chief business commentator for the independent, and benedicte paviot, the uk correspondent at france 24. hello, both. quick look at the front pages before our chat. let's start with the metro, which covers those calls from the transport secretary for people to stop panic buying petrol and diesel. the same story praises the front page of the guardian, which says the government use the military to deliver fuel across the country. the same line, ministers are set to discuss the plans tomorrow. the mirror claiming the prime minister was warned of the hgv driver crisis injune and failed to ask. there is an investigation on the front of the mail, claiming that smart motorways are plagued with technical failures which are putting lives at risk. and the government is planning to cut the earnings threshold at which reggie woods begin repaying their student loans. that's according to the ft. 0k, that's according to the ft. ok, let's begin our look a little bit more in depth at the front pages, and, james, front page of the mirror, please, and it is fuel on theirfront page. mirror, please, and it is fuel on their front page.— their front page. yeah, it is the bi sto their front page. yeah, it is the big story of _ their front page. yeah, it is the big story of the _ their front page. yeah, it is the big story of the day, _ their front page. yeah, it is the big story of the day, and - their front page. yeah, it is the big story of the day, and the i their front page. yeah, it is the - big story of the day, and the mirror is calling it a shambles and, to be honest, it does look very shambolic from the way this is being handled. we are having talks of the army being deployed to fill up pumps. when i took to london on saturday, because we were trying to take my daughter alice, because we were trying to take my daughteralice, it because we were trying to take my daughter alice, it took us an hour just to get up half a kilometre of road, and that is fairly trivial, because it is ambulances which are having a problem getting through. and you have grant shapps coming out and saying it is the lorry drivers fault that the road... wagging his finger at people also the problem is, there isjust a finger at people also the problem is, there is just a fundamental lack of trust here which the mirror, i think, zeros in on, and that people fear, we've been talking about the lorry driver crisis for weeks on and now, the cbi... my inbox almost every two, three days has a cpi press release, urging action, saying we need to do more than just a temporary visa scheme, we need to add lori drivers to the list of occupations, skilled occupations where you can get into britain to work, but nothing has been done about this and this is the net result. it is a crisis — that word is overused — it is a crisis, and we are told it could go on for several days yet. it will only stop when everyone's tanks are full, but the knock on when it comes to the emergency services getting fuel and also going around, is it scary. and also going around, is it scary. and a somebody who had my life rescued by the air ambulance, there is only a couple of helicopters in london, other areas have their own helicopters, but the air implants can only do so much. you need ambulance on the roads, able to get through and able to get fuel, and that's the real disturbing thing about this whole story. qm. about this whole story. 0k, benedicte. _ about this whole story. 0k, benedicte, same _ about this whole story. 0k, benedicte, same story, - about this whole story. 0k, benedicte, same story, but let's turn to the front page of the daily telegraph, and one of the options is to use the army to help drive these tankers, deliver the fuel. as we have heard from grant shapps and from a number of ministers, it is not the fact that there is not enough fuel, we just don't have enough drivers. enough fuel, we 'ust don't have enough drivers.— enough fuel, we 'ust don't have enough drivers. yes. and what is interesting. _ enough drivers. yes. and what is interesting, previously, - enough drivers. yes. and what is interesting, previously, about. enough drivers. yes. and what is| interesting, previously, about the daily mirror is that it was saying the fuel— daily mirror is that it was saying the fuel crisis might last ten days but the _ the fuel crisis might last ten days but the hgv crisis will last much longer, — but the hgv crisis will last much longer, and the mirror was also saying — longer, and the mirror was also saying in— longer, and the mirror was also saying in its sub headline there that the — saying in its sub headline there that the pm was warned back in june and that— that the pm was warned back in june and that the government did nothing about— and that the government did nothing about this _ and that the government did nothing about this. you don't suddenly develop — about this. you don't suddenly develop a _ about this. you don't suddenly develop a need for 100,000 hgv drivers. _ develop a need for 100,000 hgv drivers. so— develop a need for 100,000 hgv drivers, so make no mistake, this crisis _ drivers, so make no mistake, this crisis in _ drivers, so make no mistake, this crisis in every— drivers, so make no mistake, this crisis in every way is making headtines— crisis in every way is making headlines across the world — bad ones _ headlines across the world — bad ones domestically, of course, and causing _ ones domestically, of course, and causing anxiety. the prime minister will have _ causing anxiety. the prime minister will have some very hard choices, maybe _ will have some very hard choices, maybe some very obvious ones, nevertheless, tomorrow, monday, because _ nevertheless, tomorrow, monday, because he — nevertheless, tomorrow, monday, because he will be having various meetings — because he will be having various meetings when i understand that there _ meetings when i understand that there was— meetings when i understand that there was already quite a big meeting _ there was already quite a big meeting on saturday, because this crisis _ meeting on saturday, because this crisis is _ meeting on saturday, because this crisis is getting out of hand. always _ crisis is getting out of hand. always seemingly manageable is now out of _ always seemingly manageable is now out of hand —— what was seemingly, quotes _ out of hand —— what was seemingly, quotes, manageable. we'll hear really— quotes, manageable. we'll hear really not — quotes, manageable. we'll hear really not green light the army to come _ really not green light the army to come in _ really not green light the army to come in and help several hundred soldiers _ come in and help several hundred soldiers -- — come in and help several hundred soldiers —— come in and help? several— soldiers —— come in and help? several 100,000 soldiers brought in. will the _ several 100,000 soldiers brought in. will the visas announced in the last 24 hours _ will the visas announced in the last 24 hours - — will the visas announced in the last 24 hours — 5,000, was it, for hgv drivers— 24 hours — 5,000, was it, for hgv drivers - _ 24 hours — 5,000, was it, for hgv drivers - the — 24 hours — 5,000, was it, for hgv drivers — the sos given by the transport _ drivers — the sos given by the transport secretary grant shapps, they be — transport secretary grant shapps, they be able to help brody the situation according to some, save, christmas? — situation according to some, save, christmas? what seems again crisis now has— christmas? what seems again crisis now has been unfolding, asjames was saying. _ now has been unfolding, asjames was saying. for— now has been unfolding, asjames was saying, for weeks and it needs to not have — saying, for weeks and it needs to not have a — saying, for weeks and it needs to not have a short—term problem. it is not have a short—term problem. it is notjust_ not have a short—term problem. it is notjust about having not have a short—term problem. it is not just about having the not have a short—term problem. it is notjust about having the images not have a short—term problem. it is not just about having the images of soldiers _ not just about having the images of soldiers on — not just about having the images of soldiers on the streets and across the land. — soldiers on the streets and across the land. in — soldiers on the streets and across the land, in petrol stations, it is asked _ the land, in petrol stations, it is asked about sorting this problem. and it _ asked about sorting this problem. and it seems the visas, by the way, early— and it seems the visas, by the way, early supposed to kick in in two weeks' — early supposed to kick in in two weeks' time, but priti patel the home _ weeks' time, but priti patel the home secretary as a beacon be fast tracked _ home secretary as a beacon be fast tracked -- — home secretary as a beacon be fast tracked -- i— home secretary as a beacon be fast tracked —— i said they can be fast-track _ tracked —— i said they can be fast—track. what a problem to have in the _ fast—track. what a problem to have in the 21st — fast—track. what a problem to have in the 21st century in the uk. brexit— in the 21st century in the uk. brexit has— in the 21st century in the uk. brexit has played a part, but it seems — brexit has played a part, but it seems quite a lot of it was foreseeable. what is not good and where _ foreseeable. what is not good and where people need to get a grip very much, _ where people need to get a grip very much, that— where people need to get a grip very much, that is that i agree when the transport secretary talks about being _ transport secretary talks about being sensible. people need to exercise — being sensible. people need to exercise some sort of restraint. and by exercise some sort of restraint. and bviust_ exercise some sort of restraint. and bviust what— exercise some sort of restraint. and byjust what they need. there is a 500% _ byjust what they need. there is a 500% surge according to one of the oil companies and that is simply really— oil companies and that is simply really bad — oil companies and that is simply really bad behaviour. stop it. gk, really bad behaviour. stop it. ok, thank ou really bad behaviour. stop it. ok, thank you for— really bad behaviour. stop it. ok, thank you for that, _ really bad behaviour. stop it. ok thank you for that, benedicte. we have just got a few technical problems, a spill—overfrom yesterday and that fire that took over at broadcasting house affecting 70 of us, so i'm go to guide you both to head to the front page of the mail. we did say we are going to talk about the smart motorways, and, james, you did not have a chance to comment on this, so smart motorways and this undercover story, this undercover reporter by the mail, really exposing some frightening aspects, safety aspects —— so many of us. this aspects, safety aspects -- so many of us. �* , , aspects, safety aspects -- so many ofus. a ., , of us. as i say i was in a very serious _ of us. as i say i was in a very serious road accident - of us. as i say i was in a very serious road accident and - of us. as i say i was in a very| serious road accident and this of us. as i say i was in a very - serious road accident and this story makes me shudder. is a great piece ofjournalism, i have to say. is exposing is that the cameras, the safety cameras, are not always pointing in the right direction. they spoke to someone who is working there, saying... whoever is your god, you should pray to them. people are going to die as a result of this. it really is really, really worrying to read that this is going on under the radar. we have not known about this until the mail has picked it up and reported on it, and ifind this story picked it up and reported on it, and i find this story quite disturbing, one of the more disturbing reads i have seen in some time. i am mentioned — have seen in some time. i am mentioned a _ have seen in some time. i am mentioned a case _ have seen in some time. i am mentioned a case study - have seen in some time. i am mentioned a case study from| have seen in some time. i am mentioned a case study from 2018, very quickly, butjust to put a little bit more detail to it, the motorways have resulted in deaths. in 2018, there was an eight—year—old boy, his name was... he is from leicester. the only reason i know the story is it is my patch. and the corner did warned that there would be deaths, the motorways are dangerous. he was hit by a lorry. the lane was active. benedicte, your thoughts? mr; the lane was active. benedicte, your thou~hts? g ., , ., , , thoughts? my thoughts are, this is not a new story- — thoughts? my thoughts are, this is not a new story. i _ thoughts? my thoughts are, this is not a new story. i have _ thoughts? my thoughts are, this is not a new story. i have heard - thoughts? my thoughts are, this is | not a new story. i have heard about this _ not a new story. i have heard about this i_ not a new story. i have heard about this i have — not a new story. i have heard about this. i have rated —— read about it, like i am sure thousands— —— read about it, like i am sure thousands across the uk. absolutely terrifying _ thousands across the uk. absolutely terrifying is the word used in this ekpos , — terrifying is the word used in this ekpos , and _ terrifying is the word used in this expos , and he needs to be exposed, because _ expos , and he needs to be exposed, because it _ expos , and he needs to be exposed, because it is — expos , and he needs to be exposed, because it is simply not smart and therefore — because it is simply not smart and therefore i— because it is simply not smart and therefore i think the simplest thing is to stop _ therefore i think the simplest thing is to stop this whole... it is like an experiment, playing with people's lives _ an experiment, playing with people's lives, russian roulette. there have been _ lives, russian roulette. there have been so _ lives, russian roulette. there have been so many near misses. i am not surprised _ been so many near misses. i am not surprised that james is, in hindsight, very worried and inches about— hindsight, very worried and inches aboutjust — hindsight, very worried and inches aboutjust thinking what hindsight, very worried and inches about just thinking what could have happened _ about just thinking what could have happened to him, and is dimly not good _ happened to him, and is dimly not good enough, sol happened to him, and is dimly not good enough, so i think you've got to stop _ good enough, so i think you've got to stop this— good enough, so i think you've got to stop this spirit of a live lane. when _ to stop this spirit of a live lane. when you — to stop this spirit of a live lane. when you hear one in ten cameras according — when you hear one in ten cameras according to — when you hear one in ten cameras according to this investigation are either— according to this investigation are either misted up, broken or facing the wrong — either misted up, broken or facing the wrong way, no, stop the experiment, have a hard shoulder for emergency— experiment, have a hard shoulder for emergency vehicles only and for people — emergency vehicles only and for people of— emergency vehicles only and for people of a broken down. don't make it into _ people of a broken down. don't make it into a _ people of a broken down. don't make it into a live _ people of a broken down. don't make it into a live lane. gk, people of a broken down. don't make it into a live lane.— it into a live lane. 0k, let us turn to the front _ it into a live lane. 0k, let us turn to the front page _ it into a live lane. 0k, let us turn to the front page of— it into a live lane. 0k, let us turn to the front page of the - to the front page of the daily telegraph, and we are going to be discussing comments made by angela rayner. james, uncouth or plain speaking? i rayner. james, uncouth or plain s-ueakin ? ~ , rayner. james, uncouth or plain s-ueakin? ~ , , rayner. james, uncouth or plain speaking?— speaking? i think this is plain speaking. — speaking? i think this is plain speaking. to _ speaking? i think this is plain speaking, to be _ speaking? i think this is plain speaking, to be honest. - speaking? i think this is plain speaking, to be honest. this| speaking? i think this is plain - speaking, to be honest. this is... angela rayner knows exactly what she is doing with this. this is the sort of language used by a lot of labour people. there is a bit of context to it. angela rayner was a carer, on very low income, she's using this in relation to universal credit and the £20 cut, and a somebody who grew up in social housing myself, and for a while was eligible for free school meals, i can understand this sort of language being used. it is not terribly decorous, but it is the way people are speaking. i do not think keir starmer be too worried about it. officially he said have rebuked angela rayner, that is what the report said, but if you remember, tony blair had john prescott who would often shoot from the hip and say things which deliver party membership labour voters would often say, and give a bit of authenticity to tony blair's project, so i am not sure keir starmer will be too worried about this, especially as it has diverted elise some attention from some of the rather more significant and larger problems he has going on at labour party conference.— has going on at labour party conference. . , . ~ ., , ., conference. yeah, dick there was a -unch conference. yeah, dick there was a unch u- conference. yeah, dick there was a punch up involved _ conference. yeah, dick there was a punch up involved as _ conference. yeah, dick there was a punch up involved as well - conference. yeah, dick there was a punch up involved as well as some | punch up involved as well as some point, wasn't there? again, that was shrugged off. i want to turn to the front page of the guardian. just double checking of got that? i am auoin to double checking of got that? i am going to find _ double checking of got that? i am going to find it. _ double checking of got that? i am going to find it. i _ double checking of got that? i am going to find it. i am _ double checking of got that? i am going to find it. i am sure - double checking of got that? i am going to find it. i am sure even i going to find it. i am sure even if ou did going to find it. i am sure even if you did not. _ going to find it. i am sure even if you did not, we've _ going to find it. i am sure even if you did not, we've got _ going to find it. i am sure even if you did not, we've got it - you did not, we've got it here probably. but i know you are able to discuss this, because we are still discussing labour, and a bit of confusion over the policy over nationalising the big six energy company. nationalising the big six energy com an . ., nationalising the big six energy coman . . ~ , nationalising the big six energy coman. . a , ., ., nationalising the big six energy coman. . a ,., ., company. yeah. as the guardian says, some disarray. — company. yeah. as the guardian says, some disarray, because _ company. yeah. as the guardian says, some disarray, because your— company. yeah. as the guardian says, some disarray, because your guts - company. yeah. as the guardian says, some disarray, because your guts are l some disarray, because your guts are keir starmer— some disarray, because your guts are keir starmer who according to the guardian— keir starmer who according to the guardian says blindsided the shadow business _ guardian says blindsided the shadow business secretary, a certain ed miliband. — business secretary, a certain ed miliband, that some people remember, because _ miliband, that some people remember, because see her keir starmer has actually— because see her keir starmer has actually ruled out nationalising the bil actually ruled out nationalising the big sik— actually ruled out nationalising the big six energy companies, and clearly, — big six energy companies, and clearly, that is frustrating to stir miliband — clearly, that is frustrating to stir miliband because he had said that after he _ miliband because he had said that after he was keen on keeping this a very live _ after he was keen on keeping this a very live issue and keeping that option— very live issue and keeping that option open, but clearly his boss does _ option open, but clearly his boss does not — option open, but clearly his boss does not agree with him, sol option open, but clearly his boss does not agree with him, so i think they need — does not agree with him, so i think they need to talk to each other and compare _ they need to talk to each other and compare notes and, clearly, ed miliband — compare notes and, clearly, ed miliband urgently needs to get with the programme. we miliband urgently needs to get with the programme-— miliband urgently needs to get with the programme. we are going to save the programme. we are going to save the front page — the programme. we are going to save the front page of _ the programme. we are going to save the front page of the _ the programme. we are going to save the front page of the guardian, - the front page of the guardian, james, but we are going to comment very quickly on the latest taking place in germany and the elections for a very confusing and this could rumble on for weeks, if not months. it is on a knife edge! angela merkel�*s party, the christian democrats, have been in powerfor a long time, but it seems that for the biggest party, it is no can with the social democratic party. the christian democrats are right of centre, the social democrats are to the left of centre. they are about 25% each. the biggest party traditionally gets first shot at the chancellorship, the leading party in the coalition. this is going to go on for weeks and weeks, but as it looks like they are probably going to need three parties into a coalition. there is also a liberal free democrat party and the greens who have done very well, so german politics are going to be somewhat unstable for a while, and ball all the deal—making of carving up is being done, angela merkel, who is expected to step down and is leaving parliament, is going to remain as chancellor probably longer than she actually wanted to.— actually wanted to. yeah, that retirement _ actually wanted to. yeah, that retirement is _ actually wanted to. yeah, that retirement is on _ actually wanted to. yeah, that retirement is on hold, - actually wanted to. yeah, that. retirement is on hold, perhaps! benedicte, i know you've probably got lots to say on this, because this is your patch, but i do want to touch on the ft story, if we could, please, and it is this plan to cut graduate salary thresholds for paying back loans, because this is going to have a knock on effect to. yeah. this is very significant. this is about— yeah. this is very significant. this is about the — yeah. this is very significant. this is about the treasury money and the policies _ is about the treasury money and the policies towards tuition fees and young _ policies towards tuition fees and young people being really turn towards — young people being really turn towards cheaper vocational education. currently, graduates start— education. currently, graduates start to — education. currently, graduates start to pay back their student loans— start to pay back their student loans when their salary hits just over— loans when their salary hits just over £27,000. but ministers are really— over £27,000. but ministers are really seriously looking at reducing that figure, which would then save the treasuryjust under the treasury just under £2,000,000,000 the treasuryjust under £2,000,000,000 per year. this the treasuryjust under £2,000,000,000 peryear. this is the treasuryjust under £2,000,000,000 per year. this is a report— £2,000,000,000 per year. this is a report called — £2,000,000,000 per year. this is a report called the... it is recommending cutting the cap on annual— recommending cutting the cap on annual tuition fees. will that be really— annual tuition fees. will that be really a — annual tuition fees. will that be really a source of inspiration for the government?