,out all rain. head online to check out all the latest weather warnings. you can check the weather for where you are or where you are going by looking at the bbc weather app. this is bbc news, i'm clive myrie. the headlines... the government has begun the process of changing the law to keep public services running — at a minimum level — during strike action. unions say it's an attack on workers�* rights. so i am introducing a bill that will government the power to ensure that vital public services will have to ensure a basic function by delivering minimum safety levels and ensuring the lives and livelihoods are not lost. what do we want?! fair pay! when do we want it?! now! it comes as primary school teachers in scotland become the latest workers to walk out in a dispute over pay. many schools in the country are closed. there were more excess deaths than usual in the uk last year — the highest number outside the covid

pandemic in half a century. downing street says it has yet to make a final decision on whether to send tanks to ukraine, after reports suggested the uk could send a dozen to help in the war. some shops opened at midnight to meet demand, for prince harry's best—selling heavily trailed autobiography now on sale. and a setback, not a roadblock — the team behind a uk space mission which failed to launch correctly say they'll keep on trying. we'll get there. you know, we go back, we get up, we do it again, and that defines our future, really. we need to get back to this as soon as we can.

the government has introduced controversial draught legislation to limit future strikes. the measures would affect those working in the nhs, education, transport, fire and rescue, border security, and nuclear decommissioning. ministers say there are similar laws in other european countries and that there are simply common sense, to protect lives and livelihoods. workers could could be sacked under the proposed legislation. unions have condemned the proposals, as "undemocratic, unworkable and a threat to the fundamental right to withdraw labour." here's the business secretary, grant shapps, announcing the bill to the commons this afternoon. we do not want to use this legislation, but we must ensure the safety of the british public. during the passage of the bill, we intend to consult on what an adequate level of coverage looks like in fire, ambulance and in rail services. for the other sectors covered in the bill, we hope to reach minimum service agreements that mean that we don't

have to use that power in the bill, and they will be able to come to that position just as the nurses have done in the recent strikes. mr speaker, this is a common—sense approach, and we are not the first to follow it. the legislation will bring us in line with modern european countries like france and spain, and italy, and germany, each of whom already have these types of rules in place. even the guardians of workers�* rights around the world, the international labour organisation, to whom the tuc themselves subscribe, say that minimum service levels are a proportionate way of balancing the right to strike with the need to protect the wider public. because the first job of any government is to keep the public safe, and unlike other countries, and unlike other countries, we are not proposing banning those strikes, but we do need to know that unions will be held to account. labour's deputy leader,

angela rayner, said the plans were an attack on workers — describing the legislation as a "sacking nurses bill". an outright attack on the fundamental freedom of british working people. how can he say with a straight face that this government will always defend the ability to strike? can he tell us if he stands by his article in the telegraph last summer, listing yet more plans to attack that basic right? does he deny they considered banning some key workers from joining a union at all? and so much for levelling up workers' rights, mr speaker. and where is their promised code of conduct on the fire and rehire, long abandoned employment bill that they promised to tackle insecure work? how can he go in one breath from thanking nurses to sacking nurses, mr speaker? notjust insulting, but utterly stupid. there is no common sense about this at all. he says he recognises pressures faced by key workers, but he knows the nhs cannot find

the nurses that they need to work on the ward. he knows the trains don't run even on non—strike days, such is their shortage of staff. so how can he seriously think that sacking thousands of key workers won'tjust plunge our public services further into crisis? let's speak to our deputy political editor, vicky young. one wonders in pushing through this bill, trying to get this on the statute books, one wonders what that will do for industrialisation means in an already fraught set of pay negotiations and all kinds of things going on public—sector unions? find going on public-sector unions? and certainly some _ going on public—sector unions? fific certainly some people are looking at the timing of all this. it is important to say this was something that was in the last conservative manifesto in 2019. but yes, as you say, we are in the middle of a number of sectors going on strike,

and there are a number of ongoing meetings about all this. and it really does come the day after there was a glimmer of hope — in some of the health unions, they felt may be steve barclay was looking again at the possibility of may be a one—off payment for health workers, or even backdating next year's pay rise. so there was a positive mood music, and this is really the other side of the coin where unions feel this is restricting their right to strike, and the government saying they are doing this because they want to protect people's lives and livelihoods, and put britain in line with other countries. now labour also say that actually this isn't necessary — they point to the last round of strikes with ambulances and nurses, saying nurses laid out very clearly the treatments they would still provide, and ambulances, even though there was no national agreement locally, they all agreed to respond to a certain category of

calls. so they say all this will do is end up with workers being sacked if they don't actually come in and work on the days when they're supposed to. the key thing here we don't know is what those minimum service levels will be. those will be decided later, and the timeframe for this is also really important for this is also really important for people wondering about the current wave of strikes. this will take months to get through parliament, it could well face legal challenges as well, so it certainly won't affect what's going on in the next few months. {lila won't affect what's going on in the next few months.— next few months. 0k, nothing immediate _ next few months. 0k, nothing immediate on _ next few months. 0k, nothing immediate on that. _ next few months. 0k, nothing immediate on that. summing | next few months. 0k, nothing i immediate on that. summing up whitley different, rishi sunak — deciding to take up a train instead of a deciding to take up a train instead ofa —— deciding to take up a train instead of a —— plane instead of a train. the prime minister was photographed getting onto an rafjet to fly to leeds, he was going to visit a hospital and there are some mps from the opposition party saying this was extravagant and a waste of taxpayers money, and it goes against those

climate change targets. now downing street say they've done up nothing wrong here — they say it was the most effective use of his time. plenty of people are saying, "look, he could've taken a train, it wasn't a strike day, no reason for him not to take the trip to and a half hours each way." to take the trip to and a half hours each way- "— to take the trip to and a half hours each wa ." ., ., ~ let's speak now to drjoelle grogan, legal academic and senior researcher at the academic think tank "uk in a changing europe," at king's college. hello, thanks for being with us. we will discuss this proposed bill for a minimum service to be provided by trade unions even during the middle of a strike. grant shapps is very keen to stress that britain is simply getting in line with the rest of europe on this. economies like italy and france, and germany — how are those laws activated, how will they run in relation to this casilla

well, as all things— they run in relation to this casilla well, as all things legal, the devil is in the detail. _ well, as all things legal, the devil is in the detail. it's _ well, as all things legal, the devil is in the detail. it's so _ well, as all things legal, the devil is in the detail. it's so easy - well, as all things legal, the devil is in the detail. it's so easy to - is in the detail. it's so easy to say that other countries in europe have minimum standard levels, but we always need to ask, what are those minimum standards levels? and we also need to think about it in terms of the wider body of rights and worker protections across europe. so they might not have the same laws are standards that we do widely across workers' rights. but if we are just focusing on across workers' rights. but if we arejust focusing on minimum are just focusing on minimum standards, arejust focusing on minimum standards, if i said or used the new government power that's being proposed to say that all ambulances have to run and all nurses have to work at a minimum standard, so 100%, that's essentially tantamount to a band. this is why it's so important to understand what the business secretary means by consultation, and also how he intends to use that power that will be given. that's a

power that will be given. that's a power that's not defined within the bill, and he could use it in any way, shape orform, changing minimum standards potentially if this bill is passed as it is draughted currently. is passed as it is draughted currently-— currently. that's really interesting, _ currently. that's really interesting, the - currently. that's really interesting, the idea i currently. that's really| interesting, the idea of consultation, because my understanding is that in those parts of europe that perhaps mr grant shapps is referring to, there was clear consultation and agreement between the unions and the government on what a minimum service level actually is. now given there is antagonism between the unions and the government here, the unions will probably say, "we think minimum service should be 35%, the government says it should be 75% but the government can impose what it wants." that's very different from the situation in europe. wants. " that's very different from the situation in europe. absolutely, this is a power— the situation in europe. absolutely, this is a power to _ the situation in europe. absolutely, this is a power to set _ the situation in europe. absolutely, this is a power to set minimum - this is a power to set minimum standards, there's no mandated consultation, at least what i've seenin consultation, at least what i've seen in the draught. so

consultation, at least what i've seen in the draught.— seen in the draught. so the government _ seen in the draught. so the government could - seen in the draught. so the government could just - seen in the draught. so the| government could just push seen in the draught. so the - government could just push this through and say, "minimum service 80%." through and say, "minimum service 80%.“ , through and say, "minimum service 80%." , , ., ,, ., 80%." this needs to pass through the lords, who might _ 80%." this needs to pass through the lords, who might have _ 80%." this needs to pass through the lords, who might have a _ 80%." this needs to pass through the lords, who might have a slightly - lords, who might have a slightly different view of workers' rights and standards. also if we are talking about europe, we also need to consider whether or not this could fall foul of the level playing field conditions that we signed up to under the trade agreement with the eu. so are we very significantly undermining workers standards by setting minimum standards? this seems unlikely, but it would all again depend on the detail — what are those minimum standards being set and how will they be decided? it does sound like there are a lot of hurdles still to be got through before this could actually become legislation, and one wonders then, critics of the government public plans would argue this is simply an attempt to be seen to be tough in the middle of a negotiation and an

attempt to show the public that it's on its side?— attempt to show the public that it's on its side? ., ., , , . ., on its side? one other aspect that i feel as a legal _ on its side? one other aspect that i feel as a legal expert _ on its side? one other aspect that i feel as a legal expert i _ on its side? one other aspect that i feel as a legal expert i need - on its side? one other aspect that i feel as a legal expert i need to - feel as a legal expert i need to emphasise is there's no right to strike in the uk. the right to strike in the uk. the right to strike does not exist. so what we haveis strike does not exist. so what we have is a right to association, to join a trade union — but that's under very specific conditions, so it has to be necessary in a democratic society, it has to be necessary to protect public security and public health. one of the very significant challenges that we will see as this progresses through the houses of parliament is the question of, is this necessary? for example, is mandating minimum service levels in education going to be necessary to protect public health or public security? that's if we are going down the human rights route. that could be well— down the human rights route. that could be well but _ down the human rights route. that could be well but a _ down the human rights route. that could be well but a judge ends up deciding if this gets that far. inevitably we need to start talking

about the fact that judges can't strike down legislation — however they have to interpret it, understand the law in a way that protects rights. so what you might putjudges in a very difficult position if you say even on a standard is 100% working, which is very similar to banning strikes or banning unions. it would place judges in a very difficult position of trying to interpret that in a way that doesn't preach a very fundamental rights. that doesn't preach a very fundamental riahts. ., ~ fundamental rights. indeed, thank ou ve fundamental rights. indeed, thank you very much _ fundamental rights. indeed, thank you very much for _ fundamental rights. indeed, thank you very much forjoining - fundamental rights. indeed, thank you very much forjoining us, - you very much forjoining us, doctor. the new legislation introduced by grant shapps on strikes come amid more action from unions this week. teachers at primary schools in scotland have walked out today in their dispute over pay, with more walk outs planned tomorrow at secondary schools. our scotland correspondent james shaw has the latest. chanting: pay attention! a cold, wet morning at this picket line in west renfrewshire,

one of hundreds across scotland. but these teachers are not in the mood to give up and go home. we would rather be in the classroom, we don't want to strike and none of us would have got into teaching for the money, it was because we wanted to work with kids. we are just asking for. fair pay, nothing more. we go above and beyond for our children. - scottish teachers held their biggest strike in decades last november. this is the next phase of the action. primary schools across scotland are closed today, tomorrow it will be the turn of secondary schools and then from monday unless an agreement is reached in the meantime, a rolling series of strikes across different regions of scotland, heading through into the start of february. the teaching unions want a 10% pay rise. local authorities and the scottish government are offering five,

up to 6.85% for those on the lowest pay. the scottish government have had until november 20 seconds when the last offer was brought and rejected to bring something substantial back to the table in order but today's action could be averted, and they have not done that. -- 22 —— 22 november. we have teachers on picket lines when they should be in classrooms. the scottish government says there is simply no more money. fairness is a really important principle here, i value the teaching workforce, they do an incredible job, but we have limited resources and are trying to operate fairly, so the offer on the table to teachers is the same as has already been accepted by other local government workers. meanwhile, families across scotland are feeling the impact of the strike.

i understand why they are on strike, but itjust disrupts the youngsters�* education, they have had enough disruption over the past two and a half years. i fully support them, looking after my son today, i don't mind, spending time with him, i fully support the workers. according to both sides, the mood of the talks to try to end the dispute has been constructed. that sounds hopeful but if it does not result in a deal, these strikes could continue for weeks to come. james schall reporting there. the number of patients waiting more than 12 hours in scotland�*s emergency departments has hit another record high. figures from public health scotland, show that more than 2,500 people spent at least half a day in a&e in the week, ending january first — that�*s up from the previous week. the headlines on bbc news... the government has begun the process

of changing the law to keep public services running — at a minimum level during strike action. unions say it�*s an attack on workers�* rights. it comes as primary school teachers in scotland become the latest workers to walk out in a dispute over pay. many schools in the country are closed. some shops opened at midnight to meet demand for prince harry�*s heavily—trailed autobiography, now on sale. the controversial social media influencer andrew tate is in court in romania, appealing against his 30—day arrest for alleged human trafficking, rape and organised crime charges. mr tate, his brother, tristan, and two romanian female suspects were detained on 29 dececember pending a criminal investigation. mr tate�*s lawyer claims there is "no evidence" to support the allegations

against him or his brother. andrew tate gained mainstream notoriety for misogynistic remarks and hate speech, which got him banned from all major social media platforms — although since elon musk took over twitter, his account was reinstated in november. he is a self—professed misogynist. our correspondent nick thorpe, in budapest, has been following the hearing. what are the latest developments, nick? ~ ~ , , ., what are the latest developments, nick? ~ ~ ,, ., ., nick? well, the appeal court in bucharest went _ nick? well, the appeal court in bucharest went on _ nick? well, the appeal court in bucharest went on for - nick? well, the appeal court in bucharest went on for six - nick? well, the appeal court in | bucharest went on for six hours, then thejudges bucharest went on for six hours, then the judges adjourned. obviously mr tate the other defendants were arguing they should be released from custody — they�*ve now been in detention in romania for 12 days. we understand that prosecution is arguing that they should be continued to held dust be held for the 30 days initially ordered by the judges. an interesting development, just before thejudge judges. an interesting development, just before the judge is adjourned, and there�*s no development yet, just before the judge is adjourned, a

british lawyer appeared in the courtroom and, according to some romanian media reports, this is a british lawyer who defended andrew tate previously against similar charges in the uk seven years ago. and just detail the charges for us, nick. 3, , and just detail the charges for us, nick. , ., nick. basically, there are three main sets _ nick. basically, there are three main sets of— nick. basically, there are three main sets of charges _ nick. basically, there are three main sets of charges - - nick. basically, there are three main sets of charges - one - nick. basically, there are three main sets of charges - one is i nick. basically, there are three - main sets of charges - one is luring main sets of charges — one is luring foreign women, foreign citizens to romania with false promises of marriage or income, and then coercing them into taking part in pornographic videos. there�*s a separate charge, it�*s not clear whether this is against andrew or tristan tate of rape, we understand that�*s brought by a moldovan woman. the third is of forming organised criminal groups, these charges have and put together over the last few months by remaining prosecutors. nick, thank you for that.

a search is under way for two british men who�*ve gone missing while working as volunteers in ukraine. christopher parry, who�*s 28, and andrew bagshaw, who�*s a8, were last seen in the eastern donetsk region, where fighting has been intense. the foreign office says it�*s "supporting the families" of both men. here�*s vincent mcaviney. explosion this is christopher parry on friday, racing through bakhmut to save a civilian, oksana, who�*s in desperate need of rescue. filmed on friday, the 28—year—old, from truro in cornwall, has been posting videos like this to document his aid efforts. but a few hours later, christopher parry, and fellow british humanitarian 48—year—old andrew bagshaw, went missing while helping to evacuate civilians near soledar in the donetsk region, where russian attacks have been focused in recent days. neither man has been heard from or seen since. ukrainian police are appealing for information. christopher parry, who has been

in ukraine since last march, is believed to have rescued hundreds of people from the front lines of the conflict over recent months. i�*ve not experienced christmas in a war either. it�*s very peculiar to be here. you kind of forget that it�*s christmas at all. i really have no idea, because there�*s no sign of it anywhere, of course. the foreign office advises against all travel to ukraine, and has urged british citizens in the country to leave due to the risk to life. nevertheless, in a statement, a foreign office spokesman confirmed... andrew bagshaw�*s parents have released a statement saying they love him dearly, and are immensely proud of the incredible work he has done to help people in challenging circumstances. british prisoners are considered high—value targets by russia. in september, the kremlin swapped 55 russian troops in a deal that included five british prisoners of war. ukraine says it�*s strengthening its forces in the area

they�*ve gone missing. for both men�*s families, it�*s now an anxious wait for news on their sons. vincent mcaviney, bbc news. downing street says it has yet to make a final decision on whether to send tanks to ukraine. reports emerged yesterday suggesting future aid could possibly include heavy—armoured vehicles. the prime minister�*s spokesperson said that britain would continue to co—ordinate its support for kyiv with its allies. the leaders of the eu and nato have been meeting today in brussels to agree new military cooperation. the nato head, jens stoltenberg, said the alliance would continue to back ukraine. the aim is of course to ensure that we can continue and also strengthen our support to ukraine, because we have seen that russia has suffered big losses in ukraine due to the brave ukrainian soldiers and the professionalism and dedication of the ukrainian armed forces, but you should

not underestimate russia. they are mobilising more troops, they are working hard to acquire more equipment, more ammunition, and they have shown willingness to actually suffer but continue the war, and there is no indication that president putin has changed the overall aim of his brutal war against ukraine, so we need to be prepared for the long haul, we need to continue to support ukraine, and again, it is an extremely important message that we are sending today with the declaration, with the two presidents here present with me, that we stand united, nato and the european union, in our support to ukraine. justin crump is a military analyst and chief executive of the intelligence consultancy, sibylline — and a

he says the british tanks would prove effective on the battlefield — but large numbers of them are needed. western tank design was created to over max... it so it�*s made to be 20-30% over max... it so it�*s made to be 20—30% better, to beat the other tank in any situation. so they are designed to be more survivable, to have more firepower, and beat mobile and sustainable enough to take on russian designed tanks at a higher ratio. so effectively, as ukraine has done throughout this conflict, it�*s doing more with less, the very eve those of the design of these tanks. so they will be more effective on the battlefield, but the big feel to make a thing about armour on the battlefield as it�*s not about having 1—2 better tank than your opponent, it�*s about having lots and using them together. as a second world war german general put it... so a lot of it comes down to the way in which ukraine will employ them, as well, so as notjust having the equipment which is better than the russian stuff, it�*s using

them better. more than 650,000 deaths were registered in the uk in 2022, according to new figures released by the office for national statistics. that represents one of the biggest jumps in death rates in half a century, taking account of the size and age of the population. although it�*s far below pandemic levels, it�*s prompted concerns about why more people are dying than would be expected. with me now in the studio is our health reporter rachel schraer. that�*s the question everyone wants to know, weiss is happening, why are the figures going up?— the figures going up? that's right, in 2020-21, — the figures going up? that's right, in 2020-21, it— the figures going up? that's right, in 2020-21, it was _ the figures going up? that's right, in 2020-21, it was very _ the figures going up? that's right, in 2020-21, it was very clear - the figures going up? that's right, in 2020-21, it was very clear what| in 2020—21, it was very clear what was happening. these excess deaths were being by covid infections and deaths. now we are seeing covid is still there and playing a role, about 38,000 people died of covid in 2022, but it's about 38,000 people died of covid in 2022, but it�*s not the main thing driving the excess. so we have to look for some clues elsewhere, and there are some things we can see in there are some things we can see in the data. so first of all, the nhs pressures we�*ve been hearing about and we�*ve started to see around the

summer, that was really the point when things started to look quite different from earlier years. so the first half of last year, in fact, deaths looked quite similar to the levels they had been at pre—pandemic in 2019. it was only from june onwards that things started to really spiral, and that so we started to see people wait on trolleys outside a&e in numbers we normally associate with winter. so that�*s one thing we can see going on. another is the general health of the population and not only after effects of covid infections themselves, but also all those missed doctors appointments and treatments people may not have been totally up—to—date with after the pandemic. so we�*ve seen a big fall in blood pressure medications and we can see that many of the excess deaths are in men in their 50s and 60s, and they�*ve also been caused by heart problems. so we are starting to get a picture of what�*s wrong here. it to get a picture of what's wrong here. , ., , ., , .,, here. it needs to be a member it as well that some _ here. it needs to be a member it as well that some of _ here. it needs to be a member it as well that some of these _ here. it needs to be a member it as well that some of these deaths - here. it needs to be a member it as well that some of these deaths are | well that some of these deaths are

covid — covid is not over, it may not be a pandemic in the strict sense of the word, but it�*s not over. and some of these excess deaths are still cove it�*s popular that�*s right, covid is still there and i think people have used the phrase perfect— phrase perfect storm, and that's what we see _ phrase perfect storm, and that's what we see going _ phrase perfect storm, and that's what we see going on _ phrase perfect storm, and that's what we see going on here. - phrase perfect storm, and that'sl what we see going on here. covid phrase perfect storm, and that's . what we see going on here. covid is still there, flew his comeback with a vengeance, nhs pressure means people are estimating as many third democrats 3—500 people might be dying a week because they aren�*t being seen in time, and we also have people in worse health and people who may have been previously diagnosed and got on a medication, being monitored by their doctors who haven�*t had that situation. so all those things are coming together and really colliding, and that seems to be making up the picture of what�*s going on here. share be making up the picture of what's going on here-— be making up the picture of what's going on here. are they surprising, the figures. — going on here. are they surprising, the figures, given _ going on here. are they surprising, the figures, given the _ going on here. are they surprising, the figures, given the pandemic . the figures, given the pandemic we�*ve been through? i the figures, given the pandemic we've been through?— the figures, given the pandemic we've been through? i think some --eole we've been through? i think some people thought — we've been through? i think some people thought we _ we've been through? i think some people thought we perhaps - we've been through? i think some people thought we perhaps were i we've been through? i think some i people thought we perhaps were now in that post pandemic phase, would we be returning to normal? even the fact that sadly, we�*ve lost some of the oldest, most vulnerable people,

sometimes after things like that happen, you see a fall in excess deaths because people who might�*ve died already — there is perhaps surprising elements to be seen in that, although as you say, having been through the pandemic and the impact on people cosmic health, it�*s not surprising through that lens. rachel, thank you. stay with us for the weather. further areas of low pressure bringing wet and windy weather, could see problems with localised flooding across western scotland, northwest england, wales in southwest england in particular. we�*ve had some rain clearing through this evening, that will exit into the north sea, than overnight it will be clear spells and blustery showers, most of the showers in the west over the high grounds of scotland. severe gales across the far north of scotland into the northern isles. temperatures tonight

ranging from 4—7 c. low pressure bringing strong winds to the north, but there�*s plenty of isobars on the charts for wednesday and also these weather fronts enhancing the shower activities, so will be one of sonny�*s bells and blustery showers, or even longer spells of rain working their way from west to east, gills around western areas, there will be some sunshine around too. cooler with temperatures for most of the single digits.

hello this is bbc news with clive myrie. the headlines... the government has begun the process of changing the law to keep public services running — at a minimum level — during strike action. unions say it�*s an attack on workers�* rights. it comes as primary school teachers in scotland become the latest workers to walk out in a dispute over pay. many schools in the

country are closed. downing street says it has yet to make a final decision on whether to send tanks to ukraine — after reports suggested the uk could send a dozen to help in the war. some shops opened at midnight to meet demand, for prince harry�*s best—selling heavily trailed autobiography, now on sale. and a setback not a roadblock — the team behind a uk space mission which failed to launch correctly — say they�*ll keep on trying. his success help put wheels on the map with the former targum and perimeter masses retirement.

we have someone of his stature in what he can have you have got to take advantage of that and he�*s interested in to do that in whatever capacity the next couple of weeks. but that is something that i�*m passionate about and i would like to keep him involved. charlton will be looking to follow in the cup giant—killing exploits of stevenage and wrexham, who beat higher league opponents in the fa cup this weekend. league one charlton face premier league opposition in manchester united, in tonight�*s league cup quarterfinals. eddie howe�*s newcastle are also in action — they face leicester in the last 8. newcastle were eliminated from the fa cup this weekend — after a surprise defeat to sheffield wednesday. howe has called on his team to be more clinical in front of goal, and hopes to have striker alexander isak available to start. it�*s been nearly a year—and—a—half since we�*ve seen england fast bowler

jofra archer in competitive action. but he got the inaugural south african t20 off to a flyer — taking the first wicket with just his third ball of the day. archer, who�*s been recovering from elbow is playing for the mumbai indians cape town, along with fellow sam curran and olly stone. their opponents paarl royals making 142 for seven from their 20 over. the royals havejos buttler in their side, along with jason roy and eoin morgan. buttler making his half century. cape town in their reply — seven for 0.. barry hawkins willjoin ronnie o�*sullivan and jack lisowski in the masters quarter finals, at alexandra palace. last year�*s losing finallist, hawkins hit a century in the second frame on his way to whitewashing mark allen, in their first round match. hawkins has just sealed a comprehensive 6—0 victory over the northern irishman. allen, one of the form players this season, exits the tournament at the first—round stage for the fifth consecutive year. hawkins will now face eitherjudd trump or ryan day next on friday.

i think my safety in the match i played a lot of safety in crete a lot of chances and i probably could�*ve scored a bit better but i kept him on the pressure and i did not do that much wrong it very few unforced errors and i think that made a difference in the end. the former masters champion stuart bingham enters this year�*s tournament tomorrow, but says he�*s still trying to find a way to deal with his worsening eyesight. bingham, who�*s a6, won the competition two years ago but hasn�*t won a trophy since. he�*s failed to progress beyond the second round of any tournament he�*s entered this season and says he�*s trying out glasses and contact lenses to try and regain some form. i�*m looking at shots and they look good but i am missing them, so just obviously trying to get my head round it, try on glasses, trying contacts. the year i won it, literally four days before i played my first match i had contacts in, so i didn�*t feel there

was much difference, that is why i have kept them out, sort of thing. i am still trying anything to get my hands on a bit of silverware. exeter hooker luke cowan—dickie will miss at least the start of the six nations with a "serious" ankle injury. cowan—dickie went off during the second—half of exeter�*s win over northampton last weekend. england begin their six nations campaign against scotland at twickenham on the 11th of february, with the hooker�*s absence a blow for new head coach steve borthwick. that�*s all from me for now. but olly foster�*s back at 6:30pm with sportsday. thank you. well, let�*s get more on the series of strikes across the uk. one of the unions that may take strike action over pay and conditions is the fire brigades union. it�*s currently balloting its members until the end of this month. so will the government�*s plans to tighten the law over

strikes affect that ballot? well, the fbu�*s general secretary, matt wrack, who joins us from central london, might be able to answer that question. thank you for being with us. do you think the proposals that the government has tabled could affect the ballot. i�*m government has tabled could affect the ballot. �* ., , the ballot. i'm not sure it will affect the _ the ballot. i'm not sure it will affect the ballot _ the ballot. i'm not sure it will affect the ballot but - the ballot. i'm not sure it will affect the ballot but it - the ballot. i'm not sure it will affect the ballot but it would | affect the ballot but it would affect our sector. obviously we are one of the sectors named under these latest proposals, fire and rescue that we have heard today in terms of the ballot and suspect anything it will make people more angry that the government is changing the rules halfway through a campaign to further attack the rights of firefighters and other working people. i suspect it will encourage people. i suspect it will encourage people to vote in that ballot and to vote yes for industrial action. that�*s probably the action that will result from today. the that's probably the action that will result from today. the government is, grant result from today. the government is. grant shapps — result from today. the government is, grant shapps he _ result from today. the government is, grant shapps he essays - result from today. the government is, grant shapps he essays he - result from today. the government is, grant shapps he essays he is i is, grant shapps he essays he is trying to be reasonable he says it is a reasonable sensible provision

of other countries habit, minimum service levels and it is the responsibility of every government to look after its absence and make sure that they don�*t come to harm. on that basis does he not have a point? i on that basis does he not have a oint? . ., ., on that basis does he not have a oint? .., ., , on that basis does he not have a oint? .. ., , i. on that basis does he not have a oint? ., , i. ., , point? i cannot believe you really are leaving _ point? i cannot believe you really are leaving he — point? i cannot believe you really are leaving he is _ point? i cannot believe you really are leaving he is reasonable. - point? i cannot believe you really| are leaving he is reasonable. let's are leaving he is reasonable. let�*s be clear wages in the uk economy have stagnated for more than 12 years. we have had a comment, fire have not seen a real payraise for most of those years that means ordinary firefighters have the equivalent of some £4000 a year worse off than if they had been kept pace with inflation. i don�*t know how anyone can believe it is reasonable to tell people to take a £4000 a year pay cut. that are not what mps are taking that is not what

grant shapps is taking. so for him to tell us it is reasonable to take a £4000 a year pay cut and suck it up and accept it and when people want to protest about it and they will say we will change the law to begin your ability to protest, i do not believe that is reasonable at all. , ., , not believe that is reasonable at all. , . , ., . ., all. his argument is that changing the law is reasonable _ all. his argument is that changing the law is reasonable he - all. his argument is that changing the law is reasonable he was - all. his argument is that changing the law is reasonable he was not. the law is reasonable he was not talk about whatever the pay negotiations and where they are. you have to ask negotiations and where they are. gm, have to ask why he's doing this at have to ask why he�*s doing this at this time. he�*s doing this at this time precisely because workers in the public sector, currently public and private access to or for the past 12 years, workers in the public sectors are thousands a pound a year worse off. inflation in the public sector again being told to take a huge pay cut this year but then being told how dare you protest about the end we will change the law and stop your ability to do anything to fight back. that is not reasonable at all. that is simply a

one—sided law in favour of the wealthy, in favour of bosses and employers and against ordinary working people who actually, just a couple of years ago this government and were all clapping in the streets for key workers, driving ambulances moving ppe moving the bodies of the deceased, we were clapped then and that we are told to take more and more pay cuts. i don�*t see how anyone argues that it is reasonable at all. ~ ., ,, anyone argues that it is reasonable atall. ~ ., , anyone argues that it is reasonable at all. ~ ., , ., anyone argues that it is reasonable atall. ~ ., , ., at all. would you be willing to take art in an at all. would you be willing to take part in any consultation _ at all. would you be willing to take part in any consultation process . at all. would you be willing to take part in any consultation process if. part in any consultation process if the law does go through in relation to what minimum service level means? we will have to see what comes of it. my aim is to tell the government that they need to withdraw these plans, absolutely. we already have discussions with our employers and with government and we have done it for many years in cases of industrial action which are rare.

for certain provisions to return to work in the event of major incidents. that is already been in place but i don�*t see why we would sit down with this government who simply, endlessly attacks us, time after time. simply, endlessly attacks us, time aftertime. it simply, endlessly attacks us, time after time. it is a bit rich to be told about minimum service levels by a government that has actually cut 11,000 jobs in the fight and rescue service. how does anyone take that seriously to hear talk of safe minimum service levels when you cut the fire set of rules levels by 20% that�*s ridiculous? i5 the fire set of rules levels by 20% that's ridiculous?— that's ridiculous? is there an indication — that's ridiculous? is there an indication of _ that's ridiculous? is there an indication of coming - that's ridiculous? is there an indication of coming forward | that's ridiculous? is there an - indication of coming forward with the idea of a minimum service level that if you were on strike and your colleagues were on strike and a house was on fire down the road, you would not go? in house was on fire down the road, you would not go?— would not go? in previous disputes and there have _ would not go? in previous disputes and there have been _ would not go? in previous disputes and there have been a _ would not go? in previous disputes and there have been a couple - would not go? in previous disputes and there have been a couple but l would not go? in previous disputes i and there have been a couple but not many in our union, the employer had

to provide alternative provision. sometimes that has been the military, sometimes that has been other agencies that they have managed to find. so the point here is that no one wants to see strikes, but are you suggesting that firefighters should just lose all the rights of an ordinary worker to take action to protect themselves and their families so that they can pay the bills at the end of the month or should theyjust accept that they should be different down to poverty level pay? i don�*t understand how you could even that forward. it seems ludicrous to me. it seems pretty likely that if this does manage to get through the comments and the lords then that is a big if, that there will be legal challenges. no question. idon't have great _ challenges. no question. idon't have great confidence _ challenges. no question. idon't have great confidence in - challenges. no question. idon't have great confidence in in - challenges. no question. idon't have great confidence in in the i challenges. no question. i don't. have great confidence in in the law and we will consider all of our

options. government has no mandate for this at all. we have a prime minister elected by a handful of tory mps following the previous prime minister in the similar fashion. we have several changes of prime minister and in relation to my sector if this was not in the manifesto. they have no mandate for. if they want to see democracy let�*s go into the public and have a general election if that�*s what they want to put to the test. this is not democracy in action it is an undemocratic attack on the rights of ordinary workers to stand up for themselves and stop employers and governments from forcing them onto pgy- governments from forcing them onto .a _ ., �* , governments from forcing them onto pay. that's what this is about. many thanks for talking _ pay. that's what this is about. many thanks for talking to _ pay. that's what this is about. many thanks for talking to us. _ pay. that's what this is about. many thanks for talking to us. from - pay. that's what this is about. many thanks for talking to us. from the i thanks for talking to us. from the fire brigades union. after days of publicity, prince harry�*s autobiography, spare, has gone on sale. publishers have already declared it as the fastest—selling nonfiction book ever sold in the uk,

with 400,000 copies purchased today. much of the book�*s contents are already public, after copies went on sale in spain. our royal correspondent sarah campbell reports. kept under wraps until publication date. a few stores, including this one in london�*s victoria station, opened at midnight. members of the press outnumbered customers. after the leaks, accidental sales in spain, tv interviews and endless comment. would you like a bag? ..people were finally able to get hold of their own copy of prince harry�*s memoir. i can't wait to read it. i can't wait to read what he's got to say, and i can't wait to listen to the audio. i'm going on holiday with some friends. i i thought, what better present can i give the group— than a book on harry? we're bound to talk about it. to leave the family and leave the country, i want to know in his own words why. translated into 16 languages, the global launch is reminiscent

of a famous fictional wizard. the closest would be harry potter. a different harry, obviously. but very similar in the sense of, there is huge anticipation around the release and people are invested very much in the story, in a very different way to a fictional story of harry, but this is obviously of a similar ilk. harry narrates his own audiobook, colourfully describing the moment he lost his virginity as a teenager. an inglorious episode with an older woman. she liked horses quite a lot, and treated me not unlike a young stallion — a quick ride, after which she�*d smacked my rump and sent me off to graze. among the many things about it that were wrong, it happened in a grassy field behind a busy pub. as a result of lea ks and promotional interviews, much of the content of the book was already out in the public domain before today�*s official launch, particularly the most controversial sections. for example, on page 359, william�*s alleged physical attack on harry.

a little earlier, the much commented upon section concerning harry�*s time with the army in afghanistan. i could always say precisely how many enemy combatants i had killed, and i felt it vital never to shy away from that number. among the many things i learned in the army, accountability was near the top of the list. so, my number? 25. across the world, harry�*s words are on sale. of course, many people will not want to read them, including, harry told one interviewer, his father and his brother. and if the royal family do have an opinion on the book, they are not making it public. sarah campbell, bbc news.

california is getting used to extreme weather. here, a rock slide blocks a highway. the state is struggling with torrential downpour and battering winds that have already killed in a number of people in ten days. it�*s already killed in a number of people in ten days-— in ten days. it's coming out of a creek over— in ten days. it's coming out of a creek over there. _ in ten days. it's coming out of a creek over there. it's _ in ten days. it's coming out of a i creek over there. it's overflowing creek over there. it�*s overflowing the creek and coming in. have a foot of water, you�*re losing control of your vehicle. people are going around, they don�*t see any obstacles, they think it�*s fine and putting their lives at risk, and

putting their lives at risk, and putting first responders lives at risk. the whole community of 10,000 people in montecito in santa barbara county have been ordered to evacuate. the area is home to the duke and duchess of sussex and celebrities such as ellen degeneres. the torrential rains are the result of an atmospheric river of dense moisture funneled into california from the pacific, powered by low pressure systems churning offshore. across the state, 100,000 people are without electricity. and on sunday, the president, joe biden, declared an emergency allowing federal assistance for local relief efforts. these hills looked like this in september last year. now streets across the state are transformed into gushing rivers.

in santa clara, the storms bring this section of highway 101 to a standstill. pounding surf has battered seaside roads. and in napa county, famous for its wines, crews clear mud from roads as the river napa overflows. further south in ventura, 18 people are rescued by fire crews after they�*re stranded on an island by swelling rivers. elsewhere in the county, there�*s chaos on the streets. there�*s just a lot of infrastructure that isn�*t designed for drainage because it�*s southern california, so no—one�*s expecting it. no—one here can quite believe what they�*re seeing. aruna iyengar, bbc news. the first ever satellite mission launched from british soil, has ended in disappointment. a technical failure meant the satellites carried by a rocket, couldn�*t be released and were lost. those leading the space mission in cornwall, say they�*re "absolutely gutted." our science editor rebecca morelle has the story. the mission started so well.

at spaceport cornwall, it was time for the jumbo jet to take off. and there it goes. it�*s lift off for the plane. but this is just the beginning. the next step is to release the rocket and start a new era for uk space. godspeed, launcher one, godspeed, cosmic girl on this historic both european and uk mission to open space for everyone. 2000 people came to watch, ready to see what they thought would be a moment of history. an hour into the flight, the rocket, called launcher one, fired its engines after it was released from the plane. so far, so good. but then, this. it appears that launcher one has suffered an anomaly, which will prevent us from making orbit for this mission. there was a problem with the rocket, and the mission was over. so this evening we had a first stage burn that took the rocket into space.

but in effect, the second stage engine had a technical anomaly and didn't reach the required orbit. so that's now being part of an investigation by virgin orbit and a number of government departments. the jumbo jet returned to spaceport cornwall as planned, but it was upsetting news for the team there, who�*d spent nearly a decade trying to make this launch happen. just absolutely devastated. um, you know, we put our heart and soul into this, and it�*s such a personaljourney for me as well, and my family were here. so, yeah, it was pretty, pretty rough. um, butifeelok. ifeel ok. and i think it�*lljust be a few days ofjust kind of letting it sink in a little bit. the data from the mission is now being analysed to work out exactly what went wrong. it�*s a well—known saying that space is hard. the team, though, is certain they�*ll try again. but tonight wasn�*t their night. now ahead of that launch on sunday afternoon in a now—deleted tweet, the current business secretary,

grant shapps, put this photo of himself at the cornwall space port. the picture was taken onjune 9th, 2021 — when he was transport secretary. but something or someone is missing, which has been picked up by people on social media and the press association. this is the original, and you�*ll recognise the man in the middle — the prime minister at the time, borisjohnson. this image remains on the number ten flickr account. and again, here�*s the altered version — where the prime minister appears to have been digitally erased, or photoshopped. a parcel company has apologised after dozens of people living in an area of south west england say they have gone weeks without deliveries. the company — formerly known as hermes — says a busy festive period,

coupled with royal mail strikes and a shortage of staff, has caused particular delays in somerset�*s chew valley — though there have been reports of delays across the uk. one resident told us she�*s still waiting for an online order she placed in october. scott ellis reports. this is evri�*s regional depot at avonmouth. the firm used to be called hermes. in the chew valley area, residents have told us more than 200 deliveries have not been made in recent months. yvette taylor spent £180 on three clothing orders before christmas. she has emails to say they�*re on the way, but still nothing. it�*s just the disappointment, isn�*t it, that you�*ve saved up your christmas money and you�*re looking forward to getting these products from the retailers and then, yeah, it never arrives and you can�*t get those products any more. mine started back in october. and yvette�*s not alone. there are others. carol robertson ordered a small plaque to add to her parents�* grave at christmas, but it never came. although evri said otherwise. they said they delivered one and we've got cctv, which we played back and it wasn't there and there was no sign of it at all. but this is what they're doing.

they're telling everybody in the valley that it's been delivered when it hasn't. wendy is waiting on seven deliveries worth a total of £300, dating back to october. well, i'll never usel the company again. and i do, actually, - if i make any orders now, i ask them who's delivering. and if they say evri i say no, i sorry, i'll go somewhere else. evri has told us that every single day in the uk they deliver 3 million parcels on time as per the contract. but they will admit that they, along with other parcel companies, have had a very busy christmas. it�*s been made worse by staff shortages and by bad weather. and, as well as that, because of the royal mail strikes, it�*s increased demand for their services. the company is looking at what�*s gone wrong specifically in the chew valley area. one local resident posted on social media — "i had a delivery from evri and asked what�*s going on? he said, �*they�*re very short staffed, not enough delivery

drivers.�* and he said the depot is rammed full of parcels yet to be delivered." evri�*s told the bbc the missing orders should be completed in the next few days. but a viewer in bath has added to evri�*s woes, telling us the firm�*s dumped all these parcels on his doorstep for distribution to his neighbours. scott ellis, bbc news. well, a spokesperson for evri told the bbc that the company was "sorry that some customers are experiencing delays" and said its deliveries were being affected by industrial action, staff shortages and bad weather conditions. the spokesperson admitted that the service had not been as good as the company would have liked, and added: "in some local areas, there are still some delayed parcels that should be cleared over the next few days. we apologise for any inconvenience and disappointment."

the met office has issued three yellow warnings the met office has issued three yellow warnings for the met office has issued three yellow warnings for persistent the met office has issued three yellow warnings for persistent heavy rain in wales western england and south with scotland this evening and for strong winds on the northern isles overnight. for the warnings of wet and windy weather lasting until thursday. the environment agency has also issued a number of flood warnings and alerts. forecasters say that are nothing out of the ordinary. though mainly flood prone areas affected. we will get the latest on the weather now with staff. hello there. there�*s more wind and rain to come over the next few days. rainfall totals really totting up now across the country, particularly across western scotland, northwest england, wales, and south—west england — it�*s here where we�*re likely to see the worst impacts of any localised flooding. so staying windy in the next few days, and there will be further spells of heavy rain at times. now the second weather front which crossed the country

during the latter part of the day will clear away overnight. then it�*s clear spells and blustery showers — most of the showers in the north and the west, a little bit of wintriness over the high ground, and a swathe of strong gale force, even severe gale force winds affecting northern scotland and northern isles for a time. temperatures tonight falling down to 4—7 celsius. now, that area of low pressure bringing severe gales to the north of the uk will clear away, but there�*s plenty of isobars on the pressure charts for wednesday — so yes, it�*ll be another blustery one. strongest of the winds out west where we�*ll see gales, particularly around coasts. there will be some sunshine around though compared to tuesday, but there�*ll also be showers, and they may merge together to produce longer spells of rain as they spread from west to east. and it will be a blustery day wherever you are, but certainly, like i mentioned, around western coast and over hill, some large waves crashing up onshore, too. a little bit cooler, i think, tomorrow than what we had today. we�*ve got single figures for most, just about 10—11 celsius in the southeast. and then through wednesday night, there�*s a clearer spell for a while, and the next batch of wet and windy weather spreads across the southern half of the uk —

and it remains windy with further rain across the west and the south—west during the course of the overnight period. drier, clearer spells developing across the north—east, where it will turn quite chilly. so for the start of thursday, we�*ve got this brief ridge of high pressure which will bring a little bit of quieter weather for a while, but we�*ve got this weather front in the south and this low pressure system pushing into the north and the west. so southern britain will stay windy with rain at times, gales through the channel. a slice of dry and brighter weather through central, northern, and eastern areas for a while before the next spell of wet and windy weather starts to roll into northern and western areas during the latter parts of thursday. and there will be a little bit of snow over the high ground of scotland. double—figure values in the south, feeling a bit cooler further north. as that area of low pressure clears away, friday could be a little bit quieter. then it�*s wet and windy again on saturday — and as that pulls away, starts to drag some colder air across the whole country.

today at six... the government sets out a new law to try and ensure minimal levels of service from public sector workers during strikes. it comes as ambulance workers prepare to strike in england and wales. one worker says it would make little difference.— says it would make little difference. ~ ., �* cannot stress enough how difficult it is to deliver the care to patients. it is to deliver the care to patients-— it is to deliver the care to atients. ., �*, , ., , it is to deliver the care to atients. . �*, , . , ,. patients. scotland's primary school teachers were _ patients. scotland's primary school teachers were striking _ patients. scotland's primary school teachers were striking today. - teachers were striking today. tomorrow, secondary school teachers will follow them demanding a 10% pay rise. europe had its hottest summer on record in 2022 in a year of climate

extremes. after a ll