Return to their classrooms before mid january. We have reaction from teachers and parents. The post brexit trade deal between the uk and eu is signed into law, and will take effect at 11 oclock tonight. And its sir Lewis Hamilton. The formula 1 champion is knighted in the new year honours list. Plus, and icy start for many a game and a bit of sleet and snow around, but what are the prospects as we go to the start of the new year . I have all the details here on breakfast. Its thursday the 31st of december. Our top story. More than three quarters of people in england are waking up to the toughest coronavirus restrictions this morning. The midlands, north east, parts of the north west and parts of the south west are among those escalated to tier four. The Prime Minister borisjohnson has described it as a critical moment and urged people to stay at home for new years eve celebrations tonight. John mcmanus reports. Hidden behind scaffolding and silent since 2017, tonight, big ben will temporarily resume normal service as it rings in 2021. Big ben chimes but theres no such reprieve for much of england where the new year will start on a sombre note with millions more people moving into the highest coronavirus tier from today. It means they must now try to stay at home with household mixing banned and nonessential shops and services closed. Its a tough ask, especially at this time of year. I must ask you to follow the rules where you live tomorrow night and see in the new year safely at home. That means not meeting up with friends or family indoors unless they are in the same household or support bubble, and avoiding large gatherings of any kind. The latest figures for the whole of the uk show more than 50,000 new infections recorded in the latest 2a hours. With 981 new deaths reported on wednesday. You can see unfortunately, it is a pretty grim and depressing picture at the moment. The situation in the uk is precarious in many parts already, particularly the south east and london. Areas under the tightest restrictions now include leicester, the north east and greater manchester. In total, just under 80 of the population in england. Shropshire, devon and cornwall are amongst those moving up into tier 3. With no region now in tier 2, only 2,000 residents in the isles of scilly remain in the first tier. Millions of people in Northern Ireland, wales and scotland are already living under the toughest restrictions. For those facing tier 4 for the first time, there is some unhappiness. It is completely ridiculous, they keep locking us in and locking us out and going back and forth. They need to be more organised in what they do and figure out whats going on. Its not ideal for us but i think that its important and people need to follow, because there are more important things like the hospitals and patients who are suffering. Well, i havent had the University Experience for one, and ijust turned 18 so i cant really do the normal things an 18 year old does. But, i mean, its fine. Rising case numbers and a feared further rise after christmas are driving the new restrictions, but it will be sometime before we know which direction the virus will take in 2021. John mcmanus, bbc news. One area which is now in tier 4 restrictions is burnley. Luxmy gopal is there for us this morning, luxmy, what impact will this have . What has been the reaction there . Burnley is amongst the places that are amongst three quarters of englands population waking up under tier 4 restrictions this morning. Burnley and the whole county of lancashire have been moved to the highest level of coronavirus restrictions and that reflects the surge in coronavirus cases across the nation, surge in coronavirus cases across the nation, for example, here in burnley, the highest infection rate in the whole of lancashire, 466 cases per 100,000 people and under tier 4from today, cases per 100,000 people and under tier 4 from today, nonessential shops must close as well as hairdressers, barbers, nailsalons, beauty salons and in addition, places that serve food or drink can only open for takeaway or delivery. You can imagine the impact that will have on an area already battered by restrictions for a while now. And in addition, in tier 4, restrictions for a while now. And in addition, in tier4, there restrictions for a while now. And in addition, in tier 4, there is a stay at home order which means people must stay at home and stay in their tier 4 area apart from for certain exceptions including work, education and childcare reasons. The government has not said how long the restrictions will be in place for but they will be reviewed in about two weeks time. Many thanks. 0nly vulnerable pupils and key worker children will return to secondary School Classrooms as planned on monday after the governments decision to delay their reopening. The temporary closure is to slow the spread of the virus and allow schools time to establish a Mass Testing Programme. But, teaching unions have criticised the plans, with one labelling it a last minute mess. 0ur reporter geeta pendse is outside a secondary school in nottingham this morning. All schools had been desperately hoping for information about how and when they might be able to return. Tell us a little more. Most pupils at colleges and secondary schools like this one in nottingham will see a decline delay to classroom teaching and for most that delay will be for two weeks. Lets take a look at the changes. 0n the 11th of january, only pupils in years 11 and 13 can return to the classroom. They are the pupils that will be sitting their exams next year. After that, a week later, that is when all other year groups will be allowed to turn to the classroom on the 18th of january so everyone will be back at secondary schools across england, hopefully. The schools are being asked to provide Remote Learning for all pupils next week and asked to provide face to face teaching for Vulnerable Children and the children of key workers. The picture is a little different for Primary Schools as most Primary Schools will reopen from monday as planned, except for areas where there are high transmission rates and that is in the south of england and those areas have been published by the government. When this was announced yesterday, as you mention, schools, pa rents yesterday, as you mention, schools, parents as well as students themselves were anticipating what themselves were anticipating what the government would say and they say it is key to breaking the transmission rate and will give schools time to implement Mass Testing Programmes, but it has been criticised by teaching unions who say that the announcement doesnt go far enough and one union said it was a last minute mess. Many bracing themselves for a turbulent start to a new term. Thank you very much. We will be speaking to Gavin Williamson at 730 this morning. Borisjohnsons trade deal with the European Union has become law. The bill has cleared parliament, after being approved by mps and peers. 0vernight it was given royal assent by the queen. The deal takes effect at 11pm when the uk will stop following eu rules. Heres our political correspondent, chris mason. This was the moment, late into the night, when the brexit trade deal became the law of the land. Her majesty has signified her royal assent to the following act European Union future relationship act 2020. The final confirmation at 11 oclock tonight after 11. 5 years of argument since the referendum, the uk will begin a new relationship with the European Union. If youre thinking, hasnt all this happened already . Didnt we leave injanuary . Well, yes, legally, brexit did happen 11 months ago. But in practical terms, it happens tonight as the uk leaves the eus Single Market and the customs union. After a ll after all the flag waving and the elections of the last few years, the debate in the last few days with the overwhelming support for the governments deal has felt Something Like a fire blanket, smothering many of the past flames of anger. Plenty of course are still hugely passionate about brexit one way or another. The snp opposed the deal among others, and this wont be the last time you ever hear the b word. But things may, just may, be a little quieter from now on. Chris mason, bbc news at westminster. The queens new year honours have been announced and in a year like no other, many of the recipients are members of the public, being recognised for their brave and selfless work during the pandemic. There are of course the usual accolades for stars from the world of sport, stage and screen, including a knighthood for the formula one World Champion, Lewis Hamilton. 0ur entertainment correspondent lizo mzimba has more. The man from stevenage becomes the most successful formula 1 driver of all time. Hes already won a record equalling seventh World Championship and the title of Sports Personality of the year. Lewis hamilton. When he gave fans a message of positivity. Please, everyone out there go out and follow your dreams, all the kids, please, never give up on yourself. And now, Lewis Hamilton has finished his incredible year with a knighthood. Sheila hancock says she feels a real sense of responsibility after being made a dame for her drama and charity work. I hope i will grow into it and i will pay back the honour that has been paid me. Thats what i want to do. Also becoming a dame, pat mcgrath, arguably the most influential make up artist in fashion. Award winning actress Leslie Manville has been made a cbe, and singer craig david an mbe. Following a Long Campaign for every surviving member of englands world cup squad to receive an honour, ron flowers and Jimmy Greaves have been made mbes. And at more than 100 years old, anne baker has been honoured for her fundraising for the nspcc. I think its so important, really, to think of the children because they are our future after all. So i really was thrilled to find this honour. Making this a particular year of celebration for anne, who at 106, is the oldest person ever to be recognised with an honour. Lizo mzimba, bbc news. The former Rugby League Star rob burrow has been awarded an mbe as part of the new year honours in recognition of his campaigning for Motor Neurone Disease. The 38 year old was diagnosed with mnd in december 2019. Hes been sharing his story throughout this year with bbc breakfast and says its truly humbling to receive the honour. Now the weather with matt. It was beyond nippy in salford this morning. That is the best way to describe it, certainly beyond this morning, big jacket, big gloves, big everything. Northern england is the coldest, 6 in North Yorkshire and icy conditions across many areas of the uk and not helped by more wintry showers and snow flurries in Northern Ireland and down the western fringes of england and wales and more significant snow pushing on towards the north of scotland, particularly over the grampians which will turn to rain through the day with lots of dry and bright weather and some lingering fog patches across parts of the east midlands and east anglia, and as we go into the afternoon, some will remain. The snow will turn to rain across the north east of scotland with colder air pushing and bit a fair few centimetres across the grampians and a covering over the Southern Uplands with showers turning to rain in Northern Ireland and a wetter end to the day but wintry flurries in wales on the south west and another cold day particularly where the lingering fog patches are. As we see the year out, continuing with showers and some wintry showers in the far north of england and well and rain showers further west and there could be an icy start to 2021 with temperatures widely below freezing but the start of the new year, as we go through the days ahead, it will stay cold and if anything a bit windy are the best of the sunshine in the west. More throughout the morning. Lets take a look at todays papers. Its always darkest before the dawn is the headline for the daily mirror. It reports the news that the uk recorded its highest daily death toll since april yesterday. The Daily Telegraph says the 0xford astrazeneca vaccine could stave off full lockdown in england. The article quotes the Prime Minister as saying that not only is there light at the end of the tunnel, but the tunnel itself has been shortened and we are moving faster through it. 0ne giant hope for mankind says the sun about the oxford jab, which is shown in the photo there blasting off like a rocket. And the most read story on the bbc news website this morning is the plea from Englands National medical director for people to stay at home for new years eve celebrations tonight. Those front pages highlight that it has been a year like no other. After all of our lives have been changed in some way by the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. For some, this year has brought sadness, for others its tested relationships and, for a lucky few, its brought new life and hope. Brea kfasts Graham Satchell looks back on the impact of the last 12 months. 2020, a momentous year that has changed lives for ever. When the reverend peter holmes went into intensive care in march, he sent his family one last message. It read, whichever way this goes, i love you all. We didnt get to see him at all, and the only time we did get to see him was the night that he died, on facetime. This is Peters Church in south london. He dedicated his life to helping others turned his church hall into a night shelterfor the homeless, inspired his congregation to volunteer. My my dad liked to help the community. He always had time for people. He liked to build things up and he really enjoyed to see people doing their best. He really enjoyed being around people that needed help. People like sam. The reverend holmes gave sam a key to his church so he didnt have to sleep on the street. What do you think would have happened to you if you hadnt had father peters help . I would be dead by now. Peter was kind of an inspiration, because what he did was he saw the need and he just com pletely he saw the need and he just completely reconfigured his church around that need. So it was both amazing what he did and he was quite inspiring for the rest of us as he made you think, you can do this. Its quite a brave thing. Peter spent a month in intensive care before he died. He was 64. 0n the day of his funeral, the roads leading to the cemetery were lined with members of the public paying their respects. What did you think of people lining the streets . It was all a bit of a blur, to be honest. It was nice that they all made that effort to come out and say goodbye, but, yeah, i wish it was for different reasons. Do you think it has all sunk in yet . I think when the pandemic is over, it will be easier to get over it. At the moment, i still feel like we are pushing through. The romantic, rugged coastline and the isle of man and a much needed story of love in the time of covi. When talk of lockdown came it was daunting and scary and i reached out and said, kind of in a panicked way, can you move in . Im feeling quite scared and you are going to be on your own. It was quite scary, wasnt it . Scary. Scary time. That is how we ended up living together again. Ramona and xiao paolo were together for six years but then divorced almost straightaway, they were apart for ten years but then the coronavirus hit. It took something quite extreme like covid to push this into an extreme situation of living together again. Now i think we are more Strong Living together again. Now i think we are more strong and we work out the problem is that we had before, you know what i mean . Why are you laughing . It is just funny hearing you say it. But it is true. We knew during that three months, we knew we did not want to be without each other even if we werent sure how it was going to work out. Yeah. And so, ona was going to work out. Yeah. And so, on a summers day, on the beach, he proposed to ramona for the second time. I think one of the things that has come out of everything in the last few months has definitely been that feeling of living, to enjoy life and be happy. Living in the day and just, you know. Life and be happy. Living in the day andjust, you know. Kind of enjoy everything as much as we can. |j andjust, you know. Kind of enjoy everything as much as we can. I love you. I love you. Ifelt likei everything as much as we can. I love you. I love you. Ifelt like i was suffocating and i remember the nurse came overand he suffocating and i remember the nurse came over and he could see that i was quite distressed and i was gasping and a little bit panicky. At that point i actually made my peace. I started praying, lord, please forgive me for everything, please look after my wife and kids and i felt at that point, is this it . Steve landon is a fit ao year old firefighter and father of four. He ended up in hospital at the end of march. Hi, everyone, icant hi, everyone, i cant take my mask on for very long because im still on for very long because im still on the oxygen. Just out of intensive ca re on the oxygen. Just out of intensive care and struggling for breath, he sent this message to the doctors and nurses who saved his life. I have to say a massive thank you to the nhs staff who have been my family when i havent been with mine. Sorry. Steves family werent allowed to visit. His wife becky left to answer difficult questions from their children. They would ask, is daddy going to die and she would Say Something along the lines of people pull through, and with my eldest she would be to the point, i dont know if hes going to die. Pray he doesnt. Its hard for me to talk about it now, because its something you dont want your kids to ever have to go through. After more than a month in hospital, steve was finally reunited with his family. Coming so close to death has completely changed his view of life. You do have to live each moment like it is your last, embrace the ones you love and seize the moment, because you dont know when it is going to be your last. 2020 has been an unforgettable year of survival, love and loss. Graham satchell, bbc news. It illustrates what an extraordinary year it has been for some. Absolutely brings it home. Nurses, police officers, supermarket staff and Charity Workers are just some of those whose efforts in the fight against coronavirus have been recognised in the queens new year honours. Among them, kirsty baird, a choir leader from edinburgh, who has been awarded a British Empire medalfor services to the community, and dave bagley, founder of bolton foodbank, who has been made an mbe. Kirsty and davejoin us now. Good morning to both of you and kirsty, may i say first, congratulations. A British Empire medal. How does that sound . M sounds quite cool. Good morning to you both, are you both well . We are fine. Very well. Tell us a little bit about the choir and what that has meant to people, particularly over the last year. Ive had choirs for the last ten years and started sing the city in 2010 and before covid we had 18 choirs and a thousand members so choirs have a lwa ys thousand members so choirs have always been good for socialising and Mental Health in things like this, but this year i think the whole family has come together and just try to survive and get through week by week, month by month and, yes, i think it has saved quite a lot of people, including myself. We are seeing pictures of your choir in action. Tell us about the Charity Single you released because its done extraordinarily well. The Charity Single was called follow the rainbows. Can you hear me . Have you been surprised how successful it has been . How high did it go in the charts in scotland . Been . How high did it go in the charts in scotland . It got to number three in the scottish chart and number 27 three in the scottish chart and number27 in the three in the scottish chart and number 27 in the download chart in the uk and was inspired by sing in the uk and was inspired by sing in the city members where we had zoom meetings with coffee and biscuits and they were telling us how they felt and we jotted down some of the words and we wrote the song around some of the words and it has become a bit ofa some of the words and it has become a bit of a choir anthem, but it did really well and im really proud of it. Kirsty, you strike me as one of those people who are quite matter of fact. We gave you a congratulations for the award, but what about other people . Have you told family members . How has the reaction been from others . |j told family members . How has the reaction been from others . I dont know what you mean about matter of fact. You are probably really right, charlie. I was told to keep it a secret, so first when i found out about it i thought somebody was winding me up, so when idid find somebody was winding me up, so when i did find out about it and i believed it to be true, i told my partner, annette, and my mum and dad, andi partner, annette, and my mum and dad, and i thought this would go one way or the other, they would tell the world or not, but they didnt. I told my best friend and that was it andi told my best friend and that was it and i kept it to myself because i was too afraid to speak about it. |j a lwa ys was too afraid to speak about it. |j always think that is amazing that people keep it under their heart. David, lets bring you in. Congratulations. Your wife cant be with you this morning because she is busy at the food bank. What was it like to receive the news . Youve been doing this in the community for three decades now. Yes, absolutely andl three decades now. Yes, absolutely and i echo whats already been said, it was a complete surprise and one where you never set out in life to be recognised in that way. It is lovely and weve got some really lovely and weve got some really lovely messages across facebook and the universe of social media, so absolutely brilliant. 0ver the universe of social media, so absolutely brilliant. Over the moon. Why does it matter, recognition like this . Id like to think we get the opportunity to pin it on the thousands of people who have stood alongside the people in bolton. Nobody gets an award like this because of what they have done, i cannot ever believe that. We are privileged to receive it but i like to think we receive it on behalf of the so many thousands of people in bolton that give food, money, have given theirtime and bolton that give food, money, have given their time and have volunteered and its remarkable. It means a great deal but im hoping it will mean a great deal to them because it is their mba, problem more than ours. Its charlie. Congratulations from me and everyone else and how will you be celebrating if you are at all, or are you straight back on the job today . We have been in since tuesday and its a large delivery day and since covid hit, all of the food across the borough has had to be delivered so weve had about 900 volunteer drivers and today is a big push before new year for the families who will need it for that period of time, so we will cover it all the way till next week, so a big job, all the reason why chris is down there andl all the reason why chris is down there and i can say that before the sun comes up even there and i can say that before the sun comes up even though it doesnt see us sun comes up even though it doesnt see us much. Today, we are straight at it and then off on till monday. Enjoy the moment. It doesnt sound like you will get chance to put your feet up. Congratulations to you and ki rsty feet up. Congratulations to you and kirsty and i hope you get to celebrate in some way tonight. Time now to get the news, travel and weather where you are. Good morning from bbc london, im tarah welsh. Primary schools in more than two thirds of london boroughs will remain closed to most children next week. As you can see here, schools will also stay shut in many areas in the home counties. They will be open for Vulnerable Children and those of key workers. Southend hospital has declared a major incident. It comes as a number of hospitals say theyre struggling to cope with the number of patients due to staff shortages. Weve had Something Like 700 staff off. It went up from 600 overnight, either isolating or sick. And the doctor was telling me only this morning of the situation he faced yesterday where he had six patients in need of oxygen therapy. Two of them were his own staff. He had to focus on the patients needs, not the relationships that he may have with the individuals, and thats what he did. The police are asking londoners to stay safe this new years eve by celebrating at home. The met say they will be paying particular attention to parts of london that are experiencing the highest Covid Infection rates. Officers say theyll be focusing on finding those who are intent on breaching and ignoring the guidance. The queens new year honours have been announced and amongst those recognised include London Underground staff. Sharon sear and Matt Sullivan have been awarded British Empire medals in recognition of their work protecting transport staff and customers. They were both instrumental in ensuring staff had enough ppe thoughout the pandemic. Lets take a look at the travel situation now. Theres a good service on the tubes this morning. But there are some planned closures on the district and picadilly lines, and the london 0verground. Check before you travel. Now the weather. Good morning, another really cold start this morning across london and the south east. Temperatures again below freezing in quite a few spots. We were at 2 late last night towards the west of london. A lot of cloud. Some mist and fog here and there to start us off. But generally what were looking at is a dry and cloudy day today, but a cold one. In some spots, temperatures will not get much above 2 3 degrees. Through the night tonight, it stays generally dry, fairly cloudy and, again, it will be another cold one. So the new year dawns on another chilly note. Temperatures once more below freezing in quite a few spots to start your new years day. As we go through the coming days, it will often be dry. It will stay cold. Temperatures struggling for the time of year. A bit of a winter picking up at the weekend, making it feel chillier. It is, though, often dry, and there will be sunshine around, particularly on saturday, it looks like, and the odd stray shower here and there at times. Im back with the latest from the bbc london newsroom in half an hour. Plenty more on our website at the usual address. Hello, this is breakfast with Nina Warhurst and Charlie Stayt. Now wejoin Daniela Relph for a look back on the key events of the year for the royal family in review 2020 the royal year. A year like no other during her long reign. A masked monarch in covid times. This is a strange, frustrating and often distressing experience. An heir to the throne, locked down with coronavirus. A thank you from the cambridge family, who stepped up while others isolated. But for the sussexes, a step back, as they withdrew from royal duty. The queens year started with the regular routine of royal engagements a visit to m15 headquarters in february, but everything was about to change. Here she thanked staff for keeping us safe, unaware that the biggest danger this year would be a Health Emergency that locked down the uk and changed the way the queen lived and worked. With lockdown imminent in march, she moved out of london. The queen came to windsor and spent the first lockdown behind the castle walls with members of the royal household. The duke of edinburghjoined her and, from here, she worked as a monarch in isolation, but that didnt mean she was out of sight. Indeed, her contributions to the National Mood were seen as a significant and meaningful. None more so than her address to the country during the first weeks of lockdown back in april. Im speaking to you at what i know is an increasingly challenging time. It was a deeply personal message from the longest serving head of state in the world, during an exceptional moment in her reign. Together we are tackling this disease and i want to reassure you that if we remain united and resolute, then we will overcome it. I hope, in the years to come, everyone will be able to take pride in how they responded to this challenge. And those who come after us will say the britons of this generation were as strong as any. That the attributes of self discipline, of quiet good humoured resolve and a fellow feeling still characterise this country. The pride in who we are is not a part of our past, it defines our present and our future. It included praise for the sacrifices being made, and ended with cautious optimism. We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return. We will be with our friends again, we will be with our families again, we will meet again. But, for now, i send my thanks and warmest good wishes to you all. For public duties, it meant the queen had now gone digital and engagements were now mostly online. This one with Princess Anne to thank carers. Im very glad to have been able to join you today. I think we all recognise that we know carers somewhere and maybe we have stopped and wondered how on earth we can help. And her online meetings with the military brought a few surprises. So im the pilot for the jamaican bobsleigh team. Gosh sounds a very dangerous job. It can be quite dangerous. So how do you train . Ive been pushing a car up and down the street, ive had to make a gym. Laughs. I suppose thats one way to train. Thats definitely one way to train, maam. There were some engagements, though, that did happen in person, albeit at a social distance. On a perfect summers day injuly, within the grounds of windsor castle, the queen knighted captain sir tom moore. A special honour for his remarkable Fundraising Efforts during lockdown, it was the queens first face to face engagement with a member of the public since march. To meet the queen was more than anyone could expect. Never, never, ever did i imagine that i should get so close to the queen and have such a kind message from her, that the lockdown did mean we were occasionally shown some more personal images of the queens family life. This, the first photo we saw of her during her isolation at windsor. At 94, still riding in the castle grounds. With her there was the duke of edinburgh. This image marked his 99th birthday injune. And then, a family wedding, smaller and more distant than the usual grand royal affairs. Princess beatrice got married in july. The Wedding Dress was lent to her on the queens archive of dresses and altered to fit her granddaughter. And from a new marriage to one that has endured over decades a 73rd wedding anniversary for the queen and the duke in november, including a card from their great grandchildren, princes george, louis and Princess Charlotte. For the prince of wales, the run up to lockdown had been busy. Here in newquay on the 6th of march, he was still shaking hands. A few days later in london, the protocol had changed, but it was sometimes hard to rememberfor someone whos life is a constant round of meeting people. Good afternoon, your Royal Highness. Im sorry in his 70s, his covid risk was high. And on the 25th of march, Clarence House announced that the prince had tested positive and was isolating at birkhall, his home on the balmoral estate in scotland. His symptoms were mild and, a few days later, he shared his thoughts via a video message. As were all learning, this is a strange, frustrating and often distressing experience when the presence of family and friends is no longer possible, and the normal structures of life are suddenly removed. At such an unprecedented and anxious time in all our lives, my wife and i are thinking particularly of all those who have lost their loved ones in such very difficult and abnormal circumstances, and of those having to endure sickness, isolation and loneliness. Byjune, some in person engagements had resumed. This one at the gloucestershire Royal Hospital had the look of a military parade, with staff and royals keeping their distance. It allowed the prince and the duchess of cornwall to show their gratitude. Just to have a chance of seeing people who i know have been doing so much literally on the front line and having to endure an awful lot of stress and strain, i think, in their wonderful way. How they do it, i dont know, but delivering everything in the most effective way. Before the Global Pandemic took hold, there was a family crisis to deal with. The duke and duchess of sussex returned to public life in london in january after several weeks living in canada. While away, there had been some soul searching. The life they seemed to be building in the uk was about to be set aside. Harry and meghan had chosen windsor as their home. They made the break from living and working alongside the duke and duchess of cambridge in london. Everyone presumed theyd base themselves here and carve out a public role together. But they were clearly unhappy and wanted something different. And that was a life away from royal duty. Going it alone, the duke and duchess of sussex announced theyre stepping back as a senior royals. Even the queen wasnt told before they broke the news tonight. There was clear unhappiness, and issues to resolve. On monday the 13th of january, just under a week later, the queen led a meeting at her sandringham estate in norfolk with prince charles, Prince William and prince harry. At five oclock that day came news confirming the departure of harry and meghan from royal duties, with the queen accepting their desire for more independence. Lets go straight to sandringham, talk to our royal correspondent Daniela Relph, who has some latest developments for us. Daniela . Yes, hugh, wevejust had a Statement Released on behalf of her majesty the queen, from buckingham palace. The details were laid out in the following days. There would now be no public funding for harry and meghan. They got to keep their titles but agreed not to use his or her Royal Highness as they were no longer full time working royals. They would continue to uphold the values of the queen and this would all be reviewed after a 12 month trial period. With the change now confirmed, harry chose a private dinner for his Sentebale Charity to speak publicly for the first time about his decision. I want you to hear the truth from me, as much as i can share, not as a prince or a duke, but as harry, the same person that many of you have watched grow up over the last 35 years, but now with a clearer perspective. The uk is my home and a place that i love. That will never change. Ive grown up feeling supported from so many of you and i watched as you welcomed meghan with open arms, as you saw me find the love and happiness that i had hoped for all my life. Speaking personally, he explained exactly how he felt. What i want to make clear is were not walking away, and were certainly not walking away from you. Our hope was to continue serving the queen, the commonwealth and my military associations, but without public funding. Unfortunately, that wasnt possible. Ive accepted this, knowing that it doesnt change who i am or how committed i am, but i hope that helps you understand what it had come to, that i would step my family back from all i have ever known, to take a step forward into what i hope can be a more peaceful life. Cheering and applause. Before their departure, there were a few last royal engagements to undertake. Some together, others individually. To Mark International womens day, meghan visited a school in east london, where she sent a message to men. So ijust encourage and empower each of you to really stand in your truth, to stand for what is right, to continue to respect each other, for young men to continue to value and appreciate the women in your lives, and also set the example for some men who are not seeing it that the same way, right . You have your mother, sisters, girlfriends, friends in your life protect them, make sure that they are feeling valued and safe. Applause. The response to the speech came with a little bit of teenage cheek. Applause. She really is beautiful, innit . Cheering and applause. And then, the final farewell. At Westminster Abbey for Commonwealth Day in march, it was formal, traditional, led by the queen. All the things they were leaving behind. They sat close to the duke and duchess of cambridge but there was barely any communication between this once close family unit. These had been a difficult few weeks for everyone. And perhaps it showed. As harry and meghan left the abbey, did they feel regret or relief . They were about to embark on a new life for themselves, away from the constraints of royal duty. Coming up, the cambridges lead the way in lockdown engagements, and more on harry and meghans new life in america. For the cambridges, lockdown allowed for some valuable family time. And like so many around the country, they were all enthusiastic participants in the thursday clap for the nhs. And like so many families, this year has presented many challenges. The cambridge family split lockdown between their home in norfolk and here at Kensington Palace. Despite the restrictions, we have seen a lot of them. With the queen in her 90s and the prince of wales in his 70s, it was the cambridges in their 30s who often stepped up. But first, the duke of cambridge recovered from his own bout of covid. He didnt reveal details at the time, but its believed he tested positive in april and self isolated. Honestly, to you and everyone. In those early weeks of lockdown, their royal engagements went online and they focused on thanking key workers. Laughs. We shouldve had our bunny ears on thats a strong look. These pupils at school in lancashire were the children of front line workers. Im catherine and this is william next to me. And are you holding up pictures of your mummies and daddies . Yes. This is a picture of my mum and she works for the nhs as an admin for the Health Visitors and im really proud of her. And in the couples first interview during lockdown, they again spoke of their gratitude. The nhs workers, front line workers, are used to dealing, sadly, with very sad situations, death, and things like that, but i think the scale and the speed of whats going on in hospitals bearing in mind also the isolation a lot of these patients are sadly dying with no family around them. I think for the nhs front line workers, that is very difficult because they are there right next to the bedsides, looking after and caring for each and every patient whos in a critical condition. I think they take away that pain and sometimes that fear and that loneliness that these patients have to go through, theyre the ones who absorb that and then take it home to theirfamilies. I think its going to dramatically change how we all value and see our front line workers and i think that is one of the main positives, i suppose, you can take from this. They do an extraordinaryjob, it goes unrecognised daily and now i think all of us as a nation can really see how hard they work and how vital there work is. Catherines going to pick out the first ball. 0k. There were lighter moments, too. Some royal bingo callers for the residents of shire hall care home in cardiff. One little duck, number two. Eight and seven, 87. Six and two, tickety boo. Yay you won the bingo. Hello, jo and a few weeks later, william and catherine visited the care home in person. When asked if their bingo calling was any good, the answer from residentjoan was direct and un broadcastable. But you said we didnt do a very good job . Laughter. No, you did a bloody bleepjob. Raucous laughter. Excellent. Speaking truth to royalty wasnt a problem here. Wearing masks but back to royal engagements, the cambridges resumed a more familiar routine as the first lockdown eased, here at a mosque in east london. And just around the corner came a visit to one of brick lanes famous bagel shops. It was a chance to get stuck in. Do they like brussels sprouts, too . Catherine and william have also focused on their own interests this year. For the duchess, that is supporting families caring for the under fives. Thank you, very much. A survey she launched looking at the early Years Experience generated more than half a million responses, and her royal duties will be built around this area. The pandemic has reminded usjust how much we value living in a world where people care for one another. And the importance of feeling connected to the people around us. And its these connections, these relationships, that are founded in the earliest years of our lives. A photographic collection of our Lockdown Experience was an Initiative Also launched by the duchess, supported supported by the National Portrait gallery, the hold still exhibition was both moving, funny and sad. The duke of cambridge, Prince William, welcome to that peter crouch podcast. Thank you. The royal appearance on the bbc podcast with former footballer peter crouch brought some lockdown laughs. Recorded at Kensington Palace before restrictions were brought in, with a pint on the table, william was as relaxed as weve see him. The talk was of stag dos, football and improving mens Mental Health. Guys find it a bit more difficult to relax. We talk about physical fitness, we all want to go to the gym, stay fit, we never really talk about mental fitness, and its kind of the same thing that we all have Mental Health, we all need to stay mentally fit. And to round it off, of course, there was even a takeaway curry. Can you hear all the ducks, the geese, the birds, all the way along our coastline here. But his work on the environment was a big project of the year for william. He launched the earthshot prize, alongside sir david attenborough, looking for solutions to the worlds biggest environmental challenges. The earthshot prize is the most prestigious Global Environmental prize theres ever been. Its a hugely ambitious target, but i do think that positivity and that finding ways through this is better than saying, its all doom and gloom, were all going to perish. I think weve got to harness our ingenuity and our ability to invent some of this out. And for prince george, Princess Charlotte and prince louis, it was a chance to meet sir david and give him a bit of a grilling. Hello, david attenborough. What animal do you think will become extinct next . Well, lets hope there wont be any because there are lots of things we can do when animals are reduced to and in danger of extinction. We can protect them. Hello, david attenborough. I like spiders, do you like spiders, too . I love spiders im so glad you like them. I think theyre wonderful things. Why is it that people are so frightened of them . What animal do you like . I think i like monkeys best. Because theyre such fun. And there has been another public outing for the cambridge children. In a year that has devastated theatre and the arts, mum and dad took george, charlotte and louis to panto at the london palladium. A slightly tentative red carpet experience for some, but one that allowed the family to show their support for the industry and the front line workers who joined them in the audience. For the duchess of cornwall, royal duties this year included watching the work of detection dogs at their Training Centre in milton keynes. Trials are under way to determine whether these dogs could identify people carrying the covid 19 virus. This is bbc 5 live and camilla stepped into the radio editors chair for the emma barnett show on the bbcs 5 live. Well, its very nice to have you here. Clarence house became a radio studio for the day. The focus was on the causes that mattered to her, including Domestic Violence and the dangers lockdown pose to victims of abuse. Youre there, you cant get out, youve probably got children there thats the worst so you feel you cant leave because you must take the children. Youve probably got a telephone, but you cant get to it, because probably the abuser is there. I mean, where do you go . She also spoke of herjoy of being reunited with her grandchildren and how her husbands fitness help him beat covid. And it the prince of wales and the duchess of cornwall who led the countrys remembrance in may, marking 75 years since ve day. At 11am, they led National Tributes at the balmoral war memorial in scotland. This was the start of a unique year of remembrance, with all major events cancelled something recognised by the queen in her ve day address. Instead, we remember from our homes and our doorsteps, but our streets are not empty, they are filled with the love and the care that we have for each other. And when i look at our country today and see what we are willing to do to protect and support one another, i say with pride that we are still a nation with those brave soldiers, sailors and airmen, who we recognise and admire. In august, the vj day commemorations were centred on the National Memorial arboretum in staffordshire. Carefully choreographed for the veterans who served with this sometimes forgotten army in a brutal campaign. Last post. Thousands lost their lives in the jungles of Southeast Asia and japanese prisoner of war camps. It was the prince of wales who spoke of their courage. Today, in this hallowed place, and in the presence of all those gathered here, or in their homes, wherever they may be, let us affirm that they and the surviving veterans are not forgotten. Rather, you are respected, thanked and cherished with all our hearts, and for all time. And in november, remembrance sunday, too, had a distinctly different feel. In whitehall, the veterans were few, the masked bands socially distanced, and the streets empty of the public who come to pay their respects. At 11 oclock, the queen took her place on the balcony and watched as the prince of wales and other senior members of the royal family stood at the cenotaph for the two minute silence. Big ben tolls. Wreaths were then laid, including one on behalf of the queen. For the march past, there were just 25 veterans. But, despite limitations, remembrance in 2020, a year in which there has been so much loss and personal sacrifice, felt just as poignant. Away from royal duties, the duke and duchess of sussex are now building their life in california, with a new home and a lucrative netflix deal. During lockdown, theyve done work in their community and supported organisations hit hard by covid. On a personal level during this time, meghan also revealed shed had a miscarriage an experience she described as an unbearable grief. Listen, did you hear that . I heard duck sounds quack, quack. In the coming year, theyll launch a new Charity Foundation named after their son, archie. He had his first birthday this year, and it gave us a rare glimpse of him. Part of the conversation we have had quite a bit in our calls over the last few weeks surrounding the black lives matter movement, the lockdown months have seen the couple take part in a number of online discussions around issues of race, equal rights and socialjustice. This one with Young Leaders from the Queens Commonwealth trust, where harry and meghan retained their roles as president and vice president. In a us election year, they both campaigned to get people to vote something meghan discussed with the feminist activist gloria steinem. People forget how hard women like you and so many others before you fought for us to just be where we are right now. Well, itsjust. I mean, when you if you dont vote, you dont exist. Well see and hear more of harry and meghan going forward. In the next few months, well learn if their move away from royal duty is made permanent a decision ultimately for the queen. And, like all of us, the royal family hopes for a better 2021. Carefully managed and socially distanced is what this was, distanced is what this was. A rare sight this year the royal family altogether the royal family together at windsor castle. The queen at its heart, with no prince andrew, no prince harry. This is the royalfamily as we are likely to see it in the years ahead. A big yearfor the royalfamily and indeed every family. Time now to get the news, travel and weather where you are. Good morning from bbc london. Im tarah welsh. Primary schools in more than two thirds of london boroughs will remain closed to most children next week. As you can see here, schools will also stay shut in many areas in essex. They will be open for Vulnerable Children and those of key workers. Major incidents have been declared in essex, london and buckinghamshire hospitals because of concerns that Health Services could be overwhelmed. These pictures show ambulances queing outside Southend Hospital where medics are struggling because of staff shortages. Weve had Something Like 700 staff off. It went up from 600 overnight, either isolating or sick. And the doctor was telling me early this morning of a situation he faced yesterday where he had six patients in need of oxygen therapy. Two of them were his own staff. He had to focus on the patients needs, not the relationships that he may have with the individuals, and thats what he did. The police are asking londoners to stay safe this new years eve by celebrating at home. The met says it will be paying particular attention to parts of london that are experiencing the highest Covid Infection rates. Officers say theyll be focusing on finding those who are intent on breaching and ignoring the guidance. The queens new year honours have been announced and amongst those recognised include London Underground staff. Sharon sear and mat sullivan have been awarded British Empire medals, in recognition of their work protecting transport staff and customers. Its fair to say its pretty quiet out there on the roads this morning. And theres a good service on the tube this morning. But there are some planned closures on the district and picadilly lines, and the london 0verground. Check before you travel. Now the weather with sara thornton. Good morning, another really cold start this morning across london and the south east. Temperatures again below freezing in quite a few spots. We were at 2 late last night towards the west of london. A lot of cloud. Some mist and fog here and there to start us off. But generally what were looking at is a dry and cloudy day today, but a cold one. In some spots, temperatures will not get much above 2 3 degrees. Through the night tonight, it stays generally dry, fairly cloudy and, again, it will be another cold one. So the new year dawns on another chilly note. Temperatures once more below freezing in quite a few spots to start your new years day. As we go through the coming days, it will often be dry. It will stay cold. Temperatures struggling for the time of year. A bit of a wind picking up at the weekend, making it feel chillier. It is, though, often dry, and there will be sunshine around, particularly on saturday, it looks like, and the odd stray shower here and there at times. Im back with the latest from the bbc london newsroom in half an hour. Plenty more on our website at the usual address bye for now. Good morning, and welcome to breakfast with Nina Warhurst and Charlie Stayt. 0ur headlines today the toughest covid restrictions come into force for 20 million more people in england, in the face of a record rise in the number of cases. Big ben chimes big ben will chime tonight, but people across the uk are urged not to celebrate the new year with anyone outside their household. It is a pretty grim and depressing picture at the moment. The situation in the uk is precarious in many parts already. Most secondary pupils in england are told they wont return to their classrooms before mid january. We have reaction from teachers and parents. The post brexit trade deal between the uk and eu is signed into law and will take effect at 11 oclock tonight. Its sir Lewis Hamilton. The seven time formula 1 World Champion is knighted in the queens new year honours list. Recognition too for former leeds rhino player, rob burrow who becomes an mbe for his fundraising and work to raise awareness of Motor Neurone Disease. And this is the view in wigan a short while ago. Snow for some of you this morning and also the cold est you this morning and also the coldest morning of the year across parts of england. But will things warm up into 2021 . I will have all the forecast details here. Its thursday the 31st of december. Our top story. More than three quarters of people in england are waking up to the toughest coronavirus restrictions this morning. The midlands, north east, parts of the north west and parts of the south west are among those escalated to tier 4. The Prime Minister borisjohnson has described it as a critical moment and urged people to stay at home for new years eve celebrations tonight. John mcmanus reports. Hidden behind scaffolding and silent since 2017, tonight, big ben will temporarily resume normal service as it rings in 2021. Big ben chimes but theres no such reprieve for much of england where the new year will start on a sombre note with millions more people moving into the highest coronavirus tier from today. It means they must now try to stay at home with household mixing banned and nonessential shops and services closed. Its a tough ask, especially at this time of year. I must ask you to follow the rules where you live tomorrow night and see in the new year safely at home. That means not meeting up with friends or family indoors unless they are in the same household or support bubble, and avoiding large gatherings of any kind. The latest figures for the whole of the uk show more than 50,000 new infections recorded in the latest 2a hours. With 981 new deaths reported on wednesday. You can see unfortunately, it is a pretty grim and depressing picture at the moment. The situation in the uk is precarious in many parts already, particularly the south east and london. Areas under the tightest restrictions now include leicester, the north east and greater manchester. In total, just under 80 of the population in england. Shropshire, devon and cornwall are amongst those moving up into tier 3. With no region now in tier 2, only 2,000 residents on the isles of scilly remain in the first tier. Millions of people in Northern Ireland, wales and scotland are already living under the toughest restrictions. For those facing tier 4 for the first time, there is some unhappiness. It is completely ridiculous, they keep locking us in and locking us out and going back and forth. They need to be more organised in what they do and figure out whats going on. Its not ideal for us but i think that its important and people need to follow, because there are more important things like the hospitals and patients who are suffering. Well, i havent had the University Experience for one, and ijust turned 18 so i cant really do the normal things an 18 year old does. But, i mean, its fine. Rising case numbers and a feared further rise after christmas are driving the new restrictions, but it will be sometime before we know which direction the virus will take in 2021. John mcmanus, bbc news. 0nly vulnerable pupils and key worker children will return to secondary School Classrooms as planned on monday, after the governments decision to delay their reopening. The temporary closure is to slow the spread of the virus and allow schools time to establish a Mass Testing Programme. But, teaching unions have criticised the plans, with one labelling it a last minute mess. 0ur reporter geeta pendse is outside a secondary school in nottingham this morning. Geeta what more do we know . And how have head teachers reacted . Pupils, most pupils, at colleges and secondary schools across england like this one here in nottingham will see a delay to the start of classroom teaching. Lets take a look at the changes. 0n the 11th of january, week on monday, that is when year 11 and 13 students can return for face to face teaching, so they are the pupils who will be sitting exams next year. After that, a week later on january the 18th, thatis a week later on january the 18th, that is when all other year groups will return secondary schools. All schools are being asked to provide remote teaching next week to all of their pupils and are being asked to provide face to face teaching for Vulnerable Children and also the children of key workers. When it comes to Primary Schools, the picture is a bit different there, so most Primary Schools will be able to reopen from monday as planned, except for those in very high rates of infection, which at the moment is in the south of england. That is the picture in england but its different in other parts of the uk, so in scotland, schools will teach online for the first week of term at least. In wales, the majority of pupils can return for face to face teaching from the 11th of january and in Northern Ireland, all schools will be reopening but certain year groups will be taken online from the end of january, so groups will be taken online from the end ofjanuary, so as groups will be taken online from the end of january, so as you groups will be taken online from the end ofjanuary, so as you can see, lots of variation depending on where you live, but each government say they are responding to high infection rates and say what they are doing is trying to break the chain of transmission, and in the case of england, the government says it will also give schools a bit more time in order to implement the Mass Testing Programme there. But as you can imagine, for many schools, for pa rents can imagine, for many schools, for parents and students, this could signal a potentially disruptive start to another term. Borisjohnsons trade deal with the European Union has become law. The bill has cleared parliament, after being approved by mps and peers. 0vernight it was given royal assent by the queen. The deal takes effect at 11pm when the uk will stop following eu rules. We can speak now to our political correspondent, jonathan blake. Good morning, jonathan. All of the business is done, the paperwork is signed and it is all complete. 11pm tonight, uk time, what changes in practice . Plenty, charlie, whether you are travelling to an eu country on holiday or hoping to in the months ahead. Whether you are doing business, importing or exporting goods across the border with the European Union or doing something as simple as planning to travel with your pet, much changes now. Of course, the uk, legally, left the European Union at the start of this year but because of the transition period in place since then very little if anything has changed, but now, as of 11 oclock tonight uk timea now, as of 11 oclock tonight uk time a new relationship and a new set of rules will start and in the end after all of the drama and political turmoil we have become used to be the brexit process, you might think it was something of an anti climax because while you are likely sleeping last night the house of lords gave its approval to the bill which enacts the trade agreement between the eu before midnight on an hour later the queen signed the legislation into law and the bill was given royal assent. So there was something of a political census between the conservatives and labour although deal was far from perfect in the eyes of labour it represented the better option with no deal in place but the Prime Minister making the most of this, saying it marks a new beginning in the countries history and a new relationship with the eu, and keir starmer saying that the United Kingdom is forging a new path across the world and it wont be the last we hear brexit, but there is a new set of rules to follow on the basis for a new relationship with the eu. Thank you. How chilly were you when you made your way into work . It was pretty nippy. It was beyond nippy. Is that your official category . It hadnt at that point started snowing but as we cast our eyes outside the building here in sa lfo rd , eyes outside the building here in salford, you probably get the picture that may be it almost looks like a sort of fog but there is quite heavy snow and you could look on the ground in front of the lowry theatre and there was a bin lorry and you can see it there. That is the flashing lights, no one is having a party. It is laying quite thick and matty is looking quite closely from his position i was going to say in the sky, but not really. You see these things because you are casting your eye. Is it happening in many places . Quite a few wintry showers clearing salford in the next hour or so but particularly cold and across england, the last day of the year, the coldest day of the year, minus 7. 5 in yorkshire and widely below freezing in the coldest spots along england and wales and here where the showers are, these are the showers that have been running through salford and north wales, pushing down to the Peak District and the north west of midland and weve seen heavy showers and thunder across Northern Ireland and the worst of thatis Northern Ireland and the worst of that is easing but getting heavier across the high ground of scotland and whilst it is dry there are dense and whilst it is dry there are dense and freezing fog patches in the midlands and east anglia. The west of scotla nd midlands and east anglia. The west of scotland should be dry and bright but down into the south there will be further snow but a lot of it turning back to rain because of temperatures lifting and it will be rain and sleet across Northern Ireland this afternoon compared to the snow showers weve had this morning. Showers largely easing from north west england and continue across to Higher Grounds of wales and some heavy bursts and that will return through tonight. As we finish 2020, the showers keep going across northern scotland, south east scotla nd northern scotland, south east scotland and Northern England and a mixture of rain, sleet and snow to ta ke mixture of rain, sleet and snow to take us into tomorrow and it stays cold into the start of 2021 but over the coming days it will get colder. Millions of people in england are waking up this morning in tougher coronavirus restrictions but what are the rules in tiers three and four . In tier 3 up to six people can meet outdoors but only in a public spaces like parks. Hairdressers and gyms and non essential shops can operate. Thats not the case in tier 4 where businesses like gyms and beauty salons must shut and only essential retailers can open their doors. People must stay at home except for specific reasons like food shopping, work or school. And you can only meet up with one other person outside. Luxmy gopal is in burnley for us this morning, which hasjust moved into tier 4. What has been the reaction locally . Good morning. Absolutely right, burnley has moved into tier 4, like many places across the nation and the town centre here is going to look different today from the way it did yesterday as nonessential shops will have to close as well as indoor Entertainment Venues and Indoor Sports facilities such as gymnasiums, so a very different character to the high street and as well as that you have nail bars, beauty salons and hairdressers closing and jakjones barbers here is co owned and to start with you, how did you feel when you heard the news you had to shop yesterday . Devastated and you expect tier 4 to be coming, but even though we expected it, once again this is the third time and itsjust expected it, once again this is the third time and its just absolutely devastating again. Wilson, was there a big rush of customers yesterday who were booked in . a big rush of customers yesterday who were booked in . I got the announcement about three oclock we we re announcement about three oclock we were going to tier 4 so i stayed up till ten and we were packed out all day and its a good thing but its a shame we have to close again for the third time. Is this something you expected or was it a complete surprise . I expected it a bit, but itsjust annoying surprise . I expected it a bit, but its just annoying really, surprise . I expected it a bit, but itsjust annoying really, and in a sense we have to close the shop once again, not nice. A net, you have been through this before. Are you confident you have this Financial Support you need . Confident you have this Financial Support you need . Im confident we will get some Financial Support but the support we are getting now is nowhere near what we were offered backin nowhere near what we were offered back in march and it substantially smaller. We didnt get the Financial Support until we came back to work and then didnt get the support till the beginning of march, so i have a bit annoying im not going to lie. Will your business continue to survive with the restrictions continue . It wont be easy. If we dont get the financial backing sooner than last time, that will make it different with furlough, but im quietly confident we are going to continue to trade. But we do need the Financial Support that is offered. Annette shuttleworth and wilson ratcliffe, thank you. These restrictions will be reviewed in a couple of weeks time. The north east of england has also been moved into the toughest level of restrictions. Were joined now by councillor nick forbes, leader of Newcastle City Council. Very good morning to you. First of all, for people unfamiliar with newcastle itself on the situation currently, can you give me a snapshot of the problems you are facing in terms of the infection rates and may be pressures on hospitals . Good morning, charlie. At the moment we have relatively low rates compared to the rest of the country, but relative is not the right way to look at it in terms of absolute numbers, our rate is still around 150 per 100,000 which is almost double the rate when we went into the First National lockdown and we have seen in the past, just the last couple of weeks for example how quickly the new variant can increase and spread in a matter of days. Our concern is that unless we keep on top of the virus, unless we prevent the further spread of it we will see not just the further spread of it we will see notjust more the further spread of it we will see not just more people the further spread of it we will see notjust more people catching the disease which leads to more people becoming ill, but at a crucial time of the year our nhs will be overwhelmed. We are coping fine at the moment but its very clear that the moment but its very clear that the request for help from other parts of the country in the nhs are coming through and we all have a huge responsibility to keep on top of this and prevent the spread and by doing that we will save lives and protect the nhs. Your city, newcastle, is in tier 4, the highest level. Are you content with that situation . We dont think the government has gone far enough. Theres only so many things you can close and there is increasing evidence that the tier system isnt nearly as effective as a National Lockdown. In terms of messaging, its important that people know what theissue its important that people know what the issue is, and there has been such a Patchwork Quilt in newcastle, weve had six sets of regulations in the last three months when people have to get their heads around them and people are confused and fatigued. In a National Lockdown the messaging is clearer about what is expected and also in a National Lockdown there is an obvious end to it and one of the real fears people have around the tiering system is the Hotel California of covid, you can get into it that you can knock a route out of it. See a route out of it. All of the areas in tier 4 will be in therefore considerable time because we have not yet got the right test and trace and isolate system to support outbreaks of covid and we need to make sure that the messaging around what the right thing to do is absolutely crystal clear. Can i be clear . You are in tier 4, and if we hark back to the National Lockdown one of the things in place there was that schools were shut. Are you saying that in newcastle schools should be shot . Because as i understand it, unless you tell me otherwise, this is determined by a National Government and you will be operating your schools and opening over a period of the weeks coming up. Do you think that should change . Im just about old enough to remember a couple of weeks ago when the secretary of state for education was taking local authorities to court for exactly what he announced yesterday. The schools here in the north east should be prioritising children who have exams, but alongside that, we also need to put in place a testing regime so children can get tested on at least a weekly basis through a self administered test and now they are becoming more widely available. And frankly, the government have not moved quickly enough to put that in place. Theres been a huge amount of panic and confusion over the christmas period. Our time is limited, but specifically, in your area, do you know, are the schools in any way prepared for the testing which is expected to come in over the next couple of weeks . Our schools are working hard to get testing in place. It will be easier to do that if we have a phased return of children, as announced yesterday, prioritising those with exams and those in Primary School. But the government does need to work more closely with us to make sure we have a proper testing regime in place to support schools moving forward when all of the children go back. Thank you very much. Nick forbes is Newcastle City Council leader. Were joined now by devi sridhar, professor of Global Public health at the university of edinburgh. Good morning, 20 Million People waking up this morning to an even more restricted life. What would you say to them about the impact that these changes have on the spread of these changes have on the spread of the virus . I guess the message to people is it might seem really dire now and the numbers are atrocious and we are in the depths of winter and we are in the depths of winter and people are frustrated and tired but actually, we have to find a way to suppress this virus and stop people getting infected until we can roll out the vaccine. Its really a race between getting people vaccinated fast enough and getting to march and Better Weather as well as making sure we dont have unnecessary death and disability from this virus in the coming weeks. We just from this virus in the coming weeks. Wejust had a guest on, nick forbes, leader of Newcastle City Council saying the Patchwork Quilt approach, different tiers, different timing, is not working because the messaging is not working because the messaging is unclear. Would a blanket lockdown be preferable . I think right now there is no other way and if youre going to do a National Lockdown, you might as well move early and do it rather than procrastinate because your problem wont get better, you will get worse and we know that the new variant is proving really challenging, very transmissible and will spread across the country and is already spreading across the world so my feeling will be even if you are in an world so my feeling will be even if you are in an area world so my feeling will be even if you are in an area where you are not under lockdown or severe restrictions, change your behaviour, have a quiet new virus spreads from one person to another person when you are in close contact have a quiet new year. Stay within your bubble and try to get through the next week or two. Right now we are trying to get through the winter and make it without having the nhs under too much stress, so people have to see it that way rather than getting back to normal life. If, in your expert opinion, National Lockdown is preferable, what are your thoughts on the fact that schools will be reopening albeit a bit later . Schools are perhaps the hardest part of the puzzle. Ive been working on this for eight or nine months because the harm is for children out of school are massive, especially for those who are vulnerable or are in unhappy households and do not have privileged backgrounds. They pay for school closures, and a lot of these harms are reversible in a lifetime. At the same time, teachers need to feel safe and we know the ha rd need to feel safe and we know the hard thing is not opening schools, its keeping them open because if you keep having cases in the schools you keep having cases in the schools you have to keep shutting the bubbles and keeping sending the kids home. We have to think about what restrictions are in place and what is the messaging to get the numbers are low. If we get the numbers low we can get schools open. If we have the numbers high, even if we try to open schools, we have to keep shutting them and i know teachers will feel uncomfortable in that place because they will wonder why they are being put in a classroom with loads of children who could be infected. Its a tricky one and there is no easy answer with schools, and anyone who says is not seeing the full dimensions. We will put some of those Education Matters to the secretary in the next ten minutes. Thank you very much. Lets talk more about the vaccine roll out. Were joined now by gp dr sarah jarvis. Gp practices will be directly involved in the roll out of the new 0xford astrazeneca roll out programme. How do you know how that will work out . Starting on monday there are some hospital hubs which will start with hospitals, just because there were those couple of cases of allergic reactions to the Pfizer Vaccine but hopefully in a couple of days those vaccines should start to roll out to general practice. We are hoping that we might in general practice, and it will be largely nurses and health ca re will be largely nurses and Health Care Assistants and so on doing the actual vaccinating along with gps, but we hope to vaccinate about 2 Million People a week. Importantly, a lot of people, 700,000 of them have already had their first vaccine and all of those will have been given an appointment for a second vaccine, but thejoint given an appointment for a second vaccine, but the joint committee on vaccinations and immunisations along with the department of health and social care have now ordered practices and hospital hubs to postpone those appointments to three weeks after the first one because what they want to do is to give everybody their second vaccine about 12 weeks after the first one, which means they will be able to vaccinate far more people. Just to go through some of the basics. What level of protection do you have after the first vaccination . Within three weeks we think that you have a significantly reduced risk of getting coronavirus, probably about 70 three weeks after the first vaccine and really importantly, from three weeks after the first vaccine in this astrazeneca trial, nobody was admitted to hospital, nobody was severely ill enough to be submitted admitted to hospital and nobody died following vaccine and that is really, really important. We hear a lot about how the Pfizer Vaccine had a rate of 95 and the astrazeneca was 62 , but actually, as a statistician or clinician, you know that studies are not exactly the same, so you are comparing apples with pears and having looked at the data, im confident both vaccinations will provide a very good level of protection. A lot of people are wondering, in terms of the actual practices, how will it work in terms of people coming in to get the vaccination . Because this is unprecedented, the numbers of people involved, and gp practices presumably will have to adapt quite a bit to deal with it. They are, and u nfortu nately a bit to deal with it. They are, and unfortunately they are having to adapt in the middle of winter which is the busiest time of year for the nhs and we are also on the back foot trying to catch up with all of the appointments that were missed during the first wave when gp practices we re the first wave when gp practices were ordered to close their doors, soa were ordered to close their doors, so a lot of routine care then, we are still trying to catch up with. However, lets not forget that general practice every year delivers 15 million flu vaccinations and does it incredibly efficiently. This year they have delivered the best part of 30 million flu vaccinations, so practices will come together in hubs and there was a problem which arose right at the 11th hour when they we re right at the 11th hour when they were ordered to observe people for 15 minutes after the Pfizer Vaccine. Its not clear whether they will have to do that for the astrazeneca vaccine but it does mean if you will do it in vaccine but it does mean if you will do itina vaccine but it does mean if you will do it in a socially distance the way you need bigger premises so a lot of practices coming together either taking over the biggest practice or taking over the biggest practice or taking over the biggest practice or taking over a school hall or a holiday in as my fathers practice has done in order to be able to vaccinate everybody and have a really rapid flow through. The great thing about the astrazeneca vaccine is that unlike the Pfizer Vaccine, you do not have to give it 975 doses over the course of three and a half days and the really important point of that is within a week or two we will be starting to be able to roll this out to care homes where, in england, we are just starting with the Pfizer Vaccine but only for bigger care homes in scotland and wales, not at all, but with the astrazeneca one, because it can be keptin astrazeneca one, because it can be kept ina astrazeneca one, because it can be kept in a french then care homes and people who live alone and are housebound and dependent on care homes can get the vaccine too keptin homes can get the vaccine too kept ina homes can get the vaccine too kept in a fridge. Sarah, always good to hear your practical approach to things and happy new year in advance of the evening. A mammoth task ahead for gps. Time now to get the news, travel and weather where you are. Good morning from bbc london, im tarah welsh. Primary schools in more than two thirds of london boroughs will remain closed to most children next week. As you can see here, schools will also stay shut in many areas in essex. They will be open for Vulnerable Children and those of key workers. Major incidents have been declared in essex, london and buckinghamshire hospitals because of concerns that Health Services could be overwhelmed. These pictures show ambulnces queuing outside Southend Hospital where medics are struggling because of staff shortages. Weve had Something Like 700 staff off. It went up from 600 overnight, either isolating or sick. And the doctor was telling me early this telling me only this morning of a situation he faced yesterday where he had six patients in need of oxygen therapy. Two of them were his own staff. He had to focus on the patients needs, not the relationships that he may have with the individuals, and thats what he did. The police are asking londoners to stay safe this new years eve by celebrating at home. The met says it will be paying particular attention to parts of london that are experiencing the highest Covid Infection rates. The tubes wont be offering the all Night Service as usual on new years eve to discourage people from coming in to central london. But lets see whats happening this morning. There are severe delays on the district line. And there are planned closures elsewhere so do check before you travel. The queens new year honours have been announced. Among those recognised are the parents of Natasha Ednan Laperouse, whove been awarded 0bes for the work theyve done around allergic reactions. Two London Underground staff have recieved British Empire medals for protecting customers during the pandemic. And of course Lewis Hamilton has been knighted. Congratulations to all of them. Now the weather with sara thornton. Good morning, another really cold start this morning across london and the south east. Temperatures again below freezing in quite a few spots. We were at 2 late last night towards the west of london. A lot of cloud. Some mist and fog here and there to start us off. But generally what were looking at is a dry and cloudy day today, but a cold one. In some spots, temperatures will not get much above 2 3 degrees. Through the night tonight, it stays generally dry, fairly cloudy and, again, it will be another cold one. So the new year dawns on another chilly note. Temperatures once more below freezing in quite a few spots to start your new years day. As we go through the coming days, it will often be dry. It will stay cold. Temperatures struggling for the time of year. A bit of a wind picking up at the weekend, making it feel chillier. It is, though, often dry, and there will be sunshine around, particularly on saturday, it looks like, and the odd stray shower here and there at times. Im back with the latest from the bbc london newsroom in half an hour. Newsroom in an hour. Plenty more on our website at the usual address. Hello this is breakfast with Nina Warhurst and Charlie Stayt. As weve been hearing this morning, only vulnerable and key worker children in england will be in secondary School Classrooms next week, after the government delayed their reopening. But the move has been criticised by teaching unions who say it doesnt go far enough to limit the transmission of the virus. Lets talk now to the education secretary, Gavin Williamson. Good morning. From monday the 4th of january, who will be entitled to Remote Learning, just those in exam yea rs Remote Learning, just those in exam years but all secondary pupils . From monday the 11th of january you will see the majority, over 85 of Primary Schools returning pupils back into schools. Secondary schools, schools are able to provide Remote Learning. We are making sure all the exam year cohorts will get Remote Learning. Remote learning will be then mandatory from the week commencing the 11th, for all secondary year groups with exam cohorts going back into school on the week commencing the 11th. That is basically years 11 and 13, who are working towards gcse and a levels and the return of all pupils into secondary schools on the week commencing the 18th of january. As pa rt of week commencing the 18th of january. As part of that, we are doing a Mass Testing Programme, making sure we do everything we can to root out the virus, making sure schools and pupils and staff are safe and also communities are safe. From the 11th, all pupils, not just communities are safe. From the 11th, all pupils, notjust those in exam yea rs, all pupils, notjust those in exam years, will do Remote Learning, but from that week, exam years will be face to face. Talking about rolling out testing, if i were a head teacher, and i knew, some teachers will know today there schools will not be ready to test by that date, what would you say to me . There is no reason schools will not be ready. We have given them extra time to fully prepare. Instead of it being an optional offer to schools, we are asking all schools to implement this. We are putting a package of support, not only giving them extra time to fully roll this out across all secondary schools, we are giving them £78 million of additional funding. 0n them £78 million of additional funding. On monday next week, all secondary schools are going to be getting a drop off of equipment, ppe they need to have the star. 0n getting a drop off of equipment, ppe they need to have the star. On top of that, those schools that are having difficulty that are not able to get this set up with resources provided, we are grateful to the armed forces, with 1500 personnel, with those schools having difficulty, are not able to follow the guidance and instructions and use the equipment provided and the money offered to them, to be able to help them get that Mass Testing Programme set up in their school. Every step of the way, we really wa nt to every step of the way, we really want to hold their hands, support them and help them. We are asking eve ryo ne a cross them and help them. We are asking everyone across the country to do a pretty extraordinary things at the moment. But it is right we do everything we can to get this programme ready. Just to be clear, you are confident a week on monday, around 4000 colleges and secondary schools will have full testing in place for people is returning, even though it is a system semi reliant on volunteers, advanced training, as well as doing Remote Learning. On volunteers, advanced training, as well as doing Remote Learningm on volunteers, advanced training, as well as doing Remote Learning. Is it possible to make that promise . All the training is already available for those schools that are ready, to be rolling out the programme. The equipment that is needed by schools is getting delivered to them on the 4th of january. We is getting delivered to them on the 4th ofjanuary. We have is getting delivered to them on the 4th of january. We have further supplies arriving on the fifth and 6th of january. We supplies arriving on the fifth and 6th ofjanuary. We have put supplies arriving on the fifth and 6th of january. We have put in supplies arriving on the fifth and 6th ofjanuary. We have put in Place Finance to schools to be able to. Of course, many have volunteered, but also the extra finance for schools in orderfor them but also the extra finance for schools in order for them to pay for any schools in order for them to pay for a ny extra schools in order for them to pay for any extra staffing costs as a result of rolling out the programme. It is important. You and i know how vital it is to get children into schools so they have the opportunity to learn. I know it is asking a lot of schools. The reason we are asking so much of schools is it is important to get children into the classroom. My to get children into the classroom. My daughters, who have been in the position when they have had to self isolate and miss out on school, how much they miss out by not being in school. That is why we are taking these actions, because it was is a lwa ys these actions, because it was is always best to have children into school if possible. There are lots of questions around the timing of the decision. It was only a couple of weeks ago you threaten some schools with legal action if they closed their doors and now this big change. With the sensible thing have been not to close schools and make this decision when you made the decision to curb christmas . Needa, what we have seen all the way through the pandemic is it moves incredibly quickly. If we had been chatting a few weeks ago, neither of us chatting a few weeks ago, neither of us would know about the new variant of covid and the impact it has on communities. The government has had to respond accordingly. Things have changed and therefore the government response to the pandemic has had to evolve. We always want to give people as much notice as possible. We are battling this hidden enemy, battling this virus that has evolved and we are having to take different actions and that is incredibly tough. We ask the british people to do extraordinary things and we continue to do so, but we are in an extraordinary situation. All the way through this. We have prioritised education, making sure children get the opportunity to learn. That is what we are doing and will continue to do. Some teachers potentially learning the first time this morning test will be delivered next week. The leader of the National Association of head teachers said it isa association of head teachers said it is a last minute mess that could have been avoided if the government had listened to School Leavers before the holidays. Last minute decisions, unclear policies demonstrates a lack of understanding of how difficult it is to run a school. Schools have been provided with information about the testing regime. That was provided and the finance package was provided to schools before the christmas itself. We are having to act quickly and act swiftly. This is the nature of a Global Pandemic. It does not give us warning, send a nice notice in order to plan weeks and months ahead. I think people understand action has to often be swift, because if we dont take that action and take it swiftly, the pandemic gets on top of us. This is why we are having to do. We always want to give people the maximum amount of notice. Sadly we do not always have that luxury. You have the of offering notice to primary teachers and parents. It is stressful to have primary age children at home whilst trying to work. What is the point at which those schools can be open . |j work. What is the point at which those schools can be open . I want to see any school currently closed. We have over 85 of Primary Schools returning on monday of next week. But those who are not returning, i wa nt to but those who are not returning, i want to see the closure as short as possible. I want children to be back in the classroom and to be learning again. We are having to take these steps, having to take the steps on Public Health advice, but i would hope any closures will be short. There will be a review shortly on the schools, taking the best Public Health advice. I would want to see all schools opening again at the earliest possible moment. On what will you base the decision . It is important to parents of Primary School children whose schools are close. And should the parents be entitled to furlough . We base the advice on the best Public Health advice. We look at the covid rate in the area, we look at the information the area, we look at the information the department of health has about the department of health has about the rate and increase of covid, also critically looking at the capacity within nhs hospitals and the local nhs in the area, and how they are coping with covid. At every stage, we wa nt coping with covid. At every stage, we want to see schools open but we do sometimes have to take these extraordinary steps that are sometimes necessary in order to protect the whole population. We a lwa ys protect the whole population. We always wa nt protect the whole population. We always want to see schools open. Is itfairto always want to see schools open. Is it fair to put teachers under this pressure without telling them the point at which they will be entitled toa point at which they will be entitled to a vaccine . We want to see all teachers have a vaccine at the earliest moment and obviously the government will announce the next wave of vaccines in the not too distant wave of vaccines in the not too dista nt future. Understandably, we prioritise those people who are most at risk if they caught covid. We are fortunate, we are in an age group that if we caught covid, we would, god willing, be in caught covid, we would, god willing, beina caught covid, we would, god willing, be in a good position to recover. But we have had to prioritise those age groups, if they caught covid, would be most likely to be hospitalised and most at risk of death. That is the right thing to do. We do not know if teachers will be at the top of the next list . That is an announcement that will be made in the future. As you understand, as education secretary i want to deliver the best for all teachers and support staff. Teachers are doing a greatjob, but i say this as a husband of a teaching assistant, there are teaching assistants and support staff, cooks and cleaners, receptionist, who does a brilliant job at keeping schools open. For those studying vocational qualifications, january is important with practical learning and grades that will count towards their final qualification. What are you telling btec teachers . I am so glad you raised this because so often the media ignores the importance of technical and vocational qualifications. They are the backbone of our country and such a great opportunity for young people to ta ke great opportunity for young people to take them. That is why the assessments and examinations will be running as normal from the week commencing the 4th of january. It is vital they get credits and marks to get the best qualifications they truly deserve. You are confident testing will be in place for those students . As you know, it is very much socially distanced. It is an integral part of assessments, social distance, and we have run an exam series earlier in the year when tens of thousands took exams and did it safely and securely. Gavin williamson, many thanks and all the best for the year ahead. Happy new yearfor best for the year ahead. Happy new year for tomorrow. Lewis hamilton now sir. There will be plenty of people going about time. It only took the seventh World Championships. Another big day for Lewis Hamilton at the end of a really big year. First, he equalled Michael Schumachers record of seven formula one world titles, then he was named bbc Sports Personality of the year, and now hes been knighted in the queens new years honours list. Earlier this year, hamilton said he wants to use his profile in the sport to campaign for change on human rights, diversity and environmentalism. A really lovely end to the year too for rob burrow, whos been made an mbe. We know all about rob here on bbc breakfast. A Rugby League Star with the leeds rhinos for so many years, and now living with Motor Neurone Disease. Hes been honoured for sevices to rugby and his campaign to raise awareness of the disease. Well be speaking to robs parents here on bbc breakfast after 8 30 this morning. They will be proud of him once again. There are plenty more honours for sporting names, including for the former footballer Jimmy Greaves. He won the world cup with england in 1966 and has been made an mbe. Theres an 0be for promoter barry hearn here he is with ronnie 0sullivan. Hes been honoured for services to sport for a long career in boxing, snooker, darts and football. Im an Old Fashioned patriotic englishman, so to get Something Like this in the post, its a wonderful pat on the back. Im deeply honoured to receive this. Its been the best thing that has come into my life for a long, long time. Im really, really chuffed. The premier league says it hasnt even discussed the idea of pausing the season after a rise in coronavirus cases at clubs. New cases at fulham meant that their game against tottenham was postponed last night just three hours before kick off. Premier league bosses say theyre confident that their coronavirus protocols will allow fixtures to be played as planned. 0ne match did go ahead last night, but it was a bit of a damp squib. Champions liverpool held to a goalless draw by newcastle. Jurgen klopps side finish the year top of the premier league table. Rangers also finish the year top of the scottish premiership. Theyre 16 points clear of celtic after beating st mirren 2 0. Boss Steven Gerrard will be hoping that 2021 brings them their First League Title in 10 years. And no snow on the ground in scotla nd and no snow on the ground in scotland but there is outside here in salford. I brought in the wrong shoes. I had hoped to go to the supermarket after this, but it is very cold. I have spare trainers but that is not allowed, to swap shoes. Heres matt with a look at this mornings weather. We saw snow here, how is it across the uk . Some heavy snow showers in parts of north and west wales and this was the view a short while ago. Also in Northern Ireland. The worst of the showers over here, now. You can see them clearing to the south on the radar. These are the heavy showers in north west england and wales and some also in cornwall. And also bodmin. Snow on the high ground in scotland that will turn back to rain on the coasts and lower levels later. A good covering of snow over Higher Ground and into the uplands. Showers in the west, into the mix, dense fog in the east of england. Western scotland will have sunshine through the afternoon. Breezy tonight in northern and Western Areas with showers down the west. Rain, sleet and hill snow in Northern England and north wales overnight and into tomorrow. Temperature is not as low as last night across Northern England and north wales. Some ice around as we go into the new year. This is the set up into new years day. A weather front from northern set up into new years day. A weatherfront from Northern England. The greatest chance of showers. Rain, sleet, hill snow at times. Fog east of that slow to clear. Brighter weather in the north and west of the weather in the north and west of the weather front with only a few showers. Dryer in scotland and Northern Ireland tomorrow. Temperatures up on todays values. Into the start of the weekend, frosty start with lots of sunshine. Isolated showers on saturday. Temperatures struggling for some particularly in the west. We stay with cold air on sunday and into next week but lighter blue colours indicate less cold air coming our way. With an easterly wind, which will be strong as we go through next week, showers and eastern areas. A little bit of hill snow. Could turn colder later in the week. The best of the sunshine out towards the west. A quick look back at 2020, a remarkable year weather wise, within the top five hottest on record in the top five hottest on record in the uk. And also one of the wettest with the wettest february on record and the wettest day ever in october. And lockdown first time around, one of the and lockdown first time around, one of the sunniest, and lockdown first time around, one of the sunniest, as and lockdown first time around, one of the sunniest, as well. And lockdown first time around, one of the sunniest, as well. Two weather extremes with the lockdowns. This week marks 75 years since the first families returned to the Channel Island of alderney after it was evacuated ahead of german occupation. When they did get the call to return, six months after the german surrender, they discovered that their home had changed for ever. Robert hall has been hearing their stories. All we could hear for the five years from our parents, when we get back, when we get back. And every time there was news, we always listened for the name of alderney. Five years of exile, five years of memories. But the homecoming they anticipated for so long had a shock in store for the first weary families. All the excitement of the people on board and talking about home and alderney and then the boat arrived. It suddenly went a bit quiet. They were on the second boat that came in. So they came in when it was really dreadful. My mother took one look at it from the ship and said im not getting off, im going back to scotland. Hitlers orders had been clear. Alderney was to be an impregnable fortress and his armed forces had changed the island landscape for ever. There wasnt a tree, not a tree. Every house you could see through them. And no birds. Grandpa just looked at the house and he just started sobbing quietly. Tears rolling down his face. I think thats when i realised just how devastating everything was. There was no proper understanding of the true conditions here. It took a long time, a, to clear the island of all the military detritus, and, secondly, to get a grip with the reinstatement of the infrastructure and so on. British troops flooded in to make the island safe, helped by german prisoners of war whose kindness began to break down barriers. I went with a german and i married him. We were together for 40 odd years before he passed away. They were human beings, just like us. Just like us. For alderneys children, the weeks and months that followed were a daily, if hazardous adventure. We would go and explore. We explored tunnels. And we had a torch and a big ball of string. We would attach it to something. Underneath it was a maze of tunnels. When we left home, they didnt say, dont mind the cars and dont talk to strangers. Dont go near the cliffs, and mind the barbed wire they were hard times, but every survivor from those post war years remembers the resilience and Community Spirit that brought alderney through. It was a very basic sort of living. I heard no one complain. Everybody simply got on with it. The whole feeling of the island was one of being enveloped with warmth and kindness. All the people that came back made alderney what it is today. As far as my family was concerned, it wouldnt have mattered what they were coming back to. They were coming back here and that was all there was to it. Four years ago, 15 year old Natasha Ednan Laperouse died following a severe allergic reaction to a sandwich. Natashas death led her parents, tanya and nadhim, to set up a Research Foundation in her name, for which they have now been awarded an 0be in the new year honours. Its a tribute they are dedicating to their daughter, who they say inspires them every day. Tanya and nadhim join us now. Good morning. Iam pleased good morning. I am pleased we can talk to you and can i be amongst the first i hope to say congratulation . Yes, thank you, you are. Thank you very much. I can only imagine, i mean the last four years have been so difficult. I wonder what your thoughts are today, as you look at this award and you see the memories of your daughter. What are your thoughts today . We just got through christmas, the first we spent together on our own as a family. Every day, natashas right at the top of our minds and thoughts. To have this recognition to start the new year with Something Like an 0be for the work we have done, which we have done because we felt. It is a calling to do this. To get recognition on top of that is marvellous and we are hugely grateful. Natasha had a keen sense of social justice. How grateful. Natasha had a keen sense of socialjustice. How do you think she would feel about natashas law and this recognition . She would be so proud of us. I cannot even imagine. We picture her and her views and opinions on things that happen to us. When we found out we we re happen to us. When we found out we were going to be given the 0be, we knew she was jumping forjoy. It gives us a voice for others. Natasha, she passed away sadly four years ago. We know she is in heaven and looking down and going yes, daddy, fight the good fight on this earth while you are here and help protect the 2 Million People in the uk who have severe food allergies. That is why. Uk who have severe food allergies. That is why. We feel honoured to receive the 0be. Both of us have an 0be so we are an 0be married couple, which feels strange. We accept these and take these on board because we are here to make a big change in this to help protect people who suffer from food allergies, so they do not die, suffer from serious hospitalisation. That is why natashas charity is about to embark on some of the biggest changes in terms of funding scientific work in the uk. More of that will be revealed in the spring next year with very big news indeed. Tanya, it is an important point that nadhim makes about the ongoing work. But can you go back in time . Was there a point in the early days, and mourning carries on regardless, but was there a point when doing Something Like the campaign you launched, that mattered so much personally as well as to those people who would be affected in the future . There were two turning points. The inquest happened two yea rs points. The inquest happened two years after natashas death. In that time we were grieving and preparing for the inquest. 0ur time we were grieving and preparing for the inquest. Our lawyers asked usa for the inquest. Our lawyers asked us a question before the inquest and said, what would you like to come out of this for you . It was something we had not thought about and in my mind immediately was research, because there has been woefully Little Research into food allergy. It was something missing because it did not give us hope when natasha was growing up. That was the first thing that happened to inspire us into thinking maybe there is something after this. Second, when we we re something after this. Second, when we were contacted by so many people after the inquest, people who live in dailyfear after the inquest, people who live in daily fearfor their after the inquest, people who live in daily fear for their lives or their childrens lives. We had no idea of the numbers of people with allergies had gone up at the rate they had. Coupled with this initial feeling that we needed research. It just happened very quickly. We were spurred on to do what we are doing now. If you think about it logically, 2 Million People in the uk with food allergy, that is the whole of the population of wales. It really matters to solve the problem. We are lobbying hard the big food businesses such as supermarkets and grocers and we have had meetings with them. We put it firmly at their doorto with them. We put it firmly at their door to say food allergy is a Food Industry problem and help us solve the problem. Lets join industry problem and help us solve the problem. Letsjoin forces industry problem and help us solve the problem. Lets join forces and solve the problem so we can eradicate food allergy from the planet. Within a reasonable time frame, so the millions of people do not have to live in fear any more. And if people put their shoulder to the wheel, honestly, clever people, good people put their shoulder to the wheel, it will be done and we can live and breathe better lives and certainly better lives for people with allergies. |j and certainly better lives for people with allergies. I am glad we we re people with allergies. I am glad we were able to celebrate with you this morning. Congratulations. And glad you have two 0bes, because that would have been awkward. Have a great day and happy new year. Sounds like they have some Exciting Research under way. Headlines coming up. Good morning, and welcome to breakfast with Nina Warhurst and Charlie Stayt. 0ur headlines today the toughest covid restrictions come into force for 20 million more people in england in the face of a record rise in the number of cases. Big ben chimes big ben will chime tonight, but people across the uk are urged not to celebrate the new year with anyone outside their household. It is a pretty grim and depressing picture at the moment. The situation in the uk is precarious in many parts already. As the re opening of secondary schools in england is delayed, the education secretary tells us head teachers will start receiving the equipment they need for tests on monday. Its sir Lewis Hamilton. The seven time formula 1 World Champion is knighted in the queens new year honours list. Recognition too for former leeds rhino player, rob burrow whos been diagosed with Motor Neurone Disease for his fundraising and work raising awareness of mnd. We join the family celebrations. Well done. Im super proud of you daddy. For your 0b a. Well done, daddy. For your 0b a. Well done, daddy. Some of you waking up to a covering of snow, like behind me in manchester, and icy conditions across the 830 bodmin moor is closed, and join me for the details here on breakfast. Its thursday the 31st of december. Our top story. More than three quarters of people in england are waking up to the toughest coronavirus restrictions this morning. The midlands, north east, parts of the north west and parts of the south west are among those escalated to tier 4. The Prime Minister borisjohnson has described it as a critical moment and urged people to stay at home for new years eve celebrations tonight. John mcmanus reports. Hidden behind scaffolding and silent since 2017, tonight, big ben will temporarily resume normal service as it rings in 2021. Big ben chimes but theres no such reprieve for much of england where the new year will start on a sombre note with millions more people moving into the highest coronavirus tier from today. It means they must now try to stay at home with household mixing banned and nonessential shops and services closed. Its a tough ask, especially at this time of year. I must ask you to follow the rules where you live tomorrow night and see in the new year safely at home. That means not meeting up with friends or family indoors unless they are in the same household or support bubble, and avoiding large gatherings of any kind. The latest figures for the whole of the uk show more than 50,000 new infections recorded in the latest 24 hours. With 981 new deaths reported on wednesday. You can see unfortunately, it is a pretty grim and depressing picture at the moment. The situation in the uk is precarious in many parts already, particularly the south east and london. Areas under the tightest restrictions now include leicester, the north east and greater manchester. In total, just under 80 of the population in england. Shropshire, devon and cornwall are amongst those moving up into tier 3. With no region now in tier 2, only 2,000 residents on the isles of scilly remain in tier1. Millions of people in Northern Ireland, wales and scotland are already living under the toughest restrictions. For those facing tier 4 for the first time, there is some unhappiness. Im shocked. It is completely ridiculous, they keep locking us in and locking us out and going back and forth. They need to be more organised in what they do and figure out whats going on. Its not ideal for us but i think that its important and people need to follow, because there are more important things like the hospitals and patients who are suffering. Well, i havent had the University Experience for one, and ijust turned 18 so i cant really do the normal things an 18 year old does. But, i mean, its fine. Rising case numbers and a feared further rise after christmas are driving the new restrictions, but it will be sometime before we know which direction the virus will take in 2021. John mcmanus, bbc news. One area which is now in tier 4 restrictions is burnley. Luxmy gopal is there for us this morning, talk to us about the changes that will take place there, as it will in many other places. Like countless other places up and down england, many businesses in burnley had to shut up shop with just a few hours notice ahead of the announcement of the tier 4 restrictions coming in today, so nonessential shops have to close as well as indoor Entertainment Venues, gymnasiums, salons and i spoke to owners of a babos earlier who said it was like groundhog day, theyve been through it before and to go through it again is devastating, although not surprising given what is happening to infection rate, babos. If you are ina to infection rate, babos. If you are in a tier 4 area you have to stay home and stay in your area including exceptions for work, childcare purposes and you can meet one other person outside of your household or your support bubble and it needs to be outdoors in a public space. Lancashire Health Bosses say it isa space. Lancashire Health Bosses say it is a critical point in the pandemic and are urging people to follow the rules, so millions of people across the country are going to see in the new year with the same restrictions and Business Uncertainty that has characterised much of 2020. In the last half an hour, education secretary Gavin Williamson has told us that from monday secondary schools in england will be provided with the equipment and support they need to establish a Mass Testing Programme. It comes after he announced the return to secondary School Classrooms would be delayed. We can speak now to our political correspondent, jonathan blake. The education secretary seemed very confident that the roll out will be completed on time. He did. There was some clarity for parents, teachers and students after Gavin Williamsons statement in the house of commons yesterday but still questions and concerns about the return to school injanuary questions and concerns about the return to school in january after what will now be an extended christmas break. We know that secondary School Students will be back on the 18th of january, broadly speaking, in england. Those with exams in year 11 and 13 will return a week earlier on the 11th. The reason for the delay, Gavin Williamson said, is firstly to cut rates of transmission, hopefully, but also give schools a bit more time to get in place the Mass Testing Programme which the government is placing such a priority on in order to schools to stay open, and speaking earlier he explained more about how he hopes it will work. On monday of next week all secondary schools are going to be getting a drop of tests, all the equipment they need to set up, all the ppe they need in order to have four staff and on top of that, those schools that are really having difficulty, those unable to get it set up with the resources provided, we are very grateful to the armed forces, 1500 service personnel, for those schools really having difficulty, are not able to follow the guidance and instructions and use the equipment thats been provided and the money that has been offered to them, to be able to help them get that Mass Testing Programme set up in their school. As for Primary Schools, some of those in areas where infection rates are particularly high, they will be closed for another two weeks to most stu d e nts closed for another two weeks to most students and this morning mr williamson said he hoped they would be open again at the earliest possible moment. The post brexit trade deal between the uk and eu takes effect from 11 oclock tonight, after it was signed into law, and granted royal assent by the queen. The rules on travelling between the uk and European Union countries will change. Simonjonesjoins us now from dover. Simon, what impact does this have on travel . Finally the hour has come, 11th pm tonight. What will the changes look like . If you fancy heading over to france for a booze cruise or a day trip to calais, that is unlikely to happen anytime soon. But that will be down to coronavirus, because the eu is saying that anyone from the uk cannot travel to the eu unless it for essential reasons. For hauliers, at the moment, they need to have a negative covid test before they can cross from here over to france, but looking ahead to perhaps sunnier times and thinking of summer holidays, there will be changes for travellers, although the passport will be valid you need to have at least six months running on that. You wont need a visa but youll only be allowed to spend 90 out of each 180 days. If you have a pet, you wont be able to take them along with your pet passport and instead you will have to go along with new permissions from your vet but there will be duty free, so you will be able to bring back 18 litres of wine or three crates of beer, so things will change, but in the short term it will be the hauliers who feel the effects with new customs declaration is needed. Simon, thank you very much. It was snowing outside in salford earlier and we are not the only ones. Quite a few across western parts of the uk waking up to snow, and scotla nd the uk waking up to snow, and scotland as well, and the coldest night of the year so far across parts of england, so temperatures down to 7. 5 overnight and widely below freezing at the moment and lets focus on where the snow showers are in the worst has cleared away from the north west of england. That has caused problems on the a30 and the most significant snow across the hills of scotland at the moment, that will give a fair few centimetres. Turning back to reign around the coast at lower level sites, a coating of snow in the Southern Uplands as we head into the afternoon. Western areas of scotland, will get by with a largely dry afternoon with only one or two showers and it will be raining rather than snowing across towns and cities across scotland for the second half of the day. Showers in Northern Ireland, of rain, but still sleet and snow flurries to the north and west of wales and parts of the south west. Much of eastern wales and england dry and bright but with lingering fog patches in the far south east, east midlands and east anglia and they will return through the night but as we go through the night and into new years day the showers will continue in northern scotla nd showers will continue in northern scotland and in a zone from north east england to the midlands and the south west, rain and a few sleet showers as we go into newsday and it stays cold for the start of 2021 and it stays cold for the start of 2021 as we and it stays cold for the start of 2021 as we go into new and it stays cold for the start of 2021 as we go into new years day. 2021 as we go into new years day happy 2021 as we go into new years day. Happy hogmanay from me and i will see you tomorrow. Yes, happy hogmanay. Thank you. Have you gone . He is composing himself. Are you all right . Lets look at schools, one of the big issues at the moment. The decision to delay the reopening of secondary schools in england, has been called a last minute mess by one teaching union. Yesterday, the education secretary announced the temporary closure would slow the spread of coronavirus and allow schools to establish a Mass Testing Programme. This is how the timetable now looks. 0n the 11th of january, only secondary School Pupils in years 11 and 13 who are taking exams in 2021 can return to face to face learning. Then, on the 18th, all other secondary students in england can return to the classroom. Schools are still being asked to provide Remote Learning for all pupils from next week, as well as face to face teaching for Vulnerable Children and those of key workers. Most Primary School students will return as expected on monday, except in some areas in england where there are particularly high Coronavirus Infection rates. In scotland, schools will teach online for at least the first week of term. In wales, the majority of pupils can resume face to face learning by the 11th of january and in Northern Ireland, a return to school has been delayed by a week and years 8 to 11 will now be educated online throughout january. 0ur reporter geeta pendse is outside a school in nottingham this morning. What do we know about how teachers and head teachers have reacted this morning . Many schools had been expecting there would be changes to this new school term, but they didnt know what the details would be and we got the announcement yesterday, but like you say, what does it actually mean and how our head teachers, staff, parents feeling . Im joined by the head teacher here, david phillips, and also the governor and parent here at the school, greg marshall. Let me start with you, david, in terms of the school, the announcement yesterday, what did you make of it . Weve always had to try and anticipate what the changes are in terms of how it will affect the school and the community and we put out a message to our students and parents yesterday before the announcement was made because we need to give them as much of a heads up need to give them as much of a heads up as possible. It was late a rather frustrating that we had heard news coming out through various leaks and as anticipated, apart from some strange additions that they put in at the last minute. How frustrating has this been for you . Its something we are accustomed to in terms of delayed announcement and u turns, and ourjob is to make sure the students get as clear an education as possible and we are clear in our communication with parents and all the way through, that has been the priority, to make sure we can make sure the messages are clear and education continues. You said there were strange additions. What did you mean . Our term starts on the 5th ofjanuary and we expect the students to come backin and we expect the students to come back in and we knew there would be a delay to that but yesterdays announcement included this strangeness that we are not expected to provide remote education unless we wish to. After all the fuss before christmas in terms of what schools were doing, it seems rather odd that we are expecting and have the capability to provide remote education for our students and the department for education are saying its not necessary. Let me bring in greg. You are a parent. What is the impact of this on your daughter . Its been difficult. Parents are concerned about children missing out on the classroom environment and concerned about how they have to plan and of course key workers are really concerned because they have to respond at short notice. And how are you feeling . We are uncertain and confused. Parents are thinking, what shall i do . What is the best of my child . The advice is conflicting, often late, if it had not been for the remarkable efforts of the school and others across the country we would be in a far worse situation. The response from the government has been pretty shambolic. Thank you to you both this morning. The government say they are doing this in order to break the chain of transmission of coronavirus, but clearly, as you can hear, there is a lot of frustration and confusion and perhaps that is being echoed across the country. Were joined now by liz keeble, headteacher at vange Primary School in basildon, which isnt reopening for face to face learning on monday. First of all, when did you receive this news . Yesterday afternoon. We heard it on television, and we received an e mail from heard it on television, and we received an e mailfrom our heard it on television, and we received an e mail from our director of education yesterday. And after the year that you have had, another last minute change. What goes through your head when you get that news from the telly . Its a very difficult situation for everybody. These decisions are made right up to the wire because there are so many discussions that need to be had with so many stakeholders. And i think thatis so many stakeholders. And i think that is what gives us the confidence to know that those discussions have been hard, and we can make this work. We have good systems in place and all of the schools are used to closures now and we have had plenty of returns where we have had bubble closures and children have had to learn online anyway so the systems are robust and we are ready for that, for secondary it is a bit different because they have the testing scenario to contend with, but for Primary Schools, we have been here before so we know what to expect and our families been here before so we know what to expect and ourfamilies know been here before so we know what to expect and our families know what to expect. Do you worry about the impact on Vulnerable Children because often they are not visible and perhaps the kids of key workers will come into school but not all of the key workers who need to be there are there. Schools will have systems in place for that so we have a number of risk assessments we are required to complete and we have to assess families according to their vulnerability. And schools will make phone calls to families where other concerns and in our case we will deliver food parcels to those children in receipt of Free School Meals and the online system, we have an e mail system that enables families to keep in regular contact with the school anyway, even if the building is closed to them for learning. How are your staff coping . Most learning. How are your staff coping . M ost pa re nts learning. How are your staff coping . Most parents have been really impressed with how teachers have adapted but you will have to have this hybrid of teaching, some online with children as young as four and some in the bubbles of mixed age groups. It is a huge challenge for teachers after a hugely challenging year. Absolutely and i think that has evolved. The approach to learning online has evolved as we have had feedback from parents and its very easy for teachers to forget how challenging it is for pa rents forget how challenging it is for parents as well. If you have three children at home, each in different year groups and there are demands from schools on learning and that they have to do this, that can be a real challenge for parents, especially if they are working, so we have worked with parents and had feedback from them on what is manageable and doable, so we will be having an inset online on monday to further refine that to make sure we have the best possible system in place on tuesday morning. One of the best thing is that my kids teachers said early on was dont put yourself under extra pressure, especially if the kids a little. We spoke to Gavin Williamson earlier and he said that Primary School closures are two weeks and we will see if the rate comes down. How soon do you need to know about reopening after a fortnight . I think the way that we have gone, i think 24 hours notice. We have to do kind of plan for the worst and hope for the best, really. We dont know. Thats the problem. No one knows and i know that everybody is tired of hearing that these are unprecedented times, but they are, and i think the new strain of the virus is also causing concern, because it is spreading more rapidly, so i think schools are well prepared. Primary schools are prepared for this. There are no material changes at the moment to how we operate operated during the National Lockdown, so for most schools that will be a swift transition bit into systems that we are used to running now. Liz, many thanks. She looks like she runs a tight ship, doesnt she . Absolutely. Head teachers know how things work. Were joined now by robert halfon, chair of the education select committee. It is always interesting talking to head teachers about how things will work in practice. Can you tell us what your concerns are as we head into this next two week period where the government is trying to get schools open. What are your main areas of concern . First walk and i thank that head teacher and all the other head teachers and teachers generally and support staff because this is incredibly difficult and they are putting themselves at risk every day to try and keep children learning. I do worry very much about children not being in school. I understand we have to balance the risks of coronavirus and do Everything Possible to keep staff and children safe but i also worry about the impact on lost learning, the rise of Mental Health and we heard yesterday from the royal couege heard yesterday from the Royal College of paediatricians that eating disorders amongst young people have gone up fourfold partly because of not being in school when the first lockdown happened and social isolation and worries about safeguarding issues for pupils who might be exposed to county lines gangs or exposed to online harms and i worry about the pressure on pa rents i worry about the pressure on parents because of course, they will now have to stay at home looking after Primary School pupils and might have to give up work and have a loss of income, so this is a very difficult situation all round and i think the impact on Educational Learning is perhaps the two most important thing is, because these things are very difficult to deal with and we dont want to have to deal with extra things, but we dont wa nt deal with extra things, but we dont wantan deal with extra things, but we dont want an epidemic of educational poverty and Mental Health crisis amongst young people in our country. We were speaking to the education secretary a short time ago and he was outlining the plan they have now, and moving forward to the 18th of january, that would now, and moving forward to the 18th ofjanuary, that would be now, and moving forward to the 18th of january, that would be the now, and moving forward to the 18th ofjanuary, that would be the point at which he would say all secondary schools will be open and have the testing regime in place and he is confident and what he told us this morning is that he said monday of next week, secondary schools in england will be provided with the equipment and support they need to establish that Mass Testing Programme. He is confident that that will be in place. Do you share his confidence . I hope it will be but what i also want to see is teachers, especially now we have the oxford vaccine, that teachers and support staff are made an absolute priority for vaccinations, because if we can make sure that they are vaccinated and safe, its less likely that schools will have to close and this two weeks has got to me in two weeks. Schools cannot just two weeks has got to me in two weeks. Schools cannotjust be a revolving door that never stands still, open one day, shot the next and its very damaging to the life chances of these pupils, and if this two weeks means Rapid Testing is rolled out efficiently and speedily, if we can get the military and create a National Army of educational volunteers, just as we have the nhs volunteers to try and help staff in terms of testing of teachers and support staff and the children, if we can roll all that out and two weeks really means two weeks, i can understand the decision that has been made but we cannot continue to damage the life chances of children. We know Remote Learning, whatever the efforts of teachers in school is sometimes quite patchy and we know millions of children did barely any learning in the last lockdown and there is no substitute at all for being at school. Thank you for your time this morning. A big term ahead for pa rents morning. A big term ahead for parents and teachers. Time now to get the news, travel and weather where you are. Good morning from bbc london, im tarah welsh. Primary schools in more than two thirds of london boroughs will remain closed to most children next week. As you can see here, schools will also stay shut in many areas in essex. They will be open for Vulnerable Children and those of key workers. Major incidents have been declared in essex, london and buckinghamshire hospitals because of concerns that Health Services could be overwhelmed. These pictures show ambulances queuing outside Southend Hospital. Where medics are struggling because of staff shortages. Weve had Something Like 700 staff off. It went up from 600 overnight, either isolating or sick. And the doctor was telling me only this morning of a situation he faced yesterday where he had six patients in need of oxygen therapy. Two of them were his own staff. He had to focus on the patients needs, not the relationships that he may have with the individuals, and thats what he did. The met are asking londoners to stay safe this new years eve by celebrating at home. The met says it will be paying particular attention to parts of london that are experiencing the highest Covid Infection rates. The tubes wont be offering the all Night Service as usual on new years eve to discourage people from coming in to central london. People from coming but lets see whats happening this morning. There are severe delays on the district line. And there are planned closures elsewhere so do check before you travel. The queens new year honours have been announced. Among those recognised are the parents of Natasha Ednan Laperouse whove been awarded 0bes for the work theyve done around allergic reactions. Two London Underground staff have recieved British Empire medals for protecting customers during the pandemic. And, of course, Lewis Hamilton has been knighted. Congratulations to all of them. Now the weather with sara. Good morning, another really cold start this morning across london and the south east. Temperatures again below freezing in quite a few spots. We were at 2 late last night towards the west of london. A lot of cloud. Some mist and fog here and there to start us off. But generally what were looking at is a dry and cloudy day today, but a cold one. In some spots, temperatures will not get much above 2 3 degrees. Through the night tonight, it stays generally dry, fairly cloudy and, again, it will be another cold one. So the new year dawns on another chilly note. Temperatures once more below freezing in quite a few spots to start your new years day. As we go through the coming days, it will often be dry. It will stay cold. Temperatures struggling for the time of year. A bit of a wind picking up at the weekend, making it feel chillier. It is, though, often dry, and there will be sunshine around, particularly on saturday, it looks like, and the odd stray shower here and there at times. Thats it from us until lunchtime. Plenty more on our website at the usual address. Bye for now. Hello, this is breakfast with Charlie Stayt and Nina Warhurst. Throughout the last year, former Rugby League Star rob burrow has shared his experience of Motor Neurone Disease. Hes inspired so many of us during his campaign and worked tirelessly to give a voice to those living with the condition. Now, after all his work, hes been awarded an mbe in the new year honours. Rob and his family sent us this very special message of thanks to everyone who has supported them. Hello, my name is rob burrow. I used to play rugby for leeds rhinos. Over the last year, you mightve seen me sharing my story of living with Motor Neurone Disease. There is no cure. You know, im not going to give in. Too many reasons to live. Im not giving in till my last breath. It is truly humbling to be awarded an mbe and i would like to thank everyone who has made this possible. 2020 has taught us all to appreciate gifts we have and it is my honour and privilege to accept this honour on behalf of all the mnd community. I hope it gives people hope that we are not ignored and the drive for more research and support to mnd will not stop. Cheering. The Rugby Community is also a huge part of my life. My mate kev seven marathons in seven days to raise awareness of mnd. And im so grateful and would have done the same for him. He raised millions and, hopefully, this will go a long way towards finding a cure. His playing career speaks for itself and hes just a wonderful player, an absolute champion. But, then, off the field, hes been a true friend. Hes been a great team mate. And i think what hes done in the last 12 months, fighting like he has, inspiring like he has, he absolutely deserves it. This just keeps mnd certainly at the forefront of peoples minds. Congratulations on your mbe. On behalf of all your friends, all your former team mates, well done, mate. I would like to thank my family. They have always been proud of me. This mbe is for them and im looking forward to making another special memory when im able to receive the award. Congratulations, daddy, on your mbe. We are so proud of you. I did think you would do it, but well done. I am super proud of you, daddy, for getting the mbe. Both well done, daddy. Were joined now by robs father geoff, and also chris james, from the Motor Neurone Disease association. There must have been many proud moments being robbeds dad but this has to be up there. It certainly is. Good morning. But, like you have said, we have heard many proud moments. And i am pleased that i just heard rob say he is accepting the nomination on behalf of the mnd community because that is what it is about. He has gone so far in raising the profile of the disease. I did not know much about it until this campaign and now it is the forefront of many minds. We are the same. We knew what it was but we did not know that much. Behind rob, there has been people like yourselves at the bbc and all his team mates, kevin, and the public who have done so much for rob and his family. Lindsay also deserves an mbe because she has been a warrior. It has raised awareness which is what robs battle is, besides mnd, it is to raise awareness for the mnd community and im sure he has done that. Chris, good morning. Iwas im sure he has done that. Chris, good morning. I was listening carefully to what rob was for a lot of us, we are outsiders in this story, but this is personal to you. This is your son you watched grow up when he was a little lad. You saw his amazing career in rugby league. There is a chapter now and there are people who did not know him before who know him now. It is an extraordinary achievement. Who know him now. It is an extraordinary achievementm who know him now. It is an extraordinary achievement. It is extraordinary. It took everybody by surprise. But the fact it has raised awareness, because besides rob, there are those other people. The other poor people who have had pa rents, other poor people who have had parents, as well as contacting rob and myself, we want to reach out to them. It is about mnd, but yes we are proud and honoured rob has received this. Tell a more, jeff, about support to the family because i love seeing pictures of rob with his daughters and their family. That clearly is a massive inspiration. His quote was he was not going to give in, he had too much to live for. Too many reasons to live and he has. We smile when we see any of our grandkids, sons and daughters. The way they keep everybody going. They are always smiling, like rob and lindsay are. That means a lot. It lifts our day because there are dark days for everybody. There are dark days for everybody. There are dark days for everybody. There are dark days for anybody with any type of illness. But they make the sunshine. Youngsters like that, they have the ability to ignore problems sometimes. They are great levellers, ina sometimes. They are great levellers, in a way. Yes. Robs daughter, when we first found out about it, it was quoted before. I dont want to talk about this, it is boring that brings it down to a level that you think, yes, it is a challenge. But i am confident there will be a cure andi am confident there will be a cure and i hope during 2021. And there is so much possible. The bbc and everybody, what they have done, and rob, and the award which has raised awareness, lets hope this Time Next Year we are celebrating Something Like that that is positive, a cure or treatment. Lets hope so. Chris, we can bring you in. How much of the difference has it made to the profile, Peoples Awareness of this illness . It has made a huge difference and we are delighted rob has been recognised and it is a tribute to the whole family for the way they have opened up their lives to show people the devastating impact of mnd and this year they have been truly inspirational in terms of raising awareness of the disease, which is important because it gives people tremendous hope. They have inspired people to do their own fundraising and awareness raising. It is a massive tribute and made a huge difference to the mnd community. As rob says, the award is for the community. As rob says, the award is forthe mnd community. As rob says, the award is for the mnd community. When were you let in on the mbe secret . Not long before everybody else. I think it is ke pt before everybody else. I think it is kept under wraps. We do get slightly advanced notice, but not much. And what about you, when did you find out . Well, robjust sent us on a family message then, he sent a message to say he had got it but nobody had to say anything and that is really difficult, because people are coming up and saying kevin and rob, they deserve to be knighted and stuff like that. I have never been good at keeping secrets, but i kept this one. It is difficult, but worthwhile. And people now and you are talking to us this morning. Since people have found out, have you had much reaction . Yes, loads. Mndfamilies you had much reaction . Yes, loads. Mnd families have contacted us. We are trying to get back to as many of them as we can, because that is what rob and myself what to do, to support them as well as the people suffering. People have contacted us. My suffering. People have contacted us. My mobile keeps pinging and i will get back to everybody, but thanks to the bbc and everybody, again, because. I think the award is not just for the mnd community but everybody who has raised awareness about this terrible disease. You know your son better than any of us, does this come as a surprise, that he has been recognised for his determination or has it been with him his whole life . Surprised, especially as Rugby League Players and former players, they do not get too many of these awards. But he does not need a medal from too many of these awards. But he does not need a medalfrom us, he deserves every honour. I am so proud of him. It could not be put better than a father to his son. It has been wonderful sharing this moment with you. Congratulations. Chris, thank you for your time. We will follow the campaign. Thanks. That is it with the honours list, the individual is recognised in families and communities. Lovely. And not the only sportsman to be recognised. It isa recognised. It is a reminder about the power of sport. It is notjust about having a glowing career. Like rob, Lewis Hamilton. It is building on the profile and making a difference in the world and this is a man who has taken on the mantle. Another big day for Lewis Hamilton at the end of a really big year. First he equalled Michael Schumachers record of seven formula one world titles, then he was named bbc Sports Personality of the year, and now hes been knighted in the queens new years honours list. Earlier this year hamilton said he wants to use his profile in the sport to campaign for change on human rights, diversity and environmentalism. 0ther honours in the world of sport include an 0be for the exeter chiefs director of rugby rob baxter. He played for the club for 14 years and has been in charge since 2009. Exeter had an absolutely brilliant year, winning the premiership and their first ever european title. Captain joe simmonds is also made an mbe. Promoter barry hearn has been made 0be here he is with ronnie 0sullivan. Hes been honoured for services to sport for a long career in boxing, snooker, darts and fooball. Im an Old Fashioned patriotic englishman, so to get Something Like this in the post, its a wonderful pat on the back. Im deeply honoured to receive this. Its been the best thing that has come into my life for a long, long time. Im really, really chuffed. John mcguinness whos a legend of tt Motorcycle Racing has been made an mbe. He said the honour was the icing on the cake for years of riding round in circles. The former british number one tennis player Anne Keothavong also becomes an mbe. Shes currently the captain of the british Billie Jean King cup team thats the tournament that used to be known as the fed cup. And formerjockey bob champion has been made a cbe. He was diagnosed with testicular cancer in the late 19705, but recovered to win the grand national in 1981. Hes since gone on to raise millions towards cancer research. Just a taster from the world of sport, names making the new years honours this morning. And happy new year. And to you. I will see you, charlie, in the morning. It sounds like a threat. 2020 has certainly been a year like no other, after all of our lives have been changed in some way by the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This year has brought sadness, for others its tested relationships, and for some its brought new life and hope. Brea kfasts Graham Satchell looks back on the impact of the last 12 months. 2020, a momentous year that has changed lives for ever. When the reverend peter holmes went into intensive care in march, he sent his family one last message. It read, whichever way this goes, i love you all. We didnt get to see him at all, and the only time we did get to see him was the night that he died, on facetime. This is Peters Church in south london. He dedicated his life to helping others turned his church hall into a night shelterfor the homeless, inspired his congregation to volunteer. My dad liked to help the community. He always had time for people. He liked to build things up and he really enjoyed to see people doing their best. He really enjoyed being around people that needed help. People like sam. The reverend holmes gave sam a key to his church so he didnt have to sleep on the street. What do you think would have happened to you if you hadnt had father peters help . I would be dead by now. A lovely man. Peter was kind of an inspiration, because what he did was he saw the need and he just completely reconfigured his church around that need. So it was both amazing what he did and he was quite inspiring for the rest of us as he made you think, you can do this. Its quite a brave thing. Peter spent a month in intensive care before he died. He was 64. 0n the day of his funeral, the roads leading to the cemetery were lined with members of the public paying their respects. What did you think of people lining the streets . It was all a bit of a blur, to be honest. It was nice that they all made that effort to come out and say goodbye, but, yeah, i wish it was for different reasons. Do you think it has all sunk in yet . I think when the pandemic is over, it will be easier to get over it. At the moment, i still feel like we are pushing through. The romantic, rugged coastline of the isle of man and a much needed story of love in the time of covid. When talk of lockdown came, it was daunting and scary and i reached out and said, kind of in a panicked way, can you move in . Im feeling quite scared and you are going to be on your own. It was quite scary, wasnt it . Scary. Scary time. That is how we ended up living together again. Ramona and joao paolo were together for six years but then divorced almost straightaway. They were apart for ten years, and then the coronavirus hit. It took something quite extreme like covid to push us into an extreme situation of living together again. Now i think we are more strong and we work out the problems we had before, you know what i mean . Why are you laughing . It is true. It is just funny hearing you say it. But it is true. We knew during that three months, we knew we did not want to be without each other, even if we werent sure how it was going to work out. Yeah. And so, on a summers day, on the beach, he proposed to ramona for the second time. I think one of the things that has come out of everything in the last few months has definitely been that feeling of living, to enjoy life and be happy. Living in the day and just, you know. Kind of enjoy everything as much as we can. I love you. I felt like i was suffocating and i rememberthe nurse came over and he could see that i was quite distressed and i was gasping and a little bit panicky. At that point i actually made my peace. I started praying, lord, please forgive me for everything, please look after my wife and kids, and i felt at that point, is this it . Steve landon is a fit 40 year old firefighter and father of four. He ended up in hospital at the end of march. Hi, everyone, i cant take my mask off for very long because im still on the oxygen. Just out of intensive care and struggling for breath, he sent this message to the doctors and nurses who saved his life. I have to say a massive thank you to the nhs staff who have been my family when i havent been with mine. Sorry. Steves family werent allowed to visit. His wife becky left to answer difficult questions from their children. They would ask, is daddy going to die and she would Say Something along the lines of hell pull through, and with my eldest she would be blunt to the point, i dont know if hes going to die. Pray he doesnt. Its hard for me to talk about it now, because its something you dont want your kids to ever have to go through. After more than a month in hospital, steve was finally reunited with his family. Coming so close to death has completely changed his view of life. You do have to live each moment like it is your last, embrace the ones you love and seize the moment, because you dont know when it is going to be your last. 2020 has been an unforgettable year of survival, love and loss. Graham satchell, bbc news. It has been the most extraordinary yearfor it has been the most extraordinary year for so it has been the most extraordinary yearfor so many it has been the most extraordinary year for so many reasons for so it has been the most extraordinary yearfor so many reasons for so many different people. Every family has a story. Chef rick stein is no stranger to enjoying cuisine from around the world. His tv shows and cook books have taken us on gastronomic tours of france, mexico and japan. But for his latest cooking series, rick has stayed close to home to explore his beloved cornwall. Well speak to him in a moment but first lets take a look at why he loves it so much. Unearthing the history of this ancient land. Hello. Meeting those for whom cornwall is a special place. This is where i feel at home. I slipped and then over the cliff. They renamed it barrys leap. And, as youd expect. To take this in, more than happy. Celebrating great cornish food. That and a glass of red wine. What else is life all about . And i hope to inspire you with my own dishes. On with the lamb. A sensational pud. What i discover is that cornwall is different to anywhere else in the world. Its that difference that i want to try and explain and to tell you what cornwall means to me. Beautiful. We were discussing the food. Was that a pear with the cream on top . It was a pear but it was poached not just in on top . It was a pear but it was poached notjust in red wine but blackberry juice as well. Poached notjust in red wine but blackberryjuice as well. A lovely dish. My mother in laws dish from australia. There you go. Well deduced, charlie. Tell us more about this idea. What it forced upon you because of the restrictions on travel . I know it is a place you love but travel was difficult. Of course, it was. But i have wanted to make a programme about cornwall for years and years. I always felt in the past it was maybe two regional tv. Cornwall has become meaningful more to people over the years. Actually taking a part of the uk and looking at it in depth is a great thing to do and it would pay to do it in many other parts of the uk. Cornwall for me particularly is where i have lived most of my life, and i love. I was able to explore this idea of cornwall being a little bit different to everywhere else, may be because it is out on the peninsula, almost like an island. Lots of people feel the same way about it. What has been interesting is that over this period of the year, many of us have looked beyond our doorstep and had a renewed appreciation of what is around us. |j agree. I think holidays are just about getting away from one possum at home. Actually going to other parts of the uk with the family is as good a holiday you will get anywhere. I think for so long we have regarded going abroad is a holiday that we forget how beautiful our own country is. It is a change of scene that makes all the difference and that is what makes a memorable holiday. As long as you are not ramming all the time, of course. We should mention, i know it has been a difficult time for the restau ra nt has been a difficult time for the restaurant trade and people like yourselves who run restaurants. How has it affected you and how do you see things . It has not been great. Yesterday, we shut down yet again. It is funny, actually, going off the subject, i went with my wife to the main restaurant last night because it was the last night and felt quite sad, because it was a lovely evening with so many very nice people in the restau ra nt, with so many very nice people in the restaurant, all probably saying this is the end of it. I realised how important is the end of it. I realised how im porta nt restau ra nts is the end of it. I realised how important restaurants are to us. I know early in the lockdown, in march, april, there were people in the press saying restaurants are finished, everyone will get used to eating at home. But i think it is about the joy of meeting other people and seeing other people enjoying themselves in a place that makes it so perfect. It was sad last night, but a little bit celebrate a read. It has been tricky, and thank goodness the government allowed restau ra nts goodness the government allowed restaurants to open in much of the summer, which i think probably saved our life. But the future is still uncertain, except of course for the vaccine. Many of us did not realise that meeting in pubs, restaurants, cafe is, the place it had for our families and communities until we lost them. You are right. I have this slight feeling about the Hospitality Industry as being like we know it but it is not important. That is why there is a move in the industry to have a minister, hospitality, because it is such an important part of the Economic Life of the country. We all feel a little bit that we are not exactly surplus to requirements but not important. think we know now how important hospitality is. During the tour of cornwall. I am hospitality is. During the tour of cornwall. Iam Reading Hospitality is. During the tour of cornwall. I am reading a book of yours from 1988 about english seafood. Did you learn anything new, or is there something about seafood thatis or is there something about seafood that is timeless . I am always learning new things. I think for me the joy of cooking is every time i go to cook Something Like dover sole, i think this is going to be the best one. It never is. It is a lwa ys the best one. It never is. It is always a journey, trying to cook the best possible fish. 0ne always a journey, trying to cook the best possible fish. One of the silly things i learned while i was doing this series, it has nothing to do with cornish food itself, but the girl who helps me prepare everything before we Start Cooking on tv, she said it is dead easy to peel ginger, you use a teaspoon. I did not know that. Top tip. Just try it. When you get home. There is nothing better. I find with cooking i am always learning, always picking up things. We are all on a learning curve. Lovely to see you and have a lovely new years eve and good luck next year with what might unfold. Thank you very much. Rick steins cornwall starts on monday at 6. 30pm on bbc two. We have seafood on the menu tonight at home. Do you have big plans . Huge, really huge thats all from us for today. Well be back tomorrow from six. Until then, have a very happy new year. Goodbye. Youre watching bbc news at nine with me, Annita Mcveigh the headlines. Millions more people in england wake up to the strictest level of restrictions tier 4 meaning they will have to mark the new year at home. Some secondary School Pupils in england face a delayed return to school, with mandatory Remote Learning for pupils who arent in years 11 or 13. It comes ahead of a government roll out of mass testing in schools. On monday of next week, all secondary schools are going to be getting a drop of tests, all the equipment that they need to set up. All the ppe that they need. A bill to implement the brexit deal has passed through parliament and takes effect at 11 oclock tonight when the uk