Transcripts For BBCNEWS HARDtalk 20201016

We start here in the uk, where warnings are growing about the Economic Cost of tightening social restrictions around the country. From midnight tonight, london, essex, york and other areas are being placed under tier two or high alert for covid 19. That means a ban on households mixing indoors, including in pubs and restaurants. The changes come as the governments furlough scheme comes to an end to be replaced by a less generous job support scheme that will only help firms who are actually forced to close under the highest tier three restrictions. And that can only mean widespread job losses a quarter of a million in londons hospitality sector alone, according to its industry lobby group. It seems its a small change but it will be absolutely catastrophic particularly for hospitality in Central London, the city, the west end, those businesses have seen very low trade as people work from home, dropping domestic terrorism and also the result of curfew being kicked back to the curb and the best hospitality is doing in the city is 40 of normal trading that goes down to 15 of normal trade when you get into Central London. This shift to then restrict households mixing in bars, restaurants and hotels, we know that takes off a further 20 of revenues, so for many businesses come saturday in Central London, they will become unsustainable and equally in the neighbourhoods in outer london where people live, again, those businesses will find it very difficult to be able to trade with those ex restrictions. They are ready operating below profit and this will push them into closure and we fear there will be mass redundancies in hospitality in Central London and it is that maximum restriction and no support that is causing the real pain. That was a harsh warning. The mayor of london, sadiq khan, is among several regional leaders calling on the uk government for more Financial Support to prevent widespread redundancies this winter. We continue to lobby the government to give businesses in london additional Financial Support, councils in london additionalFinancial Support, councils in london additional Financial Support in individuals and workers in london additional support. Its really important that even though we are read hereto from tomorrow, not year 3, that we do not have a situation that even more businesses do not go bust and even more london nerds are made redundant tier two. Richard burge is chief executive of the London Chamber of commerce and industry. Thank you forjoining us. We have just heard from sadiq thank you forjoining us. We havejust heard from sadiq khan and its a bleak picture, we know that but how anxious are you feeling right now . know that but how anxious are you feeling right now . I feel very anxious. I spent the day wandering around london on my day off and the hatches are being batten down by the hospitality industry, whether they were pubs, restaurants and other venues, hotels, they are looking to a grim time. For the central activity zone in london, and of all cities in the uk, tiertwo is london, and of all cities in the uk, tier two is actually a de facto tier three. But without the benefits, quickly thatis without the benefits, quickly that is what you are saying . Thats exactly it, the problem is the Financial Support from the chancellor is on the basis that we are in recovery and in the central activity zone from tomorrow, we are not in recovery, were back into survival and we need a Financial Support package like the one we had in april and may, which was to help companies survive, not recover their businesses. That is the focus we have done on the hospitality but london is about so hospitality but london is about so much more as well, whether it Retail Office space, what the experience there . Well, retail will experience a very, very similar problem and they should have a very similar solution. In terms of office space, i think people should be sticking to their Covid Recovery plans, they have clear guidelines there and the one thing they should review is times of travel in and out of london as they have been requested to do. I see no reason under the new restrictions for officers to slow down on trying to reopen their businesses and if that means people need to come into work, then they shall come into work. A brief aside on that, richard, when this started, many were saying in what felt already was a different era almost then when we first came to terms with this but wow this was a transitional moment, may officers will move out of london and we will have a whole different landscape to work with. Has some of that happened . I think some of it is starting to happen but some of this new abrupt reversal process will not help and i think people are rethinking. We do have to, frankly, re engineerthe do have to, frankly, re engineer the economic economy of the centre of the cities and we will have to do that across the world and in london as well but we do need time and we will need businesses to survive in order to do that. Are there any single, simple messages to give the government which you honestly believe would make a significant difference . Honestly believe would make a significant difference . |j honestly believe would make a significant difference . I think its very simple, remember we are in survival mode again. The government what you did when we had to survive back in spring, do the same thing again now and we stand a reasonable chance of coming out of this in one piece. Thank you very much indeed. That is the view from the London Chamber of commerce. Simon french is chief economist at panmure gordon. It really is bleak, we all know that, simon, and the furlough scheme runs out now and now the treasurer is offering deleted support from here on in. Will this be enough . It is not going to be enough and i expect a u turn to come from the treasury about the replacement of incomes and the job support schemes which starts from the zist schemes which starts from the 21st of november, that is just 2296 21st of november, that is just 22 from the government, down from 67 if you were in tier three areas. The previous gas was spot on. In many ways, tier two is worse for businesses than tier three and the government and treasury will have to get their hands into their pockets once again. As a comparison, its not as if it is just this country, is it . Look around europe and other governments faced with similar issues, do they stand out as more generous particularly . So, theJob Retention scheme more generous particularly . So, the Job Retention scheme with its replacement rate initially of about 80 of incomes, tapering down slowly during the late summer, was in line with the rest of europe in terms of theirJob Retention schemes. But your previous gas was spot on. It was predicated with a lower replacement rate now of being ina lower replacement rate now of being in a recovery phase. The rest of europe have not approach that, they are still generous well above 50 and this is why that geographical disparity has emerged. The alternative of course is the borrow, borrow, borrow forthe government in order to remain as generous as possible, keep jobs going, businesses afloat. That is something lord oneill has been pushing hard in the last few days. I get the money spent because Interest Rates are nothing and do it while you can. Would you support that . As usual, i agree with lord oneill and absolutely right, the uk government has already had a run of 15 gdp deficit around 350 billion and to increase that is still an eye watering amount of money but the cost, and this is really important, the cost of doing so will be zero. It will probably be negative if the impact is to save productive capacity in the economy, save jobs save productive capacity in the economy, savejobs because it will pay back when the economy reopens through the multiplier of having the capacity, the attachment to work, that we know generate economic growth. We will see if he is listening. Simon, thank you very much. Lets stay with the impact of covid i9 on livelihoods because a Musicians Charity is warning it faces an avalanche of appeals for Financial Support. The uks billion pound live Music Industry has been all but shut down by the pandemic. Now a study by the Charity Help Musicians has found that 96 of performers have lost the majority of their income, with more than half earning nothing whatsoever from music. Government aid for freelancers is set to be scaled back drastically from november ist, spelling financial disaster for many self employed musicians. James ainscough is chief executive of the Charity Help Musicians. We are getting used to bleak pictures but this is the blea kest of pictures but this is the bleakest of them all, it feels the wiping out of any industry from the sort of statistics . It does feel like that at the moment, doesnt it . The impact on musicians is notjust financial. There is a Severe Mental Health impact as well, so foreign five musicians in our survey are worried about pay bills, nearly half are worried about losing the roof over ahead and feeling great anxiety about the future of their careers four out of five. Listening to your previous interview, talking about maintaining productive capacity, the Music Industry is a highly productive industry both economically and in the soft power that the uk has and we dont want to see it decimated, musicians heading off to do other things but they just dont have a choice. James, musicians have always headed off to do other things in any case, havent they . Some would say that is one of the things we have to do and were good at, is juggling . Absolutely. Musicians know how to do the hustle and how to keep things going. They always run multiple income streams from music, by performing, recording and teaching. And many musicians know that sometimes they have to pat that out with work in bars and restau ra nts a nd out with work in bars and restaurants and elsewhere and thatis restaurants and elsewhere and that is the problem, you see, all live activity is gone and there is no increase in emerging teaching available, probably a decrease and then there are peripheraljobs they may turn to to tie them either, they dont exist, especially hospitality but in general where in inner economy in recessions so Jobs Available and more people trying to get them. A particularly desperate plight and we forget as well that the average musician is not a headline artist or i want to be headline artist. They dont have a fan base. They are a highly skilled, planar background, are the second down an orchestra or down in the pitch and they do not have the alternative routes to generate income. Down in the music pit. We also know rishi sunak has been asked about artists and musicians and said that eve ryo ne and musicians and said that everyone has had to adapt which, if nothing else, may suggest that you do not think there is a huge financial sympathy about to come your way . Well, i mean, two issues, the government have put a significant amount of money in the Music Industry and with the announcement earlier this week which we were really pleased to see. The challenge there is that specific package supports organisations in the Music Industry and very little about that will trickle down to freelance musicians. The big concern for musicians now is the drop in income support which has been at 80 of profits and our dropping down to 20 . It is difficult for anybody to live on one fifth of what they used to, particularly musicians, because all their earning has been traditionally very low indeed. Very challenging times indeed. Thank you forjoining us. Lets go to asia now and the trade war between china and the us. Beijing is set to pass a new law that would restrict sensitive exports vital to National Security, including high technology. Sharanjit leyl is looking at this for us in singapore. Sharanjit, whats the latest . Yes, david Wiley Technology becoming politicised and that is really as competition intensifies between china and the us either access to technologies that will essentially drive our future. This is according to the Chinese State newsagency, saying china could be set to pass a law to restrict sensitive exports that are vital to National Security. The top legislative body, the National Peoples Congress Standing committee is expected to adopt the measure in a session that ends tomorrow. The law will restrict the export of sensitive materials and technologies and really apply to all companies in china, including foreign invested ones. A law that would put china ina ones. A law that would put china in a similarfooting to the us, which very regularly uses export controls and licenses like this, very strategically against its adversaries. We know Big Chinese Companies including the likes of huawei, tick tock, we chat, tiktok, they have all found themselves target of washington is rife and this means it could take countermeasures against anything that could damage chinas National Security and interests. We dont know what sort of Technology Beijing tried to restrict but it could touch on things like fourth codes, algorithms and technical documents, something we will be watching very closely. Lets go to the middle east now because this week the first cargo ship has travelled from dubai to the israeli port of haifa. The new Weekly Service comes after a peace deal between israel and the United Arab Emirates last month that could eventually mean billions of dollars of trade between the two countries. Its a major step for business in the region, according to sultan ahmed bin sulayem, chairman of dubais huge Port Operating Company dp world. I tell you, in the past we have operated where we cannot take everybody. If somebody is going to israel, they have to fly over europe. Imagine a country is that your neighbour, and is very close to you, but they have difficulty getting where they need because of the business with us and them not allowed. Israel has huge logistical advantages for us in europe and vice versa. Maybe a thousand kilometres from the mediterranean airport to baghdad stop its almost a thousand kilometres to baghdad. If you ship something by sea, it could be about 7500 kilometres to iraqi, to baghdad to iraq, but it could be 3000. So it is very fitting for our business, we have ports in europe and we trade and connect customers in trade. I believe tourism is going to be a big thing. We need something from israel, and they need something from us. Lots of potential there. And viewers on bbc world news can see that interview in full with sultan ahmed bin sulayem, chief executive and chairman of the ports giant dp world, on talking business with Aaron Heslehurst this weekend. The times are on your screen now with the first airing at 2330 gmt on saturday. Stay with us on bbc news, still to come bollywoods back in business. Indias vast Film Industry cranks back into life after a six month shutdown. And now for some news here in the uk. A scientific adviser to the government has warned that the rift between ministers and some local leaders over coronavirus restrictions is hampering the response to the pandemic. Professorjeremy farrar said the uk was in the worst of all worlds with measures that did not go far enough, but which still hurt the economy. New coronavirus restrictions will come into force in Northern Ireland at six oclock this evening. Pubs and restaurants will be able to open only for takeaways and hotels wont be able to take most guests. Hairdressers and beauticians will also have to close. The bbc has learned that a limited Circuit Breaker lockdown will be announced in wales in the next few days. The Welsh Government said that there was a growing consensus a different set of measures was needed. People in parts of the uk with high rates of covid i9 will be barred from travelling to wales from six oclock tonight. For those stories and more, breakfast is coming up at six oclock with Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt. This is bbc world news. Iam i am david iam david eades. The latest headlines donald trump and joe biden have taken part in simultaneous tv appearances instead of their second president ial debate, as early voters head to the polls. Europe is battling a coronavirus resurgence, with france reporting its highest ever daily infection figure and more than half of englands population now living under high restrictions. To india now, which until the pandemic struck was home to the worlds most prolific Film Industry. For six months bollywood has been effectively shut down. But this week work has been resuming on sets around the country and Multiplex Cinemas have been allowed to open up albeit with 50 capacity. What does the new normal look like for bollywood . Arunoday mukharji went to find out. Bollywood may be back in business, but its definitely not business as usual. Traditionally, nearly 70 of movies revenue came from cinema releases, bits and the holes have been shot from march through september. Bollywood has had to adapt to a new normal. And coming back to the set is easier said than done. Multiplexes like the one behind me have been shot since march, piling up losses with nearly 400 million in the last months, was in miles an hour been allowed to reopen a 50 capacity, business will still ta ke capacity, business will still take time to pick up. But as theatres had to shut, doors to otc theatres had to shut, doors to 0tc teapot form is opened up, offering a lifeline to the indian Film Industry. But forms like netflix, amazon and hot start by film rights at a fixed price and that has allowed the show to go on. With the business issued because of the rise in popularity of 0tt platforms and lockdown restrictions now being eased, sets are abuzz again. But the route to normalcy for bollywood might just read but the route to normalcy for bollywood mightjust read like a movie script, fraught with its own share of ups and downs stop arunoday mukharji, bbc news, delhi. Weve been around the houses today, film, theatre, music. But the art market is another thing. Auction houses have successfully moved online and business is booming. Last night this 1937 Salvador Dali work couple aux tetes de Pleins Nuages sold for more than eight Million Pounds at bonhams. The title could mean couple with their heads full of clouds. Not bad money, is it. India phillips is the global head of bonhams impressionist and modern art department. Is that what you expected . Yes, it was within presale estimates of what we expected to make, and we were happy to have such and we were happy to have such a great result for such a beautiful painting. What has been your experience in terms of the interest and readiness to stump up, what is for so many people, during a recession blighted time . Normally during a recession like theirs, one would expect to see a change in peoples buying habits. I have to say, throughout covid and the lockdown we aptly saw really no kind of change in demand from collectors. If anything, in some ways it has even fuelled peoples desire to purchase art. Do you have a sense as to why . Interest rates are almost nothing, you are not going to get money if you are investing in savings, so, finding something valuable and holding on . I think it is less to do with investment and much more to do with the amount of time that people have had, so, the lack of travel, a lot of collectors have a much freer schedule, and are also spending a lot more time at home. Collecting art is something that people are really passionate about, and i think they have had may be more time to dedicate to their passions. Interesting. Some are on ebay, some are at the Online Auction houses. From your perspective, an Online Auction might not be utterly normal, but your whole modus operandi has changed. Do you think it is changed for the better now . I think definitely. The auction world in the space of six months has changed completely, the way we do business and the way we hold options has changed completely, a complete 180. I think a lot of the changes that have taken place a really for good and the move online and being able to hold options in a global relay, as we did back in the lockdown, is really incredible. 0k, were going to leave it there. India, you very much indeed, joining us bonhams there. That is a lot of money to play for any painting. Just to recap on our major story across the piece here, that is the us president ial election, donald trump and his rivaljoe biden will not be exchanging blows as suchin will not be exchanging blows as such ina will not be exchanging blows as such in a debate, but they have held simultaneous televised debates stop we will keep you a cross that an overreaction on bbc news. Goodbye for now. Televised debates. We will keep you across all that and the reaction. Hello there. We are moving into a quieter spell of weather. It may only be short lived, mind you. Essentially, weve got High Pressure dominating, but again, the centre of the High Pressure is towards the north of the uk, hence those winds off the north sea, as weve seen over the past few days, bringing with them a few showers as well. Probably not as many showers today compared with what we had yesterday, and more places will be dry with a little sunshine, but it will be a chilly start to the day on friday, especially where weve got the clearer skies in the west. We start with a few showers to the east, they will run their way through lincolnshire, through the midlands, towards parts of wales and showers in the extreme south east of england, the odd one possibly in Northern Ireland, too. But more sunshine for northern england, the rest of the sunshine in the north will be on the west side of the country for many parts of scotland. It looks cloudy, it will be a cool day, as it was yesterday. That cloud continues to push down across scotland into northern england, one or two showers continuing into the night, maybe a few more showers arriving in the far south west of england as well. But probably not quite as cold early on saturday morning compared with friday morning, those temperatures under the cloud at around six or seven degrees. The weekend looks quiet, little or no wind winds very light, lots of cloud around, many places will be dry. It is still quite cool. A few showers towards the south coast of england, the odd one for england and wales, a bit of drizzle coming in across northern and eastern scotland, perhaps into the north east of england, that will make it feel quite cold, but is struggling to make double figures in northern scotland. 12 or 13 is going to be a typicalfigure, a lot of cloud around, too. And on the whole, it looks quite cloudy on sunday but if anything cloud thinner for many areas, so a better chance of seeing some sunshine. A little rain is arriving in Northern Ireland, perhaps the north west of scotland. And that is a sign of things to come, really, because if we look further ahead into the early part of next week, instead of High Pressure dominating the weather, pressure is falling and low pressure is going to take charge. You can see we have got a number of weather fronts on the scene as well. So we can tidy that up, really and just with this sort of headline, because the early part of next week looks like its going to be a big change in weather to wet and windy conditions, maybe not quite as chilly as the weekend. Good morning. Welcome to breakfast, with Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty. 0ur headlines today damaging to Public Health a warning from scientists as the standoff between regional leaders and ministers over covid restrictions intensifies. I think we have got to come together asa i think we have got to come together as a country. This fragmentation and frankly making this either a north south or a Party Political issue will make things worse. Manchester is resisting being placed into the tightest restrictions the mayor, andy burnham, describes it as a flawed and unfair policy. But what could it mean for our