a 27—year—old woman has been arrested on suspicion of child neglect — after two sets of twin boys, aged three and four, died in a house fire in south london last night. wales announces tighter coronavirus restrictions — with the return of social distancing and nightclubs shut after boxing day. chancellor rishi sunak is meeting peak business groups who say hospitality firms need financial help — as omicron cases cause economic hardship. and, railfares will go up by almost 4% — the government says the hike is to pay for further investment in infrastructure. the television presenter aj odudu has pulled out of tomorrow night's strictly come dancing final after suffering an injury. good afternoon. the liberal democrats have called their victory in the north shropshire by—election a "watershed moment" for british politics, after the party overturned a conservative majority of 23,000 — winning by nearly 6,000 votes. the prime minister is facing questions about his political future, after losing a seat the party had held for nearly 200 years. he has called the result disappointing and says he totally understands people's frustrations. the by—election was caused by the resignation of 0wen paterson, after he was found to have breached parliamentary lobbying rules. 0ur political correspondent, jonathan blake, reports. three, two, one! celebration in shropshire, and the message was clear from the winning party — this was a verdict on borisjohnson and his government. this isn'tjust an upset, it's a political earthquake. for the first time in almost two centuries, the once true blue market towns and villages of north shropshire have said it's time for change. 0n the march in celebration, the liberal democrats threw everything at this campaign, and it seems it's paid off. they'll hope it's more than a protest vote, and that their message that people felt left behind and taken for granted really resonated. this is a watershed moment in british politics. from true blue buckinghamshire to shropshire, we've heard time and again people feel they are taken for granted by borisjohnson and his government, and last night the win here in north shropshire sent a very clear message that enough is enough. and in 0swestry, voters seemed satisfied their voices had been heard. you know, ijust never thought it would happen, it's seismic. it's been a tory safe seat for 200 years, and they've gone. i think it says a lot about borisjohnson and i think people havejust had enough. i deliberately went out and voted for helen morgan because i wanted to give the government a kick in the teeth, basically, yes. so, yes, i'm very pleased. in the past, i've been more labour, but this time i've gone for lib dem, more because it was more - about the people rather than money and things like that. i'm hoping this will be a good step in the right direction. _ previously, i voted conservative. this time, notjust because she got in, ivoted liberal. i'm just not happy with boris or his government. so yeah, time for a change and somebody local. applause the result of this closely fought contest came soon after 4am. the conservative candidate defeated and keen to get away. i'll repeat it again, i'm sure you will understand if we all get a bit of shuteye and i go and give my eight—week—old a bit of a cuddle. the prime minister can't hide from this — another damaging blow when his authority has already taken hit after hit. clearly the vote in north shropshire is a very disappointing result and i totally understand people's frustrations. i hear what the voters are saying in north shropshire, and in all humility i've got to accept that verdict. what people have been hearing is just a constant litany of stuff about politics and politicians, and stuff that isn't about them. with tactical voting at play, labour lost ground — leaving questions about their appeal. the liberal democrats, the nature of them, they are not a party, with respect, with any kind of strong idealogical moorings, that makes them a very potent by—election force — they can stand for one thing in one town and a different thing in the town next door. now, that's not the case for us, we're a party of government, we seek to run the whole country and form a government. after this contest in what was such safe tory territory, the political ground here has shifted overnight. jonathan blake, bbc news, north shropshire. let's talk to the political editor for bbc midlands, elizabeth glinka, who is in 0swestry. quite an upset, as we have been hearing. what are people they are saying about it? i hearing. what are people they are saying about it?— saying about it? i think given they have had a — saying about it? i think given they have had a conservative _ saying about it? i think given they have had a conservative mp - saying about it? i think given they have had a conservative mp for i saying about it? i think given they l have had a conservative mp for give or take few hundred years, they are surprised, but also quite enjoying all of this national attention this morning. they feel they have indeed sent a message to the prime minister. we spoke to some conservative voters today who say they voted lib dem for the first time, lots of people who normally vote for at labour say that they also lent their votes to the liberal democrats to send a strong message to the prime minister. the prime minister said this had been somewhat down to the media, the attention being focused on politics and politicians, rather than what people want and need a nut nor shropshire. if the public are upset about that, they do seem to be venting at one particular group of politicians, the government and the conservatives. they turn out here for the by—election was actually pretty good, 47%, 12% higher than the by—election that happened a couple of weeks ago. so people did turn out to vote, and they voted to send the prime minister a message. talking to people here, you will get a sense that they are a little surprised, but also quite pleased to have a liberal democrat for the first time. that doesn't mean they have given that bout away for ever, i don't think it means they have completely turn their backs on the conservatives. but it does mean that people and is pretty remote, rural seat want to be seen and heard. helen morgan fought a very strong campaign here, the liberal democrat, through activism. there are over 1000 activists from around the country pouring into the constituency, containing really hard, getting into small rural communities where they often don't see politicians, they don't have people putting political leaflets through their door. in at the end, that seems to have made a difference. not only have there been issues dripping into the constituency, having an impact on the campaign, what's been going on in westminster of the last couple of weeks. but i think there is also a feeling he had a little bit that people do for what they have been taking a little for granted about this government. this is a true blue area, but some people here will tell you what the government have been focused on levelling up, thinking about the red wall, those seats in stoke—on—trent and places in the black country, and the people here have not had their share, they didn't get levelling up money, they didn't get levelling up money, they didn't get levelling up money, they didn't get money for transport in the spending review. i think those are the sorts of things that are starting to cut through here in north shropshire. then right, what does this mean for the government and boris johnson? then right, what does this mean for the government and borisjohnson? i think it shows the volatility of uk politics, it didn't end with brexit. we can still have few surprises like this, it _ we can still have few surprises like this, it cannot reset the political dialogue — this, it cannot reset the political dialogue quite dramatically. this is a disastrous result for the government, to lose a seat that you have held _ government, to lose a seat that you have held for about a 20,000 majoriiy— have held for about a 20,000 majority to the lib dems like this is clearly— majority to the lib dems like this is cleariy a — majority to the lib dems like this is clearly a huge blow and comes on the back— is clearly a huge blow and comes on the back of— is clearly a huge blow and comes on the back of lots of setbacks for boris _ the back of lots of setbacks for borisjohnson over the the back of lots of setbacks for boris johnson over the last week. have _ boris johnson over the last week. have his— boris johnson over the last week. have his backbenchers voting against the government's covid plans, endless — the government's covid plans, endless headlines about sleaze and christmas _ endless headlines about sleaze and christmas parties, which clearly fed into the _ christmas parties, which clearly fed into the vote in north shropshire, and i_ into the vote in north shropshire, and i think— into the vote in north shropshire, and i think will increase the anxiety— and i think will increase the anxiety on the tory backbenchers about _ anxiety on the tory backbenchers about borisjohnson's anxiety on the tory backbenchers about boris johnson's competency, the extent— about boris johnson's competency, the extent number ten have a grip on things. _ the extent number ten have a grip on things. and— the extent number ten have a grip on things, and potentially at the electoral appeal of boris johnson, which _ electoral appeal of boris johnson, which has — electoral appeal of boris johnson, which has always been taken as read by other conservatives. he is a proven winner, he was the tory that took london. — proven winner, he was the tory that took london, he was the tory prime minister— took london, he was the tory prime minister who won a 80 seat majority only two _ minister who won a 80 seat majority only two years ago. yet here we are, the day— only two years ago. yet here we are, the day after— only two years ago. yet here we are, the day after he presided over a party— the day after he presided over a party which hasjust had a drubbing in a by—election, they will be anxious— in a by—election, they will be anxious conservatives today thinking about _ anxious conservatives today thinking about their— anxious conservatives today thinking about their own majorities, no question— about their own majorities, no question about that. was about their own majorities, no question about that.— about their own majorities, no question about that. was this a good or bad result — question about that. was this a good or bad result for _ question about that. was this a good or bad result for labour? _ question about that. was this a good or bad result for labour? it - question about that. was this a good or bad result for labour? it is - question about that. was this a good or bad result for labour? it is hard . or bad result for labour? it is hard to sa , or bad result for labour? it is hard to say. they _ or bad result for labour? it is hard to say. they slip — or bad result for labour? it is hard to say, they slip back, _ or bad result for labour? it is hard to say, they slip back, they - or bad result for labour? it is hard to say, they slip back, they were l to say, they slip back, they were second _ to say, they slip back, they were second in— to say, they slip back, they were second in the general election, they fell back— second in the general election, they fell back this time round. there was no formal— fell back this time round. there was no formal tactical voting pact between lib dems and labour, but on the ground _ between lib dems and labour, but on the ground that was a sort of understanding i think that the best party place to challenge the tories in this— party place to challenge the tories in this instance with the liberal democrats. that's what happened. conservative voters move wholesale over to _ conservative voters move wholesale over to the — conservative voters move wholesale over to the liberal democrats, and they clearly — over to the liberal democrats, and they clearly got some labour voters as well _ they clearly got some labour voters as well it _ they clearly got some labour voters as well. it wasn't a great result for labour, _ as well. it wasn't a great result for labour, that something the tories — for labour, that something the tories have been anxious to pick them _ tories have been anxious to pick them up — tories have been anxious to pick them up on. i think i was —— if i was— them up on. i think i was —— if i wasa— them up on. i think i was —— if i was a conservative party strategist, i was a conservative party strategist, i would _ was a conservative party strategist, i would be _ was a conservative party strategist, i would be worried about the capacity— i would be worried about the capacity of voters to vote really tactically — capacity of voters to vote really tactically and an anti—tory way if this current _ tactically and an anti—tory way if this current mood continues. the history— this current mood continues. the history of— this current mood continues. the history of by—elections is the history— history of by—elections is the history of— history of by—elections is the history of huge ops shirts, socks and dramas like this, some do change the political— and dramas like this, some do change the political weather and marked a bil the political weather and marked a big turning point. others are seen as aberrations which don't do that. we are _ as aberrations which don't do that. we are yet— as aberrations which don't do that. we are yet to see what this will be. ithink— we are yet to see what this will be. i think in_ we are yet to see what this will be. i think in the — we are yet to see what this will be. i think in the short term it will absolutely increase calls from tory mps for _ absolutely increase calls from tory mp5 for boris johnson to step up his game _ mp5 for boris johnson to step up his game and _ mp5 for boris johnson to step up his game and it— mp5 for boris johnson to step up his game and it changed the way he is doing _ game and it changed the way he is doing things. a 27—year—old woman has been arrested on suspicion of child neglect after four children died in a house fire in south london. 60 firefighters went to a property in sutton yesterday evening — london fire brigade confirmed that the only people in the house when they arrived were two sets of twin boys, aged three and four. an investigation is under way to find out how the blaze began. helen wilkinson reports from the scene. the four little boys were in this terraced house alone when they were found by fire crews. this morning, they have been described by locals as lovely, polite and well mannered. really, really shocked, because it is quite a close community. and everyone sort of does know each other around here, a lot of the people. and it is absolutely devastating. the scale of the emergency response was huge — 60 firefighters and eight fire engines were deployed just before 7:00 last night. they were faced with intense flames when they got here, which ripped through the entire ground floor. the children were brought out of the property. firefighters carried out cpr until ambulances arrived. they were taken to two separate hospitals. it is there where the little boys died. our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the family and friends of the four children and everyone who has been affected. including the local community. i know the area well, and it will hit them very hard this morning. emergency services are used to dealing with difficult incidents, but this in particular, involving four little boys, has been felt deeply. they did everything they possibly could, even travelling to the hospital in the ambulances so cpr could continue on the way there. our crews who attended are now being supported by a counselling and well— being service to ensure that they have the necessary support. we will be providing support to the local community. friends and local people have been coming here to leave flowers and teddies at the scene. nursery teachers came earlier too and were clearly distressed. they said that two of the boys who attended the nursery had their christmas presents waiting for them. westbourne primary school, where the four—year—old twins attended, said the school and its entire community are devastated at the news of the tragic loss of the four children. a 27—year—old woman is in custody, having been arrested on suspicion of child neglect. at the scene, investigators are trying to find out how the fire started, as this community comes to terms with such a tragic loss of the four little boys days before christmas. helena wilkinson, bbc news, sutton. some coronavirus restrictions are to be reintroduced in wales after boxing day to try to slow the spread of the omicron variant. from december 27, nightclubs will be closed and social distancing will be enforced in shops and offices. the night—time industries association has described the announcement as a "step too far", saying it will weaken already fragile trade in pubs and restaurants. here's our wales correspondent, tomos morgan. after welcoming customers back less than six months ago, nightclubs will close once again in wales from december 27. a £60 million pot has been set aside to assist them, but it is a bitter blow for an industry already struggling. people go there in order to be up close and personal. and we know that omicron is particularly likely to lead to superspreader events where people are packed in together in that way. as well as their closure, social distancing measures, the two—metre rule, will also be back in force from the 27th here. one—way systems and a limit on numbers in shops will be back after christmas. up until then, strong guidance has been issued by the welsh government, advising lateral flows to be taken before people meet around the festive period. over the weekend and on monday, the welsh government cabinet will meet again to discuss whether or not measures need to be brought back in to put a maximum capacity on big crowds frequenting things like sporting events in the principality stadium and big concerts, as well. the first minister will also be speaking to the hospitality sector, suggesting that measures could be brought back in in pubs and restaurants, as well, in the near future. with four restaurants across cardiff and the surrounding area, the 44 group has already had over 3000 cancellations over december alone. any further restrictions on big groups, such as the rule of six, could have a big financial impact on many areas of hospitality, according to the group's co—founder. turning a profit, it wasn't really happening, anyway. but if you are cutting out groups of six and above, it is really damaging. currently there are no plans for rules on the number of people who can mix inside households. with omicron spreading so quickly, the first minister has yet again said further measures cannot be ruled out. omicron is now the dominant strain of coronavirus in scotland — and the first minsiter has said that the tsunami of cases she predictied last week is now starting. our scotland correspondent, alexandra mckenzie, has been listening to the briefing. the first minister has just been speaking. and, as she had predicted, coronavirus — the omicron variant of coronavirus — is now dominant in scotland with 51.4% of cases. nicola sturgeon had warned of a tsunami of cases, and she said, "we are beginning to see the effect of that tsunami." yesterday, we had around 6,000 covid cases. today, there were more than 4,000, although we do understand that is a bit of an underestimate. and there has been an increase of 40% of cases in the last week. the first minister said she was appealing for people to go and get vaccinated. there was a record number of people vaccinated yesterday. she is also urging people, particularly on the run—up to christmas and after christmas, to stay at home as much as possible and to limit your socialising. and if you are socialising, keep that to a maximum of three households. the first minister had said this is the cruellest of blows, she particularly mentioned businesses, and she is due to speak to the prime minister later on this afternoon to ask for additional help, financial help, for businesses. so, omicron is now the dominant virus variant in scotland. and this week, the uk has seen its highest number of daily infections since the pandemic began — with warnings by england's chief medical officer that more covid records will be broken. let's talk to the bbc�*s head of statistics, robert cuffe. end of the week, let's start with how fast omicron is spreading. what are you seeing? it’s how fast omicron is spreading. what are you seeing?— are you seeing? it's going fast. you can see it coming _ are you seeing? it's going fast. you can see it coming through - are you seeing? it's going fast. you can see it coming through in - are you seeing? it's going fast. you can see it coming through in the - can see it coming through in the figures. in scotland, as the first minister said. you can also see in london where it is comfortable at the dominant strain. in at the rest of england, it is not quite coming through as obviously, but it is very clear on the cron, which has been a small part of the epidemic that is rapidly growing, is now a large part of the epidemic and growing rapidly. how quickly is it reproducing, that r rate? ., , ., ., r rate? some of the estimate i have seen they are _ r rate? some of the estimate i have seen they are a _ r rate? some of the estimate i have seen they are a little _ r rate? some of the estimate i have seen they are a little bit _ r rate? some of the estimate i have seen they are a little bit less - seen they are a little bit less certain because they are based on smaller pots of data. we are talking four, five, six, some of the estimates i'm seeing being bandied about. some scientists are saying you don't want to focus on one or number. you can be pretty sure that the r numberfor omicron is well above one, it is growing. the r numberfour above one, it is growing. the r number four del above one, it is growing. the r numberfour del sur, that above one, it is growing. the r number four del sur, that is growing. the r numberfor doubts, that's looking pretty flat. that's still dominating some of the estimates you get from official sources, even up until today. because they look back a little bit, they are telling us about the epidemic two or three weeks ago. figures out today showed the r number in england is currently 1-1.2. but number in england is currently i—i.2. but nicola sturgeon said at the r number in scotland is 4. you are saying that figure in england could be referring to a week or two ago? could be referring to a week or two auo? , , . , ' ' , ago? very explicitly, the 1-1.2 is about the _ ago? very explicitly, the 1-1.2 is about the epidemic _ ago? very explicitly, the 1-1.2 is about the epidemic a _ ago? very explicitly, the 1-1.2 is about the epidemic a couple - ago? very explicitly, the 1-1.2 is about the epidemic a couple of. ago? very explicitly, the 1-1.2 is - about the epidemic a couple of weeks ago. the feed in data notjust cases, but also hospitalisations and deaths. it takes a while for people who get sick from coronavirus to turn up in at the figures. it really doesn't look back to the turn of the month. the official model from scotland is also quite low, that's why i think nicola sturgeon is referring to the bleeding and case data with what's happening from omicron. brute data with what's happening from omicron. ~ ., , , omicron. we have seen the highest number of daily _ omicron. we have seen the highest number of daily infections - omicron. we have seen the highest| number of daily infections yesterday since the pandemic begun. presumably, you think there will be more? , ., ., _, ., more? there is more to come, and it is cominu more? there is more to come, and it is coming to — more? there is more to come, and it is coming to the _ more? there is more to come, and it is coming to the point _ more? there is more to come, and it is coming to the point where - more? there is more to come, and it is coming to the point where the - is coming to the point where the people who are working in the uk health and security agency are starting to worry about the ability of the testing system to cope with the increased demand that they are forecasting. if it keeps on doubling and doubling again, when we are already running at about half the testing capacity and in the uk, as in take to many more doubling is to get from 50% to fill. i think it is going to make it very hard to work out what all the behaviour changes we are making, people working from home, whether that is having an impact on the virus. it is going to be a little bit difficult to read the data over the coming week. as the hospitality industry tells us it's faced with cancelled bookings amid the rise in coronavirus cases, the british retail consortium says there hasn't yet been an impact on the supply chain. but as more people are isolating, what impact will this have on food deliveries? joining us now is helen dickinson from the british retail consortium. a lot of questions, let's unpack them a little bit. first of all, how robust is the supply chain given the rising number of infections, which of course will be two more people having to isolate? —— lead to more people having to isolate. having to isolate? -- lead to more people having to isolate. certainly, there were already _ people having to isolate. certainly, there were already well— people having to isolate. certainly, there were already well publicised l there were already well publicised supply train measures before omicron was a word we had heard of. every business i have spoken to was running at 120% over the last weeks and months to deal with that. they have been managing that pretty effectively, and at the moment they are continuing to be able to do that. they are monitoring that absence rates very closely, because that would be a worry. but at the moment, fingers crossed, within those businesses, we are very close to christmas now, we have only got eight or nine key trading days to 90, eight or nine key trading days to go, so everybody is continuing to work at i20%, but are confident that they will be able to deliver the goods that people need. flit they will be able to deliver the goods that people need. of the secific goods that people need. of the specific question _ goods that people need. of the specific question about - goods that people need. of the specific question about food. i goods that people need. of the l specific question about food. i'm wondering about those people that were perhaps planned to go and visit relatives over christmas and now find themselves stuck at home because they are having to isolate, and of course they can't find food deliveries because they were all taking back in october, what is the situation up looking like for them? i think in your question you are highlighting part of the challenge from the business point of view is estimating where that demand will sit. if there are major swings, shifting to different places, then it is possible that we might see some availability issues and some geographical area is due to that. but there is plenty of supply across the piste, so i think it will be a case for those people just to shop around, try different places because they will be plenty of goods out there for them to find. if they will be plenty of goods out there for them to find.- they will be plenty of goods out there for them to find. if you think food is fairly _ there for them to find. if you think food is fairly robust, _ there for them to find. if you think food is fairly robust, which - there for them to find. if you think food is fairly robust, which of- food is fairly robust, which of these sectors are perhaps going to feel it more difficult, find it more difficult? perhaps clothing? people went to going to christmas parties, are they? went to going to christmas parties, are the ? , ., ., ., , are they? they are not. certainly that is a category _ are they? they are not. certainly that is a category that _ are they? they are not. certainly that is a category that has - are they? they are not. certainly that is a category that has been l that is a category that has been impacted more than most over the course of the whole pandemic, because a lot of our reasons in a major parts of the last 20 months or so, to out, go on holiday, have been restricted. but coming into this latest couple of weeks, retail sales across the piste were holding up fairly well. many of those businesses were trading their way out. i think the areas that are going to be hit hardest art less about categories and more about locations. you mentioned working from home, it is big cities where we are seeing the impact of that lower numbers of people, lower numbers of commuters coming in, and that will have a knock on effect of those businesses and those sorts of locations rather than the categories in which they operate.— in which they operate. helen, good to talk to you. _ in which they operate. helen, good to talk to you, thanks _ in which they operate. helen, good to talk to you, thanks for _ in which they operate. helen, good to talk to you, thanks for talking i to talk to you, thanks for talking to talk to you, thanks for talking to us on bbc news. i want to bring you some newsjust to us on bbc news. i want to bring you some news just into us that rising covid cases has left landing fire and rescue with "unprecedented staff shortages.". this is according to the fire brigade union, which i say with shortages almost a third of london's fire engines have been out of action at points in the last week. according to a london fire brigade statistics, a0 fire engines were unavailable on both the day and night shifts yesterday, a level also reach for at least parts of the tenth, iith reach for at least parts of the tenth, 11th and 15th of december. so, unprecedented staff shortages means that almost a third of london the's fire engines have been out of action at points in the last week. those that shortages of course because people have tested positive for coronavirus and then need to isolate, or are awaiting for tests to see if they are positive or not. we will get more on that and i will bring it to you if we do. in the meantime, let's catch up with the weather. many parts of northern england and scotland have had a lovely day, lots of sunshine around elsewhere. this area of high pressure still with us sitting on top of the uk so it winds will remain light through the day. overnight, we hold onto a lot of cloud across southern and western areas. when we have clearer skies, scotland into northern england, we will see the lives of the temperatures, getting a touch of frost, some mist and fog patches by the end of the night. further south with the thicker cloud, close of 6-8 . with the thicker cloud, close of 6—8 . into the weekend, very little change, we hold on our air of high pressure, today is mainly dry and mostly cloudy, there will be the odd sunny spot here and there. feeling particularly cool as we head through sunday. double figure values on saturday starting to drop down a little bit across the country through the course of sunday. hello this is bbc news. i'm rebecca jones. the headlines... a shock defeat for borisjohnson as the conservatives lose the north shropshire seat they held for nearly 200 years to the liberal democrats. it's the seventh biggest by—election swing in modern political history, with the prime minister accepting personal responsibility for the defeat. a 27—year—old woman has been arrested on suspicion of child neglect after two sets of twin boys, aged three and four, died in a house fire in south london last night. wales announces tighter coronavirus restrictions, with the return of social distancing, and nightclubs shut after boxing day. chancellor rishi sunak is meeting peak business groups who say hospitality firms need financial help as omicron cases cause economic hardship. and railfares will go up by almost a%. the government says the hike is to pay for further investment in infrastructure. the television presenter aj odudu has pulled out of tomorrow night's strictly come dancing final after suffering an injury. sport now. and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here's sarah. good afternoon. let's start with the ashes. not the best news if you're an england fan, as australia tightened their grip on the second test on day two of the action in adelaide. they declared on a73 for nine. and in reply, england, with the new ball under the lights, lost two early wickets in their innings to end on 17—2, after lightning halted play. patrick gearey was watching. it might not look at, and they were not dressed for it, but adelaide was hot, roasting in a desert air. england were bowling at a survival expert, he dropped twice yesterday, and rumbled past 100. expert, he dropped twice yesterday, and rumbled past100. a expert, he dropped twice yesterday, and rumbled past 100. a tribute to hard work and good luck, when he was caught two runs later, it was a no ball. so was this a mirage? no, really? finally ollie robinson had him. might australia's bubble mall burst? in wentjoe root to get both travis head and english hearts going. when ben stokes beat cameron green, there was hope. but there was also steve smith, captaining australia once again, tormenting english bowlers once again, as is his way. in its sapping temperatures, at least england kept his mercury below 100 with anderson dismissing him for 93. his face told a story. we had reached a party at the back end of the innings. australians swatting away tired english bowlers until they reached a73. when they declared and put england in, under lights, under pressure, underperforming. mitchell starc picked up rory burns, he made aa and england had made seven. out went hussey the lead with more regrets. but australia were not the only thing striking, that storm will pass, but for england, the heat will not. patrick geary, bbc news. meanwhile, england have named a i7—player squad for their bid to regain the women's ashes in australia. they will be captained by heather knight, who says they will have to "fight fire with fire" as australia have held the ashes since 2015. the multi—format series begins in canberra on the 27th ofjanuary, and for the first time, england are also travelling with a i2—strong �*a' squad, with the possibility of players being promoted if they impress. sport's battle against covid is intensifying — premier league clubs will now meet on monday to discuss the escalating issues in the game due to the pandemic. manchester united, brentford, watford, norwich and leicester all have covid outbreaks amongst their squads, leading to their games being cancelled this weekend. the clubs want a chance to discuss topics including rearranging games and fixture congestion. one game due to go ahead this weekend in manchester city's trip to newcastle on sunday. pep guardiola cancelled his planned pre—match media confrerence a short while ago while he waits on the result of a pcr test, but other managers have been giving their views. i feel it is probably on a knife edge, that would be my verdict. when you start losing players to covid, i think then the worry for me is that the composition becomes a slightly unfair. and i don't think anyone wants to see that, i think that is the biggest thing, people want to see fair, they don't want to see disparity in games and players missing. i am desperate to continue the programme myself, but i do think that the welfare of the players has to come first, and the supporters, has to come first. in the last few minutes, inter milan have announced that christian eriksen's contract has been terminated by mutual consent — with the dane having not played since he collapsed during denmark's euro 2020 match against finland injune. it was recently revealed that he had started training again on his own at a facility arranged by his local club in denmark, but there has been no confirmation over whether or where eriksen would resume his career. he had joined interfrom tottenham injanuary last year. seven european rugby matches due to be played between french and british teams this weekend have been postponed because of france's new travel rules. france is restricting travel for those arriving from the uk amid concerns over the omicron variant. it's impacting both the champions cup and the second tier challenge cup. tournament organisers hope the games can be played at a later date. two other games had been already been cancelled because of covid outbreaks in squads. so only eight games go ahead. who knows for now? that's all the sport for now. thank you, sarah. railfares in britain are to rise 3.8%. the increase, which is tied to july's inflation figures, usually takes effect in january, but is being delayed in england until march to give more passengers the chance to renew their season tickets at 2021 prices. let's speak to our transport correspondent, katy austin, who is in winchester. what difference will this make to passengers? as we were saying, fares normally do rise in the first working day of the first month of every year, don't they? first month of every year, don't the ? . , first month of every year, don't the ? ., , . ., ., they? that is right. what we are talkin: they? that is right. what we are talking about — here is regulating rail fa res, fares, one state government has a role in controlling the prices of. that includes season tickets you will find on most community routes. from next march, an example i could give is an annual season ticket between brighton and london which would go up nearly £200, and one between liverpool and manchester would go up by nearly £100. but normally, as you say it, we would see these kinds of rises happening in january. see these kinds of rises happening injanuary. during the pandemic, that has been postponed to march. this year, the 2.6% rise that came in in 2021 happened in march instead ofjanuary, is another government is saying he will now have until march again to renew their tickets and buy them at the cheaper price. 3.8% is actually the biggest rise in percentage terms that there has been in about nine years. however, the government said that what it is doing is using thejuly level of inflation, the retail price index measure of inflation, to calculate this 3.8% increase. that matters because normally the way this is done is the rise comes injanuary and it uses thatjuly inflation figure as a base. but the government saying that even though it is coming on in march instead, they will still use that january base, even though since two they will still use that —— they will use thatjuly base. however, the government is basically saying that this is about rising inflation, but labour is saying this is brutal because people are facing a cost of living crisis. there is a bit of a balance to be struck here. the government says the pandemic has had a huge impact on rail industry finances, as peoplejust stopped using trains as much, that means the taxpayer has had to put £ia million towards supporting the rail industry. it says there is a balance here between recouping some of those costs taxpayer has had to put out, at the same time, not completely putting off wanting to travel by rail in the future.— putting off wanting to travel by rail in the future. katie austin i would transport _ rail in the future. katie austin i l would transport correspondence, thank you. the uk has signalled that it would accept a role for the european court ofjustice in the administration of the northern ireland protocol. british negotiators are also said to be willing to adopt a staged approach to settling issues arising from the protocol, rather than reaching one comprehensive deal. the talks with the eu are finishing today for christmas and resume in the new year. let's cross live to brussels and our europe correspondentjessica parker. before we dive into the detail that is emerging, i think it is worth taking a step back, would you please explain why the role of the european court ofjustice in this issue has proved so contentious?- court ofjustice in this issue has proved so contentious? well, the uk over the course _ proved so contentious? well, the uk over the course of _ proved so contentious? well, the uk over the course of the _ proved so contentious? well, the uk over the course of the last _ proved so contentious? well, the uk over the course of the last year, i over the course of the last year, having signed up to the northern ireland protocol, started to express serious discontent about the european court ofjustice's european court of justice's oversight european court ofjustice's oversight role of the treaty, of the northern ireland protocol. they feel it is not right that a european court has, if you like, the ultimate say or is the ultimate arbiter if disputes arise between the uk and the eu. theyjust don't think it is fair. so that is the issue that they have been raising. as you say, some developments overnight. what the british are now saying is they are still not wanting the ecj, the court ofjustice, to be the ultimate arbiter of any disputes between the eu on the uk around the northern ireland protocol, but they are winning for the court to have a role in interpreting eu law. that is not really something i went around saying publicly before. it is being seen as a significant softening of the stance. whether it will get peace talks motoring along any more, well, i think that is much less clear. “ ,, clear. "significant softening?" if ou think clear. "significant softening?" if you think it _ clear. "significant softening?" if you think it is _ clear. "significant softening?" if you think it is a _ clear. "significant softening?" if you think it is a significant i you think it is a significant concession?— you think it is a significant concession? . , you think it is a significant concession? ., , ., concession? the uk are trying to su: est it concession? the uk are trying to suggest it is _ concession? the uk are trying to suggest it is not _ concession? the uk are trying to suggest it is not a _ concession? the uk are trying to suggest it is not a major- suggest it is not a major concession, and to be slight difficulty with this is that as far as the eu in brussels is concerned, they don't even want to talk about governance of the treaty. they don't want to renegotiate the northern ireland protocol at all. what they want to do is find flexibilities within it. they are outright really refusing to engage publicly on this issue. i think it is a significant softening in the sense that previously what we would hear from the uk most of the time was the ecj needs to be removed from its oversight of the northern ireland protocol, end of. now it is a sort of expanded position where they are saying "ok, the ecj can have a role in interpreting eu law, because eu law applies in northern ireland because the northern ireland protocol meant that northern ireland continued to follow certain eu rules in order to keep the border with the republic of ireland free and flowing." it is quite a convoluted old subject for sure. but the big picture is that we have seen shifts are to some extent from both sides, but they are still stuck on a range of subjects. as you say, talks have wrapped up the christmas, to resume in the new year. we will have to wait and see in the new year where they can make any further progress. jessica parker in brussels, thank you. the environment agency has won its appeal against a high court judgment that would have forced it to limit emissions of noxious gases from a landfill site in staffordshire. the ruling sets aside the originaljudgment in favour of five—year—old matthew richards, who has a chronic lung condition and who lives close to walley�*s quarry in silverdale. phil mackie has been following the judgement. well, the result isn't what people who live near walley's quarry in silverdale wanted to hear. it came very quickly at 10.30 this morning, when the three court of appealjudges returned to court just to read out theirjudgment. they say they will give further detailed written reasons for those judgments at a later date. essentially, this means that the environment agency no longer has that deadline hanging over it, which meant that because of the earlier high court ruling, by the beginning of next month, effectively the end of the year, they have to make sure that there were no emissions of hydrogen sulfide, in particular, that breached world health organization recommended levels. they say they're working with the operators of the site and they are reducing the levels of hydrogen sulfide. they give off that really horrible rotten eggs, stink bomb odour that has made people's lives such a misery, and that they are working to reduce that and they are successfully reducing it, capping parts of the site, for instance. but they've still got some way to go, because the most recent figures that they published show that at least one of the four monitoring sites near the landfill site itself shows that there were still problems with excess levels of hydrogen sulfide just a couple of weeks ago, at the beginning of the month. i haven't yet heard from the family of matthew richards. becky currie, his mum, was in court earlier this week during the hearing. she wasn't there today to hear the final ruling, but she has been incredibly concerned about matthew's health. he's got a chronic lung condition. we heard medical evidence earlier on in this year that suggests that the effects of these emissions could be life—limiting for him. now, lawyers representing becky currie and matthew richards said that they may even consider asking for a further judicial review. but in the meantime, the problems will probably persist. unfortunately, for all those people who were pinning their hopes on this appealfailing, it's bad newsjust in the run—up to christmas. beckie currie, who lives near the walley's quarry in silverdale, took legal action agasint the regulator of the site on behalf of her son, mathew richards, because of concerns over his health. i'm very pleased to say that she joins us now. thank you forjoining us on bbc news." i can imagine that this news is extremely disappointing, what is your reaction? to disappointing, what is your reaction?— disappointing, what is your reaction? ., �* , reaction? to be fair, i'm absolutely heartbroken- _ reaction? to be fair, i'm absolutely heartbroken. i— reaction? to be fair, i'm absolutely heartbroken. ijust _ reaction? to be fair, i'm absolutely heartbroken. i just can't _ reaction? to be fair, i'm absolutely| heartbroken. ijust can't understand how a government body who are supposed to protect us have let us down. walleys quarry is actually poisoning in children. the gases that are coming from there, it is proven. i have had a high children's paediatric doctor telling me that my son's life has been shortened, and since he has been born, he has been poisoned by hydrogen sulphide. 50. poisoned by hydrogen sulphide. so, tell us a little bit more about the impact that this has had on your sun's health. i impact that this has had on your sun's health.— impact that this has had on your sun's health. i brought him home from hospital. — sun's health. i brought him home from hospital, he _ sun's health. i brought him home from hospital, he was _ sun's health. i brought him home from hospital, he was born, i sun's health. i brought him home i from hospital, he was born, charlie. i brought him home and oxygen, —— he was born early. when they come home like that, they are weaned off oxygen after six or eight weeks. when we tried to wean matthew off, he was seriously ill. when we eventually got him off and he was about two, he also had test done the cystic fibrosis, he has had every test going. his body has been through a lot for nothing, well, for the gas, it was the gas that has been poisoning him. i’m the gas, it was the gas that has been poisoning him.— the gas, it was the gas that has been poisoning him. i'm 'ust looking at what the environment]— been poisoning him. i'mjust looking at what the environment agency i been poisoning him. i'mjust looking at what the environment agency hasj at what the environment agency has said and what was said in court, becky, and they are saying that the regulator has taken and was taking and would continue to take the necessary and appropriate practical measures to reduce emission levels and that there was no evidence of that actions that were being taken were not the right measures or would not be effective. that seems to indicate that things are improving. it is not at all. they are sitting in their chairs and the environment agency, they need to come and live, they are welcome to come and stay at my house for a weekjust they are welcome to come and stay at my house for a week just to they are welcome to come and stay at my house for a weekjust to see what we are going through. nothing is improving, the weather is getting colder of the stench is getting worse. it isn'tjust the stench, we know it is a toxic, poisonous gas. in terms of legal recourse, will you be asking for a furtherjudicial review? it be asking for a further 'udicial review? , , , ., review? it is being prepared at the moment, review? it is being prepared at the moment. we _ review? it is being prepared at the moment, we are _ review? it is being prepared at the moment, we are going _ review? it is being prepared at the moment, we are going to - review? it is being prepared at the moment, we are going to the i review? it is being prepared at the i moment, we are going to the supreme court. moment, we are going to the supreme court, ., ~' moment, we are going to the supreme court. ., ,, ., moment, we are going to the supreme court. ., ~ ., ., , court. so, talk me through what is auoin to court. so, talk me through what is going to happen- _ court. so, talk me through what is going to happen. i'm _ court. so, talk me through what is going to happen. i'm not- court. so, talk me through what is going to happen. i'm not 10096- going to happen. i'm not 100% sure et, but going to happen. i'm not 10096 sure yet. but once _ going to happen. i'm not 10096 sure yet. but once we — going to happen. i'm not 10096 sure yet, but once we get _ going to happen. i'm not 10096 sure yet, but once we get the _ going to happen. i'm not 10096 sure yet, but once we get the judgmentl going to happen. i'm not 10096 sure l yet, but once we get the judgment in writing, i believe the legal team and myself are going to appeal what the court of appeal, what they said today. because this is an urgent, it is notjust my five—year—old child, there are thousands of children in this community.— this community. becky currie, we must leave _ this community. becky currie, we must leave it _ this community. becky currie, we must leave it there _ this community. becky currie, we must leave it there but _ this community. becky currie, we must leave it there but thank i this community. becky currie, we must leave it there but thank you j must leave it there but thank you for joining must leave it there but thank you forjoining us on bbc news. thank ou. the headlines on bbc news... a shock defeat for borisjohnson as the conservatives lose the north shropshire seat they held for nearly 200 years to the liberal democrats. it's the seventh biggest by—election swing in modern political history, with the prime minister accepting personal responsibility for the defeat. wales announces tighter coronavirus restrictions, with the return of social distancing and nightclubs shut after boxing day. as the first minister warns of an oncoming �*storm of omicron'. a man who stabbed to death one of the uk's richest men in what police described as a ferocious attack has been found guilty of murder. 35—year—old thomas schreiber killed 83—year—old sir richard sutton at his home in dorset in april. schreiber will be sentenced on monday. andrew plant has the background to the case. go, go, go! april this year. armed police responding to calls for help at a mansion set deep in the dorset countryside. shouting inside, sir richard sutton has been fatally stabbed. his partner, anne schreiber, knifed multiple times, her spinal—cord partially severed. after the attack, her son thomas schreiber packed a suitcase and fled to london, his car tracked by police helicopter. as they stop and arrest him, he begins to stab himself. police used a taser to stop him. his chest wounds described later as superficial. in court, witnesses said thomas schreiber harboured strong feelings of hatred and resentment towards his mother and sir richard, and was convinced he had been unfairly treated when it came to money. sir richard sutton owned a property empire, including the sheraton hotel on park lane and the athenaeum in mayfair. anne schreiber survived the attack. she is now paralysed. giving evidence from a spinal unit, she said her son thomas had always had a furious temper and had tried to strangle her in the past. the court heard, in the months before the attack, he had sent messages to friends saying he had a plan for revenge, that his mother and sir richard were toxic, and he wanted to go out with a bang. when he was arrested, he asked police to shoot him, saying "i pay your wages, put a bullet in my head." sir richard sutton was stabbed multiple times, one blow penetrating 12 centimetres into his heart. doctors used 27 litres of blood to save anne schreiber�*s life. she spent months in hospital. she told the court her son appeared behind her that night with wild eyes. "as he was stabbing me," she said, "i felt like he wasn't really there." andrew plant, bbc news. you are watching bbc news atjust after 1a.50. the television presenter aj odudu has pulled out of tomorrow night's strictly come dancing final after suffering an injury. she said she was "deeply upset" that she wouldn't be able to perform because of a torn ligament in her right ankle. in a tweet, she wished the remaining finalists — she said she'd be cheering them on — on one leg. she still has a sense of humour! let's speak to the entertainment journalist emma bullimore. we see a huge personal blow fur aj odudu, because in the semifinal, she scored a perfect score, a10s. how much is it a blow to the programme? think it is cutting for everybody involved. you want it to be this amazing final, three fantastic couples left. to then lose one through no fault of her own, you think she was so close to the end. i think she was so close to the end. i think she was arguably the best dancer, technically, out of the three of them. to go out now, as you say, getting for the show as well as well as for aj odudu. they are supposed to have this amazing extravaganza, now three dancers missing because they are supposed to do three dances each couple. how will they fill the time? they shorten the show? no official line yet but it will be disappointing for everybody involved. this yet but it will be disappointing for everybody involved.— everybody involved. this torn ligament. — everybody involved. this torn ligament, was _ everybody involved. this torn ligament, was it _ everybody involved. this torn ligament, was it done - everybody involved. this torn ligament, was it done in i everybody involved. this torn i ligament, was it done in training? she was speaking about this on it takes to early in the week, she said it was going swimmingly then the pain came on inane acute certain way. she did not know what to do. in mid week she was on crutches and said she was going to get around there whatever she had to do, "even if i have to dance on a chair." but it is not tenable, you cannot dance on that. she cannot perform. if they have been any way she could have done it, she was so determined, but itjust was not done it, she was so determined, but it just was not to done it, she was so determined, but itjust was not to be. i done it, she was so determined, but it just was not to be.— it 'ust was not to be. i saw her on it itjust was not to be. i saw her on it takes to, but _ itjust was not to be. i saw her on it takes to, but | _ itjust was not to be. i saw her on it takes to, but i thought - itjust was not to be. i saw her on it takes to, but | thought it - itjust was not to be. i saw her on it takes to, but i thought it was l itjust was not to be. i saw her on j it takes to, but i thought it was a long shot that she would be able to perform. and clearly she could not do it the day before the show. let's have a quick think about the two couples who are left, because it is an intriguing line—up. on the one hand we havejohn and johannes, the first male same—sex couple. absolutely, they have just proved all of the critics wrong. people have said they are not sure if it would work, that argument has gone now. the two of them have been so brilliant of them, in the ballroom, in the latin dances, their connection is fantastic, they have been fantastic and entertaining. they have had a separate journey which has been very emotional. john has been brilliant, johannes is a fantastic choreographer so it is a fantastic choreographer so it is a fantastic partnership. it has to be said that rose and giovanni are the favourites. they have had such an incredible ride on this series. such a great story, also the chemistry between them, some of the performances will be remembered for years and years. rose being the first deaf contestant to be on the show inspired so many people, so many searches for learning sign language, the country is behind them. butjohn is very popular as well and it is a two horse race now that aj odudu is not there, but i would be surprised if rose does not win. mr; would be surprised if rose does not win. ~ , . , would be surprised if rose does not win. ~ , ., , ., ., , win. my right that they are the only cou - le win. my right that they are the only couple who — win. my right that they are the only couple who have _ win. my right that they are the only couple who have not _ win. my right that they are the only couple who have not been - win. my right that they are the only couple who have not been in i win. my right that they are the only couple who have not been in that l couple who have not been in that dance off, aren't they? john and johannes have been in the dance off, haven't they?— haven't they? that's right, they were in the _ haven't they? that's right, they were in the semifinal. - haven't they? that's right, they were in the semifinal. that i haven't they? that's right, they i were in the semifinal. that doesn't necessarily mean anything, but i think all the signs are good for rose and giovanni going into the final. it rose and giovanni going into the final. , ., ., ., final. it is worth reiterating that in the final— final. it is worth reiterating that in the final it _ final. it is worth reiterating that in the final it is _ final. it is worth reiterating that in the final it is really _ final. it is worth reiterating that in the final it is really down i in the final it is really down to the viewer is a cost of the vote, isn't it? thejudges the viewer is a cost of the vote, isn't it? the judges are just there for guidance. it is down to the viewers' votes.— viewers' votes. what is also important — viewers' votes. what is also important to _ viewers' votes. what is also important to remember i viewers' votes. what is also important to remember is l viewers' votes. what is also i important to remember is that the show dance can change everything. many times through the years we thought there was a favourite and then another couple just do a show dance that blows everybody away and they win. interesting to see what they win. interesting to see what they have up their sleeves. everything to play for, i'm sure you will be watching along with us. good to talk to you, many thanks. now time for a look at the weather. mixed fortunes over whether to end the week, some areas have started gloomy, like we have seen throughout the week. other areas have started cold and frosty with mist and fog with some sunshine around too. like this when i watch a picture in north yorkshire proving that. a bit of mist and murk as we have seen throughout this week so far. it is all down to this area of high pressure which is sitting right on top of us. slightly stronger winds across the far south—west and north of the country, for most of us, those with will be light. we will continue with the best of the sunshine throughout the day across scotland but otherwise largely cloudy skies. ten or 11 degrees, calling we have the clear skies but a cold start. through this evening and overnight, it stays cold with clear skies but northern england and scotland, it is cloudy, misty and quite murky. temperatures should hold between five and 8 degrees. cold weather touch of frost where the skies are clear. some from patches to... retelling slightly cooler particularly over the course of sunday in more eastern areas. this is the picture for saturday, plenty of cloud around, the cloud could be thick enough for the odd patch of drizzle. probably the best of the sunshine across parts of scotland and northern england. those temperatures range from about seven to maybe ten or 11 degrees across the south. a similar picture as we had to sunday, again a lot of cloud, limited spells of sunshine. we start to pick up a bit of a more north—easterly breeze which will be noticeable across north sea coast. here we will see the temperatures drop a little bit. temperatures edging away generally across the country, single figures for most. a similar story again, very little change, limited sunshine the best in the north. again, those temperatures in single figures. 10 degrees for plymouth. a big question mark for what it takes place in the run—up to christmas, it looks like the uk will be in the battleground of cold air to the north versus some mild out of the self. this is bbc news, i'm rebecca jones. the headlines: a shock defeat for borisjohnson — as the conservatives lose the north shropshire seat they held for nearly 200 years to the liberal democrats. if you are incompetent, it turns out if you tell lies, it turns out that if you take the people for granted, there is a price to pay. democracy and justice is alive and well in britain, and the people in north shropshire have spoken for the whole of britain. it's the seventh biggest by—election swing in modern political history — with the prime minister accepting personal responsibility for the defeat. i hear what the voters are saying in north shropshire, and in all humility i've got to accept that verdict. a 27—year—old woman has been arrested on suspicion of child neglect — after two sets of twin boys, aged three and four, died in a house fire in south london last night. wales announces tighter coronavirus restrictions — with the return of social distancing and nightclubs shut after boxing day. chancellor rishi sunak is meeting business groups who say hospitality firms need financial help — as omicron cases cause economic hardship. and, railfares will go up by almost a% — the government says the hike is to pay for further investment in infrastructure. the television presenter, aj odudu, has pulled out of tomorrow night's strictly come dancing final — after suffering an injury. good afternoon. the liberal democrats have called their victory in the north shropshire by—election a "watershed moment" for british politics, after the party overturned a conservative majority of 23,000 — winning by nearly 6,000 votes. the prime minister is facing questions about his political future, after losing a seat the party had held for nearly 200 years. he has called the result disappointing and says he totally understands people's frustrations. the by—election was caused by the resignation of owen paterson, after he was found to have breached parliamentary lobbying rules. our political correspondent, jonathan blake, reports. three, two, one! celebration in shropshire, and the message was clear from the winning party — this was a verdict on borisjohnson and his government. this isn'tjust an upset, it's a political earthquake. for the first time in almost two centuries, the once true blue market towns and villages of north shropshire have said it's time for change. on the march in celebration, the liberal democrats threw everything at this campaign, and it seems it's paid off. they'll hope it's more than a protest vote, and that their message that people felt left behind and taken for granted really resonated. this is a watershed moment in british politics. from true blue buckinghamshire to shropshire, we've heard time and again people feel they are taken for granted by borisjohnson and his government, and last night the win here in north shropshire sent a very clear message that enough is enough. and in 0swestry, voters seemed satisfied their voices had been heard. you know, ijust never thought it would happen, it's seismic. it's been a tory safe seat for neraly 200 seat for nearly 200 years, and they've gone. i think it says a lot about borisjohnson and i think people havejust had enough. i deliberately went out and voted for helen morgan because i wanted to give the government a kick in the teeth, basically, yes. so, yes, i'm very pleased. in the past, i've been more labour, but this time i've gone for lib dem, more because it was more - about the people rather than money and things like that. i'm hoping this will be a good step in the right direction. _ previously, i voted conservative. this time — notjust because she got in — i voted liberal. i'm just not happy with boris or his government. so yeah, time for a change and somebody local. applause the result of this closely fought contest came soon after aam. the conservative candidate defeated and keen to get away. i'll repeat it again, i'm sure you will understand if we all get a bit of shuteye and i go and give my eight—week—old a bit of a cuddle. the prime minister can't hide from this — another damaging blow when his authority has already taken hit after hit. clearly the vote in north shropshire is a very disappointing result and i totally understand people's frustrations. i hear what the voters are saying in north shropshire, and in all humility i've got to accept that verdict. what people have been hearing is just a constant litany of stuff about politics and politicians, and stuff that isn't about them. with tactical voting at play, labour lost ground — leaving questions about their appeal. the liberal democrats, the nature of them, they are not a party, with respect, with any kind of strong idealogical moorings, that makes them a very potent by—election force — they can stand for one thing in one town and a different thing in the town next door. now, that's not the case for us, we're a party of government, we seek to run the whole country and form a government. after this contest in what was such safe tory territory, the political ground here has shifted overnight. jonathan blake, bbc news, north shropshire. for more analysis of what the liberal democrat victory means, here's newsnight�*s policy editor, lewis goodall. this was a by—election for the history books. let us be clear — north shropshire is, was, as true blue as it gets — conservative for as long as britain has truly been a democratic country, indeed before. massively leave voting, older than average population. it is now represented by a liberal democrat. it takes their total in parliament to 13. that liberal democrat, helen morgan, overcame a conservative majority of 23,000 — mammoth. this is how she did it — lib dems leapfrogging from third — they only got 10% of the vote in 2019 — to first in 2021 with nearly 50%. they did it by direct transference to the lib dems from the conservatives — whose vote was down some 25 points or so from 2019 and from the labour party. labour were in second in 2019 — had 22% of the vote. but there's big transference in 2021. labour voters deciding the lib dems had the best chance of winning, and they were right. we saw a similar thing in chesham and amersham—another tory safe seat, different part of the country, in buckinghamshire but massive tactical voting against the conservatives. long talked about, it's now actually happening. that translated to a swing of 3a%. it's basically coming off the swingometer — lib dems needed 26%, it's way past that. it's the seventh biggest by—election swing in our modern history, reminiscent of some of those huge anti—tory swings we saw in the 1990s. and that's what will worry a slew of conservative mps in the south of england, in particular where the lib dems are in second place — seats like wimbledon, seats like lewes — 91 of them mainly against the conservatives, with much smaller majorities than shropshire. this is one that stands out — esher and walton, the seat of the deputy pm and justice secretary, dominic raab. the tories haven't had to seriously worry about the lib dems since they ingested them and spat them out again after the coalition — a revival changes the complexion of our electoral politics. so let's neither overstate nor understate. this is a sensational result, but it's also a by—election, they can light up the electoral sky, then fizzle and mean little. but what it does mean, when taken together with chesham and amersham, the lib dems threaten to be back as a force, and that borisjohnson, who has for so long looked invulnerable, to whom nothing would stick, is no longer so, and that will change what he can do in terms of his power over his party. let's talk to the political editor for bbc midlands — elizabeth glinka who is in 0swestry. lewis that they are saying a by—election for the history books. what are people there making of it all? m what are people there making of it all? �* , , ., what are people there making of it all? �* , ., ., all? i'd say it is a mixture of surprise _ all? i'd say it is a mixture of surprise and _ all? i'd say it is a mixture of surprise and satisfaction i all? i'd say it is a mixture of i surprise and satisfaction amongst the voters we have been speaking to depending on which political persuasion that they come from for supper i was chatting to one conservative voter a few moments ago, he said he had a real surprise when he woke up this morning, he and all his friends but not expecting it, all conservative voters. they thought things would be as they had been. all those who speaking to a couple of women out shopping today, they were saying it really did come down to them for what they see as the hypocrisy emanating from number ten, particularly in relation to the christmas parties and accusations of sleaze we have a hard swirling around in westminster for the last few weeks. one women telling me she wishes disgusted by what has happened in the last couple of weeks and she hoped that the prime minister took this on board. we heard that the prime minister is saying he is listening, he has heard what people are trying to tell him in north shropshire, saying that he feels this is down to people being confronted constantly with talk of politics and politicians,. the people here, if they are trying to send a message to the politicians, then they have definitely sent one to this government. that swing of 3a%, absolutely massive, overturning a conservative majority of almost 23,000 here. an absolutely historic result. people here in the constituency still reacting to being the centre of this attention and being the place where such a turn up has actually happened. our political correspondent nick eardley is following the story at westminster. nick, what is it all mean for boris johnson? how much pressure has he been under? for johnson? how much pressure has he been under?— been under? for the last few weeks we have been _ been under? for the last few weeks we have been so, _ been under? for the last few weeks we have been so, increasing - been under? for the last few weeks i we have been so, increasing pressure on a boris _ we have been so, increasing pressure on a borisjohnson, whether it is over— on a borisjohnson, whether it is over there — on a borisjohnson, whether it is over there is a parties in downing street, _ over there is a parties in downing street, the — over there is a parties in downing street, the biggest rebellion of his premiership on tuesday over covid certification. thisjust premiership on tuesday over covid certification. this just adds to all that pressure, whichjust feels certification. this just adds to all that pressure, which just feels to be really— that pressure, which just feels to be really mounting on the downing street— be really mounting on the downing street operation as a whole. as you head, _ street operation as a whole. as you head. boris— street operation as a whole. as you head, borisjohnson has said he takes _ head, borisjohnson has said he takes response ability for what goes on in government. but he is also saying _ on in government. but he is also saying that — on in government. but he is also saying that he thinks the main problem — saying that he thinks the main problem is he thinks he has not done enough _ problem is he thinks he has not done enough to— problem is he thinks he has not done enough to communicate the good things— enough to communicate the good things that the government has been doing _ things that the government has been doing. that does not seem like he is getting _ doing. that does not seem like he is getting ready for a wholesale look at the _ getting ready for a wholesale look at the downing street operation and you're _ at the downing street operation and you're thinking about who he surrounds himself with and how the government needs to actually physically do better. i think some conservative mps will be worried about _ conservative mps will be worried about that, we'll be worried about the way— about that, we'll be worried about the way he — about that, we'll be worried about the way he has pursued the last few weeks. _ the way he has pursued the last few weeks, we'll be worried about the idea that — weeks, we'll be worried about the idea that this is a self—inflicted wound — idea that this is a self—inflicted wound. of course, downing street defended — wound. of course, downing street defended owen paterson at first, allowed _ defended owen paterson at first, allowed parliament to vote to basically kick it into the long grass— basically kick it into the long grass accusations against him, that is what _ grass accusations against him, that is what led — grass accusations against him, that is what led to him quitting parliament and to this by—election ultimately. so there will be a lot of tory _ ultimately. so there will be a lot of tory backbenchers nervous about the way _ of tory backbenchers nervous about the way that downing street is working — the way that downing street is working. i suspect they will also be some _ working. i suspect they will also be some pretty prominent faces who are pretty— some pretty prominent faces who are pretty nervous about what this result — pretty nervous about what this result could mean for their sea as well _ result could mean for their sea as well we — result could mean for their sea as well. we know that the lib dems threw— well. we know that the lib dems threw everything at the seed, it doesn't — threw everything at the seed, it doesn't necessarily mean they will start taking every single seat where they have _ start taking every single seat where they have done well in the past. but it does— they have done well in the past. but it does suggest that in those areas where _ it does suggest that in those areas where a _ it does suggest that in those areas where a lot— it does suggest that in those areas where a lot of pressure is put on the conservatives and where boris johnson _ the conservatives and where boris johnson is — the conservatives and where boris johnson is not seem to be performing as well— johnson is not seem to be performing as well as _ johnson is not seem to be performing as well as he should be, then freak results _ as well as he should be, then freak results can— as well as he should be, then freak results can happen, these massive historic— results can happen, these massive historic swings can happen. so they will be _ historic swings can happen. so they will be a _ historic swings can happen. so they will be a not lot of nervous backbenchers this afternoon. we are still awaiting — backbenchers this afternoon. we are still awaiting the _ backbenchers this afternoon. we are still awaiting the review _ backbenchers this afternoon. we are still awaiting the review into - backbenchers this afternoon. we are still awaiting the review into this i still awaiting the review into this controversial downing street parties. have there been any developments on about? it parties. have there been any developments on about? it feels like there are develops _ developments on about? it feels like there are develops every _ developments on about? it feels like there are develops every 20 - developments on about? it feels like there are develops every 20 minutesj there are develops every 20 minutes when _ there are develops every 20 minutes when it— there are develops every 20 minutes when it comes to accusations of gatherings. we had a close yesterday, with the met saying they would _ yesterday, with the met saying they would speak to two people who are at a tory _ would speak to two people who are at a tory party _ would speak to two people who are at a tory party event. we had at the department for transport apologising after a _ department for transport apologising after a small gathering was held there _ after a small gathering was held there last christmas. there was another— there last christmas. there was another report this afternoon that a party— another report this afternoon that a party was _ another report this afternoon that a party was held in the office of the cabinet _ party was held in the office of the cabinet secretary, the man who is looking _ cabinet secretary, the man who is looking into what happen in downing street _ looking into what happen in downing street no _ looking into what happen in downing street. no confirmation of that yet, it isjust _ street. no confirmation of that yet, it isjust a _ street. no confirmation of that yet, it isjust a report. in response that. — it isjust a report. in response that. the _ it isjust a report. in response that, the snp's leader at westminster, ian blackford, has said the cabinet _ westminster, ian blackford, has said the cabinet secretary can now not oversee _ the cabinet secretary can now not oversee the enquiry, the should be someone _ oversee the enquiry, the should be someone else in charge of that. this is a story— someone else in charge of that. this is a story that downing street had hoped _ is a story that downing street had hoped that the enquiry taking place would _ hoped that the enquiry taking place would basically put it on at the back— would basically put it on at the back burner for a while. it feels to me like _ back burner for a while. it feels to me like it — back burner for a while. it feels to me like it is — back burner for a while. it feels to me like it is starting to ramp up again _ me like it is starting to ramp up again we— me like it is starting to ramp up again. we have still not seen the conclusion— again. we have still not seen the conclusion of the report, they could come _ conclusion of the report, they could come in _ conclusion of the report, they could come in at — conclusion of the report, they could come in at the next few days. it will be — come in at the next few days. it will be interesting to see whether that completely exonerates downing street _ that completely exonerates downing street or _ that completely exonerates downing street or not. a 27—year—old woman has been arrested on suspicion of child neglect after four children died in a house fire in south london. 60 firefighters went to a property in sutton yesterday evening — london fire brigade confirmed that the only people in the house when they arrived were two sets of twin boys, aged three and four. an investigation is under way to find out how the blaze began. we're expecting a police update shortly. helen wilkinson reports from the scene. the four little boys were in this terraced house alone when they were found by fire crews, twin brothers aged just three and four. this morning, they have been described by locals as lovely, polite and well mannered. really, really shocked, because it is quite a close community, and everyone sort of does know each other around here, a lot of the people. and it's absolutely devastating. the scale of the emergency response was huge — 60 firefighters and eight fire engines were deployed just before 7:00 last night. they were faced with intense flames when they got here, which ripped through the entire ground floor. the children were brought out of the property, firefighters carried out cpr until ambulances arrived. they were taken to two separate hospitals — it is there where the little boys died. our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the family and friends of the four children and everyone who has been affected, including the local community. i know the area well, and it will hit them very hard this morning. emergency services are used to dealing with difficult incidents, but this in particular, involving four little boys, has been felt deeply. they did everything they possibly could, even travelling to the hospital in the ambulances so cpr could continue on the way there. our crews who attended are now being supported by a counselling and well— being service to ensure that they have the necessary support. we will be providing support to the local community. friends and local people have been coming here to leave flowers and teddies at the scene. nursery teachers came earlier, too, and were clearly distressed. they said that two of the boys who attended the nursery had their christmas presents waiting for them. westbourne primary school, where the four—year—old twins attended, said the school and its entire community are devastated at the news of the tragic loss of the four children. a 27—year—old woman is in custody, having been arrested on suspicion of child neglect. at the scene, investigators are trying to find out how the fire started, as this community comes to terms with such a tragic loss of four little boys days before christmas. helena wilkinson, bbc news, sutton. let's ta ke let's take you to sutton in a south london. these are live pictures of the scene, where we are waiting for police to give an update on that fire in the sutton that killed four young boys. you can see there that floral tributes have been left on the pavement. we are expecting an update from police in the next few minutes. we will bring to you here on bbc news. some coronavirus restrictions are to be reintroduced in wales after boxing day to try to slow the spread of the omicron variant. from december 27, nightclubs will be closed and social distancing will be enforced in shops and offices. the night time industries association has described the announcement as a "step too far," saying it will weaken already fragile trade in pubs and restaurants. here's our wales correspondent, tomos morgan. after welcoming customers back less than six months ago, nightclubs will close once again in wales from december 27. a £60 million pot has been set aside to assist them, but it is a bitter blow for an industry already struggling. people go there in order to be up close and personal, and we know that omicron is particularly likely to lead to superspreader events where people are packed in together in that way. as well as their closure, social distancing measures, the two—metre rule, will also be back in force from the 27th here. one—way systems and a limit on numbers in shops will be back after christmas. up until then, strong guidance has been issued by the welsh government, advising lateral flows to be taken before people meet around the festive period. over the weekend and on monday, the welsh government cabinet will meet again to discuss whether or not measures need to be brought back in to put a maximum capacity on big crowds frequenting things like sporting events in the principality stadium and big concerts, as well. the first minister will also be speaking to the hospitality sector, suggesting that measures could be brought back in in pubs and restaurants, as well, in the near future. with four restaurants across cardiff and the surrounding area, the aa group has already had over 3000 cancellations over december alone. any further restrictions on big groups, such as the rule of six, could have a big financial impact on many areas of hospitality, according to the group's co—founder. turning a profit, it wasn't really happening, anyway. but if you are cutting out groups of six and above, it is really damaging. currently there are no plans for rules on the number of people who can mix inside households. with omicron spreading so quickly, the first minister has yet again said further measures cannot be ruled out. tomos morgan, bbc news, cardiff. nicola sturgeon has revealed that omicron has become the dominant covid variant in scotland, overtaking delta. the first minister said there were almost 700 confirmed cases, but that the real number was probably much higher. our scotland correspondent, alexandra mckenzie, has more. the first minister has just been speaking, nicola sturgeon had warned of a tsunami of cases, and she said we are beginning to see the effect of that tsunami. yesterday we had around 6,000 covid cases, today there were more than a,000. although we do understand that is a bit of an underestimate. and there has been an increase of a0% of cases in the last week. the first minister said she was appealing for people to go and get vaccinated. there was a record number of people vaccinated yesterday. she is also urging people, particularly on the run—up to christmas and after christmas, to stay at home as much as possible and to limit your socialising. and if you are socialising, keep that to a maximum of three households. the first minister had said this is the cruellest of blows, she particularly mentioned businesses, and she is due to speak to the prime minister later on this afternoon to ask for additional help, financial help, for businesses. joining me now is robin bell, in stafford, who has cancelled christmas plans to visit her family in the united states given the rise of the omicron variant. it's a very good of you to join us. it's a very good of you to join us. it sounds very difficult. why did you make this decision not to sate your family at christmas? it you make this decision not to sate your family at christmas?- your family at christmas? it was a combination _ your family at christmas? it was a combination of _ your family at christmas? it was a combination of things. _ your family at christmas? it was a combination of things. obviously. combination of things. obviously it's about the spread of the omicron variant. my daughter had a baby back in may and i have been lucky enough to go and visit, but i didn't want to go and visit, but i didn't want to run the risk of taking anything across erm wise with as, and we just felt it wasn't worth taking any risks. we have lots of happy times to look forward to together, but it is a missed opportunity because both my children are in washington, dc and they won't be afterjanuary, i don't know where they will be in the same place again, they haven't been since my son went to university and they are both in their early 30s now. i have been planning for nearly a year a surprise for my very best friend, and that won't happen either. ., , , . either. your biggest concern has been about _ either. your biggest concern has been about the _ either. your biggest concern has been about the spread _ either. your biggest concern has been about the spread of- either. your biggest concern has i been about the spread of omicron and the implications of that? yes. been about the spread of omicron and the implications of that?— the implications of that? yes. as i sa , i the implications of that? yes. as i say. i have — the implications of that? yes. as i say. i have gone _ the implications of that? yes. as i say, i have gone in _ the implications of that? yes. as i say, i have gone in the _ the implications of that? yes. as i say, i have gone in the past. i the implications of that? yes. as i say, i have gone in the past. to i the implications of that? yes. as i | say, i have gone in the past. to be fair, i'm an american citizen, and most brits were not allowed to go, so the planes were nearly empty. i stayed with my daughter and we didn't do anything other than its tight end, look after the baby, enjoy each other�*s company and so on. the news of on the cron is bridging, and i didn't want any of bridging, and i didn't wantany of myfamily or bridging, and i didn't want any of my family orfriends bridging, and i didn't want any of my family or friends to worry one that that i will be carrying anything other than christmas gifts with us. so anything other than christmas gifts with us. ., anything other than christmas gifts with us, ., anything other than christmas gifts with us. ., i. , , with us. so how will you spend christmas. _ with us. so how will you spend christmas, just _ with us. so how will you spend christmas, just the _ with us. so how will you spend christmas, just the two - with us. so how will you spend christmas, just the two of i with us. so how will you spend christmas, just the two of you | with us. so how will you spend l christmas, just the two of you at home? christmas, 'ust the two of you at home? . christmas, 'ust the two of you at home? , , ., ., ., home? yes, it will be at the two of us. in home? yes, it will be at the two of us- in the — home? yes, it will be at the two of us- in the past _ home? yes, it will be at the two of us. in the past we _ home? yes, it will be at the two of us. in the past we have _ home? yes, it will be at the two of us. in the past we have had - home? yes, it will be at the two of us. in the past we have had our. home? yes, it will be at the two of. us. in the past we have had our very good friend, bob, to have christmas with us. but because we plan to go away, bob has made other plans. so it will be just the two of us. which will be fine. i it will be just the two of us. which will be fine-— will be fine. i think your husband has ut a will be fine. i think your husband has put a positive _ will be fine. i think your husband has put a positive spin _ will be fine. i think your husband has put a positive spin on - will be fine. i think your husband has put a positive spin on it, i has put a positive spin on it, hasn't he?— has put a positive spin on it, hasn't he? g , .,, . hasn't he? my husband has. when we were time to — hasn't he? my husband has. when we were time to make _ hasn't he? my husband has. when we were time to make this _ hasn't he? my husband has. when we were time to make this decision, i hasn't he? my husband has. when we were time to make this decision, my l were time to make this decision, my husband said this is the hardest decision we have ever had to make together. i said decision we have ever had to make together. isaid if decision we have ever had to make together. i said if that is the case, aren't we lucky? i together. i said if that is the case, aren't we lucky?- together. i said if that is the case, aren't we lucky? i can almost sense talking _ case, aren't we lucky? i can almost sense talking to _ case, aren't we lucky? i can almost sense talking to you _ case, aren't we lucky? i can almost sense talking to you that _ case, aren't we lucky? i can almost sense talking to you that it - case, aren't we lucky? i can almost sense talking to you that it has i sense talking to you that it has clearly been a very emotional decision for you.— clearly been a very emotional decision for you. yes. it may still turn out to _ decision for you. yes. it may still turn out to be _ decision for you. yes. it may still turn out to be there _ decision for you. yes. it may still turn out to be there on _ decision for you. yes. it may still turn out to be there on the i decision for you. yes. it may still| turn out to be there on the crown may be nothing in particular to worry about, it may even turn out to be a good thing, we arejust worry about, it may even turn out to be a good thing, we are just not there yet, wejust be a good thing, we are just not there yet, we just don't know enough yet. it will be foolhardy to have all the dice and hope it comes up the way we want. find all the dice and hope it comes up the way we want.— all the dice and hope it comes up the way we want. and what did your famil in the way we want. and what did your family in the — the way we want. and what did your family in the states _ the way we want. and what did your family in the states say _ the way we want. and what did your family in the states say when i the way we want. and what did your family in the states say when you i family in the states say when you told them?— family in the states say when you told them? ., .,, , , , ., told them? that was my biggest fear, i was told them? that was my biggest fear, l was worried — told them? that was my biggest fear, l was worried l— told them? that was my biggest fear, i was worried i was _ told them? that was my biggest fear, i was worried i was good _ told them? that was my biggest fear, i was worried i was good to _ told them? that was my biggest fear, i was worried i was good to get i told them? that was my biggest fear, i was worried i was good to get an i i was worried i was good to get an argument from my daughter, but she was very good. they both said they understood, and i think theyjust accepted it to see how upset i was. well, i burst into tears. i’m accepted it to see how upset i was. well, i burst into tears.— well, i burst into tears. i'm sorry to hearthat- _ well, i burst into tears. i'm sorry to hear that. it's _ well, i burst into tears. i'm sorry to hear that. it's good _ well, i burst into tears. i'm sorry to hear that. it's good to - well, i burst into tears. i'm sorry to hear that. it's good to keep i to hear that. it's good to keep everyone safe. we wish you and your family a merry christmas and a happy new year. hope you seek your family in 2022. railfares in britain are to rise 3.8%. the increase, which is tied to july's inflation figures, usually takes effect in january, but is being delayed in england to give more passengers the chance to renew their season tickets at 2021 prices. paul tuohy is the ceo of the campaign for better transport. hang ona hang on a second, paul, because we are going to cross live to sutton in are going to cross live to sutton in a south london for a police update on the death of two sets of twins in a house fire. on the death of two sets of twins in a house fire-— a house fire. good afternoon. the thou~hts a house fire. good afternoon. the thoughts of _ a house fire. good afternoon. the thoughts of everyone _ a house fire. good afternoon. the thoughts of everyone at _ a house fire. good afternoon. the thoughts of everyone at the i thoughts of everyone at the metropolitan police are of the family and friends of the four young boys who lost their lives in at this tragic incident. we know it will have come as a great shock to the local community, and as part of that community we are here to offer whatever support we can. at 7pm last night, we were called to reports of a fire in a residential property. officers responded to the incident alongside colleagues from the london fire brigade and london ambulance service. it has been confirmed for boys who were inside, two aged three, two mic age four, were brit out, but sadly died. they were all related. there was nobody else in saudi property at the time of the fire. i work london fire brigade colleagues acted two acted heroically in recovering the children and i want to pay particular tribute to them. i know this incident will have a lasting impact on them. we will make sure they get the support they need. local detectives will be investigating this incident and that work is already under way. we will be working with colleagues from the london fire brigade to determine what caused the fire and to investigate any other relevant matter. as part of that investigation, a 27—year—old women was arrested last night on suspicion of child neglect. she remains in police custody. we have also had discussions with partners and the local authority and the wider community today and will continue to do so to ensure that together we can support local residents as they come to terms with this tragic loss. thank you. studio: that was an update from the police who are investigating that fire in a satin that killed four young boys. we heard that the emergency services were called to the house at about half past seven yesterday evening. we now 60 firefighters went to that property. london fire brigade and the police have confirmed that the only people in the house they arrived were to sets of twin boys, aged three and four. a27—year—old woman has been arrested on suspicion of child neglect and in custody. let's return to that news that rail fares are to rise 3.8%. paul tuohy is the ceo of the campaign for better transport. thank you for your patience there. i won the first of all what is your response to this price increase? unsurprisingly, we are bitterly disappointed. the government made it very, very clear that public transport will be the natural first choice, that's what they were saying ahead of cop26, before the prime minister then flew back on a plane from glasgow. it is incredibly disappointing when we have a situation when it rail fares should have been frozen to match the fuel duty freeze that we get for our cars. fuel duty has been frozen now for more than a decade. i think if the comment is serious about shrinking transport was my carbon footprint it needs to make real the affordable choice of travelling to up affordable choice of travelling to up instead it is asking commuters to pay hundreds of pounds more for their season tickets, which risks driving people off rail and onto roads instead for some it is not good news. roads instead for some it is not good news-— roads instead for some it is not noodnews. ., . , , good news. nonetheless price rises have been delayed _ good news. nonetheless price rises have been delayed until— good news. nonetheless price rises have been delayed until march, i have been delayed until march, offering people the chance to save money about renewal their season tickets at this year's prices for the public that help? i don't think so, because it masks an overriding issue in the idea that we are making public transportation more costly than it is to actually use a car, that is one of the big issues. if we are serious about getting our car emissions down by 2050, first of all, that target needs to be brought back to make it 20a0. it strikes me as a conflict in words but we are getting, they say one thing and do something else. also, i think a lot of people like myself who drive cars, we would love to be able to take public transport option if it was affordable and if there was a better connectivity and reliability. all of these issues are things which the campaign for better transport is trying to work with government to sort out so we can put transport high up on the agenda is one of the biggest reason is that we are causing the carbon emissions that we have. are causing the carbon emissions that we have-— that we have. you know the coronavirus _ that we have. you know the coronavirus pandemic i that we have. you know the coronavirus pandemic has i that we have. you know the l coronavirus pandemic has had that we have. you know the - coronavirus pandemic has had a huge effect on the rail industry, passenger numbers have declined. i would transport correspondent has said that the taxpayer has put £14 billion into the rail industry in the course of the pandemic. the government has to recoup its costs somehow, doesn't it?— government has to recoup its costs somehow, doesn't it? yes, we do have to recou somehow, doesn't it? yes, we do have to femur) costs. _ somehow, doesn't it? yes, we do have to recoup costs, but _ somehow, doesn't it? yes, we do have to recoup costs, but the _ somehow, doesn't it? yes, we do have to recoup costs, but the reality - somehow, doesn't it? yes, we do have to recoup costs, but the reality is - to recoup costs, but the reality is that we also have been freezing fuel duty for over a decade. if you want to get modal shift, you have to be able to spread the way you invest in ways that allow us to do that. even vehicles are great, they will be much cleaner than petrol driven cars —— electric vehicles, but we still have 70% of people moving around in cars when one bus could carry 80 people or one train to carry hundreds. i think we have to have a much bigger look at the overall strategy for transport in the uk, which is way behind any other country in europe.— which is way behind any other country in europe. paultuohy from the campaign _ country in europe. paultuohy from the campaign for— country in europe. paultuohy from the campaign for better _ country in europe. paultuohy from| the campaign for better transport, thank you. sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here's sarah. good afternoon. let's start with the ashes, not the best news if you're an england fan, as australia tightened their grip on the second test on day two of the action in adelaide. with the new ball under the lights lost two early wickets in their innings to end on 17—2, after lightning halted play. patrick gearey was watching. it might not look it, and they were not dressed for it, but adelaide was hot, roasting in desert air. england were bowling at a survival expert, he was dropped twice yesterday and rumbled past 100. a tribute to hard work and good luck, when he was caught two runs later, it was a no—ball. so, was this a mirage? no, really? finally ollie robinson had him. might australia's bubble now burst? in wentjoe root to get both travis head and english hearts going. when ben stokes beat cameron green, there was hope. but there was also steve smith, captaining australia once again, tormenting english bowlers once again, as is his way. in sapping temperatures, at least england kept his mercury below 100, with anderson dismissing him for 93. his face told a story. we had reached a party at the back end of the innings. australians swatting away tired english bowlers until they reached 473 when they declared and put england in, under lights, under pressure, underperforming. mitchell starc picked up rory burns, he made 44 rory burns, he made 4 and england had made seven. 0ut went haseeb hameed with more regrets. but australia were not the only thing striking. that storm will pass, but for england, the heat will not. patrick gearey, bbc news. sport's battle against covid is intensifying — premier league clubs will now meet on monday to discuss the escalating issues in the game due to the pandemic. manchester united, brentford, watford, norwich and leicester all have covid outbreaks amongst their squads, leading to their games being cancelled this weekend. the clubs want a chance to discuss topics including rearranging games and fixture congestion. one game due to go ahead this weekend in manchester city's trip to newcastle on sunday. pep guardiola cancelled his planned pre—match media confrerence a short while ago, while he waits on the result of a pcr test, but other managers have been giving their views. in terms of the competition, two things. one, we need much more clarity while those games are getting not played and when you need to not play again, because we all play in the same league. and the end, the most important thing is being able to maintain the fairness of the competition. for me, this is a big thing now. elsewhere, the chelsea women's boss, emma hayes, blamed anxiety and worry over covid, for her side's below—par performance, as they were knocked out of the champions league last night. a few days ago, we had two players struck down with covid. we know inevitably when we land tomorrow, there will be positive cases. hence, we are all over the place. they are human beings. the stress, the anxiety, the worry, being able to perform in a game when you are thinking that you want to go home because you have not seen your family and you have been to the olympics, oh, no, another christmas alone. i am olympics, oh, no, another christmas alone. iam not olympics, oh, no, another christmas alone. i am not making an excuse for the players, but i can tell you the last three players have been all over the place with the worry that we have had to play this game. inter milan have announced that christian eriksen's contract has been terminated by mutual consent, with the dane having not played since he collapsed during denmark's euro 2020 match against finland in june. it was recently revealed that he had started training again on his own at a facility arranged by his local club in denmark, but there has been no confirmation over whether or where eriksen would resume his career. he had joined interfrom tottenham injanuary last year. you can keep up to date on the bbc sport website. seven european rugby games have been postponed this weekend amid travel restrictions between the uk and france. and the battle of the brits, which was due to feature andy murray next week, has also been postponed. that is the sport from me for the moment. let's get more now on the rise in coronavirus cases — which saw numbers reach a record high this week. as the hospitality industry tells us it's faced with cancelled bookings, the british retail consortium says there hasn't yet been an impact on the supply chain. but as more people are isolating, there are concerns about what impact this could have on food deliveries. earlier, i spoke to helen dickinson from the british retail consortium, who explained how businesses are working hard to make sure that supply issues won't hit customers. they were already well publicised, the supply chain pressures, even before omicron was a word we had even heard of. every business that i have been talking to has been working 120% over the past few weeks and months to deal with that. they have been managing that pretty effectively. at the moment, they are continuing to be able to do that. they are monitoring in the lead up, the absence rate very closely, because that would be a worry. at the moment, fingers crossed, within those businesses, we are very close to christmas now, we only have whatever it is, eight or nine key training days to go, so everybody is continue to work at 120%. i am confident that they will be able to deliver the goods that people need. with the specific question about food, i am wondering about those people who are perhaps planning to go and visit relatives over christmas, they will find themselves stuck at home because they are having to isolate. of course, they cannot find food deliveries because they were all taken back in october. what is the situation looking like for them? i what is the situation looking like for them? ~ , ., what is the situation looking like for them? ~ ., for them? i think you are highlighting _ for them? i think you are highlighting that - for them? i think you are highlighting that in - for them? i think you are highlighting that in your| highlighting that in your question that part of the challenge for the businesses is estimating whether demand will sit, and whether there will be swings in that shift to two different places or stop it is possible we will see some availability issues in some geographical areas due to that. there is plenty of supply across the piece. it will be a case for those people just to shop around, to try different places, because there will be plenty of goods out there for them to find. iii be plenty of goods out there for them to find.— them to find. if food is fairly robust, them to find. if food is fairly robust. you _ them to find. if food is fairly robust, you think, _ them to find. if food is fairly robust, you think, which - them to find. if food is fairly robust, you think, which arej them to find. if food is fairly - robust, you think, which are the sectors that are perhaps going to feel it more difficult, find it more difficult, clothing, for example? people will not be going to christmas parties, will they? the? christmas parties, will they? they are not. certainly, _ christmas parties, will they? they are not. certainly, that— christmas parties, will they? they are not. certainly, that is- christmas parties, will they? they are not. certainly, that is a - are not. certainly, that is a category has been affected more than most over the course of the whole pandemic, because a lot of our reasons, in major parts of the last 20 months to go out or go on holiday, have been restricted. but coming in to this latest couple of weeks, retailsales coming in to this latest couple of weeks, retail sales across the board were holding up and many businesses were holding up and many businesses were trailing their way out. i think the areas that will be hit hardest are less about categories and more about locations. you mentioned working from home, it is big cities where we are seeing the impact of that lower numbers of people, lower numbers of commuters coming in, and that will have a knock—on effect to those businesses in those sorts of locations, ratherthan those businesses in those sorts of locations, rather than the categories in which they are great. —— rather than which they operate. i want to bring you some newsjust in want to bring you some news just in to us, jordan monaghan has been given three mandatory life sentences and ordered to serve a minimum of 40 years in prison before parole, after being convicted at preston crown court of the murders of two of his children. ruby, who wasjust court of the murders of two of his children. ruby, who was just 24 days old, and logan, who was 21 months. he was also convicted of the murder of his new partner, evi adams, aged 23, with a drugs overdose six years later in 2019. butjordan monaghan, who smothered two of his children to death, has been given three mandatory life sentences and ordered to serve a minimum of 40 years in prison before parole, after being convicted of those deaths. and a man in bristol has been sentenced to 14 years in jail in bristol has been sentenced to 14 years injailfor the arson, for our son and the rioting. that was during protests in bristol earlier this year. ryan roberts, who is 25 and from bristol, tried to set fire to two police vehicles while officers were inside them. that was during a kill the bill protest in march. his trial had previously heard that what he did could have killed police officers and did cause more than £70,000 worth of damage to police vehicles and two buildings. now ryan roberts has been sentenced to 14 years in jail roberts has been sentenced to 14 years injail arson and roberts has been sentenced to 14 years in jail arson and for rioting. our europe correspondent jessica parker explained why the role of the court in this issue has proved so contentious. well, the uk over the course of the last year, having signed up to the northern ireland protocol, started to express serious discontent about the european court ofjustice�*s oversight role of the treaty, of the northern ireland protocol. they feel it is not right that a european court has, if you like, the ultimate say or is the ultimate arbiter if disputes arise between the uk and the eu. theyjust don't think it is fair. so, that is the issue that they have been raising. as you say, some developments overnight. what the british are now saying is they are still not wanting the ecj, the court ofjustice, to be the ultimate arbiter of any disputes between the eu on the uk around the northern ireland protocol, but they are willing for the court to have a role in interpreting eu law. that is not really something they went around saying publicly before. it is being seen as a significant softening of the stance. whether it will get these talks motoring along any more, well, i think that is much less clear. "significant softening?" do you think it is a significant concession? the uk are trying to suggest it is not a major concession. and the slight difficulty with this is that as far as the eu in brussels is concerned, they don't even want to talk about governance of the treaty. they don't want to renegotiate the northern ireland protocol at all. what they want to do is, as they would say, find flexibilities within it. they are outright really refusing to engage publicly on this issue. i think it is a significant softening in the sense that previously what we would hear from the uk most of the time was, "the ecj needs to be removed from its oversight of the northern ireland protocol, end of." now it is a sort of expanded position where they are saying "ok, the ecj can have a role in interpreting eu law, because eu law applies in northern ireland." because the northern ireland protocol meant that northern ireland continued to follow certain eu rules in order to keep the border with the republic of ireland free and flowing. it is quite a convoluted old subject for sure. but the big picture is that we have seen shifts, actually to some extent from both sides, but they are still stuck on a range of subjects. as you say, talks have wrapped up for christmas, to resume in the new year. we will have to wait and see in the new year if they can make any further progress. jessica parker in brussels, thank you. nearly three quarters of a million people in the uk received a coronavirus vaccine yesterday. most people have two jabs and then a booster, but anyone with a weakened immune system is advised to have four doses. health charities say some people are finding it hard to get their fourth shot and they need more support. our health correspondent, katharine da costa, reports. hal cohen from london had a kidney transplantjust months before the pandemic hit. he has been shielding on and off for nearly two years. his medication severely weakens his immune system, so he is at high risk from covid. people who are immunosuppressed are now advised to have a fourth dose three months after their third. but hal has still not been contacted by his doctor or specialist. we have been playing a waiting game the whole of the pandemic, really. we waited for vaccines, then they were available a bit later to the vulnerable people. and they have not necessarily work for me. and then we have been waiting for additional doses and new treatments to come along. so it feels like a constant waiting and constant being at risk, and unable to get on with the things we did a couple of years ago. nicola burns from warrington has a type of blood cancer. like many, she experienced difficulty accessing a third primary dose, which was wrongly recorded as a booster. despite being due herfourth jab in a fortnight, immunosuppressed people are not able to book an appointment online, and her gp is not sure how to fix the problem. it feels like this small group of immunocompromised patients who need this extra dose are being left in limbo. and we are stuck, basically. some people are getting it, it is a complete lottery. in a statement, nhs england said... gps say they are working hard to scale up the booster campaign while at the same time prioritising vulnerable groups. our expectation as gps is that the vast majority of these patients are under specialist care, and therefore a specialist should be ensuring that that happens. but actually i think there might be some specialists who think it is happening in general practice. there are hopes new drugs will offer more protection, antiviral pills are now available for at—risk patients on the nhs. health experts hope they will cut the risk of hospital admissions and death among those most at risk from covid. katharine da costa, bbc news. the environment agency has won its appeal against a high court judgment that would have forced it to limit emissions of noxious gases from a landfill site in staffordshire. the ruling sets aside the originaljudgment in favour of five—year—old matthew richards, who has a chronic lung condition and who lives close to walleys quarry in silverdale. phil mackie has been following the judgement. well, the result isn't what people who live near walleys quarry in silverdale wanted to hear. it came very quickly at 10.30 this morning, when the three court of appealjudges returned to court just to read out theirjudgment. they say they will give further detailed written reasons for those judgments at a later date. essentially, this means that the environment agency no longer has that deadline hanging over it, which meant that because of the earlier high court ruling — by the beginning of next month — effectively the end of the year, they have to make sure that there were no emissions of hydrogen sulfide, in particular, that breached world health organization recommended levels. they say they're working with the operators of the site and they are reducing the levels of hydrogen sulfide. they give off that really horrible rotten eggs, stink bomb odour that has made people's lives such a misery. and that they are working to reduce that and they are successfully reducing it, capping parts of the site, for instance. but they've still got some way to go, because the most recent figures that they published show that at least one of the four monitoring sites near the landfill site itself shows that there were still problems with excess levels of hydrogen sulfide just a couple of weeks ago, at the beginning of the month. i haven't yet heard from the family of matthew richards. becky currie, his mum, was in court earlier this week during the hearing. she wasn't there today to hear the final ruling, but she has been incredibly concerned about matthew's health. he's got a chronic lung condition. we heard medical evidence earlier on in this year that suggests that the effects of these emissions could be life—limiting for him. now, lawyers representing becky currie and matthew richards said that they may even consider asking for a further judicial review. but in the meantime, the problems will probably persist. unfortunately, for all those people who were pinning their hopes on this appealfailing, it's bad newsjust in the run—up to christmas. the television presenter aj odudu has pulled out of tomorrow night's strictly come dancing final after suffering an injury. she said she was deeply upset that she wouldn't be able to perform because of a torn ligament in her right ankle. in a tweet, she wished the remaining finalists — john and johannes and rose and giovanni — good luck. she said she'd be cheering them on — on one leg. and, in the last hour aj has tweeted a picture of herself on a hospital bed in a walking boot with the message — �*peace out, strictly, it's been a blast�*. the entertainmentjournalist emma bullimore says it's disappointing news for everyone involved. i think it is cutting for everyone involved. you want it to be this amazing final, three fantastic couples left. and to have to leave through no fault of her own, you think she was so close to the end. i think she was so close to the end. i think she was arguably the best dancer, technically, out of the three of them. to go now, as you say, gutting for the show as well as for temp to —— as well as for aj odudu. there are three dances missing, three for each couple. how will they feel the time? will they shorten the show? no official line on that yet, but disappointing for everyone involved. this on that yet, but disappointing for everyone involved.— everyone involved. this torn ligament. — everyone involved. this torn ligament, was _ everyone involved. this torn ligament, was it _ everyone involved. this torn ligament, was it done - everyone involved. this torn ligament, was it done in - everyone involved. this torn ligament, was it done in a l everyone involved. this torn - ligament, was it done in a training? she was speaking about this on a it takes two earlier in the week, she was absolutely fine, then she said that the pain came on in an acute and a sudden way, she did not know what to do with herself, the pain was so extreme. even mid week, she was so extreme. even mid week, she was on crutches saying that she was going to get round their whatever she did, even if you had to dance in a chair. but obviously it has not proved untenable. that is a serious injury which you cannot dance on, she cannot even stand let alone perform. if there was any way she could, she was so determined, but it wasn't to be. i could, she was so determined, but it wasn't to be-— wasn't to be. i saw her on it takes two, i wasn't to be. i saw her on it takes two. i thought _ wasn't to be. i saw her on it takes two, i thought then _ wasn't to be. i saw her on it takes two, i thought then it _ wasn't to be. i saw her on it takes two, i thought then it was - wasn't to be. i saw her on it takes two, i thought then it was a - wasn't to be. i saw her on it takes two, i thought then it was a long l two, i thought then it was a long shot that she would be able to perform. but she was determined and clearlyjust perform. but she was determined and clearly just couldn't do perform. but she was determined and clearlyjust couldn't do it the day before the show. let's have a quick think about the two couples who are left, because it is an intriguing line—up. on the one hand we have john and johannes, the male same—sex couple. john and johannes, the male same-sex coule. , , ., , ., couple. absolutely, and they have 'ust couple. absolutely, and they have just proved _ couple. absolutely, and they have just proved all _ couple. absolutely, and they have just proved all of _ couple. absolutely, and they have just proved all of the _ couple. absolutely, and they have just proved all of the critics - just proved all of the critics wrong. people have said they were not sure if it would work, that argument has gone now. the two of them have been so brilliant, in the ballroom, in the latin dances, their connection is fantastic, they have been fantastic and entertaining. john has been brilliant, johannes is a fantastic choreographer, so they are a great partnership. but it has to be said that rose and giovanni are the favourites. they have had such an incredible ride on this series, such a great story, also the chemistry between them. some of the performances, i think people rememberfor years. performances, i think people rememberforyears. rose performances, i think people rememberfor years. rose is the first deaf contestant to ever go on the show, inspire so many people, so many searches for learning sign language. the country is behind them. butjohn is very popular as well, it is a two horse race at this point now that aj odudu is not there but i would be surprised if rose did not win. film but i would be surprised if rose did not win. �* ., , ., not win. am i right that they are the only copple _ not win. am i right that they are the only couple who _ not win. am i right that they are the only couple who have - not win. am i right that they are the only couple who have not. not win. am i right that they are i the only couple who have not been not win. am i right that they are - the only couple who have not been in the only couple who have not been in the dance off, haven't they? john and johannes have, haven't they? they were in the semifinal, but that doesn't necessarily mean everything, but i think all the signs are good for rose and giovanni going into the final. �* ~ , ., final. and i think it is worth reiterating _ final. and i think it is worth reiterating that _ final. and i think it is worth reiterating that in - final. and i think it is worth reiterating that in the - final. and i think it is worth reiterating that in the final| final. and i think it is worth | reiterating that in the final it final. and i think it is worth . reiterating that in the final it is really down to their viewers' votes, isn't it? thejudges really down to their viewers' votes, isn't it? the judges are just there for guidance. isn't it? the judges are 'ust there for guidancefi isn't it? the judges are 'ust there for guidance. exactly, it has been 5096 for guidance. exactly, it has been 50%iudges _ for guidance. exactly, it has been 5096 judges and _ for guidance. exactly, it has been 50%judges and possibly - for guidance. exactly, it has been 50%judges and possibly marks, i for guidance. exactly, it has been . 50%judges and possibly marks, 5096 50% judges and possibly marks, 50% audience marks. but now it is about just the viewers. but the last dance can change anything. down the years we have thought there was a favourite but one couple does a dance which blows everyone away and wins. let's see what we have up their sleeves. mixed fortunes of whether to end the week, some areas have started grey and gloomy, like we are seeing throughout the week. other areas have started cold with mist and fog but with sunshine around too. this weather watcher picture from north yorkshire proves that. furthersouth, grey and picture from north yorkshire proves that. further south, grey and leaden skies, misty and murky like we have seen throughout the week. it is all down to this area of high pressure which is sitting right on top of us. slightly stronger winds across the far south—west and the far north, the those winds will be very light. however, we will continue with the best of the sunshine throughout the day across scotland, northern england. if you claim is further south but otherwise largely cloudy skies. top temperatures of ten or 11, call aware we have the clearest guys. through this evening and overnight, it stays cold, but with northern england and scotland, elsewhere it is cloudy and misty and murky. temperatures should hold between five and 8 degrees in the south but cold with a touch of frost where those skies are clear. we could see mist and fog patches. i little change as we head into the weekend, high—pressure brings largely cloudy skies and dry weather, but turning slightly cooler during the course of sunday across northern and eastern areas. this is the picture for saturday, plenty of cloud around. the cloud could be thick enough for drizzle. the better the sunshine across parts of scotland and northern england. those temperatures range from about seven to maybe ten or 11 across the south. similar we head into sunday, again a lot of cloud around, limited spells of sunshine. we start to pick up a more north—easterly breeze, that will be noticeable across north sea coast. here we will see temperatures drop a little bit. the temperatures will be edging away across the country, as you can see. single figures for most. a similar story on monday, very little change with an area of high pressure close by, a lot of cloud and limited sunshine. and those temperatures again in single figures, just about 10 degrees for plymouth. the big question mark to what takes place in the run—up to christmas, it looks like the uk will be in the battleground. some colder air to the north against milder air to the south. tickets at this year's prices for the public that help? this is bbc news, i'm rebecca jones. the headlines: a shock defeat for borisjohnson — as the conservatives lose the north shropshire seat they held for nearly 200 years to the liberal democrats. the people of north shropshire have spoken on behalf of the british people. they have said loudly and clearly, borisjohnson, the party is over. your government, run on lies and bluster, will be held accountable. it will be scrutinised, it will be challenged, and it can and will be defeated. it's the seventh biggest by—election swing in modern political history — with the prime minister accepting personal responsibility for the defeat. i hear what the voters are saying in north shropshire, and in all humility i've got to accept that verdict. a 27—year—old woman has been arrested on suspicion of child neglect — after two sets of twin boys, aged three and four, died in a house fire in south london last night. the thoughts of everyone at the metropolitan police are with the family and friends of the four young boys who lost their lives in this tragic incident. we know it will have come as a great shock to the local community. wales announces tighter coronavirus restrictions — with the return of social distancing and nightclubs shut after boxing day. chancellor rishi sunak is meeting business groups who say hospitality firms need financial help — as omicron cases cause economic hardship. and, railfares will go up by almost 4% — the government says the hike is to pay for further investment in infrastructure. the television presenter, aj odudu, has pulled out of tomorrow night's strictly come dancing final after suffering an injury. good afternoon. the liberal democrats have called their victory in the north shropshire by—election a "watershed moment" for british politics, after the party overturned a conservative majority of 23,000 — winning by nearly 6,000 votes. the prime minister is facing questions about his political future, after losing a seat the party had held for nearly 200 years. he has called the result disappointing and says he totally understands people's frustrations. the by—election was caused by the resignation of owen paterson, after he was found to have breached parliamentary lobbying rules. our political correspondent, jonathan blake, reports. three, two, one! celebration in shropshire, and the message was clear from the winning party — this was a verdict on borisjohnson and his government. this isn'tjust an upset, it's a political earthquake. for the first time in almost two centuries, the once true blue market towns and villages of north shropshire have said it's time for change. on the march in celebration, the liberal democrats threw everything at this campaign, and it seems it's paid off. they'll hope it's more than a protest vote, and that their message that people felt left behind and taken for granted really resonated. this is a watershed moment in british politics. from true blue buckinghamshire to shropshire, we've heard time and again people feel they are taken for granted by borisjohnson and his government, and last night the win here in north shropshire sent a very clear message that enough is enough. and in 0swestry, voters seemed satisfied their voices had been heard. you know, ijust never thought it would happen, it's seismic. it's been a tory safe seat for nearly 200 years, and they've gone. i think it says a lot about borisjohnson and i think people havejust had enough. i deliberately went out and voted for helen morgan because i wanted to give the government a kick in the teeth, basically, yes. so, yes, i'm very pleased. in the past, i've been more labour, but this time i've gone for lib dem, more because it was more - about the people rather than money and things like that. i'm hoping this will be a good step in the right direction. _ previously, i voted conservative. this time — notjust because she got in — i voted liberal. i'm just not happy with boris or his government. so yeah, time for a change and somebody local. applause the result of this closely fought contest came soon after 4am. the conservative candidate defeated and keen to get away. i'll repeat it again, i'm sure you will understand if we all get a bit of shuteye and i go and give my eight—week—old a bit of a cuddle. the prime minister can't hide from this — another damaging blow when his authority has already taken hit after hit. clearly the vote in north shropshire is a very disappointing result and i totally understand people's frustrations. i hear what the voters are saying in north shropshire, and in all humility i've got to accept that verdict. what people have been hearing is just a constant litany of stuff about politics and politicians, and stuff that isn't about them. with tactical voting at play, labour lost ground — leaving questions about their appeal. the liberal democrats, the nature of them, they are not a party, with respect, with any kind of strong idealogical moorings, that makes them a very potent by—election force — they can stand for one thing in one town and a different thing in the town next door. now, that's not the case for us, we're a party of government, we seek to run the whole country and form a government. after this contest in what was such safe tory territory, the political ground here has shifted overnight. jonathan blake, bbc news, north shropshire. more on that liberal democrat victory in a moment. first, the latest coronavirus figures which have just been published. latest coronavirus figures which havejust been published. the uk has reported 93,045 new covid—19 cases today. that is up on the record number of cases reported yesterday. that was 88,376. another record number of cases today, 93,045. there have also been 111 covid—19 deaths recorded within 28 days of a positive test stop. to discuss the latest figures, the highest daily number of infection since the pandemic began, we arejoined by our head of statistics. robert, these figures not really a surprise. we were expecting them to go up, won't we? �* .., were expecting them to go up, won't we? �* , . were expecting them to go up, won't we? �* . ., , . ., were expecting them to go up, won't we? ~ , . ., ., , we? and we can expect them to go up further. a number _ we? and we can expect them to go up further. a number of _ we? and we can expect them to go up further. a number of people _ we? and we can expect them to go up further. a number of people who - we? and we can expect them to go up further. a number of people who havej further. a number of people who have been getting tested is also going up. testing numbers are up about 20% in a week, but case numbers are up about 40% and a week, we can expect that to go up further. when you look at london and scotland, the two pots of the uk were at the omicron wave has furthest advanced, you can see case numbers are rising even faster there. we were expecting this for a while, a big wave of more and more infections coming our way. haifa while, a big wave of more and more infections coming our way. how long will it no infections coming our way. how long will it go on — infections coming our way. how long will it go on for? _ infections coming our way. how long will it go on for? really _ infections coming our way. how long will it go on for? really not - infections coming our way. how long will it go on for? really not sure - will it go on for? really not sure et. will it go on for? really not sure yet- they _ will it go on for? really not sure yet- they are — will it go on for? really not sure yet. they are talking _ will it go on for? really not sure yet. they are talking about - will it go on for? really not sure| yet. they are talking about peaks early next year. if you keep on doubling and doubling, eventually more people are getting affected every day in the uk. that is a limit on this. the other question i think becomes how ill it doesn't make people at how much pressure is going to put on the health care system? already, when you have lots of people testing positive and a self—isolating, that will put on a lot of pressure around society, economy and hospitals. but if more people getting sick and large numbers, that will put more pressure on the system. we still don't know how sick people get from the omicron variant and how much vaccines protect you. that is what we are hoping to find out in the coming weeks. , ., ., ~ hoping to find out in the coming weeks. ,., ., 4' ., hoping to find out in the coming weeks. ,., ., ~ ., , ., _, , weeks. the book to start continues at ace, weeks. the book to start continues at pace. what _ weeks. the book to start continues at pace. what do — weeks. the book to start continues at pace, what do we _ weeks. the book to start continues at pace, what do we know- weeks. the book to start continues at pace, what do we know about i weeks. the book to start continues| at pace, what do we know about its progress? —— the booster campaign. we don't know until about seven o'clock for england. we had hoped for more information elsewhere, some information published by the uk health security agency, which suggest that the rapid flow tests might not work as well for the omicron strain as they worked for delta. they have than this on early lab work just delta. they have than this on early lab workjust to double check the mutations that omicron has does not completely knock the rapid test out of kilter. the early signals from the study is art that lateral flow tests are still useful and you can still use them. aha, tests are still useful and you can still use them.— still use them. a final thought about these _ still use them. a final thought about these uk _ still use them. a final thought about these uk health - still use them. a final thought| about these uk health security agency figures. do they now confirm that omicron has overtaken delta as the dominant variant? in that omicron has overtaken delta as the dominant variant?— the dominant variant? in scotland i think we heard _ the dominant variant? in scotland i think we heard it _ the dominant variant? in scotland i think we heard it was _ the dominant variant? in scotland i think we heard it was just - the dominant variant? in scotland i think we heard it was just over - the dominant variant? in scotland i think we heard it wasjust over half| think we heard it was just over half on the recent figures. in london, it has been there for a while, at least three quarters last i checked. in england as a whole, yesterday it was i think 40%. today pretty likely if it is not there, it is likely it will be there by tomorrow. there is no question that is what we are heading, if we are not already there. let's return now to the north shropshire by election, and for more analysis of what the liberal democrat victory means, here's newsnight�*s policy editor, lewis goodall. this was a by—election for the history books. let us be clear — north shropshire is, was, as true blue as it gets — conservative for as long as britain has truly been a democratic country, indeed before. massively leave voting, older than average population. it is now represented by a liberal democrat. it takes their total in parliament to 13. that liberal democrat, helen morgan, overcame a conservative majority of 23,000 — mammoth. this is how she did it — lib dems leapfrogging from third — they only got 10% of the vote in 2019 — to first in 2021 with nearly 50%. they did it by direct transference to the lib dems from the conservatives — whose vote was down some 25 points or so from 2019 and from the labour party. labour were in second in 2019 — had 22% of the vote. but there's big transference in 2021. labour voters deciding the lib dems had the best chance of winning, and they were right. we saw a similar thing in chesham and amersham—another tory safe seat, different part of the country, in buckinghamshire but massive tactical voting against the conservatives. long talked about, it's now actually happening. that translated to a swing of 34%. it's basically coming off the swingometer — lib dems needed 26%, it's way past that. it's the seventh biggest by—election swing in our modern history, reminiscent of some of those huge anti—tory swings we saw in the 1990s. and that's what will worry a slew of conservative mps in the south of england, in particular where the lib dems are in second place — seats like wimbledon, seats like lewes — 91 of them mainly against the conservatives, with much smaller majorities than shropshire. this is one that stands out — esher and walton, the seat of the deputy pm and justice secretary, dominic raab. the tories haven't had to seriously worry about the lib dems since they ingested them and spat them out again after the coalition — a revival changes the complexion of our electoral politics. so let's neither overstate nor understate. this is a sensational result, but it's also a by—election, they can light up the electoral sky, then fizzle and mean little. but what it does mean, when taken together with chesham and amersham, the lib dems threaten to be back as a force, and that borisjohnson, who has for so long looked invulnerable, to whom nothing would stick, is no longer so, and that will change what he can do in terms of his power over his party. let's talk to the political editor for bbc midlands, elizabeth glinka, who is in 0swestry. all eyes on oswestry and the constituency. what do voters there make of it all? it constituency. what do voters there make of it all?— make of it all? it makes a bit of a chance make of it all? it makes a bit of a change for _ make of it all? it makes a bit of a change for this _ make of it all? it makes a bit of a change for this part _ make of it all? it makes a bit of a change for this part of _ make of it all? it makes a bit of a change for this part of the - make of it all? it makes a bit of a change for this part of the world, | change for this part of the world, they're notjust change for this part of the world, they're not just you change for this part of the world, they're notjust you having that kind of attention, but they certainly do have it today. i think this result has created shock waves here, as it probably has three of the conservative shires of england. i think the real shock is the scale of the victory for the lib dems —— lib dems here. overturning a conservative majority of of almost 23,000. helen moore now having a majority of almost 6000 here, the lib dems were calling it comfortable last night, and it certainly is. —— helen morgan. this campaign has been intense, it has been very close in at the last couple of weeks, but the events over the last week seem to have turned it from being something on a knife edge to something that looked a lot better for the lib dems and really will be worrying local conservatives in seats like this one, safe conservative seats. speaking to one of those mps tonight, neighbouring mp philip dunne and bob bao, a former conservative minister, he said this result was a serious message to the prime minister and the government that the government needed to concentrate on the manifesto and the promises to people. he said that the party is in at number 10 and at the wrapped heel last christmas had come up wrapped heel last christmas had come up on the doorstep and it was certainly a factor in this election. and he also said that boris needs to get a grip. it will be interesting to see now if more conservative mps like philip dunne are making those views clear to the prime minister, because there is no doubt that the results year will certainly put pressure on the prime minister. the snp leader at westminster, ian blackford, has written to the prime minister after allegations emerged that the cabinet secretary's office and staff hosted parties in whitehall during restrictions last december. the cabinet secretary, simon case, is currently carrying out an inquiry into the controversial downing street parties — his report was due to be published very soon. let's get more on this from our political correspondent, lone wells, who's in westminster now. i'm just looking at a tweet sent out by the times newspaper, saying simon case and his team had a christmas party on december 17, 2020. of course this is the man charged with investigating christmas parties. bring us up to speed. has investigating christmas parties. bring us up to speed.— investigating christmas parties. bring us up to speed. as you say, simon case _ bring us up to speed. as you say, simon case is _ bring us up to speed. as you say, simon case is at _ bring us up to speed. as you say, simon case is at the _ bring us up to speed. as you say, simon case is at the top - bring us up to speed. as you say, simon case is at the top civil- simon case is at the top civil servant who was appointed to lead the inquiry into christmas parties that took place in downing street last year. by now most people will have heard of the one that took place in downing street on december 18, one of the ones which simon case is meant to be investigating. that report was due out in the next couple of days into whether or not any lockdown and coronavirus restrictions were broken by officials in downing street last year. the latest allegations are that separate of these events in at downing street, there was also invitation set out for what was titled in the subject of the invitation, a christmas party, on december 17, 2020 for the private office of simon case himself in the cabinet office. i understand this was an informal gathering, a christmas quiz for members of simon case's team. while he did not actively take part in that quiz, he was present at the time. i also understand that as a result of these fresh allegations that have emerged today, his position as chair of the inquiry, the investigation into parties at downing street last year, is now under consideration. the view for the cabinet office, as it stands, they don't feel that this was necessarily an active party with lots of people present, but certainly his presence there does raise questions about how impartial he can be when investigating these other matters in downing street last year. a 27—year—old woman has been arrested on suspicion of child neglect after four children died in a house fire in south london. 60 firefighters went to a property in sutton yesterday evening — london fire brigade confirmed that the only people in the house when they arrived were two sets of twin boys, aged three and four. an investigation is under way to find out how the blaze began. helen wilkinson reports from the scene. the four little boys were in this terraced house alone where they were found by fire crews, twin brothers aged just three and four. this morning, they have been described by locals as lovely, polite and well mannered. really, really shocked, because it is quite a close community, and everyone sort of does know each other around here, a lot of the people. and it's absolutely devastating. the scale of the emergency response was huge — 60 firefighters and eight fire engines were deployed just before 7:00 last night. they were faced with intense flames when they got here, which ripped through the entire ground floor. the children were brought out of the property, firefighters carried out cpr until ambulances arrived. they were taken to two separate hospitals — it is there where the little boys died. our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the family and friends of the four children and everyone who has been affected, including the local community. i know the area well, and it will hit them very hard this morning. emergency services are used to dealing with difficult incidents, but this in particular, involving four little boys, has been felt deeply. they did everything they possibly could, even travelling to the hospital in the ambulances so cpr could continue all the way there. our crews who attended are now being supported by a counselling and well— being service to ensure that they have the necessary support. we will be providing support to the local community. friends and local people have been coming here to leave flowers and teddies at the scene. nursery teachers came earlier, too, and were clearly distressed. they said that two of the boys who attended the nursery had their christmas presents waiting for them. westbourne primary school, where the four—year—old twins attended, said the school and its entire community are devastated at the news of the tragic loss of the four children. a 27—year—old woman is in custody, having been arrested on suspicion of child neglect. at the scene, investigators are trying to find out how the fire started, as this community comes to terms with such a tragic loss of four little boys days before christmas. helena wilkinson, bbc news, sutton. a short while ago, police gave this update. the thoughts of everyone at the metropolitan police are with the family and friends of the four young boys who lost their lives in this tragic incident. we know it will have come as a great shock to the local community, and as part of that community we are here to offer whatever support we can. at 7pm last night, we were called to reports of a fire in a residential property. officers responded to the incident, alongside colleagues from the london fire brigade and london ambulance service. it has been confirmed four boys who were inside — two aged three and two aged four — were brought out, but sadly died. they were all related. there was nobody else inside the property at the time of the fire. our london fire brigade colleagues acted heroically in recovering the children, and i want to pay particular tribute to them. i know this incident will have a lasting impact on them and on the police officers and paramedics who were involved. we will make sure they get the support they need. local detectives will be investigating this incident, and that work is already under way. we will be working with colleagues from the london fire brigade to determine what caused the fire and to investigate any other relevant matter. as part of that investigation, a 27—year—old woman was arrested last night on suspicion of child neglect. she remains in police custody. we have also had discussions with partners in the local authority and the wider community today, and will continue to do so to ensure that together we can support local residents as they come to terms with this tragic loss. thank you. some coronavirus restrictions are to be reintroduced in wales after boxing day to try to slow the spread of the omicron variant. from december 27, nightclubs will be closed and social distancing will be enforced in shops and offices. the night time industries association has described the announcement as a "step too far," saying it will weaken already fragile trade in pubs and restaurants. here's our wales correspondent, tomos morgan. after welcoming customers back less than six months ago, nightclubs will close once again in wales from december 27. a £60 million pot has been set aside to assist them, but it is a bitter blow for an industry already struggling. people go there in order to be up close and personal, and we know that omicron is particularly likely to lead to superspreader events where people are packed in together in that way. as well as their closure, social distancing measures, the two—metre rule, will also be back in force from the 27th here. one—way systems and a limit on numbers in shops will be back after christmas. up until then, strong guidance has been issued by the welsh government, advising lateral flows to be taken before people meet around the festive period. over the weekend and on monday, the welsh government cabinet will meet again to discuss whether or not measures need to be brought back in to put a maximum capacity on big crowds frequenting things like sporting events in the principality stadium and big concerts, as well. the first minister will also be speaking to the hospitality sector, suggesting that measures could be brought back in in pubs and restaurants, as well, in the near future. with four restaurants across cardiff and the surrounding area, the 44 group has already had over 3000 cancellations over december alone. any further restrictions on big groups, such as the rule of six, could have a big financial impact on many areas of hospitality, according to the group's co—founder. turning a profit, it wasn't really happening, anyway. but if you are cutting out groups of six and above, it is really damaging. currently there are no plans for rules on the number of people who can mix inside households. but with omicron spreading so quickly, the first minister has yet again said further measures cannot be ruled out. tomos morgan, bbc news, cardiff. nicola sturgeon has revealed that omicron has become the dominant covid variant in scotland, overtaking delta. the first minister said there were almost 700 confirmed cases, but that the real number was probably much higher. our scotland correspondent, alexandra mckenzie, has more. nicola sturgeon had warned of a tsunami of cases, and she said we are beginning to see the effect of that tsunami. yesterday we had around 6,000 covid cases, today there were more than 4,000. although we do understand that is a bit of an underestimate. and there has been an increase of 40% of cases in the last week. the first minister said she was appealing for people to go and get vaccinated. there was a record number of people vaccinated yesterday. she is also urging people, particularly on the run—up to christmas and after christmas, to stay at home as much as possible and to limit your socialising. and if you are socialising, keep that to a maximum of three households. the first minister had said this is the cruellest of blows, she particularly mentioned businesses, and she is due to speak to the prime minister later on this afternoon to ask for additional help, financial help, for businesses. well, warnings about the omicron variant have prompted many people to cancel christmas events and parties — and that's having a devastating effect on hospitality venues across the uk. joining me now is peter marks, from the nighclub operator rekom uk. can you understand the welsh government's decision to close nightclubs after boxing day? the answer of nightclubs after boxing day? iie: answer of course nightclubs after boxing day? tie: answer of course is no, i don't know why on earth you would want to single out nightclubs, the 2% of the toadstool hospitality gathering places within wales. i would just call this a virtue signalling, to try and grab some headlines, to appear to be concerned, but actually having very little effect, except those of us who have nightclubs of course. ., ~ ., ., . , course. you will know that the welsh first minister — course. you will know that the welsh first minister has _ course. you will know that the welsh first minister has said _ course. you will know that the welsh first minister has said people - course. you will know that the welsh first minister has said people go - course. you will know that the welsh first minister has said people go to l first minister has said people go to nightclubs to be up close and personal, in his words, and talks about them as super spreaders. if you look up london and the rapid growth of omicron, it has mainly beenin growth of omicron, it has mainly been in people in their 20s and 30s, who would be in at the age groups going to nightclubs. has who would be in at the age groups going to nightclubs.— going to nightclubs. has the first minister ever— going to nightclubs. has the first minister ever been _ going to nightclubs. has the first minister ever been to _ going to nightclubs. has the first minister ever been to a _ going to nightclubs. has the first minister ever been to a pub - going to nightclubs. has the first minister ever been to a pub at. minister ever been to a pub at midnight, a barat midnight? is there any difference? absolutely not. regarding london, iwouldn't mind suggesting that the largest unvaccinated part of the country is london, i don't know that for definite, but last time i look that was certainly the case. you know, we go round in circles. the was certainly the case. you know, we go round in circles.— go round in circles. the welsh government — go round in circles. the welsh government has _ go round in circles. the welsh government has announced i go round in circles. the welsh | government has announced up go round in circles. the welsh i government has announced up to go round in circles. the welsh - government has announced up to £60 million will be available to support businesses affected by the new restrictions. will that help? it depends how much we get all that, of course. we do understand our role. all i would say is that we shouldn't be picked up on as if we are at the problem, the super spread at events. i must emphasise there is no evidence anywhere in the world at a nightclub has ever caused a super spread that event. of course, if we had to shut, and i hope we we wouldn't be the only people shutting, then i think it's only fair we get shutting, then i think it's only fairwe get ourfair shutting, then i think it's only fair we get ourfair share. what happened last time people were handing out money is that we got such a paltry amount of money that my company went bust today. what we need is support, not support that is apparently generous, but if you actually scratch below the surface there is very little in there. that means covering our fixed costs and our staff of course.— our staff of course. when you say fair share. _ our staff of course. when you say fair share, what _ our staff of course. when you say fair share, what sort _ our staff of course. when you say fair share, what sort of— our staff of course. when you say fair share, what sort of costs - our staff of course. when you say fair share, what sort of costs are | fair share, what sort of costs are you talking about?— you talking about? rent, rates, insurance. _ you talking about? rent, rates, insurance, labour, _ you talking about? rent, rates, insurance, labour, and - you talking about? rent, rates, insurance, labour, and heating| you talking about? rent, rates, i insurance, labour, and heating and lighting to keep things ticking over whilst we are closed. these are significant numbers. we are talking somewhere between 30—35% of income. there is no chance we will get it. there is no chance we will get it. the government has spent so much money during the course of the pandemic, and of course with prices and interest rates going up, any support means eventually the taxpayer will have to pay. i suppose the question then is currently actually afford it?— the question then is currently actually afford it? well, i don't think we can. _ actually afford it? well, i don't think we can. needless - actually afford it? well, i don't think we can. needless to - actually afford it? well, i don't think we can. needless to say, actually afford it? well, i don't. think we can. needless to say, i think we can. needless to say, i think we can. needless to say, i think we should stay open until such time as we know on the current is indeed a problem. at the moment, i don't believe that has been proven. we are talking about cases going off, but hospitalisations and deaths aren't going anywhere. but i'm certainly mindful of the fact we haven't got a bottomless pit. i was paying £33 million a year to the exchequer out of my £100 million income, so we are very profitable for the treasury. yet here we are with practically nothing given back to us. if i was a cultural venue i would have got 30—40% of my income are given to me over the last 12 months. instead, iwas are given to me over the last 12 months. instead, i was given a 4%, which is why we were at a loss. hour which is why we were at a loss. how did ou which is why we were at a loss. how did you get — which is why we were at a loss. how did you get back _ which is why we were at a loss. how did you get back on _ which is why we were at a loss. how did you get back on your feet? we l did you get back on your feet? we not new did you get back on your feet? - got new investors from denmark, interestingly the danish have actually helped their hospitality to actually helped their hospitality to a completely new level, nothing like we are seeing in this country. we are very thankful that they took that leap of faith. i would like to think we paid them back in so far as we know we have got a good, viable business. we can't run out of cash, thatis business. we can't run out of cash, that is what is happening to us last year. they took that leap of faith and invested in a nightclub company in a different country and gave the cash we've got to leave it there, good to talk to you, many thanks. now it's time for a look at the weather with stav. many parts of the country have had a lovely day with sunshine, but elsewhere we have hung onto the cloud. the stagnant weather comes about because of this area of high pressure still with us, still pretty much sitting on top of the uk, so wind will remain light throughout the day and temperatures reach highs of around seven to maybe ten or 11 in the mildest spots. overnight, we hold on to a lot of cloud across southern and western areas, again, where we have clear skies in scotland and northern england, we will see the lowest temperatures, a touch of frost, perhaps mist and fog patches by the end of the night, further south, thicker cloud lows of six to eight. the weekend, we held onto the area of high pressure, mainly dry and mostly cloudy, the odd sunny spell here and there, turning cooler as we had three sunday. you can see double—figure valleys on saturday, starting to drop down a bit across the country during the course of sunday. hello, this is bbc news. i'm rebecca jones. the headlines... the uk has just reported a record 93,000 new covid—19 cases, the highest since the start of the pandemic. a shock defeat for borisjohnson, as the conservatives lose the north shropshire seat they held for nearly 200 years to the liberal democrats. it's the seventh biggest by—election swing in modern political history, with the prime minister accepting personal responsibility for the defeat. a 27—year—old woman has been arrested on suspicion of child neglect after two sets of twin boys, aged three and four, died in a house fire in south london last night. and railfares will go up by almost 4%. the government says the hike is to pay for further investment in infrastructure. sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here's lizzie. good afternoon. ben stokes says england are not beaten yet. that despite another dominant performance by australia on day two of the second ashes test. the aussies declared on 473 for 9. in reply, a weary england lost two early wickets and were grateful for a lightning storm which forced them to close early on 17—2. patrick gearey reports. it might not look it, and they weren't dressed for it, but adelaide was hot, roasting in desert air. and england were bowling at a survival expert. marnus labuschagne, dropped twice yesterday, rumbled past 100. a tribute to hard work and good luck. when he was caught two runs later, it was a no—ball. so, was this a mirage? it has to be, and it is! no, really? finally ollie robinson had him. might australia's bubble now burst? in wentjoe root to get both travis head and english hearts going. and when ben stokes beat cameron green, there was hope. but there was also steve smith, captaining australia once again, tormenting english bowlers once again, as is his way. in sapping temperatures, at least england kept his mercury below 100. anderson dismissed him for 93. but his face told the price. we'd reached the party at the back end of the innings, australian tail—enders swatting away tired english bowlers until they reached 473, when they declared and put england in, under lights, under pressure, underperforming. mitchell starc picked up rory burns. he'd made four, england had made seven. on came michael neser for his test debut. out went haseeb hameed with more regrets. but australia were not the only thing striking. that storm will pass, but for england, the heat will not. meanwhile, england have named a 17—player squad for their bid to regain the women's ashes in australia. they will be captained by heather knight, who says they will have to "fight fire with fire" as australia have held the ashes since 2015. the multi—format series begins in canberra on the 27th of january and for the first time england are also travelling with a 12—strong a squad, with the possibility of players being promoted if they impress. sport's battle against the current covid situation is intensifying — and premier league clubs are due to meet on monday to discuss how football reacts and how they deal with re—arranging games and fixture congestion. manchester united, brentford, watford, norwich and leicester all have covid outbreaks in their squads and so their games this weekend are off. as it stands, four of tomorrow's six matches have been postponed, leaving leeds v arsenal and aston villa against burnley. in terms of being in my shoes, what in terms of being in my shoes, what i have to do is i have to prepare the team in the best way i can for a game to game situation. if we are told anything different we will follow those instructions was that we have had some cases on the playing staff, we had some kisses on the staff, so we are certainly feeling it to a certain extent of the best but we have had some cases. in my position now, i am hoping we have a good 24 hours in terms of test results returning otherwise we could have a situation that grows and gets worse, but at the moment we are ready to go and get to play. rugby is also being hit hard by the pandemic, seven european rugby matches due to be played between french and british teams this weekend have been postponed because of france's new travel rules. france is restricting travel for those arriving from the uk amid concerns over the omicron variant. it's impacting both the champions cup and the second—tier challenge cup. tournament organisers hope the games can be played at a later date. two other games had been already been cancelled because of covid outbreaks in squads. so only eight games go ahead. finally, inter milan have announced christian eriksen's contract has been terminated by mutual consent. eriksen hasn't played since he collapsed during denmark's euros match against finland injune. it was recently revealed that he'd started training again on his own, at a local club in denmark, but there's been no confirmation over whether or where eriksen will resume his career. hejoined interfrom tottenham injanuary last year. that's all the sport for now. we'll have more for you in an hour. a quick update on the talks that have been taking place between prime minister borisjohnson and scotland's first minister nicola sturgeon. my colleagues at bbc scotland are reporting the talks have taken place on the issue of coronavirus funding, that's of course with the threat of the omicron variant, but no extra money is heading to scotland at the moment. the bbc understands the scottish government thinks the talks were constructive but inconclusive, and there will be more discussions over the weekend. if you are with us earlier, you will have heard the first minister say at today's coronavirus fishing say, and i'm quoting, it would be unconscionable if more money was not allocated from the uk government very quickly. —— today's coronavirus briefing. we've approached the treasury for comment and are waiting for that but there's talks about coronavirus funding are set to carry on perhaps into the weekend. rail fares are set to rise 3.8%. the increase, which is tied to july's inflation figures, usually takes effect in january, but is being delayed in england until march to give more passengers the chance to renew their season tickets at 2021 prices. our transport correspondent, katy austin, has been giving us more details. what we are talking about here is regulated railfares, ones the government has a role in controlling the prices of. that includes season tickets you will find on most commuter routes. from next march, an example i could give is an annual season ticket between brighton and london would go up nearly £200, and one between liverpool and manchester would go up by nearly £100. but normally, as you say, we would see these kinds of rises happening injanuary, but during the pandemic, that has been postponed to march. this year, the 2.6% rise that came in in 2021 happened in march instead of january. so now the government is saying people will now have until march again to renew their tickets and buy them at the cheaper price. 3.8% is actually the biggest rise in percentage terms that there has been in about nine years. however, the government said that what it is doing is using thejuly level of inflation, the retail price index measure of inflation, to calculate this 3.8% increase. that matters because normally the way this is done is the rise comes injanuary and it uses thatjuly inflation figure as a base. but the government saying that even though it is coming on in march instead, they will still use thatjuly base, even though sincejuly inflation has actually been going up and actually reached 7.1% last month. however, the government is basically saying that this is about protecting people from rising inflation, but labour is saying this is a brutal hike because people are facing a cost of living crisis. there is a bit of a balance to be struck here. the government says the pandemic has had a huge impact on rail industry finances, as peoplejust stopped using trains as much, that means the taxpayer has had to put £14 million towards supporting the rail industry. ——£14 billion towards supporting the rail industry. it says there is a balance here between recouping some of those costs the taxpayer has had to put out, at the same time, not completely putting off wanting to travel by rail in the future. in the high street there were better—than—expected retail sales in november. as people started their festive shopping early. but what effect is omicron having on retail in the run—up to christmas day? our business correspondent emma simpson reports from northamptonshire. rushton lakes, a retail park that has no problems pulling shoppers in. this chain is doing a roaring trade. we have been double—digit growth all year. that has not let up. so, going into december, we are almost 40% up against 2019. what about omicron? i think because we have appointment booking and we have screens within our stores, because customers feel safe, we have not seen any slowing of trade or footfall at this stage. some shoppers are being a bit more careful though. melanie is a nurse. i've took a day off when i should be on annual leave so i can come when it is quieter, because i did not want to come at the weekend. i feel safer outside, i must admit. we don't like the crowds and big stores. no, we just like this, - it isjust big enough here. what about down the road in northampton town centre? our high streets need footfall to survive. they still have not got back to the numbers they had before the pandemic. now, omicron, and even at times like this, they have seen a drop—off in visitors. for this small business, every christmas sale counts. it is more important this year, just to bring as much money as we can so we can fight another day. it has affected it in the past week or two. not so many people around. has trade been hit? yeah, it already is. but, crucially, shops are still open. for retailers, omicron is yet another issue to deal with. the biggest thing retailers are worried about and monitoring on a daily, hourly basis, is absence rates, because that is really critical. when the labour market is so tight at this time of year. a lot of festive shopping is already in the bag. christmas has been decent for retail so far, and industry is now hoping for a final bumper week to see them through uncertain times ahead. emma simpson, bbc news, northampton. the fire brigades union says rising covid cases has left london fire and rescue with unprecedented staff shortages, meaning that up to almost a third of london's fire engines have been out of action points in the last week. according to london fire brigade statistics, 40 fire engines were unavailable in both the day and night shift yesterday, a level also reached for at least parts of the tenth, 11th and 15th of december. there is a total of 142 fire engines in london. covid has been skyrocketing in the service is the omicron variant has taken hold in the capital. a man has been given three mandatory life sentences after murdering a baby girl by smothering and feeling his partner with a drug overdose. he merger two of his children in aruba, aged 24 days, and logan, aged 21 months, by smothering —— he murdered two of his children, ruby, aged 24 days. he also murdered his partner with a drug overdose six months later in 2019. a bristol man has been sentenced to 14 months in jail for arson and writing full on protest in bristol earlier this year. ——for arson and rioting during protests in bristol earlier this year. ryan roberts — who's 25 and from easton in bristol — tried to set fire to two police vehicles while officers were inside them, during a �*kill the bill�* protest in the city in march. a man who stabbed to death one of the uk�*s richest men, in what police described as a "ferocious" attack has been found guilty of murder. 35—year—old thomas schreiber killed 83—year—old sir richard sutton at his home in dorset april. schrieber will be sentenced on monday. andrew plant has the background to the case. go, go, go! april this year. armed police responding to calls for help at a mansion set deep in the dorset countryside. shouting. inside, sir richard sutton has been fatally stabbed. his partner, anne schreiber, knifed multiple times, her spinal cord partially severed. after the attack, her son thomas schreiber packed a suitcase and fled to london, his car tracked by police helicopter. as they stop and arrest him, he begins to stab himself. police use a taser to stop him. his chest wounds described later as superficial. in court, witnesses said thomas schreiber harboured strong feelings of hatred and resentment towards his mother and sir richard, and was convinced he had been unfairly treated when it came to money. sir richard sutton owned a property empire, including the sheraton hotel on park lane and the athenaeum in mayfair. anne schreiber survived the attack. she is now paralysed. giving evidence from a spinal unit, she said her son thomas had always had a furious temper and had tried to strangle her in the past. the court heard in the months before the attack, he had sent messages to friends saying he had a plan for revenge, that his mother and sir richard were toxic, and he wanted to go out with a bang. when he was arrested, he asked police to shoot him, saying, "i pay your wages, put a bullet in my head." sir richard sutton was stabbed multiple times, one blow penetrating 12 centimetres into his heart. doctors used 27 litres of blood to save anne schreiber�*s life. she spent months in hospital. she told the court her son appeared behind her that night with wild eyes. "as he was stabbing me," she said, "i felt like he wasn�*t really there." andrew plant, bbc news. the environment agency has won its appeal against a high court judgment that would have forced it to limit emissions of noxious gases from a landfill site in staffordshire. the ruling sets aside the originaljudgment in favour of 5—year—old mathew richards — who has a chronic lung condition and who lives close to walley�*s quarry in silverdale. phil mackie has been following the judgement. well, the result isn�*t what people who live near walley�*s quarry in silverdale wanted to hear. it came very quickly at 10.30 this morning, when the three court of appealjudges returned to court just to read out theirjudgment. they say they will give further detailed written reasons for those judgments at a later date. essentially, this means that the environment agency no longer has that deadline hanging over it, which meant that because of the earlier high court ruling, by the beginning of next month, effectively the end of the year, they have to make sure that there were no emissions of hydrogen sulfide, in particular, that breached world health organization recommended levels. they say they�*re working with the operators of the site and they are reducing the levels of hydrogen sulfide. they give off that really horrible rotten eggs, stink bomb odour that has made people�*s lives such a misery, and that they are working to reduce that and they are successfully reducing it, capping parts of the site, for instance. but they�*ve still got some way to go, because the most recent figures that they published show that at least one of the four monitoring sites near the landfill site itself shows that there were still problems with excess levels of hydrogen sulfide just a couple of weeks ago, at the beginning of the month. i haven�*t yet heard from the family of matthew richards. becky currie, his mum, was in court earlier this week during the hearing. she wasn�*t there today to hear the final ruling, but she has been incredibly concerned about matthew�*s health. he�*s got a chronic lung condition. we heard medical evidence earlier on in this year that suggests that the effects of these emissions could be life—limiting for him. now, lawyers representing becky currie and matthew richards said that they may even consider asking for a further judicial review. but in the meantime, the problems will probably persist. unfortunately, for all those people who were pinning their hopes on this appealfailing, it�*s bad newsjust in the run—up to christmas. a bit of news just in to us here at the bbc that after a call between the bbc that after a call between the prime minister borisjohnson and the prime minister borisjohnson and the scottish first minister nicola sturgeon, which we were telling you about just a few sturgeon, which we were telling you aboutjust a few moments ago, it�*s now been confirmed there would be a cobra meeting this weekend. the prime minister has confirmed it would involve counterparts from the devolved administrations, by which is meant the first ministers of scotland, wales and northern ireland, to continue discussions at this meeting on the uk response to the omicron variant of covid—19, so we will obviously be keeping a close eye on that meeting and will bring you news of it over the course of the weekend here on bbc news. the television presenter aj odudu has pulled out of tomorrow night�*s strictly come dancing final after suffering an injury. she said she was "deeply upset" that she wouldn�*t be able to perform because of a torn ligament in her right ankle. in a tweet she wished the remaining finalists — john and johannes and rose and giovanni — good luck. she said she�*d be cheering them on, on one leg. and aj has this afternoon tweeted a picture of herself on a hospital bed in a walking boot with the message, "peace out, "strictly, it�*s been a blast." the entertainmentjournalist emma bullimore says it�*s disappointing news for everyone involved. i think it is just gutting for everyone involved. you want it to be this amazing final, three fantastic couples left. and then to have to leave through no fault of her own, you just think she was so close to the end. and i think she was arguably the best dancer, technically, out of the three of them. so to go now, as you say, gutting for the show as well as for aj and kai. they were supposed to have this big extravaganza, now three dances are missing, because they�*re supposed to do three dances, each couple. what are they going to do? how will they fill that time? will they shorten the show? there�*s no official line on that yet, but it will be disappointing for everyone involved. do we know, this torn ligament, was it done in training? she was speaking about this on it takes two earlier in the week, she was absolutely fine, all going swimmingly, then she said that the pain came on in an acute, sudden way, she did not know what to do with herself, the pain was so extreme. and even mid week, she was on crutches saying, "i�*m going to get round there, whatever i have to do, even if i have to dance in a chair, i�*ll be there." but obviously it has just not proved untenable. that is a serious injury, you can�*t dance on it, she could barely stand on it, of course she can�*t perform. if there was any way she could have done it, she was so determined, but it just wasn�*t to be. i saw her on it takes two, i thought then it was a long shot that she might be able to perform. but she was determined to, and clearlyjust couldn�*t do it the day before the show. let�*s just have a quick think about the two couples who are left, because it�*s an intriguing line—up. on the one hand we�*ve gotjohn and johannes, the first male same—sex couple. absolutely, and they have just proved all of the critics wrong. people have said "oh, we�*re not sure an all—male "partnership would work," that argument has gone now. the two of them have been so brilliant, in the ballroom, in the latin dances, their connection is fantastic, they have been entertaining. and they have had the journey, definitely, it�*s been very emotional. john has been brilliant, johannes is a fantastic choreographer, so they are a great partnership. but it has to be said that rose and giovanni are the favourites. they have had such an incredible ride along this series, such a great story, also the chemistry between them. some of the performances, i think, people will remember for years. obviously rose being the first deaf contestant to ever go on the show, inspired so many people, so many searches for learning sign language. the country is behind them. butjohn is very popular as well, and it is a two horse race at this point now that aj isn�*t there but i would be surprised if rose did not win. am i right that they are the only couple who have not been in the dance off, haven�*t they? john and johannes have, haven�*t they? they were last week in the semifinal, but that doesn�*t necessarily mean anything, but i think all the signs are good for rose and giovanni going into the final. and it is worth reiterating that in the final it is really down to the viewers�* votes, isn�*t it? thejudges arejust there for guidance. exactly. all through the series, it�*s 50% judges�* marks and 50% audience marks. that goes out the window. this is for the people to crown their champion so it�*s all about the viewers�* votes. and what�*s also important to remember is that the show dance can change anything. many a time through the years we thought there was a favourite and then another couple just do a show dance are just blows everyone away and then they win. so it�*ll be interesting to see what they have got up their sleeves. that�*s it from me. jane will be with you after five. that�*s it from me. jane will be with you afterfive. here is that�*s it from me. jane will be with you after five. here is the weather. mixed fortunes to end the week, some areas have started grey and gloomy, other areas have started cold and frosty with mist and fog, but with some sunshine around, too, is weather watcher picture in north yorkshire proving that. further south, grey, leaden skies, mistand murk, as we have seen throughout the week so far. so it�*s all down to this area of high pressure which is sitting right on top of us. slightly stronger winds across the far south—west and far north of the country, for most of us, wind is very light and no movement to stir up very light and no movement to stir up the cloud. however we will continue with the best of the sunshine throughout the day across scotland, northern england, some glimmers further south but otherwise largely cloudy skies. top temperatures ten or 11, here, but cooler where we have the clear skies because it was a cold start there. through the evening and overnight, staying cold, clear skies once more in northern england and into scotland, elsewhere, cloudy, misty and quite murky. temperatures should held at about five to eight in the south, but cold there was a touch of frost where the skies are clear, and again, we could see some mist and fog patches developing. little change heading into the weekend, our area of high pressure continuing to bring largely cloudy skies, dry weather, and turning slightly cooler, particularly in the course of sunday come across northern and eastern areas. this is the picture for saturday, plenty of cloud, could be thick enough for the patch of drizzle, the odd glimmer of brightness here and there, but probably the best of the sunshine across parts of scotland and northern england, those temperatures ranging from around seven to maybe ten or 11 across the south. similar picture into sunday, again, a lot of cloud around, limited spells of sunshine, starting to pick up more of a north—easterly breeze and that will be notable across north sea coasts, and here we will see the temperatures drop a bit, but temperatures drop a bit, but temperatures will be edging away generally across the country, as you can see, single figures from us. a similar story again into monday, very little change, our area of high pressure close by, a lot of cloud, limited sunshine, the best of it again across the north and again temperatures in single figures, just about 10 degrees therefore plymouth. a big question in terms of what takes place in the run—up to christmas, it looks like the uk will be in a battle of colder air to the north versus milder air to the south, so stay tuned. today at 5pm... victory for the liberal democrats in the north shropshire by—election — they call it a watershed moment as they overturn a conservative majority of 23,000. it is the seventh biggest —— it�*s the seventh biggest by—election swing in modern political history — the prime minister has accepted personal responsibility for his party�*s defeat. the people of north shropshire have spoken on behalf of the british people. they have said loudly and clearly, borisjohnson, the party is over. your government run on lies will be held accountable. it will be scrutinised and challenged. it can and will be defeated.— scrutinised and challenged. it can and will be defeated. boris johnson is facin: and will be defeated. boris johnson is facing because _ and will be defeated. boris johnson is facing because to _ and will be defeated. boris johnson is facing because to remove - and will be defeated. boris johnson is facing because to remove his - is facing because to remove his cabinet secretary, sign in case, who