let's start here in the uk, where chancellor rishi sunak has set out a £1 billion fund to help businesses hit by the rise in covid cases. pubs, restaurants and theatres have welcomed the new government grants. under the plans, hospitality and leisure firms can apply for grants of up to £6,000 per premises. but others, including beauty salons and nightclubs, say the package is merely scratching the surface. the national hair and beauty federation said, in response to the latest funding, that over 70% of salons are experiencing unprecedented cancellations which will have a huge impact on their turnover. it's also not clear whether they can apply for financial assistance. let's talk this through with lesley blair, chief executive of the british association of beauty therapy and cosmetology. a warm welcome to the programme. do you know yet whether you are able to access the billion pound funding? unfortunately not. by looking at it and quite in—depth, i do believe we have nothing for the sake. it seems it is targeted towards the hospitality sector. —— for our sector. towards the hospitality sector. -- for our sector.— -- for our sector. you are experiencing _ -- for our sector. you are | experiencing cancellations -- for our sector. you are i experiencing cancellations at normally the busiest time of the year for you?— normally the busiest time of the year for you? because of the year for you? because of the restrictions, _ the year for you? because of the restrictions, because - the year for you? because of the restrictions, because of. the restrictions, because of people self—isolating, people working from home, there has been a deluge of cancellation and no further bookings. normally, bookings are running out of the dog, so it is a really hard time for them. and also products sold. it really hard time for them. and also products sold.— also products sold. it was the beauty salons _ also products sold. it was the beauty salons in _ also products sold. it was the beauty salons in the - also products sold. it was the beauty salons in the past - also products sold. it was the i beauty salons in the past who were almost lost to reopen, which you can understand given the close contact that beauticians have with their clients but it must be very, very difficult for you to plan for the new year given where we are? , ., , are? yes, and it is quite frustrating _ are? yes, and it is quite frustrating as _ are? yes, and it is quite frustrating as well. - are? yes, and it is quite frustrating as well. we i frustrating as well. we obviously support safety and thatis obviously support safety and that is of paramount importance. 0ur industry has shown no evidence that there has been any spread of the virus because we are wearing ppe when we are working with the client ever that we have a close nature with them. but it is a very hard period for the industry. last time 80% slipped through the funding net. we are seeing this as having to close because of self—isolating, they are experiencing massive cancellations as we have just said. i cancellations as we have 'ust said. ., �* ~' ., cancellations as we have 'ust said. ~' ., cancellations as we have 'ust said. ., �* ~ ., ., said. i don't know if you have data on how _ said. i don't know if you have data on how many _ said. i don't know if you have| data on how many businesses have been forced to close because it is not financially viable to continue — is that what we could be looking at in the new year?— what we could be looking at in the new year? yes, i think the big problem — the new year? yes, i think the big problem we _ the new year? yes, i think the big problem we have _ the new year? yes, i think the big problem we have is - the new year? yes, i think the big problem we have is with i big problem we have is with businesses already on the lease, they are trying to play catch up with previous lockdowns and with christmas and new year trade movement, it was going to support salons to go forward into 2022 but this flow dealt to salads, there will be a lot running out of air. —— salons. not to have revenue to pay the payback lines is a high level of concern.— lines is a high level of concern. ~ , , ., , concern. we wish you the very best and thank— concern. we wish you the very best and thank you _ concern. we wish you the very best and thank you for - concern. we wish you the very best and thank you for being l concern. we wish you the very. best and thank you for being on the programme and explaining how it is for the beauty industry currently. let's get some of the day's other news: walmart, walgreens and cvs health have announced limits to the amount of covid tests that can be purchased by their us customers. the firms say they were forced to make the decision after huge demand. it comes after president biden announced that his administration was purchasing 500 million at—home rapid tests, to be distributed freely to americans. natwest has agreed to pay $35 million to settle an investigation into some of its traders manipulating us treasury debt markets. the fine comes a week after natwest was ordered to pay £265 million by a british court for failing to prevent money laundering of almosty £400 million. a web page and a facebook post by arsenal football club promoting crypto—based fan tokens broke advertising rules, a watchdog has ruled. the uk advertising standards authority argued the club had "failed to illustrate the risk of the investment". arsenal said it would seek an independent review of the ruling. to europe now, where more and more governments are announcing measures to counter the growing spread of the 0micron variant. in germany, the government says it will preserve christmas but re—impose tighter rules on social contact before new year. chancellor 0laf scholz says new measures will include limiting private gatherings for vaccinated people to a maximum of 10 people before new year's eve. the country has also closed nightclubs and banned spectators from major events, including football matches. joining me now is holger schmieding, who's the chief economist at berenberg. good morning. just talk us through the reaction to all this in germany. 0ur the general public going with the government's decision—making or are they antsy about the soul? good morning. the public in germany is going with the government decision. many in the public would have liked to have had some tighter restrictions already before that. there is a bit of dismay that. there is a bit of dismay that in the transition of power from the old to the new government, there was a period where germany did not do enough and flip—flop a bit on restrictions. despite the occasional practice, there is significant support or stopping this pandemic as soon as possible, especially the spread of the 0micron variant. for possible, especially the spread of the omicron variant.- of the omicron variant. for the relatively _ of the omicron variant. for the relatively new _ of the omicron variant. for the relatively new chancellor, - of the omicron variant. for the relatively new chancellor, olaf| relatively new chancellor, 0laf scholz, this is his first real challenge in terms of what measures are in place to help businesses and organisations through this.— businesses and organisations throu:hthis. . , . , through this. what has germany offered? it _ through this. what has germany offered? it is _ through this. what has germany offered? it is offering _ offered? it is offering significant support to businesses and also to workers and the major programmes that have been used for the last 20 months to support workers, the furlough schemes are in place and have been extended. as a result this will likely be a drag on economic activity to some extent but it will probably mean that businesses will not have to close the good and it will not impact living standards of people as extra people need to go on furlough for instance the hospitality sector is well supported. while the restrictions are in place, we have seen the pre—christmas shopping was below normal. having said that, if we can lift these restrictions sometime in late january, the first quarter could still see modest growth. it will deplane as much on supply chain issues. as it will on the course of the pandemic. good to talk to you thank you. you are welcome. to japan now, where mcdonalds has confirmed it is suffering from a chip shortage. however, it's not computer chips we are talking about but potatoes. as a result at almost 3000 mcdonalds restaurants across japan customers can only order a small portion of french fries. as opposed to an extra large, i guess. joining me now is mariko 0i from our singapore bureau. mcdonald's saving and unhappy meal! we mcdonald's saving and unhappy meal! ~ ,. , , meal! we were discussing whether to _ meal! we were discussing whether to call _ meal! we were discussing whether to call them - meal! we were discussing l whether to call them french fries or chips but to avoid confusion, i will call them french fries. i thought it would be making them locally but obviously i was wrong and it is a supply chain issue and disruption to the shipping industry that we keep talking about throughout this year. in addition to those problems, there was a deadly storm flooding in vancouver and that damage road and building and thatis damage road and building and that is what is causing this particular shortage injapan. particular shortage in japan. in order particular shortage injapan. in order not to run out, they decided to take medium and large portions of the men yet starting on christmas eve. the company though says it is now flying it more supplies. —— off the menu. at least it is not kentucky fried chicken because a lot of people injapan eat kfc on christmas day not take it thanks to a smart marketing campaign by kfc decades ago. if that would have run out, it would have caused a lot of panic. i would have caused a lot of anic. ., , , would have caused a lot of anic. . , , ., would have caused a lot of anic. ., , ., _, panic. i was listening to you talkin: panic. i was listening to you talking about _ panic. i was listening to you talking about the _ panic. i was listening to you talking about the kfc - panic. i was listening to you - talking about the kfc phenomena and you even said that colonel sanders, some people growing up, small children, believed he was santa claus.— was santa claus. yes, i have been guilty _ was santa claus. yes, i have been guilty myself _ was santa claus. yes, i have been guilty myself of - was santa claus. yes, i have been guilty myself of that. l been guilty myself of that. since i was growing up we ate kfc on christmas day, and i looked at him and said, that is the guy that gives me present and where we going to have our christmas dinner that it must be him. i christmas dinner that it must be him. ., ., christmas dinner that it must be him. . ., ~ ., ., be him. i am glad we know that truth now- _ be him. i am glad we know that truth now. have _ be him. i am glad we know that truth now. have a _ be him. i am glad we know that truth now. have a good - truth now. have a good christmas. stay with us on bbc news, still to come: spider—man takes the box office by storm, but the industry is bracing itself for further closures with new lockdowns looming. the world of music's been paying tribute to george michael, who's died from suspected heart failure at the age of 53. he sold well over 100 million albums in a career spanning more than three decades. the united states' troops have been trying to overthrow the dictatorship of general manuel noriega. the pentagon said that it's failed in its principle objective to capture noriega and take him to the united states to face drugs charges. the hammer and sickle| was hastily taken away. in its piece. — the russian flag was hoisted over what is now— no longer the soviet union, but the commonwealth of independent states. | day broke slowly over lockerbie, over the cockpit of pan am's maid of the seas, nosedown in the soft earth. you could see what happens when a plane eight storeys high, a football pitch wide falls from 30,000 feet. christmas has returned to albania after a communist ban lasting more than 20 years. thousands went to midnight mass in the town of shkoder, where there were anti—communist riots ten days ago. this is bbc world news, the latest headlines: tackling the global 0micron surge — england cuts the isolation period for infected people — as israel becomes the first country in the world to offer a fourth vaccine dose. president biden provides half a billion covid tests for americans as he tries to stop the spread of the 0micron variant. let's now talk about european gas prices, because they hit a new high on tuesday after a crucial pipeline that brings gas to gemany from russia was switched to the oppisite direction. was switched to the opposite direction. some western politicians and industry experts have accused russia of withholding gas deliveries to europe amid political tensions over ukraine, however russia denies any connection. anna macdonald is a fund manager at amati global investors. lovely to see you again. russia denies there is any political issue going on with regards to this but we feel in europe that russia is holding us to ransom. yes, to some extent but it is not the only cause of the price rises but it is a significant one. the uk imports 50% of its gas needs and their eu 70%. the north stream pipeline goes via the ukraine where there is a lot of political tension building up on the border with russian truth amassing on the border and there has been delays to germany's approval which would bypass ukraine. that is causing quite a lot of political tension. that is causing quite a lot of politicaltension. is that is causing quite a lot of political tension. is vladimir putin trying to leverage his position as natural provider of gas to the eu.— position as natural provider of gas to the eu. there is no sign et of gas to the eu. there is no sign yet of any _ gas to the eu. there is no sign yet of any solution _ gas to the eu. there is no sign yet of any solution as - gas to the eu. there is no sign yet of any solution as far - gas to the eu. there is no sign yet of any solution as far as . yet of any solution as far as thatis yet of any solution as far as that is concerned in the ukraine and in the meantime it is getting colder and colder in europe and out gas prices will go europe and out gas prices will 9° up europe and out gas prices will go up and up? yes, we are coming into this winter with storage only about 60% fell compared with normal, the temperatures for the week ahead of forecast to be below average. we have in reducing our own domestic gas production because of investor appetite has not been there to invest in new production because of worries over climate change. and the other renewable energy sources, thatjust hasn't been enough wind this year, so wind is only generating around 5% of the uk, for example, the uk's requirements and that can be in the 20% and in france you've got four nuclear power shutdowns, four react as have been shut down. france generates about 70% of its own energy from nuclear and exports a lot of energy too to the rest of europe, so there are lots and lots of factors combining to making this an extraordinary period. we are now talking about uk gas prices eight times the ten year average. bud about uk gas prices eight times the ten year average.— the ten year average. and 'ust briefl , the ten year average. and 'ust briefly. of fl the ten year average. and 'ust briefly, of course i the ten year average. and 'ust briefly, of course this i the ten year average. and 'ust briefly, of course this will b briefly, of course this will just feel inflation further, won't it in the new year? 0h won't it in the new year? oh yes, a very interesting note yesterday where it was talked about the rising power prices will mean about 56% increase in bills and that could add about 1.8% to inflation figures in april next year and there's obviously the feedthrough to fertilisers where you've to have government support and that will feed through to food prices so yes there is a lot of risks that up yellow 0k, prices so yes there is a lot of risks that up yellow ok, thanks for the update. anna mcdonald there. video games are a huge pastime enjoyed by millions, but when does time spent playing games become problematic? bbc news has gained exclusive access to the uk's only treatment facility for addiction to video games. the clinic's mainly teenage patient�*s compulsion to play is so extreme it often leads to violent outbursts and confrontations with parents or carers. if access to games consoles is denied many of the people treated here have threatened to commit suicide. our technology correspondent marc cieslak has more. having people around, you do feel a degree of embarrassment at times, you'lljust be upstairs gaming all the time and shouting and cursing. stephen and louise are describing life with their 16—year—old son. those are their real names, we are protecting their identity. it is a controversial condition defined by three characteristics. impaired control when gaming, prioritising gaming over other interests and escalation of gaming despite stopping the games industry and some psychologists question the evidence used to define the disorder. until quite recently in the uk, helpful problems like this could only be sought via private healthcare. the nhs has a specialist clinic for treatment of the condition via therapy. treatment of the condition via thera . ., ., ~ treatment of the condition via thera . ., ., ,, i. treatment of the condition via thera . ., ., ,, ., therapy. hello, thank you for callin: therapy. hello, thank you for calling national— therapy. hello, thank you for calling national centre - therapy. hello, thank you for calling national centre for - calling national centre for gaming disorder.- calling national centre for gaming disorder. calling national centre for rramin disorder. , ~ , gaming disorder. based in west london it is _ gaming disorder. based in west london it is part _ gaming disorder. based in west london it is part of _ gaming disorder. based in west london it is part of the - london it is part of the national centre for behavioural addictions. this is the first time cameras have been allowed to film inside the gaming clinic. ~ ~' ., to film inside the gaming clinic. ~ ~ ., ., ., clinic. we know that gaming disorder is _ clinic. we know that gaming disorder is quite _ clinic. we know that gaming disorder is quite a _ clinic. we know that gaming disorder is quite a rare - disorder is quite a rare condition. so symptoms of gaming disorder can be really quite severe which has surprised us. they can struggle with anger, anxiety and low mood. 0ften with anger, anxiety and low mood. often they also experience physical symptoms in terms of loss of sleep and that is often because people will be gaming at night to connect with gamers abroad. we gaming at night to connect with gamers abroad.— gaming at night to connect with gamers abroad. we need to think about the groups _ gamers abroad. we need to think about the groups that _ gamers abroad. we need to think about the groups that are - gamers abroad. we need to think about the groups that are going l about the groups that are going to start — about the groups that are going to start on the new year. this is the only _ to start on the new year. this is the only nhs _ to start on the new year. this is the only nhs clinic - to start on the new year. this is the only nhs clinic in - to start on the new year. ti 3 is the only nhs clinic in the uk treating gaming disorder. it's patients are spread out across england and wales and are often treated via video chat. a recent study amongst gamers concluded that broadly speaking, playing video games is good for well—being and that playing games has helped lots of people get through the pandemic. brute of people get through the pandemic— of people get through the andemic. ~ ., ., pandemic. we are not saying that gaming _ pandemic. we are not saying that gaming is _ pandemic. we are not saying that gaming is bad _ pandemic. we are not saying that gaming is bad at - pandemic. we are not saying that gaming is bad at all. - pandemic. we are not saying that gaming is bad at all. we completely accept that for a lot of people it is a really positive thing in their life. we are really talking about that small percentage of people who are having a massive problem with that and it is genuinely affect their quality of life and their ability to interact and function. we opened our doors at the end of 2019. we have had well over 300 referrals since then. 200 just in 2021. it is very strongly weighted in favour of males so weighted in favour of males so we have seen 89% of people have e—mail. we have seen 89% of people have e-mail. ,, , . we have seen 89% of people have e-mail, ,, , ., ., , �*, e-mail. stephen and louise's 1ti-year-old _ e-mail. stephen and louise's 16-year-old son _ e-mail. stephen and louise's 16-year-old son has - e-mail. stephen and louise's 16-year-old son has recently| 16—year—old son has recently been diagnosed with autism. they referred him to the gaming disorder clinic themselves but he hasn't engaged with the treatment.— treatment. what was most hel ful treatment. what was most helpfulfor_ treatment. what was most helpful for us _ treatment. what was most helpful for us was - treatment. what was most helpful for us was talking l treatment. what was most | helpful for us was talking to other parents. they made a special support group for parents of the same gaming needs or addiction, whatever you want to call it. we meet once a fortnight on zoom to discuss how we are doing. more than anything — discuss how we are doing. more than anything else, _ discuss how we are doing. more than anything else, i _ discuss how we are doing. more than anything else, i think - discuss how we are doing. more than anything else, i think the greatest — than anything else, i think the greatest thing about that in terms — greatest thing about that in terms of benefit is to realise that — terms of benefit is to realise that you _ terms of benefit is to realise that you are not alone stop toads— that you are not alone stop loads of— that you are not alone stop loads of other people up and down — loads of other people up and down the country and all across the world — down the country and all across the world that are going through the exact same situation.— through the exact same situation. ~ ., , ., ~' situation. what you think the future looks _ situation. what you think the future looks like _ situation. what you think the future looks like for - situation. what you think the future looks like for your - situation. what you think the future looks like for your son j future looks like for your son and for you as a family? i feel optimistic. — and for you as a family? i feel optimistic, because _ and for you as a family? i feel optimistic, because on - and for you as a family? i feel i optimistic, because on facebook a lot of people who are very like our son but are adults now and ifollow like our son but are adults now and i follow them like our son but are adults now and ifollow them because like our son but are adults now and i follow them because they are hugely insightful, but it also helps me feel he will find his way. cinemas across europe are enjoying a box office bump thanks to the performance of spider—man: no way home. it grossed $113 million in western europe over its first weekend. today in the uk, the matrix resurrections will be released in cinemas. cinemas will be hoping the film is another smash hit but the rapid spread of 0micron has many worried the industry could face another difficult winter. joining me now is richard cooper, who's the research director at ampere analysis. i would imagine those who are running cinemas would be really concerned that they could be locked down anytime? absolutely. 0ne locked down anytime? absolutely. one of the biggest threats to cinema is going to be the imposition of new restrictions which will limit people's access to cinema or even close them all together. so, what we've got to bear in mind is that when we are looking at the performance of movies like spider—man: no way hom, we've got to bear in mind that that really did open on an ideal christmas weekend, it is quite a family friendly title and it came immediately after the end of term with very little competition in terms of alternative movie since. so what it has proven is that consumers are prepared to take those risks associated with covid in order to see big blockbuster movies. absolutely, in my household _ blockbuster movies. absolutely, in my household it _ blockbuster movies. absolutely, in my household it was - blockbuster movies. absolutely, in my household it was the - blockbuster movies. absolutely, j in my household it was the must see, i've got three boys and two out of three went to the movies last weekend to see the spider—man film and they loved it, but in terms of the matrix, this new matrix film, so highly anticipated, i mean the matrix trilogy was kind of revolutionary when it first came out, it would be such a shame if it didn't have the impact expected because of covid. ~ �* ., ., , ., covid. well we've got to bear in mind that _ covid. well we've got to bear in mind that it _ covid. well we've got to bear in mind that it is _ covid. well we've got to bear in mind that it is also - covid. well we've got to bear in mind that it is also now . in mind that it is also now competing with spider—man. it is opening very close to christmas and one of the things that it can be on people's mind is wanting to see for example their mothers over the christmas period, rather than necessarily prioritising the cinema. �* , ., ., cinema. and in terms of how cinemas _ cinema. and in terms of how cinemas have _ cinema. and in terms of how cinemas have led _ cinema. and in terms of how cinemas have led during - cinema. and in terms of how cinemas have led during this| cinemas have led during this nearly two years now, how have they done, financially? how have they managed to stay viable during a very difficult two years?— two years? our forecasts actually _ two years? our forecasts actually indicate - two years? our forecasts actually indicate that - two years? our forecasts actually indicate that the | actually indicate that the cinema sector will be around 42% down from the box office of 2019 and they will have a much slower recovery going forward, so this can be some two key factors in that recovery through the winter. firstly those new restrictions that have already mentioned and then secondly, we've already seen what appears to be a sort of thinning of the release in response to covid, the pandemic has affected filming and financing of movies and so until the industry can secure that for future film releases we are likely to see fewer movies particularly midtier being released and release dates being stretched over longer periods of time. gk longer periods of time. ok richard we _ longer periods of time. 0k richard we appreciate your analysis. richard cooper there. let's see how the asian markets are faring on wall street. let's just bear in let'sjust bear in mind, a real bounceback for wall street because the previous day they saw a more than 1% declines for most the main markets. bear in mind we are coming to the end of the year, many working in financial markets may have already clocked off for the year, closing positions because it is seen as extremely high risk environment right now with so much uncertainty about 0micron, the impact it will have and also the government's restrictions that may or may not come into place in the weeks ahead, so financial markets treading water and yes, keeping a close eye on every development. you are up to date, i will see you soon. hello again. well, we're going to see some changes in our weather pattern through wednesday as this area of cloud, that's just out in the atlantic, starts to encroach. that will eventually bring some rain, particularly into western areas, with milder southerly winds spreading in as well. before we get there, though, it's a chilly start to the day with some patches of frost for central and eastern areas of the country. in some of the deeper valleys in scotland, we're seeing temperatures of, what, —9, —10 degrees, so a very cold start here. now, through wednesday, as i say, this area of rain is on the way, and it's going to be arriving pretty quickly in northern ireland, accompanied by those strengthening southerly winds. so, it will be turning progressively milder here pretty quickly through the day. elsewhere, a few brighter spells across central and eastern england, perhaps for northern scotland, too, but generally a lot of cloud further west, with that rain continuing to push its way northwards and eastwards through the day. top temperatures around about 4—7 for many, but as that rain bumps into that colder air, well, some of those valleys could still have temperatures below freezing. so, there is a risk, and quite a significant risk i think, of seeing icy conditions out on the roads through wednesday evening, either due to freezing rain or rain falling on frozen surfaces. now, for thursday, we've got another weather front that's set to move its way in. now, i think it may well start off with rather murky conditions across much of the country, a few mist and fog patches over the hills, and rain. well, that rain's going to be heavier, particularly swinging across northern ireland, northern england, into parts of scotland as well. very mild in the south, 13 degrees, but we're starting to get some colder air spreading into the far north of the uk. and for christmas eve, we'll continue to have those kind of temperature contrasts. another weather front, this one concentrating rain across northern ireland, wales and the south—west of england, still with mild air here. further north, we've got those chillier conditions with wintry showers beginning to spread across the northern isles. and for saturday, which of course is christmas day, we're going to have this battle zone somewhere across the uk. now, this is not set in stone. it could move a little bit further southwards perhaps over the next few days. for the north of the uk, we may well see a few snow showers, that is a possibility. the south—west more likely to see cloudy skies, grey conditions, rain and mild weather. and there's a small chance we could see something a little bit more disruptive, but itjust depends where this boundary ends up being. at the moment, it's here. cold air to the north, milder in the south west, but watch this space. good morning. welcome to breakfast with sally nugent and jon kay. 0ur headlines today. two negative tests and people in england can come out of isolation early, as christmas celebrations get the go—ahead. despite confirming no new restrictions before saturday, the prime minister has refused to rule out further measures by new year. covid cancellations — rail companies blame staff sickness for widespread disruption to train services. fears around the 0micron variant have hit many businesses, including pubs and restaurants, which have seen bookings cancelled. i'll be getting reaction to a new fund that's been announced to help them. as scotland joins wales in keeping fans away