thomas hughes, and his partner, emma tustin. ., , . , ., thomas hughes, and his partner, emma tustin. . , . , ., ., tustin. social services got involved but said there _ tustin. social services got involved but said there was _ tustin. social services got involved but said there was nothing - tustin. social services got involved but said there was nothing to - tustin. social services got involved | but said there was nothing to worry about. with hundreds of homes still without power 11 days after storm arwen, brace yourself for storm barra, with weather warnings in place across the uk. we are told that wins in exposed coastal areas like this could get up to about 75 mph today. and also heavy rain, some localised flooding very possible. at 9:30am we will have a full weather forecast with carol kirkwood. the australian actress rebel wilson talks to the bbc about fame, fertility and food. a whistle—blower who worked on the british operation to evacuate people from afghanistan has told mps that only a tiny fraction of those who asked for help received it. raphael marshall — who resigned from hisjob in september — told the foreign affairs committee the process was "dysfunctional" and "chaotic," and it was clear that some of those left behind were murdered by the taliban. the deputy prime minister, dominic raab, who was foreign secretary at the time, has denied the government was being slow to make decisions. here's our diplomatic correspondent, james landale. kabul airport last summer as thousands sought to flee the advancing taliban. amid chaotic scenes, britain and other western powers trying to evacuate those it could, but, according to a whistle—blower, there was chaos in london, too. the foreign office crisis centre was handling requests from afghans at risk from the taliban because of their links to the uk. one official working there, raphael marshall, said the process of choosing who could be evacuated was arbitrary and dysfunctional. he said up to 150,000 people applied for an evacuation under the scheme, but he estimated fewer than 5% of these people have received any assistance. it is clear that some of those left behind have since been murdered by the taliban. mr marshall, who has since left the diplomatic service, said there were not enough staff and, one saturday afternoon, he was the only person monitoring and processing e—mails in the afghan special cases inbox. thousands of which, he said, remained unread. the chairman of the foreign affairs committee said that mr marshall's evidence raised serious questions about the leadership at the foreign office. i am deeply concerned about many of the things the whistle—blower has raised, including about all those at the very top of the department. the whistle—blower, mr marshall, was dealing with a very, very difficult situation in which many of us were trying to get out people who had served us with enormous courage and integrity for sometimes as much as 20 years. and so i am extremely concerned to hear what he said. mr marshall singled out dominic raab, then foreign secretary, who, he said, delayed taking decisions until he had all the facts set out in well—presented tables. for the foreign secretary to make this request suggests he did not fully understand the situation, mr marshall said. a source close to mr raab said the challenge was not the speed of decisions, but verifying identity and securing safe passage to the airport. a foreign office spokesman said government staff had worked tirelessly to evacuate more than 15,000 people in a fortnight. 0ur chief political correspondent adam fleming is at westminster. dominic raab has been on the airwaves this morning, he was there to talk about prison reforms but obviously was asked mostly about this, what did he have to say about the litany of what a whistle—blower site was chaos and disruption? dominic raab is talking about his newjob isjustice secretary dominic raab is talking about his new job is justice secretary this morning but is still haunted by his previousjob as foreign morning but is still haunted by his previous job as foreign secretary and spent the morning basically defending how he handled this chaos as kabul fell and defending how he handled this chaos as kabulfell and people were being evacuated and how the foreign office at the government as a whole operated in that period, here is some of what he had to say. this is from the relatively _ some of what he had to say. this is from the relativelyjunior _ some of what he had to say. this is from the relatively junior desk - from the relatively junior desk officer~ — from the relativelyjunior desk officer. with the volume of claims that were — officer. with the volume of claims that were coming in, because we needed _ that were coming in, because we needed the clear facts to be presented. i think it's criticism was _ presented. i think it's criticism was i _ presented. i think it's criticism was i was _ presented. i think it's criticism was i was making decisions which took_ was i was making decisions which took several hours, not days or weeks. — took several hours, not days or weeks. and _ took several hours, not days or weeks, and it wasjoint decision—making because some of the cases— decision—making because some of the cases would _ decision—making because some of the cases would have had to be decided by the _ cases would have had to be decided by the defence secretary or the home secretary _ by the defence secretary or the home secretary. we were working as a team, _ secretary. we were working as a team, i— secretary. we were working as a team, i think the whole effort across— team, i think the whole effort across whitehall and government was making _ across whitehall and government was making the _ across whitehall and government was making the best effort under incredibly difficult operational conditions and, of course, the situation — conditions and, of course, the situation in _ conditions and, of course, the situation in london and sifting his e-maiis. — situation in london and sifting his e-maiis. of— situation in london and sifting his e—mails, of course it was a challenge, the far bigger challenge we had _ challenge, the far bigger challenge we had was cleaning the facts on the grounds _ we had was cleaning the facts on the grounds are — we had was cleaning the facts on the grounds are getting people safely to the airport so we could get many of those _ the airport so we could get many of those eligible people onto the aircraft — those eligible people onto the aircraft and out of afghanistan. | aircraft and out of afghanistan. i think aircraft and out of afghanistan. think i aircraft and out of afghanistan. i think i spoke to you back in august, i believe, and you said at the time, with hindsight you would not have taken the holiday at that time. i wonder what you feel looking back, it is clear some left behind have since been murdered by the taliban. the evacuation tucked look, the evacuation, as i said, took 15,000 people _ evacuation, as i said, took 15,000 people out, — evacuation, as i said, took 15,000 people out, 17,000 if you take the period _ people out, 17,000 if you take the period until april, and we worked after— period until april, and we worked after the — period until april, and we worked after the august evacuation to get others _ after the august evacuation to get others out — after the august evacuation to get others out through working with the 0ataris— others out through working with the 0ataris to _ others out through working with the qataris to get flights out of kabul, there _ qataris to get flights out of kabul, there were several planeloads including british nationals that canre — including british nationals that came out through that mechanism. we were working with third countries, uzbekistan, pakistan, to make sure we could _ uzbekistan, pakistan, to make sure we could continue the evacuation, but fundamentally it was a very difficult — but fundamentally it was a very difficult set of operational conditions and the history of the speed _ conditions and the history of the speed of— conditions and the history of the speed of the taliban takeover is well—known. we did, i think, speed of the taliban takeover is well—known. we did, ithink, a speed of the taliban takeover is well—known. we did, i think, a very good _ well—known. we did, i think, a very good joh— well—known. we did, i think, a very good job under very difficult conditions but i understand that we have always recognised that given the tight— have always recognised that given the tight window for the evacuation, some _ the tight window for the evacuation, some people would have been left behind _ some people would have been left behind and that is why we continued after the _ behind and that is why we continued after the evacuation to work as i described — after the evacuation to work as i described to get people out either directly— described to get people out either directly from kabul or via third countries _ directly from kabul or via third countries— directly from kabul or via third countries. , ., , ,, , countries. the questions will keep cominu countries. the questions will keep coming because _ countries. the questions will keep coming because senior _ countries. the questions will keep coming because senior officials i countries. the questions will keep coming because senior officials at| coming because senior officials at the foreign office, senior civil servants, will answer questions from the foreign select committee in parliament this afternoon, that committee received testimony the whistle—blower. it committee received testimony the whistle-blower.— whistle-blower. it was an unbelievably _ whistle-blower. it was an unbelievably complex - whistle-blower. it was an | unbelievably complex and whistle-blower. it was an _ unbelievably complex and challenging operation to get people out, but from all the interviews i heard dominic raab doing this morning, and i heard all of them, that he does not accept any of what the whistle—blower said? not accept any of what the whistle-blower said?- not accept any of what the whistle-blower said? that is interesting. _ whistle-blower said? that is interesting, he _ whistle-blower said? that is interesting, he denied - whistle-blower said? that is interesting, he denied a - whistle-blower said? that is interesting, he denied a lotl whistle-blower said? that is l interesting, he denied a lot of whistle-blower said? that is - interesting, he denied a lot of the particular claims about has—been argy—bargy on social media because in the whistle—blower�*s testimony he says british military resources were used to escort animals from the animal sanctuary run by the campaigner pen farthing, which you know was a controversial story appetite, he has said no british military resources were used to escort his animals and the whistle—blower is inaccurate, dominic raab has pointed out that this person had visibility of a certain bit of the operation. i think we will have to wait until this afternoon for the civil servants in charge of it all to sit down in front of the committee for a couple of ballots to be grilled forensically, but i think it will be a different session from the interviews we had seen this morning, which by their nature are quite brief, session with the committee members will be a lot more forensics. members will be a lot more forensics— members will be a lot more forensics. ., ,, , ., , . members will be a lot more forensics. ., , . forensics. thank you very much, adam flemin: at forensics. thank you very much, adam fleming at westminster. _ people coming to the uk now have to show evidence of a negative covid test taken no more than 48 hours before they travel. it's the latest in a series of measures introduced in response to the 0micron variant. here's our business correspondent, theo leggett. if you want to travel to the uk, you will need to take a test first. under rules that came into force this morning, anyone over the age of 12 will have to provide proof they've tested negative for covid, even if they're fully vaccinated. it's the latest in a series of new measures brought in amid growing concern about the so—called 0micron variant. the government had already reintroduced pcr tests for new arrivals. so now passengers face compulsory testing both before they travel and within two days of entering this country. the government has also brought back its so—called red list of high—risk regions. 11 african countries are now on it. nigeria was added yesterday. arrivals from these regions are restricted to uk and irish nationals and uk residents. anyone coming from a red—list country will have to go into supervised quarantine in hotels. a ten—day stay for an adult currently costs £2,285. the government insists the new measures are necessary to slow the spread of 0micron and to protect public health. but airlines and tourism operators are deeply worried that, faced with extra costs and inconvenience, many people will simply choose not to travel at all. prices have come down, but, for a family of four, the need for tests before and after travelling can still add hundreds of pounds to the cost of a holiday abroad. we've seen a really significant drop—off of demand. consumer confidence has now been significantly diminished and undermined. the government is changing the rules far too quickly with very, very knee—jerk decisions, frankly. we've seen two changes to the travel rules within the space of a few days. the covid pandemic has already caused an unprecedented crisis in the travel industry. now, operators complain thatjust as they were beginning to recover, their wings have been clipped once again. theo leggett, bbc news. all eligible adults in wales will be offered a booster vaccination by the end of january as part of efforts to combat the new coronavirus variant. the welsh government says the nhs aims to increase the number of vaccinations from 19,000 a day to more than 200,000 each week. four cases of the 0micron variant have been found so far in wales, with experts warning more are set to follow. the eastenders star and spandau ballet member martin kemp has dressed up like father christmas for a festive film to encourage people to get vaccinated against covid—19 this winter. the video, which has been released today by the government, shows the actor and musician preparing for christmas by booking an mot for his sleigh. it's part of the government's campaign to get people to get a coronavirus booster or flu jab when they're eligible. jails in england and wales are to be set targets for the first time for keeping out drugs, and for testing prisoners. the ministry ofjustice is warning that action is needed to stem the flow of dangerous substances that eureka havik in prisons. measures proposed include the use of body scanners, biometric identification could also be used on drugs dogs brought in to sniff out evidence of illegal substances. the justice secretary, dominic raab, has been outlining more of what's to be included in the prisons white paper. we are looking at a whole range of things, we are building 20,000 extra prison places, incarceration to protect the public it is very important. we are introducing technology to make prisons safer, the x—ray body scanners can stop the flow of contra band into the x—ray body scanners can stop the flow of contraband into prisons, the drugs, weapons, mobile phones. we are also doing a range of things to make sure prisoners leave cuts in a better place. we want to early assessment of addiction to drugs or alcohol, their level of numeracy, literacy, skills, we want to encourage greater work in prisons and will be saying to governors, many of whom are doing an exceptionaljob, that isjoe cole focus, to try to improve appended so that when they leave prison they are less likely to leave and they have positive community treatment for mental health or drugs —— that is your core focus. with me is markjohnson mbe, a former prisoner who set up the charity uservoice, to give a voice to prisoners. kellyjudge is with us, a charity support worker with personal experience of addiction, homelessness and the criminal justice system. thank you for joining us, mark and kelly. market, what do you think about the fact that targets will be set for the first time to keep out drugs under these proposals? —— mark, what you think? i am a little bit bewildered really about how a white paper comes out to talk really about how a white paper comes out to tal ., really about how a white paper comes out to tal . ., really about how a white paper comes out to tal . ., out to talk about... linking drug use and addiction _ out to talk about... linking drug use and addiction and _ out to talk about... linking drug use and addiction and illness - out to talk about... linking drug l use and addiction and illness with crime. and over the last two years, the prison environment and landscape, we literally have a crisis within criminaljustice. prisoners have been locked out for 23.5 hours a day, 70% of prisoners we are talking to are saying there is not one in person furlough visit taking place over the last two years and that you have this rhetoric over—the—top, so nobody has been going into visit prison over the last two years. so when you have sniffer dogs and biometrics which already exist in prison it is a deluded objective data policy. —— saying there was not one in person cell visit taking place over the last two years. cell visit taking place over the last two years— cell visit taking place over the last two years. how do drugs get into jails? _ last two years. how do drugs get into jails? go _ last two years. how do drugs get into jails? go because _ last two years. how do drugs get into jails? go because there - last two years. how do drugs get| into jails? go because there have been no visits, they are just starting to take place now, prisoners have reported to us, we are doing a research project with queens belfast university, prisoners have reported there is still churches in prison. though vice who is bringing in? if only staff are physically going into prison, then it... i believe the answer to you. why are you reluctant to say it must be prison staff?— be prison staff? prison staff always have to be in _ be prison staff? prison staff always have to be in that _ be prison staff? prison staff always have to be in that landscape, - be prison staff? prison staff always have to be in that landscape, theyl have to be in that landscape, they always have to be in there because anybody that goes into prison is literally a potential transporter of drugs, simple as that. let literally a potential transporter of drugs, simple as that.— literally a potential transporter of drugs, simple as that. let me bring in kell if drugs, simple as that. let me bring in kelly if i — drugs, simple as that. let me bring in kelly ifl may. — drugs, simple as that. let me bring in kelly ifl may, what— drugs, simple as that. let me bring in kelly if i may, what do _ drugs, simple as that. let me bring in kelly if i may, what do you - drugs, simple as that. let me bring in kelly if i may, what do you thinkl in kelly if i may, what do you think about these plans? targets forjails to keep out drugs, more airport style scanners installed, drug tests must be carried out to keep track of abuse leading to reoffending after release, that is drug tests on inmates, and each prison's performance and its success in getting inmates into education and training will be published in a national league table? mr; national league table? my understanding is that all these, like mark— understanding is that all these, like mark said, all these things are in place. _ like mark said, all these things are in place, biometrics, the drug dogs, they have _ in place, biometrics, the drug dogs, they have been in place certainly in my time _ they have been in place certainly in my time when i was in prison, it did not stop— my time when i was in prison, it did not stop a _ my time when i was in prison, it did not stop a man sol my time when i was in prison, it did not stop a man so i don't see why they— not stop a man so i don't see why they think— not stop a man so i don't see why they think it — not stop a man so i don't see why they think it will stop it now —— they— they think it will stop it now —— they did — they think it will stop it now —— they did not stop it then sol they think it will stop it now —— they did not stop it then so i don't see why— they did not stop it then so i don't see why they think it will stop it now _ see why they think it will stop it now i_ see why they think it will stop it now. i don't see how it will make much _ now. i don't see how it will make much difference. as long as there is demand _ much difference. as long as there is demand for— much difference. as long as there is demand for drugs in prison, there will be _ demand for drugs in prison, there will be a _ demand for drugs in prison, there will be a supply going in one way or the other, — will be a supply going in one way or the other, and the demand is because there are _ the other, and the demand is because there are women, i can only speak from _ there are women, i can only speak from a _ there are women, i can only speak from a woman's perspective, but i assume _ from a woman's perspective, but i assume men too, sitting behind a cell door— assume men too, sitting behind a cell door for 23 hours a day with not very— cell door for 23 hours a day with not very much to do, with historical abuse _ not very much to do, with historical abuse and — not very much to do, with historical abuse and trauma they are dealing with, _ abuse and trauma they are dealing with, consequences of their drug addictions— with, consequences of their drug addictions that they are having to deal with— addictions that they are having to deal with alone, because there is no support— deal with alone, because there is no support in— deal with alone, because there is no support in prison. so deal with alone, because there is no sopport in prison-— support in prison. so that combination _ support in prison. so that combination of _ support in prison. so that combination of what - support in prison. so that| combination of what mark support in prison. so that - combination of what mark said, claiming it as prison staff bringing drugs in, and what you are saying and what mark said that in the last couple of years, certainly, through the pandemic, prisoners have pretty much been locked in their cell for most of the day, that combination means there will be drug abuse in jails? means there will be drug abuse in “ails? . ., , ., ., jails? alongside the traumas that risoners jails? alongside the traumas that prisoners have — jails? alongside the traumas that prisoners have experienced. - jails? alongside the traumas that l prisoners have experienced. mark, jails? alongside the traumas that . prisoners have experienced. mark, if ou were prisoners have experienced. mark, if you were justice _ prisoners have experienced. mark, if you were justice secretary, - prisoners have experienced. mark, if you were justice secretary, what - you werejustice secretary, what would you do differently? you were justice secretary, what would you do differently?- you were justice secretary, what would you do differently? firstly i would you do differently? firstly i would adhere _ would you do differently? firstly i would adhere to _ would you do differently? firstly i would adhere to clinical _ would you do differently? firstly i i would adhere to clinical evidence, there is some worrying detailing this white paper, this is the second white paper, there was one bandied around which included lots of clinicians, talking about drug deaths... abs. clinicians, talking about drug deaths... �* clinicians, talking about drug deaths- - -_ clinicians, talking about drug deaths... ~ , , deaths... a white paper is basically a government _ deaths... a white paper is basically a government plan _ deaths... a white paper is basically a government plan which _ deaths... a white paper is basically a government plan which is - deaths... a white paper is basically a government plan which is often l a government plan which is often consulted on and then it might eventually end up in more? yes. consulted on and then it might eventually end up in more? yes, it oriainated eventually end up in more? yes, it originated from _ eventually end up in more? yes, it originated from dame _ eventually end up in more? yes, it originated from dame carol - eventually end up in more? yes, iti originated from dame carol black's report on drugs and crime, which i was a part of. at the first version of eight before dominic raab took a post as secretary of state, which i always questioned. 0ur secretary of state in position for crime literally has the power over health issues. ~ ., ., , ., ., literally has the power over health issues. ~ ., ., ., ., literally has the power over health issues. ., ., ., ., , issues. what would you do that is different to _ issues. what would you do that is different to that _ issues. what would you do that is different to that might _ issues. what would you do that is different to that might help - different to that might help with the drug misuse and drug abuse going on injails? it the drug misuse and drug abuse going on in “ails? . the drug misuse and drug abuse going on in “ails? , .,, on in “ails? it needs measurement, but on in jails? it needs measurement, but it is the — on in jails? it needs measurement, but it is the wrong _ on in jails? it needs measurement, but it is the wrong measurement. l on injails? it needs measurement, i but it is the wrong measurement. the measurement should be how many people commit crime that are released from prison? the people commit crime that are released from prison? the last time i looked it released from prison? the last time i looked it is — released from prison? the last time i looked it is two _ released from prison? the last time i looked it is two thirds, _ released from prison? the last time i looked it is two thirds, the - i looked it is two thirds, the reoffending rate. find i looked it is two thirds, the reoffending rate.— i looked it is two thirds, the reoffending rate. and it is still around that — reoffending rate. and it is still around that figure. _ reoffending rate. and it is still around that figure. here - reoffending rate. and it is still around that figure. here is - reoffending rate. and it is stilli around that figure. here is the worrying thing, the public have paid the same over the life two years, or supply chains of rehabilitation programmes, education etc has been paid, nobody has been delivering. kelly? paid, nobody has been delivering. kell ? , paid, nobody has been delivering. kelly?- no. _ paid, nobody has been delivering. kelly?- no. go _ paid, nobody has been delivering. kelly?- no, go on. - paid, nobody has been delivering. kelly?- no, go on.— paid, nobody has been delivering. kelly?- no, go on. kelly? sorry. no, go on. the answer is ou kelly? sorry. no, go on. the answer is you measure _ kelly? sorry. no, go on. the answer is you measure prison _ kelly? sorry. no, go on. the answer is you measure prison governors - kelly? sorry. no, go on. the answer is you measure prison governors on| is you measure prison governors on how many people go back to prison. kelly, what would you do differently to the government plan? i kelly, what would you do differently to the government plan?— to the government plan? i would rovide to the government plan? i would provide holistic _ to the government plan? i would provide holistic support - to the government plan? i would provide holistic support to - to the government plan? i would | provide holistic support to people in prison — provide holistic support to people in prison... my experience was i did not commit — in prison... my experience was i did not commit a — in prison... my experience was i did not commit a crime until i started using _ not commit a crime until i started using substances, when i started using _ using substances, when i started using substances, when i started using substances my crime career went— using substances my crime career went off— using substances my crime career went off the scale. i came out of prison— went off the scale. i came out of prison for— went off the scale. i came out of prison for the last time, i was lucky— prison for the last time, i was lucky enough to have found treatment that specialised in the cycle of addiction and the criminaljustice system _ addiction and the criminaljustice system and since stopping using substances i have not committed another— substances i have not committed another crime. it does not take a rocket _ another crime. it does not take a rocket scientist to work out that if you support why the addiction has taken _ you support why the addiction has taken place, then i should imagine the criminal offences will significantly drop.- the criminal offences will significantly drop. the criminal offences will sianificantl dro. . significantly drop. thank you both, kell and significantly drop. thank you both, kelly and mark. — significantly drop. thank you both, kelly and mark, for— significantly drop. thank you both, kelly and mark, for talking - significantly drop. thank you both, kelly and mark, for talking to - significantly drop. thank you both, kelly and mark, for talking to us i kelly and mark, for talking to us this morning. around 700 homes in the uk are still without power — eleven days after storm arwen battered the east coast. northern powergrid said it expected the remaining customers to be reconnected by the end of the day. but now there's concern about storm barra, which is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rain. the met office has issued a yellow weather warning for the whole of the uk. we will bring you a full weather forecast at half nine. the storm is currently making its way over the irish sea. 0ur correspondent, chris page, is on the county down coast this morning. how is it? pretty blustery, you could save- — how is it? pretty blustery, you could save. storm _ how is it? pretty blustery, you could save. storm barra - how is it? pretty blustery, you could save. storm barra has i how is it? pretty blustery, you - could save. storm barra has arrived in northern ireland in earnest and i have to say that the rain is heavy and horizontal, you get that feeling of its stinging your face. believe me, it is not very nice, if you are in this part of the world is my advice would be to stay indoors if you possibly can, it is no day for a stroll on the promenade at newcastle, which has a reputation, deservedly, as being one of the most beautiful parts of northern ireland, but today you could say that the beauty is rather raw and rugged. looking at the irish sea, the weights are very choppy, although it is a low tide. the rnli is warning people to stay away from the sea, not to try to, for example, get photographs of the waves crashing against the shore line, because if you were swept away by a wave, you would be in a very dangerous situation very quickly indeed. we had some winter, expected to be up to about 75 mph along the county down coast and the county antrim coast. in london northern ireland, it is about 50 mph, pretty severe, yellow weather warning means is a chance of damage to property and travel disruption, maybe some floating too. across—the—board in the irish republic, things even worse and three south—western coastal counties, county clerk, kerry and cork, they have the highest level weather warning and parts of cork city have flooded due to some tidal surges. with other coastal areas in the republic of ireland, for example in dublin, the government advised schools to close to ensure everybody is safe, so it is definitely a day to avoid being out and about if possible. there are some people, news reporters included, who simply have to be out and about in this weather. 0ver included, who simply have to be out and about in this weather. over the next 2a hours we can expect the weather to be pretty challenging judging by what it is like already. can you not go inside now for a bit at least? i can you not go inside now for a bit at least? . can you not go inside now for a bit at least? , , at least? i will see if somebody somewhere _ at least? i will see if somebody somewhere will _ at least? i will see if somebody somewhere will give _ at least? i will see if somebody somewhere will give us - at least? i will see if somebody somewhere will give us a - at least? i will see if somebody somewhere will give us a breaki at least? i will see if somebody - somewhere will give us a break and, you never know, we might get to warm up you never know, we might get to warm up a little bit before we had to come out and braver it again, but all in a day's work. i come out and braver it again, but all in a day's work.— all in a day's work. i know, but it seems absurd _ all in a day's work. i know, but it seems absurd sometimes, - all in a day's work. i know, but it l seems absurd sometimes, doesn't all in a day's work. i know, but it - seems absurd sometimes, doesn't it? if you could offer chris and his camera person a cup of tea, that will be lovely. we will bring you a full weather forecasting about five minutes. the maternal grandfather of six—year—old arthur labinjo—hughes has said his killers should never be freed. arthur was killed in solihull last year by his father thomas hughes, who was sentenced to 21 years for manslaughter, and his partner, emma tustin, who was jailed for life for murder. peter halcrow has been outlining what he'd like to see from the inquiry into arthur's death. it is not as if it was a kind of thing, a person by thing. people were flocking up there were problems and social services got involved and said there was nothing to worry about —— people were flagging up. and then, hey—ho, three orfour months later, the boy is dead. how can you ask me what i would like them to consider? they must have a tick list, the house is clean and tidy so we will not worry about it. but if alarm bells are ringing all around, even neighbours' statements, then surely there must be someone or some kind of body that can step in and say, right, we are taking that child out of that situation, you know? the father is not man enough to do that himself, someone has to say, this child is suffering and needs help, and take them out of the situation. and i guess that is what social services are for. the head of a us company has come under fire after sacking around 900 of his staff on a single zoom call. vishal garg, chief executive of a mortgage firm, told his employees that if they had been invited to join that call, they were being laid off. this story is the most right on the bbc website, by the way. he actually said, you were the unlucky ones. he blamed staff performance and market changes for the mass—firing. he didn't mention that we can earlier they had a 565 million p injection into the firm. libo diseko is with me. it is gobsmacking, really. in social media the video has been uploaded of the zoom call, it begins with vishal garg saying he is coming with not great news, talk about an understatement. he goes on to say it is something he does not want to do, the last time he did this he cried. sorry, i will stop you there. he said, the last time i did this, i cried? it must be so hard boheme! he: says this is something he does not want to do and then he said they are laying off 15% of the company and if you are on that call you a part of the unlucky group, your employment is terminated effective immediately. he blamed the number of things, he said some of it was productivity, some was market related too but he did not mention the cash injection his company had from investors, £565 million. from looking at the comments on social media, because people are talking about this a lot, people are talking about this a lot, people understand companies have to lay people off sometimes but it is the manner in which it is done, we are three weeks away from christmas and just on a zoom coal.— and “ust on a zoom coal. thank you. if and just on a zoom coal. thank you. if ou and just on a zoom coal. thank you. if you would — and just on a zoom coal. thank you. if you would like _ and just on a zoom coal. thank you. if you would like to _ and just on a zoom coal. thank you. if you would like to comment - and just on a zoom coal. thank you. if you would like to comment on - and just on a zoom coal. thank you. | if you would like to comment on that story, you are very welcome. thousands of tesco workers at distribution centres across the uk have voted to strike in the run up to christmas following a dispute over pay. industrial action is planned to start on 20th december and will last until christmas eve — impacting just over half of the supermarket chain's warehouses at their busiest time of year. shoppers are returning to high street stores across the uk, according to the latest snapshot of consumer demand. the british retail consortium says total spending in shops last month was 5% higher than last year — and 4.1% up from november 2019. it says online spending fell during the same period. now it's time for a look at the weather. here is carol. storm barra is startin: here is carol. storm barra is starting to — here is carol. storm barra is starting to make _ here is carol. storm barra is starting to make its - here is carol. storm barra is| starting to make its presence here is carol. storm barra is - starting to make its presence felt in the west but will move across our shores today, bringing widespread gales and snow in the northern half of the country, that combination means blizzards drifting and poor visibility. the strength of the gusts up and moment in berry head off the coast of devon, 69 mph. it is starting to approach our shores, you can see how we have all this rain associated with storm barra moving north and eastwards, engaging with the cold air across northern england and scotland and falling as snow, we could have as much as five centimetres and parts of northern england, ten to 20 centimetres in the southern uplands and the highlands. following back rent, behind the main band of rain we will see heavy showers. the winters are feature, i mentioned gales, gusts of wind 70 or 80 mph around the irish sea and english channel today, inland gales, gusts of a0 to 50 mph. as the low pressure moves northwards we will see strong winds again, a0 or 50 mph, across eastern scotland. the main band of rain boots northwards tonight, snow on the hills, this curl around to producing rain and showers and wherever you are it will be windy and cold. hello this is bbc news with victoria derbyshire. the headlines: a whistle blower has claimed 95% of afghans who applied to come to britain to escape the taliban didn't get help. new covid travel rules came in at aam this morning — anyone travelling to the uk now has to show evidence of a negative coronavirus test. prisons in england and wales will be set targets for the first time for keeping out drugs. the grandad of six—year—old arthur labinjo—hughes has said his killers should never be freed. the boy was killed by his own father and his partner. with hundreds of homes still without power eleven days after storm arwen, brace yourself for storm barra, with weather warnings in place across the uk. and australian actor rebel wilson talks to the bbc about fame, fertility and food. we will hear from her in the next half an hour. sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre. good morning. the big news from australia is that england's record wicket—taker james anderson won't be playing in the first ashes test, which starts tonight in brisbane. england say it's just a precaution — he's fit, there's no injury, and they expect him to play a big part in the series. they're managing his workload and he'll spend the next five days fine—tuning his skills in the nets. captainjoe root and head coach chris silverwood have thrown their faith behind 0llie pope, who's preferred to the more experienced jonny bairstow in a 12—man squad. and as expected, they've included the returning ben stokes. england will have the option to play a spinner, with jack leach one of five bowlers in the squad. they'll make a late call on that. so it begins tonight and england are looking to win the first ashes series in australia for ten years. patrick gearey looks at a unique contest. in english imagination, australia means danger. uncomfortable, unfamiliar, uncompromising. english cricketers are used to feeling isolated down under but rarely so literally. they've had to quarantine and abide by strict and changeable australian covid rules. it's very different to any series we've ever encountered before. but it's the same for both teams. you know, it's an environment which, and the build—up that's been very unique in many ways, and it will come down to how we manage, how we have managed it. not only do we not know how the series will finish, we don't know where either. the final test has been moved from perth due to western australia's covid rules. no new home for it has been announced. indeed, finding somewhere to play cricket has been a problem for england. they seem to have taken the weather with them. the likes of ben stokes have had to make the most of rare breaks in the cloud just to warm up. all this in a country where england have won just one test series in eight. in many respects, we've got nothing to lose coming here. we've got a great chance in the circumstances that we find ourselves in, to come and do something very special, and, you know, we should take great confidence from that going into it. so, what about the aussies? well, it all started in tears. it's an incredibly difficult decision but the right one for me. captain tim paine resigned over explicit texts he had sent in 2017. so pat cummins was given the biggest job in australian sport, less than two weeks before the series starts. it's the first time i've put on the blazer, actually, fits 0k. yeah, i think when we walk out here day one, and see a packed house and see all the tv cameras and the start of the summer, it feels like it's here, i think that's when it will hit me. where there are ashes, there must be fire. normally, it comes naturally. this is cricket at its fiercest. one thing about this strange series we can be sure of. patrick gearey, bbc news. 0n on to football and rafa benitez says he was positive about the future after they made a stunning comeback to beat arsenal in the premier league. they went a goal down to arsenal but an injury time strike from demari gray gave them a 2—1 victory — their first win in nine games. i think it's important for everyone to have the belief that we can perform like today, we can win against any perform like today, we can win againstany team. perform like today, we can win against any team. it's just to show this character every single game. today with a bad run, still the reaction against adversity was quite positive, so it's what we are expecting and hopefully it will be the end until the end of the season. what a reward there was for chesterfield, for reaching the third round of the fa cup. the national league leaders were hoping to be drawn against a big name — and they'll face last season's runners—up chelsea at stamford bridge. you can find details of all the ties on the bbc sport website. that's all the sport for now. more from the bbc sport centre throughout the day. goodbye from me. victoria. thank you very much. the white house has announced a diplomatic boycott of the beijing winter olympic and paralympic games, which are due to start next february. the move has been broadly welcomed across the political divide in the us, although it only applies to diplomatic and political figures — not the athletes, who have been given the white house seal of approval to take part. tanya dendrinos reports. beijing 2022. as the snow settles, 0lympic venues are taking shape, but the pinnacle of sport is no stranger to politics. with two months remaining, the us has announced a diplomatic boycott, saying it won't contribute to the fanfare, nor pretend it is business as usual in the face of china's egregious human rights record. the biden administration will not send any diplomatic or official representation to the beijing 2022 winter olympics and paralympic games, given the prc's ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in xinjiang, and other human rights abuses. there is precedent here, but the move falls short of the 1980 us—led boycott of the moscow games, where team usa athletes were pulled from the competition. the athletes will be participating, we will be rooting for the athletes from home. i am an 0lympics obsessed person so i am looking forward to doing that, but i think this is just an indication that it cannot be business as usual, that not sending a diplomatic delegation sends that message. but is beijing paying attention? judging by the reaction of the foreign ministry, in a press conference prior to official confirmation from the us, labelling it wishful thinking, grandstanding and politically manipulative, the answer is yes. translation: what the us should do is to correct its attitude, _ practice a more united olympic spirit and take china's concerns seriously. do not politicise sports and stop calling for the so—called diplomatic boycott of the beijing winter olympics, so as not to affect the dialogue and cooperation between china and the us in important areas. if the us insists on wilfully clinging to its cause, china will definitely take resolute countermeasures. the uk and australia are among other nations considering a beijing boycott — a move backed by human rights organisations which have long argued china should never have been awarded the games to begin with. as they edge closer, it seems concerns are reaching a crescendo. tanya dendrinos, bbc news. a second woman who says jeffrey epstein sexually abused her has been testifying in the ghislaine maxwell trial in new york. ms maxwell, who was a close friend of epstein, has pleaded not guilty to eight counts of sex—trafficking and other charges. jeffrey epstein, who was a convicted sex offender, died in a new york prison cell in 2019 as he awaited trial on sex—trafficking charges in a federal case. nada tawfik has been following events in court. the judge instructed the jury that any of the sex acts she testified about were not to be considered illegal acts. instead, the prosecution really used her to lay out their argument about how ghislaine maxwell really was central tojeffrey epstein's world and specifically this effort of grooming young girls for sexual abuse, and so kate detailed how she first met ghislaine maxwell at 17—years—old, at her townhome in london. she went there for tea and she said they immediately really felt at ease with each other. she said she wanted to be like ghislaine maxwell when she was older. ghislaine maxwell allegedly told her that her boyfriend, jeffrey epstein, could help her with her music career. but kate says that when she went back the next time and all the times after that, ghislaine maxwell allegedly instructed her to give jeffrey epstein a massage, which turned into a sexualised massage. she says at that point, the alleged abuse continued for years and she was even asked by maxwell to recruit other young cute girls, as she says she put it. she said she didn't do that but ms maxwell of course has denied all of the allegations and in cross examination, the defence really tried to pick holes in kate's memories, saying at the time she was under the influence of alcohol and cocaine and questioned whether her memories could be trusted. she said that she remembered everything very well because those were significant moments in her life. they also questioned whether she was in this for money, saying that she got millions of dollars from the epstein victim compensation fund but kate, again, said she had no financial stake in this trial. the lives of many women in afghanistan were transformed for the worst overnight when the taliban took control in august. as part of the bbc�*s 100 women season, afghan women have exchanged letters with high profile women who share their interests, to explain how their lives have changed over the last few months. sodaba haidare has more. female leaders from around the world have exchanged letters with women in afghanistan who share their passions for bbc 100 women. high profile women, including youngest ever peace prize laureate malala yousafzai and footballer megan rapinoe, have shared letters with afghan women to deepen their understanding of how life for women in afghanistan has changed since the taliban took over. this lady was a public persecutor in afghanistan is a step she has written to one of britain's most distinguished lawyers, baroness kennedy, who worked with the international bar association to rescue female judges from the country as the taliban took over. i'm proud to be a woman public prosecutor who worked in the judiciary. i always strived to serve my people but now i cannot return to the job i love my people but now i cannot return to thejob i love and my people but now i cannot return to the job i love and that consumes my thoughts. the job i love and that consumes my thou~hts. ~ ., ., ., ~' thoughts. when the taliban took kabul i thoughts. when the taliban took kabul i knew _ thoughts. when the taliban took kabul i knew a _ thoughts. when the taliban took kabul i knew a new _ thoughts. when the taliban took kabul i knew a new war - thoughts. when the taliban took kabul i knew a new war was - thoughts. when the taliban tookl kabul i knew a new war was going thoughts. when the taliban took - kabul i knew a new war was going to be declared — kabul i knew a new war was going to be declared on women. i knew into their— be declared on women. i knew into their sites— be declared on women. i knew into their sites would come the women who dared _ their sites would come the women who dared to _ their sites would come the women who dared tojudge them, that women their sites would come the women who dared to judge them, that women that had taken _ dared to judge them, that women that had taken on public roles would take on mortal— had taken on public roles would take on mortal danger. women refusing to be subordinate to them.— be subordinate to them. colleagues who worked — be subordinate to them. colleagues who worked in _ be subordinate to them. colleagues who worked in the _ be subordinate to them. colleagues who worked in the judiciary - be subordinate to them. colleagues who worked in the judiciary are - who worked in the judiciary are trying to leave. it feels like every week and moment we are waiting for our death. maybe tomorrow it will be my turn. our death. maybe tomorrow it will be m turn. . our death. maybe tomorrow it will be m turn. , ., , , ., ., my turn. this former supermodel and refu . ee my turn. this former supermodel and refugee has — my turn. this former supermodel and refugee has shared _ my turn. this former supermodel and refugee has shared letters _ my turn. this former supermodel and refugee has shared letters with - refugee has shared letters with afghan university tutor. she has said how it feels to no longer be able to express yourself through the clothes she wears. just able to express yourself through the clothes she wears.— clothes she wears. just imagine for a moment that _ clothes she wears. just imagine for a moment that we _ clothes she wears. just imagine for a moment that we do _ clothes she wears. just imagine for a moment that we do not - clothes she wears. just imagine for a moment that we do not have - clothes she wears. just imagine for a moment that we do not have the| a moment that we do not have the right to choose the colour of your outfit, how would you feel? you wouldn't feel independent. i love the hijab but i'm against being false to wear one. it is unthinkable that anyone should be deprived of colour and sentenced to blackjust because they are a woman. lanthem colour and sentenced to black “ust because they are a woman. when i think about — because they are a woman. when i think about you _ because they are a woman. when i think about you and _ because they are a woman. when i think about you and your _ because they are a woman. when i think about you and your friends i think about you and your friends having _ think about you and your friends having to — think about you and your friends having to hide a once colourful wardrobe. _ having to hide a once colourful wardrobe, i would say keep the peace for you _ wardrobe, i would say keep the peace foryou. keep it wardrobe, i would say keep the peace for you. keep it in a place where only— for you. keep it in a place where only you — for you. keep it in a place where only you know and keep it for the day that— only you know and keep it for the day that you can wear that outfit again~ _ day that you can wear that outfit again~ trio — day that you can wear that outfit aaain. ~ , . day that you can wear that outfit aaain. g . , ., , ., day that you can wear that outfit aaain. g . ., , again. my heart beats for my country. _ again. my heart beats for my country. its _ again. my heart beats for my country, its people _ again. my heart beats for my country, its people and - again. my heart beats for my country, its people and my i again. my heart beats for my - country, its people and my family. these afghan women want to ensure their words are heard by the world and until they can see a better future for their country ahead. and you can find out more about the other inspiring and influential women on the bbc 100 women list, and the rest of the season, on the bbc news website. the uk has issued a joint call with other western nations, urging russia to lower tensions with ukraine. borisjohnson spoke last night to president biden and the leaders of france, germany and italy, and they agreed to use "all the tools at their disposal" to prevent aggression. mr biden will speak to president putin on a video call later today. western countries have provided military assistance to ukraine, they say, to deter russia — but moscow says that such support only fuels tensions and will escalate the situation. here is the latest. behind the other two patrol boats provided by the united states to support ukraine's military. kiev says that in light of the russian troops built up near its border they need such military assistance more than ever and this event, the official handover of these patrol boats, is happening just ahead of the video call between presidentjoe biden and russian leader vladimir putin, where they may discuss the issue of military assistance as well. countries like the united states have already provided equipment, military equipment worth millions of dollars. in addition to this, more than boats, the united states handed over equipment and practical equipment, including lethal weapons, such as javelin and missiles and the united kingdom has also stepped up its military assistance lately. last year, the president of ukraine volodymyr zelensky and prime minister borisjohnson signed a memorandum to enhance the ukraine's naval capability and as part of that deal, the united kingdom will build naval bases and attack military vessels for ukraine's navy. but russia says that such military support only destabilises the situation in the region and it fuels tension in eastern ukraine. in his recent speech, president vladimir putin warned that the expansion of nato's infrastructure in ukraine would cross moscow's red lines — which they would not tolerate. the headlines on bbc news... a whistle—blower has claimed 95% of afghans who applied to come to britain to escape the taliban did not get the help they needed. new covid travel rules came in at aam this morning. anyone travelling to the uk has to show evidence of a negative covid test to prisons in england and wales will be set targets for the first time for out drugs. from the end of december, new yorkers will have to be vaccinated. the mayor said the new rule is the first of its kind in the country. the city is trying to avoid another wave of covid and reduce the transmission of the omicron variant. early on, new york was the epicentre of the united states outbreak in the united states. the man in charge of the big apple wants to make sure it does not happen again. new york city mayor bill de blasio said starting from december 27, all private businesses in the city will need to make sure their employees are vaccinated, with no testing opt out. more details about enforcement will be released in the coming weeks, once the city has spoken to the business community. separately, the mayor said that children over five will also need proof of vaccines to dine indoors. bill de blasio described the aggressive measure as a pre—emptive strike against new variants during the winter months and holiday period and he said he was confident his mandate would survive the legal challenges which are sure to come. but he has less than a month in office and his successor eric adams has not committed to the sweeping vaccine mandate for private employees yet. also an attempt by the biden administration to get all large employers in the country to require workers to get shots or submit to weekly testing, that stalled in court. new york city has previously imposed vaccine mandates for city workers but this will be the first of its kind for the private sector. impacting 18a,000 businesses. the death of 12—year—old ava white in liverpool last month meant knife crime was once again a subject of national conversation. lockdown led to a huge fall in violent crime, but now police say the numbers have started to rise again. graham satchell has been to meet some of those affected. a vigil in liverpool at the weekend. a city remembering a 12—year—old girl. ava white was stabbed and killed as she watched the christmas lights being turned on. croydon in south london last month, and another memorial, this time for 1a—year—old jermaine cools. stabbed on the street. particularly in london, it has been a terrible year for young people dying in knife attacks. 18—year—old jay fathers, killed in the early hours of new year's day in milton keynes. he became the first teenager to be stabbed to death this year. my son jay fathers went to see friends on new year's eve. unfortunately, my son lost his life. we are devastated as a family. because of all what's gone on, we want to save other peoples lives in the community and beyond. jay's fatherjason is now working with the police in milton keynes. he started a campaign to get first aid kits, so—called bleed packs, into shops, bars, nightclubs. our sonjay was stabbed in the aorta, which is in the abdomen. he had three minutes to live, which he got from the kitchen to the front room and collapsed. unfortunately, it wouldn't have saved his life, but we're hoping it can save other people's lives. you know, we don't want anotherfamily to go through what we've been through. you are under arrest for suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon. bodycam footage from a stop and search in milton keynes and police havejust found a knife. have you got any other weapons on you? another stop, another weapon. in a series of operations, thames valley police have been removing weapons from the street, gathering intelligence, disrupting gangs. could you just focus round about the triangle building? because that's where we're getting a lot of intel that that's where one half of the group is hanging around. jason isjoining the police on one of their operations. as well as seeing it first—hand the attempts on the ground to fight knife crime, it is a chance forjason to give out more bleed packs. hiya. — hello, sir, how are you? there is some chest bandages, which stick to the chest, if someone's been stabbed. would you accept one of these kits? yes please, yes. thank you so much. sorry to hear that your son... i'll be in touch. 0k. thank you for your time. this is the society we live in today. you know, young kids need to be taught that knives, carrying a knife, can have devastating effects on notjust family but friends, the community. it just escalates. in london, 28 teenagers have now been killed in attacks this year. it's the highest number in more than a decade. i can think back to a time when a stabbing would come in, that it would be quite big news, even within the police environment. and, unfortunately, it does seem a more daily occurrence. not so much front page news any more, which is sad. here in milton keynes, serious violent crime is down 20% on last year. the government says it's committed to tackling knife crime and keeping young people safe. jason's hope — that no other family will have to go to the heartbreak of losing a child. graham satchell, bbc news. it is coming up to 9.55. we will bring you another weather forecast because it's a really important today. because it's a really important toda . �* because it's a really important toda . ~ ., , , ., today. also the headlines before 10am. the actor rebel wilson describes herself in her own words as the "funny fat girl", but decided to go on a "year of health" during the pandemic. after losing more than five stone, she's been talking about how her weight loss attracted more attention from the press than her successful career. in an exclusive interview with nomia iqbalfor the bbc�*s 100 women season, she's also been speaking about her fertility struggles. in 2019i in 2019 i had like four pretty successful movies come out and had done all this amazing stuff career—wise but in the next year, all i did wasjust career—wise but in the next year, all i did was just lose 80 lbs and the attention that gets is more than winning an academy nominated film and producing my own movie and doing all this stuff. flan and producing my own movie and doing all this stuff. . ., ., ., all this stuff. can i radio one headline? — all this stuff. can i radio one headline? yeah, _ all this stuff. can i radio one headline? yeah, sure. - all this stuff. can i radio one| headline? yeah, sure. rebel all this stuff. can i radio one - headline? yeah, sure. rebelwilson headline? yeah, sure. rebel wilson has a bond girl moment and an incredible figure hugging swimsuit. how do you feel about that? i never thou~ht i'd how do you feel about that? i never thought id be _ how do you feel about that? i never thought i'd be described _ how do you feel about that? i never thought i'd be described anywhere l thought i'd be described anywhere neara thought i'd be described anywhere near a bond girl! thought i'd be described anywhere neara bond girl! haifa thought i'd be described anywhere near a bond girl!— near a bond girl! how do you feel about those _ near a bond girl! how do you feel about those sort _ near a bond girl! how do you feel about those sort of _ near a bond girl! how do you feel about those sort of headlines - near a bond girl! how do you feel. about those sort of headlines about your weight loss? about those sort of headlines about yourweight loss? is about those sort of headlines about your weight loss?— your weight loss? is that what a woman has _ your weight loss? is that what a woman has to _ your weight loss? is that what a woman has to do _ your weight loss? is that what a woman has to do in _ your weight loss? is that what a woman has to do in the - your weight loss? is that what a woman has to do in the world, i your weight loss? is that what a i woman has to do in the world, just lose weight to get attention? i know what it's like to be a woman who is essentially invisible to most people because of not being seen as traditionally beautiful or whatever. so i know what it's like when nobody holds the door open for you or, you know, just looks at you almost like you can have no value because you are not seen as good—looking to them. so i know what that's like. i got a lot of pushback from my own team, actually, here in hollywood when i said i would do this year of hell. ifeel like i'm really going to physically transform and change my life. they were like, why? why would you want to do that? because i was earning millions of dollars being, you know, the funny fat girl and being that person. and i go, well, because even though i was still very confident being bigger and loved myself, would rock a red carpet even though i was probably doubled the size or sometimes triple the weight of other actresses, but i still felt confident in that, but i knew deep down inside some of the emotional eating behaviours i was doing was not healthy. like i did not need a tub of ice cream every night. that was me, you know, numbing emotions using food which was not the healthiest thing. and things i hadn't processed or dealt with in my life that was manifesting as emotional eating. then i was like, that was not the healthiest. what i tried to do was share just enough that hopefully people can understand some of the struggles i've been through. so i've been showing things about fertility or talking about health transformation and emotional eating and what i suffered going through that is ultimately to try to help people. the fertility issue that you've talked about, that's really personal and intimate.— talked about, that's really personal and intimate. yeah, i was diagnosed when i and intimate. yeah, i was diagnosed when i was — and intimate. yeah, i was diagnosed when i was 20 _ and intimate. yeah, i was diagnosed when i was 20 with _ and intimate. yeah, i was diagnosed when i was 20 with something - and intimate. yeah, i was diagnosed| when i was 20 with something called polycystic ovarian syndrome, which made sense that i gained a lot of weight rapidly with that. i'm still trying on the fertilityjourney, even though it is emotional and you get hopeful and then, you know, your hopes are dashed. i feel for any woman going through it. but i was a classic example of a career woman who went out into the world, didn't even think about kids and then suddenly in your mid—30s, it's like, oh, hang on, do i want that as an option? then if i do, what do i need to do? it would be great if i had my own children but i don't know whether that's going to happen. so i'm trying not to have any expectations set on an outcome, just that i'm the healthiest i can be, i'm going to try and what will happen will happen.- i'm going to try and what will happen will happen. rebel wilson talkin: happen will happen. rebel wilson talking there. _ now it's time for a look at the weather, here's carol. and she has all the details of storm barra. thank you, storm barra is starting to make good progress coming in from the west. today it will bring without widespread gales and also some snow, particularly in the north and that combination means blizzards, drifting off snow and poor visibility. we have had some strong gusts already this morning, especially across the irish republic but we are also looking at strong gusts now getting in across the uk. derry had just off the coast of devon, douglas is in the isle of man. low pressure that is storm barra approaching now moving north—eastwards. we have this weather front wrapped around it bringing in some heavy rain and isobars alone tell you it will be windy. it has been a cold and frosty start, some of us had some ice this morning but already the rain moving through northern ireland, pushing in across western scotland and england and wales and as it engages with the cold air, it is falling readily as snow and will do that throughout the day. on the other side of that weather front it will also be producing some heavy showers behind the main band, so a lot going on with the weather today. if we take a look at the snow depth first of all in the north of england, we could see as much as five centimetres in some places and for the southern uplands and the highlands, 10—20 centimetres. the met office has a plethora of yellow warning is out for all the different elements affecting us today. also gusts of 170-80 affecting us today. also gusts of 170—80 mph through the irish sea and the english channel but inland, also looking at gusts of a0—50 mph. so all of this you will almost certainly notice when you are doing your daily tasks today. so through this evening and overnight, the band of rain pushes north. still some snow in the highlands and following that coal around again we will have some rain or some showers and some of those wintry on higher ground. windy except in the centre of the low pressure and it will be another cold night. tomorrow, the low pressure storm barra still very much with us still windy especially in the south—west and the north—east and we still have this curl around it, this weather front. and we still have this curl around it, this weatherfront. so and we still have this curl around it, this weather front. so all that means we have gales across parts of south—west wales into the english channel and also across the northern isles for a time. then we have all these showers, submerging to give longer spells of rain. once again, some of it will be wintry on the hills, another windy day and another cold day as well. this is bbc news — these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. i'm victoria derbyshire. a whistle—blower has claimed 95% of afghans who applied to come to britain to escape the 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