britain warns russia it will face severe consequences if it invades ukraine — a g7 meeting of foreign ministers is discussing rising tensions. it would be extremely serious if russia were to take that action. it would be a strategic mistake and there would be severe consequences. and — england's cricketers slump to a 9—wicket defeat in the first ashes test, in brisbane. good afternoon. health officials have renewed their call for everyone who's eligible to come forward for a covid boosterjab — as new modelling suggests that without further restrictions, the uk is facing a bigger wave of infections than the country experienced in january. the omicron variant is believed to be spreading quickly — though scientists say there is huge uncertainty about how many people may need hospital care as a result, and how much pressure will be put on the nhs. here's our health correspondent katharine da costa. the race is on to get even more jabs into arms, to boost our defences against what may be the biggest wave of covid infections we've seen so far. new analysis shows having a two vaccine doses is unlikely to stop omicron infection however booster jabs will give around 75% protection against a mild infection. both two and three doses should give significant protection against severe disease but to what extent is still unclear. we know that the booster doses do give very effective protection, we don't know how long it's going to last. it may not be very long lasting, but those booster doses are going to be critical but we can'tjust rely on the vaccine campaign to control this. we have to also wear masks and do all of those other things we've learned to do. so far, london is seeing a higher concentration of confirmed omicron cases, but it's spreading fast across much of the uk. greater use of masks, testing and the advice to work from home has been stepped up to try to slow the spread. in scotland, close contacts of positive cases now need to isolate for ten days regardless of whether they have been vaccinated. even if this variant produces slightly milder diseases, there is an open question that, what politicians are worried about is the strain on the health service. i think what they will be discussing this weekend and cabinet meets on tuesday is have we gone far enough or do more, particularly over the next few weeks, to restrict people mixing so the health service doesn't become overwhelmed and that's the main concern. early modelling suggests the omicron variant has the potential to cause a bigger wave of infections than last winter but there is uncertainty overjust how many people may end up in hospital in the new year. a lot depends on how much indoor mixing takes place or how well boosters prevent people falling seriously ill. researchers say to protect the nhs this winter further restrictions may be needed. katharine da costa, bbc news. new guidance has been issued for care home visits in england — as a result of the surge in omicron infections. from wednesday, residents will be limited to three visitors — as well as a friend or relative nominated as their essential care giver. megan paterson reports. in care homes around the country, festive celebrations are well under way. but as well as the usual trimmings, for some families, fears about covid guidelines on separation from loved ones are making an unwelcome return. i run a family of seven and it is a limit of three, so i run a family of seven and a limit three, so i'm very worried about how this is going to impact on them. the department of health say people living in care homes in england will only be allowed to receive visits from three people plus one essential care worker. staff will have to take three lateral flow tests and one pcr test every week. and there will be a £300,000,000 fund to recruit and retain care workers. further clarity is expected on the guidance next week but for now it's up to care home staff to plan how they will implement the measures and to reassure the people they will affect. it will be disappointing for relatives, it will be extremely disappointing for the residents, but it's the world that we live in. we can't risk getting this virus back into our care services. the vaccination programme remains key to controlling the spread of omicron. extra resources will be sent to poster protection but in care homes like this one in norwich, another change to visiting rules hasn't brought much cheer. i wouldn't like that. i'd have to put up with it. once again, the delicate balance between offering covid protection but maintaining vital family contact comes into focus. megan paterson, bbc news. with me is dr nick davies, assistant professor of mathematical modelling, at the london school of hygiene and tropical medicine. he worked on the new modelling. let's talk about all of that. also i'm joined by professor adam finn a member of thejoint committee on vaccination and immunisation. a warm welcome. thank you for giving up a warm welcome. thank you for giving up your saturday afternoon to talk to us. can i start with you? there will be people watching who don't yet know much about the modelling. explain what you've been doing and what it shows thus far. we explain what you've been doing and what it shows thus far.— explain what you've been doing and what it shows thus far. we have been usin: our what it shows thus far. we have been using our models _ what it shows thus far. we have been using our models to _ what it shows thus far. we have been using our models to help _ what it shows thus far. we have been using our models to help interpret, i using our models to help interpret, understand and project forward possible dynamics throughout the pandemic and we have just updated our model to include the spread of the new variant in england and, based on the data we are getting in from england and from around the world, we are projecting that this new spread is likely to lead to a substantial wave of infections in the new year, specifically in january. and potentially another wave of admissions, hospital admissions and deaths associated with that. �* . ., admissions and deaths associated with that. �* . . ., , with that. and that wave in january that ou with that. and that wave in january that you are _ with that. and that wave in january that you are talking _ with that. and that wave in january that you are talking about, - with that. and that wave in january that you are talking about, just - with that. and that wave in january that you are talking about, just to l that you are talking about, just to be really clear, is that based on restrictions, whatever you want to call them, remaining as they are now? so work from home if you can, lots and lots of places where you must wear a mask, all those sorts of factors. , ., ., ~' must wear a mask, all those sorts of factors. , ., . . ., ., factors. yes, we took account of that in the _ factors. yes, we took account of that in the modelling _ factors. yes, we took account of that in the modelling so - factors. yes, we took account of that in the modelling so our- that in the modelling so our baseline assumptions are that plan b will remain in effect into the new year and a few months into the new year and a few months into the new year and a few months into the new year and even with those restrictions in place were still protecting pretty substantial wave of infections. mil protecting pretty substantial wave of infections.— of infections. all of that said, there will _ of infections. all of that said, there will be _ of infections. all of that said, there will be people - of infections. all of that said, there will be people watching j of infections. all of that said, - there will be people watching jose, right, that everything i've heard about this new variant suggests the impact on the individual is not causing very, very serious illness therefore why should i be quite so worried by your numbers. what would your response to that be? fine worried by your numbers. what would your response to that be?— your response to that be? one of the reasons we — your response to that be? one of the reasons we suspect _ your response to that be? one of the reasons we suspect the _ your response to that be? one of the reasons we suspect the variant - your response to that be? one of the reasons we suspect the variant may i reasons we suspect the variant may not be causing as many cases of severe illness in people that it doesin severe illness in people that it does in fact is that the people it is infecting other people who have been previously infected or have vaccine protection so they are essentially getting reinfection of sorts and we know that that leads to lesser disease severity. our model accounts for that and still predicting a substantial wave of admissions and unfortunately of deaths. ., ., ., ., ., deaths. you are nodding to that last oint, all deaths. you are nodding to that last point. all of — deaths. you are nodding to that last point, all of this, _ deaths. you are nodding to that last point, all of this, to _ deaths. you are nodding to that last point, all of this, to you, _ deaths. you are nodding to that last point, all of this, to you, i _ point, all of this, to you, i assume, still says this tells us more about the importance of a third dose? , . , , more about the importance of a third dose? , , dose? yes, absolutely so. the next model is concordant _ dose? yes, absolutely so. the next model is concordant with _ dose? yes, absolutely so. the next model is concordant with two - dose? yes, absolutely so. the next model is concordant with two other| model is concordant with two other models _ model is concordant with two other models we — model is concordant with two other models we have seen that the project very large _ models we have seen that the project very large wave of infection. and you would — very large wave of infection. and you would have to be very big optimist— you would have to be very big optimist imagine this would not lead to serious_ optimist imagine this would not lead to serious problems so that does indeed _ to serious problems so that does indeed reinforce the importance of getting _ indeed reinforce the importance of getting booster doses into people but also _ getting booster doses into people but also actually, as nick's comments implied, people not yet immunised with the first two doses it is now_ immunised with the first two doses it is now critically important that they come — it is now critically important that they come forward and get the protection that those doses will -ive protection that those doses will give in — protection that those doses will give in orderto protection that those doses will give in order to reduce the risk of them _ give in order to reduce the risk of them getting seriously ill. what about people — them getting seriously ill. what about people who _ them getting seriously ill. what about people who hear- them getting seriously ill. twat about people who hear you say them getting seriously ill. “kwiegt about people who hear you say that and think, well, i am confused because now i am hearing that if i have had particular vaccines i don't have had particular vaccines i don't have perhaps the protection against omicron that i might like. i am thinking obviously of astrazeneca. if you boost with one of the vaccines _ if you boost with one of the vaccines like pfizer you do get a very— vaccines like pfizer you do get a very substantial further rise in your— very substantial further rise in your protective antibodies and we predict _ your protective antibodies and we predict that that will provide significant protection against this new variant so those are the vaccines _ new variant so those are the vaccines we've got at the moment and those _ vaccines we've got at the moment and those of— vaccines we've got at the moment and those of the _ vaccines we've got at the moment and those of the tools we have to use and in _ those of the tools we have to use and in the — those of the tools we have to use and in the meantime we all do need to do— and in the meantime we all do need to do everything we can do to slow down _ to do everything we can do to slow down this— to do everything we can do to slow down this doubling time to give the booster— down this doubling time to give the booster programme times take effect. your thoughts about whether, specifically, the new variant will be helped by people continuing to get the doses of vaccine they are eligible for. get the doses of vaccine they are eligible for-— get the doses of vaccine they are eligible for. this is not 'ust based on our modelling. _ eligible for. this is not 'ust based on our modelling. we _ eligible for. this is notjust based on our modelling. we have - eligible for. this is notjust based on our modelling. we have early| on our modelling. we have early evidence of vaccine efficacy in the uk against omicron cases and it does show that booster doses do provide a really substantial benefit, particularly a very substantial benefit against infection with the omicron variant. we don't know yet about the impacts on hospitalisations and deaths but there is every reason to believe that they would provide a real boost in terms of preventing those outcomes. i in terms of preventing those outcomes— in terms of preventing those outcomes. ., ~ ., ., outcomes. i would like to ask both of ou, if outcomes. i would like to ask both of you. if i — outcomes. i would like to ask both of you. ifi may. — outcomes. i would like to ask both of you, if i may, whether- outcomes. i would like to ask both of you, if i may, whether you - outcomes. i would like to ask both l of you, if i may, whether you would, given the modelling, the work that you are all doing, would you like to see greater restrictions on what we have just outlined? the see greater restrictions on what we havejust outlined? the mask see greater restrictions on what we have just outlined? the mask wearing and so on that we're focusing on right now? it and so on that we're focusing on right now?— and so on that we're focusing on riaht now? , ., ., right now? it is not for me disable stuff i'm right now? it is not for me disable stuff i'm here _ right now? it is not for me disable stuff i'm here to _ right now? it is not for me disable stuff i'm here to provide _ right now? it is not for me disable stuff i'm here to provide evidence | stuff i'm here to provide evidence as to the epidemiology and it is up for decision makers to make those calls. we do know that very stringent restrictions come with their own downsides. they can be devastating for individuals and their families devastating for individuals and theirfamilies and for devastating for individuals and their families and for businesses, i think policymakers have some very difficult decisions to make and what i'd really like to see is, for example, programme perhaps of enhanced mass testing which might help control the spread of the crown without necessarily requiring the stringent control measures that we have seen previously.— stringent control measures that we have seen previously. when you say mass testing. _ have seen previously. when you say mass testing, are _ have seen previously. when you say mass testing, are you _ have seen previously. when you say mass testing, are you talking - have seen previously. when you say mass testing, are you talking about| mass testing, are you talking about all the vies doing a lot more lateral flows or all the vies doing a lot more lateralflows or are you all the vies doing a lot more lateral flows or are you talking about everyone getting pcr is as well? , ., ., well? there is a rule for pcr allowin: well? there is a rule for pcr allowing us _ well? there is a rule for pcr allowing us to _ well? there is a rule for pcr allowing us to keep - well? there is a rule for pcr allowing us to keep tabs - well? there is a rule for pcr - allowing us to keep tabs because lateral flows cannot distinguish between different variants of the coronavirus that i really think this would be a role for a lateralflow devices to be used much more frequently than we are using them now. i frequently than we are using them now. ., ~ ., frequently than we are using them now. ., " ., " ., frequently than we are using them now. ., ~ ., ~ ., i. now. i would like to know your thou~hts now. i would like to know your thoughts on — now. i would like to know your thoughts on that _ now. i would like to know your thoughts on that committee. i j now. i would like to know your- thoughts on that committee. i very much concur— thoughts on that committee. i very much concur with _ thoughts on that committee. i very much concur with a _ thoughts on that committee. i very much concur with a very _ thoughts on that committee. i very much concur with a very balanced l much concur with a very balanced comments — much concur with a very balanced comments. like him, not for me to decide _ comments. like him, not for me to decide what— comments. like him, not for me to decide what restriction should be in place _ decide what restriction should be in place but _ decide what restriction should be in place but i — decide what restriction should be in place but i can say that what we have _ place but i can say that what we have learned through this pandemic is that— have learned through this pandemic is that if— have learned through this pandemic is that if you act fast and early then— is that if you act fast and early then you — is that if you act fast and early then you can have a much bigger impact _ then you can have a much bigger impact further down the lines are broadbrush advice here would be don't _ broadbrush advice here would be don't hold — broadbrush advice here would be don't hold back, don't wait for certainty, _ don't hold back, don't wait for certainty, act sooner. and i strongly— certainty, act sooner. and i strongly agree with nick's comments about— strongly agree with nick's comments about lateral flow test. they are enormously useful tests to pick up infectiousness in people who are asymptomatic and gives you an immediate and reliable results and people _ immediate and reliable results and people should be very much encouraged to use them before they expose _ encouraged to use them before they expose themselves to other people. personally, for example, if you were invited to an event or had tickets to an event, which you as a matter of course nowjust a collateral flow? of course now 'ust a collateral flow? ~ , , ., , of course now 'ust a collateral flow? ~ , ., , ., flow? absolutely. certainly at christmas _ flow? absolutely. certainly at christmas when _ flow? absolutely. certainly at christmas when getting - flow? absolutely. certainly at. christmas when getting together flow? absolutely. certainly at - christmas when getting together with family— christmas when getting together with family we _ christmas when getting together with family we are encouraging all of our children— family we are encouraging all of our children and grandchildren to get tested _ children and grandchildren to get tested before we gets together so that we _ tested before we gets together so that we can minimise any risk of transmission of infection. interesting. and nick was nodding to that. a further two both go, despite everything we have discussed in the modelling, do you still have some optimism that, with testing and the right human behaviours that we can cope as a society with this new variant, given how many unknowns there still are?— there still are? yes, this is not an existential — there still are? yes, this is not an existential threat, _ there still are? yes, this is not an existential threat, we _ there still are? yes, this is not an existential threat, we have - there still are? yes, this is not an l existential threat, we have learned an enormous amount as we have gone through— an enormous amount as we have gone through this _ an enormous amount as we have gone through this pandemic and we knew much _ through this pandemic and we knew much more — through this pandemic and we knew much more than we did before. we have got— much more than we did before. we have got an — much more than we did before. we have got an effective tool. we have -ot have got an effective tool. we have got good _ have got an effective tool. we have got good tests and vaccines and we are reformulating vaccines as we speak _ are reformulating vaccines as we speak we — are reformulating vaccines as we speak. we are in a much stronger pace _ speak. we are in a much stronger pace than — speak. we are in a much stronger pace than we were a year ago in terms _ pace than we were a year ago in terms of— pace than we were a year ago in terms of what we can do and how well we can— terms of what we can do and how well we can treat _ terms of what we can do and how well we can treat patients. but we have to take _ we can treat patients. but we have to take the — we can treat patients. but we have to take the problem seriously. we cannot _ to take the problem seriously. we cannot ignore it. and that is why we need _ cannot ignore it. and that is why we need to— cannot ignore it. and that is why we need to act— cannot ignore it. and that is why we need to act now and not wait until we are _ need to act now and not wait until we are in— need to act now and not wait until we are in a — need to act now and not wait until we are in a deep mess in the new year~ _ we are in a deep mess in the new year. ., ., , ., , | year. your thoughts as well. i completely — year. your thoughts as well. i completely agree _ year. your thoughts as well. i completely agree with - year. your thoughts as well. i completely agree with what i year. your thoughts as well. i - completely agree with what adam has said and the only thing i would add is based on the modelling i think we are in a fortunate situation in the uk to have a booster programme already rolled out to the extent it has been because our modelling shows thatis has been because our modelling shows that is really going to make a major impact in mitigating the consequences of a mcron. very good to have your — consequences of a mcron. very good to have your time. _ consequences of a mcron. very good to have your time. thank _ consequences of a mcron. very good to have your time. thank you - consequences of a mcron. very good to have your time. thank you much l to have your time. thank you much for your time on a saturday afternoon as well. a particular thanks to books i know you're out on a long planned bike ride and it is really good to pull over and talk to us. an excellent outdoor activity thatis us. an excellent outdoor activity that is socially distance, of course. thank you very much. thank you very much. their thoughts on the modelling and cvoid booster programme. their thoughts on the modelling and cvoid booster programme. officials in the us say more than 50 people are likely to have been killed, after a series of tornados hit kentucky, and other nearby states. the governor of kentucky said the tornadoes were the most severe in the area's history — and declared a state of emergency. james reynolds reports. this amazon warehouse in edwardsville in the state of illinois was ripped apart by the storm. up to 100 people may have been inside the building. they were working on the night shift in the run up to christmas. their family members have gathered. he was on the phone with me while it was happening. the tornado was hitting the back of the building. the trucks was coming in. i told him tojump out the truck and duck. i decided to come down here to see what was going on. i had no idea the building looked that bad and i'm worried sick. ijust want to know if he's 0k. in kentucky, tornadoes tore a path through 200 miles, hitting this, the town of mayfield. the governor fears dozens may have been killed at a candle factory. it has been one of the toughest- nights in kentucky history and some areas have been hit in ways that are hard to put into words. - in arkansas, the storm hit a nursing home, killing at least one person and trapping more than a dozen others. one official called it heartbreaking. james reynolds, bbc news. joining me now is meteorologist lucy bergeman from weather nation tv who has been following the story. devastating images that seeing here in this country. how much of this was predicted? that does not make it any less heartbreaking for people but, from your perspective, how much of this did we expect? yes. but, from your perspective, how much of this did we expect?— of this did we expect? yes, jane, thank you — of this did we expect? yes, jane, thank you for— of this did we expect? yes, jane, thank you for having _ of this did we expect? yes, jane, thank you for having us _ of this did we expect? yes, jane, thank you for having us on. - of this did we expect? yes, jane, thank you for having us on. we . of this did we expect? yes, jane, - thank you for having us on. we knew that this was going to be an overnight or at least late night into overnight severe weather events as early as wednesday said two days prior. ourstorm as early as wednesday said two days prior. our storm prediction set out looks as far as eight days in advance. it was elevated to a level four out of five threat which is only happens to other times in december in the last six years prior to last night and yesterday so we were ready. we were prepared for overnight severe storms. the difficulty with tornadoes is pinpointing the exact location but this particular storm in mayfield kentucky was in the bull's—eye location for that moderate risk which was the high potential for tornado storms and that hand taking a direct hit. brute tornado storms and that hand taking a direct hit. ~ ., tornado storms and that hand taking a direct hit. ~ . ., ., , ., a direct hit. we hear that a storm that hits like — a direct hit. we hear that a storm that hits like this _ a direct hit. we hear that a storm that hits like this overnight - a direct hit. we hear that a storm that hits like this overnight can i that hits like this overnight can have greater severity. i don't begin to understand that but you are a meteorologist and explain what relevance that has.— meteorologist and explain what relevance that has. yes, when we are talkin: relevance that has. yes, when we are talking about. — relevance that has. yes, when we are talking about. it _ relevance that has. yes, when we are talking about, it can _ relevance that has. yes, when we are talking about, it can be _ relevance that has. yes, when we are talking about, it can be more - talking about, it can be more dangerous with a storm we“re talking about, it can be more dangerous with a storm we're talking about it for the human aspect. the storm that hit overnight and very difficult to see because they are coming through during darkness. we don't have as much confirmation of where that storm“s exact location is from people on the ground to see and report to that storm to the local national weather service offices often times at night people are either sleeping or disconnected from their way to get alerts and unfortunately overnight severe weather situations, we tend to see more deadly outcome because folks are not able to get those notifications as readily as they were to during the daytime hours. it's not necessarily the storm that is more deadly or more powerful, it is more deadly or more powerful, it is the way that people receive them so that they can make the storm so dangerous. so that they can make the storm so dangerous-— dangerous. ad'usted. understood. and, ttoin dangerous. adjusted. understood. and, going forward, _ dangerous. adjusted. understood. and, going forward, then, - dangerous. adjusted. understood. and, going forward, then, what. dangerous. adjusted. understood. | and, going forward, then, what are people in your profession saying? what is the advice to people? which other states are you looking at, what are you concerned for the coming hours and days? so what are you concerned for the coming hours and days? so today that entire storm — coming hours and days? so today that entire storm system _ coming hours and days? so today that entire storm system that _ coming hours and days? so today that entire storm system that has - coming hours and days? so today that entire storm system that has brought| entire storm system that has brought tornadoes from parts of indiana, about 1000 mile south towards louisiana area is moving into one of the most highly populated corridors of our country. we are talking about areas of philadelphia and our nation's capital washington, dc. under the severe weather risk today, fortunately, today's storms do not look as powerful as yesterday's, but we are going to be on alert for that potential of damaging winds again right along our nation's most populated border. the afternoon and evening. so we are urging people to take those mornings when it comes to their cellular device or any other means of communication to get in a safe space and to respect the weather today. i safe space and to respect the weather today.— safe space and to respect the weather today. safe space and to respect the weather toda . ., , ., ., weather today. i was going to say, does that mean _ weather today. i was going to say, does that mean get _ weather today. i was going to say, does that mean get out _ weather today. i was going to say, does that mean get out of- weather today. i was going to say, does that mean get out of town i weather today. i was going to say, does that mean get out of town if| does that mean get out of town if you possibly can? or does it mean that you might live somewhere where you have thought about some sort of storm protection in the past and to stay in that place? what does that advice actually mean?— advice actually mean? great question- — advice actually mean? great question. so, _ advice actually mean? great question. so, storm - advice actually mean? great question. so, storm that. advice actually mean? great - question. so, storm that comes through in situations like this, we are going to be looking at about an hour or two hour window of the storm so we urge people in the situations, you don't have to leave your home, you don't have to leave your home, you don't have to leave your community, but if you're going to be out and about today before the christmas holiday perhaps running errands or shopping, to be able to have a safe place to go whether that is an interior room of your home or a basement, areas that you know i'm going to protect you from outside windows and doors. the kind of storm that verse two is one that but necessarily level a home in every situation. for many will be gusty winds and rain but those isolated few folks will see a powerful damaging storm and will then have a place to go in the most interior room of their home to ride out that 20 minutes oran room of their home to ride out that 20 minutes or an hour of severe weather. ., 20 minutes or an hour of severe weather. . . ., , weather. thanks so much. you very much forjoining _ weather. thanks so much. you very much forjoining us _ weather. thanks so much. you very much forjoining us here _ weather. thanks so much. you very much forjoining us here on - weather. thanks so much. you very much forjoining us here on the - weather. thanks so much. you very | much forjoining us here on the bbc. thank you. the uk foreign secretary liz truss has warned russia it will face "severe economic consequences" if it invades ukraine. she was speaking in liverpool where foreign ministers from the g7 are meeting to discuss rising tensions with russia, china and iran's nuclear ambitions. i share the view that it would be extremely serious if russia were to take that action. it would be a strategic mistake and there would be severe consequences for russia and what we're doing this weekend is working with like—minded allies to spell that out. our diplomatic correspondent, james landale is at the g7 meeting in liverpool and he explained why there are concerns about russia's actions. yeah, that's right, it's estimated that about 100,000 russian troops on the border with ukraine now which is why western powers including foreign ministers here in liverpool arejust meant to do what they can to try to deter russia from taking that military action, which is why they are constantly threatening what they call severe economic consequences if that were to take place. liz truss the foreign secretary says she weekend to be a show of unity by the west against that, and how do i know that? she has tweeted is already saying at this meeting will be a show of unity against global addresses. she will probably get that. where it will be harder is over the detail. well that's right include for example a threat to block a new pipeline, gas pipeline between russia and germany? if that were to be blocked, that would certainly have a negative impact, damaging impact on russia but also have a negative impact on the west, because it means gas prices would go up, notjust there butt elsewhere and this also concerns about how much of an extent can russia be squeezed out of the international banking system ? it would have an impact on the city of london is a the uk treasury has admitted some officials did have drinks in their office in november last year — but has denied that this amounted to a party. the times has reported that about two dozen civil servants held a drinks party to celebrate finishing work on the chancellor's spending review. a treasury spokesperson described what happened as "impromptu drinks around their desks". they added that there was no in—person departmental party last christmas. from today, household contacts of people who've tested positive for covid in scotland are being asked to isolate for 10 days — regardless of their vaccination status or even if they've had a negative pcr result. the change to the guidance comes as scotland's first minister warns that the country faces a "tsunami" of omicron cases — as our home affairs correspondent david cowan reports. nicola sturgeon: we may be starting to experience a tsunami of infections. tommy kane and his family are starting ten days of self—isolation. a tough challenge, and one that many more will share, as omicron spreads around scotland. what did you make of what the first minister said today? it was pretty grim. i thought it was pretty dire. and it was pretty brutal news that i think is going to have an impact on us all. but, public health is of paramount importance, and if people need to take the necessary precautions to protect each other, then that's what we need to do. last week, he went to a football match and a concert in edinburgh and, somewhere along the line, picked up the new variant. i have been double jab. i have not had my booster. i know that the booster gives you more protection, so, isuppose, a bit worried, but my symptoms are, you know, touch wood, up to this point, pretty mild. tommy kane is going to spend more than a week in the middle of winter in his summerhouse. the rest of the family, his wife and their two grown—up children are at home, self—isolating for ten days, even though they have tested negative for covid. the 51—year—old was a senior scottish adviser to former labour leaderjeremy corbyn, but he has no criticism of the scottish government. i would far rather that the government was honest with us than keep things from us, and i think today what we got was an honest assessment, as much as that was a real blow. i do think that, if we are heading towards further restrictions, then there has to be far greater effort this time around to protect workers. a cherished time of year is just weeks away. for tommy kane's community in west lothian and far beyond, people are wondering what lies ahead. david cowan, bbc news, edinburgh. england's cricketers have slumped to a nine—wicket defeat in the first ashes test in brisbane. after fighting back on the third day, they lost their last eight wickets for 77 runs and were bowled out for 297, leaving australia to score just 20 runs for victory. now it's time for a look at the weather with susan powell. lots of cloud spilling across the uk currently. bearing vein for many on into this evening. but, as we feed through these weather fans, we are also picking up a south—westerly wind that is going to bring in some unseasonably mild are so very mild evening especially to the south of the uk which images are staying in double figures but there will be some rain and into the small hours of sunday across england and wales that are clearer skies for scotland and northern ireland. it be a little cooler here but any frost very limited, shower to the far north—west and here is that milder air through sunday continuing to pull even further north across the uk a bit like pulling a warm blanket up. we will start the day with some rain over the north midlands, north wales and then this whole by the fund pivot its way north through the day, looking whatever northern england, northern ireland and the main into southern scotland for the afternoon but that murder messes to the south of that weather front and some spots could even reach up to 15 degrees. hello, this is bbc news. i“m jane hill. the headlines: a fresh appeal for everyone who's eligible to get their covid booster vaccine, as research shows it significantly reduces the chance of developing symptoms from the omicron variant. new guidance is issued for care homes in england that will limit visitors to three for each resident

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