Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC Newsroom Live 20171212

Whether by role, road, rail or nl. A scheme offering shopping vouchers to new mothers could help them breast feed their babies. Good morning. Welcome to bbc newsroom live. The latest inflation figures out this morning show the rate has risen to its highest level in nearly six years, suggesting that the squeeze on what households can afford, continues. The office for National Statistics said that airfares and Computer Games contributed to the increase. Our business correspondent, ben bland, is here. The governor has to write a letter to the chancellor. Debbie remind people what we are talking about. These are the average increases in prices in november compared with the vendor last year. On average how much they have changed. The figure is 3. 1 . That is the average increase in prices. For everything from food to fuel, hotels the hairdressers, the lot. There is variation within that. But as you say, the governor of the bank of england, one of his mainjob is to get inflation to hit 2 . If theres more than i get inflation to hit 2 . If theres more than 1 below or above he has to write a letter to the chancellor, Philip Hammond, and explain why it is so far off target and what the bank of england proposes to do. It is extraordinary to think a year ago the governor was writing to the chancellor to expect why it was so far alone. Today he will have to expect writers so far above. It is slightly higher than a lot of economistss were expecting. The last two months before november it was Holding Steady at 3 , so it has gone up Holding Steady at 3 , so it has gone up slightly. The reason it is a problem is because it is going up faster than average wage increases. The latest data we have got show average wage is going up 2. 2 . If prices go up by 3. 1 , it means that oui wages are not prices go up by 3. 1 , it means that our wages are not keeping up. That is why people feel things are getting more expensive and the cost of living is getting harder. That is why it is so aborted to keep inflation as close to that 2 target as possible. What are the principal reasons for this increase . Can be pinpoint where those rises are . The office for National Statistics mention things like Computer Games and else fails, but food generally was a big contributing factor, compared with a year before. Average food price was up 4. 4 . Transport costs up from last year an average of 4. 5 . Part of the contribution is the increase in price of oil. Currently about 65 a barrel, that makes transport much more expensive. It contributes to the increasing cost in other goods and services. If it cost more to supply and transport goods, it they will pass the cost onto consumers. The bank of englands usual way of dealing with Inflation Higher than they would like it put Interest Rate up. We saw that at the beginning of november, an increase of 2. 5 , the first increase in a decade, meeting again this week. The brother by the bank is that while wages are not going up, if they move Interest Rates up to far too fast, peoples cost of living gets even more people. All economic figures we have to see in the prison of brexit. Speaking of which, we have a report from the Rand Corporation with a warning by the british economy. Yesterday i had an influential think tank. Half of its funding comes the us government. It has looked at the various different scenarios, eight scenarios in terms of what kind of deal britain could get. In almost all of those scenarios, it found that the british economy would be worse off. In effect, they are saying that what the British Government is doing is facing a damage limitation exercise. It throws into doubt what some are claiming that the uk would be more prosperous outside the eu. There was only one scenario which the Rand Corporation found would be a positive one for the british economy and would prosper more outside the eu, and that is if there was a 3 way trade deal between britain, and the eu, and the us. But given the problems we have seen between the us and eu, try to do a trade deal, transatlantic trade and investment partnership, and that has followed by the wayside. Imagine how difficult it would be to achieve a 3 way deal when a bilateral one is really so difficult. Thank you very much indeed for that. Five people are being questioned on suspicion of murder, after three children died in a house fire in salford, early yesterday morning. Their mother and a three year old child remain in a serious condition in hospital. Police confirmed they had been in contact with the family recently, and had visited the house in the hours before the blaze. The case has been referred to the independent Police Complaints commission. Our correspondent dave guest has the latest from the scene in worsley. What are the latest development is . As you can probably see behind me, there is still a lot of activity going on here injackson street. It has been and dos is the pie yesterday. Lots of forensically committed going on. The fire service are back on the scene searching for clues as to what happened here yesterday. It was around 5am back fire crews arrived to find in the house blaze. Two teenage boys managed to get out of the building, but Michelle Pearson and for Young Children were trapped inside. They we re children were trapped inside. They were eventually rescued. Sadly debbie, who was 14, died at the scene, brandon aged eight and lacey who was seven died in hospital later. Michelle pearson, the mother, still ill in hospital and her other daughter, three year old leah is of it daughter, three year old leah is of it also said to be critical. By the arrests overnight. The men and a woman, arrested on suspicion of murder. And a man arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. The case has shocked the community. Flowers a nd the case has shocked the community. Flowers and candles arriving at the scene yesterday. A local church opened its doors to people could light candles and a prey is to remember those children who died, and the mother and daughter who are still battling for their lives in hospital. The health secretary, jeremy hunt, is urging families to overcome what he calls a fatal reluctance to talk about Organ Donation, as he launches a consultation on moving to a system of presumed consent in england. The change, announced by the Prime Minister in october, would require people to opt out of being a donor. Wales has already adopted the approach, and the Scottish Government is planning to follow suit. Our Health Correspondent Dominic Hughes reports. Offering a stranger the gift of life is what lies at the heart of Organ Donation. These are the names of those who have helped some of the 6. 5 thousand people who needed a transplant each year. Around a50 will die before a donor can be found. The family of Adrian Williams we re found. The family of Adrian Williams were happy to support his decision to donate. When they give that gift, you are a mentally proud of them. It feels you with comfort that other families are actually enjoying the lives of their loved ones. Where they may not have done, because of something that am a adrian has done for them. The past decade has seen a big surge in donors across the uk. In 2007, there were around 790 deceased donors. That has now risen to more than ia00. The number of registered donors has also gone up from a0 million to more than 23 million. Ministers are concerned that four out of ten families still say no to donation. A proposal for a system where we all willing to be donors is being touted. We need much better communication inside families so that people know what their family members actually want. There are some concerns that moving to a system where there is an assumption were willing to donate could be counter productive. Im doing the good work of recent years by raising fears over the government having a claim on our organs. Drjohn chisholm is the chair of the medical Ethics Committee at the British Medical Association. What are your thoughts about this concept of presumed consent . The British Medical Association is very positive, both about the consultation and the possibility of a change in the law. We have been campaigning to see a change in legislation for more than 18 years. The reason for that is that we leave it will save lives cost more organs will become available for donation. Some people pointed evidence from other countries, for example spain has the most available organs, but they do not have a system of presumed consent. Another was, do we had to need is . Why notjust try and work harder to get more people to consent and volatile a0 donations red presumed consent is not the only answer. We also need to improve the infrastructure for transplantation to ensure that when organs become available and they can be transplanted. We also need to change the culture in society, so that donating organs becomes the normal, natural, usual thing to do. Again, evidence from wales, where they have presumed consent, where the number of organs available has been a p pa re ntly of organs available has been apparently static for the last couple of years. It doesnt seem to make that much difference. Couple of years. It doesnt seem to make that much differencem couple of years. It doesnt seem to make that much difference. It is too early to say for wales. What was important they are was that for 2. 5 yea rs before important they are was that for 2. 5 years before the law was demented, there was a major Public Campaign to raise awareness so that people were talking more about Organ Donation, talking more about Organ Donation, talking about their friends and relatives, making their wishes known, and in the wales people can still opt in to the Organ Donation register as well as, if they wish, signalling that they do not wish to donate their organs by opting out. There is International Evidence from other countries, you cannot prove cause and effect, but by and large in other countries there is an association between laws that allow people to opt in. Opt out of donations where they have a system like the one that is going to be proposed in the uk consultation, there is an association with higher rates of donation. It takes time, obviously, it is not going to make and is the difference. Given that there are three people a day who are on average dining because they are waiting for a transplant but never actually happens, if we can do something about saving those lives, giving people the transplants they need, then that is going to be a really positive benefit. In the uk, there has been 75 increase in the number of organs available in the last few years at last nine years i think, so the rate is increasing. Yes and that is tremendous positive. But not fast enough. There are still people who are dying, waiting for a transplant, but yes, things have considerably improved in recent yea rs. Considerably improved in recent years. That has to be good news for those whose lives are at risk for wa nt of those whose lives are at risk for want of a transplant. Thank you for your time. Temperatures of minus 13 celsius have been recorded in shropshire on what was the coldest night of the year so far. Hundreds of schools remain closed due to snow and ice. Weather warnings are in place across the country. The bad weather has been causing chaos across europe, where heavy snow has meant disruption for millions of people. Hundreds of flights were cancelled notjust here in the uk, but also in the netherlands, germany and belgium. And there was disruption in italy and france, where an atlantic storm took its toll. The bbcs tim allman has the latest. For these passengers, it must have felt like the way the wind never end. Hundreds of flights cancelled, one of europe applause busiest airports. Six oclock, i came. It is already 12 oclock. Six others. Were still havent reached it. Were still waiting. Hopefully when we arrive i should be there. A similar story at heathrow. Sundays destruction causing a knock on effect, hundreds of flight crews now in the wrong place come so hundreds more flights cancelled. In italy, it was the Train Network that seem to bear the brunt. Stranded passengers are given food at milans central station. This was the rush hour in brussels. Some roads were deserted, but others where bumper to bumper. Triesfi some roads were deserted, but others where bumpertobumper. Tries it is a disaster. We got stuck here. I start work at ten oclock. It is 1038 and we are still blocked. For much of southern france, stone was not the problem. Storm hanna was. With other up to 150 kilometres per hour battering the atlantic coast. This dramatic weather has caused chaos and disruption across much of western europe, but for some, especially those who didnt have to go to school, it was an opportunity to have a little fun. In the uk, a very chilly night. You often see that, you get snow on the ground, a good insulator, so normally when you get clear skies, you get heat coming from the ground which takes the heat in the air, so it doesnt get so cold. But if you get snow on the guard cuts of that supply of heat coming up and so tempted to just go down into freefall. 13 last night. Coldest night of the year. A long way out the english record, 20 six. Japan the english record, 20 six. Japan the lb eroding structure, not far away from where we had at last night. What is the absolute . It has been a very cold for in birthdays. Willard warm up . The whole of this december, unilateral part of november has been cold. It is here to stay, it gets briefly mad for a short time doing tomorrow, but generally temperatures are below average for the time of year. The rest of this weekend we can. But there are hints that it will turn milder next week as the season south westerly winds blowing back in. Things will change. But about the european situation . We were told about those problems with flights etc. Much of that locate the missing when upfront. Much of it came from sunday across eastern france, western germany, as well as the netherlands and belgium. It is nice to see people stuck in traffic jams. We may joke it is nice to see people stuck in trafficjams. We mayjoke about the uk, single flake of snow and be going to traffic chaos, it is like to see our european neighbours struggling. Argue saying they do not cope with and better than we do . think theyjust a cope with and better than we do . think they just a lot abuse our way. Despite well its not get into that. Were going to see some further snow showers for the next 2a hours, then we get a bit milder air, but the weather is generally staying pretty cold. We could see localised disruptions, both here and across the north west of europe. It is going to be nothing on the same scale as we have seen over the course of the weekend. Localised snow showers. Boj thank you very much indeed. And you can keep up to date with the latest disruption on our website. The headlines on bbc newsroom live inflation has increased to as highest level in nearly six years. The good humour prices index rose to 3. 1 . Five people are being questioned by police over the suspected murder of three children who have died in a house fire in sa lfo rd. Who have died in a house fire in salford. Plans to change the rules on using people boss mike organs after they die are being set out by the government in england. And in sport, Alastair Cook says england boss mike fielded disciplinary issues have been overblown by the media but he accepts that they cannot afford to make any more mistakes. England are two down in the ashes ahead of the third test, starting on thursday. Stokes players we re starting on thursday. Stokes players were confronted by their own fans after arriving home by train with their 5 1 defeat by spurs. Might you said it might be the reality check they need. The shop was like Olympic Committee has agreed to support athletes who choose to compete as neutrals at next years winter games in south korea. Russia was banned last week for the systematic manipulation of the doping system. I will be back with a full update in the next 15 minutes. The french president , Emmanuel Macron, has said he believes President Trump will reverse his decision to withdraw from the paris deal on combating Global Warming. Mr macron was speaking to the american network, cbs, ahead of a Climate Change summit in the french capital today. Andrew plant reports. Arriving for a dinner with the french president , the former un secretary general and his predecessor, arriving in paris for what Emmanuel Macron has called a meeting of elders. This, the evening before the one planet summit, katie plater yesterday says the paris accord, which sought 195 countries aiming to end the use of fossil fuels and stem the rising Global Warming. An agreement that america turned its back on injune, when donald trump pulled out, he has called Global Warming a hoax. The french president said america would be welcome back if mr trump ever changes his mind. In the us is a great country. The us did sign the paris agreement. It is extremely aggressive to decide on his own to leave. I pretty sure that my friend, President Trump, will change his mind in the coming months or years, ido mind in the coming months or years, i do hope. I am ready to welcome him if he decides to come back. Big names in business are also around. Billionaire Richard Branson and the former california governor Arnold Schwarzenegger arriving by bike. He said much of america was still committed to the paris agreement. Said much of america was still committed to the paris agreementm doesnt matter that Donald Trump Backed out of the paris agreement. Because the private sector did not drop out, nor did the Public Sector universities or scientists. No one dropped out. Donald trump ruled donald trump out of the paris agreement, so do not worry about any of that. We are good to pick up the slack and continue on. Tuesdays summit will provide sources of finance to help countries shift the cleaner sources of energy and lessen the impact of Sea Level Rise to the nodding icecaps, harsher the impact of Sea Level Rise to the nodding iceca ps, harsher storms the impact of Sea Level Rise to the nodding icecaps, harsher storms and flooding, heat waves and travels to. Richer nations agreed to provide money in funding each year to help developing nations switch away from fossil fuels. The target now at this meeting in paris to fulfil that promise by 2020. Hugh schofield is in paris. Mr mccrone says he is confident that donald trump will change his mind on Climate Change. Mr mccrone mac. Is there much evidence for that . Not at all. Think that it is rhetoric. He said much the same when he met trump orjoin he said much the same when he met trump or join the he said much the same when he met trump orjoin the board even if you remember. Trump himself said something rather obscure and implied that maybe america with the consider, but that was just the sort of heat of the moment creating goodwill between the two men. In actual fact there is goodwill between the two men. In actualfact there is no prospect that all of donald trump changing his mind. As soon as he was back in america after thejuly 1a his mind. As soon as he was back in america after the july 1a meeting, he never made any other illusions to possibly coming back to the paris accord, and as the french adam milner tells incest, the powers accord is not for the negotiation. 190 countries and america, the other countries will prevail. Those were words of bravado from president macron. That he is god a summit means that he knows america is not coming back. In the absence of america, the paris accord has the remain on track and there are effo rts remain on track and there are efforts underway to get the funds together to ensure it happens. Do the french president Emmanuel Macron see themselves as leading the way on this, hosting this one planet summit on the two Year Anniversary . Assange certainly. Without a doubt. Emmanuel macron sees an opportunity to do what is in their interests. Assume a leading position in the world. There isa gap leading position in the world. There is a gap left by the as is of america. Barack obama was very much involved with parrots. If you look around the rest of the world, britain is broken up with brexit, germany is preoccupied with coalition talks, the chinese do not particularly enjoy taking a leading role, they prefer to take a secondary role. It is very much an open up tries to take lead. Emmanuel macron is someone who believes in action, there are criticisms of this summit because in many people boss mike dies it is yet another summit and therefore just part of the bland backdrop of negotiations which seem to go on internally. Emmanuel macrons view is that this summit is different. There will be announced at the end the day form coalitions partners, cities states, philanthropists businesses or Sovereign Funds, example of being held up today is the norwegians who have this mass of oil based Sovereign Fund and have promised to direct that was nonfossil fuel investments in the future. It is that kind of example which Emmanuel Macron was the cm related and has promised there will be examples and action plans announced at the end of the day. Emergency services have confirmed that everyone at the house in bi rsta ll that everyone at the house in birstall has been accounted for. The explosive sport have been caused by ghastly. Officials in new york say a man who tried to set off a bomb at the citys busiest bus terminal had been inspired by the Islamic State group. Akayed ullah, whos 27, moved to the us from bangladesh six years ago. He suffered burns when a crude pipe bomb hed strapped to his body went off prematurely. Three other people were hurt. The mayor of new york, bill de blasio, described the explosion next to the citys busiest bus station as an isolated, attempted terrorist attack. The Us Ambassador to britain said he expects donald trump to visit the uk in the new year, despite his recent twitter row with theresa may. Woodyjohnson told bbc radio as today programme that the disagreement was probably misinterpreted. Mrs may had said mr trump was wrong to share videos posted by the far right Group Britain first, prompting an online backlash from the us president. Heres what the ambassador had to say. He was to protect americans. He is doing his best to do that. He not threaded or the path of a lot of politicians, and maybe be namby pamby about it. He will take some tenses. And effort to do that and the congress that security. Ta ke and the congress that security. Take some chances. Maybe he will ruffle feathers. There may be some feathers were ruffled, but i think you need to have confidence, look down the road and good things are going to happen. List get a weather update. We were taught about the freezing conditions overnight. Abbey go to get any respite . A little bit. Not quite as cold as last night. Still some iced talk about as go through this evening, but last night 13 celsius as you probably heard. This was untrue to be in shropshire. Still snowy scenes across many parts of wales, the midlands, has to go through this afternoon. The cloud is increasing from the west, and some are big survey starting to work their way into these western areas. There is the rest of the more ice this evening. Disruption to travel on untreated roads and pavements. But at least, looking largely dry, temperatures falling away underneath those clear skies. Further west, temperatures on the rise towards the south west of england, eight celsius here, rain spreading in water wells, north west england by this stage in the night. That rain falling on those frozen surfaces will tend to ice over. Across scotland, hill is no continuing, rain pushing eastward, by this stage in Northern Ireland and the rain will have cleared. Tonight, a mixture of rain and hill snow will clear way to the south east, some fog patches from behind that, dotball cloud around the night compared to last night. It will be lies frost free. Temperatures above freezing in towns and cities, but one or two pockets of frost and eyes thirsting on wednesday morning. We have one winnerfrom wednesday morning. We have one winner from clearing to the south east, another towards north and west, and behind that in the air coming back in from the north west. It will turn colder again as we go into wednesday. Rain clearing away from the south east and then the next batch of moves away and down to was the south east. As it clear, sunshine developing, colder air beginning behind, the threat of some snow across Northern Ireland and again across scotland. Most of it over high ground, colder here, temperatures up the double figure south and east. Thursday, rain clearing and then it is looking showery, particularly around southern and western coasts. Temperatures down a little bit better wednesday. 1 3dc in Northern Areas with a bit of snow. This weatherford moved south, tracking the isobars back, they come from the arctic, so well have a northerly wind as they go into friday, into the weekend, bringing the rest of some snow showers. More details on the website. This is bbc news. Our latest headlines. Inflation hit 3. 1 last month, its highest level for almost six years. Five people are being questioned on suspicion of murder, after three children died in a house fire in salford, early yesterday morning. In the fourth sibling is in a serious condition in a mother and a fourth sibling are any serious condition in hospital. In an attempt to make more organs available for transplant, Health Ministers propose moving england to a system of presumed consent. We know the vast majority of people are willing for their organs to be used. The uk has experienced its coldest night of the year, with a low of minus 13 celsius. Dozens of schools are shut for a second day. And a new Study Suggests that offering shopping vouchers to new mothers can encourage them to breast feed their babies. In a moment, voters go to the polls today in the Alabama Senate election, where the choice is between roy moore, a formerjudge who denies accusations of sexual misconduct, and doug jones, a former lawyer known for having prosecuted white supremacists. Lets have a look at the sport with olly foster. Good morning. Englands cricketers is gearing up for their test in perth. They are 2 0 down in the ashes series. They cant afford to lose. There has been criticism of their performances. They have also dealt with fielded a plenary issues. This is then training overnight, remember that bar room incident. They have been described as acting like student and needing to step up. Alistair cook gave his ideas on the influence. I dont think we are being painted fairly in the media. There are a couple of things in the media which have been brought up, but the world has changed after the september incidents and it is up to us september incidents and it is up to us to adjust for that and quickly. We cant afford to any more mistakes. Trying to make kids play cricket is ultimately what we want to do. A little bit earlier, i spoke to do. A little bit earlier, i spoke to anotherformer to do. A little bit earlier, i spoke to another former england captain david gower who was heavily fined along withjohn david gower who was heavily fined along with John Morris David gower who was heavily fined along withjohn morris for his antics on a biplane on the 1991 ashes tour. The key thing as ever was that if you are producing the right results on the pitch, then people are very forgiving. I remember one years and years ago, one international against new zealand and we were found to be in the wine bar at one oclock in the morning. They have headlines ready to go in the papers next day to slam us to go in the papers next day to slam us for being out of order. As we won the game, the headline was hit hit parade. A carton of milk was thrown outside the old trafford dressing room following manchester citys win. That brought back memories of manchester uniteds. Sir Alex Ferguson was hit by a slice of pizza thrown by seth fabregas. Sometimes it can happen with derbies. In fact, you are very good, the press. You build these things up like it is life or death and then when something happens, you are surprised. It is part of the intensity and the importance of the game. Sometimes it can go overboard. It happened to us, it happened to them. It is unfortunate, but ideally, you wouldnt commit 100 or 200 on the pitch and be an angel after 200 on the pitch and be an angel after you 200 on the pitch and be an angel after you would commit. 200 on the pitch and be an angel after you would commit. That is not always the case. A full round of the premier League Fixtures over the next couple of nights. Stoke are facing burnley. So plus 5 0 over the weekend. They were then confronted by some of their own very angry supporters after travelling home by train. Somewhat told that they wont fit to wear the shirt. Marcuse seyed might be the reality check some of his players need. Russian Olympic Committee say they are going to give their support to their athletes who wa nt to their support to their athletes who want to compete under a neutral flag next year. That is the only way that russians are going to be able to go to the olympics this next year. They will be subject to doping controls outside that corrupt doping system, they will be able to take part as neutrals. June mallinder has been sacked as director of rugby after ten yea rs sacked as director of rugby after ten years at northampton saints. You can see much more on the bbc sport website. I will be back later. Inflation is now at its highest in almost six years as the squeeze on inflation continues. It raised from 3. 1 in november cut up it raised from 3. 1 in november cut up from 3 in october. One of the key elements has been the rise in the price of food compared to the year before, average food prices up a. A . Also, transport costs compared to november 2016 were up on average a. 5 as part of the contribution to what was the increasing price of oil. Lets discuss the inflation figures with sarah who is with us, chief economist in europe. Also we have kate hardcastle. A founder of a company that gives help to businesses. Sarah, what is your view of the rise in inflation . 3. 1 , it is not disastrous, but wages are not keeping up. Thats why, wages are growing at just keeping up. Thats why, wages are growing atjust over 2 , so an acceleration to 3. 1 means that in real terms people have less to spend and that has implications for the economy, we are already seeing commune Consumer Spending softening and gp growth, the growth rate of the economy has slowed. That is over last couple of years. Kate hardcastle, give us your view on this. What does it mean for businesses out there in the real world . Businesses out there in the realworld . Particularly the Service Retail industry, they are hugely affected by this because consumers are reacting to it strongly. They are reacting to it strongly. They are more savvy, they know it is on the horizon and they have been holding back on the increases on prices on food so they know they are going to have a very bleak start of the year where the weekly shop is going to go up. Therefore, they are getting ready for what seems like an extended period now of economy drive ina extended period now of economy drive in a traditional household. Sarah, if that is right, that is bad news for the economy, if consumers are going to be spending less presumably. What does the bank of england do about that . The bank of england do about that . The bank of england is going to be very cautious, they have signalled that although they did raise Interest Rates last month, it may be some time before the next rate increase happens. At the same time, they cant afford to ignore inflation the concern is that in time it could go higher if we see domestic factors feeding through. The bank of england at that point would have two step in to increase Interest Rates. So you dont think another Interest Rate rise for a few months . No. We think the economy will be soft enough next year that inflation will fall over the course of the next 12 months and the course of the next 12 months and the bank of england can afford to keep rates unchanged probably through 2018. Kate, what would you like to see happen with Interest Rates . Like to see happen with Interest Rates . To think they need to be cut again auditing any developed . Buoyancy in the marketplace makes customers feel like they can spend more. The consumer is much more savvy. They understand this is a case of choosing alternatives, finding the best price for their family. We know that families have decided they want to reduce their spending by half. That is significant. Consumers are very aware. Positive news seems to show an uplift, that news today will make people think twice. Food on average has gone up a. A , transport a. 5 . These are the real costs for people out there, even higher than this overall rate of 3. 1 . Yes. We look to the christmas dinner yesterday noticed that particularly butter is hugely up, 30 . The christmas budding, anything reliant on butter for manufacturing is up eight or 10 . They will see it in a short time period. The retailers have done as much as they can right now and after christmas, they will axe it and show price increases. Thats right. Although we have this 3. 1 figure, that may be disguising the reality of some of the price rises that we are seeing on food in particular that is really rocketing yes. Where we see imported goods, those prices do seem to have risen ata those prices do seem to have risen at a much more rapid pace because of that of the devaluation of the pound after brexit. People will feel this increase much higher when they asked buying food. We are seeing this disconnect really, between wages, real wages and inflation . That is very difficult for an awful lot of people. Yes. Consumers go one way or the other with this, sometimes you hear news like this and they feel better this time for them to celebrate because it will never better and spend above their means. What we are feeling at the moment is that consumers have heard this repeatedly and that they will try and pull back. It is sometimes the households at this period of the year that have the least that spend the most. It is with hope that there is enough messaging out there that because we will see a credit crisis for a lot of families, they might ta ke for a lot of families, they might take heed and shop smartly and wisely so that they dont have a very challenging start to 2018. Thank you both. Republican and democratic contenders running to represent alabama in the us senate have held their final rallies before a special election. When the polls open in a few hours time, voters will choose between roy moore, a formerjudge who denies accusations of sexual misconduct, and doug jones, a former lawyer known for having prosecuted white supremacists. Gary odonoghue reports from montgomery, alabama. A month ago, roy moore looked dead and buried, accused by eight women of sexual assault, harassment, including one who was 1a at the time. Even the staunchest of republicans have deserted him. And but now, this hugely controversial figure is ahead in the polls, just, and defiant in the face of many who said he should have stepped down. We are alabama, we are republican, and we are not going to stand by and let other people from out of state, and money from california, control this election. Wow is still in the running shows just how unpredictable this race has become. We say no more to discriminating against those that are the least fortunate among us. Its time, folks, that we say no more. Donald trump has also faced allegations of sexual harassment, and for several weeks he declined to publicly back the republican candidate in alabama. But eventually he overcame his reticence. I think hes going to do very well. We dont want to have a liberal democrat in alabama, believe me. In alabamas capital, these democrat voters thought exactly the same, but about the other guy. I think that, in any situation when youre doing a job and you get accused of heinous act, you have to own up to that. And for some reason, when youre a politician, you can kind of sweep it under the rug. And i think it will be an embarrassment to the state. I think hell be ineffective, roy moore, if hes elected, when he gets to the senate that hes going to be probably shunned by many. We dont want somebody in there that has been accused of molesting kids, because kids are our next step for our future. This race is about much more than a seat in the United States senate. If the republicans lose, then donald trump will find it even harder to get his programme through congress. If roy moore wins, then he will face months of investigation by an Ethics Committee, and alabama could end up doing this all over again in just a few months time. In a moment a summary of the Business News this hour but first, the headlines on bbc newsroom live years as the squeeze on inflation continues. Inflation hit 3. 1 last month, its highest level for almost six years. Five people are being questioned on suspicion of murder, after three children died in a house fire in salford, early yesterday morning. In an attempt to make more organs available for transplant, Health Ministers propose moving england to a system of presumed consent. Lets have a look at the Business News. Inflation rose to 3. 1 in november, the highest in nearly six years, as the squeeze on households continued. Food was up a. A and transport up a. 5 whilst wages are rising atjust 2. 2 per year. Mark carney, the governor of the bank of england, will now have to write a letter to chancellor Philip Hammond explaining how the bank intends to bring inflation back to its 2 target. The owner of westfield Shopping Centres is being bought for nearly 25bn thats £18. 5bn in a deal which will see the malls launched in new markets. French Property Group Unibail Rodamco is buying the Australian Business which has 35 Shopping Centres in the uk and the us. Unibail rodamco already has 71 centres across europe. The price of Brent Crude Oil continued to rise today after the closure of the forties oil pipeline. Its up 67 cents at 65. 36 a barrel. On tuesday it added 1. 29 and breached 65 per barrel for the first time sincejune 2015. The Pipeline System in the north sea has to be shut down after a crack was found. The pipeline handles around a0 of the uk oil and gas production. More on those inflation figures Consumer Prices are rising at their highest rate for nearly six years. Food and transport prices have helped push inflation up and economists will be watching closely if inflation will peak at 3. 1 or continue to rise. Of those economists is lee hopley, chief economist for the manufacturing trade group eef. Just tell us what you thought of. The team price rises people will they go up more . I think inflation has largely followed the trajectory that a lot of economists were suggesting and expecting this year. Driven by factors like the depreciation of sterling and how that affects import costs. We are looking at inflation having peaked at this point and i dont think this will fundamentally change the outlook for inflation for the bank of england, that they were setting up of england, that they were setting up back in november as its last inflation report. Referring back to the bank of englands last decision in november, they put the base Interest Rate up by. 25 of a percentage for the first time in a decade, the first rise. Does this highly inflation rate suggest they we re highly inflation rate suggest they were right to do that, despite wage increases lagging behind . I think the bank had anticipated that we would seek further rises and they have been signalling for several months that they there were limits for their tolerance being so high above their 2 target that they have been set. The expectation now that we will see it start to moderate through 2018. The bank will be keeping a really close eye on what is happening to earnings and wage growth over the course of next year and they will be still looking at it over the next 12 to 18 months. Inflation is one of those factors they look at when deciding what to do about Interest Rate. Interest Rate Decision is so important that so many people. In effect mortgages, loa ns. So many people. In effect mortgages, loans. When the bank it is decision later this week, what art economists expecting . I dont think we would expecting . I dont think we would expect to see a change. Mark carney has to communicate the chancellor about the level of inflation that we saw today. I think a lot of that will be justified by the action that was already taken in november and i dont think anyone is expecting subsequent rises this month. Thank you very much for your analysis there. Apple has confirmed it is buying the uk Company Start up at shazam. It allows you to identify music by listing to just a few minutes of it. Its thought apple wants to combine it into its own software. Carpet right expects. A volatile and unpredictable consumer market. Six months to the 28th of october year saw 0. 3 million pounds. Its shares fell down earlier Something Like 7. 596. In fell down earlier Something Like 7. 5 . In media, come cast has fallen out of talks to buy skys largest broadcaster, fox. This paves the way for fox to do a deal with disney. If the deal goes through, it could mean the deal goes through, it could mean the Murdoch Family would no longer have an interest in sky here in the uk. Big driver on the markets is thejump in oil prices. They spiked after the shutdown of a north sea pipeline because of a crack. That knocked out significant supply when thats limited the price goes up. Its above 65 a barrel. That rise is reflected in the shares of Big Energy Companies bp, shell and centrica which owns british gas are all higher. Some of the biggest fall is on the index are supermarkets after seeing trade data out this morning. After seeing trade data out this morning. Thats all the Business News. The industry regulator. The industry regulator for gambling is warning that children as young as 11 are using so called skin betting websites, which let players gamble with virtual items as if they are currency. If they are currency. The items are often modified guns or knives within a video game, which is known as a skin. The items can then be sold and turned back in to real money. Its part of a wider report for the Gambling Commission which says that around 370 thousand 11 to 16 year olds have spent their own money on gambling in the past week. Breast feeding the newest member of the family is a lot easier the second time round. But after fionas first daughter was born, she was spurred on by shopping vouchers during the toughest moments. Really encouraged me to keep going. Especially when at night it was quite difficult, i thought about giving up Breast Feeding, that was another incentive to keep going bust up another incentive to keep going bust up especially because it was so easy to claim the vouchers. Fiona was one of more than 10,000 mums who took pa rt of more than 10,000 mums who took part ina of more than 10,000 mums who took part in a study over 18 months. They we re part in a study over 18 months. They were offered up to £200 in shopping vouchers at five different stages of Breast Feeding. The same amount at. Before getting the vouchers, claim forms were signed off by midwives or Health Visitors during visits. Overall, the Breast Feeding rates went up and researchers believe it is a big difference. We know that biologically and physiologically, we are designed to breast feed. We over 99 of women, given the right support, can breast feed. Given the right support, can breastfeed. There are plenty of benefits to Breast Feeding, but these mums in sheffield have mixed views about being paid to it. dont think it should be mother terri. I think some people might get persuaded because of the money and if you cant do it, it is fine too. Having an incentive for definitely help to get the message out there. The uk has some of the lowest Breast Feeding rates in the world. Researchers say vouchers are a small price to pay with long term benefits to babies and the nhs. The headlines are coming up in a few minutes. We will say goodbye to viewers on bbc two, before that, lets check out the latest weather forecast. Simon king has got that. Such a cold night, simon. Not going to be quite as cold as it was last night, that was very as cold as it was last night, that was very cold. In fact, we recorded the lowest ebb chair in the uk since february 2016. That was just up the road from shrewsbury. We have got that snow cover across wales, the midlands, even parts of south east. But the cloud is just gradually increasing from the west now and there is rain moving its way into there is rain moving its way into the west of scotland, western fringes of england and wales. As that rain falls on is surfaces, we have got is. Towards the south east of england, about five oclock, it is going to be dry, temperatures dropping away beneath those clear skies. Further west, the cloud increasing. Slightly milder air coming in. Temperatures here about 8 degrees. Rain across west wales, the north west of england into the afternoon and evening. The rain will have cleared from Northern Ireland at this stage. Further eastward, the risk of ice anywhere. With more cloud around to my tent last night, nowhere near as cold. Temperatures generally above freezing, but there will be pockets where temperatures fall below freezing to give some frost and is first thing tomorrow morning. This is the situation on wednesday. One weather front clears away to the south, another one coming followed by cold air, so with that, that rain spreads itself south and east woods. There will be some brighter skies either side of that, but it will feel colder. With that, some snow. Falling mainly over the high ground of scotland and Northern Ireland, you notice those temperature in the north west, 3 5. Double figures in the south. It will be showery in the western areas, cold air moving in, risk of snow over Higher Ground in scotland on thursday. Through thursday night, this weather front moves south would then we open up the doors to the arctic air once again. With that those isobars coming in from the north and as we go to friday and the weekend, it will be brisk wintry showers. This is bbc news, and these are the top stories developing at midday inflation has increased to its highest level in more than five and half years, climbing to 3. 1 . Five people are being questioned by police over the suspected murder of three children who died in a house fire in salford. In an attempt to make more organs available for transplant, Health Ministers propose moving england to a system of presumed consent. We know the vast majority of people are willing for their organs to be used. But the bass majority are not on the organ donor register, so it is about how we change that. And vast majority. Also, the coldest night of the year in the uk, in some parts of the country temperatures drop to as low as 13 degrees celsius. As the weather continues to cause disruption. And storms and heavy snow in parts of europe, the struggle to work continues whether its by road, rail or air. And we ask should new mums be offered a financial incentive to encourage them to breast feed their babies . Good afternoon. Im ben brown. Welcome to bbc newsroom live. The latest inflation figures out this morning show the rate has risen to its highest level in nearly six years, suggesting that the squeeze on what households can afford, continues. The office for National Statistics said that airfares and Computer Games contributed to the increase. Our business presenter, ben bland, is here. The governor of the bank of england, because this is above the anticipated rate, has the right and explain himself to the chancellor. Indeed, it is more than 1 above the bank boss might target, the target is 2 , the latest figure we have is 3. 1 . That represents the average increase in prices in novemberjust gone compared with november last year. It covers all sorts of things that we spend our money on from books to bikes, food, fuel, all sorts of things. This is the average increase in those prices. The reason it matters so much is because prices are going up at a consistently faster rate than wages. The latest data we have an average wage increases that they are going up Something Like 2. 2 adobe will get an update tomorrow. Prices going up by 3. 1 beat our wages are not keeping up. That is why things feel more expensive and we have less money to spend. That is what people mean when they talk about the cost of living screens. As you say, the governor has the right to the chancellor and explain why it has gotten so high above the target and what the bank plans to do to try and bring it down. Within that 3. 1 average, there are some things like food that is a lot higher, and that is what will hurt a lot of people. picked out a couple of things. There is variation throughout the different types of goods and services. Food was one of the bigger rises. It was up a. A on average. It is not on the screen but you have to believe me. There are tears. A. A . Another big increase was transport up another big increase was transport up a. 5 . That is partly because the oil price has picked up, so that makes transporting things more expensive. The cost of petrol and diesel is getting more expensive. That also feeds into wider price rises. If suppliers and shops have to pay more to get goods around, dribble past that increase onto the consumer. That is why we that prize rise. Price rise. Consumer. That is why we that prize rise. Price rise. You talked about what the bank of england might do in terms of Interest Rates, what are the most likely scenario is . Slightly tricky, because at the beginning of november the bank of england for the first time in a decade put up Interest Rates by the smallest margin. Point 25 of a percentage point. The base rate is now 0. 5 . They make a decision again this week, but most economists are expecting the bank not to put up Interest Rates. That may be the most obvious way to control it, but if people bass like wages are not rising, if the bank put up the base Interest Rate, that would feed into people boss mortgage costs going up and alone costs going up and it would put the vice even tighter on people boss might cost of living. Most are expecting the bank to hold Interest Rates steady for the moment, but when the governor rise to the chancellor, will have more of an idea how the bank plans to bring prices under control. All of this scrutinised through the prism of brexit. We have had a warning on the economy through a leading think tank. It shows the concern on the other side of the atlantic about brexit. The survey was done by the Rand Corporation an influential think tank in the usa. It is part funded by the us government. Has done work for the uk government and european commission. It has looked at the different effects on the uk economy posed brexit, depending on the type of trade deal that the uk gets with the eu wanted leaves. They looked at eight different scenarios, and there is only one in which it said britain could do that. The economy would prosper more than if it was with the eu. That scenario was a 3 way trade deal if it was struck by the uk, the eu and the us. But that is very, very unlikely. Given how difficult it has been between the us and eu to do a trade deal. They are basically saying that, contrary to what some claim, that, contrary to what some claim, that britain will prosper outside the eu, far better, that actually the eu, far better, that actually the government is facing a damage limitation exercise and what ever trade deal in bars, the british economy will not do as well as if it had stayed within the eu. This is according to the Rand Corporation. That you very much, ben. Five people are being questioned on suspicion of murder, after three children died in a house fire in salford, early yesterday morning. The victims have been named locally as 1a year old demi pearson seen on the right. Her eight year old brother brandon and seven year old sister lacie died later in hospital. Their 35 year old mother Michelle Pearson is in a serious condition along with a fourth sibling, three year old lia who is critical. Police confirmed they had been in contact with the family recently and had visited the house in the hours before the blaze. The case has been referred to the independent Police Complaints commission. Our correspondent dave guest has been at the scene this morning. As you can probably see behind me, and there is still a lot of activity injackson and there is still a lot of activity in jackson street. And there is still a lot of activity injackson street. It has been sealed off as the fire yesterday. Lots of forensic activity, the fire service back on the scene. They are searching for clues as to what happened here yesterday. Around 5am the crews arrived here to find in the crews arrived here to find in the house ablaze, two teenage boys had managed to get out of the building, but Michelle Pierson and herfour building, but Michelle Pierson and her four young building, but Michelle Pierson and herfour Young Children building, but Michelle Pierson and her four Young Children were trapped inside. They were evidentially recovered, but sadly the 1a year old daughter died at the scene, and two other children died in hospital later. Michelle pearson the mother is still very ill in hospital and her other daughter, three years old, is also set to be critical. They we re is also set to be critical. They were five arrests overnight. Four people, free men and a woman, arrested on suspicion of murder, and arrested on suspicion of murder, and a fifth person arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. This case has shocked the trinity. Flowers and candles arriving at the scene yesterday. A local charge opened its doors so people could light candles and is to remember those children who died. The health secretary, jeremy hunt, is urging families to overcome what he calls a fatal reluctance to talk about Organ Donation, as he launches a consultation on moving to a system of presumed consent in england. The change announced by the Prime Minister in october would require people to opt out of being a donor. Wales has already adopted the approach, and the Scottish Government is planning to follow suit. Our Health Correspondent Dominic Hughes reports. Offering a stranger the gift of life is what lies at the heart of Organ Donation. These are the names of those whove helped some of the 6,500 people who need a transplant each year, but around a50 will die before a donor can be found. The family of Adrian Williams were happy to support his decision to donate. When you lose someone, and theyve given that gift, that huge gift, youre immensely proud of them and it fills you with comfort that other families are actually enjoying the lives of their loved ones, where they may not have done, because of something that our ade has done for them. The past decade has seen a big surge in donors across the uk. In 2007, there were around 790 deceased donors. Thats now risen to more than 1a00. The number of registered donors has gone up from 1a million to more than 23 million. But ministers are concerned that four out of ten families say no to donation, so are proposing a system where its assumed we are all willing to be donors. The issue of presumed consent is one thing we are looking at. What we need is much better communication inside families so that people know what family members actually want. There are some concerns that moving to a system where there is an assumption we are willing to donate could be counter productive, undoing the good work of recent years by raising fears over the government having a claim on our organs. Professorjohn fabre, emeritus professor at Kings College london is with me now. What is your view on this idea of presumed consent . I am opposed to the idea, primarily because it is very unlikely to deliver what we all want, do improve the Organ Donation rate. It is a sadistic idea to say that if consent is a problem, you pass the law, and almost everyone will become a donor. Itjust does not happen that way. Why not . You would think people are inherently a bit lazy, maybe they wouldnt mind donating an organ but they did not get round to actually filling in a donorform. That would make get round to actually filling in a donor form. That would make sense. The context of Organ Donation is a very fraught one. A family is suddenly an expertly believed tom and how they handle that is unlikely to be influenced on whether the person opted out not. That is the fundamental reason why it does not work. If you look at wales, they have had presumed consent for over two years, the Organ Donation rate has not risen. It has slightly fallen in the last six months. Grot people might say it is early days. You might do, but a lot of money has been spent, a great fanfare, and thatis been spent, a great fanfare, and that is against a background where, in england, and Organ Donation has increased by almost 15 . Wales has stood still. To say that this is early days, i dont think so. Stood still. To say that this is early days, i dont think so. Are you philosophically opposed to the idea of assumed consentjudges is not think it works . Both. My primary objection is the practical one. We have talked to lots of experts, the British Medical Association, they have said it does work and it is worth doing, because 6. 5 thousand people are waiting for an organ casbah in the uk every year, a50 of those on the waiting list will die because the writer donor has not been found. That is a lot of lives they say could be saved. A lot of lies are there to be saved. But they only will be set before and you do is effective. They are making an assumption that presumed consent is going to deliver additional donors, but i think, look at wales, look at spain, spain has the best donation system in the world, has had it for two decades, it does not operate a presumed consent system. If you go back to 2008 when the department of health put together a task force to examine this issue, which they did it used edl, and put forward a report their conclusion, they started thinking it was a good idea, idea, their conclusion that is that presumed consent was unlikely to deliver an increase in donation that people wanted. That it might alienate people and their recommendation was very clear, do not introduce it. Your outline how do think it does not work, but what are the philosophical objections, what is wrong philosophically with this idea of presumed consent . Philosophically, if you pass legislation that says, everyone is a donor, then you do not opt out you are by law donor, then you do not opt out you are bylaw in donor, then you do not opt out you are by law in favour of Organ Donation. What is wrong with that . We all really know that if you do not discuss Organ Donation anyone know when well ever know what your wishes were. It is the absence of an objection. People are generally aware that it is an issue. They might not think about it every day. But the ethical issue is that the absence of an objection has never previously been regarded as informed consent. People are uncomfortable about that. Ghost bike but if it saves lives, and i know you dont believe that it does, but surely that would be worth it. It is a balance of good and evil. If i were convinced that this would save lives, then i think the ethics can bend to accommodate it. But there is no requirement to go down that ethical path. What i think is the great pity that the governments consultation is purely about introducing resumed consent, in your introduction you said very clearly that over the last nine years improvements to infrastructure have led to a dramatic increase in Organ Donation, which has been absolutely wonderful. But the consent rate has remained static. Were much better at detecting donors, making sure the system works, but in the consent rate has remained doggedly around 6065 . I think the rate has remained doggedly around 60 65 . I think the government should be, not presumed consent, yes or no, but how do we improve the consent rate in the uk . That is the keyissue consent rate in the uk . That is the key issue facing us. On that issue, i think we should look across the spain. Spains consent is centred on the family. The foundation of it is relentless public education, public relations, public education, and over a period of about ten years, they built their consent rate up to 85 . They had maintained it for two decades. Not by having the discussion on and on television, but bya discussion on and on television, but by a planned national relentless campaign. Ithink by a planned national relentless campaign. I think what we should be doing is putting together a task force which will look at this issue. Rose good to get your thoughts. Fascinating discussion. There are a lot of people on both sides of that argument, but thank you for coming last night was officially the coldest of the year. A temperature of minus 13 degrees celsius was recorded in the village of shawbury in shropshire. Drivers and commuters have faced difficultjourneys in icy conditions across parts of the uk, following night of sub zero temperatures. Hundreds of schools have remained closed for a second day more than 200 in shropshire alone and weather warnings are in place across the country. The bad weather has been causing chaos across europe where heavy snow has meant disruption for millions of people. Hundreds of flights were cancelled notjust here in the uk, but also in the netherlands, germany and belgium. And there was disruption in italy and france where an atlantic storm took its toll. The bbcs tim allman has the latest. For these passengers, it must have felt like the wait would never end. Hundreds of flights cancelled at schiphol, in armsterdam, one of europes busiest airports. Since morning, 6 oclock i come. So it is aready 12 oclock. So six hours and we have not reached the counter yet. We are still waiting. Hopefully, one more hour, i should be there. It was a similar story at londons heathrow. Sundays disruption causing a knock on effect. Hundreds of flight crews now in the wrong place so hundreds more flights cancelled. In italy, it was the Train Network that seemed to bear the brunt. Stranded passengers given food at milan central station. This was the rush hour in brussels. Some roads were deserted but others were bumper to bumper. Translation it is a disaster. As you can see, we got stuck here. I start work at 10 oclock. It is 10 38 and were still blocked. For much of southern france, snow wasnt the problem storm ana was. Winds of up to 150 kilometres per hour battering the atlantic coast. This dramatic weather has caused chaos and disruption across much of western europe but to some, especially those who didnt have to go to school, it was an opportunity to have a little fun. Tim allman, bbc news. And you can keep up to date with the latest disruption on our website. Five people are being questioned by police over the suspected murder of three children who died in a house fire in salford. Plans to change the rules on using people paul spike orders after they die i been set up by the government in england. Aston villa says he understands why emotions boiled over after the Manchester Derby on sunday, a carton of milk was thrown any fracas outside the old trafford dressing room following citys win. That brought back memories of 200a five united beat arsenal. The Alex Ferguson was hit by a slice of pizza thrown by Cesc Fabregas in an altercation between those two teams. Sometimes it can happen, in fact you a lwa ys sometimes it can happen, in fact you always wear good things because you build these things like it is life or death, but when something happens, you are surprised. It part of the intensity of the game. Sometimes it can go overboard. It happened to others and them. It is u nfortu nate, happened to others and them. It is unfortunate, but ideally you would commit 100 , 200 on the pitch, and be an angel after, but it is not a lwa ys be an angel after, but it is not always the case. Englands cricketers are gearing up for the third test that starts tomorrow night in perth. 2 0 down in the ashes. They cannot afford to lose. There has been a lot of criticism of their performances. They have had to deal with field disciplinary issues and bar room incidents. The former manager said they are behaving like stu d e nts manager said they are behaving like students and senior players need to step up and be role models. As the cook was asked for his take on englands conduct. Cook was asked for his take on englands conduct. I dont think they are getting painted fairly in they are getting painted fairly in the media. In our culture there has been a couple of things which have been a couple of things which have been brought up, but the world has changed after september incident, and it is down to us to adjust that quickly. We cannot afford and more mistakes, because we understand that m ista kes mistakes, because we understand that mistakes and up, and try to make kids play cricket. That is what we wa nt to kids play cricket. That is what we want to do. Rugby union news, the longest serving director of rugby in the premiership, northampton boss by jim mallon has been sacked. They lie in tenth table at the moment. On the big of a european cup exit, he had been on thejob big of a european cup exit, he had been on the job for ten years. The russian limpet committee is going to give it support to their athletes who want to compete in next years winter games in south korea under a neutral flag. That is the only way that russians will be able to go there after the ioc banned in russia because of systematic state sponsored doping over a number of years. State sponsored doping over a number of yea rs. Athletes state sponsored doping over a number of years. Athletes who can prove that they are clean and have been subject to doping controls outside in the old russian system will be allowed to take part. As neutrals. That is all the sport for now, much more that you have to be one oclock news. A low of minus. The coldest night so far. The icy weather is set to continue all week, posing a challenge from mills appeared. Organisations like age uk are calling on those who considered to be vulnerable to take extra precautions. Joining me now is mervyn kohler, age uks external affairs manager. Thank you for being with us. It really is getting colder and colder. That means it is very difficult for the elderly. Particularly if they have health issues. The cold can be really, really very serious. We know that after a cold snap, you can see heart attacks and strokes going up. If you have got this budget problems, you will probably get that aggravated by the cold. Respiratory problems. Take the weather seriously, keep warm, and if you do need to go out, then wrap up sensibly. Look out for eyes etc. This is the time when you want to enlist your friends and neighbours to give you some help. It is difficult for people, they want to go and do their Christmas Shopping at someone. They do not really want to be necessarily stay indoors all the time. At the same time, it can be quite treacherous and very slippery, and as you say, being outdoors can lead to illnesses, respiratory illnesses and so on. Living in a cold home as well is just as seriously bad for you. Do keep yourself adequately warm. Make sure you are stalked up with routinely do not have to go out. As i say, keep your friends and neighbours involved in welfare, and if you are the friend or neighbour, and keep an eye on an older person that you know living in your street. You talk about keeping your home warm. We had this every year. For some of the poorer members of the community, it can be very difficult, it is very expensive to heat your home all through the day and keep it nice and warm. It certainly is, but theissue nice and warm. It certainly is, but the issue is, if you do not keep your home warm, you might not be there the following day to worry about it. So for goodnesss say, use your heating, we can always sought out the money problems afterwards. You can always try and get some work done to improve the Energy Efficiency of your home, although it is leaving it late to do that for this winter. There are things that can be done, but you need to be in good health and get them done. Good advice, thanks very much indeed. The french president , Emmanuel Macron, has said he believes President Trump will reverse his decision to withdraw from the paris deal on combating Global Warming. Mr macron was speaking to the american network, cbs, ahead of a Climate Change summit in the french capital today. It is two years since the government agreed and press the end of heavy reliance on fossil fuels. The us is a great country. The us did sign the paris agreement. It is extremely aggressive to decide on his own to leave. I am pretty sure that my friend, President Trump, will change his mind in the coming months or years, i do hope. I am ready to welcome him if he decides to come back. The Us Ambassador to britain said he expects donald trump to visit the uk in the new year despite his recent twitter spat with theresa may. Woodyjohnson told bbc radio as today programme that the disagreement was probably misinterpreted. Mrs may had said mr trump was wrong to share videos posted by the far right Group Britain first, prompting an online backlash from the us president. Heres what mrjohnson told the bbc this morning about the incident. He wants to protect americans, and he is doing his best to do that. He is going to be. He will not go down the path of a lot of politicians and been a bit and be about it. People come out and take some chances, and an effort to do that, to a congress that security goal. Maybe he will ruffle feathers. There is no question that maybe some feathers were ruffled with that, but i think you have to have confidence, look down the road and thinks that a good i going to happen. Just like the wildfire in Southern California has expanded. It has now destroyed an area larger than new york city. In the last week alone, 230,000 acres have been consumed in the counties of ventura and santa barbara, with residents and coastal timidity is being ordered to leave by the authorities. Officials in new york say a man who tried to set off a bomb at the citys busiest bus terminal had been inspired by the Islamic State group. Akayed ullah, whos 27, moved to the us from bangladesh six years ago. He suffered burns when a crude pipe bomb hed strapped to his body went off prematurely. Three other people were hurt. The mayor of new york bill de blasio described the explosion next to the citys busiest bus station as an isolated, attempted terrorist attack. Offering new mothers Cash Incentives could significantly increase Breast Feeding rates according to a new study. More than 10,000 new mums were offered shopping vouchers worth up to £120 if babies received breast milk at two days, ten days and six weeks old. A further £80 of vouchers was available if they continued to receive breast milk up to six months. Adina campbell reports. Breast feeding the newest member of the sutcliffe family is a lot easier a Second Time Around but, after fionas first daughter was born, she was spurred on by shopping vouchers during the toughest moments. It really encouraged me to keep going, especially when the night was quite difficult and i thought about giving up Breast Feeding but that was another incentive to keep going, and especially given its so easy to sort of claim the vouchers. Fiona was one of more than 10,000 mums who took part in a study over 18 months. They were offered up to £200 in shopping vouchers at five different stages of Breast Feeding. £a0 at two days old and the same amount at ten days, six weeks, three months and six months. Before getting the vouchers, claim forms were signed off by midwives or Health Visitors during visits. Overall, the Breast Feeding rates went up by 6 , which researchers believe is a big difference. We do know that biologically and physiologically, we are designed to breast feed. We know that 99 of women, given the right support, can breast feed. There are plenty of benefits to Breast Feeding but these mums in sheffield have mixed views about being paid to do it. I dont think, you know, it should really be monetary. And i think some people might get persuaded just because of the money. If you cant do it, its fine, too. But, yeah, having an incentive wiill definitely help and just get the message out there. The uk has some of the lowest Breast Feeding rates in the world. Researchers say vouchers are a small price to pay with long term benefits to babies and the nhs. Adina campbell, bbc news. A woman is in a Critical Condition in hospital after a house was destroyed in a suspected gas blast. One man is in a stable condition, while another man has been discharged after the explosion reduced the property in birstall , near leicester, to rubble. Emergency services confirmed everyone has been accounted for. The explosion is thought to have been caused by a gas leak. You can get more analysis of the top stories on the bbc news website. You can get more details on all the stories of the day. Weve been talking about the weather and those freezing conditions last night. Lets get the latest forecast from darren. Tonight will not be anywhere near as cold as last night but some places are still below freezing now and there is a continued risk of icy conditions through the night, scotland and Northern England most at risk. We have all this cloud with outbreaks of rain and its running into cold air, so the threat of icy conditions this evening and maybe some snow briefly over the hills of scotland and Northern England. That wet weather pushes through and then we will see breaks in the cloud allowing temperatures to death again, close to freezing and bringing the risk of ice ahead of this thicker cloud in the west which brings showery outbreaks and that whether moves east across all areas tomorrow morning, then we get some sunnier skies developing so temperatures are getting a little lower but on the whole temperatures higher than today, could be as high as nine or 10 celsius for a while in southern england and south wales. This is bbc newsroom live. Our latest headlines inflation hit 3. 1 last month its highest level for almost six years. Five people are being questioned on suspicion of murder, after three children died in a house fire in salford, early yesterday morning. Their mother, and a fourth sibling, are in a serious condition in hospital. A consultation has begun on whether to change the law in england so that its presumed that people will make their organs available for donation after death. Currently, people have to opt in rather than opt out of Organ Donation. We know the vast majority of people are willing for their organs to be used. But the vast majority are not on the organ donor register, so its about how we change that. The uk has experienced its coldest night of the year with a low of minus 13 celsius. Hundreds of schools are shut for a second day. And a new Study Suggests that offering shopping vouchers to new mothers can encourage them to breast feed their babies. In a moment, President Trumps plans to send us astronauts back to the moon. Lets get more now on the rise in the inflation rate, which is at its highest in nearly six years, as the squeeze on households continues. The office for National Statistics says the rate of the Consumer Prices index rose to 3. 1 in november up from 3 in october. One of the key elements has been the rise in food compared with a year before, average food prices were up a. A and also, transport costs compared with november 2016 were up on average a. 5 . Part of the contribution to that was the increase in the price of oil. I spoke earlier to sarah hewin, standard chartereds chief economist for europe, and kate hardcastle, consumer analyst and founder of insight with passion which offers advice to businesses, and asked them what the rise in inflation means. Wages are growing atjust over 2 so an acceleration in inflation to 3. 1 means in real terms people have less to spend and that has implications for the economy. Were already seeing Consumer Spending soften and overall gdp growth, the growth rate of the economy, has slowed over the last couple of years. Kate hardcastle, just give us kate hardcastle, just give us your view on this and what it means for businesses in the real world. The service and Retail Industry are hugely affected by this increase, especially because consumers are reacting to it strongly. Consumers are savvier, they understand this is on the horizon and supermarkets have been holding back in increases in prices on food so they know they will have a bleak start to the year where their basket price of their weekly shop will go up, fuel prices are going up and wages are not matching that so they are getting ready for what seems like an extended period of economy drive in the traditional household. Sarah, if thats right thats bad news for the economy if consumers will be spending less so what does the bank of england do about that . The bank of england will be very cautious, they have signalled that although they raised Interest Rates last month, it may be some time before the next rate increase. At the same time they cannot afford to ignore inflation. The concern is that in time inflation could spiral higher if we start to see domestic factors feeding through to higher inflation. The bank of england would then have to step in to increase Interest Rates to try to prevent prices from accelerating. You dont think another interest rise for a few months at least . Know, and we think the economy will be soft enough next year that inflation will fall in the next 12 months and the bank of england can afford to keep rates unchanged through 2018. Take, what would you like to see happen with Interest Rates . Should they be cut again or go up . It makes the consumer more relaxed and so they might be prepared to spend and take advantage in all areas but consumers now understand this is a case of choosing all products, finding the best price for their family or going without. We know that a fifth of families have decided to reduce their Christmas Spending by half and thatis their Christmas Spending by half and that is significant, so consumers are aware and any positive news tends to see an uplift and a situation like today will make people think twice. Although we are seeing that overall rate of 3. 1 , food on average has gone up a. A , transport a. 5 . These are the real costs for people that are higher than the overall rate. We looked at a traditional christmas dinner yesterday and we noticed that butter in particular is hugely up, the christmas pudding, anything that relies on butter will be 8 10 so they will see it in a short period but retailers have done as much as they can and i think they will hit a point after christmas where they relax in terms of that withholding of price increases and consumers will see that so they will offer value in different ways. The owner ofa value in different ways. The owner of a dog that ran amok in the play park has been jailed for four years. The staffordshire bull terrier attacked 12 children in blyth in northumberland. Newcastle crown court heard how screaming children ran for cover as the dog attack them in may last year. She admitted owning a dog that was dangerously out of control. Lets get them later from peter harris. Tell us more about the case. The judge in court described this as a terrible situation, as you will have gathered from what further detail i will give you, on the evening of may 18th 2016, the dog marley had got loose, it escaped from declarer neals home and ran amok in that playpark. It started chasing children and we heard that children, one as young as six, had been going up onto the climbing frames or offences to try to get away from the dog. Some were brought down to the dutch ground. When parents came running across, they were picking their children up and the dog was stilljumping up and snapping at them. They suffered wounds to arms and legs. There were descriptions of children with blood all over their limbs and as you mentioned, subsequently when taken to hospital, some of the children we re to hospital, some of the children were so badly injured that they needed skin grafts and stitches. There was an aggravating feature because only a month earlier, clare oneill, the owner, had been ordered bya oneill, the owner, had been ordered by a court to have the dog handed over to be destroyed because it had been attacking children and adults previously in the blyth area and they were terrified of that dog. She failed to comply with that order and thatis failed to comply with that order and that is how it was still in her possession a month later in may last year, and having escaped it ran amok in that park. Clare teal for some time denied that it was her responsibility. She tried to blame other people and the dog told today, it is not the dogs fault, she said it is not the dogs fault, she said it was not the polices fault, its yourfault, and jilt it was not the polices fault, its your fault, and jilt for four years. She has also been banned for life from keeping dogs. On that point i mentioned earlier that there had been a Previous Court order that wasnt carried out, it was left to claire neill to hand the dog in to be destroyed and she didnt do so. Northumbria police told us they have now tightened their procedures to make sure that these things do not slip through the net again, that if a dog is ordered by a court to be destroyed, there is no doubt whose responsibility it will be and Northumbria Police say they have learnt lessons from that because it is clear that these injuries to 12 children could have been prevented had that dangerous dog been handed ina had that dangerous dog been handed in a month earlier when it was meant to be. Claire neill now has been taken away to begin her four year prison sentence. Thank you, peter harris. Republican and democratic contenders running to represent alabama in the us senate have held their final rallies before a special election. When the polls open in a few hours time, voters will choose between roy moore, a formerjudge who denies accusations of sexual misconduct, and doug jones, a former lawyer known for having prosecuted white supremacists. Gary odonoghue reports from montgomery, alabama. A month ago, roy moore looked dead and buried, accused by eight women of sexual assault, harassment, including one who was 1a at the time. Even the staunchest of republicans had deserted him. But now, this hugely controversial figure is ahead in the polls, just, and defiant in the face of many who said he should have stepped down. We are alabama, we are republican, and we are not going to stand by and let other people from out of state, and money from california, control this election. Wow alabama hasnt elected a democrat as senator for more than a quarter of a century, and the fact that doug jones is still in the running shows just how unpredictable this race has become. We say no more to discriminating against those that are the least fortunate among us. Its time, folks, that we say no more. Donald trump has also faced allegations of sexual harassment, and for several weeks he declined to publicly back the republican candidate in alabama. But eventually he overcame his reticence. I think hes going to do very well. We dont want to have a liberal democrat in alabama, believe me. In alabamas capital, these democrat voters thought exactly the same, but about the other guy. I think that, in any situation when youre doing a job and you get accused of heinous act, you have to own up to that. And for some reason, when youre a politician, you can kind of sweep it under the rug. I think it will be an embarrassment to the state. I think hell be ineffective, roy moore, if hes elected, when he gets to the senate that hes going to be probably shunned by many. We dont want somebody in there that has been accused of molesting kids, because kids are our next step for our future. This race is about much more than a seat in the United States senate. If the republicans lose, then donald trump will find it even harder to get his programme through congress. If roy moore wins, then he will face months of investigation by an Ethics Committee, and alabama could end up doing this all over again in just a few months time. The industry regulator for gambling is warning that children as young as 11 are using so called skin betting websites, which let players gamble with virtual items as if they are currency. The items are often modified guns or knives within a video game, which is known as a skin. The items can then be sold and turned back in to real money. Its part of a wider report for the Gambling Commission which says that around 370,000 11 to 16 year olds have spent their own money on gambling in the past week. The headlines on bbc newsroom live inflation has increased to its highest level in nearly six years the Consumer Prices index rising to 3. 1 . Five people are being questioned by police over the suspected murder of three children who died in a house fire in salford. Plans to change the rules on using peoples organs after they die are being set out by the government in england. The french president , Emmanuel Macron, has been speaking about President Trumps decision to pull out of the paris Climate Change accord. His comments came before theresa may and other World Leaders began arriving in paris for the conference. I think that is just rhetoric, he said the same when he met trump in july and donald trump himself said something obscure implying that maybe america would reconsider its position but i think that was just creating goodwill between the two men and in fact there is not much prospect of any, donald trump in any case, changing his mind. When he came back to america afterjuly he did not make any other reference to the paris accord. The 191 countries will prevail, so those were words of some bravado from president macron and the fact he has called this summit means he knows america is not coming back, it is to show that despite the absence of the federal government of america, the paris accord has to remain on track and there are efforts under way to get there are efforts under way to get the funds together two. Do the french and president macron in particular see themselves as leading the way, posting this one planet summit on the two Year Anniversary of the Paris Climate Accord . Without a doubt, president macron sees an opportunity for himself and france to do what he believes is their role, to assume a leading position in the world. There is a gap clearly left by the absence of america, president obama was closely involved with paris and britain is preoccupied with brexit, Angela Merkel is preoccupied with coalition talks, the chinese prefer to take a secondary role so it is an open door for france to take the lead on this, and president macron believes in the idea of action. There are criticisms of the summit because too many people it is just yet another summit and despite the blank backdrop of negotiations which seem interminable, president macron thinks this summit is different, there will be announcements at the end of the day from coalition partners, be they cities or states for philanthropists for businesses, a big example being held today is the norwegians who have created this massive oil based fund and promised to direct that towards non fossil fuel investments and it is that type of example that president macron wa nts to of example that president macron wants to see emulated and he has promised there will be action plans announced at the end of the day. The former partner of the serial killer Levi Belfield told Victoria Derbyshire that she always thinks she should have reported him sooner. She now thinks she was target practice to prepare himself for his murderers. He is currently serving a life sentence for their murders, it took place between 2002 and 200a, and the attempted murder of another woman. Do you know how many times he ripped you . Hundreds, over the years. Did you . Hundreds, over the years. Did you consider reporting him to the police . I considered it. Iwanted him to leave because we lived in my mums house but he wouldnt go. Him to leave because we lived in my mums house but he wouldnt go. Do you know why you didnt go to the police . I was the only one who ever had an injunction served on him and within half an hour he had ripped it up, written on the envelope and posted it back from my letterbox, so even an injunction didnt stop them. Some news coming in from norman smith at westminster saying the government has considered the Current System for eu citizens applying for a permanent residency in this country is not fit for the situation. There has been criticism of the application system which consists of 85 pages and the immigration minister Brandon Lewis said the system is overly complicated and overly bureaucratic, and he said it was not suited to the scale of eu citizens now expected to apply for residency, so that is an Interesting Development on the brexit process, the government conceding that their Current System for citizens applying for permanent residency is not fit for the situation. The department for health is defending the decision to put one of englands top hospitals in to special measures. Kings College Hospitals chairman resigned and labour asked questions in the house of commons. Will he face up to the fa ct of commons. Will he face up to the fact that problems caused by lack of money will not be solved by changing leadership . Kings is a world centre of research, it is their local people, theyre after the Grenfell Tower fire and after the terror incidents. Is it too much to ask the government to recognise the reality of the situation, pull back from imposing these further cuts that will make patients suffer . No amount of changing the faces at the top will make that difference. This isntjust about will make that difference. This isnt just about numbers will make that difference. This isntjust about numbers but will make that difference. This isnt just about numbers but the way the trust is managed and the honourable gentleman asked if i have been there, i have been there and met the german and dutch finance director and they were not addressing the problems in the way they should have done. I met the chairman and the financial director. Now the forecast with darren bett. Tonight will not be anywhere near as cold as last night but some places are still below freezing now and there is a thickening freezing now and there is a cloud across Northern Ireland thickening cloud across Northern Ireland has brought some rain and as that runs into the cold air across the uk, so does the risk of icy patches on pavements. We will see some snow in scotland this evening, lifting onto the hills, by this stage the wetter weather should have pulled away from Northern Ireland and you are likely to find some snow over the pennines and cumbrian fells, perhaps in north wales but generally its rain coming into wales and west england. More cloud ahead of that wet weather but still frosty conditions this evening in east anglia and the south east. A risk of ice across the wet weather as it pushes across the uk, heavy bursts across eastern areas and in the cloud breaks up later on in the night, allowing temperatures to dip close to freezing to give a risk of more icy patches by morning ahead of this risk of showers from the west. As it runs through the morning, that rain could be heavy again, pushing eastwards a cross rain could be heavy again, pushing eastwards across the whole country, the wind picking up, bringing far more westerly wind that will bring sunshine that those shoppers in the north westerly wind free as the air gets colder or otherwise numbers are higher than today. A risk of more snow to come across Northern Ireland, wales and Northern England into scotland and the midlands is that weather system runs through, then we are left with strengthening winds for many places on thursday, a mixture of sunshine and showers, though showers wintry, mainly over the hills, temperatures dropping away. 7a southern england and wales. A chance of more snow to come because the wind changes direction can we draw are back down from the arctic so it will be colder but not as cold as now. Im in shawbury in shropshire, where temperatures plunged to 13 celsius. Officially it is the coldest night of the year. A woman whose dog attack children in a playpark in northumberland has been jailed a playpark in northumberland has beenjailed for a playpark in northumberland has been jailed for format years. The governments considering a new system of presumed consent for Organ Donation in england to save more lives. It fills you with comfort