ambulance staff who tried to rescue four children from a frozen lake pay their respects near the scene in solihull. it was terrifying to have my brother scream and shout at me. _ and my father say things that just simply weren't true. _ and my grandmother quietly sit there and take it all in. - prince harry reveals more details about the rift with his family in the latest installment of the sussexes�* story on netflix and — who's been knitting? the festive post box toppers appearing in towns and cities across the country. on the bbc news channel, will france be able to stop a care in scintillating form as they face leonel messi.

good afternoon, and welcome to the bbc news at one. tens of thousands of nurses are on strike today in a dispute about pay — in the biggest action of its kind in nhs history. members of the royal college of nursing union want a 19% payrise. nurses are not striking in scotland, after two health unions accepted a revised pay offer from the scottish government. nhs officials say it's vital though that people come forward if they need emergency care during the walk outs. in england, nursing staff from 51 hospitals, mental health trusts and community services are striking — that's about a quarter of trusts or services. but there is no strike action in kent, sussex, surrey, east yorkshire or lincolnshire. and none either in manchester,

buckinghamshire, norfolk or suffolk. in wales, nurses from six out of its seven health boards are striking. while all trusts in northern ireland are involved in the action. as we've heard, no nurses in scotland are taking action today after two unions voted to accept an improved pay offer — but ballots for other union members are continuing. our health correspondent catherine burns has been talking to some nurses about why they've decided to strike. what do we want? a pay rise! how do we get it? strike! it started at sam, the biggest strike in the history of the royal college of nursing. members across all of northern ireland, most of wales and about a quarter of trusts in england left their day jobs for picket lines, many with mixed emotions. i feel it is a crying shame. it is really bad, i don't want to do this, my colleagues don't want to do this.

today, i am emotional but i have been more emotional on my shifts. i didn't envisage it would ever come to this. i am not somebody that feels that this is what i am supposed to be doing. you know, myjob is in there. you're six weeks into this career. yes. you look like you are about to cry when you talk about how you are struggling. do you think you are going to stay in this job? not for much... well, i'm going to stick it out because i am a fighter. but i have already thought in three years�* time can i see myself still here? probably not, no. the main reason is pay. starting salaries for nurses in england arejust over £27,000. that can go up to almost 55,000 for the most senior nurses. but the rcn says the average for an established nurse is closer to 32,000. that is similar to average pay across the country. horns toot.

there is quite a gulf between what they want on this picket line, a pay rise of inflation plus 5% which works out at i9%. and what ministers over in parliament think is fair. because if we are to afford a i9% pay rise, we can only do that either through borrowing which we saw the effects of government borrowing onlyjust a few weeks ago on the economy. either through taxation, and i don't think that's appropriate when people are struggling with the cost of living this winter. or taking that money from front—line services. it is too early to tell yet quite how much disruption this will cause. but we know patients have had operations and appointments cancelled. the rcn has this message for them. i am truly, truly sorry for you sitting on waiting lists year—on—year. and i'm very sorry if your treatment has been cancelled today. but it is up to the employers to make sure that your treatment is rearranged as quickly as possible. nurses from some areas of medicine are not able to come

out on strike today. chemotherapy, dialysis and intensive care are protected so staffed as normal. it is important to say if management inside hospitals are worried about life—or—death situations, they can speak to local strike committees and ask them to bring staff back off the picket lines and back into work. these conversations will be happening on a local level. so the picture will be different across the country. this is day one of the strike. another is planned for next week, with the chance for more in the new year if there is no progress. catherine burns, bbc news. in a moment, we'll be speaking to chris page in belfast. but first, let's go to tomos morgan in cardiff. what is the impact? as you know the ma'ori of what is the impact? as you know the majority of nurses — what is the impact? as you know the majority of nurses across _ what is the impact? as you know the majority of nurses across the - majority of nurses across the country are striking in wales, six of the seven health boards are out, since 7am in the bitter cold until 7pm. one hour earlier than in

england and northern ireland. pay is a big issue but another huge issue for nurses we have spoken to is on starving. in england there has been a 21% rise in vacancies in nursing jobs in the nhs but in wales it has gone up by 70% since last year and staff say they don't feel safe and it is not safe for patients. on pay, health is devolved in wales, the money comes from the welsh government but the majority of funding does come from westminster. the health minister here has written to westminster asking for more money because she has only been able to offer the same thing offered in england, a 5% rise, but has had no response. critics, plaid cymru and the welsh tories have said the government is passing the buck. still a stalemate. the other thing is midwives and physiotherapists have voted to strike and we could be

seeing more industrial action in wales very soon. thank you. and chris in belfast, what is the mood, similar scenes where you are. this is the second strike in the health— this is the second strike in the health service this week, on monday, staff including nurses from three other_ staff including nurses from three other unions had a 24—hour walk—out. today— other unions had a 24—hour walk—out. today the _ other unions had a 24—hour walk—out. today the royal college of nursing on strike — today the royal college of nursing on strike. this is the first uk—wide strike _ on strike. this is the first uk—wide strike in_ on strike. this is the first uk—wide strike in their history, members have _ strike in their history, members have been— strike in their history, members have been on strike in this part of the uk _ have been on strike in this part of the uk relatively recently, three years— the uk relatively recently, three years ago, on a similarly cold december day, nurses walked out over simitar— december day, nurses walked out over similar issues, pay and conditions. then_ similar issues, pay and conditions. then as _ similar issues, pay and conditions. then as now— similar issues, pay and conditions. then as now there is no devolved government in northern ireland and that previous strike was seen as something of a catalyst to ending that political crisis and restoring the power—sharing executive at

stormont — the power—sharing executive at stormont after three years. we are in another— stormont after three years. we are in another political impasse, for ten months local ministers have not been _ ten months local ministers have not been in _ ten months local ministers have not been in place, the dup is vetoing the formation of a power—sharing administration over its opposition to the _ administration over its opposition to the brexit trade border in the irish— to the brexit trade border in the irish see — to the brexit trade border in the irish sea. the political situation adding — irish sea. the political situation adding complexity and many would say frustration _ adding complexity and many would say frustration to this industrial dispute _ dispute. chris, thank you. dispute. — chris, thank you. chris page in belfast. our health correspondent catherine burns is outside st thomas' hospital in central london. just look at the length of this picket line, i don't know if that lorry is blocking it but there are hundreds here. there were none here at 6am. we have been speaking to nurses and one thing is loud and clear, how emotional they are about this decision. many have said they would rather be inside caring for patients. what about those patients?

it depends on where they are. a&e will be staffed as normal. in patient wards will be seeing minimum staffing levels, the kind of care you would get on a night shift. in the community they are doing christmas day levels of service. focusing energies on the important things like palliative care. to give you a sense of scale, scotland has paused its strike action because it has a new pay offer from the government. in england, a quarter of trusts will have these picket lines. really the message for the public is the majority of the nhs is open if you need it. if there is an emergency, call emergency. otherwise iii emergency, call emergency. otherwise iii or your gp. emergency, call emergency. otherwise iii oryour gp. if emergency, call emergency. otherwise iii or your gp. if you have a medical appointment planned, please turn up for it as normal unless told otherwise. and if you want to find out whether your local services

are affected by the strike action today, go to the bbc news website — find the page called "are nurses striking in your area?" and you can check the situation where you are. that's at bbc.co.uk/news postal workers are also on strike today, as well as driving examiners, and another rail strike begins tomorrow. our chief political correspondent nick eardley is in westminster. a reminder of what a tricky period we are in politically.— a reminder of what a tricky period we are in politically. what hope of a breakthrough — we are in politically. what hope of a breakthrough particularly- we are in politically. what hope of a breakthrough particularly today | a breakthrough particularly today with reference to nurses and your take on that? i don't think it is very high, idon't think it is very high, unless— i don't think it is very high, unless one side moves. the government is saying it is not prepared _ government is saying it is not prepared to revisit the pay offer, nurses— prepared to revisit the pay offer, nurses are — prepared to revisit the pay offer, nurses are saying that absolutely has to _ nurses are saying that absolutely has to happen. although they keep saying _ has to happen. although they keep saying they are both prepared to sit around _ saying they are both prepared to sit around a _ saying they are both prepared to sit around a table, when they get to that table — around a table, when they get to that table they are talking about different things. it is worth taking a step— different things. it is worth taking a step back to look at what is going

on this— a step back to look at what is going on this week. we have rail strikes earlier— on this week. we have rail strikes earlier this — on this week. we have rail strikes earlier this week, more on this week. we have rail strikes earlierthis week, more rail strikes tomorrow — earlierthis week, more rail strikes tomorrow. bus strikes in some parts of the _ tomorrow. bus strikes in some parts of the country. royal mail strikes as welt — of the country. royal mail strikes as welt it — of the country. royal mail strikes as well. it feels like important parts — as well. it feels like important parts of— as well. it feels like important parts of uk life are not working properly— parts of uk life are not working properly at the moment. disruption to post. _ properly at the moment. disruption to post, travel, healthcare as well. that is _ to post, travel, healthcare as well. that is a _ to post, travel, healthcare as well. that is a headache for the government. they are not responsible for all— government. they are not responsible for all those _ government. they are not responsible for all those paid negotiations, they— for all those paid negotiations, they are — for all those paid negotiations, they are responsible for some, some are with _ they are responsible for some, some are with the — they are responsible for some, some are with the employers. but that means— are with the employers. but that means there is a question for the government about how you try to get things— government about how you try to get things back— government about how you try to get things back on track. the health secretary— things back on track. the health secretary said today he is prepared to keep _ secretary said today he is prepared to keep talking to nurses although there _ to keep talking to nurses although there is— to keep talking to nurses although there is ——, the transport secretary is speaking — there is ——, the transport secretary is speaking to the rmt this afternoon. big issues over pay are proving _ afternoon. big issues over pay are proving very, very hard to resolve. thank _ proving very, very hard to resolve. thank you — the bank of england has raised uk interest rates to their highest

level for ia years, and said they could rise further still if prices continue to soar. the benchmark rate has been lifted to 3.5% from 3%, in a widely expected move. the chancellor said it was vital to take action to lower inflation. andrew verity reports. in pudsey in west yorkshire, clive turner works in customer service for a large supermarket chain, earning around £20,000 a year. together with his girlfriend, on a similarly modest income, he is already struggling, like millions of families, to cover energy bills which have doubled, and now, his five—year fixed—rate mortgage is due to expire. every time he hears about an interest rate hike on the news, he winces. it's absolutely mega stressful. because i'm trying to work, but then you're looking at the news, it's, like, interest rates, you know, going up, inflation coming up, it's, like, what can i do? withjust over 100,000 left on his mortgage, his interest rate is going tojump from 3.48% to 5.76%. we're now going onto mortgage

which is basically about 750, so it's about £120 difference, at 5.76. so, it's a lot more. today's interest rate hike is the ninth rise in a row. rates are now seven times as high as they have been for the last 13 years, when interest rates were kept at emergency lows because economic growth was so weak. what the bank of england is aiming to do is to make it more expensive to borrow and spend, which should mean that households and businesses spend a little bit less overall, so there is a little bit less buying pressure, upward pressure on prices, and that should reduce inflation over the medium—term. but if they raise them too fast, some economists are worried that that reduced activity could mean fewerjobs. today's rise was slower than last month, when ratesjumped by three

quarters of a percentage point amid growing concern that higher rates could make the expected recession worse. what you have to understand is that the solution to a problem called inflation, the question is, what is the solution? is the solution better than the problem? the answer is, absolutely not. unemployment hurts people much more than inflation does. we have a whole series of hawks saying you should raise rates because that helps them, it helps the people that they are lobbying for, it help banks, but ordinary people are struggling. nine economists on the bank's monetary policy committee wanted to raise rates faster, two wanted to keep them on hold. if there once was a consensus among the economists to raise rates quickly to head off inflation, it is now by no means unanimous. andy verity, bbc news. rules about taking liquids and laptops through airport security will be eased in 18 months' time — as new 3d scanning technology is introduced. it means that from june 2024, passengers will no longer have

to limit liquids to 100ml or put them in a clear plastic bag. the current restrictions were introduced in 2006 to guard against terrorism. ambulance workers who took part in the rescue operation of four boys who died after getting into difficulties in an icy lake in solihull, have laid a wreath near the scene. it was announced last night that the youngest of the boys, a six—year—old, had also lost his fight for life. the leader of the local council has issued a warning for people to stay off ice—covered water following more reports of children playing on frozen lakes and ponds. from solihull, duncan kennedy reports. these are some of the ambulance workers who desperately tried to save the four boys. their skills and compassion put to the ultimate test. today they came to pay their respects and reflect on an experience that even these professionals have found deeply distressing. we are all human. nobody comes to work to perform

advanced care on four children that have drowned in a lake. so, it's a very difficult moment for them professionally. news that the fourth boy, a six—year—old, had also died has sent another jolt of sadness through this community. it comes as the local council has received reports that children in other locations have been seen playing on frozen water in recent days. something that brought this passionate plea. the loss of a child is a life sentence. those of us who have suffered it know you never get over it. you must please stay off ice. that warning comes as many parents continue to bring their children here as a mark of sorrow. a vigil is to be held at this spot on saturday which is expected to attract many local people. inquests into the deaths of the boys will be opened as the police investigation into what happened continues.

duncan kennedy, bbc news, in solihull. our top story this lunchtime... tens of thousands of nurses have walked out on strike in the biggest action of its kind in nhs history. still to come... engineers arrived in shetland to help reconnect more than 2000 properties still without power. coming up on the bbc news channel... three clubs hoping to resurrect the european super league are dealt a legal blow after fifa and uefa are told they are allowed to block it and punish clubs who want it. the final three episodes of the documenatry series harry and meghan have been released on netflix. the duchess of sussex's mother, doria ragland, says at one point that meghan wanted

to take her own life to escape what she called "vultures". and prince harry describes being terrified of his brother screaming at him during a meeting at sandringham in 2020 to discuss harry and meghan's wish to be half in and half out of the royal family. there has been no comment from buckingham palace. our royal correspondent sarah campbell has been watching. three more episodes, starting in may 2018, when millions around the world thought they were watching a real—life fairy tale. but within a few months, meghan said she was feeling suicidal. all of this will stop if i'm not here. and that was the scariest thing about it, that it wasn't about it, that it was such clear thinking. i remember hertelling me that she had wanted to take her own life, and, erm... and that really broke my heart. the couple needed an escape plan.

it was forged during christmas 2019 in canada. they wanted to leave the uk, carry out duties on behalf of the queen abroad and earn their own money. you could breathe for a minute. prince harry arrived in sandringham injanuary 2020 to thrash out the details with his brother, father and the late queen. it was terrifying to have my brother scream and shout at me and my father say things that just simply weren't true and my grandmother quietly sit there and sort of take it all in. but you have to understand that from the family's perspective, especially from hers, there are ways of doing things, and her ultimate mission, goal/responsibility is the institution. so, behind palace walls, it appeared family relations were at rock bottom. and, harry says, the royal press offices were leaking and planting stories, including prince william's team.

i would far either get destroyed in the press than play along with this game, or this business of trading. and to see my brother's office copy the very same thing that we'd promised the two of us would never, ever do — that was heartbreaking. the sussexes' plan was rejected and in march 2020 they attended their final engagement as senior royals. i felt really distant from the rest of my family, which was interesting, because so much of how they operate is about what it looks like, rather than what it feels like. and it looked cold. but it also felt cold. when you try to prove that you're good, and that you're not the person they say you are... harry and meghan have now made a life in california. home, sweet home. from the palace and the royal family, there has been no comment. we've made it to the other side. sarah campbell, bbc news.

teams of engineers have arrived in shetland to help reconnect more than 2,000 homes and businesses which are still without power. heavy snow storms hit electricity supplies, some properties are now on their fourth day without power, and there are warnings it could be the weekend before all of them are back to normal. kevin keane reports. a welcome sight as teams arrive from aberdeen to help local engineers restore shetland's power. they came, too, by plane and by helicopter, bringing notjust the expertise but equipment and vital new electricity poles. in voe, in the north mainland, the damage is widespread, the accumulations of heavy snow and ice pulling down the wires. in the last 2a hours, a generator arrived to bring heat to the village hall. it's providing a warm space for people to come to as well as

hot food and drink. i definitely am aware of quite a few folk that have actually been going without any heating or ability to make hot food or drink, so i think it will be welcomed. we've had local residents have been providing that service just from their own house, but now we can do that from a community facility. it's been very cold, and we've gotten to the stage where we are wearing, like, three tops each, and two pairs of socks, and we can see our breath in the house now, so it's getting really cold. so, it's fine to be in this kind of warm space, evenjust for a start. while reinforcements have arrived, the power company says restoring supplies will be a slow process. the challenge has been, the line incident happened so quick. matter of three hours. the weight of the lying ice loaded various ice overloaded various components on our network and caused wires to break and poles to break. the snow and wind is still making it hard for energy companies. perhaps the sheltering birds here have the right idea. kevin keane, bbc news.

our correspondent adam guest is in lerwick. what guest is in lerwick. is the latest, adam? ~ situation what is the latest, adam? well, the situation is improving, _ what is the latest, adam? well, the situation is improving, with - what is the latest, adam? well, the situation is improving, with more . situation is improving, with more engineers coming to shetland, as you have heard, about 2&00 properties across shetland are still without power, 2000 of those are residential properties. the energy company is hoping that the situation will continue to improve. today, the weather is holding off and they are hoping that they will be able to get more people connected. they have had to turn to the use of a helicopter on the west mainland of shetland to get those extra electricity poles there to try and get people connected. they are now saying that they think it will be the end of the weekend by the time that everybody is fully back and restored here. the community to continue to rally round and support each other, with community halls offering those safe spaces for people to go to keep warm, to have hot food and things as well. so we are hoping that things

will improve as the day continues, with the roads clearing a little bit, too. �* ., with the roads clearing a little bit, too. �* . , with the roads clearing a little bit, too. �* . ., ~ with the roads clearing a little bit, too. ~ . . ~ the scottish government will set out its tax and spending plans for the next year later today, after warning that difficult decisions would be needed to tackle the cost of living crisis. our correspondent lorna gordon is in edinburgh. what can we expect later, lorna? jane, well, money is tight, we have already seen cuts to this year's scottish government budget, and john sweeney has warned of a relentless reprioritise a when it comes to public services going forward. but i think the key area to look at is what happens to taxes, the scottish government has the power to lower or raise taxes to try and bring in more money and i think we can expect to see a lowering of the threshold for the top rate of income tax from 150,000 to 125,000 to bring it in line with the rest of the uk as was announced by the chancellor in his

autumn statement and the bbc also understands thatjohn swinney is expected to increase the top rate of income tax from 46p in the pound to 47p, and the higher rate of tax from 41p to a2p in the pound, for everyone who earns over £43,000 41p to 42p in the pound, for everyone who earns over £43,000 here in scotland. i think these changes will be welcomed by unions and antipoverty campaigners, some business groups and the scottish conservatives may have concerns it will hamper economic recovery. lama will hamper economic recovery. lorna gordon, will hamper economic recovery. lorna gordon. thank— will hamper economic recovery. lorna gordon, thank you. _ boris becker has been freed from prison after serving just eight months of his sentence, and now faces deportation from the uk as he does not have british citizenship. the three—times wimbledon champion, who is german, was jailed in april for two—and—a—half years for hiding assets and loans in order to avoid paying debts. the former world number one and bbc commentator was declared bankrupt in 2017, owing nearly £50 million.

the death toll following an explosion at a block of flats in jersey on saturday has risen to nine. the police chief says there is not now anyone they believe to be still unaccounted for, but the search will continue until the site is fully cleared. china has threatened britain with what it's called strong and forceful counter—measures, accusing it of failing to protect chinese staff at its consulate in manchester during a protest that turned violent in october. on wednesday china withdrew its consul general and five other diplomats wanted for questioning by british police about the assault of an anti—china protester. a rescue operation is continuing in the english channel for people who are still missing after a boat carrying migrants capsized in the early hours of yesterday morning. crews on a nearby fishing boat rescued 39 people from the freezing water. four are confirmed as having died. our correspondent simonjones is at dungeness — what's the latest?

well, the dungeness lifeboat was heavily involved yesterday in the rescue operation. today, the focus has shifted and drones are being flown across the channel, the reality is they are now looking for dead bodies. four people confirmed to have died, among them a teenager. in terms of those missing, it is thought up to four people are unaccounted for but it is difficult for the authorities to build up a complete picture because the boat that sank was dangerously overloaded, the people on board it would not have known each other. of those rescued by the passing fishing boat, 12 were unaccompanied children who had been handed over to the care of kent county council. the home secretary has spoken to her french counterpart and she has promised to work more closely with france to try to stop the crossings but we have heard this many times before, but the reality is, the crossings have

continued, despite the freezing weather. simonjones, in dungeness, thank you. if you've been to post a card or a letter recently you might have noticed your post box looking a bit more festive than usual. christmas postbox toppers have been appearing in towns and cities across the uk. our reporter amy payne has been to meet some of the knitters who've been creating them. jolly christmas music plays. a flurry of festive postbox toppers are bringing a little joy to the world. in the nottinghamshire town of stapleford, this seasonal scene is attracting plenty of attention. it's the work of crafter steph. it's one of my favourite because i just think that people are putting it on facebook, we've had lots of comments on facebook, people are taking photos of it and itjust really makes me happy and everybody else happy.

steph's part of this, well, close—knit group. their crochet hooks are behind many a woolly creation in this town. it's to bring a bit of pleasure to the area, a bit of fun, it's about coming together, working together to create, just to create a bit of fun for the area, really. inspired to give it a go? join a group — joining a group is really important because that's where you get your knowledge from. you've got the tutors that help to set you off and get you going. we've worked with each other, we've worked individually, and it's been really good. so, keep an eye out when you post those christmas cards, the festive crafters mayjust have got there first, with crochet, colour and cheer.

amy payne reporting there.