this is bbc news with the latest headlines: hundreds of thousands of school teachers are going on strike and the biggest of industrial action in decades. the government says most schools in england and wales will be open by the national education union says 85% of schools will be affected in the government to engage in talks. l, l, in the government to engage in talks. a, a, , , a, h, in the government to engage in talks. a, a, , , a, a, talks. rather than messing about and doinu talks. rather than messing about and doing nothing. _ talks. rather than messing about and doing nothing, which _ talks. rather than messing about and doing nothing, which is— talks. rather than messing about and doing nothing, which is what - talks. rather than messing about and doing nothing, which is what they - doing nothing, which is what they have done from lastjuly the government should get round the table now seriously and start to negotiate. we table now seriously and start to neuotiate. ~ , table now seriously and start to neuotiate. ~ a, a, negotiate. we are having wide-ranging _ negotiate. we are havingl wide-ranging discussions, negotiate. we are having - wide-ranging discussions, what is wide—ranging discussions, what is not realistic is to look at

inflation _ not realistic is to look at inflation or inflation busting pay rises _ inflation or inflation busting pay rises. ~ ., , ., ., , inflation or inflation busting pay rises. ~' ., , ., ., , ., rises. let me know your thoughts on the strikes, — rises. let me know your thoughts on the strikes, whether— rises. let me know your thoughts on the strikes, whether you _ rises. let me know your thoughts on the strikes, whether you are - the strikes, whether you are affected by them or perhaps taking part in the industrial action, get in touch on twitter. @annitabbc, #bbcyourquestions. a four—year—old girl has died in a dog attack in milton keynes. us vice president kamala harris will attend the funeral of tyre nichols today. the 29—year—old died after being beaten by several memphis police officers during a traffic stop. how much caffeine is there in your morning cappuccino? a study finds a wide variation in the strength of coffee in high street chains. also coming up, in australia the tiny radioactive capsule which fell off a truck on a desert highway is found.

hello, and welcome to bbc news this morning. hundreds of thousands of workers are going on strike in what is expected to be the biggest day of industrial action in more than a decade. around 20,000 schools will be affected as teachers in england and wales walk out for the first time since 2016. teachers in some parts of scotland are also taking action in a separate dispute. workers from a number of other sectors are taking industrial action. train drivers represented by aslef and the rmt unions are on strike in a dispute about pay, job security and working conditions. rail industry bosses say change is needed to afford pay increases and modernise the railway. and around 100,000 civil servants in 124 government departments, along with several other bodies, including border force — are also on strike.

meanwhile, staff at 150 universities across the uk are striking over pay, conditions and pension changes. university employers say any increase in pay "puts jobs at risk". and bus drivers employed by abellio in london are also taking industrial action. the unite union is calling for a pay rise to reflect the increasing cost of living. so the disputes are largely about pay, but the government say they don't want to fuel inflation with big wage rises. in our first report this morning, we'll take look at the teachers strikes in england and wales with our education reporter vanessa clarke. it's been a familiar sight in scotland for months before the first time in seven years teachers in england and the teachers and support staff in wales are joining the action. they want a pay rise that is above inflation and is funded by the government, not school budgets. every day in schools we are seeing

special needs support assistants to leave the job to go and work in supermarkets, we are seeing chemistry classes not taught by people with qualifications in chemistry, we are seeing a turnover of teachers, so we are trying to reduce that. that disruption is happening every day. for reduce that. that disruption is happening every day.- happening every day. for the dedicated — happening every day. for the dedicated teachers _ happening every day. for the dedicated teachers here - happening every day. for the dedicated teachers here at i happening every day. for the - dedicated teachers here at hillcrest academy in leeds, making a decision on whether tojoin the academy in leeds, making a decision on whether to join the strikes has been a very difficult one, especially for those at the beginning of their careers. it’s beginning of their careers. it's been a beginning of their careers. it�*s been a controversial one discarding dark deciding whether to strike or not and having done much thinking about the impact on our pupils, parents and the community at the moment and also comparing that to the wider picture of teachers who have been teaching a long time and the impact on pay they have had over the impact on pay they have had over the last decade or so.— the last decade or so. sarah will be “u: calin the last decade or so. sarah will be juggling homework _ the last decade or so. sarah will be juggling homework alongside - the last decade or so. sarah will be juggling homework alongside her. the last decade or so. sarah will be i juggling homework alongside her own work today. one of her children has been told to stay at home. although she understands why teachers are striking, she says more disruption is the last thing they need. ifeei is the last thing they need. i feel like it should _ is the last thing they need. i feel like it should have _ is the last thing they need. i feel like it should have not _ is the last thing they need. i feel like it should have not got - is the last thing they need. i feel

like it should have not got to - is the last thing they need. i feel like it should have not got to the siege _ like it should have not got to the siege our— like it should have not got to the stage. our children have been out, this generation of children have been _ this generation of children have been out — this generation of children have been out so much in the last two years— been out so much in the last two years with — been out so much in the last two years with the pandemic having to be home—schooled and i think it will be much _ home—schooled and i think it will be much harder for the teachers to get them _ much harder for the teachers to get them up _ much harder for the teachers to get them up to— much harder for the teachers to get them up to the level they need to be at if they— them up to the level they need to be at if they keep having strikes. the government _ at if they keep having strikes. tie: government says the at if they keep having strikes. ti2 government says the union is' pay demands are unrealistic and today's strike action is disappointing. inflation is the problem here, that's why we need to halve inflation. it makes no sense for us as a government to bake in inflation for much longerfor as a government to bake in inflation for much longer for everybody listening because we give inflation busting pay rises to some parts of the workforce. it makes no sense to do that. we have to get inflation down. ,. , ., . ., down. some schools are closed today, others are open _ down. some schools are closed today, others are open or _ down. some schools are closed today, others are open or have _ down. some schools are closed today, others are open or have opened - down. some schools are closed today, others are open or have opened to - others are open or have opened to exam classes and vulnerable children only. university staff are also continuing their strike action and there are more teacher strikes planned. so unless an agreement is reached soon, there could be more empty classrooms in the coming

months. vanessa clark, bbc news, leeds. the general secretary of the national education union says teachers want to get back to the classroom and is urging ministers to negotiate. there is a real deep and lasting anger in the profession at the neglect of children, at the fact that education is so badly underfunded. by the fact that so many teachers feel forced to leave — and parents understand this, too. indeed, a mumsnet poll yesterday showed that 67% of parents blame the government for this action. now i say to the government, now is the 1st of february. this is the last day that we want to have to take this strike action. there are 27 more days until the next strike action is scheduled for england. so rather than messing about and doing nothing, which is what they've done since lastjuly, the government should get around the table now, seriously, and start to negotiate. mary bousted. joining me now is our chief political correspondent, nick eardley. i wonder what the chances are of

finding a solution between now and that next day for the industrial action in england that mary bousted. was talking about. and what did you make of what gillian keegan, the education secretary, had to say this morning? she said the government, after 13 years of being in government, we have the highest spending in schools ever, was what said. i spending in schools ever, was what said. ~' . ., . , ., spending in schools ever, was what said. ~' . ., . ., said. i think the chances of a breakthrough _ said. i think the chances of a breakthrough imminently - said. i think the chances of a | breakthrough imminently are said. i think the chances of a - breakthrough imminently are pretty slim, actually, because you also had the education secretary say that the government can't afford big pay rises because it is worried it would make inflation worse. that is a contested argument, but is one that ministers continue to make. they keep saying they are prepared to talk about issues like conditions and workload, there has been part of the concern that has been raised by education unions. but unless there is some movement on pay, at the moment it all still looks like a bit of a stalemate to me. you might remember that at the start of the

year about a month ago there was a bit of a sign that the government might be looking at ways to climb down its ladder and say maybe we will give a one—off payment to public sector workers, or backdate next year's pay deal a bit to try and mitigate some of the cost of living pressures. not had any progress on that front at all really. some of that optimism that was there a month ago hasn't really amounted to much at all. so in terms of ending the strikes in general i think that the prospects imminently are quite low. in terms of teachers specifically, it doesn't look like the education secretary is minded to come back with a higher payoff for the 2022-2023 come back with a higher payoff for the 2022—2023 financial year. and because of all that there is a bit of a sense of deja vu this morning talking about the strikes. it all looks like the negotiations are a stuck. . , ., ., ~ .,

stuck. the hashtag walk-out wednesdays _ stuck. the hashtag walk-out wednesdays trending - stuck. the hashtag walk-out wednesdays trending on - stuck. the hashtag walk-out i wednesdays trending on social stuck. the hashtag walk-out - wednesdays trending on social media this morning. briefly, think of the cumulative impact of all of this industrial action across various sectors is having on the government and its reputation and its strategy? i government and its reputation and its strategy?— its strategy? i don't think there is an doubt its strategy? i don't think there is any doubt at _ its strategy? i don't think there is any doubt at all _ its strategy? i don't think there is any doubt at all that _ its strategy? i don't think there is any doubt at all that this - its strategy? i don't think there is any doubt at all that this is - its strategy? i don't think there is any doubt at all that this is both l any doubt at all that this is both distracting and damaging for ministers. distracting because a lot of time is being spent by very important government departments trying to figure out how to mitigate the impact of strikes. but it is damaging too because there is a bit of a sense at the moment that industrial relations are at a pretty low ebb and a lot of stuff that the public would expect to work just isn't working, be it buses, railways, schools, hospitals. there are a lot of important services that people use every day where we see massive disruption. so rishi sunak is under pressure to come up with some answers on this to try and find

a way of ending the strikes but i can't emphasise enough, every time i speak to people in downing street or the treasury or senior ministers, the treasury or senior ministers, the thing they all talk about is inflation. rishi sunak has made getting inflation down the biggest test for his government, his number one priority. and he does believe that if you have high pay deals in the public sector that will make bringing inflation down harder. so at the moment i don't think he is minded to move, even though there is that damage to the perception of the governmentjust that damage to the perception of the government just letting that damage to the perception of the governmentjust letting stuff being normal and letting public services run as you'd expect them to. flick run as you'd expect them to. nick eardle , run as you'd expect them to. nick eardley. thank — run as you'd expect them to. nick eardley, thank you _ run as you'd expect them to. nick eardley, thank you very much, our chief political correspondent. 0ur education correspondent elaine dunkley is at a school in liverpool. good morning to you, elaine. first of all, is the school completely closed today or open to some pupils? the school is completely closed

today. there are around 80 mums of staff here who are part of the neu and the head teacher said he had no option but to close. let's chat to some of those teachers today. there are 1300 pupils at the school who are 1300 pupils at the school who are at home. dan, you were a pupil at the school yourself and now you are a teacher here. tell me why you are a teacher here. tell me why you are on strike. it's your first time on strike. it are on strike. it's your first time on strike-— are on strike. it's your first time on strike. , ,., ., , ., on strike. it is, reported to stand in solidarity _ on strike. it is, reported to stand in solidarity with _ on strike. it is, reported to stand in solidarity with our— on strike. it is, reported to stand in solidarity with our colleagues i on strike. it is, reported to stand. in solidarity with our colleagues to make _ in solidarity with our colleagues to make sure — in solidarity with our colleagues to make sure the government know they cannot_ make sure the government know they cannot under fund and underpay us, we are _ cannot under fund and underpay us, we are doing amazing things here in chesterfield and we, as much as we put the _ chesterfield and we, as much as we put the students forward, we have to put the students forward, we have to put ourselves forward, that's why we're _ put ourselves forward, that's why we're here — put ourselves forward, that's why we're here together and making sure the government know they have to pay us right— the government know they have to pay us right otherwise we will leave education. last year you had a 5% pay increase — education. last year you had a 5% pay increase from the government, is that not— pay increase from the government, is that not enough?— that not enough? great at the time but inflation _ that not enough? great at the time but inflation isn't _ that not enough? great at the time but inflation isn't working - that not enough? great at the time but inflation isn't working in - that not enough? great at the time but inflation isn't working in the - but inflation isn't working in the same way, so we can'tjustify that, we have to be able to pay our bills, we have to be able to pay our bills, we have to live, people have got families, they have children, they have mortgages, they have to pay

that, you can't not pay it so the government need to recognise that 5% was great at the time but it doesn't any more and that's why we're here today making sure they know that. do teachers talk about the financial pressures they are under when they are having lunch in the staff room? definitely, we are friends colleagues and we understand that life isn't— colleagues and we understand that life isn't easy, paying bills etc, it isn't— life isn't easy, paying bills etc, it isn't easy, but it's even harder when _ it isn't easy, but it's even harder when you — it isn't easy, but it's even harder when you are not being paid accordingly, and especially with those _ accordingly, and especially with those with families, i don't have a those with families, idon't have a family— those with families, i don't have a family myself at the moment but i know— family myself at the moment but i know hearing my other colleagues is making _ know hearing my other colleagues is making me — know hearing my other colleagues is making me worry whether i will be able to— making me worry whether i will be able to afford that in the future. lisa, _ able to afford that in the future. lisa, you've been in teacher a bit longer, 15 years as a science teacher. how do you feel about being out on strike today? get teacher. how do you feel about being out on strike today?— out on strike today? got it to be on strike, i out on strike today? got it to be on strike. i don't— out on strike today? got it to be on strike, i don't want _ out on strike today? got it to be on strike, i don't want to _ out on strike today? got it to be on strike, i don't want to be _ out on strike today? got it to be on strike, i don't want to be on - out on strike today? got it to be on strike, i don't want to be on strikel strike, i don't want to be on strike at the _ strike, i don't want to be on strike at the end — strike, idon't want to be on strike at the end of— strike, i don't want to be on strike at the end of the _ strike, i don't want to be on strike at the end of the day, _ strike, i don't want to be on strike at the end of the day, the - strike, i don't want to be on strikei at the end of the day, the students come _ at the end of the day, the students come first — at the end of the day, the students come first i'd _ at the end of the day, the students come first. i'd like _ at the end of the day, the students come first. i'd like to— at the end of the day, the students come first. i'd like to not— at the end of the day, the students come first. i'd like to not be - at the end of the day, the students come first. i'd like to not be on- come first. i'd like to not be on strike _ come first. i'd like to not be on strike and _ come first. i'd like to not be on strike and be _ come first. i'd like to not be on strike and be in— come first. i'd like to not be on strike and be in the _ come first. i'd like to not be on strike and be in the classrooml come first. i'd like to not be on- strike and be in the classroom right now _ strike and be in the classroom right now. ., �* , ' strike and be in the classroom right now., now. you've been here 15 years. how much harder— now. you've been here 15 years. how much harder has _ now. you've been here 15 years. how much harder has teaching _ now. you've been here 15 years. how much harder has teaching got - now. you've been here 15 years. how much harder has teaching got was i much harder has teaching got was mike particularly hard, especially in the last ten or 15 years, the

budgets have reduced significantly, class sizes have got bigger, the students have noticed it and they are quite supportive of what we are doing today. the 5% pay rise from last year, lots of it has been taken from existing school budgets will what have you noticed in school in terms of tighter school budgets? it is much more difficult to fund all of the _ is much more difficult to fund all of the supplies— is much more difficult to fund all of the supplies for— is much more difficult to fund all of the supplies for the _ is much more difficult to fund all of the supplies for the students, j of the supplies for the students, all of— of the supplies for the students, all of the — of the supplies for the students, all of the educational— of the supplies for the students, all of the educational activities l all of the educational activities outside — all of the educational activities outside the _ all of the educational activities outside the school— all of the educational activities outside the school that - all of the educational activities outside the school that we - all of the educational activities i outside the school that we can't afford _ outside the school that we can't afford to — outside the school that we can't afford to do _ outside the school that we can't afford to do any— outside the school that we can't afford to do any more. - outside the school that we can't afford to do any more. the - outside the school that we can't i afford to do any more. the budget hasn't _ afford to do any more. the budget hasn't been — afford to do any more. the budget hasn't been given— afford to do any more. the budget hasn't been given to _ afford to do any more. the budget hasn't been given to us. _ afford to do any more. the budget hasn't been given to us. the - afford to do any more. the budget i hasn't been given to us. the greater rise has— hasn't been given to us. the greater rise has been— hasn't been given to us. the greater rise has been giving _ hasn't been given to us. the greater rise has been giving out— hasn't been given to us. the greater rise has been giving out of— hasn't been given to us. the greater rise has been giving out of the - rise has been giving out of the existing — rise has been giving out of the existing budget— rise has been giving out of the existing budget meaning - rise has been giving out of the existing budget meaning the i rise has been giving out of the - existing budget meaning the students are worse _ existing budget meaning the students are worse off. — existing budget meaning the students are worse off, not _ existing budget meaning the students are worse off, notjust_ existing budget meaning the students are worse off, not just the _ existing budget meaning the students are worse off, not just the tedious - are worse off, notjust the tedious but the _ are worse off, notjust the tedious but the students. _ are worse off, notjust the tedious but the students. the _ are worse off, not 'ust the tedious but the students. the government would say these _ but the students. the government would say these children - but the students. the government would say these children have - but the students. the government would say these children have justj would say these children have just been through a pandemic, there are 1300 pupils here who are now at home and now isn't the right time to strike because of what children have been through, what would you say? where there is never a good time to strike _ where there is never a good time to strike and _ where there is never a good time to strike and we — where there is never a good time to strike and we wouldn't _ where there is never a good time to strike and we wouldn't have - where there is never a good time to strike and we wouldn't have to - strike and we wouldn't have to strike — strike and we wouldn't have to strike had _ strike and we wouldn't have to strike had the _ strike and we wouldn't have to strike had the government - strike and we wouldn't have to - strike had the government listened to us in_ strike had the government listened to us in the — strike had the government listened to us in the first _ strike had the government listened to us in the first place _ strike had the government listened to us in the first place at _ strike had the government listened to us in the first place at least - to us in the first place at least ten years— to us in the first place at least ten years ago. _ to us in the first place at least ten years ago, but _ to us in the first place at least ten years ago, but even - to us in the first place at least ten years ago, but even now. i to us in the first place at least i ten years ago, but even now. we to us in the first place at least - ten years ago, but even now. we need more _ ten years ago, but even now. we need more funding — ten years ago, but even now. we need more funding for— ten years ago, but even now. we need more funding for our— ten years ago, but even now. we need

more funding for our schools - ten years ago, but even now. we need more funding for our schools and - ten years ago, but even now. we need more funding for our schools and for l more funding for our schools and for our students — more funding for our schools and for our students and _ more funding for our schools and for our students and for— more funding for our schools and for our students and for ourselves - more funding for our schools and for our students and for ourselves and l our students and for ourselves and for everybody _ our students and for ourselves and for everybody-— our students and for ourselves and for everybody. thank you for “oining us. the government * for everybody. thank you for “oining us. the government says _ for everybody. thank you forjoining us. the government says they - for everybody. thank you forjoining us. the government says they will l us. the government says they will continue talks with the national education union and have said they have given £2 billion additionally to education this year and will also do that next year as well and continue with the negotiations. there could well be three more days of strike action if the dispute isn't reached. for schools like chesterfield here in crosby they could be closed for three more days. thank you, elaine dunkley, education correspondent. we are going to look at the teachers strike in a bit more detail in a couple of minutes but first let's turn to the railways. train drivers represented by aslef and rmt unions are involved in further industrial action today and that dispute about pay, job security and working conditions. our transport correspondent katy austin johnson from ashford international. good morning. talk to us first of all about the impact this is going to have today.

all about the impact this is going to have today-— all about the impact this is going to have today. more than 12,000 train drivers _ to have today. more than 12,000 train drivers in _ to have today. more than 12,000 train drivers in the _ to have today. more than 12,000 train drivers in the aslef- to have today. more than 12,000 train drivers in the aslef union i to have today. more than 12,000 | train drivers in the aslef union are on strike today and it's a really severe impact on rail services across the country with england bearing the brunt. 30% of the usual services are running but the exact impact really depends on the individual train company. many of the operators directly affected by the operators directly affected by the strike today are running no trains at all, and that includes south—eastern, which is why the station behind us is deserted, no southeastern trains to hear at all. and if we just go over here you will be able to see that there is a picket line that's been out here since very early this morning with some of the train drivers out here showing their feelings out there on the picket line here in ashford. the eternal question in all of these disputes is, is there any progress towards a resolution?—

disputes is, is there any progress towards a resolution? well, in the aslef dispute. _ towards a resolution? well, in the aslef dispute, the _ towards a resolution? well, in the aslef dispute, the dispute - towards a resolution? well, in the| aslef dispute, the dispute between the train drivers and the train companies, there really hasn't been much progress at all. and actually the mood is fairly pessimistic, i'd say, in terms of the chances of an imminent breakthrough. there was an offer that was made, the first set offer that was made, the first set of proposals put forward by the group that represents the train companies earlier this month, that was essentially a long list of changes to working practices that the industry said would free up money for a pay rise of 4% last year and 4% this year. aslef, the union, rejected that pretty strongly and they said not only is that pay rise far below the rate of inflation but they said the list of conditions attached was so long it was just not acceptable. the rail industry argues that these kind of changes are necessary to modernise, to reform and to cut costs. the union was extremely unhappy with that offer.

so what happens next? well, there haven't been real talks since that rejection. i understand that the rail delivery group, the group representing train companies, is hoping to arrange more talks and the union has always said it is open to talks and does want a resolution. so we will have to see now whether any fresh proposals can be put forward. the industry says they need to identify areas where the two sides can reach agreement, areas they can work together on a way forward, but ultimately it depends on whether the government which ultimately holds the purse strings here will enable a new offer to be made. the government and the rail industry have pointed out the offer was put forward would, they say, bring train drivers�* salary on average up to somewhere near £65,000, but still the union argues they really need a pay rise that reflects the rate of inflation that reflects the rate of inflation that doesn�*t, they say, mean

sacrificing a lot of conditions that they have worked hard for over the years. but at the moment i would say this dispute does not look very close to a resolution at all. thank ou for close to a resolution at all. thank you for that _ close to a resolution at all. thank you for that update, _ close to a resolution at all. thank you for that update, katy - close to a resolution at all. thank you for that update, katy austin, | you for that update, katy austin, our transport correspondent. let�*s return to the industrial action involving teachers. teachers in scotland are on strike in part of a rolling series of days of industrial action, and in england and wales it is thought around 20,000 schools are affected by industrial actions involving teachers walking out for the first time since 2016. let�*s talk to a secondary school teacher in leeds and is on strike today, dan quirk. good morning. we are trying to get a sense of how schools are affected. is your school completely closed or is it open to some pupils? mr; is your school completely closed or is it open to some pupils? my school was completely _ is it open to some pupils? my school was completely closed _ is it open to some pupils? my school was completely closed today, - is it open to some pupils? my school was completely closed today, yes. i was completely closed today, yes. how do you feel about taking part in

this industrial action? it is how do you feel about taking part in this industrial action?— this industrial action? it is a difficult question _ this industrial action? it is a difficult question because i this industrial action? it is a | difficult question because as this industrial action? it is a l difficult question because as a profession striking is not something that teachers take lightly. 0bviously that teachers take lightly. obviously there is the impact to ourselves as well, as there is with any sector that takes industrial action. but there is a duty of care for safeguarding and looking after young people. so in orderfor us to be at this stage things must have got fairly serious, fairly severe. we are all aware of the impact that the pandemic has had on this generation and are extremely low to —— loiv to have our actions responsible for any further loss of learning for young people. loath? responsible for any further loss of learning for young people. why do ou and learning for young people. why do you and your _ learning for young people. why do you and your colleagues _ learning for young people. why do you and your colleagues who - learning for young people. why do you and your colleagues who are l learning for young people. why do | you and your colleagues who are on the strike feel moved to go as far as this, given that you are acutely aware of the impact of that lost

education through the pandemic? ultimately it is for the students. the biggest issue i personally have, and the colleagues i have spoken to have shared this, but obviously i can�*t speak for the whole union. but the biggest concern that we have is that we are in a recruitment and retention crisis as an industry, we are not recruiting enough teachers and we are losing experienced, quality, dedicated teachers faster than we are replacing them and that cannot continue. ultimately we will reach a tipping point where there are simply not enough teachers for a generation of young people and we will have a whole generation who will have a whole generation who will lose out on the education that they are entitled to because we cannot recruit teachers and more importantly we cannot get those in the profession who are skilled, experienced and dedicated to

continuing the profession when they could very often make better money with less conditions and less stress in the private sector.— in the private sector. what have arents in the private sector. what have parents and _ in the private sector. what have parents and carers _ in the private sector. what have parents and carers been - in the private sector. what have parents and carers been saying| in the private sector. what have i parents and carers been saying at your school or at the industrial action today? do you think they support what you are doing? i think m self and support what you are doing? i think myself and my _ support what you are doing? i think myself and my colleagues - support what you are doing? i think myself and my colleagues are - support what you are doing? i think myself and my colleagues are very| myself and my colleagues are very fortunate that our teachers have been and parents have largely supported the industrial action. they do see our concern and how really as a country we need to come together, just as we need to do to support each of the striking sectors to make sure we can get things back to make sure we can get things back to the way we want them to be. i want to get your reaction to what the education secretary gillian keegan had to say earlier in an interview when she said after 13 years of being in government the conservatives have the highest spending on schools ever. does it feel like that to you? it spending on schools ever. does it feel like that to you?— feel like that to you? it doesn't. i'm not feel like that to you? it doesn't. l'm not going —

feel like that to you? it doesn't. l'm not going to _ feel like that to you? it doesn't. i'm not going to dispute - feel like that to you? it doesn't. i'm not going to dispute that, i feel like that to you? it doesn't. i'm not going to dispute that, it| feel like that to you? it doesn't. i i'm not going to dispute that, it is i�*m not going to dispute that, it is the highest spending on schools, but of course with inflation rising and the cost of everything going up, that money doesn�*t go as far as it used to. class sizes are bigger than they have been previously. there is less money available for resources. there is less money available for supporting students which may have been done previously. it doesn�*t feel like we have what we need to give the students everything we want to. ,, ~ ., ., , give the students everything we want to. . ,, ., ., , ., ., to. dan quirk, head of english at a school in west _ to. dan quirk, head of english at a school in west yorkshire _ to. dan quirk, head of english at a school in west yorkshire joining i to. dan quirk, head of english at a school in west yorkshire joining us| school in west yorkshire joining us from leeds this morning. thank you very much. let me bring in some of your comments about the industrial action today. i�*ve been asking you to let me know how it affects you and what you think about it. most people getting in touch about the teachers�* strike. at the moment, jason says my eldest�*s school is on strike today, supports teachers 100%. bernadette sanders says workers are striking because their salary is not commensurate with their worth. the high cost of living has brought this

home. this one is from hay wain photography. the government can give the excuse of not wanting to give inflation busting wage increases, the need to sort their own house out before complaining about others. nicky low says, not sure if that is or a it is a she, nikki is supporting her teacher�*s son in liverpool byjoining the nearest rally in brighton. least i can do, says nicky, for our conscientious, conscientious, talented and underpaid boy. do keep getting in touch with me about the industrial action today, whether it is the teachers strike, action on the railways, or other strike action. how is that impacting you and what do you think of it? you can do that on twitter and use the hashtag bc your questions. the time is 9.23 am. aa—year—old girl has died after being attacked by a dog in milton keynes. emergency services were

called to the back garden of a house yesterday afternoon in the nether field area of the city. thames valley police described it as a tragic incident. howard johnson reports. a police officer stands guard outside the home where the dog attack happened. thames valley police have described it as a tragic incident. floral tributes are being laid in memory of the four—year—old girl who was tragically attacked by the dog at this property. at the moment, we can see police in forensic suits walking around. there is a tent in the back garden where they are currently doing some forensics work. the thames valley police, though, have urged the public to show their respect to the family, by allowing them the privacy to grieve during this difficult time. officers were called to the property in netherfield, a suburb of milton keynes, by the ambulance service just after 5pm on tuesday. it was reported the incident took place in the back garden. shortly afterwards, it was confirmed a child had died

at the property. no arrests have been made, and police say the dog has been humanely destroyed. the child�*s family are being supported by specialist officers. superintendent matt bullivant of thames valley police said. a large police presence is expected in the area as investigations continue. howard johnson, bbc news. a potential "key witness" has come forward in the search for a woman who went missing while walking her dog last friday. lancashire police say 45—year—old nicola bulley, who has two children, was last seen walking along a riverside path in the village

of st michael�*s on wyre. juliet phillips reports. police, rescue teams and volunteers have continued their search for missing mum of two, nicola bulley. she was last seen on friday morning, walking her dog next to the river wyre. the spaniel was later found off the lead, nicola�*s phone still connected to a work call on a bench nearby. amongst those joining the search was nicola�*s close friend, emma. nicci�*s got two beautiful children at home who want to know where their mummy is. and as anybody would, we�*ve had so many, many offers of support and help, which is amazing. and we thank you, and i know the family thank you very much. and i think it is that community and that offer of support, that offer of help, that is helping everyone be so strong. but then equally, you go home and think what reality could be and then the emotions kick in. lancashire police say that a witness who was walking a white dog in the area around the time nicola went missing, is currently being spoken to.

people from the local area and further afield have also been searching with a base set up at the village tennis club to coordinate volunteers. village tennis club to coordinate volunteers-— volunteers. just trying to do an hinu volunteers. just trying to do anything i — volunteers. just trying to do anything i can _ volunteers. just trying to do anything i can to _ volunteers. just trying to do anything i can to help, - volunteers. just trying to do i anything i can to help, really. volunteers. just trying to do - anything i can to help, really. just shocking news that somebody in the village has gone missing, somebody that i used to see very regularly. when my son came to the school. it has really gripped everybody, everybodyjust has really gripped everybody, everybody just wants to has really gripped everybody, everybodyjust wants to help, putting — everybodyjust wants to help, putting normal life to one side and 'ust putting normal life to one side and just trying — putting normal life to one side and just trying to bring her home. police — just trying to bring her home. police are _ just trying to bring her home. police are continuing to appeal for dash cam footage from anyone driving through saint michael�*s on wyre on friday morning. anyone with information is urged to come forward to the police. house prices in the uk have fallen for the fifth month in a row in january according to nationwide building society of the country�*s biggest building society. last month the average property price was £258,297, down by 0.6% on december.

despite predictions that the housing market will struggle to regain momentum in the near term, it is thought that the affordability of mortgages will remain challenging due to higher interest rates and the impact of the cost of living crisis. maybe you have already had your morning coffee or planning to get one soon, but of course it is a regular drink for many people. now the consumer group which? has measured the quantity of caffeine that coffee is contained in the high street chains and the results are here. the topped the list for the strongest medium cappuccino, meanwhile pret the strongest single espresso and filter coffee in starbucks contained the least caffeine of these three drinks. let�*s speak to a food writer and a coffee fan. are you one of these people who absolutely has to have your morning cup of coffee before

your morning cup of coffee before you feel you have truly woken up and can begin the day? yes. you feel you have truly woken up and can begin the day?— can begin the day? yes, absolutely. i love the aroma _ can begin the day? yes, absolutely. i love the aroma but _ can begin the day? yes, absolutely. i love the aroma but i don't - can begin the day? yes, absolutely. i love the aroma but i don't like - i love the aroma but i don�*t like the taste of coffee so i can�*t really comment on the taste of these respective coffees, but are you loyal to one brand, or do you ring the changes? i loyalto one brand, or do you ring the changes?— loyalto one brand, or do you ring the changes? i think less about the brand and more _ the changes? i think less about the brand and more about _ the changes? i think less about the brand and more about the - the changes? i think less about the brand and more about the kind - the changes? i think less about the brand and more about the kind of. brand and more about the kind of routine and where i go and the staff and all that kind of stuff, then the type of coffee i liked a drink i think is very much a part of what coffee drinking is about, the routine of how you like your milk, how much milk you like, or no milk, that side of things. what is your favourite type? first coffee is always a black coffee and then i have a flat white. flan always a black coffee and then i have a flat white.— have a flat white. can you tell whether. _ have a flat white. can you tell whether, this _ have a flat white. can you tell whether, this story _ have a flat white. can you tell whether, this story today - have a flat white. can you tell whether, this story today is i have a flat white. can you tell - whether, this story today is about the amount of caffeine in respective types of coffee, can you tell the difference, do you think, if you�*ve

gone to one particular store and their coffees are stronger than somewhere else, for example? i think ou can somewhere else, for example? i think you can but — somewhere else, for example? i think you can but i — somewhere else, for example? i think you can but i think— somewhere else, for example? i think you can but i think most _ somewhere else, for example? i think you can but i think most of— somewhere else, for example? i think you can but i think most of us - you can but i think most of us probably don�*t know the specifics, i don�*t really notice the specifics. unless you are drinking a lot of coffee, or you are particularly sensitive to caffeine, i don�*t know if we are as in tune, the everyday person, is as in tune to those levels. although if you really want to have caffeine should drink the filter because that�*s the highest way of processing coffee to get the most caffeine out of it. but i don�*t think that getting caffeine is the primary example, primary reason, rather, for people to have coffee. i wasjust about to rather, for people to have coffee. i was just about to say, it sounds that you are talking much more about the overall experience.— the overall experience. absolutely. i think it is part _ the overall experience. absolutely. i think it is part of— the overall experience. absolutely. i think it is part of people's - i think it is part of people�*s ritual and routine, and it makes people feel, you know, like their little moment of luxury and they are feeling a little bit fancy when

someone takes the time to steam of the milk, filter the coffee and all that type of thing, that feel special, it should.— that type of thing, that feel special, it should. ok, so you've had our special, it should. ok, so you've had your black — special, it should. ok, so you've had your black coffee? _ special, it should. ok, so you've had your black coffee? and - special, it should. ok, so you've had your black coffee? and have j special, it should. ok, so you've - had your black coffee? and have you had your black coffee? and have you had your black coffee? and have you had your second one? i had your black coffee? and have you had your second one?— had your black coffee? and have you had your second one? i haste! already had your second one? i have! already had your second one? i have! already had our had your second one? i have! already had your second _ had your second one? i have! already had your second one? _ had your second one? i have! already had your second one? and _ had your second one? i have! already had your second one? and will - had your second one? i have! already had your second one? and will you i had your second one? and will you have any more today, or is that it? that is probably it, i wouldn�*t have coffee after midday, caffeine does affect me, and maybe i have a third if i�*m particularly, if i�*ve been up very early this morning, i might have a third in about an hour but it might bea have a third in about an hour but it might be a little bit weaker. enjagr might be a little bit weaker. en'oy it if ou might be a little bit weaker. en'oy it if you do. — might be a little bit weaker. en'oy rt rfyou do. or�* might be a little bit weaker. en'oy it if you do. dr anna i might be a little bit weaker. en'oy it if you do. dr anna sulan �* might be a little bit weaker. enjoy it if you do. dr anna sulan masing, thank you very much, describes herself as a coffee addict. if you have already had your morning coffee i hope you have enjoyed it. it is time for a look at the weather forecast with nick miller. severe gales in northern scotland will ease during the day but it remains indie. we have a weather front with rain in south—west scotland, parts of northern ireland, north—west england. 0n scotland, parts of northern ireland, north—west england. on and off here.

northern ireland turning a bit brighter into the afternoon. northern and eastern scotland, sunny spells, the chance of a shower, wintry nails. in england and wales, more cloud this afternoon compared with this morning but it stays mainly dry. continuing across northern areas with a further chance of outbreaks of rain overnight, more in scotland, and the rain turning heavier in the north. parts of north—east scotland briefly dipping close to freezing but for most mild start to a rather cloudy thursday with some pretty wet weather in the north and north—west of scotland. persistent heavy rain for much of the day here. elsewhere, a lot of cloud around. from the cloud around, you might see some light rain or drizzle or some occasional sunny spells, too. hello this is bbc news. i�*m annita mcveigh. the headlines: hundreds of thousands of workers — including school teachers — are going on strike for what will be

the biggest day of industrial action in more than a decade. rather than messing about and doing nothing, which is what they�*ve done since lastjuly, the government should get around the table now seriously and start to negotiate. we are having those wide ranging discussions. what is not realistic is for us to be looking at inflation or inflation busting pay rises. in other news — a four—year—old girl has died in a dog attack in milton keynes. it is 9.33. sport and time for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre. good morning. a lot has been made of the saudi takeover at newcastle. how satisfying for the club though that it was academy graduate sean longstaff, who cost the club absoultely nothing, who

got the goals to leave the fans partying like it�*s 1999. katie gornall reports. cheering many of these fans had never seen newcastle in a majorfinal, let alone win a trophy. after so many sterile years on tyneside, they have reason to dream again. there�*s something special going on. it feels magic. it�*s great to be part of it. just enjoying it. 50 odd years waited for this. got my grandson here. we are going to wembley. come on, the lads. - it definitely could be a long party. maybe into the early hours of friday. 1—0 up from the first leg, newcastle got that party started early thanks to local lad sean longstaff. four minutes in and they had the perfect start. it would get even better, as longstaff and newcastle dominated. times are changing on tyneside and here for the ride was their new £45 million man anthony gordon. but southampton were not about to wave newcastle off to wembley. che adams knew it would take something special

to beat this defence. commentator: southampton not giving up yet! _ southampton searched for second—half goals and were given a glimmer of hope when bruno guimaraes saw red for this. i think he is away. but even with ten men, newcastle held firm. st james�* park erupted. their wait is over. now for a shot at history. newcastle�*s saudi—backed owners promised better days to come when they took over. but few could have predicted the transformation to be as rapid as this. facing relegation last season, newcastle are now flying high in the premier league and off to their first wembley final this century. manchester united played nottingham forest to see who take them on.

chelsea as predicted breaking the british tranfer record — a whopping £105 million on enzo fernadnez. but with strict rules around how much clubs can spend on players how is it chelsea, now under new owners, have been able to take their spending to over half a billion pounds since they took over? 0ur sports editor dan roan�*s been taking a look. he may be just 22, but enzo fernandez is already a world cup winner. the argentine midfielder emerging as one of the stars of the tournament. the youngster played just a handful of matches for benfica, who signed him for what now appears a bargain £8 million. but chelsea have just made him the most expensive signing in the history of british football. the fee a new record of more than £100 million. well, it is an extraordinary amount of money. but, then again, that is not new for chelsea. certainly for 20 years. the current owners, i mean, that is getting towards half a billion pounds spent in a very short period of time. if chelsea fans thought the departure of the club�*s former owner russian oligarch

roman abramovich last year would mean a more frugal approach, they needn�*t have worried. american todd burley overseeing an unprecedented spending spree over the last two transfer windows. the supporters are thrilled. a lot of people were saying roman�*s millions are gone, you are going to have to be a lot more frugal, all of that. it feels like we are right back in 2003 again. we have treated the winter window like it is a summer window. sitting tenth in the table, it's very hard to stay positive and look towards the future. i think what todd is doing injanuary has restored a lot of faith in us fans. earlier this window, chelsea splashed out another £88 million on ukraine striker mykhailo mudryk. one of a host of new recruits offered an unusually long contracts to spread the cost and help the club comply with financial fair play regulations that limit losses. if you take a player that�*s worth let�*s say £100 million over the duration of say a five—year contract, instead of putting out £100 million into yourfinancial

reports, what you actually put down is the amortised value, only charging £20 million per year. of course, that enables you to flex your financial muscle a little bit more. premier league clubs have spent more this month than the five other biggest leagues in europe combined. this window only reinforcing the english top flight�*s dominance of the international transfer market. making way for their new recruit at chelsea... making way the italian midfielderjorginho who leaves chelsea for rivals arsenalfor £12 million. arsenal let�*s not forget topping the premier league table. following news of christian eriksen�*s injury at manchester united, that�*ll rule him out for most of the season, the club have secured a replacement, austria midfielder marcel sabitzer, completing a loan move from bayern munich. that�*s all the sport for now. plenty more throughout the day, back

to you. thank you very much. we return to the teachers strike now. teachers in england and wales striking for the first time since 2016. in scotland, a rolling programme of strikes going on as well. i have been asking you today about your reaction to all of this and what you think the impact of the teachers strikes are. this is from someone on twitter who describes themselves as i�*m so very, very tired. three extra bank holiday is the royal issues is in a disruption but strike days to try to save the future of teaching is? the problem in education isn�*t down to inflation, it�*sjust problem in education isn�*t down to inflation, it�*s just the latest issue, but to pay has been an issue for years. christin says, solidarity with all teachers. she says, today i have eldest doing first gcse and youngest doing online home school and she includes the word nightmare in brackets about that. i think all of us who have done that

home—schooling understand that. she says fully support the teachers striking today despite the impact on her children. one more, and a secondary school teacher on strike today, i don�*t want to be but enough is enough. in real terms, school funding has fallen since 2010, resulting in teachers and schools being able to deliver the education we want to. as i always say, not a scientific survey, obviously, but everyone who has been in touch so far today is supporting the industrial action. far today is supporting the industrialaction. but far today is supporting the industrial action. but i stress, not a scientific survey. if you want to get in touch about the strike action, you can do that on twitter. now i�*m joined by former education secretaryjustine greening. thank you for your time today. interesting to hear the last comment from a viewer, a secondary school teacher on strike today, saying school funding in real terms has fallen since 2010, resulting in teachers and schools being unable to deliver the education they want to, because

the education they want to, because the current education secretary were saying this morning after 13 years of being in government, the conservatives have the higher spending on schools ever. but it seems that teachers are not feeling that, given inflation and the cost of living. would you agree that schools are not feeling that funding? i schools are not feeling that fundin: ? ~' ., , , schools are not feeling that fundin: ? ~' . , , ., funding? i think the reality is that it's been difficult _ funding? i think the reality is that it's been difficult to _ funding? i think the reality is that it's been difficult to see _ funding? i think the reality is that it's been difficult to see school. it�*s been difficult to see school funding keep up with the pace of inflation and that is also impacting teacher pay. in recent years, you have seen the government responded that by trying to help the pay of new starter teachers rise faster. but, actually, in the round, you have seen teachers further up the career ladder in senior and leadership positions falling back relatively. so i think there is a genuine issue here about the market and how teaching can stay competitive as a profession. behind thatis competitive as a profession. behind that is the issue that some of your other viewers are raised, which is

just the impact it has on children�*s education after all of the disruption from covid. i think for a country that wants to level up, we know that this will have an impact on those most disadvantaged children who are already behind the worst. so there is a need i think, for both sides to get together. i think it is a failure that it has got to this stage. i am encouraged by the fact that the education secretary is prepared to talk to the teaching unions and i think any teacher wants to be —— i don�*t think any teacher wants to be on strike today. both sides recognise this is more than aboutjust pay. but in the end, we are going to have to get this sorted out. children can�*t afford any more days out of school. but if the government... the sooner they resolve at the debt. if government... the sooner they resolve at the debt.— resolve at the debt. if the government _ resolve at the debt. if the government is _ resolve at the debt. if the government is about - resolve at the debt. if the - government is about levelling up as it says it is, does it need to take some extraordinary action? the government is talking about not wanting to give inflation busting

pay rises but in this particular area, the future of children, surely it needs to make an exception? i think there does need to be a comprehensive plan on levelling up and education.— comprehensive plan on levelling up and education. does the government needs to make _ and education. does the government needs to make an _ and education. does the government needs to make an exception? - and education. does the government needs to make an exception? if- and education. does the government needs to make an exception? if the i needs to make an exception? if the government is as serious about levelling up as it says it is, does it need to make an exception in terms of the pay rises for this sector? i know that is a difficult question but does it? education is the heart of _ question but does it? education is the heart of levelling _ question but does it? education is the heart of levelling up. - question but does it? education is the heart of levelling up. i- question but does it? education is the heart of levelling up. i think. the heart of levelling up. i think each of the strikes we are seeing todayis each of the strikes we are seeing today is different in nature. they are not all the same. i think the cost for children�*s education is much more invisible than the examples we see in the health service, for example. but i do think you are right, that we need to have a long—term plan on how we level up education and then it needs to be more ambition than we have had thus far. you saw kevin collins come

forward with a covid education recovery plan. the government didn�*t fully fund that. so i think there does need to be an overall strategy on how we enable education to be and have gaps closed rather than a time where gaps get wider for people and their life chances. and within that, you have to look at how we can make sure there is a teaching profession that in my experience is hugely committed to what it does every single day with our children and young people, how we can make sure thatis young people, how we can make sure that is a profession that is properly rewarded and more broadly has a pay and reward structure which makes people feel properly rewarded and can progress in their career. this goes together and it is crucial because if you have a strongly educated population, you have a stronger economy. if you have a stronger economy. if you have a stronger economy, you get the tax receipts and growth that you need to fund public services finally and briefly because we are nearly out of

time can say is a failure it has got to this stage, where industrial action is taking place. you to this stage, where industrial action is taking place.- action is taking place. you say there is a _ action is taking place. you say there is a need _ action is taking place. you say there is a need for— action is taking place. you say there is a need for a _ action is taking place. you say there is a need for a strategy. j action is taking place. you say - there is a need for a strategy. are you saying clearly, from your perspective, that part of that failure is down to the government, the conservatives have been in power for 13 years, you would, most people would say, expect a government in powerfor 13 years, a party in power for 13 years to have that comprehensive strategy that you say is needed? i comprehensive strategy that you say is needed? . ., , , ., is needed? i certainly brought throu~h is needed? i certainly brought through a _ is needed? i certainly brought through a social _ is needed? i certainly brought through a social mobility - is needed? i certainly brought through a social mobility plan| is needed? i certainly brought - through a social mobility plan when i was education secretary. i think pose the 2019 election, it was clear it wasn�*t just me pose the 2019 election, it was clear it wasn�*tjust me who got behind this, it was across the country. so we have had disruption of course with covid but the bottom line is the clock is ticking and we now need to see a comprehensive levelling up strategy that starts, i think, with education, and that will have to have resources put into it. this is not a cost in the end, this is an investment in developing our

nation�*s talent so that it can succeed and when that succeeds, we will all succeed. so there is a longer term aspect to all of this. in the short—term, i think both sides need to get back around table. there are 28 more days before the next strike and i very much hope, i think gillian keegan sounds like she has been a reasonable person in those discussions but i do think the government will need to start looking more carefully at pay. and perhaps fast track that pay review board approach that at the moment feels like it is a little stuck. tqm. feels like it is a little stuck. 0k, justine greening, _ feels like it is a little stuck. 0k, justine greening, former education secretary, thank you very much. thank you. and now we are joined byjane james whose15—year—old daughter is staying home from school today. that is because of the industrial action. your daughter is 15. welcome, thank you very much. is she in year ten or welcome, thank you very much. is she in yearten or11? welcome, thank you very much. is she in year ten or 11? she welcome, thank you very much. is she in year ten or"?—

in year ten or 11? she is in year 11, es. in year ten or 11? she is in year 11. yes- gcse — in year ten or 11? she is in year 11, yes. gcse yeah? _ in year ten or 11? she is in year 11, yes. gcse yeah? yes, - in year ten or 11? she is in year 11, yes. gcse yeah? yes, gcse| in year ten or 11? she is in year - 11, yes. gcse yeah? yes, gcse year, a big year- — 11, yes. gcse yeah? yes, gcse year, a big year- there _ 11, yes. gcse yeah? yes, gcse year, a big year. there is _ 11, yes. gcse yeah? yes, gcse year, a big year. there is lots _ 11, yes. gcse yeah? yes, gcse year, a big year. there is lots of— 11, yes. gcse yeah? yes, gcse year, a big year. there is lots of big - a big year. there is lots of big milestones to hit when you are in school. ., ., , ., ., school. how are you feeling about the fact, school. how are you feeling about the fact. given — school. how are you feeling about the fact, given the _ school. how are you feeling about the fact, given the disruption, - school. how are you feeling about the fact, given the disruption, as| the fact, given the disruption, as we�*ve been talking about today, of the pandemic and the last education that that entails, how are you feeling about the fact that teachers are taking industrial action today, supportive of them or not? absolutely. the system in my opinion is really broken and that makes me really, really sad. but fundamentally, it is about children. it is the next level... they will be the next level of leaders and people going intojobs and careers the next level of leaders and people going into jobs and careers and the next level of leaders and people going intojobs and careers and i just hope that there is a resolution really, really soon for teachers, but for the children as well, because the children are our next generation, aren�*t they? haste because the children are our next generation, aren't they? have you had to take _ generation, aren't they? have you had to take time _ generation, aren't they? have you had to take time off— generation, aren't they? have you had to take time off work- generation, aren't they? have you had to take time off work today i generation, aren't they? have you had to take time off work today or| had to take time off work today or are you working from home, what is the situation for you? i am are you working from home, what is the situation for you?— the situation for you? i am really luc , i the situation for you? i am really lucky. i work _ the situation for you? i am really lucky, i work for _ the situation for you? i am really lucky, i work for myself. - the situation for you? i am really lucky, i work for myself. i - the situation for you? i am really lucky, i work for myself. i work. lucky, i work for myself. i work within education and i can work from

home. so childcare isn�*t a huge issue, but it is a huge issue for loads of parents. it will be tricky to manage that if there is further strike days after today, it really well. it strike days after today, it really well. ,., , strike days after today, it really well. , .,, ., strike days after today, it really well. , ., ,, well. it sounds as though despite an , as well. it sounds as though despite any. as you _ well. it sounds as though despite any. as you say _ well. it sounds as though despite any. as you say you _ well. it sounds as though despite any, as you say you can - well. it sounds as though despite any, as you say you can work - well. it sounds as though despite l any, as you say you can work from home, but despite any inconvenience or a lost day in school for your daughter, it sounds as though you are supportive of the aims of this strike? i are supportive of the aims of this strike? . , ., ., , . ., strike? i really want to see change and i strike? i really want to see change and i want — strike? i really want to see change and i want to _ strike? i really want to see change and i want to see _ strike? i really want to see change and i want to see change - strike? i really want to see change and i want to see change for - strike? i really want to see change and i want to see change for the i and i want to see change for the system, for teachers and four children. looking at it as a whole, it�*s a huge, big project that needs to be looked at. this education system needs help. teachers need help. our children need it more than ever. ., ., help. our children need it more than ever, ., ., .. help. our children need it more than ever. ., , ., ., , ever. 0k, good to get your view as well, ever. 0k, good to get your view as well. jane — ever. 0k, good to get your view as well, jane james, _ ever. 0k, good to get your view as well, jane james, thank _ ever. 0k, good to get your view as well, jane james, thank you - ever. 0k, good to get your view as well, jane james, thank you for i ever. 0k, good to get your view as i well, jane james, thank you for your time today. well, jane james, thank you for your time today-— well, jane james, thank you for your time today-_ we - well, jane james, thank you for your time today._ we are - well, jane james, thank you for your | time today._ we are going time today. thank you. we are going to net lots time today. thank you. we are going to get lots of — time today. thank you. we are going to get lots of different _ time today. thank you. we are going to get lots of different opinions - time today. thank you. we are going to get lots of different opinions on i to get lots of different opinions on what is happening today.

the way electricity prices are set has pushed uk household bills up by £7.2 billion over two years, according to analysis from the not—for—profit climate think tank carbon tracker initiative. gas—fired power stations are the most expensive way to generate electricity, but only make about 40% of all electricity used by uk homes. that means consumers are paying over the odds for power that is generated any other way. let�*s speak to our economics correspondent andy verity. lots of people looking at this story today, obviously because of the cost of living crisis. the energy bills are a bit part —— make a big part of that. iam are a bit part —— make a big part of that. i am wondering why if energy costs a certain amount to generate they are paying over and above that. just tell us in a little more detail what is behind that.— what is behind that. well, if you look at the _ what is behind that. well, if you look at the price _ what is behind that. well, if you look at the price we _ what is behind that. well, if you look at the price we pay - what is behind that. well, if you look at the price we pay for - look at the price we pay for electricity, it depends on what our suppliers charge us. those are the energy retailers, but they don�*t have a free hand. their prices the energy retailers pay for their wholesale electricity depends what

the price is on the market. but the way the market is structured, it is the most expensive form of electricity generation which sets the price for the whole market, all the price for the whole market, all the wholesale electricity generation done, whether gas—fired or whether it comes from wind farms or nuclear. that means that if nuclear and wind farms are much cheaper than gas, well, we end up paying well over the cost of production for that generation. in some cases, three times as much. whereas gas—fired generation, because the gas price has been spiking in the last couple of years, has been far more expensive. according to carbon tracker, they have done an analysis which shows we paid £7.2 billion. according to them, that is money we have over paid for our electricity just because of the way the market is structured force that the government would say they are consulting on this, they know the market structure need updated but nevertheless it is a painful thought for consumers that not only are we

paying huge amounts for our electricity because the gas price is high but we are also paying more, weigh more than the average cost of generating that electricity. so is there a way _ generating that electricity. so is there a way to _ generating that electricity. so is there a way to read _ generating that electricity. so is there a way to read from - generating that electricity. so is there a way to read from the i generating that electricity. so is there a way to read from the market? presumably there are lots of vested interests who don�*t want to see that happen. is there any serious discussion going on on market reform? . discussion going on on market reform? , ., , discussion going on on market reform? , . , , ., reform? there is and this is part of a submission _ reform? there is and this is part of a submission to _ reform? there is and this is part of a submission to a _ reform? there is and this is part of a submission to a government - a submission to a government consultation on this. there is an interesting question here: would it be better if instead the cost of electricity to us, more closely reflected the average cost of generating it? that would mean you split the market. so you pay the cost per 40% of your electricity for the gas—fired power and then for whatever is fired by wind farms, you pay the average price. but if you did it like that, the disadvantage would be that wind farms for example would be that wind farms for example would become less profitable and less of an appealing investment. when we have a target of net zero, carbon tracker is saying, even

though we are overpaying, that could help the target for net zero. but at least now households are a little better informed about what exactly they are paying. when you look at they are paying. when you look at the wholesale price of gas, it used to be gas—fired generation, it used to be gas—fired generation, it used to be gas—fired generation, it used to be £50 per megawatt hour. for years and years. then in 2021, it demanded surges when lockdown ended and rockets up to about £500 per megawatt hour. then it kind of wobbles around and then get worse as the war in ukraine comes along thus and now it�*s back down to about £147 per megawatt hour. so that is obviously a much bigger price than we have been used to paying, but nevertheless, it�*s come down but nevertheless, it�*s come down but nevertheless, we are still overpaying, according to carbon tracker we are overpaying by £7.2 billion and that works out at more than £250 per household. tqm. billion and that works out at more than £250 per household. 0k, andy, thank ou than £250 per household. 0k, andy, thank you very _ than £250 per household. 0k, andy, thank you very much. _ than £250 per household. 0k, andy, thank you very much. andy - than £250 per household. 0k, andy,

thank you very much. andy verity. i a tiny, potentially deadly, radioactive capsule that was lost in the australian outback more than two weeks ago has been found. this is what the capsule looks like next to an australian ten cent coin. as you can see — it�*s tiny — just six millimetres in diameter. a massive search operation which was launched after it fell off a truck somewhere along a 1400 kilometre stretch of highway towards perth. the capsule was found two metres from the side of the road after specialist equipment detected radiation being emitted from it. here are some still images from where it was found. live now to western australia�*s capital, perth. james carmody is a reporter there — he�*s been covering this search. so like the proverbial needle in a haystack. what do we know about how something that is potentially deadly sell they struck in the first place? to give you an idea of what we are talking about, we�*ve 3d printed a replica of the capsule in the newsroom and that is just how tiny

it is. newsroom and that is 'ust how tiny it is. . , , it is. the device is used in mining to measure _ it is. the device is used in mining to measure things _ it is. the device is used in mining to measure things but _ it is. the device is used in mining to measure things but it - it is. the device is used in mining to measure things but it is - to measure things but it is dangerously radioactive. that tiny little capsule caused a massive search operation and a great deal of concern here in australia, when late on friday afternoon, there was an extraordinary press conference with members of the public warned to look out for this tiny capsule because it emits dangerous levels of radioactivity. people were told do not pick it up because it could lead to radiation burns and being in the vicinity of it could cause radiation sickness. now it was believed to have fallen off a truck somewhere between that mining site and 1400 kilometres south, to here in western australia�*s capital city perth. so people were told to even check their tyre treads to see if the tiny silver capsule was picked up there. it then led to a massive search

operation, with firefighters, police and military walking the great northern highway to search for the capsule and specialist equipment brought in from all over the place. it was six days later that it was found. earliertoday, it was six days later that it was found. earlier today, a car driving along with some detection equipment on board, doing 70 kilometres an hour, detected a ping on the side of the road and it was found two metres from the road where it is believed to have somehow fallen off this truck. they set up a 20 metre exclusion zone around it. it will then be put safely into a lead box and the military will be brought in to verify that it is indeed the capsule. it will be stored in a secure location tonight and brought back down here to perth to be checked by the health department tomorrow. �* , ., . ., , ., tomorrow. briefly, how much worry do ou think tomorrow. briefly, how much worry do you think this — tomorrow. briefly, how much worry do you think this caused _ tomorrow. briefly, how much worry do you think this caused among _ tomorrow. briefly, how much worry do you think this caused among the - you think this caused among the public? it you think this caused among the ublic? . . . you think this caused among the ublic? . , ., ., ., ., , public? it was an extraordinary ress public? it was an extraordinary press conference. _ public? it was an extraordinary press conference. it _ public? it was an extraordinary press conference. it felt - public? it was an extraordinary press conference. it felt like i press conference. it felt like something from a superhero movie,

hearing that there was a radioactive capsule that had somehow gone missing, somewhere, and could be anywhere and anyone could find it. but it also led to a great deal of questions as to how something so potentially dangerous could somehow fall off the back of a truck. questions asked of the mining company involved, rio tinto, who later put out an apology and said that it was a contractor that had been transporting the device. questions also asked about who is going to foot the bill for the enormous search effort. it emerged earlier that the maximum penalty for something like this here in wa is only $1000. now our prime minister said earlier today that is ridiculously low, but we have also just in the last little while heard from rio tinto, they said if there is state government makes a request, they would be happy to reimburse the

cost of that enormous search exercise. cost of that enormous search exercise-— cost of that enormous search exercise. . . , ., ~ , ., cost of that enormous search exercise. . . , ., ,, , ., ., exercise. 0k, james, thank you for brinuain exercise. 0k, james, thank you for bringing us — exercise. 0k, james, thank you for bringing us up _ exercise. 0k, james, thank you for bringing us up today _ exercise. 0k, james, thank you for bringing us up today and _ exercise. 0k, james, thank you for bringing us up today and for - exercise. 0k, james, thank you for bringing us up today and for the i exercise. 0k, james, thank you for bringing us up today and for the 3dj bringing us up today and for the 3d printed model of the capsule. james carmody there. time now for a look at the weather forecast and that is with nick miller. hello. severe gales in northern scotland bringing travel disruption, will gradually ease through the day, although it remains windy for us that we have a weather front with rain in south—west scotland, parts of northern ireland, northern and especially north west england. northern ireland turning a bit brighter into the afternoon for at northern and eastern scotland, sunny spells, the chance of a shower, wintry on hills. in england and into wales, more cloud this afternoon compared with this morning but it stays mainly dry. continuing mainly across northern areas with a chance of further outbreaks of rain overnight, more especially into scotland and the rain turning heavier in the north. parts of north—east scotland briefly dipping close to freezing but the most of us, a mild nightand a mild start

close to freezing but the most of us, a mild night and a mild start to us, a mild nightand a mild start to a us, a mild night and a mild start to a rather cloudy thursday, with some pretty wet weather coming through across the north and north—west of scotland. persistent heavy rain for much of the day here. elsewhere, a lot of cloud around. from the cloud, you may see a light rain of drizzle and you may also see some occasional sunny spells, too.

time for a look at the weather forecast with nick miller. this is bbc news — these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world: in the uk, hundreds of thousands of workers including school teachers are going on strike for what will be the biggest day of industrial action in more than a decade. the uk government says most schools in england and wales will be open but the national education union says 85% of schools will be affected, and calls for ministers to engage in talks. rather than messing about and doing nothing, which is what they�*ve done since lastjuly, the government should get around the table now seriously and start to negotiate. we are having those wide ranging discussions.