Transcripts For BBCNEWS Breakfast 20201222

The at the port of dover. Government said last night almost the government said last night almost 1000 lorries parked up on the motorway, they are driving around dover this morning with hdvs everywhere. The figure is likely to be much, much higher. And that has led to concern around food supply. Salad from italy, peppers from spain. We are all right for now, but the longer this goes on, the greater the risk. Rugby League Legend Kevin Sinfield adds his voice to calls for more research into concussion. He says its important not to make assumptions about the links between rugby league and brain injuries. Good morning, another cloudy day in the south with rain at times but still mild. In the north, colder, more sunshine, and showers. I will have the details in about ten minutes. Its tuesday, 22nd december. Our top story. The governments chief scientific adviser has warned that tougher restrictions are likely to be needed in more areas of england, to control the new variant of coronavirus. Sir Patrick Vallance said further measures may be required to counter a likely increase in cases as a result of christmas mixing. Mr vallance says the more infectious form of the virus needs to be taken very seriously, as jon donnison reports. In london and the south east, around 17 Million People are already living under the tightest tier 4 restrictions. But now a warning from the governments chief scientific adviser that stricter measures are likely to be needed in more areas of england to try to control the virus. It is likely that this will grow in numbers of the variant across the country and i think it is likely, therefore, that measures need to be increased in some places in due course, not reduced. Just three days before christmas, already many have had to change their plans. I was due to go to my parents place for Christmas Day, but we are not going to be doing that any more. We were going to have christmas with six other people in our house and they are not coming now. In Greater Manchester and the West Midlands, Health Officials have said anyone visiting their regions from tier four areas and from wales should self isolate for ten days. It comes amid concerns about a particular new variant of the virus, which the government said has led to a surge in new infections. It has 17 key differences in its genetic make up the result of random mutations and roughly half of those changes are in the spike protein, possibly making it bind to human cells more effectively. It is likely to be more transmissible because its a dominant strain, just now. But that is not only dependent on the virus, it is also dependent on peoples behaviour. And so we need to see whether it is the behaviour, whether that was spreading, and that has accounted for all these new infections, now, or whether it is really the strain that is easier to transmit from person to person. The hope remains that an expanded roll out of vaccines next year will make all the difference. But things could well get worse before they get better. Jon donnison, bbc news. The french government says it will announce measures today that will allow transport links with britain to resume and trade to flow across the channel again. Borisjohnson and president macron spoke yesterday following frances decision to close its border after growing concern about the new variant of coronavirus. 0ur transport correspondent, Caroline Davies reports. Still, they wait. Lorry and van drivers stand around the entrance of the port of dover. 2a hours since the french closed their borders to all traffic from the uk with passengers, and still tonight, there are lorries turning up and being diverted away, Border Guards here to divert them to. Parked up on a nearby street, vans and cars filled with people waiting for the border to reopen. Preparing to sleep in their vehicles. But still more were arriving. This was the approach into dovers port. 0n the m20, highways england confirmed that over 900 vehicles were parked up last night. They are being redirected to manston airfield while the French Border is closed to lorries carrying goods with drivers. 0peration block, a contraflow layout intended 0peration brock, a contraflow layout intended to keep the traffic on the m20 motorway to the coast moving, was also introduced overnight. The European Union has said that its up to the individual Member States to decide what restrictions to place on travellers from britain, and how long to keep them in place. There is no certainty yet on when vehicles will be able to cross from the uk to france, but the government has said that work continues at pace. Caroline davies, bbc news. 0ur news correspondent simonjones is at the port of dover for us this morning. There has been confusion about how many lorries are stuck with different figures offered by the transport secretary last night and by highways england. Yesterday, at the news conference, borisjohnson said he thought there were around 170 lorries parked on the 20 motorway in operation stack. Last night the department for transport said the figure had gone up to more than 1000 but driving around kent this morning, there are lorries parked up pretty much everywhere, every lay by, every car park, so the number of hdvs caught up overall in kent is likely to be much higher than the 1000 figure. At the entrance to the port of dover, still extraordinary sights as three days to christmas, one of the busiest passenger ferry terminals in the world and no traffic going to france. What is the way out of this . We are expecting an announcement from the eu today which could involve anyone wanting to cross the channel to have to have a negative coronavirus test. If you consider the number of drivers caught up in this, the operation that would take to introduce this testing to ensure eve ryo ne to introduce this testing to ensure everyone had negative results, and being able to prove it at the border to get across, that would be a massive operation. The sad reality is for some lorry drivers, they may spend christmas in their camps, rather than back home. Simon jones, thank you. Its understood that people arriving in Northern Ireland from the rest of the uk will be asked to self isolate for ten days. The Northern Ireland executive voted against imposing a travel ban from britain, fearing it could have serious implications for the viability of air and ferry routes, but is advising people to avoid nonessential journeys. Royal mail has suspended deliveries to europe except the Irish Republic because of the travel bans. The firm says its also experiencing delays to canada and turkey. Meanwhile, the Courier Company dhl has stopped all package deliveries to the uk. Us president Electjoe Biden has received his first dose of the pfizer covid 19 vaccine live on television. Vice president mike pence and House Speaker nancy pelosi have also had the jab. Mr biden, whos 78 and considered to be in a high risk group, said he was getting it to show americans it is safe to take, and urged americans to get it as soon as it became available. The man who murdered british backpacker Grace Millane in new zealand has been named after a court order banning his identification was lifted. The judgment also revealed that 28 year old Jesse Kempson has been convicted of sex attacks on two more women. 0ur reporter phil mercer is in sydney. Jesse kempson has been revealed as a serial six offenderfor Jesse Kempson has been revealed as a serial six offender for the first time we can reveal sex offender. He raped another british woman before murdering Grace Millane in new zealand in 2018. Another girlfriend of this man also came forward to say that she had been terrorised by him during a violent relationship and his identity was suppressed after he was convicted of murdering Grace Millane so as not to prejudice those two trials he would subsequently face. He was found guilty of raping the british woman ina guilty of raping the british woman in a motel in auckland, and also of assaulting and attacking his former girlfriend. Jesse kempson is serving a minimum sentence of 17 years for murdering Grace Millane. She disappeared on the eve of her 22nd birthday. Her body was found stuffed into a suitcase in a shallow grave on the outskirts of new zealands biggest city in december 2018. In a statement, herfamily biggest city in december 2018. In a statement, her family said they preferred not to even think about the man who killed her. Instead, they said, their daughter should be remembered as a young vibrant girl who set out to see the world. Jupiter and saturn have crossed paths in the night sky, appearing like a single bright star, nicknamed the christmas star. The planets are more than 400 million miles apart and, just after sunset, reached their closest point in 800 years. Scientists suggest the timing of this conjunction may have been the source of a bright light in the sky 2,000 years ago which became known as the star of bethlehem. Lovely. If you could see it. Very u nfortu nately, lovely. If you could see it. Very unfortunately, carol, the weather was not great. Good morning, it was fairly cloudy and if you are in the south today it will be cloudy with rain at times. It is still mild for the time of year. In the north, it is colder but there will be more sunshine and still showers, some of them wintry on Higher Ground. Come down to the south and all this cloud, it is currently 13 degrees. We have cloud and rain with the rain easing in the morning. Dry weather across Northern Ireland, Northern England, parts of north wales, scotland, with showers. And these are the top temperatures. Tonight, rain advances northwards and could turn wintry over the hills in the north of england and across scotland. The snow level will come down to about 250 300 metres in showers. And it will be frosty. These are the overnight temperatures in towns and cities but still mild in southern parts. Tomorrow, rain and cloud advancing north. Following on already saturated ground so the risk of local flooding. In the north, brighter conditions with sunshine, but temperature is nothing to write home about. Still we are looking at double figures further south once again. I will have a full forecast in about half an hour. Lets take a look at todays papers. The new variant of coronavirus is everywhere says the times. The paper quotes chief scientific adviser sir Patrick Vallance, who warns that the toughest tier 4 rules must now be extended to other parts of england. Borisjohnson has been warned to impose a full National Lockdown in england, or risk human disaster, according to the guardian. Sprout of order is the headline in the sun, after supermarket bosses and ministers called for shoppers to avoid panic buying. The daily mail front page carries a photo of the duke and duchess of cambridge meeting Prince Edward and his family at sandringham. The paper accuses the royals of inadvertently flouting the rule of six. Royal sources told the mail that the two parties had been given separate time slots for the event. But ended up in roughly the same area. And the inside pages. I have decided my favourite sport is open water swimming. This is about people who love swimming. A river in yorkshire the first in britain to be declared an official bathing site and will be subject to regular testing of the water with extra effort to ensure pollution is reduced there. It is part of the river wharf in ilkley and will be added to designated swing waters from 2021. That is a lovely picture with everybody enjoying it this summer. So many people i know have taken up open water swimming because swimming pools have been close. When you do it, do you check Water Quality . Ido, quality . I do, there are various apps. I check it and i have been known to tell other people in the water it is not good today. And i say this every timei not good today. And i say this every time i talk about it. Take care. Is that the way of clearing the water just for yourself . It is not and this story in the Times Newspaper says if you have a fitness tracker on your phone if you measure your steps, you are more likely to go the extra mile. Literally an extra mile. It says you do an average of 1850 extra steps a day beyond people without it. It is probably fitter people who are more likely to have it in use it on their phone. People measure their sleep, calories, mindfulness, that it has an impact. And researchers at the university of sydney say government should be encouraged to prescribe an app, imagine that, an app on the nhs. A lot of gps do recommend exercise. I never measure a lot of gps do recommend exercise. I never measure my a lot of gps do recommend exercise. I never measure my sleep. Because it would lead to. It would get me worried. Have you done that thing when you look at it at 10pm and you have 9000 steps and then you around around . That is good. Is it . Why not . Walking around the kitchen at 10pm. It does not matter where you are walking. This is rather lovely. This is the beatles, days before they broke up. Lovely footage will stop how happy they seemed, at least. They are together at studios, making a last beatles album. It is touching seeing those pictures. Heather getting a lift on her dads shoulders. Ringo acting naturally. This was the period before they split up when everybody assumes they we re split up when everybody assumes they were at one anothers throats. John lennon talking later about being miserable. The pictures tell a different story. John and george play fighting. Sharing microphones. May be pictures do not tell the whole story but it looks like they were still having happy days. It isa happy days. It is a new documentary using old footage that has been cut together to tell the story of the later years of the beatles. This week, were saying a big thank you to the heroes whove done so much to help get us through the last year. Among them are the health care and key workers whose efforts were applauded each week during the first lockdown, in what became known as the clap for carers tribute. Breakfasts Jayne Mccubbin has been talking to people about what it meant to them. It was dark. I didnt know if anybody else would be out. I got a message if you can, stand at the doors of your department and just try and listen. 8pm, thursday, march the 26th. A date for a nation in isolation. We could hear a wave of sound coming in from the street behind us. This patter this pitter patter, the noise. And then i understood what it was. It was people clapping. And we were moved. It has been a real hard week for everybody. I have just taken the team outside to listen. That is absolutely. I dont think there are any words for that, but, everybody, thank you. Its emotional. I could hear everybody. I could hear distant claps. I could hear phones. I could hear sirens. Its probably one of the most emotional moments of my career, and there have been many. It was just that sense of togetherness. The thanks were heartfelt. And, for some, the thanks were for their very life. What was going through your head at that moment . I think i was reliving some of the moments from those 11 days. Some of the nhs staff, who i can never thank enough, because they saved my life. Even though i was as weak as a kitten, and my bell is a very heavy one, i willingly, willingly stood outside in a dressing gown, straight out of my hospital bed, almost, and raised my arm over and over again. I think the next morning one arm was three inches longer than the other but this gratitude was for more than just the nhs. It was for key workers across the country, supermarket workers, bus drivers. Everybody that kept the country moving through the pandemic. I remember coming out one night, eight oclock, standing there where you are stood, and all the neighbours were out the pots and pans and people shouting and people clapping. You could hear it from all the estates around. It was so uplifting. It was so, so uplifting. Leoni was dubbed the angel of the north after she had raised money for ipads for covid awards across the uk. We did lose and weve lost a lot of people. And that was hard. And it was hard because, at that time, they couldnt have family in. So an ipad was maybe the last time that they saw their loved ones. Today, leoni is in recovery from the virus herself. This was thanks for those keeping the wards open, the country moving. Thanks for all those who cared. And they well deserved it, too, because what would we do without the carers . In lockdown mark one, kens carers had surprised him with this gift. Separated from his family, bereaved from his wife ada, this was the comfort he desperately needed then and now. I thought that might be a bit better than your photograph. When im in bed at night, and i get low, and i have a little weep, i pick this up and my tears stop. I would like to say to every carer in the country thank you very much. You are all angels. For ten weeks, we clapped for the countless acts of kindness. And it was all started by one woman. It still feels quite unreal to me. I dont think i will ever be able to fully grasp it, how big it actually became. Annemarie plas called for the nation to clap and we gladlyjoined in. Now, she is calling for one day every year when we do it all over again. Because the battle isnt yet won. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your Priceless Gift of my life, i say thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Certainly was. That was emotional, the whole year has been. In the meantime, a lot have come up with creative ways to stay fit and healthy during the pandemic. And on one street in edinburgh theyve been taking part in outdoor aerobic classes to keep spirits high. The sessions are run by one of scotlands best ever rugby players Scott Hastings and his wife. 0ur reporter hope webb has more. Every week, rain or shine, this group of neighbours gather in their streets for a feel good aerobics session. Its only 20 to 30 minutes of exercise but it lifts the spirits of all of the residents, old and young. The idea was started by former british lion Scott Hastings and his wifejenny, as a way of bringing everyone together during the lockdown. Today has been very exciting, i looked forward all week. Ive got family in italy, so none of them can come here. And, so i live on my own, and its not easy, its not easy. We didnt know these neighbours, half these neighbours, before. So we got this, started to do this, and now were best friends. Its tough on the legs, you know, as much as anything. Its great fun, uh huh. And i think it obviously shows everybody looks as if theyre enjoying it. We are quick to forget, and we came out every thursday and clapped the nhs. And we said hello to our neighbours. And there was a solidarity and unity. And i feel in the winter months, that kind of goes a wee bit. Maybe the Christmas Spirit can bring people together again. This has enabled us all to keep an eye on each other, so id encourage people to do that over this Christmas Period and into 2021. Throughout a difficult year, this aerobics class has been a source ofjoy for this new Found Community of neighbours. So much so that they are now planning on coming together for a little dance on Christmas Day. Hope webb, bbc news. There is no doubt this has brought us together in ways we did not expect. They said they did not really know one another and now they are dancing in the street once a week. I have met more neighbours and now get a weekly delivery of eggs from a neighbour. Really . There is an advantage out of it. We promised you light as well as stories we have to cover this week, in christmas week. A christmas week unlike any, but hopefully stories like that will give us a smile and positivity. Time now to get the news, travel and weather where you are. Good morning from bbc london, im tolu adeoye. Coronavirus cases in london have more than doubled in a week with nearly 10,000 people testing postive yesterday. Londons rate is twice as high as the average in england. Nationally the four worst hit areas are in or around the capital, havering, epping forest, basildon and thurrock. And just a reminder that we are always keen to hear how the virus is impacting you. Whether its how restrictions have affected Christmas Plans or how your community is supporting those in need. Contact us on email at yourlondon bbc. Co. Uk or on twitter bbclondonnews. Charities are warning that the number of households forced into homelessness in london could increase by a third in the next decade without further intervention. The Charity Crisis says while the governments everyone in scheme has reduced rough sleeping this year, homelessness has been increasing year on year. Yesterday the government pledged more funding for councils to protect those most at risk. A north London Primary School has been given a grand piano by the jazz singerjamie cullum after winning a National Song writing contest. The competition was open to schools and community groups. The big prize was delivered to frith manor Primary School by the singer himself. Having access to an instrument like this can be such a springboard to doing something exciting with music. So id really love to see it be the centre, like, the hearth of the creativity for this school. In the music department, obviously, but i think everyone should be able to have a go, everyone should be able to use it and get it to take them somewhere exciting. Lets take a look at the travel situation now. 0n the tubes the circle, district, hammersmith and city, metropolitan and piccadilly lines are all disrupted because of a fire alert. For more travel news, you can tune in to bbc radio london who will have updates. Now the weather with kate kinsella. Good morning. Well, its another very mild start out there this morning. We start the day widely in double figures celsius, with that, we still have the cloud and further outbreaks of rain. Its largely light and patchy today. Breezy this morning but the wind will ease through the course of the day so less blustery than yesterday. Butjust as mild, temperatures reaching a maximum of 13 celsius. We will see further outbreaks of rain through this evening. We hang on to the cloud overnight as well. And the mild temperatures, between six and ten, the minimum as we head through to tomorrow morning. As we head into wednesday, the met office has issued a yellow weather warning for heavy rain. We are looking at 20 to a0 millimetres of rain falling on saturated ground so it could lead to localised funding. A deep area of low pressure causing this wet and windy weather. Could even hear a rumble or two of thunder through the course of wednesday. But for thursday, High Pressure moving in from the west, squeezing that out of the way. As a result, well see a fine day with some sunshine but the temperature drops. A chilly northerly breeze on thursday, a sparkle of frost on christmas morning. Im back with the latest from bbc london in half an hour. Plenty more on our website at the usual address. Now though its back to louise and jon. Hello, this is breakfast withjon kay and louise minchin. Coming up on breakfast this morning. Well be hearing how christmas puddings mixed by four generations of the royal family are bringing some festive cheer to Armed Forces Communities at home and abroad. Worzel gummidge, everyones favourite scarecrow is back for another Christmas Special. The offices Mackenzie Crook will be here telling us about his new adventures. And star wars actor felicityjones will be here to talk about her new film, the midnight sky, in which she stars alongside George Clooney. Not quite here, she will be down the line. George clooney also directed it and its quite a nail biting experience, hopefully it will have it have you on the edge of your sofa. Clinically extremely Vulnerable People living in tier 4 areas in england are being told not to go to work even if they are unable to do theirjob from home. It means they now face even more time behind closed doors. Lets hear how this is affecting some people. Hi, im kerry thompson, and i live in Milton Keynes. And we are right now in tier 4. Ive been shielding for 297 days, so far this year i have left my house five times. My name is claire, i live in a village south of colchester. Its currently in tier 2. And ive been shielding since march. My name is zoe, im 27 years old. I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in april this year. And im currently living in london so i am also currently in tier 4. I have been shielding because i have a rare form of muscular dystrophy called fhl1 gene mutation. And it also affects my respiratory, and i also have type two diabetes. Im shielding because 12 years ago, i had a lung transplant, and so im very, very vulnerable. Ive done lot to stay alive this long and im not going to risk anything to jeopardise that. Ive lost a lot of independence, obviously getting cancer at such a young age is quite difficult but additionally, losing the independence of being able to go out and see people. Being able to see my family and friends, thats been quite hard. Unfortunately, having muscular dystrophy, you do lose muscle mass. And i have lost quite a significant amount of muscle mass, where i am unable to exercise the way i would normally exercise in my wheelchair or going out. So i have lost a lot of movement in my right arm which was actually my good arm. I have learned to accept that i cant get out. When this all started, i thought it would be a long time. I started shielding before the official shielding because i could see what was coming. There has been some positives, me and my boyfriend have probably never been closer, we always had a Good Relationship and now its even stronger. Things like, im learning bulgarian because my boyfriend is half bulgarian and that has improved a lot because ive been having a lot of lessons during shielding. So there has been some positives despite the challenges. Three despite the challenges. Stories there of people whn had three stories there of people who had to shield over the last few months. Lets talk to gp doctor william bird. Thank you for checking in this morning. Can we start on the basics . Two of our case studies live in tier 4, they have to shield again, one of the rules . The rules are very much like the first lockdown where they cannot really go out for any reason apart from exercise, and exercise is still encouraged. Id say that is still encouraged. Id say that is still quite safe to do that and carry on because it is important for the health and immune system. They can also go outjust for a gp appointment or go to the hospital, but apart from that, pretty much nothing they can do. They cant go to work, even if they cannot work from home, so they will get benefits for that. And they have to stay at home pretty much the whole time. I would emphasise that time of going out for exercise is a safe and it is important, that its pretty much the only thing they can do. So you would be recommending that for the physical and for the Mental Health benefits as well, getting some fresh air safely during the day . Exactly, for Mental Health, we know that being outdoors is good to you, i keep on pushing the connection to nature even in an urban area, owing to a local park. He will be safe outside, as long as you keep two metres away, the virus doesnt transmit outside, only inside when you are inside with low ventilation so even brushing against someone will not have any danger. Exercise makes the immune system better, the natural killer virus will be improved, and it calms the immune system down so you dont get the horrible secondary problem they ate today ten the breathing. Claire was saying, day ate today ten, with the breathing. Claire was i have come so far, despite all the months i have been at home. She was speaking very positively, but some people looking at shielding again for months he will find this incredibly tough. What words can you offer them to keep them going . |j think offer them to keep them going . think so many people have found the second time round much harder. I think the first time round we were all together, we thought it would only be a short time, in march, april and may, we thought it would be over by summer and may be something in the winter and now to go back down again, and looking ahead and not seeing much of a glimmer of hope in the next few months, it is pretty much soul destroying for Mental Health. But as i say, keeping going and keeping Mental Health, learning bulgarian, all of those things where you can try and do things at home which he would not have done otherwise, being with yourfamily, would not have done otherwise, being with your family, lots of positive things you can get from a very difficult situation. I do not underestimate how difficult it is particularly if you are cooped up in a flat and you cannot get out. never thought i would hear doctor en brea kfast never thought i would hear doctor en breakfast recommend we learned bulgarian but it seems to be working for zoe you are in reading in tier 4, are you noticing the increase in patients having cases due to the new variant . It is becoming more obvious, the local hospital the Royal Berkshire has certainly seen an increase of beds in the intensive ca re an increase of beds in the intensive care unit, not so much to the point where it was in march so we are nowhere near that point where it was 100 full and you could not get any more in. But we are seeing it more. Id say it is probably, like before, you have people who are just wanting a bit of advice, but are coping very well at home and welljust go and sort it all out themselves, but the numbers in each individual gp are slightly lower than you see en masse around the area. Certainly i have seen more cases come back again, starting to get that reminiscence of march and april but nowhere near those levels yet. We saw patrick valla nce those levels yet. We saw Patrick Vallance at the press conference yesterday saying he thinks it is likely that more areas will have to go in england and go into tier 4. Is that your suspicion, or go in england and go into tier 4. Is that yoursuspicion, oryour preference, Going Forward . that yoursuspicion, oryour preference, Going Forward . Ithink the new variant clearly is a problem and we know it is about 50 more infectious than before. It has all these mutations, 23 genes have been replaced which is really weird, which is usually two or three at a time so this is come out, we dont quite know how it has come out. Because of that extra 50 infectivity, and it puts no on the r number, so the old virus was doing one and this is 1. 11. It puts number, so the old virus was doing one and this is 1. 4. It puts 0. 4 one and this is 1. 4. It puts 0. 4 on the r number. We arent seeing the severity going up, luckily. Most of people being infected by the new viruses seem to be younger, in their 40s and 50s. We havent seen the elderly get this new virus which might be because it doesnt actually go safe much for the elderly, or it just hasnt gotten there yet. If it does, we might see the severity which the same or a bit more. I think we have to be really cautious. Until we know more about the virus, we have to say, look, letsjust lockdown. We know how people are pushing it, particularly the young, have children in i have children in their 20s have children in i have children in their20s and have children in i have children in their 20s and it is really hard for that but we just have to be strong in the next few weeks because otherwise we will be stuck in the next few months. Thank the children for staying quiet for the last few months. They are in their 20s, they are probably some way from being awake in normaltimes, they were probably would not be home yet kats got the sport for us this morning. Talking about the long term effects of head injuries at the moment, all kinds of discussion in football because a form of players being diagnosed with early onset dementia, the same in rugby union. It is an ongoing conversation in rugby league. 0ne ongoing conversation in rugby league. One of the biggest names in the sport has had his say. Kevin sinfield says a lot more research is needed before linking rugby league to brain diseases. A group of former Rugby Union Players are taking legal action against the sports authorites after being diagnosed with the early signs of dementia, and theres a report this morning that a group of former League Players are planning to follow suit. Sinfield is director of rugby at leeds rhinos and says its important not to guess and try to make assumptions about the links before theyre properly researched. He also says that players understand the risks. Couple of games in the premier league last night, and after back to back defeats, chelsea returned to winning ways. They beat west ham 3 0 at stamford bridge. Tammy abraham scoring twice for the home side. The win moves chelsea up to 5th. It was important tonight that we came back and i didnt necessarily think tonight would be beautiful but there were loads of really good things for our team to show their character and come out with six points off. We have to keep pushing, we have to keep improving and it nice to be where we are at but we must want more. Elsewhere last night burnley moved out of the relegation zone after they beat wolves 2 1. Ashley barnes scored burnleys opener, his first goal in more than a year. The coronavirus pandemic continues to have an impact on sport, ipswich town are the latest club to have to cancel matches after six members of staff tested positive for covid 19, including manager paul lambert. Their next two matches in league one are off. Championship side millwall have also postponed their next two matches. With infection rates growing in london and the south east, clubs are concerned about their fixtures over christmas. Its just a common sense thing, isnt it . The fixtures were already condensed. Every time there is a game called off because of a virus, or any reason, itjust condenses a whole season, so, yes, it has got to be a concern. The premier league have confirmed there were seven positive coronavirus tests in the last week. Those who have tested positive will now self isolate. Meanwhile the League Cup Final at wembley has been moved from late february to late april. 0rganisers hope the change of date will allow many more supporters to be in the stadium. That at least feels like something, we we re that at least feels like something, we were talking about those poor people having to shield once again and in this light, very distant, at the end of the tunnel. Looking at april, may be, some more positive news, at least the League Cup Final anyway. One thing in the diary. It will do thank you so much. Retailers have played down fears of Food Shortages after france shut its borders to uk hauliers for 48 hours due to the uks new coronavirus variant. But they have warned of serious disruption if there are longer delays. Ninas at a salad Processing Plant in preston. Difficult time, this, for business, atan difficult time, this, for business, at an already difficult time. Correct, good morning. Good morning to all of you. This is not a paper hat, its a hair net, although that day is fast approaching. Look at these beautiful cabbages, savoy, bit of gravy, loads of salt, Christmas Day these were all grown locally and they could end up on your plate on Christmas Day. Here is where it gets interesting. This produce, which has come via dover over the past few days. Lets talk to michaela who oversees everything that comes in. Just explain. This salad is from spain, this is from italy. Here i have the same for spain. These have all come via dover, where will the end up . This will go to the supermarket and for fast food. So spread out in lots of different directions. It is all about timing. This lot arrived around five days ago and has a shelf life of another eight days. At the moment, things are fine. Lets remind ourselves of why the dover and calais crossing is so important. Around 10,000 lorries passed through that route every single day. It is one of the busiest routes in europe. Secondly, we import 45 of all of our food, so that route really matters. Grant shapps, the council secretary, yesterday being keen to stress that 80 of our food is not handled by humans. The transport secretary. 0nly handled by humans. The transport secretary. Only 20 of freight is affected by this temporary blockage. Lets speak to the big boss here, could have got is that the wrong way round good morning, good to see you. You are well stocked at the moment, no concerns about Christmas Day . No, we have enough product in the chain now. But as you can see, everything in here, three days stock. So any delay clearly now in this 48 hours is a major issue. So you are worried . We are worried, yes. We were watching the Prime Minister keenly yesterday, what did you make of his update . minister keenly yesterday, what did you make of his update . I was quite shocked. Nobody in the fresh Food Industry would have got any confidence from the speech yesterday, it did not give us any light at the end of the tunnel at all. Michaela said that the food you bring in here from southern europe, it is winter so we have to import these things, end up in pubs and restau ra nts, these things, end up in pubs and restaurants, bars but also in supermarket. If i wanted to take my kids out for on new years day, if i didnt live in tier 3 . Is there a possibility it could be affected . Definitely, you might go out for your burgerand he definitely, you might go out for your burger and he would have no lettuce on it as it stands. Until we have some more guidance, that could be where we are. Sainsburys and tesco saying there is no need to be concerned just yet. No tesco saying there is no need to be concernedjust yet. No need tesco saying there is no need to be concerned just yet. No need to be concerned just yet. No need to be concerned at the moment. If there is any change in the next 24 hours, it will be fine. But anything longer than that will causes the problem. This is at a point where we have another massive deadline just around the corner, with brexit, where do you stand on all of that . Itjust seems to be one problem for the Food Industry after another. We have the brexit date and tariffs we know what they are, but we dont know whether we have to pass them yet so customers ask questions that we dont know the answers. The thing we have to say is people like tesco and their supermarkets and john seine, we are fine, no point in stockpiling because these goods are perishable. The concern is that if things dont change quickly, your boxing day but they will be fine, you might need to limit it for home new years day. Look at that, already for the table. Iam now look at that, already for the table. I am now salivating at the idea of salted and gravy soaked cabbage and it is only 6 45am hold that thought, lets look at the beautiful angel and carol lovely weather watcher picture today, taken in london. A north south divide today. In the north, cold a brighter, it is minus three degrees in some area, but milder, london is 13 degrees. At a lot of cloud and wet at times. We have a weather front producing light rain and drizzle but also low pressure not too far away coming our direction later on. First thing, there is dampness coming out of the cloud, showers the far north of scotland, some of them wintry on Higher Ground. Then more rain pushing in from the south west, fishing into north wales, north england, Northern Ireland and scotland, sunshine there. Some showers will be wintry in Higher Ground again. The sunshine turning hazy elsewhere. Maximum of six or seven,in hazy elsewhere. Maximum of six or seven, in the south, ten to 13. Above average for the time of year. Under clearer skies this evening and overnight in the north it will be cold, some showers, some wintry down to 250, 300 metres. At the same time all of this rain moving north and getting into Northern England, southern scotland and Northern Ireland. Could see some wintry nets in the hills in Northern England tonight. Some wintry nets. We are hanging onto the milder conditions in the far south. As we head into wednesday, low pressure way introducing stronger winds into the south west and wales weather is the potential for some gales. We are going to cling on to this milder air in the south, the last day. Already the cold air getting further south as we pull in a northerly wind. 0n wednesday, cloudy and wet for england and wales, rain heavy and persistent in places. Falling on saturated ground so the risk of flooding, windy and the potential for gales in the south west of england. Northern ireland drier and brighter, showers in the west. Some of them could have sleet and snow, maybe even down to sea level. Temperatures four in the north, 13 in the south. Wednesday evening and into Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, we lose the low pressure, allowing High Pressure to settle down the weather. Dry weather and sunshine on Christmas Eve, showers on the east coast and wales, some could be wintry but feeling much colder across the board. I cannot stop without telling you about Christmas Day, it will be largely dry and fine, it will be cold, some showers in the north sea coastline but if you are hoping for a white christmas, some sleet or snow at the tops of the hills but that is it and thenit tops of the hills but that is it and then it will be unsettled on boxing day. Thank you for telling us already. The Usjustice Department has charged a man with making the bomb which blew up pan am flight 103 over lockerbie in 1988. Yesterday was the 32nd anniversary of the bombing, which killed 270 people. David cowan reports. 32 years to the day since the worst terrorist attack committed in britain, the Usjustice Department unveils new charges over lockerbie. They allege that this man, abu agila masud, helped murder 200 people. Helped murder 270 people. Let there be no mistake. No amount of time or distance will stop the United States and our scottish partners from pursuing justice in this case. The americans claim masud acted with fellow libyan intelligence agents, Abdelbaset Al megrahi, who was convicted of the bombing 20 years ago, and Al Amin Khalifa fhimah, who was cleared. The bomb was hidden like this, inside a radio cassette player in an unaccompanied suitcase. Masud is said to have set the timer before it was loaded onto a plane in malta, transferred to frankfurt, then heathrow, where it went on board pan am 103. The americans say that afterwards, masud was congratulated in person by colonel gaddafi and that he confessed to bombing the plane in a libyan prison eight years ago. I dont think its done with him, i think there are more involved, but yes, i do believe he is guilty of playing a part in the murder of the 270 innocent people. Freed by the Scottish Government on compassionate grounds, Abdelbaset Al megrahi died in 2012. Scotlands appeal court is currently considering whether he was a victim of a miscarriage ofjustice. The decision expected next month. The americans say they are optimistic the second lockerbie trial will take place, scotlands prosecution service, the crown 0ffice, is considering whether to bring its own charges against masud. David cowan, bbc news. Drjim swire lost his daughter flora in the lockerbie bombing, hejoins us now from chipping campden. Thank you so much forjoining us. We spoke to you last week, what is your reaction to this latest news . Well, it sounds horribly like a case of here we go again. In the past, when the investigation was active, when bill barr, the current attorney general was already in office, the investigation inexplicably and suddenly switched to blaming libya instead of blaming iran, who seemed to have the strongest motive. To hear them blaming another libyan does sound horribly like the previous attempts that they made, which we have extraordinarily com plete which we have extraordinarily complete evidence against the story of the bomber ever coming from malta. 0ne of the bomber ever coming from malta. One of the things that happened was the scottish crown 0ffice happened was the Scottish Crown Office who you just mentioned, kept, from the court that tried Abdelbaset Al megrahi, information that Heathrow Airport had been broken into early in the evening of lockerbie providing an avenue for someone to put a bomb on the plane. The plane had come in that morning from america and been cleared out completely, there was nothing in the hold beforehand. And yet somehow, a bomb ended up in the hold of that aircraft and it was more or less under the feet of our poor daughter. It is 32 years now, do you think in your lifetime you will get the a nswe rs your lifetime you will get the answers what exactly happened . Well, with the virus around, whos to say how long lifetime is . I dont know the answer to your question. I do know that i think eventually the truth will come out. There is far too much evidence and too many people who realise that the official version about the bomb coming from malta is absolute nonsense. The bomb seems to have been brought to heathrow, somebody obtained access to air sided heathrow, the appropriate place, and the bomb ended up in the hold of the aircraft. In case you hear stories about the Bomber Flying aircraft. In case you hear stories about the bomberflying in on aircraft. In case you hear stories about the Bomber Flying in on a plane from frankfurt, having arrived the bomb flying in, having arrived from malta, suitcases that do not have a cheque in heathrow we re do not have a cheque in heathrow were seen in the hold before the frankfurt flight landing at heathrow, that story does not hold together in a million ways. Dont ask me why this should be passed off ask me why this should be passed off as being a different countrys fault, i have neverfelt able to penetrate the interstices of american intelligence, i have no way of intending what they would really be intending to do. It has been such a Long Campaign for yourself and families with loved ones on board that flight. When you hear that kind of news, how does it make you feel . First of all, i would like to thank you for not pestering me yesterday, which was the actual day and anniversary day. Because that is a bit special. When you lose it someone that you love like our elder daughter flora, my wife and i think of her in some respect every day that dawns on the planet. So, you know, people like me and thousands of people like me who have suffered from other terrorist atrocities like nine slash 11, for instance, we have to live the consequences for the rest of our lives like 9 11. It would be nice if those with authority and power would listen to us. I know you take time to think about her and commemorate her as well. Oh, yes, i have a wood in worcestershire that i planted for her, about 4500 trees in it, that is now known as floras would which was a heart warming moment for me when the Forestry Commission kindly agreed to lift that rather small wood on the national 0rdnance agreed to lift that rather small wood on the National Ordnance survey map. If you turn up at in bromsgrove in gloucestershire, that wood is marked as flora is wood, to the north east of the town. Marked as flora is wood, to the northeast of the town. A lovely way to remember her. Thank you so much for your team. Thank you so much for inviting me. We will have the latest headlines and news in a moment. Time now to get the news, travel and weather where you are. Good morning from bbc london, im tolu adeoye. Coronavirus cases in london have more than doubled in a week with nearly 10,000 people testing postive yesterday. Londons rate is twice as high as the average in england. Nationally the four worst hit areas are in or around the capital havering, epping forest, basildon and thurrock. And just a reminder that we are always keen to hear how the virus is impacting you. Whether its how restrictions have affected Christmas Plans or how your community is supporting those in need. Contact us at yourlondon bbc. Co. Uk or on twitter bbclondonnews. Tens of thousands of private renters have built up rent arrears in the capital since march, because of the impact of the pandemic. The National Residential landlords association, says almost1 in 10 renters in london have accrued arrears says almost1 in 10 renters in london have missed payments. It wants the government to do more to help both landlords and tenants. The government says it has provided an unprecedented financial package to help renters. A north London Primary School has been given a grand piano by the jazz singerjamie cullum, after winning a National Songwriting contest. The competition was open to schools and community groups. The big prize was delivered to frith manor Primary School by the singer himself. Having access to an instrument like this can be such a springboard to doing something exciting with music. So id really love to see it be the centre, like, so id really love to see it be the centre, like the hearth of the creativity for this school. In the music department, obviously, but i think everyone should be able to have a go, everyone should be able to use it and get it to take them somewhere exciting. Lets take a look at the travel situation. 0n the tubes the circle, district, hammersmith and city, metropolitan and piccadilly lines are all disrupted because of a fire alert. For more travel news, you can tune in to bbc radio london who will have updates. Now the weather with kate kinsella. Good morning. Well, its another very mild start out there this morning. We start the day widely in double figures celsius, with that, we still have the cloud and further outbreaks of rain. Its largely light and patchy today. Breezy this morning, but the wind will ease through the course of the day, so less blustery than yesterday. Butjust as mild, temperatures reaching a maximum of 13 celsius. We will see further outbreaks of rain through this evening. We hang on to the cloud overnight as well. And the mild temperatures, between six and ten, the minimum as we head through to tomorrow morning. As we head into wednesday, the met office has issued a yellow weather warning for heavy rain. We are looking at 20 to 40 millimetres of rain falling on saturated ground, so it could lead to localised funding. A deep area of low pressure causing this wet and windy weather. Could even hear a rumble or two of thunder through the course of wednesday. But for thursday, High Pressure moving in from the west, squeezing that out of the way. As a result, well see a fine day with some sunshine but the temperature drops. A chilly northerly breeze on thursday, a sparkle of frost on christmas morning. Im back with the latest from bbc london in half an hour. Plenty more on our website at the usual address as well as on our instagram and facebook. Now though its back to louise and john. Bye for now. Good morning, welcome to breakfast withjon kay and louise minchin. 0ur headlines today. Containing the spread of the new variant of coronavirus he a top government adviser warns tougher restrictions will be needed in more parts of england. It is likely that this will grow in numbers of the variant across the country, and i think it is likely, therefore, that measures need to be increased in some places in due course, not reduced. The french government is to announce plans to lift the cross channel travel ban lorry drivers have spent a second night in their cabs waiting at the port of dover. The at the port of dover. Port of dover remain shut for second the port of dover remain shut for a second day and many lorry drivers here are wondering will they be home in time for christmas . Rugby League Legend Kevin Sinfield adds his voice to calls for more research into concussion. He says its important not to make assumptions about the links between rugby league and brain injuries. It isa it is a cold day ahead in the north of the country, but a lot of sunshine for you with just showers in the north and the west, whereas in the north and the west, whereas in the south, a mild day with a lot of cloud and rain at times. I will have all the details in about ten minutes. Its tuesday, 22nd december. Our top story. The governments chief scientific adviser has warned that tougher restrictions are likely to be needed in more areas of england, to control the new variant of coronavirus. Sir Patrick Vallance said further measures may be required to counter a likely increase in cases as a result of christmas mixing. Mr vallance says the more infectious form of the virus needs to be taken very seriously, as jon donnison reports. In london and the south east, around 17 Million People are already living under the tightest tier 4 restrictions. But now a warning from the governments chief scientific adviser that stricter measures are likely to be needed in more areas of england to try to control the virus. It is likely that this will grow in numbers of the variant across the country and i think it is likely, therefore, that measures need to be increased in some places in due course, not reduced. Just three days before christmas, already many have had to change their plans. I was due to go to my parents place for Christmas Day, but we are not going to be doing that any more. We were going to have christmas with six other people in our house and they are not coming now. 0n on saturday night some train stations in london were packed as people try to get out of the capital in the last hours before the new tierfour meshes in the last hours before the new tier four meshes kicked in the last hours before the new tierfour meshes kicked in and now leaders in the West Midlands and northwest say that anyone visiting from those areas should isolate for ten days. It comes amid concerns about a particular new variant of the virus, which the government said has led to a surge in new infections. It has 17 key differences in its genetic makeup the result of random mutations and roughly half of those changes are in the spike protein, possibly making it bind to human cells more effectively. It is likely to be more transmissible because its a dominant strain, just now. But that is not only dependent on the virus, it is also dependent on peoples behaviour. And so we need to see whether it is the behaviour, whether that was spreading, and that has accounted for all these new infections, now, or whether it is really the strain that is easier to transmit from person to person. You may end up with a bit of a bruise. The hope remains that an expanded roll out of vaccines next year will make all the difference. But things could well get worse before they get better. Jon donnison, bbc news. The french government says it will announce measures today that should allow transport links with britain to resume and trade to flow across the channel again. France closed its borders after growing concern about the new coronavirus strain, leaving hundreds of lorry drivers stranded on the motorway in dover. 0ur reporter simonjones is in doverfor us now. Good morning. Still a pretty extraordinary sight here is seeing the entrance of the port of dover shot micro anyone wanting to get to france and in terms of numbers caught up, difficult to give a precise figure. Yesterday Boris Johnson said he thought there were 170 lorries queued up in operation stack but last night the department for transport said the figure was 945, but driving around kent this morning, there are lorries parked up in lay by is, people parking where they can find a space, said the figure is likely to be higher than 945. We can talk now to one of those caught up in the sharp end. You are from poland. What have you been doing . I was bringing a respirator toa doing . I was bringing a respirator to a medical centre and came on sunday morning and on sunday evening, we got information on the border was closed and no option to leave the uk. You have been sleeping in yourcamp. How leave the uk. You have been sleeping in your camp. How has it been . Leave the uk. You have been sleeping in your camp. How has it beamm leave the uk. You have been sleeping in your camp. How has it been . It is normal for a truck driver, it is ok. But we were not prepared for a long trip. It should have been a fast delivery, 2 3 days, and hope for christmas with our families. Will you get home for christmas . christmas with our families. Will you get home for christmas . I am i dont know. We know nothing. We do not know how long we have to wait. And when i see 1000 trucks here and i hear that at my port there are more than 3000 trucks, i do not know when we get across to france. more than 3000 trucks, i do not know when we get across to france. I know it isa when we get across to france. I know it is a difficult situation. The talk is france may require drivers to get some sort of test before they are allowed to cross the border back to france, but considering they are talking about potentially thousands of drivers, that will not be a quick operation. The reality is for drivers like this one, it could be christmas in their camps. We could now find out about the situation across the channel. How likely is it we will return to normal . The 48 hour period where the french have banned passengers, transport, cars, through the tunnel, that will remain in force up until midnight tonight. The 48 hour period will remain in place. We are hearing that there were two eu emergency meetings when the french pushed for a single policy across the eu where all countries have the same travel restrictions. And what they wanted was a negative covid test in 24 hours, and wanting it in priority order so frontier workers and transport drivers to access it first and then medical and Health Care Workers and so forth. We understand the British Government is primed to negotiate to say these are usually solitary drivers, not in contact with many others. We expect some kind of announcement this afternoon on that. Meanwhile, the sense there will be a european coordinated policy looks pretty doubtful. They did not come up with anything yesterday with Different Countries wanting different things. You now have almost every single European Union country with a travel ban, severe restrictions stopping transport and planes going on. I think only greece, cyprus and slovenia are allowing travel and greece and cyprus you have to have an instant rapid test as well as a test to say 72 hours earlier you we re test to say 72 hours earlier you were negative. 0ur Political Correspondent iain watson is at westminster for us. There is the new variant, what is going on in dover, country is not allowing travel from the uk. Where are the priorities . I think Boris Johnson faces challenges on multiple fronts. Some of them related. For example, at the press conference last night the chief scientific adviser made it clear we could be facing further restrictions, suggesting the new variant was already. Perhaps in a localised way in some parts of the country, but already outside london and the south east, which faces the thai tightest restrictions. Suggestions other parts of the country would be placed in these restrictions, perhaps after the Festive Season, but facing a grim winter. And he also talked about the transmission of the disease, the more other countries are worried about importing it. It could be that it is already there and their means of identifying it are not as this to katie. But travel bans are stacking up katie. But travel bans are stacking up because people are worried about the spread of the virus inside the uk. From the point of view of Boris Johnson, he has not completed a trade deal with the eu and must concentrate minds to look at the disruption we are seeing already for other reasons around dover. It may be testing might be the key to unlocking this, but again, another challenge for the government. How do you get infrastructure in . How sophisticated do tests have to be to satisfy the french and how do you get freight moving so you do not compound what is already a pretty miserable Festive Season for many. Thank you for covering so many different subjects. People arriving in Northern Ireland will be asked to self isolate for ten days under new guidance. The Northern Ireland executive voted against imposing a travel ban from britain, fearing it could have serious financial implications for air and ferry routes, but it is advising people to avoid nonessential journeys. Royal mail has suspended deliveries to europe except the Irish Republic because of the travel bans. The firm says its also experiencing delays to canada and turkey. Meanwhile, the Courier Company dhl has stopped all package deliveries to the uk. And if we need an uplift, something lighter, look to the skies. Jupiter and saturn have crossed paths in the night sky, appearing like a single bright star called the christmas star. The planets are more than 400 million miles apart, and just after sunset reached their closest point in 800 years. Scientists suggest the timing of this conjunction, of this conjunction may have been the source of a bright light in the sky 2,000 years ago which became known as the star of bethlehem. Clear skies in new york. I looked. I looked. I did not see a single star, let alone that conjunction. It was cloudy last night, wasnt it . It was. Good morning. Depending on where you are, if you are in the north of the country, a lot of sunshine around, showers. But in the south, mild but there will be rain in the forecast as well as cloud. The rain currently is light with drizzle but it will pep up as the next system approaches through the day. In north wales, Northern England and Northern Ireland, scotland, for you, sunshine. Turning hazy at times as cloud comes across, and also showers in the north and west which will be wintry on the hills. These are maximum temperatures across the bulk of the uk but in the south, looking at 1013. Uk but in the south, looking at 10 13. 0vernight, rain advancing northwards, getting into Northern England, southern scotland and Northern Ireland by the end of the night. The winter picking up in the south west. Further north, clear skies, cold, some frost, and some of the showers will be wintry down to 250 metres, but still mild in the south. Tomorrow, heavy rain is expected. Falling on saturated ground, soa expected. Falling on saturated ground, so a risk of localised flooding, and the potentialfor gales in South West England and wales but in scotland and Northern Ireland, a dry day with sunshine but still feeling cold. Roads around dover have been plunged into chaos with hundreds of lorries backed up on the motorway. France shut its border with the uk for 48 hours because of concerns about the new variant of coronavirus. The french government says it will announce measures today that will allow transport links with britain to resume. Gordon and colin are freight drivers stuck in dover and have been telling us what its been like for them. Car horns blare. See all these trailers, all these trucks waiting to ship out. Slightly fed up. Obviously wanted to get home for christmas. But, the way things are going, it does not look like it will happen. am self employed and we will lose this weeks money and you have to make that back up. I feel sorry for the drivers on the m20. There is no hot food and drinks, no toilet facilities. No information. You are sat there. Not moving. Thanks to lorry drivers gordon and colin. Lets speak now to the managing director of the Road Haulage Association, rod mckenzie. How are things looking this morning, any improvement . No improvement we have heard so far. Those drivers have heard so far. Those drivers have spent a second night parked up somewhere, possibly on the motorway, possibly somewhere else, trying to get across the channel and many are european drivers trying to get home for christmas. Morale is poor. Kent cou nty for christmas. Morale is poor. Kent county council offered each of them one cereal bar yesterday, which is a poor effort in terms of maintaining morale and spirits. There has been confusion about many how lorries are waiting to get across. Grant shapps said about 170 last night and then the government saying closer to 1000. What is your estimate of how many are waiting to cross . The grant shapps estimate is clearly wrong. The figure is closer to around 1000. It is hard to tell because you can count trucks parked on the m20 but not the trucks parked up on surrounding roads and towns and so on. I would estimate around 1000, but bear in mind, to be fair, that is less then we would normally see because dover calais handles 10,000 trucks a day at this time of year. We hope to get clarity from paris later today about what the french want, some sort of agreement possibly that would allow things to start flowing. They are talking about testing drivers and getting a negative test before heading across the channel. Is that practical . It is not very practical because we know the state of the art tests take time to come back. The quick tests often a re time to come back. The quick tests often are reckoned to be unreliable, certainly in the case of asymptomatic. It is not easy. These are not mainly british based lorry drivers. That might have a connection with the nhs. They are european drivers. 0ne connection with the nhs. They are european drivers. One of the illogical things it is drivers are lone workers, in a cab on their own. They sleep on their own and eat food on their own. They are not vectors of disease. But if the french are demanding that to get things going, how confident are you the British Government can get the Testing Organisation happening on the ground to get things flowing in the next 24 hours . Not confident is the answer. This is a complex procedure. If you think about the setup of the place with trucks parked end to end down the motorway, that will not make it easy for health staff to wander along and check everyone and get the results back and find the trucks at the end to release the drivers as it were. And then there is the question of the backlog of ferries and trains and being in the wrong place. It is and being in the wrong place. It is a pretty grisly situation. You say about drivers being solo workers, but they are crisscrossing large areas and going in and out of different tiers, meeting people to exchange stuff. There is still a risk for these guys. There is a risk for everyone but if you look at a scale of risk, lorry drivers are pretty low. In the last wave of covid, we had 2 3 sickness rate among drivers, one of the lowest sickness rates per of covid. If you understand what a lorry driver does, even when they arrive at a drop off, they are not really interacting with people on a scale as you do if you are an Airline Passenger getting on are an Airline Passenger getting on a busy plane, a Rail Passenger getting on board a busy carriage. You say they are used to living in their cabs, you say they are used to living in theircabs, i you say they are used to living in their cabs, i suppose it means they are used to the conditions in one way they are having to deal with, but you were talking about toilets and food. Give me examples of calls you have heard of Actual Stories of people like we heard from earlier. Toilets is a big issue for lorry drivers. The government has been building so called lorry parks in anticipation of a no deal brexit and delays at the border. We still have big concerns over toilet facilities. 0ne big concerns over toilet facilities. One of the points of the covid crisis is we should wash our hands andi crisis is we should wash our hands and i am not convinced there are facilities to do that either. There are major questions over Health Cleanliness and what provision is in place for these drivers to eat. We are not treating them well as a country. We are not treating lorry drivers well in these very difficult conditions they are in at the moment. We should get some answers from france in the next hours. Rod mckenzie, thanks. We can talk about that with the shadow minister rachel reeves. Shadow chancellor of the duchy of lancaster. We can talk about that immediate issue. We hear stories about lorry drivers with just a cereal bar, nowhere to go to the toilet. What would you like to see happen . These are essential workers and we should treat them better than the stories we have just heard on your programme. Something practical the government can do and do quickly is getting the testing facility down to kent to help reopen the border. We have had 24 hours of this chaos in kent, both in dover and the eurotunnel. We need to get that fix. 0ne eurotunnel. We need to get that fix. One way to do it is to have testing. At the moment the government say they have capacity to do 750,000 tests a day. In december, only around half of that capacity has been used, so lets use it to get the border open, to get drivers tested if that is what it takes. With regard to testing, the point about testing is it can take time. What would you do right now about the immediate problem, people stuck on the motorway without access to basic facilities . Those basic facilities have to come, whether it is we get drivers to the airport where the facilities are supposed to be available, or to get essential is down to people, whether that is food and drink, toilets, facilities to wash your hands, essential, but also medical facilities, wash your hands, essential, but also medicalfacilities, recognising wash your hands, essential, but also medical facilities, recognising not all of these drivers are british and will not be registered with the nhs. The welfare of these drivers should be top of our minds. We should treat them better. They are essential workers that keep supermarkets stacked, keep the Manufacturing Sector working. Also, get our British Goods to market around the world earning us money and getting usjobs here at world earning us money and getting us jobs here at home world earning us money and getting usjobs here at home in britain. We need to treat these drivers with greater respect. I am meeting with the Road Haulage Association and members this afternoon to talk about some of these issues and i have spent time over the past weeks working with and meeting hauliers, particularly in hull to understand their business and we need to treat them better, get facilities down there and get testing in place so we can reopen the border. We have wasted the past 24 hours. Can i talk to you about what sir patrick valen said yesterday about this new variant of coronavirus. He said it is in other parts of the uk. What should be done right now . What would you do . Some parts of the uk are in tierfour, would you change it . You do . Some parts of the uk are in tier four, would you change it . would like to see the Scientific Evidence published. At the moment there is a problem the government get the evidence but do not publish for several weeks and we saw that in the autumn where on the 21st of september, sage recommended a circuit breaker. Those minutes were not published until the 10th of 0ctober. Three weeks were lost when the public did not know the extent of the challenges we face. I would urge the government to publish information quickly so assessments can be made and if the Scientific Evidence is that we need to extend lockdowns, that is what should happen. You would back an extension of . If that is what the Scientists Say is needed because there has been a pattern here. The Prime Minister and government reject the evidence, then they mock people who suggest things should be done differently, then they dither and dither and delay, and then finally, the delay costs lives and with a delay they then do the right thing but by then you have lost time and heaped more pressure on the nhs and cost more lives. The government has to act and to be honest with people, treat the british people like grown ups. People are insulted by the way they have been treated over the past days and weeks by this government. What would you say to someone in tier four, we know Greater Manchester is asking people to self isolate if they have travelled from tier four areas. What do you say to people travelling from tier four, would you stop them travelling . The advice is clear, we should not be travelling from those areas to the rest of the country. That is essential. Would you go as far to ask them if they have done for example, perhaps left beforehand, would you ask them to isolate . I would urge people to do that but also people should not be leaving now when we are still seeing that. The way to get on top of the virus is all of us to stick by the rules. The response of the british people these last nine months has been amazing, the sacrifices people have made to keep others safe, and to protect the nhs. The vaccine is on the horizon now, we have to get through the next few months which means all taking personal responsibility, as well as government taking action necessary. You would have seen the pictures of people queueing to get trains before the deadline at the weekend. What would you say to someone who got on board one of those trains, which you ask them to self isolate . board one of those trains, which you ask them to selfisolate . I think they should. The problem with this virus is that many people are asymptomatic. You may be travelling with good intentions and think, i am well, there is nothing wrong with me, but you do not know that unless you have had a test. Also, you could pick up the virus on the train. People should act responsibly. The vast majority of british people are doing that and the sacrifices people have made these past months have been inspiring. People have stuck by the rules, however difficult those are. For those who break the rules, you put others at risk. You should not be travelling beyond your local area. Whatever tier you are in. That is the advice and that advices there to keep us all safe and nobody wants to keep us all safe and nobody wants to inadvertently infect a friend, family member, put anyone else at risk. The majority of people are doing the right thing and the government need to be honest and level with people and treat us like grown ups, but everyone has to take responsibility. Thanks. Shortly we will talk to the home secretary priti patel. Time now to get the news, travel and weather where you are. Good morning from bbc london, im tolu adeoye. Coronavirus cases in london have more than doubled in a week with nearly 10,000 people testing postive yesterday. Londons rate is twice as high as the average in england. Nationally the four worst hit areas are in or around the capital. They are havering, epping forest, basildon and thurrock. And just a reminder that we are always keen to hear how the virus is impacting you. Whether its how restrictions have affected Christmas Plans or how your community is supporting those in need. Contact us at yourlondon bbc. Co. Uk or twitter bbclondonnews. Charities are warning that the number of households forced into homelessness in london could increase by a third in the next decade without further intervention. The Charity Crisis says while the governments everyone in scheme has reduced rough sleeping this year, homelessness has been increasing year on year. Yesterday the government pledged more funding for councils to protect those most at risk. A north London Primary School has been given a grand piano by the jazz singerjamie cullum after winning a National Song writing contest. The competition was open to schools and community groups. The big prize was delivered to frith manor Primary School by the singer himself. Having access to an instrument like this can be such a springboard to doing something exciting with music. So id really love to see it be the centre, like the hearth of the creativity for this school. In the music department, obviously, but i think everyone should be able to have a go, everyone should be able to use it and get it to take them somewhere exciting. Lets take a look at the travel situation now. 0n the tubes there are minor delays on the central line. The circle, district, hammersmith and city and metropolitan lines are all disrupted because of a powerfailure. For more travel news, you can tune in to bbc radio london who will have updates. Now the weather with kate kinsella. Good morning. Well, its another very mild start out there this morning. We start the day widely in double figures celsius, with that, we still have the cloud and further outbreaks of rain. Its largely light and patchy today. Breezy this morning, but the wind will ease through the course of the day, so less blustery than yesterday. Butjust as mild, temperatures reaching a maximum of 13 celsius. We will see further outbreaks of rain through this evening. We hang on to the cloud overnight as well. And the mild temperatures, between six and ten, the minimum as we head through to tomorrow morning. As we head into wednesday, the met office has issued a yellow weather warning for heavy rain. We are looking at 20 to 40 millimetres of rain falling on saturated ground, so it could lead to localised funding. A deep area of low pressure causing this wet and windy weather. Could even hear a rumble or two of thunder through the course of wednesday. But for thursday, High Pressure moving in from the west, squeezing that out of the way. As a result, well see a fine day with some sunshine but the temperature drops. A chilly northerly breeze on thursday, a sparkle of frost on christmas morning. Im back with the latest from bbc london in half an hour. Plenty more on our website at the usual address. Now though its back to louise and jon. Bye for now. Hello, this is breakfast withjon kay and louise minchin. Lorry drivers have spent a second night sleeping in their vehicles waiting for the border with france to reopen as politicians thrash out a plan to restart trade and travel. Lets speak to the home secretary priti patel. Thank you forjoining us. Good morning. Are we any closer to a deal now to get things moving again . We had from the Prime Minister and the transport secretary yesterday evening, heard from them, there are discussions under way and it is in both our interests in the United Kingdom and the french authorities as well, to find a resolution to this and those conversations are taking place. How close are we getting to a resolution . We have heard stories this morning of lorry drivers who have just got a cereal bar to survive on, no toilet facilities, shoppers worried about enough goods on the shelves, when will we get some clarity . First of all, you will hear later on today in terms of development and updates, those conversations are taking place with my colleague the transport secretary and his counterpart. It is important to say a few other things. You have touched on the welfare of the lorry drivers. We have now opened up and we have 0peration block and that means we have a co ntraflow block and that means we have a contraflow process block and that means we have a co ntraflow process now block and that means we have a contraflow process now for lorries to go to one of our inland sites at manston airfield where we haswell welfare facilities, that is part of our normal operational plans that have been activated. There are a range of contingency measures which are prompted when ports are closed and there are issues at the border, thatis and there are issues at the border, that is part of the normal operating model. If a lorry driver has only been given a cereal bar overnight, the plan doesnt seem to be great. These are normal operating procedures that we have. We have two processes , procedures that we have. We have two processes, one is operation stack which took place yesterday, and you saw the queues on the m20, some of them have been in recent weeks as well, that happens any time, all the time. 0peration block basically means now that we divert lorries to an inland site at manston and support services are there come up and running and that is part of the operational posture and the planning that we have, part of our contingency work that we do when it comes to road haulage issues at the border. You mentioned the number of lorries, can we clear this up . People might be a bit surprised this morning. Your colleague grant shapps the transport secretary said in downing street last night, there we re downing street last night, there were 170 lorries stuck on the m20. We discovered overnight it was close to 1000. Why that discrepancy . First of all, the number of lorries consistently fluctuates. So the numbers will be different from when grant spoke at the press conference yesterday to this morning because you will find that many of the hauliers would have dropped off their goods wherever they were travelling around the country and then come back. The numbers to fluctuate. I think highways england have confirmed overnight that the numbers are now approximately, and this changes, around 900. You have to bear in mind that lorries are moving constantly, you have more coming in, some going to manston, most are going to manston now because of the Operational Co ntraflow because of the Operational Contraflow processes because of the Operational Co ntraflow processes in because of the Operational Contraflow processes in place but those numbers change all the time. Those are the official counted numbers. 0ur correspondence this morning saying there are hundreds more parked up wherever they can on roadsidesjust more parked up wherever they can on roadsides just waiting to get moving. It is a pretty grim situation. We know that the french are talking about getting some sort of testing regime in place so that drivers can be tested and get a negative result and then get across the channel. How quickly could you get that in place, could it be operational by the end of the day . Of course, we are doing mass testing around the country, as many of your viewers will know and have seen in your local communities. That is correct, testing of some sort is pa rt correct, testing of some sort is part of the discussions at the transport secretary is happening with his counterpart in france right now. Getting those tests up and running can happen relatively quickly but in terms of the details of that, that is something that the transport secretary and his counterpoint will be discussing right now so i dont want to speculate in terms of the nature of the testing and it getting up and running. It is crucial by the sounds of it, it is the only thing that will reassure the french and get things moving, and get those guys in there lorries freed. Given the operation you speak about, given the success of testing in the uk, you say, surely we should be in a position to get that infrastructure into dover in the next few hours by the end of today. Of course we can and we have plenty of experience across government, we have seen this around the country. I should also say that these discussions are ongoing, i dont think it is right to speculate about timings and the transport secretary will speak later today, no doubt, in terms of updates and progress. Testing is part of our new normal, and i would argue it is not just the only thing that the french authorities are looking for. The fact of the matter is, we have a lwa ys the fact of the matter is, we have always worked quite constructively throughout this Coronavirus Crisis to keep goods travelling and keep flow at the border. We have worked ina very flow at the border. We have worked in a very mutually beneficial way to do that throughout this year. So we do that throughout this year. So we do know how this second strain of coronavirus, lets be clear as well, it isnt just coronavirus, lets be clear as well, it isntjust confined to the United Kingdom, this second strain is elsewhere in the world and could well be in europe as well. I think other countries already indicated they have this strain. It is in all our interests to do everything we can to keep each other safe and use the methodology whether it is the testing, or the vaccine, we have had half a Million People vaccinated, to continue to grow that base and use the tools at our disposal. Some people were saying months ago that we should be testing at our airports and ports regularly and that never happened. If it had happened, we would have been better prepared for a moment like this. Actually, no. First of all, as you have heard me say, we speak to all our cou nterpa rts say, we speak to all our counterparts around the world and it comes to goods flowing across the border. This has been a constant discussion throughout the year and if you think back to march, many other countries closed their borders, we were clear we would keep goods flowing. We are speaking about hauliers, lorry drivers who are self contained in their own vehicles, they dont get out of their vehicles. Many of them have all of their facilities within the lorries. You have also mentioned airport testing. The government has been working with airlines and airports and airports are not run by the government. We have been having those discussions and you will know from the transport secretary through his work through the year, he and his work through the year, he and his team have been in those discussions. We now know that Many Airlines ask passengers to have a test, doesnt mean you have to be physically tested at the airport, that you have a test before you travel. Right now the guidance is not to travel because that is clearly one way in which this virus spreads. The governments chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance said yesterday that this new variant is everywhere, and he says its very likely that there will have to be more restrictions in more places across england. People are waking up this morning will think, we are heading for another lockdown. think it is important to remember that as we see this virus spread, grow and evolve, the government, working with our scientific advisers and others, will take all the necessary steps necessary to try to contain this. And to remind people not to meet and not engage with other people and protect themselves. So we have review mechanisms, review points every two weeks now, so we look at the data across government and decisions are made accordingly. You have seen the decisions undertaken over the weekend. Having seen that detail and hearing about the new variant, the governments in Northern Ireland, scotland and wales have said, we are going to give a tougher restrictions immediately, they have already announced that. Many people think the government looking after england is behind the curve, some might say, again, and sooner or later you will have to say, yes, we are going to have another lockdown, it is inevitable. First of all, the government is not behind the curve. The government has been very clear from day one in terms of the protective measures we have undertaken and put in place. We have undertaken and put in place. We have seen changes to the law week after week to protect the British Public and alongside that measures, whether it is police enforcement, and a reminder to the public in terms of what they need to do, and they had been doing brilliantly, to keep each other safe. We have introduced tierfor over keep each other safe. We have introduced tier for over the weekend. 0ver introduced tier for over the weekend. Over the weekend, introduced tier for over the weekend. 0verthe weekend, many commentators said they thought it was a step too far we have introduced tier 4. It was the right thing to do, i know it is developed to christmas, it is the right thing to christmas, it is the right thing to do to keep people safe but all measures are constantly under review. The government will continue to work with the scientific and medical advisers to ensure we have the right measures in place to keep the right measures in place to keep the British Public safe. If you are in tier4 the British Public safe. If you are in tier 4 you should not leave tier 4, but some people did leave in the hours before the rules kicked in and of the day or two beforehand. Some Councils Like Greater Manchester council have now said, these people you might have seen on saturday or sunday night leaving stations, leaving london in great numbers, they should be self isolating when they should be self isolating when they get to that destination for ten days to keep the rest of the people safe at that destination, do you agree . I think first of all, eve ryo ne agree . I think first of all, everyone should make the right decisions themselves because quite frankly, individuals could be asymptomatic, they could be spreading this virus. I think it is right that everybody, no matter where they are in the country, i would urge people not to travel festival, but i would also urge the public to undertake preventative and precautionary measures to reduce the number of contacts that you have with people, and to stay at home. 0ur with people, and to stay at home. Our advice is to stay at home. Our advice is certainly to go out certainly not to go out and about and spread the virus. That is why we announced over the weekend the measures around Christmas Day and the restriction of contacts. It is right that people stay at home and if people want to call that self isolation, so be it. I would continue to urge people to stay at home and reduce the number of co nta cts stay at home and reduce the number of contacts they have one another. So if someone left london before the announcement that might be carrying albeit a symptomatically these new variant or any variant of covid saturday afternoon and go to manchester on the afternoon, they should be self isolating for ten days. Everybody should be staying at home, message is to stay at home and do not increase contact with other people. This is not a new message. We do have this new strain of coronavirus but coronavirus spreads through human contact. Staying at home is absolutely vital right now. I have been on your programme before and said this, the British Public are and said this, the British Public a re really and said this, the British Public are really following the rules. I see this throughout the year. They have been incredible at following the advice and guidance because they are conscientious people and they wa nt to are conscientious people and they want to keep each other safe. Because it was quite likely that when the tierfor thing because it was quite likely that when the tier for thing was announced at the weekend that people might decide to leave immediately tier 4, why didnt the government say, if you are leaving, when you get there, you should self isolate . Its a bit late now. Some people have got to their new destinations and they have been mixing in that new community and they have been shopping and meeting family. Well, people have not necessarily been mixing because the message has been consistent, it has been, stay at home. Throughout the weekend, tier 4 measures have been very clear that this is not about mixing with other people. And going out. People need to stay at home. The universal message associated with coronavirus is to reduce your contact with people, and that is wherever you are, and also ensure that you follow the very sensible measures around social distancing, wearing face coverings, washing hands. These are preventative measures and quite frankly we have been living with this virus it for long enough right now, people are very sensible and they understand what protective measures they need not to keep themselves safe but keep other people safe. 0ur message is clear, stay at home but also keep other people safe as well. We do that by following the guidance, washing our hands, keeping our distance and social distancing but actually thinking about others. That is a difficult message right now at this time of year, where people want to naturally be with their nearest and dearest and their loved ones at christmas. And there are families across the country who are unable to do that. And i think we should all just remember right now that these are important measures to make sure that we keep each other say. Home secretary, before you go, can i talk to you about a tweet that you posted in october, during the trial which came to the end yesterday, the migrant trial, where you talked about ruthless criminals. There is the tweet on the screen. I think you related i think you later deleted that because it was thought to have potentially indented that trial. Do you accept that was endangered that trial. Do you accept that that was a mistake . We were asked to remove it so that was the right thing to remove that tweet. It is worth pointing out that that tweet was put out after a certain individual had gone into a guilty plea. Certain individuals were still facing trial, your tweet, according to legal experts, the judge, could have endangered that trial. We were asked to remove it andi trial. We were asked to remove it and i did remove it, that is the most important point here. But that tweet was posted when people had entered a guilty plea around the atrocious, absolutely appalling deaths of the 39 vietnamese migrants killed in that lorry in purfleet. Saying we were asked to remove it, doi saying we were asked to remove it, do i take it. Saying we were asked to remove it, doitake it. I saying we were asked to remove it, do i take it. I was asked via the home office to remove it. Was it you that wrote the tweet yourself personally . I didnt personally write it, no, that i issued the tweet. Im slightly confused. You said what should be set on your behalf . Some of my tweets are written for me. In that instance, that was drafted at the time when the guilty guilty pleas were made, it was issued by me and it was removed afterwards, i was asked to removed afterwards, i was asked to remove it. Did you give the wording to be treated . No, i did not. And when you saw it, did you tell them to withdraw it . It was drawn to my attention at the time that the case was ongoing, and therefore, that tweet should be removed. Did you realise that only when the judge had said so, or after when he saw it yourself . I cant remember at the time. We had been formally asked to remove it and that is effectively what happened. Thank you forjoining us here on breakfast this morning. Thank you. Kats got the sport for us this morning. Kevin sinfield is a man who makes headlines, he was running those seven marathons in seven days, and he has had say about brain injuries in rugby league. We have had a lot of discussion about brain injuries in football because of a lot of the heavy contact, and in rugby union. And the conversation is going on in by and the conversation is going on in rugby league as well. Sinfield says a lot more research is needed before linking rugby league to brain diseases. A report this morning suggests that a group of former League Players are planning to take legal action over a failure to protect them from the health risks cauised by concussion. Similar legal action has already been started by a group of former Rugby Union Players. Sinfield is director of rugby at leeds rhinos and says its important not to guess and make assumptions about the links between rugby league and brain disease before theyre properly researched. He also says that players understand the risks. The wolves boss Nuno Espirito santo was scathing of the referee as his side lost to burnley in the premier league. The game finished 2 1 at turf moor, a win that takes burnley out of the relegation zone. Rather than blaming his players for the defeat, nuno took aim at ref lee mason. It was not about the major decisions, the crucial decisions of the game. Its the way he handled himself with the players. Most teams, the players lose their focus because theyre always arguing the decision, always arguing with the decision. He must improve, because the game requires good refereeing and good handling of the game, so the players are able to keep on performing. Elsewhere, after back to back defeats in the premier League Chelsea got a good win at stamford bridge. They beat west ham 3 0, striker Tammy Abraham with a couple of goals. The coronavirus pandemic continues to have an impact on sport, ipswich town are the latest club to have to cancel matches after six members of staff tested positive for covid 19, including manager paul lambert. Their next two matches in league one are off. Championship side millwall have also postponed their next two matches, and with infection rates growing in london and the south east, there are concerns over christmas fixtures. Meanwhile the League Cup Final has been moved from late february to late april. 0rganisers hope the change of date will allow many more supporters to be in Wembley Stadium for the match. So it might not be the League Cup Final that you are looking forward to, but may be put in your own mental diary a League Cup Final of your own to look forward to. There are quitea your own to look forward to. There are quite a few things that should happen, arent there, in 2021 . Everyone seems to be looking to april. If we can set april as a deadline. Which year . Im not in charge of these things, thank goodness. Fingers crossed. Carol gave us a little insight about Christmas Day earlier, she might do that again. Good morning, everyone. Iwillshow you a beautiful weather watchers picture first of the Northern Lights in aberdeenshire. Today, in the south of england, it is a mild start, but as you travel further north, a cold start, Northern Ireland, some areas at 2. The north has the clear skies to start with and also a fair bit of sunshine, with some showers in the north west. Cloud and milder in the south with rain at times. A week by the front straddled across southern england and south wales, producing some light patchy rain and drizzle but it will pack up later on in the day. You can see the first signs it will pep up later on in the day. You can see the first signs already. Some sunshine to look forward to in scotland, hazy at times, and showers in the north and west wintry in the hills. Maximum temperatures, six to eight in the north, further south, pretty mild the time of year, ten to 13 degrees. This evening and overnight, the rain advances northwards getting into Northern England, southern scotland and Northern Ireland. Ahead of that, clear skies, it will be a cold night, frost around, some showers still peppering the north and the west. Some of them will be wintry down to 250 metres. We cling on to the mild airas down to 250 metres. We cling on to the mild air as we move down towards the mild air as we move down towards the south of england. Through wednesday evening and wednesday itself, low pressure dominates the weather, look at the squeeze on the isobars. But we have still got all this mild air, look at the blue in the north representing cold air, more of a northerly flow. That will eventually come across the whole of the uk. All this cloud and rain across england and wales during the course of wednesday, some will be heavy and persistent. Falling on already saturated ground, there is the risk of localised flooding. Also the risk of localised flooding. Also the pretension of gales for a time, across parts of wales and South West England the potential of gales. A few showers in the north west, and in the colder air, some could be wintry to lower levels, only 4 degrees in edinburgh, 13 across the south. That will change because there goes the low pressure overnight on wednesday. 0pening there goes the low pressure overnight on wednesday. Opening the gates to a huge area of High Pressure which will be with us on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. On Christmas Eve, a lot of dry weather, showers coming down the coastline, some could be wintry. Mostly on the hills. It will feel cold, the cold air having reached the far south of england by then. As for Christmas Day, still a lot of dry weather around, some rain coming into the north west and it looks like it will turn more unsettled on boxing day. And also much windier. Sounds like it could be good weather for a Christmas Day walk. Bracing when 100 year old ethel lote sits down to enjoy her christmas dinner this year shell have a rather special dish on her table. Thats because ethel, who was a nurse during world war two, has received one of 99 christmas puddings mixed by four generations of the royal family. Heres a photo that was taken last year of the queen, the prince of wales, duke of cambridge and Prince George who is armed with a spoon to stir the puddings. They look like the newjudges on the Great British bake off its all been organised to support the Royal British Legion Campaign to tackle loneliness and isolation. Ethel joins us now with her son derek. It is now literally bearing fruit, this campaign. Lets talk to them now. Good morning to you. I think you have got your christmas pudding with you, lets have a look . Yes, we haveit with you, lets have a look . Yes, we have it ready here it is. How exciting, what do you think about being given a christmas pudding that has been stand by the royalfamily . Well, its wonderful, isnt it . All sorts of things have happened to me this last weekend, really. With it being my 100th birthday as well. But, about the puddings, you know, a year ago, a group of veterans went to Buckingham Palace and made 99 christmas puddings to celebrate 99 yea rs of christmas puddings to celebrate 99 years of the british legion. Aided by members of the royal family. And these were distributed to various members of the Royal British legion, and some military people. All part of the together at christmas campaign. Its important to describe why you were chosen, you were a teenager in the war, tell us your role, what you did . I was 18, i was training asa role, what you did . I was 18, i was training as a nurse, but then the war started. So i havent finished my training. The Military Hospital opened, and i thought i would like to go and work there. And so i did, i went there, right at the beginning, when it opened. And at first, the bombing had just started in birmingham, and we were getting patients from birmingham into the hospital. But then one morning, we had to get up early, until the civilian patients are moved out of the hospital, and we were waiting for the first convoy coming back from dunkirk. All of the soldiers who had been stranded on the beaches at dunkirk. And they managed to get back to this country in the little boats. And then they were being sent all over, mostly, the midlands. And so they were the first real military patients. Ethel, what an extraordinary thing to have been involved in. They must have been so glad to see you, those young men returning, what was that like . Well, we watched the convoy coming up the hill from down the bottom of the road, and when it stopped, all these different vehicles, there were all sorts bringing them back. And they started to unload the vehicles. And none of the men could walk. And when we got them into the wards, seven huts and there were 40 beds in each hut. The men, most of them, the uniforms were still damp from the sea, because they had to get away from the sea into the little boats to get away, and then they were put on trains and brought back to this country. Wow, 100 years of stories, we could listen to you all day when you hear your mum talking and those stories, derek, you must be proud of her every day. Particularly now when she is 100, and she has a cake for you as well yes very much so. The christmas puddings really gained quite a bit more significance because of the events of this year. I think when they were initially made, the intention was to celebrate 99 years of the Royal British legion. But then with covid 19, and the initiative of supporting people it really came online then. And it has been tremendous for that, the british legion. The together at christmas initiative, which is part of the puddings, is reallyjust a pa rt of of the puddings, is reallyjust a part of it. All year, they have been supporting older members of the legion, with a buddy system. Younger members of the british legion contact regularly, the older members, give them support and any assistance and they have done a huge amount of shopping during the lockdown for mother as well. Thats lovely. Derek, we have to leave it, im afraid. I dont think you like the pudding, but you do, ethel . Yes, im looking forward to it. Ill save a bit of it for my great grandchildren. a bit of it for my greatgrandchildren. I know you havent opened it, can you smell it, does it smell good . Oh, no rover not opening it yet we havent opened it yet, Christmas Day thank you very much indeed, both. Watch out for this expense as well. For the sixpence. Stay with us, headlines coming up. Good morning welcome to breakfast withjon kay and louise minchin. 0ur headlines today, containing the spread of the new variant of coronavirus a top government adviser warns tougher restrictions will be needed in more parts of england. It is likely that this will grow in numbers of the variant across the country, and i think it is likely, therefore, that measures need to be increased in some places in due course, not reduced. The french governments to announce plans to lift the cross channel travel ban lorry drivers have spent a second night in their cabs waiting at the port of dover. The port of dover and eurotunnel remains close to the second day running and for anyone wanting to get over to france and the result is this, lorries parked up pretty much everywhere you look. And that is causing concern about food supply. This lettuce came from spain via dover. We are fine for now, but days away from when demand is bigger than supply. Rugby League Legend Kevin Sinfield adds his voice to calls for more research into concussion. He says its important not to make assumptions about the links between rugby league and brain injuries. We have a cold day ahead across the northern half of the country, but sunshine, albeit hazy at times, with showers. In the south, a mild day with cloud and rain at times. All the details in about ten minutes. Its tuesday, 22nd december. Our top story. The governments chief scientific adviser has warned that tougher restrictions are likely to be needed in more areas of england, to control the new variant of coronavirus. Sir Patrick Vallance said further measures may be required to counter a likely increase in cases, as a result of christmas mixing. Mr vallance says the more infectious form of the virus needs to be taken very seriously, as jon donnison reports. In london and the south east, around 17 Million People are already living under the tightest tier 4 restrictions. But now a warning from the governments chief scientific adviser that stricter measures are likely to be needed in more areas of england to try to control the virus. It is likely that this will grow in numbers of the variant across the country and i think it is likely, therefore, that measures need to be increased in some places in due course, not reduced. Just three days before christmas, already many have had to change their plans. I was due to go to my parents place for Christmas Day, but we are not going to be doing that any more. We were going to have christmas with six other people in our house and they are not coming now. On saturday night, some train stations in london were packed as people tried to get out of the capital in the last hours before the new tier 4 measures kicked in. Now Health Officials in manchester and the West Midlands have said anyone visiting their regions from tier 4 areas and from wales should self isolate for ten days. It comes amid concerns about a particular new variant of the virus, which the government said has led to a surge in new infections. It has 17 key differences in its genetic makeup the result of random mutations and roughly half of those changes are in the spike protein, possibly making it bind to human cells more effectively. It is likely to be more transmissible because its a dominant strain, just now. But that is not only dependent on the virus, it is also dependent on peoples behaviour. And so we need to see whether it is the behaviour, whether that was spreading, and that has accounted for all these new infections, now, or whether it is really the strain that is easier to transmit from person to person. You may end up with a bit of a bruise. A wee bit of a bruise. The hope remains that an expanded roll out of vaccines next year will make all the difference. But things could well get worse before they get better. Jon donnison, bbc news. The french government says it will announce measures today that should allow transport links with britain to resume and trade to flow across the channel again. With britain to resume and trade France Closed its borders after growing concern about the new varient of coronavirus, leaving hundreds of lorry drivers stranded on the motorway in dover. 0ur reporter simonjones is in doverfor us now. Tell us what is going on and how they are coping. Good morning, the port of dover and eurotunnel remains close to second day for anyone wanting to get to france and the result is this, lorry drivers parking up anywhere they can and thatis parking up anywhere they can and that is a side road in dover. This is the main road leading to the port and drivers parked up here. One saving grace is they have a nice view of the white cliffs of dover, but little comfort. Some hauliers tell us the only thing they have been offered is a cereal bar to keep them going and another from been offered is a cereal bar to keep them going and anotherfrom poland told me he had spent the past two nights sleeping in his cab. The big question they have is will they get home in time for christmas . We expect an announcement from the eu today about a possible way forward. An idea would involve drivers having to have a negative test before heading back to their home countries but that will be a logistical operation that is huge in terms of numbers. The government said last night 945 lorries were parked up on the m20, but when you see the situation here, driving around dover, there are lorries everywhere, every possible lay by, parking space seems to be taken by a lorry, so i think the figure those caught up is higher than the 945. You are potentially talking about testing thousands of people, and that will not be a quick operation and test results will take time to come back, so the reality is we could see a number of these drivers having to face christmas parked up in their lorries. 0ur Political Correspondent iain watson is at westminster for us. Simon talking about testing. That is a key issue being discussed between the uk and france. It looks like it will be the key issue, and about the logistical difficulties. Earlier the home secretary said testing was becoming effectively part of the new normal and she confirmed discussions will take place between the transport secretary and his opposite number in france, and testing may held the key to unlocking the blockade at dover. Testing of some sort is part of the discussions that the transport secretary is having with his counterpart in france right now. Getting those tests up and running can happen relatively quickly, but in terms of the details of that, that is something that that the transport secretary and his counterpart will be discussing right now so i dont want to speculate in terms of the nature of the testing and how soon that could be up and running. We cannot know just we cannot knowjust exactly when testing would be up and running but it looks like the french insist testing takes place. It is not clear yet, if they are insisting the sophisticated tests rather than the swifter lateral flow test that might not be as good at picking up the new variant of the virus. We expect to hear around lunchtime if there has been movement in talks but i do not expect there will be Much Movement out of dover before the 48 hours of the french ban has elapsed. Dover, kent already in tier four but speculation this morning following state m e nts speculation this morning following statements from the chief scientific officer yesterday that more parts of england could be into tier 4 after christmas. That looks pretty much inevitable, and a grim start to 2021. The Prime Minister suggesting we will go back to normal at easter but between now and then more areas might be taken into the highest level of restrictions, tier 4, affecting london and the south east at the moment. The chief scientific adviser said we need the right level of restrictions in place. Although localised in places, he said that he variant was already in other parts and he suggested restrictions may have to be increased in some places rather than decreased. All of that was a none too subtle message, preparing people for tougher restrictions after christmas, and i think the feeling is the government may have to clamp down to give enough time for the Vaccination Programme to take effect. A pretty grim message at the moment, but also multiple challenges now for the Prime Minister dealing with frate, brexit talks, and dealing with restlessness among his own mps, some of them, about new restrictions that have already been imposed, never mind what people see as a National Knock down via the back door. Fearing it could have serious financial implications for air and ferry routes but advising people to avoid nonessentialjourneys. Us president Electjoe Biden has received his first dose of the pfizer covid 19 vaccine live on television. Vice president mike pence and House Speaker nancy pelosi have also had the jab. Mr biden, whos 78 and considered to be in a high risk group, said he was getting it to show americans it is safe to take, and urged americans to get it, as soon as it became available. You may have missed this. Jupiter and saturn have crossed paths in the night sky, appearing like a single bright star nicknamed the christmas star. The planets are more than 400 million miles apart, and just after sunset, reached their closest point in 800 years. Scientists suggest the timing of this conjunction, may have been the source of a bright light in the sky 2,000 years ago, which became known as the star of bethlehem. Idid i did look but you would have been lucky to see it around these parts. The whole of the uk good morning. Some overnights or clear skies and enjoyed lovely sunrises this morning and this was from nottinghamshire. We have a north south split with cloud in the north and dampness and light rain at the moment but that will pep up as it comes in from the south west. North wales, north midlands, Northern England and scotland, brightened with sunshine. Hazy at times. Showers across the north and west with some of them wintry on the hills. A difference in temperatures. 6 8 with clearer skies but still mild in the south looking between 10 13. This evening and overnight, cloud and rain gets into Northern England, southern scotland and Northern Ireland. Wind picks up in the south west. Further north, another cold night with frost. Showers still in the north and west could be wintry down to 250 metres, but still mild in the south. Tomorrow, heavy and persistent rain in england and wales. A lot of cloud. Because the ground is saturated, the risk of local flooding. Northern ireland and scotland, brighter skies with sunshine. Some showers could be wintry. Some of the heavier showers, you could see that down to sea level, at times. 4 degrees in edinburgh, 13 in london are the temperatures. People travelling from tier 4 areas to other parts of england are being asked to assume they have the new coronavirus variant and to self isolate. Health Officials Say anyone who has come from a tier 4 area or wales, which you can see highlighted in red here, to parts of the West Midlands and north west should stay at home for ten days. So could other regions follow suit . Joining us now is linda bauld, who is a professor of Public Health at the university of edinburgh. Lovely to see you again. Lets talk about this point. We heard from Greater Manchester saying if you have travelled from tier 4 areas, they ask people to self isolate, behave as if they have the virus. What is your recommendation and what you think of that . It makes sense from a Public Health perspective. It is not an unusual recommendation. Nationally, australia has strict quarantine requirements between its states within the country, legal requirements. In the uk the requirements. In the uk the requirement to self isolate if you test positive or are advised to is in the law and you can be fined if you do not follow. It is guidance, simply guidance, but you can understand why because if you go from an area, this new variant aside, going from a higher prevalence aside, going from a higher p reva le nce area aside, going from a higher prevalence area to a lower, the case between manchester at the moment which has fewer cases than many parts of the south east, that you would hope to make sure people who move into that area do not spread the virus when they arrived. It makes sense, but it is guidance, not a legal requirement, and i think people will find it tough to follow. Do you think that guidance should have been given as soon as tier 4 was announced on saturday because we saw pictures of people leaving the south east, heading to places. Whether they should or not, they did, and might have been circulating in the communities where they were headed. That is right, it is too late. Directors of Public Health do it with the best intentions but you are right, we saw scenes at the train stations, and people will have come up to scotland from london, as well. We have fewer cases up here. This advice should be clearer. Interesting we had overnight the development from Northern Ireland that they will require that. I suspect that will be a legal requirement in Northern Ireland. We need a better discussion about what we do ina need a better discussion about what we do in a situation where parts of the uk are at different stages of the uk are at different stages of the pandemic, and should we give clear advice on self isolation, if people are moving around . The only point i would make is in the uk, we have had continuous problems with peoples ability to self isolate because the payment and support for thatis because the payment and support for that is still limited. It is a really tricky issue. The home secretary made the point earlier that people who are travelling around the country on saturday should not have been doing that at that point, before tier 4 came in they should have stayed where they were. We heard from sir patrick valla nce were. We heard from sir Patrick Vallance yesterday saying the new variant is in other parts of the uk. Do you think, and this is early days, there will be increasing calls and an necessity for further high restrictions in other areas . U nfortu nately, restrictions in other areas . Unfortunately, that is likely, and if you look at hospital numbers, over 19,000 in hospitals. At the peak in april it was around 21,000. We are getting to that stage, and we are not seeing the impact of the more restrictions as yet. Because of this, we will see case numbers increase in some areas and governments and public Health Officials will not have any choice but to restrict movement more and i think that means higher tiers. No one wants that but my feeling would be that is likely in the weeks to come. You will stay with us. We want to talk about clinically extremely Vulnerable People living in tier 4 areas who are told not to go to work, even if they are unable to work, even if they are unable to work from home. People are now spending more time shielding behind closed doors. First, lets hear about the reality. Hi, im kerry thompson, and i live in Milton Keynes and we are, right now, in tier 4. Ive been shielding for 297 days. So far this year, i have left my house five times. My name is claire, i live in a village south of colchester. Its currently in tier 2. And ive been shielding since march. My name is zoe mumba, im 27 years old. I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in april this year, and im currently living in london, so i am also currently in tier 4. I am shielding because i have a rare form of muscular dystrophy called fhl1 gene mutation, and it also affects my respiratory, and i also have type 2 diabetes. Im shielding because, 12 years ago, i had a lung transplant, and so im very, very vulnerable. Ive done a lot to stay alive this long and im not going to risk anything to jeopardise that. Ive lost a lot of independence. Obviously, getting cancer at such a young age is quite difficult, but, additionally, losing the independence of being able to go out and see people, being able to see my family and friends, thats been quite hard. Unfortunately, having muscular dystrophy, you do lose muscle mass. And i have lost quite a significant amount of muscle mass, where i am unable to exercise the way i would normally exercise in my wheelchair or going out. So i have lost a lot of movement in my right arm, which was actually my good arm. I have learned to accept that i cant go out. When this all started, i thought it would be a long time. I started shielding before the official shielding, because i could see what was coming. There have been some positives. Me and my boyfriend have probably never been closer. We always had a Good Relationship and now its even stronger. Things like im learning bulgarian, because my boyfriend is half bulgarian, and that has improved a lot, because ive been having a lot of lessons during shielding. So there have been some positives, despite the challenges. You really get a sense linder of the difficulties and impact this has had on people. What you say to people who were shielding at the beginning, and perhaps some still shielding now, particularly in tier 4 . and perhaps some still shielding now, particularly in tier 4 . I would say this is advised people will have received a letter from their gp, it is important to follow that advice because we are now vaccinating people around the uk. The unintended consequence is the Mental Health harms, the other harms we have heard about, the challenge for though shielding is substantial. But it is time limited. It has been going on a long time but we can see it is not indefinite now because almost everybody in that category will be able to be vaccinated. The advice for those facing that now is to follow it, difficult though it is, and family members need to support those shielding, but to clean out because infection levels are at a high level and those individuals are at risk and it is important they are protected so they can be vaccinated, and look forward to returning to more normality next year. Are there things we have learned from shielding in the first lockdown in spring that might help people in that situation this time . May be in terms of going outside and getting some fresh air and exercise. That is important. Just the wellbeing aspect. What we have talked about a lot through this crisis this year, making a plan for the day, trying to remain socially connected, even if thatis remain socially connected, even if that is virtually. Get outside if you can and exercise in fresh air. We have seen other people outdoors which you are permitted to do, and those are things you can do, particularly in the winter months when being stuck indoors is more challenging, not just when being stuck indoors is more challenging, notjust forshielding, but many people. We know there is advice for those shielding in tier 4, but what about areas not in tier 4 . The important thing is to follow the advice of your gp or if you are told by the nhs you need to shield or take precautionary measures, that is the main thing and will be specific to the individual. We are concerned about those in tier 4 because of the infection levels. Evenif because of the infection levels. Even if you are in a lower tier, you might have to follow that clinical advice. It is important we take into account everybodys circumstances. It isa account everybodys circumstances. It is a bizarre, depressing thing. We start christmas week and normally we would be full ofjoy and happiness but whatever tier we are m, happiness but whatever tier we are in, we are trying to adjust. What is your message about Little Things we can do, how we can collectively, evenif can do, how we can collectively, even if we are alone, get through the next few weeks particularly . The main thing is to think about what you can control yourself. So many things are not controllable. So much chopping and changing that people have found difficult. Focus on things you like to do and are able to do in these circumstances. Simple things like having a routine, having something to do you plan with your day. Keeping connected with others. May be avoiding some of the news, not having overload, because that can be challenging. And trying to be active indoors or outdoors depending on your circumstances, and try to eat well and focus on things we need to do to maintain wellbeing. Merry christmas if i do not see you before. Thanks for joining christmas if i do not see you before. Thanks forjoining us. And giving us so much useful advice. She said avoid the news. Here we try to bring you, as well as the news, a little bit of happiness and joy and we have some here. There is some great tv this christmas. You might have to search but there is Good Television and later this morning we will be talking about everyones favourite scarecrow. Worzel gummidge is back for a Christmas Special and we will speak to one of its stars. At first look at this special on Christmas Eve. What about this . One of those posh scarfs. I bet he would look brilliant in this. Like a gentleman. What do you reckon . Really classy. Whats that . Silk . That looks like silk. 0h, whats that . Silk . That looks like silk. Oh, thats not fair. How do you know i have always had a craving for cravat . A cravat. As soon as i saw you i thought there is a scarecrow who would suit a stylish piece of neckwear. Honorary sca recrows. Honorary scarecrows. They are young. You might want to tone down the language. There you are. We thought you have been sold. Cheeky toe rags. Look who ive found. Its my old pal saucy nancy. We go back years. Hello. Hi. Humans. How come theyre not screaming . Oh, no, this is normal for us these days. Yeah, we talk to effigies all the time. Lamb bleets. Worzel gummidge back on Christmas Eve. We will speak to Mackenzie Crook who is beneath that make up as Worzel Gummidge about his adaptation he did himself. He has written it. He is in it. He did that this year which is an achievement. Also later in the programme we will speak to felicity jones, who stars alongside George Clooney in a film. He is acting and directing this film, called midnight sky. I would describe it as disaster movie meat space movie. It is very intense. You need to concentrate hard. I had to go back and watch it. I had to watch it again. I did not have to do that. It isa have to do that. It is a wonderful film. She have to do that. It is a wonderfulfilm. She is in it. She announced she was pregnant during filming out with rewritten especially. We have Worzel Gummidge and George Clooney. We promised you light and shade and you have it. The headlines ina shade and you have it. The headlines in a couple of minutes. Good morning from bbc london, im tolu adeoye. Coronavirus cases in london have more than doubled in a week with nearly 10,000 people testing postive yesterday. Londons rate is twice as high as the average in england. Nationally the four worst hit areas are in or around the capital. They are havering, epping forest, basildon and thurrock. And just a reminder that we are always keen to hear how the virus is impacting you. Whether its how restrictions have affected Christmas Plans or how your community is supporting those in need. The man who murdered british backpacker Grace Millane in new zealand has been named after a court order banning his identification was lifted. Grace from wickford in essex was 22 when she was killed in auckland in december 2018. 28 year old Jesse Kempson was jailed for a minimum of 17 years. Its been revealed he has also been convicted of sex attacks on two more women. A north London Primary School has been given a grand piano by the jazz singerjamie cullum after winning a National Song writing contest. The competition was open to schools and community groups. The big prize was delivered to frith manor Primary School by the singer himself. Having access to an instrument like this can be such a springboard to doing something exciting with music. So id really love to see it be the center, like the hearth of the creativity for this school. In the music department, obviously, but i think everyone should be able to have a go, everyone should be able to use it and get it to take them somewhere exciting. Lets take a look at the travel situation now. 0n the tubes the circle, district, hammersmith and city and metropolitan lines are all disrupted because of a powerfailure. For more travel news, you can tune in to bbc radio london who will have updates. Now the weather with kate kinsella. Good morning. Well, its another very mild start out there this morning. We start the day widely in double figures celsius, with that, we still have the cloud and further outbreaks of rain. Its largely light and patchy today. Breezy this morning, but the wind will ease through the course of the day, so less blustery than yesterday. Butjust as mild, temperatures reaching a maximum of 13 celsius. We will see further outbreaks of rain through this evening. We hang on to the cloud overnight as well. And the mild temperatures, between six and ten, the minimum as we head through to tomorrow morning. As we head into wednesday, the met office has issued a yellow weather warning for heavy rain. We are looking at 20 to 40 millimetres of rain falling on saturated ground, so it could lead to localised funding. To localised flooding. A deep area of low pressure causing this wet and windy weather. Could even hear a rumble or two of thunder through the course of wednesday. But for thursday, High Pressure moving in from the west, squeezing that out of the way. As a result, well see a fine day with some sunshine but the temperature drops. A chilly northerly breeze on thursday, a sparkle of frost on christmas morning. Im back with the latest from bbc london in half an hour. Plenty more on our website at the usual address as well as on our instagram and facebook. Now though its back to louise and jon. Hello, this is breakfast withjon kay and louise minchin. This week were saying a big thank you to the heroes whove done so much to help get us through the last year. Among them are the health care and key workers whose efforts were applauded each week, during the first lockdown, in what became known as the clap for carers tribute. Breakfasts Jayne Mccubbin has been talking to people about what it meant to them. It was dark. I didnt know if anybody else would be out. I got a message if you can, stand at the doors of your department and just try and listen. 8pm, thursday, march the 26th. A date for a nation in isolation. We could hear a wave of sound coming in from the street behind us. This patter this pitter patter, the noise. And then i understood what it was. It was people clapping. And we were moved. It has been a real hard week for everybody. I have just taken the team outside to listen. That is absolutely. I dont think there are any words for that, but, everybody, thank you. Its emotional. I could hear everybody. I could hear distant claps. I could hear phones. I could hear sirens. Its probably one of the most emotional moments of my career, and there have been many. It was just that sense of togetherness. The thanks were heartfelt. And, for some, the thanks were for their very life. What was going through your head at that moment . I think i was reliving some of the moments from those 11 days. Some of the nhs staff, who i can never thank enough, because they saved my life. Even though i was as weak as a kitten, and my bell is a very heavy one, i willingly, willingly stood outside in a dressing gown, straight out of my hospital bed, almost, and raised my arm over and over again. I think the next morning one arm was three inches longer than the other but this gratitude was for more than just the nhs. It was for key workers across the country, supermarket workers, bus drivers. Everybody that kept the country moving through the pandemic. I remember coming out one night, eight oclock, standing there where you are stood, and all the neighbours were out the pots and pans and people shouting and people clapping. You could hear it from all the estates around. It was so uplifting. It was so, so uplifting. Leoni was dubbed the angel of the north after she had raised money for ipads for covid awards across the uk. Money for ipads for covid wards across the uk. We did lose and weve lost a lot of people. And that was hard. And it was hard because, at that time, they couldnt have family in. So an ipad was maybe the last time that they saw their loved ones. Today, leoni is in recovery from the virus herself. This was thanks for those keeping the wards open, the country moving. Thanks for all those who cared. And they well deserved it, too, because what would we do without the carers . In lockdown mark one, kens carers had surprised him with this gift. Separated from his family, bereaved from his wife ada, this was the comfort he desperately needed then and now. I thought that might be a bit better than your photograph. When im in bed at night, and i get low, and i have a little weep, i pick this up and my tears stop. I would like to say to every carer in the country thank you very much. You are all angels. For ten weeks, we clapped for the countless acts of kindness. And it was all started by one woman. It still feels quite unreal to me. I dont think i will ever be able to fully grasp it, how big it actually became. Annemarie plas called for the nation to clap and we gladlyjoined in. Now, she is calling for one day every year when we do it all over again. Because the battle isnt yet won. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your Priceless Gift of my life, i say thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I think that could really sum up the whole of that year, that last comment, that was emotional. It has been quite something. Extraordinary looking back to that, that was six or seven months ago, the clapping, it feels like. Forget how extraordinary that moment was, even though we are still in that moment. Thatll give ourselves a round of applause, well done, everybody. Kats got the sport for us this morning. Head injuries in sport have been a big topic of conversation this year, and it will continue into 2021. We have looked into the concussion problem in football, and also the conversations are happening in rugby union and rugby league. They are high contact sports. Kevin sinfield says a lot more research is needed before linking rugby league to brain diseases. A report this morning suggests that a group of former League Players are planning to take legal action over a failure to protect them from the health risks caused by concussion. Similar legal action has already been started by a group of former Rugby Union Players. Sinfield is director of rugby at leeds rhinos and says its important not to guess and make assumptions about the links between rugby league and brain disease before theyre properly researched. He also says that players understand the risks. Meanwhile, the premier leagues medical adviser will chair a meeting later to talk about restricting heading in adult football. The fa, efl and the Players Union will all be involved. Head injuries in sport, a big issue to look forward to in 2021, we will be keeping an eye across that on bbc brea kfast. Couple of games in the premier league last night, and after back to back defeats chelsea returned to winning ways. They beat west ham 3 0 at stamford bridge. Tammy abraham scoring twice for the home side. Elsewhere, burnley moved out of the relegation zone with a 2 1win over wolves. Its the quarterfinals of the league cup tonight, and an opportunity for arsenal to do something about their dire start to the season. Theyve lost five of their last seven premier league games, and are having their worst start to a League Season in 46 years. Arsenal play Manchester City in the efl cup tonight, and the pressure is on boss mikel arteta to turn things around soooner rather than later. There are two types of people fighters and victims. You just need fighters. You dont want any victims. Victims bring excuses. Victims bring negativity. And they start to blame anything that is happening around them or that is not going for them. You need just people who fight, people who contribute, and people who are ready to give everything to the cause in these moments. Meanwhile, the League Cup Final has been moved from late february to late april. 0rganisers hope the change of date will allow many more supporters to be in Wembley Stadium for the match. Good for arsenal to look forward to. And the olympics. And the ryder cup. In the aeros. There is plenty to look forward to, we have just got to get past this terrible start and end of this year, start of next year. That is a bit of a dark thoughts to end on the League Cup Final is in april, we could all be there. wonder how many people are getting diaries this christmas . You have to get them before christmas, christmas is too late, you have to look ahead to next week. I used to have a real diary, now it is now all out there. 0n diary, now it is now all out there. On your phone. Retailers have played down fears of Food Shortages after france shut its borders to uk hauliers for 48 hours due to the uks new coronavirus variant. But they have warned of serious disruption if there are longer delays. Ninas at a salad Processing Plant in preston, nina how difficult is this for businesses . You are at the sharp end, seeing the reality of things coming in and things going out. Yes, get your diary out i have some fruit and veg dates to get in there for you. Earlier we showed you these gorgeous savoy cabbage is from lancashire, but these are imported, these read these lancashire, but these are imported, these red peppers and yellow peppers, they are from spain, and we have rocket from italy. This is fresh, all about timing, have rocket from italy. This is fresh, allabout timing, it have rocket from italy. This is fresh, all about timing, it would have been harvested about five days ago and come in via dover. The food has to be on the plate within eight days or youre all perished so you getan days or youre all perished so you get an idea of the timings. Lets see why this is or it will perish that you get an idea of the tight timings. It is one of the biggest trading routes in europe, between calais and over, and in the uk, we import 45 of everything we eat. The transport secretary grant shapps yesterday really keen to emphasise that 80 of all of our freight is not handled by humans and so we will be completely unaffected by these measures however long they last. Worrying if you do work in fresh fruit and veg. Lets go and speak to a member of staff with some beautiful greens from italy, how are you doing . At the moment as you stand, you have a packed warehouse, what is the next few days look like for you . In my opinion, the next three days, we are pretty safe. But what will maybe happen after that three days, no one knows. Everything defence on another 24 hours, depends on 24 hours when we hear from president macron. You are backing on boxing day, by that point, if dont change, you anticipate. There is a calculated risk that may be we will not be back on boxing day when we have nothing to pack. So it is that serious, if things dont change today . Yes, 9096 of our Raw Materials come from europe. I am of our Raw Materials come from europe. Iam here of our Raw Materials come from europe. I am here with some vegeta bles europe. I am here with some vegetables from italy, and thats 1596 vegetables from italy, and thats 15 of our mix. Vegetables from italy, and thats 1596 of our mix. Lots of your produce courtesy to supermarkets and restau ra nts a nd courtesy to supermarkets and restaurants and pub chains, so within the next week or so, it could go missing . For now, when i visit one of our supermarkets, that we supply yesterday, i dont see panic buying. But maybe that will be changing during the next few days. It really depends. She was saying, for her, she has 300 staff to look after that she is worried about. This stuff, as i was saying earlier, can be rolled through the next few days. But you are a florist, and your supplies coming from the netherlands . It stopped overnight with the announcement and that was it. It was a matter of, u nfortu nately, we it. It was a matter of, unfortunately, we are going to have to limit the amount of fresh valuables we take in. It is such a shame, our loyal clients as well. At the moment, the flowers are massive, they have had a bumper yearfor obvious reasons, they are a lovely gift to send when you cant go into shops physically. Health busy have things been . How busy have you been to . Lots of people are sending Fresh Flowers developments because you cannot meet. So you are sending Fresh Flowers, Fresh Flowers to their loved ones. Its a reminder that these people are being thought of it. Hopefully we will get some news a little bit later today that will open up that blockage from france and other parts of europe, we dont know when that supply chain will reopen. Apologies for the sound quality. And thank you to you, your babyis quality. And thank you to you, your baby is three months old and you came into work today the message is that the boxing day meal might be fine, but you might have to make some changes come new years eve. Apologies for the sound, thank you, see you soon. Heres carol with a look at this mornings weather. Looking every day a little bit closer to christmas and beyond, what a beautiful sky. Isnt it gorgeous . This was taken in edinburgh by one of our weather watchers this morning, the north of the country has seen some clear skies developed through the night so you will have some sunshine today so in the south it will be more like this, cloudy and also looking at some rain from time to time. Much milder in the south. We have a weather front draped across southern areas. Producing the cloud and damp conditions, patchy light rain. That will be pepped up by this next area coming in from the south west later on. Move north of this cloud and dank conditions and you have brighter skies, sunshine, a peppering of showers in the north and west, wintry on the hills. And essentially dry, the sunshine is hazy to the course of the day. Southern scotland, Northern Ireland and Northern England with hazy sunshine. Maximum six to eight here, in the south, milder air, ten to 13 degrees. This evening and overnight, the heavier rain advances northwards getting into Northern England, southern scotland and Northern Ireland, but for the rest of scotland, clear skies. A cold night, some frost around. And a peppering of showers in the north and west, falling to 250 metres as wintry showers. Still mild across the far south of england. Has he head through tomorrow, this potent area of low pressure comes our way, look at the squeeze on the ice of ours. The potential for some gales across parts of wales and the south west. Milder conditions farther south as represented by the yellow and amber. Colder further north. The represented by the yellow and amber. Colderfurther north. The rain represented by the yellow and amber. Colder further north. The rain could be heavy and persistent across england and wales, falling on saturated ground so the risk of some localised flooding. Strong winds across wales and the south west, but of Northern Ireland and scotland, quieter, colder, drier, and more sunshine. Because the air is cold, some of the showers could be wintry, and heavier bursts to lower levels. Maximum temperature tomorrow in a for degrees, come down towards plymouth, 12 and 13. That will change. Wednesday night, the High Pressure builds across the uk for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. On Christmas Eve, there will be a lot of dry weather, a fair bit of sunshine, some showers particularly around the coasts and hills, some could also be wintry. These are our maximum temperatures, three to seven. The cold air would have got all the way down towards the channel islands. For Christmas Day, there will be a lot of dry weather around on friday. 0ne will be a lot of dry weather around on friday. One or two showers particularly coming down the north sea coastline and some rain coming into the north west. If you are going for walks, it will cold. For boxing day on saturday, unsettled with wet and potentially windy conditions. Iam very i am very excited because i have an early christmas present, i will be presenting with you on Christmas Day. It is a present which is all mine, ilook day. It is a present which is all mine, i look forward to that day. It is a present which is all mine, i look forward to that i will warn you i have an insight, you might need some tissues. We have a message from captain tom, fell from rob burrow and a special performance from paul harvey. Thelma. And you have one another you have sent me a present and i will bring to an open it on the studio. Do that dont do that no, i mean privately we usually exchange presents, i got a beautiful scarf. You have presence . You have to be in the gang, if you dont send a present, you dont get a present. Thats not what it is about i thought it was the receiving not giving that happens. Yours is in the post but it might ta ke yours is in the post but it might take a while. Looking forward to it i will see you before but on Christmas Day. You can watch. Yes, and say, i am glad that i didnt send any christmas presents lots of us have come up with creative ways to stay fit and healthy during the pandemic and on one street in edinburgh theyve been taking part in outdoor aerobic classes to keep spirits high. The sessions are run by one of scotlands best ever rugby players, Scott Hastings, and his wife jenny. 0ur reporter hope webb has more. Every week, rain or shine, this group of neighbours gather in their streets for a feel good aerobics session. Its only 20 to 30 minutes of exercise but it lifts the spirits of all of the residents, old and young. The idea was started by former british lion Scott Hastings and his wifejenny, as a way of bringing everyone together during the lockdown. Today has been very exciting, i looked forward all week. Ive got family in italy, so none of them can come here. And, so i live on my own, and its not easy, its not easy. We didnt know these neighbours, half these neighbours, before. So we got this, started to do this, and now were best friends. Its tough on the legs, you know, as much as anything. Its great fun, uh huh. And i think it obviously shows everybody looks as if theyre enjoying it. We are quick to forget, and we came out every thursday and clapped the nhs. And we said hello to our neighbours. And there was a solidarity and unity. And i feel in the winter months, that kind of goes a wee bit. Maybe the Christmas Spirit can bring people together again. This has enabled us all to keep an eye on each other, so id encourage people to do that over this Christmas Period and into 2021. Throughout a difficult year, this aerobics class has been a source ofjoy for this new Found Community of neighbours. So much so that they are now planning on coming together for a little dance on Christmas Day. Hope webb, bbc news. What a great thing, everybody joining in everyones favourite scarecrow, Worzel Gummidge, is back this christmas for the latest adaptation of the much loved childrens novel. Played by the actor Mackenzie Crook best known for his roles in the office and pirates of the caribbean worzel is joined by his old friend saucy nancy. Lets take a look. Worzel, are you here . What the plink . Dont worry, theyre here with me. Honor or ra ry sca recrows. 0ver ere. They re young uns. You may want to tone down the language. Scabby duck flaps. There you are. We thought you had been sold. Cheeky toe rags. Look who ive found. Its my old pal saucy nancy. We go back years. Hello. Hi. Humans. How come theyre not screaming . Oh, no, this is normal for us these days. Yeah, we talk to effigies all the time. Lamb bleets. Aw, thats so sweet whats his name . Hasnt got a name. Ijust call it pig. Pig . But its a lamb. Is it . They all look the same to me, land animals. Four legs, all at each corner. Lets speak now to worzel himself, Mackenzie Crook. Good morning, thank you so much for joining us. And you join us from a very lovely shed, talk is around that . Yeah, it is actually a bit of a mess. What you can see here, i have just in the background to make it look like darwins study but the rest of it is complete chaos, im afraid. You have some tools there, are you afraid. You have some tools there, a re you pretty afraid. You have some tools there, are you pretty handy . Yeah, i like making stuff in my shed tell us a little bit about Worzel Gummidge, you clearly have a huge affection for this character. I do, i have become really fond of him. Its odd, i really enjoyed the writing of it, and pacing around, saying the words asi and pacing around, saying the words as i write them. Its a joy to play him, and its brilliant that we actually got to make an episode this year at some point, because it didnt look like we were going to be able to make any. How did you manage to do that . The initial plan was to make two episodes, as it turned out, we only got to make one. It was just a lot of planning and a lot of strik covid regulations. It changes, does it change the script as well as the filming . Actually, our episode was probably about the best thing to do, because it is all outside, very few cast and quite a lot of the dialogue is spoken whilst walking side by side rather than face each other so we we re side rather than face each other so we were quite well placed to go into production. Your love of this character, these stories, we are all roughly the same age, and about watching it on telly when we were kids. Where you inspired by thejohn pertwee original series all the books, or what . Strangely enough, i didnt watch the Television Programme as a kid, itjust wasnt one i watched, it wasnt part of my life. When my friend christian came to me and he had the rights to the original books, something sparked my imagination. I started original books, something sparked my imagination. Istarted imagining idea is that it could be adapted again ina idea is that it could be adapted again in a different way. It comes at christmas time, not christmas but it sits well at christmas, i dont know, its the messaging in some ways. Yeah, i know. It is all set in the summer, it doesnt really feel christmassy. I dont know, the magic in it, the magic world its in, lends itself to christmas time. This episode on Christmas Eve is called saucy nancy, and we saw saucy nancy a moment ago, one of the characters. There is a connection with Barbara Windsor who sadly died a few days ago. Yes, she played the character in the early 80s in thejohn pertwee fashion so it is very sad that she didnt get to see this. So that was backin didnt get to see this. So that was back in the 805, was it . Didnt get to see this. So that was back in the 80s, was it . Yes, i think it must have been 81 or 82. remember watching that. He must you must get people watching it back on the date now watching your version with their children, wonderful to bring together the generations. Absolutely, it was a lwa y5 generations. Absolutely, it was always designed to be watched together. I really wanted families together. I really wanted families to come together and watch it rather than watching it on devices or with headphones and so hopefully that will happen this christmas. Am i right in saying you have a family birthday on Christmas Eve when this goes out . Yes, my daughters 13th birthday is on Christmas Eve, we had lots of big celebrations planned which have now shrunk down so it will now be monopoly and Worzel Gummidge shes going to watch, you will make her watch . Absolutely, yes we need the figures, sit down with regards to monopoly, house rules or proper monopoly rules . We play the proper rules but im afraid we do do the put the fine into the middle of a new land and free parking and you get that. I know thatis parking and you get that. I know that is and when you land on free parking you get all of it, i know that its controversial but that is our way. Im with you entirely on this do you have arguments as well over it or is it quite peaceful . Mild arguments, it can get quite heated sometimes, i suppose like many people, you have a rather fabulous shed, much better than ours, has not given you a place of solace and isolation this year, has not been your retreat . Yes, to be honest, it was finished just before the first lockdown so i have had sanctuary to do some writing and some work. Will there be another Worzel Gummidge next year . Thats the plan, the other one we were supposed to make this year is written and ready to go so we want to make that next year and hopefully some more as well. Thank you so much for joining some more as well. Thank you so much forjoining us. That is ourfirst live interview from a shed . forjoining us. That is ourfirst live interview from a shed . I very much doubt it. We look forward to Worzel Gummidge, great to talk to you. Thank you. Worzel gummidge saucy nancy is on bbc one at 5. 55pm on Christmas Eve. Mackenzies daughters birthday, happy birthday i love monopoly but it goes on so much longer. Not if you put the money in the middle. Well, this year, you have all the time in the world to play. Youre watching bbc breakfast. Its 8. 59. This is bbc news with the latest headlines. The french governments expected to announce plans to lift the cross channel travel ban. Around 1,500 lorry drivers have spent a second night in their cabs waiting at the port of dover. Testing of some sort is part of the discussions at the transport secretary is having with his counterpart in france right now. Getting the tests up and running can happen relatively quickly. Containing the spread of the new variant of coronavirus a top government advisor warns tougher restrictions will be needed in more parts of england. No travel ban between britain and Northern Ireland but you will be asked to self isolate on arrival. Get in touch with your thoughts on the latest developments