channel hello and welcome . i'm alastair hello and welcome. i'm alastair stewart. and for the next 2 hours i'll be keeping you company here on tv and radio with the stories that matter

across the country. we have plenty coming up, including the latest rise in interest rates . latest rise in interest rates. will it kerb inflation? does it risk worsening the recession ? risk worsening the recession? i'll be digging deep into that with old friends and new plus, hints of progress on the northern ireland protocol and the latest on the missing of two nicola foley . we are live at the nicola foley. we are live at the scene . but first, let's bring scene. but first, let's bring you right up to date with all of the day's news. here's tatyana . the day's news. here's tatyana. alistair, thank you . good alistair, thank you. good afternoon. is 12:01? this is alistair, thank you. good afternoon. is12:01? this is the latest from the gb newsroom. the family of missing mother of two, nicola billi have insisted there is no evidence whatsoever that she fell the river wyre nicholas is urging people to keep open mind after officers the disappearance say they believe she fell into the river whilst walking her dog . ms. bailey

walking her dog. ms. bailey vanished in lancashire friday morning . the investigation is morning. the investigation is now focusing on a ten minute window between ten and 9:20. this unaccounted for. police say they're not treating her disappearance as suspicious , but disappearance as suspicious, but as a tragic case of a missing person. people health leaders are calling on the to show initiative to end ongoing strikes. the nhs confederation says health service will struggle to clear backlogs and improve emergency care unless action is taken . they warn if it action is taken. they warn if it doesn't improve , will risk doesn't improve, will risk patients suffering even longer waiting times than they already do. thousands of nurses , do. thousands of nurses, ambulance workers will walk out monday and what many are calling the biggest strike day the nhs has ever seen. former medical director dr. andrew vallance says the ball is in the government's court and of course they they're worried about their salaries but it's, it's a feeling of lack of recognition of, of the work that they do and

then you see and they look at other workers in the nhs have this found who are working normal days and they're working or 12 hour shifts without breaks and they say why can't we get better recognition for what we do . meanwhile officials are do. meanwhile officials are encouraging 16 to 49 year olds to get their autumn covid booster before the nhs scales down its vaccine programme to . down its vaccine programme to. focus on at risk patients . the focus on at risk patients. the nhs says hundreds of thousands of appointments are available up until the 12th of february for those within that age bracket. after that date, the jobs will only be offered to those considered to be at risk. senous considered to be at risk. serious illness. infections though in the uk have dropped for a fourth week in a row at least one british sailor has been taken to hospital after problems with supplies on board the warship hms portland has returned to base as a precautionary measure the daily

telegraph newspaper reports. the wrong chemicals were put into the vessel's fresh water system , but the error was flagged quickly to staff. the ship has returned to portsmouth and the issue is being investigated . us issue is being investigated. us say a second suspected chinese spy say a second suspected chinese spy balloon has been spotted moving over latin america. it's after one was seen flying over sensitive military sites . many sensitive military sites. many in the us yesterday . earlier the in the us yesterday. earlier the us secretary state antony blinken called off a visit to beijing, calling the move a clear violation of us sovereignty and that he'd be prepared to resume his when conditions allow. china maintains it was in fact a civilian. whether ash up which had been blown off course course and the princess of wales has launched a photo sharing campaign social media to raise awareness of the importance of early years development . kate early years development. kate led the campaign , posting a led the campaign, posting a photograph of herself as a baby with her father . it's all part

with her father. it's all part of her shaping us campaign, which has drawn support from the likes of rapper professor green and presenter fern cotton . she's and presenter fern cotton. she's hoping people will follow over the weekend . this is the gb news the weekend. this is the gb news will bring you more news as it happens. i was back to alastair stewart& friends . stewart& friends. tatyana, thank you very much indeed. tatyana, thank you very much indeed . now, this afternoon , indeed. now, this afternoon, we're going to be digging deep into the bank of england's decision to raise interest rates to 4, up from three and a half% with old friends and i hope with you, you've already been in touch, giving your views it and your fears. but you , individual your fears. but you, individual consumers or b, you business people will be sharing some of those a little later on. now,

the banks key job is execution of what's called the government's mandate to squeeze inflation down to 2, despite signs that the rate of inflation is now slowing . it remains for is now slowing. it remains for above that target and the containment of inflation. the government's top priority , as government's top priority, as made crystal clear by both the prime minister in his new year pledge speech and by the chancellor of the exchequer in his growth speech. now there's long been a really lively debate in the world of business and economics about, in the world of business and economics about , whether the economics about, whether the banks mandate or should also not more to growth and not just to inflation. historically, the government cut rates when they wanted to boost economic activity and historical low rates interest that the bank is now raising have their roots, of

course, in financial crash of two thousand and seven and 2008 and more recently in, the pandemic, a famously gordon brown ended all of that judging , that it is dangerous to mix the political and the economic . the political and the economic. and he made the bank of england independent in the matter , independent in the matter, setting interest rates and, doing battle with inflation. and he told them, what i want you to do is what's right for the economy. well, not what might be necessary any right for me and my political party at any given time. it was really quite radical the time , but that is radical at the time, but that is what he and his key adviser, ed balls, decided was the right thing to do. now i don't think like chancellor, does that lower inflation is the tax cut. it means that whatever money you've got left after you've paid all of those taxes and bills and the

rest of it goes a little further. but i know many people do feel that inflation, the absolute best noir in our modern day economy, and therefore that's the government's view. and who am to i argue with it? well, we'll have that as the programme continues this afternoon . now, the annual afternoon. now, the annual inflation essence of high interest rates is to kerb demand interest rates is to kerb demand in the economy and to reduce interest rates . and the price of interest rates. and the price of money would be to increase all of that when you put rates up, of that when you put rates up, of course , cost of borrowing, of course, cost of borrowing, the creation of and all that that include is really goes rising. and that includes people's biggest debt for most of them. at any rate if they have one. it is of course their mortgage. now, an old explanation of inflation was that it was too much money chase ing, too few goods in the economy and therefore forcing up the prices of those goods and

service . and that's why those service. and that's why those workers who are seeking big pay rises at the moment very hear from the other side of the table. increase your productivity. and then we as employers may be able to find little bit more money for you , little bit more money for you, i.e. higher pay matching, higher productivity and bigger output . productivity and bigger output. if you create more value or the extra pay will, then not just force up prices, because if you don't , it will do. but there is don't, it will do. but there is a sting in the tail and more, of course. and nowadays you end up paying course. and nowadays you end up paying considerably more taxation . and that is a real for taxation. and that is a real for wage negotiation caters now to make us live within our means rather than borrowing . then up rather than borrowing. then up goes the interest rate and of course that tries to stop us also putting it on the plastic or going into overdraw . even or going into overdraw. even those who can get a boost from

higher rates of interest . the higher rates of interest. the savers of course they have to savers of course they have to save first rather than spend in the economy and boost demand. so if there is a real threat out there, which i think there is of a recession, then of that is in a recession, then of that is in a sense counter intuitive intuitive . the government also intuitive. the government also has to pay higher interest rates. intriguingly not only servicing eye wateringly big long term debt that it's built up over many, many years , but up over many, many years, but also the shorter day to borrowing that have to face day in, day out to simply balance the books. but it all means less demand in the economy . and in my demand in the economy. and in my view, even a recession and stagnation in activity remain near certain nightmares. whatever the bank of england had to say about it all other day. so as i said earlier on, i may be wrong, i may be right. you may agree with me, you may

disagree with me, but i'd love to hear from you either way. so let's get into the discussion now and what will the impact of it all be and will it actually work ? of course, there are other work? of course, there are other real inflation pressures out there. as the governor of the bank of england admitted. labour shortages is not enough people chasing jobs and therefore able to push up the price that they charge for their labour, i.e. their wages and of course, energy, which many feel is at the pounding heart of the cost of living . i've said this of living. i've said this several times now, but i'm going to say it again because i mean it. i do want to hear from you. so please, you can tweet or you can tweet at gb news or. you can email your views at gb views, at gb news dot uk and we will share back the very best with you as we progress through the programme . so there you go. now programme. so there you go. now before we discuss all of that and share those thoughts from you and indeed from my guest in

the studio and down the line , we the studio and down the line, we are going to start with a story that was in the news bulletin just now. and it is a story that seems genuinely to have gripped the nation's attention. police are still investigating the disappearance of nicola bunney, the mother of two from lancashire . nicola was last seen lancashire. nicola was last seen next to the river wyre in st michaels on wyre on a dog walk over a week . now lancashire over a week. now lancashire police believe that she fell into the river and they say that its main working hypothesis is that there was no criminality involved right now that is what they believed happened. now as arthur conan doyle wrote for sherlock holmes , when you have sherlock holmes, when you have eliminated it all, which is impossible , well then whatever impossible, well then whatever remains , however improbable, remains, however improbable, must be the truth. a major

search continues, however , for search continues, however, for the 45 year old missing dog and missing dogs ball is also thought to be an important matter in of this. she may have gone into the river to try and retrieve said ball . also one retrieve said ball. also one exit from the walkway by the river apparently is not covered by cctv . so it is river apparently is not covered by cctv. so it is an intriguing story and it's an ongoing search and absolutely tragic . her and absolutely tragic. her friends and families. joining me now is our national reporterjoe now is our national reporter joe theo chikomba, who's been following this story throughout . was there yesterday when police gave their update. and there he is in lancashire , us there he is in lancashire, us live now theo, it was a remarkable briefing from the police in this that there was more about what hadn't happened than what had happened . that's

than what had happened. that's right. the briefing yesterday , right. the briefing yesterday, comprehensive. we heard a lot about some of the work the police they're. as you can probably hear there's a helicopter right above me has been circling this area and looking over the river wyre specifically where that bench is where we understand that foam was found and they've been working extensively over the couple of days to establish what happened to nicola last week, friday. there's been many agencies involved today . police agencies involved today. police officers have been walking alongside the river bank just to look to see if they can find anything substantial, which help their investigation . of course, their investigation. of course, family and friends also been out and about the village holding placards which have got pictures of her and some details . 101 and of her and some details. 101 and if you have any details or dashcam footage, particularly please do get in touch. they are, of course , lancashire are, of course, lancashire police saying people speculate as it may cause distress on the

family in terms of what happened last week. they're saying nothing out of the ordinary of nicola's actions during that week and they're saying that investigations are going to be continuing throughout the weekend , even news national weekend, even news national reporter theo chikomba live for us there in lancashire with the latest developments as that search and both the family and, the police have made it clear that if you have seen her or think that you know anything about what may or may not have happened , then please dial 1 to happened, then please dial 1 to 1 and tell the police as soon as you . thank you very much indeed. you. thank you very much indeed. we'll be going back to see a little later on the programme and we'll certainly go straight back to him if are any further developments. now let me take you back to our other big story of the day and i spoke a little about it before we had fear and thatis

about it before we had fear and that is the big rise in interest rates that came from the bank of in pursuit of their mandate to defeat . inflation my first guest defeat. inflation my first guest sitting here in the studio with me, i'm delighted says no friend that such just borowski who is a political commentator but i didn't know as i said to you when you came in and sat down, formerly with the institute of economic. this is very much economic. so this is very much your bag as well as speaking on the politics of it . when you the politics of it. when you heard that that was the decision it had been widely that it was likely to be another increase. but the scale of the increase . but the scale of the increase. were you surprised? were you shocked? i'm going to say that, no, i wasn't particularly shocked . you say this had been shocked. you say this had been sort of forecast for a while that we would have to have steep increase, particularly because for so many months last year , for so many months last year, they refused to increase interest rates. it's been particularly interesting week in terms forecasting. i'll say when the imf came out earlier this

week with their forecasting results, the uk would have the lowest growth in the g7 . i think lowest growth in the g7. i think there's a particularly dangerous around some of the imf's in a sense that it becomes a rather selfish filling prophecy sometimes the more you read the news and you hear things , oh, news and you hear things, oh, you know, we're going down dark tunnel, everything's going go wrong and more people hear that . the less likely they're going to be to think, oh, i'll, i'll book that this summer or book that holiday this summer or maybe wait next maybe i'll just wait till next year when prices might be better, forecast might better or even buy that new even just i won't buy that new pair of new or the new pair of new coats or the new pair of new coats or the new pair shoes . pair of new coats or the new pair shoes. it's also pair of shoes. it's also important to that the imf has been wrong on some of their forecasting , namely just last forecasting, namely just last year , july, they were predicting year, july, they were predicting that the uk would only grow by 3.2. they then changed that again in october to point 6% and then just this week they've come and said, actually, it's 4.1. so that's a 1% change overnight. last the bank of england been wrong as well and they chop and

change. but rather than the scale of the rise. and i think the thing that the two things that surprised me most were that i the direction of i thought the direction of travel for inflation was was was downward was beginning to downward and it was beginning to show progress and show some signs of progress and then when andrew bailey, the governor of the bank of england, said, i think there will be a recession, but i think it will be shorter lived and it well be shorter lived and it may well be shorter lived and it may well be shallower and if there's one thing, as you said there with, your of your brilliant examples of deferred spending and reduced demand that's going to deepen the recession and make it last longer. it is exactly that if we don't have money spend goods don't have money to spend goods and services, then economic activity will slow . that for me activity will slow. that for me is the nightmare. yeah and you want to have a little bit in your pocket and really it your back pocket and really it comes back to the age old thing that record of we do that like stuck record of we do need to lower taxes. so people do feel like they have a little bit their back pocket in bit more in their back pocket in terms of interest rates of the issues that we're seeing for many people this is many people is that this is impacting mortgages. impacting their mortgages. so if your going much

your mortgage is going up much all smaller things the all those smaller things the government to help with government is doing to help with energy helping the cost energy bills, helping the cost of sort just of living, it sort of just cancels that out and it means that people aren't being helped in way particularly in way at all, particularly younger to get on younger people trying to get on the property ladder at the moment. we've had about a decade of very strictly controlled mortgage lending and actually the bank of england out and said in december they had only given out 35,000 mortgages. this was down 23% from november. so we are it being even more tightly controlled the moment. and i think getting on the property ladderis think getting on the property ladder is one prime example of where we can really expand the economy, people will be investing in that house, investing in that house, investing not only on the interior. you might not be buying all of your furniture from ikea, but maybe from the local businesses, but also investing the community. if you decide set up shop there it changes a lot. also an issue here and we've talked about this before. when you've been enough to join me on the programme about the risk of into

generational tension in the sense that these rates is to make it even more difficult for people in your generation to . people in your generation to. enjoy what my generation enjoyed for a long time and was relatively easy access to mortgage funding to buy own property to get on to that that ladder as it were . it clearly ladder as it were. it clearly going to be much more difficult your generation going forward. are fearful about the social consequences of that. i'm so fearful about the social consequences . i think on the consequences. i think on the whole, across mortgage or just trying to get on the property is going to be an issue for everyone . i do fully understand everyone. i do fully understand frustration that younger generations feel that we are constant being cast out or the second ones to be looked at when it comes around to budgets and things like that. it's very difficult. i mean, it was only last december that was 6% of 18

to 25 year old said they would vote conservative. that's an entire wipe—out of a generation that will be voting. conservatives really need to change that around. but i'm not seeing much from from any of the political parties in way of really going to support these younger generations. so and is the tensions of 2022, which is a discourse i hope we can leave behind, which was saying that young generations actually get on. we have to leave it there. do come back and we'll talk about that again, because i think it rich and lively think it is rich and lively subject only for oldies like subject not only for oldies like me, for people like you and me, but for people like you and the younger generation, especially see especially mostly. great to see you thank you both you again and thank you both very much indeed. now my next guest, david peyton , who is guest, david peyton, who is professor of industrial economics at nottingham business school and indeed used to be a government adviser at her majesty's revenue and customs tax. people was my kind of amateur explanation at the top on inflation and interest rates

are supposed to work helpful or am i missing something here . no, am i missing something here. no, i think you gave a good summary . i think the big driver, though, of course, of our recent inflation have been the two huge factors . the lockdowns and the factors. the lockdowns and the amount of money government spent people's restrictions on what could spend followed by the supply chain crisis across the world. but also linked to that and of course, a big increase energy prices which were partly unked energy prices which were partly linked to the you know the war in ukraine. now there's and bad news i think what we're seeing at moment is that most at the moment is that most commentators has commentators think inflation has probably and as high probably peaked and as high pnces probably peaked and as high prices have certainly come down quite a bit. and so that gives some potential hope for future interest rises being perhaps lower than might have been expected. so there is hope in in the future. we've also seen in the future. we've also seen in the uk, despite the imf predictions, growth has been slightly better expected or at least not as negative as expected. so you know, people thought we were definitely going to be in recession. and over the past months going to be

past months it's going to be touch think when the touch and go. i think when the latest come out later latest figures come out later in the month, it be the month, whether it be technical recession as the technical recession and as the bank england says, if we are bank of england says, if we are probably as deep as was probably not as deep as was expected. that's sort of, you expected. so that's sort of, you know, positive news . of know, the positive news. of course, there are much deeper problems in economy. i in problems in the economy. i in terms of the long run growth prospects, which do need to be addressed. but on what is the footsie financial times stock exchange index tell us lots of very thoughtful pieces in the newspapers this morning it flirting with new having hit new highs . i flirting with new having hit new highs. i mean investors don't muck about with these things clearly they are slightly more optimistic perhaps than i am or implied that you are. but but but for me, the lack of the taking demand out of the economy is less this was just saying made me when i listen to andrew bailey say i think there probably will be a recession but i think it may be shorter lived and it may shallower. i found that literally incredible . well,

that literally incredible. well, i mean, the footsie is a signal. you're right. and it is reaching record highs. and that's an indication that investor investors have some confidence investors have some confidence in the long run if the economy and we see that in the jobs market as well which in the states and in the uk and across europe has held up really, really well. we saw sort of record market figures in in record job market figures in in the states come out yesterday and certainly the uk that's held up well. so that does raise a prospect that you know that may we may be technically in a recession but certainly not as bad people were expecting bad as people were expecting a few ago. the issue is how few months ago. the issue is how do to longer term ? and do move back to longer term? and that's there's more that's where there's more structural problems. and i think one of the things the government has got to get to grips with is in short now probably not in the short now is probably not the be increasing taxes the time to be increasing taxes . you've got certain sectors of industry the hospitality sector, the retail sector which are really on the edge and are looking at things like vat and business rates as . a big issue business rates as. a big issue for those sectors and also so

perhaps corporation tax, you know now probably not the time in the short run to be looking to increase taxes, but in the long suffering that is across. bofis long suffering that is across. boris johnson, we have an outcome that strategy saying that now is the time to cut taxes than increase the interest rates they are seriously about the lack of growth in the economy. do you believe now is the time to change the mandate for bank of england to not only be the defeat of inflation, but also the pursuit of growth now? i don't think that's the role of the bank of england. i think that's up to the government. and, you know, we have had a big increase in interest rates, but actually in the context of much inflation, interest, not inflation, real interest, not necessarily . and of necessarily higher. and of course, it can be very difficult for mortgages and for people on mortgages and mortgage have gone up. but mortgage rates have gone up. but it does mean we're seeing it does mean that we're seeing some in house prices, some decreases in house prices, which run may help which in the long run may help get bottom of the get onto the bottom of the ladder we're just starting ladder. we're also just starting to see fixed term mortgage rates start to go down. so is

obviously an expectation that perhaps interest rates maybe haven't quite peaked but are not far off the peak. so i think, you know, that's the bank of england's role, it's the government's role to think about growth right tax rate and growth that right tax rate and really fundamental issue is really the fundamental issue is energy rates. we've seen that that's big impact on. that's been a big impact on. inflation. all, course inflation. we all, of course want furthering want to, you know, furthering movements in the environment and cleaner energy needs to be happening . we're going to be happening. we're going to be talking about mortgages right up next. great meet you. and next. but great meet you. and thank you very much indeed for. finding time to talk us here finding time to talk to us here on david payton there, on gb news. david payton there, professor economics professor of industry economics at school at nottingham business school and a former government adviser at h. r c and as he was just at h. m r c and as he was just saying, mortgages of course are an important all of this. and there's a two page spread in the this morning. the headline , this morning. the headline, which is basically it's time to rethink pretty well everything on the mortgage front and i'm delighted be joined once again here on the program by bolger, who's a senior mortgage manager

at the john charcol organisation . and one of our one of john charles, many and an expert and authority on of this is this a necessary and brutal tool for the bank of england to apply at this stage of the economic activity or do you think they've it now at increase in bank rate to 4% was widely expected so that was all factored into the market the really important point to note from the bank of england statement what it said about what's likely to happen in future . so whereas prior to future. so whereas prior to thursday people generally were expecting the bank rate to peak at four and a cultural four and at four and a cultural four and a half. it now looks unlikely we're going to go to four and a half and my view from the statement quite possible 4% will be the peak . so the combination

be the peak. so the combination of the peak being lower. be the peak. so the combination of the peak being lower . another of the peak being lower. another comment in the forecast suggesting that rates are going to start to fall quicker and inflation will fall quicker means that the gilt edge market for saw some really big drops in yields on thursday . so by the yields on thursday. so by the cost of five year money for lenders is a quarter point less than it was before thursday's meeting. and that's going to have a knock on impact on mortgage rates. so we're going to have what may, to some people say the rather odd situation that buying rates going . that buying rates going. therefore if you have a tracker discount mortgage rates going to go discount mortgage rates going to 9° up discount mortgage rates going to go up but fixed rates are coming down. and i think by next week we'll see some lenders coming out with five year fixed rates under 4% so when i quoted the telegraph when they said it's now time to switch your mortgage you seem to be on a slightly longer times than perhaps just immediately pick it up . and i immediately pick it up. and i know you'd be the first to say i always talk to an expert in the

field. don't always do just what the newspaper columnists suggest you ought to do . am i wrong to you ought to do. am i wrong to think that you sound a little more about the medium and longer term than perhaps many out are? well, certainly as far as the mortgage and housing markets are concerned. that's right . the concerned. that's right. the downward trend in, interest rates on fixed rate mortgages has got further to go. so a little bit premature to actually switch at this point. i wait and see where markets settle . see where markets settle. everybody's circumstances are different. for some people, it might make sense to stay on a tracker rate for a bit longer, even though the rates are higher because they may they may want to wait and see what happens. but a lot of people do really value the knowledge , what is value the knowledge, what is probably even energy price wise is still the biggest monthly mortgage payment. so locking into a fixed rate gives people that certainty. but everybody circumstances the different. some people will be trying move

in the near future, etc. so you said it really is important to talk to your independent mortgage adviser to discuss your individual circum stances. but if you are looking right, i think that 41 to 2 years ex on the basis tracker rates will be similar to two year fixes. so does look more likely that if going to fix think about a five year fixed but wait a few weeks until the market settles down. right. always a pleasure . talk right. always a pleasure. talk to you. such wisdom and such balance. it may the time to balance. it may be the time to change, but it certainly is. ray just said. it's the time to have a really and profound think about what you're doing in terms of your housing arrangements, particularly you're in the particularly if you're in the mortgage market. that was ray boulger is one of the senior advisers , john chocolate and advisers, john chocolate and a good friend of mine and it's always a pleasure to have him on the program and you're watching and listening to alastair stewart and friends with lots more coming up on the program this afternoon. a week of course is a long time in politics we will have all of the latest with

our political reporter next, including the continuing rounds over that man and allegations of his behaviour. bullying claims dominic raab. deputy prime minister. that is next. right after . this .

break afternoon it's 1233. i'm tatiana sanchez in the gb newsroom, the family of missing mother of two and nicola billi have insisted that no evidence whatsoever that she fell into the river. we're it's after police say they she fell into the river whilst her dog. nicola disappeared last friday in lancashire . the friday in lancashire. the investigation is now on a ten minute window that's unaccounted . officers say they're not treating her disappearance as

suspicious, but as a tragic case of a missing person , health of a missing person, health leaders are calling on the government to show initiative to end recent strikes. the nhs says the health service will struggle to clear backlogs and emergency care unless action is taken . care unless action is taken. thousands of nurses and ambulance workers are walking out on monday in what many are calling the biggest strike the nhs has ever seen seen . at least nhs has ever seen seen. at least one british sailor has been taken to hospital after problems with water supplies board that warship hms portland has returned to base as a precautionary measure. the telegraph newspaper reports the wrong chemicals were put into . wrong chemicals were put into. the vessel's fresh water system , but the error was flagged quickly by staff. the ship returned to portsmouth and the issue being investigated . a us issue being investigated. a us jury issue being investigated. a us jury has found ceo elon musk and

the company were not liable misleading investors. the company were not liable misleading investors . following misleading investors. following a tweet from mr musk about the firm's finances. the company's tweeted in 2018 that he had funding secured to take the electric car firm. private investors say they were misled by the tweets and sub6 only claimed billions in damages . by the tweets and sub6 only claimed billions in damages. but the jury came back with unanimous verdict after only hours of deliberations . tv, hours of deliberations. tv, onune hours of deliberations. tv, online and debate plus radio. this is a gb news. that was back to alison stewart's friends . to alison stewart's friends. tatiana, thank you very much indeed. we've made it a regular feature on this to try and bring you up to date with the latest shifts and terms in the world of politics, it never ends. does it? and i'm delighted to say that. joining us once again is catherine force gb news,

political correspondent . is it political correspondent. is it dominic raab, who's in trouble or is it rishi sunak , who's in or is it rishi sunak, who's in trouble over these allegations of bullying? i mean, there are some pretty impressive names in the witness box . yes. i mean the witness box. yes. i mean this is an ongoing nightmare for rishi sunak, isn't it? because, of course dominic raab was a close ally, a big supporter of him during the leadership campaign when he cut nadhim zahawi adrift last week. nadhim zahawi adrift last week. nadhim zahawi and he had never been particularly close nadhim zahawi and supported boris johnson supported liz truss , but more supported liz truss, but more and more questions about what the prime minister knew and when about these allegations now and may i jump in just to share with at home because we were talking about it earlier, it's important to stress that some of these witnesses, in inverted commas, are not political enemies or from other political parties or different sections. the conservative party, these are

very civil servants. yes senior civil servants and servants from all the departments that . all the departments that. dominic raab has worked and today in the times , an unnamed today in the times, an unnamed cabinet minister is a supporter of . dominic cabinet minister is a supporter of. dominic raab has actually he doesn't think he's a bully , but doesn't think he's a bully, but says that he definitely feels he anger management issues and that he thinks he could benefit anger management training and that he'd seen a mist descending on him . and that's from a supporter him. and that's from a supporter . so it's difficult to see this ends well for. dominic raab, who is of course insisting that he has done absolutely nothing wrong . but of course it's taking wrong. but of course it's taking all the oxygen out of rishi sunak's trying to get positive messages across about what the government is doing . and a lot government is doing. and a lot of it is being lost because. this ongoing row about standards and sleaze and course. rishi sunak promised to turn a new leaf. you mentioned unnamed source with , his or her for

source with, his or her for pennies . a name source is david pennies. a name source is david frost writing a column today and it's a direct dig at rishi sunak for being too reliant upon ex—pm advisers and senior advisers, including quite specifically simon case, the cabinet? yes. simon case, the cabinet? yes. simon is position i would say it is looking in some doubt although the prime minister's spokesman on friday said absolutely the prime minister complete confidence in him but certainly it looks like the cabinet secretary simon case was told months before dominic raab was appointed by sunak that there were these serious allegations actions against him and it looks like potentially he didn't pass those on to the prime minister. can't be certain . and also there's another story about a whistleblower from the foreign office in the guardian who's now suing the government because of the way she was treated . and she is blaming

treated. and she is blaming a lot of she's putting a lot of simon door to basically saying that the culture of the civil service has become about protect getting ministers and making them look good rather than doing what supposed to be doing, which is helping the government to get their policies through. so lots criticisms of simon case coming different sources and but yeah for now he has support of the pm desperately for and on behalf of our lovely viewers and listeners a few stories dotted around the papers morning about some possible positive news on the strike front with nurses wales and maybe something fresh in terms of the rail industry . are terms of the rail industry. are you hearing that? because i mean, if there's anything is going to come to the government's rescue, it is industrial peace. yes and the strikes are the other big nightmare, aren't they, for the governments at the moment because have been because the government have been holding it does sound holding firm it does sound certainly from the rmt that we

might be finally about to get to a breakthrough, although we have been here before and certainly the fact that the nurses strikes in wales at least have been suspended . but at the moment suspended. but at the moment wave upon wave of strikes and difficult to see how it ends. but course some good news the footsie as been talking about is at an all time high. they're looking forward they're seeing the recession if it comes when it comes shorter shallower inflation is becoming down interest rates have probably peaked. that's there is good probably doing it is absolutely not it's catherine always a pleasure and thank very much indeed for breaking into your busy working weekend to spend some of that time with us. and if your phone pings and you get something else, just tell the team and come on back. always good to see you catherine force that gb newsroom medical correspondent on alastair correspondent here on alastair stewart& friends plenty more still to come this afternoon , still to come this afternoon, including including british are

under fire, not least from grant shapps. the energy secretary. brutal in a piece that he's written for the newspaper for forcibly installing repayment metres in the homes of vulnerable people with the regulator asking companies to suspend the practise. well, we'll be discussing the impact of all of that next. so do stay tuned. and don't forget to keep those and tweets coming .

in welcome back here watching and listening to alastair stewart& friends here on gb news and radio. and thank you very much indeed for so doing . and you indeed for so doing. and you have answered my plea to get in touch on our big topic of the day and that is that big in interest rates here we have the one which is from joshua who

says footsie 100 index at a record high. oh it's all doom and gloom eye—watering profits. we should be taxed for a fair distribution into the uk economy . now gareth joins the conversation and says the banks rarely increase the interest rates for there's opposed to borrowers where the rate is increased within minutes of course they go rocketing up, don't they, just wherever . it's don't they, just wherever. it's possible. and he says liz truss in causing quite anguish spot on rishi and jeremy hunt our useless . and we didn't vote for useless. and we didn't vote for either of them anyway . oh either of them anyway. oh there's a lot of coverage to say that liz truss has not up on that liz truss has not up on that budget. that was vilified by so many boris. that budget. that was vilified by so many boris . johnson's now by so many boris. johnson's now joined the argument as well so whichever side of it you're on do keep your views coming in and will share some more a little later. and we've had some great conversations already about this

subject. if you missed them, do subscribe to youtube channel. we are of course at gb news and you catch all of the previous programmes and indeed previous programmes and indeed previous programmes and indeed previous programmes and now the boss of british gas said that he is horrified eyed that many of us thought . it was horrified eyed that many of us thought. it was simply an outrage even before him making his little observation to learn that debt collectors have been breaking into vulnerable people's homes to fit repayment metres for fear of those folk simply not being able to pay those astronomically . energy those astronomically. energy costs . well, that's a reasonable costs. well, that's a reasonable issue about . but there's also issue about. but there's also a reasonableness you about private property and your rights apparently one magistrate was just using rich to allow this go ahead without really asking any questions at all and that magistrate has now resigned so many that were targeted came clearer over the last couple of days where people include those who are disabled . now, this

who are disabled. now, this morning, as i said earlier on in the programme, the energy secretary, grant shapps is brutal. secretary, grant shapps is brutal . the times newspaper brutal. the times newspaper calling scandalous and shameful. but what will the government do? well asked ofgem to stop it and indeed they have responded. and other energy companies are saying no accepted now that it wrong and that they will put stop to it . joining me now to stop to it. joining me now to talk about the impact of all of this, i'm delighted to say is old friend of mine, roger, who's the ceo of disability direct. i said vulnerable . but i gather said vulnerable. but i gather from your team as well that that included some people who weren't only economically vulnerable, as it were , but very vulnerable in it were, but very vulnerable in the sense of disability . you had the sense of disability. you had people getting in touch with you saying this is happening us right now. you it's not only the though, it's the it's down to the sport on burglary of,

though, it's the it's down to the sport on burglary of , these the sport on burglary of, these kind of things. the sport on burglary of, these kind of things . how kind of things. how psychological effects take these very long time fall from for the mainstream together with what we've already got challenges due to the effects disability are the social economical effects of disability more you know it takes a lot for someone to get of it so i aware of people who have said this atrocity nobody in my direct area but i have heard of people who accepted to help them through that and it's scandalous is the right word and it's very rare that i would say that we will grow up. i think he's right something needs to be done to make sure this never again. i'd like to note what processes what followed to see for someone to use to arrive at the that i'm going to be waiting

for someone property . i could for someone property. i could see we've got a problem i think with the line we're not hearing clearly enough so i'm going to i'm going to draw a line under there but but i, i and certainly there but but i, i and certainly the people at home got the gist of what you were saying there. we're going to get you back on, if we may. so don't go away . if we may. so don't go away. before we go off air a little later on, say that you keep in touch with the team and they'll be giving you an email or a call very, very shortly . now, total very, very shortly. now, total change in topic, the princess of wales has launched a social media photo campaign to awareness of the importance of early years. you'll remember , i early years. you'll remember, i think it was last weekend we talked about the broad campaign and discussed just important. it was not only amongst the charity

and educators that to get those years right was important, but how important it was for those charities as well that she herself was on board, which she clearly has. she led the campaign this morning herself by posting this photograph of herself as a baby with her and is part of her shape being asked campaign which has drawn support from the likes of celebrities including roman kemp and fran cotton . well, joining me now to cotton. well, joining me now to discuss this further is royal correspondent at the sun newspaper, charles rea and a very good friend of mine from the old days in industria correspondence, charles when she . william's wife and before becoming the, as it were the princess of wales, she made the hospice movement. one of her chose and charities and this is broadening it out. this is getting into years as it were

formation of a children's outlook and what have you . it's outlook and what have you. it's quite radical stuff because it does trickle a little bit into the world of politics. yes, it does. and is a campaign that is a natural for her anyway, because she to get to the heart of the matter and there is nothing more at the heart of the matter than the development of a over children particularly those at vulnerable years that she is targeting , you know, from 0 to targeting, you know, from 0 to 5 years old and the shaping up campaign is to try to raise awareness . now there are some awareness. now there are some people who criticise it already because where is the money going to come from? but realistically you don't need money for this campaign . you just need people campaign. you just need people to become more aware of how important it is that are very children are nurtured right at the start through their their parents or their guardians through to nursery and early

learning . indeed. so the other learning. indeed. so the other thing your sound that just so let me pick it up and run with a similar ball or the other side of that coin it were and we've talked about this many times in the past that the royal family are normally quite reticent with what appears on social media, but for to post a picture of her as a tiny weeping with her dad and to encourage others to do it as well . do you sense that in as well. do you sense that in william and catherine's case, they've looked at the moans and groans , harry and meghan, they groans, harry and meghan, they decided , no, no, if you do it decided, no, no, if you do it properly, it can be positive. and that's the road we are now going to go down. i think that's i think you're absolutely right that they are using social media. i mean, there's so much on social media out of state, as you well it's evil it's you well know it's evil it's like a world away but this this one this campaign is for good

and you've already got people like harry kane , the england like harry kane, the england captain, showing picture of him when he's under five and he's already is already his right foot forward. it's a is a way of show that he's got a great right food. but you've also got jamie oliver. and it's not just celebrities that she she wants she wants just you know, you and many people in the viewers, the listeners , you know, to join in listeners, you know, to join in this campaign and show pictures of when they were much younger with their or in happy circumstances and what could be better than to flood twitter with fantastic pictures of young like this with parents as the one that catherine has a this morning can i also ask you that some people are fascinated it and other people go oh god no but but the interview edition of the archbishop of and trying to a peace for the house of windsor and the newspapers not least your old stomping ground , are

your old stomping ground, are full of suggestions . the deal full of suggestions. the deal has now been done and that indeed harry and meghan will be attending the coronation of charles iii. do you buy into that. charles iii. do you buy into that . well the problem with this that. well the problem with this is that there is no definitive version on this that . yes people version on this that. yes people are saying that they are coming. i believe that they will be invited. now, whether or not they come , the big $64,000 they come, the big $64,000 question. but happens out there, whether they come , they don't whether they come, they don't come. they are still going to the cause celebre and it's going take the shine off the that is no in my view . there is no no in my view. there is no question about that because they are becoming, you a social a talking point for everybody in the country . and it's like like the country. and it's like like a scab that you've got and you start to pick out it. it a scab that you've got and you start to pick out it . it gets start to pick out it. it gets worse and worse and worse. now, what ever worse and worse and worse. now, whatever happens, worse and worse and worse. now, what ever happens, whether they come or they stay away, they'll

still forefront . that still be forefront. that coronation, which i think is a great great pity . charles, great great pity. charles, thanks very much indeed . always thanks very much indeed. always good to talk to you . and charles good to talk to you. and charles wright, their former industrial cross winner and court correspondent of the sun newspaper . now we're going back newspaper. now we're going back to a mirage. you the ceo , to a mirage. you the ceo, disability, whatever the sound problem was, we have sorted out. i'm delighted to say you are halfway through describing your own shock and at this my question is whether there's a suggestion out there . i think suggestion out there. i think there probably is that rather wanting energy secretary to get across about it, which is a good thing but to do something about it and a suggestion that if you are a vulnerable person , be it are a vulnerable person, be it because of age or disability whatever, this simply should not happen. whatever, this simply should not happen . they should in some way

happen. they should in some way be protect kid from such an invasion or such an intervention which risks cutting off their supply of essential . what's supply of essential. what's what's your view on that . i what's your view on that. i think it's a sensible approach but i think we technically most of the utility companies should already have on the register of customers as to whether person is a vulnerable adult or a disabled person or. is a vulnerable adult or a disabled person or . a person disabled person or. a person with iron level of needs. and so , you know, you could think that somehow algorithm in the system to prevent those those people on that list from being targeted in this way and as say that's that's what really surprises that's what really surprises that the blanket has just been allowed to only interrupt underline the significance of what you've just said so as it were ignorant this is no defence whatsoever those vulnerabilities those challenges would have been

listed in the course listed in the customer assessment. so if they were clutching straws, there are none to clutch . i'd there are none to clutch. i'd agree with that totally and it's agree with that totally and it's a i. i'm a disabled and i've listed with my suppliers that you know i have needs as do most disabled will have listed that the are needs to be taken into consideration and my concern here as i say blanket approach has been applied without any common sense and i think you know, that there's just no excuse for that i said earlier this is this is in the same category as burglar and to some extent the long term effect on disabled people with this , you disabled people with this, you know, i don't know how long going to take for people to get over this and it's you know, i read this those children with on the autistic spectrum who were affected by this kind of activity by debt collectors

closing on the due to how the parents explained to them what's just happened and, why it's happened, you know , it's beyond happened, you know, it's beyond my logic thinking , well as we my logic thinking, well as we said at the very top of it would genuinely genuinely shocking for very very many people. but let's finish . we've got we've got finish. we've got we've got about a minute left and that is about a minute left and that is a more positive about access disabled people and people. i gather that more money is being given to local councils for more accessible . i know for many accessible. i know for many disabled people that it remains absolute bugbear. i mean, talking about absolute and the why has this suddenly come to the fore and why can there possibly be so many places that do not have accessible public provision for disabled people who just to spend a penny. i think it's i think it's really

news but let's put this into perspective the campaign fought foot for toilets the whole of the places standard is nearly 20 years old. you know and go to the loo on an equal basis as a bafic the loo on an equal basis as a basic human right and i don't think we really behind here but excellent news all i would say to local authorities when you're making your cuts do make cuts in the maintenance budgets of these loos as well because . you know, loos as well because. you know, these can easily into a very, very large broom cupboard . very large broom cupboard. hello. interesting things. the message received and clear and i'm thanks for coming back to us and those additional thoughts as and those additional thoughts as and i do apologise that we had little technical problem a little technical problem a little earlier on was dr. amery rodger the chief executive officer of disability direct act. and you are watching and listening to alastair stewart& friends here on gb news tv and radio with more to come on the programme this afternoon we will

be discussing the progress that apparently is made . the apparently is being made. the northern protocol northern ireland protocol for protocol . but first, quick protocol. but first, a quick break .

break and welcome. if you've just joined us. i'm alison stewart. and we are into the last hour of our programme. thank you very much . if you've been with us at much. if you've been with us at all at the top, i would be keeping company on tv and radio for the remainder of this afternoon with many more still to come up, including as we mark the third anniversary of brexit. it what's afoot with progress on the northern ireland protocol. thusis the northern ireland protocol. thus is the beginning of the six nafions thus is the beginning of the six nations tournament in rugby and we have a special guest to help us discuss that within this hour

as well but first, let's bring you right up to date with of the day's news here once again, it's tatiana sanchez . alister, thank tatiana sanchez. alister, thank you. it's 1:01. tatiana sanchez. alister, thank you. it's1:01. this is the from the gb newsroom, the family of missing mother two nicola billi have insisted that there's no evidence whatsoever that she fell into the river. we're nicola sister is urging people to keep an open after officers the disappearance say . they the disappearance say. they believe she fell into the river whilst walking her dog ms. belli vanished in lancashire last friday morning . the friday morning. the investigation is now focusing a ten minute window between ten and 9:20. that's for police , say and 9:20. that's for police, say they're not treating her disappearance suspicious. but as a tragic of a missing person . a tragic of a missing person. health leaders are calling on the government to show initiative to end strikes. the

confederation says the health service will struggle to clear backlogs and improve emergency care unless action is taken . care unless action is taken. they warn if it doesn't improve , will risk patients suffering even longer waiting times than they already do. thousands of nurses and ambulance workers are walking out on monday in what many are calling the biggest strike day. the nhs has ever seen. former director dr. andrew fallon says the ball is in the government's court. and of course they're worried about their salaries, but it's a feeling of lack of recognition , feeling of lack of recognition, of, of the work they do and, and then you see and they look at other workers in the nhs to have this found who are working normal days and they're working eight or 12 hour shifts without and they say why can't we get recognition for what we do . recognition for what we do. meanwhile officials are encouraging 6 to 49 year olds to

get their autumn makeover booster before the nhs scales down its vaccine programme to focus on at risk patients . the focus on at risk patients. the nhs says hundreds , thousands of nhs says hundreds, thousands of appointments are available up until the 12th of february for those within that age bracket. after this date, the jobs will only be offered to those considered to be at risk of serious illness. covid infections in the have dropped though for a fourth week in a row . the bodies of two british row. the bodies of two british aid volunteers died during a humanitarian evacuation have been returned to ukrainian authorities . the families of authorities. the families of chris parry and andrew backshall say pair were attempting to rescue elderly woman from the eastern of soledar in early january. the bodies were as part of a prisoner swap . russia and of a prisoner swap. russia and ukraine involving nearly 200 people on both sides . us people on both sides. us officials say a second suspected

chinese spy balloon has been spotted moving over latin america. it's after one was seen flying over sensitive military sites in the united yesterday. earlier the us secretary of state, antony blinken, called off a visit to beijing calling the move a clear of us sovereignty and that he'd be prepared to resume his visit when conditions allow . china when conditions allow. china maintains it was , in fact, maintains it was, in fact, a civilian, whether ship which had blown off course course . staying blown off course course. staying in the us and a us jury has found tesla's ceo elon musk and the company not liable for misleading investor. the company not liable for misleading investor . following the company not liable for misleading investor. following a tweet from mr musk about the firm's finances , the company's firm's finances, the company's boss tweeted in 2018 that he had funding secured to take the electric coffin. private investors say they were misled by the tweet and subsequently claimed billions in damages. but the jury came back with a united ms. verdict after only 2 hours

of deliberation as at least one british sailor has been taken hospital after problems with water on board the warship. hms portland has returned to base as a precautionary measure . the a precautionary measure. the daily telegraph newspaper reports the wrong chemicals were put into the vessels freshwater system, but the error was flagged quickly by staff. the ship has returned to portsmouth and the issue is being investigate . and the princess of investigate. and the princess of wales has launched a photo sharing campaign on social media to raise awareness . the to raise awareness. the importance of early years development . kate led the development. kate led the campaign , posting a photograph campaign, posting a photograph of herself as a baby with her father. all part of her shaping us campaign , which has drawn us campaign, which has drawn support from the likes of rapper professor green and presenter fearne cotton . she's hoping fearne cotton. she's hoping people will follow suit over the weekend . this is gb news will weekend. this is gb news will bnng weekend. this is gb news will bring you more news as happens now. it's back to alister .

now. it's back to alister. tatiana, thank you very much . tatiana, thank you very much. hopes rose last week. that little progress may be underway on the northern ireland post brexit protocol with european union. stagnation has all the harm. the economy in northern ireland as elsewhere and cost northern ireland its power sharing executive . but even sharing executive. but even diehard unionists swear, it seemed to me a little more optimistic . seemed to me a little more optimistic. in the seemed to me a little more optimistic . in the independent optimistic. in the independent newspaper today , tory brexiteers newspaper today, tory brexiteers are urging the prime minister to allow a vote on any compromise agreement struck with the european union and. the vote in brussels to the raw over the northern ireland protocol. so is something afoot? what's it all

about? delighted to be joined now to try and get to bottom of it all by two old friends. matthew robinson. first, the chairman of , the northern chairman of, the northern ireland conservatives . is this ireland conservatives. is this just a bit of overspend or is there something really quite important going on at the moment, matthew ? great to be moment, matthew? great to be back with you, alice. i mean, i think it's clear the uk has really turbocharged this urgency , get a deal over the line. i think we're close? i'm optimistic. we're close. there has been some speculation in the media, some that a deal perhaps reached on both sides said there's still something some technical issues that still need to be worked out. but i mean, compromise is the name of the. there will have to be at the end of the day , a compromise between of the day, a compromise between both sides. i would say some of the technical that the uk government has advocating for

from the start, like a green lane for goods coming from gb into northern ireland, even potentially digitalising some customs checks. we're long suggested years ago mean i can remember as early back when i was working in the european parliament in 2017 there were there was a report commissioned of the european parliament, a trade expert, lawrence coulson , trade expert, lawrence coulson, suggested just these technical solutions at the time and they were laughed out of the room by by many . these were laughed out of the room by by many. these are were laughed out of the room by by many . these are the very were laughed out of the room by by many. these are the very same sensible technical solutions to the protocol that are seriously being looked at my i'm confident i should be included any potential compromise compromise deal but i think we need to we need to get away from the pandenng need to get away from the pandering the grandstanding and the politics it we need to find a workable solution that benefits our businesses in northern ireland that been absolutely hammered by covid pandemic, by the energy crisis ,

pandemic, by the energy crisis, hardworking taxpayers and that and we need a deal here. we to attract inward investment to northern ireland. and the longer this uncertainty goes on i do worry about its long term impacts on the northern irish economy . the reassurance that economy. the reassurance that brussels seem to need most of all was was the very technical that you described there that would be in place and would be available because clearly for them the single market is utterly crucial to the raison d'etre of the european union. they're not going to blink on that any more. you or the unionist parties, the other unionist parties, the other unionist parties, the other unionist parties are going to blink on the union. so are you increasing confident that that's the pill that's been swallowed, i swallowed , i.e. if we rely on i swallowed, i.e. if we rely on trustworthiness on a integrity, we can this and both sides keep what they need . i think the uk

what they need. i think the uk government has always recognised the fact that the eu would would and protect the european single market mean that's a fair and you know , reasonable thing to you know, reasonable thing to expect. but but cutting through let's be really about this group is coming especially agricultural goods coming from gb into northern ireland, sandwiches coming in from gb into northern ireland and supermarkets throw those arms . supermarkets throw those arms. lutely zero threat to the european single market. i mean the uk government's green proposal should have been accepted not long ago. yes there are some very legitimate constitutional concerns amongst unionists in northern ireland with regards to ecj jurisdiction . there is some speculation that maybe there is a compromise afoot whereby only northern irish courts can effectively refer decisions to the ecj and be very curious to see the detail on that. if indeed there

is a compromise afoot. but one cannot also escape the political reality and the reality in fairness to those of your friends and colleagues in democratic unionist party , they democratic unionist party, they were very clear when they went into the election about what their red lines were and what their red lines were and what their mandate was and. they, while i have some disagreements with them over their approach to the protocol they did receive a legitimate democratic mandate from from a chunk of the unionist community in ireland. so that also both sides of the community need to be respected. that's an integral part . the that's an integral part. the good friday agreement. so whatever deal the uk government secures and i hope there's a bit of bit of room on the dup , but of bit of room on the dup, but it's going to satisfy some of the concerns of unionism. this, by the way, i was there's not helped the fact that we're looking potentially at another assembly election this year where dup under a lot of where the dup under a lot of pressure on the right words like from tv and jim allister and from the tv and jim allister and close elections . well so i think

close elections. well so i think the dup will be balancing their political fortunes as in the upcoming round of elections and northern with regards to whatever deal they end up accepting or not accepting . and accepting or not accepting. and the fate of the northern ireland assembly is of course in the balance that matthew final . balance that matthew final. question and that party party on party has the new northern ireland secretary impressed you 7 ireland secretary impressed you ? yeah chris seaton i'd say both. chris heaton—harris and minister of state steve baker have really are totally top of their brief. i think they have , their brief. i think they have, i think they've brought a renewed sense of optimism down blue irish relations that's most welcome i mean, there was a lot of good work done on the ground with the likes of brandon lewis, who was there before. but i think both chris heaton—harris and steve baker are fantastic a team and i have a good rapport think established with their counterparts in the irish

government and ambassadors across europe as well . i think i across europe as well. i think i think these things welcome ultimately, you know, we all live on the same island regardless of one's constitutional position. i'm a unionist, but i've irish blood, you know, it's in the interests of both unionism and none of the above. of both unionism and none of the above . but we have good, healthy above. but we have good, healthy anglo—irish relations. the uk government up and certainly the team in the northern ireland office gets that as well. matthew. it is genuinely always pleasure, which is why i asked you back to chat to you and at no point scoring and silly points being made that . but i'm points being made that. but i'm genuinely thrilled as i'm sure many are, that you do sense that there may be something underway that could bring good news for northern ireland, for all of our friends that particular given that making another return as well as also roger pollen , who well as also roger pollen, who is the head of the federation of small businesses in northern

ireland. matthew just said that you're sector has been absolutely hammered. the economy has been absolutely hammered by the delay over this protocol and the delay over this protocol and the interruption of trade, whether it's exporting goods or importing materials, how bad has it been ? well, i think to be it been? well, i think to be fair , i'm good to see you again. fair, i'm good to see you again. alistair to be fair, i think he said have been hammered by covid and then by energy costs and then the other things laid on top of that. the challenge top of that. so the challenge has therefore understand has been therefore understand exactly causing exactly what is causing the problems businesses have problems that businesses have been huge been facing. so did a huge exercise to map membership and we find that in respect we really find that in respect of protocol broke down into of the protocol broke down into five cohorts. the first cohort was the people. the protocol working well for the second is the one that it doesn't really affect. so things like services. the third is one where somebody else is taking pain. some people just the issues that just don't see the issues that they're deal with. so they're having to deal with. so example, business, example, small business, getting supplies, a local wholesaler, a wholesaler is taking the pain of bringing stuff in. the small

business doesn't necessarily see that the fourth group is that it's a tricky one out of the businesses that are protected by grace are lots grace periods and there are lots of periods in place which of grace periods in place which a sticking plasters on a bit like sticking plasters on a bit like sticking plasters on a we don't know a bandage and we don't know whether or festering whether the wounds or festering and then the first is the and then the first group is the ones are affected really ones that are affected really badly. we've seen boots over badly. so we've seen boots over over decades here that the whole good friday agreement was about protecting minorities . so if protecting minorities. so if there's a significant minority of businesses that being of businesses that are being badly affected by protocol, badly affected by the protocol, that of a concern to that should be of a concern to everybody . do you go along with everybody. do you go along with matthew's view that that the new secretary of state and ministerial colleagues are, as it were, a breath of fresh because they get a exactly that they are listening people like you as well as people like matthew and that the infrastructure issues can be sorted out and that there a recognition that it's not just a common problem across the whole piece they're all specific groups as you've just so

eloquently described. you need particulars of particular help and there are others frankly, you can just get on with it. but i think to take two ministers, you talk about the secretary of state the facility added and i think played a very large role behind the scenes in ensuring that the foreign secretary over to northern ireland to meet with business and he came to meet business and he came out to meet with members and really with some fsb members and really to problems to understand problems that they're knew what they're facing. so he knew what it he needed to achieve it was that he needed to achieve . his discussions the . in his discussions with the eu, minister, steve baker, eu, the minister, steve baker, has been on the front foot has also been on the front foot from minute was appointment from the minute was appointment came with members came by to meet with fsb members in out to see in our offices, went out to see some of the frictionless solutions that matthew was alluding members of alluding to that some members of ours developing, which ours have been developing, which is what is where you can understand what is where you can understand what is across gb into is coming across gb into northern without needing northern ireland without needing to look in the back of the lorry simply clever use of data . so simply by clever use of data. so yes, them their own yes, both of them in their own ways of got very engaged in the process here. and i think that's why we're seeing the optimism that we are that there's a solution on the horizon . we do solution on the horizon. we do believe this programme of

believe on this programme of giving praise. praise is due . giving praise. praise is due. and i just merely point out that the federation small the federation of small businesses, northern and as well as the conservative party in northern made similar northern have made very similar about and calibre of about the quality and calibre of people who are there trying to represent affairs in northern ireland within the central . how ireland within the central. how worried are you as the voice of small businesses in northern ireland and a business man yourself at our topic of conversation today? and that's the big, big rise in interest rates because not only individuals having to pay more for mortgages or , bank loans or for mortgages or, bank loans or what have you because the heart of that are people running small businesses who may need to borrow to refurbish a shop or buy another bit of kit to make them more productive , more them more productive, more competitive. how worried you about that big jump in interest rates ? there is a big concern rates? there is a big concern about because to a certain extent , businesses look about because to a certain extent, businesses look around and see that the economy is

slowing anyway because the price of things is going so much. so the rise of interest rates is also to intended to achieve the same thing that rising prices are causing , which is that are causing, which is that people have less money to go around. and it is a concern because businesses have had to come through to two and a half years of very difficult times because of the pandemic and so on. there's lot of need to on. so there's a lot of need to reinvest in those businesses to , there's opportunity , grow them. there's opportunity to that. there's the whole to do that. there's the whole green agenda where is green agenda where there is great opportunity for to spring up . but if they're going up there. but if they're going to have good customer use, those customers to have to customers need to have access to cash. and the moment, that cash. and at the moment, that cash. and at the moment, that cash is getting more expensive. so unwelcome factor. we so it's an unwelcome factor. we understand there. understand why it's in there. we don't the don't necessarily with the analysis that it will achieve what it's intended to achieve because much of the inflation because so much of the inflation we're seeing is caused by international pressures than domestic . but domestic overspending. but hopefully the hopefully we're seeing the increase in rates slowing at least. and then maybe start to see some some reversals later on in the year. roger on the

protocol and brilliant, brilliant on interest rates there as well. thank you very much indeed for finding time for us this weekend. that sort of pull of the head of the federation small business in federation of small business in northern encapsulating northern ireland encapsulating beautifully. what does mean beautifully. what it does mean to be a small business person contemplating making to improve , enhance and develop and expand your business at the at the sharp they're so great to have him and indeed matthew with us to discuss that . well, i'm also to discuss that. well, i'm also very pleased to meet a new friend not being on the program, but very welcome nevertheless . but very welcome nevertheless. and that's when we left is the restaurateur based in northern ireland, who also featured on the bbc's great british menu programme . you're very welcome. programme. you're very welcome. and thank you very much indeed for finding time for us. we were just hearing there that there are various categories . people are various categories. people have really been hammered by the delay in sorting out the protocol and others who frankly can kind of just shrug and get

on with their lives . well. where on with their lives. well. where do you put yourself ? good do you put yourself? good evening or good afternoon, sir. it's getting so hard . suppose as it's getting so hard. suppose as a young entrepreneur myself, my wife's from the restaurant and the margins are getting tighter and tighter. obviously, price of electric price of produce everything is going through the through roof and there's no support . so there's no real support. so there's no real guidance forward where this is going to take us. there will be casualties , i think as far as casualties, i think as far as restaurants are concerned , the restaurants are concerned, the next three or four months as the bank, we get tighter and people aren't spending any more, people aren't spending any more, people aren't coming out as often as they would and yes, it's very, very worrying going, yeah, i've perfect time, sir. and obviously into exports and not a problem for you because have you you run a restaurant and that is by definition a small business but has flow of raw materials and products that you and the rest of your kitchen team prepare and

turn into wonderful meals. has that been affected by hiccup over the protocol or is mainly that point that you make there at the end that it's folk having enough money in their back pocket and their wallets to be able to come out and enjoy a terrific meal? yeah, well, to be honest, we're very lucky in northern in ireland as a whole, we have such great produce. so i don't too much of that and hasn't really affected me honestly i can see lots i must love large organisations obviously a factor but not really . it's mainly the really. it's mainly the disposable income . it's just not disposable income. it's just not there anymore and people are being really of what to spend and think. obviously my menu pnces and think. obviously my menu prices have to go up with the prices have to go up with the price abroad. yes, but i can only do so far until i have no one coming in the door. so we have to, we have to work it very, very well. but there just doesn't seem to be any if there was support out there some guidance going forward, it gives you more confidence and we can plan. but the minute we're

plan. but at the minute we're almost steps because almost taking steps because we don't the don't know what's around the corner came out of a corner we just came out of a pandemic still we're pandemic and we still we're still buying as far as i'm still buying this. as far as i'm concerned . i invite you to chip concerned. i invite you to chip in on a big discussion and did as well very helpfully . and that as well very helpfully. and that is i described a small businessperson. some of them set the brilliant restaurant we could see behind . how troubled could see behind. how troubled are you by inflation versus the prospect of interest rates? further reducing demand at your wonderful restaurant . are you wonderful restaurant. are you worried about growth? are you worried about growth? are you worried about growth? are you worried about recession ? worried about recession? absolutely. absolutely we are based more my restaurant is now and where i live or in italy it's our town by way from the border in the south. so we have a great and northern ireland just somewhere if we capitalise on it there's going to be lots of tourism coming over i know the republic of ireland speaking

to friends and did work in the size the hotels wedge so it size the hotels are wedge so it has of prices on went through the roof in the last three or four months so we can capitalise on this but if we don't get this protocol sorted and the protocol itself is probably way over my head to be honest with , but the head to be honest with, but the fact protocol has , obviously fact the protocol has, obviously it has disabled our government so we've no active government . so we've no active government. we're going into it. we need to get this sorted, out so get this sorted, ironed out so we can really push on. have a good summer. i'm confident we can have a good summer if get this control. but i have this under control. but i have no confidence our local or local government at the minute, such as spain disabled. no, i think 12 months yesterday. so it's almost embarrassing at this stage that we can't find an agreement and move on. we've come so far as northern ireland has in the last 20, 30, 40 years. i just think we need to keep going i feel almost like our government is like an anchor holding this back and progressing. we get all progressing. once we get all this out ironed this thrashed out and ironed out, can. we can be out, i think we can. we can be

confident that we can do this yeah confident that we can do this year. yeah plan been great to meet you and thank you for joining the line and thank you very genuinely all of us wish you well on being on the right side of and the wrong side of pessimism. let's hope that the worm does turn and. the business goes from strength to strength . goes from strength to strength. but thanks for sharing those frontline thoughts with us there. that's good. we'll restaurateur in northern ireland and we thank you all. still to come and remains of the programme this afternoon here on alastair stewart& friends after the break it's ten years the break it's been ten years since the body of richard third was discovered beneath a car park in leicester. so what we learned about the infamous king overseas , the first of many to overseas, the first of many to be council , overseas, the first of many to be council, but overseas, the first of many to be council , but not least by be council, but not least by william shakespeare . we'll be william shakespeare. we'll be going live to leicester to , get going live to leicester to, get the latest on that and new developments on richard the third. but before all of that, let's bring you right up to with

the weekend weather. a very good day . you it is going to be quite day. you it is going to be quite cloudy with some drizzly rain around, but it's in the where there'll be some more persistent rain for a time. at the moment if we take a look at the bigger picture we are a warm sector in between warm front towards picture we are a warm sector in betieast warm front towards picture we are a warm sector in betieast and warm front towards picture we are a warm sector in betieast and thisn front towards picture we are a warm sector in betieast and thisn frorfront'ards the east and this cold front towards northwest. and that towards the northwest. and that warm those warm sector is those cloudy conditions mentioned conditions i mentioned this front it gradually pushes its front as it gradually pushes its way southeast, which is bringing rain. see towards rain. you can see towards lunchtime we're going have lunchtime we're going to have some weather across parts of some wet weather across parts of western into northern western and into northern ireland too. elsewhere across the bulk the yes, it's the bulk of the uk, yes, it's cloudy, largely with just cloudy, but largely with just a few spots of drizzly rain around, brightness breaking around, some brightness breaking through this will through the cloud. but this will be limited this afternoon. be quite limited this afternoon. temperatures a little bit on temperatures are a little bit on the mild side for the time of yearin the mild side for the time of year in many places, getting into double figures highs, perhaps maybe even perhaps reaching 12, maybe even 13 towards south. 13 celsius towards the south. southeast from southeast turning colder from northwest. this cold northwest. so behind this cold front with some feeding front with some showers feeding in parts scotland and in across parts scotland and these are likely to have a bit of a wintry element to them, particularly ground particularly the higher ground nofice particularly the higher ground

notice its notice as the front pushes its way southwards, doesn't bring notice as the front pushes its way samountds, doesn't bring notice as the front pushes its way samount of doesn't bring notice as the front pushes its way samount of rain)esn't bring notice as the front pushes its way samount of rain to n't bring notice as the front pushes its way samount of rain to southern huge amount of rain to southern parts. we a skies then following in behind under clear in behind under these clear skies going to skies temperatures are going to take quite a drop tonight, particularly north and west. particularly the north and west. that's likely to see that's where we're likely to see quite frost, quite a widespread frost, a touch further touch frost possible further south. sunday south. first thing on sunday morning through sunday itself, though, fine day, high though, a fine day, high pressure firmly in control. so lots of calm, settled weather around plenty sunshine to around and plenty of sunshine to orbit . the sunshine be orbit. the sunshine could be a little hazy at times because little bit hazy at times because of some level clouds . of some high level clouds. temperatures are going temperatures on sunday are going to couple of degrees to be down a couple of degrees compared to what we're going to see today. but with the sunshine, you'll probably feel quite go quite pleasant at times as we go through the day on through the end of the day on across england and wales. going to hold to those clear skies to hold on to those clear skies as sunday nights again as a result, sunday nights again going quite chilly going to be quite chilly with a touch of further north, touch of frost further north, though, across of though, across parts of scotland, ireland, some scotland, northern ireland, some thinking and thinking thickening cloud and also strengthening winds . also some strengthening winds. we spells of we could see some spells of rain. at times we rain. jerusalem at times as we go through the rest of the week, though, it's good to be a bit more towards more changeable towards the north, fine towards the north, staying fine towards the south, some chilly, perhaps

frosty nights . join frosty and foggy nights. join me every sunday at 6 pm. for glory meets in exclusive interviews. i'll finding out who are politicians really are and what they really think . it's they really think. it's something that you would never want to solve. i didn't know what channels there were. b i didn't think i'd be believed. i must have waited about seven, dad, and i'm five for eight. my instincts to sort of cover this up, i'm in it. that was a mistake. join me every sunday at 6 pm. on gb news. the people's channel, britain's news .

channel good. it's 130. channel good. it's130. i'm tatiana sanchez in the newsroom the family of missing mother of two, nicola belli, have there's no evidence whatsoever that she

fell into the river. wyre, it's after officers investigating the disappeared and say they believe she fell into the river whilst walking her dog , ms. belli walking her dog, ms. belli vanished in lancashire last friday morning . the friday morning. the investigation is focusing on a ten minute window between ten and 9:20. that's unaccounted for. police they are not treating her disappearance suspicious, but as a tragic case of a missing person . nicola's of a missing person. nicola's friend heather says it's all too much for the family. friend heather says it's all too much for the family . as a friend much for the family. as a friend of nikki , i am struggling to see of nikki, i am struggling to see how we can take on a theory as a conclusion and you know, nikki, we need evidence to know where nikki is. and as far as aware there, they have not found any. so paul and nick's parents and sister last night and the heartbroken they are living a living hell . and on top of that living hell. and on top of that they have all the speculation comes out to deal with . it's too comes out to deal with. it's too much. it's not fair. health

leaders calling on the government to show initiative to end the recent strikes . the nhs end the recent strikes. the nhs confederation says the health service will struggle clear backlogs and improve emergency care unless action is taken . care unless action is taken. thousands of nurses and ambulance workers are walking out on monday in what many are calling the biggest day the nhs has ever seen . the bodies of two has ever seen. the bodies of two british aid volunteers who died dunng british aid volunteers who died during a humanitarian evacuation have been returned . ukrainian have been returned. ukrainian authorities. families of chris parry and andrew bagshaw say the pair were attempting to rescue an elderly woman from the eastern town of soledar early january. the bodies were returned as part of a prisoner between russia and ukraine, involving nearly 200 people on both sides . tv online and the ap both sides. tv online and the ap plus radio. this is gb news.

that was over 2 hours . that was over 2 hours. to tatyana. thank you very much indeed. today ten years since search officially confirmed that remains is discovered beneath a corpse in leicester. but indeed those of king richard the third in a story that has captured the attention of the world's press . attention of the world's press. dedicated team of academics found the grave which had been for nearly 500 years. east midlands reporter will hollis has on the latest developments surrounding a story that's still so many . for surrounding a story that's still so many. for 500 surrounding a story that's still so many . for 500 years. surrounding a story that's still so many. for 500 years. king richard the third was lost. his royal resting place quite unknown , remarkable. but a unknown, remarkable. but a decade on the story of his

discover remains just as astonishing. this is the courtyard, the playground of the victorian that the king richard, the third visit since him. and through this door is the car park where richard the third was found after extensive research. writer philippa fixed upon a part this car park even describing a sensation in. the exact place richard was buried . exact place richard was buried. a team archaeologists from the university of leicester started digging within just a few. he'd been found with curved spine and dna for proof. phil hackett from the richard the third visitors centre. there an hour marked on the on the tarmac and she said she had a feeling that that's where it was which you know obviously sounds insane and yet she was proven right . and then she was proven right. and then on that, the dna on top of that, the dna sequencing is a speciality . sequencing is a speciality. university of leicester and the living relatives were last living relatives were the last onesin living relatives were the last ones in line because haven't ones in the line because haven't had really is most

had children. it really is most incredible. archaeological detective story ever told. the space has been given special protection by, historic england and the visitors centre is built right on spot where richard was found . richard the third was the found. richard the third was the last plantagenet . his family last plantagenet. his family ruled england . 300 years until ruled england. 300 years until he died at the battle bosworth in 1485. in the centuries since he's been villain, mainly because of tudor propaganda and shakespeare . but many historians shakespeare. but many historians argue his favour. richard smith is from the king richard society . we know that his body wasn't in the river by an angry mob. that was a silly story to sort of make people pause about and sort of just repeating the silly stories him. molly stood in history at uni. she volunteers helping to share richard's story , keeping the enjoyment in history alive , keeping the history alive, keeping the relevance that history is alive is really important important .

is really important important. richard now rests at leicester , richard now rests at leicester, is closed for renovations . but is closed for renovations. but tourists still come in thousands. pizza leicester's elected mayor many tens of thousands , not hundreds of thousands, not hundreds of thousands, not hundreds of thousands of visitors brought as a result of this . and of course, a result of this. and of course, that's a major boost for our economy as well. and we've seen, for example, an increase 60% in the number of hotel rooms in the city. jane is from sheffield. she's visiting family but couldn't miss the chance . come couldn't miss the chance. come here. i mean, i can remember they said, you know, they're going to try and find when going to try and find him when you well, needle in a you think, well, needle in a haystack, you? and haystack, don't you? and the fact actually found it fact that they actually found it and helped prove, and then helped to prove, obviously, was him . it's obviously, that it was him. it's amazing . in a fresh turn for the amazing. in a fresh turn for the tale , the remaining car park is tale, the remaining car park is up for auction. it's expected to £4 million. the that comes with it is quite priceless. will hollis gb news in leicester. fascinating story continues there in leicester and a

brilliant piece of forensic research there by the historians , by the rest of them. i'm delighted to say that our east midlands reporter will, unless you did that report for us joins us live now on that he is . us live now on that he is. what's the agenda you spoke to a whole range of people there who gave their witness their testimony that particular interest. but what is it that they want to know that is missing from the real factual story of richard plantagenet . story of richard plantagenet. yes. well, leicester can be described as a historic city it can now be described as a tourist tobe because of course of leicester cathedral , king of leicester cathedral, king richard, the third was interred in 2015. and of course because the king richard, the third. visitor centre and i'm joined now by phil who's the general manager saw you in the little film but also how are we feel at this point getting to years it doesn't seem like it's been that

long. oh, the decades. absolutely flown by. i mean, we're celebrating the 10th anniversary, both the discovery and the reinstatement of richard, the third. and this announcement, which is the university of leicester, confirmed with 99.9% accuracy that it definitely , richard, that it definitely, richard, that it definitely, richard, that there was a real moment to celebrate. it still sends shivers. you know, at my spine when think it, that when i think about it, that story, a story that's gone story, it's a story that's gone for on 500 years. he's often been painted different light. what do know about king richard? the third? because of this discovery? and what are we still trying to out? well, trying to figure out? well, actually, mean, he only actually, i mean, he was only for two and bit years and for two and a bit years and there's little evidence there's very little evidence that survives his time as that survives from his time as king so actually, it's one king. and so actually, it's one of moments where people of those moments where people can do more research and we can find more. richard the third. there's society, as there's an entire society, as you know, richard, that you know, the. richard, that that the original that society funded the original dig good friends of dig and. they're good friends of ours obviously, ours here. obviously, the king richard centre. is richard service centre. so it is a story that just keeps going. that story is partly been formed by shakespeare. we are we finding that maybe some of the shakespeare tale of what richard

the third actually like is the third was actually like is maybe quite fact. it's maybe not quite fact. it's a little bit more fiction. oh, of course. mean, shakespeare's little bit more fiction. oh, of courswas mean, shakespeare's little bit more fiction. oh, of courswas foran, shakespeare's little bit more fiction. oh, of courswas for entertainment. 5's little bit more fiction. oh, of courswas for entertainment. it play was for entertainment. it was of its time. and of course, plays authorised . the plays had to be authorised. the royal family at the time, which the obviously the tudors and they obviously didn't say anything very didn't want to say anything very about the plantagenet years. king richard society how we use sorry the king richard the third visit to centre how were you celebrating in there this period. well, as i say, we've been celebrating all year and going to carry on for the next two years, all the way through to the internet in 2025. so we've got a whole load of activities up. do a of activities coming up. we do a of talks and sessions on sites, but really we've just been celebrating the 10th anniversary by introducing a £10 annual pass so everybody can come and visit the king richard, the dead centre fo r £10 to celebrate the centre for £10 to celebrate the 10th anniversary. it really is a remarkable story. and it's one that i'm sure you get tired of telling. we've been telling that story again this week because car is now up sale. car park is now up for sale. it's auction, car park is now up for sale. it's up auction, £4.1 million. how you think that might affect

what goes on here, the visit? oh, well, looking forward oh, well, we're looking forward to find who our neighbours are going be. i mean it's going to be. i mean it's a story. i mean, it is remarkable. and you tell it, and every time you tell it, there's element it there's another element of it that just as remarkable as that is just as remarkable as any you know, we've any other. but, you know, we've got exhibition display at got new exhibition on display at the you about the the moment, tells you about the history greyfriars history of the greyfriars precinct, is why richard precinct, which is why richard was lost. we now know more was lost. so we now know more about than ever before about that than ever before because archaeology. and because of the archaeology. and we're new we're planning some new exhibitions coming years. exhibitions in the coming years. they're you they're going to show you how leicester the mediaeval leicester was in, the mediaeval penod leicester was in, the mediaeval period during it's time. period during which it's time. phil, so for to phil, thank you so much for to talking million for a car talking £4.1 million for a car park. but it's a story that is actually priceless and a story that keeps giving . don't mention that keeps giving. don't mention princes in the tower in leicester. they would get very grumpy if you do about that, but at least resolve the bit about richard crook back from the dna andindeed richard crook back from the dna and indeed from the bones. i really enjoyed that. well, thanks for doing that and thank you you to your you through you to your brilliant and experts brilliant guests and experts there more light on the there shedding more light on the final remains of richard the third and his resting place . you

third and his resting place. you are watching and listening to alastair stewart& friends here on gb news tv and radio . and on gb news tv and radio. and thank very much indeed for thank you very much indeed for so plenty more so doing. we've plenty more still this afternoon, still to come this afternoon, including thousands. still to come this afternoon, including thousands . schools are including thousands. schools are set to close this month, of course, and indeed many already have done as teachers to strike over pay . but what rights do over pay. but what rights do parents have if they need to time off work to take care of their who are not being taken of in schools ? we'll be discussing in schools? we'll be discussing that next. but first, a quick.

break join me every sunday at, 6 pm. for glory meets in exclusive interviews. i'll be finding out who our politicians really are and what they really think. and some that you would never want anyone to . so i didn't know what anyone to. so i didn't know what channels were. b i didn't think i'd be believed . i must have i'd be believed. i must have weighed about seven stat and i'm

548. my instincts was to sort of cover this up. i mean, that was a mistake. join me every sunday at 6 pm. on gb news the people's channel. britain's. channel welcome back. you are watching and listening to alastair stewart& friends indeed on gb news. now as we know, the strikes have been going on in most of our public and health service . perhaps top of the list service. perhaps top of the list for some. and of course, on the railways as well but also teachers in scotland and in england and wales have become one of the most recent walk out in their thousands over pay and conditions . now, with many conditions. now, with many schools closing due to that industrial action, it is not only the chill agents and the education that is being hit. what is the knock on effect for who are having fork out now for

child care to cover the missing days and what are their rights if indeed there are any rights all. obviously school is not there as an alternative to child care. but if you are working mums and dads kind of take it for granted that when they drop their kids off they'll be there, they'll be fine and they'll be safe. are there rights within that context? that's what we want to explore next. and joining me that, i'm joining me to do that, i'm delighted to say, russell delighted to say, is russell holland, partner at holland, barrister, partner at ahp llp . russell has ahp law llp. russell has expertise in the fields of education and employ women. do mums and have any rights yet? yes, they do so. employers are entitled to take time off to care for dependents. so that's not just children. that could be other elderly relatives. but of today we're talking about strikes specifically. so if find out that you will school is not going to be open that morning

and you can't go to work you contact your employer straight away and explain you have a childcare emergency and say that you are requesting time off. that's off does not have to be paid that you are entitled to some . employers do offer it as some. employers do offer it as paid leave simply . now you some. employers do offer it as paid leave simply. now you might even ask take this holiday, but i think time offer dependencies it would be the best the best thing to request here how is that not unlike sick leave in that not unlike sick leave in that sense that you get a sick note to explain why have you as mum and dad are in breach of contract in commas with your employer ? but what about if you employer? but what about if you need need to get hold of somebody to look after the children because you've yourself to your employer and you are within your rights as you've just made that crystal clear , just made that crystal clear, but you still need somebody to look after the little darlings because there simply isn't anybody else to do that . do do anybody else to do that. do do mums and dads have any rights in

that ? well i'll say that territory? well i'll say i'm assuming here that the parent would want to stay home and look after the child themselves. in that scenario, they not they would not need to , to go into work, they could stay home, look after their child. this is assuming child. i mean, this is assuming employer yes, which i which employer says yes, which i which i think they would. and i think really the thing to emphasise, i would recommend employers would really recommend employers make understand make sure that they understand this. google time this. you can just google time off dependents that will off for dependents that will take website. i'd take you to the website. i'd recommend have make sure they have policy in place unless have a policy in place unless some employers offer one or two days paid leave. it does depend on the policy and to contact all staff and just let them know what their expectations are. similarly please, if you think you may be in difficulty, tell your employer very early because it may be that you can agree to from home. this is a type of thing. well, really hope thing. well, i really hope employers and employees can have a sensible, pragmatic, obviously you should and not have to not have to involve lawyers are very wise and very sage advice. there

but it's interesting in a week where we've been looking about what the best and the brightest want from, a potential employer in terms of workplace facilities and time off, often work coaches and time off, often work coaches and so this is an area people who are looking for important and may well go their employer and may well go their employer and say what are your arrangements in terms of childcare? should i need help ? childcare? should i need help? should i need support in that in that area . yeah, i think of that area. yeah, i think of course we there are some labour shortages in certain areas. so i think it is incumbent upon employers to get get themselves the best possible offering for employees . it starts by just employees. it starts by just getting that understand what the bafic getting that understand what the basic rights are and then and then working from there and going to vary small small businesses of course may be less strong in positions who make the same offering as a as a big

business. but these basic entitlements there but fundamentally something like this i think all about communication the this point dates known so should contact just to let them know this the policy if you can make alternative arrangements please do come and talk to us there's a problem this is a great hope that nine times out of ten that can be solved. you can also request parental leave, but that has to be taken in a block of one week and you have to get 21 days notice and been employed a yeah days notice and been employed a year. you could also ask for a holiday. the scenario here, there specifically there is law specifically for emergencies mentioned, it emergencies, as i mentioned, it doesn't apply to children, doesn't just apply to children, it to dependents . if you it applies to dependents. if you have any kind of genuine emergency, you can make that request employment best. the request for employment best. the employer out or very employer sets this out or very clearly a policy . so that way clearly in a policy. so that way everybody and will everybody knows and they will take surprise, of course, take it by surprise, of course, with a strike. we do know the exact date, but the headteacher may who's coming into may not know who's coming into that which what that morning, which is what makes it very difficult. the planning all tricky kind of

conversation is always best right across the spectrum right across the whole spectrum and having to go law and avoid having to go law unless you can . so great to. see unless you can. so great to. see you.thank unless you can. so great to. see you. thank you very much indeed for joining us does all of that barrister and partner at be law llp with his advice and guidance? yes, you do have. but equally your employer has the right to know what your problems are and what you face as challenges as a direct result of industrial action now a total change of tack over 90,000 patriotic rugby fans are expected to head into cardiff today ahead of the opening of the six nations wales versus ireland also take on scotland , ireland also take on scotland, of course, is known as the calcutta cup and italy take to the pitch for match against france . so they've had such france. so they've had such a remarkable in recent times now

the on field action could be clouded perhaps a little by week that has seen allegations of sexism and misogyny and a scandal indeed surround the welsh rugby union and indeed the tom jones classic at delilah being banned from being sung because of the curse , the because of the curse, the chorus. but with the return of the gatland is told he is well known cam wales it and beat ireland . if you look at the ireland. if you look at the newspapers today most people seem to be agree ireland is the one to beat in tournament. joining me now delighted to say and to talk about all of that is i'm all of the six nations is former welsh international rugby player richard hammond and that he currently playing for the dragons this i mean it seems to me that this is the most vexed

six nations tournaments for quite some time is it not. i mean most fans seem to think that rugby just gets on with it andifs that rugby just gets on with it and it's , it's, it's football and it's, it's, it's football that that has so many hissy fit and the rest of it. but rugby seems be surrounded in rather a lot of it at the moment. do you agree? yeah, it's a little bit of going around at the moment in rugbyin of going around at the moment in rugby in wales in general is always into some sort of drama going on the background. this one seems to be very potent and a nasty little situation for the w know it's also very much about managers, isn't it, with changes in returns of people like gatland, but also steve borthwick giving a couple of big interviews in the newspapers morning, saying that a pretty torrid time that he had as a as a player really informed his philosophy and his approach as a coach. philosophy and his approach as a coach . do you think that that's coach. do you think that that's a worrying from the players or

is it really important deep down and thoughtful fans who's in charge and what these people really get from the best 15 available to them ? yeah, it is a available to them? yeah, it is a tough one. i think rugby has always been sport was back then coaches recently it's turned a little bit and a lot of coaches have been released. it's a big change for wales. i this year is a world yeah so the six nation now goes into a world cup so it's really important they've got continue four teams and switching you coach is normally tough situation but the unions don't do it lightly and they think it's right they've done it wales abroad got back who is almost like a god in wales. it was last year so he's come back fill the gap to lead us into the world cup and we all know in wales what got us about is these matches for us, these very simple game plan and he really gets the base firing. so it's exciting time in wales because

it's what he can install with us again. england left eddie jones go after the autumn's . steve go after the autumn's. steve baldwin fantastic . he's he's baldwin fantastic. he's he's been fantastic. wherever he's so it'll be interesting to see if he do it on the international stage . the other thing that stage. the other thing that intrigues me as an observer, whereas obviously it's your it's your life's work , your your life's work, your experience speaks for itself , is experience speaks for itself, is that very often if you're watching absolutely brilliant game of rugby and hopefully it will be predominantly settled by tries and conversions which find intriguing but increasingly it's the tedious penalties and availability of points here , availability of points here, there that can completely shift there that can completely shift the game and really take it away . the cut and thrust of the action is the maintenance of discipline within squad as much to with the captaincy as it is

to with the captaincy as it is to the coach is to be a responsible , ultimate authority. responsible, ultimate authority. be fair is the coaches install that discipline of the team if he makes it highly, the boys are going to read it highly. the captain's on the field. he's you go to none between the referee , go to none between the referee, the boys. so yeah, you should control them, i think. yeah, it's a lot of penalties and red cards and especially with the new rule changes and stuff. it's a it's a difficult one. it takes some time to settle down, but the six nations the top tier of rugby tournaments and that's what get all your back for best referees so hopefully it'll be a tournament with some great officiating and some rugby to watch . well i'm allowed to say watch. well i'm allowed to say good luck to everybody having welsh maternal grandmother , an welsh maternal grandmother, an engush welsh maternal grandmother, an english maternal grandfather . english maternal grandfather. and a scottish paternal grandfather. so good luck to everybody . it is one of the

everybody. it is one of the great games in my humble opinion, and it is certainly one of the great tournaments . thank of the great tournaments. thank you for guiding us through that. richard hibbard really nice to meet you and thank you very much indeed for coming on the program that allows all we time that allows us all that we time for but what a great way for today but what a great way to though i enjoyed talking to end though i enjoyed talking to end though i enjoyed talking to richard back. we will be back as team. however, tomorrow, as a team. however, tomorrow, i hope. indeed. until hope. very much indeed. until then, the rest of your then, you enjoy the rest of your day indeed evening. day and indeed your evening. evening. tomorrow. a evening. see you tomorrow. a very good day to you. it is going to be quite cloudy with some drizzly rain around, but it's north—west where it's in north—west where there'll some more persistent there'll be some more persistent rain time. the moment rain for a time. at the moment if take a look the bigger if we take a look at the bigger picture, are an a warm sector picture, we are an a warm sector in between the warm towards the east this front east and this cold front towards, northwest that towards, the northwest and that warm bringing those warm sector is bringing those cloudy mentioned cloudy conditions i mentioned earlier as earlier this front as it gradually pushes way gradually pushes its way southeast, bringing southeast, which is bringing some can see towards some rain you can see towards lunchtime. we're going to have some weather parts of some wet weather across parts of scotland into northern scotland and into northern ireland across ireland too. elsewhere across the uk. it's the bulk, the uk. yes, it's cloudy but largely dry with just a few spots of drizzly rain

around some brightness breaking through this will through the cloud. but this will be limited afternoon. be quite limited this afternoon. temperatures little bit on temperatures are little bit on the mild side for the time of year many places, getting year in many places, getting into double figures, highs, perhaps reaching maybe even perhaps reaching 12, maybe even 13 towards the south and 13 celsius towards the south and south—east, from 13 celsius towards the south and sou�*northwest from 13 celsius towards the south and sou�*northwest high from 13 celsius towards the south and sou�*northwest high in from 13 celsius towards the south and sou�*northwest high in this from 13 celsius towards the south and sou�*northwest high in this coldn the northwest high in this cold front with some showers feeding in across parts scotland. and in across parts of scotland. and these have bit of these likely to have a bit of a wintry to them, wintry element to them, particularly the higher particularly over the higher ground the front ground notice as the front pushes way southwards. pushes its way southwards. it doesn't huge amount of doesn't bring a huge amount of rain with clear rain to southern with clear skies following under skies and following behind under these temperatures these clear skies temperatures are to take a drop are going to take quite a drop tonight, particularly the tonight, particularly across the north that's where north and west. that's where we're see quite we're likely to see quite a widespread touch frost widespread frost touch of frost possible further south thing on sunday morning through sunday itself, a fine day, high itself, though, a fine day, high pressure firmly in control. so lots of calm, settled weather around sunshine to around and plenty of sunshine to orbit the sunshine could be a little bit hazy at times because of some level cloud of some high level cloud temperatures are going temperatures on sunday are going to a couple of degrees to down a couple of degrees compared to what going to compared to what we're going to see but with the sunshine see today. but with the sunshine will feel quite will probably feel quite

pleasant we go pleasant at times as we go through. the end of the day on sunday england and wales through. the end of the day on sunday hold england and wales through. the end of the day on sunday hold on gland and wales through. the end of the day on sunday hold on tonnd and wales through. the end of the day on sunday hold on to thosed wales through. the end of the day on sunday hold on to those cleares going to hold on to those clear skies. a result sunday skies. so as a result sunday nights again be quite nights again going to be quite chilly touch of frost chilly with a touch of frost further north, though, across parts northern parts of scotland, northern ireland, some thickening, thickening and some thickening and also some strengthening winds . we could strengthening winds. we could see some rain at times see some spells of rain at times as go through the rest of the as we go through the rest of the week, though, it's going to be a bit changeable towards the north, the south, north, staying fine the south, but perhaps frosty but some chilly, perhaps frosty and foggy nights . and foggy nights.

good and welcome to real britain with me, emily on a tv online and on digital radio. now we've got a big show for you coming up this afternoon, which sunak wants to stop migrants who have crossed the channel in small boats appealing against boats from appealing against their option. is this