thousands of ambulance workers, including paramedics, go on strike in england and wales, over pay and working conditions. it's their first industrial action in more than 30 years. both sides blame each other for the strikes. this government has walked away from the negotiating table. this strike did not need to happen. they need to get back to the negotiating table so we can get a proper pay rise for these workers and everyone can go back to work. in terms of pay, we've accepted in full the recommendations of what is an independent pay review process. health officials warn patient safety is at risk, while the unions say life threatening emergencies will be covered. we'll have the latest. also this lunchtime. president zelensky is on his way

to washington for talks. his first foreign trip, since russia's invasion. a 33—year—old man admits the murder of four people in derbyshire last year, after changing his plea. it's early closing time for thousands of pubs this winter, hit by rising energy bills, and short of staff. and i am here at the bbc�*s sports personality of the year where the winner for 2022 will be crowned tonight. and on the bbc news channel... arsenal's players said they are fully focused as the site has two zurich in the women's champions league. the —— arsenal's coach. good afternoon and welcome to the bbc news at one.

tens of thousands of ambulance workers, including paramedics and call handlers, are on strike in england and wales, as part of their dispute over pay and conditions. health officials warn patient safety is at risk, while the unions say ambulance crews will respond, to life threatening emergencies. the industrial action began at midnight across wales, the west midlands and the north of england. then, from six o'clock this morning, it extended to the east midlands and the south. the east of england and the isle of wight are unaffected. and within the last hour, ambulance workers and paramedics in londonjoined picket lines. with the very latest, here's our health correspondent, jim reed. what do we want? fair pay! when do we want it? now! paramedics early this morning on the picket line coventry. staff said the dispute is about pay and also patient safety.—

dispute is about pay and also patient safety. dispute is about pay and also atient safe . ., , , ., patient safety. you can spend four, five hours in _ patient safety. you can spend four, five hours in the _ patient safety. you can spend four, five hours in the back— patient safety. you can spend four, five hours in the back of— patient safety. you can spend four, five hours in the back of an - five hours in the back of an ambulance sometimes waiting to go into the hospital. often we can hear over the radio there is a cardiac arrest and people we cannot get to. i have worked here 11 years and never _ i have worked here 11 years and never seen _ i have worked here 11 years and never seen this before. it is really stressful. never seen this before. it is really stressful- as _ never seen this before. it is really stressful. as a _ never seen this before. it is really stressful. as a result _ never seen this before. it is really stressful. as a result people - never seen this before. it is really stressful. as a result people have i stressful. as a result people have chosen_ stressful. as a result people have chosen other _ stressful. as a result people have chosen other employment - stressful. as a result people have chosen other employment to - stressful. as a result people have chosen other employment to go l stressful. as a result people have i chosen other employment to go to. we are chosen other employment to go to. are losing staff. ambulances were still leaving to go to the most life—threatening emergencies. most category one calls will be responded to, as may some category two calls like strokes and serious burns. other urgent problems like a woman in late stage labour or an elderly person falling on their home might not be answered or delayed. the government accuses unions to make a conscious decision to inflict harm on patients. conscious decision to inflict harm on patients-_ conscious decision to inflict harm on atients. ., , . on patients. the three unions have refused to work _

on patients. the three unions have refused to work with _ on patients. the three unions have refused to work with us _ on patients. the three unions have refused to work with us at - on patients. the three unions have refused to work with us at a - refused to work with us at a national level only having local arrangements in terms of coverage of life—threatening and emergency calls. there is further uncertainty on the day because some of the emergency calls, whether they respond or not will be decided on the day in the call centres by members. the day in the call centres by members-— the day in the call centres by members. ., , ., , , the day in the call centres by members. ., ., _ ., members. unions acted furiously to suggestions — members. unions acted furiously to suggestions they — members. unions acted furiously to suggestions they are _ members. unions acted furiously to suggestions they are deliberately i suggestions they are deliberately causing harm. suggestions they are deliberately causing harm-— suggestions they are deliberately causina harm. , . causing harm. every time the health secretary speaks _ causing harm. every time the health secretary speaks my _ causing harm. every time the health secretary speaks my head _ causing harm. every time the health secretary speaks my head is - causing harm. every time the health secretary speaks my head is in - secretary speaks my head is in my hands _ secretary speaks my head is in my hands i_ secretary speaks my head is in my hands. i have never seen such an abdication — hands. i have never seen such an abdication of leadership. we have negotiated locally all of the cover. the important thing to say is that this government has walked away from the negotiating table. this strike did not— the negotiating table. this strike did not need to happen. 600 troops had been trained _ did not need to happen. 600 troops had been trained to _ did not need to happen. 600 troops had been trained to step _ did not need to happen. 600 troops had been trained to step in - did not need to happen. 600 troops had been trained to step in and - had been trained to step in and drive ambulances, although they are not allowed to treat patients or use blue lights. in brighton the

military could be seen, alongside paramedics bringing patients into hospital. this strike at a time when ambulance services are already under intense pressure. in gloucester this week long queues of vehicles were stuck inside to outside hospital because there was no inside to unload patients. —— stuck outside hospital. unload patients. -- stuck outside hosital. , , ~ ., , hospital. this strike could not be ha enin: hospital. this strike could not be happening at _ hospital. this strike could not be happening at a — hospital. this strike could not be happening at a worse _ hospital. this strike could not be happening at a worse time - hospital. this strike could not be i happening at a worse time because hospital. this strike could not be - happening at a worse time because of the pressure is the nhs faces. that is why yesterday, in a letter to the prime minister and again today we are appealing to both sides to try to find a way of both coming to the table and avoiding further industrial action. table and avoiding further industrialaction. , . . industrial action. ambulance staff industrial action. ambulance staff in northern _ industrial action. ambulance staff in northern ireland _ industrial action. ambulance staff in northern ireland also _ industrial action. ambulance staff in northern ireland also went - industrial action. ambulance staff in northern ireland also went on i 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. strike action here in liverpool and across most of the rest of england and wales will

continue through the day. with no breakthrough in talks and signs the dispute is getting more heated, expect further disruption next week and perhaps into the new year. jim reed, bbc news. in a moment, we'll hear from our correspondent in newport, tomos morgan, but first to katharine da costa in coventry. catherine, how determined are the people on the picket lines where you are? , , . , , ., are? yes, these are members of the unite union- — are? yes, these are members of the unite union. they _ are? yes, these are members of the unite union. they walked _ are? yes, these are members of the unite union. they walked out - are? yes, these are members of the unite union. they walked out at - are? yes, these are members of the unite union. they walked out at six i unite union. they walked out at six a 12 hour strike. plenty of honking horns and cheers. workers say too many are leaving because of record delays in reaching patients and handovers, at accident and emergency, to hand out the patients. they say morale is at an all—time low. rhetoric between government and unions has been ramping up. the gmb union has another strike planned for

the 28 and other health unions are warning of further strike action into the new year at peak winter months when traditionally the nhs is at its busiest. what is the mood where you are? number of people i have spoken to today all say the same thing, they do not really want to be on strike feel. into doing so, blaming it on the government must saying the pay is not fair and the working environment is not safe or fair as well. a gentleman i spoke to elia said he was always so upset going to calls when he was 20 hours late at times. when they were dealing with the most severe calls they were getting stuck in accident and emergency departments. in this strike in wales only the gmb union is on strike. the result of the unite union ballot will come

tomorrow and i will possibly be a strike from them in the new year. this strike will come to an end at midnight tonight. likelihood is there will be more industrial action in wales as well in the new year. thank you. in scotland, members of the royal college of nursing have rejected the latest payoff from the scottish government. that means fresh strike action is expected. the hopes of the scottish government not fulfilled in this dispute. that hopes of the scottish government not fulfilled in this dispute.— fulfilled in this dispute. that is ri . ht. fulfilled in this dispute. that is right- the _ fulfilled in this dispute. that is right. the deal _ fulfilled in this dispute. that is right. the deal in scotland - fulfilled in this dispute. that is i right. the deal in scotland would have seen health care workers given an average of a 7.5% pay increase, billed as the best in the whole of the uk. the fact that such a high proportion of members have rejected it will be a real blow to the scottish government and the first minister, because she intervened meeting ministers to see if there is

anything that could be done to get the deal over the line. other unions, including unison, have already accepted the deal and others like the gmb, who represent the majority of ambulance workers have turned it down. i am told there is a willingness to get back around the table on all sides. quite hard to see where negotiations will go. while strikes are not guaranteed in the new year, they are certainly getting closer. our chief political correspondent, nick eardley, is at westminster. both sides have stated their positions in recent days and weeks. they are actively blaming the other side for the strikes. there seems to be no possible reconciliation, all of the sides coming together anytime soon. �* . , ., of the sides coming together anytime soon. 1, , ., ., ._ of the sides coming together anytime soon. ., ., ,, soon. based on today, it looks like

relations are _ soon. based on today, it looks like relations are getting _ soon. based on today, it looks like relations are getting worse. - soon. based on today, it looks like relations are getting worse. it - relations are getting worse. it would be a blow for mps who may think one side or both may find a ladder to climb down. the health secretary has written in the telegraph this morning saying unions made a conscious decision to inflict harm on patients. the response from the unions to that, from unite in particular, has been furious. they accused stephen barclay other blatant likely saying he was past the sell by date, suggesting he should be standing down as health secretary and that the prime minister should be taking charge of the process. we had known for they did not agree on pay. when it comes to blaming each other potentially for deaths, which could take place as a result of the strikes and when it comes to getting them back around the table, none of this bed is well rattled. not to say there are some areas where potentially there could be a way of offering an olive

branch. —— none of this bodes very well rattled. they could look at a one—off payment to help with cost of living pressures. the government has said it is prepared to look at how next year's payoff is calculated, hinting it could be more generous but the unions are not accepting that at the moment. it remains a stalemate. we have been saying that for the last couple of weeks. the rhetoric from both sides seems to be getting worse. ukraine's president, volodymyr zelensky, is travelling to washington, on his first trip abroad since the russian invasion in february. he'll address a joint session of congress, and hold talks with president biden at the white house, where a new package of military aid will be announced. let's get the latest on the fighting, our correspondent, hugo bachega, has more from kyiv.

this is president zelensky yesterday in bakhmut, meeting troops engaged in some of the fiercest battles in this war. today he'll be in washington, his first foreign trip since russia invaded in february. it's a trip full of security risks and was only confirmed hours before it was due to start. here is the president at a train station in poland, ahead of his flight to washington. the us has been ukraine's most important ally in the war. it has committed tens of billions of dollars in aid and weapons, more than any other country. and there is more to come. president biden will announce a package with military aid, including patriot missiles. this is a sophisticated air defence system ukrainians say they need to defend their country from air strikes. russia's campaign targeting critical infrastructure has left millions of people without electricity, heating and water. this, as temperatures plummet below freezing. ukraine says russia is using winter as a weapon, trying to break ukrainian morale.

but people here say they are determined to resist. 300 days into the war, ukraine is warning against complacency, saying russia, despite military setbacks still poses a major threat. for president zelensky, this visit is an opportunity to speak to those criticising support for his country and make the case for even more help. in moscow, president vladimir putin said he would ensure the safety of people across russia, including in the ukrainian regions he claims to have annexed. he said the main nato countries were using all their military power against russia. president putin still addressing defence officials in moscow. he has been repeating some familiar points, saying russia's strategic enemies want the country disintegration and that moscow tried for years to

create brotherly relations and nothing worked. there was an admission of problems during the mobilisation of hundreds of thousands of reservists for the war with ukraine. in a sign that he is not backing down, he said there was not backing down, he said there was no financial limit in what could be provided to the country's armed forces. thank you. a man has admitted murdering a pregnant woman, her son and daughter and her daughter's friend, in derbyshire last year. damien bendall had pleaded guilty to manslaughter, but changed his plea in the last few hours. our correspondent, phil mackie, is at derby crown court. this is a deeply distressing case. take us through the detail. i cannot no throu~h take us through the detail. i cannot go through a _ take us through the detail. i cannot go through a lot _ take us through the detail. i cannot go through a lot of _ take us through the detail. i cannot go through a lot of the _ take us through the detail. i cannot go through a lot of the details - go through a lot of the details because they were so horrific. this was a traumatic morning for the relatives of those who survived.

this women was in a relationship with damien bendall, her son and daughter and friend staying on a sleep over that weekend in a village of killamarsh in derbyshire. we learned more about damien bendall. he had been in an abusive relationship. in time. they were expecting a baby together and he was a drug user with previous convictions. that night he took a hammer and killed them all. we saw body footage from an officer. we also saw footage from lacey who had recorded her charity sweet sound she had been doing with connie the night before she died. there will be a mandatory life sentence but they say he should get a whole life murder because these were brutal, vicious and cruel tax. none of the victim

stood a chance. some terribly sad statements from relatives, one said his heart had been shattered into a million pieces. we will hear the sentence at 2:30pm. the authorities in china say there hasn't been a single death from covid today, despite mounting evidence of a surge in infections. there's growing scepticism about the country's offical figures, which suggestjust seven people have died from the virus in the last two weeks, despite many lockdown restrictions being lifted. here's our analysis editor, ros atkins. china's zero—covid policy is over and the virus is surging. china's chief epidemiologist is warning this is the first of three waves. one doctor quoted by state media calls this a pandemic tsunami. and establishing how big this outbreak is isn't easy. official statistics note 16 covid deaths in the last month but there's scepticism about these figures.

then, look at the far right of this chart. the number of confirmed cases is falling. but that's because mass testing in china stopped recently, which means no—one's quite sure what's happening with the virus. there are, though, ways that we can build up a picture of this surge. the bbc�*s team in beijing filmed this queue outside a health clinic and filmed this queue outside a pharmacy. the sign says no cold and flu tablets, no thermometers and no testing kits. social media is another potential source of information. by cross—referencing with other images posted online, the bbc has verified this video, which shows overcrowding at a children's hospital in northern china. we're seeing lots of other videos, too, appearing to show hospitals under pressure. but these are difficult to verify. there are restrictions on chinese social media platforms that stop people from being able to post freely, and therefore it can be difficult to get an accurate assessment of what's happening on the ground. social media is one source,

news agencies are another. reuters reports that in beijing, the local emergency hotline has been overwhelmed by over 30,000 calls per day. reuters also filmed these queues of vehicles outside a crematorium, though it's not clear if this is caused by covid or, in guangzhou, a crematorium worker told the afp news agency its three or four times busier than in previous years. as well as news agencies, we can follow official statements, too, such as this in beijing. translation: medical supplies in the city and treatment - resources are under increasing pressure due to the rapid spread of the epidemic and the continuously rising number of patients with fever. and, as the health service tries to cope, so do the people of china. translation: my entire family have fallen ill and are trying _

to get better at home. but everyone is free to go outside now, which i think has made life easier. people can go outside, but many are choosing not to either because they have the virus or because they want to avoid it, which is something that china's been trying to do for three years. now, though, covid is spreading freely and china's vaccines and its health service are being severely tested. ros atkins with that report. the time is 1.19. our top story this lunchtime. thousands of ambulance workers including paramedics go on strike in england and wales over pay and working conditions. elon musk says he will resign as twitter chief executive after users in a poll voted yes to him stepping down. coming up on bbc news, former england head coach eddiejones says he could sense his tie was almost

up, but hasn't ruled out one more big job in rugby. the body representing many of britain's pubs says a majority are considering cutting opening hours this winter because of staff shortages and rising energy bills. the british beer and pub association says more than 85% of public houses are considering closing for at least one day a week. bbc analysis has also found that 331 food service firms, like cafes, pubs and catering companies, say they're going bankrupt, filing for insolvency in november. that's up 57% compared to the same time last year. in all, well over 6,000 hospitality firms have begun insolvency proceedings since 2020. with more, here's our business reporter, noor nanji. 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 otherwise many more businesses will be forced to close, not just temporarily, but for good. these are really difficult times for our pubs. they're making extremely difficult decisions. they want to stay open and provide that warm place for their consumers to come into this winter, but at the same time, they're experiencing soaring inflation and eye—watering energy bills, and these costs are really eradicating any profitability whatsoever. 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. members of the scottish parliament have restarted their debate on proposals, aimed at simplifying and speeding up the process which allows people to legally change their gender. msps are considering more than 150 amendments to the planned legislation, which the scottish government says will ensure dignity for trans people, but critics argue, is a threat to women and girls. our correspondent lorna gordon, is at holyrood. lorna, 150 amendments. that is a clear indicationjust lorna, 150 amendments. that is a clear indication just how controversial these plans are. yes, it is, clive. — controversial these plans are. yes, it is, clive. that _ controversial these plans are. yes, it is, clive. that debate _ controversial these plans are. yes, it is, clive. that debate is - it is, clive. that debate isjust got under way inside the parliament behind me. outside you can see a

very vocal, very angry group of campaigners who oppose the legislation. there's been cries of shame from their muffled there's also been other demonstrations from very passionate groups in favour of what the scottish government is proposing and this legislation has also seen the biggest rebellion from the snp benches since they took power back in 2007. that was at an earlier stage in the legislative process. what the scottish government wants to do is simplify and streamline the process for transgender people, what they go through to change their gender on their birth certificate. at the moment they need to have a medical diagnosis and need to live in their acquired genderfor at diagnosis and need to live in their acquired gender for at least two years. the scottish government also wants to lower the age limit from 18 to 16. now some of those who oppose this legislation say they have safeguarding concerns about lowering the age limit to a level where people might still be experimenting with their identity and also had concerns that predatory men may use the legislation to access women only

single sex bases. scotland's first minister says the rights of transgender people are not in conflict with the rights of women, there are possible hurdles ahead which could be challenged in court, but as it stands, the numbers are therefore this vote to pass. qm. therefore this vote to pass. 0k, lorna, therefore this vote to pass. 0k, lorna. thank— therefore this vote to pass. 0k, lorna, thank you. _ therefore this vote to pass. 0k, lorna, thank you. lorna - therefore this vote to pass. 0k, lorna, thank you. lorna gordon they live at holyrood. the billionaire businessman elon musk says he'll step down as chief executive of the online platform twitter as soon as he finds someone, as he put it, "foolish enough to take the job". it follows the result of his own poll on the site, asking users whether he should step down. the result was overwelmingly yes. here's our technology editor, zoe kleinman. it's not a good day. it's been interesting week for elon musk and it's only wednesday. last night he took to twitter. he sent a tweet confirming that he is looking for a new chief executive to take over from him as the boss. he wrote, "i will resign as ceo as soon as i find someone foolish enough to take the job." it's all come about because of

a poll musk tweeted on sunday asking whether he should remain in charge. more than 17 million people voted and 57.5% said he should step down. at the end of october, the multi—billionaire musk strode defiantly into twitter hq in san francisco carrying a sink. that was his way of announcing he was now in charge. and he didn't hang about in bringing in some enormous changes. after one week, he laid off half the workforce. he reinstated some controversial high—profile accounts. introduced a subscription fee for a new blue tick service, and banned some journalists who he accused of sharing his location. then he tried to block twitter users from mentioning their presence on rival social networks. he was beginning to attract scrutiny from regulators. clearly there are a lot of people who are upset with the things he's been doing at twitter and the constant changes back and forth. look, everybody has to go through the process of debating different sides of things.

the issue is you don't usually make all of that public. you don't make every step along the way public. and that's what he's doing. elon musk is no longer the world's richest man. the share price of his other firm, the electric car—maker tesla, has fallen with investors complaining that musk is neglecting it. and he has other businesses to run too, including spacex, which launches rockets into earth's orbit and has plans to take humans to mars. musk has problems in his in—tray. so who wants to be twitter�*s new chief executive? it's a difficultjob. elon musk will still own the firm, he'll still have a role, and, undoubtedly, he will still prolifically tweet about it. zoe kleinman, bbc news. the bbc sports personality of the year awards return tonight, a chance to celebrate the best sporting achievements of the last year. the short list of six contenders has been announced and the winner will be chosen by the public at

the ceremony tonight. here's andy swiss. the 2021 bbc sports personality of the year is... emma raducanu! last year it went to a certain teenage tennis star but who'll be the next person to lift that famous trophy? well, these are the six contenders in alphabetical order. there's gymnastjessica gadirova who won gold at the world championships at just 18. footballer beth mead, the player of the tournament as england won the women's euros on home soil. eve muirhead, who led her team to britain's only gold medal at the winter olympics. there snooker player ronnie o'sullivan, world champion for a record—equalling seventh time. cricketer ben stokes, england's victorious test captain, who also helped them win the t20 world cup. and finally, jake wightman, who clinched gold in the 1500 metres at the world athletics championships. there's also some big awards for some big names.

fresh from guiding argentina to world cup glory, lionel messi has been named the world sports star of the year. bolt is going to do it again! while usain bolt will be honoured with a lifetime achievement award. five years after retiring, still the fastest man in history. he has no equal. he is just incomparable. i've accomplished all i want to do in my sports, so it'sjust a great feeling to know that with determination and sacrifice i put in that i could accomplish what i wanted to, you know, because i'm trying to motivate people and say believe in yourself and just go and do your best. and so the stage here in salford is very nearly set. after what's been a bumper year for sport, with so many events and so many stars, the red carpet awaits for one final glittering night. yes, this is the studio where it

will be happening tonight, a few final preparations going on and there is a real sense of anticipation, not least because for the first time since 2019, there will actually be a live audience share inside the studio. obviously the last few years have been affected by covid, but this year we are expecting an audience of around about 750 guests here inside the studio and of course, the big question they will all be asking is who will be lifting that famous trophy? it is a public vote, remember. you can vote by phone or online and details on how you can vote will be given out during the show which gets under way at 6:a5pm this evening on bbc one. andy, thank you. that trophy will be a nice present for someone with it being christmas. jingle bells and all that. what is the weather going to be like? a white christmas? in the balance. we had a taste of

wintry weather already so i'm sure it's a question i'm being asked but at the moment