at one, it's thought to be the biggest day of industrial action in more than a decade across the uk. tens of thousands of teachers are among those on picket lines, in their dispute over pay and conditions. thousands of schools are affected. rather than messing about and doing nothing, which is what they've done since lastjuly, the government should get round the table now seriously and start to negotiate. lam clear i am clear that our children's education _ i am clear that our children's education is precious and they deserve — education is precious and they deserve to be in school today, being taught _ rail passengers are told to check before travelling, as train drivers begin the first of two days of strike action this week.

we'll have the latest from picket lines in england, scotland and wales. also on the programme: large crowds are expected in memphis for the funeral of tyre nichols, the black man who died after being detained by police. two men get life in prison for killing a 71—year—old woman, to steal her life savings. and the potentially deadly radioactive capsule the size of ap retrieved from the australian outback. and coming up on the bbc news channel: chelsea confirm they have completed the signing of argentina midfielder enzo fernandez from benfica for a record £107 million.

good afternoon and welcome to the bbc news at one. it's thought to be the biggest day of industrial action in more than a decade across the uk, with tens of thousands of people on strike, in disputes over pay, jobs, and conditions. teachers, train drivers, civil servants, university staff, bus drivers all are on strike in different parts of the country, with teachers in the national education union the largest group of workers on the picket lines. it's estimated up to 85% of schools are affected. our education correspondent, elaine dunkley, has been speaking to some of those on strike in liverpool. cheering from london to stoke, from cardiff to aberdeen, teachers are out on strike across britain. at chesterfield high, in crosby, the school gates are closed. more than 1,000 children are at home, whilst teachers are on picket lines, in a dispute over pay. i've been doing it 20 years now and, unfortunately, you watch a lot

of really good young teachers come and go because they can get the same money elsewhere, without as much pressure. people are, you know, scrimping on shopping, struggling with electricity bills, etc. genuine worries that, you know, can't be avoided. you can'tjust stop paying your bills. if anybody knows a teacher, they'll know that it's not - just a nine—to—five job. every weekend, every i evening, early mornings, it's a huge workload, but we do it for the l love of the children. one, two, three, four, five, six... down the road, at our lady queen of peace school, three classes have been sent home. the head is determined that those not in school won't fall behind. we'll ensure that the children do catch up, and this is not easy, but those children will be given extra tuition. but we want... this is what we're fighting for, we want extra staff within the schools. we're possibly looking at deficit budgets next year. that could result in losing many extra staff. if you've got a capital 0, - have you got it right or wrong?

last year, most teachers were given a 5% pay rise, but many schools paid for it out of the existing school budget. the national education union wants a fully—funded, above—inflation pay rise. the thing that's driving our members is the state of crisis that's in many schools — that there are gcse chemistry classes, gcse maths classes being taught by people who don't have qualifications in chemistry and maths, that there are primary classrooms where we can't get permanent staff. and we think that's rooted, partly, in funding of schools and the funding of pay for people to work in those jobs. this is ravenscliffe high school, in halifax. the children here have a wide range of special educational needs. today, more than 100 pupils will have to stay at home because of the strike. it's really hard, but it's part of a much bigger picture, and it is about the sustainability of education and special education in particular, moving forward. recruitment is a major issue. staff are leaving. meanwhile, the school is having

to take on more pupils. many special schools like ours are really struggling to recruit quality staff and retain them. the pay is not good. people here work here because they love the job, because they're really committed to the school, because they're passionate about children with special needs, not because of the salaries. three years ago, we had about 195 children on roll. we've now got nearly 250, and that will go up again in september. this is a crisis, this is not sustainable, we cannot continue like this. no school can continue like this. the government says it's open for talks and has called the strikes "hugely disappointing". we have actually given teachers the highest _ we have actually given teachers the highest pay rise in 30 years. that includes — highest pay rise in 30 years. that includes a — highest pay rise in 30 years. that includes a 9% pay rise for newly qualified — includes a 9% pay rise for newly qualified teachers and record investment in their training and development. i am clear that our children's— development. i am clear that our children's education is precious and they deserve to be in school today, being _ they deserve to be in school today, being taught.

the placards are about pay, but behind the signs are teachers protesting about numerous pressures in the classroom. if an agreement isn't reached, schools will have three more days of strike action over the coming months. iamata i am at a rally in liverpool and the city has been brought to a standstill by thousands of workers from different sectors. the council here have told us that 40% of schools are fully closed today. and across england and wales, more than 20,000 schools have been impacted by the strike. there is no indication of when the government will get background the table for discussions with the national education union, but both say they are very keen to talk. but with the neu pushing for a 10% fully funded pay rise, there could be a long way to go in the discussions. since the strikes were announced, the neu has had 40,000 new membersjoin and if announced, the neu has had 40,000 new members join and if this dispute is not resolved, there could be much more disruption this term and next for teachers, more disruption this term and next forteachers, parents more disruption this term and next for teachers, parents and of course pupils. 0k, thank you. elaine dunkley life

in liverpool. so that's the story in england, but education is a devolved issue so let's see what's happening elsewhere. ben philip is in aberdeen. first, to our wales correspondent tomos morgan in cardiff. tell us about the impact of the strikes where you are. weill. of the strikes where you are. well, there are about _ of the strikes where you are. well, there are about 1,500 _ of the strikes where you are. well, there are about 1,500 schools - of the strikes where you are. well, there are about 1,500 schools in i there are about 1,500 schools in wales, we have calculated nearly a third of those are closed today. this one behind me is closed to pupils, but there are teachers not on strike you have gone in today. so the dispute and the pressures and the dispute and the pressures and the impact on schools is varied across the country. most are affected in some way, but there is a real discrepancy, like a postcode lottery if you like. for example, in the local authority of blaenau gwent in east wales, all schools are shut by one. if you go to west wales in ceredigion, they are all open, with only eight schools with a couple of classrooms and a couple of pupils having to spend time off. so it is a

really varied picture. you mentioned education is a devolved matter. so the education minister here has offered a one—off pay deal to the unions, jeremy miles, that has been flatly rejected. they want a consolidated pay rise. but at the moment, it is impossible to see how thatis moment, it is impossible to see how that is going to happen because the welsh government say they haven't got the money to fund that fully and they need more money from westminster to do so and they are not prepared to raise the limited tax powers they have to fund any pay rises at the moment. so as elaine said, it looks like there will be more strikes on the way because i can't see how this is going to be resolved anytime soon. ben can't see how this is going to be resolved anytime soon.- resolved anytime soon. ben in aberdeen- _ resolved anytime soon. ben in aberdeen. teachers _ resolved anytime soon. ben in aberdeen. teachers in - resolved anytime soon. ben in | aberdeen. teachers in scotland resolved anytime soon. ben in - aberdeen. teachers in scotland have already been on strike in recent weeks. no sign of a breakthrough in talks with the government there? that's right, clive. this is day 13 of i6— that's right, clive. this is day 13 of 16 in— that's right, clive. this is day 13 of 16 in the _ that's right, clive. this is day 13 of 16 in the later strike action by teachers — of 16 in the later strike action by teachers in _ of 16 in the later strike action by

teachers in scotland. members of the is teachers in scotland. members of the is teaching _ teachers in scotland. members of the is teaching union have been striking in two _ is teaching union have been striking in two different parts of scotland per day — in two different parts of scotland per day since mid—january —— is. today. _ per day since mid—january —— is. today. it — per day since mid—january —— is. today. it is — per day since mid—january —— is. today, it is the turn of teachers in aberdeen— today, it is the turn of teachers in aberdeen and clackmannanshire. —— the is~ _ aberdeen and clackmannanshire. —— the is. teachers have taken to picket— the is. teachers have taken to picket lines and it has resulted in dozens— picket lines and it has resulted in dozens of— picket lines and it has resulted in dozens of schools being closed across — dozens of schools being closed across the city. and it centres on this pay— across the city. and it centres on this pay dispute, teachers in scotland _ this pay dispute, teachers in scotland would like a 10% pay uplift, — scotland would like a 10% pay uplift, something the scottish government and council bosses have described _ government and council bosses have described as unaffordable. the current — described as unaffordable. the current offer on the table is typically— current offer on the table is typically worth around 5%, slightly more _ typically worth around 5%, slightly more for— typically worth around 5%, slightly more for lower earners. and i think there _ more for lower earners. and i think there is— more for lower earners. and i think there is a _ more for lower earners. and i think there is a general frustration growing _ there is a general frustration growing among teachers that a new and improved pay deal has not been received _ and improved pay deal has not been received. there is a rally on at the moment— received. there is a rally on at the moment in— received. there is a rally on at the moment in the beach ballroom in aberdeen— moment in the beach ballroom in aberdeen behind me and there is really— aberdeen behind me and there is really no — aberdeen behind me and there is really no end in sight to this dispute _ really no end in sight to this dispute. further strike dates are planned — dispute. further strike dates are planned in— dispute. further strike dates are

planned in february, march and april _ planned in february, march and april. meanwhile, the scottish education secretary shirley ann sommerville says she remains committed to finding a resolution to this dispute, but has warned that money— this dispute, but has warned that money will have to come from elsewhere in education if it goes towards — elsewhere in education if it goes towards teacher pay.— elsewhere in education if it goes towards teacher pay. thank you for that, ben philip — towards teacher pay. thank you for that, ben philip in _ towards teacher pay. thank you for that, ben philip in aberdeen - towards teacher pay. thank you for that, ben philip in aberdeen and i that, ben philip in aberdeen and tomos morgan in cardiff. we will get the latest on the politics of all of this in a moment withjonathan politics of all of this in a moment with jonathan blake politics of all of this in a moment withjonathan blake at politics of all of this in a moment with jonathan blake at westminster. first, let's go to our employment correspondent zoe conway in central london. brink is up—to—date on the scale of this, the union suggests this is the biggest set of strike action we have seen in a decade, what is your sense? i action we have seen in a decade, what is your sense?— what is your sense? i am in whitehall, _ what is your sense? i am in whitehall, very _ what is your sense? i am in whitehall, very close - what is your sense? i am in whitehall, very close to - what is your sense? i am in j whitehall, very close to the what is your sense? i am in - whitehall, very close to the prime minister's front door in downing street and unions here are saying over 30,000 people are taking part in this demonstration today and it is certainly very noisy. they expect

about half a million people to be out striking today. most people behind me are teachers, but some are civil servants, they work in these fancy buildings here in whitehall. but that is not all. there are also civil servants in the country working on relatively low—paid jobs, job centres and call centres, so they are looking for a pay rise close to inflation of 10.5%. in terms of the scale of this, this is the biggest strike for more than a decade. there has been some sort of talk about, could this be the general strike? it is not that and there are unions who have decided not to strike today and it certainly could be a lot bigger. but what is interesting is that our union leaders here today like the leader of the civil service union promising more days like today, more coordinated action. they are being very noisy, they hope the prime minister can hear them. the question of course now is, how does the prime minister respond?—

minister respond? let's go to jonathan- _ minister respond? let's go to jonathan- we _ minister respond? let's go to jonathan. we have _ minister respond? let's go to jonathan. we have got - minister respond? let's go to jonathan. we have got that l jonathan. we have got that demonstration not too far away from the prime minister's front door. what is the government saying about the action today?— the action today? well, the strike is reaching _ the action today? well, the strike is reaching the _ the action today? well, the strike is reaching the front _ the action today? well, the strike is reaching the front door- the action today? well, the strike is reaching the front door of- is reaching the front door of downing _ is reaching the front door of downing street, but anyone watching prime _ downing street, but anyone watching prime minister's questions in the house _ prime minister's questions in the house of— prime minister's questions in the house of commons today might have felt it— house of commons today might have felt it was— house of commons today might have felt it was happening not for the first time — felt it was happening not for the first time in the parallel universe of the _ first time in the parallel universe of the westminster bubble rather than the — of the westminster bubble rather than the real world because there was barely any mention of the industrial— was barely any mention of the industrial action taking place today by half— industrial action taking place today by half a _ industrial action taking place today by half a million workers. it was left to— by half a million workers. it was left to a — by half a million workers. it was left to a labour backbencher to raise _ left to a labour backbencher to raise the — left to a labour backbencher to raise the issue and urge the prime minister. — raise the issue and urge the prime minister. as— raise the issue and urge the prime minister, as she put it, to get a -rip minister, as she put it, to get a gripand— minister, as she put it, to get a grip and negotiate. keir starmer preferring to press the prime minister— preferring to press the prime minister on what he knew and went about— minister on what he knew and went about an _ minister on what he knew and went about an investigation into the former— about an investigation into the former tory party chairman nadhim zahawi's_ former tory party chairman nadhim zahawi's taxes and the ongoing investigation into the conduct of the deputy prime minister, dominic raab _ the deputy prime minister, dominic raab 0n— the deputy prime minister, dominic raab. 0n the strikes, the prime minister— raab. 0n the strikes, the prime minister talks about record investment in schools and teachers being _ investment in schools and teachers being given the biggest pace

increase they have had for several decades — increase they have had for several decades. he urged keir starmerto condemn— decades. he urged keir starmerto condemn today's strikes. that is not something _ condemn today's strikes. that is not something the labour leader it seems prepared _ something the labour leader it seems prepared to do, and perhaps he knows his own _ prepared to do, and perhaps he knows his own position and questions over how exactly— his own position and questions over how exactly labour would proceed with pay— how exactly labour would proceed with pay to public—sector workers being _ with pay to public—sector workers being more than they have been offered — being more than they have been offered has at times be difficult for him — offered has at times be difficult for him. as far as the committee is concerned. — for him. as far as the committee is concerned, despite the ongoing disruption and despite negotiations continue. _ disruption and despite negotiations continue, it doesn't seem there is a shift in _ continue, it doesn't seem there is a shift in their— continue, it doesn't seem there is a shift in their overall position —— as far— shift in their overall position —— as far as— shift in their overall position —— as far as the _ shift in their overall position —— as far as the prime minister is concerned _ as far as the prime minister is concerned. that is to pay public—sector workers and increase in line _ public—sector workers and increase in line with — public—sector workers and increase in line with inflation on what would underline _ in line with inflation on what would underline the government's argument and its _ underline the government's argument and its political priority to bring inflation — and its political priority to bring inflation down.— and its political priority to bring inflation down. , ., ., ., ., ,, , ., inflation down. jonathan, thank you for that, jonathan _ inflation down. jonathan, thank you for that, jonathan blake _ inflation down. jonathan, thank you for that, jonathan blake from - for that, jonathan blake from westminster. it is 30 minutes past one. our top story this lunchtime.

teachers and train drivers are on strike. and still to come, success in the hunt for the pea—sized radioactive capsule lost in the austalian outback. coming up on the bbc news channel. tottenham manager antonio conte looks set to miss this weekend's clash against manchester city. he is to undergo surgery to remove his gall bladder, after suffering with severe abdominal pain. large crowds are expected in the american city of memphis, for the funeral of the black man tyre nichols. five black police officers have been charged, in connection with the 29—year—old's death. the vice president kamala harris, and the family of george floyd, who was killed by a police officer in minneapolis in 2020, will attend the service. 0ur north america editor, sarah smith, has more from memphis. large crowds are expected to brave freezing temperatures in memphis to attend the funeral of 29—year—old tyre nichols. a eulogy will be delivered by the veteran civil rights campaigner the reverend al sharpton.

what happened to tyre is a disgrace to this country. there's no other way to describe what has happened in this situation. nojustice, no peace. the service will also feature demands for a significant police reform — to try to avoid similar tragedies happening in future. the first black us vice president, kamala harris, will be attending, a sign ofjust how big an impact this incident has had across america. the killing of tyre nichols has shocked the nation, but people in memphis say it's not surprising. they have frequently witnessed violent attacks, often against black people, in their city. the five police officers seen brutally attacking tyre nichols in the videos released by the memphis police department are also black. campaigners say that shows how deeply racism is embedded in police culture, when even black policemen are more likely to assault black victims

and think they can get away with it. those officers have already been sacked and charged with second—degree murder. since the videos were made public, one other white officer who was involved in the initial traffic stop has been suspended, as have two emergency medical staff who appeared to be standing around not offering assistance as mr nichols was lying injured in the road. tyre nichols�* parents say they will not feeljustice has been done until everyone involved in his death has been charged and is facing a criminal trial. they want new laws that would compel the police to intervene if a suspect is being assaulted by fellow officers and to offer assistance to anyone who's been injured as a result. sarah smith, bbc news, memphis. the prime minister has defended his handling of bullying allegations against the deputy prime minister dominic raab. rishi sunak�*s comments at prime ministers' questions come as one union leader called on the formerjustice secretary to step aside while an inquiry is carried out. mr raab denies the allegations. here's our political

correspondent, ione wells. let's make him our next prime minister. please welcome rishi sunak! his deputy, his close ally, and his latest political headache. questions mounting for dominic raab over bullying allegations... will you sack dominic rab, prime minister? ..leading to questions for the prime minister over whether to sack him. according to recent reports, some of the complainants were physically sick. 0ne says they were left suicidal. how would he feel if one of his friends or relatives was being forced to work for a bully simply because the man at the top was too weak to do anything about it? when i was made aware of former complaints i instructed a leading independent kc to conduct an investigation, because i take action when these things happen. the prime minister insists it is right due process is followed by letting this lawyer

finished his investigation into dominic raab. the head of the union representing civil servants disagrees. if that was any other employee, if that was a permanent secretary in the civil service, they would in all likelihood be suspended from theirjob. the investigation into dominic raab is looking at eight complaints from three government departments. from when he wasjustice secretary, brexit secretary, and foreign secretary. at least three of the most senior civil servants who run departments with him have given evidence to the inquiry as witnesses. this investigation is not set to conclude for a couple of weeks. what it is trying to establish is dead dominic raab bully staff or not. was he, as some former colleagues have told us, very hard onjunior staff and totally unsuitable for high office, or was he as other people who have worked with him have told us, demanding and abrasive, but not necessarily a bully. mr raab has said he is confident he has always behaved professionally, denies wrongdoing, and has no apologies for having high standards.

but whether he has met the standards expected of him is now under scrutiny. ione wells, bbc news. two men have been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 35 years, for killing a 71—year—old woman, in a plot to steal her life savings and take over her rental properties. louise kam, disappeared injuly 2021. her body was eventually found dumped in a rubbish bin the following month, and she'd been strangled. helena wilkinson, has more from the old bailey. this is 71—year—old businesswoman louise kam, who was callously murdered for her money. the two men, who she met through a mutualfriend, targeted louise for her property in a sophisticated fraud. in this video, filmed at one of the properties she rented, el—abboud is seen boasting to his friends about his new lifestyle. he had moved in before the murder and treated it as his own home. his friend, al—jundi,

masterminded the deception and spent months trying to deceive louise kam into giving him control of her finances. today they were sentenced in proceedings that were televised. after you had killed louise you took her mobile phone and bank cards. messages were sent from her phone purporting to be from her to her family and to her close friends. in those messages you sought to deceive those who loved and cared for louise as to her true whereabouts. and what it was that you had done to her. after the murder, mohamed el—abboud posted this video on social media apparently celebrating. the pair then disposed of louise kam's body in this wheelie bin where she was later discovered by police. in a victim personal statement read to court, louise kam's son gregory said that he had been left feeling numb and grief stricken. the pair will spend at least 35

years in prison for the murder of a pensioner, committed out of greed. helen wilkinson, bbc news, at the old bailey. police say a four—year—old girl has died in a dog attack in milton keynes. officers were called to the back garden of a house yesterday afternoon, in what's described as a "tragic incident". no arrests have been made, and the dog has been humanely destroyed. here's jo black. outside the house on the netherfield estate, tributes for a four year old little girl continue to be placed. the police presence will remain here for some time while investigations continue into exactly what happened and why a small child lost her life. we know that officers were called to the propertyjust after we know that officers were called to the property just after five we know that officers were called to the propertyjust after five o'clock yesterday evening. people living nearby told us of a big emergency response including armed police. sadly a short time later it was

confirmed a little girl had died. it's believed the incident happened in the back garden and no one else was injured. for people who knew the family, there is disbelief and sadness. it is so hard to hear this. it is someone i really know, i see her every day going to school and coming back so it is so hard and i wish to mother the best. i know that god will get through because it is not easy. today, the local church just across the road will be open for local people who may wish to reflect. 0ur heart goes out to the parents and community and also those police and community and also those police and first responders who had to encounter something that no one wants to encounter. a vigil will be held later this evening. the family are being supported by specialist officers and police have asked people not to speculate about what happened here on social media. jo black, bbc news in milton keynes. a green comet, not seen for 50,000

years, is about to pass earth. it will be visible tonight, and into the early hours of tomorrow morning. it will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the rare comet, which hails from the outermost edge of the solar system. a tiny and potentially deadly radioactive capsule, that was lost in the vast western australian outback more than two weeks ago, has been found. a huge search operation has been under way, despite it being about the size of a pea. the capsule had fallen off the back of a lorry. 0ur correspondent, phil mercer, has that story. a very hazardous needle has been found in a big haystack in the australian outback. the radioactive capsule fell off a lorry somewhere on an 870 mile stretch of highway. it had been on its way from a mine

all the way down to the coast. longer than the distance by road from john 0'groats in caithness to land's from john 0'groats in caithness to lands end in cornwall. it from john o'groats in caithness to land's end in cornwall.— land's end in cornwall. it was vehicle travelling _ land's end in cornwall. it was vehicle travelling at _ land's end in cornwall. it was vehicle travelling at 70 - land's end in cornwall. it was - vehicle travelling at 70 kilometres per hour— vehicle travelling at 70 kilometres per hour when the specialist equipment picked up radiation emitted — equipment picked up radiation emitted by the missing capsule. the team used _ emitted by the missing capsule. the team used portable detection equipment than to locate the capsule _ the device is no bigger than a pea. but there were warnings it could emit dangerously high doses of radiation. experts said prolonged exposure could cause cancer, but the danger appears to be over. it does not appear to have moved, it seems to have fallen off the truck and landed at the sight of the road. it is unlikely that anyone has been exposed to the capsule. government

officials in western _ exposed to the capsule. government officials in western australia - exposed to the capsule. government officials in western australia say - officials in western australia say the recovery of the capsule is an extraordinary result. phil mercer, bbc news, sydney. let's return to our top story, and the hundreds of thousands of workers, including school teachers and train drivers, who are on strike, in what's thought to be the biggest day of industrial action, for more than a decade. rail passengers have been told to check before travelling today because of strike action. katie austin has more details. picket lines and empty stations have become a familiar sight. today and friday some operators are running no trains at all. many commuters can work from home but some passengers like these at london euston station where frustrated. i like these at london euston station where frustrated.— where frustrated. i live in manchester _ where frustrated. i live in manchester so _ where frustrated. i live in manchester so i - where frustrated. i live in manchester so i had - where frustrated. i live in manchester so i had to i where frustrated. i live in l manchester so i had to stay where frustrated. i live in - manchester so i had to stay over last night. i manchester so i had to stay over last nitht. , , manchester so i had to stay over last nitht. ,, ., manchester so i had to stay over last night-— manchester so i had to stay over lastniaht. ,, ., , last night. i missed a birthday last week because _ last night. i missed a birthday last week because i _ last night. i missed a birthday last week because i could _ last night. i missed a birthday last week because i could not - last night. i missed a birthday last week because i could not get -

last night. i missed a birthday last week because i could not get a - week because i could not get a train — week because i could not get a train. , , ., ., train. this time it is more than 12,000 train. this time it is more than 12.000 train — train. this time it is more than 12,000 train drivers _ train. this time it is more than 12,000 train drivers walking i train. this time it is more than i 12,000 train drivers walking out. workers on the picket line say they cannot do interviews because it could put theirjob at risk but train drivers i spoke to say that the dispute is notjust about pay but also protecting working conditions. the union as life which represents most drivers already rejected an initial offer involving 4% pay rise two years in a row saying that too many were attached. as we go on inflation gets higher and higher and the ability than to do a deal with high inflation and high cost of living when everyone wants to take everything you have and give you nothing for it is a difficult place to be. ultimately the government _ difficult place to be. ultimately the government holds - difficult place to be. ultimately the government holds the - difficult place to be. ultimately| the government holds the purse strings and has to approve any offer made. a spokesperson says ministers continue to facilitate reasonable conversations between unions and employers. the group representing train companies in the negotiations insisted they and the union needed

to keep trying to find common ground. brute to keep trying to find common round. ~ ., ., , , ground. we want to emphasise the need for us — ground. we want to emphasise the need for us to _ ground. we want to emphasise the need for us to give _ ground. we want to emphasise the need for us to give our— ground. we want to emphasise the need for us to give our staff - ground. we want to emphasise the need for us to give our staff a - ground. we want to emphasise the need for us to give our staff a pay l need for us to give our staff a pay increase but we cannot afford that without the level of reform that. us having to take additional funding from the taxpayer especially in this challenging time. the from the taxpayer especially in this challenging time.— from the taxpayer especially in this challenging time. the industry helps to arrante challenging time. the industry helps to arrange fresh _ challenging time. the industry helps to arrange fresh talks _ challenging time. the industry helps to arrange fresh talks next _ challenging time. the industry helps to arrange fresh talks next week - challenging time. the industry helpsj to arrange fresh talks next week and without a break through strikes seem likely and that is something that businesses make this coffee shop near ashford station in kent are dreading. i near ashford station in kent are dreadina. ., ., near ashford station in kent are dreadin.. ., ., _ , near ashford station in kent are dreadina. ., ., _ dreading. i do have sympathy for them and they — dreading. i do have sympathy for them and they know _ dreading. i do have sympathy for them and they know that - dreading. i do have sympathy for them and they know that they're | dreading. i do have sympathy for. them and they know that they're out there for a reason but it is affecting our business. there's only long we can carry on in this situation without hurting so much. separately the entity which represents other rail workers is getting feedback from its members on the opposite has received so far before its committee decides what to do next. —— with the rmt. we'll find

out later today how many schools have been closed due to the strike action and let's you live pictures of members of the national education union marching through central london as part of their dispute. you get a bit of a sense of the scale of the action. the unions are estimating as many as 100,000 teaching staff would be taking part. the march of course is not far from number ten downing st. let's get some closing thoughts on all of this. nick eardley is at westminster. we can go back and forth on numbers but there is no question that many hundreds of thousands of people will be affected by all the strike action right across the country today. and they will want to know is where i'll be in terms of trying to resolve so many of these disputes? plat many of these disputes? not particularly _ many of these disputes? not particularly close _ many of these disputes? iirrt particularly close seems to be the

answer. if you listen to some unions potentially even further away than we were at the start of the year. this is notjust about pay, it is also about conditions. in the case of teachers it is about workload and in the case of nurses it is about just how much they have an applet on a daily basis. the government constantly tells us it is prepared to talk about conditions and talk about workload and some of the talks actually seem to have been fairly productive with some proposals being put on the table. but pay is the big sticking point with the government at the momentjust refusing to budge. if you listen to ministers they will tell you that they have a fear that if you give a high pay rise at the moment the inflation that we are seeing across the economy could be baked in and it could get worse and last longer and make the economic recovery last longer. that is not a uniformly

accepted view, some economists would challenge that but it is one that ministers keep repeating. remember rishi sunak has made one of his main targets as prime minister to bring down inflation. so as things stand the government is not budging. unions are not budging so not for the first time as we stand here this afternoon, this process feels pretty stuck. that means that we are likely to see more of the strikes happening. ijust spoke to see more of the strikes happening. i just spoke to to see more of the strikes happening. ijust spoke to one union leader who said they would go on for as long as necessary. ihlick leader who said they would go on for as long as necessary.— as long as necessary. nick eardley, thank yom — time for a look at the weather. here's ben rich. good afternoon. the first day of february bringing some beautiful winter sunshine for some of us. this was the scene in east sussex earlier. but the month began last night with a swell of cloud close to the north of scotland and an area of

low pressure