27/01/2017 London News

BBC London has learned that we could be just weeks away

from a "unique" fix to deal with two of London's major problems.

A radical plan is being discussed which could allow our hospitals

to sell off areas of extra land they own - and be allowed

At the same time, the land could be used to build more homes.

The great and the good of London politics, in a room,

talking about more powers and more money for the capital,

The only way we'll make progress in this agenda in the years

ahead is if London speaks with one united voice.

Sadiq Khan wants more of the tax London raises kept here.

Everything from stamp duty and a new tourist tax.

It's a wish list, but BBC London has learned there is a more

Crucially, top officials here at the Treasury are involved.

As are top officials at the Department of Health

It's a deal that means that London's hospitals,

unlike those around the country, will be able to keep

the money they get from selling off spare land.

So instead of handing the money back to the Treasury

as they do at the moment, hospitals will be able to use

the money to reinvest in local health services.

The land could then be used, in conjunction with the mayor,

to build affordable housing for key workers.

It's hoped the deal will oversee the process of selling

It'll be a very significant change, because the estate of hospitals

in London is worth massively more than in any other

It would be an opportunity for using the land values that

are often used in London in the private sector for direct

public sector reinvestment, either in hospital buildings

or potentially in hospital services under stress.

It's understood the deal should be finalised within weeks

The mayor is not prepared to give much away today, however.

I'm not in the business of giving running commentaries.

What I will say is this, I have been impressed

by the conversations I've had with central Government about them

recognising that this isn't about party politics.

It's about recognising that when decisions are made at the coal

Does this give you some hope that you will get further powers

And politicians are normally optimistic if they know there's

An England fan from west London has been sentenced

to ten years in prison - for pushing another man onto

32-year-old Christopher Cole admitted "attempting to cause

The victim was badly bruised but managed to leap out of the way

So President Donald Trump is coming to London to meet the Queen.

We're not sure yet if he'll also visit what he calls

"London's no-go areas" - which he says our police

But today, one of his closest advisors - a preacher -

was in town, and Alice Bhandhukravi met him, and quizzed him.

I invite everyone of you to help me elect the next president of the

United States of America! Donald J Trump! Trump, Trump... The rallying

cry which in the end succeeded. But here in London Pastor Mark Burns

says he's surprised and saddened by the unpopularity of his new

president. He is not as he has been

portrayed in the media. What about Muslim Londoners who may

be concerned about going to America? Because, if your president had his

way, they might not be allowed? The president has not

waged war against Islam. He has suggested that Muslims

are banned from entering This is the media taking bits

and pieces of what it is he said and creating the false narrative

that isn't true. The president has made it clear,

he has done nothing other than President Jimmy Carter did,

by proposing a temporary ban against territories

that are supporting The UK is not supporting or

harbouring any terrorists that are out to do harm to you, or the United

States of America, so obviously the Muslims in this country don't have

anything to worry about. But Mr Trump didn't say that. He didn't

say, except for the good guys. He said, I will consider banning

Muslims from entering the United States, and there was no nuance in

that. Isn't that the problem with Donald Trump? I agree that once

again Donald Trump has made it very clear he is not the polished

politician, he's learning. Donald Trump said something

which upset many Londoners, he said there were many areas

in London that were no-go areas, I have not seen those

areas, but have only seen If you say it isn't true,

being a Londoner, I would Do you believe that Donald Trump is

just misunderstood? He's truly misunderstood and I don't have

anything to gain by saying that. Like most people, only knowing

Donald Trump through the lenses of the media, not his is -- not him as

a person. Now the weather. Quite a tranquil view. Things are

quite mild, as we started off the day it was a cold, frosty start but

those temperatures have been rising through the day, and through the

rest of this evening and overnight we are seeing a lot of cloud around.

That cloud bringing drizzly outbreaks of rain, but for most of

those it set to be frost free first thing on Saturday. Through the day

on Saturday the morning showers should clear away and it will feel

much milder compared to the bitterly cold weather we have seen recently.

You are likely to wake up to great conditions with outbreaks of rain.

By the afternoon a reappearance of some sunshine, 8-9 . It will turn

chilly through into the early hours of Sunday. Perhaps a touch of frost

first thing Sunday. Through the day we are likely to see things turning

pretty wet. Eventually the weather front should push away during the

course of Monday. I'll leave you with an outlook and pursue to my

colleague. Good evening. Not many would argue

that January hasn't been dry, but today, many of us had our first

significant rain for some time, because the transition is on from

cold, Continental dry air to milder Atlantic air, but the transition is

a slow one. So we have had ice today, and freezing fog,