this is bbc news. i'm ben boulos. the headlines at two: major transport disruption as rmt members stage fresh industrial action. 40,000 workers will be on strike on four days this week — meaning a near total shutdown of the uk's railway network. the art of negotiation is getting to a position where both sides can accept a deal, and the government, the dft and i think all the way up to number ten has put conditions on the train operating companies they know will blow up any chance of a deal. know will blow up any chance of a deal v , know will blow up any chance of a deal. �*, , ., know will blow up any chance of a deal. �*, , ,., ., ., deal. it's very important that eo - le deal. it's very important that people recognise _ deal. it's very important that people recognise that - deal. it's very important that people recognise that we've | deal. it's very important that - people recognise that we've made a reasonable pay offer that is in line with what — reasonable pay offer that is in line with what rises people are getting in the _ with what rises people are getting in the private sector. it is important we also deliver reform as well as_ important we also deliver reform as well as dealing with pay, to make sure we _

well as dealing with pay, to make sure we have a sustainable rail industry— sure we have a sustainable rail industry for the future. the prime minister promises more staff to help clear the uk's backlog of asylum seekers by end of next year. labour accuses the government of total failure to deal with the problem. a vigil is held for the three boys who died after falling into a frozen lake n solihull. a fourth boy, who's six, remains in a critical condition in hospital. the founder of the collapsed cryptocurrency exchange ftx — sam bankman—fried — is arrested in the bahamas and charged by us authorities with defrauding investors. and 100,000 newborn babies will have their dna decoded in the search for rare genetic diseases.

hello, good afternoon. fresh strike action has begun on the railways, causing major disruption in the run—up to christmas. workers from the rmt union have walked out again in their dispute over pay and conditions. they're striking today and wednesday, then friday and saturday, with four out of five trains cancelled. it's part of a wave of industrial action this winter, with october the worst month for strikes for a decade. here's our business correspondent theo leggett. deserted platforms and no trains. this was the scene at milford in surrey this morning. cafe owner simon strong would normally be serving a steady flow of london—bound commuters, but today, there was barely a customer to be seen. if we've got no commuters, we've got no business, and this will impact me notjust today, notjust this week, there are strikes the week after, the week after that, so i'm pretty much closed for the next month, with no income coming in. across the rail network, many lines have closed altogether while others are running a fraction

of the normal service. it is the latest stage in a stand—off between the rmt union and both network rail and 14 train operating companies over pay and working practices. a month of disruption now lies ahead. there are two 48—hour train strikes this week. then, an overtime ban on 14 train companies from sunday is connected to because of some cancellations. a strike at network rail will see some services finish even earlier than usual on christmas eve and start late on the 27th of december. and more national walkouts are planned injanuary. workers at the train companies have been offered more pay, a 4% increase this year and the same next year. network rail employees have been offered 5% and 4% respectively. that offer was rejected by rmt members yesterday. there is not a bottomless pit of money to pay increased salaries. i think there is a fair offer on the table, fair to taxpayers and fair to the people that work

in the industry and fair to passengers and i hope the rmt reflect on it and change their position. but the rmt insists the dispute is notjust about money. it is not generous, it is way below inflation and it is predicated on a set of changes, cuts to the maintenance schedule cut by 50%, and conditions changes on our members in network rail which are entirely unacceptable, it is also predicated on shutting every booking office in britain and bringing in driver only operation that they know we will never accept. these strikes will not just affect people who want to get around, but also affecting the businesses who rely on people wanting to get from place to place, cafes, bars, theatres, restaurants, and so on. and the problem for them is that at the moment there seems no sign of a resolution being anywhere close. in surrey the response from travellers to the dispute has been mixed. i do hope the reasons why the strike is on is being looked into already, and hopefully we should get back

because it's really exhausting. if you are going to strike about something then you can negotiate first and negotiate until a conclusion, if it doesn't come to anything then strike at the time that causes the least disruption to people. christmas time, really, guys? not a right time tol do it, no sympathy. by taking action in the run—up to christmas, the rmt has clearly raised the stakes in this dispute, and right now, it looks set to drag on well into the new year. and theojoins me now live from woking station in surrey. disruption starts today but, really, we are likely to see disruptor train services between now and the 9th of january, really? services between now and the 9th of january. really?— services between now and the 9th of january, really? absolutely, ben. we have a 40 hours _ january, really? absolutely, ben. we have a 40 hours -- _ january, really? absolutely, ben. we have a 40 hours -- 48-hour- january, really? absolutely, ben. we have a 40 hours -- 48-hour strike, l have a 40 hours —— 48—hour strike, which means there are no trains at

all. there was a minimal service between here and london and only a handful of people have been catching these trains, outnumbered by the railway staff, believe it or not. then another 48—hour strike from friday into saturday. then there is an overtime ban that's taking place for several days, which will disrupt services in some areas all the way up services in some areas all the way up until christmas. at christmas there is a network rail strike, mainly affecting engineering staff but which will lead to some services finishing earlier than expected on christmas eve. it will also delay engineering work. then more rail strikes injanuary, and all the way till the 9th of january, as you say, there will be disruption on the railway unless there was a breakthrough, and at the moment, that looks really unlikely.— that looks really unlikely. where are the biggest _ that looks really unlikely. where are the biggest sticking - that looks really unlikely. where are the biggest sticking points i that looks really unlikely. where are the biggest sticking points in the negotiations seem to be? the rmt sa s its the negotiations seem to be? the rmt says its members _ the negotiations seem to be? the rmt says its members need _ the negotiations seem to be? the rmt says its members need more _ the negotiations seem to be? the rmt says its members need more money i says its members need more money because the cost of living is going

up, and very rapidly. like other workers across the economy, they want a bit more. there are offers on the table for more money, but the rmt says those come with conditions they simply can't accept. for example, ticket offices at stations being shut down, ticket staff being redeployed, driver only trains, which i've heard people say is a safety risk because there are no guards. these are things the rmt believes are deal breakers. likewise with network rail, that's a set work —— separate dispute. these are workers who already do anti—social hours for a lot of their working lives. that is the rmt perspective. 0n the other hand, the railway companies say that changes are needed, the railway needs to be modernised.— modernised. sorry to interrupt, theo. modernised. sorry to interrupt, theo- thank — modernised. sorry to interrupt, theo. thank you _ modernised. sorry to interrupt, theo. thank you for _ modernised. sorry to interrupt, theo. thank you for that - modernised. sorry to interrupt, l theo. thank you for that update. interrupting because the emergency services are giving an update on the explosion injersey which killed

seven people. let'sjoin that explosion injersey which killed seven people. let's join that press conference and listen in. the seven people. let's join that press conference and listen in.— conference and listen in. the level of compassion _ conference and listen in. the level of compassion shown _ conference and listen in. the level of compassion shown by _ conference and listen in. the level of compassion shown by staff - of compassion shown by staff working, and as you will know, the weather has become really cold, but thanks to their efforts, i think we are making some excellent progress. the islanders that are going close to the scene, not that close to the scene, but closer, providing their condolences and also helping and supporting, i am enormously grateful, so my thanks go to the people ofjersey. i will now hand over to the chief of fire. thank you. thank you, robin. alongside the chief— thank you, robin. alongside the chief officer of the states of jersey — chief officer of the states of jersey police and the chief and bus dash might be chief ambulance officer. — dash might be chief ambulance officer. i— dash might be chief ambulance officer, i will say that my thoughts on those _ officer, i will say that my thoughts on those of— officer, i will say that my thoughts on those of my firefighters remain with those — on those of my firefighters remain with those we have lost. and of

course — with those we have lost. and of course the _ with those we have lost. and of course the people who have lost loved _ course the people who have lost loved ones. they are my priority and that of— loved ones. they are my priority and that of all_ loved ones. they are my priority and that of all the firefighters in jersey. _ that of all the firefighters in jersey, whether they are jersey firefighters were cured by mutual aid. firefighters were cured by mutual aid~ ih _ firefighters were cured by mutual aid. in relation to friday evening, the evening — aid. in relation to friday evening, the evening before the explosion, there _ the evening before the explosion, there are — the evening before the explosion, there are two statements of fact in there are two statements of fact in the public— there are two statements of fact in the public domain. 0ne there are two statements of fact in the public domain. one is that the fire and _ the public domain. one is that the fire and rescue service were called and attended the scene at 20:36pm. the other— and attended the scene at 20:36pm. the other is— and attended the scene at 20:36pm. the other is that the states of jersey— the other is that the states of jersey fire and rescue service handed — jersey fire and rescue service handed over to island energy at 21:01pm — handed over to island energy at 21:01pm. to my knowledge, there are no other— 21:01pm. to my knowledge, there are no other facts about friday evening, and from _ no other facts about friday evening, and from my perspective at least, and from my perspective at least, and i_ and from my perspective at least, and i am — and from my perspective at least, and i am pretty sure this is everybody else's, it is inappropriate for me to talk about anything — inappropriate for me to talk about anything else on the friday evening, because _ anything else on the friday evening, because the most appropriate place to do that _ because the most appropriate place to do that is through the investigative process. the only important thing here is the

families, and so the only important thing _ families, and so the only important thing is _ families, and so the only important thing is the — families, and so the only important thing is the truth. island energy i believe _ thing is the truth. island energy i believe yesterday indicate that the type of— believe yesterday indicate that the type of explosion often indicates -as, type of explosion often indicates gas, but — type of explosion often indicates gas, but we do not know that, and i do not _ gas, but we do not know that, and i do not know— gas, but we do not know that, and i do not know that either. the investigation which we will contribute to fully will be complex and tom} — contribute to fully will be complex and long. at this stage, it's my intention— and long. at this stage, it's my intention to commission independent experts _ intention to commission independent experts to— intention to commission independent experts to investigate the cause of the fire _ experts to investigate the cause of the fire and the explosion. ordinarily, the states ofjersey fire and — ordinarily, the states ofjersey fire and rescue service, like all services, — fire and rescue service, like all services, investigate all fires. we do this— services, investigate all fires. we do this hundreds of times every year _ do this hundreds of times every year on— do this hundreds of times every year. on this occasion, we will commission independent investigators. thank you very much.

like colleagues, my thoughts and those of my team are with those involved and their families. most ambulance activity is now in business as usual, and we thank islanders for only calling in a real emergency. we are reaching out to other services for support to ensure that we are able to recover, along with others involved, in dealing with others involved, in dealing with this incident. jersey ambulance crews have been on site since around 4am on saturday morning and we have been supporting the work of the urban search and rescue teams and the hazardous area response teams from uk ambulance services. it is likely that those teams from the uk will be here for approximately the remainder of this week and into early next week. we are extremely grateful, and i am extremely

grateful, and i am extremely grateful, to them for all the support we have received nationally and all the support we have received from other islands and continue to do so. the involvement of the states of jersey do so. the involvement of the states ofjersey ambulance do so. the involvement of the states of jersey ambulance service do so. the involvement of the states ofjersey ambulance service is being gradually scaled back. we will continue to provide command support and medical support for those working on site. two islanders are receiving medical treatment in hospital. i would like to take this opportunity to thank my team and those of our voluntary partners, including stjohn's ambulance, normandy rescue and our ambulance support unit who assisted us on the island on the evening and continue to support us now. i would like to express how immensely proud and thankful i am to be working with such a team of professionals. ladies and gentlemen. _ such a team of professionals. ladies and gentlemen, we _ such a team of professionals. ladies and gentlemen, we are _ such a team of professionals. ladies and gentlemen, we are now - such a team of professionals. ladies and gentlemen, we are now open i such a team of professionals. ladies| and gentlemen, we are now open for any questions — and gentlemen, we are now open for any questions you _ and gentlemen, we are now open for any questions you may— and gentlemen, we are now open for any questions you may wish - and gentlemen, we are now open for any questions you may wish to - and gentlemen, we are now open for

any questions you may wish to ask. i any questions you may wish to ask. yes~ _ any questions you may wish to ask. yes~ ryan — any questions you may wish to ask. yes~ ryan from _ any questions you may wish to ask. yes. ryan from the _ any questions you may wish to ask. yes. ryan from the daily— any questions you may wish to ask. yes. ryan from the daily mail. - any questions you may wish to ask. | yes. ryan from the daily mail. hold on a second. _ yes. ryan from the daily mail. hold on a second, ryan. _ yes. ryan from the daily mail. hold on a second, ryan. having - yes. ryan from the daily mail. hold on a second, ryan. having the - yes. ryan from the daily mail. hold j on a second, ryan. having the head of cid come — on a second, ryan. having the head of cid come over _ on a second, ryan. having the head of cid come over and _ on a second, ryan. having the head of cid come over and investigate . of cid come over and investigate this, can you tell us a little bit about the significance of that? and i wonder if mr brown could give us some detail about why an independent investigation is taking place and it is not being done i think by the local fire service. thank you. thank ou, local fire service. thank you. thank you. ryan- — local fire service. thank you. thank you. ryan- the _ local fire service. thank you. thank you, ryan. the head _ local fire service. thank you. thank you, ryan. the head of— local fire service. thank you. thank you, ryan. the head of cid - local fire service. thank you. thank you, ryan. the head of cid has - local fire service. thank you. thank you, ryan. the head of cid has not| you, ryan. the head of cid has not come _ you, ryan. the head of cid has not come over — you, ryan. the head of cid has not come over the _ you, ryan. the head of cid has not come over. the head _ you, ryan. the head of cid has not come over. the head of— you, ryan. the head of cid has not come over. the head of cid - you, ryan. the head of cid has not come over. the head of cid is - you, ryan. the head of cid has not come over. the head of cid is the. come over. the head of cid is the head _ come over. the head of cid is the head of— come over. the head of cid is the head of cid — come over. the head of cid is the head of cid for _ come over. the head of cid is the head of cid for the _ come over. the head of cid is the head of cid for the states - come over. the head of cid is the head of cid for the states of- come over. the head of cid is thel head of cid for the states ofjersey police, _ head of cid for the states ofjersey police, superintendent— head of cid for the states ofjersey police, superintendent fosse. - head of cid for the states ofjersey police, superintendent fosse. as l head of cid for the states ofjersey. police, superintendent fosse. as you will have _ police, superintendent fosse. as you will have seen— police, superintendent fosse. as you will have seen with _ police, superintendent fosse. as you will have seen with the _ police, superintendent fosse. as you will have seen with the partners - police, superintendent fosse. as you will have seen with the partners in i will have seen with the partners in this conference, _ will have seen with the partners in this conference, we _ will have seen with the partners in this conference, we seek- will have seen with the partners in| this conference, we seek expertise from _ this conference, we seek expertise from other— this conference, we seek expertise from other places. _ this conference, we seek expertise from other places. the _ this conference, we seek expertise. from other places. the investigation for absolute — from other places. the investigation for absolute clarity _ from other places. the investigation for absolute clarity is _ from other places. the investigation for absolute clarity is being - from other places. the investigation for absolute clarity is being led - from other places. the investigation for absolute clarity is being led by. for absolute clarity is being led by states _ for absolute clarity is being led by states of— for absolute clarity is being led by states ofjersey— for absolute clarity is being led by states ofjersey police, _ for absolute clarity is being led by states ofjersey police, and - for absolute clarity is being led by states ofjersey police, and i- states ofjersey police, and i earlier— states ofjersey police, and i earlier mentioned _ states ofjersey police, and i earlier mentioned that -

states ofjersey police, and ii earlier mentioned that various states ofjersey police, and i- earlier mentioned that various other people _ earlier mentioned that various other people who — earlier mentioned that various other people who are _ earlier mentioned that various other people who are national— earlier mentioned that various other people who are national experts - earlier mentioned that various other people who are national experts in i people who are national experts in advising _ people who are national experts in advising us— people who are national experts in advising us on— people who are national experts in advising us on what _ people who are national experts in advising us on what is— people who are national experts in advising us on what is a _ people who are national experts in advising us on what is a very - advising us on what is a very compiex— advising us on what is a very complex investigation- advising us on what is a very complex investigation in- advising us on what is a very complex investigation in a l advising us on what is a very . complex investigation in a very compiex— complex investigation in a very complex scene, _ complex investigation in a very complex scene, that _ complex investigation in a very complex scene, that is - complex investigation in a veryl complex scene, that is absolute normal — complex scene, that is absolute normal procedure _ complex scene, that is absolute normal procedure and _ complex scene, that is absolute normal procedure and is - complex scene, that is absolute normal procedure and is indeedj complex scene, that is absolute - normal procedure and is indeed the film normal procedure and is indeed the right thing — normal procedure and is indeed the right thing to — normal procedure and is indeed the right thing to do _ normal procedure and is indeed the right thing to do. in _ normal procedure and is indeed the right thing to do.— right thing to do. in relation to the independent _ right thing to do. in relation to the independent expertise - right thing to do. in relation to| the independent expertise that right thing to do. in relation to - the independent expertise that we will call on, i think there are two pots that answer. the first and most important one is independence. the states ofjersey fire and rescue service attended the scene on friday evening. it has been part of the conversation so far, it is important, so i think it's important because my priority is those that we have lost and the people who have been left behind. i think it's important that everybody is absolutely assured about the openness and transparency and the relentless drive for the truth through facts, and that's why i'm determined that we will have an independent view of the cause of the

fire, the cause of the explosion. i think secondly it's more practical. this is a large, complex event. it would be large for anyone, but for small service, you can imagine all of our resources been drawn into the response, and so there is a resourcing issue there as well. we need to reach out in further phases, as we have done in the response phase, to partners.— as we have done in the response phase, to partners. thank you, paul and r an. phase, to partners. thank you, paul and ryan- next _ phase, to partners. thank you, paul and ryan. next question? _ phase, to partners. thank you, paul and ryan. next question? julian - and ryan. next question? julian morrell. and ryan. next question? julian morrell- an _ and ryan. next question? julian morrell. an operational - and ryan. next question?|w morrell. an operational question first to _ morrell. an operational question first to the chief officer. people would _ first to the chief officer. people would have seen police around commercial buildings this morning. i wonder— commercial buildings this morning. i wonder if— commercial buildings this morning. i wonder if you can tell me if that is connected — wonder if you can tell me if that is connected to this tragic incident? it is connected, not connected in any part— it is connected, not connected in any part of— it is connected, not connected in any part of the _ it is connected, not connected in any part of the investigation. - it is connected, not connected in . any part of the investigation. there were _ any part of the investigation. there were things — any part of the investigation. there were things about _ any part of the investigation. there were things about the _ any part of the investigation. there were things about the structure - any part of the investigation. there were things about the structure ofl were things about the structure of that building — were things about the structure of that building and _ were things about the structure of that building and allowing - were things about the structure of that building and allowing people i were things about the structure of. that building and allowing people in and out, _

that building and allowing people in and out, nothing _ that building and allowing people in and out, nothing more. _ that building and allowing people in and out, nothing more.— that building and allowing people in and out, nothing more. secondly, we will have many _ and out, nothing more. secondly, we will have many families _ and out, nothing more. secondly, we will have many families and - and out, nothing more. secondly, we will have many families and friends i will have many families and friends affected _ will have many families and friends affected by this unparalleled tragedy. i wonder if you are confident— tragedy. i wonder if you are confident you have the resource to support _ confident you have the resource to support them, but also to support your first — support them, but also to support your first responding officers, who obviousiy — your first responding officers, who obviously have been working tirelessly since saturday? i�*m tirelessly since saturday? i'm crateful tirelessly since saturday? i'm grateful for — tirelessly since saturday? i'm grateful for that question. we have teams _ grateful for that question. we have teams looking _ grateful for that question. we have teams looking not _ grateful for that question. we have teams looking not only _ grateful for that question. we have teams looking not only for - grateful for that question. we have teams looking not only for the - grateful for that question. we have teams looking not only for the first| teams looking not only for the first week, _ teams looking not only for the first week, the — teams looking not only for the first week, the second _ teams looking not only for the first week, the second week, _ teams looking not only for the first week, the second week, and - teams looking not only for the first week, the second week, and we i teams looking not only for the first. week, the second week, and we will still be _ week, the second week, and we will still be part— week, the second week, and we will still be part of— week, the second week, and we will still be part of this _ week, the second week, and we will still be part of this investigation - still be part of this investigation in months — still be part of this investigation in months into— still be part of this investigation in months into the _ still be part of this investigation in months into the future. - still be part of this investigation in months into the future. one. still be part of this investigation. in months into the future. one of still be part of this investigation - in months into the future. one of my other— in months into the future. one of my other priorities — in months into the future. one of my other priorities must _ in months into the future. one of my other priorities must be _ in months into the future. one of my other priorities must be about- other priorities must be about keeping — other priorities must be about keeping islanders _ other priorities must be about keeping islanders save - other priorities must be about keeping islanders save in- other priorities must be about. keeping islanders save in terms other priorities must be about- keeping islanders save in terms of routine _ keeping islanders save in terms of routine business, _ keeping islanders save in terms of routine business, so— keeping islanders save in terms of routine business, so we _ keeping islanders save in terms of routine business, so we have - keeping islanders save in terms ofi routine business, so we have plans looking _ routine business, so we have plans looking ahead _ routine business, so we have plans looking ahead into _ routine business, so we have plans looking ahead into the _ routine business, so we have plans looking ahead into the next - routine business, so we have plans looking ahead into the next few - looking ahead into the next few months — looking ahead into the next few months and _ looking ahead into the next few months and also _ looking ahead into the next few months and also over— looking ahead into the next few months and also over the - looking ahead into the next fewl months and also over the festive period _ months and also over the festive period to — months and also over the festive period to ensure _ months and also over the festive period to ensure we _ months and also over the festive period to ensure we are - months and also over the festive period to ensure we are able - months and also over the festive period to ensure we are able to i period to ensure we are able to respond — period to ensure we are able to respond in _ period to ensure we are able to respond in the _ period to ensure we are able to respond in the usual— period to ensure we are able to respond in the usual way. - period to ensure we are able to. respond in the usual way. states period to ensure we are able to - respond in the usual way. states of jersey— respond in the usual way. states of jersey police — respond in the usual way. states of jersey police has _ respond in the usual way. states of jersey police has a _ respond in the usual way. states of jersey police has a number- respond in the usual way. states of jersey police has a number of - jersey police has a number of specialisms, _ jersey police has a number of specialisms, and _ jersey police has a number of specialisms, and those - jersey police has a number of specialisms, and those are i jersey police has a number of. specialisms, and those are being utilised _ specialisms, and those are being utilised right— specialisms, and those are being utilised right now. _ specialisms, and those are being utilised right now. i— specialisms, and those are being utilised right now. i have - specialisms, and those are being utilised right now. i have alreadyj utilised right now. i have already mentioned — utilised right now. i have already mentioned dvi, _ utilised right now. i have already mentioned dvi, family— utilised right now. i have already mentioned dvi, family liaison, . mentioned dvi, family liaison, experienced _ mentioned dvi, family liaison, experienced investigators, - mentioned dvi, family liaison, experienced investigators, butj mentioned dvi, family liaison, i experienced investigators, but as you would — experienced investigators, but as you would expect, _ experienced investigators, but as you would expect, any— experienced investigators, but as you would expect, any sensible . you would expect, any sensible organisation _ you would expect, any sensible organisation would _ you would expect, any sensible organisation would look - you would expect, any sensible organisation would look upon l you would expect, any sensible - organisation would look upon other expertise _ organisation would look upon other expertise as — organisation would look upon other expertise as well, _ organisation would look upon other expertise as well, and _ organisation would look upon other expertise as well, and i— organisation would look upon other expertise as well, and i am - organisation would look upon other expertise as well, and i am frankly| expertise as well, and i am frankly overwhelmed _ expertise as well, and i am frankly overwhelmed with— expertise as well, and i am frankly overwhelmed with the _ expertise as well, and i am frankly overwhelmed with the amount - expertise as well, and i am frankly overwhelmed with the amount of i overwhelmed with the amount of support— overwhelmed with the amount of support that _ overwhelmed with the amount of support that we've _

overwhelmed with the amount of support that we've been - overwhelmed with the amount of support that we've been offeredl overwhelmed with the amount of. support that we've been offered and we are _ support that we've been offered and we are using — support that we've been offered and we are using. the— support that we've been offered and we are using-— we are using. the friends and families as _ we are using. the friends and families as well _ we are using. the friends and families as well - _ we are using. the friends and families as well - this - we are using. the friends and families as well - this is - we are using. the friends and families as well - this is an i families as well — this is an unparalleled incident. you've got the numbers to support them as well and the _ the numbers to support them as well and the structure in place? absolutely. one of the reasons why we have _ absolutely. one of the reasons why we have brought _ absolutely. one of the reasons why we have brought over— absolutely. one of the reasons why we have brought over the _ absolutely. one of the reasons why we have brought over the nationall we have brought over the national adviser— we have brought over the national adviser for— we have brought over the national adviser for family— we have brought over the national adviser for family liaison, - we have brought over the national adviser for family liaison, who - we have brought over the national adviser for family liaison, who is i adviser for family liaison, who is very— adviser for family liaison, who is very experienced, _ adviser for family liaison, who is very experienced, she _ adviser for family liaison, who is very experienced, she arrived i adviser for family liaison, who is very experienced, she arrived atj very experienced, she arrived at lunchtime — very experienced, she arrived at lunchtime today _ very experienced, she arrived at lunchtime today to _ very experienced, she arrived at lunchtime today to advise - very experienced, she arrived at lunchtime today to advise our i very experienced, she arrived at i lunchtime today to advise our teams for the _ lunchtime today to advise our teams for the six _ lunchtime today to advise our teams for the six families, _ lunchtime today to advise our teams for the six families, and _ lunchtime today to advise our teams for the six families, and i'm - for the six families, and i'm confident— for the six families, and i'm confident we _ for the six families, and i'm confident we have - for the six families, and i'm confident we have the - for the six families, and i'm i confident we have the resources for the six families, and i'm - confident we have the resources to do that— confident we have the resources to do that in— confident we have the resources to do that in the — confident we have the resources to do that in the island. _ confident we have the resources to do that in the island.— do that in the island. graham colourful from _ do that in the island. graham colourful from the _ do that in the island. graham colourful from the sun i do that in the island. graham i colourful from the sun newspaper. can you tell us any more about the potential theories you are investigating? there has been some speculation online which i think it's fair to say is an educated speculation, but about unexploded munitions potentially being in the area. is there anything like that that you are looking into and can tell us about? it that you are looking into and can tell us about?— tell us about? it is inevitable, is it not, particularly _ tell us about? it is inevitable, is it not, particularly in _ tell us about? it is inevitable, is it not, particularly in the - tell us about? it is inevitable, is it not, particularly in the world i tell us about? it is inevitable, is| it not, particularly in the world of

social— it not, particularly in the world of social media, _ it not, particularly in the world of social media, that _ it not, particularly in the world of social media, that there - it not, particularly in the world of social media, that there will i it not, particularly in the world of social media, that there will be i social media, that there will be speculation— social media, that there will be speculation? _ social media, that there will be speculation? that's _ social media, that there will be speculation? that's a _ social media, that there will be speculation? that's a human i social media, that there will be i speculation? that's a human factor that comes — speculation? that's a human factor that comes into _ speculation? that's a human factor that comes into these _ speculation? that's a human factor that comes into these things. - speculation? that's a human factor that comes into these things. of. that comes into these things. of course, — that comes into these things. of course, the _ that comes into these things. of course, the police _ that comes into these things. of course, the police service, - that comes into these things. ofl course, the police service, states ofjersey— course, the police service, states ofjersey police, _ course, the police service, states ofjersey police, doesn't - course, the police service, states ofjersey police, doesn't deal- course, the police service, states| ofjersey police, doesn't deal with speculation. — ofjersey police, doesn't deal with speculation. it— ofjersey police, doesn't deal with speculation, it deals _ ofjersey police, doesn't deal with speculation, it deals with - ofjersey police, doesn't deal with speculation, it deals with facts. i ofjersey police, doesn't deal with| speculation, it deals with facts. at this stage. — speculation, it deals with facts. at this stage. we _ speculation, it deals with facts. at this stage, we are _ speculation, it deals with facts. at this stage, we are still— speculation, it deals with facts. at this stage, we are still developingj this stage, we are still developing some _ this stage, we are still developing some of— this stage, we are still developing some of those _ this stage, we are still developing some of those facts, _ this stage, we are still developing some of those facts, some - this stage, we are still developing some of those facts, some of- this stage, we are still developing i some of those facts, some of which you have _ some of those facts, some of which you have heard _ some of those facts, some of which you have heard from _ some of those facts, some of which you have heard from the _ some of those facts, some of which you have heard from the chief- some of those facts, some of which you have heard from the chief of. you have heard from the chief of fire earlier— you have heard from the chief of fire earlier on. _ you have heard from the chief of fire earlier on. i— you have heard from the chief of fire earlier on. i have _ you have heard from the chief of fire earlier on. i have no - fire earlier on. i have no information— fire earlier on. i have no information whatsoeverl fire earlier on. i have no i information whatsoever to fire earlier on. i have no _ information whatsoever to suggest that, information whatsoever to suggest that. as _ information whatsoever to suggest that. as you — information whatsoever to suggest that. as you will— information whatsoever to suggest that, as you will have _ information whatsoever to suggest that, as you will have often - information whatsoever to suggest that, as you will have often heard, j that, as you will have often heard, the police — that, as you will have often heard, the police service _ that, as you will have often heard, the police service work— that, as you will have often heard, the police service work on - that, as you will have often heard, the police service work on a - that, as you will have often heard, i the police service work on a number of hypotheses _ the police service work on a number of hypotheses it _ the police service work on a number of hypotheses. it seems _ the police service work on a number of hypotheses. it seems to - the police service work on a number of hypotheses. it seems to me i the police service work on a number of hypotheses. it seems to me that| of hypotheses. it seems to me that the one _ of hypotheses. it seems to me that the one that — of hypotheses. it seems to me that the one that is _ of hypotheses. it seems to me that the one that is probably— of hypotheses. it seems to me that the one that is probably most- the one that is probably most relevant _ the one that is probably most relevant is _ the one that is probably most relevant is that _ the one that is probably most relevant is that it _ the one that is probably most relevant is that it is _ the one that is probably most relevant is that it is a - the one that is probably most relevant is that it is a gas i relevant is that it is a gas explosion _ relevant is that it is a gas explosion. as _ relevant is that it is a gas explosion. as i've - relevant is that it is a gas explosion. as i've said i relevant is that it is a gas - explosion. as i've said previously, i explosion. as i've said previously, i rule _ explosion. as i've said previously, irule nothing _ explosion. as i've said previously, i rule nothing in— explosion. as i've said previously, i rule nothing in and _ explosion. as i've said previously, i rule nothing in and i— explosion. as i've said previously, i rule nothing in and i rule - explosion. as i've said previously, i rule nothing in and i rule nothing out. , ., ., , ., i rule nothing in and i rule nothing out. , ., ., ., �* out. just following up on that, i've heard that — out. just following up on that, i've heard that there _ out. just following up on that, i've heard that there was _ out. just following up on that, i've heard that there was potentially i heard that there was potentially some sort of gas line running beneath a building, even if it wasn't directly connected to the building. is that fair to assume? i've been in the police service a long _ i've been in the police service a long time. _ i've been in the police service a long time, graham, _

i've been in the police service a long time, graham, and - i've been in the police service a long time, graham, and i've i i've been in the police service a i long time, graham, and i've learned not to— long time, graham, and i've learned not to assume — long time, graham, and i've learned not to assume anything. _ long time, graham, and i've learned not to assume anything. that - long time, graham, and i've learned not to assume anything. that will. long time, graham, and i've learned not to assume anything. that will be part of— not to assume anything. that will be part of the _ not to assume anything. that will be part of the investigation _ not to assume anything. that will be part of the investigation as - not to assume anything. that will be part of the investigation as we - part of the investigation as we proceed — part of the investigation as we proceed over— part of the investigation as we proceed over the _ part of the investigation as we proceed over the next - part of the investigation as we proceed over the next few- part of the investigation as we i proceed over the next few weeks part of the investigation as we - proceed over the next few weeks and months _ proceed over the next few weeks and months. phil— proceed over the next few weeks and months. ., , ., , months. phil robert from itv news. there was still _ months. phil robert from itv news. there was still a _ months. phil robert from itv news. there was still a number— months. phil robert from itv news. there was still a number of- months. phil robert from itv news. there was still a number of cordons| there was still a number of cordons up there was still a number of cordons up in the surrounding area — i wonder if you can provide an update on when some of those might be coming down and access to the area for the public? i coming down and access to the area for the public?— for the public? i recognise that causes quite — for the public? i recognise that causes quite significant - for the public? i recognise that i causes quite significant disruption to islanders. _ causes quite significant disruption to islanders, but— causes quite significant disruption to islanders, but again, _ causes quite significant disruption to islanders, but again, what i causes quite significant disruption to islanders, but again, what we i to islanders, but again, what we have _ to islanders, but again, what we have also— to islanders, but again, what we have also learnt _ to islanders, but again, what we have also learnt is _ to islanders, but again, what we have also learnt is that - to islanders, but again, what we have also learnt is that our - have also learnt is that our islanders _ have also learnt is that our islanders understand - have also learnt is that our islanders understand that. have also learnt is that our - islanders understand that disruption because _ islanders understand that disruption because of— islanders understand that disruption because of the — islanders understand that disruption because of the tragedy— islanders understand that disruption because of the tragedy we _ islanders understand that disruption because of the tragedy we are - because of the tragedy we are dealing — because of the tragedy we are dealing with _ because of the tragedy we are dealing with. there _ because of the tragedy we are dealing with. there is - because of the tragedy we are dealing with. there is active i because of the tragedy we are i dealing with. there is active work today— dealing with. there is active work today to — dealing with. there is active work today to rearrange _ dealing with. there is active work today to rearrange those - dealing with. there is active work| today to rearrange those cordons, dealing with. there is active work. today to rearrange those cordons, to provide _ today to rearrange those cordons, to provide better— today to rearrange those cordons, to provide better access _ today to rearrange those cordons, to provide better access to _ today to rearrange those cordons, to provide better access to pier- today to rearrange those cordons, to provide better access to pier road i provide better access to pier road car paric — provide better access to pier road car paric that _ provide better access to pier road car park. that is— provide better access to pier road car park. that is not— provide better access to pier road car park. that is not going - provide better access to pier road car park. that is not going to- car park. that is not going to happen— car park. that is not going to happen today. _ car park. that is not going to happen today, but _ car park. that is not going to happen today, but i - car park. that is not going to happen today, but i am i car park. that is not going to happen today, but i am veryl car park. that is not going to- happen today, but i am very hopeful that we _ happen today, but i am very hopeful that we will— happen today, but i am very hopeful that we will be — happen today, but i am very hopeful that we will be able _ happen today, but i am very hopeful that we will be able to _ happen today, but i am very hopeful that we will be able to change - happen today, but i am very hopeful that we will be able to change those j that we will be able to change those cordons _ that we will be able to change those cordons sometime _ that we will be able to change those cordons sometime tomorrow. - that we will be able to change those cordons sometime tomorrow. just. that we will be able to change those cordons sometime tomorrow. just on cordons, cordons sometime tomorrow. just on cordons. on — cordons sometime tomorrow. just on cordons. on the _ cordons sometime tomorrow. just on

cordons, on the road _ cordons sometime tomorrow. just on cordons, on the road directly - cordons sometime tomorrow. just on cordons, on the road directly below. cordons, on the road directly below pier road there are gasworks going on. i wonder if you could give us some clarity of and why that was cordoned off and if there is any police activity happening there? i police activity happening there? i don't know about that, to be fair, but there — don't know about that, to be fair, but there is— don't know about that, to be fair, but there is nothing _ don't know about that, to be fair, but there is nothing to _ don't know about that, to be fair, but there is nothing to suggest i don't know about that, to be fair, i but there is nothing to suggest any issues _ but there is nothing to suggest any issues of— but there is nothing to suggest any issues of safety _ but there is nothing to suggest any issues of safety that _ but there is nothing to suggest any issues of safety that have - but there is nothing to suggest any issues of safety that have been i but there is nothing to suggest any issues of safety that have been put to my _ issues of safety that have been put to my door, — issues of safety that have been put to my door, so_ issues of safety that have been put to my door, so probably— issues of safety that have been put to my door, so probably part- issues of safety that have been put to my door, so probably part of- to my door, so probably part of routine — to my door, so probably part of routine practice. _ to my door, so probably part of routine practice. find _ to my door, so probably part of routine practice.— to my door, so probably part of routine practice. and one question to ou as routine practice. and one question to you as well— routine practice. and one question to you as well - — routine practice. and one question to you as well - in _ routine practice. and one question to you as well - in terms - routine practice. and one question to you as well - in terms of, - routine practice. and one question to you as well - in terms of, it - routine practice. and one question to you as well - in terms of, it is l to you as well — in terms of, it is getting colder and there are signs there may be snow, does that make there may be snow, does that make the investigation potentially harder for you guys?— for you guys? weather affect everything — for you guys? weather affect everything in _ for you guys? weather affect everything in a _ for you guys? weather affect everything in a fire _ for you guys? weather affect everything in a fire and - for you guys? weather affect l everything in a fire and rescue operation, _ everything in a fire and rescue operation, but the effort will continue _ operation, but the effort will continue. it will not stop. that is our duty. — continue. it will not stop. that is our duty, alongside the other emergency services, but our duty is to those _ emergency services, but our duty is to those we — emergency services, but our duty is to those we have lost and to their families — to those we have lost and to their families. we are not going to stop. we have _ families. we are not going to stop. we have to — families. we are not going to stop. we have to take due regard of the

weether— we have to take due regard of the weather and adapt our processes but nothing _ weather and adapt our processes but nothing changes.— weather and adapt our processes but nothin: chances. ~ . ., �* �* nothing changes. megan owen from bbc channel islands — nothing changes. megan owen from bbc channel islands news. _ nothing changes. megan owen from bbc channel islands news. when _ nothing changes. megan owen from bbc channel islands news. when our- channel islands news. when our residents in that area going to be allowed to start going back, and how would you reassure people who may be very anxious about going back to their homes in that area? megan, thank you- _ their homes in that area? megan, thank you- one — their homes in that area? megan, thank you. one thing _ their homes in that area? megan, thank you. one thing i'm - their homes in that area? megan, thank you. one thing i'm mindful| their homes in that area? megan, i thank you. one thing i'm mindful of is that— thank you. one thing i'm mindful of is that we _ thank you. one thing i'm mindful of is that we are — thank you. one thing i'm mindful of is that we are just _ thank you. one thing i'm mindful of is that we are just coming _ thank you. one thing i'm mindful of is that we are just coming up - thank you. one thing i'm mindful of is that we are just coming up to - thank you. one thing i'm mindful of is that we are just coming up to the j is that we are just coming up to the festive _ is that we are just coming up to the festive period. _ is that we are just coming up to the festive period, when— is that we are just coming up to the festive period, when families - is that we are just coming up to the festive period, when families get. festive period, when families get together— festive period, when families get together and _ festive period, when families get together and enjoy— festive period, when families get together and enjoy that - festive period, when families get together and enjoy that time, - together and enjoy that time, despite — together and enjoy that time, despite the _ together and enjoy that time, despite the sadness - together and enjoy that time, despite the sadness that - together and enjoy that time, despite the sadness that we i together and enjoy that time, i despite the sadness that we all together and enjoy that time, - despite the sadness that we all feel in the _ despite the sadness that we all feel in the island — despite the sadness that we all feel in the island. we _ despite the sadness that we all feel in the island. we talk— despite the sadness that we all feel in the island. we talk about - despite the sadness that we all feel in the island. we talk about that - in the island. we talk about that every— in the island. we talk about that every day — in the island. we talk about that every day i_ in the island. we talk about that every day. i meet _ in the island. we talk about that every day. i meet with - in the island. we talk about that every day. i meet with key - in the island. we talk about that i every day. i meet with key people from _ every day. i meet with key people from government. _ every day. i meet with key people from government. all— every day. i meet with key people from government. all of- every day. i meet with key people from government. all of those . from government. all of those families, — from government. all of those families, all— from government. all of those families, all 41 _ from government. all of those families, all 41 people, - from government. all of those families, all 41 people, have . from government. all of those . families, all 41 people, have been rehoused — families, all 41 people, have been rehoused into _ families, all 41 people, have been rehoused into alternative - rehoused into alternative accommodation. - rehoused into alternative accommodation. i- rehoused into alternative accommodation. i can't. rehoused into alternative i accommodation. i can't give rehoused into alternative - accommodation. i can't give a time when _ accommodation. ican't give a time when they— accommodation. i can't give a time when they might _ accommodation. i can't give a time when they might be _ accommodation. i can't give a time when they might be able _ accommodation. ican't give a time when they might be able to- accommodation. ican't give a time when they might be able to go- accommodation. i can't give a time. when they might be able to go back. there _ when they might be able to go back. there may— when they might be able to go back. there may he — when they might be able to go back. there may he a _ when they might be able to go back. there may be a time _ when they might be able to go back. there may be a time when _ when they might be able to go back. there may be a time when some - when they might be able to go back. there may be a time when some of. there may be a time when some of them _ there may be a time when some of them may— there may be a time when some of them may not— there may be a time when some of them may not he _ there may be a time when some of them may not be able _ there may be a time when some of them may not be able to _ there may be a time when some of them may not be able to go - there may be a time when some of them may not be able to go back. there may be a time when some of| them may not be able to go back at all because — them may not be able to go back at all because of— them may not be able to go back at all because of the _ them may not be able to go back at all because of the buildings - them may not be able to go back at all because of the buildings and - all because of the buildings and they need — all because of the buildings and they need to _ all because of the buildings and they need to be _ all because of the buildings and they need to be properly- all because of the buildings and - they need to be properly assessed, but i they need to be properly assessed, but i don't — they need to be properly assessed, but i don't think— they need to be properly assessed, but i don't think that _ they need to be properly assessed, but i don't think that will _ they need to be properly assessed, but i don't think that will happen i but i don't think that will happen anytime — but i don't think that will happen anytime soon _ but i don't think that will happen anytime soon. 00— but i don't think that will happen anytime soon-— anytime soon. do you think the structure of _ anytime soon. do you think the structure of those _ anytime soon. do you think the structure of those buildings - anytime soon. do you think the | structure of those buildings may have been affected in the long—term

certainly those closest to it, we would _ certainly those closest to it, we would want _ certainly those closest to it, we would want to _ certainly those closest to it, we would want to make _ certainly those closest to it, we would want to make sure - certainly those closest to it, we would want to make sure those| certainly those closest to it, we - would want to make sure those were safe _ would want to make sure those were safe of _ would want to make sure those were safe of course, _ would want to make sure those were safe. of course, that _ would want to make sure those were safe. of course, that is— would want to make sure those were safe. of course, that is a _ would want to make sure those were safe. of course, that is a crime - safe. of course, that is a crime scene — safe. of course, that is a crime scene as— safe. of course, that is a crime scene as well, _ safe. of course, that is a crime scene as well, so _ safe. of course, that is a crime scene as well, so to _ safe. of course, that is a crime scene as well, so to manage i safe. of course, that is a crime - scene as well, so to manage people's expectation. — scene as well, so to manage people's expectation, particularly— scene as well, so to manage people's expectation, particularly those - scene as well, so to manage people's expectation, particularly those who i expectation, particularly those who have had _ expectation, particularly those who have had to — expectation, particularly those who have had to leave _ expectation, particularly those who have had to leave their _ expectation, particularly those who have had to leave their homes - expectation, particularly those who have had to leave their homes at l expectation, particularly those who| have had to leave their homes at at this particularly— have had to leave their homes at at this particularly festive _ have had to leave their homes at at this particularly festive time, - have had to leave their homes at at this particularly festive time, is - this particularly festive time, is that i_ this particularly festive time, is that i have _ this particularly festive time, is that i have to— this particularly festive time, is that i have to say— this particularly festive time, is that i have to say i— this particularly festive time, is that i have to say i don't- this particularly festive time, is that i have to say i don't think. that i have to say i don't think that— that i have to say i don't think that is— that i have to say i don't think that is going _ that i have to say i don't think that is going to— that i have to say i don't think that is going to happen - that i have to say i don't think. that is going to happen anytime soon _ that is going to happen anytime soon. . , ., , that is going to happen anytime soon. . , ,, soon. that is robin smith, the olice soon. that is robin smith, the police chief — soon. that is robin smith, the police chief for _ soon. that is robin smith, the police chief for the _ soon. that is robin smith, the police chief for the of - soon. that is robin smith, the police chief for the of jersey i police chief for the ofjersey police, leading that press conference, alongside the fire service chief, paul brown, the chief ambulance officer, peter agave. service chief, paul brown, the chief ambulance officer, peteragave. i touched on a number of points, the fire service chief talking about the fact the fire service were called and attended the site on friday evening just after half past eight but then handed over to island energyjust but then handed over to island energy just after but then handed over to island energyjust after 9pm. they but then handed over to island energy just after 9pm. they say the type of explosion often indicates gas, but he stressed, we do not know that conclusively at this stage. we spoke about a complex and long

investigation, as well as setting up a commission of independent experts to investigate what caused the fire and explosion that rocked the area of st helier injersey early on saturday morning. we also heard that two islanders are currently receiving medical treatment in hospital. there was praise for the emergency services and the colleagues, is the —— they said they were proud and thankful to be working with such a team of professionals, and again stressing the point between them that their teams are looking at how they conduct this, notjust in the first or second week but months into the future. that's the press conference, the latest we are hearing, that press conference nowjust wrapping up press conference nowjust wrapping up there. it was happening live in jersey. actually, while that press conference was going on, because there has been another element on a

separate story, another tragedy that the islanders ofjersey were coming to terms with, the fishing vessel that sank, jersey police have now confirmed that two bodies have been located in the area of the l'ecume. a search and rescue operation are still going on and will while the weather permits. the families are being supported by specially trained family liaison officers. just another day than last few minutes in connection with that fishing boat that collided with a larger ship. states ofjersey police confirming now that two bodies have been located in that area. we will bring you more details on the relevance on both of those stories, the explosion in the fishing vessel sink in, as and when we get them here on bbc news.

the prime minister rishi sunak has set out new measures for tackling the soaring number of asylum claims, promising to "abolish the back log" of cases by the end of next year. he also announced plans to fast—track the removal of albanian migrants. let's get some more analysis on this with our political correspondent jonathan blake at westminster. how does the prime minister proposed to achieve this? he how does the prime minister proposed to achieve this?— to achieve this? he set out a few measures _ to achieve this? he set out a few measures in _ to achieve this? he set out a few measures in the _ to achieve this? he set out a few measures in the house _ to achieve this? he set out a few measures in the house of- to achieve this? he set out a few. measures in the house of commons earlier, and rishi sunak has made it clear he has been spending a lot of time on the issue of how to tackle problem crossing the english channel in small boats in large numbers, and today we have for the first time what he plans to do about it. he talked about the need to balance the support that the uk should give to people in dire need with the genuine need to control our borders. he said enough was enough and unless the government tackle this problem now, it would only get worse. he talked about the measures he wanted to put in place, and to run through those briefly now, there will be a new deal with albania to remove people

arriving from that country more swiftly. there will be a new dedicated small boats command centre combining military and civilian resources, more funding for national crime agency to tackle illegal immigration crime in europe. moving people out of hotels in various areas into other kinds of accommodation, for example, student halls of residence and holiday camps, the prime minister said, and also doubling the number of caseworkers assigned to processing asylum claims in the uk, with the aim, the aim, the prime minster said, or his expectation, he said, of clearing the backlog of initial asylum decisions by the end of next year. he talked about doing what is right and sticking to the principle of fairness. tackling this problem will not be quick, it will not be easy but it is the right thing to do. we cannot persist with a system that was designed fora different era.

we have to stop the boats and this government will do what must be done. mr speaker, we will be tough. but fair. and where we lead, others will follow — but fair. and where we lead, others will follow. , ., . . . but fair. and where we lead, others willfollow. . . . ,, . . will follow. jonathan, a specific mention about _ will follow. jonathan, a specific mention about plans _ will follow. jonathan, a specific mention about plans to - will follow. jonathan, a specific. mention about plans to fast-track mention about plans to fast—track the removal of albanian migrants — why the focus on those in particular?— why the focus on those in particular? why the focus on those in articular? , , ., . particular? because people from that country make — particular? because people from that country make pp _ particular? because people from that country make up a — particular? because people from that country make up a large _ particular? because people from that country make up a large part, - particular? because people from that country make up a large part, up - particular? because people from that country make up a large part, up to i country make up a large part, up to a third of arrivals in small boats across the channel, according to the government, so there is an issue there, and the prime minister talked about the potential abuse of modern slavery laws in the uk which were allowing people to come from that country in large numbers, and he said that the threshold would be raised when it came to applying those decisions. sir keir starmer for the labour party said this was all gimmicks. he said most of it the government had said and promised

before and accused the prime minister of presiding over a broken system. there are in excess of 40,000 people who have crossed the english channel so far this year. it is a problem which this prime minister and his predecessors have struggled to deal with, and governments have talked for the last few years in very tough terms about tackling the problem, but it has been very difficult to do anything effective about it, so lots of conservative mps in particular, and many voters who see this as a very important issue that needs to be dealt with will be looking to see how far these measures are effective and whether they work.— and whether they work. jonathan, thanks very _ and whether they work. jonathan, thanks very much. _ and whether they work. jonathan, thanks very much. jonathan - and whether they work. jonathan, thanks very much. jonathan blake there for us in westminster. hundreds of people have held a vigil in solihull in memory of the three boys who died after falling through ice on a lake. they were aged eight, ten and 11. a fourth boy, who's six years old, is still in hospital in a critical condition. 0ur correspondent phil mackie has the latest.

for a third day, police are searching the lake. they have said they no longer think anyone is missing, but they have to be sure. if anything, the ice has spread even further than yesterday after temperatures plunged again overnight. it has made the search extremely difficult. last night, there was a community vigil for families of the children, who were also there. the candles burned well into the ali abbas. police are expected to release more information ——into the early hours police are expected to release more information about the children later. ten—year—old jackjohnson was one of the three who died. today his school was back opened after an impossibly difficult 24 hours. one of the boys was in my daughter's class, and they told her yesterday, you know, it was really heartbreaking, we all went to lace and flowers, and it kind of eased her pain, and there is a sense of community spirit,

so it is just tragic, really tragic. the grief is still clearly visible as the mass of tributes continues to grow. there are also messages from friends and family of the other boys who died, as well as from political leaders like the mayor of the west midlands, andy street, and organisations like west midlands police federation and one of the local fire crews. the risks of playing on ice have never been more stark. the lake where the boys died is notjust out of bounds while the police search, but it might be so for a long time to come. so, there are specialist teams from nottinghamshire police here today helping officers from west midlands police carry out that search in the lake. and we are still seeing a steady trickle of people bringing flowers and messages and toys to that growing makeshift shrine to the boys who died, and we are expecting them in city football managerjohn eustace to come in the next half—an—hour or so to put something

here from the club as well, the latest we have on the six—year—old boy who was pulled out alive is that he is still in hospital and still in a critical condition. hello. plenty of nc stretches where we have seen snow recently, the next couple of days staying cold, still some wintry conditions, mainly across parts of scotland, we could also see snow across the higher ground of south—west england and perhaps as far south as west sussex. maybe some accumulations for the likes of dartmoor and the south downs. largely try and clear elsewhere this evening and overnight, cold again but not quite as cold as last night, a hard frost, wintry showers across parts of scotland and north—east england tomorrow, could be several centimetres of snow, it will really

feel quite raw. top temperatures only a degree or two above freezing, it will feel colder than that when you add the wind chill, especially across scotland had eastern england where it could feel as cold as —6. this is bbc news with me, ben boulos. the headlines... major transport disruption as rmt members stage fresh industrial action. 40,000 workers will be on strike on four dates this week, leading to the total shutdown of the railway network. the prime minister promises more staff to help clear the uk's backlog of asylum seekers by the end of next year. labour accuses the government of a total failure to deal with the problem. a chill is held for three boys who died after falling into a frozen lake in solihull. a six—year—old boy remains

in a critical condition in hospital —— a vigil is held. emergency services said an investigation into an explosion injersey will be long and complex as they confirm the death till has risen to seven. the centre of a collapsed crib so currently exchanges arrested in the bahamas and charge by us authorities in charge of defrauding investors —— collapsed cryptocurrency exchange. newborn babies will have their dna decoded in the search for rare genetic diseases. the business secretary grant shapps is facing questions from the business select committee. let's listen. putin's _ business select committee. let's listen. putin's illegal— business select committee. let's listen. putin's illegal war - business select committee. let's listen. putin's illegal war is - business select committee. let�*s listen. putin's illegal war is the reason, there is no mystery, it has massively pushed up inflation and energy prices. the us figures have

come out today and show the rise has started to descend, or continue its descent, in the last month, and i very much hope we are in that position in europe before long too as the impact of putin's feel based war leads through the system —— fuel—based war. but it's worthy pressure for pay increases has come from, a level of inflation in no small part from the cost of energy. but it would be wrong to blame president putin for everything. i am not here _ president putin for everything. i am not here to — president putin for everything. i am not here to defend him but looking at economic growth in the uk since 2015. _ at economic growth in the uk since 2015, excluding the obvious problems with the _ 2015, excluding the obvious problems with the covid pandemic, we have had this economic decline. i could give you another— this economic decline. i could give you another figure, since 2010 the uk has _ you another figure, since 2010 the uk has enjoyed the third fastest growth —

uk has enjoyed the third fastest growth in the g7, faster than germany, _ growth in the g7, faster than germany, france and japan. it depends— germany, france and japan. it de--end .. germany, france and japan. it de--end ~' germany, france and japan. it de-end- ~' in ,. germany, france and japan. it de--end ~' , depends like you said those figures from that it is _ depends like you said those figures from that it is true _ depends like you said those figures from that it is true to _ depends like you said those figures from that it is true to say _ depends like you said those figures from that it is true to say that - from that it is true to say that putinism responsible for the very, very high levels of inflation experienced, essentially an energy shock. i’m experienced, essentially an energy shock. �* . , ., shock. i'm looking at figures from the national _ shock. i'm looking at figures from the national profits _ shock. i'm looking at figures from the national profits -- _ shock. i'm looking at figures from the national profits -- the - shock. i'm looking at figures from the national profits -- the office | the national profits —— the office of national statistics. use the national profits -- the office of national statistics.— the national profits -- the office of national statistics. use 2015, i used 2010- _ of national statistics. use 2015, i used 2010- i _ of national statistics. use 2015, i used 2010. i can _ of national statistics. use 2015, i used 2010. i can go _ of national statistics. use 2015, i used 2010. i can go through - of national statistics. use 2015, i used 2010. i can go through each j used 2010. i can go through each ear if used 2010. i can go through each year if you _ used 2010. i can go through each year if you want _ used 2010. i can go through each year if you want me _ used 2010. i can go through each year if you want me to, _ used 2010. i can go through each year if you want me to, let - used 2010. i can go through each year if you want me to, let me i used 2010. i can go through each | year if you want me to, let me do that, _ year if you want me to, let me do that, as _ year if you want me to, let me do that, as you — year if you want me to, let me do that, as you have invited me, there were _ that, as you have invited me, there were only— that, as you have invited me, there were only four years between 2010 and before the pandemic where there was a _ and before the pandemic where there was a positive change in economic growth _ was a positive change in economic growth. 2012, 0.01%, 2013 0.42%, 204i~i% _ growth. 2012, 0.01%, 2013 0.42%, 204i~i% and _ growth. 2012, 0.01%, 2013 0.42%, 2041.1% and in 2019 0.02%, since 2015— 2041.1% and in 2019 0.02%, since 2015 there — 2041.1% and in 2019 0.02%, since 2015 there has been a consistent yearly— 2015 there has been a consistent yearly decline as a percentage of

gdp, _ yearly decline as a percentage of gdp, these are government figures. it gdp, these are government figures. it depends— gdp, these are government figures. it depends on the baseline, i do not have a set of numbers, we can trade and if you like bilateral but this year we have had the fastest growth in the g7. i am not sure it adds much to trade these figures backwards and forwards. if the central argument you might reaches that productivity is not what we wanted to be in this country, i completely agree and i think you will find a lot of common ground and i i also see, although my ten—year in this role is new, i think i can also see ways to improve productivity quite genetically as a country and that is very much in the national interest —— my tenure in this role. it national interest -- my tenure in this role. . national interest -- my tenure in this role. , ., .,, national interest -- my tenure in this role. , ., ., this role. it is our “ob to measure our this role. it is our “ob to measure your progress — this role. it is our “ob to measure your progress as — this role. it is ourjob to measure your progress as a _ this role. it is ourjob to measure your progress as a government, | this role. it is ourjob to measure i your progress as a government, i'm using _ your progress as a government, i'm using government figures. it depends which figures — using government figures. it depends which figures you _ using government figures. it depends which figures you quote, _ using government figures. it depends which figures you quote, the - using government figures. it depends which figures you quote, the figures i which figures you quote, the figures i quoted are also accurate, we have had the third fastest growth in the

g7 since 2010, i think the figure is, faster than germany, france, japan, i don't have the numbers in front of me but i think if your central point is wouldn't it be nice to move faster, i think we would all agree that productivity is at the heart. mr; agree that productivity is at the heart. ~ , ,., , agree that productivity is at the heart. g ,, , heart. my point is you keep comparing _ heart. my point is you keep comparing us _ heart. my point is you keep comparing us to _ heart. my point is you keep comparing us to other- heart. my point is you keep - comparing us to other countries, i am interested in your government's performance in the uk and based on the government figures, which are 'ust the government figures, which are just government figures, there are no dispute — just government figures, there are no dispute about them, we have had a period _ no dispute about them, we have had a period of— no dispute about them, we have had a period of economic decline, not economic— period of economic decline, not economic growth. the period of economic decline, not economic growth.— economic growth. the office of national statistics _ economic growth. the office of national statistics is _ economic growth. the office of national statistics is not - national statistics is not the government, but is an independent statistical office, and people watching this will be familiar with both the pandemic and the war in europe which will have had an impact and it's likely depends on when you start and end the numbers. the andemic start and end the numbers. the pandemic at _ start and end the numbers. the pandemic at the _ start and end the numbers. the pandemic at the war in europe did not start—

pandemic at the war in europe did not start in— pandemic at the war in europe did not start in 2015, when we started this economic decline. —— and the war in— this economic decline. —— and the war in europe. one of the drivers of growth _ war in europe. one of the drivers of growth is _ war in europe. one of the drivers of growth is cut — war in europe. one of the drivers of growth is cut figures from the office — growth is cut figures from the office for budget responsibility, you might want to refute their figuresm _ you might want to refute their figuresm i_ you might want to refute their figures... i have not as stupid question— figures... i have not as stupid question yet. from 2015 to the year before _ question yet. from 2015 to the year before the — question yet. from 2015 to the year before the pandemic private sector investment went from 9.3% of in 2015 compared _ investment went from 9.3% of in 2015 compared to— investment went from 9.3% of in 2015 compared to 2014, down to 0.9% in 2019 -- _ compared to 2014, down to 0.9% in 2019 -- i_ compared to 2014, down to 0.9% in 2019 —— i have not asked you the question— 2019 —— i have not asked you the question yet, create. half a decade of economic decline, your observation?— of economic decline, your observation? ., , ., ., observation? your figures do not disarree observation? your figures do not disagree with _ observation? your figures do not disagree with the _ observation? your figures do not disagree with the narrative - observation? your figures do not disagree with the narrative i - observation? your figures do not disagree with the narrative i am | disagree with the narrative i am presenting you, we want productivity to be much faster, but as i have already demonstrated in the figures i have presented back, and i will not repeat the back in third time, it depends on the start and end

date. —— i will not repeat them back a third time. by using the same statistical analysis i can demonstrate the opposite edge, i am not sure it adds to the wealth of knowledge in the room. if not sure it adds to the wealth of knowledge in the room.- knowledge in the room. if you reviewed the _ knowledge in the room. if you reviewed the figures - knowledge in the room. if you reviewed the figures from - knowledge in the room. if you reviewed the figures from the | knowledge in the room. if you - reviewed the figures from the office of national statistics... | reviewed the figures from the office of national statistics... i am reviewed the figures from the office of national statistics. . ._ of national statistics... i am not, i am questioning _ of national statistics... i am not, i am questioning your— of national statistics... i am not, i am questioning your dates. - of national statistics... i am not, i i am questioning your dates. please do not interrupt _ i am questioning your dates. please do not interrupt me, _ i am questioning your dates. please do not interrupt me, it _ i am questioning your dates. please do not interrupt me, it is _ i am questioning your dates. please do not interrupt me, it is rude - i am questioning your dates. please do not interrupt me, it is rude and i do not interrupt me, it is rude and inappropriate. if you do not believe the office _ inappropriate. if you do not believe the office for budget responsibility and office of national statistics figures, — and office of national statistics figures, whose figures are your comments based on? | figures, whose figures are your comments based on?— figures, whose figures are your comments based on? i will write back to the committee _ comments based on? i will write back to the committee with _ comments based on? i will write back to the committee with figures - to the committee with figures showing that our growth is the third fastest since 2010 in the g7, i have already mentioned this, faster than germany, france and japan. i have always thought that the purpose of a select committee was a debate back and forwards. it is select committee was a debate back and forwards-— and forwards. it is to answer my ruestion and forwards. it is to answer my question so _ and forwards. it is to answer my question so you _

and forwards. it is to answer my question so you should - and forwards. it is to answer my question so you should let - and forwards. it is to answer my question so you should let me i and forwards. it is to answer my - question so you should let me finish asking _ question so you should let me finish asking them. based on oecd figures, among _ asking them. based on oecd figures, among the _ asking them. based on oecd figures, among the g20 apparently only the uk will have _ among the g20 apparently only the uk will have a _ among the g20 apparently only the uk will have a smaller economy in 2025 based _ will have a smaller economy in 2025 based on _ will have a smaller economy in 2025 based on current projections than any other— based on current projections than any other g20 country from before the pandemic, waida you think that is? as _ the pandemic, waida you think that is? �* . the pandemic, waida you think that is? r , , the pandemic, waida you think that is? m the pandemic, waida you think that is? a . the pandemic, waida you think that is? . ., is? as i say, you are throwing firures is? as i say, you are throwing figures at _ is? as i say, you are throwing figures at me _ is? as i say, you are throwing figures at me and _ is? as i say, you are throwing figures at me and when - is? as i say, you are throwing figures at me and when i - is? as i say, you are throwing - figures at me and when i respond for example we had the fastest growth this year, you move onto a different statistic. i am not sure this adds a great deal to the wealth of knowledge. great deal to the wealth of knowledge-— great deal to the wealth of knowledre. . ., ,, ., knowledge. the wealth of knowledge is based on independent _ knowledge. the wealth of knowledge is based on independent data, - knowledge. the wealth of knowledge is based on independent data, it - knowledge. the wealth of knowledge is based on independent data, it is i is based on independent data, it is the only— is based on independent data, it is the only thing we have referenced you, the only thing we have referenced you. are _ the only thing we have referenced you, are you refuting the oecdeconomic outlook? | you, are you refuting the oecdeconomic outlook? ., . ., oecdeconomic outlook? i did not come here, oecdeconomic outlook? i did not come here. although — oecdeconomic outlook? i did not come here. although i _ oecdeconomic outlook? i did not come here, although i will— oecdeconomic outlook? i did not come here, although i will the _ oecdeconomic outlook? i did not come here, although i will the next _ here, although i will the next attendance, seeing how you run the committee, with a set of figures to debate about the size and scale of the economy as opposed to some of the economy as opposed to some of the industrial and energy issues facing us, i will come armed with those numbers on the next occasion.

"many organisations including oecd, imf, the 0br, 0ns, and "many organisations including oecd, imf, the 0br, ons, and come up with a range of different projections and ifear you are being a range of different projections and i fear you are being selective in your range —— you can quote many organisations. off the top of my head i am able to quote some alternative figures. on a slightly more constructive note i do not think we are that far from an understanding of what needs to happen, faster productivity and growth and i have been a range of headwinds, including a global pandemic and a war in europe which has impacted different countries in different ways. you has impacted different countries in different ways-— different ways. you don't seem to want to have _ different ways. you don't seem to want to have a — different ways. you don't seem to want to have a discussion - different ways. you don't seem to want to have a discussion based i different ways. you don't seem to l want to have a discussion based on data about — want to have a discussion based on data about the performance of your department based on economic growth, but when _ department based on economic growth, but when you write the secretary of state _ but when you write the secretary of state you _ but when you write the secretary of state you did little video for your twitter— state you did little video for your twitter from the round lifts where you called — twitter from the round lifts where you called the business department the department for growth, if you are uncomfortable with statistics on

growth _ are uncomfortable with statistics on growth, how would you like me to measure — growth, how would you like me to measure your performance? i�*m growth, how would you like me to measure your performance? i'm not uncomfortable — measure your performance? i'm not uncomfortable and _ measure your performance? i'm not uncomfortable and we _ measure your performance? i'm not uncomfortable and we will— measure your performance? i'm not uncomfortable and we will have - measure your performance? i'm not uncomfortable and we will have the | uncomfortable and we will have the fastest growth in the g7 this year, as i pointed out. one of your clerks listed a range of issues that you wanted to discuss up this committee, but was not included, so it is not the brief i am armed with and i am telling you what i recall off the top of my head. for telling you what i recall off the top of my head-— telling you what i recall off the to of m head. ., . top of my head. for future reference it should not — top of my head. for future reference it should not surprise _ top of my head. for future reference it should not surprise you _ top of my head. for future reference it should not surprise you that - top of my head. for future reference it should not surprise you that i - it should not surprise you that i want _ it should not surprise you that i want to — it should not surprise you that i want to talk to you about the economy, _ want to talk to you about the economy, but now we know. market ruali . i economy, but now we know. market quality- i would _ economy, but now we know. market quality. i would like _ economy, but now we know. market quality. i would like to _ economy, but now we know. market quality. i would like to talk - economy, but now we know. market quality. i would like to talk about. quality. i would like to talk about an important sector of business and industry, the manufacturing sector. manufacturing has declined quite substantially since the 19705 when it's made up 25% of gdp and i5 substantially since the 19705 when it's made up 25% of gdp and is now currently running at about 11% as of shoring i5 currently running at about 11% as of shoring is taking place and less valuable products have been manufactured in countries with lower wage economies. is making things,

secretary of state, still an important function of our business sector? . .. important function of our business sector? , ,, ,., sector? yes, i think so, particularly _ sector? yes, i think so, particularly in _ sector? yes, i think so, particularly in areas - sector? yes, i think so, particularly in areas of i sector? yes, i think so, - particularly in areas of advanced manufacturing where there is a lot of value—added, i think they are very important areas to the industrial sector and whilst your central point is true that this economy over many decades has transitioned from a europe manufacturing industrial revolution economy into one which has entered into a lot more servers, science and so on, i think manufacturing, particular advanced manufacturing, is a very important part of our economy —— has transitioned from a pure manufacturing industrial revolution economy. aha, pure manufacturing industrial revolution economy.- pure manufacturing industrial revolution economy. a torch was roduced revolution economy. a torch was produced in _ revolution economy. a torch was produced in the _ revolution economy. a torch was produced in the last _ revolution economy. a torch was produced in the last couple - revolution economy. a torch was produced in the last couple of. revolution economy. a torch was i produced in the last couple of days setting out real challenges, not last and —— not least energy costs and i know a great deal of our discussions will be around energy.

businesses saying the cost price increases they have experience in energy is probably the most serious issue, they know there is a scheme at the moment to support them on energy costs, but that runs out in march. you have been in business, business is like certainty, so what can we tell businesses about what will replace that scheme in march? the chancellor has spoken about this and will be saying more shortly. that's right, the review of the brs promised — that's right, the review of the brs promised at — that's right, the review of the brs promised at the _ that's right, the review of the brs promised at the pointed _ that's right, the review of the brs - promised at the pointed announcement of the _ promised at the pointed announcement of the scheme — promised at the pointed announcement of the scheme is due _ promised at the pointed announcement of the scheme is due very, _ promised at the pointed announcement of the scheme is due very, very- of the scheme is due very, very imminenttyr _ of the scheme is due very, very imminently, that— of the scheme is due very, very imminently, that is— of the scheme is due very, very imminently, that is designed i of the scheme is due very, veryj imminently, that is designed to of the scheme is due very, very- imminently, that is designed to give businesses — imminently, that is designed to give businesses a — imminently, that is designed to give businesses a period _ imminently, that is designed to give businesses a period to _ imminently, that is designed to give businesses a period to understand i businesses a period to understand that scheme — businesses a period to understand that scheme before _ businesses a period to understand that scheme before it _ businesses a period to understand that scheme before it comes - businesses a period to understand that scheme before it comes intoi that scheme before it comes into force _ that scheme before it comes into force at _ that scheme before it comes into force at the — that scheme before it comes into force at the beginning _ that scheme before it comes into force at the beginning of- that scheme before it comes into force at the beginning of april. i that scheme before it comes into. force at the beginning of april. can we tell force at the beginning of april. we tell businesses it will be a substantial scheme and comparative to those of competitor economies so businesses competing with overseas manufacturers can know they will not

be put at a disadvantage of increased energy costs, because that is the message we have had from energy intensive industries for many years. energy intensive industries for many ears. , . energy intensive industries for many ears. , , , , years. energy intensive industries had seen historically _ years. energy intensive industries had seen historically higher- years. energy intensive industriesj had seen historically higher prices here than for example in some european comparators, that is absolutely true. the energy intensive industry scheme provides an 85% assistance and has paid out a couple of billion pounds since it came on in 2013, i think i am right in saying. i came on in 2013, i thinki am right in sa inr. , came on in 2013, i thinki am right insa in. , ., in saying. i recognise the scale of that challenge, _ in saying. i recognise the scale of that challenge, made _ in saying. i recognise the scale of that challenge, made much - in saying. i recognise the scale of| that challenge, made much bigger in saying. i recognise the scale of- that challenge, made much bigger by the much increased energy prices. and the proportion of manufacturers that would consider themselves to be energy intensive i5 that would consider themselves to be energy intensive is higher because of the proportion of the cost of their inputs made by energy. exactly, and the chancellor specifically recognise this in his autumn statement and said he would

come back to this particular scheme and, as the permanent secretary says, you really will not have to wait very long for a treasury response from the chancellor. businesses in manufacturing diiso businesses in manufacturing also tells about the _ businesses in manufacturing also tells about the labour shortage, i think you alluded to that in your discussion with the chairman, there are labour and skills shortages. i know that it's often covered by the department but what is basically to assist businesses to make sure they a55i5t businesses to make sure they have the right skills and the right people applying for their vacancies? dwp primarily and dfe together, yes, i have been proactively working with my cabinet colleagues from both of those departments in order tojoin this up, because as you rightly say the skills shortage is causing a constriction for businesses that

will. .. constriction for businesses that will... a5 constriction for businesses that will... as i go around in my role of secretary of state and as we go around our constituencies we see, it will have the impact of lowering potential output. there are two ways of resolving much, one is through what i was hinting at before, the authorisation of manufacture, factories and so on. irate authorisation of manufacture, factories and so on.— authorisation of manufacture, factories and so on. we have been ve slow factories and so on. we have been very slow at _ factories and so on. we have been very slow at that, _ factories and so on. we have been very slow at that, this _ factories and so on. we have been very slow at that, this committee | factories and so on. we have been. very slow at that, this committee in the previous parliament reported on that, we established we have one robot for every 50 that exist in japan. i robot for every 50 that exist in ja an, , , , . robot for every 50 that exist in ja an. , , , . ., robot for every 50 that exist in jaan. ,,_ . , robot for every 50 that exist in jaan. , ,, . . , ., japan. i suspect that is right and i susect it japan. i suspect that is right and i suspect it is _ japan. i suspect that is right and i suspect it is to — japan. i suspect that is right and i suspect it is to do _ japan. i suspect that is right and i suspect it is to do with _ japan. i suspect that is right and i suspect it is to do with the - japan. i suspect that is right and i suspect it is to do with the shape | suspect it is to do with the shape of our employment market previously, particularly while we were in the eu it was probably always less expensive the short—term to ask somebody to do thatjob from one of 27 other countries, no visas required, than to invest in technology. i was at dhl in my own

constituency about a week ago at the main distribution point for m&s and in their warehouse because of lack of staff, which is pretty much a global uncertainty european problem, they have invested in the robots you are talking about which i helping the existing staff to be more productive —— and certainly a european problem. and to your training points, working closely with the dwp and dfe secretaries of state to link up, in order to tie that together and be more effective. i'm a west midlands mp, what happens in automotive i5 i'm a west midlands mp, what happens in automotive is very important to my constituency, people work at jaguar land rover and lots of people in the supply chain. a5 jaguar land rover and lots of people in the supply chain. as we transition to electric vehicles, they will be made close to where the batteries are made because the battery makes up 40% of the weight and cost of the vehicle. we have a

big manufacture in the west midlands, west midlands i5 big manufacture in the west midlands, west midlands is the heart of automotive manufacturing that we do not currently have a commitment to the gigafactory. how can you reassure my constituents, whose livelihoods depend on the success of jaguar land rover, that there will be a gigafactory in the west midlands? irate be a gigafactory in the west midlands?— be a gigafactory in the west midlands? . . , ,, ., . midlands? we are very keen to have gigafactories — midlands? we are very keen to have gigafactories in _ midlands? we are very keen to have gigafactories in this _ midlands? we are very keen to have gigafactories in this country, - midlands? we are very keen to have gigafactories in this country, they i gigafactories in this country, they are not produced overnight for reasons you are aware of that we are in conversation with a number of potential builders of gigafactories. it is notjust the gigafactory, as you well know, it is the supply chain. recently i was in teesside at a firm called green lithium, europe was my first lithium refinery who will be able to refine lithium and exported to europe —— britain's ——

europe's first lithium refinery. it is a stage or two before you get it into the refinery but it is as important as the gigafactories and the owners, the founders, tell me they built part in the uk because our regulations make it much more desirable than in europe. 50 we are in betting interact supply chain even from an earlier stage than just the factories —— so we are betting in that supply chain. if the factories -- so we are betting in that supply chain.— in that supply chain. if you take bmw's production _ in that supply chain. if you take bmw's production of _ in that supply chain. if you take bmw's production of the - in that supply chain. if you take bmw's production of the mini, | bmw's production of the mini, manufactured in oxford, they are manufacturing the electric product in china because that is where the batteries are at the oxford factory will produce the internal combustion engine. we will not be putting internal combustion engine products on the market after 2030, so what future for automotive manufacturing?

i mid—conversation with many manufactures about the plans —— i'm in conversation with. i think the future overall will be bright for electric manufacturing here based on what i know is being considered in the pipeline. it is already the case that we manufacture vehicles here which are sold throughout the world, including electric vehicles, certainly throughout europe. hagar including electric vehicles, certainly throughout europe. how do we revent certainly throughout europe. how do we prevent companies _ certainly throughout europe. how do we prevent companies like _ certainly throughout europe. how do we prevent companies like bmw - certainly throughout europe. how do i we prevent companies like bmw taking the decision they have recently taken? what strategy can be show them that we are really keen to keep that in the uk? —— can we show then? the specific decision you are referring to is one of a series of decisions by bmw and other ferns, there is more of a continuum in all of this and i are very active in those conversations in order to

ensure we land that supply chain. a5 transport secretary before this job i was instrumental in setting the 2030 date for the end of pure diesel and petrol sales, i 2030 date for the end of pure diesel and petrol sales, lam 2030 date for the end of pure diesel and petrol sales, i am an enthusiastic. 20%, one in five, minter has been a huge increase in the sale of electric vehicles. i want to make sure that the baseline, the supply chain, much as our ambitions as a country to go electric. �* ., ambitions as a country to go electric. . ., , . ., ambitions as a country to go electric. �* ., , . ., ,, ambitions as a country to go electric. . ., , . ., ,, ., electric. another sector linked to automotive. _ electric. another sector linked to automotive, we _ electric. another sector linked to automotive, we have _ electric. another sector linked to automotive, we have just - electric. another sector linked to automotive, we have just turn i electric. another sector linked to j automotive, we have just turn an inquiry into semiconductors, one of the reasons was because automotive in the uk were struggling to get a supply of semiconductors and some people wondered why we can'tjust make them in the uk. as you know, it

is not that simple. we only account for 0.5% of uk production but we are at the cutting—edge of the high—technology sectors. how can we make sure we do not lose that in the way that we exited the market in the silicon chip market which we pioneered that somebody else ended up pioneered that somebody else ended up making them at scale? ianthem pioneered that somebody else ended up making them at scale?— pioneered that somebody else ended up making them at scale? when i look at the silicon — up making them at scale? when i look at the silicon chips, _ up making them at scale? when i look at the silicon chips, silicon _ at the silicon chips, silicon wafers, the whole gambit, i think it is really important we view the market as a supply chain exactly as you describe, right through to cars. the world are struggling to get supply. if one thing has been clear, particularly with the ongoing situation in china... there is a

premium on being able to... a5 asi as i look to develop an industrial policy i will be cognizant of how we can always provide for the uk industry. i recognise the points you are making very strongly and doing some work on that and we will be able to return to the committee and able to return to the committee and a short while to talk about it more and i hope members will be reassured by the recognition of the importance of your question and i am actively working on it. of your question and i am actively working on it— of your question and i am actively workinr on it. ,, , �* , ,, working on it. studio: the business secretary grant _ working on it. studio: the business secretary grant shapps _ working on it. studio: the business secretary grant shapps taking - secretary grant shapps taking questions from the business select committee, talking in response to a question from mark causey, conservative mp for rugby, following

a rather terse exchange with the chair of the committee, labour and p darrenjones, about the chair of the committee, labour and p darren jones, about the use chair of the committee, labour and p darrenjones, about the use of figures in terms of assessing the health of the uk economy —— labour mp darrenjones. also highlighting the headwinds of the pandemic and the headwinds of the pandemic and the war in ukraine is hampering economic growth, the chair of the committee really pushing him on that and the forecast recession which by some analysis the uk is already into. we will keep monitoring that into. we will keep monitoring that in the newsroom. any significant lines and developments, we will bring them to you on bbc news. we will also be crossing to washington by the new chief executive of the cryptocurrency exchange ftx will be

speaking, giving evidence to lawmakers, as sooner that starts we will cross to that live on the bbc news channel. this follows calls the founder having been charged with eight counts, this in the last few minutes, he was earlier arrested in the bahamas at the request of us authorities, this line breaking now that sam bankman—fried, the founder of the ftx cryptocurrency exchange, has been charged with eight counts including wire fraud, conspiracy to commodities fraud and conspiracy to commit money—laundering. he himself was due to give evidence to the committee via video link, now he has been arrested that will not happen. that committee hearing still due to go ahead with the chief executive who was brought into a place in and

deal with the fallout of this all. —— brought in to replace him. that breaking news, we will keep an eye on washington and crossover were not begins. let's look at the weather with sarah keith—lucas. last night was the coldest night of the year in both scotland and england, this was the picture in northumberland earlier, beautiful blue skies. whoever is continuing to cause disruption, icy stretches will last for the next few days, when she showers mainly but not exclusively in scotland, a cold northerly wind but improve visibility, losing the most under felt we had seen recently. the blue—collar i5 most under felt we had seen recently. the blue—collar is very much still with us. heading to the weekend noticed the yellow and orange approaching, looks like

things will turn mild by around sunday, wetter too. lots of wintry weather to get out of the way, rain towards the far south—west, could be snowfall for dartmoor and bodmin, potentially spreading to the likes of west sussex by the end of the night the temperature is already —20 four by 6pm. more heavy snow showers piling across the north and north—east of scotland and sun affecting parts of north—east england too. clear and dry elsewhere, a few freezing fog patches towards the south, not as cold as last night but —6 or seven evenin cold as last night but —6 or seven even in some towns so an ice risk to start the day, more snow across northern scotland blowing on a brisk, northerly wind, visit conditions here, and further snowfall around the east of england. lighter winds further south and west, high cloud turns any sunshine

hazy to the south, temperatures will struggle a few degrees above freezing, feeling colder when you add in the wind chill in the northerly breeze. thursday is similar, sharp frost, icy stretches, dry, clearand similar, sharp frost, icy stretches, dry, clear and sunny for most but more heavy snow showers and temperatures range between about one and 5 degrees, turning slightly milder over the next couple of days towards the end of the week, particularly into the weekend where it looks wet and unsettled, the potential for things to turn colder that you can keep up to date with the 14 day forecast on the bbc weather at. the 14 day forecast on the bbc weatherat. —— the 14 day forecast on the bbc weather at. —— weather app.

this is bbc news. i'm ben boulos. the headlines: major transport disruption as rmt members staged a fresh industrial action. 40,000 workers will be on strike on four days this week, meaning a near total shutdown of the uk railway network. the meaning a near total shutdown of the uk railway network.— uk railway network. the art of negotiation — uk railway network. the art of negotiation is _ uk railway network. the art of negotiation is getting - uk railway network. the art of negotiation is getting to - uk railway network. the art of negotiation is getting to a - uk railway network. the art of - negotiation is getting to a position where both sides can accept the deal, and the government, the dft and i think all the way up to number ten has put conditions on the train operating companies they know will blow up any chance of a deal. it’s blow up any chance of a deal. it's very important that people recognise that we've _ very important that people recognise that we've made a reasonable pay offer— that we've made a reasonable pay offer in _ that we've made a reasonable pay offer in line with what rises people are getting in the private sector. it's important we also deliver reform — it's important we also deliver reform as _ it's important we also deliver reform as well as dealing with pay, to make _ reform as well as dealing with pay, to make sure we have a sustainable

rail industry for the future. the prime minister _ rail industry for the future. tie: prime minister promises more rail industry for the future. ti9 prime minister promises more staff to help clear the uk backlog of asylum seekers by the next —— the end of next year. labour accuses the government of a total failure to deal with the problem. one of the boys who died after being pulled from a frozen lake in solihull has been named locally as jackjohnson. two other boys were killed in the fourth remains in critical condition in hospital. the founder of the collapsed crypto currency exchange, f tx, is charged by the us authorities of money laundering and fraud. and a hundred thousand newborn babies will have their dna decoded in the search for rare genetic diseases.

good afternoon. fresh strike action has begun on the railways, causing major disruption in the run up to christmas. workers from the rmt union have walked out again in their dispute over pay and conditions. they're striking today and wednesday, then friday and saturday, with four out of five trains cancelled. it's part of a wave of industrial action this winter, with october the worst month for strikes for a decade. here's our business correspondent theo leggett. deserted platforms and no trains. this was the scene at milford in surrey this morning. cafe owner simon strong would normally be serving a steady flow of london—bound commuters, but today, there was barely a customer to be seen. if we've got no commuters, we've got no business, and this will impact me notjust today, notjust this week, there are strikes the week after, the week after that, so i'm pretty much closed for the next month, with no income coming in. across the rail network, many lines have closed altogether

while others are running a fraction of the normal service. it is the latest stage in a stand—off between the rmt union and both network rail and 14 train operating companies over pay and working practices. a month of disruption now lies ahead. there are two 48—hour train strikes this week. then, an overtime ban on 14 train companies from sunday is connected to because of some cancellations. —— expected to cause some cancellations. a strike at network rail will see some services finish even earlier than usual on christmas eve and start late on the 27th of december. and more national walkouts are planned injanuary. workers at the train companies have been offered more pay, a 4% increase this year and the same next year. network rail employees have been offered 5% and 4% respectively. that offer was rejected by rmt members yesterday. there is not a bottomless pit of money to pay increased salaries. i think there is a fair offer on the table, fair to taxpayers and fair to the people that work in the industry and fair

to passengers and i hope the rmt reflect on it and change their position. but the rmt insists the dispute is notjust about money. it is not generous, it is way below inflation and it is predicated on a set of changes, cuts to the maintenance schedule task by 50%, and conditions changes on our members in network rail which are entirely unacceptable, it is also predicated on shutting every booking office in britain and bringing in driver only operation that they know we will never accept. these strikes will not just affect people who want to get around, but also affect the businesses who rely on people wanting to get from place to place, cafes, bars, theatres, restaurants, and so on. and the problem for them is that at the moment there seems no sign of a resolution being anywhere close. in surrey the response from travellers to the dispute has been mixed. i do hope the reasons why the strike is on is being looked into already,

and hopefully we should get back because it's really exhausting. if you are going to strike about something then you can negotiate first and negotiate until a conclusion, if it doesn't come to anything then strike at the time that causes the least disruption to people. christmas time, really, guys? not a right time to| do it, no sympathy. by taking action in the run—up to christmas, the rmt has clearly raised the stakes in this dispute, and right now, it looks set to drag on well into the new year. earlier we spoke to our business correspondent i will take you to a press conference being led by the us energy secretary, a very significant achievement in terms of energy production. let's listen. it achievement in terms of energy production. let's listen. it would be like adding _ production. let's listen. it would be like adding a _ production. let's listen. it would be like adding a power— production. let's listen. it would be like adding a power drill- production. let's listen. it would be like adding a power drill to i production. let's listen. it wouldl be like adding a power drill to our tool box in building this clean energy economy. so today we

tool box in building this clean energy economy. 50 today we tell the world that america has achieved a tremendous scientific breakthrough, one that happened because we invested in our national labs and we invested in our national labs and we invested in our national labs and we invested in fundamental research. tomorrow we will continue to work for the future that is powered in part by fusion energy. fortunately, private sector investment in fusion research is already booming. it has reached nearly $3 billion in last year alone, and we've heard from professors that interest amongst students has never been higher, which is terrific. and that's why the biden harris administration is aiming to capitalise on this moment. today's announcement is a huge step forward to the president's goal of achieving commercialfusion

forward to the president's goal of achieving commercial fusion within a decade. but there is still a lot more to do, so much more. we will continue to work toward that goal and find other ways to progress to reach fusion energy, so for example, in september the department of energy made a $50 million investment for public—private partnerships to start working toward fusion pilot plant designs. we are working with the office of science and technology policy to map out the president's bold vision for driving that commercialfusion in the next decade, with the highest safety standards, with cost—effective, equitable deployment that positions american businesses to lead and communities to thrive, and with a skilled workforce that is diverse and inclusive. this is what it looks like for america to lead, and we are

just getting started. another big congratulations to the lawrence livermore national lab. their team is here. where are you? there you are. and there will be... applause they will bejoining they will be joining us off to this for a technical panel for those of you who to learn more. big applause and thank you to the national nuclear security administration. applause and everybody who has been involved in this fusion breakthrough that will go down in the history books. you are going to hear more about the details of the experiment from administrator ruby and the director. first, i will turn it over to the

president's science adviser and director of the os president's science adviser and director of the 05 tp. applause thank you so much. what a pleasure to be _ thank you so much. what a pleasure to be invited — thank you so much. what a pleasure to be invited to come celebrate this amazing _ to be invited to come celebrate this amazing moment here at the department of energy. it is really a privilege _ department of energy. it is really a privilege to be here. when i heard this news. — privilege to be here. when i heard this news, for me, the years fell away— this news, for me, the years fell away and — this news, for me, the years fell away and all of a sudden it was 1978~_ away and all of a sudden it was i978~ i— away and all of a sudden it was i978~ iwas— away and all of a sudden it was 1978. i was a summer student in the middle _ 1978. i was a summer student in the middle of— 1978. i was a summer student in the middle of my college years, a 19—year—old kid, and i got the chance — 19—year—old kid, and i got the chance to _ 19—year—old kid, and i got the chance to go work at lawrence livermore _ chance to go work at lawrence livermore national laboratory, and i showed _ livermore national laboratory, and i showed up — livermore national laboratory, and i showed up. i got a picture of this, i'm showed up. i got a picture of this, i'm wearing — showed up. i got a picture of this, i'm wearing bell bottoms, long black hair, i'm wearing bell bottoms, long black hair. and _ i'm wearing bell bottoms, long black hair. and i_ i'm wearing bell bottoms, long black hair, and i show up as a 19—year—old kid and _ hair, and i show up as a 19—year—old kid and they— hair, and i show up as a 19—year—old kid and they give me a laser to work on, kid and they give me a laser to work on. and _ kid and they give me a laser to work on. and i_ kid and they give me a laser to work on, and i said, this is cool, i like lasers. _ on, and i said, this is cool, i like lasers. but— on, and i said, this is cool, i like lasers, but what is this all about? they— lasers, but what is this all about? they said. — lasers, but what is this all about? they said, we think that if you point — they said, we think that if you point enough lasers at a pellet of fuel. _ point enough lasers at a pellet of fuel. we — point enough lasers at a pellet of fuel, we want to see if we can get

more _ fuel, we want to see if we can get more energy released from fusion than the _ more energy released from fusion than the amount of energy that the laser is _ than the amount of energy that the laser is delivering to the pellet. i said. _ laser is delivering to the pellet. i said. that's — laser is delivering to the pellet. i said, that's cool, and i spent three months _ said, that's cool, and i spent three months working on this fun laser. after— months working on this fun laser. after my— months working on this fun laser. after my adventure with a laser that summer— after my adventure with a laser that summer in— after my adventure with a laser that summer in livermore ended, i went off into _ summer in livermore ended, i went off into completely unrelated things. — off into completely unrelated things, but i have always kept an eye out— things, but i have always kept an eye out and watched to see what was happening _ eye out and watched to see what was happening at livermore as they pursued — happening at livermore as they pursued this idea of achieving this kind of— pursued this idea of achieving this kind of control fusion reaction. for decades _ kind of control fusion reaction. for decades i— kind of control fusion reaction. for decades. i went off and didn't do anything — decades. i went off and didn't do anything more about fusion, but the people _ anything more about fusion, but the people i_ anything more about fusion, but the people i worked with and their successors kept going, and they went through— successors kept going, and they went through periods of triumph and went through— through periods of triumph and went through tremendous struggles and setbacks — through tremendous struggles and setbacks. they never lost sight of this goal. — setbacks. they never lost sight of this goal, and last week, lo and behold. — this goal, and last week, lo and behold, indeed, they shot a bunch of lasers— behold, indeed, they shot a bunch of lasers at— behold, indeed, they shot a bunch of lasers at a _ behold, indeed, they shot a bunch of lasers at a pellet of fuel and more energy— lasers at a pellet of fuel and more energy was released from that fusion ignition— energy was released from that fusion ignition and the energy of the lasers— ignition and the energy of the lasers going in, and ijust think

this is— lasers going in, and ijust think this is such _ lasers going in, and ijust think this is such a tremendous example of what perseverance really can achieve _ what perseverance really can achieve. and i had the great pleasure _ achieve. and i had the great pleasure of meeting the team whom you will— pleasure of meeting the team whom you will talk with when you hear the panel _ you will talk with when you hear the panel and _ you will talk with when you hear the panel and a — you will talk with when you hear the panel and a little while, and they have _ panel and a little while, and they have come — panel and a little while, and they have come from many different parts of the _ have come from many different parts of the world, they have studied many different— of the world, they have studied many different fields. many of them were summer— different fields. many of them were summer students at livermore, but decades— summer students at livermore, but decades after i was, so it took not 'ust decades after i was, so it took not just one _ decades after i was, so it took not just one generation back generations of people _ just one generation back generations of people pursuing this goal, and it is a scientific milestone, scientific energy break even to achieve — scientific energy break even to achieve this, but of course, as with all of— achieve this, but of course, as with all of these — achieve this, but of course, as with all of these kinds of complex scientific— all of these kinds of complex scientific undertakings, it is also an engineering marvel beyond belief, and this— an engineering marvel beyond belief, and this duality of advancing the research. — and this duality of advancing the research, building the complex engineering systems, both sides tearning — engineering systems, both sides learning from each other, this is how we — learning from each other, this is how we do— learning from each other, this is how we do really big, hard things, so this— how we do really big, hard things, so this is— how we do really big, hard things, so this isjust how we do really big, hard things, so this is just a beautiful example. you know. — so this is just a beautiful example. you know, i've also been reflecting on how _ you know, i've also been reflecting on how long — you know, i've also been reflecting on how long the journey can be from

knowing _ on how long the journey can be from knowing to _ on how long the journey can be from knowing to doing, because it's a century— knowing to doing, because it's a century since we figured out that it was fusion — century since we figured out that it was fusion that was going on in our son and _ was fusion that was going on in our son and all— was fusion that was going on in our son and all the other stars. in that century. _ son and all the other stars. in that century. it— son and all the other stars. in that century, it took so many different kinds _ century, it took so many different kinds of _ century, it took so many different kinds of advances that ultimately came _ kinds of advances that ultimately came together to the point where we could replicate that fusion activity in this— could replicate that fusion activity in this controllable way in a laboratory, and i think it'sjust a reminder— laboratory, and i think it'sjust a reminder that sometimes even when we know something, it's a very long time _ know something, it's a very long time before we can turn it into something we can actually harness and start— something we can actually harness and start to use. as the secretary described. — and start to use. as the secretary described. i— and start to use. as the secretary described, i think that prospect now is one _ described, i think that prospect now is one step — described, i think that prospect now is one step closer and really —— in a really— is one step closer and really —— in a really exciting way. let me just finish _ a really exciting way. let me just finish by— a really exciting way. let me just finish by saying i think this is an amazing — finish by saying i think this is an amazing example of the power of america's— amazing example of the power of america's research and development enterprise~ _ america's research and development enterprise. this is what the department of energy works every day to support _ department of energy works every day to support and to drive. it is what

our office — to support and to drive. it is what our office of— to support and to drive. it is what our office of science and technology policy _ our office of science and technology policy at _ our office of science and technology policy at the white house focuses on every _ policy at the white house focuses on every day. _ policy at the white house focuses on every day, how can we strengthen and advance _ every day, how can we strengthen and advance this _ every day, how can we strengthen and advance this enterprise. and it is an enterprise that president biden has championed in a way that no one really— has championed in a way that no one really ever— has championed in a way that no one really ever has before. he submitted a budget— really ever has before. he submitted a budget for supporting federal r&d that is— a budget for supporting federal r&d that is the biggest ever that we've had in _ that is the biggest ever that we've had in this— that is the biggest ever that we've had in this country, and so i want to take _ had in this country, and so i want to take a — had in this country, and so i want to take a moment and congratulate the entire _ to take a moment and congratulate the entire department of energy, with secretary granholm's tremendous leadership. _ with secretary granholm's tremendous leadership, the national nuclear security— leadership, the national nuclear security administration here that has championed this effort for so long. _ has championed this effort for so long, lawrence livermore national taboratory. — long, lawrence livermore national laboratory, and especially in particularly all the scientists and engineers across many years who got us to this _ engineers across many years who got us to this moment. president biden loves _ us to this moment. president biden loves to— us to this moment. president biden loves to say— us to this moment. president biden loves to say that the one word... 0k, loves to say that the one word... ok. that — loves to say that the one word... ok, that press conference we have just been listening in in washington, just a moment ago was being led by the energy secretary, jennifer granholm, announcing

significant breakthrough, as they are describing it, for energy production, clean energy production. they said that they have succeeded in carrying out a process of fusion, forcing two atoms together, and in the process releasing more energy than was used in the process of causing them to join. than was used in the process of causing them tojoin. it has been described by some as the holy grail of energy production, but experts say, although significant, it is still some way before this process of fusion will be a source of power for homes. 50 a significant breakthrough but still some way to go. we are going to stay in washington but crossed to this congressional hearing, wherejohn congressional hearing, where john rae congressional hearing, wherejohn rae the third, who was installed as the new chief executive of ftx, the crypto currency trading platform, after it ran into severe difficulties and was on the point of

collapse. he is appearing before lawmakers in congress. the chair of the committee is speaking. in the last few minutes, the founder, sandbank and freed, has been charged by us authorities on eight counts, including fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. let's have a listen to proceedings in washington in, and as i say, the chair of the committee opening the session. i i say, the chair of the committee opening the session.— i say, the chair of the committee opening the session. i am so deeply troubled to — opening the session. i am so deeply troubled to learn _ opening the session. i am so deeply troubled to learn how— opening the session. i am so deeply troubled to learn how common - opening the session. i am so deeply troubled to learn how common it. opening the session. i am so deeply| troubled to learn how common it was for bankman—fried and ftx employees to steal from the cookie jar of customer funds to finance their lavish lifestyles. today this committee will dig deeper into mr ray's findings with the hopes of piecing together the events that led to the collapse of ftx and the subsequent harm to millions of

customers who put their trust in the platform. we will also look at ftx's deep ties with alameda, a crypto hedge fund are predominantly owned by bankman—fried that gambled away billions of dollars in customer assets that were inappropriately transferred. and importantly, we will hear how mr ray and his team were trying to recover for customers by piecing together bankman—fried's broken record keeping and identifying potentially unlawful transfers to himself as well as his friends and family. under my leadership over the past what might years, this committee has closely focused on the growth and popularity of crypto precisely because of the many concerns that the failure of ftx has highlighted. last year, i created a digital asset working group comprising democratic members of the committee with the goal of

learning more about the underlying technologies, applications for finance and the risk they posed to customers, consumers and the economy. when the presidents working group on financial markets urged congress to safeguard the economy, a and mike henryjumped into action and mike henryjumped into action and continue to work on a bill that the members that might with the members of this committee. the on going failures of crypto firms, including ftx and alameda, only serves to strengthen the importance for congress and the public to understand the harm caused to customers. what laws have been broken or flouted and how congress and regulators can prevent this from happening again. i want to say i am pleased that the committee's efforts have pushed enforcement agencies

across the country to take greater action against bad actors who miss use customers' funds. i also applaud the sec for authorising separate charges relating to mr bankman—fried, and i look forward to additional actions to hold him accountable and make customers more whole again. i now recognise the gentleman from north carolina for five minutes.— gentleman from north carolina for five minutes. ~ �* :. , five minutes. we've heard everything but the truth- — five minutes. we've heard everything but the truth. tweets, _ five minutes. we've heard everything but the truth. tweets, direct - but the truth. tweets, direct messages and interviews are no substitute for the facts, and that's why chairman waters and i work together — why chairman waters and i work together to get this on the books, the first— together to get this on the books, the first bipartisan hearing of this committee in the last four years, and we _ committee in the last four years, and we have worked together to invite _ and we have worked together to invite two — and we have worked together to invite two witnesses. one, mr ray, has proven— invite two witnesses. one, mr ray, has proven to be a reliable witness. the second. — has proven to be a reliable witness. the second, well, frankly, i look forward —

the second, well, frankly, i look forward to— the second, well, frankly, i look forward to getting his lies here on the record — forward to getting his lies here on the record under oath. nevertheless, the record under oath. nevertheless, the rest _ the record under oath. nevertheless, the rest -- _ the record under oath. nevertheless, the rest —— the arrest of sam bankman—fried is welcome news. it does not _ bankman—fried is welcome news. it does not get to the bottom of what happened _ does not get to the bottom of what happened at ftx and why, and who else may— happened at ftx and why, and who else may be responsible. we need to understand _ else may be responsible. we need to understand the flow of funds between ftx and _ understand the flow of funds between ftx and alameda and other entities. we need _ ftx and alameda and other entities. we need to— ftx and alameda and other entities. we need to examine the actions of those _ we need to examine the actions of those who— we need to examine the actions of those who may have contributed to what is _ those who may have contributed to what is being called a complete failure — what is being called a complete failure of— what is being called a complete failure of corporate controls. that guote _ failure of corporate controls. that quote comes from mr ray, the newly appointed _ quote comes from mr ray, the newly appointed ceo. and we need answers for the _ appointed ceo. and we need answers for the us— appointed ceo. and we need answers for the us platform customers stuck in limbo _ for the us platform customers stuck in limbo. ourwork for the us platform customers stuck in limbo. our work here doesn't stop there _ in limbo. our work here doesn't stop there we _ in limbo. our work here doesn't stop there. we have an obligation to do everything — there. we have an obligation to do everything in our power to ensure this never— everything in our power to ensure this never happens again. let's face it, this never happens again. let's face it. there _ this never happens again. let's face it. there is — this never happens again. let's face it, there is an old saying — there

is nothing — it, there is an old saying — there is nothing new under the sun. it's safe to _ is nothing new under the sun. it's safe to assume that fraud and fraudsters have been around just as lon- fraudsters have been around just as long as _ fraudsters have been around just as long as that phrase has been around. bankman—fried's play is nothing new, we've _ bankman—fried's play is nothing new, we've seen— bankman—fried's play is nothing new, we've seen it — bankman—fried's play is nothing new, we've seen it before. in the late i800s. — we've seen it before. in the late 18005, when union we've seen it before. in the late 1800s, when union pacific purposely inflated _ 1800s, when union pacific purposely inflated the price of railroad construction to line executives' pockets. — construction to line executives' pockets, or in the 19005, when george — pockets, or in the 19005, when george see parker was arrested for illegally— george see parker was arrested for illegally selling the brooklyn bridge, madison square garden and the statue of liberty. and in the 2000s— the statue of liberty. and in the 20005 when it was engaged enron engaged _ 20005 when it was engaged enron engaged in massive corporate frog —— fraud _ engaged in massive corporate frog —— fraud and _ engaged in massive corporate frog —— fraud and corruption, sending shock waves _ fraud and corruption, sending shock waves through the business world. there _ waves through the business world. there are — waves through the business world. there are many comparisons you can draw— there are many comparisons you can draw between each of these pretenders and the alleged actions of mr— pretenders and the alleged actions of mr bankman—fried. it appears to be the _ of mr bankman—fried. it appears to be the same old school fraud, just using _ be the same old school fraud, just using new— be the same old school fraud, just using new technology. it is important to note, i think very

important _ important to note, i think very important to note, i think very important to note, i think very important to note, we still use railroads. _ important to note, we still use railroads, we still buy and sell real estate and we still rely on businesses to provide services. we have to _ businesses to provide services. we have to separate out the bad actions of an— have to separate out the bad actions of an individual from the good created — of an individual from the good created by an industry and in innovation. let me be clear — i believe — innovation. let me be clear — i believe in _ innovation. let me be clear — i believe in the promise of digital assets — believe in the promise of digital assets and those around the world building _ assets and those around the world building on block chain technologies, and that's why i've worked _ technologies, and that's why i've worked and will continue to work to provide _ worked and will continue to work to provide clear rules of the road for the digital— provide clear rules of the road for the digital asset system here in the usa. _ the digital asset system here in the usa. and _ the digital asset system here in the usa, and that is how we protect american — usa, and that is how we protect american consumers and investors in this marketplace and allow innovation to occur here in the united — innovation to occur here in the united states stopped i will finish with this — know the securities exchange _ with this — know the securities exchange commission chair's regulation by enforcement approach is not _ regulation by enforcement approach is not going to stop bad actors. next _ is not going to stop bad actors. next year— is not going to stop bad actors. next year i look forward to hearing from mr— next year i look forward to hearing from mr gensler early and often. we

will hear— from mr gensler early and often. we will hear from him on how we can provide _ will hear from him on how we can provide clarity on the application of our— provide clarity on the application of our securities laws to trading platforms, which he has failed to do. platforms, which he has failed to do the — platforms, which he has failed to do. the financial services committee has an— do. the financial services committee has an important role to play in this fact—finding mission. which we will start— this fact—finding mission. which we will start today. and continue as we work _ will start today. and continue as we work towards a legislative outcome to prevent — work towards a legislative outcome to prevent this from happening again — to prevent this from happening again. thank you, madam chair. i want again. thank you, madam chair. want to again. thank you, madam chair. i want to welcome our witness for again. thank you, madam chair. t want to welcome our witness for this evening, john want to welcome our witness for this evening, joth ray the third, who is the chief executive officer of xt x group. your written statement will be made part of the record. you will have five minutes to present your oral testimony. you should be able to see a timer that will indicate how much time you have left. i would ask you to be mindful of the timer

so that we can be respectful of every one's time. mr ray, you are now recognised for five minutes to present your oral testimony. chairwoman waters, ranking member mchenry. _ chairwoman waters, ranking member mchenry, distinguished members of the committee, thank you for your invitation— the committee, thank you for your invitation to — the committee, thank you for your invitation to appear. i truly appreciate your interest in this matter— appreciate your interest in this matter and i have my testimony can be helpful— matter and i have my testimony can be helpful to you as the committee continues— be helpful to you as the committee continues its inquiry into the collapse _ continues its inquiry into the collapse of ftx and the efforts that are under— collapse of ftx and the efforts that are under way to help those who have been harmed. i accepted the position of chief— been harmed. i accepted the position of chief executive officer of ftx in the early — of chief executive officer of ftx in the early hours of the 11th of november, and immediately became clear to _ november, and immediately became clear to me _ november, and immediately became clear to me that chapter 11 was the best course — clear to me that chapter 11 was the best course available to preserve any meaning delete my remaining value _ any meaning delete my remaining value of— any meaning delete my remaining value of ftx, so my first leica ceo was to— value of ftx, so my first leica ceo was to authorise the chapter 11 filings~ — was to authorise the chapter 11 filings. we have implemented a five-part — filings. we have implemented a five—part bankruptcy plan. which is detailed _ five—part bankruptcy plan. which is detailed in—

five—part bankruptcy plan. which is detailed in my written statement. our overarching objective is to maximise _ our overarching objective is to maximise value for ftx customers and creditors— maximise value for ftx customers and creditors so _ maximise value for ftx customers and creditors so that we can mitigate to the greatest extent possible the harm _ the greatest extent possible the harm suffered by so many. the ftx group's _ harm suffered by so many. the ftx group's collapse appears to stem from _ group's collapse appears to stem from absolute concentration of control— from absolute concentration of control in — from absolute concentration of control in the hands of a small group — control in the hands of a small group of— control in the hands of a small group of grossly inexperienced and unsophisticated individuals who fail to implement virtually any of the systems— to implement virtually any of the systems and controls that are necessary for the company entrusted with other people's money or assets. some _ with other people's money or assets. some of— with other people's money or assets. some of the — with other people's money or assets. some of the unacceptable management practices _ some of the unacceptable management practices we've identified so far include — practices we've identified so far include the use of computer infrastructure that gave individuals infrastructure that gave individuals in senior— infrastructure that gave individuals in senior management access to systems— in senior management access to systems that stored customer assets without _ systems that stored customer assets without security controls to prevent them _ without security controls to prevent them from — without security controls to prevent them from redirecting those assets. the storing — them from redirecting those assets. the storing of certain private keys to access — the storing of certain private keys to access hundreds of millions of dollars— to access hundreds of millions of dollars of— to access hundreds of millions of dollars of crypto assets without effective security controls or

encryption. the ability of alameda to borrow — encryption. the ability of alameda to borrow funds held at ftx.com to utilise _ to borrow funds held at ftx.com to utilise for— to borrow funds held at ftx.com to utilise for its own trading or investment without any effective limits _ investment without any effective limits whatsoever. the mingling of assets. _ limits whatsoever. the mingling of assets, the lack of complete documentation for transactions involving — documentation for transactions involving nearly 500 separate investments, made with ftx group funds— investments, made with ftx group funds and — investments, made with ftx group funds and assets. and the absence of audited _ funds and assets. and the absence of audited or— funds and assets. and the absence of audited or reliable financial statements. a lack of financial in management and risk functions. a lack of— management and risk functions. a lack of governance throughout the ftx group. the fundamental challenge we face _ ftx group. the fundamental challenge we face is _ ftx group. the fundamental challenge we face is that in many respects starting — we face is that in many respects starting from year zero in terms of corporate — starting from year zero in terms of corporate infrastructure and record keeping _ corporate infrastructure and record keeping that one would expect in a multi—billion dollar corporation. still. _ multi—billion dollar corporation. still. in — multi—billion dollar corporation. still, injust over four weeks, multi—billion dollar corporation. still, injust overfourweeks, we have _ still, injust overfourweeks, we have instituted meaningful steps to regain _ have instituted meaningful steps to regain command and control, and every— regain command and control, and every week— regain command and control, and every week we gain a better understanding of what occurred, all of which _ understanding of what occurred, all of which will be shared with

interested parties and affected parties — interested parties and affected parties throughout the chapter 11 processes. the scope of our investigation is truly enormous and involves— investigation is truly enormous and involves detailed tracing, money flows _ involves detailed tracing, money flows and — involves detailed tracing, money flows and asset transfers, from the time of— flows and asset transfers, from the time of ftx's founding, and complex technological efforts to identify and trace crypto assets. collecting and trace crypto assets. collecting and reviewing dozens of terabytes of data. _ and reviewing dozens of terabytes of data, including billions of individual transactions, data, including billions of individualtransactions, leveraging sophisticated technology and expertise to identify and trace additional transactions and assets. while many things are unknown at this stage. — while many things are unknown at this stage, we are at a very preliminary stage, many questions remain _ preliminary stage, many questions remain we — preliminary stage, many questions remain. we know the following. first. _ remain. we know the following. first, customerassets remain. we know the following. first, customer assets at ftx.com work— first, customer assets at ftx.com work over— first, customer assets at ftx.com work over mingled with assets from the alameda trading platform. that much _ the alameda trading platform. that much is _ the alameda trading platform. that much is clear. second, first use client— much is clear. second, first use client funds _ much is clear. second, first use client funds to engage in margin trading. — client funds to engage in margin trading, exposing customer funds to

massive _ trading, exposing customer funds to massive losses. third, the ftx group went on— massive losses. third, the ftx group went on a _ massive losses. third, the ftx group went on a spending binge in 2021—22, during _ went on a spending binge in 2021—22, during which — went on a spending binge in 2021—22, during which $5 billion was spent on a myriad _ during which $5 billion was spent on a myriad of— during which $5 billion was spent on a myriad of businesses, many of which _ a myriad of businesses, many of which may— a myriad of businesses, many of which may only be worth a fraction of what _ which may only be worth a fraction of what was — which may only be worth a fraction of what was paid for them. fourth, loans— of what was paid for them. fourth, loans and — of what was paid for them. fourth, loans and other payments were made to insiders _ loans and other payments were made to insiders in excess of $1.5 billion — to insiders in excess of $1.5 billion. fifth, alameda's business model— billion. fifth, alameda's business model is— billion. fifth, alameda's business model is a — billion. fifth, alameda's business model is a market maker required funds— model is a market maker required funds to _ model is a market maker required funds to be — model is a market maker required funds to be deployed to various third—party exchanges which were inherently— third—party exchanges which were inherently unsafe, further exacerbated by the limited protection offered in some of those foreign _ protection offered in some of those foreignjurisdictions. another resolution of the chapter 11 process as well— resolution of the chapter 11 process as well as — resolution of the chapter 11 process as well as the investigation into the cause — as well as the investigation into the cause of the ftx group is my collapse — the cause of the ftx group is my collapse of— the cause of the ftx group is my collapse of keen interest of this committee and your constituents, although— committee and your constituents, although there are many who need the answers. _ although there are many who need the answers, customers, creditors, investors. — answers, customers, creditors, investors, counterparties, employees and regulators. we are positioning

ourselves— and regulators. we are positioning ourselves to provide each of these constituents with answers that they deserve _ constituents with answers that they deserve. although a bankruptcy proceeding of this unprecedented nature _ proceeding of this unprecedented nature will take some time to run its course. — nature will take some time to run its course, i'm committed to working as quickly— its course, i'm committed to working as quickly as — its course, i'm committed to working as quickly as possible to investigate what happened, formulate conclusions and hopefully inform the committee poss might work here. you should _ committee poss might work here. you should note _ committee poss might work here. you should note that my ability to comment on certain of the matter is that they— comment on certain of the matter is that they will be inherently limited by the _ that they will be inherently limited by the state of ftx's records, ongoing — by the state of ftx's records, ongoing bankruptcy proceedings, and of course _ ongoing bankruptcy proceedings, and of course the numerous ongoing investigations of us law enforcement regulators. i look forward to answering your questions to the best of my— answering your questions to the best of my ability. thank you again for allowing — of my ability. thank you again for allowing me to present in front of this committee.— allowing me to present in front of this committee. thank you. that is john] ra this committee. thank you. that is 10th ray the _ this committee. thank you. that is john] ray the third, _ this committee. thank you. that is john] ray the third, who _ this committee. thank you. that is john] ray the third, who was - this committee. thank you. that is i john] ray the third, who was making joth ray the third, who was making his first comments in public since being installed as the new chief executive of ftx, the second biggest crypto currency exchange which was on the brink of collapse when he was

brought in to effectively wrap up its affairs. he spoke about an inexperienced small group of inexperienced small group of inexperienced individuals being to blame. he also said there were unacceptable management practices, computer systems that gave certain people pretty much unlimited access to customer data, and he said when he came in he was starting from a near zero corporate infrastructure, without any of the record—keeping you would expect to find. he also outlined that there were loans and other payments to insiders in excess of $1.5 billion. that committee session continues. 0ur colleagues in the newsroom will keep across that and we will bring you any significant lines and evidence and statements that emerge from that in the course of the afternoon. in the meantime, we will turn our attention to another hearing taking place that is taking place right now, in fact, in the european parliament. it's an emergency debate to discuss the

bribery allegations that have already led to one senior member losing her post, and which were described by the parliament's president as an attack on democracy. the member is accused of receiving over 100,000 euros from the government of qatar in return for giving the country to support. she has denied the allegations but remains in custody while the government of qatar has also said the suggestion that it hands of the brides i5 the suggestion that it hands of the brides is untrue. let's unpick all of this. joining me is the bbc�*s europe regional editor, paul. give us a significance of this debate? i think it is the urgency with which they had set about doing this virtually tells you everything you need. let's talk about money, the prosecutors have put a figure on it, they have been searching properties around brussels and say they had seized more than 1.5 million euros, around £1.25 million,

150,000 euros was at the home of one mep, maybe eva kaili, there were 600,000 euros in cash at one home. brussels i5 600,000 euros in cash at one home. brussels is an expensive city, a night out with drinks and dinner will see you coming home with your wallet empty but i think some people still have trouble justifying why they had 600,000 euros in cash at home. i think the office of an assistant to an italian mep has just been sealed off by the police, they are broadening their investigation. the debate which has just started, they will be looking at the various suggestions that have been made about how to increase transparency and oversight of financial affairs. meps have been pushing for this for a very long time, my third reporting trip to brussels was in 1999 and that its weather had been a particularly harsh report

criticising the financial affairs of the european union. people were pushing than for better oversight and i think with this debate they will be hoping they can use the scandal as some kind of opportunity to push the case they have always been making. to push the case they have always been making-— to push the case they have always been making. some people will be forr iven been making. some people will be forgiven for— been making. some people will be forgiven for thinking _ been making. some people will be forgiven for thinking this _ been making. some people will be forgiven for thinking this is - been making. some people will be forgiven for thinking this is a - been making. some people will be forgiven for thinking this is a huge | forgiven for thinking this is a huge amount of firsts over what currently amounts to one mep being accused of taking a bribe, something which she denies —— a huge amount of fuss. why all the fuss? denies -- a huge amount of fuss. why all the fuss?— all the fuss? you have to look at where the _ all the fuss? you have to look at where the european _ all the fuss? you have to look at where the european union - all the fuss? you have to look at where the european union is, i i where the european union is, i talked about the history of fraud allegations. at the moment the eu is trying to assert itself particularly over hungary and poland, saying they need their affairs in order. they are almost on a permanent war with the hungarian president viktor orban and had set until they sort of transparency we will not give you the funds you require. he has enjoyed the scandal immensely, he

has been tweeting merrily because he is entitled to say you are telling me to get my financial house in order, what about yours? when britain left the eu lots of brexit campaigners try to portray the eu as a sort of hotbed of financial irregularity, it is really important for the eu at the moment to be seen to be clean, notjust to crack down on what has happened but to be seen to crackdown, that is why we have had this extraordinary language, saying it was an attack on democracy itself. it is almost like people in the european parliament want to push these harsh criticisms because others will do it if they don't. what rnep is under those saying about qatar and how it is alleged to have behaved? —— what are the meps and all of those saying? got the stridency of dylan sage and of what has been going on an abstract, qatar

today has denied any of this is true, , , :, :, true, their representative and translation: _ true, their representative and translation: said _ true, their representative and translation: said we - true, their representative and translation: said we do - true, their representative and | translation: said we do not true, their representative and - translation: said we do not need to use money to influence decision—making. use money to influence decision-making.- use money to influence decision-making. -- at their representative _ decision-making. -- at their representative in _ decision-making. -- at their representative in france - decision-making. -- at their representative in france has| decision-making. -- at their- representative in france has said. it represents qatar was— representative in france has said. it represents qatar was awarded the world cup there _ it represents qatar was awarded the world cup there is _ it represents qatar was awarded the world cup there is the _ it represents qatar was awarded the world cup there is the sense - it represents qatar was awarded the world cup there is the sense of - world cup there is the sense of irregularity. the russia's invasion of ukraine means gas prices have gone up enormously, across europe countries had to find alternative sources, qatar i5 countries had to find alternative sources, qatar is one of them. allow me to suggest that might be why we have not had too much strong criticism. the czech foreign minister said i would not connect what has happened to a foreign policy issue speaking about energy, i don't think it should have any impact. the estonian foreign minister says that eva kaili's case should be treated as a particular

possible crime. note particular, they do not want to suggest corruption generally middle east and how they deal with corruption. thank ou for how they deal with corruption. thank you for putting _ how they deal with corruption. thank you for putting that _ how they deal with corruption. thank you for putting that in _ how they deal with corruption. thank you for putting that in context, - you for putting that in context, paul moss. the british prime minister rishi sunak has set out measures for tackling the soaring number of asylum claims, promising to abolish the backlog by next year. he has promised to fast—track the removal of albanian migrants. i spoke tojonathan blake earlier told me about the measures the prime minister wants to put in place. he set out a minister wants to put in place. h9: set out a few measures in the house of commons, rishi sunak has made it clear he had spent a lot of time on this issue, how to tackle the problem of people crossing the channel in small boats in large numbers and we heard for the first time what he plans to do. he talked about the need to balance the support that the uk should give to

people entire needs with the genuine need to control our borders. he said enough was enough and unless the government tackled it now it would only get worse. he talked about the measures he wanted to put in place and to run through those briefly, there will be a new deal without paneer to remove people arriving from that country more swiftly, new dedicated small boats command centre —— there will be a new deal with albania. more funding to tackle illegal immigration crime in europe, taking people out of hotels in various areas and moving them into other accommodation, for example student also residents and former holiday camps, and doubling the number of caseworkers assigned to processing asylum claims in the uk with the aim, the prime minister said, orthe with the aim, the prime minister said, or the expectation, with the aim, the prime minister said, orthe expectation, of clearing the backlog of initial asylum decisions by the end of next

year. he talked about doing what is right and sticking to the principle of fairness. tackling this problem will not be easy or— tackling this problem will not be easy or quick, but it is the right thing _ easy or quick, but it is the right thing to— easy or quick, but it is the right thing to do— easy or quick, but it is the right thing to do because we cannot persist— thing to do because we cannot persist with a system designed for a different— persist with a system designed for a different era. we have to stop the boats. _ different era. we have to stop the boats. and — different era. we have to stop the boats, and this government will do what must — boats, and this government will do what must be done. mr speaker, we will be _ what must be done. mr speaker, we will be tough but fair and where we lead. _ will be tough but fair and where we lead, others will follow.— lead, others will follow. jonathan, s - ecific lead, others will follow. jonathan, specific mention _ lead, others will follow. jonathan, specific mention of _ lead, others will follow. jonathan, specific mention of plans - lead, others will follow. jonathan, specific mention of plans to - specific mention of plans to fast—track the removal of albanian migrants, why the focus on those in particular? migrants, why the focus on those in articular? :, , :, :, ::, , particular? people from that country make u- particular? people from that country make up up — particular? people from that country make up up to _ particular? people from that country make up up to a _ particular? people from that country make up up to a surge _ particular? people from that country make up up to a surge of _ particular? people from that country make up up to a surge of arrivals - particular? people from that country make up up to a surge of arrivals in| make up up to a surge of arrivals in small boats across the channel, according to the government, so there is an issue. the prime minister talked about the potential abuse of modern slavery laws in the

uk which were allowing people to come from that country in large numbers and he said the threshold would be raised when it came to applying those decisions. sir keir starmerfor applying those decisions. sir keir starmer for the applying those decisions. sir keir starmerfor the labour applying those decisions. sir keir starmer for the labour party said applying those decisions. sir keir starmerfor the labour party said it was all gimmicks, postevent, he said, the government had said and promised before and accused the prime minister of presiding over a broken system. in excess of 40,000 people have crossed the english channel so far this year, is a problem which this prime minister and his predecessors had struggled to deal with and government have talked for the last few years in a very tough terms about tackling the problem but it has been very difficult to do anything effective, so lots of conservative aunties in particular and many voters who see this as a very important issue will be looking to see how far these measures are effective and whether they work. flily." measures are effective and whether the work. ,:, ::, they work. our political correspondent - they work. our politicalj correspondent jonathan they work. our political -

correspondent jonathan blake. hundreds of correspondentjonathan blake. hundreds of people have held a vigil in solihull in the memory of the three boys who died after falling through ice on a lake. they were aged eight, 10 and 11. ten—year—old jackjohnson has been named as one of the three who've died. a fourth boy, who's six years old, is still in hospital in a critical condition. 0ur correspondent phil mackie has the latest. for a third day, police are searching the lake. they have said they no longer think anyone is missing, but they have to be sure. if anything, the ice has spread even further than yesterday after temperatures plunged again overnight. it has made the search extremely difficult. last night, there was a community vigil for families of the children, who were also there. the candles burned well into the early hours police are expected to release more information about the children later. ten—year—old jackjohnson was one of the three who died. today his school was back opened after an impossibly difficult 24 hours. one of the boys was in

my daughter's class, and they told her yesterday, you know, it was really heartbreaking. we all went to lay some flowers, and it kind of eased her pain, and there is a sense of community spirit, so it isjust tragic, really tragic. the grief is still clearly visible as the mass of tributes continues to grow. there are also messages from friends and family of the other boys who died, as well as from political leaders like the mayor of the west midlands, andy street, and organisations like west midlands police federation and one of the local fire crews. the risks of playing on or near ice have never been more stark. the lake where the boys died i5 notjust out of bounds while the police search, but it might be so for a long time to come. police investigating the death of a child have begun searching a garden after receiving information about the possible burial of human remains.

the search is happening on clarence road in handsworth, a suburb in birmingham. west midlands police received information relating to the death of a child at the house in 2020 and an investigation has been launched. two people were arrested last week on suspicion of causing or allowing the death of a child and wilful neglect. seven people are now known to have died in an explosion at a block of flats injersey on saturday. two people who lived in the building in st helier are still unaccounted for. emergency services in jersey gave this update at a press conference earlier. i'll say that my thoughts and the thoughts of my firefighters remained with those we have lost, and of course the families and the people who have lost them. they are my priority and the priority of all the firefighters here injersey, whether they are the jersey firefighters all

here via mutual aid. they are the jersey firefighters all here via mutualaid. in they are the jersey firefighters all here via mutual aid. in relation to friday evening, the evening before the explosion, there are two statements of fact in the public domain, the states ofjersey fire and rescue service were called and attended the scene at 2036, the other is that the states ofjersey fire and rescue service handed over to island energy at 2101 hours. to my knowledge there are no other facts about friday evening and from my perspective at least, and i'm pretty sure it is everybody else's, it is inappropriate for me to talk about anything else on the friday evening because the most appropriate places through the investigative process, the only important thing here is the families, the only important thing is the truth. two bodies have been found close to where fishing boat l'ecume

ii sank off the coast ofjersey on thursday, states ofjersey police said. officials had been searching for three fisherman who went missing after their boat hit a freight ship early last thursday. it was thought the boat had sunk in around 40 metres of water which is too deep for divers to search without special equipment. the bodies are yet to be formally identified. ofsted is warning that too many children with special educational needs are facing delays in getting properly assessed. the watchdog's annual report shows only 60% of education, health and care plans last year were issued by local authorities within the 20—week statutory limit. the department for education has promised improvements in the new year. 0ur education correspondent elaine dunkley has this report. harry is three and a half. trying to navigate the system to get him the right help for his needs has pushed his mother to the edge. it has affected my mental health majorly, majorly. it is like being on a merry—go—round. you just can't get off, you can't get a straight answer.

leanne is desperate for harry to get an education and health care plan, a document identifying his needs and how to support him. without it, he won't get a place at a specialist school in the area which takes children from the age of three. everything he needs is in the hands of professionals. his needs are so much more and i cannot meet those, because that is impossible for me to do. and that is what's hard, that he could be in a setting now, but he's not. this is casey. i like designing and building computers. i also love engineering and electronics and physics. despite his intelligence he struggled at primary school. he has autism and dyslexia. his first application for an education and health care plan was rejected. eventually, casey got the support he needed but only after waiting eight months. the change was massive. what happened, a few small things were put into place so having someone casey could check in and out

with, having one—to—one support in english, getting the support full stats. —— getting the support for sats. we were from a child who didn't want to go to school, to a child who wanted to go to school. it is hard getting children assessed, it is hard getting the right specialist services. some families are turning to private assessment and schools are picking up the gaps themselves out of their own budgets with things like speech therapy. it is a system that is leaving a lot of people unsatisfied at the moment. today's report also highlights children are being put on part—time timetables to manage behaviour. chris is starting a support group to help parents. his son has autism and adhd and faces numerous exclusions at school. he was out of school for over 14 months. some of the schools tactics, half day exclusions is because they cannot support the kids. they are getting

denied opportunities. the government has promised improvement to specialist educational needs in the new year with £400 million of investment. ofsted said early intervention is crucial with too many families caught in a system failing them from the start. elaine dunkley, bbc news. a reminder of the headlines... major transport disruption as rmt members stage fresh industrial action — 40,000 workers will be on strike on four days this week, meaning a near total shutdown of the uk's railway network. the prime minister promises more staff to help clear the uk's backlog of asylum seekers by end of next year — labour accuse the government of a total failure to deal with the problem. scientists in the us have launched a

major breakthrough in nuclearfusion and potentially the chance to create their limitless energy. —— near limitless. ukraine's health system is facing its darkest days in the war thus far. that's the warning from the world health organization, after russia targeted the country's infrastructure, leaving millions of people without electricity, heating or water. 0ur ukraine correspondent hugo bachega has sent this update. there is a lot of concern these attacks could lead to a humanitarian crisis. for weeks, we've seen that russia has been attacking this country's energy infrastructure, and millions of people are facing difficult conditions without electricity, heating and without power. it is snowing in kyiv, temperatures are below freezing and in other parts of the country. this is a country where temperatures can drop to —15, —20 degrees celsius. there is a lot of concern that these attacks and these temperatures could lead to a humanitarian crisis. this is what the health

minister had to say. translation: that's right, - the ukrainian health care system is facing a new challenge as a result of the full—scale russian invasion of ukraine. since the beginning of the war, we have suffered as russia shelled civilians indiscriminately and attacked hospitals. already more than 1,100 health care facilities have been damaged and 144 completely destroyed. and now, on top of that, we face attacks on our energy infrastructure. are you concerned that this country may face a humanitarian crisis if these attacks don't stop? the risks are always high. we have to prepare for the worst situations. this is what we do. i ask our international partners to support our hospitals with generators, with heating

systems, so that hospitals can continue to function in the event of a blackout. what is the advice you are giving to hospitals across the country? first of all, we want them to prepare for the possibility of power outages, no heating. there could be no water supply and no functioning sewage system. we have developed different plans for these scenarios. we have already told hospitals to limit the number of patients admitted for planned treatments and surgery. we are prioritising emergencies, trauma injuries, anything related to the war. we understand the consequences. we understand that the war will have an indirect impact on the health of ukrainians, which may not be noticeable right now.

so, that is the ukrainian health minister. the authorities here have been saying they need help from their international partners, and countries have been sending generators so hospitals and essential services can keep operating. yesterday, us officials said they had sent the first part of power equipment to ukraine, this is help worth $13 million to continue to help the ukrainians as the electricity infrastructure comes under attack. hugo bachega. the eldest member of the south korean boyband bts is starting his mandatory military duty on tuesday. jin is the first member to enlist since the group took a break from performing. they say they'll re—form in several years' time after all seven members have completed their national service. a warning — this report from katie silver contains some flash photography.

from adulation to apprehension. jin, the oldest member of bts, has entered compulsory military service, breaking hearts across korea and around the world. he posted this photo of his newly acquired buzz cut. the caption, "it looks cuter than i expected." with south korea technically still at war with its northern neighbour, all able—bodied men are required to serve for at least 18 months and must enlist by the age of 28. last year the band was given a special exemption to defer their service for two years. officials said they increase the value of the national brand. but now, withjin reaching 30 years old, the time has come. it has left many wondering what the future holds for their favourite band, and can it survive this hiatus?

translation: it was a very active i group starting with jin and i am i aware that all the other members are going to do their military service. i am a little worried that the break will be prolonged. translation: i saw lots of articles about the military duty of bts - and i realise they are finally going and now i also think about how well it can be maintained if one member is missing. translation: in fact i as a representative artist of our country i think- it is unfortunate that they are going to have a break of several years but on the other hand - it is a mandatory duty - as a citizen of our country. so after doing it well i wish he can be reunited again i with the other members. for the army of bts fans it will be a long 18 months to see if the band will come back together.

the grammy award winning composer angelo badalamenti has died at the age of 85. he's best remembered for the evocative score for the 905 series twin peaks, which he wrote in one go alongside the show's director david lynch. his other works included the soundtracks for the mystery thrillers blue velvet and mulholland drive. women in iraq have been facing rising levels of domestic abuse, with cases of gender—based violence seeing an 125% increase between 2020 and 2021, according to the un. in the kurdistan region, women who feel trapped in abusive households often see suicide as their only way out. the bbc has been granted rare access to one of the main hospitals for burns in iraqi kurdistan,

where many women are treated for self—inflicted burns. bbc arabic�*s carine torbey has the story. the emergency burns centre, iraqi kurdistan. around three people arrive here on average every day. most of them are women. some are burned so badly they do not make it. this is the biggest hospital for burns in the kurdistan region. since 2005 they have treated thousands of patients. most women admitted here say they caught fire by accident but the medical staff told me they identify factors that say otherwise. it is often a suicide attempt. jinan, not her real name, set herself on fire two years ago. she tells me she felt trapped in an abusive marriage and an unsupportive family. her scars are a constant reminder of her pain.

translation: the hardest thing to do is to try and burn _ yourself but you do not die. i cry every night and day because i ask myself why did i do this to myself? i did not get anything out of it. translation: i was scared but i saw no way out. - setting oneself on fire is a common practice among women in kurdistan. they use heating oil available in most households. head nurse nigar marf, says it is a form of protest. translation: women in our society | suffer from many mental pressures. | they suffer mental and physical abuse. so when they find no relief they set themselves on fire. nigar has been working here for over 20 years. many of the women she has treated didn't make it. some were as young as 16.

families in iraq have suffered years of economic instability and war. experts said it has led to a normalisation of violence against women. this is not an easy place for women. things have improved in recent years, but it is still a daily struggle for most of them because of traditions and social values. back in the hospital, 16—year—old duniya told me she burned herself while making bread. the stories of the women in this hospital have had a lasting impact on her. and now that her own scars are healing she wants to become a psychologist. dedicated to helping women overcome their trauma. carine torbey, bbc news.

now the weather. 0ur widespread and fairly prolonged to send the cold snapis fairly prolonged to send the cold snap is set to continue for a few more days. —— fairly prolonged december cold snap. this was the picture earlier in northumberland, beautiful blue skies but the weather is causing disruptions. icy stretches will last very few days, wintry showers mainly but not exclusively in scotland, a northerly wind developing that increased visibility. at the blue colours and the cold air very much with us, winds coming in from the north. towards the week had noticed the yellow and orange, things look like turning milder by around sunday, wetter too. some rain towards the far south—west, could be snowfall for the likes of dartmoor and bodmin for the likes of dartmoor and bodmin for instance, potentially spreading to the likes of west sussex by the

end of the night but temperatures already —20 four by 6pm, the temperatures will drop quickly, more heavy snow showers piling on across the north and north—east of scotland, some also affecting parts of north—east english —— temperatures already —2 or —4. not as cold as last night but still —6 or —7 even in towns, a risk of ice as we start tomorrow. more snowfall blowing in on a brisk northerly wind in scotland, blizzard conditions at times, further snowfall around the east of england. lighter winds further south and west, high cloud turned sunshine hazy towards the south, temperatures struggling for most of earth, perhaps a few degrees above freezing, feeling culture with the wind chill and the northerly breeze. sharp frost and icy stretches on thursday, dry, clear

and sunny for most, temperatures ranging between one and about 5 degrees. turning slightly milder over the next couple of days towards the end of the week, the take through the weekend where it looks unsettled and wet at times and the potential for things to turn cold at the following week. there is a 14 day forecast on the bbc weather app. goodbye for now.

this is bbc news. i'm ben boulos. the headlines: major transport disruption as rmt members stage fresh industrial action. 40,000 workers will be on strike on four days this week, meaning a near total shutdown of the uk rail network. the meaning a near total shutdown of the uk rail network.— uk rail network. the art of negotiation _ uk rail network. the art of negotiation is _ negotiation is getting to a position where both sides can accept the deal, and the government, the dft and i think all the way up to number ten has put conditions in the train operating companies they know will blow up any chance of a deal. it’s blow up any chance of a deal. it's very important that people recognise that we've _ very important that people recognise that we've made a reasonable pay offer. _ that we've made a reasonable pay offer. in _ that we've made a reasonable pay offer, in line with what the rises people — offer, in line with what the rises people are — offer, in line with what the rises people are getting in the private sector~ — people are getting in the private sector~ it — people are getting in the private sector. it is important we also deliver— sector. it is important we also deliver reform as well as dealing with pay— deliver reform as well as dealing with pay to make sure we have a

sustainable rail industry for the future — future. the prime minister future. — the prime minister promises more staff to help clear the uk backlog of asylum seekers by the end of next year. labouraccuses of asylum seekers by the end of next year. labour accuses the government of a total failure to deal with the problem. one of the boys who died after being pulled from a frozen lake in solihull has been named locally as jackjohnson. two other boys were killed, a fourth remains in a critical condition in hospital. the founder of the collapse crypto currency exchange ftx, sam bankman—fried, i5 currency exchange ftx, sam bankman—fried, is arrested in the bahamas and charged by us authorities with fraud and money—laundering. scientists in the us announce a major breakthrough in the race to recreate nuclear fusion and potentially a source of near limitless clean energy.

good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. fresh strike action is taking place on the railways, causing major disruption in the run—up to christmas. workers from the rmt union have walked out again in their dispute over pay and conditions. they're striking today and wednesday, then friday and saturday, with four out of five trains cancelled. we've already seen the worst month of industrial action in a decade back in october, and things are likely to get even worse. with a wave of strikes expected to go ahead this winter, december could be heading in the same direction. theo leggett reports. deserted platforms and no train — this was the scene at milford in surrey this morning. cafe owner simon strong would normally be

serving a steady flow of london bound commuters, but today there is barely a customer to be seen. if we've got no commuters, we've got no business, and this will impact me notjust today, notjust this week, there are strikes the week after, the week after that, so i'm pretty much closed for the next month, with no income coming in. across the rail network, many lines have closed altogether while others are running a fraction of the normal service. it is the latest stage in a stand—off between the rmt union and both network rail and 14 train operating companies over pay and working practices. a month of disruption now lies ahead. there are 248—hour train strikes this week. there are two 48—hour train strikes this week. then, an overtime ban on 14 train companies from sunday is connected to because of some cancellations. —— expected to cause some cancellations. a strike at network rail will see some services finish even earlier than usual on christmas eve and start late on the 27th of december. and more national walkouts are planned injanuary. workers at the train companies have

been offered more pay, a 4% increase this year and the same next year. network rail employees have been offered 5% and 4% respectively. that offer was rejected by rmt members yesterday. there is not a bottomless pit of money to pay increased salaries. i think there is a fair offer on the table, fair to taxpayers and fair to the people that work in the industry and fair to passengers and i hope the rmt reflect on it and change their position. but the rmt insists the dispute is notjust about money. it is not generous, it is way below inflation and it is predicated on a set of changes, cuts to the maintenance schedule task by 50%, and conditions changes on our members in network rail which are entirely unacceptable, it is also predicated on shutting every booking office in britain bringing in driving over driver only operation that they know we will never accept. these strikes will not just affect people who want to get around, but also affecting the businesses who rely on people wanting to get from place to place, cafes, bars, theatres, restaurants, and so on.

and the problem for them is that at the moment there seems no sign of a resolution being anywhere close. in surrey the response from travellers to the dispute has been mixed. i do hope the reasons why the strike is on is being looked into already, and hopefully we should get back because it's really exhausting. if you are going to strike about something then you can negotiate first and negotiate until a conclusion, if it doesn't come to anything then strike at the time that causes the least disruption to people. christmas time, really, guys? not a right time to| do it, no sympathy. by taking action in the run—up to christmas, the rmt has clearly raised the stakes in this dispute, and right now, it looks set to drag on well into the new year. the current wave of strikes come as workers seek pay increases to keep up with the rising cost of living. if we take a look at this graph,

the red line shows how quickly prices are rising, with an inflation rate of more than 11 per cent. pay isn't keeping up with that. in the private sector, average wage growth was 6.9 per cent between august and october, according to the office for national statistics. in the public sector, average pay has only gone up 2.7 per cent. that means all workers have seen their wages fall in real terms. that is once you have taken into account the rise in prices. colletta smith has been talking to staff at a nursery in huddersfield to find out how far their pay is stretching. katie loves herjob and tells me she would not want to be working anywhere else. but at the moment, she is working more than 45 hours a week to cover staff shortages and pay the bills at home. it is hard and has taken a toll. i am absolutely shattered. i don't really want to do anything on a night when i get home. my electric bill has gone up to £290 a month and i am not even in my property half of the time.

this year, with christmas and everything, just, you don't feel you can enjoy the experience because you worry if you can get presents, if you are going to be able to do anything. with running costs on the up, nurseries are struggling to pay more because the money they get from the government has not increased to match. nurseries would love to pay staff more but unfortunately the funding they're getting from the local authority to actually deliver the 30 hours and the 12 hours is not even covering their costs. i am taking calls almost every week, people so upset because this is coming to the stage where they cannot manage any more. i have qualified staff leaving the sector and people not coming into the sector because they can find betterjobs in aldi or tesco or being amazon drivers and get paid more. today's figures highlight the theme we've seen across this year that wages are not increasing nearly as much as inflation.

the prices we pay for everything else. that is why the vast majority of workers are experiencing what feels like a pay cut. public sector workers saw annual pay go up byjust 2.7%. i am just checking if you need lunch cover. with all bills rising, the owner leanne feels she has no choice but to increase fees in order to pay staff well and recruit more. it is impossible trying to recruit qualified nursery staff, the adverts that we do, no qualified staff come through for them at all, it is unqualified and apprenticeships. currently four members of staff on maternity leave,

which all would be qualified members of staff and we have not been able to replace them. but for staff, it's only working extra hours that is plugging the gap in their finances. it does help out. i've got a wedding to pay for so trying to save up at the same time. congratulations. thank you. it is really difficult. with christmas coming up, that's going to be a tricky one. not really doing presents this time, just trying to save up and then bills have gone up quite a lot at the moment, so it is really tricky. coletta smith, bbc news in huddersfield. the prime minister rishi sunak has set out new measures for tackling the soaring number of asylum claims, promising to "abolish the back log" of cases by the end of next year. he also announced plans to fast—track the removal of albanian migrants. earlier we spoke to our political correspondent jonathan blake. he spoke about the measures the prime minister wants to put in place. he set out a few measures in the house of commons earlier, and rishi sunak has made it clear that he's

been spending a lot of time on this issue, how to tackle the problem of people crossing the english channel in small boats in large numbers, and today we had for the first time what he plans to do about it. he talked about the need to balance the support the uk should give to people in dire need with the genuine need to control our borders. he said enough was enough and unless the government tackled this problem now, it would only get worse, so he talked about the measures that he wanted to put in place. to run through those briefly now, there will be a new deal with albania to remove people arriving from that country more swiftly. there will be a new dedicated small boats command centre combining military and civilian resources, more funding for the national crime agency to tackle illegal immigration crime in europe. moving people out of hotels in various areas into other kinds of accommodation, for example, student halls of residence and form of holiday camps, the prime minister

said, and also doubling the number of caseworkers assigned to processing asylum claims in the uk, with the aim, the prime minister said, hot his expectation, he said, of clearing the back log of asylum decisions by the end of next year. you talked about doing what is right and sticking to the principle of fairness. :. : .. and sticking to the principle of fairness. :, : ,, , , :, , fairness. tackling this problem will not be quick. _ fairness. tackling this problem will not be quick. it _ fairness. tackling this problem will not be quick, it will _ fairness. tackling this problem will not be quick, it will not _ fairness. tackling this problem will not be quick, it will not be - fairness. tackling this problem will not be quick, it will not be easy, i not be quick, it will not be easy, but it— not be quick, it will not be easy, but it is— not be quick, it will not be easy, but it is the _ not be quick, it will not be easy, but it is the right thing to do. because _ but it is the right thing to do. because we cannot persist with a system _ because we cannot persist with a system that was designed for a system that was designed fora different— system that was designed for a different era. we have to stop the boats. _ different era. we have to stop the boats. and — different era. we have to stop the boats, and this government will do what must — boats, and this government will do what must be done. mr speaker, we will be _ what must be done. mr speaker, we will be tough but fair, and where we lead. _ will be tough but fair, and where we lead. others— will be tough but fair, and where we lead, others will follow. a will be tough but fair, and where we lead, others will follow.— lead, others will follow. a specific mention about _ lead, others will follow. a specific mention about plans _ lead, others will follow. a specific mention about plans to _ lead, others will follow. a specific mention about plans to fast-track| mention about plans to fast—track the removal of albanian migrants. why the focus on those in particular?—

why the focus on those in particular? why the focus on those in articular? , , :, :, particular? because people from that country make — particular? because people from that country make pp _ particular? because people from that country make up a — particular? because people from that country make up a large _ particular? because people from that country make up a large part, - particular? because people from that country make up a large part, i - country make up a large part, i think up to a third of arrivals in small boats across the channel, according to the government, so there is an issue there and the prime minister talked about the potential abuse of modern slavery laws in the uk which were allowing people to come from that country in large numbers. he said that the threshold would be raised when it came to applying those decisions. sir keir starmerfor the labour sir keir starmer for the labour party sir keir starmerfor the labour party said this was all gimmicks. he said most of it the government had said most of it the government had said and promised before and accused the prime minister of presiding over a broken system. there are in excess of 40,000 people who have crossed the english channel so far this year. it is a problem which has, which this prime minister and his predecessors have struggled to deal with and governments have talked for the last few years in very tough terms about tackling the problem but it has been very difficult to do

anything effective about it, so lots of conservative mp5 in particular and many voters who see this as a very important issue that needs to be dealt with will be looking to see how far these measures are effective and whether they work. i'm joined now by the snp's spokesperson forjustice and immigration, stuart mcdonald. good to have you with us. what do you make of the government proposals, what we know of them so far? ~ :, :, far? we will need to look at the details, far? we will need to look at the details. but _ far? we will need to look at the details, but stripping _ far? we will need to look at the details, but stripping away - far? we will need to look at the | details, but stripping away some far? we will need to look at the - details, but stripping away some of the rather obnoxious rhetoric we had today, there were some sort of mixed signals. there was a lot missing. for a start, there was a failure to apologise for the mess that the prime minister and his colleagues have made of the asylum system, no detail about safe legal routes, this should have been that there were announcements about practical steps that should have been taken earlier. there were changes to modern slavery protections and talk of accelerated

asylum processes, which we found very concerning and worrying indeed. why does an accelerated asylum process cause worry and concern? surely it's better for cases to be resolved, including for those who would otherwise be left in limbo waiting for the outcome?- would otherwise be left in limbo waiting for the outcome? yeah, we absolutely need _ waiting for the outcome? yeah, we absolutely need to _ waiting for the outcome? yeah, we absolutely need to see _ waiting for the outcome? yeah, we absolutely need to see cases - waiting for the outcome? yeah, we i absolutely need to see cases decided more quickly, but we are worried that the government will take short cuts and make decisions in relation to certain claims without a person, for example, being properly interviewed or having access to a lawyer, and that sort of treatment would be simply unacceptable. if the government is really concerned about making decisions more quickly, i could give you the cases of tens of thousands of people who are from afghanistan or from syria thousands of people who are from afghanistan orfrom syria or eritrea, and whose success rates in climbing delete my claim for asylum are over 90%. why not accelerate those cases, look at the circumstances of each one of them, but get them out of the system quickly by granting asylum? that would free up quite a lot of the

back log already. but would free up quite a lot of the back log already.— would free up quite a lot of the back log already. but would that not further fuel the _ back log already. but would that not further fuel the people _ back log already. but would that not further fuel the people traffickers i further fuel the people traffickers and smugglers if it seems to them on to the people who they are taking advantage of that the threshold for achieving asylum in the uk has been speeded up, has been made a lower threshold? but speeded up, has been made a lower threshold? �* . speeded up, has been made a lower threshold? �* , :, , , threshold? but it is absolutely nothinr threshold? but it is absolutely nothing to _ threshold? but it is absolutely nothing to do _ threshold? but it is absolutely nothing to do with _ threshold? but it is absolutely nothing to do with changing i threshold? but it is absolutely. nothing to do with changing the threshold. the threshold is that set down by the refugee convention, a real risk of persecution in your home country, so it is simply reducing waiting times from dust mite years or three years, back to where it was three or four years ago —— two years or three years. when it comes to these nationalities, where we can be pretty sure that the overwhelming majority of cases will be successful, that these people are refugees, getting that done quickly and getting them out of the asylum system. it's a very simple step and it's really disappointing the government hasn't taken that on

board. :. . . board. other measures were announced. _ board. other measures were announced, including - board. other measures were announced, including 700 i board. other measures were i announced, including 700 new board. other measures were - announced, including 700 new staff for a specialist unit to monitor small boats crossing the channel. is that something you would back, that you would welcome, that the snp would do if it were in charge? sure, we need to — would do if it were in charge? sure, we need to keep — would do if it were in charge? sure, we need to keep working _ would do if it were in charge? sure, we need to keep working with i would do if it were in charge? (is we need to keep working with our european allies to try and clamp down on the people smugglers and the people traffickers. that is beyond question, but where resources have been started from over several years, including while rishi sunak was chancellor, i5 years, including while rishi sunak was chancellor, is from asylum decision—making, so he has done a little bit to make that better today. £120 million has been completely wasted on rwanda. if you had spent that on decision makers, you could have doubled or trebled the number of people doing the job and we wouldn't be in this mess at all. ~ and we wouldn't be in this mess at all. : :, all. ok. we will leave it there. stuart mcdonald, _

all. ok. we will leave it there. stuart mcdonald, thank - all. ok. we will leave it there. stuart mcdonald, thank you i all. ok. we will leave it there. i stuart mcdonald, thank you very much. thejustice spokesperson for the snp. the headlines: major transport disruption as rmt members stage industrial action. there will be strikes on four days this week, meaning any shutdown of the uk rail network. the prime minister promises more staff to help clear the uk back log of asylum seekers by the end of next year. labouraccuses of asylum seekers by the end of next year. labour accuses the government of a total failure to deal with the problem. scientists in the united states announce a major breakthrough in the race to recreate nuclearfusion breakthrough in the race to recreate nuclear fusion and potentially a source of near limitless clean energy. hundreds of people have held a vigil in solihull in memory of the three boys who died after falling through ice on a lake. they were aged eight, ten and 11. ten—year—old jackjohnson has been named as one of the three who've died.

a fourth boy, who's six years old, is still in hospital in a critical condition. 0ur correspondent phil mackie has the latest. for a third day, police are searching the lake. they have said they no longer think anyone is missing, but they have to be sure. if anything, the ice has spread even further than yesterday after temperatures plunged again overnight. it has made the search extremely difficult. last night, there was a community vigil where families of the children, who were also there. the candles burned well into the early hours police are expected to release more information about the children later. ten—year—old jackjohnson was one of the three who died. today his school was back opened after an impossibly difficult 24 hours. one of the boys was in my daughter's class, and they told her yesterday, you know, it was really heartbreaking. we all went to lay some flowers, and it kind of eased her pain,

and there is a sense of community spirit, so it isjust tragic, really tragic. the grief is still clearly visible as the mass of tributes continues to grow. there are also messages from friends and family of the other boys who died, as well as from political leaders like the mayor of the west midlands, andy street, and organisations like west midlands police federation and one of the local fire crews. the risks of playing on or near ice have never been more stark. the lake where the boys died i5 notjust out of bounds while the police search, but it might be so for a long time to come. there are specialist teams from nottinghamshire police here today helping officers from west midlands police carry out that search in the lake. we expect that to continue until it gets dark. there are lots of people turning up to leave messages and

tributes to the dead boys. john eustice, the manager of birmingham city, is due here as well to lay something on behalf of the club. the latest we have from west midlands police on the six—year—old boy who was pulled out alive is that he is still in hospital and still in a critical condition. police investigating the death of a child have begun searching a garden after receiving information about the possible burial of human remains. the search is happening on clarence road in handsworth, a suburb of birmingham. west midlands police received information relating to the death of a child at the house in 2020 and an investigation has been launched. two people were arrested last week on suspicion of causing or allowing the death of a child and wilful neglect. news just newsjust breaking. news just breaking. reality tv star steven bauer has been found guilty

of sharing a video of him having 5ix of sharing a video of him having six with his ex—girlfriend george harrison on the website only fans and could now face jail. the 30—year—old ———year—old defendant who won a reality show in 2016 and m5 harrison were captured on cctv camera having 5ix m5 harrison were captured on cctv camera having six in a garden in 2020. he claimed at chelmsford crown court that he deleted the footage that day and had shared it with no one other than miss harrison, but on tuesday a jury found him guilty by unanimous verdict of two counts of disclosing sexual photographs and films with intent to cause distress. education watchdog ofsted says too many children with special needs are facing delays in being assessed. the annual report, which is published today, will say that last year only 60 per cent of education, health and care plans were issued by local authorities within the statutory limit of 20 weeks.

let's speak now to hayley harding, co—founder of the campaign let us learn too, a non—profit organisation that works with parents who have children with special education needs. good to have you with us here on bbc news. just explain for us the significance of these assessments and why they make such a difference. the assessments are basically a gateway to help, in a way. when it becomes clear that a standard mainstream provision isn't enough for a child to be able to learn, then a parent or the school should be able to apply to local authority and get an assessment to see what needs to be in place, whether that is enough provision to be an actual health care plan or whether the school need to be doing more. so, school need to be doing more. 50, without those assessments, it's very difficult for some schools sometimes to work out exactly what the child needs, because it needs specialist coming in and making assessments

that teachers aren't in a position to do. :, �* :, , :, to do. you've got first hand earperience _ to do. you've got first hand experience of _ to do. you've got first hand experience of this - to do. you've got first handj experience of this yourself, to do. you've got first hand - experience of this yourself, haven't you? tell us a little but about how you? tell us a little but about how you found it? == you? tell us a little but about how you found it?— you found it? -- a little bit. my first experience _ you found it? -- a little bit. my first experience was _ you found it? -- a little bit. my first experience was horrible, i you found it? -- a little bit. my| first experience was horrible, to you found it? -- a little bit. my i first experience was horrible, to be honest. my son, when he was first diagnosed with having autism at three and a half, we then applied when he was four for an assessment because it was very clear. by this point we had seven professional saying not only he needed assessment but that he needed a plan. there was no way he would be able to go to a mainstream school without support. and we were turned down. with very little reason. it was about two sentences and neither of them really related to the content we had sent over. it was only then that i realised after making inquiries locally that this was almost standard in terms of how things were done here, and the tribunal process was almost one, and that's the appeal process, sorry, where you had to go through that in order to get

what you needed, which seemed absolutely crazy to me. that didn't seem fair in any way, shape or form. so that's why i started locally the group and latterly have been doing the national campaigning, with the so review coming up. lduihdt the national campaigning, with the so review coming up.— the national campaigning, with the so review coming up. what impact do ou think so review coming up. what impact do you think that — so review coming up. what impact do you think that delay _ so review coming up. what impact do you think that delay had _ so review coming up. what impact do you think that delay had on _ so review coming up. what impact do you think that delay had on your- you think that delay had on your son? , :, :, , , you think that delay had on your son? ,, :, �* son? goodness, for him, he wasn't able to start- _ son? goodness, for him, he wasn't able to start. we _ son? goodness, for him, he wasn't able to start. we applied _ son? goodness, for him, he wasn't able to start. we applied dinner- able to start. we applied dinner january and he wasn't able to stop school when all the other children did. he started later that october and that was only because we were fortunate that another child moved out of the borough. if it wasn't for that, and his preschool sort of kept him on just out of kindness, but he was only getting about two hours a day and finding that very stressful because obviously it wasn't set up for his needs. for him, he didn't get the kind of normal transition into the specialist space that he is now a win, but had we not fought like we did, i don't know where we would have been and whether he would have got what he needed. 955

would have been and whether he would have got what he needed. $5 for would have been and whether he would have got what he needed.— have got what he needed. as far as our have got what he needed. as far as your campaigning _ have got what he needed. as far as your campaigning is _ have got what he needed. as far as your campaigning is concerned, i have got what he needed. as far as i your campaigning is concerned, what would you consider a success? what would you consider a success? what would you consider a success? what would you like to see local authorities do to improve the situation?— authorities do to improve the situation? �*, :, ,. , , situation? it's really simple, 'ust follow the law. if i situation? it's really simple, 'ust follow the law. if every i situation? it's really simple, 'ust follow the law. if every child i situation? it's really simple, just follow the law. if every child had j situation? it's really simple, just i follow the law. if every child had a system where everybody followed the law and followed the same rules, i don't think there would be a child out there that doesn't have the help they need. the problem is, local authorities across the country are putting in place additional hurdles and what they call local policy which isn't lawful, which means children not getting assessments and then consequently not getting the help they need. this is obviously huge pressure on teachers, who have children in their classes that are not getting support and having to deal with the problem is that creates, and it is something that is so simple and yet for some reason nobody is enforcing it, and that's right up to the department for education level. i don't know why they don't, but it has been going on for too long now for them not to know about it. hayley, thank you for

sharing with us here.— sharing with us here. hayley harding. _ sharing with us here. hayley harding, founder _ sharing with us here. hayley harding, founder of - sharing with us here. hayley harding, founder of the i sharing with us here. hayley i harding, founder of the campaign title might let us learn too. the us authorities have filed eight separate criminal charges against the founder of the collapsed cryptocurrency exchange, ftx. sam bankman—fried is accused of wire fraud, money laundering and conspiracy to defraud the united states — among other counts set out in a 13 page indictment. the current ftx ceo, john ray, told us lawmakers that the collapse stemmed from poor management practices and inexperienced individuals. the ftx group is my collapse appears to stem from an absolute concentration of control in the hands of a small group of grossly inexperienced and unsophisticated individuals who failed to implement virtually any of the systems or controls that are necessary for a company entrusted with other people's money or assets. some of

the unacceptable management practices we've identified so far include the use of computer infrastructure that gave individuals and senior management access to systems that stored customer assets without security controls to prevent them from redirecting those assets. i'm joined now by our north america business correspondent samira hussain. firstly, there has been a lot of movement on this story today. just bring us up to date with all the different strands, and why it matters. .. different strands, and why it matters. ,, :, matters. sam bankman-fried was the ceo of the now-defunct _ matters. sam bankman-fried was the ceo of the now-defunct ftx _ matters. sam bankman-fried was the ceo of the now-defunct ftx and i matters. sam bankman-fried was the ceo of the now-defunct ftx and he i ceo of the now—defunct ftx and he was meant to testify to us lawmakers today, which is why i'm here on capitol hill. but last night he was arrested by request of us authorities in the bahamas, where he is right now. and he is probably going to be extradited to the united states. 50 that happened overnight.

those are criminal charges that were filed by the district court in new york. in addition, this morning, we've heard from financial regulators here in washington that they have also levied charges. these are civil charges against sam bankman—fried and his company, ftx, and the dealings they have been having. in terms of what is happening right now, you did hear a clip from the current ceo of fdx. john clip from the current ceo of fdx. joth ray the third has a long history in dealing with corporate mess. he famously was the one to clean up after the enron accounting scandal in 2001, and given all his experience, he has said that what he has seen at ftx i5 experience, he has said that what he has seen at ftx is unprecedented, and that he has never seen anything like this before in his career. ftx was a platform. _ like this before in his career. ftx was a platform, or is a platform, where people could change regular

currency for crypto currency, bitcoin and so on. why is this having such a big impact and why is it garnering so much interest? i assume it goes beyond the realm of those who just invested in crypto currency and potentially could have had a ripple effect on the wider financial system?— had a ripple effect on the wider financial system? absolutely. first, ou have financial system? absolutely. first, you have to — financial system? absolutely. first, you have to look— financial system? absolutely. first, you have to look at _ financial system? absolutely. first, you have to look at just _ financial system? absolutely. first, you have to look atjust the - you have to look atjust the absolute size of ftx. a relatively new player in the crypto currency scene had become the second largest ftx platform, or rather crypto currency platform. it had billions of dollars' worth of investments from people, but also, you have to look at san bachmann freed. you really play the game in which he convinced investors that this was actually a safe bet. a lot of that had to do with the way he presented himself and ftx, this new, young,

vibrant company that was able to handle all of this kind of money. because itjust handle all of this kind of money. because it just fell handle all of this kind of money. because itjust fell apart handle all of this kind of money. because it just fell apart so spectacularly and just so quickly and so many people have been impacted in terms of their finances, there is just a impacted in terms of their finances, there isjust a lot impacted in terms of their finances, there is just a lot of unravelling that needs to be done. in terms of the ripple effect, i think this is probably highlighting for quite a lot of people, especially where i am right now in washington, the need for more regulation when it comes to crypto currencies.— crypto currencies. thank you for explaining _ crypto currencies. thank you for explaining all— crypto currencies. thank you for explaining all of _ crypto currencies. thank you for explaining all of that _ crypto currencies. thank you for explaining all of that for - crypto currencies. thank you for explaining all of that for us. i crypto currencies. thank you for explaining all of that for us. we | explaining all of that for us. we could go on at length, but my colleagues on bbc world news are desperate to speak to you as well so we will let you speak to them. now, it's time for a look at the weather with sarah keith lucas. hello. tuesday has been another day where temperatures struggled to get above freezing all day for many areas, over the next few days we expect icy

stretches to continue. wintry 5howers., they will be heavy in areas. snow perhaps as far east in the south as the isle of wight but most other places looking drier away from the wintry showers in the far north and north—east. overnight temperatures down to as low as —60 “8, temperatures down to as low as —60 —8, even in urban spots. a very hard frost to start wednesday, the brisk northerly when driving in further heavy snow showers to northern scotland at the north yorkshire moors —— overnight temperatures down to as low as —6 or —8. temperatures freezing to price for tomorrow morning but feeling culture when you are in the wind—chill, something like —6, for instance, in north—east england. goodbye.

hello, this is bbc

news with ben boulous. the headlines... major transport disruption as rmt members stage fresh industrial action — 40,000 workers will be on strike on four days this week, meaning a near total shutdown of the uk's railway network. the prime minister promises more staff to help clear the uk's backlog of asylum seekers by end of next year — labour accuse the government of a total failure to deal with the problem. one of the boys who died after being pulled from a frozen lake in solihull has been named locally as jackjohnson. two other boys were killed — a fourth remains in a critical condition in hospital. the founder of the collapsed cryptocurrency exchange ftx, sam bankman—fried, is arrested in the bahamas and charged by us authorities with fraud and money laundering. and scientists in the us announce a major breakthrough in the race to recreate nuclear fusion and potentially a source of near—limitless clean energy.

sport, and a full round—up from the bbc sport centre now. ben is with us. good afternoon. the world cup in qatar is just 24 days old and we're already at the semifinal stage. tomorrow, morocco take on reigning champions france but all attention today is on croatia and argentina. 0lly foster is in doha. the argentina manager has been telling his players to enjoy the game, just another match, but we know it's a bit more than that? nobody wants to be playing on saturday at the khalifa international stage, the dreaded third fourth play—off, it is all about reaching the final. argentina have never lost a world cup semifinal and this is lionel messi's fifth, he has 170 caps and it will

probably be his last at the age of 35. this team hasjust probably be his last at the age of 35. this team has just melted around him, whether he had scored or provided the assists, he has raised his game to new heights. other against him, a man in four world against him, a man infourworld cups, against him, a man in four world cups, runners—up four against him, a man in four world cups, runners—upfouryears against him, a man in four world cups, runners—up four years ago, luka modric, wonderful in his own right. don't croatia keep punching above their weight? in half of their world cup appearances they have made it this far and they have dropped the template from russia right into the template from russia right into the gulf state with a couple of penalty shoot—out. who knows, it could go the distance again against argentina? if argentina get through the midfield three with 331 caps between them, expect them to prevail, but it could be another very nervous night in qatar. itrier?r very nervous night in qatar. very ne for very nervous night in qatar. very nervy for the _ very nervous night in qatar. very nervy for the fans _ very nervous night in qatar. very

nervy for the fans too. _ very nervous night in qatar. very nervy for the fans too. what have you noticed about how fans are supporting argentina? they seem to be one of the best followed teams, but are they supporting argentina or messi? the but are they supporting argentina or messi? :, :, , :, ~ :, messi? the ma'ority are argentina, accordinr messi? the ma'ority are argentina, according to — messi? the majority are argentina, according to the _ messi? the majority are argentina, according to the embassy, - messi? the majority are argentina, according to the embassy, over i according to the embassy, over 40,000, you can hear them before you see them. they have been magnificent, they will be marching on the stadium which is just a short hop on the metro from doha, the brand—new shining city they have built out of nothing and the fantastic stadium that will host the final on sunday. just as we saw qatari families and other fans, final on sunday. just as we saw qatari families and otherfans, they were run out of funds, neymar fans, but they have got rid of those cards now and they will have argentina shirts. —— they were ronaldo fans. they support their football on the side of precise craters, the lights, they will be going there and they

will want messi to win, and because messi i5 argentinian they will support argentina. it is strange when you look at it in some regards, but the majority will be true argentinians, they have arrived in their tens of thousands to see a finally crack this world cup, their last win was a 1986. it finally crack this world cup, their last win was a 1986.— finally crack this world cup, their last win was a 1986. it should be a brilliant game, _ last win was a 1986. it should be a brilliant game, seven _ last win was a 1986. it should be a brilliant game, seven o'clock i last win was a 1986. it should be a brilliant game, seven o'clock on i last win was a 1986. it should be a l brilliant game, seven o'clock on bbc sounds and the bbc sport website. ahead of their semifinal, france goalkeeper hugo lloris has been speaking about that harry kane penalty against england in the quarterfinal. the two are team—mates at tottenham hotspur and lloris says he did text kane afterwards — but it wasn't easy to find the words. he can be proud, can be proud of what he has done for the national team during this world cup. in football history, many top players miss important penalties, players like leo messi, cristiano ronaldo,

kylian mbappe. i have no doubt harry will keep his chin up and he will help tottenham and the national team to shine. azeem rafiq has warned that cricket remains in denial about racism. the former all—rounder and his family have relocated to pakistan after being the victim of racial harassment and bullying at yorkshire county cricket club. he spoke to the digital, culture, media and sport committee earlier. although everyone has made this about me, it is not about me. i spoke out to make cricket a better place so my kids could go and play, and 13 months on, sadly... i would have loved to have not come here in the first place, but i would love to have come and told you how great things have been, how much cricket has changed, but unfortunately what it feels like it's cricket is very much in denial.— it feels like it's cricket is very much in denial. that is your sport for now, much in denial. that is your sport for now. i — much in denial. that is your sport for now, iwill— much in denial. that is your sport for now, i will have _ much in denial. that is your sport for now, i will have more - much in denial. that is your sport for now, i will have more in i much in denial. that is your sport for now, i will have more in the i for now, i will have more in the next hour. studio: thank you.

the welsh government has said public services face a perfect storm of financial pressures, as it unveiled its spending plans for next year. the finance minister, rebecca evans, said the draft budget would top up nhs funding and help vulnerable people through the cost of living crisis. let's cross to cardiff and speak to our wales correspondent hywel griffith. they have got £20 billion to spend but they are saying it is not enough? about 20 billion is roughly what they have to spend in revenue, meaning paying wages, keeping the lights on, putting money into health, education and local. that the estimate _ health, education and local. that the estimate is _ health, education and local. that the estimate is that _ health, education and local. that the estimate is that it's - health, education and local. “trust the estimate is that it's worth around a billion less than last year when it was first announced because we are all aware of rising prices, inflation is causing a nightmare headache for everyone in the public sector including the welsh government. we all know that there are demands for more money within the nhs, we will have nurses in wales going on strike later this

week, ambulance staff going on strike next week, but the welsh government says it does not have enough money to settle back locally. if it was to offer a welsh pay deal it would need to start with the uk government giving it more money. the treasury will argue it has already given more money, around two thirds of £1 billion was handed down by the recent autumn statement welsh ministers, it is a labour administration, accusing the uk government of not giving it enough to cope with what it has, let alone being able to offer anything extra. but don't they have pellets to raise tax themselves? the but don't they have pellets to raise tax themselves?— but don't they have pellets to raise tax themselves? : , ,:, tax themselves? the welsh government in cardiff ba tax themselves? the welsh government in cardiff lsay can — tax themselves? the welsh government in cardiff bay can vary _ tax themselves? the welsh government in cardiff bay can vary income _ tax themselves? the welsh government in cardiff bay can vary income tax - in cardiff bay can vary income tax level so you could argue if you don't have enough money, raise some more, but first minister mark drakeford more, but first minister mark dra keford was more, but first minister mark drakeford was adamant that at this time of cost of living pressures, when people say they can barely afford to heat and eat and are scrimping every penny, now would not

be the right time to add to the tax burden of working people in wales. the theory is challenged by the opposition parties, particularly plaid cymru, it has even been questioned by the welsh conservatives who say you have the power and responsibility, why not useit? power and responsibility, why not use it? but the labour administration in wales would much rather focus on decisions made by the uk treasury and uk ministers, accusing them of not handing down enough money to wales to pump more in. there is £165 million for nhs front line services, over £200 million for local government services, but these are very small amounts when you look at the billions that needs to be spent to keep the public services going. thank you for explaining that, hywel griffith in cardiff. a "decade of neglect" by successive conservative administrations has weakened the nhs — that's according to a report commissioned by the department of health. the paper by the king's fund health thinktank says years of denying funding to the health

service and failing to address its growing workforce crisis have left it with too few staff, too little equipment and too many outdated buildings to perform the amount of surgery needed to tackle the waiting list backlog . joining me is now is sally warren, the director of policy at the king's fund, which published today's report. thank you forjoining us, tell us more about these findings. flirt" more about these findings. our research more about these findings. qt" research looked at international experience of improving waiting lists and particularly domestic experience in uk health care systems, and we focus a lot on the experience of the new labour government in the 20005, that is when we saw the most dramatic improvement. we sought to understand

the strategies implemented at that time and what made them successful and then started to look at whether it would be appropriate to apply those now in a different political and economic context and at a time when the health service is in a different space. brute when the health service is in a different space.— when the health service is in a different space. we are told on vafious different space. we are told on various measures _ different space. we are told on various measures that - different space. we are told on various measures that taxation j various measures that taxation levels are decades high, the government will say it is putting more money into the nhs and yet we see these problems your report has highlighted. if it is not money that will solve this, what is the solution, the answer? lots of the answer is you _ solution, the answer? lots of the answer is you need _ solution, the answer? lots of the answer is you need to _ solution, the answer? lots of the answer is you need to think- solution, the answer? lots of the| answer is you need to think about how you are spending and investing money. since the austerity period, around about 2010, the nhs had a period with much lower growth than it historically has, it normally gets about 3.7% a year to meet the customers getting older, meeting or health care, better drugs and better innovations, but the nhs was getting closer to 1% up at time —— to meet the cost of us getting older. the

government is unable to invest in important things like a long—term workforce, not able to train more staff, think about staff retention. lots of the capital which supports buying scanners and equipment, making building safe and effective, were not invested in. that happens for a number of years and performance started to deteriorate before covid hit, causing extreme pressure across the health and social care system. waiting lists were rising before covid, double already 4 million on waiting lists, now 87 million, and we have a health care system with large numbers of vacancies and a £10 billion backlog and a social care system bursting at the seams. that is why the research was talking about some of the strategies we used in the 2000, i really appropriate to use now, some of the key things that happened in

the 2000 was a long—term injection of significant funding to the nhs and critically a workforce plan, increased numbers of staff working across the nhs which is really key here. nhs capacity, it is really about the numbers of staff to be able to support patients with health care needs. :. .. able to support patients with health care needs. :, ,, , :, , able to support patients with health care needs. :. ~' , :, , : care needs. thank you very much, sally warren. _ care needs. thank you very much, sally warren, director _ care needs. thank you very much, sally warren, director of - care needs. thank you very much, sally warren, director of policy i care needs. thank you very much, sally warren, director of policy at| sally warren, director of policy at the king's fund, the health think tank. breaking news, a french court has found all eight defendants on trial over a truck attack in the french city of nice in 2016 guilty of their roles in the crime. 86 people were killed in that attack. the attacker was shot dead by police on the spot after causing devastation and chaos on a two

kilometre stretch of nice's boulevard on the seaside where families had been gathered to celebrate bastille day. that announcement breaking in the last few minutes that all eight defendants on trial over the 2016 truck attack in the french city of nice have been found guilty for their roles in the crime. scientists in the united states over a have made a breakthrough which could have huge implications for the planet and future generations. us energy secretary announce the news. today we tell the world that america has achieved a tremendous scientific breakthrough, one that happens because we invested in our national

labs and in fundamental research. tomorrow we will continue to work for a future that is powered in part by fusion energy. fortunately private sector investment and fusion research is already booming, it has reached almost $3 billion last year alone and we have heard from professors that interest among students has never been higher, which is terrific. that is why the bite on harris administration aims to capitalise on this moment. —— the biden—harris's administration. this is a huge step forward to the presidential goal of achieving commercialfusion in a decade. there is still so much more to do. we are continuing to work towards that goal and find other ways to progress, to

reach fusion energy, so in september the department of energy made a $50 million investment for public—private partnerships to start working towards fusion pilot plant designs. we are partnering the office of science and technology policy to map out the president's vision for driving that commercial fusion in the next decade with the highest safety standards, with cost—effective equitable deployment that positions american businesses to lead and communities to thrive, and with a skilled workforce that is diverse and inclusive. this is what it looks like for america to lead. israeli researchers say they have developed gene—edited hens that lay eggs from which only female chicks hatch. the breakthrough could prevent the slaughter of billions of male chickens each year, which are culled because they don't lay eggs.

the female chicks, and the eggs they lay when they mature, should have no trace of the original genetic alteration. joining us from rehovat, dr yuval cinnamon, the project's chief scientist. what are we to make of this? is it safe? yes. _ what are we to make of this? is it safe? yes. it _ what are we to make of this? is it safe? yes, it is. _ what are we to make of this? is it safe? yes, it is. it— what are we to make of this? is it safe? yes, it is. it is— what are we to make of this? is it safe? yes, it is. it is safe because the layers that lay eggs will be identical to the ones currently used and consumed by people. the only difference is that the male embryos will stop developing very early during that

genesis and the females will normally hatch and be as transparent to the farmers and the consumers as it can be. , :, , , to the farmers and the consumers as itcanbe. , :, ,:, it can be. presumably your aim is to license the — it can be. presumably your aim is to license the technology _ it can be. presumably your aim is to license the technology so _ it can be. presumably your aim is to license the technology so the i it can be. presumably your aim is to license the technology so the sector can use it. when do you anticipate it will be possible to do that? currently the poultry company is working on licensing and signing an agreement with breeding companies and once this is completely done, it is not an easy task, within two years we expect to see the first eggs available. these will be eggs like we buy today, they were laid by

females for which no males were cold. , :, :, , females for which no males were cold. , :, :, cold. does it have any other applications? _ cold. does it have any other applications? -- _ cold. does it have any other applications? -- for- cold. does it have any other applications? -- for which i cold. does it have any otherl applications? -- for which no cold. does it have any other - applications? -- for which no males were culled- — applications? -- for which no males were culled. does _ applications? -- for which no males were culled. does it _ applications? -- for which no males were culled. does it have _ applications? -- for which no males were culled. does it have any i applications? -- for which no males were culled. does it have any other| were culled. does it have any other applications? _ were culled. does it have any other applications? not _ were culled. does it have any other applications? not as _ were culled. does it have any other applications? not as such, - were culled. does it have any other applications? not as such, it - were culled. does it have any other applications? not as such, it was . applications? not as such, it was desi . ned applications? not as such, it was designed to _ applications? not as such, it was designed to solve _ applications? not as such, it was designed to solve the _ applications? not as such, it was| designed to solve the devastating animal welfare issue of culling 7 billionjailed male chicks worldwide, and as such there was not another application. at on top of the animal welfare problem being solved there will be a great economic benefit as well as sustainable benefits, as 50% of the energy used to heat up the hatcheries will be saved and turns

of dead male chicks clearly will not be, and discarding them will not be needed. ., , ., ., , ., needed. tonnes of of. dr yuval cinnamon. _ needed. tonnes of of. dr yuval cinnamon, thank _ needed. tonnes of of. dr yuval cinnamon, thank you _ needed. tonnes of of. dr yuval cinnamon, thank you for - needed. tonnes of of. dr yuval - cinnamon, thank you for explaining that, a fascinating bit of research, thank you for talking us through it. thank you very much.— thank you very much. there is an article on — thank you very much. there is an article on the _ thank you very much. there is an article on the bbc _ thank you very much. there is an article on the bbc news - thank you very much. there is an article on the bbc news website | thank you very much. there is an . article on the bbc news website that explains all the process of that, so look at that if you are interested to learn more. a bbc investigation has found loan sharks in northern ireland are using food banks to target people experiencing hardship for illegal lending. mandy mcauley from bbc northern ireland's spotlight programme spoke to a victim who was given a £500 loan but soon faced greater debt and intimidation. i was petrified to. made me feel vulnerable, very, very vulnerable. i was worried sick. allen, not his

real name, turn to loan sharks when personal circumstances forced him to give up work. his words are voiced by an actor. give up work. his words are voiced by an actor-— give up work. his words are voiced by an actor. universal credit cut my -a ments by an actor. universal credit cut my payments by _ by an actor. universal credit cut my payments by 300 — by an actor. universal credit cut my payments by 300 p _ by an actor. universal credit cut my payments by 300 p a _ by an actor. universal credit cut my payments by 300 p a month - by an actor. universal credit cut my payments by 300 p a month and i l payments by 300 p a month and i struggled for a while, but i was getting deeper and deeper in debt. __ by getting deeper and deeper in debt. —— by £300 a month. bitter getting deeper and deeper in debt. -- by £300 a month.— getting deeper and deeper in debt. -- by £300 a month. after a visit to his local food _ -- by £300 a month. after a visit to his local food bank _ -- by £300 a month. after a visit to his local food bank he _ -- by £300 a month. after a visit to his local food bank he had _ -- by £300 a month. after a visit to his local food bank he had an - his localfood bank he had an unexpected call at home. knock on the door, opened _ unexpected call at home. knock on the door, opened the _ unexpected call at home. knock on the door, opened the door, - unexpected call at home. knock on the door, opened the door, two . unexpected call at home. knock on i the door, opened the door, two young man were telling me things they should not have been able to tell me. they knew i needed money, they knew i was struggling and they knew the dates when i would be paid universal credit, they said they would help. he universal credit, they said they would help-— would help. he got a loan, but within weeks _ would help. he got a loan, but within weeks the _ would help. he got a loan, but within weeks the £500 - would help. he got a loan, but. within weeks the £500 borrowed would help. he got a loan, but- within weeks the £500 borrowed was eight out of £1300, accompanied by threats if he could not pay it back.

he said he recognised one of the men who came to his door. it he said he recognised one of the men who came to his door.— who came to his door. it was at the food bank, — who came to his door. it was at the food bank, i _ who came to his door. it was at the food bank, iwas— who came to his door. it was at the food bank, i was sitting _ who came to his door. it was at the food bank, i was sitting outside . who came to his door. it was at the | food bank, i was sitting outside the food bank. , , food bank. this indicates loan sharks are — food bank. this indicates loan sharks are using _ food bank. this indicates loan sharks are using food - food bank. this indicates loan sharks are using food banks l food bank. this indicates loan | sharks are using food banks to target people living in hardship. food banks in northern ireland told the bbc similar accounts have been relayed to them. that the bbc similar accounts have been relayed to them.— relayed to them. that is certainly somethin: relayed to them. that is certainly something food _ relayed to them. that is certainly something food banks _ relayed to them. that is certainly something food banks have - relayed to them. that is certainly . something food banks have reported back to _ something food banks have reported back to earth, folks that are referred _ back to earth, folks that are referred to them had said they are part of— referred to them had said they are part of an — referred to them had said they are part of an illegal system where they are subject to that, yes.— are subject to that, yes. sub'ect to paramilitary — are subject to that, yes. sub'ect to paramilitary loan * are subject to that, yes. sub'ect to paramilitary loan sharks? h are subject to that, yes. subject to paramilitary loan sharks? yes, - are subject to that, yes. subject to i paramilitary loan sharks? yes, many lenders, criminal— paramilitary loan sharks? yes, many lenders, criminal organisations, - lenders, criminal organisations, paramilitary gangs, whatever you want _ paramilitary gangs, whatever you want to _ paramilitary gangs, whatever you want to call dan, they are preying on people — want to call dan, they are preying on people in crisis —— money lenders _ on people in crisis -- money lenders-— on people in crisis -- money lenders. ., ., ., ., , ., lenders. naomi long was the lead minister of— lenders. naomi long was the lead minister of the _ lenders. naomi long was the lead minister of the programme - lenders. naomi long was the lead i minister of the programme launched in 2016 to combat paramilitary and associated criminality. i’m in 2016 to combat paramilitary and associated criminality.—

associated criminality. i'm not shocked to — associated criminality. i'm not shocked to hear _ associated criminality. i'm not shocked to hear that - associated criminality. i'm not shocked to hear that they - associated criminality. i'm not - shocked to hear that they observe people at food banks or they watch for vulnerability, they try to exploit vulnerability which is why we can't in government directly tackle crime, that is the police and the other agencies, but we can tackle vulnerability. you can see more of that spotlight investigation on loan sharks and paramilitaries on the iplayer now. you can see more of that spotlight investigation on loan sharks that is about eight from e—commerce another ben is coming up, i will not tell you which one but if you saw the lunchtime news you will have an inkling —— that is about eight from me. we still have lots of lying snow and icy conditions, this was tuesday afternoon in east sussex, difficult conditions on untreated roads and pavements and the cold snap snaking around for a few days, —— sticking

around. the wintry showers, particularly across parts of scotland and north—east england, and northerly winds means improved visibility, list and fog patches lingering over night tonight. we should see more sunshine over the next few days, fast forwarding to the weekend, saturday particularly, by sunday it looks like the milder air will sweep by sunday it looks like the milder airwill sweep in, probably by sunday it looks like the milder air will sweep in, probably an end to the current cold spell by sunday but lots of wintry weather before we get there. snow showers piling on across parts of scotland and north—east england, really feeling cold. rain, sleet and forced snow over the murders, temperatures —6 “8, over the murders, temperatures —6 —8, not as cold as last night. on wednesday again blizzards to the north of scotland, gale for the gusts at times, snow for the likes of county durham and north yorkshire moors, snow for carter county

londonderry and antrim, rain lingers in the english channel, perhaps sleet mixed in, temperaturesjust about above freezing for most of us adding in the wind—chill it will feel like —a or six, particularly for scotland and north—east england. more heavy snow across parts of the highlands on wednesday and the coast of north—east england. another cold neighbour temperatures down to —405, a really sharp frost —— another cold night ahead. temperatures down to —a -5. night ahead. temperatures down to —a —5. there will be sharp showers for parts of north—eastern scotland and the north sea coast in england. things gradually warming up by a degree also towards the end of the working week, much milder by sunday with rain at times, that would be preceded by snowfall. if you want to get a better idea, you can find a 1k

day forecast on the bbc weather app. goodbye.

this is bbc news, i'm ben brown. the headlines. major transport disruption as rmt members stage fresh industrial action — 40,000 workers will be on strike on four days this week — meaning a near total shutdown of the uk's railway network. the art of negotiation is getting to a position where both sides can accept the deal, and the government, the dft and i think all the way up to number ten has put conditions in the train operating companies they know will blow up any chance of a deal. the offer that we have put on the table _ the offer that we have put on the table is _ the offer that we have put on the table is higher than people watching at home _ table is higher than people watching at home and in the private sector are getting so i think we are taking are getting so i think we are taking a reasonable and fair approach and i would _ a reasonable and fair approach and i would ask— a reasonable and fair approach and i would ask the union leaders to

engage — would ask the union leaders to engage with that in and this disruption. the prime minister promises more staff to help clear the uk's backlog of asylum seekers by end of next year — labour accuse the government of a total failure to deal with the problem. one of the boys who died after being pulled from a frozen lake in solihull has been named locally as jackjohnson. two other boys were killed — a fourth remains in a critical condition in hospital. the founder of the collapsed cryptocurrency exchange ftx, sam bankman—fried, is arrested in the bahamas and charged by us authorities with fraud and money laundering. and scientists in the us announce a major breakthrough in the race to recreate nuclear fusion and potentially a source of near—limitless clean energy. it's the first time it has ever been done _ it's the first time it has ever been done in _ it's the first time it has ever been done in a — it's the first time it has ever been done in a laboratory. anywhere, in the world — done in a laboratory. anywhere, in the world. simply put, this is one of the _ the world. simply put, this is one of the most — the world. simply put, this is one of the most impressive scientific feats _ of the most impressive scientific feats of— of the most impressive scientific feats of the 21st century.

good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. fresh strike action is taking place on the railways — causing major disruption in the run up to christmas. workers from the rmt union have walked out again in their dispute over pay and conditions. they're striking today and wednesday, then friday and saturday, with four out of five trains cancelled. we've already seen the worst month of industrial with a wave of strikes expected to go ahead this winter, december could be heading in the same direction. theo leggett reports. deserted platforms and no trains. this was the scene at milford in surrey this morning. cafe owner simon strong

would normally be serving a steady flow of london bound commuters, but today, there was barely a customer to be seen. if we've got no commuters, we've got no business, and this will impact me notjust today, notjust this week, there are strikes the week after, the week after that, so i'm pretty much closed for the next month, with no income coming in. across the rail network, many lines have closed altogether while others are running a fraction of the normal service. it is the latest stage in a stand—off between the rmt union and both network rail and 1a train operating companies over pay and working practices. a month of disruption now lies ahead. there are 2 48—hour train strikes this week. then, an overtime ban on 1a train companies from sunday is connected to because of some cancellations. a strike at network rail will see some services finish even earlier than usual on christmas eve and start late on the 27th of december.

and more national walkouts are planned injanuary. workers at the train companies have been offered more pay, a li% increase this year and the same next year. network rail employees have been offered 5% and li% respectively. that offer was rejected by rmt members yesterday. there is not a bottomless pit of money to pay increased salaries. i think there is a fair offer on the table, fair to taxpayers and fair to the people that work in the industry and fair to passengers and i hope the rmt reflect on it and change their position. but the rmt insists the dispute is notjust about money. it is not generous, it is way below inflation and it is predicated on a set of changes, cuts to the maintenance schedule cut by 50%, and conditions changes on our members in network rail which are entirely unacceptable, it is also predicated on shutting every booking office in britain bringing in driving over driver only operation that they know we will never accept. these strikes will not just affect people who want to get around,

but also affecting the businesses who rely on people wanting to get from place to place, cafes, bars, theatres, restaurants, and so on. and the problem for them is that at the moment there seems no sign of a resolution being anywhere close. in surrey the response from travellers to the dispute has been mixed. i do hope the reasons why the strike is on is being looked into already, and hopefully we should get back because it's really exhausting. if you are going to strike about something then you can negotiate first and negotiate until a conclusion, if it doesn't come to anything then strike at the time that causes the least disruption to people. christmas time, really, guys? not a right time to| do it, no sympathy. by taking action in the run—up to christmas, the rmt has clearly raised the stakes in this dispute, and right now, it looks set to drag on well into the new year. the current wave of strikes come as workers seek pay increases

to keep up with the rising cost of living — if we take a look at this graph — the red line shows how quickly prices are rising, with an inflation rate of more than 11 per cent. pay isn't keeping up with that — in the private sector, average wage growth was 6.9 per cent between august and october, according to the office for national statistics — in the public sector, average pay has only gone up 2.7 per cent. that means all workers have seen their wages fall in real terms. colletta smith has been talking to staff at a nursery in huddersfield to find out how far their pay is stretching. katie loves her jobs katie loves herjobs and tells me she wouldn't wouldn't be working anywhere else. but at the moment she's working more than 45 hours a

week cover staff shortages paper meals at home. it’s week cover staff shortages paper meals at home.— week cover staff shortages paper meals at home. it's hard and it is takin: a meals at home. it's hard and it is taking a toll _ meals at home. it's hard and it is taking a toll and _ meals at home. it's hard and it is taking a toll and i'm _ meals at home. it's hard and it is taking a toll and i'm just - taking a toll and i'm just absolutely shattered i don't really want to do anything when i get home. my want to do anything when i get home. my electric bill has gone up to £290 a month and i am not even hear half the time. i think this year obviously with christmas and everything you don't feel like you can enjoy the experience because you're worried about if you can get presents and if you will be able to do anything. presents and if you will be able to do anything-— do anything. with cost on the up nurseries are _ do anything. with cost on the up nurseries are struggling - do anything. with cost on the up nurseries are struggling to - do anything. with cost on the up nurseries are struggling to pay l do anything. with cost on the up. nurseries are struggling to pay for more does the money the get from the government has not been increased to match. , ., ~' government has not been increased to match. , ., ~ ., _ match. they would like to pay their stuff more but _ match. they would like to pay their stuff more but unfortunately - match. they would like to pay their stuff more but unfortunately the i stuff more but unfortunately the funding — stuff more but unfortunately the funding that they are getting to actually— funding that they are getting to actually deliver the 12 hours is not even _ actually deliver the 12 hours is not even covering their costs people are so upset _ even covering their costs people are so upset because they are coming to the stage _ so upset because they are coming to the stage where we really can't manage — the stage where we really can't manage any more. i have qualified staff -- _ manage any more. i have qualified staff —— staff leaving the sector

and not — staff —— staff leaving the sector and notjoining the sector being amazon drivers making more. it amazon drivers making more. highlights amazon drivers making more. ut highlights a theme that we have seen this year that wages are not increasing nearly as much as inflation and the prices that we are paying for everything else. that means that the vast majority of workers are experiencing what feels like a pay cut. while prices are up more than 11% private sector wages are going up by an average of nearly 7% of public sector workers saw annual pay go up byjust 2.7%. just annual pay go up by 'ust 2.7%. just checkin: if annual pay go up byjust 2.7%. jut checking if you need lunch. annual pay go up byjust 2.7%. just checking if you need lunch. with i annual pay go up byjust 2.7%. just| checking if you need lunch. with all bill's risin: checking if you need lunch. with all bill's rising owner— checking if you need lunch. with all bill's rising owner feels _ checking if you need lunch. with all bill's rising owner feels she - checking if you need lunch. with all bill's rising owner feels she needs. bill's rising ownerfeels she needs to increase fees in order to pay staff while in recruit more. the adverts that — staff while in recruit more. the adverts that we _ staff while in recruit more. tue: adverts that we put out staff while in recruit more. tt2 adverts that we put out qualified staff comes out with

apprenticeships. currently or members of staff are on maternity leave and we have not been able to replace them. for leave and we have not been able to replace them-— replace them. for the staff working extra hours — replace them. for the staff working extra hours that _ replace them. for the staff working extra hours that is _ replace them. for the staff working extra hours that is plunking - replace them. for the staff working extra hours that is plunking the - replace them. for the staff working | extra hours that is plunking the gap in finances. t extra hours that is plunking the gap in finances. ., extra hours that is plunking the gap in finances. . ., ., _ in finances. i have a wedding to pay for at the moment _ in finances. i have a wedding to pay for at the moment as _ in finances. i have a wedding to pay for at the moment as well - in finances. i have a wedding to pay for at the moment as well so - for at the moment as well so trying to save _ for at the moment as well so trying to save at _ for at the moment as well so trying to save at the same time. congratulations. it is really difficult _ congratulations. it is really difficult but with christmas coming up difficult but with christmas coming up it will_ difficult but with christmas coming up it will be a tricky one. not really— up it will be a tricky one. not really doing presents us trying to save up— really doing presents us trying to save up and obviously bills have gone _ save up and obviously bills have gone up — save up and obviously bills have gone up by a lot at the moment. it is really— gone up by a lot at the moment. it is really tricky. let's get the latest from our business correspondent. you plan on keeping up with the very high inflation rate in a wave of industrial action railway workers today but many more sectors as well.

what are the government and primus are saying but all of this? the im act are saying but all of this? the impact of _ are saying but all of this? the impact of the _ are saying but all of this? tt2 impact of the strikes begin to hit home to government's responses of coming underfurther home to government's responses of coming under further scrutiny both in terms of how it will mitigate the disruption being caused by these strikes in different sectors and also what it will do if anything, to negotiate with unions about a different or better pay off her than the one that is already been put forward. there will be regular meetings of the cobra committee to do with the disruption that will be caused the prime minister we are told sat around the cabinets table this morning with his most senior ministers and said that this would be a challenging period for the country to get through but added the the government's approach had been fair and reasonable. a short time ago in an interview rishi sunak explained further his arguments for keeping the offer of pay increases to public sector workers to what they had already been agreed. brute

they had already been agreed. we have to get a grip of inflation that is the _ have to get a grip of inflation that is the thing that is eating into peoples living standards and that is why pay— peoples living standards and that is why pay deals have to be responsible. we have an independent process, _ responsible. we have an independent process, independent body that makes recommendations to the government on what their— recommendations to the government on what their pay back so you will not offer _ what their pay back so you will not offer any _ what their pay back so you will not offer any more money? we have already— offer any more money? we have already increase our pay offers to make _ already increase our pay offers to make sure — already increase our pay offers to make sure that we except of a condition— make sure that we except of a condition of the independent body. i think it _ condition of the independent body. i think it is _ condition of the independent body. i think it is really important in many cases— think it is really important in many cases the — think it is really important in many cases the offer that we have now put on the _ cases the offer that we have now put on the table, the increase offer in line with — on the table, the increase offer in line with independent recommendation is higher— line with independent recommendation is higher than what people watching at home _ is higher than what people watching at home in— is higher than what people watching at home in the private sector are getting _ at home in the private sector are getting so— at home in the private sector are getting so i think we are taking a reasonable and fair approach i would ask the _ reasonable and fair approach i would ask the union leaders to engage with that and _ ask the union leaders to engage with that and and this disruption particularly at christmas time. it will make — particularly at christmas time. it will make an enormous negative difference to peoples lives there is no need _ difference to peoples lives there is no need for and i hope we can find a way forward — no need for and i hope we can find a way forward. we no need for and i hope we can find a way forward-— way forward. we have heard a lot about the rest _ way forward. we have heard a lot about the rest strikes _ way forward. we have heard a lot about the rest strikes taking - way forward. we have heard a lot| about the rest strikes taking place today later this week nurses in

england, wales, scotland will go on strike coordinated by the royal couege strike coordinated by the royal college of nurses. on that we are told by the prime minister spokesman that there are no meetings planned between ministers and the rca and so does not look like there will be any last—minute attempt to negotiate and call off the strikes. also that work to limit the impact of any future strikes is still ongoing. we have heard the prime minister talk on many occasions about what he describes as tough new laws to limit the potential of trade unions to take strike action and limit the impact of that. but what exactly that will look like, we do not know yet know. it is unlikely to come forward before the new year. mia: forward before the new year. mix very much _ forward before the new year. mix very much indeed. in a few minutes' time we will be talking to the uk had a politics at a marketing research company about the public cosmic view of the strikes and

restricts in particular in whether or not are supportive of the rnc. the prime minister rishi sunak has set out new measures for tackling the soaring number of asylum claims, promising to "abolish the back log" of cases by the end of next year. he also announced plans to fast—track the removal after hiring more caseworkers in overhauling the system for processing application and he is also announced plans to fast—track the removal of albanian migrants. we heard a bit of that interview where our political editor chris mason was talking to the prime minister and he also did ask him about his new plans to deal with the number of asylum—seekers in this country. today we have announced a series of steps _ today we have announced a series of steps that _ today we have announced a series of steps that will make a significant difference. first and most importantly we have reached a new

deal with— importantly we have reached a new deal with albania which will ensure that we _ deal with albania which will ensure that we can swiftly detain and return — that we can swiftly detain and return vast majority of migrants from _ return vast majority of migrants from albania to stop it is a safe and prosperous country. secondly, i spent— and prosperous country. secondly, i spent the _ and prosperous country. secondly, i spent the last few weeks getting under— spent the last few weeks getting under the bonnet of how our system is working _ under the bonnet of how our system is working with her that is using hotels, — is working with her that is using hotels, or— is working with her that is using hotels, or how fast we are processing people and we will make changes— processing people and we will make changes to make it faster and better~ — changes to make it faster and better. lastly, isaid changes to make it faster and better. lastly, i said that next year _ better. lastly, i said that next year we — better. lastly, i said that next year we will introduce new laws which _ year we will introduce new laws which ensured that if you come to our country— which ensured that if you come to our country illegally you will have no right _ our country illegally you will have no right to — our country illegally you will have no right to stay here and you will be swiftly— no right to stay here and you will be swiftly detained and removed back to your _ be swiftly detained and removed back to your home or indeed a safe alternative. we will not fix this problem — alternative. we will not fix this problem all over night, it is not problem allover night, it is not easy— problem all over night, it is not easy but— problem all over night, it is not easy but i— problem all over night, it is not easy but i am determined to do whatever— easy but i am determined to do whatever it takes to stop the boats. i was _ whatever it takes to stop the boats. i was the _ whatever it takes to stop the boats. i was the prime minister let's get reaction from the labour party. we can speak now to labour's shadow immigration minister, stephen kinnock. prime minister saying he will do whatever it takes saying enough is enough, we are acting decisively, this is a five point plan to deal

with a number of small bits coming across the channel and a number of asylum—seekers we have in this country. tt asylum-seekers we have in this count . , .., ., , ., country. it is extraordinary that the prime _ country. it is extraordinary that the prime minister _ country. it is extraordinary that the prime minister is _ country. it is extraordinary that the prime minister is behaving| country. it is extraordinary that l the prime minister is behaving as country. it is extraordinary that - the prime minister is behaving as if this is all new. the conservatives have been in powerfor 12 years. while they have been twiddling their thumbs, we have allowed our backlog of asylum applications to go into 143,000. it is costing the british taxpayer £7 million a day in terms of hotel bills. these proposals that have come for today are just too little too late, really. it is not clear at all that he is going to hit his target of clearing the backlog by the end of next year. the albanian deal, we have already have eight deals and memorandums of understanding in place with albania. if they had just listen to labour in time but we had asked him to do a long time ago, the albanian issue that have been addressed by the

putting people onto the fast track for safe country status. in terms of the home office staff that are required, it is notjust about numbers it is also about the government chose to downgrade the grade at which home office caseworkers and decision—makers work and that has led to less well—qualified people making the decisions that need to be made which is opened it up to appeals which is again gummed up the system. let’s again gummed up the system. let's talk about asylum—seekers, the first point. 143,000 asylum—seekers at the moment waiting for decision and extraordinarily high number, a huge backlog. the prime minister is saying that they will get rid of that backlog by the end of next year, hire more caseworkers, overhaul the system for processing applications, what more specifically what you do, the labour party that the government is not proposing? this the government is not proposing? is we have been saying for a long time we have been saying for a long time we would cancel be unworkable,

unethical, unaffordable or want to plan and use that plan to recruit 100 specialists into the nationalist crime agency —— rwanada. to crackdown upstream. notjust crackdown upstream. not just operating crackdown upstream. notjust operating at the french uk border but right back in their place of the countries in which they are operating from.— countries in which they are operating from. countries in which they are o-aeratin from. ,, , ., , ., operating from. sure but that is not s-ecificall operating from. sure but that is not specifically going _ operating from. sure but that is not specifically going to _ operating from. sure but that is not specifically going to deal— operating from. sure but that is not specifically going to deal with - operating from. sure but that is not specifically going to deal with the l specifically going to deal with the backlog of 143 asylum—seekers. so i would ask you what you would do on that issue? , ., , ., , that issue? every time more people come over the _ that issue? every time more people come over the channel— that issue? every time more people come over the channel they - that issue? every time more people come over the channel they add - that issue? every time more people come over the channel they add to l come over the channel they add to the backlog so dealing with the new input. but dealing with the home office officials, it is about making that process work more effectively using that funding that we would be getting from the rwanada screamed to recruit more into the home office but also to get people operating at the right grade and ensure that they

are properly briefed on the countries that people are coming from so that they can make those decisions far more rapidly. that is with the prime _ decisions far more rapidly. that is with the prime minister— decisions far more rapidly. that is with the prime minister is - decisions far more rapidly. that is with the prime minister is saying. | with the prime minister is saying. the prime minister is saying that they will hire more caseworkers. tt they will hire more caseworkers. it is they will hire more caseworkers. tt isjust a pity they will hire more caseworkers. it is just a pity that they have not been listening to what libra has been saying about that for a very long time. —— that funding should be used to deal with cases coming in. tirate that funding should be used to deal with cases coming in. we have been sa inc with cases coming in. we have been sa in: this with cases coming in. we have been saying this for _ with cases coming in. we have been saying this for a _ with cases coming in. we have been saying this for a long _ with cases coming in. we have been saying this for a long time _ with cases coming in. we have been saying this for a long time and - with cases coming in. we have been saying this for a long time and it - saying this for a long time and it is a pity that the government has been twiddling his thumbs and sitting on this issue. thea;r been twiddling his thumbs and sitting on this issue. they have been in power— sitting on this issue. they have been in power for _ sitting on this issue. they have been in power for 12 _ sitting on this issue. they have been in power for 12 years - sitting on this issue. they have been in power for 12 years but l sitting on this issue. they have l been in power for 12 years but to been in powerfor 12 years but to hear the prime minister today it was as if this is a new issue is action been an issue that is in staring them in the face for a very long time. ., ., ., “ them in the face for a very long time. ., ., ., ~ _ ., time. you do not like the policy of sendina time. you do not like the policy of sending migrants _ time. you do not like the policy of sending migrants to _ time. you do not like the policy of sending migrants to rwanada - time. you do not like the policy of sending migrants to rwanada but| sending migrants to rwanada but shortly there needs to be something to deter people from coming across

the channel on small boats to this country. the channel on small boats to this count . ., ., ., the channel on small boats to this count . . ., ., ., the channel on small boats to this count . . . . ., ., “ the channel on small boats to this count . . ., ., ., ., ~, ., country. rwanada will not work as a deterrent because _ country. rwanada will not work as a deterrent because by _ country. rwanada will not work as a deterrent because by the _ deterrent because by the government's own admission there's only capacity for about 3—400 asylum—seekers there and you are dealing with the numbers we are seeing that will not be a difference to people paying people smugglers. it all comes back then to the issue of not processing the claims. you have to process each asylum claim individually but there's no reason at all that it should be taking on average 450 days for those claims to be processed. it is over the years of that system has been allowed to stall and get gummed up under the incompetence and indifference of this government that that has had a knock on effect of all of the other issues of hotels, trying to get a handle on what is happening with the french authorities, everything goes

back to this backlog and that is a mess of the government's own making. i mess they say they are addressing and want to clarify the end of next year. but on the issue of the albanians coming to this country, the government has said many times these are mainly young albanian men. not proper asylum—seekers, not genuine asylum—seekers do you agree with that? genuine asylum-seekers do you agree with that? . ,, ., ., , ' i: i: i: with that? approximately 12,000 albanians have _ with that? approximately 12,000 albanians have come _ with that? approximately 12,000 albanians have come since - with that? approximately 12,000 albanians have come since june l with that? approximately 12,000 | albanians have come since june of albanians have come sincejune of that amount about 10,000 are young men. it is clear that albania is a safe country, labour last week put out a clear statement saying this is what the labour government were doing using the fact that albanian has been on the white list of safe countries for a long time why the government is only waking up to this now we would fast—track, it is no reason it should take more than eight to ten days from ace claim

from a citizen of the safe country to be heard. and when those claims are clearly unfounded they should be fast tracked deportation back to albania. that should be absolutely clear and that should be the case for years now and the commission has made that clear to the government no one knows why the government sat on its hands and failed to take action on this. of course it is good that they are doing it now but as i said earlier, too little, too late.- earlier, too little, too late. thank ou for earlier, too little, too late. thank you for being _ earlier, too little, too late. thank you for being with _ earlier, too little, too late. thank you for being with us. _ major transport disruption as rmt members stage and wales midwives have voted for strike action and it comes of course admitted a wave of industrial action

this winter with workers seeking higher pay to keep pace with inflation. as i mentioned earlier we will talk now to the uk had politics and a marketing research company and you have been doing research on what thinks of the restaurants in particular. that is right in our latest polling we find — that is right in our latest polling we find that overall public opinion is pretty— we find that overall public opinion is pretty divided, split. over the upcoming — is pretty divided, split. over the upcoming strikes in december. so 30% say they— upcoming strikes in december. so 30% say they support them and only slightly— say they support them and only slightly more, 36% say they oppose them _ slightly more, 36% say they oppose them and — slightly more, 36% say they oppose them. and around three in ten are in the middle — them. and around three in ten are in the middle. there are signs that public— the middle. there are signs that public support has been dampened down _ public support has been dampened down from where we were in october. support— down from where we were in october. support for— down from where we were in october. support for the october sharks was higher— support for the october sharks was higher than brc now so there is some indications _ higher than brc now so there is some indications that another set of strikes — indications that another set of strikes over the christmas. it is

weakening _ strikes over the christmas. it is weakening public support slightly but still _ weakening public support slightly but still divided overall. but there is a level of— but still divided overall. but there is a level of sympathy _ but still divided overall. but there is a level of sympathy because - but still divided overall. but there | is a level of sympathy because you might expect many members of the public to be fed up with all of these train strikes but there is a level of sympathy with the rnc and the union cause. stand level of sympathy with the rnc and the union cause.— the union cause. and for workers. six and ten _ the union cause. and for workers. six and ten say — the union cause. and for workers. six and ten say they _ the union cause. and for workers. six and ten say they are _ the union cause. and for workers. i six and ten say they are sympathetic towards _ six and ten say they are sympathetic towards railway workers even more are sympathetic to the passengers force which might be affecting attitudes toward strikers as a whole — attitudes toward strikers as a whole. but people are split over the unions _ whole. but people are split over the unions have — whole. but people are split over the unions have to have sympathy towards them, _ unions have to have sympathy towards them, it _ unions have to have sympathy towards them, it is— unions have to have sympathy towards them, it is the uk government that comes out— them, it is the uk government that comes out worst of all only around one in— comes out worst of all only around one in four— comes out worst of all only around one in four say they have sympathy for the _ one in four say they have sympathy for the government on this. what about nurses. — for the government on this. what about nurses, ambulance - for the government on this. thrust about nurses, ambulance staff, people in the health care sector who obviously provide absolutely vital services to the public what to the public make of proposed industrial action there? tirate public make of proposed industrial action there?—

public make of proposed industrial action there? . ., , ., , . action there? we do see a difference b -es of action there? we do see a difference by types of profession _ action there? we do see a difference by types of profession and _ action there? we do see a difference by types of profession and generally | by types of profession and generally receipt _ by types of profession and generally receipt that nurses limp particular support— receipt that nurses limp particular support tends to be the highest for them _ support tends to be the highest for them. also high for other professions like firefighters or teachers. there is a sense that there _ teachers. there is a sense that there is— teachers. there is a sense that there is a — teachers. there is a sense that there is a bit of public tiredness from _ there is a bit of public tiredness from earlier in the year from the wave _ from earlier in the year from the wave of— from earlier in the year from the wave of strikes slightly dampening down _ wave of strikes slightly dampening down support but there is a lot of sympathy for public sector workers in this— sympathy for public sector workers in this predicament. we see that support— in this predicament. we see that support for nhs workers in particular. support for nhs workers in particular-— support for nhs workers in articular. ., ,, ., ., ,, ., particular. thank you for talking to ou. scientists in the united states announced they've overcome a major barrier in their bid to produce an almost limitelss source of clean energy — with what's called nuclear fusion. the breakthrough could have huge implications for the planet and for generations to come. the us energy secretary — announced the news —— with visible excitement.

have a listen. last week at the national laboratory in california scientists at the national ignition facility achieved fusion ignition. and that is creating more energy from fusion reactions then the energy used to start the process. it is the first time it has ever been done in a laboratory. anywhere, in the world. simply put this is one of the most impressive scientific feats of the zist impressive scientific feats of the 21st century. more on this exciting development. let's get more on this with doctor simon middleburgh professor in nuclear materials from the nuclear fusion institute at bangor university. lots of people do not know what we're talking about we we are

talking about fusion, me i was not good at physics at school. tell us what it all means and why it will save the planet? tt what it all means and why it will save the planet?— save the planet? it is never too late to start- — save the planet? it is never too late to start. nuclear— save the planet? it is never too late to start. nuclear fusion - save the planet? it is never too late to start. nuclear fusion is i late to start. nuclear fusion is the combination of light elements do you fuse them together, that's fusion and that fusion releases a lot of energy, that energy is then hopefully captured and turned into heat and then that drives turbines and hopefully will make electricity one day. so what happens is we put energy into make the reaction and got the same amount of energy or more than what we got out. that got the same amount of energy or more than what we got out. that is a huge change- — more than what we got out. that is a huge change- ls _ more than what we got out. that is a huge change. is that _ more than what we got out. that is a huge change. is that something - huge change. is that something scientists have been trying to do for a long time? we scientists have been trying to do for a long time?— scientists have been trying to do for a long time? we have been at this for decades _ for a long time? we have been at this for decades now. _ for a long time? we have been at this for decades now. to - for a long time? we have been at this for decades now. to be - for a long time? we have been at. this for decades now. to be honest we have been starting off with signs experience to prove that the physics work and it is now working and has been pushed to the level where we get more energy out. the next stage

is turning the science experiments into a engineering project where we can make energy out of and that's where the challenge comes. horse can make energy out of and that's where the challenge comes. how would we do that i will— where the challenge comes. how would we do that i will be _ where the challenge comes. how would we do that i will be turned _ where the challenge comes. how would we do that i will be turned this - we do that i will be turned this into a realistic proposition for creating a little bit of energy, first, and then in the longer—term clean energy for the future of the planet? t clean energy for the future of the alanet? ~ ., , , planet? i think that is the big challenge _ planet? i think that is the big challenge so _ planet? i think that is the big challenge so there _ planet? i think that is the big challenge so there are - planet? i think that is the big | challenge so there are people planet? i think that is the big - challenge so there are people around the world, it is an international project, notjust the us although they are doing well, it is about making fusion not happening as a flash bang but do it consistently and month after month and a fusion reactor. there are couple of technology that we are looking at so one is a laser in the energy comes out and it happens all at once, we are trying to sustain that over time. and we can do that with magnetic confinement, the uk is actually a real leader in this. we have different companies pushing the boundaries on this and hopefully we will get different energy structures

in ten years or so.— in ten years or so. explain how nuclear fusion _ in ten years or so. explain how nuclear fusion is _ in ten years or so. explain how nuclear fusion is different - in ten years or so. explain howj nuclear fusion is different from nuclear fusion is different from nuclear fission nuclear fusion is different from nuclearfission and nuclear fusion is different from nuclear fission and what we thought about of nuclear energy.— about of nuclear energy. fission is the breaking _ about of nuclear energy. fission is the breaking up — about of nuclear energy. fission is the breaking up of— about of nuclear energy. fission is the breaking up of big _ about of nuclear energy. fission is the breaking up of big wall- about of nuclear energy. fission is the breaking up of big wall of- the breaking up of big wall of adams. and that releases and enormous amount of energy. —— what we are doing with fusion is instead of breaking big atoms apart we are combining small elements together. it is all down at a nuclear level so we need to move on from doing science experiments now and into engineering. nuclear fission still has a part to play in the low carbon energy mix but this fusion is brilliant. t the low carbon energy mix but this fusion is brilliant.— fusion is brilliant. i think you explained — fusion is brilliant. i think you explained it _ fusion is brilliant. i think you explained it beautifully - fusion is brilliant. i think you explained it beautifully i - fusion is brilliant. i think you | explained it beautifully i think having a grade in physics. let's

think about the physics of the weather now. tuesday has been another day where temperatures struggled to get above freezing all day for many areas, over the next few days we expect icy stretches to continue. wintry showers, they will be heavy in areas. rain sleet and hail snow across the far south west of england perhaps as far south west of england perhaps as far south west of england perhaps as far south as the isle of wight. overnight temperatures down to as low as —6, —8, even in urban spots. a very hard frost to start wednesday, the brisk northerly when driving in further heavy snow showers to northern scotland at the north yorkshire moors ——

overnight temperatures down to as low as —6 or —8. temperatures freezing to price for tomorrow morning but feeling culture when you are in the wind—chill, something like —6, for instance, in north—east england. goodbye. hello. major transport disruption as ministers stage fresh industrial action on the railway. 40,000 members of that union will be on strike forfour days this members of that union will be on strike for four days this week and a near total shutdown of britain's railway network.— railway network. getting into a -osition railway network. getting into a position where _ railway network. getting into a position where both _ railway network. getting into a position where both sides - railway network. getting into a position where both sides can l railway network. getting into a - position where both sides can accept a deal and the government and the dft all the way to number ten has poor conditions in the train operating company and so, that will blow up any chance of a deal. tt’s blow up any chance of a deal. it's very important that people recognise that we _ very important that people recognise that we made a reasonable payoff for

what rises _ that we made a reasonable payoff for what rises people to get into