to say! well, the - chancellor did say it was going to get worse before it got better but is there anything more that the government could do at the moment, in your opinion, which might create more growth sooner?— in your opinion, which might create more growth sooner? well, one thing i think it could _ more growth sooner? well, one thing i think it could do _ more growth sooner? well, one thing i think it could do is _ more growth sooner? well, one thing i think it could do is be _ more growth sooner? well, one thing i think it could do is be a _ more growth sooner? well, one thing i think it could do is be a bit _ i think it could do is be a bit calmer about these strikes. if you look over the last ten years, public sector wages have fallen 5% and private sector wages have gone up 6%, and you can't fill a lot ofjobs in the public sector. a lot of these strikes are not driven by union bosses kind of playing politics, it

is people, workers, really saying we can't carry on like this and i don't think it would be a risk, actually, an inflationary risk, to pay, rather than 4%, to offer 6% or 7%, and get these strikes are settled. mit? than 496, to offer 696 or 796, and get these strikes are settled.— these strikes are settled. why don't ou think these strikes are settled. why don't you think that _ these strikes are settled. why don't you think that would _ these strikes are settled. why don't you think that would be _ these strikes are settled. why don't you think that would be an - you think that would be an inflationary risk?— you think that would be an inflationary risk? you think that would be an inflationa risk? �* .. , ~ inflationary risk? because i think inflationary risk? because i think inflation is _ inflationary risk? because i think inflation is peaking, _ inflationary risk? because i think inflation is peaking, jeremy - inflationary risk? because i thinkj inflation is peaking, jeremy hunt said in your clip that he did not know weather it was peaking or not but most people think that 11% or 11.5%, is the peak. and the obr has said that inflation is going to halve in the next 18 months, so i think the idea of a wage spiral is overdone, and we could think reasonably pay people a little bit more to get these strikes settled, put money in their pockets, and it not because inflation and that i think would be a little bit of relief to the economy. and also, certainly you have got1 billion people on strike this week, getting around the country is going to be

tricky, it is not good to have strikes at this volume. so i think this toughing it out and blaming it on union bosses and not recognising that there are huge vacancies in the public sector, wherever you look, you have got vacancies, because the pay is now so much below that in the private sector. but i mean, the honest truth is, you have got the effect of putin, you've got the brexit effect, it is a kind of poly crisis, if you like, what the government can do, frankly, is limited. , , government can do, frankly, is limited. , ., , �*, limited. just to play devil's advocate. _ limited. just to play devil's advocate, if _ limited. just to play devil's advocate, if inflation - limited. just to play devil's advocate, if inflation does| limited. just to play devil's - advocate, if inflation does continue to grow, then we are going to see higher interest rates, aren't we, if the bank of wengen try to bring it under control, which will affect people as well?— under control, which will affect people as well? you're right, on thursday. _ people as well? you're right, on thursday. the — people as well? you're right, on thursday, the bank— people as well? you're right, on thursday, the bank of— people as well? you're right, on thursday, the bank of england i people as well? you're right, on i thursday, the bank of england will meet, nobody knows weather they... they will put up the interest rates again. it could be up to 3.5%, that

is not going to be exactly stimulating the economy, but again, people at the bank of england have been signalling that we may be getting close to the end of these rate rises, and certainly if you look at the financial markets that is what they are saying. there was also a thing which, if you want a rate of light for your viewers... rays of light are good, absolutely, will. ,, ., ., , ,, ., , will. simon from the irish sea 'ust before i came fl will. simon from the irish sea 'ust before i came on i will. simon from the irish sea 'ust before i came on the i will. simon from the irish sea 'ust before i came on the air�* will. simon from the irish sea 'ust before i came on the air was h will. simon from the irish sea just i before i came on the air was making the point that the average car on british roads is ten years old, at some time in the next 18 months people will have to start renewing our cars, you know, economies do a natural buoyancy, you think things wear out and you have to replace them, like the cars, so there will be a moment, i think it is going to come imminently, or in the next 12-18 come imminently, or in the next 12—18 months, where things start to turn around, so don't put your head in the oven and say, the end is

nigh. we have been through recessions of this type before and lived through them, we will get through the other side. the only difference is that it may take three orfour difference is that it may take three or four or five years before we get our living standards back to where they were before the pandemic struck. there is no way round it. will, thank you very much for your thoughts today, will hutton. thank ou ve thoughts today, will hutton. thank you very much. _ thoughts today, will hutton. thank you very much, sorry _ thoughts today, will hutton. thank you very much, sorry to _ thoughts today, will hutton. thank you very much, sorry to be - thoughts today, will hutton. thank you very much, sorry to be so - you very much, sorry to be so gloomy! 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. trust... — 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. figures obtained by the labour party through freedom of information requests have found that hospitals

in england have paid out as much as £5,200 for a shift by a doctor through an agency. that is the latest in an intensifying debate over workforce shortages in the nhs in england. let's discuss this with adam brimelow, director of communication for nhs providers. good morning to you. so, how typical is that, £5,200 for a shift done by a doctor through an agency? weill. a doctor through an agency? well, trusts are in _ a doctor through an agency? well, trusts are in a _ a doctor through an agency? well, trusts are in a really _ a doctor through an agency? well, trusts are in a really difficult - trusts are in a really difficult position because clearly patient safety is paramount and there are very severe staff shortages, more than 130,000 vacancies across the nhs, trust leaders are in no way complacent about financial pressures, but patient safety trumps everything else, and they will work to ensure that their places of work and clinical care are adequately staffed. and that is why these

difficult decisions are sometimes taken to turn to agency staff to make sure that patients and staff are safe. ., . ., ., ., , are safe. so, how much of that money noes are safe. so, how much of that money aoes to are safe. so, how much of that money goes to the — are safe. so, how much of that money goes to the agency. — are safe. so, how much of that money goes to the agency, do _ are safe. so, how much of that money goes to the agency, do we _ are safe. so, how much of that money goes to the agency, do we know? - goes to the agency, do we know? well, there will be contractual arrangements that may vary from one place to another, and obviously i can't comment on those individual arrangements that would be arrived at, but what i would say is that trust leaders are very mindful of minimising any unnecessary cost, they want to make sure that patients and staff are safe and they want to get the best deal for the nhs. and staff are safe and they want to get the best dealfor the nhs. i am get the best deal for the nhs. i am t in: to get the best deal for the nhs. i am trying to get _ get the best deal for the nhs. i am trying to get a _ get the best deal for the nhs. i am trying to get a sense _ get the best deal for the nhs. i am trying to get a sense of how much it gusts the nss to employ someone through an agency empowered to someone who works directly for a trust as a nurse or a doctor and so on? , ., ., . , trust as a nurse or a doctor and so on? ., trust as a nurse or a doctor and so on? . on? there is an agency cap and i think that _ on? there is an agency cap and i think that that is _ on? there is an agency cap and i think that that is set _ on? there is an agency cap and i think that that is set at - on? there is an agency cap and ii think that that is set at something like 55% over and above what nhs staff would cost, and that cap from time to time is breached, but i

can't give specific examples of that, and there will be variations in terms of what has been agreed locally. in terms of what has been agreed locall . ., ., _, , locally. the government, of course, oints out locally. the government, of course, points out that _ locally. the government, of course, points out that 9000 _ locally. the government, of course, points out that 9000 nurses, - locally. the government, of course, points out that 9000 nurses, 4000| points out that 9000 nurses, 4000 doctors, have been recruited since last year, but we know from talking to many, many people employed by the nhs that there is an issue with recruitment. i wonder to what extent are we seeing staff leaving the employment of individual trusts and going to work for agencies, how much is that driving the situation that seeing now?— is that driving the situation that seeinu now? ~ . ., , seeing now? well, we are in a very difficult and clearly it is a massive priority for trusts to focus on retention as much as recruitment, we are in an environment at the moment where there is a really serious industrial dispute with strike action looming. trusts are doing all they can to make sure that the environment, the culture that they have, like

civility they provide, is as conducive as possible to retaining staff. there is another ongoing issue in terms of pensions as well, to make sure that staff don't have disincentives to remain in work for the nhs. so, they are doing what they can but clearly there is an issue there. there are examples that we are seeing of some staff, particularly the lower paid staff, seeing opportunities in other sectors, other roles, for example in retail, to move off and do a differentjob where they may be paid more and they may find that work less stressful, so that is a concern as well. , , , i. ., as well. very briefly, your reaction to the comments _ as well. very briefly, your reaction to the comments from _ as well. very briefly, your reaction to the comments from the - as well. very briefly, your reaction to the comments from the health | to the comments from the health secretary saying he is happy to talk to nurses unions about the strike action but it's important that both sides respect the pay offer already made? , ., ., , sides respect the pay offer already made? , . ., , ., ., made? there is a vanishing window of o- ortuni made? there is a vanishing window of opportunity for _ made? there is a vanishing window of opportunity for both _ made? there is a vanishing window of opportunity for both sides _ made? there is a vanishing window of opportunity for both sides to - made? there is a vanishing window of opportunity for both sides to get - opportunity for both sides to get together to avert industrial action which would be disruptive for some

patients and we would urge the government and the unions to get together to resolve this dispute. adam brimelow, thank you very much for your time today. let's have a look at the weather with carol. for many of us it has been a bitterly cold start to the day to day, and some of us have seen snow. this is what you can expect as we go through the week. freezing fog until we get to the middle of the week, and then the visibility improves. so if you want to find out what is happening where you are a bit more detailfor a what is happening where you are a bit more detail for a two—day or for the next few days, or maybe where you are going, you can check out the bbc weather app. you can see on the chart the blues well and truly embedded across our shores. wind is coming straight down from the arctic and it will continue like this until we get into the latter part of the weekend. we have seen quite a bit of

snow this morning across the south—east. you can also see where we have had some snow showers in the west of scotland and also in the north of scotland. there is a lot of cloud and some freezing fog and snow flurries across parts of central and southern england which will be pushing further north during the day. the best of the sunshine will be inland in scotland, northern england, wales and the south—west. but despite the sunshine it is still going to feel cold wherever you are, especially if you are an area under the freezing fog or an area with lying snow. this evening and overnight, the cloud and freezing fog and snow flurries move northwards. at the same time we have got some more heavy snow coming in across the north of scotland. as soon as it gets dark, the temperatures are going to plummet.

in some sheltered glens in scotland, it could get down to —10. a widespread frost to start the day tomorrow. the risk of ice on untreated surfaces. the southern half of the country having quite a lot of cloud, so quite dull. we have got an area of low pressure coming into the south—west and i will talk about that in just a second but has we head into the middle part of the week we will have a cold northerly wind with improved visibility but still wintry showers. and in fact on wednesday you can see the wintry showers across the north and east. blizzards across the northern isles. some doubt as to exactly where the low pressure is going to go.

this is bbc news. these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. snow, ice and fog are causing widespread travel disruption in parts of the uk with hundreds of motorists and air travellers stranded. four children are in a critical condition in hospital after being rescued from a frozen lake near birmingham in the uk. the greek mep eva kaili is reportedly one of four people who have been charged in an investigation into suspected bribery at the european parliament. a man accused of making the bomb which destroyed a plane over lockerbie 34 years ago, killing 270 people, will appear in court in the united states later. new figures show the british economy shrank by 0.3% between august and october with the uk expected to be in recession by the end of the year.