18/12/2015 BBC News at Six

The end of a centuries-old industry - the UK's very last deep-coal mine

There was high emotion as miners at Kellingley Colliery

Some families had been there for generations.

My dad was in for 44 years, my grandad before him.

It was once the biggest pit of its kind in Europe,

Its closure means hundreds are now out of work.

We'll be looking at why the pit had to close and what it means

for the local community in North Yorkshire.

Is this a strong hint from the Prime Minister that

Britain's in-out referendum on Europe could be next year?

I believe 2016 will be the year we achieve something really vital,

fundamentally changing the UK's relationship with the EU and finally

addressing the concerns of the British people

Life can be complicated, energy shouldn't be.

But it was for 500,000 npower customers.

Now the company's been fined a record ?26 million.

Tim Peake in acrobatic mode on the International Space Station.

Warnings cuts are taking police officers off the beat

and into the back office, and the spending gap is growing.

Restaurants, pubs and the emergency services prepare for the biggest

Miners at the UK's last remaining deep-coal mine worked

The closure of their pit, Kellingley Colliery,

marked an end to centuries of deep-coal mining in Britain,

an industry that once employed over a million people.

The miners sang as they were brought up for a last time from the coal

Kellingley began producing coal 50 years ago.

It was the biggest deep mine in Europe and could bring 900 tonnes

2000 miners worked there at any one time.

Now, 450 people have lost their jobs, bringing a complete

John Moylan reports now from Kellingley Colliery.

The final shift at Kellingley Colliery. These are Britain's last

deep-coal miners. Like generations before them, they have spent their

working lives deep underground. Look after yourself. These men are made

of strong stuff but today their hearts are broken, some saying

goodbye for the last time. I have been in the industry 38 years, my

dad 40 years, my grandad before him. A privilege to go down. It is in

your blood. Man and boy, 38 years. I hope there's a job out there for me.

That's what it's all about. We are brought up to provide an work hard

for the family and that's what we want to carry on doing. Many of

these men have worked in this pit for decades but today they are

hanging up their lamps for the last time, the end of centuries of

deep-coal mining in Britain. Earlier, they had mined coal for the

last time. They have kept the final piece. It is a moment that few here

thought would never come. Kellingley once employed around 3000 men. It

was a Yorkshire super pit. Beneath this land lies more than 200 million

tonnes of coal. It opened in 1965, the era when Cole was king. The fuel

had powered the industrial revolution, heated millions of homes

and helped keep on the likes in Britain. It will flow like a black

river for the rest of this century and beyond. Kellingley became a

flash point during the miners strike. The bitter dispute tore

families and communities apart. It was the beginning of the end for the

industry, and earlier this year, Kellingley's fate was sealed with an

agreement to shut it down. There is still plenty of coal here at

Kellingley. In fact, there are millions of tonnes deep underground.

But there it will stay, because global economics means that this

place simply can't compete against cheaper coal imported from abroad.

That will be transported past here on trains, to be burnt at power

stations just a few miles away. Tomorrow, the community plans to

celebrate those who worked at the mine, but some are fearful of what

lies ahead. There will be a big impact. A lot of people have moved,

so they move over here and now there is nothing for them, no jobs to go

to. What do they do? Some do this. Mick was a coal mine for 29 years.

He now works in an indoor ski centre built on a former coalmine. When the

pit was closing, I kept my eyes and ears open and decided to grab the

chance to read train, which I hope lots of people will be inspired by

what I have done. At Kellingley, handful of men now face the uphill

task of making the mine safe and closing it down. My father was for

man of the team in the shaft in 1959. You will be helping to close

it down. Sealing the fate of Kellingley. There is nothing we can

do now to change anything now. In this corner of Yorkshire, an

important chapter in our industrial history has closed. It is the end of

a way of life that touched millions of people.

We are still reliant on coal to a large extent but it's like this are

not viable any more. It is an issue many here are grappling with. We

will need coal to keep the lights on for many years to come. Around 18.5%

of the power being generated is coming from some big coal plants,

and many of them are on the doorstep of Kellingley, just a few miles

away. But it is cheaper to import from abroad than it is to mine here.

It has been that way for many years. The reality is that the days of coal

are numbered. The big power stations that burn it, the government has

said they are going to close them down within the next decade, and

something that could have provided work for people here for the next

few. But the men who lose jobs today will go down taking a really

important place in Britain's industrial heritage. But I can tell

you from talking to them that that is a place and an accolade is none

of them wanted. David Cameron has given

his strongest hint yet that the referendum on Britain's

membership of the European Union Mr Cameron had promised the public

an in-out vote by the end of 2017, but today he said he believed that

2016 would be the year "we achieve He was speaking after talks with EU

leaders, where he set But critics have questioned

whether a deal can be done in time. From Brussels, Laura

Kuenssberg reports. 61 full days until David Cameron

wants a deal to be done. Changes to Europe's rules

he believes will guarantee He wants agreement in February,

and you to vote as early as June. I believe 2016 will be the year

we achieve something really vital, fundamentally changing the UK's

relationship with the EU and finally addressing the concerns

of the British people Then it will be for the British

people to decide whether we remain You've just given a very clear hint

that the vote on our membership of the European Union

will be in 2016. How can we be confident

that the changes you want, if they are a big deal,

can be done in two months? Obviously I want a deal in February

but I've set the deadline for the referendum

as the end of 2017. I always wanted to give myself

time to get this right. What matters is the substance,

getting it right rather But this is a massive

decision for our country. We think we're better off standing

together with our allies That seeming confidence comes

after a tense private dinner These are the conclusions to last

night's vital meeting. The document is only two sentences,

but it is an important promise on paper from the rest of the EU

that they will try to find a deal. But even getting this vast machine

to agree this much has taken time, so can David Cameron

really get complicated, lasting changes to the law

in just two months? The Prime Minister and his key

negotiators are trying But most in Brussels believe

they are asking a lot. Protections for the pound

against the euro, a clear message that Westminster, not the EU,

is in charge, leaner rules And cutting back benefits

for EU workers in the UK. Despite Cameron's personal pleas

there is stiff resistance. Three other countries almost refused

to sign up to find a solution, A lot of work and a lot

of brainstorming, and also to find some wriggle room for compromise

over the next four or five weeks. But David Cameron's audience at home

isn't much easier. For many in his own party,

whatever he brings back Yet he may have just started

to make new friends here. He'll need them to convince

you in the months ahead. Laura Kuenssberg,

BBC News, Brussels. The energy company npower has been

fined a record ?26 million after it sent out late or inaccurate

bills and failed to deal The industry watchdog Ofgem said

that more than 500,000 It warned that it could take

the unprecedented step of stopping npower advertising

for new customers. I stood there for half an hour

trying to work the machine out and then someone came and showed me. The

adverts claim npower is standing up for customers, but they could be

banned, along with all selling to new customers, if the company does

not improve. It's because people like Karen in

Northampton have had a nightmare with their bills. She says she was

overcharged by thousands. They have to be the worst company I have dealt

with in my life. Nobody ever returns your calls. Nobody can seem to

understand what you're asking, can see the logic that your bills cannot

be that much money, and nobody seems to listen to you. Those whose bills

were wrong, 100,000 customers, will be sent compensation of between

?100, and ?200 each by the end of March. If they are Jews more, they

will have to claim. Customers will be paid back through npower for the

inconvenience they have suffered, but there is also a strong punitive

element to the fine, and that is punishment for empower. That is

going to a series of energy channel -- charities. It is not just the

bills that npower got wrong. When customers complain, they failed to

deal with complaints properly and did not even tell some they could

appeal to the energy ombudsman. That is contrary to the principle that

customers with a grievance should be treated fairly. Npower had 2 million

complaints. It says they have now slowed and it is sorry. But Karen

says even today npower has been hounding her on her doorstep for

money she doesn't owe. A review into the working conditions

of the high street retailer Sports Direct is to be overseen

by the company's founder, The move follows claims that agency

workers are being paid less than the minimum wage and that some

fear the consequences Today, the firm defended

its treatment of agency workers and said the review would ensure it

met all legal obligations, It is Britain's biggest sports

retailer, where they pile them high and sell them cheap. The founder and

majority shareholder is Mike Ashley, the billionaire owner of Newcastle

United. Colourful and controversial. Last week, Sports Direct came under

renewed scrutiny over its treatment of agency work is here at its main

warehouse in the East Midlands. Including newspaper claims that

thousands of workers were effectively being paid less than the

minimum wage. And in a recent BBC programme, some spoke of how they

were too scared to be sick, for fear of losing their jobs.

Today, Sports Direct hit back with a lengthy, detailed rebuttal. It said

allegations made to date present an unfair portrayal of the company's

employment practices, and insisted that it takes its responsibilities

towards staff and contractors extremely seriously. It added that

it does not penalised staff for being ill, and promised a review led

personally by Mike Ashley, looking at all agency work terms and

conditions. The fact that there is a review is welcome. The fact that it

is being done by Mike Ashley is questionable, given that he has a

real stake, literally a massive stake in the company. I think it

would be better in terms of the wider public, stakeholders and

shareholders, if it was done by somebody independent of the company.

But these are questions that hopefully will be asked in the

select committee when we invite Mr Ashley to give evidence. Sports

Direct has enjoyed stellar sales growth, despite rarely being out of

the headlines in recent years. For instance, its use of zero-hours

contracts. But is it starting to lose its shine? Recent results have

been disappointing. That, and these latest allegations, have led to a

sharp fall in the share price. Sports Direct hopes that today's

move will help get it back on the front foot and goes some way to

answering its critics. The review will begin in the New Year.

Our top story this evening: The final shift ends at Britain's

There have been 450 jobs lost. I love gaming and so do my friends.

Still to come: The school reporters giving us a unique

He blasted off on Tuesday and has spent the past few days getting used

to life in zero gravity on board the International Space Station.

This afternoon the British astronaut Tim Peake gave his first impressions

of the ISS and performed somersaults as he held a press conference

Since Tim Peake arrived in space a few days ago we have not really

In his new existence on the International Space Station

In the weightless conditions of space he is finding his feet,

sort of, with a rather uncertain somersault.

In his first news conference since leaving

Earth I ask him if like many astronauts he suffered from space

How are you adapting to life on board?

You do feel disorientated and dizzy, but I have

been amazed at how quickly the body has adapted.

On my second morning I woke up feeling fresh ready to go to work

This is a mock-up of the European Columbus module

where Tim will be doing a lot of research.

In many ways that is the easy part, far

harder getting used to everyday life on a space station while weightless.

Many astronauts say it changes their lives.

Then there is simple things like where you sleep.

Imagine for the next six months this was your

Because there is no up or down the sleeping bag has to be

fixed to the wall along with all of your possessions.

One very important question for Britain's first

official astronaut, how does the tea taste in space?

The tea actually tastes surprisingly good.

I have my tea and a method of using a teapot and

decanting it from one pouch to another and it is working really

The control room keeps track of the space station as it

As the news conference is relayed by satellites and ground stations.

Despite all the training there has been a big surprise.

We always talk about seeing the view of planet

Earth and how beautiful it is, but when you look the opposite

direction and you see how dark space is, it is the blackest black,

and you realise how small the Earth is in that

A thought-provoking moment after just three days in orbit.

Now, it's been called Mad Friday and Booze Black Friday.

Today is when we're expected to drink more than any other

On the Friday before Christmas last year,

sales of alcohol rose by 142%, and throughout December we'll make

an estimated 165 million trips to bars, pubs and clubs,

spending more than ?2 billion on drink.

Charities and Public Health England are warning of the dangers

It is the month for getting merry and tonight will be the busiest

night of the year. The first of all has started early. You get them all

over the road and the police take over. During the day it is packed.

As a finishing work. All of the office staff come out. 20,000 people

are expected to visit bars and clubs here. Some people go over there

limits and police resources are stretched. It is the big event for

the town centre night-time economy and for the book coming to the town

centre. On occasion we have lost a few people because of arrest during

the course of the night and numbers are beginning to dwindle. It is a

concern and officers will have that at the back of their mind, how long

it is going to take people to get here. It will not just be the buyers

that will be busy. So all ambulances and A departments. Head injuries,

cuts to hits. Wigan has one of the highest rates for alcohol-related

injuries and tonight police will patrol the words. When they do not

get seen straightaway they start swearing and shouting. Probably

about 80% of the patients are drink related injuries. You might have 20%

who are actually patients with a genuine illness or complaint. The

numbers of alcohol-related go up dramatically. Indulgences part of

the Christmas spirit but today Call Concern is starting a campaign of

abstinence by encouraging people to have a dry January. More than two

thirds of people six months later are drinking at reduced levels

having had a month. It reduces blood pressure, reduces blood sugar,

deliver is less fatty. Emergency services are keen to avoid last

year's scenes. Tonight the message is merriment with moderation.

If you're wondering how your drinking compares with people

in other countries, you can log on to the BBC News booze calculator

and find out whether you more resemble a heavy-drinking Belarusian

Gaming is worth around ?4 billion in the UK alone and a third

of the population, young and old, are said to be players.

Well, as part of the BBC News School Report project

which works with young people across the UK

to make their own reports, pupils from Birmingham went along

Here's what they discovered, as told by one of

I am 13 years old and I am from Birmingham Academy.

This is multiplayer Insomnia, billed as

the biggest event of its kind in the UK.

We are all here to find out how important gaming is.

Gaming in the UK is worth ?4 billion.

20 million people are said to be players.

More than a fifth of those aged over 45.

One of the most popular games is Minecraft.

It is one of many that has attracted people to talk about their favourite

Diamond Minecart is one of those with more than

We are going to ask the man himself all about it.

I hear you have some questions for me.

That kind of happened in a whirlwind.

It went from playing games when I was younger and playing games

up until today but that extra aspect of being a creative person

and making videos and having the outlet of YouTube to be able

to show people those videos and then it went crazy from there.

How much do you make doing YouTube videos?

It is enough to do it as a full-time job which is awesome because it

means I can put most effort, 100% of my effort,

It earns enough to make it a full-time job which is awesome.

In the UK the number of female gamers is rising.

43% make up the play population and this has been reflected

I do not really feel there is that much of a gender issue any more.

There are some games that maybe the female character may be kind

of perceived in more of an attractive lady or things

like that but most games now have eased off that kind of thing

and it is definitely not really an issue any more.

That is it from us here at the festival.

This is Ahmed from BBC News School Report in Birmingham.

If you or your school would like to take part in BBC

News School Report then you can find all the details on our website -

the address is bbc.co.uk/schoolreport.

There's a new family photograph of the Duke and Duchess

of Cambridge, with Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

It was taken in the gardens at Kensington Palace in October.

It's also been announced that Prince George will start

The two-year-old will attend Westacre Montessori School Nursery

Now, it may be just a week before Christmas but the weather doesn't

This month looks to become the warmest December for more

than 100 years and it's led to some rather unseasonal

nature is confused. Let us see what the weekend has in store.

If you are wondering why might be cold air is, it is behind me! We

have this coming down from Greenland which is way out in the Atlantic and

it is going to try to head our way. We still have southerly winds which

is why it is so warm but with those warm southerly winds comes a lot of

cloud and some rain. There is more of that over the next few days. The

rain is clearing temporarily from Scotland. Heavy showers coming into

Wales, southern England and the next band of rain comes across Northern

Ireland and into Scotland every rain as well. These are the sorts of

temperatures we would expect to see overnight. Tonight is going to be

exceptionally mild, 10 degrees warmer. That could be

record-breaking in one or two places. Tomorrow, very mild, a

cloudy start with rain. This rain is getting stuck in the same sort of

place in the south-west of England to the wrath of England. We should

see some showers across Scotland and Northern Ireland. Still very mild.

It will be extremely mild across the north-east of England. It will be

wetter over the Pennines to the. Very heavy rain across Wales. Over

the hills of South Wales. A good couple of inches likely. Towards the

south-east it should be dry and becoming brighter. Temperatures 16

degrees. This rain could be heavy during Saturday night as it heads

towards Scotland. The weather front takes the rain away and we are left

with a showery picture for Sunday. Some sunshine from England and

Wales. Frequent showers for Scotland and Northern Ireland and

temperatures lower. That's all from the BBC News at Six

so it's goodbye from me