this is bbc news, the headlines. clashes have broken out in paris after three people were shot dead at a kurdish community centre. police have arrested a 69—year—old man with a history of acts of racist violence. and the us faces its coldest christmas in four decades as a storm sweeps across the country, with temperatures dropping to minus 45 degrees celsius in some places. the uk health secretary says he is "disappointed" by the announcement that nhs nurses in england are to stage further strikes on january the 18th and 19th. also in the uk, the head of the union representing striking border force staff says walkouts could go on for six months unless the government

enters talks about pay. hello and welcome to our look ahead to what the the papers will be bringing us tomorrow. with me are the business journalist, john crowley, and joe twyman, who's the director of the polling organisation, deltapoll. tomorrow's front pages, starting with... the financial times leads with covid cases in china, which the paper says have reached up to 250 million in december since the country eased lockdown restrictions.

the times reports on an initiative by the government to cut down early retirement — the paper says prime minister rishi sunak plans a midlife mot to get over 50s into work. the daily mail says the nhs is wasting money on equality, diversity and inclusion—related positions. the i leads on yesterday's vote in scotland on gender identification reforms, saying it could lead to what it calls an unprecedented constitutional clash with westminster. it's also on the front page of the telegraph, which says labour leader sir keir starmer wants updated self—id laws to be rolled out across the uk. the mirror highlights the king's first christmas message — it says it'll be delivered yards from where the late queen is buried. the sun also leads on the royal family, but the tabloid claims the king has

banned his brother prince andrew from using buckingham palace for work. so let's begin... jo and john, good evening to you, john, kicked us off. we're starting with the front page of and their lead story, the pro—transit laws needed across the uk, says sir keir starmer. , ., , ., ., . ., starmer. yes, he has vowed to change the law to allow _ starmer. yes, he has vowed to change the law to allow trans _ starmer. yes, he has vowed to change the law to allow trans people - starmer. yes, he has vowed to change the law to allow trans people to - the law to allow trans people to self declare their gender. the labour leader has said he will update the gender recognition act if elected. his commitment could mean legislation in the uk mirrors that which has been passed by the scottish parliament yesterday. this is quite an involved story. while the labour leader hasn't publicly commented on the scottish bill,

labour sources say he stands by the commitment he made to the online newspaper pink news he made last year to change the gender recognition act. it is quite involved, the scottish bill essentially makes it easier for trans people to obtain a gender recognition certificate by removing requirements for a clinical diagnosis of gender dysphoria. it also lowers the minimum age from 18 to 16 and if you are over 18 it means now that if you decide to change your gender, you need to live in that gender only now for three months rather than two years as before. so, quite a controversial move which obviously rishi sunak and the gov might have said yesterday after the scottish bill was passed that they would really want to study this law closely and they have kind of let it be known that they will try and oppose it so ahead of the general election this is battle lines drawn between the two main parties.

lines drawn between the two main arties. �* , ., ., parties. and yet, if we look at how labour msps _ parties. and yet, if we look at how labour msps felt _ parties. and yet, if we look at how labour msps felt like _ parties. and yet, if we look at how labour msps felt like this, - parties. and yet, if we look at how labour msps felt like this, it - parties. and yet, if we look at howl labour msps felt like this, it ended up labour msps felt like this, it ended up effectively splitting them, didn't it? , ., , up effectively splitting them, didn't it? , . , ., didn't it? yes, that is right, that kind of division _ didn't it? yes, that is right, that kind of division is _ didn't it? yes, that is right, that kind of division is played - didn't it? yes, that is right, that kind of division is played out - didn't it? yes, that is right, that kind of division is played out a i didn't it? yes, that is right, that. kind of division is played out a lot -- across— kind of division is played out a lot -- across a — kind of division is played out a lot —— across a lot of the country. for many _ —— across a lot of the country. for many pe0ple. _ —— across a lot of the country. for many people, this is to be not an important — many people, this is to be not an important issue. fewer than one in 20 issue _ important issue. fewer than one in 20 issue say— important issue. fewer than one in 20 issue say it is an important issue — 20 issue say it is an important issue facing the country are facing them _ issue facing the country are facing them and — issue facing the country are facing them and their families and fewer than one — them and their families and fewer than one in— them and their families and fewer than one in ten people say they are paying _ than one in ten people say they are paying a _ than one in ten people say they are paying a lot — than one in ten people say they are paying a lot of attention to the story— paying a lot of attention to the story but — paying a lot of attention to the story but for those who for whom they are — story but for those who for whom they are paying attention, this is very important. in many ways, that makes _ very important. in many ways, that makes a _ very important. in many ways, that makes a difficult situation for any political— makes a difficult situation for any political party because you have to take a _ political party because you have to take a position, knowing that they in that— take a position, knowing that they in that may— take a position, knowing that they in that may engage people who previously weren't engaged in a negative — previously weren't engaged in a negative way against your party and against _ negative way against your party and against your position. when it comes to defending the rights of trans men and women, the public is onside with that idea, _

and women, the public is onside with that idea, a _ and women, the public is onside with that idea, a large majority of people — that idea, a large majority of people believe that the rights of trans _ people believe that the rights of trans men and women should be defended — trans men and women should be defended but beyond that, it gets far more — defended but beyond that, it gets far more complicated and generally the public, much like that vertical parties. _ the public, much like that vertical parties. are — the public, much like that vertical parties, are divided pretty much down _ parties, are divided pretty much down the — parties, are divided pretty much down the middle, along many different aspects of trans rights. when _ different aspects of trans rights. when it— different aspects of trans rights. when it comes to medical approval, however. _ when it comes to medical approval, however, before being allowed to change _ however, before being allowed to change your gender, six out of ten peopie _ change your gender, six out of ten people support that, and that labour is going _ people support that, and that labour is going against public opinion on this among the general public, they may home — this among the general public, they may home among their own supporters, and their— may home among their own supporters, and their own _ may home among their own supporters, and their own members that there is some _ and their own members that there is some support for this but i think that both — some support for this but i think that both parties, particularly labour. — that both parties, particularly labour, have a difficult road ahead on this— labour, have a difficult road ahead on this subject, and indeed over the next few— on this subject, and indeed over the next few weeks, months, and perhaps even years. _ next few weeks, months, and perhaps even years, we may see a lot more to come _ even years, we may see a lot more to come when — even years, we may see a lot more to come when it— even years, we may see a lot more to come when it comes to infighting and arguments. _ come when it comes to infighting and arguments, or perhaps even civil discussions — arguments, or perhaps even civil discussions among the main parties when _ discussions among the main parties when it— discussions among the main parties when it comes to this subject. | when it comes to this subject. wonder if i when it comes to this subject. i wonder if i could clarify something you said, the public polling is the

—— showing support for trans issues, that we said? -- showing support for trans issues, that we said?— that we said? showing support for the riahts that we said? showing support for the rights of _ that we said? showing support for the rights of train _ that we said? showing support for the rights of train people - that we said? showing support for the rights of train people to - that we said? showing support for the rights of train people to be - the rights of train people to be upheld. — the rights of train people to be upheld, yes. the rights of train people to be upheld. yes— the rights of train people to be upheld, yes. the rights of train people to be uheld, es. ., ., , ., upheld, yes. so, how does that then sit with a tory _ upheld, yes. so, how does that then sit with a tory position _ upheld, yes. so, how does that then sit with a tory position on _ upheld, yes. so, how does that then sit with a tory position on this? - sit with a tory position on this? how are you interpreting that? well, again. _ how are you interpreting that? well, again. that _ how are you interpreting that? well, again, that argument of defending trans _ again, that argument of defending trans people's rights could mean a great _ trans people's rights could mean a great deal— trans people's rights could mean a great deal of different things to different people. it is an example of the _ different people. it is an example of the eye — different people. it is an example of the eye of the beholder in the polling _ of the eye of the beholder in the polling business, in other words, peopie _ polling business, in other words, people judge it by their own merits, and so _ people judge it by their own merits, and so when it comes to specific issues, — and so when it comes to specific issues, so, _ and so when it comes to specific issues, so, for instance, the issue of peopie — issues, so, for instance, the issue of people being able to change their gender— of people being able to change their gender without approval from a doctor. — gender without approval from a doctor, that is something that is strongly— doctor, that is something that is strongly opposed and so the conservatives are on the side of public— conservatives are on the side of public opinion, in that respect. but it is worth — public opinion, in that respect. but it is worth pointing out that people could _ it is worth pointing out that people could change their mind as the bihiicai— could change their mind as the biblical situation evolves. gk, biblical situation evolves. 0k, thank you _ biblical situation evolves. 0k,

thank you very _ biblical situation evolves. 0k, thank you very much - biblical situation evolves. 0k, thank you very much for - biblical situation evolves. oil, thank you very much for that clarification. john, let's turn to the front page of the daily mail and the front page of the daily mail and the nhs is wasting millions on work non—jobs. the nhs is wasting millions on work non-“obs. . . the nhs is wasting millions on work non-“obs. , , , ., , ., , non-“obs. yes, this is a story as ou non-jobs. yes, this is a story as you were _ non-jobs. yes, this is a story as you were saying _ non-jobs. yes, this is a story as you were saying about - non-jobs. yes, this is a story as you were saying about the - non-jobs. yes, this is a story as you were saying about the nhs| you were saying about the nhs wasting millions on non—jobs, they give examples of mindfulness aged to help patients meditate being paid £40,000 and a job described as acting as a change agent being paid in the realms of something like £54,000. but it is basically a supportive cry for the government, which is battling demands from the unions to raise wages for nurses, paramedics, and others in line with inflation. the government is saying that the nhs leaders are frittering away their money on these jobs while it can't afford to raise that money. and so essentially there is this propaganda battle that is going on.

rishi sunak is saying that the independent pay review body's recommendations for each industry has been agreed. the unions are saying, wait a second, this deal was looked at in february, decided in july. looked at in february, decided in july, inflation and the cost of living has gone up by so much more sense then, the government is hoping that either people won't care about this allsta to get annoyed that this is happening and will lose support, if you like, for the unions. jo. if you like, for the unions. jo, lookin: if you like, for the unions. jo, looking at _ if you like, for the unions. jo, looking at this, what is a work non—job, what are the jobs they are saying is not worth the money? things like mindfulness leeds, things— things like mindfulness leeds, things like acting as an agent of change — things like acting as an agent of change and so on and so forth but i think— change and so on and so forth but i think it _ change and so on and so forth but i think it is _ change and so on and so forth but i think it is worth, rather than looking _ think it is worth, rather than looking at— think it is worth, rather than looking at those dozen eggs of the 'ob, looking at those dozen eggs of the job, because indeed we don't know the details — job, because indeed we don't know the details around these jobs, they may he _ the details around these jobs, they may be useful, they may be helpful. better— may be useful, they may be helpful. better that _ may be useful, they may be helpful. better that the numbers involved. the article —

better that the numbers involved. the article talks about more than £1 million _ the article talks about more than £1 million being spent on this, let's assume — million being spent on this, let's assume it— million being spent on this, let's assume it is £2 million, there are more _ assume it is £2 million, there are more than — assume it is £2 million, there are more than 500,000 registered nurses in the _ more than 500,000 registered nurses in the uk _ more than 500,000 registered nurses in the uk so _ more than 500,000 registered nurses in the uk so if these jobs were abolished, each one of those nurses, where _ abolished, each one of those nurses, where it— abolished, each one of those nurses, where it spread evenly, would be able to— where it spread evenly, would be able to get £4 a year more in pay. i am not _ able to get £4 a year more in pay. i am not privy— able to get £4 a year more in pay. i am not privy to negotiations that are taking — am not privy to negotiations that are taking place at the moment, i don't _ are taking place at the moment, i don't think— are taking place at the moment, i don't think paul —— £4 more is going to make _ don't think paul —— £4 more is going to make the — don't think paul —— £4 more is going to make the difference between nurses — to make the difference between nurses are striking or not, this is the far— nurses are striking or not, this is the far more _ nurses are striking or not, this is the far more fundamental argument than simply whether the nhs employs some people in roles that may or may not he _ some people in roles that may or may not be directly useful.— not be directly useful. john, let's turn to the _ not be directly useful. john, let's turn to the front _ not be directly useful. john, let's turn to the front page _ not be directly useful. john, let's turn to the front page of- not be directly useful. john, let's turn to the front page of the - not be directly useful. john, let's turn to the front page of the ft, | turn to the front page of the ft, please, and china and figures. what do we believe? the ft are throwing up do we believe? the ft are throwing up figures that are much higher than beijing is quoting, in terms of covid cases. just over 3000, let's compare that to 250 million. yes.

compare that to 250 million. yes, these are astonishing _ compare that to 250 million. “as, these are astonishing figures, mind—boggling figures of how covid is raging across china, as you said these are coming from chinese officials rather than official statements from china. so, they believe 250 million people, nearly a fifth of the population, is, was infected by covid this month up to december 28. and on tuesday alone, some 37 million people became infected by covid, over half of beijing is said to be infected, and, of course, this comes early this month after china abandoned its zero covid policy and draconian lockdowns after the most visible protests on the streets since the tiananmen massacre in 1989. so, such numbers will put inevitably put a huge, massive strain on the health service

thatis massive strain on the health service that is relatively under resourced, compared to other leading nations. and, of course, 0micron, doctors had said that 0micron is just as aberrant as other strains, it wasn't as virulent here or didn't seem as virulent here because we built up immunity from being infected by all the other types of covid that have passed through the country before but of course in china under the draconian lockdowns, these people haven't had covid as of yet so it remains to be seen how many people will be seriously affected and have to be admitted to hospital. it is astounding. — to be admitted to hospital. it is astounding, eight deaths reported since december the 1st, there are calls from the us for transparency, i suppose the hope is that china will have learnt the lesson, to be open and to share information. that is the hope — open and to share information. that is the hope but _ open and to share information. that is the hope but it _ open and to share information. that is the hope but it remains to be seen _ is the hope but it remains to be seen whether that matches their reality — seen whether that matches their reality. the official figure that only— reality. the official figure that only eight people have died out of

what is _ only eight people have died out of what is reported to be 250 million infections. — what is reported to be 250 million infections, seems ambitious, shall we say. _ infections, seems ambitious, shall we say. and — infections, seems ambitious, shall we say, and the risk to the chinese population. — we say, and the risk to the chinese population, which has been reported, is particularly to older people who have not— is particularly to older people who have not been vaccinated in anything like that— have not been vaccinated in anything like that kind of numbers we saw in this country— like that kind of numbers we saw in this country and others, but also there _ this country and others, but also there is— this country and others, but also there is a — this country and others, but also there is a risk that the chinese vaccine — there is a risk that the chinese vaccine is _ there is a risk that the chinese vaccine is again reportedly not as effective — vaccine is again reportedly not as effective at dealing with particularly omicron but also other variants _ particularly omicron but also other variants as— particularly omicron but also other variants as other vaccines were, and so that— variants as other vaccines were, and so that could — variants as other vaccines were, and so that could pose an enormous risk to china _ so that could pose an enormous risk to china 0f— so that could pose an enormous risk to china. of course, why did it release — to china. of course, why did it release its _ to china. of course, why did it release its incredibly tight controls that have been in place for so many _ controls that have been in place for so many years? well, it was at least in part— so many years? well, it was at least in part to _ so many years? well, it was at least in part to do — so many years? well, it was at least in part to do with the protests that filled _ in part to do with the protests that filled the _ in part to do with the protests that filled the streets of cities across china _ filled the streets of cities across china the — filled the streets of cities across china. the question now is how will

peopie _ china. the question now is how will people respond to the evolving situation, to what could become a heatth— situation, to what could become a health crisis, and potentially a significant increase in the number of deaths? — significant increase in the number of deaths? , w' , significant increase in the number of deaths? , , g ., of deaths? very quickly, john, if i can throw — of deaths? very quickly, john, if i can throw this _ of deaths? very quickly, john, if i can throw this last _ of deaths? very quickly, john, if i can throw this last question - of deaths? very quickly, john, if i can throw this last question to - of deaths? very quickly, john, if i | can throw this last question to you on this, do you think if these figures are not truthful, is this controlling the narrative for the chinese are for the rest of the world? it chinese are for the rest of the world? . chinese are for the rest of the world? , ., , ., world? it is internally, i would sa , i world? it is internally, i would say. i don't — world? it is internally, i would say, i don't think— world? it is internally, i would say, i don't think they - world? it is internally, iwould| say, i don't think they probably distinguish, i think they probably realise that people outside china won't buy it, that those figures are reasonable —— reasonable. and sadly many chinese will not believe the government either but it is all about control, it is about propaganda again, it is about controlling information and what they say goes. controlling information and what they say goes-— they say goes. let's turn to the times, they say goes. let's turn to the times. and _ they say goes. let's turn to the times. and get _ they say goes. let's turn to the times, and get a _ they say goes. let's turn to the times, and get a stay _ they say goes. let's turn to the times, and get a stay with - they say goes. let's turn to the times, and get a stay with you| they say goes. let's turn to the l times, and get a stay with you on thisjohn, over50s times, and get a stay with you on thisjohn, over 50s are encouraged to and early retirement. does this

still happen, early retirement? hat still happen, early retirement? not sure ma . still happen, early retirement? not sure may. when i get there, i don't sure may. when i get there, idon't think— sure may. when i get there, i don't think i'm _ sure may. when i get there, i don't think i'm going to be able to afford to retire _ think i'm going to be able to afford to retire. the uk has had a productivity programme —— problem for decades— productivity programme —— problem for decades and in terms of older peopie _ for decades and in terms of older people living their workforces the pandemic, the uk has lagged behind other western countries and essentially this is the government trying _ essentially this is the government trying to— essentially this is the government trying to bomb those over 50s to come _ trying to bomb those over 50s to come back — trying to bomb those over 50s to come back. according to the times, some _ come back. according to the times, some 630,000 who are of working age, have left— some 630,000 who are of working age, have left the _ some 630,000 who are of working age, have left the workforce since 2019, that is _ have left the workforce since 2019, that is the — have left the workforce since 2019, that is the population of bristol. and apparently, rishi sunak has come up and apparently, rishi sunak has come up with— and apparently, rishi sunak has come up with a _ and apparently, rishi sunak has come up with a ruse to get them back into work _ up with a ruse to get them back into work with — up with a ruse to get them back into work. with the offer of a financial enmity~ _ work. with the offer of a financial enmity. they think people will not have taken into account rising inflation — have taken into account rising inflation in the cost of living, middle—aged men might have spent their money on porches or whatever and then— their money on porches or whatever and then to —

their money on porches or whatever and then to get my money back so what _ and then to get my money back so what they— and then to get my money back so what they are trying to say is you