but a third booster increases it significantly. also tonight: failures by the metropolitan police were responsible in part for the deaths of three victims of the serial killer stephen port, an inquestjury has found. the wikileaks founder julian assange can be extradited to face charges in the us, the high court rules. and the final dramatic strait this weekend for the formula one season — what can lewis hamilton do to clinch the title in abu dhabi? and coming up on the bbc news channel: captainjoe root leads england's fightback in the opening ashes test. they are 220—2 going into the fourth day in brisbane. good evening and welcome to the bbc news at six. the government is warning of a deeply concerning situation as new data confirms that the new omicron variant in the uk is growing rapidly in all regions, and could be the dominant strain here within the next week. the uk health security agency is suggesting that vaccine protection against mild symptoms has been substantially reduced, but that boosters are effective. here's our medical editor fergus walsh. the omicron variant is spreading incredibly fast, despite our highly immunised population. the growth rate is higher than last christmas, when very few had been vaccinated and the alpha variant hit. new data shows that if you have had two doses of vaccine more than three months ago, it is unlikely to prevent you getting infected with omicron or stop you from passing it on. but if you had a booster, it is likely to give 75% protection against a mild infection with omicron. that booster should give even greater immunity against severe disease. but it is the sheer growth rate of omicron which is worrying scientists. it may produce the biggest wave of infections so far in this pandemic. if we continue to double at this rate, i would expect that, without mitigations, we could have 100,000 or 200,000 cases, or even more, by the end of the month in the case numbers that we see everyday. if those cases then translate into hospitalisation s, you can look at a ratio of how many cases could turn into hospitalisations. we don't know if it would be 1% or 0.5%, and we have to wait and get the data to raise the concern any further. the key unknown _ raise the concern any further. the key unknown is — raise the concern any further. the key unknown is how serious an illness omicron causes. the evidence from south africa is unclear. they have a much younger population who are much less vaccinated. we won't know for several weeks what proportion of cases here will need hospital treatment. the government is not ruling out further measures beyond plan b to control omicron. but no ones yet is using the l word — lockdown. we but no ones yet is using the l word - lockdown— but no ones yet is using the l word - lockdown. ~ ., , ,., , ., ., - lockdown. we absolutely do need to keep everything _ - lockdown. we absolutely do need to keep everything under— - lockdown. we absolutely do need to keep everything under review. - - lockdown. we absolutely do need to keep everything under review. i - keep everything under review. i think the measures we are taking are proportionate. we recognise the importance of balancing the ability for people to get on with their lives with the need to protect against this virus. action is absolutely required, and as new data comes in, we will consider what action we do require to take in the face of that data. this action we do require to take in the face of that data.— face of that data. this is the last news peeple _ face of that data. this is the last news people wanted _ face of that data. this is the last news people wanted to - face of that data. this is the last news people wanted to hear - face of that data. this is the last news people wanted to hear in l face of that data. this is the last l news people wanted to hear in the run—up to christmas. we face an anxious wait before we knowjust how big and how serious the omicron wave will be. fergus walsh, bbc news. scotland's first minister, nicola sturgeon, has warned there could be a "tsunami" of omicron coronavirus cases within days. she announced that from tomorrow, all household contacts of anyone who tests positive will need to isolate for ten days, regardless of their vaccination status or a negative pcr test. ms sturgeon also urged people to cancel work christmas parties. our scotland correspondent alexandra mckenzie reports from glasgow. another christmas overshadowed by uncertainty. with a sharp increase in daily covid cases, the scottish government said the omicron variant is likely to be the dominant strain within days. to is likely to be the dominant strain within deve— is likely to be the dominant strain within da s. ., , , , , ., within days. to be blunt, because of the much greater— within days. to be blunt, because of the much greater and _ within days. to be blunt, because of the much greater and faster - the much greater and faster transmissibility of this new variant, we may be facing, indeed we may be starting to experience a potential tsunami of infections. while out celebrating with friends, the advice came to think carefully about mixing in crowded spaces, and about mixing in crowded spaces, and about deferring work christmas parties. about deferring work christmas arties. ., ., �* , ., parties. kind of worried it's going to net parties. kind of worried it's going to get worse _ parties. kind of worried it's going to get worse as _ parties. kind of worried it's going to get worse as the _ parties. kind of worried it's going to get worse as the weeks - parties. kind of worried it's going to get worse as the weeks go - parties. kind of worried it's going to get worse as the weeks go on | parties. kind of worried it's going . to get worse as the weeks go on and we are going to go back into lockdown. it's a good step to take, i think. i lockdown. it's a good step to take, i think. ., �* ~ , .,, i think. i don't think people will follow the _ i think. i don't think people will follow the rules _ i think. i don't think people will follow the rules just _ i think. i don't think people will follow the rules just as - i think. i don't think people will| follow the rulesjust as much as follow the rules just as much as they— follow the rules just as much as they did — follow the rules just as much as they did in _ follow the rules just as much as they did in previous years. whether they did in previous years. whether they are _ they did in previous years. whether they are getting used to it and accepting it. they are getting used to it and accepting it— accepting it. this glasgow restaurant _ accepting it. this glasgow restaurant is _ accepting it. this glasgow restaurant is one - accepting it. this glasgow restaurant is one of- accepting it. this glasgow restaurant is one of many| accepting it. this glasgow- restaurant is one of many that have suffered cancellations. tote restaurant is one of many that have suffered cancellations.— suffered cancellations. we are sittinr suffered cancellations. we are sittin: in suffered cancellations. we are sitting in a _ suffered cancellations. we are sitting in a space _ suffered cancellations. we are sitting in a space that - suffered cancellations. we are sitting in a space that would . suffered cancellations. we are i sitting in a space that would have had a table of ten, but they cancelled this morning off the back of the advice they've been given by the government. we have picked up some smaller tables to fill it, but it is the uncertainty that hurts us the most. , , ., , the most. this is not the news an one the most. this is not the news anyone wanted _ the most. this is not the news anyone wanted to _ the most. this is not the news anyone wanted to hear, - the most. this is not the news anyone wanted to hear, and i the most. this is not the news. anyone wanted to hear, and not the message the first minister wanted to deliver, especially again in the run—up to christmas on what should have been one of the busiest party nights of the year. the have been one of the busiest party nights of the year.— nights of the year. the doubling time for omicron. .. _ nights of the year. the doubling time for omicron. .. but - nights of the year. the doubling time for omicron. .. but the - nights of the year. the doubling - time for omicron. .. but the scottish government — time for omicron. .. but the scottish government wants _ time for omicron. .. but the scottish government wants to _ time for omicron. .. but the scottish government wants to act _ time for omicron. .. but the scottish government wants to act now - time for omicron. .. but the scottish government wants to act now due i time for omicron. .. but the scottish | government wants to act now due to the rapid transmission rate of this new variant. hf the rapid transmission rate of this new variant-— the rapid transmission rate of this new variant. if you have a room of 100 people _ new variant. if you have a room of 100 people and — new variant. if you have a room of 100 people and a _ new variant. if you have a room of 100 people and a single _ new variant. if you have a room of 100 people and a single unknownl 100 people and a single unknown omicron — 100 people and a single unknown omicron cases in that room, you could _ omicron cases in that room, you could in— omicron cases in that room, you could in the _ omicron cases in that room, you could in the days after that find 50 or 60 _ could in the days after that find 50 or 60 or— could in the days after that find 50 or 60 or 70 — could in the days after that find 50 or 60 or 70 positives. that is what we are _ or 60 or 70 positives. that is what we are trying to prevent. in a or 60 or 70 positives. that is what we are trying to prevent.— we are trying to prevent. in a bid to reduce — we are trying to prevent. in a bid to reduce that _ we are trying to prevent. in a bid to reduce that spread, _ we are trying to prevent. in a bid | to reduce that spread, household contacts of people with any covid case are being asked to isolate for ten days. alexandra mckenzie, bbc news, glasgow. the government's latest coronavirus figures for the uk show there were 58,000 new infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period. on average, 19,000 cases were reported per day in the last week. close to 7500 people were in hospital with covid as of yesterday. there were 120 deaths, that's of people who died within 28 days of a positive test, which means the average number of deaths over the past seven days was 119. the total number of people who've died with covid now stands at 146,255. on vaccinations, 89 percent of people aged 12 and over have now received a first dose. and 81 percent percent have been double—jabbed. and more than 22 million people have received their boosterjab. let's go back note of fergus, who is with me. how worried should we be? it is very hard to calibrate. concern, yes, but certainly not the time for panic. this is really depressing used to have to give, but it looks like we are facing the biggest wave of infection that we have seen so far in this pandemic, and that is extraordinary, given the level of vaccination we have had. talk about infection, not necessarily hospitalisation, because we have this key unknown — just how serious an illness does omicron cause in a highly vaccinated population because my getting some signals from south africa that generally it may cause a mild illness, but if you get a massive number of cases, even a small proportion of those needing hospitalisation could see a very sudden peak of a wave of admissions in the nhs at a very busy time of yearfor the nhs. in the nhs at a very busy time of year for the nhs.— in the nhs at a very busy time of year for the nhs. this year's downing street christmas party has been cancelled, as borisjohnson continues to face questions over a gathering held last december when covid restrictions were in place. it has emerged the prime minister's director of communications jack doyle spoke at the event, which is now under official investigation. two sources have told the bbc mr doyle offered his resignation, but that mrjohnson would not accept it. however, this morning, number 10 denied that he offered to quit. earlier, the labour leader, sir keir starmer, said the prime minister is "unfit for office". here's our political correspondent ben wright. besieged on three fronts, his authority, competence and integrity under scrutiny. after a torrid week for borisjohnson, there is no sign the pressure on the prime minister is easing. for a start, continuing questions about a party held in downing street last december. one of three gatherings now being investigated by the country's top civil servant. cabinet secretary is i'm sure investigating all these questions, so we will see the results of that in due course, but last christmas, i was spending my time getting trade deals over the line. we now know this man, number ten press chiefjack doyle, was at the event on december 18th. sources have told the bbc mr doyle offered borisjohnson his resignation, but the prime minister would not accept it, something downing street denies. but the murkiness around last year's party is putting conservative mps taking to the airwaves on the spot. everyone has to respond equally to the restrictions and then pay the penalty equally if those restrictions are broken. should the prime minister pay a price if he knew about it? i am here to speak about the uyghur tribunal. the second political headache facing the prime minister concerns his costly flat refurbishment. downing street has said officials are now liaising with borisjohnson's advisor on standards, lord geidt, following the publication of a report yesterday into how the work was paid for. sir keir starmer today meeting people in the aftermath of storm arwen stopped short of calling for mrjohnson to quit, but... he is not fit for office, because he's not fit i for office he won't resign, - and the question is really tory members of the cabinet, - tory mps, to ask themselves, are they prepared l to put up with this? for now, the answer is yes. many tory mps are miserable but they are not yet mutinous. one former cabinet minister told me he thought borisjohnson was being let down by a number ten with no common sense and little political nous. and tory mps are likely to stick with mrjohnson, so long as he still looks like an electoral winner, and a by—election in shropshire next thursday will put that to the test. before that, parliament will vote on new covid measures, the third problem facing boris johnson. his party is in open revolt on social media. more than 50 conservative mps have said they will vote against the government's latest package of protections that would require covid vaccine certificates for entry to crowded events. the plan may rely on labour support to go through. so, there is little respite for number ten, which today cancelled this year's christmas party. ben wright, bbc news, westminster. the families of four men who were murdered by a serial killer have accused the metropolitan police of homophobia after an inquest jury found that police failures probably contributed to the deaths of three of the victims. anthony walgate, gabriel kovari, daniel whitworth and jack taylor were killed in barking in east london by stephen port over a 16—month period starting in 2014. the inquestjury found a string of failures in the police investigations. port was eventually jailed for life in 2016. here's our home affairs correspondent daniel sandford. four lives cruelly cut short by a serial killer. fashion student anthony walgate from hull, gabriel kovari from slovakia, young chef daniel whitworth from kent, and forklift driver jack taylorfrom dagenham. an inquest found today that police errors contributed to three of the deaths. the jury said there were fundamental failings in these investigations from the beginning, which allowed the male to continue his acts towards subsequent victims. it is a devastating finding. our thoughts are with everybody who loved these young men. we are so sorry for their loss. i give my own — and the met�*s — heartfelt apologies. the bereaved families remain shocked that the officers involved are still in theirjobs. what faith in the police can the british public have when their failings not only go unpunished, but are instead rewarded? how can the much—touted platitude of "lessons being learned" be true when there is a culture of rewarding failure? it all began injune 2014, when 23—year—old anthony walgate was found dead outside stephen port�*s flat in barking. it was port who had called the ambulance, and almost immediately, the police errors started mounting up. the mistakes are too many to list, but they went on for 15 months, before port was finally arrested for murder. and by that time, three other young men were also dead. after anthony died and port reported the body, detectives missed this record in the police national database of port with a man who could barely walk after taking the date—rape drug ghb. they didn't examine port�*s computer, which would have shown him constantly searching for videos of young men being raped, while unconscious on drugs. anthony's mother is convinced a competent police investigation would have stopped port there and then. all the other victims would have been safe if they could have just actually been bothered to investigate anthony's murder. stephen port was arrested for lying about moving anthony's body, but he remained on bail, free to kill again. and within weeks, in a nearby church graveyard, two more bodies were found. first, gabriel kovari, and then daniel whitworth. he had what appeared to be a suicide note, in which he also said he'd taken gabriel's life. detectives just accepted that, when simple checks would have shown that the two had never met. in march 2015, port was jailed for lying to police about moving the first victim's body. for now, the killings stopped. but so did any further investigations. and in september 2015, three months after stephen port was released from prison, the body of jack taylor was found. cctv showed him walking with a stranger, but his sisters had to beg officers to use the pictures in a public appeal. we asked and we were told no. we asked again, we were told no. and then eventually, they listened to us and they did put it out. the sisters' handwritten notes from the time show they had spotted many of the key suspicious factors linking the deaths that the police had missed. they told me they want the incompetent officers involved to be sacked. i don't think they should be in the position any more, i don't think they should theirjob. our whole world tipped upside down, but they get promoted. they get to carry on their lives. the families think the four men's deaths were investigated so badly partly because they were gay. they say officers either made prejudiced assumptions orjust didn't care enough about the men. but the metropolitan police does not accept that. it is the end of a dreadful year for britain's largest force. first, the force discovered one of its own officers had kidnapped and murdered sarah everard, then it was criticised for how it handled the demonstrations after her death. then an independent panel accused the force of being institutionally corrupt after an investigation, after its investigation into how the police had handled daniel morgan's murder. and now the force has been accused of at least being part responsible for three of the victims of a serial killer who murdered them seven years ago. and today, the partner of one of those men has joined the calls for cressida dick, the leader of the force, to resign. although interestingly, otherfamily although interestingly, other family members although interestingly, otherfamily members didn'tjoin that call. 0k, members didn'tjoin that call. ok, daniel, thank you. the time is 6:18. our top story this evening: new data confirms the growth of omicron is happening much faster than delta. and lewis hamilton could make history by winning a record eighth title in abu dhabi. coming up in sportsday on the bbc news channel: steven gerrard says he doesn't mind if he's unpopular on his return to anfield. the liverpool legend is hoping his aston villa side will get the win in the premier league tomorrow. families are facing a �*double—whammy�* of rising bills next year, bbc research has found, as council tax across much of england is likely to increase at the same time as national insurance. the bbc contacted 152 councils in england which are responsible for social care, and two thirds of those who responded said they were considering a rise in council tax to help fund services. our political correspondent alex forsyth reports. ryan is an entertainer. he's also a dj, an artist, and he's employed as a youth worker. but despite multiple jobs, money is tight, and his council tax bill could be going up next year too. it's hit us hard. and with the constant rise in utility bills, especially gas and electricity, everything's just a constant worry at the moment. i never, ever stop thinking about paying things off. his council — in north yorkshire — is, like many, facing rising costs and demand for services, with particular pressure on care for children and adults. the government's putting up national insurance to help pay for social care but, at first, most of that will go to the nhs, so some councils say they're still short of funds, after years of financial strain. if you look at the ten—year record of this council, i think we have been moderate in our increases, but there comes a point where, in actual fact, those people who are on lower incomes are probably the people that we need to increase council tax to raise money to actually provide the services to help them. council tax has been creeping up in recent years, because the government's told local authorities they can increase it to help bring in money to pay for services. so it isn'tjust here, in north yorkshire. in fact, many councils across england have told us they're looking at putting up council tax next year too. councils could increase tax by up to 3% from april. that could mean an average of around £40 more, depending on where you live. that is less than in recent years, but council leaders say they know it's a burden, and labour warns it will hit those struggling the hardest. the government says it is investing £5.4 billion over the next three years to improve the lives of those who receive care, as well as an additional £1.6 billion a year in local government funding, which will allow councils to increase their spending on vital public services. back in north yorkshire, there is understanding about the pressure on public finances, but some worry too. we don't like it going up, but we're happy with the service we get. i don't mind paying more council tax if it means more help for the elderly. do you mind paying a bit more, if it means you get a good service? no, i hate paying more. i'm a single parent, so it's ridiculous. i my council tax is crazy. it's120—odd—pound a month, . and i even struggle to pay that. councils won't decide their tax rates until next year, but even the prospect of another bill going up doesn't, for many, feel very bright. alex forsyth, bbc news, north yorkshire. the wikileaks founder julian assange can be extradited to the us to stand trial, the high court has ruled. assange faces charges in the states of publishing classified documents. his extradition was blocked injanuary because of concerns about his mental health, but nowjudges have said that assurances given about mr assange's treatment allow the move to go ahead. dominic casciani has this report. free, freejulian assange! a day ofjudgment, but is it the end of the road in washington for a man who has been wanted for a decade? today, the high court ruled julian assange should go on trial in the us for disclosing state secrets. his supporters say he'll kill himself injail, the americans say they'll treat him humanely. mr assange's partner says those assurances are worthless. the high court decided againstjulian on this occasion on the basis of political assurances. amnesty international has analysed these assurances and has said that they are inherently unreliable. it's taken 11 years to get here. in 2010, julian assange's wikileaks posted video of iraqi civilians killed by us forces. just one of thousands of us secrets. two years later, he flees into the ecuadorian embassy in london. in 2018, the us begins preparing a prosecution. the next year, assange is removed from the embassy, and he's been in a britishjail cell ever since. for his supporters, julian assange is a warrior for truth and justice, but our extradition law says he must stand trial for his alleged crimes. his lawyers will try to get the case into the supreme court to overturn this judgment, but that's not guaranteed. time is running out. if he can't launch a final appeal, one of the most controversial figures of the internet age will be on his way to trial in america. dominic casciani, bbc news, at the high court. let's take a look at some of today's other news. a former conservative minister has been found to have raped and abused his wife during their relationship. a family courtjudge ruled the former burton—on—trent mp andrew griffiths used coercive and controlling behaviour against kate griffiths. mr griffiths — who denies the allegations — resigned as a minister in 2018, after he was found to have sent explicit texts to two constituents. his ex—wife was elected as mp for burton in 2019. a man described as one of the uk's most prolific online sexual predators has been jailed, most prolific online sexual predators has beenjailed, he targeted almost 2000 victims from his bedroom computer and persuaded them to send explicit photos for money, then blackmailed them into extreme sexual demands. the company behind the development of the controversial cambo oil field off the coast of the shetland islands says the project is being �*paused'. siccar point energy says drilling — which is currently awaiting approval by the uk government — can't continue as planned after its partner, shell, withdrew investment. england's batsmen have fought back on day 3 of the first ashes test in brisbane. of 278 over the tourists. but a fightback byjoe root and dawid malan has kept the game alive. here'sjoe wilson. well, what can you spot from the high—rise apartments of brisbane? it's english hope — in the form, as usual, of their captain. starting their second innings 278 runs behind, england lost rory burns early on. haseeb hameed departed too. shame, when he'd worked so hard to get to 27. but 2021 has been a record—breaking year forjoe root run—scoring. four more, as the runs continue to flow. his 50 here turned the match back into a contest, and there were plenty of australian—based england fans to cheer. well, it's queensland. root had support. dawid malan has that rare english distinction of playing his best test cricket in australia. that's a glorious drive. he flourished. the shadows lengthened, with australian frustration. whatever they tried failed. yes, england will resume still 58 behind, but australia will begin with a problem — root and malan still batting. suddenly, the game flows in a different direction. joe wilson, bbc news. sunday will see the climax of this year's formula 1 world championship in abu dhabi, when either lewis hamilton or max verstappen will come out on top, in what is arguably the most intense title decider in the sport's history. it's the first time that two drivers have gone into the last race of the season tied on points in nearly 50 years. our sports correspondent natalie pirks is in abu dhabi. natalie. well, last season, lewis hamilton and mercedes practically strolled to the title. the season has been very different. it is only the second time in the sport's history that two drivers have been locked on the same points going into this 22nd and final race in abu dhabi. max verstappen has won more races so if both crashed out, he would win the title, but lewis hamilton has a huge record in his sights. it's the ending all formula 1 fans wanted. today saw one of the final practice sessions, ahead of sunday's winner—takes—all showdown. and for the teams tied at the top, the season has been intense — not that they'll admit it. this is the moment. how are you sleeping, how are you feeling? actually, very good. there's only two situations in life, when you are part of life, this is when you're in love and when you race. it's just fantastic to have it reach to the final race, and it's all—or—nothing. but there's been no love lost between red bull and mercedes this season. the champion is out of the race, and that's a big crash! the rivalry burst into life at silverstone, with eventual winner hamilton refusing to give an inch. game on. at monza, they both crashed out, leaving verstappen with a big penalty. with a grid penalty. radio: that's what you get - when you don't leave the space. and the pressure ramped up in saudi arabia last weekend. oh, they touched! and they've collided! for me, this has been the best season in formula 1 history. i think verstappen is sort of bordering more on the schumacher—esque ruthlessness, do anything to win, whereas i think lewis maybe drives with a bit more integrity, and he's going to eclipse everyone else's records after this. at 24, verstappen is 12 years hamilton'sjunior, and many believe he's the guy to end this era of mercedes dominance. but if hamilton were to win his eighth world title on sunday, well, he would make sporting history and overtake the legendary michael schumacher. so, just how do you compare greatness? hamilton and schumacher only raced against each other for three seasons, until the german made way at mercedes for hamilton. but the 2008 champion proved he was no pretender to the crown and has won every title since 2014, bar one. hamilton has more wins, more pole positions and more podium finishes than the german. and now, the two greatest drivers in formula 1 history are locked on seven titles each. but red bull are chasing their own fairy tale. they believe a verstappen win would be a triumph of david over goliath. i think it would be our biggest achievement. i think with the intensity and the level of the competition and, you know, lewis hamilton in a mercedes, with the strength that they have, if we can beat them — wow! that would be something that we could have only dreamt about this time 12 months ago. the scene is set for a high—stakes game on sunday. something's gotta give. natalie pirks, bbc news, abu dhabi. time for a look at the weather. here's ben rich. good evening, clear but chilly end to the week for most of us, but through the weekend, there will be a change in the feel of the weather, it will turn milder, with more cloud and some rain at times. but under the clear skies at the moment, one or two showers, but they will fade and temperatures will drop away. particularly across eastern areas, parts of eastern scotland could get down to —5 or minus six celsius. but not as cold in the west and we will have more cloud, patchy rain, and that milder air is going to be crawling its way quite slowly eastwards during tomorrow. the chill still clinging on across eastern areas. that is where we will have the best morning sunshine. more cloud at west with outbreaks of rain. briefly something wintry over high ground in scotland. but as this cloud works and, turning misty and murky, the damp weather working its way eastwards, but turning milder. for belfast, cardiff, plymouth, 12 degrees. notice eastern areas staying quite chilly throughout the day. it will turn milder across eastern parts on saturday night, temperatures will climb as cloud and patchy rain continues across the uk.