hospitality and leisure sectors, already losing money because of surging covid cases. with hundreds of hundreds of thousands of people having to self—isolate on christmas day, we look at how people are having to adapt their plans. we have food arriving — having to adapt their plans. we have food arriving on _ having to adapt their plans. we have food arriving on thursday _ having to adapt their plans. we have food arriving on thursday in - having to adapt their plans. we have food arriving on thursday in case - having to adapt their plans. we have food arriving on thursday in case we | food arriving on thursday in case we are self lic —— self—isolating and can't go to mum's. she ordered the food just might want to go and will be living off turkey if it doesn't go ahead. spectators will be locked out from boxing day. good evening and welcome to the bbc news at six. christmas will not be cancelled this year. the prime minister has announced that there will be no new restrictions in england for now, though he says he cannot rule out any further measures after that. borisjohnson said the government is continuing to monitor the spread of omicron very closely and the situtaion is finely balanced. but he said there is continuing uncertainty about the severity of the new variant and not enough evidence to justify tougher measures in england before saturday. scotland has announced new restrictions from boxing day. our health editor hugh pym reports. as the booster programme continued in scunthorpe and around the country, there was a clearer message from the government about christmas in england. go ahead with your plans as there won't be any new measures affecting them. but, given the threat of omicron, nothing can be ruled out after that. speaking before that announcement, one minister suggested they weren't rushing tojudgment. we minister suggested they weren't rushing to judgment.— rushing to 'udgment. we are looking ve rushing to judgment. we are looking ve closel rushing to judgment. we are looking very closely at _ rushing to judgment. we are looking very closely at the _ rushing to judgment. we are looking very closely at the data, _ rushing to judgment. we are looking very closely at the data, that's - rushing to judgment. we are looking very closely at the data, that's why l very closely at the data, that's why the prime minister said we reserve the prime minister said we reserve the option of coming back with further measures, but we are not at that stage, because obviously there is very significant economic disruption should we do that. merry christmas! that _ disruption should we do that. merry christmas! that still _ disruption should we do that. merry christmas! that still leaves - christmas! that still leaves uncertainty _ christmas! that still leaves uncertainty around - christmas! that still leaves l uncertainty around christmas christmas! that still leaves - uncertainty around christmas and vital decisions affecting communities and families. irate vital decisions affecting communities and families. ~ ., ., communities and families. we have to consider the — communities and families. we have to consider the risks _ communities and families. we have to consider the risks of _ communities and families. we have to consider the risks of the _ communities and families. we have to consider the risks of the omicron - consider the risks of the omicron variant to individuals and the nhs, but we also have to consider the impact on people's mental health of restrictions. that cannot be ignored. as well as the impact on the economy. none of it is easy. with case number is rising fast, experts argue there may need to be interventions soon, but it is reasonable to wait a little longer for more data. iii reasonable to wait a little longer for more data.— for more data. if those numbers continue to _ for more data. if those numbers continue to rise, _ for more data. if those numbers continue to rise, we _ for more data. if those numbers continue to rise, we will - for more data. if those numbers continue to rise, we will see - continue to rise, we will see hospitalisations rising after that, then i_ hospitalisations rising after that, then i believe the government will have to _ then i believe the government will have to act. amid the current uncertainty about severity, transmission and the broader impact on society, _ transmission and the broader impact on society, i— transmission and the broader impact on society, i think it is reasonable to pose _ on society, i think it is reasonable to pose for— on society, i think it is reasonable to pose for 24 hours, maybe 36 hours. — to pose for 24 hours, maybe 36 hours. until— to pose for 24 hours, maybe 36 hours, untilwe to pose for 24 hours, maybe 36 hours, until we see that other data. one of— hours, until we see that other data. one of the fears about omicron is that it will spread rapidly among those who haven't been vaccinated. there is an understandable focus on boosters, but progress still needs to be made with second doses. in scotland and wales, followed by england and northern ireland, it's onlyjust over 80% who have had that second dose. that is expressed as a share of all those aged 12 and over, though the roll—out for younger teenagers has onlyjust got under way. within england, measured slightly differently, there is a lot of variation. in london, for example, just 62% have had that second jab, though it does have a younger population. the booster programme, meanwhile, is being steered towards hard to reach groups. here in cornwall, fishing boats have come in to port, and the crews are able to getjabbed when they come ashore. timer;r crews are able to get 'abbed when they come ashore._ they come ashore. they want everybody — they come ashore. they want everybody to _ they come ashore. they want everybody to get _ they come ashore. they want everybody to get their - they come ashore. they want. everybody to get their boosters, and you are trying at your own surgery and they are telling you it is going to be a long time... it is and they are telling you it is going to be a long time...— to be a long time... it is good. it is the best _ to be a long time... it is good. it is the best way _ to be a long time... it is good. it is the best way of _ to be a long time... it is good. it is the best way of protection. - is the best way of protection. analysing data and assessing omicron — there is still a lot for ministers and officials to focus on, right up to christmas and beyond. hugh pym, bbc news. our political correspondent ben wright is in westminster. no change to anyone's christmas day plans as far as we know, but uncertainty after that? that's right - lans uncertainty after that? that's right - plans across _ uncertainty after that? that's right - plans across the _ uncertainty after that? that's right - plans across the uk _ uncertainty after that? that's right - plans across the uk as _ uncertainty after that? that's right - plans across the uk as far- uncertainty after that? that's right - plans across the uk as far as the — plans across the uk as far as the various governments are concerned, borisjohnson confirming no new restrictions in england before christmas day, a huge relief to everybody worrying about their festive plans. in a video message, he said there wasn't enough evidence to justify tougher restrictions now but urged people to remain cautious come up to wear a mask when required and to get a job. he also said the government could not rule out further restrictions after christmas, just as scotland and wales have already announced. the cabinet met yesterday. we know there was a split in opinion. the majority of cabinet ministers argue that as far as they are concerned there is not enough data at the moment about the severity of omicron, the impact on hospitalisations, tojustify tougher restrictions now, but very soon borisjohnson is going to have to make a call, well aware that introducing tougher measures could trigger a fresh fight with his own mps, well aware as well that getting this wrong and misjudging it could leave the nhs struggling to cope. so, christmas is safe, but the weeks ahead remain wrapped in uncertainty. ben, thank you. large—scale new year's eve events in scotland have been cancelled and large crowds are being banned from sporting fixtures from boxing day after the first minister announced new covid restrictions to help slow the spread of omicron. nicola sturgeon is urging people to minimise their socialising at new year and keep contacts with other households to a minimum. all outdoor events — including football games — will be limited to just 500 people. indoor events such as concerts will be limited to 200 people if they are seated, from the 27th december, table service will be reintroduced for venues serving alcohol and 1 metre social distancing will be required between groups in indoor hospitality settings or leisure venues. the new measures are to last for three weeks. 0ur scotland correspondent lorna gordon reports. it is off. no large hogmanay celebrations this year — cancelled because of covid. scotland instead ringing in another year in this pandemic. the first minister said these new restrictions limiting numbers of both indoor and outdoor public events aimed to help slow the spread of the omicron variant. this will, of course, make sports matches, including football, effectively spectator free over this three week period. and it will also mean, unfortunately, that large scale hogmanay celebrations, including that planned here in our capital city, will not to proceed. i know how disappointing this will be for those looking forward to these events and for the organisers of them. those running hospitality venues like this restaurant in glasgow said a return to physical distancing will make trading gruelling during what should be their busiest time of year. it could've been worse. anything could always be worse, but i think it's another death knell for the industry. it's everything, it's lockdown and everything but the word. it's a bit sore for everybody today, i think, to take, but the one thing we do take and we accept, we have been at the forefront since the start of this, was everyone's safety. among those facing these changes, in just a few days' time, a mixture of weariness, resignation and acceptance. it's very difficult to know what the right thing to do is, but what we don't want to do is wait until we run out of hospital beds and then decide it's the right thing to do. two years down the line and nothings changed, so, yeah, pretty annoyed, but... nicola sturgeon said it remained a priority to reopen schools as normal after the holidays, and that one of the reasons for asking adults to make these sacrifices for a period after christmas is to minimise the impact on children's education. the aim is that 80% of those eligible will be fully vaccinated by the new year. the hope, that the booster will beat back the need for these restrictions to stay in place longer than the planned three weeks. 0micron is spreading faster here, and public health experts say it is easier to pull back if things turn out to be better than expected than to delay and be too late. the scottish government is taking a big move in announcing these pretty significant restrictions that will come in after christmas, and it means that at this point, as things currently stand, the scottish government is taking more action designed to slow the spread of omicron than the uk government. lorna, thank you. the chancellor, rishi sunak, has announced financial support to help struggling businesses and the arts sector, cope with the spread of the 0micron variant. after days of pressure from business leaders, the treasury announced a billion—pound scheme that will support grants of up to 6,000 pounds for hospitality and leisure companies across the uk. there will also be an extra £30 million to support theatres and museums in england. a statutory sick pay rebate scheme, for small and medium sized firms is also being brought back in. here's our business editor, simonjack. this restaurant in peterborough is preparing for what should be the busiest period of the year. but in the last three weeks, owner damien has seen £60,000 worth of bookings cancelled. he is grateful for today's help and he's going to need it with the bills that he's facing. the business rates, the vat, the energy supply, gas, water, electric, broadband, everything, i mean, it's a colossal loss. so if we would actually sell around 70—80%, we could go through, but our sales is dropping to 30% of normal usual december. businesses are wondering whether the chancellor has any more help to offer if restrictions are tightened after christmas. now, of course, i will always respond proportionately and appropriately to the situation that we face. people can have confidence in that, but where we are now, we've responded, ithink, generously today with the grants that we've outlined, up to £6,000, are comparable to the grants that we've provided for hospitality businesses when they were completely closed earlier this year, so there's a benchmark for you. pub owner fullers have had to shut 20 of the city centre pubs as workers and stay—at—home. the chief executive has described the announcement as a step in the right direction but said it fell short of what was needed. what the chancellor hasn't done today is given any relief on business rates, no extension of vat, and more fundamentally, if there are going to be further restrictions, there is no extension of furlough. so if you look at running a business, if there are further restrictions put in, businesses simply won't the £6,000 will barely touch the sides when it comes to covering costs. business and particularly hospitality groups have welcomed the recognition by the chancellor that in this, their most crucial period, collapsing consumer confidence, collapsing commuter numbers in our city centres can be every bit as damaging as being forced to close, but he was keen to stress today that these grants are in keeping with what was offered during lockdown, a hint perhaps that for grants, at least, this may be as good as it gets. hospitality is not the only sector devastated by the latest covid wave. travel has arguably had it even worse, as consumer caution has been compounded by international restrictions. there's an extra £100 million for other sectors to claim via local authorities, but getting hold of that money is not straightforward, as this travel agent has found. we're having to go to our councils, literally on bended knees to get the grants that we so rightly deserve. now, if we are still applying for these a week before christmas, that cover the period of august to october, where on earth are we going to get the money that is owed to us right now because of the restrictions that are being put in place would effectively closing our doors? perhaps the most crushing thing of all for businesses is the day—to—day uncertainty. the chancellor might argue that the unpredictability of the virus is something beyond even his control. simon jack, bbc news. the latest coronavirus figures show there were 90,629 new infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period. the average over the past week is now 87,958 new cases every day. the number of people in hospital with covid has risen slightly, to 7,801 — the highest level for nearly a month 172 deaths were recorded, that's of people who died within 28 days of a positive test. 115 covid—related deaths were recorded on average every day in the past week. 0n vaccinations, 828,682 people a day had boosters on average in the past seven days, bringing the booster total to just under 30 million — that's 52 % of the population, aged over 12. what about wales and northern ireland? in a moment we'll hear from chris page in belfast, but first here's hywel griffith in cardiff, where the senedd is being recalled tomorrow. the welsh government was the first to announce new covid measures on friday, but even then, it seems likely that more follow. so, what do we know so far? well, from boxing day, spectators will be banned from all sporting venues in wales at every level. it means festive fixtures for football and rugby will happen behind closed doors. there is already concern about what will happen to the six nations rugby in february. from december the 27th, night clubs in wales will be forced to shut their doors, and the two metre rule will come back in workplaces and in shops. but what else could follow? well, as soon as tomorrow, there may be more measures announced for hospitality, potentially limits on who can meet to eat and drink together after christmas. there may also be advice on mixing in each other�*s homes. we'll get the details tomorrow, when the first minister, mark drakeford holds a press conference. here in belfast, businesses are fully open, the streets feel quite bustling, and the shops seem to be quite busy. but some rules are in place. you have to wear a face covering in most indoor public places, and a maximum of 30 people can get together inside someone's home. the number of patients in hospital with covid has fallen to the lowest level since july. the spread of the omicron variant is a few days behind the rest of the uk, but health care workers' unions warned today they expect this winter to be the most difficult ever. ministers in the devolved government are meeting tomorrow to decide on tighter restrictions. it's thought they are looking at new regulations for the hospitality industry, including the possible return of social distancing, and a limit on table sizes. owners of pubs and restaurants say they'll need financial support if more rules are brought in. the main message from politicians, doctors and scientists is that the extent of the restrictions over the next few weeks will depend on how many people go for the boosterjabs. vaccination remains the best weapon against the virus. the prime minister has said the omicron data is being reviewed hour by hour — crucially, the number of cases and their impact on hospital admissions and deaths. london is being monitored particularly closely — the capital has been at the centre of the outbreak in the uk — with surging cases in some areas driven largely by people in their 20s. hospital admissions have been rising too. 0ur health correspondent, sophie hutchinson, reports from lambeth in south london which has seen the highest covid rates in the uk brixton high street in lambeth, currently the borough at the epicentre of the uk's omicron outbreak. infections here are rocketing. we've got more cases than anywhere in the whole country. no way! u nfortu nately. do you know people who've got the infection? yeah, a lot of them. yes, my cousin, my brother, my friends. i yes, my cousin, my brother, my friends. ., �* friends. i don't get frightened easil b friends. i don't get frightened easily by staff, _ friends. i don't get frightened easily by staff, and i - friends. i don't get frightened easily by staff, and i know - friends. i don't get frightened j easily by staff, and i know it's ridiculous, but— easily by staff, and i know it's ridiculous, but i— easily by staff, and i know it's ridiculous, but i feel- easily by staff, and i know it's ridiculous, but i feel immunel ridiculous, but i feel immune and i'm probably not _ ridiculous, but i feel immune and i'm probably not. so— ridiculous, but i feel immune and i'm probably not.— ridiculous, but i feel immune and i'm probably not. so 'ust how bad things? h i'm probably not. so 'ust how bad things? rnh i'm probably not. so just how bad are things? in england last- are things? in england last week there were more than 700 infections per 100,000 people and compare that to london where the rate was almost 300,000 infections but here in the borough of lambeth in south—west london, that rate was 2500 infections, almost four times as high as the average area in england. and the surge seems to be driven by younger age groups with people in their 20s making up a third of all cases. we people in their 20s making up a third of all cases.— third of all cases. we think it's to do with having — third of all cases. we think it's to do with having a _ third of all cases. we think it's to do with having a young _ third of all cases. we think it's to do with having a young and - third of all cases. we think it's to do with having a young and very. do with having a young and very mobile and diverse population and a busy and active night life in the borough. and one in five people are testing positive than any stage in the pandemic. just testing positive than any stage in the pandemic-— testing positive than any stage in the andemic., , ., . ., , the pandemic. just what the increase in infections — the pandemic. just what the increase in infections will _ the pandemic. just what the increase in infections will mean _ the pandemic. just what the increase in infections will mean for _ the pandemic. just what the increase in infections will mean for the - the pandemic. just what the increase in infections will mean for the nhs . in infections will mean for the nhs is a major concern. in london, hospital admissions have been rising since the end of november. a number of trusts are warning that planned operations might need to be cancelled in the new year. mcrae i the immediate impact felt in london and the emergency departments our staff sickness rates and they are higher and that's making it difficult to run emergency departments. it's not the first time london has been at the front of a coronavirus wave. as an international hub, it's perhaps more vulnerable to changing patterns of infection. what happens in the next week or so may be an indicator of the impact of 0micron on the rest of the impact of 0micron on the rest of the uk. the time is 6.19. our top story this evening: christmas is not cancelled, says the prime minister, but he's not ruling out new restrictions in england after that. and coming up, the largest divorce settlement in british history. princess haya ofjordan is awarded half a billion pounds after a dispute with dubai's sheikh mohammed. coming up on sportsday in the next 15 minutes on the bbc news channel. former jockey freddy tylitski has won hsi high court damages claim agains a fellow rider after a fall during a race five years ago left him paralysed from the waist down. a whistle—blower has spoken to the bbc about the "neglect" of a man who has autism, who's been detained in a specialist hospital for more than 20 years. last month it was revealed that tony hickmott who's 44, had been held since 2001 after being sectioned under the mental health act. now a former carer, has told bbc breakfast, that tony was "fed and watered, almost like an animal" with only his basic needs being met. here's jayne mccubbin. some patients will talk with such hope of some patients will talk with such hope of --ettin some patients will talk with such hope of --ettin out, some patients will talk with such hope of getting out, and some patients will talk with such hope of getting out, and i had some patients will talk with such hope of getting out, and i had no hope. and i didn't even know how i could do it, i don't know how they cope. i could do it, i don't know how they co e. .., �* could do it, i don't know how they co e, . ., �* , could do it, i don't know how they coe. �* , , , , cope. i can't believe myself it is 20 ears cope. i can't believe myself it is 20 years to _ cope. i can't believe myself it is 20 years to be _ cope. i can't believe myself it is 20 years to be locked _ cope. i can't believe myself it is 20 years to be locked up -- - cope. i can't believe myself it is i 20 years to be locked up -- locked 20 years to be locked up —— locked up. 20 years to be locked up —— locked on |_ 20 years to be locked up -- locked u n . ., 20 years to be locked up -- locked u. ., , 20 years to be locked up -- locked up. i do believe tony was probably the loneliest _ up. i do believe tony was probably the loneliest person _ up. i do believe tony was probably the loneliest person living in - up. i do believe tony was probably the loneliest person living in the i the loneliest person living in the hospitah — the loneliest person living in the hos - ital. , ., the loneliest person living in the hosital. , ., ., .., hospital. these two former care workers are _ hospital. these two former care workers are talking _ hospital. these two former care workers are talking about - hospital. these two former care workers are talking about tony, j hospital. these two former care i workers are talking about tony, a man detained for 20 years 100 miles from home not because he is a criminal but because he is autistic. last month, bbc news overturned a court order to report his case. he’s court order to report his case. he's lived there — court order to report his case. he's lived there longer— court order to report his case. he's lived there longer now _ court order to report his case. he�*s lived there longer now than he has lived there longer now than he has lived at home. find lived there longer now than he has lived at home.— lived there longer now than he has lived at home. and his parents fight to brina lived at home. and his parents fight to bring him — lived at home. and his parents fight to bring him back— lived at home. and his parents fight to bring him back to _ lived at home. and his parents fight to bring him back to writing. - to bring him back to writing. what the 've to bring him back to writing. what they've done _ to bring him back to writing. what they've done to _ to bring him back to writing. what they've done to all— to bring him back to writing. what they've done to all of— to bring him back to writing. what they've done to all of us, - to bring him back to writing. “wrist they've done to all of us, the family. they've done to all of us, the famil . , ., , , m family. they have destroyed us. and that is when — family. they have destroyed us. and that is when phil— family. they have destroyed us. and that is when phil and _ family. they have destroyed us. and that is when phil and lauren - that is when phil and lauren came forward. your impression of tony's life? , :: forward. your impression of tony'sj life?— it was life? just 20 47 in the room. it was almost like a _ life? just 20 47 in the room. it was almost like a solitary _ almost like a solitary confinement prisonen — almost like a solitary confinement prisonen a — almost like a solitary confinement prisoner. a very basic daily life. he got— prisoner. a very basic daily life. he got his basic needs met, like an animah _ he got his basic needs met, like an animah fed, — he got his basic needs met, like an animal. fed, watered and clean and if anything — animal. fed, watered and clean and if anything happen beyond that, wonderful, but if it didn't, then it was still— wonderful, but if it didn't, then it was still ok. wonderful, but if it didn't, then it was still 0k-_ wonderful, but if it didn't, then it was still 0k. �* . was still 0k. between them, feel and lauren was still 0k. between them, feel and lauren worked _ was still 0k. between them, feel and lauren worked at _ was still 0k. between them, feel and lauren worked at tony's _ was still 0k. between them, feel and lauren worked at tony's hospital - lauren worked at tony's hospital between 2018 and 2020 and they spoke of poor claire plans and the lack of qualified competent skills. the overuse of educational restraint. and lauren recalls patients in distress and patience that could be ten on one. distress and patience that could be ten on one-— distress and patience that could be ten on one. ~ ., , ., ten on one. when we are restraining somebody. — ten on one. when we are restraining somebody, sometimes _ ten on one. when we are restraining somebody, sometimes that - ten on one. when we are restraining somebody, sometimes that is - ten on one. when we are restraining somebody, sometimes that is the i ten on one. when we are restraining l somebody, sometimes that is the only time that they can get hugged or a hug of anyone and it does break my heart, even when in the restraints. was a good enough for the people there? tony's hospital was sold in december 2020 on the group itself was taken into new ownership and they said they could not comment and were a new legal entity that had nothing to do with tony's care and pam and roy invited to take their son home. i pam and roy invited to take their son home-— pam and roy invited to take their sonhome. ,, son home. i appreciate you speaking out and you — son home. i appreciate you speaking out and you want _ son home. i appreciate you speaking out and you want to _ son home. i appreciate you speaking out and you want to make _ son home. i appreciate you speaking out and you want to make things - out and you want to make things better. i out and you want to make things better. .., ., , ., ., out and you want to make things better. ., , ., ., ., , better. i can only imagine what was auoin better. i can only imagine what was going through _ better. i can only imagine what was going through tony's _ better. i can only imagine what was going through tony's mind - better. i can only imagine what was l going through tony's mind every day, asking _ going through tony's mind every day, asking himself why am i locked in every— asking himself why am i locked in every day — asking himself why am i locked in eve da . , asking himself why am i locked in eve da. , ., , every day. something needs to be done to help _ every day. something needs to be done to help these _ every day. something needs to be done to help these people who . every day. something needs to be| done to help these people who are incarcerated for so many years. hhs incarcerated for so many years. nhs encland incarcerated for so many years. nhs england say — incarcerated for so many years. nhs england say they — incarcerated for so many years. nhs england say they are committed to bringing down the number of people in inpatient care. tony's local authority say they are committed to finding him support and a real home in his own community. idols? finding him support and a real home in his own community.— in his own community. now is the time to shout _ in his own community. now is the time to shout about _ in his own community. now is the time to shout about tony. - in his own community. now is the time to shout about tony. to - in his own community. now is the time to shout about tony. to give him a voice. phil devine ending that report from jayne mccubbin. what's thought to be the largest divorce settlement in british legal history has been agreed. a high courtjudge has awarded around half a billion pounds to princess haya ofjordan, in a long—running dispute with herformer husband, sheikh mohammed, the ruler of dubai. the princess fled to britain with her children in 2019, saying she was in fear of her life. 0ur security correspondent, frank gardner, is here. this has been described as a highly unusual case, hasn't it? it is, because the eye watering sums involved. £554 million of the final judgment awarded to princess haya. it's notjust judgment awarded to princess haya. it's not just for judgment awarded to princess haya. it's notjust for her. the bulk of it is for her security and that of her children, but include things like pets, ponies, holidays, reinforced vehicles, and so on. just to give you the background, princess haya fled to the country in 2019 saying she was in fear of her life and she says that this was because after she discovered her husband, sheikh mohammed, a huge figure in the horse racing world, she had discovered she had abducted two of their daughters and rendered them back to dubai, something stood up by the high court but denied by him but her detractors say it is because she was having an affair with her bodyguard and he discovered this and was furious and wrote a very angry poem about it and she feared for her life. this is more or less the end of it. it's nearly £1 billion less than her lawyers demanded but the other side to this is that he emerged during the court that her phone had been hacked by sheikh mohammed's people, not only has, but baroness shackleton, her lawyer, as well. . ~ baroness shackleton, her lawyer, as well. ., ~' ., ~' baroness shackleton, her lawyer, as well. ., ~ ., ~ , ., foodbanks say they're starting to see the impact of benefit cuts and the rising cost of living among people needing help. a £20—a—week increase to universal credit, introduced at the start of the pandemic, was cut in october. and inflation hit 5% last month, the highest rate in a decade. 0ur social affairs correspondent michael buchanan reports from the west midlands. i had to leave home because of domestic violence, and i've basically got nothing. the calls are constant at this emergency food bank. i lost myjob, and i don't get any benefits for two weeks. travelling the area night and day, delivering aid. i had to buy a new washer and a new cooker cos i was broke. an unexpected bill, cuts to universal credit and rising energy prices have made life difficult. yeah, we've got heating, i just limit it at the minute because i can't afford to have it on. i'm going to do the wash now, wash the uniforms and then i put it on to dry that, and we have it on for an hour when we wake up. we could get a call anytime from social services, domestic violence, the police, fire brigade even, so we just keep on going. down the road at the west brom food bank, referrals are up on a year ago, a regular stream of new people needing help. what was it like walking in here for the first time today? a bit daunting. on a visit last month, i met dean williams, he was waiting on a hip replacement operation before returning to work as a lorry driver. in the meantime, the £20 a week cut to universal credit had hit hard. i don't get paid, i think, until the end of the month. i think i have about a penny to my name. i've never been this bad off in my life, to be honest. dean was confident, however, of being back at work injanuary once he'd had his surgery. in this part of the west midlands, wages are lower than the british average, so changes to universal credit allowing people to keep more of their earnings do help, but many still struggle. kit runs a cleaning business but uses the pantry to make ends meet. for £4, she can choose about £20 worth of food, helping the mum of three get through the week. you just need to think about what we're buying, what we eat and how we manage our spending, really. back in west bromwich this week, moments of christmas cheer and happiness. sa nta! santa, say hi. but unfortunately, dean is back. how are your finances? pfft, what finances? his operation was postponed. it could be almost two years before it's rescheduled. i can't keep doing this, you know what i mean? this is ridiculous. it's great britain, we should be able to live now. there are at least nine food banks in sandwell, and this week, like every week, have tried to lift the spirits of every family they meet. michael buchanan, bbc news, west bromwich. and finally, for the second year in a row hundreds of thousands of people have had their christmas plans turned upside down by covid. so how are people adapting their plans? 0ur correspondent, andrew plant, has been finding out, in bath. cherie and kate's first christmas together in their new home. merry christmas. but any party plans have gone on hold after both tested positive for covid. we are in isolation until... till the day after boxing day, so we can't go anywhere, so we're going to enjoy it here. it's been a confusing build—up to christmas. less organised this year than i was last year. kate mccarey�*s plans are up in the air, unsure if she'll see her grandchildren, due to fly over from america on thursday. if they come, how much we will be able to do, because we don't know what's going to happen immediately after christmas, and therefore, whether it's worth them taking the risk. it has been busy here today with shoppers and day—trippers, but most people have said they've taken a cautious approach to this christmas, not making any big plans in the first place, just in case they have to cancel. we are worried to go away in case something happens and we can't get back, and we can't be stuck away. normally there would be about 25 of us, all have like a big dinner and everything together. but now it'sjust going to be the four of us, and we'lljust, if we are allowed to, we just try and pop round and see people. mum ordered the food - about two months ago, and she'll be living off turkey- forjanuary if it doesn't go ahead. everyone carrying on with christmas plans as much as they can. this panto expecting to sell out their seats this week... i think everyone's making theatre—going as safe as it can be. hoping coronavirus doesn't stop performances for the second year in a row. the issue which we haven't had but we could have is a member of the panto company test positive and have to self—isolate. covid obviously can rip through a company very quickly. i think that's our biggest concern. just a few days to go, and many still unsure of their plans, though some, of course, already know exactly where they'll be come christmas day. andrew plant, bbc news, in bath. time for a look at the weather. here's chris fawkes. a fine end to the day and in east sussex this is one of the pictures showing a setting sun but notjust that we also had at this sun pillar, a line of light extending northwards caused by ice crystals in the atmosphere and these ice crystals are caused by the cloud working in ahead of the next weather system that will bring something of a change to the weather over the next 24 hours. right now there's a of cloud around in temperatures hovering around freezing but with more extensive cloud breaks there will be frost central and eastern

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