channel good afternoon. it is 3:00. this is views on tv online and digital radio. i'm not a quitter . i'm in for patrick christys . . i'm in for patrick christys. and now coming up this hour to £1,000,000,000 worth of funding for 100 projects across the uk. it's which is sunak aims to level up the country today the prime minister has been visiting areas set to receive levelling funds, claiming it'll help people feel pride in their communities . but labour has communities. but labour has called the funding failure.

criticising rishi sunak giving £19 million to rejuvenating a high street in his own constituency . we'll get across constituency. we'll get across the country and ask , is the country and ask, is levelling up now more than just a slogan? also this hour , the a slogan? also this hour, the leader of the nurses union has three issues to act to overrule its health secretary and reach a compromise . its health secretary and reach a compromise. his its health secretary and reach a compromise . his pay deal with compromise. his pay deal with her members . nurses are out on her members. nurses are out on strike today for the second day of a 48 hour strike. health leaders are also beginning to make contingency plans for the possibility of the biggest walkout in the history of the nhs next month. as the pay dispute between and the government shows no signs of reaching a resolution. i'll speak the national officer of the union in the next few hours and we'll cross live to the scottish parliament where. a rally for trans equalities taking place after the uk government moved to block laws reforming the gender process in scotland . as ever, get in touch. scotland. as ever, get in touch. you can email gb views at gbnews.uk or tweet me gb news. but first, let's get your latest

news headlines . good afternoon. news headlines. good afternoon. it's 3:01. i'm in the gb newsroom. the prime minister has defended levelling up plans, insisting the north—west and north—east will benefit most. it's after criticised the plan, saying london and south—east england will be getting most of the money. the government's announced more than the money. the government's announced more tha n £2 billion announced more than £2 billion will be invested in over 100 projects across the uk. they include the eden , north and include the eden, north and morecambe and cardiff, crossrail, rishi sunak's insisted two thirds of the funding is going to the most depnved funding is going to the most deprived areas of uk. the north west is the top region , so the west is the top region, so the amount of money per person living that who came to help north—west who came second north—east and if you look down to the other end of the table, you find places like london in the south—east and the difference is huge. so think the

funding that you're all getting per person out of this levelling up fund is twice per capita. what london south—east is getting and that should give you the confidence that when we talk about delivering levelling up and spreading opportunity across country really mean it country that we really mean it sickest . alma, meanwhile, is in sickest. alma, meanwhile, is in davos at the economic forum for labour leaders to reassure global finance chiefs that britain will be open for business under a labour government . he's also pledged government. he's also pledged there'd be no oil and gas investment in the uk if his party comes power. while business secretary grant and international trade secretary are also there , sir keir took are also there, sir keir took the opportunity to the absence of the prime minister and chancellor . of the prime minister and chancellor. i think our prime minister should have showed up here. i do . and one of the here. i do. and one of the things that's been , you know , on things that's been, you know, on me since i've been here is the absence of the united kingdom . absence of the united kingdom. but that's why it's really important that i'm here. the shadow chancellor rachel reeves

is here as a statement intent. that should be a change of government. i hope there will be.the government. i hope there will be. the united kingdom will play its part on the stage. in a way i think it probably hasn't in recent years . health are making recent years. health are making contingency plans for what could be the biggest walkout in the history of the nhs next month. it was announced yesterday that ambulance workers will join nurses a combined day of action for the first time ever on february the sixth. nurses in england are today staging a second day of strike action, while more than a thousand unite members in the welsh ambulance service are holding first of two walkouts. hertfordshire says it's received more calls from potential victims about serial rapist david carrick's following his hearing on monday. the force, which covers the former officer's home county, set up dedicated hotline for people to come forward with complaints . come forward with complaints. carrick was sacked from the met

police after admitting to 49 criminal charges, including 24 counts of rape. so the crown court on monday monday , the court on monday monday, the father of an aristocrat missing with her newborn baby and partner has spoken of the family's pain and urged her to contact police . mark gordon, contact police. mark gordon, a registered sex offender. constance martin and their newborn baby have been missing for 12 days. they were last seen in a taxi in essex heading to london . police are concerned. london. police are concerned. ms. martin the baby haven't received medical attention . the received medical attention. the birth . meanwhile, a british birth. meanwhile, a british actor has been reported missing after going hiking in mountains north los angeles. julian disappeared and the sun mountains last friday. bad weather. the 65 year old is known for roles , films, a room known for roles, films, a room with a view and leaving vegas as well as tv appearances on 24 and smallville smallville . and the

smallville smallville. and the king has requested the profits from a £1 billion a year wind farm deal to used for the wider pubuc farm deal to used for the wider public good rather than the royal family king charles has asked for the profits from six new offshore wind farms developed on crown estate to be redirected those struggling the most. it comes after his majesty highlighted the anxiety and hardship of the cost living crisis in his christmas. hardship of the cost living crisis in his christmas . this is crisis in his christmas. this is gb news will bring you more as it happens now though it's back nana akua . nana akua. good afternoon. it's faster . 7 good afternoon. it's faster. 7 minutes after 3:00. this is gb news. where? live on tv online . news. where? live on tv online. on digital radio. we are the people's . i'm not a queen. now people's. i'm not a queen. now the prime minister has rejected

the prime minister has rejected the allocation of more than the prime minister has rejected the allocation of more tha n £2 the allocation of more than £2 billion in taxpayers money being spent , over 100 levelling up spent, over 100 levelling up projects was skewed towards relatively affluent areas , relatively affluent areas, including his own constituency . including his own constituency. now richard sunak says that the projects backed by the levelling up fund would help generate pride in local communities and insisted that northern england was receiving more per person than the south. let's take a quick look at a snapshot of the regional breakdown. so yorkshire and the humber receive over £120 million. that's £120,619,162 in the west midlands receive slightly more . at over 155 slightly more. at over 155 million. in wales 208 million will go towards a new rail . million. in wales 208 million will go towards a new rail. in cardiff, an engineering campus in ebbw vale and a new cycle route in scotland. in ebbw vale and a new cycle route in scotland . £177 million route in scotland. £177 million will see the rest of action of . will see the rest of action of. kilmarnock's palace theatre and regeneration schemes in peterhead stirling. and northern

ireland . will receive £71 ireland. will receive £71 million. well, earlier today in morecambe, ritchie said that claim levelling up is more than just a just talk. it's about action. but what does mean? what does levelling up mean? because you hear it a lot now. for me it something very simple. it's about spreading opportunity and creating jobs in every single part of our country. but also about making sure that people they live in our amazing country can feel huge pride. enormous pride in the places that they call home. well, joining us now is gb news political correspondent catherine austen, accosting the prime minister's been doing a whistle stop tour of the country housing teacher day . talk me of the country housing teacher day. talk me through. what? what? see, what's he doing when he's there? he has always he's there? yes. he has always been accrington. gave that been to accrington. he gave that speech morecambe because, speech in morecambe because, of course, the course, that's one of the flagship levelling up the eden project. north which is going to be phantom stick for morecambe. so not surprisingly , very many so not surprisingly, very many

happy people in his audience. then going on to hartlepool. he is using an rf. we then going on to hartlepool. he is using an r f. we believe . but is using an r f. we believe. but of course he is saying that he needs to get around country quickly. we can take a. he's the prime minister. he's not going to get to those three places once a week . so actually, once a week. so actually, they're sending out, not just rishi sunak, but called stall busting. whitehall's beat. they're sending cabinet ministers to all four countries today. ministers to all four countries today . they really want to blitz today. they really want to blitz this levelling up message today. they really want to blitz this levelling up messag e £2.1 this levelling up message £2.1 billion, 111 areas, of course. it was one of boris johnson's main slogan . and it wasn't it main slogan. and it wasn't it was one of the things that got the conservatives that 80 seat majority t and when rishi sunak was became prime minister very suddenly without the conservative party members voting for him, without the population voting for him . he population voting for him. he said his mandate was that 2019 manifesto and levelling up . so manifesto and levelling up. so they're really keen to push it

and also of course it stops us talking about the strikes. doesn't say yes so . diversionary doesn't say yes so. diversionary tactic. yes. yes he is good that they've realised talking to people off the cuff not so good a little stilted sometimes making direct a camera or reading script. so they're having these pm connect events. they're going to send him out and about round the country with carefully selected audiences that imagine going to let just anybody in who will ask him questions and he is he was positive he was energetic . he positive he was energetic. he was relaxed. he had some awkward questions show about the nhs . he questions show about the nhs. he was asked about health inequalities in that and he started by saying , you know, started by saying, you know, green spaces , pocket parks, very green spaces, pocket parks, very important . and then i think important. and then i think realised that that was really not going to cut it, given the state of the nhs. so then talk very specifically about some of the things that the government are doing because i mean we're heanng are doing because i mean we're

hearing all these nhs horror stories aren't , but obviously stories aren't, but obviously the government coming in for some criticism that there's a lot of money going to london , lot of money going to london, the southeast, but they're pushing back on that very saying it's a quarter of the population live in london in the southeast. so, yes, they're getting a lot of money this plenty of pockets of money this plenty of pockets of deprivation but of deprivation down as well. but per head of population , it's the per head of population, it's the north—west, the north—east. and i think per capita wales does even better. so they really want to send this message out . what to send this message out. what about the criticism though, that it twice as many conservative held constituencies getting the money and so obviously a lot of the labour constituencies weren't getting as much. yes there is. that isn't the. it all depends on everybody's analysing the figures and finding slightly different ways of looking at it. now the government is that half of the funding areas are not conservative controlled , so it conservative controlled, so it is very different depending on who you hear from. of course

labour are all pouring a lot of cold water on this. they're saying, well, so much money was taken away from local government over last 13 years with austerity , the only about austerity, the only about a quarter it is now going back in at least . nandy the shadow at least. nandy the shadow levelling up secretary, has described it as basically a sort of hunger games with , one area of hunger games with, one area pitted against each other. so of course they're not impressed, but you know, way that's the opposition exactly and that's why they're exactly and thank you catherine you very much that's catherine force right. force she's our political right. some breaking news to bring this afternoon. few afternoon. within the last few moments, the rail delivery group has announced the train operating have made a operating companies have made a best and final offer to the rmt union. that's including pay rise of 90% over two years. now it's ahead of another walk out of rmt members on the 1st of february. we'll bring you more on that as we get it. back to levelling up and as part of the funding, the government's awarded cash totalling government's awarded cash totallin g £208 million to 11 totalling £208 million to 11 separate projects in wales for hawking's is in cardiff where

plans for new rail link have just been announced . paul, what just been announced. paul, what is the reaction been to the new project ? mixed, i would say . project? mixed, i would say. just talking about thi s £50 just talking about this £50 million rail project that's a quarter the money that's been given to wales, the rest of the money going on, things like an engineering campus in ebbw vale, that's 9 million, 8 million for a cycle lane from no to betty's , 80 million to refurbish the grand pavilion porthcawl in caerphilly , they're getting a caerphilly, they're getting a new leisure centre for, £20 million. and then the rest of the money is for museums cycle and other heritage projects . and other heritage projects. yeah, the bulk of that money, 25% going on this new rail link. if we can call it that in cardiff. so at the moment there is a rail line that runs from central, the big main station cardiff south towards cardiff bay and. it's less than a mile long and the train journey only takes minutes. yes, you have to

change, but it's only 10 minutes. you can walk it in 20 minutes. you can walk it in 20 minutes. so the question we were asking earlier was can you call it a new rail link and is it the best way to spend it a new rail link and is it the best way to spen d £50 million best way to spend £50 million given there's already a rolling there? is rail there? how useful is that rail service ? well paul, i mean, what service? well paul, i mean, what do you think? do they feel that this particular service will have that? and will this be a good how will it affect the local economy economy . well, local economy economy. well, it's going to yeah, it's going to improve the local for sure. yeah but what other people would argue that does it need it in this part of. wales, in cardiff, in the capital. so it's only going to be 11 local authorities out of 22. i spoke to one lady who lives in swansea and she said, okay , good guidance, said, okay, good guidance, cardiff, you know there is money for other projects but what are we going to do because these are really going to improve where we live. you look the live. so when you look at the national terms the national picture in terms of the uk yes, money is helping to level up wales compared to the

rest but within wales rest of the uk but within wales pay rest of the uk but within wales pay are pay some people are still unhappy the amount money unhappy with the amount of money that's capital that's going into the capital relative to rest the relative to the rest of the country. for example, in wrexham where did for some where they they did bid for some to racecourse to, money improve the racecourse there went fortunate in there and they went fortunate in getting it . well, thank you very getting it. well, thank you very much that. that's hawkins. much for that. that's hawkins. he's national reporter he's itv news, national reporter . joining now is . well, joining me now is someone been following the level of funding , jim picard. he's the of funding, jim picard. he's the chief political editor of the financial . jim, thank you very financial. jim, thank you very much joining me. now, has much forjoining me. now, has this money been fairly distributed around the country, in view so the to think in your view? so the to think about this funding is that it was a back in 2019 ahead of the general election levelling up be something that boris and the conservative party could say to country get elected . and country to get elected. and there was a meeting in january after election by boris johnson's my senior advisers. we've just i, i think we've just lost them. is back. jim. jim back. jim carrey . sorry. we just back. jim carrey. sorry. we just we just lost you. that you just found a couple of other funds.

so this was something they came up with, not quite knowing what it like at the start of it was like at the start of 2020, general election. 2020, off that general election. and we here is the handing and we see here is the handing out of several billion pounds of money through the levelling up fund funds, couple of fund towns funds, couple of other funds. but these are other funds. but these guys are not claus . they're not not santa claus. they're not father governments . father christmas governments. spend money all the time. government spending is over £1,000,000,000,000. so when talking about 2 billion quid being handed out to over 100 places britain, now this is places in britain, now this is not a giveaway . it's money that not a giveaway. it's money that would have otherwise gone to these places through other funding streams. and the most critical to know about critical thing to know about here councils across here is that councils across britain have seen their funding cuts since 2010. by about 15 billion quid a year. so if you accumulate that over a decade , accumulate that over a decade, you're looking at a huge amount of money that these communities have away from them have had ripped away from them and therefore then handed and therefore to then be handed £2 billion that is the £2 billion back. that is the crucial thing that your viewers should be therefore the should be of and therefore the haggung should be of and therefore the haggling . is it too unfair haggling about. is it too unfair to south , not generous to the south, not generous enough to the north? is it too

generous to conservative areas and not to labour areas ? that is and not to labour areas? that is and not to labour areas? that is a distraction from the reality that is very, very small that this is very, very small change compared the money change compared to the money that areas receive that these areas to receive before the start of austerity. this is not a political point by me. just mathematical me. it's just a mathematical point. and the reason it is difficult work out what the difficult to work out what the concerns areas are getting more than areas is that yes, than labour areas is that yes, i think something like 55% of the recipients have conservative mps , but then somewhere close to 55% then parties are conservative. and what really complicates is that a lot of these areas have labour led councils and concert councils and the concert band piece hard to say piece is quite hard to say whether it's fair or unfair. much point this is much bigger point is this is absolutely change compared absolutely small change compared to what these communities used to what these communities used to get . well, i don't know. i to get. well, i don't know. i think we might be think i think we might be falling i'm not sure. falling for it. i'm not sure. jim, much for jim, thank you very much for that. jim pickard. he's that. that's jim pickard. he's the chief political editor for the times. in the financial times. well, in other , controversial other news today, controversial anti proposals are anti strike proposals are expected receive the ahead expected to receive the ahead from employees by the end of january. the commons leader, penny says that minimum penny says that the minimum service bill is provisionally

scheduled to undergo its remaining stages in the house of commons on the 30th of january. that's just three weeks after it was first tabled. now the bill would require minimum levels of service industrial action from ambulance , firefighters , railway ambulance, firefighters, railway workers and those in other sectors deemed essential . and sectors deemed essential. and thousands of nurses across england are continuing to strike in a dispute over. whilst around 1000 ambulance workers in wales also walked out and been speaking to nurses and supporters on the picket line in york, we have lots and lots of support , but both from every of support, but both from every of the hospital . nurses obviously . the hospital. nurses obviously. but our management teams are catering teams are appalled . catering teams are appalled. teams of cleaning teams. absolutely. everybody behind the phenomenal skill of steven's and i really support the nurses i'd love to come back to work with them and i think we've all seen

in the discussion of agency staff who get paid far too much and most are just there to guide . so i'm helen and i'm here to set the staffing levels we cap on the current levels we're running at. staff are absolutely running at. staff are absolutely running to the ground. people are suffering with mental problems all over the place and really we're not going to attract staff into the nursing profession if we don't improve the pay conditions. it's not an attractive we need to get we need to improve pay and improve staff staffing levels while the background of the latest strike action, health leaders have expressed huge as the nhs faces potentially the biggest day of strike action in its history next month and thousands ambulance workers and nurses are set to strike on the same day in february as the pay dispute between health workers and the government no signs of government shows no signs of reaching resolution. natwest reaching a resolution. natwest is waiting to hear if health workers from unite the union will out on a up. is the will walk out on a up. is the national office of unite on

thank you for joining national office of unite on thank you forjoining me now can thank you for joining me now can you give us a steer on if your members are set to strike again our ? members are set to strike our? members are set to strike again on monday. notice of that was already being given to the employers. we've got members in four regions taking strike action nine points trusts on but there is discussion place at moment about further dates going forward we do not to be doing this . i want forward we do not to be doing this. i want to emphasise we do not want to be taking shortcuts . we do not want to be giving further tax . but at the moment further tax. but at the moment it was known negotiation and no offer from the government. and in light of that that, yes, we will be setting further dates and we will announce those shortly. so what that can shortly. so what is it that can you just give those who are listening and watching ? what is listening and watching? what is it that they want specific clearly? what is it that your members asking for? well, the

strikes , as we've said on strikes, as we've said on a number of occasions, are around two fundamental issues. firstly, it's about pay and that is unked it's about pay and that is linked to a safe nhs because unless you recruit and retain staff , fill the vacancies and staff, fill the vacancies and the within our nhs will not be resolved. so two are absolutely unked resolved. so two are absolutely linked as a trade union. we believe that a measure of inflation is a reasonable measure of the cost of living . measure of the cost of living. at the moment our members have not been offered anything near the fact that members need to be offered a fair pay increase to the vacancy can be filled and something that we all want which is a safe nhs. we can start working towards that . well if working towards that. well if you i mean if inflation is at an all time high isn't it. and it's to halve and so is it realistic to halve and so is it realistic to expect , to get an offer that to expect, to get an offer that is close to i mean,% of the inflation figures, the rpi

levels they've just gone down from their sort of 14.2 and have gone to something like just over 13. i think that's realistic. the reason why realistic is because our members are not able to afford to work in the nhs and, afford to live and to pay and, afford to live and to pay and afford to pay mortgages and afford to pay bills. so if we want a safe and functioning nhs, then it is realistic to pay a fair wage of all levels . i think fair wage of all levels. i think you ask correctly that the right question, you know is it reasonable, is it afford double. but i think the other point to make here is that unless we resolve this crisis and what is going on in the nhs , the moment going on in the nhs, the moment which is lives are being lost, we've seen that all the news over the last few days, that's the cost . so we can talk about the cost. so we can talk about a financial cost, but we should also shouldn't forget about the

other cost in people's health. simply and their lives, but on people would say that you're holding people's well, ask the pubuc holding people's well, ask the public to ransom , know the public to ransom, know the support, but you're sort of holding the public to ransom. and when you're saying it's life. it is lives . but life. yes, it is lives. but i it's just sort of is there not a better way to do it? i mean, how are you feeling the anti strike legislation that the government are looking to pass? is that not are looking to pass? is that not a thing to expect of a fair thing to expect of emergency services ? again, emergency services? again, i think i think you make a good point. it's a good question . point. it's a good question. firstly, there are lives being lost, patients being put at risk. every single day and not just on strike days are taking place every single day. and the for that lies fairly and squarely with the government if there was a better way of doing , we wouldn't be taking strike action if the government were negotiating , we wouldn't be negotiating, we wouldn't be taking strike action if there was an offer and over the last

couple of weeks. again we've had various and press stories about an offer that's going to be made. there is . no offer, no made. there is. no offer, no offer has been made. so if there were negotiations taking place . were negotiations taking place. we wouldn't be doing this. and as far as the legislation is concerned , it's totally and concerned, it's totally and utterly unnecessary. we have negotiated with trusts to the emergency cover. these provided andifs emergency cover. these provided and it's completely an, utterly unnecessary it's the wrong response. it's not going to resolve the cost of living crisis and it's not going to resolve the within the nhs. unfortunate innately it's a diversion and it's an abdication of leadership . the government of leadership. the government well, some would say that it's actually an insurance policy, so they can't be held to ransom and they can't be held to ransom and the public won't suffer. i the fact that if you're not happy with the amount you're being paid to, in my view, i don't think the emergency services should be allowed to strike that way. think but then way. i think that. but then i would to be paid would expect that to be paid properly . i don't where properly. i don't know where

that but in view, if you if that is, but in view, if you if the government to give an the government were to give an offer that you were prepared settle would be ? settle on, what would that be? well can't negotiate on airwaves. we need an offer that needs go to our members . but at needs go to our members. but at the moment we have no offer. and so coming back to your about the ability right to strike and other ways of dealing with it or reiterate if it was an offer of negotiations we wouldn't be having to take strike as far as having to take strike as far as having the public tourism is concerned , we shouldn't forget concerned, we shouldn't forget the people who work in the nhs are actually the are not separate from the public that use the nhs themselves as. separate from the public that use the nhs themselves as . well use the nhs themselves as. well so to force a division it isn't about holding the public to ransom . this is about taking ransom. this is about taking action to save our nhs something that the government is failing to do . well, and i thank you to do. well, and i thank you very much your time and talking to me. that's on a piece of

national officer for the union watch with me. i am not a quitter i'm in for patrick christys or gb news up. king charles has asked for profits from a £1 billion a year crown estate wind farm deal to be used for the wider public good rather than as a funding for the monarchy. more with our reporter campbell walker next. first, let's get some weather alex deakin here with your latest weather update from the met office. another cold one tonight to hard frost, not as much snow spots. there could still be a few wintry showers making things quite icy . first thing on friday quite icy. first thing on friday morning , low pressure is just morning, low pressure is just drifting down from the north—east bringing a cold wind across northern and still bringing some snow showers here, mostly of the hills at low levels , chiefly rain and sleet. levels, chiefly rain and sleet. the showers for the west. but wherever we've had through the day, things may well turn pretty slippery overnight temperatures tumble once . we could also see tumble once. we could also see some fog patches forming , some fog patches forming, particularly circles, parts of

northern ireland, most places just staying and as a result, turning. negative figures , even turning. negative figures, even in urban areas. well below freezing, especially where the snow lying on the ground across parts of scotland they'll still be a few wintry showers coming into the north—east on friday morning. but most places going to have a dry and a sunny friday, some slow moving , friday, some slow moving, stubborn fog patches around , stubborn fog patches around, just the odd chance of a shower across eastern parts of england. a cold picking up across lincolnshire and temperatures though for most are a little bit higher on friday afternoon and with light winds in the winter, sunshine feeling too bad, but temperatures dropping very sharply once more on friday evening. another frosty one and fog thickening up on friday night into saturday across parts of england and wales. more of a change the further north and west some rain coming in initially western scotland, northern and western parts of northern ireland that will just trickle in. other parts of scotland to northern ireland through the day so dull and damp

in the northwest. other in the northwest. many other areas saturday still dry and areas on saturday still dry and sunny. but there will be that fog in places which will keep temperatures freezing . temperatures around freezing. but weather clears up at five or six degrees. still on the cold side for the time of the damp weather in the northwest. and these weather fronts will continue into sunday, but milder here. colder air persists, here. the colder air persists, though, this weekend in the east. we'll be keeping you in the picture, finding out what's happening across the country and finding out why. to you, we'll have the facts fast with our team of reporters and, specialist correspondents, wherever happening. we'll be there in 12 noon on tv , radio there in 12 noon on tv, radio and online . the people's channel and online. the people's channel britain's news .

channel welcome back. it's a 332. i'm rhiannon jones in the gb newsroom. prime minister has defended his levelling plans, insisting the north—west north—east will benefit most . it north—east will benefit most. it follows criticism from saying london and south—east england will receive most of the money. the government has announced more than the government has announced more tha n £2 billion will be more than £2 billion will be invested in over 100 projects across . the uk. rishi sunak's across. the uk. rishi sunak's two thirds of the funding is going the most deprived areas . going the most deprived areas. the north—west is the top region , so the amount of money per person living that who came to north—west, who came second north—east and actually if you look down to the other end of the table you find places like london in the southeast and the difference is huge . so i think difference is huge. so i think the funding that you're getting per person out of this levelling up fund is twice per capita. what london, the southeast is getting. and that should give you guys a confidence that we

talk about delivering, levelling up and spreading across the country really mean it . country that we really mean it. sir keir starmer, meanwhile, is in davos at the world economic ? in davos at the world economic? the labour leader is looking to reassure global finance chiefs that britain will be open for business under a labour government. while the business secretary and international trade secretary are also there. sir criticised the absence of the prime minister and chancellor . the prime minister and chancellor. health leaders are making contingency plans for what could be the biggest walkout in the history of the nhs next month. it was announced yesterday that ambulance workers will join nurses in a combined day of action for the very first time on february sixth. nurses in england from 55 nhs trusts are today staging a second day of strike action , while more of strike action, while more than a thousand unite members in the welsh ambulance service are holding the first of 224 hour walkouts . and some breaking news walkouts. and some breaking news , too. retired metropolitan police officers have been

charged with child sex offences as part of an investigation into as part of an investigation into a serving met chief inspector who was found dead. 63 year old jack addis from and 62 year old jeremy laxton lincolnshire will appear at westminster magistrates court on february the ninth. the met says the charges follow a lengthy and complex investigation into richard watkinson . the 49 year richard watkinson. the 49 year old was found dead in buckinghamshire last thursday on the day he was also due to be charged . and hertfordshire charged. and hertfordshire police says more victims of serial rapist david carrick have come forward and reported further offences since his heanng further offences since his hearing on monday. the further offences since his hearing on monday . the force, hearing on monday. the force, which covers the former officer's home county, set up a dedicated hotline for all the potential victims . carrick was potential victims. carrick was sacked from the met police after admitting to 49 criminal charges, including 24 counts of rape over an 18 year period . tv, rape over an 18 year period. tv, onune

rape over an 18 year period. tv, online and dab+ radio. this is gb news. now it's over to nana akua. thank you, rhiannon. good afternoon. it'sjust thank you, rhiannon. good afternoon. it's just coming up to 36 minutes after 3:00. if you just joined me welcome on board. i'm nana akua i'm in for patrick christys are live on tv online and on digital right here now moving to an announcement from king charles. he's asked for profits , a £1 billion a year profits, a £1 billion a year crown estate wind farm deal to be used for the wider public rather than as a funding piece . rather than as a funding piece. the monarchy now six new offshore wind energy lease agreements announced by the crown estate earlier today generated . a major windfall for generated. a major windfall for the estate which would usually lead to a jump in the monarchy's official funding , though the official funding, though the king who highlighted the cost of living crisis in his christmas

message has made the request at a time when many are facing financial hardship. well catherine walker news royal catherine walker gb news royal reporter , is with now. reporter, is with me now. cameron, how this move gone down is quite generous of him, isn't it. it is quite a generous sum. it. it is quite a generous sum. it would seem so the it would it would seem so the crown is big, ancient crown is this big, ancient portfolio of property lands portfolio of property and lands owned by the reigning sovereign at time but not king at the time but it's not king charles thirds personal charles two thirds personal property what is he's property so what happens is he's surrenders or the profits from the crown estate to the treasury who then in turn give him a percentage those profits back to as a fiscal duty. so staff salaries, upkeep , royal palaces, salaries, upkeep, royal palaces, official travel and so on. so the story today , basically this the story today, basically this big offshore wind deal that's been announced by crown estate that's in has created this big a kind of lump sum of cash this windfall . and in current rules, windfall. and in current rules, it mean that it would increase the amount of money going back to king as the sovereign grant. but the king is basically said , but the king is basically said, i don't want that to happen. he

wants that extra money to go back into the public purse, to effectively help with the cost of living crisis . but he did of living crisis. but he did mention it, as you said, in your link in the king's speech. he was much all the was very much aware of all the struggles affecting many families in great britain, and it just shows , i think, that the it just shows, i think, that the king is very mindful of the cost of living crisis, effects of the crisis at the wind farm, windfall yes. windfall well done. yeah but do these wind farms actually belong to him and are they sort of owned by the crown, the wind farms. so belonging to this to him ? that belonging to this to him? that how it is? yes. so the land in which these offshore wind farms are on the crown estate basically owns the seabed for the profits around the united kingdom, it dates back to the time the norman conquest in 1066. that's how the crown estate . so in terms of does estate is. so in terms of does does king charles own it's the crown owns it, but not him personally. well, just be careful that the government don't get a hold of it. and then the privatise it because the often privatise it because that's if they're careful, that's if they're not careful, that'll well that's

that'll happen. well that's that's a good thing isn't it. but spend 1 billion, how but how he spend 1 billion, how does in a year. does he spend billion in a year. so a £1 billion deal, the actual is not going to be anywhere near that. so we haven't got any details that say to the exact number but it's expected to be in the many millions of pounds. it's also important to note that clearly this is only just been announced. so profits really are not going to be seen in sovereign report at sovereign grant report for at least year so it's not least year or two. so it's not going to be immediate help going to be an immediate help for families is. but i think from the buckingham palace perspective, going to help perspective, it is going to help families future . i think families in the future. i think we'll have to wait and see exactly where government decides to that extra money to spend that extra money because it's not up to the king. it's much up to . rishi it's very much up to. rishi sunak's, prime minister and the chancellor exchequer. so chancellor the exchequer. so we'll wait and see that we'll have to wait and see that one. that's good. one. that's really that's good. if hasn't gone if isn't it just hasn't gone down well. what are the signs is there any response. i it seems to you it seems to be going down pretty well. it's on the front page this page of, the express this morning. a number the morning. it's in a number the papers think a sense a bit of

papers i think a sense a bit of good news . the royal family, of good news. the royal family, of course, it's only a week ago, wasn't it? but we prince harry's book coming and the royal family is very much having this show is members of the royal family very much carrying on with the duties as working members of the royal family the queen consort was in aberdeen yesterday at the university of aberdeen . she's university of aberdeen. she's the chancellor. the opening then you hub. the king was you science hub. the king was meeting muslim at meeting young muslim leaders at dumfries in aberdeenshire, the princess catherine has been at a hosting a reception today for the wheelchair rugby team . the the wheelchair rugby team. the prince of wales has been at a homeless is all this stuff is going on which they are very much focussed on and not getting distracted by what's happening the other side of the atlantic. they haven't said anything. they really about harry's book. i haven't murmur them haven't heard a murmur from them has there any rumblings with regard that . no, there's been regard to that. no, there's been no line from buckingham no official line from buckingham palace palace . of palace or kensington palace. of course, a number of allegations which going to go into

which i'm not going to go into again, too many. but i think they're very they're stressed. she's very much working if you look much working because if you look at the latest opinion polls, the royal family much a lot royal family are very much a lot popular, frankly, than harry or with the british public . the with the british public. the latest yougov poll shows that even amongst 18 to 24 year olds, the age is traditionally more pro. harry and meghan than the working of the royal family. even prince harry scoring is zero with that age group now following the publication of something with the frostbitten bits and all that thing he thought is, you know, don't you know? it's interesting as well because it seems global the monarchy appear to sort of recaptured the global audience again . and people are looking at again. and people are looking at our monarchy and actually looking at how respectful they been all these been was got all these allegations being thrown at them. think following them. yeah, i think following them. yeah, i think following the oprah interview in of the oprah interview in 2021, of course, allegations from course, huge allegations from from and harry do with from meghan and harry do with questioning what archie's skin might be . he was born an unnamed might be. he was born an unnamed member of the royal recollections may vary according

to the late queen state. and that was truly shocking. i think and made a lot of people sit and actually take notice of or at least question what was going behind the scenes of the royal family but almost two years on, i think she's just when he was questioned about it. yeah yeah i know think i think i mean he said he never said that i mean he said it wasn't racism. he said prince harry says it was very actually that very much you actually say that example conscious by example of conscious by unconscious i think unconscious bias, but i think people are really questioning i think now what harry and meghan is say , saying and seeing is say, saying and seeing perhaps the inconsistencies in their arguments . well, even their arguments. well, even emanating who's the black lives matter said that that doesn't support them anymore even after that as well. so it is interesting the way everyone seems to be turning against them. well, karen walker, rza, thank much for talking them. well, karen walker, rza, th.me. much for talking them. well, karen walker, rza, th.me. our much for talking them. well, karen walker, rza, th.me. our japanese| for talking them. well, karen walker, rza, th.me. our japanese royalalking to me. ourjapanese royal reporter , you're watching and reporter, you're watching and listening to me , nana akua. this listening to me, nana akua. this is a good use on tv, online and on digital radio. we are the people's channel and. don't forget, you can also download gb

news app and check out all the programmes on the channel. now coming breaking coming up, more on that breaking news that train operating companies made a best and companies have made a best and final to the biggest rail final offer to the biggest rail workers union. and a bid to break the deadlock over pay jobs and conditions. we'll be back in and conditions. we'll be back in a moment .

it is fast approaching , 45 it is fast approaching, 45 minutes after 3:00. welcome onboard this gb news on tv onune onboard this gb news on tv online and on digital radio. i've done a for more on that breaking news we brought to you, the of the hour train operating have made a best final offer to the biggest rail workers union in. a bid to break the deadlock dispute over paid jobs and conditions . the rail delivery conditions. the rail delivery group says the offer to the rmt

includes minimum pay rise of % includes minimum pay rise of% over two years and guaranteed no redundancies until at least end of december 20, 24. now that's an improvement to the previous offer. and in a statement the dg said the offer made through an outline framework agreement would allow industry to adapt to significant changes in the ways in which passengers the railway whilst offering rewarding and varied careers for staff. if accepted , it would help recover accepted, it would help recover the industry's finances. post—covid reducing the burden on taxpayers at a time of significant pressure on public spending . well, in response, the spending. well, in response, the rmt general secretary mick lynch said that the union's executives will consider the offer and decide its next steps in due course . what more do you think? course. what more do you think? let me know. is not enough $0.09? not bad . $0.09? not bad. vaiews@gbnews.uk or me at gb news should . members of the rmt news should. members of the rmt accept the offer , and in the accept the offer, and in the long running dispute . of course,

long running dispute. of course, it's not only workers who are striking today . nurses walked striking today. nurses walked out on the second day of a 48 hour strike. and to make things worse, the nhs could be facing the worst day of strike action in its history, with ambulance and nursing staff staging joint walkouts over next month . now walkouts over next month. now today, 55 trusts in england and a 24 hour strike by the welsh ambulance service are taking place with picket across the uk. east midlands reporter will hollis join to the nurses picket line in derby yesterday and had this story under the watchful eye. history's most famous health, florence nightingale, the of the present fight , the the of the present fight, the future of their profession . future of their profession. ellie has joined the picket here derby. she works in the community. me personally i can't do the of nursing that i want to do the of nursing that i want to do the of nursing that i want to do the kind of nursing that i trained to do. and the reason i came to the job you're rushing around you work at the end of the day feeling like you haven't done a good job for your patients is the

patients when it's right is the most rewarding job in the world. and why we and that's and that's why we it and that's why here fighting for a why we're here fighting for a better profession for people to want to the job. so there's enough of us to provide really good care. there are picket lines like this one in derby across the country . and it across the country. and it doesn't really matter where you because hear the same because you'll hear the same answers the that answers from the nurses that this about pay and this strike is about pay and working conditions , because it working conditions, because it seems that you can't improve without doing something about the other. sam has worked in the nhs for 13 years. he may be outnumbered , advise female outnumbered, advise female colleagues, but he's facing same financial challenges . financial challenges. everything's going up, you know . we're not having to look more .we're not having to look more and more into our bank carers moving to, you know, the week before payday along. you know, i'm having budget out a lot more in last independent pay review nhs workers were given on average of 4% pay rise and it's home flesh in the royal college of nursing . that's not enough . of nursing. that's not enough. sandie is from the union. she says they won't back down until

the government negotiates on pay- the government negotiates on pay. we want to end it without negotiations and you know, we will continue our mandate until end of may for us to be able to strike and you know , it stands strike and you know, it stands at the moment, you know, we would back out to our members at the end of may to see if they wanted to if nothing's wanted to continue, if nothing's been the nurses been brought the table, nurses have agreed exemptions like covering and dialysis. have agreed exemptions like covering and dialysis . well the covering and dialysis. well the strikes are hurting an already troubled health service newly announced action by colleagues in the ambulance service will fall on the same day in february . nursing strikes the for both the nhs and the government are great health. steve barclay well, i want to work constructively with the trade unions in terms of the pay body process . those are the process. those are the discussions we have. that is a constructive way that i and other are engaging with our respective trade unions. but ultimately need to act in the interests , the patient . frozen

interests, the patient. frozen interests, the patient. frozen in place. it appears that this dispute will last winter, will hollis for gb news in derby . hollis for gb news in derby. what sort of losing track, who is on strike and who is pretty much everyone , right? well, if much everyone, right? well, if you just joining me welcome. new zealand's prime minister, jacinda ardern is to resign with her final day in office being the seventh a february the 42 year old who became the world's younger female leader at the age of 37. back in 2017 led her country , the covid pandemic, and country, the covid pandemic, and was largely praised globally for her strict policies and border closures, which left many of her own divided in new zealand. and speaking earlier she explained her to resign and said her six years in office had taken toll. the only interesting angle that you will find is that after going on six years of some big challenges i am human. politicians are human. we give all that we can as long as we can . and then it's time . and for

can. and then it's time. and for me , it's time. can. and then it's time. and for me , it's time . well, joining me me, it's time. well, joining me now is the operating officer of the conservator of friends of the conservator of friends of the commonwealth, sunil sharma. sunil. the announcement as polling indicates the party was facing difficult path to re—election . i mean, do you re—election. i mean, do you think that she's sort of jumping before? she got pushed. definitely the lowest the party has polled since 2017. and her personally low she's ever polled. think her personal polls around 29% and she's deeply unpopular amongst new zealanders think she's a lot more popular on the world stage generally are a reflection this country's a lot more positive her than her own people . the covid pandemic, own people. the covid pandemic, as much as it was initially praised , it's caused significa praised, it's caused significa problems, whether it's tourism , problems, whether it's tourism, the net migration is a massive problem. there's in new zealand that haven't seen their families in over two, four years now and there's another way more serious issues with child poverty

continuously rising, crime on the rise, social inequality. and you know , at a crazy speed . so you know, at a crazy speed. so i think when we look at jacinda ardern in terms of evaluating her reign as prime minister , her her reign as prime minister, her statesmanlike speeches have always been positive and always been fairly charismatic . but how been fairly charismatic. but how she helps the average new zealander has that that person life improved and the answer is a resounding . so i think she's a resounding. so i think she's in a very difficult position and i think she's decided to jump before being pushed . a lot of before being pushed. a lot of people saying it's her woken don't think that will hold up for and it's her woke for this and it's her woke policies that did it. i mean what are of the examples of what are some of the examples of some that did some the things that she did that put people off. that sort of put people off. well quite like tyrannical that sort of put people off. webe quite like tyrannical that sort of put people off. webe honestjuite like tyrannical that sort of put people off. webe honest like like tyrannical that sort of put people off. webe honest like you tyrannical that sort of put people off. webe honest like you knownical that sort of put people off. webe honest like you know thel to be honest like you know the she's tried enforcing vaccine mandates she's been so strict in terms of the people coming in and out of the country with drink. she's announced last year although she won't be following

through this now about reviewing hate speeches she wants to make it add more terms into it, if you like . so there's not a lot you like. so there's not a lot she's really done effective early in her country for the average new zealand. i think that's where if you really when it comes down to it she's benefited in 2020 when there was election where the national party their main sort of opposition and if you like the conservative equivalent had three different leaders in a few months in the build to months in the build up to elections. if largely elections. if she largely benefited from that . and i think benefited from that. and i think now they've got act a bit more in order. the national i think she's going realise that she will lose significantly. it seems that her failure has sparked a sort of insurgency of more right wing parties because people sort of looking to the other side because the extreme ism her sort of policies. do ism of her sort of policies. do you do you see that a successor will do you think new zealand are likely to re—elect somebody who is from the same party just. and don't you think they're more likely the right likely to head up to the right again i the issue with

again? i think the issue with the national party a lot like a lot of sort you know, left lot of sort of, you know, left centre left groups that they've been really taken over by this far extreme . so you look at far left extreme. so you look at the national party now, new zealand, know, it's not zealand, you know, it's not a very right wing at all. they've got moderate centrist . got a very moderate centrist. christopher luxton . he's christopher luxton. he's a businessman. so he you know, he's been a very strong businessman. but you know, he's not there's this little that you'd really call him conservative. i think within her own party and like we're seeing democrats , america and in other democrats, america and in other countries as . well, where we're countries as. well, where we're seeing the far left , very small seeing the far left, very small minority are extra really minority that are extra really loud. they've just taken over the party and i think she's unfortunately her party has many people like within the and she's obviously actually within their own party been claims of bullying there's been claims lots of different things where you know you've seen real examples of just this is what we believe if you don't then we're going to just come to the fact that she appeared in that thing with meghan markle all the

things although it wasn't hadn't actually done it, they put it in in what about how in something. and what about how the will have in terms of the the it will have in terms of the relationship with us because do we have good relationship with we have a good relationship with her. she meeting with her. wasn't she meeting with richard sunak only recently is sketchy been generally sketchy so she's been generally , fairly negative , i would say fairly negative towards the uk. she's made many negative comments about the uk and the monarchy in general. so i anything this be i think if anything this will be a better thing for us here in the uk of the five eyes agreement which we have with new zealand. one of the sticking points been that they are points has been that they are the most pro—china when comes the most pro—china when it comes the most pro—china when it comes the five eyes agreement , the most pro—china when it comes the five eyes agreement, new zealand is significantly you know, has a significant relationship with china. it's very hard for them to distance themselves and a lot of that imports and exports come from china. but they've been very, very approach very soft on their approach towards think in towards china. so i think in some ways her departing in terms of a uk new zealand standpoint is definitely good news. wallace ellis, thank very much for joining us. so now show him he's the operating officer of a the chief operating officer of a conservative of the

commonwealth. well, lots of you have been getting in touch with thoughts we thoughts on levelling up. we were earlier, thoughts on levelling up. we were says. earlier, thoughts on levelling up. we were says. i earlier, thoughts on levelling up. we were says. i have earlier, thoughts on levelling up. we were says. i have e sayer, thoughts on levelling up. we were says. i have e say. it carroll says. i have to say. it makes really angry that the makes me really angry that the south—west, somerset, devon , south—west, somerset, devon, cornwall is never mentioned in the discussion about levelling up. doubt we aren't getting any, despite having some of the most depnved despite having some of the most deprived areas in the country. and says , please, please, and nick says, please, please, please not give levelling up please do not give levelling up money nicholas sturgeon. money to nicholas sturgeon. please waste it and spin please not to waste it and spin the westminster is not funding. yeah, that's. listen with me. i'm akua for patrick i'm nana akua in for patrick christys on gb news. coming up, more on impact of rishi more on the impact of rishi sunak's up funds as he pledges £2.1 billion across the uk . alex £2.1 billion across the uk. alex deakin here with latest weather update from the met office another cold one tonight. a hard frost not as much snow around spots could still be a few wintry showers making quite icy. first thing on friday morning, low pressure is just drifting down from the north—east bringing a cold wind across northern and still bringing some

snow showers here, mostly of the hills at low levels , chiefly hills at low levels, chiefly rain and sleet. the showers further west. but wherever we've had through the day, things may well turn pretty slippery overnight temperatures tumble once. overnight temperatures tumble once . it could also see some fog once. it could also see some fog patches forming , particularly patches forming, particularly circles. parts of northern ireland, most places just staying and as a result, turning . negative figures , even in . negative figures, even in urban areas. well below freezing, especially where the snow on the ground across parts of scotland. they'll still be a few wintry showers coming in the north—east on friday morning. but most places going to have a dry and a sunny friday, some slow moving , stubborn fog slow moving, stubborn fog patches around , just the odd patches around, just the odd chance of a shower across eastern parts of england. a cold picking up across lincolnshire and. temperatures, though, for most are a little bit higher on friday afternoon and with light winds in the winter, sunshine feeling too bad but temperatures dropping very sharply once more on friday evening. another frosty one and fog thickening up

on friday night into saturday across parts of england and wales . more of a change, though, wales. more of a change, though, further north and west . some further north and west. some rain coming in initially. western scotland, northern and western parts of northern ireland will just trickle ireland that will just trickle in. parts of scotland to in. other parts of scotland to northern ireland through the day so and damp the so dull and damp in the northwest . many other areas on northwest. many other areas on saturday still dry and sunny. but will be that fog in but there will be that fog in places which will keep temperatures freezing . temperatures around freezing. but weather clears up five at or six degrees. still on the cold side for the time of the damp weather in the northwest. and these weather fronts will continue into sunday, milder continue into sunday, but milder here. colder air persists, here. the colder air persists, though, this weekend in the east this year on gb news, we've got brand new members of the family join us across entire united kingdom . we cover the issues kingdom. we cover the issues that matter to you gb news will always honest, balanced and, fair. we want to hear whatever is on your mind and we don't talk down to you. the establishment had their chance.

now we're here to you. britain's watching . come join us on tv watching. come join us on tv news . the people's channel. news. the people's channel. britain's news .

channel good afternoon. it is 4:00. this is good . we're live on tv and on is good. we're live on tv and on digital radio . i'm nana akua. digital radio. i'm nana akua. i'm in for patrick christie's now coming up, rishi sunak has insisted that the levelling up project is not just the prime minister has announced project is not just the prime minister has announce d £2 minister has announced £2 billion worth of funding for 100 projects across the uk . but projects across the uk. but labour has called the funding failure. criticising rishi sunak's for giving failure. criticising rishi sunak's for givin g £19 billion sunak's for giving £19 billion to rejuvenating high streets in

his own constituency will get across the country and is levelling up more than just a slogan. also this hour, controversy . anti strike controversy. anti strike proposals are expected to the go ahead from employees by the end of january. now the bill will see a minimum level introduced on strike. and the news comes as nurses are out on strike today for a second day of a 48 hour strike. and i want to know if you back the strike action and whether you believe the government should be stepping in and trading standards . is and trading standards. is warning illegal warning shops selling illegal vapes and the sale of vaping to children are the top threats on the uk high streets. we'll speak to the vaping industry association 5:00 as ever. get in touch. you can email gb views at gb news .uk or tweet at gb news. but first, let's get your latest news . now. thank you and good news. now. thank you and good afternoon to you. the top story from the gb newsroom prime

minister has defended his levelling up plans, insisting the north—west and the north—east will benefit the most. that's after labour criticised the saying london and the south of england will be getting most of the money. the government's announced more than billion pounds will be invested in over 100 projects right across the uk . they include the across the uk. they include the eden project north, which is situated in morecambe as well as cardiff crossrail. rishi sunak has insisted that two thirds of the funding is in fact going to the funding is in fact going to the most deprived areas of the uk. the north—west is the region, so the amount of money per person living there who came top north—west, who came second north—east and actually if you look down to the other end of the table find places like london in, the southeast, and the difference is huge . so the difference is huge. so i think the funding that you're getting per person out of this levelling fund is twice . per levelling fund is twice. per capita, what london the southeast is getting and that

should give you guys a confidence that when we talk about delivering levelling up and spreading opportunity across about delivering levelling up and country ng opportunity across about delivering levelling up and country that)portunity across about delivering levelling up and country that)p0|really across about delivering levelling up and country that)p0|really mean. the country that we really mean it . sir keir starmer meanwhile , it. sir keir starmer meanwhile, is at the davos world economic forum. the labour leaders looking to reassure global finance chiefs that britain will be open for business under a labour government. he also pledged there'd be no new oil and gas investment in the uk if his party came to power. the business secretary grant shapps and the international trade secretary kemi badenoch were also there at davos. but sir keir criticised the prime minister chancellor for not being there . our prime minister being there. our prime minister should have showed up here his absolute lead do and of the things that's been impressed on me since i've been here is the absence of the united kingdom. but that's why it's really important that here and the shadow chancellor rachel reeves is here as a statement of intent that should there be a change of government, i hope that will be the united kingdom will play its

part on the global stage in a way i think it probably has done in recent years . now health in recent years. now health leaders are making contingency plans for what could be the biggest strike action in the history of the nhs next month . history of the nhs next month. it was announced yesterday that workers will join nurses in a combined day of action , for the combined day of action, for the first time ever on february the sixth. we as well nurses in england from 55 nhs trusts are today staging a second day of strike action while more than a thousand unite members in the welsh ambulance service are holding first of 224 hour walkouts. they little bit of breaking news that we're getting here at gb news two retired metropolitan police officers have been charged with child offenders offences rather as part of an investigation into . a part of an investigation into. a serving met chief inspector who was found dead . 63 year old jack was found dead. 63 year old jack addis from and 62 year old

jeremy laxton lincolnshire will appear at magistrates court in westminster on february the ninth. metropolitan police says the charges follow a lengthy and complex investigation into richard watkinson . the 49 year richard watkinson. the 49 year old was found dead in buckinghamshire last thursday on the day he was also due to be charged . and hertfordshire charged. and hertfordshire police say it's received more from potential victims. about the serial rapist, david, following his hearing on monday. the force which covers the former officers home set up a dedicated hotline for people to come forward with complaint . come forward with complaint. carrick was sacked from the met police after admitting to nine criminal charges , including 24 criminal charges, including 24 counts of rape. crown court on monday monday. now a british actor has reported missing after going hiking in the mountains north of los angeles , julian north of los angeles, julian sands disappeared in the san gabriel mountains last friday

dunng gabriel mountains last friday during bad weather. ground rescue teams have abandoned their search weekend because of avalanche risks. they say police also adding they will resume those searches as soon as conditions improve. the 65 year old is perhaps best known for his roles in the films. a room, a view and leaving las vegas , as a view and leaving las vegas, as well as television appearances on tv and smallville smallville . now the father of an aristocrat missing with her newborn baby and partner has spoken of the family's pain and his daughter to contact police . his daughter to contact police. mark gordon, a convicted offender and constance martin and a newborn baby have now been missing for 12 days. they were last to a taxi in essex which was heading for london. police concerned that miss martin and the baby haven't had the right medical attention since the birth . king charles has birth. king charles has requested profits from a £1 billion a year windfarm deal

should be used for the wider good. rather than go to the royal family the king has asked for the profits from new offshore wind farms being developed on crown estate land to be redirected . those to be redirected. those struggling the most . that comes struggling the most. that comes after his majesty highlighted , after his majesty highlighted, the anxiety and hardship of the cost of living crisis. in his christmas and some additional breaking news for you this hour . we can tell you that officials in new mexico in united states say the actor alec baldwin has been charged with manslaughter over the fatal shooting of a cinematographer last year. will bnng cinematographer last year. will bring you more details on that when we get it . well, we can when we get it. well, we can tell you that helena hutchins was killed and. directorjoel souza injured on the set of the film rust when prop gun, the baldwin was using during a rehearsal, fired a live bullet. baldwin has told us that he was told the gun was safe to use and

he has added that he didn't pull the trigger. he sued crew members for negligence. but just to reiterate that breaking news within the last few minutes officials in new mexico saying has now been charged with involuntary manslaughter over that fatal shooting of helena hutchins on the set of rust. more details as , we get it. more details as, we get it. those are the latest news headlines. now back to nana akua it has just gone 8 minutes after 4:00. this is gb news where? live on tv online and on digital. provided you get as well. you can stream us live on youtube at nana akua. now, richard sunak says that northern england's disproportionately benefited from the latest england's disproportionately benefited from the lates t £2.1 benefited from the latest £2.1 billion round up of levelling up funding. now for news analysis

labour showing that london will receive more funds than facebook in the north—east from the funds for the prince, the prime minister said that the government is completely committed to levelling up across the united kingdom. let's take a quick at snapshot of quick look at the snapshot of the regional. so quick look at the snapshot of the regional . so yorkshire the regional. so in yorkshire and humber they will receive ove r £120 million at the west over £120 million at the west midlands, will receive slightly more at 155 million. and then wales, 208 million will go towards the new rail line in cardiff engineering campus in eva vale , and a new cycle route eva vale, and a new cycle route in scotland. eva vale, and a new cycle route in scotland . £177 million will in scotland. £177 million will see the restoration of kilmarnock's pallister and the regeneration schemes . peterhead regeneration schemes. peterhead and stirling and northern ireland or receive and stirling and northern ireland or receiv e £71 million. ireland or receive £71 million. well, earlier today, speaking in morecambe, rishi sunak claimed levelling up is more just a slogan , not just talk. it's slogan, not just talk. it's about action , but what does it about action, but what does it mean? what does levelling up mean? what does levelling up mean? because you hear it a lot. now for me, something very . it's

now for me, something very. it's about spreading opportunity and creating jobs in every single part of our country. but it's also about making sure that people, wherever they live in our amazing country can feel huge pride, enormous pride in the places that they call home. well, joining us now is gb news political catherine force catherine . prime minister has catherine. prime minister has been sort of doing a whistle stop tour today across the country. has he been received well in the audience of presumably carefully selected people that were there in morecambe? moderately as you would expect, given that 50 million is going to be spent on an eden project for the north. so obviously morecambe, one of the winners of this £2.1 billion that the government is spending 111 areas. he's quite comfortable in that sort of environment less so when he's being asked to a speech directly. so i think we can to see lots more of him getting out

and about, but a controlled way . obviously there's been some criticism of the allocation of these funds saying that a lot of it's going to london and the south—east the government have really pushed back on that, saying money per saying in terms of money per head , the population most of the head, the population most of the biggest winners are the north—east, the north—west and in fact, wales , the government, in fact, wales, the government, the levelling up slogan that bofis the levelling up slogan that boris johnson got his 80 seat majority, partly the back of we've heard lot about it and the government really are now less than two years from a general election to show that they all something about this. so obviously lots of areas will be very happy . but of course, local very happy. but of course, local funds work slashed massively dunng funds work slashed massively during austerity so those areas have had a very rough time. and of course , everybody is happy . of course, everybody is happy. we were hearing paul talking about , cardiff getting money. about, cardiff getting money. well about swansea and lisa said

it was like a hunger games pitting areas against each other. but the government today have ministers in all four countries. they call it a starburst in whitehall speak. they've got cabinet ministers all over the place and they're hoping to get this positive message out . we care about you , message out. we care about you, you are in the country and, we're spending money and. we're not talking about the strikes for a brief moment. good distraction tactic. what about its carbon footprint ? how is he its carbon footprint? how is he doing this levelling up? well, there's been some criticism about his travel because we believe he's taken an raf plane. he's been to accrington, then he's been to morecambe , then he's been to morecambe, then he's been to morecambe, then he's hartlepool . now, of he's been to hartlepool. now, of course, the government say he needs to get around country quickly. this is good of resources. i mean, the last hour or so, he's got into a bit of trouble. he's put out instagram video in the car, travelling somewhere , not wearing a safety somewhere, not wearing a safety out there. so i think might be a

£500 fine. we'll have to wait and what is he doing? so he said yes, it was an error of judgement really in the actually didn't ask. he's admitting to not wearing a seatbelt when , he not wearing a seatbelt when, he get fine and if he does who get a fine and if he does who will prosecuted in some get a fine and if he does who will then prosecuted in some get a fine and if he does who will then he �*osecuted in some get a fine and if he does who will then he won'tted in some get a fine and if he does who will then he won'tted able me get a fine and if he does who will then he won'tted able toe get a fine and if he does who will then he won'tted able to be way then he won't be able to be prime or something. prime minister or something. watch space, honestly. watch this space, honestly. thank catherine thank you very much, catherine really good to talk to you. there's foster. she's really good to talk to you. the news foster. she's really good to talk to you. the news as foster. she's really good to talk to you. the news as political er. she's gb news as political correspondent. well, me correspondent. well, joining me now is now to discuss this further is kevin bentley . he's the leader kevin bentley. he's the leader of county council and of essex county council and chairman local government chairman of the local government people and board. kevin, thank you for me now. were you pleased that government's levelling up announcement morning. does it benefit you ? is there any benefit you? is there any benefit you? is there any benefit ? essex and three of the benefit? essex and three of the seats working with our district . we didn't get all the bits . . we didn't get all the bits. that's part of the process, i suppose. that's part of the process, i suppose . and the one thing suppose. and the one thing i would say of course at, the moment we've got a cost of living inflation issues. we must remember as a nation we're paying remember as a nation we're paying back huge debts from covid where businesses and people were supported . that debt

people were supported. that debt has got to pay back. so to get £2 billion out of central government . a tonne of this i government. a tonne of this i think has to be a there'll be some places that win, some places that lose . what i would places that lose. what i would say, if you believe in say, though, if you believe in levelling up, this government does was does believe in levelling up was done than other done more than many other governments past. governments in the past. however, shouldn't be through governments in the past. h bid ver, shouldn't be through governments in the past. h bid process. ouldn't be through governments in the past. h bid process. it ldn't be through governments in the past. h bid process. it should; through governments in the past. h bid process. it should be rough a bid process. it should be through evidence based. so some of these councils that benefited as they are now to and how they intend to spend the money or they specifically they been specifically allocated for tax in most cases, for separate tax in most cases, set projects in all case, i'm sure this case around the country, they are set projects. there's some real benefit coming here, some real initiatives will help people, those down in the future to come, future generations to come, revamp in high streets, look at other projects you're going to develop next not ten, 20 develop for the next not ten, 20 years, but next 100 years. years, but next 50 to 100 years. it's fantastic some of this. so it to be this is real money it has to be this is real money coming out to our local authorities. i this authorities. i know this criticism that, just criticism that, but i just reemphasize at a time when we have to pay back huge debts for

covid because we borrowed lots of money to keep this country and economy we just and the economy going. we just have that in mind. have to bear that in mind. there's thing free. there's no such thing is free. keep money. have to keep printing money. we have to that do that and that back. but to do that and also to have these money come i think should be welcome by people. you get people. how soon will you get access to these funds? it access to these funds? is it immediate access ? you have immediate access? you have to wait bit short . so as far as wait a bit short. so as far as we know, it'll be coming fairly shortly and that's why we said have got plans working with all district colleagues to district council colleagues to make this these plans make sure that this these plans are underway. make sure, of course, people, course, talking to the people, i always maintain a no council, no government has money. it has the people's money. we people's money. it's how we invest this is their invest that. so this is their money and we money we're taking and now we need invest that . wonderful. need to invest that. wonderful. well, of sounds . all good well, sort of sounds. all good news. bentley, thank news. kevin bentley, thank you very much. he's the leader of essex council, chairman essex county council, chairman of the local governments association and people and places. you very for places. thank you very for joining in news today, joining me. well, in news today, a controversial anti strike proposals are expected to receive the go ahead from employees by end of january. the commons penny mordaunt says that the minimum levels bill is provisionally scheduled to

undergo its remaining stages in the house of commons on the 30th of january. that's just three weeks after it was first tabled. now the bill would require a minimum levels of service. that's industrial action that's during industrial action from ambulance staff, firefighters, railway workers and those in other sectors that are deemed essential and thousands nurses across england are continuing to strike in a dispute over pay . while around dispute over pay. while around about 5000 ambulance workers in wales have also walked out. now we've been speaking to nurses and their supporters. we've been speaking to nurses and their supporters . the picket and their supporters. the picket line in york . we've had lots and line in york. we've had lots and lots of support, but both from every area of the hospital , every area of the hospital, nurses but our manager teams are catering team teams, our poultry teams are cleaning teams. absolutely happy to put this behind us for a nominal deal with stephen's and i really support the nurses. i'd love to come back to work with them and i believe we've all seen in the

discussion agency staff who get paid too much and most of them are just there to sky. so i'm helen and i'm here to set the staffing levels cannot run on the current levels we're running out staff are absolutely running to the ground. people are suffering mental health problems all over the place . and really all over the place. and really we're not going to attract staff into the nursing profession if we don't improve the pay conditions. it's not an attractive we need to get. we need to improve, pay and improve staff staffing levels . so staff staffing levels. so joining me now is anna riley, who's outside york . so on joining me now is anna riley, who's outside york. so on a joining me now is anna riley, who's outside york . so on a walk who's outside york. so on a walk , can you tell me? you can see there's obviously some going on behind what's what's happening there . i'm on behind what's what's happening there. i'm on it. yes there's been over 100 rcn members have turned out today at york hospital . so they've told me hospital. so they've told me that the strike just about pay, of course they want a pay rise and they want to match with the rising costs of living and the

money that they're getting. they're but they're saying it's also about patient safety as well. they're saying that the staffing numbers are high enough in hospitals like this that patients in danger patients are in danger a consequence. and i'm now joined by jack mckenna . he is a patient by jack mckenna. he is a patient and he's turned out on the picket line here today to support the nurses. jack was it that brought you out today ? so that brought you out today? so basically what it was, it's not for just the new year. i had forjust the new year. i had a very fatal knee injury. i was i treatment northolt in the free range which is part of trust and you , i came here today and you know, i came here today and it's basically show of support for nurses because they looked after me for those two weeks. that's all conditions that they working it just felt like working in. so it just felt like the right to come the morally right thing to come out this picket to out on this picket line to assure i very assure them that i am very grateful they did to me grateful for what they did to me when going my knee when i was going through my knee injury. it like in injury. and what was it like in the hospitals in a&e? well i'll be honest with is in a poor be honest with you, is in a poor and die estates . i mean, i was and die estates. i mean, i was i saw originally got sucked into hiring at a hospital i injury i was with eight it's nine i was

to be seen to and then obviously i and know it was i went and you know it was robbins i mean these nurses were to put with a lot of the to put up with a lot of the backlog of patients that just weren't so because weren't getting seen. so because haven't funding haven't got the funding necessary staff the necessary and the staff the amount mean amount of staff and i mean as well the which was the well in the friar which was the same thing you know you've had at there's two nurses at least there's only two nurses on ward and you know, they on my ward and you know, they were least an all were doing about at least an all shift know, spend shift and, you know, spend time with i do with the family. so yeah, i do feel some of the conditions feel for some of the conditions they have to work and they have to work at and obviously you appreciate what they it like they did but. what was it like for know that for you? you know for that treatment used in pain. treatment used to been in pain. yes know it was it was was yes you know it was it was was it all about three major it was all about three major ligaments my knee. and i was on the in that they the stretcher in that they waited 8 to 9 hours and i was in pain. mean, you know, i wasn't pain. i mean, you know, i wasn't getting this originally what happens but because of my ability shortages we able ability shortages we were able to rotate five was so it was to rotate five i was so it was i just basically got me on a stretcher and stopped me into the in the boot of a jeep and just go the hospital just go to the hospital because there's ambulances there's a shortage of ambulances as well. do you think as well. and what do you think the negative comments have

the negative comments that have made around the strikes and the nurses should book it better ? nurses should book it better? well, unfortunately for me , i'm well, unfortunately for me, i'm a constituent of one of those people that have been going around saying comments. simon clarke is an mp and my wife and really, really awful is why should why should people hard working nurses that are here today why should it be taken lectures about and from the same man who under the disastrous government was part of a government was part of a government that crushed economy? thank you. thank you for your comments there, jack. so that's the patient here , the services the patient here, the services standing in solidarity with the nurses who were striking about, not just pay, but the conditions . hospitals like this one. well, thank you. and that's an irony. she's a gb news yorkshire and the humber reporter. well, with with me now is medical student and agency nurse as he's at s.a.c. as i thank you very much for joining me. now you work for the nhs but in an agency capacity . so do you think that capacity. so do you think that this the future for the nhs, do

you think? you know, they really do to pay risks? obviously as an agency nurse you get paid quite well. yeah i mean i feel like the future is already here because i that as it is right now one in nine nurses are leaving the nhs according to the current data and where are they going. they're going into the private sector going or doing agency work is much more profitable . and so many nurses profitable. and so many nurses are leaving the nhs for agency . are leaving the nhs for agency. so you do you work for the nhs? but through agency? so you're presumably on strike? no, i'm not, but i'm solidarity with my colleagues who are. but this must mean that right though. are you working there now? so throughout strike when they're striking your work . throughout strike when they're striking your work. i was watching it. yeah and because this is the argument that the agency work is so much better, so it doesn't even make sense for people to even work for the nhs. february the first and the sixth. that is the real sixth. and that is the real concern the public. we

concern for the public. we likely a walkout within likely see a mass walkout within the nhs . and what would say the nhs. and what would you say to those patients would suffer because of it ? i to those patients would suffer because of it? i think to those patients would suffer because of it ? i think the because of it? i think the strike is quite coordinated , is strike is quite coordinated, is on, is nicely organised, that the in the nhs they fought safety theft concerns. i've been looked into . i think patients looked into. i think patients are not patients , safety is not are not patients, safety is not being affected by the strike and i think it just kind of kind of goes into like what most patients are most negative comments that we're getting about the strike is that nurses do not have the best interests of patients at heart. i actually think it's the other side the other way around because most of the nurses , the strike is for the nurses, the strike is for the nurses, the strike is for the benefits of the patients because we have safe staffing . because we have safe staffing. we have, you know when the nhs is working in good conditions, then the patient care is going to improve and patients are going to have a much positive experience in nhs. now do you

think? obviously they're asking initially. it was 19% obviously. i think they're bringing down their expectations because think it's only more realistic if they are met with a decent pay would you be prepared to stop being an agency nurse and actually work for the nhs yourself that absolutely i would absolutely love to do that that's where my heart is would rather be an nhs staff because there are positives and negatives to being agency. i think apart from a call, there's actually quite a lot more positive , you know , lot more positive, you know, result from working in the nhs in terms of like training, exposure is much more enjoyable for me work in the nhs than to be on agency staff. i would be part of a team as working as full time agency staff. i feel quite lost. sometimes i'm on my own. i'm not part of the team . own. i'm not part of the team. training wise, i pretty much have to myself . i wouldn't, i have to myself. i wouldn't, i would. it would be better for me to walk in and it's just my hope

that in the future things could get better for me to be able to make a decision to go back into the nhs. well of course there's the nhs. well of course there's the were the pension as well. so if were prepared offer a realistic prepared to offer a realistic level pay, they would level of pay, they would potentially on all potentially have to take on all these agency work and people would more attracted work would be more attracted work within . yeah, well do within the nhs. yeah, well do you think . yeah. so what, what you think. yeah. so what, what they're asking. i don't know where they are with that. what would you want in terms of percentage then. what would you like . see what would bring like. see it. what would bring you back to nhs. how much . i you back to the nhs. how much. i mean as it is now the rcn asking for 19% pay rise. and i think stop is you know is something because obviously like the cost of living is rising need something so if we can get a 19% or somewhere close it's better than nothing . so i feel like if than nothing. so i feel like if we can get some sort of pay rise might be worth me considering back into the nhs i mean we did

get 4% from like last year, but that isn't significant enough if put it into perspective when you consider the current inflation. yeah 90% probably a bit unrealistic and inflation is coming down so somewhere somewhere in the middle maybe ten or 11 or something like that something like that, which is really interesting to get your thoughts on that is it? thank you very much for joining me thoughts on that is it? thank you very much forjoining me as is thank you very is as an ac. thank you very much. she's medical student is as an ac. thank you very mucianrhe's medical student is as an ac. thank you very mucian agencynedical student is as an ac. thank you very mucian agency nurse.. student is as an ac. thank you very mucian agency nurse. well,ent and, an agency nurse. well, you're with i'm nana akua. this is coming up, we'll bring is a gp. coming up, we'll bring you baldwin will you latest is alec baldwin will be charged with the involuntary manslaughter order over the death of cinematographer helena hutchins. that's the set of hutchins. that's on the set of the film we'll be back in the film rust. we'll be back in a moment .

it's just coming up to 28

minutes after 4:00. if you're just us, welcome on board. this is gb news by live on tv and in digital radio. i'm nana akua. now officials in new mexico say that actor alec will be charged in voluntary manslaughter over the fatal shooting of a cinematographer last year. the fatal shooting of a cinematographer last year . and cinematographer last year. and hailey hutchins was killed . hailey hutchins was killed. director joel souza injured on the set of the film rust when a prop gun baldwin was using dunng prop gun baldwin was using during a rehearsal fired a light bullet . and baldwin has said bullet. and baldwin has said that he was told that the gun was safe to use but he didn't pull the trigger. he sued crew members their negligence . members for their negligence. well, joining now from los well, joining me now from los angeles is paul duddridge. he's the of the people podcast. the host of the people podcast. well, can you give us the well, paul can you give us the latest that that ? yeah. i latest on that that? yeah. i mean, the reports are just coming in. these announcements are just being made. the da. in santa fe has announced that charges will now be brought . charges will now be brought. there are two charge is of involuntary manslaughter. they're being brought not just

against baldwin, but against the prop armour. hannah gutierrez is read. they will both charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter in the shooting death of . lena hutchins on set death of. lena hutchins on set of rust and this has been after a year long investigation that they have found that there is evidence now there was actually settlement. alec had made a settlement. alec had made a settlement with the family last october, if you remember. so this actually is coming as a bit of a surprise. but they've been quite there's been quite a strongly worded statement from . strongly worded statement from. from the district attorney this saying, if any one of these three people, alec baldwin, hannah gutierrez, reid or , david hannah gutierrez, reid or, david holes have done their job. lena holes have done theirjob. lena hutchins would be alive . it's hutchins would be alive. it's that simple. that's a statement coming from the special prosecutor , a special prosecutor, a special investigator out of santa fe . investigator out of santa fe. well, have we heard anything from alec's lawyers ? nothing from alec's lawyers? nothing yet? no word from eloise. i

mean, this is very, very recent. i mean, this has just happened in the hour or so that announcement is being made. but we will be expecting a statement . alec baldwin's attorneys, if it being made even as we speak , it being made even as we speak, nothing, nothing on wire yet. well, we'll follow that story as it as it evolves. pulled out. thank you very much for joining us. that's pulled out. he's the host of the politics podcast while stay with me. this is a good news as it went live on tv , online and on digital nana akua. now a number of scandals have hit the monarchy hard over the past few months, we've had the past few months, we've had the release of harry's memoirs, revelations , meghan revelations about, meghan markle, the controversy markle, and the controversy around it . markle, and the controversy around it. ngozi fulani remember that one? but what's the most damage to monarchy? are damage to the monarchy? are discuss next. but first, discuss that next. but first, let's your latest news let's get your latest news headunes. let's get your latest news headlines . the headlines hour. headlines. the headlines hour. the prime minister has defended

his levelling up plans, insisting the north—west and the north—east of the uk will benefit the most . that follows benefit the most. that follows criticism from labour london and the south—east would receive most of the money the governments announced more than £2 billion will be invested over 100 projects across the uk and rishi sunak has insisted thirds of the funding is going to the most deprived areas the north—west is the top region , so north—west is the top region, so the amount of money per person that who came to north, who came second north—east and actually if you look to the other end of the table , find places like the table, find places like london in, the southeast. and the difference is . so i think the difference is. so i think the difference is. so i think the funding that all getting per person out of this levelling up fundis person out of this levelling up fund is twice per capita . what fund is twice per capita. what london, the southeast is getting. and that should give you guys a confidence that when we talk about delivering levelling up spreading levelling up and spreading opportunity country opportunity across the country we it . well, sir we really mean it. well, sir keir starmer, meanwhile is in davos at the world economic

forum. the labour leader is looking to reassure all global finance chiefs that britain be open for business under. finance chiefs that britain be open for business under . a open for business under. a labour government. well the business secretary and the international trade secretary are also there . sir keir are also there. sir keir criticised the absence of the prime minister and his chancellor now as you've been hearing, breaking news within the last hour, the actor alec baldwin then will be charged with voluntary manslaughter over the fatal on the set of the film rust. cinematographer halina hutchins was killed during rehearsals in the us state of new mexico, where a prop gun that baldwin was using fire a live round . the directorjoel live round. the directorjoel souza was injured in that shooting and baldwin has said he was told the gun was safe to use had sued crew members for negligence that coming just within the last few minutes . within the last few minutes. also today , two retired also today, two retired metropolitan police officers have been charged with child sex

offences as part of an investigation into a serving met chief who was found dead. that's 63 year old jack addis from and 62 year old jeremy laxton from lincoln who are going to be appearing at westminster magistrates court on february the ninth. the met says the charges follow a lengthy and complex investigation into richard what the 49 year old who was found dead in last thursday on the day he was due to be charged . and hertfordshire charged. and hertfordshire police says more victims of the rapist david carrick have come forward and reported further offences since his hearing on monday. the force which covers the former officer's home county set up a dedicated hotline for other potential victims . carrick other potential victims. carrick was sacked from the met police , was sacked from the met police, admitting to 49 criminal charges , including 24 counts of rape over 18 years. those are the

headunes over 18 years. those are the headlines on tv online and on dab plus radio with gb news. and we're back in just bit.

good afternoon. this is gb news where live on tv online and on digital radio. i'm nana akua. it's coming up to 37 minutes after 4:00. now many will see that today's news that the king is donating excess profits from crown estate land to . the public crown estate land to. the public has good news as royal scandals. i mean we've had the release of prince harry's memoir. i mean, the constant revelations about meghan markle's life in the royal family, as well as the duchess of lady susan hussey . duchess of lady susan hussey. it's all caused a lot of headunes it's all caused a lot of headlines the last few months. but who has damaged the monarchy the most . well, with me now is the most. well, with me now is jennie bond commentator jenny,

thank you very for joining me. so, jenny, there's been a lot going on. mean where do we start as we start with the first week with . so we start with prince with. so we start with prince harry because he's the most recent to bring out that fair business. what kind of effect do you think his book has had on on the monarchy ? yeah, it's the monarchy? yeah, it's obviously dented the image of the monarchy . it's blown open. the monarchy. it's blown open. harry's version of what goes on on the palace intrigue , the on the palace intrigue, the fighting with , william. it's fighting with, william. it's been pretty . and i think we have been pretty. and i think we have to conclude that in a year that should have been one of great joy should have been one of great joy of the platinum and celebration it was followed obviously by the queen's death, but shot that year where were the scandals involving prince andrew and, then harry and meghan? it's quite hard to judge, which has done most, but certainly it has dented the reputation of the royal family

well. meghan markle because she's gone quite, quite astonishing . we haven't heard astonishing. we haven't heard much from her at this. she, she's been literally everywhere you look. everyone wants search her, google her. do you think that she she's been the catalyst , the major damage to the royal family well, i don't know. i wouldn't like to lay it all on meghan. no, i think we know now that harry's unhappy in his destiny, in his role for a very long time . and i take the view long time. and i take the view that meghan simply catalyst that meghan was simply catalyst that meghan was simply catalyst that said, look, guy , if that sort of said, look, guy, if you're this life , you you're unhappy in this life, you don't have stay with it . it don't have to stay with it. it isn't a destiny that is inescapable. and she gave him the means and the courage perhaps to speak up and get out. so, no, i don't think she's entirely to blame. clearly, neither of them is very popular with the uk public at the moment . if we're to believe the opinion polls and if we believe the polls, then their popularity has plummeted to united states. there's doubt that the book and the documentary series have been like a sword of damocles hanging

over the royal family. they're all wondering, you know, what was going to happen next. trust has been put out the window now and we are witnessing a family that i witnessed, i'm afraid, in the 90 years a highly dysfunctional family as far as harry and meghan, certainly concerned. and that's we saw in the nineties and it does the reputation of . you said it isn't reputation of. you said it isn't called a royal family but nothing the royal family was to be really a model family in george the sixties time he used to about we for george was it's queen elizabeth queen mother as we knew her and the two young princesses this is what a little fam should look like. and it's all happiness skipping through the fields . well, it was never the fields. well, it was never really like that and it certainly wasn't like that in the nineties with charles diana. and it's not been like that in recent years . harry and meghan recent years. harry and meghan and prince andrew . and then and prince andrew. and then there it goes in forlani you there was it goes in forlani you remember that one for lady susan that sort of damaged the royal

family initially because everyone thought perhaps there's institutional structural racism within royal family. i mean, i didn't buy into it at. but then of course, harry revealed that she's really nice warning that what he's saying there isn't any racism which was interesting that he never mentioned it at the time and accepted award for standing to structural racism within the royal family. very hypocritical of harry and meghan to accept that award very hypocritical of them to not speak up when the was hung out to dry for alleged racism after oprah winfrey interview and they didn't correct what they say now an error and the fault of the press . it was the press, the press. it was the press, the evil press who said the family was racist . it's not quite how was racist. it's not quite how we heard the words coming out of them. so a lot of damage done it i think that's been probably the most damaging allegations that of . well, in a way, it's of racism. well, in a way, it's good that harvey released that book because then he wouldn't have on the spot to have been put on the spot to then to that. oh, then have to reveal that. oh, actually, really mean

actually, we didn't really mean that when we actually you all. and was american press and it was american press actually that ran away with the to and then the global to be fair. and then the global media got hold of it and of course this press course it was this press defending actually the royal family as as i recall it and about andrew. now, he's about prince andrew. now, he's not been he's had a bit of a dent on the royal family as well. oh yeah. massive and the polls suggest he's the most unpopular of the royal family. and it's not surprising. i mean, these lurid, sordid , which of these lurid, sordid, which of course, we must say , absolutely course, we must say, absolutely denied throughout but of sexual abuse. denied throughout but of sexual abuse . well, deep troubling for abuse. well, deep troubling for the family at large. the only thing one can say, i suppose is that andrew has kept a very low profile throughout the last not very willingly , i don't think, very willingly, i don't think, but he has. whereas harry and meghan just keep popping up with more and more interviews and etcetera, which has this drip, drip feed of damage . drip feed of damage. interesting. i think perhaps what's happened is sort of

reversing the damage in a way because people are beginning to see through them and actually probably getting a bit a bit more sympathetic towards . the more sympathetic towards. the royal family actually, i think that's happening . let's that's what's happening. let's hope because looking hope it is, because i'm looking forward bond. forward to the jennie bond. thank ifs forward to the jennie bond. thank it's great thank you very much. it's great to you. she's a royal to talk to you. she's a royal commentator author bond. commentator, authorjennie bond. right royals right sticking with the royals and of wales is and the princess of wales is expected to launch a national campaign later this month. focussed on her long passion for early yes development. now her royal highness believes that the first five years of a child's life have a big impact on the future , i believe. i actually future, i believe. i actually think she's right about that. and yesterday, kate visited foxgloves nursery in luton and our royal reporter cameron has more . the same view of the more. the same view of the heart. how can one small playdate have such a big impact on a child's the princess of wales believes it's those crucial early that children learn how to interact with others. these are vital skills that are going to take them into the next few decades. they don't

say into the valley to . they say into the valley to. they don't lose . their royal highness don't lose. their royal highness visited fox cubs nursery in luton yesterday , continuing luton yesterday, continuing a decade long passion supporting very young children . the very young children. the princess experience how this places a huge importance on learning through play, but also the same time supporting parents to give the children here the best start in life. but it's not fun and games nearly and a half thousand early years providers have closed their doors in the last 12 months, according to the early years . the organisation's early years. the organisation's boss blames a lack of funding being through a pandemic where many children , frankly, you many children, frankly, you know, were starved of play, was starved of sharing, etc. so it's not so you know sort of surprising that we have development issues to deprive children effectively of a good education because . this is what education because. this is what the early years is about. it's not just cares about educating children. we wouldn't accept that for a five year old. we would not accept for a ten year old. somehow we accept it for

the three and to four year old. so parents struggling it's so parents struggling and it's not parents staff don't not just the parents staff don't have dig far to conclude some have to dig far to conclude some children have out by stuck children have out by being stuck at home something. fox cubs acting manager keen to share with the princess things that came up in the conversation were about impact of covid and about the impact of covid and lockdown on children and all people that she spoke to pretty much said the same thing, you know, it's such an emotional side of things and the communication development, the delay that is had on the princess wales launched the royal foundation for early childhood in 2021, and last year visitors to see first hand how they support youngest members of society . her royal highness is society. her royal highness is expected to launch a national campaign focussed on early years development later this month . development later this month. cameron walker gb news luton luton moving on trading standards has warned stop selling counterfeit vapes and vaping products to children they

are the biggest threats on our high streets. hundreds of thousands vapes which do not adhere to the uk laws have been seized and there are concerns that the brightly coloured sweet flavoured products are ending up in the hands of children as young as 12 and 13 corner shops mobile phone shops and gift shops are among the chains selling these and the government said that it was considering what more could be done. well, i'm joined now by the director general of the vaping industry association , john dunn. john, association, john dunn. john, thank much for joining thank you very much for joining me. john, how can how can you spot an illegal vape ? well, spot an illegal vape? well, first of all, there's some very simple things that consumers can do . generally speaking, a device do. generally speaking, a device that contains only two millilitres of liquid in the uk will generally have about 600 puffs of that equivalent . so puffs of that equivalent. so that's the first telltale sign. telltale site excuse. the telltale sign . but secondly , you telltale sign. but secondly, you know, buying for a rapid or retailer is probably another of

advice i would give. and you know, your local vape store is a great asset in that. but, you know, today's report doesn't surprise us. we've been dealing directly with trading standards. the major border force for over a year now. in fact, i've been out some raids with our local trading standards here in westminster. and what we find is that there's really a lack massive enforcement against these products. and some of the things that we've called for in the uk is increasing the fines from the current. if you're unlucky enough to get fined about unlucky enough to get fined abou t £250 up to £10,000, for about £250 up to £10,000, for instance . and we've also called instance. and we've also called for licencing of premises that are these products a part of the licencing really needs to include a robust age verification process . is any verification process. is any regulation of what is in the vape apart from obviously the things that you can't put in things that you can't put in things that you can't put in things that are already illegal

to in there? are they regulated at all because ? it sounds to me at all because? it sounds to me like you can pretty much put anything in there. well the uk vaping products are highly and the by the mhra . so the regulated by the mhra. so the regulated by the mhra. so the products have to go through a process of testing and information has to be given to mhra before they're approved. the issue here is that what we call these illegal products are designated for other markets of the uk in the eu and they they probably haven't through that same scrutiny process and that's where concern lies . okay. so i where concern lies. okay. so i just want to ask you then , what just want to ask you then, what are the harms if you also get these illegal vapes all the i mean, what are the sort of the illegal products inside them or what are the worries that you have with these particular types of vapes? i think i think the biggest thing is we just don't know what's in them now. we've done testing of products that we've picked at random that

readily available in other markets . instance, like the us markets. instance, like the us and didn't find anything peculiar about the liquids, etc. were in them. but what we do find is that perhaps the nicotine level is much higher. that's legally here and the maximum strength you could have in the uk is 20 milligrams or it's commonly as 2% on the devices. now some of the devices that we find with trading contain 50 milligrams of nicotine or 5, and that's another sign that consumers could use to tell if a product legal or not, if it's over % it's legal or not, if it's over% it's definitely legal . illegal. definitely legal. illegal. sorry. so how can we stop youngsters from, you know, because it's what they're saying with regard to vaping is that a lot of young people who would never smoke start vaping and they start vaping. and it's not harmless . i they start vaping. and it's not harmless. i mean, there is harm in vaping is just safer apparently than smoking . so what apparently than smoking. so what can we do to sort of what can they do more to stop youngsters from getting their hands on

these things ? well, taking on these things? well, taking on board some of the suggestions that we've made regards to that we've made with regards to the fining the licencing we want those revenues given to trading . because when i talk to trading offices around the country, the first thing they tell me is that we're under—resourced, don't have revenue to send have enough revenue to send officers out. so this we feel that this is a great way that the government can generate revenue that can be given to trading standards . but i think trading standards. but i think you by having the increased fines , the licencing i think fines, the licencing i think that really up the laws that we currently have and it is illegal in this country no ifs ands or buts for anybody under the age of 18 to vape. but it's also illegal for anybody to a vaping device and give it to anybody under the age of 18. well, let's hope that this does enforcing that a bit more rigorously . john that a bit more rigorously. john donne, thank you very much. he's the director general for the vaping industry association . but vaping industry association. but within the last chain, operating

companies have made a and final offer to the biggest rail workers union in a bid to break the deadlock dispute over pay jobs and conditions. the rail delivery group says the offer to rail maritime transport say rmt union anti—union included a minimum pay rise of 9% over two years and. guaranteed no compulsory redundancies , at compulsory redundancies, at least the end of december 20, 24, which is an improvement to previous offer. now the rmt says that its national executive now consider details in offer and what next steps to take. we'll bnng what next steps to take. we'll bring you the latest with the independent travel correspondent simon calder in the next hour. but it's not only rail workers striking today . nurses have striking today. nurses have walked out on the second day of their 48 hour strike. now, to make things worse, the nhs could be facing the worst day of strike in history strike action in its history with ambulance and nursing staff staging joint walkouts next month . and today, 55 trusts in month. and today, 55 trusts in england and a 24 hour strike by the welsh ambulance are taking place with picket lines across the uk. our east midlands

reporter will joined the nurses picket line in derby yesterday and had this story under the watchful eye of history's most famous worker, florence nightingale . the nurses of the nightingale. the nurses of the present for the future of their profession . ellie has joined the profession. ellie has joined the picket here in derby. she works in the community. me personally, i can't do the kind of nursing that i want to do the kind of nursing i trained to do. and the reason i came to the job. you're rushing around, you finish work the end of the day, feeling like you good job for you haven't done a good job for your patients. when it's right, it's the most rewarding in the world. that's we do it. world. and that's why we do it. and we're and that's why we're here fighting a better profession fighting for a better profession , for people to want to do the job. so there's enough of us to provide really care. there are picket lines like this one in derby across the country and it doesn't really matter where you go you'll hear same go because you'll hear the same answers from the nurses that this about and working, this is about pay and working, because it seems that you can't improve one without doing

something about the other. sam has worked in the nhs for 13 years. he may be outnumbered by his female colleagues, but he's facing the same financial challenges . everything's facing the same financial challenges. everything's going up, you know . we're not having up, you know. we're not having to look more and more into our bank carers moving to, you know, the week before payday comes along. you know, i'm having to put it out a lot more in the last independent pay review , nhs last independent pay review, nhs workers were given on average of 4% pay rise and it's high inflation . the royal college of inflation. the royal college of nursing says , that's not enough. nursing says, that's not enough. sandi from the union. she says they won't back down until the government negotiates on pay. we don't want to end it without negotiations and you know, we will continue on monday is until end of may for us to able to strike. and you know , it stands strike. and you know, it stands at the moment. you know we would go about our members at go back out about our members at the end of may to see if they wanted to continue striking if nothing has been brought the table. nurses agreed exemptions like covering chemotherapy and diana while the strikes are hurting an already troubled

health service , newly announced health service, newly announced action by nhs colleagues in the ambulance service will fall on the same day february as nursing strikes . the challenges for both strikes. the challenges for both the nhs and the government are great. health secretary steve barclay well, i want to work constructively with the trade unions in terms of the pay review, body process . those are review, body process. those are the discussions we have. that is a construct the way that i and other are engaging with our respective trade unions. but ultimately we need to act in the interests , the patient . frozen interests, the patient. frozen interests, the patient. frozen in place. it appears that this will not last winter will hollis for gb news in derby . and of for gb news in derby. and of course we've been reacting to the breaking news this hour that the breaking news this hour that the actor alec will be charged with involuntary manslaughter over the fatal shooting of a cinematographer last year. helena hutchins was killed and director joe souza injured on the set of the film rust when a prop gun building using during a rehearsal for the liverpool it.

baldwin has said that he was told that the gun was safe to use and that he didn't pull the trigger. crew members for trigger. he crew members for negligence while within the last few moments the actor's lawyer has released statement saying that the decision to prosecute alec baldwin over the death of cinematographer hailey hutchins represents a terrible miscarriage of justice. we'll have on this in the next hour. well, lots of you have been getting in touch with your viewers on the nurses strike, parker says, as they say nurses cannot afford to live and pay bills in nhs. but that is exactly what they've been doing and are doing now . interesting. and are doing now. interesting. well, they have to do it now . i well, they have to do it now. i mean, but they obviously as the inflation, jones says trusts should not employ agency nurses or doctors cream off large profits. agency nurses earn than ordinary nurses. trusts should have their own banks of nurses and they should be able to pay more. spend more on services. also, get rid waiting . that good also, get rid waiting. that good of highly paid bureaucrats for instance diversity managers. i'm

with you're with me. i'm with. well, you're with me. i'm done. with. well, you're with me. i'm done . quick. gb news. done. quick. this is gb news. lots come in hour, lots to come in next hour, including latest on picket including the latest on picket line nurse strike. all that line as a nurse strike. all that is coming up. you can get in touch in the usual way. gb views at gb news .uk. or tweet me at gb news. get touch now with gb news. get in touch now with your and thoughts before your views and thoughts before that. get some alex deakin that. let's get some alex deakin here with the latest weather update from the met office. another cold one tonight, a hard frost , not as much snow another cold one tonight, a hard frost, not as much snow around spots . there could still be spots. there could still be a few wintry showers making , few wintry showers making, things icy. first thing on things quite icy. first thing on friday morning, low things quite icy. first thing on friday morning , low pressure things quite icy. first thing on friday morning, low pressure is just down from the just drifting down from the north—east, bringing a cold wind across northern scotland and still bringing some snow showers here, mostly the hills at low levels, chiefly rain and sleet, the showers fading west. but wherever we've had showers through the day, things may well turn pretty slippery overnight as temperatures tumble once more . could also see some fog patches forming , particularly so patches forming, particularly so across parts of northern ireland. most places just staying clear as a result, turning cold. negative figures

evenin turning cold. negative figures even in urban areas well below freezing . especially where the freezing. especially where the snow lying on the ground . parts snow lying on the ground. parts of scotland they'll still be a few wintry showers coming in to the northeast on friday morning but most places going to have a dry and a sunny friday, some slow moving stuff in fog patches around just the odd chance of a shower across the eastern of england. a cold wind picking up lincolnshire and norfolk . lincolnshire and norfolk. temperatures, though, for most a little bit higher on friday afternoon . and with light winds afternoon. and with light winds in the sunshine not feeling too bad , but temperatures dropping bad, but temperatures dropping very sharply . more on friday very sharply. more on friday evening , another frosty one and evening, another frosty one and fog thickening up on friday night into saturday across parts of england and wales. more a change though further north and west, some rain coming in initially to western scotland , initially to western scotland, northern and western parts of northern ireland that will just trickle into other parts of scotland and northern ireland through the day. so dull and damp many damp in the northwest. many other areas on saturday still dry and sunny, but there will be

that fog in places which will keep temperatures freezing. but whether clears up at five whether full clears up at five or six degrees. so still on the cold side , the time of year, the cold side, the time of year, the weather in the northwest and these weather fronts will continue into sunday, but milder here . colder air persists, here. colder air persists, though, weekend in the east though, this weekend in the east this year on gb news. we've got brand new members of the family join across the entire united kingdom. we cover the issues that matter to you. gb news always stay honest , balanced and always stay honest, balanced and fair. we want to hear whatever is on your mind. fair. we want to hear whatever is on your mind . we don't talk is on your mind. we don't talk down to you. the establishment had their chance . now we're here had their chance. now we're here to represent you . britain's to represent you. britain's watching. come join us . tv news. watching. come join us. tv news. the people's channel. britain's news channel. iran gb news live. we'll be keeping you the picture, finding out what's happening across the country and finding out why it matters you. we'll have the facts fast with our team of reporters and specialist correspondents. wherever it's happening ,

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it's 5:00. welcome on board. this is gb news on tv and on digital radio. i'm nana akua. i mean, for patrick christie's coming up, rishi has insisted the levelling up project is not just talk . the prime minister just talk. the prime minister has announced just talk. the prime minister has announce d £2 billion worth has announced £2 billion worth of funding for 100 projects across the uk, but labour has called the funding a failure. criticising rishi sunak for givin g £19 million to giving £19 million to rejuvenating a high street in his own constituency will get across the country and ask is it

levelling up now ? more just a levelling up now? more just a slogan . also this hour, a slogan. also this hour, a controversial anti strike are expected to receive the ahead from mps by the of this month. now bill would see minimum service levels on strike days in the knees comes as nurses are out on strike for the second day of their 48 hour strike. and i to know if you backed the strike and whether you believe the government should be stepping in. and we'll bring you the latest on actor alec baldwin will be charged with involuntary manslaughter over the death. a hale hutchins that was on the set of the film, rusk. all of that on the way. get in touch over email gb views. had gbnews.uk. or tweet me at gb news. but first, let's get your latest news headlines headlines . nana.thank latest news headlines headlines . nana. thank you. the top story , gb news. the prime minister has defended his levelling up plans . the north—west the

plans. the north—west the north—east will be the areas which benefit most . that comes which benefit most. that comes after labour criticised plan, saying london and the south east will be getting most of the money. the government's announced more tha n £2 billion announced more than £2 billion will be invested in over 100 projects right across uk. they include the eden project, north is in morecambe as well . is in morecambe as well. cardiff, crossrail rishi sunak has insisted that two thirds of the funding is going to the most depnved the funding is going to the most deprived areas of the uk , the deprived areas of the uk, the north—west is the top region, so the amount of money per person living there . who came top living there. who came top north—west who came second? north. east and actually, if you look down to the other end of the table, find places like london in the southeast. and the difference is huge . so i think difference is huge. so i think the funding that you're all per person out of this levelling up fundis person out of this levelling up fund is twice per capita. what london southeast is getting. and that should give you guys a confidence that when talk about delivering, levelling up and spreading opportunity across the

country, we mean . country, that we really mean. meanwhile, sir keir starmer is at davos at the world economic . at davos at the world economic. the labour leader is looking reassure global finance chiefs that britain will be open for business under a labour government. he also pledged there'd be no new oil and gas investment in the uk if his party came to power. the business secretary grant shapps and the international trade secretary kemi badenoch are also there at davos. but sir keir criticised the prime minister and chancellor for being putting . our prime minister should have showed up here. i absolutely do . and one of the things that's been , you know , impressed on me been, you know, impressed on me since i've been here is , the since i've been here is, the absence of the united kingdom , absence of the united kingdom, that's why it's really important that's why it's really important that i'm here. and the shadow chancellor rachel reeves is here as a statement of intent. that should be a change of government. i hope there will. the kingdom will play its the united kingdom will play its part on the global stage. in a way, i think it probably hasn't

in recent years . well in in recent years. well in breaking news coming to us within the last , the actor alec within the last, the actor alec baldwin and will be charged with involuntary over the fatal shooting on the set of the film rust . cinematographer shooting on the set of the film rust. cinematographer halina hutchins was killed during rehearsals in the us state of mexico when a prop gun that baldwin was using fired a live round . mr. baldwin has said he round. mr. baldwin has said he was told the gun was safe to use and in fact he sued crew members . his lawyer has called the ruling a terrible miscarriage of justice. meanwhile, a british has been reported missing after going hiking in the mountains north of los angeles. julian sandsin north of los angeles. julian sands in the san gabriel mountains friday during bad weather , ground rescue teams weather, ground rescue teams abandoned their search at the weekend because of avalanche risks. police say will resume soon as improve. the 65 year old is perhaps best known for roles in films. a room with a view and leaving las vegas as well as

making tv appearances on 24 and smallville . here, the father of smallville. here, the father of an aristocrat missing with her newborn baby and partner has spoken of the family's pain and urged her to contact police. mark gordon, a convicted sex offender and constance martin and, their baby, have been missing for 12 days now. they were last traced to a taxi in essex , which was heading for essex, which was heading for london. police are concerned ms. martin and the baby haven't received medical attention since . two retired metropolitan police officers have been charged with child sex offences as part an investigation into a serving met chief inspector who was dead. 63 year old jack addis from perthshire and 62 year old jeremy laxton from lincolnshire. well, both appear at magistrate's court in february. the met police says the charges follow a lengthy and complex investigation into richard watkinson, who was found dead in

buckinghamshire last thursday on the day he was due to be charged . the king has requested profits from a £1 billion a year windfarm deal being used for the wider public goods rather than the royal family . wider public goods rather than the royal family. king charles has asked for the profits from six new offshore wind farms is being developed on crown estate land to be redirected those struggling the most comes after his majesty highlighted the anxiety and hardship of the cost of living crisis. in his christmas message you're up to date on gb news. more news as it happens. date on gb news. more news as it happens . now date on gb news. more news as it happens. now back to nana akua . happens. now back to nana akua. thank you, polly . afternoon. thank you, polly. afternoon. it's coming up to 7 minutes after 5:00. this is gb news where? live on tv online and on digital radio. we are the

people's channel. i'm not aware now. rishi sunak has decided to splash the cash on selecting of the uk as part of his levelling up agenda and today he announced which regions would be receiving funding and how much? but he's been for prioritising seats in a bid to shore up tory support and the foreign minister denies these claims , of course, stating these claims, of course, stating that northern england actually disproportionately benefited from the latest disproportionately benefited from the latest £2.1 billion round up on levelling up funding. well, let's take a quick look . a snapshot of the quick look. a snapshot of the actual regional. quick look. a snapshot of the actual regional . so in yorkshire actual regional. so in yorkshire and the humber, they'll receive ove r £120 million. then the west over £120 million. then the west midlands, they'll receive slightly more, but over 155 million. in wales , hundred and million. in wales, hundred and 8 million. in wales, hundred and 8 million will go towards the new rail line in. cardiff, an engineering campus in vale and a new cycle . and in scotland engineering campus in vale and a new cycle. and in scotlan d £177 new cycle. and in scotland £177 million will see the restoration of kilmarnock's palace theatre and regeneration schemes , and regeneration schemes, peterhead stirling and

peterhead and stirling and a fundin peterhead and stirling and a fund in northern ireland. they'll receiv e £71 million. they'll receive £71 million. well, earlier today, speaking in morecambe , rishi sunak claimed morecambe, rishi sunak claimed that levelling is more than just a slogan , not just talk. it's a slogan, not just talk. it's about action. but what does it mean? what does levelling up mean? what does levelling up mean because you hear it a lot? now for me, something very simple. it's about spreading opportunity and creating jobs in every single part of our country . but it's also about making sure that people, wherever they live in our amazing country, can feel huge pride, enormous in the places that they home. well, the ficher places that they home. well, the richer south of england region has received more than the north—east. but rishi sunak's defended its decisions. so joining me now is nick oliver. he's a conservative councillor sitting on northumberland county council . you very much for council. you very much for joining me, councillor nick. so how do you feel about i mean, have you funding and if so, how much is it? is it enough that what you're expecting . yeah, what you're expecting. yeah, we've done we haven't received

all the funding we would have hoped. of course we would have loved more, but we've, we've received loved more, but we've, we've receive d £180 million in the received £180 million in the north—east our own. we've north—east in our own. we've received 50 million. and some of thatis received 50 million. and some of that is being spent 9 million of that is being spent 9 million of that that's being spent in my part of county . so very, part of the county. so i'm very, very . i understand that very happy. i understand that not everybody's got what they wanted are bound to wanted and people are bound to be disgruntled so an be a bit disgruntled but so an iterative process and it's good for the areas that are receiving stuff . what is the argument? a stuff. what is the argument? a lot of people saying that actually this is just levelling up, as in bringing it back to zero because what actually happened was a lot of that money was taken away councils. was taken away from councils. he's simply allocating what he's just simply allocating what should been there in in any should have been there in in any case. mean, that's that's what case. i mean, that's that's what the would say. what's the cynics would say. but what's your your thoughts on that? well northumberland council your your thoughts on that? well noriameerland council your your thoughts on that? well noriameerlaof council your your thoughts on that? well noriameerlaofjust council your your thoughts on that? well noriameerlaof just overouncil your your thoughts on that? well noriameerlaof just over 800 l has a budget of just over 800 million, that's than it million, and that's more than it was, know, ten years ago. so was, you know, ten years ago. so i think there's a lot of kind of spin when people talk about the cuts in council funding because when one pot falls , another pot

when one pot falls, another pot rises or other sources , income rises or other sources, income open up. so you know, i'm not saying that no councils have suffered any cuts, but in northumberland actually got more money than we had ten years money than than we had ten years ago. and we're managing so of course, we'd like more and we're always prices and inflation helped but i don't think that's true at all. many of these projects are capital projects. so it's helping us to make changes that will that will sort of create better income streams and improve the lives of our residents . and what what sense residents. and what what sense do you get from the people within your constituency ? within your constituency? because obviously, the conservatives power is a big cost of living crisis. are you feeling a bit more warmth towards the conservative or do you feel that there's a swing now and people are looking for other parties vote for. well, the first year hasn't been great, but i think it's definitely better than it was a couple of months ago. so you know, the things are more settled. people can see that

there's a clear sort of direction of travel and prime minister has brought a bit of sort of common to the affairs. and so , you know , think and so, you know, think definitely improving . we've definitely improving. we've still got a long way to go. we can't anything for granted and we've just got to keep delivering basically got to delivering basically got to deliver real projects, real improvements to people's lives on the ground . very briefly, how on the ground. very briefly, how soon we get your hands on this this funding? well we're waiting to hear. i'm hoping very soon, because this is a project we've working on for three years. it's raring to go. i'm hoping that be able to start work this summer and you know in our case it's sort of cycling infrastructure and, tourism, investment . we'd and, tourism, investment. we'd like that to be in place for the season next year. like that to be in place for the season next year . well, listen, season next year. well, listen, councillor, thank you very much joining me. that is councillor nick oliver. he's a conservative councillor for corbridge ward , councillor for corbridge ward, northumberland county council. right see what some of you think of this allocation of funding to

different areas of the uk. joining me now in bristol is great british, ali harris. leigh good to see you. leigh what do you think this big thing, this bit of money would we should do next? flying a flying around the country on his whistle stop talking about levelling up. your thoughts on all of this ? i'm not thoughts on all of this? i'm not really to defend the government, but i will say that, you know, there's always going to be arguments over how the money is spent and quite a bit of selective comparisons being made with figures . that being with the figures. that being said, i also, ashley also wants to say that i think it's quite condescending to say that the nonh condescending to say that the north is where all the poor people live. there are wealthy areas the and there areas in, the north and there areas in, the north and there are deprived in the south. areas in, the north and there areit's)rived in the south. areas in, the north and there areit's noted in the south. areas in, the north and there areit's not quite in the south. areas in, the north and there areit's not quite as n the south. areas in, the north and there areit's not quite as clear south. areas in, the north and there areit's not quite as clear cut th. so it's not quite as clear cut as. is targeting as. what matters is targeting areas need it most. the government have to be careful with optics. they need to make sure they don't overlook depnved sure they don't overlook deprived areas and end up funnelling money. things like outdoor food markets in wealthy tory constituencies , which looks tory constituencies, which looks like the opposite levelling up

person . i would like to see the person. i would like to see the majorities money spent on infrastructure in deprived areas like roads, rail, town, centre regeneration that encourage businesses to start up rather than pouring money into like the eden project and castles kent. but you . the biggest problem but you. the biggest problem people have right now is the cost of living crisis and the government can really level up the country by lowering and having a laser focus on growing the economy. they need to make the economy. they need to make the uk the most attractive place in the world to do business. that's more money for the treasury jobs and higher living standards . so would you say that standards. so would you say that the money that they're giving to councils is actually slightly misdirected and they should actually directed towards making sure that business can survive because i mean , rates and all because i mean, rates and all these things are looking at taxing businesses really high. i mean, it's a 70 year high in terms of tax . even if do level terms of tax. even if do level it up and make it look nice and

get things going , people still get things going, people still have money to buy things or spendin have money to buy things or spend in these these areas . spend in these these areas. exactly. it'd be nice, wouldn't it, if they could tweak the strategy to include especially right now because of the cost of living . you an impending living. you an impending recession which i think so far touch would be just about escaped. but you know if we can adjust our strategy to be a little bit more business focussed , you know, if we can focussed, you know, if we can drive more business to deprived areas of the country , that's areas of the country, that's better for that local area is going to create more jobs. better for that local area is going to create more jobs . so going to create more jobs. so yeah, i've got to admit, some of the projects, like i said, they've got to be careful about they've got to be careful about the optics. some the projects the optics. some of the projects that quite, you that seen have been quite, you know like i've mentioned, the know, like i've mentioned, the castle kent. do understand castle in kent. i do understand the projects a lovely the eden projects a lovely place, like i said, i'd that place, but like i said, i'd that money on improving money being spent on improving the road network where it's not at the moment or maybe broadband or things that that's or things like that that's really business focussed focus that will help the economy. you interesting. thank you very much. lately harris is on great britain's voice is in bristol.

good to talk to thank you good to talk to you. thank you so it's coming up to so much. well, it's coming up to a quarter past five. and we move on we taken to on to nurse. we have taken to the lines a second the picket lines a second consecutive in dispute . consecutive day in the dispute. pay adjoining ambulance workers in wales and going ahead with industry in action during industry in action and during their walkout today nhs nurses have hit at conservative mp simon clark after he made comments saying that healthcare workers needed to how to budget if they are relying on foodbanks . now currently there doesn't seem to be a resolution on the cards after . the seem to be a resolution on the cards after. the health secretary refused to compromise . well, that 10% pay rise and i suppose if you speak that you're not unlikely to get people compromise more strikes compromise as well. more strikes are scheduled the beginning are scheduled for the beginning of . joining now of february. so joining me now is former icu nurse, rebecca is the former icu nurse, rebecca butler. rebecca, thank you so much . me. rebecca, if you were much. me. rebecca, if you were still a nurse, would you be standing on the picket line with your colleagues ? categorically your colleagues? categorically not. no why ? because i think not. no why? because i think it's wrong. i think it's a scare . a profession. it's a vocation

in the cape from not having the high wages is that you have an excellent conditions you're trained you have your continuing training paid for you have generous holidays and you have an excellent pension . the end of an excellent pension. the end of it, that is the deal that public sector workers sign up to and. it's something that private sector workers don't benefit from. so there is a balance to be had. is a caring profession. they not be on strike. what are your views on simon clark's comments? because he's basically saying should have enough money. doesn't make any sense if they're going to foodbanks . you they're going to foodbanks. you know i think this is just frankly nana . you know another frankly nana. you know another thing is that the media is making a big deal about nurses on strike today . only 10,000 on strike today. only 10,000 nurses are on strike. it's a big number, but there are three quarters of a million nurses on the register. so it's 1.2% of

the register. so it's1.2% of nurses are on strike, but 5.8% of them are off sick as well . so of them are off sick as well. so there's a bigger problem with nurses being off sick than actually nurses being on strike. and i think the nhs as an employer could actually get its head around that in terms of foodbanks. i do not believe for a minute that nurses are going to food banks. i just don't believe it. i'm sorry. it's hyperbole. and nobody believes it. well. well don't know. i mean, listening to some of the things that i've heard, some of are going to foodbanks. i did hear on one show that a nurse is on 30 something thousand pounds. she was saying that she have mortgages 100, she was saying that she have mortgages 100 , £1,200, although mortgages 100, £1,200, although she was married . so her partner she was married. so her partner also. i don't know. it it feels unfair to look straight at the actual salary because you've got to look at what that what the outgoings are as well. but you feel that perhaps nurses do deserve more money and in deserve a bit more money and in particular the nhs appears to be able to agency staff.

able to afford agency staff. quite a lot more than their own employees . well, quite often the employees. well, quite often the agency staff are the full time staff in the first place. they're not magik nurses coming from somewhere else. they're agency nurses doing extra shifts on their own ward. so it's not an extra group of nurses are getting the money. yes. there is a problem with agency work, but that again is workforce management problem. it doesn't justify a strike by by any means . and it's on £30,000. you can't afford your mortgage. maybe you got too much a mortgage when you appued got too much a mortgage when you applied for one. and that is a whole different argument about people being addicted to low interest . now you're in trouble interest. now you're in trouble if you're at the end of, you know, on your fixed rate and, you're going on to a standard variable. yeah, you may be in trouble, but i' m £30,000 a year trouble, but i'm £30,000 a year and you're married you're going to a food bank and there to be a lot more people in food banks because a lot of people don't turn on 30,000, which well above

the average wage in this country. so that's why i don't believe the food bank statistics. now i just don't believe them. rebecca, it's very good to talk to you. thank you so much forjoining me. that is rebecca bartlett. she's a former icu nurse. you're with me. i'm not aware . this is a gb news. not aware. this is a gb news. coming up , the department coming up, the department for transport calling on the rmt transport is calling on the rmt to accept latest offer to to accept the latest offer to its members and bring the dispute to the end. now, just a matter of hours ago, news about delivery rmt had delivery sent that the rmt had been offered a minimum pay rise of 9% over two years and guaranteed no compulsory redundancies until at least the end of december 20, 20. for travel correspondent . simon travel correspondent. simon calder will join me next. first, let's take a look at what alex here with your latest weather update from the met office. another cold one tonight a hard not as much snow around , but not as much snow around, but there could still be a few wintry showers making things quite icy . first thing on friday quite icy. first thing on friday morning low pressure is just

drifts down from the north—east bringing a cold wind , northern bringing a cold wind, northern scotland and still bringing some snow showers here, mostly over the hills at low levels, chiefly rain and sleet. the showers fading further west. but wherever we've had showers through the day, things may well turn pretty slippery overnight as tumble once more could also see some fog patches forming , see some fog patches forming, particularly so across parts of northern ireland. most places just staying clear as a result, turning cold. negative figures evenin turning cold. negative figures even in urban areas well below freezing . especially where the freezing. especially where the snow lying on the ground across parts of scotland they'll still be a few wintry showers in to the north—east on friday morning . most places are going to have a dry and a sunny friday, some slow moving stuff in fog patches around just the chance of a shower across eastern of england. a cold wind picking up across lincolnshire and norfolk temperatures though for most a little bit higher on friday afternoon . and with light winds afternoon. and with light winds in the sunshine not feeling too bad , but temperatures dropping

bad, but temperatures dropping very sharply . more on friday very sharply. more on friday evening , another frosty one and evening, another frosty one and fog thickening on friday night into saturday across parts of england and wales. more a change there further north and west, some rain coming in initially to western scottish , northern and western scottish, northern and western scottish, northern and western parts of northern ireland. that will just trickle into other parts of scotland and northern ireland through the day. so a dull and damp the day. so a dull and damp in the northwest, many other areas on saturday and, sunny saturday still dry and, sunny but there will be that fog in places keep places which will keep temperatures freezing. but weather for clare's up at five or six degrees. so still on the cold side for the time of year. the damp weather in the northwest and these weather fronts will continue into sunday, milder here. the sunday, but milder here. the colder persists, though, sunday, but milder here. the coldweekend sists, though, sunday, but milder here. the coldweekend ints, though, sunday, but milder here. the coldweekend in the hough, sunday, but milder here. the coldweekend in the easth, sunday, but milder here. the coldweekend in the east this this weekend in the east this year on, we've got brand new members . the year on, we've got brand new members. the family join us across the entire united kingdom cover the issues that matter to you. gb news always stay honest , balanced and fair. we want to

hear whatever is on your mind and we talk down to you . and we talk down to you. establishment had their chance . establishment had their chance. now we're here to represent you britain's watching. come join on tv news. the people's britain's news .

channel good afternoon is fast approaching 25 minutes after 5:00. welcome on fourth this is gb news i'm nana akua we're live on tv online and on digital as well. you can stream us live on youtube now . trained operating youtube now. trained operating companies have made a best and final offer to . the biggest real final offer to. the biggest real workers union in a bid to break the deadlock. dispute over pay conditions . the rail delivery conditions. the rail delivery group says that the to the rmt includes a minimum pay rise of

9. that is over two years. the guaranteed no compulsory redundancies at least the end of december 2024. now that's an improvement to the previous offer and rmt general secretary marc lynch will now consider what has been put to him and within the last few moments, the transport secretary, mark harper , told gb news that he thinks offer balances the needs of all parties involved. but we'll look is a fair offer. and i've always been clear all the way through this process isn't a bottomless pit of taxpayers money. we think it's a fair offer. it's pit of taxpayers money. we think it's a fair offer . it's got it's a fair offer. it's got reform as part of the deal, which is how you help fund the deal which is how you help fund the deal. the deal going to be fair for the people that work on the railway it's got to be fair for the passenger but it's also got to fair for the taxpayer. we to be fair for the taxpayer. we think we've landed. think that's what we've landed. we constructive we think we've had constructive there been constructive there have been constructive between unions and the between the trade unions and the employers and. we hope very much they can consider this offer and they can consider this offer and they can consider this offer and they can put it to their members and members to make a and allow members to make a decision transport decision erm to transport secretary harper. they're

speaking to gb news in chess. i think it's very generous . i think it's very generous. i think it's very generous. i think they, a lot of them were furloughed . we paid for that. furloughed. we paid for that. let's find more, though, let's find out more, though, with is simon calder. with me now is simon calder. he's correspondent he's the travel correspondent for simon, for the independent. simon, thank much joining me . thank very much for joining me. simon like there's simon so it feels like there's potentially a resolution afoot. mick lynch hasn't got back to us, but what is your view on this latest offer offer ? none at this latest offer offer? none at well thank goodness i can actually speak to you about a subject and i have talked to talked about dozens of times over the past months since the strikes began and actually have a bit of a on my face. yes so and the reason i'm optimistic that one of the three key dispute that is going on so this one is the train operators represented by the rail delivery group who in turn get a briefing signed off by mark harper. group who in turn get a briefing signed off by mark harper . you signed off by mark harper. you are speaking to i think they are getting very close to a deal with the rmt union but still the

rmt dispute with network rail which i think is also probably quite close to a resolution . but quite close to a resolution. but on top of that, we've got the train operators. they are still very much i'm sorry, the train operation very much in dispute with the train drivers. and we've got strikes up the first in february and the 3rd of february, which will wreck an awful lot of trains. right britain , but actually where we britain, but actually where we looking at in terms of this , looking at in terms of this, which will be huge advance for an awful lot of people, i think i'm i'm 70% confident, but there's lots that has to happen. first, this has been of almost grudgingly accepted by the leadership of the rand now goes after the national committee and they're to go through it line by line. so you and i probably won't even be talking this until maybe next week . and then on top maybe next week. and then on top of that , we will then need to

of that, we will then need to see it's going to be put out to the members who then vote. and i think actually , given that think actually, given that they've losing in some cases thousand pounds going strike, they will be quite keen to get a second one, get somebody in the bank. and crucially for people who pay less than thousand a yean who pay less than thousand a year, which means an uplift of at least 10, rather than just 9% because they're trying to help out the most poorly paid . so out the most poorly paid. so very optimistic. but at the moment you're right, it is still a bit of a lottery ticket . well, a bit of a lottery ticket. well, let's hope mick lynch puts it to his members because i mean , he his members because i mean, he might just turn around and say, no, thanks, that's not enough. but not just rmt this aslef but it's not just rmt this aslef as well . clean. where are we as well. clean. where are we with them ? are there any other with them? are there any other negotiations? we know all over the ? well yeah , that talks the place? well yeah, that talks are sort of going but actually i can't see any way that the trade drivers strike is going to be off. they are very, very angry

and they've been on strike less . the rmt and because they're much higher paid average an average earnings over much higher paid average an average earnings ove r £60,000 average earnings over £60,000 they can although they lose more money when they go on strike the strike drivers are more able to kind of withstand it . so this strike drivers are more able to kind of withstand it. so this is a very deal from what we saw on the in early december, which has thrown out immediately. and that's why i'm 70% optimistic because haven't just said we think this a rubbish deal and we're not going to accept it. what they said is we're to have a look at this. so effectively. i think making the general secretary has signed off himself and he thinks that this is going to be the that they are going to get. as you mentioned it is called the best and final offer . the bit about driver the operation has gone in bid which the union be delighted about proposals . close ticket offices proposals. close ticket offices are going for consultation so not a kind of a definite and

even with something working said we will move to getting some part of the working week in train operations where. it isn't already so yeah we're still still some way from the total rationalisation that the government and, the train operators would like . but i operators would like. but i think we are getting there bit by bit hope so because of course faith , the railways i don't faith, the railways i don't think is ever been lower because people can't really of trip more than two weeks ahead because you never know where the next strike will be and what exactly i think they've got the least level of support the consumers and the customers most people won't customers when most people won't behind all. simon behind them at all. simon calder, thank you very much. great to to you. he's great to talk to you. he's travel for the travel correspondent for the independent with independent. well, you're with me. this is gb me. i'm nana akua this is gb news. hundreds news. coming up, hundreds protesters gathered in edinburgh today calling on westminster to reverse its decision to block scotland's gender reform legislation . and we'll bring you legislation. and we'll bring you the latest on actor alec baldwin, who be charged with involuntary manslaughter over

the death of cinematographer hayler hutchins. that was on the set of the film . ask the first. set of the film. ask the first. let's at your latest news headunes. let's at your latest news headlines . not a thank you. the headlines. not a thank you. the headlines. not a thank you. the headlines. the prime minister's been defending his levelling up plans insisting the north—west and the north—east of the uk will most. it follows criticism from labour saying london and the south east will receive most of the money the government has announced more than billion pounds will be invested over 100 projects across the. rishi sunak's insists . two thirds of sunak's insists. two thirds of the funding is going to the most depnved the funding is going to the most deprived areas. the north—west is the top region so the amount of money per person that who came to help north, who came second north—east and actually if you look to the other end of the table , find places like the table, find places like london in southeast and the difference is huge . so i think difference is huge. so i think the funding that you're getting per person out of this levelling

up fund is twice per capita. what london, the southeast is getting and that should give you guys a confidence that when talk about delivering, levelling up and spreading opportunity across the really it . the country that we really it. sir keir starmer meanwhile is in davos at the world economic forum. the labour looking to reassure global leaders that britain will be open for business under potential labour government . while the business government. while the business secretary and trade secretary are there, sir keir criticised , are there, sir keir criticised, the absence of the prime minister and the chancellor chancellor , the actor alec chancellor, the actor alec baldwin will be charged with involuntary manslaughter over the fatal shooting on the set of the fatal shooting on the set of the film rust . cinematographer the film rust. cinematographer hauna the film rust. cinematographer halina was killed during rehearsals in the us state of new mexico when a prop gun baldwin was using fired a live round. the director, joel souza, was also injured in the shooting. mr. baldwin's lawyer

called the ruling a terrible of justice and to retired metropolitan police officers have been charged with child sex offences as part of an investigation into a serving met chief inspector who was found dead. chief inspector who was found dead . 63 year old jack addis dead. 63 year old jack addis from , perthshire and 62 year old from, perthshire and 62 year old jeremy laxton from lincolnshire will appear at westminster magistrates court on the ninth. the met says the charges follow a lengthy and complex investigation into richard watkinson. the nine year old who was found dead buckinghamshire last thursday on the day he was due to be . and hertfordshire due to be. and hertfordshire police say more victims of the serial rapist david carrick have come forward and reported further offences since hearing since his hearing on monday. the metropol police force, which covers the former officers home county, set up a dedicate it hotline in hertfordshire for other potential victims . carrick other potential victims. carrick was sacked from the met police

after admitting to 49 criminal charges , including 24 counts of charges, including 24 counts of rape over an 18 year period . rape over an 18 year period. that's up to date on tv, online a, b, plus radio with gb news. and we're back in just a moment

good afternoon. this is david who's on tv online and digital radio is coming up to 37 minutes after 5:00. i'm nina . radio is coming up to 37 minutes after 5:00. i'm nina. i'm in for patrick christys now a trans equality rally. now, this took place outside queen house in edinburgh today. place outside queen house in edinburgh today . that's edinburgh today. that's following the uk government's move to block the scottish gender recognition act reform bill. now is the first time a section 35 order which allows westminster to prevent something. the scottish is booted for to become has ever

been used . and whitehall says been used. and whitehall says that the bill could have a serious impact on existing laws in the uk . well, scotland's in the uk. well, scotland's first minister, nicholas sturgeon the move as a an attack on devolution . well joining me on devolution. well joining me now is co founder of the lgb alliance beth jackson. thank you much for joining alliance beth jackson. thank you much forjoining us now, beth. what do you make of this, jim? it's a pleasure. it's a pleasure. let's get straight to it. what do you make of the gender reform bill? there's sort of changes towards it . gender reform bill? there's sort of changes towards it. in your view. are they positively the right thing ? well, i think it's right thing? well, i think it's clear that there were many areas of confusion . that's why so many of confusion. that's why so many amendments were made forward to try and make clearer. i think everybody clarity and they want fairness. and that's why it's really distressing to see people approach as if this is about ideal for trans rights . you're ideal for trans rights. you're against trans rights. that not what this is about or it's row between westminster and

hollyrood. that's not what it's ehhen hollyrood. that's not what it's either. it's about getting clarity , law and fairness clarity, law and fairness between different groups of individuals . now i represent lgb individuals. now i represent lgb . and four lesbians in to . . and four lesbians in to. particular really important for us to know that to have our rights protected. sexual orientation is about whether you're attracted to people with the same sex, the opposite sex or both sexes . so as soon as the same sex, the opposite sex or both sexes. so as soon as you start getting mixed up as to what sex means and you, for instance, sex and gender in the same section or article of the law as in think section nine of the gender recognition act, you get into trouble, you get into some confusion that we find , a some confusion that we find, a former lord chancellor , former lord chancellor, disagreeing with a deputy president of the supreme court. now, if that much lack of clarity , it's quite right for clarity, it's quite right for the government to step in in this in this case, the government used section 35, which is part of the scotland act, which was agreed by snp and

by the labour party and in fact it was only the conservative party that objected it. it's part of the scotland act , it's part of the scotland act, it's part of the scotland act, it's part of the devolution because it was absolutely essential, i'm sure that westminster had no, no desire at all to step in, but it was, it was unavoidable because the way that the had been adopted breached and it interferes with with reserves the equality act and that impacts on everybody's right now nobody wants that everybody's rights should be that you need to balance rights not ensure that one group you look at. one group is right at the expense of others. and so we're not talking just rights of women and just about rights of women and girls and. that was, i think, those points quite lot those points made quite a lot dunng those points made quite a lot during the hearings, but also lesbian , for instance, who lesbian, for instance, who really do not want defining themselves and identifying as lesbians . so we need clarity , lesbians. so we need clarity, need fairness. that's what this is about . need fairness. that's what this is about. isn't nicholas sturgeon is just using as another political football to of

push her agenda again of breaking up the united kingdom . breaking up the united kingdom. well i don't know if she is. i mean , obviously, it's possible mean, obviously, it's possible this is a kind of political game because i mean, patrick harvie, a green snp said beforehand, changes have to be made to this legislation in order to prevent westminster stepping . and i westminster stepping. and i don't think perhaps it's quite right to say that westminster has blocked out the bill. what westminster has done is said this bill, as it stands interferes with with reserve legislation. so please go back. this is a matter for the scottish government to sort out. it's not a matter for the but westminster go back westminster out these go back and again the bill that a bill is that could be adopted could be workable. now if nicholas sturgeon is using this as political football to whip up support. i don't think this was a very good issue because many surveys shown that the scottish people of all parties this is this is not including many many strong supporters of independence are opposed to this

legislation . as it stands they legislation. as it stands they do not want the of women and girls undermined. so it's a very strange issue to choose if this is supposedly trying to whip up a support for four four independence as rhona hotchkiss has has said . this is article has has said. this is article section 35 being used as it should be . well, that's i think should be. well, that's i think what we're dealing with here. what the uk government is actually being challenged to revoke the order and the scottish social justice secretary shona robison robertson argued that immediately revoking the order would show the uk government thatis would show the uk government that is serious about improving the lives of trans people and respecting scottish democracy . i respecting scottish democracy. i mean, do you agree with that ? mean, do you agree with that? no. i mean, this is this is exactly what i was saying. this is not about respecting trans rights and it isn't about respecting holyrood, it's about ensuring clarity. we really need clarity . the equality act, for clarity. the equality act, for instance. i mean, we have seen recent ruling stating that if ,

recent ruling stating that if, if people had meant by biological sex in the, in the equality act, they would have said so. now that is, i think as startled quite a lot of people . startled quite a lot of people. we need clarity and i don't think this is about pitting one jurisdiction against another don't think it's it should be about pitting one group against another. i'm really sorry that so many people who have gathering there in demonstrations that you're showing this thing because this is about trans rights. and so many so often whenever this issue of trans rights comes up, people forget that the rights that are being claimed do have an effect . other people they an effect. other people they have an effect on lesbians and gay men we wish to be able to define ourselves and we don't we think biological sex is important. and so it is important. and so it is important for lgb alliance considers it extremely important to make sure that the rights of a sex with sexual orientation are protected as we think they should be . absolutely. well, should be. absolutely. well, i agree more. beth, thank you very

much for joining agree more. beth, thank you very much forjoining me. that's jackson. she's the co founder for the lgb alliance . now, the for the lgb alliance. now, the king has announced the profits from king has announced the profits fro m £1,000,000,000 wind farm from £1,000,000,000 wind farm deal on the crown estates will be donated to the public for the wider crown estate's wider good. the crown estate's profits to profits would have gone to further financing the war, but king requested that the king charles requested that the extra funds be diverted towards the public good . with me now is the public good. with me now is rife hardman . he's a royal rife hardman. he's a royal broadcaster and comment later rafe. talk to me about this then. it's very good as the king to do that, right, isn't it? yes well, you know, after so much undeserved negativity in recent weeks, i wouldn't say why . i weeks, i wouldn't say why. i think we all know why. how wonderful it is to actually have a good news story about the monarchy for a change. as you say, the king giving british taxpayers a lovely windfall. met anyone who's known the king as in his role as prince of wales. we know how concerned he has been about improving the lives of people, and particularly now he's concerned about poverty and the cost of living crisis we to

speak about this in his christmas message. but also in the speech gave upon acceding to the speech gave upon acceding to the throne . he said that he the throne. he said that he wanted a revenue from the crown estates to go for the benefit of all. but know actions speak louder than words . here we have louder than words. here we have with this news the king almost literally putting his money where his mouth is by refusing to boost palace and instead from windfall profits. the i should say , and instead direct those say, and instead direct those profits be about a quarter of £1,000,000,000 potentially a year to that to the nation, which will boost the treasury in the long term by billions with a b of . and i think you know it's b of. and i think you know it's very important now to actually show that the good work that the monarchy has done. we've seen really with harry and meghan all of the negative than the least positive of privileged narcissist , some narcissist, some self—indulgence, selfishness and superficiality. and here have the king sharing the good weather. the monarchy does in his best attributes responsibility duty and

launching initiatives to help the public charitable causes and really serving the nation . hmm. really serving the nation. hmm. sort of saying what the monarchy is, therefore. really. yes. it is, therefore. really. yes. it is a self—indulgence. as you mentioned. what do you think the impact has been on harry's books? back to monarchy, in your view ? well, the worst thing view? well, the worst thing that's happened, of course, is by in all of this period is that it's happened just now only four months after the death of the queen. but importantly , less queen. but importantly, less than four months now from the coronation , the most important coronation, the most important ceremonial constitutional event in our for 70 years. but also a great moment for building national but creating social cohesion as the nation and communities are supposed to come together in this great celebration of the of the monarchy and, of britishness itself. and been overshadowed. it's been by harry and meghan and those selfish shenanigans . and those selfish shenanigans. and i think that's a terrible thing to do to a new king who's

desperately trying to reintroduce himself to the nafion reintroduce himself to the nation as king also to the commonwealth realms . he put his commonwealth realms. he put his own stamp on the monarchy , as own stamp on the monarchy, as he's done now with this and really what a generous man is and how truly concerned he is on and how truly concerned he is on a really real level with the and all of that has been on the harry and meghan . and i think harry and meghan. and i think it's about time actually in literally a few we have before the coronation to focus on the royal family and the good work they do. but of course , the they do. but of course, the coronation is coming up . they do. but of course, the coronation is coming up. in terms the damage with regard to that book fair, what people still talking about is this kill count that harry talks about . count that harry talks about. the worry is obviously with things like the coronation coming up, that sort of increases the security risk . increases the security risk. that's right. di davies, who's former head of royal protection , has said that he hasn't been this concerned about royal protection and security . for 25 protection and security. for 25 years. we've had admiral west say that prince harry has

increased the security threat even to the invictus games . even to the invictus games. we've had jeff kim direct, former national security adviser , saying that harry's comments have actually raised a terrorist threat . all it takes is one lone threat. all it takes is one lone wolf to the rhetoric we've heard from the taliban and recently from the taliban and recently from iran. also about prince harry being a war criminal to take initiatives into their own . we're going to have hundreds .we're going to have hundreds of thousands , if not millions of of thousands, if not millions of people descending on central london on the 6th of may for the coronation. and what harry's doneis coronation. and what harry's done is reckless and incompetent and absolutely shameful . and it and absolutely shameful. and it goes further still when britain when the british government just this week complains to the protester, to the iranian government about their of a dual national the iranian government's official on twitter and facebook was to say, well, we're going to say no lessons from a country that hasn't protest their own royal member killing 25 taliban, calling them chess pieces if they haven't protested his war crimes, they

have no rights. the protest, what we're doing here , the long what we're doing here, the long term repercussions of what prince harry's done and i'm amazed he's been able to get away with that by this publishing house who for some reason didn't think this was worth out . but it's my worth editing out. but it's my throat. good to talk to you . throat. good to talk to you. take care. that's right . throat. good to talk to you. take care. that's right. he's a royal commentator and broadcaster. moving on, a story that caught my eye so . james that caught my eye so. james dyson has attacked viciously approach to the economy, calling the government's plans stupid . the government's plans stupid. now the dyson founder said that the growth had a dirty word under rishi sunak's administration and urged the government to incentivise private innovation . now this private innovation. now this followed levelling up secretary michael caine's comments that the government firing all the government was firing on all cylinders try and help businesses. so with now is political commentator benedict. bennett you for joining political commentator benedict. bennett you forjoining me. do bennett you for joining me. do you think that's a fair comment from james dyson or from di cuckoo ever dyson do you he's got a good point there . i do. i

got a good point there. i do. i do think he a good point. it's very difficult to sort of sit here and look the tax burden on companies, on individual, which is sort of the highest in living memory , followed by following memory, followed by following a £25 billion tax increase in the autumn and say that this is a government that is in any way putting business over at the forefront . and i think that forefront. and i think that there are a number reasons why is, you know, in the aftermath of the pandemic the stay public sector and private sector are both on their knees. and the government decided it's government has decided it's going like going to prioritise things like the nhs, it's going to prioritise the state than prioritise the state rather than the private sector. and i can understand why that is because increasingly want to feel increasingly people want to feel like the state is looking after them care of. them that being taken care of. i think it's a calculated gamble by the tories the short term by the tories in the short term where they think the public where they think that the public want the government to look like it's to help them it's doing more to help them rather businesses. rather than businesses. but i think as mr. said, sirjames says in his column in the today actually how is that you're able to pay for things long term? how is that you're able to afford

is it that you're able to afford things the things like social care, the nhs, all that long nhs, policing, all that long term? growth and. term? it's through growth and. we can't even just look the we can't even just look at the pandemic isolation, this pandemic in isolation, say this was black swan. was an unexpected black swan. that rolled over that is completely rolled over the public finances. the fact the public finances. the fact the matter is over the last 12 years of conservative government in this country, we have seen stag growth compared to all of our competitors , europe and our competitors, europe and nonh our competitors, europe and north and elsewhere . north america and elsewhere. it's not sustainable term . it's not sustainable long term. you want to be a first world country that has taken seriously what people invest, what people want to invest, which important which is especially important post—brexit , you to be very post—brexit, you need to be very pro—growth growth friendly. and the the is, right the simple fact of the is, right now, we're not one of the big things he points out is that we've to get people back we've failed to get people back into the office, which is again one the things that's one of the things that's devastated our growth . i mean, devastated our growth. i mean, there's a slightly amusing a side to this which is that james himself is very keen not to bump people so much so people in the office, so much so that has separate facilities that he has separate facilities from all of his workers in from all of his co workers in all his offices. but the all of his offices. but the actual point actual broader point about getting work to getting people back to work to improve productivity, i do think

that there's some truth in that it's always applicable. you it's not always applicable. you know, some cases where know, there are some cases where actually can work from actually people can work from home. need be in home. they don't need to be in the to get things done. home. they don't need to be in the i to get things done. home. they don't need to be in the i do to get things done. home. they don't need to be in the i do thinket things done. home. they don't need to be in the i do think thatings done. home. they don't need to be in the i do think that broadly|e. but i do think that broadly there change in there has been a change in attitude towards work in general and think that that's reflected in the that we have record in the fact that we have record numbers of people on out of work benefits they're doing benefits where they're doing work. know, they work. but they, you know, they need propped we need to be propped up. and we also a large number of also have a large number of people have simply the people who have simply left the workforce altogether. the point where having where the government is having try of harebrained try to think of harebrained schemes them that's schemes to them back. that's where get ideas, for where you get ideas, for example, around cutting income tax people over to come back tax for people over to come back to the office which you know seems unfair given that the seems very unfair given that the of are already falling on of taxes are already falling on predominantly young to say to older have a older people have got a relatively better off. not all of course but relatively . come of course but relatively. come on we'll give the on back and we'll give you the tax whereas actually the tax break. whereas actually the tax break. whereas actually the tax be falling on tax break. whereas actually the tax businesses be falling on tax break. whereas actually the tax businesses on be falling on tax break. whereas actually the tax businesses on the alling on tax break. whereas actually the tax businesses on the starti on tax break. whereas actually the tax businesses on the start and the businesses on the start and on ordinary workers pretty on the ordinary workers pretty much under the age of 35. you know, they're the ones that are carrying most of the can for this. and think that any this. and i don't think that any government , this country

government, this country can say that taking growth that it is taking growth seriously until those are reversed. he points out that criticises the fact that we haven't taken advantages of the sort of incentives that brexit has brought about in terms of regulations some business things that we could actually do to make easier for ourselves make things easier for ourselves . broadly, that as . broadly, i agree with that as . well. i mean, there are always going some say that going to be some people say that brexit be brexit was going to be a disaster and there will be some people who say that brexit was always be a disaster always going to be a disaster given government given the government that was prosecuting know, prosecuting it. you know, if you if look brexit, as it if you look at brexit, as it were, as a protest vote against, the british state the way that the british state has last however has been run the last however many hardly many decades, you are hardly likely out and likely to get an out and outstanding results if you then put the process of leaving the european the hands of european union in the hands of the you think are the very people you think are inept. there an argument for inept. so there an argument for saying that were always saying that we were always setting up a bit of a setting itself up for a bit of a fail. do that fail. but i do think that people, sir james, were fail. but i do think that people, sirjames, were hoping i think more boldness in think for a bit more boldness in government in terms of cutting red why i think red tape. that's why i think bofis red tape. that's why i think boris able boris johnson was able to command large majority . command such a large majority. the election he the last general election he represented a change in the

represented a sea change in the approach to government under the tories . and not just in but tories. and not just in but specifically under the tories. i think people have lost faith in their to get things done. he promised to come in sweep all of the obstacles aside for one reason or another. it didn't happen think actually happen. and i do think actually that country failed that the country failed to make the most whatever benefits advantages brexit can offer. this was always going to be a long term thing. it was never going to be a short term for everybody saying the brexit is disaster term, disaster in the short term, it was always to be was always going to be difficult, that difficult, but you need that long that's one long strategy and that's one thing country thing that this country does not have expense. you have business expense. thank you very much for joining have business expense. thank you very much forjoining me. he's a political commentator. well, up next with next is michelle gabby with dubois she's here the dubois and co. she's here in the studio. michelle, you studio. michelle, what have you got hello, nana. yes, got coming up? hello, nana. yes, i pick up on the whole i want to pick up on the whole levelling tonight, levelling up thing tonight, round funding round two of the funding has been announced today been released or announced today andifs been released or announced today and it's divided opinion . been released or announced today and it's divided opinion. is it the answer? is it going to fix age old question of how do we level up or step up or gauge about whatever is today's sentences or . and sentences or. and that conversation were just

conversation that were just having about growth there. i to continue that so i've got a capitalist and a socialist on my panels i'll be quite interesting as what is worth how do we growth is profit a dirty word i want to get into that anti—semitism universities is it on the rise if so why and? apparently because of cost reasons we're looking for alternate meets nana and housemaids is apparently set to sag as a popular estimate in this country. i eat it. would you ? that sounds a bit sounds you? that sounds a bit sounds bit grisly. thank you very much for that, michel. that's on the way. well, lots of you have been getting in touch with your thoughts on the now says thoughts on the strike now says david why support the david says why support the pubuc public sector strikes they retired 55 was a good pension . i retired 55 was a good pension. i had to work in the building industry until i till industry until i was 70 till i could afford to retire. make them till 65, see how they them work till 65, see how they like that . it's very nasty. and like that. it's very nasty. and he says , falling popularity, my he says, falling popularity, my friends and i do not support the relatively well—paid nurses strike. laughing and strike. and they're laughing and joking picket is not joking on. picket lines is not a good what's patients are good look. what's patients are being . well, thank you

being neglected. well, thank you so much for your company. being neglected. well, thank you so much for your company . you've so much for your company. you've been listening to been watching and listening to me, on gb news. coming me, nana akua on gb news. coming up is michelle dewberry with chiefs and co. i'll be back tomorrow the same time of 3:00. three till six. i'm taking care of show for him. but right now i'll leave you with the weapons show up . alex deakin here show is up. alex deakin here with your latest weather update from met. another cold one from the met. another cold one tonight, a hard frost , not as tonight, a hard frost, not as much snow around spots could still be a few wintry showers making quite icy first thing on friday morning. low pressure is just drifting from the north—east bringing a cold wind across northern and still bringing some snow here, mostly of the hills at low levels , of the hills at low levels, chiefly rain and sleet. the showers further west. but wherever we've had showers through the day, things may well turn pretty slippery overnight as temperatures tumble once more, we could also see some fog patches forming , particularly patches forming, particularly circles, parts of northern, most places just staying and as a result, turning cold, negative figures , even in urban areas.

figures, even in urban areas. well freezing, especially where the snow on the ground across parts of scotland, they'll still be a few wintry showers coming in to the north—east friday morning. but most places to have a dry and a sunny friday, some slow moving , stubborn fog slow moving, stubborn fog patches around just the odd chance of a shower across eastern parts of england, a cold picking up across lincolnshire and norfolk. temperatures, though, for most are a little bit higher on friday afternoon and with light winds in the winter, sunshine feeling too bad. but temperatures dropping very sharply once more on friday evening. another frosty one and fog thickening up on friday night into saturday. parts of england and wales , more of a england and wales, more of a change there further north and west . some rain coming in west. some rain coming in initially western scotland, northern and western parts of northern ireland that will just trickle into other parts of scotland and northern ireland through day so dull and damp in the northwest. other the northwest. many other areas on saturday, dry and sunny. but there be that fog in places

which will keep temperatures around freezing . but where the around freezing. but where the fall clears were up at five or six degrees. so still on the cold side for the time of year. the damp weather in the northwest and these weather fronts will continue into sunday, milder the colder sunday, but milder the colder air though this in the air persists though this in the east. this on gb news. we've got brand new members of the family join across the entire united. we cover the issues that matter to you. gb news always stay honest. balance and fair. we want to hear whatever is on your mind and we don't talk down to you.the mind and we don't talk down to you. the establishment had their chance. now we're here to represent you. britain's watching come join us on tv news the people's channel. britain's news channel here on gb news live will be keeping you in the picture finding out what's happening across the country and finding out why it matters to you . have the facts fast with you. have the facts fast with our team reporters and our team of reporters and specialist correspondents . specialist correspondents. wherever happening, we'll wherever it's happening, we'll

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well, hello there . it's 6:00 on well, hello there. it's 6:00 on michelle dewberry and this is dewbs & co, the show where we'll dewbs& co, the show where we'll get into the things that have got you talking. if you were watching last night, you might recall that i tried to bring a bit of positivity to the country . i focusing on the recent . i was focusing on the recent economic figures there, not quite economic figures there, not quhe bad economic figures there, not quite bad as were predicted , quite as bad as were predicted, but i have to be honest, i'm pretty much on my own with a positivity vibe. when you were involved in that, did you celebrate anything? it felt like it a positive one outside of it was a positive one outside of who else wasn't watching. of course,