covid—i9 variant capable of spreading rapidly so you have to look at leveraging the tesoro omicron advance. and a woman is convicted of murdering her partner's 16—month—old daughter. the court hears that star hobson died of �*utterly catastrophic injuries�* scotland�*s first minister nicola sturgeon has advised people in scotland to limit their socialising before and after christmas to help combat the omicron coronavirus variant. but she made it clear that this is just guidance — and that the rules have not changed. it�*s the toughest approach of any of the four uk nations. let�*s take a look at the new guidelines: people in scotland are being asked to reduce the number of households meeting at home or any social settings to a maximum of three. but this does not apply on christmas eve, christmas day or boxing day, when there are no limits on socialising. and working from home where possible has been upgraded to a legal requirement — rather than simply guidance. businesses are also encouraged to bring back physical distancing and screens in shops and hospitality venues. the measures come as booster jab booking will open for over 185 tomorrow, but ms sturgeon said that "not everyone will have been vaccinated by the end of december". for after application is pretty nice year mixing with other household again. are you in the public faces they are asking about household represent taking a grip, free of sure you go. i know this is a tough task especially at the time of year. so i want to be clear by me in making this request. one of the things you have already learned about is that it has a very high tax rates. this is that it�*s just one person in a gathering is infectious that person is likely to impact many more people in the group that was the case and is the case with the delta variant. so by reducing the numbers of people in households gathering together we help limit the extent of its spread. however, the leader of the scottish conservatives, douglas ross, said that the current situation was partly caused by a lack of speed in expanding vaccinations — and that the measures would have a significant impact on businesses. why has it taken so long for the government the first minister announced that from _ the first minister announced that from saturday household contacts for a positive _ from saturday household contacts for a positive case of any variant had to self—isolate for a full ten days. meaning — to self—isolate for a full ten days. meaning 6 — to self—isolate for a full ten days. meaning a single positive case would be to household of four or five people — be to household of four or five people having to isolate for that entire _ people having to isolate for that entire ten day period. even if they tested _ entire ten day period. even if they tested negative. we agreed for the need for— tested negative. we agreed for the need for caution and at the level of cases— need for caution and at the level of cases that — need for caution and at the level of cases that the government is expected by next week, this change could _ expected by next week, this change could mean tens of thousands of scott's _ could mean tens of thousands of scott's put into self isolation every — scott's put into self isolation every single day. we don't believe this policy— every single day. we don't believe this policy is the same it would have _ this policy is the same it would have knock on consequences that could _ have knock on consequences that could impact our transport services and schools — could impact our transport services and schools and workplaces across the country — and schools and workplaces across the country even our vaccination programme. what is your response to the first minister announcement? what is your response to the first ministerannouncement? i what is your response to the first minister announcement?- what is your response to the first minister announcement? i think it's a pragmatic— minister announcement? i think it's a pragmatic set _ minister announcement? i think it's a pragmatic set of _ minister announcement? i think it's a pragmatic set of advice _ minister announcement? i think it's a pragmatic set of advice and - minister announcement? i think it's a pragmatic set of advice and the i a pragmatic set of advice and the introduction of some legal requirements to keep the environment safe stop it�*s all about controlling the spread and reducing the spread and maintaining population health as much as possible while keeping the economy open so i think there is some good measures for protecting health and allowing us to continue about our business.— about our business. what is the icture in about our business. what is the picture in your— about our business. what is the picture in your area? _ about our business. what is the picture in your area? how - about our business. what is the l picture in your area? how worried are you about omicron? taste picture in your area? how worried are you about omicron?— are you about omicron? we are worried about _ are you about omicron? we are worried about any _ are you about omicron? we are worried about any search - are you about omicron? we are i worried about any search infection rates which puts pressure on very pressurised health and social care services particularly hospital so any search no matter how small will put pressure on as we are already building at 95% occupancy and have been for some considerable time. so the rise of omicron noted to be an arc of two but maybe as much as four will really increase the infection rates and inevitably a number of people who will end up in hospital as a result of that even if they are uncertain about the severity of illness variance may cause. and are of two means one person who is infected with a can pass it on to two people and i r of four that they could pass it on to four people. do you think the advice to people is consistent. you think the advice to people is consistent-— you think the advice to people is consistent. that you should limit socialisinu consistent. that you should limit socialising to _ consistent. that you should limit socialising to three _ consistent. that you should limit socialising to three families - consistent. that you should limit socialising to three families in i consistent. that you should limitl socialising to three families in the run—up to christmas but on those three days, christmas eve to boxing day you could me whoever you like? yes. it has a sense of deja vu about it that we pay the price for mixing over christmas day or a season and then we pay the price right into january and no one wants that again but we have seen in the past is that evenif but we have seen in the past is that even if it cannot be entirely consistent and strong advice that manages a delicate balance and allows us to follow guidance and we have seen people respond fairly well to the advice on trying to avoid going to christmas parties and deep—seated advice even during the last 300 people acting before restrictions came into place. so people by and large want some clear advice to do the right thing inevitably of course some people want to work around the rules but i think the majority of people in scotland particularly with complaints of a mass clearing and doing what they can to preserve vulnerable people and i think that will continue and i very much hope so and i think the guidance we�*ve had today is another way to communicate a very clear message to people. communicate a very clear message to --eole. . ~ communicate a very clear message to --eole. ., ~' ,, communicate a very clear message to ”eole. ., ~' ., communicate a very clear message to --eole. ., ,, i. ., ., communicate a very clear message to ”eole. ., ~' ., ., , people. thank you for that. there is new guidance _ people. thank you for that. there is new guidance for _ people. thank you for that. there is new guidance for hospitality. - new guidance for hospitality. gavin stevenson joins new guidance for hospitality. gavin stevensonjoins me new guidance for hospitality. gavin stevenson joins me and new guidance for hospitality. gavin stevensonjoins me and he is the director of the morgan group which owns venues in inverness and aberdeen. i don�*t know if you are able to listen tojillian. she was welcoming the announcement by the first minister. what is your own view? it first minister. what is your own view? , , , ., , ., , view? it is deeply worrying trains at the moment _ view? it is deeply worrying trains at the moment for _ view? it is deeply worrying trains at the moment for the _ view? it is deeply worrying trains | at the moment for the hospitality sector across scotland. the announcement last week that she just referred to it to cancel christmas parties has now cost the sector over £1 billion in revenue for the month of december. and clearly that puts small businesses and 100,000 hospitality staff in a very difficult position.- hospitality staff in a very difficult position. hospitality staff in a very difficult osition. ., , ., , , ., ,, difficult position. can you speak more specifically. _ difficult position. can you speak more specifically. i _ difficult position. can you speak more specifically. i understandl difficult position. can you speak- more specifically. i understand that among the venues that that you all in our a pub, among the venues that that you all in oura pub, bar, restaurant, are you already seeing cancellations now? , ~ you already seeing cancellations now? , . ., , you already seeing cancellations now? _ ., , , , now? yes. we have seen huge numbers of cancellations — now? yes. we have seen huge numbers of cancellations with _ now? yes. we have seen huge numbers of cancellations with enormous - of cancellations with enormous amounts of lost incomes for tens of thousands alone and we are seeing that across the whole sector. where we have got some premises that have ordered food for example or stock to cater for five or 600 covers and only having 100 or so continue with their bookings. so the impact across their bookings. so the impact across the sector is absolutely devastating.— the sector is absolutely devastating. the sector is absolutely devastatina. ~ , ., the sector is absolutely devastatina. ~ , , devastating. might there be a sense in the measures _ devastating. might there be a sense in the measures brought _ devastating. might there be a sense in the measures brought in - devastating. might there be a sense in the measures brought in by - devastating. might there be a sense in the measures brought in by the l in the measures brought in by the government for hospitality might reassure the public and might then tempt them back to places like bars and restaurants? it is tempt them back to places like bars and restaurants?— and restaurants? it is a claim the government _ and restaurants? it is a claim the government tried _ and restaurants? it is a claim the government tried to _ and restaurants? it is a claim the government tried to make - government tried to make throughout the course of the pandemic but of course history has taught us it�*s exactly the opposite end when you put further restrictions in place unfortunately that has a severe knock the consumer confidence in bc cancellations and a marked decline in trade every time. i would not have felt this time would be any different. ~ ., ., , ., ~' have felt this time would be any different. ~ ., ., , ., ,, ., different. what would you like to see happen? _ different. what would you like to see happen? because _ different. what would you like to see happen? because there - different. what would you like to see happen? because there is i different. what would you like to see happen? because there is a | different. what would you like to - see happen? because there is a great deal of public and political concern about omicron.— deal of public and political concern about omicron. yes. omicron is to an extent a game _ about omicron. yes. omicron is to an extent a game changer— about omicron. yes. omicron is to an extent a game changer and _ about omicron. yes. omicron is to an extent a game changer and i - about omicron. yes. omicron is to an extent a game changer and i think i about omicron. yes. omicron is to an extent a game changer and i think as| extent a game changer and i think as a sector we are very happy to prioritise public health but what we really need now is the support to be in place from government. small businesses has suffered for the last two years from catastrophic declines in income and small businesses are in income and small businesses are in a huge amount of debt as a result. the christmas trading fees and is responsible for a third of our annual income and to have this impact now is the worst possible time. so businesses need a good december to get through the very beginning january and february and we are not going to get that now. it's we are not going to get that now. it�*s already written off. so it�*s time for governments to replace the lost funds on a pound for pound basis which would require at least £1 billion in support for the sector across scotland. so the announcement today of 100 million is welcome but it is very much does not even touch the sides of the supports that will not be required to save jobs and save businesses. not be required to save “obs and save businessesh not be required to save “obs and save businesses. he said the curve should be placed on the on the gravest of circumstances that he promised the measures will be reviewed. mps will vote on covid—19 passes and mandatory facemasks and compulsory vaccination for health workers. from westminster, ian watson reports. demand for vaccines has certainly been given a boost following dire warnings when the government and a tidal wave of clothing infections and predictions of a dramatic increase in the number of people likely to need a hospital bed. but ministers are struggling to make the case in many of the mps and what restrictions are needed to slow the spread. in restrictions are needed to slow the s - read. . restrictions are needed to slow the sread. ., , ., , restrictions are needed to slow the sread. ., , .,, ., spread. in england. ten people are confirmed to _ spread. in england. ten people are confirmed to have _ spread. in england. ten people are confirmed to have been _ spread. in england. ten people are| confirmed to have been hospitalised to the omicron variant and i know that they have said that because confirm hospitalisations from omicron are low then we don�*t need to act. but it is the fact that omicron hospitalisations are low that means it�*s the best time to act. and we have seen it as an balague between infections and hospitalisations and it�*s about two weeks. when infections are rising so quickly we are likely to see a substantial rise in hospitalisation before any measure a starting to have an impact so there really is no time to lose. the have an impact so there really is no time to lose-— time to lose. the prime minister could certainly _ time to lose. the prime minister could certainly do _ time to lose. the prime minister could certainly do with _ time to lose. the prime minister could certainly do with ablest i time to lose. the prime minister could certainly do with ablest as| could certainly do with ablest as the country faces its latest covid—19 crisis. several polls put labour i had some for the first time since the election and then move to introduce covid—19 passes will proof of vaccination or a negative test will be required to enter nightclubs and large venues and seen by some of his own mps as authoritarian, ineffective, and unconservative. this was the first big test for the government about how you deal with a variant of concern with a very low vaccinated population and i�*m disappointed that we very quickly gone into panic and emergency mode so i would say to my colleagues if he wished to send the government at producing no and rethink its approach and on vaccine passports send the government a clear message and we can do better. as a better way to do this and that message today. fin way to do this and that message toda . ., ' ' way to do this and that message toda. ., " today. on the covid-19 passport if ou were today. on the covid-19 passport if you were to _ today. on the covid-19 passport if you were to put— today. on the covid-19 passport if you were to put aside _ today. on the covid-19 passport if you were to put aside the - you were to put aside the practicalities and moral arguments which _ practicalities and moral arguments which i _ practicalities and moral arguments which i do — practicalities and moral arguments which i do not and many of my constituents do not vaccine does not stop you _ constituents do not vaccine does not stop you from getting this. it does not stop— stop you from getting this. it does not stop you passing it on and the professor— not stop you passing it on and the professor said to mps this understand that there is a minimal impact _ understand that there is a minimal impact on — understand that there is a minimal impact on transmission of all of our vaccines _ impact on transmission of all of our vaccines. �* ., , impact on transmission of all of our vaccines. �* ., _ ., ,., impact on transmission of all of our vaccines. 1, _ ., ,., , impact on transmission of all of our vaccines. _ ., , vaccines. boris johnson is facing his biggest _ vaccines. boris johnson is facing his biggest issue _ vaccines. boris johnson is facing his biggest issue since - his biggest issue since the election. some of the rebels also want to put down a marker. they are hoping a show of strength today will display the prime minister from introducing further restrictions in the days and weeks to come as covid—19 cases continue to rise. the official uk government lying is there�*s no planning to go beyond plan b. but, the scottish and welsh governments are considering further restrictions. even to get the current measures departments boris johnson would have to rely on a helping hand from labour. irate johnson would have to rely on a helping hand from labour. we look the national _ helping hand from labour. we look the national interest _ helping hand from labour. we look the national interest as _ helping hand from labour. we look the national interest as he - helping hand from labour. we look the national interest as he have i the national interest as he have done throughout the pandemic putting public health before party politics by supporting the motions under consideration this afternoon. we do not do so lightly. throughout the pandemic we have asked the british people make big sacrifices to support the national effort against coronavirus. sacrifices which have impacted our lives, livelihoods, and liberties. whenever it house considers such measures, we owe it to the british people to explain why they are necessary. the to the british people to explain why they are necessary.— they are necessary. the health secretary will _ they are necessary. the health secretary will take _ they are necessary. the health secretary will take comfort - they are necessary. the health. secretary will take comfort from recent polling suggesting public support for covid—19 passports but you will be facing catcalls from his own side in parliament. at asjoint or political correspondent who is in listening to for us. in an hour mps will start smoking on some of those new measures for england. we expect they will pass but one of the interesting things is going to be the size of that rebellion he was just talking about on covid—19 certification. there is some speculation it could be the biggest rebellion that borisjohnson has faced as prime minister and speaking to some of the rebels in the last half—hour and some of them had their colleagues have been picked off there is a briefing for mps from the chief medical officer this afternoon and it sounds like he had a pretty bleak message for the prime minister and he�*s been press 90 asking mps to try and get them on the side so the interest to see those numbers when they come through the next hour or so and everything will pass. one of the reasons for that is because the labour party is backing the government. i have got that shadow health and social care secretary. why is it that you think that covid—19 certificates are important here. the moment they work for people who have had to vaccines and the suggestion from the same case is too vaccines are not enough to protect people against omicron. irate protect people against omicron. we trust protect people against omicron. - trust the scientific advice and we trust the scientific advice and we trust the scientific advice and we trust the nhs and we have been clear. we will not pay party politics that these issues just because the government is having a torrid time at the back benches. we will do what we think of the national interest and on the certificates to be fair to the government they listen to our concerns and we said he could not support so—called vaccine passports where you would have to produce a vaccine in order to access venues. we could support a system where people can offer a negative test. the government listens and they responded and we can admit that i think one of the things we draw some encouragement from his experience on the content into a these measures have been in place for some time and that�*s really helped the hospitality industry which with things like nightclubs are large events we want to support business and we see this as a pro—business measure and we think it strikes the right balance of an effective public health response but also helps businesses at a busy time of year.— at a busy time of year. speaking to conservatives _ at a busy time of year. speaking to conservatives this _ at a busy time of year. speaking to conservatives this afternoon - at a busy time of year. speaking to conservatives this afternoon even i conservatives this afternoon even some who think that they will lose comfortably this afternoon, this seems to be a shot across the ball is of the government if there are going to be more restrictions in response to this variance. do you think this is the end of it this afternoon i will expect and would labour support more restrictions before christmas? i labour support more restrictions before christmas?— labour support more restrictions before christmas? i think the prime minister authority _ before christmas? i think the prime minister authority is _ before christmas? i think the prime minister authority is utterly - minister authority is utterly shattered and it�*s remarkable when you assert that in the chamber you get no pushback from conservative mps and you can see it across their faces. the authority is shattered with the mps and with the country because what they have in common is they see a prime minister who asks everyone else to do one thing and is another thing himself. do everyone else to do one thing and is another thing himself.— another thing himself. do you think this is enough? _ another thing himself. do you think this is enough? we _ another thing himself. do you think this is enough? we watch _ another thing himself. do you think this is enough? we watch the - this is enough? we watch the numbers- _ this is enough? we watch the numbers- we _ this is enough? we watch the numbers. we listen - this is enough? we watch the numbers. we listen to - this is enough? we watch the numbers. we listen to the i this is enough? we watch the i numbers. we listen to the chief medical officer and chief scientific adviser and the nhs and i�*ve been very clear with sajid javid. when he�*s acting in the public interest he�*s acting in the public interest he would have our support and if he feels the measures are necessary anytime we will engage with them constructively and work in the bipartisan way and put public health before party politics and that�*s what the country will expect us to do. ., , , ., , what the country will expect us to do. , ., , ., ., . do. new measures have been announced in scotland this — do. new measures have been announced in scotland this afternoon _ do. new measures have been announced in scotland this afternoon urging - in scotland this afternoon urging people with his advice by than legal restrictions on the meet three households at a time. getting something similarly be sensible in england? something similarly be sensible in encland? , ., england? every government across the uk needs to make _ england? every government across the uk needs to make its _ england? every government across the uk needs to make its own _ england? every government across the uk needs to make its own decisions i uk needs to make its own decisions based on the scientific advice that they are receiving and there are different factors at play in different factors at play in different parts of the country and we have said repeatedly we want people to enjoy christmas and we want people to enjoy christmas safely and we can we can do to tackle the threat of omicron is to get that boost their working effectively so they will support that big effort being made by the nhs to do that whether they can get a vaccine in everyone�*s arm by december it�*s a tall order. but we will not beat them up or beat up those staff and volunteers in the armed forces and the pharmacists and gps who will be moving heaven and earth to make this happen. three of our earth to make this happen. three of your colleagues _ earth to make this happen. three of your colleagues have _ earth to make this happen. three of your colleagues have tested - earth to make this happen. three ofj your colleagues have tested positive for covid—19 in the last couple of days and the liberal democrat leader has been tweeting the same within the last hour and clearly there are cases here in providence. how confident do you think people should be about having a normal christmas this year? i be about having a normal christmas this ear? ~ , , this year? i think this underlines ve real this year? i think this underlines very real way — this year? i think this underlines very real way for _ this year? i think this underlines very real way for us _ this year? i think this underlines very real way for us here - this year? i think this underlines very real way for us here in - this year? i think this underlines very real way for us here in the i very real way for us here in the palace of westminster that what we do know about this variance is it is spreading fast and there is a real risk that it through the nhs and social care workforce and seeps through the population eight risks overwhelming the nhs as a critical time as they move into january and february the previous month for the nhs and the point of these measures is to stop the nhs from being overwhelmed and that�*s why acting in the public interest we back the government on these measures because we are backing the scientific advice and backing the nhs.— we are backing the scientific advice and backing the nhs. thank you. it's worth saying — and backing the nhs. thank you. it's worth saying that _ and backing the nhs. thank you. it's worth saying that the _ and backing the nhs. thank you. it's worth saying that the mood - worth saying that the mood employment this afternoon is pretty bleak, notjust because of some of those briefings the mps have been hopping from the experts but also there are a few mps have been speaking to you who think that quite potentially this is not the end of the picture when it comes to england. they looked at the announcement in scotland earlier from nicola sturgeon and they wonder if potentially some further restrictions might be needed in england, not something that government is indicating that the moment or something that�*s definitely going to happen but a question that some are asking. the uk�*s health security agency is warning of a "very difficult four weeks ahead" as the omicron variant shows a higher rate of infection. dr susan hopkins told a committee of mps that people should take a lateral flow test before they socialise. latest figures suggest ten people are in hospital in england with omicron. our health correspondent, anna collinson, reports. thank you for being on the programme. as well as these warnings from susan hopkins. we heard the health secretary this afternoon talking about the fact that it is projected or thought that there are over a0 times as many omicron infections as has been publicly revealed so far. seller sajid javid mentioned 200,000 infections at the moment. but mentioned 200,000 infections at the moment. �* ~' ., mentioned 200,000 infections at the moment. �* ,, ., moment. but the meek of the act? this is a bit — moment. but the meek of the act? this is a bit naughty. _ moment. but the meek of the act? this is a bit naughty. the _ moment. but the meek of the act? this is a bit naughty. the ministersj this is a bit naughty. the ministers are not supposed to use numbers to gain primates without providing theirjustification. presumably the their justification. presumably the uk theirjustification. presumably the uk health security agency are rushing to put out a model but this is very bad practice. it can turn very strange when you see 2000 —— 200,000 infections every day and you just said their standing hospital, what�*s going on. he is talking about infections he is not talking about cases and he�*s talking about if they are infections yesterday we would expect us to translate into cases in a few days�* time and only a minority would get tested and test positive and then a small number of those would go on to hospital. so if there is this enormous lag between media week between what the numbers he is saying and what we can expect to observing the statistics. but when you get that number from, there are various assumptions or pessimistic once which could lead to that assumption based on the rates of infection doubling every two days. but anyway we know it cannot continue and if indeed they would be 11 million infections on christmas day and the whole country would have it under new year�*s eve so that�*s not going to happen. so it will take it off and slow down and some scientists see that already has in denmark and south africa selling to the tail off and they would be a peak of infections but this is serious, millions of people are going to get this virus. essentially, this figure of 200,000 thus i there is a lot of omicron out there in the community but you saying it�*s not a helpfulfigure and you are saying it�*s not being made publicly available. it�*s you are saying it's not being made publicly available.— publicly available. it's helpful if ou t publicly available. it's helpful if out to publicly available. it's helpful if you try to build _ publicly available. it's helpful if you try to build the _ publicly available. it's helpful if you try to build the model - publicly available. it's helpful if you try to build the model for l publicly available. it's helpful if. you try to build the model for what might happen and there is not reflected of the statistics we are seeing every day and is a mismatch and it produces some scepticism on behalf of people listening about this. but we are very uncertain of course about what the impact even if there are 200,000 infections it�*s possible and what the impact of that will be. we know it would be a large number of infections and these are very much younger people so it would be a very slow roll—out impact from them in terms of hospitalisations and deaths but in the and even if it is a mild disease and we are not sure about that yet if millions and millions of people get it in a short period that still means very serious problems for the nhs but we don�*t know whether that�*s going to be not as bad as last winter weather it will be bad, it will be bad but with it be as bad as last winter or worse? and we don�*t know. find it be as bad as last winter or worse? and we don't know. and this is because we _ worse? and we don't know. and this is because we don't _ worse? and we don't know. and this is because we don't know _ worse? and we don't know. and this is because we don't know about - worse? and we don't know. and this is because we don't know about the | is because we don�*t know about the severity of the illness that omicron causes. ,, ., severity of the illness that omicron causes. ., ., severity of the illness that omicron causes. ., ., .., severity of the illness that omicron causes. ., ., ., severity of the illness that omicron causes. ., ., .., ., ., ", causes. some data came out today from south — causes. some data came out today from south africa _ causes. some data came out today from south africa suggesting - causes. some data came out today from south africa suggesting that. from south africa suggesting that 80% reduced risk of hospitalisation compared to previous waves but we have got to wait for data that comes from our very good sources in this country. from our very good sources in this count . ., ., , , .,, country. the government approach has been to ut country. the government approach has been to put enormous _ country. the government approach has been to put enormous pressure - country. the government approach has been to put enormous pressure on - been to put enormous pressure on boosters to make the push on boosters. does that make sense given the statistics? the boosters. does that make sense given the statistics?— the statistics? the boosters to make a ve bi the statistics? the boosters to make a very big difference. _ the statistics? the boosters to make a very big difference. the _ the statistics? the boosters to make a very big difference. the uk - the statistics? the boosters to make a very big difference. the uk health | a very big difference. the uk health security agency got some good data very quickly showing that the protection from boosters and way above what you would get without the boosters from symptomatic disease so this is a very good thing. the big impact of boosters is among the vulnerable population. people like all the people but even so if everybody got the blue state which is wonderful to see this huge roll—out although it�*s better late than never but it really could have happened a lot more urgency throughout the on someone he knew how effective boosters were eating for delta epsilon omicron. it would have an impact but it will not stop this. we are faced with a really big wave and the aim is to delete at peak and make it as flat as possible and far into january as possible. it does notjust and far into january as possible. it does not just affect over and far into january as possible. it does notjust affect over the christmas holidays.- does notjust affect over the christmas holidays. does notjust affect over the christmas holida s. ., , ., christmas holidays. people will have one e e on christmas holidays. people will have one eye on the _ christmas holidays. people will have one eye on the potential— christmas holidays. people will have one eye on the potential eventuallyl one eye on the potential eventually for foreign travel again. where do we stand in relation to our neighbours?— we stand in relation to our neighbours? we stand in relation to our neiuhbours? _, , we stand in relation to our neiuhbours? .., , i. neighbours? other countries if you do take you _ neighbours? other countries if you do take you pp _ neighbours? other countries if you do take you up at _ neighbours? other countries if you do take you up at the _ neighbours? other countries if you do take you up at the moment - neighbours? other countries if you | do take you up at the moment they are still experiencing their delta waves and death rates in germany and so on double what they are in the uk and they are doing very badly indeed. the cases are coming down in germany and austria finally because they have put very strict measures but that�*s just from delta. selling omicron hits which it inevitably will and it�*s really gone into denmark very strongly already, they are already very difficult situation. they would have a very tough time over the winter. thank ou so tough time over the winter. thank you so much- _ tough time over the winter. thank you so much. here _ tough time over the winter. thank you so much. here is _ tough time over the winter. thank you so much. here is a _ tough time over the winter. thank you so much. here is a left - tough time over the winter. thank you so much. here is a left at - tough time over the winter. thank you so much. here is a left at the | you so much. here is a left at the latest coronavirus data for the uk. another 59,610 people have tested positive for the virus within the last 2a hour period. a further 150 people have died within 28 days of a positive test. and just over half a million people were boosted in the last 23 hours. the health secretary sajid javid told mps today during the covid debate that he was taking all eleven african countries off the uk�*s travel red list. angola, botswana, eswatini, lesotho, malawi, mozambique, namibia, nigeria, south africa, zambia and zimbabwe were all put on the red list in late november — after omicron was identified in south africa. the change takes effect at aam tomorrow. one thing we don�*t have to worry about a lot over the next few days is the weather. it will be relatively quiet and of course this time of the year we are in peak storm season and we will see vicious weather approaching our sure assembly have our fair share but i think for the next few days and into the run up to christmas the weather is looking quiet. we have some breeze in the northwest where we often do this time of year with wings and rain through the night around the western isles but for the most part it is a dry night and a mild night as well and temperature is six to 10 degrees first thing in the morning and the cloud cover across the uk will be variable. broadly speaking eastern areas will fare best with the best sunshine through the afternoon where the atlantic wind blew always have more crowd and the temperatures well above the average 13 for london around 12 degrees expected in glasgow. they�*ve already painted a picture of the next few days and there is very little change and it would be quiet. hello this is bbc news. the headlines... scotland's first minister tightens restrictions saying she doesn't want people _ restrictions saying she doesn't want people to _ restrictions saying she doesn't want people to cancel christmas, but less household _ people to cancel christmas, but less household mixing to curb the spread of omicron — household mixing to curb the spread of omicron. mps are debating government plans for tougher— rules in england including the introduction of covid passes to gain entry— introduction of covid passes to gain entry to _ introduction of covid passes to gain entry to large events. government figures — entry to large events. government figures show that 59,610 new cases of covid _ figures show that 59,610 new cases of covid have been reported in the uk. of covid have been reported in the uk 0ne _ of covid have been reported in the uk one of— of covid have been reported in the uk. one of the highest daily totals this year — uk. one of the highest daily totals this year. 150 deaths were recorded within 20 days positive covid _ recorded within 20 days positive covid test. ministers | recorded within 20 days positive covid test. ministers— recorded within 20 days positive covid test. ministers i removed all the countries _ covid test. ministers i removed all the countries on _ covid test. ministers i removed all the countries on the _ covid test. ministers i removed all the countries on the uk's - covid test. ministers i removed all the countries on the uk's red - covid test. ministers i removed all the countries on the uk's red list i the countries on the uk�*s red list for travel introduced after the emergence of omicron. 11 african nations were on the list. a woman is convicted of murdering her partners 16—month—old daughter, the court hears that star hobson died of utterly catastrophic injuries. sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here is sarah. good evening. premier league players and staff will have to take lateral flow tests every time they want to enter their club�*s training ground. it�*s one of a number of new measures agreed by club to combat the rising numbers of coronavirus cases. in the last week, two games have been postponed, with tottenham against brighton on sunday called off, and tonight�*s match between manchester united and brenford also cancelled. twice weekly pcr testing will also be introduced, along with increased mask wearing and social distancing, while time in treatment rooms will be limited. struggles for other sports too — in rugby union, one game in the champions cup was called off last weekend and now there�*s doubts over another this weekend — leinster say an additional number of senior players have tested positive for covid ahead of friday�*s game against montpellier in france. this follows four positives last week at the province. and issues too for the hosts, they have reported a fifth positive test, with the team now training in separate groups with more testing to come. so as i was saying, manchester united against brentford is off — but two games are going ahead in the premier league. leaders manchester city host leeds, kick off at 8 o clock. leeds won the corresponding fixture 2—1 last season and could earn consecutive away league victories against city for the first time in 3a years. it's it�*s one of the toughest openings, especially because they play every week in a special and unique way, and we play against special and unique way ofjust two times a year. we have tojust unique way ofjust two times a year. we have to just a few things, play a little differently against those opponents. bottom side norwich host aston villa, which sees former villa boss dean smith welcome his old club to carrow road. he insists it�*sjust like any other game — and the new villa boss steven gerrad can see the improvements smith has brought to norwich. i think he's gotten here, he certainly— i think he's gotten here, he certainly looked like a player with more _ certainly looked like a player with more possession. ithink certainly looked like a player with more possession. i think performance has certainly — more possession. i think performance has certainly improved. yeah, we know— has certainly improved. yeah, we know it's — has certainly improved. yeah, we know it's going to be a tough game under— know it's going to be a tough game under the _ know it's going to be a tough game under the lights at caro road. the nranager— under the lights at caro road. the manager knows a lot about this group and play— manager knows a lot about this group and play is _ manager knows a lot about this group and play is from an individual point of view _ and play is from an individual point of view. these players know the manager they are competing against. ?arsenal have stripped pierre—emerick aubameyang of the club captaincy and said he won�*t be considered for selection against west ham tomorrow night. aubameyang was dropped for saturday�*s win over southampton for what manager mikel arteta described as a "disciplinary breach". reports suggest he returned late from a trip to france. we have made this decision and that unfortunately is a really tough one, and obviously, if i had to choose, i wouldn't _ and obviously, if i had to choose, i wouldn't like to be sitting here talking — wouldn't like to be sitting here talking about it, but we had to do it the _ talking about it, but we had to do it the next — talking about it, but we had to do it. the next one is involved in the squad we — it. the next one is involved in the squad. we want to take our culture, our demands— squad. we want to take our culture, our demands to a new level, and when those _ our demands to a new level, and when those standards are not met, you know _ those standards are not met, you know that — those standards are not met, you know that you cannot participate in our daily— know that you cannot participate in our daily basics. former yorkshire head coach andrew gale will not return to his position as assistant coach of men�*s hundred side northern superchargers in 2022. gale was one of 16 people sacked by yorkshire in the aftermath of racism allegations made by azeem rafiq. gale was on a one—year contract with the superchargers for the 2021 season, which will not be renewed. and three time world gold medallist, elise christie, has announced her retirement from short track speed skating at the age of 31 — but she insists this isn�*t the last we�*ll see of her in sport. in a statement christie said she had been putting this decision off... after the heartbreak after failing to qualify for the winter olympics in beijing next year. she added that she still has sporting plans for 2026, insisting her olympic medal dream isn�*t overjust yet. christie suffered huge dissapointment at the winter games in sochi and pyeongchang. we�*ll have more for you in sportsday at half past six. that is all this part for me to now. thank you so much, sarah. you are watching bbc news. a woman has been found guilty of murdering her partner�*s 16—month—old child. starr hobson endured months of the salt and psychological harm before suffering what was described as utterly catastrophic injuries in her home. they were inflicted by savannah bracco, the partner of star�*s mother, frankie smith, smith was cleared of murder and manslaughter at bradford crown courts but convicted of causing or allowing the time the�*s debt. our correspondent reports. starr hobson, a happy little girl, seen here with her great—grandfather. but over a period of months, she changed from this. you are proud to see a distressing image of start asleep, covered in bruises. she was seen by police and social services but was always allowed to stay with her abusers. david fawcett used to frequently look after her before the abuse began and has been left devastated. i know for a fact we�*ll never, ever get over losing star. i�*m going to work crying some mornings, when i�*m going to work, itjust hits you, and you just get overcome with it, it�*s... you just can�*t believe we�*re never going to see her again, it�*s... her own mother and her partner lied repeatedly about how she had been hurt, while subjecting her to a horrifically cruel campaign of abuse. frankie smith and savannah brockhill deprived their little girl, played cruel psychological tricks, and kept concerned social workers away from her. pretty girl. you're a spoiled pretty girl. star hobson was anything but spoiled. smith and brockhill posted these caring images publicly, but privately they were horrible to her. on one occasion brockhill took star to her work at a recycling centre. cctv here later caught the amateur boxer beating the toddler. star died aged just 16 months. in the months before her death, david fawcett and his partner anita raised chilling concerns with social services. anita says, well, you don�*t want another baby p on your hands, do you? she said, how do you mean? so anita says, well, think about it, that little baby p a couple of years, he got let down by social services, so we just want you to go see what problems is here. but that was it, we never heard a thing, theyjust said the case were closed, and that was that. ambulance service, is the patient breathing? on september 22nd last year, star hobson was murdered by brockhill. on the day she died, her killer searched the internet for how to bring a baby out of shock. that was 15 minutes before she calmly made this call. she was crying, and then she stopped crying, and then she was sick, and now she�*sjust a little bit floppy, to be honest with you. i find it very difficult to believe that somebody could inflict the injuries that's been inflicted onto a child of that age. i am very conscious that they're yet to be sentenced and doon't want to say anything at this stage which may prejudice the sentencing. star, do you love your mums? when challenged by authorities, her mother and her partner lied and said she�*d fallen, or claimed complaints were malicious and from people who didn�*t like their relationship. today, savannah brockhill was found guilty of murder. frankie smith was convicted of causing or allowing the death of a child. was star hobson�*s death avoidable? could more have been done by the authorities? many questions are raised by the short life of this sweet little girl. that report was by the bbc�*s danny savage. there�*s been a 13% increase in the number of state school pupils in england absent for covid—related reasons, according to department for education attendance figures released today. 236,000 pupils missed school for covid—related reasons on the 9th of december — although fewer than half of them had a confirmed case of coronavirus. schools in some high infection areas are struggling to stay fully open. our education correspondent, elaine dunkley, reports. bell rings. year three, year four, come on! it�*s been the most difficult term, there�*s no doubt about it. we�*ve seen a lot more cases of covid amongst the children — and a huge amount more amongst the staff. this is ash green primary in halifax. it�*s another day of juggling staff absences and children missing school because of covid. last monday, we had 12 staff off for covid—related reasons. you add that, then, to normal absence, that particular day, we had 20 members of staff off. i got to a point in about october where i thought, this is getting really difficult. how much longer can i keep going at this level? how much longer can the staff keep going? working in schools at the moment is incredibly tough. teaching unions are warning that there aren�*t enough supply teachers, as schools across the country struggle to get additional support. for the children, missing teachers and their friends is tough. it'sjust hard to play with people when they're all off, so i just walk around most of the time. we�*ve had four teachers in the past nine days. it�*s been hard, not having our actual teacher in. it is easier to learn with them, because they know what they are doing a lot, because obviously they plan it. hugh monaghan is the school social worker. he�*s concerned about pupil absences. fears around the new variant, omicron, has led to some parents keeping their children away from school, and for the most vulnerable pupils, it is a big worry. it is a lot easier when children are in school. if children are coming in with any injuries, we�*re there first hand, we�*re seeing the injury, we�*re recording injuries, to be able to do those early investigations before having to make a referral to social care. as well as dealing with the welfare and emotional wellbeing of pupils, there is pressure to help children catch up on learning. you've got children who are so low. year two children, these children are six turning seven, have missed reception and year one, the two most vital years of their schooling. but when we expect them to sit down and do that sats tests in may, june. it is really worrying, you feel a lot of pressure, because you've still got to get those children to that place. it's layer and layer and layer of pressure. in a statement, the department for education says it has put in place a covid workplace fund to cover the cost of schools with staffing pressures as a result of the pandemic. the term is nearly over for the pupils and staff at ash green primary — the christmas holiday a break from the stress of teaching in a pandemic. but with new variants, there are fears of more disruption, as staff wait to see what the new year will bring. elaine dunkley, bbc news, in halifax. the headlines on bbc news... scotland�*s france minister nicholas surgeons tightens restrictions saying she doesn�*t want people to cancel christmas but because for less household mixing to curb the spread of omicron. mps are debating the government�*s plans for tougher rules in england, including the introduction of covid passes to gain entry to large events. government figures show that 59,610 new cases of covid have been reported in the uk. one of the highest daily totals this year. 150 deaths recorded within 28 days of positive cover test. big tech should be poised to take tougher action on online crimes and tougher action on online crimes and to be us, that�*s up according to a parliamentary committee calling for a significant change in a proposed online safety belt. it says the dominant tech firms have failed to sound regulate and must do more to protect children from us to stop fraud and tackle races to be beast on violence against women. marianna spring has this report. from child abuse to online hate, scams, fraud, racist posts and violence against women — social media companies have come under increasing pressure to tackle crime and harm links to their sites. celebrities, parents and insiders have all been speaking out. it baffles me... some testifying to a committee of mps scrutinising an online safety bill that would regulate big tech. today that committee has asked for those proposals to be made tougher. the bill needs to be much more specific about what offences it includes, what we expect the social media companies to do in response to it, so how do we deal with racist abuse, how do we deal with abuse against women and girls, how do we deal with content that promotes self—harm, what do we expect the companies to do. welcome to this further evidence session of the joint committee... these cross—party group of mps want social media sites — including facebook, twitter, instagram, youtube and tiktok — to face sanctions and fines from ofcom, if they don�*t do more to protect users. and they want several things to be made illegal — notjust content promoting suicide, but also cyberflashing. that�*s something sophie has experienced. she was on the tube in london when she was airdropped indecent photos. and then the man who did it started to follow her. he was looking at me, he was looking at his phone, i looked down at my phone and saw the request coming in, and kind ofjust in that moment it was so unnerving that somebody was able to send me these quite horrendous unsolicited images. love island influencer amy hart, who gave evidence to mp5, fears how cyber flashing could escalate into more offline harm. once the thrill of that cyber flashing is gone, where does it go from there? does it go to physical flashing? and then as we've seen in the news recently, once the thrill of physical flashing is gone, where does it go from there? social media sites have also been criticised for promoting anti—women hate after a bbc panorama investigation, and the safety of women and children online has been a key concern of former facebook employee frances haugen, who also shared her experience with these mps. and there is an opportunity for the uk to be really world leading in terms of keeping i think on the order of billions of people safe, because someone has to stand up for what�*s right. social media sites all say they�*re committed to tackling harmful content, and meta, which owns facebook, has welcomed these latest proposals. the recommendations now go to the government, and the bill is likely to come up for a vote next year. marianna spring, bbc news. the number of job vacancies the number ofjob vacancies new numbers show, the office for national statistics as they have increased by 185,000 to reach more than 1.2 million. there are signs that in some sectors the shortage of staff is slowing business down. here is our economics correspondent. and players can�*t find the staff to do the work. had of christmas, this hotel has 30 staff you are than it needs. . ,, ., .,, needs. some went back to europe in the early part _ needs. some went back to europe in the early part of— needs. some went back to europe in the early part of that _ needs. some went back to europe in the early part of that year _ needs. some went back to europe in the early part of that year and - the early part of that year and other people chose the last year and have to go off and do other things, some went to work in a library, start their own business, doing things from their own home, of course. this foundry also _ their own home, of course. this foundry also lost _ their own home, of course. this foundry also lost staff— their own home, of course. this foundry also lost staff in the pandemic and is now struggling to meet the orders coming in. taste pandemic and is now struggling to meet the orders coming in. we are havin: to meet the orders coming in. we are having to push _ meet the orders coming in. we are having to push our _ meet the orders coming in. we are having to push our lead _ meet the orders coming in. we are having to push our lead times - meet the orders coming in. we are having to push our lead times to i meet the orders coming in. we are i having to push our lead times to our customers, and some of our customers have been— customers, and some of our customers have been patient, but some really 'ust have been patient, but some really just cannot — have been patient, but some really just cannot wait as long as we are quoting them in terms of time frames — quoting them in terms of time frames. they take their business elsewhere. in frames. they take their business elsewhere-— frames. they take their business elsewhere. , . ,, ., elsewhere. in sectors like farming and food processing _ elsewhere. in sectors like farming and food processing a _ elsewhere. in sectors like farming and food processing a severe - and food processing a severe shortage of staff is now described by some as a crisis. backbench conservatives want to know the government is doing about it. taste conservatives want to know the government is doing about it. we are seeinu our government is doing about it. we are seeing our industry _ government is doing about it. we are seeing our industry slowly _ government is doing about it. we are seeing our industry slowly being - seeing our industry slowly being destroyed. 25% less vegetables planted, 12 and half percent less poultry being produced. at that brexit was about actually encouraging production in this country, not discouraging it. compared to before the pandemic, vacancies are by a3a,000 to 1.2 million. the unemployment rate was up million. the unemployment rate was up to a.3% in october and the number unemployed roast by 78,000 to 1.38 million. the figures hiked back to the item, before the omicron variance truck. this is regent street in london�*s west end, normally at this time the victim 11 days before christmas, it is heaving, but since the government�*s recommendation to work from home, it�*s a lot quieter, and the what the bank of england does not yet know is how this latest wave of the virus has affected the jobs market. many economists think it�*s going to hold off interest rates later this week. already, omicron is seeing parts of the economy like transport manchester a passengerjourneys are down 30% in the week so far, it�*s less severe than last but there is no furlough scheme. for firms hit by a drop in business over christmas, prospects for the new year looked uncertain. it's it�*s not rocket science to work out what someone means my needs that phrase to criticise us for messing up phrase to criticise us for messing up some simple task, it�*s not brain surgery either, but it turns out that rocket scientists and brain surgeons may not be that clever after all. a study of a00 neurosurgeons and aerospace engineers found they weren�*t necessarily any more intelligent than the rest of us. matt grayling has this report. the brain controls every single thing we do. but you know this, it�*s not rocket science. but what if something actually was rocket science? or even brain surgery? are we all smart enough or that? well, a new study says we just might be. the new study says we 'ust might be. the most new study says we just might be. tie: most important new study says we just might be. tte: most important thing new study says we just might be. tt9 most important thing to us is to find the right test. we broke that down into six different domains of intelligence, and across the six domains, we had over 300 rocket scientists, just under 100 brain surgeons completing all of these tasks. the data for the study was gathered online, a free website, anyone can take part and it sees people do a number of tests. summer memory based. _ people do a number of tests. summer memory based, summer _ memory based, summer problem—solving, and some are timed. who came out on top? well, let�*s call it a draw of the six disciplines, semantic problem solving favourite brain surgeons while mental manipulation went the way of rocket scientists. but for the other for discipline such as memory recall, there was no significant difference. it�*s significant difference. it's interesting _ significant difference. it's interesting that _ significant difference. it�*s interesting that our problem—solving speed might be a little quicker. if something is at the bottom of a deep dark hole and someone�*s brain stem, you have a second or two to decide what to do to stop that in order to keep that patient alive. i think we get used to doing that sort of thing quickly over the years. so it�*s not the way that we are born smarter and that way than other people, it�*s that way than other people, it�*s that we develop the habit. interestingly, the scores were also compared to 18,000 data sets from the general public where no difference was seen with rocket scientists or brain surgeons were faster problem—solving, they were slower at memory recall speeds. ashley now holds his results may break down people�*s preconception about the types of roles they could deal. : , :, :, about the types of roles they could deal. : y:, :, :, , :, about the types of roles they could deal. : :, :, , :, :, , deal. anyone who wants to do these es of deal. anyone who wants to do these types of professions, _ deal. anyone who wants to do these types of professions, which - deal. anyone who wants to do these types of professions, which they - deal. anyone who wants to do these | types of professions, which they may see as intimidating, should go ahead and do it, because actually everyone has a range of skills, and i think if you are determined, if you are passionate about what you want to do, then you will be great at it. matt grayling, bbc news. time for something a little different. after years in the wilderness, 90s tv star, mr blobby, is making his triumphant return to the stage in peter pan at the chrysalis theatre in milton keynes. but how is he finding life back in the spotlight? well, we didn�*t even have to ask! after camping outside the bbc for a number of days, and trying to force himself into the building a number of times, we finally relented and let him in. he told my colleague christian fraser all about his return to the stage and showbiz. well, i�*m very glad that you are on pantomime this year in milton keynes. we spent the programme budget on mince pies, just to get in the christmas spirit. back on the stage. i�*ll give you a minced pie. there you go. one minced pie. no, no, right. not for me. well, i guess that�*s all the minced pies gone. best of luck, mr blobby. thank you! elbow. bye. quite disconcerting. he was standing where i am now. you can see more of christian�*s interview with mr blobby, if you are so enclined too, on his programme tonight at 9pm. we make a sea mless seamless segue from mr blobby to the weather with comments. i was hoping you would be in the screen. thomas. mr blobby scares me. something in those eyes. anyway... laughter so, what have we got in store on the weather front over the next few days? is looking very quiet. in fact, cloudy and mild for the most part. there will be some sunshine abound, but generally cloudy, mist and fog in the morning and throughout the uk, it is going to eventually turn drive. this is what the satellite picture looks like right now. you can see the bay area void of cloud across the continent. this is where an area of high pressure is developing and this high pressure is developing and this high pressure will be drifting northwards to establish itself across the uk, and we think once it settles over the british isles, it will be here to stay in the run—up to christmas. so anyway difference that we have right now and there are weather fronts here, there is one bringing cloud and rain through the night and into tomorrow morning in the northwest. these weather fronts will be basically dried out by this high pressure that is developing from the south. and it�*s a very mild morning tomorrow. 10—6 celsius further east. you will notice there is already not much rain left in this weather front which is basically stuck across the british isles in this part of the uk on wednesday, just little drips and drives may be in northern ireland, southwestern parts of scotland. variable cloud cover i think tomorrow, the sunshine will be mostly to the east of the ten ninth. on thursday see that high—pressure starting to migrate. also pushing the front away. in high—pressure high pressure will sinking air, sinking air tends to bring drier air from higher in the atmosphere, squeezing the moisture out. sometimes cloud is stuck quite close to the ground. this is what we are going to see, well, not literally on the ground, but higher up. we will be looking for weather winds coming from over the next few days. within the centre of this high—pressure, very little wind to move the cloud around, so any cloud that is stuck there will hang around. one of the reasons why this high—pressure will stick around for a long time as this pattern in the stream. if you know the the letter on they got, you can see it here, that basically that pattern in the jet stream locks in the high—pressure air. once it�*s there, once it�*s sitting on top of us, it cannot really move anywhere. so it�*s going to be with us on friday, on saturday, sunday, into next week, and with that, i don�*t think the temperatures are going to change an awful lot. the good news on the weather front is at least that things are looking quiet. at six — the government�*s top medical adviser warns ministers to brace for a "significant increase in hospitalisations" from omicron. more long queues forjabs, as the prime minister says a huge spike of omicron cases is on its way. across scotland, people are urged to limit their socialising around christmas and mix with no more than three households. i am not asking anyone to cancel christmas, but in the run—up to and in immediate aftermath of christmas, i am asking everyone to reduce as far as possible and to a minimum the contacts we have with people. tonight, in westminster, mps are about to vote on the government�*s plans for tougher covid rules in england — borisjohnson could face his biggest rebellion yet.