welcome to you both. got to do this, new years resolution?— new years resolution? obviously, cut nhs waiting — new years resolution? obviously, cut nhs waiting lists _ new years resolution? obviously, cut nhs waiting lists and _ new years resolution? obviously, cut nhs waiting lists and also _ new years resolution? obviously, cut nhs waiting lists and also i _ new years resolution? obviously, cut nhs waiting lists and also i had - new years resolution? obviously, cut nhs waiting lists and also i had one i nhs waiting lists and also i had one or two too many mince pies, like many people, thinking about getting backin many people, thinking about getting back in shape, maybe more in... fin a back in shape, maybe more in... on a diet? i have — back in shape, maybe more in... on a diet? i have to — back in shape, maybe more in... on a diet? i have to practice _ back in shape, maybe more in... on a diet? i have to practice what i preach. diet? i have to practice what i reach. �* diet? i have to practice what i reach. r' , a , diet? i have to practice what i reach. �* , a , what preach. ask me in december. what about you? — preach. ask me in december. what about you? i _ preach. ask me in december. what about you? i want _ preach. ask me in december. what about you? i want to _ preach. ask me in december. what about you? i want to do _ preach. ask me in december. what about you? i want to do more - about you? i want to do more exercise, maybe we should stop working out together.— exercise, maybe we should stop working out together. there is an offer for working out together. there is an offerforyom _ working out together. there is an offer for you. also _ working out together. there is an offer for you. also i _ working out together. there is an offer for you. also i want - working out together. there is an offer for you. also i want to - working out together. there is an | offer for you. also i want to spend less time — offer for you. also i want to spend less time on my mobile phone which is very. _ less time on my mobile phone which is very. very— less time on my mobile phone which is very, very addictive. politically, i think taking the fight — politically, i think taking the fight to— politically, i think taking the fight to labour and holding them to account_ fight to labour and holding them to account for— fight to labour and holding them to account for the litany of lies and broken — account for the litany of lies and broken promises they have left trailing — broken promises they have left trailing in — broken promises they have left trailing in theirwake broken promises they have left trailing in their wake following the election — trailing in their wake following the election i — trailing in their wake following the election. ., ., , ., election. i thought we would start off on a friendly _ election. i thought we would start off on a friendly note. _ election. i thought we would start off on a friendly note. a _ election. i thought we would start off on a friendly note. a big - election. i thought we would start off on a friendly note. a big boutl off on a friendly note. a big bout off on a friendly note. a big bout of hypocrisy. _ off on a friendly note. a big bout of hypocrisy. happy _ off on a friendly note. a big bout of hypocrisy, happy new - off on a friendly note. a big bout

of hypocrisy, happy new year. . off on a friendly note. a big bout. of hypocrisy, happy new year. more from both of— of hypocrisy, happy new year. more from both of you _ of hypocrisy, happy new year. more from both of you later, _ of hypocrisy, happy new year. more from both of you later, as _ of hypocrisy, happy new year. more from both of you later, as well as nigel farage. what was nigel farage's new year resolution? i have said that i'm going to do dryjanuary, but i tell you what, if i get past the inauguration in washington, that would be a miracle. morning, morning, and welcome to 2025. we'll start with our team at the desk. nicola ranger, the new boss of the nurses' union, the rcn, samuel kasumu, former conservative number 10 advisor, and alanjohnson, former labour health and home secretary. welcome to my treo for today. let us start with what is making the news this morning.

the bbc�*s lead is snow injanuary — there's disruption all over the country, and weather warnings in place. this is snowy leeds. take a look at gatwick and stanstead. and this morning manchester, liverpooljohn lennon and leeds bradford have all closed runways. we'll update you on what's going on at the end of the show. but the papers are pick and mix today. the independent on sunday splashes on the costs of brexit. the sunday times' lead is about holes in britain's defences, and wes streeting's plans for patient choice we'll talk about later. the express predicts thousands of extra deaths because of a&e delays and the mail front page features another bad opinion poll for keir staarmer — a six month anniversary present. something strange has been happening, repeated attacks by elon musk, world's richest man, political

pal of nigel farage and donald trump, attacking in quite inflammatory terms the prime minister and the labour government over what some people see as an action over the grooming scandal. what do you make of what he is up to and what should labour do about it? it is orwellian. joejoel spoke about 1984, four years later, but in 1984, ignorance is strength —— george orwell. there was a public inquiry into grooming, took seven years, cost 200 million, why is the leader of the opposition calling for a public inquiry when she was in cabinet were named may 20 recommendations, none of which has been acted upon? a bizarre world. i think what musk is proving is having lots of money does not make you more intelligent about world affairs. a strange situation. we will pick up on the calls for an inquiry with wes

streeting and chris philp later. samuel, you have seen conservatives seen sometimes to follow reform who have been following elon musk, what do you think of this ecosystem feeding off each other? is it a concern? ., feeding off each other? is it a concern?— feeding off each other? is it a concern? ., ~ . , ., concern? elon musk, richest man in the world, — concern? elon musk, richest man in the world. one _ concern? elon musk, richest man in the world, one of _ concern? elon musk, richest man in the world, one of the _ concern? elon musk, richest man in the world, one of the largest - the world, one of the largest platforms that he owns, it can be dangerous — platforms that he owns, it can be dangerous in many respects if it is used _ dangerous in many respects if it is used to— dangerous in many respects if it is used to amplify disinformation and misinformation. i think the challenge is whether or not politicians will rise to how you combat — politicians will rise to how you combat elon musk. nigel farage in what he _ combat elon musk. nigel farage in what he has done recently around his response _ what he has done recently around his response to — what he has done recently around his response to tommy robinson... convicted — response to tommy robinson... convicted offender. it response to tommy robinson... convicted offender.— convicted offender. it was quite stronu. convicted offender. it was quite strong. labour— convicted offender. it was quite strong. labour probably - convicted offender. it was quite strong. labour probably do - convicted offender. it was quite strong. labour probably do not| convicted offender. it was quite - strong. labour probably do not have fully formulate a plan about how they respond to elon musk. i don't think— they respond to elon musk. i don't think the _ they respond to elon musk. i don't think the conservatives do either. the challenge for kemi badenoch and

the conservatives is, how can you -et the conservatives is, how can you get to— the conservatives is, how can you get to a _ the conservatives is, how can you get to a point by the next election when _ get to a point by the next election when it— get to a point by the next election when it feels like it is kemi badenoch against keir starmer? at the moment it feels like kemi badenoch versus nigel farage and it is not _ badenoch versus nigel farage and it is not helping her. we badenoch versus nigel farage and it is not helping her.— is not helping her. we will talk today about — is not helping her. we will talk today about the _ is not helping her. we will talk today about the nhs _ is not helping her. we will talk today about the nhs a - is not helping her. we will talk today about the nhs a lot - is not helping her. we will talk today about the nhs a lot and | is not helping her. we will talk. today about the nhs a lot and the government is punishing two publishing plans —— the government is publishing plans. what is happening on wards and corridors around the country? it is happening on wards and corridors around the country? it is extremely difficult and — around the country? it is extremely difficult and a _ around the country? it is extremely difficult and a very _ around the country? it is extremely difficult and a very challenging - difficult and a very challenging winter — difficult and a very challenging winter particularly _ difficult and a very challenging winter particularly with - difficult and a very challenging winter particularly with flu, - difficult and a very challenging i winter particularly with flu, 5000 cases— winter particularly with flu, 5000 cases a _ winter particularly with flu, 5000 cases a day, _ winter particularly with flu, 5000 cases a day, so— winter particularly with flu, 5000 cases a day, so flu _ winter particularly with flu, 5000 cases a day, so flu and _ winter particularly with flu, 5000 cases a day, so flu and other- cases a day, so flu and other viruses — cases a day, so flu and other viruses causing _ cases a day, so flu and other viruses causing a _ cases a day, so flu and other viruses causing a real- cases a day, so flu and other. viruses causing a real challenge. particularly— viruses causing a real challenge. particularly difficult _ viruses causing a real challenge. particularly difficult this - viruses causing a real challenge. particularly difficult this winter l particularly difficult this winter because — particularly difficult this winter because wards _ particularly difficult this winter because wards and _ particularly difficult this winter i because wards and departments particularly difficult this winter - because wards and departments are already— because wards and departments are already escalated _ because wards and departments are already escalated into _ because wards and departments are already escalated into inappropriatei already escalated into inappropriate areas _ already escalated into inappropriate areas through — already escalated into inappropriate areas through the _ already escalated into inappropriate areas through the summer. - already escalated into inappropriate areas through the summer. june, . areas through the summer. june, july, _ areas through the summer. june, july, august. _ areas through the summer. june, july, august, through _ areas through the summer. june, july, august, through the - areas through the summer. june, july, august, through the air, - areas through the summer. june, july, august, through the air, we| july, august, through the air, we have _ july, august, through the air, we have seen— july, august, through the air, we have seen patients _ july, august, through the air, we have seen patients in _ july, august, through the air, we have seen patients in corridors. have seen patients in corridors in-ing — have seen patients in corridors in-ing and _ have seen patients in corridors in-ing and in— have seen patients in corridors in—ing and in wards— have seen patients in corridors in—ing and in wards —— - have seen patients in corridorsi in—ing and in wards —— through have seen patients in corridors- in—ing and in wards —— through the year _ in—ing and in wards —— through the

year. extrenreiy— in—ing and in wards —— through the year. extremely difficult _ in—ing and in wards —— through the year. extremely difficult with - in—ing and in wards —— through the year. extremely difficult with an i year. extremely difficult with an added _ year. extremely difficult with an added clinical— year. extremely difficult with an added clinical operational- year. extremely difficult with an i added clinical operational pressure because _ added clinical operational pressure because there _ added clinical operational pressure because there is _ added clinical operational pressure because there is nowhere - added clinical operational pressure because there is nowhere to - added clinical operational pressure because there is nowhere to go. i because there is nowhere to go. extremeiy— because there is nowhere to go. extremely difficult _ because there is nowhere to go. extremely difficult at _ because there is nowhere to go. extremely difficult at the - because there is nowhere to go. . extremely difficult at the moment. we will pick up with wes streeting the health secretary later on in the programme. let us focus on nigel farage and reform. since bagging a handful of mps, reform now says it's now bigger than the conservatives and just yesterday hit more than 170,000 members. the tories and labour are both nervous about what he's doing and why he seems to be pulling in so much support. in recent days, he has been repeatedly attacking the government over what's become known as the grooming gangs scandal — dreadful abuse of young girls by groups of men of mainly pakistani origin that the authorities did little about, sometimes ignored, before investigations and some inquiries in recent years. farage has been packing venues round the country, like at the race track in chelmsford yesterday, where i spoke to mr farage and some of those giving up their saturday

afternoon to see him. reform party's a breath of fresh air, quite frankly. why do you say that? because they are saying what the people want to hear. that's what we want. we want to move on. we want progression. we want more finances coming into this country. i feel angry. i feel emotionally angry, actually, trying to talk. to you and keep my composure. he absolutely speaks for how a lot of people feel at the moment, you know, and i don't think there's anyone else that is doing that. it's nigel farage for now. arguably, it's alreadyl got broader than that. i think certainly by 2029 this will be, as he says, - a political revolution. then we sat down with mr farage. some of the people here we've spoken to this afternoon, though, seem to be coming to you because they're very angry. they're very angry about the state of the country. as they should be. do you think that's what it's about? as they should be, as they should be. you know, the reopening of the debate around the... well, they call it the grooming gang scandal, but it's not, it's the mass rape scandal.

i just think people ask themselves, what has happened to our country? how could this possibly have happened? why did everybody want to cover it up? why has there been no full public inquiry? people are angry about that, yes. and they're right to be. absolutely right to be. they're also angry economically. we are getting poorer. you know, if you look at the last eight quarters, gdp per capita is falling in six of them. and it coincides with a period of record net legal migration. mass immigration not only makes it tough for young people to get a house, not only makes it very difficult to see a gp, not only makes our roads and infrastructure struggle to cope, it's making us poorer. and i think the anger isn't directed at the labour or conservative parties. i think people increasingly regard them as a uni party. so, you're right, they're coming to us because they're angry, but they're not coming to us to stick two fingers up to the establishment.

they're coming to us because they think we've got the courage to do what's necessary to turn this around. but what do you plan to do with that? i mean, what's your dream scenario for 2025? 2025, it's to build the structure of the party, you know, and since really august of last year, we've tried with nothing to build branch structure, to put in place a very rigorous — and i mean extremely rigorous — vetting procedure for candidates at all levels because that was the big failing, you know, of what we had at the last election. huge failing, no question about that. 2025 was about getting that machine actually working, to start to win some victories. our ultimate goal, and i'm notjoking, is to win the next general election. you say you've done it with nothing. you have had a very useful thing — the support and the oxygen of the support from someone who's on his way back to the white house

and elon musk, the richest man in the world, who just happens to also own one of the biggest social media platforms in the world. now, you mentioned there people's anger over the grooming scandal, as it's known, and it is well understood now that there were failings over many, many years. there's no question about that. everybody understands that that has taken place and nobody would excuse what has happened for a second. however, your political friend elon musk has made pretty outlandish claims about exactly what happened there, and he wrote online that the prime minister was complicit in the rape of britain. is it acceptable for the world's richest man, with a friend on his way back to the white house, to spread those kinds of misleading and what many people would think are pretty offensive claims online? well, you either believe in free speech or you don't. now, free speech has its limits, obviously. incitement being perhaps the clearest example of what's not acceptable. remember, before musk came along and bought twitter,

free speech was dying on social media. if you criticised the lockdowns that were happening in this country, your accounts were being suspended. so, musk describes himself as a free—speech absolutist. now, you know, what he's referring to there specifically is that, in 2008, keir starmer had just been appointed as director of public prosecutions, and there was a case brought before them of alleged mass rape of young girls that did not lead to a prosecution. i don't know the rights and wrongs of that any more than you do. but the point... but if you believe in free speech, people are allowed to have an opinion. but as you just said, free speech does not have a completely unlimited bind. no. is it acceptable? i'lljust ask this again because elon musk seems to be very busy making these kinds of very, very, very provocative claims about british politicians. he said keir starmer was complicit in the rape of britain. he said thatjess phillips,

who's a government minister who's worked her whole career helping victims of abuse, he said that she was a rape genocide apologist. this afternoon he said that she's a wicked witch, that she is pure evil. is it acceptable for somebody with elon musk�*s platform to say those kinds of things? i tell you what, you know, those on the left have thrown these sort ofjibes at the right for many, many decades and will go on doing so. but i'm asking you about this specific thing. i would say... is that acceptable? if it turns out, if... and i'm going to caveat this. if it turns out that keir starmer, as director of public prosecutions, did, in effect, not prosecute a case for fear of what it would do to community relations, for fear that it would provoke the charge of racism, well, if that's the case, then he is open to be criticised, and we all criticise in our own way. it doesn't mean that i would... and by the way, the fact that musk supports me and supports reform doesn't mean, as two grown ups, we have to agree with everything the other says. but the evidence, actually,

from keir starmer�*s time at the crown prosecution service was, actually, he put in place specialist prosecutors to deal with this kind of problem. he did prosecute many cases like this. yes. now, as we've discussed, nobody would deny that many vulnerable girls were appallingly let down by people across the piece. but my question to you again is, i think, as a senior politician, as somebody who wants to get to... i'm sorry, i really don't think let down is an acceptable way of putting this. i mean, it's as if, "oh, well, it's all a little bit of a pity." no, what happened was absolutely truly awful in a way that we ought to be actually ashamed of, ashamed of in every way. but the question here that i'm asking you is not about what happened in the grooming scandal. as you rightly say, everybody will agree that it was appalling. the truth about that came out over a period of many years. but is it... drip feed, drip feed, drip feed. no big full national public inquiry. jess phillips, jess phillips has denied that. the conservative administration before equally denied that. but the question that i...

and by the way, our american friends, ouramericanfriends, and musk is one of them, look at what's happened with utter disbelief. but there is a difference, is there not, between expressing a view and circulating claims to millions of people, with a megaphone that musk has, that are misleading and offensive? saying that somebody was complicit in the rape of the country, and i... i don't know the truth of what happened in 2008. let's find out. so, you think it's acceptable for somebody to say that the british prime minister was complicit in the rape of the country? i believe in free speech, even if what people say is offensive. if you find it offensive, if most people find it offensive, would i rather live in a world where we're free to cause offence than a world in which free speech and debate gets shut down? i know which of those two i prefer. but would you tell elon musk that he is wrong? so, i know you've distanced yourself from his comments about tommy robinson. do you know what? real friends, when they meet

face—to—face, have conversations and they agree to agree and sometimes they agree to disagree. and that is what open society and free speech is all about. but have you or anyone in your team said to elon musk that his calls for tommy robinson to be released from prison, a convicted offender, somebody on the far right who you yourself worked very hard to distance yourself from, have you told him that he's wrong about that? i think you're missing the point. the point is, the fact that he supports me politically and supports reform doesn't mean i have to agree with every single statement he makes on x. and i think you're getting bogged down in this. you know, iwill, at the inauguration, have a conversation with him on a variety of things. this will no doubt be one of them. but i think the media are getting too hung up on this. you know, frankly, what he says about other people, what his views on electric vehicles are, or whatever it may he, isn't relevant.

but i suppose what i'm asking you about is whether you... and i know you're somebody who cares about politicians' safety, for exa m ple. you and i have discussed that before. you've been the target of abuse yourself on many occasions. it's a straightforward question. do you think it's acceptable for a government minister to be accused of being a rape genocide supporter, being called pure evil, and by the elected prime minister of this country to be accused of being complicit in rape? these are very, very tough terms, you know. if you believe they're insightful, if you do believe they're insightful, then they go beyond the line. but do you think they've gone beyond the line? you know, in public life, tough things get said. they get said by both sides of the debate. you're right, this man happens to be the richest man in the world. but equally, equally, the fact that he's bought twitter now actually gives us a place where we can have a proper open debate about many things. and, hey, even facebook, even meta, are adjusting to the modern world. free speech is back. we may find it offensive, but it's a good thing, not a bad thing.

you can tell that many in notjust the british government, but in other governments around the world, are holding their breath to see what your other american friend, donald trump, is going to do when he gets back to the white house. i just wonder, what conversations have you had with him since he won the election? and i suppose, how do you think he will approach the uk? so, two things to say. number one, he's prepared for it this time. you know, i can tell you, the whole mood at mar—a—lago for the last 18 months has been a much more organised, disciplined one, and planning for the future. you know, he's got up to 3,000 appointments he can make as president. they've been working on this for over a year. so he goes in with a professional team, he goes in with a new sense of calm about him himself and the way that he conducts himself. and i particularly think since the assassination attempts, he's become a much calmer person. he has got a plan and it's quite a radical plan. he will, on the world stage, do what he did in the first term and try and bring peace. this is the guy that oversaw the abraham accords. this is the guy that crossed the line and walked into north korea.

the ukraine war will end. it will end. even zelensky now, the ukrainian president, says, "yes, it will end." as far as we're concerned, this may be the last—ever american president with a deep emotional attachment to these islands. and so, yes, he of course is talking about tariffs, which is one example of something that could happen that could really hurt us. it's all avoidable. it's all avoidable, you know... if? well, i think we have to think... i think starmer has to think about two things very hard. firstly, does he want us to be tied ever closer to a failing europe or tied to a booming america? and, secondly, i think the one thing keir starmer needs to really think about is this. we're the biggest foreign investor in america. they're the biggest foreign investor here. trade is important. 0ur cultural ties are deeper today than they ever have been at any point in history.

how would you describe your... some people call it a bromance, you know, with trump and musk. i made a decision in 2016 to put my head over the parapet to support trump. i have stuck with him through thick and thin. at times it's not been easy. maybe at times i was the only public figure in britain that would stand up for him. and trump is an old—school businessman in the sense that if you're loyal to him, he's loyal to you. and that's what friendships are based on. and is his friend elon musk now yourfriend? and is he going to give you millions of pounds? well, that's a real question, isn't it? now, i mean, you know, forget about the $100 million being talked about in the newspapers. is he going to give you money? that is for the birds. he may well do, he may well do. but it's got to be legal. he's got to be comfortable with it. he may well give us money. whether he does or not, i tell you what he gives us, with huge numbers of young people, he makes us look cool. is the reason... you hope he's going to give you money —

is that why you don't want to criticise him? i think i've made it perfectly clear that i don't agree with everything he stands for. but i do believe in free speech. i think he's a hero. and i said that well before any potential money was offered. nigel farage, thank you very much for speaking to us. thank you. next week, we're expecting an interivew with kemi badenoch, and hoping for the prime minister and ed davey later in the month. this is not situation normal. elon musk, the richest man in the world, who's on team trump, has posted a series of inflammatory messages on his social media platform, saying the prime minister should face charges and a home office minister, jess phillips should be jailed for not going ahead with a new national inquiry into the grooming gangs. in fact, when he was boss of the prosecution service, keir starmer presided over prosecutions of those gangs. wes streeting, the health secretary, is here, and we'll talk about his nhs plans in a second, but let's start with this.

is not a normal situation, given how far elon musk has been going in his attacks on keir starmer, in this post, for example, accusing the prime minister being complicit in what he calls the rape of britain, not mild criticism, can you work with this man, as you suggested you could aid few days ago? i was with this man, as you suggested you could aid few days ago?— could aid few days ago? i was saying that if ou could aid few days ago? i was saying that if you want _ could aid few days ago? i was saying that if you want to _ could aid few days ago? i was saying that if you want to roll _ could aid few days ago? i was saying that if you want to roll his _ could aid few days ago? i was saying that if you want to roll his sleeves i that if you want to roll his sleeves up that if you want to roll his sleeves up and do something about tackling violence against women and girls, online platforms have got a role to play in keeping people safe online, helping law enforcement on perpetrators of violence against women and girls, and girls, and people who want to groom kids online. keir starmerand people who want to groom kids online. keir starmer and jess phillips, by the way, you have both been on the receiving end of ill judged and ill founded criticism, are people who have done, in their professional lives, most there were more than most people will ever do to lock up paedophiles, rapists, wife beaters to lock up paedophiles, rapists, wife heaters and every other kind of

scumbag in our society. as director of prosecutions, keir starmer opened up of prosecutions, keir starmer opened up historic cases, going after people who thought they had got away with it. he put in place specialist prosecutors to make sure we could build the evidence to put rapist behind bars. as forjess phillips, the work that she has done in her professional life outside politics, supporting victims of violence against women and girls, she has helped support them to get their day in court and lock up their abusers. so the fact they are now prime minister and the victim minister means they can now do in politics what they have given their careers were doing, and their critics are not fit to touch their records, they can't even begin to touch their records. �* , , , ., can't even begin to touch their records. . , , , ., ., records. and yet this is what elon musk says _ records. and yet this is what elon musk says about _ records. and yet this is what elon musk says about jess _ records. and yet this is what elon musk says about jess phillips, - musk says aboutjess phillips, saying she is a rape apologist, a wicked witch. what do you say to him? is elon musk not fit to talk about this? it him? is elon musk not fit to talk about this?— about this? it is a disgraceful smear of _ about this? it is a disgraceful smear of a — about this? it is a disgraceful smear of a great _ about this? it is a disgraceful smear of a great woman - about this? it is a disgraceful smear of a great woman who j about this? it is a disgraceful- smear of a great woman who has spent her life supporting victims of the

kind of violence that elon musk and others say they are against, and it is all very well sitting there, and i'm notjust talking about musk, but armchair critics on social media, it is easy to sit there and fire something off and click send when people like keir starmer and jess phillips have done the hard yards of actually locking up wife beaters, rapists, paedophiles. those are good people with great records outside politics, the reason why keir starmer and jess phillips came into politics was they recognise that what they were doing through criminaljustice or the voluntary sector, supporting victims, could only go so far, but politics, government, is a force for good in our society, and that is how you deliver real change for people. it is great we have got a prime minister and a victims minister who are able to do in government what they spend their professional life seeking to tackle. you they spend their professional life seeking to tackle.—

seeking to tackle. you say it is a disgraceful _ seeking to tackle. you say it is a disgraceful smear, _ seeking to tackle. you say it is a disgraceful smear, so _ seeking to tackle. you say it is a disgraceful smear, so what - seeking to tackle. you say it is a disgraceful smear, so what is i seeking to tackle. you say it is a | disgraceful smear, so what is the government going to do about this? elon musk does seem to have developed a specific habit of attacking european governments with the huge megaphone that he has, what do you say to him? stop it? back off? keep your nose out? you know, the prime minister _ off? keep your nose out? you know, the prime minister can _ off? keep your nose out? you know, the prime minister can talk- off? keep your nose out? you know, the prime minister can talk about. the prime minister can talk about whether he wants to respond, but on the job that we are doing to tackle violence against women and girls, the best response to what i think, you know, beyond the oxygen we give to individuals on social media, there are serious issues, the most important voices in all of this are victims of violence against women and girls. but victims of violence against women and uirls. �* , ., ., , victims of violence against women and uirls. �* , . ., , ., and girls. but he is an adviser to the man who — and girls. but he is an adviser to the man who is _ and girls. but he is an adviser to the man who is about _ and girls. but he is an adviser to the man who is about to... - and girls. but he is an adviser to the man who is about to... that | and girls. but he is an adviser to i the man who is about to... that is the man who is about to... that is the focus we _ the man who is about to... that is the focus we are _ the man who is about to... that is the focus we are giving, _ the man who is about to... that is the focus we are giving, the - the man who is about to... that is j the focus we are giving, the prime minister, the home secretary, the victims minister are focused on tackling the problem, not talking about it. i tackling the problem, not talking about it. , ., ., ,

tackling the problem, not talking about it. , ., . ., about it. i 'ust want to be clear, can elon about it. ijust want to be clear, can elon musk— about it. ijust want to be clear, can elon muskjust _ about it. ijust want to be clear, can elon muskjust carry - about it. ijust want to be clear, can elon muskjust carry on - about it. ijust want to be clear, l can elon muskjust carry on doing this with impunity? it is not any old person or any old billionaire, he is an adviser to the man who is moving into the white house, so what would your message he to him, as someone who is part of the government, trying to take on these issues? he government, trying to take on these issues? ., , ., ., , issues? he has got a bigger platform. — issues? he has got a bigger platform. he _ issues? he has got a bigger platform, he has— issues? he has got a bigger platform, he has got - issues? he has got a bigger platform, he has got a - issues? he has got a bigger i platform, he has got a bigger issues? he has got a bigger - platform, he has got a bigger voice, so he can say what he likes, but what we are focused on is making sure we deliverjustice, to make sure we deliverjustice, to make sure that we tackle violence against women and girls, and let's not forget, there was an independent inquiry in this country into grooming gangs, the alexis jay report, none of those recommendations were implemented, so we are getting on with doing that. we will speak to the shadow home secretary shortly. the we will speak to the shadow home secretary shortly.— secretary shortly. the rotherham re ort secretary shortly. the rotherham report pulled _ secretary shortly. the rotherham report pulled out _ secretary shortly. the rotherham report pulled out not _ secretary shortly. the rotherham report pulled out notjust - secretary shortly. the rotherham report pulled out notjust the - report pulled out notjust the corruption locally but also the extent to which fears of being accused of being racist or upsetting community cohesion were disrupting or intimidating people from coming forward. we've got no time for that, we want to deal with those problems too, and we will. we will do that by

delivering real change, notjust by talking about it, and to be honest, there has been far too much time and attention given to what one person in another country has got to say. we are more interested in what victims in this country need us to do, working with victims to make sure that they get the justice they deserve, and make sure that other people don't find themselves being victims of the worst kinds of crimes in our society. victims of the worst kinds of crimes in our society-— in our society. let's talk about our in our society. let's talk about your plans _ in our society. let's talk about your plans for _ in our society. let's talk about your plans for the _ in our society. let's talk about your plans for the nhs. - in our society. let's talk about your plans for the nhs. now, | in our society. let's talk about i your plans for the nhs. now, you in our society. let's talk about - your plans for the nhs. now, you are trying to increase choice for patients, making changes to the nhs app. if you look at what is going on right now in the nhs, three and a half times more people in hospital with the flu, we have just heard from the rcn about how difficult things are right now, how worried are you about the current situation? extremely, and we are likely to see the peak of flu some time in the next week or two, it is still going up, and that is creating real

pressure on the nhs. my reflection, and i've spent quite a bit of time over christmas visiting hospitals in greater london, the south west of england, the north west, different hospitals in different parts of the country, looking at how they are coping and not coping, and starting to prepare right now, this winter, for next winter. because what we cannot have and where we have got you in the last 40 years is a situation where winter pressures turn into annual winter crises, and i was honest coming into this winter, we cannotjust turn 14 i was honest coming into this winter, we cannot just turn 14 years of failure around in six months. we did go in this winter without strikes nationally for the first time in three years, so doctors are on the front lines instead of picket lines, a big boost on vaccination, including the new rsv vaccine for the first time, the chancellor unlocked funding during this year, as well as the funding coming to the budget, from april, but it is going to take time to turn the nhs around, and that is why notjust in

opposition but in the last six months, the prime minister will be months, the prime minister will he say more about this in relation to waiting lists, we have banged the drum hard for the case that, yes, the nhs needs investment, but it also needs reform, or we will not break this cycle of annual winter crises that we have seen, it comes regularly as the coca—cola van or john lewis ads. regularly as the coca-cola van or john lewis ads.— regularly as the coca-cola van or john lewis ads. people being treated in corridors already _ john lewis ads. people being treated in corridors already in _ john lewis ads. people being treated in corridors already in july, _ john lewis ads. people being treated in corridors already in july, 12,000 . in corridors already injuly, 12,000 people waiting in ambulances for more than an hour before they can be seenin more than an hour before they can be seen in hospital, isn't that what you should be focusing on, rather than the long term plans? some health leaders have said this week that the grave concern is that your plans do not recognise that emergency care recovery, your plan for electives will fail. irate emergency care recovery, your plan for electives will fail.— for electives will fail. we have got to do both, _ for electives will fail. we have got to do both. we — for electives will fail. we have got to do both, we have _ for electives will fail. we have got to do both, we have to _ for electives will fail. we have got to do both, we have to focus i for electives will fail. we have got to do both, we have to focus on . for electives will fail. we have got i to do both, we have to focus on the immediate crisis in the longer term, and that is what we're doing, and urgent care is a really good example, actually. if i think about the pressures we are seeing in

emergency departments right now, so many of the solutions to those pressures outside emergency departments, that is about fixing the front door to the nhs and general practice, making sure people have care close to home, we have got a lot of ambulance call—outs at the moment, particularly to frail elderly people who could be supported and managed at home, but the care is not there. we have got lots of people staying in emergency departments too long because they need an acute bed elsewhere in the hospital but we cannot discharge because of delays because of a lack of care in the community, so that is why we are taking a systemic approach to solving these challenges, because, you know, if every single part of the nhs, primary care, community services, mental health, social care as well, all of these things have been run into the ground. turning it round is going to take time, we have hit the ground running in the last six months, but of course there is so much more to do, and that is why this year you will be hearing a lot more from the government about what

we're doing, notjust more from the government about what we're doing, not just what we're saying, what we are doing to turn around what is objectively the worst crisis in the history the nhs. the country is freezing, last weekend the nhs told people to stay at home, you told pensioners they should turn on the heating and layer up, many of whom have lost winter fuel payments. what do you say to people today? it fuel payments. what do you say to people today?— people today? it would be irresponsible _ people today? it would be irresponsible for - people today? it would be irresponsible for me i people today? it would be irresponsible for me not i people today? it would be | irresponsible for me not to reiterate the advice the nhs has given to people. the chancellor protected winter fuel allowance for the poorest pensioners, kept the warm homes discount so people receiving support can turn on the heating over the winter. i know not all of the decisions we have taken in the last six months have been popular. the reason why we have been prepared to take unpopular decisions as to get the country out of the massive hole we are in selling the longer term people see we have made the right decisions. we are talking about the nhs this morning. you could have thejustice secretary

here talking about overcrowded positions and the courts backlog. the education secretary would turn up the education secretary would turn up —— would talk about children turning up hungry. 0n up —— would talk about children turning up hungry. on every single front at the moment, every single public service that matters, and for people at home, pressure in their pockets, their wages, their bills, the country is left in a massive mess. of course it will take time to turn around. we have had to make decisions we know have been unpopular because we believe they are the right decisions. people would not thank us down the line if we just did short—term sticking plaster politics, government by gimmick, of the type we have seen for years that has left the country worse off. ., ., ., worse off. you have sat on the red chair and sat _ worse off. you have sat on the red chair and sat with _ worse off. you have sat on the red chair and sat with -- _ worse off. you have sat on the red chair and sat with -- that - worse off. you have sat on the red chair and sat with -- that we i worse off. you have sat on the red chair and sat with -- that we have | chair and sat with —— that we have to make difficult decisions. the country have looked at what you're doing and said, that looks pretty terrible too. what do you have to do

a betterjob? haven't been explaining it well enough, may be. the only thing that matters in the endless delivery. at the next election, people will be thinking, is the country better off now? a better place than when labour came to power? we are doing everything we can to make sure the answer to that question is an emphatic yes. we were on us before the election about the fact that change takes time. the challenges are enormous. we were criticised with the manifesto because we were very clear about the promises we were making... you didn't tell — promises we were making... you didn't tell anyone _ promises we were making... you didn't tell anyone you would put up employers national insurance. do you have to do a betterjob explaining why you are doing what you're doing? that is why i'm here this morning and what you will see government ministers on the airwaves this year explaining the choices we are making, what we doing and over the course of the parliament the impact we are making. ultimately, that is the only thing that matters. i know for example on the health and social care, people will be judging for example on the health and social care, people will bejudging me on whether we deliver on the really

ambitious target the prime minister set to get down nhs waiting lists from 18 months where they currently are up to 18 weeks by the end of the parliament. that is why we are setting out specific steps, notjust investment, but reform to make the nhs easier and more convenient to use, to get rid of waste and inefficiency. about a million appointments where people are turning up... not turning up, i should say, wasting appointments. the nhs often writes to them by post, the letters arrive after the appointment was due to take place. you book a table in a restaurant, hairdresser, you get a text message in advance to remind you, why doesn't the nhs do this? these are practical steps we will be taking. the prime minister will set out the plans. the prime minister will set out the ians. , ., ., ., the prime minister will set out the ians. i. ., ., ., plans. everyone will hear more about that tomorrow. _ plans. everyone will hear more about that tomorrow. the _ plans. everyone will hear more about that tomorrow. the results _ plans. everyone will hear more about that tomorrow. the results we i plans. everyone will hear more about that tomorrow. the results we will i that tomorrow. the results we will be 'ud . ed that tomorrow. the results we will be judged on- _ that tomorrow. the results we will be judged on. the _ that tomorrow. the results we will be judged on. the viewers - that tomorrow. the results we will be judged on. the viewers know i that tomorrow. the results we will i be judged on. the viewers know very well many times _ be judged on. the viewers know very well many times we _ be judged on. the viewers know very well many times we have _ be judged on. the viewers know very well many times we have asked i be judged on. the viewers know very well many times we have asked you | well many times we have asked you where your plan is long—term on social care. he said, we have to wait, i promise i will come back.

the answer is no different but it is, we will have a plan by 2028. do you admit it is a political choice to delay this? were you not able to persuade colleagues in the treasury you have to get on with it right now? you have a huge majority, you could get on with it. that now? you have a huge ma'ority, you could get on with it._ could get on with it. that is not uuite could get on with it. that is not quite right- _ could get on with it. that is not quite right. the _ could get on with it. that is not quite right. the last— could get on with it. that is not quite right. the last six - could get on with it. that is notl quite right. the last six months, could get on with it. that is not i quite right. the last six months, we have legislated within the first 100 days for the first—ever fat pay agreements to tackle the workforce crisis, biggest suspension of carer�*s crisis, biggest suspension of ca rer�*s allowance crisis, biggest suspension of carer�*s allowance since the 19705, the budget boosted spending power of local authorities and ring fenced funding specifically for social care. to funding specifically for social care. ., . y ., funding specifically for social care. ., ., ., care. to anyone in the social care sector, care. to anyone in the social care sector. the _ care. to anyone in the social care sector, the crisis _ care. to anyone in the social care sector, the crisis is _ care. to anyone in the social care sector, the crisis is now, - care. to anyone in the social care sector, the crisis is now, they i care. to anyone in the social care | sector, the crisis is now, they will tell you the budget has made life harder because they have increased minimum wage and i have to pay national insurance and national employers on the staff, why wait until 2028 to come up with the long term plan? we know you care about theissue, term plan? we know you care about the issue, why on earth will it take so long?

the issue, why on earth will it take so iona ? �* . ., the issue, why on earth will it take so lonu? a ., , the issue, why on earth will it take solona? n ., , ., the issue, why on earth will it take so lon? n ., , ., ., so long? action is needed now, that is wh this so long? action is needed now, that is why this week _ so long? action is needed now, that is why this week i _ so long? action is needed now, that is why this week i announced - so long? action is needed now, that is why this week i announced £86 i is why this week i announced £86 million for through the disabled facilities grant to provide nearly 8000 home adaptations. as for the kc commission, i am delighted by the way, we have one of white full�*s best—known social reformers to lead the commission, it should reassure people it will not be talking shop, we will deliver action. the first report comes next year and it will set out the actions we need to take on social care through this parliament, not some point in the future. i take people back to why take time on the long—term plan? what i am trying to do is break the cycle of broken politics on this issue. so we can build the kind of consensus for a national care service of the kind we have largely had on the national health service for the last 76 years because our expense has been every general election campaign, an election campaign where social care plans go to die. asked andy burnham and gordon brown what happened and

theresa may... gordon brown what happened and theresa may. . ._ gordon brown what happened and theresama ., , , theresa may... louise casey says the social care system _ theresa may... louise casey says the social care system needs _ theresa may... louise casey says the social care system needs more i theresa may... louise casey says the i social care system needs more money, will you say it should be in the next labour of manifesto? i think what louise _ next labour of manifesto? i think what louise will _ next labour of manifesto? i think what louise will come _ next labour of manifesto? i think what louise will come up - next labour of manifesto? i think what louise will come up with i next labour of manifesto? i think what louise will come up with as| next labour of manifesto? i thinkl what louise will come up with as a reformer is a plan and a set of options on both reform and she will be clear about the investment needed. what we want to do which is why cross—party talks will be stocking next month is built national consensus on this so it does not become a party political football —— starting next month. the final thing, football —— starting next month. the finalthing, notjust football —— starting next month. the final thing, notjust to you, as a journalist, you hang the drum harder on social care than many others... the viewers are on your case. to say to the viewers _ the viewers are on your case. to say to the viewers about _ the viewers are on your case. to say to the viewers about the _ the viewers are on your case. to say to the viewers about the challenge i to the viewers about the challenge you put to us as politicians, of course, we have to act now, i promise we will do more over the next year, but do not drag us to the short term, do not try and torpedo the approach that says we want to build a national consensus and we want to try and stop social care being a party political football because that is what has done for social care for generations. labour,

conservatives, lib dems, snp led governments have failed. wouldn't it be amazing if we can work together to protect right? that is the approach louise casey and i are taking, i'm excited, ithink approach louise casey and i are taking, i'm excited, i think that country should be too. in the meantime we have done a lot in the last six months, a hell of a lot more to do, we will not be waiting till 2028, we are working now. viewers will be on the case. 50 till 2028, we are working now. viewers will be on the case. so are ou, i viewers will be on the case. so are you. i know — viewers will be on the case. so are you, i know that. _ viewers will be on the case. so are you, i know that. as _ viewers will be on the case. so are you, i know that. as you _ viewers will be on the case. so are you, i know that. as you have i viewers will be on the case. so are | you, i know that. as you have done on social care _ you, i know that. as you have done on social care and _ you, i know that. as you have done on social care and all _ you, i know that. as you have done on social care and all of _ you, i know that. as you have done on social care and all of other- on social care and all of other issues... let us know what you think. email us at kuenssberg@bbc.co.uk or use #bbclaurak. you can message us on whatsapp too — the number is 08000 282161. i will learn it off by heart by the end of the year. we'll hear from you later and in our newsletter on thursday. let us continue first, alan. you have sat in the chair on many occasions, what did you make of what

wes streeting had to say first of all about elon musk? he seemed to be saying, he doesn't like it, the government should ignore it, not wanting to get into a big work. i would be saying exactly the same thing. the kind of thing lord mandelson has said it will be the next ambassador in america. in government you have to bring people together not drive them apart. musk case in point. he wants to release tommy robinson and look upjess phillips. many people would think it is too bizarre to even respond to. but for a government minister and for the prime minister, they have to consciously think about our diplomatic relations with the country that is one of our closest partners on trade and culture. [30 partners on trade and culture. do ou partners on trade and culture. do you think it isn't influencing how that government is handling this? wes streeting went as far as he could to say he is not in our position, we can say what we like, as far as he could as a cabinet minister and the only thing i hope

is when you talk to chris he doesn't step down into the gutter with elon musk. and doesn't deny that keir starmer actually instigated the rick stein inquiry. he is loaded by the prosecutor in the north west for actually leading the way in changing the cps and changing the police in the cps and changing the police in the way they deal with crimes against women —— rochdale inquiry. is there a risk for 4224 00:39:27,342 --> 00:39:27