this is bbc news with the latest headlines: president zelensky says ukraine is "alive and kicking" and will never surrender, in a defiant address to us lawmakers as president biden pledges another military aid package worth almost $2 billion. financial assistance is also critically important. and i would like to thank you. thank you very much. thank you for both financial packages you have already provided us with. warnings of a "very challenging" day for hospitals after a quieter than normal time during yesterday's ambulance strikes. more thani million households with pre—payment meters did not redeem their monthly energy support vouchers during the cold weather snap in december.

a leading charity says the provision of holiday food support for children has become a "postcode lottery", support for children has become as 20 councils in england say they are no longer offering food vouches to children over the christmas holidays. is your family affected by the decison to drop the holiday food voucher programme? are you visiting out of necessity or working at a foodbank over the festive period? get in touch with me on twitter @annitabbc and use the hashtag bbcyourquestions. and coming up this hour.... we'll look back at what was a momentous year for the royal family with a special programme at 9:30am.

hello and welcome. the president of ukraine, volodymyr zelensky, has received the red carpet treatment in washington, dramatically flying in from a warzone to meet president biden at the white house. let's take a look at some of the support that's been promised. us presidentjoe biden confirmed a new package of $1.85 billion in assistance for ukraine. mr biden also promised another m5 billion for ukraine, which would need to be passed by congress. the president told ukraine that the united states "will stay with you as long as it takes". some of the money promised will go towards a new patriot missile system — it's a sophisticated air defence system that will help ukraine to protect its cities from missiles and drones. we will get analysis in a few moments. our first report is from nada tawfik who has being following what's been happening. ukraine's president, volodymyr zelensky, was embraced by us lawmakers with a long,

standing ovation, as he entered the house chamber. wearing his trademark military fatigues, he came here on this, his first trip abroad since the start of russia's invasion with a clear mission — to secure america's continued support for the ongoing war in his country. as ukrainians brace for a potential new russian winter offensive, president zelensky told lawmakers the decisions of congress could save ukraine. financial assistance is also critically important. and i would like to thank you. thank you very much. thank you for both financial packages you have already provided us with and the ones you may be willing to decide on. your money is not charity. it's an investment in the global security. before he left, he gifted congress a ukrainian flag from soldiers fighting on the front lines. the speaker of the house, nancy pelosi, presented him with the american flag that flew

over the capitol, wednesday. president zelensky�*s address comes just as us lawmakers prepare for another era of divided government. in less than two weeks, republicans will take control of the house of representatives, and some have already expressed opposition to what they call blank—cheque funding for ukraine. president zelensky no doubt had them in mind during his speech, hoping they wouldn't block the future flow of aid. for now, the aid is still flowing. during his meeting with president biden, 1.85 billion in additional funding was announced... 300 days, hard to believe, 300 days. ..along with plans to send ukraine the most advanced air defence weapon in the us's arsenal, the patriot missile system. and us lawmakers are preparing to pass an additional m5 billion in emergency assistance — the largest amount yet. this year has brought so much needless suffering and loss to the ukrainian people.

but i want you to know, president zelensky, i want you to know, and all the people of ukraine to know as well, the american people have been with you every step of the way and we will stay with you. we will stay with you. president zelensky is only the second wartime leader to address congress since winston churchill in i9ai. he will return directly back to ukraine after this significant, if short, visit to prepare for the next phase of the war. nada tawfik, bbc news, washington. in a moment, we will hear from the former head of the army, lord richard dannatt, but first let's speak to the ukrainian mp and leader of the golos political party, kira rudik. good morning and thank you for joining us. what does it mean to the people of ukraine to see their president in washington, hear the speech and the words of president biden? , ., ., speech and the words of president biden? h, ., ., speech and the words of president biden? ,., ., ., ., ~ ,, speech and the words of president biden? ., ., ~ i. biden? good morning, thank you so much for having _ biden? good morning, thank you so

much for having me. _ biden? good morning, thank you so much for having me. it _ biden? good morning, thank you so much for having me. it would - biden? good morning, thank you so much for having me. it would not i biden? good morning, thank you so| much for having me. it would not be an over exaggeration to say we are all bursting with pride. we are so extremely happy and proud of what happened yesterday in the white house and congress. of the hope that the president zelensky is bringing back home. the hope that this was a turning point in this war. we need this hope desperately, because, right now, we are experiencing all the hurdles of having 50% of the energy infrastructure being destroyed. so, the homes are without heat, without running water, without electricity, without connectivity. and we know that we have to survive at least three months of this. three months of winter. and with this, hearing president biden saying that we will finally receive the air defence systems that we need so badly, we have the hope that others will follow him and that we will

start receiving more and more weapons and defence systems. so we can protect ourselves. and then we have chance to survive through this war. because every morning, we are waking up to an air raid siren being on, which means that there are missiles coming on to somebody�*s home, to destroy them, to kill everybody who is around. and this is extremely scary. and now we have hope that it will stop, that we will be able to protect ourselves. president zelensky... president zelensky, i noted, said that this money, this new aid that the us has pledged is a donation to global security and democracy. and he said, "which we handle and the most responsible way". it was interesting to hear how he phrased that. does that hint at concerns in ukraine that, amongst some countries, some politicians, there may be question

marks over continuing to back your fight against russia? the president was addressing _ fight against russia? the president was addressing the _ fight against russia? the president was addressing the recent - fight against russia? the president was addressing the recent quotes l fight against russia? the president. was addressing the recent quotes on saying that ukraine has been sent a blank cheque. well, we know that it is not a blank cheque and that we treasure every single piece of support that we are receiving and we are using it as effectively as we can possibly do. we have international spectators, soldiers, controlling humanitarian support that can prove that. and, for us, the trust that we have from our alliance who will continue sending us whatever we are asking for, that is also critical. for us, it's a matter of life and death. it's a matter of life and death. it's a matter of life and death. it's a matter of either we will have a christmas in 2023 or not. and honestly, we didn't know if we were

going to make it until this christmas. and it is still a miracle and also a result of such tremendous hard work of every single person in democratic country that we are here and able to address the white house and able to address the white house and congress to our president. you have called — and congress to our president. you have called 2022 the year of the struggle forjustice. what have called 2022 the year of the struggle for justice. what will 2023 b? it struggle for 'ustice. what will 2023 b? , ., struggle for 'ustice. what will 2023 s? , ., ., struggle for 'ustice. what will 2023 s? b? it will be a year of victory. this is what _ b? it will be a year of victory. this is what we _ b? it will be a year of victory. this is what we are _ b? it will be a year of victory. this is what we are hoping . b? it will be a year of victory. | this is what we are hoping for. b? it will be a year of victory. - this is what we are hoping for. the whole nation is hoping for that. you've used the word hope a lot, haven't you? andy said in your first answer that you hope with this new injection of aid from the us that this is a turning point in the war —— and you said. can you be more specific? what about this do you think will make it turning point? well, giving us the patriot missiles, that is a very emotional step because this is something that we have been begging for since day one. it is critical for us to use

the most advanced system that is in the most advanced system that is in the capacity of the united states to protect ourselves. and also say to russia that we have the whole democratic world behind us. and with the ability to receive enough weapons, we will be able to push russia out of our territory, liberate our people, and restore our sovereignty. this is our plan. what we were lacking was the amount of weapons and the level of sophistication. right now, we are given the sign that we will get all of that. with our soldiers fighting, we do not need anybody else to come and fight for us. we will be fighting for ourselves but we need enough resources and we were finally promised that. with that, we do hope, but also do plan, that we will win the war.

hope, but also do plan, that we will win the war-— win the war. kira rudik, mp in ukraine, thank— win the war. kira rudik, mp in ukraine, thank you _ win the war. kira rudik, mp in ukraine, thank you very - win the war. kira rudik, mp in| ukraine, thank you very much. win the war. kira rudik, mp in - ukraine, thank you very much. leader of the golos political party. i'm joined now by the former head of the army, lord richard dannatt. thank you for your time. what difference do you think the patriot missiles and the new package will make to ukraine in this fight? the zelens 's make to ukraine in this fight? tue: zelensky's visit make to ukraine in this fight? he zelensky's visit was make to ukraine in this fight? t'te: zelensky's visit was strategically important visit and the wider points he was making were well placed and it did prompt that reaction from joe biden to say united states will continue to stand with ukraine indefinitely. that is a really important message for zelensky to hear. frankly, if the americans aren't. behind the ukrainians then they don't really have much of a chance. providing them with the patriot missile system is important. in terms of their defensive measures and clearly from the last week one can sense the difficulties that

people in ukraine are going through at the present moment. defending means you are not to lose, but the really important thing to start to think about and last week it was reflecting the hope, is whether ukraine can actually win. zelensky has made it quite clear that his strategic objective is to expel the russians from all of ukraine, including crimea. 0ne russians from all of ukraine, including crimea. one has to ask the question how is that going to happen? it's only going to happen when ukrainiansjudge happen? it's only going to happen when ukrainians judge they are going to strong enough in the moment is right to mount a significant offensive themselves, which, if it works and is successful, could have the effect of breaking the russian army's morale, breaking its will to fight. that is their best opportunity and probably their only opportunity and probably their only opportunity to win this war. frankly, negotiating a way to success is not realistic, they need to success on the battlefield and they can only do that with significant american and western

aid. ~ . ., significant american and western aid. ~ ., ., ., aid. we will come back to that in a second, aid. we will come back to that in a second. but _ aid. we will come back to that in a second. but i _ aid. we will come back to that in a second, but i think _ aid. we will come back to that in a second, but i think this _ aid. we will come back to that in a second, but i think this is - aid. we will come back to that in a second, but i think this is a - aid. we will come back to that in a second, but i think this is a good l second, but i think this is a good moment to ask you what is russia's plan at this point? and its capability at this stage. tt’s plan at this point? and its capability at this stage. it's quite clear that russia _ capability at this stage. it's quite clear that russia also _ capability at this stage. it's quite clear that russia also wants - capability at this stage. it's quite clear that russia also wants to i clear that russia also wants to mount another offensive. putin is getting quite close to getting desperate. we saw his recent visit to belorussia, to persuade them to join and whether they will or won't, we will see. he has a partial mobilisation and has brought several hundred thousand into his army. you have to ask the question what capability or increase it will bring. numbers are one thing but they need to be trained and well led and equipped and motivated to fight. all of those things are lacking amongst the russian military. we might see in the late winter and early spring the russians might try

another offensive and maybe even another offensive and maybe even another strike from belarus into kyiv. it is a feature to say i think that offensive will fail. much more importantly is the question of the ukrainians and whether they can gather enough strength and modern western supply weapons for their offensive to be successful. you could see a scenario whereby the russians make an offensive, it fails, there is a ukrainian counter offensive and if successful, that could break the russian army's morale. that is the basis on which zelensky could achieve success, free his country from russia and bring this appalling war to an end. 0ne this appalling war to an end. one has to say what percentage chance, difficult to say but that is the only scenario i can see whereby ukraine can achieve its strategic objectives. ukraine can achieve its strategic ob'ectives. ~ ., ., ukraine can achieve its strategic objectives-_ ukraine can achieve its strategic ob'ectives. ~ ., ., ., , objectives. what more does it need b wa of objectives. what more does it need by way of equipment _ objectives. what more does it need by way of equipment as _ objectives. what more does it need by way of equipment as far - objectives. what more does it need by way of equipment as far as - objectives. what more does it need by way of equipment as far as you | by way of equipment as far as you are able to tell, to achieve those strategic objectives? the?

are able to tell, to achieve those strategic objectives?— are able to tell, to achieve those strategic objectives? strategic ob'ectives? they will need eve hinu strategic objectives? they will need everything right _ strategic objectives? they will need everything right across _ strategic objectives? they will need everything right across the - strategic objectives? they will need everything right across the piece. . everything right across the piece. artillery, long—range precision artillery is absolutely key and they have been supplied with much of this, which was really the foundation of the two counter offensive they mounted in kharkiv and kerr sun earlier this autumn. —— and kerr sun earlier this autumn. —— and kherson. you have to manoeuvre and kherson. you have to manoeuvre and tanks and infantry fighting vehicles and sufficient trained people to operate them. ukraine is going down that path well. those are the sort of systems that need to be increasingly supplied. yes, other former say bit countries, such as poland, have gifted them a lot of former soviet quick —— former soviet countries. but it should more western equipment to be made available? ukrainians have had a bitter year of war fighting and when you are fighting an intense war like they are, your motivation is very high, your ability and willingness

to learn and innovate is also extremely high. we need to recognise that, reinforce that and give them the best chance of defeating russia in ukraine. i don't mean defeating russia in the round but in ukraine. this war, it is in everyone's interest to get it settled. i am certain if the russian army was to collapse in the way the ukrainian offensive might bring about, i am sure there would be a change of leadership in the kremlin. you never know who will be there next but it might be someone who is more realistic about the russian position and russia 's position vis—a—vis the west. a lot of that must be based on but frankly, a ukrainian counter offensive is the best way of changing the dynamics on the battlefield and changing the dynamics of this campaign. tqm. battlefield and changing the dynamics of this campaign. 0k, lord richard dannatt, _ dynamics of this campaign. 0k, lord richard dannatt, former _ dynamics of this campaign. 0k, lord richard dannatt, former head - dynamics of this campaign. 0k, lord richard dannatt, former head of- dynamics of this campaign. 0k, lord richard dannatt, former head of the| richard dannatt, former head of the army, thank you very much.- army, thank you very much. thank ou. health leaders are warning that today could be "very challenging" for hospitals, as disruption from yesterday's ambulance strike

in england and wales continues. there were fewer calls than usual in some areas, but nhs providers, which represents hospital trusts and ambulance services, says patients who put—off going to accident and emergency departments yesterday could turn—up today, increasing pressure on services. daniela relph reports. what do we want? fair pay. when do we want it? now! after the strike, comes the challenge of today. people appeared to have heeded the warnings and avoided calling 999 in many regions, with thousands of ambulance workers striking yesterday. but now hospitals are bracing themselves for a return to normal service, what some are viewing as a possible rebound effect in the days ahead. we know that the pressure is going to mount over the next couple of days because there's very likely to be some knock—on impact, including those people who didn't come forward for treatment over the past couple of days, and also rescheduling operations and outpatient appointments that couldn't take place during the strike days.

it was the biggest strike action by ambulance staff in more than 30 years. yesterday's picket lines, a clear sign of how the dispute between government and ambulance workers over pay, job conditions and patient safety has escalated. those striking felt left with no other option other than to stop work. there's patients in the community that are waiting hours on end in very poorly or critical conditions that aren't getting ambulances. in life threatening cases, ambulance workers did leave the picket line to respond. the military were also called in to help. the impact of the strike appears mixed across england and wales. some services were put on a critical footing. 0thers reported a reduction in 999 calls, while unions were accused by the health secretary of putting the lives of patients at risk. the nhs is broken.

the ambulance service is crippled by a lack of funding and a real recruitment and retention crisis. this industrial action can stop today. what needs to happen is the government need to sit down with the senior unison officials and the other nhs unions. we can stop this today. there doesn't need to be any more industrial action. scottish health unions are due to meet today to discuss their next move after nurses, paramedics and midwives rejected what the scottish government called a best and final pay offer. strike action is now a real possibility. in england and wales, the effects of the latest disruption may last several days, with one union planning another strike next week. daniela relph, bbc news. highway workers in london and the south—east of england are on strike from today until christmas day — meanwhile 1,000 border force staff will begin the first of an eight—day walk—out from tomorrow.

if you want to find out more about these strikes or any other industrial action set to take place over the next few days, you can get all the details on the bbc news website. more than a million households with pre—payment energy meters did not claim monthly energy support vouchers during the cold snap earlier this month. all households in britain get £400 from the energy support scheme, with around two million customers getting this as vouchers. but only around 27% of december�*s vouchers had been cashed at paypoint stores by the 18th december, despite the recent freezing weather. that compares to around 73% of vouchers being redeemed in november. the post office also saw fewer claims this month. firms say postal strikes may have delayed some voucher deliveries, and the government says energy suppliers have promised to improve processess. a leading business organisation says a large number of firms are reporting difficulties coming to terms with post—brexit trading rules.

the british chambers of commerce is urging ministers to improve the arrangements agreed with the eu nearly two years ago. it says almost three—quarters of affected firms are still waiting to see any benefits. the government says it's providing exporters with practical help. the bbc has found that more than 20 councils in england have dropped holiday food voucher programmes for children receiving free school meals. the local government association said some authorities could not afford to continue the schemes and were choosing other ways to help those struggling with the cost of living in their communities. but campaigners say it's "vitally important" all eligible children receive help. let's speak to paul lynch from the bbc shared data unit. he has been looking into this. good morning. tell us more about what the data found, first of all. 50. morning. tell us more about what the data found, first of all.— data found, first of all. so, this stud is data found, first of all. so, this study is looking _ data found, first of all. so, this study is looking at _ data found, first of all. so, this study is looking at all— data found, first of all. so, this study is looking at all of- data found, first of all. so, this study is looking at all of the - data found, first of all. so, this i study is looking at all of the upper tier councils in england and the sort of food provision they are offering to children over christmas and we wanted to see whether the

very specific holiday food vouchers for children who had received free school meals in term time was still being offered. initially this was brought about by the successful campaign by marcus rashford in 2020 and in most cases, the offer is still a £15 a week voucher each week for the christmas holiday. when you get into the minutiae of it, the picture around the country differs. nine councils have opted not to provide a specific christmas food voucher for children provide a specific christmas food voucherfor children per provide a specific christmas food voucher for children per se. provide a specific christmas food voucherfor children per se. instead offering a one off payment that could be used for heating the family home and other supplies generally. then we have 12 councils who are doing neither of those and instead of planning resources behind the government funding holiday activities and food programme. these are council run sessions, ranging from things like boulder ring to arts and crafts, which children go to and receive hot food while they are there. they have been roundly praised but they don't run for all of the holiday period. tell praised but they don't run for all of the holiday period.— praised but they don't run for all of the holiday period. tell us more about the reaction _ of the holiday period. tell us more about the reaction to _ of the holiday period. tell us more about the reaction to this - of the holiday period. tell us more

about the reaction to this news. it| about the reaction to this news. it is worth saying that the food voucher scheme went back to 2020 was funded by central government and children eligible to receive free school meals could get them but that changed in 2021. the government set “p changed in 2021. the government set up a household support fund which they distributed to councils and they distributed to councils and they gave them discretion to decide whether or not to continue these voucher schemes. most did initially but now some are starting not to. the local government association saysin the local government association says in many areas that are a high proportion of children on school meals. the council is simply not receiving enough on the government fund to offer vouchers to all the eligible children.— fund to offer vouchers to all the eligible children. there was a rule chance eligible children. there was a rule change earlier _ eligible children. there was a rule change earlier this _ eligible children. there was a rule change earlier this year _ eligible children. there was a rule change earlier this year that i eligible children. there was a rulel change earlier this year that meant one third of that funding must be spent on pensioners and council leaders we spoke to said quite simply we are having to think of other ways to support young people. reaction, the food foundation, a charity that campaigns on food policy says this creates a postcode

lottery provision, where some areas have a catch all vouchers and other areas have to apply for help or attend the activities programme is being run by the councils. you mentioned — being run by the councils. you mentioned a _ being run by the councils. you mentioned a bit _ being run by the councils. you mentioned a bit about those 20 councils in england which have dropped the vouchers, what else have they been saying about that decision and other ways they might be choosing to help children eligible for free school meals?— choosing to help children eligible for free school meals? councils say ve much for free school meals? councils say very much the _ for free school meals? councils say very much the cost _ for free school meals? councils say very much the cost of— for free school meals? councils say very much the cost of living - for free school meals? councils say very much the cost of living crisis i very much the cost of living crisis has presented them with a dilemma. in terms of support, do you prioritise food or energy bills? and while a few more councils appear to have dropped the voucher scheme, since the bbc last looked at this over summer, since the bbc last looked at this oversummer, part since the bbc last looked at this over summer, part of that may be down to the fact that winter presents a completely different energy challenge. the small handful of households say sums may struggle in january rather than of households say sums may struggle injanuary rather than christmas and they are running a voucher scheme after the holidays. universal feedback from council bosses is that using those on free school meals as

in eligibility criteria for support is quite a low threshold. there are lots of families in the communities struggling who are not quite eligible to receive free school meals and thus holiday support. the government says there are lots of ways councils can help other than a voucher scheme. they have already ploughed £1.2 billion into the household support fund and has announced more funds towards the holiday activities and food programme. holiday activities and food programme-— holiday activities and food programme. holiday activities and food rouramme. . ~ y . programme. thank you very much, paula lynch — programme. thank you very much, paula lynch from _ programme. thank you very much, paula lynch from the _ bbc�*s shared data unit. if your family is affected by this decision to drop these holiday food vouchers, get in touch with me on twitter and if you are a teacher working in a food bank in one of those areas, get in touch. you can get in touch about any of the other stories we are covering today. now, forecasters say a major winter storm sweeping the us this week may bring the coldest christmas in four decades to parts of the country. joining me now is cbs correspondentjarred hill,

who is in new york. i hope you have your warm weather gear for all the i hope you have your warm weather gearfor all the reporting i hope you have your warm weather gear for all the reporting you will be doing out in the cold, put this in context for us, how cold is it going to get? t in context for us, how cold is it going to get?— in context for us, how cold is it going to get? i have a coat right off the camera _ going to get? i have a coat right off the camera ready _ going to get? i have a coat right off the camera ready in - going to get? i have a coat right off the camera ready in case i i going to get? i have a coat right i off the camera ready in case i have to go outside. this is what is being called a bond cyclone. temperatures could feel like —57 degrees in parts of this country. incredibly cold. —— bomb cycle. the us is massive and the most impact from meteorologists is going to be west of the california area but it could go all the way down to florida. some of those really cold temperatures in a place known for the sunshine and humidity, the beaches and whatnot, lots of people will be affected. what is preparedness? in some parts of the country, new york experiences cold winters and some people may be well prepared but in other parts, like florida, less so? tt well prepared but in other parts, like florida, less so?— like florida, less so? it kind of depends- _

like florida, less so? it kind of depends. again, _ like florida, less so? it kind of depends. again, this - like florida, less so? it kind of depends. again, this will- like florida, less so? it kind of depends. again, this will not l like florida, less so? it kind of- depends. again, this will not bring the same thing from meteorologists to every part of the country. here in new york, one of the big factors that lots of people are watching and paying attention to is travel around the holidays. this is the kind of place where people will leave to go to some parts of the country that are being more impacted. 0ne to some parts of the country that are being more impacted. one thing that we have seen is a number of airlines have waived some of those change fees so that people can reschedule their flight and try to avoid some of the worst of this storm. in the middle parts of the country, around chicago and what not, without having to pay those extra fees on top. we are seeing a lot of calls for warming shelters to be opened up in parts of the country because there are people who, whether they live outside, or they might potentially lose power in the midst of this storm with incredible winters expected, those really low temperatures, as well as the potential of power outages —— incredible winds. lots of steps are put in place to prepare for what

could come, which is difficult because we are waiting for this weather to hit in the next couple of days. weather to hit in the next couple of da s. ,, ._ ., weather to hit in the next couple of da s. ,, ., ., ~ days. stay warm, thank you. i will t days. stay warm, thank you. iwill t to! it was a huge night for the lionesses at the bbc�*s sports personality of the year awards. england's beth mead was named sports personality of the year, the first women's footballer to win the award. she also won team of the year alongside her lioness team—mates, while england head coach sarina wiegman won coach of the year. beth mead scored six goals at the euros this summer and led england to victory. 0bviously, i'm incredibly honoured to win this award. i'll keep saying it, it's a cliche, but i wouldn't have done it without them girls over there and the team that have backed me. yes, i've got this accolade, i did myjob, i scored a few goals, but i wouldn't have done it without them. and i certainly wouldn't have done it without my dad, my mum, and all my family. applause.

congratulations to beth mead and the rest of the team. tt’s congratulations to beth mead and the rest of the team.— rest of the team. it's time to look at the weather _ rest of the team. it's time to look at the weather and _ rest of the team. it's time to look at the weather and carol - rest of the team. it's time to look at the weather and carol is i rest of the team. it's time to look at the weather and carol is here l at the weather and carol is here with us. winter storm elliott in the states, what are the prospects for here? tt states, what are the prospects for here? . , , states, what are the prospects for here? ., , , , ., , here? it was mild up until christmas and then it turns _ here? it was mild up until christmas and then it turns cold _ here? it was mild up until christmas and then it turns cold literally i on christmas day and through boxing day but then it will turn mild again in the middle of the following week in the middle of the following week in the middle of the following week in the run—up to new year. today, a lot of cloud across england and wales, patchy rain pushing east and more rain and breezy conditions through the english channel and for northern ireland and scotland, a brighter day with a variable amounts of cloud, some showers. breezy in the north and some will be wintry with showers on the higher grounds. this evening and overnight, we say goodbye quite quickly to the rain in the south, some mist and fog patches will form across parts of england, wales and northern ireland. then you

can see this next band of heavy and thundery rain sweeping in from the south—west. under clear skies across northern scotland, northern england and northern ireland, we could see a touch of frost. tomorrow, this rain continues to move north and it will deposit transient snow in the hills across the lake district, the pennines and southern scotland. behind it, a mixture of sunshine and showers, windy conditions, and across the north of scotland, something brighter but still those wintry showers.— something brighter but still those wint showers. ., ~ , . the death of the queen created headlines around the world. months earlier, they had celebrated the platinum jubilee. earlier, they had celebrated the platinumjubilee. daniela relph reflects on the royal year.