0:00:06 > 0:00:10Dramatic new evidence of plastic pollution in the Arctic.
0:00:10 > 0:00:13Animals are frequently trapped in rubbish -
0:00:13 > 0:00:21scientists say a pristine wilderness is being contaminated.
0:00:22 > 0:00:25I've collected this waste in just a few seconds.
0:00:25 > 0:00:27Some of the fragments may come from Norway,
0:00:27 > 0:00:28some clearly don't, like this
0:00:28 > 0:00:30elaborate bottle, for instance, or this butter tub from Spain.
0:00:30 > 0:00:32We have a special report from the Norwegian Arctic.
0:00:32 > 0:00:33Also this lunchtime...
0:00:33 > 0:00:36Stranded in hospital corridors - new figures from NHS England say
0:00:36 > 0:00:431,000 people had to wait more than 12 hours for treatment last month.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46Interest rates on hold, but a warning they could rise soon
0:00:46 > 0:00:50as the Bank of England upgrades its forecast for growth.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53UK net trade is benefiting from this robust
0:00:53 > 0:00:57global demand and the past depreciation of sterling.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00Whereas it usually drags on growth, net
0:01:00 > 0:01:03trade is currently contributing substantially.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06Local authorities in England struggle to pay for essential
0:01:06 > 0:01:11services; higher council tax bills are on the way.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14And flying the flag for Britain - Lizzy Yarnold will lead out Team GB
0:01:14 > 0:01:20at the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23And in sport on BBC News, former captain Greg Laidlaw starts for
0:01:23 > 0:01:26Scotland in their Six Nations match with France this weekend, as one of
0:01:26 > 0:01:32six changes following their heavy defeat to Wales.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53Good afternoon and welcome to the BBC News at One.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55There is shocking new evidence today of plastic rubbish contaminating
0:01:55 > 0:01:59the pristine wilderness of the Arctic.
0:01:59 > 0:02:01Animals are becoming ensnared in plastic waste,
0:02:01 > 0:02:04while scientists say there are far more plastic particles in one litre
0:02:04 > 0:02:10of sea ice than in open water.
0:02:10 > 0:02:12They say they've found plastic pollution almost everywhere they've
0:02:12 > 0:02:14looked in the Arctic Ocean.
0:02:14 > 0:02:16Our environment analyst Roger Harrabin has been to Tromso
0:02:16 > 0:02:18in the Norwegian Arctic.
0:02:18 > 0:02:20A warning that you may
0:02:20 > 0:02:27find some of the images in his report disturbing.
0:02:29 > 0:02:35Plastic pollution is drifting to the furthest corners of the planet. The
0:02:35 > 0:02:40Arctic sea ice is created when sea freezes. It looks pristine but
0:02:40 > 0:02:46scientists are finding that it definitely is not. In fact ice cores
0:02:46 > 0:02:50show sea ice contains more fragments of plastic per square metre than
0:02:50 > 0:02:56anywhere else in the ocean, it is because sea ice freezes from the top
0:02:56 > 0:03:01and that is exactly where the plastic bits are floating. One litre
0:03:01 > 0:03:08of melted sea ice contain 234 plastic fragments like these.The
0:03:08 > 0:03:15numbers are way higher than I think most people expected, and definitely
0:03:15 > 0:03:21then what I expected. It shows that it is a serious problem and you have
0:03:21 > 0:03:24a situation in the world now that there is nowhere that is so far away
0:03:24 > 0:03:32that it is not affected by plastic waste.There is plastic on the
0:03:32 > 0:03:36beaches too, this local conservationist is trying forlornly
0:03:36 > 0:03:43to clear them up. Here is what the plastic does macro. This reindeer's
0:03:43 > 0:03:48and others were trapped by a discarded fishing net, it died. This
0:03:48 > 0:03:52Arctic turn met its death by starvation. And see the plastic
0:03:52 > 0:03:57strapping around the belly of this bearded seal. I have collected this
0:03:57 > 0:04:01waste in just a few seconds. Some of the fragments may come from Norway,
0:04:01 > 0:04:09some clearly don't like this elaborate bottle or this butter tub
0:04:09 > 0:04:14from Spain. And the plastic is here with a vengeance.Several years ago
0:04:14 > 0:04:18it was predicted plastic pollution would enter the Arctic and indeed we
0:04:18 > 0:04:22are finding plastic along the coastlines from urban areas to
0:04:22 > 0:04:27remote areas and the more we look for the plastics, the more we are
0:04:27 > 0:04:30finding.Arctic scientists don't know yet whether the plastic tide
0:04:30 > 0:04:36will affect local fish stocks but it is another human threats to a
0:04:36 > 0:04:39fragile environment, already being transformed by man-made climate
0:04:39 > 0:04:42change.
0:04:42 > 0:04:46And Roger is here now.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48Roger some horrific images in that report, how serious
0:04:48 > 0:04:50is this for the Arctic?
0:04:50 > 0:04:55Scientists are trying to find out, they have been blindsided. There is
0:04:55 > 0:04:59very little research but wherever they are looking, they are finding
0:04:59 > 0:05:06plastic. They don't know crucially what effect it will have on stocks
0:05:06 > 0:05:10of cod, they don't know if the plastics will be absorbed in the
0:05:10 > 0:05:13flesh of the fish which would be disastrous for the industry, but
0:05:13 > 0:05:18they can clearly see the effect on wildlife. You saw the pictures of
0:05:18 > 0:05:22the birds, the seal and reindeer. One bird they tested had more than
0:05:22 > 0:05:27200 pieces of plastic in its stomach.So much pollution and
0:05:27 > 0:05:32contamination, what can be done about it?Norway is trying to do its
0:05:32 > 0:05:38bit, we had a bottle scheme online, they are trying to clamp down on
0:05:38 > 0:05:42plastic waste from shipping, but clearly it is not enough. The UK is
0:05:42 > 0:05:47moving towards a plastic policy but it is rather lacking a lot of
0:05:47 > 0:05:52countries. China and India don't even have waste collections in many
0:05:52 > 0:05:55places so frankly this problem will get much worse before it gets
0:05:55 > 0:06:00better.Roger, thank you very much indeed.
0:06:00 > 0:06:04January was one of the worst months on record for hospital waiting times
0:06:04 > 0:06:06in A&E departments in England, according to the latest figures.
0:06:06 > 0:06:10More than 1,000 patients had to wait over 12 hours to be seen.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14NHS England says the four-hour waiting time target was missed
0:06:14 > 0:06:16for the 30th month in a row.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18Our Health Editor Hugh Pym is outside University College
0:06:18 > 0:06:24Hospital in Central London.
0:06:24 > 0:06:28We saw those cancellations of non-urgent operations this winter,
0:06:28 > 0:06:34to try and help the situation, but the NHS is clearly still in a dire
0:06:34 > 0:06:39situation.That's right, thousands of people have their routine
0:06:39 > 0:06:43operations, ALP paint operations, postponed in January. Almost all of
0:06:43 > 0:06:49them will still be waiting so that was the cost if you like of the NHS
0:06:49 > 0:06:53trying to shore up its A&E performance. In England the net
0:06:53 > 0:06:59result was a slight improvement on December, 85.3% of patients treated
0:06:59 > 0:07:09or assessed
0:07:15 > 0:07:18within four hours, and one of the worst months on record. The
0:07:18 > 0:07:20so-called trolley waits, that's people waiting after a decision to
0:07:20 > 0:07:23admit to the moment a bed can be found, more than 1000 waiting 12
0:07:23 > 0:07:25hours, that is a record high. Around 80,000 waiting four hours or more,
0:07:25 > 0:07:28showing pressure across the service and social care. Delayed transfers
0:07:28 > 0:07:30out of hospital, moving people back into the community, that has been a
0:07:30 > 0:07:33problem in the past and in December the figure was lower than on the
0:07:33 > 0:07:37previous year so that will be hailed as something of an achievement in
0:07:37 > 0:07:41the circumstances. Flu has been a major factor putting a lot of
0:07:41 > 0:07:48pressure on hospitals with the worst outbreak in seven years. There are
0:07:48 > 0:07:51signs that is easing off but certainly there is nothing in these
0:07:51 > 0:07:54figures to suggest anything other than the fact the service is under
0:07:54 > 0:08:00extreme pressure. Attempts are being made to stop things getting worse,
0:08:00 > 0:08:04but many patients, politicians and other observers will feel this is a
0:08:04 > 0:08:08service under pressure, and a lot of debate is needed about how it keeps
0:08:08 > 0:08:14going for the rest of the winter. Hugh Pym, thank you.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16Interest rates have been held at 0.5% this lunchtime,
0:08:16 > 0:08:20but the Bank of England has signalled that rates could rise
0:08:20 > 0:08:21earlier and faster than it thought three months ago,
0:08:21 > 0:08:24after stronger than expected economic growth.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27The Bank said the UK is benefitting from the global economy,
0:08:27 > 0:08:31which has been expanding at its fastest pace in seven years.
0:08:31 > 0:08:39Andy Verity has the details.
0:08:39 > 0:08:43If the whole economy performed like this Manchester maker of branded
0:08:43 > 0:08:47clothing, its biggest problems would be almost solved. It is growing
0:08:47 > 0:08:50fast, exporting to Europe and boosting productivity through
0:08:50 > 0:08:54investment. While inflation boosted its costs, it has been able to
0:08:54 > 0:09:00absorb out and carry on winning new orders.The last 12 months we have
0:09:00 > 0:09:04grown by 20% in the UK but Europe has been much stronger than that so
0:09:04 > 0:09:08we have more than doubled the growth rate in the UK. I'm cautiously
0:09:08 > 0:09:12optimistic about the future, we are making major investments over the
0:09:12 > 0:09:17next 12 months in technology which will allow us to increase
0:09:17 > 0:09:21productivity and efficiency, and improve quality and service to our
0:09:21 > 0:09:27customers.The key to the competitive of -- competitiveness of
0:09:27 > 0:09:31this company is speed. The speed of growth in the wider economy had been
0:09:31 > 0:09:34slowing but recently it's growing faster than expected and today the
0:09:34 > 0:09:39Bank of England said it is probably growing as fast as it can without
0:09:39 > 0:09:43overheating.GDP growth is expected to average around one and three
0:09:43 > 0:09:47quarters percent over the forecast period, a little stronger than
0:09:47 > 0:09:54projected in November. While modest by historic standards, this demand
0:09:54 > 0:09:58growth is still expected to exceed the diminished rate of supply growth
0:09:58 > 0:10:02over the forecast period.The key judgment for the Bank of England is
0:10:02 > 0:10:07when the next rise of interest rates comes. Today its monetary policy
0:10:07 > 0:10:12committee held the official rate at 0.5% but in the city they are saying
0:10:12 > 0:10:17the next rise is likely in May. Prices are still rising faster than
0:10:17 > 0:10:22wages meaning on average your real income will buy less and less but
0:10:22 > 0:10:26the Bank of England's big judgment call is we will get bigger pay rises
0:10:26 > 0:10:31in the years to come. If they are right about that, the squeeze on
0:10:31 > 0:10:34living standards should start to ease. The weaker pound has raised
0:10:34 > 0:10:39the cost of imported goods including raw materials, but because an
0:10:39 > 0:10:43interest rate rise is now expected soon, investors expect to make more
0:10:43 > 0:10:48money holding pounds. That has pushed up the value of the pound by
0:10:48 > 0:10:541 cent this afternoon, and that should help to contain inflation.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57Theresa May is expected to tell business leaders from Japan that
0:10:57 > 0:11:00she's seeking to agree a transition deal for Britain's exit from the EU
0:11:00 > 0:11:01as soon as possible.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03Japanese investors in Britain, including major car-makers,
0:11:03 > 0:11:05are meeting the Prime Minister this afternoon to discuss
0:11:05 > 0:11:07their operations after Brexit.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10The motor industry has said it fears it could face export tariffs
0:11:10 > 0:11:12and customs delays after Britain leaves the EU.
0:11:12 > 0:11:20Our Business Editor Simon Jack is in Downing Street.
0:11:22 > 0:11:27Simon, how worried are foreign investors about Brexit?They are
0:11:27 > 0:11:32worried because they have got a big investment in the UK, Honda, Nissan
0:11:32 > 0:11:36and Toyota, very sensitive to Brexit. The Prime Minister but this
0:11:36 > 0:11:40meeting in the diary when she visited Japan last September and it
0:11:40 > 0:11:45has fallen on a date that could hardly be more opportune or
0:11:45 > 0:11:50sensitive. After the vote, the referendum vote, Japan sent this
0:11:50 > 0:11:55document to the Government of the UK and the EU, and in it they say what
0:11:55 > 0:11:59Japanese business most want to avoid is a situation in which they are
0:11:59 > 0:12:03unable to discern clearly the way Brexit negotiations are only
0:12:03 > 0:12:06grasping the whole picture at the last minute. They will be saying
0:12:06 > 0:12:12what the heck is going on. Japan build half of all the cars in the
0:12:12 > 0:12:17UK, most of those are for export, most of those exports go to the EU.
0:12:17 > 0:12:22In a recent civil service assessment over the last few days they put the
0:12:22 > 0:12:28impact on the car industry alone between 5% and 13% cost to growth
0:12:28 > 0:12:33over the next 15 years. In the regional assessment of the impact of
0:12:33 > 0:12:39Brexit, places like the north-east, home to Nissan in Sunderland, they
0:12:39 > 0:12:45say the impact there could be as much as 16% growth. As you can see,
0:12:45 > 0:12:48very sensitive for Japanese businesses and they will be wanting
0:12:48 > 0:12:51to know what's coming out of the cabinet meeting going on right now,
0:12:51 > 0:12:55where they are trying to thrash out a coherent form about what they
0:12:55 > 0:13:01want, and the car manufacturers and business leaders will want to know
0:13:01 > 0:13:08exactly what that is.Simon Jack, thank you.
0:13:08 > 0:13:10Almost all council tax payers in England face higher bills
0:13:10 > 0:13:12and charges from April, because local authorities
0:13:12 > 0:13:13say they're struggling to make ends meet.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15A survey suggests around three-quarters of councils
0:13:15 > 0:13:18are planning an increase of at least 2.5%.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20That would mean more than £40 on the average bill.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23Duncan Kennedy is in Guildford in Surrey, which is facing
0:13:23 > 0:13:31a budget shortfall of more than £100 million.
0:13:36 > 0:13:40Adult social care, children's services, transport subsidies and
0:13:40 > 0:13:46infrastructure projects. These are all the cornerstone services of our
0:13:46 > 0:13:51lives and council spending. But today's report says in England they
0:13:51 > 0:13:57are all under pressure.This shows councils are right on the edge
0:13:57 > 0:14:01financially. They are keeping services together but only doing
0:14:01 > 0:14:06that by whacking up council tax, charging for everything they can and
0:14:06 > 0:14:09draining their reserves.The research by the local government
0:14:09 > 0:14:12information unit heard from a third of English councils and found nearly
0:14:12 > 0:14:18all of them plan to increase council tax. With 95% of authorities saying
0:14:18 > 0:14:24they expect taxes to rise. 93% of councils say they expect to increase
0:14:24 > 0:14:29the price of services they charge for, and those figures come as eight
0:14:29 > 0:14:32in ten councils say they fear for their long-term financial
0:14:32 > 0:14:40sustainability. Take sorry's pothole bill, the council reckons it would
0:14:40 > 0:14:46take £300 million to fix all of its roads. And it has got 1300 miles of
0:14:46 > 0:14:53roads that need repairing -- in Surrey. But when you tell people
0:14:53 > 0:14:58hear their council tax is about to go up, 6%, the largest anywhere in
0:14:58 > 0:15:02England, well... There's not always much support.
0:15:02 > 0:15:08The county council has voted to put up your council tax by 6%, what do
0:15:08 > 0:15:12you think?I think all of the councils are doing it, no one is
0:15:12 > 0:15:15pleased because we don't have enough money to go around and pay the other
0:15:15 > 0:15:20bills.What do you think about the fact Surrey council is putting up
0:15:20 > 0:15:27the council tax by 6%?It's a liberty, I don't agree at all.
0:15:27 > 0:15:33Nobody welcomes a tax rise but if it goes towards increased parent --
0:15:33 > 0:15:39payment to carers, people will be OK with that.Last week
0:15:39 > 0:15:42Northamptonshire County Council banned all new spending and said its
0:15:42 > 0:15:47financial future was grave, but the Government says its financial
0:15:47 > 0:15:51settlement for local authorities is balanced between pressures on
0:15:51 > 0:15:56councils and strains on taxpayers. It is for individual councils to
0:15:56 > 0:15:59decide what's the right balance to strike between raising money for
0:15:59 > 0:16:03services people want to see, funding adult social care, but making the
0:16:03 > 0:16:09tax rises are not excessive.Some have said councils are perilously
0:16:09 > 0:16:14close to financial collapse. Resources, how to create them, how
0:16:14 > 0:16:21to spend them is as always at the heart of this debate.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23Our top story this lunchtime.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26New evidence of plastic pollution in the Arctic
0:16:26 > 0:16:28with animals trapped in rubbish and a pristine
0:16:28 > 0:16:32wilderness contaminated.
0:16:32 > 0:16:33Coming up.
0:16:33 > 0:16:34Going for her second gold.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37Can skeleton champion Lizzy Yarnold become the first Brit
0:16:37 > 0:16:41to defend her Winter Olympic title?
0:16:41 > 0:16:44Coming up in sport, Lizzy Yarnold has been announced as Team GB's
0:16:44 > 0:16:46flagbearer for tomorrow's opening ceremony at the Winter
0:16:46 > 0:16:49Olympics in PyeongChang.
0:16:49 > 0:16:55She was given the role after being voted for by her team-mates.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09Low pay and overwhelming pressures of work mean that adult care
0:17:09 > 0:17:12services in England can no longer fill key posts according
0:17:12 > 0:17:15to the National Audit Office.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18It claims a lack of government planning and funding has undermined
0:17:18 > 0:17:22the sector at a time when demand for it is increasing.
0:17:22 > 0:17:26Here's our social affairs correspondent, Alison Holt.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29It's a busy lunchtime at Northfields nursing home in Sheffield.
0:17:29 > 0:17:33Demanding work for the care staff who are looking after residents
0:17:33 > 0:17:34with a high level of need.
0:17:34 > 0:17:38And today's report outlines just how difficult it has become to find
0:17:38 > 0:17:43the people needed to provide this vital care.
0:17:43 > 0:17:44Joyce?
0:17:44 > 0:17:45Good afternoon.
0:17:45 > 0:17:46It's only me.
0:17:46 > 0:17:47Sorry to bother you, darling.
0:17:47 > 0:17:49Tammy Ardron is the nursing lead here.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51Finding care staff generally is a problem but she says attracting
0:17:51 > 0:17:55nurses has become a real issue for them.
0:17:55 > 0:17:59I don't think it is as attractive as maybe the NHS, where you've
0:17:59 > 0:18:03got your salary packages, enhanced rates of pay
0:18:03 > 0:18:06and sociable hours.
0:18:06 > 0:18:11And I think it's hard work.
0:18:11 > 0:18:12It's busy, it's constant.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15You got to be on the ball 24 hours a day.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18The report also says, with councils struggling with budget cuts,
0:18:18 > 0:18:20the money they pay for care doesn't cover costs.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23And, according to the boss of this home, some providers have had no
0:18:23 > 0:18:28choice but to close or risk the quality of care falling.
0:18:28 > 0:18:32The only way that these operators can continue is to cut the standard
0:18:32 > 0:18:35because fundamentally the funding issue is impacting
0:18:35 > 0:18:41on the resources, the workers and the delivery of care.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43The National Audit Office says, whilst working in care
0:18:43 > 0:18:47can be rewarding, many staff feel undervalued.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50In 2016-17 more than half of the workforce was paid
0:18:50 > 0:18:54£7.50 an hour or less.
0:18:54 > 0:18:58In the same year, staff turnover was nearly 28%.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01And 6.6% of jobs were vacant.
0:19:01 > 0:19:06But it says there is no government strategy for tackling the problems.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09Only the Department of Health can produce a work for strategy that
0:19:09 > 0:19:12speaks to the national picture about the problems that we found
0:19:12 > 0:19:15of low pay, low prestige and high turnover rates which is reducing
0:19:15 > 0:19:21the quality of service for people who are actually receiving care.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23In response, the Department of Health and Social Care says extra
0:19:23 > 0:19:26money is being put into social care and that it will soon publish
0:19:26 > 0:19:29a strategy for the health and care workforce.
0:19:29 > 0:19:36Alison Holt, BBC News.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38One in five people working in parliament has experienced
0:19:38 > 0:19:40or witnessed sexual harassment in the past year, according
0:19:40 > 0:19:44to a report released today.
0:19:44 > 0:19:45A cross-party working group has recommended
0:19:45 > 0:19:48a new code of conduct for MPs, Peers and parliamentary staff.
0:19:48 > 0:19:56Our political correspondent Leila Nathoo reports from Westminster.
0:20:00 > 0:20:06The corridors of power, a workplace for thousands of people and, after a
0:20:06 > 0:20:10series of sexual harassment claims last year, the subject of a
0:20:10 > 0:20:15cross-party review into how such complaints are made and handled. In
0:20:15 > 0:20:19the Commons this morning, the promise of a new system to protect
0:20:19 > 0:20:23staff and wanting a change in culture.It is a right, not a
0:20:23 > 0:20:28privilege, to be treated with dignity and respect at work. And
0:20:28 > 0:20:32this ambitious report is a major step towards a safer and more
0:20:32 > 0:20:38professional environment.The report found nearly 1500 Parliamentary
0:20:38 > 0:20:44workers who responded to a survey, almost one in five said they had
0:20:44 > 0:20:46witnessed or experienced sexual harassment last year and the
0:20:46 > 0:20:55proposes is a new behaviour for people in Parliament. A new process
0:20:55 > 0:21:00and new sanctions for MPs found to have behaved inappropriately with a
0:21:00 > 0:21:02possibility of suspension and deselection in the most serious
0:21:02 > 0:21:07cases. People wanting to complain about harassment and bullying in
0:21:07 > 0:21:10Westminster have so far had to rely on their own bosses and political
0:21:10 > 0:21:14parties to take up their case, but have an independent confidential
0:21:14 > 0:21:17grievance procedure is designed to encourage more people to come
0:21:17 > 0:21:22forward if they have concerns. It's an attempt to shift the power
0:21:22 > 0:21:25dynamic here and it has been broadly welcomed by some of those who have
0:21:25 > 0:21:29spoken out in the past.I think it's really important that there was an
0:21:29 > 0:21:34independent process. I do have concerns about anonymity but I think
0:21:34 > 0:21:38it's a really good rapport. A really good way forward. There are tougher
0:21:38 > 0:21:42sanctions such as recall, that MPs will ultimately face, and I think
0:21:42 > 0:21:48they do have to have that deterrent but also having a code of conduct is
0:21:48 > 0:21:53part of a culture change needed in Westminster.MPs will debate the
0:21:53 > 0:21:57proposals later this month. In a place where loyalty of highly
0:21:57 > 0:22:00valued, Parliament hopes it can break down the culture of silence
0:22:00 > 0:22:03that has endured here for so long.
0:22:03 > 0:22:10Our Assistant political editor Norman Smith is in Westminster.
0:22:10 > 0:22:15Norman, will these reforms change the cultural Westminster?I think
0:22:15 > 0:22:20most people think they may do, but let's be honest, it's a pretty odd,
0:22:20 > 0:22:26bizarre workplace which has been resistant to change, so today's
0:22:26 > 0:22:30reforms are basically designed to put in place a workplace practices
0:22:30 > 0:22:34in businesses and offices up and down the country so there will be a
0:22:34 > 0:22:37human resources Department, there will be mandatory training, there
0:22:37 > 0:22:42will beat codes of conduct, there will be an independent investigatory
0:22:42 > 0:22:46system. What there won't be is the big fat stick of the sack full if
0:22:46 > 0:22:50you and I were found guilty of sexual misconduct, we would be out
0:22:50 > 0:22:55the door. At Westminster, MPs will not face dismissal and the thinking
0:22:55 > 0:23:00there is that Parliament doesn't really employ MPs thought the people
0:23:00 > 0:23:05who employ them are the voters so someone here if they were to give
0:23:05 > 0:23:09them the boot, that would be defying will of thousands of people who
0:23:09 > 0:23:15voted for them and also some of the sanctions put in place, such as
0:23:15 > 0:23:19written apologies, forcing MPs to undergo further training, might look
0:23:19 > 0:23:24a little light touch but before anyone thinks this is easy Street,
0:23:24 > 0:23:29one sanction would people here face which most of us do not face is a
0:23:29 > 0:23:34searing level of media scrutiny. If you look at ministers who have been
0:23:34 > 0:23:39forced to resign, it's been because of media coverage, so MPs may not
0:23:39 > 0:23:44face the sanction of the sack, but they do face the sanction of the
0:23:44 > 0:23:49court of public opinion.Norman, thank you very much. To the United
0:23:49 > 0:23:54States.
0:23:54 > 0:23:58The leaders of both parties in the US Senate have struck a deal
0:23:58 > 0:24:00to avoid a repeat of last month's government shutdown,
0:24:00 > 0:24:02which saw federal agencies close amid political deadlock on Capitol
0:24:02 > 0:24:03Hill.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05The proposed two-year funding agreement would increase
0:24:05 > 0:24:07spending by $300 billion, including for military projects.
0:24:07 > 0:24:12David Willis reports.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15Acts of bipartisanship have been in short supply in these parts of late,
0:24:15 > 0:24:21that's what makes the Senate to deal unusual.I'm pleased to announce our
0:24:21 > 0:24:27bipartisan negotiations on defence spending and other priorities have
0:24:27 > 0:24:34yielded a significant agreement.But getting is that a deal passed the
0:24:34 > 0:24:38house might not be quite so easy for the Democrats they want to link it
0:24:38 > 0:24:42to legislation to protect the plight of the so-called dreamers, young
0:24:42 > 0:24:45people brought to the USA it legally whom President Trump is threatening
0:24:45 > 0:24:51to deport.But most of all, let us thank and acknowledge the dreamers
0:24:51 > 0:24:57for their courage, their optimism, their inspiration to make America
0:24:57 > 0:25:05more American.Concluding a marathon eight hour speech, the leading house
0:25:05 > 0:25:10Democrat called on the publicans to replicate a promise given to members
0:25:10 > 0:25:15of the Senate and bring forward a vote on immigration reform. Many
0:25:15 > 0:25:20Republicans actually support legitimising the status of the
0:25:20 > 0:25:23dreamers, but they wanted to be part of a bill that would also provide
0:25:23 > 0:25:27funding for a wall along the Mexican border, pet project of President
0:25:27 > 0:25:32Trump. Coming on top of his recent tax cuts, there is also Republicans
0:25:32 > 0:25:37who oppose the massive increase in the federal deficit that the new
0:25:37 > 0:25:42budget plan would bring about. Meaning that for all the Senate's
0:25:42 > 0:25:46good intentions, Washington once again finds itself locked in a game
0:25:46 > 0:25:50of budget brinkmanship with a government shutdown looming. David
0:25:50 > 0:25:53Willetts, BBC News, Washington.
0:25:53 > 0:25:55North Korea has confirmed that the sister of its leader,
0:25:55 > 0:25:58Kim Jong-un, will attend the opening ceremony of the Winter
0:25:58 > 0:25:59Olympic Games tomorrow.
0:25:59 > 0:26:02She'll be in the same stadium as the US Vice President Mike Pence,
0:26:02 > 0:26:04and also the father of the American citizen, Otto Warmbier,
0:26:04 > 0:26:06who died last year, after he was released
0:26:06 > 0:26:09from a North Korean prison.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11Steve McDonnell reports from the South Korean capital Seoul.
0:26:11 > 0:26:15Along with its athletes, North Korea has sent teams of musicians,
0:26:15 > 0:26:20performers and cheerleaders to the Winter Olympics.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23This is being seen as a significant diplomatic push from the North
0:26:23 > 0:26:26to coincide with the Games.
0:26:26 > 0:26:30But the United States government has its own propaganda goals here.
0:26:30 > 0:26:32Vice President Mike Pence has vowed to challenge every
0:26:32 > 0:26:36move North Korea makes, reminding the world
0:26:36 > 0:26:41of its human rights abuses and nuclear weapons programme.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44Yet, with locals getting excited about hosting this
0:26:44 > 0:26:48global sporting festival, some have questioned how appropriate
0:26:48 > 0:26:54it is for the Trump Administration to potentially spoil the party.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56Here in South Korea, opinions are divided
0:26:56 > 0:27:00as to whether having so much engagement with their northern
0:27:00 > 0:27:05neighbours at these Games is such a good idea.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08Either way, it is happening, and some are now starting to wonder
0:27:08 > 0:27:11whether or not the Olympics might even provide a genuine shift in
0:27:11 > 0:27:19relations between these two nations.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21The fact the two sides are talking at an intergovernmental
0:27:21 > 0:27:23level is encouraging, so we're hoping the spirit that's
0:27:23 > 0:27:26been generated there will lead to maybe more talks,
0:27:26 > 0:27:29and from our point of view if it lead to military talks or reopening
0:27:29 > 0:27:37of the transport corridors, that would be fantastic.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42With just one day to go until the opening ceremony,
0:27:42 > 0:27:44North Korea held an enormous military parade to mark the 70th
0:27:44 > 0:27:47anniversary of its Armed Forces.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50But it wasn't carried live on local television,
0:27:50 > 0:27:52and foreign journalists were not invited for fear it might
0:27:52 > 0:27:58upstage the Olympics.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01Right now, Koreans from both sides of the border are showing
0:28:01 > 0:28:05off their cultural prowess.
0:28:05 > 0:28:07However, once the sport starts in earnest, the athletes
0:28:07 > 0:28:08will take centre stage.
0:28:08 > 0:28:14Steven McDonnell, BBC News, at the Pyongyang Olympics.
0:28:14 > 0:28:18Britain's Olympic skeleton champion Lizzy Yarnold says she was lost
0:28:18 > 0:28:22for words when she was told she'd be carrying the flag for Team GB
0:28:22 > 0:28:26at tomorrow's opening ceremony of the Games in South Korea.
0:28:26 > 0:28:31Lizzy carried the flag at the closing ceremony in Sochi
0:28:31 > 0:28:34after winning gold four years ago, and she's aiming to become
0:28:34 > 0:28:38the first Briton to defend a Winter Olympic title.
0:28:38 > 0:28:44Our sports correspondent Andy Swiss reports from PyeongChang.
0:28:44 > 0:28:46Flying the flag for Team GB.
0:28:46 > 0:28:52Lizzy Yarnold ready to lead out her country tomorrow night.
0:28:52 > 0:28:55A fitting honour for an athlete whose lead the way in her sport.
0:28:55 > 0:28:58It was in Sochi four years ago that she raced to Britain's
0:28:58 > 0:28:59only gold of the Games.
0:28:59 > 0:29:01COMMENTATOR:Lizzy Yarnold is the Olympic champion!
0:29:01 > 0:29:02Oh my goodness!
0:29:02 > 0:29:05And if that was special she says so was being chosen to be
0:29:05 > 0:29:07the team's flag bearer.
0:29:07 > 0:29:10It's an honour that I never really thought about but actually means
0:29:10 > 0:29:16so much because the flag represents the whole team and we, as a team,
0:29:16 > 0:29:19represent everyone in Great Britain who have watched us,
0:29:19 > 0:29:22who have supported us.
0:29:22 > 0:29:25You know, for our parents to watch us on the TV screen,
0:29:25 > 0:29:28and our grandparents watching at home, that is the moment
0:29:28 > 0:29:31when they say, "Great Britain", you know, your skin just tingles
0:29:31 > 0:29:34and the emotions begin.
0:29:34 > 0:29:37Not such good news though for another of Britain's medal hopes.
0:29:37 > 0:29:41Snowboarder Katie Ormerod fracturing her wrist
0:29:41 > 0:29:42in a training accident yesterday.
0:29:42 > 0:29:45Her reaction on social media said it all.
0:29:45 > 0:29:49She says she will still compete though in both her events.
0:29:49 > 0:29:52While the Games don't officially start until tomorrow,
0:29:52 > 0:29:54there was the first sporting action today.
0:29:54 > 0:29:58Including an Olympic debut for mixed curling.
0:29:58 > 0:30:02But elsewhere, there is already controversy over Russia.
0:30:02 > 0:30:06More of their athletes could yet be allowed to compete here as neutrals
0:30:06 > 0:30:09despite their country being banned because of doping.
0:30:09 > 0:30:13And some believe Russia are yet to learn their lesson.
0:30:13 > 0:30:17I think it would be very good for Russia now to accept the problem
0:30:17 > 0:30:22that they had and somehow they have and there is still some
0:30:22 > 0:30:25reluctance to go further, to stop fighting the evidence that
0:30:25 > 0:30:28everybody is agreed is clearly on the table, and to turn the page
0:30:28 > 0:30:31and be good citizens, come back in the international
0:30:31 > 0:30:35community and be part of the group again.
0:30:35 > 0:30:39The other big talking point here is still the freezing temperatures.
0:30:39 > 0:30:42It has been milder today, but fans at tomorrow night's opening
0:30:42 > 0:30:46ceremony will be given blankets and warm cushions.
0:30:46 > 0:30:49It promises to be a shivering start to these Games.
0:30:49 > 0:30:56Andy Swiss, BBC News, PyeongChang.
0:30:56 > 0:30:57Time for a look at the weather.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00Here's Louise Lear.
0:31:04 > 0:31:08It was -6 this morning in parts of southern England. At least we have
0:31:08 > 0:31:11blue sky and sunshine but unfortunately that's not the case
0:31:11 > 0:31:14for everyone but it was beautiful as you can see by this picture in
0:31:14 > 0:31:18Southwark. However, a weather front has struggled across the moment at
0:31:18 > 0:31:22the moment bringing cloud and outbreaks of rain. It's also
0:31:22 > 0:31:26introducing something a little less cold for some of us under the cloud
0:31:26 > 0:31:30and rain. More on that in a moment. The rain will live in south-west
0:31:30 > 0:31:34England, Wales into the North of England. Quite a lot of cloud
0:31:34 > 0:31:36through the end of the day and a few scattered showers into the
0:31:36 > 0:31:42Northwest. Around 7-9d. As we go through the night tonight, we will
0:31:42 > 0:31:46see the rain pep up a little bit across south-west England, Wales,
0:31:46 > 0:31:50northern England as it gradually drifts steadily eastwards. Behind
0:31:50 > 0:31:56it, temperatures falling away. Those showers will be wintry in nature.
0:31:56 > 0:31:59Under clearer skies, Scotland, northern England, you will see
0:31:59 > 0:32:03temperatures fall below freezing, as low as -4 in shelter Scotland, and
0:32:03 > 0:32:07we could also see more of an organised wintry mix of showers
0:32:07 > 0:32:12falling here through Wales and the Midlands. As we go through Friday
0:32:12 > 0:32:17morning. Let's put some detail on it. First thing Friday morning, ice
0:32:17 > 0:32:20across Scotland particularly with the showers falling on those
0:32:20 > 0:32:24temperatures, below freezing, so that's worth bearing in mind. Wintry
0:32:24 > 0:32:29mix through Wales, the Midlands, London, moving south-east through
0:32:29 > 0:32:33the morning so by 11am it could be covering East Anglia and the
0:32:33 > 0:32:37south-east corner first thing. It could cause one or two issues but
0:32:37 > 0:32:41were not too concerned about it. Behind it, clearer skies and plenty
0:32:41 > 0:32:47of sunshine. 4-7. That little ridge of high pressure with the clear
0:32:47 > 0:32:52skies stays with us across England and Wales to start Saturday morning.
0:32:52 > 0:32:56A cold frosty start but another front pushes in and the isobars
0:32:56 > 0:32:59squeezed together on the leading edge. There could be some snow but
0:32:59 > 0:33:04it could turn to rain. Saturday looks like a dismal day, really,.
0:33:04 > 0:33:08The Borders will be cloudy and wet. Rain, heavy at times, with the best
0:33:08 > 0:33:14of the brightness perhaps into the far north of Scotland. 7-11 overall.
0:33:14 > 0:33:19These wintry showers waiting in the wings, something to look out for on
0:33:19 > 0:33:23Sunday. So, as we move towards the weekend, it looks likely we will see
0:33:23 > 0:33:26it staying cold, with some rain and snow showers through the second half
0:33:26 > 0:33:34of the weekend. Gale force winds at times. More from me throughout the
0:33:34 > 0:33:34afternoon. Thank you, Louise.
0:33:34 > 0:33:36A reminder of our main story this lunchtime.
0:33:36 > 0:33:38New evidence of plastic pollution in the Arctic
0:33:38 > 0:33:40with animals trapped in rubbish and a pristine
0:33:40 > 0:33:42wilderness contaminated.
0:33:42 > 0:33:46That's all from the BBC News at One, so it's goodbye from me,
0:33:46 > 0:33:49and on BBC One we now join the BBC's news teams where you are.