But the Council Still says closing schools would have helped stop the virus spreading. Were not interested in a legal argument with the government about who is right and who is wrong, because i know that presented with the information that i had in front of me, from talking to greenwich head teachers, greenwich families and children who were in schools this would have been in everyones best interests. More than 800,000 fewer people are on the payroll now than at the start of the pandemic with hospitality and retail particularly badly hit the number of people dying in scotland from drug misuse has reached a new record high and is the worst in europe. And coming up in sport a 9 month driving ban for england and aston villa footballerJack Grealish. The 25 year old has also been fined more than 80 thousand pounds, after admitting to careless driving. Good afternoon. Theres growing pressure on the government and the leaders of scotland, wales and Northern Ireland to rethink their plans for
Windy and mild. I mention rain at times but not all of the time. Have a look at the beautiful skies overhead in the Scottish Highlands early on. There is sunshine at the moment. This is the satellite and radar picture. We have had sunshine across eastern england, Northern Ireland doing nicely for brighter skies and dry weather at the moment. Elsewhere, quite a few showers, some of which are heavy, even thundery, and more persistent rain creeping in towards the south east of england. Although the winds are quite brisk, they are coming from the south west, a mild wind direction, so temperatures in double digits for most of us. This evening and overnight, this area of persistent rain moving across south east england. Elsewhere, still quite a few showers especially in the west, not as many getting across to eastern areas. Temperatures not falling too far, generally between four and eight celsius. Tomorrow is another sunshine and showers day. Again, less chance of staying dry where you have
To online teaching to halt the spread of the virus. A record rise in redundancies and unemployment continues to grow. 1. 7 Million People are now out of work across the uk. The netherlands enters a strict second lockdown, with schools and shops shut for at least five weeks. And coming up this hour. We hear how Technology Giants including google and facebook could face multi Million Pound fines if they fail to protect children from online harm. Good morning and welcome to bbc news. From midnight tonight, 3a Million People in england will be living with the highest level of restrictions in tier 3. New areas, including the whole of london, are being moved into the top tier because of a very sharp rise in the number of coronavirus infections. The measures were announced as ministers revealed that a new variant of the virus has been seen in the uk but experts say they believe the new vaccine is effective against it. Greater london and parts of essex and hertfordshire are to be placed in tie
Than twice the size of london, is on a collision course with the british territory of south georgia, threatening the islands wildlife and ecosystem. Good afternoon, and welcome to bbc news. Theres growing pressure on the government and the devolved administrations to rethink plans to ease coronavirus restrictions for five days over the Christmas Period. In a rare joint editorial, two of the uks leading medicaljournals have called for the government to reverse what it describes as a rash decision that will cost lives. Labour has called for the government to urgently review the festive relaxation. Later today, Cabinet Office minister michael gove is expected to discuss the christmas coronavirus rules with the leaders of scotland, wales and Northern Ireland. Ministers have urged people to do the minimum possible when covid regulations are relaxed. 0ur Political Correspondent Jessica Parker reports. Will you stand under the tree . Under the tree. Getting into the spirit and under the tree,
In half an hour, well be putting your questions about the new covid variant to virologist professorJonathan Ball. Also tonight thats it, sharp scratch coronavirus vaccinations are under way in care homes in scotland and in gp surgeries in england. Both the eu and britain say progress is being made in negotiations over a future trading relationship but warn the talks could yet fail. More money to victims of the windrush scandal the government is to increase its minimum compensation payment from £250 to £10,000. And footage emerges of a near miss between two cars and a train at a level crossing in east anglia last month. Good evening, welcome to bbc news. Greater restrictions will be imposed on parts of england as a new variant of coronavirus has been identified in the uk. The Health Secretary says it has been found in more than 1,000 cases, mostly in the south east, and it may be linked to the virus spreading faster. It has also been identified in other countries and at the moment a v