real increase in fdi on your perspective? it real increase in fdi on your perspective?_ real increase in fdi on your perspective? it is a continuing stru: ale perspective? it is a continuing struggle for — perspective? it is a continuing struggle for the _ perspective? it is a continuing struggle for the uk _ perspective? it is a continuing struggle for the uk to - perspective? it is a continuing struggle for the uk to attract l struggle for the uk to attract investment, particularly a new productive greenfield investment. numbers have been roughly holding up to a degree. but it is largely in existing infrastructure or upgrades to that. there has not been a lot of new projects particularly in manufacturing. a little bit more in services. it is a struggle but the uk is still recently attractive investment destination. to recently attractive investment destination.— destination. to what extent is the concern — destination. to what extent is the concern about _ destination. to what extent is the concern about what - destination. to what extent is the concern about what might destination. to what extent is i the concern about what might be ahead? long—term planning issues for people investing in the uk and in the cancellation of h52 beyond the midlands up to the north, it did a lot in terms of undermining investment in the uk? , , ., in the uk? yes, there is a coule in the uk? yes, there is a coume of _ in the uk? yes, there is a couple of factors - in the uk? yes, there is a couple of factors that - in the uk? yes, there is a couple of factors that are | couple of factors that are really problematic for inward investment. one was the cancellation of h52 and that goes on top of infrastructure particularly in the north of the country that is considered really not to be keeping up with other countries around europe. we have cities without good public transport infrastructure. a lot of changes, a lot has been welcome but it has been an unstable environment and there is the continuing uncertainty over regulation, particularly over the wedge with europe that means the uk as a production destination, there is a lot of uncertainty about that and about whether people will be able to export easily from the uk new firms and new export opportunities. that has been a problem holding us back as well. easier in some of the areas of traditional uk strength either in financial services and filmmaking, artificial intelligence. there is still a reasonable story uk but it is perhaps not the one political leaders are looking for. it political leaders are looking for. . ., political leaders are looking for. , ., ., for. it could be a change of leadership. _ for. it could be a change of leadership, we _ for. it could be a change of leadership, we could - for. it could be a change of leadership, we could have| for. it could be a change of| leadership, we could have a different team running the country in a years time the general election, the polls suggesting we could be having a labour government. when it comes to foreign direct investment, that is something they will be thinking through and could cause people to stall. ., , stall. certainly the uk election _ stall. certainly the uk election is _ stall. certainly the uk election is likely - stall. certainly the uk election is likely to i stall. certainly the uk - election is likely to show, to see some changes. there is a change of government in the investment direction. but labour has been working hard to reassure investors the changes they would make would be positive. i have been working the city, they will have met a lot of these individuals as well. i think the underlying strengths of the uk, the strengths of the uk, the strength we have in services does remain. trying to broaden that out is our big problem but that out is our big problem but thatis that out is our big problem but that is what is crucial to growth and will be crucial to labour's agenda as well. it is not clear today's summit will happen but it is something the country has to do. we have to try to increase the investment and have two lay on summers like that today.— like that today. thank you, aood to like that today. thank you, good to get _ like that today. thank you, good to get your _ like that today. thank you, i good to get your perspective like that today. thank you, - good to get your perspective on that. much more detail on our website about that event taking place today. do take a look. shareholders of the troubled uk lender metro bank will vote later today on a £925 million rescue plan. metro has warned it might be deemed unviable by the bank of england and put into a process for managing failed banks if the plans are rejected. let's speak now to justin urquhart—stewart, founder of the investment platform regionally. and the lovely betty as well, i can see she is getting her tv moment as ever. this rescue deal is criticalfor moment as ever. this rescue deal is critical for metro and will remain on high streets. absolutely crucial indeed. the trouble in metro is this is an old—fashioned debate. yet idea of setting up a branch network at a time when other networks are shutting their branches. you is a good day here a practicalfashion quarterbacking practical fashion quarterbacking but there practicalfashion quarterbacking but there is reason banks are shutting their branches, they were not making any money. metro found itself in a difficult position. and there are other issues or other competitive fans coming in, new competitors coming in at a much lower cost or online. five. in a difficult position. it is online but also how is going to grow? where it show its difference? other than saying it is a faith with a branch network, how does that work? when it comes to this rescue deal, and includes £325 million in new funding and refinancing. the rest will be refinancing the debt. this will give a colombian billionaire the controlling stake, 53%. i wonder what his plans would be for metro. i wonder what his plans would be for metro. , , , . wonder what his plans would be for metro-— for metro. i suspect he will be t in: to for metro. i suspect he will be trying to make _ for metro. i suspect he will be trying to make some - for metro. i suspect he will be trying to make some money i for metro. i suspect he will be i trying to make some money out of this. looking at it as a business on its own, it will be difficult. i would business on its own, it will be difficult. iwould be business on its own, it will be difficult. i would be surprised if he sees it as a bank to merge with other banks. you have to get to scale very quickly and if you are online, you can do that fast because you can do that fast because you have management structure, it is electronic full but by way of front and right around the country, it is slow and expensive process and one that has not proven itself to be profitable even if you started from scratch. a whole new ideas and new glossy gutters and even having dog bowls, should not mention dog bowls, sorry, in the branches that have no plans, one of you but does not catch on. it plans, one of you but does not catch on-_ catch on. it was seen as the challenger— catch on. it was seen as the challenger bank _ catch on. it was seen as the challenger bank when - catch on. it was seen as the challenger bank when it - catch on. it was seen as the - challenger bank when it started in 2010. because our high street was dominated by the same companies, very few, metro was seen as a disruptive but it is not really done that. actually show something you are doing something considerably different. there are new products for things like having safe—deposit boxes which are a goodidea safe—deposit boxes which are a good idea but thanks did away with those a long time ago for the why? because they could not make money doing it. in terms of technology, technology is an impact. an old—fashioned service is a lovely idea but does it make money? the answer to that is probably not. watch up to that is probably not. watch up with his business, i would be surprised if they tried to merge it with somebody else and get it to scale and get its money back that way. always a leasure money back that way. always a pleasure to _ money back that way. always a pleasure to see _ money back that way. always a pleasure to see you _ money back that way. always a pleasure to see you and - money back that way. always a pleasure to see you and betty. | pleasure to see you and betty. he/she we want to know. trier? he/she we want to know. very hea , i he/she we want to know. very heavy. i tell — he/she we want to know. very heavy, itell you. _ he/she we want to know. very heavy, itell you. --is- he/she we want to know. very heavy, i tell you. --is she - heavy, itell you. --is she heavy? — heavy, itell you. --is she heavy? have _ heavy, itell you. --is she heavy? have a _ heavy, itell you. --is she heavy? have a good - heavy, i tell you. --is she| heavy? have a good week, heavy, i tell you. --is she - heavy? have a good week, see you soon. now to india where air pollution has been hitting severe levels over the past few weeks. a lot of it is caused by farmers burning their fields during the crop planting season. a start—up is trying to tackle the problem of smoke from stubble burning by converting crop waste in to paper and other products. the aim is not only to reduce pollution but also bring in extra revenue for farmers. archana shukla sent this report from morena district in central india. every winter, air pollution chokes much of northern india. a major cause of that pollution is the smoke from crop fields cleared by burning to clear for the next harvest. but instead of being burned, straw and husks can be processed to make the main raw material for paper mills. these fully compostible pulp sheets, which can then be made into packaging or disposable tableware. the waste can even be turned into furniture. this brother and sister team are doing just that with their company in central india. we can help our farmers and we can also reduce the crop burning problem. it doesn't make sense at all. by using this abundant crop waste to create products we are also able to save our world's forests. government has been quite keen to promote companies that upcycle these millions of tonnes of agricultural waste. but the problem is creating additional value forfarmers, and that is why some of these companies that generate cover that up cycle this agricultural waste into biofuels or fertilisers are not seeing many takers. they are addressing this by paying more to farmers like this one, who was the first in the area to stop burning his fields. translation: as small farmers we don't have the resources - and the money to transport the waste so we burn it but if someone picks up the waste and pays us a good amount it is good for everyone. he is hoping more farmersjoin in. but the field to factory business is notjust about creating products but also a market to sell them, and that needs time. the big challenge of course is of the market itself. they have to compete with the existing market. for example they have to compete with the plastic industry, single—use plastic products for instance. these products are cheaper, they are already in the market. for crop—based companies, high transport and storage costs are also burdens to scaling up. he hopes that setting up small factories next fans could be the answer. one of the ways india tackles its burning problem. let's get some of the day's other news now. the tobacco company, bat, is calling for more stringent regulations on vaping, including a licensing scheme for vape sales, similar to those on alcohol and cigarettes. it also wants a ban on flavours which uniquely target children. the government is considering how to regulate vaping in response to concerns that many young people are taking it up. police in australia say they've arrested and charged more than a hundred climate activists after they staged a blockade of the country's largest coal port. a fleet of kayaks and dinghies had been allowed to block shipping traffic at newcastle, on australia's east coast, over the weekend. but when the protesters refused to leave the water after 30 hours, police moved in. and still to come, grabbing a bargain from black friday to cyber monday. retailers around the world are discounting heavily to lure shoppers, but are they buying? around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. bbc news — bring you different stories from across the uk. this is craster�*s smokehouse. here since the 1850s, it's been in one family for more than a century — and now granted grade ii—listed status. a staff of 19 queue up the craster kippers. some can still split the fish by hand — a delicate skill. you've gotta have, like, a feeling in your figures. as you look to run the blade along the backbone. do i enjoy it?! i thought you might laugh. it's all right. we have a bit of banter, we have a bit of a laugh. it's cold, it's wet, and it's smelly. in the 1900s, many coastal towns would've had smokehouses like this, but many went bankrupt. and in the shop next door, customers come from far and wide. we come every year for kippers especially from here. you think they're that good? they're brilliant, they're gorgeous, we love them. and with the smokehouse now listed, a tradition that should continue for many years to come. you're live with bbc news. continuing with the business coverage. authorities in beijing have opened criminal investigations into zhongzhi enterprise group, this is one of the country's leading wealth managers. last week, the company warned investors it is insolvent, with liabilities of up to $61; billion— that's more than double its assets. it is china's biggest so—called "shadow bank" — a finance firm that operates in a very similar way to a bank, but with little or no regulation. the firm has a sizeable exposure to china's real estate industry, which has been rocked by serious financial problems faced by major developers like evergrande and country garden. let's get more on this and cross to our asia business hub — suranjana tewari is there. tell us more because i would imagine this has got many very nervous? ., �* , , nervous? that's right, the news cominu nervous? that's right, the news coming in _ nervous? that's right, the news coming in over— nervous? that's right, the news coming in over the _ nervous? that's right, the news coming in over the weekend - nervous? that's right, the news| coming in over the weekend that police were investigating zhongzhi enterprise group are not clear what crimes in staff for which staff members may have or have not committed. but as you mentioned, it is a shadow bank, and one of the reasons we have not heard about it is because it is a shadow bank, it is a way for companies to try and get financing with outside of the regular traditional banking sector. as you mentioned last week the company did send a letter to investors saying it is in debt, with up to $61; billion in liabilities. that is more than double its estimated value. the big question is, why does this matter? this is one of the first signs we have had that the debt crisis and china's property sector is spilling over into the broader financial sector. many countries have shadow banking sectors, but china has a $3 trillion shadow banking sector, roughly the size of france's economy and during the boom time, these companies all provided capital to the companies and industries that feed into the property sector. at the time when things were going well, it was a win—win situation, the investors were getting money back, getting good returns and the companies were getting much—needed capital. of course, what happens when things go south, because the industry is south, because the industry is so opaque, and when a major section of the economy like property is doing so badly, there are all sorts of issues with these shadow banking companies, they do come to the surface as has done this weekend. surface as has done this weekend-— surface as has done this weekend. ., ,, , ., , . weekend. thank you very much. are ou weekend. thank you very much. are you gearing _ weekend. thank you very much. are you gearing up _ weekend. thank you very much. are you gearing up for _ weekend. thank you very much. are you gearing up for cyber- are you gearing up for cyber monday? have you got big spending plans? that's the online—focused discounts designed to extend the black friday consumer spending boom. in the us american shoppers have already spent a record $9.8 billion during this years black friday sales — that's 8% higher from last yea r. inflation and high mortgage rates have hit consumers hard this year, in the uk according to recent research, black friday spending was expected to fall by more than a quarter to £5.6 billion or $7 billion, the retailer argos said the playstation five gaming console headphones and apple air pods amongst its most popular products on the day. some cross —— consumers will hold out for deeper discounts on cyber monday the risk of waiting is items will seller and that is true for some cases. recent research which concluded pre—christmas retail spending in the uk was likely to rise by 3.3%, in fact fewer products will be bought because of price rises and the cost of living squeeze means gift spending might actually fall by 3%. in the us w analytics expect shoppers to spend $12 billion online on cyber monday which marks the end of a traditional week of discounting around thanksgivings off. well, like me, you've probably been bombarded by discount offers over the past few days. while recent research suggests that shoppers still have a strong preference for in—store retail over online shopping, there is one big problem. retail shoppers just don't enjoy shopping as much as they did before covid, so how can brands and retailers improve their customer experience? debbie ellison is global chief digital officer at vml commerce. have you had a busy weekend yourself, what has been your experience with black friday, cyber monday today? i’zre experience with black friday, cyber monday today? i've done what most _ cyber monday today? i've done what most people _ cyber monday today? i've done what most people have - cyber monday today? i've done what most people have done . cyber monday today? i've done l what most people have done and i have actually used black friday and cyber monday is a way to grab a bargain early and do my christmas shopping earlier than i probably would have done. people are spending more slowly and deliberately as we know and are buying only when they spot the very best details as david saying. but black friday has not lost its appeal, especially for omni— channel retailers such asjohn lewis with sales of small electronic goods, driven by air friars and earphones have driven —— increased by 31% while toy sales to new to rise year—on—year. while toy sales to new to rise year-on-year-_ year-on-year. from your perspective _ year-on-year. from your perspective what - year-on-year. from your perspective what are - year-on-year. from your- perspective what are shoppers doing, are they more online than instore, what is the trend at the moment? i than instore, what is the trend at the moment?— than instore, what is the trend at the moment? i think actually that people _ at the moment? i think actually that people don't _ at the moment? i think actually that people don't necessarily i that people don't necessarily believe they are getting the best bargains promotional periods. so they are doing the research further and wide across many different retailers. in fact, 50% of us are going to spend up to ten hours this week searching for the best deals on many of us are turning to value retailers and supermarkets, c