this is bbc news. lam iamjane i amjane hill. the headlines at 5pm: for the first time, the uk government will block a law passed by the scottish parliament. westminster will veto a bill designed to make it easierfor people to change their legal gender. the bill would have a serious adverse impact on, among other things, the operation of the equality act 2010. those adverse effects include impacts on the operation of single—sex clubs, associations and schools and protections such as equal pay. the scottish government will vigorously defend this legislation. but in doing so, we will be vigorously defending something else, and that is the institution of the scottish parliament, the ability of msps — democratically elected — to legislate in areas of our competence. in short, we'll be defending

scottish democracy. the electric car battery maker britishvolt has gone into administration, leaving hundreds of staff redundant. more rail strikes — train drivers will walk out on the 1st and 3rd of february, after union bosses rejected a pay offerfrom rail companies. a double—decker bus overturns in icy conditions in somerset. 56 people are injured. and after 31 years presenting his weekday mid—morning show, broadcaster ken bruce announces he is leaving bbc radio 2.

hello, good afternoon. for the first time, the uk government has announced it is blocking a law passed by the scottish parliament. the scotland secretary alisterjack told the commons he was blocking introducing reforms that would have made it easier for people to legally change gender. he said transgender people deserved respect and understanding, but he believed the bill would interfere with uk equalities law. the first minister, nicola sturgeon, says her government will take legal action against the decision, accusing westminster of a "full—frontal attack" on the scottish parliament. at westminster, the scotland secretary, alisterjack, told mps that holyrood's gender bill would have "adverse effects". i have not taken this decision lightly. the government has looked closely

at the impact of the bill and i have considered all implications, together with the minister for women and equalities. it is our assessment that the bill would have a serious adverse impact on, among other things, the operation of the equality act 2010. those adverse effects include impacts on the operation of single sex clubs, associations and schools and protections such as equal pay. the government shares the concerns of many members of the public regarding the potential impact of the bill on women and girls. the bill also risks creating complications from having two different gender recognition regimes and allowing more fraudulent or bad faith applications. the government is today publishing a full statement of reasons, alongside the order, which will set in full the adverse affects the government is concerned about. mr speaker, i would like to address the claims put forward by those who would seek to politicise this decision and claim that this is some kind of constitutional outrage. you can hear them, mr speaker.

the section 35 power was included in the scotland act which established the scottish parliament. this is the first time the power has been used. i acknowledge that this is a significant decision. the powers are not new and this government has not created it — they have existed as long as devolution itself. the snp's dr philippa whitford responded by calling the uk government's move an "attack" on the scottish parliament. vetoing this is an unprecedented attack on the scottish parliament, which passed the gender recognition reform bill 86—39, including msps from every single party. gender recognition is a devolved policy area, and this does not change the 2010 equality act or give any additional rights to those with a certificate.

it shortens and simplifies the process and particularly ends the requirement for a psychological diagnosis of gender dysphoria. this is in keeping with the guidance from the world health organization and un, which recommends change to a legal statutory process based on self—identification. this change has already been made by many countries over the last decade, including neighbours ireland, belgium, denmark. but this government is threatening to end uk acceptance of international certificates. i find it bizarre considering the former prime minister, the right honourable member for maidenhead, suggested a similar proposal in 2017. philippa woodford for the snp. 0ur political correspondent helen catt is at westminster. she is following all of this at westminster. i mean, the key thing here is an enormous constitutional

role, isn't it? here is an enormous constitutional role. isn't it?— role, isn't it? yes, this is where the political _ role, isn't it? yes, this is where the political rao _ role, isn't it? yes, this is where the political rao has _ role, isn't it? yes, this is where the political rao has been - role, isn't it? yes, this is where the political rao has been for i role, isn't it? yes, this is where the political rao has been for a | role, isn't it? yes, this is where i the political rao has been for a lot of this afternoon. it is in effect a power clash between the uk government and the scottish government. so on the one hand, you've got the scottish government saying, look, this is a bill which has passed a democratically elected parliament, it was scrutinised, it was heavily debated and, in the end, it passed, and therefore should go into law. 0n the other hand, you've got the uk government saying, look, this is a legal point, that yes, it is within the scope of the scottish government to pass this law for scotland, but having two separate systems for gender recognition within the uk causes constitutional problems in the operation of the qualities legislation, which is a uk wide function that belongs to the uk government, and it says that that, and you heard alisterjack talking about what he says was the legal

advice he received on possible adverse impacts on that, and that is why he believes they have to block it. it has not actually enacted section 35 yet, but it is anticipating doing that today. so this is where you've got to. you have the snp saying, look, this is the uk government's way of launching an attack, using this issue of using marginalised people as they put it, to launch an attack on scottish democracy. you have the uk government saying this is not the case, that this is about the proper function of uk wide law, and this is where we are this afternoon. this section 35 has not been enacted formally that, but it will be later today, alisterjack has suggested discussed perlman could go back and amend the bill. it does not look like that is going to happen. —— the scottish parliament could. nicola sturgeon says she intends to challenge us through the courts, judicial review.—

challenge us through the courts, judicial review. helen, thank you very much _ judicial review. helen, thank you very much for— judicial review. helen, thank you very much for now. _ judicial review. helen, thank you very much for now. that - judicial review. helen, thank you very much for now. that is - judicial review. helen, thank you j very much for now. that is helen catt, our political correspondent. let's discuss this with brian taylor, a political commentator and columnist at the herald — he is of course the former political editor for bbc scotland. lovely to talk to you again, but under what circumstances! you are someone so steeped in knowledge of scotland's politics. where are we right now? this is a struggle over power. — are we right now? this is a struggle over power. but _ are we right now? this is a struggle over power, but it _ are we right now? this is a struggle over power, but it has _ are we right now? this is a struggle over power, but it has surreal- over power, but it has surreal elements. nicola sturgeon will fight, fight all the way, she will perhaps fight to the courts, but if they were left to her, if circumstances were other than they are, she might prefer controversy over this bill. it has been usually contentious, she might prefer that you die down. there has been backlash from women's organisations, jk

backlash from women's organisations, jk rowling, but now they have been engaged over constitutional powers, she will fight like a terrier. 0n the other hand we heard from alister jack, if he is picking this constitutional battle with the scottish government, i have to say that he sounded rather disquieted the discomfort and other but perhaps nervous. he was relying very much upon the legal point. he referred constantly to the statement of reasons due to be published by the uk government's lawyers, to the exasperation of many, including senior backbenchers on the other side, and perhaps one or two on his own side, but he was putting forward this case, putting the reason for the house. it is basically the equality act 2010 was designed to protect gender as a protected element within legislation, and he says it was always presumed that it will be difficult to change gender, to switch gender, and it says the scottish parliament's move makes

that balance more difficult, changes the balance, changes the careful balance there has been. this the balance, changes the careful balance there has been.- balance there has been. this is bein: balance there has been. this is being discussed _ balance there has been. this is being discussed in _ balance there has been. this is being discussed in holyrood . balance there has been. this is - being discussed in holyrood again. we can probably see pictures of that. we heard one of the suggestions from alisterjack in westminster, that it was in the scottish government's right to amend this now, if that is what they want to do, but i'm struck that you say nicola sturgeon will fight like a terrier. do i take that to mean you think there is no chance of an amendment?— think there is no chance of an amendment? , , ., ., ., think there is no chance of an amendment? , ., ., ., ., amendment? they may have to do that ultimatel . amendment? they may have to do that ultimately. bear— amendment? they may have to do that ultimately. bear in _ amendment? they may have to do that ultimately. bear in mind _ amendment? they may have to do that ultimately. bear in mind how— amendment? they may have to do that ultimately. bear in mind how we - amendment? they may have to do that ultimately. bear in mind how we got. ultimately. bear in mind how we got to where we are. this is not a piece of legislation that has been got up over the weekend, there have been two consultations over six years before the bill was carried by 86-39, before the bill was carried by 86—39, mostly conservatives, one or two from other parties voting against. all the discussions went on, there was bargaining to the last minute, but the scottish government ministers resisted some of the

amendments, including the suggestion that alisterjack made that the age barrier, instead of moving from 18 to 16 like the scottish bill said, says staying at 18. had they been raised earlier, had they been raised vigorously, i believe there might have been some begin and take, there might have been some discussion, but now that has moved on to this new battleground, and it is a constitutional battleground, a battleground over the very nature of devolution and devolved powers, now that that has happened, i think it is very difficult indeed to see nicola sturgeon giving ground very easily. nicola sturgeon giving ground very easil . �* . , nicola sturgeon giving ground very easil . �* ., , , ., easily. and ultimately feeds into the whole debate _ easily. and ultimately feeds into the whole debate about - easily. and ultimately feeds into - the whole debate about independence potentially, as well. ian the whole debate about independence potentially, as well.— potentially, as well. ian blackford, the former parliamentary - potentially, as well. ian blackford, the former parliamentary leader i potentially, as well. ian blackford, the former parliamentary leader of the former parliamentary leader of the snp and westminster, about half an hour ago the snp and westminster, about half an hourago said the snp and westminster, about half

an hour ago said the answer to this dilemma was, guess what, independence. he said that scotland's parliament had to have its powers protected, and the only true way to do that was independence. do i believe the uk government see some merit in taking a bit of a fight with the scottish parliament? yes, i do, because i believe that they have a broader agenda of not so much crushing or quashing the scottish parliament, not that at all, but perhaps putting them in their place to some extent, reminding them of the balance of power within the uk. it is certainly the case that devolution is devolution, it is not independence. powers can be retained by the scottish parliament, but they can only be exercised as long as they don't overlap with uk powers. we've had that the location of the statement of reasons, as you say there is a statement taking place in holyrood just now, but i believe it will be holding statement, people i've spoken to the scottish government have said the statement of reasons from the uk government is flimsy and thin. they do not believe itjustifies flimsy and thin. they do not believe it justifies the action flimsy and thin. they do not believe itjustifies the action that has been taken. uk government ministers

are adamant they have to protect the legal status of that equality act. this has got some way to go. this is going to be one mighty battle. goodness! brian, good to talk to you again, and that suggests we will absolutely be discussing this again, but for now, thank you very much. brian taylor with his thoughts there in glasgow, on the story we will be following. let's talk a little bit more about strikes. two rail unions have announced more strikes in the first week of february. members of the aslef union will strike on 1 and 3 february after the union rejected a pay offer, affecting 15 train companies. and this afternoon, train driver members of the rmt at 1a rail operators will strike on the same days. the first strike will coincide with industrial action by civil servants, teachers and nationwide protests against the government's controversial new strike law.

those are the strike dates that we have so far, the first and 3rd of february. and in the last few minutes, the university and college union has announced that over 70,000 staff at 150 universities will also strike on wednesday one february. on wednesday 1 february. the union is in dispute with 150 universities over the issues of pay, pensions and working conditions. social media bosses could face a prison sentence if they repeatedly fail to protect children from harm, under new changes to the 0nline safety bill. the prime minister rishi sunak agreed to calls for tougher punishments to be contained in the legislation, after his own backbench mps prepared to vote against the bill. let's talk to sir iain duncan smith, conservative mp and former party leader — he is among the group of conservative mps who backed the amendments

to the 0nline safety bill. very good evening to you. where does this stand now, then? do you feel you're getting closer to what you want with this bill? i you're getting closer to what you want with this bill?— want with this bill? i do. i think the main for— want with this bill? i do. i think the main for the _ want with this bill? i do. i think the main for the schism - want with this bill? i do. i think the main for the schism of - want with this bill? i do. i think the main for the schism of the l the main for the schism of the bill in the past had been that it got very wide, lots of things in it, but it was not deep, it did not go after certain key areas, and there was really one big issue this bill has to deal with and that is the threats and the problems and the nightmares that occur for children when they are confronted by the kind of sexual content and abusive content that comes up online, with very little ability to be able, of the government, to hold those media buses to account. so the idea was to strengthen the law so that, should they fail to make sure those kind of

content is eradicated, taken off their sites with all speed, then they will face criminal charges for failure to do so. i think that will send a shock wave through such companies, even though ireland and others have done it. i think the uk is a very significant country in global terms, is a very significant country in globalterms, it is a very significant country in global terms, it will send shock waves through them and make sure they stick to what they are supposed to do butch�*s protect the most vulnerable. d0 to do butch's protect the most vulnerable-— to do butch's protect the most vulnerable. , ., ~ , . ., vulnerable. do you think this change has come, though, _ vulnerable. do you think this change has come, though, because - vulnerable. do you think this change has come, though, because of - vulnerable. do you think this change j has come, though, because of those moral concerns, those practical concerns, you've outlined there or sickly because a group of you got together and threatened to behave differently if there were changes —— simply because? the differently if there were changes -- simply because?— simply because? the normal media read offer the _ simply because? the normal media read offer the sort _ simply because? the normal media read offer the sort of _ simply because? the normal media read offer the sort of thing - simply because? the normal media read offer the sort of thing is - read offer the sort of thing is about rebellions, threatened rebellions, but the truth is this how parliament works at its best and should work, which is say that where mps, no matter on which side of the house, actually see there is a problem that needs addressing, it is important for them to talk about it

to government and then to set out an amendment. and the government then has to react to that. that is the whole point. government should not always get its way, it should actually find, it will find, as they have now agree, this is a common—sense agreement and they will bring ford and mammon the lords which will tighten up areas, and will be the same as we've been asking for in this. in my view, that is how government works. all government should work like that, often under pressure. it is better that way. that way they do the right thing, ratherthan that way. that way they do the right thing, rather than what is easiest. you talked about one to send shock waves through, to send a message, to concentrate minds, i suppose. 0ne waves through, to send a message, to concentrate minds, i suppose. one of the perennial issues with trained railing what children see online is the fact that websites are based in different countries, it is not all here in the uk, and that is when he gets tricky —— trying to regulate what children see online. how confident are you that this can be

achieved when you might have companies based in nations all over the world, where ourjurisdiction cannot touch them? the world, where our “urisdiction cannot touch them?_ the world, where our “urisdiction cannot touch them? there are lots of reasons why — cannot touch them? there are lots of reasons why they _ cannot touch them? there are lots of reasons why they base _ cannot touch them? there are lots of reasons why they base themselves i cannot touch them? there are lots of reasons why they base themselves in j reasons why they base themselves in certain countries, some to do with taxation, some to do with general regulation, but i know that ireland has already carried out pretty much the same legislation and they have been the home for a lot of online companies for the whole of europe. they tend to headquarter in ireland, probably because their corporation tax levels are so low, but since they brought that in, none of them have moved or threatened to move, and i think therefore it is a bit of red herring to worry about them moving. the truth is, what we should worry about more than anything else, and you have seen case after case of particularly young girls being damaged by what they get hold of online, being taught how to commit suicide, all these things are really terrible, and what we have to do is

get this under control. so the online company should want to do this because they want and should want to have a safe space, not to have this sort of very abusive pornography available to underage people of very bad for anybody else but it is available for underage people, makes it very damaging. i think most of the public get this. all of the cases we have had of abuse and individuals going off and creating mayhem, as it were killing and murdering people for the sake of it, all because it but was online, i think this case getting under control must be in their interests, so people can trust what they see websites. , ., ., ., so people can trust what they see websites. , ., ., ,, ., , ., websites. very good to talk to you. thanks for your _ websites. very good to talk to you. thanks for your time _ websites. very good to talk to you. thanks for your time for _ websites. very good to talk to you. thanks for your time for now. - websites. very good to talk to you. | thanks for your time for now. thank you. iain duncan smith there. the time edging up to 20 past five p:m.. the battery making start—up britishvolt has gone into administration. its 300 employees had been told to attend an all—staff meeting earlier in the day. the firm had been hoping to build a £3.8 billion factory in northumberland.

let's ta ke let's take some time to discuss this. let's talk first of all to our business correspondent theo leggett. this was usually ambitious, the factory will mentioned there —— hugely ambitious. do we know what happens now? where are we in practical terms? to happens now? where are we in practical terms?— happens now? where are we in practical terms? to start with, it is almost no _ practical terms? to start with, it is almost no surprise _ practical terms? to start with, it is almost no surprise this - practical terms? to start with, it is almost no surprise this did - practical terms? to start with, it| is almost no surprise this did not work out. it was, as you say, a hugely ambitious project, building a £4 billion factory from scratch without any income coming in, and that's the problem. it takes a lot of money to get some thing like this coming and if the money runs out, as you're doing it, it don't you have a problem. in terms of where we go from here, there is a site which is considered likely to be idealfor building a giga factory, which for those who don't know is a huge factory for building lots and lots of battery packs for electric cars of battery packs for electric cars of that market —— and that market is

only spectre to grow, so we could see some be and taking control of the site. that is clearly what the government wants to achieve. it said in that statement, the uk is one of the best locations in the roofer manufacturing. we want to ensure the best outcome for the site. we will worked closely with the local authority, as part of their community for electric cars in the future. although the government did not give this project the support they wanted, it promised £100 million of public subsidy but that money was never paid, for various reasons, it seems preclude the government still does want to see this project, in some way, shape or form. it this pro'ect, in some way, shape or form. , , ., form. it is 'ust worth expanding those form. it isjust worth expanding those images — form. it isjust worth expanding those images we _ form. it isjust worth expanding those images we were - form. it isjust worth expanding those images we were showing | form. it isjust worth expanding l those images we were showing to form. it isjust worth expanding - those images we were showing to the viewer. that is the site, right, and thatis viewer. that is the site, right, and that is the very beginning of the preparatory work they started to do? i think people watching that might think, how do you reach a point where you map out the ground and you start this contraction project on the never never? did they believe in

good faith money was coming in everything changed? how do you commit to this project and everything went away? commit to this project and eve hinu went awa ? , ., , ., everything went away? they raised a certain amount _ everything went away? they raised a certain amount of _ everything went away? they raised a certain amount of money _ everything went away? they raised a certain amount of money and - everything went away? they raised a certain amount of money and they i certain amount of money and they managed to secure a site of the site of the former blithe power station, and they hoped money would keep coming. part of what they were hoping for was public finance would come in, the government would provide money which would then unlock private sector investment, but because prices rose, they were burning through cash more quickly than they expected and were not able get building work under way, and the public money was not forthcoming without building work getting under way, or at least that was one of the conditions attached, as i understand it because they were not able to unlock further funding, it because they were not able to unlock furtherfunding, they unlock further funding, they gradually unlock furtherfunding, they gradually began to run out of cash, because one of the problems here if you do not have a product to sell, you do not have a product to sell, you don't have any income. theo,

excellent- — you don't have any income. theo, excellent. thank _ you don't have any income. theo, excellent. thank you _ you don't have any income. theo, excellent. thank you very - you don't have any income. theo, excellent. thank you very much i you don't have any income. theo, l excellent. thank you very much for explaining all of that, our is this correspondence theo leggett. —— business correspondent. we can speak now to the labour politician serving as the chairman of the business, energy and industrial strategy committee, darrenjones. evening to you. what is your thoughts on where we are tonight and what this says about attempts to move forward in this industry? this will be a huge _ move forward in this industry? this will be a huge worry to people that work in _ will be a huge worry to people that work in the — will be a huge worry to people that work in the automotive sector across the whole _ work in the automotive sector across the whole country, because if the uk is going _ the whole country, because if the uk is going to _ the whole country, because if the uk is going to continue to be a world leader— is going to continue to be a world leader in— is going to continue to be a world leader in the production and manufacturing of vehicles, they are going _ manufacturing of vehicles, they are going have — manufacturing of vehicles, they are going have to be electric vehicles, and for— going have to be electric vehicles, and for that to happen, we are going to have _ and for that to happen, we are going to have to— and for that to happen, we are going to have to need to make electric vehicle _ to have to need to make electric vehicle batteries that are not just produced — vehicle batteries that are not just produced locally in the uk but our compliance so we can export them into the _ compliance so we can export them into the european union, and if we cannot— into the european union, and if we cannot get— into the european union, and if we cannot get a — into the european union, and if we cannot get a battery factory off the ground, _ cannot get a battery factory off the ground, i_ cannot get a battery factory off the ground, ithink cannot get a battery factory off the ground, i think that will cause great — ground, i think that will cause great concern to many, many people. where _ hasn't gone wrong? is it partly a victim of some of the things theo was talking about, the rising energy

prices, we have all gone through covid? where are the problems? is it too hard to raise private funding when the country is in a peerless financial situation? what is driving this, do you think?— financial situation? what is driving this, do you think? might don't like my committee _ this, do you think? might don't like my committee improvement - this, do you think? might don't like my committee improvement has i this, do you think? might don't like - my committee improvement has agreed to look— my committee improvement has agreed to look into _ my committee improvement has agreed to look into this, so i do not have the information on hand, but my sense _ the information on hand, but my sense of— the information on hand, but my sense of far is it is a industry that— sense of far is it is a industry that is— sense of far is it is a industry that is not— sense of far is it is a industry that is not commercially viable in the uk _ that is not commercially viable in the uk -- — that is not commercially viable in the uk —— my committee in parliament has agreed _ the uk —— my committee in parliament has agreed b — the uk —— my committee in parliament has agreed. b must do more, money and other— has agreed. b must do more, money and other things, to do better, a factor— and other things, to do better, a factor that— and other things, to do better, a factor that will be a long time in the uk, — factor that will be a long time in the uk, supported finance can, with the uk, supported finance can, with the confidence of the government's mitten— the confidence of the government's mitten into it. only then will the market— mitten into it. only then will the market start to become commercially viable _ market start to become commercially viable we _ market start to become commercially viable. we have done this in the past _ viable. we have done this in the past with— viable. we have done this in the past with offshore wind production, i do past with offshore wind production, i do not _ past with offshore wind production, i do not see what we cannot do it with battery vehicles.— with battery vehicles. people listenin: with battery vehicles. people listening might _ with battery vehicles. people listening might think - with battery vehicles. people listening might think that - with battery vehicles. people listening might think that is l with battery vehicles. people| listening might think that is a

chicken and egg situation you're describing, because of the confidence, the money, how do you get something like this off the ground? and we are meant to be thinking about operating in this way, and electric cars are the things we are all meant to be thinking about and buying and driving. are there other countries that are just doing this so much better than us? are there places we can learn lessons from? yes. better than us? are there places we can learn lessons from?— can learn lessons from? yes, the european — can learn lessons from? yes, the european union _ can learn lessons from? yes, the european union is _ can learn lessons from? yes, the european union is racing - can learn lessons from? yes, the european union is racing ahead l can learn lessons from? yes, the| european union is racing ahead of us, and _ european union is racing ahead of us, and i— european union is racing ahead of us, and i think overtime car companies will potentially think is cheaper— companies will potentially think is cheaper and easier to make cars within— cheaper and easier to make cars within the — cheaper and easier to make cars within the european union as opposed within— within the european union as opposed within the _ within the european union as opposed within the uk, and then exporting them _ within the uk, and then exporting them into— within the uk, and then exporting them into du, if these problems continue — them into du, if these problems continue to exist. i would push back lightly— continue to exist. i would push back lightly on _ continue to exist. i would push back lightly on the chicken and egg kind of suggestion. when an industry is not yet _ of suggestion. when an industry is not yet commercially viable, it requires — not yet commercially viable, it requires some kind of underpinning so it becomes commercially viable. that is— so it becomes commercially viable. that is a _ so it becomes commercially viable. that is a role a stick and play with its industrial policy. as i say, very— its industrial policy. as i say, very accessible with offshore wind in the _ very accessible with offshore wind in the uk — very accessible with offshore wind in the uk. ministers can ensure a

number— in the uk. ministers can ensure a numberof— in the uk. ministers can ensure a numberof giga in the uk. ministers can ensure a number of giga factories are produced in the uk, we will be with private _ produced in the uk, we will be with private finance but making sure there _ private finance but making sure there are — private finance but making sure there are no problems delivering that _ there are no problems delivering that that— there are no problems delivering that. that does not mean throwing taxpayers — that. that does not mean throwing taxpayers money and unviable businesses, it means officials and ministers — businesses, it means officials and ministers rolling up their sleeves, getting _ ministers rolling up their sleeves, getting around the table and giving the market the confidence that they are committed to this and the confidence of british industry and british— confidence of british industry and british workers.— confidence of british industry and british workers. indeed. very good to talk to you- _ british workers. indeed. very good to talk to you. darren _ british workers. indeed. very good to talk to you. darren jones, - british workers. indeed. very good to talk to you. darren jones, chair| to talk to you. darrenjones, chair of the business, energy and industrial strategy committee. the metropolitan police has formally dismissed pc david carrick, who pleaded guilty to 49 sexual offences, including dozens of rapes. at a hearing this morning, he was found guilty of gross misconduct. it's been revealed that the met are currently investigating about a thousand allegations of sexual and domestic abuse involving 800 officers. the home secretary, suella braverman called the case of david carrick a "dark day for british policing". our home affairs correspondent

june kelly told us more. the commissioner of the met, sir mark rowley, who's only been in post a few months, he has said that they're looking at, well, there's more than 1,000 cases. and also today in the house, the home secretary said that... she gave a warning, really, that more shocking cases could come to light, so whether she has been informed of something that is coming along the track, but clearly this is a massive challenge now for the new met commissioner. and obviously the carrick case is terribly damaging to any progress they feel they might have made on the whole issue of tackling violence against women and girls. i think in the carrick case, what is very troubling, what does raise big questions for the met, is as recently as 2021 — so this is after sarah everard had been killed and there was all that furore that summer over what had happened — that carrick came to the attention

of the met�*s professional standards department because he was being investigated over rape. they simply put him on restricted duties, allowed him to carry on working, also, crucially, didn't look at his entire record. and as we know now, there'd been a number of red flags down the years over his record. so that is very recent for them, so that speaks to the culture of the place. and you think, "well, that's not that long ago. "that's going to be a big turnaround for the new commissioner." june kelly, our home affairs correspondent. more than 50 people have been injured after a double—decker bus carrying 70 people overturned in icy conditions in somerset. the crash happened on the a39 near cannington early this morning, after a night of freezing temperatures. many of the passengers were workers from the nearby hinkley point nuclear power station. no—one died, but three people are believed to have significant injuries. 0ur correspondent phil mackie gave us this update. these are some of the 70 workers

being taken to work on the double—decker bus. a nearby petrol station was used as a triage centre, 56 people needed hospital treatment. the incident was initially declared as a major incident due to the number of people involved and the resources required. emergency services have been on the scene since receiving the first 999 call and we can confirm there have been no fatalities at this time. is easier to see in daylight committee double—decker bus on its size and the motorcycle also involved in the accident standing a few metres away. conditions last night were appalling, temperatures have dropped well below freezing. and there been so many rogue related incidents between 6pm and 11pm last night that avon and somerset police warned drivers not to go out unless it was absolutely necessary. locals were relieved the casualty list was not worse. t relieved the casualty list was not worse. ., , ., ,. ., ,

worse. i heard shouting, screams, i heard some — worse. i heard shouting, screams, i heard some horns _ worse. i heard shouting, screams, i heard some horns beeping, - worse. i heard shouting, screams, i heard some horns beeping, and - worse. i heard shouting, screams, i heard some horns beeping, and ii heard some horns beeping, and i realised that there must�*ve been a major accident outside on the road. there seem to be sirens coming down, there seem to be accidents everywhere, but i've not seen one as bad as this for a little while. ice was the issue here, but there been problems almost everywhere. heavy snow fell in the scottish highlands, with many schools having to close. locals made the most of the unexpected day off. snow also felt across the welsh countryside, including temperature, but roads remained clear. and there was a weather warning in northern ireland, which saw heavy snow overnight. back here of the workers belongings have been collected and the bus has been recovered. there are still warnings in place, with another very cold night ahead. phil in place, with another very cold nightahead. phil mackie, bbc in place, with another very cold night ahead. phil mackie, bbc news, somerset. now it's time for a look

at the weather with alex humphries. hello. i hope you're keeping warm, it is cold outside. we've seen significant snowfall across parts of scotland, northern ireland and north wales already. there is an amber weather warning in place for some heavy snow for parts of northern scotland from 3:00 until midnight. but this afternoon, it is cold for all of us. top temperatures between two and five degrees celsius. some further snowfall possible for scotland and western parts of the country. from 3:00 in northern scotland, we could see up to 15 centimetres of snowfall within just a few hours. gales in this part of the country as well. and, overnight, a risk of snow for parts of wales and northern ireland. it's going to be cold overnight. those temperatures dipping down between —1 to “4, freezing potentially for us all by tomorrow morning. tomorrow, those snowfalls continue for parts of scotland and wales and northern ireland. gales possible along the north sea coast tomorrow as well. it will be windy for us all. top temperatures up to seven degrees celsius, although with that wind chill, it will feel colder.

hello this is bbc news. the headlines... for the first time the uk government will block a law passed by the scottish parliament. westminster will veto a bill designed to make it easier for people to change their legal gender. electric car battery maker britishvolt has gone into administration leaving hundreds of staff redundant. train drivers will strike on the 1st and 3rd of february after union bosses reject a pay offerfrom rail companies. a double decker bus with 70 passengers from hinkley point power station overturns in icy conditions in somerset police confirm 5a injuries, but no fatalities. and after 31 years presenting his mid morning show, ken bruce announces he is leaving

bbc radio 2. right now we will catch up with all of the latest sports news. nine—time austrlaian 0pen champion novak djokovic is through to the second round in melbourne. it's his first appearance at the opening grand slam of the year since 2021, after being deported ahead of last year's tournament due to his covid—19 vaccination status. the serbian was taking on roberto carballes baena of spain, who stayed with djokovic for the first two sets. the serb won 6—3, 6—4 but capitulated in the third set with djokovic taking it 6—love. unbelievable atmosphere thank you so much for staying this late everyone.

also thank you for giving me such a welcoming reception i could only dream of, i really feel very happy that i am back in australia, back here on the court where i had the biggest success in my career this is the most special court in my life and i cannot afford a better start to the tournament so thank you for your support. andy murray said he "left it all out there" after winning a five set match in just under five hours against the 13th seed, matteo berrettini. it was a stunning first round perfromance from the 35 year old who held a two set lead before his italian rivalfought back to level at two sets all. murray saved a match point in the deciding set before defeating the 2021 wimbledon runner up in a tiebreak by 10 points to 6. the bbc�*s tennis correspondent russell fuller was watching in melbourne... there is no sign he is playing with a metal hit but he covered the

ground remarkably well. lots and stamina saving a match point deep in the fifth set before winning a final decisive tie—break. the first of ten points and some style. murray was lucky as he closed on the match. his final shot hit the net and rather apologetically bounced over. there was nothing berrettini could do about that and for nothing the match there was nothing that berrettini could do about andy murray who has put in his best grand slam performance for half a dozen years and certainly since he had the surgery and the installation of a metal hip. joining murray in the next round is british number two dan evans who beat facundo bagnis of argentina over four sets. the match was suspended at one stage due high levels of humidity and temperatures of 37 degrees. evans will facejeremy chardy of france in the second round jurgen klopp says he will not leave anfield until someone tells him to. his comments come amid a difficult season with their fa cup third round replay at wolves tonight.

a late equaliser from wolves at anfield took the tie to a return leg. klopp said their 3—nil defeat at brighton last weekend was the worst of his career, but that he's planning for the future and not thinking about leaving but doesn't think there is a quick fix to their current struggles. when you have whatever, a broken leg or something like that everyone wants to hear, tomorrow you'll go again unfortunately you need a couple of weeks sometimes months into you are ready so no one wants to hear that and we have to make sure that we take the steps. the only thing i want is to fix the situation. that is all. scarlets hooker ken owens will captain wales in the six nations, taking over from justin tipuric. coach warren gatland has brought in four uncapped players to his 37—man squad — cardiff duo teddy williams and mason grady, plus 0spreys pair rhys davies and keiran williams.

dan biggar had been in charge for the 2022 six nations and summer tour of south africa before tipuric led wales through the autumn nations series. gatland said he chose owens as his captain, despite him having never previously led his country before, because he is "incredibly experienced and a passionate welshman". looking at the squad i think as we were _ looking at the squad i think as we were picking a team the way he played — were picking a team the way he played in — were picking a team the way he played in the autumn i know he was coming in _ played in the autumn i know he was coming in from injury and he is probably the number one in that position— probably the number one in that position in the moment. a huge amount— position in the moment. a huge amount of— position in the moment. a huge amount of respect for him as a person— amount of respect for him as a person i— amount of respect for him as a person i think you will be popular with the — person i think you will be popular with the players. he wears his heart on his— with the players. he wears his heart on his sleeve. and i think he will relate _ on his sleeve. and i think he will relate to— on his sleeve. and i think he will relate to people really well and i think you — relate to people really well and i think you will be a popular choice for the _ think you will be a popular choice for the welsh. gregor townsend has named ruaridh mcconnochie in scotland's six nations squad. the bath wing has switched allegiance having previously represented england but he has not played for them for three years. stafford mcdowall, cameron henderson and ben healy have also been named in townsend's squad,

with all four looking to earn their first cap for scotland. that's all the sport for now. thank you so much, hugh farris of all of the latest sports but before move on to tell you something just coming through in the last few seconds. regarding manchester united because we are hearing that ratcliff�*s company has entered the bidding process to buy man united. a short comment but they are saying that we have formally put ourselves into the process. that is what we have heard so far. we'll see what the fans think of it but that news just through about manchester united. more on that to come over the next few hours. a formal review into how probation officers handled the case of a man who murdered a pregnant woman and three children in killamarsh in derbyshire has

found multiple failings in their handling of the case "at every stage". 32—year—old damien bendall was serving a suspended sentence for arson at the time of the killings. tom symonds, our home affairs correspondent, joins us now. what exactly has been said here? this is a guy who had a long history of violence. in 2020 he committed this offence of arson in the court had to decide what sort of sentence goes to the probation service look at his background and advise the court effectively. in this case they said he was a low risk to anyone he might be living with and two children in the court decided we will not send them to prison. we will not send them to prison. we will put him under curfew and give him a suspended sentence. he then end up living with terry and her two children and herfriends end up living with terry and her two children and her friends were there at the night when this murder happened. and he killed all four of

them and was arrested outside of the house and he called the police himself and they arrested him and he admitted it on the spot. this was about, this review what had gone wrong with the service and found two good things. one that when they decided to allow him to go and live at the harris home that they never really checked that that was ok with terry harris that it would be safe. the second is that the police actually told the probation service that there was police intelligence that there was police intelligence that this guy might be a risk to children and that was not really taking into account either. and was lots live in the community so very serious oversight.— serious oversight. absolutely erfect serious oversight. absolutely perfect case _ serious oversight. absolutely perfect case very _ serious oversight. absolutely perfect case very upsetting. l serious oversight. absolutely - perfect case very upsetting. does this show or tell us about wider problems with probation generally? certainly that is what the probation instructor was saying to us briefly yesterday. he said that he looked at 850 cases and in two thirds of those

cases be wrong or not sufficient checks were carried out. —— investigator. in this kind of situation that is pretty bad. what has been happening in probation is in 2014 government try to reorganise it bring in some private sector type of approach to the way in which probation will be run. it has been a disaster frankly and they have scrapped it. and the probation inspector has said that has led to the staffing problems, management issues and big case workloads, people not to train fully to do the jobs included in this case their inexperience people handling cases. he says that has all got to change. the government is saying that it is very aware of the deaf signature of this case and that is putting £155 million to try and beefed up recruitment and training of probation officers.- recruitment and training of probation officers. wages have grown at the fastest rate in more than 20 years — but are still not keeping up with higher prices. new figures from the office

for national statistics, show that regular pay rose at an annual pace of 6.4% between september and november. but when adjusted for inflation — and the increased cost of living wages fell by 2.6%. 0ur economics correspondent andy verity has the details. near hawes in wensleydale, north yorkshire, where the local economy depends on tourism, this is the slow part of the year. but even now it is not a lack of work, it is a lack of staff to do it. david runs a family business of five caravan parks employing 25 people, and constantly advertises for more. with holiday—makers pushing up local house prices and rents, he is having to pay staff over £15 an hour so they can afford to live nearby. running costs have gone through the roof. we pay our staff way above any government guidelines on prices because we have to, they have to live comfortably. we have quite a big wage bill, which we manage. those higher staff costs are squeezing profits,

already hit hard by soaring energy prices to the point where the boss is thinking of shrinking the business. fuel is just terrifying. pre—price increase, we were paying probably £40,000 a year, we are now paying, and the year is not even over, 120,000 is the bill so far. the help is minimal. it's putting a sticking plaster over a septic spot, really, isn't it? with inflation close to a 40 year high, pay has risen in the private sector by 7.2%, too little to keep up with price rises, and in the public sector by only 3.3%, a real terms pay cut of more than 5.5%. that means workers, public and private, are getting poorer. in the public sector, average wages are no higher than they were in 2005. from refuse collectors to ambulance staff, that large real—time pay cut has prompted strikes across a public sector suffering an acute acute shortage of staff. 467,000 working days were lost because of labour disputes in november, the highest for 12 years. but some economists welcomed a stronger set of figures than they expected.

we are still seeing job vacancies exceeding 1.1 million, for example. that is quite remarkable, it is quite striking and i think it will perhaps add pressure on the bank of england to raise interest rates further in the coming months. 0n the latest indicators, employers reported even bigger pay rises in the year to december of 7.7% as firms compete for staff from a small pool of available workers. that too will add to pressure on interest rate setters at the bank of england to raise interest rates sharply when they meet next month. andy verity, bbc news. joining me now for more on this is an economist at the indeed hiring lab, jack kennedy. good evening to you. what is all of this doing to employers what judgements are employer is making now? , , ., ,

judgements are employer is making now? , ., , now? employers are still really facin: now? employers are still really facing tough — now? employers are still really facing tough hiring _ now? employers are still really facing tough hiring conditions l facing tough hiring conditions although we have seen some signs of cooling in the labour market remains incredibly tight. filling vacancy is still elevated in the unemployment rate is still low so they reach for one of the lever is that they can control which is rate and pay to try and entice some workers will stop one of the main factors holding back labour supply at the moment is high rate of economic activity that we have been seeing for the period since the start of the pandemic. we are still seeing more than half a million workers not actively participate in the labour force to the levels pre—pandemic. staffing shortages and hiring difficulties across many sectors of the economy. is that still the case because anecdotally it absolutely, everyone you meet has stories, of companies struggling to recruit particularly

in the hospitality sector. it has been an issue for a wild mile. that is how it feels to customers. —— while now. what is all about driven by? it while now. what is all about driven b ? , , _ ., while now. what is all about driven by? it is different by a combination of factors. by? it is different by a combination of factors- a _ by? it is different by a combination of factors. a lot _ by? it is different by a combination of factors. a lot of _ by? it is different by a combination of factors. a lot of older _ by? it is different by a combination of factors. a lot of older workers i of factors. a lot of older workers have dropped out of the labour force and the over 50 age group in particular have been one of the key drivers of the rise in economic inactivity. some of those people are potentially starting to come back into the labour market to a limited extent. we are seeing some signs of the latest 0ns data of return to active labour force participation the latest 0ns data of return to active labourforce participation in the over 50 age group. we have a long way to go to make a materials and in that overall figure. it is also the case that many of that older cohort are slightly insulated for some of these cost—of—living

pressures. rates of outright homeownership are quite high in that age group. as exposed to things like rising mortgage rates. some people have been looking at things that increase flexibility not just have been looking at things that increase flexibility notjust of round remote working but things like ours and shift patterns. we learned a lot of older workers are potentially interested in coming back into labour force on a more flexible basis in sort of, fitting workarounds around some of their commitments outside of work. so i think there is more still to be done. both on the employer's site and are clearly on the big focus on policymakers and government to look at some of the ways they can potentially entice some of these older workers back into the labour force and help ease some of those hiring shortages.— hiring shortages. we'll talk to you aaain to hiring shortages. we'll talk to you again to see _ hiring shortages. we'll talk to you again to see how _ hiring shortages. we'll talk to you again to see how it _ hiring shortages. we'll talk to you again to see how it is _ hiring shortages. we'll talk to you again to see how it is going -

hiring shortages. we'll talk to you again to see how it is going as - again to see how it is going as month progress. thank you so much, jack. the headlines on bbc news... for the first time the uk government will block a law passed by the scottish parliament. westminster will veto a bill designed to make it easier for people to change their legal gender. electric car battery maker britishvolt has gone into administration leaving hundreds of staff redundant. train drivers will strike on the 1st and 3rd of february after union bosses reject a pay offer from rail companies. the presenter ken bruce is leaving radio 2 after 31 years hosting its weekday mid morning show. ken bruce's show is the most

listened to show on uk radio. he will leave at the end of march. 0ur entertainment correspondent lizo mzimba is here. as hejoined me to as he joined me to talk about the end of an era and that is what people even if they don't listen to him that is the fact is it not. . the most listened to radio show on the most listen to radio station in the most listen to radio station in the uk. so this is quite a moment. eight and half million viewers each week and an incredible achievement. i understand why you would say that. eight and half million listeners each week and he really is someone that has a very special place in the hearts of people across the uk. that warm welcoming voice. the way that, people like to talk about having a friend in their kitchen or in their living room or wherever they listen to radio and is exactly what ken bruce has been for all those years.

as you save more than 30 years of radio to, doing the mid—morning show actually leaving four years of radio because before that he moved around doing bits and pieces and other slots on the station. so for that station it really is the end of an era for fans of canberra as he is going to greatest hits radio, so he will continue his show there. —— ken bruce. like his music quiz pop master. �* , ., , , ., master. because he has the rights to that show so — master. because he has the rights to that show so he _ master. because he has the rights to that show so he can _ master. because he has the rights to that show so he can take _ master. because he has the rights to that show so he can take that - that show so he can take that format with him which is heartbreaking for a lot of people, i said with feeling. it a lot of people, i said with feelina. , , ., ., ., feeling. it will be but from radio 2's point of _ feeling. it will be but from radio 2's point of view _ feeling. it will be but from radio 2's point of view they _ feeling. it will be but from radio 2's point of view they have - feeling. it will be but from radio 2's point of view they have been | 2's point of view they have been going through a gradual refresh getting people like steve wright leaving last year, simon leaving four years ago now and is also at greatest hits radio where ken bruce will bejoining him from april

onwards. it will be interesting to see who will take over that slot and what kind of direction radio 2 wants to go in. will he be something like clark or claudia. they will make an announcement in due course but i would imagine by the time he actually leaves. and of course the bbc has a continuing obligation and commitment to make more strands and programmes on stations like radio 2 outside of london. so it may well be, not definitely, but a possibility that they will actually have a programme with a presenter coming from outside of the capital. from his point of view, he is 71 years old, i cannot imagine having that much energy... i'm that age. he has been doing radio 2 for a long time it is time for a different time of challenge. and a lot of people have said in the context of the ongoing way that people salaries are

put into the public domain by the bbc he was one of the bbc�*s high—speed presenters earning around £385,000 a year. some people said this made it a poacher started to come in and poach the best talent. he insists that it is his decision to go off into this with the greatest hits radio. people are saying that it is another casualty of the way but people's salaries have been put at the higher end into the public commence on the people know exactly what they need to bid for them to get a good chance of coming over. for them to get a good chance of coming over-— for them to get a good chance of cominu over. . ., , ., ., ., coming over. more changes at radio 2 as ou coming over. more changes at radio 2 as you say. — coming over. more changes at radio 2 as you say. leaving — coming over. more changes at radio 2 as you say, leaving in _ coming over. more changes at radio 2 as you say, leaving in march. - coming over. more changes at radio 2 as you say, leaving in march. vicki - as you say, leaving in march. vicki so much our entertainment correspondent there. it is seven minutes to six. prince harry's memoir, spare, has become the fastest selling non fiction book in the uk

since records began. official figures show the memoir sold more than 467 thousand copies in its first week. it had already broken the record for the fastest selling non fiction book on the first day of publication. 40 years ago today the first breakfast time programme was broadcast on the bbc. it was the dawning of a new era, bringing breakfast telly to uk screens for the first time. 0ur arts corrrespondent david sillito looks back. good morning! don't worry, you haven't missed 40 years and something's gone wrong. we are celebrating 40 years today since the first edition of breakfast. a celebratory start to the day. 40 years of breakfast television, and some famous faces were back. white thermals are bubbling up all the time. it's cold, it's dark, it's a bit miserable. in 1983, keep fit guru diana moran, the green goddess, was getting commuters moving

at waterloo station. now aged 83, she was back in the same spot doing the same moves. wake up the body! and it was also a chance to remember how it all began. 6:30, mondayjanuary the 17th, 1983. gosh, it was frightening. the very first edition, the first programme. meet ron and keith — editor and director of day one of bbc breakfast time. and this was more than just a new programme. it was a new idea. good job. keep it up, my dear. we've only been going for about a minute. people were doubtful, weren't they, about breakfast television at the time? people said television on in the morning — that's disgusting. disgusting idea. what's happening in this country? people even used the word immoral. chiefly in the north - and east, rather windy. the bbc had briefly experimented with breakfast television before 1983 by putting cameras

in a radio studio. it's 7 o'clock on monday, the 1st of december. this is radiovision. it wasn't the tv gold they were hoping for. the director of education, ronald mcdonald, knows it won't be an easyjob. it will require, in the limited time available to the end of this financial year... however, when itv said it was going to launch a breakfast programme, the bbc raced to get in first, and the end product was not bbc suits and ties. as you can see, our home is very, very relaxed and informal, and we really do think... the feel of the show was rather cosy. even the dress code. jumpers. yes. i am not sure that we said to frank, "wearajumper." i think frankjust decided to put on a jumper. i am sure there was disapproval. oh, i'm sure there was because people have an expectation. you know, this is a news programme, it is the bbc, therefore it will be formal, therefore it will be ties and jackets and all of that,

and it will be behind a desk. nevertheless, by the end of the show the champagne was... oh, my giddy aunt! ..exploding more than flowing, but today's celebration is recognition of a little landmark. tv mornings were never the same again. david sillito, bbc news. some of it remember it well and let's pause now and take a look at the weather prospects. frosty weather has gripped much of the uk it is cold outside and snowy for many of us. this was the scene here earlier today that's not looking picturesque against the blue sky. of the next few days it will be staying cold, frosty, icy for most of the country. when to recharge many of us as well. in this arctic airflow at that moment cold northerly winds moving down keeping things cold cross—country for the next few days.

until midnight for parts of northern scotland to be have this amber weather warning in place for heavy snow with up to 15 cm of snow fall possible within this area. it will be windy across north scotland as well, gail's overnight snowy wintry weather for northern ireland wales and south—west as well and across north seacoast as well. try clear skies overnight, cold not quite as cold as last night temperatures dipping down to —1 and minus four celsius. tomorrow, frosty possible for all of us then. snow showers continuing in scotland. along the north seacoast we do see gail's with this weather system moving down with some wintry showers continuing and across wales northern ireland and the south—west as well although the snow showers should remain on high ground with sleet and rain possible to lower lower referrals for stop

cold tomorrow, seven celsius maximum although with that wind—chill it will feel colder close to freezing or ease in subzero and some parts of the country. moving into thursday we do see this ridge of high pressure moving in, turning the weather of bit more settled, less snowfall of the snow showers continuing for parts of scotland. still be breezy up parts of scotland. still be breezy up in this area of all the winds will ease across the rest of the country with some dry and bright skies possible. although in the south—west a bit cloudy with some rain possible as well. staying cold, maximum temperature seven celsius as we move into the weekend into friday this air mass, milder air masses moving across from the north down to the south. although in the south east it will stay colder for longer. into the weekend we do see the split across the country. milder and unsettled towards the north and west. and across the south—east it will be colder.

today at six — a heavy blow to the future of electric vehicle manufacturing — here in the uk. this was the £4 billion vision for britishvolt — a maker of electric car batteries — but the business has collapsed with the loss of hundreds ofjobs. the site in northumberland is still undeveloped — experts say the uk has much to do as the demand for electric vehicles increases. if we do not start these batteries soon, the uk will struggle to maintain the car industry. we'll be asking about manufacturing strategy as petrol and diesel engines are phased out. also on the programme... as protests continue against plans to block scottish reforms on gender recognition — a warning that the uk government will be challenged in court.