members of another rail union, the tssa, yesterday accepted an offer from network rail. d the rmt should also back the deal. after a meeting yesterday afternoon with the rail minister, network rail and the rail delivery group, the union's general secretary, mick lynch, said he would agree to further talks to try and find resolutions. but, for now, strikes are due to continue into the new year. katie austin, bbc news. joining me now is our business correspondent marc ashdown who's at paddington station in london for us this morning. easier probably to talk about what is running rather than what isn't, marc? , ., �* , _ ., is running rather than what isn't, marc? , , _ ., marc? yes, don't be full by what you can see here. _ marc? yes, don't be full by what you can see here, this _ marc? yes, don't be full by what you can see here, this is _ marc? yes, don't be full by what you can see here, this is one _ marc? yes, don't be full by what you can see here, this is one of- marc? yes, don't be full by what you can see here, this is one of the - can see here, this is one of the

these rail operators, network— you believe that is? il- you believe that is? these rail operators, network rail is - you believe that is? these rail operators, network rail is an | you believe that is? these rail- operators, network rail is an arms length operation, but the government in terms of rail operators anyway, it is true that it is baked into the contract how much can be given and taken and ultimately it is signed off by the government. whether it is entirely in the hands of the government is, i think, up for debate but it is the case at 4 billion has been cut from the rail service and that's are part of the problem that rail workers and others feel. this is a natural monopoly. over the last ten years, you have seen a 36% increase in fares, over the smoker use, you saw over £500 million given to shareholders and we are seen downward pressure on working conditions. the government could step in and end this now. what's your sense of how our train services are going to end up, in terms of how much money comes from the taxpayers ra

the rail network - is satisfied is right. yes, thank| you. we will see that, please? could you tell us when we will see that. please?— that, please? yes, as i said in my answer earlier, _ that, please? yes, as i said in my answer earlier, and _ that, please? yes, as i said in my answer earlier, and we _ that, please? yes, as i said in my answer earlier, and we are - that, please? yes, as i said in my answer earlier, and we are doingl answer earlier, and we are doing this at— answer earlier, and we are doing this at some _ answer earlier, and we are doing this at some considerable - answer earlier, and we are doing this at some considerable effortl answer earlier, and we are doing. this at some considerable effort and pace. _ this at some considerable effort and pace, is _ this at some considerable effort and pace, is to— this at some considerable effort and pace. is to work— this at some considerable effort and pace, is to work through _ this at some considerable effort and pace, is to work through both - this at some considerable effort and p

across the rail network, no income coming in. across the rail network. many _ no income coming in. network, many lines _ no income coming in. across the rail network, many lines have _ no income coming in. across the rail network, many lines have closed - network, many lines have closed altogether while others are running altogether while others are running a fraction of the normal service. it is the latest stage in a stand—off between the rmt union and both network rail and 1a train operating companies over pay and working practices. a month of disruption now lies ahead. there are 248—hour train strikes this week. then, an overtime ban on m train companies from sunday is connected to because of some cancellations. a strike at network rail will see some services finish even earlier than usual on christmas eve and start late on the 27th of december. and more national walkouts are planned injanuary. workers at the train companies have been offered more pay, a 4% increase this year and the same next year. network rail employees have been offered 5% and 4% respectively. that offered 5%

the rmt union is in two negotiating battles, one with network rails which operates and maintains the ate negotiation battle with the rail delivery group who represent the rain —— train operators. last week the union rejected an operator offer of a 4% pay rise this year and another one next year. yesterday it rejected an offer from network rail of a 5% pay award this year, 4% next year. unions say there are conditions aboutjob losses that it simply could not accept. it is pushing, calling for an inflation linked pay award. inflation at the moment, average price rises running at 11.1%. the government has said inflation linked wage rises simply are not avoidable. it's hard to see how they resolve this. there is a calendar of train disruption on the bbc news website outlining the days when services are fully and partially disrupted over the next few weeks. to put it in context, after today, the next normal day of service will not be really until the 9th of january. service will not be really until the 9th ofjanuary-— service will not be really until the 9th ofjanuary. thank you very much

yesterday, some 2500 workers at another rail union did accept a pay offerfrom network rail. il union did accept a pay offer from network rail. but for the moment, the rmt is holding firm. we've got concerns that the safety regime is being diluted, that our members is not a work life balance, conditions of employment are being adversely affected, so they can have change and we accept they want change and we accept they want change and we accept they want change and maybe there is a need for it but it needs to be done on a negotiated basis rather than an imposition, which is where we are at the moment. imposition, which is where we are at the moment-— imposition, which is where we are at the moment. last night rmt leaders met with the — the moment. last night rmt leaders met with the rail _ the moment. last night rmt leaders met with the rail minister _ the moment. last night rmt leaders met with the rail minister and - met with the rail minister and industry representatives and it now appears for the negotiations are likely. i appears for the negotiations are likel . ~' appear

in the old days of british rail and the early days of the privatisation networks, a rail strike quickly operate the network and the changes in passenger use and the fact that we are used to making other arrangements, the fact that we are used to making otherarrangements, in the fact that we are used to making other arrangements, in every corner of our lives, has blunted the power of our lives, has blunted the power of the strike as a tool and the government finds it easier to sit back and let it run its course. that does the rest of us no good at all, but it is a fact of life as to where we are. ., ., but it is a fact of life as to where we are. . ., .,, ., we are. can the train operating companies _ we are. can the train operating companies afford _ we are. can the train operating companies afford more - we are. can the train operating companies afford more than i we are. can the train operatingl companies afford more than the we are. can the train operating - companies afford more than the 896, companies afford more than the 8%, 4% this year and 4% next year? the 496 this year and 496

ban at 1a rail companies from sunday is expected to cause some cancellations, and a strike at network raill on christmas eve and start late on the 27th. and more national walk—outs are planned injanuary. the rail industry says changes to working practices are needed to fund higher pay. rmt members have now voted to reject what network rail called its best and final offer. the union called it substandard. and rmt leaders have already turned down an offer from the train operating companies group and blamed the government for insisting on conditions it said were not acceptable. the rail minister said the government had played its part in trying to resolve the dispute. we want an end to these strikes. they will damage the railway, they will damage workers�* security. and we are offering security — there will be no compulsory redundancies for the workforce, there will be a generous pay rise for them. the modernisation approach has been accepted by some unions. 0ur message to the rmt is, come on board. a new year is coming swiftly into view but an end to disruption is not. katy austin, bbc news,

one dispute is with network rail which looks after the infrastructure, tracks and signalling. train operators that run the trains and the services. the union rejected and the services. the union rejected an offer by the train operators last week, an offer which included a pay award of 4% this year and another 4% next year. just yesterday, union members voted to reject a pay offer from network rail as well. that was 5% pay award this year and 4% next year. in both cases the union said there were conditions and issues around jobs and working practices that it simply could not accept. it also wants a pay award that keeps up with inflation. the average price rises at the moment running at ii.i%. the rises at the moment running at ii.i%. the government says inflation linked wage rises are not possible and are unaffordable. with the two sides so far apart it is hard to see how this dispute can be resolved. it is worth saying that although today we are at the start of the 248—hour strikes in this week alone, passengers are being warned, look at the calendar, look at the outline of ho

voted against what network rail voted against what network rail voted against what network rail5% pay rise this year, 4% next year, and conditional on changes, reforms to working practises, the rmt leadership also recently rejected the first offer made by the group representing train companies and that was for a 4% pay rise this year, 4% next year and again, dependent on changes to working practise, so what chances are there of this dispute being resolved quickly? 0n the network rail side of things, members of the tssa union are currently voting on their proposed deal and a small number in the unite union have accepted it. with the rmt dispute, though, it is still lacking a breakthrough, and that means that these strikes this week over christmas and into january are still set to go ahead, and that means tomorrow, wednesday, friday, and saturday, this week, to start with, there will only be 20% of the usual train services running and they will start much later and finish a lot earlier than usual. katie, thank you. that is the situation that is the situation on the railways. we he

now that, they say, network rail, is a very good offer and one that should be accepted.blic will be starting to say, well, if these other unions are accepting it, why not the rmt? not for this because, of course, domestic services interconnect with eurostar services at st pancras. they do indeed. i mean, the disruption and the knock on of these day strikes is huge. we know that as soon as services get going again after a strike, things take time to ramp back up. trains are out of place where they would normally be on the network. but also, yes, eurostar are affected. they said yesterday that those strikes that your correspondent just mentioned over christmas mean that there will be no services to the continent at all on boxing day, which is a very busy day for people travelling in both directions, having spent christmas with family and loved ones. you've written about accusations from some conservatives, in particular chris loder, who's the conservative mp for west dorset, that the rmt strikes are politically motivated. but the labour party has not come out officially in

its members separate dispute with network rail after . its members rejected rail after. its members rejected an offer earlier this week. travel editor at the simon calder told us now the tsa has reached settlement. it may well lead to the rmt also being accepted . interestingly haynes, accepted. interestingly haynes, the chief executive chief of network rail , the chief executive chief of network rail, has been the chief executive chief of network rail , has been saying network rail, has been saying that outliers in this dispute are now the are empty union the main rail . are now the are empty union the main rail. there is a good offer relative to what everything is happening in the in the and that people should accept it's not going to get any better. but meanwhile, of course, the dispute with the 14 train operators goes on and anybody who's planning to catch a train later on evening. well do checking advance . meanwhile, checking advance. meanwhile, ground baggage handlers heathrow airport have announced a strike over christmas will be going ahead , causing yet more ah

interesting point because we and we do have the tsa having done a network rail which done a with networkoing is some good news but i'm going to both you on the spot to put both you and on the spot as head for the new year and as we head for the new year and looking at crystal ball we are more or less accepting that we're in recession by the end of this year. how soon do think things better this new things will get better this new year ? well, i'll first actually, year? well, i'll first actually, i'm not entirely. year? well, i'll first actually, i'm not entirely . we are going i'm not entirely. we are going to be in recession . i think to be in recession. i think there's an outside chance will to be in recession. i think will squeak a small positive number in the in current quarter but it still feels like a recession to people struggling with their future and food bills i think technical definitely recession one thing but the reality on the ground is still going to be very tough. however i think things will be better than most people expect next year and i think the inflation outlook is

these rail operators, network— you believe that is? act. it is true that in the contract, how much can be given and taken, ultimately, and signed off by the government, whether it is entirely within the hands of the government is, i think, up hands of the government is, i think, up for debate. it is the case that 4 billion had been cut from the rail services. that is part of the bargaining, part of the problem that rail workers and others feel... this is a natural monopoly. 0ver rail workers and others feel... this is a natural monopoly. over the last ten years, 36% increase in fares, over two years we saw £500 million given to shareholders, and downward pressure now on what conditions. something has to give. —— working conditions. the government has to end this now. conditions. the government has to end this now— conditions. the government has to end this now. what is your sense of how our train _ end this now. what is your sense of how our train services _ end this now. what is your sense of how our train services are _ end this now.

the rmt is involved in two disputes — representing 20,000 staff at network rail. d rail workers, voted �*overwhelmingly�* to accept a pay offer from network rail — including a minimum 9% pay rise. elsewhere, some national highways traffic officers who work on the motorways are on strike. that involves pcs union members across large parts of northern england. and some bus drivers in south and west london are walking out for 48 hours over pay. meanwhile there could be a fresh wave of nursing strikes in the new year. where nurses took action yesterday, around half of routine operations were cancelled. the royal college of nursing has warned strike action will escalate, unless the government negotiates on pay. this calendar gives you an idea of the number of strikes planned—and—taking place in the fortnight before christmas, with more to come in the following weeks. for more on the rail strikes, our correspondent katy austin, has this report another day, another rail strike. that means more quiet stations, empty platforms and picket lines today and tomorrow. some areas

network rail has urged passengers to travel only if necessary.ch, is blaming the government for a lack of progress on reaching a deal. we understand the anger that is caused by the disruption of the stoppages, of course. but we are getting a lot of support from the public and we continue to get messages, people continue to visit the picket line. businesses should be asking the government why they are subsidising the strike. at the end of this current phase, the government will have absorbed £320 million worth of losses in order to keep this strike going. there is an opportunity to develop solutions, but the government, i am afraid, is preventing that from happening. i havejust heard hugh merriman talking about a very generous offer, it is not generous, it is way below inflation. and it is predicated on a set of changes. cut by 50% and conditions changes on our members by network rail, which is unacceptable. it is bringing in driver—only operation they know we will never accept. the art of negotiation is getting to a position where both sides can

network rail . have no at all. network rail.% at the start of 2023, but 63% of rmt members turned that down the general secretary of the rmt mick lynch says current offer is unacceptable , current offer is unacceptable, but he remains optimistic. so the government is my message is that we need to get a deal . we that we need to get a deal. we need to get round the table and they need to show some goodwill and some expertise and, some facilitation to try and create a document or a set of documents that we can all support. and at the moment, they know that what they're putting forward to us is through in the rail through their agents in the rail delivery group and network rail, they know that's not good they know that that's not good enough. believe get enough. i believe we can get there. an optimist . well, there. i'm an optimist. well, there. i'm an optimist. well, the term the chancellor says term economic growth means difficult decisions need be taken now as uk unemployment has risen again , reaching 1.2 million. the figures s

. and they have been discussing the offerfrom network rail.ey have been discussing the offer from network rail. they employ about half of the staff members due to go out on strike. they offered a 9% pay increase and some guarantees overjob redundancies. the union are discussing that right now and network rail has said that if the strikes are to be called off, it needs to be done tonight in order to address the schedule is the next week. because as it stands, the strikes are still going ahead. they start on the 13th and on the 14th, another one on the 16th in the 78 and then into january on the third and then into january on the third and fourth and sixth and seventh. 0f and fourth and sixth and seventh. of course, there will be disruption between those places because trains won't necessarily be in the right places. as it stands, there is disruption effected and passengers will be affected in the run—up to christmas. certainly the hospitality sector has said it was a huge impact on cafe and restaurants on what they have said will be their busie

network rail had offered a 5% pay network rail had offered a 5% pay rise for year and that was backdatedly a year with another percent at the start of 2023 and a guarantee of no compulsion , job losses until. compulsion, job losses until. january 20, 25 the rmt executive reckoned that its members rejected this offer , saying that rejected this offer, saying that it was linked to significant changes to working practises i'm going to give you some figures now on the amount people who voted in vote and also the amount of people who rejected it. so the rmt said 63.6% of their members voted to reject network's rail offer and that was 83% turnout. so 83% of their members rejected voted sorry and 63.6% of them rejected it. that we got some numbers for anyway. there's lots to get stuck in to that. how do you feel about the fact that essentially what they voted is no compulsory voted to reject is no compulsory job i on the job losses 2025? i think on the face it, people would think, face of it, people would think, all right, no compulsory job losses guaranteed a job essentially until 2025. and th

on top of that, workers at network rail will down tools from late on christmas eve until the morning rail delivery group which represents train companies has offered staff a 4% pay rise this year and the same next year. but they would have to agree on changes to working practices, which the rmt says simply not acceptable. the practices, which the rmt says simply not acceptable-— not acceptable. the transport secretary _ not acceptable. the transport secretary has _ not acceptable. the transport secretary has facilitated - secretary has facilitated discussions between the employer and the unions, between the rail delivery group and the unions, and they have offered 8% pay rise over two years to the rmt and they have rejected without even consulting their own membership. it is very disappointing that the rmt think that the way to conduct these negotiations is to hold the country to ransom. but negotiations is to hold the country to ransom. �* ., negotiations is to hold the country to ransom-— to ransom. but labour has more s math to ransom. but labour has more sympathy for — to ransom.

last night, the rmt rejected the latest pay offer from network rail of with from network rail of 9% with union mick lynch calling it union boss mick lynch calling it substandard . we'll speak to the substandard. we'll speak to the transport secretary and 645 and nurses will also strike this week up the last minute talks between the union and the health secretary ended in deadlock. the head of the royal college of nursing accused government nursing accused the government of belligerence . a ten year old of belligerence. a ten year old boy named jack johnson is among three children who died after falling into an icy lake near solihull. a fourth child remains in a critical condition after being pulled from the water by police . and prince harry has police. and prince harry has claimed he experienced institutional gaslighting . in institutional gaslighting. in a new trailer for part two of the harry and meghan docu series , harry and meghan docu series, the final three episodes of the controversial netflix show all released this thursday . and as released this thursday. and as always, we wan

network rail�*s boss said a good deal had already been put forward.es, the light isjust around the corner. but where i stand today, i would have to say with the level of disruption the rmt are imposing, the way forward is not obvious. there is not a bottomless pit- of money to pay increased salaries. i think there is a fair offer- on the table, fair to taxpayers and fair to the people that work in the industry. - back in york, where the christmas market is under way, businesses say a resolution can't come too soon. noticeable drop in footfall and we have had some cancellations. we do tastings in the evening and people pre—book those and they can't get there. lots of independent traders make most of their trade at christmas time, so it is having a disproportionately large effect. as things stand, an end to the dispute doesn't appear to be just round the corner. katy austin, bbc news, york. there have been other developments in strike action today. there have been other developments midwives in wales have voted in favour of going on strike. the governme

the strike at network rail, which has lasted since christmas eve, came to an end at 6:00 this morningreturning to work, so it is a much later start up for passenger services. so passengers should really check before they travel today to ensure that they don't turn up at a station and no trains be there. but we'll expect to run about 70% of normal services today. there's more industrial action to come. an overtime ban at train companies lasts for another week, meaning reduced services in some places, and walk—outs by the tssa union will affect a few operators over the next couple of days. then further 48 hour strikes by rmt members working at network rail and 1a train companies are planned next tuesday, wednesday, friday and saturday. in between those, a strike by train drivers in the aslef union is scheduled for thursday. network rail says it has made a good offer, but the rmt argues it was conditional on ripping up working conditions. it's blamed the government for not making a settlement possible. but the department for transport said ministers had ensured a reasonable offer was mad

network rail�*s christmas strike may be at an end but the disruption certainly isn't over. ome localised train strikes, as well. and next week, things are set to get even worse. some of the worst problems today are being felt by passengers at crosscountry. the company says no services will be running north of york because of ongoing industrial action. meanwhile, two further 48—hour national strikes by rmt members, working at both network rail and 14 train companies, are due to take place next week — from tuesday to wednesday and from friday to saturday. and in between those, a national strike by train drivers, called by the aslef union, is scheduled for thursday 5th january. and these strikes are unlikely to be the last. disputes between unions and railfirms over money, jobs and working practices show no sign of being resolved. that leaves rail travellers facing the prospect of a bleak new year. theo leggett, bbc news. the singer mel c has pulled out of a new year's eve concert in poland after being made aware of issues that do not align, she says, with the communities she s

of course, network rail and other rail companies warning, passengers to stay away. and that, be honest, has been that, to be honest, has been that, to be honest, has been that been well that message has been well received in birmingham. received here in birmingham. certainly a people certainly still a few people going but going into the station. but there lots of shops and there is a lots of shops and stuff on the upper floors. but in rail services here, in terms of rail services here, there mass disruption here at new street, there are still some services, very small local services, very small local services between seven, services running between seven, seven morning and seven seven this morning and seven tonight. terms like tonight. but in terms of like the longer distance journeys and the longer distance journeys and the of london, that many the likes of london, that many people business and people use for business and commutes cancelled commutes, they're all cancelled today they will cancelled on today and they will cancelled on the on the coming strike in the

the network rail is the organisation which maintains and owns our railways. pute, a separate dispute, with the rail delivery group, that organisation overseas 14 trainer companies and there are about 20,000 rmt workers under the umbrella of those 14 train companies. network rail had put to rmt a deal, a 5% pay rise for this year and 4% next year, but that has been rejected by the rmt. however, that has been accepted by its smaller train unions, the tssa and the unite union. at the moment, last night, there were talks between the rmt and the rail companies and the negotiations are still ongoing. as it stands, there still will be rail strikes on christmas eve, going into the 27th of december, right over the christmas period and into the new year. that is going to affect a lot of people, notjust travellers, but retailers as well, who depend on people travelling to different cities, spending money and, as we saw earlier, that retail sales are down for the last month, so not a very good picture here on the railways of. very good picture here on the railways ot— ver

however, he said that a new offer that was made by network rail which employs people like maintenanceding they reject it. that referendum will close on the 12th of november. so as things stand, those strikes will still go ahead and there are some additional action is being planned between the 24th and the 26th of december with network rail and they say they have received no updated offer from the rail delivery group which represents the train companies, on top of the offer made yesterday which the rmt rejected. katie austin in central london, thank you. it's notjust england's footballers tasting success — the cricketers have produced one of their most memorable performances, to win the first test in pakistan by 7a runs. it's only the third test match england have ever won in pakistan, joe wilson watched the final day unfold. this is ben stokes's england, this is his cricket. with his weekend declaration, he'd set up the test in rawalpindi so that both sides could win, and it seemed like pakistan might. well, that's why the crowds came. that's why they hoped. england kept their fielder

uk's rail network the incident. fective early today as members of the rmt union hold a fresh of strike action in a dispute over pay, strike action in a dispute over pay, hundreds of trains usually run on boxing day, but they've all cancelled and thousands of people have been forced to make alternative plans . the air alternative plans. the air expects 15.2 million cars on uk roads today and eurostar has also dropped of its services, which run to london , paris, which run to london, paris, brussels and amsterdam come as a result of the rmt europe today on tv and db plus radio. this is don't go anywhere. tom and olivia, we'll be back in just a moment moment. it's just gone 1036 on boxing day morning and watching gb news tom harwood and olivia utley in for bev turner. well, lots of you this week. it's all about putting up your feet and turning on the festive telly. but there are still lots of treats . are still lots of treats. entertain us this boxing day here to get some top for your post—christmas viewing is , post—ch

network rail urged the union to think again.dustrial action and the strikes are having a really heavy impact, both on passengers, on their own members who are losing thousands of pounds and of course on the economy, which is losing millions and millions of pounds every time there is a strike and it's damaging the railway industry as well. christmas eve is also a big day for restaurants, cafes and bars as well as for last—minute shopping. losing shoppers on such a key trading day like christmas eve, you can't recover that spend. however much you want to, however long you stay open, shoppers want to buy on christmas eve and if they can't, they'll buy elsewhere. so, some of that will be diverted to other businesses and destinations around the uk. but some of it will be lost for good and particularly in hospitality, where you have to be in the restaurant, in the cafe or the bar to spend the money. if you're not there, it is never spent. with many people avoiding the railways, some people have opted to travel by road instead. as for

the meaning a near total shutdown of the uk rail network.— uk rail network. urrency exchange ftx, sam bankman—fried, i5 currency exchange ftx, sam bankman—fried, is arrested in the bahamas and charged by us authorities with fraud and money—laundering. scientists in the us announce a major breakthrough in the race to recreate nuclear fusion and potentially a source of near limitless clean energy. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. fresh strike action is taking place on the railways, causing major disruption in the run—up to christmas. workers from the rmt union have walked out again in their dispute over pay and conditions. they're striking today and wednesday, then friday and saturday, with four out of five trains cancelled. we've already seen the worst month of industrial action in a decade back in october, and things are likely to get even worse. with a wave of strikes expected to go ahead this winter, december could be heading in the same direction. theo leggett reports. deserted platforms and no train — this was the scene at milford in surrey this mor

network rail ended at 6:00 but the disruption -- the network rail strike ended at 6:00 but the disruptionfor hours. >> i hope it doesn't continue to much longer and they get what they need. >> to do it on the holiday, it is threatening everyone's holiday, isn't it? >> in some regions there was further industrial action to contend with, that meant cross-country had no services north of york for example, it is fair to say that travelers have had a challenging time today. but it doesn't end there. there is still regional strikes and engineering work. as for next week, that's a different story. members of the unit -- of the union, are planning to 48 hour walkouts from tuesday-wednesday and from friday-saturday. and a strike of train workers on the fifth of january. the strikes are happening because of arranged -- of a range of disputes from the working practices. >> i don't think they realize what data there is, when we passengers get so completely fed up with the auditor -- utter unreliability of service, that we find other options. right now, the reality of trouble-free train journeys looks

the latest round of strikes by members of the rmt at network rail and ia train companies is due to begin up to 8% over two years. our transport correspondent, katy austin, is at euston for us now. katy, what more can you tell us? this dispute has rumbled on for months now, but there has been a sense of urgency over the past few days about trying to get the national strikes which start next week, tuesday, called off. yesterday, for the first time, the rail delivery group which is representing train companies in negotiations, said a pay rise of 4% for this year and 4% for 2023 could be on the table. but changes to working practices would have to happen, including for example changes to ticket offices and their staff, sunday working, and drivers operating the doors in more areas. the rmt rejected this offer last night, saying it had concerns about some of the changes and thousands ofjobs would be lost. this morning i understand there's been a meeting with the rail delivery group to see if any settlement can be reached. separately, network rail, whose employees include maintenance workers an

the rmt argues they are detrimental to its members and safety, which network rail disputes. there would be more talks with the rail minister and industry leaders aimed at finding compromises. we: would like aimed at finding compromises. w9 would like to aimed at finding compromises. "w9 would like to put some aimed at finding compromises. w9 would like to put some approved proposals to our members and see if they can accept those and perhaps resolve the dispute and get this industrial action lifted, but that means we need to work quickly and we need a bit of goodwill from all parties, including the employers and the government and from ourselves. es, the government and from ourselves. a spokesperson for the train companies said reaching agreement was a painstaking process. we said reaching agreement was a painstaking process.— said reaching agreement was a painstaking process. said reaching agreement was a ainstakin: rocess. :, ., ~ painstaking process. we need to make sure we have — painstaking process. we need to make sure we have some _ painstaking process. we need to make

the rmt argues they're detrimental to its members and safety, which network rail disputes. d there would be more talks with the rail minister and industry leaders aimed at finding compromises. what we'd like to put some approved proposals to our members and see what we'd like to do is put some approved proposals to our members and see if they can accept those, and maybe resolve the dispute and get this industrial action lifted. but that means we need to work quickly, and we need a bit of goodwill from all parties, including the employers and the government, and from ourselves. a spokesperson for the train companies said reaching agreement was a painstaking process. we need to make sure that we've got some reforms that _ will help pay for- those pay increases, whilst making sure - the industry is adapting to the new ways that - people are using railways. while making sure the industry is adapting i to the new ways that - people are using railways. as things stand, the new year will bring more strikes. katy austin, bbc news, in southampton. it's notjust rail workers on strike

from the health service to transport, the rmt have rejected the latest offer from network rail, so thosewales, starting tomorrow, will go ahead. i am with the rail workers. i think at the moment, there is enough a lot of bad stuff going on in the country and some strikes are necessary and if they were not disruptive, they were not do the job. the if they were not disruptive, they were not do the job.— if they were not disruptive, they were not do the job. were not do the “ob. the unions are unrealistic with — were not do the job. the unions are unrealistic with what _ were not do the job. the unions are unrealistic with what they _ were not do the job. the unions are unrealistic with what they are - unrealistic with what they are asking, — unrealistic with what they are asking, it's not feasible. how are ou doinu asking, it's not feasible. how are you doing sorting _ asking, it's not feasible. how are you doing sorting things - asking, it's not feasible. how are you doing sorting things out? - asking, it's not feasible. how are i you doing sorting things out? trying to stop what — you do

they are glued to their phones or speaking to people from network rail. ughout the festive period. services throughout the festive -eriod. . ~' ,, , services throughout the festive -eriod. . ,, , . let's speak now to our political correspondent, ione wells. ione, the nurses and rail strikes are part of a wave of industrial action across the country. there is a lot of pressure on the government from within its own party as well to go to the table and discuss pay. as well to go to the table and discuss pay-— as well to go to the table and discuss -a. . , ,, ,, ,, discuss pay. that pressure keeps buildina discuss pay. that pressure keeps building as _ discuss pay. that pressure keeps building as strikes _ discuss pay. that pressure keeps building as strikes continued - discuss pay. that pressure keeps building as strikes continued to i building as strikes continued to disrupt lots of different areas of lives, from post they are trying to send two trains they are trying to catch and health care as well put the pressure is building in two areas. firstly, a stro

course this disruption is going to continue and carry on the rmt are in two disputes one with network railhere it represents 20,000 signals and maintenance workers and the other is of course with the rail delivery group where it represents 20,000 workers represents around 20,000 workers for 14 different railway operating companies. now, of course, we've had those pay offers being rejected and mick lynch trying to to lynch trying to come to a compromise . he, of course, met compromise. he, of course, met with hugh merriman, the roman master, but of course master, yesterday. but of course nothing of that at nothing really came of that at that . but mick lynch that meeting. but mick lynch saying he's always saying that he's always optimistic that resolutions optimistic and that resolutions to disputes about to disputes here about compromises. he said we understand the companies understand what the companies want what we want and they understand what we need. so some sort of need. so need some sort of compromise the conditions compromise on the conditions that putting forward. that they're put

network rail will be affected.passengers are being urged to travel only if necessary . tens travel only if necessary. tens of thousands of nurses have been taking part in the biggest strike nhs history today. taking part in the biggest strike nhs history today . picket strike nhs history today. picket lines were set up in england wales and northern ireland in the first of 212 hour walkouts over pay . staff have been

the rmt argues they're detrimental to its members and to safety, which network rail disputes. leader said there would be more talks with the rail minister and industry leaders aimed at finding compromises. what we'd like to do is put some improved proposals to our members and see if they can accept those, and maybe resolve the dispute and get this industrial action lifted. but that means that we need to work quickly, and we need a bit of good will from all parties, including the employers and the government, and from ourselves of course. a spokesperson for the train companies said reaching agreement was a painstaking process. we need to make sure that we've got some reforms that will help pay for those pay increases, whilst making sure the industry is adapting to the new ways that people are using the railways. as things stand, the new year will bring more strikes. katy austin, bbc news, in southampton. well, all of that comes a day after nurses in england, went on strike for the first time in the history of the nhs. again, the dispute is over pay and working conditions. the ro

network rail says it's offered a fair dealand urged the union to think again.restaurants, cafes and bars as well as for last—minute shopping. the problem with losing shoppers on such a key trading day like christmas eve, is you can't recover that spend. however much you want to, however long you stay open, shoppers want to buy on christmas eve and if they can't, they'll buy elsewhere. with many people avoiding the railways, some people have opted to drive home for christmas instead. we are seeing a lot of congestion over this period and that's because people don't want to use the rail. they are not sure what sort of service they will get. we are expecting today to be particularly busy. yesterday we did over 13,500 jobs, which is more than our usual daily average. we expect a similar number again today. with roads busier than usual the advice to motorists is to check before you travel. noor nanji, bbc news in paddington. a spokesperson for the duke and duchess of sussex says an apology from the sun newspaper regarding a column, in whichjeremy clarkson said he "h

a strike by workers at network rail ended at 6am, but disruption lasted for hours afterwards.e that it doesn't continue for too much longer and i hope that they get what they need. some of them are due for it, all right. but to do it on a holiday time like this and that is spoiling everyone's holiday, isn't it? and in some regions, there was further industrial action to contend with. that meant crosscountry had no services north of york, for example. it's fair to say that rail travellers here in london and across the country have had a challenging time of it today. services began operating late, some were delayed, some were cancelled. but it doesn't end there. there is still an overtime ban in force, some regional strikes and overrunning engineering work. and as for next week, that's a different story. members of the rmt union at network rail and 14 train operators are planning two 48—hour walk—outs, from tuesday to wednesday, and from friday to saturday. and, in between, a strike by train drivers called by the aslef union, on the 5th of january. the strikes are happening beca

network rail�*s boss said a good deal had already been put forward. i rail's boss said a good deal hadard. i have learnt through a _ already been put forward. i have learnt through a long _ already been put forward. i have learnt through a long career - already been put forward. i havej learnt through a long career that sometimes, the light isjust around the comer — sometimes, the light isjust around the corner. but where i stand today, i would _ the corner. but where i stand today, i would have — the corner. but where i stand today, i would have to say with the level of disruption the rmt are imposing come _ of disruption the rmt are imposing come of— of disruption the rmt are imposing come of the way forward is not obvious — come of the way forward is not obvious. , ., ., ., ,, obvious. there is not a bottomless it of obvious. there is not a bottomless pit of money _ obvious. there is not a bottomless pit of money to — obvious. there is not a bottomless pit of money to pay _ obvious. there is not a bottomless pit of money to pay increased - pit of money to pay increased salaries _ pi