Trade agreement resume the uk and eu agree to go The Extra Mile for a breakthrough. I must apologise for my friends misbehaviour. The doyen of espionage Writing Tributes to spy turned author John Le Carre, whos died at the age of 89. Good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. London and essex an area covering more than nine Million People looks likely to be moved into tier 3 of covid restrictions. Health ministers and officials are understood to be deeply concerned about the sharp rise in virus cases across the capital. Undertier3, bars, pubs, cafes and restaurants must stay closed, except for delivery and takeaway, and people cant mix indoors, in private gardens or in most outdoor venues, except with their household or bubble. It comes as the mayor of london sadiq khan, is calling for secondary schools and fe colleges to close early if theres no mass Testing Available ahead of christmas. Andy moore reports. Mobile testing units have been sent to the parts of london, kent and essex which have expensed recent rapid rises in Infection Rates. London is currently in tier 2 and could go into tier 3 f rights continue to escalate. If the government decides to move london to tier 3 they must provide additional Financial Support of those businesses who otherwise will go bust, Hundreds Of Thousands Ofjobs will be lost and its far better for the government to keep these businesses afloat by additional Financial Support rather than the alternative, which is these businesses going bust and hundreds of thousands of londoners losing theirjobs. Tier 3 restrictions in pubs and Restau Ra Nts tier 3 restrictions in pubs and restaurants are tier 3 restrictions in pubs and Restau Ra Nts a re u na ble to tier 3 restrictions in pubs and restaurants are unable to do take a ways. No mixing of households is allowed unless outdoor is any public space. London probably does need to go into tier 3 because otherwise we are going tojust have even more problems, were coming up to christmas and the relaxation of the rules for the Christmas Period, and then we are looking down down the track at problems in january, february. The nhs is worried about the increasing pressure on hospitals in and around the capital. Last week, more than a quarter of the 121 Hospital Trusts so covid admission is going up by more than 20 . They are saying, a quarter of trust, seem very steep rises in that the number of covid emissions. Admissions. Parents and children arriving this morning at primary schools in greenwich for what is now going to be the last day of term. Parents at these schools were informed yesterday that they would be closing a few days early and switching to Online Learning where possible. What can we do . We need to just go on with it and get of the way. At least if that will curb the incidents, then that is fine. It is just too short notice to get any sort of Child Care Arrangements in place so you will be either taking the day of unpaid, coming up to christmas, which is undoable. People are mixing when theyre dropping their kids to school and we can see cases arising so. They have to do what they have to do. It is a shame that things have been left to the last minute. Theres something that should have been ages ago. The Labour Leader of Greenwich Borough Council said he had to take immediate action because of what he called the exponential rise in covid cases in the borough. They have risen by about 60 in one week and now stand at 248 per 100,000 people. London mps have been briefed on the increasingly serious situation in the capital. A move to tier 3 now looks highly likely and that announcement could come as early as this afternoon. Andy moore, bbc news, greenwich. Lets take a look at the criteria considered before moving any areas into higher restrictions. First, the total number of cases. Then case rates in people over the age of 60. The rate at which they are either rising orfalling. The number of positive cases relative to the number of total tests. And finally the amount of pressure on the local nhs. 0ur Health Editor hugh pym explained whats expected this afternoon. Were certainly expecting a statement from the Health Secretary for england, matt hancock, in the commons at half past three, and more detail will be set out there, but certainly, talking to mps, london mps were briefed this morning by Health Officials and Council Leaders across the capital. They are all expecting a move up to the highest tier in england of restrictions tier 3 possibly even tomorrow or in the ensuing days. Now, what does that involve . Well, of course, its already been imposed in certain other areas of england. It means pubs, bars, restaurants have to stop taking customers into their premises. It will be takeaway only. Of course, if that is imposed in london, itll hit a very big sector of the Hospitality Industry, really, for the whole of england. And it prohibits meeting people indoors or in private gardens. You can only meet people outside your household or your Support Bubble in a public park or somewhere like that. Essex is also likely to move up to tier 3. Kent is already in that highest tier. And just looking at the top 20 hot spots, 19 of them are in the South East Of England at the moment, including some london boroughs. London has the highest case rate per 100,000 of any area of england, even though it is in tier 2. So that is the expectation. And certainly, talking to people in local authorities, they feel urgent action is needed because case rates have risen so rapidlyjust in the last week. And theres a debate even going on about whether it needs to be tier 3 with extra restrictions imposed to try to curb what looks like a rapid spread of the virus. Hugh pym in the worm studio. And now out in the rain. 0ur Political Correspondent, helen catt is at westminster. There was this meeting this morning of london mps and those from surrounding counties like kent and essex, which are looked at the data and speaking to some of those who are on the call, they said it was pretty bleak. 0ne described the figures as being alarming, that they we re figures as being alarming, that they were showing two sources on the cull said they had been told that in some areas, case numbers were doubling they said this was about setting up they said this was about setting up the background, setting at the figures for them. But he did not address what might that happen, although the inference that most ta ke although the inference that most take away from that is that there would need to be some sort of further action. The labour mp singh london might not be going into tier 3in london might not be going into tier 3 in words, but they said it in figures saying that london. This mornings with officials. It would suggest, if it looks like it, talking with matt hancock this afternoon would be the moment they we re afternoon would be the moment they were talking about it. |j afternoon would be the moment they were talking about it. I want to show a shot of what youre going through because youre right in the middle of an absolute damper. In case youre not aware of how bad it is, we are looking at westminster, it looks pretty grim. Can you spare a thought for my cameraman who does not have a brolly. You better get inside, both of you. Helen, thank you very much. And, we will bring you full coverage of the Health Secretarys statement to mps from half past three this afternoon here on the bbc news channel. As we were saying, he is meeting london mps before that so if anything licks out of that, we may have some news before 330 anything lea ks out have some news before 330 anything leaks out of that. About 100 gp practices in england are receiving doses of the Pfizer Biontech Coronavirus Vaccine today to start immunising the surgeries will operate seven days a week, from eight am to eight pm, and people eligible for a jab will be contacted by their gp. Theres some Flash Photography in sophie hutchinsons report. Batches of the Coronavirus Vaccine being prepared for delivery today from this warehouse in the midlands. Each box here contains almost 1000 doses and this centre has distributed more than 40,000 doses this morning. The vaccine is being taken to more than 100 gp practices in england, most of their patients will get it tomorrow. But a tiny minority, like this surgery on the outskirts of birmingham, will have the jabs as early as this afternoon and this gp will be one of the first to administer one of them. Covid 19 and the pandemic has been unprecedented for us in the nhs. As primary care gps, we are used to delivering a mass we do the Flu Programme every year, this is a different vaccine, yes, logistically it is different in terms of how we handle it and deliver it but we feel so ready. Gps have to work at speed. The vaccine has to be stored at ultra low temperatures. It is then thawed out and practices havejust three and a half days to use it. This one in Central London is aiming to vaccinate as many as 1000 people in the next few days. That will mean injecting up to a0 patients every hour. Nevertheless, many will have to wait for an appointment, and doctors are urging people to be patient. Inevitably, with the relatively small number of centres, not everybody will have access to it straightaway. But over a period of months working through the list, the expectation is that perhaps the 30 million or so people in the country that require the vaccine will actually receive it. The roll out to gp surgeries comes less than a week since Margaret Keenan made history by becoming the first person to receive the vaccine as part of the nationwide roll out. People aged 80 and over, along with health care staff, are being prioritised in what is the largest Immunisation Programme the nhs has ever undertaken. Its taken a huge amount of work, lots of people with lots of different backgrounds and experience. Weve worked with scientists, people from the army, supply, logistics, estates, all sorts of people who have come together to make sure that we can Offer Vaccinations as gps come Offer Vaccinations as gps, as pharmacists, as nurses, so we are really very lucky and its been a phenomenal endeavour so far. And some gps will be running mass Vaccination Programmes from larger centres, such as this one at epsom racecourse. Nhs staff plan to vaccinate up to 300 patients a day here. To be able to do this at scale and get the number of patients vaccinated in a timely fashion, is really good to do in in a central hub where everything is on site and set up correctly, where all the right precautions are taken and we can be sure it is a safe and quality service. Centres like this are part of a rapid scaling up what will be of a rapid scaling up to what will be over 1000 Vaccination Sites in the coming weeks, in the hope the viruss race may soon be run. Sophie hutchinson, bbc news. The government is to give more money to victims of the windrush scandal, which saw hundreds of people wrongly threatened with deportation. The home secretary, priti patel, will announce later that the minimum payment will rise from £250 to £10,000, and the maximum from £10,000 to £100,000. There will be higher payments in exceptional circumstances, with money being paid to claimants quicker than before. 0ur reporter, jack fenwick has been following the story. She is expected to get on her feet in the commons at 2 30pm. What are we expecting . That is right. We are expecting that priti patel is going to announce an pretty big changes to the windrush compensation scheme. This is a story i have been following for the bbc pretty closely. Last month i found that two things, firstly at least nine people had actually died before receiving money applied for through the skin. Secondly, very, very small numbers of people are being offered the top level of something called an impact on my payment. That is the aspect of the scheme which is supposed to reflect how badly a claimants life was affected. I remember, these are people who came to the uk decades ago but were then told incorrectly they did not have a right to be here, some were deported, detained and many others lost theirjobs. The changes that are expected to be outlined today really do, in line with what campaigners have been calling for very long time. The speed of the process has been criticised by a lot of people, particularly once we found out that at least nine people had actually died before receiving that money. As you say, the amounts are set to increase by quite a lot. The minimum payment, which was 200 will now be £10,000. The maximum, which was 10,000 will now be £100,000. Some say could be higher one than £100,000 if it has been their life has been affected any particularly bad way. Are saying the scheme will be sped up a lot. They will get £10,000 very quickly as soon as they can show they have been affected by this. They will go back and review some of the previous offers they have given it, which is something the campaigners have also been calling for. One word of caution is that the campaigners a reaction today does seem to be cautiously optimistic. 0ne claimant i spoke to rejected a couple of offers that she thinks are pretty low told me she does not really believe it will be resolved until that cheque is in the post her. Jack, thank you for that update. The headlines on bbc news. As Coronavirus Cases soar, london faces a move to tier 3 englands highest level of restrictions. Coronavirus vaccinations start to be delivered to some gp practices in england today, while an Inoculation Programme begins in care homes in scotland. The eus Chief Brexit Negotiator says a Post Brexit Trade Deal is still possible, but key differences remain. One of the great post war novelists. A literary giant. Among the tributes to one of britains best known novelists, John Le Carre who died yesterday aged 89. In his writing, he drew on his own experiences as an intelligence agent, and for many he re shaped their idea of cold war espionage through characters like his most famous, spy master George Smilie. Will gompertz looks back at his life. Do you know what is killing western democracy, george . Greed. And constipation. Nothing is as it seems in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. I hate america very deeply. The economic repression of the masses. Institutionalised. John le carres literary masterpiece is set in a secret world of spies, lies and Double Crossing double agents. He is right about the state of affairs down there. Slovenly. The story revolves around the wise and wily George Smilie. His supremely intelligent intelligence officer. You might call it balancing the books. David cornwell was still working for mi6 in the early 1960s when he started writing his slow burn Spy Thrillers, hence the need for a pen name. He named himselfJohn Le Carre, once again under cover. He said it was a guide into the secret world of espionage which started when spying on his fellow students at Oxford University. What he did professionally would inform his novels for the next decade but perhaps not as much as his early private life. He was a wounded character from his childhood. He had been left by his mother when he was young. The personal wound gave his writing a real edge. His cover for meeting new people is he is spying on the circus then he must have a man on the inside, mustnt he . The good guys might be the bad guys, the truth, as George Smilie knew only too well, is elusive. Worrying really about the absence of strong alliances, the unclarity of our position in the world, britain position the world, europes position in the world, and this absolutely open future and for George Smilie, can you imagine what he thinks about trump . John le carre was an exceptional storyteller whose Spy Thrillers will be read for generations to come. He was also an astute chronicler of temporary life and politics, a man who cared deeply about the state of the world. His dark characters reflected what he saw but not necessarily the man himself whom friends described as being warm and moral with a barely concealed romantic streak. I can now speak to the bestselling novelist frederick forsyth. Good afternoon. We have lost someone very, very special, having to be . He was a game changer. Back in the late 60s, he did. He redefined the whole british spy novel, which we thought was always, with some justification, by the british speciality, but it had fallen into cosy gentlemanly club type of routine and he told us that it was not anything about gentlemans clu bs, not anything about gentlemans clubs, it was at the street where it was dark and dirty. That was really what he did for the spy novel. He told it to the was our very close to the way it was. A different horse from ashington and all those gentlemen in their buyers and gentlemen in their buyers and gentlemen is clubs. Also different from ian fleming and the completely unbelievable bond, who would never, under any circumstances, have been a secret agent because he was no secret. John le carre and self credits ian fleming and thanks him by the fact it put the Espionage Novels back into our mindset in such a way. And he took advantage of that. He did indeed. But the spy novel was, has long been a british speciality. Abroad, we are credited with being at the masters of the spy novel. Right back to the Riddle Of The Sands and books like that. And the 39 steps and on to the gap between the words, the second world war, ashington and all the gentlemen. But into the cold war, which was his speciality, when he was up against, a man was up against carla, the giant of the kgb, that was New Territory and no one had penetrated until he did. With the spy who came in from the cold setting is germany where i was a correspondent and he described it as a really nasty place to be. Rolled over by the stasis and he described them very, very well. Here there was not actually. Smilie was just a figure on the western side urging the other man to jump but he went back and died for no particular reason whatsoever that i could see. Nevertheless, that was where we first met the elusive George Smilie. Later to become the main figure and a whole series that featured him. For many people, this is true of your books too, turned into dramas, television and film. My word, how lucky he was with the casting of those. You have mentioned the spy who came in from the cold. That was richard burton. And then later 0n Alec Guinness,. How important is it to authors that when they see their work transferred onto the screen, the right actors play those parts questioning he got it right with Alec Guinness, didnt they . They got it absolutely right with Alec Guinness. Long after that, it absolutely right with Alec Guinness. Long afterthat, it it absolutely right with Alec Guinness. Long after that, it became the idea that smiley was guinness, there was no point changing and many more. And when they remade the one with gary 0ldman, there was no Alec Guinness because he was dead. But one still thinks back to those marvellous moments with Alec Guinness in the first Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and. What he brought to the screen was a saturday, which was not there before le carre. The deviousness, the mendacity, the betrayal, and we had betrayals, but they were. How should i put it . Contemptible. Whereas smiley was devious, but not contemptible, we knew he was on our side and that is why he became a favourite. Your fellow offer Robert Harris educate pick up any Le Carre Novel and you would know from what page who had written it one page. What was it about his writing that sean . That that shone. I would not know what it was in that one page that told him that it has to be le carre like writing, but he was distinctive in as much as everything was oblique. Virtually nothing was said like the cat sat on the mat. It was not that. It was at the Feline Slithered into the room and took up residence. You had to work at what he was talking about. Then it made sense. And then you knew that whatever you had seen might not be the truth. That was where he was so subtle. Right at the very end, youre not quite certain when you had seen through the various veils of secrecy draped in front of you. How much does one author ever influence another . How did he colour how you wrote, may be . Ido did he colour how you wrote, may be . I do not think he did. This is because we are writing quite different kinds of stuff. I did not. I certainly do not think consciously and certainly not unconsciously imitate other writers of fiction. The first i did was such a one offi of fiction. The first i did was such a one off i didnt even know how to write. I had never done a novel in my life. The spiking in from the cold was his third and by the time i wrote my first he had brought his sixth. Ijust wrote my first he had brought his sixth. I just really wrote my first he had brought his sixth. Ijust really brought the weight flood of the pen. Wrote the way it flowed of the pen. I was doing hard action stuffed with guns and assassinations and all sorts of people being beaten up and interrogated and that there is and he did not do much of that. It was much more subtle. It seems to work. The master of the understatement, if imight the master of the understatement, if i might say. Frederick forsyth, there is a great pleasure in talking to you. Thank you very much in remembering John Le Carre with us. The head of the Eu Commission Ursula Von Der Leyen had said there is movement in the brexit trade talks. She was speaking as negotiators from both sides resumed intensive discussions in brussels on their outstanding differences. Downing street said that a no deal outcome was still possible but that work continues to try and reach an agreement. Lets get some Business Reaction to this. We can speak now to our business presenter, ben thompson. It is easy to get caught up in all of the politics of theirs, but behind the headlines are a lot of businesses trying to work out what these talks could mean for them. On these talks could mean for them. On the 1st Of January when they wake up how they will decide how they will be able to trade and operate with their customers in the European Union. Many firms in this country will import goods from overseas as well as part of their Production Process and so therefore will rely on two way trade between mainland europe and the United Kingdom. As of those talks continue, there is very little certainty right now but what a trade deal will look like, if indeed one will be done at all. Lets get the thoughts ofjosh hardy, Deputy Director general at the confederation of british industry. Josh, afternoon tea. What you make of these talks . We are told that they will go The Extra Mile, they will that business just wa nts they will that business just wants clarity . More twists and turns. It is almost worthy of a Le Carre Novel. It is good news, the fa ct carre novel. It is good news, the fact that both sides committed to go The Extra Mile shows a couple of things, when it shows they both realise just how important it is to have a deal for the recovery across europe. And they must think the deal is possible. The most important thing is getting that deal. That gives us a platform to enter the new year with a bit of cheer rather than a hangover. At the same time, those preparations, we need help, clarity, lets turbo charge that as well. |j was talking to the federation of Small Business a little earlier and we we re Small Business a little earlier and we were making the point that yes, Small Business may be nimble, adaptable, it will cope with whatever comes its way, but it does not have the Certainty Pockets and big resources that are larger firms to have and therefore you will see a split here, those who are more ready than others to face that uncertainty. Yes, you see, if im honest, all sorts of splits. It is notjust honest, all sorts of splits. It is not just about size, sector also, some sectors will be immediately affected, manufacture for example. Entire Supply Chains and goods crossing borders. A lot of businesses have had their resilience stripped bare by covid, and are desperately trying to protect jobs. More businesses are Small Businesses are not often prepared as well as big business, but it is not that simple. We are working furiously with government. There is no shortage of effort here to try and get to the dancers in place, but the single most important thing is that deal. To get things in place. What many will find surprising is here we are as a country, at the 11th hour, still trying to scramble around to do a deal. How has it got to the Stage Questioning why are we living at right until the last minute . And equally, business leaving it at the right until the last minute cuts and maybe business should have done the preparation itself rather than relying on the government. Businesses have worked as hard as they can to get ready. A lot of businesses are prepared. 0f they can to get ready. A lot of businesses are prepared. Of course, being prepared does not mean youre protected. You can pick up the sandbags, but the water is still going to seep through. Until we had that deal, some of the detail is not available. You do not know what is going to happen with rules of origin built up we cannot move under agreements about data. It is impossible to be fully prepared. Why has it taken so long . That is a question for the negotiators, but there is a famous stating that with trade deal is is nothing is agreed until everything is great so it is not uncommon for them to go up to the wire, but they need to get done and be able to prepare and decide agreements at the same time because otherwise there could be a few days to make changes that are necessary. I know you represent all sorts of businesses, big and small in all different sectors. What are you telling your members right now . How can they best prepare themselves for what we know is coming down the line one way or another . Like a lot of organisations, we are providing all the information we can with government. There are no regrets actions, Actions Firms can take no matter whether it is deal or no deal. Particularly around customs. We are also furiously feeding insight into government, weekly meetings with the Cabinet Office where we end businesses sit around and say, these are the challenges were facing on the ground. That means government can prioritise things that really do matter will make a difference. There is a herculean effort going on at the moment. We will do everything as businesses that we can, but unless we move more quickly, they will be disruption in the new year. The challenge now is to minimise that. Absolutely. That clock is ticking, isntjosh, good to hear your thoughts. The Deputy Director general at the confederation of british industry. Like all businesses big and small, the politicians all keeping a very close eye on those negotiations of course to see whether we get any sort of deal. Ben, thank you very much. Lets catch up with the Weather Forecast from ben much. Lets catch up with the weatherforecast from ben rich. If you have managed to dodge the downpours, there has been some sunshine to be had. But generally, quite an unsettled flavour to the weather, which continues throughout this week. Rain at times, often windy, but with that, it will feel mild. Could see some more persistent rain for a time across parts of eastern and south Eastern England during this evening. Overnight, plenty more showers pushing into western parts. Some of these on the heavy side. Further east, more dry weather, some clear spells. Temperatures not dropping too far getting down to between three and 8 degrees in most places. For tomorrow, it is another sunshine and showers day. The showers most plentiful across Western Areas. Again, some of these will be heavy, whereas further east, not as many showers, more dry weather and some spells of sunshine. Relatively brisk winds, temperatures maybe just a touch down on where they have been today, but still not bad at all for this time of year eight to 11 degrees. Wednesday is going to bring some wet and very windy weather, particularly in the west. There could well be something drier briefly on thursday. Hello, this is bbc news. Iam simon i am simon mccoy. The headlines as Coronavirus Cases soar, london faces a move to tier 3 englands highest level of restrictions. The capitals mayor demands the government gives Financial Support to all pubs, bars, and restaurants which will be forced to close. It is far better for the government to keep these businesses afloat by additionalfinancial to keep these businesses afloat by additional Financial Support, rather than the alternative, which is these businesses going bust and Hundreds And Thousands of londoners losing theirjobs. Gps in england begin Offering Vaccinations as part of the next stage of The Programmes rollout. Yes, this is a different vaccine, yes, logistically, it is a little bit different, in terms of how we handle it and how we deliver it, but we feel so ready and we are wearing to get this started for our community. As another dealine is passed talks over a post brexit Trade Agreement resume the uk and eu agree to go The Extra Mile for a breakthrough. I must apologise for my friends miss behaviour. I think you bloody well should. The doyen of espionage Writing Tributes to spy turned authorJohn Le Carre, whos died at the age of 89. A 90 year old woman in South Lanarkshire has become the first care home resident in scotland to receive the Coronavirus Vaccine. In scotland to receive older people in care homes and staff have been prioritised in the vaccine roll out. The Health Secretary for scotland said distribution of the vaccine to care homes was a challenge, but she was delighted The Programme had begun. This from our scotland correspondent james shaw. An historic moment over in seconds. Annie innes, a former carer, became the first of thousands of residents in scottish care homes to be given the pfizer vaccine. The start of a process, which should allow a return to some sort of normality. Oh, its been a terrible year, terrible. I would like to see it a lot brighter for everybody else then. All 52 residents and the staff who look after them at Abercorn House Care Home in hamilton will get the vaccine. In this Health Board Area alone, there are nearly 9,000 residents and carers to be vaccinated, a huge logistical challenge. The last week has been really, really challenging. Just trying to overcome each of the logistic hurdles that has come at us with this vaccine. However, the staff across lanarkshire, across the partnerships and the care home staff have been absolutely fantastic in all the planning and overcoming each hurdle that weve come across, and at the time, the sense of excitement that we are actually going to be vaccinating in care homes. So far, scotland has enough doses of the vaccine for around 33,000 people to get a first injection and then a booster three weeks later. Ca re care home residents and staff are being prioritised for vaccination from our current supplies of the vaccine. Thats obviously a hugely important step for protecting many of the people who are most at risk from this virus. Much more will be needed just to protect those most vulnerable. Over a period of time, particularly once we get signed off for the oxford and the moderna vaccines, the space and the pace will be able to be increased. So we are all working as fast as we can but it will be a slow start and then gathering speed. The process of protecting people from coronavirus and ending the long nightmare of the pandemic has begun but no one yet knows how long this Beginning Of The End will take. James shaw, bbc news, glasgow. More now that gp practices in england are receiving doses of the Pfizer Biontech Coronavirus Vaccine today to start immunising patients over the age of 80. The surgeries will operate seven days a week, from 8am to 8pm, and people eligible for a jab will be contacted by their gp. For the past 11 months, our medical editor fergus walsh has followed the team at Oxford University and astrazeneca as they designed, developed, manufactured and trialled their covid 19 vaccine. He explained what it was like in the lab ahead of a special programme tonight, in which he charts their progress. They were so quick off the mark in 0xford, they designed a fair vaccine over a weekend in earlyjanuary, long before there was talk of it being a pandemic, and they were first to take fair vaccine in europe into human trials, and now we could be days away from it being approved by the regulator, so now the issue is, how do you get the 3 billion planned doses for the world, which astrazeneca has promised . Planned doses for the world, which astrazeneca has promised . So i went along to one of the sites where they make it, and they grow up the vaccine in human cell culture, and its a bit like watching vaccine masterchef. Theres all these people in an ultraclean room doing their bit to the recipe, and the team at 0xford had to find a way to get production up from a Small University level to a huge scale. Its a little bit like developing the recipe for coke. So it takes quite a long time to get the recipe just right, but once you have that recipe, it is like a template, and it can be transferred to all sorts of different Manufacturing Organisations around the world, and thats exactly what weve done. Organisations around the world, and thats exactly what weve donelj hope The Programme tonight will reassure people about the speed with which this has been done. There havent been compromises on safety. The trials have been huge, and 0xford actually ahead of all the other companies has been really transparent about its data and published it all in a medical journal. And you can see ferguss full report in panorama tonight on bbc one at 9 05pm, and afterwards on the iplayer. The first person to receive the Covid Vaccine in the United States has just received it. Covid vaccine in the United States hasjust received it. There Covid Vaccine in the United States has just received it. There you see overseen by anthony cuomo, this is a new york Health Worker receiving the first vaccine, to applause, as you can see. New york starting the largest Emergency Immunisation Plan in its history, delivering these first doses to 170,000 high risk front line medical workers as nationwide deaths and Hospital Workers reach an all time high in the United States. The first light at the end of the tunnel with a new york Health Worker being the first to receive the Covid Vaccine in the us. Countries around the world are beginning the roll out of covid 19 vaccines. But the scale of the challenge is unprecedented. Just how do you vaccinate nearly Eight Billion people . Half of those people live in asia. And singapore is set to be a key Transport Hub for billions of doses of vaccine. 0ur Asia Business correspondent, karishma vaswani, reports on how businesses are preparing. Separated from his family for months by the pandemic. Im going to miss you, too, and im going to miss you. Rafeeq missed his grandfathers funeral, and his honeymoon. I am very sad to be away from my wife and my family. My friends. And i have to work alone over here. Hes been working at dhl in singapore for five years, commuting from malaysia every day. But when the border closed, he stayed to keep his job and provide for his family. I hearfrom all of my Family Members that, oh, the vaccine is in, no words can describe it, very, super happy, im super duper happy. After months of waiting, vaccines are finally on their way. But transporting them here to asia in this heat isnt going to be easy. Getting the temperature right is critical. 0ne mistake and the entire batch could be thrown away. And thats why cold chain facilities are so important. Come in. Wow, it is cold here. Zuellig pharma is one of the biggest Vaccine Distributors in asia. Its been investing in new temperature controlled warehouses, like this one, across the region to get ready for the rollout. Theyve dealt with other vaccines before, but this time the stakes are much higher. Its a lot of weight on a lot of peoples shoulders, basically. And theres so many different pieces to fit together to make sure that the vaccine get to the right patient at the right time, in the right quantity and in the right condition as well, because its not only about delivering in the cities, but its also delivering in the provinces. Theyre not the only company eyeing a piece of the pie. Usually, dhls Conveyor Belts would be filled with gifts in the lead up to christmas, but soon they could be moving a more precious cargo. Singapore is a very strategic location, and within a Flight Radius of seven hours, we are able to cover almost the whole of asia pacific to a population of four billion people. We are expecting up to ten billion doses that need to be moved. So its something that we need to get prepared early as possible. Singapores National Carrier is also getting ready today. Its flying medication. Someday soon, vaccines. Nothing like this has been attempted before at such speed and scale. Economies all over the world are holding their breath. Finally, hope is on the horizon. Karishma vaswani, bbc news, singapore. Germany is to go into a hard lockdown over the Christmas Period, as the number of deaths and infections from the coronavirus reaches record levels. Nonessential shops will close across the country from wednesday, as will schools, with children to be cared for at home wherever possible. 0ver christmas in germany 0ne household can invite four others from other households for three days from Christmas Eve to boxing day elsewhere in europe in italy a travel ban will be brought in between towns over the Christmas Period. In spain a National Curfew will remain in place and there are limits on social gatherings. In france current Travel Restrictions will be lifted. People in sweden are being advised to limit social gatherings and avoid travelling. And here in the uk the government has said three households can form a bubble from 23rd Of December to the 27th. Hundreds of boys are still missing after being abducted by gunmen from their Boarding School in Northern Nigeria on friday night. Anxious parents gathered at the School Waiting for news as the Security Forces continued to search a forest area outside the town of kankara to try to locate them. Mark lobel reports. As 0sama aminu tried to fall asleep at his Boarding School on friday night, gunshots broke the silence. His attempted escape over the school fence failed as bandits took him to the forest instead, where he attempted to run away again. Translation when i decided to run, they brought a knife to slaughter me. I put my clothes upside down so that they could not see me as they said they would kill anyone trying to escape. But i ran climbing from one rock to another through the forest. But as the empty classroom starkly illustrates, many other children remain captive, including this man. We are sleepless, this, even this night, when we stayed up praying to god. It remains a nervous wait for the families of hundreds of missing children. One can only imagine how scared they are being transported from the safety of this school to an unfamiliar forest under duress. There are chilling echoes of the chibok girls, around 100 of whom are still missing after their abduction from their School Dormitory in the northeast of the country over six and a half years ago. It is devastating because itjust brought back to me the whole pain and angerandjust total disappointment in governance when chibok girls were abducted in 2014. After i saw the shoddy manner, the total lackadaisical manner in which the government handled this, i felt that that was a classic case of governments failure. President buharis Security Forces say they have located the attackers and are engaged in freeing the kidnapped students. Their lives, his reputation, and the true sense of security in this country depend on it. Mark lobel, bbc news. The headlines on bbc news. As Coronavirus Cases soar, london faces a move to tier three englands highest level of restrictions. Coronavirus vaccinations start to be delivered to some gp practices in england today while an Inoculation Programme begins in care homes in scotland. The eus Chief Brexit Negotiator says a Post Brexit Trade Deal is still possible but key differences remain. Leaders of protesting Indian Farmers have begun a one day Hunger Strike against agricultural reforms they say threaten their livelihoods. The reforms, contained in three laws enacted in september, loosen rules around the sale, pricing and storage of farm produce. More than half of indias Working Population comes from the agricultural sector, according to the countrys most recent census. But farmers have also seen their economic influence fade over the last three decades. 0nce producing a third of indias gdp, farming now only accounts for around 15 . Small growers fear these new laws will mean the end of Price Support for staples such as wheat and rice and leave them at the mercy of big business. But the government argues the laws will make the sector more efficient by giving farmers a wider market to sell to. Thousands of people have been taking part in protests across the uk and the world to show support for farmers in india. Many of them originate from Farming Backgrounds in the punjab and have Family Members protesting in delhi. Monika plaha has been speaking two british protestors whose familys livelihood relies on farming. Standing up to the new farming bills. Until change is made, Indian Farmers show no sign of leaving the delhi border, and this hasnt gone unnoticed. Demonstrations across the world have taken place in support of farmers, but thousands of miles away, why do british people feel so strongly . Sam has been campaigning for weeks. My aunty is an uncle is from my mums side, as well as my dads have travelled all the way to delhi to fight for farmers rights. Agriculture is too important to our family, because this is where we established, this is where we ploughed the fields that allowed us to grow. For my parents to come to this country. India is one of the worlds biggest agricultural producers. In fact 70 of rural households rely on this industry. The majority of protesters have come from the punjab. It is known as the countrys breadbasket. My parents, my grandparents have been raised in punjab. We always travelled to punjab. We always travelled to punjab and see the industry of farming there and how our families are ploughing the fields. We have so much culture, this is why we support this movement. We predominantly farm rice and wheat. This man affirms rice and wheat. This man affirms rice in india, this is because in and uncles. They have travelled hundreds of miles from delhi to join in with the protest. They have said they are prepared to be there as long as it takes, whether it is weeks or months. The Indian Government passed three new laws to allow theirfarmers to government passed three new laws to allow their farmers to sell produce directly to buyers. They argue it will improve fahrmanns pay. But i must say it will make them vulnerable to large companies. Farmers. This whole expense that has taken place farmers. This whole expense that has ta ken place has farmers. This whole expense that has taken place has put debt and burden on the farmers in different ways, and it has just not been a pleasant situation. I would want a fairer market forfarmers, situation. I would want a fairer market for farmers, subsidies, help with finances. For millions of british indians, life here is so different from the farmlands of Southeast Asia but for many, farming is theirfamily s Southeast Asia but for many, farming is their Family S Livelihoods and they will continue to stand with them until is made. One of the least understood and most controversial exercises in American Democracy happens on monday the Electoral College will formally vote for the next us president. Joe biden won the popular vote in november, and more importantly 306 electoral votes which were enough to beat donald trump. So, who are the electors . Jane obrien went to meet two of them in maine. At 18 years old, Jay Philbrick is one of the youngest members of the Electoral College, he was nominated by the Democratic Party in maine to vote forjoe biden, who won the state overall. Id say, im naturally sort of, uh, sort of a nerd. Naturally. I like math. I like science. And thats thats what really, really excites me. I mean, but im also someone who really cares about the people around me. Hes already helping elderly people access Telehealth Services during the pandemic through an organisation that distributes Electronic Devices that appreciate it. And he believes social change starts with understanding political systems such as the Electoral College. 0k, heres your chance. Explain the Electoral College in under ten seconds. Good question. All right. The Electoral College is how we pick the president , its once removed from the people, its a state by state approach. Sometimes it doesnt line up, most of the time it does. And its our way, our unique way of picking the president. If you didnt quite get that, dont worry. Youre not alone. I mean, i know it has to do with the states and each state has a number and thats how they end up getting their count. But i dont really know more than that. I know its to do with the voting. And i know its to do with, like, each state. Right . I believe has certain people they get to pick. And i really think its a crock so you dont agree with it . I dont. Do you know who your electors are . No. No, we dont know. Well, peter is another of maines electors. He and his wife, beverly, are staunch supporters of donald trump. And because maine splits its electoral votes, the Republican Party nominated him to cast his vote for the president. I couldnt have asked for a better gift. And thats what it was, was a gift. I wasjust pleased as punch that they they considered me equal to the task. Critics say the Electoral College should be abolished, but its already survived some 700 attempts to change it, so will likely be around until at least the next president ial election. Jane obrien, bbc news, maine. So we arejust so we are just hearing that london mps have been told that the capital is moving into tier 3, the highest level of covid restriction. That news just coming from nick eardley, our Political Correspondent, it follows a meeting between matt hancock, the Health Secretary, and a group of london mps in the last few minutes but what does tier 3 mean . Lets show you what these new restrictions will be. Hospitality venues such as bars, pubs restaurants must stay closed except for delivery and takeaway. People cannot meet indoors, in private gardens or most outdoor venues, except with your household or bubble. You can meet in public spaces, such as parks in up to a group of six. Were hearing that will come into effect at one minute past on wednesday. Many pubs and restaurants of course you have been stocking up for this week will have the next day before they have to prepare to shut down for that temporary period. This comes down for that temporary period. This co m es after down for that temporary period. This comes after ministers and officials said they were deeply concerned about a sharp rise in covid 19 cases across the capital. 0ur Health Editor hugh pym was telling us early as well as london, essex already likely are also likely to be put into the highest level of restriction, tier 3. The mayor of london sadiq khan has been urging visitors to act with open eyes and avoid damaging the capitals economy. He said in an interview this morning if there was to be tier 3 restrictions imposed on london, then he expected the government to help financially. He said it could have a catastrophic consequence for hospitality, culture and some retail. Pubs and restaurants will be limited to just take a ways or deliveries, as we reported. Council leaders in london are understood to be alarmed at the projected rise in cases. Some have been pushing for an even tougher tear, tier 3 plus, a regime with tougher restrictions. So we arejust regime with tougher restrictions. So we are just hearing matt hancock will be confirming that london and parts of the south east, essex, according to hugh pym, our Health Editor, but perhaps some others, will be moved into the highest tier of restrictions. Thats following a briefing to mps, which we will i suspect he repeated in the House Of Commons by matt hancock at 3 30pm. He is scheduled to be addressing the commons then. Kent, medway and slough were already under tier 3 restrictions, large parts of south east england now expected to join much of the midlands, the north west and north east under the stricter curbs on social contacts. Areas such as bristol and South Gloucestershire also currently under tier 3. Essex and parts of hertfordshire, im hearing, as the likely areas to be placed into tier 3, with areas in and around london having recorded large increases of confirmed Coronavirus Cases over the past week. In the week to the 12th of november, haeberling was the only area in london with the highest Infection Rates. That has now changed, it now has the fifth highest rate, at 506 cases per 100,000. Soa highest rate, at 506 cases per 100,000. So a dramatic turnaround for london, as it prepares, thats just after midnight on wednesday, going into tier 3. The Department Of Health of course saying a review of tiers would happen every 1a days, the next one due on wednesday. Meanwhile, london, the situation there has got significantly concerning for that action to be taken. Dont forget, matt hancock will be addressing the commons at 3 30pm. We will take you over to the commons for that. Also the rest of the news coming up in the next few minutes but first the weather with ben rich. Some of us have seen a bit of sunshine today and there will be some bright spells at times this week, but generally speaking it is quite an unsettled flavour to the weather, with some rain at times. They will often be windy, but with all of that, it will generally be mild. This is the Satellite Picture from earlier on. You can see various lumps of cloud circulating around an area of low pressure. These clouds bringing showers or longer spells of rain with the wind is coming up from the south or south west, quite brisk winds, but bringing mild air in our direction, temperatures between nine and 30 degrees. We can see some more persistent rain moving across parts of Eastern England for a time, into the first part of the evening. Through the night, showers going across Western Areas, not as many of those getting a cross into the east. Some clear spells here and there, and those temperatures not dropping too far, a little bit cool in some places, the lowest between three and 8 degrees typically. Then into tomorrow, another sunshine and showers take on the show is really focusing in on those places exposed the brisk south westerly winds, so and some southern coast, whereas further east we will see more drier weather and some spells of sunshine, again it will be relatively mild, temperatures perhaps just a touchdown on where they have been today, highs of eight, nine, ten or 11 degrees. Now briefly during tuesday Evening Comedy Showers will tend to fade, we will see a spell of drier, quieter, calmerweatherwith clear spells, but that will not last. This is wednesdays whether. Quite a deep area of low pressure. It will pass close to the republic of ireland, it will get close enough to the uk to provide some pretty brisk winds across Western Areas particularly there could be jailed here and there and there will be some outbreaks of rain is welcome the rain really piling up this week. There could be some issues with flooding, there could also be some coastal flooding, particularly across parts of South West England and Northern Ireland, with these very strong winds combining with high tide, you could see wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph in exposed spots for a time, but those winds are still coming from a pretty mild direction, so temperatures up to nine, ten or 11 degrees. That area of low pressure will move away. A brief, very temporary ridge of High Pressure giving some drier weather on thursday but that wont last. There is another Lay Weighting in the winds and potentially some hairy strong winds, but some High Temperature is, 12 or 13 degrees on friday. This is bbc news, im simon mccoy. The headlines londons mps have been told that the capital will move into tier 3 along with parts of the South East Of England from wednesday. The capitals mayor demands the government gives Financial Support for businesses. It is far better for the government to keep these businesses afloat by additional Financial Support rather than the alternative, which is these businesses going bust and hundreds of thousands of londoners losing theirjobs. Gps in england begin Offering Vaccinations as part of the next stage of The Programmes rollout yes, this is a different vaccine, logistically it is a bit different in terms of how we handle it, but we feel so ready and are raring to go to get started for our community. Both the European Union and Britain Say Progress is being made in negotiations over the future trading relationship, but warn the talks could yet fail. I must apologise for my friends misbehaviour. The doyen of espionage Writing Tributes to spy turned author John Le Carre, whos died at the age of 89. Good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. In the last few minutes, mps have been briefed that the capital and parts of the south east are moving into tier 3 from one minute past midnight on wednesday. Its an area that covers more than nine Million People. Health ministers and officials are understood to be deeply concerned about the sharp rise in virus cases across the capital. Lets take a look at what those new restrictions for london will be when it moves into tier 3 the highest level of coronavirus restrictions. Hospitality venues such as bars, pubs and restaurants must stay closed except for delivery and takeaway. People cannot meet indoors, in private gardens or most outdoor venues, except with your household or bubble. You can meet in public spaces, such as parks in up to a group of six. It comes as the mayor of london sadiq khan, is calling for secondary schools and fe colleges to close early if theres no mass Testing Available ahead of christmas. 0ur Political Correspondent, helen catt is at westminster. This is eventually political decision. Matt hancock is due to address the House Of Commons this afternoon to set out the changes to tea rs afternoon to set out the changes to tears in england, but has been on a call with mps in london since about half past two and we understand from that that a lender will move into tier 3, as all parts of essex and hertfordshire. London will move into tier 3. There have been more calls with mps from london, hertfordshire, kent and essex bailing out some of the figures and data which are concerning ministers spelling out. It showed that there was an exponential rise in the growth of the virus and mps were told that in some areas, the number of cases was doubling every five to seven days. One mp described the figures is alarming. I think they we re figures is alarming. I think they were well prepared for this, their expectation from that meeting was that there would be some further restriction and they move into tier 3 because of a rise in cases and it seems that less has been causing a lot of the concern. I think it has been coming but it will be confirmed by matt hancock in the commons this afternoon, we expect. And the chancellor this afternoon was very vocally opposed to such a lockdown not long ago. Yes, when we came out of the National Lockdown, there was tea rs of the National Lockdown, there was tears were originally assigned and london was moved into tier 2, instead of tier 3. There was a lot of speculation it will come out in tier but there was a resistance from the treasury to that. It was not the cause of the economy, the he jobs would be really great and that was why they had moved into tier 2 instead of tier it seems that the rising cases has really changed the game, i think. Rising cases has really changed the game, ithink. We rising cases has really changed the game, i think. We are told it was not confined to one or two areas of land in the but was starting to spread more widely in the capital andi spread more widely in the capital and i think that is possibly why it looks like they have had to move and quite quickly because of the first review of tears and allocations was due this wednesday. The expectation being that things would come into force on such a tears neck. This is happening ahead of tyne and gives an indication of how concerned they are. Stephen hammond is the conservative mp for wimbledon and a former health minister. Looking at the figures, you can see why this decision has been taken, dont cant you . Why this decision has been taken, dont cant you . That are sharp rises in the rates of infection across almost all the boroughs of london. I think people would still like to understand how quickly it is moving through to the community, but it is quite clear that some of the figures we have seen today would justify the action that was taken. How would you describe the mood. I think it was a phone call, but what was Matt Hancocks good over this . The mood was sombre, no one wanted this to happen, but it is a reflection of the advice that the government have had. It is a reflection also the number of increases in the Hospital Admissions. And whilst people are saying hospitals are not more of around than other times at winter, it is clear that extra pleasure coming through. His mood was sombre, but i think he was asking people to recognise it is clear that extra pressure is coming through. He was asked about the need for extra communication, whether the Vaccination Programme can be rolled out more quickly and making sure, as you head in your clip, businesses are going to be badly affected by this and why a lot of us are concerned that they get extra help and get to them quickly. 23 Million People outside london are already in tier 3, so why is there a sense that london is a special case in that . do not think london has been treated asa do not think london has been treated as a special case. Last time round, it was not the whole of london that was in the same sort of rise that we are seeing now so i think tier 2 was right at the time. Yes North East London and one particular borough where it appeared to be some Movement Across borders was having a bigger effect on the whole of london. London passe numbers have gone up and rehabilitating the same way. I think what a lot of colleagues will say is london as a global city, a big question is making sure we can control this rise quickly so london can be open again because it is the flagship of the United Kingdom. What sort of health you want to see for wimbledon comes into yourjurisdiction, so what help for all those rations that many people will be familiar with . Restau ra nts, people will be familiar with . Restaurants, wimbledon comes into your jurisdiction. Restaurants, wimbledon comes into yourjurisdiction. Some help with. People will have stocked up with things they cannot possibly is now over the Christmas Period. A lot of those supplies well, firstly, have to go to waste. Some help with all of that. There is some extra help, i think that will be available in terms of Business Rates scheme. At the moment, it does not go to everybody in hospitality and should go to everybody in hospitality Something Like that which can be done immediately should happen. You mention the Christmas Period. Is clear this is going to carry on this request must . We are already prepared for other types of restrictions. This will carry on through christmas question im understanding, at the moment, and he has not made his now seven, the Secretary Of State, is there is still the intention to have the five day, three bubble allowed any household. I would think a number of people would want to think very carefully about whether or not that is what they want to do. And i think, in particular, iwould certainly be encouraging people to think very carefully about whether that would be the right thing to do, whether youre putting people at risk, and therefore, i hope people will think about it in that way. Good to talk to you. Thank you for your time this afternoon. Lets show your time this afternoon. Lets show you whats happening in the House Of Commons. We are waiting from that statement from matt hancock. He has held a conversation with london mps and we expect him to get a little more detail when he addresses the House Of Commons at 3 30pm. We will ta ke House Of Commons at 3 30pm. We will take you over as soon as he takes to his feet. Kate nicholls is the Chief Executive of uk hospitality. Obviously, it is devastating news for many of the thousands of businesses across london and parts of the south east that we understand are going into tier 3 restrictions. As well as all the other businesses across the country, which will be affected by this decision. It is not just about the businesses in london themselves, but across the country, where lots of people would be travelling over the Christmas Period, staying in hotels and other parts of the country that will also be affected by this decision. We are talking that businesses getting ready for one of the busiest periods of the year, what are the practical problems this causes . These businesses will have Spent Hundreds Of Thousands of pounds getting ready to be openjust 11 days ago, investing in stock, buying in food, and the anticipation they would be able to continue to trade throughout christmas. As well as restarting. There are significant additional costs that have been incurred. Many of those afraid projects and Alcohol Projects will be literally having to be thrown away are disposed of food produce. 0r given to food banks and charities, but this is the busiest trading period of the year. The last two weeks in december will wipe at £2. 7 billion from londons economy from London Hospitality businesses been close and we fear they will be 160,000 jobs put at risk because of those people simply cannot now be able to be employed throughout the First Quarter of next year without the revenues being generated during december so it is a very bleak time for hospitality across the capital. People outside the capital might say, hang on a minute, we have been going through this for weeks ourselves. Why do we believe so much about london when we are all in this, supposedly, together . I think that is a very good point and the Sage Back Scientists themselves have said that when manchester went into tier 3, they needed extra help to support those businesses to avoid the health problems, thejob those businesses to avoid the health problems, the job losses, those businesses to avoid the health problems, thejob losses, the potential Mental Health problems that arise from being in a sustained lockdown. The london issue is partly to do with size and scale. It is our largest Hospitality Market and there are more businesses, morejobs that are more businesses, morejobs that are dependent upon Hospitality Trading through this period, but it is also a timetabling issue. If london shines a light on the fact that the support that is available to hospitality to get them through there is a very difficult period of restrictions is insufficient, that should be extended to the rest of the country too, because otherwise we will see vast swathes of hospitality businesses going to the wall in the new year over one third of businesses say they do not have the Cash Reserves to get through to the Cash Reserves to get through to the new year. What will happen tomorrow because tier 3 kicks in at just past midnight on wednesday morning . For larger businesses will need to clear stock tomorrow. Absolutely. It will be a very busy time, trying to get a look thats not disposed of, get the businesses locked up and secured because this will be a place, quite a considerable period of time when the premise will be empty and it takes a lot, cost a lot to continue causing any premises. It will be a very sad time for many businesses when they will be having to say goodbye to staff. And unfortunately not be able to retain them on furlough because of the significant costs that are involved. We have heard all these arguments before at every turn when arguments before at every turn when a possible tightening of restrictions has been discussed. As sense that perhaps we should have listened and gone into tougher restrictions are much earlier to avoid what we are seeing now . think that has a decision that only politicians can take. As businesses, all we have said all along is if you need is to be close, tell us, we will close, but you need to compensate us. In france, when they told hospitality they needed to close and with loads christmas, they get compensation up 20 of lost reve Nu Es Get Compensation up 20 of lost revenues for this vital trading period of the year. December is when it we earn enough to get us through the first half of next year into the summer season. In germany, when Angular Merkel Closed Hospitality over christmas, she gave 50 compensation for lost revenue Angela Merkel. It should not be about health versus the economy, we need to support both and if you need businesses to close, you need to support them so we do not lose those jobs. This is the Third Largest economy in the uk and one that will be vital to the economic recovery so we need to provide compensation to these businesses to get them through this. And that cheque would read how much . Well, the government were looking to get the Industry A Check of £2 billion with the coronavirus jobs Retention Bonus for looking after people in february. That has the cash flow like all that we have now got. Kate, good to talk to you. Thank you for your time. We will keep your database developments. 3 30pm we will be going over to the House Of Commons from Matt Hancocks statement. About 100 gp practices in england are receiving doses of the Pfizer Biontech Coronavirus Vaccine today to start immunising patients over the age of 80. The surgeries will operate seven days a week, from eight am to eight pm, and people eligible for a jab will be contacted by their gp. Theres some Flash Photography in sophie hutchinsons report. Batches of the Coronavirus Vaccine being prepared for delivery today from this warehouse in the midlands. Each box here contains almost 1000 doses and this centre has distributed more than 40,000 doses this morning. The vaccine is being taken to more than 100 gp practices in england most of their patients will get it tomorrow. But a tiny minority, like this surgery in halesowen, on the outskirts of birmingham, will have the jabs as early as this afternoon and this gp will be one of the first to administer them. Obviously, covid 19 and the pandemic has been unprecedented for us in the nhs. In primary care as gps, were very used to delivering mass vaccination, we do the Flu Programme every year. Yes, this is a different vaccine, yes, logistically it is a little bit different in terms of how we handle it and how we deliver it, but we feel so ready. Gps have to work at speed. The vaccine has to be stored at ultra low temperatures. It is then thawed and practices have just three and a half days to use it. This one in Central London is aiming to vaccinate as many as 1000 people in the next few days. That will mean injecting up to 40 patients every hour. Nevertheless, many will have to wait for an appointment, and doctors are urging people to be patient. Inevitably, with the relatively small number of centres at the moment, not everybody will have access to it straightaway. But over a period of months working through the priority list, the expectation is that perhaps the 30 million or so people in the country that require the vaccine will actually receive it. The roll out to gp surgeries comes less than a week since Margaret Keenan made history by becoming the first person to receive the vaccine as part of the nationwide roll out. People aged 80 and over, along with health care staff, are being prioritised in what is the largest Immunisation Programme the nhs has ever undertaken. Its taken a huge amount of work, lots of people with lots of different backgrounds and experience. Weve worked with scientists, people from the army, supply, logistics, estates, all sorts of people who have come together to make sure that we can Offer Vaccinations as gps, as pharmacists, as nurses, so we are really very lucky and its been a phenomenal endeavour so far. And some gps will be running mass Vaccination Programmes from larger centres, such as this one at epsom racecourse. Nhs staff plan to vaccinate up to 300 patients a day here. To be able to do this at scale and get the number of patients vaccinated in a timely fashion, it is really good fashion, it is really good to do it in a central hub where everything is on site and set up correctly, where all the right precautions are taken and we can be sure it is a safe and quality service. Centres like this are part of a rapid scaling up to what will be over 1000 Vaccination Sites in the coming weeks in the hope the viruss race may soon be run. Sophie hutchinson, bbc news. Professor azeem majeed is a professor of primary care and Public Health at Imperial College london. Professor, not unexpected, do you agree with this move . Yes i think it is the right move. In recent weeks, we have seen in increase in Infection Rates in london, particularly the eastern half of london, white page, greenwich. It is the right course to take at this time. What you think is behind the dramatic increase in numbers and parts of the capital . In many parts of england infection it is going down, but in the eastern half of london it is going up. It is going up london it is going up. It is going up most in the areas that are the most deprived, most overcrowded so probably reflects, partly, peoples living circumstances, their income level if you live in an overcrowded household, not a very well off, youre more likely to get infected rather than an affluent area with more space. It will be the circumstances of people. What about theissues circumstances of people. What about the issues of schools, and whether schoolchildren are behind some of these figures questioning if you look my age group, the highest rates of infection are amongst children aged 11 to 18. So it does seem that rates are highest amongst this group soi rates are highest amongst this group so i think it is probably the case that we will see some School Closures this week, whether there are pics of where there are pics of covid 19. Are pics of where there are pics of covid19. Do you sense, we seem to lurch from the figures coming down then a dramatic rise. Hindsight isa down then a dramatic rise. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and we will have plenty of time for this, but has this come too late . Should we have introduced tougher restrictions . I think you make a fair Pointand Restrictions . I think you make a fair point and that we are going up and down with her restrictions so we had restrictions in the spring, relaxation in the summer, more restrictions on autumn and then temporary restrictions, then relaxation but i think youre right, we need restrictions that are maintainable, which are long term and which do not veer from maintainable, which are long term and which do not veerfrom one maintainable, which are long term and which do not veer from one extra into the other so people get some certainty about what is going on, particularly business if it is very ha rd particularly business if it is very hard when youre closing and opening again. We have seen what has happened in america, the thanksgiving holiday has created huge increases in numbers there. The feel about christmas, what advice do you give to people in terms of taking care the fear about christmas. My advice is to be very careful and cautious about christmas. The Infection Level is very high across the uk, notjust in london so if youre going to meet friends or relatives, please do so in small groups. Try to meet outdoors, be careful of older relatives who are more at risk of death and serious illness. My advice is just to be very, very cautious over this period and we must avoid another big increase in Infection Rates in january following a relaxation of the Christmas Period. 0ur Helicopter right now is over pa rt 0ur Helicopter right now is over part of east london and we have seen pa rt part of east london and we have seen part of east london and we have seen part of the olympic park. This is an area where there are pockets of high income, but it is the low income areas that you think are being worst affected by this question i by area the infection it is deathly higher in the more deprived areas. The infection it is deathly higher in the more deprived areasm the infection it is deathly higher in the more deprived areas. It does affect everyone, but people who live in more deprived areas are more at risk of infection. What about the pressures on the Health Service . It is always used as a reason for acting early. Do you sense that pressure is increasing . Of the pressure is increasing . Of the pressure has actually peaked in some parts of england, but the risk is there is a link between infections and serious illness that if we do not act now, in three or four weeks time we could see a major strain on the Health Service. We have to act in advance of this Increase Pressure on the Health Service so we must act now to prevent an increase in serious illness and deaths. And Hospital Pressures in a three or four weeks from now. On the other side, of course, people who lose their jobs, side, of course, people who lose theirjobs, because of this, there is any Mental Health issue, which cannot be overstated. No, it is very difficult. Especially in winter when it is more difficult to be isolated. It isa it is more difficult to be isolated. It is a difficult time for people. The last six months, we have seen an increase in depression rates, compared to last year so people are definitely more depressed than they we re definitely more depressed than they were a year ago because of this problem with the way they live so i think it is something we must be mindful of and looking forward into the future. In the meantime, your advices keep sticking to those rules . Advices keep sticking to those rules . Yes, that is essential. People must stick to the rails, tried mixing indoors, with other hazards. Most infections now take place in the households, avoid credit indoor households, crowded. Professor, thank you so much for your time. Thank you. Germany is to go into a hard lockdown over the Christmas Period as the number of deaths and infections from the coronavirus reaches record levels. Nonessential shops will close across the country from wednesday, as will schools, with children to be cared for at home wherever possible. Lets focus more now on the situation in germany and professor tobias welte is from the Hanover University school of medicine and joins me now. When we talk about locked in, we mean it when we about germany. Ha rd to mean it when we about germany. Hard to lock down. Germany tried to ove rco m e hard to lock down. Germany tried to overcome the increase of new infections by a soft lockdown from the 2nd Of November on, but we see rising numbers of infections and we have to consider that this was not successful. To Savour Hospitals and, at the moment, we do not have a real problem of overrun of Hospital Capacity, we have to react and the ha rd capacity, we have to react and the hard lockdown is a logical consequence. The german chancellor, Angela Merkel said that when she saw the number of christmas shoppers, thatis the number of christmas shoppers, that is what horrified her. the number of christmas shoppers, that is what horrified her. I do think it is not only the christmas shoppers, so altogether our population, or some 80 , shoppers, so altogether our population, orsome 80 , 90 shoppers, so altogether our population, or some 80 , 90 are adherent to the rules, but some are not and there are meetings of people in the private room and this has driven the Infection Rates. Again, we have to react, we have to better control what are the rules are and any rules must be stricter. What are those rules . The chancellor has had a meetings with the leaders of the 16 states, so what are the rules . There is a closing of all shops are not essential, a restriction of people who may meet, so maximum of five people from a maximum two households. There is a stop of all external events, including sport events, and this will be a little bit less restrictive over three days around christmas day, but will be preceded into the new year. There is a new meeting on the 5th Of January between Angela Merkel and the Prime Ministerto decide how long the Strict Lockdown has 21. The Christmas Period, as far as i am aware, the Strict Lockdown has two gone. It has a very short period in germany . It is for three days only, even for these days there are strict rules, but a little bit more of meeting between Family Members allowed. Ten out of several households, but it is for three days only. All countries of the world are going through this at the moment. I am wondering if germany looks at any other country and says, i wish we did that earlier . Yes. I am convinced that we should have started earlier and to be honest, in my opinion, we are to four weeks too late. I think it was justified to start with the more soft lockdown to start with the more soft lockdown to four weeks late. It was clear at the end of november that would not work and we had to decide for stricter regulations morally. So now we are two three weeks behind the reality. Professor, thank you for yourtime, i reality. Professor, thank you for your time, i know everyone is busy dealing with this. Thank you so much. Thank you. We will return to that. Do not forget we are going to the House Of Commons at 3 30pm for that statement from matt hancock. But lets talk brexit. The head of the Eu Commission Ursula Von Der Leyen had said there is movement in the brexit trade talks. She was speaking as negotiators from both sides resumed intensive discussions in brussels on their outstanding differences. Downing street said that a no deal outcome was still possible but that work continues to try and reach an agreement. This where are we going with this . Hopes forfinding a deal go down and edge up again. Arriving to brief ambassadors, the eus chief negotiator. The cameras can follow Michel Barnier out here but not into the negotiating room. Fishing rights still unresolved, also shared Competition Rules and standards and what happens should they diverge. Today, claims there is movement in the talks but. If the uk wants a seamless access to the Single Market, and the Single Market of the European Union is the largest one in the whole world, they are welcome, but they either have to play by our rules, because this is a matter of fairness for our companies in the Single Market, or the other choice is there is a price on it and the price is tariffs. In brussels, for further discussions today, lord frost, the uks chief negotiator. Both sides saying they will go The Extra Mile. It is what businesses want, it is what people in our country want and that is precisely what were doing. We are not going be walking away from these talks. If we are going to get a deal with the eu, it has to be on the basis that the eu understands that the uk is a sovereign nation and an independent nation. The uk left the eu injanuary but it has been following eu rules and regulations since then while the two sides work towards a future relationship, but there is not long left now until that arrangement expires. Borisjohnson briefed his cabinet yesterday after another phone call with brussels. Both sides agreeing to stretch sundays deadline a little further. So yesterdays deadline came and went and notably a new one wasnt set, but of course there is that ultimate deadline of the 31st of december, in just over two weeks time, when the brexit transition period comes to an end. But a senior uk government source says talks cant go on that late because both sides need time to ratify any agreement. We all want to get a deal over the line. We are up against the wire. The Prime Minister went to the country with one promise a year ago, that he would get brexit done. He as good as said he had a deal. He needs now to deliver on it. But both sides need to keep negotiating, both sides need to compromise. Yesterday, the Prime Minister said a no deal, which would mean new trade taxes called tariffs, was still the most likely picture. A different relationship with the eu is just around the corner, its just not quite clear exactly what the new year will bring. Jessica parker, bbc news. More now on our breaking news. In the past hour, mps have been briefed that the capital and parts of the south east are moving into tier 3 from one minute past midnight on wednesday. Knee helicopter right over Central London, just hit by a rainstorm so most people are indoors a one way or another. The capital now facing the toughest of the three tiers. You cannot mix indoors in private gardens are at your venues except within a bubble. You can meet any country, parks and beaches. Not many of those in london. Her dress as cancer, bars, pubs and restaurants as they closed except for delivery and takeaway. This is 0xford except for delivery and takeaway. This is Oxford Circus and regent street. These are areas heavily concentrated on the hospitality sector, a sector which says it is going to suffer dramatically with the introduction of tier 3 rules. Enter entertainment venues, such as billing venues, cinemas, must also stay close and people are advised not to travel to or from tear 33 areas. Joining me now is professor sir sam everington, who has also been a gp in Tower Hamlets since 1989 and is also a trustee at the health think tank, the kings fund. At the health think tank, end, at the health think tank, professor, this, many will was end, professor, this, many will say, was inevitable. Absolutely. I mean, the numbers really speak for themselves. Capacity in the hospitals was reaching 95 for covid, it was on the increase, particularly bad where i am in Tower Hamlets on the east end of london, and we have christmas on the horizon, which everyone thinks is bound to make it even worse. 0ur biggest fear, of course, is that the hospitals and the Health Service will be put under such pressure, and in fact at the end of last week, we we re in fact at the end of last week, we were talking about having to reduce the amount of elective, thats the normal work would be doing in the nhs, to cope with notjust of this rise in covid, but the Covid Vaccination, which we start tomorrow in Tower Hamlets as gps, the flu vaccination, which we are now doing to the 65 year olds, and a very large number of backlog of treatment from the first wave. Looking at pictures of Picadilly Circus and a rather empty london but when you talk about a capacity of 95 , what does that look like . Itjust means there is no spare space, do you know what i mean . You are really working at extremis, and the only way to maintain therefore covid, if it goes any further, any higher, the treatment of covid is to stop doing a whole raft of other treatments in the nhs. When you see pictures, and were not seeing them at the moment, but pictures crowds out shopping, getting very close to each other, what is your reaction . getting very close to each other, what is your reaction . I think it is a real problem, because i walked past our Shopping Centre, westfield, the other day, and i was quite shocked at the number of people who werent wearing masks, and it looked to me like it was a Shopping Centre pre covid. So i think people have let down their guard and it is really, really important now that we get people using masks. There are very few patients who cannot wear masks. This has to be the normal, andi masks. This has to be the normal, and i would say in any public places, and weve really got to enforce the whole Messaging System again about keeping your distance, washing your hands, covering your face with masks. All this has got to be reinforced, otherwise we have got a real problem on our hands in the Health Service. It sounds to me as though you would like things perhaps to be even tougher, tier 3 plus, because shops can still stay open . Yeah, ithink because shops can still stay open . Yeah, i think we need to think about other things, the schools closing early, so already they have in greenwich. We need to think about doing that elsewhere. Yes, there is a whole raft of other potential measures we need to think about. That is was a very difficult judgment but the most important thing is people go back to the strict rules that they applied before, which was around masks, two metres, washing your hands, or the kind of normal things to stop the spread of infection. It is also vital that we do this so that we dont have any pressure on getting the Covid Vaccination done as quickly as possible. This in the medium to longer term is the way out of covid for us. I was going to ask you about that because is there a danger that raises the issue of complacency, and that we mightjust be entering a period where people say, well, there is a vaccine coming, so dont need to worry so much . Well, no, they do need to worry, because we are only beginning the Vaccination Programme at this moment in time. This is going to ta ke moment in time. This is going to take a moment in time. This is going to takea number of moment in time. This is going to take a number of weeks, potentially months, to get everyone vaccinated that needs to be vaccinated. Obviously we are doing the at risk groups first, so the over 80s first, so thats good, but also you need to keepin so thats good, but also you need to keep in mind that the vaccination has we think is 95 , but we dont know how long the immunity lasts for. So it is really important that yes, the vaccination is really good news, but we dont let our guard down, and we cant let our guard down, and we cant let our guard down until we are absolutely clear that there is almost no more covid when we test it in the community. Thats the moment where we can let our guard down but certainly not now, and certainly not, people think they can let their guard down because of the Covid Vaccination, absolutely not. There will hopefully come a time in the coming months where we can be more reassuring, but not at the moment. How are you reassuring your own staff . How would you assess their state, mentally and physically, after so many months, and at the moment still no real letu p and at the moment still no real letup in sight . Yeah, i think it is a combination of clearly quite exhausted, a lot of the star. A lot of them havent had the normal holidays. But also there is a great sense of camaraderie and resilience too. That is kind of a mix. I think in some ways it is a little bit easier than in the first wave because everything was completely new then, but it is still a lot of pressure, and if we have to stop doing kind of a lot of the normal treatments in the nhs, i think that will be very frustrating for a lot of my colleagues. What about christmas . Do you just put your head in your hands when you think we are going to be easing restrictions, however lately . Bacca i think my view is christmas is about family, and family, well, it is about keeping families safe, isnt it . I am very happy to forego a family christmas if in doing so that will keep my family say. Thats far more important than any celebration at christmas. Do you get a sense, we are waiting to hear from the Health Secretary for england, but that pressure you hear about the economy, that businesses are going to the wall, that peoples livelihoods are being destroyed by this, that that balance, we are getting that balance wrong or about right at the moment . Well, gosh, it is a really difficult one. I think certainly from the perspective of the Health Service, all of my colleagues say yes, tier 3 was overdue, no doubt about that whatsoever. But of course we are a lwa ys whatsoever. But of course we are always mindful as doctors the mental impact, and the impact on peoples Mental Health for lockdown for so long, not being able to be with their nearest and dearest. Some of my elderly patients in care homes not allowed to see their families. This is grim, and then people losing theirjobs. Its very complicated, and understand those whole raft of things we need to take into account. Professor, thank you very much, im sorry i have to leave it there but thank you so much forjoining us. 0k. The thank you so much forjoining us. Ok. The Health Secretary addressing the commons. Where people have united and help to make so many sacrifices for the coming good, and i know the whole house on the whole country has been cheered by the progress we have seen in the last few weeks which means we can now roll out the Vaccine Programme that will ultimately set us free, mr speaker. I can tell the house that today the nhs has begun its vaccination through gps in england and in care homes in scotland, and day by day we are giving hope to more people and making this country safer. That is a life saving work. However, it would take time for its benefits to be felt far and wide, so we must persevere , benefits to be felt far and wide, so we must persevere, because the virus remainsjust as we must persevere, because the virus remains just as dangerous as it we must persevere, because the virus remainsjust as dangerous as it has always been. The average daily Hospital Admissions are up 30 of stop the latest figures show the average daily cases have risen by 1496 average daily cases have risen by 14 in the last week, and, as before, this rise and they spread is not even across the country. We are seeing a sharp rise in south wales, in london, and parts of the east and South East Of England. This is a trend were also seeing in other parts of europe, in countries like sweden, where nearly all the intensive care beds in stockholm are currently in use, and germany, where they have to announce tough new restrictions over the weekend, and the netherlands, who today have announced further measures. Until we can vaccinate enough Vulnerable People and ensure they get the second dose so they are protected, we must act to suppress this virus. Our strategy throughout, as set out in the winter plan has been to suppress the virus while protecting the economy, education and the nhs until the vaccine can make us safe, andl until the vaccine can make us safe, and i would like to update the house on the latest steps were taking on this mission. First i would like to update the house on the latest on the virus itself. Over the last few days thanks to our world class genomic capability in the uk, we have identified a new variant of coronavirus, which may be associated with the fastest rate in the South East Of England. Initial Analysis Shows this variant is growing faster than the existing variants will stop we have currently identified over 1000 cases of this variant, predominantly in the South East Of England, though cases have been identified in nearly 60 different local Authority Areas and numbers are increasing rapidly. Similar variants have been identified in other countries over the last few months. We have notified the World Health Organisation about this new variant and Public Health england is working ha rd and Public Health england is working hard to continue its expert analysis at porton down. I must speak dark micro i must stress there is no indication that this variant will cause a worse disease, and it would nor would it not respond to the vaccine. Mr speaker, the first formal review of tiering decisions are taking place this wednesday, two weeks after the new rules came into force. However, i need to tell the house that over the last week we have seen very sharp exponential rises in the virus across london, kent, parts of essex and hertfordshire. We do not know the extent to which this is because of the new variant, but no matter its cause, we have to take swift and decisive action, which unfortunately is absolutely essential to control this deadly disease while the vaccine is rolled out. In some parts of these areas, the doubling time is around seven days. This isntjust about rising rates in School Age Children any more but in all age groups, including the over 60s, and we know from painful experience that more cases lead to more hospitalisations, and sadly the loss of more of our loved ones. Hospitals across the capital, essex and kent are already under pressure, and we know that this doubling of cases will be mirrored in Hospital Admissions, and it only takes a few doubling is for the nhs to be overwhelmed. Our nhs is straining every sinew to cope with the pressures as they always do, but if cases continue to double, even they will be overwhelmed, so we must act now to shift the curve, because when the virus is growing exponentially, there is not a moment to spare. We are therefore acting head of the formal review date. I am very grateful to colleagues at Public Health england, nhs test entries and the joint by a Security Centre whose surveillance of this virus means we can act very rapidly when a problem arises. We have therefore decided to move Greater London, the south and we st of move Greater London, the south and west of essex, which includes basildon, brentwood, harlow, epping forest, castle point, rochford, maldon, braintree and chelmsford and the south of hertfordshire, which means broxbourne, harkes mia, watford and the three rivers local authority, into tier 3, which is the very high alert level. This means that people can only see friends and family they dont live with or are ina family they dont live with or are in a Support Bubble with an outdoor public places, and of course in line with the rule of six. Hospitality settings must close, except takeaway and delivery, and people should avoid travelling outside their area and reduce the number ofjourneys they make wherever possible. Now, i know this is difficult news, and i know this is difficult news, and i know it will mean plans disrupted, and that for businesses affected, it will be a significant blow, but this action is absolutely essential, not just to keep people safe, but because we have seen early action can help prevent more damaging and longer lasting problems later. Mr speaker, these restrictions will come into force at midnight on wednesday morning. Because when the virus moves quickly, we must move quickly too, and we must take the actions that are not necessarily easy but are effective. We will continue to stand with those who are most impacted through our furlough scheme and support for the self employed was that we have already begun to surge mobile testing into these parts of london, essex and kent and we are extending Community Testing too. In addition, this weekend as part of our expansion of Community Testing, we are extending it to 67 local authorities across england, and further today we will be publishing a guide for colleagues to promote, support and champion local Community Testing and Contact Tracing. We will be using millions of newly invented tests to reduce the rate of infection in areas where infection is highest, and help to move down through tiers and closer to normal life. Mr speaker, thanks to the forces of science, help is on its way, but while we know now that that day will come, this isnt over yet, and while we deploy the fruits of scientific endeavour to make the country safe, we must do what it takes to protect our loved ones and our nhs now. I know these steps are ha rd our nhs now. I know these steps are hard but we must not waver as we enter the final stretch, so that when we look back on this time of crisis, we can all say that we played our part, and i commend this statement to the house. Shadow Secretary Of State jonathan ashworth. Mr speaker, always grateful for advanced site of the statement. This is a virus without adequate restrictions in place spreads with ferocity. Hospital admissions climbing, the r edging up, last week the england white rate was 159 per 100,000, now it is 188, a 20 increase. Across london cases have increased 30 , across the east of england 36 , so none of us are surprised that the action he is taking today. Indeed, he was warned that tier 2 wouldnt be enough to contain the spread of the virus in many places, and indeed it looks like in some areas, such as kent, tier 3 isnt enough to contain the spread either. Elsewhere in the country, tier 3 does appear to be allowing forcing the virus to flatline and indeed the north west is trending down, but overall the increasing areas are rising faster than the decreasing areas are falling. And as things stand, we are heading into the christmas easing with diminishing headroom. The buffer zone these tiers were supposed to provide is getting much thinner, so what is his plan to keep people safe through christmas and avoid huge pressures on the nhs in january . What is his plan to support an exhausted, underfunded, understaffed nhs through an exhausted, underfunded, understaffed nhs throuthanuary an exhausted, underfunded, understaffed nhs through january to deliver the care patients will need, and is he confident that our nhs wont be so overwhelmed injanuary that it impacts the Vaccination Programme . Now, our response throughout to covid could have been stronger had Contact Tracing be more effective. In boroughs like islington, only 65 traced by the National System, in Tower Hamlets only 60 , in barking 61 , and yet test and traces costing 22 billion, more than the policing and fire Service Budgets combined, and according to the n a0 up to september only 785 million was allocated to local council Public Health teams. Meanwhile, serco have subcontracted to 21 other firms, offering little training to staff, with some in call centres alongside others making sales calls for gambling websites. Surely it is time to scrap serco and put all Public Health teams in the lead in doing the retrospective cluster busting Contact Tracing we need. He has promised more testing for tier 3 areas, what about the tier 2 areas . And in the lateral flow tests he is rolling out, he will know some care home providers are refusing to use these because they are concerned about their accuracy, so is he satisfied that these tests are Accurate Enough for this purpose and are safe, and if they cant be used to ca re are safe, and if they cant be used to care homes, how quickly can care home residentss relatives make use of pcr tests . He often praises liverpool but isnt the biggest lesson to draw from liverpool that people still struggle to isolate if they havent got the financial means to do so. The Eligibility Criteria for the £500 payment is still too tightly drawn. People need decent sick pay. People in some circumstances need alternative accommodation, help with shopping and medicine. Surely some of the 22 billion spent on test and trace could be reallocated to offer people adequate isolation support . Now, on the variant that has been identified, our constituents will be naturally concerned. Will he undertake to keep the house updated throughout . And i am gratefulfor the briefings he has arranged for myself and others with the chief medical officer, but if this variation means the virus is more easily tra nsmittable, then variation means the virus is more easily transmittable, then fixing Contact Tracing and isolation becomes even more firstly urgent. Finally mr speaker, today i spoke to fred banning. Fred isjust 38. He has two children under ten, and he has two children under ten, and he has terminal cancer. He asks that those with terminal illness are given quick access to the vaccine, so he can come in the words that he said to me this morning, make the most of the time he has left with his family. I understand these are clinical decisions but could he through his officers look into access to the vaccine for those with terminal illness and see what can be done for people like fred and many others in this situation . Thank you very much, mr speaker. I am glad to say that across large parts of the country, there is very good evidence that tier 3 restrictions are working, and the rates are coming down, but we do need to be vigilant, and as he knows, overall, rates are no longer coming down, and hence we are having to take further action. And, in particular, he talks about the lessons from liverpool. I think the lessons from liverpool. I think the primary lesson from liverpool is that when everybody pulls together, and everybody makes the sacrifices that are necessary for their whole community, you can really get this thing under control, and im grateful to colleagues across london and essex and hertfordshire, who ive been talking to today, who are committed to working to ensure we get the Public Health messages out first and foremost, and to the mayor and the conservative candidate for mayor who are all committed to working on behalf of the capital, and of course those parts of essex and of course those parts of essex and kent and hertfordshire that are affected, because the single best thing that we can all do is speak with one voice about what is needed to get this under control. He asked about christmas, and my recommendation to people at christmas is to be cautious and careful. He asked about nhs funding and staffing. Of course, we have the strongest funding in history for the nhs, andi strongest funding in history for the nhs, and i am delighted to say that we have more nurses in the nhs than ever before, 14,000 more nurses than this time last year, and i pay tribute to each and every one of them. He asked about Contact Tracing, and no doubt he will have seen the figures published on thursday, which show that Contact Tracing now reaches over 80 of contacts, and i pay tribute to the tea m contacts, and i pay tribute to the team both local and national who are ensuring that we can get to more than four fifths of people who we need to reach, and that has been rapidly improving. He also finally asks about fred, the gentleman with terminal cancer who he spoke to this morning. What i would say is that those with terminal cancer of course are clinically vulnerable by their nature, and by the nature of that awful disease, and we will ensure that those who are clinically vulnerable do get access to the vaccine when it is clinically appropriate, and i am very happy to ta ke appropriate, and i am very happy to take up the individual case that he raises and ensure that he gets a fair deal. But all in all, mr speaker, i am gratefulfor the honourable gentlemans support for the measures we have outlined today, and of course for the Vaccine Programme, which is rolling out across the country right now. Thank you, mr speaker. These are incredibly difficult decisions but i wholly support them because the evidence from all over the world is that in these situations, acting early and decisively is the best way to save both lives and jobs, and so close to rolling out the vaccine it would be perverse in the extreme if we we re would be perverse in the extreme if we were to take our foot off the pedal. But can i ask about this new strain, first of all . He said it is highly unlikely that the vaccine wont work with the new strain. When will we know for sure, are there any trials going on, easy going to get more up to date scientific information on this anytime soon . And secondly can i ask for clarity, just 11 days before christmas, lots of people will be thinking about Christmas Shopping. From wednesday, if you live outside london, will it be against the regulations to coming to Oxford Street to do your Christmas Shopping . If you live inside london, will it be against the regulations to do your Christmas Shopping, and is the only way to do your Christmas Shopping legally now to go online . White thank you very much, mr speaker. Firstly, firstly has pointed out the new variant, thatis has pointed out the new variant, that is being assessed. The question he asked as being assessed in porton down right now but as i said in my statement, the medical advice that we have is that it is highly unlikely that this new variant will impinge the vaccine and the impact of the vaccine, but we will know that in the coming days and weeks, as the new strand is cultured at porton down, and then of course the tests conducted upon it. The question he asked about Christmas Shopping is important. It is recommended that people should minimise travel unless it is necessary in a tier 3 area, and should minimise travel where it is necessary to a tier 3 area, so we have taken this action to try to protect people and to try to slow the spread of this virus, and that is absolutely the right thing to do. Theyre up to scotland to snp spokesperson dr philippa whitford. Thank you very much mr speaker. Many Public Health experts have questioned the use of in of a lateral flow tests for mass Community Testing, especially as the manufacturers do not recommend them for detecting coronavirus in people who are asymptomatic. The Secretary Of State must be aware of the paper from liverpool university, based on his own department plasma Quality Assurance programme, which has raised serious concerns about their a ccu ra cy raised serious concerns about their accuracy when used in the Community Project in liverpool. The comparison of lateral flow tests with pcr in over 3000 people revealed a sensitivity of just 48 , over 3000 people revealed a sensitivity ofjust 48 , meaning that half of those with the virus would be falsely reassured they were negative. The test even missed 30 of those with a high viral load. Those most likely to be infectious. I understand the wish to use quick tests for case finding, but surely he should now delay rolling them out to 67 other local authorities, and not proceed with plans to spend £43 billion for a test which is so inaccurate . Would it not be better to focus funding on easier and quicker access to pcr tests . With more than half of all positive cases being missed, does he accept that despite the proposal by baroness harding these tests cannot be used to release people who are contacts who are isolating . 0n the basis of this study, the Liverpool Health protection board has abandoned plans to use lateral flow tests to protect visitors to care homes, so will he be recommending local authorities and providers return to pcr testing for care home staff and family visitors to reduce the risk to most vulnerable residents . visitors to reduce the risk to most vulnerable residents . I think this argument, mr speaker, against testing is wrong. I think we should test, test, test, that is what were doing on this site and this government, and we are working very closely with the government in scotland, from the same party that she represents, to make sure that we use testing as widely as possible to find people who have got this virus, and yes, of course, different tests have different characteristics, and the lateral flow tests find around 70 of those who are infectious, and that means that if you test people who wouldnt otherwise have been tested, you find the positive cases, you can get them to isolate and you can break the chains of transmission, so i would just strongly urge her to go back, to study the details and to back the Testing Programme that we have in this country. Mr speaker, i fully recognise my right honourable friends serious dilemmas. It is not an enviable position. But the application of tier 3 to london raises some questions. In my borough, i have had long conversations with Public Health in the hospital, and they maintain the infection rate is almost exclusively now amongst schoolchildren and secondary school children, and passing on to their parents. Those two least at risk groups. And so the hospitals are not overcrowded with spare beds in the acu and in the icu. The question i ask him therefore is tier 3 will hammer down on the one area which does control what happens, which is hospitality, and the key area here surely is that in doing that, they will shift back to their homes, and it is that area where we would worry about, with off licences selling alcohol late in the evening. Can he try and seek some sort of flexibility that targets better the real risk and doesnt just hammer those that targets better the real risk and doesntjust hammer those that have been doing the right thing . We are a lwa ys been doing the right thing . We are always open to finding new ways that protect the economy as much as possible to bring this virus under control, and i share my right honourable friends desire to get this under control and keep it under control until a vaccine can make us safe, but unfortunately this is no longerjust a problem in Waltham Forest and North East London, amongst School Age Children, which it has been until the last week s data. The case rate amongst the over 60s in Waltham Forest is now over 250, and we are seeing rising, seeing that rising over the last week and were also seeing rising admissions to hospital. So whilst i have a huge amount of sympathy for everybody by these decisions in Waltham Forest, it is absolutely essential to get this under control now, in order to protect the nhs from being overwhelmed in the future, and it is the inexorable link from cases now to hospitalisations in the future, and sadly two deaths, that we must break, by using the vaccine, and we must bring down by the use of testing, but until we can have that vaccine fully rolled out and people to be inoculated by having had their second dose, and until enough Vulnerable People have had that second dose and therefore have become inoculated, unfortunately measures like this are necessary. Thank you, mr speaker. The Health Secretary is a fully aware that Hundreds Of Thousands Ofjobs have been lost during the pandemic, which continues to hit our economy. This means a vast number of families and individuals are diving into hardship, having no heating and no hot water is what many residents across our country will face this christmas as a day visit food banks. What discussion has he had with the works and pensions secretary regarding the rising, reducing the rising level of poverty. Mr speaker, we are trying to support the economy as much as possible during these difficult decisions. And the extraordinary levels of Financial Support are part of that, including the furlough scheme. Now extended to the furlough scheme. Now extended to the end of march. Of course, i talk to my colleague, they work and pensions secretary, regularly to make sure that we take the action thatis make sure that we take the action that is necessary in any way that supports people as much as possible. We i think my right honourable friend for his statement, albeit that it contains a lot of grim years about the virus itself and the effect on many areas, though it will be greeted with considerable relief in harwich, clacton, colchester and other areas where the slates are much lower. If a message now that we stay in tier2 much lower. If a message now that we stay in tier 2 or go down a tear much more by our own efforts, by the efforts of local authorities, with the support of nhs test and tries to make sure that we support those happy to isolate, that we have traced those who may spread the virus because, by doing this, by compliance and forbearance, we can reduce the spread of the virus and we can help defeated so that we can get done the tiers . Yes, mr speaker. My get done the tiers . Yes, mr speaker. My right honourable friend is absolutely right that it is in at the hands of local authorities and local communities to try to keep this virus under control and i would say to everybody in harwich, and people across the south east and east of england have not gone into tier 3 today, that we all still need to Work Together and be vigilant and, effectively, do everything we can to stop the spread of the disease because so many people are asymptomatic. About one third of people are a simple matter, never had any symptoms, but can nevertheless spread the disease. Im very grateful to my right honourable friend for the work he has done in giving me ideas to bring forward this pack to support colleagues to help in this effort because the links between any National System and the local authorities are getting stronger all the time and i wa nt getting stronger all the time and i want colleagues also to be able to play our part as, especially as are those of us who through our campaigning now our community well, to get into communities, to spread the message that if we all stick by the message that if we all stick by the rules and if we get the testing and comedy Contact Tracing on, we will be able to keep this under control. If we get the testing and any Contact Tracing in. With cases in devon down to 71 per 100000 and falling and covid Hospital Admissions also falling, with the only reason that devon does not going to tier1 this week be because of any shortage of staff and Hospital Capacity after ten years of conservative government cuts . No, mr speaker. Firstly, there is a Record Number of nhs staff thanks to this conservative government. And there isa conservative government. And there is a Record Number of nurses, 14,000 more nurses, but what i would say, also, is to people in devon, currently in tier 2, but with low rates, do not take it for granted. Lets all Work Together, try to get devon into tier1 and in exeter, those rates have come down really sharply in the last few weeks, lets keep working at it. Lets keep those Public Health messages going, not only with relation to coronavirus, but also with relation to the importance of eating fruit. Thank you, mr speaker. We are nowhere to go for fruit now. My children are desperate to see their grandparents this christmas, as is the case for many families up and down the country, but in view of these alarming numbers and with what we are seeing in the us, following thanksgiving and with the constant chopping and changing of rules, which leads to a lower compliance and more conclusion, i appreciate the Secretary Of State does not want to be the grange, but should he be reconsidering the christmas measures that are in place or do we risk a necessary additional deaths in the new yearjust as necessary additional deaths in the new year just as we have necessary additional deaths in the new yearjust as we have light necessary additional deaths in the new year just as we have light at the end of the tunnel with the vexing question i would recommend to recommend to people to exercise caution over christmas. With respect to seeing elderly relatives. Of course, people are learning to see them, understand that, but i think it is important that people not only abide by the rules, but take personal responsibility, in case they have coronavirus, may be passing it on, but do not have any symptoms and do not know about it. My symptoms and do not know about it. My right honourable friend will know that i have supported the measures, all the measures that had been put in place and i have put my faith in the governments scientists and medical officers, however i have real worries about harlow and essex being put into territory. Local hospitality businesses are really struggling and on their knees. I would be grateful at my right honourable friend could explain how further restrictions will curb any disease in a given that cases increased in our harlow during the Second National opt in. I understand the virus recently stabilised in harlow and there have been no rates of increase in the rates of over 60s in the last week. The overall crease sketch an increase in cases is 12 against a regional average of 40 . Ask him to consider keeping harlow in tier 2. Unfortunately, cases arising in harlow and in the districts of essex and hertfordshire are nearby. So we do have to take the action that we do. What i would say to my right honourable friend, who is an incredible champion of harlow and of his local community, is lets Work Together to get this down and lets work to get this done and lets Work Together to try to get harlow back into tier 2 as soon as possible, not just get harlow back into tier 2 as soon as possible, notjust to save lives, and to protect the nhs in harlow, but to give people their livelihoods back to. I think the Secretary Of State for his update. And what is happening in relation to cupboard. Asa happening in relation to cupboard. As a type two diabetic, i will take my vaccine at the time. But could the minister outline the response to the minister outline the response to the medical committee as to the reactions of the vaccination and the safety of the stroke as those who feel it has been rushed through. The safety of the vaccine. All the safety checks that are necessary have been carried out and we continue to monitor the relatively vaccine throughout the uk. The mhra have done a terrificjob at doing that and continue to do so. For instance, my team and the mhra were having an updated assessment on saturday morning to check the progress of the first weeks roulette. I am delighted to say we are able to keep doing that the first weeks third act also if you wa nt to first weeks third act also if you want to see the impact of the vaccine, look at the faces of those who have had theirfirst vaccine, look at the faces of those who have had their first dose and are so pleased to have had it, getting to that closer stage to being protected from the terrible disease. I note that essex and hertfordshire had been split into two, partly tier 2, hertfordshire had been split into two, partly tier2, partly hertfordshire had been split into two, partly tier 2, partly tier 3. However, Greater London has been treated as one. In Central London, our cases are significantly below the national average. Whether this house likes it or not, Central London is the powerhouse of our national economy. Can my right honourable friend to tell me why london has been treated differently from essex and hertfordshire question questioning as you know, we look in great detail and granular level at the geography of these reductions have to cover. U nfortu nately, reductions have to cover. Unfortunately, Central London case rates are rising and we know if an area is surrounded by other areas where there are significant increases, those tend to move into an area if it is left out of a set of restrictions to understand the impact on the economy, of course, but the very clear Public Health advice was that london should move together because all areas of london are seeing an increase in rates and we need to stop that. The Health Secretary seems to answer rather dogmatically to the honourable lady for central air about the lateral tests. It does seem to him that it is reasonable for diagnostics for people to self isolate. But with a very high false negative. Is he seriously recommending this is the first line of defence for people going into our care homes . Because if he is, i think it is a very dangerous proposition on his part. think that it is important that we use at the right tests in the right circumstances, with the right other conditions so, for instance, that is very clear visitor guidance on what testing is one part, but ppe is another critical part. The nuanced question that he asks is an entirely reasonable one. The thing i find frustrating is the idea that we should discourage people from coming forward for asymptomatic testing where the task is to find as many people as possible who have the virus and have them isolate. Yes, we should ensure visiting to care homes are done safely as possible, and there are health upsides to visiting, as well as the challenges posed by the virus, but in terms of asymptomatic testing, i would encourage people where it is available to come forward. Because thatis available to come forward. Because that is how we find where the spiders and to isolate. Where this viruses. Can i thank him for the lateral flow test roll out in derbyshire. When he does his reassessment on wednesday, would he be willing to look at more localised geography based around hospital catchment areas and divide the cou nty of catchment areas and divide the county of derbyshire between north and south rather than use the whole county, which is not a functional geography on the ground . county, which is not a functional geography on the ground . I am happy to look at the human geography that, as my right arm offended any premise project, and as we have with the decision today to go and take parts of essex and hertfordshire into parts of territory, precisely because of those human geographers. We look at the travel to work patterns, the travelling patterns to see where the likelihood of spread is greatest. We set out the date on which we take the decisions so i think the answer to my honourable friend is yes. Contact tracing in scotla nd friend is yes. Contact tracing in scotland has achieved rates of up to 95 . Down here it is handed out to privatise companies and circle has a £400 Million Contract that they have subcontracted to 21 for the companies in scotland it is dealt with by the nhs, down here it is dealt with by serco. The good news is that the Contact Tracing across england is increasing in its capacity. It is getting faster, it is finding more and more contacts. The comparison of apples and pears which continues to come from the front bench of there, where they do not take into account that if you Contact Tracing a care home, the Contact Tracing a care home, the Contact Tracing a care home, the Contact Tracing is much easier and if you include that Contact Tracing any data, you do get different a nswe rs. Any data, you do get different answers. I think this obsession, this obsession with how the Public Sector good, private sector bad is really. We have had it for months and it is just as wrong now as it was six months ago. Todays uses deeply sombre so i asked my right honourable friend to join me deeply sombre so i asked my right honourable friend tojoin me in urging residents to be vigilant because we are also seen cases rising locally even in our villages. We had to get rates under control if we are to be decoupled from Leicester City and remain in tier 2. Will hejoin in thanking Leicester City and remain in tier 2. Will he join in thanking those are working so hard locally to ready our hubs and once the vaccine is ready for delivery outside of hospitals. Of course. I am delighted that we are now vaccinating from over 100 Different Community settings, as well as 70 hospitals across the uk. It isa well as 70 hospitals across the uk. It is a tribute to the whole vaccine roll out team have done a magnificentjob over the roll out team have done a magnificent job over the last. Well, i was going to sit over the last week it has been rolling out, but it has been weeks and weeks in the planning before then. What i would say to residents in melton and rutland, we will look at leicester, leicestershi re rutland, we will look at leicester, leicestershire and rutland separately when we make the decision on hearing on wednesday and those in rutland who are in tier 2, they still need to work at it and try to keep rutland in tier 2 and hopefully get to tier 1. It is so important that everybody does their bit. The Secretary Of State has rightly set out in the very start picture today. But also of the growing pressures under the pressure is likely to come on nhs at this critical time. Would he therefore agree with me, particularly given the crucial Supply Chains for the vaccine, ppe, 49 packages of medicine echo back and forward between ourselves and the eu every month, 40 million packages. That the talks must continue and we must not end up any no deal outcome which would be devastating for the most difficult time for the nhs and country. The premise is working hard to see if we can achieve a deal. I hope that there is movement the Prime Minister. I hope there is movement from the European Union so we can achieve that but we are ready for any outcome. I am of us are very disappointed by the news today that london is going to tier 3, but having seen the data, spoken to pha in london and the hospitals in my constituency, i am fully aware of the threat that this awful virus continues to provide to others. Hospitality in particular has done so much to become covid secure, but sadly, we are where we are. As i think of our hospitals, and the amazing job that our nhs staff are doing a day in and day out, night m, doing a day in and day out, night in, night out, i know the acute Hospital Trust in my constituency are handling covid cases from across london when a villages concerns they have raised with me is the length of time one of the things i have learned raised with me is the length of time staff must isolate after a positive cover that contact. Can i right honourable friend to confirm that the roll out of the lateral flow test will be prioritised in hospitals where cases are increasing . These reduce the isolation time from 40 days to five days. We are 14 days to five days. We are 14 days to five days. We are rolling is right across england and looking for ways to reduce the burden of isolation needed for positive contacts. Can also pay tribute to my honourable friends leadership. These are difficult decisions and it is difficult decisions and it is difficult to explain to people why these measures are necessary, given that the impact they have, but she is quite right to do so and her analysis of the best way of landing coming through this is by presenting a of coming through this is by presenting a of landing coming through this is by presenting a united front to keep the cases done. That is how we will get through this together. Christmas is often the busiest period for many businesses, particularly sectors of retail and hospitality and the uncertainty created with arrangements chopping and changing ideas notice has made trading difficult for those places currently allowed to stay open. What support will be provided to businesses affected by the tier access to many months ahead to ensure any clothes is mandated by his department over the spital trading period do not leave their door is mandated by his department over the spital trading period do not leave their doors close pam and i any not leave their doors close pam and i any closures . Not leave their doors close pam and i any closures . We want to support businesses as much as we possibly can. The support that is available and the record sums has been outlined by my right honourable friend the chancellor and that, of course, will be available to businesses as we going tier 3. We are delighted to have the first vaccination is rolling out in furnace this week. What we know is that information is key to understanding and tackling the spiders. With my right honourable friend give some consideration to adding data on the number of people i call her chubby backstage on the governments on website tackling this virus. But also people who her. On the a number of vaccinations done, we will be publishing that and i think that is important. Meanwhile, lets all keep getting out there, getting the case that the best way to keep you and your loved ones, Community Safe is to get the vaccine when the nhs calls. Selfisolation is crucial to breaking chains of transmission, but too many people cannot afford to self isolate when asked to do so because of the loss of earnings and this will mean. In salford, only 389 out of 1760 applications for self isolation payment have been successful many many people are not getting the support they need. Where the Secretary Of State no providing eve ryo ne the Secretary Of State no providing everyone else to self isolate with the Financial Support that guaranteed they will not be worse off because they had done the right thing. What she outlines exactly when we are working to and the £500 self isolation payment for those on low incomes is a very important part and im glad that hundreds of people in salford have been able to get this. May i thank my right honourable friend very much for his statement i understand the difficulties which he faces. He will know i am the memberfor difficulties which he faces. He will know i am the member for west dorset, a very rural seat, part of the west. It is 55 miles away from the west. It is 55 miles away from the commercial centre of bournemouth, which is at the driving force between our tiering in rural dorset. We have consistently maintained though numbers of cases and on friday we had just one person in our county hospital. Can i ask my right boyfriend, while to understand full well he has had to consider the my full well he has had to consider the my right honourable friend, hes had to consider the tier system, where he also consider the reduction of tiering to tier 1 where he also consider the reduction of tiering to tier1where where he also consider the reduction of tiering to tier1 where that is appropriate, as i think dorset is. will look at it extremely closely. After my honourable friends entreaty. I have been noticing in west dorset and bournemouth, the number of cases has been coming down. I would say to everybody, stick at it. A sticker to the rules and do everything you can to reduce the number of transmissions and that is the most likely way of getting into tier 1. Is the most likely way of getting into tier1. It is 12 months is the most likely way of getting into tier 1. It is 12 months since the World Health Organization told us this was a pandemic and schools in southwark have been when couege in southwark have been when college has had 20 cases in september and some have never had any september and some have never had a ny co nta ct september and some have never had any contact from the tracing system. Well he can finally fix Contact Tracing or continue to lead teachers picking up the pieces, having to work weekends, the public picking up the bill, while most deposit maids ta ke the bill, while most deposit maids take up the multi Million Pound contracts. If he has got an individual case, of a skill in that situation, if you could let me know and then we will sort that out a school. In general, the links between local directors of Public Health and the schools to tackle these sorts of problems are pretty good. I know the whole house was filled at those wonderful images last week of people receiving the vaccines, including at the royal stoke. Like hospitals across the country, they have been gearing up for that moment for months and it was very emotionalfor for that moment for months and it was very emotional for them. They have got a lot of experience in delivering the specs and so can my right honourable friend to assure me that we will go like this vaccine and any others that get approved as quickly as possible as manufacturing allows questioning that is absolutely legal. I pay tribute eve ryo ne absolutely legal. I pay tribute everyone at the royal stoke. It was wonderful to see some of those who we re wonderful to see some of those who were vaccinated. Stoke is having a rough time of late and we need to make sure that we get the virus under control, but also get that maxim all that, not just under control, but also get that maxim all that, notjust in the city centre, but in communities right across centre, but in communities right a cross sto ke centre, but in communities right across stoke and staffordshire. Get the vaccine rolled out. The Secretary Of State will know that i warmed to his performance over the months of this pandemic. I think he is doing a pretty good job, but can i tell him i think it was at the Prime Minister who pushed him into the risk relaxation around christmas and cani the risk relaxation around christmas and can i worm him that my local hospitals, huddersfield and halifax, are preparing for an awful surge after christmas at the very wrong time, january, february, when we do not want that kind of pressure. Would he think again, and persuaded by minister to think again, that any relaxation of the rules of a christmas to save lives questioning persuaded the Prime Minister. would urge the honourable gentleman to things, the first is to say to his constituents that we all need to be careful and take personal response ability to reduce the spread of christmas and to thank him for those kind and generous words. As someone who has always warmly appreciated edge energy with which the Secretary Of State has tried to prevent our hospitals, has successfully prevented our hospitals from being overwhelmed and has also backed this amazing vaccine which is now being rolled out, can i ask the Secretary Of State in terms of the capacity in hospitals, i understand social distancing requires fewer beds in hospitals at the moment and will hospitals be able to add more capacity as the vaccine roll out is completed . I certainly hope so. That is one of the things we are talking about with the nhs. For now it is not possible. We have extra emergency capacity in the nightingale, of course, and the testing regime has allowed the nhs to restore many of its services so in places like worcestershire, for instance, they are able to carry on with almost all of the necessary activity, for instance at the electives, cancer work, even through this as i i pay tribute to the nhs and worcestershire for the work they have done. With the of the testing regime andi have done. With the of the testing regime and i really hope that the vaccine allows that to improve again. Once we have got enough of the Vulnerable People, people most vulnerable to this disease vaccinated. The nottingham post website is reporting today 72 areas ina tearto website is reporting today 72 areas in a tear to now have a higher covid rate than tier 3 nottingham. Since we came out of the national log in and went into tier 3, our situation has improved in all five indicators, but we still do not know whether the improvement is enough to allow us to move down a tier later this week a tier. Will he spell out the thresholds that will be used and commit to publishing the rational for his Decision Making . Yes, the threshold we have set out what the statistics we look at and we publish the statistics and i think nottinghamshire has done, including nottingham, had any very good job of getting a cases done. My constituents are now followed really closely the local data and they can see that covid rates are thankfully plummeting in kirklees, thank you to the local action that we have been taking. Can the Secretary Of State confirmed that he will be using this local data at a granular level later this week to decide whether my area can come out of tier 3 restrictions . Yes. Thank you, mr speaker. A recent report has concluded that some of the poorer countries may not get access to vaccines until 2024. If at the ongoing roll out in a western country is a successful and normality starts to return by spring, will he give his commitment that he will resist calls to declare the pandemic is over and accept that it will remain a Global Challenge until all countries have a widespread Vaccination Programmes in place . Thank you to the strength of the uk, we have put more funding into the global vaccine effort than any other country in the world and im proud of that fact. Of course, we have to Work Together to ensure vaccines are available everywhere. The National Lockdown, the recent one began, the infection rate has fallen from more than 400 cases per 100,000 to less than 140 today. The number of Covid Patients in hospital has declined by 45 in the last month alone. He will be aware that the city has, on balance, recommended that leads moves from tier 3 to tier 2, businesses have been terribly affected and i realise he cannot give an answer today, but does he accept that having assured areas that where they are placed in the tier system will depend on the effo rts the tier system will depend on the efforts they make to get in a prison and leeds has done a greatjob . That the credibility of that statement to get the numbers down. That credibility of the statement needs to be reflected in numbers. My ra nt to be reflected in numbers. My rant has made a typically wise intervention right honourable friend. As to the wider tiering decisions for the rest of the country. The care minister has italy indicated that there are 12 thousand 500 retired gps and nurses seeking to help with the relatively Vaccination Programme. 0ur constituent david is one of those, 67 years old, fit and well and keen to do his bit. But any system where he has to log on to apply keeps attaining him at. I know my right honourable friend is an absolute whiz with apps, please can you make sure this one works for people like david . Yes, iam yes, i am absolutely thrilled of the number of former clinicians who have come back to support. When i went to see the vaccine being injected in milton keynes, i met some of them andi milton keynes, i met some of them and i will look into the little whizzing box that is stopping my right honourable friends constituent from applying. The Secretary Of State knows i asked backin Secretary Of State knows i asked back in april to have mass testing in horton, so better late than never, and i went to the Mass Testing Centre in widnes this morning and had a test which im pleased to say was negative but it literally took ten minutes and i have the result back in 30 minutes. But my question is to the Secretary Of State, could he say more about when he expects the vulnerable and elderly to have had their second dose of the vaccine . There has to be a21 dose of the vaccine . There has to be a 21 day vaccine from the first vaccine, so we are aiming to send out invitations so that people can come as close to that 21 day mark as possible. Clinically, the 21 days is a minimum not a possible. Clinically, the 21 days is a minimum nota maximum, but the goal is clearly on or as close to the 21st day as possible. Is my right honourable friend is aware, my cleethorpes constituency is in tier 3, and although there has been a considerable drop in the infection rate, people are still concerned about the roll out of the vaccine. Can he give an upset and update an absolute assurance that my constituents will feature in the roll out in coming weeks . Constituents will feature in the rollout in coming weeks . Yes, we are working very hard to get the vaccine out to every part of the country including cleethorpes, and i will look into exactly when the vaccine is arriving in cleethorpes andi vaccine is arriving in cleethorpes and i will get back to him as soon as possible. We go to sheffield to paul blomfield. Thank you, madam deputy speaker. Now, the Secretary Of State is right that at this critical moment, we must think about the nhs staff, who we were clapping on the street so recently and we clearly must do Everything Possible to protect people from the spread of the virus, so can i press him to say how the advice for the Christmas Period could be strengthened by the government to minimise transmission . And will he recognise the need for better Financial Support for sectors most affected by the measures that we need, like hospitality, and particularly for those who have fallen through the gaps in the chancellor s schemes . Fallen through the gaps in the chancellor s schemes . Well, years, with the decision to move areas does come extra Financial Support and as i have said several times, do recommend that people exercise personal caution and responsibility of the Christmas Period. Now i go to ashfield, to lee anderson. Thank you, madam deputy speaker. The tier system has worked incredibly well in ashfield, as rates are down, due to the hard work and suffering of my constituents. Therefore could my right honourable friend please reassure me that our hard work and dedication and willingness to do the right thing will be taken into account when deciding on what deer we will be in at the end of the week . My honourable friend knows what tier we will be in. My honourable friend knows and he has been a powerful voice for ashfield andi been a powerful voice for ashfield and i will take his considerations into account when we make a decision on wednesday. It is extremely concerning that more than 1000 cases of the new variant have been identified in the south east, but i understand that the vaccine still works. The 0ns published data today that showed the mortality rate will fall by 84 when all the over 70s are vaccinated. Could my right honourable friend to tell the house when he thinks that will be and what it will mean for the tiering system . I would love to be able to answer that question, believe you me. We dont know, because it depends on the speed of manufacture of the vaccines and the approval or not of the oxford vaccine by the mr hra the oxford vaccine by the mr hra the mhra but the essence of the question is exactly how we are thinking about it in government. Could i echo the request for my dorset colleague for both dorset and indeed bournemouth to be considered to move to tier 1 . The stats actually bear this out and the Hospitality Industry would be most grateful. Madam deputy speaker, 2020 has been the most testing of years. 2021 should be different because of that vaccine. My concern is that letting down our guard for five days during christmas could be very dangerous indeed. Could i ask the Secretary Of State to review those conditions which i think were put together some time ago, come back to the house and present an updated version, so we dont begin a new year with a third wave . Thank you, i ta ke year with a third wave . Thank you, i take my right honourable friends views on this very seriously, and i would say to everybody in bournemouth and across the country that the best way they can help their area coming to a lower tier is by exercising personal restraint, not see the rules and something to push against, but rather to act well within them as much as is possible, and to ensure that this virus doesnt spread. The Secretary Of State talks a lot about test and trace but far less about isolate. As the shadow Secretary Of State made important points that i dont think we re important points that i dont think were addressed by the Secretary Of State. In my city a couple of weeks ago, only 14 people had received a £500 payment. The reason people are not isolating is complicated, but what has gone wrong with the system . It really isnt working, is it . Im glad to say that thousands of people are receiving the payment, and of course it is aimed at those on the lowest incomes, who need the Financial Support in order to isolate. Thank you, madam speaker. Stoke on trent has seen our case rate drop to below 300 per 100,000, and boasts one of the highest testing rates in the west midlands. The additional lateral flow test from the government, adding to the impressive work by stoke on Trent City Council, means we can test over 25,000 people now per week, so does my right honourable friend agree that Community Testing will be hugely important in helping area such as mine and can he confirm when mass Vaccination Sites in the city will appear . Yes, look, stoke on trent has had a tough time recently, but the stoke on Trent City Council and the Community Testing that is going on in stoke on trent is very impressive, and what all of us as mps can do is lea n and what all of us as mps can do is lean into that and to help support the council and the military and others in delivering that testing in our communities, and weve set out details of how we can all do that today so that every single one of us can play our part. Can i return to the vaccination of those with terminal illnesses . 0ne the vaccination of those with terminal illnesses . One of my constituents age 70 has stage four bowel cancer and is receiving palliative care, contact me at the weekend. If his only priority is being 70 and extremely vulnerable, he is in the fourth cohort of the vaccination, the terminally ill should be in the first group. Will the Secretary Of State make that change and will he give a timescale for each of the nine priority groups for each of the nine priority groups for receiving the vaccine . Well, the honourable member asks a very sensitive and reasonable question, and of course it is right that we follow the clinical guidance, in terms of the order of priority, and we should, which does include those who are clinically extremely vulnerable to this disease. 0n the details im afraid the answer is the same answer to him as my honourable friend, which is that we dont know because it depends on the speed that the manufacturers can produce this vaccine. Thank you, madam is bigger. Last week i was absolutely delighted to see the vaccine rolling out. I am hugely grateful to the Vaccine Task Force on the thousands of volunteers who have bravely stepped forward to ta ke who have bravely stepped forward to take part in the trials, including, andi take part in the trials, including, and i declare an interest at the same time, my dad. Can my right honourable friend confirmed that the vaccine has undergone months of rigorous trials and that work continues to ensure that other vaccines can be rolled out as quickly but most importantly as safely as possible . Absolutely, absolutely. My honourable friend puts it exactly right. We are working very closely with the welsh nhs to deliver the vaccine right across wales, and may ijust paid tribute to my honourable friends father, who continues to play a leadership role in his community by stepping forward for one of the trials. Thank you, madam deputy speaker. Mass testing is something we have repeatedly called for, in order to make sure they can open safely, and i welcome the fact the government is rolling out mass testing, but can the government go further to ensure that schools can reopen injanuary further to ensure that schools can reopen in january and stay further to ensure that schools can reopen injanuary and stay open . And on the vaccine, will he do everything he can, recognising that these decisions are clinically led, to make sure that school staff get access to vaccines as a priority . Well, i understand the urgency from school staff, because it has to be clinically led. The goal is to try to reduce hospitalisations and fatalities from this disease as quickly as possible, and im absolutely delighted by the Community Testing roll out, and the roll out of testing to schools in his patch, and i thank him for the leadership he has shown locally and encourage him. Thank you, madam speaker. Community testing are starting to ramp up and rapidly increasing, i thank him for that. I would like to prioritise tier 3 areas like parts of lancashire that have been in restriction sincejuly is really important. Does he agree with me that Community Engagement in getting a test in these increasingly available Community Testing is the thing that gets us all out of tier 3 in south ribble, chorley and west lancashire . I totally agree, in south ribble, chorley and west lancashire . Itotally agree, do in south ribble, chorley and west lancashire . I totally agree, do your bit and get a test. We go to scotland to peter grant. Thank you, madam deputy speaker. The Secretary Of State is very keen to remind us that we all have an individual responsibility to look after not only our own health but the health of one another. Every single unnecessary journey of one another. Every single unnecessaryjourney into of one another. Every single unnecessary journey into and of one another. Every single unnecessaryjourney into and out of london and the south east increases the risk of the virus being transmitted from one part of the United Kingdom to another. The house of Commons Commission set an example today by asking all House Of Commons staff not to attend parliament u nless staff not to attend parliament unless they absolutely have to. What discussions has the Secretary Of State had with his colleague the leader of the is with a view to ensuring that all members of Parliament Take part in all proceedings by video call, so that none of us have to make otherwise unnecessary journeys none of us have to make otherwise unnecessaryjourneys into none of us have to make otherwise unnecessary journeys into london with the attendant increased risk of either catching or indeed of spreading the virus among other people . Thank you, madam deputy speaker. Im afraid his question is a matter for the house speaker. Im afraid his question is a matterfor the house rather than for me as Health Secretary. It is indeed. Andrew barwick. Can i take this opportunity to wish my right honourable friend and the entire Department Of Health a very happy christmas. I hope they are able to have some respite over the festive period. I think out of everybody in this place they have deserved it more than anyone. Obviously it is brilliant to see the Pfizer Biontech vaccine being rolled out as it is, but people are waiting to see if the 0xford astrazeneca vaccine come down, not least because it is cheaper, quicker and easier to distribute. Does he have any indication when that vaccine might be getting approval and coming on stream . I am tempted to try to give an answer to that question but it is very much a matter for the mhra. An answer to that question but it is very much a matterfor the mhra. I am very grateful to my honourable friend for the good wishes he sends. In the department these days we no longer say at the end of the week i hope you have a good weekend, we say i hope you have a weekend, and likewise i take his hope that we have a happy christmas, frankly i hope i get a christmas. Pubs in tier 2 areas are very heavily regulated environments. In tier 3 they are com pletely environments. In tier 3 they are completely closed. Nothing like the same restrictions are in place on public transport, retail shops, same restrictions are in place on public transport, retailshops, in ca re public transport, retailshops, in care homes and other areas where we have seen much more of a spread than there is within the pubs. So will there is within the pubs. So will the Health Secretary consider, rather than just shifting areas from tier 2 to tier 3 when tier 2 clearly isnt working, actually rethinking his whole approach so that we see the pub sector given the support that it needs, but a much more regulated, safe environment,. Many of the facilities he talks about like care homes are doing unbelievable work to remain covid secure. Look, unbelievable work to remain covid secu re. Look, i unbelievable work to remain covid secure. Look, iunderstand unbelievable work to remain covid secure. Look, i understand the impact of this on hospitality. I love the hospitality businesses of our countries, i love going to pubs, you know, but unfortunately we need to tackle this virus, and it does mean the necessity of some very difficult decisions. Studio we will leave the Health Secretary matt hancock in the commons, and he was confirming that london and parts of essex and hertfordshire will move into the highest tier of restrictions, that is tier 3, from wednesday, as a result of soaring case rates. He also said scientists have identified a new variant of the coronavirus. Not a new strain, that would be rather more serious, but a new variant. It may be causing infections to spread faster in the south of england, but mr hancock said the vaccine should still be effective against this new variant. Our health correspondent, nick triggle is here. That does sound rather alarming, what he was explaining about this new variant, but just what he was explaining about this new variant, butjust put it into a bit of context for us. Well, you do get mutations with viruses all the time, you see at a lot with the flu, thatis time, you see at a lot with the flu, that is why we need a different vaccine each year. Now, coronaviruses are much more stable. We have seen mutations before. There was one that emerged in spain over the summer, but it does not necessarily mean it is going to cause more serious disease, or impact on the effectiveness of the vaccine. In fact, impact on the effectiveness of the vaccine. Infact, mr impact on the effectiveness of the vaccine. In fact, mr hancock there did say his medical advisers have said it is highly unlikely to affect or disrupt the vaccine. But we do need to know more. The scientists at the porton down government lavatory are having a look at this new variant. He did say that it may be associated with faster spread in the south east, but that is not the same as saying it is causing it, and all these things have to be explored more. But i would caution about being too alarmed at the moment, because we do see this sort of thing with viruses. In terms of the new tier 3 restrictions for london and elsewhere, as we have mentioned, the government obviously felt they had to move very fast on this, because of rising case numbers in the south east. They were due to review it on wednesday but they have gone quicker than that. Yes, it is remarkable how quickly the picture has changed. Just a month ago we we re has changed. Just a month ago we were seeing rising rates in the north of england, much of the midlands, now it has completely changed from a reversed. It is the south east where we are seeing cases going up, and much of the rest of the country is actually seeing cases come down. I think what has particularly caused concern is we are beginning to see rates going up in the over 60s, and Hospital Admissions in london and the surrounding areas, parts of hertfordshire, essex and kent, are also rising. There is now more than 2000 patients in London Hospitals with covid. A month ago it wasjust 1200, and there are onlyjust over 1000 beds free in London Hospitals, so it is notjust the rising infections, it is which age groups they are rising in and the fact that people are ending up in hospital that has forced the government to act quickly. And one question matt hancock was asked by one mp there was why is it only going to be tier 3in was why is it only going to be tier 3 in parts of hertfordshire and essex, but all of london, in other words, why hasnt london been separated into its constituent district areas, and different tiers impose there . Well, there is quite a variation of Infection Rates in the different london boroughs, but most are rising and most are above kind of the above average for england. And essex is a prime example of that. In northern parts of essex, the cases in the past week have been below 100 per 100,000 people, the cases in the past week have been below100 per100,000 people, but the cases in the past week have been below 100 per 100,000 people, but in the south of the borough, it is tipping overfive or 600 cases so there is a huge variation and what is happening as those areas touching london Infection Rates as they are in london i going up and that is why we have seen parts of those can parts of those counties going into tier 3 but not the whole county. For the moment, thank you very much indeed. We will be talking to a virologist after five oclock to explain more about that new variant of coronavirus that nick was talking about. 0ur Political Correspondent helen catt is at westminster. Helen has been listening to that session in the commons with matt hancock. The mayor of london a little earlier, helen, was saying tier 3 for london would be catastrophic, and it is a big decision, isnt it, for the government . It is a very big decision. If you think back to when we came out of that National Lockdown in england a couple of weeks ago, there was quite strong resista nce weeks ago, there was quite strong resistance from the treasury to london going into tier 3, there were warnings there would be a High Economic price that would have to be paid for doing that, so as it was london came out in tier 2, and under tier 2, londons restaurants could open as long as people dining inside we re open as long as people dining inside were only doing with their own households, that they could sell alcohol as long as it was bought with a substantial meal. Under tier 3, Hospitality Venues have to close u nless 3, Hospitality Venues have to close unless they are operating a takeaway only service. There was quite strong push back at the time about putting london into tier 3, but here we are 12 days later and it is having to go into that highest tier of restrictions, joining 23 million other people who are already living under those tier 3 restrictions in areas like Greater Manchester and kent. So it is a big move for the government to make. Matt hancock explaining in the commons they were having to do this to shift what was happening. In duncan smith talk about whether spread was, Iain Duncan Smith saying is knit largely among schoolchildren and their pa rents, among schoolchildren and their parents, matt hancock has said more widely it has shifted in the population. As you mention, there are also areas of essex, south and the west of essex in the south of hertfordshire that were going to tier 3 from midnight on wednesday too. Those are basildon, brentwood, harlow, epping forest, rochford, castle point, chelmsford, thurrock and southend on sea. The areas of hertfordshire where brooks mia, watford, hartford and the three rivers authority. It is a bit of a shift from the government. Deviously they had insisted they all need to go in at the highest level, the cou nty level go in at the highest level, the county level if you like. Here we have small areas being split off to different areas, and the government have come a lot of pressure to do. That has definitely been noted by mps and will be looked at when the next allocations are announced for the rest of england. Just briefly, millions of other people around england are already under tier 3. They might be watching this now saying what is all the fuss about london but it is perceived to be in many ways the engine of the economy. Yes, i think one of the mps one of the Central London mps did say whether we like it or not, london is a major driver of the economy, particularly Central London, and that needed to be recognised, so that needed to be recognised, so thatis that needed to be recognised, so that is why it is such a big move and there are such focus i think on this move for the capital at this point. Many thanks indeed. Pa rt part of that london economy is the theatres. We can speak to the co owner of the nymex theatre group. Thank you for being with us. What is this elevation of london into tier 3 what does it mean for you and the theatres of london . Well, obviously it is devastating for the whole theatre industry. All my six theatres had reopened last week and we did 42 performances of 12 different shows across six theatres very happy customers and put 20,000 people into the local economy. The covid secure measures that have been agreed under the guidance of the government, mask wearing, sanitation of the building, hand sanitation, a whole series of measures, and of course that crucial social distancing, including taking all the seats out and reconfigure rating them, had the audience is telling us that they felt safe. The problem is opening, closing, the yo yoing that we have had, it is very, very expensive to keep opening and reopening a business, much more so thanif reopening a business, much more so than if we had a plan on a longer basis. We do totally accept that the safety a nd basis. We do totally accept that the safety and health of the public comes first. We find it very sudden that we are under a two week review plan, that that suddenly should have just gone out the window, and that absolutely as we want to support the Public Health campaign, we do think a more considered planning is to be put into place. In the case of the theatre, the commercial sector, which is 80 of the jobs across the country, they have had very little support. We are delighted to keep furlough, but we are going into very Uncertain Times again without more planning, and we will be working with the government closely and doing everything we can to reopen, the moment they tell us it is safe, with all of the covert preventative measures, because that is going to stay for a long time, and we want to help get our industry and the country back up and going under the new normal by keeping the measures in place, and everybody complying. We need to comply as venue managers, and the audiences and the public need to comply with the measures back. London of course so famous for its theatres, for the west end, do you fear that some of those theatres will not survive this . We are very resilient. I believe the west end and the london theatres will survive. I think it is going to be much, much tougher in the regions, where they are drawing on a smaller economy. We will fight. We are resilient, we are determined, we will come back, but we are coming back at a great cost to ourselves, and certainly in my case, my business has lost £20 million, that is quite a lot at our size, and weve got Cameron Mackintosh next door supporting lame is in concert which sold out in 24 hours, we are all losing money every week supporting les mis. But we are strong and determined and we are determined to survive, but we are calling on the government for some more help, please. Very briefly, they have given the arts world some help, you are saying you need more now . Yes, we are grateful for the cultural recovery fund, very grateful indeed for furlough, which allows us to keep our very valued technical and theatre staff, but the commercial world, the crown jewels, the national theatre, Royal Shakespeare company, the south bank andi shakespeare company, the south bank and i have had a great deal of help but the commercial sector Going Forward will also need some help and forward will also need some help and for those of us who have taken the risk trying to help the economy by opening, being closed, reopening. I have reopened twice now, and that has cost me an additional half £1 million. Yeah, it is a desperate plight of course. Thank you so much, thank you for talking to us. Much more coming up at five oclock. Now there we are going to pause and take a quick look at the Weather Forecast with ben rich. Some of us have seen some sunshine today and there will be bright spells at times this week but generally quite an unsettled flavour to the weather with some rain at times. It will often be windy but with all of that it will generally be mild. This is the Satellite Picture from early on. You can see various lumps of cloud circulating around an area of low pressure. The clouds bringing showers or longer spells of rain but with the wind is coming up from the south of the south west, quite brisk winds but bringing mild air in my direction, in our direction. More persistent rain, through the night showers going across Western Areas, not as many of their showers getting cross into the east, some clear spells here and there, and those temperatures not dropping too far, a little bit cool in places, the lows between three and 8 degrees typically full stop into tomorrow, another sunshine and showers day, the showers focusing in on those places exposed to the brisk south westerly winds, south western and some southern coasts, whereas further east we will see more drier weather and some spells of sunshine. Again, it will be relatively mild, temperatures just a touchdown on where they have been today, highs of eight, nine, ten or11 where they have been today, highs of eight, nine, ten or 11 degrees. Briefly during tuesday evening the showers will tend to fade. We will see a spell of dry quieter, calmer weather with clear spells, but that will not last. This is wednesdays weather maker. Quite a deep area of low pressure. It will pass very close to the republic of ireland. It will get close enough to the uk to provide some pretty brisk winds across Western Areas particularly. There could be gales here and there and there will be some outbreaks of rain as well, the rain really piling up rain as well, the rain really piling up this week. They could be some issues with flooding and also some coastal flooding, particularly across parts of South West England and Northern Ireland with these very strong winds combining with high tides, we could see wind gusts of 50 to maybe 60 mph in exposed spots for a time, but those winds still coming from a pretty mild direction, so temperatures up to nine, ten or 11 degrees. That area of low pressure will move away. A brief, very temporary ridge of High Pressure giving some dry weather on thursday but that wont last. There is another low waiting in the wings. That will bring some heavy rain friday, potentially is a very strong winds but some High Temperatures, 12 or 13 degrees. This is bbc news. The headlines a new variant of coronavirus has been found in the uk which the Health Secretary says could be associated with the rise in infections in the south of england. I must stress at this point that there is currently nothing to suggest that this variant is more likely to cause serious disease, and the latest clinical advice is that its highly unlikely that this mutation would fail to respond to a vaccine, but it shows weve got to be vigilant. Greater london, and parts of essex and hertfordshire, will move into the highest tier of coronavirus restrictions from wednesday. Well be speaking to a virologist, to find out how this