alec baldwin says he does not feel guilt over the fatal film set shooting of cinematographer halyna hutchins. another stunning record for ronaldo. he's the first player in history to score 800 goals for club and country, as his double helps manchester united fight back to beat arsenal, in front of new boss ralf rangnick watching from the stands. good morning. the show must go on. theatre is back for christmas and it is the most lucrative time of the year. i am at manchester's palace theatre ahead of tonight's performance of white christmas. and colder conditions are still with us in the east. milder air on the way today before the chill returns this weekend. full forecast here. good morning. it's friday, the 3rd of december. thousands of people are still without power in parts of scotland and northern england, seven nights after storm arwen battered the uk. 15,000 properties are waiting to be reconnected in the north east and north—west of england, as well as the north—east and south of scotland. the ongoing situation has been declared a major incident by durham county council, which has called for more resources to support residents. and in scotland, the army has been drafted in to the help the recovery effort in aberdeenshire. tim muffett takes a look at how people are coping. aberdeenshire council put out an urgent request for military help. that help has now arrived. around 4000 homes will be visited to support those struggling in the aftermath of storm arwen. the infrastructure is pretty fragile. the weather hasn't helped. the high winds that came yesterday have further weakened some places. but we're hoping it gives them that reassurance somebody is looking out for them. joanne is a nurse and lives near harbottle in northumberland. she still has no power, no water and no internet. i'm sleeping in here, which isn't ideal. eating what i can in here. boiling pans of water on the log burner. you know, you can only take so much. do you know what? i burst into tears, i'm not ashamed to say. joanne is now relying on a nearby community centre, along with her neighbour anne. i feel that we've just been left out and forgotten about. i'm more worried about the emergency services, because where we were there's no signals, no internet. if somebody needs an ambulance, how are they going to get hold of it? in county durham, a major incident has been declared, which means more support should be on its way. it seems that we will have assistance from the 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 are going to be up, and that's why i've had to do this. we've been out of power since last friday. we are still out of power for another four days that we know of, so it'll be well over a week. but we were also out of water for four days. 0liver has complex disabilities. two of his siblings are also disabled. his family are currently having to stay in a hotel in northumberland. it's just been a living nightmare. itjust feels like something out of a disaster movie. you know, having all that massive storm, like literally up to 200 mph winds, and then, the aftermath, no. i just want to go home. power has been restored to laura and david's home, but they must wait until it's warm enough to return to. one week on and thousands are still feeling the impact of storm arwen. tim muffett, bbc news. in the last few hours, the conservatives have held on to their commons seat in old bexley and sidcup — but with a significa ntly—reduced majority. the by—election was called following the death ofjames brokenshire from cancer in october. 0ur political correspondent, ione wells, joins us now from bexley. a significant result, isn't it? a smaller majority? that's exactly right _ smaller majority? that's exactly right this— smaller majority? that's exactly right. this has always been a really true blue _ right. this has always been a really true blue safe conservative seat here _ true blue safe conservative seat here in — true blue safe conservative seat here in bexley. in terms of the result— here in bexley. in terms of the result we — here in bexley. in terms of the result we had today, it followed the death _ result we had today, it followed the death of— result we had today, it followed the death of the conservative mpjames brokenshire. in terms of what we have _ brokenshire. in terms of what we have seerr— brokenshire. in terms of what we have seen happen overnight, the majority— have seen happen overnight, the majority from the conservatives still hold — majority from the conservatives still hold onto pretty comfortably. they still— still hold onto pretty comfortably. they still gained more than half the votes _ they still gained more than half the votes the — they still gained more than half the votes. the newly elected conservative mp louie french paid tribute _ conservative mp louie french paid tribute to — conservative mp louie french paid tribute to james brokenshire as he did his _ tribute to james brokenshire as he did his victory speech earlier this morning — morning. first of all i'd like to pay morning. — first of all i'd like to pay tribute to my good friend, james brokenshire, who represented the seat for more than ten years and who fought for people of old bexley and sidcup every single day. he made an enormous impact on everyone who lives here. and as a member of parliament i will work tirelessly to build on everything he achieved. i can't put into words how much the support of his wife cathy has meant to me during this campaign. and her strength and bravery throughout has been inspiring. so, the conservatives have held comfortably onto that seat. there was a _ comfortably onto that seat. there was a 10% — comfortably onto that seat. there was a 10% swing to labour. turnout in by—elections tends to be lower than _ in by—elections tends to be lower than by—elections —— general elections _ than by—elections —— general elections. only 34% of registered voters _ elections. only 34% of registered voters turned up to vote. that meant the majority— voters turned up to vote. that meant the majority of 19,000 was kept at 'ust the majority of 19,000 was kept at just 4000 — the majority of 19,000 was kept at just 4000 500,000. -- 4500. labour just 4000 500,000. —— 4500. labour might— just 4000 500,000. —— 4500. labour might said _ just 4000 500,000. -- 4500. labour might said where that swing to happen— might said where that swing to happen in some of the more marginal seats— happen in some of the more marginal seats throughout the uk, that could see them _ seats throughout the uk, that could see them make gains in other parts of the _ see them make gains in other parts of the country. the conservatives happy _ of the country. the conservatives happy to — of the country. the conservatives happy to hold onto this seed. now for them _ happy to hold onto this seed. now for them all their efforts will be focused — for them all their efforts will be focused on defending another conservative seat in north shropshire at the by—election there in two _ shropshire at the by—election there in two weeks. thank you very much. forty two cases of the new 0micron variant of coronavirus have now been identified in the uk. it comes as new research from the university of southampton suggests booster vaccines may offer good protection against the variant. simonjones has this report. this, the government says, is the best response to the new variant. the vaccination programme, with a new drive to deliver more booster jabs. a team at the university of southampton says there are promising sign that boosters could handle 0micron, and would still offer good protection against illness. experts now believe it's too early to say whether 0micron will be more dangerous than other variants. we have some reason to believe it could be serious, but what that means in terms of the consequences of the pandemic, and the potential need for additional control measures, is not yet known. i think we've done the most important thing, which is accelerate boosters. in south africa, the scientists who first identified 0micron are racing to unlock its secrets. over the last week, the daily number of new covid infections has increased fourfold. it seems those who have already had other variants of coronavirus may not be protected against 0micron. hospital admissions are up slightly, mainly among the unvaccinated. the new variant has now been detected in at least 24 countries, according to the world health organization, including in several states of the us. we have the best tools, the best vaccines in the world, the best medicine and the best scientists in the world. we are going to fight this variant with science and speed, not chaos and confusion. germany, in the grip of the delta variant, has announced major new restrictions on people who aren't vaccinated. they will be banned from bars, restaurants and non—essential shops. vaccinations could be made mandatory by february. the fight against the pandemic goes on. simon jones, bbc news. the oil giant, shell, has pulled out of a controversial development to the west of shetland. despite owning 30% of the cambo oil field, the company said the economic case for investing wasn't strong enough. climate activists had criticised the plans, arguing no new oil and gas projects should be developed. fraudsters have stolen billions of pounds by abusing the government's bounce back loan scheme. according to a new report from the national audit office, more than a third of loans may never be repaid, costing the taxpayer up to £17 billion. 0ur correspondent, angus crawford, reports. a hard stop. police arrest a drug dealer, a member of a manchester gang that used a front business to hide their crimes. and this is it. from a couple of portakabins, they planned to take over the local cocaine market. but what's really extraordinary is they managed to get a £25,000 bounce back loan to help their business through the pandemic. and they weren't the only ones. it's a bounce back loan application that's been approved for £50,000. last year, this undercover investigator showed us how criminals were setting up fake companies to exploit the system. it seems to be free money for the scammers. it's going to cost us billions. 4.9 billion, according to today's report. anti—fraud measures, it says, were implemented too slowly to be effective and are inadequate. well, today we announced a brand—new loan scheme for the smaller businesses. designed as a life—saver forsmall firms, more than £47 billion was handed out. but how much of that will legitimate firms ever pay back? it's going to be horrendous. it's a nightmare. i'm worried. i've asked the government to set up a helpline. mike runs an online support group for business owners who took out a loan, and now fear they may go bust. they've now got the repayments starting. and a lot of people simply have not bounced back, which is the whole idea of the scheme. as soon as they're due, it is going to be a tidal wave. it will be. there is no ifs, bunts or shunts about that. the nao says £17 billion may never be repaid. and 100,000 loans are already in arrears. i've had to contact my doctor about having some anti—depressants. i haven't been able to properly sleep for the last 20 months. £50,000 it seemed like a life—saver for anne—marie and her printing firm. it now feels like a millstone. the bounce back loan is hanging there over our heads at the moment. you know, at the time, i guess, i had two choices. we either take on a loan and carry on and try to just ride through the storm, or we close the doors. but the storm isn't over? well, this is the thing. it'sjust about starting, i think. loans that kept hundreds of thousands of firms alive became a dead weight for others and a cash cow for criminals. angus crawford, bbc news. the time now is 12 minutes past six. good morning. we'll bring you the weather in a moment with matt, but first let's take a look outside the studio at this art installation lighting up salford quays this morning. the floating earth is a ten metre diameter replica, projected with imagery taken directly from nasa. it has been all around the country. it's like a big globe with live imagery on it. it's like a big globe with live imagery on it— imagery on it. looks rather magnificent. _ imagery on it. looks rather magnificent. just _ imagery on it. looks rather magnificent. just in - imagery on it. looks rather magnificent. just in termsl imagery on it. looks rather. magnificent. just in terms of geography, it isjust magnificent. just in terms of geography, it is just outside of the studio. it is on water there in the docks. salford quays. it does look rather beautiful. the water is absolutely stilt today. so that image is working really well. we get this one is on _ image is working really well. we get this one is on the _ image is working really well. we get this one is on the canal. _ image is working really well. we get this one is on the canal. look, - image is working really well. we get this one is on the canal. look, the i this one is on the canal. look, the lights have just this one is on the canal. look, the lights havejust come this one is on the canal. look, the lights have just come up from one of the places on the salford quays! we will have swans later. haifa the places on the salford quays! we will have swans later.— will have swans later. how do you know? because _ will have swans later. how do you know? because i _ will have swans later. how do you know? because i have _ will have swans later. how do you know? because i have seen - will have swans later. how do you know? because i have seen this l will have swans later. how do you i know? because i have seen this one there. know? because i have seen this one there- they — know? because i have seen this one there- they are _ know? because i have seen this one there. they are booked _ know? because i have seen this one there. they are booked in _ know? because i have seen this one there. they are booked in for- know? because i have seen this one there. they are booked in for eight. there. they are booked in for eight o'clock, charlie! _ o'clock, charlie! good _ o'clock, charlie! good morning. it reminds me of the bbc i _ good morning. it reminds me of the bbc i don't — good morning. it reminds me of the bbc i don't. let's get under the weather — bbc i don't. let's get under the weather. it is quite still out there _ weather. it is quite still out there a— weather. it is quite still out there. a bit of a change in the next few days _ there. a bit of a change in the next few days. the main thing is the colder— few days. the main thing is the colder air— few days. the main thing is the colder air is back this weekend. may be some _ colder air is back this weekend. may be some wintriness. but today it is going _ be some wintriness. but today it is going to _ be some wintriness. but today it is going to turn a bit milder. temperatures out there at the moment already— temperatures out there at the moment already higher than they were the entire _ already higher than they were the ehtire day— already higher than they were the entire day yesterday across some westerh _ entire day yesterday across some western areas. a chill in the air in the east _ western areas. a chill in the air in the east of— western areas. a chill in the air in the east of the country. sleet and show _ the east of the country. sleet and show in _ the east of the country. sleet and snow in parts of east anglia and towards — snow in parts of east anglia and towards the very far south—east of engiahd~ — towards the very far south—east of england. that will turn back to rain over the _ england. that will turn back to rain over the next hour or two. quite a lot of— over the next hour or two. quite a lot of rain— over the next hour or two. quite a lot of rain and drizzle in england and wales. a damn start. the best of the brightness across scotland, easterh — the brightness across scotland, eastern parts of northern ireland, some _ eastern parts of northern ireland, some sunny spells. eastern scotland best place _ some sunny spells. eastern scotland best place for the sunshine throughout. northern england, northern ireland, the science show will be _ northern ireland, the science show will be hazy. showers in the west of scotiamt _ will be hazy. showers in the west of scotland. damn, drizzly and misty across— scotland. damn, drizzly and misty across southern counties of england and wales — across southern counties of england and wales. some heavy rain in the west— and wales. some heavy rain in the west iater~ — and wales. some heavy rain in the west later. a milder day by the end of the _ west later. a milder day by the end of the afternoon at least. through this evening some heavy rain working across— this evening some heavy rain working across southern counties of income. showers _ across southern counties of income. showers get — across southern counties of income. showers get more widespread as we go through— showers get more widespread as we go through the night and into the start of tomorrow. temperatures to start the weekend bag down into single figures _ the weekend bag down into single figures quite widely. a chillier start~ — figures quite widely. a chillier start a— figures quite widely. a chillier start. a chillier weekend on the wax _ start. a chillier weekend on the wax some _ start. a chillier weekend on the way. some sunshine, a few showers and the _ way. some sunshine, a few showers and the hills— way. some sunshine, a few showers and the hills will be on the wintry side _ you. see you later. 6:14am. "utterly ruthless and pitiless" — that's how the actions of a stepmother and father were described in court, after they were found guilty of killing six—year—old arthur labinjo—hughes. yesterday, emma tustin was convicted of the boy's murder, while thomas hughes was found guilty of his son's manslaughter. they are due to be sentenced later today. in a report viewers may find distressing, graham satchell has been finding out how the case has shocked and devastated arthur's loved ones. arthur was my sunny delight. that's what i called him. he was always happy, smiling, loving, caring. he showed affection to everyone. he was a beautiful boy. these are the last pictures of arthur labinjo—hughes, taken on the day he died last year. the cctv footage released by west midlands police. arthur was made to sleep on the floor without a mattress. he had been starved and poisoned with salt. he was so weak, he could barely walk. basically my steps has banged his head _ basically my steps has banged his head. ' ' ' ., ,, basically my steps has banged his head. ., _ , head. the 999 call made by his stepmother. — head. the 999 call made by his stepmother, emma _ head. the 999 call made by his stepmother, emma tustin. - head. the 999 call made by his stepmother, emma tustin. it l head. the 999 call made by his i stepmother, emma tustin. it was head. the 999 call made by his - stepmother, emma tustin. it was a lie. she continued to lie when police arrived at the house. when i t to net police arrived at the house. when i try to get off _ police arrived at the house. when i try to get off the — police arrived at the house. when i try to get off the floor, _ police arrived at the house. when i try to get off the floor, he - try to get off the floor, he head—butted me. try to get off the floor, he head-butted me.- try to get off the floor, he head-butted me. . .. ., head-butted me. and he came to me. in court, head-butted me. and he came to me. in court. the — head-butted me. and he came to me. in court. the jury _ head-butted me. and he came to me. in court, the jury heard _ head-butted me. and he came to me. in court, the jury heard harrowing - in court, the jury heard harrowing evidence. arthur had been abused over a period of several weeks, not just by emma tustin but also by his father, thomas use. in a text message, hughes had told his partner tojust ended. the message, hughes had told his partner to just ended. the court heard deeply distressing audio recordings made by emma tustin on her phone. in one, as i could be heard saying, "no one, as i could be heard saying, "no one loves me. " in another he says again and again, "nobody is going to feed me." hughes has been found guilty of the manslaughter of his six—year—old son. tustin, who banged arthur's and on the floor, the fatal injury, convicted of murder. if arthur's and on the floor, the fatal injury, convicted of murder. iii injury, convicted of murder. ifi had to injury, convicted of murder. if i had to describe her with one word, i would _ had to describe her with one word, i would have — had to describe her with one word, i would have to say evil. another is hard—hitting coming from a police officer. _ hard—hitting coming from a police officer. but— hard—hitting coming from a police officer, but i can'tjustify her behaviour— officer, but i can'tjustify her behaviour and her actions and her treatment— behaviour and her actions and her treatment boards are there in any other— treatment boards are there in any other way — treatment boards are there in any other wa . ~ treatment boards are there in any other way-— other way. where their missed chances to _ other way. where their missed chances to prevent _ other way. where their missed chances to prevent arthur's - other way. where their missed - chances to prevent arthur's death? his grandmother took this picture of a bruise on his shoulderjust weeks before he died. social services did investigate but said it appeared to be a happy household. arthur had gone to live with his dad in march last year at the beginning of lockdown. log saw a 23% rise in the number of calls to the nspcc. it was a time when some vulnerable children became invisible. this a time when some vulnerable children became invisible.— became invisible. this is a really horrific case, _ became invisible. this is a really horrific case, where _ became invisible. this is a really horrific case, where a _ became invisible. this is a really horrific case, where a young - became invisible. this is a really horrific case, where a young boyj became invisible. this is a really - horrific case, where a young boy was killed _ horrific case, where a young boy was killed by— horrific case, where a young boy was killed by the — horrific case, where a young boy was killed by the very people that should — killed by the very people that should have been loving and protecting him. it's devastating when _ protecting him. it's devastating when any— protecting him. it's devastating when any young child is killed by parents — when any young child is killed by parents and carers, but this case, parents _ parents and carers, but this case, parents showed extreme child crueity~ — parents showed extreme child cruel . ., . ., cruelty. solihull council have described — cruelty. solihull council have described arthur's _ cruelty. solihull council have described arthur's death - cruelty. solihull council have described arthur's death as i cruelty. solihull council have | described arthur's death as a terrible tragedy and they will now be an independent serious case review. that will come too late for arthur's family, left devastated, remembering a six—year—old boy who loved superheroes. if remembering a six-year-old boy who loved superheroes.— loved superheroes. if arthur could ask for one _ loved superheroes. if arthur could ask for one final _ loved superheroes. if arthur could ask for one final thing, _ loved superheroes. if arthur could ask for one final thing, it - loved superheroes. if arthur could ask for one final thing, it would i loved superheroes. if arthur could | ask for one final thing, it would be that he is remembered for his superpowers. that's what i will always remember him for, his superpower. and arthur's superpower was his smile. if you have been affected by any of the issues raised in that interview, you can contact the bbc action line. we will discuss more about this. you saw helen westerman from the nspcc. we will talk to her later. let's take a look at today's papers. many of them lead with the horrific case of six—year—old arthur labinjo—hughes. the daily mail asks, 'why didn't they save arthur?�* it says the police and social services face questions for missing signs of the little boy's abuse. the telegraph's headline reads, 'a bruise for every day of lockdown'. arthur's step—mum was found guilty of his murder yesterday, and his dad was found guilty of manslaughter. the mirror is looking at the confusion around christmas parties, saying the prime minister gave the thumbs up for them to go ahead, but later a business minister advised against them. and one of the most read stories on the bbc news website is about petrol prices. it reports that the rac is calling on retailers to cut petrol and diesel prices at the pump, accusing them of "taking motorists for a ride". 19 minutes past six. alec baldwin says he does not feel guilt over the fatal shooting of cinematographer halyna hutchins on the side of his film, rust. the american actor made the comments in an interview with us broadcaster, abc news, his first since the incident in october. do you feel guilt? no. i feel that there is... i feel that, that... ..someone is responsible for what happened and i can't say who that is, but i know it's not me. i mean, honest to god, if i felt that i was responsible, i might have killed myself, if i thought i was responsible. and i don't say that lightly. i want to make sure that i don't come across like i'm the victim, because we have two victims here. let's now speak to freelance entertainment reporter, sean mandell, who joins us from los angeles. good morning to you. give us a sense of why you think alec baldwin decided to do this interview now, given the police investigation is ongoing? i given the police investigation is on . oin . ? ~' ., given the police investigation is onauoin ? ~' . ., ,., , ongoing? i think the main reason why he did it, was — ongoing? i think the main reason why he did it, was that _ ongoing? i think the main reason why he did it, was that he _ ongoing? i think the main reason why he did it, was that he felt _ ongoing? i think the main reason why he did it, was that he felt there - he did it, was that he felt there was too — he did it, was that he felt there was too much being said both in the press _ was too much being said both in the press and _ was too much being said both in the press and also in lawsuits that have been _ press and also in lawsuits that have been filed _ press and also in lawsuits that have been filed against him. he felt it needed — been filed against him. he felt it needed to be corrected. he felt he needed _ needed to be corrected. he felt he needed to— needed to be corrected. he felt he needed to step in and actually say his piece — needed to step in and actually say his piece in— needed to step in and actually say his piece in the battle. there were people _ his piece in the battle. there were people who are speaking up who does pay attention to. while he doesn't mention— pay attention to. while he doesn't mention those individuals by name, later mention those individuals by name, iater on— mention those individuals by name, iater on in— mention those individuals by name, later on in the programme we do hear audio _ later on in the programme we do hear audio clips— later on in the programme we do hear audio clips of, for example, george clooney— audio clips of, for example, george clooney talking about how he doesn't understand how alec baldwin could have ever _ understand how alec baldwin could have ever handled that gone without checking _ have ever handled that gone without checking to see if there were any rounds— checking to see if there were any rounds of— checking to see if there were any rounds of ammunition in the barrel. that key— rounds of ammunition in the barrel. that key tine — rounds of ammunition in the barrel. that key line that we heard, when askedif that key line that we heard, when asked if he felt guilt over the cinematographer�*s death, he said, no, ifeel that cinematographer�*s death, he said, no, i feel that someone cinematographer�*s death, he said, no, ifeel that someone is responsible for what happened, can't say who that is, but i know it's not me. those words are very significant?— significant? it's incredibly significant. _ significant? it's incredibly significant. and _ significant? it's incredibly significant. and it - significant? it's incredibly - significant. and it overshadows significant? it's incredibly _ significant. and it overshadows even what we _ significant. and it overshadows even what we thought was maybe going to be the _ what we thought was maybe going to be the most important words from that interview, that he didn't pull the trigger of the gun, something that is— the trigger of the gun, something that is backed up by the first assistant— that is backed up by the first assistant director, who his lawyer has said. — assistant director, who his lawyer has said, said baldwin didn't pull the trigger of the gun. he cocked the trigger of the gun. he cocked the hammer of the gun. when he released — the hammer of the gun. when he released that, that is when the gun went off _ released that, that is when the gun went off. ammunition left of the gun and the _ went off. ammunition left of the gun and the fatal shot and killed halyna hutchins _ and the fatal shot and killed halyna hutchins. this will have serious reverberations. throughout the interview — reverberations. throughout the interview he was very sombre and was overcome _ interview he was very sombre and was overcome by— interview he was very sombre and was overcome by emotion. many times having _ overcome by emotion. many times having to _ overcome by emotion. many times having to pause in the interview because — having to pause in the interview because of being overwhelmed with those _ because of being overwhelmed with those feelings. but again, very interesting he did not specifically feel interesting he did not specifically feet that — interesting he did not specifically feel that he had any guilt, any responsibility in the matter. and on the matter— responsibility in the matter. and on the matter of whether or not he should — the matter of whether or not he should have checked whether there were, _ should have checked whether there were, whether there was ammunition in the _ were, whether there was ammunition in the barrel— were, whether there was ammunition in the barrel of that gone, he said when _ in the barrel of that gone, he said when he _ in the barrel of that gone, he said when he came up as a young actor he was always— when he came up as a young actor he was always instructed not to do that, _ was always instructed not to do that, not — was always instructed not to do that, not to tamper with the gun in any way— that, not to tamper with the gun in any way once it had been hammered, handed _ any way once it had been hammered, handed over— any way once it had been hammered, handed over to him. obviously a lot of other— handed over to him. obviously a lot of other actors seem to disagree with him — of other actors seem to disagree with him on that. the of other actors seem to disagree with him on that.— with him on that. the entirety of this interview _ with him on that. the entirety of this interview has _ with him on that. the entirety of this interview has just _ with him on that. the entirety of this interview hasjust been - this interview has just been released, but has there been much reaction? also, bring us up with the state of the investigation itself? there has been a lot of reaction aiready~ — there has been a lot of reaction already. social media of course, it is playing — already. social media of course, it is playing out in real time. there's a iot— is playing out in real time. there's a lot of— is playing out in real time. there's a lot of disbelief about how alec baldwin — a lot of disbelief about how alec baldwin again could not have checked the barrel— baldwin again could not have checked the barrel of that gone. that is something that people feel is front and centre in a lot of people's mines — and centre in a lot of people's mines watching this interview. even the sheriff— mines watching this interview. even the sheriff who is conducting the investigation, and the prosecutor who will— investigation, and the prosecutor who will eventually decide whether or not _ who will eventually decide whether or not to _ who will eventually decide whether or not to bring any charges against alec baldwin or anyone else, has said of— alec baldwin or anyone else, has said of the — alec baldwin or anyone else, has said of the gun could not simply have _ said of the gun could not simply have gone — said of the gun could not simply have gone off. there are potential issues _ have gone off. there are potential issues in _ have gone off. there are potential issues in terms of a safety pin that could _ issues in terms of a safety pin that could have — issues in terms of a safety pin that could have been rattled, especially with the _ could have been rattled, especially with the type of gun. they are expressing doubt and concern about the veracity really of what alec baldwin — the veracity really of what alec baldwin is saying. the state of the investigation is that it is ongoing. it investigation is that it is ongoing. it seems — investigation is that it is ongoing. it seems unlikely there will be any criminal— it seems unlikely there will be any criminal charges brought against alec baldwin. but again at this point, — alec baldwin. but again at this point, the prosecutor has said nothing — point, the prosecutor has said nothing is _ point, the prosecutor has said nothing is off the table. just briefl , nothing is off the table. just briefly. his _ nothing is off the table. just briefly, his career? - nothing is off the table. jut briefly, his career? he referenced his own career and indications for that. �* , . , his own career and indications for that. �*, . , ., that. it's really fascinating. he said he is— that. it's really fascinating. he said he is said _ that. it's really fascinating. he said he is said to _ that. it's really fascinating. he said he is said to do _ that. it's really fascinating. he said he is said to do a - that. it's really fascinating. he said he is said to do a new - that. it's really fascinating. he i said he is said to do a new movie that. it's really fascinating. he - said he is said to do a new movie in january— said he is said to do a new movie in january and — said he is said to do a new movie in january and asked the producers of that film _ january and asked the producers of that film whether they should —— he should _ that film whether they should —— he should step — that film whether they should —— he should step out. they said yes, he is going _ should step out. they said yes, he is going ahead with doing that. it will be _ is going ahead with doing that. it will be interesting to see what happens — will be interesting to see what happens with that project. what he himself— happens with that project. what he himself says he doesn't know if he wants— himself says he doesn't know if he wants to _ himself says he doesn't know if he wants to continue on as an actor after— wants to continue on as an actor after this. — wants to continue on as an actor after this. and as a producer, as he was a _ after this. and as a producer, as he was a film — after this. and as a producer, as he was a film producer on rust. he thinks _ was a film producer on rust. he thinks this— was a film producer on rust. he thinks this might be the end of his career _ thinks this might be the end of his career it— thinks this might be the end of his career. it will be interesting for us to— career. it will be interesting for us to see — career. it will be interesting for us to see what decision he makes and also what _ us to see what decision he makes and also what sort of pressure is put upon _ also what sort of pressure is put upon him — also what sort of pressure is put upon him by the industry at large and by— upon him by the industry at large and by the — upon him by the industry at large and by the public. thank— and by the public. thank you very much. sean mandel speaking to us from los angeles. 25 and is past six. time now to get the news, travel and weather where you are. good morning from bbc london, i'm alison earle. the conservatives have held on to their seat of old bexley and sidcup in the latest by election. with a low turnout the tories' lead over labour was cut from almost 19,000 to less than four and a half thousand. the winning candidate louie french began his speech with a tribute to his predecessor james brokenshire, who died in october. he made an enormous impact on everyone who lives here as a member of parliament, i will work tirelessly to build on everything he achieved. i can't put into words how much the support of his wife kathy has meant to me during this campaign. and her strength and bravery throughout has been inspiring. tube passengers are expected to face a second weekend of disruption this evening. members of the rmt union will walk out at 8:30 tonight in an ongoing dispute over driver rotas. the strike action which affects the central and victoria lines ends at 04:30 on saturday morning. 28 hospital trusts across london will receive a share of £109 million to help reduce waiting lists. the funding will go towards expanding wards, increasing the number of operating theatres and beds, meet the stars of vauxhall city farm. alpacas ben and jerry appeared in star wars: the force awakens but they're now retiring from entertainment and will be leaving their current home and moving to a more peaceful patch of land. really sad that they're leaving, they've been here the longest out of all the animals, and they're such amazing alpacas, they're really friendly, but it does make me sad that they'll be leaving. well, if you're heading out on public transport this morning morning this is how tfl services are looking. there are minor delays on the district line between west kensington and ealing broadway. 0nto the weather now with kate. good morning. it's a misty, murky start this morning, milderairstarting to move in. we've had this warm front, which has been edging the milder air closer towards us, but it's been running in to the colder air. but you can see replaces it as we head through the day. and now was that rain's hit the colder air. we have had a little bit of sleetiness but it is clearing out of the way, becoming drier. but it is going to stay largely cloudy, quite blustery today, but the wind falling a bit lighter into the evening, temperatures mild, getting up to 11 celsius. quite the contrast to yesterday's cold temperatures. now overnight, we've got another spell of rain, but that again, will clear. it's going to turn showery after that and that will linger into saturday morning. the temperature overnight milder between four and six celsius. so as we head into the weekend, low pressure very much in charge. it is going to be quite breezy. it gets breezy or overnight and through saturday. we've got some showers around, but some dry weather as well. but it is increasingly unsettled. now, the temperature we're dragging in a northerly flow and a northerly breeze. so it is going to feel colder through the weekend and staying unsettled through next week. i'm back with the latest from the bbc london newsroom in half an hour. plenty more on our website at the usual address. now though it's back to naga and charlie. bye for now. hello, this is breakfast with charlie stayt and naga munchetty. coming up on breakfast this morning... escaping the taliban — we have the remarkable story of the afghan interpreter and his family, now safe in glasgow, thanks to the kindness of a stranger. the battle for christmas number one is officially on. we'll bring you the runners and riders just before 8 o'clock with help from shakin' stevens. and speaking of christmas hits, who remembers this surprise festive favourite from 2003? now, the darkness are back with a new album. and we'll be joined by frontman justin hawkins just after 9am. it's nowjust over a week since we first learned of the 0micron variant of coronavirus. since then, countries have scrambled to identify cases, while some governments have opted to introduce new measures to tackle its spread. let's remind ourselves of what we know so far. the variant has now been found in at least 24 countries, according to the world health organisation. meanwhile, here in the uk, 42 cases have now been confirmed after a further seven were identified in england, and three in scotland. in south africa, where the variant was first discovered, covid cases almost doubled in one day to 8,500. health officials there say 0micron is now the dominant variant in the country. joining us now is the world health organisation's representative in south africa, dr 0wen kaluwa. and from southampton, professor saul faust, who is the chief investigator on the uk government's vaccine booster trial. good morning to you both. can you tell me what _ good morning to you both. can you tell me what the _ good morning to you both. can you tell me what the situation - good morning to you both. can you tell me what the situation is - good morning to you both. can you tell me what the situation is now, i tell me what the situation is now, as you see it, in terms of the spread of omicron and he was being affected? fist spread of omicron and he was being affected? �* ., ., , affected? at the moment, in the last 24-hour is, — affected? at the moment, in the last 24-hour is, 11,500 _ affected? at the moment, in the last 24-hour is, 11,500 new _ affected? at the moment, in the last 24-hour is, 11,500 new cases - affected? at the moment, in the last 24-hour is, 11,500 new cases had - 24—hour is, 11,500 new cases had been reported. the majority of these cases, we have seen a rapid increase in the number of new cases. when you look at hospitalisation, their rates of hospitalisation are still fairly low, not proportionate with the number of cases being reported at the present. so with the situation now, a lot of effort is going into this strengthening measures that are always promoted. the use of masks, this kind of thing, avoiding crowded places. adequate ventilation. most important, scaling up of vaccinations. that is the situation at the moment. we have also seen some increases but not the same rate. in some increases but not the same rate. , ., , , ., rate. in terms of the spread, beafina rate. in terms of the spread, bearing in — rate. in terms of the spread, bearing in mind _ rate. in terms of the spread, bearing in mind hospital- rate. in terms of the spread, - bearing in mind hospital readiness, you will be very aware of what other countries around the world are doing in terms of extra measures. this is in terms of extra measures. this is in reaction to how they —— concerned they are. in in reaction to how they -- concerned the are. , ., , ., they are. in terms of levels of illness, which _ they are. in terms of levels of illness, which again _ they are. in terms of levels of illness, which again will - they are. in terms of levels of illness, which again will be i illness, which again will be depicted in terms of hospitalisation, at the moment we are not seeing the very high rate in terms of transmission but it is early days yet. we need to observe and monitor and hopefully in the next couple of weeks we will have a much better picture in terms of the implications of the mutations this variant has in terms of disease migration. now the rate of transmissibility is high. we had from the doctor— transmissibility is high. we had from the doctor about - transmissibility is high. we had from the doctor about the - transmissibility is high. we hadj from the doctor about the need transmissibility is high. we had - from the doctor about the need for vaccinations and ramping that up in other countries, thinking of more developed countries. they are looking at vaccinations now, booster vaccinations. evidence is coming through that that will offer good protection against the omicron variant. ~ ., ., protection against the omicron variant. ., ., ., ,, variant. we have not actually yet tested our _ variant. we have not actually yet tested our vaccines _ variant. we have not actually yet tested our vaccines against - variant. we have not actually yet tested our vaccines against the l tested our vaccines against the omicron — tested our vaccines against the omicron variant. that will come and the samples — omicron variant. that will come and the samples going to the uk will go to the _ the samples going to the uk will go to the tab _ the samples going to the uk will go to the lab from our study and other studies _ to the lab from our study and other studies in — to the lab from our study and other studies. in the booster study which impeiied _ studies. in the booster study which impelled to as an 800 or so people in the _ impelled to as an 800 or so people in the uk _ impelled to as an 800 or so people in the uk at 18 different sites across— in the uk at 18 different sites across the national institute of health — across the national institute of health research across the country, we saw _ health research across the country, we saw very— health research across the country, we saw very encouraging results. in terms _ we saw very encouraging results. in terms of— we saw very encouraging results. in terms of how the body remembers the vaccine _ terms of how the body remembers the vaccine and _ terms of how the body remembers the vaccine and then is able to respond in future, _ vaccine and then is able to respond in future, the long—term memory. although — in future, the long—term memory. although we do not understand exactly the interaction between these _ exactly the interaction between these sales and memory immunity saying _ these sales and memory immunity saying that number means that protection. what we did see across the previous beta bearing and the current _ the previous beta bearing and the current delta variant, that we studied. _ current delta variant, that we studied, that the t cell response was very— studied, that the t cell response was very broad across all of those variants _ was very broad across all of those variants of — was very broad across all of those variants of the spike protein. the memory— variants of the spike protein. the memory response of the body doesn't seem _ memory response of the body doesn't seem to _ memory response of the body doesn't seem to be _ memory response of the body doesn't seem to be as dependent on the variant, — seem to be as dependent on the variant, if— seem to be as dependent on the variant, if you like, all the changes— variant, if you like, all the changes to the spike protein is the antibody— changes to the spike protein is the antibody itself that is really encouraging. if people get the vaccine, — encouraging. if people get the vaccine, get that booster, they were getting _ vaccine, get that booster, they were getting very big boost in the antibody for immediate protection but also _ antibody for immediate protection but also we hope a broad protection against _ but also we hope a broad protection against multiple variants. we haven't— against multiple variants. we haven't yet tested omicron. as my colleague — haven't yet tested omicron. as my colleague hasjust said, the key thing _ colleague hasjust said, the key thing is — colleague hasjust said, the key thing is we do notjust rely on one thing _ thing is we do notjust rely on one thing it— thing is we do notjust rely on one thing it is— thing is we do notjust rely on one thing. it is important to get a booster— thing. it is important to get a booster if— thing. it is important to get a booster if you are in the uk but it is more _ booster if you are in the uk but it is more important to get your first tee vaccine — is more important to get your first tee vaccine doses. that is both in the uk _ tee vaccine doses. that is both in the uk and — tee vaccine doses. that is both in the uk and globally. with winter coming — the uk and globally. with winter coming and with people moving inside and socialising, being really sensible about wearing masks indoors and public— sensible about wearing masks indoors and public transport, just thinking about— and public transport, just thinking about ventilation in spaces is important for the whole population, notjust— important for the whole population, notjust the important for the whole population, not just the schools, important for the whole population, notjust the schools, where important for the whole population, not just the schools, where we important for the whole population, notjust the schools, where we seem to be _ notjust the schools, where we seem to be imposing it. adults need to take this — to be imposing it. adults need to take this very seriously as well. reatiy— take this very seriously as well. really interesting. obviously something we will continue to talk about. good luck with your work. thank you very much for your time. germany is facing its most severe wave of covid cases so far, with latest figures showing 388 deaths in one day. the government there has suggested vaccines could be made mandatory by february. joining us now is professor dr tobias welte, head of the department of respiratory medicine and infectious diseases at hanover medical school. professor, thank you very much for your time this morning. what is the reason why germany is currently having such problems? we reason why germany is currently having such problems?— reason why germany is currently having such problems? we have a very hiih having such problems? we have a very high infection — having such problems? we have a very high infection rate _ having such problems? we have a very high infection rate and _ having such problems? we have a very high infection rate and the _ having such problems? we have a very high infection rate and the main - high infection rate and the main reason for this is that we have one of the worst vaccination rates in western europe. up to the beginning of october, only about 70% of the population had been vaccinated. in some parts of germany, mainly the former eastern german and federal republics like saxony, the vaccination rate was lower. this leads to this increase in infections. this is the main reason why the german government now tries to bring population to be vaccinated as fast as possible.— as fast as possible. professor, what indications are _ as fast as possible. professor, what indications are that _ as fast as possible. professor, what indications are that as _ as fast as possible. professor, what indications are that as to _ as fast as possible. professor, what indications are that as to why - as fast as possible. professor, what indications are that as to why so - indications are that as to why so few people... those who have chosen not to be vaccinated, what is the reasoning?— reasoning? that is a very good auestion reasoning? that is a very good question and _ reasoning? that is a very good question and a _ reasoning? that is a very good question and a matter - reasoning? that is a very good question and a matter of - reasoning? that is a very good i question and a matter of debate reasoning? that is a very good - question and a matter of debate in germany. my personal opinion and it is very personal, we did not communicate enough why vaccination is important and what the advantage of vaccination is. and there is a lot of concerns raised in social media, a lot of fake news which is in social media. due to the not perfect communication advertising vaccination, a lot of people had concerns. vaccination, a lot of people had concerns-— vaccination, a lot of people had concerns. ., , concerns. professor can sometimes, i know germany _ concerns. professor can sometimes, i know germany is _ concerns. professor can sometimes, i know germany is thinking _ concerns. professor can sometimes, i know germany is thinking about - know germany is thinking about making it mandatory to have vaccinations. in some places, some people, their response to that can be the reverse, which is they are less likely to have a vaccination once they are told they have tea. what is the thinking in germany? that is very hard to give an expectation what will happen. what we have seen now with the increase in restrictions for the non—vaccinated is that about half of the non—vaccinated are willing to get the shot as soon as possible. this restrictive policy for non—vaccinated was successful. if there is a mandatory vaccination, i think most of the non—vaccinated will do this. there is as always a small proportion of the population which is more or less against everything and it will be hard to reach them. but the majority of the germans, the majority of the population is in favour of mandatory vaccination stop thank you for your time this morning. just vaccination stop thank you for your time this morning.— time this morning. just looking at the situation _ time this morning. just looking at the situation in _ time this morning. just looking at the situation in germany. - good morning. what has been happening? cristiano ronaldo stealing the show again. it was a landmark night for cristiano ronaldo as manchester united beat arsenal 3—2 at old trafford. new interim manager ralf rangnick watched from the stands, before he takes over for sunday's match against crystal palace. one of the talking points was arsenal's opening goal. united's fred treads on his goalkeeper�*s foot, david de gea falls to the ground, which meant emile smith—rowe's shot flew past him. the referee hadn't blown his whistle to stop the game, so the goal stood. but this has got everyone talking. as it turned out, it didn't affect the result with united, fighting back to win 3—2, cristiano ronaldo scoring twice to become the first player in history to go past 800 goals for club and country. minutes after the final whistle, caretaker manager michael carrick announced he will leave the club after taking charge of the team for the last three matches. he's spent 15 years with united, 12 as a player, winning the premier league five times. i told my family when i finished playing, i'd have some time off, i'd never retire and have a breather because obviously playing here is tough enough and then coming into coaching is... i think i owe them a bit of time and i'm really looking forward to that. yeah, itjust feels the right time. sometimes life takes you in certain ways. a gut feeling i had over recent days, it's the perfect night really to finish on. you know, i couldn't have hoped for anything more. tottenham stay unbeaten in the league under their new boss, antonio conte, after beating brentford 2—0 at home. the visitors gifted spurs the lead as sergi canos scored an own goal before son heung min doubled that lead in the second half as spurs climb up to 6th in the table. but it's another game without a goal for england striker harry kane. he hasn't scored in his last five league games. celtic moved to within four points of premiership leaders rangers after beating hearts 1—0. the first half goal from kyogo furuhashi was enough to seal it, but the victory may have come at a cost as three players appeared to suffer muscle injuries. celtic are now five points ahead of hearts having played a game less. as concerns continue over the freedom of chinese tennis player, peng shuai, the ioc has said they've held a second video call with her and have scheduled a "personal" meeting injanuary. this was after the women's tennis association suspended all events in china, and there has been increasing pressure for the men's atp tour to follow. but they say "having a global presence gives us the best chance of creating opportunity and making an impact" so will continue with their tournaments. the governing body of world tennis, the international tennis federation, says its primary concern is peng's wellbeing and "stands in support of all women's rights. the allegations peng made must be addressed. we will continue to support all efforts being made to that end, both publicly and behind the scenes." the fa cup second round kicks off tonight with the headline makers of the last round, non—league stockport county, away at the highest ranked team in the competition at this stage, rotherham, top of league one. what makes this so special for stockport, is that their dramatic win over bolton in the last round, in front of all their fans live on terrestrial tv, showed the world they're back after one of the biggest falls ever seen in english football over the last 20 years. this is a story of resurrection, not just at stockpork county's edgerly park ground, but across the whole town. at the church, whose sunday school brought the founding players together in 1883, and which, like the club, is now being renovated. in the pubs and clubs, where fans have been reliving the famous 5—3 win over bolton in the last round. and down on the farm, where the adopted mascot, peggy the pig, why the club has a bright future now. for over two decades, they've all had to keep believing but can now rejoice in its renaissance. it's the history part of the town. and whatever�*s happening with them is happening to us — tojust keep supporting and keep the faith. and it's wonderful to see the opportunities now. and fingers crossed. it affects everybody because you get all your local businesses that are getting all the extra revenue from the bigger gates, the bars, the pubs, the town regenerate because it's getting its... you know, identity back as well, with the football club. everyone's having a song and dance, which is good. the magnitude of it being on tv and stuff. and moments like that, as a player, they're hard to forget and they'll stick with us for a long time. this fa cup match tonight is a real milestone for the town and the recovery of a club that suffered one of the most dramatic falls in english football — from the brink of the premier league in the late 19905 to the depths of despair, potential oblivion of playing in regional non league divisions, two below the football league. but over the last couple of years, thanks to investment, the club's going professional again, it's banging on the door of the football league once more, it's back and enjoying the magic of the cup. over 20 years, it was an incredible roller coaster for county and county fans are realistic, but it really did stretch it when we went down, particularly into regional non league footbal. an unprecedented drop. we went into administration. throughout that, i think, the one constant was the supporters. the commitment to stockport county by the fans has been remarkable. and i think the whole country kind of fell in love with stockport a little bit on the bbc against bolton. you know, everybody kind of watched that and said, "wow, that's what the fa cup is about." what it's done is given us this great platform to tell people there is something really good happening here. and, you know, that profile is hard to get and to say to people something special is happening and maybe you want to come and join thisjourney. one of thosejoining thejourney is richie, who recently moved to manchester from japan and opted for stockport instead of one of the bigger clubs. i'm here for by myself and i'm very lonely. but once i came to manchester, the the local friend the very kind to me. i'm so impressed. and i became a massive stockport county fan. and what about the pig? well, the club president's daughters rescued peggy after she was unwanted as a piglet due to having a cleft palate. when you have no pig sitter, he had no choice but to bring her to games, where she became a firm favourite with fans. 0urchairman, bless him. he said, "you can't bring a pig in the boardroom." i said, "you can. it says, no dogs. i've checked the rules." and that was peggy at edgerly park, where she became quite a feature. it was at that time when we were starting to get the club back on its feet. the community was a big part of that. so, of course, having a piglet in the stadium attracted a lot of attention. it attracted some media attention, too, which was great for us. but there has been, you know, a coincidence. and that since you came along, the club's been on the up. now the club is a lot bigger. the pig is a lot bigger. and hopefully we'll be as happy as she is when we play rotherham. peggy is a little bit too big to go to matches herself these days. but whatever happens tonight, the club and the pig are in good health again, going forward. why is she too big to go to matches now? ,, , ., , now? she is quite large. in the past when steve — now? she is quite large. in the past when steve was _ now? she is quite large. in the past when steve was able _ now? she is quite large. in the past when steve was able to _ now? she is quite large. in the past when steve was able to take - now? she is quite large. in the past when steve was able to take her - when steve was able to take her because there were no rules against pigs in the boardroom, she was a piglet. now you cannot really put her in the car. she is very obedient. identity she is very interested. the main point is it is the fans who have been the one constant to see it through. i the fans who have been the one constant to see it through. i think pei . has constant to see it through. i think peggy has helped _ constant to see it through. i think peggy has helped as _ constant to see it through. i think peggy has helped as well. - constant to see it through. i think peggy has helped as well. help i constant to see it through. i think i peggy has helped as well. help with the spirit of things. with christmas around the corner, theatres are gearing up for one of their busiest periods. so how are things going this year as panto season begins in earnest ? ben is at the palace theatre in manchester. where are you? welcome to the palace theatre stop — where are you? welcome to the palace theatre stop taking _ where are you? welcome to the palace theatre stop taking you _ where are you? welcome to the palace theatre stop taking you backstage. - theatre stop taking you backstage. we will let you in on some of the secrets. it is vast. they are gearing up for a performance of white christmas tonight. everything on this table has a very specific place stop a few secrets. there is not matching any of these, especially the glasses will stop let me show you down here. there is plenty of stuff. it is huge. the pianos, all of the kit they need to take their show on the road. business which has over the last 18 months ground to a halt. meant theatres have shut. the backstage crew, the engineers, the dresses, the props people are back. the actors, everyone else he works in this business. let me show you where the magic happens. this is where the show will get under way later tonight. so good that theatre is back for all of the people involved in it. 80 pantos are currently running across the country, bringing in £50 million to the economy. as my colleague has been finding out, that in itself is big business. # don't stop me cos i'm having a good time. # yeah#. rehearsals for cinderella at southampton's mayflower theatre with a familiar face readying himself for his role as the wicked stepmother. craig, tell us where we are. well, we are in, where all the dresses are — all these wonderful frocks, look at them. so if you put a bit of covid weight on, darling, you'll need to have them extended, like me. the 2020 panto season was wiped out by covid, so craig revel horwood is thrilled this year everything is still set to go ahead. and he knowsjust how crucial this is for venues all round the country. panto is so important to theatre as a whole because it provides actually the money that is necessary to get the theatre through the rest of the year — for the entire year. it will pay for that whole season. i'm talking about all the people backstage, the lighting, the ushers, everything, every part of it, the box office staff. i mean, it's endless. are you ready, boys and girls? yes! then i give you cinderella. debbie mcgee plays the fairy godmother and wishes she could cast a spell to ensure everything goes ahead because she fears if what happened last year is repeated, it could be curtains from many venues, and not in a good way. will theatres survive another winter if they don't? not all of them. not all of them, no. i mean, some have gone already. and i've done a lot of touring in the provinces and a lot of the tiny theatres that i've worked in over the years have gone. i mean, it's quite heartbreaking. it is because life is changing. and i think it would be really sad if we lost live theatre. so, you know, wejust pray and hope that we all get through this winter. and those behind the scenes are just as worried. everybody's nervous. we don't know what's around the corner. you know, we look at the news, we watch the news, we watch the press conferences. and last year was very, very painful. you know, pantomimes were closed down and lots of people lost jobs. people who had trained to be in the theatre business went and worked in shops or on building sites, came back into the theatre and lost theirjobs at christmas. so we can't have that this year. early reports suggest that panto ticket sales are down, but not by as much as expected. and many theatregoers, but not all, are ready to return. how do you feel about it, autumn? excited. you feel excited? ifeel 0k. the one we're going to is local. so i think it's not going to be very crowded there. it's the jack and the beanstalk in a village hall. so it's a bit different to this. but we're going to frozen the musical today and i have had my concerns about that. i feel safe around everyone. and if you wear a mask or whatever. i haven't caught the covid thing yet, so... yeah, it's all right. it's all right. ijust think it's too much of a risk, even though i've been triple jabbed and i've had covid. but i still don't want to get in that environment with the heat and all those people. it's tradition, isn't it? it's a lovely tradition. oh, yes, it is. there are changes this year. audiences are being asked to wear masks and most shows have axed the children's ensemble from the cast to reduce risks. but, for many pantos opening in the next week, the cry truly is, "don't stop me now." # not now.# colin patterson, bbc news. let me introduce to you to emily, here is with me from the ambassador to grip. good morning. how nice is it to be back? theatre is back after so long. —— ambassador theatre group. people found differentjobs were not being able to do what they were not being able to do what they were used to. along. it is amazing to come back and celebrate that it is our back. it is incredible. when it is close, everyone didn'tjust go home and disappear, people are here making theatres alive, making sure historical venues like ours could still function so we were ready to come back bigger and better than ever. ., ' . come back bigger and better than ever. ., , . ., , come back bigger and better than ever. ., f . .,, , come back bigger and better than ever. ., , . .,, , , ever. how difficult has it been this last 18 months? _ ever. how difficult has it been this last 18 months? it _ ever. how difficult has it been this last 18 months? it is _ ever. how difficult has it been this last 18 months? it is easy - ever. how difficult has it been this last 18 months? it is easy for- ever. how difficult has it been this last 18 months? it is easy for us i ever. how difficult has it been this| last 18 months? it is easy for us to forget how many people are involved in putting on a show like this. you foruet, it in putting on a show like this. you forget. it is _ in putting on a show like this. you forget, it is not _ in putting on a show like this. gm. forget, it is notjust people on the stage with people backstage and in the offices. all of people come together to make million later. for 18 months we weren't doing that. i think it is really special we are back now. when we closed it was the longest closure in the history of the venue. being back and making great shows and live entertainment, bringing people back through our building skills extra special. some --eole building skills extra special. some people may _ building skills extra special. some people may still — building skills extra special. some people may still be _ building skills extra special. some people may still be worried - building skills extra special. some people may still be worried about coming back. are you doing to make sure when they come back may feel safer? brute sure when they come back may feel safer? ~ ., , ., , safer? we have loads of safety measures _ safer? we have loads of safety measures place _ safer? we have loads of safety measures place to _ safer? we have loads of safety measures place to make - safer? we have loads of safety measures place to make sure i safer? we have loads of safety - measures place to make sure people feel as safe as possible. we ask for proof of covid vaccination and to show a lateral flow test. we asked people to get temperature checks and recommend people wear masks. all our staff to wear masks. we give people allocated entry time so they are not allocated entry time so they are not all arriving at the same time, they get a smooth and safe entry into the building. we get a smooth and safe entry into the buildinu. ~ ., ., get a smooth and safe entry into the buildinu. ~ . ., ., get a smooth and safe entry into the buildinu. ~ ., ., ., ., ,~' building. we are not wearing mask because it is _ building. we are not wearing mask because it is so _ building. we are not wearing mask because it is so open _ building. we are not wearing mask because it is so open and - building. we are not wearing mask because it is so open and there - building. we are not wearing mask| because it is so open and there are very few people here. talk to us about ticket sales. you need to fill the venues to make sure you make money. the venues to make sure you make mone . ~ , y the venues to make sure you make money. absolutely. part of that “oh is to try and — money. absolutely. part of that “oh is to try and get �* money. absolutely. part of that “oh is to try and get as d money. absolutely. part of that “oh is to try and get as many i money. absolutely. part of that job is to try and get as many people i is to try and get as many people into the venues as possible. we need ticket sales to function and full theatres to continue putting on shows. it is when important to make sure shows are accessible. most of our shows have something called price promise. people can come to see the productions for as little as £13. it is important we are busy and bringing people in, that is what we want. we want to make sure everyone can access great theatre. good want. we want to make sure everyone can access great theatre.— can access great theatre. good luck. i will let can access great theatre. good luck. i will let you — can access great theatre. good luck. lwill let you go. _ can access great theatre. good luck. l will let you go. i— can access great theatre. good luck. i will let you go, i know— can access great theatre. good luck. i will let you go, i know you - can access great theatre. good luck. i will let you go, i know you have - can access great theatre. good luck. i will let you go, i know you have a l i will let you go, i know you have a busy day. this places where it is happening up and down the country, 80 pantos taking place in the run—up to christmas were bringing in about £50 million. if you come back to us later will have a special performance for you right here on the stage at the palace theatre. are you going to be part of it? no, i can tell you that for nothing. think about it. you have time to think about it. you have time to think about it. you have time to think about it. thank you. time now to get the news, travel and weather where look good morning from bbc london, i'm alison earle. the conservatives have held on to their seat of old bexley and sidcup in the latest by election. with a low turnout the tories' lead over labour was cut from almost 19,000 to less than 4,500. the winning candidate louie french began his speech with a tribute to his predecessor james brokenshire, who died in october. he made an enormous impact on everyone who lives here. as a member of parliament, i will work tirelessly to build on everything he achieved. i can't put into words how much the support of his wife cathy has meant to me during this campaign. and her strength and bravery throughout has been inspiring. tube passengers are expected to face a second weekend of disruption this evening. members of the rmt union will walk out at 8:30 tonight in an ongoing dispute over driver rotas. the strike action which affects the central and victoria lines ends at 04:30 on saturday morning. 28 hospital trusts across london will receive a share of £109 million to help reduce waiting lists. the funding will go towards expanding wards, increasing the number of operating theatres and beds. and they're such amazing alpacas. they're really friendly, so it does make me sad that they'll be leaving. well, if you're heading out on public transport this morning this is how tfl services are looking. 0nto the weather now with kate. good morning. it's a misty, murky start this morning, milderairstarting to move in. we've had this warm front, which has been edging the milder air closer towards us, but it's been running in to the colder air. but you can see replaces it as we head through the day. and now was that rain's hit the colder air. we have had a little bit of sleetiness but it is clearing out of the way, becoming drier. but it is going to stay largely cloudy, quite blustery today, but the wind falling a bit lighter into the evening, temperatures mild, getting up to 11 celsius. quite the contrast to yesterday's cold temperatures. now overnight, we've got another spell of rain, but that again, will clear. it's going to turn showery after that and that will linger into saturday morning. the temperature overnight milder between four and six celsius. so as we head into the weekend, low pressure very much in charge. it is going to be quite breezy. it gets breezier overnight and through saturday. we've got some showers around, but some dry weather as well. but it is increasingly unsettled. now, the temperature we're dragging in a northerly flow and a northerly breeze. so it is going to feel colder through the weekend and staying unsettled through next week. i'm back with the latest from the bbc london newsroom in half an hour. plenty more on our website at the usual address. bye for now. good morning, welcome to breakfast with charlie stayt and naga munchetty. 0ur headlines today. 15,000 uk households wake up after a seventh night without power due to storm arwen — the military is drafted in to help. the stepmother and father who tortured and killed six—year—old arthur labinjo—hughes face sentencing in court. the conservatives hold their seat in the old bexley and sidcup by—election — but with a reduced majority. someone is responsible for what happened and i can't say who that is, but i know it's not me. alec baldwin says he does not feel guilt over the fatal film set shooting of cinematographer halyna hutchins. good morning. another stunning record for ronaldo. he's the first player in history to score 800 goals for club and country, as his double helps manchester united fight back to beat arsenal in front of new boss ralf rangnick, watching from the stands. and it's a bit chilly across eastern areas but milder, cloudier conditions on the way today with patchy rain and drizzle. the colder but brighter air is back this weekend. good morning. it's friday, the 3rd of december. thousands of people are still without power in parts of scotland and northern england, seven nights after storm arwen battered the uk. 15,000 properties are waiting to be reconnected in the north east and north west of england, as well as the north east and south of scotland. the ongoing situation has been declared a major incident by durham county council, which has called for more resources to support residents. and in scotland, the army has been drafted in to the help the recovery effort in aberdeenshire. tim muffett takes a look at how people are coping. aberdeenshire council put out an urgent request for military help. that help has now arrived. around 4000 homes will be visited to support those struggling in the aftermath of storm arwen. the infrastructure is pretty fragile. the weather hasn't helped. the high winds that came yesterday have further weakened some places. but we're hoping it gives them that reassurance somebody is looking out for them. joanne is a nurse and lives near harbottle in northumberland. she still has no power, no water and no internet. i'm sleeping in here, which isn't ideal. eating what i can in here. boiling pans of water on the log burner. you know, you can only take so much. do you know what? i burst into tears, i'm not ashamed to say. joanne is now relying on a nearby community centre, along with her neighbour anne. i feel that we've just been left out and forgotten about. i'm more worried about the emergency services, because where we were there's no signals, no internet. if somebody needs an ambulance, how are they going to get hold of it? in county durham, a major incident has been declared, which means more support should be on its way. it seems that we will have assistance from the 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 are going to be up, and that's why i've had to do this. we've been out of power since last friday. we are still out of power for another four days that we know of, so it'll be well over a week. but we were also out of water for four days. 0liver has complex disabilities. two of his siblings are also disabled. his family are currently having to stay in a hotel in northumberland. it's just been a living nightmare. itjust feels like something out of a disaster movie. you know, having all that massive storm, like literally up to 200 mph winds, and then, the aftermath, no. i just want to go home. power has been restored to laura and david's home, but they must wait until its warm enough to return to. one week on and thousands are still feeling the impact of storm arwen. tim muffett, bbc news. the father and stepmother of a six—year—old boy will be sentenced for his killing later today. arthur labinjo—hughes was starved and beaten by the couple. yesterday, emma tustin was convicted of his murder and thomas hughes was found guilty of manslaughter. if i had to describe her with one word, i would have to say evil. and i know that's really hard—hitting coming from a police officer, but i can'tjustify her behaviour and her actions, and her treatment towards arthur, in any other way. we'll have more on this story later, including an interview with helen westerman from children's charity nspcc. in the last few hours, the conservatives have held on to their commons seat in the old bexley and sidcup by—election — but with a significa ntly—reduced majority. james brokenshire, who died from cancer in october, had previously held the seat. 0ur political correspondent, ione wells, joins us now from bexley. good morning to you. what kind of reaction has there been to the result? ~ . ~ result? well, charlie, i think the first thing to _ result? well, charlie, i think the first thing to say _ result? well, charlie, i think the first thing to say is _ result? well, charlie, i think the first thing to say is this - result? well, charlie, i think the first thing to say is this probably | first thing to say is this probably isn't a _ first thing to say is this probably isn't a surprise. the seat has always— isn't a surprise. the seat has always been very blue, a very safe conservative seat. in the last couple — conservative seat. in the last couple of _ conservative seat. in the last couple of weeks even the opposition were privately admitting it would be a difficult _ were privately admitting it would be a difficult one for them to overturn. they had been some nervousness among the tory party that recent _ nervousness among the tory party that recent negative headlines about things— that recent negative headlines about things like so—called sleaze, also around _ things like so—called sleaze, also around national issues like immigration, were cutting through on the doorstep. but they have held and would _ the doorstep. but they have held and would pretty comfortably. still gaining — would pretty comfortably. still gaining more than 50% of the vote here~ _ gaining more than 50% of the vote here. when they did to secure the seat, _ here. when they did to secure the seat. their— here. when they did to secure the seat, their candidate, louie french, paid tribute — seat, their candidate, louie french, paid tribute to his predecessor, james — paid tribute to his predecessor, james brokenshire. first of all, i'd like to pay tribute to my good friend, james brokenshire, who represented the seat for more than ten years, and who fought for people of old bexley and sidcup every single day. he made an enormous impact on everyone who lives here. and as a member of parliament i will work tirelessly to build on everything he achieved. i can't put into words how much the support of his wife cathy has meant to me during this campaign, and her strength and bravery throughout has been inspiring. they turn out here was also very low _ they turn out here was also very low it _ they turn out here was also very low it does _ they turn out here was also very low. it does tend to be lower at by—elections and general elections. only 44% _ by—elections and general elections. only 44% of registered voters turned out to _ only 44% of registered voters turned out to vote — only 44% of registered voters turned out to vote. that meant the majority was reduced — out to vote. that meant the majority was reduced from 19,000 to 4500, with a _ was reduced from 19,000 to 4500, with a10%— was reduced from 19,000 to 4500, with a 10% swing to labour. labour been _ with a 10% swing to labour. labour been encouraged by this. they have been encouraged by this. they have been arguing that where that swing have happened in a more marginal seat around the country, they could be making — seat around the country, they could be making gains going into the next general— be making gains going into the next general election. but i think the conservatives, particularly given it is a mid—term election, historically governing — is a mid—term election, historically governing parties tend not to do well in _ governing parties tend not to do well in such elections, they are pretty— well in such elections, they are pretty encouraged by the result and the fact— pretty encouraged by the result and the fact they have pretty common to be held _ the fact they have pretty common to be held onto the seat. i think for them _ be held onto the seat. i think for them all— be held onto the seat. i think for them all effort and all resources going _ them all effort and all resources going to — them all effort and all resources going to two weeks' time when i have to defend _ going to two weeks' time when i have to defend another conservative seat in north _ to defend another conservative seat in north shropshire at the by—election there. thank— by—election there. thank you. alec baldwin says he does not feel guilty over the fatal shooting of a cinematographer on the set of his film, rust. the american actor made the comments in his first interview since the incident in october. he told abc news he did not pull the trigger of the gun that killed halyna hutchins. do you feel guilt? no. i feel that there is... i feel that, that... ..someone is responsible for what happened and i can't say who that is, but i know it's not me. i mean, honest to god, if i felt that i was responsible, i might have killed myself, if i thought i was responsible. and i don't say that lightly. i want to make sure that i don't come across like i'm the victim, because we have two victims here. forty two cases of the new 0micron variant of coronavirus have now been identified in the uk. it comes as new research from the university of southampton suggests booster vaccines may offer good protection against the variant. simonjones has this report. this, the government says, is the best response to the new variant. the vaccination programme, with a new drive to deliver more booster jabs. a team at the university of southampton says there are promising sign that boosters could handle 0micron, and would still offer good protection against illness. experts though believe it's too early to say whether 0micron will be more dangerous than other variants. we have some reason to believe it could be serious, but what that means in terms of the consequences of the pandemic, and the potential need for additional control measures, is not yet known. i think we've done the most important thing, which is accelerate boosters. in south africa, the scientists who first identified 0micron are racing to unlock its secrets. over the last week, the daily number of new covid infections has increased fourfold. it seems those who have already had other variants of coronavirus may not be protected against 0micron. hospital admissions are up slightly, mainly among the unvaccinated. the new variant has now been detected in at least 24 countries, according to the world health organization, including in several states of the us. we have the best tools, the best vaccines in the world, the best medicine and the best scientists in the world. we are going to fight this variant with science and speed, not chaos and confusion. germany, in the grip of the delta variant, has announced major new restrictions on people who aren't vaccinated. they will be banned from bars, restaurants and non—essential shops. vaccinations could be made mandatory by february. the fight against the pandemic goes on. simon jones, bbc news. the oil giant, shell, has pulled out of a controversial development to the west of shetland. despite owning 30% of the cambo oil field, the company said the economic case for investing wasn't strong enough. climate activists had criticised the plans, arguing no new oil and gas projects should be developed. fraudsters who set up fake businesses have stolen billions of pounds from the government's bounce back loan scheme. according to a new report from the national audit office, more than a third of loans may never be repaid, costing the taxpayer up to £17 billion. the government says it is continuing to crack down on fraud, and has strengthened its response since the scheme was first introduced. the time now is 11 minutes past seven. matt has got the weather. good morning. seven. matt has got the weather. good morning-— seven. matt has got the weather. good morning. seven. matt has got the weather. good morninu. ., ~ , , good morning. good morning. a bit up and down, good morning. good morning. a bit up and down. the — good morning. good morning. a bit up and down, the weather. _ good morning. good morning. a bit up and down, the weather. this _ good morning. good morning. a bit up and down, the weather. this weekend | and down, the weather. this weekend the cold air gets back again, with some showers, may be wintry in places. today we have something milder working its way in. it is already there in western areas. temperatures higher than they were yesterday particularly across northern ireland, wales and the south—west. the chill still in place in eastern scotland, eastern england. temperatures a few degrees above freezing. quite a damp, drizzly morning here. showers might pushing into the far north—west of scotland. in between you get to see some hazy sunshine. the best of the sunshine today parts of eastern scotland and the north—east of england. a fair bit of cloud elsewhere. a brighten up day for northern ireland and northern lingen. showers in western scotland this afternoon. southern counties of england and wales will stay grey and misty. something heavier working its way in. the mild air doesn't make it towards eastern areas compared to yesterday as we head into the afternoon. tonight southern counties in england, south wales, heavy rain for a time, showers might develop widely across the rest of the country through the night into the morning. these are the temperatures to start the weekend. starting to feel colder again. to start the weekend. starting to feel colderagain. much to start the weekend. starting to feel colder again. much stronger winds tomorrow. windier for all of us this weekend. brightness at times compared with today. some showers. they will be wintry over the hills. thank you. let's return to our main story now — the ongoing, devastating impact from storm arwen, a week after it made landfall in the uk. we can get an update on the situation now from jim savege, the chief executive of aberdeenshire council, and alan patrickson from durham county council. good morning. jim savage, do you want to give me an update? good morninu. want to give me an update? good morning- as _ want to give me an update? good morning- as of — want to give me an update? good morning. as of last _ want to give me an update? good morning. as of last night - want to give me an update? good morning. as of last night we - want to give me an update? good morning. as of last night we had a 2000 _ morning. as of last night we had a 2000 properties without power. hoping — 2000 properties without power. hoping to get that down to about 1000 _ hoping to get that down to about 1000 this morning. we will check in and see _ 1000 this morning. we will check in and see it — 1000 this morning. we will check in and see. it has been a tough week for many— and see. it has been a tough week for many families and communities across— for many families and communities across aberdeenshire. but an amazing effort _ across aberdeenshire. but an amazing effort of— across aberdeenshire. but an amazing effort of support from communities and emergency services to make sure people _ and emergency services to make sure people are _ and emergency services to make sure people are safe as we look to get the power— people are safe as we look to get the power back on as soon as we can. what _ the power back on as soon as we can. what will— the power back on as soon as we can. what will happen today in terms of getting down to a thousand? there are many hundreds _ getting down to a thousand? there are many hundreds of _ getting down to a thousand? there are many hundreds of staff- getting down to a thousand? there are many hundreds of staff out - getting down to a thousand? there are many hundreds of staff out on the ground — are many hundreds of staff out on the ground and have been going through— the ground and have been going through all of the lines and fixing the repairing as they go. in the meantime, many other services are making _ meantime, many other services are making sure — meantime, many other services are making sure that communities are safe, _ making sure that communities are safe, they— making sure that communities are safe, they have got what they need in terms _ safe, they have got what they need in terms of— safe, they have got what they need in terms of food and eating and support— in terms of food and eating and support and accommodation. i think the really— support and accommodation. i think the really unfortunate thing is there — the really unfortunate thing is there are _ the really unfortunate thing is there are still going to be people off over— there are still going to be people off over the weekend, so we will continue — off over the weekend, so we will continue to ramp up and do whatever we can— continue to ramp up and do whatever we can do— continue to ramp up and do whatever we can do to — continue to ramp up and do whatever we can do to support people in what has been _ we can do to support people in what has been a — we can do to support people in what has been a very extended period of time with— has been a very extended period of time with the national infra structure having gone down. thank ou for structure having gone down. thank you forjoining _ structure having gone down. thank you forjoining us, _ structure having gone down. thank you forjoining us, alec. _ structure having gone down. thank you forjoining us, alec. can - structure having gone down. thank you forjoining us, alec. can you i you forjoining us, alec. can you tell us what is happening where you are? , ., ., ., tell us what is happening where you are? ., , ., ., are? good morning. the situation in county durham _ are? good morning. the situation in county durham is _ are? good morning. the situation in county durham is that _ are? good morning. the situation in county durham is that we _ are? good morning. the situation in county durham is that we still - are? good morning. the situation in county durham is that we still have | county durham is that we still have around _ county durham is that we still have around 5000 — county durham is that we still have around 5000 households _ county durham is that we still have around 5000 households without i county durham is that we still have - around 5000 households without power across _ around 5000 households without power across the _ around 5000 households without power across the county — around 5000 households without power across the county. a _ around 5000 households without power across the county. a very _ around 5000 households without power across the county. a very similar- across the county. a very similar picture _ across the county. a very similar picture to— across the county. a very similar picture to the _ across the county. a very similar picture to the one _ across the county. a very similar picture to the one you _ across the county. a very similar picture to the one you have - across the county. a very similar picture to the one you have justl picture to the one you have just heard — picture to the one you have just heard we _ picture to the one you have just heard. we have _ picture to the one you have just heard. we have spent- picture to the one you have just heard. we have spent this - picture to the one you have just| heard. we have spent this week providing — heard. we have spent this week providing help— heard. we have spent this week providing help and _ heard. we have spent this week providing help and support - heard. we have spent this week providing help and support that| heard. we have spent this week. providing help and support that we can to _ providing help and support that we can to those — providing help and support that we can to those without _ providing help and support that we can to those without power. - providing help and support that we can to those without power. we'vej can to those without power. we've had council — can to those without power. we've had council staff _ can to those without power. we've had council staff on _ can to those without power. we've had council staff on the _ can to those without power. we've had council staff on the ground i had council staff on the ground visiting — had council staff on the ground visiting people _ had council staff on the ground visiting people. we _ had council staff on the ground visiting people. we continue i had council staff on the ground j visiting people. we continue to had council staff on the ground i visiting people. we continue to do that across — visiting people. we continue to do that across multi—agency- visiting people. we continue to do that across multi—agency as - visiting people. we continue to do that across multi—agency as well. i visiting people. we continue to do i that across multi—agency as well. we have drafted — that across multi—agency as well. we have drafted in— that across multi—agency as well. we have drafted in mountain _ that across multi—agency as well. we have drafted in mountain rescue - that across multi—agency as well. we have drafted in mountain rescue as. have drafted in mountain rescue as well as— have drafted in mountain rescue as well as police — have drafted in mountain rescue as well as police and _ have drafted in mountain rescue as well as police and fire _ have drafted in mountain rescue as well as police and fire colleagues i well as police and fire colleagues to try— well as police and fire colleagues to try to— well as police and fire colleagues to try to help _ well as police and fire colleagues to try to help with _ well as police and fire colleagues to try to help with that _ well as police and fire colleagues to try to help with that work. - well as police and fire colleagues to try to help with that work. the situation — to try to help with that work. the situation for _ to try to help with that work. the situation for us _ to try to help with that work. the situation for us is _ to try to help with that work. the situation for us is that _ to try to help with that work. the situation for us is that we - to try to help with that work. the | situation for us is that we haven't .ot situation for us is that we haven't got an— situation for us is that we haven't got an end — situation for us is that we haven't got an end date _ situation for us is that we haven't got an end date. we _ situation for us is that we haven't got an end date. we stepped - situation for us is that we haven't got an end date. we stepped up. situation for us is that we haven't i got an end date. we stepped up the major_ got an end date. we stepped up the major incident — got an end date. we stepped up the major incident earlier— got an end date. we stepped up the major incident earlier in _ got an end date. we stepped up the major incident earlier in the - got an end date. we stepped up the major incident earlier in the week, i major incident earlier in the week, which _ major incident earlier in the week, which means— major incident earlier in the week, which means that _ major incident earlier in the week, which means that now— major incident earlier in the week, which means that now we - major incident earlier in the week, which means that now we too - major incident earlier in the week, which means that now we too willl major incident earlier in the week, i which means that now we too will be seeing _ which means that now we too will be seeing military— which means that now we too will be seeing military support _ which means that now we too will be seeing military support coming - which means that now we too will be seeing military support coming into. seeing military support coming into the area _ seeing military support coming into the area today _ seeing military support coming into the area today. there _ seeing military support coming into the area today. there will - seeing military support coming into the area today. there will be - seeing military support coming into the area today. there will be an i the area today. there will be an operational— the area today. there will be an operational meeting _ the area today. there will be an operational meeting this - the area today. there will be an i operational meeting this morning. they will— operational meeting this morning. they will dictate _ operational meeting this morning. they will dictate exactly _ operational meeting this morning. they will dictate exactly where i operational meeting this morning. j they will dictate exactly where the army will _ they will dictate exactly where the army will be — they will dictate exactly where the army will be deployed. _ they will dictate exactly where the army will be deployed. but - they will dictate exactly where the army will be deployed. but in- they will dictate exactly where the army will be deployed. but in the. army will be deployed. but in the first instance _ army will be deployed. but in the first instance they— army will be deployed. but in the first instance they will— army will be deployed. but in the first instance they will be - army will be deployed. but in the i first instance they will be deployed to help _ first instance they will be deployed to help the — first instance they will be deployed to help the community— first instance they will be deployed to help the community efforts - first instance they will be deployed to help the community efforts to i to help the community efforts to contact — to help the community efforts to contact every _ to help the community efforts to contact every single _ to help the community efforts to contact every single household i contact every single household currently — contact every single household currently without _ contact every single household currently without power. - currently without power. when _ currently without power. when they _ currently without power. when they contact - currently without power. when they contact everyj currently without power. - when they contact every single household without power, what will they be asking, and then what will they be asking, and then what will they be asking, and then what will they be able to help it deliver? initially it is just to check in on people. — initially it is just to check in on people. make _ initially it is just to check in on people, make sure _ initially it is just to check in on people, make sure they- initially it is just to check in on people, make sure they are i initially it is just to check in on i people, make sure they are ok. initially it is just to check in on - people, make sure they are ok. we have been— people, make sure they are ok. we have been doing _ people, make sure they are ok. we have been doing this— people, make sure they are ok. we have been doing this across - people, make sure they are ok. we have been doing this across the - have been doing this across the week _ have been doing this across the week this— have been doing this across the week. this won't _ have been doing this across the week. this won't be _ have been doing this across the week. this won't be the - have been doing this across the week. this won't be the first i have been doing this across the i week. this won't be the first time many— week. this won't be the first time many people _ week. this won't be the first time many people will— week. this won't be the first time many people will be _ week. this won't be the first time many people will be contacted. i week. this won't be the first time i many people will be contacted. we have been— many people will be contacted. we have been arranging _ many people will be contacted. we have been arranging alternative i have been arranging alternative accommodation _ have been arranging alternative accommodation for— have been arranging alternative accommodation for a _ have been arranging alternative accommodation for a number. have been arranging alternative| accommodation for a number of have been arranging alternative - accommodation for a number of people when they— accommodation for a number of people when they chose — accommodation for a number of people when they chose to _ accommodation for a number of people when they chose to do _ accommodation for a number of people when they chose to do that. _ accommodation for a number of people when they chose to do that. many- when they chose to do that. many people _ when they chose to do that. many people have — when they chose to do that. many people have chosen— when they chose to do that. many people have chosen to _ when they chose to do that. many people have chosen to stay - when they chose to do that. many people have chosen to stay in - when they chose to do that. manyl people have chosen to stay in their own homes, — people have chosen to stay in their own homes, but— people have chosen to stay in their own homes, but also _ people have chosen to stay in their own homes, but also take - people have chosen to stay in their own homes, but also take benefitsj people have chosen to stay in their. own homes, but also take benefits of things— own homes, but also take benefits of things like _ own homes, but also take benefits of things like food — own homes, but also take benefits of things like food that _ own homes, but also take benefits of things like food that we _ own homes, but also take benefits of things like food that we have - own homes, but also take benefits of things like food that we have been i things like food that we have been supplying, — things like food that we have been supplying. and _ things like food that we have been supplying, and community- things like food that we have been supplying, and community groups| things like food that we have been - supplying, and community groups have been supplying, — supplying, and community groups have been supplying, to— supplying, and community groups have been supplying, to residents. - supplying, and community groups have been supplying, to residents. i- been supplying, to residents. i think— been supplying, to residents. i think one — been supplying, to residents. i think one of— been supplying, to residents. i think one of the _ been supplying, to residents. i think one of the things - been supplying, to residents. i think one of the things that i been supplying, to residents. i think one of the things that we been supplying, to residents. i- think one of the things that we are looking _ think one of the things that we are looking at— think one of the things that we are looking at now— think one of the things that we are looking at now is _ think one of the things that we are looking at now is that _ think one of the things that we are looking at now is that now - think one of the things that we are looking at now is that now that i think one of the things that we are looking at now is that now that we| looking at now is that now that we understand — looking at now is that now that we understand the _ looking at now is that now that we understand the averages - looking at now is that now that we understand the averages are - looking at now is that now that we| understand the averages are likely to extend — understand the averages are likely to extend a — understand the averages are likely to extend a number— understand the averages are likely to extend a number of— understand the averages are likely to extend a number of days - understand the averages are likelyl to extend a number of days beyond even today — to extend a number of days beyond even today, perhaps _ to extend a number of days beyond even today, perhaps across - to extend a number of days beyond even today, perhaps across the - even today, perhaps across the weekend — even today, perhaps across the weekend and _ even today, perhaps across the weekend and into— even today, perhaps across the weekend and into next- even today, perhaps across the weekend and into next week, i even today, perhaps across the i weekend and into next week, we even today, perhaps across the - weekend and into next week, we will be discussing — weekend and into next week, we will be discussing with _ weekend and into next week, we will be discussing with the _ weekend and into next week, we will be discussing with the army- weekend and into next week, we will be discussing with the army what i be discussing with the army what kind of— be discussing with the army what kind of support _ be discussing with the army what kind of support people _ be discussing with the army what kind of support people need - be discussing with the army what kind of support people need in. be discussing with the army what i kind of support people need in their homes _ kind of support people need in their homes to— kind of support people need in their homes to see — kind of support people need in their homes to see them _ kind of support people need in their homes to see them across - kind of support people need in their homes to see them across that - homes to see them across that extended — homes to see them across that extended period. _ extended period. and _ extended period. and jim, - extended period. and jim, a - extended period. | andjim, a similar extended period. - and jim, a similar picture extended period. _ andjim, a similar picture in extended period. _ and jim, a similar picture in terms andjim, a similar picture in terms of bringing the military to help you are? . ., , ., , ., ., are? the community have been amazing in terms of support. _ are? the community have been amazing in terms of support. we _ are? the community have been amazing in terms of support. we have _ are? the community have been amazing in terms of support. we have had - in terms of support. we have had many— in terms of support. we have had many thousands of staff and emergency services out from last friday— emergency services out from last friday supporting people. but it .ets friday supporting people. but it gets to — friday supporting people. but it gets to a — friday supporting people. but it gets to a point where people have expended — gets to a point where people have expended a huge amount of effort and energy— expended a huge amount of effort and energyjust _ expended a huge amount of effort and energyjust trying to cope without power _ energyjust trying to cope without power so — energyjust trying to cope without power. so we decided tuesday into wednesday we needed more capacity. so we _ wednesday we needed more capacity. so we got _ wednesday we needed more capacity. so we got more colleagues in from scottish— so we got more colleagues in from scottish fire and rescue service, as well as— scottish fire and rescue service, as well as other local services, and the military as well. we need to increase — the military as well. we need to increase the capacity to be able to door knock, — increase the capacity to be able to door knock, check people are ok, in addition _ door knock, check people are ok, in addition to— door knock, check people are ok, in addition to what we have been doing. see what— addition to what we have been doing. see what more we can do to help support— see what more we can do to help support people in a tough time. do you — support people in a tough time. do you think you can say that everyone knows exactly how long they will be without power now? trio. everyone knows exactly how long they will be without power now?— will be without power now? no, that is the real problem _ will be without power now? no, that is the real problem that _ will be without power now? no, that is the real problem that we - will be without power now? no, that is the real problem that we do - will be without power now? no, that is the real problem that we do have. in is the real problem that we do have. in fairness. — is the real problem that we do have. in fairness, we are finding new false _ in fairness, we are finding new false other challenges as we go through— false other challenges as we go through the network. that has been some _ through the network. that has been some of— through the network. that has been some of the frustration for people. they simply want to know when their power _ they simply want to know when their power is _ they simply want to know when their power is going to come back on. that is something — power is going to come back on. that is something that the utility company has been unable to confirm, understandably. i think people just wanting _ understandably. i think people just wanting to know when that is going to be _ wanting to know when that is going to be so _ wanting to know when that is going to be. so until command unless that power— to be. so until command unless that power is _ to be. so until command unless that power is switched back on, we will be here _ power is switched back on, we will be here with many other services to support— be here with many other services to support people alongside the community to do what we need to do. alan, _ community to do what we need to do. alan, you _ community to do what we need to do. alan, you will— community to do what we need to do. alan, you will have heard reports and you will have heard frustration from people who feel they have been abandoned by the energy companies and authorities. what would you say to them? i and authorities. what would you say to them? ~ and authorities. what would you say to them? ,, ., , and authorities. what would you say to them? ,, .,, , , to them? i think it has been very difficult for _ to them? i think it has been very difficult for people, _ to them? i think it has been very difficult for people, as _ to them? i think it has been very difficult for people, as jim - to them? i think it has been very difficult for people, as jim has i difficult for people, asjim has been — difficult for people, asjim has been describing. _ difficult for people, asjim has been describing. as— difficult for people, asjim has been describing. as time - difficult for people, asjim hasj been describing. as time goes difficult for people, asjim has. been describing. as time goes on difficult for people, asjim has- been describing. as time goes on it .ets been describing. as time goes on it gets harder— been describing. as time goes on it gets harder and _ been describing. as time goes on it gets harder and harder. _ been describing. as time goes on it gets harderand harder. i— been describing. as time goes on it gets harder and harder. ithink- been describing. as time goes on it gets harder and harder. i think in. gets harder and harder. i think in terms _ gets harder and harder. i think in terms of— gets harder and harder. i think in terms of the _ gets harder and harder. i think in terms of the planning _ gets harder and harder. i think in terms of the planning that - gets harder and harder. i think in terms of the planning that we i gets harder and harder. i think in. terms of the planning that we have been _ terms of the planning that we have been doing. — terms of the planning that we have been doing. it— terms of the planning that we have been doing, it has _ terms of the planning that we have been doing, it has to— terms of the planning that we have been doing, it has to be _ terms of the planning that we have been doing, it has to be done - terms of the planning that we have been doing, it has to be done in. terms of the planning that we have i been doing, it has to be done in the context— been doing, it has to be done in the context of— been doing, it has to be done in the context of the — been doing, it has to be done in the context of the information - been doing, it has to be done in the context of the information that - been doing, it has to be done in the context of the information that we i context of the information that we have available. _ context of the information that we have available. and _ context of the information that we have available. and of— context of the information that we have available. and of course - context of the information that we i have available. and of course when, at the _ have available. and of course when, at the start — have available. and of course when, at the start of— have available. and of course when, at the start of the _ have available. and of course when, at the start of the storm, _ have available. and of course when, at the start of the storm, when - have available. and of course when, at the start of the storm, when we i at the start of the storm, when we were _ at the start of the storm, when we were out _ at the start of the storm, when we were out and — at the start of the storm, when we were out and there _ at the start of the storm, when we were out and there was _ at the start of the storm, when we were out and there was a - at the start of the storm, when we were out and there was a huge i at the start of the storm, when we i were out and there was a huge effort in the _ were out and there was a huge effort in the early— were out and there was a huge effort in the early days— were out and there was a huge effort in the early days to _ were out and there was a huge effort in the early days to do _ were out and there was a huge effort in the early days to do things - were out and there was a huge effort in the early days to do things like i in the early days to do things like clear— in the early days to do things like clear roads — in the early days to do things like clear roads of _ in the early days to do things like clear roads of fallen _ in the early days to do things like clear roads of fallen trees - in the early days to do things like clear roads of fallen trees and i in the early days to do things like i clear roads of fallen trees and make safe dangerous _ clear roads of fallen trees and make safe dangerous buildings, _ clear roads of fallen trees and make safe dangerous buildings, as- clear roads of fallen trees and make safe dangerous buildings, as time i safe dangerous buildings, as time went on— safe dangerous buildings, as time went on and — safe dangerous buildings, as time went on and the _ safe dangerous buildings, as time went on and the power— safe dangerous buildings, as time went on and the power outages, i j went on and the power outages, i guess— went on and the power outages, i guess the — went on and the power outages, i guess the scale _ went on and the power outages, i guess the scale of— went on and the power outages, i guess the scale of the _ went on and the power outages, i guess the scale of the power- guess the scale of the power outages. _ guess the scale of the power outages, became _ guess the scale of the power outages, became more - guess the scale of the power. outages, became more widely guess the scale of the power- outages, became more widely known, we started _ outages, became more widely known, we started liaising _ outages, became more widely known, we started liaising closely— outages, became more widely known, we started liaising closely with - outages, became more widely known, we started liaising closely with the i we started liaising closely with the power _ we started liaising closely with the power grid — we started liaising closely with the powergrid in— we started liaising closely with the power grid. in the _ we started liaising closely with the power grid. in the early— we started liaising closely with the power grid. in the early days - we started liaising closely with the power grid. in the early days we i power grid. in the early days we were _ power grid. in the early days we were being _ power grid. in the early days we were being advised _ power grid. in the early days we were being advised that - power grid. in the early days we were being advised that power. power grid. in the early days we - were being advised that power would likely be _ were being advised that power would likely be back— were being advised that power would likely be back on _ were being advised that power would likely be back on on _ were being advised that power would likely be back on on monday- were being advised that power would likely be back on on monday and - likely be back on on monday and tuesday. — likely be back on on monday and tuesday so— likely be back on on monday and tuesday. so we _ likely be back on on monday and tuesday, so we were _ likely be back on on monday and tuesday, so we were looking i likely be back on on monday and tuesday, so we were looking ati likely be back on on monday andi tuesday, so we were looking at a short-term — tuesday, so we were looking at a short—term situation. _ tuesday, so we were looking at a short—term situation. we - tuesday, so we were looking at a short—term situation. we have i short—term situation. we have planned — short—term situation. we have planned our— short—term situation. we have planned our resources - short—term situation. we have i planned our resources alongside short—term situation. we have - planned our resources alongside the information— planned our resources alongside the information that _ planned our resources alongside the information that has _ planned our resources alongside the information that has been _ planned our resources alongside the information that has been available, and clearly— information that has been available, and clearly now— information that has been available, and clearly now that _ information that has been available, and clearly now that we _ information that has been available, and clearly now that we are - information that has been available, and clearly now that we are moving i and clearly now that we are moving into the _ and clearly now that we are moving into the extended _ and clearly now that we are moving into the extended period, - and clearly now that we are moving into the extended period, we - and clearly now that we are moving into the extended period, we havel and clearly now that we are moving i into the extended period, we have to ramp— into the extended period, we have to ramp that _ into the extended period, we have to ramp that up — into the extended period, we have to ramp that up. we— into the extended period, we have to ramp that up. we have _ into the extended period, we have to ramp that up. we have been - into the extended period, we have to ramp that up. we have been doing i ramp that up. we have been doing that in— ramp that up. we have been doing that in the — ramp that up. we have been doing that in the last _ ramp that up. we have been doing that in the last couple _ ramp that up. we have been doing that in the last couple of— ramp that up. we have been doing that in the last couple of days - ramp that up. we have been doing that in the last couple of days and| that in the last couple of days and will be _ that in the last couple of days and will be doing _ that in the last couple of days and will be doing it _ that in the last couple of days and will be doing it in _ that in the last couple of days and will be doing it in the _ that in the last couple of days and will be doing it in the next - that in the last couple of days and will be doing it in the next few- will be doing it in the next few days— will be doing it in the next few days as — will be doing it in the next few days as well _ will be doing it in the next few days as well. it _ will be doing it in the next few days as well. it is _ will be doing it in the next few days as well. it is very - will be doing it in the next few. days as well. it is very frustrating for people — days as well. it is very frustrating for people it _ days as well. it is very frustrating for people it is _ days as well. it is very frustrating for people. it is very— days as well. it is very frustrating for people. it is very difficult, i for people. it is very difficult, because — for people. it is very difficult, because one _ for people. it is very difficult, because one thing _ for people. it is very difficult, because one thing that - for people. it is very difficult, because one thing that has. for people. it is very difficult, i because one thing that has been for people. it is very difficult, - because one thing that has been said a lot is_ because one thing that has been said a lot is the _ because one thing that has been said a lot is the point— because one thing that has been said a lot is the point that _ because one thing that has been said a lot is the point that you _ because one thing that has been said a lot is the point that you have - a lot is the point that you have 'ust a lot is the point that you have just made. _ a lot is the point that you have just made. the _ a lot is the point that you have just made, the uncertainty- a lot is the point that you have . just made, the uncertainty around where _ just made, the uncertainty around where the — just made, the uncertainty around where the power— just made, the uncertainty around where the power is _ just made, the uncertainty around where the power is coming - just made, the uncertainty around where the power is coming back. just made, the uncertainty around l where the power is coming back on. it's very— where the power is coming back on. it's very difficult _ where the power is coming back on. it's very difficult to _ where the power is coming back on. it's very difficult to cope _ where the power is coming back on. it's very difficult to cope with - it's very difficult to cope with that — it's very difficult to cope with that the _ it's very difficult to cope with that. the huge _ it's very difficult to cope with that. the huge and _ it's very difficult to cope with that. the huge and fantastici that. the huge and fantastic community— that. the huge and fantastic community efforts - that. the huge and fantastic community efforts that - that. the huge and fantastic community efforts that we l that. the huge and fantastic. community efforts that we are that. the huge and fantastic- community efforts that we are seeing across— community efforts that we are seeing across the _ community efforts that we are seeing across the county, _ community efforts that we are seeing across the county, likewise, - community efforts that we are seeing across the county, likewise, have - across the county, likewise, have been _ across the county, likewise, have been going — across the county, likewise, have been going for— across the county, likewise, have been going for a _ across the county, likewise, have been going for a number- across the county, likewise, have been going for a number of- across the county, likewise, have been going for a number of days. j across the county, likewise, have i been going for a number of days. so we are _ been going for a number of days. so we are strpportihg _ been going for a number of days. so we are supporting them _ been going for a number of days. so we are supporting them wherever. been going for a number of days. so| we are supporting them wherever we can, making — we are supporting them wherever we can, making sure— we are supporting them wherever we can, making sure they— we are supporting them wherever we can, making sure they have - we are supporting them wherever we can, making sure they have got- can, making sure they have got everything _ can, making sure they have got everything they— can, making sure they have got everything they need. - can, making sure they have got everything they need. it - can, making sure they have got everything they need. it has . can, making sure they have got. everything they need. it has been can, making sure they have got- everything they need. it has been a very difficult — everything they need. it has been a very difficult situation. _ everything they need. it has been a very difficult situation. it _ everything they need. it has been a very difficult situation. it has - very difficult situation. it has been — very difficult situation. it has been very— very difficult situation. it has been very difficult _ very difficult situation. it has been very difficult for- very difficult situation. it has been very difficult for people caught— been very difficult for people caught up— been very difficult for people caught up in— been very difficult for people caught up in this. _ been very difficult for people caught up in this. what- been very difficult for people caught up in this. what we . been very difficult for people - caught up in this. what we would say is that— caught up in this. what we would say is that att— caught up in this. what we would say is that all of— caught up in this. what we would say is that all of the _ caught up in this. what we would say is that all of the agency— caught up in this. what we would say is that all of the agency is _ caught up in this. what we would say is that all of the agency is now - is that all of the agency is now working — is that all of the agency is now working together, _ is that all of the agency is now working together, as - is that all of the agency is now working together, as we - is that all of the agency is now working together, as we have i is that all of the agency is now - working together, as we have been all week, _ working together, as we have been all week, are — working together, as we have been all week, are bringing— working together, as we have been all week, are bringing in— working together, as we have been all week, are bringing in these- all week, are bringing in these extra — all week, are bringing in these extra resources— all week, are bringing in these extra resources to _ all week, are bringing in these extra resources to make - all week, are bringing in these extra resources to make surei all week, are bringing in these. extra resources to make sure that all week, are bringing in these- extra resources to make sure that we can do— extra resources to make sure that we can do everything _ extra resources to make sure that we can do everything that we _ extra resources to make sure that we can do everything that we can - extra resources to make sure that we can do everything that we can over. can do everything that we can over the coming — can do everything that we can over the coming days _ the coming days. thank— the coming days. thank you - the coming days. thank you both l the coming days. i thank you both very the coming days. - thank you both very much. the coming days. thank ou both ve much. �* , thank you both very much. let's find out more from _ thank you both very much. let's find out more from alison _ thank you both very much. let's find out more from alison freeman. - our reporter alison freeman is in butterknowle, county durham, and joins us now. you are in some kind of community hall but i see lights. you clearly have power there?— hall but i see lights. you clearly have power there? yeah, we are actually in _ have power there? yeah, we are actually in a _ have power there? yeah, we are actually in a community - have power there? yeah, we are actually in a community centre l have power there? yeah, we are - actually in a community centre where there _ actually in a community centre where there is— actually in a community centre where there is some power. this place, this village — there is some power. this place, this village hall, has become a bit of a lifeline for people. they are not of a lifeline for people. they are hot here — of a lifeline for people. they are not here now, but during the day this place — not here now, but during the day this place is full with people wanted _ this place is full with people wanted to get warm while they haven't— wanted to get warm while they haven't got any power in their houses — haven't got any power in their houses. they are coming to get hot food, _ houses. they are coming to get hot food, hot _ houses. they are coming to get hot food, hot drinks. look at some of the donations that have been brought in to make _ the donations that have been brought in to make sure people can be fed. this has— in to make sure people can be fed. this has been provided by the community. it is a story we have been _ community. it is a story we have been hearing up and down from northumberland to county durham of people _ northumberland to county durham of people helping each other. the man behind _ people helping each other. the man behihd this— people helping each other. the man behind this particular one is tommy, who is— behind this particular one is tommy, who is putting the bacon out. wiping his hands _ who is putting the bacon out. wiping his hands. why did you go to these lengths— his hands. why did you go to these lengths to — his hands. why did you go to these lengths to support these people? well, _ lengths to support these people? well, a _ lengths to support these people? well, a group of us from the village realised _ well, a group of us from the village realised there _ well, a group of us from the village realised there was _ well, a group of us from the village realised there was obvious - well, a group of us from the village realised there was obvious to - well, a group of us from the village realised there was obvious to a - realised there was obvious to a clear— realised there was obvious to a clear need _ realised there was obvious to a clear need to _ realised there was obvious to a clear need to open _ realised there was obvious to a clear need to open the - realised there was obvious to a clear need to open the village i realised there was obvious to a i clear need to open the village hall up clear need to open the village hall up and _ clear need to open the village hall up and get — clear need to open the village hall up and get people _ clear need to open the village hall up and get people in— clear need to open the village hall up and get people in and - clear need to open the village hall up and get people in and get- clear need to open the village hall up and get people in and get a - clear need to open the village hall- up and get people in and get a warm, .et up and get people in and get a warm, get them— up and get people in and get a warm, get them fed, — up and get people in and get a warm, get them fed, get— up and get people in and get a warm, get them fed, get some _ up and get people in and get a warm, get them fed, get some hot - up and get people in and get a warm, get them fed, get some hot water- get them fed, get some hot water into them — get them fed, get some hot water into them. elderly _ get them fed, get some hot water into them. elderly people, - get them fed, get some hot water into them. elderly people, peoplej into them. elderly people, people with younger— into them. elderly people, people with younger children. _ into them. elderly people, people with younger children. there - into them. elderly people, people with younger children. there wasi into them. elderly people, people i with younger children. there was a clear— with younger children. there was a clear need — with younger children. there was a clear need-— clear need. you have heard some desnerate — clear need. you have heard some desperate stories. _ clear need. you have heard some desperate stories. give _ clear need. you have heard some desperate stories. give me - clear need. you have heard some desperate stories. give me an . desperate stories. give me an example — desperate stories. give me an example of the sort of things you are hearing from people who have been _ are hearing from people who have been without power for seven days? we've _ been without power for seven days? we've had _ been without power for seven days? we've had a — been without power for seven days? we've had a number of different sort of people _ we've had a number of different sort of peopte who, — we've had a number of different sort of people who, from _ we've had a number of different sort of people who, from the _ we've had a number of different sort of people who, from the elderly - we've had a number of different sort of people who, from the elderly to l of people who, from the elderly to the younger— of people who, from the elderly to the younger ones, _ of people who, from the elderly to the younger ones, especially - of people who, from the elderly to the younger ones, especially the l the younger ones, especially the elderly. — the younger ones, especially the etderty, who— the younger ones, especially the elderly, who have _ the younger ones, especially the elderly, who have been - the younger ones, especially the elderly, who have been stuck- the younger ones, especially the - elderly, who have been stuck indoors since _ elderly, who have been stuck indoors since last— elderly, who have been stuck indoors since last friday, _ elderly, who have been stuck indoors since last friday, with— elderly, who have been stuck indoors since last friday, with no— elderly, who have been stuck indoors since last friday, with no power, - elderly, who have been stuck indoors since last friday, with no power, no. since last friday, with no power, no electricity — since last friday, with no power, no electricity so. _ since last friday, with no power, no electricity. so, yeah, _ since last friday, with no power, no electricity. so, yeah, it's— since last friday, with no power, no electricity. so, yeah, it'sjust- electricity. so, yeah, it'sjust trying — electricity. so, yeah, it'sjust trying to— electricity. so, yeah, it'sjust trying to help _ electricity. so, yeah, it'sjust trying to help them - electricity. so, yeah, it'sjust trying to help them out, - electricity. so, yeah, it'sjust trying to help them out, get| electricity. so, yeah, it'sjust- trying to help them out, get some generators — trying to help them out, get some generators to _ trying to help them out, get some generators to them _ trying to help them out, get some generators to them and _ trying to help them out, get some generators to them and get - trying to help them out, get some generators to them and get themi trying to help them out, get some - generators to them and get them some help, generators to them and get them some help. realty. _ generators to them and get them some help. realty. you — generators to them and get them some hel , reall . ., _ generators to them and get them some hel, reall . ., _ _, help, really. you were saying some --eole help, really. you were saying some peeple are — help, really. you were saying some people are reluctant _ help, really. you were saying some people are reluctant to _ help, really. you were saying some people are reluctant to leave - help, really. you were saying some people are reluctant to leave theirl people are reluctant to leave their homes, _ people are reluctant to leave their homes, even though they have been offered _ homes, even though they have been offered accommodation. you can understand that, can't you? absolutely. one of the old guys we have been— absolutely. one of the old guys we have been dealing _ absolutely. one of the old guys we have been dealing with, _ absolutely. one of the old guys we have been dealing with, he - absolutely. one of the old guys we have been dealing with, he built i absolutely. one of the old guys wei have been dealing with, he built the house. _ have been dealing with, he built the house. he _ have been dealing with, he built the house. he has— have been dealing with, he built the house, he has lived _ have been dealing with, he built the house, he has lived there _ have been dealing with, he built the house, he has lived there all- have been dealing with, he built the house, he has lived there all his - house, he has lived there all his life _ house, he has lived there all his life he — house, he has lived there all his life he has— house, he has lived there all his life. he has actually— house, he has lived there all his life. he has actually said, - house, he has lived there all his life. he has actually said, if - house, he has lived there all his life. he has actually said, if i. life. he has actually said, if i come — life. he has actually said, if i come out _ life. he has actually said, if i come out of— life. he has actually said, if i come out of my— life. he has actually said, if i come out of my house, - life. he has actually said, if i come out of my house, i - life. he has actually said, if i come out of my house, i am | life. he has actually said, if i - come out of my house, i am worried i won't _ come out of my house, i am worried i won't come _ come out of my house, i am worried i won't come baci are still without power?— are still without power? yeah, we know certainly _ are still without power? yeah, we know certainly there _ are still without power? yeah, we know certainly there are - are still without power? yeah, we know certainly there are in - are still without power? yeah, we know certainly there are in the - know certainly there are in the region— know certainly there are in the region of— know certainly there are in the region of 200, _ know certainly there are in the region of 200, to _ know certainly there are in the region of 200, to 250 - know certainly there are in the region of 200, to 250 housesi know certainly there are in the - region of 200, to 250 houses without power— region of 200, to 250 houses without power in _ region of 200, to 250 houses without power in one — region of 200, to 250 houses without power in one area. _ region of 200, to 250 houses without power in one area. those _ region of 200, to 250 houses without power in one area. those are - region of 200, to 250 houses without power in one area. those are from i power in one area. those are from the youngest — power in one area. those are from the youngest people _ power in one area. those are from the youngest people up _ power in one area. those are from the youngest people up to - power in one area. those are from the youngest people up to the - power in one area. those are from i the youngest people up to the elders as welt _ the youngest people up to the elders as welt there — the youngest people up to the elders as well. there is _ the youngest people up to the elders as well. there is still— the youngest people up to the elders as well. there is still a _ the youngest people up to the elders as well. there is still a real- the youngest people up to the elders as well. there is still a real worry- as well. there is still a real worry number— as well. there is still a real worry number of— as well. there is still a real worry number of people _ as well. there is still a real worry number of people without - as well. there is still a real worry number of people without power| as well. there is still a real worry- number of people without power and everything _ number of people without power and everything they— number of people without power and everything they need. _ number of people without power and everything they need.— everything they need. thank you so much, everything they need. thank you so much. tommy- _ everything they need. thank you so much, tommy. and _ thanks for the work you are doing for everyone in the community. tommy thinks _ for everyone in the community. tommy thinks there _ for everyone in the community. tommy thinks there are several hundred people _ thinks there are several hundred people in— thinks there are several hundred people in this area still without power — people in this area still without power. that is a week now. some have been told _ power. that is a week now. some have been told their power won't be on until december the 8th. alison. _ until december the 8th. alison, thank you. i'm sure everyone watching this will think people like tommy, who are just giving their time, whatever, it's very impressive. i know he will make light of it but it really does matter to communities like that. so, thank you very much. tline matter to communities like that. so, thank you very much.— thank you very much. one of our local heroes. _ thank you very much. one of our local heroes. just _ thank you very much. one of our local heroes. just gets _ thank you very much. one of our local heroes. just gets on - thank you very much. one of our local heroes. just gets on with i thank you very much. one of our| local heroes. just gets on with it. exactly. it's so important when things like that happen, those are things like that happen, those are things that immediately affect people. you talk about the bigger picture, the electricity companies, the power company is, but hands—on, doing things, that's what matters. one of hollywood's most influential filmmakers, steven spielberg, has turned his hand to musicals, with a new on—screen adaptation of west side story. there is a great deal of excitement about this. a lot of people think that film should be left alone. and then spielberg comes along and says, i will have a go. then spielberg comes along and says, i will have a 90-— i will have a go. even the actors from the original— i will have a go. even the actors from the original film _ i will have a go. even the actors from the original film have - i will have a go. even the actors - from the original film have embraced the new film as well. does it live up the new film as well. does it live up to the broadway original? west side story was given a big launch just a short distance from where the film is set on new york's upper west side in the 19505. inspired by shakespeare's romeo and juliet, it is a love story that takes place amid warring teenage gangs. it's a landmark work, first made into a film in 1961. it's always interested steven spielberg, who has never directed a musical before. i think i wanted to direct a musical film because i knew i couldn't sing and dance. it's a tremendous way of sort of throwing myself into a genre that physically i would never be part of, except to be able to tell a story in that idiom. # i like to be in america. # it's ok by me in america.# the 1961 film adaptation of the musical was a huge hit and it won ten oscars. it's a revered classic. the new film is seen as more intense. there is bloodshed, there's brutality and yet it manages to do a very tricky thing, which is, there are these incredibly realistic and powerful scenes, then it becomes operatic. it becomes musical theatre. the 1961 film was criticised for having many of the members of the puerto rican gang, the sharks, portrayed by white actors. we just wanted for this movie to get it right in the way that we wanted every single person who plays single person who plays a puerto rican to be from the latin ex—community. and that was the mandate from the get—go. the launch of west side story in new york this week has been bittersweet for steven spielberg and his cast, because the film's lyricist, american musical theatre legend stephen sondheim, died at the age of 91 just prior to the film's big premiere. i showed him the film back in february of this year. and he loved it and could not wait until monday night. he wanted to see it with a big audience. and so, when we got the news on, i believe it was on saturday, that he had passed, it was devastating. it's still devastating. sondheim's talents, of course, live on for all to hear in the new film, which has been getting excellent reviews. it seems poised to become a big oscar contender. but musicals can be a challenge to sell at the box office. new york could do with west side story being a hit. its familiar songs could be a bit of a panacea to the city as it still struggles with anxieties of life in the covid—19 era. tom brook, bbc news, new york. i can't get enough of that. i love it. . , , , it. on a slightly different level, but nonetheless _ it. on a slightly different level, but nonetheless a _ it. on a slightly different level, | but nonetheless a performance, it. on a slightly different level, i but nonetheless a performance, a performance which would be a delight to many people this morning, we are going to the palace theatre in manchester. ben is looking ahead to the panto season. find manchester. ben is looking ahead to the panto season.— manchester. ben is looking ahead to the panto season. and of course your ve own the panto season. and of course your very own performance _ the panto season. and of course your very own performance as _ the panto season. and of course your very own performance as well, - the panto season. and of course your very own performance as well, ben. l that was not the deal. sorry. i do have the bestjob this morning. we are on the stage at the palace theatre. theatre is back. christmas is the most lucrative time of the year. i have always wanted to do this. simon, kew the music. that is because we have got the actors with us this morning. spare a thought for them because they were here performing last night. they are also performing last night. they are also performing tonight. they are getting warmed up. it is a bit chilly this morning. the whole tour, they were in canterbury before moving to manchester. manchester until saturday, then plymouth. they will spend christmas and new year in edinburgh. forall the spend christmas and new year in edinburgh. for all the people involved in this production, the camera crews, the lighting people, the sound people, all of the actors and the crew, and everyone involved in theatre, they are thrilled after so long to be back on these days. i will let you have a little listen. # i'm dreaming of a white christmas. # i'm dreaming of a white christmas. # with every christmas card i write. # with every christmas card i write. # may your days be merry and bright. # may your days be merry and bright. # and may all your christmases be white. there you go. we will give you the full performance later. they will be joining us on the stage with a full performance of white christmas. time now to get the news, travel and weather where you are. k good morning from bbc london, i'm alison earle. alison earle. the conservatives have held on to their seat of old bexley and sidcup in the latest by election. with a low turnout the tories' lead over labour was cut from almost 19,000 to less than 4,500. the winning candidate louie french began his speech with a tribute to his predecessor james brokenshire, who died in october. he made an enormous impact on everyone who lives here as your member of parliament, i will work tirelessly to build on everything he achieved. i can't put into words how much the support of his wife kathy has meant to me during this campaign. and her strength and bravery throughout has been inspiring. tube passengers are expected to face a second weekend of disruption this evening. members of the rmt union will walk out at 8:30 tonight in an ongoing dispute over driver rotas. the strike action which affects the central and victoria lines ends at oliz30 on saturday morning. 28 hospital trusts across london will receive a share of £109 million to help reduce waiting lists. the funding will go towards expanding wards, increasing the number of operating theatres and beds. it's part of a £700 million investment being split across england. meet the stars of vauxhall city farm. alpacas ben and jerry appeared in star wars: the force awakens but they're now retiring from entertainment and will be moving to a more peaceful patch of land. really sad that they're leaving, they've been here the longest out of all the animals, and they're such amazing alpacas, they're really friendly, but it does make me sad that they'll be leaving. well, if you're heading out on public transport this morning this is how tfl services are looking. onto the weather now with kate. good morning. it's a misty, murky start this morning, milderair starting to move in. we've had this warm front, which has been edging the milder air closer towards us, but it's been running in to the colder air. but you can see replaces it as we head through the day. and now was that rain�*s hit the colder air. we have had a little bit of sleetiness but it is clearing out of the way, becoming drier. but it is going to stay largely cloudy, quite blustery today, but the wind falling a bit lighter into the evening, temperatures mild, getting up to ii celsius. quite the contrast to yesterday's cold temperatures. now overnight, we've got another spell of rain, but that again, will clear. it's going to turn showery after that and that will linger into saturday morning. the temperature overnight milder between four and six celsius. so as we head into the weekend, low pressure very much in charge. it is going to be quite breezy. it gets breezier overnight and through saturday. we've got some showers around, but some dry weather as well. but it is increasingly unsettled. now, the temperature we're dragging in a northerly flow and a northerly breeze. so it is going to feel colder through the weekend and staying unsettled through next week. plenty more on our website at the usual address. now though it's back to naga and charlie. bye for now. hello, this is breakfast with charlie stayt and naga munchetty. the conservatives have held on to the southeast london seat of old bexley and sidcup, in a by—election called following the death of mpjames brokenshire. the candidate, louie french, won with more than half the votes but with a reduced majority compared to 2019. we can speak now to conservative party chair, oliver dowden. very good morning to you. could you give us your assessment of the by—election result? i give us your assessment of the by-election result?— give us your assessment of the by-election result? i think it was a aood by-election result? i think it was a good result. _ by-election result? i think it was a good result, particularly— by-election result? i think it was a good result, particularly as - by-election result? i think it was a good result, particularly as it - by-election result? i think it was a good result, particularly as it wasl good result, particularly as it was a mid—term by—election. it is very difficult for governing parties to do well. we secured over 50% of the vote and that was thanks to good campaign run by the local candidate and we are very pleased with it. where did the problems lie? i think it was a good, solid result for us. to get over 50% mid—term, people will be concerned about a range of issues and the government is seeking to address those concerns. one example. people are concerned about the small boats across the channel. that is why next week we will be bringing forward the nationality and borders bill to address some of those concerns, for example by increasing to life the sentence for the vile people smugglers your ma'ori the vile people smugglers your majority in _ the vile people smugglers your majority in this _ the vile people smugglers your majority in this by—election went from 19,000 to 4500. i will ask the question again. where do you think the problems lie?— the problems lie? well, those numbers for — the problems lie? well, those numbers for the _ the problems lie? well, those numbers for the overall - the problems lie? well, those i numbers for the overall majority, reflect a very low turnout. actually our vote stood up quite well. half of all the people casting their votes, the labour vote was about when it was underjeremy corbyn. of course mid—term people have concerns. i don't quite share what i believe is the implication of your question that this was in some ways a disastrous result for the government.— a disastrous result for the government. a disastrous result for the covernment. ., ., , ., government. those are your words are not mine. government. those are your words are not mine- i _ government. those are your words are not mine- i was — government. those are your words are not mine. i was asking _ government. those are your words are not mine. i was asking where - government. those are your words are not mine. i was asking where us - not mine. i was asking where us chairman of the conservative party thought there were issues that needed addressing. —— where you as chairman. a 10% swing to labour. some people's eyes might glaze over with their statistics. the impression you are giving is this is business as usual, there is nothing to fear and nothing your party is thinking about in relation to this result. . , ., , thinking about in relation to this result. . , ., result. that is not the case was that this was _ result. that is not the case was that this was a _ result. that is not the case was that this was a good, _ result. that is not the case was that this was a good, solid - result. that is not the case was i that this was a good, solid result with us polling half the votes cast. i am also saying to you i take a very clear message from what has gone on over the last couple of months that the government has key focus on delivery. that is why we are addressing the small boats challenged by bringing legislation before parliament next week to increase sanctions for people entering this country illegally to give greater powers to border force an increase the life sentence —— to life sentence people involved in people smuggling. you have seen some very promising results this morning in relation to pfizer and moderna. we have invested in them for the boosterjab. people want us as a government to focus on the core issues, to focus on migration, to focus on the nhs and to focus on the economy, where we are seeing jobs growth very strong and record numbers of vacancies. as a government mid—term we need to make sure we are focused on getting on with theirjob and that is what we are doing. d0 with their 'ob and that is what we are doinu. n, ,, ~ with their 'ob and that is what we are doinu. ~ ., , are doing. do you think voters, --eole are doing. do you think voters, people generally. _ are doing. do you think voters, people generally, trust - are doing. do you think voters, people generally, trust the - people generally, trust the conservative party more or less than they used to? i conservative party more or less than they used to?— they used to? i think the results ou have they used to? i think the results you have seen — they used to? i think the results you have seen in _ they used to? i think the results you have seen in this _ they used to? i think the results| you have seen in this by-election you have seen in this by—election are consistent with mid—term where people have frustrations with a range of issues.— people have frustrations with a range of issues. that was about trust. i asked _ range of issues. that was about trust. i asked that _ range of issues. that was about trust. i asked that very - trust. i asked that very specifically. i am asking around the issue of trust. there is a lot of dialogue amongst people about whether they trust the conservative party at the moment. you are the chairman of the conservative party. do you have any concerns about people's trust in your party. people continue to — people's trust in your party. people continue to trust _ people's trust in your party. people continue to trust the _ people's trust in your party. people continue to trust the conservative l continue to trust the conservative party and i will tell you why. if you ignore the noise and the chatter and look at the big issues, covid, we made a big call on vaccines. thanks to that vaccine, thousands of lives have been saved. thanks to the vaccine call we have made, we can enjoy live relatively as normal. with the economy, we made the big call in relation to the job retention scheme and the other measures introduced by the chancellor. as a result we have record job vacancies. we pledged to increase spending on the nhs. we have given them a £20 million boost. on the core issues, never mind the distraction and the noise, the core issues of delivery, this conservative government is getting on with the job. that is —— there is more we need to do. that is whyjust today we have announced additional spending on hospitals, additional investment in hospitals. that is where our focus needs to be and will continue to be.— continue to be. throughout the andemic continue to be. throughout the pandemic you _ continue to be. throughout the pandemic you have _ continue to be. throughout the pandemic you have relied - continue to be. throughout the pandemic you have relied on i continue to be. throughout the i pandemic you have relied on people doing the right thing. i ask this question in the light of what you have required of people. on the 18th of december there was a party at downing street, involving several dozen people. can you describe that party for us? i dozen people. can you describe that party for us?— party for us? i was not working in downin: party for us? i was not working in downing street _ party for us? i was not working in downing street at _ party for us? i was not working in downing street at the _ party for us? i was not working in downing street at the time, i party for us? i was not working in downing street at the time, nor i party for us? i was not working in i downing street at the time, nor do i work in downing street now. i was serving as culture secretary and i am now chairman of the party. i can tell you the prime minister has been very clear that the rules are followed at all times in downing street. ., ., . ., ., ., street. you are the chairman of the conservative _ street. you are the chairman of the conservative party. _ street. you are the chairman of the conservative party. when _ street. you are the chairman of the conservative party. when the i street. you are the chairman of the conservative party. when the story| street. you are the chairman of the l conservative party. when the story a i am assuming you asked people who were and had this information what the nature of this party was. have you had that conversation with anyone who does know? i will tell ou the anyone who does know? i will tell you the conversations _ anyone who does know? i will tell you the conversations i _ anyone who does know? i will tell you the conversations i have i anyone who does know? i will tell you the conversations i have been having. all day yesterday i was having. all day yesterday i was having conversations with people on the doorstep in bexley, getting our vote out and having —— vote out. we have been talking about how to tackle the new and worrying variant of covid and the proportionate measures we should take. i would urge all of your views to jake booster, there is great evidence on that today. —— take a step. i am actually focused on getting on with theirjob actually focused on getting on with their job and actually focused on getting on with theirjob and delivering on the big concerns of people. [30 theirjob and delivering on the big concerns of people.— concerns of people. do you think --eole concerns of people. do you think people asking — concerns of people. do you think people asking that _ concerns of people. do you think people asking that question i concerns of people. do you think people asking that question are l people asking that question are unfair? in the spirit of openness they would expect us chairman of the conservative party to ask the questions we cannot ask. i do not have access to people who were there on that occasion. i assume you would have asked those questions. if you are not prepared to tell me what you know about that evening you are withholding the information. i am not withholding _ withholding the information. i am not withholding the _ withholding the information. i —n not withholding the information. actually, i'd want to speak for your viewers but i would be interested to know what your viewers are really concerned about.— concerned about. very straightforward - concerned about. veryi straightforward answers concerned about. very i straightforward answers stop concerned about. very straightforward answers stop you have asked me a point about the conversations i have had. i have asked me a point about the conversations i have had.- conversations i have had. i think they would _ conversations i have had. i think they would expect _ conversations i have had. i think they would expect a _ conversations i have had. i think they would expect a member- conversations i have had. i think they would expect a member of| conversations i have had. i think. they would expect a member of the cabinet, and a time when we are in the middle of a covid crisis, when we have had an alarming new variant imagine, they would expect my focus as a cabinet minister on making sure we have appropriate steps to deal with that and is chairman of the conservative party my focus over the past 2a hours would have been on the by—election, that is part of myjob. my by—election, that is part of myjob. my focus has not been about having conversations over what may or may not have happened in downing street over a year ago. the prime minister said the rules at all times were obeyed in downing street. people will draw their _ obeyed in downing street. people will draw their own _ obeyed in downing street. people will draw their own conclusions i obeyed in downing street. people i will draw their own conclusions from the way you answer those questions, which is absolutely fair and you said what you are prepared to say. let's go back to be very important issues people are concerned about in the run—up to christmas and worries over the new covid variant. when will we have next update? and over the new covid variant. when will we have next update? and she will we have next update? and she will have seen, _ will we have next update? and she will have seen, we _ will we have next update? and she will have seen, we have _ will we have next update? and she will have seen, we have taken i will we have next update? and she| will have seen, we have taken what will we have next update? and she i will have seen, we have taken what i believe are a set of balanced and proportionate measures to address the very real risk. i understand your viewers, that can send your viewers may have about the new variant and that is why we have tightened up travel restrictions. concerned your viewers. i do think people should keep calm and carry on with their plans while at the same time, we as government, particularly through laboratories at port and may continue to examine exactly the nature of this new variant. i think we have the right set of measures in place. i we have the right set of measures in lace. , ., ., , place. i understand it was three weeks from _ place. i understand it was three weeks from when _ place. i understand it was three weeks from when the _ place. i understand it was three weeks from when the first i weeks from when the first announcement was made. we expect another announcement in the next fortnight? indie another announcement in the next fortniuht? ~ another announcement in the next fortniiht? . , . ., , fortnight? we said the restrictions we im ose fortnight? we said the restrictions we impose would _ fortnight? we said the restrictions we impose would last _ fortnight? we said the restrictions we impose would last for - fortnight? we said the restrictions we impose would last for three i we impose would last for three weeks. we believe that is a sufficient window for our site is to be able to properly examine this virus. we believe we have the balance right in terms of restrictions. some say we should go further and some say we have overreacted. we are plotting an appropriate course in response to that filter as we know more about the virus, just last thursday we were alerted to it and we took action by sunday. those are the right and proportionate steps to have taken. many people in the pub and hospitality industry are concerned. i do not think people should panic and cancel plans. i would urge people to keep calm and continue with plans because i believe we have the right balance now. $5 believe we have the right balance now. ~ , ., , ., believe we have the right balance now. a .,, ., ,~ ., ., now. as conservative party chairman, our now. as conservative party chairman, your party. — now. as conservative party chairman, your party. as — now. as conservative party chairman, your party. as in _ now. as conservative party chairman, your party. as in your— now. as conservative party chairman, your party, as in your entertainment | your party, as in your entertainment party, not your conservative party, will that be going ahead? do you have a get together with your immediate colleagues? i5 have a get together with your immediate colleagues? is that going toaether immediate colleagues? is that going to . ether as immediate colleagues? is that going together as planned? _ immediate colleagues? is that going together as planned? there - immediate colleagues? is that going together as planned? there is i immediate colleagues? is that going together as planned? there is a i together as planned? there is a conservative political party christmas party which is still planned and i do not intend to cancel as chairman of the conservative party.- cancel as chairman of the conservative party. what is the nature of that _ conservative party. what is the nature of that event? - conservative party. what is the nature of that event? it - conservative party. what is the nature of that event? it will i conservative party. what is the | nature of that event? it willjust nature of that event? it will 'ust be a normal �* nature of that event? it will 'ust be a normal christmas i nature of that event? it willjust| be a normal christmas gathering nature of that event? it willjust i be a normal christmas gathering of staff in london. we have staff in leeds as well and that is completely consistent with the rules. i would urge people to keep calm and carry on with their plans. we are not changing our plans either. if the situation changes we will comply with the rules. i5 situation changes we will comply with the rules.— situation changes we will comply with the rules. is it games, drinks, that kind of — with the rules. is it games, drinks, that kind of thing _ with the rules. is it games, drinks, that kind of thing at _ with the rules. is it games, drinks, that kind of thing at the _ with the rules. is it games, drinks, that kind of thing at the party? i i that kind of thing at the party? i am afraid i will leave the details of it to others. i have been focusing on all the issues we have been discussing already. i would not imagine it is a children's party so i would not expect there to be games, etc, iwould i would not expect there to be games, etc, i would expect it to be a social gathering. in games, etc, i would expect it to be a social gathering.— a social gathering. in the london office. a social gathering. in the london office- we _ a social gathering. in the london office. we appreciate _ a social gathering. in the london office. we appreciate your i a social gathering. in the london office. we appreciate your time | a social gathering. in the london i office. we appreciate your time this morning. oliver dowden, the conservative party chairman. i like games at a party. mouthful something lovely. outside are studios at salford quays. this is the world, it is an image projected by nasa on this floating at. it is ten metres in diameter, it is a replica. the images taken straight from nasa's computers of the earth from space and it is floating set in the keys just outside our studio. it is a delight to see when it is dark. very pretty as the daylight plans as well. calm at the moment, which is really full so many. morning to you. good morning. very calm. last week, the storm was just approaching. still chilly for one or two. in knowledge, those without power in the east could do with that. temperatures in knowledge only around two celsius. —— in norwich. look at the contrast, what is happening out west and the moment. for some much warmer than it was yesterday. the mild air will work its way east during the rest of today. a couple of weather fronts bringing in rain and drizzle. in between we have the slice of mild air. temperatures will be on the rise in the east after that chilly start. the weather fronts have brought rain and drizzle. all turning back to rain and drizzle. that will be found across many areas of england. lots of clout and brightness. in northern ireland i would be hazy sunshine that the best of the sunshine in scotland. the showers in the highlands and islands will continue during the day. further south are wetter and to the day in parts of devon,, and west wales. temperatures lifting up across eastern areas after the chilly start. this evening heavy rain to come across southern counties of england and wales. showers developing more widely this evening and overnight and we will start to see the return of colder air tomorrow. temperatures on saturday around two to seven degrees. chilly with sleet and snow across the north of scotland. an area of low pressure in the north—east of scotland bringing their wind all the way to the north. we are back to something breezy and chilly. it will be a blustery day. any rain will clear to sunny spells. scattering of showers in the west, may be wintry over the hills. a few showers in the is to scotland and the north—east of england. double figure temperatures today five to nine tomorrow. it will feel cooler in the breeze. the breeze coming from a north—westerly direction on saturday afternoon. the area of low pressure responsible is to the and will work its way further is saturday night night and into sunday. there will be weather fronts in the is to the country. eastern scotland and the east of england will have outbreaks of rain. sleet and snow over the higher ground. a bit of sunshine in places. chilly day even though it is not as windy as saturday. thank you very much. see you later. alec baldwin says he does not feel guilt over the fatal shooting of a cinematographer on the set of his film, rust. the american actor made the comments to abc news, in his first interview since the incident in october. our los angeles correspondent sophie long reports. i sat on that pew right before they called lunch and i said, "this movie has made me love making movies again." i used to love to make movies. i did, you know. now, alec baldwin says he's not sure he'll ever work again after something went horribly, horribly wrong when he was rehearsing a scene, pointing what he believed to be an empty gun at halyna as she directed him to do. i would never point a gun at anyone to pull a trigger, never. that was the training that i had. you don't point a gun at anyone and pull the trigger. even after her collapse and director joel souza screamed, it didn't occur to the actor that a live round was in the gun he'd been holding. he didn't experience what he described as the insanity—inducing agony of that realisation until much later. just as you disbelieved that there was a live round in the gun, you disbelieve that this was going to be a fatal accident. so you didn't know exactly how serious it was. at the very end of my interview with the sheriff's department, they said to me, "we regret to tell you that she didn't make it. she died." they told me right then and there. and that's what i want in the parking lot. i called my wife, to talk to my wife. the actor said he hadn't checked the weapon himself, but had put his trust in the 24—year—old armourer hannah gutierrez reid. her lawyer said the set was sabotaged. that's a big swing. that's an enormous charge to make that someone came and did something. for what purpose? to attack who? to discredit who? to harm me, the production? i mean, that that means motive and opportunity. and what was their motive in doing that? if somebody did that, it's overwhelmingly likely that it was an accident. one of the things her attorney has said is that she was hired for two positions on the film and therefore was stretched in an inappropriate way. did she raise any of those concerns with you. no, i assume that everyone who's shooting a lower budget film is stretched, myself included. and i got no complaints from her or the prop department. i'm not sitting there when i'm getting dressed. need to go to a scene and say, oh, my god. the prop woman seemed very harried today. i didn't get a sense of that from from any of the people on the film. he spoke emotionally about meeting halyna's husband and son, who's just nine years old. i think to myself, this little boy doesn't have a mother anymore. and i know that in my life and with my kids and i'm doing quite well with my kids, my kids and i are having a great time right until my wife walks in the room and then i become invisible. my kids all go and theyjump on top of their mother. and this boy doesn't have a mother anymore. and... there's nothing we can do to bring her back. alec baldwin said he would do anything in his power to undo what had happened, but he said he did not feel guilt. someone is responsible for what happened and i can't say who that is, but i know it's not me. i mean, i honest to god, if i felt that i was responsible, i might have killed myself if i thought i was responsible. i don't say that lightly. he said halyna hutchins was one of the loveliest women he'd ever worked with and she was as admired as she was loved. sophie long, bbc news, los angeles. the battle for christmas number one is officially on, with this year's line up ranging from bit hitters to charity contenders. so who might take that coveted top spot? fiona lamdin has been taking a look at some of the runners and riders. seven decades after the first christmas number one, claiming the festive top spot is a british institution and it's often the most unpredictable race of the year. so are this year's main contenders? merry christmas, eltonjohn and ed sheeran's new duet will be released later this morning. # little things like your sleepy smile...# after 40 yea rs, abba are making a strong comeback with their album voyage, the swedish icons have never had a christmas number one before. but they're hoping their latest single little things can change all that. # i had good intentions.# adele is, of course, up there with her new album, but all these superstars now face competition from an unlikely quarter. the church of england has announced its first ever christmas single, a new version of the carol, in in the fields voice choir. and another first. children in need have released their cover of shakin' stevens merry christmas, everyone. # merry christmas, everyone.# and strictly come dancing judge craig revel—horwood is also releasing his first christmas singles. and finally, mark hoil, aka lad baby with his sausage roll theme songs, has been in the number one spot for the past three years. he's certainly not ruling out a fourth one. in three weeks, the race and the waiting will be over as the official christmas number one is announced on christmas eve. fiona lamdin, bbc news. we can speak now to someone who knows a thing or two about getting to christmas number one — shakin' stevens. we're also joined by cbeebies presenter andy day, who is throwing his hat into the ring this year. were you talking about merry christmas everyone?- were you talking about merry christmas everyone? were you talking about merry christmas eve one? , ., , christmas everyone? sans really odd to call you shakin'. _ christmas everyone? sans really odd to call you shakin'. it _ christmas everyone? sans really odd to call you shakin'. it is _ christmas everyone? sans really odd to call you shakin'. it is shaky'. i i to call you shakin'. it is shaky'. i was going — to call you shakin'. it is shaky'. i was going to _ to call you shakin'. it is shaky'. i was going to say _ to call you shakin'. it is shaky'. i was going to say to _ to call you shakin'. it is shaky'. i was going to say to you _ to call you shakin'. it is shaky'. i was going to say to you about i was going to say to you about knowing everything about it because you had a christmas number one. andy... you had a christmas number one. and ., , ., , ~ ., ., andy... lots of people know me for my adventures _ andy... lots of people know me for my adventures on _ andy... lots of people know me for my adventures on cbeebies. - andy... lots of people know me for my adventures on cbeebies. i i andy... lots of people know me for my adventures on cbeebies. i also | my adventures on cbeebies. i also have _ my adventures on cbeebies. i also have a _ my adventures on cbeebies. i also have a band, and he and the odd socks _ have a band, and he and the odd socks we — have a band, and he and the odd socks. we had a music video we tried to get— socks. we had a music video we tried to get to _ socks. we had a music video we tried to get to number one. we wanted to do a cover— to get to number one. we wanted to do a cover of— to get to number one. we wanted to do a cover of merry christmas everyone _ do a cover of merry christmas everyone by the legend that is here. we wanted — everyone by the legend that is here. we wanted to type with working with the brilliant ebc children in need because — the brilliant ebc children in need because we have always wanted to do something _ because we have always wanted to do something with them. —— bbc. we realise _ something with them. —— bbc. we realise they— something with them. —— bbc. we realise they never officially released a christmas single. we were like, released a christmas single. we were like. we _ released a christmas single. we were like, we would love to do that and raise _ like, we would love to do that and raise some — like, we would love to do that and raise some funds and do our bit. you could have — raise some funds and do our bit. you. could have called your band, andy bandy. indie could have called your band, andy band . ~ .., ., ., ., , bandy. we could have done that but i am lad we bandy. we could have done that but i am glad we did _ bandy. we could have done that but i am glad we did not. _ bandy. we could have done that but i am glad we did not. pick— bandy. we could have done that but i am glad we did not. pick the - bandy. we could have done that but i am glad we did not. pick the story i am glad we did not. pick the story for us. it am glad we did not. pick the story for us- it was _ am glad we did not. pick the story for us. it was a _ am glad we did not. pick the story for us. it was a big _ am glad we did not. pick the story for us. it was a big thing - am glad we did not. pick the story for us. it was a big thing for i am glad we did not. pick the story for us. it was a big thing for you, | for us. it was a big thing for you, wasn't it?— for us. it was a big thing for you, wasn't it? yes, it was, very, very bi. it wasn't it? yes, it was, very, very big- it got _ wasn't it? yes, it was, very, very big- it got to _ wasn't it? yes, it was, very, very big. it got to number— wasn't it? yes, it was, very, very big. it got to number seven i wasn't it? yes, it was, very, very big. it got to number seven and i wasn't it? yes, it was, very, very i big. it got to number seven and then straight to number one. it was originally going to be release the same time as band—aid in 1984. you cannot compete with a charity like that worldwide. we put it back to the following year. it went to number one, very deservedly, as well. i number one, very deservedly, as well. ~ ., number one, very deservedly, as well. ~' ., , well. i think we are still in the video for— well. i think we are still in the video for the _ well. i think we are still in the video for the new _ well. i think we are still in the video for the new version, i well. i think we are still in the video for the new version, we | well. i think we are still in the - video for the new version, we saw you sitting in the directors chair watching proceedings going on. what watching proceedings going on. what was that like? _ watching proceedings going on. what was that like? it _ watching proceedings going on. what was that like? it was _ watching proceedings going on. wyatt was that like? it was good. watching proceedings going on. wué�*if was that like? it was good. a watching proceedings going on. wyatt was that like? it was good. a bit of fun, really. andy andy odd socsk —— odd socks started when they asked me to wear that odd socks. better fun really. to wear that odd socks. better fun reall . ~ . , , , really. was it slightly intimidating? - really. was it slightly intimidating? he - really. was it slightly intimidating? he is i really. was it slightly intimidating? he is a| really. was it slightly - intimidating? he is a legend in himself. the _ intimidating? he is a legend in himself. the song _ intimidating? he is a legend in himself. the song was - intimidating? he is a legend in i himself. the song was fantastic, intimidating? he is a legend in - himself. the song was fantastic, my favourite _ himself. the song was fantastic, my favourite song. my mum used to say he was _ favourite song. my mum used to say he was so _ favourite song. my mum used to say he was so good looking. did favourite song. my mum used to say he was so good looking.— he was so good looking. did you get our mum he was so good looking. did you get your mum to — he was so good looking. did you get your mum to meet _ he was so good looking. did you get your mum to meet him? _ he was so good looking. did you get your mum to meet him? no, - he was so good looking. did you get your mum to meet him? no, i- he was so good looking. did you get. your mum to meet him? no, i didn't. we only had — your mum to meet him? no, i didn't. we only had a — your mum to meet him? no, i didn't. we only had a little _ your mum to meet him? no, i didn't. we only had a little bit _ your mum to meet him? no, i didn't. we only had a little bit of— your mum to meet him? no, i didn't. we only had a little bit of time. - your mum to meet him? no, i didn't. we only had a little bit of time. we . we only had a little bit of time. we will try— we only had a little bit of time. we will try to _ we only had a little bit of time. we will try to organise that after. what — will try to organise that after. what is — will try to organise that after. what is the secret to a good number one christmas single question it is so different in terms of social media and promotion estimate i would say i think the start of the song could be very, very catchy. then the verse also. — could be very, very catchy. then the verse also. and _ could be very, very catchy. then the verse also, and also _ could be very, very catchy. then the verse also, and also the _ could be very, very catchy. then the verse also, and also the middle - verse also, and also the middle eight and a very interesting exciting story. i think with christmas, with my christmas song, it is happy and the lyrics say it all really. as soon as it starts, it is the straightaway and it has a big ending as well. it has everything in it really. when i first heard it, i said to myself like that is a number one and that is what happened. there is a bit of competition. _ one and that is what happened. there is a bit of competition. there - one and that is what happened. there is a bit of competition. there is a certain ed sheeran he has something torc—macro and eltonjohn. a big competition. —— he has something... . you wait to see what happens and take it from there. you had to be very sporty about it.— very sporty about it. lovely to catch u- very sporty about it. lovely to catch up for— very sporty about it. lovely to catch up for you. _ very sporty about it. lovely to catch up for you. you - very sporty about it. lovely to catch up for you. you win - very sporty about it. lovely to catch up for you. you win the | very sporty about it. lovely to - catch up for you. you win the award for the most christmassy dressed person. that is sure is. stay with us, headlines coming up. good morning, welcome to breakfast with charlie stayt and naga munchetty. our headlines today. 15,000 uk households wake up after a seventh night without power due to storm arwen — the military is drafted in to help. the stepmother and father who tortured and killed six—year—old arthur labinjo—hughes face sentencing in court. the conservatives hold their seat in the old bexley and sidcup by—election — but with a reduced majority. good morning. record—breaking ronaldo passes another milestone. he's the first player in history to score 800 goals for club and country, as his double helps manchester united fight back, to beat arsenal. good morning. the show must go on. the theatre is back and christmas is the most lucrative time of the year. i am at manchester's palace theatre ahead of tonight's performance of white christmas. much milder across many areas of the country today, particularly in the west. the cold air and wintry weather this weekend. —— back this weekend. good morning. it's friday, the 3rd of december. thousands of people are still without power in parts of scotland and northern england, seven nights after storm arwen battered the uk. 15,000 properties are waiting to be reconnected in the north east and north west of england, as well as the north east and south of scotland. the ongoing situation has been declared a major incident by durham county council, which has called for more resources to support residents. and in scotland, the army has been drafted in to help the recovery effort in aberdeenshire. tim muffett takes a look at how people are coping. aberdeenshire council put out an urgent request for military help. that help has now arrived. around 4000 homes will be visited to support those struggling in the aftermath of storm arwen. the infrastructure is pretty fragile. the weather hasn't helped. the high winds that came yesterday have further weakened some places. but we're hoping it gives them that reassurance somebody is looking out for them. joanne is a nurse and lives near harbottle in northumberland. she still has no power, no water and no internet. i'm sleeping in here, which isn't ideal. eating what i can in here. boiling pans of water on the log burner. you know, you can only take so much. do you know what? i burst into tears, i'm not ashamed to say. joanne is now relying on a nearby community centre, along with her neighbour anne. i feel that we've just been left out and forgotten about. i'm more worried about the emergency services, because where we were there's no signals, no internet. if somebody needs an ambulance, how are they going to get hold of it? in county durham, a major incident has been declared, which means more support should be on its way. it seems that we will have assistance from the 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 are going to be up, and that's why i've had to do this. we've been out of power since last friday. we are still out of power for another four days that we know of, so it'll be well over a week. but we were also out of water for four days. oliver has complex disabilities. two of his siblings are also disabled. his family are currently having to stay in a hotel in northumberland. it's just been a living nightmare. itjust feels like something out of a disaster movie. you know, having all that massive storm, like literally up to 200 mph winds, and then, the aftermath, no. i just want to go home. power has been restored to laura and david's home, but they must wait until it's warm enough to return to. one week on and thousands are still feeling the impact of storm arwen. tim muffett, bbc news. in the last few hours, the conservatives have held on to their commons seat of old bexley and sidcup, in a by—election called following the death of mp james brokenshire. the party's majority has been slashed to around 4,500, compared to 19,000 in 2019. turnout was low and there was a ten percent swing to labour. we have been speaking to oliver dowdeh — dowden. this was a good solid dowden. — this was a good solid result with oz polling _ this was a good solid result with oz polling half of the votes cast. i'm also saying to you that i've taken a very clear — also saying to you that i've taken a very clear message from what has gone _ very clear message from what has gone on _ very clear message from what has gone on over the past couple of months. — gone on over the past couple of months, that the government is to focus _ months, that the government is to focus on _ months, that the government is to focus on delivery. alec baldwin says he does not feel guilt over the fatal shooting of a cinematographer on the set of his film, rust. the american actor made the comments in his first interview since the incident in october. he told abc news he did not pull the trigger of the gun that killed halyna hutchins. do you feel guilt? no. i feel that there is... i feel that, that... ..someone is responsible for what happened and i can't say who that is, but i know it's not me. i mean, honest to god, if i felt that i was responsible, i might have killed myself, if i thought i was responsible. and i don't say that lightly. i want to make sure that i don't come across like i'm the victim, because we have two victims here. forty two cases of the new omicron variant of coronavirus have now been identified in the uk. it comes as new research from the university of southampton suggests booster vaccines may offer good protection against the variant. simonjones has this report. this, the government says, is the best response to the new variant. the vaccination programme, with a new drive to deliver more booster jabs. a team at the university of southampton says there are promising sign that boosters could handle omicron, and would still offer good protection against illness. experts though believe it's too early to say whether omicron will be more dangerous than other variants. we have some reason to believe it could be serious, but what that means in terms of the consequences for the pandemic, and the potential need for additional control measures, is not yet known. i think we've done the most important thing, which is accelerate boosters. in south africa, the scientists who first identified omicron are racing to unlock its secrets. over the last week, the daily number of new covid infections has increased fourfold. it seems those who have already had other variants of coronavirus may not be protected against omicron. hospital admissions are up slightly, mainly among the unvaccinated. the new variant has now been detected in at least 2a countries, according to the world health organization, including in several states of the us. we have the best tools, the best vaccines in the world, the best medicine and the best scientists in the world. we are going to fight this variant with science and speed, not chaos and confusion. germany, in the grip of the delta variant, has announced major new restrictions on people who aren't vaccinated. they will be banned from bars, restaurants and non—essential shops. vaccinations could be made mandatory by february. the fight against the pandemic goes on. simon jones, bbc news. the oil giant, shell, has pulled out of a controversial development to the west of shetland. despite owning 30% of the cambo oil field, the company said the economic case for investing wasn't strong enough. climate activists had criticised the plans, arguing no new oil and gas projects should be developed. fraudsters who set up fake businesses have stolen billions of pounds from the government's bounce—back loan scheme. according to a new report from the national audit office, more than a third of loans may never be repaid, costing the taxpayer up to £17 billion. our correspondent, angus crawford, reports. a hard stop. police arrest a drug dealer, a member of a manchester gang that used a front business to hide their crimes. and this is it. from a couple of portakabins, they planned to take over the local cocaine market. but what's really extraordinary is they managed to get a £25,000 bounce back loan to help their business through the pandemic. and they weren't the only ones. it's a bounce back loan application that's been approved for £50,000. last year, this undercover investigator showed us how criminals were setting up fake companies to exploit the system. it seems to be free money for the scammers. it's going to cost us billions. 4.9 billion, according to today's report. anti—fraud measures, it says, were implemented too slowly to be effective and are inadequate. well, today we announced a brand—new loan scheme for the smaller businesses. designed as a life—saver forsmall firms, more than £47 billion was handed out. but how much of that will legitimate firms ever pay back? it's going to be horrendous. it's a nightmare. i'm worried. i've asked the government to set up a helpline. mike runs an online support group for business owners who took out a loan, and now fear they may go bust. they've now got the repayments starting. and a lot of people simply have not bounced back, which was the whole idea of the scheme. as soon as they're due, it is going to be a tidal wave. it will be. there is no ifs, bunts or shunts about that. the nao says £17 billion may never be repaid. and 100,000 loans are already in arrears. i've had to contact my doctor about having some anti—depressants. i haven't been able to properly sleep for the last 20 months. £50,000 it seemed like a life—saver for anne—marie and her printing firm. it now feels like a millstone. the bounce back loan is hanging there over our heads at the moment. you know, at the time, i guess, i had two choices. we either take on a loan and carry on and try to just ride through the storm, or we close the doors. but the storm isn't over? well, this is the thing. it'sjust about starting, i think. loans that kept hundreds of thousands of firms alive became a dead weight for others and a cash cow for criminals. angus crawford, bbc news. the government said it is continuing to crack down on covid—i9 fraud, and had strengthened its response since the scheme was first introduced. time to talk to matt and find out what is happening with the weather. we have been talking about the damage that storm arwen has wreaked on parts of the country. it is all a bit more calm now, isn't it? it is, certainly compared to a week ago. temperatures are quite crucial. cold air has been with us and we'll be back again this weekend. certainly today, even though it is chilly across eastern areas, there are milder conditions on the way. out there at the moment temperatures still only a few degrees above freezing in eastern scotland and eastern england. milder air towards the west will push its way eastwards. it is a brief hit through today. we have some sleet and snow in the past few hours in east anglia, the south, the south—east. drizzly day across southern part of the country. further north, northern ireland, northern ireland, southern scotland, spells of hazy sunshine. eastern scotland probably sunniest of all. later on patchy drizzle and missed my grand low cloud towards wales and the south—west will be replaced by heavy rain in southern areas. temperatures are holding at seven degrees. the winds are not particularly strong. into this evening heavy rain in southern counties of england and wales, showers development widely into the morning. the breeze picks up into tomorrow. the cold air will come back. this weekend it will be chillier out there once again. there will be some sunshine. a few showers and those will be on will be some sunshine. a few showers and those will be on the will be some sunshine. a few showers and those will be on the wintry will be some sunshine. a few showers and those will be on the wintry side over the hills. thank you. 13 minutes past eight. "utterly ruthless and pitiless" — that's how the actions of a stepmother and father were described in court, after they were found guilty of killing six—year—old arthur labinyo—hughes. yesterday, emma tustin was convicted of the boy's murder, while thomas hughes was found guilty of his son's manslaughter. they are due to be sentenced later today. in a report viewers may find distressing, graham satchell has been finding out how the case has shocked and devastated arthur's loved ones. arthur was my sunny delight. that's what i called him. he was always happy, smiling, loving, caring. he showed affection to everyone. he was a beautiful boy. these are the last pictures of arthur labinjo—hughes, taken on the day he died last year. the cctv footage released by west midlands police. arthur was made to sleep on the floor without a mattress. he had been starved and poisoned with salt. he was so weak, he could barely walk. basically my six—year—old stepson has fell and he's banged his head. 0k. and while he was on the floor he banged his head another five times. 0k. the 999 call made by arthur's stepmother, emma tustin. it was a lie. she continued to lie when police arrived at the house. when i tried to get him off the floor, from head—butting the floor, he head—butted me. and he kicked me and he's hit me. in court, thejury heard harrowing evidence. arthur had been abused over a period of several weeks, notjust by emma tustin, but also by his father, thomas hughes. in a text message, hughes had told his partner tojust end him. the court heard deeply distressing audio recordings made by emma tustin on her phone. in one, arthur can be heard saying, "no one loves me." hughes has been found guilty of the manslaughter of his six—year—old son. tustin, who banged arthur's head on the floor, the fatal injury, convicted of murder. if i had to describe her with one word, i would have to say evil. i know that's hard—hitting coming from a police officer, but i can'tjustify her behaviour and her actions and her treatment towards arthur in any other way. were their missed chances to prevent arthur's death? his grandmother took this picture of a bruise on his shoulderjust weeks before he died. social services did investigate, but said it appeared to be a happy household. 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 are now subject of an independent review. the local child safeguarding practice review. and clearly, it would be inappropriate for the partnership to comment ahead of the findings of this review. arthur had gone to live with his dad in march last year. at the beginning of lockdown. lockdown saw a 23% rise in the number of calls to the nspcc. it was a time when some vulnerable children became invisible. solihull council have described arthur's death as a terrible tragedy, and they will now be an independent serious case review. that will come too late for arthur's family, left devastated, remembering a six—year—old boy who loved superheroes. "if arthur could ask for one final thing, it would be that he was remembered for his superpowers. that's what i will always remember him for, his superpower. and arthur's superpower was his smile." we can speak now to helen westerman from children's charity, nspcc. helen, good morning. your reaction to this case?— helen, good morning. your reaction to this case? ~ . ., ,, ., ., ., to this case? what happened to woman in his final few— to this case? what happened to woman in his final few months _ to this case? what happened to woman in his final few months is _ in his final few months is horrendous, horrific and heartbreaking. the cruelty of thomas hughes— heartbreaking. the cruelty of thomas hughes and emma tustin and the pain and suffering inflicted upon arthur, defies _ and suffering inflicted upon arthur, defies belief. any child who dies at the hands — defies belief. any child who dies at the hands of his parent is tragic and this— the hands of his parent is tragic and this is— the hands of his parent is tragic and this is no exception.- the hands of his parent is tragic and this is no exception. there is and this is no exception. there is an independent _ and this is no exception. there is an independent case _ and this is no exception. there is an independent case review - and this is no exception. there is an independent case review now| and this is no exception. there is. an independent case review now is the handling of arthur and his protection. what will happen with that? ., protection. what will happen with that? . �*, ., that? yeah, it's really important there is case _ that? yeah, it's really important there is case review. _ that? yeah, it's really important there is case review. that - that? yeah, it's really important there is case review. that if - that? yeah, it's really importantl there is case review. that if there is a deep — there is case review. that if there is a deep dive into the case, that no stone — is a deep dive into the case, that no stone is — is a deep dive into the case, that no stone is left unturned. it's premature to point the finger at an individual— premature to point the finger at an individual or an agency. we just need _ individual or an agency. we just need to— individual or an agency. we just need to find out if anything was amazed — need to find out if anything was amazed at what was missed. then we can start _ amazed at what was missed. then we can start to— amazed at what was missed. then we can start to get a fuller picture. but ultimately, arthur's death is out of— but ultimately, arthur's death is out of the — but ultimately, arthur's death is out of the hands of his stepmother. absolutely, but there is a system in place to protect children who are vulnerable and who are at risk of abuse, or who have been abused? do you think the system is effective at the moment?— you think the system is effective at the moment? well, in terms of this case something _ the moment? well, in terms of this case something went _ the moment? well, in terms of this case something went wrong. - the moment? well, in terms of this case something went wrong. that i the moment? well, in terms of thisj case something went wrong. that is what the _ case something went wrong. that is what the case review is there to find out — what the case review is there to find out. we know that this case was at the _ find out. we know that this case was at the beginning of the pandemic, ways of— at the beginning of the pandemic, ways of working may have been different. — ways of working may have been different, they will have been challenges in ways of working. but that is— challenges in ways of working. but that is no— challenges in ways of working. but that is no excuse. that is what this case _ that is no excuse. that is what this case needs— that is no excuse. that is what this case needs to uncover. can that is no excuse. that is what this case needs to uncover.— case needs to uncover. can you exlain case needs to uncover. can you explain what — case needs to uncover. can you explain what happens - case needs to uncover. can you explain what happens in - case needs to uncover. can you explain what happens in a - case needs to uncover. can you explain what happens in a case | case needs to uncover. can you - explain what happens in a case like this? which agencies are involved? it would be children's social care, potentially it could be the police. i'm aware — potentially it could be the police. i'm aware that the school had flagged — i'm aware that the school had flagged some concerns. a whole variety— flagged some concerns. a whole variety of— flagged some concerns. a whole variety of different organisations will have — variety of different organisations will have been involved. it's really important — will have been involved. it's really important we consider what happened to arthur _ important we consider what happened to arthur. safeguarding as everybody's responsivity. if anybody has concerns about a child, we would like them _ has concerns about a child, we would like them to— has concerns about a child, we would like them to report those concerns. —— responsivity. they were reports from arthur's paternal grandmother who rang out of hours emergency social services team. she reported bruises. they were photos taken. see lbc tried her best to intervene and flag issues that she was concerned about. —— obviously. foranyone watching today who may be very disheartened by the outcome of this, in fact, heartbroken by the outcome of this, what would you say to them in terms of what they can do if they have any suspicions a child is being abused? just have any suspicions a child is being abused? , ~ , , have any suspicions a child is being abused? , ,, , , , , abused? just keep trying. this is really important. _ abused? just keep trying. this is really important. the _ abused? just keep trying. this is really important. the case - abused? just keep trying. this is | really important. the case review will hopefully uncover all of that. and find — will hopefully uncover all of that. and find out where things went wrong — and find out where things went wrong. but actually, if you do have a concern — wrong. but actually, if you do have a concern about a child, contact your— a concern about a child, contact your local — a concern about a child, contact your local authority, keep contacting them, or contact the nspcc— contacting them, or contact the nspcc helpline. we are a confidential, free advice service and we — confidential, free advice service and we are _ confidential, free advice service and we are there to listen. form a picture _ and we are there to listen. form a picture for— and we are there to listen. form a picture for other agencies like social— picture for other agencies like social care and police. we are there to provide _ social care and police. we are there to provide advice and support. give me an example _ to provide advice and support. give me an example of— to provide advice and support. (1: a: me an example of things that to provide advice and support. (: is: me an example of things that can make up that picture, that can strengthen the case for intervention oran strengthen the case for intervention or an investigation? in strengthen the case for intervention or an investigation?— or an investigation? in your introduction _ or an investigation? in your introduction we _ or an investigation? in your introduction we said - or an investigation? in your introduction we said we - or an investigation? in yourj introduction we said we had or an investigation? in your i introduction we said we had an increase — introduction we said we had an increase in— introduction we said we had an increase in the number of contacts to the _ increase in the number of contacts to the helpline throughout the pandemic and that was true. that was concerned _ pandemic and that was true. that was concerned members of the public worried _ concerned members of the public worried about a child's welfare. they— worried about a child's welfare. they may— worried about a child's welfare. they may have heard lots of shouting next door, _ they may have heard lots of shouting next door, for example. they may be concerned _ next door, for example. they may be concerned that young children are playing _ concerned that young children are playing outside in the dark. they may he _ playing outside in the dark. they may be concerned that children are left home _ may be concerned that children are left home alone for long periods of time _ left home alone for long periods of time. smallthings, seemingly small things. _ time. smallthings, seemingly small things. can— time. smallthings, seemingly small things, can form part of the picture of a child _ things, can form part of the picture of a child and of a family. that's why we — of a child and of a family. that's why we would urge any member of the public, _ why we would urge any member of the public, if— why we would urge any member of the public, if you _ why we would urge any member of the public, if you have concerns, this is not _ public, if you have concerns, this is not about— public, if you have concerns, this is not about dubbing your neighbour in, is not about dubbing your neighbour in. this— is not about dubbing your neighbour in. this is— is not about dubbing your neighbour in, this is about protecting the welfare — in, this is about protecting the welfare of children. and in, this is about protecting the welfare of children.— welfare of children. and also, behaviour- — welfare of children. and also, behaviour. the _ welfare of children. and also, behaviour. the behaviour- welfare of children. and also, behaviour. the behaviour of l welfare of children. and also, behaviour. the behaviour of a welfare of children. and also, - behaviour. the behaviour of a child, seeing that change?— behaviour. the behaviour of a child, seeing that change? completely. and that was the problem _ seeing that change? completely. and that was the problem with _ seeing that change? completely. and that was the problem with the - that was the problem with the lockdown. children of arthropods's a-e lockdown. children of arthropods's age would — lockdown. children of arthropods's age would normally have been in school, _ age would normally have been in school, they may have been in receipt — school, they may have been in receipt of _ school, they may have been in receipt of other services. they may have _ receipt of other services. they may have lreen— receipt of other services. they may have been in— receipt of other services. they may have been in youth clubs. all sorts of things — have been in youth clubs. all sorts of things. those children were invisible _ of things. those children were invisible. teachers were not there to keep _ invisible. teachers were not there to keep eyes and ears on those children — to keep eyes and ears on those children. they were not able to do that and _ children. they were not able to do that and consequently, some children were left— that and consequently, some children were left in— that and consequently, some children were left in households where abuse was taking _ were left in households where abuse was taking place. were left in households where abuse was taking place-— was taking place. helen westerman from the nspcc, _ was taking place. helen westerman from the nspcc, thank _ was taking place. helen westerman from the nspcc, thank you. - was taking place. helen westerman from the nspcc, thank you. thank l from the nspcc, thank you. thank ou. if you have been affected by any of the issues raised in that interview, you can contact the bbc action line. and also, you can always contact the nspcc direct. 22 and also, you can always contact the nspcc direct-— you may remember a story from earlier this year about burham vessel, an afghan interpreter who feared for his life after the taliban retook control of his country. burham and his family managed to escape afghanistan, and now, in a remarkable act of kindness, have been offered a home in aberdeenshire by a complete stranger. our special correspondent, lucy manning, has the story. 0h, oh, i 0h, iam oh, i am so pleased to meet you at lon- oh, i am so pleased to meet you at long last _ oh, i am so pleased to meet you at lona last. ,, ., , ., , long last. kindness often repeats itself. sometimes _ long last. kindness often repeats itself. sometimes it _ long last. kindness often repeats itself. sometimes it only - long last. kindness often repeats itself. sometimes it only takes i long last. kindness often repeats l itself. sometimes it only takes one person to change the lives of others. the vessel family, at the end of their long journey, to a home. t end of their long 'ourney, to a home. :, end of their long 'ourney, to a home. . ,., end of their long 'ourney, to a home. . , end of their long 'ourney, to a home. ., , ., end of their long 'ourney, to a home. ., , l. ., ,., home. i am so pleased to meet you. i am so pleased — home. i am so pleased to meet you. i am so pleased to _ home. i am so pleased to meet you. i am so pleased to meet _ home. i am so pleased to meet you. i am so pleased to meet you. - home. i am so pleased to meet you. i am so pleased to meet you. we - home. i am so pleased to meet you. i am so pleased to meet you. we first i am so pleased to meet you. we first soke to am so pleased to meet you. we first spoke to burham, _ am so pleased to meet you. we first spoke to burham, a _ am so pleased to meet you. we first spoke to burham, a former- spoke to burham, a former interpreter with british forces, when he was hiding in afghanistan, fearfulfor his life. when he was hiding in afghanistan, fearful for his life. a day before the suicide bomb at the airport, he risks the crush there and managed to get his family out. with no idea of where or what their future would be. however you and your family doing? everyone is ok. now we are in safety. everyone is ok. now we are in safe . �* �* , everyone is ok. now we are in safe .“ , safety. bbc reports with -- about thy resonated. _ safety. bbc reports with -- about thy resonated. 75 _ safety. bbc reports with -- about thy resonated. 75 years _ safety. bbc reports with -- about thy resonated. 75 years ago - safety. bbc reports with -- about i thy resonated. 75 years ago another interpreter was given refuge from germany. in a circle of gratitude, how i got offered the family a flat in aberdeen to live in, and battled the bureaucracy to make it happen. i the bureaucracy to make it happen. i saw the report of the afghan refugees coming in from kabul on the army plane _ refugees coming in from kabul on the army plane and the story of the family — army plane and the story of the family. my mother had been a refugee during _ family. my mother had been a refugee during the _ family. my mother had been a refugee during the second world war and fled from her— during the second world war and fled from her home. she only survived through— from her home. she only survived through the kindness of people along the way _ through the kindness of people along the way. and ijust felt i had to do something — the way. and ijust felt i had to do something. and give back something for the _ something. and give back something for the kindness and the humanity that helped my mother and her family survive _ survive. after 100 days in a hotel room together, the night before their move, the family are finally about to start a new life. irate move, the family are finally about to start a new life.— to start a new life. we really feel happiness- _ to start a new life. we really feel happiness- now _ to start a new life. we really feel happiness. now i _ to start a new life. we really feel happiness. now i just _ to start a new life. we really feel happiness. now i just got - to start a new life. we really feel happiness. now i just got this . to start a new life. we really feel i happiness. now i just got this news happiness. now ijust got this news that we are... it makes my life and my future brighter. that we are. .. it makes my life and my future brighter.— my future brighter. what you think about the fact _ my future brighter. what you think about the fact that _ my future brighter. what you think about the fact that helga - my future brighter. what you think about the fact that helga has - my future brighter. what you think i about the fact that helga has helped you in this way? in about the fact that helga has helped you in this way?— you in this way? in the world you can find a — you in this way? in the world you can find a generous _ you in this way? in the world you can find a generous woman, - you in this way? in the world you - can find a generous woman, generous people to help you when you're out in a dark side. they come and put a light into your room. haifa in a dark side. they come and put a light into your room.— light into your room. how do you feel about _ light into your room. how do you feel about going _ light into your room. how do you feel about going to _ light into your room. how do you feel about going to aberdeen? i light into your room. how do you - feel about going to aberdeen? good. what are you — feel about going to aberdeen? good. what are you excited _ feel about going to aberdeen? good. what are you excited about? - feel about going to aberdeen? good. what are you excited about? excited | what are you excited about? excited about to s. what are you excited about? excited about toys. this _ what are you excited about? excited about toys. this is _ what are you excited about? excited about toys. this is your _ what are you excited about? excited about toys. this is your house. - what are you excited about? excited about toys. this is your house. this | about toys. this is your house. this is our about toys. this is your house. this is your new — about toys. this is your house. this is your new house. _ about toys. this is your house. this is your new house. from _ about toys. this is your house. this is your new house. from the - is your new house. from the talilban. _ is your new house. from the talilban. a — is your new house. from the talilban, a dangerous - is your new house. from the - talilban, a dangerous evacuation, a new country, cramped hotel rooms, two his own bedroom. look new country, cramped hotel rooms, two his own bedroom.— new country, cramped hotel rooms, two his own bedroom. look in there. what do you — two his own bedroom. look in there. what do you see? _ two his own bedroom. look in there. what do you see? toys. _ two his own bedroom. look in there. what do you see? toys. burham's i two his own bedroom. look in there. i what do you see? toys. burham's wife left everything — what do you see? toys. burham's wife left everything behind. _ what do you see? toys. burham's wife left everything behind. her _ what do you see? toys. burham's wife left everything behind. her work - what do you see? toys. burham's wife left everything behind. her work as - left everything behind. her work as a gynaecologist, her relatives. you make at the _ a gynaecologist, her relatives. you make at the way _ a gynaecologist, her relatives. wm. make at the way you wanted. change anything. make it the you wanted. your kind help we will be anything. make it the you wanted. your kind help we will he never forgetting. no words express it. but still we _ forgetting. no words express it. but still we have good humans inside this world — still we have good humans inside this world. : , ., ., still we have good humans inside this world. : ., ., ., , this world. and you are an example. thank ou this world. and you are an example. thank you so — this world. and you are an example. thank you so much. _ this world. and you are an example. thank you so much. you _ this world. and you are an example. thank you so much. you are - this world. and you are an example. thank you so much. you are part - this world. and you are an example. thank you so much. you are part of| thank you so much. you are part of ourfamily now. as thank you so much. you are part of our family now. as you are so welcome. they are the lucky ones. hundreds are still stranded in afghanistan. and nearly all of the thousands who came are still in hotels, moved around so children can't stay in the schools they started.— schools they started. special scottish things! _ schools they started. special scottish things! irn-bru! - schools they started. special scottish things! irn-bru! ifi schools they started. special i scottish things! irn-bru! if you scottish things! irn—bru! if you want anything, or you need anything, you just ask. want anything, or you need anything, you just ask-— you just ask. meanwhile, one woman watched the — you just ask. meanwhile, one woman watched the news, _ you just ask. meanwhile, one woman watched the news, thought _ you just ask. meanwhile, one woman watched the news, thought about. you just ask. meanwhile, one woman| watched the news, thought about her mother giving refuge here, and gave anotherfamily mother giving refuge here, and gave another family future. lucy manning, bbc anotherfamily future. lucy manning, bbc news. 50 another family future. lu mannina, bbc news. , lucy manning, bbc news. so pleased to see you- — lucy manning, bbc news. so pleased to see you- the _ lucy manning, bbc news. so pleased to see you. the power _ lucy manning, bbc news. so pleased to see you. the power of _ lucy manning, bbc news. so pleased to see you. the power of kindness. i to see you. the power of kindness. the kindness _ to see you. the power of kindness. the kindness of— to see you. the power of kindness. the kindness of strangers. - time now to get the news, travel and weather where you are. good morning from bbc london, i'm alison earle. the conservatives have held on to their seat of old bexley and sidcup in the latest by election. the tories' lead over labour was cut from almost 19,000 to less than 4,500. louie french began his speech with a tribute to his predecessor james brokenshire, who died in october. he made an enormous impact on everyone who lives here. as your member of parliament, i will work tirelessly to build on everything he achieved. i can't put into words how much the support of his wife kathy has meant to me during this campaign. and her strength and bravery throughout has been inspiring. tube passengers are expected to face a second weekend of disruption this evening. members of the rmt union will walk out at 8:30 tonight in an ongoing dispute over driver rotas. the strike action which affects the central and victoria lines ends at oliz30 on saturday morning. young people are more likely to become involved in violence in the hours after they leave school. the unit involves mentoring and work on conflict resolution. meet the stars of vauxhall city farm. alpacas ben and jerry appeared in star wars: the force awakens but they're now retiring from entertainment and will be moving to a more peaceful patch of land. really sad that they're leaving, they've been here the longest out of all the animals, and they're such amazing alpacas, they're really friendly, but it does make me sad that they'll be leaving. onto the weather now with kate. good morning. it's a misty, murky start this morning, milderair starting to move in. we've had this warm front, which has been edging the milder air closer towards us, but it's been running in to the colder air. but you can see replaces it as we head through the day. and now was that rain's hit the colder air, we have had a little bit of sleetiness but it is clearing out of the way, becoming drier. but it is going to stay largely cloudy, quite blustery today, but the wind falling a bit lighter into the evening, temperatures mild, getting up to ii celsius. quite the contrast to yesterday's cold temperatures. now overnight, we've got another spell of rain, but that again, will clear. it's going to turn showery after that and that will linger into saturday morning. the temperature overnight milder between four and six celsius. so as we head into the weekend, low pressure very much in charge. it is going to be quite breezy. it gets breezier overnight and through saturday. we've got some showers around, but some dry weather as well. but it is increasingly unsettled. now, the temperature we're dragging in a northerly flow and a northerly breeze. so it is going to feel colder through the weekend and staying unsettled through next week. plenty more on our website at the usual address. now though it's back to naga and charlie. hello, this is breakfast with charlie stayt and naga munchetty. morning live is on bbc one after breakfast. let's find out what gethin and kim have in store. look how festive it looks. you are looking very relaxed. he very much. i feel quite chilled today. in the run—up to christmas, it is an exciting time, for the festive cheer. for millions it can be very stressful. there is a new variant and uncertainty about christmas parties. we are not even sure we can kiss under the mistletoe. but you might not realise the toll stress takes on your body — dr karan explains why a cough or getting the shivers could be signs you're overwhelmed and has advice on what you can do to feel better. what to do if you get a gift card for a store you don't really like. if you are using cash at the checkout you will want to watch this. with thousands of fake notes in circulation we will show you how to spot counterfeit cash. firefly; to spot counterfeit cash. why -auttin to spot counterfeit cash. why putting heating _ to spot counterfeit cash. why putting heating up _ to spot counterfeit cash. why putting heating up could damage wooden furniture. had to keep it in tip top condition. the wooden furniture. had to keep it in tip top condition.— tip top condition. the reigning king of strictly come _ tip top condition. the reigning king of strictly come dancing, - tip top condition. the reigning king of strictly come dancing, bill - of strictly come dancing, bill bailey, tells that he thinks deserves to win the glitter ball this year. deserves to win the glitter ball this ear. . ., , ., ., this year. reigning champion for another couple _ this year. reigning champion for another couple of _ this year. reigning champion for another couple of weeks. - this year. reigning champion for another couple of weeks. dan i this year. reigning champion for- another couple of weeks. dan walker could take the rain. when you complain about lack of christmas here, you do not turn up the next day. here, you do not turn up the next da . :, , here, you do not turn up the next da . ., , . ., here, you do not turn up the next da . . _ ., ., here, you do not turn up the next da. . ., ., day. that is john or labour. you know what _ day. that is john or labour. you know what he _ day. that is john or labour. you know what he is _ day. that is john or labour. you know what he is like. _ as we've been hearing this week, the nhs is gearing up for a major expansion of the vaccine booster programme, with the government promising to offer all eligible adults in england a third jab by the end of january. however, there are concerns the rollout may not be reaching some vulnerable people — with a number of elderly, housebound bbc breakfast viewers getting in touch to say they're still waiting for their boosters. for those affected, it's causing worry and frustration — as jayne mccubbin reports. the message was clear. we're going to be throwing everything at it, a booster to everyone eligible by the end of january. get an invite, get your booster. what does that mean? it's saying on the website that there's an error with your vaccination record. did you have both yourjabs in the uk? yes, yes. 94—year—old ruth from suffolk, wishes it were that simple. for goodness sake. she's been waiting for her booster since the end of september. they said they couldn't recognise me, they hadn't got any record of me having had my two jabs, but they would ring me back within five days. nobody rang back. how many other old people are there like me that aren't getting the jobs? good question. i went on the website yesterday and was referred to newport in wales, and exeter, reading, but nowhere near dorset, which has got nearly a million people. so there seems to be a vast deficiency in the ability to put vaccines in people's arms. the issue is that we have a finite - workforce and there are only so many hours in the day. i served my country. i spent four years in the raf. i served my country. i want it to serve me as well in my old age. this was charles speaking to his regional bbc news programme yesterday, describing his ten—week wait for a home visit booster jab in southampton. every day i see on the television, prompting people to get the booster jab and i can't get one. i'm just so tired of it. i try to forget it, but then i can't forget it. i'm not the only one. housebound people are being very neglected in this. so here we go. saturday, 30th ofjanuary, heading out with one astrazeneca viall on my bike. this was dr ollie hart off on a home visit vaccination round at the start of the year. the relief for his patients, palpable. tell me what it means to you to have yourjab? er, mm, everything. dr hart says there is a very good reason why the logistics are a slower slog this time around. well, the house—to—house visits are a real priority for us. you know, those people who are housebound at home are some of the most vulnerable. but clearly, we have to make time for staff to go and see them. using the pfizerjab now, we have to have a 15 minute wait time. last round we were using the astrazeneca and we didn't have to have that. so these visits are taking longer. we're able to do about two an hour. so it takes up a lot of nurse or doctor time to do them. but they're a real priority to us and we're getting to them steadily. not steadily enough for those who are vulnerable without a booster with omicron around the corner. this was wednesday's bbc breakfast. i have to tell you that that message i've just read out to you is one of many we've had. here's another one. i can't get a booster for my 83—year—old husband, who's housebound. i've been trying for five weeks. i've tried everything i can think of, honestly. and that's why i kind of saw red the other day when the health minister was on. listening to the health minister makes me see red because no—one is coming to give my husband his overdue booster. what am i going to do? and i thought, i don't know how twitter works really. ijust thought, "oh, bbc, let's just see if this works." next thing i heard sally reading it out. you could have knocked me down with a feather. oh, i recognise those words, they're mine. i don't know the details of that particular situation. but it does it does worry me to hear that. it's just very frustrating. what do you think? you're desparate, you'd really like to have it. well, i think it's absurd to listen to the bbc broadcasting on behalf of politicians. they're tackling this problem when the absurd situation is not tackling it at all. so far, there's been no intervention from sajid javid to get ian his jab. but after charles spoke to the bbc, his booster finally arrived. the department of health told us additional funding for more staff to get vaccines off the lines and into arms is on the way. stjohn's ambulance and the military helping to ramp things up. i mean, ian's had letters, saying you're overdue. you've got to get yourjab. he's had text messages — ois not over till you've got —— he's had text messages — you're overdue, you've got to get yourjab. he wants it. he wants it, but there's nothing. let's talk more about this with one of our regular gps, dr ellie cannon. you had a logistical problem which is it is a very time—consuming process because of waiting 15 minutes after the jab. injanuary process because of waiting 15 minutes after the jab. in january we vaccinated housebound patients with astrazeneca, and much quicker system. also the issue that community teams, primary care, and we don'tjust mean gps but we have very important physios, teas, district nurses in the community is doing these jabs. we are all back to doing these jabs. we are all back to doing routine work. if we have to spend an hour, we've only probably got an hour to do vaccinations. as we shed there, it may only be two vaccinations at a time. it is a bit of a logistical problem really as well as a time issue and a resource issue, as always with the nhs. just rive us a issue, as always with the nhs. just give us a snapshot. i assume in your practice you have housebound, vulnerable, probably priority individuals. i confident you have reached those people? you are not to blame for this stock it is not about that. i am trying to get a snapshot of people who would have wanted the best by now. ml of people who would have wanted the best by now-— best by now. all gp practices around the country — best by now. all gp practices around the country are _ best by now. all gp practices around the country are quite _ best by now. all gp practices around the country are quite different. - best by now. all gp practices around the country are quite different. we i the country are quite different. we are not a homogenous group of people. in my practice, we have a very well—established list of housebound patients. we vaccinated them all ourselves first time round with astrazeneca. they are now being vaccinated by our local community team. in the practice in london that is the community team of nurses, physios, who have a list of housebound patients and are working their way through in the ccg i work in. we would advise our patients who are housebound and have not had the second article the surgery and speak to the vaccine administrator and make sure they are on that list full of vaccination. it is a slow process. of vaccination. it is a slow process-— of vaccination. it is a slow rocess. ~ . ., ., of vaccination. it is a slow rocess. ~ . . ., process. we are hearing that same sto from process. we are hearing that same story from a _ process. we are hearing that same story from a lot — process. we are hearing that same story from a lot of _ process. we are hearing that same story from a lot of your _ process. we are hearing that same story from a lot of your colleagues| story from a lot of your colleagues in the health profession. is there something that can crack this? is it money, logistics, people? what something that can crack this? is it money, logistics, people?- money, logistics, people? what is the break in _ money, logistics, people? what is the break in this _ money, logistics, people? what is the break in this change? - money, logistics, people? what is the break in this change? breaker| money, logistics, people? what is. the break in this change? breaker is the break in this change? breaker is the time and the personnel. welcome the time and the personnel. welcome the idea of either community teams being redeployed to vaccinate boosters for a week or two to get those done. we had that in the first wave. or to utilise our fabulous voluntary sector, so stjohn's ambulance, they are all trains where they can vaccinate, they can go round in the community and vaccinate our patients. we actually trained a lot of voluntary vaccinated earlier on in 2021 and they could all be mobilised. we have really got a swell of people who want to be going to do this work. let's utilise them. if we do not utilise them and we are relying on community primary care teams, we are going to have a problem of very slow boosters and a reduction in our routine work, which remember is also incredibly essential.— remember is also incredibly essential. :, , . essential. thank you very much. talkin: essential. thank you very much. talking through _ essential. thank you very much. talking through some _ essential. thank you very much. talking through some of- essential. thank you very much. talking through some of the - essential. thank you very much. i talking through some of the issues in relation to getting visitors to people who need band the most. charlie, do you think you have ever scored 800 goals in your whole life? that hasn't happened. it hasn't happened to anyone till now. another cristiano ronaldo milestone. remarkable. cristiano ronaldo set another remarkable record, as manchester united beat arsenal 3—2, on a dramatic night at old trafford. there was so much to entertain, united's new interim manager, ralf rangnick, watching from the stands before he takes over for sunday's match against crystal palace. arsenal's opening goal will be one that will features in sports quizzzes for generations to come. united's fred treads on the foot of his own goalkeeper david de gea, who falls to the ground, hurt, which meant emile smith—rowe's shot flew past him. the referee hadn't blown his whistle to stop the game, so the goal stood. and it's stirred heated debate up and down the land. as it turned out, it didn't affect the result with united fighting back to win 3-2. cristiano ronaldo scoring twice, to become the first player in history to go past 800 top level goals for club and country. minutes after the final whistle, there was an emotional farewell, for caretaker manager michael carrick, who announced he will leave the club, after taking charge of the team, for the last three matches. he's spent 15 years with united, 12 as a player, winning the premier league, five times. i told my family when i finished playing, i'd have some time off, i'd never retire and have a breather because obviously playing here is tough enough and then coming into coaching is... i think i owe them a bit of time and i'm really looking forward to that. yeah, itjust feels the right time. sometimes life takes you in certain ways. a gut feeling i had over recent days, it's the perfect night really to finish on. you know, i couldn't have hoped for anything more. tottenham stay unbeaten in the league under their new boss, antonio conte, after beating brentford 2—0 at home. the visitors gifted spurs the lead, as canos scored an own goal before son heung min doubled that lead in the second half, as spurs climb up to 6th in the table, 2 points off the top 1l the chase is on in the scottish premiership. celtic narrowed the gap on leaders rangers to four points. a first half goal from, kyogo furuhashi was enough to seal it, but the victory may have come at a cost, as three players appeared to suffer muscle injuries. the fa cup second round kicks off tonight, with the headline—makers of the last round, non—league stockport county away at the highest ranked team in the competition at this stage, rotherham, top of league one. what makes this so special for stockport is that their dramatic win over bolton in the last round in front of all their fans live on terrestrial tv showed the world they're back after one of the biggest falls ever seen in english football over the last 20 years. this is a story of resurrection, not just at stockpork county's edgerly park ground, but across the whole town. at the church, whose sunday school brought the founding players together in 1883, and which, like the club, is now being renovated. in the pubs and clubs, where fans have been reliving the famous 5—3 win over bolton in the last round. and down on the farm, where the adopted mascot, peggy the pig, like the club has a bright future now. for over two decades, they've all had to keep believing but can now rejoice in its renaissance. it's the history part of the town. and whatever�*s happening with them is happening to us — tojust keep supporting and keep the faith. and it's wonderful to see the opportunities now. and fingers crossed. it affects everybody because you get all your local businesses that are getting all the extra revenue from the bigger gates, the bars, the pubs, the town regenerate because it's getting its... you know, identity back as well, with the football club. everyone's having a song and dance, which is good. the magnitude of it being on tv and stuff. and moments like that, as a player, they're hard to forget and they'll stick with us for a long time. this fa cup match tonight is a real milestone for the town and the recovery of a club that suffered one of the most dramatic falls in english football — from the brink of the premier league in the late 1990s to the depths of despair, potential oblivion of playing in regional non league divisions, two below the football league. but over the last couple of years, thanks to investment, the club's gone professional again, it's banging on the door of the football league once more, it's back and enjoying the magic of the cup. over 20 years, it was an incredible roller coaster for county. county fans are realistic, but it really did stretch it when we went down, particularly into regional non league football. an unprecedented drop. we went into administration. throughout that, i think, the one constant was the supporters. the commitment to stockport county by the fans has been remarkable. and i think the whole country kind of fell in love with stockport a little bit on the bbc against bolton. you know, everybody kind of watched that and said, "wow, that's what the fa cup is about." what it's done is given us this great platform to tell people there is something really good happening here. and, you know, that profile is hard to get and to say to people something special is happening and maybe you want to come and join thisjourney. one of thosejoining thejourney is richie, who recently moved to manchester from japan and opted for stockport instead of one of the bigger clubs. i'm here for by myself and i'm very lonely. but once i came to manchester, the local friend is the very kind to me. i'm so impressed. and i became a massive stockport county fan. and what about the pig? well, the club president's daughters rescued peggy after she was unwanted as a piglet due to having a cleft palate. when you have no pig sitter, he had no choice but to bring her to games, where she became a firm favourite with fans. 0urchairman, bless him. he said, "you can't bring a pig in the boardroom." i said, "you can. it says, no dogs. i've checked the rules." and that was peggy at edgerly park, where she became quite a feature. it was at that time when we were starting to get the club back on its feet. the community was a big part of that. so, of course, having a piglet in the stadium attracted a lot of attention. it attracted some media attention, too, which was great for us. but there has been, you know, a coincidence. and that since she came along, the club's been on the up. now the club is a lot bigger. the pig is a lot bigger. and hopefully we'll be as happy as she is when we play rotherham. peggy is a little bit too big to go to matches herself these days. but whatever happens tonight, the club and the pig are in good health again, going forward. so these days peggy the pick takes a more back—seat role. i think that is a mistake. they have a new owner who does not necessarily like the limelight but help to invest in the club. two fa cup matches tonight. you have been in panto, haven't you? i was playing a news reporter in aladdin with chesney hawkes. that is a well—known role. do you think there was a custard i involved? he got his revenge. that is what we like to hear. have you been in a panto at all? must have happened? i have never been in pantomime and was never taken as a child. i have enjoyed it since with my kids. if you think of the cold air is behind us, not quite yet. mild and in the break in the cloud at paignton. 12 in parts of cornwall and the channel islands. eastern parts of scotland and eastern england is still quite chilly. sleet and snow overnight in east anglia and snow overnight in east anglia and the south—east. that has turned to rain and drizzle. heavy rain will arrive from the west later. not that that we will see brighter breaks at times. northern england, northern ireland. a few showers which will become more numerous into the afternoon and evening. the wind is not desperately strong. a big improvement on this time last week. temperatures lifting up to seven, eight. you can see by the end of the day south wales and southern counties of england, some heavy rain which will work its way eastwards. followed on by showers quite widely across the country. a strengthening and chilly winter take us into the start of the weekend. colder air will push down across all of us once again tomorrow. an air of low pressure in the east, nowhere near as potent to do when we saw last weekend. it will bring stronger winds than we saw on saturday. it brightens up to sunshine throughout the day. the odd shower in the east. plenty of showers at times in the west. some hail and thunder and sleet and snow on the hills. a colder day on saturday. into sunday it would be chilly. the wind remaining in the north to north westerly direction. western areas on sunday should be drier and brighter. whatever your plans, enjoy your weekend. we are going to bring you even more entertainment. you will enjoy this. this is the palace theatre in manchester. you have an empty auditorium. we had applause for you. you, applause. what a wonderful introduction! this place has been packed as theatres are finally able to reopen. this time of year is the most lucrative time. christmas is when they make a lot of the money to see them through the nina months with january, february and march. what a year it has been! the total closure of the industry has left actors and performers out of work. there is a team. the musicians in the music orchestra pit. —— the orchestra pit. they are back and performing and audiences back through the doors at last. it is really big business as my colleague has been finding out. # don't stop me cos i'm having a good time. # yeah#. rehearsals for cinderella at southampton's mayflower theatre with a familiar face readying himself for his role as the wicked stepmother. craig, tell us where we are. well, we are in, where all the dresses are — all these wonderful frocks, look at them. so if you put a bit of covid weight on, darling, you'll need to have them extended, like me. the 2020 panto season was wiped out by covid, so craig revel horwood is thrilled this year everything is still set to go ahead. and he knowsjust how crucial this is for venues all round the country. panto is so important to theatre as a whole because it provides actually the money that is necessary to get the theatre through the rest of the year — for the entire year. it will pay for that whole season. i'm talking about all the people backstage, the lighting, the ushers, everything, every part of it, the box office staff. i mean, it's endless. are you ready, boys and girls? yes! then i give you cinderella. debbie mcgee plays the fairy godmother and wishes she could cast a spell to ensure everything goes ahead because she fears if what happened last year is repeated, it could be curtains from many venues, and not in a good way. —— for many venues, and not in a good way. will theatres survive another winter if they don't? not all of them. not all of them, no. i mean, some have gone already. and i've done a lot of touring in the provinces and a lot of the tiny theatres that i've worked in over the years have gone. i mean, it's quite heartbreaking. it is because life is changing. and i think it would be really sad if we lost live theatre. so, you know, wejust pray and hope that we all get through this winter. and those behind the scenes are just as worried. everybody's nervous. we don't know what's around the corner. you know, we look at the news, we watch the news, we watch the press conferences. and last year was very, very painful. you know, pantomimes were closed down and lots of people lost jobs. people who had trained to be in the theatre business went and worked in shops or on building sites, came back into the theatre and lost theirjobs at christmas. so we can't have that this year. early reports suggest that panto ticket sales are down, but not by as much as expected. and many theatregoers, but not all, are ready to return. how do you feel about it, autumn? excited. you feel excited? ifeel ok. the one we're going to is local. so i think it's not going to be very crowded there. it's the jack and the beanstalk in a village hall. so it's a bit different to this. but we're going to frozen the musical today and i have had my concerns about that. i feel safe around everyone. and if you wear a mask or whatever. i haven't caught the covid thing yet, so... yeah, it's all right. it's all right. ijust think it's too much of a risk, even though i've been triple jabbed and i've had covid. but i still don't want to get in that environment with the heat and all those people. it's tradition, isn't it? it's a lovely tradition. oh, yes, it is. there are changes this year. audiences are being asked to wear masks and most shows have axed the children's ensemble from the cast to reduce risks. but, for many pantos opening in the next week, the cry truly is, "don't stop me now." # not now.# colin paterson, bbc news. that applause will be heard here tonight as well. welcome back to the stage at the palace theatre in manchester. let me introduce you to the star of the performance tonight, sally. t the star of the performance tonight, sall . :, the star of the performance tonight, sall. ., , sally. i am disappointed in your attire ou sally. i am disappointed in your attire you should _ sally. i am disappointed in your attire you should at _ sally. i am disappointed in your attire you should at least - sally. i am disappointed in your attire you should at least have. sally. i am disappointed in your - attire you should at least have your christmas _ attire you should at least have your christmas jumper on. attire you should at least have your christmasjumper on. you are back on stage _ christmasjumper on. you are back on stage how— christmasjumper on. you are back on stage. how exciting is that? incredible. the last 18 months or so have incredible. the last18 months or so have been— incredible. the last 18 months or so have been devastating for us. if there _ have been devastating for us. if there is— have been devastating for us. if there is any profession in the world that can _ there is any profession in the world that can bounce back and it is as actors _ that can bounce back and it is as actors we — that can bounce back and it is as actors. we go up forjobs five times actors. we go up forjobs five times a week _ actors. we go up forjobs five times a week. thousands of people have left the _ a week. thousands of people have left the business guy thousands. we are holding on. we are not back properly— are holding on. we are not back properly yet. we are having such a moving, _ properly yet. we are having such a moving, wonderful time being properly yet. we are having such a moving, wonderfultime being in properly yet. we are having such a moving, wonderful time being in the show _ moving, wonderful time being in the show it— moving, wonderfultime being in the show. , :, moving, wonderfultime being in the show. , ., ., , moving, wonderfultime being in the show. ., , ., , , show. it is a really tough industry to beinu. show. it is a really tough industry to being- so _ show. it is a really tough industry to being. so many— show. it is a really tough industry to being. so many people - show. it is a really tough industryl to being. so many people involved show. it is a really tough industry - to being. so many people involved in putting on a show like this. technicians, lighting people, behind—the—scenes stuff. for 18 months they have not been able to work. :, , ., months they have not been able to work. . , ., ., , ., work. can you imagine this theatre was dark, dark, _ work. can you imagine this theatre was dark, dark, dark? _ work. can you imagine this theatre was dark, dark, dark? we'll- work. can you imagine this theatre was dark, dark, dark? we'll have i work. can you imagine this theatre | was dark, dark, dark? we'll have to find other— was dark, dark, dark? we'll have to find other things to do. i did like 150 hours — find other things to do. i did like 150 hours of volunteering. i had a mask— 150 hours of volunteering. i had a mask on — 150 hours of volunteering. i had a mask on. sometimes other actors would _ mask on. sometimes other actors would come in saying, why are you helping _ would come in saying, why are you helping me — would come in saying, why are you helping me out? we'll had to find ways. _ helping me out? we'll had to find ways, do— helping me out? we'll had to find ways, do things on zoom entity classes — ways, do things on zoom entity classes. we are thankfully getting back _ classes. we are thankfully getting back he— classes. we are thankfully getting back. :, , classes. we are thankfully getting back. . , ., ., ., back. he had been on tour. -- and doinu back. he had been on tour. -- and doing classes- _ back. he had been on tour. -- and doing classes. what _ back. he had been on tour. -- and doing classes. what are _ back. he had been on tour. -- and doing classes. what are you - back. he had been on tour. -- and. doing classes. what are you hearing from audiences when they are back in the theatre? i from audiences when they are back in the theatre?— the theatre? i honestly thought we were a nation _ the theatre? i honestly thought we were a nation of— the theatre? i honestly thought we were a nation of people _ the theatre? i honestly thought we were a nation of people who - the theatre? i honestly thought we were a nation of people who did i the theatre? i honestly thought we l were a nation of people who did not stand _ were a nation of people who did not stand up _ were a nation of people who did not stand up. every single show we do we have a _ stand up. every single show we do we have a standing ovation. i get the 'oy have a standing ovation. i get the joy at— have a standing ovation. i get the joy at the — have a standing ovation. i get the joy at the end of the show. the captain. — joy at the end of the show. the captain, duncan smith is the captain _ captain, duncan smith is the captain. he does a speech at the end _ captain. he does a speech at the end it _ captain. he does a speech at the end it was — captain. he does a speech at the end. it was almost like the audience are his _ end. it was almost like the audience are his troops. i get this lovely moment— are his troops. i get this lovely moment of looking at their faces. people _ moment of looking at their faces. people are — moment of looking at their faces. people are crying. it is really, really — people are crying. it is really, really special. a beautiful show with adding berlin music. amazing choreography. the sentiment really. it is about _ choreography. the sentiment really. it is about people, finding the people — it is about people, finding the people and it is about counting your blessings _ people and it is about counting your blessings. that beautiful song that irving _ blessings. that beautiful song that irving berlin wrote. it is so prevalent and it means so much. it is moving — prevalent and it means so much. it is moving. so good to have you back. i know _ is moving. so good to have you back. i know you _ is moving. so good to have you back. i know you were up late last night. we look forward to your special performance in ten, 15 minutes. thank you for having us. the team and the actors _ thank you for having us. the team and the actors are _ thank you for having us. the team and the actors are going _ thank you for having us. the team and the actors are going to - thank you for having us. the team | and the actors are going to perform for us later on breakfast. you might think it is a little early folsom christmas music. it is white christmas. both of october is when they began their performances of it so they may be a little used to that song. they will be back on stage with a special performance of white christmas. we with a special performance of white christmas. ~ , , ., ., ., christmas. we will see you later and see that performance _ christmas. we will see you later and see that performance in _ christmas. we will see you later and see that performance in a _ christmas. we will see you later and see that performance in a few- see that performance in a few minutes' time. you are watching bbc breakfast. good morning, it's friday, welcome to bbc news. i'm victoria derbyshire and here are your headlines thousands of people are still without electricity seven days after storm arwen. about 130 troops have been sent to the grampian region of northern scotland, and around 100 will be on the ground in north—east england. scientists say there are promising signs booster vaccines could protect against the omicron covid variant the dad and stepmum of six year old arthur labinjo—hughes will find out today how many years they will spend in jail for killing the little boy the conservative party have won the old bexley and sidcup by—election — but they've held on with a reduced majority. almost £5—billion may have been stolen from the government's pandemic loan scheme for small firms, because anti—fraud measures weren't good enough — according to the public spending watchdog