business leaders here about the solution for hospitality and other sectors affected. the government is hoping to encourage recently—retired school teachers to return to work to help with staff shortages due to coronavirus. the bank of england increases interest rates from 0.1% to 0.25% as inflation hits its highest level in a decade. good luck, rose. and more people signing up to learn sign language, since the deaf actress rose ayling ellis appeared on this year's series of strictly come dancing. hello, and welcome to bbc news. the uk has once again reported a record number of coronavirus cases as fears over the spread of the omircron variant continue to grow. 88,376 new cases of covid—19 have been recorded today — which is nearly 10,000 more than yesterday's figure. with a highly infectious new variant, one of the biggest concerns is what will happen when — as seems inevitable — large numbers of staff fall ill, while at the same time hospital admissions linked to the virus are climbing. we will keep as much of our routine services going as possible, that's what we did last january during the last big wave. but inevitably, if we get many, many more admissions over the coming weeks, we will see some disruption. from today, we have new drugs available that we can give to the highest—risk people in the community, which will also prevent hospital admissions. there's also the question of what we can do to protect ourselves in the run—up to christmas. health officials are stressing they don't want to tell people how to live their lives, but to think about what matters the most. people want to protect the time that is most important to them, and that therefore means in practice it is sensible for people to cut down on work or other interactions with people including potentially social ones which are less important to them so that they reduce their chances of catching covid and indeed reduce the chance of passing it on. getting boosterjabs into as many arms as possible remains the government's main tactic for tackling the new wave. this vaccination centre in kent has seen the number being delivered increased fourfold. the prime minister denied there was any confusion between the message from health experts and ministers. there's a lot of 0micron around — be careful, exercise caution if you want to avoid isolation, getting unwell over christmas. implement plan b but get boosted now is the fastest route back to normality because the booster does give you an excellent level of protection. in scotland, it's expected that 0micron will be the dominant strain of coronavirus by tomorrow. nicola sturgeon has confirmed that restrictions designed to curb the spread of coronavirus, which will affect shops and hospitality venues in scotland, will come into force tomorrow. rules on physical distancing and the management of queueing in shops will be reintroduced. infections climbing fast, warnings that too much socialising now could ruin the festive break... ..it�*s beginning to feel a lot like last christmas. dominic hughes, bbc news. with me is our health correspondent, anna collinson. nearly 90,000 daily cases, and these numbers arejust zooming nearly 90,000 daily cases, and these numbers are just zooming out, aren't they? numbers are “ust zooming out, aren't the ? , . , numbers are 'ust zooming out, aren't the ? , . , ., numbers are 'ust zooming out, aren't the ? , . �* numbers are 'ust zooming out, aren't the? �* �*,., they? they really are. but it's not a particular— they? they really are. but it's not a particular surprise _ they? they really are. but it's not a particular surprise when - they? they really are. but it's not a particular surprise when we've l a particular surprise when we've been following this data. 0micron is highly transmissible, and we've been getting warnings from government advisers over the past few days that we should prepare for these staggering numbers. so as you say, the latest data shows a further 88,000 people testing positive— a record number in the pandemic, and 10,000 jump record number in the pandemic, and 10,000jump on record number in the pandemic, and 10,000 jump on yesterday which was the previous record. and they're mostly being driven by london, which is also now starting to see a creeping up in hospitalisations, as well, and the uk is set to follow that. we can, as i say, expect to see further records in the coming days. a leading government adviser told mps earlier that omicron has a doubling time of every two days, and the r number is between 3—5. in context, that means everyone person that has covid, that could spread between 3—5 people. professor chris whitty says he expects the peak of the omicron variant wave to be coming in currently fast, but also drop faster than other variants. so it's another record, but probably not the less we will see. find it's another record, but probably not the less we will see. and there has been some _ not the less we will see. and there has been some talk— not the less we will see. and there has been some talk of— not the less we will see. and there has been some talk of omicron - has been some talk of omicron perhaps causing a milder illness than delta — when will we know if that's the case? it’s than delta - when will we know if that's the case?— that's the case? it's still a bit too early. — that's the case? it's still a bit too early, chris _ that's the case? it's still a bit too early, chris would - that's the case? it's still a bit too early, chris would he - that's the case? it's still a bit too early, chris would he talk that's the case? it's still a bit - too early, chris would he talk about this yesterday, he also talked about the importance of not taking that data that's come from south africa, where omicron was first detected, that we shouldn't see this as too mild and illness. therejust mild and illness. there just isn't enough data to say that and we need to be careful. because with the case being so high and continuing to increase, even a small increase in hospitalisations and serious illnesses could cause real harm to the nhs and also the people who rely on that care. he was asked this morning by mps if he thought we could see past the peak of hospitalisations that we saw last year, which was a500 daily hospitalisations. he said that could be possible but it comes with a caveat — that people may stay in hospital for a shorter time. caveat — that people may stay in hospitalfor a shorter time. so caveat — that people may stay in hospital for a shorter time. so we may see more people coming through the door but, because of the power of the vaccine, they may be in hospital for a shorter amount of time and fewer people in i see you. but he was very keen to stress that there is still so much uncertainty, and it'll really be another week at least before we have any real insight into what's going on with and omicron.— and omicron. lots of questions still, but for — and omicron. lots of questions still, but for the _ and omicron. lots of questions still, but for the moment, - and omicron. lots of questions | still, but for the moment, thank and omicron. lots of questions - still, but for the moment, thank you very much. the chancellor rishi sunak is coming back to the uk earlier than planned after a trip to the us, a government official has said. mr sunak will be flying back tomorrow, instead of saturday. let's get more on this from our political correspondent iain watson. the chancellor is under some pressure to get back? yes the chancellor is under some pressure to get back?- the chancellor is under some pressure to get back? yes he was, he's coming _ pressure to get back? yes he was, he's coming back— pressure to get back? yes he was, he's coming back overnight - pressure to get back? yes he was, j he's coming back overnight tonight so we will be hearing from him tomorrow morning. he was due to come back late tomorrow afternoon. so he has curtailed his trip, he went to california on tuesday and he's been largely talking to tech companies, investment companies, health companies, but he's been under huge pressure to come back to britain. today there was a so—called urgent question, which basically was a device to get government ministers to answer questions in the house of commons, laboursaid to answer questions in the house of commons, labour said they let dust led the charge... they were inundated with cancellations on the run up to christmas, given advice from the chief medical officer and the prime minister, the people should be cautious when they socialise. so that's the backdrop to it. what the chancellor will be doing tomorrow is talking to a range of companies — but at the moment, i'm told he's still trying to work out what help and assistance they need. because some of them are asking quite simple for an extension to reduce rates on vat beyond next spring, others say they are facing a real crunch now, so what can you do to help under those circumstances? i'm told he's in a listening mode. in addition to that, there's also discussions this afternoon between his treasury team and the whole range of people in the hospitality industry — so there's quite a lot of political pressure on the government to help these businesses out, and to help them out quickly. what labour are saying is that the government should have thought about this and advance, and also that their guidance and guidelines to businesses and the rest of us should be clearer and more coherent. because there has been quite a lot of comment about supposedly mixed messages from government, urging the public did not go out and be cautious, but without formally shutting businesses down? this has one down shutting businesses down? this has gone down very _ shutting businesses down? this has gone down very badly _ shutting businesses down? this has gone down very badly on _ shutting businesses down? this has gone down very badly on the - gone down very badly on the conservative benches. when i talk about political pressure, labour led the charge today, but i think rishi sunak will be having an eye towards his own backbenchers, as well, when he returns tomorrow. in the house of commons today, a whole range of conservative mps complained that we were having effectively a lockdown by stealth — they were angered in particular by the chief medical officer, chris whitty, yesterday 0fficer, chris whitty, yesterday when he said effectively don't mix if you don't have to, and that was leaving hospitality especially in the lurch. they are also worried about the prospect of any future restrictions, and they are effectively getting buffeted by many of their own constituents. i spoke to an mp first thing this morning at westminister who said he had a transport company that often took people to and from christmas parties, and they had a 70% drop off in business. the chancellorfeels he can no longer stay on the other side of the atlantic, given pressure from his own backbenchers as well as from the opposition. his own backbenchers as well as from the opposition-— the opposition. many thanks for that. nearly a quarter of patients brought to hospital in an ambulance are facing dangerous delays getting into hospital in england, nhs data shows. ambulances are meant to hand over patients within 15 minutes of arriving. but in the past week, 23% out of nearly 8a,000 patients brought in waited over 30 minutes. joining me now is dr denise langhor, emergency medicine lead at the british medical association. good afternoon to you, why is the situation being brought about? 50. situation being brought about? so, eve ear situation being brought about? srr, every year now situation being brought about? 557, every year now for situation being brought about? 5513, every year now for the situation being brought about? 5r3, every year now for the last few years, we've experienced what we call winter pressures within our emergency departments and hospitals. what the situation means by that is that when hospitals are full and patients arrive to the emergency department, they get stuck in the a&e on a trolley waiting for an available hospital bed. when the a&e department becomes full, then the next patients arriving that we want to get into cubicles unfortunately, it means we might not have space for them — and that's where we get the situation we become familiar with in the news of patients being cute in corridors, also outside and ambience is waiting for space to become available in the a&e._ is waiting for space to become available in the me. please go on. there's just — available in the me. please go on. there's just no _ available in the me. please go on. there'sjust no room _ available in the me. please go on. there'sjust no room for _ available in the me. please go on. there'sjust no room for the - available in the me. please go on. | there'sjust no room for the patient there's just no room for the patient to be admitted into the emergency department, so unfortunately the paramedics are kept looking after them for a long period of time, which delays them getting back out onto the streets and to help the next patients that have rang 999. and so it goes on. are you attributing this to a winter pressures, the usual winter pressures? 0r pressures, the usual winter pressures? or is this exacerbated by covid? it’s pressures? or is this exacerbated by covid? �* , pressures? or is this exacerbated by covid? h _ covid? it's winter exacerbated by covid, and _ covid? it's winter exacerbated by covid, and the _ covid? it's winter exacerbated by covid, and the fact _ covid? it's winter exacerbated by covid, and the fact the _ covid? it's winter exacerbated by covid, and the fact the nhs - covid? it's winter exacerbated by covid, and the fact the nhs has i covid? it's winter exacerbated by - covid, and the fact the nhs has been underfunded and under resourced for many years now, we know in the last decade we've lost about 13,000 beds nationally, we estimate there's about 50,000 doctors shortages, and at least 100,000 vacancies across the whole nhs. 0n at least 100,000 vacancies across the whole nhs. on top of that, winter is always a busy period for us — we know that generally all the respiratory viruses cause an increase in attendance is, people are generally more likely to become unwell overwinter. at the moment, we are also dealing with a significant backlog of care. so because of the covid pandemic, our waiting list for elective surgeries and things has risen exponentially. we've got nearly 6 million people on our waiting lists now, and of course, those people are prone to getting symptoms and feeling unwell because they haven't had the care they needed. so at the moment they are seeing a rise in those types of patients coming to the emergency department as a last resort and, on top of everything, as we've been hearing you all talk about the covid pandemic, it's never gone away from us. we've been seeing covid patients every day since covid started. and now with omicron and the sheer speed at which its spreading, there is a lot of concern around that we will find it very difficult to cope with any rise in attendance, we are already under considerable pressure. so what can be done to cope this winter? because i hear you talking about staff shortages, but it takes about staff shortages, but it takes a long time to train people up. it takes a really long time to train people up. so i think what we are really asking the government for is to think about the messaging that the public needs to hear right now, and to be quite clear thatjust suggesting people go for their boosters is probably not to be enough to stop the nhs being overwhelmed. it's sad to me to say, but we have to urge the public to really think about the number of social gatherings they are attending over the christmas period, and especially to consider whether or not it really is the right thing to do to go to a large event, large venues, large gatherings. we know that facemasks work, we know the messaging at the moment is that we are asking people to wear them in shops and on public transport — but why are we not asking them to wear them in hospitality? we've got this really strange situation where if you go to a take away, the person behind the counter will be wearing them facemasks, but at a restaurant, them facemasks, but at a restaurant, the waiter going from table to table isn't. there are definitely more things we could be doing to try and slow down the spread of covid whilst we get the boosters rolled out. we know the boosters are doing a good job, we know that they give increased protection to people who are having them. but unfortunately, it will take a bit of time to get those needles into arms. not everyone will even be eligible for their booster by the end of this year. so, as well as the boosters, we really need as a society to be thinking about what we can do collectively to try and stop spreading this infection to each other. ,, ~' , ., , spreading this infection to each other. ,, ~ , ., , . other. thank you very much indeed, aood to other. thank you very much indeed, good to talk — other. thank you very much indeed, good to talk to _ other. thank you very much indeed, good to talk to you. _ and the bbc has launched an nhs tracker to allow you to find out how your local services are coping in england, wales and scotland. it'll run through the winter. you can find out more at bbc.co.uk/nhstracker. the headlines on bbc news... the number of confirmed covid cases in the uk reaches a new record high — with 88,376 reported. that record number of cases raises real concerns for the nhs, and the impact on hospital admissions. the chancellor is cutting his us trip short to resume talks with business leaders here about the impact of covid on hospitality and other sectors affected. the education secretary for england, nadhim zahawi, has written to school and college leaders to say the government will try to boost the numbers of supply teachers by encouraging recently retired staff to consider a return to work. he also wrote a tribute on twitter, praising teachers and support staff for the "incredible job" they were doing in their response to the pandemic. and he explained that he was looking for ways to increase capacity as teacher shortages due to coronavirus are emerging as the biggest problem in the plans for schools to reopen injanuary. 0ur education editor branwenjeffreys has the latest. a lot of parents will be very anxious to avoid a repeat of this year where school is opened then closed. no one wants to see that happen. but if you don't have enough staff to put a teacher in front of the class, then it's down to the discretion of the head teacher whether or not to send, for example, part of the year group or a year group home to study remotely and to have the school partially closed. so, what they are going to try and do is to persuade retired teachers to work with supply agencies. we know that many supply agencies don't have their normal full complement of supply teachers. some people don't want to go from school to school working in different classrooms, and indeed, evidence today shows that if you work in education, you are more likely to get infected because of the high number of cases among children. also some have switched to the national tutoring programme in england, so there is a real problem, not everywhere, but in some areas in covering teachers when they got off sick or are isolating for their statutory ten days. the queen has cancelled her traditional pre—christmas family lunch at windsor castle next week — as a precautionary measure, following the uk's surge in 0micron cases. a source said it was felt the annual event could put too many people's christmas at risk. a garage worker has accepted responsibility for the killing of primary school teacher sabina nessa. koci selamaj travelled to london from his home in eastbourne to carry out what the prosecution alleges was a "pre—meditated and predatory" attack. our home affairs correspondent, june kelly is at the old bailey. this was a plea hearing for koci selamaj, the accused man this case. his lawyers said he was admitting responsibility for the death of sabina nessa, but he's pleading not guilty to the charge of murder. with him in the dock was an interpreter to help him follow proceedings, and a few feet away set members of sabina nessa's family. her sister and otherfamily members of sabina nessa's family. her sister and other family members came to the old bailey for this socially distanced hearing, and they obviously were following proceedings and what was a forecourt dust full—court, but we were all socially distanced. sabina nessa was a 28—year—old primary school teacher and, on a friday evening in september, she was on her way to be a friend for a night out. she left her home in southeast london, but she never arrived at that meeting. and her body was found the following day in a park near her home. now since her death, there have been a number of vigils in her memory, including very poignantly a vigil in october on what would've been her 29th birthday, and the family released balloons with two and nine on them, marking her birthday. in terms of the legal process, there will be a hearing in february on this case, and a trial date has been set forjune next year. business groups in the uk are increasing pressure on the government to help firms suffering from the rise in covid cases, which has led to cancelled bookings. the cbi — which represents british businesses — has urged ministers to provide support "in lockstep with future restrictions", and uk hospitality has called for business rates to be deferred and vat discounts extended. the government has so far declined to offer further support for business. joining me now from west london is kate nicholls, who's the chief executive of uk hospitality. good afternoon to you, kate. we've learned that rishi sunak has cut short his us trip to come back and talk to people like you. what do you want to say to him? we talk to people like you. what do you want to say to him?— talk to people like you. what do you want to say to him? we want to make sure ministers — want to say to him? we want to make sure ministers understand _ want to say to him? we want to make sure ministers understand the - sure ministers understand the real—time impact that decisions being taken are having on businesses and consumer confidence. we've been engaging with ministers across whitehall as a whole over the last week on a daily basis, this is a rapidly deteriorating situation our members are facing, and we want to make sure, as the cbi has said, that further support is maintained to help businesses directly affected by this through what will undoubtedly be a very difficult situation, to make sure they come out in the new year and participate in the recovery. year and participate in the recovery-— year and participate in the recove . �* , , ., , ., recovery. are there some sectors of uk hospitality _ recovery. are there some sectors of uk hospitality that _ recovery. are there some sectors of uk hospitality that are _ recovery. are there some sectors of uk hospitality that are more - recovery. are there some sectors of uk hospitality that are more badly l uk hospitality that are more badly affected than others? we uk hospitality that are more badly affected than others?— uk hospitality that are more badly affected than others? we are seeing cancellations — affected than others? we are seeing cancellations and _ affected than others? we are seeing cancellations and a _ affected than others? we are seeing cancellations and a fall— affected than others? we are seeing cancellations and a fall in _ affected than others? we are seeing cancellations and a fall in footfall- cancellations and a fall in footfall and revenues across the board. it is hitting across all forms, hotels, pubs, bars, restaurants, cancellations of christmas bookings and parties in the december period across the country, half of all bookings have been cancelled, and there's also a downturn and revenues as a result of people not going out for a normal socialising. revenues are down by a third but in central london, you'll see 80% of bookings cancelled, and you're seeing a drop in revenue of two thirds. so you are seeing a real hit, businesses in central london operating at 20—30% normal revenues come across the rest of the country 50—60%. that's not sustainable for any length of time given the restrictions we've faced and the heavy losses these businesses have already made. and that was our messages today particularly to treasury ministers as we discussed the need for urgent interventions to support these businesses through this sudden and significant downturn. if businesses through this sudden and significant downturn.— significant downturn. if there had been more _ significant downturn. if there had been more restrictions _ significant downturn. if there had| been more restrictions introduced for the hospitality sector while allowing businesses to stay open, do you think that customers would then not have cancelled in the numbers that have cancelled? i’m not have cancelled in the numbers that have cancelled?— that have cancelled? i'm not sure that's necessarily _ that have cancelled? i'm not sure that's necessarily the _ that have cancelled? i'm not sure that's necessarily the case. - that have cancelled? i'm not sure that's necessarily the case. what| that's necessarily the case. what you have seen irrespective of the level of restrictions and protections that are in place, and the recognition by each scientific adviser that hospitality has invested to keep them safe in ventilation and hygiene, you will see consumers take their own steps to protect their own christmas plans and make sure that they are addressing their own level of risk. that seems to be happening irrespective of the level of restrictions that would been imposed. so i'm not sure that heavier restrictions of hospitality being open would've saved that level of trading, but it would've had a more significant impact on businesses. what we are seeing effectively as consumers delivering a lockdown and practice. i effectively as consumers delivering a lockdown and practice.— a lockdown and practice. i asked that question — a lockdown and practice. i asked that question because _ a lockdown and practice. i asked that question because we - a lockdown and practice. i asked that question because we were i a lockdown and practice. i asked i that question because we were just speaking to a member of the british medical association who said that the restrictions are, to a certain extent, contradictory because people working in hospitality don't have to wear masks, but people working in shops, somebody behind the till in the shop, is wearing a whack democrat mask. but a waiter in a restaurant doesn't have to be masked. , ., ., ., masked. the situation with masks in hositali masked. the situation with masks in hospitality with _ masked. the situation with masks in hospitality with our _ masked. the situation with masks in hospitality with our staff _ masked. the situation with masks in hospitality with our staff is _ hospitality with our staff is voluntary, as it is with our customers. but back to my point that the work sage did over the course of last year, which the health secretary and prime minister referenced, the most effective measures of controlling the risk of transmission and infection in hospitality are good inflation and hygiene. sage said it was safer to ventilate... irrespective of that, consumers have clearly taken decisions to different decisions and what to do with that risk. i disagree with the nature of the question that we are not doing enough to keep people safe — we are, and those measures have been there since we reopened injuly. {lilia and those measures have been there since we reopened in july.— since we reopened in july. ok, thank ou ve since we reopened in july. ok, thank you very much _ since we reopened in july. ok, thank you very much indeed. _ and we'rejoined now by the epidemiologist professor rowland kao of edinburgh university. good afternoon to you, professor. how concerned are you by the situation, seeing these latest figures of nearly 90,000 cases in the last day?— the last day? well, the first thing to sa is the last day? well, the first thing to say is you _ the last day? well, the first thing to say is you have _ the last day? well, the first thing to say is you have to _ the last day? well, the first thing to say is you have to be _ the last day? well, the first thing to say is you have to be quite - to say is you have to be quite careful about interpreting any single day's figure. however the trend is very, very consistent, which is that we are seeing rates of spread, both in terms of the number of cases and the way, krohn is spreading geographically that we've not seen before, certainly not since very earliest days of the pandemic here in the uk —— omicron. very earliest days of the pandemic here in the uk -- omicron.- very earliest days of the pandemic here in the uk -- omicron. there are some areas — here in the uk -- omicron. there are some areas where _ here in the uk -- omicron. there are some areas where it _ here in the uk -- omicron. there are some areas where it seems - here in the uk -- omicron. there are some areas where it seems to - here in the uk -- omicron. there are some areas where it seems to be - some areas where it seems to be worse than others, london is one of them. do you think there should be a focus on those areas in terms of more restrictions? the focus on those areas in terms of more restrictions?— more restrictions? the reality is that every _ more restrictions? the reality is that every time _ more restrictions? the reality is that every time we've _ more restrictions? the reality is that every time we've seen - more restrictions? the reality is| that every time we've seen these more restrictions? the reality is - that every time we've seen these new patterns of spread, certain centres do see cases occur sooner. london is an obvious one because of the number of people involved and travelling. but the expectation is that the same kind of spread is likely to occur pretty much everywhere else across great britain — so london isjust a little bit ahead of the curve, with some additional risk factors with regards to deprivation and mobility of people, may be adding somewhat to the risk. 50 of people, may be adding somewhat to the risk. ., , of people, may be adding somewhat to the risk. . , ., ., ., the risk. so the latest information is that omicron _ the risk. so the latest information is that omicron is _ the risk. so the latest information is that omicron is doubling - the risk. so the latest information is that omicron is doubling every i is that omicron is doubling every two days — do you think that the restrictions that have been brought in will be effective in slowing down that rate? i in will be effective in slowing down that rate? ~ , that rate? i think the thing we must remember with _ that rate? i think the thing we must remember with the _ that rate? i think the thing we must remember with the restrictions - that rate? i think the thing we must remember with the restrictions thatj remember with the restrictions that are in place, everything leading up to plan b — we are in a situation with the delta variant where we were talking about essentially fine—tuning what we already had with vaccination. unfortunately, omicron is, let's face it, has changed the game entirely. it really depends on the extent to which people will do the extent to which people will do the additional voluntary things. very hard to say right now, there's a very good chance that additional measures will be in place fairly soon. ~ , , ,, ~ ., measures will be in place fairly soon. ~ ,, ,,~ ., ., ,, soon. we were speaking to our health correspondent — soon. we were speaking to our health correspondent earlier _ soon. we were speaking to our health correspondent earlier who _ soon. we were speaking to our health correspondent earlier who was - soon. we were speaking to our health correspondent earlier who was saying | correspondent earlier who was saying there's lots of things we still don't know about omicron — for example, does it cause and milder illness than delta?— illness than delta? absolutely, we are only starting _ illness than delta? absolutely, we are only starting to _ illness than delta? absolutely, we are only starting to see _ illness than delta? absolutely, we are only starting to see people - are only starting to see people coming into hospital because of omicron. unfortunately the numbers are too low — thus far, the evidence that we have has nothing to point that we have has nothing to point that the hospitalisation rate is less for delta. it might be but the numbers are too small to tell either way, so decisions have to be made on the basis of what we know now... please go ahead.— please go ahead. even if the hospitalisation _ please go ahead. even if the hospitalisation rates, - please go ahead. even if the hospitalisation rates, the . please go ahead. even if the - hospitalisation rates, the chances of being hospitalised if you are infected are lower. the numbers are so large that the total number of hospital is still likely to go up substantially.— hospital is still likely to go up substantiall. �* ., ., ., substantially. and has data from south africa. _ substantially. and has data from south africa, which _ substantially. and has data from south africa, which is _ substantially. and has data from south africa, which is where - substantially. and has data from south africa, which is where this variant was first identified, has that held our understanding? it does hel , there that held our understanding? it does help. there is _ that held our understanding? it does help, there is some _ that held our understanding? it does help, there is some evidence - that held our understanding? it does help, there is some evidence that. help, there is some evidence that the infection may be less severe. some of the things to remember though is that they do tend to have fewer... life expectancy in south africa is lower than here, it's about 65, compared to 80. that means the data we have on older people is considerably different. 0lder considerably different. older people, as we know, are especially vulnerable to covid. so things like that, the fact that they have different overall protection from the vaccine, different exposure to infection it does mean it's hard to translate was happening there it was happening over here.— translate was happening there it was happening over here. thank you very much. happening over here. thank you very much- thank— happening over here. thank you very much. thank you. _ borisjohnson and his wife carrie have named their new baby daughter romy iris charlottejohnson. posting this image on instagram, mrsjohnson explained romy was picked after her aunt rosemary, iris for the greek word for rainbow, and charlotte after mrjohnson's late mother. the couple announced the birth of their daughter last thursday. now it's time for a look at the weather with stav danaos. —— nick miller. it's been an east—west split across the uk, some sunshine to the east cloud in the west, it's the cloud that will been out for friday and the weekend, sunshine will be really hard to come by. and where we've had those clear skies through eastern parts of england and scotland overnight, this is where we are most likely to see some fog forming, particularly across parts of yorkshire, the east midlands into east anglia by morning, becoming dense and tickled to clear tomorrow. these are the lowest temperatures particularly in eastern scotland, whereas for many, temperatures holding in the mid—single figures with all the cloud around that stays with us tomorrow. despite the cloud, it will be mainly dry, a few spots of drizzle here and there. but in the far... it will see a few breaks in the cloud, but again most places are looking cloudy, and temperatures just a nudge down compared with today. however, overthe weekend just a nudge down compared with today. however, over the weekend it will turn cooler still. high pressure across the uk, so it will be mainly dry, but still mainly cloudy. hello this is bbc news. the headlines... the number of confirmed covid cases in the uk reaches 88,376 — a new record — as england's chief medical officer warns of major challenges in the days ahead. a lot of people will simultaneously fall ill and be unwell, isolating or caring for others at the same time across the whole economy. so that side of things i also do think we need to take quite seriously. the record number of cases raise real concerns for the nhs — and the impact on hospital admissions. the chancellor is cutting his us trip short — to resume talks with business leaders here — about the solution for hospitality and other sectors affected. the government is hoping to encourage recently retired school teachers in england to return to work — to help with staff shortages due to coronavirus in other news: the bank of england increases interest rates from 0.1% to 0.25% as inflation hits its highest level in a decade. sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here'sjohn watson. good afternoon. many thanks indeed. the premier league in the grip of the covid outbreak. two more postponemnets in the top flight today, manchester united's game with brighton on saturday is off, it's their second match to be called off this week, as is leicester's game with tottenham tonight. it brings the total number of postponments in the pl to five. as it stands chelsea v everton and liverpool's match with newcastle this evening are both on. brentford, who were due to play manchester united on tuesday, have at least 13 players missing with the virus. their manager thomas frank has called for a suspension of all fixtures in the premier league this weekend, but his counterpart at burnley, sean dyche, isn't sure that's the solution thomas's opinion is fine in some ways, but that does not —— does that not occur next week, next week we will all be clear. there isn't any real to it. that's one thing i do understand about what's going on. i get the idea of trying to break the pattern of that, you know, going to the training grounds, but that really is an old idea. we can shut their lives down either. a quarter of all players in the efl do not intend to get vaccinated, according to data released by the english football league, who've increased protocols at training grounds to limit the spread of the virus — five matches in the championship on saturday are now off. it again raises the issue of vaccine hesitancy within the professional game, somethng the liverpool manager jurgen klopp has strong views on the whole thing, the whole vaccination thing is a massive question of solidarity, loyalty and togetherness. we have all the chance togetherness. we have all the chance to help not only ourselves but other people as well by getting vaccinated. there are two possible —— there aren't two possible answers, there's one answer. so you do it. that's how i understand it. it's been a frustrating first day for in england in the second ashes test in adelaide. australia closed on 221 for 2 after winning the toss. england recalled veteran fast bowlers james anderson and stuart broad, and although they helped keep australia's run rate down, the tourists will rue several missed chances with wicket keeper jos buttler dropping two catches. patrick gearey reports in adelaide, before the first ball came the phone call. australia captain pat cummins isolating, steve smith back in the job he once left in tears and a cheating scandal. his first choice was to bat, so the recalled stuart broad took the ball and so somehow did jos buttler. oh, that was brilliant! marcus harris gone, just the start england were reaching for. but the spring recoiled, the scene reset, australia rebuilt. england needed a moment. was that it? 0h! shane had scored just 21, paul butler had front row seats to watch him and david warner bat on. both past 50. perhaps england were waiting for sunset for conditions to change, but these are not the faces of optimistic men. so few imagined that one, a pantomime villain five runs from his 100... would do that. his heart sank, theirs lifted. but the polls did not quicken the game for some time, shame scoring carefully and sparingly, perhaps remembering this was his second chance. and yet, against the new ball he would get a third. he is gone! butler dropped one! reprieved again on 95. for buttler, and for england, this was a day that went slowly downhill. patrick gearey, bbc news. there's plenty more on the bbc sport website including website)all the latest on the draw for the league phase of next years uefa nations league — that's bbc.co.uk/sport , but that's all the sport for now. a full rundown of the midday�*s planes on sportsday. that's at 6:30pm with jane google. ——that�*s at 6:30pm with jane dougal. the bank of england has raised interest rates for the first time in more than three years. the increase to a quarter of one percent, which came as a surprise to some economists, follows a surge in inflation to its highest level in a decade. well, we can speak now to simon french, who's the chief economist at the investment bank, panmure gordon. good afternoon tio, simon. are you one of the economists who was surprised by this? mas one of the economists who was surprised by this? was surprised. i think with what _ surprised by this? was surprised. i think with what is _ surprised by this? was surprised. i think with what is going _ surprised by this? was surprised. i think with what is going on - surprised by this? was surprised. i think with what is going on across i think with what is going on across the economy, across society and within that bank of england meeting in several weeks' time, i thought to come and there was only one person on the nine person committee that agreed with me, that there were six orseven agreed with me, that there were six or seven weeks worth of data would give us a better economic picture, but the bank of england have moved today, and actually the take away, really is that they moved it back to still 50 basis points lower than it was at the start of the pandemic, so still very low interest rates by any historical measure.— historical measure. they are low, but it is a time _ historical measure. they are low, but it is a time of— historical measure. they are low, but it is a time of great _ historical measure. they are low, but it is a time of great economic| but it is a time of great economic uncertainty and economic difficulty for many. it uncertainty and economic difficulty for man. ., , , uncertainty and economic difficulty forman. , , uncertainty and economic difficulty forman. i, for many. it absolutely is. that's one of the _ for many. it absolutely is. that's one of the reasons _ for many. it absolutely is. that's one of the reasons why - for many. it absolutely is. that's one of the reasons why i - for many. it absolutely is. that's one of the reasons why i think i one of the reasons why i think another six or seven weeks to understand the impact on consumer spending, which has sons that shown signs are many people of slowing. also the jobs market that has been so strong recently will lead to troubles in the hospitality sector. the travel industry starts to mean that people will be laid off, you are right, in terms of cost of living, we already know energy costs are starting to feel the squeeze. will that be accentuated by a slowdown in hiring? that will be the concern on the committee today on making that decision that it sends the message to businesses that perhaps as well as the slowdown in demand, there will be also high costs to come in the future. we should always _ costs to come in the future. we should always remember, shouldn't we come of that for some people, this is something like a bit of good news if you have got savings. you will get a little bit more on them. absolutely right. they will be looking eagerly as to whether banks are quite as ready to pass on increases in net interest rate of savings products as they appear to be quick to move to raise costs on both mortgages and loans. i think that's a role also for the bank of england at south and the regulator to make sure there is a symmetrical view, some people certainly net savers, this is light relief after notjust savers, this is light relief after not just two years, savers, this is light relief after notjust two years, but savers, this is light relief after not just two years, but actually 12 or 13 years of exceptionally low interest rates.— interest rates. some of the commentary _ interest rates. some of the commentary about - interest rates. some of the commentary about the - interest rates. some of the| commentary about the eight interest rates. some of the - commentary about the eight bank of england's decision to raise interest rates has suggested that inflationary pressures are global, that there are many countries which are faced by inflation. is the economy more vulnerable, given the way that it's shaped because of inflation or perhaps because of covid? i inflation or perhaps because of covid? ~ �* , ., inflation or perhaps because of covid? ~ �*, ., ., ., inflation or perhaps because of covid? ~ �*, ., covid? i think it's a good point because first _ covid? i think it's a good point because first evolved, - covid? i think it's a good point because first evolved, you - covid? i think it's a good point because first evolved, you are | because first evolved, you are absolutely right. this is not a uniquely uk phenomenon because inflation, for example, in the united states is running at 6.8%. in the euro zone around 5% as well. this is not unique to the uk, but you are absolutely right that there is specific factors that are adding to the kind of pain that the uk economy is seeing on the inflation front. energy costs and their reliance on imported gas is going to be one of the big tests for how high inflation goes for 2022. in terms of close contact personal services, which is a bigger share of the uk economy than most other developed economies, that's the thing that takes the hit when the social mandated restrictions are put in place. those kinds of businesses are suffering the most when consumers are reluctant to go out. you suffering the most when consumers are reluctant to go out.— are reluctant to go out. you say the committee — are reluctant to go out. you say the committee is _ are reluctant to go out. you say the committee is meeting _ are reluctant to go out. you say the committee is meeting in _ are reluctant to go out. you say the committee is meeting in six - are reluctant to go out. you say the committee is meeting in six or - are reluctant to go out. you say the i committee is meeting in six or seven weeks' time. what is your best hunch? well interest rates go up again? i hunch? well interest rates go up aiain? ., , , , , , again? i would be very surprised if the went again? i would be very surprised if they went up _ again? i would be very surprised if they went up in — again? i would be very surprised if they went up in february. - again? i would be very surprised if they went up in february. i- again? i would be very surprised if they went up in february. i think i they went up in february. i think they went up in february. i think the bank of england want to see what the bank of england want to see what the reaction is going to be to this because while as i said the outset of this interview, it is still very, very loose interest rates very low interest rates by any historical measure. there is the psychological impact here as to whether companies are more reluctant to take on, you know, investments, take on debt, the households are going to be more cautious with property prices with credit card spending. they will want as much information as they can in six or seven weeks will tell us a lot more on omicron. it may not tell us not a lot more on consumers response to today's interest—rate decision. response to today's interest-rate decision. . ~ response to today's interest-rate decision. ., ~ , ., , . decision. ok, thank you very much indeed. decision. ok, thank you very much indeed- that _ decision. ok, thank you very much indeed. that is _ decision. ok, thank you very much indeed. that is simon _ decision. ok, thank you very much indeed. that is simon west, - decision. ok, thank you very much indeed. that is simon west, chief| indeed. that is simon west, chief economist at simon french, chief economist at simon french, chief economist at simon french, chief economist at gordon. thank you very much. most travellers from the uk will soon be banned from entering france — as the government there tries to control the spread of the omicron covid variant. tourism and work trips to the country will no longer be permitted. french citizens and their immediate families won't be affected, but they'll face stricter rules on testing and isolation. 0ur transport correspondent paul clifton has the latest. christmas of course at peak period for the travel industry, and is now halting all travel from britain without what it calls a compelling reason to enter the country from 11 o'clock tomorrow night. so, visiting family will be allowed, but going shopping, skiing, seeing friends and in most cases will no longer be permitted. those who do need to travel will have to have shown evidence of a coven test within 2a hours, they will then have to isolate her for a8 hours hours, they will then have to isolate herfor a8 hours if hours, they will then have to isolate her for a8 hours if they take another test on arrival. with me is nigel. what impact does this have on your business?— me is nigel. what impact does this have on your business? well, it has a hue have on your business? well, it has a huge impact _ have on your business? well, it has a huge impact on — have on your business? well, it has a huge impact on everyone - have on your business? well, it has a huge impact on everyone looking | have on your business? well, it has i a huge impact on everyone looking to -et a huge impact on everyone looking to get away— a huge impact on everyone looking to get away to— a huge impact on everyone looking to get away to france for the christmas break _ get away to france for the christmas break we _ get away to france for the christmas break. we have something like 22,000 passengers _ break. we have something like 22,000 passengers but with us looking forward — passengers but with us looking forward to getting away, and then suddenly— forward to getting away, and then suddenly this announcement to the french_ suddenly this announcement to the french media yesterday to say that the borders would be closed. so it will have _ the borders would be closed. so it will have a — the borders would be closed. so it will have a huge impact on our business — will have a huge impact on our business and the custard marriage that use _ business and the custard marriage that use the service. both business and the custard marriage that use the service.— that use the service. both you and our that use the service. both you and your customers — that use the service. both you and your customers need _ that use the service. both you and your customers need this - that use the service. both you and your customers need this like - that use the service. both you and your customers need this like a i that use the service. both you and l your customers need this like a hole in the head. it's been a terribly difficult year already. it’s in the head. it's been a terribly difficult year already.— in the head. it's been a terribly difficult year already. it's been an awfully difficult _ difficult year already. it's been an awfully difficult year. _ difficult year already. it's been an awfully difficult year. we've i difficult year already. it's been an awfully difficult year. we've had i awfully difficult year. we've had something like a third of the usual volume _ something like a third of the usual volume of— something like a third of the usual volume of passengers for the last two years — volume of passengers for the last two years. we really needed the boost _ two years. we really needed the boost of — two years. we really needed the boost of a — two years. we really needed the boost of a good christmas season to carry us _ boost of a good christmas season to carry us through into 2022, which has to— carry us through into 2022, which has to be — carry us through into 2022, which has to be our come back here. it's a big hammer— has to be our come back here. it's a big hammer blow for us as a business _ big hammer blow for us as a business-— big hammer blow for us as a business. ., , ., , , ., business. for people trying to get to france. — business. for people trying to get to france. the _ business. for people trying to get to france, the deadline _ business. for people trying to get to france, the deadline is - business. for people trying to get to france, the deadline is 11 i to france, the deadline is 11 o'clock tomorrow night our time, midnight french time. by using a russian last—minute bookings? yes. russian last-minute bookings? yes, absolutel . russian last-minute bookings? yes, absolutely. our— russian last-minute bookings? yes, absolutely. our phones _ russian last—minute bookings? yes, absolutely. 0ur phones are swamped, notjust— absolutely. 0ur phones are swamped, notjust with people desperately trying _ notjust with people desperately trying to— notjust with people desperately trying to get on the last ferry to france, — trying to get on the last ferry to france, but also across from people trying _ france, but also across from people trying to _ france, but also across from people trying to find out what on earth is going _ trying to find out what on earth is going on — trying to find out what on earth is going on. the rules haven't been clear. _ going on. the rules haven't been clear. the — going on. the rules haven't been clear, the french authorities havent— clear, the french authorities haven't been quite as open as perhaps— haven't been quite as open as perhaps they could have been in people _ perhaps they could have been in people are confused. lots of concern _ people are confused. lots of concern. if people are confused. lots of concern. , ., people are confused. lots of concern-— people are confused. lots of concern. , ., ., . , ., people are confused. lots of concern. ., . concern. if you are french, you can still no concern. if you are french, you can still go in- — concern. if you are french, you can still go in- if— concern. if you are french, you can still go in. if you _ concern. if you are french, you can still go in. if you are _ concern. if you are french, you can still go in. if you are with _ concern. if you are french, you can still go in. if you are with a - still go in. if you are with a french family you can still go in, and i think holly is separate from the impact on terrorists. halli; the impact on terrorists. holly ears the impact on terrorists. holly years have _ the impact on terrorists. holly years have been _ the impact on terrorists. holly years have been the _ the impact on terrorists. holly years have been the bread i the impact on terrorists. holly| years have been the bread and the impact on terrorists. holly years have been the bread and butter for britney— years have been the bread and butter for britney ferry service. so no problem — for britney ferry service. so no problem for then, but reallyjust for those — problem for then, but reallyjust for those who are desperately looking — for those who are desperately looking to get away for that christmas break that they so have been _ christmas break that they so have been looking for a chapter to difficulty as commemorative christmas off again.- difficulty as commemorative christmas off again. thank you very much indeed- _ christmas off again. thank you very much indeed. the _ christmas off again. thank you very much indeed. the french _ christmas off again. thank you very i much indeed. the french government spokesman said britain faces a title wave of the omicron variant in the coming days. the wave of the omicron variant in the coming days-— wave of the omicron variant in the coming days. the impact of that is now starting to — coming days. the impact of that is now starting to become _ coming days. the impact of that is now starting to become clear. i that was the bbc�*s paul clifton. two teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of murder, after a 16—year—old boy was stabbed to death in gloucester. ramarni crosby was fatally stabbed on wednesday evening in the tredworth area. gloucestershire police said he died at the scene from his injuries. the arrested teenagers — aged 16 and 17 — were detained in connection with his death. the only british woman convicted for travelling to syria to join islamic state group says she's now ashamed of her actions. tareena shakil says she hopes her case serves as a warning about the consequences and dangers of extremism. she is one of around a50 britons who've returned to the uk from areas controlled by is. poonam taneja from the bbc�*s asian network reports. british mother tareena shakil in syria back in 201a. she had secretly travelled to the heartland of islamic state group with her one—year—old son. here she lived in a house with dozens of other women as they prepared to marry foreign fighters. conversations were often listened to and, you know, you were just generally expected to behave in a certain way. you know, don't cause any trouble. she says the brutal reality of life under is soon became apparent. there were, like, two girls who didn't act that way, who would just act open. i can't really give an example... they were just unruly, really. and, you know, a van came, men came off the van and took them girls away and we never seen them again. less than three months after arriving in syria, tareena shakil escaped back to the uk. police arrested her at the airport. so how did this bright student with ambitions of becoming a doctor end up embracing a group which murdered, raped and tortured thousands? during her trial, the court was told that after her abusive marriage ended, she was radicalised online. she posted the black flag of is on social media and exchanged messages with prominent is members, even urging others to take up arms. jailed for six years, she has now served her sentence and has gone through a de—radicalisation programme. i regret every last thing in terms of my decision to run away to syria with my child. you know, i live with them consequences every day. tareena shakil now looks very different. 0nline selfies have replaced is flags, but rehabilitating convicted terrorists is complex. so how do we know she has really changed and is no longer a threat? it has been a long journey and along the way, i've had a lot of different conversations with a lot of different people. you know, imams in prison, mentors outside. but she says she remains bitter towards is and its online recruiters. you know, i rememberfeeling really sad, really bitter, really taken advantage of and duped as it were, but i rememberfeeling really like ashamed of myself to some degree that i had allowed it to happen. tareena shakil says she has turned her back on islamic state group and its ideology. she says she hopes her story will act as a warning to other girls and women vulnerable to online radicalisation. now — she's been one of the leading stars of strictly this year — and this weekend the eastenders actress rose ayling—ellis is in the final. whether or not she walks away with the glitterball trophy, rose — who is profoundly deaf — has already had a huge impact. yvonne cobb is the presenter of the bbc�*s programme for the deaf community — see hear and she looks now at how rose's participation has raised awareness. saturday night is a big night in for maddie and her best friend molly. good luck, rose. applause dancing the waltz, _ rose ayling—ellis and giovanni... rose ayling—ellis, better known as frankie lewis on eastenders, made history by becoming strictly come dancing's first deaf competitor. i was watching rose and ijust thought it was so... it was the first show that they included sign language on the television and i thought, "oh, i'd love to learn sign language." molly wasn't alone. there's a saturday night bump on internet searches on learning sign language. one british sign language website said enrolments in some courses were 20 times higher last month compared with august. so you both felt inspired to learn sign language. so what signs would you like to know? if you tell me, i can give you the signs. what do you want to learn? we'd love to learn, "keep dancing". that's obviously the classic strictly catchphrase, so if you could teach us that, that'd be awesome. so hands like this, and it's the same sign that means "carry on"... and dancing. well done. 0h, here's one. what about the recent dance? so this is the argentine tango. in the uk, around 150,000 people use british sign language, most of them are deaf. that makes it our fourth indigenous language. paula garfield is the co—founder of deafinitely theatre, a stage school for the deaf community. well, rose actuallyjoined deafinitely youth theatre when she was 17 years old, so probably going back to 2012. she's such a lovely young girl, and she engaged so well with everybody. she was a really quick learner and it was easy to see her natural talent. so i actually feel really privileged to see the changes that have been made in the last 20 years. the number of deaf actors has grown year upon year, and the majority of them have really started from deafinitely theatre and their careers are now soaring. so with rose being in strictly come dancing, what do you feel the impact of that will be? to see rose doing so well and gaining brilliant results is amazing. it gave me goose bumps and it shows the hearing community that deaf people can be included. rose has definitely made a positive impact for me. she's inspired me so much. she's done so many things. the fact that she's part of deafinitely theatre just shows us that we can do anything no matter what is in our way. do you think rose will win strictly? deafinitely! good luck, rose. yvonne cobb — from see hear — with that report. now, the remarkable tale of an endangered north atlantic right whale who's given birth — against all odds. louisa pilbeam has the story. a mother and her calf frolicking off the coast of georgia. it's a majestic sight, but, if you look a little closer, you'll notice this north atlantic right whale is entangled in fishing rope. she has been for months, but, remarkably, still managed to give birth. it's a very odd and first—ever seen situation when a mother is entangled in fishing gear and potentially lethally entangled, and yet she gives birth to a calf, so now we have to worry about two whales. snow cone, as she's nicknamed, has already had an epicjourney, travelling 1300 miles through her annual migration while entangled. she was first seen caught up in fishing gear off plymouth harbour, massachusetts, in march. by may, she was by the coast of new brunswick, canada. while, at the start of december, she was spotted with her newborn near cumberland island, georgia. right whale calves swim incredibly close to their mothers, making for a near impossible task for this entanglement responders, but saving this pair is critical for the entire species. i guess the most outstanding trait is one they are one of the rarest mammals on earth. we know they are on the brink of extinction, maybe something around 330 animals remaining. so the calves of these animals are the future and that's largely why the situation with snow cone is so compelling. snow cone and her calf will continue to be closely monitored, with many challenges in the long journey north ahead. louisa pilbeam, bbc news. time for a little bit of light relief. a little more than a week until christmas. and while covid, as we've been hearing, has obviously had an impact on the festive period —there is one place where the festive spirit can never be extinguished. tim allman explains. # it's beginning to look a lot like christmas # everywhere you go...# in this part of finland it really is christmas every day. this place in lapland calls itself the official home town of santa claus and he really is honestly, truly the real thing. notjust a man in a fake beard. father christmas, hoping this year of all years, he can bring some joy to the world. i have been hearing worrying news around the globe about the well—being and coping of children and young people. now it's time to turn these worries into plenty of goodwill. visitor numbers obviously took a big hit in the last two years as the pandemic took hold, santa's business representative says people are coming back but they have to take precautions. translation: the guests are required to have corona passports when they i arrive in finland. we ask all our guests to show their corona passport at the reception desk and after that, they are free to take part in all the activities. but, of course, the most important people here are the children. do you like santa? te gusta santa claus? si! in a few days' time, after the dry run, father christmas will be back on his travels and a much bigger sleigh. his ambition, he says, to make this christmas a happy and unforgettable one. tim allman, bbc news. time for a look at the weather now.. an east—west split across the uk today. the cloudy skies have been in the west. he may well have seen the sunshine the further east you are. i will start with sunshine. this is the view from lincolnshire this afternoon. we are already seeing some fog setting and in those clear areas. a view from warwickshire with the cloud today. the cloud is going to been out for friday and indeed the weekend as an area of high pressure moves across. plenty of dry weather, trapped within that area of high pressure, plenty of cloud to come. here is a cloud going into tonight. we still have some breaks from eastern scotland on the eastern side of england. and particularly eastern england, some of that will be dense going into the morning, perhaps impacting travel. for many avoiding a frost, but with clear spells particular towards the east and northeast of scotland, this is where they will have a touch of frost here and there to start the day tomorrow. even from those areas of fog, it's likely to be misty. part of northeast england. maybe the north coast of northern ireland. they may well see if you read brighter skies here there. for many places, it will be cloudy, dry, and temperature as a nudge down compared with today. now, overnight and into saturday, a similar story. cloud around, areas of mist and fog developing going into saturday morning. very reluctant to clear during saturday. where you have the clearest guys especially parts of scotland, this is where the weekend could start with the frost elsewhere, talking made single figures. forthe elsewhere, talking made single figures. for the weekend but that area of high pressure i showed you, plenty of dry weather, but as we know, plenty of cloud as well. temperatures just edging down know, plenty of cloud as well. temperaturesjust edging down rents for the weekend. 0n temperaturesjust edging down rents for the weekend. on saturday, scotland most likely to see some sunny styles. again, some mist and fog to start the day and reforming overnight going into sunday. 0n overnight going into sunday. on sunday, we will spot the difference, though, it could well be that in scotland he see more cloud around, whereas elsewhere, you can see be hard pressed to see anything in the way of sunshine. a very great weekend. i'm sure you are getting the message, temperatures arejust edging downwards. talking of that into next weekend the lead up to christmas, we are going to see quite a bit of dry weather initially in the week. it may well turn a bit brighter here and there as well. it will also turn colder as the week goes on. mark, as ever, online. at six, a new record number of covid cases in the uk. more than 88,000 have been recorded in the past 2a hours. the queues forjabs continue. almost three quarters of a million people had their boosters yesterday, a record number. hospital admissions are rising slowly but in london where cases are rising the fastest hospital staff are feeling the pressure. most of the patients who are coming into us are unvaccinated patients. they are a lot younger than the patients that we had in the first and second surge. the 0micron wave has prompted france to shut its borders to most british travellers from saturday, ruining thousands of christmas holidays. the chancellor is flying back to the uk after cutting short a government trip to america as businesses ask for more help. also tonight...

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