this is bbc news. i'mjane i'm jane hill. the headlines... police name the four boys who died after falling into a freezing lake in solihull — two were brothers and another their cousin. the family of the fourth boy — ten—year—old jackjohnson, have also released an image of him. tens of thousands of nurses across england, wales and northern ireland are taking part in industrial action in what they're calling a �*last resort�* strike. they're asking for a pay rise of up to 19%. we are often working now at half the safe staffing level that we are supposed to have. we just can't sustain it any more. the mental and physical toll of it is too much, even if we wanted to carry on, we couldn't. the latest episodes of the harry

and meghan series have landed with claims of screaming rows with the royal family. 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. interest rates have gone up again by half a percentage point as the bank of england tries to curb inflation. hello and a very good evening. the four boys who died after falling into a frozen lake in solihull on sunday have been named by west midlands police.

police have released these photos of three of them — brothers samuel butler aged six, and finlay butler aged, 8, and their cousin thomas stewart. thomas was 11. the families of the three young cousins have paid tribute to their "beautiful boys". the fourth boy has been named as ten—year—old jackjohnson. the people —— the school where jack was a pupil says the school remains in a state of shock at the tragic news. his teacher also said he was a loving bubbly student who would always check on others and make sure they were doing 0k. always check on others and make sure they were doing 0k. let's get more now with our correspondent phil mackie who's been following this story. as we hear the comment from the school, that is striking that they talk about the ten—year—old as having a heart of gold because it

appears he did not know the other boys had gotten into difficulty. it has appeared throughout that he might have been somebody who just happen to be there and is one of those who might have tried to save the other boys. a ten—year—old has potentially given his own life to save others younger than him. i know that they held a mass at saint anthony's and it was attended by his parents. and the cruel from the fire station who were the first firefighters on the scene on sunday afternoon, i saw them earlier in the week when they came to present their own tributes at that kind of makeshift shrine, not very far from the school that jack attended. what we have not really known, although we have not really known, although we suspected were the details of the other boys. we knew that there were two brothers. they are finlay butler and samuel butler. we've seen floral tributes and messages left to fin in

particular at that shrine over the last few days. and the other was thomas stewart who was their cousin. he was the oldest. samuel was the youngest us six. he was the one who survived the longest and there was hope that he would manage to pull through. —— samuel was the youngest, he was six years old. as you would have seen over the last week, it has been an awful time for the families and people who live by and a lot of children who are of a similar age and who may have known them are gone to school with them. i've seen a lot of them coming along with their parents to put flowers down and soft toys, all of thing. it is a cliche toys, all of thing. it is a cliche to talk about close—knit communities, in the kingshurst case,

the lake is next to most houses. the primary school that we are talking about is about 100 metres away from where the boys went in. everyone knows one another and everyone has been badly hit by what happened on sunday afternoon. that been badly hit by what happened on sunday afternoon.— sunday afternoon. that sense of trauma, sunday afternoon. that sense of trauma. you _ sunday afternoon. that sense of trauma, you have _ sunday afternoon. that sense of trauma, you have reflected - sunday afternoon. that sense of| trauma, you have reflected some sunday afternoon. that sense of. trauma, you have reflected some of it there and the fact that members of the emergency services have been incredibly moved when they have talked about what they have seen and these are people who by definition in their working lives have seen a lot and experienced a lot of. and even the way they have been touched by this tells a story, i think, of just the gravity of this, really. i think you are right. i saw the firefighters come along and leave their flowers and messages. firefighters come along and leave theirflowers and messages. i've seen the ambulance crews that were there and also the police officers who were there and we have seen

other people, along. they were desperately trying to rescue these boysin desperately trying to rescue these boys in awful conditions. and had been snowing on sunday afternoon, which may offer an explanation as to how the boys got on the ice in the first place, it might not have been obvious where the lake started and the ground ended. that may have been part of that. you know, it is a local beauty spot. the parts of it that are open, there are dogs going for walks and then popping up to pay their respects to the boys. it is something at the heart of the community. as a result of that, most of the parents who grew up there, would have played on or around the lake. 0ne would have played on or around the lake. one or two of them said yes, we used to go near the ice when it froze. the reason why this has struck a chord with a lot of people is they are by the grace of god go l, is they are by the grace of god go

i, it could have been me, it could have been my grandchildren, it is just one of those random acts that has cost four children their lives. thank you very much. to bring you some breaking news in terms of strep a which has been in the news over the last few weeks. we have these new figures which tells us that at least 19 children have now died across the uk from invasive strep a. that is 16 children under the age of 18 have died in england since september and three other deaths have been recorded in belfast and in wales, therefore taking the uk total up to 19. that is the latest figure from the uk health

security agencies and in fact we are going to be talking a little bit more about strep a later with a guest who isjoining us more about strep a later with a guest who is joining us to talk to us about ways to deal with that and the availability of medicines. we will talk about that a little bit more just a little later in this half hour. tens of thousands of nurses are on strike 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% pay rise. despite the walk—out, nhs officials say it's vital that people come forward if they need emergency care. 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. all trusts in northern ireland are involved in the action. 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. 0ur 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 8am, 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 19%.

and what ministers over in parliament think is fair. because if we are to afford a 19% 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. 0r 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. we can speak now to our correspondent howard johnson at st thomas' hospital in london. give us a sense of what nurses are saying to you there? i called you thomas, i apologise i've known you for years. thomas, i apologise i've known you for ears. , , ., ., for years. they been out here for hours. for years. they been out here for hours- and _ for years. they been out here for hours- and i _ for years. they been out here for hours. and i witnessed _ for years. they been out here for hours. and i witnessed a - for years. they been out here for hours. and i witnessed a lot - for years. they been out here for hours. and i witnessed a lot of. hours. and i witnessed a lot of support here. hours. and i witnessed a lot of support here-— hours. and i witnessed a lot of support here. hours. and i witnessed a lot of su--orthere. ~ ., ., :: support here. i've known him for 20 ears...

support here. i've known him for 20 years--- was _ support here. i've known him for 20 years... was drivers _ support here. i've known him for 20 years... was drivers coming - support here. i've known him for 20 years... was drivers coming past, i years... was drivers coming past, fire crews — years... was drivers coming past, fire crews coming _ years... was drivers coming past, fire crews coming past, _ years... was drivers coming past, fire crews coming past, putting i years... was drivers coming past, | fire crews coming past, putting on their sirens, and i've been speaking to people on the streets, the nurses have been telling me that actually, the situation here is pretty dire. they say because of the staffing shortages, they are really on their knees. they are handing out these leaflets saying enough is enough. they say if the staffing problems are not sorted and the pay dispute thatis are not sorted and the pay dispute that is ongoing is not corrected, then maybe the public will suffer. 0n join now by then maybe the public will suffer. 0njoin now by dave carr then maybe the public will suffer. 0n join now by dave carr who then maybe the public will suffer. 0njoin now by dave carr who is a senior nurse and he has been working for the nhs for more than a0 years. he trains up staff as well. i've heard some stories today from nurses saying they are suffering, saying they have mental health issues, ptsd from covering covid—19 and the response. what are you seeing day to day when you work here? {mid response. what are you seeing day to day when you work here?— day when you work here? covid hit us like a landslide _ day when you work here? covid hit us like a landslide and _ day when you work here? covid hit us like a landslide and we _ day when you work here? covid hit us like a landslide and we were - day when you work here? covid hit us like a landslide and we were already i like a landslide and we were already pushed _ like a landslide and we were already pushed when covid happened. i think the aftermath of that, it is almost

a flood. _ the aftermath of that, it is almost a flood, you know the floodwaters come _ a flood, you know the floodwaters come up _ a flood, you know the floodwaters come up and they reseed and then you are left— come up and they reseed and then you are left with _ come up and they reseed and then you are left with a mess. 0ur come up and they reseed and then you are left with a mess. our staff are shattered~ — are left with a mess. our staff are shattered~ i— are left with a mess. our staff are shattered. i work in critical care, a third _ shattered. i work in critical care, a third of— shattered. i work in critical care, a third of critical care staff have been _ a third of critical care staff have been diagnosed with ptsd. the key problem _ been diagnosed with ptsd. the key problem inside our hospital now is that we _ problem inside our hospital now is that we have vacancies amongst nurses, — that we have vacancies amongst nurses, 47,000 that we have vacancies amongst nurses, a7,000 vacancies and nurses in england _ nurses, a7,000 vacancies and nurses in england alone. it is impossible for us _ in england alone. it is impossible for us to— in england alone. it is impossible for us to do— in england alone. it is impossible for us to do ourjobs properly any more _ for us to do ourjobs properly any more carrying that load of vacancies. a key reason for that is because _ vacancies. a key reason for that is because my— vacancies. a key reason for that is because my wages have been cut and cut over— because my wages have been cut and cut over the _ because my wages have been cut and cut over the last ten years. people simply— cut over the last ten years. people simpiyiust— cut over the last ten years. people simplyjust cannot afford to live in london _ simplyjust cannot afford to live in london or— simplyjust cannot afford to live in london or around the country. the government _ london or around the country. iie: government are london or around the country. tie: government are saying london or around the country. ti9 government are saying your 5% above inflation demand is unreasonable, they cannot afford it or they will have to put up taxes. what do you say to that?— have to put up taxes. what do you say to that? one of the things now is watching — say to that? one of the things now is watching what _ say to that? one of the things now is watching what is _ say to that? one of the things now is watching what is going - say to that? one of the things now is watching what is going on, - say to that? one of the things now is watching what is going on, the l is watching what is going on, the nurses— is watching what is going on, the nurses are — is watching what is going on, the nurses are becoming aware of what is going _ nurses are becoming aware of what is

going on— nurses are becoming aware of what is going on in— nurses are becoming aware of what is going on in the world. we ask what about— going on in the world. we ask what about the _ going on in the world. we ask what about the money that we spend on test trace — about the money that we spend on test trace and track? what about making _ test trace and track? what about making a — test trace and track? what about making a really decent offer? they are not— making a really decent offer? they are not talking to us at the moment. the money— are not talking to us at the moment. the money is — are not talking to us at the moment. the money is there when the government needs it for something. what those nurses do is look after vulnerable — what those nurses do is look after vulnerable people and we cannot do it with _ vulnerable people and we cannot do it with a _ vulnerable people and we cannot do it with a vacancy rate at the pay we are being _ it with a vacancy rate at the pay we are being paid now. we simply cannot do it _ are being paid now. we simply cannot do it. :, ~ are being paid now. we simply cannot do it. . ,, i. are being paid now. we simply cannot do it. :, ~' ,, , are being paid now. we simply cannot doit. . , . , do it. thank you very much. this action will— do it. thank you very much. this action will go — do it. thank you very much. this action will go on _ do it. thank you very much. this action will go on until _ do it. thank you very much. this action will go on until apm - do it. thank you very much. this j action will go on until apm today and if a deal is not reached between the union and the government, we will see further strike action take place again next week.— will see further strike action take place again next week. howard, thank ou so place again next week. howard, thank you so much- — place again next week. howard, thank you so much. that _ place again next week. howard, thank you so much. that really _ place again next week. howard, thank you so much. that really is _ place again next week. howard, thank you so much. that really is howard . you so much. that really is howard johnson, i promise you. i realise i am all for your christmas card list. thank you very much. that really did give the scent of the strength of feeling there. —— sense of feeling. we can speak to dr manuela galetto, associate professor

in employment relations at warwick business school. i don't know whether if you could hear some of that, but you know the background of this very well. just one example there, that man saying our wages just have not gone up effectively in real terms. we've been cut and cut for ten years. from your perspective with your understanding of employment relations, some people might listen to that and thinking how has it got to that and thinking how has it got to this point? it to that and thinking how has it got to this point?— to this point? it has been said, it has been years — to this point? it has been said, it has been years and _ to this point? it has been said, it has been years and years - to this point? it has been said, it has been years and years of - to this point? it has been said, it has been years and years of pay l has been years and years of pay freezes, compression on wages on certain sectors like the nurses. it has been a struggle and the strike we are seeing today is quite exceptional and it is the end point of a number of years of discontent around pay conditions, but not only, also the intensification of work which has been exacerbated by the shortages of nurses, thousands of

vacancies, which we heard. the 19% that has been asked has beenjudged sometimes is unreasonable, but we have to put that in context. in the context of rambling inflation, the increase in interest rates as you've seen. it is quite unsurprising rather than unreasonable what is perhaps more unreasonable and out of measure is the a% or 5% after years and years of pay compression as mentioned by the pay review body, which also considered data that are now out of date. particularly so, given the fast development of the economy in the last months. that is interestin: economy in the last months. that is interesting because _ economy in the last months. that is interesting because other _ economy in the last months. that is interesting because other people i interesting because other people will be watching thinking, there was an independent pay body which

recommended increase, but nothing like 19%. from your perspective, how was that figure arrived at, do you think, given everything you just described? from the independent pay body, yes. i described? from the independent pay bod , es. , , body, yes. i believe this was a fi . ured body, yes. i believe this was a figured that — body, yes. i believe this was a figured that was _ body, yes. i believe this was a figured that was arrived - body, yes. i believe this was a figured that was arrived at - body, yes. i believe this was a i figured that was arrived at earlier on in the year, perhaps around february when the state of the economy was different, not incredibly better, but different compared to now after the summer. these are the figures that were used to arrive at this figure. and a budget that ultimately the government communicates the pay review body, so there are some constraints within which the review body will be issuing that recommendation. i think that we all

agree that these are quite exceptional circumstances and perhaps my orgies would need to be revised somehow. well the data would need to be updated and i think that is quite an easy argument to made for that offer to be reviewed given the circumstances. in for that offer to be reviewed given the circumstances.— for that offer to be reviewed given the circumstances. in terms of where we are today — the circumstances. in terms of where we are today we _ the circumstances. in terms of where we are today we are _ the circumstances. in terms of where we are today we are coming - the circumstances. in terms of where we are today we are coming to i the circumstances. in terms of where we are today we are coming to the i we are today we are coming to the end of one strike period, there is another day to come later in december. from an industrial relations strategy point of view, what would be the answer now to try and resolve this? could something yet to be done in your opinion to try to hold off that second date later in the month? i try to hold off that second date later in the month?— try to hold off that second date later in the month? i think so, yes. and i later in the month? i think so, yes. and i think — later in the month? i think so, yes. and i think a _ later in the month? i think so, yes. and i think a straight, _ later in the month? i think so, yes. and i think a straight, genuine i and i think a straight, genuine commitment to negotiations for the sector would be the easiest way out, actually. and to engage in negotiations, to take on some

meetings and offers or perspectives of offers, would be the first and easiest way out. and doing this by sector would be very good. this is definitely a priority. the nhs and the health care sector in general would need to be prioritised, but we know that there are other sectors that of course are on strike as we have seen and also need a response quite soon, as soon as possible. negotiations are the way out. they are never easy and there will always be a compromise by definition, but they will provide a way out. but there needs to be a commitment to that. we've heard many of the unions which are representing the unions who are on strike now, the workers

who are on strike now, the workers who are on strike now, they are very open to negotiations, they want to stop striking, it is in their interest as well. but there has to be more meaningful commitment to make the negotiations work. from the other side as well. it is interesting. _ other side as well. it is interesting. goodness, other side as well. it is i interesting. goodness, we other side as well. it is interesting. goodness, we could chat for much longer, but as you have pointed out, there are so many strikes on going that we could be talking again. for now she is the associate professor in employment relations at warwick business school. a man has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of a woman and two children in kettering. it is believed that the children were aged six and four. police have been giving more details about this in a news conference just in the last few hours. let's find out the latest from our reporter helen. helen, explain more about this and

what the police are saying tonight. yes, a tragic incident today in kettering where a residential area outside of a mile of kettering. a man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after police attended here just after 11 o'clock this morning. they found a woman and two children seriously injured, those children are believed to be a boy and a girl aged six and four. the woman, unfortunately, despite the efforts, best efforts of paramedics and police at the scene, she unfortunately died at the scene this morning. the two children were taken to hospital, but unfortunately, they died a short time later. we understand a 52—year—old man has been arrested. he is in custody now and police say they are not looking for anyone else in relation to this incident. we heard earlierfrom the

local police superintendent and he said there are no words to describe how upsetting this incident is, but i want to reassure the public that we have a team of detectives working on the case. he told us that police would be here this evening and tomorrow to reassure residents that this is a small court, just three blocks of flats, just three stories high and there is extensive forensic work going on in the ground floor flat behind me. a worrying time for a very small community here and police will be here to try and reassure them, jane. helen, thank ou ve reassure them, jane. helen, thank you very much- _ we are going to turn our attention to economic matters because you may know that the bank of england has raised interest rates to their highest level for 1a years. and it says they could rise further if prices continue going up. the benchmark rate has gone up from three to three and a half percent.

the chancellor said it was vital to take action to lower inflation. here's our economics correspondent andrew verity. 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.a8% 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 helps banks, but ordinary people are struggling. one of 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. well, for more on this let's go live to david milne, an independent financial adviser at invest south west. a very good evening to you. what went through your mind when you heard about this half a percentage point increase? and what it means for some of the people you help? we

have for some of the people you help? 9 have had an increase from a historically low level earth back in november last year we had .1%, we are now higher. the knock—on effect for anyone with a mortgage is very clear to see. people are paying a lot more for mortgage now than they were a year ago. anyone on a fixed rate deal is certainly going to be paying more in the future and anyone borrowing money for the first time, it's going to be a lot more expensive than it was 12 months ago. and all of this at a very difficult time when people are worried about shopping bills, energy bills. i suppose if you are just coming off the end of year fixed rate suppose if you are just coming off the end of yearfixed rate mortgage and you have to re—fix it if you choose to do it, you've only got so much room for manoeuvre. this choose to do it, you've only got so much room for manoeuvre.- much room for manoeuvre. this is very much — much room for manoeuvre. this is very much the _ much room for manoeuvre. this is very much the case. _ much room for manoeuvre. this is very much the case. it _ much room for manoeuvre. this is very much the case. it is - much room for manoeuvre. this is very much the case. it is very i much room for manoeuvre. this is | very much the case. it is very much a case of be proactive. if you have a case of be proactive. if you have a fixed rate, get advice, go to the

lender, really be proactive about this. there are plenty of people out there who can give good qualified advised that mac advice. action is very much the case. i don't think it is a good option to do nothing in this situation. we is a good option to do nothing in this situation.— this situation. we hate to extrapolate _ this situation. we hate to extrapolate further, i this situation. we hate to extrapolate further, but i this situation. we hate to i extrapolate further, but you this situation. we hate to - extrapolate further, but you must see really difficult circumstances. i take your point, be proactive, shop around, all the things you can do, but presumably there will be people who think, do you know what? this is it. i'm paying such a high rate already i simply cannot go any higher. i do not bring in enough per calendar month to do that. have you seen people who think about selling up, moving back with parents, all the really difficult decisions that people have to take? it is the really difficult decisions that people have to take?— people have to take? it is very difficult, people have to take? it is very difficult. you _ people have to take? it is very difficult, you are _ people have to take? it is very difficult, you are right. - people have to take? it is very difficult, you are right. i i people have to take? it is very difficult, you are right. i can i difficult, you are right. i can certainly understand from anyone who has got a mortgage, it is their

biggest outgoing already at a time when their outgoings are squeezed with energy bills going up, fuel going up, food going up. you are absolutely correct. i've not personally seen that at the moment, but and we've got to see where rates can go in the future and how that will affect borrowing in the future. it is a very difficult one. there is no easy solution. i it is a very difficult one. there is no easy solution.— it is a very difficult one. there is no easy solution. i have to ask you, do ou no easy solution. i have to ask you, do you see — no easy solution. i have to ask you, do you see any _ no easy solution. i have to ask you, do you see any positives _ no easy solution. i have to ask you, do you see any positives in - no easy solution. i have to ask you, do you see any positives in this? i do you see any positives in this? this also means, of course, higher rates for anyone with any savings. it does. that is the other side of the coin. there are much better rates than there was for an awful long time when saving... savers were scratching around trying to find the best rate. if you are a person who saves, look around. if you've got money in a savings account in a very

low it interest account, there are some very good deals around on the high street and lenders and research on the internet. tqm. high street and lenders and research on the internet.— on the internet. ok, busy time for ou. on the internet. ok, busy time for you- thank _ on the internet. ok, busy time for you- thank you — on the internet. ok, busy time for you. thank you very _ on the internet. ok, busy time for you. thank you very much - on the internet. ok, busy time for you. thank you very much for i on the internet. ok, busy time forj you. thank you very much for your time this evening. much more coming up time this evening. much more coming up in the next half an hour. now it's time for a look at the weather with sarah. hello. freezing fog with the south of england tonight. temperature wise, -7 england tonight. temperature wise, —7 or minus eight degrees once again. colderthan —7 or minus eight degrees once again. colder than that in the countryside. sharp frost to start the day on friday. snow across central parts of scotland is likely

to be quite disruptive, between five and 20 centimetres pollen for many areas. dryertowards and 20 centimetres pollen for many areas. dryer towards the north and the mainland —— of the mainland in scotland. temperatures will struggle to get a few degrees above freezing. backlight of wintry showers pushes site into northern england and north of wales on saturday morning. not quite as cold, but temperatures still several degrees below freezing. hello this is bbc news with jane hill. the headlines. police name the four boys who died after falling into a freezing lake in solihull — two were brothers and another their cousin. the family of the fourth boy, 10—year—old jackjohnson, have also released an image of him. tens of thousands of nurses across england, wales and northern ireland are taking part in industrial action in what they're calling a "last resort" strike.

they're asking for a pay rise of up to 19%. we are often working now at half the safe staffing level that we are supposed to have. we just can't sustain it any more. the mental and physical toll of it is too much. even if we wanted to carry on, we couldn't. the latest episodes of the harry and meghan series have landed, with claims of screaming rows with the royal family interest rates have gone up again by half a percentage point as the bank of england tries to curb inflation. sport now and a full round—up from the bbc sport centre. good evening the two teams

for the world cup final were decided last night, but there was one significant role that to be added — the referee. fifa have announced who will officiate the game between argentina and france in qatar on sunday, so let's head there and join 0lly foster. who is it? picture if you will do great pierluigi collina. he is an char of all refereeing appointments. it was his say so, so imagine him on his refereeing through here somewhere in doha giving the thumbs up or thumbs down. anthony taylor was retained but was cast aside. it is syzmon marciniak, the polish referee. he has been the referee at argentina and france here. argentina beating australia in the last 16. france

beating the danes in the group stages. so it will be syzmon marciniak blown the whistle on sunday. but he is polish, and didn't the french knock the polish? i wonder if the french will be completely 100% happy with that choice of official on sunday? ibis completely 10096 happy with that choice of official on sunday? as you alluded to there, _ choice of official on sunday? as you alluded to there, refereeing - choice of official on sunday? as you alluded to there, refereeing is i alluded to there, refereeing is always a talking point when the stakes are the side. just enter the last day followed from the semifinal last day followed from the semifinal last night involving and morocco? morocco very unhappy after their 2—0 to fate. they give it a really good go. morocco is one of the stories of the world cup. they felt the mexican referee waved away a couple of very valid penalty shouts. ramos didn't think that booth all had been fouled by hernandez. there was another one where they thought a moroccan player

had been dragged down at a set piece. after the match, morocco felt they should have got one of those penalties, they didn't like the refereeing or that of the video assistant referee. they go again against croatia in the third and fourth play—off on saturday. it was a draw between them in the group stages. i a draw between them in the group stares. :, �* , . ,, stages. i imagine we'll be talking about lionel _ stages. i imagine we'll be talking about lionel messi _ stages. i imagine we'll be talking about lionel messi and _ stages. i imagine we'll be talking about lionel messi and kylian i stages. i imagine we'll be talking i about lionel messi and kylian mbappe ad nauseam until the final. i imagine the coaches will be losing their sleepover more than just does two as we begin the preparations for sunday? edi two as we begin the preparations for sunda ? u. , 9 two as we begin the preparations for sunda ? 99, , 9 , two as we begin the preparations for sunda? , 9 , , sunday? of course. we will try very hard not to — sunday? of course. we will try very hard not to call— sunday? of course. we will try very hard not to call it _ sunday? of course. we will try very hard not to call it that _ sunday? of course. we will try very hard not to call it that lionel - hard not to call it that lionel messi and kylian mbappe final. those players to pump the blood and they are the standout players as they both go for the golden boot with five goals each. kylian mbappe didn't have much of a say against

morocco, it was the other player who stepped up around him. look at the player who scored against england, one of the youngsters coming through. he is somebody to be very excited about in the french side. antoine griezmann has had the tournament of his life. there are other french players other than kylian mbappe. alvarez, the manchester city star, playing exceptionally well, scoring, benefiting from lionel messi being so generous and looking for the other players around him. it let's not kid ourselves, of course it is about kylian mbappe and leonel messi, but there are a few other players on the pitch, as well! thank ou ve players on the pitch, as well! thank you very much _ players on the pitch, as well! thank you very much indeed. _ a key legal opinion has backed uefa and fifa's right to block competitions like the european super league,

saying their decision to do so last year was compatible with eu law. three clubs — barcelona, real madrid and juventus — claimed the two governing bodies were abusing their power to stop and then sanction those clubs involved in the super league, which included the premier league's so—called big six, but the opinion from the european court ofjustice is a blow to their attempts to resurrect the competition. it simply collapsed, but the court case continued. the court case was heard effectively during the summer in front of a grand chamber of 15 judges from the european court of justice, but also involved with the advocate general. today, the advocate general. today, the advocate general. today, the advocate general has put forward his proposals, which are non—binding it must be stressed, the judges don't have to take that into account, but almost always they use what has been said today as a template to go forward and reach their own

conclusions, which will be published in the spring. conclusions, which will be published in the spring. sheffield united's 0li mcburnie has been cleared of assaulting a fan who invaded the pitch following a match in the championship play—offs. nottingham forest supporter george brinkley said mcburnie had stamped on him following the clubs' meeting at the city ground in the semifinals in may. mcburnie had denied the charg, claiming he hopped over the fan to protect his injured foot. he was cleared of assault by beating at nottingham magistrates court this afternoon. this ronnie 0'sullivan has been knocked out of the english 0pen. he was beaten by martin gould fourframes to one. 0'sullivan had been one of the tournament favourites following two early wins in brentwood, but gould held on to record his best win of the season. there was a bizzare dismissal in australia's big bash today, or at least what appeared to be a dismissal. renegades batter nic maddison had to be called back to the crease after starting to walk off once he saw his stumps light up behind him with a bail on the ground, but on second look the ball or his foot didn't appear

to hit the wicket at all. he then came back onto the field to top score with 87 and help melbourne win by 22 runs. they are calling it a "ghost wicket". that's all the sport for now. the government has announced new protocols to help tackle a shortage of penicillin used to treat suspected cases of strep a. and less —— at least 18 children have died from strep a since september. the new measures will allow pharmacists to prescribe alternatives where stocks are low, as demand for antibiotics to treat the infection soars. for more on this let's talk to the chief executive of the association of

independent multiple pharmacies, dr leyla hannbeck. good evening to you. so are the pharmacies that you represent, have they been reporting a shortage? has this been an ongoing issue? yes. they been reporting a shortage? has this been an ongoing issue?- this been an ongoing issue? yes, it has. we this been an ongoing issue? yes, it has- we have _ this been an ongoing issue? yes, it has. we have been _ this been an ongoing issue? yes, it has. we have been reporting i this been an ongoing issue? yes, it has. we have been reporting it- this been an ongoing issue? yes, it has. we have been reporting it forl has. we have been reporting it for ten days, when we saw that the supply that we were supposed to get were not coming forward due to the demands of the need for antibiotics. it is gone from bad to worse. it has been very challenging on the front line. in been very challenging on the front line. , 9, been very challenging on the front line. , :, . line. in terms of what the government _ line. in terms of what the government has - line. in terms of what the l government has announced line. in terms of what the - government has announced today, line. in terms of what the _ government has announced today, will that help things at least in the short term?— that help things at least in the short term? well, it is a step in the riaht short term? well, it is a step in the right direction, _ short term? well, it is a step in the right direction, but - short term? well, it is a step in the right direction, but is i short term? well, it is a step in l the right direction, but is coming too late. they should have been done

many days ago, but obviously patients have gone through a lot of stress because we have had to send them back to the doctors to change their prescription. however, the supply of antibiotics is very challenging at the moment, because even those alternatives are difficult to get hold of. i want to reassure people that we are doing everything we can to make sure that we substitute with other alternative products. but we do need help with the supply urgently. so products. but we do need help with the supply urgently-— products. but we do need help with the supply urgently. so some of the alternatives — the supply urgently. so some of the alternatives are _ the supply urgently. so some of the alternatives are hard _ the supply urgently. so some of the alternatives are hard to _ the supply urgently. so some of the alternatives are hard to get - the supply urgently. so some of the alternatives are hard to get hold i alternatives are hard to get hold of? , ,:, alternatives are hard to get hold of? , , :, :, of? yes, even some of the alternatives _ of? yes, even some of the alternatives are _ of? yes, even some of the alternatives are hard i of? yes, even some of the alternatives are hard to i of? yes, even some of the| alternatives are hard to get of? yes, even some of the i alternatives are hard to get hold of. for us, on the front line, this is coming a little bit late. they should have been done some time ago. unfortunately, we find ourselves in a situation where the demand is high and we don't have the stock to go with it. :, . �* :, ,

with it. correct me if i'm wrong, my understanding _ with it. correct me if i'm wrong, my understanding is _ with it. correct me if i'm wrong, my understanding is the _ with it. correct me if i'm wrong, my understanding is the fundamental i understanding is the fundamental issueis understanding is the fundamental issue is about the supply chain, so somewhere out there there is enough stock, there is enough of the antibiotics but it is not being filtered through to the pharmacies as they run out, their stocks are not being replenished. is this strategy problem, supply chain problem? it strategy problem, supply chain roblem? , . problem? it is something that we have liaised _ problem? it is something that we have liaised with _ problem? it is something that we have liaised with the _ problem? it is something that we have liaised with the department | problem? it is something that we l have liaised with the department of health and the government about for some time, that the supply chain needs to be reviewed because this is not the first time we have planted in this situation. if the government say that they have the stock somewhere, let's say it. let's get this flowing through pharmacies because we are really struggling with demands and also it is for us to be sending patients from one pharmacy to another in the hope that somebody has the stock in place. to focus recently has been on strep a, but i assume this is being used to

treat other conditions as well. dare treat other conditions as well. are ou treat other conditions as well. are you saying — treat other conditions as well. are you saying a _ treat other conditions as well. 9.9 you saying a knock treat other conditions as well. 99 you saying a knock on? of course. a lot of these antibiotics are used for other infections as well so it has a knock—on effect for a lot of other things and a lot of other people. that is why it is urgent to get the supplies managed.- people. that is why it is urgent to get the supplies managed. thank you for our get the supplies managed. thank you for your time — get the supplies managed. thank you for your time tonight. _ more now on the bank of england's decision to raise interest rates to their highest level for 1a years. they are going up by 0.5% to 3.5% to try to bring down inflation. andrew bailey, the governor of the bank of england, gave some context to the decision. we think we've seen possibly this week the first glimmer that, with the figures that were released this week, that it's not only beginning to come down, but it was a little bit below where we thought it would be, and that's obviously very good news, but there's a long way to go. and we expect that to happen, by the way.

we expect inflation to start falling more rapidly, probably from the late spring onwards. but there is a risk that it won't happen in that way, particularly because the labour market and the labour supply in this country are so tight and that's why, really, we had to raise interest rates today because we see that risk as really quite pronounced. what i would say is that, if you look at the history of the bank of england's monetary policy committee, 0.5% rise is still a very big one. i mean, we only did the first 0.5% rise earlier this year, so i would put it into that context. we will have to judge, as we will do in a few weeks' time when we have the next meeting, what's appropriate next time. so i'm not going to speculate on where they may end up or what we might do next time at this stage because there will be a lot of information that we'll get before we get to that point. scotland's deputy first minister, john swinney, has been unveiling scotland's budget, although there was a bit of a delay in announcing it.

the scottish parliament's presiding officer, alisonjohnstone, delayed the budget for 30 minutes before allowing the statement to go ahead after a leak of the tax plans to the bbc. at no stage has anybody been authorised on my behalf to brief information.— information. members, it is extremely _ information. members, it is extremely important - information. members, it is extremely important that i information. members, it is | extremely important that we information. members, it is- extremely important that we hear information. members, it is _ extremely important that we hear one another9 _ extremely important that we hear one another. let— extremely important that we hear one another. 9, extremely important that we hear one another. . . another. let me reiterate what i have said to _ another. let me reiterate what i have said to you _ another. let me reiterate what i have said to you privately, i another. let me reiterate what i have said to you privately, that l another. let me reiterate what i l have said to you privately, that at no stage has anybody been authorised to disclose any information that is contained within the budget

statement on my behalf at any time. there is inevitably, there is inevitably a large number of people have to be involved in the preparation of a government statement from the many officials involved, but across a whole range of different organisations, but i give you my categorical assurance as a member of this parliament since its foundation in 1999 that no individual was authorised on my behalf to disclose any information. that was the start of the session. in the budget itself, he confirmed that the top two income tax rates will rise by a penny in the pound, starting in april next year. lorna gordon explained more. lorna gordon explained more. an unusual delivery of that statement this afternoon, delayed by half an hour by the presiding officer in the parliament behind me.

that is a highly unusual step. and signifies her anger at the fact that the bbc got details of what was going to be in the budget statement ahead of it being released to msps and read out to msps in the parliament here. she received assurances from the first minister and the deputy first minister that they did not authorise any lea ks. whenjohn swinney the deputy first minister got up to make his statement, he said that the statement is released in advance by its nature, many people have sight of it and he assured msps in the chamber that he did not authorise the releasing of any details to the bbc, but he then went on to give the details, much trailed in the hour before because of that leak, of some pretty significant changes to the tax structure here in scotland.

income tax is an area that is devolved to the scottish government and he confirmed that the top rate of tax here in scotland will increase from a6p to a7p and that the higher rate of tax, which applies to everyone here in scotland who earns a little over £a3,000 will increase from a1p to a2p in the pound for the next financial year. he said that the government was facing spectacularly difficult times to manage the public finances, but that the scottish government had decided to choose what he described, as a different, more progressive path then that being chosen by the uk government. he said that the changes announced today will result in £553 million

more going into the coffers here for the scottish government in fact, he said that the changes as a result of devolution of these tax raising powers that the scottish government has will result as a whole in £1 billion more going into the coffers. there is also changes to the tax that will apply to additional dwellings here in scotland. that will increase from a% to 6%. so significant changes to the tax bands here in terms of the tax rates paid. although the threshold will stay the same apart from the top level of tax, that will reduce from 150,000 to 125,000, to bring it in line with the top rate threshold that will apply in the rest of the uk and was announced by the chancellor in his autumn statement. but it is the tax rates that will change and will significantly

now diverge from the rest of the uk, already diverging, but diverging even more so now. a rescue operation has been taking place in the english channel today. search teams have been looking 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 dead. royal national lifeboat institution gave this update. this scenes that greeted our cruise on arrival were pretty horrific, but trees are very professional, they had been trained for this and they went straight into rescue mode and work with the bishop or on scene to

rescue those in the water. iurethat work with the bishop or on scene to rescue those in the water. what are the told rescue those in the water. what are they told you _ rescue those in the water. what are they told you about _ rescue those in the water. what are they told you about how _ rescue those in the water. what are they told you about how it - rescue those in the water. what are they told you about how it was? it l they told you about how it was? it is fair to say it was harrowing. the search and rescue operation is ongoing. we are here to listen to our cruise and continue to learn. the first thing the cruise dates when they got back was talk about their experience together, which helps a lot. we will try to support them through known and tested processes such as trauma risk management we can have specially trained people come and talk to them. a , trained people come and talk to them. ~. , , , them. many lives were saved, but if it hadn't been _ them. many lives were saved, but if it hadn't been for— them. many lives were saved, but if it hadn't been for that _ them. many lives were saved, but if it hadn't been for that fishing i them. many lives were saved, but if it hadn't been for that fishing boat l it hadn't been for that fishing boat that was first on the scene, we could be potentially talking about a0 or 50 people dying here. it is 40 or 50 people dying here. it is fair to say _ 40 or 50 people dying here. it is fair to say that _ 40 or 50 people dying here. it is fair to say that the _ 40 or 50 people dying here. it 59 fair to say that the immediate actions of the fishing boat on scene without question saved countless lives. the rnli is based upon one

principle thing, to be alerted to need. as soon as we were alerted, the cruise, they were on scene within ten minutes and were able to deliver an amazing saving effect. to see is treacherous on any day or night, but on a winter night in december on an overcrowded boat with no real seamanship on board and a boat that potentially is compromised is a very serious thing, and we have seen a life—threatening situation. the rnli has faced criticism about operations in the channel. what has been the response to this from the public? i been the response to this from the ublic? ., , 9, 9, been the response to this from the ublic? ~ , . :, _ public? i think it is fair to say that the response _ public? i think it is fair to say that the response from i public? i think it is fair to say that the response from the i public? i think it is fair to say i that the response from the public has been really good.

the complexity of migration draws upon different opinion from all quarters, it is a very political, very complex situation. but for the rnli it is quite simple. we will respond to the tasking of the coastguard. we don'tjudge, we don't seek to understand the conversation, we will simply get up any day or night and go out to those in distress at sea. rules about taking liquids and laptops through airport security in the united kingdom will be eased in 18 months time as new 3d scanning technology is introduced. from june 2024 passengers will no longer have to limit liquids to 100ml or put them in clear plastic bag. the current restrictions were introduced in 2006 to guard against terrorism. boris becker has been freed from prison after serving just eight months of a sentence for offences under the insolvency act. the former world number one and bbc commentator

now faces deportation from the uk because he doesn't have british citizenship. he was jailed in april for 2.5 years after hiding assets and loans to avoid paying debts. he was declared bankrupt in 2017 owing nearly £50 million. the final three episodes of the harry and megan documentary has been released on neck —— released on netflix. prince harry describes being terrified of his brother screaming at him during a meeting at sandringham in 2020. there has been no comment from buckingham palace. sarah campbell has been watching the series.

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 am not here. and that was the scariest thing about it. it was such clear thinking. i remember her telling me that she wanted to take her own life and... 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 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 take it all in. but you have to understand that from the family perspective, especially from hers, there are ways of doing things and her ultimate sort of mission goal, responsibility, is the institution. 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 rather 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 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 are good and you are 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 have made it to the other side. sarah campbell, bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with sarah. hello. there is still a lot of lying snow and icy conditions on untreated surfaces. tonight, freezing fog in southern and eastern parts of

england and heavy snow arriving in the west of scotland. temperature wise, underthe the west of scotland. temperature wise, under the clear skies, the west of scotland. temperature wise, underthe clearskies, —7 the west of scotland. temperature wise, under the clear skies, —7 or minus eight degrees once again, colder than that in the countryside. the freezing fog could be slow to clear on friday. this new and central parts of scotland is likely to be quite disruptive, between five and 20 centimetres. drier towards the north of the mainland in scotland. much of the uk having wintry sunshine. that line of cloud and wintry showers produce out into parts of northern england and the north of wales moving into saturday morning. not quite as cold, but temperatures are still several degrees below freezing.

today at six: tens of thousands of nurses across england, wales and northern ireland take strike action in a dispute over pay. what we want? fair pay! braving the cold to make their case — members of the royal college of nursing say right now it's hard to attract and retain nurses better pay, better staffing. just simple improvements to quality of life would be nice for nurses. we feel so strongly that nurses coming through the ranks, and qualifying, just coming through with so much debt that they are then leaving the profession in droves. but the government says the union's pay demands are unaffordable. we'll have the latest. also on the programme...

interest rates rise again by another 0.5% to 3.5% —