We face now than i have been at any time since march last year. Over 12 thousand for the last seven days. Theres been a huge increase theres yet more pressure in the numberof days. Theres been a huge increase in the number of people testing on the nhs, with a record positive for covid 19. That is very 58,781; new covid cases recorded alarming and unfortunately we will across the uk in the past 2a hours. Meet tonight and had some very difficult decisions to take. Because but a glimmer of light, of that sharp rise in cases one as the Oxford Astrazeneca vaccine is now being rolled out. The first dose was given thing that the deputy first minister has been calling for a staying put to an 82 year old patient today. That stay at home message back into law and back as it was in previous lockdown and another whining today from the chief medical officer saying yes, we have seen that sharp spike in cases since christmas but actually this peak we are expecting them to scrape up the virus is not expected until the mid deck mid january. Still a belief that it good evening and welcome to this bbc news special. Will get worse before it gets were standing by for an address by the Prime Minister boris better. I will leave you with one johnson, from number 10 piece of positive news he received downing street on the new set of measures hes enforcing today and that is the percentage of throughout england to deal with the surging number people over 80 with the virus has them and that is a possible sign we of coronavirus cases. Are told that the vaccine may be well also have the latest starting to work. Emma, thank you so on separate measures being put in place in scotland, much, emma vardy with the latest on wales and Northern Ireland. The position in Northern Ireland. Its expected that mrjohnson will announce measures for england less tha n similar to the total the position in Northern Ireland. Less than 20 minutes to go to the lockdown in march last year, appointed hour when the prime with people told to work from home minister, borisjohnson, unless they are key workers appointed hour when the Prime Minister, boris johnson, will address people, primarily in england and schools to be in terms of the measures that he is closed for most pupils. In scotland, the first going to mention. He is at downing minister Nicola Sturgeon street and will be talking there in has introduced a National Lockdown from midnight tonight, just under a couple of minutes with governments in wales and Northern Ireland also expected to take further measures. Time. Any minute or so remaining, i will bring vicki young back in. She according to the latest is still outside number ten there. Uk government figures, theres been another Record Number just a brief thought at this point, of new infections in the past 2a vicki, about the point i raised with hours 58,781; new cases hugh pearman, they work from lots of which is higher than at any time experts that this action is just too since the pandemic began. 407 deaths were recorded, slow, it has been too cumbersome. Thats of people who died within 28 what is the view inside number ten . Days of a positive covid i9 test. Well, they have always seen this but todays figures dont include scotland and are usually lower after the weekend. Very much as a balance. When you think back to the beginning of the pandemic, they thought about trying to protect lives and the nhs was the threat level of coronavirus will be raised to the highest level absolutely paramount, and it has remained so, but the government five across the uk. Would say and ministers would say that means that Health Services that they have to balance that with are judged to be at risk of being overwhelmed. The economy with interfering with peoples lives, and any prime but there has been some good news today, with the first minister having to dictate to people patients being given who they can see and when they can the new Oxford Astrazeneca vaccine. See it, that is a problem for anybody, but you can tell, of our deputy Political Editor course, borisjohnson extremely relu cta nt to course, borisjohnson extremely vicki young is in downing street. Reluctant to do that and has been from the beginning, and the peaks the Prime Minister going to speak in and troughs of these past nine around 20 minutes time. We know of months, where i think many people course of the deep alarm, given the did help that, come the summer, the worst was behind us, that turned out surging numbers of new cases, what do you think will be in the prime not to be the case, and, yes, he has been criticised for not acting ministers mind as he announces further measures . For months, the sooner. They fear, thank you very much. We will talk to after mr coronavirus has dominated our lives johnson has spoken. You are watching and dick dictated where we can go a bbc news special, we are broadcasting this address by the and dick dictated where we can go and who we can see. And there is Prime Minister, boris johnson, broadcasting this address by the Prime Minister, borisjohnson, on the latest measures in the pandemic. Some real anxiety in government about the new variant of coronavirus that transmits more easily. That has since the pandemic began last year, seen a surge the whole United Kingdom has been that transmits more easily. That has seen a surge in that transmits more easily. That has seen a surge in cases that transmits more easily. That has seen a surge in cases in the engaged in a Great National effort south east and Scientists Say there to fight covid, and there is no is no reason why that should stay in that part of england. Stricter doubt that in fighting the old variant of the virus, our collective measures, tier 4 already in place in effo rts variant of the virus, our collective efforts were working and would have many places, now that regional place continued to work. But we now have a going to be ditched by the prime new variant of the virus, and its minister, because the situation in some London Hospitals is now so been both frustrating and alarming difficult, theyre under so much to see the speed with which the new pressure, he will move again to a variant is spreading. 0ur scientists National Lockdown and the indications are that will be closer have confirmed this new variant is to what we experienced in march, rather than november, because what between 50 70 more transmissible. They want to do is try to suppress that means you are much, much more likely to catch the virus and to they want to do is try to suppress the virus, that will include school pass it on. As i speak to closures, something the government has been resistant to, wanting to keep children in the classroom for as long as possible. They always said schools would be the last thing to close, but it sounds as if for most they will be closed, except for Vulnerable Children and the children of key workers. A sombre evening, of course a message that the Prime Minister did not want to return to. We stood here in march and talked about it, the shock really of dealing with the pandemic. We know more about it, but it seep it it seep it is lives we seems the lives we will have to live will be similarto lives we will have to live will be similar to march. Along the line of the tier, the tier 4, this thought there might be a tier 5, how would that differ to what we call a lockdown, given scotland has said this is a National Lockdown, what guidance can we give to viewers before the Prime Ministers statement about where we should judge these levels now . Well i think it is much more likely to be called a National Lockdown, because the restrictions will be the same across england. In some parts cases are not as high, but theyre worried it is moving in the same direction as the other parts. So you are looking again at School Closures and when we talk about that, that is going to mean Primary School as well as Senior School and there will be thoughts about University Students and talking about sending them back, i think that is going to be unlikely. There will be exceptions, but the stay at home message is what you will hear again and again. We heard it so much in the spring. Those in downing street acknowledge that people are lets face it fed up, patience is wearing thin, people are not following the guidelines, and the message from the Prime Minister will everyone has to do their bit and follow the rules more closely and the new rules for many parts. Thank you. We will be back with you before the Prime Minister is due to speak at around 8 oclock. With me is our Health Editor hugh pym, who has been looking at the latest figures, the infections and the pressure on the nhs, that building by the day. Where are we tonight, what can you say to viewers before we hear the Prime Minister . 0ne before we hear the Prime Minister . One of the most revealing developments in the last hour was thejoint statement from developments in the last hour was the joint statement from the uks chief medical 0fficers the joint statement from the uks chief medical officers say on the advice and in consultation with the jbc,the advice and in consultation with the jbc, the expert group of analysts there is a risk of the nhs being overwhelmed in several areas within 21 days. That is based on the way case numbers have gone. The latest daily case number nearly 59,000. That is the highest since the testing system was got up to scale. Week on week the cases across the uk, looking at the averages, are up 50 . Now, those are call cases recently diagnosed. Some of them will become seriously ill. But not for another ten days or two weeks. Theyre still to feed through to the hospital system. And the hospitals as we have been hearing, are really busy and having to cancel operations and routine surgery and that sort of thing to make room for covid patients. It is notjust the south east of england that took the brunt of the pressure, we have had the hospital in chester saying 40 of its beds are being occupied by covid patients. Leaders in cumbria have made a similar point, that the hospitals in the north are coming under pressure. It is partly because of this new variant, this very transmissible form of virus. Are you picking up signals from all the people you talk to behind the scenes, advisors and experts, that they are in some way frustrated that decisions on this kind of scale have been too slow in coming that, government in westminster should have acted more quickly and the measures should have taken place some days or a week or plus ago . Is that what youre picking up . From experts, there was a consensus emerging last week when in england there was a move in some parts to tier 4, but not all, why not do the whole thing then . That was only last wednesday. It was clear you could have taken wednesday. It was clear you could have ta ken tough wednesday. It was clear you could have taken tough action. Why not go toa have taken tough action. Why not go to a National Level of lockdown. That question will continue to be asked. It has a big impact on business and peoples livelihoods. But i think pressure was building for some tougher action to deal with the case cases kept on rising. The christmas effect, the mixing of households over christmas, that is only really beginning to have an effect in case numbers showing up in the last day or two, over new year as well there could have been an increase. That is all still to come. That is what firms are concerned about. We will talk again later. Hugh pym with the latest. There has been a lot of confusion surrounding the first day of the new term in englands Primary Schools. This is a big part of the the picture in large parts of england they have re opened after the christmas break. Despite unions asking the government to keep them closed. To protect staff from them closed. To protect staff from the new variant. Lets talk to our education correspondent in salford. Bring us up to date with the picture with schools and what you expect in the statement . Today i was at a school in manchester as the head teacher opened the gates and welcomed children back. The question is how long are these schools going to stay open . It was always going to bea to stay open . It was always going to be a challenging start to the term and the government have said the situation is under review. With we have a worrying increase in the virus and we have had christmas and the coldest months. The government announced secondary schools would be closed for an extra two weeks. Those in year and closed for an extra two weeks. Those in year 11 and 13 sitting exams are due to be back next week. In terms of Primary Schools in london and the south east, the majority are closed. But in other parts most are open. Pa rents but in other parts most are open. Parents i but in other parts most are open. Pa rents i have but in other parts most are open. Parents i have spoken to in manchester have asked the question, why is it ok for schools in tier 4 in the south to be closed u, but not in the south to be closed u, but not in the north. The government says the decisions are based on science and it is safe for children to be back at school. And that there are no greater risks of catching the virus in the classroom. But unions say the rate of infection is so high it is exposing workers to risks of ill health. In some areas, councils have told schools they would support them if they decided not to open. Unions have called for a pause in the re opening of schools for anyone other than Vulnerable Children and the children of key workers. Elaine, we will spee what is said. See what is said. Of course, a lot of focus on what is happening with business and they will be looking with concern and alarm at the pass yibt possibilities of Takeaway Services being affected. Simonjack, what are you expect something concern and alarm in the business community, but perhaps no surprise. This is not the first day of the working week that everyone was hoping for in 2021. But businesses are saying, we hoping for in 2021. But businesses are saying, we see hoping for in 2021. But businesses are saying, we see the same numbers and we know infections are rising and we know infections are rising and there has to be a response. The question is what is the response . Nonessential shops are already closed. We could see a redefinition of what nonessential means and Garden Centres and off licences closed. But if that is the case, business groups say dont forget the supply chains to business who dont get the same support as businesses who are forced to close. 0n business support measures, when we have lockdowns, groups say, what will you do . I hear there lockdowns, groups say, what will you do . I hearthere are lockdowns, groups say, what will you do . I hear there are no plans for major new business support measures. Remember, furloughs been extended to the end of april and Business Rates holidays to march and we have a budget in march. Dont expect any big announcements. But there are do concerns. 0ne big announcements. But there are do concerns. One is big announcements. But there are do concerns. 0ne is consumer confidence. This will do nothing to reinforce that. The schools, that is essential for many workers. If theyre closed that will mean that many parents will either have to work from home, whilst parenting from home and those who cant work from home and those who cant work from home, will have a very difficult connumdrum. So alarm, but no surprise at what is a depressing start to the first working day of 2021. Thank you. We will put your remarks in context once we have heard the Prime Minister. Thank you so heard the Prime Minister. Thank you so much. Stay us with, because the time isjust so much. Stay us with, because the time is just about 10 to 8 and so much. Stay us with, because the time isjust about 10 to 8 and in ten minutes we will be live in downing street to hear the address from be Prime Minister. There is the night time view over whitehall and westminster, the lights still burning in offices there. Just ten minutes to go, and of because he will be making remarks about the position in england, because so many of these matters are devolved to scotland, wales and Northern Ireland, so we will be considering what he has to say about england, but we will be paying attention too to the four nations of the uk. That is coming up at eight oclock. With that in mind, in scotland, Nicola Sturgeon has already ordered a new lockdown from midnight tonight to try to control the spread of the virus. There will be a legal requirement to stay at home, and schools will close, we are told there, until february. The measures will be applying to mainland scotla nd will be applying to mainland scotland and skye at least until the end of january. 0ur scotland correspondent james cook in glasgow. Bring us up to date, with those who have not been watching, what is the position with the measures now in force overnight . Yes, huw, scotland is already living, mainland scotland in particular, under some pretty tight restrictions, and we have learned they will be tightened even further. From midnight tonight, as you say, it will be illegal to leave your home unless you have an excuse, u nless home unless you have an excuse, unless your journey home unless you have an excuse, unless yourjourney is essential. 0ther unless yourjourney is essential. Other measures are coming in here as well, on mainland scotland, they include churches being closed, gatherings for sport outdoors not professional but amateur, will be stopped as well. You will only be able to meet one other person outdoors from now on as well, and as you say, schools, and this applies to the whole of scotland, including the islands, schools will be shut. They havent gone back here, they will be shut until at least february the 1st. The first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, accept that these new restrictions are devastating but she is extremely worried about the acceleration of the pandemic. To give you an example, one health board area, nhs ayrshire and our income is apparently running at 96 of its covid capacity, and for that reason the mantra that has returned here again is that when we were so familiar with in the spring, which is to stay home, save lives, protect the nhs. Let me stress, this is notjust about one single days numbers. We are now seeing a steeply rising trend of infections. Indeed, it is no exaggeration to say i am more concerned about the situation that we face now than i have been at any time since march last year. In the week from the 23rd to the 30th of december, the seven day incidence of cases per 100,000 of the population increased by 65 , from 136 per 100,000 to 225 per 100,000. Test positivity has risen sharply too. Ican give i can give you some reaction to that announcement from the first minister, and in the Scottish Parliament this afternoon, the acting leaderfor the parliament this afternoon, the acting leader for the scottish conservatives, ruth davidson, said this was hard news and parents would be dismayed. She said businesses would be very worried as well, although she stressed that she understood the logic behind these new restrictions. We have also today been speaking to a former first minister of scotland for labour, jack mcconnell, a former teacher himself, and his point is that schools across all parts of the uk need to be designated as Critical Infrastructure and that teachers and other school staff, he says, should be prioritised for the vaccine. James, many thanks, our 00 18 41,478 4294966103 13 29,430 correspondent in glasgow 00 00 00,000 2147483051 36 44,715 hospitality closed, and people again 2147483051 36 44,715 4294966103 13 29,430 told to stay at home unless it is