to wrap up a year of crisis with a little optimism one warning a spoiled the summit mood the european parliament president criticized the union for taking part in endless debates and told them to actually come up with plans to help people well for more on this and other european woes i'm joined by james midway from the new economics foundation and james the european parliament president he's called on his colleagues to sort out this institutional mess at long last what exactly does it mean and could it be sorted out. well it's a it's a fair claim for him to be making a i can sense his frustration that similar frustration for an awful lot of people right the way across the continent now this situational mess is the same mess the plunged into ever since the start of the debt crisis back in october two thousand and nine you have a dysfunctional monetary union that they could try to resolve by bringing a banking union which they have elements of now bringing in proper support for potentially failing banks undercapitalised banks which they don't have by trying to introduce some form of fiscal and pol

. >> next, bbc parliament's westminster review takes a look back at all the major reviews. the debates with the prime minister on the british economy and the european union budget. the british parliament is in recess for the holidays. members return on january 7th. >> hello there. and welcome to the west minister review. our look back at the big events in parliament over the last three months. coming up in this program, the chancellor delivers the latest bleak economic view? his budget. david cameron's bench urges him to stand up to europe. >> i support absolutely. >> the ugly specter of child abuse hits the deadlines with some dramatic consequences. lord justin levisohn delivers his plan on press standards. >> we should be wary of any legislation that has the potential to infringe free speech and a free press. >> the queen sits in on a cabinet meeting at number 10. but let's begin with the subject which has dominated politics and our pockets for many months, the state of our economy. at the start of december the chancellor came to deliver his autumn statement or mini budget. it set out the latest figures for the growth, tax and benefits. among the

try to wrap up a year of crisis with a little optimism one warning has spoiled the mood the european parliament president criticised the union for taking part in endless debates and told them to actually come up with plans to help people james made way i spoke to him a little earlier he's from the new economics foundation in london says there's little chance these words will lead to any action. i think in this case it's an issue of fine words buttering no person it's the truth is that what the you and the european central bank and backed up by the i.m.f. the international monetary fund have imposed on greece spain and portugal and ireland over the last few years the demand for austerity is precisely the reason that youth unemployment in greece is now around fifty percent and approaching similar levels in much of the rest of southern europe it's the e.u. this being the problem here it's not being part of the solution in any way part of the issue here is the european union has as never been a democratic project in the past i think it was accepted by people because it delivered the goods it looked

brussels isn't convinced either the european parliament is reportedly considering regulating the shale gas industry concerned that britain doesn't know what it's doing by throwing itself wholeheartedly into the controversial practice of the minute that we are not self-sufficient in gas and haven't been for a very long time we were but an afterthought we imported. now we see that in the us gas prices are a quarter of what they were i want you to output this print is much less so there are many reasons why if it. would be attractive in terms of purity of life and also probably in terms of price stability and that's what's drowning out the warnings bringing down people's energy bills means politicians and big business can press ahead even though those living in the shadow of fracking facilities know that the government is playing with fire. see. more stories to catch up with online including the european court of human rights rules for the first time that the cia has used torture to members of the u.s. intelligence agency sort of german citizen who was wrongly detained on suspicion. plus

country's best interest i don't believe to do that way brussels isn't convinced either the european parliament is reportedly considering regulating the budding shale gas industry concerned that britain doesn't know what it's doing by throwing itself wholeheartedly into the controversial practice at the minute we are not self-sufficient in gas and haven't been for a very long time we were but in actual fact we import about half of gas now we see that in the us gas prices are a quarter of what they were and i'm sure fact this suit to output this issue to put print is much less so there are many reasons why i feel gas if it can be made to work in the u.k. would be attractive in terms of security of life and also probably in terms of price stability and that's what's drowning out the warnings bringing down people's energy bills means politicians and big business can press ahead even though those living in the shadow of fracking facilities know that the government is playing with fire. see lancashire. lotty live in moscow still ahead for you this hour new talks with iran could soon be back on track

among the signatories, former president of the european parliament.nly ordinary soldiers were punished. officers who had done the same work quietly reintegrated into the irish forceaftethe war, a blatant injustice, according to paddy reid, whose father was among the first to desert. he spent four years in india fighting the japanese and was highly decorated. his father, in reality a war hero, was suddenly treated as an outcast in ireland, so the family was cast into poverty. >> the big companies locally, the transport companies, shipping comnies -- he w on the list. i am the oldest in my family, and my early memories of growing up were not enough food, no money coming in. he was not able to work. he just could not get a job. >> what was known as the starvation order had almost 5000 names on it. anyone on it would not be given a job. ireland had gained independence from britain to be with tickets before. it did not want its men fighting for the former colonial overlords. for centuries, the iri had rebelled against british rule. today, relations between

. >> the european parliament's has approved rules out aiming at cutting red tape and standardizing procedures across the eu. >> the have already given their backing to the new system which would make it easier to file for protection starting in 2014. previously, investors had the summit of applications to each be a country. the paperwork could total some 20,000 euro, most of it for translation costs. >> four years after the bailed out -- they bailed out insurance giant aig, the u.s. has sold all remaining shares in the country -- company. >> was the world's biggest insurance at the time, but this forced the u.s. government to step in amid fears over the fallout on global financial markets. a bailout worth $182 billion save the company. it is only about half the size it used to be. >> we have a short break. after that, we will take you to molly looking at the latest developments there. -- take you to mali. >> welcome back. the united nations has condemned the arrest of the prime minister of mali. late monday, he was detained by soldiers who staged a coup in march and immediately resigned from

>> their only hope is that the trade agreement won't be ratified by colombia and the european parliamenthe decision is expected by the end of the year. >> and now it's time to tickle your taste buds. is there a tasty snack you like to enjoy on the go? then tell us about it, and we could soon present the recipe here on the program. today we sink our teeth into a culinary delight from bangladesh. >> we're in dhaka, the capital of bangladesh. the history of this city goes back more than a thousand years. today, with 13 million residents it's one of the largest cities in the world. bangladesh is a very poor country, but you'd never guess it from the cuisine. as in india or pakistan, people here cook with lots of spices -- whose aroma fills the streets. on nilkhet square in front of dhaka university people of all ages gather in the evenings to enjoy a snack. this food stall offers fuchka, a traditional fare for people on the go. mohammed amman is only 14, but he's been manning the stand for a year now -- and taking in around 10 euros a day. >> my family is pretty poor, so i had to start earni

the european parliament has awarded the prize for freedom of thought in absentia of two human-rightsactivists currently serving jail sentences. >> they were recognized for their efforts toward political change in iran. the prize is also a tribute to the iranian people. >> two prizes, two chairs, but the prize winners were nowhere in sight. the iranian activists being honored were absent, and not by choice. one of them is in prison. her fellow laureate does not have permission to leave iran. the eu distinguished both for their steadfastness in the face of a harsh regime. it is also a message directed at the powers that be in tehrqan. -- tehran. >> it tells the regime, you are being watched. the victims who we are honoring today are our friends and allies. >> the iranian human rights activist and nobel prize winner thanked the eu in her place, but her words were also critical -- in their place, but her words were also critical. >> international organizations have not helped. >> the filmmaker's daughter was allowed to travel to france, standing with eu leaders to take the prize that her

whether we should protect something or it's a question of normal trade we have to support the european parliament has recently criticized russia for not fully living up to the obligations of the w.t. here's a quote all men do it and they member of the euro parliament said i quote at the moment we are concerned about the introduction of text or extension of a number of potentially trade restrictive measures like the new had just ration on recycling fees for imported cars or the ban on emperors of long animals from the e.u. this is why we call on russia to remove all and justify temporary bans temperature araf increases and protectionist measures and quote so do you. this criticism from the europeans no. no for again for many reasons one of the. really able to justify. to explain and doing its part is that what you're doing is in line with the rituals of preciousness however again who is a judge that would show itself and conduct itself may serve as this measure is in compliance with the rules or not that's why. our activity currently is. that explanation part. of this issue of compliance with russ

. >> the proposal goes to the european council and european parliament, time the tobacco industry will no doubt use to try to snub it out. >> turning out to soccer, and no christmas cheer for shelf debt. they are out of the german cup. >> he had hoped to turn around the fortunes with his debut as head coach, but even a radical redesign on the starting lineup could not stave off the type play. the royal blues were behind on the half-hour marked. schalke rallied after the break. 15 minutes, and then leveled the score. the coach was sent to the stands after forcefully protesting a foul by schalke's jones. the turnaround was short-lived. they gave it one last go, but in the end, it went home with a spot in the quarterfinal, and it was a fitting end to a disappointing year. >> the action continues later on wednesday with the remaining four-cup fixtures. top of the bill is the clash between dortmund and hanover. from the top team will be hoping to secure place in the quarter finals in the last competitive match of 2012, but they've got a growing injury list, just like visitors and over, they

members of the european parliament and all the other people who work for the europe. and it is radically out of touch with ordinary people and not just with the people who demonstrate the youth unemployment figures in greece and spain and other countries are truly horrifying and in the name of the european ideology europe is not being put through some of the most difficult economic times it seems is the ninety. seems so whichever way you look at the nonsensical judgment it's an absolute. story cohorts of acacia discredits the nobel prize and so. what onery people endure life in the direct it seems that some corporate giants will stop at nothing to get out of paying their shame tax evasion and avoidance costs the debt stricken blow one point three trillion dollars a year a figure that's no longer being tolerated as our first reports. of. people from all of that tend not to point to the scandals with companies like starbucks and airplane google at the moment it's really part of a much larger picture welcome to the world of tax avoidance illegal but morally suspect way t

that it is the national parliament that provides the real democratic legitimacy within the european union. when we are discussing banking union, it's at this house that we should account, when we're discussing the union budget it is this house the represent our taxpayers that we should account. and i always bear that in mind when i'm negotiating as it will be tomorrow at the european council. >> can the prime minister confirm the autumn statement reveals the government is now borrowing 212 billion pounds more than it previously planned? >> well, i wouldn't take this from the honorable lady if her plans were to borrow even more. the point is, i know that the party opposite was desperately disappointed that the office for budget responsibility predicted that borrowing would come down this year as well as last year. but that is the fact. >> the prime minister has rightly said that we are locked in a global economic raise. does he share my concern that having the highest aviation taxes in the world makes it harder for businesses to compete, and increases the cost of living? will he ask the tr

alexander graf lamb store if he's in brussels he is the vice president of the liberal group in the european parliament and in some paolo we crossed the pepe escobar he is a journalist and author all right gentlemen cross talk rules and if that means you can jump in anytime you want to be if i go to you first is the west in decline. you should ask spangler in fact they're sure that spangler stone because he is a. another hundred years ago in fact it's very complicated the west is not declining the middle classes all across the western developed world they're not only declining but they are going off the grid altogether in fact deletes are not so if you ask the elites in brussels by the way in washington d c d are fighting the decline of the west deuce and nail and this implies financial capitalism and the nexus between financial capitalism neel liberalism and the war party which is basically the democrats in the republics in the west but also some parties in europe as well so the elites will fight it it's the decline of the roman empire you could you could see it's in slow motion but it's also the sure

alexander graff lamb stores he's in brussels he is the vice president of the liberal group in the european parliament and in some paolo we crossed the pepe escobar he is a journalist and author all right gentlemen cross talk rules in effect that means you can jump in anytime you want to be if i go to you first is the west in decline . but you should ask spangler in fact they're sure that spangler's don't because he said that hundred years ago in fact it's very complicated the west is not declining the middle classes all across the western developed world they're not only declining but they are going off the grid altogether in fact deletes are not declining so if you ask the elites in brussels by the way in washington d.c. they are fighting the decline of the west deuce and nail and this implies financial capitalism.

heard a lot of accusations towards russia from the west lately from hillary clinton from the european parliament and from some western politicians and it has basically led to nowhere we can exchange as many accusations as we want with the worst on the syrian crisis but it does not lead to the solution of this crisis and putin was absolutely right to point out that there is no possibility in the modern world to solve those sharp international issues. you know that's real basis and the united states the american political class have to understand this my feeling is that the largest part of the american political class is still living in the twentieth century they have not come into the twenty first century yet they sink america is an impotent sink america can do whatever it wants it's not the case and the syrian crisis shows that the development of china is a big challenge for the united states so i think that put his message was very brief but terrorism both look at the more the world. have a reasonable assessment of your own capacities and resources and come to the conclusion that if you act alo

members of the european parliament and all the other people who work for them. and it is yes as you suggest in your question radically out of touch with ordinary people and not just with the people who demonstrate the youth unemployment figures in greece and spain and other countries are truly horrifying and in the name of the european ideology europe is not being put through some of the most difficult economic times it seems as one nine hundred thirty s. ok john laughlin from the institute of the markets and corporation thanks for those thoughts thank you. well it's also an unstable situation in the european market says italy's technocrat leader says his time in office will soon be up to a look at what's in store for the ailing eurozone seemingly no way out of the crisis. egypt's military has taken over the country's security and assuming powers of arrest in the run up to the referendum thanks week's vote has been rejected by the opposition as our representative and the calls to stage mass nationwide protests getting louder president merci has tried to make som

she could people to the european parliament. >> bill: she'll make a lot of money giving speeches. >> she could and keep herself relevant until late -- by keeping herself out of the campaign rakes she keeps the target minimized. she's a very polarizing figure. lots of things for her critics to attack her on. the longer -- >> bill: real quick, do you expect a book from the woman? >> oh, yeah. absolutely. >> bill: okay. now, there is another woman in the c.i.a., and i want to spend a lot of time. about this woman who tracked down bin laden and then got into all kinds of trouble. do we know who this woman is? do you know her? >> yeah. we do believe we know who she is. we're not going to use her name on the program. but it's believed she was an analyst at c.i.a.'s afpac analysis unit, afghanistan and pakistan. she was an early believer that you could use -- you could track the courier system through al-qaeda in and around the cities, not the caves of pakistan, to get to bin laden. she was write about tassed overn internal position at the agency and sop of the folks liken it to mean girls

later, we will hear from the president of the european parliament on the eu and u.s.ership. >> this morning, robert van order talks about the forgiveness of the mortgage debt relief act. then, we will look at the preparations for the 113th congress chris bradford stitch -- with bradford fitch. later, the

. >> sreenivasan: the banking superviser role must be approved by the european parliament, but the positionld be up and running by march of next year. separately, finance ministers agreed to give greece its next bailout payment of $64 billion. in return, greece has agreed to reduce its debt load by buying back devalued bonds from private investors. the european court of human rights issued a landmark ruling today condemning the c.i.a.'s extraordinary renditions programs. it ruled that a german car salesman khaled el-masri was a victim of torture and abuse for four months at the hands of the c.i.a. el-masri said he was kidnapped from macedonia in 2003, interrogated and tortured at an afghan prison run by the c.i.a. and then dropped on an albanian mountainside when authorities realized he posed no threat. macedonia agreed to pay nearly $80,000 in damages. the u.s. has closed internal investigations into the el-masri case. starting today there should be one less reason to reach for the television remote. a new federal law went into effect banning broadcasters from airing commercials at volumes