0:00:04 > 0:00:07An urgent investigation is ordered into dozens of sex offence cases
0:00:07 > 0:00:11after two rape trials collapse in a week.
0:00:11 > 0:00:15The Metropolitan Police says it's reviewing about 30 cases after two
0:00:15 > 0:00:17collapsed because of the late disclosure of evidence
0:00:17 > 0:00:20to the defence.
0:00:20 > 0:00:23My right honourable friend the Attorney General had even before
0:00:23 > 0:00:28these cases came up actually initiated a review into disclosure.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31I think it is important that wwe look at this again to make sure
0:00:31 > 0:00:34that we are truly providing justice.
0:00:34 > 0:00:36Also on the programme this lunchtime.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39The International Monetary Fund downgrades its forecast
0:00:39 > 0:00:41for Britain's economic growth this year saying the economy's already
0:00:41 > 0:00:45losing out because of Brexit.
0:00:45 > 0:00:48The European Court of Justice rules that the taxi-hailing app Uber
0:00:48 > 0:00:53is a transport firm not just an app, which means tighter regulations.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56Sweeping tax cuts are approved in the United States
0:00:56 > 0:01:02in what is the biggest achievement so far of Donald Trump's presidency.
0:01:02 > 0:01:03More than 9,000 people sleeping rough.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06The extent of homelessness in England is a national crisis
0:01:06 > 0:01:10says a group of MPs.
0:01:10 > 0:01:12And cheerleaders in their 70s and 80s.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14We'll be talking about so-called super-agers as scientists
0:01:14 > 0:01:18try to defy the ageing process.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21And coming up in the sport on BBC News.
0:01:21 > 0:01:25A boost for Birmingham as the city is set to be confirmed as the host
0:01:25 > 0:01:26for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
0:01:49 > 0:01:51Good afternoon and welcome to the BBC News at One.
0:01:51 > 0:01:53The UK's biggest police force, the Metropolitan Police,
0:01:53 > 0:01:57is reviewing all of its current sex offence investigations
0:01:57 > 0:02:00after the collapse of two rape cases in the space of a week.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03Both prosecutions were halted because of the late
0:02:03 > 0:02:05disclosure of evidence.
0:02:05 > 0:02:07The Metropolitan Police says the same officer
0:02:07 > 0:02:09worked on both cases.
0:02:09 > 0:02:13The force will now review about 30 rape cases
0:02:13 > 0:02:20which were about to go to court and many more awaiting trial.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23Theresa May has confirmed the government is reviewing the
0:02:23 > 0:02:24disclosure process so justice is provided.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26disclosure process so justice is provided.
0:02:26 > 0:02:27Our Legal Correspondent Clive Coleman reports.
0:02:27 > 0:02:31It has been reported Isaac Itiary spent four months in jail awaiting
0:02:31 > 0:02:35trial on charges of sexual activity with a child to stop the case
0:02:35 > 0:02:38against him was dropped yesterday when text messages from his alleged
0:02:38 > 0:02:40teenage victim's phone showed that she routinely
0:02:40 > 0:02:45lied about her age.
0:02:45 > 0:02:49A few days earlier the case against Liam Allen was stopped
0:02:49 > 0:02:51because text messages showed his alleged victim had
0:02:51 > 0:02:57enjoyed having sex with him.
0:02:57 > 0:03:01In the last two years I have just spent worrying and you know, not
0:03:01 > 0:03:02really concentrating on anything.
0:03:02 > 0:03:04So it has completely ripped apart my normal
0:03:04 > 0:03:05sort of personal life.
0:03:05 > 0:03:07The Metropolitan Police is now carrying out a review
0:03:07 > 0:03:08into what happened to Liam Allen.
0:03:08 > 0:03:10And of the evidence in all its current rape
0:03:10 > 0:03:16and sex abuse cases.
0:03:16 > 0:03:18That review is being conducted jointly with the CPS,
0:03:18 > 0:03:21so with the lawyers in each case and are investigating officers,
0:03:21 > 0:03:23to make sure that those cases are safe to go to trial,
0:03:23 > 0:03:26our priority is those 30 something where trials are about to start.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29I had no reason to believe that there are any problems
0:03:29 > 0:03:30with any of those cases.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33It is a pragmatic step to conduct that check now.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36The police and Crown Prosecution Service have made huge efforts
0:03:36 > 0:03:40in recent years to write the wrong side of the past and ensure that
0:03:40 > 0:03:46alleged victims in rape and sexual assault cases are treated properly.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49But some fear that the process of disclosing evidence
0:03:49 > 0:03:55to the defence has been damaged as a result.
0:03:55 > 0:03:57The real issue here is giving the public confidence
0:03:57 > 0:03:59in the criminal justice system.
0:03:59 > 0:04:01I do not see how an internal review by the police
0:04:01 > 0:04:04and the Crown Prosecution Service can give the public that confidence.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07Particularly if there has been a change in culture,
0:04:07 > 0:04:10swinging against believing people who come up with a reasonable
0:04:10 > 0:04:13explanation for their behaviour.
0:04:13 > 0:04:15This afternoon in the Commons, the Prime Minister sought
0:04:15 > 0:04:19to reassure MPs over the issue of disclosing evidence.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22My right honourable friend the Attorney General had even before
0:04:22 > 0:04:25these cases came up, actually initiated
0:04:25 > 0:04:26a review into disclosure.
0:04:26 > 0:04:30I think it is important that we look at this again to make sure
0:04:30 > 0:04:32that we are truly providing justice.
0:04:32 > 0:04:36The prosecution's duty to pass evidence to the defence,
0:04:36 > 0:04:37which assists the defence, is a foundation
0:04:37 > 0:04:41of our justice system.
0:04:41 > 0:04:46That duty is now under scrutiny as never before.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50And Clive is here.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53This has been an issue which has been around for some time but has
0:04:53 > 0:04:58really come to a head now, hasn't it?What happens next? The lawyers
0:04:58 > 0:05:01have been talking about their concerns about this for many years.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04We've had a review by the Attorney General, by the Met police and the
0:05:04 > 0:05:09CPS, but we've had reviews before and very recently. In July this year
0:05:09 > 0:05:12there was a review by Her Majesty 's Inspectorate of Constabulary and
0:05:12 > 0:05:17they found and this is really worrying, when they looked at these
0:05:17 > 0:05:20disclosure schedules, said Jewels of evidence gathered by the police who
0:05:20 > 0:05:23have a duty to get their evidence which leads it you like to the
0:05:23 > 0:05:27suspect but also away from the suspect, they found in a fifth of
0:05:27 > 0:05:30cases, these schedules were inadequate, there are clearly
0:05:30 > 0:05:33problems in terms of resources, lawyers say there are problems in
0:05:33 > 0:05:37terms of the training of police disclosure officers, and there are
0:05:37 > 0:05:42also issues about the weight of evidence. In Liam Allen's case there
0:05:42 > 0:05:45were 40,000 text messages but the truth is, the criminal justice
0:05:45 > 0:05:50system is built, part of its foundation is evidence is fairly
0:05:50 > 0:05:53disclosed that can assist the defence and it's disclosed to the
0:05:53 > 0:05:58defence. If that is not fixed, the system of public confidence is
0:05:58 > 0:06:01gravely, gravely damaged and one thought to leave you with. These
0:06:01 > 0:06:05reviews are tending to look at current cases, past cases, but what
0:06:05 > 0:06:09about the cases of people who are maybe in prison who have been
0:06:09 > 0:06:11falsely convicted because the prosecution failed to disclose
0:06:11 > 0:06:15evidence that they were entitled to and could have assisted their case?
0:06:15 > 0:06:16Clive, thank you.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19The International Monetary Fund has downgraded its forecast for the UK's
0:06:19 > 0:06:22economic growth this year, from 1.7% to 1.6%.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25The head of the IMF, Christine Lagarde, said that
0:06:25 > 0:06:29despite strong global growth, the impact of the UK's decision
0:06:29 > 0:06:32to leave the EU had weighed heavily on the economy.
0:06:32 > 0:06:39Simon Gompertz reports.
0:06:39 > 0:06:43A Merry Christmas or is this just the same old tune from the IMF,
0:06:43 > 0:06:48marring festive cheer this time with doubts. What it offers is a view of
0:06:48 > 0:06:53the UK from the outside looking in and it sees a bit less sparkle here
0:06:53 > 0:06:58than before. The Chancellor introducing this report emphasised
0:06:58 > 0:07:05how well he thinks the UK is doing. In my recent budget, I reported on
0:07:05 > 0:07:10an economy that continues to grow, that has delivered the lowest
0:07:10 > 0:07:13unemployment in 40 years, and that continues to confound those who seek
0:07:13 > 0:07:19to talk it down.But for the IMF, Christine Lagarde says we are losing
0:07:19 > 0:07:25out because of the Brexit about. Just as she had warned.We feared it
0:07:25 > 0:07:32would most likely entail a depreciation of the sterling, an
0:07:32 > 0:07:40increase of inflation, a squeezing of wages and disposable income and a
0:07:40 > 0:07:46slowdown and probably a reduction of investment. What we are seeing today
0:07:46 > 0:07:51is that that narrative is rolled out.The IMF is keen to emphasise
0:07:51 > 0:07:53that, while economic growth elsewhere in the world is pretty
0:07:53 > 0:08:01healthy, here it's sluggish. The growth in national at work will have
0:08:01 > 0:08:07been 1.6% this year, it says, less than it thought before and 1.5% next
0:08:07 > 0:08:11year. While Christmas shoppers are benefiting from pre-Christmas
0:08:11 > 0:08:18discounts, it says, on average, prices, the rate of inflation, will
0:08:18 > 0:08:23carry on doing more than we would like. So how worrying is the outlook
0:08:23 > 0:08:27for our industries from building to finance and manufacturing? Well, the
0:08:27 > 0:08:31IMF can see some positives. Christine Lagarde was careful to say
0:08:31 > 0:08:35that things could be better-than-expected if Brexit
0:08:35 > 0:08:42negotiations proceed swiftly and both sides come to an early
0:08:42 > 0:08:47agreement, that will eliminate a lot of the uncertainty.A bit of a left
0:08:47 > 0:08:51would be welcome because, as things stand, some businesses and shoppers
0:08:51 > 0:08:53are feeling the squeeze.
0:08:53 > 0:08:59Our economics editor Kamal Ahmed is here.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02The IMF were heavily criticised Previa referendum when they made
0:09:02 > 0:09:06these warnings. Christine Lagarde clearly feeling she has been
0:09:06 > 0:09:10vindicated.Today, a fightback from the experts, to be clear. There were
0:09:10 > 0:09:15some positives in this report, employment at a record high, she
0:09:15 > 0:09:20said she welcomed the positive outcomes of the first phase of those
0:09:20 > 0:09:24Brexit negotiations but, yes, on the overall economy, I asked her
0:09:24 > 0:09:28specifically about those critics who said you are too gloomy and she
0:09:28 > 0:09:33said, look, inflation is up, there is a living standards squeeze,
0:09:33 > 0:09:37investment is lower than it should be and, in a world where growth is
0:09:37 > 0:09:43very strong in America, on the continent of Europe, and in Asia,
0:09:43 > 0:09:49Britain, she said, should be doing better and as far as the IMF is
0:09:49 > 0:09:52concerned, it's all down to the fallout from the referendum result.
0:09:52 > 0:09:54Thank you.
0:09:54 > 0:09:56The European Union's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier,
0:09:56 > 0:09:58has said the transition period after the UK leaves cannot not
0:09:58 > 0:10:04continue beyond the end of 2020.
0:10:04 > 0:10:08Adam Fleming is in Brussels.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11So that could mean effectively three months earlier than many thought?
0:10:11 > 0:10:17How much difference could that make? Sophie, the Prime Minister in her
0:10:17 > 0:10:21famous Florence speech said she wanted a transition period of around
0:10:21 > 0:10:25two years, so it's not hugely different. It was business
0:10:25 > 0:10:28organisations at one point this year were talking about a transition
0:10:28 > 0:10:32period lasting five or even seven years. The reason Michel Barnier has
0:10:32 > 0:10:36meant that date is its pretty logical because the EU operates a
0:10:36 > 0:10:41seven-year long budget cycle which ends in December 2020. He was also
0:10:41 > 0:10:45talking to us at a press conference about why he thinks a transition
0:10:45 > 0:10:48deal is in the interests of both sides. Here is what he had to say
0:10:48 > 0:10:52for stop
0:10:53 > 0:11:01It will enable the administration in Britain to get prepared, to prepare
0:11:01 > 0:11:08themselves for the kind of challenges they will have to face on
0:11:08 > 0:11:14their borders which are all our borders.
0:11:14 > 0:11:25And all so for the convocation is -- convocations and also to prepare for
0:11:25 > 0:11:31the new relationship and that's why this transition period is indeed
0:11:31 > 0:11:44useful and it is part of withdrawal from the European Union.During that
0:11:44 > 0:11:48transition period, the UK will be expected to stick to EU rules and
0:11:48 > 0:11:51regulations including the role of the European Court of Justice until
0:11:51 > 0:11:57other things can be implemented and agreements are put in place. There
0:11:57 > 0:12:01was also a repeat of Michel Barnier's warning that the best the
0:12:01 > 0:12:04UK can expect if it sticks to its red lines is a free-trade deal along
0:12:04 > 0:12:09the lines of the deal which has been arranged with Canada, Japan and
0:12:09 > 0:12:13South Korea and he also had a warning for British civil servants
0:12:13 > 0:12:19saying, look, the UK has access to 750 international agreements as part
0:12:19 > 0:12:22of its membership of the EU. There was a warning to Whitehall it's
0:12:22 > 0:12:27going to be a massive administrative task for them to make sure those
0:12:27 > 0:12:33agreements apply after Brexit day in March 2019. Adam, in Brussels, thank
0:12:33 > 0:12:37you. Norman Smith is in Westminster for the transition period must end
0:12:37 > 0:12:42in 2020. The response here, Norman? There was a fascinating moment in
0:12:42 > 0:12:48the PMQs just now when Mrs May turn to Jeremy Corbyn and said, I'm still
0:12:48 > 0:12:52here, you are still there, on the opposite benches, and there is a
0:12:52 > 0:12:56sense of relief I think in her household and haven't got this far,
0:12:56 > 0:13:02they've got the divorce agreement signed off, tonight Mrs May will
0:13:02 > 0:13:05properly get her main Brexit a bill through its main Commons stages so
0:13:05 > 0:13:12they have moved kind of from Brexit -based camp to camp one, but Michel
0:13:12 > 0:13:15Barnier has indicated the route ahead it seems to me is going to get
0:13:15 > 0:13:20even harder on steeper because we are now facing a tighter transition
0:13:20 > 0:13:24time, less time for business to adapt. A clear warning they will be
0:13:24 > 0:13:30a special deal for the city. We can only expect what Canada has managed
0:13:30 > 0:13:35to negotiate after years and years. Mrs May has already said that's not
0:13:35 > 0:13:38good enough and in the interim period will have to accept all
0:13:38 > 0:13:44existing EU rules and new rules, so from her perspective, yes, she can
0:13:44 > 0:13:48afford herself the odd mince pie over Christmas but if I was fair, I
0:13:48 > 0:13:53would be checking over my crampons and axis because the route ahead
0:13:53 > 0:13:58next year looks particularly steep and daunting.Norman, thank you.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01The mini-cab hailing app Uber is a service used by millions
0:14:01 > 0:14:03of people in hundreds of cities around the world.
0:14:03 > 0:14:07It launched here in the UK in 2012 and has proved popular but also
0:14:07 > 0:14:08hugely controversial.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11Now European judges have ruled that Uber should legally be considered
0:14:11 > 0:14:14a transport company, not just an app, which means it
0:14:14 > 0:14:17will be subjected to tighter regulations in the European
0:14:17 > 0:14:19countries in which it operates.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22Theo Leggett reports.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25The ride-hailing service Uber has become a fact of life
0:14:25 > 0:14:28in cities around the UK over the past few years.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30It is certainly convenient.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33You can call a car, monitor its progress, and pay for it -
0:14:33 > 0:14:34all over the internet.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36But what exactly is it?
0:14:36 > 0:14:38When Uber first started operating in Europe,
0:14:38 > 0:14:41it tried to present itself as a kind of digital middleman,
0:14:41 > 0:14:43connecting passengers with drivers.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46In other words it was just a mobile phone based app and didn't need
0:14:46 > 0:14:49to abide by all the onerous rules and regulations that apply
0:14:49 > 0:14:54to regular taxi companies.
0:14:57 > 0:15:01But others, particularly established taxi drivers, disagreed.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04They said that Uber was in fact a transport services company
0:15:04 > 0:15:07and should be subject to the same rules and regulations
0:15:07 > 0:15:09as any other taxi business.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12Now the European Court of Justice has agreed with them.
0:15:12 > 0:15:17It says that legally speaking Uber is indeed a transport company.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19For Uber itself there will not be a huge immediate
0:15:19 > 0:15:21impact from the ruling.
0:15:21 > 0:15:23It has already given ground to regulators in most
0:15:23 > 0:15:25of its major European markets.
0:15:25 > 0:15:27In the UK and many other countries it is already
0:15:27 > 0:15:30licensed as a taxi operator.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32But the decision could affect its future plans.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35It said today, millions of Europeans are still prevented
0:15:35 > 0:15:38from using apps like ours.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40It is appropriate to regulate services such as Uber
0:15:40 > 0:15:45and we will continue the dialogue with cities across Europe.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47So that is actually a transport service...
0:15:47 > 0:15:49Meanwhile lawyers said the impact of the ruling
0:15:49 > 0:15:51could go beyond taxi firms and affect other
0:15:51 > 0:15:55businesses which operate in the so-called gig economy.
0:15:55 > 0:15:59I think other companies in the gig economy will be worried by this.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02This is showing that the courts are not going to be distracted
0:16:02 > 0:16:04by the technology, they're going to look at what is actually
0:16:04 > 0:16:10happening and how local legislation should already apply to that.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12Free-market campaigners meanwhile say that is a bad thing.
0:16:12 > 0:16:16They think policymakers should be moving with the times.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19If you halt innovation by applying old systems
0:16:19 > 0:16:24and old patterns of regulation, simply to protect incumbents,
0:16:24 > 0:16:27or perhaps even you know with some sort of idea about passenger safety,
0:16:27 > 0:16:30you are constraining the ability of people to do
0:16:30 > 0:16:31things in their own way.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34And at the end of the day people know what is good for them.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37This is by no means the first legal ruling to affect Uber
0:16:37 > 0:16:40and it is unlikely to be the last as courts and regulators come
0:16:40 > 0:16:43to terms with the profound impact companies born in the digital age
0:16:43 > 0:16:45have had on traditional businesses.
0:16:45 > 0:16:53Theo Leggett, BBC News.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55President Trump has secured his first major legislative achievement,
0:16:55 > 0:16:59after the US Senate backed major changes to the country's tax system.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02Critics say the plans are a giveaway to the super-rich.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05But senior Republicans insist they will boost the economy.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08From Washington, David Willis reports.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11The ayes are 51...
0:17:11 > 0:17:13They voted along party lines in the Senate to approve the most
0:17:13 > 0:17:20sweeping overhaul of the American tax system in 30 years.
0:17:20 > 0:17:28The tax cuts and jobs act is passed.
0:17:28 > 0:17:30A Bill barely six weeks old and still clearly a little
0:17:30 > 0:17:31rough around the edges.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34The motion to reconsider is laid upon the table...
0:17:34 > 0:17:36The House Speaker's jubilation proving premature after it emerged
0:17:36 > 0:17:38that certain provisions didn't conform with the rules
0:17:38 > 0:17:39of the Senate.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42The House will vote all over again on a tweaked version
0:17:42 > 0:17:44of the bill later today.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47But that doesn't change the essence of the legislation,
0:17:47 > 0:17:49or the opposition to it.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51The worst bill in history.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53Because of the number of people it affects,
0:17:53 > 0:17:56the amount of money it sucks up to the higher income,
0:17:56 > 0:18:01and the impact on future deficit.
0:18:01 > 0:18:05Today we're giving the people of this country their money back.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07This is their money after all.
0:18:07 > 0:18:12You are lying!
0:18:12 > 0:18:14Opponents point out the bill will add $1 trillion
0:18:14 > 0:18:17to the national debt.
0:18:17 > 0:18:18But Republicans argue it will strengthen
0:18:18 > 0:18:21the economy and boost jobs.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24Merry Christmas!
0:18:24 > 0:18:27This is a good day for America, this is a good day for workers.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29This is a great day for growth.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31And we are very excited about this moment.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33The bill includes permanent tax cuts for American corporations
0:18:33 > 0:18:36which the Trump administration says will make those corporations more
0:18:36 > 0:18:38competitive and temporary tax cuts for around 80%
0:18:38 > 0:18:42of the American population.
0:18:42 > 0:18:47The amount varying according to their level of income.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50Before it emerged that there was to be another vote in the House,
0:18:50 > 0:18:52President Trump tweeted his congratulations to the great
0:18:52 > 0:18:57House Republicans who had endorsed the bill.
0:18:57 > 0:19:03But the President's claim that the Republican tax plan
0:19:03 > 0:19:05will cost him and his family a fortune is being
0:19:05 > 0:19:06questioned in the light
0:19:06 > 0:19:08of his continued reluctance to release his tax returns.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10In some ways, particularly on the personal side,
0:19:10 > 0:19:12the president will likely take a big hit.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15But on the business side, he could benefit.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18President Trump could sign the tax bill into law as early as today.
0:19:18 > 0:19:20It is the first major legislative victory since
0:19:20 > 0:19:21he took office in January.
0:19:21 > 0:19:26David Willis, BBC News, Washington.
0:19:26 > 0:19:32Our correspondent Gary O'Donoghue is in Washington.
0:19:32 > 0:19:37How much of a triumph is this for President Trump, could it have a
0:19:37 > 0:19:41sting in the tail?It is a triumph, no question about that. It is a
0:19:41 > 0:19:46major overhaul of the tax system. There are substantial cuts in
0:19:46 > 0:19:50particular for business when you look at the corporate tax rate
0:19:50 > 0:19:55coming down from 35% to 21%, people believed that will make American
0:19:55 > 0:20:00business more competitive around the world. And other cuts for the middle
0:20:00 > 0:20:05classes, cuts in taxes for the high earners as well in particular, the
0:20:05 > 0:20:09Democrats say skewed towards the more wealthy. And Donald Trump
0:20:09 > 0:20:13himself of course is expected to benefit from these tax changes in
0:20:13 > 0:20:17substantial ways. The problem is that at the moment the American
0:20:17 > 0:20:22people do not seem to see this as a positive thing yet. Surveys at the
0:20:22 > 0:20:26moment suggest perhaps even as low as one third support these changes.
0:20:26 > 0:20:30That may be because they have not had them explain to them properly,
0:20:30 > 0:20:35the Republican party will have a big job of going out once the deal is
0:20:35 > 0:20:37signed and selling it to their constituents because come the end of
0:20:37 > 0:20:43next year, we have the mid-term elections, the Democrats hopeful of
0:20:43 > 0:20:47being able to wrest back control of both houses, the Senate and House of
0:20:47 > 0:20:51Representatives and if they do that then they can start to tinker with
0:20:51 > 0:20:55the tax code and make changes themselves.So a lot to play for.
0:20:55 > 0:20:56Thank you.
0:20:56 > 0:20:58Our top story this lunchtime.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00An urgent investigation's ordered into dozens of sex offence cases
0:21:00 > 0:21:03after two rape trials collapse in a week.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05And coming up our correspondent
0:21:05 > 0:21:07Fergus Walsh - beaten by an 84-year-old woman
0:21:07 > 0:21:09in this 100m race - we'll be talking about the so-called
0:21:09 > 0:21:16superagers and how more of us can become one.
0:21:16 > 0:21:17Coming up in sport.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20After being suspended by England earlier this month -
0:21:20 > 0:21:22batsman Ben Duckett's been left out of the Lions squad to play
0:21:22 > 0:21:32in the West Indies next year.
0:21:36 > 0:21:38Homelessness in England is a 'national crisis'
0:21:38 > 0:21:41according to a group of MPs.
0:21:41 > 0:21:43More than 9,000 people are sleeping rough and a further
0:21:43 > 0:21:4678,000 families are in temporary accomodation.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49The committee of MPs says that government efforts to tackle
0:21:49 > 0:21:51the issue are an 'abject failure'.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54The government says it's providing more than a billion pounds,
0:21:54 > 0:21:57in the next two years, to reduce homelessness.
0:21:57 > 0:22:01Andy Moore reports.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04Just go through this.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07When his dad was made homeless, seven-year-old Billy lived part-time
0:22:07 > 0:22:10with him in one room of this emergency shelter.
0:22:10 > 0:22:15Billy had his own bed, his dad used a folding bed.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18So how does it work, he has to fold it out every night?
0:22:18 > 0:22:19Yes, just like this.
0:22:19 > 0:22:24It is tough enough for an adult to be here, but to be year
0:22:24 > 0:22:27here with a child and remain strong is difficult.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31He should not be here.
0:22:31 > 0:22:36He shouldn't be here at all.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39I'm doing what I can do to be a parent him.
0:22:39 > 0:22:40Under these circumstances.
0:22:40 > 0:22:47This report says the problem of homelessness has been growing
0:22:47 > 0:22:50for years, with the number of people in short-term accommodation
0:22:50 > 0:22:51up by 60% since 2010.
0:22:51 > 0:22:53The MPs said there is an unacceptable shortage
0:22:53 > 0:22:55of realistic housing options.
0:22:55 > 0:23:01There are estimated to be 9000 people sleeping rough on the streets
0:23:01 > 0:23:04on the streets every night, more than double the number in 2011.
0:23:04 > 0:23:06There are a further 78,000 families living in temporary accommodation,
0:23:06 > 0:23:11often of a poor standard and that includes 120,000 children.
0:23:11 > 0:23:16The committee has described the situation as shameful.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19It has called on the government to focus on the supply
0:23:19 > 0:23:21and affordability of decent housing.
0:23:21 > 0:23:25You need to stop being complacent about this.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28It is not enough also to just throw money at it.
0:23:28 > 0:23:32It needs to be money that is fixing the core root of the problem that
0:23:32 > 0:23:42looks at why people are homeless in the first place,
0:23:44 > 0:23:46and you need to be building more houses,
0:23:46 > 0:23:48yes, but they need to be truly affordable houses.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50The committee now wants the government to come up
0:23:50 > 0:23:52with a strategy for tackling the issue by the middle
0:23:52 > 0:23:53of next year.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56Labour said this report showed that the Conservatives had caused
0:23:56 > 0:23:58the crisis of rapidly rising homelessness, but had
0:23:58 > 0:24:01no plans to fix it.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04Billy and his dad have now found somewhere permanent to live.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07But there are many others who won't have a place they can call
0:24:07 > 0:24:08home over Christmas.
0:24:08 > 0:24:09Andy Moore, BBC News.
0:24:09 > 0:24:10Police are continuing to search two properties,
0:24:10 > 0:24:12including a community centre, following anti-terror raids
0:24:12 > 0:24:15in Sheffield and Chesterfield.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18Four men have been arrested and held over an alleged Islamist terror plot
0:24:18 > 0:24:23that officers say could have been carried out this Christmas.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26Imagine being a cheerleader at the age of 85 -
0:24:26 > 0:24:30or a jazz pianist still performing at the age of 101.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33Some people are blessed with genes which mean they can continue living
0:24:33 > 0:24:41a full and active life well into their 80s and beyond.
0:24:41 > 0:24:43But at the moment these so called 'super-agers'
0:24:43 > 0:24:46are few and far between.
0:24:46 > 0:24:48However scientists in America are working on drugs
0:24:48 > 0:24:51which could mean more and more of us will be able to defy
0:24:51 > 0:24:52old age in years to come.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54Our Medical Correspondent Fergus Walsh has been investigating
0:24:54 > 0:24:57the medical advances as part of his series on so-called
0:24:57 > 0:25:00'super-agers' and joins me now.
0:25:00 > 0:25:08How can more people become super-agers?Well if you people are
0:25:08 > 0:25:11blessed with protective genes but very few and far between. The rest
0:25:11 > 0:25:16of us have got to work at it. And I think number one piece of advice
0:25:16 > 0:25:22that people should try to follow is exercise. Exercise, if it was a
0:25:22 > 0:25:30pill, would be a magic bullet, and it can extend life and reduce your
0:25:30 > 0:25:35chances of getting all the major diseases of ageing. I've met a woman
0:25:35 > 0:25:40called Irene who beat me as you pointed out, she's 84. No shame in
0:25:40 > 0:25:45that, she's extraordinary, she has been breaking world records for four
0:25:45 > 0:25:49decades in athletics.She is remarkable.Seven seconds slower
0:25:49 > 0:25:57than Usain Bolt. But do not let that put you off because even walking is
0:25:57 > 0:26:00very underrated, and even walking you're going faster than people
0:26:00 > 0:26:06sitting down so that all you will lose it as Irene told me. The other
0:26:06 > 0:26:10things are, not just your body but your mind, stay curious, keep
0:26:10 > 0:26:15exercising your mind and stay socially connected. So many older
0:26:15 > 0:26:20people allow their horizons to narrow.And what more can find do?
0:26:20 > 0:26:26There is a common factor for all chronic diseases of ageing, cancer,
0:26:26 > 0:26:29dementia, heart disease, arthritis, your chance of getting them all
0:26:29 > 0:26:33increase as your are ageing. So instead of targeting them
0:26:33 > 0:26:36individually scientists are trying to tackle the fundamental molecular
0:26:36 > 0:26:42process by which cells in the body age and drugs are on the horizon
0:26:42 > 0:26:45which will help us stay healthier during old age rather than just
0:26:45 > 0:26:52living longer.You have got some cheerleaders in their 80s, and
0:26:52 > 0:26:5585-year-old cheerleader on the BBC News At Six tonight so chilling for
0:26:55 > 0:27:00that. -- choose in for that.
0:27:00 > 0:27:04Turn on your TV at this time of year and you'll be left in no doubt
0:27:04 > 0:27:05that it is Christmas.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08But that's not true of other major religious festivals such as Eid,
0:27:08 > 0:27:09Diwali or Passover.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12Now the BBC says it is to broaden its coverage of religions, devoting
0:27:12 > 0:27:13more time to non-Christian faiths.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15Here's our correspondent David Sillito.
0:27:15 > 0:27:22SONGS OF PRAISE THEME TUNE.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25For some it's the best part of the BBC's output,
0:27:25 > 0:27:27but new research has also shown that traditional religious
0:27:27 > 0:27:29programmes are, for large parts of the audience,
0:27:29 > 0:27:30earnest, worthy, and a TV turn-off.
0:27:30 > 0:27:35Welcome to Sunday morning Live...
0:27:35 > 0:27:37There's also concern that too often religion on TV is reduced
0:27:37 > 0:27:39to an argument or debate.
0:27:39 > 0:27:41The BBC wants more stories about real people's lives
0:27:41 > 0:27:45and their faith, and less studio based confrontation.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47Are you going to come and see?
0:27:47 > 0:27:49I'm going to be in it later.
0:27:49 > 0:27:55There will also be more religion reflected in mainstream programming.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58It is all part of a review of how the BBC treats religion,
0:27:58 > 0:28:02after criticism that it was out of step with its audience.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05It means having portrayal of people from the wide range
0:28:05 > 0:28:07of religious backgrounds, across all of our programmes.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10But you're right, it does mean taking it more seriously,
0:28:10 > 0:28:13making sure that we get it right as much of the time as possible.
0:28:13 > 0:28:16So we're going to have a new unit, for example in BBC News,
0:28:16 > 0:28:19a global religious affairs unit which will be able to make sure
0:28:19 > 0:28:22we have got that expertise to get the facts right.
0:28:22 > 0:28:24Also to tell the story behind the headlines,
0:28:24 > 0:28:27to get to what is really happening, to the subtleties.
0:28:27 > 0:28:32# Once in Royal David's city...
0:28:32 > 0:28:40Latest research suggests the long decline in Christianity in the UK
0:28:40 > 0:28:42has over the last few years levelled off.
0:28:42 > 0:28:44Nearly half of us believe in life after death,
0:28:44 > 0:28:46one in four believe in angels.
0:28:46 > 0:28:49The BBC says there will be more Christianity but also more coverage
0:28:49 > 0:28:50and explanation of other faiths.
0:28:50 > 0:28:53The big calendar events of the world's main faiths will get
0:28:53 > 0:28:55more coverage and rather than being in decline, religion
0:28:55 > 0:28:58is actually growing globally.
0:28:58 > 0:29:00The number of people affiliated with a religion is forecast
0:29:00 > 0:29:04to increase from 84% to 90%.
0:29:04 > 0:29:08David Sillito, BBC News.
0:29:08 > 0:29:10Homes and businesses will have a legal right to demand
0:29:10 > 0:29:13high speed broadband by 2020.
0:29:13 > 0:29:16The government says the whole of the UK should have access
0:29:16 > 0:29:19to speeds of at least 10 megabytes.
0:29:19 > 0:29:25Our Technology Correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones is here.
0:29:25 > 0:29:30That does not sound like very much. It is not very fast but actually
0:29:30 > 0:29:33getting to all of those homes in the next couple of years will be
0:29:33 > 0:29:38challenging. Ofcom said the other day 1.1 million homes and businesses
0:29:38 > 0:29:42across the UK do not get those kind of speeds of the minute. The
0:29:42 > 0:29:46government is putting in this universal service obligation, so you
0:29:46 > 0:29:52have the legal right to demand it by 2020. BT proposed a voluntary scheme
0:29:52 > 0:30:05where it would pump in a certain amount of money
0:30:09 > 0:30:11and get to 99% by 2020.But the government said no, we need 100%.
0:30:11 > 0:30:14What is not clear is how that will be done and what technology will be
0:30:14 > 0:30:18employed. But people will have the right to demand it. Thank you.
0:30:18 > 0:30:20The actress Heather North, who provided the voice of Daphne
0:30:20 > 0:30:23in the Scooby-Doo cartoons in the 1970s and '80s, has died.
0:30:23 > 0:30:28She was 71.
0:30:28 > 0:30:31She entertained viewers as the voice of the teenaged detective who kept
0:30:31 > 0:30:33getting herself in trouble only to be rescued by her
0:30:33 > 0:30:41friends and their dog.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44Time for a look at the weather, here's Tomasz Shafernaker.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47Time for a look at the weather, here's Tomasz Shafernaker.
0:30:47 > 0:30:56No change from yesterday. So still quite mild out there. A couple of
0:30:56 > 0:31:06pictures, not very festive. Quite a lot of fog around. The weather is
0:31:06 > 0:31:16mixed across the country right now. Here is the run-up to Christmas. No
0:31:16 > 0:31:19change from yesterday, remaining mild. And this pattern also has not
0:31:19 > 0:31:26changed since yesterday, mild air across the UK even as far north as
0:31:26 > 0:31:35Scandinavia. Through tonight a lot of grey cloud and bits and pieces of
0:31:35 > 0:31:41drizzle around as well. Overnight in the south no lower than around 10
0:31:41 > 0:31:45degrees for example in parts. In Scotland and especially in east
0:31:45 > 0:31:50temperatures dipping away so perhaps some frost around. But for most of
0:31:50 > 0:31:56us that is not the case. So Thursday quite dull for a number of areas
0:31:56 > 0:32:00with some rain around for a time across Northern Ireland and parts of
0:32:00 > 0:32:05Scotland. Some sunshine in the far north of Scotland. In the South
0:32:05 > 0:32:14still gloomy, mild and murky. That will continue into Friday as well.
0:32:14 > 0:32:18So copycat conditions I think on Friday again and some low cloud
0:32:18 > 0:32:28around coastal areas. But look how mild it is, again 10 degrees for
0:32:28 > 0:32:32Yorkshire on Friday. But there is a bit of a change heading into the
0:32:32 > 0:32:38weekend. Low pressure moves to the north, sending stronger wind and a
0:32:38 > 0:32:42weather front across Scotland. So some gale force winds for a time.
0:32:42 > 0:32:52But look at the temperatures, widely 11 degrees. Feeling relatively warm.
0:32:52 > 0:33:00Sunday and again the cloud and mild air. On the big day itself, I showed
0:33:00 > 0:33:06you a forecast yesterday, it is more or less the same. Notice that the
0:33:06 > 0:33:09temperatures are starting to dip away in the far north and Scotland,
0:33:09 > 0:33:14and that is a hint of things to come possibly after Christmas may be from
0:33:14 > 0:33:19Boxing Day on words. Things cooling off just a little bit. So ending
0:33:19 > 0:33:23with a nice festive picture even though we do not expect any snow.
0:33:23 > 0:33:25A reminder of our main story this lunchtime.
0:33:25 > 0:33:27An urgent investigation's ordered into dozens of sex offence cases