no electricity in scotland and northern england. the duchess of sussex wins her privacy case against the publisher of the mail on sunday, after it printed parts of a letter she'd written to her father. uk orders millions of extra vaccine for the coming years. germany is to bar people who are not vaccinated from restaurants, cinemas and many shops. it's part and it is to vote on making vaccines monetary. 114 million more doses from pfizer and adina with the government saying its future proofs of the countries vaccination programme. there still concerns of a mixed messages on how people should behave in the run—up to christmas. booster after booster, the uk has just ordered enough vaccines for repeat doses next year and in 2023 should they be needed. all are the so—called mrna vaccines, from pfizer and moderna. whether they will need to retreat for the 0micron variant is still unclear. the focus right now is getting this round of boosters into arms. the prime minister had his at the hospital that saved his life last year. third time lucky. whatever 0micron may or may not be able to do, it certainly will not negate the overall value of the booster, so everybody should get the booster as soon as your code forward. pfizer like the other vaccine makers is already working in an 0micron specific covid vaccine which could be ready in three months. in a rare interview the boss of pfizer told me he thought regular boosters would be needed. if we have to make a guest post on everything i have seen so far i would see the likelihood we needed annually vaccinations, mean very robust and high level of protection. in the united states 5—11 —year—olds are now being immunised against covid. therapy dogs providing a useful distraction. a decision on this age group in the uk may come before christmas. they would receive a third of a standard dose. it all means bigger and bigger profits for pfizer, revenues from its vaccine will exceed £26 billion this year. what would you say to those who regard it as immoral to cash in during a pandemic. i believe that we have saved the global economy trillions of dollars. i think it is a strong incentive for innovation for the next pandemic, but people will see that if they step up to the game to bring something that saves lives and saves money, there is also financial reward. pfizer's 3,000,000,000th dose came off the production line today, 4 billion are planned next year. it is a race against time with 0micron cases identified in more countries like india and france. in germany where delta cases are soaring, sweeping new restrictions have been announced for those unvaccinated, which will see them barred from many public places. meanwhile the uk has approved a new antibody drug which dramatically cuts the risk of severe illness. initial tests suggest it will work against 0micron. it's notjust vaccines, but treatments which will end this pandemic. fergus walsh, bbc news. the outgoing german chancellor angela merkel says vaccination against covid could become mandatory next year if the country's parliament agrees to it. she's also announced more restrictions on people who are not yet vaccinated. it means that only those who have been vaccinated or recently recovered from covid will be allowed in restaurants, cinemas, leisure facilities and many shops. translation: access to leisure and culture centres and events | will only be for vaccinated or recovered people. there could also be the requirement for a test, so—called 2g—plus. this will also be extended to shops with an exception for essential shops. 0ur berlin correspondentjenny hill explained the background to the new measures. this has been coming for some time, and actually some german states had already imposed these kind of restrictions on unvaccinated people. but you heard angela merkel there speaking, she's now announced that country—wide, if you're unvaccinated, you won't be able to go into, for example, restaurants, we think probably leisure centres, shops which don't sell essential items, all sorts of other places. really putting the squeeze on the unvaccinated people who experts say are, in part at least, responsible for the soaring case numbers that we are seeing at the moment. germany is experiencing a fourth wave of infection, and it's a wave of infection like this country hasn't yet seen. intensive care units are filling up. they're not quite at the peak they hit during the last wave, but all of the experts predict they will probably surpass it quite soon. and i wasjust watching some pictures before i came in showing some patients from intensive care units in saxony being transported by military aircraft to hospitals in other parts of the country because there's no longer room to treat them in some of the hospitals in that part of the country. so, the situation is very serious. i think the most striking announcement that we have, though, is the idea of this vaccine mandate. now, it's been discussed, it's very controversial of course. it's been in the media a lot in the last week or so. but angela merkel's position actually has changed very dramatically. she has always said she wasn't in favour of making vaccination mandatory, saying it was up to the government to persuade its citizens to have the vaccine. i think she's been surprised at the take up, the lack of take—up in some part of the country. and i think she's really concerned about the rising case numbers. and so now she seems to be in favour of such a mandate, although as you said, it will have to wait for a vote in the german parliament. it's by no means certain that it will go ahead. if they do vote in favour for it, though, we look at perhaps in february as a date for that measure coming into force. from what we know of that in the variants, is it possible that it is marked transmissible and easier to catch but less severe in their disease that it causes? i don't think we know _ disease that it causes? i don't think we know that _ disease that it causes? i don't think we know that yet. - disease that it causes? i don't think we know that yet. we i disease that it causes? i don't i think we know that yet. we know disease that it causes? i don't - think we know that yet. we know it looks as if it's my transmissible as you say that much easier for it to pass from person to person and the delta variant is already very infectious so that something that might be even more infectious than that but the problem is the case is southern africa were among healthy adults, young adults where you would expect any variance of the covid—19 virus that we have got rich in younger people it does tend to cause mild disease. the report from who and the world health organization area today said they are seeing more severe cases of people looking at the hospital and the types of people you expect so all there and people with some underlying health conditions. i don't think there's any reason to suspect this will be any reason to suspect this will be any different than any other version of covid—19 so far. it is too early to say for sure. of covid-19 so far. it is too early to say for sure.— of covid-19 so far. it is too early to say for sure. how long would it take before _ to say for sure. how long would it take before we _ to say for sure. how long would it take before we know _ to say for sure. how long would it take before we know whether - to say for sure. how long would it take before we know whether it . take before we know whether it causes mild disease, more severe disease, just different types of disease? i disease, 'ust different types of disease? ., ., ., , , , disease? i what we would do is seems that counterparts _ disease? i what we would do is seems that counterparts in _ disease? i what we would do is seems that counterparts in southern - disease? i what we would do is seems that counterparts in southern africa i that counterparts in southern africa have done such a remarkable job of noticing that there was something strange about their lab tests and realizing it was a different variant of the covid—19 virus and then getting all the information they could about it and telling the rest of us about it so we are actually able to test and look for it and detect it. it's possible we may be able to stop it in its tracks so we might never find alex but other than that it's allowed to spread then we know the incubation time at the time between getting infected and showing symptoms is around two weeks. so it will take us maybe two or three weeks if this omicron variant really has spread across the world. these next two or— has spread across the world. these next two or three _ has spread across the world. these next two or three weeks _ has spread across the world. these next two or three weeks is - has spread across the world. these next two or three weeks is one i has spread across the world. these next two or three weeks is one of. next two or three weeks is one of the busiest most sociable periods in the busiest most sociable periods in the calendar, isn't it? can christmas parties are going to the theater or any social gathering be held safely? in your view? should they be going ahead?— held safely? in your view? should they be going ahead? there's always a little bit of — they be going ahead? there's always a little bit of a _ they be going ahead? there's always a little bit of a risky _ they be going ahead? there's always a little bit of a risky thing _ they be going ahead? there's always a little bit of a risky thing to - they be going ahead? there's always a little bit of a risky thing to do i a little bit of a risky thing to do to gather together in groups of people you don't normally socialize with don't live with in closed spaces at this time of year you probably might be more likely to have the windows closed which you should not. you should have really good ventilation and there might be a temptation to meet together in larger groups than you have done and again i would say if you do get together with your friends and if you really want to get together in smaller groups than perhaps you were planning. i was listening to the radio and alice driving home from work about office parties and how big venues have been booked for large groups of people. so i with the just staggering facts and have a third of them or three attending times and have a third each time of good ventilation, possibly people said take the lateral flow test before they attend a gathering like that because we do know even if we had to doses of the taxi and you can pick up a virus and pass it onto other people but you're probably more likely to have mild or no symptoms if you have the vaccine. 0r sometimes you are just about to develop the symptoms. that 24 hour period it can be very infectious at that point and not know it. so the lateral flow they are not perfect at picking up covid—19. pcr is much better but a lateral flow is something you could do and wear a mask on public transport and as far as he possibly can and try and take intently at your party and have a low—key affair if that is possible. refrain from the casing may be. the question of the week at the moment. thank you very much. i'm vaccination isjust i'm vaccination is just of 90 million people have now had their booster vaccine. a woman has been convicted of murdering her stepson last year. father has been found guilty of his manslaughter. as the uk was in lockdown — arthur labinyo—hughes was starved, tortured and neglected by emma tustin and thomas hughes, before dying of a head injury lastjune. during the trial at coventry crown court, the couple were described as �*utterly ruthless and pitiless'. an independent review is under way into the actions of social workers, who'd visited the family two months before arthur died. i must warn you that this report from phil mackie contains video and audio recordings of arthur which were played in court as evidence; and it is distressing. arthur labinjo—hughes had been a healthy and happy little boy, but he was subjected to months of beatings and punishments by his stepmother emma tustin and father thomas hughes. basically my six—year—old stepson has fallen and he has banged his head. 0k. and while he was on the floor he banged his head another five times. tustin lied when she dialled 999, and when the police arrived she continued trying to say that arthur's injury were self—inflicted. so you have come in, he's banged his head| three or four times here? i was in the kitchen, then i sat down in the living room and that's when he threw himself on the floor. and you heard him banging his head? i heard him bang his head. but the evidence of cruelty was undeniable. the pair had filmed some of his suffering. this shows arthur on the day he died, so weak he could barely stand and walk. during the trial, jurors listened to the hundreds of audio recordings that tustin made, all of them extremely distressing. crying. i think they are cold, calculating, systematic torturers of a defenceless little boy. they're wicked, evil. there's no word for them. especially your own child. in court, tustin and hughes blamed each other for what was described as systematic cruelty, but it was clear both were involved. it's been a really difficult and emotional case to have to deal with. but a really important one, because ultimately ijust wanted to make sure that there wasjustice for arthur and his wider family. arthur had gone to live in tustin�*s house at the start of the first lockdown last year, and that's when the abuse escalated. soon afterwards, arthur's other grandmother, joanne hughes, took this photo. but social workers who investigated said it had appeared to be a happy household. there were other opportunities to intervene and perhaps save arthur as well, but this was all going on during the very first lockdown last year, when people were isolating, and vulnerable children like arthur became invisible. arthur had already had a difficult start in life. his birth mother, 0livia labinjo—halcrow, is in prison after being convicted of manslaughter in another case. an investigation is being carried out to see whether opportunities to save the little boy witnessed. the tragic loss of a young boy in such terrible circumstances is dreadful. we send our heartfelt condolences to everybody affected. the circumstances around the death will be now subject to independent review. the review is due to be published next year. sadly, whatever lessons are learned will come too late to save arthur. phil mackie, bbc news. france told the uk it means to take responsibility for assaulting them a quick crying fits at their 27 people died when they small boat sank into china last week. in a letter to borisjohnson tonight, the french prime minister said that the uk needed to make it harderfor prime minister said that the uk needed to make it harder for people to find a legal work and find a pathway for illegal migration. the headlines on bbc news... germany and the united states announced new measures to tackle covid—19 as the uk orders more than 100 million extra vaccine doses over the next two years. the death of six—year—old arthur who was starved and tortured and his stepmother is found guilty of his murder and his father of manslaughter. army is called on to help in the wake of arlene with nearly 20,000 people having no electricity in scotland in northern england. that is catch up with all the sports. good evening. there are two games in the premier league tonight with the late kick off involving manchester united and arsenal. united's new interim manager ralf rangnick is in the stands before taking over for saturday's match against crystal palace...that match is just under way at old trafford while in the early kick off tottenham are hosting brentford in north london that is 1—0 to the spurs at half—time. and just one in the scottish premiership, as celtic hosts hearts. the hoops went into this game seven points behind leaders rangers, while a win for hearts would take them above their hosts and up to second. wigan have announced they're going to rename their south stand after manager leam richardson after he helped save the 28—year—old striker charlie wyke's life when he suffered a cardiac arrest in training last month. 0n social media, the club's owner tweeted... wyke left hospital after being fitted with a defibrillator. lewis hamilton says he's not comfortable racing in saudi arabia this weekend as a result of the country's human rights record. saudi arabia is hosting its inaugural race on a new street track in jeddah. the world champion says... "it's not my choice to be here. the sport has taken a choice to be here." he also confirmed he would again be wearing the helmet he wore at the last race in qatar, which is painted with the rainbow flag in support of lgbtq+ rights. the 36—year—old says experience will help him deal with the title run—in with max verstappen. i remember how it was with my first championship and even my second and third and the sleepless nights and all the sorts of things in and am a lot more sure about myself and i applied myself better than ever before. so i now i can't change anything from the past but i can do is prepare the best i can for what's ahead of me and i 100% know i have. british sprinters adam gemili and laveea neilson have been stripped of their lottery funding after choosing to stay in florida with their coach rayna rider, even though he's being investigated for sexual misconduct. uk athletics told their athletes to cut ties with the american a month ago when the accusations came to light but gemili, a european and commonwelth champion, and neilson have remained in florida so have been removed from the world class programme for the time being. fellow british sprinter daryl neita has left the group, so retains her funding. mark cavendish has had an up—and—down week. two nights in hospital after a nasty crash on the track in belgium, but he's now been given another one—year contract the dekurnink-quick step team. they helped him come back from injury and illness to win four stages at this year's tour de france and equal eddy merckx' all—time record of 34. the 36—year—old's current contract was due to expire at the end of the month, but team principal patrick lefevre says there's a "done deal" for cavendish to sign up for one more year. the uk snooker championship continues in york with the final two last 16 matches taking place. jack lisowski and luca brecel progressed earlier, while the two matches out at present are david gilbert up against andy hicks. while live on the red button now, mathew selt, who knocked out last year's finalist and world number two judd trump in the previous round, is up against 14th—seed barry hawkins. it is currently level at one for him apiece. it is currently level at one for him aiece. �* , it is currently level at one for him aiece. v .,, it is currently level at one for him aiece. �*, it is currently level at one for him aiece. , apiece. it's as level as you can be. the celtics — apiece. it's as level as you can be. the celtics are _ apiece. it's as level as you can be. the celtics are one _ apiece. it's as level as you can be. the celtics are one up _ apiece. it's as level as you can be. the celtics are one up against i apiece. it's as level as you can be. the celtics are one up against the| the celtics are one up against the hearts and that's a vital game if they want to make up the round on they want to make up the round on the rangers. that's all of your sports for now. in the past hour, joe biden has been outlining measures to tackle new coronavirus variant omicron. in a statement, president biden unveiled his action plan for the winter months as the country records its second case of 0micron. this new variant is cause for concern, but not panic. we knew there'd be cases of this 0micron here in united states, and it's here. but we have the best tools, the best vaccines in the world and the best medicine and the best scientists in the world. we're going to fight this variant with science and speed, not chaos and confusion. just like we beat back covid—19 in the spring, a more powerful variant, the delta variant in the summer and fall. as a result, we enter this winter from a position of strength compared to where america was last winter. last christmas, fewer than 1% of americans adults were fully vaccinated. this christmas, that number will be 72%, including more than 86% of seniors, the most vulnerable population. last christmas, our children were at risk without a covid—19 vaccine. this christmas, we have safe, effective vaccines for children age five and older, with 20 million children and counting now vaccinated. last year, a majority of our schools were closed christmastime, in that area. now, over 99% of our schools are open. but i pledge to always be straight with you, just straight from the shoulder as president of the united states and tell the american people exactly where we are. so, here it is. experts say that covid—19 cases will continue to rise in the weeks ahead this winter. so, we need to be ready. the duchess of sussex has won her legal fight against the publisher of the mail on sunday, which she brought after the paper printed extracts from a letter she'd written to her father. the court of appeal rejected associated newspapers�* attempt to have a full trial in the case about privacy and copyright. meghan described today's ruling as a victory �*for anyone who's ever felt scared to stand up for what's right�*. associated newspapers says it's considering an appeal. this report from our royal correspondent nicholas witchell contains some flashing images. once again, a very clear victory for the duchess of sussex in her battle in which she's been strongly backed by her husband against the tabloid media. at the heart of this case is the publication by the mail on sunday of lengthy extracts from a letter the duchess had written to her father three months after her wedding. at the time, relations between meghan and her father were difficult. earlier this year, a judge at the high court in london decided the breach of privacy was so clear—cut, there was no need for a full trial. the mail on sunday's publishers appealed against that ruling. today, threejudges in the court of appeal found that the original judge's decision was correct. the judge's careful decision, mostly on factual questions, was upheld. and it was hard to see what evidence could have been adduced at trial that would have altered that situation. the judges found that disclosures by jason knauf, meghan�*s former communications adviser, that she'd written the letter knowing it might be leaked and that she'd asked him to brief the authors of a book, were irrelevant. within minutes, a statement was issued from meghan, the duchess of sussex. she said... associated newspapers, the publishers of the mail on sunday, said they were "very disappointed" by the court of appeal�*s decision. "it is our strong view," they said in a statement, "thatjudgment should be given only on the basis of evidence tested at trial. "no evidence has been tested under cross—examination." associated newspapers say they are now considering an appeal to the supreme court. nicholas witchell, bbc news. let's speak to david banks, media law expert and co author of mcnae's essential law for journalists. thank you forjoining us. what thank you for “oining us. what precedent — thank you forjoining us. what precedent does _ thank you forjoining us. what precedent does this _ thank you forjoining us. what precedent does this set? i'm i thank you forjoining us. wriegt precedent does this set? i'm not sure it does set the precedent that perhaps the duchess has alluded to there. a lot of the things that were going through in the trial, the privacy correspondence, the copyrights owned are well established in law and can be by the public interest but here the court decided that the arguments made in favor of public interest did not stand up. i think the president we have seen has been that the willingness of the duchess of sussex to take this to the extent that they have and this kind of court battle which we have not seen that whales do in the past. prince charles had his battles of his correspondence some time ago but not this kind of nature of story and the extent we have seen in this particular case. that that just sent an incredibly strong statement after this victory in the courts talking about the profiteering from knives and pain at tablet industry operates under. she names lawyers, the author of the me on sunday. in terms of the ongoing relationship between this wild couple and the press, where does it leave things? it’s couple and the press, where does it leave things?— leave things? it's hard to see there bein: leave things? it's hard to see there being much — leave things? it's hard to see there being much of— leave things? it's hard to see there being much of a — leave things? it's hard to see there being much of a relationship i leave things? it's hard to see there i being much of a relationship between them and certain sections of the press in this country with statements like that. it was a forthright statement the language used. there is no hints of any peace to you or anything like that being done. this is clearly a hard—fought battle and the celebration of victory. whether in the long run that's how it turns out because the idea that that newspapers that are phenomena any interested in the duke and duchess of success because their readers are interested in them are going to pack up their bags and go home would not cover their lives in as much detail as they possibly can is a fantasy. and the idea that they're going to be tamed by one judgment i think is equally misguided. but this is nevertheless a significant victory for the duchess. a significant victory for the duches— a significant victory for the duchess. ~ ., , ~ ., duchess. what is the likelihood of an a- - duchess. what is the likelihood of an app you're _ duchess. what is the likelihood of an app you're happening - duchess. what is the likelihood of an app you're happening now- duchess. what is the likelihood of an app you're happening now in i an app you're happening now in europe you are of a being successful? i europe you are of a being successful?— europe you are of a being successful? ., �* ~ .., successful? i don't thinki can cuite successful? i don't thinki can quite guess — successful? i don't thinki can quite guess the _ successful? i don't thinki can quite guess the minds - successful? i don't thinki can quite guess the minds of- successful? i don't thinki can quite guess the minds of the | successful? i don't think i can - quite guess the minds of the supreme courtjudges but they made on sunday is considering it. he said today they are considering an appeal and having gone this far they might want to push it to the supreme court. that's something they will be considering very carefully because this is a significant setback for them. but we had twojudgments now. and the appeal court upheld that summaryjudgment so you have to go to the supreme court for them to say now, this has got to go back and have a trial and these add are two fairly clear—cutjudgments going against the mail on sunday so when they think something is going to change the supreme court's minds slough that would seem a little unlikely but i can't anticipate what the man on sunday management might decide if it is. you the man on sunday management might decide if it is— decide if it is. you said it's not precedent-setting _ decide if it is. you said it's not precedent-setting because i decide if it is. you said it's not| precedent-setting because the decide if it is. you said it's not i precedent-setting because the law is precedent—setting because the law is clear on this on what's a breach of privacy and the argument sayjust because they're in the public eye does not mean every aspect of our life has to be public. and yet if there is not a huge problem for the press in thesejudgments there is not a huge problem for the press in these judgments then does it mean behavior wants change in the tablet? ~ , ., tablet? where they are where the are uments tablet? where they are where the arguments are — tablet? where they are where the arguments are lost _ tablet? where they are where the arguments are lost is _ tablet? where they are where the arguments are lost is on - tablet? where they are where the arguments are lost is on the i tablet? where they are where the | arguments are lost is on the public interest. and there have been judgments where the public interest has been upheld if a celebrity or prominent figure has been shown to mislead the public in some way and the private matters that newspapers can reveal will mislead the public or prevent the public from being misled and then they the courts have upheld their rights in several cases but one of the things the courts commented on less if the man on sunday wanted to prevent the public from being misled they could have done that with one paragraph from the duchess's elector. just publishing paragraph. instead they published half of it and the court listing that's going too far. you need to be proportionate in what you do and it's been a consistent message from the courts ever since privacy law started being developed 20 or so years ago.— 20 or so years ago. thank you for our 20 or so years ago. thank you for your time- _ now it's time for a look at the weather with stav. hello there. it was a very cold day today, but at least we had plenty of sunshine to compensate. tomorrow, very different—feeling day. it's going to be a bit milder, particularly in the south, where there will be a lot more cloud around. this is the ridge of high pressure which brought us the fine weather today. this next frontal system working in will bring cloud and rain, but also a wedge of milder air with it. that'll be working its way eastwards through tonight. but it will turn cold, frosty across the east of england before the rain and cloud arrives. there will be some snow on this leading edge for a while, maybe even down to lower levels, but as temperatures rise across all areas by the end of the night, it will revert back to rain. so, tomorrow starts off much milder, particularly for england and wales. even less cold for scotland and northern ireland. we've lost those deep blue colours. but there will be more cloud around generally. quite damp across the south east. probably the best of any sunshine across scotland, but here, there'll be showers rattling into western areas. another batch of rain pushing into the south west of the country later in the afternoon. but double figure values in the south, we could see 12—13 celsius. hello, this is bbc news. the headlines — germany and the united states announce new measures to tackle covid as the uk orders more than 100 million extra vaccine doeses over the next two years. the death of six—year—old arthur labinjo—hughes who was starved and tortured his stepmother is found guilty of his murder, his father of manslaughter. the army is called on to help, in the wake of storm arwen. nearly 20,000 people still have no electricity in scotland and northern england. the duchess of sussex wins her privacy case against the publisher of the mail on sunday after it printed parts of a letter she'd written to her father. labour have written to the cabinet secretary to ask whether he will refer any potential breach of covid regulations by the prime minister to the metropolitan police over a party held at downing street in december last year. the deputy leader angela rayner said the prime minister risked undermining public health messaging. when you're the leader of a country in a pandemic, it's notjust wrong, it's absolutely dangerous to do that. and he's actively undermining the public health message, so if rules were broken, then the prime minister is not above them and he keeps being told this and he needs to learn that it's not acceptable and actually by doing this, he's put public health messages at risk. but he's also really upset people up and down the country who had to cancel their plans. downing street say no rules were broken at the time, but when questioned about the matter earlier, the prime minister was reluctant to give any further details. let's cross live to westminster and our political correspondent jonathan blake. 0n the question of whether there was a party, who was there, whether it was illegal or not our way still in the dark to a degree? itruieiiii was illegal or not our way still in the dark to a degree?— the dark to a degree? well it is certainly something _ the dark to a degree? well it is certainly something that i the dark to a degree? well it is l certainly something that downing street does not want to talk about. we know _ street does not want to talk about. we know from a source who was at the gathering _ we know from a source who was at the gathering that has told us there were _ gathering that has told us there were several dozen people, there was food, _ were several dozen people, there was food, drinks, games being played and it went _ food, drinks, games being played and it went on _ food, drinks, games being played and it went on until around midnight. but as— it went on until around midnight. but as you — it went on until around midnight. but as you say, the prime minister has said _ but as you say, the prime minister has said only that all rules will have _ has said only that all rules will have been followed, but it no time has at _ have been followed, but it no time has at downing street made any effort _ has at downing street made any effort to— has at downing street made any effort to specifically deny the reports — effort to specifically deny the reports first reported in the daily mirror— reports first reported in the daily mirror yesterday and again today. and on— mirror yesterday and again today. and on which, labour, as you heard there. _ and on which, labour, as you heard there. is— and on which, labour, as you heard there, is seeking to apply maximum pressure _ there, is seeking to apply maximum pressure on — there, is seeking to apply maximum pressure on the government over this, — pressure on the government over this, writing for the most senior civil servant asking for an investigation was of the deputy leader— investigation was of the deputy leader of the liberal party angela rayner— leader of the liberal party angela rayner suggesting not only was this dangerous, but also will be deeply upsetting — dangerous, but also will be deeply upsetting people up and down the country— upsetting people up and down the country who will of course at the time _ country who will of course at the time having to cancel their christmas plans when mixing to a large _ christmas plans when mixing to a large degree in a social context was not allowed. and the prime minister himself— not allowed. and the prime minister himself was asked about this today and one _ himself was asked about this today and one of— himself was asked about this today and one of his boosterjab and asked to confront _ and one of his boosterjab and asked to confront these allegations and potentially make the story go away by telling _ potentially make the story go away by telling us exactly what happened and here _ by telling us exactly what happened and here is his answer.— and here is his answer. obviously a lot of news — and here is his answer. obviously a lot of news about _ and here is his answer. obviously a lot of news about last _ and here is his answer. obviously a lot of news about last year's i lot of news about last year's parties and i want to ask you, you said no rules were broken which is fine but why don't you make a story go away and tell us what happened. because i have told you and i want to repeat — because i have told you and i want to repeat what _ because i have told you and i want to repeat what the _ because i have told you and i want to repeat what the guidance - because i have told you and i want to repeat what the guidance is i to repeat what the guidance is there. — to repeat what the guidance is there. and _ to repeat what the guidance is there, and i'm _ to repeat what the guidance is there, and i'm very, _ to repeat what the guidance is there, and i'm very, very- to repeat what the guidance isj there, and i'm very, very keen people — there, and i'm very, very keen people understand _ there, and i'm very, very keen people understand this. - there, and i'm very, very keen people understand this. we i there, and i'm very, very keen. people understand this. we don't want _ people understand this. we don't want people _ people understand this. we don't want people to _ people understand this. we don't want people to feel— people understand this. we don't want people to feel that - people understand this. we don't want people to feel that they- people understand this. we don'tl want people to feel that they need to start _ want people to feel that they need to start cancelling _ want people to feel that they need to start cancelling things, - want people to feel that they need to start cancelling things, to - want people to feel that they need to start cancelling things, to starti to start cancelling things, to start talking _ to start cancelling things, to start talking about _ to start cancelling things, to start talking about kids _ to start cancelling things, to start talking about kids in— to start cancelling things, to start talking about kids in nativity- to start cancelling things, to startj talking about kids in nativity plays in that _ talking about kids in nativity plays in that kind — talking about kids in nativity plays in that kind of— talking about kids in nativity plays in that kind of thing. _ talking about kids in nativity plays in that kind of thing. i— talking about kids in nativity plays in that kind of thing. i don't- talking about kids in nativity plays in that kind of thing. i don't thinkl in that kind of thing. i don't think there's— in that kind of thing. i don't think there's any— in that kind of thing. i don't think there's any need _ in that kind of thing. i don't think there's any need to _ in that kind of thing. i don't think there's any need to stop - in that kind of thing. i don't think there's any need to stop that i there's any need to stop that at all, there's any need to stop that at all. and — there's any need to stop that at all. and i— there's any need to stop that at all, and i want _ there's any need to stop that at all, and i want and _ there's any need to stop that at all, and i want and as— there's any need to stop that at all, and i want and as of- there's any need to stop that at all, and i want and as of the i all, and i want and as of the many times— all, and i want and as of the many times before, _ all, and i want and as of the many times before, i— all, and i want and as of the many times before, i think— all, and i want and as of the many times before, i think we _ all, and i want and as of the many times before, i think we are - all, and i want and as of the manyl times before, i think we are taking a balanced — times before, i think we are taking a balanced and _ times before, i think we are taking a balanced and proportionate i a balanced and proportionate approach _ a balanced and proportionate approach to— a balanced and proportionate approach to the _ a balanced and proportionate approach to the risk, - a balanced and proportionate approach to the risk, but i. a balanced and proportionate i approach to the risk, but i want and i approach to the risk, but i want and i believe _ approach to the risk, but i want and i believe that— approach to the risk, but i want and i believe that christmas _ approach to the risk, but i want and i believe that christmas this - approach to the risk, but i want and i believe that christmas this year i i believe that christmas this year will be _ i believe that christmas this year will be considerably _ i believe that christmas this year will be considerably better- i believe that christmas this year will be considerably better than i will be considerably better than christmas — will be considerably better than christmas last— will be considerably better than christmas last year. _ will be considerably better than christmas last year. find - will be considerably better than christmas last year.— christmas last year. and the ruestion christmas last year. and the question of _ christmas last year. and the question of whether - christmas last year. and the question of whether the i christmas last year. and the - question of whether the government can be trusted, i guess, is at the heart of what what happened last year is important, because it is there any way in which a party was legally allowed last year and therefore how does a government's submit make sense? fiend therefore how does a government's submit make sense?— therefore how does a government's submit make sense? and also it plays into the question _ submit make sense? and also it plays into the question of _ submit make sense? and also it plays into the question of how— submit make sense? and also it plays into the question of how closely i submit make sense? and also it plays into the question of how closely or i into the question of how closely or not people — into the question of how closely or not people will or will not follow any new — not people will or will not follow any new guidance, which may come this winter— any new guidance, which may come this winter and indeed the guidance and the _ this winter and indeed the guidance and the restrictions that are now in place _ and the restrictions that are now in place. recently strengthened in england — place. recently strengthened in england slightly in the face of concern — england slightly in the face of concern over the new omicron variant. that is an argument which opposition parties and other critics of the _ opposition parties and other critics of the government make. there is a potential— of the government make. there is a potential for — of the government make. there is a potential for the idea of double standards to come into play, and we are seeing _ standards to come into play, and we are seeing further accusations actually— are seeing further accusations actually and for the concern about possible _ actually and for the concern about possible mixed messages coming from the government about the rules as they are _ the government about the rules as they are this christmas and with the people _ they are this christmas and with the people should be gathering a large numbers— people should be gathering a large numbers and holding their christmas parties _ numbers and holding their christmas parties as— numbers and holding their christmas parties as planned. the prime minister— parties as planned. the prime minister on that at least has been very clear. — minister on that at least has been very clear, say people should not be cancelling _ very clear, say people should not be cancelling nativity plays as you heard — cancelling nativity plays as you heard in — cancelling nativity plays as you heard in his clip there, in schools, they— heard in his clip there, in schools, they should — heard in his clip there, in schools, they should not be cancelling christmas parties but we have had some _ christmas parties but we have had some slight nuances coming from different— some slight nuances coming from different cabinet ministers. the last night— different cabinet ministers. the last night the work and pensions secretary— last night the work and pensions secretary suggesting you should not be snug _ secretary suggesting you should not be snug people under the missile so that you _ be snug people under the missile so that you don't know, in her words, and tonight— that you don't know, in her words, and tonight the health secretary says people should be able to snog who they _ says people should be able to snog who they like as it's on the government's business to tell them what they— government's business to tell them what they should be doing in that respect — what they should be doing in that respect. the guidance of course remains — respect. the guidance of course remains that events can and should io remains that events can and should go ahead, _ remains that events can and should go ahead, but there is at least the potential— go ahead, but there is at least the potential for different interpretations of that advice and guidance — interpretations of that advice and guidance to be creeping in. and georae guidance to be creeping in. jifuc george freeman as guidance to be creeping in. fific george freeman as well saying businesses have to makejudgements on what is appropriate internally, and i guess the problem is people are making these decisions right now, a crucial build up to christmas and when people are mixing. is it likely that there will be more clarification or is this sense of confusion going to continue because the government does not want to make a very firm ruling on the nuts and bolts of how everyone behaves? i don't think there's any chance of the guidance, if you like, or the rules— the guidance, if you like, or the rules certainly around social gatherings being tightened in the immediate or near future. the prime minister— immediate or near future. the prime ministerand — immediate or near future. the prime minister and the health secretary have said — minister and the health secretary have said repeatedly that they believe — have said repeatedly that they believe the measures they have taken to make _ believe the measures they have taken to make face coverings in england compulsory on public transport, in shops— compulsory on public transport, in shops and — compulsory on public transport, in shops and also tighten the rules around — shops and also tighten the rules around isolation for those who come into contact — around isolation for those who come into contact with a confirmed case of the _ into contact with a confirmed case of the new— into contact with a confirmed case of the new variant, that that is a proportionate and hopefully temporary response. he will be reviewed — temporary response. he will be reviewed in three weeks' time, but whilst _ reviewed in three weeks' time, but whilst people are making plans, as he suggests people are so deciding what to— he suggests people are so deciding what to do in the run—up to christmas, they'll be looking for guidance — christmas, they'll be looking for guidance and they will be looking for advice — guidance and they will be looking foradvice. so guidance and they will be looking for advice. so the questions about whether— for advice. so the questions about whether people should be going ahead with their— whether people should be going ahead with their plans or change in them will keep— with their plans or change in them will keep coming, and i suppose at the moment, is a medic for people at's individual choice.— at's individual choice. jonathan blake, at's individual choice. jonathan blake. thank — at's individual choice. jonathan blake, thank you _ at's individual choice. jonathan blake, thank you very - at's individual choice. jonathan blake, thank you very much i at's individual choice. jonathan | blake, thank you very much for at's individual choice. jonathan i blake, thank you very much for that at westminster. meanwhile businesses have been calling for greater clarity from the government about whether people should go to christmas parties as restaurants and hotels report customers cancelling reservations. the prime minister insisted this afternoon that events should go ahead. so, what are people and bosses meant to do? our consumer affairs correspondent colletta smith has been talking to partygoers about their plans. many: 0h! the party season is in full swing, and staff from this company have come out in force. we gave everybody the choice whether they wanted to carry on in the uk. they've all decided to to come, which we're absolutely delighted about. and then we've got this, and then we're out for a nice meal this evening. the drinks, the dips and the darts are all helping conversations flow. we haven't been together for, what, over a year, really, as a company. so, really important, yeah. last week, when we had i all the new rules with covid, i thought it's going to get - cancelled, but we have been lucky enough to still go ahead, which has been great. i they have had a few cancellations here at this darts bar in the last few days, but are hoping last—minute walk—ins will fill those gaps. at the moment, we're seeing mostly groups of around 50, and some of the biggest we have are around 100 for this christmas. we have seen some bigger ones previously. but i'm not sure if it's a case of splitting down into departments and coming in smaller groups or them not having the party in the first place. the government haven't changed any of the rules around meeting in big groups. it's up to individual companies to decide whether or not they want to go ahead. but some firms are taking small steps to try and mitigate that risk, making people do lateral flow tests, perhaps meeting in smaller groups, in better—ventilated venues just to try and make everyone feel more comfortable. i think it is scary with the masks coming back in, but i don't think it should affect christmas do's, no. you're working with each other anyway, so you're going to be in proximity. i think it's very important, especially in jobs where i you actually work remotely anyway. so, when you're looking forward to getting together, _ it's one thing that everyone's looking forward to working i for the whole year, so, yeah. we've been here since 4am this morning, loading in all the lighting, sound, all the equipment and then... holly organises christmas do's at the other end of the scale, massive ones for big global brands. there'll be 300 people on this dance floor tonight. they're at the point where everything's organised and booked, they don't want to cancel. so, we're doing another event today for 100 people, a conference and a party, we'll be doing small private dinings for like 20 people. just people want to be together, and they want the christmas dinner and the crackers and everything, don't they? with just over three weeks to go until the big day, plenty of companies are taking a punt on a safe and successful night out. coletta smith, bbc news, in manchester. the government says there's no need to cancel christmas parties, but has urged caution, with the health secretary advising partygoers to take a lateral flow test before attending. however, one survey suggests more than half of office workplaces have decided not to hold a big office bash this year. with me is kate palmer, director of hr and advice at peninsula, a global employment law consultancy firm. also i'm joined by michael kill, ceo of the night time industries association. thank you both forjoining me. kate, what are you finding in terms of how companies are behaving? are they having parties or changing their mind was meant good evening, firstly because of it's a real mix this week. i because of it's a real mix this week. ., _ because of it's a real mix this week. ., ., j~ j~ week. i would say about 8-28 with 8096 of our — week. i would say about 8-28 with 8096 of our clients _ week. i would say about 8-28 with 8096 of our clients eventually i 80% of our clients eventually calling to ask about what measures they should be in plummeting and instigating at this stage in advance of the christmas party as both to 20% who were asking around cancellation and what impact that may have on staff and engagement and so forth. so we are seeing more of them carrying on, still going ahead, but questions around how to make them safe. fiend but questions around how to make them safe. �* ., but questions around how to make them safe. . ., ., , ., but questions around how to make them safe-— but questions around how to make them safe. . ., ., , ., them safe. and what do you find it? are ou them safe. and what do you find it? are you finding _ them safe. and what do you find it? are you finding that _ them safe. and what do you find it? are you finding that you _ them safe. and what do you find it? are you finding that you are - them safe. and what do you find it? are you finding that you are still- are you finding that you are still getting a majority of events going ahead? brute getting a ma'ority of events going ahead? ~ ., , getting a ma'ority of events going ahead? . ., , ., , ahead? we initially saw in the early arts of ahead? we initially saw in the early parts of the — ahead? we initially saw in the early parts of the week _ ahead? we initially saw in the early parts of the week when _ ahead? we initially saw in the early parts of the week when we - ahead? we initially saw in the early parts of the week when we saw i ahead? we initially saw in the early parts of the week when we saw the | parts of the week when we saw the announcement of the variant there was a _ announcement of the variant there was a movement for people to cancel, but since _ was a movement for people to cancel, but since the — was a movement for people to cancel, but since the prime minister and the health— but since the prime minister and the health minister have come out and obviously— health minister have come out and obviously given some clarity to the position. _ obviously given some clarity to the position, we have seen that steady. cancellations have slowed up in ticket _ cancellations have slowed up in ticket sales going back on point and things— ticket sales going back on point and things starting to get some sort of normality. — things starting to get some sort of normality, but there was a bit concerned _ normality, but there was a bit concerned early parts of the week but we _ concerned early parts of the week but we seem to have short of the moment — but we seem to have short of the moment. ., ., , ., ., ,, but we seem to have short of the moment. ., ., i. ., ,, ., ., moment. how do you make indoor events safe? _ moment. how do you make indoor events safe? because _ moment. how do you make indoor events safe? because a _ moment. how do you make indoor events safe? because a lot - moment. how do you make indoor events safe? because a lot of i moment. how do you make indoor. events safe? because a lot of venues have not got any ventilation and you cannot have distancing and if you are eating and drinking, you are not wearing a mask, or you, are eating and drinking, you are not wearing a mask, oryou, michael? are eating and drinking, you are not wearing a mask, or you, michael? the thin wearing a mask, oryou, michael? the thing about it is our industry has invested — thing about it is our industry has invested quite heavily in the public health— invested quite heavily in the public health mitigation. we look at things like testing particularly of staff. we have — like testing particularly of staff. we have negative testing on entry, training, _ we have negative testing on entry, training, hygiene, sanitation, ventilation where appropriate, so we effectively _ ventilation where appropriate, so we effectively create a really sort of strong, — effectively create a really sort of strong, safe environment for people to come _ strong, safe environment for people to come back to full sets of the investment has been pretty robust, and since _ investment has been pretty robust, and since the 19th ofjuly, we have proved _ and since the 19th ofjuly, we have proved that our industry can do what it is meant— proved that our industry can do what it is meant to do, which is keep people — it is meant to do, which is keep people safe within these environments. we have seen that by the fact— environments. we have seen that by the fact that when we opened, there was not _ the fact that when we opened, there was not the — the fact that when we opened, there was not the transmission rate committed by clinicians at the time. and we _ committed by clinicians at the time. and we have retained that over this period _ and we have retained that over this period i_ and we have retained that over this eriod. , , , ., , , period. i guess the problem is with this new variant, _ period. i guess the problem is with this new variant, if _ period. i guess the problem is with this new variant, if it _ period. i guess the problem is with this new variant, if it is _ period. i guess the problem is with this new variant, if it is easier i period. i guess the problem is with this new variant, if it is easier to i this new variant, if it is easier to catch, then you know especially in the winter when you don't have a lot of windows and in some places doors open, the risks are bound to be higher potentially.— higher potentially. yeah, absolutely, _ higher potentially. yeah, absolutely, and - higher potentially. yeah, absolutely, and from - higher potentially. yeah, absolutely, and from an| higher potentially. yeah, - absolutely, and from an employee perspective, the christmas party is an extension of the workplace, and they have a duty of care to ensure that they have put in as many measures as possible to ensure a safe environment. all those things that you touched on there, but of course there's only so much a business can do to control that. lateral flow tests, people with symptoms not attending events, good medication in advance of the event. ultimately it is all about risk assessment and making people feel comfortable, but then making their own choice and knowing the risks in hand. �* ., _ own choice and knowing the risks in hand. ., _ ~ .,, hand. and obviously everyone knows there's been — hand. and obviously everyone knows there's been a _ hand. and obviously everyone knows there's been a huge _ hand. and obviously everyone knows there's been a huge financial - hand. and obviously everyone knows there's been a huge financial impact| there's been a huge financial impact and psychological impact on business owners and on the public of not being able to mix. everyone loves a christmas party season, but the uncertainty must be incredibly difficult, i guess, and the next few days for everyone involved in this business. . . , days for everyone involved in this business. . ., , , ., business. uncertainty has been a real issue- _ business. uncertainty has been a real issue. it's _ business. uncertainty has been a real issue. it's bleeding - business. uncertainty has been a real issue. it's bleeding into - real issue. it's bleeding into confidence in customer and workforce and has _ confidence in customer and workforce and has been a real challenge. but i think_ and has been a real challenge. but i think over_ and has been a real challenge. but i think over the last few days, the confidence that the government has given— confidence that the government has given us_ confidence that the government has given us through the prime minister and the _ given us through the prime minister and the health minister has allowed people _ and the health minister has allowed people to _ and the health minister has allowed people to understand that mitigations are in place, they are robust. _ mitigations are in place, they are robust, proportionate people should be able _ robust, proportionate people should be able to— robust, proportionate people should be able to go out and enjoy it, but honestly— be able to go out and enjoy it, but honestlyjust be mindful, be careful and take _ honestlyjust be mindful, be careful and take up the mitigations that are offered _ and take up the mitigations that are offered to— and take up the mitigations that are offered to them and that something that businesses will reinforce with each of— that businesses will reinforce with each of those christmas parties that are still_ each of those christmas parties that are still in_ each of those christmas parties that are still in place. and events that take place — are still in place. and events that take place moving forward into december. take place moving forward into december-_ take place moving forward into december. �* ., ., , take place moving forward into december. ., ., , ., december. and again, employers have to balance health _ december. and again, employers have to balance health risks _ december. and again, employers have to balance health risks with _ december. and again, employers have to balance health risks with the - to balance health risks with the sort of psychological benefit of people meeting each other and letting up a bit of steam at this time of year. it is a very difficult decision for many bosses. are there clever ways that you are seeing of people trying to advise their staff organise events?— people trying to advise their staff organise events? yeah, absolutely. is a difficult — organise events? yeah, absolutely. is a difficult balance _ organise events? yeah, absolutely. is a difficult balance in _ organise events? yeah, absolutely. is a difficult balance in particular. is a difficult balance in particular when had 18 months, two years of challenge in our uk businesses, but there are some clear things businesses can do. you know they can injure people don't feel obliged to obliged to go to these festivities. it's their own choice, no pressure, there'll be no obligation. lateral flow testing in advance if you have any symptoms, do not attend. reinforcement of social distancing where possible, sanitiser at the event, but ultimately they only go so far and there is also an obligation on the employees to accessibly come it responsibly and be accountable for their own conduct so it does work both ways. but both parties can work together to make it safe as possible in the circumstances.- safe as possible in the circumstances. �* , ., , circumstances. and 'ust finally, we are not circumstances. and 'ust finally, we not being _ circumstances. and 'ust finally, we are not being told — circumstances. and just finally, we are not being told of _ circumstances. and just finally, we are not being told of the _ circumstances. and just finally, we are not being told of the moment i are not being told of the moment that we have got to wear masks in hospitality, but is there a case for going back to that if you are moving around in a restaurant, for example, because the risk is i guess that we get sudden massive transition numbers here and then there's a risk of closing stuff down later in the month or injanuary? figs of closing stuff down later in the month or in january?_ month or in january? as you can appreciate. _ month or in january? as you can appreciate, we've _ month or in january? as you can appreciate, we've been - month or in january? as you can appreciate, we've been living i month or in january? as you can appreciate, we've been living in| appreciate, we've been living in this uncertainty for some time. we were _ this uncertainty for some time. we were sort— this uncertainty for some time. we were sort of— this uncertainty for some time. we were sort of let by the government's list of— were sort of let by the government's list of mitigations being put in place — list of mitigations being put in place since the 19th, and that's works— place since the 19th, and that's works pretty effectively moving forward — works pretty effectively moving forward. facemask are obviously a challenge — forward. facemask are obviously a challenge for our industry as you can imagine, hence the reason why we are so— can imagine, hence the reason why we are so well—regulated and we have a risk assessed ribbon sort of site specification in terms of understanding what public health mitigations are in place. and they are very— mitigations are in place. and they are very effective at the moment, so ithihk— are very effective at the moment, so l think for— are very effective at the moment, so i think for us — are very effective at the moment, so i think for us and proportionately i thihk_ i think for us and proportionately i think the — i think for us and proportionately i think the right measures are in place _ think the right measures are in place with— think the right measures are in place with things like lateral flow testing. — place with things like lateral flow testing, things like the ventilation, sanitation, hygiene, etc which— ventilation, sanitation, hygiene, etc which is been pretty robust up until now. — etc which is been pretty robust up until now, so i'd like to believe the government have got confidence in our— the government have got confidence in our industry to retain that position— in our industry to retain that position and ensure that we are delivering — position and ensure that we are delivering a safe and public health friendly _ delivering a safe and public health friendly environments free environment people to socialise over christmas _ environment people to socialise over christmas and. gk, environment people to socialise over christmas and-— environment people to socialise over christmas and. 0k, michael and kate, thank ou christmas and. 0k, michael and kate, thank you very — christmas and. 0k, michael and kate, thank you very much _ christmas and. 0k, michael and kate, thank you very much indeed. - thousands of people in the north of england are facing a seventh night without power after storm arwen. nearly 10,000 northern power grid customers and close to 3000 electricity north west customers are still cut off. in scotland, the army has been draughted in to support people in aberdeenshire who've been without electricity for almost a week. fiona trott reports from cumbria. getting urgent help to the most vulnerable in the community, this fire station in ulverston has turned into an emergency hub. at the end of the phones, the police, mountain rescue and red cross volunteers knocking on the doors of 600 properties. what we're actually doing is knocking on each door. we are identifying if that person is vulnerable, if they have any needs, have they got enough water, have they got enough clothing, are they warm enough, have they got enough food. any areas that we find that they do need, whether it's support, whether it's re—accommodation, we are managing that as a team and delivering what they need to support their welfare. in scotland, 130 military personnel have been brought in to help 12 villages in the grampian region. they're not in the business of repairing infrastructure or whatever else. theirjob is to get out to those communities and just say, "look, you're not forgotten about. here's what's going on." because a lot of people are without communications, and that's quite unnerving, i think, for those communities. in rural cumbria, they say military assistance would have been welcomed days ago, but now it's too late and once again it's the community that's filling in the gaps. well, in county durham, a major incident has been declared this evening, almost a week after storm arwen. more than 10,000 homes and businesses are still without electricity in the region. stuart whincup has the latest from middleton in teesdale. this evening, as many families face a seventh night without power, the county council has brought in a food truck to offer families the chance of a hot meal. now, a major incident was declared this afternoon, and i've been finding out from the council what that means and what difference will make. it means we will have assistance from government. we've asked for assistance, we hope the army will be brought in. northern power can't actually tell us when all these properties will be up and that is why we have had to do this and hopefully the army to come in and everybody is working together. if people think it is not happening, it's happening. yes, it's slow because some of these pace free places are in far out reaching places. more personnel, does that mean more money? it should mean more money, should mean more help, but the main thing is to get vulnerable people sorted out. northern power are helping by relocating people to hotels if they're vulnerable. we have county council staff going door—to—door to see if anyone needs help, and everybody isjust working for the greater good. the latest figures we have is there are still 10,000 homes across county durham that are still without power, and we have been speaking to some people tonight who still have no electricity. we've been out of power since last friday. we're still out of power for another four days that we know of, so it will be well over a week, but we were also out of water for four days, so it wasn'tjust the power, it was the water cos it's generated by electricity as well, so it has been cold and no water. what's it been like for you? just the not knowing when the power |was going to be put back on, really, | if the communication had been better, it would've been... - ..better able to deal with the situation. . i think from my perspective, as a vulnerable person, i was registered with the power grid, with the council, i have a social worker, but there'sjust been nobody. i phoned social services to come down and my social worker. northern powerhouse says its engineers are working round the clock to restore power, but it accepts that some people in isolated areas will not have the power reconnected into after the weekend. stuart whincup, bbc look north. the oil giant shell has pulled out of the controversial cambo oil field development west of shetland. the company had a 30% stake in the field, which has come in for sustained criticism ftom environmentalists. the majority stakeholder siccar point says it'll continue talks with the uk government over the future development of the field. finally tonight, move over richard curtis there's a new christmas romcom in cinemas this year, and it's the first british one with an all—black cast. the london—born actor amel ameen has written and directed boxing day and stars in it alongside the little mix singer leigh anne pinnock, in her first film role. they've been speaking to our community affairs correspondent adina campbell. i wanted to introduce you to my fiancee. melvin! georgia is your ex—girlfriend. i've wanted to make a version of a kind of comedy/everyday life of black people for about a decade. ijust wanted to play characters that were slightly outside of the, um, the genre that was really popularised, which is the street genre. wow. one of the things i really like about our film is that we have a black, opulent family who are professionals, and then i'm massively into romcoms like my best friend's wedding, notting hill. this is a film mainly set in london, led by an all—black cast, something you don't see very often. this is obviously the first of its kind, and it'sjust so needed. it's needed notjust for our culture, but for everyone. we have people from around the world in this film. diversity�*s a buzzword, but it's just genuinely we found great people and we made a concerted effort to lift up really talented people that had not yet got the opportunity. boxing day is a british film first. if we can export that to the world and show the best of us, that's an amazing thing. how excited were you when you saw the script? i felt like georgia was a little bit like me anyway, so i thought, you know what, if this is going to be my first acting job, if i'm going to audition for this, then maybe this is actually fate. you had so much fun making this film. two moments that stand out are the dancing in the living room to reggae... oh, yeah. ..and the ca ke—throwing. it was literally like hanging out with your family. what you see in the movie is what it was. it was so much fun. it didn't feel like work. it was just us all hanging out, catching a vibe. catching a vibe. what are you doing? and the film really explores honesty and authenticity. is that something that you reflected on with some of the personal experiences that you've gone through? yeah, definitely. i think everyone has been in that situation where they have a sort of attachment to someone, they're comfortable with someone. and that sort of love is still kind of there. but actually, you do need to let go to grow. could this be the end of little mix, then? no, don't say such a thing! little mix forever. they are my everything. here's the test. favourite little mix song, then? # shout out to my ex!# oh, lord. you really love that one, don't you? it's the only one he knows. leigh—anne pinnock and amel ameen talking to adina campbell. now it's time for a look at the weather with stav. hello there. it was a very cold day today, but at least we had plenty of sunshine to compensate. tomorrow, very different—feeling day. it's going to be a bit milder, particularly in the south, where there will be a lot more cloud around. this is the ridge of high pressure which brought us the fine weather today. this next frontal system working in will bring cloud and rain, but also a wedge of milder air with it. that'll be working its way eastwards through tonight. but it will turn cold, frosty across the east of england before the rain and cloud arrives. there will be some snow on this leading edge for a while, maybe even down to lower levels, but as temperatures rise across all areas by the end of the night, it will revert back to rain. so, tomorrow starts off much milder, particularly for england and wales. even less cold for scotland and northern ireland. we've lost those deep blue colours. but there will be more cloud around generally. quite damp across the south east. probably the best of any sunshine across scotland, but here, there'll be showers rattling into western areas. another batch of rain pushing into the south west of the country later in the afternoon. but double figure values in the south, we could see 12—13 celsius. this is bbc news i am christian fraser. europe is moving to isolate the unvaccinated. germany says those who refuse to a covid jab will be barred from public life. a vaccine mandate will likely be introduced from february. but the tighter restriction are taking their toll on the airline and hospitality industry, with widespread cancellations under way. we will speak to the boss of one of britain's major hotel groups. deadlock on the hill. the warring parties in washington are facing a legislative pile—up before christmas. is the 117th us congress fit for purpose? and do you want to be home alone this christmas, the house kevin mccallister turned into a fortress could be yours — for just a night. we'll tell you how.