r , i'll be finding out interviews, i'll be finding out who our politicians really are and what they really think. i think i've seen probably quite enough of this matt hancock to last me a lifetime. i'll also be getting to know you better travelling to find out what you think. the politicians who are fighting for your vote. they've got to get this country on track. join me every sunday at 6 pm. only on gb news on tv, p.m. only on gb news on tv, radio and online . radio and online. hello and i'm alison alastair stewart and for the next 2 hours i'll be keeping you company , tv i'll be keeping you company, tv and radio with the stories that really matter across the country, we have plenty coming up today including we'll be taking a look back at a chaotic yearin taking a look back at a chaotic year in politics and what's to

come in 2023. are you confident in his majesty's government right now.7 we'd in his majesty's government right now? we'd love to hear from you on that . anything else from you on that. anything else that's playing up on your mind at the moment? plus, at the most, wondered , full time of most, wondered, full time of yean most, wondered, full time of year, we'll be looking at christmas traditions how the card industry has been hit by strikes and how you all celebrate ageing and the albums of the year , i'm delighted to of the year, i'm delighted to say. christian traditions , say. christian traditions, jewish or of another faith we have it all for you today. so stay with us for the next couple of hours. but first, let's bring you right up to date with all of the day's is radisson . thanks, the day's is radisson. thanks, alistair. one minute past midday , here's the latest from the gb newsroom, the chief of the defence staff says the military is busy and not be treated by

the government as spare capacity . that's as ministers prepare to deploy 1000 troops to cover striking public sector workers. admiral sir tony radican says it would be slightly perilous to treat the armed forces an ultimate backstop for industrial action. meanwhile, unions are warning that military personnel are not sufficiently trained to cover for ambulance and border staff . retired major general tim staff. retired major general tim cross disagrees. he told gb news the army does have the skills to do the job. we've got people who are trained, used to, driving, ambulances and in our field field, medical regiments are really logistical drivers who drive those ambulances. we've got paramedics and we've got all sorts of skills . we haven't had sorts of skills. we haven't had people. i have say involved in border control before, but , you border control before, but, you know, they're perfectly capable of doing that . and in of doing that. and in particular, we've got the ability bring command and control some stuff, control to some of this stuff, which is we did during which is what we did during covid. course, rishi sunak is covid. of course, rishi sunak is accusing boss mick lynch accusing union boss mick lynch of causing misery to millions

timing rail strikes to hit outings at christmas. writing the sun on sunday newspaper, the prime minister says an increasing number of union members want deal. however, the rmt has rejected fair offers says. mr. lynch, who is the general secretary, says rail staff to receive strong support from the public . well, the prime from the public. well, the prime minister's comments come as rail services restart following 48 hours of strike action . hours of strike action. passengers are being warned to expect significant disruption , expect significant disruption, with some trains starting later than usual. hospital companies say people should check schedules before beginning their journey . staying with strikes journey. staying with strikes and nurses are threatening to escalate their industrial action in the new year if the government to break the deadlock over pay by next week. the royal college of nursing warns could impact a greater number of hospitals and scaled back support for non—emergency

services if further action goes ahead. now they're demanding that ministers respond , within that ministers respond, within 48 hours of choosing days, walkouts by the former met police commissioner, has been accused of trying minimise the murder of sarah everard , the murder of sarah everard, the government's outgoing adviser , government's outgoing adviser, tackling violence against women . the sunday times that cressida dick complained after the murder that government's initial response was over—the—top. dame cressida strenuously denied making the comments. cressida strenuously denied making the comments . a 52 year making the comments. a 52 year old man has been charged with the murders of a mother and her young children in northampton on thursday. police found andrew sock, an nhs nurse, and her children aged six and four, with serious injuries. at a house in kettering . they all died a short kettering. they all died a short time later. post—mortem examinations determined that all three died as a result of a sticky asian subject . shell,

sticky asian subject. shell, available from kettering, will appear at northampton magistrates court tomorrow . and magistrates court tomorrow. and these are calling for china to be officially deemed a threat to the uk . they say economic ties the uk. they say economic ties should weakened to allow britain to stand up for its values. affairs committee found the uk is dependency on china is its ability to look after its interests over . it also warns interests over. it also warns that stronger language should not be used unless united kingdom can commit to meaningful action . the uk faces one more action. the uk faces one more day of extremely weather before temperatures rise to as high as 14 degrees south. see us on monday. parts the country will see freezing rain, snow and ice causing difficult travel conditions and road closures. milder air coming in from the atlantic is expected to chase away the cold within 24 hours. the football association has confirmed that gareth southgate

will stay on as england manager , despite the men's team being knocked out in the world cup quarter finals. knocked out in the world cup quarterfinals. the announcement quarter finals. the announcement comes ahead of the final in qatar, where argentina will face off against france. it could be a record breaking match. lionel looks set to become the player with the most appearances in the competition . and if france wins competition. and if france wins they'll be the first nation since brazil in 1962 to retain the title . and finally, the title. and finally, eurovision winners ukraine have picked their entry for next year's song contest . and second, year's song contest. and second, last year , the competition to last year, the competition to select a group was broadcast live from a metro station in kyiv, which also doubles as a bomb shelter to watch one with heart of steel and will now be heading to liverpool in may 2023. the competition is usually held in the winning country will be held instead in the uk due to the ongoing war in ukraine. in

monday's you're watching gb news. we'll bring you more as it happens now let's get straight back to alister . back to alister. wraith thank you very much indeed so as we inch towards christmas or whatever festival you market this time of year and as night follows day new year awaits in the wings so we thought we'd have all and eat it with you today by reflecting on one of the most rumbustious and crazy political years in memory and by just peering forward little toward what may unveil itself in the year that lies ahead. itself in the year that lies ahead . but we are also taking

ahead. but we are also taking look at our own christmas traditions from a christian point of view and reflecting on other faiths and traditions. we shall reflect on what counts as a tradition , which of the a tradition, which of the absolute columns and where they come from geographically and historically and on the political front, 2022 has certainly been a year of huge political roller coasters. the tories had so many leaders and chancellor of the exchequer that they could claim a mention in that wonderful song the 12 days of christmas . incidentally, on of christmas. incidentally, on major milking, we will also have our rural today. but just can you imagine what might happen with days of christmas if you had lords leaping maybe leaping out of windows if labour win the next general election because they will no longer be a requirement according to sir keir starmer. so now we're sharing the spotlight glowing on a farming industry throughout

the programme today. now last yean the programme today. now last year, labour finally and fully shook off its corbyn easter characteristics and pretty well constantly held a convincing top spot in the voting intention in opinion polls. those spot in the voting intention in opinion polls . those polls also opinion polls. those polls also suggested that labour rank and file are yet to fall enthusiastically in with sir keir starmer. enthusiastically in with sir keir starmer . many did and loved keir starmer. many did and loved the radical claims of jeremy corbyn and by the fresh electability of blair. and back in the day of course, one former senior adviser went on to observe just a few days ago that he simply couldn't understand or believe that labour supporters would ever be charming, chomping cicadas to care as they did for jeremy corbyn. so for the electorate not being corbyn scores well, but not among some

of the younger , perhaps more of the younger, perhaps more left wing labour folk. so i'll be asking. two old friends of mine whether . that is a problem mine whether. that is a problem for the leadership of the labour party and whether or not it surmountable in of course brand . is labour the done deal in your eyes. is the tory brand so tarnished by recent events that the game up for them now that could be as early as october year? certainly no . than the year? certainly no. than the spnng year? certainly no. than the spring of the year. both the polls and the serious commentators suggest that defeat looks all inevitable for the conservative moves where they, with a near wipe out of that members of parliament. not out of question. they the continuing surge of for reform perhaps underlines the tory challenge in the current backdrop of doom and gloom and industrial unrest

shows . no sign of gloom and industrial unrest shows. no sign of easing . it's shows. no sign of easing. it's calm and considered and easy reflection to make on this year and its peak at the future . the and its peak at the future. the normally very calm and considered financial times suggests that this year ending with more or worse strikes then goes on so far as to suggest that next year the distinct exists of critical mass of these industrial disputes leading to a formal general strike. also about shortages that we've endured over the last few months that we've often talked about on this programme. they say that it could lead to real food shortages across the next year and that would be the political backdrop to any general election were it to happen in the autumn of next year . the russian of next year. the russian invasion of ukraine shows little or no sign of ending and the impact that that has had on energy . and of course, energy energy. and of course, energy pnces energy. and of course, energy

prices get a. we see the sunday times splashed yesterday that even got everyone thinking whether he was really going to be tough with the strikers policies that put forward to deal with the trade unions didn't find much favour in own gb news people's poll that discussed yesterday. and as always really do want to hear from you not only via polling. but you can email us gb views gbnews.uk you can tweet gb news directly or you can tweet me and we will share the very best of them before we end the programme at 2:00. reflecting upon all of that political turmoil . tell us that political turmoil. tell us what you think of it and what you think should happen in the very near future . and i'm very near future. and i'm delighted say that. joining me first in this conversation is a good old friend of mine mark seddon, who is the former un correspondent for al jazeera

engush correspondent for al jazeera english tv . and back in the day, english tv. and back in the day, editor of the tribune magazine, in york tribune days, mark radicalism was the thing . do you radicalism was the thing. do you think today's young labour think that people like history and rachel rees perhaps need to be less cautious and more radical if they're going to grab that, enthuses ism that critics of square and the leadership have been so harsh about ? well, yes, been so harsh about? well, yes, i think so . been so harsh about? well, yes, i think so. but been so harsh about? well, yes, i think so . but it's been so harsh about? well, yes, i think so. but it's not just the young and people who are in the young and people who are in the labour party or indeed may have left it because a lot of people have left it . but i think people have left it. but i think it's the there's the public a whole they're still waiting to see what really is on offer . see what really is on offer. what is the alternate . if i cast what is the alternate. if i cast my mind back to that time you're talking about alistair and the mid—nineties and you looked at the line—up of the labour shadow cabinet , you the line—up of the labour shadow cabinet, you had some very consequential figures . you had

consequential figures. you had people like robin cook, gordon brown , dewar, clare short , a brown, dewar, clare short, a whole manner of and also a great of interest in economic issues. and i don't see that . and i was and i don't see that. and i was was thinking earlier because i know you've got john rentoul on as one of your guests as well. and john has been writing very much about the parallels between harold wilson and starmer and actually , you know, harold actually, you know, harold wilson in the early sixties and again in the early seventies, did have a much clearer idea what he was going to do. and yet he still won a very small majority in both those elections. and that took on and will again on a second time around . he also had a cutting around. he also had a cutting edge vision of what should happen to uk economy when he happen to the uk economy when he talked about white heat of talked about the white heat of revolution and embraced it and said that was the way forward working people and for the country at large . it seems to me country at large. it seems to me that chucking the lords and giving devolution is giving people more devolution is hardly the same league . if hardly in the same league. if they want to fire them up with

enthusiasm, then think so. and i think it's got to happen, by the way, because the labour party's been promising to do this since 1910 and i, you know , of course 1910 and i, you know, of course it's very interesting that keir starmer has relied very heavily on brown to provide some of his ballast around constitutional change. a lot of it people would think is quite and of course, looking into the crystal ball, it's to be very it's going to be very interesting happens. interesting to see what happens. the nationalists, the separateness with separateness in scotland with nicholas sturgeon with labour does as well as many people are thinking . does as well as many people are thinking. but does as well as many people are thinking . but yes, does as well as many people are thinking. but yes, i think you're absolutely right. for most at home, it is the most people at home, it is the economy, it's bread and butter issues. what's to be different and as yet, i don't think people can see that you get impression that a lot of people even , a lot that a lot of people even, a lot of traditional conservative voters think it's time up . they voters think it's time up. they might quite like rishi soon, by the way, but by and large they're saying, look, 12 years in something's to change. but when it comes to that election, i wonder if it's going to be a

lot closer than some people think it is at the moment. how fascinating . and indeed john fascinating. and indeed john rental is up next, let me take one word out of that brilliant analysis. it's change. you have also got sir keir starmer , also got sir keir starmer, labour party not changing but quite opposite and talking again about possibly renationalise housing the railways re nationalising water and creating a nationalised british energy corporation that is hardly going to win the hearts and minds amongst floating voters . well, amongst floating voters. well, that's the interesting thing, actually, because that's where pubuc actually, because that's where public opinion has changed. i think there's overwhelming support, you know, given people's experience of all of these publicly railways from europe , the taking, taking europe, the taking, taking subsidies from the british taxpayer to run a business well, services people are really quite in favour of nationalising the railways and water and they clearly that something's wrong about energy . i don't think about energy. i don't think that's such a bad to be fighting on.and

that's such a bad to be fighting on. and by the way just a mention , harold. i just thought mention, harold. i just thought i'd give you your viewers a little special seasonals surprise, because this is this is harold wilson's hat that he wore to moscow to meet khrushchev , kassig. and all of khrushchev, kassig. and all of those years ago and perhaps will see a labour leader or a future prime minister doing bit more, you know, talking and working with the united nations to get about a peaceful end to the war in russia and ukraine, which you also and defending rights of journalists to report upon all as well. marc, always a thanks for breaking into your weekend . for breaking into your weekend. talk to us and you and yours. have a terrific christmas . and i have a terrific christmas. and i wish you a peaceful and successful new year. thank you very much indeed . my good friend very much indeed. my good friend mark seddon there , as i say, mark seddon there, as i say, former un correspondent for al jazeera tv and editor of jazeera english tv and editor of tribune magazine . and indeed, as tribune magazine. and indeed, as mark said , next up is john mark said, next up is john rental. john's chief political commentator at independent and a renowned watcher, particularly leigh or tony blair, a biography

there . one of the key points i there. one of the key points i thought that mark said in a series of very interesting observations that that it is blindingly obvious to friend and foe alike that sir keir starmer is take to tony blair. i know he isn't , but he is. is take to tony blair. i know he isn't , but he is . he is take to tony blair. i know he isn't , but he is. he does sound isn't, but he is. he does sound a bit like tony blair sometimes . i mean, when he told people who superglue themselves to roads in protest, who superglue themselves to roads in protest , the oil roads in protest, the oil industry , he said, get up and go industry, he said, get up and go home. he's sounding a bit more like tony blair this year than he has previously. he's completed quite a remarkable political from his election as , political from his election as, a unity candidate on what was a corbyn night programme. yeah but one of the crucial, distinct actions as well and you are one of the absolute authorities upon it is that tony blair wasn't

only not michael foot, he also had really profound radical thoughts about how his own political party should operate, how the united should cooperate and how it should be a country unity and purpose . i didn't hear unity and purpose. i didn't hear any of that from sir keir in re nationalising have a pro second is of it or of rating members of the house of lords . yes. well the house of lords. yes. well to, tony blair was in favour of replacing the lords with an elected second chamber as well . elected second chamber as well. he sent in gerald kaufman try and cut a deal with john wakeham, didn't he. and they couldn't get it off the indeed and he ended up sending, sending alastair campbell and terry ervin to negotiate a deal with the tory hereditary peers to exclude them from the from the house of lords. so he , he house of lords. so he, he achieved half of reform on grounds that half a loaf was

better than nothing. and on the grounds that trying to go further would complete government the legislative works. it was a pragmatic approach so he in the end he didn't actually put replacing house of lords as an elected second chamber in the labour manifesto in 97. it was a very very cautious document and keir starmer is pursuing a similarly approach, although i do think pledging to replace out of lords is unwise . pledging to replace out of lords is unwise. but no, he's pledging to replace out of lords is unwise . but no, he's doesn't is unwise. but no, he's doesn't have the charisma of tony blair, but he is following broadly the same approach, which i think is obviously a good thing as as there are . while you were giving there are. while you were giving that answer, we were giving some underway of the house of commons and theresa may featured in it as well because. i wanted put as well because. i wanted to put this you that we've both this to you that we've both lived through various rebranding i mean, you were the expert on tony's rebrand and the abolition of clause four for labour, but the tories done it before with that particular woman from grants with the help of the sort

she brothers and a whole series of brilliant and marketing players who made a troubled conservative party not only eminently elected but utterly dominant until your man blair came along. do you think it's time for the tories to consider that again ? well, rishi sunak that again? well, rishi sunak did get quite a lot of stick for too obsessed with that with slick marketing , social slick marketing, social campaigns . slick marketing, social campaigns. he is. he's toned down some of since then and i think i think the problem that the conservative party is that this year has been absolute chaos to go from four boris johnson violet trust to rishi sunak's . just gives the sense to sunak's. just gives the sense to the british people that the conservative party doesn't know what it's doing and doesn't really know what it stands for. which was bad enough when boris

johnson minister johnson was prime minister because has his political because he has his political identity was so chaotic and disorganised . but to have gone disorganised. but to have gone three prime ministers in a year is has it has not done the tory party any good. and i'm not sure that any marketing can, can fix it. i think steady, steady government is what rishi sunak ought to be doing and that's what he's trying to do . not sure what he's trying to do. not sure i disagree with you on that, john, to talk to you. thanks for breaking into weekend to be with us again and may i wish you and yours lovely christmas yours a lovely christmas and a peaceful successful new year john rental chief political commentator at the independent and always well worth reading . and always well worth reading. finally, i'm delighted to complete my brilliant line with jim picard, who's the chief political correspondent at the financial times, the newspaper that made those apocalyptic prediction that i referred to at the top of the show . the f.t. the top of the show. the f.t.

doesn't normally go a bit silly and completely one way or the other . but food shortages, i can other. but food shortages, i can actually genuinely understand it but a full blown general strike i mean i'm not sure they're going to call it a general strike. but if you look at the coordination taking place at the moment, the unions talking to each other and the medical unions talking to each other, the railway unions working side by side , i think we're kind of by side, i think we're kind of stop short of a situation where literally all of these different industries and sectors go out on the day. but is the industrial unrest sets get worse? it certainly looks like it at the moment. and you can see where she's seen i just grappling with thatissue she's seen i just grappling with that issue of how on earth is he the strikes in the way that doesn't involve handing over lines more money which on the one he he faces is one hand he he faces is potentially inflationary on the second he's trying to to second he's trying to get to gnps second he's trying to get to grips spending and cut it grips with spending and cut it or at restrain in the next or at least restrain in the next couple of years. and there's not an obvious political now in europe, you nurses, for

europe, when you got nurses, for example, is hard to say example, from 19, is hard to say a landing zone on the railway strikes, easier to strikes, it's a bit easier to see somewhere where they might settle if only both sides are prepared, do a little bit more compromising, as well compromising, intriguing as well i'm in his own hand today by saying he's under enormous not only within the government to try and come up with some clever piece purchasing deal for the for the nurses because they all realise it's doing their standing in actual hopes. no good at all. he says no , i'm good at all. he says no, i'm absolutely firm . the times absolutely firm. the times newspaper said, get a grip, rishi he would have us believe via the mail sunday. he has got a it's the others around him who want to . yeah i mean the issue want to. yeah i mean the issue you have here is basically they've decided that they don't want to pay more for the current year which is what a lot that this piece is about and maybe next year they could pay the nurses bit more. but at the same time, the longer they keep doing higher pay rises , then the more higher pay rises, then the more the potential for inflation

pressures. and they would like the world to get that they were done for this year and then lock in for next year and try to try and pay restraint. because the problem with inflation is that the predictions from the bank of england been that this would be a temporary thing that would only or so. there's only last a year or so. there's an awful of concern once an awful of concern that once you get inflation gets to you get inflation gets used to higher rises, used higher pay rises, they get used to prices going up. and as we know from decades ago, it's know from many decades ago, it's very get out of that very hard to get out of that cycle and that that's one of the major issues that he's grappling with so my two with right now. so my two guests, said that for sir guests, jim, said that for sir keir win just not keir starmer to win just not being jeremy corbyn wasn't enough and in fact in some sections of the labour party not being jeremy corbyn is a negative because if you want those youngsters to get out and knock on doors and stuff, leaflets, then maybe little leaflets, then maybe a little bit of the of the left his bit more of the of the left his stance wouldn't wouldn't go amiss in your view and years of experience is it still within labour's capacity in power to throw this position of advantage

away . yeah. i mean i know an away. yeah. i mean i know an awful lot of labour mps including awful lot of the shadow cabinet and they are scarred by all the various false that they've had over the last 12 years and they've made themselves very cautious, very earnest political party does actually have more policy than you might think. so they have this big green new that involves borrowing this big green new that involves borrowin g £28 billion year for borrowing £28 billion a year for around that. they would around that that. they would spend it on insulation and renewable energy it's quite renewable energy and it's quite a but you don't hear a big step but you don't hear them shouting singing them shouting it or singing about it the rooftops. they about it from the rooftops. they have radical have reasonably radical employment policy and in balance there are contracts scrapping , there are contracts scrapping, recent anti strike legislation . recent anti strike legislation. so again you don't hear a lot about the policy about scrapping the house of lords is rare. recent example of labour public policy actually coming through and on three of the biggest issues that the government is facing at the moment . so the facing at the moment. so the energy crisis , the mortgage energy crisis, the mortgage crisis and the strikes labour

doesn't really have a distinct policy anymore. they used to have a distinct policy on energy, which was a windfall tax. the government still not themselves. so of the themselves. so on some of the biggest issues. what would biggest issues. and what would a labour government do to help people with mortgages going through either through the roof? they either they afraid we to they jim i'm afraid we have to leave i'm really leave it but i'm really delighted that were able to delighted that you were able to fit into a busy weekend . fit us into a busy weekend. great talk to you. and do great to talk to you. and do come and us any time you come and join us any time you like. pic out from the like. jim pic out there from the great times you are great financial times you are watching and listening to alastair stewart friends with plenty to up on plenty more still to come up on the programme, including of course may have heard it is the world final this evening. world cup final this evening. france v argentina it france v argentina battling it out for the title and so much more who will reign victorious will be going live to qatar to find out right after this. but first, let's bring you up to date with the far less appealing weather here at home in the united kingdom . looking ahead united kingdom. looking ahead this afternoon and rain clouds are spreading northwards as milder air returns across the

country . here are the details. country. here are the details. rather cold across scotland today, but cloud is increasing as rain, sleet and snow arrives from the southwest during the afternoon temperatures should show slowly recover as the day progresses . turning milder progresses. turning milder across northern ireland , cloud across northern ireland, cloud and rain spreading northwards throughout the afternoon. rather windy with the risk of coastal gales, much mild then recently, with highs of nine celsius across northern england will push north eastwards throughout the afternoon. the rain be falling on to cold surfaces , falling on to cold surfaces, leading to the risk of ice for some there'll be heavy and persistent rain parts of wales. this will move no foot, says the milder conditions continue, becoming rather windy, especially in the west, with the risk of coastal gales developing after a cold and cloudy start across , the midlands rain will across, the midlands rain will continue to move across the region, perhaps initially with a little sleet , snow in places, little sleet, snow in places, temperatures throughout the day, cloud and rain will spread across east anglia throughout the afternoon. however, with falling on to cold surfaces ,

falling on to cold surfaces, there's a risk of some icy stretches a time heavy rain will affect parts southern england dunng affect parts southern england during the afternoon and into the evening, feeling much milder of late, with temperatures reaching into double figures after dark looking head conditions will be unsettled with further of rain locally and persistent across the far south into sunday evening .

it's 1232 on it's1232 on madison in the gb newsroom. the chief of the defence staff says the military is busy and should not be treated by the government as spare capacity that saw his ministers prepare to deploy 1200 troops to cover striking public sector workers. admiral tony radican says it would be slightly perilous to treat the armed as an ultimate backstop

for industrial action . for industrial action. meanwhile, unions are warning that personnel are not sufficiently trained to cover for ambulance border staff . the for ambulance border staff. the prime minister is accusing union boss mick lynch of causing misery to millions by timing rail strikes to hit outings at christmas. writing in the sun on sunday newspaper rishi sunak an increasing number of union members want a deal. however rmt has rejected fair , he says. mr. has rejected fair, he says. mr. lynch is the union's general secretary says rail staff continue to receive strong support from the public . nurses support from the public. nurses are threatened to escalate industrial action the new year if the government fails to break the deadlock over pay next week. the royal college of nursing warns it could impact a greater number of hospitals and scaled back support for non emergency services if the action goes ahead. they're demanding ministers respond within 48

hours of tuesday as walkouts . hours of tuesday as walkouts. the football association has confirmed that gareth southgate stay on as england's despite the men's team being knocked out in the world cup quarter finals. the announcement ahead of the final in qatar , where argentina final in qatar, where argentina will face off against france. could be a record breaking match. lionel messi looks set to become the player with the most appearances in the competition. and if france wins, they'll be first nation since brazil. way in 1962 to retain their title on tv, online and on disney plus radio. you're watching the people's channel gb news. back now to alistair . now to alistair. final story in rea's news bulletin there. the final of the world cup with arjan and france

set a showdown this afternoon . set a showdown this afternoon. it will be a closely fought fixture, of course, with both sides within reach of a bit of football glory and indeed a bit football glory and indeed a bit football history. then messi will be hoping to crown his international with the only trophy and medal that has eluded him. france, on the other hand, as they just said , are hoping to as they just said, are hoping to become the first country since brazil to retain the world cup title . brazil did it back in title. brazil did it back in 1962. now as both teams prepare that final game, paul reflects on the first world cup to be held in the east . you we've held in the east. you we've swapped the souk for the sands of qatar . this is the core, al of qatar. this is the core, al added area with the inland sea meets the desert. you unesco's world heritage sites . there is

world heritage sites. there is no comparable lagoons system like this anywhere else in the world. as the sun sets on another cup, it's time to take stock . it started with armbands stock. it started with armbands and rainbow hats. at the end of the day . it gave us a platform the day. it gave us a platform to talk about lgbt rights and inclusion , diversity, and why inclusion, diversity, and why these things important to us in wales and in the other progressive nations that are here and they all the songs on. the backdrop to england v iran was of politics highlights racial inequality on field as well as . women's rights in iran. well as. women's rights in iran. fans coming together on both issues.i fans coming together on both issues. i think all the people around the world want the best for humanity and iran is part of that. so hopefully it's things will get better . this was that. so hopefully it's things will get better. this was a dry country, but was alcohol if you

wanted it. however no booze, no problem. this world cup was different. it was family friendly and it was safer. a kind of bar social experiment where football and alcohol, which in inextricably linked, are suddenly pulled apart. we live on danish television with the media be allowed to freely report. you invited the whole world to come here. why can't we film? it's a public. aside from this initial misunderstood ending between officials and the danish crew which the danish tv crew for which the qataris apologised, the answer was yes. wales first world cup for 64 years ended in disappointment, but many of the red bull were simply happy to be here. look at the guy . look at here. look at the guy. look at that. here. look at the guy. look at that . there you go. it's like that. there you go. it's like the welsh david brent england's campaign, on the other hand, endedin campaign, on the other hand, ended in penalty again. just one kick away from reaching another semi—final, perhaps on the night england were the better side . england were the better side. they just didn't win the key a little bit disappointed still

after that game was a all positive take from it. so still positive take from it. so still positive about the future. i don't know 18 months of the year was as well sort would say this was as well sort would say this was the world cup for the underdogs japan germany underdogs japan beating germany who failed to reach the knockouts . morocco beating , knockouts. morocco beating, portugal, spain and, belgium, who also failed to get of their group france to tunisia, saudi arabia beating argentina of the greatest world cup shocks ever . greatest world cup shocks ever. and yet here we are, despite all of that. argentina v, france in the final, the little magician and versus the young pretender. messi versus mbappe both play for the same . but the frenchman for the same. but the frenchman who's only three years old, is already a world cup winner for messi at 35. this is his last to win the only trophy that's eluded . some say he can only be eluded. some say he can only be considered alongside maradona when he wins football's greatest pool when he wins football's greatest pool. hawkins .

when he wins football's greatest pool. hawkins. gb when he wins football's greatest pool. hawkins . gb news brilliant pool. hawkins. gb news brilliant package , great reflections from package, great reflections from paul hawkins , who, in my humble paul hawkins, who, in my humble opinion, has played an absolute bunder opinion, has played an absolute blinder out there. certainly got in the way of him report honestly and openly and talking to lots and of fans. paul is there a sense amongst england fans who've remained there where you are that they'd rather like argentine to do to france? well, we weren't able to do to them ourselves . yeah, i think there ourselves. yeah, i think there is and i it's more about messi if i'm honest less so about argentina or about messi because if you love, then you love lionel messi, frankly. and so there's a lot neutral support here, not just from england fans, but also from all the neutrals. frankly and really when we look at the lusail world cup stadium in and a half hours time, when they kick off, there are going to be tens of thousands of argentina fans that have flown in via madrid from buenos aires , and about four or

buenos aires, and about four or 5000 french fans and actually when i spoke to a french fan earlier , i said, why are there earlier, i said, why are there so few french fans? and he said, in their effectively in france, their effectively boycotting the world because boycotting the world cup because the lgbt rights thing. so that's why in paris, apparently there are no fan zones. the mayor has abandoned he sort of fans. and so people are watching it in pubs and restaurants as we do in england. and the interesting thing to note, of course, is the qataris own paris st germain, france's premier club, which is why kylian mbappe , france's best why kylian mbappe, france's best player and lionel messi both ply their trade. and that is the interesting narrative that underpins two of football's great countries meeting in a world cup final . will there no world cup final. will there no messi win ? the world cup, the messi win? the world cup, the only trophy that's eluded and become one of football's greats. some say he doesn't need to win the trophy anyway. he is one of football's greats other football's greats and the other is will mbappe become is will kilian mbappe become a second world cup medal owner ? second world cup medal owner? and he's only 23 years old. so

there's a really interesting narratives underpinning this. finally, it's going be finally, it's going to be fascinating to when they fascinating to watch when they kick just over hours kick off in just over 2 hours time. these french problems. and i clearly what the i heard very clearly what the woman from wales was telling you little bit earlier in your little bit earlier on in your i read a piece in one of the newspapers this morning that saudi not only pulled off saudi arabia not only pulled off that extraordinary result , saudi arabia not only pulled off that extraordinary result, which you did mention in the package , you did mention in the package, but that saudi arabia quite fancy throwing their hats into the ring to be the next hosts . the ring to be the next hosts. yeah. yeah. and you know what? it would still take some blow for it to come back around to the middle east. but never say neven the middle east. but never say never. they've certainly got the money and they could build the infrastructure pretty quickly. they're tempt they're also trying to tempt cristiano for the last cristiano ronaldo for the last hurrah of his career to play his football in saudi arabia. so they've definitely got aspirations towards the world game. but in terms of a here, it'll be interesting to see culturally if or how qatar changes because seeing the

middle eastern culture come together with western culture through football has fascinating to watch . absolutely. paul, as to watch. absolutely. paul, as i said earlier , done and all that said earlier, done and all that you've done out there, i you enjoy tonight's game as well and look forward to seeing you back here as soon as possible . paul here as soon as possible. paul hawkins, gb news, reporter live and packaging a brilliant report earlier from for us. you are watching and listening to alastair stewart& friends here on gb news tv and radio in the uk and around the world with plenty more. still to come this afternoon including as we are reflecting on this year's events industry that was the forefront of a whole heap political and economic turmoil was, of course, farming. we'll be discussing that.

next welcome back. you are watching and listening to alastair stewart& friends here on gb news

tv and radio as. stewart& friends here on gb news tv and radio as . we discussed in tv and radio as. we discussed in the first part of the program today , may 2022 is certainly today, may 2022 is certainly been a tough year politically economically and socially . one economically and socially. one industry that we care about passionate here on this program is agriculture and they have had a real tough time of it being at the coalface of all of that cost rising. mark problems and all the rest of it . farmers have the rest of it. farmers have been faced with a myriad of challenges from rising energy costs to staff shortages and soaring costs for animal feed equipment and fertilisers. so for our rural spotlight today , for our rural spotlight today, we're going to take a look back at the that has been for our wonderful farmers a tough old one and their prosper for the year. one and their prosper for the year . to kick one and their prosper for the year. to kick things off i'm delighted to welcome back onto program a good friend of program that's bruce jobson , an that's bruce jobson, an

agricultural journalist and a good friend of ours. as i say, he's joined us throughout the year to commentary up on all of these matters as reflecting on these matters as reflecting on the 12 days of christmas. there's little scope really the happy maids the milking. is there any sector that you would say, hey, look at them? they're doing brilliantly. they've through it all. thanks the invite to alice? no we've got worse and worse. and every sector has been losing money every going over the past 20 years. 20, 22 has been the worst farming yet in terms of total farming yet in terms of total farm this century . and it's not farm this century. and it's not going to get any better , as going to get any better, as you've alluded to, 2023 is just going to be as bad, if not, we've already got food at about 30 to 35. and unfortunately the government hasn't come up with anything that's going to help farmers. i said that when mr. sunak was chancellor in april,

as yet nothing for farmers . and as yet nothing for farmers. and the other thing is that now have the other thing is that now have the present different minister who if reports led to believe to be true sat in the press this week that she's going to help farmers and that not really going to do anything about food security. well, we've dropped . security. well, we've dropped. 80% to about 55. food security . 80% to about 55. food security. and last year i remember , i and last year i remember, i think somebody was standing in, i think it was dominic standing for you. and on that i said east of east of scotland were cutting back 26% on their food production , on vegetables, production, on vegetables, farmers cannot afford to keep losing . and that's what's losing. and that's what's happening year after year after year. happening year after year after year . and we cannot continue year. and we cannot continue with this situation. i was just going to say human as on that bafis going to say human as on that basis bruce that and that you're a top journalist so you know that the et. is a grown up newspaper doesn't say silly things just get splashed headunes things just get splashed headlines and readers when they talk about the real of food

shortages next year they're on the money they're on the money and i've said that i think i'm going news's on the money with lamb and what's going to happen but i'll give you a little so we don't mind and basically those a charity sustain produced figures in the last week two to show how badly farmers are being paid they're getting sick at 1% 1% of profit on for example the staples of bread and bread and cheese, etc. and literally won't be a less cheese, etc. and literally won't be a les s £1. for example, be a less £1. for example, several products in the system in april, we discussed our own farm , what was happening with farm, what was happening with eggs.it farm, what was happening with eggs . it was to pay per farmers eggs. it was to pay per farmers were losing then $0.24 a dozen and we really got into the higher prices so all these factors including milk production are going to be a problem because farmers are receiving 55% more for the milk but are no better off . that's

but are no better off. that's bruce. you're not the only one to have said in the past on this that. to have said in the past on this that . farmers are calling it that. farmers are calling it a in worrying numbers . we've also in worrying numbers. we've also we've spoken the young farmers a couple of times and individuals who happened be young people who do a bit of farming rather than just being members of the young clubs. and they're saying increasingly difficult to, attract skilled , clever young attract skilled, clever young people into industry . correct. people into industry. correct. and the reason is a cluster is young people today no disrespect don't want to work seven days a week for nothing and that's that's the situation but you've just said something that to be a farmer today to work on farm today you've got to be very very skilled and you're working with these massive machines that have got high technology . the quarter got high technology. the quarter of a million half a million pound for practise for you have all those skills and young people you know that can get better jobs, better pay in the streets and know what i'm going

to lomas five years old the average farm is about 65 years old. i'm going to have to leave it there now, but we will rejoin conversations in the new year. i hope you can fit us into your busy schedule. bridget jumps in that. thank you very much indeed. to be joined by jane bassett , who is a sheep farmer bassett, who is a sheep farmer and joins me to discuss these matters. there she is jane, great to see you . when we had a great to see you. when we had a conversation recently used one of the great things that you people could do apart from producing mutton is to say, look , we have a naturally growing , , we have a naturally growing, brilliant insulation product that would help us as a sector, help the economy and help the uk. did you have any takers on that ? it's uk. did you have any takers on that? it's just all of uk. did you have any takers on that ? it's just all of them that? it's just all of them warning that, alastair? yes, it's obviously a it's a discussion ongoing and we do actually produce beef as well as she obviously a produce lamb as well as in some cases mutton.

but farmers are of this we keep producing this, providing this high welfare climate , delicious high welfare climate, delicious climate friendly food and that's the direction that we're going into all our stuff you know, in order do this to produce this climate well fast friendly food which wool is part of course we need to up incentive of profit to produce this food that's you know the key message that we really want to land with government and others. you know, we have to this profit this incentive in the form of profit. i completely understand that i just wonder as well, given that you mentioned the word welfare there, whether share bruces concerns a moment ago that i mean do you feel unloved as a sheep farmer? do you feel as part of this great of ours ? part of this great of ours? well, itself, has it been unloved is a matter of been recognised. so what we actually

produce that's important saying in all of this you know we will continue to do what we do in full we have to be able to you know like lot research done government figures it's 30% 31. the inputs are for agricultural which is huge know in any industry to actually absorb so you know there's got to be a recognition of these huge input costs which we've got you know we want to keep producing food , we want to keep producing food, but we need to be able to be to keep producing food and then, you know , the government has got you know, the government has got to actually recognise the food aspect of it . i believe the aspect of it. i believe the self—sufficiency that . i agree self—sufficiency that. i agree with and underline is at the top of my voice to have interrupted you. but but it's lovely to hear a good, knowledgeable guest say something like that, with which l, something like that, with which i, i can completely agree. when you last, you said that you you were last, you said that you used up a lot of your winter

stocks back the summer that stocks back in the summer that how bad is the situation now? well, that's the issue we've had like we touched on earlier on. we had the drought, as we know. we had the drought, as we know. we carried on feeding. we've started feeding very early in the summer . started feeding very early in the summer. and now we're in the situation with the sheep side of things that we haven't feeding those earlier because of the weather at the moment. so i would say we just being dropped on that going. but well you'll love my next guest because it's my old mate john hammond, who's going to about exactly that the weather both for me and everybody listening watching everybody listening and watching our see whether our conversation to see whether there's good news for you there's any good news for you and the rest of it. jane, happy christmas and happy new year. i hopei christmas and happy new year. i hope i do. and keep in hope i really do. and keep in touch you're always touch with us. you're always welcome programme as jane touch with us. you're always wel(just�* programme as jane touch with us. you're always wel(just saying programme as jane touch with us. you're always wel(just saying thatjramme as jane touch with us. you're always wel(just saying that it|mme as jane touch with us. you're always wel(just saying that it isme as jane was just saying that it is chilly out there but the uk may be facing only one more day of extremely cold weather before things seriously warm up a

little on in parts of the they may see some freezing rain some snow some ice and even freezing fog and that could cause real difficult for travel conditions , let alone what is going on out the farms. as i said , i'm the farms. as i said, i'm delighted to say that my good friend john hammond , who we've friend john hammond, who we've worked with each other off and on over the years, joins me now. i've was suddenly turned wise . i've was suddenly turned wise. it suddenly changed. john well it's a brief respite. alex it's be honest it's going to get warmer, but only for a while . warmer, but only for a while. that's that's the takeaway. i think , from this interview is think, from this interview is that , yes, that the think, from this interview is that, yes, that the headline is that, yes, that the headline is that it's going to get it's going to get massively warmer, actually, tomorrow we up into the low teens in places. but it may only be a blip of, well, three or four or five days before cold comes in, not before the cold comes in, not just to put this cold spell in context that there have only been two years in, over 100

years, when the first half of december was colder than this one. so that just gives you a measure of how remarkable prolonged this cold spell has been. now there going to be a blip, a mild effect, but there's a sting in the tail, as you mention, because you've got a lot of warm, moist air coming into the atlantic now. but is going to be falling on frozen ground the ground is frozen to some now. hardly some depth now. hardly surprising, have, surprising, given that we have, what, to degrees nights what, —10 to 12 degrees nights after after night. so after night after night. so there's there's a reservoir there's that there's a reservoir of ground and of very very cold ground and anything liquid for that, anything liquid for you on that, particularly across the more central northern parts of the country afternoon will country this afternoon will probably turn instantly ice. probably turn instantly to ice. hence the proliferation of warnings if go on the met office website you'll be short of warnings to look at snow but increase in may actually as we go into tomorrow heavy rain that itself will bring its own problems, particularly as the ground is so hard the water will just run off the surface. so flooding to be the concern go the couple days . flooding to be the concern go the couple days. i mean the next couple of days. i mean

you guys use the word proliferation , but you didn't proliferation, but you didn't chart these warnings around likely they are serious things and we illustrating your and as we illustrating your answer, there this is a real serious concern for people who are using the roads at this time of year , but also people using of year, but also people using pavements as well, which don't get treated as you know, and even the blessed south—east of england the last few days, anybody straying off a major road has been confronted by by sheet ice because . any snow it's sheet ice because. any snow it's fallen has compacted now over several days , and that is going several days, and that is going to take some shifting. so although it's raining now and although it's raining now and although temperatures will be rising over the 24 hours, rising over the next 24 hours, the snow actually will take quite while to melt, given how quite a while to melt, given how cold the ground is beneath the surface . so now what your surface. so now what your question , why are we having this question, why are we having this cold spell actually. and so it's quite interesting what we what we're experiencing is a lot of unusually high pressure across the what that's doing the arctic what that's doing effectively is squeezing cold out of northern latitudes into

the mid—latitudes, which is where we live. so it's not i'm not only europe parts of north america are going to get hit by extreme cold over the next few days. the longer term pattern analysis we look further on beyond christmas into january is that that northern blocking gas block, it's high pressure across . the arctic looks likely to persist , but it's . the arctic looks likely to persist, but it's going to set we sleep off on research days. i'm expecting more coal to end the year and into early january .thank the year and into early january . thank you for your wisdom and for your time. great to talk to you again. happy christmas and all that you hope for in the new yeah all that you hope for in the new year. john hammond, meteorologist there. you're watching and listening to alastair stewart& friends with lots more. still to on the lots more. still to come on the program, what are your program, including what are your festive we'll be festive tradition? we'll be looking at the origins of a traditional christmas and how other faiths will be celebrating thatis other faiths will be celebrating that is coming up.

next hello and welcome if you've just joined us. hello. welcome back. if you've been with us since kick off . i'm alastair stewart kick off. i'm alastair stewart and. we are into the final hour of alastair stewart& friends here on gb news tv, radio and onune here on gb news tv, radio and online with plenty more. still to come . it's beginning to look to come. it's beginning to look a lot like christmas . be a lot like christmas. be discussing traditions and where they come from at this time of yeah they come from at this time of year. but first, let's bring you right up to date with all of the day's news is anderson . thanks day's news is anderson. thanks and we begin with some breaking news now that kent police say a man has been charged with facilitating attempted illegal into the united kingdom. after

four people died and 39 were rescued from the english channel when a migrant boat capsized earlier this week. 19 year old ibrahima bah of no fixed address has been remanded in custody and will appear at folkestone magistrates tomorrow. we'll bnng magistrates tomorrow. we'll bring you more on story as we get it . the chief of the defence get it. the chief of the defence staff says the military is busy , should not be treated by the government as spare capacity . as government as spare capacity. as ministers prepare to , deploy ministers prepare to, deploy over 1000 troops to cover striking public sector workers. admiral sir tony rudkin says it would be slightly perilous to treat the armed forces as an ultimate backstop for industrial action . meanwhile, unions are action. meanwhile, unions are warning that military personnel are not sufficiently trained to cover for ambulance and border staff. retired general tim cross disagrees . he told us the army disagrees. he told us the army does have the skills to do the job. we've got people who are trained, used to driving ambulances and in our field field medical regiments, royal logistic drivers who drive those

ambulances . we've got paramor ambulances. we've got paramor hicks and we've got all sorts skills. we haven't had people, i have to say, involved in border control before. but, you know, they're perfectly capable of doing that. and in particular, we've got the ability to bring command of this command and control some of this stuff, which is what we did dunng stuff, which is what we did during covid, of course. well, the prime minister is accusing union lynch of causing union boss mick lynch of causing misery by timing misery to millions by timing rail strikes to hit outings at christmas. marching in the sun sunday newspaper rishi sunak says an increasing number of union members want a deal. however the rmt has rejected fair , he says. mr. lynch , who is fair, he says. mr. lynch, who is the union's general secretary, says rail staff continue to receive strong support from the pubuc. receive strong support from the public. rishi sunak's comments come as rail services restart following 1448 hours of strike action. are being warned to expect significant disruption with . some trains starting later with. some trains starting later than usual . transport with. some trains starting later than usual. transport companies say . people should check

say. people should check schedules before they begin their journey . schedules before they begin theirjourney . nurses are their journey. nurses are threatening to escalate industrial action in the new yeah industrial action in the new year. if the government fails , year. if the government fails, break the deadlock over pay by next week. the royal college of nursing warns it could a greater number of hospital and scale back support for non—emergency services . further action does go services. further action does go ahead. services. further action does go ahead . they're demanding ahead. they're demanding ministers within 48 hours of tuesday's walkout . the former tuesday's walkout. the former met's police commissioner has been accused of trying to minimise the murder of sarah everard , the government's everard, the government's outgoing adviser on tackling violence against women told the sunday times. cressida dick complained , shortly after the complained, shortly after the murder, that the government's initial response was over the top. then cressida has strenuously denied making the comments . a 52 year old man has comments. a 52 year old man has been charged the murders of a mother and, her two young children in north hampton on

thursday . police found andrew thursday. police found andrew isaac, an nhs nurse . her isaac, an nhs nurse. her children, aged six and four, with serious injuries at a house in katherine . they all died a in katherine. they all died a short time . post—mortem short time. post—mortem examination determined. all three died as a result of a asian. such you shall shall available kettering excuse me will appear at nottingham magistrates court tomorrow and these are calling for china officially be deemed a threat to . the united kingdom. they say economic ties should be weakened to allow to stand up for its values . the foreign affairs values. the foreign affairs committee found the uk's dependency on china is constraining its ability . look constraining its ability. look after its interests. however, it also warns that stronger should not be used unless the uk can commit to meaningful action . the commit to meaningful action. the uk faces one more day of extremely cold weather before temperatures rise to as high as 14 degrees celsius on monday. parts of the country will see

freezing rain , snow and ice freezing rain, snow and ice causing difficult travel conditions and road closures. however, milder air coming in from the atlantic is expected to chase away the cold within 24 hours. the football association has confirmed that gareth southgate will stay as england manager despite the men's team being knocked out in the cup quarter finals. the announcement comes ahead of the final in qatar where argentina will face off against france. it could be a record breaking match. lionel messi looks set to become the player with the most appearance is in the competition and. if france wins, they'll be the first nation since brazil 1962 to retain their . and finally, in to retain their. and finally, in other news, eurovision winners ukraine have picked their entry for next year's song contest . for next year's song contest. and got an they're still the competition to select a group was broadcast live from a metro station in kyiv which doubles as

a bomb shelter to vote. she won with heart of steel and will now heading to liverpool in may 2023. the competition is usually held in the winning country , held in the winning country, however the uk's taking over instead due to the ongoing war instead due to the ongoing war in ukraine. you're watching gb news will you? more as it happens. now let's get straight back to . back to. alastair wright. thank you very much indeed. wright. thank you very much indeed . enough of politics for indeed. enough of politics for now because it's beginning to look a lot like christmas . the look a lot like christmas. the big day is just a week away , so big day is just a week away, so thought we might just pause a while and reflect on some of those traditions where they come from, how the festive period is celebrated elsewhere and by other faiths. of course , this other faiths. of course, this time of year .

other faiths. of course, this time of year. however, there's a bit of politics in the next conversation i'm going to have because to kick off the process of that, i'm delighted to be joined there by amanda. now you may not have been able to send or receive many christmas cards this due to industry action. but we wanted to look at the history and traditions of christmas greeting cards. and amanda is the executive of the greeting things card association , a things card association, a postal strike. i was exchanging a text with a mate of mine. the other just double checking on his new address . he said, his new address. he said, i haven't received any cards yet. i'm not holding my breath. how bad is it being when i received a lot yesterday , but obviously a lot yesterday, but obviously we're concerned about this ongoing dispute because it's affecting so many people across the country. you know, we send more cards than any other nation in the uk. we love sending and

receiving christmas cards. and that's in no small due to the service that we generally can rely from the royal mail . we had rely from the royal mail. we had a couple of emails , tweets from a couple of emails, tweets from viewers, particularly ones who said, we bought our cards early , we got them out early because we didn't want to miss because of the strike and also because of the strike and also because of a final posting and the rest of a final posting and the rest of it. i mean, how badly has been down to the retailers, but also the manufacturers ? well, also the manufacturers? well, certainly i think a lot of people bought their cards early. that's certainly what our retailers are reporting back. people tend to buy their christmas cards, you know, sort of november, beginning of of end of november, beginning of december. year december. obviously, this year they've sending them early they've been sending them early with last posting dates with the last posting dates having been brought forward by royal but of course a lot royal mail. but of course a lot of hand delivered with , you of hand delivered with, you know, we've seen in recent years a real increase in greeting card purchases for close family and friends where people are buying

individual cards. so they're not actually buying a box of 100 and sending the same card to everybody they're actually choosing that. they're choosing cards that. they're sending specific for the recipient . where did the recipient. where did the tradition exchanging greeting cards at christmas begin . well, cards at christmas begin. well, it is a is a british tradition. the first greeting card was sent in 1843 by henry cole . in 1843 by henry cole. traditionally wrote letters to reach out to family and friends at and he didn't have time to do that. so he commissioned an artist friend to design a christmas card for and then the image again was quite traditional. it was a scene the family sitting around a table eating and but in either side were images of sort of poor and needy having gifts and in charity , you know, being looked charity, you know, being looked after at christmas. so he then printed that card and send it to

a thousand friends and that was first christmas card. and we've been sending them in this country ever since. and we're still doing so. yeah and many of them are very, very things and lovely to look up on mantelpiece is that i've noticed also over the years that a number of people who are much more savvy on the technical side than am. i'm utterly utterly useless . i'm utterly utterly useless. there are some really elaborate electronic messages that one can send these days that in a way impersonate what mr. cole was doing that you've just described so beautifully. i mean, really elaborate, very beautiful. some of even musical. do you feel under pressure from from the techie world? well, as you said you can't actually put an electronic message on the mantelpiece, can you? and of course cards are part of our christmas decorations . you know, christmas decorations. you know, we found through last 20 years a social media has become more and more part of our our lives. people are sending more cards for certain occasions because .

for certain occasions because. of course, they're more in touch with friends and if they know friends are having a hard time, yes, they'll send a text message. but actually, they will also reach with a card also reach out with a card because shows effort and because it shows more effort and it that that you really it shows that that you really care. and of course, we all love that feeling get a card that feeling when you get a card on the front doormat with handwritten writing. and it's a very thing. it's my youngest son's birthday today. it's my first grandson birthday in about week's time. both putting up to christmas, which i guess is tncky. christmas, which i guess is tricky . i mean, in marketing , tricky. i mean, in marketing, there seems to be a greeting card or celebratory card for almost any event now. national dog day, cat day, international day of the whatever it might be . well, that's because people love sending and receiving . and love sending and receiving. and of course, a lot of the cards are a joke or an image that connects you to a friend or a one and prompts you to reach out to them. and that's really what cards are all about. to them. and that's really what cards are all about . and of

cards are all about. and of course, birthdays , i think course, birthdays, i think there's 180,000 birthdays everyday in this country . and everyday in this country. and greeting cards are a part of that that celebrate of that occasion and of course many others. and i think we continue to send more cards per capita than any nation because we love receiving them. well, amanda, from all of us here at gb news very happy christmas to you. and for the good people that you represent , be they retailers or represent, be they retailers or manufacturers of greeting cards . i and my family personally love them, even though they are remembering who sent one back last year is not the easiest thing to do and you can upset people so easily. let's try not to do that at this time of year. amanda ferguson, chief executive officer of the greeting card with some lovely background history there and encourage movement to be nice to people. it's just a simple thing to do and keep your fingers crossed that you do get to deliver. as amanda touched brilliantly , the

amanda touched brilliantly, the origin of greetings there, which i asked you to do , which i'm i asked you to do, which i'm very, very grateful. for a more general view of traditions, i'm delighted . say that i spoke to delighted. say that i spoke to james cooper yesterday. james is mr. christmas . he is the uk's mr. christmas. he is the uk's christmas expert and has millions of followers online. we spoke about things traditions indeed we talked about religion as well. so here's what james cooper had to say to me about this christmas and all christmases . james, in a moment christmases. james, in a moment of slight despair , i tweeted the of slight despair, i tweeted the other day , is it really other day, is it really beginning to feel a lot like christmas and? a lot of folk came back to me and said, yes, of course it is because it is sellable awaiting the birth of our saviour, jesus christ, and of course other major faiths and major religions also have festivities at this of year. why december ? yeah, that's a very december? yeah, that's a very good question. it dates back to

very early church when they're actually working out the death of jesus rather than his birth and they calculated the death of jesus to on march the 25th. and then, i suppose they also started associating the birth of jesus on march the 25th, and then march 25th got moved to the announced asian or the conception of jesus . you had conception of jesus. you had nine months on to that and you get the 25th of december that happened tie into lots of pre—christian winter solstice festivals that they could sort of co—opt some bits of. and it sort of came together in sort of the early three hundreds, a sort of that's when christmas was minted that you celebrated the birth of jesus and is ours. the kind of template for christmas . kind of template for christmas. they're all they're rich varieties around the world. we're of an outlier is actually having the main christmas celebrations on christmas day the vast majority of europe , the vast majority of europe, south america, parts of africa it's all on christmas eve. that's their big day and you spend christmas day recovering from the party that you had on

christmas eve and we've we spent some time on the programme looking at various alternatives and i wondered if in your book and i wondered if in your book and on your website there what i would describe as customs . yeah, would describe as customs. yeah, i think that slowly changing with more people coming , the with more people coming, the country having different christmas experience , whether christmas experience, whether having on a different day eating different christmas foods. but you traditions like your you have traditions like your turkeys and your trees and cards you have traditions like your turk�*thingsi your trees and cards you have traditions like your turk�*things likelr trees and cards you have traditions like your turk�*things like thates and cards you have traditions like your turk�*things like that still|d cards you have traditions like your turk�*things like that still veryrds and things like that still very , very of a, you know, your , very much of a, you know, your tradition , christmas dinner tradition, your christmas dinner in europe quite often carp in east europe quite often carp or it's a big old fish. yeah. and some it's quite traditional for lots of eastern european males for it to be carp and just purely fish and vegetarian dishes and no meat at all. that's sort of a hangover from when advent a fasting time. so you would only eat fish and non products during advent and so you had your big advent blow—out at the of advent when christmas arrived . well that would prompt

arrived. well that would prompt another crucial question . i'm another crucial question. i'm intrigued by advent calendars . i intrigued by advent calendars. i can remember them from my childhood . we've been blessed childhood. we've been blessed with our grandson for this christmas and took great pleasure in selecting an advent calendar for him . where does calendar for him. where does that come from? yeah well, i mean, of course advent traditionally started sort of back in the five hundreds as the of preparation leading to christmas and was a very religious abstemious time. i mean it's the four weeks leading to christmas starting on the fourth sunday before christmas . fourth sunday before christmas. and that's also marks the start of the church year. and it was a time of fasting advent calendars just starting on the 1st of december and they of come from the early 1900s in germany middle europeans like germans , middle europeans like germans, especially protestants, had been mocking it for a couple of hundred years by counting down december with chalk marks on doors and when printing paper became more widespread , the became more widespread, the germans, who were the forefront

of in europe , started producing of in europe, started producing advent that you could use to countdown the original ones were sheets had 24 pictures on and then you've got another sheet with the doors on and you got the things out and plonked them on the number every and gift giving, i imagine, is literal a universal but yeah mean prisons and there associate it with prisons during the winter midwinter in pre—christian times in the roman feast of saturnalia they would give of evergreen to each other to sort of show that the winter wasn't going to last forever. and of course then with the christmas story and have the wise men bringing gifts to jesus that brought some more presents in. and then we have saint nicholas turning santa. and is the idea putting out carrots or a glass sherry or something like that? if you've got a fireplace. so as of when he comes down the chimney stack, there's a little something . him? yes, absolutely something. him? yes, absolutely . and he must get through a fair of mince pies. apparently, it's to some some friends in

australia and new zealand, they put before him. so i think put out before him. so i think he have quite high alcohol he must have quite high alcohol tolerance as well. but you mentioned germany the mentioned germany and the influence bavaria and influence there in bavaria and trees and like i read trees and like that i read somewhere that prince albert, victoria , his consort, had a big victoria, his consort, had a big on how we celebrated christmas in england. yeah it was him and the german spouses of other former monarchs. the first tree is recorded in 1790. in 1800 through queen charlotte , who was through queen charlotte, who was a couple of royal generations before, but she'd come from saxony . so she bought the tree saxony. so she bought the tree with her. absolutely it's a great pleasure talking to you. james cooper, i love you. did it again. thank you for finding time for us. i know that are much in demand , but wonderful much in demand, but wonderful stuff to mull over that for our and listeners here on gb news tv and listeners here on gb news tv and radio. james thank you very much indeed. and i hope you have a lovely christmas for james cooper that mr. christmas and

not a yo in sight. i found that fascinating conversation and i hope you did as well. all that history and geography and stuff. and don't forget , website is and don't forget, website is there and it's got millions of followers and there's just terrific information there on it. i said right at the beginning that obviously and indeed james just confirmed that that christmas the clue is in the name is a christian festival we wanted to give balance on this program as and so i'm particularly delighted to welcome my next guest who is rabbi dr. rabbi dr. jonathan romaine and. there he is. jonathan, great to see again for the ignorant out there myself included until very recently what is hanukkah . well is a what is hanukkah. well is a festival a jewish at this time of year and in fact starting

tonight on a surface level it's quite similar to christmas in that it's a domestic festival largely celebrated at home with candles and lights , presents and candles and lights, presents and food and family. candles and lights, presents and food and family . but that's food and family. but that's where it ends. it food and family. but that's where it ends . it actually where it ends. it actually predates christmas . it started predates christmas. it started in the year 167 bc. so it's about 200 years earlier. and it's really not so much about a one individual, which, of course, christmas is, but it's about a national story the i'm really a struggle for religious freedom . this dates back to freedom. this dates back to alexander great, who conquered the whole of the sort of middle area, including the land of israel he was actually quite a benign ruler. but when his generals took over after his death, they , you know, they took death, they, you know, they took control of the land of israel. wasn't too bad . but wasn't too bad. but a generations later, one of them in particular started trying to shut down judaism . so it wasn't shut down judaism. so it wasn't just political control. he wanted that religious subjugation as well . and at that

subjugation as well. and at that point , the jewish people point, the jewish people revolted. now that may sound pretty obvious , but it was pretty obvious, but it was actually quite difficult because . they were a sort of, oh, no group , against a sort of mighty group, against a sort of mighty greek army. so, i mean, all against the odds, it's almost as if it was like in modern terms , if it was like in modern terms, a time bomb would take on most of china. so you can see it not only unexpected victory, really, but the festival isn't so much about the fighting, the military aspect, but the religious freedom behind it. standing up for your identity and keeping the jewish flame alive . and if the jewish flame alive. and if it hadn't been for hanukkah , it it hadn't been for hanukkah, it would not be a jewish people . would not be a jewish people. you and i would not be conversing right ? sure. conversing right? sure. absolutely fascinating stuff, rabbi. thank you so . and has it rabbi. thank you so. and has it also you mentioned family traditions around it, things that are always done by of marking such an important moment and aspiration in the history

and aspiration in the history and depth of your faith . yes, and depth of your faith. yes, it's very much a block, just a poetry festival. so even if you're not particularly religious, you're still jewish and you observe it for instance, everyone has a candelabra in their home. it just got eight branches. it's an eight day festive home. so on the first night tonight, we light one candle. tomorrow to then three. and so you build up a blaze of sort of eight candles on the hanukkah candelabra . there's hanukkah candelabra. there's also a special food to will one is a lot chose we haven't had lockers until an offer them you have them they delicious they sort of potato pancakes and there's also doughnuts are also very much associated with the festival and it's good fun and it's a very enjoyable and it's about as i say , standing up for about as i say, standing up for about as i say, standing up for a sort of religious freedom and it's something that most jews, however, observe and will still

keep because it brings friends of family together. and, of course, you know, like christmas is about light of movement and family and just sort of thing at this bleak time to cheer you up is . a good thing as well, rabbi is. a good thing as well, rabbi rabbi , again is. a good thing as well, rabbi rabbi, again. is it gift giving as well, rabbi ? yes. sorry, i as well, rabbi? yes. sorry, i didn't hear you. yes also, answers are fairly new tradition, actually, and it sort of probably it wasn't originally , but it's become so and it's, i suspect, a sort of a result of the influence christmas in the jewish children's christian friends getting a presence and they said oh what about us? so that's a sort of an example of the sort of crossword civilisation between the phase that's going been going . on that's going been going. on rabbi, thank you so much for your time and i wish you a happy

and celebratory hanukkah from all of us here at gb news you very much indeed for sharing your wisdom and experiences with us. a real pleasure always to talk with you rabbi dr. jonathan remain there, bringing all of you and me right up to date with the traditions , the great jewish the traditions, the great jewish faith . now off the back of my faith. now off the back of my conversation about christmas cards with amanda just now, we you have been getting touch. ironically of course not bilateral by car, but by email or by tweet. and the of it, not only about cards themselves, but also about the postal , which also about the postal, which seems to be having a big impact at the moment. cards says many people like myself get repeat prescriptions delivered by royal mail . you can be on a system and mail. you can be on a system and you get a code that you take to the pharmacy and then you get the pharmacy and then you get the medicine that you need. but what about those who can't do

this for sorts reasons? some this for all sorts reasons? some medications that wouldn't be passed by gp's if ordered to soon. kerry says please include the impact of the post office strike like mine, which also sells cards and postage stamps as well. it's been this year as part of that , plus the small part of that, plus the small businesses who haven't been able to deliver their goods or worse still worst are now being asked for refunds for under liveable gifts. it is just awful we touched upon that interruption of small businesses by the postal strike yesterday with the woman who ran a product for babies business. absolutely fascinating. so tough out their fingers crossed. these things are resolved just as soon as possible . we've got more still possible. we've got more still to come this afternoon . alastair to come this afternoon. alastair stewart& friends including the story of a 91 year old veteran who took on a 40 mile walking

challenge all in the name of charity. we'll have on his amazing achievement next and much more besides.

it's 130 on radisson it's130 on radisson in the gb news. can police say a man has been charged with facilitating attempted illegal entry into united kingdom. it's after people died and 39 were rescued from the english channel when a migrant boat capsized earlier this week. 19 year old ibrahima bah of no fixed address has been remanded in custody and will appear at folkestone magistrates court tomorrow . the chief of the court tomorrow. the chief of the defence staff says the military

is busy and should not be treated by the government as spare capacity. assad's ministers prepare to deploy 1200 troops to cover striking sector workers at rules the tony radical and says it be slightly perilous to treat armed forces as an ultimate backstop for industrial action . meanwhile, industrial action. meanwhile, unions are warning that personnel are not sufficiently to cover for ambulance border staff . nurses are threatening to staff. nurses are threatening to escalate industrial in the new yearif escalate industrial in the new year if the government fails to break the deadlock over pay next week. the royal college nursing warns it could impact greater number of hospitals and scaled back support for non—emergency services if further action goes ahead. that ministers respond within . 48 hours of tuesday's within. 48 hours of tuesday's walkout and the football association has confirmed gareth southgate will stay on as england's despite the men's team being knocked out of the world cup quarter finals. the announcement comes of the final

in qatar . we're on tv, online in qatar. we're on tv, online and on disney radio. you're watching gb news back alastair stewart alastair stewart& friends . friends. ray. thank you very much indeed . now for a heart warming story. despite having suffering back from a parachute malfunction and a 91 year old veteran has completed a 48 mile walking challenge for charity and it's not his first either. jeffrey long, nbc has raised than £300,000 over the past 50 years. and our yorkshire reporter anna riley has his remarkable story.

jeffrey long served with the 12th yorkshire parachute battalion from 1950, but had his career cut short seven years later after a parachute malfunction when . the 19 and malfunction when. the 19 and then unforced error, he used to joke with one parachute. so it's a short film. you are unless your emotional . but my deep fear your emotional. but my deep fear complete partial failure of the job 500 feet. so i thought if my time in the army because there's such an offer with a small pension on the service the now 91 year old great grandfather father has always supported armed forces community and raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity over the years . and his arrival at years. and his arrival at bradford war memorial marked , bradford war memorial marked, the finish of his 40 mile walk to keep veteran ones at the forefront of people's minds.

people just say, oh, that was another world, you know , it another world, you know, it didn't happen to us . another world, you know, it didn't happen to us. but another world, you know, it didn't happen to us . but without didn't happen to us. but without the veterans , we would've been the veterans, we would've been in a real mess. and this was just a force our walk across. i'm more with my leg and my body . normally, i do 15 miles a day. no problem . but i would listen no problem. but i would listen for just a year ago and i came. forjust a year ago and i came. it was all wobbly. i don't know why . only three days a in a bit. why. only three days a in a bit. that's why we got to take the stick it says would help me but it doesn't matter. i can't keep with it. the royal legion, a charity that serving and former members the armed forces couldn't more thankful for the money has raised. i think geoffrey is absolutely amazing to me is one of our most remarkable fundraisers. i mean he's dedicated it's all his retirement really to help in the armed forces community and his

housing forces community you know his dedication, commitment is second to none. and geoffrey is second to none. and geoffrey is already planning his next walk, all with the aim of raising money for those who need it the most. alma riley gb news bradford remarkable old man. and what a great sense of humour i love that. the sticks not very helpful. i can't keep up with it. brilliant stuff there. and amanda's great report upon it. now getting in touch now you've been getting in touch on our big topics of the day, arthur , out in the morning. it arthur, out in the morning. it is mainly political year 2022. what might lie ahead. mark says the conservatives will be wiped out but i can't see anyone longing for labour either. i think this will be a when reality kicks in hard and we may have a very different result come the next general election , come the next general election, will says rishi sunak , elected

will says rishi sunak, elected did. he was appointed by tory, the prime minister selected by the prime minister selected by the conservative membership was liz truss and she was stabbed in the polls, says i'm so frustrated by lack of leaders who are willing to solve problems by making sacrifices themselves. issues we are deaung themselves. issues we are dealing with now need , practical dealing with now need, practical solutions that only come through talking and working together . talking and working together. and peter says the government have made it clear that had a few priorities controlling immigration to lower the numbers is vitally important in so many ways, but it includes the demands on housing. so keep those views coming . as always, those views coming. as always, whoever is presenting the programme we love to hear what you think here on gb news tv and radio. the people's so do keep it coming in as have time before we go off air we'll share a few more you are indeed watching and listening to stewart and listening to alison stewart and friends plenty more still

friends with plenty more still to final hour or so to come in the final hour or so of the programme. include what are the songs that remind you most of this year. what the standout performances and who's going to win the coveted christmas number one title this festive season if you're struggling to find a president to buy the music fan in your life . we will be looking at the life. we will be looking at the album of the year right next with one who really knows .

welcome back. you're watching listening to alastair stewart& friends and we've got two absolutely brilliant to end on with to genuine friends of mine here on gb news tv and radio the festive season often includes lots parties and celebrations, so will be on the play list. and if you are struggling to buy the

music fan in your life, a gift for christmas, then just what is the best offering in album terms to buy them ? fear not because my to buy them? fear not because my next really is a man who genuinely knows he's been in the business for a lifetime and everybody who really matters in the industry as well. so give us some great. what's your top selection of albums ? what, five selection of albums? what, five outlets? good afternoon to and all your viewers. five, as usual. let's start with bruce springsteen only strong survive it's a companion piece to his remarkable a letter to you that was released in 2020. he has chosen all his favourite tunes , chosen all his favourite tunes, r&b and soul songs , from when he r&b and soul songs, from when he was growing up. we've got the commodore covers, we've got the walker brothers. the four tops are reads of franklin and he unearths one of the great classic northern soldier , frank classic northern soldier, frank wilson's , do i love you? yes, i

wilson's, do i love you? yes, i do . so if you're a bruce do. so if you're a bruce springsteen fan or if you're a fan of the great r&b soul context of the early sixties and 70, is this is definitely one for you. and fascinating on the list a blast from the past like bruce others fresher stars but it really has been a year it not where the greats have demonstrated just how great they really are . well, we're getting really are. well, we're getting yes, we're getting us stops . yes, we're getting us stops. georgia of major stars. let's take the next one. harry styles his albums, harry's house had the single of the he was unquestionably the artist of the year as well i mean as it was is just an absolutely brilliant pop song and his album it was one of the great successes of the year has continued to sell as he's done a major tour. so he's one of he for me he is the artist of the also successful because

we've often talked in the past about the of live music because that's the platform for promoting new talent like you have in your management group as well and. that's a divided story as well because you got people like harry, you had the great adele el las vegas saga , the adele el las vegas saga, the rolling stones, of course, played berlin a better year than you might have. fair had for live music . well, it was take live music. well, it was take the next item , which is a pair the next item, which is a pair girls from the isle of wight called wet leg and they had a very well critically received album that was released in the yeah album that was released in the year. it went to number one in the album chart. it's a lovely, cheeky , fresh collection of cheeky, fresh collection of songs, but they had to cancel their tour because they didn't sell enough tickets . the album, sell enough tickets. the album, i'm pleased to say , is back in i'm pleased to say, is back in the album chart. the christmas andifs the album chart. the christmas and it's a it's a really young

as i cheeky fresh faced album but they struggled with their touring. yeah i'm going to underline something that, you know better than most. i was talking to a brilliant guy who is marketing from amazing grace , a live venue establishment, i think down in hampshire from memory. and he was saying, just remember that if gigs have to be cancelled , it's not only the cancelled, it's not only the artists suffer, it's also the who run those gigs and a whole range of ancillary whose employment depends upon viable and live music . absolutely. from and live music. absolutely. from the people you're to turn the lights on, you're going to run the electric you're going to have everything there and you lose out on the big food and drink. and for the middle and lowest branches of live music, it has been a i mean, you can see the big bands come in and fill the o2 arena and play in hyde park like you said, the stones and the eagles this year had a great time. but at the

bottom end, it is a struggle and there are more bands than , there are more bands than, venues. that's the point. every high street is losing through the recession and, the economic crisis at the moment, all the sections are having to cease business and pubs and clubs are not unaffected that. yeah and at me you have a very direct and close connection with the eagles of course, but also also you to and we're still talking about the greats . ronnie wood told me the greats. ronnie wood told me on this program that the stones were going into the studio and, there would be a new album from there would be a new album from the greatest rock and roll band in the world. and you , the in the world. and you, the eagles are active . any others of eagles are active. any others of your favourite , your youth and your favourite, your youth and mine that you think we're likely to see a little bit of good vibrations from in the next 12 will be there will be a new album next year. i don't know when it's coming . lana del rey when it's coming. lana del rey has new album coming , but at the

has new album coming, but at the moment people keeping the cards quite close to their chest . quite close to their chest. somebody who i'm sure will put out album next year is number four on my list, which is taylor swift. taylor swift's transformation to being a country pop star to being a mature singer of songs is nothing short of remarkable . nothing short of remarkable. this album, midnight, everything go track and straight into the chart . lovely album with a nice chart. lovely album with a nice a really good feel to it . you a really good feel to it. you works actually with lana del way on one of the tracks . she's on one of the tracks. she's become a very very artist indeed and looks after her own business. now and i put midnights in my top five. i'm going to give you by may. i'll give you the album of the year. yes, please . there's a lady yes, please. there's a lady called wise blood, spelled w e. we as wise blood. and she and

questionably produced the best album of the year. it's called in the darkness, heart aglow . in the darkness, heart aglow. there it is . i would think very there it is. i would think very people listening or watching to this will be aware of this artist . she doesn't get a lot of artist. she doesn't get a lot of radio , but she's adored by radio, but she's adored by critics and my friend on the daily telegraph, neil mccormick, called it the most literate she'd heard for a very long time. it was the album of the yearin time. it was the album of the year in the sunday times uncut. so sunday times culture , it's so sunday times culture, it's a beautiful it has elements of the carpenter in terms of it lush p0p carpenter in terms of it lush pop production you will love it because the songs writing quality is reflected . i'm very quality is reflected. i'm very influenced by joni mitchell. it is a stag , influenced by joni mitchell. it is a stag, really influenced by joni mitchell. it is a stag , really lovely, is a stag, really lovely, wonderful record . the great joni wonderful record. the great joni . the great joni. so in the dark there's heart aglow. . the great joni. so in the dark there's heart aglow . the great there's heart aglow. the great thing is nice people can listen to them before they decide buy it. but you think about it for the eve of the thanks for the

message for pronunciation what's going to be number one. it will either be mariah carey or wham in the singles chart cliff is giving sam ryder a run for his money. in the album chart, sam rudd has got the album of the. so the number one album at the moment and the clip is coming up behind him. but mariah carey and when to actually really outstanding songs i know the christmas songs that they are actually extremely good songs and course you've always got the pogues the ballad the new ballad of new york underneath always there. so the chart has, i think , christmas themed album in the top 20. the download has an awful lot of them in the in the in the top 50. i mean you've got right the way back to brenda lee rocking the christmas now it's extraordinary how these classics keep opinion out there the newsroom divided between newsroom is divided between slade i am very much slade and pogues. i am very much in pogues and nick,

in the pogues gang and nick, it's always a pleasure to you and thank you for your work and your good list. and i wish you and yours a very, very happy , and yours a very, very happy, happy christmas and a prosperous new next year at uk artist manager. thank you and big supporter charities as well. supporter of charities as well. now been particularly with now i've been particularly with what we've been able to do over this christmas period with many of my friends in the charity world. we're going to conclude with one that is very close to my heart down in hampshire. naomi house is a hospice for children and for young adults. the young adults and teenagers. part is called jack's place. look them up. they do truly remarkable offering support and care to those who are in need , care to those who are in need, but also support and care and respite for parents , siblings respite for parents, siblings and for the whole family. respite for parents, siblings and for the whole family . paul and for the whole family. paul morgan is director of fundraising and communications at. naomi house and jack's place is an old mate of mine who i've known and got on with very well indeed for than i care to

remember . indeed for than i care to remember. let's indeed for than i care to remember . let's not be silly remember. let's not be silly about. remember. let's not be silly about . this this is tough work. about. this this is tough work. it's important work and much needed for especially the families and the children that we support and everybody who the service is unwitting user in that sense, they don't want to be part of the club that , makes be part of the club that, makes them part of naomi house and jack's place. but having facility, being able to come have respite support and in those most difficult days that end of life care and support and beyond that ongoing care for the whole family. once a child or young person has died is something that we can do. yeah. and the other thing i don't think always gets across that is people always see fundraisers and faces, if you will, who support these great charities and what you but naomi house and jack's place is full some of the most utterly brilliant medical staff at the cutting edge of remedial care and care and

support for families and siblings . that's entirely siblings. that's entirely socialist. i mean , of the things socialist. i mean, of the things that i'm so proud of, about work of the hospice is the fact that it is about that care. i will often be asked about the buildings and the facilities the incredible hydrotherapy suite and playroom room and the and the playroom room and the fantastic teams but actually it is the people delivering that care that make the absolute difference and you're right, they are the very of a relatively young medical enterprise in terms of paediatric palliative care , but paediatric palliative care, but they are absolutely all that they are absolutely all that they can across wessex area and beyond to make a difference. we pride ourselves in being utterly brilliant with hospice. hospice and sophie is denying, but we also work very closely with hospices in our part of the world. we're both we both hampshire homes. we are indeed. yeah. what's the most important thing about that co—op creation and that collaborative approach

? so i think there are two things to the collaboration . one things to the collaboration. one is very much about ensuring that the best care is available for a child or family at the point that they need it. the other is the integration with the local health economy. so making sure that local hospitals are that the local hospitals are also integrate it with the care that we're providing because no family wants to be told that their child needs a hospice but actually being introduced for respite can help break down barriers and make it easier for a family when they do absolutely need us. most things that matter are best on collaboratively, completely so can you show us the pictures of reuben reuben ? the pictures of reuben reuben? tell us about reuben . so this is tell us about reuben. so this is reuben. reuben tell us about reuben. so this is reuben.reubenis tell us about reuben. so this is reuben. reuben is a child whose family used naomi house and jack's place as a family. they receive support care. there and we're very part of our service over the course of the time , over the course of the time, whilst reuben was alive and

sadly, reuben died almost a year ago next week , no family wants ago next week, no family wants to go through that loss, but not in the week leading up to christmas and reuben and the whole family was supported by no may have some jack's place and post bereavement reuben came to know me house used our butterfly suite so that he was able to visited there by the family and they were able to say their goodbyes as well. well in our prayers the whole family, as always , how tough a year has it always, how tough a year has it been for the charity i think all charities year have felt it and the summer was particularly difficult as people started to realise just how difficult an economic position that we're going to be. and we saw income drop as everybody did . and one drop as everybody did. and one of the things that we're really mindful of is the fact that although we're finding it tough, our families are finding it even they've been paying extra bills for heating long before everybody else did . they had to everybody else did. they had to have hotham. we've got to stop

it there. i wish you well, sally and both said love to everybody at naomi and we keep in touch and what we as and and we do what we can as and when can look them up, it's when we can look them up, it's amazing. and jack's amazing. naomi house and jack's place i'll tell you one thing place. i'll tell you one thing you'll love is read the bit on the website you why the website that tells you why it's naomi house and how you can pay it's naomi house and how you can pay rent when the bunch of flowers and love. our thanks to our initial big supporter that's all we have time today from all of us here a brilliant christmas and special look forward to over the christmas period . and the christmas period. and remembering our queen calvin robinson . but for all of us robinson. but for all of us here, happy christmas. happy new yeah here, happy christmas. happy new year. looking ahead to this afternoon and rain clouds are spreading northwards as milder returns across the country . here returns across the country. here are the details. rather cold. across scotland today, the cloud is increasing as rain, sleet and snow arrives from the southwest dunng snow arrives from the southwest during the afternoon. temperatures should show slowly recover as the day progresses , recover as the day progresses, turning milder across northern

ireland , with cloud and rain ireland, with cloud and rain spreading northwards throughout the afternoon. rather windy with the afternoon. rather windy with the risk of coastal gales much milder than recently, with highs of celsius across northern england, rain will push north eastwards throughout the afternoon. the rain will be falling on to cold surfaces , falling on to cold surfaces, leading to the risk of ice for some there'll be heavy and persistent rain across parts of wales. this will move no foot, says the milder conditions continue, becoming rather windy, especially in the west, with the risk of coastal gales developing after a cold and cloudy start across, the midlands rain will continue to move across the region, perhaps initially with a little sleet , snow in places, little sleet, snow in places, temperatures throughout the day, cloud and rain will spread across east throughout the afternoon. however with rain falling on to cold surfaces , falling on to cold surfaces, there's a risk of some icy stretches a time heavy rain will affect parts southern england dunng affect parts southern england during the afternoon and into the evening, feeling much milder of late, with temperatures reaching into double figures after dark. looking ahead , after dark. looking ahead, conditions will be unsettled with further of rain locally

heavy , persistent across the far heavy, persistent across the far south into sunday evening .

good afternoon and welcome to gb news. you're watching common sense crusade with me, the reverend calvin robinson. on your tv, radio and online this show is all about championing common sense. today we'll be discussing whether we should ignore the law and go forward with the rwanda migrant scheme. the government admits . it was the government admits. it was inappropriate the inappropriate for the crown crossing service to call for bible offence . and strikes and bible offence. and strikes and strikes are more blooming strikes. but can deal be reached before christmas . but there's a before christmas. but there's a check with the latest news advice .