and to laugh or not to laugh. a warning that �*cancel culture' could wipe out comedy. hello and welcome to bbc news. people with covid in england can now stop self—isolating after a week — following two negative lateral flow tests — effectively opening up christmas for thousands of people. the health secretary says it's to ease disruption to people's lives, and comes after the prime minister ruled out imposing further covid restrictions in england at this stage. so, from today, in england, self—isolation for those who have tested positive will be cut from ten days to seven days as long as they receive negative lateral flow test results on day six and seven of their isolation period and have no symptoms. people ending isolation on day seven are strongly advised to limit contact with vulnerable people, not visit crowded or poorly ventilated spaces, and work from home. if they can. health secretary sajid javid said it would minimize disruption caused by the rapid spread of the omicron variant. it's hoped it could help head off chronic staff shortages in key industries. in northern ireland, ministers are currently discussing the possible reintroduction of covid restrictions in northern ireland. we'll bring you any news that emerges from that meeting. and in wales, plans for covid rules after christmas in wales are to be laid out shortly by first minister mark drakeford — we're expecting that in 15 minutes. we'll bring you it live, do stay with us for that. in scotland, first minister nicola sturgeon announced yesterday that large events — like edinburgh's hogmanay — have been cancelled and football matches will be effectively spectator—free as part of tough new covid rules that come into force on boxing day. here's our political correspondentjonathan blake. struggling under the strain. staff absences due to surging cases of the omicron variant are putting public services and parts of the economy under pressure. in an attempt to ease the burden, a change to self—isolation guidance. the period is being reduced from ten to seven days for people in england, providing they receive two negative lateral flow test results at least 2a hours apart. this is a very sensible, balanced and proportionate step to take. of course, this new variant is spreading very rapidly, it is disrupting many people's lives. it's great that when people do get infected that they are properly isolating. i think that clearly helps to stop, to prevent infection. but it is important also to look at how we can, you know, have policies, that will help to minimise that. and this step, again informed by our clinicians, i think is a very sensible step way forward. meanwhile, christmas can go ahead as planned in england. the prime minister confirmed last night there will be no new restrictions before then. uncertainty over the severity of omicron meant further measures could not yet be justified, he said. but he warned they couldn't be ruled out later on. labour have accused boris johnson of weakness. beyond christmas, families need to be able to plan their own activities, and crucially, business needs to be able to plan for their trading. and the problem with the dither and delay that we're seeing from borisjohnson, entirely as a result of wranglings within his own political party, is that that lack of grip is costing the country dear. hogmanay celebrations are off in edinburgh this year, as scotland braces for more restrictions from boxing day. yesterday, limits on big events in hospitality venues were announced, with a return to table service for those serving alcohol. in wales, new restrictions to take effect after christmas will be set out later today. and the senedd reconvened for a virtual session. similar decisions are looming in northern ireland, where ministers will also meet to discuss further measures. so there's more clarity some about christmas now, but uncertainty still about how much disruption lies ahead. jonathan blake, bbc news. the prime minister has reassured people that no further restrictions will be introduced before christmas saying there is not enough evidence on the severity of the omicron variant to justify stricter measures. across england, 6,900 patients were in hospital with covid—i9 yesterday — the highest number since november tenth chris hopson, the chief executive of nhs providers, which represents hospitals, health care and ambulance services in england says that the number of people in hospital with covid is not the best way to assess the level of pressure the nhs is under. (sot next) the covid data, the number of people in hospital with covid around 8000, compared to 40,000 in january �*21 peak. considerably lower numbers but they are rising. in london for example the number of patients with covid in hospital rose by 5% yesterday. a slower rate of rise than we had seen earlier on in the week. nevertheless the number is growing. that is obviously a matter of concern. we just need to be really careful about effectively saying that the number of covid patients in hospitals or icus is somehow a good proxy measure for overall pressure on the nhs. when you talk to our hospital and community mental health ambulance trust chief executives, they will say actually they are just as worried if not more worried about the level of staff absences they are experiencing. they are also saying we need to look at the load we have got in terms of non—covid care, we know we have a very busy urgent and emergency care pathway. we know there are increasing numbers of planned care that we cannot delay any longer. we know our colleagues in social care are under real pressure, we are going full pelt to extend the booster vaccination campaign, which we have been doing a fantasticjob on. some of our trust chief executives are getting worried that there seems to be a rather almost obsessive focus on the number of people coming into hospital with covid. and that is then being translated to say actually if the number is not going up that fast that means the nhs isn't really under pressure. chris hopson. we can speak to stephen reicher, professor of psychology at the university of st andrews and a member of the sage subgroup on behavioural science. if we compare this christmas to last, it seems to be much more about, for the moment at least, personal responsibility and how we decide to behave rather than driven by the rules. decide to behave rather than driven by the rules-— decide to behave rather than driven by the rules-_ by the rules. certainly it is right that personal — by the rules. certainly it is right that personal responsibility - by the rules. certainly it is right that personal responsibility is l that personal responsibility is really important but for people to take personal responsibility you need two things. first, clear information, a clear assessment of the risk and of what people can do in order to keep themselves safe, and we are not getting that clarity. i think the last few days have been spent in all sorts of political arguments about parties and this and that and that has got a new way of saying to people, look, here is a virus spreading incredibly fast, more infectious than before and it is really important that people limit their contacts and are very contact when they do have contacts in order to keep themselves safe. the other thing you need your support for people. lots of discussion about self isolation but if you want people to self—isolate properly, and that is important, you need to give them the support to do so, financial support, if they live in crowded accommodation you perhaps need to give them support in terms of accommodation, buying in food, emotional support and so on. it is all very well to take responsibility seriously as a population, but for that to happen the government also has to take its responsibilities seriously. in many ways what it seems to be doing is saying, over to you and absolving itself of responsibility. it you and absolving itself of responsibility.— you and absolving itself of responsibility. you and absolving itself of resonsibili . ., responsibility. it sounds as though ou think responsibility. it sounds as though you think it — responsibility. it sounds as though you think it isn't _ responsibility. it sounds as though you think it isn't fair _ responsibility. it sounds as though you think it isn't fair to _ responsibility. it sounds as though you think it isn't fair to place - responsibility. it sounds as though you think it isn't fair to place the l you think it isn't fair to place the burden of responsibility on the general public who by and large are not scientific experts to make that decision over what they should prioritise, for example. people are ca able of prioritise, for example. people are capable of doing — prioritise, for example. people are capable of doing that, _ prioritise, for example. people are capable of doing that, but - prioritise, for example. people are capable of doing that, but what - prioritise, for example. people are capable of doing that, but what i l prioritise, for example. people are l capable of doing that, but what i am saying is it is quite right to ask people to take the responsibility seriously but everyone has to do their bit, and the government has to do its bit as well. instead of simply saying over to you, you do everything, that is not very helpful. we need clarity of information and support and we are not getting it. this information and support and we are not getting it-_ not getting it. as a general direction — not getting it. as a general direction of _ not getting it. as a general direction of travel - not getting it. as a general direction of travel at - not getting it. as a general direction of travel at this i not getting it. as a general- direction of travel at this stage of the pandemic, despite the latest variant, do you think people should be at the point where they should be taking more of the decisions about how they decide to behave? i do not think it is an — how they decide to behave? i do not think it is an either— how they decide to behave? i do not think it is an either or. _ how they decide to behave? i do not think it is an either or. throughout l think it is an either or. throughout the pandemic people have acted responsibly, in many ways ahead of the government in acting cautiously, i had in one thing they are to be measures to keep people safe. i do not think the problem is the public taking responsibility seriously. i think the problem consistently throughout the pandemic has been a lack of clarity of the situation and a lack of support for people to do the right things. the a lack of support for people to do the right things.— a lack of support for people to do the right things. the public are not the right things. the public are not the problem- _ the right things. the public are not the problem. given _ the right things. the public are not the problem. given what _ the right things. the public are not the problem. given what you - the right things. the public are not the problem. given what you have| the problem. given what you have outlined, what impact do you think thatis outlined, what impact do you think that is going to have on society as it deals with the omicron variant? we heard before we came to you from nhs providers saying the key measure of pressure the nhs is going to be under is how many staff are off because of omicron. band under is how many staff are off because of omicron.— under is how many staff are off because of omicron. and not 'ust the nhs, because of omicron. and not 'ust the was. society — because of omicron. and not 'ust the nus. society is— because of omicron. and not 'ust the nhs, society is kind * because of omicron. and not 'ust the nhs, society is kind of h because of omicron. and not just the nhs, society is kind of closing - because of omicron. and not just the nhs, society is kind of closing down. nhs, society is kind of closing down anyway. over half the premiership games close to down over the weekend because of omicron. we have seen schools beginning to close because teachers are off. we have seen edinburgh castle and the natural history museum are closed down. the problem we are having at the moment is the amount of infection and the spread of infection is closing things down so we need to do things to limit the spread of infection. that seems to me to be the primary thing we've got to do, and i think individuals can do it by limiting the numbers of contacts that they have and i think that is really important. the best way of saving christmas is not getting infected in the first place. the best way of not getting infected is to think about whether certain contacts with people are essential. if you do consider them to be essential, to be very careful, to take a lateral flow test before hand, if possible to meet outside, ventilate spaces as well and so forth. all things people can do but they do need the clarity of information and support from the government. brute information and support from the government-— information and support from the government. ~ . ., ., ., government. we are waiting to hear the details on _ government. we are waiting to hear the details on post-christmas - the details on post—christmas restrictions from wales, they are meeting in northern ireland as we speak, scotland we heard from yesterday, england, borisjohnson is saying at the moment there is not enough data on the severity of omicron to say whether more restrictions will be required. if the other nations decide to say these will be the restrictions in place post—christmas and england still has not, do you think in terms of how it will drive people's behaviour, will they look to other places and say this is what we should be doing? mil places and say this is what we should be doing? all information first of all. _ should be doing? all information first of all, one _ should be doing? all information first of all, one of _ should be doing? all information first of all, one of the _ should be doing? all information first of all, one of the key - first of all, one of the key principles of public health is the so—called precautionary principle, you do not put yourself in a situation whereby you have no room for manoeuvre. if things do turn out to be serious. let's hope the government are right, their gamble on omicron not being serious or being far less serious is right. but if they are wrong, the danger is, we are in a position where it is far too late, we already have the infections, they will feed into hospitalisations and deaths. precautionary principle, you do not take such risks with the public health. it is like playing russian roulette, even if you get away with it it is not a sensible game to play. i think the logic of the government goes against fundamental principles of public health and is extremely dangerous. the second thing is that time is of the essence was that while there are some things we do not know, we do know that omicron spreads very fast. if you leave things for even a week, you can have several times more of a problem, several times more virus and you have to do much more to do with it. one of the problems we learned from last year is that if you let things spread and get out of hand then you have to bring in far more draconian measures that will last longer, which is why we had such a miserable spring. we do not want to repeat that so we not only to act but act fast. time is of the essence. i to act but act fast. time is of the essence. ., ., , ., ., , ., essence. i want to get your opinion on --eole essence. i want to get your opinion on people in _ essence. i want to get your opinion on people in england _ essence. i want to get your opinion on people in england isolating - essence. i want to get your opinion | on people in england isolating seven days instead of ten if they have a negative lateral flow test, is that sensible and logical, the right balance between managing the virus and getting back to as normal a life as possible? ii and getting back to as normal a life as possible?— as possible? if you were talking about the balance, _ as possible? if you were talking about the balance, sensible - as possible? if you were talking - about the balance, sensible balance, we should be doing is far more about stopping the flow of infections, not just dealing with the consequence of those infections. the best way of having a decent christmas is not to get infected, therefore to have more measures and clearer information about the need to stop infections in the first place. i do not think it is balanced. i do not think we are dealing with the course, we are dealing with the course, we are dealing with the consequences of infection. and inevitably, if you say to people, well, we will do it after seven days rather than after ten days, depending on which lateral photos, which are good, we should be taking them but they are not perfect. it is increasingly risk. what we are doing time and again is increasing the risk of infection rather than mitigating against the risk of infection. that rather than mitigating against the risk of infection.— risk of infection. that should be our priority- _ risk of infection. that should be our priority. even _ risk of infection. that should be our priority. even if _ risk of infection. that should be our priority. even if this - risk of infection. that should be | our priority. even if this measure was to alleviate chronic staff shortages in key industries? that is what the government says. the reason what the government says. the reason wh there what the government says. the reason why there are — what the government says. the reason why there are chronic— what the government says. the reason why there are chronic shortages - what the government says. the reason why there are chronic shortages as - why there are chronic shortages as in the first place because of people getting infected, that is the primary problem. the way to deal with that is to stop people getting infected. if the response is to increase that threat than in the end you shoot yourself in the foot. it is increasing the risk i think but above all i think the really important thing is the focus has been on dealing with the consequences of the infections, that is the direction the government seems to be going, seems to be far more sensible to limit people getting infected in the first place, both through clear advice and measures and that is not happening. professor stephen reicher, good to talk to you, thank you for your time. we are expecting that a news conference in cardiff with the first minister of wales mark drakeford anytime now. we will bring that to your life as soon as it begins in fact, we can talk to our correspondence tomos morgan in cardiff about what we might expect. pretty clear indication from scotland about the measures that will be brought in from boxing day onwards, ministers meeting in northern ireland as we speak, what can we expect in wales? $5 northern ireland as we speak, what can we expect in wales?— northern ireland as we speak, what can we expect in wales? as you say, mark drakeford _ can we expect in wales? as you say, mark drakeford the _ can we expect in wales? as you say, mark drakeford the first _ can we expect in wales? as you say, mark drakeford the first minister - mark drakeford the first minister due to give his press conference here any moment now. expecting him to ring in regulation on hospitality venues from boxing day. expecting him as well to suggest guidance when it comes to household mixing, nor its regulation on household mixing, just guidance. there will be a ban we understand on larger gatherings indoors. that's number mark drakeford will give us in the press conference. in addition to measures on nightclubs already announced, shutting the day after christmas and spectators at sporting events, let's cross over now to mark drakeford, who has just taken the podium. cross over now to mark drakeford, who hasjust taken the podium. here who has 'ust taken the podium. here in who hasjust taken the podium. here in wales the — who hasjust taken the podium. here in wales the rapidly _ who hasjust taken the podium. here in wales the rapidly changing circumstances caused by the new omicron variant means we are reviewing the situation every week. even since i spoke to you on friday, the number of confirmed omicron cases has risen sharply. at the same time, we are also seeing a rapid rise in the overall rates of the virus across wales. we expect this trend to continue and to accelerate. omicron is here already in wales and it is now spreading quickly. in england and scotland, it has already overtaken the delta variant and become the dominant form of coronavirus. and that will soon become the case here in wales. omicron has a doubling time of around two days. on that basis, by boxing day we can expect to see many thousands of new cases across wales every day. already we know that people are off work sick, pertaining essential services under strain. after christmas we have to be prepared for that situation to worsen. it is a fast—moving situation, just a a few weeks ago no one had heard about the omicron variant. today, most countries right across the world are affected by it. that is the reason why the cabinet here in wales has been meeting almost every day, looking at the very latest scientific advice and the latest data. we have been considering what protections we need after christmas. that is what i will be focusing on this afternoon. by the end of last week we had already decided to introduce new measures for retail and workplaces when they reopen at christmas. on tuesday we decided sporting fixtures will have to move behind closed doors for the time being. today i can set out further measures we are taking to protect people's health and help businesses continue to trade after christmas is over. we are introducing a new alert level 2a hospitality businesses, cinemas, theatres and public gatherings. measures that have now been tailored to the new omicron variant. at alert level two measures... i beg your pardon, all alert level two measures including retail, public places, the closure of nightclubs will come into force from 6am on boxing day. the new measures will meet a general requirement of two metres social distancing in all premises open to the public and workplaces, subject to the taste of —— test of reasonable measures. rule of six in hospitality, cinemas, theatres. all licensed premises will have to take additional measures to protect customers and staff including table service, and collecting contact details with the face coverings will be required in hospitality settings at all times apart from when seated. large events will not be able to go ahead indoors or outdoors. the maximum number of people who can gather in a indoor adventure will be 30, and 50 people outdoors. —— indoor event. up to 50 spectators for outdoor sport will be able to gather as well as those taking part. for important life events such as weddings, civil partnerships, funerals and wakes, the number who can attempt will be determined by the ability of the venue to manage social distancing and other reasonable measures and all guests attending a wedding breakfast or a funeral wake will need to take a lateral flow test before attending. the cabinet has thought hard about how we deal with people mixing in each other�*s home and gardens. we have decided not to make new legal rules to cover that sort of mixing. we will issue updated and strengthens guidance to help people stay safe. by doing this because we are in a different position this year to the position we faced last time we saw coronavirus rise in this way. we have a population that is largely vaccinated. the booster is being rolled out rapidly and lateral flow tests are easily available. nearly two years since the pandemic began, we have all learned a great deal about how we can best protect ourselves and others. now is the time to redouble those efforts, drawing on everything that we have learned. omicron thrives on human contact. every contact we have is an opportunity for us to spread or catch the virus and the home where we are surrounded by family is where we are surrounded by family is where we are surrounded by family is where we are at our most vulnerable to infection. to stay safe in our own homes, we are advising that everybody follows five simple measures. first, limit to the number of people visiting you at home. secondly, if you are visiting or people are visiting you, take a lateral flow test before that takes place. rememberthat lateral flow test before that takes place. remember that meeting outdoors is safer than indoors. if you have to meet indoors, do everything you can to make sure that it is well ventilated. if you are seeing family and friends, then space out those visits, don't see everybody all at once and at the same time. finally, don't forget all those basic things that we have learned to do together, social distancing, respect for others, washing our hands and so on. all of that will be guidance, strong guidance that people in wales can draw on. what we will reinstate is specific offence in regulations for large gatherings in private homes. this is because omicron thrives in large gatherings and in enclosed spaces. of course, large gatherings and in enclosed spaces. of course, we large gatherings and in enclosed spaces. of course, we want these measures to be in place for the shortest possible time. that is why they will continue to be kept very regularly under review. moving to alert level two is designed to help businesses continue to trade by also strengthening measures to protect people's health. we recognise these are measures which will have an impact on businesses. as a result, £120 million will now be made available by the welsh government for nightclubs, events, retail, hospitality, leisure and tourism businesses affected by the move to alert level two, double the new funding of £60 million that we announced only last week. the economy minister will announce further details about how the support will operate tomorrow. at the same time, we have already announced in the last few days for the additional funds to support sports venues and arts and cultural organisations affected by the pandemic. the wider context in which we are making these decisions continues to change very rapidly. i can announce one further change to the rules that we have decided to introduce today. fully vaccinated adults and children aged 5—17 who are identified as contacts of someone who has tested positive for coronavirus will now be asked to take a daily lateral flow test for seven days instead of needing to self—isolate. this is known as the daily contact testing regime. people who have daily negative lateral flow tests will be able to continue to go to work as normal while following all those other steps that help keep themselves safe, including limiting themselves safe, including limiting the number of people they mix with as much as possible. if you have not been doubly vaccinated and are identified as a close contact of somebody has covid, then you must self—isolate. children under the age of five are exempt from self—actualisation if they are close contact. —— self isolation. the health minister will talk to the chief medical officer about potential changes in self isolation arrangements from people who fall ill from coronavirus and we are expecting today to get further recommendations from the jc vi about the vaccination of young children. nobody wanted to see the return to alert levels and to the protections that they have announced today. but we are now entering a really serious phase of the pandemic. wales will reopen after christmas. but in order to do so safely, we have to do everything we can to go on protecting ourselves and taking care of others. the way in which we have got through all of this in wales has been by working together, and that is what we need to draw on again in the weeks ahead, and be on beyond that we know there will be brighter days ahead. studio: a new alert level two coming into force was 6am boxing day, two metre social distancing, rule of six in hospitality, theatres, cinemas. licence premises to have table service once again, collect contact details and a maximum of 50 people in large outdoor events and 30 in indoor events. no new legal rules for gatherings in private homes and gardens but there is guidance to help keep people safe, mr drakeford said, limit the number of people visiting, lateralflow said, limit the number of people visiting, lateral flow test before a visit, meet outdoors or keep a room well ventilated as that is safer. space out visits, don't see everyone all at the same time and that very basic guidance of hands, face, space but he said there would be a reinstatement of a specific offence for very large gatherings in private homes. basically saying to people, do not push this guidance to four. more detail to come tomorrow, mark drakeford said, on how a £120 million scheme will operate for nightclubs, people involved in events, tourism and so on to help them through this period. he said wales will reopen after christmas but people need to act responsibly. in order to try to keep these restrictions to a minimum and to be able to hopefully remove them as soon as possible. our wales correspondent, tomos morgan, is in cardiff. what did you make of what mark drakeford had to say? going much further than the other devolved nations at the moment. he has brought forward the announcement of closing night clubs, which was due to on the 27th, but he brought it forward to boxing day so everything comes in on boxing day now. i think we were expecting the rule of six and table service. it was the guidance on the household mixing that we were not clear on. interesting to see and hear what he says, and we have learnt a lot more about the virus now, more people have been vaccinated, lateral flow tests readily available, so the ministers and the cabinet clearly feeling that, perhaps for the sake of the mental health of the public, they don't want to put a barrier now in place mixing indoors. it's fair to say they were wrestling with this over the last week, really, in terms of what to suggest one household mixing, and as we have heard, mark drakeford suggesting the guidance on mixing indoors after christmas day, but as he also said, there is a ban on numbers over 30 indoors as well, so a package in place to help the hospitality sector, the tourism sector, those affected by these measures. what he also said that i thought was interesting, that these rules will be reviewed very frequently. the next review is due to be the tail end ofjanuary, but i am told that, if the situation is better than expected, those rules could change before then. however, we know that omicron is delayed here in wales, in that the numbers are kind of delayed after what we have seenin kind of delayed after what we have seen in london and scotland, so expect to see a peak as we reach the middle ofjanuary, so one would expect, if that is the case, that the regulation potentially would still be in place by the next three week however, if these measures help and the boosters vaccine roll—out goes as planned, and it's going very quickly at the moment, we could see some of those rules taken back out of daily life before them. thank you. mark drakeford is answering questions. if mark drakeford is answering questions-— mark drakeford is answering cuestions. ., ., ., i, questions. if you have already been infected by coronavirus, _ questions. if you have already been infected by coronavirus, it - questions. if you have already been infected by coronavirus, it may - questions. if you have already been infected by coronavirus, it may be l infected by coronavirus, it may be that omicron will not be as severe as the first time you were infected. if you are getting it for the first time, there is no evidence it is any less severe than any of the earlier variants, so i am afraid, nice as it would be to think that that will solve the problem of january for us, the sheer number of people who will fulfil and the more nuanced information about severity means that the protections we have announced today are a necessary precaution against the impact we think we will see in wales. you are introducing — think we will see in wales. you are introducing fines _ think we will see in wales. you are introducing fines for _ think we will see in wales. you are introducing fines for people - think we will see in wales. you are introducing fines for people who i introducing fines for people who don't _ introducing fines for people who don't work from home. aren't you punishing — don't work from home. aren't you punishing the wrong people, who perhaps— punishing the wrong people, who perhaps can least afford £60 fines over the _ perhaps can least afford £60 fines over the christmas period, which is expensive — over the christmas period, which is expensive enough? i over the christmas period, which is expensive enough?— over the christmas period, which is expensive enough? i want to lay this sto to expensive enough? i want to lay this story to rest — expensive enough? i want to lay this story to rest today. _ expensive enough? i want to lay this story to rest today. it _ expensive enough? i want to lay this story to rest today. it is _ expensive enough? i want to lay this story to rest today. it is a _ expensive enough? i want to lay this story to rest today. it is a story - story to rest today. it is a story without substance. the rules that we are introducing are exactly the rules that we had earlier in the pandemic. they are not a new set of rules. they are designed to protect workers, not to penalise them. when these same rules were there earlier in the pandemic, no fines were issued at all when these rules were previously in place. they are there to make sure that, if a worker feels that an employer is unreasonably expecting them to be in the workplace when they could work from home, that they are able to point to the regulations and make it clear that they would be committing an offence were they to do so. so it is to protect workers, not to penalised them. when these rules were in place early in the pandemic, they worked very well. they will work very well again and i am very grateful to the employer organisations, the cbi and the wales tuc, for their help in making sure that the correct message about what the regulations mean is being communicated in workplaces and to employees as well. thank you for the chance to put that properly on the chance to put that properly on the record today. over to daniel davies at bbc wales.— the record today. over to daniel davies at bbc wales. when will you ublish the davies at bbc wales. when will you publish the scientific _ davies at bbc wales. when will you publish the scientific evidence - davies at bbc wales. when will you publish the scientific evidence thatl publish the scientific evidence that has brought you back to announce restriclions— has brought you back to announce restrictions again so quickly? yes, the restrictions again so quickly? yes, ihe number— restrictions again so quickly? yes, the number of covid cases has risen but surely— the number of covid cases has risen but surely we are expecting that. you told — but surely we are expecting that. you told us to expect a tsunami of cases _ you told us to expect a tsunami of cases what — you told us to expect a tsunami of cases. what else have you seen and when _ cases. what else have you seen and when can— cases. what else have you seen and when can we — cases. what else have you seen and when can we see the evidence? we when can we see the evidence? w5. publish when can we see the evidence? we: publish routinely when can we see the evidence? he publish routinely the advice we get through our technical advisory group. we rely on the advice of sage as well, and their advice was last published on saturday, i believe, for last weekend. we put into the public domain everything that we see when we reviewed the regulations. the chief medical officer was includes a report alongside it, and we always publish that report as well. let me be clear about what we are seeing. we are seeing evidence of a new variant already here in wales, and the number of new cases is accelerating every day, where the doubling time means that those cases will be in thousands within a short number of days and where the impact on people falling ill and becoming so ill that some of them will need to be in hospital is very significant indeed. i think that the actions we have taken are absolutely proportionate to the risks that we know are there and which we will be facing here in wales. speaking welsh. mark drakeford announcing mark dra keford announcing restrictions mark drakeford announcing restrictions and other measures to come into effect from 6am on boxing day in wales, in response to the omicron variant of covid. we will have more on those measures throughout the day. sajid javid has announced he has signed contracts for four and a quarter million additional doses of antiviral drugs to tackle covid. he said these drugs would further build people's defences against covid and would help keep lots of people out of hospital. he has also talked about the reduction in the amount of time people in england can self—isolate or if they have negative lateral flow tests on days six and seven and no symptoms, and we can bring you a clip of a bit more of what the health secretary has been saying.— has been saying. there are significant _ has been saying. there are significant new _ has been saying. there are significant new defences. l has been saying. there are l significant new defences. we has been saying. there are - significant new defences. we haven't had this_ significant new defences. we haven't had this before. one of these antivirals— had this before. one of these antivirals was approved recently and it's the _ antivirals was approved recently and it's the first — antivirals was approved recently and it's the first time we have had this type of— it's the first time we have had this type of defence. when you have this alongside _ type of defence. when you have this alongside what are called the monoclonal antibodies i saw here being _ monoclonal antibodies i saw here being offered to vulnerable patients at st george's hospital alongside the bristol programme, these pharmaceutical defences, taken together, are a huge new way to defend _ together, are a huge new way to defend ourselves against covid. these _ defend ourselves against covid. these new self—isolating rules, so people _ these new self—isolating rules, so people that self—isolating, as long as they— people that self—isolating, as long as they test negative with lateral flow tests on days six and seven, taken _ flow tests on days six and seven, taken 24 — flow tests on days six and seven, taken 24 hours apart, they can leave isolation _ taken 24 hours apart, they can leave isolation it— taken 24 hours apart, they can leave isolation. if you're someone who works— isolation. if you're someone who works in— isolation. if you're someone who works in a — isolation. if you're someone who works in a care home or the nhs, you can return _ works in a care home or the nhs, you can return to — works in a care home or the nhs, you can return to work, but those people will also _ can return to work, but those people will also be _ can return to work, but those people will also be following the rules set by their— will also be following the rules set by their workplaces, where they test regularly, _ by their workplaces, where they test regularly, so i know that, for hospital— regularly, so i know that, for hospital staff, that means they will be asked _ hospital staff, that means they will be asked to continue to test on the other— be asked to continue to test on the other three — be asked to continue to test on the other three days. as the saying goes, laughter is the best medicine. but for some comedians, so called "cancel culture" has left them fearful of losing their career, by telling a joke that some may find unacceptable. now, a yougov survey suggests the feeling is felt more widely in society, with more than 50% of people saying they stop themselves from expressing their political and social views. our culture editor katie razzall has been looking at the issue and as you may expect in a piece i'm depressed and suicidal, and guess where i'm working? who decides what's funny and what's offensive? i was working at manchester airport in aviation security. a depressed, suicidal muslim. as comedians at the frog and bucket comedy club in manchester grapple with that very question, is it a reflection of what's happening in wider society too? the club owner says she has noticed these days stand—up acts are more nervous that audiences in the club and online will take offence on certain subjects. anything to do with religion. trans is a big one at the moment. anything to do with someone's colour. comedians are very paranoid that they might word something the wrong way, and then that's out there forever and they're cancelled and they will never gig again. is this your idea of a joke then? maureen lipman, who is starring in coronation street at the moment, and knows a thing or two about a punchline, says being scared to offend is killing comedy. i think it's a revolution. and i think at the moment it's in the balance, whether we're ever going to be funny again. something has to be forbidden to make you really laugh, to make you really belly laugh. it's when you shouldn't be laughing. and so therefore all the things that are being cancelled out by being correct, are, i'm afraid, the things that have always made people laugh. 0h, congratulations on your exam results. grandma, ifailed. you failed? what do you mean? famously, maureen lipman starred in the 1980s bt adverts. but is the doting jewish grandmotherjoke too much of a stereotype for our times? i failed. you didn't pass anything? they were specifically, clearly, about a jewish family. it didn't matter. they went — we didn't have the word viral, but they went it, and that was because mothers are universal. and sociology. an ology? he gets an ology and he says he's failed! you get an ology, you're a scientist! do you think that could be, would be made now? the bt commercials? i shouldn't think so, no. everyone identified with the ology commercial. everyone. — it didn't matter that it was ethnic. this guy does the best ali g impersonation. a�*ight? i can't do it, you do it, go on. . don-t. — i think it's someone else. oh, sorry, it's not you. it's the other one. is the office less acceptable now? ricky gervais says his show tackled difficult subjects like race. he claims these days comedians fear being cancelled if they try. abfab'sjennifer saunders has also said her sitcom could not be remade now, because people are so sensitive and politically correct. i don't know why it went wrong with justin. i mean, you know, because wejust adored each other, you know. he's gay. my mum didn't say anything because we don't let her talk. audience laughs. so what's going on? the jokes at the frog and bucket still feel edgy, potentially even offensive to some. it's not a cultural thing, she just doesn't have much to add, you racists. if society can't take a joke any more, you either adapt to your audience or you die, basically. it's darwinian. the strongest don't survive, it's the ones that are most adaptable to change. so, at the end of the day, you either adapt to your audience, or you don't do your comedy any more. is this about different generations having different values, or does it tell us something much wider about people being more cautious about speaking their minds? according to a poll, in normal life people are checking what they say, not to get a laugh, but for fear of being laughed at. they told the pollsters they stop themselves from expressing what they really think on some social and political topics, because they are worried about being judged. 57% of those asked said they self—censor on topics like immigration and transgender rights, particularly if their opinions are seen as less politically correct. perhaps it's obvious that they don't speak openly with people they've just met — nearly half said they don't. but 40% keep views quiet at work, and nearly one third don't tell friends their real views on these subjects either. so, do punters at the frog and bucket stop themselves from saying what they think? i'm reasonably confident in my own views and opinions that i would say what i think. but equally, i'm sensitive to people's feelings. i'm not worried about being judged. i'd ratherjust not say something because i don't think it's right. i suppose too being judged, yeah. i think that might be people trapped a bit in the past. is that an answer — that society is changing and outdated views are being weeded out, on the comedy stage and in real life? yes, says the night's compere. no one is being censored, i don't think. i think that had i done this gig tonight dressed as an ss officer, and thrown around racial slurs, i'd still been booked to do tonight, but i wouldn't be booked in the future. everyone can say what they want, no one is being stopped. if you are going to come out and be hate filled or transphobic or homophobic, or racist, it's also the right of the person booking you to not want you any more. that's not being cancelled, that's being unemployed. 0k, mr brooke, can you tell me last time you were weighed, what was your weight? eight pound, four ounces. culture so often leads the way on the big issues of our time. what happens in the comedy world matters and is being mirrored in this audience's daily life too, as we all navigate what we want to or i can say, and what it's best not to. katie razzall, bbc news, manchester. 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 patients' 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 sometimes for the duration of the visit. he'll be just upstairs gaming all the time and they'll be shouting and cursing. stephen and louise are describing life with their 16—year—old son, who suffers from gaming disorder. those aren't their real names. we're protecting their identities. its controversial condition defined by the world health organization by three characteristics — impaired control when gaming, prioritising gaming over other interests and escalation of gaming, despite negative consequences. the games industry, and some psychologists, question evidence used to define the disorder. until quite recently in the uk, help for problems like this could only be sought via private health care. the nhs has created a specialist clinic for treatment of the condition via therapy. hello, national centre for gaming disorder. based in west london, it's part of the national centre for behavioural addictions. this is the first time cameras have been allowed to film inside the gaming clinic. we know that gaming disorder is quite a rare condition. so the symptoms of gaming disorder can be really quite severe, which has surprised us. so they can struggle with anger, anxiety and low mood. often, they also experience physical symptoms in terms of loss of sleep, and that's often because people will be gaming at night to connect with gamers of abroad. so we need to think of the groups we iare going to start in the new year. i this is the only nhs clinic in the uk treating gaming disorder. its patients are spread out across england and wales and they 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. so we're 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 a small percentage of people who are having a massive problem with it, and it is genuinely affecting the quality—of—life and their ability to interact and their ability to function. we opened our doors at the end of 2019. we've had well over 300 referrals since then, 200 just in 2021. it's very strongly waited in favour of the male. so we've seen 89% of people are male. stephen and louise's 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. what was most helpful for us is talking to other parents. . they made a special support group for parents of the same _ gaming addiction, whatever you want to call it. - we meet once a fortnight on zoom to discuss how we are doing. - more than anything else, i think the greatest thing about that in terms of benefit is to realise that you're not alone. there's loads of other people up and down the country and all across the world going through the exact same situation. what do you think the future looks like for your son and what you think the future looks like for you as a family? i feel optimistic because on facebook, i fell a lot| of people very like our son, but they are adults now, i and i follow them because they are hugely insightful, - but also really helps me feel he will find his way. - the race for christmas number one is on and youtuber ladbaby is hoping to take the festive top spot for the fourth year in a row. the husband and wife duo have teamed up with some of the biggest names in the business, ed sheeran and sir eltonjohn, to release a charity adaptation of their latest hit single. all proceeds will go the trussell trust, as our entertainment correspondent, colin paterson, has been finding out. we have set you up a box on the end of the tables. ed sheeran and ladbaby — an unlikely christmas collaboration. laundry detergent, some macaroni. the waveney food bank in suffolk distributed almost 12,000 emergency food parcels last year. so some extra help from the christmas number one contenders was very much appreciated. perfect. for three years in a row, ladbaby�*s sausage roll—themed songs have topped the charts at christmas, raising money for food banks. this year, there is all—star support. ed sheeran and sir eltonjohn. no pressure. the two musical heavyweights helped give their current number one single, merry christmas, a pastry snack makeover. # it's christmas time, sausage rolls and wine. # we'll have a good night and a merry christmas.# it came about when ed messaged us last year on instagram. what i love about christmas is the christmas songs and stuff having a little bit of humour in it. i feel like with the x factor, that was lost. i feel like every year it was just the x factor winner. when streaming came in, it started to be people who streamed a lot at christmas. what mark and rox brought back was basically, like, a feel—good factor to christmas songs but also a massively important light being shone on a great charity and a great cause. he told us he had written one with elton and we got to hear it very early on. we got to feel festive in summer and listen to it quite early on, which was exciting. the pressure... how do you take a song that has got sir eltonjohn and ed sheeran on it and try to rewrite it? elton was super up for it. he again loves the whole concept... he basically got his companion of honour from buckingham palace the morning that he recorded his sausage roll bits and he rung me afterwards, just being like, "life has a funny way of reminding you sometimes." and history could be made. the spice girls and the beatles managed three christmas number ones in a row. this would be ladbaby�*s fourth. who was your favourite spice girl? who was your favourite beatle? i mean, i'll go for my favourite spice girl. definitely. definitely scary. that's why i married a scary spice. i always thought i was posh but i think i'm more sort of geri, to be fair. i was always a geri. green beans, fruit cocktail. one person who has benefited from the food donated here is louise clarke, a supervising assistant at a primary school in diss. two years ago, she used the food bank at hope church to help her get her feet back on the ground. it was a case of paying a bill for the roof over my head and not being able to sleep because i'd be so hungry, or coming up to the food bank, engaging, getting food and support and being able to keep that roof over my head and not be going into massive rent arrears. back at the distribution centre, before he left, ed sheeran had a gift for everyone. merry christmas. colin patterson, bbc news, suffolk. it's one of the biggest lottery prizes in the world, and it takes more than three hours to choose the winning numbers, but spanish lottery enthusiasts may have struggled this year to buy tickets. lottery sellers have been on strike, in protest over low rates of commission on ticket sales for el gordo, or "the fat one". they're protesting outside the opera house in madrid, where the draw is currently taking place. with a prize fund of nearly 2.5 billion euros, the strike could prevent winners of smaller prizes from cashing their tickets. crowds gathered at stonehenge to watch the sunrise after the winter solstice. traditionally observed by druids and pagans, they were joined by many others to celebrate the end of the longest night of the year. it marks the point when the north pole has its maximum tilt away from the sun. and from now on, of course, the days start to get longer. now it's time for a look at the weather. cold and frosty first thing but the story is set to change, as high pressure slips off into the continent and allows this area of low pressure to influence the story. it's bring in milder, wetter weather, and here the first signs, with the rain pushing into western fringes in the next few hours, drifting steadily north and east. early morning sunshine gradually eroded as we start to see some cloud across central and southern england. the rain gradually moving north—east, with a cold day for many of us, around two to 6 degrees. behind the weather front, the mild air started to nudge in, so we will see nine degrees in northern ireland and perhaps parts of cornwall. the wet weather continuing to push steadily north and east, fragmenting a bit and becoming showery. if we get breaks in the cloud, we could see icy stretches in north—east scotland and england, and a chilly start here. out to the west, double figures to start thursday morning. all change. still that southerly wind continuing to push milder air in from the south—west, behind the weather fronts. in from the south—west, behind the weatherfronts. they in from the south—west, behind the weather fronts. they will bring some fairly erratic outbreaks of rain at times, light and patch in england and wales, heavier births potentially in northern ireland, scotland and north—east england. still that cold air in place but behind it northern ireland, england and wales, a noticeable difference to the weather. for christmas eve, it looks like we will start with a fair amount of cloud and more wet weather pushing into the far south—west. the best sunshine for christmas eve in eastern scotland and north—east england, still chilly, but double figures in the south—west. here comes the complication for christmas day. as the milder air pumped into the colder air, where they meet, the potential for some sleet and snow, so some of us mightjust see a white christmas. most likely to be across northern england, the north pennines, down into the midland, albeit fairly light and patchy, as this weather front drift steadily north and east. the best of the dry, sunny weather on christmas day likely to be scotland and north—east england. take care. changes to quarantine rules in england for those with covid — isolation can end after seven days, not ten, if you have two negative lateral flow tests. for many, it means christmas plans and trips to see family could now be back on the cards. saved christmas for me. i thought i was kind of here till midnight on boxing day in self—isolation, so i can go back to the family home now and see my young daughter. the change is based on the latest guidance from health experts, say ministers. people can leave isolation after day seven, as long as they've taken these two lateral flow tests and the results are negative. the protection it provides is very similar to ten days of isolation, without tests. we'll be looking at the science behind this reduction in the quarantine period. also this lunchtime: