and the chinese tennis star peng shuai retracts an accusation of sexual assault against a former top communist party official. but critics still fear she may have been speaking under duress. hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. borisjohnson has chaired a cabinet meeting as the government faces growing calls to outline whether any new covid restrictions will be implemented in england over christmas. the government's chief scientific adviser, sir patrick vallance, and england's chief medical officer, professor chris whitty, have briefed ministers about the omicron variant. the bbc has been told, civil servants have prepared �*three�* different options, ranging in severity — with boris johnson likely to face strong opposition to further restrictions, from within his own party. for more on the pressure on borisjohnson. here's jonathan blake. boosterjabs are still the main hope in the battle against omicron. but as cases of the new variant continue to rise, ministers won't rule out taking further measures. we're accelerating the booster roll—out in various different ways, from halving the time between second and third doses, increasing the throughput through the vaccination centres, they're going to be open longer hours. and of course, if we need to change the approach, we can't rule it out definitively, but that would be reliant on the data that comes through. with just a few days to go until christmas, there is anxiety that plans may have to change. labour are calling for clarity. here we are with a variant that everyone is very, very concerned about, what i want to see is a government, a prime minister, that gets a grip, puts a plan forward, but hopefully we can all get behind. but where is he? there is a vacuum of leadership at the moment. the infighting is going on in the tory party, when the focus should really be on the public interest and public health. the prime minister has a choice. officials have drawn up three different options for further restrictions, ranging in severity from low to medium to high. the decision to implement restrictions will never be an easy one but the political pressure on borisjohnson right now, particularly from his own party, will make it harder than ever. the former brexit minister lord frost resigned at the weekend, in part, over the current covid restrictions. i can't speak for anybody else, i can only say what i think, which is i don't support coercive policies on covid. the prime minister has got some very difficult decisions to take, and i am sure he'll be thinking very hard about them. his concerns are shared by many conservative mps, deeply wary of any further measures. i just don't think at the moment there is anyjustification for further measures. of course, people must be sensible. they only need to meet the where is reasonable to do so, and they must consider getting the vaccination. but i think we're asking the good sense of the british people to do that, rather than further government edicts at the moment. and there is this. a picture of the prime minister and staff in the garden of number ten in may last year. when restrictions on mixing were in place. wine, cheese board. a work meeting, says downing street. labour say that's a stretch. there are differences of opinion in government about what action, if any, is needed now. ministers are meeting this afternoon to review the latest data. the uk prime minister borisjohnson says more action might be needed to protect the public and the nhs following the spread of the omicron variant. following the a meeting a cabinet this afternoon — the prime minister reiterated the need for everyone to get the booster vaccine — as coronavirus cases continue to rise. mrjohnson said he would rule �*nothing out�* when it came to new restrictions — and urged the public to take precautions over the festive period. a long discussion in cabinet for a couple of hours now. a very good discussion for which we agreed that the situation is extremely difficult and the arguments either way are very finely balanced because we have five cases of omicron surging across the country now and we have cut hospitalisations writing quite sleepy in london and obvious conclusion is that of course it was right to go fast for plan b in the way that we did and also write to double the speed of the booster will allow to make sure everyone got their boosters as fast as possible. and in view of the balance of risk and uncertainties, particularly around the infection and hospitalisation rate of omicron. how many people does omicron put into hospital of the infected? and some of the uncertainties to deal with severity and booster effectiveness and so on. we agreed we should keep the data from now on under constant review and keep following it hour by hour and unfortunately i must say for people we have to reserve the possibility of taking further action to protect the public and to protect the public health and to protect their nhs. and we won't hesitate to take that action. but in the meantime, what i would say to everybody is please exercise caution as you go about their lives. please think of the guidance and think of protecting yourself and your loved ones and please get a boost error. please get a vaccination. it could not be more urgent. there are still millions of people in this country who have not got a vaccination, let alone a booster and it makes such a difference. the evidence is overwhelming. such a positive thing to do and i say to all those people who are vaccinated with their out of apathy or whatever reason please, please think of this is a great thing to do for yourself and for yourfamily and get it thing to do for yourself and for your family and get it the booster vaccine now. flan your family and get it the booster vaccine nova— vaccine now. can i ask you what that caution looks — vaccine now. can i ask you what that caution looks like _ vaccine now. can i ask you what that caution looks like and _ vaccine now. can i ask you what that caution looks like and what - vaccine now. can i ask you what that caution looks like and what should i caution looks like and what should people not be doing and you are keeping this under review. can you guarantee that i want to be restrictions before christmas and after christmas lots of talk about banning intermixing, new limits on pubs and restaurants, can you level with us and tell us what you are looking at. i with us and tell us what you are looking at— with us and tell us what you are looking at. i can say that we are lookin: looking at. i can say that we are looking at all— looking at. i can say that we are looking at all kinds of— looking at. i can say that we are looking at all kinds of things - looking at. i can say that we are looking at all kinds of things to | looking at all kinds of things to keep omicron under control and we will will nothing out. but at the moment, what i think we want people to focus on is exercising caution. the ventilation, masks in the appropriate places, all the usual stuff about washing hands but remember how contentious omicron really is and i think what you're seeing already is the british public understanding that you can see in peoples patterns of behaviour since he went to plan b that he are changing the radio about their lives and they are changing some of the assumptions they make about the things that they want to do and am afraid to say i know that's had consequences for some parts of our economy and some parts of the hospitality sector and of course in many ways i regret that but if it can help to get down the r and get down there related diseases multiplying, that can be very helpful to us and to the country but what really matters is for everybody to get vaccinated and get boosted because the booster really does give you a very high level of protection. you talk about consequences, devastating consequences for many pubs and many restaurants and theatres on their knees, can you give financial support to those sectors now? i understand how tough it must be and nobody wanted things to go this way. it must be and nobody wanted things to go this way-— to go this way. omicron has simply exloded to go this way. omicron has simply exoloded so _ to go this way. omicron has simply exploded so fast _ to go this way. omicron has simply exploded so fast that _ to go this way. omicron has simply exploded so fast that we _ to go this way. omicron has simply exploded so fast that we have - to go this way. omicron has simply| exploded so fast that we have seen people naturally deciding to make sure that they protect themselves and they avoid spreading the disease and they avoid spreading the disease and as i said the benefits of that course of action we may see in the next three days and weeks in the way we are able to contain the disease. but it is important that we ask cautiously and of course it's also important that we look after the hospitality sector theatres and other parts of our incredible entertainment industry which are suffering. so there are packages of funding already in places that it's a relief the vat but also funds available from local councils which have surpluses in their funds and again right all the things we will keep the economic side of this under constant review as well.— constant review as well. there is a trust issue — constant review as well. there is a trust issue here. _ constant review as well. there is a trust issue here. you're _ constant review as well. there is a trust issue here. you're asking - trust issue here. you're asking people to be cautious. they see the picture of you sitting in the downing street garden and drinking wine and eating cheese and at a time when those were not within the rules and they don't buy that it's a work meeting and there are people on twitter that sadie had funerals of loved ones in the same week and they could not have that many people at theirfunerals. do you understand why people are angry and why they might be less likely to do what you say? might be less likely to do what you sa ? .,, might be less likely to do what you sa ? , , ., , ., might be less likely to do what you sa? , . .," say? those were people at work talking about — say? those were people at work talking about them. _ say? those were people at work talking about them. so - say? those were people at work talking about them. so you - say? those were people at work talking about them. so you are. talking about them. so you are havin: a talking about them. so you are having a work— talking about them. so you are having a work meeting - talking about them. so you are having a work meeting without| talking about them. so you are - having a work meeting without laptop or notes on paper. thejoona may have wine and cheese at work meeting street villas where many things people at work. this street villas where many things people at work.— street villas where many things people at work. this is where i live and work and _ people at work. this is where i live and work and those _ people at work. this is where i live and work and those were _ people at work. this is where i live and work and those were meetings with people at work talking about work. i think it's vital that we focus if we can on the message is trying to get across today and we face this serious spike in omicron and you are seeing the cases go up in london. particularly the case of hospitalisations and the answer is to be cautious but also to get vaccinated. saturday was an amazing day for vaccinations. i think a million across the uk, sunday was also almost at a million. we are seeing record numbers come forward. half the adult population has never been vaccinated but now is the time for those missing millions to help themselves but also to help the whole country through a difficult time. ., , whole country through a difficult time. . , ., , . ., time. that minutes are very clear but early intervention _ time. that minutes are very clear but early intervention matters - time. that minutes are very clear| but early intervention matters and the earlier you interview the writer that restrictions can stay in place. that means now why aren't you taking our advice? has that means now why aren't you taking our advice? �* , ,, that means now why aren't you taking our advice? ~ , ,, , .,, , our advice? as you remember, as soon as we saw what — our advice? as you remember, as soon as we saw what was — our advice? as you remember, as soon as we saw what was happening with - as we saw what was happening with omicron and he will remember it was very controversial. there were many colleagues and credited to said no, it is too far but he went ahead with plan b virtually straightaway and i think that was the right thing to do. and we also doubled the speed of the vaccine going out. we went into overdrive with vaccine roll—out and with the booster roll—out in particular. there are still some things that we need to be clear about before we decide to go further but and to say that we will not exclude going further if we have to to do things to protect the public. the public are already taking steps to protect each other and protect themselves and it's wonderful to see. it's wonderful to see how many people are coming forward to be vaccinated. i say thank you to them and thank you to the incredible army of vaccinated is and volunteers. it's wonderful that the campaign is as you know be vaccinated more people as a percentage of our population than anywhere else and thatis population than anywhere else and that is great but we need to do more and to get the levels of protection we will need against omicron,.... our political correspondent jonathan blake is in westminster. the prime minister was clear, he said we will have to reserve the possibility of taking further action to protect the public. potentially over the christmas and festive period. a lot of people will be wondering what kind of action might not entail. what are the parameters of the kinds of things that we could be talking about here? it’s be talking about here? it's everything _ be talking about here? it's everything we _ be talking about here? it�*s everything we have seen during the pandemic so far and that's represents a big variety of measures on a sliding scale from one end which is a complete lockdown. the lack of which we saw earlier on at the beginning of this year and in march last year when the pandemic first took hold through to perhaps just the strengthening of fighting and helping people follow the messages without any legal requirements to be cautious when socialising and wearing masks in certain settings and work from home if you can but there's a lot of options in between that and we know the government has been presented with three different options for restrictions to put in place or even a strengthening of the guidance to be put in place representing different levels of severity. it can involve certain businesses having to close and perhaps it could involve mimicking socialising to something like that would've six which we saw towards the end of last year and perhaps he could involve further restrictions in all sorts of areas. but those are the things that ministers are weighing up and if you listen to what the payment is to set i think you could sum it up by saying we are not going to do anything right now, we are not going to put in place any further measures yet but the understand that because that could change at any time. he had is to essay ministers are reviewing the data hour by hour and as you said there is of the possibility of taking further action and they won't hesitate to do that if need be. it's worth noting that prime minister said there was a long discussion in cabinets and the arguments are finally balanced. we know not everyone far from it, is in favour of implementing further restrictions at this point and that is instinctively opposed to doing that if it can be avoided at all. there's clearly been a big debate in government about this this afternoon but the upshot is for now, things remain as they are but you get the senseit remain as they are but you get the sense it could change very quickly. a bbc investigation has revealed the details of a series of brutal mass killings of civilians by the myanmar military. four villages in kani township in central myanmar were targeted over a period of weeks injuly. the united nations says the military�*s oppression points to crimes against humanity. this report by rebecca henschke contains some distressing images from the start. barking this girl is grieving over her grandfather's body. it's distressing to see. there are clear signs of torture. when the myanmar military entered their village in the kani township, she fled. her grandfather stayed, believing his age would protect him. more bodies were uncovered, close to where her grandfather was found. 12 in total. some were buried in shallow mass graves. the military carried out the mass killings in four villages in kani township. a region that has been a stronghold of opposition to the military regime. in this village,14 people were killed. we have blurred their bodies, as they are too gruesome to show. the man filming finds people he knows. at great risk, our team interviewed a number of eyewitnesses. for their safety, we are hiding their identity. their stories are all similar. translation: they split us - into groups of men and women. men were tied up with ropes and beaten up. i we couldn't stand to watch it, so we kept| our heads down, crying. we begged them not to. they didn't care. they took away everything from us. they asked the women, - "is your husband among them? "if he is, do your last rites." this man managed to escape. translation: 11 others were arrested with me. | they were tied up, beaten with stones and rifle butsl and tortured all day. i put our evidence to the military�*s spokesperson. translationz i'iti not denying that incidentsl such as this can happen. it can happen. when they treat us as enemies and open fire on us, _ we have the right. to defend ourselves. the united nations is investigating the mass killings in the hope that future generations, those left behind, will get some kind ofjustice. rebecca henschke, bbc news. joining me now is the un special rapporteur on myanmar — tom andrews. and that and if you manage to catch any of that report from a back—up. graphic, disturbing theories of brutality, torture and murder. where are you with such incidents? this brutality, torture and murder. where are you with such incidents?- are you with such incidents? this is a remarkable _ are you with such incidents? this is a remarkable reporting. _ are you with such incidents? this is a remarkable reporting. it's - are you with such incidents? this is a remarkable reporting. it's very. a remarkable reporting. it's very difficult to get any information out from outside of the country and they did everything they possibly can to prevent me from getting out including arresting and incarcerating reporters. but yes, the answer is yes, i have heard several reports of this kind of brutality. it's very systematic. very often they will be silent —— surround that they did an attack and separate men and women and very often not only will they live force people to watch. family members to watch the family being tortured and killed. this is part of a systematic way of terrorising the country and instilling fear and by fear and trying to wrestle control of the country but it's having the opposite effect. it is outraging the country and stealing with the resolve of those who are opposed to this horrific treatment of the people and so it is unfortunately the report is not typical. so it is unfortunately the report is not typical-— not typical. what do you make of what the military _ not typical. what do you make of what the military spokesman - not typical. what do you make of| what the military spokesman said that report? he does not deny it this stuff goes on but he says it in self—defense. the this stuff goes on but he says it in self-defense.— self-defense. the military is lookin: self-defense. the military is looking at — self-defense. the military is looking at the _ self-defense. the military is looking at the entire - self-defense. the military is looking at the entire nation. self-defense. the military is i looking at the entire nation as self-defense. the military is . looking at the entire nation as a wise on. so apparently in their mind any atrocity, and he attacks, any torture or murder is justified. because people are opposing them. so, it'sjust horrific because people are opposing them. so, it's just horrific and exciting to hear this kind of attempt to justify. ijust kind of an aeroplane. i was in bangladesh and alice talking with many people who had escaped 20 for their lives from this treatment and the stories i heard the horrible but very much in line with that kind of reporting that you have shown and this is truly very difficult to get in. i spoke with someone a few weeks ago who waited too early in the middle of all of this and reporting to me i'm speaking to me in hushed tones from underneath the bed fearing he was approaching her home. so this is unfortunately not atypical at all of what's going on as we speak to myanmar. what's going on as we speak to myanmar-— what's going on as we speak to m anmar. ., , ., myanmar. one wonders what the international community - myanmar. one wonders what the international community can - myanmar. one wonders what the international community can do | myanmar. one wonders what the - international community can do about it and what leverage it has because they are being backed and pretty much held up by chinese and as a result one wonders what the west can do to influence? i result one wonders what the west can do to influence?— do to influence? i think those are not there west _ do to influence? i think those are not there west can _ do to influence? i think those are not there west can do _ do to influence? i think those are not there west can do and - do to influence? i think those are j not there west can do and should do to influence? i think those are i not there west can do and should do and they think that the military is large and the hunter takes great pride in it but the challenge with that, the vulnerability if it cost a lot of money and takes a lot of resources to supply and put those voices so it's extremely important is for the international community to squeeze the revenue going into the pockets to prevent them from using it in these horrific ways and stopping weapons from getting into the hands. it's difficult because the hands. it's difficult because the security council of the united nations is the best way to do that but we have seen an unwillingness of the security council to act as a consul to move forward so what needs to happen is the countries who are willing to stand up for the people and for the human rights to join together and coordinated action that's targeted and focused on the largest sources of revenue and weapons to stop them from falling into the hands and that's an option i think is important to exercise an important exercise as quickly as possible. important exercise as quickly as ossible. , . , ., . , possible. the security council is not doinu possible. the security council is not doing as _ possible. the security council is not doing as much _ possible. the security council is not doing as much as _ possible. the security council is not doing as much as perhaps i possible. the security council is not doing as much as perhaps itj not doing as much as perhaps it could, what exactly do you mean? why isn't it? it could, what exactly do you mean? why isn't it? , ., .., , , , isn't it? it requires a consensus and it requires _ isn't it? it requires a consensus and it requires the _ isn't it? it requires a consensus and it requires the permanent i and it requires the permanent members of the council be in agreement. we saw the general assembly pass overwhelmingly a resolution that called for nations to work to stop flow of weapons and a noted that not a single member of the security council voted against that resolution. but still, there is not the kind of consensus among the permanent members that would be required and for action to the security council so that means you need to look at complementary alternative measures while we try to go back consensus inside the security council. this is in the interest of everyone, including the neighbours of myanmar because people in base atmosphere with despair are moving outside of myanmar into these neighbouring countries. thank moving outside of myanmar into these neighbouring countries.— neighbouring countries. thank you. ja anese neighbouring countries. thank you. japanese building _ neighbouring countries. thank you. japanese building a _ neighbouring countries. thank you. japanese building a return - neighbouring countries. thank you. japanese building a return to - neighbouring countries. thank you. j japanese building a return to earth. japanese building a return to earth. he landed safely in kazakhstan accompanied by his assistant and a russian cosmonaut and he is the first tory stated that the station in more than a decade. the fashion tycoon used his timing orbits to make videos for his youtube channel showing viewers how to drink tea and sleep in zero gravity. let's return to the situation with coronavirus in the uk, and take a look at today's coronavirus data from the government. another 91,715 people have tested positive for the virus within in the last 24—hour period — that's the second highest number since the start of the pandemic. a further 44 people have died — that's within 28 days of a positive test. and nearly 850,000 have received their boosterjab. professor markjit is an epidemiologist at the london school of hygiene and tropical medicine. he's also part of spi—m, a committee that provides disease modelling advice to the government. thank you forjoining with us. the prime minister made it clear that he reserved the right to take whatever measures are necessary to protect the public. are those measures in place now? is plan b enough in your opinion to handle the rise of omicron?— opinion to handle the rise of omicron? . �*, . . ., , ., omicron? that's a change in question because there _ omicron? that's a change in question because there prime _ omicron? that's a change in question because there prime minister - omicron? that's a change in question because there prime minister has - because there prime minister has also taken into account many other issues besides the number of omicron cases including the impact on the economy. but we do see from the perspective of omicron itself, we do see that cases are increasing very rapidly. both in terms of absolute numbers of cases of covid—i9 in the uk as well as the proportion of all cases which are dear to omicron. this is clearly a variance which is pretty much more rapidly than the previous variance, delta. the pretty much more rapidly than the previous variance, delta.- pretty much more rapidly than the previous variance, delta. the key is the booster. _ previous variance, delta. the key is the booster, isn't— previous variance, delta. the key is the booster, isn't it? _ previous variance, delta. the key is the booster, isn't it? three - the booster, isn't it? three vaccines and give about 80% chance of surviving this thing. two, not so much. . , ., , . ., much. that is the one piece of good news that we _ much. that is the one piece of good news that we have _ much. that is the one piece of good news that we have seen _ much. that is the one piece of good news that we have seen in - much. that is the one piece of good news that we have seen in this - news that we have seen in this omicron find out which is that actually people who have been blue state do have pretty good protection against omicron but people who only had two doses of the vaccines don't seem to have very good protection against omicron even though they have the protection against delta. do you think there is perhaps potential more of a problem in convincing people to follow the rules of plan b given that it's christmas time? the one time of the year when perhaps families really do want to get together and as a result, perhaps it might be more difficult now to have a voluntary system of committing to the rules but am having compulsion. plan system of committing to the rules but am having compulsion.- but am having compulsion. plan b does not stop _ but am having compulsion. plan b does not stop people _ but am having compulsion. plan b does not stop people from - but am having compulsion. plan b does not stop people from eating | does not stop people from eating friends and family. it's more about watching from home if people are able to but i think this is a season where genuinely people do want to meet their loved ones, it's a special time of year but it's also unfortunately at a time when we are in a very dangerous situation with regards to covid—i9 so it's really at time where each of us would have to consider carefully who we are meeting on how to weigh all of these different factors.— different factors. given the rise he had seen in _ different factors. given the rise he had seen in omicron, _ different factors. given the rise he had seen in omicron, and - different factors. given the rise he had seen in omicron, and given i different factors. given the rise he i had seen in omicron, and given that the data is still a little bit incomplete as to whether or not it's my dangerous and whether or not vaccines can deal with it that we already have and so on, do you believe it might be prudent to have some kind of circuit breaker? i think this is a difficult question that the government will have to meet because they have to consider both the advice that scientists like me and others are getting in terms of what impact it will have on the number of cases and also the impact on that economy and peoples lives so the —— those are difficult questions we would have to weigh up. the -- those are difficult questions we would have to weigh up.- we would have to weigh up. thank ou. now we would have to weigh up. thank you now it's _ we would have to weigh up. thank you. now it's time _ we would have to weigh up. thank you. now it's time for _ we would have to weigh up. thank you. now it's time for the - we would have to weigh up. thank| you. now it's time for the weather. we have seen a lot of crowd across the uk and overnight tonight we may start to see some breaks and across parts of scotland. in the northwest of england and these areas are likely to have a frost tonight. it's going to be a cold night. in the southwest of england where we have come more breeze and across northern ireland where we have what this blanket of proud. and it would increase across central and southern parts of scotland making it a cold day tomorrow but sung kang across england and wales and eastern areas still with a fair bit of cloud. these are the temperatures we are looking at similar to what we have today and near normal for this time of year. and more widespread frost across scotland, england, and wales on wednesday after a bright start clouds over and western areas that breeze will pick up and we have got rain coming in. this is a change in the weather. we have got rain pushing its way into scotland as well and a cold day ahead of the rain for the eastern side of the uk. hello, this is bbc news with clive myrie. the headlines... as the uk records its second—highest number of covid cases in a single day. the prime minister does not rule out further covid restrictions. we will have to reserve the possibility of taking further action to protect the public. and there's more criticism of downing street, as a photo emerges of the prime minister and others with wine and cheese in the number ten garden during lockdown. ministers say no rules were broken. the united nations investigates the mass killings of civilians by the myanmar military, ten months after seizing power in a coup. we have a special report. england's premier league clubs say they will carry on with fixtures as planned, despite covid infectionas among players, forcing a series of games to be cancelled over the weekend. and the chinese tennis star peng shauai, retracts an accusation of sexual assault against a former top communist party official. but critics still fear she may have been speaking under duress. sport now, and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here's olly foster. hi there, clive, we start with that covid story in football. some interesting figures have just been released by the premier league, up—to—date vaccination players for its dutch numbers for its players. they say 77% have been double jabbed, which they say classifies them as fully vaccinated under those government guidelines of isolation of close contact, 77%. we've been working off the figure of 60%, which was the last accurate figure we had, that was a couple months up the old, that's gone up 20 per —— 10%. they also say 92% of players and club staff have received either i—2, also say 92% of players and club staff have received either 1—2, or three vaccination doses. now this comes on the day that the premier league and the football league have decided to carry on with its schedule. despite 25 fixtures being postponed over the weekend, with clubs unable to field a teams because of covid issues. only four games went ahead in the top division, but all 20 clubs met today and have been advised that if they have 13 fit players, plus a goalkeeper, they should fulfil their games. to try and ease the backlog of fixtures, fa cup replays in rounds three and four have been scrapped. they are due to be played in january, those rounds. the efl have also confirmed that football league and carabao cup fixtures will go on where it is safe to do so, and a set of squad criteria can be met. tottenham are out of the europa conference league. uefa confirming that their postponed match against rennes earlier this month must be forfeited. the match at the tottenham hotspur stadium was due to be played on 9 december, but was called off after a covid—i9 outbreak among the spurs squad. with no possibility of rearranging the fixture this month, rennes have been awarded a 3—0 victory in the game, meaning spurs fail to qualify for the knockout rounds. he's left his role as belgian assistant coach, he replaces jack ross and takes on his first managerialjob. hibs lost the scottish league cup final against celtic yestersday, and are seventh in the premiership. england have slumped to another heavy defeat in the ashes. they were bowled out for 192 on the final day of the second test in adelaide — australia winning by 275 runs to go 2—up in the series. the england captain says they have to learn from their mistakes ahead of the boxing day test in melbourne. patrick gearey reports. so, to the last englishman standing in adelaide, a lonely place on the other side of the world. at the other end, from mitchell starc... edged! ..ollie pope didn't last ten minutes. five wickets left. the biggest of them was ben stokes. so, australia's fielders made on enclosure around him and then sent in a lion. nathan lyon thought he had him trapped lbw. the umpire didn't. australia reviewed, then rejoiced. england reset. chris woakes made a defiant 1m. jos buttler, a natural cavalier, relied on his shield. no wicket fell for more than two—and—a—half hours. say it quietly — maybe? but english optimism on this tour is no sooner formed than shattered. the end of woakes and, ultimately, hope. the ozzies were closing in. olly robinson lasted an hour before lyon got him. still, perhaps improbably, the match went into the final session. still there, buttler, the adelaide barricade. for 206 balls, he hardly put a foot wrong. watch the lights on the bails. hit wicket. what a way to go. jhye richardson's fifth wicket finished the job for the ozzies. today marks 4,000 days since england last won a test in australia. to regain the ashes, they must somehow win the next three. patrick geary, bbc news. we'll have more for you in sportsday at 6.30pm. we will hear from simon we will hearfrom simon hughes we will hear from simon hughes about what positives england can take through to the boxing day test. a spoiler alert for you, through to the boxing day test. a spoileralert foryou, clive, not spoiler alert for you, clive, not many at spoileralert foryou, clive, not many at all. see you at 6:30pm. ministers have again called on anyone eligible to get a coronavirus boosterjab, to get the job done. bookings have now opened for children aged 12—15 in england to get their second dose of vaccine. it comes as one nhs leader, warns pressure on hospital trusts in london, is "mounting rapidly". here's our health correspondent dominic hughes. the race to get booster jabs into as many arms as possible is intensifying. yesterday saw more than 900,000 boosters delivered thanks in part to mass vaccination centres like this one in manchester where they have been operating around the clock as part of a trial to see how people responded, averaging around 60 jabs an hour through the night. you can come from any time after five past midnight, so it's the most reasonable time! later there's going to be a queue, and also because i'm available this morning, i'm not working. duty calls, i've got work at eight so i figured it was best - to get it out of the way. a huge publicity campaign is also under way this morning, national newspapers carried an identical message, to add to tv appeals that have been running but the logistics of ramping up a mass vaccination campaign so quickly are complicated, with london in particular experiencing problems with the supply. we luckily had enough already in the fridge to do a very busy saturday clinic, we gave over 400 doses on saturday, but then we had to stop and we are desperately hoping we get the delivery later today for tomorrow's clinic. one of the main reasons for the sense of urgency is the extra pressure this new wave could heap on an already creaking health service. it's notjust extra patients, but staff themselves falling ill. in london, the nhs has seen staff absences rising from 1900 to a700 in less than a week. in many places, they are already under immense pressure and so they are starting to go off sick themselves, both with covid but also with physical and mental exhaustion so it is looking like a very bleak picture for them over the next few weeks. at the start of this year, hospitals were overwhelmed as the number of covid patients surged, now vaccines and booster seem to be keeping the number of deaths stable at least for the moment. but modelling suggests even a best case scenario for this wave could see death rising to around 600 per day. you'll make there's very little headroom for the number of cases to go headroom for the number of cases to 9° up headroom for the number of cases to to u" ., , headroom for the number of cases to go up and the number of severe cases to no u- go up and the number of severe cases to go up too. — go up and the number of severe cases to go up too. even _ go up and the number of severe cases to go up too, even in _ go up and the number of severe cases to go up too, even in the _ go up and the number of severe cases to go up too, even in the best - go up and the number of severe cases to go up too, even in the best case i to go up too, even in the best case scenario. �* , ., scenario. but some good news today on the effectiveness _ scenario. but some good news today on the effectiveness of— scenario. but some good news today on the effectiveness of boosters - i on the effectiveness of boosters — modernists a new tests show it's on the effectiveness of boosters — modernists a new tests show its job can neutralise antibodies by 34%, reinforcing that boosters remain the best variant against the omicron variant. dominic hughes, bbc news. let's speak to wes mistreating, good to talk to you. 90,000 plus new infections today, second—highest figures since the pandemic began in a single day. the nhs is creaking where the director of england for the royal college of nurses saying there's lots of problems for staff with these increases in infections. borisjohnson is busy trying to figure out what to do — what would you do? we figure out what to do - what would ou do? ~ ., �* ., , you do? we would've gathered boat cabinet, you do? we would've gathered boat cabinet. made _ you do? we would've gathered boat cabinet, made decision _ you do? we would've gathered boat cabinet, made decision and - you do? we would've gathered boat| cabinet, made decision and provided the country with a road map. at this stage, people are watching the news, following the data, and they are expecting restrictions to come in after christmas. but the clear message people have is that it is uncertainty. families want certainty— for businesses, this is absolutely crucial, especially for businesses that are already being hit by plan b measures and people making different choices about whether to go out to the parks and restaurants, for example. share whether to go out to the parks and restaurants, for example.- restaurants, for example. are you sa in: restaurants, for example. are you saying there _ restaurants, for example. are you saying there should _ restaurants, for example. are you saying there should be _ restaurants, for example. are you | saying there should be restrictions now, more restrictions now? i don't thinkthere's _ now, more restrictions now? i don't think there's any _ now, more restrictions now? i don't think there's any doubt _ now, more restrictions now? i don't think there's any doubt that - now, more restrictions now? i don't think there's any doubt that plan i now, more restrictions now? i don't think there's any doubt that plan bl think there's any doubt that plan b measures are insufficient. so think there's any doubt that plan b measures are insufficient.- measures are insufficient. so what would ou measures are insufficient. so what would you do? _ measures are insufficient. so what would you do? on _ measures are insufficient. so what would you do? on what _ measures are insufficient. so what would you do? on what support i measures are insufficient. so what would you do? on what support is| would you do? on what support is necessary- — would you do? on what support is necessary- so _ would you do? on what support is necessary. so what _ would you do? on what support is necessary. so what would - would you do? on what support is necessary. so what would you i would you do? on what support is| necessary. so what would you do? would you do? on what support is i necessary. so what would you do? so we've not necessary. so what would you do? so we've got the — necessary. so what would you do? so we've got the public _ necessary. so what would you do? so we've got the public health _ we've got the public health data, but if we were in government today, there is absolutely no way that we would be making decisions without looking at the economic and social impact alongside the data, looking at sithole contingencies planning. the opposition are in the dark about that, as well. 50 the opposition are in the dark about that. as well-— that, as well. so would you lock down, a circuit _ that, as well. so would you lock down, a circuit breaker? - that, as well. so would you lock down, a circuit breaker? we i that, as well. so would you lock. down, a circuit breaker? we would follow the scientific _ down, a circuit breaker? we would follow the scientific advice - down, a circuit breaker? we would follow the scientific advice in i down, a circuit breaker? we would follow the scientific advice in the i follow the scientific advice in the evidence, look at what economic support is necessary alongside it, and we would set out a road map. a good clue as to what the labour government in westminster would do is what the welsh labour government has done. mark drakeford has been very open and upfront about people i of christmas, he's made it very clear what the road map looks like after christmas. so businesses have certainty, people know what they're facing. if there's a plan for whales, why isn't there a plan for england? i understand the challenge you put to me as the opposition in westminster, but the truth is we are like the rest of the country, we are in the dark about so much of the information the government has at its fingertips to make informed decisions. but i don't understand how it is the cabinet has met for hours this afternoon and reached no decisions at all. we know that restrictions are coming, so why is the prime minister not being upfront with us? because he's scared of his backbenchers, his cabinet have one eye on taking over for boris johnson... eye on taking over for boris johnson- - -_ johnson... would you close nonessential _ johnson... would you close nonessential shopping? i johnson... would you close i nonessential shopping? would johnson... would you close - nonessential shopping? would you shut that down now? i just nonessential shopping? would you shut that down now?— nonessential shopping? would you shut that down now? i 'ust told you, we would listen i shut that down now? i 'ust told you, we would listen to i shut that down now? i 'ust told you, we would listen to the i shut that down now? i just told you, we would listen to the scientific i we would listen to the scientific advice, we put alongside the impact... advice, we put alongside the impact- - -_ advice, we put alongside the imact...~ ., �* ,�* impact... when you say plan b isn't strinuent impact... when you say plan b isn't stringent enough, _ impact... when you say plan b isn't stringent enough, what _ impact... when you say plan b isn't stringent enough, what do - impact... when you say plan b isn't stringent enough, what do you i stringent enough, what do you believe now? you clearly are basing the suggestion that plan b isn't good enough on the data that's out there — so given the data that's out there, 91,000 plus new infections, what would you add to plan b now to make a difference?— what would you add to plan b now to make a difference? there are a whole ranue make a difference? there are a whole ranae of make a difference? there are a whole range of choices _ make a difference? there are a whole range of choices government - make a difference? there are a whole range of choices government can i range of choices government can make, whether that's introducing new measures around social distancing or indoor mixing, and households are businesses, there are a wide range of options... businesses, there are a wide range of options- - -_ of options... would you reduce the numbers of options. .. would you reduce the numbers of— of options... would you reduce the numbers of contacts _ of options... would you reduce the numbers of contacts between i numbers of contacts between families? you haven't answered my question, to be fair, what would you do? there are a whole range of measures — give me three that you would do tomorrow. the measures - give me three that you would do tomorrow.— measures - give me three that you would do tomorrow. the three things i would do immediately _ would do tomorrow. the three things i would do immediately is _ would do tomorrow. the three things i would do immediately is increased l i would do immediately is increased statutory sick pay so people who are isolating at home can afford to do so, give businesses and the media a break on repayments for their business loans taken out during covid, so they've got a bit of support there on the financial front. we should also be gathering business leaders and trade union leaders around the table... haifa leaders around the table... how would any _ leaders around the table... how would any of — leaders around the table... how would any of that _ leaders around the table... how would any of that cut _ leaders around the table... how would any of that cut infections? and in addition to that, the challenge you're posing to be is what would we be doing if we were in the cabinet this afternoon. we would have access to a whole range of information, which we do not have access to... 50 information, which we do not have access to- - -_ access to... so you're saying the government should _ access to... so you're saying the government should be _ access to... so you're saying the government should be doing, i access to... so you're saying the | government should be doing, but you're not sure what and you're not sure what you would do? i’m you're not sure what and you're not sure what you would do?— sure what you would do? i'm being u front sure what you would do? i'm being upfront with _ sure what you would do? i'm being upfront with the _ sure what you would do? i'm being upfront with the country _ sure what you would do? i'm being upfront with the country and i sure what you would do? i'm being upfront with the country and that i upfront with the country and that we do believe, based on the health data, that additional measures will be needed and are likely to come in after christmas. .2, alongside that will need to be an economic support package, but the government haven't given us access to that information to make an informed decision, they need to get their skates on. that's the challenge we find ourselves in as the opposition. as much as i could come on air and say we should have these are those restrictions, the point is that as the opposition, we don't have access to the same range of information the government has in order to make good quality decisions. that's why it's all the more frustrating that we have a government that is making no decisions at all. they aren't being upfront with people that research and will be necessary, it's leaving families in limbo, leaving businesses struggling... i wonder how ou businesses struggling... i wonder how you would — businesses struggling... i wonder how you would know _ businesses struggling... i wonder how you would know that. - businesses struggling... i wonder how you would know that. you're| businesses struggling... i wonder. how you would know that. you're so certain of the government cocking this up and messing that up, or whatever — but you're saying that you don't have the data on which they should be making their decision. maybe you'd be making up work —— messing up or caulking up to brazil i don't know if there's a problem with the line, but ijust said very clearly the information that tells us there is a public health pressure is publicly available. health pressure is publicly available-— health pressure is publicly available. . �*, ., ., ., available. that's about the rate at which the infection _ available. that's about the rate at which the infection is _ available. that's about the rate at which the infection is spreading, i which the infection is spreading, the way it's impacted on the nhs workforce and the pressures we are likely to see going into january. in order to make an informed decision as the government ought to be doing, as the government ought to be doing, as it should've done after three or so hours in the cabinet this afternoon, you also have to look alongside it at the economic impact of any restrictions, the social impact and your civil contingency planning. the government shall their health data with us, they should share the rest. i'd love to give a more informed perspective, and i'd love for the government to share that information with us — but they haven't, so what i'm doing is being upfront with a country that more restrictions will inevitably be necessary. as to what they are, we are willing to work with the government and listen to the scientists and scientific advisers, and we are willing to take the party politics out of decision—making so borisjohnson doesn't have to worry about his backbenchers and can focus on the country. but of course, these need to be informed decisions, we don't have all the information at our fingertips, don't have all the information at ourfingertips, the government don't have all the information at our fingertips, the government does, and that's why it's totally unacceptable they haven't made a decision. . ., ., ,, ., , decision. thanks for talking to us, thank you- — decision. thanks for talking to us, thank you. thank _ decision. thanks for talking to us, thank you. thank you. _ joining me now is dr chris smith, who is a virologist at the university of cambridge. thanks forjoining us, doctor. do you think plan b is good enough? the difficult thing about answering this question. — difficult thing about answering this question, as you just elicited from your previous interview, is that nobody — your previous interview, is that nobody has the information really to do anything other than speculate about— do anything other than speculate about the answer to that question. because _ about the answer to that question. because what it hinges on is not cases, _ because what it hinges on is not cases. but— because what it hinges on is not cases, but consequences. and that's the missing — cases, but consequences. and that's the missing link. because what we must _ the missing link. because what we must not _ the missing link. because what we must not look at here are just cases here _ must not look at here are just cases here that's— must not look at here are just cases here that's a — must not look at here are just cases here. that's a very different ball game _ here. that's a very different ball game then if you've got to cases which _ game then if you've got to cases which will— game then if you've got to cases which will translate into something very serious. that's what we are all waiting _ very serious. that's what we are all waiting for~ — very serious. that's what we are all waiting for-— waiting for. this is so frustrating, isn't it? we've _ waiting for. this is so frustrating, isn't it? we've been _ waiting for. this is so frustrating, isn't it? we've been waiting i waiting for. this is so frustrating, isn't it? we've been waiting for. isn't it? we've been waiting for this info for ten days, two weeks now? when will we get it, how much more dangerous is omicron potentially then dell? we cannot look to south africa, it's a bit of a guide, —— potentially then delta? there are all sorts of variables that make it difficult, when will be no? . , , ., , , , no? precisely, one must be very cautious about _ no? precisely, one must be very cautious about drawing - no? precisely, one must be very i cautious about drawing conclusions from one _ cautious about drawing conclusions from one country's experience and extrapolating that to another, which is why— extrapolating that to another, which is why people are being cautious. for instance, they've not gone the whole _ for instance, they've not gone the whole hog — for instance, they've not gone the whole hog here in the uk. what's making _ whole hog here in the uk. what's making people nervous as they are looking _ making people nervous as they are looking at— making people nervous as they are looking at the cases, the trajectory - and _ looking at the cases, the trajectory - and if— looking at the cases, the trajectory - and if you — looking at the cases, the trajectory — and if you look at the number of daily— — and if you look at the number of daily cases — — and if you look at the number of daily cases we got at the moment, 90.000. _ daily cases we got at the moment, 90,000, that's the numberwe daily cases we got at the moment, 90,000, that's the number we know about _ 90,000, that's the number we know about you _ 90,000, that's the number we know about. you could probably double that because we know half the time people _ that because we know half the time people are — that because we know half the time people are asymptomatic and will get tested, _ people are asymptomatic and will get tested, so _ people are asymptomatic and will get tested, so this probably close to sagittarius to's magic 200,000 number— sagittarius to's magic 200,000 number he was quoting last week that are out— number he was quoting last week that are out there in the community right now -- _ are out there in the community right now -- sat _ are out there in the community right now -- sat at — are out there in the community right now —— sat at javid. we know it is now —— sat atjavid. we know it is 2-3 weeks— now —— sat at javid. we know it is 2—3 weeks before people catch it in a way— 2—3 weeks before people catch it in a way that— 2—3 weeks before people catch it in a way that carries them off the hospital— a way that carries them off the hospital and make them take it to worse _ hospital and make them take it to worse places. we don't know... where the first— worse places. we don't know... where the first cases — worse places. we don't know... where the first cases were in young people because _ the first cases were in young people because chiefly they've got more contacts. — because chiefly they've got more contacts, going out more. those people _ contacts, going out more. those people are — contacts, going out more. those people are generally also the same people _ people are generally also the same people at— people are generally also the same people at lower risk. so they are less likely— people at lower risk. so they are less likely to end up in hospital, so it— less likely to end up in hospital, so it takes— less likely to end up in hospital, so it takes less time for it to percolate _ so it takes less time for it to percolate through society, to get into the — percolate through society, to get into the sectors and societies who are more — into the sectors and societies who are more at— into the sectors and societies who are more at risk, taking more steps to protect _ are more at risk, taking more steps to protect themselves. so at the moment, — to protect themselves. so at the moment, although we are seeing cases, _ moment, although we are seeing cases. we — moment, although we are seeing cases, we are not seen consequences of a cases, we are not seen consequences or a big _ cases, we are not seen consequences or a big uptake cases, we are not seen consequences ora big uptake in cases, we are not seen consequences or a big uptake in hospitalisations, but it— or a big uptake in hospitalisations, but it may— or a big uptake in hospitalisations, but it mayjust be we're not seeing enough _ but it mayjust be we're not seeing enough water under the bridge yet for the _ enough water under the bridge yet for the virus to do it'll do. that's why politicians are being very cautious _ why politicians are being very cautious. at the same time, if we do carry on— cautious. at the same time, if we do carry on with — cautious. at the same time, if we do carry on with the trajectory we are on, carry on with the trajectory we are on. like _ carry on with the trajectory we are on. like we — carry on with the trajectory we are on, like we were with delta, high numbers— on, like we were with delta, high numbers of— on, like we were with delta, high numbers of cases but it's not translating into hospitalisations, it will _ translating into hospitalisations, it will be — translating into hospitalisations, it will be totally the wrong thing to do— it will be totally the wrong thing to do to — it will be totally the wrong thing to do to destroy people's livelihoods and mental health, and to destroy— livelihoods and mental health, and to destroy other economies and so on in order— to destroy other economies and so on in order to _ to destroy other economies and so on in order to protect us from a threat that doesn't — in order to protect us from a threat that doesn't exist. that is the quandary— that doesn't exist. that is the quandary that faces them. i wonder how much of _ quandary that faces them. i wonder how much of a _ quandary that faces them. i wonder how much of a quandary _ quandary that faces them. i wonder how much of a quandary it - quandary that faces them. i wonder how much of a quandary it is? i how much of a quandary it is? because the french, germans, austrians have gone down a particular path, they've got a lot tougher. is there something particular to our situation that means that we haven't decided to do that? $5 means that we haven't decided to do that? �* , , ., means that we haven't decided to do that? a i, means that we haven't decided to do that? ~ , i, ,., ., means that we haven't decided to do that? ~ , i, ., ., that? as you pointed out earlier, one must be _ that? as you pointed out earlier, one must be careful _ that? as you pointed out earlier, one must be careful about i one must be careful about extrapolating from one country to another~ — extrapolating from one country to another~ if — extrapolating from one country to another. if we wind the clock back a month, _ another. if we wind the clock back a month, and — another. if we wind the clock back a month, and it seems forever ago we were _ month, and it seems forever ago we were talking about the delta variant in the _ were talking about the delta variant in the surges in europe with other countries — in the surges in europe with other countries announcing lockdowns for nonvaccinated people, they are still reeling _ nonvaccinated people, they are still reeling from the impact of the sudden — reeling from the impact of the sudden upswing in delta, and this is coming _ sudden upswing in delta, and this is coming as— sudden upswing in delta, and this is coming as the icing, actually the right— coming as the icing, actually the right word — coming as the icing, actually the right word to use, on the cake of delta _ right word to use, on the cake of delta so— right word to use, on the cake of delta. so this is a 1—2 punch going on here _ delta. so this is a 1—2 punch going on here so — delta. so this is a 1—2 punch going on here. so we didn't have that surge, — on here. so we didn't have that surge, we _ on here. so we didn't have that surge, we are now seeing of akron dutch— surge, we are now seeing of akron dutch omicron after delta. the europeans are dealing with a threat on two _ europeans are dealing with a threat on two fronts, and i think that's why. _ on two fronts, and i think that's why. with — on two fronts, and i think that's why, with people already psychologically prepared, we are also facing restrictions, this is 'ust also facing restrictions, this is just a — also facing restrictions, this is just a step _ also facing restrictions, this is just a step further to control it. that's— just a step further to control it. that's why— just a step further to control it. that's why it's a slightly different situation — that's why it's a slightly different situation than we face here. thanks for the contacts _ situation than we face here. thanks for the contacts there, _ situation than we face here. thanks for the contacts there, doctor i situation than we face here. thanks for the contacts there, doctor chris | for the contacts there, doctor chris smith, thank you. a local council has been accused of "dumping" vulnerable people, after several deaths in one set of flats used as temporary accomodation outside the city. brighton and hove city council has moved hundreds of homeless people out of the area, which experts say takes them away from vital support networks. one of those who died had mental health issues and took her own life. brighton says it doesn't usually place people with serious need outside its catchment area. our social affairs correspondent michael buchanan has the details. this is kendall court, a block of 5a bedsits that brighton council uses to accommodate homeless people. it is ten miles outside the city, in newhaven, and the council have been repeatedly told its not suitable for vulnerable people. if you could imagine a mental health ward with no staff, yes, that was kendal court. margaret winter's daughter, robyn rockman, was placed in kendal court after applying for emergency housing in brighton. a mature student, she was deemed vulnerable due to mental health problems which deteriorated at kendal court. just three weeks after being placed in the block, she took her own life. i don't think she really wanted to die. i read her facebook messages. in one of them, she said, "i don't want to die, ijust don't know how to live." it's not suitable, certainly for anyone who is vulnerable, who needs access to out—of—hours emergency mental health services. they should recognise that some people need more help than just a bed. at least ten kendal court residents have died since 2016, the most recent earlier this month. the people there often have complex needs, psychiatric or drug and alcohol problems. once you're put there and you get to see the people that are here and what goes on, it's like it's a dumping ground. leon rose has lived here for 18 months after being released from prison. while he is grateful for the accommodation, like many others, he feels isolated from his family in brighton. there is no point putting someone somewhere and just forgetting about them. when you put someone somewhere and it's temporary accommodation, surely you've got to be there to help them to move on, to progress to better premises. and it's notjust newhaven. brighton have moved people to hotels in eastbourne, too, at least three of whom have also died. being moved out of area is - exceptionally difficult for people. doctor tim worthley is a brighton gp who has cared for some of those who lived in the city but died elsewhere. we have had people often moved out of area with severe _ mental health needs, with heart failure or. with terminal cancer. we had people on the phone with us, | sobbing, really, desperate for theml to be moved back into the area so they can receive the care i and support they need. brighton has a significant homeless population and the council say the scale of accommodation needed is greater than they can provide within the city. neighbouring councils are now considering legal action to force brighton to provide more care to those it moves elsewhere. it simply stretches belief to breaking point that they could not have found an alternative site within the whole of brighton and hove to place these people. so there does seem to be, somewhere along the line, a lack of will to actually sort this problem out. brighton and hove council say they have a team of welfare officers supporting people in temporary accommodation and do not usually place someone with major care needs outside the city. they also rejected claims that kendal court was unsuitable for accommodating homeless people. michael buchanan, bbc news, sussex. now it's time for a look at the weather with matt taylor. hello. it's been a chilly and murky start in the run—up to christmas, but there will be some changes very well this week as we see air push in from mid week. what could cold air fight back for christmas? maybe bring us some winter in his? more on that in just a short while. out there at the moment, cloudy and places but we see a few breaks chiefly in the west, the blue colours indicating these are the areas most likely to see a frost, but even with the cloud in place, temperatures only a degree or so above freezing. tomorrow, the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, a bit of positivity there that from this point onwards, the dates will start to draw out again, five hours and 49 minutes of daylight in loic. with a little bit more breeze in the south in the west, optimistic that some more of that cloud will break up. a bit more sunshine to return, western and southern england. more sunshine but here there will be more... another chilly day, 4—8 c to high. the exception being across ireland where rain spreads in, but their scotland, england and wales, widespread through the coldest morning of the week with a widespread frost. into wednesday itself, high—pressure holding on but these weather front starting to bring about that change to something milder. mainly cross ireland initially during the morning, northern ireland seeing rain on and off through the day, spreading and across parts of southern scotland into the isle of man, wales and parts of england. good parts of northern scotland will stay dry, still chilly in these areas, 9—10 c. it'll be rain on thursday as that becomes confined to scotland through the day, turning drier and brighter throughout the rest of the country through thursday, and noticed temperatures 12-13 c, thursday, and noticed temperatures 12—13 c, only thursday, and noticed temperatures 12-13 c, only 6-7 c thursday, and noticed temperatures 12—13 c, only 6—7 c in the north. it'll be that battle towards the end of the week, christmas eve and christmas day cold air trying to push in from the north, mild air pushing in from the south, greatest chance of a white christmas is for some and parts of scotland, no guarantees but that dividing line could be crucial. we'll keep you up—to—date as we go through the week. as the omicron variant continues to spread. the prime minister says no more covid restrictions for now as the omicron variant continues to spread. with questions about what covid might do to christmas, borisjohnson met senior ministers, but decided against tighter rules for the moment. unfortunately, i must say to people, we, we will have to reserve the, the possibility of taking further action to, to protect the public. a million jabs were delivered across the uk on saturday, but labour says the uncertainty over christmas shows a lack of leadership from the prime minister. we've got a government that's hinting at further restrictions, but it's more concerned and tied up with party management at the moment than it is with public health. with senior ministers reportedly split over what action to take, we'll be asking what sort of christmas we should expect. also tonight:

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