Concern about the supply of Fresh Produce. More parts of england could be moved up to tier 4 the toughest level of coronavirus restrictions possibly as early as boxing day. It goes from bad to worse for arsenal boss mikel arteta. Theyre out of the league cup, thrashed by the holders manchester city. Arteta says its a hard result to take. Its been a year when weve needed inspirational people like never before. Well meet some of those youve nominated as the heroes of 2020. Somebody like kate, who gives so much to others, decided to go back into work regardless of her own recovery in order to be instrumental in getting the Covid Vaccination rolled out. Good morning. Persistent rain across england today and across wales, that could lead to localised flooding. In Northern Ireland, after a cloudy start, you could see some sunshine. But it will feel cold. Its wednesday, 23rd of december. Our top story. Rail, air and sea services between britain and france have resumed this morning, after french officials lifted a blanket ban on people entering the country from the uk. French citizens and hauliers are among those who can now travel, if theyve tested negative for covid i9. Almost 3,000 lorry drivers stranded at dover, will be offered rapid lateral flow tests, after many spent a third night in their vehicles. 0ur correspondent jon donnison reports. After days of gridlock, finally, some movement. France reopened its border overnight and the port of dover says services are resuming today. But anyone travelling to france from the uk will have to show proof of a negative coronavirus test in the previous 72 hours, and shifting thousands of lorries wont happen quickly. Obviously, there is a physical issue of providing the test, getting the results. A negative test allows you to leave. But all of that requires operationalising and that cant happen in an instant. So this will take 2 3 days for things to be cleared. At manston airport, where more than 2,000 lorries are parked up, the military will be brought in to assist mobile nhs test and trace services. Drivers should be able to get test results within half an hour. But the food and drink federation, worried about supply chains, says it could take more than a week to shift the backlog. For many european drivers, getting home for christmas still seems unlikely. We are tired, we are disappointed and we are afraid we will miss our christmas with families. We dont know what to do. I have called everywhere to ask if they can help us, and no answer. Nobody knows. We have to wait. Last night in dover, frustrations boiled over, with some drivers blocking the roads. No food, no nothing. And what happens its delivered for tomorrow and, after tomorrow, one week more . We are here 48 hours, nearly. Its normal, no . We want to go home. And some are warning it wont end here. This is of a different order of magnitude, and in the context of brexit and what is coming from the ist of january, this is the start of a very serious supply Chain Disruption of the like that we probably have never experienced. And while eurostar and eurotunnel train services, as well as flights to france, should also resume today, travel bans imposed on the uk by as many as 50 other countries in response to the surge in coronavirus cases here have not yet been lifted. Jon donnison, bbc news. 0ur reporter simonjones is in manston near dover, you have been there this week and there are hundreds of lorries there. When might they start to move . More than 2000 lorries on this site alone and another 600 parked up on the m20 and another 600 parked up on the m20 and testing due to begin on this side this morning. 0ver there, a number of cars and vans have turned up number of cars and vans have turned up hoping to get a test. People tell me they are from romania and bulgaria, but in reality, they will be at the back of the queue because the priority will be people already on the site. Last night the port of dover reopened. Ferries began passenger services. Services for hauliers to calais, and eurotunnel say they will begin services again in around an hour. There will be some movement, but before the drivers here are allowed to come off this site and head to dover and eurotunnel, they will have to have a lateral flow test. These are the tests that give results within about 30 minutes. There will be an element of speed here. They will get a text result and if it is negative, they can head to the port and begin their journey home, giving them hope of getting home in time for christmas, but the reality is when we talk about thousands of drivers, it will not be a quick process. Perhaps not eve ryo ne not be a quick process. Perhaps not everyone will be back with family in time for christmas. We are told by french authorities the arrangement will remain in place until the end of the year, possibly into the first week of next year. The reality is it will be a tricky time for hauliers, because if you are based in the eu and send a lorry to the uk, knowing you have to get a negative result in order to return to france, and for uk hauliers, a hassle, because they will have to have test results to travel to france. That could add to costs a nd travel to france. That could add to costs and to the time it takes to transport goods. Certainly a hope here things will improve, but the reality is it will not be quick, and probably not easy, either. Simon, thank you. It is notjust france and dover. The netherlands has lifted its ban on travel from the uk. All passengers will need to show a negative test, carried out within 72 hours of arrival, and those who do make the trip will still be asked to quarantine for ten days. Meanwhile, overnight, the philippines, japan and south korea have become the latest countries to restrict british people from entering because of a new variant of coronavirus. More areas of england could be moved into tier 4 the countrys highest level of coronavirus restrictions as soon as boxing day, which is before the next formal review date on 30th december. Ministers and Health Experts met yesterday amid growing concern about the spread of the new variant of covid i9. 0ur Political Correspondent helen catt reports. We are already heading for a much restricted christmas. Wales went into lockdown on sunday, so, too, did london and large parts of the south and east of england. On monday, one of the governments most senior advisers suggested tighter restrictions were inevitable elsewhere, too. It is likely that this will grow in numbers of the variant across the country and i think its likely, therefore, that measures need to be increased in some places in due course, not reduced. It is understood that some tier 2 areas close to those in the newly created tier 4 are being considered for a move up tojoin them in the highest level of restrictions. That would mainly, but not exclusively, affect more parts of southern england. Some other tier 2 areas may be in line for a shift up one level to tier 3. It comes after a meeting with Public Health officials, ministers and scientists yesterday, and in the face of rising case numbers and hospital admissions. Several sources have suggested any changes could take effect in england from boxing day. Thats when a National Lockdown comes into force in Northern Ireland, and the whole of mainland scotland moves to its strictest level of rules, too. Any changes to the tiers in england will need to be approved by senior ministers. Helen catt, bbc news, westminster. Police in france say three officers have been shot dead after responding to an incident of domestic violence. A fourth officer was wounded. They were trying to rescue a woman who was trapped on the roof of a house in a village in central france. The gunman is believed to have been suffering from Mental Health problems. We will bring you any more on that when we get it throughout the programme. Scotlands first minister Nicola Sturgeon says she made a stupid mistake, after she was pictured breaking coronavirus rules by taking off her Face Covering while at a funeral wake. A photograph published by the scottish sun shows ms sturgeon chatting to three women while standing at a social distance, but not wearing a mask. Face coverings are mandatory in Scottish Hospitality venues, except when seated. Police have released bodycam footage of the moment they broke up a party of more than 60 people at a house in leicester. Two people have been fined more than £10,000 after the gathering on 12th december. In the last two weeks, the leicestershire force has handed out 37 fines, and theyre now reminding others to follow the rules. Now the weather with carol. And it is pretty grotty out there, isnt it . For some, and it is pretty grotty out there, isnt it . Forsome, it and it is pretty grotty out there, isnt it . For some, it is. And it is pretty grotty out there, isnt it . Forsome, it is. Good morning. Heavy rain in the forecast, especially across england and wales and this morning that includes south east scotland. It will improve there through the day. The rain has been moving north overnight. Sleet and snow on Higher Ground over england. And showers in the north west of scotland and some of those on the hills also wintry. We will hang on to showers in scotland. And we will see them getting down to 200 metres. A lot of dry weather and sunshine in scotland and Northern Ireland when we lose the cloud. In england and wales, look at this rain. The heaviest in wales, midlands, east anglia and some parts of the south. Some parts of the south could see at times brighter skies. This rain falling on already saturated ground, so a risk of flooding. Gusty winds across the coasts of South West England, wales and the English Channel, gusting potentially as much as 55 mph. Temperatures up to six in the north but milder in the south. That will move away as we go through tonight into tomorrow. Low pressure producing the rain will start to slide off to the near continent, allowing a northerly flow, with showers overnight, some wintry, again coming down the east coast. We could see wintry weather in the hills of scotland and some of the heavy showers down to lower levels and because surfaces are damp, the risk of ice. As we move further south, temperatures are going down. At the moment in some parts of the south, 12, and this time tomorrow, 35. I south, 12, and this time tomorrow, 3 5. I will have a christmas forecast in half an hour. Lets take a look at todays papers. The daily mail reports that ministers have discussed extending tier 4 to cover more areas of england from boxing day. We will try to get answers on that this morning. Whitehall sources have told the mail an announcement could come as soon as today, even though the next formal review isnt until december the 30th. The telegraph says virus hotspots, including birmingham, could enter tier 4. The paper also suggests there is a high chance of a full lockdown in england in the new year. The metro reports on the situation in dover, saying the Salvation Army has stepped in to feed stranded truckers. We have seen some charities doing the same. Some face a third night holed up in kent. And nhs leaders have raised concerns about the roll out of the covid i9 vaccine, reports the guardian. It says the government is being urged to speed up the Vaccination Programme by the chair of the british medical association. We need festive christmas fund. And we are talking about heroes on the programme, people who made a difference over the past nine months. We have a lovely piece to play later celebrating some of our heroes of the year. We have had a few. Where do we start . We had clapped for carers and other ways of remembering heroes, but look. I have not seen this before. This is the way this lady, mrs drama, she is building a cake to thank the nhs. This cake is 30 stone in weightand thank the nhs. This cake is 30 stone in weight and contains 360,000 calories. I am in weight and contains 360,000 calories. Iam not in weight and contains 360,000 calories. I am not sure what the nhs will think of that, just a small slice each. And this is what it looks like. Sa nta cla us and this is what it looks like. Santa claus hugging an nhs worker wearing a mask. It is like the Great British bake 0ff plus. This is a wonderful story about twins. They were born two years apart. That happens because of ivf. Their parents used ivf and the little ones are considered twins because they were from the same batch of embryos and conceived at the same time on the same day. Cameron and isabella. Sweet. Happy christmas to them and to you all. You might be thinking about going to the shops today in the most unusual circumstances this christmas. But it will look different this year. Some people will have prepared a big meal. 0thers people will have prepared a big meal. Others will not have been doing that because they were going to go to have a meal elsewhere. Some of the major supermarkets have reintroduced item rationing. And there are concerns that supplies of some Fresh Produce may be limited between christmas and new year. Sarah corker is at bury market this morning. Where there is obviously still Fresh Produce. Yes, good morning from bury, this place is packed with independent retailers, 350 stalls selling everything from toys and clothes to fresh fruit and vegetables. They are getting ready for what they hope will be one of their busiest days of the year. They hope people will come to stock up on last minute food and drink for christmas. Shoppers are expected to spend a record breaking £12 billion on groceries in december alone. That is up 1. 5 billion on the year before. Turkey sales are up, 36 . Of course for christmas dinner. And another festive must have, christmas pudding. We have spent £11 million on puddings this year. Mince pies, they are down this year. 8 down. Perhaps because there are fewer social gatherings. A mixed picture. It is a hive of activity here with people getting ready to trade. Pete, he is a fruit and veg salesman. Pete, can we have a quick chat . Busy day this morning. Very busy, hopefully. With the disruption at dover, how does that affect your supplies . If you asked yesterday i would say not much effect but i went to the market at 3am and it was really ha rd to to the market at 3am and it was really hard to get stuff. We were begging favours off people to get the stock. No broccoli, cauliflower, satsuma, clementines, nothing coming through. That is because at this time of year we import a lot of salad and citrus fruit and tomatoes from the eu and there is delay. They just do not want to come over because they know when they get here, they cannot get home. What has this year been like, trying to run a business . Nobody knows. We have never experienced anything like it. We did not know what to expect. We closed on the initial lockdown because there was no footfall. We started home delivery. We did open the last lockdown. Probably 50 of takings have gone. People are still scared of coming out. You hope that today will help. It will be busy . It will be busy, it is going to help, but it will not compensate for nine months of loss of trade. Challenging times ahead. I will let you crack on and set up. We can have a quick chat with the butcher here. Traders are hoping they can benefit from the christmas rush to try to claw back lockdown losses. The butcher here, mark, will be really busy. A quick chat with you. Obviously, Christmas Plans have changed. Have you seen what we are buying change . A lot more turkeys this year because obviously people cannot go out to eat. We should hopefully be busy today with a good day and plenty of joints of beef and lamb. You hope for a last minute rush . Joints of beef and lamb. You hope for a lastminute rush . We are. It isa for a lastminute rush . We are. It is a terrible year, it has been horrible, so hopefully better. How long have you been on the market . 30 yea rs. Long have you been on the market . 30 years. Have you seen anything like 2020 . Nothing at all. It has been a horrendous year for everyone. 2020 . Nothing at all. It has been a horrendous year for everyonelj 2020 . Nothing at all. It has been a horrendous year for everyone. I will let you crack on. Four butcher is all very busy, waiting for customers to arrive and in the next hour they expect a lot of people to come through the doors and get their christmas shopping. Thank you. We will be with you throughout the morning. Look at those chipper sausages. Weve all had to make sacrifices this year to keep our loved ones safe, including staff at a care home in somerset who locked themselves inside for more than three months to protect their residents. Now the families of those who live there want to thank them in time for christmas. With a bit of breakfast magic, weve helped with the surprise, as fiona lamdin reports. Through the years we all will be together. Happy christmas. And a huge, huge hug. Hello, mum. Hiya. And hi, just to wish you a very happy christmas, mum. These are just some of the families who wont be together this christmas. I miss you loads, all right . And i really, really would like to see this christmas, but, unfortunately, due to the covid rules, i am not able to. Christmas is a time to say thank you, and for those is that this care home, their thanks are more heartfelt than most. As the pandemic began, staff at court house in somerset moved in to keep covid out. 84 days away from their families to keep the people who lived here safe. For chris, that meant being separated from his wife and four year old daughter. Happy good morning, daddy, i miss you so much. For tina, it meant sleeping in the stockroom. We have no washing facilities, weve just got a ladies down the corridor, which is our bathroom and our toilet. So we have a little wash in the sink. Come with me, come with me, keep your eyes closed. Injuly, staff were reunited with theirfamilies. And, since then, while residents have been able to see their families, with a vaccination on the horizon, they say they will wait for a hug until they think its safe. Youre going to be filming yourself on one device. Instead, they are showing their love and paying thanks through the magic of music. So if we get that nice brightness. Have yourself a merry Little Christmas. Breakfast introduced them to expert choirmaster daniel mchyer. And together with care home co owner chris, theyve formed this secret choir. Here we are as in olden days, happy golden days of yore. Staff and residents families singing side by side. Shes 4ft11, but shes a pocket rocket, you know. She a strong lady and i really admire her, shes done marvellous. How hard has it been keeping this choir a surprise from her . Oh, my god. Yesterday, i was with her all day. And i was getting messages from you guys and shes so nosy, my mum. And she knows everything. And if my phone goes off, she is onto it. So i was hiding all day. My phone was in my pocket, it was on silent. Residents have just been watching the staff Christmas Panto and they have no idea that we are in here. Weve put up these screens and we are so excited to show them the Court House Christmas choir. And with covid secu re remote controlled cameras inside the care home, we are about to see the reaction to their very first performance. Have yourself a merry Little Christmas. Let your heart be light. Very happy christmas to my mother lal, who we love very much, from all the family in dubai and somerset. All the residents, i love you very much and i wish you a Merry Christmas. Have yourself a merry Little Christmas. Make the yuletide gay. From now on our troubles will be miles away. Merry christmas, nana. Love you. Keeping very healthy and well. Thanks to the staff and the very friendly approach of all of them. So many thanks to them and happy christmas to everyone. Thanks very much for all the help and all the work that youve done. Happy christmas, mum. Merry christmas, pat. Through the years we all will be together. If the fates allow. Hang a shining star upon the highest bough. And have yourself a merry Little Christmas now. That was lovely. I thought it was wonderful. Absolutely wonderful. It really touched hearts, doing this. It brought tears to our eyes. And that applies easily to me because my son would say to me, oh, turn the waterworks off, mother. This really made me cry and made me realise, actually, just how different this year is. It really hit home to me. Yeah, you know, just not having. As much as weve done everything we can, its not the same not having ourfamilies in and just having that christmas atmosphere. Yes, touched. Hes in switzerland and hes been all this year. Hes come over for two weeks this entire year, with my youngest, andy, on holiday. And then he went back and i havent seen him since. I love you loads and i hope we can see each other soon. All right, so hi from me and andy in switzerland. Bye. Im just going to replay that moment, because it meant so much to me and it willjust keep in my mind that one day i will see him again. And have yourself a merry Little Christmas now. Yes. It has been a year, hasnt it . I cant really speak. What is touching about that, they have done an amazing thing. They were saying on behalf of so many of us, and ive gone very on behalf of so many of us, and ive gone very early, i know it is 6 30am. Im sorry if you are crying as well, but that is how this year has been. Kate said in the film, her son would be saying, stop the waterworks, mother that was really powerful. An amazing thing to do. I wonder how many times they are replaying it over christmas. I will be all right. We need a break. Time now to get the news, travel and weather where you are. Good morning, im sonja jessup. The leader of Greenwich Council is calling for more information on how schools can reopen safely in the new year. The South East London borough was among several who wanted to close early ahead of christmas. Councils like greenwich are already working very closely with our school but clearly, now that we know about this new strain, the government needs to come forward with clarity on how that is affecting children and young people in particular, so that we fully understand how we can respond to that. The government says all secondary schools will be encouraged to take up the offer of testing their pupils from the start of january. Yesterday there were another 10,000 reported cases of coronavirus in the capital. The worst affected areas include havering, redbridge, and barking and dagenham. Its been a tough year of course for londons musicians and this time of year wed usually at least be hearing buskers around the capital as we do our christmas shopping. Just before tier 4 restrictions came in, we caught up with one musician about how the years been. My financial situation was at risk. And my sort of happiness too. But i think like most musicians, i found ways to keep myself busy with music during the lockdown, recording, writing, and exploring parts of music that i havent for a long time. So actually theres a sort of Positive Side to it. And we are always keen of course to hear how all of this is affecting you. Whether its about tier 4 or how changing your Christmas Plans or how your community is supporting those in need. Lets take a look at the travel situation now. First the tube and its mostly running well. The bakerloo line has a reduced service, trains only start running from 7. 30 this morning and theyll finish early tonight too. The waterloo city line still closed as usual. The eurostar is running again to france, belgium and the netherlands. This is how the a13 looks, the roadworks at beckton slowing things down as you approach the aa06. Time for the weather with kate kinsella. Good morning. Its another mild start this morning. Quite a bit of cloud, its feeling damp and the met office has a yellow weather warning in place for heavy rain. Widely 20 to a0 millimetres of rain expected between now and 6am tomorrow morning. What is happening is a deepening area of low pressure to the south of the uk bringing all of this rain, it is drawing it north as we head further through this morning and into the afternoon. It could become quite heavy and persistent. Its breezy too, but the temperature is still very mild, a maximum of 13 celsius. 0vernight, we pick up a northerly breeze and that rain reverses, it moves back down south. So still very wet overnight. However it is going to clear through the early hours. Sky clearing and the temperature drops, that cold air filtering in behind it. Minimum temperature, around three or four celsius. Christmas eve, you can see this blue area, thats the cold air. Largely dry and fine but the temperature much chillier. 0vernight temperatures dropping down to zero, so were still looking at a frost first thing on christmas morning. Theres more from me in half an hour. Plenty more on our website too. Now though its back to jon and louise. Hello, this is breakfast withjon kay and louise minchin. Coming up on breakfast this morning. We catch up with pensioner brendan black, whos finally been able to have an emotional reunion with his wifejoan, after spending nine months apart. ActorJessica Hynes joins us to discuss her new christmas drama, which is about the meeting of authors Beatrice Potter and roald dahl. I dont think i see your face any more, boy, just this. Presenter and furniture designer jay blades will also chat to us about restoring a rocking horse and a musical ornament, in the Festive Edition of the repair shop at christmas. Ido i do watch that, it is so brilliant. It is what we really need at the moment. The whole thing about it, if you havent watched it, its a bit of happiness. We will speak to him a little later. Leading scientists think the new variant of coronavirus is much easier to transmit, and although cases are growing in london and the south east, there are concerns it has now spread to all parts of the uk. What could this mean for the effectiveness of the vaccine and will it be safe for young people to return to schools in the new year . Werejoined now by our gp, doctor zoe norris. Good morning, thank you forjoining us. I think a lot of people are really concerned hearing about in this new variant, and then a possibility of tier 4. What are you seeing where you are, is it obvious to you that this new variant is taking hold . To you that this new variant is taking hold . We are relatively protected at the moment, we have got Little Pockets of cases that have been quite high and they are mostly to do with schools at the end of term. Rather than spread more widely in the population. In other areas, we have relatively average rates. It is quite a mixed picture appear. We have relatively average rates. It is quite a mixed picture appearlj is quite a mixed picture appear. suppose it is the not knowing, if its as virulent and contagious as the scientists now believe, you could get a pocket that could explode more quickly than it has done so far. I think that is the concern. What were still trying to work out is whether this causes a more severe illness, and it doesnt appear to at the moment. But of course its the sheer number of patients that might be more easily infected that potentially could overwhelm the hospital system. A lot of people have been getting in touch asking about the vaccine, theyrehoping and longing for the vaccine to try to get back to normal. Do we know yet when we will be sure that this new variant of the virus, that the vaccine works against it . I must say, knowing i was coming to talk to you about this this morning, i did a little bit of research because detailed virology is not something i normally talk about day to day in general practice. What is fascinating is that all the information out there says at the moment that the vaccines that are available will still work against this variant. Its really important to remember that every single year, we deal with multiple mutations and variants of the flu virus, and we deal with it very effectively with a vaccine that can combine very different strains at once and there is no reason that could not be done with a Coronavirus Vaccine if needed in future. One of the developers of the Pfizer Biontech vaccine was saying that if there was an issue about it not working quite as well, they could engineer it quite quickly to allow it to work . Absolutely, that is my understanding. These mutations are in something called the spike protein, we have all seen the graphics, the spike a little bit on the outside of the coronavirus. It is still a coronavirus, the bulk is the same but it is just affecting how easily it can enter cells and replicate. That is something that certainly some changes within the structure of the vaccine could address. Some papers this morning focusing on the fact that there seems to be faster transmissibility of this new variant among younger people, children, and what the knock on might be for kids going back to school in the new year. What we need to think about and look out for in the days and weeks ahead on that . I think that is a really interesting angle on the new variant. We need to be very much aware of who our children are mixing with, not just back aware of who our children are mixing with, notjust back at aware of who our children are mixing with, not just back at school, aware of who our children are mixing with, notjust back at school, it is potentially the grandparents, over christmas, that contact they might have with more vulnerable people, even have with more vulnerable people, eve n co nta ct have with more vulnerable people, even contact between children. A lot of people have seen play dates especially as younger children is not something to be worry about. We do need to be more aware if this affects children more. Whether we see a full return to schools or not, we will have to see. It could be different in different areas of the uk. We have seen different policies in the various nations but even within the nations there could be variations, just as there are at the moment with the different tiers. Speculation this morning that may be the whole of england could go into tier 4, is that what you would like to happen . I think it will happen. I think there has been an understandable delay with christmas for political reasons but i think we will see a rapid increase in tier 4 restrictions. I think that is a positive thing, i really strongly feel that we have got to stick with the science, that has been forgotten little bit in recent weeks. With the Vaccination Programme going on so close, its so important we see those restrictions coming in. Fingers crossed, grit our teeth and we will get through it. You mention the Vaccination Programme, which you will be starting to roll out as a gp. Do you have concerns about whether you will be able to do that is planned if the virus takes hold and explode in a more dramatic way . I think the real challenge is continuing delivery of normal nhs services. We have all ready seen some hospitals in england needing to suspend routine surgery, general practices delivering the full Vaccination Programme and general practice and that does put you under strain. If you see cases rising in area, it will be really challenging. But we are determined to try and do it where we can and support collea g u es it where we can and support colleagues if we cannot. Thank you so much forjoining us, Merry Christmas to all of us and thank you for your insights over the last few months. Very reassuring to have our gp appointments every morning you can getan appointments every morning you can get an appointment with us every day at 6 30am. Lets talk about the league cup. Yes, i was saying it was a chance for arsenal to turnaround the terrible start to their season, and a real thrashing as well. So not good for theirfans. A real thrashing as well. So not good for their fans. Eight games for arsenal now. Lets see how it went. Is time running out for this man . Mikel artetas watch had onlyjust hit the two minute mark when his side fell behind, an early gift forjesus. Next, there was a hand and a face involved. Not those of a watch, but of fernandinho and ceballos. The brazilian was lucky that there is no var. As the clock ticked on, arsenal started to click. And when lacazette leapt, they had their equaliser. Concentrate, was the message. But runarsson cant have been listening. His mistake handing the lead back to city. This time, they wouldnt let it go. Because foden had the game in his grasp. First he flicked it over runarssons head, then provided the kind of cross that you just cant miss from. City were slick, but arsenal havent won domestically since early november. The kind of run that has you looking over your shoulder. Craig templeton, bbc news. There was a great story in the evenings other cup game as brentford reached a major semifinal for the first time in their history. Josh dasilva scored the only goal as newcastle became the Fourth Premier League team brentford have knocked out of this years competition. Coronavirus has claimed its first rugby premiership fixture this season, with leicester tigers boxing day match at newcastle called off. An outbreak in the tigers squad is to blame, with a number of positive tests and even more players having to self isolate. Anthonyjoshua says he is certain that the dream fight with tyson fury will happen next year. The two britons currently hold all four of the world heavyweight titles between them and all the talk has been about a unification fight, afterjoshua knocked out kubrat pulev earlier this month. Its about me challenging myself and getting my hands on the wbc belt. Because i want to be an undisputed heavyweight champion. Thats the legacy. And also, touching on this subject again, it brings the attention to boxing. I think me and tyson fury, aside from the trash talk and the hype of the fight, we can do a greatjob of bringing attention to boxing. Saying, guys, look, this is the biggest fight in history. And lionel messi has another record to his name. Hes now scored more goals than pele at a single club. Last night he scored his 6a4th goal for barcelona, one more than pele managed in his career at santos in brazil. Good thing for lionel messi that he didnt need barcelona in the summer. Another record, dick. Thank you very much indeed. Heres carol with a look at this mornings weather. Carol promising christmas weather, that isnt a good start no, a little misty and foggy in places low pressure dominating today, it will deliver heavy and persistent rain and strong winds, particularly around the coast of wales, south west and the English Channel. 0vernight, the rain moves, producing some wintry showers on the hills, and north of that, some showers. Down to about 200 metres, wintry. The rain across england and wales will be the main feature today. Heavy and persistent rain, for the wales, midlands, today. Heavy and persistent rain, forthe wales, midlands, east today. Heavy and persistent rain, for the wales, midlands, east anglia and southern areas. We could see some brighter skies at times in the far south of england but that will be the exception rather than the rule. 20 to a0 millimetres of rain from this, potentially more, and falling on already saturated ground so the risk of localised flooding. Mild in the south, 12 and 13. Cold in the north, four to 7 degrees. This evening and overnight, the rain sta rts this evening and overnight, the rain starts to push away onto the near continent. Northerly wind, increasingly we will see snow showers, mostly in the hills but some heavier bursts in the north. Some could get down to lower levels. With temperatures like this, you will not be surprised to see a frost and the risk of ice on untreated surfaces. Much colder in the south thanit surfaces. Much colder in the south than it has been in the last few nights. As we head into Christmas Eve tomorrow, we have High Pressure building in from the rest. Look at the isobars, coming from a northerly direction, so it will be cold wherever you are. Strong winds down the north sea coastline. Here as well showers, some could be wintry, some coming down the west coast as well. Move inland and something drier and brighter with some sunshine. Add on the wind and wherever you are, it will feel cold but particularly if you are exposed to the wind. Instead of the double figure temperatures we have been used to, we are back down into single figures. Four maximum in hull, newcastle and glasgow. Christmas morning will start cold, frost around but it will be largely dry. However, we will see a lot of sunshine to start with, across parts of england and wales, early showers coming down the north sea coastline, then a weather front coming in across the north west which introduce thicker cloud ahead of it and then we will start to see the rain. The wind is changing direction in the west, a westerly component rather than a northerly so the temperatures in the west will be a little higher. In the south, only a degrees is the maximum in london, norwich and birmingham. For boxing day, it will be wets, especially from that weather front coming in from that weather front coming in from the north west, but it will also be windy wherever you are. Some of us could have gales, some of us could have severe gales, we are keeping a very close eye on it. It remains unsettled into sunday, and the early part of next week as well. Maximum on sunday of three degrees in edinburgh. A lot going on with the weather. That is how you like it, though. Lots to talk about. 2020 has been a year many of us would like to forget. But the stories of everyday heroes whove gone above and beyond have helped put a smile on our faces. We asked you to nominate your hero of the year and weve been overwhelmed by the response. Breakfasts Jayne Mccubbin has been speaking to just a few of the incredible people youve chosen. This year, more than any year, we have needed a hero. And there have been plenty. Some familiar, some unknown. But look around you. There are heroes walking amongst us and you have nominated some of yours. Hayley nominated ben. We think ben is an absolute hero, and its a privilege to nominate ben for this. He ran his second marathon on the 2nd of december for camille. Right now, ben is running 31 marathons in 31 days for children with brain tumours. All these beautiful children that i have to see every day, and i run with their names on my vest. And when it gets tough when im running, and it always does when youre running 26 miles, especially when youre running 26 miles the day after running 26 miles, and the day after and the day after, you know, i always look down and look at the name on the vest and there is my inspiration. Oh, thank you so much, ben. I mean, what youre doing is just incredible. Don gardner. He is a total hero. Simon reeves nominated don who runs a food bank in cornwall. He fed those in need right through the pandemic, even when he lost his own wifejen. He never stopped working. I have a feeling hell be working all over christmas if people let him. He gives and gives and gives, and absolutely rightly, people love him for that. Oh, thank you. Its what i love doing, i love to serve the community. Yeah, ok, i lost my wife, which ive struggled with at times. But after being married for 53 years, youve got to go forward and she would want me to. Thats good to hear. Im doing a little clap. Lets all do a little round of applause for don. Come on, britain, give him a clap emma asks us all to applaud kate and her donor. Hello hi her sister rushed back to work as a gp practice manager after a kidney transplant so she could fight the pandemic. Im just so proud of everything that youve gone through. Youre an inspiration. 0h, totally shocked. I wish youd told me to do my hair there hasnt been a day that has gone by over these last six months where i havent thought about my donor, and my donors family. Kate decided to go back into work regardless of her own recovery in order to be instrumental in getting the Covid Vaccination rolled out. So inadvertently, this gift has helped 975 people get vaccinated last week. Heroes really are amongst us, like victoria, nominated by simon. 0h, id just like to say, stay up late are absolutely fantastic, you are absolutely fantastic, victoria. Well, just want to say thank you. Stay up late is a charity which helps people with a disability do just that. Stay up late and have fun. And in 2020, victorias work was needed more than ever. Its just incredibly important to have, especially in this uncertain time, to at least have the ability to stay connected with friends, gain new friends. Like, it has been a crazy year, but i think its so nice when simon says a big thank you. I do it to change peoples lives, make them more happy because that makes me happy at the end of the day. Paul has been nominated by robin. Paul gibbons, my local postman. He knocked on my door in march, and said, during lockdown, if you want any help, get your medication orshopping, oranything, support me, he would do it. He was as good as his word. He and his wife kim were there when he needed them. Seven weeks ago, i was very poorly in the morning. I phoned him and he came round and within ten minutes he got me an ambulance, and i was rushed to Great Western hospital. As far as im concerned, he saved my life. I presume between the three of you, you have put all this together without me knowing. We hatched a plan. Hatched a plan . Right, 0k, well thank you. Thank you so much honestly. For me, itsjust what i think i should be doing. And so many of you told us of heroes in your own family. William among them. I cant believe hes got to where he is now, kind of. The autism and the learning difficulties, that in itself is amazing. But obviously with the pandemic on top of that in the mix, theres been extra challenges. Through the pandemic, william conquered his anxiety to travel to and from hospital where he volunteered and trained. In difficult times, hes just landed his very first job. Is this william . This is will. Were super proud, arent we . Youre a good lad, arent you . Yes, lam. What a year its been. No one will miss 2020, but in 2021, plenty will look back with gratitude and love to all those people who made a difference. Thank you so much for getting in touch with us about all your heroes. Hayley at the end there, with her son, that was william. He has a big brother, joseph, who is 18 today. So they say he has been brilliant support to them all year, he is their own family hero so they would like to say happy birthday to him, and wejoin in, happy birthday compulsory microchipping for cats could be introduced in england next year. Around a quarter of domestic cats arent chipped, compared with only 10 of dogs, which makes it difficult to reunite strays with their owners. We can now speak to uk chief veterinary officer, christine middlemiss. Good morning. Thank you very much indeed. For example, for people who do not want to microchip their cat, why would you recommend it . Good morning. As we know, cats are very curious creatures, and if they disappear outside, sometimes they do disappear outside, sometimes they do disappear into vans and all sorts of things. The Cat Protection League found that in 2018, out of every ten cats handed in, eight were not microchip so they couldnt reunite them with their owners which is heartbreaking when you have lost your pet and you dont know where they might be. Micro chipping helps with that. So that the vet can scan it, check your details and give you a ring. It helps with that heartbreak and uncertainty of knowing what happened to your pet if it has disappeared. What about cats wearing collars, is that something you recommend . It depends on individual situations. I dont have a blanket recommendation other than to discuss it with your vet and your situation. Tell us about the cost of this. For some people, would it be prohibitive . The actual cost of the chip varies according to your vet. A number of charities including the pdsa do free micro chipping for certain people. The cost to register the chip is only £15, a one off cost. It is worth the investment, if you get a kitten, having micro chipped, so it has the same numberand it can micro chipped, so it has the same number and it can be identified. The most important thing is if you move, change or change your details on the database so people can follow up. What happens to cats that a lot of people cannot find their owners . The first thing you always do as a vet or a charity is scan them for a chip when they come in and check out to see if you can reunite them. You could put it up on the practice website and charities do that to say that they have found cats. 0therwise they would go to one of the charities and a rate who is await rehoming for someone who is looking for a rescue cat. When is the best time to get them chipped, can you do it as time to get them chipped, can you do itasa time to get them chipped, can you do it as a kitten or when it is older . At any it as a kitten or when it is older . Atany age, it as a kitten or when it is older . At any age, most people do it as a kitten with the initial vaccinations. Its pretty painless for them, then theyre done for life. I recently got an old cat from the cat shelter, he had not been chipped so we put one in him. He doesnt go outside butjust in case he gets curious and disappears, i have the comfort that he has the microchip and somebody could get him back to me. Thank you so much for your time. You dont have a cat . Two dogs, which are chipped. Some people have a real problem with it but it sounds like things might be about to change. We are talking about the repair shop later. And Jessica Hynes will be talking about her new programme later. Time now to get the news, travel and weather where you are. Good morning, im sonja jessup. The leader of Greenwich Council is calling for more information on how schools can reopen safely in the new year. The current plan is to stagger the return of secondary pupils. The southeast london borough wanted to close early for christmas, but the government threatened legal action unless they stayed open. Now we know about this new strain the government needs to come forward with clarity on how that is affecting children and young people in particular so we fully understand how we can respond to that. The government says all secondary schools will be encouraged to take up the offer of testing their pupils from the start of january. Yesterday there were another ten thousand reported cases of coronavirus in the capital. The worst affected areas include havering, redbridge. And barking and dagenham. Its been a tough year for londons musicians and, this time of year, wed usually at least be hearing buskers on our streets as we do our christmas shopping. Just before tier a restrictions came in, we caught up with one musician on how the years been. My financial situation was at risk and my sort of happiness, too. But i think, like most musicians, i found ways to keep myself busy with music during the lockdown recording, writing, and exploring parts of music that i havent for a long time. So, actually, there is sort of a Positive Side to it. And we are always keen of course to hear how all of this is affecting you. Whether its tier a or changing your Christmas Plans, or how your community is supporting those in need. Details for how to get hold of us are on your screen now. Lets take a look at the travel situation now. First the tube and its mostly running well the bakerloo line has a reduced service trains only start running from 730 this morning and theyll finish early tonight too. The waterloo and city line still closed as usual. The eurostar is running again to france, belgium and the netherlands. This is how the a13 looks the roadworks at beckton slowing things down as you approach the aa06 time for the weather with kate kinsella. Good morning. Its another mild start this morning. Quite a bit of cloud, its feeling damp and the met office has a yellow weather warning in place for heavy rain. Widely 20 to a0 millimetres of rain expected between now and 6am tomorrow morning. What is happening is a deepening area of low pressure to the south of the uk bringing all of this rain, it is drawing it north as we head further through this morning and into the afternoon. It could become quite heavy and persistent. Its breezy too, but the temperature is still very mild, a maximum of 13 celsius. 0vernight, we pick up a northerly breeze and that rain reverses, it moves back down south. So still very wet overnight. However it is going to clear through the early hours. Sky clearing and the temperature drops, that colder air filtering in behind it. Minimum temperature, around three or four celsius. Christmas eve, you can see this blue area, thats the cold air. Largely dry and fine, but the temperature much chillier. 0vernight, temperatures dropping down to zero, so were still looking at a frost first thing on christmas morning. Theres more from me in half an hour. Plenty more on our website along with our instagram and facebook. Bye for now. Good morning, welcome to breakfast withjon kay and louise minchin. 0ur headlines today. More parts of england could be moved up to tier a the toughest level of coronavirus restrictions possibly as early as boxing day. The port of dover reopens but around 3,000 lorries are still stuck on roads and car parks in kent, as their drivers wait for a coronavirus test. Iamat i am at manston airport where lorries are due to undergo testing for their drivers with the hope some of them can get home in time for christmas. He said its a hard result to take arsenal boss mikel arteta is under even more pressure, as theyre out of the league cup, thrashed by the holders manchester city. We have heavy and persistent rain across england and wales that could lead to issues with localised flooding. Scotland and Northern Ireland, it will brighten up with sunshine but it will also be cold. More details in ten minutes. Its wednesday, 23rd of december. Our top story. More areas of england could be moved into tier a the countrys highest level of coronavirus restrictions as soon as boxing day, in response to growing cases of a new variant of coronavirus. It comes as france lifts its blanket ban on people entering the country from the uk, allowing rail, air and sea services to resume. 0ur political reporter iain watson is in westminster. A real sense that things are moving quickly. What is the latest . On the freight, there is movement because the lateral flow tests are being carried out, so that is one problem that might go away but take time to do so. But there is grim news on the way i think when it comes to more restrictions across england, tier a restrictions across england, tier a restrictions affecting london and the south east. There was a meeting last night of gold command, effectively Public Health officials, scientists, some government ministers. They were discussing whether tier a restrictions needed to be extended outside london and the south east and there was a feeling at that long meeting those areas close to those where the virus is most virulent might be vulnerable to moving up into the highest level of restrictions. Also, as the chief scientific adviser warned, there is evidence the new variant of the virus being present in other parts, for example, a cluster around cumbria. People could find out pretty soon they are moving up, perhaps not even from tier three up to tier a but from tier two up to tier a to tier a but from tier two up to tiera in to tier a but from tier two up to tier a in some areas. The government said that it would review the existing restrictions on december the 30th and the fact discussions are taking place now suggest they are taking place now suggest they are concerned about the rate at which the virus is spreading and also they are concerned about cancelling peoples Christmas Plans within the tier a areas at the moment, so we are not expecting new restrictions before Christmas Day to be imposed but as you suggest, that could mean some restrictions come in as soon as boxing day. It is already publicly announced it will be the case in scotland, and i think parts of england will follow suit. We will be watching carefully. We will be speaking to robertjenrick the housing minister at 7 30am. Speaking to robertjenrick the housing ministerat 7 30am. 0ne impact has been queueing at dover. French citizens and hauliers are among those who can now travel across the channel, if theyve tested negative for covid 19. Almost 3,000 lorry drivers stranded at dover will be offered rapid lateral flow tests after many spent a third night in their vehicles. 0ur correspondent jon donnison reports. After days of gridlock, finally, some movement. France reopened its border overnight and the port of dover says services are resuming today. But anyone travelling to france from the uk will have to show proof of a negative coronavirus test in the previous 72 hours, and shifting thousands of lorries wont happen quickly. Obviously, there is a physical issue of providing the test, getting the results. A negative test allows you to leave. But all of that requires operationalising and that cant happen in an instant. So this will take 2 3 days for things to be cleared. At manston airport, where more than 2,000 lorries are parked up, the military will be brought in to assist mobile nhs test and trace services. Drivers should be able to get test results within half an hour. But the food and drink federation, worried about supply chains, says it could take more than a week to shift the backlog. For many european drivers, getting home for christmas still seems unlikely. We are tired, we are disappointed and we are afraid we will miss our christmas with families. We dont know what to do. I have called everywhere to ask if they can help us, and no answer. Nobody knows. We have to wait. Last night in dover, frustrations boiled over, with some drivers blocking the roads. No food, not nothing. And what happens its delivered for tomorrow and, after tomorrow, one week more . We are here 48 hours, nearly. Its normal, no . We want to go home. And some are warning it wont end here. This is of a different order of magnitude, and in the context of brexit and what is coming from the 1st of january, this is the start of a very serious supply Chain Disruption of the like that we probably have never experienced. And while eurostar and eurotunnel train services, as well as flights to france, should also resume today, travel bans imposed on the uk by as many as 50 other countries in response to the surge in coronavirus cases here have not yet been lifted. Jon donnison, bbc news. 0ur reporter simonjones is in manston, near dover. Thats where more than 2,000 lorries are parked up. Do we know when the testing is due to start and when they can get going . We are told testing will get under way this morning, so for hauliers here, at least a glimmer of hope for getting home in time for christmas, but we can hear some of them at the moment sounding their horns and there is obviously a degree of frustration. No doubt they wa nt degree of frustration. No doubt they want information on when testing will start and how quickly it will be done. The good news is last night port of dover reopened for traffic travelling from here in the uk to france and around now the first eurotunnel services for freight will begin once again. It will not be as simple as driving up and getting on a ferry or train. For anyone wanting to come from here over to france, they will have to have a negative coronavirus test. The test used will bea coronavirus test. The test used will be a lateral flow test, which give results in about 30 minutes. The drivers will get a text if it is negative and in theory they will be able to leave the site and head to the port or eurotunnel. What is not clear is how many tests will be administered today, how quickly that will happen. Not clear either what happens if someone has a positive test. A lot of questions, but at least hope today of movement. Simon, thank you. It is notjust crossing from dover into france, other nations, also. The netherlands has lifted its ban on travel from the uk. But overnight the philippines, japan and south korea have become the latest countries to restrict british people from entering. Lets speak to our europe correspondent gavin lee, whos in brussels. I have already said things are moving quickly. Bring us up to date. Things are in motion with engine started up, the first leaving dover to france this morning. 0bviously started up, the first leaving dover to france this morning. Obviously it will take time for tests to get up and running so freight can quickly start going. We are told by early afternoon there is hope on the french side things will shift quite quickly with the french saying pretty much everything is open and they will receive the tests and they have communicated to the british which ones they acknowledge. They should not be many Communications Issues there but some others doing the same with the dutch doing what it says on the tin when it comes to eu recommendations, saying they discourage nonessential travel, but they ask eu Member States to stop they ask eu Member States to stop the ban and use either testing, or quarantine. The dutch saying they are not at the moment accepting the fast test, it is the pcr longer test for them. Belgium, eurostar fast test, it is the pcr longer test forthem. Belgium, eurostar has started running. They have said not just residents are accepted, but if you have reason such as family here, you have reason such as family here, you can travel across. 22 other countries in europe still have a travel ban in place. Gavin, thank you. Police in france say three officers have been shot dead after responding to an incident of domestic violence. The French Interior Ministry Says they were 21, 37 and a5 years old. A fourth officer was also wounded when a a8 year old man started shooting before setting fire to a house. Police were trying to rescue a woman who was trapped on the roof, in a village in central france. The gunman is believed to have been suffering from Mental Health problems and police are still searching for him. Scotlands first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, says she made a stupid mistake by briefly removing her Face Covering while at a funeral wake, in breach of her own governments coronavirus rules. She was pictured by the scottish Sun Newspaper standing talking to three people inside at a social distance, but without wearing a mask. 0ur scotland reporter Alexandra Mackenzie joins us from glasgow. What has been the reaction, public and political, to this . This is very embarrassing for the first minister. The photograph was published last night in the scottish Sun Newspaper and shows the first minister Nicola Sturgeon at a wake on friday. She is standing up in a pub, chatting, socially distanced, two people at another table, but not wearing a Face Covering. It is mandatory in scotla nd Face Covering. It is mandatory in scotland to wear a Face Covering in a hospitality setting, unless you are sitting down. So she has broken her own government coronavirus rules. A spokesman for the scottish conservatives said the first minister had made a blunder and she should have known better. They accused her of undermining essential Public Health messaging by failing to set a proper example. The tories say there cannot be one rule for Nicola Sturgeon and another for eve ryo ne Nicola Sturgeon and another for everyone else. Nicola sturgeon issued a statement that said, i removed my mask briefly. She said it was a stupid mistake and said she was a stupid mistake and said she was really sorry. She said she talks every day about the importance of masts and says, i was wrong, i am kicking myself, and i am sorry. Thanks. A rescue worker in thailand has saved the life of the baby elephant by giving it cpr. The calf was hit by a motorbike while crossing the road. The rescuer performed cpr for ten minutes and managed to revive the baby elephant. It was taken to another location for treatment before being reunited with its mother. That is fantastic. I know you asked specifically for that story and i can see why. Gosh. That is clear headed, to try cpr. Look, fine. Get away, i am fine, leave me alone strolling around, never happened. That is just brilliant. I know who will like that. How are you . Very well, we we re that. How are you . Very well, we were saying oh, right the way through that. The weather not so gorgeous today. Heavy rain across some parts of england and wales that could lead to localised flooding. The ground is already saturated. Low pressure driving the weather with rain rotating around it. We could have 20 millimetres, a0 millimetres, maybe more. A lot of rain. And gusty winds around wales, South West England and English Channel. North of that sleet and snow in the pennines for example and south east scotland. Northern ireland and the rest of scotland, largely derived. A fair bit of sunshine. Some showers in the north and west. Through the day we will see them falling as sleet and snow down to 200 metres. These are maximum temperatures. A 7 in the north, 8 13 in the south. 0vernight saying goodbye to low pressure. It drags the rain away. And this northerly will move across the uk with showers down the east coast and across scotland, some of them wintry. Mostly on the hills. With temperatures like this, not surprising that we are looking at frost and where surfaces are damp and not treated, we could have ice. Colder air getting down to the south. It will be with us tomorrow and Christmas Eve. A different feel to the weather tomorrow but dry conditions, still some showers. But a day for wrapping up warm. After three nights of gridlock, lorry drivers stranded at dover can finally continue their journey across the channel this morning. It comes after an agreement was reached between the uk and france, which allows travel for urgent reasons, including for hauliers, french citizens and british people who live in france. But in order to travel, they will need a negative covid 19 test result, less than 72 hours before departure. Rapid lateral flow tests will be given to lorry drivers, which can provide a result in around 30 minutes, rather than the more widely available pcr test that gives results in around 2a hours. But there are warnings that the queues are so long, it could be days until everybody is on the road again. Lets speak now to trevor bartlett, whos the conservative leader of dover district council. We heard from our correspondence at the airfield where lorries are lined up the airfield where lorries are lined up waiting to leave, sounding their horns in frustration, that they want to get out, want to get home for christmas. I guess you share those frustrations . Absolutely. I feel immensely sorry for them and i think ifi immensely sorry for them and i think if i were a lorry driver may be i would do the same. It must be frustrating. They want to get home. Dover is gridlocked. There is nothing much moving. As a council, what have you been able to do . As a council, we are tired. We can just offer advice. The most important thing we can do, we are on the ground, working closely with our mp, both mps, our area covers Natalie Elphicke and craig mckinley. We are working closely with them. There is more to do. We have a fantastic up to date cctv cameras, and they are monitored 2a hours. We are just trying to give us much advice as we can. We saw bbc News Pictures of some lorry drivers in frustration in dover getting out of their camps and mixing near the border and protesting and shouting. That must bea protesting and shouting. That must be a concern, to see people mixing in any kind of group. What do you and local people make of that . think the word that comes to mind is very irresponsible. I share the frustrations, but the point of them not being allowed into france and other countries was because of the pandemic. When you look at the tv cameras we witness last night, they are not keeping social distance and not wearing masks. I was disappointed to see that. Are there things you think the government could do to give you extra powers, or extra opportunities to step in and help . What would you say if you had a hotline to downing street . do not have a hotline to downing street what we could do more, at the end of the day, you know, the french have done this to us, which is just totally irresponsible. I think if we had had warning, we could have put these things in place. We could have done the test and trace and got that organised and helped in any way we possibly can. There is still a lot to do but we are working as much as we can with our local mp to do these things. As far as testing is concerned, that will be crucial. Getting the lorry drivers tested and then able to travel on. How will that work and how quickly can it get sorted . Lets hope what i heard on the news this morning that it will work within 20 minutes. My heart goes out to those people involved in this. The army and nhs. We owe them a huge deal of gratitude for their help, but lets hope they can get that happening and we can get these roads clear as quickly as possible. If we are talking thousands of drivers waiting not just talking thousands of drivers waiting notjust in talking thousands of drivers waiting not just in official areas talking thousands of drivers waiting notjust in official areas but streets and approaching dover, 30 minutes per test and some of them may be test positive and have to be tested again, it will not be quick. Sadly not. You are correct. I cannot see how they will all get home in time for christmas, sadly. That is something we have been thinking about an overnight contacted landowners and businesses and they kindly came forward and said if that happens, you can use our land to keep more of the lorries and vans on. Ifeel sorry for keep more of the lorries and vans on. I feel sorry for people keep more of the lorries and vans on. Ifeel sorry for people in keep more of the lorries and vans on. I feel sorry for people in white va ns on. I feel sorry for people in white vans and minibuses, all the workers. 0ur vans and minibuses, all the workers. Our main focus is on community impact, that it is having on our town. Businesses, i feel impact, that it is having on our town. Businesses, ifeel sorry for them. I appreciate all the shops are not open at the moment but essential ones are and it will be difficult for people to get into dover if not near impossible, but the shops are open and need our support and business. Thank you. Lets talk about somebody affected by that. Joining us is pauljackson, who is the managing director of a haulage firm in cambridgeshire. His drivers regularly use the crossing to france. Good morning. It is tough but what was your situation, how much notice did you get and did you manage to get people where they needed to be . No, we found out sunday evening at 11pm the border would close. We had vehicles already en route to and we turned those around. We have lost that revenue and those loads this week. What happens now . We are not prepared or looking to go out until probably the new year. 0bviously prepared or looking to go out until probably the new year. Obviously it is good news what has been decided, that we can have testing, but the practicality of that, to get tested amongst all the other drivers, it will take a long time, and i think the best guess is a 5 days before you clear the backlog, let alone looking at anything else new going out. We are seeing pictures of lorries parked up. Where they have to wait before they get test. When you see the impact, what do you think . Frustrated and angry. This has been coming the past year. The previous two macro weeks have been the same with delays of 6 9 hours at the same with delays of 6 9 hours at the port waiting to get from calais to the uk and back. The government are not taking enough action. They have no this is coming and we are left as hauliers with drivers in this situation and it is not a great situation. Tell me about the goods you transport. Will it cause problems with supplies . Yes i think there will be supply chain issues. We do fresh fruit and vegetables. A lot of pharmaceutical products from europe into the uk. They are not able to get over at this moment. Medicine, some you transport, that will not be happening . No, that will not be happening. Like everybody else, we cannot get out there and so we cannot pick the medicine up and bring them back. Can you tell us what medicine . They vary. Medicine for hospitals, pharmaceutical medicines, which is what we specialise in as a business. We have invested in that, which is why i am frustrated because i had vehicles and drivers who qualify to do this job who are sitting here doing uk work, while i have invested heavily in this department and not able to operate. If somebody goes to a chemist, medicine you are supplying, how long before they will not be able to get it . Stuff we were due to pick up this week will now be in the new year. I do not know what the stocks are. The government assure us they have back up Stock Available in they have back up Stock Available in the uk. We have to believe them. What we are meant to pick up is not coming back at this moment. Paul jackson, thank you. Any plans to tighten coronavirus restrictions would be backed by labour, according to Party Leader Sir Keir starmer. Hes written to the Prime Minister calling for the government to publish any scientific advice on measures to control the spread of the infection. Were joined now by Shadow Health secretary jonathan ashworth. Good morning. Can we talk about a lot of speculation this morning about more areas apparently likely to go into tier a in england. Would you support that, is it necessary . We would support it. Sadly, this virus is spreading with ferocity. Yesterday, over 600 people died. Absolutely awful. The worst death toll since may, i think. 18,000 people in hospital. We are getting close to the april peak. This variant has been found in the south east, it is the epicentre but it is radiating out and spreading. We have found examples in other parts of the country. We are really worried that the tier system is not going to be tough enough to contain this virus, so we are saying to the Prime Minister, last time you received advice from the scientists for tougher restrictions you sat on it, you dithered and delayed. When we call for you to act, you mocked us we call for you to act, you mocked us and ridiculed us and in the end you were forced to act, so do not sit on the advice because we know delaying has devastating consequence. If you are advised to ta ke consequence. If you are advised to take tougher action, take it, act with speed. Do not be behind the curve again, Prime Minister. We would have our support, because we have to do everything we can to get infections down. The vaccination will be rolled out. We have to get the Vaccination Programme up and running across the country now. Lets put rocket boosters under it. What Boris Johnson lets put rocket boosters under it. What borisjohnson would say is he only received that conclusive data about the special virulence of this particular version of coronavirus on friday and he acted on saturday. He would say he acted within 2a hours. Are you saying yes, more areas should go into tier a now . If that is what the scientists advised the government then yes. The issue is we do not have access to the deliberations of sage, the committee, we do not know what they advise, whatjudgment committee, we do not know what they advise, what judgment they are making today and tomorrow. But it is obvious looking at the data, the virus is spreading with ferocity. This transmission of this new variant, sadly, appears to be greater than the original version of the virus. We might not have access to the precise minutes of every sage meeting, but we can see the figures every day that are published. 0n the basis of what you are seeing radiating out as you say, is there an argument for National Knock down from boxing day . Indeed, the Prime Minister ought to look at that. A lot of people think it inevitable. I wa nt to lot of people think it inevitable. I want to caution we would follow the scientific advice. If the sign to say there is a reason it is not necessary we would have to listen to that but we do not know the advice the Prime Minister receives. I think it is clear that tougher restrictions are necessary because we know the virus is spreading. A lot of people got on trains to leave the south east. They are super spreading events that make a Donald Trump Press Conference look like a walk in the park. We will need to have tough action and as soon as the Prime Minister is clear on that the better. What do you say to people who may be live in a part of the country where the rate is pretty low, or some villagers that have been untouched by this. Or maybe people with Mental Health issues, or a business that says we cannot have another National Lockdown. We should not talk so easily about going into lockdown. I totally understand that. Lockdowns, in many ways, they have a huge impact on people and their livelihoods and Mental Health. There is always speculation bubbling around. We would be in a better situation if Boris Johnson, around. We would be in a better situation if borisjohnson, the advice he is receiving, opposite and levels with the british public. People want to know where they stand. If his judgment people want to know where they stand. If hisjudgment is we need a lockdown he should outline it. If the scientificjudgment is it is not necessary but we need tougher restrictions are part of the country, he needs to outline it. We need to know where we stand because eve ryo ne need to know where we stand because everyone is looking at the growing virus. Families are worried, businesses are concerned. We need grip and leadership from Boris Johnson and have not been getting it so far. The government has to look at the scientific advice, but a government has to take advice from economists and Business Leaders and trade unions, and all other interested parties. If theyjust followed the science, which is a vital part of this, but surelyjust following the science, it is more complicated . These are complicated judgments, they are not straightforward. But you say we should follow the science, whatever sage says. The scientists balance these issues, the effect on Mental Health and wellbeing, and the scientists understand the impact on the economy, it has an impact on health outcomes. We cannot divorce the economy from health outcomes. Because we have had years of austerity, we went into this crisis with less resilience, with some of the poorest of society having a lower Life Expectancy than ten years ago, a shocking development. But what in the end ruins the economy is not lockdown, restrictions, it is the virus itself. Unless we suppress it, we will not safeguard the economy in the long term. It, we will not safeguard the economy in the longterm. We have to leave it. On the government side we will speak to robertjenrick in the next couple of minutes. Time now to get the news, travel and weather where you are. Good morning, im sonja jessup. The leader of Greenwich Council is calling for more information on how schools can reopen safely in the new year. The current plan is to stagger the return of secondary pupils. The South East London borough wanted to close early for christmas but the government threatened legal action unless they stayed open. Clearly, now that we know about this new strain, the government needs to come forward with clarity on how that is affecting children and young people in particular, so that we fully understand how we can respond to that. The government says all secondary schools will be encouraged to take up the offer of testing their pupils from the start of january. There were another 10,000 reported cases of coronavirus yesterday in the capital. The worst affected areas include havering, redbridge and barking and dagenham. Its been a tough year of course for londons musicians and this time of year wed usually at least be hearing buskers on our streets as we do our christmas shopping. Just before tier a restrictions came in, we caught up with one musician on how the years been. My financial situation was at risk and my sort of happiness, too. But i think, like most musicians, i found ways to keep myself busy with music during the lockdown recording, writing, and exploring parts of music that i havent for a long time. So, actually, there is sort of a Positive Side to it. And we are always keen ofcourse to hear how of course to hear how all of this is affecting you. Whether its changing your Christmas Plans or how your community is supporting those in need. Lets take a look at the travel situation now. First the tube and its mostly running well. The bakerloo line has a reduced service. Trains only start running from 7. 30 this morning and theyll finish early tonight too. The waterloo city line still closed as usual. The eurostar is running again to france, belgium and the netherlands. And this is how it looks at the old street roundabout in shoreditch, delays there because of the roadworks. Time for the weather with kate kinsella. Good morning. Its another mild start this morning. Quite a bit of cloud, its feeling damp and the met office has a yellow weather warning in place for heavy rain. Widely 20 to a0 millimetres of rain expected between now and 6am tomorrow morning. What is happening is a deepening area of low pressure to the south of the uk bringing all of this rain, it is drawing it north as we head further through this morning and into the afternoon. It could become quite heavy and persistent. Its breezy too, but the temperature is still very mild, a maximum of 13 celsius. 0vernight, we pick up a northerly breeze and that rain reverses, it moves back down south. So still very wet overnight. However it is going to clear through the early hours. Sky clearing and the temperature drops, that cold air filtering in behind it. Minimum temperature, around three or four celsius. Christmas eve, you can see this blue area, thats the cold air. Largely dry and fine but the temperature much chillier. 0vernight temperatures dropping down to zero, so were still looking at a frost first thing on christmas morning. Theres more from me in an hour. Plenty more on our website. Hello, this is breakfast withjon kay and louise minchin. Its thought some parts of england could move into tier a, the toughest level of coronavirus restrictions from boxing day. Ministers were due to review the tiers at the end of the month, but are considering introducing the changes earlier after a rise in cases and hospital admissions. We can speak now to the housing secretary, robertjenrick. Good secretary, robertjenrick. Morning to you. Particul just good morning to you. Particularly just ahead of christmas, there are so many questions for you. Lets talk about the possibility of other areas moving into tier a, and is unlikely to happen . As you say, when is that likely to happen . We have an official review point but in light of the new variant we have been taking advice from the scientific advisers and the Covid Operations committee chaired by the Prime Minister will meet in a few hours to review the operation and see if any steps need to be taken. I cannot prejudge it but we will be looking at cases and the numbers over the country and particularly what the variant is doing. We know it has been concentrated in london in the south east but it is also now prevalent to a lesser extent in other parts of the country. Judgment needs to be made as to whether the tiered system is Strong Enough, or whether at some point in the future we need to take further action. appreciate what you say about not wanting to pre empt but lots of people will be sitting at home right now wanting to know some answers. Lets see if we can get some a nswe rs. Lets see if we can get some answers. Specifically talking about christmas, can you guarantee that christmas, can you guarantee that Christmas Plans, given a few days away, will not have to be changed outside of tier a . Tomorrow is chris Christmas Eve so i think it is unlikely anything will change now. We have made the position clear, if you are in tier a, you can only meet up you are in tier a, you can only meet up with your own household or support bubble. 0ut up with your own household or support bubble. Out of tier a, Christmas Day itself you can come together with others up to three households, but we have given clear guidance now that even there, you should exercise great caution and try to keep it as small and short as you feel able to do so. I dont imagine that will change in the next few days stop what you say you dont imagine but can you. You say you cant imagine . But can you guarantee it . People should go ahead to have their christmas as they were going to do so but have in their mind the seriousness of the situation and consider, outside of tier a, what is the smallest, simplest, safest way to bring people together on Christmas Day. You have talked about the variant and how fast its moving, we know the review is meant to take place on december 30, but what about the implications in the papers this morning talking about big changes on boxing day, will that happen . I know this is an u nsatisfa ctory a nswer to will that happen . I know this is an unsatisfactory answer to you this morning, but the Government Committee will meet in a few hours time, it will review this and will make it judgment. We time, it will review this and will make itjudgment. We dont have an immediate plan to take action, but the number of cases is rising and the number of cases is rising and the variant is spreading to other parts of the country. So we will see whether its necessary to do more and make sure that the tiered system is sufficiently robust for the new circumstances. The tiered system was designed before we knew the full ferocity of the new variant, so we do have to make sure that it is sufficiently robust to be able to withstand this and stop cases just rising at the very worrying levels they are in many points of the country. So likely it will be before the 30th, then . I cannot give you a definitive answer, i know that isnt what you would like to hear this morning. It is right that we go through the correct process where we review the data and ministers take a decision. You can see that the virus is rising in a worrying way, in murray many parts of the country, and the new variant which is a significant game changer is prevalent outside london and the south east. We do need to be very careful and there are actions all of us can careful and there are actions all of us can take in our everyday lives, like the sorts of decisions we have been talking about, how to spend Christmas Day if you are outside of tier 3 . All of us redoubling efforts to wash our hands and wear a facemask and take socially listing seriously. So much riding on this, businesses trying to make plans as well, well be here the outcome of that meeting today . We will communicate it as soon as you can, i dont know whether it is today or in the next day or two but we want to give as much certainty as we can. With regard to the tiers, you are making it very clear how they relate to this particular coronavirus is thought to be. How virulent this is thought to be. Which areas are most vulnerable moving into tier a . We have heard about birmingham, perhaps part of cumbria, can you give us specifics . I dont think it would be helpful for give us specifics . I dont think it would be helpfulfor me give us specifics . I dont think it would be helpful for me to speculate on different parts of the country. I have seen some of those reports, none have seen some of those reports, none not all of them are accurate. At the moment the problem is centred on london, the south east and east of england but it is not exclusively in that area. There are other areas of concern as well. We will make that judgment other areas of concern as well. We will make thatjudgment public as quickly as we can. I know that businesses are members of the public would like to here as soon as they can we would make sure that is done. Are you concerned about the possibility that with a bit of hindsight, christmas possibility that with a bit of christmas might be a super spreader event . Our concern at the potential of christmas has led us to put in these extra restrictions, notjust for tier a, but for the whole country. Most of us wanted to have a christmas with our family and friends and that will be very different for everyone in the country now, particularly in the tier a parts. I think it was right to try our best to bring people together, because many people have been longing to have a family christmas throughout this very challenging year. But that has had to change, primarily because of the new variant. And in my experience, people across the country have sat down and phoned their mums, dads and grandparents, had conversations and in many if not most cases concluded that the right thing to do is to carry back this time and hope that we can come together early in the new year. Can we talk about the new year . There is also some people indicating that there could be considerations of a full lockdown in the new year. We dont have any plan to do that,. Are you considering it . We keep everything under review but we are trying to retain the robust tiered system because that is the best way to keep the virus under control because you are taking a proportionate approach in different parts of the country based on what is actually happening there. There are still today wide variations between cornwall and herefordshire, for example, at the bottom end of the scale, and london, kent, parts of the east of england in the top end of the scale. It is right that we try to be proportionate and not put in place measures that are unnecessary because we know they are so harmful to peoples Broader Health and well being and to the Business Community in those parts of the country. The tiered system is the country. The tiered system is the right approach and we want to ensure that can continue. The tiered system that we have today was designed before we knew about the new variant, or at least before we knew the full details of it, its true transmissibility, and had concerning it is. So we want to make sure the tiered system is right and it is sufficiently robust, and it can withstand and do the job, which is to keep the virus under control, evenin is to keep the virus under control, even in these new change circumstances. We have tier a in place but we need to make sure that is sufficiently robust and the tier 4 is sufficiently robust and the tier a areas cover the right part of the country. Lets talk about the fact that scientists are investigating the concern that the new variant spreads more easily in children. Will schools open injanuary . Spreads more easily in children. Will schools open in january . Yes, they will do. We have made it our long standing priority to reopen schools, i think thats the right thing to do. There are difficult choices at the heart of everything happening at the course of this year but we have chosen to prioritise schools. As a parent that is right, because nothing substitutes face to face teaching in the classroom. We will be taking a number of steps to protect young people, teachers, and broader society, firstly we are working with schools to encourage them to do testing. It isnt mandatory but we are strongly encouraging schools to do that as early as possible in the new year. We are also suggesting a staggered start so schools have more time to do that and make necessary preparations and we are providing the resources and guidance in the days ahead so that schools can prepare for that. I appreciate it will be a big challenge, and head teachers and teachers are tired at the end of a very difficult year, so this will be some further work for them to do over the christmas period. But if we can get this right and prepare for it, it will enable children to go back to school, albeit in a staggered way, in the first few weeks in january. Head teachers are talking about the concerns of the extra impact of testing as well. This morning you say that you expect them to be open, they will be open in tier a, as they are due to be after christmas . Thats right, but with the caveat that we will be asking them to do the testing, giving further protection. It will mean that children who are symptomatic will have to stay at home but it will not be so impactful as we see today where whole bubbles have to go home at times. We are asking schools to doa at times. We are asking schools to do a staggered start so it will not be quite the same starting point as one might have expected a couple of weeks ago, so that schools have the time to do that. I appreciate it is an extra burden for head teachers to do the teaching, but it isnt quite as burdensome as some are suggesting, it requires one or two people for the school. The tests will be available for the local authorities and the schools so that they have the capacity to do this. They should also give extra reassurance to teachers, of whom we are asking a lot, that its safe to be in the classroom looking after our young people teaching them face to face. Our young people teaching them facetoface. Thank you for your time this morning. We will speak to a head teacher about the impact of all of this a little bit later. Lets have more torque on going up and down tiers, arsenal. Not there yet but 15th in the premier league, not looking good, west start of the worst start of the season for 18 years. How do you get out of it . I dont know, dont ask me, im not mikel arteta the pressure continues to mount on arsenal boss mikel arteta. Theyre 15th in the premier league and they found no respite in the league cup last night, as they were thrashed a 1 at home by the holders manchester city. And it was this mistake from goalkeeper Alex Runarsson which summed up arsenals fortunes as he allowed riyad mahrezs free kick to squirm through his gloves and put city in front in the second half. City have won this competition for the last three years. And brentford reached a major semifinal for the first time in their history. Josh dasilva with the only goal against newcastle, whore the Fourth Premier League team brentford have knocked out of this years competition. The manager of League One Club ipswich town paul lambert says the lack of testing support lower down the football pyramid is putting peoples lives at risk. The efl say theyre reviewing and strengthening coronavirus protocols over christmas. Lambert is currently in isolation having tested positive for the virus, along with six of his players. I think weve been left out there to fend for ourselves. I think if you have a protocol for the premier league and the championship, everyone else should follow suit. Its one governing body. Theyre putting peoples lives at risk if theyre not getting tested regularly. Regardless what team it is, liverpool to ipswich town, it doesnt really matter. Its the same virus everybody is having to fight here. We deserved to be treated the same with the testing, because if you dont, things like this are going to happen more and more. Coronavirus has claimed its first rugby premiership fixture this season, with leicester tigers boxing day match at newcastle called off. An outbreak in the tigers squad is to blame, with a number of positive tests and even more players having to self isolate. Now, is andy murray getting back to his best atjust the right time, ahead of the new tennis season . After a win against the british number one dan evans on monday, hes now beaten number three Cameron Norrie at the battle of the brits event in roehampton, and both in straight sets. Murray hadnt played since october before this week. You know what, im not going to do it to poor old andy murray, we do it every year. 0h, it to poor old andy murray, we do it every year. Oh, my goodness, the tennis season starting again, the Australian Open although it is being delayed by three weeks. We put so much pressure on andy murray, im going to let him have lovely christmas. Have a lovely christmas, dont worry about the new tennis season get that hip better after all these years, hes probably used to it. If anyone can deal with the pressure, he can. Maybe if you give more pressure. Leave him alone maybe it works for him heres carol with a look at this mornings weather. Good morning everyone. Some beautiful weather watcher pictures coming in this morning like this one ofa coming in this morning like this one of a lovely cobweb with some rain on it. Low pressure dominating our weather today, it will produce some heavy and persistent rain and looking at the isobars, it tells you it will be rather windy in places. 0vernight the rain had headed northwards depositing some sleet and snow in the pennines, some of that will be seen in south east scotland, showers across the north and west. Wintry on the hills. The low pressure area is centred in the south west, bands of rain rotating around it, heavy and persistent, 20 to a0 millimetres possible and falling on saturated ground so the risk of localised flooding. Gusty winds across wales, South West England and the English Channel. In the south, ten to 13 degrees. Above average for the time of year but this is the last day this week we will see that. In the north, Northern Ireland and scotland has drier conditions, cloud braking and sunshine. Still some showers around in the south east scotland and north and west and some of them will be wintry on Higher Ground. Temperature a7. We wintry on Higher Ground. Temperature a 7. We say goodbye to the wet weather the near continent, showers coming on the east coast. Showers across scotland mostly on the hills, and it will be wintry. A cold night wherever you are, colder in the south that it has been of late. This morning we started in double figures and more, very much single figures. There is a risk of ice in the further north parts on untreated surfaces. Christmas eve, High Pressure builds across us, the isobars coming from a northerly direction, so the cold air is penetrating across the uk. Stronger winds as well down the north sea coastline, where there will be a plethora of showers. 0nce coastline, where there will be a plethora of showers. Once again some will be wintry with height. The odd shower coming on the northerly wind across the west as well. Temperatures, nothing to write home about, feeling cold especially if you are exposed to the wind with the range three to 6 degrees. As we head into Christmas Day, a cold start to the day. What a widespread frost around. Weather wise, quite a bit of sunshine in southern scotland especially. A weather front coming m, especially. A weather front coming in, cloud increasing from the north west and then the rain will come in. The other salient thing is, the wind will change direction in the wind will change direction in the north west to a westerly, so for you, it will not be as cold as it is as we head further south. Four is the maximum in norwich. Into saturday, boxing day, we still have the weather front with us. Still producing all this rain with some hill snow as well. More than westerly. For many of us, another cold day but it will be very windy, something we are keeping an eye on. Thank you, looks like it will be pretty chilly. In october, we brought you the story of pensioners brendan and joan black. Theyve been married for 63 years butjoan, who has dementia, now lives in a care home. Throughout lockdown, brendan was unable to visit properly and was desperate to be able to give his wife a hug. He shared with us how difficult he found it to be apart. The worst months of my life, and its still going on. As the months went by, i felt thatjoan was forgetting me. I said to the carers, i said, my wifes forgetting me, look. After about three minutes, joan would get up, she was so frustrated when i was at the window, she would turn away with her walking frame and go into the inner room and leave me standing there. So towards the end, i did say to the carers, i said, my wifes forgetting me. No, shes not, she always says, wheres my brendan . But i know different. Myjoan used to run to that window, and. Im sorry. 0h, bless him, so tough. Since we last spoke to brendan, hes had his first hug with his wifejoan, since march. And that special moment, which you can see here, happened on monday. They celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary the day before the first lockdown and thats the last time they were properly able to see each other, until now. Brendan, his daughter lindsey and granddaughter lucyjoin us now, along with nadra ahmed, chair of the National Care association. Morning brendan, i want morning brendan, iwant to morning brendan, i want to give you a hug as well, how was it . Absolutely fantastic. Fantastic, wonderful. Great. She must have been so pleased to see you. She was, she was actually a little bit startled because she didnt know i was coming in. She always thought that she would see me through a of glass. When i was standing in front of her, she was a bit startled, but she was lovely. They really looked after her, that home had really looked after her, she is very happy there. And im so happy for her. Brendan, its so good to see you and see that footage. We just saw the original footage. We just saw the original footage of you sitting exactly like you are today, but you dont like a different man this morning. You have a spring in your step you look like a different man. How was it affected you and her . How has it affected you and her . How has it affected nine . Nanny . Affected you and her . How has it affected nine . Nanny . Shes great, the home has been fantastic with her, spent a lot of time with her. Shes been there for two months now, i moved herfrom home further away from my home. The manager has been brilliant with her. I have no complaints, they are lovely people. And myjoan is really happy now, and she is happier still now that ive told her im coming to see her most days. It must be lovely to see your dad able to do this, its been so emotionalfor him dad able to do this, its been so emotional for him and dad able to do this, its been so emotionalfor him and so dad able to do this, its been so emotional for him and so difficult but for all of you. Its such a relief that dad can have his test and go in and give hera kiss, albeit through a mask, and actually sit beside her and show christmas cards to herand sit beside her and show christmas cards to her and take the presents. Its such a relief. Lucy, youre the granddaughter, it must be wonderful for you to know that your grandma is having that contact again. Yes, it really is amazing. I speak on behalf of all of the family, it really is the best possible Christmas Present we could have had. Knowing that granddad has seen her, and kissed herand granddad has seen her, and kissed her and hugged her and granddad has seen her, and kissed herand hugged herand held her hand. So were so elated that this has happened, this week, in the darkest possible times at the moment. Itsjust darkest possible times at the moment. Its just the darkest possible times at the moment. Itsjust the happiest nose we could finish the year on. We will come back to you in a moment. Lets talk to the chair of the national ca re talk to the chair of the National Care association. This is part of the whole process they have been trying to implement where brendan gets a test, how many other families are ina gets a test, how many other families are in a position where this can happen . Its a growing number, but not as many as we would want. I think across the country, as many providers as possible are trying to enable this to happen. I think there are some real limitations especially with providers in the tier a areas. Evenif with providers in the tier a areas. Even if theres one positive case that comes out of, whether a member of staff or anybody connected with the they get contacted by test and trace, and it all falls apart. So there are some limitations. It is a growing number and its quite nice to hear from growing number and its quite nice to hearfrom a lot growing number and its quite nice to hear from a lot of providers who are trying to do whatever they can. Some of them are keeping to the visits outside, not enabling people to come into the service, but they are using the lateral flow tests as much as they can. It has limitations, you need to have full ppe to keep people safe. But we are doing everything we can, because stories like we have just heard is what we want to see happening all the time. Thats what happens at christmas in care homes, people are together and thats what we have a lwa ys together and thats what we have always done. So this is really very alien to us, not being able to enable it. It must be a concern to you and everyone, as cases seem to rise across the country, talk of more parts of the country going into tier a today, that could have an impact on visits not happening again. Absolutely, and i think we also have to bear in mind that around this time, we have staff who will be wanting time out. They had a horrendous year, we have to keep the Services Fully staffed and enabling visits is another responsibility that we have. Providers are extremely concerned and guidance is coming out very slowly, we had some that came out last night. We are expecting more guidance to come out today from the department about this, around the tier a scenarios. The fact of the matter, we are telling the whole country to stay at home and stay safe and not go to work if you dont need to, and then the most vulnerable members of our society are in a service where we try to enable reuniting them with families. Its a huge challenge. The National Care association, we have had a donation of 1000 phones which we are trying to get out to our members so that they can improve connectivity between families. We know its not the same. We need to get back to brendan. So when do you next visit her, can you do that this week as well . Yes, im visiting her this morning at 11am. Have you got any particular plans for this visit . Pardon . Do you have any plans for this visit . I will give her two hugs have you got her a Christmas Present . Of course i have. Of course i have. Give us a clue. Can ijust say thank you, please, to Jane Mccubbin. She has been a brick to me right through this time. I can type now with two hands i can e mail with two hands i used to use one finger e mailing backwards and forwards, she has been really good forwards, she has been really good for me, and also helen from the residents and relatives association. Then two ladies and my ladies here. I dont know howl then two ladies and my ladies here. I dont know how i got through that period but im through it. And im nearly back to normal, ill be back to normal in six weeks. Ive had my vaccination ive had my vaccination, ive had my first one ill get my second one injanuary. So you will be singing your way through the new year. so you will be singing your way through the new year. I will be singing theyll be singing in the ca re singing theyll be singing in the care home when its all clear and ill beat singing and dancing, dont you worry about that im so cheered, genuinely, because as we said, we have talked to over the last few months and its wonderful to see that. We will officially nominate Jane Mccubbin on your behalf, talking about the heroes, she is our reporter, if you dont know who she is. Thank you so much, are very know who she is. Thank you so much, are very happy christmas thank you very much, Merry Christmas are very happy christmas thank you very much, Merry Christmas i hope your leg gets better soon thank you my new favourite pal. He is full ofjoy, you my new favourite pal. He is full of joy, that is you my new favourite pal. He is full ofjoy, that is so lovely to see the difference that connection has made. Stay with us, headlights coming up. Good morning welcome to breakfast withjon kay and louise minchin. 0ur headlines today. More parts of england could be moved up to tier a the toughest level of coronavirus restrictions possibly as early as boxing day. The port of dover reopens but around a,000 lorries are still stuck on roads and car parks in kent, as their drivers wait for a coronavirus test. Iamat i am at the manston lorry park where mass testing is due to get under way this morning to try to get some hauliers at least at home for christmas. Good morning from bury market where traders are setting up what they hope to be one of the busiest days of the year. But disruption at dover is causing shortages of vegetables. Have yourself a merry Little Christmas now. Its been a year when we all need a lift just wait until you see our inspirational story of the care home relatives singing for residents and staff. Happy christmas, nana. Love you. Thanks very much for all the help and all the work. Happy christmas, mum happy christmas, mum. Good morning. For many it will be cloudy and wet. Especially across england and wales where the rain will be persistent. Scotland and Northern Ireland, more likely to be showers and brightening up. I will have the details in ten minutes. Its wednesday, 23rd december. Our top story. More areas of england could be moved into tier a the countrys highest level of coronavirus restrictions as soon as boxing day, in response to growing cases of a new variant of coronavirus. The communities secretary Robert Jenrickjas told breakfast that the government will make a judgment today on whether the tier structure is Strong Enough to tackle the spread of the virus. It comes as france lifts its blanket ban on people entering the country from the uk, allowing rail, air and sea services to resume. 0ur political reporter iain watson is in westminster. It comes as france lifts a blanket ban that should allow rail, air, sea services to resume. We can speak to our political reporter in westminster. I say it is a fast moving. Clearly the government having to take this very seriously, meeting in a couple of hours . What happened last night was there was a meeting of scientists, Public Health officials and ministers, something that happens regularly. They review data and have discussions and then the political decisions are taken subsequently at a ministerial meeting which will happen in a few hours. The kind of discussions are whether tier a needs to be extended outside london and the south east, the most stringent restrictions in england. It looks as though there are recommendations to see areas close to the south east brought into higher levels, some may bejumping from tier two up to tier a. The question is the timescale. Interesting the communities secretary robertjenrick all but ruled out anything happening before christmas. If you made Christmas Plans in tiers three and under it looks like they can go ahead but he did not rule out restrictions coming in as soon as boxing day. The review was supposed to take place on december the 30th so the fact discussions are going on that in government shows how seriously they are taking the threat of the new variant. When he was asked about the prospect of a new National Lockdown, this is what he said. We do not have an immediate plan to take action, but the number of cases is rising and the variant is spreading to other parts of the country, so we will see whether it is necessary to do more and make sure the system is sufficiently robust to for new circumstances. The tier system was designed before we knew the ferocity of the new variant, so we have to make sure it is sufficiently robust to withstand this and to stop cases just rising at the worrying levels they are in many parts of the country. I thought it was interesting that he was talking about the system being devised before the effects of this new variant were widely known. That would leave open the possibility at some point of a further lockdown. My understanding, in government at the moment, they are keen to avoid an england wide lockdown. When he was talking about whether the system was robust, i think two things are likely to happen. The number of areas in tier a likely to increase, also discussions about whether new restrictions might be required within those tier a areas. There is limited room for manoeuvre. Could it be delaying a return to Higher Education . Nothing has been decided but i think there will be a discussion today among ministers whether existing stringent tier a restrictions are enough to get on top of this virus. Thanks. Another thing happening is changes from what is going on in dover. 0ur reporter simonjones is in manston near dover, where thousands of lorries are parked up. They might be able to start moving today . Some hope for hauliers who are desperate to get across the channel and back home for christmas. This is an existing coronavirus testing site that has been here for local people, but today testing at the site will be ramped up. We understand nhs test and trace are on the site and we expect the military here, and they will offer drivers lateral flow tests which gets you a result in about 30 minutes. If negative, drivers can potentially head to the port of dover and eurotunnel to show the test results to port authorities and to be allowed to get across the channel. But here, a number of people have turned up. Van drivers and families desperate to get a test. I spoke to a man who turned up who is stuck here from germany. At the moment, it isa here from germany. At the moment, it is a catastrophe situation. I cannot go back home. Lorries, 5000 lorries. I must come here to make a covid test and make an appointment. I do not know how to do it. This is a big catastrophe right now. You came to manston hoping to get a test . Yes, of course, i hope to get a test. But the people told me i must go to margate and the people from margate told me i must go back to manston again. Ido told me i must go back to manston again. I do not know what to do, i really dont know what to do. So a lot of confusion here and frustration clearly from lorry drivers on the site. We heard them sounding their horns. We do not know how many will be tested today and how many will be tested today and how quickly. But at least some hope. Scotlands first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, says she made a stupid mistake by briefly removing her Face Covering while at a funeral wake, in breach of her own governments coronavirus rules. She was pictured by the scottish Sun Newspaper standing talking to three people inside at a social distance, but without wearing a mask. 0ur scotland reporter Alexandra Mackenzie joins us from glasgow. Alexandra, what has the reaction been . Both politically and from the public . This is an embarrassing mistake by the first minister Nicola Sturgeon. The photograph was printed in the Sun Newspaper last night. It shows the first minister on friday after a funeral wake in edinburgh. She is standing at one table talking to three of the people at another table. She is socially distanced, but crucially is not wearing a facemask. In hospitality settings in scotland, it is mandatory to wear a facemask unless you are sitting down. She has broken her own governments covid rules. We had a reaction from the scottish conservatives who said the first minister has made a blunder and should know better. They accused her of undermining Public Health messaging by failing to set a proper example. They said there cannot be one rule for Nicola Sturgeon and another for everyone else. The one rule for Nicola Sturgeon and anotherfor everyone else. The first minister put out a statement saying, i had my mask off briefly. She said it was a stupid mistake and she is sorry. She acknowledged she talks every day about the importance of masks and she said she was not going to make an excuse. She said she was wrong, she is kicking herself and she is sorry. Police in france say three officers have been shot dead after responding to an incident of domestic violence. Were joined now by our correspondent damian grammaticas. Take us through what is known about what happened. Good morning. We have monitored this and it appears what happened was a call sometime around midnight in this small hamlet, the very middle of france, 100 miles or so to the west of lyon. A woman in distress apparently climbed onto the roof of her house, she was concerned about her husband or a gentleman at the premises who appears to be known to police. They turned up. They were fired on by this man. One Police Officer instantly was killed. 0ne was injured. And then, the man appears to have set light to the house, fired on more officers, killed two more Police Officers. What we know now is the woman has been rescued, and taken away. There are Armed Police Units at the scene. And the operation to arrest the man thought to be responsible is ongoing. Still very much a live situation. Thanks. We will be talking about the possible return to school in the new year ina possible return to school in the new year in a couple of minutes and how it seems to be changing. We will chat about that. Heres carol with the weather. You are being sent wonderful photographs this morning. The weather watchers always do us proud and a lovely photograph of a Christmas Tree. Today, the weather is rather mixed. Heavy rain especially across england and wales but in scotland and Northern Ireland it is quieter. Early cloud will tend to break and you will see sunshine, also showers in the north and west and wintry on the hills. But england and wintry on the hills. But england and wales has heavy rain, particularly in the midlands, east anglia and wales. 20 a0 millimetres falling on already saturated ground, so the risk of localised flooding. Add gusty wind in parts wales, South West England and the English Channel and that is not a nice combination. Temperatures in the south still mild. Further north, although there is sunshine, it will feel colder. 0vernight we say goodbye to the rain. The low pressure m oves goodbye to the rain. The low pressure moves away. We open the gates to a northerly wind across the country with showers down the east coast and in the highlands. Some of those will be wintry mostly on the hills. With temperatures like this we are looking at a frosty night for some and also the risk ice. Unlike the last few nights when temperatures have been in double figures in southern england, they are back into single figures which tells the story of tomorrow. A lot of dry weather, some sunshine, a cold wind blowing in showers on the east coast. In the hills, we could see sleet and snow and you might see a little bit at lower levels. Down the west coast, on the northerly wind, there could be showers. But the temperatures, a day for wrapping up the temperatures, a day for wrapping up warm. Iam i am used to seeing louise and dan. Things change very quickly around here. Can you cope with that . Manage that one . Who knows, anything can happen on Christmas Day. Scientists are urgently investigating whether the new variant of coronavirus spreads more easily in children. Its cast some doubt on whether schools will still reopen as expected injanuary. Here is what we know so far. In england secondary pupils in years 11 and 13 will go back on january ath, with the rest of high schools pupils returning a week later. Most schools across scotland will be closed to students until january 18th but Remote Learning will begin sooner. Vulnerable children and those of key workers can return to the classroom onjanuary 6th. A staggered return has been announced for children in wales after the christmas break with everybody expected back in class by the 18th january. And in Northern Ireland, all schools will initially reopen before years 8 to 10 will switch to Online Learning for a fortnight from 25th january. In different areas it is different. Lets speak now to ges smith whos a head teacher at a school in london. And dr Deepti Gurdasani is a epidemiologist at queen mary university. Good morning. We spoke to Robert Jenrick who said he expected schools in england to be opened injanuary with a staggered start and also testing in place. When you hear that, what is your reaction . testing in place. When you hear that, what is your reaction . I have to be honest, the reaction is disbelief and more despair. What we face is a situation whereby students are expected to return for return from the ath of january, but we have a testing principle to put into place and it is overwhelming for schools. I listen to the minister and he talked about schools potentially needing one up to three people to put in initial testing. That is not the case. There are nine separate roles involved. 100s prudent through with three testing stations, in a school like mine, 1700 students. Testing will take two weeks with nine people. We have to recruit stock we have to get the resources together. It is not a realistic timescale and not a realistic timescale and not a realistic proposal. It is welcome. Teaching professionals have asked for this for a long time, but we need to do it properly with sustainable systems. My worry is we go back and that is not the case. The plan to return to school came before this new variant was spotted and before tier a came into effect. Do you think it needs to be moderated, the plan, in light of recent events . Things have moved so quickly. We are one of seven burrows in North East London and we have the pcr Testing Programme for older yea rs before pcr Testing Programme for older years before the end of term and spent the last week gathering results and contacting people who had close contacts dealing with the isolation situation. It has to be done at a place manageable for schools. Schools have been reflective and responsive in what they have done. They want to be part of this but not part of something that will not work. Even the principle of the lateral flow testing, it is fallible. We have seenin testing, it is fallible. We have seen in liverpool, testing students, sometimes 60 of positive cases missed. We do not want to promise and tried to deliver a preventative operation and it is absolutely fallible. We need to be certain it works and for all schools across the country. What do you know about the new variant . Scientists are looking at whether it is transmitted through children more easily. at whether it is transmitted through children more easily. I would say that we know children and schools have been important sources of transmission across the world. We know infections in children was rising even before the variant became dominant. Early in september when it was at low frequency. I do not think it is about the variant. The government has until now denied the role of schools in transmission and done a little about it. And last week issued legal threats to those deciding to remove two remote teaching. Last friday the end of term, they announced the plan for mass testing in schools. The key question is what is the purpose . To reduce transmission, to protect children and staff, to reduce the isolation period . It looks like the plan only addresses three, because it is not about mass testing. It will only test staff and children with contacts of people confirm positive with a view to reducing the isolation with lateral flow test. If this is what they wanted to do, they propose a plan that will incur a huge cost in terms of infrastructure and personnel which will sadly fall on schools who will receive little investment in this period. Parents and students will be confused because for months they had schools saying they needed testing and now the government says they will produce this way of testing and now the schools are saying it will not work and they are not happy. This is not mass testing. What scientists have been asking for an schools asking for is repeated frequent testing of students without symptoms with a view to identifying people infected we do not know about. We isolate contacts of people infected who are at high risk of infection. Testing them to reduce the isolation period is not reducing transmission and might increase it because we use tests that are highly inaccurate. The fact there is no support provided to schools despite the investment in terms of money into testing is really concerning. I understand where schools are coming from. They have not implemented the programme we have asked for. You have talked about how hard teachers have talked about how hard teachers have worked through the year and we have worked through the year and we have been reflecting that this morning. Some parents are frustrated individual schools may be have struggled to deliver online when children had to stay at home and feel their kids have suffered massively by not being able to go into school. They will say we have to make this the priority, we have got to make it work and they have to got to make it work and they have to go back in january. Schools will do everything to get back to face to face teaching and back to the norm and preparing students for exams, particularly year 11 and 13. But what we do not want to do is try to implement a system that is not well planned and well paced and not realistic. At the moment this is not a realistic proposal. They will make it work. My colleagues and i across the country will do our best to make it work. What is our role . 0ur role is to respond and reflect on the incredible changes happening over the current weeks and to be at the forefront. We need the time and resources and training and the support and also we need the financial support. You will have to doa financial support. You will have to do a huge amount to be ready for the beginning of next term. There is talk in the papers of not even returning until end january, so there is a plan c out there. Weve all had to make sacrifices this year to keep our loved ones safe, including staff at a care home in somerset who locked themselves inside for more than three months to protect their residents. Now the families of those who live there want to thank them in time for christmas. With a bit of breakfast magic, weve helped with the surprise, as fiona lamdin reports. Before we played this we should give you an emotion warning. It is a wonderful piece but you might need a box of tissues. I pretty much went through the whole box earlier. It is how we have helped them with a surprise. Through the years we all will be together. Happy christmas. And a huge, huge hug. Hello, mum. Hiya. And hi, just to wish you a very happy christmas, mum. These are just some of the families who wont be together this christmas. I miss you loads, all right . And i really, really would like to see this christmas, for chris, that meant being separated from his wife and four year old daughter. Happy good morning, daddy, i miss you so much. For tina, it meant sleeping in the stockroom. We have no washing facilities, weve just got a ladies down the corridor, which is our bathroom and our toilet. So we have a little wash in the sink. Come with me, come with me, keep your eyes closed. Injuly, staff were reunited with theirfamilies. And, since then, while residents have been able to see their families, with a vaccination on the horizon, they say they will wait for a hug until they think its safe. Youre going to be filming yourself on one device. Instead, they are showing their love and paying thanks through the magic of music. So if we get that nice brightness. Have yourself a merry Little Christmas. Breakfast introduced them to expert choirmaster daniel mchyer. And together with care home co owner chris, theyve formed this secret choir. Here we are as in olden days, happy golden days of yore. Staff and residents families singing side by side. Shes aft 11, but shes a pocket rocket, you know. She a strong lady and i really admire her, shes done marvellous. How hard has it been keeping this choir a surprise from her . Oh, my god. Yesterday, i was with her all day. And i was getting messages from you guys and shes so nosy, my mum. And she knows everything. And if my phone goes off, she is onto it. So i was hiding all day. My phone was in my pocket, it was on silent. Residents have just been watching the staff Christmas Panto and they have no idea that we are in here. Weve put up these screens and we are so excited to show them the Court House Christmas choir. And with covid secu re remote controlled cameras inside the care home, we are about to see the reaction to their very first performance. Have yourself a merry Little Christmas. Let your heart be light. Very happy christmas to my mother lal, who we love very much, from all the family in dubai and somerset. All the residents, i love you very much and i wish you a Merry Christmas. Have yourself a merry Little Christmas. Make the yuletide gay. From now on our troubles will be miles away. Merry christmas, nana. Love you. Keeping very healthy and well. Thanks to the staff and the very friendly approach of all of them. So many thanks to them and happy christmas to everyone. Thanks very much for all the help and all the work that youve done. Happy christmas, mum. Merry christmas, pat. Through the years we all will be together. If the fates allow. Hang a shining star upon the highest bough. And have yourself a merry Little Christmas now. That was lovely. I thought it was wonderful. Absolutely wonderful. It really touched hearts, doing this. It brought tears to our eyes. And that applies easily to me because my son would say to me, oh, turn the waterworks off, mother. This really made me cry and made me realise, actually, just how different this year is. It really hit home to me. Yeah, you know, just not having. As much as weve done everything we can, its not the same not having ourfamilies in and just having that christmas atmosphere. Yes, touched. Hes in switzerland and he has been all this year. Hes come over for two weeks this entire year, with my youngest, andy, on holiday. And then he went back and i havent seen him since. I love you loads and i hope we can see each other soon. All right, so hi from me and andy in switzerland. Bye. Im just going to replay that moment, because it meant so much to me and it willjust keep in my mind that one day i will see him again. And have yourself a merry Little Christmas now. Are you all 0k . No wow, that was some journey. What a wonderfulfilm. No wow, that was some journey. What a wonderful film. I think, sometimes, you need a moment tojust ta ke sometimes, you need a moment tojust take a breath. Kind of have a look back at what we have all been through. It has been something, and very emotional and it will be an emotional christmas. As always, i know some will be waking up alone on Christmas Day may be for the first time. Bbc breakfast is here and i am here with carol from 6am. I thought you said you were going to be singing carols. Carol will be live on telly to keep you company. Time now to get the news, travel and weather where you are. Good morning, im sonja jessup. The leader of Greenwich Council is calling for more information on how schools can reopen safely in the new year. The current plan is to stagger the return of secondary pupils. The South East London borough wanted to close early for christmas but the government threatened legal action unless they stayed open. Clearly, now that we know about this new strain, the government needs to come forward with clarity on how that is affecting children and young people in particular, so that we fully understand how we can respond to that. The government says all secondary schools will be encouraged to take up the offer of testing their pupils from the start of january. There were another 10,000 reported cases of coronavirus yesterday in the capital. The worst affected areas include havering, redbridge and barking and dagenham. Its been a tough year of course for londons musicians and this time of year wed usually at least be hearing buskers on our streets as we do our christmas shopping. Just before tier a restrictions came in, we caught up with one musician on how the years been. My financial situation was at risk and my sort of happiness, too. But i think, like most musicians, i found ways to keep myself busy with music during the lockdown recording, writing, and exploring parts of music that i havent for a long time. So, actually, there is sort of a Positive Side to it. And we are always keen ofcourse to hear how all of this is affecting you. Whether its changing your Christmas Plans or how your community is supporting those in need. Lets take a look at the travel situation now. First the tube, its looking pretty good. But the waterloo city line still closed as usual. And do be aware the bakerloo line will finish early tonight at 9. 30. The eurostar is running again to france, belgium and the netherlands. And this is how the north circular looks, its slow westbound through palmers green. Time for the weather with kate kinsella. Good morning. Its another mild start this morning. Quite a bit of cloud, its feeling damp and the met office has a yellow weather warning in place for heavy rain. Widely 20 to a0 millimetres of rain expected between now and 6am tomorrow morning. What is happening is a deepening area of low pressure to the south of the uk bringing all of this rain, it is drawing it north as we head further through this morning and into the afternoon. It could become quite heavy and persistent. Its breezy too, but the temperature is still very mild, a maximum of 13 celsius. 0vernight, we pick up a northerly breeze and that rain reverses, it moves back down south. So still very wet overnight. However it is going to clear through the early hours. Sky clearing and the temperature drops, that cold air filtering in behind it. Minimum temperature, around three or four celsius. Christmas eve, you can see this blue area, thats the cold air. Largely dry and fine but the temperature much chillier. 0vernight temperatures dropping down to zero, so were still looking at a frost first thing on christmas morning. Theres more from me in half an hour, plenty more on our website. Now though its back to jon and louise. Lots of messages from people having to reapply their make up after the programme this morning to reapply their make up after the programme this morning i have been the same this is breakfast withjon kay and louise minchin. 2020 has been a year many of us would like to forget. But the stories of everyday heroes whove gone above and beyond have helped put a smile on our faces. We asked you to nominate your hero of the year and weve been overwhelmed by the response. Breakfasts Jayne Mccubbin has been speaking to just a few of the incredible people youve chosen. This year, more than any year, we have needed a hero. And there have been plenty. Some familiar, some unknown. But look around you. There are heroes walking amongst us and you have nominated some of yours. Hayley nominated ben. We think ben is an absolute hero, and its a privilege to nominate ben for this. He ran his second marathon on the 2nd of december for camille. Right now, ben is running 31 marathons in 31 days for children with brain tumours. All these beautiful children that i have to see every day, and i run with their names on my vest. And when it gets tough when im running, and it always does when youre running 26 miles, especially when youre running 26 miles the day after running 26 miles, and the day after and the day after, you know, i always look down and look at the name on the vest and there is my inspiration. Oh, thank you so much, ben. I mean, what youre doing is just incredible. Don gardner. He is a total hero. Simon reeves nominated don who runs a food bank in cornwall. He fed those in need right through the pandemic, even when he lost his own wifejen. He never stopped working. I have a feeling hell be working all over christmas if people let him. He gives and gives and gives, and absolutely rightly, people love him for that. Oh, thank you. Its what i love doing, i love to serve the community. Yeah, ok, i lost my wife, which ive struggled with at times. But after being married for 53 years, youve got to go forward and she would want me to. Thats good to hear. Im doing a little clap. Lets all do a little round of applause for don. Come on, britain, give him a clap emma asks us all to applaud kate and her donor. Hello surprise her sister rushed back to work as a gp practice manager after a kidney transplant so she could fight the pandemic. Im just so proud of everything that youve gone through. Youre an inspiration. 0h, totally shocked. I wish youd told me to do my hair there hasnt been a day that has gone by over these last six months where i havent thought about my donor, and my donors family. Kate decided to go back into work regardless of her own recovery in order to be instrumental in getting the Covid Vaccination rolled out. So inadvertently, this gift has helped 975 people get vaccinated last week. Heroes really are amongst us, like victoria, nominated by simon. 0h, id just like to say, stay up late are absolutely fantastic, you are absolutely fantastic, victoria. Well, just want to say thank you. Stay up late is a charity which helps people with a disability do just that. Stay up late and have fun. And in 2020, victorias work was needed more than ever. Its just incredibly important to have, especially in this uncertain time, to at least have the ability to stay connected with friends, gain new friends. Like, it has been a crazy year, but i think its so nice when simon says a big thank you. I do it to change peoples lives, make them more happy because that makes me happy at the end of the day. Paul has been nominated by robin. Paul gibbon, my local postman. He knocked on my door in march, and said, during lockdown, if you want any help, get your medication orshopping, oranything, support me, he would do it. He was as good as his word. He and his wife kim were there when he needed them. Seven weeks ago, i was very poorly in the morning. I phoned him and he came round and within ten minutes he got me an ambulance, and i was rushed to Great Western hospital. As far as im concerned, he saved my life. I presume between the three of you, you have put all this together without me knowing. We hatched a plan. Hatched a plan . Right, 0k, well thank you. Thank you so much honestly. For me, itsjust what i think i should be doing. And so many of you told us of heroes in your own family. William among them. I cant believe hes got to where he is now, kind of. The autism and the learning difficulties, that in itself is amazing. But obviously with the pandemic on top of that in the mix, theres been extra challenges. Through the pandemic, william conquered his anxieties to travel to and from hospital where he volunteered and trained. In difficult times, hes just landed his very first job. Is this william . This is will. Were super proud, arent we . Youre a good lad, arent you . Yes, lam. What a year its been. No one will miss 2020, but in 2021, plenty will look back with gratitude and love to all those people who made a difference. Well said, and thank you to everybody sending in your heroes, because without you we would not be able to do this. We can speak to one of the amazing heroes in that video, don gardner. Hell be delivering hundreds of hampers to people today. Were also joined by firefighter phil whittingham, who will be helping don with his mission. Good morning to both of you. Don, talk us through the mission, what you have in your hands today . talk us through the mission, what you have in your hands today . I have 320 hampers to deliver, and 700 presence for the children. Presents for the children. Even sa nta presents for the children. Even santa would balk at that presents for the children. Even santa would balk at that i have got the right colour hair phil, you will be helping him. Tell us how you are helping. Thank you, good morning. This is the way we are delivering the hampers, helping the food bank out, we have blue watch in the background getting the vehicle ready to assist in the delivery, getting the hamper and the presents out to everyone in the community because this is what we do in the Community Fire station. We support the needs of the community any way we can and this isjust another way we can and this isjust another way we can and this isjust another way we can support don and the rest of the team at the food bank. we can support don and the rest of the team at the food bank. I love that the fire engines are getting ready, have you dressed it up . We havent, some of the crew will put their hats on, there could be the odd christmas jumper. But their hats on, there could be the odd christmasjumper. But we do have a plan should the crew get called away, that we can still carry on developing the hampers. Adjusting some final checks and raring to go, we cant wait. Lets talk about the serious side of this. The need for these hampers, this food, which has only increased during this crisis. 0h, only increased during this crisis. Oh, yes. For our normalfood, yesterday we provided 1800 meals out of the food bank in two hours. Last week we did 1300 meals, it has gone up week we did 1300 meals, it has gone up by week we did 1300 meals, it has gone up by 50 . Plus these hampers, last year we up by 50 . Plus these hampers, last yearwe did up by 50 . Plus these hampers, last year we did 1800 and this year it is 2a00, it has become a massive project. Behind us now, you can see, hopefully, the hampers that are just being added, the cream and the turkeys and the chicken, we are wearing to go. I dont know if you can show us because it might ruin the surprise but can you show us whats in a hamper . Yeah, i can tell you whats in a hamper. It is a full christmas lunch, including the chicken, turkeys, fresh veg, clotted cream, mince pies. Christmas puddings. And also a high tea for the family as well, cakes and buns, fruit, and a myriad of chocolate. Im glad i dont have to eat it we saw even the documentary clip there with simon reeve, when he first appeared on the bbc earlier this year. What was the impact of that profile and being on programmes like brea kfast profile and being on programmes like breakfast in terms of donations and help coming to you . Oh, its been absolutely fantastic. Last year this time, my wife and i were thinking we we re time, my wife and i were thinking we were going to have to pay the wages of the staff out of our own funds, and then simon reeve knows, i have lost my wife and it was hard but our funds have now gone up to well over a quarter of a million which means the food bank is to gift to five yea rs. The food bank is to gift to five years. Is a secure for five yea rs. Years. Is a secure for five years. Presumably you will make quite an impact with your mode of transport delivering some of these hampers. Yes we are picking them up at 9am and youre quite right, we will make our way around, if people wa nt will make our way around, if people want to give us a wave while we are dropping the hampers of on the doorstep, they are more than welcome. It is blue watch on today, welcome. It is blue watch on today, we will give them a very friendly wave back but all socially distance obviously as required. Absolutely wonderful. Thank you so much. Don, great work, thank you so much, on behalf of all of those people who will get hampers, im sure you will get a thank you but its wonderful what you are doing. Thank you. Hes such had such a tough year for himself personally but still doing this for others, amazing. The final Festive Season rush to the shops for food and drink is likely to look quite different this year. We heard reports of queues at supermarkets, everyone two metres apart. Some of the major supermarkets have reintroduced item rationing and there are concerns that supplies of some Fresh Produce may be limited between christmas and new year. Sarah corker is at bury market for us this morning. They are already queueing behind you yes, good morning from bury market. Traders are hoping this will be one of the busiest days of the year as people stock up on their festive goods. This is the queue for the butchers, they have been here early trying to get their last minute turkeys. More broadly, we are expected to spend a record breaking £12 billion on groceries in december alone. Thats up 1. 5 billion on last year. Turkey alone. Thats up 1. 5 billion on last yea r. Turkey sales alone. Thats up 1. 5 billion on last year. Turkey sales are up by 36 . When it comes to christmas puddings, we are expected to spend £11 million on those. Mince pie sales are down 8 this year, perhaps because there are fewer social gatherings. For the ba kers are fewer social gatherings. For the bakers here, there is already a big queue and we can grab a chat with joanne who has been up since aam. Good morning, how are you . Good, thank you very busy for you this morning. How important is it that you get your money in today after a difficult year . Weve not slept last night making sure we have enough muffins and pies, enough stock for our customers. Its the busiest day of the year and its our life, this, we absolutely love it and its bustling already. Lets get it all sold, its brilliant. Bustling already. Lets get it all sold, its brilliant. What you think the big will be . Meat pies, wind replies, and fresh muffin. You want a proper bacon party on Christmas Day with our muffins. Sounds good i will let you serve your customers. Bacon party. The market has been open all year but the market has fluctuated. Have traders cope this year . It has been very tough, not only for the traders but for the Council Market staff as well who have helped open and close the market. Their Business Interruption has been very difficult, but bury council had provided support with rent free periods and grants. It has still been incredibly difficult for the traders. To what extent is there are positive to come out of this, the fact that more of us are working from home so we spend more money locally . People were perhaps rediscovering what is on their doorstep . Absolutely, shopping local is vital for us at bury market. We have made a Climate Action pledge, and this helps us to pledge to shop local, it is more sustainable, and help small businesses. Thank you so much for that. Some positive news to come out of a difficult year. There are some gaps on the market this morning, i spoke to some fruit and veg traders earlier who said it was difficult at the wholesalers this morning because of the disruption at dover, they are finding it hard to get green vegetables, lettuce and soft fruits. You are making a starving thank you very much, good to see them doing good business. You are making us starving heres carol with a look at this mornings weather. If you can have a walk, look at this, the mud there will be a lot of rain around today, particularly on england and wales, somerset will see some as well. Low pressure driving the weather, quite potent, bringing in heavy and persistent rain. If you look at the isobars, thatis rain. If you look at the isobars, that is telling you that we have some gusty winds in wales, South West England and the English Channel. We have been watching the rain move northwards in the night, depositing some sleet and snow on the hills. There are some showers in the hills. There are some showers in the north west of scotland which could be wintry. A lot of rain for england and wales, 20 to a0 millimetres possible, falling on saturated ground. The risk of localised flooding. For Northern Ireland, a dry day and also as anyone. Temperatures in the north, a7 degrees. Today is the last day we will hang on to the mild weather in the far south of for this week. The ship rain will be moving away, drying up behind but still a few showers in the north and north east, some in the hills likely to be wintry. Pulling in a northerly wind. A cold night, with some frost, the risk of ice on untreated surfaces, and where is this week we have been used to temperatures at the end of the night in the south of 11 to 13 degrees, tomorrow morning, we start the day at five or six. You will literally feel the draft. Christmas eve season area of High Pressure building income are more of a northerly flow coming in. The cold air getting across the uk and the wind arrows coming in the north sea tells you were going to have gusty wind, blowing all of these showers, mostly of rain but heavier bursts at specially at height winter venus. Temperatures winter venus. For christmas morning, it will be cold, widespread frost. A lot of dry weather and some sunshine. Southern scotland, england and wales. 0ver the front approaching, the cloud will bill from the west and then we will bill from the west and then we will see the rain. Ten which is not as low in stornoway. In birmingham, only a degrees. Boxing day is looking pretty windy across the board. Some of us could have some gales as well, and rain coming south. Wintry especially on the hills and these are the maximum temperatures. A degrees in london, nine in stornoway. All remaining u nsettled. Im not on tomorrow but i will see you on christmas morning, looking forward to it. Me too, thank you new christmas drama roald and beatrix the tail of the curious mouse was inspired by a real life encounter between a six year old roald dahl and his idol Beatrix Potter. Ididnt i didnt realise this has happened, it isa i didnt realise this has happened, it is a true thing although they were born 50 years apart, the meeting in the Lake District is thought to have inspired dahl to write childrens books himself when he grew up. Werejoined now byJessica Hynes, who plays roalds mother sofie. I have to say, before we even talk to you, what a marvellous Christmas Tree you have oh thank you it has cheered me up, wonderful. Did you know that they had met, these two, before you did this . Not until i read the script. And i dont think it has ever been written down, it was word of mouth, he told a friend about it. And then they talked about it, he had told them he had gone to beatrix Potters House when he was a little boy and had met her. You are not Beatrix Potter in this, are you . No, no dawn french is amazing and perfect and hilarious and a brilliant Beatrix Potter. Ive never really seen her quite like this in of performance, and i think shes absolutely brilliant. So your role is role dels mother . Yes. Roald dahls mother . What we know about her . Well, she is norwegian, and she is. I her . Well, she is norwegian, and she is. I read the book boy, actually even before i auditioned for it, because the script was so lovely, and it has animated, magical mice in it, talking dolls and foxes, and her character was so brilliant. I was so excited that a production was going to happen after lockdown had happened, because it happened in the pa rt happened, because it happened in the part of lockdown where things started to ease. I was so amazed that this Production Company had created a covid safe set so we could film. And i thought, i really want to be on that team and i want to do that. The script was so brilliant. And sofie was an amazing woman. Roald describes her taking them all on holiday, after she had lost her husband and her daughter, that happened within weeks of each other, so she was widowed with five children and she used to take them on holiday to norway on these amazing adventures, kind of on her own, and put them in boats and sail to different norwegian islands. He saysin to different norwegian islands. He says in the book, in those days, we didnt bother with life jackets there is this description of this woman, sort of, trying to give her children this Great Holiday on her own, and children this Great Holiday on her own, and i just children this Great Holiday on her own, and ijust thought she children this Great Holiday on her own, and i just thought she sounds very strong and a really interesting character, and a strong, brave mum. And i thought, wow, i would have to play her. You talk about how she sounds, she also sounds norwegian. We arejust going sounds, she also sounds norwegian. We are just going to have a little look at a clip. Knock at door. Mind if ijoin you . What are you reading . 0h, of course, Beatrix Potter, again. You know, i dont think i see your face any more, boy. Just this. He giggles perhaps, one day, you will lower the book and there you will be a man, with a gigantic beard. And i will have missed the whole show. Ill never get a beard, not ever. What did he say, roald . Its lovely tell us about the accent as well, you studied to make sure it was white, didnt you . Well, when i did the audition to make sure it was right, didnt you . When idid the sure it was right, didnt you . When i did the audition, ijust gave it a go and they bought it. But i wasnt really sure what i was doing. And then when we did the online read through, dawn sent me a text and said, wow, your cardiff norwegian is amazing and i was like, that wasnt intentional i dont know what i was doing, dawn soi dont know what i was doing, dawn so i got in touch with a voice coach who i worked with on a play that i was doing just before lockdown started, who is amazing. She gave me some pointers. And i listened to the actress liv ullman who is norwegian, and she worked with Ingmar Bergman soi and she worked with Ingmar Bergman so i watched all her youtube videos and listen to her talking. There was interesting in itself. Please tell me that is norwegian spruce behind you. I think it might be just to say it is, we will have no idea what do we know about roald dahl and the assassination he Beatrix Potter . He idolised the fascination he had with Beatrix Potter . He idolised her, didnt he . Yes, i think so. When abby was doing a story she had to do some detective work because there wasnt really anything written about it. She worked out he would probably be about six, that is about the Beatrix Potters age group. And then she thought, roalds mum took him all the way from the train from cardiff to the Lake District, she would have had five children and she might have been pregnant, what a story that is. Shejust been pregnant, what a story that is. She just knew that he loved her stories. There is something similar, they are stories for children, but also, they arent saccharine. And i dont pretend that children dont go through very hard times. And that life isnt sometimes scary. And i think that is what is special about them, because we all know that that is really the truth, and that children cope with all kinds of things. So this story is a bit about that, about how children have to get through hard times as well. that, about how children have to get through hard times as well. I would never have put the two writers together, but you are right. We have together, but you are right. We have to leave it there, thank you so much. A fascinating story. Roald and beatrix the tail of the curious mouse, is on sky one on Christmas Eve at 8. 15pm and available on streaming service now tv. Youre watching bbc breakfast. This is bbc news, im Annita Mcveigh, the latest headlines at nine thousands of trucks stranded in kent are beginning to move again, after france lifts a ban imposed over a new strain of covid 19. But there are warnings the disruption wont end here. In the contest of brexit, and what is coming from the 1st of january, this is the start of a very, very serious supply Chain Disruption. More parts of england could be moved up to the toughest level of coronavirus restrictions, possibly as early as boxing day. We want to hear your thoughts on the latest lockdown plans and the possibility of more restrictions. Do you support them . What effect will they have on you . Do get in touch with me on twitter Annita Mcveigh and use bbcyourquestions, and ill try to read out