0:00:00 > 0:00:00on the problems of recruiting and retaining nurses in the NHS.
0:00:00 > 0:00:00Now
0:00:10 > 0:00:13Welcome to BBC London News. I'm Chris Rogers.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16There could be dire consequences for the capital
0:00:16 > 0:00:19following the collapse of construction giant Carillion -
0:00:19 > 0:00:22one union is warning the full impact is not yet known.
0:00:22 > 0:00:25BBC London has learnt that a multi-million pound development
0:00:25 > 0:00:29at one of our busiest hospitals has been hit as a result.
0:00:29 > 0:00:32And we've also discovered that the Met police has
0:00:32 > 0:00:34contracts with the company.
0:00:34 > 0:00:37Here's our political correspondent, Karl Mercer.
0:00:37 > 0:00:39St Helier is in need of repair.
0:00:39 > 0:00:42These parts of the Sutton hospital are well past their sell by date.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45Which is why bosses here decided they needed to shell out £12
0:00:45 > 0:00:50million on repairs.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52It's the biggest refurb the hospital has ever had,
0:00:52 > 0:00:54and will see windows and roofs replaced.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56The outer walls strengthened and repaired.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59Only yesterday the work hit a snag.
0:00:59 > 0:01:00Its name?
0:01:00 > 0:01:02Carillion - a major sub-contractor on this
0:01:02 > 0:01:07project, and one not living up to its billboard promises.
0:01:07 > 0:01:09Yesterday work here stopped.
0:01:09 > 0:01:11Some workers were on site today.
0:01:11 > 0:01:19But their future too is uncertain past the end of the week.
0:01:19 > 0:01:23The hospital chief executive was not available per interview today, but
0:01:23 > 0:01:27he did tell me last night worker stopped yesterday. He is in urgent
0:01:27 > 0:01:31talks with contractors to see what happens. He is either a statement in
0:01:31 > 0:01:37which he said he was grateful to stop still working on site despite
0:01:37 > 0:01:40the uncertainty. He said, we are working hard to find a solution to
0:01:40 > 0:01:43enable the work to continue as planned.
0:01:43 > 0:01:45The improvement works are very badly needed.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48The St Helier redevopment, like most, is done with the help
0:01:48 > 0:01:53of private contractors, under the sort of scheme brought
0:01:53 > 0:01:56in by the Prime Minister, who first introduced the private finance
0:01:56 > 0:01:58initiative to Britain, and was born in this hospital.
0:01:58 > 0:02:00Local MPs today hope his scheme will still go ahead
0:02:00 > 0:02:07on time and on budget.
0:02:07 > 0:02:11You've got the hospital at maximum capacity because of the winter.
0:02:11 > 0:02:15Every bed used. At the same time as you are trying to replace Windows,
0:02:15 > 0:02:20make sure there is a new roof and to actually make sure there is no water
0:02:20 > 0:02:24getting in. It is not straightforward. But I do have
0:02:24 > 0:02:30confidence that it will continue and we desperately needed.The chief
0:02:30 > 0:02:33executive is making sure something and get sorted out. It is a worry
0:02:33 > 0:02:37that we don't want any further delay. We want to make sure we have
0:02:37 > 0:02:43costs right as well. We have only got a limited budget. It is
0:02:43 > 0:02:46important that we are on the case straightaway.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49It's not just the public sector affected by Carillion's collapse.
0:02:49 > 0:02:51This housing development in Central London left quiet today.
0:02:51 > 0:02:53Workers simply coming back to pick up their tools.
0:02:53 > 0:02:59And unions warning the full effects are yet to be felt in the capital.
0:03:00 > 0:03:06It's not just Carillion. It is many thousands of construction workers,
0:03:06 > 0:03:08small companies, medium-sized companies, who are literally
0:03:08 > 0:03:11wondering what will happen at the end of today, tomorrow, the end of
0:03:11 > 0:03:11this week.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13The coming days will be difficult for many
0:03:13 > 0:03:14connected with Carillion.
0:03:14 > 0:03:20Workers - and those who depended on its services.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23And it's emerged the Metropolitan Police is also
0:03:23 > 0:03:26affected, with Carillion involved in four South London police stations.
0:03:26 > 0:03:28They prepare exhibits for court cases, provide some
0:03:28 > 0:03:31of the custody services, processing people through
0:03:31 > 0:03:36the system, and do maintenance and electrical work.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39They also have an even bigger contract, which is operating
0:03:39 > 0:03:42and managing the Metropolitan Police's specialist training
0:03:42 > 0:03:47centre in Gravesend, where they train officers
0:03:47 > 0:03:49in public order, how to deal with rioting,
0:03:49 > 0:03:53with seige situations - and they have a shooting range there.
0:03:53 > 0:03:55The Met Police and Mopac - the Mayor's Office for Policing
0:03:55 > 0:03:58and Crime - say they have contingency plans which suggests
0:03:58 > 0:04:04the staff will stay there for the immediate future.
0:04:04 > 0:04:12I wouldn't want people to think that if there were to be any difficulty,
0:04:12 > 0:04:16that would cause the Met to come to a halt. It absolutely wouldn't.
0:04:16 > 0:04:21These are important contracts for us. The people who work in Carillion
0:04:21 > 0:04:25are concerned about their futures, we understand that. At the moment we
0:04:25 > 0:04:30have no break in service and it is the intention of the mayor and me to
0:04:30 > 0:04:31make sure that continues into the future.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34A decision on a controversial regeneration plan for south london
0:04:34 > 0:04:35is expected tonight.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37Councillors are still meeting to consider plans to demolish
0:04:37 > 0:04:38the shopping centre and neighbouring buildings.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41Nearly 1000 new homes are planned, but protestors who stormed
0:04:41 > 0:04:43the council offices say not enough of them affordable.
0:04:43 > 0:04:53Ayshea Buksh has been at the meeting tonight.
0:04:53 > 0:05:00Any progress?Chris, the future of the elephant and Castle shopping
0:05:00 > 0:05:05centre has been on the table through many years. This is the third scheme
0:05:05 > 0:05:09that the council has considered in the last 20 years. The current plans
0:05:09 > 0:05:14are to demolish the centre and the surrounding areas, and to replace it
0:05:14 > 0:05:20with new homes, shops and leisure facilities. Before the meeting
0:05:20 > 0:05:24started there was a protest which started at the elephant and Castle
0:05:24 > 0:05:28roundabout. They marched through the London Bridge area onto the offices
0:05:28 > 0:05:36here. The meeting was ticketed. Some of the protestors, frustrated at not
0:05:36 > 0:05:40being able to get in, stormed the building. Earlier I spoke to some of
0:05:40 > 0:05:45the demonstrators on the march and asked why they are so against this
0:05:45 > 0:05:51scheme. We can't afford luxury flats. It is
0:05:51 > 0:05:56pushing poor people out of their local area, their communities.It
0:05:56 > 0:06:03will be destroyed. The traders, people.Around 100 businesses run by
0:06:03 > 0:06:10Latin American traders with their families are being affected.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14As I left the meeting, councillors were quizzing the developers over
0:06:14 > 0:06:21various issues. There are plans for nearly a thousand new homes. All
0:06:21 > 0:06:27will be privately rented. Some of the objections that were voiced by
0:06:27 > 0:06:30different people at the meeting were over the lack of affordable homes
0:06:30 > 0:06:37and light blocking existing residencies. The Latin American
0:06:37 > 0:06:41community have many shops and restaurants within the centre. The
0:06:41 > 0:06:45council say this is a long-held ambition and aspiration to redevelop
0:06:45 > 0:06:50the centre. They want to make it a good place to live for a new and
0:06:50 > 0:06:53existing residents. Thank you.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56Jewish and Muslim families in North London say their elderly
0:06:56 > 0:06:59relatives are moving away, because they're worried
0:06:59 > 0:07:03about what will happen if they die living in the area.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05They say the local coroner won't honour their traditions
0:07:05 > 0:07:08of burying people immediately.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10Victoria Cook has more.
0:07:10 > 0:07:14Helen Langberg lost two relatives in the same year.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16It's Jewish custom to bury the deceased immediately.
0:07:16 > 0:07:24But they were left waiting for days for the coroner to release the body.
0:07:24 > 0:07:28Every day, every minute, every hour was more anxious. We were fretting
0:07:28 > 0:07:32and worrying. We didn't know when it was going to be.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35And they aren't the only family in North London affected.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39Many elderly people want to move away from the area because they are
0:07:39 > 0:07:44frightened of dying, their loved ones, their children shouldn't
0:07:44 > 0:07:49suffer, that they can't be buried at the right time. It is important for
0:07:49 > 0:07:49us.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51Jewish and Muslim families say their religious beliefs aren't
0:07:51 > 0:07:52being considered by the coroner.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54I've had many families from Jewish and Muslim
0:07:54 > 0:08:04families in tears, not able to bury their loved ones.
0:08:06 > 0:08:10For nonreligious people, they may say that everybody should be treated
0:08:10 > 0:08:15fairly in order. What do you say to that?This is not about jumping the
0:08:15 > 0:08:21queue. I would not advocate that. Everybody should be treated on an
0:08:21 > 0:08:27equal basis. Equality means also understanding people's religions.
0:08:27 > 0:08:31Britain is a diverse country. There are no specific laws about burial
0:08:31 > 0:08:35timings but the Ministry of Justice hats to set guidelines. They say a
0:08:35 > 0:08:39coroner should, where possible, take into consideration religious beliefs
0:08:39 > 0:08:39and traditions.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41A solicitor representing people from the Jewish
0:08:41 > 0:08:43community says the coroner is in breach of human rights laws.
0:08:43 > 0:08:50He's now applying for a judicial review.
0:08:50 > 0:08:56Most people in Britain really don't care, they are not in a rush. Burial
0:08:56 > 0:09:02takes place a week or more after death. Some faiths, Muslims and
0:09:02 > 0:09:05Jewish people, need to bury immediately. It is part of their
0:09:05 > 0:09:12faith. Therefore, being able to do so wouldn't in any way harmed those
0:09:12 > 0:09:13who simply are not in a rush.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15The coroner for Inner North London wouldn't comment.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18But in a letter to the community she says...
0:09:20 > 0:09:23There are now calls for the coroner to step down or be
0:09:23 > 0:09:33moved away.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37The introduction of what is believe to be the Uk's first ever buffer
0:09:37 > 0:09:39zone to stop protestors from gathering outside
0:09:39 > 0:09:41an abortion clinic, has come a step closer tonight.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44Campaigners have welcomed a vote by ealing council to begin a public
0:09:44 > 0:09:46consultation into the plans to stop anti-abortion demonstrations
0:09:46 > 0:09:49outside a Marie Stopes clinic in the borough.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51That's it for now from me.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53But let's find out what the weather's up
0:09:53 > 0:09:55to with Stav Danaos.
0:10:01 > 0:10:06It has been very cold today. Plenty of sunshine. We had some wintry
0:10:06 > 0:10:09showers in southern areas, particularly across the Downs. For
0:10:09 > 0:10:15most it would be a dry, clear and chilly night. Watch out for some icy
0:10:15 > 0:10:21patches. It would be a cold night. Tomorrow, a fine day again for our
0:10:21 > 0:10:25region. It will be sunny, cold and windy. It will be windy through the
0:10:25 > 0:10:31morning. The odd passing shower could be possible. Lots of sunshine
0:10:31 > 0:10:38into the afternoon. Wrap up if you are heading out. Then we see a spell
0:10:38 > 0:10:41of wet and windy weather spreading across the region over a Wednesday
0:10:41 > 0:10:48night. Very briefly milder with this spell of gales and rain. It will
0:10:48 > 0:10:54turn cold on Thursday morning. A windy start to Thursday. A few
0:10:54 > 0:10:57showers around. Plenty of sunny spells. Temperatures between eight
0:10:57 > 0:11:03and 9 degrees. Things calm down towards the end of the week.