good morning. welcome to breakfast withjon kay and sally nugent. our headlines today. ambulance workers go on strike as nhs bosses warn they cannot guarantee patient safety, but emergency care will be provided. the health secretary says unions have made a choice to inflict harm on patients, but unions say the government will be to blame if people die. ukrainian president zelensky is understood to be travelling to washington today, his first foreign trip since war broke out with russia. how can hospitality firms survive? the number of pubs, restaurants and cafes closing keeps on rising, as staffing and energy bills soar. we look at how some

are adapting to stay alive. argentina's world cup winners abandon their open—top bus parade in buenos aires. this as millions come out to celebrate their world cup success the london hotels giving homeless people the gift of a bed this christmas. good morning. today is a day of sunshine and showers, still windy across the north and west. the weather remains unsettled right up until christmas when it is going to turn colder once again. all of the details later in the programme. it's wednesday 21st december. our main story. ambulance workers in england and wales are on strike today in a dispute over pay. there's likely to be major disruption, with paramedics, call handlers, emergency care assistants and technicians all taking part in the industrial action. this is the scene in coventry this morning where ambulance workers are starting their strike.

nhs leaders have warned that patient safety can't be guaranteed, and have asked that everyone use services wisely and to only call 999 if it's a life—threatening emergency. for all other needs, contact 111. health secretary steve barclay says "nhs contingency plans will not cover all 999 calls", and says "ambulance unions have made a conscious choice to inflict harm on patients." we to inflict harm on patients." will be speaking to ste later we will be speaking to steve barclay later in the programme. 750 armed forces staff are being drafted in as cover, however their role will be limited. they will not be sent on call—outs involving critical care, nor will they provide any clinical care. the level of disruption will vary depending on where you live — scotland and northern ireland are not affected — but all of wales will be impacted

and everywhere in england, apart from the eastern region and the isle of wight. our health corresondentjim reed has been taking a look at the pressure facing a&e departments. the largest, most widespread ambulance strike in decades is going ahead after there was no last minute breakthrough in talks. the staggered action from three unions started at midnight across wales, the west midlands and the north of england. at 6am it was extended to the east midlands and the south, except the isle of wight. at midday, paramedics in london willjoin the strike. ambulance staff say the dispute is about pay, which hasn't kept up with inflation, but also patient safety. it's been one of the most difficult decisions ambulance workers have had to make. the current context we work in sees delays that have caused significant patient harm, and nobody who works for the ambulance service

wants to add to that harm or increase that risk. ambulance services are already under intense pressure. here in gloucester this week, long queues of vehicles were waiting to unload patients because there was no space inside the hospital to treat them. that same problem has driven up response times across the country, with most of the services in england declaring critical incidents this week. both the government and some managers in the health service are concerned the strikes could increase the risk to patients. ambulance unions say the most serious, life—threatening callouts should not be affected. they should go ahead as usual. but other services are very likely to see some disruption. the impact will vary by region. the most serious category one calls, such as someone not breathing or in cardiac arrest, will be responded to, as should some category two calls like strokes or serious burns. but other urgent problems

like a woman in late stage labour or an elderly person falling in their home might not be answered. this is going to be quite a difficult period. and there may be some delays to people but we'll make sure that those people who need the interventions in a time critical period get that time critical care that they need. you drive first, all right, you get round there. the government says 600 troops have been trained to step in and drive ambulances, although they're not allowed to treat patients or use blue lights. i call on the trade unions to act responsibly. they've said that they will provide life threatening cover, that they will provide emergency cover. it's essential that they do so to protect patients. paramedics accept patient safety may be affected, but say strike action is still justified. we are going to do our utmost to limit the effect that strike has on patients, but the reality is that patients are already at extreme risk.

ambulance staff in northern ireland also went on strike last week. while in scotland a new pay offer has just been rejected by one union, but a strike has not yet been called. the message today then is still to use 999 if there's a life—threatening emergency. but in some other urgent cases, expect a longer wait for help. jim reed, bbc news. the level of disruption during today's ambulance strike varies depending on where you live. you can use the interactive tool on the bbc website to find out which unions are on strike at your local ambulance service. visit the bbc news website for more details. 0ur correspondent katherine da costa is on a picket line in coventry this morning where ambulance workers have started their strike action.

good morning, katherine. what can we expect to see in coventry over the next few hours? in expect to see in coventry over the next few hours?— expect to see in coventry over the next few hours? in the west midlands the strike is only _ next few hours? in the west midlands the strike is onlyjust _ next few hours? in the west midlands the strike is onlyjust begun, - next few hours? in the west midlands the strike is onlyjust begun, 6am - the strike is onlyjust begun, 6am until 6pm. 0therstrikes the strike is onlyjust begun, 6am until 6pm. 0ther strikes are taking 24—hour is. the workers here are part of the unite union switches one of three unions taking part in coordinated strikes across england and wales today. as you have been hearing, unions agree that life—threatening emergencies will be covered but people with nonlife threatening emergencies may be asked to make their own way to hospital and services could be patchy depending on what has been agreed locally. even with contingency plans in place, the nhs is expecting significant disruption and health bosses have said they cannot guarantee safety of patients. people think it is going to be a really difficult day. i am joined by steve, one of the people taking part in the strike today, sum up the morale and the feeling among your colleagues?

up the feeling among your colleagues? up and down the country, notjust up in coventry. — up and down the country, notjust up in coventry, staff are feeling really — in coventry, staff are feeling really demoralised because we are almost _ really demoralised because we are almost piggies in the middle with what is _ almost piggies in the middle with what is going on between social care and the _ what is going on between social care and the nhs at the moment. we don't want to— and the nhs at the moment. we don't want to be _ and the nhs at the moment. we don't want to be taking strike action and be want to be taking strike action and he sat— want to be taking strike action and be sat outside hospitals, there was a vehicle _ be sat outside hospitals, there was a vehicle in— be sat outside hospitals, there was a vehicle in this area in the west midlands — a vehicle in this area in the west midlands that was sat outside for nearly— midlands that was sat outside for nearly 20 — midlands that was sat outside for nearly 20 hours. we want to be out there _ nearly 20 hours. we want to be out there and _ nearly 20 hours. we want to be out there and looking after people but unfortunately underfunding, understaffing and 12 years of tory government have led to this. it's a culmination — government have led to this. it's a culmination of their negligence towards — culmination of their negligence towards the nhs.— culmination of their negligence towards the nhs. ~ ., ., ., towards the nhs. what do you say to the patients — towards the nhs. what do you say to the patients that _ towards the nhs. what do you say to the patients that are _ towards the nhs. what do you say to the patients that are worried - towards the nhs. what do you say to the patients that are worried that. the patients that are worried that they may need an ambulance and one may not arrive?— may not arrive? there will be ambulances _ may not arrive? there will be ambulances for _ may not arrive? there will be i ambulances for life-threatening ambulances for life—threatening emergencies and emergencies such as the category twos that we have agreed — the category twos that we have agreed with our trust, even if we have _ agreed with our trust, even if we have to — agreed with our trust, even if we have to respond of the picket line, all over— have to respond of the picket line, all over the — have to respond of the picket line, all over the county today. i know that around _ all over the county today. i know that around the country they will be doing _ that around the country they will be doing the _ that around the country they will be doing the same as us. we

that around the country they will be doing the same as us.— doing the same as us. we will be here all morning _ doing the same as us. we will be here all morning to _ doing the same as us. we will be here all morning to hear- doing the same as us. we will be here all morning to hear more i doing the same as us. we will be i here all morning to hear more views of people on the picket line. the government has made more funding available for emergency and urgent care, and speed up the discharge of patients but it is sticking to its recommendations from the independent pay review body. nhs staff have already received between 4% and 5% pay rise this year. there is no movement on that deadlock for now. next week, the gmb union is planning another strike on the 28th and other health unions are warning it could drag into the new year. taste health unions are warning it could drag into the new year.— health unions are warning it could drag into the new year. we will be back with you _ drag into the new year. we will be back with you later _ drag into the new year. we will be back with you later on, _ drag into the new year. we will be back with you later on, katharine, | back with you later on, katharine, and finding out what the situation is in other parts of the uk. the health secretary says ambulance unions have made a conscious choice to inflict harm on patients by going ahead with strikes. the comments in the telegraph come after last—ditch talks between steve barclay and union officials broke down. 0ur chief political correspondent nick eardleyjoins us now from westminster. good morning, nick. really strong words from the health secretary in

the paper today. words from the health secretary in the paper today-— the paper today. morning, sally. yeah, i think— the paper today. morning, sally. yeah, i think the _ the paper today. morning, sally. yeah, i think the rhetoric- the paper today. morning, sally. yeah, i think the rhetoric on - the paper today. morning, sally. yeah, i think the rhetoric on this j yeah, i think the rhetoric on this this morning is really ramping up. you have got the health secretary saying what he has said, people in government saying privately that the unions are putting people across the country at risk. and then on the other side you have got the unions, unison which is involved today, saying that any deaths that happened today as a result of these strikes will be the fault of the government for what unions say is their irresponsible position of refusing to discuss pay. asjohn was just saying, there were talks yesterday between unions and the government, they didn't last long at all. one of they didn't last long at all. one of the unions said that they were entirely pointless because this issue of payjust isn't being discussed by the government. i do detect that there is a bit of pressure among tory mps for a rethink on that, there are some that are very uncomfortable with how this

is all played out, just don't think that ministers are going to win in a battle with nhs staff particularly nurses, but also the ambulance workers that we are seeing out on strike today. but again, the health secretary is hunkering down, his opinion piece in the telegraph this morning saying that people would not forgive the government if they got involved in talks every winter about pay with nhs staff. that's why they have to keep going with the process thatis have to keep going with the process that is in play at the moment. that's why they cannot revisit the independent pay review body recommendations. i do think, when i have private conversations with people in government, that i think there are potentially to things that could be on a branches. 0ne there are potentially to things that could be on a branches. one is next year pay deal, the government seems to be making some hints that it could tweak that, slightly bigger pay rise possibly for nhs staff there. although the union wanted to be this year so they are not

convinced by that plan. the other one that the unions have opened the door two is a one—off payment for nhs staff to compensate for the kosovan crisis issues. but again, that's not something that the government is putting on the table just yet. so it still feels like there is a big gap between the two sides. and it's still hard, unless one moves, to see how this is going to be resolved. ukrainian president zelensky is expected to visit washington today to meet president biden, on his first foreign trip since the russian invasion of ukraine. 0ur correspondent, hugo bachega is in kyiv for us this morning. hugo, this would be a very symbolic moment, wouldn't it?— moment, wouldn't it? absolutely, because, moment, wouldn't it? absolutely, because. jon. _ moment, wouldn't it? absolutely, because, jon, the _ moment, wouldn't it? absolutely, because, jon, the us _ moment, wouldn't it? absolutely, because, jon, the us is _ moment, wouldn't it? absolutely, because, jon, the us is the - moment, wouldn't it? absolutely, because, jon, the us is the main | because, jon, the us is the main ally in terms of military support for the ukrainians in this war. we

havejust had a for the ukrainians in this war. we have just had a tweet from president zielinski confirming that he is travelling to the us. he is saying, on my way to the us to strengthen resilience and defence capabilities of ukraine. we have had statements from the white house and the ukrainian presidency confirming that this trip is going ahead. president zielinski is expected to meet president biden at the white house, and then he will be addressing the us congress. but i think we should expect some major announcements especially unexpected announcement about the patriot missiles. this is the kind of weapon that president zielinski has been saying that ukrainians need to protect cities across the country from those russian air strikes. 0bviously across the country from those russian air strikes. obviously a very significant visit, very important for the ukrainians. 0bviously important for the ukrainians. obviously this visit happens as millions of ukrainians across the country have been left without electricity, heating, power, water,

as those russian air strikes have targeted essential infrastructure. last night we had a warning from the country's prime minister saying that russia wanted ukraine to spend christmas and the new year in the darkness and ukrainians should expect more of those attacked to come. —— those attacks to come. a british pensioner arrested over the death of his wife in cyprus will be tried for murder, after prosecutors u—turned on a plea deal to a lesser charge of manslaughter, his lawyers say. 75—year—old david hunter, admitted killing his wife janice at their paphos retirement home. his lawyer told breakfast that he is "determined" to fight the case, which has been adjourned until thursday. he expected for us to come to court and for there to be an agreement for him to plea to manslaughter and to move forward on that basis, so it was very shocking for him. he was visibly shocked and worried about what's going to happen to him. but he remains determined to fight the case and now that's what we have to do.

elon musk has said he will resign as twitter�*s chief executive, once he found what he described as "someone foolish enough to take the job". the billionaire promised to abide by the result of a twitter poll, which asked users to vote on whether he should step down from the role. mr musk says he will still run the software and server teams after his replacement is found. scores of flights have been delayed or cancelled in iceland because of extreme weather, leaving a large number of people stranded. it's understood more than a thousand easyjet customers, including many from the uk, are among those stranded at the country's main airport, near reykjavik. easyjet says it's doing everything it can to get people to their destinations for christmas.

that looks really quite unpleasant weather. w' , that looks really quite unpleasant weather. , v that looks really quite unpleasant weather. , �*, ., that looks really quite unpleasant weather. , h ., weather. luckily, it's not quite so challenging _ weather. luckily, it's not quite so challenging here _ weather. luckily, it's not quite so challenging here this _ weather. luckily, it's not quite so challenging here this week. - weather. luckily, it's not quite so challenging here this week. it - weather. luckily, it's not quite so | challenging here this week. it was bad last week but things have eased a little bit. we have got the weather now with carol and another stunning image of the northern lights. absolutely, another stunning image from shetlands from one of our weather watchers. from shetlands from one of our weatherwatchers. for from shetlands from one of our weather watchers. for the next few days generally speaking it is going to be mild, cold over the christmas weekend, initially from the north, that will sweep south, and some of us are going to see some rain. we are starting with rain this morning, two bands heading south—east across england and wales, and you can see all of the rain, showery rain coming in across northern and western scotland and also northern ireland. some of this has been heavy and thundering through the night. the rain in england and wales will continue to slowly push south—east

through the rest of the day, and we can see a lot of showers continuing across scotland and northern ireland. some wintry but mostly over the mountains in scotland. in between, some dry conditions, windy, gales across parts of the north—west, and windy in western areas. it was so cold in iceland but we have got seven to 11 degrees so mild compared especially to last week. the low pressure driving our weather drift east overnight so the showers will fade and the wind will drop but a new system comes into the south introducing thicker cloud and rain, and generally murky conditions. wind is picking up across southern counties in the english channel, not a particularly cold night compared to of late. tomorrow we have cloud and rain and drizzle eventually easing as we go through the morning, murky conditions. later, another band of rain comes into southern areas. as

we push further north, what we are looking at is a bit more sunshine, more cloud across the north of scotland with fewer showers than today and these are our temperatures. i know you are going to ask me about a white christmas, jon as we go through this morning. no, no! i jon as we go through this morning. no, no! ., no, no! iwill leave it there, then. you can if— no, no! iwill leave it there, then. you can if you _ no, no! iwill leave it there, then. you can if you like. _ no, no! iwill leave it there, then. you can if you like. now _ no, no! iwill leave it there, then. you can if you like. now i - no, no! iwill leave it there, then. you can if you like. now i have - you can if you like. now i have started l— you can if you like. now i have started i have _ you can if you like. now i have started i have to _ you can if you like. now i have started i have to finish! - you can if you like. now i have started i have to finish! for. started i have to finish! for christmas day, if you are after a white christmas, it is going to be mostly across northern scotland are mostly across northern scotland are mostly on the heels although later on the date we could see snow in lower levels. in northern ireland there is a small chance of seeing a little bit of wintriness at lower levels but still a lot to play for. it is turning colder. hat levels but still a lot to play for. it is turning colder.— it is turning colder. not quite iceland here. _ it is turning colder. not quite iceland here. carol— it is turning colder. not quite iceland here. carol has - it is turning colder. not quite | iceland here. carol has totally it is turning colder. not quite - iceland here. carol has totally got our iceland here. carol has totally got your number. _ iceland here. carol has totally got your number, jon. _ iceland here. carol has totally got your number, jon. we _ iceland here. carol has totally got your number, jon. we will - iceland here. carol has totally got your number, jon. we will see - iceland here. carol has totally got| your number, jon. we will see you later, your number, jon. we will see you later. thank— your number, jon. we will see you later, thank you, _ your number, jon. we will see you later, thank you, carol. _ the home office has acknowledged that it was holding up to 500 asylum

seekers illegally in early november. internal emails obtained by the bbc in a freedom of information request reveal details about several centres across the country including manston, the migrant processing facility in kent. police are investigating allegations that a home office official assaulted an asylum seeker at manston, as vinnie 0'dowd reports. this man spent 2a days in manston. today we hear his allegations of assault by a home office official. translation: he put his arm around my neck to the extent| that i couldn't breathe. we can reveal that police are investigating the allegation at the holding facility in kent. 0fficers came in. we had no idea that they are coming to attack and beat us. and we've obtained exclusive evidence that the home office has detained asylum seekers illegally at centres that were used as overflow from manston. ahmed, not his real name, arrived by boat. he fled his country out of fear of persecution. he told us about his

2a days in manston. he says the overcrowded conditions stripped him and others of their dignity. we were treated like animals. there was only two toilets and showerfor 120 people in our tent. we slept on cardboard. the centre was holding 4,000 migrants, more than double than it was designed for. ahmed and others started a sitdown protest, but things didn't end there. what did the immigration officers do to you? i was crying out while underneath him. i used whatever strength i had to remove his arm from choking me. when i removed his hands, he pushed me and ifell backwards onto someone else. the same officer grabbed my head and used his knee to bash my head in and broke my nose. from this point onward, i lost consciousness. the bbc has learned that kent police is investigating ahmed's allegations, and the home office has started

an internal investigation and have told the bbc that ahmed's story does not match their understanding of events. a home office spokesperson said... ahmed was released from manston on october 31st. at the time, the management of the centre was under intense scrutiny. the week he was released, the home secretary visited, arriving by military helicopter. that same week, a critical incident was declared at harmondsworth immigration detention facility. there was a power blackout and the staff had lost operational control. the prison service's national tactical response group were deployed to assist. internal home office communications,

obtained by the bbc under freedom of information, show officials in chaos on the evening of friday, 4th of november. internal dialogue was fraught. an official at the home office outlined contingency plans if harmondsworth was evacuated. they wrote that 500 people who had arrived by boat were being detained illegally, some for many weeks, at facilities like harmondsworth. the email says that there was no reason to detain the people any longer. it urged home office colleagues to remove them to hotels asap. the home office said... a home office employee is being investigated by police for an alleged assault. but for those who were illegally detained, some may want redress. vinnie 0'dowd, bbc news.

let's take a look at today's papers. the story dominating the front pages today is ambulance strikes. the daily telegraph leads with a piece written by the health secretary steve barclay who's criticised ambulance unions saying "they've made a conscious choice to inflict harm on patients" by taking industrial action. we will be talking to him later on the programme. the front page also shows a picture of soldiers practising carrying a patient up a flight of stairs. the times shows a different picture of a member of the armed forces in training — this time to drive an ambulance. the paper's headline is about the public being urged to avoid taking risks such as making "unneccesaryjourneys" or getting drunk, as

health strikes continue. "don't have fun", says the sun as it also reports the warning to avoid injury amid what the paper describes as "unions crippling" the nhs. and the daily express is leading with a different strike story, this time about the royal mail. the paper claims six in ten letters have still not been delivered after almost two weeks. it comes as postal strikes continue later this week. during christmas card season. there's been a big increase in the number of pubs, restaurants and cafes unable to pay their bills due to soaring energy costs. just when they were hoping for the trade the most. nina is taking a look at this for us. this is supposed to be a golden period for hospitality firms, they look forward to this three months to get in through the next rest of the year but we are learning that many are having to close down. it's been a really tough few years for hospitality

firms in particular. first we had the lockdowns. then staff shortages. now energy prices are sky high. the hospitality sector is really important for our economy. it employs around 1.8 million people and generates more than £40 billion a year. but many venues are now struggling. they can no longer cope with ever—rising costs for energy and supplies. 331 cafes, bars and restaurants filed for insolvency last month. essentially they can't pay their bills. that's a big 57% increase compared to the same time last year. and more than 60% higher than in november 2019just before the pandemic. businesses are trying all sorts of things to keep going. my colleague noor nanji has been to see how one pub plans to survive. the drinks are flowing at the barn pub near rugby, but it might be an early night. it's shutting at 8pm tonight instead of ten. one of a range of measures it's taking to keep going. we start off seven days a week cos we thought it was important to be

open continuously so that people could just pop in. but then, sadly, that didn't happen so we were busy predominantly thursday to sunday. so we've reflected that by closing our kitchen monday, tuesday, wednesday, and thenjust staying open as normal for the weekends. if no—one's come in, etc, our staff have got the choice, if they know there's no regulars coming in, that they can close early because at the end of the day it does cost quite a bit of money to keep this building heated, etc. we're all used to popping into our local pub at any time of day and ordering a drink or some food. but for pubs like this one, the cost of staying open all day are rising. many pubs also don't have enough staff to keep the doors open. the barn pub is not alone. a new survey from the british beer and pub association, seen by the bbc, found 86% of pubs are considering reducing trading hours over the winter. 85% are considering closing completely on one or two days of the week. it's warned that more

support is needed. 0therwise, many more businesses will be forced to close, notjust temporarily, but for good. the government says it has introduced measures to help hospitality firms, including with energy bills, although a decision on extending that support will now not be made until the new year. it's also introduced relief on business rates and extended a freeze on alcohol duty. back at the barn pub customers understand why it's having to change its hours. it's very sad, really, for both the customer and for the, you know, the people that work here that provide excellent service, etc. i understand why they're doing it, but you need a place to meet up.| you need to get out, you need i to participate with other people. for now, the message is clear — get your last orders in early here. noor nanji, bbc news. businesses are currently getting help with energy bills. the government says its energy bill relief scheme means some businesses are paying less than half the actual

wholesale cost for energy this winter. but it comes at a cost to the taxpayer of £18 billion and ends in march. the federation of small businesses says unless that help is extended, more than 40% of hospitality firms would have no choice but to close, downsize or restructure. the government had promised to announce how it plans to keep supporting businesses before the end of the year. but we now know that announcement has been delayed until the new year. it's clearly a very worrying time for those running or employed by hospitality businesses. i think you look back over lockdown, it was so impressive the way that hospitality sector adapted to the various tear systems, so such a shame to go under at this point. the reality is we had more than 300 closing by insolvency in november, and if you look at the new year, the

household disposable income and the diminishing amount of money and things that go first are treated like going out for dinner. we will have more on the ambulance strike and how that might affect you. time now to get the news, travel and weather where you are. good morning from bbc london. i'm thomas magill. more on the ambulance strikes and the armed forces will drive some of the capital's ambulances today ahead of the walkout. the dispute over pay involves the three main unions — unison, gmb and unite — and bosses say today's action will affect non—life threatening calls only. if you think you have a life—threatening emergency, please continue to phone 999. if you think you have an emergency which isn't life—threatening, then start by using 111 online, if that doesn't give you the answer you require, then please phone 111.

health and social care secretary steve barclay said his number one priority is "to keep patients safe" and warned the public to "take extra care and plan your activities accordingly". and bus drivers in london have announced they will stage a fresh wave of strikes in a long running dispute over their pay. unite members at abellio in south and west london will walk out for 11 days in late december and throughout january starting on christmas eve. sadiq khan will stand for labour's mayoralty for a third time in 2024 after being reselected by the party. mr khan, who was first elected to the post in 2016, said he was "so proud" that the party and trade unions had "put theirfaith" in him. if he wins the election he will become the first london mayor to serve three terms in office. let's take a look at the tubes now. the bakerloo line is partly closed

until next week and there are minor delays on the hammersmith and city line. the 0verground is also partly closed and the piccadilly line has severe delays between kings cross and cockfosters. now onto the weather with sar thornton. morning to you. a colder start this morning across london and the south—east than we've seen the last couple of days. low single figures in some of our suburbs. dry at first, but we've got cloud and rain pushing in from the west through the next few hours. skirting off towards the east later, we will see some late brightness potentially towards the west, especially the further north you are. temperatures at best low double figures. again, above average for the time of year. then overnight tonight, we try and see a clearance of the cloud for a time, but we've got another frontal system out towards the south and west that's going to try and push more cloud our way. it's not quite as chilly a start tomorrow morning, but really, it's just the next conveyor belt of systems actually, whichjust keeps bringing us outbreaks of rain and mild air

until we get through until the end of the weekend it looks like. there is some colder airfurther north. it is trying to push our way but really, for us, it won't make it until the start of the new working week next week, so for the time being, outbreaks of rain. some heavy rain around on friday morning, for instance. some dry weather at the weekend. not colder until next week. that's it for now. much more on our website and over on bbc radio london, especially on the ambulance strikes and how they're expected to affect the capital. i'll be back in half an hour but for now it's back tojon and sally. hello, this is breakfast withjon kay and sally nugent. just withjon kay and sally nugent. after 6:30. back to our top story now, as ambulance workers in parts of england and wales go on strike today in a dispute over pay. the staggered action from three unions started at midnight across wales, the west midlands and the north of england. in the last half hour,

that was extended to the east midlands and the south, except for the isle of wight. at midday, ambulance workers and paramedics in london will also join the strike. so what's the advice if you are hurt or need treatment? the nhs is advising only patients who are seriously ill or injured, or whose lives are in danger to call 999. for all other health care needs, the advice is to contact nhs 11! online or via the nhs 11! helpline. alternatively, you could also contact your local gp or pharmacy. last night, on the eve of the strike action, several ambulance services declared critical incidents in response to "huge pressure". 0ur correspondent mark norman has been looking at the situation in the south east. the southeast coast ambulance service is already struggling to respond to both 999 and 111 calls. and yet now it has to deal with both

a significant increase in demand and hundreds of its staff going out on strike. despite military personnel being drafted in to help, the nhs is so worried it says it can't guarantee patient safety. jill's husband recently had a fall. he had to wait hours for an ambulance and she is worried about the effect it will have on other patients. my husband had felt faint and gone down in the shower room for i believe in total it was probably about five—and—a—half hours before the ambulance came. i can't believe what it would be like without the ambulance. i mean, i was just so fraught. paramedics are paid an average of around £35,000 a year. but for the union's pay, conditions, and the stress of the job are all reasons for concern. the union and secam have agreed certain calls such as some elderly fallers, paediatric and maternity emergencies, some road accidents

and time—critical stroke and cardiac calls could lead to striking staff leaving the picket line to respond. but nhs managers are planning for the worst while hoping for the best. what we want to say to people is during the ambulance strike, if you need care for a life threatening serious illness, please come forward as usual and we are making the best preparations we can in order to keep people safe. hospitals are creating as much spare space as they can ahead of the strike, and the aim there is that when people are brought to hospital by ambulance, they will be able to get them into the hospital and free up that ambulance to get back out on the road as quickly as possible. the strike raises significant concerns about patient safety, both on the day, but also subsequently, in case people are reluctant to call an ambulance and become more seriously ill by delaying that call. that was mark norman reporting.

the level of disruption during today's ambulance strike varies depending on where you live. we were just checking now. it depends within your local area. you can use the interactive tool on the bbc website to find out which unions are on strike at your local ambulance service. visit the bbc news website for more details. ambulance workers from three different unions — gmb, unite and unison — are taking part in today's coordinated strikes. we're joined now by rachel harrison, gmb union public services national secretary. good morning to you. i'm going to start if i may with steve barclay, the health secretary, who's been writing in the daily telegraph, is article published this morning, i'm sure you've seen this already, he says, "unions are made a conscious choice to inflict harm on patients.

" is that correct?— choice to inflict harm on patients. " is that correct? good morning, no, it's not correct _ " is that correct? good morning, no, it's not correct at _ " is that correct? good morning, no, it's not correct at all— " is that correct? good morning, no, it's not correct at all and _ " is that correct? good morning, no, it's not correct at all and it's - it's not correct at all and it's actually quite insulting to our members, nhs workers, who get up, go to work every day and put patient safety first. they are the ones who are feeling physically prevented on are feeling physically prevented on a day—to—day basis from being able to do theirjobs so it's really insulting that the secretary of state has said that. they've not taken the decision to take strike action lightly. they feel they've been forced into this position because year after year, the government have failed to listen to them. do government have failed to listen to them. , ., government have failed to listen to them. ,, ,, government have failed to listen to them. i. ,, , ., them. do you think there is a possibility — them. do you think there is a possibility today _ them. do you think there is a possibility today there - them. do you think there is a possibility today there will. them. do you think there is a possibility today there will be them. do you think there is a - possibility today there will be harm to patients? the possibility today there will be harm to atients? ,., possibility today there will be harm to patients?— to patients? the sad reality is that atients to patients? the sad reality is that patients are _ to patients? the sad reality is that patients are being _ to patients? the sad reality is that patients are being harmed - to patients? the sad reality is that patients are being harmed every i patients are being harmed every single day and that's when we are not on strike. association of ambulance chief executives themselves report that the

increasing numbers of handover delays and waiting times is leading to harm for patients and deaths, so that happening when we are not on strike and it's issues like that which is forced our members into this position. taste which is forced our members into this position-— which is forced our members into this position. we know, don't we, unions met _ this position. we know, don't we, unions met with _ this position. we know, don't we, unions met with steve _ this position. we know, don't we, unions met with steve barclay - unions met with steve barclay yesterday but no agreement was reached. he said a hugely valid the work of the nhs staff but the union demands are unaffordable during these challenging times. where is these challenging times. where is the room for negotiation? tudor; these challenging times. where is the room for negotiation? today he's refused to speak _ the room for negotiation? today he's refused to speak to _ the room for negotiation? today he's refused to speak to us _ the room for negotiation? today he's refused to speak to us about - the room for negotiation? today he's refused to speak to us about pay - the room for negotiation? today he's refused to speak to us about pay so i refused to speak to us about pay so there is no negotiation and that is our key issue here. he keeps repeating that our demands are and unaffordable bodies failed to make is on offer and what he thinks is reasonable. what we've asked for is a significant increase in pay but also a commitment towards restoring also a commitment towards restoring a decade of lost earnings and an immediate down payment towards that restoration and, as of yet, he's

refused to make us an offer. any offer that we receive we will take back to our members and they will decide whether that's a good offer, but he's so far failed to make as any offer whether he deems that to be affordable or not. find any offer whether he deems that to be affordable or not.— be affordable or not. and what is a reasonable — be affordable or not. and what is a reasonable increase _ be affordable or not. and what is a reasonable increase in _ be affordable or not. and what is a reasonable increase in pay? - be affordable or not. and what is a reasonable increase in pay? that l reasonable increase in pay? that will be for _ reasonable increase in pay? that will be for our _ reasonable increase in pay? trust will be for our members to decide. what we are asking of steve barclay as he comes to the table, he listens to our concerns, he looks a real terms losses our members and faced, and he makes is a serious offer on pay that our members can consider. there is a suggestion that the unions might be open to talking about the possibility of a one—off payment, you mentioned there. to try and cope with the rising cost of living. what are your thoughts around that? what would your members say to that? $5 a around that? what would your members sa to that? . , ., around that? what would your members sa to that? . , . ., around that? what would your members sa to that? a . ., ., around that? what would your members sa tothat? ., ., say to that? as a part of our pay submission _ say to that? as a part of our pay submission earlier _ say to that? as a part of our pay submission earlier this - say to that? as a part of our pay submission earlier this year, - say to that? as a part of our pay submission earlier this year, we | submission earlier this year, we asked for this commitment towards restoring a decade of lost earnings and for some of our members, that's

thousands and thousands of pounds in real terms losses. for the average ambulance worker, its 13% in real terms that they've lost in their pay packets. so what we are wanting is a commitment towards returning their salaries to what they should have been had they kept pace with inflation and an immediate down payment towards that. ldistort! inflation and an immediate down payment towards that.— inflation and an immediate down payment towards that. word a pay deal for next _ payment towards that. word a pay deal for next year, _ payment towards that. word a pay deal for next year, delayed - payment towards that. word a pay deal for next year, delayed a - payment towards that. word a pay| deal for next year, delayed a deal, be a way out of this crisis? latent be a way out of this crisis? next ears be a way out of this crisis? next years pay _ be a way out of this crisis? next years pay deal— be a way out of this crisis? next years pay deal is _ be a way out of this crisis? next years pay deal is already - be a way out of this crisis? iiirll years pay deal is already going to be delayed. the government have insisted on the pay review body process again. they have served a remit to the prb that basically talks of any pay increase for next year having to come out of existing trust budgets and we know trusts are already struggling financially. and they've already delayed so the next pay award is due in april. the prb don't need to make their report back to government until april. that means that, come the 1st of april,

the lowest paid in the nhs will once again fall below the national living wage so we are seeing is not good enough and it's one of the reasons gmb is refusing to engage with the pay review body process this year. we don't think it's currently fit for purpose and we think the government have used the process to hide behind, recognising and valuing the true worth of our nhs workers. here we are, breakfast time on a wednesday morning, the last few days before christmas, people have been advised not to take any extra risks today, not to travel unless they really have to, because of the ambulance strike. what would you say to members of the public who are watching this morning who want you to get back around the table under any situation with any terms of negotiation with the health secretary and at least start talking today? i secretary and at least start talking toda ? , , ., ~ secretary and at least start talking toda ? , , ., ,, ., today? i will speak to the government, _ today? i will speak to the government, to - today? i will speak to the government, to the - today? i will speak to the - government, to the secretary of state, to anybody that can help us find a resolution to this dispute. and i will go into those talks

today. it is not me, it's not the gmb, and it is not the other health unions refusing to talk about pay. it is this government that are refusing to talk about pay, so we are here and ready to talk. 0ur are here and ready to talk. our members do not want to take this action. they have been forced into this position, so my message back to the government is our door as well and truly open and it's within their power to stop this dispute at any time. ~ ., , power to stop this dispute at any time. ~ , ., power to stop this dispute at any time. ~ ._ ., , ., time. we will relay that message to the health secretary _ time. we will relay that message to the health secretary steve - time. we will relay that message to the health secretary steve barclay. the health secretary steve barclay just after 7:30 this morning but for now, rachel, thank you very much indeed. you know that fairy tale, the princess and the pea? she can't sleep because there is a tiny pea in her bed. where are we going with this? somebody had a bad night last night. rather more than a pea. he had a giant heavy golden trophy he's always longed for. at least he made it to bed. did he get any sleep? not a lot by the pictures we've seen

from argentina, but that's an amazing picture, isn't it? one of lionel messi's instagram posts is the most liked post ever on instagram already. 70 million likes. that pretty well for him. universally liked, i think it's fair to say and are very happy man with his world cup trophy. we brought you the pictures of argentina's world cup winnning team stepping off the plane back home and embarking on an open—top bus parade in buenos aires yesterday. a planned eight hourjourney. this is what happened next. well the team ended up having to take to the skies again. this was part of the 20 mile planned journey, an estimated four million fans taking to the streets including around the iconic obelisk which is where the parade should have finished but security forces worried about the safety of players decided. the final part of the parade should be completed in a helicopter. videos on social media appeared to show fans jumping onto the team bus when it went under a bridge at one point with reports one fan fell off. hence the players taking to the skies. a government spokesperson said, "it was impossible to continue on the ground due

to the explosion ofjoy". incredible scenes there. back here to domestic football. there was a dramatic game in the scottish premiership as rangers somehow came from behind to beat aberdeen 3—2 and it was all thanks to scott arfield. the glasgow side were trailing 2—1 in stoppage time but the midfielder scored twice in two minutes to give them victory. it means new manager michael beale has won both of his games in charge but his side still trail champions celtic by six points. they play livingston this evening. there were wins for newcastle, leicester, southampton and wolves in the english league cup last night. but the game of the fourth round is tomorrow with holders liverpool travelling to the etihad to face manchester city. both clubs have said they are "fully committed to dealing with unacceptable behaviours" following trouble at their recent games. after they met last month with fans groups, the clubs have sent a letter to supporters asking them to report any incidents "that cause harm". brentford striker ivan toney has been charged by the fa

with a further 30 alleged breaches of betting rules. last month he was charged with 232 alleged breaches. toney has scored ten premier league goals this season but narrowly missed out on a place in the england world cup squad. players who signed up to the controversial saudi backed liv golf series will be allowed to play at the masters at augusta next april. liv players have been suspended from the pga tour, and there had been a huge question mark over whether they'd be allowed to play in the four major championships. but officials at augusta say the focus of the masters is to bring together a pre—eminent field of golfers and that eligible liv players will be able to take part. we've seen some big tennis retirements this year — ash barty, serena williams, roger federer. now andy murray says he reckons he's one big injury away from calling time on his career following his two hip surgeries across the last four years. the 35 year old's had a disappointing 2022 but says he's currently in the best shape he's been in for some time,

and will be playing at the battle of the brits exhibition series againstjack draper there on your right. the �*scotland versus england' event starts today in aberdeen. murray will then team up with his brotherjamie — who organised the event — to take onjoe salisbury and neal skupski in the doubles. if i was to have a big injury, you know, i would probably not try to come back from that. but if my body is in good shape, and i'm still able to compete consistently on the tour, then, yeah, i'll keep playing. as long as i'm able to do that, if i feel like i can still be competitive, with the best players, and i'm still able to play in the biggest events, then i'll try to do that. there will be no fairy tale run at the pdc world darts championships for fallon sherrock this year after she was beaten in the first round by ricky evans. sherrock was nicknamed the "queen of the palace" after becoming the first woman to win two consecutive matches at the event in 2019. and this year's winner of the bbc

sports personality of the year will be announced tonight. the six contenders are gymnast jessica gadirova, england footballer beth mead, curling's eve muirhead, snooker player ronnie 0'sullivan, cricketer ben stokes and athlete jake wightman. voting will be open during the show that's on bbc one from 6.45 this evening. we are not used to necessarily quite having it done this way. but you can tonight make your call on that show full is one of those six will be the winner later on in the programme will get a tiny sneak preview of the red carpet, aren't we? i'm going to put my trainers on and run to the next studio hopefully. that's what's happening. i'm going to have a little look around. you might end up getting nominated if you run fast

enough. incredibly unlikely! i don't think so. i don't think anybody would vote for me. thank you very much indeed. here's carol with a look at this morning's weather. another lovely rainbow picture? yes, indeed, and sally, you would definitely get my vote by the way. for the next few days generally speaking it's going to be mild but there is rain for some of us. what's happening at the moment is we've got two bands of rain sinking southwards and some more rain coming in across the north and the west. as we go through the course of the day, we will see a few showers in the north and the west. some of those wintry above 600 metres and windy as well. for northern ireland, still a few showers for you but for england and wales, you can see the progress the rain is taking as it pushes southwards. but behind it, it will brighten up, some sunshine around as well, and eventually, that rain clears away from kent and east anglia. so we are left with a largely dry day. showers continuing in the north and west and here too its going to be windy compared to

it's going to be windy compared to last week. it's quite mild, 6—11. through the evening and overnight, some clear skies. some rain coming in from the south—west, pushing northward and eastward, but as a low pressure moves across the north of the country, the showers will tend to ease and so will the wind. these are overnight lows, 5—11. as we head through tomorrow, the cloud in the rain will also ease through the course of the day. it will be misty and murky for a time and then later in the day, the next band of rain shows its hand coming up from the south. pushing to the north, we will see some sunny breaks, a bit more cloud across the north of scotland, and one or two showers but not as frequent as today and our temperatures, for— 11. as we head into the christmas weekend, the highest chance of seeing a white christmas will be in the north of scotland. late in the day, some of that wintriness at lower levels here but through the christmas weekend, it's going to turn colder for us all and if you want to find out more

don't forget the bbc weather app. you get my vote too, carol. thank you. more than 300,000 families across britain could be forced into homelessness next year, according to the charity crisis. some are already facing the prospect of sleeping rough over the christmas period, so the charity has opened three hotels in london to support them. tim muffett is at a hotel in hyde park for us this morning. the tree is up, the sparkles are on and i guess a lot of hope there that this is a solution for a while? that's right, good morning to you both. the christmas tree looks lovely but christmas is a difficult time if you are struggling and you don't have a home, especially so. many councils across the uk have reported a rise in homelessness compared to the same time last year. so the charity crisis has taken over

three hotels in london to give 400 people who would be sleeping rough a bed, a hot meal and somewhere to stay for a couple of weeks. there's also a number of other centres across the uk as well, thousands of people it's thought will be cared for in some way, shape or form this christmas. when they arrived here, they will be given a welcome pack. and also a nice hot cup of tea as well, and then meals as they stay here. what many people say with homelessness is the suddenness with which someone's life can be turned upside down. so yesterday i met a guy called charlie and he explained to me how circumstances beyond his control have transformed his life. it changes your life completely. for over ten years, i didn't have anywhere fixed to live. temporary shelters, hostels, sometimes on the street. charlie spent the past decade living in many places,

but never in his own home. a relationship broke down. he can't work because he has ms, a degenerative condition that can affect the brain and spinal cord. you have multiple sclerosis. what impact does that have on your life? i only have a finite amount of energy. with the ms, it completely destroys me. when it started to get worse, i couldn't even pick up a glass of water. so it wasn't easy for me, you know, thatjust... not having my own front door, you know. yeah. two weeks ago, charly finally moved into permanent accommodation. but christmas is a difficult time.

in previous years, he's relied on venues opening their doors to those in need and the volunteers who run them. no—one has a connection to the area they're in if they're homeless. if they're homeless, they've lost all of their connections. they've lost their family. they've lost everything. having somebody to actually be with you at christmas, it's not evenjust the meal. it's the time of the year and the emotions that go with that. do you think some people don't realise how close so many people are to a situation like yours? everyone's one step away from it. nobody's exempt. it's not just crisis at christmas. it's crisis all year round.

i'm so pleased to say he does now have permanent accommodation, but you could hearjust what in effect homelessness has had on him. let's chat to the ceo of crisis. why do this and what is the ultimate aim apart from a short—term fix? the apart from a short-term fix? the reason we _ apart from a short-term fix? the reason we do _ apart from a short-term fix? the reason we do this _ apart from a short—term fix? the reason we do this is because homelessness is sadly still with us. we do _ homelessness is sadly still with us. we do see — homelessness is sadly still with us. we do see an increase in rough sleeping — we do see an increase in rough sleeping and other forms of homelessness and people are coming to us at— homelessness and people are coming to us at the _ homelessness and people are coming to us at the sharp end of the cost of living — to us at the sharp end of the cost of living crisis saying they are in an emergency, and we do it like this because _ an emergency, and we do it like this because it _ an emergency, and we do it like this because it works. we know when you bring _ because it works. we know when you bring people into the safety and dignity— bring people into the safety and dignity of their own room with specialist help into getting people into housing long term, you can turn people's— into housing long term, you can turn people's lives around and that's much _ people's lives around and that's much better than a form of accommodation where you are sleeping cheek by— accommodation where you are sleeping cheek byjowl with other people. in cheek byjowl with other people. previous cheek byjowl with other people. in previous years, do you know cheek byjowl with other people. i“! previous years, do you know some people don't go back to the streets having stayed here for a couple of weeks? ., , having stayed here for a couple of weeks? . , , . ., having stayed here for a couple of weeks? ., , ., ., ., , weeks? last year when we ran hotels in london, weeks? last year when we ran hotels in london. 7596 _ weeks? last year when we ran hotels in london, 7596 left— weeks? last year when we ran hotels in london, 7596 left rough _ weeks? last year when we ran hotels in london, 7596 left rough sleeping i in london, 75% left rough sleeping behind _ in london, 75% left rough sleeping behind for— in london, 75% left rough sleeping behind for good and that's why we do

it this _ behind for good and that's why we do it this year— behind for good and that's why we do it this year and we will extend the hotel— it this year and we will extend the hotel provision to the end of january— hotel provision to the end of january for some people that need that help _ january for some people that need that help a little bit longer. why are we seeing — that help a little bit longer. why are we seeing this _ that help a little bit longer. “tarry are we seeing this increase that help a little bit longer. long are we seeing this increase in homelessness? so many councils are saying it's happened. we homelessness? so many councils are saying it's happened.— saying it's happened. we are seeing this because — saying it's happened. we are seeing this because frankly _ saying it's happened. we are seeing this because frankly rent _ saying it's happened. we are seeing this because frankly rent has - saying it's happened. we are seeing this because frankly rent has gone l this because frankly rent has gone up this because frankly rent has gone up really. — this because frankly rent has gone up really, really fast and people's ability— up really, really fast and people's ability to— up really, really fast and people's ability to pay rent has not gone up particularly housing benefit has been _ particularly housing benefit has been frozen for three years. so the people _ been frozen for three years. so the people on— been frozen for three years. so the people on the lowest incomes are those _ people on the lowest incomes are those least able to afford their rent. _ those least able to afford their rent. so — those least able to afford their rent, so that's the main reason we are seeing — rent, so that's the main reason we are seeing homelessness going up and ”p are seeing homelessness going up and up and _ are seeing homelessness going up and up and people coming to us in shock saying _ up and people coming to us in shock saying i_ up and people coming to us in shock saying i never thought this would happen— saying i never thought this would happen to me. help, what can i do? so we— happen to me. help, what can i do? so we are— happen to me. help, what can i do? so we are running these hotels and day centres — so we are running these hotels and day centres and services right across — day centres and services right across britain to help as many people — across britain to help as many people as _ across britain to help as many people as possible.— across britain to help as many people as possible. thanks ever so much indeed _ people as possible. thanks ever so much indeed and _ people as possible. thanks ever so much indeed and it's _ people as possible. thanks ever so much indeed and it's certainly - people as possible. thanks ever so much indeed and it's certainly a - much indeed and it's certainly a warm welcome and there will be cups of tea and meals as well and let's keep our fingers crossed the people who do come you don't have to go back to the streets and it does improve their lives. thanks ever so much indeed. we heard from matt and

many people said the swiftness with which people's lives can change, thatis which people's lives can change, that is what takes many people by surprise. it is hoped that for those who are fortunate enough to be sleeping rough, this will begin the process of turning there's lives around in a more positive way —— unfortunate enough. around in a more positive way -- unfortunate enough.— around in a more positive way -- unfortunate enough. indeed. thank ou ve unfortunate enough. indeed. thank you very much _ unfortunate enough. indeed. thank you very much indeed _ unfortunate enough. indeed. thank you very much indeed and - unfortunate enough. indeed. thank you very much indeed and well - unfortunate enough. indeed. thank| you very much indeed and well done to everybody helping there. much more coming up on the programme in the next hour. time now to get the news, travel and weather where you are. good morning from bbc london, i'm thomas magill. the army will step in and drive some of the london's ambulances today as thousands of workers walk out in a planned strike. the dispute over pay involves the three main unions, unison, gmb and unite. the chief executive of the london ambulance service daniel elkeles says it'll be a really difficult day but they will be able to respond to critical situations. if you think you have

a life—threatening emergency, please continue to phone 999. if you think you have an emergency which isn't life—threatening, then start by using 111 online, if that doesn't give you the answer you require, then please phone 111. and bus drivers in london have announced they will stage a fresh wave of strikes in a long running dispute over pay. unite members at abellio in south and west london will walk out for 11 days in late december and throughout january starting on christmas eve. sadiq khan will stand for labour's mayoral candidate for a third time in 2024 after being reselected by the party. mr khan, who was first elected to the post in 2016, said he was "so proud" that the party and trade unions had "put theirfaith" in him. if he wins the election he will become the first london mayor to serve three terms in office. let's take a look at the tubes now. the bakerloo line is partly closed

until next week with no service between queens park and harrow & wealdstone. there are minor delays on the hammersmith and city line. the 0verground is also partly closed with no service between euston and watford junction. the piccadilly line has minor delays between arnos grove and cockfosters. now onto the weather with sara thornton. morning to you. a colder start this morning across london and the south—east than we've seen the last couple of days. low single figures in some of our suburbs. dry at first, but we've got cloud and rain pushing in from the west through the next few hours. skirting off towards the east later, we will see some late brightness potentially towards the west, especially the further north you are. temperatures at best low double figures. again, above average for the time of year. then overnight tonight, we try and see a clearance of the cloud for a time, but we've got another frontal system out towards the south and west that's going to try and push more cloud our way. it's not quite as chilly a start

tomorrow morning, but really, it's just the next conveyor belt of systems actually, whichjust keeps bringing us outbreaks of rain and mild air until we get through until the end of the weekend it looks like. there is some colder airfurther north. it is trying to push our way but really, for us, it won't make it until the start of the new working week next week, so for the time being, outbreaks of rain. some heavy rain around on friday morning, for instance. some dry weather at the weekend. not colder until next week. that's it for now. much more on our website and over on bbc radio london especially on the ambulance strikes and how they're expected to affect the capital. i'll be back in half an hour but for now it's back tojon and sally.

good morning, welcome to breakfast withjon kay and sally nugent. 0ur headlines today. ambulance workers go on strike as nhs bosses warn they cannot guarantee patient safety but emergency care will be provided. the health secretary says unions have made a choice to inflict harm on patients, but unions say the government will be to blame if people die. ukrainian president zelensky is travelling to washington today, his first foreign trip since war broke out with russia. argentina's world cup winners

abandon their open—top bus parade in buenos aires. as millions come out to celebrate their world cup success, the players are forced to take to the skies. excuse me. death in paradise at christmas. the murder mystery series is back and actor don warrington joins us on the sofa later. we have got bands of rain pushing south—east across england and wales, they will clear and then it is a day of sunshine and showers, most in the north and west. it's going to be mild today but turning cooler over the festive weekend. all of the details later in the programme. it's wednesday 21st december. our main story. ambulance workers in england and wales are on strike today in a dispute over pay. there's likely to be major disruption — with paramedics, call handlers,

emergency care assistants and technicians all taking part in the industrial action. this is the scene in coventry this morning where ambulance workers have begun their strike action. nhs leaders have warned that patient safety can't be guaranteed, and have advised to only call 999 if it's a life—threatening emergency. health secretary steve barclay says, "ambulance unions have made a conscious choice to inflict harm on patients." 750 armed forces staff are being drafted in as cover, however their role will be limited. the level of disruption will vary depending on where you live. scotland and northern ireland are not affected, but all of wales will be impacted and everywhere in england, apart from the eastern region and the isle of wight. 0ur health correspondent jim reed has been taking a look at the pressure facing a&e departments. the largest, most widespread

ambulance strike in decades has gone ahead after there was no last minute breakthrough in talks. the staggered action from three unions started at midnight across wales, the west midlands and the north of england. at 6am it was extended to the east midlands and the south, except the isle of wight. at midday, paramedics in london willjoin the strike. ambulance staff say the dispute is about pay, which hasn't kept up with inflation, but also patient safety. it's been one of the most difficult decisions ambulance workers have had to make. the current context we work in sees delays that have caused significant patient harm, and nobody who works for the ambulance service wants to add to that harm or increase that risk. ambulance services are already under intense pressure. here in gloucester this week, long queues of vehicles were waiting to unload patients

because there was no space inside the hospital to treat them. that same problem has driven up response times across the country, with most of the services in england declaring critical incidents this week. both the government and some managers in the health service are concerned the strikes could increase the risk to patients. ambulance unions say the most serious, life—threatening callouts should not be affected. they should go ahead as usual. but other services are very likely to see some disruption. the impact will vary by region. the most serious category one calls, such as someone not breathing or in cardiac arrest, will be responded to, as should some category two calls like strokes or serious burns. but other urgent problems like a woman in late stage labour or an elderly person falling in their home might not be answered. this is going to be quite a difficult period. and there may be some delays to people but we'll make sure that those people who need the interventions in a time critical period get that time critical

care that they need. you drive first, all right, you get round there. the government says 600 troops have been trained to step in and drive ambulances, although they're not allowed to treat patients or use blue lights. i call on the trade unions to act responsibly. they've said that they will provide life threatening cover, that they will provide emergency cover. it's essential that they do so to protect patients. paramedics accept patient safety may be affected, but say strike action is still justified. we are going to do our utmost to limit the effect that they have not taken the decision to take strike action lightly. they feel they have been forced into this position because year after year, the government have failed to listen to them. ambulance staff in northern ireland also went on strike last week. while in scotland a new pay offer has just been rejected by one union,

but a strike has not yet been called. the message today then is still to use 999 if there's a life—threatening emergency. but in some other urgent cases, expect a longer wait for help. jim reed, bbc news. the level of disruption during today's ambulance strike varies depending on where you live. you can use the interactive tool on the bbc website to find out which unions are on strike at your local ambulance service. visit the bbc news website for more details. throughout the morning we'll bring you the latest from areas where strike action is taking place today. first let's speak to our wales correspondent tomas morgan who is in cardiff. tomos, what's the situation there right now? tomos, what's the situation there riaht now? ., ., tomos, what's the situation there right now?— tomos, what's the situation there riaht now? ., ., g ., right now? you mentioned there, jon, it is different — right now? you mentioned there, jon, it is different across _ right now? you mentioned there, jon, it is different across the _ right now? you mentioned there, jon, it is different across the country. - it is different across the country.

in wales it is just gmb union members who are striking today, who make up about a quarter of the staff who work for the welsh ambulance service here. the issues are very similar across the board as we have been hearing, earlier in that piece. and yesterday with the nurses strike, it was to do with pay, workload and people actually on the ground able to do theirjob. in the last set of figures in wales which came in october, usually the red calls make up 15% of all of the urgent calls but only half of them were reached within eight minutes because of the demand and pressure is on thatjob. let's go to nathan, paramedic and gmb union member. can i ask you to begin with, when you hear comments from the health minister in london, health is devolved here, but ministers in london saying that paramedics are putting lives at risk, what is your response? putting lives at risk, what is your resonse? putting lives at risk, what is your response?— putting lives at risk, what is your resonse? , , , , response? our response is, he needs to wake u- response? our response is, he needs to wake op because _ response? our response is, he needs to wake up because it _ response? our response is, he needs to wake up because it is _ response? our response is, he needs to wake up because it is not - response? our response is, he needs to wake up because it is not as - response? our response is, he needs to wake up because it is not as that i to wake up because it is not as that is putting _ to wake up because it is not as that is putting lives at risk, he is the one putting lives at risk, and he

has been — one putting lives at risk, and he has been doing that for ten years. this is— has been doing that for ten years. this is ridiculous. we are not putting — this is ridiculous. we are not putting lives at risk, he is under funding — putting lives at risk, he is under funding the nhs. it firmly lies in his hands— funding the nhs. it firmly lies in his hands on. the funding the nhs. it firmly lies in his hands on.— his hands on. the welsh nhs is funded majority _ his hands on. the welsh nhs is funded majority from _ his hands on. the welsh nhs is i funded majority from westminster his hands on. the welsh nhs is - funded majority from westminster so it does have an effect here. practically, tell us briefly, how have things got to this point, why are things so difficult now? the reason things _ are things so difficult now? the reason things have got to this point is over— reason things have got to this point is over the — reason things have got to this point is over the last ten years, austerity— is over the last ten years, austerity measures in place and ambulance staff have had a pay decrease — ambulance staff have had a pay decrease by 20 to 25%. that's a huge amount _ decrease by 20 to 25%. that's a huge amount. with this 4% pay rise that's been _ amount. with this 4% pay rise that's been imposed on nhs workers, that is in effect _ been imposed on nhs workers, that is in effect an— been imposed on nhs workers, that is in effect an extra 8% pay cut. so we are going _ in effect an extra 8% pay cut. so we are going into the 30% levels and we have got— are going into the 30% levels and we have got to _ are going into the 30% levels and we have got to recuperate some of that money _ have got to recuperate some of that money. they cannot afford to do this any more _ money. they cannot afford to do this any more. people are having to use food banks— any more. people are having to use food banks to survive, feed their

children — food banks to survive, feed their children. they are losing their homes — children. they are losing their homes. there is even a point where some _ homes. there is even a point where some of— homes. there is even a point where some of them cannot even get to work because _ some of them cannot even get to work because they cannot afford to put fuel in— because they cannot afford to put fuel in the — because they cannot afford to put fuel in the car to get here. he is putting — fuel in the car to get here. he is putting lives at risk, not us. thank ou, putting lives at risk, not us. thank you. nathan- _ putting lives at risk, not us. thank you, nathan. the _ putting lives at risk, not us. thank you, nathan. the military - involvement in wales is completely different, they may be helping behind—the—scenes but there will be no military in wales driving ambulances or anything like that over the strike period which ends in wales at midnight.— over the strike period which ends in wales at midnight. in coventry, union members of the west midlands ambulance service have begun their strike action. katharine da costa is there for us this morning. what is the latest, katharine? the strike he what is the latest, katharine? tie: strike he started at 6am, it's running until 6pm. 0thers strike he started at 6am, it's running until 6pm. others around the country are lasting 24 hours. these workers are workers from the unite union, one of three years taking part in coordinated strike action across england and wales today. even with contingency plans in place, the nhs is expecting widespread

disruption. eight out of ten ambulance trusts in england had already declared critical incidents before today �*s strikes. it's going to be a difficult day. let's talk to a couple of people on the picket line, can you describe the morale and the feeling among some of colleagues?— and the feeling among some of colleauues? ., ., . ,, ., and the feeling among some of colleauues? ., ., ., ,, ., , colleagues? today we are keen to put our voice forward, _ colleagues? today we are keen to put our voice forward, show _ colleagues? today we are keen to put our voice forward, show how- colleagues? today we are keen to put our voice forward, show how we - colleagues? today we are keen to put our voice forward, show how we feel, | our voice forward, show how we feel, protesting _ our voice forward, show how we feel, protesting against the government. it's protesting against the government. it's not _ protesting against the government. it's not a _ protesting against the government. it's not a strike against the ambulance service, our management commits— ambulance service, our management commits the government who need to listen _ commits the government who need to listen to— commits the government who need to listen to us, _ commits the government who need to listen to us, really. morale generally is very low in the ambulance service, have worked really _ ambulance service, have worked really hard through covid, we are understaffed, we just need things to change _ understaffed, we just need things to change for— understaffed, we just need things to change for the better. we understaffed, we just need things to change for the better.— change for the better. we have seen some ambulances _ change for the better. we have seen some ambulances with _ change for the better. we have seen some ambulances with blue - change for the better. we have seen some ambulances with blue lights i some ambulances with blue lights leaving the station this morning. what do you say to people at home worried that they might need an ambulance but it might not arrive? we are covering high priority calls today. lode we are covering high priority calls toda . ~ , , ., today. we will be responding to “obs. it today. we will be responding to jobs- it will— today. we will be responding to jobs. it will not _

today. we will be responding to jobs. it will not be _ today. we will be responding to jobs. it will not be a _ today. we will be responding to jobs. it will not be a sense - today. we will be responding to jobs. it will not be a sense that| jobs. it will not be a sense that patients— jobs. it will not be a sense that patients will— jobs. it will not be a sense that patients will be _ jobs. it will not be a sense that patients will be left _ jobs. it will not be a sense that patients will be left without - jobs. it will not be a sense thatj patients will be left without us. obviously. _ patients will be left without us. obviously. we _ patients will be left without us. obviously, we are _ patients will be left without us. obviously, we are apologising i patients will be left without us. i obviously, we are apologising to patients— obviously, we are apologising to patients from _ obviously, we are apologising to patients from the _ obviously, we are apologising to patients from the get _ obviously, we are apologising to patients from the get go - obviously, we are apologising to patients from the get go as - obviously, we are apologising to| patients from the get go as there obviously, we are apologising to i patients from the get go as there is a weight— patients from the get go as there is a weight unfortunately. _ patients from the get go as there is a weight unfortunately. that - patients from the get go as there is a weight unfortunately. that has i a weight unfortunately. that has been _ a weight unfortunately. that has been felt — a weight unfortunately. that has been felt from _ a weight unfortunately. that has been felt from the _ a weight unfortunately. that has been felt from the minute - a weight unfortunately. that has been felt from the minute they. been felt from the minute they dialled — been felt from the minute they dialled 999 _ been felt from the minute they dialled 999 even _ been felt from the minute they dialled 999 even just _ been felt from the minute they dialled 999 even just to - been felt from the minute they dialled 999 even just to get . been felt from the minute they- dialled 999 even just to get through to us _ dialled 999 even 'ust to get through to us. . . dialled 999 even 'ust to get through to us. , , ., dialled 999 even 'ust to get through tous. , ., , dialled 999 even 'ust to get through tous. ,., , to us. the message is to use 999 onl in to us. the message is to use 999 only in life _ to us. the message is to use 999 only in life threatening _ only in life threatening emergencies. if it is not life—threatening, then you should call 111, well, try at 111 online first, and then thrown 111 and gps and pharmacies are operating as usual. . .. and pharmacies are operating as usual. . ~' , ., and pharmacies are operating as usual. . ,, , ., ., ., and pharmacies are operating as usual. . ~' , ., . . . usual. thank you, katharine. we will be speaking — usual. thank you, katharine. we will be speaking to _ usual. thank you, katharine. we will be speaking to the _ usual. thank you, katharine. we will be speaking to the health _ usual. thank you, katharine. we will be speaking to the health secretaryl be speaking to the health secretary steve buckley in the next half an hour. let's speak now to matthew taylor, chief executive of the nhs confederation, which represents health managers. good morning to you. we had there from some of the striking ambulance staff that they say that there will be a response and some cover. i'm

sure there will be people watching this morning who say, if a loved one has a full today, or is involved in a car crash, or goes into labour and there are complications, how worried should they be right now? first there are complications, how worried should they be right now?— should they be right now? first of all i want should they be right now? first of all i want to _ should they be right now? first of all i want to thank _ should they be right now? first of all i want to thank you _ should they be right now? first of all i want to thank you for - should they be right now? first of all i want to thank you for the - should they be right now? first of| all i want to thank you for the work the bbc is doing to inform people of the bbc is doing to inform people of the fact that this strike is impacting different ways in different parts of the country. secondly, as a representative of the leaders of the nhs, i want to encourage our colleagues in the ambulance service and the trade unions to as they can through today's industrial action to try to minimise patient harm. but these strikes come on top of the fact that we are already in a challenging situation. in most parts of the country, the ambulance services well away from meeting its targets to its response to this category to cases,

so not life—threatening but very urgent critical cases. this strike could not be happening at a worse time because of the pressure is the nhs faces. that's why yesterday, in a message to the prime minister, and again today, we are appealing to both sides to try to find a way of coming to the table and avoiding further industrial action. because it's notjust about further industrial action. because it's not just about the further industrial action. because it's notjust about the impact today, which could be substantial, it's also about that every time this industrial action takes place, it has all sorts of knock—on effect. we have already seen thousands of operations cancelled as a result of the action taken by nurses so we cannot afford to drift into a winter of industrial action. that cannot afford to drift into a winter of industrial action.— of industrial action. that letter that he wrote _ of industrial action. that letter that he wrote yesterday -- - of industrial action. that letter| that he wrote yesterday -- you of industrial action. that letter- that he wrote yesterday -- you wrote that he wrote yesterday —— you wrote yesterday, in which you said there is deep worry about the level of harm and risk that could occur to patients today during the strike from nhs leaders. i don't think i have ever known you as an organisation use language like that. you have deep worry, but how worried

should our viewers be today? it is should our viewers be today? it is im ortant should our viewers be today? it is important to _ should our viewers be today? it is important to say, _ should our viewers be today? it 3 important to say, as you have just said, that if you have a life—threatening emergency, you must call 999 and the trade unions have made absolutely clear they will respond to those. also the higher end of the category two calls, the trade unions have now agreed to respond to those. if you think that you need 909 services, —— 999 services, call them out and they will come to you. otherwise, we have the 111 service, the nhs app which is very useful, primary care and pharmacy services are available. the public should not panic, no services are there. and even if we had no strikes, which still would have a workforce crisis in the nhs and taking twice as long as we want to to respond to category two calls. we

need both sides to separate from the rhetoric and stepped forward to the negotiating table.— negotiating table. interesting that ou sa negotiating table. interesting that you say that _ negotiating table. interesting that you say that they _ negotiating table. interesting that you say that they will _ negotiating table. interesting that you say that they will respond - negotiating table. interesting that you say that they will respond to i you say that they will respond to the higher end of category two calls. the trouble is, for those of us outside the nhs terminology and the technical talk, we don't really know what is a category one and a category two, or a high or low end category two, or a high or low end category two, or a high or low end category two, we are wondering if an ambulance will come if our loved ones will beat it. so what does that mean, higher end? == ones will beat it. so what does that mean, higher end?— mean, higher end? -- will need it. the service — mean, higher end? -- will need it. the service is _ mean, higher end? -- will need it. the service is provided _ mean, higher end? -- will need it. the service is provided by - mean, higher end? -- will need it. the service is provided by 999 - mean, higher end? -- will need it. the service is provided by 999 and | the service is provided by 999 and 111 such that if you call because you worried you are in a life—threatening situation, they will advise you on the situation on the response that is going to be made. if in doubt, then call those services if you think that you or a loved one is in a situation where your life is at risk. it is always the case that we will say to people, don't call 999 if you don't think

you are in that situation because the ambulance service is always under pressure. just as we say don't walk into an emergency department if you don't have a genuine emergency because that is what primary care services are there to do. language bein: services are there to do. language being used — services are there to do. language being used on _ services are there to do. language being used on both _ services are there to do. language being used on both sides - services are there to do. language being used on both sides this - being used on both sides this morning, the health secretary steve buckley has written an article in the telegraph which he says the unions have made a conscious choice to inflict harm on patients. the gmb union's national secretary has said this morning on breakfast that she regards that language is shameful. these two sides seem further apart than ever this morning, is that how you read it?— than ever this morning, is that how you read it? that's precisely why we said we what — you read it? that's precisely why we said we what we _ you read it? that's precisely why we said we what we said _ you read it? that's precisely why we said we what we said yesterday. - you read it? that's precisely why we said we what we said yesterday. it l said we what we said yesterday. it is not a tone we would normally adopt. our leaders take enormous pride in the fact that we can cope with almost anything thrown at us as we did in covid. so for my leaders to say that there is a real risk of harm to patients, and that they are

extremely concerned, it's not something that we do lightly. it's because we wanted to say, i understand the trade union position, i understand what they say about the decline in pay and working conditions and morale in the health service. as somebody who used to work in government, i understand the government's concerns, i understand they are dealing with issues on multiple fronts and they are worried about the economy and public sending. —— public spending. but we have got to find a pragmatic way of getting you the next few months. i believe that in next year, with falling inflation and early responses from a work —— the pay review body, we might have a more benign situation. the plea for the nhs leaders to secretary of state ernst trade unions is, this is the worst possible time for trade union action to be taken place. so please leave no stone unturned in trying to find a way of trying to avoid

further industrial action. because every further industrial action causes harm and risk and built up all sorts of other challenges through the cancellation of operations, for example. the nhs takes great pride in the fact that we have more or less got rid of the amount of people waiting two months of operations are making progress towards those wetting —— waited 18 months but those targets will slip if this industrial action continues. thank you very much. ukrainian president zelensky is visiting washington today to meet president biden, on his first foreign trip since the russian invasion of ukraine. our correspondent, hugo bachega is in kyiv for us this morning. what more can you tell us about this visit to the white house? goad visit to the white house? good mornin: , visit to the white house? good morning, sally. _ visit to the white house? good morning, sally. this _ visit to the white house? good morning, sally. this is - visit to the white house? good morning, sally. this is a - visit to the white house? good morning, sally. this is a very l morning, sally. this is a very significant trip because the us is obviously the ukrainian, it is ukraine's most important ally. this is also the first foreign trip by president zelensky since the

beginning of the war. we have confirmation this visit is happening, and the white house has said that biden administration will announce a package of military assistance and i think the headline is that finally the us will announce that it is that finally the us will announce thatitis is that finally the us will announce that it is going to send patriot missiles to the ukrainians. this is a system, an air defence system that the ukrainians have been calling for for some time. they say they need this technology to protect cities from those russian air strikes. also today, president biden is expected today, president biden is expected to address congress, and i think we can expect him to make the case for more aid. some republicans have been criticising the level of support that has been given by the us to ukraine so a very important speech by president zelensky later today. obviously this visit happens as russia continues to attack this country's essential infrastructure

and leaving millions of people without electricity, heating and water. last night we had a warning from the prime minister here who said that ukraine should expect more attacks because russia wanted the country to spend christmas and the new year in the darkness.- new year in the darkness. hugo, thank you _ new year in the darkness. hugo, thank you very — new year in the darkness. hugo, thank you very much, _ new year in the darkness. hugo, thank you very much, live - new year in the darkness. hugo, thank you very much, live in - new year in the darkness. hugo, j thank you very much, live in kyiv this morning. the family of a security contractor who died after being injured in a crush at brixton 02 academy have paid tribute, describing them as "selfless". gaby hutchinson was working at afrobeats artist asake's concert last thursday when a large number of people stormed the venue. the 23—year—old died in hospital on monday. gaby�*s family said "losing our beautiful gaby is a pain that can't compare. " members of the scottish parliament will reconvene this afternoon to try to complete their debate on plans to make it easier to change gender legally. the scottish government says the legislation will ensure

dignity for trans people. but critics describe it as a threat to women and girls. our scotland correspondent lorna gordon is in holyrood this morning. lorna, this is a complicated, divisive debate, isn't it? it lorna, this is a complicated, divisive debate, isn't it? it really is, jon. divisive debate, isn't it? it really is. jon- it's— divisive debate, isn't it? it really is. jon- it's a _ divisive debate, isn't it? it really is, jon. it's a very _ divisive debate, isn't it? it really is, jon. it's a very controversial. is, jon. it's a very controversial debate, as evidenced by the responses to a second scottish government consultation on the issue. the only thing that united there's people responding was the fact that they all agreed that the debate has been extremely toxic, especially in the online arena. the scottish government wants to simplify and speed up the process by which a person can change their gender. they say they want to remove legislative, legal, medical, administrative hurdles to make that process easier for people. because

at the moment for instance a person wanting to change their gender had to have a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria, they have to live in the acquired gender for at least two years. the scottish government wants to lower the age limit from 18 to 16, and also speed up the time as well that they have to live in their acquired gender. opponents, particularly women's groups, some women's groups and some religious groups, are opposed to these changes. they say have left safeguarding concerns and concerns that predatory men might take advantage of the new legislation. one of the most vocal opponents has beenjk one of the most vocal opponents has been jk rowling. one of the most vocal opponents has beenjk rowling. nicola sturgeon says transgender rights and women's rights do not have to be in conflict. the vote is likely to pass but it's not yet clear whether it will be delayed because their 150 amendments to the debate and they are only part way through the process so far.—

are only part way through the process so far. are only part way through the rocess so far. ., ,, , ., , . process so far. thank you very much, lorna. here's carol with a look at this morning's weather. some beautiful lights. aren't they just? good aren't theyjust? good morning, this is glasgow city centre sent in by one of our weather watchers, thank you for sending in all of your lovely weather watcher pictures as always. we have two bands of rain pushing south eastwards, they will be slow to clear, quite a bit of cloud around, they will later on. a few showers peppering south—west england and wales, a few in midlands but a lot of dry weather. these showers crossing the borders and across northern england and southern scotland, they are currently heavy with showers in northern ireland and other parts of scotland especially in west, some notjust every they are thundery. in the north and west today we have the windiest conditions, especially the north—west itself. in between these showers there will be some sunshine and these are the temperatures. seven to about 11 degrees. as we

head in the evening and overnight, low—pressure driving our weather moves from the north—west and heads towards the north sea. the showers and winds will ease across the north of scotland. we do have rain coming in across england and wales, pushing northwards and also eastwards. it's not going to be a particularly cold night compared to what some of us have been used to of late. tomorrow it will be murky around this band of rain, there will be a lot of cloud with it. it will slowly ease as it pushes towards the east but the cloud will build in southern areas as the next band of rain arrives. move north of the band of rain for the rest of the uk, there will be sunshine, more cloud across the north of scotland with fewer showers, six in lerwick to 12 in plymouth. thank you, talk to you soon. if you thought dinosaurs eating mammals was only seen in hollywood movies, then think again, as scientists may have uncovered the first known incident of exactly that. palaeontologists in the uk have analysed fossil remains from around

120 million years ago, which show a small dinosaur with the foot of another animal inside its ribcage. bill sellers, a professor in natural science at the university of manchester is here to tell us more. it sounds a bit grim, but that is fascinating. bill, you have got the bestjumper we have seen all week! you have even got a dinosaurjumper on. we welcome that. t you have even got a dinosaur “umper on. we welcome that you have even got a dinosaurjumper on. we welcome that.- how. on. we welcome that. i have! how siunificant on. we welcome that. i have! how significant is _ on. we welcome that. i have! how significant is that _ on. we welcome that. i have! how significant is that discovery? - on. we welcome that. i have! how significant is that discovery? it's i significant is that discovery? it's an amazing _ significant is that discovery? it�*s an amazing thing, because although these are meat—eating dinosaurs, and they have got to be eating something, it'sjust unusual they have got to be eating something, it's just unusual and unheard of, almost, to find the remains of what something is eating in its stomach. until you do that, you cannot put your hand on heart and say, these guys at this kind of thing. so it's hugely important. 50 thing. so it's hugely important. so what kind of thing is it that it was eating, ?

what kind of thing is it that it was eating,? lode what kind of thing is it that it was eatin: ,? ~ . . .. what kind of thing is it that it was eatin,?. . . ~ . what kind of thing is it that it was eatinu,?. . . ~ . . eating,? we are talking about a small dinosaur— eating,? we are talking about a small dinosaur called _ eating,? we are talking about a small dinosaur called a - eating,? we are talking about a i small dinosaur called a microraptor and inside it the foot of an early mammal. so from a foot, you can tell it's a mammal because mammals eat are quite characteristic. but we couldn't tell you exactly what mammal it was.— couldn't tell you exactly what mammal it was. lets see this icture, mammal it was. lets see this picture. what _ mammal it was. lets see this picture, what can _ mammal it was. lets see this picture, what can we - mammal it was. lets see this picture, what can we see, - mammal it was. lets see this| picture, what can we see, that mammal it was. lets see this i picture, what can we see, that is that? ,., picture, what can we see, that is that?_ yes? - picture, what can we see, that is that?_ yes? five - picture, what can we see, that is i that?_ yes? five digits, that? the bones? yes? five digits, ou can that? the bones? yes? five digits, you can see — that? the bones? yes? five digits, you can see the _ that? the bones? yes? five digits, you can see the toes _ that? the bones? yes? five digits, you can see the toes and _ that? the bones? yes? five digits, you can see the toes and the - that? the bones? yes? five digits, you can see the toes and the foot l you can see the toes and the foot bones. that little lump at the end of the ankle bone. it's a complete mammalian foot that this little dinosaur obviously just, mammalian foot that this little dinosaur obviouslyjust, you know, he chowed down on it on some point. what's really cool if these particular dinosaurs have been seen to eat other things. we know that they ate things like birds and things like lizards and so forth. so it starts to tell a seller about their ecology, what they were like when they were alive. these unique fossils give us a little window into what the animals were really doing.

otherwise they are just bone sitting there. and we want more than that, we want to bring these things in life. it's these beautiful little bits of evidence, the last meal that this animal took before it died, it's this little mammal.- this animal took before it died, it's this little mammal. what does it's this little mammal. what does it chan . e it's this little mammal. what does it change about _ it's this little mammal. what does it change about other— it's this little mammal. what does it change about other dinosaurs, l it change about other dinosaurs, what we might be able to guess about other dinosaurs? this is thejoy what we might be able to guess about other dinosaurs? this is the joy of this, we are constantly learning new things all the time. t this, we are constantly learning new things all the time.— things all the time. i think like this, i things all the time. i think like this. i guess — things all the time. i think like this, i guess it's _ things all the time. i think like this, i guess it's not _ things all the time. i think like this, i guess it's not so - this, i guess it's not so surprising. they have got to eat something and there are lots of little mammals around. but it does show that we can start to say a little bit more about these guys. what's really interesting about this one is what we don't know is whether it caught the mammal or not, or whether this was a carrion. these are about the size of crows, they are about the size of crows, they are dinosaurs but not birds. they are dinosaurs but not birds. they are often reconstructed as perhaps

they are scavengers, they could fly but they are not birds. this particular group of dinosaurs are feathered and this one has four wings. so it's a completely bizarre thing. two wings on four legs, and feathery hind wings which can also use to fly. so it is a crazy mix. trying to understand what its biology is like is just amazing. and it couldn't fly very well, either. even with four wings? it it couldn't fly very well, either. even with four wings?- even with four wings? it was robabl even with four wings? it was probably a — even with four wings? it was probably a glider. _ even with four wings? it was probably a glider. so - even with four wings? it was probably a glider. so it - even with four wings? it was probably a glider. so it lived| even with four wings? it was l probably a glider. so it lived in the trees. that's the other thing we can tell from the foot, because it's a foot, there is information about how the and —— animal lived. this is probably not a tree living mammal, it was probably a ground mammal. it was probably on the ground. so you have got a birdlike dinosaur that probably came down onto the ground to find the piece of food, eat it up. and suddenly we can put a

picture, we now know an awful lot about this microraptor more than we knew before. lode about this microraptor more than we knew before-— knew before. we have got a representation _ knew before. we have got a representation of _ knew before. we have got a representation of the - knew before. we have got a representation of the leg i knew before. we have got a - representation of the leg hanging out of its mouth. it looks like something out of the gruffalo. it’s something out of the gruffalo. it's not that something out of the gruffalo. it�*s not that big, it is the size of a crow. t not that big, it is the size of a crow. . ., not that big, it is the size of a crow. , ., ., ., ., _, crow. i still would not want to come across it! it — crow. i still would not want to come across it! it is _ crow. i still would not want to come across it! it is still— crow. i still would not want to come across it! it is still gary! _ crow. i still would not want to come across it! it is still gary! and - crow. i still would not want to come across it! it is still gary! and it - across it! it is still gary! and it is not t. across it! it is still gary! and it is got t- -- — across it! it is still gary! and it is gott- -- it— across it! it is still gary! and it is got t. -- it is _ across it! it is still gary! and it is got t. -- it is still _ across it! it is still gary! and it is got t. -- it is still scary! - across it! it is still gary! and it is got t. -- it is still scary! it l is got t. -- it is still scary! it has got _ is got t. -- it is still scary! it has got teeth. _ is got t. -- it is still scary! it has got teeth. you _ is got t. -- it is still scary! it has got teeth. you are - is got t. -- it is still scary! it has got teeth. you are not i is got t. -- it is still scary! it - has got teeth. you are not helping! and there were _ has got teeth. you are not helping! and there were bigger _ has got teeth. you are not helping! and there were bigger ones. - has got teeth. you are not helping! and there were bigger ones. this i has got teeth. you are not helping! j and there were bigger ones. this is quite a small animal. there were much larger ones. these are closely related to the velociraptor from jurassic park which are much larger, but feathery. the big mistake in jurassic park is all of the dinosaurs were scaly. we now know that all of those ones that they

were featuring would have been properly completely feathered. so the understanding of dinosaurs is getting on. we are really starting to see what they were like. tt to see what they were like. it sounds a bit like a turkey, maybe i'm just getting too christmassy? ads, i'm just getting too christmassy? little bit smaller than a turkey. but in a lot of ways, turkeys are happy to eat small mammals, they are ground living birds, satiny wild ones. —— certainly wild ones. the irony of the bird access to eating the mammal ancestor around christmas, it's swapping around! tt christmas, it's swapping around! it is, isn't it? bill, this is fascinating! and you definitely win jumper— fascinating! and you definitely win jumper of— fascinating! and you definitely win jumper of the day. you have won the best outfit _ jumper of the day. you have won the best outfit so far today.— best outfit so far today. well, we have not best outfit so far today. well, we have got another— best outfit so far today. well, we have got another hour _ best outfit so far today. well, we have got another hour and - best outfit so far today. well, we have got another hour and three | have got another hour and three quarters. lovely to see you. find quarters. lovely to see you. and eve one quarters. lovely to see you. and everyone has — quarters. lovely to see you. and everyone has said _ quarters. lovely to see you. and everyone has said to me this morning i everyone has said to me this morning i have _ everyone has said to me this morning i have come _ everyone has said to me this morning i have come dressed as santa. time now to get the news, travel and weather where you are.

good morning from bbc london. i'm thomas magill. more on the ambulance strikes, and in london, the army will step in and drive some of the capital's ambulances. the dispute over pay involves the three main unions — unison, gmb and unite. the chief executive of the london ambulance service daniel elkeles says it'll be a really difficult day but they will be able to respond to critical situations. if you think you have a life—threatening emergency, please continue to phone 999. if you think you have an emergency which isn't life—threatening, then start by using 111 online, if that doesn't give you the answer you require, then please phone 111. and bus drivers in london have announced they will stage a fresh wave of strikes in a long running dispute over pay. unite members at abellio in south

and west london will walk out for 11 days in late december and throughout january starting on christmas eve. the family of gaby hutchinson, the second person to die after being injured in a crush at brixton 02 academy, have paid tribute, describing them as "selfless". the security guard was working at the venue last thursday when a large number of people stormed a concert taking place there. the 23—year—old died in hospital on monday. gaby�*s family said, "losing our beautiful gaby is a pain that can't compare. " let's take a look at the tubes now. the bakerloo line is partly closed until next week with no service between queens park and harrow & wealdstone. thejubilee line has minor delays and the 0verground is also partly closed with no service between euston and watford junction. now onto the weather with sara thornton. morning to you. a colder start this morning

across london and the south—east than we've seen the last couple of days. low single figures in some of our suburbs. dry at first, but we've got cloud and rain pushing in from the west through the next few hours. skirting off towards the east later, we will see some late brightness potentially towards the west, especially the further north you are. temperatures at best low double figures. again, above average for the time of year. then overnight tonight, we try and see a clearance of the cloud for a time, but we've got another frontal system out towards the south and west that's going to try and push more cloud our way. it's not quite as chilly a start tomorrow morning, but really, it's just the next conveyor belt of systems actually, whichjust keeps bringing us outbreaks of rain and mild air until we get through until the end of the weekend it looks like. there is some colder airfurther north. it is trying to push our way but really, for us, it won't make it until the start of the new working week next week, so for the time being, outbreaks of rain. some heavy rain around on friday morning, for instance. some dry weather at the weekend. not colder until next week.

that's it for now. much more on our website and over on bbc radio london, especially on the ambulance strikes and how they're expected to affect the capital. i'll be back in an hour. now it's back tojohn and sally. hello, this is breakfast withjon kay and sally nugent. just after 7:30, wednesday morning. everyone is being asked to use ambulance services "wisely" and only call 999 in a life—threatening emergency during today's strike in england and wales. it's the day of the ambulance strike in england and wales. eight out of the 10 major ambulance services in england have declared critical incidents — a sign of the intense pressure they are already under. sharon barbour is in newcastle this morning.

we will speak to steve barclay live on breakfast for a couple of minutes. sharon, on a picket line, what's the mood like among the striking staff? the what's the mood like among the striking staff?— what's the mood like among the striking staff? the mood is pretty rim. the striking staff? the mood is pretty grim. the paramedics _ striking staff? the mood is pretty grim. the paramedics we - striking staff? the mood is pretty grim. the paramedics we have i striking staff? the mood is pretty i grim. the paramedics we have been speaking to are very conflicted about the strike but on the critical incident occurred by the north east ambulance service, it's the first time ever they had declared a critical incident and they did it because they had 245 people waiting for an ambulance. a huge number of calls they weren't able to reach and come at the same time, 65 ambulances held up in hospital out of a fleet of 128 cruise. so really stressful moment. so that was the mood just yesterday and one of eight trusts right across england that have

declared critical incidents. of course, the nurses strike yesterday put even more pressure on the hospitals. they are full to capacity across the north, really struggling to discharge and that problem will be even greater today so even worse for ambulances queueing but what's happening with the strike? they will respond to those 999, category one calls, life—threatening calls, if there is a risk to life or limb. the risk of losing life or limb. category two calls will be responded to some times, decided by a clinical team. i'mjoined by the to some times, decided by a clinical team. i'm joined by the gmb said tell us what the strike is all about. ., ., ., about. the government have ordered the ambulance _ about. the government have ordered the ambulance crews _ about. the government have ordered the ambulance crews 496 _ about. the government have ordered the ambulance crews 496 which - about. the government have ordered the ambulance crews 496 which is - about. the government have ordered i the ambulance crews 496 which is made the ambulance crews 4% which is made never— the ambulance crews 4% which is made never cast— the ambulance crews 4% which is made never cast of— the ambulance crews 4% which is made never cast of living, without consent. _ never cast of living, without consent, especially with the energy crisis. _ consent, especially with the energy crisis. the — consent, especially with the energy crisis, the cost of living crisis, the ambulance crews deserve a better pay rise _ the ambulance crews deserve a better pay rise from the government awarded _ pay rise from the government awarded. it's also about the conditions, the length of time they sit outside —

conditions, the length of time they sit outside hospitals, up to 26 hours — sit outside hospitals, up to 26 hours we _ sit outside hospitals, up to 26 hours we had were an ambulance crew was waiting _ hours we had were an ambulance crew was waiting to hand over a patient to a hospital. | was waiting to hand over a patient to a hospital-— to a hospital. i was talking to paramedics _ to a hospital. i was talking to paramedics yesterday - to a hospital. i was talking to paramedics yesterday about . to a hospital. i was talking to - paramedics yesterday about waiting 12 hours, held shift, and jamie can have you had to wait outside hospitals?— have you had to wait outside hositals? ., , ., ., hospitals? the longest i have waited a six and a half _ hospitals? the longest i have waited a six and a half hours _ hospitals? the longest i have waited a six and a half hours with _ hospitals? the longest i have waited a six and a half hours with a - a six and a half hours with a patient _ a six and a half hours with a patient on _ a six and a half hours with a patient on the _ a six and a half hours with a patient on the back- a six and a half hours with a patient on the back of- a six and a half hours with a patient on the back of the i patient on the back of the ambulance. _ patient on the back of the ambulance.— patient on the back of the ambulance. ., ., ., ,, ., ambulance. now we are talking about ambulance. now we are talking about a sea da ambulance. now we are talking about a scary day for _ ambulance. now we are talking about a scary day for people _ ambulance. now we are talking about a scary day for people and _ ambulance. now we are talking about a scary day for people and we - ambulance. now we are talking about a scary day for people and we are - a scary day for people and we are being warned to take care. would you agree? t being warned to take care. would you auree? .. being warned to take care. would you auree? ,, , ., , being warned to take care. would you auree? ,, , ., being warned to take care. would you auree? «a ., , ,, agree? i think people are sensible enou:h to agree? i think people are sensible enough to realise _ agree? i think people are sensible enough to realise what's - agree? i think people are sensible enough to realise what's going - agree? i think people are sensible enough to realise what's going on | enough to realise what's going on today— enough to realise what's going on today and — enough to realise what's going on today and take _ enough to realise what's going on today and take responsibility- enough to realise what's going on today and take responsibility and i today and take responsibility and look after — today and take responsibility and look after themselves, _ today and take responsibility and look after themselves, but - today and take responsibility and look after themselves, but it's i today and take responsibility and i look after themselves, but it's like we've _ look after themselves, but it's like we've discussed, _ look after themselves, but it's like we've discussed, the _ look after themselves, but it's like we've discussed, the crews - look after themselves, but it's like we've discussed, the crews have i we've discussed, the crews have joined _ we've discussed, the crews have joined this— we've discussed, the crews have joined this job _ we've discussed, the crews have joined this job to _ we've discussed, the crews have joined this job to look— we've discussed, the crews have joined this job to look after- joined this job to look after patients— joined this job to look after patients and _ joined this job to look after patients and protect - joined this job to look after patients and protect and i joined this job to look after. patients and protect and will joined this job to look after- patients and protect and will go out on a life _ patients and protect and will go out on a life and — patients and protect and will go out on a life and limb: _ patients and protect and will go out on a life and limb: look— patients and protect and will go out on a life and limb: look after- patients and protect and will go out on a life and limb: look after the i on a life and limb: look after the patient _ on a life and limb: look after the patient so — on a life and limb: look after the patient so there _ on a life and limb: look after the patient so there will— on a life and limb: look after the patient so there will be - on a life and limb: look after the patient so there will be cover - on a life and limb: look after the| patient so there will be cover out there _ patient so there will be cover out there for— patient so there will be cover out there for patients. _ patient so there will be cover out there for patients.— there for patients. what is it for like four paramedics _ there for patients. what is it for like four paramedics to - there for patients. what is it for like four paramedics to be - there for patients. what is it for like four paramedics to be on i there for patients. what is it for - like four paramedics to be on picket lines? i know the paramedics believe if you get a life threatening call, but then you are back to the picket line wanting enough pay and better

conditions. what does that feel like? a ., ., ., , , like? abnormal, alien. this is in some way _ like? abnormal, alien. this is in some way i _ like? abnormal, alien. this is in some way i want _ like? abnormal, alien. this is in some way i want to _ like? abnormal, alien. this is in some way i want to be, - like? abnormal, alien. this is in some way i want to be, this - like? abnormal, alien. this is in| some way i want to be, this isn't what _ some way i want to be, this isn't what i _ some way i want to be, this isn't what i want _ some way i want to be, this isn't what i want to _ some way i want to be, this isn't what i want to do, _ some way i want to be, this isn't what i want to do, but— some way i want to be, this isn't what i want to do, but like - some way i want to be, this isn't what i want to do, but like i- some way i want to be, this isn't what i want to do, but like i say, for the _ what i want to do, but like i say, for the last— what i want to do, but like i say, for the last ten _ what i want to do, but like i say, for the last ten years, _ what i want to do, but like i say, for the last ten years, we - what i want to do, but like i say, for the last ten years, we have i for the last ten years, we have asked — for the last ten years, we have asked to — for the last ten years, we have asked to be _ for the last ten years, we have asked to be listened _ for the last ten years, we have asked to be listened to- for the last ten years, we have asked to be listened to by- for the last ten years, we have asked to be listened to by the| asked to be listened to by the government— asked to be listened to by the government and _ asked to be listened to by the government and the - asked to be listened to by the government and the doors - asked to be listened to by the i government and the doors have asked to be listened to by the - government and the doors have been closed _ government and the doors have been closed on _ government and the doors have been closed on us. — government and the doors have been closed on us. so _ government and the doors have been closed on us, so that's _ government and the doors have been closed on us, so that's why _ government and the doors have been closed on us, so that's why we - government and the doors have been closed on us, so that's why we are i closed on us, so that's why we are here _ closed on us, so that's why we are here today— closed on us, so that's why we are here today unfortunately - closed on us, so that's why we are here today unfortunately but - closed on us, so that's why we are here today unfortunately but not i here today unfortunately but not what _ here today unfortunately but not what i _ here today unfortunately but not what i want _ here today unfortunately but not what i want to _ here today unfortunately but not what i want to do. _ here today unfortunately but not what i want to do.— here today unfortunately but not what i want to do. thanks very much, jamie and stuart. _ what i want to do. thanks very much, jamie and stuart. for _ what i want to do. thanks very much, jamie and stuart. for now, _ what i want to do. thanks very much, jamie and stuart. for now, it's - what i want to do. thanks very much, jamie and stuart. for now, it's back. jamie and stuart. for now, it's back to you. jamie and stuart. for now, it's back to ou. ,, ., ., ., ,, , jamie and stuart. for now, it's back to ou. ,, ., ., . ~' , . to you. sharon, thank you very much for the back— to you. sharon, thank you very much for the back with _ to you. sharon, thank you very much for the back with you _ to you. sharon, thank you very much for the back with you later. - let's speak now to the health secretary steve barclay who joins us from westminster. good morning to you. i don't know how much of our programme you've seen this morning but we have been across the country talking to people on picket lines, talking to the nhs, the unions, and last night he wrote an article published in the telegraph this morning saying that unions, i'm quoting you directly here, have made a conscious choice to inflict harm on patients. i'm just curious why you are using those sorts of words, that sort of

language today? is it ramping up this current atmosphere to a level it wasn't at even 24 hours ago? tt it wasn't at even 24 hours ago? tit reflects a very different action we've seen from these trade unions, gmb, unite and unison, compared to what we saw from the royal college of where we agreed national exemptions in terms of what would be covered by the rcn, whereas the three union striking today have refused to work with us at a national level and insisted on only having local arrangements in terms of the coverage of life—threatening and emergency calls. and this further uncertainty on the day because some of those emergency calls, whether they respond or not, will be decided on the day in the call centres by members. of course, that makes it very difficult for nhs colleagues to plan contingency measures, working with the military, community services, first responders, in terms of how we have contingency measures alongside the

strikes. alongside that, they've chosen this time to strike, last week we saw over the course of last week we saw over the course of last week a 73% increase in the number of flu admissions to hospital. the 27% increase in covid admissions. many of your viewers have been concerned in recent weeks around strep a5 times the normal rate of prescribing antibiotics. because of concerns with strep a. and we've seen more than a third increase in the number of calls to 111. this is point with a system is already facing very significant pressure. that the point at which the trade unions have chosen to take industrial action and in doing so they haven't been willing to work with us to agree national exemptions in terms of covering all of the category one, category two, life—threatening and emergency calls. you category two, life-threatening and emergency calls-— emergency calls. you met them esterda emergency calls. you met them yesterday service _ emergency calls. you met them yesterday service been - emergency calls. you met them yesterday service been some i emergency calls. you met them i yesterday service been some level emergency calls. you met them - yesterday service been some level of work between the two sides. and they say you will not talk about pay and that's why negotiations cannot move any further. t that's why negotiations cannot move an further. . . that's why negotiations cannot move an further. ., , ,., that's why negotiations cannot move

an further. . any further. i was so concerned about the _ any further. i was so concerned about the risk _ any further. i was so concerned about the risk of _ any further. i was so concerned about the risk of uncertainty i any further. i was so concerned about the risk of uncertainty on any further. i was so concerned - about the risk of uncertainty on the day from having local arrangements and individual decisions taken in call centres by members, i met them yesterday to discuss the escalation process, because i thought it was important that we had the opportunity on the day to escalate issues where patient safety risk was materialising so that ambulance management are able to work closely with local union leaders to address those but of course, if you are calling people to respond to life threatening emergency call from the picket line, that creates further volatility as well, so that's what i was discussing with the unions, said that we can focus, my absolute focus on patient safety. lode that we can focus, my absolute focus on patient safety.— on patient safety. we already heafina on patient safety. we already hearing this _ on patient safety. we already hearing this morning - on patient safety. we already hearing this morning an - on patient safety. we already i hearing this morning an incident on patient safety. we already - hearing this morning an incident on the m62 at the moment, westbound, carriageways blocked after a collision, we know there will be various things happening all through the day across the country today, who was responsible for any deaths which happen today?— which happen today? well, it is the trade unions _ which happen today? well, it is the trade unions taking _ which happen today? well, it is the

trade unions taking the _ which happen today? well, it is the trade unions taking the strike - trade unions taking the strike action at a point of maximum pressure for the nhs and come in doing so, are not giving an undertaking to cover all of life—threatening and emergency responses. life-threatening and emergency responses-— responses. forgive me for interrupting _ responses. forgive me for interrupting because - responses. forgive me for interrupting because we i responses. forgive me for- interrupting because we haven't got a lot of time at the unison boss has said it is absolutely the governments fault if people died during today's strike. the government _ during today's strike. the government is _ during today's strike. tie: government is investing more in the nhs, reflecting the significant pressure we face as a result of the pandemic, an extra £6.6 billion into the nhs every autumn statement, and a further £7.5 billion of investment into social care for the biggest ever investment of any government into social care and one of the reasons we did that is because we had listened to paramedics who said actually a bigger frustration for them and indeed when i was talking to paramedics on sunday evening in the east of england, the big issue for them was their frustration around handover delays into hospitals and we know that is predominantly caused by those in

hospital who are fit to discharge but unable to leave because of lack of social care packages and that's why the chancellor targeted social care, put an extra £7.5 billion into that over the next two years, to buy a further £200,000 care packages to relieve that pressure notjust on hospitals, but in particular on ambulance handover delays, so we are investing more in the nhs come investing more in the nhs come investing more in social care, and investing more in social care, and in terms of pay we have accepted in full the recommendations of what is an independent pay review process and that, of course, comes on top of our prioritisation of the nhs last year when the rest of the public sector had a pay freeze and we recognise the nhs had been under particular strain and that's why the nhs got 3% when many other people faced a penalty. it's about being fair to other workers as well. let’s fair to other workers as well. let's talk about the _ fair to other workers as well. let's talk about the pay _ fair to other workers as well. let's talk about the pay review, - talk about the pay review, independent of course, the parameters of it is set by the government, the people on it set by the government, and the unions would

say is not entirely independent. t say is not entirely independent. i think that's unfair to many of say is not entirely independent. t think that's unfair to many of the people, the academics, trade union representation, on those committees, and it's a long established process that governments look at these issues through pay review bodies, very long—standing process that's been done in government and it draws widely from academia, economists, from trade unions, from business, in terms of the people that sit on those bodies and indeed, when in the past the government hasn't always accepted in full the recommendations on programmes like this minister have been criticised for not doing so, so we have accepted those recommendations in full and it comes on top of the extra 3% that was awarded last year, but we also need to focus investment on patients. we recognise the nhs is under significant pressure and that's what the chancellor did in the autumn statement, an extra £6.6 billion invested into the nhs, and that record funding into social care which actually is one of the ways we

get some flow into our hospitals and address the handover delays that is address the handover delays that is a cause of significant frustration to many paramedics. do a cause of significant frustration to many paramedics.— a cause of significant frustration to many paramedics. do you know what's really _ to many paramedics. do you know what's really interesting _ to many paramedics. do you know what's really interesting what - what's really interesting what you're saying, i saw what you posted yesterday about the current stance on the strikes, nurses, paramedics, and the responses to that post we really interesting because you suggested people might be at risk today, the overwhelming response from nhs staff was that they found people are at risk already, at risk because the nhs is underfunded. yes, they want to talk about pay, but they want to talk about pay, but they say they are concerned about patient care. it's an interesting point, you say there is no more money, but at the moment people in this country are also, prices are going up because of the war in ukraine, prices are going up because of the theresa may budget earlier this year, sorry the liz truss budget earlier this year, so how do you know people don't want to pay a little bit more to contribute a little bit more to contribute a little bit more for nurses and paramedics pay?—

paramedics pay? people are contributing _ paramedics pay? people are contributing more _ paramedics pay? people are contributing more because i paramedics pay? people are - contributing more because that's why we put an extra £6.6 billion of funding into the autumn statement into the nhs. 0f funding into the autumn statement into the nhs. of course, tax is at a 70 year high and many of our viewers are facing pressures from cost of living for reasons you've just said, in terms of food inflation, and energy costs and the wider costs of inflation and that's why it is important as a government we focus on getting inflation down, the most important thing we can do to support people with the cost of living, but we have actually recognised that the nhs is under pressure and that's why in the autumn statement notwithstanding the many pressures the chancellor was under, he actually chose to prioritise the health system and the education system. those were the two areas he prioritised above all else and put the extra money, 6.6 billion into the extra money, 6.6 billion into the nhs and also recognised you can click on the nhs in isolation without addressing social care. i was at a care home yesterday looking at the fantastic work they do in

part avoiding people coming into hospital, in terms of giving them care in the care home so we need to look at how social care together, that's what we did in the autumn statement, and people are paying more towards the nhs as a result. really briefly if you can come what should people do today, modify their behaviour? just should people do today, modify their behaviour? . . should people do today, modify their behaviour? , , _, ., behaviour? just use their common sense, behaviour? just use their common sense. the — behaviour? just use their common sense, the system _ behaviour? just use their common sense, the system will— behaviour? just use their common sense, the system will be - behaviour? just use their common sense, the system will be under. sense, the system will be under significant pressure today and if people can see that, in terms of the fact of the trade unions are not covering all of the urgent calls can become very serious, so we say to people to have that in mind in terms of when they consider what activities they do today. stephen barcla , activities they do today. stephen barclay. thank — activities they do today. stephen barclay, thank you _ activities they do today. stephen barclay, thank you very - activities they do today. stephen barclay, thank you very much i activities they do today. stephen - barclay, thank you very much indeed. we need to check in with carol who has the weather for us for the next couple of days. good morning. good morning to you. i want to start by showing you this fabulous picture of the northern lights which are out last night in north—east scotland, this was taken in bray in the shetland islands. as we go through the next few days, generally

speaking, it is going to remain mild and turn colder on christmas day and then into boxing day. there's also some rain in the forecast, at times some rain in the forecast, at times some heavy, especially on friday, but this morning, two bands of rain heading southwards across england and wales. also some rain coming in turning showery but the showers are still heavy and they have been thundery this morning, as well, as across scotland and northern ireland. you can see the mild day in the south and parts of the north where we had clear skies and it's been colder overnight. this is also where we are going to the lion's share of the sunshine today, so there are the bands of rain pushing toward the south—east. showers continue across scotland, northern ireland, heavy and potentially thundery as they cross the border between scotland and england and in between scotland and england and in between all of this, bright spells meaning more cloud around at times andindeed meaning more cloud around at times and indeed some sunshine. temperatures today, 7—12. north to south. as we head on over night,

what do you find there is no pressure driving the weather drifting across the north of scotland and in doing so the wind will ease and the showers will also ease but in the south, we have got a band of rain, not of murky conditions coming in across england and also wales. it's going to turn windier along the south coast and through the english channel. these are overnight lows, 4—11. tomorrow, if we pick up this band of cloud and rain, you can see how it's pushing eastwards. murky around it and it will start to ease through the day to be replaced later by more rain coming in across southern areas but if we take a line from the midlands north, we are looking at some sunny skies, some bright spells and fewer showers are not as windy as today, especially in the north and the west. temperatures, 6—12. but it all changes on friday. some heavy rain coming in from the south pushing steadily northwards falling in areas where the ground is already saturated. we've also got strong

winds following on behind and as this band of rain engages with the cold air further north, we will see sleet or snow mostly above 400 metres. to the north of that, for central and northern scotland, it is dry about the continuous wintry showers across the far north of scotland for a time. here we are already starting to feel the effects of the colder air but you can see how this low pressure continues to move northwards through the course of sunday which of course is christmas day and then we see a change in the wind direction so we start off with the milder conditions on christmas day in the south, but then look how this cold air pushes all the way south as we head to the rest of sunday and into monday. so, as we head into the christmas weekend, if you are after a white christmas the best chance you have across northern scotland, mostly on the hills but later, in the day, we could see some about getting down to lower levels as we might in northern ireland late in the day, but then it turns colder for us all. arejust

are just clearing off to the beach. we are off, carol. come with us. i would love to! look, we are already there. don't you love a bit of blue sky? and the christmas tree. why are we here? we are talking festive telly. we're well into the festive telly season now, and the caribbean murder mystery series death in paradise will once again be trading snow for sand and mulled wine for mojitos. it sounds brilliant. last year's festive special was a family favourite, with almost nine million of us tuning in. if it's been highlighted as one—to—watch in your house, here's a little taster of what you can expect on boxing day. excuse me, excuse me, excuse me. she sighs. thank you for your help, boss man. don't call me boss man. commissioner, inspector, that was the paramedics. we've got a suspected murder. a british woman called jennifer langan.

no? you know her, commissioner? she interviewed me for a true crime podcast she hosts only yesterday. i not thejennifer langan, the crime novelist? do we know what happened? looks like she was shot at the swamp at the bay. two stars of the show, don warrington and tahj miles, join us now. good morning to you both. you are bringing thejoy for us good morning to you both. you are bringing the joy for us today. we need it, don't we? and murder. forget about that. that's always a challenge with death in paradise because it got sunshine and escapism but also its a bit brutal. t5 because it got sunshine and escapism but also it's a bit brutal.— but also it's a bit brutal. is that the riaht but also it's a bit brutal. is that the right word _ but also it's a bit brutal. is that the right word to _ but also it's a bit brutal. is that the right word to use? - but also it's a bit brutal. is that the right word to use? is - but also it's a bit brutal. is that the right word to use? is that l but also it's a bit brutal. is that i the right word to use? is that the secret of its _ the right word to use? is that the secret of its success, _ the right word to use? is that the secret of its success, do - the right word to use? is that the secret of its success, do you - the right word to use? is that the i secret of its success, do you think? i think so. late secret of its success, do you think? i think so. ~ . ., secret of its success, do you think? i think so-— i think so. we struggle to find the secret of its _ i think so. we struggle to find the secret of its accessory. _ i think so. we struggle to find the secret of its accessory. the - i think so. we struggle to find the i secret of its accessory. the murders are so pleasant. do you know what i

mean? it's not like a murder murder. it's like somebody has gently fallen over. a, . it's like somebody has gently fallen over. a,’ , . it's like somebody has gently fallen over. , . . over. maybe had a little gentle -ush? over. maybe had a little gentle ush? as over. maybe had a little gentle push? as soon _ over. maybe had a little gentle push? as soon as _ over. maybe had a little gentle push? as soon as someone - over. maybe had a little gentle - push? as soon as someone dies... i believe this — push? as soon as someone dies... i believe this christmas _ push? as soon as someone dies... i believe this christmas special - push? as soon as someone dies... i believe this christmas special is - believe this christmas special is quite an important one for you, very personal one so tell me about this particular one. t personal one so tell me about this particular one-— particular one. i suppose it's a chost particular one. i suppose it's a ghost story. — particular one. i suppose it's a ghost story, about _ particular one. i suppose it's a ghost story, about being - particular one. i suppose it's a - ghost story, about being haunted. it's in the christmas tradition. it's in the christmas tradition. it's like charles dickens, you know, everybody likes a ghost story of christmas and this is a ghost story with a twist to it, i think. i'm not sure i can tell you much more than that. ., . . , sure i can tell you much more than that. ., . ., ., that. your character is also having his own, that. your character is also having his own. not _ that. your character is also having his own, not haunting, _ that. your character is also having his own, not haunting, by - that. your character is also having his own, not haunting, by dealing| his own, not haunting, by dealing with his own personal back story too. his own personal history. t

too. his own personal history. i think you could call it too. his own personal history. t think you could call it haunting, haunted by something he didn't do which he should have done many years ago. taste which he should have done many years auo. ~ ., ., which he should have done many years ao. . ., ., . ., which he should have done many years auo.~ ., .. ., ., ago. we got a clue at the end of the last series and _ ago. we got a clue at the end of the last series and we _ ago. we got a clue at the end of the last series and we know— ago. we got a clue at the end of the last series and we know what - ago. we got a clue at the end of the last series and we know what kind i ago. we got a clue at the end of the | last series and we know what kind of been going on, don't we?— been going on, don't we? really? ma be we been going on, don't we? really? maybe we don't. _ been going on, don't we? really? maybe we don't. i _ been going on, don't we? really? maybe we don't. i don't _ been going on, don't we? really? maybe we don't. i don't want - been going on, don't we? really? maybe we don't. i don't want to i been going on, don't we? really? i maybe we don't. i don't want to ruin people's christmas. t maybe we don't. i don't want to ruin people's christmas.— people's christmas. i can't tell you much more — people's christmas. i can't tell you much more than _ people's christmas. i can't tell you much more than that _ people's christmas. i can't tell you much more than that really. - people's christmas. i can't tell you much more than that really. havel people's christmas. i can't tell you i much more than that really. have you sinned a much more than that really. have you signed a nondisclosure _ much more than that really. have you signed a nondisclosure agreement? i signed a nondisclosure agreement? well, you know, they threaten you. tell me this. i know we are talking about a murder series, tell me this. i know we are talking abouta murderseries, crime, but tell me this. i know we are talking about a murder series, crime, but it must be a lot of fun, though, to shoot? please telly you at least having a nice time. taste shoot? please telly you at least having a nice time.— shoot? please telly you at least having a nice time. we are having wonderful time. _ having a nice time. we are having wonderful time. a _ having a nice time. we are having wonderful time. a great - having a nice time. we are having wonderful time. a great time. - having a nice time. we are having| wonderful time. a great time. the best time in _ wonderful time. a great time. the best time in the _ wonderful time. a great time. the best time in the world. _ wonderful time. a great time. the best time in the world. we - wonderful time. a great time. the best time in the world. we have i wonderful time. a great time. the best time in the world. we have a | best time in the world. we have a treat best time in the world. we have a great time — best time in the world. we have a great time in _ best time in the world. we have a great time in the _ best time in the world. we have a great time in the world. _ best time in the world. we have a great time in the world. here - best time in the world. we have a great time in the world. here we . best time in the world. we have a i great time in the world. here we go. it's on great time in the world. here we go. it's on one — great time in the world. here we go. it's on one of— great time in the world. here we go. it's on one of the _ great time in the world. here we go. it's on one of the beach _ great time in the world. here we go. it's on one of the beach is _ great time in the world. here we go. it's on one of the beach is out - it's on one of the beach is out there — it's on one of the beach is out there was _ it's on one of the beach is out there. was that hot, by the way? i remember— there. was that hot, by the way? i remember i — there. was that hot, by the way? i remember i could see you in the background thinking you must have been baking? it background thinking you must have been baking?—

background thinking you must have been bakin: ? ., , ., ., ., been baking? it was very hard to do. that's what's — been baking? it was very hard to do. that's what's not _ been baking? it was very hard to do. that's what's not so _ been baking? it was very hard to do. that's what's not so great _ been baking? it was very hard to do. that's what's not so great about - been baking? it was very hard to do. that's what's not so great about it, | that's what's not so great about it, the heat. when you are wearing that uniform under those lights it does get very, very hot. uniform under those lights it does get very. very hot-— get very, very hot. don't you dare exect get very, very hot. don't you dare expect any _ get very, very hot. don't you dare expect any of— get very, very hot. don't you dare expect any of us _ get very, very hot. don't you dare expect any of us to _ get very, very hot. don't you dare expect any of us to feel— get very, very hot. don't you dare expect any of us to feel sorry - get very, very hot. don't you dare expect any of us to feel sorry for. expect any of us to feel sorry for you. not looking at these pictures. i guess you have to film several episodes in quite a tight time frame, so it's hard work? late episodes in quite a tight time frame, so it's hard work? we are out there for quite _ frame, so it's hard work? we are out there for quite a _ frame, so it's hard work? we are out there for quite a long _ frame, so it's hard work? we are out there for quite a long time, - frame, so it's hard work? we are out there for quite a long time, about. there for quite a long time, about six months. — there for quite a long time, about six months, so it does become your home _ six months, so it does become your home while — six months, so it does become your home while you are there. every now and again. _ home while you are there. every now and again, you might get a bit sick of the _ and again, you might get a bit sick of the heat — and again, you might get a bit sick of the heat when you're standing underneath the sun is how many hours a day, _ underneath the sun is how many hours a day, but _ underneath the sun is how many hours a day, but once you go to the beach and you _ a day, but once you go to the beach and you relax, it's very hard to complain _ and you relax, it's very hard to complain-— and you relax, it's very hard to comlain. , ., , and you relax, it's very hard to comlain. , complain. last years episode as you mention got — complain. last years episode as you mention got almost _ complain. last years episode as you mention got almost 9 _ complain. last years episode as you mention got almost 9 million - mention got almost 9 million viewers, which is an incredible number. you have set the bar really high, haven't you? is this one even better? t’d high, haven't you? is this one even better? �* , , high, haven't you? is this one even better?�* , ,| high, haven't you? is this one even better?_ i would - high, haven't you? is this one even better?_ i would say - high, haven't you? is this one even better?_ i would say it i better? i'd say yes. i would say it is. we better? i'd say yes. i would say it is- we really _ better? i'd say yes. i would say it is. we really enjoy _ better? i'd say yes. i would say it is. we really enjoy doing - better? i'd say yes. i would say it is. we really enjoy doing this - better? i'd say yes. i would say it| is. we really enjoy doing this one. is. we really en'oy doing this one. it's is. we really en'oy doing this one. as reauy. — is. we really enjoy doing this one. it's really, really _ is. we really enjoy doing this one. it's really, really good. _

is. we really enjoy doing this one. it's really, really good. and - is. we really enjoy doing this one. it's really, really good. and what. it's really, really good. and what makes it special? _ it's really, really good. and what makes it special? i _ it's really, really good. and what makes it special? i think - it's really, really good. and what makes it special? i think it's - it's really, really good. and what makes it special? i think it's a i makes it special? i think it's a m ste makes it special? i think it's a mystery on — makes it special? i think it's a mystery on a _ makes it special? i think it's a mystery on a mystery - makes it special? i think it's a mystery on a mystery really, . makes it special? i think it's a i mystery on a mystery really, the crime is a mystery, we are trying to solve it, and also the emotional attachment to what just solve it, and also the emotional attachment to whatjust happened. i think that makes it doubly exciting. we are seeing summat right here, the decorations are up. ralph with his suitcase to investigate. partly talking about the back story, but this is like a true crime pod cast who comes and is trying to reinvestigate something, cold case? sort of. sort of, yes. sort of that. she is a podcaster. she sort of. sort of, yes. sort of that. she is a podcaster.— she is a podcaster. she is. trying to kee it she is a podcaster. she is. trying to keep it as _ she is a podcaster. she is. trying to keep it as allusive _ she is a podcaster. she is. trying to keep it as allusive as - she is a podcaster. she is. tryingj to keep it as allusive as possible. give us _ to keep it as allusive as possible. give us something, guys. what do you to watch a christmas? seaport give us something, guys. what do you to watch a christmas?— to watch a christmas? apart from death in paradise. _ to watch a christmas? apart from death in paradise. what - to watch a christmas? apart from death in paradise. what i'm - to watch a christmas? apart from| death in paradise. what i'm really looking forward to it christmas is death in paradise.—

looking forward to it christmas is death in paradise. what else do you love chris martelli _ death in paradise. what else do you love chris martelli is _ death in paradise. what else do you love chris martelli is such _ death in paradise. what else do you love chris martelli is such a - death in paradise. what else do you love chris martelli is such a big - love chris martelli is such a big part of christmas isn't it for people? t part of christmas isn't it for eo - le? . . , part of christmas isn't it for --eole? . . , ., �*, people? i watch everything. that's the day you _ people? i watch everything. that's the day you eat — people? i watch everything. that's the day you eat and _ people? i watch everything. that's the day you eat and watch - people? i watch everything. that's i the day you eat and watch television and you watch things you wouldn't dream of watching normally. it's because it's that kind of warmth which comes from everybody sitting around watching television. don't you think? t around watching television. don't ou think? .. around watching television. don't ou think? ~ ., . you think? i like watching live tv and seeing _ you think? i like watching live tv and seeing what _ you think? i like watching live tv and seeing what kinds _ you think? i like watching live tv and seeing what kinds of - you think? i like watching live tv and seeing what kinds of things i you think? i like watching live tv - and seeing what kinds of things they would _ and seeing what kinds of things they would do _ and seeing what kinds of things they would do for the christmas period, games. _ would do for the christmas period, games, whatever, you never really know _ games, whatever, you never really know l _ games, whatever, you never really know. .. games, whatever, you never really know. ~ , . games, whatever, you never really know. ,, , . ., ., , know. i think death in paradise, the 12th season? _ know. i think death in paradise, the 12th season? how— know. i think death in paradise, the 12th season? how many _ know. i think death in paradise, the 12th season? how many more - know. i think death in paradise, the i 12th season? how many more seasons are there? how many more people are there left to kill, do you think? it's been 12 years already. who knows — it's been 12 years already. who knows how long it can go on for. the island 'ust knows how long it can go on for. tie: island just produces people to other people want to kill. quite interesting, isn't it?- people want to kill. quite interesting, isn't it? also your character _ interesting, isn't it? also your character has _ interesting, isn't it? also your character has been _ interesting, isn't it? also your character has been through i

interesting, isn't it? also your character has been through a. interesting, isn't it? also your. character has been through a lot interesting, isn't it? also your- character has been through a lot and it's growing up quite a lot, i think in this latest one?— it's growing up quite a lot, i think in this latest one? yeah, yeah, he's decided where _ in this latest one? yeah, yeah, he's decided where he _ in this latest one? yeah, yeah, he's decided where he wants _ in this latest one? yeah, yeah, he's decided where he wants to - in this latest one? yeah, yeah, he's decided where he wants to be, - in this latest one? yeah, yeah, he's decided where he wants to be, but. decided where he wants to be, but then he _ decided where he wants to be, but then he might take it a bit too far, might— then he might take it a bit too far, might go— then he might take it a bit too far, might goto— then he might take it a bit too far, might go to quit, he has that kind of person — might go to quit, he has that kind of person. once he decides what he wants— of person. once he decides what he wants to _ of person. once he decides what he wants to do. — of person. once he decides what he wants to do, it's go hard or go home so this— wants to do, it's go hard or go home so this is— wants to do, it's go hard or go home so this is where he wants to be and he tries— so this is where he wants to be and he tries to — so this is where he wants to be and he tries to take a leap and whether it works _ he tries to take a leap and whether it works or— he tries to take a leap and whether it works or not we have to find out, but his _ it works or not we have to find out, but his arc— it works or not we have to find out, but his arc has been beautiful in the last— but his arc has been beautiful in the last few years. he but his arc has been beautiful in the last few years.— but his arc has been beautiful in the last few years. he said quite a turnaround. _ the last few years. he said quite a turnaround, hasn't _ the last few years. he said quite a turnaround, hasn't he? _ the last few years. he said quite a turnaround, hasn't he? he - the last few years. he said quite a turnaround, hasn't he? he has. i the last few years. he said quite a . turnaround, hasn't he? he has. it's brilliant. from _ turnaround, hasn't he? he has. it's brilliant. from what _ turnaround, hasn't he? he has. it's brilliant. from what i _ turnaround, hasn't he? he has. it's brilliant. from what i was - turnaround, hasn't he? he has. it's brilliant. from what i was talking i brilliant. from what i was talking about _ brilliant. from what i was talking about the — brilliant. from what i was talking about the other day, from where he started _ about the other day, from where he started to _ about the other day, from where he started to where we ended series 12, it doesn't— started to where we ended series 12, it doesn't happen in art which is why we — it doesn't happen in art which is why i've been able to have an opportunity to have a character who's _ opportunity to have a character who's had _ opportunity to have a character who's had this turnaround. did you know at the _ who's had this turnaround. did you know at the beginning _ who's had this turnaround. did you know at the beginning how - who's had this turnaround. did you know at the beginning how that i who's had this turnaround. did you. know at the beginning how that was going to transform? t had know at the beginning how that was going to transform?— going to transform? i had a rough idea of where _ going to transform? i had a rough idea of where his _ going to transform? i had a rough idea of where his story _ going to transform? i had a rough idea of where his story would - going to transform? i had a rough j idea of where his story would lead up idea of where his story would lead up to— idea of where his story would lead up to and — idea of where his story would lead up to and how it would happen. specifically what would happen, not completely, there was an element of surprise _ completely, there was an element of surprise but overall, what would

happen. — surprise but overall, what would happen, yeah, i had a rough idea. it happen, yeah, i had a rough idea. [it is so happen, yeah, i had a rough idea. is so lovely to happen, yeah, i had a rough idea. tit is so lovely to have it both here today. thank you so much for braving the cold and the wind and the rain. actually, it's not too bad out. tt’s actually, it's not too bad out. it's not that cold _ actually, it's not too bad out. it's not that cold today. we looked after on how we got a good cup of tea. tt on how we got a good cup of tea. tit is coffee. on how we got a good cup of tea. it is coffee- l — on how we got a good cup of tea. it is coffee. i hope _ on how we got a good cup of tea. it is coffee. i hope it's _ on how we got a good cup of tea. it is coffee. i hope it's all— on how we got a good cup of tea. it is coffee. i hope it's all right. - on how we got a good cup of tea. it is coffee. i hope it's all right. i- is coffee. i hope it's all right. i thou~ht is coffee. i hope it's all right. i thought you — is coffee. i hope it's all right. i thought you were _ is coffee. i hope it's all right. i thought you were going - is coffee. i hope it's all right. i thought you were going say i is coffee. i hope it's all right. i. thought you were going say pina colada. ., , . thought you were going say pina colada._ good - thought you were going say pina colada._ good luck| colada. not yet later. good luck with it. thanks, _ colada. not yet later. good luck with it. thanks, guys. _ the death in paradise christmas special will be on bbc one, at 9pm on boxing day. the new series starts on bbc one from the 6th january. lots more still to come here including important information about today's ambulance strikes. do stay with us.

good morning, welcome to breakfast withjon kay and sally nugent. our headlines today. ambulance workers go on strike as nhs bosses warn they cannot guarantee patient safety but emergency care will be provided. the health secretary says unions have made a choice to inflict harm on patients but unions say the government will be to blame if people die. ukrainian president zelensky is travelling to washington today, his first foreign trip since war broke out with russia. how can hospitality firms survive? the number of pubs, restaurants and cafes closing keeps on rising, as staffing and energy bills soar. we look at how some

are adapting to stay alive. argentina's world cup winners abandon their open—top bus parade in buenos aires. as millions come out to celebrate their world cup success — some jump onto the team bus. the players are forced to take to the skies. the shortlist of six contenders for sports personality of the year has been announced and the winner will be chosen by the public tonight. we'll talk to presenter gabby logan. a day of sunshine and showers. when the rain clears away from the south—east, most of the showers will be across the north and west but it is going to be windy and for the time of yearare is going to be windy and for the time of year are generally mild. all of the details later in the programme. it's wednesday 21st december. ambulance workers in england and wales are on strike today in a dispute over pay. and wales are on strike today there's likely to be major disruption with paramedics, call handlers, emergency care

assistants and technicians all taking part in the industrial action. the staggered strikes have been co—ordinated by three different unions and we'll be bringing you the latest from picket lines across england and wales this morning, including in newcastle, cardiff and coventry. even before the strikes, ambulance response times are already twice as long as two years ago and there is huge pressure on a&es. nhs leaders have warned that during the strikes patient safety can't be guaranteed, and to only call 999 only if it's a life—threatening emergency. health secretary steve barclay says "ambulance unions have made a conscious choice to inflict harm on patients." so just a reminder of what's happening today. the staggered strike action started at midnight

across wales, the west midlands and the north of england. from six o'clock this morning, that was extended to the east midlands and the south, except for the isle of wight. at midday, ambulance workers and paramedics in london will also join the strike. so what's the advice if you are hurt or need treatment? the nhs is advising only patients who are seriously ill or injured, or whose lives are in danger to call 999. for all other health care needs, the advice is to contact nhs111 online or via the nhs111 helpline. alternatively, you could also contact your local gp or pharmacy. we'll continue to bring you the very latest from picket lines across england and wales. our reporters are in newcastle, cardiff and coventry speaking to ambulance workers who are taking part in today's strike action. first let's go to sharon barbour,

who joins us from newcastle. what is the situation there? the north-east _ what is the situation there? tie: north—east ambulance service like eight other across the country declared a critical incident so the pressures are enormous, they had 245 calls waiting for an ambulance with many crews, half of them stacked at a hospital. and you mentioned response times, their category two response times, their category two response times, their category two response times which should have been 18 minutes were taking two hours. so they declared a critical incident. the strikers on today. i am joined by stuart from the gdp —— gmb, talk us through the reasons for the strike today? the gmb, talk us through the reasons for the strike today?— the strike today? the reason for the industrial action _ the strike today? the reason for the industrial action is _ the strike today? the reason for the industrial action is basically - the strike today? the reason for the industrial action is basically the - industrial action is basically the government have failed to negotiate any pay— government have failed to negotiate any pay rise with the ambulance service — any pay rise with the ambulance service. and our members. they have 'ust service. and our members. they have just awarded _ service. and our members. they have just awarded 4%. the cost of living crisis _ just awarded 4%. the cost of living crisis and _

just awarded 4%. the cost of living crisis and the energy crisis, that goes _ crisis and the energy crisis, that goes nowhere near to ensuring that their members of staff, and our members— their members of staff, and our members are able to afford to live. we have _ members are able to afford to live. we have had years of low pro —— pay rises. _ we have had years of low pro —— pay rises. and _ we have had years of low pro —— pay rises, and they need to go to the table _ rises, and they need to go to the table to— rises, and they need to go to the table to make sure that the crews and our _ table to make sure that the crews and our members can continue to live within— and our members can continue to live within our— and our members can continue to live within our means.— within our means. thank you. it must be a very difficult _ within our means. thank you. it must be a very difficult decision _ within our means. thank you. it must be a very difficult decision for - be a very difficult decision for paramedics like yourself, jamie, to take this, how tough was it to come off the road and to strike? ads, tat take this, how tough was it to come off the road and to strike?— off the road and to strike? a lot of soul-searching. _ off the road and to strike? a lot of soul-searching. it's _ off the road and to strike? a lot of soul-searching. it's alien - off the road and to strike? a lot of soul-searching. it's alien to - off the road and to strike? a lot of soul-searching. it's alien to me i soul—searching. it's alien to me to do this _ soul—searching. it's alien to me to do this i— soul—searching. it's alien to me to do this. ididn't— soul—searching. it's alien to me to do this. i didn't join _ soul—searching. it's alien to me to do this. i didn't join the _ soul—searching. it's alien to me to do this. i didn't join the job - soul—searching. it's alien to me to do this. i didn't join the job to - do this. i didn't join the job to not do this. ididn't join the job to not look— do this. ididn't join the job to not look after— do this. i didn't join the job to not look after people - do this. i didn't join the job to not look after people or - do this. i didn't join the job to i not look after people or protect patients — not look after people or protect patients but _ not look after people or protect patients. but it's— not look after people or protect patients. but it's the _ not look after people or protect patients. but it's the last - not look after people or protect patients. but it's the last ten i patients. but it's the last ten years. — patients. but it's the last ten years. we _ patients. but it's the last ten years, we have _ patients. but it's the last ten years, we have been - patients. but it's the last ten - years, we have been mentioning to the government. _ years, we have been mentioning to the government, there _ years, we have been mentioning to the government, there are - years, we have been mentioning to the government, there are issues. the government, there are issues with the _ the government, there are issues with the nhs— the government, there are issues with the nhs in— the government, there are issues with the nhs in general, - the government, there are issues with the nhs in general, can - the government, there are issues with the nhs in general, can we i the government, there are issues. with the nhs in general, can we get around _ with the nhs in general, can we get around the — with the nhs in general, can we get around the table _ with the nhs in general, can we get around the table and _ with the nhs in general, can we get around the table and get _ with the nhs in general, can we get around the table and get things - around the table and get things sorted — around the table and get things sorted and _ around the table and get things sorted and solved? _ around the table and get things sorted and solved? can - around the table and get things sorted and solved? can we - around the table and get things. sorted and solved? can we make conditions — sorted and solved? can we make conditions better— sorted and solved? can we make conditions better for— sorted and solved? can we make conditions better for patients - sorted and solved? can we make| conditions better for patients and staff? _ conditions better for patients and staff? but— conditions better for patients and staff? but that— conditions better for patients and staff? but that door— conditions better for patients and staff? but that door has - conditions better for patients and

staff? but that door has been - conditions better for patients and i staff? but that door has been shut on as— staff? but that door has been shut on as multiple _ staff? but that door has been shut on as multiple time. _ staff? but that door has been shut on as multiple time. 999 - staff? but that door has been shut on as multiple time.— on as multiple time. 999 category one calls you _ on as multiple time. 999 category one calls you will— on as multiple time. 999 category one calls you will respond - on as multiple time. 999 category one calls you will respond to, - on as multiple time. 999 category one calls you will respond to, if i one calls you will respond to, if life or limb is at risk, you will leave the picket line and save lives and come back to the picket line? 100%, wejoined to look and come back to the picket line? 100%, we joined to look after patients— 100%, we joined to look after patients so— 100%, we joined to look after patients so if— 100%, we joined to look after patients so if the _ 100%, we joined to look after patients so if the patient - 100%, we joined to look after. patients so if the patient needs 100%, we joined to look after- patients so if the patient needs as on a category— patients so if the patient needs as on a category one _ patients so if the patient needs as on a category one call— patients so if the patient needs as on a category one call we - patients so if the patient needs as on a category one call we will- on a category one call we will respond _ on a category one call we will respond and _ on a category one call we will respond and then _ on a category one call we will respond and then come - on a category one call we willj respond and then come back. on a category one call we will respond and then come back. thank ou ve respond and then come back. thank you very much _ respond and then come back. thank you very much to — respond and then come back. thank you very much to jamie. _ respond and then come back. thank you very much to jamie. that - respond and then come back. thank you very much to jamie. that is - respond and then come back. thank you very much to jamie. that is the | you very much to jamie. that is the situation in newcastle. let's go two tomos morgan in cardiff.— situation in newcastle. let's go two tomos morgan in cardiff. thank you, sharon. in wales, _ tomos morgan in cardiff. thank you, sharon. in wales, it _ tomos morgan in cardiff. thank you, sharon. in wales, it is _ tomos morgan in cardiff. thank you, sharon. in wales, it isjust_ tomos morgan in cardiff. thank you, sharon. in wales, it isjust gmb - sharon. in wales, it isjust gmb union members who voted for strike action today which is why the crowd behind me is slightly smaller than other areas. and the weather is also playing a part. similar to other areas of england, those that are striking have made the call between the government and the nhs that they can come back to work and they will do if there are a number of radicals or if there is a serious incident like a big train crash or car crash. let's go to the ceo of the welsh

ambulance service trust. i wonder if you could talk to us, you are stuck in the middle a little bit, some of your members and workforce are striking today and you are in a halfway house. why do you think they have got to this position, what are the stresses that have been put on them compared to serious —— devious years? because a number of paramedics has gone up? yes, the number of— paramedics has gone up? yes, the number of front _ paramedics has gone up? yes, the number of front line _ paramedics has gone up? yes, the number of front line clinicians - paramedics has gone up? yes, the number of front line clinicians in i number of front line clinicians in wales has gone up by 403 years. the principal issue is this is a dispute and industrial action over pay with government but terms and conditions and the working environment is also and the working environment is also a feature for our people. they are unable to deliver the care that they want to as a result of pressure across the rest of health and social so that is a feature for them in the choices they have made today. latte so that is a feature for them in the choices they have made today. we are talkin: choices they have made today. we are talking about — choices they have made today. we are talking about things _ choices they have made today. we are talking about things like _ choices they have made today. we are talking about things like bed _ talking about things like bed blocking when they get to a&e and finishing shifts far later than usual? . �* . ~ .., finishing shifts far later than usual? . �* . ~ . usual? that's right. about a third of our entire _ usual? that's right. about a third of our entire emergency -

usual? that's right. about a third of our entire emergency fleet - usual? that's right. about a third. of our entire emergency fleet here in wales will be lost to delays in handing over patient at the emergency department, which is particularly stressful for our staff who cannot deliver the great care that they want to and service to the patient in our communities. and more often than not their shift will finish late. those features of the workplace will be very much in mind in the choices they have made about what action to take today. this in the choices they have made about what action to take today.— what action to take today. this is a s stemic what action to take today. this is a systemic and _ what action to take today. this is a systemic and structural _ what action to take today. this is a systemic and structural problem, i systemic and structural problem, then, really? what, if anything, systemic and structural problem, then, really? what, ifanything, can you do as their boss and the ceo here in negotiations with the government and nhs trusts across wales? . , government and nhs trusts across wales? ., . government and nhs trusts across wales? . . government and nhs trusts across wales? , ., ., government and nhs trusts across wales? . . . ., wales? pay is a matter for government _ wales? pay is a matter for government and _ wales? pay is a matter for government and i - wales? pay is a matter for government and i would i wales? pay is a matter for- government and i would encourage both parties, government and trade unions, to keep dialogue open discussion our options going forward. in the working environment, we have been working with hospitals and the rest of the nhs to see what more we can do to avoid taking patients to the emergency department

unless it is absolutely necessary. we need the rest of the best of the system particularly adult social care to help us.— care to help us. there is no military _ care to help us. there is no military involvement - care to help us. there is no military involvement in - care to help us. there is no| military involvement in here care to help us. there is no - military involvement in here for a number of reasons but if there was further strike action in the new year, we have got another ballot this week for the unions, are you ready and as a service prepared for that? latte ready and as a service prepared for that? ~ ., , ., ., ,, , that? we need to see what happens in the cominu that? we need to see what happens in the coming weeks, _ that? we need to see what happens in the coming weeks, the _ that? we need to see what happens in the coming weeks, the military - that? we need to see what happens in the coming weeks, the military are i the coming weeks, the military are not here supporting us because the trade unions said they would not support staff working with staff from the armed forces. we will see what happened, we have got the best service we can today with the resources available to us, we are prioritising resources to the sickest patients today but others may wait longer today.— sickest patients today but others may wait longer today. thank you, this strike is _ may wait longer today. thank you, this strike is ending _ may wait longer today. thank you, this strike is ending at _ may wait longer today. thank you, this strike is ending at midnight i this strike is ending at midnight this strike is ending at midnight this evening. let's cross over to coventry with my colleague katharine acosta. the coventry with my colleague katharine acosta. ., ,, , , . acosta. the workers behind me are members of _ acosta. the workers behind me are members of the _

acosta. the workers behind me are members of the unite _ acosta. the workers behind me are members of the unite unions, - acosta. the workers behind me are members of the unite unions, one | acosta. the workers behind me are i members of the unite unions, one of three unions taking part in coordinated action today across england. this action will run from 6am to 6pm. even with contingency plans in place the nhs is expecting extended disruption, eight out of ten ambulance trusts in england had already declared critical incidents before the strikes today because of the pressure they were under. i am joined by the general secretary of the unite union. the health secretary has criticised unions for not having a national strategy for ambulances, what is your response? every time the health secretary speaks. — every time the health secretary speaks. i— every time the health secretary speaks, i have got my head in my hands _ speaks, i have got my head in my hands because i don't think he knows what he's _ hands because i don't think he knows what he's talking about. what the government needs to do is come to the table _ government needs to do is come to the table and negotiate. we have been _ the table and negotiate. we have been asking them to do this for weeks — been asking them to do this for weeks as— been asking them to do this for weeks. as far as contingency plans are concerned, it is the unions that have _ are concerned, it is the unions that

have put— are concerned, it is the unions that have put these plans in place with stuart _ have put these plans in place with stuart so — have put these plans in place with stuart so category one will be answered, they are the most life—threatening conditions, and for category— life—threatening conditions, and for category two, there is triage going on so _ category two, there is triage going on so we _ category two, there is triage going on so we want to make sure that we are seeking — on so we want to make sure that we are seeking out and going to patients— are seeking out and going to patients where we can. this is squarely— patients where we can. this is squarely at the door of the government. i don't know where rishi sunak— government. i don't know where rishi sunak is. _ government. i don't know where rishi sunak is, where is he? he needs to come _ sunak is, where is he? he needs to come to— sunak is, where is he? he needs to come to the — sunak is, where is he? he needs to come to the table and negotiate. 25 years— come to the table and negotiate. 25 years of— come to the table and negotiate. 25 years of negotiations that i have been _ years of negotiations that i have been doing, i have never seen such an abdication of leadership as i have _ an abdication of leadership as i have with — an abdication of leadership as i have with this. he needs to get the table. _ have with this. he needs to get the table. do _ have with this. he needs to get the table, do the negotiation, give these — table, do the negotiation, give these people a pay rise and they can io these people a pay rise and they can go back— these people a pay rise and they can go back to _ these people a pay rise and they can go back to work. the these people a pay rise and they can go back to work.— these people a pay rise and they can go back to work. the governance says it cannot afford _ go back to work. the governance says it cannot afford the _ go back to work. the governance says it cannot afford the pay _ go back to work. the governance says it cannot afford the pay rises, - go back to work. the governance says it cannot afford the pay rises, and - it cannot afford the pay rises, and eight are sticking with the regulations from the independent pay board. where is this going to go? in scotland... really u nfortu nately, scotland... really unfortunately, that was such an important interview, we have got

an important interview, we have got a problem with that microphone. apology to the technical problems. thank you to all of our reporters bringing us a situation from the picket lines. the bringing us a situation from the picket lines-— picket lines. the level of the disruption — picket lines. the level of the disruption varies _ picket lines. the level of the disruption varies on - picket lines. the level of the disruption varies on where i picket lines. the level of the i disruption varies on where you picket lines. the level of the - disruption varies on where you live. you can find out which unions are on strike at your local ambulance service on the bbc news website where all of the details are. the health secretary says ambulance unions have made a conscious choice to inflict harm on patients by going ahead with strikes. the comments in the telegraph come after last—ditch talks between steve barclay and union officials broke down. our chief political correspondent nick eardleyjoins us now from westminster. good morning, nick. you have written a piece of the bbc website about the blame game now stop it was blaming him for what in this situation. yes. him for what in this situation. yes, aood him for what in this situation. yes, good morning. _ him for what in this situation. yes, good morning, sally. _ him for what in this situation. yes, good morning, sally. it _ him for what in this situation. is: good morning, sally. it feels like it is ramping up, really. you just

heard the unite union speaking saying that the government have been guilty of this abdication of responsibility. she has been saying that it responsibility. she has been saying thatitis responsibility. she has been saying that it is the worst she has seen for 25 years in negotiations. at the same time, the health secretary has been on breakfast this morning blaming the unions and saying, look, essentially, that they have abdicated their responsibilities. the term that he used in the telegraph was that they had made a conscious decision to inflict harm on patients. it does feel that rather than these relationships getting better, and moving towards a resolution, they are now throwing mud at each other and saying the other one is responsible. there were those talks yesterday, they didn't really seem to go far in any direction to be honest. there wasn't any talk about pay, the unions were really frustrated about that. here is what the health secretary told breakfast about half an hour ago about how those talks went. t has breakfast about half an hour ago about how those talks went. i was so

concerned about _ about how those talks went. i was so concerned about the _ about how those talks went. i was so concerned about the risk _ about how those talks went. i was so concerned about the risk of - concerned about the risk of uncertainty on the day from having local arrangements and individual decisions — local arrangements and individual decisions taken, in call centres, by members. — decisions taken, in call centres, by members, that i met them yesterday to dismiss— members, that i met them yesterday to dismiss the kit —— discuss the escalation— to dismiss the kit —— discuss the escalation process. i thought it was important _ escalation process. i thought it was important that we have the opportunity to escalate issues on the day— opportunity to escalate issues on the day where patient safety risk was materialising so ambulance management are able to work closely with union _ management are able to work closely with union leaders to address those. but if— with union leaders to address those. but if you _ with union leaders to address those. but if you are calling people to respond — but if you are calling people to respond to emergency calls from the picket— respond to emergency calls from the picket line. _ respond to emergency calls from the picket line, that creates further volatility~ — picket line, that creates further volatility. that's what i was discussing with the unions. so that we can— discussing with the unions. so that we can focus, which is my absolute focus _ we can focus, which is my absolute focus come — we can focus, which is my absolute focus come on patient safety. sally, there is that — focus come on patient safety. sally, there is that frustration _ focus come on patient safety. sally, there is that frustration in _ there is that frustration in government that there is not a national framework across england for dealing with category two 999 cases which are emergency but not the most life—threatening. they will be responded to on a local basis today. but yes, looks, it doesn't

sound like the relationship is great at the moment. pay is the big sticking issue that neither side is budging on at the moment. we did hear the gmb say earlier on the programme, one of the unions involved today, that they were prepared to look at the idea of an lump sum as a potential way out of this, a bonus for health staff to end the logjam in these talks. there is a fear in government that if you do that for health staff, you need to do it in other sectors and it will end up costing the government a lot of money and it could make it harder, ministers argue, to get inflation under control. so, again, how would the times have we said this in the past fortnight on breakfast? it feels quite stuck at the moment and now neither side is blinking. the moment and now neither side is blinkina. . .. the moment and now neither side is blinkina. . ,, ,~. , the moment and now neither side is blinkina. .. ~' ,. , . blinking. thank you very much. full coveraie blinking. thank you very much. full coverage across _ blinking. thank you very much. full coverage across the _ blinking. thank you very much. full coverage across the bbc _ blinking. thank you very much. full coverage across the bbc today. - blinking. thank you very much. full. coverage across the bbc today. some other news. ukrainian president zelensky is visiting washington today to meet president biden, on his first foreign trip since the russian invasion of ukraine.

our correspondent hugo bachega is in kyiv for us this morning. hugo, this is a really symbolic moment, isn't it? president zelensky adding to the white house. yes. moment, isn't it? president zelensky adding to the white house.— adding to the white house. yes, jon. it's very significant _ adding to the white house. yes, jon. it's very significant because - adding to the white house. yes, jon. it's very significant because the - adding to the white house. yes, jon. it's very significant because the us i it's very significant because the us is obviously ukraine's most important ally in this war. president zelensky is going to washington, he will be meeting president biden at the white house. i think there will be a major announcement in terms of more military assistance and we can expect the us to announce that patriot missiles will be sent to the ukrainians. this is a sophisticated air defence system. the ukrainians have been saying that they need this kind of technology to protect the country from those russian air strikes, targeting this country's essential infrastructure for weeks. we have been talking about those attacks. millions of people have been left without electricity,

heating and water, and the ukrainians have been saying that they need more weapons, this kind of technology to protect cities from those attacks. and then later, president zelensky will be addressing the us congress and i think you will be making the case for more military assistance, more aid. some republicans have voiced criticism about the level of support being given to the ukrainians so i think president zelensky will be using this opportunity to highlight the suffering and the need for more help. and obviously, this visit happens as the russians continue to attack this country's essential infrastructure. last night we had a warning from the prime minister here who said the country should expect more russian attacks because russia wanted to ukraine to spend christmas and new year the darkness. thank you for now, and new year the darkness. thank you for now. hugo- — the family of a security contractor who died after being injured in a crush at brixton 02 academy

have paid tribute, describing them as "selfless". gaby hutchinson was working at afrobeats artist asake's concert last thursday when a large number of people stormed the venue. the 23—year—old died in hospital on monday. gaby�*s family said "losing our beautiful gaby is a pain that can't compare. " a british pensioner arrested over the death of his wife in cyprus will be tried for murder, after prosecutors u—turned on a plea deal to a lesser charge of manslaughter, his lawyers say. 75—year—old david hunter admitted killing his wife janice at their paphos retirement home. his lawyer told breakfast that he is "determined" to fight the case, which has been adjourned until thursday. he expected for us to come to court and for there to be an agreement for him to plea to manslaughter and to move forward on that basis, so it was very shocking for him. he was visibly shocked and worried

about what's going to happen to him. but he remains determined to fight the case and now that's what we have to do. here's carol with a look at this morning's weather. a beautiful sky, good morning, carol. good morning. you are absolutely right as ever, sally, a fabulous weather watchers picture sent in from eastbourne. we have some clear skies today, but a couple of bands of rain moving south—east across england and wales. a lot of showers, some heavy infantry across scotland and northern ireland, with some snow on the mountain tops. eventually the rain in the south will clear but it will be quite slow to do so. quite a bit of dry weather and sunshine coming in behind and in between the showers in scotland, northern ireland and northern england, there will be some bright spells or indeed some sunshine. still windy across

the north and west. temperatures, seven to 12, north to south. as we head through the evening and overnight, as the low pressure in charge of our weather moves east, many of our showers will ease and that wind will also ease. at the same time we have got another system coming in across the south—west, bringing rain, a lot of cloud, and murky conditions generally across england and wales. the wind is going to pick up across southern counties in the english channel. four to 11. tomorrow the band of cloud and rain pushes a bit further eastwards. murky conditions will ease but later the next band of rain comes in from the next band of rain comes in from the south—west. if we look at from the south—west. if we look at from the midlands north, dry and about, some sunshine and fewer showers than today. not as windy with highs of six to 12. you can keep up—to—date with the weather where you are or where you are going on the bbc weather app. thank you, carol. this time

yesterday we were showing new live pictures from the airport in the argentina capital buenos aires as the team came back from the world cup. an estimated four million fans have taken to the streets in argentina to welcome home the world cup winning team. an open top bus tour was planned, but security forces were concerned about the safety of players and fans. chetan is here with the details. so what happened ? so what happened? yes, we shared those pictures _ so what happened? yes, we shared those pictures yesterday, _ so what happened? yes, we shared those pictures yesterday, the - those pictures yesterday, the jubilation of the players getting off the plane, lionel messi with world cup in hand and at four in the morning, this extraordinary bus parade which was planned for eight hours which got under way, even at that time millions of people on the streets. here you get a sense of it, the sheer numbers. that's the iconic obelisk in buenos aires where the parade was due to finish. five to 6 million people were there but the helicopter was needed because of

security concerns. we have shown you this, the fan going onto the bridge. the bus going under a bridge and you see the fanjumping the bus going under a bridge and you see the fan jumping on. we are cutting it because there is another supporter who tried to jump on and i'm afraid to say miss the bus. that meant the security forces said enough was enough and the players had to take to a helicopter. the vast majority of those millions of people who were there were well behaved and ready to celebrate the extraordinary win over the world cup in france. there were clashes later on in the day. some supporters throwing bottles at the police forces that were trying to calm the tensions that were building up there. looking at the point is our race times this morning, they are reporting 13 arrests and 34 injured,

damage to traffic light and lamp posts, they say. contrast this to qatari officials who were submitting what we saw at the world cup which was very calm, well—behaved supporters, alcohol not widely available there. the spokesperson for the president said it was impossible to continue on the ground due to the explosion ofjoy, she put it. it was one of the most extraordinary parties in argentina's history and there was onlyjoy in the hours of togetherness, that is the hours of togetherness, that is the official line. they say it could be up to 6 million people who were well behaved but clearly it didn't go to plan. an eight hour bus parade which is epic at the best of times, they had to cut it short. and the players in the end and a helicopter, they did try to say it was a parade but the helicopter was flying low over the city, i'm not sure the fans got a particularly good year. the vast majority celebrating that success but it didn't in the end go

to plan for officials. are you ready for a little bit of happiness? a group of secret santas in derby have been delivering 1,400 presents to vulnerable, older and lonely people this christmas. the gift—giving was started seven years ago by maria lawrence. when she died of covid, her mum joy was determined to keep her legacy going. our reporter owen shipton was withjoy and her elves as they delivered the presents. hi, gerald. hello, love. hello. they've bought you gifts for secret santa. christmas has come early to curzon court, an assisted living home in mickleover. for weeks, generous people have been donating presents in boxes around the area. joy and her team of around 30 volunteer elves then deliver them to people in need of christmas cheer. joy's daughter, maria, started the scheme. in march 2020, she became one of the first people to die from covid. she used to see this blind man

in the post office and she popped a gift through one year and she met him after christmas and she said, "did you have a nice christmas?" and he said yes. he said, "someone dropped me a gift. "it made my christmas. "i don't know who it was, you know." and it's that sort of feeling that you get, you know, it makes it worthwhile. at 95, gerald is secret santa's oldest elf. he's lived here at curzon court for five years and helps to organise the deliveries. most people live here on their own. we're very, very sociable here. we have meetings in here and parties and suchlike. yes. basically, everybody lives on their own, yeah. it gives you the feeling that somebody cares, yes. these secret santas have already brought christmas spirit to families, poorly people and those who've lost a loved one recently, and they're proud to continue maria's work. some people don't get any gifts at all, and sometimes, as i say, they're very grateful and very

touched that somebody�*s thought of them at christmas. i think she'd be proud of everybody forjust carrying on. she would really, yes, yes, and we're proud of her for starting it. just like the real santa, joy and her team have more deliveries before the big day. when so many people are struggling, they're especially grateful for all the gifts they've received this year. owen shipton, bbc news. we promised you joy and that was someone called pramacjoy! a lovely effort, 100 present. —— someone called joy! we're on bbc one until 9.15 this morning, then it's time for morning live. gethin and sam can tell us what they've got lined up. can you deliver us some presents as well? latte can you deliver us some presents as well? ~ .. can you deliver us some presents as well? ~ ., .. can you deliver us some presents as well? ~ ., ., , , , well? we will do our best, but we have focusing _ well? we will do our best, but we have focusing on _ well? we will do our best, but we have focusing on what _ well? we will do our best, but we have focusing on what you - well? we will do our best, but we have focusing on what you have i well? we will do our best, but we i have focusing on what you have been talking about today. coming up on morning live, with fears that today's ambulance strikes could leave many people at risk, lots of us are feeling anxious.

and with around a quarter of us already struggling more with our mental health at christmas, dr ranj is here with his top three tips on how to look after yourself or your loved ones this season. plus, this year we're on a mission to highlight the heartbreaking reality that over 400,000 children are forced to sleep on beanbags, cushions and even the floor because their families can't afford to buy them a bed. we asked for your help and you delivered. the whole morning live team has united for our 'sleep tight wake bright' campaign to give as many children as possible a good night's rest, thanks to beds donated by you. you are definitely doing that, i was just watching and guiding you! also coming up, sharing herfestive show—stopper, our chef anna haugh has a cheap and delicious melt in the middle meatball recipe that uses up all your leftover christmas carrots and cranberry sauce. look forward to that. also coming up, there's lots to feast on across the bbc this christmas. from call the midwife to the exciting return of crime drama happy valley,

we've got a round up of some of the mustwatch shows to get you though to 2023. turning into the studio! —— twirling into the studio! katya jones will be here for strictly fitness with a move from this year's champions hamza and jowita. very well styled out with your baubles! _ very well styled out with your baubles! all that, plus a very special festive performance by the cast ofjersey boys that you won't want to miss. see you at 9:15. this is our last showjon and sally, is a happy christmas to all of you. it is our last show until after christmas. not practice, justjon and mind. we are on every day. late and mind. we are on every day. we will be and mind. we are on every day. - will be here every day! merry

christmas. we should have had a christmas. we should have had a christmas party. latte christmas. we should have had a christmas party-— christmas party. we did have a lunch. christmas party. we did have a lunch- we _ christmas party. we did have a lunch. we will _ christmas party. we did have a lunch. we will have _ christmas party. we did have a lunch. we will have another. christmas party. we did have a i lunch. we will have another one. time now to get the news, travel and weather where you are. good morning from bbc london. i'm thomas magill. london ambulance staff will take part in today's strike along with colleagues across the country, with the army set to drive some of the capital's ambulances. the dispute over pay involves the three main unions — unison, gmb and unite. the chief executive of the london ambulance service daniel elkeles says it'll be a really difficult day, but they will be able to respond to critical situations. if you think you have a life—threatening emergency, please continue to phone 999. if you think you have an emergency which isn't life—threatening, then start by using 111 online, if that doesn't give you the answer you require,

then please phone 111. health and social care secretary steve barclay has warned the public is to "take extra care and plan activities accordingly". and bus drivers in london have announced they will stage a fresh wave of strikes in a long running dispute over pay. unite members at abellio in south and west london will walk out for 11 days in late december and throughout january starting on christmas eve. sadiq khan will stand as labour's mayoral candidate for a third time in 2024 after being reselected by the party. mr khan, who was first elected to the post in 2016, said he was so proud that the party and trade unions had put theirfaith in him. if he wins the election, he will become the first london mayor to serve three terms in office. with record numbers of new council let's take a look at the tubes now. the bakerloo line is partly closed until next week with no service

between queens park and harrow & wealdstone. the central and jubilee line have minor delays and the 0verground is also partly closed with no service between euston and watford junction. now onto the weather with sara thornton. morning to you. a colder start this morning across london and the south—east than we've seen the last couple of days. low single figures in some of our suburbs. dry at first, but we've got cloud and rain pushing in from the west through the next few hours. skirting off towards the east later, we will see some late brightness potentially towards the west, especially the further north you are. temperatures at best low double figures. again, above average for the time of year. then overnight tonight, we try and see a clearance of the cloud for a time, but we've got another frontal system out towards the south and west that's going to try and push more cloud our way. it's not quite as chilly a start tomorrow morning, but really, it's just the next conveyor belt of systems actually, whichjust keeps bringing us outbreaks of rain and mild air until we get through until the end

of the weekend it looks like. there is some colder airfurther north. it is trying to push our way but really, for us, it won't make it until the start of the new working week next week, so for the time being, outbreaks of rain. some heavy rain around on friday morning, for instance. some dry weather at the weekend. not colder until next week. that's it for now. much more on our website and over on bbc radio london, especially on the ambulance strikes and how they're expected to affect the capital. the elements are busy. that was the delay. press the button! hello, this is breakfast withjon kay and sally nugent. more than 300,000 families across britain could be forced into homelessness next year, according to the charity crisis. some are already facing the prospect

of sleeping rough over the christmas period, so the charity has opened three hotels in london to support them. tim muffett is at a hotel in hyde park for us this morning. good morning, tim. tim, how many people are expected to use the service? yeah, 450 people who would be sleeping rough over the next couple of weeks it's hoped they will have a bad combo meal and some refreshments. this isjust one bad combo meal and some refreshments. this is just one of three hotels which has been effectively taken over by the charity crisis to give people who are really struggling this time of year a break are really struggling this time of yeara break and are really struggling this time of year a break and the hope being that come at the end of that period, they won't go back onto the streets. that, apparently, is what has happened in previous years. a number of councils across the uk have said that the levels of homelessness have increased compared to the same time last year and the number of people

say how quickly things can change for the worst. now yesterday i met a man called charlie, whose life has been turned upside down through circumstances beyond his control. it changes your life completely. for over ten years, i didn't have anywhere fixed to live. temporary shelters, hostels, sometimes on the street. charlie spent the past decade living in many places, but never in his own home. a relationship broke down. he can't work because he has ms, a degenerative condition that can affect the brain and spinal cord. you have multiple sclerosis. what impact does that have on your life? i only have a finite amount of energy. with the ms, it completely destroys me. when it started to get worse, i couldn't even pick up a glass of water.

so it wasn't easy for me, you know, thatjust... not having my own front door, you know. yeah. two weeks ago, charly finally moved into permanent accommodation. but christmas is a difficult time. in previous years, he's relied on venues opening their doors to those in need and the volunteers who run them. no—one has a connection to the area they're in if they're homeless. if they're homeless, they've lost all of their connections. they've lost their family. they've lost everything. having somebody to actually be with you at christmas, it's not evenjust the meal. it's the time of the year

and the emotions that go with that. do you think some people don't realise how close so many people are to a situation like yours? everyone's one step away from it. nobody's exempt. it's not just crisis at christmas. it's crisis all year round. i'm delighted that charlie now finally has some permanent accommodation. it's notjust london, where crisis will be operating centres, right across britain, thousands of people it hopes will be helped out this christmas. when they arrive here, they get a meal, a drink and also a health checkup as well. jason, you're looking after that side of things. what kinds of things are you trying to do to help? we do a range of health care service interventions from generally talking to people _

interventions from generally talking to people about their mental health, emotional— to people about their mental health, emotional health, physical health, people _ emotional health, physical health, people having respiratory problems, le- people having respiratory problems, leg ulcers— people having respiratory problems, leg ulcers and dressings that need doing _ leg ulcers and dressings that need doing through to people who are very. _ doing through to people who are very. very— doing through to people who are very, very unwell who we need to get hospital— very, very unwell who we need to get hospital as _ very, very unwell who we need to get hospital as soon as possible.— hospital as soon as possible. you've not our hospital as soon as possible. you've got your kit — hospital as soon as possible. you've got your kit here _ hospital as soon as possible. you've got your kit here and _ hospital as soon as possible. you've got your kit here and i _ hospital as soon as possible. you've got your kit here and i guess - hospital as soon as possible. you've got your kit here and i guess for - hospital as soon as possible. you've got your kit here and i guess for a i got your kit here and i guess for a lot of people they haven't had the medical attention they need? for some people they only contact health services _ some people they only contact health services once a year at crisis for christmas — services once a year at crisis for christmas and we try and work with people _ christmas and we try and work with people so— christmas and we try and work with people so sort the problem is that this week— people so sort the problem is that this week but also encourage them to access— this week but also encourage them to access specialist health services throughout the year so we can keep them _ throughout the year so we can keep them well — throughout the year so we can keep them well. ., .. throughout the year so we can keep them well. ., ,. �* , throughout the year so we can keep them well. ., �* , ., them well. you said there's one thin ou them well. you said there's one thing you do _ them well. you said there's one thing you do festival _ them well. you said there's one thing you do festival to - them well. you said there's one thing you do festival to get - them well. you said there's one i thing you do festival to get people engaged with this. late thing you do festival to get people engaged with this.— thing you do festival to get people engaged with this. we will 'ust talk and it's as simple * engaged with this. we will 'ust talk and it's as simple as h engaged with this. we will 'ust talk and it's as simple as doing_ engaged with this. we willjust talk and it's as simple as doing blood i and it's as simple as doing blood pressure — and it's as simple as doing blood pressure with somebody which opens up pressure with somebody which opens up a conversation, it's about the human— up a conversation, it's about the human touch as well. some people who are homeless, maybe they've had no human— are homeless, maybe they've had no human contact for a long period of time _ human contact for a long period of time so _ human contact for a long period of time so purely doing blood pressure, checking _ time so purely doing blood pressure, checking their pulse is a way of opening — checking their pulse is a way of opening up the conversation and they feel it's _ opening up the conversation and they feel it's ok— opening up the conversation and they feel it's ok than to talk to us. you're — feel it's ok than to talk to us. you're doing a greatjob. jason,

thank you very much indeed. this place is reliant on volunteers. you've been a volunteer for 24 years, i believe? why do you do it? ifind it years, i believe? why do you do it? i find it tremendously fulfilling and after— i find it tremendously fulfilling and after 24 _ i find it tremendously fulfilling and after 24 years, _ i find it tremendously fulfilling and after 24 years, i— i find it tremendously fulfilling and after 24 years, i don't- i find it tremendously fulfilling i and after 24 years, i don't know what _ and after 24 years, i don't know what else — and after 24 years, i don't know what else i_ and after 24 years, i don't know what else i would _ and after 24 years, i don't know what else i would do _ and after 24 years, i don't know what else i would do at - and after 24 years, i don't know. what else i would do at christmas. it's what else i would do at christmas. it's part— what else i would do at christmas. it's part of— what else i would do at christmas. it's part of my— what else i would do at christmas. it's part of my christmas. - what else i would do at christmas. it's part of my christmas. i- what else i would do at christmas. it's part of my christmas. i had - what else i would do at christmas. it's part of my christmas. i had a i it's part of my christmas. i had a brief— it's part of my christmas. i had a brief spell— it's part of my christmas. i had a brief spell of— it's part of my christmas. i had a brief spell of homelessness - it's part of my christmas. i had a i brief spell of homelessness myself many— brief spell of homelessness myself many years— brief spell of homelessness myself many years ago _ brief spell of homelessness myself many years ago and _ brief spell of homelessness myself many years ago and it _ brief spell of homelessness myself many years ago and it brought - brief spell of homelessness myself. many years ago and it brought home to me _ many years ago and it brought home to me just— many years ago and it brought home to me just how— many years ago and it brought home to me just how dehumanising - many years ago and it brought home to me just how dehumanising and i to me just how dehumanising and experience — to me just how dehumanising and experience it _ to me just how dehumanising and experience it is _ to me just how dehumanising and experience it is and, _ to me just how dehumanising and experience it is and, to— to me just how dehumanising and experience it is and, to see - to me just how dehumanising and experience it is and, to see the i experience it is and, to see the change — experience it is and, to see the change ordinary— experience it is and, to see the change ordinary people - experience it is and, to see the change ordinary people like - experience it is and, to see thej change ordinary people like the other— change ordinary people like the other volunteers _ change ordinary people like the other volunteers here - change ordinary people like the other volunteers here with - change ordinary people like the other volunteers here with me, j change ordinary people like the - other volunteers here with me, the change _ other volunteers here with me, the change that— other volunteers here with me, the change that we _ other volunteers here with me, the change that we can _ other volunteers here with me, the change that we can make _ other volunteers here with me, the change that we can make in- change that we can make in somebody's_ change that we can make in somebody's life _ change that we can make in somebody's life is - change that we can make in- somebody's life is tremendously rewarding — somebody's life is tremendously rewarding and _ somebody's life is tremendously rewarding and fulfilling. - somebody's life is tremendously rewarding and fulfilling.- rewarding and fulfilling. some --eole rewarding and fulfilling. some people might _ rewarding and fulfilling. some people might worry _ rewarding and fulfilling. some people might worry that - rewarding and fulfillingm people might worry that people rewarding and fulfilling.“ people might worry that people come here for a couple of weeks can have a nice room and a meal, and then go back onto the streets. does that happen or not? latte back onto the streets. does that happen or not?— back onto the streets. does that happen or not? back onto the streets. does that ha en or not? ~ ., , happen or not? we do everything we ossibl happen or not? we do everything we possibly can — happen or not? we do everything we possibly can to _ happen or not? we do everything we possibly can to make _ happen or not? we do everything we possibly can to make sure _ happen or not? we do everything we possibly can to make sure that - possibly can to make sure that doesn't — possibly can to make sure that doesn't happen. _ possibly can to make sure that doesn't happen. and _ possibly can to make sure that doesn't happen. and since - possibly can to make sure that doesn't happen. and since we| possibly can to make sure that - doesn't happen. and since we change the model— doesn't happen. and since we change the model to — doesn't happen. and since we change the model to using _ doesn't happen. and since we change the model to using hotels— doesn't happen. and since we change the model to using hotels like - doesn't happen. and since we change the model to using hotels like the - the model to using hotels like the one we _ the model to using hotels like the one we are — the model to using hotels like the one we are in _ the model to using hotels like the one we are in now, _ the model to using hotels like the one we are in now, we _ the model to using hotels like the one we are in now, we have - the model to using hotels like the one we are in now, we have had i the model to using hotels like the one we are in now, we have had a the model to using hotels like the i one we are in now, we have had a lot more _ one we are in now, we have had a lot more success— one we are in now, we have had a lot

more success in— one we are in now, we have had a lot more success in getting _ one we are in now, we have had a lot more success in getting people - one we are in now, we have had a lot more success in getting people into i more success in getting people into sensible _ more success in getting people into sensible long—term _ more success in getting people into sensible long—term solutions- more success in getting people into. sensible long—term solutions beyond their two _ sensible long—term solutions beyond their two weeks— sensible long—term solutions beyond their two weeks with _ sensible long—term solutions beyond their two weeks with us _ sensible long—term solutions beyond their two weeks with us at _ sensible long—term solutions beyond their two weeks with us at crisis - sensible long—term solutions beyond their two weeks with us at crisis at i their two weeks with us at crisis at christmas — their two weeks with us at crisis at christmas we _ their two weeks with us at crisis at christmas. we really— their two weeks with us at crisis at christmas. we really do _ their two weeks with us at crisis at christmas. we really do get - christmas. we really do get long-term _ christmas. we really do get long—term solutions - christmas. we really do get long—term solutions for - christmas. we really do get - long—term solutions for people, get them _ long—term solutions for people, get them into— long—term solutions for people, get them into homelessness, _ long—term solutions for people, get them into homelessness, sorry, - long—term solutions for people, geti them into homelessness, sorry, into housing! _ them into homelessness, sorry, into housing! but— them into homelessness, sorry, into housing! but more _ them into homelessness, sorry, into housing! but more than _ them into homelessness, sorry, into housing! but more than that, - them into homelessness, sorry, into housing! but more than that, crisisi housing! but more than that, crisis works— housing! but more than that, crisis works of— housing! but more than that, crisis works of them _ housing! but more than that, crisis works of them all— housing! but more than that, crisis works of them all year— housing! but more than that, crisis works of them all year to _ housing! but more than that, crisis works of them all year to make - housing! but more than that, crisis. works of them all year to make sure they have _ works of them all year to make sure they have the — works of them all year to make sure they have the skills _ works of them all year to make sure they have the skills to _ works of them all year to make sure they have the skills to get _ works of them all year to make sure they have the skills to get jobs - works of them all year to make sure they have the skills to get jobs to i they have the skills to get jobs to sustain— they have the skills to get jobs to sustain their— they have the skills to get jobs to sustain their housing _ they have the skills to get jobs to sustain their housing and - they have the skills to get jobs to sustain their housing and don't i they have the skills to get jobs to i sustain their housing and don't end ”p sustain their housing and don't end up coming — sustain their housing and don't end up coming back— sustain their housing and don't end up coming backto— sustain their housing and don't end up coming back to us. _ sustain their housing and don't end up coming back to us.— sustain their housing and don't end up coming back to us. thanks ever so much indeed — up coming back to us. thanks ever so much indeed and _ up coming back to us. thanks ever so much indeed and keep up _ up coming back to us. thanks ever so much indeed and keep up the - up coming back to us. thanks ever so much indeed and keep up the great i much indeed and keep up the great work because i know a lot of people are reliant on your work and the other volunteers here. to make christmas a little bit brighter than it otherwise would have been. thank you so much indeed for talking to us. so many people say there a whole range of issues as to why people find themselves homeless. maybe they can do the rent, mortgage, they lose theirjob, that it can happen very, very quickly and it is hoped at least for a few hundred people at least, that christmas will be a bit more bearable than it otherwise would have been out on the streets.

absolutely. great work being done by the team there. thank you very much indeed. i have been left on my own. sally has abandoned me. you will find out in a couple of moments time because she's gone somewhere very special indeed. windsor castle has had a lot of attention this year, cameras have been there. did you know that deep under windsor castle there's a bustling city called moletown? well, you will know that if anyone in your house watches the children's animation series moley. he is a charming young mole — and his friends, who are back on our screens for a christmas special and a whole new series of adventures. in a moment we'll chat to actor warwick davis, who voices moley — but before we do let's see him in action. legend tells of an enchanted book that will one day awaken. yeah! moles will gather from all around the world in the hope that a new keeper will be chosen.

the mystical manual of magic has chosen its keeper! moley! wake up, moley! i have been invited to windsor castle! i'm delighted the same only has and add to the saint moley has woken up. warwick davis joins us now. what do you love about this series? it's great to create kids entertainment and for me i don't have to get any make—up on and i can sit here at home in my recording booth and coming here and record the voice of moley. tell booth and coming here and record the voice of moley-— voice of moley. tell us about moley. what is he like? _ voice of moley. tell us about moley. what is he like? sorry, _ voice of moley. tell us about moley. what is he like? sorry, maybe - voice of moley. tell us about moley. what is he like? sorry, maybe the i what is he like? sorry, maybe the line has gone down to your studio because it so well padded you can't hear me so i'll check again. tell us about your character, moley. that's

about your character, moley. that's a shame. we have lost the line to moley. maybe it's because moley is so deep under windsor castle, he can't get that signal to us. we will try to rejoin him later because it would be lovely to hear more about his series. i think we might be able tojoin him if i shout. t his series. i think we might be able to join him if! shout.— to join him if! shout. i can't hear ou, to join him if! shout. i can't hear you. hello- _ to join him if! shout. i can't hear you. hello- i— to join him if! shout. i can't hear you, hello. iwas— to join him if! shout. i can't hear you, hello. iwasjust_ to join him if! shout. i can't hear you, hello. i wasjust asking - to join him if! shout. i can't hear. you, hello. i wasjust asking about you, hello. i was 'ust asking about our you, hello. i was 'ust asking about your character— you, hello. i wasjust asking about your character moley. _ you, hello. i wasjust asking about your character moley. tell - you, hello. i wasjust asking about your character moley. tell us - you, hello. i wasjust asking about your character moley. tell us all i your character moley. tell us all about him- _ your character moley. tell us all about him. he's— your character moley. tell us all about him. he's a _ your character moley. tell us all about him. he's a young, - your character moley. tell us all about him. he's a young, very i about him. he's a young, very optimistic mole. his whole life ahead of him. he loves an adventure. he has got a romantic interest in the series, as well in their shape of mona lisa moley. she is french. some of the other actors who provide voices in this series, it's

astonishing, richard e grant, stanley tucci, charles dance, julie walters, that's a cast list and a half with you. tt’s walters, that's a cast list and a half with you.— half with you. it's incredible. julie plays — half with you. it's incredible. julie plays my _ half with you. it's incredible. julie plays my mum. - half with you. it's incredible. julie plays my mum. but- julie plays my mum. but unfortunately we never get to work together any of us, we are in a separate recording studios all over the country all over the world in fact. doing the voices. it's in the edit it all comes together and we also are never in the same place. that must be a magic moment when you watch it and hear it and think that's how it all works. absolutely, eah. that's how it all works. absolutely, yeah- when _ that's how it all works. absolutely, yeah- when you — that's how it all works. absolutely, yeah. when you are _ that's how it all works. absolutely, yeah. when you are recording - that's how it all works. absolutely, yeah. when you are recording the i yeah. when you are recording the voice, if i'm in here doing the voice, if i'm in here doing the voice now, i have to completely get into character. i'm moving around the room, i become the character so that the inflections in the character's voice, you know, inspire the animators to create the movement. the animators to create the movement-— the animators to create the movement. , ., , ,., the animators to create the movement. , ., , , .. movement. there is one person you must surely — movement. there is one person you must surely see _ movement. there is one person you must surely see when _ movement. there is one person you must surely see when you _ movement. there is one person you must surely see when you are - must surely see when you are recording because isn't your son harrison in the series too? he is indeed. i dragged _ harrison in the series too? he is indeed. i dragged him _ harrison in the series too? he is indeed. i dragged him into - harrison in the series too? he is indeed. i dragged him into the i harrison in the series too? he: 3 indeed. i dragged him into the booth one day and he recorded the voice of a character called cheese which is

ironic because he loves cheese, harrison, cheese with everything, cheese sandwiches, cheese on pasteur, harrison plays cheese, who is someone who looks up to moley and my daughter annabel plays a character called the ambassador in a future episode. tt’s character called the ambassador in a future episode.— future episode. it's a full family affair. future episode. it's a full family affair- are _ future episode. it's a full family affair. are you _ future episode. it's a full family affair. are you in _ future episode. it's a full family affair. are you in included - future episode. it's a full family affair. are you in included in i future episode. it's a full family| affair. are you in included in the storylines in writing to?- affair. are you in included in the storylines in writing to? much of the dialogue _ storylines in writing to? much of the dialogue comes _ storylines in writing to? much of the dialogue comes from - storylines in writing to? much of. the dialogue comes from ad-libbing the dialogue comes from ad—libbing so once i get into character i start to kinda become the character and then unable to ad lib. so i can come up then unable to ad lib. so i can come up with funny lines to throw in and some of the writing happens here in the booth. you know, the story behind moley comes from a guy called james, telling his children stories, his two daughters, stories of moley at bed time. he then wrote these all down in a book and became quite ill and his daughter said, down in a book and became quite ill and his daughtersaid, dad, here is your book of moley stories, you should do something with these and james fortunately major recovery and

that's what inspired him to create the series. . �* . that's what inspired him to create the series-— the series. that's lovely to hear how it all _ the series. that's lovely to hear how it all came _ the series. that's lovely to hear how it all came about _ the series. that's lovely to hear how it all came about and - the series. that's lovely to hear. how it all came about and clearly it's a very special beginning. and i think the thing people are saying about it is its four children essentially but there are little jokes in there and lines are me that mums and dads will enjoy with their kids, it's not one of those exclusively kid only type shows? t exclusively kid only type shows? i think that's important, having exclusively kid only type shows? t think that's important, having grown up think that's important, having grown up with kids watching tv, and the idea that the tv is always on in the background and you have to do, as parents, hearthese background and you have to do, as parents, hear these shows that you watch, it's nice to have something in there for the parents to enjoy with the children. you in there for the parents to en'oy with the children.�* in there for the parents to en'oy with the children. you are also on tell as with the children. you are also on telly as well _ with the children. you are also on telly as well this _ with the children. you are also on telly as well this christmas - with the children. you are also on telly as well this christmas on - telly as well this christmas on disney plus with the remake of willow which i know a lot of people have been waiting for. what are you allowed to tell us about willow, the return? . . , , return? this series continues the story from _ return? this series continues the story from the — return? this series continues the story from the end _ return? this series continues the

story from the end of _ return? this series continues the story from the end of where - return? this series continues the story from the end of where the l story from the end of where the movie left off. we are 20 years on, so willow is older and wiser, as he a better sorcerer, though, that's what we find out as the series progresses? a new episode drops today on disney plus and i'm excited today on disney plus and i'm excited to see it because i haven't seen these episodes. i'm seeing them as these episodes. i'm seeing them as the audience sees them as they go out. so the audience sees them as they go out, , ., the audience sees them as they go out, y., ., ., the audience sees them as they go out. ,~. . ., .. the audience sees them as they go out. ,~. . ., ., . . out. so you are going to watch them all in one go? _ out. so you are going to watch them all in one go? do _ out. so you are going to watch them all in one go? do you _ out. so you are going to watch them all in one go? do you get _ out. so you are going to watch them all in one go? do you get them - all in one go? do you get them dropping episode by episode? t all in one go? do you get them dropping episode by episode? i have one er dropping episode by episode? i have one per week- _ dropping episode by episode? i have one per week. people _ dropping episode by episode? i have one per week. people are _ dropping episode by episode? t its: one per week. people are saving them, not watching them, saving them all up to watch in one go, but it is one continuous story throughout the eight episodes, as well. lanthat one continuous story throughout the eight episodes, as well.— eight episodes, as well. what was it like to make — eight episodes, as well. what was it like to make it _ eight episodes, as well. what was it like to make it again _ eight episodes, as well. what was it like to make it again three - eight episodes, as well. what was it like to make it again three decades | like to make it again three decades after the original? tt like to make it again three decades after the original?— after the original? it was quite a challenging _ after the original? it was quite a challenging experience. - after the original? it was quite a challenging experience. i - after the original? it was quite a challenging experience. i spent| after the original? it was quite a i challenging experience. i spent the whole of last year in wales making the series but the first time around i a 17 foot at this time i was 52. it's hard to believe, isn't it? it was a lot more challenging

physically and mentally to come back to the character again, being a lot older but again, fortunately, it was harrison, my son, who was my stunt double. he took all my falls for me and stuff i didn't want to do this time around he stepped in and helped out. . . time around he stepped in and helped out. ., , ., ., 4' time around he stepped in and helped out. . , . ., ,, ., time around he stepped in and helped out. ., , ., ., 4' ., time around he stepped in and helped out. . , . ., ,, ., out. that is hard work for your son. that's passing _ out. that is hard work for your son. that's passing the _ out. that is hard work for your son. that's passing the buck. _ out. that is hard work for your son. | that's passing the buck. absolutely. he's ha - that's passing the buck. absolutely. he's happy to _ that's passing the buck. absolutely. he's happy to take _ that's passing the buck. absolutely. he's happy to take the _ that's passing the buck. absolutely. he's happy to take the work- that's passing the buck. absolutely. he's happy to take the work on. - that's passing the buck. absolutely. | he's happy to take the work on. he's got a full—timejob, he's happy to take the work on. he's got a full—time job, as well, but i need to keep busy. t got a full-time job, as well, but i need to keep busy.— got a full-time job, as well, but i need to keep busy. i bet he loves to be able to say _ need to keep busy. i bet he loves to be able to say here _ need to keep busy. i bet he loves to be able to say here is _ need to keep busy. i bet he loves to be able to say here is his _ need to keep busy. i bet he loves to be able to say here is his father's i be able to say here is his father's stunt double. thank you very much forjoining us on breakfast. you can watch the moley christmas special on freeview channel pop and pop playerfrom this friday and the new series of moley is currently airing on boomerang. here's carol with a look at this morning's weather. you have had some lovely sunrises all over the uk, clear skies this morning. there's been some crackers.

good morning, everybody. this morning you can see our picture sent in from beverley, in east yorkshire. lovely clear skies, but we have had some rain. for most of us this morning, there's been temperatures above freezing and we will generally continue mild over the next few days so let me show you that in graphic form. the yellow it's representing the mal davies on friday, christmas eve and christmas day, except for the far north of the country, but look what happens, the blues representing the cold air sinks further south through the rest of christmas day and boxing day and it looks like on wednesday, things won't be quite as cold. what we had today are a couple of weather fronts sinking down towards the south—east taking the rain with them. a lot of showers across scotland, northern england and also northern ireland and one or two getting into wales in the southwest and windy once again in the north and west but in between the showers we are looking at bright orsunny the showers we are looking at bright or sunny intervals. later, the cloud will thicken in the south—west heralding the arrival of the next

band of rain. that rain will steadily push northward and eastward through the course of the night and there will be murky conditions around it. the wind will pick up on the english channel but north of that band of rain, as low pressure moves across the north of scotland, many of the showers will ease as will the wind. these are overnight lows, 4—11. tomorrow, if you pick up this band of cloud and rain, and murky conditions, it pushes eastwards and eases but you can see already the next band of rain just waiting in the wings moving across the channel islands and that is also coming our way but from the midlands northwards, something drier and brighter. some sunshine, fewer showers and lighter winds. these are our temperatures. showers and lighter winds. these are ourtemperatures. 6—12. i don't think i'm going to see you now until after christmas so very happy christmas to you. merry christmas to you too. lovely to see you, have a great time. ten to nine, nearly.

the bbc sports personality of the year awards return tonight, giving us the chance to celebrate the best sporting achievements of the last 12 months. sally is on the red carpet for us as the preparations get under way. she's so determined to get a good seat. she is there already getting ready for the show. morning. i ran ready forthe show. morning. i ran here ready for the show. morning. i ran here in my pumps and everything. the red carpet is out already as you can see. a trophy is here. i'm delighted that we arejoined see. a trophy is here. i'm delighted that we are joined this morning by a very special person who will be a big part of that programme tonight, gabby logan. you are looking at me like really? gabby logan. you are looking at me like reall ? . ,., gabby logan. you are looking at me like reall ? . . , like really? there are so many secial like really? there are so many special people _ like really? there are so many special people here _ like really? there are so many special people here this - like really? there are so many i special people here this evening like really? there are so many - special people here this evening and i'm very low down on that list. there are many special people we will see tonight but let's start with the nominees, because it's been quite a year. under the last few weeks some of us have been distracted the world cup, but actually, looking back out of the year, there's been so much and so many important things, can you remember at all? the many important things, can you remember at all?— many important things, can you remember at all? the whole year, startin: remember at all? the whole year, starting with _ remember at all? the whole year, starting with the _ remember at all? the whole year,

starting with the winter _ remember at all? the whole year, starting with the winter olympics | starting with the winter olympics and paralympics, the women's euros, the commonwealth games, the european athletics in the world athletics, the rugby league world cup as well, an amazing autumn series, the women's rugby world cup, so as you can imagine whittling all that down to six people has been a tough task, not for me but for the panel, and they've come up with six names. you don't have to — they've come up with six names. you don't have to get involved in any of that so it's not gabby logan who decides, that's an important thing. i can see why people want other people to be on there but we have six great names.— people to be on there but we have six great names. shall we start, the . mnast, six great names. shall we start, the gymnast. jessica — six great names. shall we start, the gymnast, jessica gadirova. - six great names. shall we start, the gymnast, jessica gadirova. she - six great names. shall we start, the gymnast, jessica gadirova. she won the world floor _ gymnast, jessica gadirova. she won the world floor title _ gymnast, jessica gadirova. she won the world floor title at _ gymnast, jessica gadirova. she won the world floor title at the _ gymnast, jessica gadirova. she won the world floor title at the world - the world floor title at the world gymnastics championships and a silver and bronze, a team silver as well, 18 years old from aylesbury. a twin, hersisterjenniferwas well, 18 years old from aylesbury. a twin, her sisterjennifer was in the final as well and her routine was incredible. executed as an athlete to win a world title brilliantly, so she's phenomenal, gymnast, and only one of five brits ever to win the

world title. one of five brits ever to win the world title-— one of five brits ever to win the world title. . �* , , ., world title. that's quite something, 0k. beth mead. — world title. that's quite something, 0k. beth mead. this _ world title. that's quite something, 0k. beth mead. this year _ world title. that's quite something, 0k. beth mead. this year of - world title. that's quite something, | 0k. beth mead. this year of course, she spearheaded that incredible - she spearheaded that incredible campaign by the lionesses. she was the player of the tournament, runner—up in the ban on door. many people felt she was unlucky to come second so she is an incredible footballer. and sadly, she got an injury a few weeks ago, which means she can be here tonight because actually she would have been playing in the champions league so we are looking forward to having her and maybe some more lioness is here. interesting. even your head. there's a lady who has been on our television screens for a long time. in this year finally clinched gold —— eve muirhead. for me she's the winter olympics version of katherine grainger who took five attempts to get her gold. she grainger who took five attempts to get her gold-— get her gold. she has taken four. the bridesmaid _

get her gold. she has taken four. the bridesmaid finally _ get her gold. she has taken four. the bridesmaid finally got - get her gold. she has taken four. the bridesmaid finally got there. | the bridesmaid finally got there. she won the top gong, the gold, this year, so she's an incredibly resilient wonderful athlete and i'm sure scotland will be voting for her. sure scotland will be voting for her, ,, ., ., sure scotland will be voting for her. ., , ., sure scotland will be voting for her. ., , , ., sure scotland will be voting for her. ., , ., .. her. someone else has been on our tv screens for— her. someone else has been on our tv screens for a — her. someone else has been on our tv screens for a long _ her. someone else has been on our tv screens for a long time, _ her. someone else has been on our tv screens for a long time, ronnie - screens for a long time, ronnie o'sullivan. screens for a long time, ronnie 0'sullivan-_ screens for a long time, ronnie 0'sullivan. �* . ., , , 0'sullivan. he's the oldest player ever to win _ 0'sullivan. he's the oldest player ever to win world _ 0'sullivan. he's the oldest player ever to win world title, _ 0'sullivan. he's the oldest player ever to win world title, his - 0'sullivan. he's the oldest player. ever to win world title, his seventh this year, and what a character. he's never ever short of something to say. he's never ever short of something to sa . . �* . he's never ever short of something to say-_ about - he's never ever short of something to say._ about the - to say. that's true. about the sort, to say. that's true. about the sport. about _ to say. that's true. about the sport, about himself, - to say. that's true. about the sport, about himself, and - to say. that's true. about the sport, about himself, and ii to say. that's true. about the i sport, about himself, and i had a good fortune to spend the day with him once and what a complex but brilliant character he is.— brilliant character he is. another erson brilliant character he is. another person topical— brilliant character he is. another person topical at _ brilliant character he is. another person topical at the _ brilliant character he is. another person topical at the moment, i brilliant character he is. another i person topical at the moment, ben stokes. tt’s person topical at the moment, ben stokes. �* . .. person topical at the moment, ben stokes. �* , ., , . stokes. it's not 'ust the england winnin: stokes. it's not 'ust the england winning six — stokes. it's not 'ust the england winning six out — stokes. it's notjust the england winning six out of— stokes. it's notjust the england winning six out of seven - stokes. it's notjust the england winning six out of seven tests i stokes. it's notjust the england i winning six out of seven tests this summer, the t20 world title, having a fantastic winter, as well, but it is the style of play which has been so exciting. you don't play test cricket like that but apparently you can play like that in england have been lighting up the world series this year because of that cavalier and brilliant style. tt’s this year because of that cavalier and brilliant style.— and brilliant style. it's that mentality _ and brilliant style. it's that mentality thing. _

and brilliant style. it's that mentality thing. i- and brilliant style. it's that mentality thing. i think - and brilliant style. it's thatj mentality thing. i think so. and brilliant style. it's that. mentality thing. i think so. it's treat to mentality thing. i think so. it's great to see — mentality thing. i think so. it's great to see him _ mentality thing. i think so. it's great to see him as _ mentality thing. i think so. it's great to see him as well- mentality thing. i think so. it's i great to see him as well because mentality thing. i think so. it's - great to see him as well because he has had his rough ride and things haven't always gone well for him and i think that's why people connect with sportspeople as well because that's what life is about. vulnerability and people not quite making it. speaking of which, jake whiteman. tle making it. speaking of which, jake whiteman. .. making it. speaking of which, jake whiteman. ., ' :: :: whiteman. he won the 1500 metre world title this _ whiteman. he won the 1500 metre world title this summer— whiteman. he won the 1500 metre world title this summer and - whiteman. he won the 1500 metre world title this summer and it's - world title this summer and it's been 39 years since great britain had a man who won a 1500 metre title, our very own steve cram. in the stadium on the day, winning his race, he beat the incredible norwegian, the reigning olympic champion, and his dad jess, a brilliant one himself, he does all the commentary inside the stadium and also was his coach so can you imagine the emotion in that stadium? you are commentating on your son running the race and the finish, you can see the norwegian knowing he was beaten four to eight gave me tingles. beaten four to eight gave me tinales. ~ .. .. beaten four to eight gave me tingles-- he - beaten four to eight gave me tingles.- he had - beaten four to eight gave me tingles.- he had a i tingles. me too. he had a disappointing _ tingles. me too. he had a disappointing olympics, i tingles. me too. he had a. disappointing olympics, so tingles. me too. he had a - disappointing olympics, so he tingles. me too. he had a _ disappointing olympics, so he really knuckled down last winter and pushed

himself so hard and reaped the rewards. , . . rewards. they are the main contenders _ rewards. they are the main contenders but _ rewards. they are the main contenders but tonight - rewards. they are the main contenders but tonight is i rewards. they are the main i contenders but tonight is not rewards. they are the main - contenders but tonight is notjust about this fabulous trophy, is it? we have a team of the year. who might that be? late we have a team of the year. who might that be?— we have a team of the year. who might that be? we mentioned the curlers come _ might that be? we mentioned the curlers come already, _ might that be? we mentioned the curlers come already, the - might that be? we mentioned the curlers come already, the hockey| curlers come already, the hockey commonwealth games, they produced some great moments. the cricketers. the wheelchair rugby league players, so it's been a really brilliant yeah. the lion ss would be a lot of people's favourites for that, as well. we thought the men might push the mental at sadly no. that's another great reward and coach of the year overseas. we've already heard who that is. the great lionel messi, who hasjust done incredible things in his whole career but i think there's a lot of people who wanted that romantic moment for him to lift the world cup and they got it. the scenes we saw from south america, it's crazy. he can be

called the goat now. find america, it's crazy. he can be called the goat now.— america, it's crazy. he can be called the goat now. and also again toniuht, called the goat now. and also again tonight. the — called the goat now. and also again tonight, the timing _ called the goat now. and also again tonight, the timing of— called the goat now. and also again tonight, the timing of that - called the goat now. and also again tonight, the timing of that is - tonight, the timing of that is perfect, isn't it? tt’s tonight, the timing of that is perfect, isn't it? it's beautiful and usain _ perfect, isn't it? it's beautiful and usain bolt— perfect, isn't it? it's beautiful and usain bolt being - perfect, isn't it? it's beautiful| and usain bolt being honoured perfect, isn't it? it's beautiful- and usain bolt being honoured for a lifetime career, and i've seen on the vt is by the way, and i have to a few times because they are quite emotional and if i saw them for the first time on the night i don't think i could carry on with the show. here is, actually, while not being somebody who would induce tears, it takes you back to what a star of the sport he's been. gosh, eah, we star of the sport he's been. gosh, yeah. we miss — star of the sport he's been. gosh, yeah, we miss him, _ star of the sport he's been. gosh, yeah, we miss him, actually. - star of the sport he's been. gosh, i yeah, we miss him, actually. there are always some hugely emotional moments on the night. we look forward to the winner and everybody voting for their favourites, but very often something else takes you by surprise like an unsung hero. we've lost so many people this year. they are always honoured in that moment will stop you in your tracks. there's live music back, and for us presenting the show alongside alex scott in clare balding and gary lineker, have a new audience back will be brilliant because we've had

a few pared down shows where the covid. seeing the hustle and bustle on the red carpet later and the crowd it will feel like we are back. we have been speaking behind—the—scenes at what it's like to be behind the scenes so we like to be behind the scenes so we like to show extra on bbc breakfast, so what is your daylight for the rest of the day? when will you get your hair done? ~ . , ., of the day? when will you get your hair done?— of the day? when will you get your hair done? ~ . , ., ., hair done? what is wrong with it? no can we to hair done? what is wrong with it? no can we go straight — hair done? what is wrong with it? no can we go straight into _ hair done? what is wrong with it? no can we go straight into rehearsal - can we go straight into rehearsal after this and we rehearse it once, we rehearsed it yesterday already, we rehearsed it yesterday already, we block it and then rehearse it today, everybody in city with the vt is, have lunch, do it one more time and then with the vt, have lunch, do it one more time on the go live tonight. it one more time on the go live toniaht. .. �* .. it one more time on the go live toniaht. .. �* ., , ,.. it one more time on the go live toniaht. .. �* ., , . , tonight. you've done this so many times, tonight. you've done this so many times. how _ tonight. you've done this so many times, how nervous _ tonight. you've done this so many times, how nervous do _ tonight. you've done this so many times, how nervous do get? - tonight. you've done this so many times, how nervous do get? my i tonight. you've done this so many - times, how nervous do get? my tenth ear for times, how nervous do get? my tenth year for that — times, how nervous do get? my tenth year for that gary _ times, how nervous do get? my tenth year for that gary lineker _ times, how nervous do get? my tenth year for that gary lineker said - times, how nervous do get? my tenth year for that gary lineker said to - year for that gary lineker said to me the first time around, i don't know if i say this, but he said you can get feelings in your stomach. backstage, this is a 69th year, you remember the names on here, you remember the names on here, you remember watching it as a kid, and you have that kind of honour of

being part of a historic show and every year i'm just delighted that i'm still able to do that. i'm looking forward to it as much as anybody at home tonight. latte looking forward to it as much as anybody at home tonight. we will all be rootin: anybody at home tonight. we will all be rooting for— anybody at home tonight. we will all be rooting for you, _ anybody at home tonight. we will all be rooting for you, as _ anybody at home tonight. we will all be rooting for you, as well— anybody at home tonight. we will all be rooting for you, as well as - be rooting for you, as well as everybody else coming here tonight. you will be here tonight no doubt in a fabulous dress. latte you will be here tonight no doubt in a fabulous dress.— a fabulous dress. we may have to have a little _ a fabulous dress. we may have to have a little chat. _ a fabulous dress. we may have to have a little chat. good _ a fabulous dress. we may have to have a little chat. good luck. - a fabulous dress. we may have to have a little chat. good luck. it's. have a little chat. good luck. it's going to be really special. the day after bbc sports _ going to be really special. the day after bbc sports personality - going to be really special. the day after bbc sports personality of. going to be really special. the day| after bbc sports personality of the year, people say so and so should have won and i say did you vote and they say no. vote. but you can't vote until tonight. i will tell you about that on the show when you can start and stop voting. bbc sports personality of the year is on bbc one, bbc iplayer and the bbc sport website and app from 6.45pm. it's going to be good. get yourself comfortable on the sofa because we are in for a ride. comfortable on the sofa because we are infora ride. i’m comfortable on the sofa because we are in for a ride.— are in for a ride. i'm going to try to run back _ are in for a ride. i'm going to try to run back into _ are in for a ride. i'm going to try to run back into the _ are in for a ride. i'm going to try to run back into the studio. - are in for a ride. i'm going to try to run back into the studio. i'ml are in for a ride. i'm going to try l to run back into the studio. i'm on my way. ready for action. there she

goes. you can vote for sally as bbc sports personality of the year, as a runner... no, you can't. you're watching bbc breakfast. it's 8:59. lots more to come on the ambulance strikes on the information and advice you need if you have an emergency today.

this is bbc news with the latest headlines. ambulance workers go on strike today in a dispute over pay, as union leaders criticise the prime ministerfor not being willing to negotiate. this lies squarely at the door of the government. i have been negotiating for 25 years and i have never seen such an abdication of leadership as i have seen from rishi sunak. the health secretary says the three unions striking today have "refused" to work with the government at the national level. steve barclay also advised people to use common sense and avoid taking risks during the strike. so is there something you won't be doing today and do you think the government is taking the right approach to negotiations? get in touch with me on twitter @annitabbc and use

the hashtag bbcyourquestions.