channel hello and welcome . i'm alastair hello and welcome. i'm alastair stewart. and for the next 2 hours i'll be keeping you company on tv and radio with the stories that matter across the country. and we've plenty coming , including with boris johnson and nadhim zahawi . hitting the and nadhim zahawi. hitting the headunes and nadhim zahawi. hitting the headlines for quest financial issues that has now been made pubuc. issues that has now been made public . we'll be talking public. we'll be talking integrity in politics, have we.7 a integrity in politics, have we? a government that's in a bit of a mess. again but perhaps cannot find it in its heart of hearts to step down and give you a choice again . jacinda ardern choice again. jacinda ardern said a new zealand this week that she as prime minister

because run out of energy. so what you think of how we change leaders tend to check them out the window rather than wait for the window rather than wait for the run of ideas . is this the run of ideas. is this government approaching critical mass on criticism? plus the cost of energy and schools strikes. your thoughts, please. but first, let's bring you right up to date with all the news is our armstrong . good afternoon to armstrong. good afternoon to you. it's a minute past one. i'm alan armstrong in the gb newsroom i'm on a manhunt is underway in california after at least ten people were killed in a shooting at a lunar new year festival . a warning the festival. a warning the following contains flashing images. thousands of people had gathered at monterey park near los angeles when a gunman opened fire. at least ten other people have been injured, some of whom are in critical condition . are in a critical condition. police looking for a male police are looking for a male suspect who the scene. they suspect who fled the scene. they say it's too early to determine any motive . well, as you've just

any motive. well, as you've just been hearing, labour has reported boris , to the reported boris, to the parliamentary commission for standards over allegations chairman of the bbc helped the former prime minister arrange a loan . it follows a report in the loan. it follows a report in the sunday that claims richard sharp was involved in talks about financing mr. johnson . in 2020 financing mr. johnson. in 2020 weeks before he was recommended for the bbc job by the former prime minister. a spokesperson for mr. johnson has dismissed the report as rubbish. richard sharp insists there was no conflict of interest . labour and conflict of interest. labour and the snp though have called for an independent inquiry. a cabinet ministers told gb news nadhim zahawi has the prime minister's support following allegations about tax affairs. the tory party chairman is under increasing political pressure after revealing he made a careless but not deliberate error over a multi—million pound share sale in the polling company he founded . the former company he founded. the former chancellor has not disclosed the size of the settlement with hmrc thought to be almost

size of the settlement with hmrc thought to be almost £5 million or confirm if he paid a fine. labour's call his untenable. but the foreign secretary james cleverly says he believes mr. has paid his taxes. i don't know any more than what he has already put in the public domain. i don't think it would be right or proper for me to just to speculate or guess about any further about his tax affairs. but he has been a successful entrepreneur building a company has paid tax, employing people , have paid employing people, have paid taxes, and he has himself paid taxes, and he has himself paid tax and a considerable amount because he's been successful the business secretary's , he'll name business secretary's, he'll name and shame the energy firms households to switch to metres. grant shops has asked companies to stop households onto more expensive pre—paid tariffs . he expensive pre—paid tariffs. he says they should instead focus on helping those struggling pay their bills. the energy companies also been asked by mr. shapps to , reveal the number of shapps to, reveal the number of warrant applications they've made to enter properties .

made to enter properties. countries are putting renewed pressure germany to authorise the supply of its tanks to ukraine. several countries want to send their german made leopard tanks , but they need leopard tanks, but they need berlin to give it the green light. latvia and lithuania say germany , as a leading european germany, as a leading european power, has a special in restoring peace the continent. berlin insists it's not blocking deliveries, but yet to make a decision about supplying its tanks to ukraine. u.s. investiga fighters have found more classified documents during a 13 hour search of president biden's home in delaware. some were from biden's time as a senator. others, from what he served as vice president under obama. now they are the latest , a series of they are the latest, a series of classified documents found to have been in possession. former president donald trump is facing a criminal over his handling sensitive documents . at least sensitive documents. at least 300 migrants have entered uk on

a boats overnight, making it the busiest day of channel crossing. so far this year. gb news understands several other boats also set off this morning, but haven't yet it to the uk. the boats are monitored by french naval vessels. they're only allowed to intervene . migrants allowed to intervene. migrants get into difficulty . today's get into difficulty. today's arrivals bring the total number of those crossing the channel. this year . to of those crossing the channel. this year. to 456. of those crossing the channel. this year . to 456. scottish this year. to 456. scottish environment minister says the use of dogs to hunt and killed wild animals has no place in modern scotland. mary mcmullen's comments come as next week's vote looms on the new hunting dogs bill since 2002. it's been against law to hunt a wild animal with, a dog. with the new bill expected close loopholes in current laws and buckingham palace has revealed for his majesty's coronation weekend in may charles and camilla will both be crowned at westminster abbey on the 6th of may. in a

televised service conducted by the archbishop of canterbury. a concert will then be held at windsor castle. the following featuring what the palace have described as global music icons. thousands of events expected to take place all over the country with a bank holiday declared for monday , the eighth. this is gb monday, the eighth. this is gb news, no doubt. more on many of our top stories coming up shortly with . shortly with. and thank you very much indeed the departure of jacinda ardern as prime minister of new zealand saying was triggered by a barrage of abuse and misogyny . barrage of abuse and misogyny. got me wondering who would want to do that job any indeed anywhere . and to be fair to ms. anywhere. and to be fair to ms. ardern , she also said that there ardern, she also said that there was nothing left in the tank .

was nothing left in the tank. she'd run her course in her own mind. now in the sun newspaper today, karren brady knows a little bit about being the top of the game. as a woman in a world tends to be dominated by, men suggests that maybe missile dennenis men suggests that maybe missile dennen is better at reading opinion than some others. she may have sensed that she was simply heading for defeat and that if she ran again, it would end badly . others, that if she ran again, it would end badly. others, including dan hannanin end badly. others, including dan hannan in the telegraph , remind hannan in the telegraph, remind us that ms. ardern , an early and us that ms. ardern, an early and very keen adopter of lockdown in response to the pandemic, while like that, is not popular as policy. it's not that ago since we had a prime minister in this country who said that he dreamed of the top job since childhood. indeed, boris johnson had even dream of being king of the world alone, just the prime minister of united kingdom. but why do some want to do it in the first

place? some doubt the seat the highest elected office in the land because they on a mission . land because they on a mission. margaret thatcher is an example on the economics and politics and tony blair just in terms of making his party elect again after a rather lengthy period in shadows and in the doldrums . in shadows and in the doldrums. in many ways , top job itself is in many ways, top job itself is in our gift. it's in the gift of the political party that musters most mps in a general election. of course, we vote for those. so if more and more and more of vote tory, you get a tory government and a tory prime minister . and the reverse minister. and the reverse applies. if more more of us happen to vote labour. those camps, of course, can be fickle . and in recent times we've had a pretty rapid turnover of tory party leaders . keir starmer's party leaders. keir starmer's positions seems to be fairly secure at the moment having replaced jeremy corbyn, the of many in the rank file of the

labour party. but deemed by most simply to be unelected . but even simply to be unelected. but even sir keir starmer shocked many recently when he told laura that he never really to be leader the power of the office is immense , power of the office is immense, as is the capacity to steer the nation's affairs on. but when it comes scrutiny, and rightly so , comes scrutiny, and rightly so, given all of that power. so comes scrutiny, and rightly so, given all of that power . so why given all of that power. so why would anybody want to do it? and doesit would anybody want to do it? and does it require a very special person with particular set of values? should more ? ms. ardern values? should more? ms. ardern perhaps have the guts and honesty to call a day when they think that tank is empty ? so think that tank is empty? so today we're looking at what folk want that for job and the pressures that it brings it. rishi sunak i think at the moment secure after a period of conservative bloodletting, but from a tax on his wife , tax from a tax on his wife, tax affairs and also a wealth. the

belt matter was of course of his own, making perhaps is smaller being compared to some of the things that have been said about his background. labour say that he clearly comes across as being as out of touch. wealthy man . as out of touch. wealthy man. having been criticised recently for taking government jets at the of a hat when trains and cars perhaps could have got him from a to b. to me , bigger from a to b. to me, bigger problem is that i'm not still entirely beyond the five pledges. what that man that you're looking at, if you joined us on television, really wants to achieve with this great country why he wants to keep that job. and i'd to know what you think . would you like more you think. would you like more senior politician who will say, you know, i'm done , set myself you know, i'm done, set myself up a few ambitions and. i've achieved most of them. how face your faith generally in politics and in those who would lead and governance in their attacks on the labour party chairman over his tax affairs . the tory party

his tax affairs. the tory party sorry let me start that again. in their attacks on the tory party chairman over his tax affairs the labour party say that there should be generally speaking greater transparency in pubuc speaking greater transparency in public life. do you think that that's right? and does it increase chances of the best person getting to the top job in our elected political system? do get in touch. gb views . get in touch. gb views. gbnews.uk or via all or any of our social media outlets . well our social media outlets. well delighted to say that to . stop delighted to say that to. stop this conversation. i'm joined by an old mate of mine, alex dean, former chief of staff, former prime minister cameron. did dave always want to be pm? i think, yes . think that's i think that's yes. think that's i think that's right. certainly. i remember i was near him. it's a double edged. i work with him in opposition, not in government. and knew he was and so i knew when he was a relatively junior member of the conservative party's frontbench, relatively junior member of the

con even:ive party's frontbench, relatively junior member of the con even then arty's frontbench, relatively junior member of the con even then i�*ty's frontbench, relatively junior member of the con even then i�*ty's frhis3ench, but even then i think his ambition was perfectly clear. so yes , what was also perfectly yes, what was also perfectly clear even in the early days , as clear even in the early days, as i said in that introduction , i said in that introduction, that actually he did have a vision. he wanted to modernise the conservative, not quite as radically in fundamentally as tony blair did with labour and charles and john reid and the rest of them. but he knew that there was something going wrong and that the core values of the conservative party had perhaps supped conservative party had perhaps slipped a little away from ordinary , whether it was, you ordinary, whether it was, you know, hug a hoodie or hugging tree. but just to get more engaged and there's a big piece in one of the papers this morning saying tories have really re—engage with the really got to re—engage with the younger they're younger generation or they're going road again going to go down that road again that brought them back. that cameron brought them back. well, of course that was what the much mocked polka hoodie piece to piece was about, trying to reconnect people reconnect with younger people. there a firm the there was a firm sense the conservative drifted from conservative party drifted from the mocked hug, a husky was part of the initiative that put the conservative party back in the right on the right position on the environment. i would out the

environment. and i would out the environment. and i would out the environment now in this country not a political issue. not a party political issue. there's broadly speaking, consensus on left and about the importance preserving importance of preserving the environment. importance of preserving the environrthat but different criticise that but different perspectives is perspectives but the point is it's not a party political and that of cameron that that is part of the cameron that he changed things about. i was listening to your introduction with real interest because plainly margaret thatcher had a serious vision , serious political vision, whether liked her or loathed whether you liked her or loathed her. but i would say to that, a number of the politicians that have power more recently have been in power more recently have been in power more recently have had real visions that have been stymied for different reasons. borisjohnson been stymied for different reasons. boris johnson a big, expansive vision about the states playing and some conservatives would find this controversial a larger part in national life and prosper and doing things that was largely speaking stymied by coronavirus plunging the economy into cessation for a good part of two years. you know we deliberately tanked our economy. so the johnson vision was stymied . the johnson vision was stymied. the trust vision was stymied by the markets and immediate reaction from but you can't from all around. but you can't deny had a profound vision deny she had a profound vision

of departure , the status quo. i of departure, the status quo. i think trust, economics and quite strong economics have not run out of families friends yet . you out of families friends yet. you cannot a proper cannot pick up a proper broadsheet newspaper without reading a piece that says trust reaching out to our friends in america, this economic approach and that there are people who are still lobbying around her and yet given because and have not yet given because not only was a division , not only was a division, arguably it was very good . well, arguably it was very good. well, i agree with that, but i, i would say that i as a conservative absolutely refuse , conservative absolutely refuse, allow our opponents to steal a march on this and say, oh, well, free market economics is dead for a generation , which is their for a generation, which is their kind of messaging. no, it's not. it work here because it it didn't work here because it was very executed and it was executed in of panic. right the sunak conveys emma needs calm. right prime minister is the right prime minister the right time to try and calm the markets and convey a sense of stability. theidea and convey a sense of stability. the idea that we could now a bit of that infused chasm and vision that we had in the post johnson era. i welcome that. and

interestingly that that both in the case of thatcher shemozzle stood eventually when the majority in the cabinet turned against her. one thing that struck me as being very curious about dave cameron is he promised a referendum when he delivered it and he said, if i lose it, he will go. he did. why didn't he go when he came back from brussels with his tail , his from brussels with his tail, his legs having been rebuffed and, rejected by merkel and trying to do it in incredibly sensible deal on free movement of people saying, look , got to sort this saying, look, got to sort this out. otherwise it's going mean we leave the european union, others will follow. so i think answer of course, that was long after i'd work. the answer there is that he and those around genuinely thought that the package that they'd secured in that good that negotiation was good enough. say we enough. the ability to say we have ever closer union, have ended ever closer union, which would have come about if that deal agreed . bear that deal had been agreed. bear in mind that deal never went through because the uk voted to leave eu , so it became leave the eu, so it became a nullity. but the cameron

administration believed that i think they were wrong , you know, think they were wrong, you know, i think that they were never to get anything good enough out of brussels to satisfy people in this country and there were plenty people in and around plenty of people in and around process who were saying, we demand this, we don't really mean it. you have to do this now. don't worry . this now. don't worry. this euroscepticism go away euroscepticism will go away soon, which is no real way to negotiate. but i just pick up on one that's not what the one thing that's not what the cameron administration said about referendum. cameron about the referendum. cameron said that if he was going to be our prime minister either way and promptly changed his and then promptly changed his mind was was mind because it was it was untenable. the reason they untenable. and the reason they did that harold did that was, that unlike harold wilson's in 75, where wilson i'm going to be your prime minister, by the way. so i'm going to step away. cameron's position was. i'm going to be your prime minister, by the way. now, i'm going partisan going to become a partisan because. everyone says i've got to involved. it and to be deeply involved. it and that's difference in the that's all the difference in the world. that's why his position was untenable. whereas wilson's if going other if the results going the other way been. i stand way would have been. i stand elegantly you elegantly corrected. thank you for quick one.

for that, alex final quick one. how trouble is sunak zahawi how much trouble is sunak zahawi and the party in at the moment? so sunak, in my view, none all. and i most people in this country look the fuss that has been generated . so and i believe been generated. so and i believe the killing giving it a gate, seatbelt gate , belt gate. it's seatbelt gate, belt gate. it's not the issue isn't whether the prime minister gets a fixed nofice prime minister gets a fixed notice or not. the issue is , the notice or not. the issue is, the complete lack of any sense of proportion. i have these questions and most in the country know what it's like to have a momentary lapse of judgement and undo their seatbelt . the wrong time in seatbelt. the wrong time in a car. almost all us have done it. the internet was immediately awash with images of every leader of labour party leader of the labour party speaking to camera having done in recent years, having having done and when you have done it and when you have journalists not in this channel, but other channels, journalists interviewing one they interviewing one another, they know how bad is this for the prime minister? much trouble. is he in? well, we're talking about it. must in a lot of it. so he must be in a lot of trouble. totally circular and totally self—fulfilling. all right. the

right. so i don't think the minister is any trouble on minister is in any trouble on the of conservative the chairman of the conservative party. mean, it must party. he will. i mean, it must have he's paid a seven have stung. he's paid a seven figure settlement with . and as figure settlement with. and as far as hmrc is concerned, and i only know what's in public the same way that james cleverly does. their position is that he made that careless but made an that was careless but not deliberate . that applies in not deliberate. that applies in this country year to hundreds of thousands of people . so again to thousands of people. so again to my mind it's a question of proportionality and the media sensing that as soon as there's the sun the slightest thing wrong. forget any presumption of forget anyone's entitled forget that anyone's entitled due process. insist that they've got go . well, that's for the got to go. well, that's for the best for birds. maybe martin best for the birds. maybe martin was after and it's was right after all, and it's great to see you, as you very kindly said, when you walked in, we seen each other we haven't seen each other before. to and before. happy year to you and keep always welcome on keep in touch. always welcome on the alex dean, their the programme. alex dean, their former cameron former adviser to dave cameron opposition. joining now opposition. well, joining me now , another , i'm delighted, says another old mine, aubrey old friend of mine, aubrey allegretti, leading allegretti, who's leading political . and at political correspond. and at the guardian . same question to you guardian. same question to you as i just put to alex and got a very balanced and elegant answer

how much trouble do you think mr. sunak and his government are in right now ? relative very in right now? relative very little when it comes to this sort of the scandals that we've seeing dominate the front pages today. seeing dominate the front pages today . i mean, there are today. i mean, there are naturally going to be questions asked because very little has actually been confirmed so far about exactly which rules mr. zahawi may have broken or how much taxes actually repay. i think my colleague on the guardian was reporting that it around a 30% penalty. and so whilst is probably true that lots of people do sort of make incorrect tax returns every yeah incorrect tax returns every year. i think the difference in this case is that it's a government minister that is to be a seven figure sum and that this isn't something that happened sort of 20 days ago. the tax event happened sort of about two or three years ago, apparently. so there were probably going to be questions that continue to lay what

obviously during the obviously we saw during the bofis obviously we saw during the boris era was that boris johnson era was that ministers, became so fed up ministers, mps became so fed up with these kind of questions dominating the narrative that they didn't get to talk about policy issues or what they really wanted to do. and that's the again, that rishi the danger, again, that rishi government sort of has ongoing issue, it's unable to shake issue, that it's unable to shake the kind of sleaze culture that engulfed boris johnson's premiership. that's probably the greatest danger lies for rishi in the long term. did the ardent shock or surprise , not least for shock or surprise, not least for one of the principal reasons that she offered love, the one that she offered love, the one that the tank was empty ? i think that the tank was empty? i think that's incredibly honest and to be celebrated. but the fact that it is a ghastly world and alex has just been saying and you've echoed of it you know these echoed much of it you know these and gals cannot put a foot wrong even if it's a great big footstep like a big, big tax bill. why would any sensible calm want to be getting into it 7 calm want to be getting into it ? there is just such a granular scrutiny on everything

politicians do, and i think is a reluctance, particularly in you talked to british mps to acknowledge the real downsides , acknowledge the real downsides, the job because what they don't want to do is put off good, well—meaning people from following in their footsteps , following in their footsteps, taking up that career. so think they're reluctant to admit the extent to which things like onune extent to which things like online abuse plays a role in how much they decide actually that this job is too hard, that it requires too much energy and too much of a thick skin to sort of shoulder all well to weather those kind of storms. so i think absolutely her reason given definitely going to be accurate she's probably decided she doesn't have enough in the tank she's still relatively young as well. so, you know, wanting to spend more time with your family when you have a sort of young child a partner you child in a partner that you haven't does. absolutely. haven't yet does. absolutely. kind i think to a kind make sense, i think to a lot of people. having said that, obviously, there's the background is the background to this, which is the sort of slow depletion in the polls of and her party's polls of her and her party's popularity. there's an election

coming year . popularity. there's an election coming year. and coming up later in the year. and interestingly, sort of interestingly, the sort of narrative by the narrative being painted by the incoming prime minister new incoming prime minister in new zealand similar what zealand is quite similar to what rishi done, is rishi sunak has done, which is saying, last was saying, look, the last was defined by dealing with a big crisis which led to a big economic crisis. that is what this government's going to be focussed on. we're to pare back all legislation that we all sorts of legislation that we had previously ought to be pursuing which to pursuing, which is going to focus on the people's priorities, a phrase that's very similar to what rishi sunak's been saying here. i think that's a very interesting parallels at times. get out. going to cut times. get out. i'm going to cut that on the tape and keep it that out on the tape and keep it for later on. aubrey always pleasure to you. thank for later on. aubrey always pleasure much to you. thank for later on. aubrey always pleasure much indeed.. thank for later on. aubrey always pleasure much indeed. aubrey you very much indeed. aubrey allegretti, that political correspondent, guardian correspondent, the guardian newspaper. delighted to newspaper. and i'm delighted to be by mario couturier , be joined by mario couturier, who is a former special adviser to , theresa may. great to see to, theresa may. great to see you. and thank you very much for finding time for us. and did alden's explanation ring for you , having worked very closely with , another celebrated female

with, another celebrated female leader in this country who went to got the top job? no, it did. i think there's a huge amount to be said for the pressure . prime be said for the pressure. prime ministers are under. there's a lot of the job. the diaries are chock full of different commitments. and as you've said before, there's a lot of scrutiny, quite rightly, about role and the decisions they take. and i think crucially that is a decision for the individual that you've spent so long in many cases, decades trying to get to the of your political career , the situation that faced career, the situation that faced with often isn't of your making . so it's very much like a of musical chairs when you feel that it's time to sit down. you sit down and you're faced with the situation that you're faced with, whether it's covid or brexit or or a cost of living crisis or the situation in ukraine. prime wherever they are

in the world have to make judgement at all times to try and see whether they are able to command majority confidence in their parliament, their legislature or frankly , in and legislature or frankly, in and of themselves. and so i think that mislintat and when she was talking about not having enough in the essentially quite a noble thing to do, i tend to agree the push power. let me just underline one other crucial difference between theresa lucinda and that is the attacks on theresa was nothing to do with misogyny at all occasional tongue in cheek jokes about the footwear , but they were about footwear, but they were about policy , whether it was about policy, whether it was about immigration, about law order, about europe, when the party or the commentariat were having a go at theresa may, it was policy that's more grown up . i think that's more grown up. i think so. and i think that when you're you're in that position, you're trying justify your position at all times. but but even still,

the tricky of being prime minister means that you do need to invest a huge amount of personal energy and passion into your role. and that does come at a cost and eventually when you do run out of steam, i think that's true of everyone. david cameron very famously said when he was asked about the third term that two weetabix is a great but a third might be too much and i think that ability to reflect act on your ability enthusiasm for the role if you feel that your wanting that can only be good for your country whether informed by the political reality or your personal passions and energy levels works very closely with the prime minister who once described her own party having once again become the nasty . described her own party having once again become the nasty. i i'll put the same question i put to alex and to aubrey. how much trouble do think rishi sunak's government is in? i think that

rishi is doing a phenomenal job. i mean, you mentioned his five pledges of halving inflation growing the economy , reducing growing the economy, reducing the debt, tackling migration , the debt, tackling migration, helping to cut nhs waiting lists. and i think that if he and his administration are able to do that, then i, the british pubuc to do that, then i, the british public will allows the time to be able to do that because it's the very important matters , the very important matters, particularly with the cost of living and the war in ukraine being front of a lot of people's minds. i think alexandre and aubry have spent mentioned the seat belt and other issues recently relatively low down the priority . the priority list for priority. the priority list for most members of the british. and i think if we can get back to some of the really important matters that are facing people in my and people that i know , in my and people that i know, then i think that rishi will be a very successful prime minister and i hope the best is yet to come great talking to you mario

thank you very much for those thoughts and for your reflections on theresa as well. very, very good to see you on the program. very much the program. you very much indeed. mario carter, indeed. that's mario carter, a former special adviser . theresa former special adviser. theresa may time , leader of the may in her time, leader of the conservative party and indeed prime minister. you're watching , listening to alastair stewart& friends lots more coming friends with lots more coming up on program , including on today's program, including some the stuff that mario is some of the stuff that mario is talking also be talking about. we'll also be talking about. we'll also be talking the king's coronation being held in may this year and the plans for the weekend have been announced . they include been announced. they include a performance at windsor castle. we'll have all of the details next with our royal correspondent . but first, correspondent. but first, weather weather . hello there. weather weather. hello there. i'm jonathan autry with your latest weather updates . the met latest weather updates. the met office today . and over the next office today. and over the next few days the uk is a bit of a battleground between cold milder high pressure overcome the navy but stretching its way down into southeastern areas of england is the cold air in tact here the frontal systems that are trying to their way into the north and

west are also dredging up some muscle to air, milder air. at this time of the year, though is accompanied fair amount of accompanied by a fair amount of cloud we see some cloud and we will see some patchy of. rain and patchy outbreaks of. rain and drizzle across the drizzle continuing across the southwest other southwest scotland and other irish areas where irish sea coastal areas where we hold to clear curves to hold on to the clear curves to the and east temperatures the south and east temperatures be dropping quite rapidly to be dropping off quite rapidly to down minus five, minus four celsius . in some and celsius. in some towns and cities this will be accompanied by freezing fog developing overnight could be quite dense in places so do just take care where are heading out first where you are heading out first thing on monday likely thing on monday morning likely to the morning to linger through the morning across of across the likes of cambridgeshire eventually cambridgeshire but eventually clearing some clearing away to allow some brighter spells cloud pushing its into and areas of east its way into and areas of east anglia. meanwhile the, cloud over northern and western areas is going remain fairly persistent could another persistent and it could another largely great with outbreaks of rain and drizzle going to stay mild in the north and west though highs of 910 degrees celsius here and around four three degrees further to the south and east into monday evening . it's a relatively evening. it's a relatively similar picture, but because we've got the cloud

we've now got the cloud filtering its way into the far southeast. the frost will just hold a bit more and hold off a bit more here and it'll be that central slice of england temperatures will england where temperatures will readily as readily drop off once again as we the rest of the we move into the rest of the week that the north and week that cloud in the north and west slowly going push its west is slowly going to push its way with this frontal system so we will eventually see some cloud yet and also milder conditions across southern areas of as we move towards of england as we move towards the middle of the week. that cold though , we will see cold front, though, we will see an increase slightly an increase of some slightly colder temperatures will colder air. so temperatures will fall off a bit for the likes of edinburgh and belfast but not too cold more around average for the time year the time we get the time year by the time we get to wednesday see to wednesday and thursday. see you later

it's just after 1:30. i'm aaron armstrong in the newsroom. a suspect is the run in california after shooting in which at least

ten people have been killed. a warning flash images coming up in the next pictures . emergency in the next pictures. emergency services have been responding to an incident in park near los angeles where thousands of people have gathered for a lunar new year festival . a further ten new year festival. a further ten people have been taken hospital to be treated for injuries at least of whom is in a critical condition. it is the fifth mass shooting in united states this month . neighbours reported boris month. neighbours reported boris johnson to the parliamentary for standards over allegations the chairman of the bbc helped the former prime minister arrange a loan weeks before he was for the job by mr. johnson. the calls come as the former prime minister ukraine this morning as part of the country's unity day . the sunday times has reported the tory donor, richard sharp , the tory donor, richard sharp, was involved in talks about financing mr. johnson when he was in financial difficulty in late 2020. a spokesperson for the former prime minister's

dismissed the report. rubbish. richard sharp says there was no conflict of interest . meanwhile, conflict of interest. meanwhile, cabinet ministers told gb news that zahavi has the prime minister's support following allegations about tax affairs . allegations about tax affairs. tory party chairman has admitted he reached a settlement with hmrc following an error over a controversial multi—million pound share ? and the polling pound share? and the polling company yougov labour has called his position untenable. but the foreign secretary, james believes mr. zahavi has paid his taxes.i believes mr. zahavi has paid his taxes. i know any more details of what he has already put in the public domain. i think it would be right or proper for me to just to speculate , guess to just to speculate, guess about any further about his tax affairs. but he has been a successful entrepreneur building a company has paid tax, employing people who pay taxes, and he has paid tax and considered an amount because he's been successful . and us

he's been successful. and us investigators have found more classified documents during a 13 hour search of president joe biden's home in delaware . some biden's home in delaware. some of them were from biden's time as a senator. others from his role as vice president to barack obama. a special counsel has been appointed to investigate how. the president has handled sensitive documents tv, online and dab+ radio. this gb news. but now it is back. alastair stewart& friends . stewart& friends. and thank you very much indeed. after yesterday's win . and after yesterday's win. and wonderful speculate about the coronation of king charles. third, including get your beaches , as said the sun beaches, as said the sun newspaper . not in terms of newspaper. not in terms of making some bizarre spectacle himself, but changing the costume that the former prince of wales might when he became formally king charles third. we

now have the facts and, as we said on this programme yesterday , a little predictably, but let's not moan about that. let's celebrate it. it seems to be a clever blend of the traditional with the and what's interesting i think is if you have a newspaper singular or plural that you buy, it gets a clear hurrah for from the broadsheet newspapers . indeed, the red tops newspapers. indeed, the red tops telegraph leads on the fact that there is a nod to the national health service plan that is a nod to the plight refugees as well. the coronation itself which will launch the three day affair is expected be watched by tens of millions of people on television both here in the united kingdom and around the world. and of course, bring a wave of tourism and soft earnings for this to which we all say a roar as well . and i'm all say a roar as well. and i'm delighted to say that. i'm

joined by my good friend, our royal reporter, cameron walker, who been looking all of who has been looking all of those precise details. and one thing for me , stand out is thing for me, stand out is confirmation that camilla will also crowned. yes, exactly the king. and that's a big deal. it is a big it's the first time it's happened since the 1930. and obviously, over the history that goes back with charles and camilla . but yes, they are going camilla. but yes, they are going to travel in the king's procession through the streets of , westminster abbey, of london, westminster abbey, for service which really for the service which really dates back 900 years, sets up a time , william the conqueror. and time, william the conqueror. and they crowns in they will be crowns in westminster in the westminster abbey in the service, which is. yes going to have those traditional elements of, the crowning, the anointing with holy oil. but it's also going to in buckingham palace, his words , modern britain and, his words, modern britain and, looking to the future. and ahead of the monarchy. now, following that very traditional , solemn that very traditional, solemn religious service , they're going religious service, they're going to travel in what's known as the coronation procession back to buckingham palace in perhaps the

state's coach has been talked about quite, quite a lot. of course, the queen elizabeth ii used that in 1953 through the cheering crowds and who will be lining the streets to buckingham palace for an appearance on the balcony the balcony with members of the royal now we don't know royal family. now we don't know which the royal which members of the royal family. my best guess is this working members of the royal family, that's what we family, because that's what we saw. well, you i were saw. well, you and i were talking before we into the studio amongst studio that amongst the tabloids, particularly the speculation that harry is speculation that that harry is not included in the balcony up. and you quite rightly pointed out to me, course, we still don't know whether harry and meghan will be there at all, period. no, exactly we don't have guest list of who's have a guest list yet of who's going to be invited to the coronation. unconfirmed going to be invited to the co harryon. unconfirmed going to be invited to the co harry and unconfirmed going to be invited to the co harry and meghaniconfirmed going to be invited to the co harry and meghaniconf arrive if harry and meghan will arrive . i for the royal family, . i think for the royal family, it's do, they don't. it's if they do, if they don't. to be honest, i think going to be a distraction if they are here, because, of course, harry and meghan, here, the and meghan, the here, the bombshell etc. but bombshell memoir, etc. but reportedly talks reportedly harry is in talks a couple networks on the couple of us networks to on the coronation if he if he doesn't

attend coronation in person which clearly be huge but i must stress that is unconfirmed still on the papers that another first but you are the person who is uniquely qualified to correct me i am wrong is that the ever popular knees up concert party blah blah blah sees windsor as much more of a focus. the buckingham in these plans. yes tim i knowledge i can't remember another massive concert that's happened at windsor castle . a happened at windsor castle. a ceremonial british such as this. so yes, the queen to love using windsor for being big charity events, but not a knees up. yes. and of course, the royal windsor horse show. very fun of the late queen. but yes , this concert is queen. but yes, this concert is going to be happening on the east lawn, i think, of windsor castle the day following the coroner . castle the day following the coroner. shouldn't it's going to be balloted so people at home? can it has chance to get can it has the chance to get free tickets to this events of tickets are expected to be given away and of course, will be broadcast on television. but it's be a—list it's going to be a—list celebrities are clearly celebrities who are clearly going performing well

going to be performing and well performance . but more performance. but more interestingly, you mentioned interestingly, as you mentioned earlier, to the earlier, alistair, a nod to the nhs a nod to the commonwealth and lgbt charities through what's called a coronation choir . so different community groups across the country all coming together to perform at this event on the stage and a virtual choir of commonwealth singers as well so i think that perhaps going to be quite special. we're going to be quite special. we're going to be quite special. we're going to a big lunch as going to have a big lunch as well , street parties across well, street parties etc. across the the consort the country. the queen consort has that has been patron of that organised since 2013 and a kind of volunteer bearing initiative led by the royal voluntary , the led by the royal voluntary, the scouts and organisations such as that's trying better communities across the country . so it's a across the country. so it's a whole weekend of celebration really and look forward to it very very much indeed. a final very very much indeed. a final very quick one, if i may, because i'm being told we've only got a little bit of time left in my and i don't wish to the tone or spoil the party, but what's of up to? yes. what's duke of york up to? yes. front page of the sun this morning. he's reported considering action to try considering legal action to try and reverse the decision because

of court settlements with virginia giuffre following that civil sexual assault case against him, which he has always denied . following reportedly denied. but following reportedly virginia , an abuse case virginia giuffre, an abuse case , a high profile us lawyer that's essentially crumbled and prince andrew's lawyers are reportedly considering whether they will try and force a retraction of because of course, he's paid out course on that and even gets an apology for virginia giuffre, a virginia giuffre maintains her story. she was forced to have sex with prince andrew. she was 17. prince andrew. she was 17. prince andrew. she was 17. prince andrew has always denied that we don't have confirmation from either side. lawyers but that's what's let's just agree that's what's let's just agree that we will watch this that we will both watch this space accordingly . space and report accordingly. the from the the time comes from the government. great pleasure government. a great pleasure and thank that. very thank you for all of that. very good on the coronation an good detail on the coronation an event for all of us genuine need to forward steve thank you to forward to steve thank you very . you are indeed very much. you are indeed watching and listening to alastair stewart& with alastair stewart& friends with penny to come this penny more still to come this afternoon , many companies afternoon, many online companies selling clear . and aligners with

selling clear. and aligners with a claim that their products straighten deep aligners . never straighten deep aligners. never heard them called out before, but they go straightened. teeth faster and cheaper than traditional braces. but if goes wrong, oh, how much damage could it cause ? i'll be talking to an it cause? i'll be talking to an industry expert to find out more. so don't go away . but more. so don't go away. but first, we're going to take a quick .

break welcome back. you're watching and listening to alastair stewart& friends gb news tv, radio and online . and thank you radio and online. and thank you very much indeed for doing. now some dentists dentists say that the demand for perfect instant smiles is causing to our teeth after they have ordered clear braces or a line is, as i'm told by this, that they are called

somewhere on line. many companies selling clear aligners claim that their products straight in teeth faster and cheaper than traditional braces if all goes wrong , how much if all goes wrong, how much damage could they have by that point? i'm intrigued , know and point? i'm intrigued, know and delighted to be joined by dr. andrew sood who is the chair of the british society that you can buy online. never fails to amaze me right ? the buy online. never fails to amaze me right? the entire buy online. never fails to amaze me right ? the entire spectrum . me right? the entire spectrum. but the idea of going on to get braces is sent to me through the post. i put these wobbly old dentures in line. i literally just saw that is no pun intended , jaw dropping. how risky it. well, i think the issue is that these services are perfectly freely available throughout the country from your dentist from

orthodontist. when i say freely available as an accessible . they available as an accessible. they are, of course coming with a fee. but it is important for people to understand that actually when they're accessing these services , these services these services, these services need to be clinician led . it need to be clinician led. it cannot be okay to just buy something over the internet , as something over the internet, as you say, online and hope it will do the job that a professional can . but one thing, because we can. but one thing, because we had a brilliant conversation on this program, a of weeks ago about number of kids that are ending up in hospital as tiny we lovely blockers because they're care has gone out of the window because mum and dad simply cannot get hold of an nhs dentist they can't afford to go private . you said that these private. you said that these aligners are available , but. but aligners are available, but. but not everybody can find dentist on the nhs . and i'm sure that on the nhs. and i'm sure that they are easily available in the private sector . but is it private sector. but is it a genuine assertion to say that if you really do need them, then you really do need them, then you can get them on the nhs, you

can find a dentist to provide that service . i think nhs that service. i think nhs waiting for children have definitely been by covid. of course we had nhs waiting list pnor course we had nhs waiting list prior to covid. they have only got worse since time has happened. but what i think people need to understand is that for children they will be able to access nhs treatment . able to access nhs treatment. the nhs have made that commitment that as long as you are referred to a dentist even if you are no longer a child. by the time your name comes to the top of that waiting list, you will entitled to will still be entitled to treatment. of course, can treatment. now of course, can clearly your clearly understand your your concerns that you've mentioned about how. people not able about how. people are not able to dentists but basic to access dentists but basic dental has to come as dental hygiene has to come as a priority. basic dental health over straightening of teeth over the straightening of teeth . for most adults who accessing this service. the straightening the teeth is a cosmetic improvement . it is not improvement. it is not responding into that category that you and doctors and, other medical experts would. it's not an acute issue. it it's almost a cosmetic issue. it's oh, i'd quite like that. and that's why

a lot of folks are saying, well, i'll tell you what, i can dip my own pocket and i'm going to go onune own pocket and i'm going to go online and get these aligners. absolutely and of course, these systems are available they are available online . i think our available online. i think our concern as the dental associations are the britishvolt to don't like society as the oral health foundation is that we working as a campaign we are working as a campaign that we call say smile. so our concern is that if people are accessing these services online , they should registered , , they should be registered, those patients should still be getting the same quality of treatment that would be getting if they going to a dentist if they were going to a dentist or orthodontist, why not? or an orthodontist, why not? saying that every single one of these companies that is providing online braces is providing these online braces is in. what we're saying is in. but what we're saying is they held the same they be held to the same standards that would expect a high street to held to high street dentist to held to so they know their money is so that they know their money is being spent wisely and that they are not worse off at the end of their care than when were their care than when they were when of course we hear when started. of course we hear all these examples all of these examples of patients turkey patients going over to turkey and cosmetic you know, we and having cosmetic you know, we

use that as an example it's almost become a stereotypical joke actually we need joke hasn't but actually we need to protect patients to say to protect these patients to say even if you are accessing an onune even if you are accessing an online service because can't online service because you can't afford to go to a dentist you can't afford to go to an orthodontist, you shouldn't be accessing a service that is of lesser safety , clarity, access lesser safety, clarity, access you should still be able to access your dentist, should still have had, you know , still have had, you know, clinical assessment to make sure that your were healthy before you started, that we knew that when we proceed with that treatment, we're not going to leave a worse leave you off in a worse position than when you started. so when these so especially when these are cosmetic treatments , i think cosmetic treatments, i think i've got crystal clear now from you , with all of the authority you, with all of the authority that you bring to the company association, and that is that it can be done and it can done safely and it can done by proper people who are to do that job of work. but if they go online to your website, they'll see the other boxes that need be ticked. what, what? because it's very

often young teens who want it done for all sorts of reasons if something goes wrong they also need to seek a clear commitment to aftercare . they absolutely. to aftercare. they absolutely. yeah. and i think our concern is so from clinicians we expect patients to have a direct clinical examination. these are all things that are now in the general dental council website to our our regulators a clinical a clear understand that the patient that has healthy teeth healthy bones healthy gums before start the treatment that the patient is able to access that dentist know they have a named clinician who is leading that treatment who discuss says the pros and cons of the treatment for them specifically not just generalised ones but how they will affect that patient and therefore like rightly said so that when that patient or if that patient has some concerns after during before their treatment, they actually have somewhere that they can go to . i think one of they can go to. i think one of our biggest concerns with one of the large companies out there is that patients are expected, if

are not happy with their treatment , they will have signed treatment, they will have signed an nda , be able get their an nda, be able to get their money back . so they raise the money back. so if they raise the complaint, it is not appropriate for patients to have sign for patients to have to sign a non disclaimer in order for them to raise a concern or complaint about treatment . and that about their treatment. and that is unacceptable . and is completely unacceptable. and of course that raises concerns as to where the line is drawn between providing health care and being a commercial entity actually should real pleasure talking to such wisdom and reassurance there. so don't absolutely say it's a no no. but if you want to go down that road for whatever reason, andrew said, just check you're dealing with. check what your rights are and all of the rest of it. and it's all available. as andrew sood said on the official website of the orthodontic society. so there we are . great society. so there we are. great to meet you and thank you very much indeed for your time. time now for. sun savings following our segment last week on repayment metres. it's now been

that the business secretary grant has worn and companies that he will name shame those who are doing nowhere enough for vulnerable customers. there have been calls a ban on the practise from charities including citizens advice which is a little perhaps more than a charity are really important. go to source guidance and advice. meanwhile on economy seven tariffs whose pay who pay different prices for energy one rate for day another for night—time usage have reported an increase their bills despite the energy price cap, but what can those affected do about it? i'm delighted to be joined now by catherine porter, who is an energy consultant with what logic ? catherine, great to see logic? catherine, great to see you again. thank you very much indeed for. joining us, i mean, a real for grown chaps getting in there and joining the battle. but what are the rights of but but what are the rights of those individual consumers who are not quite waking up

are suddenly not quite waking up but they've but finding they've got something asked for or something they've asked for or the that they're being the price that they're being asked what they asked to pay is not what they agreed it's almost stealth . agreed to. it's almost stealth. i'm well, i think with this issue with the economy seven metres, a lot of people who have them, i'm not really sure how them, i'm not really sure how the space operates in practise these metres . this whole system these metres. this whole system was introduced back in the seventies, the eighties, the households that didn't have access to gas for heating . and access to gas for heating. and the idea was that you had storage heaters, which was effectively a thermal mass. normally a piece of ceramic. there would be heated up with electricity at night—time when it was cheaper and would release that heat during the day . and that heat during the day. and when ofgem calculates the price cap for this tariff, it's assumed that that's how people are using economy seven. if you're to save money with economy seven, you need to have something like 40 to 42% minimum of your electricity consumption happening during that period, which is normally 11 pm. until

6 am. or midnight until 7 am. it doesn't with the clock change. i interrupted to say i am of an age. you remember clearly those storage eaters, not least at school, but but also in the advice recently from from the government about how to try reduce your energy bill. and i presume they had these people on this daytime night—time pattern were saying, you know, if you've really got to use the washing , if you've really got to use the washing, which most of us do, all the tumbler, which is very expensive, do at night—time, rather than it during day. rather than doing it during day. so just storage heaters so it's not just storage heaters . unfortunately , that's . yeah, unfortunately, that's actually terrible advice . pretty actually terrible advice. pretty much every fire brigade the country warns people against running those appliances when unattended because they contain electric motors which are prone to catch fire. so it's actually a really risky practise to run large appliances like that at night—time when people are asleep . and these days, because asleep. and these days, because devices are subject to efficiency rules, you know, it's

like 2 to 3 hours to run a normal cycle, which is pretty much half of your cheap period. so staying awake during the act is actually quite a big . this is is actually quite a big. this is one of the areas where i think ofgem to be a lot more proactive to protect consumers because people in fuel poverty are more likely to older and cheaper appliances. absolutely will be a big fire risk. i didn't know that about the fire risk and thank goodness for sharing it. i'm sure it's a point that will sink in with many people listening or watching. i'll conversation that the final point as far as what logic is concerned and brilliant work concerned and the brilliant work that the team do that that you and the team do that the thing that gets and i'm going to be talking to vicky price, my economist's price, one of my economist's friends a moment about. friends in just a moment about. it everything i read tells me it is everything i read tells me that wholesale energy prices are falling, that the market is sniffing around for some , sniffing around for some, finding a little bit. sniffing around for some, finding a little bit . and there finding a little bit. and there why on earth are we not hearing more and more good about the actual price of the energy that we consume , whether it's through

we consume, whether it's through one of these tariffs or , however one of these tariffs or, however it might be i mean, it clearly is a market that's not fit for purpose at the moment. catherine well, unfortunately, this comes back to the price cap and ofgem has been extremely clear with the markets . it expects the markets. it expects suppliers to hedge their gas and electricity purchases in the wholesale market in line . the wholesale market in line. the way that the price cap is calculated and that means they have to buy in advance in a pretty rigid way. and so what that what people are paying now reflects the prices that were suppliers had access to three months ago and. we should probably see those coming through in the next couple adjustment, which will be from the beginning of april. yeah, sure. well, lots more to talk about. kathryn roberts, welcome on the programme thank you for your balance and impartial advice and guidance . what logic advice and guidance. what logic is one of those websites? it's. well visiting and you can hear more thoughts catherine and more thoughts from catherine and her colleagues that might great thanks to and the team for

joining us on alastair stewart& friends here on gb news tv and radio when we plenty still coming up on the programme afternoon nadhim zahawi is offered his explanation and defence after it emerges he had agreed a settlement with her majesty's revenue and customs. we'll be discussing next. but first let's take a look at the weather forecast . hello there. weather forecast. hello there. i'm jonathan autry here with your latest updates from the met office today and over the next few days, the uk is a bit of battleground between cold and milder high pressure over scandinavia but stretching its way down into southeastern areas of england is holding the cold in tact here. the frontal that are trying to push their way into the north and west are also dredging up some air, dredging up some small to air, milder air. this time of the yean milder air. this time of the year, though, is accompanied a fair amount of cloud and we will see some patchy outbreaks of rain and drizzle continuing across and across southwest scotland and other areas other irish sea coastal areas overnight we on to overnight where we hold on to the skies to the south and

the clear skies to the south and east, temperatures will be dropping rapidly, down dropping off quite rapidly, down to minus celsius to minus five minus four celsius in some towns and cities this will be accompanied by freezing fog developing overnight could be quite dense in places. so do just take care where you are heading out first thing on monday morning likely linger monday morning likely to linger through across the through the morning across the likes but likes of cambridgeshire but eventually to eventually clearing away to allow spells cloud allow some brighter spells cloud pushing its way into kent and areas of east anglia. meanwhile the over northern western the clouds over northern western areas remain fairly areas is going to remain fairly persistent could be persistent and it could be another largely great with . another largely great day with. outbreaks of rain and drizzle going to stay mild in the north and west. highs of 910 degrees celsius here and four three degrees further to the south and east into monday evening . it's east into monday evening. it's a relatively similar picture, but we've now got the cloud filtering its way. the far southeast, the frost will just hold off a bit more here and it'll be that centre slice of england where temperatures readily drop again as readily drop off once again as we into the rest the week we move into the rest the week that cloud in the north and west is slowly going to push its way south with this frontal

south with with this frontal system eventually see system so we will eventually see some yet and also milder conditions across southern areas of england as move towards the middle of the but that middle of the week. but that cold though , we will see cold front, though, we will see an ingress of some slightly colder temperatures will colder air. so temperatures will fall off a bit for the likes of edinburgh and belfast but not too cold more around average for the time of year the time we get to wednesday and thursday see you .

hi there it is. 2:00. i'm karen armstrong. welcome to gb news. let's get you up to date with all of the latest headlines . a all of the latest headlines. a manhunt is underway in

california . at least ten people california. at least ten people were killed in a shooting at a lunar new year festival. a warning, the following contains flashing . thousands of people flashing. thousands of people had gathered at monterey park near los angeles when a gunman opened fire. at least ten other people have been injured, some of whom in a critical condition. police looking for a male suspect who fled the scene. they say it's too early to determine his motive . labour is calling his motive. labour is calling for an urgent investigation , for an urgent investigation, claims the chairman of the bbc , claims the chairman of the bbc, sharpe helped boris arrange a loan weeks before the then prime minister recommended shock for the job. the sun times claims sharpe helped boris johnson guarantee a loan of up to £800,000 when he was in financial difficulty in late 2020. while sharpe was announced as the government's choice for the bbc position in january 21, both men say there was no conflict of interest, but labour and the snp have called for an independent inquiry.

and the snp have called for an independent inquiry . meanwhile, independent inquiry. meanwhile, a cabinet ministers told gb news and azeem zahawi he has the prime minister's support following allegations about his affairs. the conservative party admitted he did reach a settlement with hmrc, believed to be almost million pounds following an over a multi—million pound shareholding in the polling company yougov. labour's called his position untenable, but the foreign secretary, james says he believes mr. has paid his taxes. don't know any more details . don't know any more details. what he has already put in the pubuc what he has already put in the public domain. i don't think it would be right or proper for me to just to speculate , guess to just to speculate, guess about any further details . his about any further details. his tax affairs. but he has been a successful entrepreneur building a company which has paid tax, employing people who have paid taxes, and he has himself paid taxes, and he has himself paid tax and a considerable because he's been successful . the he's been successful. the business secretary warned energy firms he will name and those forcing households to prepayment metres. grant shapps has asked

companies to stop moving households onto expensive pre—paid tariffs. he says they should instead focus on those helping, those struggling to pay their bills. the energy companies have also asked by mr. shapps to reveal the number of warrant applications they have made to enter the properties . made to enter the properties. european countries putting renewed pressure on germany to authorise the supply of its tanks to ukraine. several countries want to send their german made leopard tanks, but they need germany to give it the green light . latvia, estonia and green light. latvia, estonia and lithuania say germany as a european power has special responsibility in restoring peace on the continent . berlin peace on the continent. berlin insists it's not blocking and has yet to make a decision about supplying its tanks to . ukraine. supplying its tanks to. ukraine. u.s. investigators have found more classified documents during a 13 hour search of president joe biden's home in delaware . joe biden's home in delaware. some were from biden's time as a

senator. others from when he served under barack obama as vice president. the latest , a vice president. the latest, a series of classified documents found in his possession. former president donald trump is facing a criminal investigation over. his handling of sensitive documents at least 300 migrants have arrived in the uk on eight small boats overnight, making it the busiest day of channel crossing so far this year. gb news understands a few other boats also set off this morning , but they have not yet made it to the uk. the boats were monitored. french naval vessels , which can only intervene if the get into difficulties. today's arrivals bring the total number of those crossing the channel this year to 450. the scottish environment minister says the use of dogs to hunt and kill wild animals no place in modern scotland. barry mcclean's comments come ahead of next week's vote on the new hunting with bill. since 2002, it's been against the law to hunt a wild

animal with a dog . with the new animal with a dog. with the new bill expected to close in current laws on palace has revealed the queen will be crowned alongside the king in a break with tradition at the coronation may. charles and camilla will be part of the televised service conducted by the archbishop of canterbury on the archbishop of canterbury on the 6th of may. a concert will be held at windsor castle. the following featuring what the palace have called global music icons. thousands of palace have called global music icons . thousands of events are icons. thousands of events are expected to take place across the country with a bank holiday declared for monday, the eighth. this is gb news. we'll bring you more as it happens. but now let's get back to alastair stewart& friends . stewart& friends. and as i did once or twice yesterday. i'm going to make a few bits from your news bulletin there to discuss with the

brilliant olivia utley who is our political correspondent and once has been kind enough to join me live in the studio . the join me live in the studio. the observer and you might argue he said cynically, they would they say zahawi fights for his political life after admitting tax error. alex deane, former supporter of worker with dave cameron, was in the studio a little earlier on and he said it's not a great look but . it it's not a great look but. it doesn't feel to him to be a terminal affair. there's piece inside the observer that says the nhs debacle the public sector strikes could what could be much more serious for this government . but labour is now government. but labour is now turning their fire onto the prime minister, saying how much did he know before all of this broke ? yes. so it's a bit of an broke? yes. so it's a bit of an embargo episode so far. i think i'd agree with alex dean in thinking that it probably isn't

the thing that's going to sort bnng the thing that's going to sort bring the tories down. it's not going be the straw that broke going to be the straw that broke the but we've now the camel's back. but we've now had duncan smith coming, had iain duncan smith coming, very senior conservative, and saying thinks that the saying that he thinks that the genes, should it all genes, how we should get it all out open, which suggests out in the open, which suggests there than we there might be more than we already know. labour now turning to sunak and of course it to rishi sunak and of course it plays in with that strategy of attacking rishi sunak, which is that he's he's a wealthy that he's a, he's a wealthy global who doesn't really global man who doesn't really understand what it's like . be an understand what it's like. be an ordinary person living in britain . it ordinary person living in britain. it is ordinary person living in britain . it is embarrassing. britain. it is embarrassing. first of all, it all comes down to much the shares from to how much of the shares from sale of yougov. his father was entitled to when they sold the company. he put some of some shares . his company. he put some of some shares. his father's company. he put some of some shares . his father's offshore shares. his father's offshore account. he claims that that's because father helped him because his father helped him with up the business with the set up of the business and father entitled and so that his father entitled to hmrc think that it was to them. hmrc think that it was essentially a tax dodge zahawi has the fine and hmrc has has paid the fine and hmrc has said that it is carelessness , said that it is carelessness, but overall it's a bad look and it does feel a little better at the moment, as though although none of these mini scandals are

sort of terminal in themselves, it could be a death , a thousand it could be a death, a thousand tiny scandals , it may be kite tiny scandals, it may be kite flying. but there's another intriguing story in the papers. the broadsheets morning to suggest this story was so well known whitehall that they were . known whitehall that they were. to nadhim getting his knighthood which was proposed in johnson's resignation . now if whitehall resignation. now if whitehall and his mate knew number 10. you well yes that's very interesting story in the times suggesting that nadhim zahawi was on the honours list for the new year and they've got some interesting quotes from who was very close to the business in hmrc who said that he was struck the list because hmrc were looking at his and idea that this was all and the idea that this was all happening while he was chancellor of the exchequer. obviously not a particularly good look and it does reflect badly on where she's gone. we saw a few months ago rishi sunak struggling the gaffe struggling with the gaffe williamson episode when he

wanted to show his faith in gavin williamson. and i think part of the problem is that because sunak is weak because rishi sunak is, is weak in wider conservative party, in the wider conservative party, remember he doesn't have the support of the membership particularly. very particularly. he's very dependent his close friends dependent on his close friends and allies . and when something and allies. and when something goes wrong, he wants to keep them by his side. and that's sometimes means that it feels as though building a bit of a though he's building a bit of a revolt his back. the revolt for his own back. the other big i just want you other big story i just want you on were running pictures on say we were running pictures of nadeem chatting away, but also the chairman of, of nadeem chatting away, but also the chairman of , the bbc also of the chairman of, the bbc and bofis also of the chairman of, the bbc and boris johnson story and the boris johnson story about load and reading as about the load and reading as much as i could about that. the morning it seemed to me that the chair the bbc he is chair of the bbc he is potentially in slightly more trouble and tricky waters . the trouble and tricky waters. the former prime minister. yes not a great story around essentially the four rich outperformed after the four rich outperformed after the bbc helped to secure this £800,000 loan for the former prime minister when he was in financial difficulty. again, it's it might it might not be terminal , it's it might it might not be terminal, but we know that boris

johnson is already facing the privileges committee. and this of air of scandal that still wafts around him, makes not only difficult for him , but also for difficult for him, but also for rishi sunak, because the scandal cungs rishi sunak, because the scandal clings to the party really and we know that boris johnson we very much suspect that boris johnson is on some sort of manoeuvres and his friend dan hodges , who i like a lot, writes hodges, who i like a lot, writes in the mail is consistent on. this story and again says today or was it yesterday possibly. you know boris johnson throwing his hat back in the ring it may not be tomorrow but it will happenit not be tomorrow but it will happen it will. and he has a lot of friends there who would like it happen. of that, there is no doubt at all. and he is in kyiv today, still strutting his stuff, not on the domestic stage, but for domestic consumption, strutting his stuff , the international stage. boris johnson's story does not have a big fat line under it yet. no, absolutely . and there was a absolutely. and there was a really interesting piece in the times think it was yesterday by

katie booth suggesting that actually sunak's actually what rishi sunak's closest more worried closest friends are more worried about than a johnson comeback is just johnson making life very difficult sunak from the backbenches. so going to kyiv is a perfect example this . boris a perfect example of this. boris johnson is still remarkably popular ukraine and has this popular in ukraine and has this air of the statesman about him. there was a time they were there was a time when they were making croissant from the making the croissant from the shape boris johnson's head in shape of boris johnson's head in ukraine and. think that having ukraine and. i think that having that that reputation a that having that reputation as a sort leader , post—brexit sort of leader, post—brexit leader stuck with johnson leader has stuck with johnson and hasn't really transferred over sunak. and there's a general sort of feeling growing in westminster that that sunak is a little bit timid and having johnson making these big, magnanimous gestures sort of shows him up in comparison. fascinating and having got those chieftain on their way now would have been the time to strike while the iron is intriguing stuff. as always , a real stuff. as always, a real pleasure, livia. thank you very much indeed for sharing part of your indeed part of your saturday and indeed part of your saturday and indeed part of your with are always your sunday with me are always welcome programme olivia welcome on the programme olivia utley gb news political utley that gb news political correspondent. touched

correspondent. now we've touched a some of this a little bit on some of this a moment ago with catherine but a new study from citizens advice scotland has found an estimated 1.7 million adults in scotland are turning down the heat as their bills rise and analysis from the charity by yougov has estimated that 1.7 million adults are making that move because they have little or no . because they have little or no. turning down the thermometer or simply not heating in their home at all in order to deal with rising energy costs . joining me rising energy costs. joining me now, i'm delighted to say is the former joint head of the uk's formerjoint head of the uk's government economics and chief economic adviser at the centre for economics and business research . my dear friend vicky research. my dear friend vicky pryce . vicky, when i was talking pryce. vicky, when i was talking to catherine about this earlier on is a row over curious, prepaid metres and tariffs going up and overnight tariffs that no

longer work or what have you. are we talking about an energy market with wholesale prices quite sharply that simply isn't functioning for anybody . quite sharply that simply isn't functioning for anybody. i'm afraid we are and it's been going on for quite some time and we remember it's worse than that. if you look the whole renewables area is supposed to be, of course, producing energy very, very cheaply . be, of course, producing energy very, very cheaply. in be, of course, producing energy very, very cheaply . in fact, the very, very cheaply. in fact, the whatever is produced by those generators has been charged to individuals mostly at the higher wholesale price for gas . so wholesale price for gas. so that's been going on for quite some time. so a complete rethink of how the electricity market works is absolutely necessary now. but i've got to add, it isn't only in the uk, i think a similar exists in europe and. they are looking at it too. so i'm hopeful that when all that is reviewed, we're going end up with something a little bit more sensible, actually reflects the cost of producing rather than

what perhaps international wholesale prices showing us and you're absolutely right course, that recently wholesale prices have been coming and maybe we should look at as should look at that as a positive move, because if you look at europe, has been look at europe, which has been most affected by this because of the with russia the proximity with russia and the proximity with russia and the so much gas the they rely so much on gas supplies, their gas prices in europe are now back to where they were, which is extraordinary in september 2021. that is, you know , six months that is, you know, six months before or five months before they invasion of russia into ukraine. that should reflected in all our prices and for the moment it isn't, but at least it gives us some that when a electricity price cap is looked at again in few months time, we're going to be looking at a market which is considerably more benign than was the case before. well, catherine, my earlier from was earlier guest from japan was saying exactly that that that that not only the market that is no longer fit for purpose and maybe grant shapps needs to sit down with ofgem and other interested parties to sort that

out well but it was also the whole price cap system and, the treasury. so maybe jeremy hunt should find time to, to pop along that you not into my next question your brilliant answer to my last one and that is asking you as an economist it still seems to me that the cost of energy and whether it be cooking or heating our homes and that data from scotland and citizens advice genuinely quite terrifying that is at pounding heart still of the economic crisis that we are facing in the uk. d0 crisis that we are facing in the uk. do you see any glimmers of hope like governor of the bank of england did in the latest set inflation numbers , or are you inflation numbers, or are you still deeply and gravely worried on the inflation front? i think loads of people have been saying for quite some time that if energy prices stabilise so other pnces energy prices stabilise so other prices like food prices, which are unfortunate in the uk, haven't stabilised, but international need they have in fact been for

fact have been falling for a while. so once those stabilise what see very quickly what you might see very quickly is a very substantial in inflation rate because .just inflation rate because. just think arithmetically . so prices think arithmetically. so prices went up very significantly . went up very significantly. let's say the then stabilise where they are in a few months time. when you comparing a year earlier , then there is no earlier, then there is no inflation , no energy inflation inflation, no energy inflation there. so your inflation rate should drop very, very significantly. at what is happening though . nevertheless, happening though. nevertheless, is that what we're seeing in the uk is that food prices , uk now is that food prices, retail prices are going up basically frequently because there are loads that there are loads of costs that perhaps been passed on perhaps hadn't been passed on before is concern before. there is some concern that that maybe some of the producers are over egging it and maybe raising prices a bit too much and maybe supermarkets are not prices not controlling prices sufficiently still have sufficiently. so we still have this problem , food prices. and this problem, food prices. and what we've seen is that what we've also seen is that because that energy and food, because of that energy and food, what that the consumer, even what is that the consumer, even though they seem to be going out to eat a little bit more than was anticipated, are reducing their so if you look their spending. so if you look at the data came out just a day

or so ago, we've seen retail spending go down in december. we've seen go down in the we've seen it go down in the last three months volume last three months in volume terms. and we are below where we were pre—pandemic . so it does were pre—pandemic. so it does suggest me that the consumer is still very, very but yes, of course, if things improve and also if their wages start reflecting a bit more what is happening on the inflation, we'd see we got strikes, we've got everything else going on right now. but if they do, then perhaps things will improve and the consumer household disposable incomes may not drop as been forecast as rapidly as had been forecast . remember, we've also got tax rises there sort indirect tax rises there sort of indirect tax rises, but they are still there . so the consumer is certainly worse off this year than they were a year ago. those indirect tax rise , as there were a couple tax rise, as there were a couple of very thoughtful pieces in yesterday's newspapers , and they yesterday's newspapers, and they are irrefutably stealth taxes that in the sense it's the amount of money that you and i and everybody else earn before we pay any taxes. and i think it

was the times newspaper that particularly said politik , particularly said politik, clearly very short sighted this government, because those who will hurt most of the aspiring middle classes. will hurt most of the aspiring middle classes . well it's true middle classes. well it's true what's happening is that because if you get any wage increases , if you get any wage increases, even if they're not completely in line with and that may well put you into the standard basic rate tariff which you were not at before. so suddenly you start paying at before. so suddenly you start paying taxes and if you're earning a little more, then you can very, very easily into the higher % of tax brackets. and higher% of tax brackets. and there would be millions who will in that situation in 2023, according to the institute for fiscal studies and others. so, yes, that way what you find is that you're ending up with a less in your pocket than you had anticipate and you're paying a lot more tax. that's good, of course, for the government because they're collecting more taxes. but what it means is that even inflation down and

even if inflation slows down and you manage , get some wage you manage, get some wage increases for increases to compensate for whatever happening before you may well up with a lot less money your pocket than you would have done otherwise. there is have done otherwise. so there is the result of that, of course, is that household disposable income is forecast to this year as it did actually last year too. on that basis , there is too. on that basis, there is very much money left to spend other things, even though obviously the brits love going on holiday and they're by all the evidence there that they have switched from buying things in shops to eating out, which , in shops to eating out, which, you know, good news, we're becoming very continental in this in this country i'm glad to see changing as people read the economic runes . vicky, thank you economic runes. vicky, thank you for helping us do that with your authority and wisdom as always to see you. thank you very much indeed. to see you. thank you very much indeed . the formerjoint head of indeed. the former joint head of the uk's government economic and chief economic adviser at the centre for economics and business research. my dear friend vicky pryce with food for

thought. and let me just give a quick reminder that if you weren't with us at the beginning of the programme do subscribe to our youtube channel at gb news where can listen again and reflect upon what people like vicky and alex, dean and of my other guests have had to say about the state of the world that we whether there's that we occupy, whether there's good slowly, slowly good news just slowly, slowly trickling or not. it's trickling through or not. it's all there on our youtube channel. now, joining me live in the studio is another good friend of mine who's been with us from the outset. it's billy mccolgan is the founder , the mccolgan is the founder, the food bank and family support group, dad's house looking after those who are in need. it's been a little while since you've been sitting there opposite my mean, we've just had two fascinating conversations about some indications that things might just be getting a little bit better, but technically on the cost of energy is demand for your services because you don't

only do food and a roof your head, you do general advice and guidance on economic matters to make ends meet. what have you is demand declining slightly or is as lively and busy as ever ? the as lively and busy as ever? the demand for the work that we do and helping with small grants , and helping with small grants, local families and cancelled cancer to the children. hammersmith and fulham is going through the roof and what we were talking about you were talking about with the economy seven pre—payment metres i have never seen like it. you know we regularly have families i know of gas or electric every week , of gas or electric every week, certainly three or four days a month and it's not just the gas or electricity , it's anxiety. or electricity, it's anxiety. it's a mental health issues of damp and properties, you know. but on the economy, seven thing that and it genuinely shocked me is that catherine was saying that that it was a system that once upon a time probably was

quite sensible but it was designed for a different era when we used different ways of heating what have heating our homes or what have you. frankly, nowadays it is hardly appropriate for anybody , hardly appropriate for anybody, and prices are going up and yet the prices are going up and yet the prices are going up and companies are and energy companies are switching to prepaid metres and all the rest of it. the government has leased, stood up and is out there trying to fight. the government are help and they are they're paid but families and they are they're paid but familie s £66 per month as it families £66 per month as it stands just now so that helps a long way but if you if you think about the families we help produce between 15 an d £30 per produce between 15 and £30 per week on the pre—payment metre that's trumped up to between 70 and £120 a week. and if you're on unemployment benefit, i think their actual rent is on unemployment benefit, i think their actual rent i s £78 a week. their actual rent is £78 a week. they don't have it, you know, so they're absolutely struggling and that's the single people, the young men and women are older who rag they've run out of gas and electric so we've

launched lunch clubs and south and we've got a brilliant coach amano who is absolutely amazing. so we'll have 50 families a week that they can come they can keep warm and it's invitation only. alistair you know, so again, we built up a really close but some of some of the families that we're helping , it's much worse we're helping, it's much worse because of not not what's going to happen tomorrow . i understand to happen tomorrow. i understand that. but but ignorance is a total nightmare , all of these total nightmare, all of these matters. but i picked something you just said there. there's they just don't have the money. they don't know what's going to happen yet. the government has a big and busy website telling people are on people who particularly are on the lowest possible income that there is still a great deal of support out there for people. if you apply for it and seek it out. are you finding that you have to steer people in have to steer some people in that direction because they didn't what was available didn't know what was available

to them? they're not it up yet. well we are taking this charity job and but we've helped over maybe 60,000 families in three years. you know , we've meet years. you know, we've meet families who wouldn't go to citizens advice or the trussell trust, you know and we meet families who local who are vulnerable, maybe english. their second language. so what of most? that's families who who we meet that they look authority would never meet in a million years. you know we believe in the feedback system , you know, the feedback system, you know, andifs the feedback system, you know, and it's really to build up our relationship for of care kindness and strength, you know , and when people and families trust you, they'll come back, you know, and more comfortable at explaining what goes on behind closed doors. it's not just asking fo r £20 to help with just asking for £20 to help with the metre . it's built in not the metre. it's built in not close relationship with

families. and the one thing that you've always believed in and i've i've found it particularly appealing in all of our conversations that we've we've had from the very first time that we met here in the studio and that is that you passionately believe in self help as well and informing people of what they can do for themselves and you've got people like lee anderson, the tory saying there's not a lot of people going food banks. you people going to food banks. you don't need them. never don't frankly need them. never met one. i've never met one person captured who person who's captured who doesn't need it and bear mind tell thousands of people so you know and what people don't realise is people are anxious and aggressive . no you know and aggressive. no you know because it's a whole different psyche when people are looking for help. they're sick of going onune for help. they're sick of going online looking at links because there's no help the end of it. yeah. and a lot of people actually have dental at home anymore , you know, so they come anymore, you know, so they come to that site for a cup of tea and a chat for on to these

websites and know what one client can take an hour. billy, we have to leave it there. this but as you know, you're always welcome on the programme and i look forward to next time i look forward to next time when i hope there be some better news. well hopefully i'll say thanks for what you do, but through and through. you best wishes to those that you seek to help. that's my friend billy mcdonnell going to founder of dad's house and we've plenty more still to come this afternoon on alastair stewart& friends london's chinese community will be celebrating new year in the spectacular away that they always do . welcoming the year of always do. welcoming the year of the rab it hosted in both engushin the rab it hosted in both english in mandarin we will have the latest at one of those celebrations taking place in london next. but first, let's bnng london next. but first, let's bring you up to date with your weekend weather. hello i'm jonathan autry here . your latest jonathan autry here. your latest weather updates from the met office today and the next few days the uk is a bit of a battleground between cold and milder. high pressure overcome

the navy but stretching its way down into southeast and areas of england is holding the cold air in here. the frontal that in tact here. the frontal that are to push their way are trying to push their way into the north and west are also dredging up mild to moderate air. of the year, air. this time of the year, though, accompanied fair though, is accompanied a fair amount we will some amount of cloud and we will some patchy of and patchy outbreaks of rain and drizzle across for scotland drizzle across time for scotland and other irish sea coastal areas overnight where we hold on to the clear skies over to the south and east, temperatures will be off quite rapidly, down to minus four celsius in to minus minus four celsius in some towns and cities. this will be accompanied by freezing fog developing could be dense developing could be quite dense in places. so do just take care where you are heading out first thing monday morning likely thing on monday morning likely to through morning to linger through the morning across of across the likes of cambridgeshire but eventually away brighter away to allow some brighter spells. cloud pushing its way into kent and areas of east anglia . meanwhile the cloud over anglia. meanwhile the cloud over northern areas going northern and western areas going to persistent and to remain fairly persistent and it largely it could be another largely great day with outbreaks of rain and drizzle going to stay mild in the north and west though highs of 910 degrees celsius

here but around four three degrees further to the south and east into monday evening. it's a relatively similar picture but because we've now got the cloud filtering way into the far southeast, the frost will just hold off a bit more here and it will be central slice of england where temperatures will readily drop as we move drop off once again as we move into the the week. that into the rest of the week. that cloud in north and west is slowly going to its way southwards with this frontal system. will eventually system. so we will eventually see some cloud yet and also mild conditions across seven areas of england as we move towards middle the week. behind that middle of the week. behind that front, we will see an front, though, we will see an ingress of some slightly colder air. so will fall off a bit for the likes of edinburgh and belfast but not too cold more around average for the time of year by the time we get wednesday and thursday. see you later .

welcome back. it is 2:30. i'm on in the gb newsroom. a suspect on the run in california after a shooting in which at least ten people have been killed a warning. the following contains some flashing images services have been responding to incident in monterey near los angeles, where thousands people had gathered for a lunar new year festival. another people have been taken to be treated for injuries . at least one of those injuries. at least one of those is in a critical condition it is the fifth mass shooting in the us month . neighbours called for us month. neighbours called for a parliamentary inquiry into allegations the bbc chairman helped johnson arrange a loan . helped johnson arrange a loan. the former prime minister later recommended richard sharpe for the role at. the broadcaster the sunday times claims sharpe, the tory donor, was involved in talks to finance mr. johnson's downing street lifestyle in late 2020. he insists there was no

conflict interest. a spokesperson for former prime minister has dismissed the report as rubbish . meanwhile report as rubbish. meanwhile a cabinet ministers told gb news nadhim zahawi has the prime minister's support following allegations about his tax affairs. the conservative chairman is under pressure claims he tried to avoid and then had to pay it back in. a multi—million pound settlement with hmrc. neighbours called position untenable , but the position untenable, but the foreign secretary james cleverly . mr. zahawi has always paid his taxes . i don't know any more taxes. i don't know any more details than what he has already put in the public domain. i don't think it would be right or proper for to just just speculate or guess about any details about his tax affairs. but he has been a successful entrepreneur building a company which has paid tax, employing people , pay taxes. and he has people, pay taxes. and he has himself paid tax and considerable amount because he's

been successful . you been successful. you investigators to find more classified documents during a 13 hour search of president joe home in delaware. some of them from president biden's time as a senator. and others from his role as vice president . barack role as vice president. barack obama, special counsel been appointed to investigate how the president has handled sensitive documents . but president has handled sensitive documents. but is it for president has handled sensitive documents . but is it for the documents. but is it for the moment? tv online and dab plus radio . this is gb news. now it radio. this is gb news. now it is back to alaska and friends. and thank very much indeed and thank indeed for watching and to me and my friends , aaron and his me and my friends, aaron and his news, you've been getting in touch with us on the integrity of politics and especially you've been very candid with your views . the current prime your views. the current prime minister you sunak here are just a few of your thoughts. nigel

this underway. i think that sunakis this underway. i think that sunak is just a gopher a place man , a jeeves to serve the man, a jeeves to serve the powerful. no prime minister nowadays has any control of , nowadays has any control of, anything, no levers to pull just instructions to obey . he anything, no levers to pull just instructions to obey. he is treading on eggshells, hoping to avoid a bust up with the bullies around the establishment blob panto politics on he says. well, there you go. blimey alan joins in the conversation well saying with the passing of each administration my faith in politics falls each government seems more incompetent than the last. seems more incompetent than the last . and dave says i starting last. and dave says i starting to believe that regi sunak be the last conservative prime minister this century. i hope i'm wrong, he says . but there i'm wrong, he says. but there seems to be a severe lack of genuine conservative that can restore power to this badly broken party. while you do they

have given it some thought today, having your gracious me. thank you very much indeed do keep those views coming in and do of course subscribe our youtube channel. we are at gb news and you can find all of the interviews that we've done on this subject and, all of our previous programmes as. well and, a lot of it is well worth watching. so i hope very much indeed that you do that. now you can make new year's resolution, isuppose can make new year's resolution, i suppose talking average chinese celebrate , chinese new year celebrate, welcoming the year of the rabbit hosted in both english and mandarin are traditionally held throughout china and the west end and are thought to be the biggest chinese year. celebrations outside of asia. men are . reporter theo chikomba men are. reporter theo chikomba joins me live now from square where they celebrations are indeed taking place , which is indeed taking place, which is one of the great public events every year when it comes around them. but the chinese have been

saying this is the first time they've really been able to get down to it properly for quite some time because of the pandemic. what's it like like ? pandemic. what's it like like? yes, good afternoon here at trafalgar square , incredibly trafalgar square, incredibly busy here. i would say maybe tens of thousands into the hundreds of thousands of people coming in and coming of this area. people have been travelling from all corners of the uk. i've spent some time in chinatown who has considerately packed over there and it's a similar picture . there's stalls, similar picture. there's stalls, displays , music just behind me displays, music just behind me where people are in the centre. there celebrating the chinese new year is the year of the rabbit. it was the year of the tigers, year of the rabbit this year and they're this is meant to be a peaceful year, particularly for those who come from china. now, we do know a couple of weeks ago, the chinese economy and the borders itself opened again just a couple of weeks ago, which is essentially had shut out around 1.4 billion people from the rest of the world. this has been an opportunity for, many people, to

reunite with family members and their friends, particularly those who are outside of china and those who've been able to come back here. and for those who aren't able to get there dunng who aren't able to get there during this period , then of during this period, then of course, of course, celebrations here in the capital. and, of course, across the rest of the countries, museums have been putting on displays there have been parades throughout london which, the early which, started here in the early hours this morning from the hours of this morning from the channg hours of this morning from the charing cross going towards chinatown . and of course these chinatown. and of course these celebrations are expected to last for around 60 days as people celebrate the new year starting from today . it's starting from today. it's a happy lunar new today and plenty of people will be here throughout the rest of the afternoon. all right thank . you afternoon. all right thank. you very much indeed. our national reporter theo chikomba there in a noisy and celebratory trafalgar square with the entrance point to soho in chinatown , just behind in berlin chinatown, just behind in berlin , handled that by theo chikomba . it's noisy during that sort of thing, but i thought you did

very well indeed. and if you are chinese , a very happy new year chinese, a very happy new year to you. you're watching and listening to alastair stewart& friends penny still to come friends with penny still to come and programme and what remains of programme this including members and what remains of programme thithe including members and what remains of programme thithe largest including members and what remains of programme thithe largest teaching] members and what remains of programme thithe largest teaching union bers and what remains of programme thithe largest teaching union in rs of the largest teaching union in scotland. the erisa set to walk out in the latest round of industrial action over pay tomorrow. it's the start of strike action taking place teachers over the next couple of weeks we'll be discussing next but first we're going to award you and us a quick.

break join me every . at 6 pm. for join me every. at 6 pm. for glory meets in exclu sive interviews. i'll be finding out our politicians really are and what they really think . what they really think. something that you would never want anyone suffer. i didn't know what channels they were b i didn't think i'd believed. i must have waited about seven stad and i'm five for eight. my instincts always just sort of cover this up. i'm in play. that

was a mistake. join every sunday at 6 pm. on gb news new people's channel. britain's news . i just echo every word of that some of the best political interviews around there with my lovely friend gloria. don't miss any of them. welcome back here. watching and listening to alastair stewart& friends here on gb news tv and radio now commuters like me have long been unable let the train with any certainty, reliably take the strain, while tomorrow will see even more industrial. next up, schoolchild and their parents as teachers joined the fray starting scotland members the largest teaching union there . largest teaching union there. g.i.s walk out over pay and conditions. it comes after members of the national education teachers union also states for their industrial action in the coming starting in

the first week of february . the first week of february. joining me now to discuss this is lord rafe lucas, who's the editor in chief of the good schools and a peer ralph, always to see you , sir. schools and to see you, sir. schools and children have been through much, which you and i have talked about many times before in the context the pandemic . but about many times before in the context the pandemic. but a thing struck us about this was thatis thing struck us about this was that is a division of opinion. there are a number of heads out there who are saying to their staff , ignore the strike call, staff, ignore the strike call, come work we will welcome you. we look after you . that's we look after you. that's potentially quite tricky, isn't it, rafe i think like average it. you know, you can have local arrangements and local relationship ups, which enable the teachers would otherwise be on to strike join in being of

the school. i i think teachers really feel and understand how much our children have been through over the pandemic and how many are still struggling to catch up and understand the damage that that strike will do. and i think ought to applaud that attitude and understand that attitude and understand that sometimes that sort of consideration overcomes the personal wish for better remuneration stay a voluntary version of the minimum cover that the government is proposing to legislate for. the other twist to and it starts in scotland, but i've said it will spread across the entire kingdom over fourth coming weeks. is that for working parents? it's an additional problem. of course, the kids suffer, they'll lose lessons . they'll lose time lose lessons. they'll lose time with their precious teachers. but there's an awful lot of mums and dads out there who rely on

the school to be the safe haven for their little ones during . for their little ones during. the work day whilst they mum and dad, maybe both of them go off to work to make ends. i mean thatis to work to make ends. i mean that is a that's economic problem as well as an education one. yes, it is it's a strike which will hit us hard. it's going to be the real strike. you don't going to work that day. you can you can probably manage things or or we'll find way around it. your child doesn't get to school, you're you're stuck . you've got to look after stuck. you've got to look after child and can't really work so it's a hard hitting and one that won't do long term between parents and teachers any good when you do the good schools guide you look at ethos and many things as as just exam results and how they're doing with the in all your years of experience

do you fear that this is a generation of teachers who've who've lost their way a little rather like nurses giving their willingness to down tools in pursuit of pay and will be it conditions do i remember teachers strike decades and i don't think the any you know anntu don't think the any you know annuity as it was then has ever been an easy union to deal with so no i in my contact with teachers really see any lack of dedication to children and the enjoyment of the ship now the sheer joy of teaching is something i come a lot i really appreciate the current generation of teachers . there generation of teachers. there will always be some , and will always be some, and particularly in the middle of a political storm, some who for whom sort of arguments carry the day. but i think in general we've got a lovely lot of. well,

i'm glad you said and i'm glad i found time you to say it, as it were. but final question, is this rape as a as a tory peer, a working politician, as well as one of the great educational experts ? do you stand with the experts? do you stand with the prime minister charge of the exchequer, in holding the line against what they both as potentially inflate mercenary pay potentially inflate mercenary pay rises ? would you swallow pay rises? would you swallow your pride economic pride a bit and get in there, settle it and get the back up and running ? i get the back up and running? i am no think they're right to hold the line think we've got to got to get inflation done having inflation at this low level is so damaging you can't just accept it and bake it into the system. got to take action to drop it . that system. got to take action to drop it. that isn't fun for any of us as a as a process but it but it's necessary we need to get back to a level of economic sanity get away from the idea we're happy with prices going up

10% a year is so damaging to the state. the notion of the economy so i know i back them i hope, i would like to see teacher rising over time. the they have fallen a bit behind since 2010. i'd like see that coming back, but not as a inflation busting . no, not as a inflation busting. no, no. where we've got to do things as a nation to get get the economy right and it's not the not the time to pay teachers ahead of inflation . right. great ahead of inflation. right. great to talk to you, as always . you to talk to you, as always. you very much for breaking into your sunday afternoon to do so very you and keep in touch always welcome on the program that was lord ralph lucas whose conservative peer as you said with profound thoughts what with profound thoughts on what he the current he thinks of the current generation also generation teachers but also what personally on economic what he personally on economic policy now we believe passionately in balance as well on gb news so scotland's largest teaching union, eic, have provided us with this statement on those plans. strikes that

we've just been discussing. and i quote scotland's teachers want to see this dispute settled to allow full focus on education recovery and also closing the poverty achievement gap . our poverty achievement gap. our strike action will continue you until a new suitor be improved and fair offer is put on the table that is from the eic the biggest teaching union in scotland and they said that communication is the key to it. all so i hope that found that balanced and reasonable as well . now communication is of course said to be the key to life, but what happens when it's profoundly difficult to communicate with members of your own family ? one mother from

own family? one mother from cornwall has cornwall has led the charge to ensure that parents of deaf children can learn sign language for free and has petitioned the government for this important change. after finding out that night course is to it would cost a lot of money so the campaign is ongoing and there is a petition online which is gaining traction. it certainly caught eye but what has the government response been to it? i'm delighted . joined by to it? i'm delighted. joined by katie, little john's , who is katie, little john's, who is behind that campaign . and there behind that campaign. and there she is. katie, have you had a response from the department for education . yes, i've had three education. yes, i've had three response since. now they actually all state the same. but i to speak to the department work and pensions. they've explained that there's an adult education budget available . education budget available. unfortunately, if you read into that, it's not available to

everybody. it's actually not very accessible for working parents, myself and is aimed more for like 19 to 24 year olds and is differently through council . so it's not really an council. so it's not really an opfion council. so it's not really an option and you you have to research to find that it's not something that's a readily available information for parents. and i have written to the dwp . i've actually heard the dwp. i've actually heard from them a very short letter telling me that the education department is responsible for. the you know, i'm a bit stuck at the moment . well it's an the moment. well it's an intriguing anecdote that actually tells people who are kind enough to be watching our conversation or if they are able to listening to our conversation , how truly incredible a dysfunctional government

sometimes can be. but let me pick out the good bit of your observations that and that is that there is a recognition in whichever department it might be that this is a real need and that this is a real need and that there is some help available for it. how big a need is it? well, we were talking about doing this item. you may or may not know that one of my bosses, both of her siblings , bosses, both of her siblings, have deafness , and therefore, have deafness, and therefore, she is very very keen and very interested in this subject . but interested in this subject. but but i have to confess, i had no idea how widespread it is , idea how widespread it is, particularly between parents and, as you said yourself, small children, not teenagers or young twenties , who may well get some twenties, who may well get some help from dwp up. but kids at school . yeah. so like yourself school. yeah. so like yourself was something i was oblivious to until two years ago when i my little baby boy elevates and he was diagnosed just seven weeks old and he had hearing aids by ten weeks old. it was a

brilliant, quick response, like the service from audiology was incredible. and the support from the council is equally been. but access to sign language is incredibly limited. it's difficult . it is not free, but difficult. it is not free, but it's a communication and so many people, children going to be their main form of communication. and that's something that shouldn't need to be bought , have to qualify for be bought, have to qualify for funding. it's something that should have fair access to it . should have fair access to it. it's something i certainly had never thought about. you know , a never thought about. you know, a heanng never thought about. you know, a hearing family. i was brought up to speaking less like most people in and i just think it's a shame that you've got this like demographic that's being completely left behind . the completely left behind. the isolation that that cause can be devastating . language devastating. language acquisition is vital for child

development. and if it's not available , then we need to do available, then we need to do something about that. i've been very fortunate that the deaf association on the dcs have been incredibly supportive of the campaign and they've now jumped board and they're amazing and i couldn't be doing it without them. well, that's lovely you to say that. and they're both great organisations. i know a little bit about . let's cut a deal organisations. i know a little bit about. let's cut a deal and we have to end it now because we're coming up towards the top of the hour. but keep in and if you get any semblance of sense out of either dwp or department of health, you let us know . of health, you let us know. we'll we'll continue the conversation and about all these brilliant progress as well. but from all of us, here is the very best luck to you and its our pleasure and you keep in touch with. thank you very much, david kay, general james that campaigner for the sign language courses parents of deaf courses for parents of deaf children. absolutely as she said

herself not just a nice luxury but absolute right. so let's government sources self out over one. now just we go gloria de piero who i spoke about earlier on singing her praises partly because she's my friend also partly because she's an absolutely brilliant political interviewer talking of which has an exclusive interview with the mayor of . greater manchester one mayor of. greater manchester one andy burnham this evening . and andy burnham this evening. and she asked mr. burnham if he was planning to run for leader of the labour party. should a vacancy occur. i said at the very top of the programme, i'm not sure that that was likely to be the case and that sir keir starmer seemed me to be fairly well . but that's starmer seemed me to be fairly well. but that's just me who i. let's hear what mr. burnham has to say. well i'm not planning to go back . i mean, to say. well i'm not planning to go back. i mean, i'm happy i where i am . and let me maybe where i am. and let me maybe this is exclusive for you. i am. i will be running for a third

term as mayor of greater. i love what i'm doing here. i think what i'm doing here. i think what we're building here is a part of the answer to make british politics better. and thatis british politics better. and that is more power in the hands of a place like this . this of a place like this. this place, amazing grace. you, the people here, the kind of passion that people have got, the identity you give, a place that is more power. it's unbelievable what it can what it can do with it. and hopefully we're already showing that gloria de piero talking to andy burnham, who gave an exclusive , he is gave an exclusive, he is definitely going to run for third time as mayor of manchester, but he is not going to be running as leader of the labour party . even if a vacancy labour party. even if a vacancy presents itself in the immediate future. you heard it here first and you can watch that full interview on gb news. his show gloria meets we'll find out who the real is behind , the

the real is behind, the politician that is every sunday at 6:00 on gb news tv, an radio. but as far as i'm concerned, alison and friends, i'm afraid that's all that we have time for today. but i will be back at midday on saturday and then again on sunday next week. and i very much indeed that you find time for us as well. very much indeed that you find time for us as well . meantime, time for us as well. meantime, enjoy the rest of your day and what's left of the weekend as well from one of us had a very afternoon to you. bye bye . hello afternoon to you. bye bye. hello there. i'm jonathan autry here with your latest weather updates from the met office today. and over the next few days the uk is a bit of a battleground between cold milder high pressure cold and milder high pressure over scandinavia but stretching its way down into southeastern areas of england is holding the cold air tact here. the frontal systems that are trying to push their into north their way into the north from west also dredging up some west are also dredging up some mild milder air at time mild air milder air at this time of though is of the year though is accompanied a fair amount of accompanied by a fair amount of cloud see some cloud and we will see some patchy outbreaks of rain and drizzle across drizzle continuing across southwest and other southwest scotland and other irish areas irish sea coastal areas overnight we hold on to

overnight where we hold on to the clear skies further to the south and east temperatures will be dropping off quite down to minus celsius. minus five, minus four celsius. in towns cities this will in some towns cities this will be accompanied by freezing fog developing overnight could be quite dense in places. so do just take care where you are heading out first thing on monday likely linger monday morning likely linger through the morning across likes monday morning likely linger th|cambridgeshire ng across likes monday morning likely linger th|cambridgeshire but cross likes monday morning likely linger th|cambridgeshire but eventually of cambridgeshire but eventually clearing allow some clearing away to allow some brighter spells cloud pushing its into kent and areas of its way into kent and areas of east anglia. meanwhile the cloud over and areas over northern and western areas is remain fairly is going to remain fairly persistent it be another persistent and it be another largely great day with outbreaks of rain and drizzle going to stay mild in the north and west though highs of 910 degrees celsius here and around four three degrees further to the south and east monday, even south and east into monday, even it's a relatively similar picture but because we've now got the cloud filtering its way into far south—east, the into the far south—east, the frost hold a bit more frost just hold off a bit more here and it will be that central slice of england where temperatures readily drop slice of england where tenoncetures readily drop slice of england where tenonce again readily drop slice of england where tenonce again as readily drop slice of england where tenonce again as we dily drop slice of england where tenonce again as we move �*op slice of england where tenonce again as we move into off once again as we move into the the week. that cloud the rest of the week. that cloud in north and west is slowly in the north and west is slowly going to push its way southwards

with this frontal . so we with this frontal. so we will eventually yet and eventually some cloud yet and also mild conditions across seven areas of england as we move towards the middle of the week behind that cold front, though, we will see an ingress of some slightly colder air. so temperatures a bit temperatures will fall off a bit . edinburgh and . the likes of edinburgh and belfast but not too cold more around for the time of year by the time we to wednesday and thursday see you later .

hello and welcome is calvin's common sense crusade on your tv onune common sense crusade on your tv online and on your wireless. today we will be discussing the church of england's refusal to redefine marriage to accommodate same sex relationships . the case