this is bbc news. i'm annita mcveigh. the headlines at 10:003m... around 20,000 ambulance workers in england and wales are striking for a second time over pay and staffing. health bosses warn of the impact to the nhs, but unions say the most urgent cases will be covered. in scotland, exams are being rescheduled as secondary teachers strike in an going dispute about pay. strike in an ongoing dispute about pay. rail unions appear before a committee of mps, with little sign of their long running dispute over payjob security and working conditions being resolved. i wouldn't be able to say. it depends on discussions. i'm not going to use a scale, but we haven't got an agreement until we get an agreement and we are not close to it, really. counterterrorism police investigate how scrap metal containing

traces of uranium arrived at london's heathrow airport last month. a star—studded comeback for the golden globes in hollywood, as colin farrell picks up the best actor award for the dark comedy the banshees of inisherin. good morning and welcome to bbc news. thousands of ambulance workers in england and wales are walking out for the second time this winter in a dispute over pay. managers have warned the impact is likely to be worse than that of the strike held before christmas, saying pressure facing the nhs means it's in a more precarious position. well, in total, around 20,000 ambulance workers, including call handlers and ambulance dispatchers,

are going on strike. two thirds of ambulance staff, from the gmb and unison unions, are involved in the industrial action. but bosses say they will still respond to the most urgent calls. gareth barlow reports. it's the second walk—out by ambulance staff this winter. workers, including paramedics, emergency care assistants, ambulance technicians, other 999 crew and control room staff across england and wales, are striking over pay, with nhs managers warning this round of action will be more severe than the last. more than 20,000 ambulance workers across england and wales are due to walk out. only the east of england ambulance service and the isle of wight nhs trust are unaffected. the strike will involve all staff, including paramedics and call handlers who are unison or gmb members. between them, the two unions represent about two thirds of ambulance workers. some of the walk—outs

started at midnight, but the duration and scale of disruption will vary across different parts of england and wales. services in scotland and northern ireland are unaffected. and where walk—outs do take place, categoryi calls for immediately life—threatening emergencies, such as cardiac arrest, will be covered. but not every emergency in the next category down will receive an ambulance response. our main focus is making sure that those people who have life—threatening illnesses have safe services, and that's why i am confident in saying to the public, ring 999. that is the most important message i can give. there will be disruption on the strike day. that is going to be inevitable. and so if you don't have a life—threatening illness, but you need an ambulance, your call handler may advise you that you may have to wait longer than normal for an ambulance, or that you may have to make your own way to hospital. despite those reassurances, the government has warned that a national deal to agree a minimum level of cover hasn't been agreed,

with crews already struggling to respond on time to calls for emergencies such as heart attacks and strokes. ambulance staff, along with other nhs workers, have been offered a pay rise averaging 4.75%. but unions want an above inflation pay increase, saying that low wages are contributing to staffing issues across the service. it's fundamentally about pay, but it's about pay and the impact it has on service. so yes, we see some progress, but we haven't had an offer, we haven't had anything in writing yet, and we need to have that. despite the strikes, the vital message to the public is, if it is a critical, life—threatening emergency, do still call 999. gareth barlow, bbc news. earlier i spoke to our wales correspondent tomos morgan and health correspondent, sharon barbour, who both joined us from from picket

lines in newport and gateshead. tomos began by giving us a sense of the likely impact of industrial action in wales. it's really similar to what we had just before christmas, the same union, the gmb union members who are on strike today. they make up around a quarter of the workforce in wales. we already had a couple of ambulances here in newport already go out. some people had to leave the picket line to staff those calls. it's those red calls that they are going out to, the most serious threat—to—life calls. so there is an impact. the welsh government, ambulance service and nhs saying that the public should protect themselves by only calling 999 if it is a life—threatening emergency. one of the things that's different in wales is that health is devolved and the money comes from the welsh government but the majority of their funding for the nhs does come from westminster. on monday, first minister mark drakeford said he was going to put a deal on the table to try to avert further strike action, and one of the big parts of that

deal was offering a one—off payment. those talks will continue with unions tomorrow. crossing over to nathan from the gmb union. what do you make of the one—off payment and do you think talks tomorrow will go any way to averting further strike action or will that potential one—off payment and talks be enough? we welcome the welsh government have called us in. it is far better than what's happening within westminster. we are concerned that this offer being put on the table isjust a one—off payment, so therefore it's not going to go on people's salaries and on the 1st of april we are back to the same point. we welcome meeting them on thursday and we will discuss those issues. clearly we don't even know what the offer will be at the moment. lastly, the welsh government say this money is coming from their own pool of money and the reason they can't offer salary increases is because they don't have the money. they have marginal tax powers but they say it's not enough. do you accept that, do you accept

they have a limit and can't do more? we do accept that to a degree. clearly they get a budget from westminster. they have to do everything with that budget. potentially if they give it to nhs, they have to take it off another area. clearly everything does eventually go back to westminster giving the correct budgets in the first place. thank you, nathan. as nathan mentioned, talks with the welsh government and unions are due to take place tomorrow but it's difficult to see at the moment if that one—off payment will be enough to prevent any further industrial action from unions in the nearfuture. tomos morgan, thank you, from newport. let's go to gateshead and sharon barbour is there for us. what is the mood on the picket line there? it's really cold and damp this morning but people here, those who came out onto the picket line were angry and determined. around 1000 ambulance strikers today, with unison,

and gmb also striking, around 750 across the northeast and yorkshire. i'm next to the ambulances that will respond to any emergency category i calls, as has been agreed with the north east ambulance service. lee, you are one of the paramedics here today and your ambulance is here so what will your day be like? my day will be spent on the picket line but i will be responding to c—1 or life—and—limb calls. will it delay calls, you responding from the picket line? no. the response time will be the same from the picket line as any other day. jane, you have been talking to us this morning as to why you are here. remind us why it's so important for you to be on the picket line now. we are standing together as a united union to make the government see l that we need some funding - for the nhs and we need better pay to retain our staff, _ to let north east ambulance service

provide the great patient safety and care that we have all these years. . it is broken and patients are suffering. _ claire, this strike today comes after the government said it is mindful and planning to try and bring in new legislation to mean you will have to have a minimum level of service. they say the unions didn't agree to a central minimum level of service. what's your response, are you angry today? unison has negotiated cover with all ambulance employers. we have been asking for years for the government to bring in minimum staffing levels, so it's a bit ironic they are talking about it on a strike day. but we have absolutely negotiated cover with the north east ambulance service. thank you, claire. 999 calls at categoryi will be responded to and serious category 2 calls as well.

sharon barbour in gateshead earlier. to understand more of the political backdrop to all this i spoke to our chief political correspondent nick eardley a short while ago, and i asked him whether either side is like to come to an agreement as rhetoric ramps up. today we are seeing some of those tensions play out, really. we had business secretary grant shapps suggesting the unions were putting lives at risk by not agreeing to respond to all category 2 ambulance calls across england. the unions say they have local arrangements and they will absolutely work and they will make sure they are appropriate but there is some tension there and some concern in government about what will happen today. there is a lot of tension when it comes to that legislation the government introduced to parliament yesterday which would legislate for minimum service standards in certain areas,

particularly in emergency services like fire and ambulance strikes that are happening today. but the big question i think behind all of this is whether the government can come up with some sort of offer which would allow these strikes to be called off in future. we know that the health secretary steve barclay is looking at the idea of a one—off payment, or potentially starting next year's pay deal three months early, so there would be a small boost in pay from the start of this year rather than from april. have a listen to what the health secretary told bbc breakfast this morning. we met again with the trade unions on monday to discuss this year's coming evidence to the pay review body so that we can ensure that does reflect the pressure we've seen on inflation, the pressure we've seen on the cost of living, and we want to work constructively with the trade unions to recognise that the nhs is under particular pressure,

salaries and cost of living is also a challenge, and we want to make sure the evidence that goes to the pay review body reflects those concerns. the caveats are, we don't know what the deal would look like. we don't know if it will definitely come. we don't know if the unions would agree, and we don't know if it would be enough to call off the strikes. my understanding is that no firm proposal has been put to the treasury as things stand at the moment, and there are no talks planned with striking health unions yet to discuss a concrete offer. so potentially that could still be a few days, potentially a few weeks actually, away from being put on the table. in the meantime we still have these strikes going ahead today with more planned from nurses next week, and we don't really have an obvious answer to the question of, are we in a place where these strikes could potentially be called off soon?

nick eardley, chief political correspondent. secondary schools will be closed in scotland today as teachers take part in industrial action in a dispute over pay. it follows a strike by primary school teachers yesterday, also over pay. last night scotland's education secretary said she would leave "no stone unturned" to reach a speedy resolution. 0ur scotland correspondent lorna gordon has this report. chanting: we want 10%, - to pay the bills and pay the rent! out on strike again, these teachers are clear about what they want. they say they'd rather be in the classroom but feel they have no choice but to pick up placards instead. i feel very strongly about it. i don't want to be here. i want to be in teaching, i want the kids to be in learning, but it's been left to this. we can't do anything else. i've taught for 32 years, and this is the first time i've ever been out on strike, so it's not easy. it's not easy for the teachers, it's not easy for the parents. i'm a parent myself. families across scotland

have been left feeling the impact of the strike, with primary schools closed yesterday and secondaries today. i think it's a complete carry on. i think the kids' education was ruined enough with covid, and i just think that it's ridiculous that they are putting the kids through this again. i get that they want more money, but i think there should be another way they can do it, they can go about it, where it's not causing an issue to the kids' education. who do you hold responsible? the government. but nicola sturgeon insists the scottish government is doing all it can to resolve this dispute. she also says she is against any westminster legislation curbing the right to strike. fundamentally oppose that legislation, and the snp will oppose it very, very vigorously at westminster. the offer that is on the table now, it is affordable within the finite resources that the scottish government has. not so, insist the unions. even as all sides agree that children's education shouldn't suffer.

counterterrorism police are investigating how scrap metal containing traces of uranium arrived at london's heathrow airport last month. the bbc understands that one line of inquiry is whether it was the result of "poor handling" in pakistan — which is where it came from. our home affairs correspondent daniel sandford says the material was found on december the 29th. a detector at heathrow airport, and it turns out they do have detectors that can pick up radiation, triggered an alarm, and counterterrorism police officers were called in because there was this consignment of metal which seemed to be emitting radiation. and what they found was what was described to me as a very small amount of uranium, highly radioactive material, within this consignment of scrap metal. 0bviously that caused great concern because why would somebody be trying to potentially smuggle uranium into the country? that triggers alarms about illegal

movement of nuclear materials and also the risk of something like a dirty bomb, but i'm told that so far in terms of how the investigation is going, that's not what seems to be the most likely scenario. it looks like this might be some kind of error, almost, and it's to do with the poor handling of materials in pakistan, is one of the most likely lines of inquiry. but i should say this counterterrorism investigation is not complete so it can still change and new avenues can still open up in the investigation. daniel sandford. the family of one of the two british men missing in ukraine say they're "very worried" about his health and whereabouts. chris parry, who is 28, was last seen on friday with andrew bagshaw heading to the town of solidar which has seen intense fighting in recent days. in a statement, chris's family said he is "an extraordinary person who is compassionate and caring and would not be dissuaded from his work in ukraine". his family added that they

are very proud of him. the foreign secretary, james cleverly, is visiting belfast today to meet northern ireland's political parties. the democratic unionist party says it won't return to power—sharing in devolved government because of its opposition to the northern ireland protocol — the post—brexit trade border with the rest of the uk. there's been progress this week in negotiations on the issue between london and brussels but the dup has said its main concerns haven't been addressed yet. 0ur ireland correspondent chris page gave us this assessment of today's talks. james cleverly is leading negotiations between the uk and eu on what is known as the northern ireland protocol. that is the arrangements for brexit here in northern ireland, basically in order to avoid the need for any checkpoints on the land border between northern ireland and the irish republic. there are now checks on goods arriving in northern ireland from the rest of the uk, a trade border in effect.

to unionists, the democratic unionist party in particular, that is an economic barrier that separates northern ireland from great britain and therefore threatens northern ireland's place in the union. on the power—sharing devolved government at stormont, so no ministers are currently in place, northern ireland is basically being run by civil servants. the dup says it will not relent and it will not go back into a power and allow a new coalition to be formed unless the trade border is removed. in those negotiations between london and brussels this week there was an agreement on one of the matters being negotiated, that was on the issue of information on customs being shared, but as someone close to the talks put it to me recently, a foothill has been climbed but there is still a mountain to scale. one of the most difficult matters

for the negotiators potentially is ultimately the legaljurisdiction over northern ireland. the dup has said it wants the european court ofjustice not to have a role in deciding laws here, because northern ireland is in essence still inside the eu single market, that appears to be one of the european union's red lines and they say they have to retain legal control over the single market. it's difficult to see how that matter in particular will be resolved. from the foreign secretary's point of view, he will meet the main parties in the stormont assembly here in belfast this morning along with northern ireland secretary chris heaton—harris. he will brief them on the negotiations that have been happening between london and brussels. he will continue to press for an end to the deadlock here and a return to power—sharing. of the other parties, the main nationalist party, sinn fein, the biggest party in the northern ireland assembly, they will say the british government is pandering to the dup and should

apply more pressure to the dup to lift its veto. the cross—community alliance party will say the whole of northern ireland are suffering because of this crisis. issues in the health service are mounting up and issues in public sector pay are mounting up and numerous others too. it's a new year, similar issues. the outlook for the next few months could be crucial notjust for the future of power—sharing in northern ireland but also for the whole future of devolution in this part of the uk totally. chris page in belfast. prince harry has said claims he boasted in his new book about killing 25 taliban fighters while on duty in afghanistan are a "dangerous lie". the prince has been criticised for discussing killings in spare, with some military figures saying it was wrong to refer to the dead as "chess pieces". but on us tv, harry accused the press of taking his words out of context and endangering his family. without doubt the most dangerous lie that they have told. it's really troubling and very disturbing that they can get away with it. because they had the context.

it wasn't like — here's just one line. they had the whole section, they ripped it away and just said, here it is, he's boasting on this, when, as you say, that you've read it and everybody else will hopefully have a chance to read it. and that's dangerous. and my words are not dangerous. but the spin of my words are very dangerous. in the us, tens of thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes as life—threatening storms bring heavy rain and flooding to large parts of california. at least 17 people are now known to have died, with officials warning the conditions could lead to further, dangerous landslides. from california, our north america correspondent james clayton reports. this is supposed to be a picturesque beach,

but it's absolutely covered in detritus, wood, even entire trees that have been swept into the sea by swollen rivers. a state of emergency has been declared here, and it isn'tjust the coast that has been hit. in the mountains the small town of felton has been under water as the local river burst its banks. karen hendrick realised that the water was coming up to her house too late. she couldn't get out, stuck above the water as it rose around her home. is it scary when you're surrounded by floodwater like that? this was the first time that i was scared, yeah. in the past i always thought, you know, we'll get three, four, even five feet of floodwater coming through. this one didn't seem like it was going to stop, and i was imagining, you know, ten, 12 feet of water, so that was pretty scary. 2a hours ago, the floodwater was about up here to my chest. it's now receded, but what's left is this thick, glutinous mud, which has covered what is, in fact, a paved road. and of course, the mud has

not just stuck to the streets. it has covered the inside of people's homes too. audrey baxter is a student who lives in the town. she lost childhood memories. my art portfolios from when i was younger, all in here. can i have a look? they might be in one of the trash bags, but these are alljust like, games and books. and can you show me that? this is just silly sally. and it'sjust something i used to read as a child, and it's alljust soaked all the way through. santa cruz isn't alone. many other areas across california are being deluged. floods, landslides and blackouts. it has left the governor of california scrambling for resources, and worried about what's to come. have you ever seen anything like it? not at this scale. i mean, i've seen isolated incidents. these experiences are unique. in that respect, they're novel. but they are also predictable, because this is our lived reality with this weather whiplash

and the extremes, and it's likely we'll see more of this in the future. each weather system that hits california wouldn't do much damage by itself. but it's the insistent nature of the weather, storm after storm, that is pummelling the state. and with no end in sight, california is braced for yet more rain and yet more damage to come. james clayton, bbc news, santa cruz. the golden globes have returned to american television a year after the hollywood awards show was dropped by the us broadcaster nbc over a row about diversity. it was revealed in 2021 that there were no black members of the body that selects the winners. following a series of reforms, the hollywood foreign press association is attempting to win back the approval of audiences and the entertainment industry, as peter bowes reports from los angeles. the golden globes are back, but are they forgiven? the hollywood foreign press association, the group behind the show, has been mired in controversy.

allegations over a lack of diversity amongst the voters, and other ethical lapses, led to the globes being boycotted by hollywood and dropped from tv last year. but the ceremony has returned to try to nurture a new, inclusive image, starting with the host. and i'll tell you why i'm here... i'm here because i'm black. laughter. the comedianjerrod carmichael didn't shy away from the controversy, joking that as the first black host in the show�*s history, he was unfireable. i heard they got six new black members. congrats to them, whatever, sure. but it's not why i'm here. i'm here, truly, because all of you, i look out into this room and i see a lot of talented people. and so it was on with the awards. one of the night's big winners was everything everywhere all at once, a comedy—drama set in

the multi—verse and starring michelle yeoh, a malaysian actress who plays the owner of a launderette. and this is also for all the shoulders that i stand on, all who came before me who look like me. we haven't been rowing. the banshees of inisherin, the dark comedy about a fractured relationship between two lifelong friends, won several awards, including best comedy, and actor for colin farrell. i never expect films to work and to find an audience, - and when they do, it's shocking to me, and so i'm so horrified i by what's happened around banshees over the last couple of months, - in a thrilling kind of way. there was a change of tone when sean penn took to the stage. the veteran actor introduced a recorded message from the ukrainian president volodymyr zelensky. it is now 2023 and the war in ukraine is not over yet, but the tide is turning, and it is already clear who will win. in the tv categories, the main winners were the white lotus, abbott elementary and the game

of thrones spin off house of the dragon. the organisers of the golden globes say they are committed to making more changes to make the awards more diverse. the show�*s future is far from certain, but hollywood seems to be in a mood to move on. peter bowes, bbc news, los angeles. sainsbury�*s has reported a rise in sales over christmas, despite the cost—of—living crisis. the uk's second biggest supermarket, which includes argos, said sales were up nearly 6% for its festive quarter compared with the previous year. it says customers shopped early, buying festive treats more than once as well as looking for deals. it says it now thinks full—year profits will be towards the upper end of what it expected. shamima begum, the british schoolgirl who travelled to syria to join so—called islamic state, has admitted to being a member of terror organisation in a new interview with the bbc. the now 23—year—old, who was 15 when she ran away from her home in east london,

was interviewed as part of a year—long investigation for the 5 live podcast i am not a monster where she revealed that she was fed comprehensive instructions by members of the terror group, but also undertook her own detailed planning for the trip in 2015. let's take a look. i'm curious about how you think people perceive you. as a danger, is a risk, as a potential risk to them, to their safety, to their way of living. do you understand why society has so much anger towards you? yes, i do understand, but i don't think it's actually towards me. i think it's actually towards isis, but when they think of isis they think of me because i have been put on the media so much. but they only did that because you chose to go to isis. but what was there to obsess over? we went to isis, that's it.

it was over. they wanted to continue the story because it was a story, it was the big story. but you accept you joined a terrorist group? yes. i did. you can find that interview in i'm not a monster: the shamima begum story. the second series of the award—winning podcast series on bbc sounds. a feature—length documentary is also due to broadcast on the bbc iplayer next month. the most senior roman catholic cardinal to be caught up in allegations of child sexual abuse has died in rome at the age of 81. the australian george pell was found guilty in 2018 of abusing two choirboys, but was released from prison when his conviction was overturned. this will come as a shock to many. this will come as a shock to many. this was a hip operation and the consequences of it unfortunately have been that cardinal pell has

lost his life and i express my condolences to all those who will be mourning today. that condolences to all those who will be mourning today-— mourning today. that was the australian _ mourning today. that was the australian prime _ mourning today. that was the australian prime minister. - 0ur correspondent in sydney shaima khalil has more on the story. he was a controversial figure and quite an influencing and senior figure, he was the highest ranking australian catholic cleric, his influence could not be overstated. he was the vatican treasurer between 2014 and 2019, in charge of the vatican's finances during that period and one of the pope's closest aides. before that here in australia he served both as archbishop of melbourne and sydney and he was elevated to the college of cardinals in 2003 by popejohn paul ii. in 2018, george pell was convicted of sexually abusing two choirboys in the 1990s, he was sent to prison in 2019 and spentjust over a year there before his convictions were quashed in 2020 he was freed from prison in april that year.

and he had returned to rome but he wasn't employed by the vatican when he had. when his term as treasurer ended in 2019, it was not renewed. he was the most senior church cleric to ever be imprisoned for such offences, but he had always maintained his innocence. back to our main story and as we've been hearing, more than 20,000 ambulance workers will be striking across england and wales today, in an ongoing pay dispute. paramedics, ambulance technicians, and control room staff will be among those on the picket lines. zoe conway has been to meet some of them, who've told her about the physical and emotional pressure they work under day to day... emergency ambulance, is the patient breathing? this is what a relatively good day looks like at the london ambulance call centre.

the wait time is approximately 18 to 20 minutes. they're meeting their response time targets, 18 to 20 minutes for people with serious conditions who are not at immediate risk of dying. but it's stressful work. there are patients who are nervous. gather any medications and unlock the door. anything changes, please call us back immediately. relatives who are frightened. i understand you're distressed. some call handlers at this service are walking out today. they're demanding better pay. ambulance emergency centre call takers are paid between just over £20,000 and just over £21,000. call handlers talk about the emotional toll it takes to do theirjob. simone has been a call takerfor 15 years. when we got our first call and when a patient�*s maybe got chest pains, or level of consciousness is low, and then we get a second call 20 minutes later and the patient has stopped breathing,

that's really upsetting. we take these kind of calls home. it's not easy on our mental health and we're upset and hurt for the patient and their families. when an ambulance is dispatched, a paramedic will be on board. a newly qualified paramedic could earn anything from £27,000 to nearly £33,000. but most paramedics are on a higher salary of more than £110,000. david says he became a paramedic in 1989 so that he could look after people. but every day, he says, it gets harder to do so. a hundred ambulances out per day, and on average per day there's roughly between 20 to a0 ambulances stuck at the a&e department per day. so that has a significant impact on your resources you've already put out there. david believes that patients are dying unnecessarily. patients' safety is at huge risk, huge risk. you know, i never thought that... from time to time i've had patients that have actually died on the ambulance.

but that's because of the nature of their illness or the seriousness of the road accident, for example. but i've never experienced where patients have to wait outside in an a&e department, a definitive care where you expect to be in and treated for the appropriate condition, dying in the ambulance. it's soul destroying. paramedics aren't the only people who respond to calls. there are also ambulance technicians. they're not as qualified as paramedics, but they can give emergency care. their starting salary is nearly £24,000, but with experience, they could earn nearly £33,000. ambulance workers talk about being constantly on the go. it means there's no time to stop and recover from those harrowing moments. shaun will never forget the day a baby went into cardiac arrest. everyone at the service did their best, he says. but the child died.

what broke me, and what wakes me up now to this day, is the noise that mum made when baby was declared dead. and it's those sorts of things, those sorts of parts of the job that people don't see. so i delivered baby to resus, the consultants and everybody were working on it. i was cleaning up my trolley and as i'm walking out, i heard her scream, and that scream, being a dad, i knew exactly what that was. so it's these pressures that are out there that stay with you. that don't go away, don't leave you. but that's why we do the job. we do the job to do what we can for people. ambulance workers taking part in this strike say that this dispute is about so much more than pay. they also want people to know of the pressure they're under, of the days when they feel they failed the public they so desperately want to serve. zoe conway, bbc news.

let's go now to parliament, where mps on the transport committee have questioned trade union bosses — they're now going to speak to senior representatives from rail operators, about the ongoing rail strikes. let's return now to the committee. i understand the perspective you're coming from, but surely you must agree that by making the railway uncertain in its operation from the eyes of the consumer, the people who pay... eyes of the consumer, the people who -a �* eyes of the consumer, the people who pay... are you talking about when we are on strike — pay. .. are you talking about when we are on strike or— pay... are you talking about when we are on strike or not? _ pay... are you talking about when we are on strike or not? what _ pay... are you talking about when we are on strike or not? what about - pay... are you talking about when we are on strike or not? what about the | are on strike or not? what about the days when we are not infrequent as useless as well?— useless as well? that is a whole another evidence. _ useless as well? that is a whole another evidence. is _ useless as well? that is a whole another evidence. is not, - useless as well? that is a whole another evidence. is not, is - useless as well? that is a whole another evidence. is not, is a i another evidence. is not, is a timetable _ another evidence. is not, is a timetable change. _

another evidence. is not, is a timetable change. you - another evidence. is not, is a timetable change. you must| another evidence. is not, is a - timetable change. you must accept --eole are timetable change. you must accept peeple are being — timetable change. you must accept people are being driven _ timetable change. you must accept people are being driven away - timetable change. you must accept people are being driven away from | people are being driven away from the railway, because of the uncertainty over whether it is running, because of whether it is a striker not, people are going back to their cars and coaches and just not travelling, we have seen the evidence from uk hospitality that the hospitality sector took an absolute bath in december when they are meant to, because people could not get into predominantly london,... it not get into predominantly london, . . ._ not get into predominantly london,... , �*, london, . .. it is your government's fault. london, . .. it is your government's fault- are — london, . .. it is your government's fault- are you _ london, . .. it is your government's fault. are you driving _ london, . .. it is your government's fault. are you driving people - london, . .. it is your government's fault. are you driving people away| fault. are you driving people away from the way _ fault. are you driving people away from the way we? _ fault. are you driving people away from the way we? no, _ fault. are you driving people away from the way we? no, you - fault. are you driving people away from the way we? no, you are, i fault. are you driving people away i from the way we? no, you are, your government- _ from the way we? no, you are, your government. clearly _ from the way we? no, you are, your government. clearly if _ from the way we? no, you are, your government. clearly if there - from the way we? no, you are, your government. clearly if there is - government. clearly if there is uncertainty — government. clearly if there is uncertainty about _ government. clearly if there is uncertainty about the - government. clearly if there is uncertainty about the service, | government. clearly if there is l uncertainty about the service, it will drive — uncertainty about the service, it will drive people away. there has always— will drive people away. there has always been uncertainty about the service _ always been uncertainty about the service in — always been uncertainty about the service in the railway in recent years, — service in the railway in recent veers. for— service in the railway in recent years, for different reasons, but mr lynch _ years, for different reasons, but mr lynch is _ years, for different reasons, but mr lynch is right, it is the pollution of this— lynch is right, it is the pollution of this government creating this uncertainty. this dispute is being extended — uncertainty. this dispute is being extended by the department for transport, they are making this happen, — transport, they are making this happen, they took their hands of the

terror— happen, they took their hands of the terror as— happen, they took their hands of the terror as far— happen, they took their hands of the terror as far as the employers are concerned — terror as far as the employers are concerned and allowed them to negotiate with good faith, we could find resolutions to this, but they won't _ find resolutions to this, but they won't do — find resolutions to this, but they won't do that, the employers cannot negotiate _ won't do that, the employers cannot negotiate with us in good faith because — negotiate with us in good faith because any attempt on their part to do so _ because any attempt on their part to do so will_ because any attempt on their part to do so will effectively mean they won't _ do so will effectively mean they won't be — do so will effectively mean they won't be compensated for the loss of revenue _ won't be compensated for the loss of revenue or— won't be compensated for the loss of revenue or for the loss of profits for the _ revenue or for the loss of profits for the following profits they will sustain _ for the following profits they will sustain going forward. i also think it is notable, actually, despite the fact that _ it is notable, actually, despite the fact that we have come through covid, — fact that we have come through covid, with all the emergency arrangements, agreements that were put in _ arrangements, agreements that were put in place, that all of the companies that were under that managed — companies that were under that managed to make profits, manage to pay dividends to their shareholders, never— pay dividends to their shareholders, never gave — pay dividends to their shareholders, never gave pay increases to their workers. — never gave pay increases to their workers, and now we are in a situation _ workers, and now we are in a situation whereby the government are saving _ situation whereby the government are saying we've got to cut back on expenditure in the railway, the answer— expenditure in the railway, the answer is — expenditure in the railway, the answer is let's get the work to pay for it _ answer is let's get the work to pay for it this— answer is let's get the work to pay for it this is— answer is let's get the work to pay for it. this is not industrial. to the for it. this is not industrial. trr the question, the more the railway

is not operational because of industrial action, the less people are going to choose to use the railways, even when there is not industrial action, which will fundamentally undermine the entire future of the railway, is it not? absolutely, that seems to be government policy. | absolutely, that seems to be government policy.— absolutely, that seems to be government policy. i will echo my colleague. — government policy. i will echo my colleague. i'm — government policy. i will echo my colleague, i'm quite _ government policy. i will echo my colleague, i'm quite sure - government policy. i will echo my colleague, i'm quite sure we - government policy. i will echo myj colleague, i'm quite sure we were the stakeholders that campaigned against the rpi increase first and last last year, we are the ones a set we don't want the truncated timetables are not serving the north west and north—east, some people in the getting one train a day and we have tried to work within the changing nature of the industry, because of the seven hour day 2a hour day, industry house has been, but we have seen fit for coming back, demand even in government departments, particularlyjacob rees departments, particularly jacob rees mogg, departments, particularlyjacob rees mogg, the people to work from home and we have seen more and more companies feeling that was not effective given the productivity we wanted and we have seen the drift back post covid in normal traffic, but basically the railway self

because of it housed is currently operating on a daily basis is not attractive, we are going to go into next january where there will be a further 5% increase and we will see a further increase in what we call transport property and people's ability to travel on our railways. but as the choice for a trade union when your employer and the government deliberately causes a dispute not to react and to do nothing? this was a fully expected political and industrial reaction from the bad actors who set this up in the first place. the companies that signed a new contract in the post—pandemic world knew exactly what they were doing, knew how we organise, bargain with them for the last to have decades, and the government in doing what they did knew there was going to be a reaction from the trade unions, i think what they did not expect was to still be here six or eight months on, but for many people in this industry, is existential. thank you.

you wanted a supplementary? this is to what mr lynch said a few moments ago around reduction of funding to the railways, you suggest around 2 million, any oh figures show the amount of government funding to the railways has doubled since 2015, 16 to 2019-20, funding to the railways has doubled since 2015, 16 to 2019—20, is a you get yourfigure sum? since 2015, 16 to 2019-20, is a you get your figure sum?— since 2015, 16 to 2019-20, is a you get your figure sum? employers, have been told to — get your figure sum? employers, have been told to us — get your figure sum? employers, have been told to us to _ get your figure sum? employers, have been told to us to reduce _ get your figure sum? employers, have been told to us to reduce their- get your figure sum? employers, have been told to us to reduce their cost. been told to us to reduce their cost by 2 billion, — been told to us to reduce their cost by 2 billion, from _ been told to us to reduce their cost by 2 billion, from the _ been told to us to reduce their cost by 2 billion, from the london- been told to us to reduce their cost| by 2 billion, from the london mayor when _ by 2 billion, from the london mayor when i _ by 2 billion, from the london mayor when i go _ by 2 billion, from the london mayor when i go and — by 2 billion, from the london mayor when i go and meet _ by 2 billion, from the london mayor when i go and meet him _ by 2 billion, from the london mayor when i go and meet him and - by 2 billion, from the london mayor when i go and meet him and the - when i go and meet him and the commissioner— when i go and meet him and the commissioner for— when i go and meet him and the commissioner for london - when i go and meet him and the - commissioner for london transport, i've commissioner for london transport, i've been_ commissioner for london transport, i've been told — commissioner for london transport, i've been told to _ commissioner for london transport, i've been told to reduce _ commissioner for london transport, i've been told to reduce my- commissioner for london transport, i've been told to reduce my budgetl i've been told to reduce my budget by 2 billion, — i've been told to reduce my budget by 2 billion, that _ i've been told to reduce my budget by 2 billion, that is _ i've been told to reduce my budget by 2 billion, that is where - i've been told to reduce my budget by 2 billion, that is where the - by 2 billion, that is where the savings — by 2 billion, that is where the savings are _ by 2 billion, that is where the savings are for. _ by 2 billion, that is where the savings are for. you - by 2 billion, that is where the savings are for. you have - by 2 billion, that is where the - savings are for. you have increase the funding, — savings are for. you have increase the funding, does— savings are for. you have increase the funding, does not— savings are for. you have increase the funding, does not go- savings are for. you have increase the funding, does not go to - savings are for. you have increase the funding, does not go to our. the funding, does not go to our people. — the funding, does not go to our people. goes— the funding, does not go to our people. goes to _ the funding, does not go to our people, goes to these - the funding, does not go to our people, goes to these private l the funding, does not go to our- people, goes to these private sector operators _ people, goes to these private sector operators and — people, goes to these private sector operators and to _ people, goes to these private sector operators and to network _ people, goes to these private sector operators and to network rail. - people, goes to these private sector operators and to network rail. we l people, goes to these private sector. operators and to network rail. we do not get _ operators and to network rail. we do not get all— operators and to network rail. we do not get all the — operators and to network rail. we do not get all the money. _ operators and to network rail. we do not get all the money. the _ operators and to network rail. we do not get all the money. the pay- operators and to network rail. we do not get all the money. the pay bill. not get all the money. the pay bill in the _ not get all the money. the pay bill in the railway— not get all the money. the pay bill in the railway industry— not get all the money. the pay bill in the railway industry is _ not get all the money. the pay bill in the railway industry is quite - in the railway industry is quite modest —

in the railway industry is quite modest the _ in the railway industry is quite modest. the government - in the railway industry is quite modest. the government is l in the railway industry is quite - modest. the government is putting money— modest. the government is putting money into— modest. the government is putting money into it. _ modest. the government is putting money into it. we _ modest. the government is putting money into it, we property- modest. the government is putting money into it, we property the - money into it, we property the latter— money into it, we property the latter put _ money into it, we property the latter put money— money into it, we property the latter put money into - money into it, we property the latter put money into it, - money into it, we property the latter put money into it, i- money into it, we property the. latter put money into it, i would ask what — latter put money into it, i would ask what you _ latter put money into it, i would ask what you put _ latter put money into it, i would ask what you put money - latter put money into it, i would ask what you put money into - latter put money into it, i would| ask what you put money into the railway— ask what you put money into the railway and — ask what you put money into the railway and allow _ ask what you put money into the railway and allow rolling - ask what you put money into the railway and allow rolling stock. railway and allow rolling stock companies _ railway and allow rolling stock companies and _ railway and allow rolling stock companies and train - railway and allow rolling stock| companies and train operating companies _ companies and train operating companies and _ companies and train operating companies and network - companies and train operating companies and network rail. companies and network rail subcontractors— companies and network rail subcontractors to _ companies and network rail subcontractors to extract - companies and network rail subcontractors to extract ofi companies and network rail- subcontractors to extract of profits straight _ subcontractors to extract of profits straight into— subcontractors to extract of profits straight into people's _ subcontractors to extract of profits straight into people's pockets, - subcontractors to extract of profitsj straight into people's pockets, and you will— straight into people's pockets, and you will do— straight into people's pockets, and you will do the _ straight into people's pockets, and you will do the same _ straight into people's pockets, and you will do the same with - straight into people's pockets, and you will do the same with health i straight into people's pockets, and i you will do the same with health and all the _ you will do the same with health and all the rest _ you will do the same with health and all the rest of— you will do the same with health and all the rest of it _ you will do the same with health and all the rest of it eventually— you will do the same with health and all the rest of it eventually when - all the rest of it eventually when you get — all the rest of it eventually when you get the _ all the rest of it eventually when you get the opportunity, - all the rest of it eventually when you get the opportunity, so- all the rest of it eventually when you get the opportunity, so you i all the rest of it eventually when i you get the opportunity, so you will fund them — you get the opportunity, so you will fund them but — you get the opportunity, so you will fund them but you _ you get the opportunity, so you will fund them but you will— you get the opportunity, so you will fund them but you will shoved - you get the opportunity, so you will fund them but you will shoved it - fund them but you will shoved it into the — fund them but you will shoved it into the private _ fund them but you will shoved it into the private sector. - fund them but you will shoved it into the private sector. it- fund them but you will shoved it into the private sector. it is- fund them but you will shoved it| into the private sector. it is what you have — into the private sector. it is what you have been _ into the private sector. it is what you have been doing. _ into the private sector. it is what you have been doing. they- into the private sector. it is what you have been doing. they takel you have been doing. they take profits, — you have been doing. they take profits. may— you have been doing. they take profits, may profit _ you have been doing. they take profits, may profit every - you have been doing. they take profits, may profit every day . you have been doing. they take - profits, may profit every day during the pandemic— profits, may profit every day during the pandemic and _ profits, may profit every day during the pandemic and they _ profits, may profit every day during the pandemic and they have - profits, may profit every day during the pandemic and they have madel the pandemic and they have made profit _ the pandemic and they have made profit on _ the pandemic and they have made profit on every _ the pandemic and they have made profit on every day _ the pandemic and they have made profit on every day of _ the pandemic and they have made profit on every day of the - the pandemic and they have made profit on every day of the strikes. i profit on every day of the strikes. they— profit on every day of the strikes. they get — profit on every day of the strikes. they get protected _ profit on every day of the strikes. they get protected against - profit on every day of the strikes. they get protected against loss . profit on every day of the strikes. | they get protected against loss of revenue. — they get protected against loss of revenue. they— they get protected against loss of revenue, they have _ they get protected against loss of revenue, they have not _ they get protected against loss of revenue, they have not been - revenue, they have not been affected. _ revenue, they have not been affected, bottom _ revenue, they have not been affected, bottom line, - revenue, they have not been affected, bottom line, so- revenue, they have not beenj affected, bottom line, so the companies _ affected, bottom line, so the companies are _ affected, bottom line, so the companies are subject - affected, bottom line, so the companies are subject to - affected, bottom line, so the - companies are subject to speculators takeovers— companies are subject to speculators takeovers and — companies are subject to speculators takeovers and one _ companies are subject to speculators takeovers and one of _ companies are subject to speculators takeovers and one of them _ companies are subject to speculators takeovers and one of them has - companies are subject to speculators takeovers and one of them has been| takeovers and one of them has been taken _ takeovers and one of them has been taken over— takeovers and one of them has been taken over during _ takeovers and one of them has been taken over during this— takeovers and one of them has been taken over during this dispute, - taken over during this dispute, there _ taken over during this dispute, there is— taken over during this dispute, there is loads _ taken over during this dispute, there is loads of— taken over during this dispute, there is loads of money - taken over during this dispute, there is loads of money in - taken over during this dispute, there is loads of money in the i there is loads of money in the railway— there is loads of money in the railway being _ there is loads of money in the railway being made _ there is loads of money in the railway being made by- there is loads of money in the railway being made by private j there is loads of money in the - railway being made by private sector operators _ railway being made by private sector operators get— railway being made by private sector operators. get them _ railway being made by private sector operators. get them down _ railway being made by private sector operators. get them down here - railway being made by private sector operators. get them down here andi operators. get them down here and asked _ operators. get them down here and asked them — operators. get them down here and

asked them what _ operators. get them down here and asked them what they _ operators. get them down here and asked them what they have - operators. get them down here and asked them what they have done i operators. get them down here and . asked them what they have done with the money _ asked them what they have done with the money we — asked them what they have done with the money. we funded _ asked them what they have done with the money. we funded that _ the money. we funded that completely _ the money. we funded that completely-— the money. we funded that completely. minutes ago you suggested — completely. minutes ago you suggested the _ completely. minutes ago you suggested the public - completely. minutes ago you suggested the public are - completely. minutes ago you i suggested the public are behind completely. minutes ago you - suggested the public are behind you thatis suggested the public are behind you that is not what latest figures show, shows public support is waning and that you don't any longer have the support of the public for the strikes. is that concerning to your? depends which poll you read, i went on good _ depends which poll you read, i went on good morning _ depends which poll you read, i went on good morning britain— depends which poll you read, i went on good morning britain the - depends which poll you read, i went on good morning britain the other. on good morning britain the other day where — on good morning britain the other day where where _ on good morning britain the other day where where it _ on good morning britain the other day where where it said _ on good morning britain the other day where where it said there - on good morning britain the otherl day where where it said there were 75% support — day where where it said there were 75% support for _ day where where it said there were 75% support for the _ day where where it said there were 75% support for the rmt _ day where where it said there were 75% support for the rmt full - day where where it said there were 75% support for the rmt full stop i day where where it said there were | 75% support for the rmt full stop it depends— 75% support for the rmt full stop it depends what — 75% support for the rmt full stop it depends what will— 75% support for the rmt full stop it depends what will you _ 75% support for the rmt full stop it depends what will you read. - 75% support for the rmt full stop it depends what will you read. is - depends what will you read. is expected — depends what will you read. is expected in— depends what will you read. is expected in the _ depends what will you read. is expected in the dmc_ depends what will you read. is expected in the dmc was - depends what will you read. is expected in the dmc was we . depends what will you read. is - expected in the dmc was we would have support — expected in the dmc was we would have support and _ expected in the dmc was we would have support and be _ expected in the dmc was we would have support and be back- expected in the dmc was we would have support and be back to - expected in the dmc was we would have support and be back to work. have support and be back to work with no _ have support and be back to work with no strikes _ have support and be back to work with no strikes by— have support and be back to work with no strikes by the _ have support and be back to work with no strikes by the end - have support and be back to work with no strikes by the end of- have support and be back to worki with no strikes by the end ofjune, once _ with no strikes by the end ofjune, once your— with no strikes by the end ofjune, once your friends _ with no strikes by the end ofjune, once your friends in _ with no strikes by the end ofjune, once your friends in the _ with no strikes by the end ofjune, once your friends in the daily- with no strikes by the end ofjune, once your friends in the daily mail| once your friends in the daily mail and the _ once your friends in the daily mail and the telegraph _ once your friends in the daily mail and the telegraph and _ once your friends in the daily mail and the telegraph and all- once your friends in the daily mail and the telegraph and all these . and the telegraph and all these other— and the telegraph and all these otherjournals _ and the telegraph and all these other journals followed - and the telegraph and all these otherjournals followed me - and the telegraph and all thesel otherjournals followed me from and the telegraph and all these - otherjournals followed me from my house _ otherjournals followed me from my house to _ otherjournals followed me from my house to the — otherjournals followed me from my house to the station, _ otherjournals followed me from my house to the station, invading - otherjournals followed me from my house to the station, invading my. house to the station, invading my children's— house to the station, invading my children's facebook_ house to the station, invading my children's facebook pages - house to the station, invading my children's facebook pages and - house to the station, invading my children's facebook pages and all| children's facebook pages and all the rest _ children's facebook pages and all the rest of— children's facebook pages and all the rest of it. _ children's facebook pages and all the rest of it, that _ children's facebook pages and all the rest of it, that we _ children's facebook pages and all the rest of it, that we would - children's facebook pages and all the rest of it, that we would be . the rest of it, that we would be public— the rest of it, that we would be public enemy _ the rest of it, that we would be public enemy number- the rest of it, that we would be public enemy number one, - the rest of it, that we would be public enemy number one, wel the rest of it, that we would be i public enemy number one, we are the rest of it, that we would be - public enemy number one, we are not. i public enemy number one, we are not. i may— public enemy number one, we are not. i may more _ public enemy number one, we are not. imay more popular— public enemy number one, we are not. i may more popular person _ public enemy number one, we are not. i may more popular person than - public enemy number one, we are not. i may more popular person than manyl i may more popular person than many of the _ i may more popular person than many of the politicians _ i may more popular person than many of the politicians in _ i may more popular person than many of the politicians in this _ i may more popular person than many of the politicians in this room, - of the politicians in this room, unfortunately— of the politicians in this room, unfortunately for— of the politicians in this room, unfortunately for the - of the politicians in this room, unfortunately for the public. . of the politicians in this room, l

unfortunately for the public. but the fact— unfortunately for the public. but the fact is— unfortunately for the public. but the fact is we _ unfortunately for the public. but the fact is we have _ unfortunately for the public. but the fact is we have got - unfortunately for the public. but the fact is we have got a - unfortunately for the public. but the fact is we have got a lot- unfortunately for the public. but the fact is we have got a lot of. the fact is we have got a lot of support~ — the fact is we have got a lot of support. it _ the fact is we have got a lot of support. it is— the fact is we have got a lot of support. it is difficult - the fact is we have got a lot of support. it is difficult to - the fact is we have got a lot of support. it is difficult to get i support. it is difficult to get support_ support. it is difficult to get support during _ support. it is difficult to get support during industrial. support. it is difficult to get - support during industrial disputes but if— support during industrial disputes but if you — support during industrial disputes but if you ask _ support during industrial disputes but if you ask the _ support during industrial disputes but if you ask the public - support during industrial disputes but if you ask the public do - support during industrial disputes but if you ask the public do they. but if you ask the public do they sympathise _ but if you ask the public do they sympathise with _ but if you ask the public do they sympathise with people - but if you ask the public do they sympathise with people getting| but if you ask the public do they. sympathise with people getting a decent _ sympathise with people getting a decent pay— sympathise with people getting a decent pay rise. _ sympathise with people getting a decent pay rise, to _ sympathise with people getting a decent pay rise, to the _ sympathise with people getting a i decent pay rise, to the sympathise with the _ decent pay rise, to the sympathise with the protection _ decent pay rise, to the sympathise with the protection of— decent pay rise, to the sympathise with the protection of contracts i decent pay rise, to the sympathise with the protection of contracts ofi with the protection of contracts of employment _ with the protection of contracts of employment and _ with the protection of contracts of employment and conditions, i with the protection of contracts of employment and conditions, they| with the protection of contracts of i employment and conditions, they will say yes _ employment and conditions, they will say yes it _ employment and conditions, they will say yes it is— employment and conditions, they will say yes. it is difficult _ employment and conditions, they will say yes. it is difficult to _ employment and conditions, they will say yes. it is difficult to keep - say yes. it is difficult to keep that— say yes. it is difficult to keep that support _ say yes. it is difficult to keep that support going _ say yes. it is difficult to keep that support going fully i say yes. it is difficult to keep. that support going fully during intense — that support going fully during intense industrial— that support going fully during intense industrial action, i that support going fully during intense industrial action, but. that support going fully during i intense industrial action, but there is broad _ intense industrial action, but there is broad support _ intense industrial action, but there is broad support for— intense industrial action, but there is broad support for all— intense industrial action, but there is broad support for all the - intense industrial action, but there is broad support for all the peoplel is broad support for all the people who are _ is broad support for all the people who are involved _ is broad support for all the people who are involved in _ is broad support for all the people who are involved in disputes - is broad support for all the people who are involved in disputes at i is broad support for all the peoplel who are involved in disputes at this time. _ who are involved in disputes at this time. and — who are involved in disputes at this time. and there— who are involved in disputes at this time, and there is— who are involved in disputes at this time, and there is very— who are involved in disputes at this time, and there is very little - who are involved in disputes at this time, and there is very little for- time, and there is very little for the people _ time, and there is very little for the people as _ time, and there is very little for the people as posing _ time, and there is very little for the people as posing those i time, and there is very little for- the people as posing those disputes. -- opposing — the people as posing those disputes. -- opposing hre— the people as posing those disputes. -- opposing-— the people as posing those disputes. --o--osin~.�* . -- opposing. are you concerned about those increasing _ -- opposing. are you concerned about those increasing numbers _ -- opposing. are you concerned about those increasing numbers not - -- opposing. are you concerned about those increasing numbers not turning | those increasing numbers not turning up those increasing numbers not turning up to work with mac gray we don't have reports, that's what we call propaganda, we are being told that. these are actual figures. from who? from network _ these are actual figures. from who? from network rail, _ these are actual figures. from who? from network rail, showing - these are actual figures. from who? from network rail, showing the i from network rail, showing the increasing number of members of your unions... . increasing number of members of your unions... , ., ., ~' increasing number of members of your unions... , ., ., ~ ., unions... figures from network rail? how do they —

unions... figures from network rail? how do they know _ unions... figures from network rail? how do they know the _ unions... figures from network rail? how do they know the members i unions... figures from network rail? how do they know the members of i unions... figures from network rail? | how do they know the members of my union? _ how do they know the members of my union? it— how do they know the members of my union? it is— how do they know the members of my union? it is a— how do they know the members of my union? it is a protected _ union? it is a protected characteristic. - union? it is a protected characteristic.— union? it is a protected characteristic. ., ., characteristic. there are more people- - - _ characteristic. there are more people- -- how _ characteristic. there are more people... how do _ characteristic. there are more people... how do they - characteristic. there are more people... how do they know l characteristic. there are more i people... how do they know they characteristic. there are more - people... how do they know they are members of — people... how do they know they are members of my _ people... how do they know they are members of my union? _ people... how do they know they are members of my union? one - people... how do they know they are members of my union? one union i people... how do they know they are | members of my union? one union has members of my union? 0ne union has settled _ members of my union? 0ne union has settled there — members of my union? 0ne union has settled. there are _ members of my union? 0ne union has settled. there are 43,000 _ members of my union? 0ne union has settled. there are 43,000 people i settled. there are 43,000 people work— settled. there are 43,000 people work for— settled. there are 43,000 people work for network _ settled. there are 43,000 people work for network rail, _ settled. there are 43,000 people work for network rail, 21,000 i work for network rail, 21,000 members _ work for network rail, 21,000 members of— work for network rail, 21,000 members of my— work for network rail, 21,000 members of my union. - work for network rail, 21,000 members of my union. so- work for network rail, 21,000. members of my union. so there work for network rail, 21,000 - members of my union. so there would be more _ members of my union. so there would be more people — members of my union. so there would be more people at— members of my union. so there would be more people at work— members of my union. so there would be more people at work than - members of my union. so there would be more people at work than not - members of my union. so there would be more people at work than not on i be more people at work than not on strike _ be more people at work than not on strike day — be more people at work than not on strike day it— be more people at work than not on strike da . . . be more people at work than not on strike da . , ., _, . ., strike day. it is an concerning to ou then strike day. it is an concerning to you then that — strike day. it is an concerning to you then that more _ strike day. it is an concerning to you then that more are? - strike day. it is an concerning to you then that more are? we i strike day. it is an concerning to l you then that more are? we don't have those _ you then that more are? we don't have those reports, _ you then that more are? we don't have those reports, get _ you then that more are? we don't have those reports, get reports i you then that more are? we don't| have those reports, get reports on picket _ have those reports, get reports on picket lines — have those reports, get reports on picket lines all— have those reports, get reports on picket lines all over— have those reports, get reports on picket lines all over the _ have those reports, get reports on picket lines all over the country i picket lines all over the country that they— picket lines all over the country that they are _ picket lines all over the country that they are well— picket lines all over the country that they are well attended i picket lines all over the country that they are well attended and picket lines all over the country i that they are well attended and that the action— that they are well attended and that the action we — that they are well attended and that the action we take _ that they are well attended and that the action we take is _ that they are well attended and that the action we take is having - that they are well attended and that the action we take is having the i the action we take is having the same _ the action we take is having the same effect _ the action we take is having the same effect as _ the action we take is having the same effect as it _ the action we take is having the same effect as it did _ the action we take is having the same effect as it did on- the action we take is having the same effect as it did on day- the action we take is having thel same effect as it did on day one. reports— same effect as it did on day one. reports were _ same effect as it did on day one. reports were 100% _ same effect as it did on day one. reports were 100% solid. - same effect as it did on day one. reports were 100% solid. what i same effect as it did on day one. l reports were 100% solid. what we same effect as it did on day one. - reports were 100% solid. what we are in treat that is that a non—trick these are the groups being paid to drive trains and setting the new rate of the foot injury, so on top of the higher pay that we get, they

get £500 a day and i believe are one of mr montgomerie plus my computer getting the japan today for driving trains when we are not in dispute, so that will set the tone and level what people should pay, it will become increasingly interesting. you kind of articulated of the problem with the percentage increase a moment to go when you compared the wages of a ticket office staff to a senior manager. you are already experienced, i don't know whether you saw the article by veteran government negotiators on friday suggesting a flat rate cash payment reflecting the increase in the cost of living for everybody might be a way to address the pay issue in this dispute. is that all feasible, in your view, very briefly cut yes or no answers would do.—

your view, very briefly cut yes or no answers would do. there's an element of _ no answers would do. there's an element of that _ no answers would do. there's an element of that in _ no answers would do. there's an element of that in one _ no answers would do. there's an element of that in one of - no answers would do. there's an element of that in one of the i no answers would do. there's an i element of that in one of the offers we have got. brute element of that in one of the offers we have got-— we have got. we are not averse to any proposal. — we have got. we are not averse to any proposal. we _ we have got. we are not averse to any proposal, we will— we have got. we are not averse to any proposal, we will consider- we have got. we are not averse to any proposal, we will consider it, | any proposal, we will consider it, depends— any proposal, we will consider it, depends what _ any proposal, we will consider it, depends what is. _ any proposal, we will consider it, depends what is. the _ any proposal, we will consider it, depends what is. the format i any proposal, we will consider it, i depends what is. the format does not radically— depends what is. the format does not radically bother— depends what is. the format does not radically bother me. _ depends what is. the format does not radically bother me. we _ depends what is. the format does not radically bother me. we will— depends what is. the format does not radically bother me. we will see - radically bother me. we will see whether— radically bother me. we will see whether it — radically bother me. we will see whether it matches _ radically bother me. we will see whether it matches up _ radically bother me. we will see whether it matches up to - radically bother me. we will see whether it matches up to the i radically bother me. we will see i whether it matches up to the problem or not _ whether it matches up to the problem or not. we _ whether it matches up to the problem or not. ~ _, , a, a, a, or not. we give due consideration to an offer or not. we give due consideration to any offer but — or not. we give due consideration to any offer but in _ or not. we give due consideration to any offer but in the _ or not. we give due consideration to any offer but in the cost _ or not. we give due consideration to any offer but in the cost of - or not. we give due consideration to any offer but in the cost of living - any offer but in the cost of living crisis we would be obliged to. we settled a pay claim for our own staff_ settled a pay claim for our own staff this — settled a pay claim for our own staff this year, believe it or not. we would — staff this year, believe it or not. we would consider it.— staff this year, believe it or not. we would consider it. thank you very much for your— we would consider it. thank you very much for your time _ we would consider it. thank you very much for your time this _ we would consider it. thank you very much for your time this morning, - much for your time this morning, sightly overrun but we have had a good airing of the issues. you are very welcome to stay for the second panel, if you wish, we will be putting some of the points raised to them. for now, thank you for your time. an hour and 15 minutes for those rail union bosses, answering questions from members of the transport select committee, just to take you back to the beginning the chair of the committee asked them

all what the likelihood was of getting a resolution to the industrial action, with one meaning that the site remain on different planets and with ten meaning that they could buy a hat for the wedding, and the general secretary of as i've said you have not mentioned zero on the scale, and interesting to hear mick lynch say although we know the unions are absolutely opposed to the ideas of driver only operated trains, he specifically said we won't continue with any talks that have driver only trains i a prerequisite. up next we are expecting to hear from the chief negotiator at network rail and also the rail delivery group, ben montgomerie. let's listen in.

you are sitting on the back row for the first panel of witnesses, and can i start by putting the same question i put to the trade union representatives? that is just to get a broad sense of where we see things are, any scale of one to ten, how close do you think we are getting a resolution over this. i close do you think we are getting a resolution over this.— resolution over this. i think the challenges _ resolution over this. i think the challenges depending - resolution over this. i think the challenges depending on - resolution over this. i think the challenges depending on what| resolution over this. i think the - challenges depending on what trade union you're speaking about, sol take three trade unions represented earlier, rmc i believe we have the opportunity to try and move forward, so we are within reasonable areas of where we can get a deal, but we have to work through with them. there is further options to discover, we will wait to see the outcome of that, tsa

in a similar position where we have further discussions tomorrow, as labour sightly different where we have been further behind, and made the offer last friday, heard the reaction of aslef, we need to do more work with them and try to get back on the table, so that one is probably further behind than the other two at this moment in time. i will come back on the mac one point any moment, but firstly, where do you see things from network rail�*s perspective? you see things from network rail's perspective?_ you see things from network rail's hersective? , perspective? assuming there has been further progress _ perspective? assuming there has been further progress than _ perspective? assuming there has been further progress than the _ perspective? assuming there has been further progress than the revised - further progress than the revised offer— further progress than the revised offer in _ further progress than the revised offer in december, a tenth of the tsa and — offer in december, a tenth of the tsa and unite, part of the same negotiating group, they are resolved and that_ negotiating group, they are resolved and that is— negotiating group, they are resolved and that is good news, as soon as we can resolve _ and that is good news, as soon as we can resolve with rmt then that will resolve _ can resolve with rmt then that will resolve. for rmt, 36% of members

that are _ resolve. for rmt, 36% of members that are network rail employees voted _ that are network rail employees voted yes for the deal, so we are a bit short— voted yes for the deal, so we are a bit short of— voted yes for the deal, so we are a bit short of the 50% that we need to stop a _ bit short of the 50% that we need to stop a couple of thousand people that need — stop a couple of thousand people that need to change their vote. so we meet _ that need to change their vote. so we meet again with the rmt leadership yesterday, after discussions, we are planning to meet again— discussions, we are planning to meet again next— discussions, we are planning to meet again next week. so i would place it at seven _ again next week. so i would place it at seven. we again next week. so i would place it at seven. ~ ., ., .,, , . at seven. we are more optimistic, we have 'ust at seven. we are more optimistic, we have just heard _ at seven. we are more optimistic, we have just heard from _ at seven. we are more optimistic, we have just heard from the _ at seven. we are more optimistic, we have just heard from the trade - have just heard from the trade unions that this can be resolved. critically for the network rail dispute — critically for the network rail dispute with the rmt, the only one outstanding from our perspective, then yes, — outstanding from our perspective, then yes, and i base that on the fact that — then yes, and i base that on the fact that say 36% of network rail members of the rmt voted yes for the deal, members of the rmt voted yes for the deal. so _ members of the rmt voted yes for the deal. so we _ members of the rmt voted yes for the deal, so we only need 2000 people to change _ deal, so we only need 2000 people to change their views from an audience upon _ change their views from an audience upon their— change their views from an audience upon their20,000, so change their views from an audience upon their 20,000, so that deal would _ upon their 20,000, so that deal would he — upon their 20,000, so that deal would be incredible. there's every

chance _ would be incredible. there's every chance by— would be incredible. there's every chance by some carefully targeted achieving — chance by some carefully targeted achieving that. for chance by some carefully targeted achieving that.— chance by some carefully targeted achieving that. for those people you want to persuade _ achieving that. for those people you want to persuade to _ achieving that. for those people you want to persuade to accept - achieving that. for those people you want to persuade to accept the - want to persuade to accept the offer, is that across the board of the union members or in one particular sector of the industry? this is absolutely within the network rail population, rmt membership, and specific areas of the deal— membership, and specific areas of the deal we are going to focus on. we know— the deal we are going to focus on. we know during the referendum that took place _ we know during the referendum that took place in december, because that happen— took place in december, because that happen quite quickly, there are some quite complex parts to this deal, and it— quite complex parts to this deal, and it does achieve a substantial change. — and it does achieve a substantial change, and i think with hindsight it was— change, and i think with hindsight it was clear there were a number of questions _ it was clear there were a number of questions and issues people had that were not— questions and issues people had that were not fully explained during that short referendum. that is our approach _ short referendum. that is our approach. mr short referendum. that is our approach-— short referendum. that is our auroach. ., approach. mr montgomery, can i pick u . approach. mr montgomery, can i pick u- on the approach. mr montgomery, can i pick up on the software _ approach. mr montgomery, can i pick up on the software put _ approach. mr montgomery, can i pick up on the software put out _ approach. mr montgomery, can i pick up on the software put out to - approach. mr montgomery, can i pick up on the software put out to aslef i up on the software put out to aslef last week which you have heard this morning and in the press has

provoked quite an angry reaction. can you just talk me through why you put out the offer in this way? and perhaps in the expectation that the reaction would be what it has been? sat the situation with aslef has not moved as quickly as we have wanted it to and that has been people's availability, those kind of things, negotiating teams have been speaking to aslef, made himself available at certain times, but what has been quite clear through it is trying to put something down on paper to describe the wider areas of reform that we require, so as mr willian alluded to earlier on, the enabling framework agreement that we started off with at the beginning had a number of reform areas looked at, but when we talk about the 2 billion industry shortfall, when the pandemic struck, revenues obviously fell to as low as 5%, they have recovered roughly into the area, so

thatis recovered roughly into the area, so that is a £2 billion shortfall, and what we would normally expect to see revenue for the industry, so we work with the trade unions and how could the injury help meet that shortfall, work together and looking at areas of where we can self help, so it is of where we can self help, so it is of reform, work was being part of that area, and other areas outside of that where different looking at different capitalisation of progress, the kind of things, so those discussions have meant that various places, rmt probably have been more engaged in some of the negotiations, aslef have been slightly behind, but we have been talking to them, it's not fair to say we have not been. so when we have been over the last number of weeks trying to lay exactly what it is we are looking for, people have said we have not made an offer, we decided that we are going to make an offer to as aslef, i tried to speak to him over christmas and new year,

trying to look to have a further meeting with the minister, george which speech last week to turn around and say can i have a chat with you so we can start to talk about some of this? he was unavailable, tried to phone him on the friday morning to again update him on i was going to issue something, unfortunately he was tied up something, unfortunately he was tied up in meetings that they and we left it too is late in the day as we could within the office hours and then put the operate at 315 the afternoon. it then put the operate at 315 the afternoon-— afternoon. it is fair to say you have made — afternoon. it is fair to say you have made reasonable - afternoon. it is fair to say you j have made reasonable efforts afternoon. it is fair to say you i have made reasonable efforts to engage with aslef throughout this and the offer you put out on friday late afternoon was i don't want to see the point of exasperation, pot... i see the point of exasperation, ot. .. ., ., see the point of exasperation, ot... ., ., ., pot... i would not say it was a oint pot... i would not say it was a point of _ pot... i would not say it was a point of exasperation, - pot... i would not say it was a point of exasperation, i - pot... i would not say it was a point of exasperation, i think| pot... i would not say it was a - point of exasperation, i think was to try and lay all the areas of reform that we need to put everything in one document, that we could then allow us to use that document to move forward. as a negotiation. and that is what myself

and the trade unions and to many trade unions try to do, i have that negotiation, so it can try and flush out the areas where we are in agreement or disagreement, then try to work forward to that so we can get some form of settlement to get this dispute of the table.— this dispute of the table. having listened to _ this dispute of the table. having listened to what _ this dispute of the table. having listened to what they _ this dispute of the table. having listened to what they said - this dispute of the table. having | listened to what they said earlier in the session, what is your next move to try to engage with aslef? i move to try to engage with aslef? i think mr whelan alluded to the move to try to engage with aslef? i think mr whelan alluded to the fact he is going back to his board, the exec committee, they will look at that document, i believe it's exec committee, they will look at that document, i believe its next week, and they will come back to us after that with a response to that document. or maybe not a response, but they will come back in some shape orform, i would surmise, but they will come back in some shape or form, i would surmise, that they will then turn round and say whether it is acceptable, reject it, whether it is acceptable, reject it, whether they want to want to further talks, understand it more, so that is what we want to encourage, further discussion with aslef, so we can try and get through the document in more detail and then try to work

to a solution. i in more detail and then try to work to a solution.— to a solution. i think who are actin: to a solution. i think who are acting immaculately - to a solution. i think who are acting immaculately when i to a solution. i think who arej acting immaculately when he to a solution. i think who are - acting immaculately when he said there was not one line in it that he could possibly accept —— quoting immaculately. that does not sound terribly hopeful, so if that is the reaction and they have spoken to the executive, what comes next?- reaction and they have spoken to the executive, what comes next? again, i think we have — executive, what comes next? again, i think we have to _ executive, what comes next? again, i think we have to take _ executive, what comes next? again, i think we have to take it _ executive, what comes next? again, i think we have to take it away, - executive, what comes next? again, i think we have to take it away, we - think we have to take it away, we have to read through it, i would say that there is a number of areas where we can get common ground, the thing we have got to be quite clear about is we are not trying to, we are not cutting people's wages, or increasing their errors, what we are trying to do is work within the frameworks we have, within the companies, so we can then get greater productivity that provides a more punctual and reliable railway, and that's what we're trying to work towards. it makes us more cost effective, these types of reforms will make us more cost effective, less reliance on rest day working on these type of areas, so that makes a

railway better, can deliver that service for customers who throughout this process have been the people most affected, and obviously then staff impacted on the strike action, so we have to work together to try to resolve this. mr; so we have to work together to try to resolve this.— to resolve this. my question is predominate _ to resolve this. my question is predominate in _ to resolve this. my question is predominate in for _ to resolve this. my question is predominate in for mr - to resolve this. my question is - predominate in for mr montgomery, in terms of making an improved offer to rmt and tssa, what is the improved offer and are you planning to make one? , ., , , offer and are you planning to make one? , . ,, , offer and are you planning to make one? ,., _ , .,., ., one? obviously it is in negotiation, and it is confidential _ one? obviously it is in negotiation, and it is confidential at _ one? obviously it is in negotiation, and it is confidential at this - and it is confidential at this moment in time, sol and it is confidential at this moment in time, so i would not like to talk about what we're going to discuss tomorrow, i don't think that is respectful to the trade unions and no disrespect to the committee, but you would understand my position, i think it's important we have that discussion with the trade unions tomorrow and try and see if we can get common ground and move forward with the deal. what we can get common ground and move forward with the deal.— forward with the deal. what is your understanding _ forward with the deal. what is your understanding of _ forward with the deal. what is your understanding of where _ forward with the deal. what is your understanding of where that - forward with the deal. what is your. understanding of where that common ground might be and how you can move

these negotiations forward? again. ground might be and how you can move these negotiations forward?— these negotiations forward? again, i would rather — these negotiations forward? again, i would rather take _ these negotiations forward? again, i would rather take that _ these negotiations forward? again, i would rather take that discussion - would rather take that discussion with the trade unions than debated in the room here. ok. with the trade unions than debated in the room here.— in the room here. ok. in terms of aslef union. _ in the room here. ok. in terms of aslef union, obviously _ in the room here. ok. in terms of aslef union, obviously we - in the room here. ok. in terms of aslef union, obviously we heard l aslef union, obviously we heard earlier and we heard from representatives from mick whelan, he basically said he doesn't even recognise your existence, and the existence of rdg, and do you think that attitude has been helpful? i think the language is that attitude has been helpful? i think the language is something we have worked very closely with all the trade unions since the start of the trade unions since the start of the pandemic through the rail industry recovery group, we have sat together, come up with enabling framework agreements that allowed us to look at these different areas of reform, so there is a recognition thatis reform, so there is a recognition that is that body we have been doing the role of rdg, the role gets confused, the chair of rdg, and

sitting in art i rg, to try and help facilitate the discussion between the trade unions. myself and tim alluded to earlier that we are experienced railway people, have a lot of knowledge of how the industry works, using that knowledge to then try and work with the trade unions to get the best outcome for passengers is what we're really trying to look for. in particular during the pandemic, and how we had to deal with staff, all the restrictions that were applied, it has been a really important forum, we have tried to continue that forum to lead into the pay discussions we have had and taking the reforms we have had and taking the reforms we have talked about in the rail industry recovery group and try to turn that into a package. do you think it could be partly why they are much further behind in those negotiations than the other two unions that you have been negotiating with?— two unions that you have been negotiating with? yes, i think it is a combination _ negotiating with? yes, i think it is

a combination of— negotiating with? yes, i think it is a combination of things, - negotiating with? yes, i think it is a combination of things, where i negotiating with? yes, i think it is| a combination of things, where we just have to get more time and try to work through the detail a bit more. i think aslef, why we put the document out helps that situation. it is more open and everybody then it sees the key areas of where we believe reform can help drive the funding that we need to get our staff a pay increase, so it is important we get all these items on the table and then we can discuss them with aslef.— the table and then we can discuss them with aslef. ~ ., ., , ., , ., them with aslef. what do you see now is the next steps _ them with aslef. what do you see now is the next steps as _ them with aslef. what do you see now is the next steps as how _ them with aslef. what do you see now is the next steps as how you _ them with aslef. what do you see now is the next steps as how you will- is the next steps as how you will move these negotiations forward and how long do you think this is going to take? , ., , , ~ ., ., ., to take? obviously, rmt tomorrow. auain, to take? obviously, rmt tomorrow. again. depending — to take? obviously, rmt tomorrow. again, depending on _ to take? obviously, rmt tomorrow. again, depending on how— to take? obviously, rmt tomorrow. again, depending on how those - again, depending on how those discussions go will dictate where we go in the next stage. aslef, as i say, waiting on feedback from them next week and once we get that feedback, we will try and re—engage as quickly as we can so we can try to debate these areas of reform and

hopefully get to something that we can move forward quickly. but i do accept there are a number of challenges. taste accept there are a number of challenges-— accept there are a number of challenges. accept there are a number of challenues. . ., ., ~ , . challenges. we heard from mr lynch and his ballot _ challenges. we heard from mr lynch and his ballot for— challenges. we heard from mr lynch and his ballot for six _ challenges. we heard from mr lynch and his ballot for six months - challenges. we heard from mr lynch and his ballot for six months and - and his ballot for six months and from aslef who are planning for up to 23 years. are you going to allow it to go on for that long?— it to go on for that long? certainly we don't want _ it to go on for that long? certainly we don't want to. _ it to go on for that long? certainly we don't want to. we _ it to go on for that long? certainly we don't want to. we have - it to go on for that long? certainly we don't want to. we have been i it to go on for that long? certainly - we don't want to. we have been quite clear, we want to try to get a resultant of these disputes. it does take both parties. we want to see if we can resolve this as quickly as we can. this is hurting the industry. we have got to be clear that this is hurting the industry and some of the questions that were asked earlier, where we are seeing customer confidence in this industry ebbing away everyday. we see when strikes happen, the disruption, when people do not become available to cover at

short notice, these things are all impacting and customers are starting to use other modes of transport so we have to sit with the trade unions and try to get ourselves sorted out so we can start to provide a service for customers. that is really important. that is where i really focused on, getting the dispute resolved as quickly as we can so we can't restore the services.— can't restore the services. some of the areas we _ can't restore the services. some of the areas we have _ can't restore the services. some of the areas we have already - can't restore the services. some of| the areas we have already covered. good morning, gentlemen. just in relation to the aslef offer, i think you're in the earlier session and in relation to the upper that was made on the friday, mick whelan did explain to the committee because of the fragmented nature of the rail industry, he is dealing with various bargaining units in scotland, in wales, in mercy and so on, i think

it is understandable that there are many time pressures, that perhaps he is not instantly available but it does seem to have caused some angst. i did make a note of the time, 15 38. he did make a comment that he thought it had undermined good faith in the process to make that offer directly to the members so it is just to point that out. but given that you were in agreement with the £2 billion figure that i think mick lynch, in fact the whole panel agreed with, in terms of reducing costs, i wonder if we would give the committee some insight as to how the

modelling works? for example, the plan to close the ticket offices. how much saving with that bring about? some of the other elements, we often talk about, i have heard him talking about the need to improve safety and have workers not exposed to risk and so on, but some of the new technologies, driver only operation, will surely require significant investment in signalling and so on so how does the cost modelling reflect in this £2 billion worth of savings?— worth of savings? again, without caettin worth of savings? again, without getting into _ worth of savings? again, without getting into the _ worth of savings? again, without getting into the detail— worth of savings? again, without getting into the detail of- worth of savings? again, without getting into the detail of it - worth of savings? again, without getting into the detail of it all, i getting into the detail of it all, the workforce reform areas has got various packages. we talk about the rationalisation of the ticket offices. again, i don't know how much money we will save with that because we have to go through a

public consultation document should be go ahead with it. we would have to go through public consultation when we complete that, that has to be submitted to the dft and somebody has to decide whether that booking office can close or whether we can reduce the hours on it and that is how the process works at this moment so until you get through that whole process, you don't actually know how much money you could potentially save. again, just to be clear, in a lot of booking offices, we are not talking about understaffing stations. this is one point we need to be quite clear. it is about removing people from out behind the ticket office window onto the platforms, able to give a greater service hopefully to customers, but you want to make sure that people are there to deal with more vulnerable individuals. those individuals who we take out behind the glass could sell the same types

of tickets through a vending machine or they could help customers. they can help the customer out. when they are out from behind the glass, if they see a vulnerable individual, somebody needing assistance, getting a child on and off train, wheelchair assistance, they are there, rather than being behind the glass. i understand that but surely there must be some costings as to what the cost benefits are too, i don't know whether you are using the term, re—purpose in, but however we are describing it, the closure of the ticket office but how many ticket offices are we talking about? roughly about 990, i think the figure is. roughly about 990, i think the fiaure is. . roughly about 990, i think the fiaure is. , , ., figure is. this i understand the trade unions _ figure is. this i understand the trade unions have _ figure is. this i understand the trade unions have submitted . figure is. this i understand the trade unions have submitted a| trade unions have submitted a complaint to the central arbitration committee on the grounds that you

are refusing to disclose information that relates to the modelling of costs, notjust in relation to ticket offices, but in relation to the anticipated cost reductions of driver only operations as well. how are you responding to that? we are deafinu are you responding to that? we are dealing with — are you responding to that? we are dealing with it _ are you responding to that? we are dealing with it at _ are you responding to that? we are dealing with it at this _ are you responding to that? we are dealing with it at this current - dealing with it at this current time. it is obviously something that is life so we are dealing with that at this moment in time. we is life so we are dealing with that at this moment in time.- at this moment in time. we have heard from _ at this moment in time. we have heard from the _ at this moment in time. we have heard from the trade _ at this moment in time. we have heard from the trade unions - heard from the trade unions previously and indeed, we have the real minister coming next week but we had the secretary of state giving evidence to the committee and he has been quite definite and he told the committee on the 21st of december, i am encouraging the trade unions and employees to get around the table, hammer out that deal and workforce reform which delivers some of the financial savings that can help make a better pay offer. we have heard that your hands are tied through the

mandate in the contract, so what kind of interaction are you having with the secretary of state in relation to the preconditions that have been placed on you? obviously government — have been placed on you? obviously government have _ have been placed on you? obviously government have the _ have been placed on you? obviously government have the overall- have been placed on you? obviously| government have the overall funding of the industry. the contracts that are now set up, we are very much relying on going back to government and it was alluded to earlier on, we have to ensure that we seek permission before we do anything or it becomes a dis— allowable cost, but that is why myself and the negotiating team for the train operating companies, we are trying to do this centralised framework agreement so we can then go to government and say, we believe that we have negotiated these areas of reform, we believe it could be worth x, y and z and we believe that this could result in a pay increase of whatever that is, and we want to be able to be able to offer that to the

trade unions and that is put in and submitted to the dft and either people believe that that is the case and obviously people have to check these things, and we will get a mandate back on what we believe is a sensible offer. i mandate back on what we believe is a sensible offer.— sensible offer. i 'ust am grateful for that sensible offer. ijust am grateful for that response _ sensible offer. ijust am grateful for that response but _ sensible offer. ijust am grateful for that response but i _ sensible offer. ijust am grateful for that response but i want - sensible offer. ijust am grateful for that response but i want to l sensible offer. ijust am grateful. for that response but i want to put something to you, just from previous evidence sections when we have had other train operators, notably northern rail who were the principal operator in my area and indeed of anti—and when we have asked them about their view on a driver only operation, critically for northern rail and many operation, critically for northern railand many of operation, critically for northern rail and many of the stations including those in my constituency, it is not something that they think is either desirable or that the network is currently formulated and would support. is there pressure from your own membership in relation to this precondition on accepting driver only operation, or is this

something that has been specified by the secretary of state and the dft? the driver only operation of drivers controlled operation is something that we have been speaking to the trade unions about for many, many years, as you know. there is approximately 45% of services that currently operate driver only operation or driver controlled operation or driver controlled operation and i am sorry, the distinct difference in a lot of these cases is, there is a second person on the back of the train that deals with the customers. some pure driver only operations, you might not have a second person on the train. so what we have been talking to the trade unions, right from the outset and over many years, driver only operation is not something new. so these discussions have always happened and will probably continue to happen in the future. the key area for us is, where can we make it

more reliable and more punctualfor customers? an example is, we have said we were bringing a lot of new trains in to potentially south—western railways. if we have a driver only operation or driver controlled operation, can we get trains out more punctually and more reliable with disruption to the network, could be put that train out on time and get the gap to join the train at another point? that is the type of areas, that reflects that we are trying to do but that could only happen where the infrastructure and the trains are able to cope with that. the industry across a lot of the network is not in that shape yet because the trains are not capable of doing it so it is only where the trains and structure are able to do it and the trains are equipped to do that that we will then use that type of equipment. i that that we will then use that type of equipment-— of equipment. i might save my last experience. — of equipment. i might save my last experience, which _ of equipment. i might save my last experience, which was _ of equipment. i might save my last experience, which was last - of equipment. i might save my last

experience, which was last friday l of equipment. i might save my last. experience, which was last friday on the train to newcastle, was late for 2.5 hours because of camera failures the line. good morning. ijust want to briefly ask you about the point, just we are clear on the dco opposition, what sort of percentage, there is a lot of concern, i think it is fair to say, that from members of the public on what they have heard from what the unions have had to say, that there is a proposal to make the entire railway dlo. hearing from what you have had to say, that is absolutely not the case but you can be a little bit more explicit as to the conversations you're having about it and may be, what sort of the railway...

we are hearing real bosses giving evidence to the transport committee this morning. they have been talking about those negations over ending strikes. they continue on the bbc news channel. we would see a second person for customer service protection, so it is not to take people off the train fully. it is about punctuality and reliability. the only way you can move this forward, do the trains have operations so that drivers can see the doors? i don't have the exact figures but at the moment there are a number of trains in services that we could probably use more effectively. if future trains are ordered with that kind of equipment in the infrastructure is capable of coping with that, then we would like to use that, again to

drive punctuality and reliability for it has been proven that with the driver opening and closing the doors, it saves the un—trained person having to run away to operate the doors. ii person having to run away to operate the doors. ., ., , , the doors. if for example the lines and trains. — the doors. if for example the lines and trains, the _ the doors. if for example the lines and trains, the exeter _ the doors. if for example the lines and trains, the exeter line, - the doors. if for example the lines and trains, the exeter line, where| and trains, the exeter line, where the trains are not accommodated to do it, there is no appetite whatsoever... do it, there is no appetite whatsoever. . ._ do it, there is no appetite whatsoever. . . whatsoever... there will be no chan . e. whatsoever... there will be no change- we — whatsoever... there will be no change. we have _ whatsoever... there will be no change. we have a _ whatsoever... there will be no change. we have a lot - whatsoever. .. there will be no change. we have a lot of- whatsoever... there will be no | change. we have a lot of trains whatsoever... there will be no - change. we have a lot of trains that are not equipped to be able to do that at this moment. i are not equipped to be able to do that at this moment.— are not equipped to be able to do that at this moment. i 'ust want to be clear because h that at this moment. i 'ust want to be clear because you _ that at this moment. i just want to be clear because you have - that at this moment. i just want to be clear because you have told - that at this moment. i just want to be clear because you have told my| be clear because you have told my colleague fair that there is no plan to do it on every train, yet a proposal actually says that the driver only operation will be the default mode on every train, that is the proposal you're giving.- the proposal you're giving. where the proposal you're giving. where the train is _ the proposal you're giving. where the train is equipped _ the proposal you're giving. where the train is equipped to _ the proposal you're giving. where the train is equipped to be - the proposal you're giving. where the train is equipped to be able i the proposal you're giving. where| the train is equipped to be able to do it. there are many trains not equipped to be able to do driver only operation. is

equipped to be able to do driver only operation.— only operation. is there that qualification _ only operation. is there that qualification in _ only operation. is there that qualification in the - only operation. is there that i qualification in the agreement? only operation. is there that - qualification in the agreement? yes, but we are saving — qualification in the agreement? yes, but we are saying is _ qualification in the agreement? yes but we are saying is that clearly the trade unions understand that, that where there is a train that was built, let us say in 2000, it doesn't have the cameras fitted within the cabs, it doesn't have the cameras outside the doors, so you would not, you would spend a lot of money and convert the train but in these circumstances, what we are saying is, where the trains are currently equipped to be able to do that where there are new trains brought into service, then we would look to try and use that facility on the train and again, to drive punctuality and reliability. that is affected in the _ punctuality and reliability. that is affected in the agreement? i punctuality and reliability. that is affected in the agreement? the | affected in the agreement? iie: understanding is certainly there with the trade unions, i don't think there is any misunderstanding in that area. i there is any misunderstanding in that area. . ., ., there is any misunderstanding in that area. , ., ., _, that area. i 'ust wonder to come back and that area. i just wonder to come back and ask — that area. i just wonder to come back and ask if _ that area. i just wonder to come back and ask if you _ that area. i just wonder to come back and ask if you could - that area. i just wonder to come back and ask if you could give i that area. i just wonder to come | back and ask if you could give us that area. i just wonder to come i back and ask if you could give us an update from your perspective on the situation on negotiations with the rmt as it is today? we

situation on negotiations with the rmt as it is today?— situation on negotiations with the rmt as it is today? we met yesterday with leadership _ rmt as it is today? we met yesterday with leadership of _ rmt as it is today? we met yesterday with leadership of the _ rmt as it is today? we met yesterday with leadership of the rmt _ rmt as it is today? we met yesterday with leadership of the rmt and - rmt as it is today? we met yesterday with leadership of the rmt and we i with leadership of the rmt and we were having discussions because of the offer we made in december and as i mentioned, it has been accepted by two of the three trade unions, so we wanted to hear from the leadership of the rmt, their views on why the rmt had been unable to support and recommend the deal, as we would have hoped when we made the offer in december, and they send it out with a recommendation to their members to reject the deal, which we know because some people devote no. we were also able to suggest some areas where, based on our discussions that we have had with staff members, that some of the feedback we had asked in december where people had said to us, this is, we didn't understand

this, i have a question about it, because it was a short referendum, there was little time to prepare for it. it didn't give time for some of the materials and the briefing we both wanted to do to make sure that both wanted to do to make sure that both representatives and managers have answered the questions that our employees had in that process did not work effectively at all. what we would like to do is really understand, and we have been doing that over the christmas period, hearing from the union yesterday as well, which of those areas we should now specifically go back to provide further discussion and confidence for our employees with the objective of being able to have a further referendum at the right moment. [30 referendum at the right moment. do you have any insights into what those remaining issues are that require resolution?— those remaining issues are that require resolution? yes, i do. there are two or — require resolution? yes, i do. there are two or three _ require resolution? yes, i do. there are two or three areas _ require resolution? yes, i do. there are two or three areas that - require resolution? yes, i do. there are two or three areas that have i are two or three areas that have become very clear based on the feedback we have had from employees

and actually, broadly summer to the things i am hearing from the rmt as well so that allows us to target very clearly the things that we can perhaps provide further guidance on some areas that perhaps we didn't explain very well and therefore by doing that better, it gives employees a better opportunity to understand just how this good deal could be. you are aware of the 5% of that we have made for 2022 but i think the trade unions and the general secretary agreed that that comes with an underpinning of £1750 and for some members and employees that are on £30,000 or less, that deal is over 10%, not 9%, and more the further you go down the pay scales, so this is, especially for the lower paid memos of staff, a valuable deal and of course, it comes with the other things we have

talked about like the union have asked for, like a guarantee around non—compulsory redundancies for 2025 and of course the discounted rail travel for the employee and their dependents, which again, the units have been asking for for a long time. as well as the cash, there are a number of other elements to this deal which we think recognise the challenge, recognise the economic circumstances and cost of living situation and also making it an affordable deal but also making it an attractive deal because we are trying to look after those people. you have properly heard the ask the general secretary of the rmt earlier about how rock—solid his members wear in strikes over the last five or six weeks. ijust wear in strikes over the last five or six weeks. i just wondered wear in strikes over the last five or six weeks. ijust wondered if wear in strikes over the last five or six weeks. i just wondered if you had any insights or observations you may be able to offer in respect to that question i asked earlier. the strikes u- that question i asked earlier. the strikes pp in _ that question i asked earlier. iie: strikes up in under way for a long

of time but we have absolutely seen in the last set of strikes, those just before and after christmas, there has been a return to work by a number of employees both in maintenance and operation of it is very localised, tends to be groups of people that will come back in rather than individuals of their own. nevertheless, there is clearly a pattern of that we can see emerging would you say that some employees who are also members of the rmt in this example are now in the rmt in this example are now in the situation where they want to come back to work and maybe... 50 the situation where they want to come back to work and maybe... so we are listening — come back to work and maybe... so we are listening to — come back to work and maybe... so we are listening to the _ come back to work and maybe. .. so we are listening to the chief— are listening to the chief negotiator at network rail being questioned by mps negotiator at network rail being questioned by mp5 on the transport select committee about the negotiations over the rail dispute. he was saying there that he believes one of the big problems in getting an agreement has been that there has not been clear communication of what

is on offer to the workers. he said four people to understand just how good this deal could be for them, he said, especially for the lower paid workers, there needs to be a clear explanation and he believes that more will agree to accept the deal on that basis, saying that there are cash and other elements to the deal which make it affordable and also an attractive deal. we were hearing earlier from the unions and what we heard from mick whelan of the train drivers union, aslef, when he was asked how close to a deal he believed the situation to be in, he said that the parties are further apart than they were when the negotiations started. he said they are effectively at zero on a skill of likelihood of one to ten. hearing quite different assessments obviously from the unions and the

bosses there. we will keep across it and go back if anything else comes up. today in england and wales, thousands of paramedics are walking out for the second time this winter in a dispute over pay. nhs bosses have warned that the impact of today's strike is likely to be worse than that of the strike held before christmas — as call handlers and ambulance dispatchers are also walking out. but union leaders insist life—and—limb today in england and wales, thousands of paramedics are walking cover will be provided. the health secretary steve barclay spoke to bbc breakfast earlier... we met again with the trade unions on monday to discuss this year's coming evidence to the pay review body so that we can ensure that does reflect the pressure we've seen on inflation, the pressure we've seen on the cost of living, _ and we want to work constructively with the trade unions to recognise that the nhs is under particular pressure, salaries and cost of living is also a challenge, and we want to make sure the evidence that goes to the pay review body reflects those concerns.

our correspondent phil mackie is in gloucester. this is one of two emergency departments in gloucestershire. the other is in gloucester, about ten miles away. we havejust other is in gloucester, about ten miles away. we have just seen this ambulance come in here and it has been driven by an army corporal and a paramedic came out to off—load the patient who was on a stretcher. we have also seen people turn up to drop off patients as well. but the situation inside is public not much different to a typical day. i have been looking at the waiting times on none strike days earlier on this week and it is fairly similar to that at the moment. at 11am, there were 35 people waiting in here. they are all getting seen within an hour but the average time spent in this

department was six hours stop in gloucester, it was seven hours on the rest 75 people. they take the less serious cases in this particular emergency department. for instance, if there was a serious road traffic collision in gloucestershire today, the patients would more likely be taken to the gloucestershire royal as a result of that. i have spoken to unison here, they have a picket line at the main ambulance base to the north of cheltenham. they say that the strike is solid, that everybody who was due to work today, they expect to go out on shift, but the view from the trust itself at the moment, the situation is fairly typical. we will know how solid that strike is or whether it continues to be a solid when the shift change takes place at about 12:00. at the moment, no

significant problems in either of the two hospitals in north gloucestershire and long waits, as you would always imagine that there would be injanuary at you would always imagine that there would be in january at any you would always imagine that there would be injanuary at any hospital at the moment but it is hard to see or really gauge what impact this strike is having. jenny kumar is in plymouth for us. u nfortu nately, unfortunately, the connection is not working there so we will try to fix that and go back to her. i'm joined now by tony stein, the chief executive of health care management solutions — they run a large portfolio of care homes. thank you forjoining us. what impact is this ambulance strike having on homes?— impact is this ambulance strike having on homes? well, as always, these strikes _ having on homes? well, as always, these strikes are _ having on homes? well, as always, these strikes are designed - having on homes? well, as always, these strikes are designed to i having on homes? well, as always, | these strikes are designed to create disruption and that is what they do. we also have to bear in mind as well that these strikes are happening at a time when ambulance services are

stretched anyway so under normal circumstances, we are experiencing delays for collection of residents and so on. it is creating additional pressure. care home operators, all of us are facing the same problems so we have put additional protocols in place so for example, knowing that we are probably going to be waiting longerfor the that we are probably going to be waiting longer for the ambulance pick up, we are putting staff on to increased observations and mickey sure that they are continually updating the emergency services as to the condition of their resident that might need to be picked up. and taking observations, to make sure that the situation is not deteriorating. it puts a lot of additional pressure on staff. hagar additional pressure on staff. how much pressure — additional pressure on staff. how much pressure is _ additional pressure on staff. how much pressure is it _ additional pressure on staff. how much pressure is it putting on them and what of the concerns around the welfare for the residents on that?

obviously the residents welfare is our primary consideration and you have to remember that the staff we have to remember that the staff we have built a very strong bonds with our residents. they become almost like family so knowing that somebody needs hospital care, it does increase anxiety for the staff who are working and looking after those people and knowing that they should be being picked up. obviously we have got to keep the families involved and them understanding what is happening and keeping them up—to—date. we do talk to local gps if we need additional help, so that does help us. we can source information and assistance from our gps but, yes, it is not a great situation. if you can imagine somebody falling in a home with a suspected fracture, lying on a cold, hard floor is not the person —— my place for the person to be. obviously our staff would not want to move that person unless they were

extreme reasons why they would need to do that. we have been experiencing across the country, even outside of the strike, very long delays on the pick—ups because of the issue with hospitals being full and ambulances being parked up, waiting to discharge. so this is not just a problem for today, this is a longer—term problem that to be fixed but certainly today, there is additional anxiety and worry for the staff. ~ . . . additional anxiety and worry for the staff. . ., ., , ., staff. what are the lengths of wei . hts staff. what are the lengths of weights that _ staff. what are the lengths of weights that you _ staff. what are the lengths of weights that you are - staff. what are the lengths of weights that you are aware i staff. what are the lengths of. weights that you are aware of? staff. what are the lengths of i weights that you are aware of? we have weights that you are aware of? - have had waits of up to 1213 hrs for ambulances in some of our services. even in extreme situations where we have had emergency teams coming in to help us, waiting times of up to four hours for an ambulance. that is not untypical these days but the bigger problem is the fact that ambulances are struggling to discharge and it is notjust for us,

it is notjust the ambulance to come and take somebody to the hospital for treatment, and take somebody to the hospital fortreatment, it and take somebody to the hospital for treatment, it is the ambulance thatis for treatment, it is the ambulance that is required to bring the person, the resident who has been in hospital back to us. that can be delayed as well and that exacerbates the problem. let delayed as well and that exacerbates the problem-— the problem. let me bring you breakin: the problem. let me bring you breaking news _ the problem. let me bring you breaking news about _ the problem. let me bring you breaking news about the i the problem. let me bring you - breaking news about the conservative mp andrew bridgend. we heard he has lost the conservative whip after he compared the roll—out of the covid vaccine to the holocaust on twitter. let me bring you a comment from the chief whip, the conservative chief whip who said andrew bridgend has crossed a line causing great offence in the process. as a nation, we should be very proud of what has been achieved through the vaccine programme. the vaccine is the best defence against covid we have. misinformation of the vaccine causes harm and costs lives and therefore removing the whip from andrew bridging with immediate effect

pending a formal investigation. and you may know he is already suspended from the house of commons from today for five days after he was found to have breached rules on page lobbying and declaring interest. and as a cross party committee jama committee found he can repeatedly block the np code of conduct and he had tried to overturn the recommendation that he uses has been suspended, but it was approved by parliament on monday so now he is suspended for five sitting days over that. and we are hearing of course that he has now lost the conservative whip over that tweet in the roll—out of the covid vaccine. counter terrorism police are investigating how scrap metal containing traces of uranium arrived at london's heathrow airport last month. the bbc understands that one line of inquiry is whether it was the result of "poor handling" in pakistan — which is where it came from. i'm joined by our home affairs

correspondent, daniel sandford. how much uranium and what was a situation? what was the context of discovery? it situation? what was the context of discove ? . . situation? what was the context of discove ? ., , ,. , ., , discovery? it was described to me is a ve , discovery? it was described to me is a very. very — discovery? it was described to me is a very. very small— discovery? it was described to me is a very, very small amount _ discovery? it was described to me is a very, very small amount which i discovery? it was described to me is | a very, very small amount which was essentially contaminating this load of scrap metal. if people visualise uranium is something which travels round in a specialist case and is being used either for round in a specialist case and is being used eitherfor nuclear weapons or nuclear power plans, it was not that, it was a tiny, tiny bit of contamination on this bit of scrap metal that had arrived from pakistan. it came in on the 29th of december and i suppose reassuringly, detection systems at heathrow did pick it up. the worrying thing is that if someone was smuggling highly radioactive material into the country, there will be a great concern because of the risk of a dirty bomb or other kind of contamination and there will be conserved is if the material is being moved around the world without proper controls, which are in place.

also, there is a concern for those people who are on the plane on which this was travelling and people who are doing the ground handling of the cargo. and quite a lot of work has been done and that i understand and it looks as if there isn't any public health concern about any effects people i suffer from this bit of uranium because i think, frankly, it was such a small amount and a good distance away from where the passengers were on the ground handlers were.— handlers were. where does the investigation _ handlers were. where does the investigation go _ handlers were. where does the investigation go now? - handlers were. where does the investigation go now? the i handlers were. where does the investigation go now? the key| handlers were. where does the i investigation go now? the key thing is to find out — investigation go now? the key thing is to find out whether _ investigation go now? the key thing is to find out whether this _ investigation go now? the key thing is to find out whether this was i investigation go now? the key thing is to find out whether this was a i is to find out whether this was a deliberate bit of smuggling. my understanding is that that is not the main line of inquiry and the main thought is that this was something that was basically badly hand and impact of stan and the contamination happened in pakistan —— pakistan. and then travel to the uk and that is the main line of inquiry. the day investigation is not over so that can obviously

change as the investigation proceeds if something more worrying could rise, but at this point, it is almost slightly a reassuring story that a, the detection systems work, and b, it doesn't look as if somebody was trying to smuggle radioactive materials. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol. hello again. today's forecast is one of gusty winds and also a heavy downpours. we started off on a dry and a bright note in eastern areas, but the showers moving in across england and wales and also across western scotland and northern ireland. in between there'll be few showers as we go through the latter part of the afternoon, but it's going to be windy. once again, the strongest winds will be in the coastal hills in the west and south. now we carry on with some showers overnight, but then heavy rain comes in across northern ireland, southern scotland, england and wales falling on ground that is already saturated once again, exacerbating the flooding risk. still mild in the south. cooler in the north where we could see some ice on untreated surfaces, possibly a touch of frost as well.

tomorrow, then we still have our rain in the south, be gales across southern counties, south western approaches, more rain pushing across england and wales and showers across parts of scotland and northern ireland. in between something brighter with highs up to 13. hello this is bbc news. the headlines... around 20,000 ambulance workers in england and wales are striking for a second time over pay and staffing. in scotland, exams are being rescheduled as secondary teachers strike in an going dispute about pay. rail unions appear before a committee of mps — with little sign of their long running dispute over payjob security and working conditions being resolved. counter terrorism police

investigate how scrap metal containing traces of uranium arrived at london's heathrow airport last month. and a star—studded comeback from golden globes in hollywood as colin farrell picks up the best actor award. let's go back to the breaking news that andrew bridgen, the conservative mp has been is suspended as he compared the vaccine roll—out to the holocaust on twitter. the chief whip simon hart said andrew bridgen crossed a line causing great offence in the process and simon hart said he would be removing the whip from andrew bridgen within immediate effect pending a formal investigation and meanwhile, andrew bridgen, is already suspended from the comments from today for five days for having or breaking the rules and paid

lobbying and declaring interest. let's go to our political correspondent. i let's go to our political correspondent.- let's go to our political correspondent. let's go to our political corresondent. ., �* ~ , correspondent. i don't think this has come as _ correspondent. i don't think this has come as much _ correspondent. i don't think this has come as much of— correspondent. i don't think this has come as much of a - correspondent. i don't think this has come as much of a surprise| correspondent. i don't think this l has come as much of a surprise to many people here in westminster. his comments about covid and about covid vaccines have been attracting a lot of criticism from across the political spectrum over the last couple of days, certainly has, today was not the first time that he had been posting criticism of the covid vaccine roll—out, conspiracy theories, but he was given particular criticism as he compared the covid scene roll—out to the holocaust. that was condemned both by opposition mps but also conservative mps like simon clark who said the comments were disgraceful. in response to the common today, we have had confirmation from simon hart, chief whip, who is in charge of conservative party discipline and welfare saying that he has the conservative whip removed and he

will sit as an independent mp and in doing so simon hart said that not only had his comments cause great offence but the covid vaccine this intricate motion cost lives.- intricate motion cost lives. there was a swift _ intricate motion cost lives. there was a swift response _ intricate motion cost lives. there was a swift response to - intricate motion cost lives. there was a swift response to what i intricate motion cost lives. there was a swift response to what he l intricate motion cost lives. there i was a swift response to what he put out. . . . was a swift response to what he put out. ., , , ., , was a swift response to what he put out. , ., , , out. there has been a swift response to the common _ out. there has been a swift response to the common today _ out. there has been a swift response to the common today but _ out. there has been a swift response to the common today but as - out. there has been a swift response to the common today but as i - out. there has been a swift response to the common today but as i say, i to the common today but as i say, those comets have been building over the last couple of weeks and is not the last couple of weeks and is not the first time he has posted criticism of the covid vaccine scheme, despite in the past posting comments himself put promoting the vaccine and saying he had won. i think there are some, particularly on the opposition benches, who raised concerns that these comments were not disciplined soon enough but certainly, as soon as it was flight of the whip office that he had posted this comment today, particularly comparing the vaccine roll—out to the holocaust, the chief whip decided he should be suspended pending further investigations. thank you. nearly one in five police officers in england and wales plan to quit in the next two years, according to a survey by the police federation. the majority of respondents cited

reasons such as morale, pay and how the police are treated by the government. let's speak now to the national chair of the police federation of england and wales, steve hartshorn. welcome and thank you very much for joining us. that is an extraordinary statistic, one in five officers want to leave within two years. can you tell us a bit more about that finding? i tell us a bit more about that findin: ? .., . tell us a bit more about that findin. ? .., ., ., ~' tell us a bit more about that findin. ? ., ., ~' i., finding? i can and thank you for aaivin finding? i can and thank you for giving me _ finding? i can and thank you for giving me the — finding? i can and thank you for giving me the opportunity i finding? i can and thank you for giving me the opportunity to i finding? i can and thank you for- giving me the opportunity to speak. we did a survey from october and september last year and combined it with an annual survey and nearly 37,000 respondents took the time to give us the evidence we need to raise these kind of issues. to see that in black—and—white and one in five, that is a shock. back could undermine public safety and if you think amount of officers and the people we represent, there are only 139,000 officers and if you take one in five out of the equation and that's a big loss to the service and protection to the public. it’s

that's a big loss to the service and protection to the public.— protection to the public. it's also highlighted as — protection to the public. it's also highlighted as statistics - protection to the public. it's also highlighted as statistics in i protection to the public. it's also highlighted as statistics in termsj highlighted as statistics in terms of how many police officers have actually been living and in the year ending march 2020 8177 left. what is the context around?— the context around? that's right. every single _ the context around? that's right. every single year— the context around? that's right. every single year we _ the context around? that's right. every single year we have - the context around? that's right. | every single year we have intricate figures in the home office and we lose roughly 6000 per year and it could be six and have our 7000 but if you think over three years we have had a programme to replace the 20,000 officers that have been taken away from us and we have an effect lost 18,000 of the potential 20000 and have been recruited so to see that figure of 8000 last year, that's a significant increase and we are trying to look at the figures to understand what that means because it's no consistency on exit services as to why these are leaving but we are certain that if you look at the results of the other survey is because of low morale, high fatigue, loss of pay, the change in pension

and the working conditions have changed significantly over the last ten years. it is not the job that used to be. ten years. it is not the 'ob that used to bah ten years. it is not the 'ob that usedtobe. .,. . ., used to be. police officers cannot strike. used to be. police officers cannot strike- we _ used to be. police officers cannot strike. we are _ used to be. police officers cannot strike. we are seeing _ used to be. police officers cannot strike. we are seeing a _ used to be. police officers cannot strike. we are seeing a lot - used to be. police officers cannot strike. we are seeing a lot of i strike. we are seeing a lot of strike. we are seeing a lot of strike action in other areas. if police can strike, do you think we would be how they will be allowed to do that? i’m would be how they will be allowed to do that? �* ., , ., �* do that? i'm not sure and i'm careful to _ do that? i'm not sure and i'm careful to take _ do that? i'm not sure and i'm careful to take a _ do that? i'm not sure and i'm careful to take a temperature do that? i'm not sure and i'm i careful to take a temperature of where we get a reading from. if you go to some social media sites you'll see some people saying that we should absolutely have the right to strike but if you speak to others who come to the training facility here or across the national council and i will say no, we don't because there are pros and cons of having that ability to not have the right to take industrial action. not least of all is the moment we can be made redundant because of unique trans data services that we have as police officers. as part of a bigger debate but all we are asking for really is for the government to change the remit authority and to give us that we are not so—called independent pay body and thus the figure we need is

a pay and reward for being a police officer and is recognised and also the additional restrictions and impositions in our lives such as we don't have the right to industrial action and there are other things which make thejob action and there are other things which make the job worse by increased assault and not recognised increased assault and not recognised in the pay we have and so it needs an overall refresh of the situation or perhaps something as something as simple as collective bargaining or an agreement that we can negotiate the government on pay because it's imposed upon us. we have no negotiating rights as police officers. , . . negotiating rights as police officers. , , , ., negotiating rights as police officers. , , ., �* , officers. just being and i'm seeing a comment _ officers. just being and i'm seeing a comment from _ officers. just being and i'm seeing a comment from the _ officers. just being and i'm seeing a comment from the government | officers. just being and i'm seeing i a comment from the government saying policing is a career like no other and we need officers to keep communities safe and cut crime. we are injecting record funds into policing and giving officers the support, training and powers they need to crack down on crime. the government remains on track to deliver its pledge to recruit 20,000 police officers by march 2023. the overwhelming majority of new recruits recently surveyed report positive job satisfaction and want

to remain officers for the rest of their working lives.— to remain officers for the rest of their working lives. would you agree with that? l — their working lives. would you agree with that? i wouldn't _ their working lives. would you agree with that? i wouldn't and _ their working lives. would you agree with that? i wouldn't and i _ their working lives. would you agree with that? i wouldn't and i think- their working lives. would you agree with that? i wouldn't and i think if. with that? i wouldn't and i think if you look at any kind of investment into policing, the nhs, fire service, you always hear the record amount in policing but that record amount in policing but that record amount could be £1 more than the previous year and breaks the new total. if you look at the figures we have had and there is a recent one 1800 of the newjoiners have resigned. that is a significant number of 20,000 and we must remember that these 20,000 were taken away from policing. this was promised by the government to give us the additional 20,000. in effect, to get 20,000 new police officers, you need to recruit at least 50,000 because as i mentioned, every year we lose at least 6000 per annum anyway, so you have to cope with the natural wastage as well as the new offices and does not happening. retention rates are dangerous, it needs a big investment into police

officers themselves that involves pay, pensions and better conditions. thank you very much forjoining us. let me bring you news of a physiotherapist and physiotherapist are going to be striking on the 26th of january and the 9th of february in the dispute over pay and staffing. the chartered society for physiotherapy has announced this. there was a meeting with the health secretary and the union says it failed to produce tangible progress in the dispute over nhs pay. they said that although the meeting was more constructive than previously, there is nothing tangible on the table and as such, strike dates are being announced. we have heard now that the strike dates for physiotherapist, the 26th of january and the 9th of february. secondary schools are closed in scotland today as teachers take

part in industrial action in a dispute over pay. it follows a strike by primary schools teachers yesterday — also over pay. scotland's education secretary has said she would leave "no stone unturned" to reach a speedy resolution. our scotland correspondent lorna gordon reports. chanting: we want 10%, - to pay the bills and pay the rent! out on strike again, these teachers are clear about what they want. they say they'd rather be in the classroom but feel they have no choice but to pick up placards instead. i feel very strongly about it. i don't want to be here. i want to be in teaching, i want the kids to be in learning, but it's been left to this. we can't do anything else. i've taught for 32 years, and this is the first time i've ever been out on strike, so it's not easy. it's not easy for the teachers, it's not easy for the parents. i'm a parent myself. families across scotland have been left feeling the impact of the strike, with primary schools closed yesterday and secondaries today. i think it's a complete carry on. i think the kids' education was ruined enough with covid,

and i just think that it's ridiculous that they are putting the kids through this again. i get that they want more money, but i think there should be another way they can do it, they can go about it, where it's not causing an issue to the kids' education. who do you hold responsible? the government. but nicola sturgeon insists the scottish government is doing all it can to resolve this dispute. she also says she is against any westminster legislation curbing the right to strike. fundamentally oppose that legislation, and the snp will oppose it very, very vigorously at westminster. the offer that is on the table now, it is affordable within the finite resources that the scottish government has. not so, insist the unions. even as all sides agree that children's education shouldn't suffer. the foreign secretary,

james cleverly, is visiting belfast today to meet northern ireland's political parties. the democratic unionist party says it won't return to power—sharing devolved government because of its opposition to the northern ireland protocol — the post—brexit trade border with the rest of the uk. there's been progress this week in negotiations on the issue between london and brussels but the dup has said its main concerns haven't been addressed yet. our ireland correspondent chris page gave us this assessment of today's talks. james cleverly is leading the negotiations between the uk and the eu on what is known as the northern ireland protocol. that is the arrangements for brexit here in northern ireland, basically in order to avoid the need for any checkpoints on the land border between northern ireland and the irish republic. while there are no checks on goods arriving in northern ireland from the rest of the uk, a trade border in effect, and to unionists, the democratic unionist party in particular, that is an economic barrier which separates northern ireland from great britain and, therefore, threatens northern ireland's very place in the union. so the dup has been, for most of a year now, been maintaining

a veto on the power—sharing devolved government at stormont. some new ministers are currently in place. “ so no —— so no ministers... northern ireland is basically being run by civil servants. the dup says it won't relent, it won't go back into power and allow a new coalition to be formed unless the trade border is removed. what are the prospects of that? well, in those negotiations between london and brussels this week, well, there was an agreement on one of the matters being negotiated. that was on the issue of information on customs being shared. but as somebody close to the talks put it to me recently, a foot hill has been climbed, but there's still a mountain to scale. one of the most difficult matters for the negotiators potentially is ultimately the legal jurisdiction over northern ireland on the du p has said it wants the european court ofjustice not to have a role in deciding laws here because northern

ireland is in essence still inside the eu single market, well, that appears to be one of the european union's red lines. they say they still have to rent or maintain legal control over this market and so it's hard how to see that market these two issue will be resolved. french authorities have confirmed six people, including a policeman, have been stabbed after a knife attack at the gare du nord train station in paris this morning. police say a man was arrested, after they opened fire, wounding him and that the attacker�*s motive is not immediately clear. one of the victims, a member of the french border police, is in a serious condition. a british schoolgirl who travelled to syria to join islamic state has been admitted to being a member of her organisation in a new interview with the bbc. the her organisation in a new interview with the bbc-— her organisation in a new interview with the bbc. the 23-year-old who was 15 when _ with the bbc. the 23-year-old who was 15 when she _ with the bbc. the 23-year-old who was 15 when she ran _ with the bbc. the 23-year-old who was 15 when she ran away - with the bbc. the 23-year-old who was 15 when she ran away from i with the bbc. the 23-year-old who was 15 when she ran away from herj was 15 when she ran away from her home in east london was interviewed as part of the year long investigation for the five live podcast i am not a monster where she revealed she was fed comprehensive instructions by members of the

terror group but also undertook her own detailed planning for the trip in 2015. this take a look. i’m in 2015. this take a look. i'm cufious in 2015. this take a look. i'm curious but _ in 2015. this take a look. i'm curious but how _ in 2015. this take a look. in curious but how you. in 2015. this take a look. i'm curious but how you. as i in 2015. this take a look. i'm curious but how you. as a i in 2015. this take a look. i'm i curious but how you. as a danger, in 2015. this take a look. i'm - curious but how you. as a danger, is a risk, is curious but how you. as a danger, is a risk. is a — curious but how you. as a danger, is a risk, is a potential— curious but how you. as a danger, is a risk, is a potential risk. _ curious but how you. as a danger, is a risk, is a potential risk. to - curious but how you. as a danger, is a risk, is a potential risk. to them i a risk, is a potential risk. to them and their— a risk, is a potential risk. to them and their safety come to their way of living — and their safety come to their way of living. do and their safety come to their way of livina. ,, and their safety come to their way of livin. , ., , of living. do you understand why society has _ of living. do you understand why society has anger _ of living. do you understand why society has anger towards i of living. do you understand why society has anger towards you? | of living. do you understand why i society has anger towards you? yes, i do understand _ society has anger towards you? yes, i do understand but— society has anger towards you? yes, i do understand but i _ society has anger towards you? yes, i do understand but i don't think is towards _ i do understand but i don't think is towards me, i think is towards isis when _ towards me, i think is towards isis when they— towards me, i think is towards isis when they think of ice as they think of me _ when they think of ice as they think of me because i have been in the media _ of me because i have been in the media so— of me because i have been in the media so much.— media so much. only because you chose to go _ media so much. only because you chose to go to _ media so much. only because you chose to go to isis. _ media so much. only because you chose to go to isis. but _ media so much. only because you chose to go to isis. but they i media so much. only because you chose to go to isis. but theyjust i chose to go to isis. but they 'ust wanted to — chose to go to isis. but they 'ust wanted to continue i chose to go to isis. but they 'ust wanted to continue the i chose to go to isis. but theyjust wanted to continue the story i chose to go to isis. but theyjust i wanted to continue the story because it was— wanted to continue the story because it was the _ wanted to continue the story because it was the big story. but wanted to continue the story because it was the big story.— it was the big story. but you do acce -t it was the big story. but you do accept that _ it was the big story. but you do accept that you _ it was the big story. but you do accept that you did _ it was the big story. but you do accept that you did join - it was the big story. but you do accept that you did join a i it was the big story. but you do i accept that you did join a terrorist group? accept that you did 'oin a terrorist drou - ? . accept that you did join a terrorist group?_ you _ accept that you did join a terrorist group?_ you can - accept that you did join a terrorist group?_ you can find i accept that you did join a terrorist l group?_ you can find that group? yes. i did. you can find that whole interview— group? yes. i did. you can find that whole interview in _ group? yes. i did. you can find that whole interview in the _ group? yes. i did. you can find that whole interview in the bbc- group? yes. i did. you can find that whole interview in the bbc sounds i whole interview in the bbc sounds and it is series two of the i am not

and it is series two of the i am not a monster investigative podcast which is a feature length documentary and is due to be broadcast on the bbc iplayer next month. the investment bank, goldman sachs, has announced plans to cut up to 3,200 jobs worldwide, in the face of falling profits. the cuts could affect around 6.5% of the bank's workforce. the bank is also reviewing its expenses — including bonuses and the firm's purchase of two private jets. the chief executive, david solomon, has repeatedly raised concerns about the bank's economic outlook in recent months. let me bring you news about issues with flights in and out of the united states. we are hearing the us federal aviation administration which alerts pilots and other five personnel that it has made changes to facilities and services but it is not processing updated information and more than 400 flights have been delayed within, into or out of the

united states as of the early hours of this morning, us time. we are now going tojoin bbc two of this morning, us time. we are now going to join bbc two for politics live ahead of time in a strip of my questions. studio: we are going to welcome viewers on the bbc news channel and before i go to isabel for your reaction to generally the publicity around prince harry and the reaction from some mps like tim. i around prince harry and the reaction from some mps like tim.— from some mps like tim. i think it's interestin: from some mps like tim. i think it's interesting that _ from some mps like tim. i think it's interesting that quite _ from some mps like tim. i think it's interesting that quite a _ from some mps like tim. i think it's interesting that quite a limited i interesting that quite a limited number of mps have actually wanted to comment on this. most like emma have said i'm not going there and i would stay away from this and i can understand why team would want to but i find it really interesting how quiet westminster has been in this generally. i think the memoir itself and the interviews, they do feel a bit like a public therapy session which i would question the wisdom of. as someone who has seen more

than theirfair share of of. as someone who has seen more than their fair share of councillors and psychotherapist over the last few years i tend to think something such as trauma are best kept within a cyberspace of the therapy room rather than taken it into the public and people will react negatively and that will not help prince harry to resolve how he's feeling about his trauma over his mother but also his disputes with his brother. it has become a bit of a meme about his gripes with his brother in comparison to some of the things that i did to my brothers and my brothers did to me when we were growing up. i think a lot of people who have siblings and said, i do a lot worse than ignoring him. i'm still telling my brother to shave his beard now. iterate still telling my brother to shave his beard now.— his beard now. we are looking forward to _ his beard now. we are looking forward to your _ his beard now. we are looking forward to your memoir- his beard now. we are looking forward to your memoir about | his beard now. we are looking i forward to your memoir about that. this idea of trauma and grief being played out. that is where harry and meghan markle have got sympathy. however, some people find it quite

rangy. i however, some people find it quite rand . ., ., however, some people find it quite ran. _ ., ., however, some people find it quite ran . ., ., ., rangy. i have written a book about mental health _ rangy. i have written a book about mental health and _ rangy. i have written a book about mental health and i _ rangy. i have written a book about mental health and i think - rangy. i have written a book about mental health and i think being i rangy. i have written a book about i mental health and i think being open about your mental health is important but there is also a beauty on privacy and there are certain things i would never talk publicly to do with my mental health because it wouldn't help me and actually it would become voyeuristic for other people as well and i think drawing the line quite tightly is really important for your own well—being and actually for the benefit of other people as well. there are stuff people don't need to know. we don't need to know what prince harry said the queen on her deathbed for instance. i think things like that are deeply private and there is a beauty in the privacy. ih are deeply private and there is a beauty in the privacy.— are deeply private and there is a beauty in the privacy. in the spirit of what has _ beauty in the privacy. in the spirit of what has been _ beauty in the privacy. in the spirit of what has been said _ beauty in the privacy. in the spirit of what has been said you - of what has been said you tweeted this, tim. was it the right thing to do? with that sort of sentiment on the basis of what we heard from isabel because clearly prince harry is suffering some extent from grief and trauma. i is suffering some extent from grief and trauma-— is suffering some extent from grief and trauma. , ., ,., ., , and trauma. i 'ust got so exhausted. i was on and trauma. ijust got so exhausted. l was on holiday _ and trauma. ijust got so exhausted. i was on holiday actually _ and trauma. ijust got so exhausted. i was on holiday actually last - and trauma. ijust got so exhausted. i was on holiday actually last week. i was on holiday actually last week and yet _ i was on holiday actually last week

and yet another interview with him comes— and yet another interview with him comes on— and yet another interview with him comes on and every english language news channel that was on this television _ news channel that was on this television set when i was abroad at all these _ television set when i was abroad at all these interviews with prince harry— all these interviews with prince harry and — all these interviews with prince harry and it isjust so wearing. he doesn't _ harry and it isjust so wearing. he doesn't need to say it, it is deeply damaging~ — doesn't need to say it, it is deeply damaging. these things should be cut privately— damaging. these things should be cut privately and isabel makes it absolutely right point so i'm afraid it was— absolutely right point so i'm afraid it was a _ absolutely right point so i'm afraid it was a slightly intemperate tweed but i it was a slightly intemperate tweed but i also _ it was a slightly intemperate tweed but i also tweet after that about the genocide against armenia going on at the _ the genocide against armenia going on at the moment which is a very serious _ on at the moment which is a very serious issue and part of the world and so _ serious issue and part of the world and so every powers in and a lot of people _ and so every powers in and a lot of people by— and so every powers in and a lot of people by a — and so every powers in and a lot of people by a large margin saying that perhaps— people by a large margin saying that perhaps not the same way as me but shot that _ perhaps not the same way as me but shot that flip up but i had people criticising — shot that flip up but i had people criticising me but if you look at twitter— criticising me but if you look at twitter profiles these are left—wing people _ twitter profiles these are left—wing people who hate the royal family and want to _ people who hate the royal family and want to abolish the monarchy anyway.

so is the _ want to abolish the monarchy anyway. so is the duplicitous in the attacking. so is the duplicitous in the attacking-— so is the duplicitous in the attackind. ., ., , ., so is the duplicitous in the attackind. ., ., ~' so is the duplicitous in the attackind. ., ., ~ ., attacking. emma, would you like to resond to attacking. emma, would you like to respond to that? _ attacking. emma, would you like to respond to that? that's _ attacking. emma, would you like to respond to that? that's a _ attacking. emma, would you like to respond to that? that's a ridiculous thin to respond to that? that's a ridiculous thing to say — respond to that? that's a ridiculous thing to say that — respond to that? that's a ridiculous thing to say that the _ respond to that? that's a ridiculous thing to say that the whole - respond to that? that's a ridiculous thing to say that the whole left i thing to say that the whole left is against _ thing to say that the whole left is against the — thing to say that the whole left is against the monarchy. _ thing to say that the whole left is against the monarchy. you - thing to say that the whole left is against the monarchy. you havel thing to say that the whole left is| against the monarchy. you have a bunch _ against the monarchy. you have a bunch of— against the monarchy. you have a bunch of mps _ against the monarchy. you have a bunch of mps and _ against the monarchy. you have a bunch of mps and you _ against the monarchy. you have a bunch of mps and you have - against the monarchy. you have a bunch of mps and you have swornj bunch of mps and you have sworn allegiance — bunch of mps and you have sworn allegiance to _ bunch of mps and you have sworn allegiance to his _ bunch of mps and you have sworn allegiance to his majesty, - bunch of mps and you have sworn allegiance to his majesty, how i bunch of mps and you have sworni allegiance to his majesty, how can we possibly— allegiance to his majesty, how can we possibly best _ allegiance to his majesty, how can we possibly best the _ allegiance to his majesty, how can we possibly best the monarchy? i allegiance to his majesty, how can. we possibly best the monarchy? i'm not making — we possibly best the monarchy? i'm not making a — we possibly best the monarchy? i'm not making a generalisation. - we possibly best the monarchy? i'm not making a generalisation. you i not making a generalisation. you are, _ not making a generalisation. you are, you — not making a generalisation. you are, you are _ not making a generalisation. you are. you are-— not making a generalisation. you are, ouare. ., are, you are. those people attacked me. are, you are. those people attacked me- - - - how — are, you are. those people attacked me- howcan— are, you are. those people attacked me. how can you _ are, you are. those people attacked me. how can you know- are, you are. those people attacked me. how can you know that? i. me. how can you know that? i looked at — me. how can you know that? i looked at their _ me. how can you know that? i looked at their twitter _ me. how can you know that? i looked at their twitter profiles i me. how can you know that? i| looked at their twitter profiles and some of— looked at their twitter profiles and some of them are not people who are great _ some of them are not people who are great monarchists.— great monarchists. have you checked the labour party? — great monarchists. have you checked the labour party? you _ great monarchists. have you checked the labour party? you want - great monarchists. have you checked the labour party? you want them i great monarchists. have you checked the labour party? you want them to | the labour party? you want them to lose their title, _ the labour party? you want them to lose their title, how _ the labour party? you want them to lose their title, how to _ the labour party? you want them to lose their title, how to make - the labour party? you want them to lose their title, how to make that i lose their title, how to make that happen? dds, lose their title, how to make that ha en? . , lose their title, how to make that ha en? �* , ., , lose their title, how to make that ha en? . , ., , ., happen? a member from the isle of widht is happen? a member from the isle of wight is bringing — happen? a member from the isle of wight is bringing forward _ happen? a member from the isle of wight is bringing forward a - happen? a member from the isle of wight is bringing forward a bill- wight is bringing forward a bill tom _ wight is bringing forward a bill tom this— wight is bringing forward a bill to... this happen before so there is

a mechanism — to... this happen before so there is a mechanism for it but it has to be parliamentary. i'm sure that won't -et parliamentary. i'm sure that won't get anywhere but ijust hope that that makes the message is clear that we are _ that makes the message is clear that we are fed _ that makes the message is clear that we are fed up of this and actually he just— we are fed up of this and actually he just needs less is more. they complained with a lack of privacy, they moved to the states and now they moved to the states and now they are _ they moved to the states and now they are using every platform of every _ they are using every platform of every media service across the world which _ every media service across the world which seems ironic to me.— which seems ironic to me. all right. we will pause _ which seems ironic to me. all right. we will pause there _ which seems ironic to me. all right. we will pause there as _ which seems ironic to me. all right. we will pause there as we - which seems ironic to me. all right. we will pause there as we are i we will pause there as we are coming up we will pause there as we are coming up to prime minister's questions in a few minutes' time and we might be able to show you inside the chamber. it is the first one of 2023. filling up it is the first one of 2023. filling up nicely there for rishi sunak and keir starmer. we will have my colleague standing by watching proceedings in case there are any dubious or debatable statistics or fax to come up. perish the thought. in terms of less is more, jack, what about this first bm cues? what are your predictions about how this year is going to unfold after the tumult of last year? i

is going to unfold after the tumult of last year?— of last year? i predict it's going to be much _ of last year? i predict it's going to be much more _ of last year? i predict it's going to be much more tedious- of last year? i predict it's going to be much more tedious affair| of last year? i predict it's going i to be much more tedious affair than 2022 with two rather more, i don't want to say boring because it's harsh, but a want to say boring because it's harsh, buta bit want to say boring because it's harsh, but a bit more normal politicians at the dispatch box than the conservative party were providing with us with last year. this sort of unbelievable knock—about is that we may have enjoyed i think is a thing of the past. care versus rishi sunak is not a particularly appetising subject. it's a really appetising subject in particular the analysis that will come after it. watching keir starmer will decide to take the prime minister to tag over? it would be foolish for _ minister to tag over? it would be foolish for me _ minister to tag over? it would be foolish for me to _ minister to tag over? it would be foolish for me to make _ minister to tag over? it would be foolish for me to make a - minister to tag over? it would be i foolish for me to make a prediction but if i was him i would be going in the health service because of the main thing everyone is worried about. yes, ithink main thing everyone is worried about. yes, i think the strikes and health service and about pay any more it's about the state of the nhs which is very dangerous for ministers. which is very dangerous for ministers-— which is very dangerous for ministers. . . , , ministers. and that is the problem for the government. _ ministers. and that is the problem for the government. would - ministers. and that is the problem for the government. would you i ministers. and that is the problem i for the government. would you agree with that? that it will become about

why the conservatives haven't done more pre—pandemic to deal with the health service. iterate more pre-pandemic to deal with the health service.— health service. we have a serious roblem health service. we have a serious problem with _ health service. we have a serious problem with health _ health service. we have a serious problem with health care - health service. we have a serious problem with health care at i health service. we have a serious problem with health care at the i problem with health care at the moment — problem with health care at the moment. there's no point in denying that, _ moment. there's no point in denying that, what— moment. there's no point in denying that, what people complain they can't _ that, what people complain they can't get — that, what people complain they can't get a face—to—face interview of gp_ can't get a face—to—face interview of gp and — can't get a face—to—face interview of gp and yet gps i know are working flat out _ of gp and yet gps i know are working flat out and _ of gp and yet gps i know are working flat out and i— of gp and yet gps i know are working flat out and i met some working six days a _ flat out and i met some working six days a week— flat out and i met some working six days a week before christmas as well and that— days a week before christmas as well and that they are waiting too long for the _ and that they are waiting too long for the operations or treatment in hospital— for the operations or treatment in hospital and why they are paying vast care — hospital and why they are paying vast care fees for people in care homes — vast care fees for people in care homes and _ vast care fees for people in care homes and so many people who cannot -et homes and so many people who cannot get into— homes and so many people who cannot get into care _ homes and so many people who cannot get into care homes who are taking up get into care homes who are taking up the _ get into care homes who are taking up the bed — get into care homes who are taking up the bed so there is a huge problem _ up the bed so there is a huge problem that the prime minister has recognised this and it is the number one priority— recognised this and it is the number one priority along with the cost of living _ one priority along with the cost of living crisis— one priority along with the cost of living crisis at the moment which is the reason — living crisis at the moment which is the reason the extra money is coming in to get— the reason the extra money is coming in to get people out of hospital... it in to get people out of hospital... it has _ in to get people out of hospital... it hasiust— in to get people out of hospital... it hasjust come in. £200 million. emma, do you think that is what keir starmer should go on today? yes and bedun starmer should go on today? yes and begun earlier — starmer should go on today? yes and begun earlier comments _ starmer should go on today? yes and begun earlier comments along - starmer should go on today? yes and begun earlier comments along for- starmer should go on today? yes and j begun earlier comments along for the

day when _ begun earlier comments along for the day when politics— begun earlier comments along for the day when politics is _ begun earlier comments along for the day when politics is boring _ begun earlier comments along for the day when politics is boring again- day when politics is boring again and it— day when politics is boring again and it should _ day when politics is boring again and it should be _ day when politics is boring again and it should be boring - day when politics is boring again and it should be boring and i day when politics is boring again- and it should be boring and serious. i've and it should be boring and serious. i've had _ and it should be boring and serious. i've had enough— and it should be boring and serious. i've had enough of— and it should be boring and serious. i've had enough of all— and it should be boring and serious. i've had enough of all the _ and it should be boring and serious. i've had enough of all the drama i i've had enough of all the drama and all the _ i've had enough of all the drama and all the excitement. _ i've had enough of all the drama and all the excitement. i— i've had enough of all the drama and all the excitement. i wanted - i've had enough of all the drama and all the excitement. i wanted to i i've had enough of all the drama and all the excitement. i wanted to be i all the excitement. i wanted to be boring _ all the excitement. i wanted to be boring and — all the excitement. i wanted to be boring and serious _ all the excitement. i wanted to be boring and serious and _ all the excitement. i wanted to be boring and serious and i— all the excitement. i wanted to be boring and serious and i wanted . all the excitement. i wanted to be| boring and serious and i wanted to crack_ boring and serious and i wanted to crack on _ boring and serious and i wanted to crack on and — boring and serious and i wanted to crack on and do _ boring and serious and i wanted to crack on and do the _ boring and serious and i wanted to crack on and do the job. _ boring and serious and i wanted to crack on and do the job. what - boring and serious and i wanted to crack on and do the job.— crack on and do the 'ob. what did ou of crack on and do the 'ob. what did you of the — crack on and do the 'ob. what did you of the idea _ crack on and do the job. what did you of the idea from _ crack on and do the job. what did you of the idea from the - you of the idea from the shadow health secretary about reforming and abolishing the gp setup that has existed since the second world war of self—employed businesses and partners in practices and nationalising it? i was not enamoured by it and it needs_ i was not enamoured by it and it needs more i was not enamoured by it and it needs more debate i was not enamoured by it and it needs more debate by i was not enamoured by it and it needs more debate by gps i was not enamoured by it and it needs more debate by gps before i was not enamoured by it and it needs more debate by gps before that .oes needs more debate by gps before that goes anywhere — needs more debate by gps before that goes anywhere. you _ needs more debate by gps before that goes anywhere-— needs more debate by gps before that goes anywhere. you would be happy to stick with the — goes anywhere. you would be happy to stick with the service? _ goes anywhere. you would be happy to stick with the service? it _ goes anywhere. you would be happy to stick with the service? it was _ goes anywhere. you would be happy to stick with the service? it was quite - stick with the service? it was quite an eye—catching idea? it is stick with the service? it was quite an eye-catching idea?— an eye-catching idea? it is pretty obvious that _ an eye-catching idea? it is pretty obvious that the _ an eye-catching idea? it is pretty obvious that the shadow - an eye-catching idea? it is pretty obvious that the shadow health | obvious that the shadow health secretary is prepared to think radically in a way that we have not heard the labour party talk about the health service in a long time. i am not clear where the public is on that. the idea that the health service needs reforming is one that people are prepared to accept. the detail of it, i have not seen detailed polling but it certainly

seems it is interesting to see that they are going there but i don't know whether it is there or not. people complain about gps, not being able to get an appointment but not all gps are signed up to the idea of having practices and being self—employed. it is difficult to know where the public are? fit, tat self-employed. it is difficult to know where the public are? a lot of the ublic know where the public are? a lot of the public think _ know where the public are? a lot of the public think gps _ know where the public are? a lot of the public think gps are _ know where the public are? a lot of the public think gps are already - the public think gps are already nationalised. the the public think gps are already nationalised.— the public think gps are already nationalised. the biggest private art of the nationalised. the biggest private part of the health _ nationalised. the biggest private part of the health service? - nationalised. the biggest private part of the health service? when sa'id javid part of the health service? when sajid javid made _ part of the health service? when sajid javid made the _ part of the health service? when sajid javid made the same - part of the health service? when sajid javid made the same proposal when _ sajid javid made the same proposal when he _ sajid javid made the same proposal when he was health secretary, i did enjoy— when he was health secretary, i did enjoy doctor to get across that they might— enjoy doctor to get across that they might be _ enjoy doctor to get across that they might be getting nationalised by the tories _ might be getting nationalised by the tories which is not the way things are. mr speaker, this morning i had a meeting and i shall have further such meetings later today. there are no nhs dentists _ such meetings later today. there are no nhs dentists taking _ such meetings later today. there are no nhs dentists taking on _ such meetings later today. there are no nhs dentists taking on patients . no nhs dentists taking on patients in lancaster and fleetwood and those

constituents of mine are waiting months for an appointment so can i ask the prime minister how long he had to wait for his last nhs dentist appointment. mr speaker, as a result of the new reformed nhs dentistry contact, there are now more nhs dentists across the uk with more funding making sure people get the treatment they need. i am registered with an nhs gp. i have used independent health care in the past. i am also grateful to the hospital for the fantastic care they have given my family over the years. but the truth is, mr speaker, i family over the years. but the truth is, mr speaker, lam proud to family over the years. but the truth is, mr speaker, i am proud to come from an nhs family and that is why i am passionately committed to

protecting it with more funding, more doctors and nurses and a clear plan to cut the waiting lists. you are 24 times _ plan to cut the waiting lists. you are 24 times more _ plan to cut the waiting lists. gm. are 24 times more likely to become a doctor if your parent is a doctor, 17 times more likely to become a lawyer if a parent is a lawyer and there is a lower proportion of disadvantaged young people being admitted to a degree level apprentice ships by up employers thanit apprentice ships by up employers than it degrees by universities so i warmly welcome what my right honourable friend set out last week about education and family but does he agree with me that we also need our universities, employers and professions playing their part to improve social mobility? mr speaker, eve one improve social mobility? mr speaker, everyone should _ improve social mobility? mr speaker, everyone should have _ improve social mobility? mr speaker, everyone should have the _ improve social mobility? mr speaker, everyone should have the opportunity to succeed and my honourable friend is absolutely right that we all have a part to play. that is why i am pleased the social mobility commission is working to provide new information to young people about the opportunities available to them

but also for employers who can also play their part in improving social ability. play their part in improving social abili . . ., ability. the leader of the opposition. _ ability. the leader of the opposition, keir- ability. the leader of the | opposition, keir starmer. ability. the leader of the - opposition, keir starmer. thank ability. the leader of the _ opposition, keir starmer. thank you, mr speaker- — opposition, keir starmer. thank you, mr speaker- in _ opposition, keir starmer. thank you, mr speaker. in the _ opposition, keir starmer. thank you, mr speaker. in the 13 _ opposition, keir starmer. thank you, mr speaker. in the 13 years _ opposition, keir starmer. thank you, mr speaker. in the 13 years of- opposition, keir starmer. thank you, mr speaker. in the 13 years of the - mr speaker. in the 13 years of the last labour government, there were no national nhs strikes. if the prime minister had negotiated with the nurses before christmas, they would not be on strike. if he had negotiated with the ambulance workers, they would not be on strike either. so, why is he choosing to prolong the misery rather than end these strikes? mr prolong the misery rather than end these strikes?— prolong the misery rather than end these strikes? mr speaker, we have alwa s these strikes? mr speaker, we have always been — these strikes? mr speaker, we have always been clear _ these strikes? mr speaker, we have always been clear that _ these strikes? mr speaker, we have always been clear that we _ these strikes? mr speaker, we have always been clear that we want - these strikes? mr speaker, we have always been clear that we want to l always been clear that we want to have constructive dialogue with the unions. that is also why, when it comes to the issue of pay, we have accepted in full the independent recommendations of the pay review bodies. the honourable gentleman simply does not have a policy when it comes to this question. if he

wants, he talks about wanting to end the strikes, the question for him is simple, why does he not support our minimum safety legislation? we all know why, it is because he is on the side of his union paymasters, not patients. side of his union paymasters, not atients. ~ . . , , side of his union paymasters, not atients. ~ . . ,, ., , , patients. when i clapped for nurses, i meant patients. when i clapped for nurses, i meant it- — patients. when i clapped for nurses, i meant it. his _ patients. when i clapped for nurses, i meant it. his response _ patients. when i clapped for nurses, i meant it. his response to - patients. when i clapped for nurses, i meant it. his response to the - i meant it. his response to the greatest crisis in the history of the nhs is to threaten to sack our nurses. his transport secretary says it is not the solution. his education secretary hopes it will not apply in schools and his own assessment says it could increase the number of strikes. the simple truth is, you cannot legislate your way out of 13 years of failure. between 2010 and 2019, before anyone had heard of covid—19, number of people stuck on nhs waiting lists

doubled. white you patients always wait longer under the tories? this is the new year. _ wait longer under the tories? this is the new year. i _ wait longer under the tories? this is the new year. i want to start off with a _ is the new year. i want to start off with a refreshed chamber, but certainly— with a refreshed chamber, but certainly not by interruption. prime minister? _ certainly not by interruption. prime minister? mr certainly not by interruption. prime minister? ~ .~ certainly not by interruption. prime minister? ~ .~ . . minister? mr speaker, he talks about the minimum — minister? mr speaker, he talks about the minimum safety _ minister? mr speaker, he talks about the minimum safety legislation, - minister? mr speaker, he talks about the minimum safety legislation, that| the minimum safety legislation, that of talk about it further. this is a simple proposition, that no one denies the unions freedom to strike but it is also important to balance that with people's right to have access to life—saving care at the same time. mr speaker, this should not be controversial. this should not be controversial. this should not be controversial. this should not be controversial, the international labour organisation supports minimum service levels. they are present in france, italy, spain. normally he is in favour of more european alignment, why not

now? mr more european alignment, why not now? ~ ,,, ., ~' more european alignment, why not now? ~ ,,, . ~ . ., more european alignment, why not now? ~ ,, , ., ~' ., ., ., now? mr speaker, i have gone from cla -|n~ now? mr speaker, i have gone from clapping and — now? mr speaker, i have gone from clapping and nurses _ now? mr speaker, i have gone from clapping and nurses to sacking - now? mr speaker, i have gone from clapping and nurses to sacking the l clapping and nurses to sacking the nurses, it is that simple. and to add insult to injury, they are the cause of the crisis. his government commissioned a report on waiting times and he knows this, his own report says this is not a covid—19 problem, it is ten years of managed decline. as a result, 7.2 million people are now waiting for treatment. he says he wants to be held to account over that so let us be very clear, is his promise merely to get those numbers back to where they were before covid—19, that is 4.6 million, or back to where labour had them in 2010, almost half of that. ~ . . ~ had them in 2010, almost half of that. ~ . , ~ that. which is it? mr speaker, auain, that. which is it? mr speaker, again. let _ that. which is it? mr speaker, again. let us _ that. which is it? mr speaker, again, let us start _ that. which is it? mr speaker, again, let us start with - that. which is it? mr speaker, again, let us start with the - that. which is it? mr speaker, i again, let us start with the facts. the honourable gentleman seems to completely ignore the fact that not

just in england, but in scotland and in wales and in many other european countries, covid—19 has had an extraordinary impact on health services. we have a very clear plan to bring the waiting lists down and it is one that the nhs supports but i tell you what the nhs does not need, but they don't need is labour�*s idea... what they don't need is labour�*s only idea, which is for another completely disruptive top—down, underfunded, reorganisation, buying out every single gp contract. these are not my words, mr speaker, the ceo of the nuffield trust said it will cost a fortune and it is out of date. just like the labour party. mr speaker, so, he like the labour party. mr speaker, so. he cannot _ like the labour party. mr speaker, so, he cannot tell _ like the labour party. mr speaker, so, he cannot tell us _ like the labour party. mr speaker, so, he cannot tell us how- like the labour party. mr speaker, so, he cannot tell us how much . like the labour party. mr speaker, so, he cannot tell us how much hej so, he cannot tell us how much he will reduce waiting lists by, or

when. s0 will reduce waiting lists by, or when. so much for accountability that he wants. as ever with this prime minister, you scratch the surface and you find there is nothing there. last month, 1.4 million people waited more than four weeks for a gp appointment. when labour led government, you're guaranteed an appointment in two days. when does the prime minister expect to get back to that? mr seaker, expect to get back to that? mr speaker, when it comes to waiting lists, we have already eliminated two—year wait lists from last year. we are on track this spring to eliminate those waiting 18 months, with a clear plan to go further, to eliminate those waiting 52 weeks by next spring and we are doing that with record funding, more community diagnostic centres, more surgical hubs and more patient choice. that is why i have made tackling waiting lists one of my five priorities but

what are his? they seem to change every single week. at first he was again nhs outsourcing. now he is apparently in favour of it. he is inconsistent, unprincipled... apparently in favour of it. he is inconsistent, unprincipled. .. order! order! can — inconsistent, unprincipled. .. order! order! can i— inconsistent, unprincipled. .. order! order! can ijust _ inconsistent, unprincipled. .. order! order! can ijust remind _ inconsistent, unprincipled. .. order! order! can ijust remind the - inconsistent, unprincipled. .. order! order! can ijust remind the prime l order! can ijust remind the prime minister. — order! can ijust remind the prime minister. it— order! can ijust remind the prime minister, it is prime minster's questions _ minister, it is prime minster's questions. keir starmer? | minister, it is prime minster's questions. keir starmer? i heard the prime minister _ questions. keir starmer? i heard the prime minister saying _ questions. keir starmer? i heard the prime minister saying he _ questions. keir starmer? i heard the prime minister saying he is - questions. keir starmer? i heard the prime minister saying he is now - prime minister saying he is now registered with an nhs doctor, so he will soon enjoy the experience of waiting on hold every morning at 8am to get a gp appointment. i can tell him that those that are waiting now don't want another round of empty promises or boasting about what he has done. theyjust want promises or boasting about what he has done. they just want to promises or boasting about what he has done. theyjust want to know when they will be able to see a doctor. this is notjust about routine care. there can be nothing terrifying than to be told you may have cancer. that is why the last

labour government brought in a guarantee to be seen by a specialist within two weeks. today, 50,000 people are waiting longer than that. 50,000. everyone in this house will appreciate the anxiety they are feeling. so, when will cancer patients once again get the certainty of quicker care that they got under a labour government cosmic? ~ , . got under a labour government cosmic? ~ , , . got under a labour government cosmic? , , . cosmic? why is there a challenge with cancer— cosmic? why is there a challenge with cancer times _ cosmic? why is there a challenge with cancer times right _ cosmic? why is there a challenge with cancer times right now? - cosmic? why is there a challenge with cancer times right now? i i cosmic? why is there a challenge | with cancer times right now? i will tell you, ijust have no understanding of the situation, what happened to cancer referrals during covid—19? they went down by almost two thirds, mr speaker. that was because of a pandemic, that they went down and by the way, if we had stayed and listened to him, we would still be in lockdown and there would be even more waiting. right now, there are record levels of cancer treatment as we catch up with those mr things but he talks about what is

terrifying. what is terrifying is right now, people not knowing whether, when they call 999, they will get the treatment that they need. mr speaker, in australia and canada and the us, they are banned strikes on the blue light services. we are not doing that, all we are saying is that in these emergency services, patients should be able to rely on a basic level of life—saving care. why is he against that, mr speaker? care. why is he against that, mr seaker? . care. why is he against that, mr seaker? , ., . speaker? there is not a minimum level of service _ speaker? there is not a minimum level of service because _ speaker? there is not a minimum level of service because they - speaker? there is not a minimumj level of service because they have broken the nhs. he is not promising that people will get to see a doctor in a few days, like they did under labour. he is not promising that cancer patients will get urgent treatment, as they did under labour. he has not even promising an nhs that puts patients first, like it did under labour. no, he is

promising that the one day, although he cannot say when, the record waiting lists. growing. that is it. after 13 years in government, what does it say that the best they can offer is that at some point, they might stop making things worse. mr speaker, when it comes to the nhs, it is crystal—clear. the conservatives are on the side of the patients, labour on the side of their union paymasters. i have laid out my priorities for the country. waiting lists, down, innovation, down, growth, up. all he does is flit from one thing to another and thatis flit from one thing to another and that is the difference between him and me. he is focused on the petty politics, i am delivering for britain.

on behalf of my constituents, i would like to thank all of the health and social care board in cornwall for all of the hard work they are doing and in a particular different winter. in cornwall we don't get any respite because everybody comes to cornwall for their holidays, which is brilliant, so there is no respite in the summer or winterfor so there is no respite in the summer or winter for our so there is no respite in the summer or winterfor our health so there is no respite in the summer or winter for our health and social care board. in addition to that, when we are trying to recruit people into social care, which is a vocation, there is... they are competing with hospitality and i would like to ask my right honourable friend whether he is aware of these extra challenges but places like cornwall face with recruitment. mr; places like cornwall face with recruitment.— places like cornwall face with recruitment. g ., ., , recruitment. my honourable friend is absolutely right _ recruitment. my honourable friend is absolutely right to _ recruitment. my honourable friend is absolutely right to shine _ recruitment. my honourable friend is absolutely right to shine a _ absolutely right to shine a spotlight and i share with her and i'm incredibly proud of all our social care workers and the commitment they have to their profession and that is why many of them will benefit this spring from

an almost 10% increase in the national living wage, putting an extra £600 in their payslips but also, we want to make sure they feel valued with professional development training and career progression in the half £1 billion investment and we will do that for hers and other workers. haste we will do that for hers and other workers. ~ ., _, ., . workers. we now come to the leader ofthe workers. we now come to the leader of the snp- — workers. we now come to the leader of the snp- mr _ workers. we now come to the leader of the snp. mr speaker, _ workers. we now come to the leader of the snp. mr speaker, the - workers. we now come to the leader of the snp. mr speaker, the longest| of the snp. mr speaker, the longest and deepest — of the snp. mr speaker, the longest and deepest recession _ of the snp. mr speaker, the longest and deepest recession in _ of the snp. mr speaker, the longest and deepest recession in the - of the snp. mr speaker, the longest and deepest recession in the entire. and deepest recession in the entire g7, brexit, 13 years of tory rule. the energy price crisis, inflation and interest rates. if the people of scotland are to do the maths, as the prime minister so hopes, will he not come to the conclusion that this union simply does not add up? i am union simply does not add up? i am leased union simply does not add up? i am pleased the — union simply does not add up? i am pleased the other _ union simply does not add up? i am pleased the other much of the brought up energy and he is right to do that because energy, when it comes to the economy, is incredibly important to scotland boss mick

energy and scotland will play a fantastic part to help us transition to zero but what we do now know is that the scottish government don't want to support scottish energy industry and the 200,000 jobs it produces. i am industry and the 200,000 jobs it produces. lam keen industry and the 200,000 jobs it produces. i am keen to work with the scottish government to support the north sea because it is something we are proud of in the uk. it north sea because it is something we are proud of in the uk.— are proud of in the uk. if you want to talk about _ are proud of in the uk. if you want to talk about the _ are proud of in the uk. if you want to talk about the fact _ are proud of in the uk. if you want to talk about the fact that - are proud of in the uk. if you want| to talk about the fact that scotland is energy rich but fuel per one westminster�*s watch, i am more than happy to do so but for today, let us reflect upon numbers and in particular, those numbers which were shown a light on some coats, those in relation to the prime minister's favourite potential successor, which showed over the course of four months, from four speeches, he raked in an excess of £1 million. does the prime minister not find it utterly perverse that senior members of the conservative party are feathering their nests in this way whilst at their nests in this way whilst at the same time seeking to deny what

working people the opportunity to strike for fair pay? mr working people the opportunity to strike for fair pay?— strike for fair pay? mr speaker, i don't think— strike for fair pay? mr speaker, i don't think we _ strike for fair pay? mr speaker, i don't think we need _ strike for fair pay? mr speaker, i don't think we need to _ strike for fair pay? mr speaker, i don't think we need to talk - strike for fair pay? mr speaker, i j don't think we need to talk about our predecessors. i remember, i think it was one of his predecessors that did indeed work for russia today if i am not mistaken. what i would say is, he talks about the priorities. yesterday, the snp spent time talking about independence when at a time we should be talking about delivering for the people of the uk, focusing on theirjobs, improving the nhs across the uk. that is what i want to talk to the scottish government about and i hope they will work with me to do that. the conservative _ will work with me to do that. tie: conservative governments have a proud record of supporting the uk still industry so can i thank my right honourable friend for the work he has already done for steel. he

will know that steel is a vital strategic industry that is essential for everything we do, from defence to growth, so can i ask him, but he do everything he can to ensure that we are always able to make steel in this country? does he agree with me that steel is always safest under a conservative government? mr speaker, my honourable — conservative government? mr speaker, my honourable friend _ conservative government? mr speaker, my honourable friend is _ conservative government? mr speaker, my honourable friend is a _ conservative government? mr speaker, my honourable friend is a fantastic- my honourable friend is a fantastic champion for the steel industry and this government remains committed to a fair, thriving steel industry and thatis a fair, thriving steel industry and that is why i support the £800 million in relief for ella kristy kottis and still companies that are eligible to bid for up to £1.5 billion in capital grants to speak their transition to net zero production. i their transition to net zero production-— their transition to net zero roduction. . , ., production. i am sure the whole house joins _ production. i am sure the whole house joins me _ production. i am sure the whole house joins me in _ production. i am sure the whole house joins me in wishing - production. i am sure the whole house joins me in wishing the l production. i am sure the whole i house joins me in wishing the best housejoins me in wishing the best to gareth bale, the former captain of the soccer team who has been a national inspiration and took wales to the football world cup. this tory

government attacks a dedicated health and ambulance staff but disruption from strikes is as nothing, nothing, compared with the chronic disruption caused everyday by their 13 years butchering of health budgets. meanwhile, labour's health secretary in wales follows the tory playbook, blaming patients themselves for the standards of their health. but the reality is this, help services in wales suffer from a combination of mismanagement by labour and from a combination of mismanagement by labourand a from a combination of mismanagement by labour and a westminster funding system which perpetuates poverty. you cannot go on forever. prime minister? _ you cannot go on forever. prime minister? mr— you cannot go on forever. prime minister? mr speaker, - you cannot go on forever. prime minister? mr speaker, that - you cannot go on forever. prime minister? mr speaker, that me | minister? mr speaker, that me joining the other lady is a

southampton fan, gareth bale is a hero of mine and i wish him well but when it comes to funding wales, it is as a result of funding from bernard the welsh government receives around more funding than the nhs in england but also £1.2 billion of extra funding as a result of the autumn statement. this is not about political point scoring, the nhs is under pressure in wales as it is in scotland and england. in large part because of the impact of the global pandemic and she would do well to recognise that.— well to recognise that. unlike arties well to recognise that. unlike parties opposite, _ well to recognise that. unlike parties opposite, including i well to recognise that. unlikel parties opposite, including the well to recognise that. unlike - parties opposite, including the snp and even the memberfor aberdeen south, i know my right honourable friend supports, or recognises the critical role that oil and gas companies and their employees critically have, not only providing energy and security, but delivering in the transition to net zero. can he confirm that this government's ongoing commitment to expanding on

utilisation and storage capacity and can he provide an update on the track to sequencing? mr; can he provide an update on the track to sequencing? my honourable friend is a fantastic _ track to sequencing? my honourable friend is a fantastic champion - track to sequencing? my honourable friend is a fantastic champion and i friend is a fantastic champion and campaignerfor this project. we will invest up to £1 billion to establish carbon capture and storage in four industrial clusters by 2030. we very much recognise the benefits of the scottish cluster and the role it can play in decarbonisation and we are progressing our track and will set out further details in due course. the times recent reported that schools across the uk are in crisis as the effect of online influencer infiltrates our classrooms. teachers are developing their own resources to educate boys who are being brainwashed online. the prime minister has been too slow to recognise the damage this is causing. what is he doing to tackle this misogyny, this insult culture

and the radicalisation of young men in this country and will he commit to giving the teachers resources they need to address this problem on? ~ . ., on? with regard to funding, we announced _ on? with regard to funding, we announced in _ on? with regard to funding, we announced in the _ on? with regard to funding, we announced in the autumn - on? with regard to funding, we - announced in the autumn statement, £2 billion of extra funding for our schools but i am also proud that this government has introduced the world leading safety bill which specifically improves protections for children and puts brain strict obligations and penalties on tech companies for enforcing them. the buildin: a companies for enforcing them. tie: building a brighter future project building a brighterfuture project in torbay hospital was the single biggest investment since the nhs was founded in 1948. can he assure me the government's commitment to it remains unchanged? mr; the government's commitment to it remains unchanged? my honourable friend is a fantastic _ remains unchanged? my honourable friend is a fantastic champion - remains unchanged? my honourable friend is a fantastic champion for - friend is a fantastic champion for his local hospital. i am pleased to say that the new hospital scheme for torbay is part of our planet to deliver dozens more hospitals by 2030. we remain committed to the

delivery of that new hospital and i am pleased that his trust or talking to the new hospital programme team about how to progress those plans. taxpayers are set to lose tens of billions of pounds after the transfer of valuable public assets to two teesside businessmen because of and transparent procurement process and a relative of one of those people is now benefiting from millions of pounds worth of scrap from this. when the prime minister lodge an inquiry into these contracts and whilst he is at it, tell his environment secretary to get serious about the environmental disaster of the teesside as the honourable gentleman will already be aware, defra already carried out, hence of investigation. thea;r hence of investigation. they considered _ hence of investigation. they considered everything - hence of investigation. they considered everything robustly and concluded that natural causes was

most likely responsible for some of the things we saw but we recognise people want a thorough investigation of this issue and defra have confirmed that an independent panel will be set up to report quickly. labour control bradford council continually neglect the needs of bingley and other parts of my constituency as they pour all of their money into their inner city heartlands. therefore my constituents look to the government in order to put right their feelings. that is why the levelling up feelings. that is why the levelling up fund is so important. so, when the prime minister insist that the levelling up fund for bingley, which has been submitted and will also unlock many millions of pounds of private sector investment, will he insist that that bid is successful insist that that bid is successful in the announcement is made in your future? ~' . ,., _, . future? unlike the labour council, my honourable — future? unlike the labour council, my honourable friend _ future? unlike the labour council, my honourable friend is _ future? unlike the labour council, my honourable friend is a - future? unlike the labour council, | my honourable friend is a fantastic champion for his constituents in bingley, as i have told him

previously. i cannot comment on individual bids but i wish him every success and will be following with close interest how it proceeds. does the prime minister _ close interest how it proceeds. tire" the prime minister believe that over 40,000 interactions either social media, e—mail or letter regarding the poor customer service and working conditions at the delivery company, tamas kadar every, once an investigation by the relevant government department. his minister in a beige think not but i'm sure the prime minister would want the general public to believe that he at least is implicit enough in this problem to take action. i least is implicit enough in this problem to take action.- least is implicit enough in this problem to take action. i am aware that other governments _ problem to take action. i am aware that other governments have - problem to take action. i am aware l that other governments have looked into this issue and are currently considering the matter at hand and i would be happy to write to her when we learn more about the situation. does the prime minister agree that the right way to secure the best

future for the british people is to deliver on the people's priorities and secure a strong economy? will he confirm that he will not make any unfunded spending commitments which would rack up billions of debt as the party opposite have done in the last week. mr; the party opposite have done in the last week. g . , , last week. my unable friend is absolutely _ last week. my unable friend is absolutely right. _ last week. my unable friend is absolutely right. if— last week. my unable friend is absolutely right. if we - last week. my unable friend is absolutely right. if we want i last week. my unable friend is absolutely right. if we want to safeguard the future of our public services and make sure that our young people inherit a strong economy, we must be disciplined on spending and borrowing. she is absolutely right about new and offending spending commits, unlike the party opposite, £90 billion of unfunded spending commitments. it is the same labour party, they always run out of other people's money. less than half of wakefield's children managed to see an nhs dentist last year. one of my constituents�*s 6—year—old daughter

has never seen an nhs dentist. she has never seen an nhs dentist. she has ten teeth which are black with decay and is often crying with pain. her father feels helpless, he decay and is often crying with pain. herfatherfeels helpless, he has called every dentist in wakefield for a place but has not managed to secure one. over two to 5% of five—year—olds in wakefield already have visible to the decay so when will the prime minister stop to the ring and take action to address our national dental emergency? i am ring and take action to address our national dental emergency? i am very sor to national dental emergency? i am very sorry to hear — national dental emergency? i am very sorry to hear about _ national dental emergency? i am very sorry to hear about the _ national dental emergency? i am very sorry to hear about the case _ national dental emergency? i am very sorry to hear about the case raised i sorry to hear about the case raised by the honourable gentleman. i would be happy to look into that specific one more closely but as i said in answer to an earlier question, we have recently reformed the nhs dentistry contract and more millions of money and more dentists which should make a difference around the country but i will write to him on this case. ., , , , , this case. the other guy supports 90,000 scottish _ this case. the other guy supports 90,000 scottish jobs _ this case. the other guy supports 90,000 scottish jobs but - this case. the other guy supports i 90,000 scottish jobs but yesterday nicola sturgeon's government published plans calling for as fast

a possible shutdown of the industry. these plans are naive and reckless and were previously described by the snp leader in this house is crazy, so when the prime minister reaffirmed his support for scotland's oil and gas workers and the future of our industry? mr; the future of our industry? my honourable friend is absolutely right, we know that we will have to rely on hydrocarbons for decades to come as we transition to net zero. consuming oil and gas from the north sea means less than half the carbon footprint of important that same oil and gas, which is obviously making sense to do it here and in the process, support tens of thousands of jobs process, support tens of thousands ofjobs in scotland so i can reassure him that the scottish oil and gas industry has this government's wholehearted support. the tory crisis in the nhs includes ophthalmology, the largest and

biggest outpatient service. there are more than 650,000 people waiting to see an eye care specialist. will the prime minister back my bill calling for a national eye health strategy that would ensure that nobody waiting to see a specialist will go without and potentially, lead to a complete loss of sight? i lead to a complete loss of sight? i think the honourable lady for her campaigning in this area and we are taking action to improve things. over the past five years, the national and carey research has invested over 100 main pounds to support research into eye conditions but i know that there is more we can do and my honourable friend, the minister, i believe is sitting down to talk to the lady in due course. i to talk to the lady in due course. i and others met with the son ofjimmy lai who languishes in prison, the x owner... i remind my honourable

friend that he is a british citizen and a british passport holder and he now faces a trial at the end of the yearin now faces a trial at the end of the year in which he could be incarcerated under the new national security laws for life. for what? for publishing truth to power. when my right honourable friend play is now direct the rest of this government, and particularly the foreign office, to warn the chinese government that if they persist with this he and alongside the americans who have already done this, we'll threaten that the use of common law in hong kong will be taken away. mr speaker, my right honourable friend speaks with authority on this issue and i thank him for his continued engagement on this critical issue. he knows the actions we have taken with regard to hong kong, not least providing refuge for hundreds of thousands of people here and being robust and standing up what we believe to be chinese aggression and indeed the undermining of the settlement that we fought so hard to achieve. he is my absolute assurance and i will continue to remain

engaged in robustness and i look forward to sitting down with him to discuss this issue in more detail as soon as possible. hath discuss this issue in more detail as soon as possible.— soon as possible. half of british women and _ soon as possible. half of british women and a — soon as possible. half of british women and a fifth _ soon as possible. half of british women and a fifth of _ soon as possible. half of british women and a fifth of men - soon as possible. half of british women and a fifth of men have| soon as possible. half of british - women and a fifth of men have been sexually harassed at work or a place of study and the government's figures show that 41% of the said perpetrators face no consequences. thanks to cross party and government support, and us by a private members bill which is passed committee stage will bring about a culture change to protect workers from harassment and sexual harassment, both for fellow employees and third party individuals. will the prime minister joined me in celebrating the cross—party work on this important change in the law and by personally supporting its aims and objectives and ensuring its safe continued passage through this parliament? i passage through this parliament? i thank the honourable lady for her important work on this issue and sexual harassment has absolutely no place in the workplace and everyone should be able to feel safe at work.

we need to make sure that legislation does not have unintended consequences but i know she is meeting with my right honourable friend the ministerfor meeting with my right honourable friend the minister for women and equalities discuss the bill further and i look forward to hearing the progress on that meeting. does the prime minister _ progress on that meeting. does the prime minister agree _ progress on that meeting. does the prime minister agree with - progress on that meeting. does the prime minister agree with me - progress on that meeting. does the prime minister agree with me that l prime minister agree with me that the disgusting anti—semitic, anti—vaccine conspiracy theories that have been promulgated online this morning are not only deeply offensive anti—scientific and have no place in this house or in a wider society? no place in this house or in a wider socie ? ~ .. ., completely condemning those kinds of common that we saw this morning in the strongest possible terms? obviously, it is unacceptable to make linkages and use language like that and i'm determined at the scourge of anti—semitism is eradicated and has absolutely no place in our society and i know that

the previous years have been challenging for the jewish the previous years have been challenging for thejewish community challenging for the jewish community and challenging for thejewish community and enabling them to experience anything that ever again.- and enabling them to experience anything that ever again. thank you, mr speaker- — anything that ever again. thank you, mr speaker- mr— anything that ever again. thank you, mr speaker. mr speaker, _ anything that ever again. thank you, mr speaker. mr speaker, and - mr speaker. mr speaker, and 95—year—old constituent of mine spent 41 hours in a&e. when will the prime instrument of the nhs is collapsing because of 13 years of underfunding and do something about it instead of blaming the nurses striking to save it? mr it instead of blaming the nurses striking to save it?— it instead of blaming the nurses striking to save it? mr speaker, i am very sorry — striking to save it? mr speaker, i am very sorry to _ striking to save it? mr speaker, i am very sorry to hear— striking to save it? mr speaker, i am very sorry to hear about - striking to save it? mr speaker, i am very sorry to hear about the i am very sorry to hear about the experience of the elderly constituent that the honourable lady raised and my sympathies go out to her but this is not about blaming anybody, this is about recognising that the nhs, whether in scotland, whether in wales, where it is run by the labour party are here in england is facing pressure as we recover from the pandemic. the right thing to do is to have a clear plan in place to work with doctors and nurses and to ease the pressure and

that's what we are focused on doing and that's what our plans will deliver. . . ., , , deliver. that completes prime minister's _ deliver. that completes prime minister's questions. - deliver. that completes prime minister's questions. we'll i deliver. that completes prime | minister's questions. we'lljust deliver. that completes prime i minister's questions. we'lljust let the chamber clear. studio: that was prime minister's questions. the strikes were the subject of the questions from keir starmer to rishi sunak and just to pick up on that last question from matt hancock about andrew bridgen. he has been suspended as a conservative mp after comparing the covid vaccine run out of the holocaust on twitter so matt hancock put that to rishi sunak condemned what andrew bridgen had said in that tweet. there has been a swift response to it with the chief whip simon hart, who was in charge of party discipline, saying andrew bridgen has crossed the line causing offence in the process and the whip has been removed from andrew bridgen

with immediate effect and pending a formal investigation. our political correspondent gave us this update. i don't think this has come as much of a surprise to a couple of people here in westminster. his comments about covid and about covid vaccines had been attracting a lot of criticism from across the political spectrum really over the last couple of days. certainly his comment today was not the first time that he had been posting criticism of the covid vaccine roll—out and conspiracy theories. but his one today drew particular criticism as he compared the covid vaccine roll—out to the holocaust. now, that was condemned both by opposition mps, but also conservative mp, like the former cabinet minister simon clarke, who said that the comments were disgraceful. in response to that comment today, we have had confirmation from simon hart, the chief whip, who is in charge of conservative party discipline and welfare, saying that he has had the conservative mp conservative whip removed, meaning he will now sit as an independent mp. and in doing so, simon hart said that not only had his comments

caused great offence, but that covid vaccine misinformation costs lives. today in england and wales, thousands of paramedics are walking out for the second time this winter in a dispute over pay. nhs bosses have warned that the impact of today's strike is likely to be worse than that of the strike held before christmas, as call handlers and ambulance dispatchers are also walking out. but union leaders insist life—and—limb cover will be provided. with all the latest, here's gareth barlow. it's the second walk—out by ambulance staff this winter. workers, including paramedics, emergency care assistants, ambulance technicians, other 999 crew and control room staff across england and wales, are striking over pay, with nhs managers warning this round of action will be more severe than the last. more than 20,000 ambulance workers across england and wales are due to walk out. only the east of england ambulance service and the isle of wight nhs

trust are unaffected. the strike will involve all staff, including paramedics and call handlers who are unison or gmb members. between them, the two unions represent about two thirds of ambulance workers. some of the walk—outs started at midnight, but the duration and scale of disruption will vary across different parts of england and wales. services in scotland and northern ireland are unaffected. and where walk—outs do take place, category1 calls for immediately life—threatening emergencies, such as cardiac arrest, will be covered. but not every emergency in the next category down will receive an ambulance response. our main focus is making sure that those people who have life—threatening illnesses have safe services, and that's why i am confident in saying to the public, ring 999. that is the most important message i can give. there will be disruption on the strike day. that is going to be inevitable. and so if you don't have a life—threatening illness,

but you need an ambulance, your call handler may advise you that you may have to wait longer than normal for an ambulance, or that you may have to make your own way to hospital. despite those reassurances, the government has warned that a national deal to agree a minimum level of cover hasn't been agreed, with crews already struggling to respond on time to calls for emergencies such as heart attacks and strokes. ambulance staff, along with other nhs workers, have been offered a pay rise averaging 4.75%. but unions want an above inflation pay increase, saying that low wages are contributing to staffing issues across the service. it's fundamentally about pay, but it's about pay and the impact it has on service. so yes, we see some progress, but we haven't had an offer, we haven't had anything in writing yet, and we need to have that. despite the strikes, the vital message to the public is, if it is a critical, life—threatening emergency, do still call 999.

gareth barlow, bbc news. secondary schools are closed in scotland today as teachers take part in industrial action in a dispute over pay. it follows a strike by primary schools teachers yesterday, also over pay. scotland's education secretary has said she would leave "no stone unturned" to reach a speedy resolution. our scotland correspondent lorna gordon reports. chanting: we want 10%, - to pay the bills and pay the rent! out on strike again, these teachers are clear about what they want. they say they'd rather be in the classroom but feel they have no choice but to pick up placards instead. i feel very strongly about it. i don't want to be here. i want to be in teaching, i want the kids to be in learning, but it's been left to this. we can't do anything else. i've taught for 32 years, and this is the first time i've ever been out on strike, so it's not easy. it's not easy for the teachers, it's not easy for the parents. i'm a parent myself. families across scotland have been left feeling the impact of the strike,

with primary schools closed yesterday and secondaries today. i think it's a complete carry on. i think the kids' education was ruined enough with covid, and i just think that it's ridiculous that they are putting the kids through this again. i get that they want more money, but i think there should be another way they can do it, they can go about it, where it's not causing an issue to the kids' education. who do you hold responsible? the government. but nicola sturgeon insists the scottish government is doing all it can to resolve this dispute. she also says she is against any westminster legislation curbing the right to strike. fundamentally oppose that legislation, and the snp will oppose it very, very vigorously at westminster. the offer that is on the table now, it is affordable within the finite resources that the scottish government has. not so, insist the unions. even as all sides agree that children's education shouldn't suffer.

counter terrorism police are investigating how scrap metal containing traces of uranium arrived at london's heathrow airport last month. the bbc understands that one line of inquiry is whether it was the result of "poor handling" in pakistan — which is where it came from. our home affairs correspondent daniel sandford told me what we know so far. it's been described to me as a very, very small amount that was essentially contaminating this load of scrap metal. so if people visualize uranium as being some thing that travels around in a specialist case and is being used eitherfor nuclear weapons or nuclear power plants, it wasn't that it was a tiny, tiny bit of contamination on this bit of scrap metal which had arrived from pakistan. it came in on the 29th of december, and i suppose reassuringly the detection systems at heathrow did pick it up. i mean, the worrying thing is obviously that if someone was smuggling highly radioactive material into the country, that would be of great concern because of the risk of a dirty bomb

or some other kind of contamination, that there would be concerns if a radioactive material was being moved around the world without the proper controls which are in place. and also, there is a concern, obviously, for those people who are on the plane on which this was travelling and the people who are doing the ground handling of the cargo. and quite a lot of work has been done on that. i understand. and it looks as if there isn't any any public health concern about any effects people might suffer from this bit of uranium, because i think, frankly, it was such a small amount and it was a good distance away from the way the passengers were and the ground handlers were. so where does the investigation go now? well, the key thing at the moment is to try and work out whether this was a deliberate bit of smuggling of radioactive material. my understanding is that isn't really the main line of inquiry. the main thought is that that this was something that had been badly handled in pakistan. some contamination had happened in pakistan, and then against everyone's knowledge it

then travelled to the uk and that is sort of the main line of inquiry. but the investigation isn't over, so that can obviously change as the investigation proceeds and something more worrying could arise. but i think at this point it's almost a slightly reassuring story that a the detection systems worked and b, it doesn't look as if somebody was trying to smuggle in radioactive material. leaders of rail unions say a resolution to their ongoing dispute over pay, conditions and jobs is a long way off. however, rail company bosses say they are more optimistic about the prospect of a deal. mps have been questioning bosses from the rmt, aslef and tssa unions this morning — as well as representatives from network rail and the rail delivery group. they union leaders were asked by the chair of the transport committee about the current state of the dispute. let's say, on a scale of one to ten, whereas one, you remain

on different planets, ten, i can go out and buy a hat for the wedding. where are we? mr whelan? thank you, chair. i think you can include zero on one to ten. we are further away than when we started. that's clear. mrward? i wouldn't disagree with that. 0k. mr lynch? i wouldn't be able to say, depends on discussions. i wouldn't use a scale, but we haven't got an agreement and until we get an agreement we are not close to it, really. rail bosses were also asked a similar question about the chances of a resolution with the unions. at rmt i believe that we have an opportunity to try and move forward. so i think we're within reasonable areas of where i think we can get a deal, but we have to work through it with them, obviously, as it was indicated, as further discussions tomorrow. so obviously we wait and see the outcome of that. tssa, in a very similar position where we'll get further discussions

tomorrow as there is slightly different where we have been further behind with eyes live. obviously we made the 0p last friday. we've heard the reaction of aslef. we need to do more with them and try and get back around the table so that one is probably farther behind the other to this moment. take ten for the tssa and unite, which is which are part of the same negotiating group for because they're resolved. and that's good news. and the most those members of staff have now had that money for the controllers grade group. and as soon as we can resolve with rmt then then that will resolve those two unions. for rmt, we, 36% of the members that are employees voted yes for the deal. so we're a bit short of the 50% that we need. there's a couple of thousand people that need to change their vote. so we met again with with the rmt leadership yesterday for discussions and we're planning to

meet again next week. so, you know, i'm, i'd place that at seven. mps also asked about proposals to introduce more driver only operated trains, where services do not have guards on board. union leaders said that was a red line for them. we will never sign up to accepting that deal will never happen while in the general secretary and will never happen as long as the rmt exists. train drivers to do it hated and feared — train drivers to do it hated and feared as— train drivers to do it hated and feared as unsafe and we feel a unsafe — feared as unsafe and we feel a unsafe. priorto feared as unsafe and we feel a unsafe. prior to the feared as unsafe and we feel a unsafe. priorto the pandemic feared as unsafe and we feel a unsafe. prior to the pandemic and the whole — unsafe. prior to the pandemic and the whole industry is moving in a different— the whole industry is moving in a different direction on all the travelling public, that was all refocused and everyone is a safe presence — refocused and everyone is a safe presence on every train. we have seen _ presence on every train. we have seen sexual— presence on every train. we have seen sexual assaults increase and a railway— seen sexual assaults increase and a railway about a lot and we have a countdown — railway about a lot and we have a countdown is on drugs and areas where _ countdown is on drugs and areas where people refuse to move at certain — where people refuse to move at certain times of night unfortunately society— certain times of night unfortunately society hasn't got more polite are safer— society hasn't got more polite are safer and — society hasn't got more polite are safer and since then, there are

safety— safer and since then, there are safety standards have designated the train drivers is important work of so everything has to be realigned as home—workers. there is nobody in booking _ home—workers. there is nobody in booking office and there's nobody in trains _ booking office and there's nobody in trains we _ booking office and there's nobody in trains. we do not believe it is safe for the _ trains. we do not believe it is safe for the travelling public. also, we do believe — for the travelling public. also, we do believe you need everybody and all those _ do believe you need everybody and all those positions to run a south railway— all those positions to run a south railway and we will not be the supporting that if it comes forward as part _ supporting that if it comes forward as part of— supporting that if it comes forward as part of this deal. let supporting that if it comes forward as part of this deal.— as part of this deal. let me bring ou an as part of this deal. let me bring you an update — as part of this deal. let me bring you an update on _ as part of this deal. let me bring you an update on the _ as part of this deal. let me bring you an update on the situation i you an update on the situation affecting flights within the united states and also in and out. we are hearing the flights to us airports have been ground stopped by the federal aviation administration and that will be until at least 9:30pm eastern time which is 230 pm this afternoon. —— 9:30am... any flight thatis afternoon. —— 9:30am... any flight that is not in the air will not be allowed to depart so to explain this image we have and this is showing flights already in the air when any flights already in the air when any

flights that have not taken off are not going to be able to until at least 2:30pm this afternoon gmt but theissueis least 2:30pm this afternoon gmt but the issue is that the system that alerts pilots and otherflight personnel about changes to a poor facility services and relevant procedures is not processing updating information so it is an issue we learned about around an hour or so ago and now we are hearing that it is completely grounding any flight not already in the air. this is the live image of the air. this is the live image of the flight already already operating but this notice has been issued to ground at any point is not in the area so it means there are currently around 700 fewer flights airborne than would have been otherwise. we'll keep you updated on the situation. the foreign secretary, james cleverly, is visiting belfast today to meet northern ireland's political parties.

the democratic unionist party says it won't return to power—sharing devolved government because of its opposition to the northern ireland protocol — the post brexit trade border with the rest of the uk. there's been progress this week in negotiations on the issue between london and brussels but the dup has said its main concerns haven't been addressed yet. our ireland correspondent chris page gave us this assessment of today's talks. james cleverly is leading the negotiations between the uk and the eu on what is known as the northern ireland protocol. that is the arrangements for brexit here in northern ireland, basically in order to avoid the need for any checkpoints on the land if border between northern ireland and the irish republic. while there are no checks on goods arriving in northern ireland from the rest of the uk, a trade border in effect, and to unionists, the democratic unionist party in particular, that is an economic barrier which separates northern ireland from great britain and, therefore, threatens northern ireland's very place in the union. so the dup has been,

for most of a year now, been maintaining a veto on the power—sharing devolved government at stormont. some new ministers are currently in place. , so no ministers... northern ireland is basically being run by civil servants. the dup says it won't relent, it won't go back into power and allow a new coalition to be formed unless the trade border is removed. what are the prospects of that? well, in those negotiations between london and brussels this week, well, there was an agreement on one of the matters being negotiated. that was on the issue of information on customs being shared. but as somebody close to the talks put it to me recently, a foot hill has been climbed, but there's still a mountain to scale. one of the most difficult matters for the negotiators potentially is ultimately the legaljurisdiction over northern ireland, the dup

has said it wants the european court ofjustice not to have a role in deciding laws here because northern ireland is in essence still inside the eu single market, well, that appears to be one of the european union's red lines. they say they still have to retain legal control over this market and so it's hard how to see that market these two issue will be resolved. prince harry says claims he boasted in his recently published memoir, spare, about killing 25 taliban fighters whilst on duty in afghanistan, are a "dangerous lie". the prince has been criticised by some military figures who say it was wrong to refer to the dead as "chess pieces". speaking on us tv, harry accused the press of taking his words out of context, endangering his family. it's the most dangerous lie they have told and is disturbing that they can get away with it. it they can get away with it. it wasn't, they have a whole section and directed away and said here it is he is posting on this and as you say you have read it and everyone else will have the chance to read it

and that's dangerous. my words are not dangerous. but the spend of my words are very dangerous.— words are very dangerous. prince har in words are very dangerous. prince harry in his _ words are very dangerous. prince harry in his own _ words are very dangerous. prince harry in his own words _ words are very dangerous. prince harry in his own words but i words are very dangerous. prince harry in his own words but let's l words are very dangerous. prince l harry in his own words but let's get this report from sophie long. they cheered and chanted his name. it was the latest and most light—hearted instalment of this multi—platform media blitz. does he ever make you guys a drink, or not? it started with a cocktail, swiftly followed by criticism of the british press and the way he says they took his words about killing afghan insurgents out of context. they called it boastful and dangerous. he said he included it in his book to help others. if i heard anyone boasting about that kind of thing, i would be angry. but it's a lie. and hopefully, now that the book is out, people will be able to see the context. and it is, it's really troubling and very disturbing that they can away with it. he spoke about the loss of his mother, and how he believed the distance between he and his brother william

would not be as great if she were still alive. she died at 36. and i was 36 when this all kicked off. as in, january of 2020 was when my wife and i basically said, "enough, we can't cope, we can't deal with this, we need to carve out something different." um, so that was an interesting overlap of time. people in the us are generally more into self—care than self—deprecation. so immodesty, indiscretion, doesn't really inspire the same level of criticism here as it does in the uk. and the words harry uses, like consent, consciousness, that's the language that californians speak. ijust think he's being honest about his life. i mean, i love the fact that, you know, he's trying to set the record straight. there's been a lot out there the last few years about him and his wife. i think he's a human being, his wife is a human being and i can

completely understand why they want to... they want people to understand their side of the story. interesting to see the exposure of racism or cultural conflicts in other countries and communities, so for me it's interesting. and hopefully good will come out of this. you've got to have watched some of the crown, right? audience laughs. people are laughing at that! —— people are loving that... yes, i have actually watched the crown. here they enjoy the status of semi—royal celebrities. do you fact check it while you watch it? audience laughs. um... yes, i do, actually! and using prime—time television to "speak their own truth" is not something many americans have a problem with. sophie long, bbc, los angeles. thank you so much for being here. really enjoyed the conversation. thank you for sharing this.

ben brown will be here with one o'clock news but now it's time for the weather with staff. there is a lot more rain for us over the next few days and we could see impacts from localised flooding with england and wales and south—west england seeing some of the worst effects from the rain piling in. today remains windy and further showers spreading and which will enhance the shower activity and we look to the atlantic and to this more substantial area of rain which will roll in during the evening and overnight. a blustery end to the day with clear spells and showers in the rain starts to push through and much of northern ireland and into england and wales turning windy with gales across southern britain and through the channel and it stays wet through the channel and it stays wet through the night across the south—west there and in toward south wales. for there and in toward south wales. for the far north of england, and scotland there is clear skies with lighter wind and will be quite cold there with sub zero values and you

can see a touch of ice for the south i will be miro. we have this weather front on thursday straddling southern britain which will bring further strong winds and heavy rain time and a new area of low pressure widening in itself and pushing into the north—west of the uk and we will see gales and even there in northern ireland in western scotland and plenty of showers are longer spells of rain. single figure values for the noughts of snow in the hills and double figures across the south. and as we move through thursday night that will squeeze in the eyes of ours which affects northern ireland in south—west scotland wales and we can see it's destruction of gales through thursday night and plenty of showers rattling through as well and there will be wintry on the high ground and temperatures in scotland will reach 4—8 . you can see the squeezing isobars in the north sea and you can see a ridge of high pressure will want to build but it will settle things down for many in southern and western areas throughout the day on friday but we will start blustery and particularly across northern and eastern areas and plenty of showers which will be

wintry in the hills in the shower activity will start to ease down as activity will start to ease down as a ridge pushes in from the west and we could see more sunshine in northern ireland outage of wales and central and southern england and temperature is 11 or 12 degrees in single figures the north. that rage doesn't last long and it will be wet again as we head into saturday and then it's the feel of the weather as we move to part two of the weekend and things will be turning cold on sunday and into next weekend with snow showers.

are also taking action. there's a warning the impact of today's strike in england and wales could be more serious than last month's stoppage. what's terrifying is that right now, people not knowing whether when they call 999 they will get the treatment that they need. there's not a minimum level of service any day, because they've broken the nhs. meanwhile, after weeks of speculation, the prime minister has finally admitted he's used private health care in the past, but says he's registered with an nhs gp. also this lunchtime. prince harry denies he boasted about killing 25 taliban fighters in afghanistan —

he says the press took his comments out of context.