this is bbc news i'm ben brown. the headlines at 5 o'clock the prime minister outlines the government's key priorities over the next year, promising to rebuild this is bbc news i'm ben brown. the headlines at 5 o'clock the prime minister outlines the government's key trust in politics. we will stop the boats. his speech comes as some leading doctors have claimed the nhs is in crisis, with delays and backlogs costing lives. we have a special report from the front line in eastern ukraine where there's ferocious fighting. how the pandemic has changed our working week: new research says it's no longer monday to friday in the office but tuesday to thursday.

and fay weldon, the writer best known for her 1983 novel, "the life and loves of a she—devil" has died at the age of 91. the prime minister, rishi sunak, has set out his programme for the year ahead, outlining five promises he says he wants the public tojudge his premiership on. they are halving inflation to ease the cost of living whilst also growing the economy, creating better—paid jobs and opportunities across the country. he wants to ensure the national debt is falling to secure the future of public services whilst also cutting nhs waiting lists so that people get the care they need more quickly and passing new laws to stop small boats crossing the channel. he asked voters to judge his premiership on whether

the goals were achieved. on the current wave of strikes in britain, he said he hugely valued public service employees and wants a reasonable discussion on what is "fair for the country". let's have a listen to some of the prime minister's speech. i want to make five promises to you today. five pledges to deliver peace of mind. five foundations on which to build a better future for our children and grandchildren. first, we will halve inflation this year to ease the cost of living and to give people financial security. second, we will grow the economy, creating better paid jobs and opportunity right across the country. third, we will make sure our national debt is falling so we can secure the future of public services. fourth, nhs waiting lists will fall,

and people will get the care they need more quickly. fifth, we will pass new laws to stop small boats, making sure that if you come to this country illegally, you are detained and swiftly removed. so, five promises. we will halve inflation, grow the economy, reduce debt, cut waiting lists and stop the boats. those are the people's priorities. they are your government's priorities, and we will either have achieved them or not. no tricks, no ambiguity. we are either delivering for you, or we're not. we will rebuild trust in politics through action, or, not at all. so i ask you tojudge us on the effort we put in and the results that we achieve.

the prime minister took questions from journalists after his speech — the issue of strike action was raised by the daily mail's political editor, jason groves, who asked if rishi sunak thinks he can legislate his way out of the problem. on strikes, i want to make sure everyone understands the government's position and that as we usually respect and value the work done by our public sector workers across the bread, but obviously nurses are a part of that as well, and a special part of that. i also want everyone to know that we are very keen on dialogue. the government's door is always open. the health secretary's door, they were very keen to have constructive two—way dialogue that's honest, open where we can talk about the challenges everyone is facing and see what we can do to find a resolution to the strikes. i have always been clear about that and

want to reiterate that today. i have set a nest that you hear more from the government in the coming days about our approach, but might view is that people should always behave reasonably and fairly and make sure that what we are doing is centred around what is responsible for the country, what is affordable for the country. i think that is to write dialogue to be having and i hope we can have that dialogue, but i have also said much, as i celebrate and value the work of union sends our society and people should have the right to strike. there has to be balance with the right of the british public to be able to go about their lives without suffering completely undue disruption in the way we have seen recently and that's why said we will introduce new legislation that restores that balance and crucially protects peoples lives and livelihoods but you will hear more from the government in the coming days on that. we got reaction from the labour mp bridget phillipson, who is the shadow education secretary, and asked if she thinks the prime minister's speech

addresses the priorities of voters. i think what we saw today was a talk fairly to _ i think what we saw today was a talk fairly to set — i think what we saw today was a talk fairly to set out how he intends to build _ fairly to set out how he intends to build a _ fairly to set out how he intends to build a better britain no plan behind — build a better britain no plan behind any of that, and your viewers will know_ behind any of that, and your viewers will know that at the moment if you try to _ will know that at the moment if you try to gel _ will know that at the moment if you try to get the appointment to see a doctor or— try to get the appointment to see a doctor or waiting for an ambulance can he _ doctor or waiting for an ambulance can he wail— doctor or waiting for an ambulance can he wait a very long time if one ever_ can he wait a very long time if one ever comes, — can he wait a very long time if one ever comes, victims of crime that don't _ ever comes, victims of crime that don't get — ever comes, victims of crime that don't getjustice, this wasjust completely out of touch, not addressing the real problems that we see right _ addressing the real problems that we see right now is a country that his government after 13 years have been responsible for creating. tomorrow, kier starmer was set out plans about how we _ kier starmer was set out plans about how we will— kier starmer was set out plans about how we will make sure that we do see hopeful— how we will make sure that we do see hopeful and _ how we will make sure that we do see hopeful and more optimistic future for britain — hopeful and more optimistic future for britain because i think our best days lie _ for britain because i think our best days lie ahead of us, life is only getting — days lie ahead of us, life is only getting tougher for working families. let's talk to our political correspondentjonathan blake — one verdict that said high

on ambition but low on detail? a lot of people have said that this was high and ambition but a bit low on detail, specifically timescale in which tojudge him by on detail, specifically timescale in which to judge him by those promises. which to judge him by those promises-_ which to judge him by those romises. ., �* , ~ ., promises. that's right. although rishi sunak _ promises. that's right. although rishi sunak said _ promises. that's right. although rishi sunak said that _ promises. that's right. although rishi sunak said that his - promises. that's right. although j rishi sunak said that his pledges were unambiguous and there would be no trickery, people would be able to judge him on whether these five pledges have been felled or not, there are questions about exactly what measures should be used that prime minister fulfilled each what measures should be used that prime ministerfulfilled each pledge or not, by when he has promised to do so and if you take them one at a time and having inflation, that looks like it will be possible anyway, that should happen by the end of the year it's already an overall aim of the government as for

bringing down waiting lists and the nhs, that would take until spring 2024, it seems, and on small boats, welcome the prime minister has already said that the government will bring forward legislation to attempt to stop that happening and it is how quickly that happens, he said, was largely down to parliament today, but is also talked about deporting and sending back people who come to that uk by that route. there are questions and some ambiguity around those pledges. it's clear the prime minister put those forward today on a measure in which he wants voters and the public and generality of thejudge he wants voters and the public and generality of the judge can in terms of his priorities and whether the government manages to achieve it between now and the next election. 0k, between now and the next election. ok, jonathan thank you very much indeed.

bakhmut in the east of ukraine is the epicentre of the war in the country. it's where the fiercest battles are being fought. and after losing ground in other parts of ukraine, the fight to gain control of bakhmut has become critical for russia's prestige. it's focused its soldiers, weapons and ammunition on the city, shelling it heavily every day. a majority of its people have left, but thousands of civilians, mostly elderly still live amidst ruins. the bbc�*s yogita limaye, imogen anderson, sanjay ganguly and mariana matveichuk have been in the city at the start of the new year speaking to military units and ordinary people. eight it has focused its soldiers, weapons and ammunition, showing it heavy every day, the bbc they've beenin heavy every day, the bbc they've been in the city at the start of the new year speaking to military units

there and to ordinary people. this is what the merciless bombardment of the city looks like. and how it sounds. once a quiet place known for sparkling wine, bakhmut is now a word for war and ukraine's resistance. russia is using all its might to try and take the city. we drove past abandoned buildings, 90% of the people have fled. this is what you can see everywhere and bakhmut, destruction, and the other side of the road to my apartment blocks that are completely destroyed. walking all over shards of glass pretty much every second he hear the sound of artillery fire. you can tell every minute that this is a city that is being intensely

fought over. over the past few months, a fierce battle, even though it is at an important road intersection, it is the symbolic importance of this fight that has become greater then its strategic location. bakhmut is the home that's been known all his life. we see him barely react when a shell lands a few hundred metres away. "he has come to an aid centre, a lifeline for those still here. why don't you leave, we asked him. i for those still here. why don't you leave, we asked him.— for those still here. why don't you leave, we asked him. i have nowhere to no. i leave, we asked him. i have nowhere to 90- i am — leave, we asked him. i have nowhere to go. i am alone. _ leave, we asked him. i have nowhere to go. i am alone. who _ leave, we asked him. i have nowhere to go. i am alone. who would - leave, we asked him. i have nowhere to go. i am alone. who would want . leave, we asked him. i have nowhere| to go. i am alone. who would want to take an 86—year—old. here at least sometimes when the soldiers have food or soup, sometimes when the soldiers have food orsoup, ifind itand sometimes when the soldiers have food or soup, ifind it and eat it andi food or soup, ifind it and eat it and i get free bread. in my whole

life, i've never seen anything like this. , ., ., , ., , life, i've never seen anything like this. , ., ., , ., this. this woman needs to be a midwife before _ this. this woman needs to be a midwife before the _ this. this woman needs to be a midwife before the war. - this. this woman needs to be a midwife before the war. now . this. this woman needs to be a . midwife before the war. now she's this. this woman needs to be a - midwife before the war. now she's a volunteer. i midwife before the war. now she's a volunteer. , ., midwife before the war. now she's a volunteer. , , , ., volunteer. i stay because i am needed here, _ volunteer. i stay because i am needed here, of— volunteer. i stay because i am needed here, of course - volunteer. i stay because i am needed here, of course i- volunteer. i stay because i am needed here, of course i am l volunteer. i stay because i am - needed here, of course i am scared. i have been caught and shelling three times, i suffered a concussion. what use will i be hiding in the basement? people stay for different reasons. the explosions _ for different reasons. the explosions don't - for different reasons. the explosions don't stop, . for different reasons. the explosions don't stop, but no one flinches. it's as if they have become number. running from farms every day, repeated trauma without an end. this woman and her daughter told us they live like mice, running up told us they live like mice, running up quickly to get bread. walking to the centre for a bit of food is a risk they take to survive. outside, we next elects a reaper, the majer

of bakhmut. we cannot show his location. it of bakhmut. we cannot show his location. , , ., , of bakhmut. we cannot show his location. , , , location. it is my “ob, my life, my feet to stay — location. it is my job, my life, my feet to stay here. _ location. it is my job, my life, my feet to stay here. i _ location. it is my job, my life, my feet to stay here. i want - location. it is my job, my life, my feet to stay here. i want to - feet to stay here. i want to leave the people, and i trust that ukraine's military wont allow my city to fall, he said. we ukraine's military wont allow my city to fall, he said.— city to fall, he said. we went to see ukrainian _ city to fall, he said. we went to see ukrainian defence - city to fall, he said. we went to see ukrainian defence taken - city to fall, he said. we went to see ukrainian defence taken to | city to fall, he said. we went to | see ukrainian defence taken to a location we cannot disclose. underground to one of their, and centres in the city. the heart of the military operation. few journalists have been here. this is a live feed from drones along the eastern edge of bakhmut where russian forces are stationed. the men here are trying to locate the target. foran men here are trying to locate the target. for an assault team that has just gone out. this commander told

us this is the toughest battle he's ever fought. us this is the toughest battle he's everfought. we us this is the toughest battle he's ever fought-— us this is the toughest battle he's ever fou:ht. ~ ., �* , , ever fought. we haven't seen enemy troo -s like ever fought. we haven't seen enemy troops like this _ ever fought. we haven't seen enemy troops like this before. _ ever fought. we haven't seen enemy troops like this before. there - ever fought. we haven't seen enemy troops like this before. there are - troops like this before. there are soldiers under fire, troops like this before. there are soldiers underfire, even if they are littering the ground with their bodies, even if on the 20 are left of their 60 men. it's difficult to called again such an invasion. a few weeks ago, we had to withdraw from the eastern approached the city to save our soldiers. timer;r the eastern approached the city to save our soldiers.— save our soldiers. they showed us this video. — save our soldiers. they showed us this video, east _ save our soldiers. they showed us this video, east of _ save our soldiers. they showed us this video, east of the _ save our soldiers. they showed us this video, east of the city - save our soldiers. they showed us this video, east of the city on - save our soldiers. they showed usj this video, east of the city on new year's morning under russian attack. in the fields outside bakhmut, we see the daily grind to keep a hold on. the winter makes it harder to camouflage guns. we watch them fire soviet era weapons. soldiers tell us they work well and do the job, but

to modern equipment would help push through the deadlock on the ground. on the other hand is notjust the russian military, they're also thousands mercenaries from the private group. they expect incoming fire sobhy retreat to a bunker. why does it feel like it's deadlocked on the ground? it is does it feel like it's deadlocked on the ground?— the ground? it is stuck for many reasons. the _ the ground? it is stuck for many reasons. the winter _ the ground? it is stuck for many reasons. the winter makes - the ground? it is stuck for many reasons. the winter makes it. the ground? it is stuck for many - reasons. the winter makes it harder to use equipment. we also have a shortage of weapons and ammunition. 21—year—old alexander replies. back to positions they go. each side trying to wear the other down. in this battle of endurance. yard

watchin: this battle of endurance. yard watching bbc _ this battle of endurance. yard watching bbc news. - this battle of endurance. yard watching bbc news. bringing up to date with our latest headlines. the prime minister has been outlining the government's key priorities over the government's key priorities over the next year promising to rebuild trust in politics. the speech comes as some leading doctors have claimed the nhs is in crisis this winter with delays and costing lives. the writer best known for life and love of a she devil has died at the age of a she devil has died at the age of 91. with the nhs under so much pressure this winter, gps surgeries are often on the frontline — facing high levels of demand, after the christmas break, with high levels of flu and covid. our health correspondent dominic hughes has been to one surgery in doncaster it's 7:00am and the bentley surgery in doncaster is opening up. within an hour, the phone lines are busy, with patients seeking help and advice.

good morning, health care. by midday, more than 140 calls have been answered. it's copd, so i booked a face to face this morning, is that all right? yeah. thank you. morning. downstairs on reception, sue is managing a constant flow of patients. yeah, yeah. that's fine. pre—booked gp appointments, blood tests, physiotherapy. you're seeing denise, just take a seat. - there's barely a second to draw breath. there's no two ways about it. you've just got to deal- with people that are coming in. they need us, and ijust do it. because it's nonstop. it's nonstop. you've not stopped for a second. yeah. keep your cool. be nice. be nice to people. talk to them nice. that's my motto. that's how i work. in the corner of the office, gp karen forshaw is also consulting over the phone.

ok, what's been happening? the surgery does offer face to face appointments, but telephone consultations are one way of reaching more patients more efficiently. and karen says that demand is simply growing all the time, notjust in gp surgeries, but across the health service. the pressure is huge all the way through the system at the moment and that's no different in general practice. so we have patients ringing constantly throughout the day. we are here, you've seen today, we're here early, we finish late, we see as many patients as we can through the day. and as a gp, our days are quite decision focused. so there's lots of decisions to be made and some of those are really important decisions and that can be quite draining actually. so the pressure is huge, definitely. and in the midst of an already busy day, suddenly a medical emergency. i don't know if it's angina... sue has raised the alarm. an elderly man in reception feels unwell. it could be an issue with his heart. staff are quick to respond and after treatment, the patient is able to head home.

we don't mess about. i don't know what's. happening with him. i'm not messing about. i'm not clinical and we've got teams i on site, so it'sjust panic button. i and i know i'm going i to get i'm going to get a response straightaway. gp surgeries, like the rest of the health service, are struggling as they see more patients with more complex health issues. problems in accident and emergency as well as social care are adding to the pressures. it all means that busy, nonstop days like this one are now the new normal. dominic hughes, bbc news, doncaster. as we've been reporting today, rishi sunak has made five key pledges, which he said the public should judge him against. the prime minister said he expected to halve inflation and to return to economic growth by the end of the year. he also promised urgent action to stop migrants arriving in small boats from france,

to reduce the government debt and cut nhs waiting lists. joining me now isjoe twyman of the public opinion consultancy deltapoll. thank you very much indeed for a being with us. i think we heard five pledges be from the labour leader years ago. is this going to help rishi sunak with the electorate, do you think? rishi sunak with the electorate, do ou think? ~ ~ 3 rishi sunak with the electorate, do ou think? ~ ,, �*, ., you think? well, i think it's a good wa of you think? well, i think it's a good way of setting _ you think? well, i think it's a good way of setting out _ you think? well, i think it's a good way of setting out the vision - you think? well, i think it's a good way of setting out the vision for i way of setting out the vision for rishi sunak because up until now, even though he has been in downing street for some months, rishi sunak remains largely unknown by the general public. now, many people give him the benefit of the doubt and many are not. in fact, he divides people pretty much down the middle whether they think he's doing a good job or not, historically speaking is pretty good in terms of

this, we know historically these things don't tend to last and the key question for this year for 2023 will be what do people in the electorate think of rishi sunak the prime minister. but if they think of his personality and what he's attempting to do today is build narrative about what he wants his conservative party to look like in terms of its priorities, and is hoping that the priorities he sets out today, particularly about things like academic competence, integration and health will align as far as he can do with the expectations and wishes of the electorate. expectations and wishes of the electorate-— expectations and wishes of the electorate. ~ , ., , , ., ., electorate. why does he stand at the moment in the _ electorate. why does he stand at the moment in the poll— electorate. why does he stand at the moment in the poll is? _ electorate. why does he stand at the moment in the poll is? give - electorate. why does he stand at the moment in the poll is? give us- electorate. why does he stand at the moment in the poll is? give us a - moment in the poll is? give us a detail of support has compared to carrie starmer, the labour leader. he's outperforming his party. the gap between labour and the conservatives is greater than the gap between kier starmer and rishi sunak, for instance. but in both

cases, it is labour and kier starmer who are ahead. now kier starmer in our most recent polls had a rating of around about plus 1010 around 10% more people think he's doing a good job i think he is doing a bad job. for rishi sunak, that figure was zero. it split the people right down the middle. that is definitely a position on which to build, but we do expect things to change significantly, not least because for boring technical reasons, not much polling takes place over the festive period, and that which does tends to be statistically noisy, so we don't really have a sense of where rishi sunak specifically in the conservative government more generally now rests in the light of the most recent actions by railway workers, by nurses and many others, and the effect that the strikes may have had an rishi sunak�*s reputation have had an rishi sunak�*s reputation have yet to be measured, expect with a see that this weekend. that is really when the questions will

start. i imagine he is hoping to get ahead of it with the announcement today. is ahead of it with the announcement toda. ,, ,., today. is supposed partly to auestion today. is supposed partly to question whether _ today. is supposed partly to question whether voters - today. is supposed partly to i question whether voters blame today. is supposed partly to - question whether voters blame him for the wave of strikes are also for what's going on in the national health service, which we know that is something very close to voter's cards, the future of the nhs. that is riuht. cards, the future of the nhs. that is right- for— cards, the future of the nhs. that is right. for many _ cards, the future of the nhs. twat is right. for many people, the most important issue is the cost of living crisis, butjust below that committee economy generally and we have health, those are consistently the second and third most important issues and it is pretty close between the two. it is a really, really important question we raised about the issue of blame. really connecting 2023 will be defined in many ways by the question of who the electorate over time start to blame for the situation in this country, with regards to economy, health and regard to everything, to what degree will they blame it rishi sunak�*s government. to what degree with a blame cove at? the global economic

crisis, will they blame bracts at? all of these are important questions, but certainly if a significant number of conservative voters, particularly those people who wear one of her by the conservatives for the first time at the last election, if a significant proportion of that group start to blame the current conservative government and rishi sunak particularly, then that will be a very difficult mountain for the conservatives to climb, particularly given that they remain about 20 points behind labour going into this year to begin with. 0k points behind labour going into this year to begin with.— year to begin with. ok thank you. pubuc year to begin with. ok thank you. public opinion _ year to begin with. ok thank you. public opinion consultancy, - year to begin with. ok thank you. public opinion consultancy, thankj public opinion consultancy, thank you. writer fay weldon, best known for books including 1983's the life and loves of a she—devil, has died at the age of 91. the author published more than 30 novels across her career, as well as collections of short stories, films for television, and pieces of journalism. our arts correspondent, rebecca jones, looks back at her life. you had better keep that. it is your wedding ring. "the lives and loves of a she—devil"

in which a woman takes revenge on her husband and his lover. let's go to bed. it was adapted from fay weldon's novel. it cemented her reputation as one of the uk's for feminist writers. like a she cat on heat. she grew up in new zealand. a portrait of her and her sister hangs in the country's national gallery. she came to the uk at 15. we failed miserably. she first made her name as an advertising copywriter. "go to work on an egg" was one of hers and she later claimed her advertising success was down to luck. after marrying ron weldon, she began writing tv plays and novels when pregnant. amazing how one unseen person can do so much to spoil a lie. she wrote about many things including the supernatural. clumsy. i am not clumsy! it did it by itself. blame it on her condition.

under the roof your i servants have run riot. she wrote the original upstairs downstairs but her scripts were too spiky for itv prime—time. typically, she wrote playful and punchy stories in which women were exploited by men but they often got their own back. in praxis, the pregnant heroine got a warning from an old woman in one story. puffball, one of her best novels, later became a film, and by the end of her life the view of women in society had changed a lot. it wasn'tjust feminism that changed things. it was technology and birth control, it was all kinds of other things. sometimes i think feminism was a cloak under which capitalism crept under us all and made us go out to work. and exhausted us. later in life, some feminists later thought that fay weldon was a traitor to the cause.

she felt herjob was done. "what drove me to feminism 50 years ago was the myth that men were the breadwinners and women kept house and looked pretty", she wrote. that myth finally exploded and i helped it to explode it. fay weldon who has died at the age of 91. there's been political chaos in washington — after three failed attempts by the us house of representatives to elect a new speaker. a revolt by republican rebels meant that kevin mccarthy, failed to secure to secure the job. but today he's had a boost — the endorsement of former president, donald trump, who urged republicans to "vote for kevin and close the deal." our north america correspondent, will grant, joins me now from capitol hill with the latest.

well, he hasn't gotten anywhere so far, but what is happening today? well, the vote is under way now in terms of the fourth time of asking by kevin mccarthy, and we will see if he has any more like this time. things started moving even further away from him by the third vote yesterday. the group, the black of right—wing republicans who voted against him swelled from 19 to 20. we will have to see whether or not all of this negotiation behind the scene overnight, the frantic phone calls, the discussions between different camps, president trump as you mentioned there as well whether or not that has made any difference should become apparent as these ballots are cast, whether or not the critics remain as a cohesive black. they run anybody other than kevin mccarthy, or if sufficient concessions are key to make changes have been offered to them to come over to his side. this have been offered to them to come over to his side.— over to his side. this is the first time in a _ over to his side. this is the first time in a century _ over to his side. this is the first time in a century that _ over to his side. this is the first

time in a century that a speaker hasn't been elected on the first vote. it is quite a historic moment. what is the rebel�*s problem with mr mccarthy? is a political, personal, both? , , , ., both? yes, it is the first time in a centu , both? yes, it is the first time in a century. and _ both? yes, it is the first time in a century, and application - both? yes, it is the first time in a century, and application it - both? yes, it is the first time in a century, and application it ran - both? yes, it is the first time in a | century, and application it ran into several days. we will see if this gets resolved today or not. the problem is basically a mixture of both. it is political in the sense that they believe that he is part of the established elite. he is part of the established elite. he is part of the establishment in congress, on capitol hill, that part of the problem at the likes of president trump where there to unpick, the drain the swamp rhetoric, you know, the disruptors, as they kind of like to think of themselves. it is very much against him individually. they do not want to get him that power, but also i believe this goes way beyond the individuals and as a sort of a battle for the heart of the gop. is this a party where that 10%

roughly that the block of 20 represent have as much power that they can shape the situation for the other 90%. do they have that weight within the caucus? i guess the democrats _ within the caucus? i guess the democrats are _ within the caucus? i guess the democrats are loving this, just watching him, joe biden especially, as the republicans tear themselves apart. as the republicans tear themselves a art. . , as the republicans tear themselves a art. ., , , , ., apart. ultimately, this is a free hit for them. _ apart. ultimately, this is a free hit for them. they _ apart. ultimately, this is a free hit for them. they continue - apart. ultimately, this is a free hit for them. they continue to l apart. ultimately, this is a free - hit for them. they continue to vote for their candidates, and not stretch across the aisle or at least that's what they did in the first three votes. it may reach the point where one option for mr mccarthy is to actually reach over the aisle and not try to cater so much for that group from the freedom caucuses, they call themselves, the 20 odd congresspeople who are lined up against them. how would he do that? i suppose by offering positions on key congressional committees and so on, but that would be surprising and quite a radical move on his behalf.

of quite a radical move on his behalf. of course, his supporters saying to don't see too much power, we can't have a situation where10% dictate the nature of this thing for the other 90. . , the nature of this thing for the other 90. ., , , ., the nature of this thing for the other 90. .,, i. ,._ the nature of this thing for the other 90. .,, i. _ ., other 90. ok, as you say, that fourth round _ other 90. ok, as you say, that fourth round of _ other 90. ok, as you say, that fourth round of voting - other 90. ok, as you say, that fourth round of voting is - other 90. ok, as you say, that fourth round of voting is under| other 90. ok, as you say, that - fourth round of voting is under way. we will bring the result as soon as we get it, but that is will grant for us there in washington. life pictures at the moment in the us house of representatives. congress deadlocked as he can see there, and the big question is whether mr mccarthy is finally going to be elected speaker. it's been a real struggle for him so far, fourth ballot voting currently under way and we will bring you that result as soon as we get it. now, it's time for a look at the weather with louise hello there. today has been slightly quieter. there are a few showers around but they will tend to fade away over the next few hours. this weak weather front as it sinks

steadily southwards willjust peter to a band of cloud and the odd spot or two of light rain. that means clearer skies, that means the temperatures may well fall a little lower than last night, still on the mild site though, we're looking generally around five to 10 degrees, a little bit cooler in the far north and east of scotland. that is where we'll start off with some early morning sunshine clouding over quite quickly as we go through the day though. the winds strengthening out to the west, the next batch of wet weather arrives, going to take its time bringing some rain into northern ireland, western fringes of scotland in particular, some showers along west facing coasts further south. top temperatures perhaps of around nine to 13 celsius. that rain clears away through the early hours of friday morning, the winds will be quite gusty to begin with. but on the whole, friday looks a quieter day drier with some sunshine.

hello, this is bbc news. the headlines. key priorities of the next year, promising to rebuild trust in politics. promising to rebuild trust in olitics. , ., , , politics. so, five promises, we will have inflation, _ politics. so, five promises, we will have inflation, grow _ politics. so, five promises, we will have inflation, grow the _ politics. so, five promises, we will have inflation, grow the economy, | have inflation, grow the economy, reduce debt, cut waiting lists and stop the boats. his speech comes as some leading doctors have claimed the nhs is in crisis, with delays and backlogs costing lives. a ukrainian military commander in the shattered eastern town of bakhmut has described to the bbc the fierceness of the fighting there. he said he hadn't seen russian forces fight anywhere else with the same determination. how the pandemic has changed our working week: new research says it's no longer monday to friday in the office but tuesday to thursday. and fay weldon, the writer best known for her 1983 novel, "the life and loves of a she—devil"

has died at the age of 91. sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, it may not all be roses. tottenham head coach antonio conte has hinted he may walk away from the club — if he feels they are not ready to challenge for football's biggest prizes. spurs are currently fifth in the premier league — 14 points behind leaders — and north london rivals — arsenal. it may be challenges to continue, with the players and staff, to improve the cloud, to create the different conditions but if i'm satisfied to continue to do this work and to see the result and i

will continue to stay and not convinced 100% and i can leave my work here but it is a big work that we have to do together. well, tottenham can close the gap on the top four to one point tonight — if they can beat crystal palace. there's three other matches tonight — with five of the bottom seven all in action. west ham are one of those struggling sides — they travel to leeds — having lost their last five league matches. and tonight's match for the hammers carries extra significance — following the death of their co—chairman david gold. players from both sides will wear black armbands in a mark of respect. gold passed away this morning — aged 86 — following a short illness. gold — who was a lifelong west ham fan — became joint chairman in 2010 — alongside david sullivan, having previously been the chairman

and co—owner of birmingham city. off the pitch, the january transfer window is beginning to gather pace. brentford have signed freiburg's kevin schade on loan until the end of the season — while manchester united are in talks with crystal palace goalkeeperjack butland. and in women's football, tottenham have signed striker beth england from chelsea — signing a 3 and a half year deal. england had been at chelsea since 2016 — scoring 74 goals in 164 appearances. cape verde's national stadium has been renamed in honour of the brazilian footballing icon pele. the 15, 000—seater stadium — located just outside the capital praia — will now be called the pele stadium. the announcement comes just a day after fifa president gianni infantino proposed that every country should name a stadium after the 3 times world cup winning footballer — who died last week. new world darts champion michael

smith admits his success is taking a while to sink in after a night to remember. he won the championship after beating michael van gerwen 7—4 at alexandra palace — to not only be crowned world champion — but also move to the top of the world rankings. it is weird because they always said it is weird because they always said i would be but ijust didn't realise i'd feel like this when i was in. i've worked so hard for this. and after this title and to have this work being able to get it now, i don't want to slip and i do not want to let go. i want to just dominate the sport for years. there's likely to be more problems forformer tennis world number one novak djokovic — due to his covid—19 vaccination status. the 21 times grand slam champion — who has previously said he is unvaccinated — is set to miss indian wells and the miami open in march — after the us extended it's requirement for international visitors to be vaccinated against covid—19 until at least

the 10th of april. and donations to a toy drive charity event launched in 2020 by american football player damar hamlin have soared after the player collapsed on the field during a game on monday. the drive had raised nearly 5 million pounds by tuesday night — with that number expected to rise. hamlin remains in critical condition after suffering a cardiac arrest during the match, with his family saying they have been "deeply moved" by fan support and gestures. that's all for now, olly foster will have more in sportsday at half past six. temperatures forjanuary have reached an all—time high in a number of nations across europe. records have been broken in poland, the netherlands, the czech republic and several other countries. tim allman reports. salzburg injanuary is normally a winter wonderland.

but this year something is missing — namely, snow. there's not been much of it, and what there has been has mostly melted, which makes skiing something of a challenge. translation: it is really weird - when you ski down the white slope, and on the left and right it is all green. it is a similar story in the swiss alps, where high temperatures are taking a toll on seasonal sport. translation: look, | the snow is really wet. it is no longer constant, it's like in spring. the snow actually has to bind, and that does not work with a lot of water. this is just part of a larger phenomenon taking place all over europe. in many places, january, often the coldest of the months, is currently among the mildest. here in the czech republic, it's practically short—sleeve weather — a surprise for locals and tourists alike. in my country, it is freezing cold and snowy, and that is why

i bring a thickjacket, because i expected similar, the weather, but apparently this morning it's really, really warm. unseasonably warm weather has been felt across much of the continent. in belarus, they saw a record temperature of 16.4 degrees celsius, 4.5 degrees higher than the previous record. it was a similar story in poland, where it hit 18.9 degrees, four degrees higher than the previous record forjanuary. and in the spanish city of bilbao, the temperature reached more than 25 degrees, 10 degrees higher than they've ever seen at this time of year. contrast that with what america has been experiencing in recent days, freezing cold temperatures and a blanket of snow, with more severe weather on the way. if, as many suggest, this is down to climate change, then it seems that that can take many different forms. tim allman, bbc news.

joining me now is gabriele messori, professor of meteorology at uppsala university. it's obviously bad news for skiers especially on the lower slopes but is this going to be happening more and more frequently, do you think? i and more frequently, do you think? i think it's definitely going to be happening more frequently and it is an extreme event and it is unusual and what is happening is that climate change is adding to it something that would already be extreme in and of itself. so it's a wonder that it have been 20 or 40 years ago we still would've had high temperatures but may a couple of degrees down in our climate change, we are seeing these high temperatures that are leading by four or five or even temperatures that are leading by four orfive or even 10 temperatures that are leading by four or five or even 10 degrees than anything we have seen in the past. and the christmas period be so incredibly cool temperatures in

north america in the united states and canada. is that a symptom of the same thing?— same thing? there tends to be on winter time _ same thing? there tends to be on winter time at _ same thing? there tends to be on winter time at the _ same thing? there tends to be on winter time at the correlation - wintertime at the correlation between temperatures and north american temperatures in europe. that means often, when it's cold in north america, the large—scale weather patterns may be due to unusually mild in europe. and that being said, there is a discussion within the meteorological community that the court spells north america may be aspect of climate change and climate change is changing the circulation and making it easier for lumps of cold air from the arctic to reach the lower areas. of the working hypothesis and hasn't been directly demonstrated. more working hypothesis and hasn't been directly demonstrated.— working hypothesis and hasn't been directly demonstrated. more and more weather events. _ directly demonstrated. more and more weather events. that _ directly demonstrated. more and more weather events. that is _

directly demonstrated. more and more weather events. that is true, - weather events. that is true, extremely high temperatures and what we are seeing is we always get extreme events and climate changes adding and making them a lot more extreme than they would otherwise have been. it extreme than they would otherwise have been. , ., ,, , , have been. it 'ust makes it very easier to have been. itjust makes it very easier to have _ have been. itjust makes it very easier to have the _ have been. itjust makes it very easier to have the circuit - easier to have the circuit shattering high temperatures. interesting to talk to you. thank you, professor of meteorology. the stars of the oscar—winning 1968 film romeo and juliet are suing paramount pictures. it's for alleged sexual abuse over a nude scene they appeared in. olivia hussey and leonard whiting were 15 and 16 when they made the movie. paramount hasn't responded to the claims. let's speak to tam—ra lav, who's professor of law at the university of miami and a former public defender.

tell us more about this case and whether you think these two actually have a good case against paramount. what's going on here is a recent law passed in california change the statute of limitations which allow for people to sue civilly for damages that they suffered from sex crimes that have been many years ago. when you think about cases other than murder, there's a certain period of time in which people can file in this expanded that and with that was between january one, file in this expanded that and with that was betweenjanuary one, 2020 and january one, 2023, people who had suffered from crimes many years in the past could file. one thing thatis in the past could file. one thing that is interesting is these people filed on the very last possible day because this change the law ended on january one 2023 but california says

that you get to file the first business day after federal holiday which means tuesday was that day and they filed. what's going on here is they filed. what's going on here is they filed. what's going on here is they filed in a jury, if this gets to a jury, a they filed in a jury, if this gets to ajury, ajury they filed in a jury, if this gets to a jury, a jury will have to decide whether they have a preponderance of evidence that paramount violated these various crimes and they have to show that they suffered damages from it. the director of the film is a very famous director who died two or three years ago but they are suing these two actors for $500 million. that is a staggering amount of money. that is a staggering amount of mone . , , ., ., that is a staggering amount of mone. , ,~ ., ., ., money. yes they are and one of the thins money. yes they are and one of the things that's — money. yes they are and one of the things that's difficult _ money. yes they are and one of the things that's difficult for _ money. yes they are and one of the things that's difficult for them - money. yes they are and one of the things that's difficult for them is - things that's difficult for them is there were interviews that were made recently in 2018 in which olivia

said explicitly that she did not, she was not uncomfortable of the images that her and her whole actor that they were regular, that they were appropriate at the time in european cinema and that she didn't have a problem with them. and so, what's going be problematic for her in the eyes of the jury of it's only think of the case goes to trial, paramount's lawyers will argue this is that a good law, a law that is intended to help victims is being misused here, ithink intended to help victims is being misused here, i think the argument that its money grabbing because before this law was passed, she didn't have a problem with the images but once the law was passed in 2020, all of a sudden, on the very eve of the very last possible day when you can file, she is not saying that she suffered for it. so, thatis saying that she suffered for it. so, that is going to be a problem for them if they're trying to prevail.

if they were successful for this, this would open the floodgates for others who might think they had suffered abuse when they were making films going back decades and decades. flit films going back decades and decades. ., , films going back decades and decades. .,, , ., , ., decades. of those people did not file by tuesday. _ decades. of those people did not file by tuesday, they've - decades. of those people did not file by tuesday, they've lost - decades. of those people did notj file by tuesday, they've lost their opportunity to file on this california changes the law again. but there is something good behind this law which is that people who are the victims of child sexual abuse often are not in the position where they can report what happened to them and so, because the fifth amendment of the us constitution, california cannot change its penal code to go back and see the cases that have lost the opportunity to be filed, you're extending it. that can't happen. the penal code can't change. but they can change the rate of file under civil law and if you have somebody who was molested by a

parent and their two young and too vulnerable and too scared and everything else to report, it makes sense, the motivation makes sense that they want those people to have some sense ofjustice report is problematic is even lost his good intentions can end up having bad results. they can motivate people to report things that did not happen, it's very difficult to defend yourself against something that happened five years ago, ten years ago, 20 years ago or 30 years ago and so, they allow cases like that to be filed in this case, there's actual images, actual documentation that were there in there is no dispute over the manner in which the images are made and are now alleging that they were coerced, effectively coerced into making those images. although, as i said earlier, the 2018 interview seems to undermine

that but, you know, the lawsuit was created, the change in the law was created, the change in the law was created to open the floodgates to give justice to survivors but what he does is it allows people to sue people who may be should not sue meritorious leak i do not have an opinion on this right now except to say that the 2018 interviews are problematic. say that the 2018 interviews are problematic— say that the 2018 interviews are roblematic. ., ,, , ., ., , say that the 2018 interviews are roblematic. ., ,, ., ., problematic. thank you professor of law of university — problematic. thank you professor of law of university of— problematic. thank you professor of law of university of miami. - problematic. thank you professor of law of university of miami. we - problematic. thank you professor of law of university of miami. we willl law of university of miami. we will see what happens. british musicians were responsible for all of the top 10 best—selling singles in the uk last year — for the first time since records began. harry styles topped the chart, while ed sheeran and kate bush also featured. our music correspondent, mark savage, has the details. # you know it's not the same as it wasl # as it was...# with 180 million streams, harry styles' as it was became

the bestselling song of last year. it was closely followed by this... # my bad habits lead to late nights endin' alone... # ..ed sheeran's bad habits. already the biggest seller of 2021, it clung on as the second—biggest tune of 2022. # i'll sing it loud in case you don't already know # pack up your stuff and go, go, go... # newcomer cat burns was the highest charting female artist, with her break—out hit, go, becoming the year's fourth most popular song. and kate bush came sixth with this, from 1985. # be runnin' up that road # be runnin' up that hill # be runnin' up that buildin'... # running up that hill, which went viral last summer after featuring in the netflix show stranger things. and 2022 was the first year that all of the top ten uk singles were by british artists. the bpi, which represents

the recorded music industry, said music consumption rose by 4% in 2022, making it the eighth year in a row that listening has increased. # it's me... # customers spent more money on vinyl than cds for the first time since 1987, with taylor swift's midnight the year's biggest seller. but new music is increasingly being crowded out by classics. # money, money, money... # six of last year's top ten albums were greatest hits collections by the likes of eltonjohn, little mix and abba. mark savage, bbc news. # in a rich man's world...# i'm nowjoined by yolanda brown, who is chair of bpi — the representative voice for record labels in the uk. thank you so much for being with us. great to have you with us on the

programme. is this a flash in the pan, britain doing so well on the top ten this year? trio. pan, britain doing so well on the top ten this year?— pan, britain doing so well on the top ten this year? no, i think we're here to state- _ top ten this year? no, i think we're here to state. all _ top ten this year? no, i think we're here to state. all the _ top ten this year? no, i think we're here to state. all the great - top ten this year? no, i think we're here to state. all the great music. here to state. all the great music being made in british culture being celebrated right now.— celebrated right now. there's so much competition, _ celebrated right now. there's so much competition, what - celebrated right now. there's so much competition, what is - celebrated right now. there's so much competition, what is the l celebrated right now. there's sol much competition, what is the by british mute techie make music that is so successful? it british mute techie make music that is so successful?— is so successful? it brings in lots of different _ is so successful? it brings in lots of different cultures, _ is so successful? it brings in lots of different cultures, lots - is so successful? it brings in lots of different cultures, lots of - of different cultures, lots of backgrounds, lots of heritages but also, using artists wanting to collaborate with british artists more. and that helps to get the style out there even more. it is quite nostalgic, you spoke there about that here to jack's being celebrated but even harry styles, his music is quite nostalgic and it brings you back to the 80s with the electronic sounds and i think it is something for everybody, you are hearing many generations of british listeners and the lovely story about

an 80—year—old man wanting storm see's album. we are seeing a lot of that in british music is being celebrated in a great way. ilrrul’ith celebrated in a great way. with --eole celebrated in a great way. with peeple like _ celebrated in a great way. with peeple like ed _ celebrated in a great way. with people like ed shearon and a very prolific songwriter and he's churning out hit after hit. absolutely so, you can also see that what makes a great artist, i believe and i've always believed that this is the collaboration, ed shearin is making great music by himself but also works with artists across different genres from different backgrounds and i think that brings them to a more apparent state and make some appeal to so many listeners. ~ �* make some appeal to so many listeners-— make some appeal to so many listeners. ~ �* ., ,, ., listeners. we're talking about the uk sintles listeners. we're talking about the uk singles chart _ listeners. we're talking about the uk singles chart at _ listeners. we're talking about the uk singles chart at the _ listeners. we're talking about the uk singles chart at the moment l listeners. we're talking about the i uk singles chart at the moment and to what are people listening and streaming singles of the moment compared to albums? what is the moment? i compared to albums? what is the moment? ~ , , compared to albums? what is the moment? ,, , , ., moment? i think singles and for full lead moment? i think singles and for fully lead people _ moment? i think singles and for fully lead people to _ moment? i think singles and for fully lead people to get - moment? i think singles and for fully lead people to get the - moment? i think singles and for.

fully lead people to get the music because you can discover so much in so many different songs in such a short space of time and you're releasing the amount of streams rise. actually when we are speaking about albums, people do crave the physical sense of the music, you know. finalsales physical sense of the music, you know. final sales are up, people are buying and listening to whole albums and enjoying the artwork, the credits inside as well in the same with the album charts for cds and there is still lots of people who, for me it really settles my heart as well as i am glad for that. abs, lat for me it really settles my heart as well as i am glad for that.- well as i am glad for that. a lot of nostal: ia well as i am glad for that. a lot of nostalgia in _ well as i am glad for that. a lot of nostalgia in terms _ well as i am glad for that. a lot of nostalgia in terms of— well as i am glad for that. a lot of nostalgia in terms of albums - well as i am glad for that. a lot of| nostalgia in terms of albums often it is the greatest hits from people like abba going way back which are really successful still. it will make and that some of the classic points for streaming. younger generations are able to rediscover music that their parents, their grandparents were enjoying using the search of all of this amazing artist being enjoyed again. i think that is the great thing about music. it

lives on. . , , the great thing about music. it lives on. ., , _ , ., ., ~ culture secretary michelle donelan has advised against the privatisation of channel 4 in a letter to the prime minister that has leaked online. in the letter, obtained by the news agents podcast, ms donelan said there were "better ways to ensure channel 4's sustainability" than privatisation. her predecessor nadine dorries, who planned to sell the government—owned channel, criticised the reversal. but ms donelan said "pursuing a sale at this point is not the right decision". a spokesperson for the department for the government said they would not comment on speculation.

at the end of march, he said any future support will be designed to help businesses transition to a new higher—priced environment but stressed the current levels of support such as fixing gas and electricity prices are not sustainable. earlier, our business editor told me more about the cost of some of the current measures. businesses events some of their costs subsidised in the runs into the end of march of this year. that is estimated to have cost the government businesses and nondomestic users and £18 billion of that last six months with the chancellor said is that level of support is unsustainable and no government can protect business in the long term from the energy markets and so, but expecting next week when we get all the detail is the level of support will be significantly lower than that and they have an option to roll over

some support for six months or do for a full 12 months and i am hearing that the hunch is that they have a 12 month extension but at a much lower rate of generosity. but the government does not have to be that generous any more and energy prices have fallen very sharply in the amount they have to subsidise the amount they have to subsidise the gap that they need to have is holding up in before the ukraine war there is still three or four more times higher than they were in the long time average and make the mistake, business costs are going up through energy bills this is going to happen at the same time as support for households begins to wear off as well going to tune i have thousands or 3000 a year for a typical household if higher costs, less disposable income for the customer there than makes up for a very challenging 2023.— very challenging 2023. that's her business editor _ very challenging 2023. that's her business editor and _ very challenging 2023. that's her business editor and that's - very challenging 2023. that's her business editor and that's pretty | business editor and that's pretty much it for me in the news at six is coming up with sophie fury with,

let's look at the forecast. today's been slightly quieter and there are a few shelves around but it would tend to fade away over the next few hours. this weather front as it sinks steadily southwards with disputed will bend of cloud we are looking generally around five to 10 degrees and a little bit cooler in the far north and east of scotland. that is where we'll start of some early morning sunshine clouding over quite quickly is to go to the day. when strengthening up to the west the next batch of wet weather arrives it's going to take its time, bringing rain in northern ireland, western fringes of scotland in particular in some showers on north feasting coasts. nine to 13 celsius. that rain clears the way through the early hours of friday morning and the winds will be quite gusty to begin with but on the whole, freddie looks a quieter day drier with some

sunshine. —— friday.

build a better future for britain. ina in a major speech, rishi sunak focuses on easing serious problems in the nhs as well as cutting inflation and growing the economy. the cost of living, too high. waiting times in the nhs, too long. illegal migration, far too much. we will be analysing the detail in his promises. also on the programme. more than 160,000 people have paid their last respects to the former pope, benedict xvi. the prolific novelist, fay weldon who wrote more than 30 books has