north east where it can be cold with mist and fog patches. thursday, largely cloudy, light winds for most, dry thanks to high pressure, any brightness over the north east corner, and the weather front becomes confined to the far north of the uk to bring showery bursts of rain to the northern isles. it stays very mild for the time of year. similar picture on friday and also into the weekend. hello, this is bbc news. the headlines. a senior health official warns that cases of the omicron variant are doubling in less than every two days in most parts of the uk. new rules come into force, meaning adults in england must show a covid pass to get into nightclubs, big sports matches and other large events. more pressure on borisjohnson, after 100 of his own mps vote against the covid passes. is the party over for you now,
senior health i happen. thanks forjoining us. a senior health official happen. thanks forjoining us. a senior health official has - happen. thanks forjoining us. a senior health official has warned j senior health official has warned that cases of the omicron variant are doubling in less than every two daysin are doubling in less than every two days in most parts of the uk. joining me isjohn burn murdoch, a data journalist at the financial times. does that figure sound right to you? that looks broadly in line for what i m seeing in the numbers that the hilt to do security agency have been putting out. that the health security agency. putting out. that the health security agency- putting out. that the health security agency. today, if you test ositive security agency. today, if you test positive for security agency. today, if you test positive for covid, security agency. today, if you test positive for covid, you security agency. today, if you test positive for covid, you
are doubling in less than every two days in most parts of the uk. new rules come into force, meaning adults in england must show a covid pass to get into nightclubs, big sports matches and other large events. the cost of living hits its highest level for a decade inflation surging to 5.1% in the year to november. three premier league matches tonight will be the first big sporting events where fans will need to declare a covid pass or negative lateral flow for entry into the stadium. it s part of the government s plan b to combat the spread of the omicron variant of covid 19. alex howell has been to crystal palace to brighton is one of the team playing later today. brighton is one of the team playing latertoday. paul brighton is one of the team playing later today. paul balfour is chief executive and deputy chairman at brighton and hove albion football club and i m delighted to sayjoins us now. to have you with us and i am sure is quite an porton down busy
significant threat we ve had since the start of the pandemic, and i m sure, for example, that the numbers that we see on data over the next few days will be quite staggering compared to the rate of growth that we ve seen in cases for previous variants. with that in mind, new regulations requiring a covid pass to enter larger venues, like football grounds, aim to at least slow the spread of the variant. the new rules bring england closer into line with the rest of the uk, and tonight, when crystal palace take on southampton, fans will need to show a pass to get in. it s something that we are well prepared for. it s something that, you know, we ve had great support from other clubs. as you re aware, other clubs have actually implemented this and tried it for various games. for example, we ve done exactly the same we trialled it, done soft checks on supporters, supporters have been really receptive of that. the night time economy will also feel the impact. pubs like this one in bristol
which continues to this day. thanks forjoining us- the head of the uk health security agency says the growth of the omicron variant is going to be staggering . drjenny harries described omicron as probably the most significant threat to public health since the start of the pandemic. from today, adults in england must now show a covid pass to get into nightclubs, big sports matches and other large events it brings england broadly into line with scotland, wales and northern ireland. the new rules were approved last night, despite a commons rebellion by 100 conservative mps. here s our health correspondent, dominic hughes. the race to get boosters into arms continues this morning in sheffield. over 18s in england can now book a slot online to get theirjab. the number of suspected omicron infections is growing fast, but, speaking to mps this morning, the head of the uk health security agency stressed we re still only at the beginning of this latest outbreak. it s probably the most