today at one — fresh concerns over the health of the uk economy heading into 2025. revised figures show no growth in the third quarter of the year — the chancellor says the challenge she's facing is "huge". also on the programme: a nightmare before christmas for morrisons and its customers, as discount cards stop working and deliveries are delayed. protests are planned in the german city of magdeburg as officials meet to work out why its christmas market wasn't secure. a break with tradition. in a year where he was diagnosed with cancer, the king will deliver his christmas day message from a former hospital chapel. my new pat—o—matic will oblige. and if you think that's progress,

wait till you see the next thing i'm working on. and the creators of wallace and gromit make theirfirst new episode in a decade, without the iconic voice of peter sallis. good afternoon and welcome to the bbc news at one. the chancellor, rachel reeves, says fixing the economy will be a "huge" challenge for the uk — as revised official figures show that there was no growth between july and september. the office for national statistics originally estimated a small growth of 0.1% over the three months. the conservatives have urged the government to "think again" about the decisions they made in the budget. our business correspondent theo leggett has been assessing the numbers. a bleak midwinter for a a bleak midwinterfor a government which has made the economy its top priority. the latest figures show zero growth betweenjuly priority. the latest figures show zero growth between july and september. that's worse than initial

estimates had suggested. and it follows last week's's figures showing inflation at its highest level in eight months. this labour government _ level in eight months. this labour government is _ level in eight months. this labour government is going _ level in eight months. this labour government is going into - level in eight months. this labour government is going into 2025 - level in eight months. this labourl government is going into 2025 with absolute resolve to work with investors, wealth creators and workers across the country to stimulate economic growth and improve living standards for workers across the country. this is our number one mission as a government and we start from a disappointing set of economic statistics as we head into 2024, but that's why we are going to fight everyday to make sure we improve the lives of working people across this country. for mick, people across this country. for mick. who _ people across this country. for mick, who runs a pub in wimbledon, business has been pretty good in the run—up to christmas. he says that's necessary, because the new year can be tough. in necessary, because the new year can be tou~h. ,, ., necessary, because the new year can be touh. g. .,y , .,, necessary, because the new year can betou:h. ., . .. be tough. in january, people tend to tiuhten the be tough. in january, people tend to tighten the purse — be tough. in january, people tend to tighten the purse strings _ be tough. in january, people tend to tighten the purse strings a _ be tough. in january, people tend to tighten the purse strings a bit. - tighten the purse strings a bit. and, _ tighten the purse strings a bit. and, yeah, it's important for cafes, pubs, _ and, yeah, it's important for cafes, pubs, bars — and, yeah, it's important for cafes, pubs, bars and restaurant across the country _ pubs, bars and restaurant across the country to _ pubs, bars and restaurant across the country to have a good christmas. this is_ country to have a good christmas. this is where we are going to get to

pay our— this is where we are going to get to pay our bills — this is where we are going to get to pay our bills forjanuary, february and march, — pay our bills forjanuary, february and march, because unfortunately, the heating and lighting bill and the heating and lighting bill and the coal— the heating and lighting bill and the coal for the fire and all the things— the coal for the fire and all the things you have to do regardless of trade, _ things you have to do regardless of trade, those bills are still there injanuary. _ trade, those bills are still there injanuary, february and march, so we have _ injanuary, february and march, so we have to — injanuary, february and march, so we have to have a good christmas. 0ne we have to have a good christmas. one of— we have to have a good christmas. one of the — we have to have a good christmas. one of the biggest problem is that businesses across the country are facing is rising costs. that's partly because of changes brought in in the budget. for example, the rise in the budget. for example, the rise in employers' national insurance contributions and the higher national living wage. that gives companies a choice — do they pass those extra costs on to customers in the form of higher prices, or do they absorb them and take a hit on their profits? either way, that is something confidence over what the next few months will bring. 0nce many will choose to do is raise prices and reduce hiring, according to the confederation of british industry. to the confederation of british indust . ~ . , to the confederation of british indust .~ . , , . ., industry. what firms expect over the next quarter — industry. what firms expect over the next quarter is _ industry. what firms expect over the next quarter is to _ industry. what firms expect over the next quarter is to have _ industry. what firms expect over the next quarter is to have falling - next quarter is to have falling output, to reduce employment and we

are going to have pressure on prices increasing as well. so that makes for difficult business environment going forwards. the for difficult business environment going forwarde— going forwards. the british retail consortium _ going forwards. the british retail consortium says _ going forwards. the british retail consortium says consumers - going forwards. the british retail consortium says consumers are l going forwards. the british retail. consortium says consumers are also losing confidence. shoppers in manchester seemed to be feeling the pinch. i manchester seemed to be feeling the inch. ~ . . ,~ manchester seemed to be feeling the inch. ~ . . , .,, pinch. i thinkl am asking people what pinch. i thinki am asking people what they want _ pinch. i thinki am asking people what they want and _ pinch. i thinki am asking people what they want and buying - pinch. i thinki am asking people what they want and buying them i pinch. i thinki am asking people - what they want and buying them what they want. and the things they want are affordable because everyone understands that it is a tight year. it is expensive this year. everything has gone up. things are definitely— everything has gone up. things are definitely more _ everything has gone up. things are definitely more expensive, - everything has gone up. things are definitely more expensive, but - definitely more expensive, but there's— definitely more expensive, but there's not— definitely more expensive, but there's not much— definitely more expensive, but there's not much you - definitely more expensive, but there's not much you can- definitely more expensive, but there's not much you can do. definitely more expensive, but - there's not much you can do about it. ., �* , . , , . it. the government's gamble is that short-term — it. the government's gamble is that short-term pain _ it. the government's gamble is that short-term pain will _ it. the government's gamble is that short-term pain will lead _ it. the government's gamble is that short-term pain will lead to - short—term pain will lead to long—term gain, but in the meantime, many businesses are expecting to brace themselves against chilly economic winds into the new year. we'll speak to our political correspondent damian grammaticas in just a moment, but first let's get the latest from theo. theo, what do these numbers tell us? well, the change in the figures from

what we already knew from 0.1% growth to zero growth isn't great, but psychologically, it matters because the economy is what the government set out as its priority, getting economic growth, and the economy is not growing and it's going in the wrong direction. we know from those figures that in september, the economy shrank. and it is also thought to have done so in october. so the trend has been in the wrong direction, which means the period around now, the run—up to christmas and afterwards, which as you heard is when so many businesses make a large proportion of their profits, that is important, especially as there are bills to pay in the new year. so there is a lot of concern and confidence in the economy matters, because if businesses are not confident, they don't invest. if consumers are not confident, they don't spend. that is the problem. the government needs businesses to be investing in consumers to be spending, otherwise it's consumers to be spending, otherwise its policies will not work.

theo, thanks. and damian, how has the government responded to these figures? i wasjust i was just taking i wasjust taking part in everything from _ i wasjust taking part in everything from the _ i wasjust taking part in everything from the prime minister's official spokesperson, the last one this year. _ spokesperson, the last one this year. he — spokesperson, the last one this year, he acknowledged that there were significant difficulties, as the chancellor has said. he said this will— the chancellor has said. he said this will not be fixed overnight. the conservative shadow chancellor has said _ the conservative shadow chancellor has said the government has to change — has said the government has to change the measures in the disastrous budget, as he called it. he is_ disastrous budget, as he called it. he is of— disastrous budget, as he called it. he is of the — disastrous budget, as he called it. he is of the government had tanked growth _ he is of the government had tanked growth since the election. it is worth— growth since the election. it is worth saying that these figures relate — worth saying that these figures reiate to— worth saying that these figures relate to the period after the electiorr— relate to the period after the election and before the budget, so they dont— election and before the budget, so they don't reflect what is in the budget — they don't reflect what is in the budget. and the revision was also made _ budget. and the revision was also made to— budget. and the revision was also made to the end of the conservative government? time, similarly down. but the _ government? time, similarly down. but the liberal democrats a the previous — but the liberal democrats a the previous government brought chaos and the _ previous government brought chaos and the current government isn't bringing — and the current government isn't bringing growth. but the government say those _ bringing growth. but the government say those measures were important

for working — say those measures were important for working people. they have tried to protect _ for working people. they have tried to protect pay packets, and their focus _ to protect pay packets, and their focus is — to protect pay packets, and their focus is now on big changes that should _ focus is now on big changes that should deliver structural reforms and growth in the future. damian, thank you- — morrisons has apologised after some customers said their loyalty cards weren't working to get discounts on their christmas food shop. others found that their online orders had been cancelled. let's get more from our reporter chris vallance. chris, what seems to have happened? well, on what is predicted to be the busiest day of the year for the supermarkets, morrisons is having to contend with disgruntled customers around the country. one retail analyst called it the stuff of nightmares, with many going to the shops today to get that last—minute big food shop. so what have customers been saying? 0n social media, they have said that when they get to the till, big discounts available through the store's lower card don't appear. rewards they have built up over some time are not

being taken off the bill, and deliveries they may have booked some time ago are being moved, in some cases putting the christmas dinner in jeopardy and all the trimmings. what has the company said? it has apologised, blaming a system error for problems which it said principally affected card discounts and click and collect. they have said more card prices are not registering, they will apply a 10% discount. some home delivery orders may be arriving late and they will be communicating with the customers affected and they apologise to customers for the inconvenience. but this is a big dealfor the store. loyalty cards are a vital way in which big supermarkets, in a cut—throat business, compete with each other. on social media, many

customers were saying they would be taking their business elsewhere. thank you, chris. women's support charities have paid tribute to the bravery of leanne lucas, who was injured in the southport stabbings during the summer. she was running a taylor swift dance and yoga workshop when the class came under attack. three young girls were killed and eight other children were hurt. now, leanne has spoken publicly for the first time — as our special correspondent judith moritz reports. the southport stabbings made worldwide headlines, but few of those involved have spoken publicly. leanne lucas was injured in the attack and though the trauma feels fresh, she's found the strength to speak out. hi, my name is leanne lucas. 0n the 29th ofjuly, 2024, our world was shattered into a million pieces. the yoga teacher was at a recent vigil to remember women and girls who've lost their lives to male violence. raise your voice and share your stories.

often, we don't realise how powerful we are. 13 people were stabbed, including three little girls, bebe, elsie and alice, who were killed. i don't know why our three beautiful girls were taken that day, but what i do know is we have the power to ensure their sparkles live on forevermore. in recent years, there have been several high—profile cases here on merseyside involving violent crime against women and girls, from the shootings of olivia pratt—korbel, ashley dale and ellie edwards, to the stabbings in southport. those who campaign to support women in the area say it's empowering to hear from those who've been directly affected. tomorrow's women is a charity which offers support to those facing a variety of issues, like sandy, who sang at the vigil and heard leanne lucas speak. it's so brave and courageous. i admire people like that.

for it to be recent, to happen to her and then to stand up in front of those people and to let people know that there is help out there as well. merseyside has seen some of the highest rates of violence against women and girls in england. 74 have been killed since 2009. the names are read of all the women that have lost their lives, and each year, those names are growing. it's really important that we do come together regularly to remember those women. those women should never be forgotten. violence against women and girls has been described as a national emergency. next month, it will be one of the issues highlighted at a series of women's marches happening in liverpool and other cities. judith moritz, bbc news, liverpool. a man has been arrested in new york over the death of a woman who was set on fire on a subway train in brooklyn. the city's police commissioner called it "one of the most depraved crimes a person could possibly commit against another human being".

investigators are still trying to establish a motive for the attack. france's president emmanuel macron has led a minute's silence for the victims of cyclone chido. the country is observing a national day of mourning for the island of mayotte, after 35 people were killed in the french overseas territory's worst cyclone in nearly a century. authorities fear the final death toll could be even higher. cadbury says it's "disappointed" after losing its royal warrant, having held the accolade for 170 years. it means the chocolate firm — which is owned by the american multinational, mondelez — will no longer be allowed to display the royal coat of arms on its packaging. christmas is always a particularly tough time for children in the uk who don't have families to spend it with. charities say there 5 a shortage of thousands of foster carers in the uk, which means more children are living in care homes — and siblings are being split up. will vernon reports.

# christmas past is...# everyone is welcome at the ashford sings community choir, especially at christmas. conductor chris and his wife nik are foster parents. i think we're just two people who said yes. i think that's really all it is. i think a lot of people are just a bit too scared. some people say, "i'd find it hard to say goodbye". you're like, yeah, it is hard to say goodbye. but it's great to be able to say hello as well and create that space in the first place. # welcome home.# nick and chris are calling on more people to become foster parents. children and young people in care come in all shapes and sizes, so we need families of all shapes and sizes as well. children seem to do better in homes and in families, and every child deserves to be in a family where they are wanted and where they can thrive. it's christmas. it's the most wonderful time of the year.

why is it so important now to remember why children need to be fostered? you only have to watch a few christmas ads to see that it's families round a table, families opening presents. and there's a reality that for many children and young people, that's not what's happening for them at christmas. campaigners say there's a shortage of 6,500 foster families in the uk, and the number of children needing care is on the rise. covid and the lockdown, that really made a big difference because a lot of people started working from home, so their spare bedroom that they might have used forfostering, that suddenly became an office. the cost of living crisis has also had a big impact. often, people think that they can't foster because of their circumstances. perhaps they don't own their own house. perhaps they're not married. perhaps they're a single person. we can accommodate all of that. tv chef and model lorraine pascale was fostered as a child and is now an ambassador for the charity tact. she tells me being fostered changed her life.

it's been pivotal in giving me somewhere to stay when i was having problems, when my mother was having problems at home. and so it was a place where i could be cared for and supported and feel safe, which wasn't happening at home. lorraine has joined the appeal for more foster parents. we've lost 2,000 carers because children are going to university and then coming back. and so people no longer have a spare room. but i know there are people there who do have a spare room. so there may be people at home watching this thinking, maybe i could foster, but i don't want, you know, a problem child in my house. what would you say to them? i would say, do you know anyone that doesn't have problems? i would also say there's a lot of support. there's a lot of support. there's a lot of training. call tact, call your local social services and just give it a go. back in ashford, the choir�*s special christmas single is called welcome home. it's about a foster child's first

christmas with a new family. i thought about fostering and adoption and thought, well, what does it feel like to be in care at christmas? so i did some research, looked around and found some care experienced people and what have they said? and the overwhelming message seemed to be, i just want somewhere i can belong. i want somewhere that feels like home. 0ne community singing the praises of foster parents, but also wishing every family a harmonious christmas. will vernon, bbc news, ashford in kent. # you are home.# the time is 13.16. our top story this afternoon. revised figures show no growth in the uk economy in the third quarter of this year, as business leaders warn of difficult months ahead. and in a year where he was diagnosed with cancer, the king will break with tradition and deliver his christmas day message from a former hospital chapel.

local officials in the german town of magdeburg have begun a meeting in the last few minutes to start the investigation into the failure to keep its christmas market secure. five people ? including a nine—year—old boy ? were killed there on friday, after a car ploughed through crowds of shoppers. lets get the latest from our correspondent bethany bell. bethany, what more can you tell us about this meeting? many questions are being asked. this is a preliminary step that will pave the way for an investigation into what went wrong with the security concept here at the market. people i've been speaking to say it's clear this core should not have been able to dry into the market like this. and also this morning here in the market, we've been talking to one woman who described how her granddaughter was here at the time

of the attack and for two hours she hadn't heard from her and she was at the hospital suffering from shock and had to be taken back yesterday to hospital because she was suffering from tremors. this is a terrible time for the people here and many questions are being asked about what could have been done better to stop this. bethany, thank you. doctors have warned that water beads — which are sometimes marketed as toys — could pose a threat to children this christmas. the products have been linked to the deaths of some children overseas, and to serious harm to others in the uk. greg mckenzie reports. these are water beads, also known as jelly balls, sensory beads, or water crystals, and they're marketed as toys and home decor items. but a growing safety concern has emerged, particularly for young children. as seen here in this pint glass, these small, colourful beads can expand up to 400 times their original size when exposed to liquid,

creating a hidden danger. if