this is bbc news. the headlines the family of nicola bulley issue a statement calling on the public to end the "appalling" speculation about her private life. british gas owner centrica reports record profits — earning 3.3 billion pounds, compared to less than a billion, the year before. after the resignation of nicola sturgeon, senior snp officials prepare to meet to discuss the timetable for a leadership contest. nato�*s secretary general visits turkey to express support following the devastating earthquakes as the un launches a global appeal to help victims.

will place a face a growing backlash for revealing she had going issue with alcohol. there send the family would not i want it released. here is some of the family statement. we as a family believe the public focus has become distracted from finding nikki and more about speculation and

rumours into her private life. "as a family, we were aware that lancashire police, last night, released a statement with some personal details. "although we know that nikki would not have wanted this. thereare people out there threatening to sell stories about her. this is appalling and needs to stop. the police know the truth about nikki and now the public need to focus on finding her. the statement continued on to discuss the menopause... due to the perimenopause nikki suffered with significant side effects such as brain fog, restless sleep and was taking hrt to help but this was giving her intense headaches. the headaches caused nikki to stop taking the hrt thinking that may have helped her but only ended up causing this crisis. "the public focus has to be on finding herand not making up wild theories about her personal life. "despite what some media outlets are suggesting, we are being updated daily & receive support from ourfamily liaison officers. "nikki is such a wonderful daughter,

sister, partner and mother and is missed dearly — we all need you back in our lives. our correspondent nick garnett explained the background to the family's comments, which have come following lancashire police's statement yesterday. our correspondent nick garnett is in st michael's—on—wyre. what is a situation in trying to find her? what is a situation with that? it find her? what is a situation with that? , ., .,y , that? it is a day where everything is on the everything _ that? it is a day where everything is on the everything but - that? it is a day where everything is on the everything but the - that? it is a day where everythingl is on the everything but the search operation. that is going on to my right as her river winds its way through lancashire and goes into the irish sea. the search is going on there with mounted police and police on foot and buggies walking alongside the river. as the tide comes in the operation changes. the boats go out and they search the inlets and the mud banks and the

areas around the river in an effort to try and find where she is or any sign of where purse or has been. central to today has been the issue of the abuse and the false stories that have been circling for days the family. that has been the focus of the family statements. there has been criticism of lancashire police of divulging the information they did. a conservative mp said, i struggle to see how it will help but i do see how it will help those seeking to victim them. another person said the statement should not have been issued as it gives you will to victim demers, arm shared sleuths. the admission being that by putting that statement out there it added to the problem and did not take away. which is perhaps why today's statement came out to try and reaffirm the focus in the right position. the family is adamant that

nicola bulley is still alive. the central message is that the focus should be on the search and not on her history or past. not on anything about the family at all. central to it all is the message that is directed straight to nicola. we need you back in our lives it says. we love you so much and your girls want to cuddle. we need you home. don't be scared. we would love you so very much. �* . ~ ., , be scared. we would love you so very much. �* ., , much. and, nick, finally. has there been a response _ much. and, nick, finally. has there been a response from _ much. and, nick, finally. has there been a response from the - much. and, nick, finally. has there been a response from the police . much. and, nick, finally. has there been a response from the police in| been a response from the police in regards to the statement from the family? it regards to the statement from the famil ? . ., ., regards to the statement from the famil ? a, ., ,., . family? it came from the police. in many ways. _ family? it came from the police. in many ways. it _ family? it came from the police. in many ways. it is — family? it came from the police. in many ways, it is the _ family? it came from the police. in many ways, it is the police - family? it came from the police. in many ways, it is the police and - family? it came from the police. in many ways, it is the police and the i many ways, it is the police and the family showing they are together on this. there is a story stating they have been divided. their sin that is not the case and they are working together. the liaison has been with in touch with the family every day and these are trained officers who were there to help. and the search is going ahead as planned and the

focus of it is the search. the police say they have two things they want to do is to bring nicola bulley home and provide answers for her family. home and provide answers for her famil. well, these are unusual comments, but we're not privy to the police's conversations with nicola bulley�*s family, and i don't think it would be right for us to speculate on why they've chosen to make those comments. this is a live investigation. we have to let the police get on with it and not add to the already considerable level of speculation surrounding the case. i hope that the police can find a resolution to this case as quickly as possible so that we can bring answers to nicola bulley�*s family, which they clearly deserve.

nurses in england have announced a significant escalation in strike action. the walk—out by the royal couege action. the walk—out by the royal college members of nurses will start out on march three. our health editor, hugh pym is here. an editor, hugh pym is here. an escalation — editor, hugh pym is here. in escalation then? that is editor, hugh pym is here. fifi escalation then? that is right alive. that is the royal college of nursing make an announcement for england. i want to note that have had two days of strike action each time with 12 hours each day. this time with 12 hours each day. this time it will be 48 hours of a full walk—out by members. the date in question, six a:m., wednesday march the 1st. 48 hours later it was and on 6am, friday march the 3rd. the big difference this time is that we hours they have been negotiations at the local level between the rcn and hospital management over what services would be preserved, including intensive care and emergency services and some cancer

work. the statement from the rcn is that, in effect, members will walk out of all of those services and if hospitals wish to apply for exemptions, they would have to do that nationally. there will be no more local talks. it is a more robust stance from the royal college of nursing, making it clear that, as well as it being 40 hours, there would be a tighter range of services will be covered. there will be agreements on some areas like responses to emergencies and incidents such as major road traffic accidents but not much beyond that. the other difference is, where is the last set of 2d strikes by rcn members involve 73 hospital trusts, this time it will involve around 128 nhs organisations in england where they have mandates. the difference in ink in scotland and was is where

there've been higher offers made than in england. 50. there've been higher offers made than in england.— there've been higher offers made than in england. so, we know the hosital than in england. so, we know the hospital managers _ than in england. so, we know the hospital managers and _ than in england. so, we know the hospital managers and trust - than in england. so, we know the hospital managers and trust have j hospital managers and trust have been sent towards the end of the last set of strikes they were having real difficulty providing any kind of service that was worthy of the name. and that things were getting very hard. know that we have this disconcerted much more concerted effort on the parts of nurses, those fears will be multiplied on the part of managers and trust. that fears will be multiplied on the part of managers and trust.— fears will be multiplied on the part of managers and trust. that is right for sub chief _ of managers and trust. that is right for sub chief executives _ of managers and trust. that is right for sub chief executives have - of managers and trust. that is right for sub chief executives have told i for sub chief executives have told me how difficult it is been on previous strike days negotiating the areas that would be exempted takes up areas that would be exempted takes up management time to do these discussions and destruction from the job, the normal dayjob, and the challenges facing the and its edge. this it will be more complicated for them to organise. 0rganise assay

management should be looking at nurses who aren't on strike because they are not rcn members or other unions and make member better use of other hospital staff. hospitals could do more with what they have. pat cannot fight colin, the member of the rcn said there is no alternative in effect because rishi sunak will not negotiate over pay. steve barclay, the health minister covering england, secretary of state, said it is a significant escalation that was a risk patient safety. escalation that was a risk patient safe . . ~ escalation that was a risk patient safe . ., ~ i. escalation that was a risk patient safe . ., ~' ,, , escalation that was a risk patient safe . . ~ ,, , ., safety. thank you hugh pym our health editor. _ the energy company, centrica, which owns british gas, has seen it's profits more

than triple for last year, because of rising oil and gas prices. the earnings were 3.3 billion pounds, compared to 948 million from the year before. british gas was recently criticised, for using debt agents to force—fit pre—payment metres, into the homes of vulnerable customers. here's our business correspondent, theo leggett. net zero means hydrogen and solar... centrica says it is focused on clean energies of the future, but right now it's making bumper profits because of high oil and gas prices. they soared last year after the invasion of ukraine and the company, which owns british gas, is reaping huge benefits. last year, it made £3.3 billion — that's more than three times its profit from 2021. it also paid £1 billion in tax. like other energy companies, it has come under fire for making big profits at a time when many consumers are struggling to pay their bills, and that's despite the government's decision to extend the energy profits levy — a special tax on energy businesses

which was expanded last month. i don't think centrica is profiteering. it has to be remembered, particularly with upstream gas and oil extraction, that this a very difficult and challenge activity which is already pretty highly taxed in this country. british gas, which supplies energy to households and businesses, accounts for only a fraction of centrica's profits. the parent company isn't allowed to sell energy more cheaply to its own operation than it does to other suppliers. that makes it difficult to pass on the benefits of bumper profits to british gas customers. and there's another problem. it's faced intense criticism after contractors were filmed entering the houses of vulnerable people in order to fit prepayment meters. this is the exciting bit, i love this bit. thank you. emily lives in a housing association flat with her daughter.

she allowed a contractor in to fit a smart meter. despite her protests, she was fitted with a prepayment meter instead. i tried to be polite on the phone. all they said to me was they wouldn't remove the prepayment meter until the debt's paid off. i explained how i never consented and there was no warrant for him to come out and fit it. my landlord doesn't actually allow a prepayment meter, i explained everything to them, and they seemed to have absolutely no compassion towards me. british gas has now apologised to emily and removed the meter. the regulator 0fgem has banned energy firms from forcibly installing prepayment meters until the end of next month. but the controversy has fanned the flames of discontent against the industry at a time when many customers have been struggling.

bbc news. thanks for being with us. the bumper profits are no surprise given the war in ukraine and the pressure on energy supplies that there has been because of all that. the question i think a lot of members of the public will be asking. if century cut those british guests and are making an arm and a leg why can't british gas cut its prices to me? the difficulties the have its prices to me? the difficulties they have is _ its prices to me? the difficulties they have is they _ its prices to me? the difficulties they have is they cannot - its prices to me? the difficulties they have is they cannot sell - its prices to me? the difficulties| they have is they cannot sell low market rates to their own operations not in any straightforward way. he needs to be structured in such a way that their market prices and the price that they can charge consumers is dictated in large part by the regulator and the governments energy price kept. which is fixed over the recent years in the uk. there is

tension there as to how much they can do to stop obviously, british gas is a household name in the uk and the largest buyers of a household for energy, it get supplies in the country. so it often finds itself in the firing line at a time when those are going up and bumper profits are coming in. the sub'ect of bumper profits are coming in. the subject of the subjects and there should be a higher win for the text to deal with this kind of thing. the government doesn't seem to be in the mood for that argument. hat government doesn't seem to be in the mood for that argument.— mood for that argument. not at this time. mood for that argument. not at this time- they've _ mood for that argument. not at this time. they've already _ mood for that argument. not at this time. they've already brought - mood for that argument. not at this time. they've already brought in - mood for that argument. not at this | time. they've already brought in and are really steep when ford talks at the start of this year on oil and gas production in the uk portion of the north sea. that is not backdated to the past year that we just had where prices were even higher. some people think that a proper windfall tax would be backdated rather than extended route to the future. at the moment, very few people that are happy with this tax the industry

thinks it's not a and needs to go on for five years with no potential for it to be removed. there is complaining about their ability to invest. we have been through this incredibly difficult year with the russian invasion of ukraine and seen utility gone up a lot. some said that they should be looking backwards i text. energy companies would be unhappy about that and say they need to invest notjust an oil and gas production but the kind of renewables that we hope, in the long run, will take overfrom oil and gas and get rid of these wild prices where seen. it is a complicated issue right now. there are some that think that gas power stations who are in exempt from import taxes should be included this year. iliai’hat

should be included this year. what about centrica's _ should be included this year. what about centrica's investment in renewables and green andrew. we know that there issues which shall and their investment in renewables. it is nowhere near as big. the amount that they are investing in future needs when it comes to energy. compared to the amount they are giving back to shareholders. what's the situation with centrica in that regard? the situation with centrica in that reaard? ., , the situation with centrica in that reiard? ., , , ., regard? there will always be a? over com anies regard? there will always be a? over companies abilities _ regard? there will always be a? over companies abilities to _ regard? there will always be a? over companies abilities to return - regard? there will always be a? over companies abilities to return cash - companies abilities to return cash to shareholders who ultimately have invested in these companies looking to make their money go further over time. if you take centrica, for example, there was talk about the companies going back to the 60s taking britishjacks british gas public talking about british

pensioners who may be struggling with bills themselves. there is across the need for greater investment over the next five, ten, 15 years in renewables and other forms of clean energies that can be produced with the right sort of investment in the uk. the government needs to find ways for this to happen. we have seen it in the eu and we have also seen in the united states and in the uk to certain extent. presidentjoe biden had a reduction at which putting a aggressive scheme for renewable energy which the uk and the eu say they need to find me is to match. indeed, thank you. two teenagers have appeared at liverpool crown court, charged with the murder of brianna ghey. brianna, who was 16, was found with stab wounds on saturday afternoon in warrington. today, a boy and a girl, both aged 15, appeared separately via video link,

and spoke only to confirm their name and age. the search to find a new first minister of scotland is well underway, after nicola sturgeon�*s surprise resignation. the scottish national party's executive committee will meet this evening, to draw up a timetable for the leadership race. ms sturgeon, who's scotland's longest serving first minister, says she'll remain in office until a successor is found. 0ur scotland correspondent, lorna gordon has more. who will be scotland's next first minister? the country has had five since the advent of this devolved scottish parliament more than 20 years ago, but who will be the sixth after the unexpected announcement from nicola sturgeon that she is going? i think over the past couple of years there have been many moments when i thought that maybe she will go, particularly after the pandemic, or after an election where there is maybe a natural break. i expected maybe there to be more of a succession plan in place. she is leaving the door wide open.

nicola sturgeon was unopposed when she took over from alex salmond, but her successor is likely to face a competition, not a coronation. no one has yet formally declared their intention to stand. those who might throw their hat into the ring include the deputy first minister, john swinney, who has done thejob before, or angus robertson, the former snp westminster leader and now constitution secretary. the finance secretary, kate forbes, who is currently on maternity leave, the health secretary, humza yousaf, or the mp joanna cherry, a critic of nicola sturgeon�*s leadership. 0ne former deputy leader of the snp is calling for this notjust to be a change of leader but style of leadership as well. someone who understands that you never again will develop the cult of personality inside the snp. that's been the undoing of alex salmond and it's been the undoing of nicola sturgeon. the rules and timing of the race

to succeed nicola sturgeon will be decided at a meeting of the snp's governing body this evening. and there are now also questions about whether an snp party conference next month to decide the strategy for a second independence referendum should go ahead. we were intending to plot our course going forward, - notjust for the snp but for the wider. independence movement. in my view, that conference should be paused. - we should allow a new leaderj the opportunity and the space to set out their vision, - their priorities domestically in relation to the nhs, the economy, the cost of living crisis, _ but also give them the space - to chart their course when it comes to that pathway to independence. whoever takes over from nicola sturgeon will have an in—tray full of challenges — health, education, the gender recognition reform bill and that constitutional issue that divides voters, whether or not scotland should be an independent country.

lorna gordon, bbc news, edinburgh. joining me now with some insight on what the polls suggest is managing director of ipsos scotland, emily gray. hello emily. thank you forjoining us. first of all. nicola sturgeon, very popular in scotland. i wonder what the latest polls suggest her popular. it was like just before her resignation? popular. it was like 'ust before her resignation?_ resignation? that's right. she has lona been resignation? that's right. she has long been the _ resignation? that's right. she has long been the most _ resignation? that's right. she has long been the most popular- resignation? that's right. she has long been the most popular of. resignation? that's right. she has| long been the most popular of the scottish party leaders. she had seen the fall in the ratings in recent months. the two biggest issues there was a row over gender recognition reforms as divisions in the s&p regarding the right strategy forward for independence. 50. regarding the right strategy forward for independence.— for independence. so, a slight decrease in — for independence. so, a slight decrease in popularity - for independence. so, a slight decrease in popularity on - for independence. so, a slight| decrease in popularity on that. for independence. so, a slight - decrease in popularity on that. what is the state of play when it comes

to independence? in her resignation speech yesterday, she about there being a majority view that scotland should become independent. was that factually correct? what are the public pull suggestion at the moment? . . public pull suggestion at the moment? .,. , public pull suggestion at the moment?— public pull suggestion at the moment? , ., ., moment? the fact is that nicola sturueon moment? the fact is that nicola sturgeon is _ moment? the fact is that nicola sturgeon is leaving _ moment? the fact is that nicola sturgeon is leaving obvious - moment? the fact is that nicola i sturgeon is leaving obvious without sustaining majority of the scottish public being in favour of independence. recent posts show it now very narrowly in the lead but it is too close to call. in terms of public polling it is too close to call and if a second referendum would be held immediately it is far from clear who would win for some it could go either way. the from clear who would win for some it could go either way.— could go either way. the poles have been auoin could go either way. the poles have been going in _ could go either way. the poles have been going in which _ could go either way. the poles have been going in which direction - could go either way. the poles have been going in which direction in - been going in which direction in relation to the independence? ? have they been going up or down? we relation to the independence? ? have they been going up or down?- relation to the independence? ? have they been going up or down? we saw a

tem ora they been going up or down? we saw a temporary bounce _ they been going up or down? we saw a temporary bounce upwards _ they been going up or down? we saw a temporary bounce upwards in the - they been going up or down? we saw a temporary bounce upwards in the wake of the supreme court ruling last october that holyrood could not legislate for a second independence referendum without westminster consent. since then it is going back down. is consent. since then it is going back down. , . , consent. since then it is going back down. , ., , , , ., ., down. is there any suggestion that nicola sturgeon _ down. is there any suggestion that nicola sturgeon leading _ down. is there any suggestion that nicola sturgeon leading could - down. is there any suggestion that. nicola sturgeon leading could affect the support for the s&p itself as a party? t the support for the s&p itself as a -a ? ~ the support for the s&p itself as a .a ? ~' ., ., , ., , party? i think that remains to be seen. party? i think that remains to be seen- i'm _ party? i think that remains to be seen. i'm sure _ party? i think that remains to be seen. i'm sure you'll— party? i think that remains to be seen. i'm sure you'll see - party? i think that remains to be seen. i'm sure you'll see lots - party? i think that remains to be seen. i'm sure you'll see lots of| seen. i'm sure you'll see lots of pulling in the coming days, both are around nicola sturgeon and his legacy but also around who is most likely to replace her as first minister. and how the public views those candidates. compared to back in 2014 where nicola sturgeon was the clear successor to alex salmond, the clear successor to alex salmond, the field is much more open. so, the candidates will be setting out their stall over the coming weeks and the

public, many of the public, will be here and forfrom public, many of the public, will be here and for from those candidates for the first time. shill here and for from those candidates for the first time.— for the first time. all right, we will leave _ for the first time. all right, we will leave it _ for the first time. all right, we will leave it there. _ for the first time. all right, we will leave it there. emily, - for the first time. all right, we | will leave it there. emily, thank you from joining us from scotland. i have bits of breaking news for you. we have more strikes announced by the rail maritime transport union. so, more train strikes, basically, in the offing. we are going to see that action begin on the 16th of march. we have more from our correspondent to explain what all that means. but noons that the rmt union has announced more strike action on the railways on the 16th of march. the labour leader sir keir starmer has been making a surprise visit to the ukrainian capital kyiv today.

he met with president zelensky in a show support for the ukrainian war. 0ur political correspondent jonathan blake is in westminster. so we had president zelensky over here where he would meet cara sir keir starmer. no sir keir starmer has returned the compliment. this is sir keir starmer _ has returned the compliment. this is sir keir starmer his _ has returned the compliment. this is sir keir starmer his first _ has returned the compliment. this is sir keir starmer his first visit - has returned the compliment. this is sir keir starmer his first visit to - sir keir starmer his first visit to ukraine from a year ago. i had of that anniversary, sir keir starmer has meant resident zielinski in the capital, kyiv, and we're told he has gone there to demonstrate neighbours unwavering support in the fight against russian aggression. as well as meeting the president in the capital he has gone to other areas to see russian war crimes. and here is explained in a little bit more about his reasoning behind it. it is imortant about his reasoning behind it. it is important for— about his reasoning behind it. it is important for me to be here in

ukraine— important for me to be here in ukraine to— important for me to be here in ukraine to show the support from the united _ ukraine to show the support from the united kingdom. making it absolutely clear that _ united kingdom. making it absolutely clear that if there is an election the next — clear that if there is an election the next year with a change of government the support for ukraine will remain— government the support for ukraine will remain the same. notjust showing — will remain the same. notjust showing our support for the conflict, _ showing our support for the conflict, which of course we much show, _ conflict, which of course we much show. but — conflict, which of course we much show, but alsojoining conflict, which of course we much show, but also joining with them conflict, which of course we much show, but alsojoining with them in their cause — show, but alsojoining with them in their cause forjustice. there has to be _ their cause forjustice. there has to be justice for this. justice in the hague _ to be justice for this. justice in the hague and proper preparation in the rebuilding of ukraine. an the hague and proper preparation in the rebuilding of ukraine.— the rebuilding of ukraine. an effort to brina the rebuilding of ukraine. an effort to bring president _ the rebuilding of ukraine. an effort to bring president putin _ the rebuilding of ukraine. an effort to bring president putin and - the rebuilding of ukraine. an effort to bring president putin and othersj to bring president putin and others responsible for russian aggression in ukraine is one thing that sir keir starmer is emphasising on his visit there today. he has been staunchly supportive of the governments effort to send military aid to ukraine and support them in the fight against the russian invasion. there hasn't been any debate among mainstream politicians here at westminster about the uk's

response. you heard there, sir keir starmer, emphasising his support and trying to reassure people there and beyond that if labour were to come to power there wouldn't be any divergence of the staunch support the uk hush sean ukraine. he is pressing the point that preparations need to be made as soon as possible for potential war crimes trials of president putin and others. and also, to freeze russian assets in order to root aid the rebuilding of areas which have been destroyed and badly damaged in ukraine. that is one of the things he pressed the prime minister on when president zelensky was here in westminster about one week ago.— about one week ago. jennifer and blake at westminster. _ about one week ago. jennifer and blake at westminster. thank - about one week ago. jennifer and | blake at westminster. thank you. about one week ago. jennifer and - blake at westminster. thank you. we have more coming up so stay with us but now it is time for a look at the weather with ben.

things will turn things to the wings will pick up as well across scotland and parts of northern england as storm auto approaches. the storm has been named by the danish weather service because of the impact it would bring in denmark but it wouldn't bring strong winds here at first. the reader sean's whirring moving across parts of scotland and northern ireland and the rain will continue through the night with strengthening wind. not as windy further south it will be cloudy and mild but tomorrow if your travelling in a north of scotland you will see wind gusts as much as 80 mph and windy across scotland and windy over the pen names and just the east of the pen names as well and causing problems if you are driving a high sided vehicle. wings easing slowly through the day with some sunshine and rain in northern ireland later in the day. i mild day in the south with

temperatures 14 or 15 a little bit chillier further north. hello you are watching bbc news. our top stories. the family of nicola bulley issue a statement calling on the public to end the "appalling" speculation about her private life. the royal college of nursing has launched a 48 hour strike from march the 1st in a significant escalation of industrial action. british gas owner centrica reports record profits — earning 3.3 billion pounds,

compared to less than a billion, the year before. after the resignation of nicola sturgeon, senior snp officials prepare to meet to discuss the timetable for a leadership contest. nato's secretary general visits turkey to express support following the devastating earthquakes as the un launches a global appeal to help victims. we have got sport coming up in a we have got sport coming up in a couple of minutes but first and update on the breaking news be brought to you just before the headlines. because in the last few minutes the rail workers have announced more industrial action. a stop to our business correspondent. these are members of the rmt. that’s these are members of the rmt. that's riaht these are members of the rmt. that's ri . ht and these are members of the rmt. that's right and that — these are members of the rmt. that's right and that means _ these are members of the rmt. that's right and that means more _ these are members of the rmt. trust�*s right and that means more disruption for rail travellers. so rmt have announced further strike dates. they

will start and this is rmt members working for the 14 train operating companies in the first instance, the first of these lead to strict its are going to be on the thursday, the 16th of march, the saturday the 18th of march, thursday the 30th of march and saturday the 1st of april. that really is the start of the easter holidays for many schools. then you also have network rail members of the signal or sticking strict action also on the 16th and the 17th of march and also going to be an overtime band by network rail members over certain days. so you get more disruption. i was assumin: so you get more disruption. i was assuming we _ so you get more disruption. i was assuming we were _ so you get more disruption. i was assuming we were going - so you get more disruption. i was assuming we were going to - so you get more disruption. i was assuming we were going to expect this kind of escalation given the fact that talks between the government and the unions have not gone anywhere. government and the unions have not gone anywhere-— gone anywhere. what was fairly si . nificant gone anywhere. what was fairly significant on _ gone anywhere. what was fairly significant on friday, _ gone anywhere. what was fairly

significant on friday, that - gone anywhere. what was fairly significant on friday, that the l gone anywhere. what was fairly i significant on friday, that the rmt rejected what was described as the best and final offer from the body that was representing network rail and the train operating companies. the industry had been hoping a slightly tweaked deal which had already included a 9% pay rise over two years would get a settlement over the line. but that was not to be. rmt and lynch came out saying that the proposals were dreadful and that the proposals were dreadful and that they were rejected by the national executive committee. the rail industry had wanted this to be put to rmt members of course what happened on friday, that all paved the way for these strike dates now. this dispute appears stuck, not least because rmt is now seeking an unconditional pay offer where all the way along in this long increasingly bitter dispute the

government and industry have been saying increased pay comes hand—in—hand with much—needed reforms. hand-in-hand with much-needed reforms. . ~ hand-in-hand with much-needed reforms. ., ,, , ., ., hand-in-hand with much-needed reforms. ., ,, ., , reforms. thank you, more bad news for hard-pressed _ reforms. thank you, more bad news for hard-pressed travellers. - reforms. thank you, more bad news for hard-pressed travellers. emma i for hard—pressed travellers. emma simpson there. now let's get some sport. thank you very much and good evening. let's start with football. england's women's football team play their first match of the year tonight, as they take on south korea in the arnold clark cup in milton keynes. it's a four team competition with games against italy and belgium to come next week. jane dougall will be watching for the bbc and joins us now. good to see you there. lionesses up again south korea what sort of challenge will they this even? brute challenge will they this even? we don't challenge will they this even? - don't know a great deal about them and glenn have only played them twice in the most recent time i was backin twice in the most recent time i was back in 2011 when they did went to — one but that was a while ago so it is fair to say we are not really sure what england what will be

facing tonight. also south korea are 15th in the fifa rankings england are fourth so maybe not as competitive as they may like. the other two teams in the competition, italy and belgium are also far lower down the rankings, belgian have not even not qualified for the world cup so it will be interesting. sarina wiegman the english manager said that it was important to face countries from different cultures, continents because it is all about experience. and that is what this faa organised tournament is all about, cut mac is about preparing for the world cup because england will have one eye on that the summer and new zealand. they will be playing three matches in seven days so it will be very intense and will be good preparation for tournament football. it is also a chance for sarina wiegman to look at different connotations of players and different players, and he waved because don't forget she has lost bothjill because don't forget she has lost both jill scott and also ellen because don't forget she has lost bothjill scott and also ellen white who retired after the euros. plus

added to that, she has got a problem with mill filter keira walsh, a stomach bug so she will not be available tonight so a lot of her to think about. and she will be wanting to keep their record because england have been unbeaten in 26 matches. plenty going on before kick off as well can you explain what we can expect? well can you explain what we can exect? , ., ., , ., expect? first of all there will be a minutes silence _ expect? first of all there will be a minutes silence you _ expect? first of all there will be a minutes silence you remember. expect? first of all there will be a | minutes silence you remember the victims of the earthquake in turkey and syria. so this wad will be wearing black armbands to remember them out of respect plus added to that, the golden boot winner in the euros, beth mead, her mother passed away sadly last months of the armbands are also to remember her and also the england squad will be wearing badges on their warm—up kits which they, remembering of uterine cancer in honour of her mum. captain

liam williamson will be wearing the one love armband to follow the check footballer who came out publicly a few days ago. plus a presentation to lucy ward because she gets her 100th cap this evening. all of these fixtures are double—headed to try to increase credit numbers italy are playing belgian behind me as we speak. it is 1—0, england kick—off at quarter to eight. speak. it is1-0, england kick-off at quarter to eight.— speak. it is 1-0, england kick-off at quarter to eight. plenty to look for to thank— at quarter to eight. plenty to look for to thank you, _ at quarter to eight. plenty to look for to thank you, jane. _ it's been a good opening day for england's cricketers in the first test in new zealand. some now customary aggressive batting and then a bold piece of captaincy from ben stokes. andy swiss explains. ben foakes made the unusual decision to declare after a flurry late evening. looking to take advantage of the failing light and it paid off. 0llie robinson and thenjean

anderson taking wickets the host 87 for three at close. the anderson taking wickets the host 87 for three at close.— for three at close. the best time to bowl is under— for three at close. the best time to bowl is under these _ for three at close. the best time to bowl is under these lights - for three at close. the best time to bowl is under these lights i - for three at close. the best time to bowl is under these lights i think i bowl is under these lights i think you can extract the most amount of swinging so why not expose their top order to that, it is the hardest times about and we got to the best bowlers to ever have played the game. so thankfully we got through with it. �* game. so thankfully we got through with it. ~ ., , ., ., with it. and that is all from the world of sport _ with it. and that is all from the world of sport sports _ with it. and that is all from the world of sport sports day - with it. and that is all from the l world of sport sports day coming with it. and that is all from the - world of sport sports day coming up at half past six but back to clive. back to the the search to find a new first minister of scotland is well underway, after nicola sturgeon's surprise resignation.

thanks for being with us, campbell. we know that they will draw up a good timetable today or begin the process of doing that. how soon do you think we might be in the position to see a new first minister?— position to see a new first minister? there's a special conference _ minister? there's a special conference already - minister? there's a special i conference already scheduled minister? there's a special - conference already scheduled for march the 19th at which nicola sturgeon was going to lay out the alternatives, she was going to propose a de facto referendum for the next general election she seems to be rolling back that in the speech yesterday and i think that one of the things that the national executive committee will do tonight is cancel that meeting because i doubt very much we will have a new leader and first minister in place by march the 19th. it may well be, even if we do certain to have a new first

meeting mr —— minister and national conference to decide the future of independence. i think what will happen is that will be cancelled and run a schedule for the election of a new leader which possibly will be by the middle. russell has already said that he hopes for a quick process so props by the middle of march we will have a new member of the snp who will then be voted in as first minister of the scottish parliament. so as soon as the middle of march? there have been suggestions that al examined obviously nicola sturgeon's successor —— or predisaster were actually too big. —— predisaster. that they all ended up coalescing around this one individual in lead to a cult of personality and has been counterproductive to the

arguments the snp has been trying to put forward. would you agree with that with mike no absolutely not. i think the snp has coalesced around campaign for independence rather than an individual. certainly mr salmon and nicola sturgeon were leaders of that campaign but when alec salmon slid down many people said no one can fill his boots, she will never be the figure that he was and she had turned into an even greaterfigure. the bookies have made, i checked the bookmakers before i came on your and they have suggested that angus robertson is the favourite. the leader of westminster and now he is in place and of the people have suggested forbes who is very able but she's actually currently on the maternity leave so whether she would want to

take on the task of being first minister with a young family, i honestly would advise against it. another person has been suggested as mary mcallen. she is only been in msp for less than two years but she was a special adviser for nicola sturgeon before and having said that she will only turn 30 on tuesday so again very young. my money would be on angus robertson or perhaps keith. so notejohn sweeney? is on the job before. i so note john sweeney? is on the 'ob before. ., �* ~ ., so note john sweeney? is on the 'ob before. ., �* ~' ., ~' so note john sweeney? is on the 'ob before. ., �* ~ ., ., before. i don't know i thinkjohn was leader. _ before. i don't know i thinkjohn was leader, he _ before. i don't know i thinkjohn was leader, he did _ before. i don't know i thinkjohn was leader, he did a _ before. i don't know i thinkjohn was leader, he did a good - before. i don't know i thinkjohn was leader, he did a good job i was leader, he did a good job holding the fort before alex came back he is a very able minister i

don't think you would want to take on thejob of don't think you would want to take on the job of first minister. when other names potentiallyjoanna? the problem is she is an empty so she cannot be first minister. there would have to be a by election to have her in. plus she is not popular with a large slave of the party. —— swathe. with a large slave of the party. -- swathe. ., ., ., ., swathe. part of the argument of nicola sturgeon _ swathe. part of the argument of nicola sturgeon standing - swathe. part of the argument of nicola sturgeon standing downl swathe. part of the argument of| nicola sturgeon standing down is that she does not see a clear pathway any time soon for a another independence vote. if that is clear and obvious to everyone —— one wonders what the purpose of the snp is a long—term. thea;r wonders what the purpose of the snp is a long-term—

is a long-term. they have been in existence for _ is a long-term. they have been in existence for over _ is a long-term. they have been in existence for over 90 _ is a long-term. they have been in existence for over 90 years - is a long-term. they have been in existence for over 90 years and i is a long-term. they have been in i existence for over 90 years and have only been a part of scottish politics for the last 50 years, really. i agree i think it is not going to be a short—term fix nothing seems to be ace prospect of any anytime soon and the idea of using the next general election a de facto referendum is now being rolled back by the leadership i think it was a silly idea in the first place. we will leave it _ silly idea in the first place. we will leave it there and thank you. former special adviser to nicola sturgeon and alex salmond. the united nations is asking for one billion dollars to help turkey recover from last week's catastrophic earthquakes. the un began a similar, but smaller appealfor neighbouring syria on tuesday. more than forty—two thousand people are known to have died in the disaster across both countries. nato chiefjens stoltenberg

is on a two—day trip to turkey to show his support — he's been meeting turkish president, recep tayyip erdogan, and will also visit quake—affected areas. in a news conference earlier, he said the focus will now be on reconstruction and supporting the displaced by setting up temporary housing. this is the deadliest natural disaster on alliance territory since the foundation of nato. on behalf of nato, i offer my deepest condolences to the turkish people and the families and the loved ones of all those who lost their lives or were injured. the focus going forward will be on reconstruction and supporting the displaced. that is why nato is now setting up temporary housing for thousands of displaced people. in addition, nato will also use our strategic airlift capabilities to transport tens of thousands of tents to turkiye in the coming days and weeks.

eleven days on, remarkably there are still people being pulled alive from the rubble, left by the powerful earthquakes that hit syria and turkey. a teenage girl has been rescued from a collapsed building near the epicentre of the quakes, in the province of karamanmaras. she was pulled from the wreckage as her uncle hugged the rescuers one by one, saying he'd never forget them. 0ur correspondent, caroline davies, reports from the city of adana, in southern turkey. an incredible story of survival. carefully, with many hands, 17—year—old 0lena is lifted to safety after 248 hours under the rubble. these stories that have amazed the world are often down to a few factors and chance. to survive long term, so let's say over a week or ten days or something like that,

you need mainly access to two things — air and some sort of water source. so we say people can survive without water intake maybe for about three to five days or so. but i do think there's probably a huge psychological component, in the sense that, if people have hope and they believe that they will be rescued, determination probably does play a factor. many fear how long it may take them to be back in a home. in the snow—covered province of kahramanmaras, tent cities have been erected to provide some shelter. in adana, a food market is now a camp. but not for long. these tents have been in position for the course of the last ten days, but the authorities here say they are now dismantling them. you can see the tents over here and people taking some of their belongings as well. now, that's because the authorities say that there is greater need closer to the epicentre, but people who have been living here tell us that they are very worried.

the authorities say people will be moved to live in other accommodation but some feel they are being moved on too quickly. fatma has been living in the camp since the earthquake hit. translation: it was rainy and cold, plus we had to see dead bodies - coming out of the building nearby. it was like a nightmare — i couldn't wash for ten days. this is the situation we are in. 0ur mental strength has broken. the earthquake has already taken so much, but many feel they are now left in limbo, not knowing how or where they can rebuild their lives. a new way of screening less urgent 999 calls will be introduced across england, in an effort to improve ambulance response times. the focus will be on category 2 calls, which range from suspected heart attacks and strokes, to burns and urgent headaches. crews will be asked to review each

call to see if a patient can be better treated elsewhere. here's our health correspondent, dominic hughes. ambulance, is the patient breathing? ambulance call centres have seen record levels of demand in recent months... has she lost any blood? ..and that's contributed to some of the worst ever response times. so in london and the west midlands, they have been experimenting with a new way of dealing with calls in an effort to make sure help gets where its needed the most. this new system will allow a clinical conversation between a nurse, a paramedic or a doctor and the patient, and between them they will be able to decide whether an ambulance is the best response for that patient, or they are better cared for in a different environment. it's really important that people know it does not mean anyone loses their place in the queue. what it does is provide more individualised care for an individual patient. but also allows us to free up the resources for our most vulnerable patients. category two ambulance call—outs make up over half of all emergency calls.

they're meant to cover an immediate risk to life, things like a heart attack or stroke, but they also include conditions such as burns, diabetes or headaches, where the severity of the problems can vary enormously and some of which do not always need an immediate response. through having a more detailed conversation with some of those patients, a pilot scheme found around one in five of all category two calls could be better treated elsewhere and did not need an ambulance. i'm just calling back to follow up on your earlier call... with ten years experience as a paramedic, dave godden has used the new scheme to help a patient who called 999 after getting a nasty cut on his hand. when i phoned back and we assessed him, the bleeding had stopped, he was in a much calmer state, he able to speak a bit clearer, the pain had subsided somewhat, and i was able to give him advice to make his own way to the urgent care centre to treat his wound, which saved an ambulance but got him the right care that he needed. those running the pilot scheme say

no patients were disadvantaged. some patients even found themselves moved from category two to the most urgent, category one. the scheme is now being expanded to all ten ambulance services across england, with the hope it can help improve response times and focus help for those who need it. dominic hughes, bbc news. an update on the situation concerning the missing 45—year—old woman nickel boly, lancashire police have not referred themselves to the independent 0ffice have not referred themselves to the independent office for police conduct. 0ver independent office for police conduct. over the handling of the situation concerning bulley. and it is over contact the force had with bulley on january the 10th is over contact the force had with bulley onjanuary the 10th prior to her disappearance. this is according to the police watchdog. salt lancashire police have referred

themselves to the independent 0ffice themselves to the independent office for police conduct over the conduct over the force and its contact with nicola bulley onjanuary over the force and its contact with nicola bulley on january the 10th. this is before her disappearance. we know of course that the family have issued a statement today asking the public not to enter into conjecture concerning the circumstances surrounding her disappearance. she went missing by the river wyre close to three weeks ago now and the police clearly had contact with nicola bulley before she went missing and the circumstances surrounding that contact with her is now being looked into by the independent 0ffice contact with her is now being looked into by the independent office for police conduct. lancashire police have decided to refer themselves to

the authority to have that looked into. doctors are warning the lives of thousands of severely disabled children, are being put at risk because of long ambulance waits. the british academy of childhood disability, warns many young people suffer life—threatening emergencies on a daily basis, and can't access the care they need. the government says it's reducing delays, by investing in 800 new ambulances. here's ruth clegg. is that emily's favourite song? it's 7:00am in the watson household, and the morning routine has just begun. so for breakfast, christopher has about seven different meds. emily has seven as well, but a different combination. it's busy, it's intense, and for emily and christopher, it's life—saving. christopher has got a tracheotomy and emily has got choking issues. the 12—year—old twins were born prematurely and have complex medical needs. are you 0k, emily? each one on their own could be life threatening.

if we have a problem with christopher's breathing tube, his tracheostomy, and we're unable to resolve it, he'd be dead within minutes. get the lady to come round here and see. just before christmas, with ambulances in short supply, and hospitals declaring critical incidents, christopher started to have problems with his breathing tube. they called for an ambulance, but were told that despite christopher being a category one, which means paramedics should arrive within ten minutes, it could be a three—hour wait. what's going through your head at this point? you've tried everything. you literally know that it's got to be emergency care. it's scary. yeah, it's scary. and you start to think, "what's going wrong now? what can we do? how is this going to end up?" like nearly 100,000 children across the uk, emergency care is a crucial part of their everyday lives. normally we would be saying

to them, "well, you know, if this is happening, this is when you call the ambulance, and don't worry, they'll be there within 10, 20 minutes." at the moment, you can't rely on there actually being an ambulance able to come in that short length of time. got emergency blue box with a standard tracheostomy tube. fortunately, an ambulance was diverted and within 40 minutes christopher was rushed to hospital where a resuscitation team were ready and waiting. these children need that extra level of care. it's not their fault that they need it. christopher survived and is back at school. but the worry is always there. if the health service breaks down and doesn't function, if christopher has an episode like that, he would not be here. the government says it is planning to improve services with 5000 more beds and 800 new ambulances.

check off you've got everything they need to keep christopher safe. ruth clegg, bbc news. the supermarket chain, aldi, says it's looking to increase its workforce in britain, by more than six thousand. the company will recruit more staff for its distribution centres, as well as for new stores in norwich and newcastle. aldi also says it's proud it pays, the highest hourly wage, in the sector. whether news now with ben rich. a quiet day for most of us today if at the cloudy one but some rain starting to work in for northern ireland can see that from a weather watcher picture and through tonight it is the winds that will cause some issues across parts of scotland into north—east england into the first part of tomorrow morning, some trouble disruption is likely ——

travel. the reason why is developing here, this area of cloud developing a hook shaped always a sign that we have a weather system that is deepening. this area of low pressure has been named by the danish weather service because of the impact likely in denmark. it is called storm auto and before it gets to own —— denmark it will come to the northern half of the uk at some strong winds. winds picking up as we have through the evening across northern ireland but across scotland in northern england as well further south a lot of cloud around largely dry and mild for all of us, but into tomorrow morning if you are travelling early on across northern scotland you could see wind gusts of around 80 miles per our and expose spots. more broadly across scotland gusts of 60 — 75 mph. the other place where the winds will be gusty is across the tops of the canines and into north—east england so if you're travelling in a high

cited eagle —— high cited to vehicle the conditions could be very poor indeed and slowly easing staying particular blustery and north—east. the odd shower in scotland and some rain getting back into northern ireland later into the day. turning slightly chilly or through the day across northern half of the country, for the another mild one in prospect. but the start of the weekend here comes another area of low pressure. this one moving eastwards quickly so much of the rain clearing quite early on saturday morning. could be a bit of snow on the high ground in scotland but the bulk of that clearing the way. left with a fair amount of cloud may be some further splashes of patchy rain, but some bright or sunny spells as well for it will be another mild day, temperatures north to south between seven and may 15 degrees. 0ver to south between seven and may 15 degrees. over the second half of the week in scotland and some cloud in rain and fairly strong bands for the south it stay drier with a bit of

sunshine and mild for all of us but before we get there, windy night in prospect and some trouble disruption in northern parts tomorrow morning.

at six, the family of the missing woman nicola bulley call for the focus to be on finding her, not what they call appalling speculation about her private life. it comes after the police revealed personal details of the 45—year—old's struggles with the menopause and alcohol, which some have criticised. a new development as a lancashire police say they have referred themselves to the independent office for police conduct. more on that in a moment. also on the programme... strike action by nurses in england intensifies with new and longer walkouts next month. more than £3 billion record profits for the owner of british gas, centrica, the latest energy company to benefit from higher prices after russia's invasion of ukraine. almost a year after russia invaded ukraine the bbc'sjohn simpson talks