channel hello and welcome i'm alastair stewart. and for the next 2 hours i'll be keeping you company on tv and radio with . company on tv and radio with. the stories that really matter across , the country. and as across, the country. and as always, we plenty coming up is bold welfare reform on the cards ahead of the next general election . all students losing election. all students losing out on university . and what out on university. and what about the weather .7 we do love to about the weather? we do love to talk about it, don't we as the cold returns and the wet get

sweater. but first, let's bring you right up to date, including some of that with all of the day's news with ray anderson . day's news with ray anderson. thanks. alice took after noon. it's 1:00 on ray anderson thanks. alice took after noon. it's1:00 on ray anderson in thanks. alice took after noon. it's 1:00 on ray anderson in the it's1:00 on ray anderson in the gb newsroom. police are urging witnesses come forward after six people were shot in a drive by shooting in north london yesterday . the seven year old yesterday. the seven year old girl remains in hospital in a stable but life condition. four women and a 12 year old girl were treated in hospital with a 48 year old suffering, life changing injuries. the 48 year old suffering, life changing injuries . the suspects changing injuries. the suspects are believed to of use a shotgun outside . a funeral in euston. outside. a funeral in euston. the labour leader sir keir starmer, whose for the constituency says his thoughts are with the victims . are with the victims. superintendent jack rowlands . superintendent jack rowlands. the incident as shocking . we the incident as shocking. we believe the suspects discharged a shotgun from a moving vehicle , which was a black toyota chl .

, which was a black toyota chl. we want to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident or has information about it it . at information about it it. at least 68 people have died following a plane in nepal. the country's aviation disaster in years. 72 people were on board the yeti flight which crashed in pokhara during clear skies . the pokhara during clear skies. the airline has cancelled all regular . airline has cancelled all regular. local television thick smoke billowing from crash sites as hundreds of rescue workers scoured the hillside . those on scoured the hillside. those on board included passengers india, ireland, australia and, france . ireland, australia and, france. the health secretary has criticised the gmb union, what he calls a lack of patient and pubuc he calls a lack of patient and public safety during recent ambulance strikes. steve barclay wrote to the unions saying voluntary arrangements which were put in place were not enough. he wants service levels to be set in law . it comes as to be set in law. it comes as anti strike legislate option is

due to be debated by npr on monday. last week the gmb published an open letter saying ambulance staff felt de—man ized by the government . while staying by the government. while staying with health. and sir keir starmer is calling for an overhaul of the nhs , saying it overhaul of the nhs, saying it must reform or will die. writing in the sunday, he says a future labour government turn gp's into direct nhs employees rather than allow them to run their own practises. he's also announcing plans to allow some patients, such as those with back pain to self—refer specialists will double the number of medical students using money from aboush students using money from abolish the non—dom status for the super rich? but also need to look at the way gp's operate and see whether we can't make changes. things which will actually preserve the nhs going forward. the moment the government's doing is really just presiding managed decline and that i will not accept. of course will be no challenges , course will be no challenges, whatever you reform something. but frankly if you don't reform

the nhs then i fear it will die . the prime minister is asking government ministers help persuade global allies give more support to ukraine and help break the stalemate with russia . it comes after rishi sunak. the uk would be sending 40 tanks to kyiv the first anniversary of the war. mr. sunak is stressing need for an international strategy . former major general strategy. former major general chapman was head of counter—terrorism at the ministry of defence. he told us isn't backing down so . it's isn't backing down so. it's really this shift in the red lines which will probably lead . lines which will probably lead. to countries in the next two weeks. also giving honour to the ukrainians which gives them this. idea of a winning faster in 2023. of course the on the other side gets a vote in and it looks like the russians are going to mobilise another 500,000 men this year on top of the 300,000 they mobilised in october . so there's a lot of october. so there's a lot of hard fighting to yet . while

hard fighting to yet. while russia launched a major missile attack on ukraine overnight , attack on ukraine overnight, vital energy facilities the country and destroying a parliament building. officials say least 21 people have been killed and 40 are still unaccounted . ukrainian unaccounted. ukrainian authorities say the coming days will be difficult with threats to the supply of electricity , to the supply of electricity, water and heating. during height of winter . back here and the uk of winter. back here and the uk is facing more than 100 flood warnings with cold and wet conditions set to continue well into the next week. the agency has issued 192 flood alerts whilst warnings for ice are in place for much of scotland and the north—west the north—east of england. the met is also warning that a few centimetres of snow are likely at levels . this is gb are likely at levels. this is gb news will bring you more as it happens. now let's get straight to .

to. alastair wright. thank you very much indeed and a very good afternoon , all of you. now, the general may be still over a year , but may be still over a year, but some of the policy areas that we may just decide it are emerging and think it's going to be a whole lot more exciting than some of us feared for quite a while, as i was just saying to michael portillo, if you are kind enough to be watching, they are genuinely interesting areas. yesterday we talked about the economy which of course is always a feature is certainly crucial but in play as well as in the opinion polls labour's credibility on the economy inches up and up it's always crucial. but it may not just be the only determinant . yesterday the only determinant. yesterday we looked at health care in some detail with rishi sunak

demanding and radical measures and. julie getting them not in bulk purchase of spare capacity in the care which the care sector welcome, but said they also need some fresh radical thinking what the care packages be for the people that they happily will give accommodation at a reasonable price so that we are all of that is in play and we've discussed it . so today we've discussed it. so today we're going to at an aspect of wealth gap that is also attracting a great deal of attention and with a profound shortage of workers right across the economy in, many, many industries these all very clever to tempt some of those who are not working back into the labour market may be because they are a long time, long term ill, or it may be that, as it were, they've taken early retirement. if we need workers , what can we do to need workers, what can we do to try and get those people back in in employment? paying taxes ,

in employment? paying taxes, paying in employment? paying taxes, paying national insurance . now, paying national insurance. now, just a few days ago . labour's just a few days ago. labour's shadow work and pensions secretary jonathan ashworth plans to encourage older workers and those with long term medical conditions back into work . sir conditions back into work. sir keir starmer writes as you just heard from rae in today's sunday telegraph that the national health service is not a sacred cow and that he will slash the nonsense of bureaucracy in the nhs that nothing is off the agenda. nhs that nothing is off the agenda . now that might be said agenda. now that might be said of , benefits and welfare too. of, benefits and welfare too. might it not. let's have a look profoundly at how that operates. it really does seem to us that we might just get some fresh idea hours ahead of that election. and we would also very much like to know what use yours are. what would you do if you were given the chance to reform both the nhs and more importantly, today, the entire welfare system? do let me know .

welfare system? do let me know. now, in that speech, let me get back. now, in that speech, let me get back . jon ashworth. he promised back. jon ashworth. he promised to improve support for those who've recently left employment . more flexibility over fitness to work tests could help those who are on sickness benefits to find work . government says that find work. government says that it is also itself increasing employment support for the over fifties. so a proper debate is clearly there to be had . both clearly there to be had. both labour and the conservatives seem to think that the fitness to work tests are pretty arduous and not exclude terribly helpful from the days of iain duncan smith. the conservatives main mantra is to make pay and to make getting into work even easier . some choose. as make getting into work even easier. some choose. as i said a moment to bail out and in take early retirement entirely to them. but what about those who do want to work? why do we barriers occasionally and make it more difficult for them ? do it more difficult for them? do it. others are deemed long term sick, simply not fit to work . it

sick, simply not fit to work. it is how the second group can better get . that is really better get. that is really interesting . labour, in my view, interesting. labour, in my view, seem to be making the running measures as radical as even letting people keep some of the benefits they get. if they do get a job and become taxpayers and national insurance payers once again are clearly very contentious . i'll be talking to contentious. i'll be talking to an expert in disability benefits about that in just a moment. plus, labour and the radical institute of economic affairs for their . institute of economic affairs for their. now the institute of economic affairs for their . now the influential for their. now the influential spectator magazine said recently that welfare and work are clearly in play ahead the general election not least because the benefits bill is soaring and to any great effect they. soaring and to any great effect they . historically think it's they. historically think it's fair to say that labour have seen benefits as way to simply help the poorest society. with john ashworth they now seem to want to at ways of what the economy needs and what we can do

to help those who may be poor, partly because they simply don't have a i.e. can we get them back into work and give taxpayer has more benefit for the money that they pour in to the welfare system . so fundamentally system. so fundamentally revisiting universal credit seems to have slipped out of favour with labour now. higher tax free used to be the conservatives main tool to help the really poorest. now they too better ways to encourage people back to work, not just benefit at them . as i said right at the at them. as i said right at the top we'd to hear from you. you've already started that process and some of you are pretty radical as always which is delighted. and i'll be sharing best thoughts with you as the programme unfolds throughout afternoon . throughout the afternoon. sending your thoughts to at gb views at gb news via any of our social media outlets, including twitter either at gb news or or facebook . do get in touch with

facebook. do get in touch with your thoughts on that or indeed on any other subject . now, as i on any other subject. now, as i said, i'm delighted to be joined. now a discussion about disability benefits expert and thatis disability benefits expert and that is ceo of this stability direct. dr. raghu. both parties are saying now must be music to your ears doctor. i'm not just oh, the poor souls there. they are. it's all terribly complicated. what have but no, let's actually look profoundly and fundamentally at how we do these assessments and, how we help those who perhaps are on long term disability benefit but want to get back. very good friend of mine was a trader. my guide said. the big thing about us is, not that we are disabled , we able in different , but we are able in different ways totally agree . forgive me, ways totally agree. forgive me, honest if i'm not getting too excited about political parties talking benefits i've been in in my job for nearly 30 years and

i've seen this story unfold a number of times. i've seen this story unfold a number of times . for me, the number of times. for me, the starting point needs to be revisited . i was in a involved revisited. i was in a involved many years ago in a piece of work done by scope for the big national charity which looked at the extra costs , disabled people the extra costs, disabled people and they all they decided after working with many disabled people that throughout the whole country now disabled people were already 500 plus pounds per month worse off , just trying to month worse off, just trying to live so , you know, to think live so, you know, to think about welfare rights reform. it's not just about work capable that the tests or getting people into work it about the for a start there's a pay go disabled people are statistically three and a half thousand pounds a

year underpaid compared to the non—disabled peers . the wider non—disabled peers. the wider story needs to be looked at. carers of disabled people getting paid less than carers of disabled people getting paid less tha n £2 an getting paid less than £2 an houn getting paid less than £2 an hour. when you look at carers things. so there's a whole piece work to be done well before we've begun that process and hurrah as for john ashworth to have that as well. but just in the middle of that answer, we were looking at a jobcentre and we've had several emails in gb news viewers and listeners saying the whole process of assessing whether or not one is fit for work , is overcomplicated fit for work, is overcomplicated , there's repetition within it. you have to very often go through the same tests , through the same tests, different questions . are you different questions. are you basically saying that that that is a system that of itself is not fit for purpose ? we could not fit for purpose? we could change it. forget about the levels of money, support for carers at the moment, just for a moment. but the actual

assessment process that that needs to be torn and start again . absolutely. it's, it's very binary. you are either fit to work or you are not fit for work . if you look if you speak to a lot of disabled people's organisations across the country they'll be talking to they'll be suggesting the use of common sense and, the social model of disability , instead of saying disability, instead of saying looking at the impact and you should look at what is the barrier to you getting employment, what is it that you need to have in for you to be to work successfully and then retain the employment and i say the assessment is too binary . the assessment is too binary. it's black or white and there's no grey area to look . at one of no grey area to look. at one of the reasons why it's binary and both sides say this and it's a tncky both sides say this and it's a tricky one is simply that if you are in government or running the system you can't just chuck money at a problem willy nilly without asking fundamental

questions. so if disability benefit long term unemployment benefit long term unemployment benefit is being paid for by the taxpayer , taxpayer is going to taxpayer, taxpayer is going to want to that it a reasonable, fair and transparent assessment that it's not just money for old rope . yeah i do the taxpayer has rope. yeah i do the taxpayer has got a very genuine interest in how that money is spent. but sense needs to be applied . you sense needs to be applied. you know, the amount of disabled people are refuse paid for from universal credit and the disability simply because of not getting to that mark which would have, which would have given them the erm entitlement you know , and that a lot of that is know, and that a lot of that is because of the back to what we said earlier, the is too binary. some comments this needs to be appued some comments this needs to be applied in that assessment and it should be transparent denying that argument at all. but i'll say it's, it's , it's about say it's, it's, it's about applying some common sense which

we seem to everything's going computerised it's either a yes or no answer no kind of consideration of the wider picture . each answer it's just picture. each answer it's just intellectually lazy that isn't it as well. i mean are you having read everything that, ashworth said. and also iain duncan smith was on camilla tominey programme earlier on saying we do need some profound thinking. do you genuinely believe that that minds the top of both of the big parties? there are the parties out there as well course are genuinely open on this subject ahead of the general election and that welfare and disability and benefits be in play in a proper way for the first time for quite some time. i i hope so but the cynic me is not getting too excited that they if they are genuinely open to that conversation and then i would suggest that they they get in touch with organised unions like mine and they're not just mine. there's many like mine across country, not just talk to the

big national charities talk to the to the use of led disabled people's organisations across the country which will give you a real examples of how the current benefit system isn't working . i think that's very working. i think that's very generous and if i may say so, very wise invitation to think is at the top , both parties and. i at the top, both parties and. i thoroughly enjoyed our conversation . amy roger, you dr. conversation. amy roger, you dr. rogen conversation. amy roger, you dr. roger, who was the ceo , roger, who was the ceo, disability direct and you are at the top of the labour party of the top of the labour party of the party, the labour democrats or reform uk or any party. i'll repeat it. dr. amber rudd, you disability direct get in touch , disability direct get in touch, tell you what you need to do . tell you what you need to do. why it shouldn't be by irony. why it shouldn't be by irony. why it work for taxpayers as why it can work for taxpayers as . well, as for people who have long term illness and disability , thank you very much. i'm okay. great to talk. you keep in touch. thank very much touch. thank you very much indeed. to that i indeed. now listening to that i hope and i'm delighted to say that either way i'm joined by christopher snowdon. christopher nolan friend he's the head

lifestyle economics at the institute of economic affairs and surely because for too many and surely because for too many and we're getting this already from our emails and from our social media many tax payers out there reckon that the benefits have become simply a lifestyle choice for people . and many are choice for people. and many are arguing that the that focus that the conservative party used to have in the days of peter lilley is that the list has completely gone off the boil. do you see movement in the undergrowth now from both labour and the concern of motives on genuine welfare reform . well i think people have reform. well i think people have had exactly that concern . the had exactly that concern. the benefit system been abused and of course it will be to some extent it's very difficult to see exactly to what extent it's been abused because this is obviously not something will hold their hands up to that. i mean, if you look at the basic

statistics, the aggregate statistics, the aggregate statistics, you see that the unemployment rate is relatively low, really quite low in terms of what we've come to expect over the last 50 or 60 years. there been a rise in economic inactivity over the course of the pandemic. but the economic activity is actually lower . it activity is actually lower. it was in 2010. i think the interesting to look at is why have we seen this rise in economic activity among the over fifties people of working age over 50 if they just want to take early retirement, then i don't think that's the you know, anybody else's is business. but if for some reason they feel they get back into the workplace and that is cause for concern . and that is cause for concern. and the other thing is the big rise amongst people who are economically activity, who are long term sick . and there is long term sick. and there is some talk of being long—covid or side effects from , covid and side effects from, covid and i mean, it's a fairly lame answer because i haven't got some some

radical suggestion, but i do think we need more research in both those areas and particularly the long covid issue . that's obviously a health issue. that's obviously a health care issue than a welfare reform . absolutely. and as i said, i don't know whether you were able to hear him or not, but my first, guests saying that on top of top of his list to answer very question that you've just put putting it bluntly is simply a more assessment method that doesn't simply say, oh, are you really long time ? or whether it really long time? or whether it be long covid or whether whatever it might be. but how can we match your appetite for getting to work and increasing economic with whatever challenges you face. so an open mind there on even the assessment basis i read i think it's in the telegraph this morning, an interesting piece about one of the tory pressure groups that i don't think i'd heard of before called bright blue and are suggesting that the conservative has coasted on reform and that labour seem

awake to. that and that starmer's added to it with his piece in the telegraph as well as read. i were just talking about a moment ago that the nhs needs to reform or die and that nothing is off the table. i mean you could make that same argument that welfare system needs to reform or tax payers are just going to get bored to death with it and be unwilling to keep shovelling money after . to keep shovelling money after. shovelling money without some profound thinking. do you reckon ? it will be a big issue at the election. i think it's always there or thereabouts, isn't it? come election time? and i say, you know, people do get concerned about abuse of the benefit system. we have had significant reform. of course , significant reform. of course, this area over the course of the last five, ten years with universal credit. now, the universal credit. now, the universal credit, in my opinion , a of people actually in , a lot of people actually in labour of it labour that to get rid of it anymore is a idea in theory. labour that to get rid of it anymore is a idea in theory . the anymore is a idea in theory. the idea that, you know, you simplify things , you stop it simplify things, you stop it being six or seven different

types of benefit. you make it is a good idea the roll out of a good idea but the roll out of it was and there are still concerns that it's unclear for some that some people are not getting the money should do and this is why you've got more people going to food banks and you've also concern from other people who say this is it's generous, it's you have a sort of a poverty trap where, you know, the marginal returns are going to work, are just not worth. and this is always the issue with welfare. it's all about incentives. you know, bright blue talking today about having a minimum income. now there's fairly obvious problems with giving people a minimum income as a human right. with giving people a minimum income as a human right . you income as a human right. you know, i mean, i'm talking a significant rather than, you know, unemployment and that is that it might distance advise people to work if they don't have to prove that the you know that looking work then that looking for work then perhaps they won't. and it's also incredibly expensive . so also incredibly expensive. so that's one issue with that with universal credit. you know i think again we more research i have to say on universal credit

is it the case, for example , is it the case, for example, that because you're giving people a lump sum as it were, that people are not good at budgeting and up out of pocket by you within a few weeks ? now, by you within a few weeks? now, my personal view that you should really just trust people to sensible and responsible. you give them money and then they then spend example that that the housing costs out of that rather than just pay for the housing but you know we need to be realistic about this and look at the actual consequences if it is the actual consequences if it is the case that you know universal credit is not working for people who can't budget maybe need to look a different system . but look at a different system. but my we have a lot of my point is we have had a lot of welfare reform . nobody wants welfare reform. nobody now wants to universal credit. to get rid of universal credit. it would be a huge to it would be a huge upheaval to do so, i think we should do so, but i think we should review it and at least see how we can find universal. christopher, it's always a pleasure thank pleasure to talk to you. thank you very indeed. and so you very much indeed. and i'm so glad you able to see glad that you were able to see that bright stuff as well, which i very, very i personally found very, very interesting, least the idea

interesting, not least the idea of how the benefits system can be slightly more to of how the benefits system can be pressed slightly more to of how the benefits system can be pressed middle htly more to of how the benefits system can be pressed middle classesre to of how the benefits system can be pressed middle classes asto the pressed middle classes as well, rather than simply the poorest of the poor . christopher poorest of the poor. christopher snowdon, head of last art lifestyle economics at the institute of economic affairs. you agree or disagree with what he had to say let us know at gb views? at gb news or on our social media? i'm delighted to say now that joining me on the program is timms mp, who is chair of the work and pensions select committee and a former secretary to the treasury. so he knows the numbers as well. stephen. interesting given what christopher for me as you the economic affairs were just saying is universal credit was a good and fairly fundamental reform . it's not perfect the reform. it's not perfect the rollout botched. why have labour said that it will not be revisited you're kind of almost nodding it through now . i'm nodding it through now. i'm focusing more the benefit system as it helps people who want to get back into work to . get back

get back into work to. get back into work. doesn't universal credit need a closer look as well ? well, there are some well? well, there are some changes that are needed . changes that are needed. universal credit. i with christopher in principle was a very sensible idea merge different benefits into the rollout didn't go well but it's pretty in place now it'll actually take until 2028 on current projections to complete the roll out, but it's pretty much there and actually in the pandemic the universal credit computers system did a very good job. it took on loads of people. i think there were 100,000 people applied in one day at the start of the pandemic. the system very well with that. so i think what we now now need to is to use that system is in place, fix some of problems with it and it for the future . the biggest it for the future. the biggest problem in universal credit, in my view, is that once you've appued my view, is that once you've applied for it, you have to wait five weeks before . you get the

five weeks before. you get the regular benefit payment and that means that get into debt to the dwp, they have to take an advance which they have to repay and that really that doesn't work well, that needs resolving but the fundamental system i think is, is perfectly sensible and one that we can use and build on. all right. i want to ask you the big macro question , ask you the big macro question, ask you the big macro question, as it were, which i did with christopher. and is christopher. well, and that is that, you through that era and i remember it very well as also of tony blair saying to frank field and others , i want you to think and others, i want you to think the unthinkable, welfare reform and now if we read the leader of your party in the in the sunday telegraph this morning even about the nhs the case that nothing's off the table , the nothing's off the table, the agendais nothing's off the table, the agenda is fulsome . do you also agenda is fulsome. do you also stephen, that we are entering a penod stephen, that we are entering a period of fairly profound thought about what we need welfare , how it works . its welfare, how it works. its objectives are . and even as wes objectives are. and even as wes streeting your friend and

colleague has said, even the nhs is it still fit for purpose? if it was set up as is today, way back when it simply, as keir says , would not have survived ? i says, would not have survived? i think we do need some fresh thinking . christopher made the thinking. christopher made the point about the huge number of people who are depending on food banks at the moment shouldn't be happening. we need to look again at social security is supporting because it does need to be enough to lift people above the level where they they need to go to food bank. the discussion we've had in the last with jonathan ashworth's contribution , which i welcome, he suggested that people who are out of work for health reasons who start a job but if the job doesn't work out they should be able to go straight back onto their sickness benefits without having to go through that cumbersome assessment all over again and that's a helpful i think because for quite a of people who are

out of work at the fear is that if they started the job and it didn't work out they then be off their benefits as so people can be reassured about it will encourage people take a bit of a risk step out into a job see how it goes hopefully it will work out. there was a report in the times week suggesting that ministers are looking at the idea that people are out of work on health grounds, could actually keep their benefits once start a job again to once they start a job again to encourage people move forward and into a job. we do have a growing number. people who are out of work on health grounds. that's partly to do with covid. it's mental health is a big part of the problem as well . and yet of the problem as well. and yet we know that the people with mental health problems very often being in a job can a big contribution towards improving their mental health. so we've got to look at how we support people into work which can be a

benefit everybody's point of view. and one particular point i want to make at, austin, is apart from the benefit issues are very important. we also to look how we organise look at how we organise employment support. if you're to help people or out of work perhaps because of a mental health problem into work you need jobcentre maybe a local need the jobcentre maybe a local college and the nhs to be working together to provide support that's needed. you cannot organise that from whitehall . it needs to be much whitehall. it needs to be much more localised that we need to devolve the responsibility for employment support into local areas perhaps be the new integrated care service areas have been defined in the nhs so that the support can be organised locally to provide help that people need. this is something select committee has it looked at and we've come forward with that proposal as a way forward and alongside the issues how we organise support issues how we organise support is a really important part of reform as well. stephen always a pleasure. thank you very much indeed. as damian green said on

the programme, a couple weeks ago, health and care , but also ago, health and care, but also now health care and welfare as well. perhaps some joined thinking in that territory. enormous. thanks to stephen timms that of the select committee and former chief secretary to the treasury and also to mr. snowden from the institute economic affairs. so those are their thoughts. you may agree with them. you may disagree with them. i thought there was really interest in stuff from all of those guests . stuff from all of those guests. let us know what you think as well. did they miss anything out ? particularly agree or ? do you particularly agree or disagree that? disagree with anything that? they said gb views at gb news dot uk or on our social media or my social media. just get in touch and we will share the best as the programme unfolds . and as as the programme unfolds. and as i say, that wasn't even ten charity work and pensions select committee for my chief secretary to the treasury. we've plenty more to come this afternoon. not only on that subject, but on a wide range of other ones as well. here on alastair stewart and friends is national pothole

day , drivers are being warned to day, drivers are being warned to expect surge in pothole rules due to the large amount of rain that fell either side of . that fell either side of. december's freezing . gb news december's freezing. gb news east midlands reporter will wallace has that story. but first, we can take a quick.

break it's 134 on radisson break it's134 on radisson in the gb newsroom. police have urged witnesses come forward after six people were shot in a drive by in north london yesterday . the in north london yesterday. the seven year old girl remains in hospital in a stable but life threatening condition. four women and a 12 year old girl were treated in hospital with a 48 year old suffering, life changing injuries. the suspects

are believed to have used a shotgun outside funeral in euston, souffrant jack rowlands described . the incident as described. the incident as shocking. we believe the suspect discharged a shotgun , a moving discharged a shotgun, a moving vehicle which was a black chl . vehicle which was a black chl. we want to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident or has information about it, at least eight people have died following a plane crash in the pool of the country's worst disaster in 30 years. the aviation authority says 72 people were on board the yeti airlines flight, which crashed in pokhara during clear skies . those on board included skies. those on board included passengers from india, ireland, australia and france and at the airport spokes person has just announced that the search resume tomorrow for the remaining people. the health secretary has criticised the gmb union over what he calls a lack of , patient what he calls a lack of, patient and public safety during recent strikes. steve barclay to the

unions saying voluntary arrangements which were put in place were not enough. it comes as anti strike legislation is due to be debated by m.p.s tomorrow. most the gmb published an open saying ambulance staff felt demonised by the government . we're on online and felt demonised by the government .we're on online and on felt demonised by the government . we're on online and on disney .we're on online and on disney plus . this is gb news .we're on online and on disney plus. this is gb news back now alastair stewart& friends . alastair stewart& friends. right. thank you very much indeed. right. thank you very much indeed . hello, malcolm. you're indeed. hello, malcolm. you're watching alastair stewart and friends here on gb news tv, radio and of course on line. and thank you very much indeed for so doing. now, money to deal with the blight of pothole ills has become something of a regular in national budgets. dufing regular in national budgets. during that speech , when the during that speech, when the charms of the exchequer stands there, unveils all manner of things, potholes have kind of

snuck in and they're and dangers to motorists are very evident . to motorists are very evident. evident indeed. but local authorities who have to try and sort all out are motoring organisations. sort all out are motoring organisations . the point that of organisations. the point that of course such the scale of the problem , it's never enough and problem, it's never enough and it's a little bit like painting the fourth bridge. you make a start , then you've just got to start, then you've just got to start, then you've just got to start all over. start, then you've just got to start all over . well, start, then you've just got to start all over. well, hardly . it start all over. well, hardly. it is national pothole day . and is national pothole day. and after the coldest start to winter in more than a decade , winter in more than a decade, recent rain has created the perfect recipe for crumbling roads . as the moisture sinks roads. as the moisture sinks into the cracks the cold have created. oh and it all ends in disaster. the rac says that they've had 20 potholes. renee 20 pothole related call outs between october and december last year, and they're warning road users on four wheels to and should expect even of them. they also do damage to tyres and wheels and cars as well. more of

it, alas is on the way. we'll be talking about the weather a little bit later on in the program. but one particularly bad stretch of with this particular is on the a5 in northamptonshire and it caught the attention of britain's leading pothole campaigner aptly named mr. pothole. so we said will hollis to meet up and a look . the dreaded pothole look. the dreaded pothole scourge of britain's streets like heads on hydra patch one or another to appear on national day. mr. pothole a.k.a. mark, a campaigner, is en route to a stretch of the a5 between and milton keynes that's got his attention. was the a5 was this really that bad in depth? but it's the large area of loss of the way in surface that affects your braking and handling and also the fact that people damaging tyres, potholes damaging their tyres, potholes form when heavy traffic breaks at the road water fills the

cracks , freezes, causing more cracks, freezes, causing more damage . brits report millions of damage. brits report millions of them councils and highway authorities every year. mark isn't the only one worried about the a5 so is ian, a local councillor as you can say, there's a pothole there. we've got the three there as one just about to form there and there . about to form there and there. broken glass is strewn beside the potholes. ian says , crashes the potholes. ian says, crashes are common here. it is undeniable that we've had fatal accidents on this road. whether or not they're connected to potholes. i'm not going to speculate. but it is a fact that they're happening. and we need to try and make this road safer nationally. north hampton shire isn't the worst place for potholes. figures from the iaea show , northumberland tops the show, northumberland tops the list . cities like glasgow and list. cities like glasgow and are also very bad. i'm quite sure that it's not unique, but it is one of the main strategic highways. we have to look after those arterial routes are taking . to

those arterial routes are taking. to country. highways, which covers england , it's been inspecting england, it's been inspecting the stretch of the a5 near towcester is planning resurfacing for month. in a statement it added that we know that good roads are important to. the millions of drivers that use our network day. safety is our primary concern . we set our primary concern. we set stringent standards for pothole repairs on our roads, on national pothole day. mark says the government needs to rethink how fixes roads. the real is for government to invest how fixes roads. the real is for government to invest £3 billion a year every year on a major annual resurfacing programme for roads. give back th e £400 roads. give back the £400 million, cut to road maintenance . but then by ten years time, we won't be in the situation we are with our roads failing. so many potholes. national day sounds like a celebration . it isn't like a celebration. it isn't blemished on the roads. brits rely on the misery cause is what's being remembered. will hollis for gb news in towcester.

what's being remembered. will hollis for gb news in towcester . and hollis for gb news in towcester. and watching would lay off whether you be hampshire , anybody else. you be hampshire, anybody else. you are watching and listening to alastair stewart& friends and more still to come this afternoon, including strikes to come from university lecturers as . you sue members . plan as. you sue members. plan walkout in february and indeed and in march. all those students joining the student group to seek compensation over disruption to their education. of course they now pay for dunng of course they now pay for during covid and previous strikes. that's coming up next. but first, we're going to take a quick break

break welcome back. you're watching and listening alastair stewart& friends here on gb news and radio. nearly all uk universities are to face 18 days

of strikes across february and march. that is according to the uk—eu . now, as my old mate uk—eu. now, as my old mate charles clarke, when was president of the national union of students and was swayed to support as a labour minister , support as a labour minister, the idea of student fees . he the idea of student fees. he said fees will make more consumers stick in their thinking they will be judging the quality lectures of tutorials of library facilities but of course they have paid for it . first and foremost it's it. first and foremost it's going to be there for them to make that . many right now are make that. many right now are objecting and want to take action . the withdrawal of those action. the withdrawal of those services over the simplest version, but they will not be getting what they have paid for well student group claim are seeking over disruption to their education during covid and previous strikes. so visitors are operating on a no win, no fee , arguing that the fee, arguing that the universities have breached contracts by, failing to provide

services . they've already sent services. they've already sent letters of claim to 18 universities with more than 60,000 students having joined in that claim . joining me now to that claim. joining me now to discuss it , that claim. joining me now to discuss it, sian that claim. joining me now to discuss it , sian goldwater, who discuss it, sian goldwater, who is solicitor with assets firms . is solicitor with assets firms. as i said in that lead in i mean they clearly paid for an expensive service which simply is not going to be available whilst so many in the teaching are on strike and not at work . are on strike and not at work. that's right. now, that's the. thank you . say we're currently thank you. say we're currently representing about 60,000 uk university students and international students who have been suffering for years. i mean, this latest of strikes is , i think the third or fourth round in the few years and on top of all the disruption that

students suffered during the pandemic . so the claims they are pandemic. so the claims they are bringing to court and the first heanng bringing to court and the first hearing is in just two weeks time, concern and all of that all of that disrupt and which meant, as you said , they paid meant, as you said, they paid for one thing and received something which was far less valuable . and that's what these valuable. and that's what these claims are about. what does that law actually say, the rights those students are . we're we're those students are. we're we're watching if people are listening to our conversation on television, a lecturer giving it plenty of that . but what are the plenty of that. but what are the rights under the of those students . so the claims are students. so the claims are relatively simple. it is a simple breach of contract situation. so this is a this is a case where students have paid tuition for services , lectures tuition for services, lectures to be given in person, like access to libraries and other campus facility fees. and what they've been given during the

pandemic and during strikes of poor quality . so teaching online poor quality. so teaching online only during the pandemic closed library days during strike action classes cancelled entirely . and when that happens, entirely. and when that happens, you're in title to the difference between , the value of difference between, the value of what you paid for and the value of what you received. rather like someone who goes pays a five star holiday and is told, you know, is fully booked . we'll you know, is fully booked. we'll give you a room at a two star hotel down the road and they'd expect to receive the difference in price between two are those two holidays. it's no different here with these with these students . pretty simple stuff. students. pretty simple stuff. absolutely fascinating. shimon, thank you very much indeed for sharing it with us . with all the sharing it with us. with all the authority that you bring to it as a solicitor with assistance . as a solicitor with assistance. and thank you very much indeed for your time this sunday. that is shimon gold, water solicitor. as i with assistance. he's as i said, with assistance. he's working on this campaign as well. i'm delighted say that.

well. i'm delighted to say that. joining also is , reem joining me now also is, reem ibrahim, is a political ibrahim, who is a political commentator in his own right and more importantly in the context , this conversation is a student . so you've joined in the claim now that in my days , a student now that in my days, a student leader with charles clarke people like that , we very often people like that, we very often used to feel that student accommodation wasn't up to muster and we got rent. accommodation wasn't up to muster and we got rent . we muster and we got rent. we wouldn't pay the money. your problem, this context is you paid the lectures you paid for that you toriola you paid for the service . we've just had the service. we've just had a top solicitor . you've got a slam top solicitor. you've got a slam dunk case of sitting on staffing. that's exactly it. we're paying for a service that we are just not being with. and i think that was quite upsetting about this is actually the sort of time that the university and college you need to take in. and i sort of publicly criticised the sort of not being the for union sort of not being able represent and able to represent teachers and lecturers they've sort of lecturers and they've sort of hit back at me on twitter as well. so i think the fact that they incredibly towards they are so incredibly towards students they

students just shows that they are not on our side, do not are not on our side, they do not represent people that represent the people that actually this actually matter in this situation. i have every situation. and i have every sympathy with those those professors, especially as junior research staff. but actually have received a pay cut, but actually we've all received a pay actually we've all received a pay cut. we're in the middle of a cost live in crisis. and they have just absolutely hurting students most. you out students most. how do you out that point that shimon just that key point that shimon just made in my conversation and that is that you paid 78 grand a year or whatever it might be for the course that you are pursuing but you've only received either a 5% or 10% because of covid and because of the strikes of what you paid for other lawyers doing that for you and saying you are entitled to be reckoned to 500 quid, two grand or whatever it might be, who's doing that work ? i believe that because it's a class action case. i'm looking at it as a whole. but you're right, it's quite difficult to sort of look at that talk to me because every university sort of did things differently. a lot of my my my lecturers, even some my lecturers of the union

lecturers are part of the union of them are not. so it meant that some of them did help to my lectures and a lot of didn't and also so some of my also so during some of my lecturers you know, lecturers just you know, recorded at home on via recorded lectures at home on via zoom some of them just use the recordings from 2019 so you know there's a lot of different variety around the way that these lecturers and the these and lecturers and the research staff have sort of been able use use some of the resources in front of them to be able to compensate that. but when it comes to the strikes, i think if a lecturer has not think that if a lecturer has not turned a lecture, then that turned to a lecture, then that means that we should be compensated for that individual natural . and the fact that natural class. and the fact that they have shown at all just shows that pay , for something shows that we pay, for something that we physically did not receive. and i think, know, receive. and i think, you know, i i would like to i think what i would like to really emphasise much really emphasise is how much stress is really cause a of stress this is really cause a of students third year of students i'm in my third year of university now i to the university now i go to the london school economics so london school of economics so dunng london school of economics so during i spent all during my a—levels i spent all of my time in the library studying really hard to get into this in my this university. and then in my first university it was first year of university it was characterised successive

characterised by successive lockdowns where we had to be taught online. i had to stay at home and taught online in my room . and then my second and room. and then my second and third year been third year has been characterised strikes. characterised by strikes. my university experience has not been the same as as it has been previously. i paying been the same as as it has been previously. i payin g £9,250 a previously. i paying £9,250 a year it . yeah. a lot of year for it. yeah. a lot of money. and as i say, you've become consumerist because giles clarke predicted and quite right. do i read abraham? thank you very much indeed for fitting us into your busy weekend 60,000 i reckon our light rain is saying we're not getting what we paid for. we want our firecracker, the and as we just said to us, they've got every chance success. so if that affects you out there whether you be lecturer, whether you be an undergraduate or postgraduate, do let us know. gb views at gb news dot co dot uk or do it on social media. i think it's a lively issue and one that many people out there are clearly off about because they've party with their big amount of money and simply not

getting what they have paid for. brits love talk about the weather that way , but enough weather that way, but enough already. you might think after the first few months of this year it's been a long tail of wet , wet, wet, wet, wet for wet, wet, wet, wet, wet for quite some time . but as that quite some time. but as that brilliant report on the national houday brilliant report on the national holiday demonstrated as well, it's not any wet wet wet wet wet but it wet wet following cold cold and getting colder again because the uk is now facing more than 100 flood warnings with cold and conditions set to continue. well into next week. but how long will these conditions last for there ? one conditions last for there? one go to man who i always delighted to welcome under the programme , to welcome under the programme, and that's jim dale, senior at british weather services. jim dale there is jim i don't know if you were able to see, but early on we did a that was a brilliant report on on national pothole day which just underlined that combination of

all of this torrential and unusual, precipitous asian coming off the back , those cold coming off the back, those cold penods coming off the back, those cold periods that you i talked about when you were last on the programme is causing real havoc on the roads and it's blooming dangerous. how long is it going to go for? on well, i mean , that to go for? on well, i mean, that recipe you're right the cold. and then and then the rain particularly the in particularly the rain in undermines ff the undermines the surfaces. the road surfaces and other things as well . so, you know, it it as well. so, you know, it it occurred and we're now for another cold spell. you're showing pictures of the floods. look since we last talk, all of these floods, the atlantic came these floods, the atlantic came the jet stream , all of this wet the jet stream, all of this wet weather, perhaps it was overdue, given the very very dry breaking summer. so some some instances it's probably welcomed. not for those sitting in and around the flood zones of the country , flood zones of the country, mainly in the west of the

country . but now we're about to country. but now we're about to change tack again. i'm just looking at the chart just above my head here and. we've got snow into into the north northern highlands at this moment time. and that's the footprint of the famous troll from trondheim on his second return. so that's make and he's going to be making its way down the arctic is going to be making his way down south in the overnight show. and we also extraordinary pictures from california . yeah, just how california. yeah, just how flooding can go. i'm not saying that the pictures that we were showing there aren't bad. but let me add just one thing to it. from my neck of the woods down in hampshire, southern water, they've got a real problem of they've got a real problem of the sewage system simply overflowing. they saying overflowing. and they saying don't use the loo , you don't use the loo, you absolutely have to. and they're getting terrible steak for pumping the surplus into the natural i mean the number of ways in which this impacts upon everyday life is phenomenal and you are the expert on that . yeah

you are the expert on that. yeah i i'm not the expert in terms of pumping sewage, to be frank with you. and i know that's come a little bit of a political hot potato the last year or so since the government allowed this to happen, i think previously it wasn't allowed to happen. i'm not sure. i mean , certainly, not sure. i mean, certainly, look, as far as is concerned, these last couple of months have have delivered copious amounts of rainfall. we know that. and the bath can only be filled to the bath can only be filled to the top and then it overflows. so there may be to be some justification, but probably behind that there's some bad planning as well because those words come these are for you aware that from time to time and it is written on the kind of change that we will see in the winter period, particularly excess rainfall. so jim, always a pleasure. as i sat down, thanks for the book last time, which i've thoroughly enjoyed. so it's raincoats many , hats and so it's raincoats many, hats and scarves for just a so it's raincoats many, hats and scarves forjust a little bit longer jim dale, senior longer that jim dale, senior meteorologist at british weather

services giving us he's informed in science and he's no expert on sewage. i just threw that in which not a fair question, jim. you very much indeed. you are watching and listening to alastair stewart& friends including more including him with lots more coming program coming up on the program afternoon, including , well, afternoon, including, well, boris johnson's political comeback scuppered by. comeback be scuppered by. a televised testimony over partygate . we'll be discussing partygate. we'll be discussing that some special guests and friends of mine in just a moment to know what you think should be returned to. frontline politics. katty returned to frontline politics. could hopes be politics. could his hopes be scuppered by going on telly? bofis scuppered by going on telly? boris being hurt by going on telly. gracious mates . surprise, telly. gracious mates. surprise, surprise. your thoughts surprise. keep your thoughts coming share the best coming in. i'll share the best with you as the programme develops progresses . so you are develops progresses. so you are watching alastair stewart& friends hill gb news tv and radio and online had a very good day as we go through the rest of this sunday and what it is going to be cold but there will some winter sunshine around with some rain, sleet and snow showers

coming through to the reason for the cold weather is because of this area low pressure. the this area of low pressure. the position this out towards the position of this out towards the east the means we are east of the uk means we are dragging our air in from the north. that's a cold direction and that's why temperatures and so that's why temperatures really compared really are dropping compared recent it look recent days so keep it look through rest of the through the rest of the afternoon . you see there's afternoon. you can see there's some rain across parts some showery rain across parts of england and across of wales into england and across northern ireland. this turning to over the higher ground to snow over the higher ground as go the day. also as we go through the day. also plenty of showers in plenty of showers feeding in from north across scotland from the north across scotland these falling these readily falling as snow, even perhaps to lower levels. temperatures are much than temperatures are much lower than we've through some recent we've seen through some recent days. will struggle days. most places will struggle just figures and is just the single figures and is going to feel cold, especially when you factor brisk winds when you factor the brisk winds though those ease through the day as . we through the day as. we go through the evening, to see some evening, continue to see some rain snow across rain sleet and snow across parts of and into of northern ireland and into northern and wales. also northern england and wales. also nofice northern england and wales. also notice more notice a spell of more persistent strong winds persistent and some strong winds affecting southern as affecting southern counties as we go through the night. could some southeast as we some snow in the southeast as we head temperatures head dawn, temperatures are going be low tonight. going to be very low tonight. even in the south, going to see

temperatures falling below freezing, get into negative double across . the double figures across. the north, where we north, particularly where we have snow, the rain have any lying snow, the rain and snow in southeast should clear away we go through clear away as we go through monday morning. a drying monday morning. so a drying picture otherwise then for picture here. otherwise then for many is actually going to be a largely day plenty of largely dry day with. plenty of sunshine though, still sunshine showers, though, still feeding northerly feeding in on that northerly wind. could showers around wind. could see showers around east across east anglia, but it's across scotland going to scotland where we're going to readily showers through scotland where we're going to rea(day showers through scotland where we're going to rea(day and showers through scotland where we're going to rea(day and temperatures through scotland where we're going to rea(day and temperatures even gh the day and temperatures even lower than today. so many places struggling in the mid—single figures, feeling chilly figures, feeling pretty chilly indeed as we go through the end of the day, though, on monday most staying dry, a cold most places, staying dry, a cold night probably even colder night come probably even colder than snow than this night. and the snow showers will across scotland as that's why that's going to be a continuing snow and ice risk with a warning out all the way into that's because into wednesday. that's because the we go the showers continue as we go through rest of the week and through the rest of the week and it going to stay cold at least until perhaps

and i welcome if you've just joined us i'm alastair stewart we are into our second hour thank you very much indeed . if thank you very much indeed. if you've been since noon, the second hour of alastair stewart& friends here on news, tv friends here on your news, tv and radio , you company with all and radio, you company with all of the news that matters up and down the our next subject i'm delighted to it will be whether or not boris johnson's political comeback those of his good comeback hopes those of his good friends maybe by a televised testimony over. but first friends maybe by a televised testimony over . but first before testimony over. but first before that conversation let's bring you right up to date with all of the day's news and there's a lot happening out there is radisson . i l happening out there is radisson. i l his latest from the gb newsroom police urged witnesses to come forward after people were shot in a drive by shooting in north london yesterday . the seven year london yesterday. the seven year old girl remains hospital in a

stable but life condition. four women and a 12 year old girl were treated in hospital with a 48 year old suffering life changing injuries. 48 year old suffering life changing injuries . suspects are changing injuries. suspects are believed to have used a shotgun outside a funeral in euston the labour leader sir keir starmer , labour leader sir keir starmer, whose mp for the constituency says his thoughts are with the victims . superintendent jack victims. superintendent jack rowlands described the incident as shocking . we believe the as shocking. we believe the suspects discharged a shotgun from a moving vehicle , which was from a moving vehicle, which was a black toyota chl . we want to a black toyota chl. we want to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident or has information about it . at least 68 people about it. at least 68 people have died following a plane in nepal have died following a plane in nepal. the country's worst aviation disaster in 30 is 72. people were on board the yeti airlines flight , which crashed airlines flight, which crashed in pokhara during skies. those on board included passengers from india, ireland, austria and

france. the search for the remaining four passengers has been halted until monday . the been halted until monday. the health secretary has criticised the gmb union over what he calls a lack of , patient and the gmb union over what he calls a lack of, patient and public safety during ambulance strikes. steve barclay wrote to the union saying arrangements were put in place but not enough. he wants service levels to be set law. it comes as a.c. legislation is due to be debated meps tomorrow. last week, the gmb published open letter saying that ambulance staff felt demonised by the government staying nhs and sir keir starmer's calling for an overhaul, saying it must reform or it will die . writing reform or it will die. writing in the sunday telegraph , he says in the sunday telegraph, he says a future labour government would turn gp's into direct nhs employees rather than them to run their own practises he's also announced plans to allow some patients such as those with back pain to self—refer

specialists will double the number of medical students using money from abolish the non—dom status for the super . but also status for the super. but also we need to look at the way gp's operate and see whether we can't make changes there things which will actually preserve the nhs going forward. the moment what the government's doing is really just presiding over a managed decline that i will not decline and that i will not accept. of course will be, you know, challenges , whatever you know, challenges, whatever you reform something. but frankly if you don't reform the nhs then i fear it will die . the prime fear it will die. the prime minister asking government ministers to help swayed global allies to give more to ukraine and help break the stalemate with russia. it comes after rishi sunak announced that the uk would be sending 40 tanks to kyiv with the first anniversary of the war approaching . mr. of the war approaching. mr. sunakis of the war approaching. mr. sunak is stressing the need for an international strategy . an international strategy. former major general chip chapman was head of counter—terror ism at the mod. he told us won't back down. so

it's really this shift in the red lines which will probably to other countries in the next two weeks or so, giving to the ukrainians which gives them this idea of a winning faster strategy in 2023. of course the enemy on the other side gets a vote in that and it looks like the russians going to mobilise another 500,000 men this year on top of the 300,000 they mobilised in october. so there's a lot of hard fighting to come yet . well, over the last 24 yet. well, over the last 24 hours, russia has launched a major missile attack on. ukraine striking vital energy facilities across the country and destroying an apartment building . officials say at least 21 people have been killed . 40 is people have been killed. 40 is still unaccounted for. ukrainian authorities say the coming days will be difficult with threats to the supply of electricity and heating. during the height of winter . well, here the uk is winter. well, here the uk is facing more than 100 flood

warnings with . cold and wet warnings with. cold and wet conditions set continue well into next week . the environment into next week. the environment agency had issued 192 flood alerts whilst yellow warnings for ice were in place for much of scotland and the north—west in the north—east of . the met in the north—east of. the met office is warning that a few centimetres of snow are also likely at low . this is gb news likely at low. this is gb news will bring you more as it happens. let's get back to alister . alister. right. thanks very much . david right. thanks very much. david touched on my next story yesterday. is boris johnson poised for a comeback? his friends and financial backers certainly seem think it might be the case or have his plans be foiled by his impending party gate hearing before the privileges committee of the house of commons , which the

house of commons, which the broadcasters have embraced with glee, sky and others talking about wall wall coverage. the bbc, of course, saying that they will judge it by news values, which could make it all quite interesting. well, joining me live in, the studio, i'm delighted say, is aubrey delighted to say, is aubrey allegretti, is the political allegretti, who is the political correspondent guardian. allegretti, who is the political correhe)ndent guardian. allegretti, who is the political correhe gotent guardian. allegretti, who is the political correhe got story guardian. allegretti, who is the political correhe got story first. guardian. allegretti, who is the political correhe got story first. it'sardian. allegretti, who is the political correhe got story first. it's allan. and he got story first. it's all over the newspapers again today. and also sitting next to him is my old friend denis mcshane , my old friend denis mcshane, former minister of state for and labour mp for who i've boris johnson and what labour really thinks of him on several occasions in the past when boris johnson just backed away the attacks will be forthcoming at this committee i think we're going to see aspects called the likes of which we've never seen before. boris johnson obviously is very at wriggling out of scrutiny. we've him before things like the liaison committee but here he's probably going presented with going to be presented with written evidence and potentially some under lock and key we read in the paper at the moment. yes for the moment. but there will

probably some other witnesses who could be who are called. they could be cleaners, police officers who worked street, who worked in downing street, who dispute his of events. and obviously, what we're trying to stress here is the privileges committee is not investigating. you know what machine was taken to what party or who got drunk, where it's about did johnson knowingly deny that they were covid parties when they had obviously taken place from what you read and you know, these people have have have labour the fire power on that committee to nail a big beast like boris johnson even if they've got other people coming forward saying i saw him do this i saw him do that and what have you. is that committee powerful enough? i'm not sure the people on it who are the real power brokers, very dependent men like i would cost but a jenkin . we've i would cost but a jenkin. we've known you no more my political they are charles walker . they they are charles walker. they are not going to be cowed out they will be think what is in they will be think what is in

the best interest. the conservative party . anybody can conservative party. anybody can dream of making a comeback. i mean, maybe. i'm sure jeremy corbyn wakes up now and say he'll , come back. donald trump he'll, come back. donald trump certainly does. you would michael portillo or not so long ago he'd love to make a comeback , but in the end, my friends are older. they're not really ambitious anymore . i say to ambitious anymore. i say to them, world territorial has a bunch of them . last week, boris bunch of them. last week, boris johnson coming back, you must joking because he is the gift, the kiss of a would dream to have to boris johnson back creating in the conservative party . well i think one of the party. well i think one of the times we discussed this at one of your very elegant was that in fact so long as boris johnson was there it was great news for labour because. he was such an open door target. i think that's that's that's right. i mean, he he won the 2019 election because of brexit and his job personality. i canvassed every red wall seat in 2019. brexit

was hardly mentioned , was hardly was hardly mentioned, was hardly mentioned the lows the idea jeremy corbyn as prime minister labour was so stupid after the defeat of 2017 to again re offer a jeremy corbyn. but jeremy's completely out of the picture so i it's a bit of a mess plus these scandals in the sun times today about doses having an £800 million credit line from some houday million credit line from some holiday camp or camping owner in canada. all the stuff that's come in, which is the guy used to bankroll nigel farage's brexit party, was to put money behind johnson. why because he wants to riff by 2016 all over again. and my sense says get old. that you don't have a brexit idea, right? well anybody else? alister is nobody wants to go back to the brexit wars. we've got a huge problem of our soul and ameliorate the

situation . so. mr. starmer sir situation. so. mr. starmer sir keir is being very, very tough. rishi sunak's saying the same language . so the idea that boris language. so the idea that boris is going to bring brexit back life, relaunch a new wave anti european hate to please farron nigel farage should one or two other people. i think he's just daft i mean he's had his time so for years a number i mean is better than truss but the same as theresa may maybe not quite as theresa may maybe not quite as good not bad as the record go away make your money enjoy your children enjoy being a grandparent just frankly boris just 16 next year i think grow up . aubrey what do you make of up. aubrey what do you make of that particularly the crucial point at the very beginning , point at the very beginning, dennis's analysis and that is that the real dangers for boris johnson are not so much harriet harman sitting in the chair because chris brown recused himself, because he said what he said about boris johnson. but charles walker , standards charles walker, standards committee man, moral high ground

in that in parliament and enormously well thought of across the conservative party is that where the real danger lies to boris. absolutely. they're all independently minded in charles walker's cases . he's charles walker's cases. he's standing down at the next election . they have very little election. they have very little skin in the game . when speak skin in the game. when you speak to conservative mps privately, they they of go , oh, which they they sort of go, oh, which one could we on? and you one could we lean on? and you sort of give them the list of names they realise that actually these people who these are not people who are going swayed and, going to be easily swayed and, therefore will be more therefore it will be much more difficult influence difficult to influence the outcome. obviously what they're also publish quite also to do is publish quite a lot of evidence that they uncovered the course their uncovered the course of their investigation. been investigation. this has been going on or six months going for on or six months already. doing already. they've been doing their homework. so that's potential to things potential for us to see things like photographs whatsapp like photographs more whatsapp or incriminating or texts other incriminating things help sway things that might help sway conservative when it comes to that key vote in the of that key vote in the house of commons and the crucial bit slightly techie but but it's a fact it's catherine force and i were about it yesterday as i said we touched it yesterday. this committee and the whole

house of the commons, house of commons have the ability to him as the member of parliament for uxbridge. they also have the power to dent his ambitions in a safer seat . the prime minister safer seat. the prime minister denies he is pursuit of sunak says he stand in uxbridge johnson's people say he's looking for a safe seat because that bridge is a little bit marginal . this committee has marginal. this committee has real power, but floor of the house of commons has absolutely power. that's absolutely power. i think that's absolutely right. so when the committee sort of presents its findings all it can do is recommended a sanction and will then be up to the whole house of commons, whether or not to try and amend it, sort of it, to make it sort of potentially smaller if they think too hard done think he's being too hard done by or accept it we might see a repeat the of owen repeat of the kind of owen patterson scandal where the whips to get involved and start trying tell to vote one trying to tell mp to vote one way or the unlikely it way or the other unlikely it will there. but yes there will get there. but yes there are high stakes boris are big high stakes for boris johnson. that he's johnson. it's rumoured that he's on i mean, heard on chicken run. i mean, heard that he could looking that he could be looking somewhere oxfordshire, somewhere in oxfordshire,

heading in the heading to his old seat in the north. might want sort of north. he might want to sort of become this kind of king of the red try cement this kind red wall to try cement this kind ofideal red wall to try cement this kind of ideal sized expectation of himself i he thinks himself i think he thinks everybody sees of so everybody else sees of him. so it potentially real dent it potentially puts a real dent in a very key point in that at. a very key point when run up to the local when in the run up to the local elections in may that's the prime for him to challenge prime time for him to challenge rishi sunak again, fascinating stuff congratulations on stuff and congratulations on getting the first getting the scoop in the first place. i say, everybody, the place. as i say, everybody, the sunday followed. sunday papers has now followed. you for you denis, thank you for reflecting previous conversations matter conversations of these matter and of yes, my very and reminding me of yes, my very good he was an good friend charles. he was an excellent fisherman. apart from being excellent member of being an excellent member of parliament. of parliament. good to see both of you. thank you very much you. and thank you very much indeed. equally delighted indeed. i'm equally delighted to say old friend mine say that another old friend mine is in the conversation , is joining in the conversation, and that is edwina currie , who and that is edwina currie, who is former conservative member of parliament herself and a former health minister to now as as early as last year were still somewhat warm towards boris johnson . your position if johnson. your position if i characterise it correctly now,

is that he shouldn't seek to return the front line of politics, but he should jolly well seek to return to the front line of campaigning on behalf of conservative party as we closer to what is looking like an increase in the interesting general edwina if i go to about right oh you have now you've put your finger on incidentally alister a bit less of the old friend, more of the long standing friend, perhaps . yes, standing friend, perhaps. yes, i'll be boris is a great campaigner and in fact the first couple of years that he was prime minister thought he did a cracking good job particular both with covid and with completing brexit. it's a bit of tidying up to do so, but we did very well coming out of covid, did well with the vaccine , and a did well with the vaccine, and a great deal of that is down to his leadership . but we have his leadership. but we have moved on and the thing that we need right now as a country is yet change of prime minister. i

mean, you've rishi sunak almost in passing . i think we've got an in passing. i think we've got an exceptionally good government right now and the fact that it's calm and quiet and that details decisions are being taken, the legislation is coming to. the house of commons in an orderly fashion. it's wonderful. absolutely wonderful. and i'm quite sure that the time we get to the general election in 24, people will see that . actually, people will see that. actually, rishi is a remarkable leader. so what boris should be doing is trying to ensure that we get to that general election in jolly good shape and that he needs to put his campaigning talent use right through the whole . come right through the whole. come back. sounds like it means two different things. allyship that sounds like it means trying to find himself a better seat and the one next door to us in derbyshire dales is being touted . i think it would hate it. it doesn't have even a railway station, let alone the kind of

quality of activity that it has, you know, in north london or somewhere. it's very he's going to get, you know, no other. she wants to come up to me. michael heseltine , stamping ground. if i heseltine, stamping ground. if i if i remember i was desperate to see you pop up on the screen because i wanted to put to you what thought was a brilliantly perceptive point that denis macshane made at the beginning of this conversation . and that of this conversation. and that is that for boris johnson , the is that for boris johnson, the real danger within those heanngs real danger within those hearings that as aubry broke in the guardian a few days ago, are now going to be televised, probably wall to wall on some stations slightly more selectively in selectively by the in the parliament channel. the real dangers for boris are people like charles very experienced very clever clean hand tories who actually underline what you've just said. we've on. please, can we get on with a job and win an election which is a

no way in the by get absolute absolutely i mean there's a majority conservatives on that committee because it reflects the strength of the parties in house but it will pretty sure come up with a union must report it's reporting whether privilege has been abused . but when an mp has been abused. but when an mp speaks as you know, the house of commons, you're protected by privilege. so you can say almost anything. but that is a very precious privilege and it is protective by well, did you lie did you deliberately listen mislead the house and then make attempt to put that right at the first opportunity? so that was going to be what that hinges on the fact itself you saw was televised so the cameras are there all the time the amount of attention is going to be paid because it's a former prime minister is going to be kind of off the wall. but my own feeling is that it's done and dusted. i mean my goodness it was april last year when the house of

commons decided that this whole procedure was going to be called in and by the time we actually get any decision it would be april this year probably we moved on. you know, we've tried different prime ministers since and now we've got an exceptional one in rishi sunak and a very very good government. and i want bofis very good government. and i want boris concentrate, please comeback . boris concentrate, please comeback. going to give you boris concentrate, please comeback . going to give you the comeback. going to give you the chance to be equally complimentary about her because she was very common about what you about about charles you said about about charles walker others she does raise walker and others she does raise a really quite interesting point there, profoundly important because i was involved in the first televising of the house of lords and the of commons with jack weatherall as the speaker then who was incredibly helpful and he said, yes, the people have the right see how their democratic business conducted. but within grown up rules this is not circus. this is not spectacle. edwin is right. there's a danger here . this there's a danger here. this could simply become a spectacle.

that's why? they want wall to wall coverage? well, they've been working for of six or seven months very, very quietly . been working for of six or seven months very, very quietly. this the televised hearings, are only expected to last between, say, one and i think one and three weeks. and i think we'll days per week of we'll get about days per week of heanngs.l we'll get about days per week of hearings. i think suggestion hearings. i think the suggestion that done dusted isn't that it's done dusted isn't quite because the prime minister still disputes that he misled parliament or that he lied. if he accepted that , it would be he accepted that, it would be done and dusted. but he hasn't any kind of scrutiny or investigation yet into whether specifically he misled parliament. this about what happened when . it's about who happened when. it's about who knew what, when that hasn't been investigated yet . a reason it's investigated yet. a reason it's taken quite a long time . it was taken quite a long time. it was to do with the death of the queen all parliamentary business being of suspended some being sort of suspended for some time, difficulty . an absent time, difficulty. an absent member the committee and then member on the committee and then difficulty of getting documents from the government i revealed earlier this week the liz truss government was not handing some of the documents that were requested back in they got requested back in july. they got them november. that's part of them in november. that's part of them in november. that's part of the it's so long the reason it's taken so long and why it does need to

and which is why it does need to be in your view ? well, be coverage. in your view? well, i think it would shine a light. you know, sunlight is the best. and it will it will mean that this is done and dusted once nor complete i mean, i hope all is right . congratulations on his right. congratulations on his superb . but the plain fact is superb. but the plain fact is all these big build to parliamentary hearings indeed in any country senate hearings , a any country senate hearings, a time in the states often fade away because the one thing about past boris johnson is he is inveterate liar. that's my language. that's the language of the french ambassador to london at the time he was prime minister but he is the most greased piglet who can slip out to either think david cameron's well. i think it was david cameron's phrase, i'm not going to tory payne. so but i think this will just be embarrassing for the conservative party. i i don't quite fully accept it. we dare it . does the designation of

dare it. does the designation of rishi sunak as the new gladstone , the new churchill. i don't think there's lot there. he's well mannered . he's wickham, well mannered. he's wickham, he's oxford, he's the richest man in england. but that's it. all right. well, let me freeze that thought and then people heard what said there and the last couple of minutes that we've gotten do, feel free to join in. although you're not a former mp, i've got two brilliant friends of mine who are mp, straight sunak are former mp, straight sunak said of the crisis . the nhs , said of the crisis. the nhs, that he wanted bold and radical thinking . that he wanted bold and radical thinking. he's cut it that he wanted bold and radical thinking . he's cut it more deals thinking. he's cut it more deals with the private sector. he's cut a deal with the care homes and we discuss at great length on the programme and you've got sir starmer, the leader of the party, echoing what alan milburn told me years ago, that the relationship , labour told me years ago, that the relationship, labour and told me years ago, that the relationship , labour and the relationship, labour and the prime sector of health and care is not a one night stand. prime sector of health and care is not a one night stand . and is not a one night stand. and starmer himself saying this very day in the telegraph . it's got day in the telegraph. it's got to reform if it's to survive.

edwina, are entering under sir keir and under rishi a potentially much more interesting election on. things like welfare and health than we thought we might be just few months ago. do you reckon it's going be fairly fundamental and pretty profound stuff . oh pretty profound stuff. oh we've lost the link to edwina there. we can get it back . i will do we can get it back. i will do that because i genuinely want to heat that because i genuinely want to hear. i'm sure you do what their answers and you've been through this, i said to the brilliant stephen timms earlier, we all through that well before your time but tony blair saying to lovely frank field think the other of welfare reform think the unthinkable all based on the health and frank dead and didn't like it. i are we getting a little close to a period like that with john ashwood saying is dead and keir writing what he did not telegraph today that on

big ticket items like the welfare on disability like the nhs itself, that we're going to have a really profound thinking election within 1218 months. i personally sense that the big thinking in government does happenin thinking in government does happen in the election manifesto or election debates. it happen when force or circumstances , a when force or circumstances, a broader public opinion is ready for a change. now the, biggest thing tony did to nhs it is in his last term of office was absolutely drown. it in money. so by the time the tories came in in 2010 we had a really good nhs they've gradually just whittled into that. i think this election will simply be do we want more conservative years, do we want a minister who intellectually, clearly very able , but he's like a dormouse, able, but he's like a dormouse, he just doesn't anything he squeaks he's not a leader, he's not a speaker or do we want honest sir keir starmer the

labour team that said here's a stat to bear in mind if i may nicely like seven when we had the labour landslide the had 66 seats more than we did today the tories have a 163 more seats . so tories have a 163 more seats. so becoming prime minister is not like climbing more below everest . it's like climbing 100 or 200 munros and still tricky. it's much, much harder . keep munros and still tricky. it's much, much harder. keep begging my labour friends. polls look great at the moment please. i've been there than once before . been there than once before. it's going to get a lot harder and needs to be a lot more imagination and inspiration . imagination and inspiration. labour do you anticipate as a political that it's being good to be intellectually and politically perhaps more exciting than many us in the trade saw as recently as six, nine months ago? i mean, i so i've obviously come to think , i've obviously come to think, well, i've covered three general election campaigns and every time from labour the argument is

this is of do or die for the nhs if don't vote for us, you know it's going to perish under the conservatives. it's a risk that every time they say that and people carry on using nhs, albeit that the services potentially get worse, the wait times get longer that that doesn't happen now of course post—covid it does feel like it's breaking point than ever it's at breaking point than ever before. think it's before. and so i think it's quite that keir starmer quite sensible that keir starmer that members , are that conservative members, are quite by the shadow quite rattled by the shadow health. he was very much sighs suggestions wes streeting by name and john ashworth by name and phillipson worth reading this morning on it's in play as i said yesterday and as we've repeated again today. aubrey allegretti well on your scoop and to great see you as always, denis, my lovely friend. thank you very much indeed. look after yourself and you're always welcome. apologies if still welcome. my apologies if still listening. we can't hear her and but my huge thanks edwina currie long friend as she insists above my saying not old friend quite right too. let's have some courtesy stuart, for joining that conversation as well. and

we are finding time. that conversation as well. and we are finding time . we go off we are finding time. we go off there to share back some of your best thoughts reflecting upon what all of my excellent guests have say so far . today, have had to say so far. today, you are watching and listening to our listeners a wonderful array of friends today with more still to come on the programme and what remains of our second and what remains of our second and final hour. but first, let's bnng and final hour. but first, let's bring you up to date with the weather and a very good day to you as we go through the of this sunday and what it is going to cold but there will be some winter sunshine around albeit with some rain sleet, snow showers coming through to. the reason the cold weather is reason for the cold weather is because of low because of this area of low pressure of this out pressure position of this out towards east uk means towards the east of the uk means we dragging our air from we are dragging our air in from the north that's the cold the north and that's the cold direction. and so that's why temperatures really are compared to days taking a closer to recent days taking a closer look through the rest of the afternoon and can see that afternoon and you can see that some rain across parts some showery rain across parts of wales into, england also of wales into, england and also across ireland. this to across northern ireland. this to snow higher ground we snow over the higher ground we go the day. also plenty go through the day. also plenty of feeding in from the

of showers feeding in from the north across scotland. these readily even readily falling as snow even perhaps to levels. perhaps to lower levels. temperatures much lower than we've through recent we've seen through some recent days. most will struggle days. most places will struggle just in single and it is just in single figures and it is to feel cold, especially when you factor in the brisk winds, though those will the though those will through the day go the evening day as we go the evening continue to see some rain, sleet , of northern , snow across parts of northern ireland and into northern england and wales. also a england and wales. also notice a spell persistent rain of spell of more persistent rain of some affecting some strong winds affecting southern as we southern counties as we go through the could see through the night. could see some the southeast as we some snow in the southeast as we head dawn. temperatures head towards dawn. temperatures are very low tonight are going to be very low tonight . the south, we're going . even in the south, we're going to below to see temperatures below freezing, into freezing, could get into negative figures across negative double figures across the particularly have negative double figures across the lying particularly have negative double figures across the lying snowcularly have negative double figures across the lying snow .jlarly have negative double figures across the lying snow . they have negative double figures across the lying snow . the rain have negative double figures across the lying snow. the rain ands any lying snow. the rain and snow in the southeast should clear as we go through monday morning. so a drying picture here . otherwise for many, here. otherwise then for many, it actually going be it is actually going to be a largely dry day with plenty of sunshine. though, still sunshine. showers, though, still feeding northerly feeding in on that northerly wind. some showers, wind. could see some showers, east anglia, but it's across scotland to scotland where. we're going to readily snow showers readily see some snow showers the day and temperatures even lower today. so places lower than today. so many places struggling mid single

struggling in the mid single figures . pretty chilly figures feeling. pretty chilly indeed through the end indeed as we go through the end of the day, on monday, of the day, though, on monday, most dry, a cold night to most places dry, a cold night to come colder than come probably even colder than this night. and snow this coming night. and the snow showers continue scotland showers will continue scotland as why there's going be a as that's why there's going be a continuing snow and risk. as that's why there's going be a continuing snow and risk . a continuing snow and ice risk. a warning out all the way into wednesday. that's because the showers we showers continue as we go through the of the week and through the rest of the week and it going stay cold at it is going to stay cold at least friday, perhaps

2:31 on radisson in the gb newsroom, a seven year old girl remains in a stable but life threatening condition after a drive by shooting in north london yesterday, police have urged witnesses to come forward after six people were shot outside . a funeral in euston , outside. a funeral in euston, four women and a 12 year old girl are also required hospital

treatment with one of the women suffering, life changing injuries. superintendent jack rowlands says the suspects used a shotgun. we believe the suspects discharge a shotgun from a moving vehicle , which was from a moving vehicle, which was a black toyota c . we want to a black toyota c. we want to hear from anyone who witnessed incident or has information . it incident or has information. it at least 68 people have died following a plane in nepal. the countries worst aviation disaster in 30 years. 72 people were on board the yeti airlines flight, which crashed in pokhara dunng flight, which crashed in pokhara during clear skies . those on during clear skies. those on board included passengers india, ireland, australia and france. the search , the remaining four the search, the remaining four passengers has been halted due to darkness until tomorrow . the to darkness until tomorrow. the health secretary criticised the gmb union over what he calls a lack patient and public safety dunng lack patient and public safety during recent ambulance strikes

. steve barclay wrote to the union's saying voluntary arrangements, which were put in place, were not enough . it comes place, were not enough. it comes as anti strike legislation is due to be debated by mps tomorrow. last week the gmb published open letter saying ambulance staff felt demonised by the government . we're on tv by the government. we're on tv onune by the government. we're on tv online on dab plus radio. this is the people's channel gb news. back to alastair stewart& friends . friends. congressional aide. as was clear from the rest of this program to now and indeed yesterday and in bulletin there, we are in a busy and intriguing in politics. about a week being a long time. but goodness gracious, it is all happening . reform is up there on happening. reform is up there on the agenda reform of the nhs, reform of the welfare state also very importantly brexit, trade just around the corner with a

lot of hope. i think rising perhaps on that front as well with both the foreign and the prime minister getting involved. me live in the studio. i'm delighted to say to unpack that and so much is somebody who is on top of all of it and it is gb news political. reporter and if you are out there having busy day, gosh, you've had a busy morning on your this afternoon i think your thought as well think on your thought as well away all of that apart from the reform bit which will come reform bit which i will come back is one specific we back to is one specific thing we were talking about the privileges big privileges committee, this big story about boris will make a comeback at whatever level and macshane, former labour and edwina currie, the conservative mp, both said real danger faces bofis mp, both said real danger faces boris facing boris is the detail and charles walker on that privileges committee. yes known for a while that the privileges committee , which is something committee, which is something we've all slightly forgotten about since johnson left about since boris johnson left power, is still big threat power, is still a big threat hanging over him and charles

walker , conservative mp, who was walker, conservative mp, who was a very adamant lockdown sceptic, all the way through lockdown . all the way through lockdown. very good on the detail. we will grill boris johnson quite seriously . you've also got on seriously. you've also got on that committee chris bryant, who does not pull his punches he's recused himself from the chair. yeah, right. with harriet harman, who's sharp old lawyer. yes. yes. and we've also laura farris, another lawyer, conservative mp who is a very close ally of rishi sunak's on that , too. not that that should that, too. not that that should cloud her judgement and i'm sure cloud herjudgement and i'm sure it wouldn't, but it's pretty serious panel that he'll be focusing on that focussed talking of focus, i know been doing some stuff on this and you talked about a little bit earlier on, i was really out by a conversation that we had yesterday about nhs reform and about the stuff that starmer has written himself in the telegraph today about nhs reform. the nhs has to reform to survive . it has to reform to survive. it will be dead in the water. i mean, that is almost sir keir

starmer's a different language. it's fascinating because we saw a couple of weeks ago wes streeting, who is the shadow health secretary is considered to be on the right of the labour party coming out with this plan for which essentially for the nhs, which essentially involves quite serious involves really quite serious reform. and he used language , we reform. and he used language, we really haven't seen from a senior labour politician for a long about not not revering nhs too much and not not venerate it in this way that we do like it's a sort of religion because that makes it impossible to reform. and off the back of that. keir was questioned quite lot on on was questioned quite a lot on on what made of wes streeting what he made of wes streeting and sort of felt in and it was sort of felt in westminster, the west wes streeting might been a kind of thing as well this sort of ad libbing a little bit and making a policy on the trot. but today, keir starmer is well and truly back on what wes streeting is saying and he's got some very serious for reform, serious proposals for reform, including essentially preventing a gp's becoming the gatekeepers of the nhs as they are . so under of the nhs as they are. so under labour's plans, someone with a

serious back pain. for example , serious back pain. for example, could refer themselves to a physiotherapy , probably also an physiotherapy, probably also an nhs. and again not privatising the nhs because the gp's running their practises as little businesses as a kind of form of privatisation. but wes streeting on health, john ashworth on welfare particularly disability benefit. bridget phillipson this morning on child benefit will be even bigger . morning on child benefit will be even bigger. the nhs, these young thinkers are dragging him, kicking and screaming into what could be a big election, absolute . it is sounding like absolute. it is sounding like a very big reform election. i went jonathan joshua speech about welfare policy last week . some welfare policy last week. some of what he proposed was really quite he's thinking of quite radical. he's thinking of completely overturning the way that and investments think that jobs and investments think tanks. csj . tanks. yes. at the csj. fascinating choice of venue. fascinating choice of venue. fascinating absolutely. and really radical proposals on on basically ripping up jobcentres and starting and changing the way the whole welfare process works, enabling people who've

been on benefits to get into work and then back on benefits more easily sounds a bit technical, it's actually technical, but it's actually a pretty big reform as bridget flips in a name that we didn't really months ago. her really know few months ago. her childcare would childcare reforms would be hugely mean , not hugely radical. i mean, not costed so let's not speak costed yet, so let's not speak too soon. but we know that at the moment, you know, there's almost free childcare at for almost no free childcare at for the under fours , 30 hours a week the under fours, 30 hours a week of between three and four, nothing before that she's off work she's suggesting that labour would offer child care for all parents between the ages of zero and absolutely no of zero and 11. absolutely no idea how they could possibly afford that. you know, that would be seismic change just would be a seismic change just as because alice stewart and friends and family because everybody knows everybody who watches this knows my are former my daughters are former headteacher teacher she headteacher and a teacher she went bridget was went to event where bridget was the speaker and said the the keynote speaker and said the thing most impressed my thing that most impressed my daughter about bridget. it was not the content , the main not the content, the main speech, it was the engagement with debate and the willingness to take on the tough questions. exactly as you've just said, like costings and what you i

mean, if we can have that kind conversation debate conversation and debate weeks now the election i think will now, the election i think will have a great turnout . have a great turnout. absolutely. and did think absolutely. and i did think actually ashworth actually about jonathan ashworth last you say, last week. he was, as you say, at csj very keen to at the csj, very much keen to engage with everyone who was that labour doesn't seem to be that labour doesn't seem to be that close. a friend of gb news, but he was way too keen to take my question and gave me a proper fulsome answer. think this fulsome answer. so i think this is to be as you quite is going to be as you quite a serious election and there is no way the conservatives sit on way the conservatives can sit on their they've got any their laurels if they've got any laurels. but no, no, i well interestingly because edwina currie literally currie also saying literally just ago. yeah. just a few moments ago. yeah. hurrah sunak, hurrah for rishi sunak, particularly where he particularly on the nhs where he said usual is no said business as usual is no longer it's got be longer acceptable it's got to be bold and radical. cut small deals with the private sector, cut a brand new deal with the care home secretary which is going to be really quite fundamental bed blocking. so both labour, the tories have got the nettle thinking caps of finally waking . it feels like finally waking. it feels like after a long of snoozing so , after a long of snoozing so, yes, we should be quite an exciting jungle. good hunting

this afternoon . wish you well. this afternoon. wish you well. lovely to see you live. i thank you very much for the olivia utley that gb news political correspondent her insider correspondent with her insider wisdom on of these matters. you have your wisdom on these matters and you very much indeed for getting in touch on. our discussion whether boris discussion on whether boris johnson can or should make a comeback. says a boris comeback. brit says a boris should never have been removed moved. but now is the time for another leadership challenge. six months of government time was lost due to the leadership crisis. the tories need to focus on getting key legislation passed , they will simply deserve passed, they will simply deserve to lose . in 2024. well, that's to lose. in 2024. well, that's an interesting thought. they've got a lot of thinking to do, as well as legislating tweaks and that election. i think , stewart that election. i think, stewart says. boris thank you. all right . sharp jen says, bring back bofis . sharp jen says, bring back boris by gradually. . sharp jen says, bring back boris by gradually . we like have boris by gradually. we like have balance on this program. do keep your views coming in and of course, do subscribe to our

youtube channel. we are at gb news and will hear some terrific stuff there from . our disability stuff there from. our disability campaigner right at beginning of programme, the great stephen timms labour mp and all my guests today talking about reform of the welfare system that olivia and i were just discussing on yesterday's programme, which has got terrific stuff on health service reform as well . so that's you reform as well. so that's you tube. we are at gb news you have been watching today and yesterday alastair stewart& friends here at gb news tv and the and thank you very much indeed for so doing we have a little more to go before . i beat little more to go before. i beat you farewell and you're including a visit to a school in nonh including a visit to a school in north lanarkshire that has created kind lockers packed with food , warm clothes for food, warm clothes for struggling children . we're struggling children. we're finding out a little bit more about that. we go off air, but before that, a quick .

break hello. welcome back. and watching alastair stewart& friends here on gb news tv and radio on line and we are inching the end of our second hour. but before it is time for sunday savings . before it is time for sunday savings. rishi sunak's pledge to defeat has meant a return to high interest rates . that's the high interest rates. that's the bank of england's chosen tool to try and get inflation back to an agreed target, which the government gives it. now is news in several of the newspapers today saying that that battle is being won to defeat inflation. it's beginning to slow down and it does it may mean a reduction in interest rates some stage, but in the meantime it has meant a return to relatively high interest rates clearly not as high as many of you will remember in the in the heady days of serious double digit.

days. but they certainly than they were for an awfully long time when there were those crazy virtually zero levels. but markets are market less and even the market for loans mortgages and the of it competition sometimes kicks in and there's growing evidence out there in that market that lenders are once again getting not for first time buyers, but also for many who are having to remodel after being on a fixed deal for quite some time of , being on a fixed deal for quite some time of, which there are many, many thousands , and i'm many, many thousands, and i'm delighted to say. joining me now is one of the real experts in this territory, my old friend ray, who is the senior mortgage manager at the mortgage brokers john charcol. and there he is what in your views are snapshot is going on out there in terms first of all of interest rates ? first of all of interest rates? and secondly, what compared it is up to try and have borrowers into their portfolio ? well, i into their portfolio? well, i think the good news borrowers is

that we are continuing to see fixed rates come down. so after the trust closing budget, when we saw mortgage rates up to into the sixes in many cases we've now seen fixed rates come down as low as about four and a quarter% the five year fixes, if you've got big deposit, but even if you've only got a small deposit you can still get rates at about five and the quarter% even with only a 5% amount of equity. so although we've seen a lot of bad news in terms of concern about rates rising , the concern about rates rising, the news actually is getting better . so i think there is some good news on the horizon , changes news on the horizon, changes that's happened over the years. and you and i have discussed this is post the thousand six seven crash when the rules governing who could borrow and at what levels and the assessments that were made of individual's ability to keep those payments up . is there any those payments up. is there any evidence at all them getting any

easier or are the lenders still to know every nook and of your personal finances before they're prepared to meet you halfway ? a prepared to meet you halfway? a big loan . you know, lenders big loan. you know, lenders certainly still do want to know a lot of information and understandable. they're lending you a lot of money. so it's important they do that diligence and make that you can and make sure that you can afford repay. but we have had afford to repay. but we have had these stricter anybody who's taken a mobile in the last ten years will effectively be stress tested by the lender for mortgage rates of at six and a half% so what that does mean is that with mortgage rates, where they are now they're still below level at which people would have been stress tested. so i think the key issues for people who are coming to the end of a fixed rate deal is that there are other living costs will have shot up . so it's not just the shot up. so it's not just the mortgage rate going up, it's all the other things up which won't necessarily be taken into account . the other good thing is

account. the other good thing is that back in 2008, before the last credit crisis , a lot of last credit crisis, a lot of people did have variable rate mortgages. so when interest rates change, they actually don't affect you straightaway . don't affect you straightaway. now, actually, then that was a good thing because bank rate came down. so mortgage rates came down. so mortgage rates came down. so mortgage rates came down. now nearly 80% of people are on a fixed rate. so that means that they know when their rates might change. so you can plan and so that means people some time to think about what i need to do that let me bolt together the thing that you and i talked about and the thing that you've just said now, and that you've just said now, and thatis that you've just said now, and that is what's happening with inflation and what the financial press saying this morning and what said there about fixed rates what have are trackers rates and what have are trackers . if you genuinely believe in your heart and your mind that , your heart and your mind that, that's the direction of interest rates. that's also the direction of inflation . our trackers back of inflation. our trackers back on the agenda . in your view ?

on the agenda. in your view? well, they certainly have come back on the agenda and or three months ago, i think that was a very strong case for taking a tracker because fixed were still very high and the bank rate hadnt very high and the bank rate hadn't gone to a level. it is now. we've now got bank rate at three and a half% almost going to go up a quarter or a half point at the beginning of next month and fixed rates have come down. so now actually as cheap cheaper than trackers. so i think the time for tracker is probably unless want to take the view that you'll be to get a cheaper fixed rate in a few months time. i would prefer to stay on the track of short term, but we do. the majority of clients are really keen to know what their mortgage payments are going be. it's probably their going to be. it's probably their biggest monthly payment, although some cases energy biggest monthly payment, although be ome cases energy biggest monthly payment, although be higherises energy biggest monthly payment, although be higher for energy biggest monthly payment, although be higher for some|y bills may be higher for some now. so being able to for that large monthly payment is something a lot of people a lot of value on. so i would i would say that don't dismiss. the main

benefit they've got is that many don't have a repayment charges. so if you're thinking moving home in the next couple of years , that might be a reason why you want to take a tracker. but i do think fixed rates have now come down to a level they're down to a level where they're well considering . very well considering. very interesting advice and guidance and my friend there john with the fastest that there's a whole range of opinion available out there marketplace and he is merely expressing his own view for you to reflect upon but you can online and see what he has to say and the detail behind it but i thought all made very, very good sense. final because we had yesterday and today been talking about big politics as well as the precise of things like mortgages and interest rates and inflation . there's rates and inflation. there's a two page spread in the sunday times today showing the electoral advantage for. the government, if it wants to stay in power to crack housing stock

and the affordability of ownership of housing and the variation that exists right across the country . do you think across the country. do you think that, penny dropped because many mutual friends of ours have said there was in sunak year's speech about planning about homes, about planning about homes, about the housing stock and the affordability of putting a roof over your head . what there's over your head. what there's nothing the government can do now . going to nothing the government can do now. going to have a big impact on housing affordability before the next election. now with a long time frame it takes from planning it's not planning building, it's not going happen . i planning building, it's not going happen. i think is going to happen. i think what is interesting is that although we always talk about the need to build more houses , everybody build more houses, everybody recognises we've seen over the last two or three months is several of the house builders actually reducing housing start because they're a reduction in in. so at a time when perhaps one could start to build houses that weren't already pre reserved . actually that's not reserved. actually that's not happening. so may be an area

where the government could get involved. perhaps the local authority or housing associations could think in terms of actually reserving some property is to allow the builders to keep building at the rate they were building six months ago rather than cutting back the stops, which obviously means we're going to have less housing this year. housing completions this year. nothing is in the short term in the housing world. a great pleasure . talk to you again, pleasure. talk to you again, john.thank pleasure. talk to you again, john. thank you very defining time on what i know is your busy weekend and do keep in with us. thank you very much indeed. that's john bolger there, who's the senior mortgage manager at mortgage brokers. john as i say, lots of very thoughts there about trackers about fixed rates, about stress testing . rates, about stress testing. it's all on his website. you can find all and well worth reading always. thank you very much . always. thank you very much. great to see you . now, as i said great to see you. now, as i said just before beginning that fascinating conversation there with we have also time left with ray we have also time left in the program i was thrilled to bits to say for one of my

favourite slots at his the good causes slot. we champion british who are doing good things the country and today to absolutely honest with you is something i had simply never heard of before. it is notion of a kind this a locker and my guest to talk about it is laura staples, who is a home economics teacher at campbell academy out there in scotland. and there she is, brand idea or of me brand new idea or new or how do did you develop it or did you hear it somewhere else? did you see someone doing it and think have someone doing it and think have some of that ? so the way we came some of that? so the way we came up with a decade this focus we had the phrase it turned the local skill and they had the fabulous idea of a little shop of happiness. we have pupils could buy that and just to get the things that they need so developed it further for what . developed it further for what. we felt within our skill and we came up of thinking this will because concept that's

absolutely and we're looking at one of the lockers there with with drinks and snacks and stuff like that there was a donors who are making this possible i understand the idea putting understand the idea of putting it in locker, keeping it safely in a locker, keeping on and it's great to come on it. and it's great to come back you need it. but back to when you need it. but who are the donors that who are the lovely donors that you're working with? so i message same ticket you need message on same ticket you need it. come back when you can so as ask community. as people in ask your community. as people in our community, we'll call in groups and we've got cumbernauld because kept they have a little of an hit from teachers. i will often put some paid in southeastern in just to support us they all a nice build needs help up in hand at some point so it is about making that available. yeah, absolutely. i said the team when they told me you and i were going to doing because i know a home economics absolutely brilliant and i've talked about this before how economics in the midst of a cost of living crisis absence lutely crucial are you flavour of the

month with your board of governors in your head or are you having to struggle for time and support ? we are we have for and support? we are we have for anyway we support and provide anyway we support and provide any skill that we have a great department and have great teachers. but love this update and really that and it's been a great department for years for 50 fortunate in that we i think the pupil support is well i think it's a brilliant idea laura well done on what you're doing with the lockers and thanks through to those lovely people who have made it possible by by making their donations and all the very best to everybody in cumbernauld and in the home economics departments across the country. great talk to you. great to meet you. thank you very much indeed. laurence nichols. that is, i'm afraid all that we have time for today. we will be back, however, on saturday at midday next weekend . until then, enjoy the rest of your day today the rest of your weekend indeed all of your week. i'll see you next. i find out. hello. very good day to you as

we go through the rest of this sunday and what it is to be cold. but there will some cold. but there will be some sunshine around, albeit with some snow some rain, sleet and snow showers through to the reason for the cold weather is because of this of pressure. the of this of low pressure. the position this out towards the position of this out towards the east uk means , we are east of the uk means, we are dragging air from the and dragging our air in from the and that's the cold direction. and so that's why temperatures really recent really are dropping to recent days, taking closer look through the afternoon . and the rest of the afternoon. and you see there's some showery you can see there's some showery rain wales, into rain across of wales, into england and, also across northern ireland. this turning snow higher ground as snow over the higher ground as we the day. also plenty of we go the day. also plenty of feeding in from the north across scotland falling scotland these readily falling as even to lower levels. as snow, even to lower levels. temperatures are much lower than we've seen through some recent days. places will struggle days. most places will struggle just the single figures and it is feel cold, is going to feel cold, especially when you factor the brisk though those ease brisk winds though those ease through as we through through the day as we through the evening continue to see some rain sleet and snow across parts of northern ireland and into northern wales. also northern england and wales. also a of more persistent rain, a spell of more persistent rain, some affecting some strong winds affecting

southern counties as we go through could see through the night, could see some the southeast as we some snow in the southeast as we head are head towards. temperatures are going low tonight. going to be very low tonight. even in the south. going even in the south. we're going temperatures falling below freezing, into negative freezing, get into negative double across the north, double figures across the north, particularly any particularly where we have any lying the and snow in lying snow, the rain and snow in the southeast should clear away as go through morning. and so as we go through morning. and so as we go through morning. and so a picture otherwise then a drying picture otherwise then for it is actually going to for many it is actually going to be a largely dry day with. plenty of sunshine showers, though, still feeding that though, still feeding in on that northerly some northerly wind. could see some showers around east anglia, but it's scotland where we're it's across scotland where we're going see snow going to readily see some snow showers through the day and temperatures today. so temperatures even than today. so many places the single many places in the mid single figures feeling chilly indeed as we go through the end of the day, though, on monday, most places staying a cold night places staying dry. a cold night come probably even colder than this coming the snow this coming night. and the snow showers across scotland showers continue across scotland as that's going to as. that's why that's going to be continuing ice risk be a continuing snow ice risk with out all the way with a warning out all the way into wednesday. that's because the showers continue as we go through of the week and through the rest of the week and it stay cold at it is going to stay cold at least friday perhaps

crusade or your tv online and on your wireless today we will be discussing justin. well these £100 million fund to quote address past wrongs of slavery cardinal pell's fury at the vatican's theological direction and discussing your faith on social media. the first is the news weekly. i listen . good news weekly. i listen. good afternoon. it's 3:00 is the latest from the gb newsroom. a seven year old girl remains in a stable but life threatening condition after a drive by shooting in north london . police

shooting in north london. police have