there are flakes of snow falling in all sorts of places in certain parts of the country. this is the live page the bbc has up and running and can tell you where disruption to travel and schools opening etc is, you can check your area and what is going on, if you can see snow outside and whether you will be affected by transport or closures. just look at the bbc news app or website for all of the latest updates. zoe ball has announced she's stepping down from her radio 2 breakfast show. she said will remain at the station, but will no longer present the weekday breakfast programme, after almost 6 years at the helm. injanuary 2019, zoe became the first woman to present the radio 2 breakfast show, taking overfrom chris evans. during her time there, she's interviewed some of the world's biggest celebrities, including sir michael caine, daniel craig, dame judi dench, idris elba, and kylie minogue. let's listen to a little bit of what she said this morning. 0k, ok, you lovely bunch, i had

some news. after six years of fun times along you all on the breakfast show, i've decided it's time to step away from the early alarm call and start a new chapter. you know i think the world to have you all, listeners, and it truly has been such a privilege to share the mornings with you, to go through life's little ups and downs. we got through the lockdown together, didn't we? we have shared a hell of tough times and good times, there has been a lot of laughter and i will miss you katz, i will miss my amazing prod squad, who i already at all, already missing mike, i will miss tina and ray chief who have become like family to me, like you lot, but i won't miss the four o'clock alarm call, if i'm completely honest. my last breakfast show will be with you on december 20

f and then it is high kicks all the way to christmas. i will not be a stranger, i'm staying on the radio 2 crew and family because it is an amazing family, as we saw last week with paddy's fantastic children in need challenge, i will have more news on that in the new year. ~ , . ~ ., year. we will be back to the farmers' _ year. we will be back to the farmers' protests _ year. we will be back to the farmers' protests in - year. we will be back to the farmers' protests in central| farmers' protests in central london with martine croxall, but first the weather. you can see the colder air filtering southwards behind this weather front. most of the snow that is left will be this afternoon on the hills at lower levels. some wet and wintry

conditions putting across the south—west into the channel islands. furtherwintry south—west into the channel islands. further wintry showers blowing around in strong winds in the north of scotland and in between, a lot of dry weather with some sunshine. wherever you are, it's going to feel cold. the exception will be where we have the windiest conditions in the south—west. this evening, if you are near windward coasts, that is the most likely area to see further wintry showers. there will be clear skies, a hard and penetrating frost. where we have lying snow in the highlands, temperatures can fall away to minus eight degrees or lower. tomorrow, we have this north—westerly flow still blowing in those wintry showers in windward facing coasts. showers in northern ireland, the north—west and northern scotland. will not all see the showers. in fact, once again, a lot of dry weather. some sunshine but feeling cold if you're out and about. don't forget to add on the

wind—chill. wednesday into thursday, we hang on to the cold air, but look what is happening in the south—west. we could see some snow in the moors, possibly the channel islands. elsewhere, we are looking at a mostly dry day and another cold one. i'm friday, windward coasts again are likely to see cold showers coming down the north sea into east anglia. another cold day for most, but perhaps something not quite as cold coming into the far south—west. as we head into the weekend, we could see some wet and very windy weather, but not as cold, but it turns colder next week. this is bbc news, the headlines:

thousands of farmers are expected in london to protest against changes to inheritance tax. a court in hong kong sentences 45 democracy activists to jail in a controversial national security trial. up to 12cm of snow has fallen across parts of the uk and more is forecast as the country has its first taste of winter. zoe ball announces she's stepping down from hosting the radio 2 breakfast show next month — after six years at the helm. thousands of farmers are protesting in westminster this morning to oppose the governments planned changes to inheritance tax. from april 2026, farms with a value of £1 million or more will be subject to an inheritance tax of 20%. let's go to martine croxall in central london with more. we can show—

central london with more. we can show you _ central london with more. - can show you what is happening outside a church house, where i have been based this morning. farmers for a separate event, a protest, are gathering in whitehall to make their feelings known about the changes to inheritance tax and how it will affect agriculture and business assets. i will be speaking to people at that event. but here at church house, national farmers' union, which has organised this mass lobby, has 1800 delegates to speak to their mps. lobby, has 1800 delegates to speak to their mp5. the hope from the union is that once mps here the angerfrom from the union is that once mps here the anger from members of the nfu, they will apply some pressure to the government to change course on this policy. but the chancellor rachel reeves says there won't be any changes, even though she does understand the strength of feeling. the conservatives

described this as a cruel policy. the shadow secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs is victoria atkins. farmers across the uk are feeling — farmers across the uk are feeling betrayed because the defra — feeling betrayed because the defra secretary, siti steve, as i call— defra secretary, siti steve, as i call him. _ defra secretary, siti steve, as i call him, promised before the election— i call him, promised before the election that they would not touch— election that they would not touch this inheritance tax. in fact, — touch this inheritance tax. in fact, when_ touch this inheritance tax. in fact, when we won him that they would _ fact, when we won him that they would be — fact, when we won him that they would be looking at this, he called — would be looking at this, he called it_ would be looking at this, he called it desperate nonsense, and yet — called it desperate nonsense, and yet come this budget of broken _ and yet come this budget of broken promises, this is one of the promises they had broken to the promises they had broken to the electorate. and the real—life impact of this are enormous because we know already. _ enormous because we know already, around kitchen tables and farms up and down the country. _ and farms up and down the country, farmers have got advice _ country, farmers have got advice from their accountants and business advisors, and they are deeply— and business advisors, and they are deeply worried and distressed that if older members of the family lived past — members of the family lived past march 2026 when this change _ past march 2026 when this change comes in, they are faced with an — change comes in, they are faced with an enormous inheritance

tax bill— with an enormous inheritance tax bill when that beloved relative passes on. and when i say huge — relative passes on. and when i say huge bills, we are talking hundreds of thousands of pounds, possibly even over a million — pounds, possibly even over a million. these are the figures that_ million. these are the figures that have _ million. these are the figures that have been told to me by farmers. _ that have been told to me by farmers, who have done exactly as treasury ministers wanted them — as treasury ministers wanted them to— as treasury ministers wanted them to do, and have got advice to understand what these changes mean for them. the answer— changes mean for them. the answer is _ changes mean for them. the answer is that this labour government, which is a city dwelling, socialist government that does not understand the countryside, must now listen to farmers— countryside, must now listen to farmers because i have never known — farmers because i have never known farmers this angry or this— known farmers this angry or this distressed about their futures _ this distressed about their futures. the fact that they are coming — futures. the fact that they are coming to— futures. the fact that they are coming to london today in so many— coming to london today in so many numbers from all of the country— many numbers from all of the country shows how worried they are _ country shows how worried they are. ., ., ,., , country shows how worried they are. ., ., _ , are. the government to say they need this money _ are. the government to say they need this money because - are. the government to say they need this money because the . need this money because the state of public services because of the state that the conservative government left the public finances in. what is your response to that? first of all, the figures _ your response to that? first of all, the figures they _ your response to that? first of all, the figures they are - your response to that? first of all, the figures they are using | all, the figures they are using are not— all, the figures they are using are not in— all, the figures they are using are not in fact stood up by the 0br~ — are not in fact stood up by the 0br~ that— are not in fact stood up by the 0br. that is fact number one,

the figures are dodgy. but they keep— the figures are dodgy. but they keep repeating them. this idea that this — keep repeating them. this idea that this inheritance tax change _ that this inheritance tax change is going to save public services, _ change is going to save public services, again, is forthe birds _ services, again, is forthe birds. when we look at the pressures on the nhs budget, this tax— pressures on the nhs budget, this tax change will mean that family— this tax change will mean that family farms are split up or sold — family farms are split up or sold we _ family farms are split up or sold. we will have tenanted farmers _ sold. we will have tenanted farmers because this labour government seems to think that all farmers own the land they farm — all farmers own the land they farm. they don't, there are many— farm. they don't, there are many tenanted farmers who will not he _ many tenanted farmers who will not be able to continue their livelihoods over many generations because these family— generations because these family farms are going to be sold — family farms are going to be sold off— family farms are going to be sold off by landowners because they have to pay their tax bills — they have to pay their tax bills somehow. it is the real—life consequences of this, 'ust real—life consequences of this, just as — real—life consequences of this, just as it— real—life consequences of this, just as it is— real—life consequences of this, just as it is the real—life consequences of their/ winter fuel— consequences of their/ winter fuel payments, that they don't understand is that winter is setting _ understand is that winter is setting in, the impact that will— setting in, the impact that will have on vulnerable pensioners. and they don't understand the impact that their— understand the impact that their broken promise in the budget— their broken promise in the budget of hiking national insurance on employers is going to affect — insurance on employers is going to affect us all. it will lead to affect us all. it will lead tojoh _ to affect us all. it will lead to job losses to affect us all. it will lead tojob losses and to affect us all. it will lead

to job losses and price inflation and wage stagnation. they— inflation and wage stagnation. they don't get any of this and is where _ they don't get any of this and is where people are at the end of their— is where people are at the end of their tether. gn is where people are at the end of their tether.— of their tether. on a lighter note, of their tether. on a lighter note. it's — of their tether. on a lighter note. it's a _ of their tether. on a lighter note, it's a fabulous - of their tether. on a lighter| note, it's a fabulous jacket, but you must be frozen? well, i back british _ but you must be frozen? well, i back british farming. _ but you must be frozen? well, i back british farming. i - back british farming. i thought, let's show our commitment to british farming families — commitment to british farming families. forany commitment to british farming families. for any cold commitment to british farming families. forany cold i commitment to british farming families. for any cold i feel is worth— families. for any cold i feel is worth it _ families. for any cold i feel is worth it because i am here today— is worth it because i am here today to _ is worth it because i am here today to support our farmers and try— today to support our farmers and try to _ today to support our farmers and try to ensure that our farmers' _ and try to ensure that our farmers' children can continue our centuries long tradition of farming — our centuries long tradition of farming are countryside and caring — farming are countryside and caring for it in the way they do — victoria atkins, the shadow secretary of state for food, the environment and rural affairs. government ministers are going to be hearing and seeing how strongly farmers feel about these changes to inheritance tax. and it has happened, of course, so early in the life of this government in the life of this government in the life of this government in the budget of recent times. but government ministers say

very few farmers will actually be affected. let's speak to our political correspondent harry farley, who is here at church house. there is a great deal of concern and the prime minister sir keir starmer says he is going to keep explaining who is going to keep explaining who is going to keep explaining who is going to be effective, because he doesn't believe it's as bad as people think?— he doesn't believe it's as bad as people think? that's right. the government's _ as people think? that's right. the government's defence . as people think? that's right. the government's defence of| the government's defence of this is a three pronged. firstly, they argue that it's a point of fairness. they argue that a handful of very wealthy people do buy up lots of agricultural land and therefore avoid paying inheritance tax that they might otherwise have had to pay. they say there is a point of fairness and those people should pay inheritance tax. the other point is that the measures in the budget they have put in to support farmers. they point to £5 million announced in the next two years for farming, announced in the next two years forfarming, 50 million for flooding and so on. thirdly, they argue that actually, very

few farmers will be affected by this. they argue that the threshold they have put in place means that fewer than 500 farms a year will be affected. that is around a quarter of firms being passed on to the next generation. so their argument is that only the wealthiest will pay this. that is disputed by their political opponents. tim farron from the liberal democrats, for example, saying that that figure is rubbish. he says the only way farmers could pay this tax would be to sell the family farms. ., , farms. the figure we heard is that business _ farms. the figure we heard is that business and _ farms. the figure we heard isj that business and agricultural assets over the value of £1 million, that is when the 20% would kick in, but even that is disputed because the ceiling is thought to be higherfor a lot of people? thought to be higher for a lot of petiole?— thought to be higher for a lot of people? that's right, there is a huge _ of people? that's right, there is a huge range _ of people? that's right, there is a huge range of— of people? that's right, there is a huge range of figures - of people? that's right, there | is a huge range of figures both in terms of the numbers of farms affected and when you would start to pay. the largest estimate we have heard is that

70,000 farms could be hit by this. that comes from the country, land and business association. we have looked at the figures and we think that is not the right figure to use because that is the number of farms in total valued over £1 million across the uk but obviously, this inheritance tax would only come into effect when it is passed on. so that would only happen when the landowner dies. the cherry argument argue that make the treasury argument is that 500 farms a year would be impacted and we think that is where the rough figure really is. the other thing is that there are other thing is that there are other exceptions in inheritance tax which might allow farms with more than £1 million to be accepted. for example, your main residential property is accepted from inheritance tax. if you are a married couple, you can put your allowances together. so £2.5 million to £3 million of the total value of

the farm would be exempt before you start paying the new rate of inheritance tax. the farming community _ of inheritance tax. the farming community is _ of inheritance tax. the farming community is saying _ of inheritance tax. the farming community is saying this - of inheritance tax. the farming community is saying this is - community is saying this is another attack on a sector of society that the labour party doesn't understand, that the labour party is urban and metropolitan and detached from what goes on in the countryside, quite reminiscent of the arguments in the late 19905 under the tony blair government. 1990s under the tony blair government.— 1990s under the tony blair government. 1990s under the tony blair covernment. ., ., ., , government. that argument was made by a — government. that argument was made by a labour _ government. that argument was made by a labour peer- government. that argument was made by a labour peer herself. l made by a labour peer herself. speaking to my colleague ben wright, she said the changes smell of incompetence and that large parts of our party, a labour peer said, has become urban and divorced from a big section of the community. the government dispute that. they say they support family farms and they argue that very few farms will be affected by this. as you can hear, these farmers

meeting with their mps in church house, that is one segment of the process happening today. the other noisy element is happening outside in whitehall later. i outside in whitehall later. i imagine there will be tractors around parliament square, quite an unusual sight. a lot of farmers are also saying that has brexit and leaving the european union, the amount they get in subsidies has plummeted in some cases and has not been maintained by the uk government. i maintained by the uk government. , , government. i suppose the catal st government. i suppose the catalyst for — government. i suppose the catalyst for this _ government. i suppose the catalyst for this protest - government. i suppose the| catalyst for this protest was the changes to inheritance tax, but when you speak to many farmers here, they say this is the straw that broke the camel's back. as you say, they point to the change in subsidies after brexit. they point to the trade deals with australia that they argue hurt british farmers. and they argue that there are constantly changing targets that they have to hit or that they receive subsidies by. they say all

that, as well as difficult weather patterns in the last few years, has added up to a difficult picture for them and this is the straw that broke the camel's back and that is why so many people have come to voice those concerns.— voice those concerns. harry farle , voice those concerns. harry farley. our _ voice those concerns. harry farley, our political - farley, our political correspondent. as are mentioned, there is a group of farmers who are separate from this nfu mass lobby taking part in a protest outside. they are going to be parading from richmond terrace in whitehall down to parliament square. we can look at a group of farmers in high wycombe in buckinghamshire, earlier today were getting on board a coach, probably surrounded by farming equipment and tractors, to set the scene, as they take a day out from working on their farms to make their way to central london to voice their opposition to these changes to inheritance tax. we will have

more reaction on bbc news from those farmers. it's very much a day in the capital for a those farmers. it's very much a day in the capitalfor a pair of wellies and a big coat. stay with us. thank you, nicolas negoce. the british retail consortium says it's inevitable thatjobs will be lost and prices will rise, because of tax increases being imposed on the industry next year. in a letter to the chancellor, it says the changes announced in last month's budget will cost retailers an additional seven billion pounds. our business correspondent theo leggett reports. retailers across the country are gearing up for the christmas period, their busiest time of the year. but seasonal cheer is in short supply and the economic winds are feeling wintry. in this letter to the government, the british retail consortium claims that new costs being imposed on the industry next year will make job losses inevitable, and higher prices a certainty. it's been signed by nearly 80 business leaders, including the bosses of tesco,

superdry, the perfume shop and wickes. and they say it reflects the strength of feeling across the sector. i think the response is one of urgency really to rethink this because people are going to make decisions on the retailers side that i think the government doesn't want us to make. i don't think they want us to take some of the actions, particularly around our employees, that this is going to force us to do. the brc claims retailers are facing a £7 billion hit next year as tax increases announced in the budget and other changes take effect. it says higher national insurance bills for employers will cost its members more than £2.3 billion. an increase in the national living wage will add another 2.75 billion, and higher taxes on non—recyclable plastic packaging will cost a further two billion. the brc also says planned changes to business rates,

which are meant to ease the tax burden on high street firms, are too far off and don't go far enough. so we've got a whole swathe of additional costs coming in, so there's a lot of concern on the impact forjobs, for prices and for consequences in high streets up and down the country. the government has defended the changes brought in at the budget as necessary to pay for improvements to public services and increased funding for the nhs. but retailers are far from happy. they think without changes, consumers and their own employees are going to pay a heavy price. theo leggett, bbc news. a never—before—seen collection of showbiz props and personal items belonging to one of the uk's most favourite comedian of all—time — eric morecambe — is going up for auction. memorabilia including his glasses, annotated joke books, as well as a piano he used to practise on, are set

to go under the hammer in the new year. 0ur correspondent graham satchell has the story. morecambe and wise, perhaps the best loved comedy double act in british history. more than 20 million people watched their christmas specials in the 19705. when eric morecambe's wifejoan died earlier this year, their three children said it was the end of an era — and they decided to auction off a treasure trove of their dad's belongings. eric didn't throw anything away, so he was sort of like a hoarder in a good way. and when i went out to the house, it was unchanged, really, from when he died. so it was sort of surreal. it felt like eric could walk into the room. don't light your pipe in here. it's not allowed. there's no... look out, the nurse is coming, get rid of it quick. among the items up for sale, a collection of eric's glasses and pipes, his top hat and tails, and the piano that he practised on. you're playing... you're playing -

all the wrong notes. i'm playing all the right notes, but not necessarily in the right order. also up for sale is a letter from ernie from 1950 saying he was worried he was holding eric back and they should split up. eric's reaction, "rubbish". eric's children said today, "we grew up sharing dad with the british people. "it's helped to inform this decision to share what was left in our home with the world at large. "dad would have loved that. "dad would have loved that. "that is his legacy". "that is his legacy". graham satchell, bbc news. graham satchell, bbc news. you've heard of you've heard of the calendar girls — the calendar girls — well, how about well, how about the calendar boys? the calendar boys? a group of men from norfolk a group of men from norfolk have bared all in the hope have bared all in the hope of raising money for local hospitals. of raising money for local hospitals. 0ur reporter, robby 0ur reporter, robby west has been to meet west has been to meet the denton dream boys. the denton dream boys.

stripping off for a good cause and baring all for the camera. that's it, phil, just hold it there, mate, just hold it there. now known as mr november, the 77—year—old was happy to take part in the village of denton's very own naked calendar. it didn't worry me. i trusted mark, the photographer, that he would get me in a good pose. were you worried that anyone was going to see you? i didn't really worry. i haven't got a lot to show anyway, to be honest. a career snapping everyone from presidents to princes, retired photojournalist mark, who lives in the village, was happy to help. the naked calendar isjust the latest idea of how to raise money that's come from this small norfolk village. the 15 men that took part, known around here

as the denton dreamboys, were organised by phil. calendar sales are raising money for addenbrooke's and papworth hospital, a cause close to his heart. my son had a life—threatening condition and he was treated under papworth, who came up with a new surgery to basically unblock the blood clots in his lungs and open up his arteries. and he went from a life expectancy of, could die tomorrow, to near on normal lifespan. does that make this really special for you? very special, yeah. very special indeed. from posing with his chopper to a couple of lads trying not to burn their sausages, this tiny village hopes that these cheeky photos raise a lot of money for charity. robbie west, bbc news.

now, this is the weather front that's been bringing the mixture of rain, sleet and snow. we're now in this northerly or northwesterly flow, and that means it's turning colder. so we started with temperatures 11 to 13 degrees in the south this morning, but you can see the colder airfiltering southwards behind this weather front. so most of the snow that's left will be this afternoon on the hills. at lower levels you may see a wintry mix, some wet and windy conditions pushing across the south—west into the channel islands, further wintry showers blowing around in the strong winds in the north of scotland, and in between a lot of dry weather with some sunshine. but wherever you are, it's going to feel cold. perhaps exception where we've got the windiest conditions in the south—west. now through this evening and overnight, if you're near windward coasts, that's the most likely area to see further wintry showers. there'll be clear skies, a hard and penetrating frost. where we've got lying snow in the highlands, temperatures could well fall away to minus eight degrees, possibly even lower.

so into tomorrow, then, you can see we have this northwesterly flow still blowing in those wintry showers in windward facing coasts. so we'll see some in northern ireland, wales, potentially the south—west and also across northern scotland. those showers, we won't all see them, but once again a lot of dry weather, some clear, crisp sunshine, but feeling cold if you're out and about. and, of course, don't forget to add on the wind chill. although we can see temperatures in stornoway of three degrees, it will feel colder than that. now wednesday into thursday we hang on to the cold air. but look what's happening in the south—west. so in the south—west we've got some rain coming in. now, thejury is still out on this. we could see some snow in the moors, possibly the channel islands, but elsewhere we're looking at a mostly dry day and another cold one. as we head on into friday windward coasts once again likely to see some of those showers coming down the north sea this time, into east anglia. again, a lot of dry weather, but another cold day for most. but perhaps something not quite as cold coming in to the far south—west.

and as we head into the weekend, there's a chance we could see some wet and very windy weather, but not as cold. but it turns colder next week.

live from london, this is bbc news. farmers are protesting in london against changes to inheritance tax. thousands are expected, but ministers insist their tax plans are necessary. president zelensky says ukraine will never submit, 1000 days since the start of russia 's full—scale invasion. irate since the start of russia 's full-scale invasion. we must -ush full-scale invasion. we must push russia _ full-scale invasion. we must push russia towards - full-scale invasion. we must push russia towardsjustice. | push russia towards justice. every threat from russia must be met with full sanctions. a court in hong kong sentences 45 democracy activists to prison in a controversial national security trial. up up to 12 centimetres of snow has fallen in parts of the uk and more is forecast as the country has its first taste of

winter. zoe ball announces she