the compensation to victims of the post office scandal — or face financial penalties. gas and electricity bills are set to rise for most households from today — as the energy price cap increases for the second time this winter. taking the bus is set to cost more from this morning as providers can charge up to 50 percent more perfare. i'll have all the details. in sport, the january transfer window is now open and one | premier league club is already fighting to keep a star player. i liverpool have rejected| a real madrid approach to sign their defender trent alexander—arnold. - more met office warnings including an amberwarning for more met office warnings including an amber warning forflooding more met office warnings including an amber warning for flooding in parts of northern england. rain will sweep southwards and it will turn colder too. sweep southwards and it will turn coldertoo. i sweep southwards and it will turn colder too. i will have all of the details here on the breakfast. it's wednesday the 1st

of january 2025. our main story. celebrations around the globe are continuing as the final countries welcome the new year. despite poor weather conditions across the uk impacting planned firework displays in scotland and wales, hundreds of thousands of people joined celebrations around the country, our reporter greg mckenzie has this report. 5,4,3,2,1! the biggest show in europe. tens of thousands of people lined the river thames to bring in the new year and watch a spectacular 12 minutes of fireworks. happy new year! mind blowing, the greatest city in the world — i thought it was fantastic. it's one of the best fireworks i fireworks displays we've seen. we have some pretty good

ones up in scotland too. i well, they didn't have them this year, which is... quite sad, so i'm glad we came down here. bad weather across large parts of the uk meant edinburgh's outdoor hogmanay events had to be cancelled. it's a real shame, but never mind. and we're from wellington, which is actually known for its wind, and we're sort of thinking this isn't quite as windy as even we know it. the weather now seems to be quite good, but i appreciate they had to set all the stuff up. and so these things happen, as they say, especially in scotland. celebrations have continued around the globe. this was the scene on the champs—elysees in paris. and germany, whose celebrations this year took place at berlin's iconic brandenburg gate. the uae saw the world's tallest building, the burj khalifa, come to life in dubai. 3,2,1! while over in sydney,

robbie williams helped bring in the new year celebrations there. from one of the first to celebrate 2025, new zealand. to the last nations across north and south america, where new york city saw in their new year a short time ago. greg mckenzie, bbc news. a very happy new year if you are up for work this morning, and john is here with a round—up of some of the other stories from this morning and we begin with the post office, story that won't go away. a group of mps is calling for changes to deliver compensation more quickly to the victims of the post office horizon it scandal. the business and trade select committee says the government should face penalties if it doesn't speed up the process. our business correspondent, emma simpson has more details.

the computer system, the they spent an arm _ the computer system, the they spent an arm and _ the computer system, the they spent an arm and a — the computer system, the they spent an arm and a leg on his policy. it�*s an arm and a leg on his policy. it's an arm and a leg on his policy. it's a year since _ an arm and a leg on his policy. it�*s a year since this prime—time drama bringing along running scandal to the public attention. now the story is about getting justice and compensation with fresh calls for more action. it compensation with fresh calls for more action-— compensation with fresh calls for l more action._ the more action. it must be a bug. the drama gave — more action. it must be a bug. the drama gave keith _ more action. it must be a bug. the drama gave keith bell— more action. it must be a bug. the drama gave keith bell the - more action. it must be a bug. the drama gave keith bell the courage| more action. it must be a bug. the l drama gave keith bell the courage to come forward. haifa drama gave keith bell the courage to come forward-— come forward. how are you doing? nice to see — come forward. how are you doing? nice to see you. _ come forward. how are you doing? nice to see you. he _ come forward. how are you doing? nice to see you. he has _ come forward. how are you doing? nice to see you. he has had - come forward. how are you doing? nice to see you. he has had his - nice to see you. he has had his conviction _ nice to see you. he has had his conviction is — nice to see you. he has had his conviction is quashed _ nice to see you. he has had his conviction is quashed and - nice to see you. he has had his conviction is quashed and has l nice to see you. he has had his - conviction is quashed and has come to meet former subpostmaster lead castleton who has been awarded a obe for his campaigning work and the talk turned soon to financial redress. . , ., . . , redress. keith has accepted the government's — redress. keith has accepted the government's offer. _ redress. keith has accepted the government's offer. had - redress. keith has accepted the government's offer. had i - redress. keith has accepted the government's offer. had i been| redress. keith has accepted the i government's offer. had i been 20 years younger, a totally different scenario. the fact that i lost premises, personal belongings. that, i will never ever get back. but i'm at a point now where i want to be

able to spend my time doing what i can with the family with whatever is around me are not focusing on the fight. around me are not focusing on the fiuht. ., , , fight. lee, though it is still fi . htin . fight. lee, though it is still fighting on _ fight. lee, though it is still fighting on for— fight. lee, though it is still fighting on for himself - fight. lee, though it is still fighting on for himself and | fight. lee, though it is still - fighting on for himself and many other victims to get full and fair compensation. i other victims to get full and fair compensation.— compensation. i think the next scandal will— compensation. i think the next scandal will be _ compensation. i think the next scandal will be the _ compensation. i think the next scandal will be the scandal - compensation. i think the next scandal will be the scandal of i compensation. i think the next i scandal will be the scandal of the way that — scandal will be the scandal of the way that the scheme has been run. there _ way that the scheme has been run. there equally as many ways this could _ there equally as many ways this could be — there equally as many ways this could be simplified. there are equally— could be simplified. there are equally as many ways this could be made _ equally as many ways this could be made easier for the victims and there _ made easier for the victims and there are — made easier for the victims and there are equally as many ways, the way they— there are equally as many ways, the way they are processed could be easier~ _ way they are processed could be easier. ~ , ., , , ,, ., easier. mps on the business and trade committee _ easier. mps on the business and trade committee think— easier. mps on the business and trade committee think so - easier. mps on the business and trade committee think so too . easier. mps on the business and | trade committee think so too and have been looking at the problems. £i.8 have been looking at the problems. £1.8 billion has now been set aside for financial £1.8 billion has now been set aside forfinancial redress £1.8 billion has now been set aside for financial redress but the vast majority of it has still to be paid out and legal fees are rocketing. for instance, the post office has already spent £136 million on

lawyers administering their compensation schemes. irate lawyers administering their compensation schemes. we think the ost office compensation schemes. we think the post office needs _ compensation schemes. we think the post office needs taking _ compensation schemes. we think the post office needs taking out - compensation schemes. we think the post office needs taking out of - compensation schemes. we think the post office needs taking out of the i post office needs taking out of the justice system altogether and then is to be upfront legal advice to victims and their needs to be crucially hard deadlines for turning the claims around and getting checks in the post with financial penalties on the government if they take too long. on the government if they take too lonu. ., ,., ., , on the government if they take too lonu. ., .,, ., long. the government said it was now settlin: long. the government said it was now settling claims — long. the government said it was now settling claims at _ long. the government said it was now settling claims at a _ long. the government said it was now settling claims at a faster _ long. the government said it was now settling claims at a faster rate - settling claims at a faster rate than ever before including a new scheme and would respond to the committee's report in due course. emma simpson, bbc news. home office figures released later this morning will show that last year 36,816 people arrived in the uk after crossing the channel in small boats. this is an increase of 25 percent, compared to the previous twelve months. it's also thought that more people died on the crossings. simonjones reports. the boats have been getting bigger, with more and more people dangerously packed onto them, risking their lives in the world's busiest shipping lane with the goal of reaching the uk. this was christmas day,

when more than a50 migrants made the crossing. to see that many people, they were sitting all around the edge, all down through the middle. they had their feet, some of them, dragging in the water. so it was massively overloaded. and we actually stopped our engines and sort of sat in that position, just watching that, just to make sure that nothing, you know, had sort of gone wrong because that was in the middle of the shipping lane as well. in 2024, a total of 36,816 people reached the uk on small boats. that represents an increase of 25% on 2023, though it's a fall of 20% on 2022. the mantra of the conservative government stopping the boats has been replaced by the labour government with a promise to smash the gangs organising the crossings. labour has accused the conservatives of leaving an appalling legacy of broken border security. the tories say that labour's decision to scrap the plan to send some asylum seekers to rwanda means there is no effective deterrent to bring numbers down.

last year was the deadliest on record for crossings. the french authorities say more than 75 people lost their lives. at least three people died on sunday when their boat got into difficulty off the coast of northern france. what the government needs to do is notjust try and smash the gangs through enforcement activity, it needs to continue to do that, but also critically put in place legal routes so that people fleeing the war in sudan, for example, or tyrannical rule in afghanistan, are able to come here safely without having to take dangerous crossings. the numbers making the journeys this way across the channel are far smaller than legal migration figures. the home office said we all want to end dangerous small boat crossings which threaten lives and undermine our border security. simon jones, bbc news. tributes have been paid to the broadcasting veteran — johnnie walker — who died yesterday at the age of 79. he began his career on a pirate station, before moving to radio caroline

and then bbc radio 1. hejoined radio 2 in 1997, remaining there until his retirement. his death was announced by his successor, bob harris, who described him as "an incredible, warm and superb broadcaster". belgium has become the first country in union to ban the sale of disposable vapours.- in union to ban the sale of disosable vaours. . , , disposable vapours. data suggested it miuht disposable vapours. data suggested it miaht be disposable vapours. data suggested it might be more _ disposable vapours. data suggested it might be more than _ disposable vapours. data suggested it might be more than half - disposable vapours. data suggested it might be more than half of - disposable vapours. data suggested it might be more than half of young| it might be more than half of young people and a ban of the single use will take place injune. the era of cheap russian gas powering europe has ended, with the closure of the pipeline that crosses ukraine. slovakia is the most affected, while the european commission says the impact will be limited, thanks to careful planning, and alternative supplies.

ukraine says it can no longer tolerate eu payments worth 75 billion a year to its russian enemy. the price of gas and electricity will rise for the majority of british households from today as the energy price cap increases for the second time this winter. billpayers on a standard variable tarrif can expect to pay around 21 pounds a year more than under the previous cap, taking a total dualfuel bill to £1,738 a year. our cost of living correspondent colletta smith reports. this is a town that knows a thing or two about energy. millions of light bulbs brighten up a gloomy evening and put a smile on anyone's face. but no one here is cheery about today's energy price rise. gradually inching it up. you know what i mean? yeah. some people are definitely going to be struggling. - it's hard, isn't it? it is. especially when you've got a little one and then you can't put the heating on because it's too much. today's rise in the energy price cap means that for the next three months, a typical dualfuel bill

is going up from £1717 to £1738 a year. that's a 1% increase or an extra £21 to cough up. today's price rise feels like a real kick in the teeth, because it's at the point of the year where we all need our lights on and our heating on more often. but there are things that you can do in your household to make sure that you keep on top of those energy bills for the year ahead. across blackpool in the grange community centre. they're doing just that because this is not any old doctor's appointment. kettle's always on and that's where there's a lot of money, doesn't it? yes, it does. it's a session with a green doctor. they're helping thousands of people on lower incomes, save energy and cut their bills. and they're seeing a big change. a lot of people are in debt now. a lot of people just don't have the money to pay for the bills. they need to prioritise food. but james says the small tweaks they give out can help save cash.

my tip for this winter is to use radiator foil on all radiators in the property to help reflect the heat back into the room. although it's going up today, the price of gas and electricity is cheaper than two years ago, so there are now deals on offer which are cheaper than the price cap. sean's been telling everyone to check that they're on the cheapest tariff. i would advise people to, if they can get online, go online and compare prices. otherwise, ring up your energy provider and ask them what you are presently paying. if you are unsure, ring another energy provider and compare. and then even from having those two comparisons, you'll be able to know what sort of price you may be able to get. brenda knows how to spin out a tight budget, and she says there are crucial pounds to be saved each week in your kitchen. my top tip? get yourself a steamer where you put your potatoes in one pot and your veg in the other two pots. no condensation, no using of the four rings on your cooker. whatever your situation in the coldest months, getting out

is often better than staying in. my top tip is to come out. find your local community centre. use that space to stay warm, get connected with people and keep your heating off at home. energy prices are expected to stay around this level over the next year, so whether you're switching your tariff or your light bulbs, making a change now could put more cash in your pockets for the rest of the year. coletta smith, bbc news in blackpool. ross kemp will reprise his role as grant mitchell in eastenders. ianthem grant mitchell in eastenders. when he “oined grant mitchell in eastenders. when he joined the _ grant mitchell in eastenders. when he joined the show _ grant mitchell in eastenders. when he joined the show nearly - grant mitchell in eastenders. when he joined the show nearly 35 - grant mitchell in eastenders. wriezri he joined the show nearly 35 years ago steve mcfadden, playing his brother phil, and peggy his mother played by dame barbara windsor and now ross kemp says he is delighted to be returning and said it always

meant so much to him. i was recalling the sharon love triangle. and 25 million viewers watched it and it broke all records. 25 million! — and it broke all records. 25; million! very close to and it broke all records. 2h million! very close to the and it broke all records. 25 million! very close to the figui-es million! very close to the figures we are getting right now. especially on new year's _ we are getting right now. especially on new year's day _ we are getting right now. especially on new year's day at _ we are getting right now. especially on new year's day at six _ we are getting right now. especially on new year's day at six o'clock. is| on new year's day at six o'clock. is anybody up? if you are, we are delighted to have you with us. get in touch if delighted to have you with us. (13th in touch if you are delighted to have you with us. (list in touch if you are up. marty is up, thank goodness. he is having a little dip. a very good morning to you and i hope you are well this new year's morning and i start with grim news weather—wise. lots year's morning and i start with grim news weather-wise.— news weather-wise. lots of rain overni . ht news weather-wise. lots of rain overnight and — news weather-wise. lots of rain overnight and we _ news weather-wise. lots of rain overnight and we start - news weather-wise. lots of rain overnight and we start off- news weather-wise. lots of rain overnight and we start off with i news weather-wise. lots of rain | overnight and we start off with a met office warning with heavy rain over western areas of yorkshire and into the _ over western areas of yorkshire and into the north—west of derbyshire as

well and _ into the north—west of derbyshire as well and there could be some flooding — well and there could be some flooding through the morning and continuing into the afternoon and some _ continuing into the afternoon and some travel disruption as possible as well— some travel disruption as possible as well and as we've already seen on some _ as well and as we've already seen on some of— as well and as we've already seen on some of the — as well and as we've already seen on some of the rail routes across the north— some of the rail routes across the north west of england, the rain has been falling throughout the night and you — been falling throughout the night and you can see from the radar chart how the _ and you can see from the radar chart how the band of rain has been sitting — how the band of rain has been sitting in— how the band of rain has been sitting in place and it will start to shitt— sitting in place and it will start to shift further south and as you could _ to shift further south and as you could see — to shift further south and as you could see in the last few frames but to the _ could see in the last few frames but to the south is where we have the mitdest _ to the south is where we have the mitdest air— to the south is where we have the mildest air with temperatures around 11 or mildest air with temperatures around it or 12 _ mildest air with temperatures around 11 or 12 degrees but some strong and gusty— 11 or 12 degrees but some strong and gusty winds and to the north of the rain band _ gusty winds and to the north of the rain band things are clear and there is ice _ rain band things are clear and there is ice around — rain band things are clear and there is ice around but patches and showers _ is ice around but patches and showers will turn wintry as the cold air pushes— showers will turn wintry as the cold air pushes in so the rain is pushing south _ air pushes in so the rain is pushing south across — air pushes in so the rain is pushing south across scotland into northern iretand _ south across scotland into northern ireland and northern england and the band of— ireland and northern england and the band of rain— ireland and northern england and the band of rain with the gusty winds on it will— band of rain with the gusty winds on it will head — band of rain with the gusty winds on it will head south across england and wales, lingering across the far south-east— and wales, lingering across the far south—east even to the end of the afternoon — south—east even to the end of the afternoon but it will gradually introduce colder weather and temperatures dropping throughout the day barely above freezing for some

in northern— day barely above freezing for some in northern areas and more wintry showers _ in northern areas and more wintry showers to— in northern areas and more wintry showers to come this evening. the rain band _ showers to come this evening. the rain band will clear from the south—east corner and linger across the channet— south—east corner and linger across the channel islands and clearer skies _ the channel islands and clearer skies for— the channel islands and clearer skies for many later in the night but was — skies for many later in the night but was showers across scotland and down _ but was showers across scotland and down through eastern counties and in particular— down through eastern counties and in particular there is the risk of ice with— particular there is the risk of ice with widespread frost to take us into thursday morning but here's the -ood into thursday morning but here's the good news, — into thursday morning but here's the good news, sunshine back widely on thursday— good news, sunshine back widely on thursday and it will be a cold one so wrap _ thursday and it will be a cold one so wrap up — thursday and it will be a cold one so wrap up well with strong and gusty— so wrap up well with strong and gusty winds coming with some frequent — gusty winds coming with some frequent snow flurries and a few sleet— frequent snow flurries and a few sleet and — frequent snow flurries and a few sleet and snow showers in north—east england _ sleet and snow showers in north—east england and _ sleet and snow showers in north—east england and northern ireland and north— england and northern ireland and north wales and parts of north—west england _ north wales and parts of north—west england later in the day but temperatures for some across northern— temperatures for some across northern england and scotland will not get _ northern england and scotland will not get above freezing and are on the wind — not get above freezing and are on the wind and it will feel like —10 -6. the wind and it will feel like —10 -6~ the — the wind and it will feel like —10 —6. the cold wind is with us going into friday— —6. the cold wind is with us going into friday and the weather front is an indication there will be bunches of showers — an indication there will be bunches of showers working their way down but before — of showers working their way down but before they get to us there is the further risk of widespread frost and ice _ the further risk of widespread frost and ice around and the more showers

though— and ice around and the more showers though and _ and ice around and the more showers though and mainly sleet around northern— though and mainly sleet around northern ireland, north—west england and north— northern ireland, north—west england and north wales and sleet and snow in land _ and north wales and sleet and snow in land on _ and north wales and sleet and snow in land on the hills but we will see showers _ in land on the hills but we will see showers across the far west of scotland — showers across the far west of scotland but for many a fair bit of sunshine — scotland but for many a fair bit of sunshine around on friday and another— sunshine around on friday and another cold one even though the winds— another cold one even though the winds are — another cold one even though the winds are starting to ease. a quick look in _ winds are starting to ease. a quick look in 2d— winds are starting to ease. a quick look in 2d start of the weekend and we will— look in 2d start of the weekend and we will see — look in 2d start of the weekend and we will see dense fog patches around england _ we will see dense fog patches around england and wales and south—west scotland _ england and wales and south—west scotland and northern ireland first things— scotland and northern ireland first things but some wintering us in the far north _ things but some wintering us in the far north of— things but some wintering us in the far north of scotland with the cold air in_ far north of scotland with the cold air in place — far north of scotland with the cold air in place an approaching weather fronts _ air in place an approaching weather fronts it— air in place an approaching weather fronts it could get complicated through — fronts it could get complicated through saturday and into sunday where _ through saturday and into sunday where we — through saturday and into sunday where we could start to see some areas _ where we could start to see some areas of— where we could start to see some areas of snow across the country. but one _ areas of snow across the country. but one to — areas of snow across the country. but one to keep an eye on but for the time — but one to keep an eye on but for the time being, watch out for the heavy— the time being, watch out for the heavy rain — the time being, watch out for the heavy rain and strong winds around england _ heavy rain and strong winds around england and wales to —— today. thank england and wales to -- today. thank ou, mad england and wales to -- today. thank you. mad and — england and wales to -- today. thank you. mad and happy _ england and wales to -- today. thank you, mad and happy new— england and wales to -- today. thank you, mad and happy new year. - england and wales to -- today. thank you, mad and happy new year. happy| you, mad and happy new year. happy new year to — 1426 00:17:54,946 --> 00:17: