in colour for the first time on christmas day. and liverpool leave it late, but complete a dramatic fightback against leicester with victory in a penalty shootout, to reach the league cup semi—finals. hello, good morning. downing street says it is continuing to monitor coronavirus data, after two early studies in the uk indicated that the omicron variant may cause milder illness than delta, with patients less likely to need hospital treatment. scientists say the research is "good news to a degree", but a big wave of infections could yet overwhelm the health service. the uk reported more than 106,000 new daily infections for the first time yesteday. and the latest seven—day average graph shows 91,888 daily confirmed coronavirus cases. the prime minister warns that 0micron is surging across the country "faster than anything we have seen before". here's our health correspondent, katharine da costa. early data from south africa, and now studies in england and scotland, are pointing in the same direction. 0micron infections may be milder and leading to fewer hospital admissions. research by imperial college london found around a 40% reduction in the risk of being admitted to hospitalfor a night or more, compared to delta. a scottish study suggested there was a 65% lower risk of being hospitalized with 0micron, but it was based on only a few cases. while in south africa, 0micron patients were thought to be around 75% less likely to need hospital treatment. rather than 0micron being fundamentally milder, scientists think it's partly due to immunity in the population from previous infection and vaccination. it's still early days, but scientists say it's good news, to a degree. it's very important to recognize that, even if there were, say, a 50% reduction in the rate of hospitalisation, because it's doubling every two days, that 50% will soon just be overwhelmed by the increasing case numbers. so, the total impact of 0micron is still very, very significant, because it's such a highly transmissible virus and it's growing so quickly. in the face of rapidly rising infections, record numbers of boosters are now being administered. 30 million have beenjabbed so far. from the new year, boosters will be offered to all over—16s, as well as at—risk 12 to 15—year—olds, those living with someone with a weakened immune system, and teenagers who are immunosuppressed themselves will get a fourth jab. for the first time, 5 to 11—year—olds in the uk, with specific health conditions, will be offered two smaller doses of the pfizer vaccine eight weeks apart. christmas may be just days away, but scientists are working flat—out to provide the data governments need to make tough decisions on how best to respond to the virus. katherine da costa, bbc news. with me is our political correspondent ben wright. there is still a sense of people wanting more clarity, i think, with this new data showing that may be the effect is weaker, but we're still hearing about huge pressures on the health service and we are seeing other regions around the uk taking tougher measures potentially after christmas.— after christmas. yes, it is the attern after christmas. yes, it is the pattern we — after christmas. yes, it is the pattern we have _ after christmas. yes, it is the pattern we have seen - after christmas. yes, it is the . pattern we have seen throughout after christmas. yes, it is the - pattern we have seen throughout the pandemic come in different parts of the uk have taken their own approach to how to handle coronavirus. that is certainly the case now. england is certainly the case now. england is a part from wales, scotland and northern ireland, who have set out their measures for the restrictions they will put in place after christmas day, whereas for boris johnson and the uk government, the plan is still to wait and see. there will be no new measures announced before christmas day, we don't expect any other announcements before christmas day about what might follow boxing day as well. for people wanting certainty around their new year plans, for the coming weeks, if you are in england, we don't have it yet.— weeks, if you are in england, we don't have it yet. boris johnson has written a short _ don't have it yet. boris johnson has written a short message _ don't have it yet. boris johnson has written a short message in - don't have it yet. boris johnson has written a short message in the - don't have it yet. boris johnson has| written a short message in the sun, or someone has written it for him! he has done a recorded message earlier this week, but he's not taking questions. h0. earlier this week, but he's not taking questions.— earlier this week, but he's not taking questions. no, that is the big difference, _ taking questions. no, that is the big difference, we _ taking questions. no, that is the big difference, we have - taking questions. no, that is the big difference, we have had - taking questions. no, that is the | big difference, we have had press conferences from the first ministers of northern ireland, scotland and wales letting people know what is going on, the thinking behind the action. this week from number 10, we had a pre—recorded video message of borisjohnson on tuesday after the boris johnson on tuesday after the cabinet decided not to take borisjohnson on tuesday after the cabinet decided not to take action and today a few words in the sun urging people to be extremely careful, but that is not the same transparency right now from the westminster government we have seen in other parts of the uk. for westminster government we have seen in other parts of the uk.— in other parts of the uk. for now, thanks very _ in other parts of the uk. for now, thanks very much _ in other parts of the uk. for now, thanks very much indeed. - more on this a little later when we speak to a member of the government's sage environmental modelling group — dr sean fitzgerald. britain may follow israel and germany in approving the rollout of a fourth covid—i9 vaccine. thejoint committee on vaccination and immunisation will look at data on protection from three jabs and hospitalisation from the new 0micron variant, before making a decision on a second booster. professor anthony harnden is deputy chair of the jcvi. we need to see more data on whether there is waning immunity after the third dose of vaccine, and we also need to see whether there is an increased hospitalisation risk months after the third dose — ie, the booster dose of the vaccine. so, there's quite a lot of data we need to review before we make any decision on a fourth dose. and of course, any decision about that will be based on the epidemiology — that's the frequency of distribution of this virus — at that particular time, and whether variant vaccines are available or not. so there's lots of things to think about before we make any decisions on this. the days following christmas will see the return of some coronavirus restrictions in many parts of the uk, in response to concerns over the 0micron variant. some of the devolved administrations announced new measures yesterday, which will come into effect from boxing day. let's take a look at what is being introduced. in northern ireland, nightclubs will be closed from boxing day. from december 27th, hospitality will return to table service only, with no more than six people allowed to sit together. and people will be advised to reduce indoor mixing to a maximum of three households. in scotland, from boxing day, there will be limits on the size of live public events for at least three weeks. from the following day, pubs, bars and other hospitality venues will return to table service only, and one—metre social distancing is required in these settings, with no more than three households in each group. and the restrictions introduced in wales include a return of the rule of six in pubs, cinemas and restaurants. two—metre social—distancing rules will also be reintroduced in public places. nightclubs will close from boxing day. well, pubs and restaurants in wales say they fear they could be "crippled" by those boxing day restrictions. 0ur wales correspondent tomos morgan reports. from boxing day, it'll feel like deja vu again in wales. the rule of six will be back. table service will be needed at licensed premises. and nightclubs have been told they must shut altogether. another blow for an industry reeling after a difficult 18 months, and one that was expecting a bumper christmas. probably the thing that underpins it the most is customer confidence. so all of these messages say that hospitality is not safe, and it is safe. of course, it'll mean a decline in footfall, a decline in sales. you know, going into the start of the year, when we were hopefully looking forward with a bit of optimism, we're on the back foot again and having to restart things. although an extra £120 million has been set aside to help those affected, some businesses took to social media yesterday bemoaning the announcement, with some suggesting they couldn't operate under these new measures. later today, the economy minister will outline how the extra money will be divided amongst those affected. in addition, spectators at sports and large events will be banned for now, while only guidance has been put in place for household mixing. there is a limit of 30 indoors, before breaking the law. the decision was made in order to protect the nhs from further pressure this winter. the question many are asking, though, is for how long will restrictions be in place this time around? tomos morgan, bbc news, cardiff. still on 0micron and, of course, the concern remains even if it is milder, the sheer number of cases could overwhelm hospitals. the variant is spreading rapidly across europe and around the world as tanya dendrinos reports. a silver lining just in time for christmas, but while preliminary studies suggest the 0micron variant appears to be milder, its rate of transmission is another story altogether. 0micron is already the dominant strain in a number of countries, including the uk, portugal and denmark. and according to the world health organization, that will soon be the case right across europe. there is no doubt that europe once again is the epicentre of the global pandemic. the top ten countries with the highest mortality are in europe and central asia. in spain, the variant is believed to account for almost half of all infections. in response to the rapid rise, prime minister pedro sanchez has announced plans to reintroduce mandatory face coverings outdoors. still, there's a hint of optimism. translation: this is not| march 2020, and this is not last year's christmas. fortunately, we are living in another time. 90% of people aged 12 and over have been vaccinated. this time last year, nobody was. belgium is also tightening restrictions. from sunday, most indoor activities will be banned, cinemas and theatres will close, and there'll be a two—person limit set for shopping. the united states, where 0micron is also the dominant strain, saw its seven—day average of covid—19 cases jump by 25% on the previous week. as festive celebrations draw closer, the message is one of caution. would it be safe for individuals who are vaccinated, who got boosted, to get together with family in the setting of the home? the answer to that is, yes. but i want to make sure this is not confused with going to a large gathering, and there are many of these. parties that have 30, 40, 50 people, in which you do not know the vaccination status of individuals. in china, it's a strict zero—covid strategy. more than 13 million people in the city of xi'an have been ordered to lock down, as authorities look to control an outbreak. it's recorded 143 infections since december 9th. the country on high alert, ahead of the winter games in february. right around the world, it's clear managing the pandemic remains a difficult task. two years on, and the balance is still difficult to strike. tanya dendrinos, bbc news. dr sean fitzgerald is from the engineering department at the university of cambridge. he sits on the government's sage environmental modelling group. he is speaking to us in a personal capacity. thank you forjoining us. it seems potentially good news if 0micron is a bit less severe. do you think overall, we need more restrictions in england and across the uk? i think overall, we all need to be cautious and do what we can collectively, so it isn'tjust about whatever restrictions may be imposed by the government, it is actually about what we do as individuals. there is a collective responsibility and therefore it is taking precautions. the most important is getting a jab and the practical things like lateral flow testing before you see people, limiting contact and if you are socialising, do so in sensible manner such as adequate ventilation.— do so in sensible manner such as adequate ventilation. what does that mean, how adequate ventilation. what does that mean. how many _ adequate ventilation. what does that mean, how many people _ adequate ventilation. what does that mean, how many people in _ adequate ventilation. what does that mean, how many people in a - adequate ventilation. what does that mean, how many people in a room . adequate ventilation. what does that i mean, how many people in a room over christmas day and boxing day is it safe to have with a window or door open? safe to have with a window or door 0 en? ~ ., , ., , safe to have with a window or door oen? ~ ., , ., safe to have with a window or door oen?. ., , ., open? well, the more people that you have or more — open? well, the more people that you have or more households _ open? well, the more people that you have or more households in _ have or more households in particular that you get together on any given occasion increase the risk of transmission because it is really between households we are most concerned about. limiting that is a good idea. in terms of the amount of ventilation you need in a space, i think we can all tell, we don't have a carbon dioxide monitor in our house, but we all carry a sensor called a nose and you know if you are in a space that smells fresh or if it is stuffy and it is a good last result centre and we should be using it rather more than perhaps we do. i am using it rather more than perhaps we do. iam not using it rather more than perhaps we do. i am not suggesting we have a howling gale blowing through the dining room and spoiling a christmas dinner. i am suggesting however that we crack as many windows open, high—level ones in particular, because you won't get a cold draft as easily with high windows, but get as easily with high windows, but get as many of them open and a good air distribution through the room and crossed low to sweep out viruses from any unfortunate person who might be in your presence that is infectious. ., . ., infectious. even with a much more transmissible _ infectious. even with a much more transmissible variant _ infectious. even with a much more transmissible variant that - infectious. even with a much more transmissible variant that omicron transmissible variant that 0micron is, opening a window with ten, 15 people in a room is going to keep you safe or is that impossible to say? ii you safe or is that impossible to sa ? ., , ., ' , ., , you safe or is that impossible to sa? ., say? if it was ten to 15 people in a room, i would _ say? if it was ten to 15 people in a room, i would really _ say? if it was ten to 15 people in a room, i would really like - say? if it was ten to 15 people in a room, i would really like to - say? if it was ten to 15 people in a room, i would really like to see i room, i would really like to see more than one window open. most houses will have more than one open window in a room with that many people. we want to crack as many of the high level windows and you can open to get a decent air distribution within the space and get enough fresh air in the space as well. ~ ., get enough fresh air in the space as well. . ., ., ,., get enough fresh air in the space as well. ~ ., ., ,., ., ., , well. what about wearing masks indoors whilst _ well. what about wearing masks indoors whilst people _ well. what about wearing masks indoors whilst people are - well. what about wearing masksj indoors whilst people are mixing over christmas and boxing day, would you advise that?— you advise that? certainly, if you are auoin you advise that? certainly, if you are going to _ you advise that? certainly, if you are going to be — you advise that? certainly, if you are going to be with _ you advise that? certainly, if you are going to be with family, - you advise that? certainly, if you are going to be with family, you | you advise that? certainly, if you - are going to be with family, you may be sharing a drink or food are going to be with family, you may be sharing a drink orfood and wearing a mask is just not practical. i probably won't be wearing a mask indoors with my family because we are going to take all of the other precautions we can, lateral flow testing before we get together, making sure we try and keep our distance, i am not going to be in close proximity especially with more elderly relatives. i would love to give them a hug, but i don't want to give them the worst christmas present ever if i happen to be infectious.— to be infectious. people are thinking, — to be infectious. people are thinking, omicron - to be infectious. people are thinking, omicron looks - to be infectious. people are thinking, omicron looks a l to be infectious. people are. thinking, omicron looks a bit to be infectious. people are - thinking, omicron looks a bit less thinking, 0micron looks a bit less severe, we can relax a bit, what would you say to that and are you expecting any more government announcements in the next week on restrictions? 50. announcements in the next week on restrictions?— restrictions? so, iwould say 'ust t and restrictions? so, iwould say 'ust try and act— restrictions? so, iwould say 'ust try and act cautiously. * restrictions? so, iwould say 'ust try and act cautiously. much h restrictions? so, iwould sayjust try and act cautiously. much as l try and act cautiously. much as though i told my identical twin brother, i have not seen him for weeks, i wanted to give him a hug indoors, we didn't. i thought the worst present i could give him would be covid if i happen to be infectious. we took lateral flow test before, but they are not bullet—proof. so i really would try and be cautious. and do i expect more restrictions after christmas? i really don't know. it looks likely. in fact, just everyday, are hearing about emerging things that it might not be quite as severe, but more importantly, i think we can all play a part by being cautious now to reduce the risk of restrictions being imposed. ithink reduce the risk of restrictions being imposed. i think we can all do this together, it isn'tjust about restrictions. this together, it isn't 'ust about restrictionsh this together, it isn't 'ust about restrictions. ., ,, , ., , . restrictions. thank you very much indeed, dr _ restrictions. thank you very much indeed, dr sean _ restrictions. thank you very much indeed, dr sean fitzgerald. - restrictions. thank you very much l indeed, dr sean fitzgerald. hoping you have a say family christmas, thank you. the headlines on bbc news... people with 0micron are less likely to end up in hospital, as studies suggest it could be milder than previous covid variants. scientists say they're "cautiously optimistic", but warn the sheer number of infections could still lead to hospitals being overwhelmed homeless at christmas. a charity's hiring out hotel rooms to help rough sleepers over the festive season. sport, and for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre, here's... mike. good morning. premier league managers are meeting today to discuss issues around covid. liverpool were missing several key players, who were still—isolating last night, and it made for a tense night on the touchline for yurgen klopp, as he watched his side come back to beat leicester and reach the league cup semi—finals. james maddison put leicester 3—1 ahead, with this brilliant strike from range. diogojota made it 3—2, but it looked like that wouldn't be enough, untiltakumi minamino hit the equaliser, five minutes into injury time. it went to penalites — and jota scored the winner, to give liverpool a semi—final meeting with arsenal. last season's beaten finalists, tottenham, are also in the semis after a crazy five minutes and three goals meant they beat west ham 2—1. lucas moura with the winnerfor spurs. and they will face chelsea, after two late goals, giving them victory over brentford — an own goal, followed by a jorginho penalty. now, scottish premiership clubs have agreed to bring forward their winter break because of the new covid restrictions in the country. from boxing day, only 500 spectators will be allowed at games so, after then, the season will pause until the end of january. there were full crowds last night, though — and a depleted st mirren side held celtic to a goalless draw. st mirren had tried, twice, to have the game postponed, after 11 players tested positive. shaun maloney got off to the perfect start as hibernian manager — he described his side as "incredible", after their 1—nil win over aberdeen — ryan porteous with the goal. ross county beat stjohnstone in the night's other game. the head of the players�* football union, maheta molango, says those playing the game should have a say as to whether football continues in england. premier league clubs decided on monday to not make any changes to the festive schedule. but molango believes it should be the players on the pitch who decide whether to have a break or not. what over —— what has been clear over the last few months is without players, there is no game. and therefore, i think what we have learned over the last month is that the two key stakeholders such as the fans and the players a lot of the time have not been given the voice they deserve and the fans and the players are the heart of this. ahead of the ashes test, which starts late on christmas day, england's cricketers aren't the only one struggling, because ireland have suffered a shock defeat by the usa in their first t20 international in florida. it was the first time the americans had faced a top side on home soil — and they were 16—1l inside five overs, but then they rallied to post a mammoth 188—6. ireland, 17 places higher in the world rankings, fell well short, losing by 26 runs. the sides play one more t20 game, then a three—match, one—day series. that's all the sport for now. ghislaine maxwell will spend christmas day, her 60th birthday, behind bars, after thejury in her sex crimes trial suspended deliberations on wednesday without reaching a verdict. the judge granted a request from the jurors that they take thursday off and told them to return on monday, after the christmas holiday. the british socialite — a close associate of the late convicted abuserjeffrey epstein — denies eight counts of sex trafficking and other crimes. many of us, covid permitting, will be looking forward to enjoying christmas in the company of friends and family but, for some, a roof over their head and a warm bed is all they ask for. the homeless charity crisis says that on any given night, tens of thousands of people don't have a place to sleep so, for the next two weeks, it's booked out a number of hotels in london for those who would otherwise be spending the festive period on the streets. and we can speak to danjohnson now, who's at one of those shelters in central london. yes, this is one of those hotels opening its doors this morning for rough sleepers, offering a bed to people over the next two weeks. this is something crisis has done for half a century now, it must have helped thousands of people over those years. john is the chief executive of the charity, with us this morning. jason is one of the volunteers helping out. john, what you think you have achieved in those 50 years, how many people have you helped? it} 50 years, how many people have you heled? ii , ., , 50 years, how many people have you heled? :: , ., , , 50 years, how many people have you hel-ed? :: , ., , , ., 50 years, how many people have you heled? :: , ., , , ., , 50 years, how many people have you heled? ii, , , ., helped? 50 years is no cause for celebration _ helped? 50 years is no cause for celebration when _ helped? 50 years is no cause for celebration when there - helped? 50 years is no cause for celebration when there are - helped? 50 years is no cause for celebration when there are still. celebration when there are still 227,000 — celebration when there are still 227,000 households experiencing homelessness. but what we have done over the _ homelessness. but what we have done over the years is help thousands of people. _ over the years is help thousands of people, engage many thousands of volunteers and helped people to move on with— volunteers and helped people to move on with their lives and away from homelessness.— on with their lives and away from homelessness. what do people get while they are _ homelessness. what do people get while they are here _ homelessness. what do people get while they are here for— homelessness. what do people get while they are here for the - homelessness. what do people get while they are here for the next - while they are here for the next fortnight? while they are here for the next fortniuht? ~ , .,, , fortnight? well people here, they will let a fortnight? well people here, they will get a place — fortnight? well people here, they will get a place to _ fortnight? well people here, they will get a place to sleep, - fortnight? well people here, they will get a place to sleep, hot - will get a place to sleep, hot meals. — will get a place to sleep, hot meals, companionship, clothing, vaccinations and of course that vital _ vaccinations and of course that vital link — vaccinations and of course that vital link to our year—round services _ vital link to our year-round services-— vital link to our year-round services. i ., ,., ., ., ., vital link to our year-round services. ., ., ., services. jason, what role are you -la in: ? services. jason, what role are you playing? i — services. jason, what role are you playing? i volunteer— services. jason, what role are you playing? i volunteer as _ services. jason, what role are you playing? i volunteer as a - services. jason, what role are you playing? i volunteer as a health i playing? i volunteer as a health care _ playing? i volunteer as a health care manager, _ playing? i volunteer as a health care manager, i— playing? i volunteer as a health care manager, i support- playing? i volunteer as a health care manager, i support the - playing? i volunteer as a health - care manager, i support the doctors, nurses, _ care manager, i support the doctors, nurses, pharmacists, _ care manager, i support the doctors, nurses, pharmacists, podiatrists, - nurses, pharmacists, podiatrists, nurses, _ nurses, pharmacists, podiatrists, nurses, we — nurses, pharmacists, podiatrists, nurses, we provide _ nurses, pharmacists, podiatrists, nurses, we provide teams- nurses, pharmacists, podiatrists, nurses, we provide teams in- nurses, pharmacists, podiatrists, nurses, we provide teams in thel nurses, we provide teams in the hotels — nurses, we provide teams in the hotels we — nurses, we provide teams in the hotels we are _ nurses, we provide teams in the hotels. we are encouraging - nurses, we provide teams in the . hotels. we are encouraging people nurses, we provide teams in the - hotels. we are encouraging people to -et hotels. we are encouraging people to get vaccinated — hotels. we are encouraging people to get vaccinated this _ hotels. we are encouraging people to get vaccinated this year _ hotels. we are encouraging people to get vaccinated this year and - hotels. we are encouraging people to get vaccinated this year and working i get vaccinated this year and working with st _ get vaccinated this year and working with st john's — get vaccinated this year and working with st john's ambulance _ get vaccinated this year and working with st john's ambulance and - get vaccinated this year and working with st john's ambulance and the i get vaccinated this year and working i with stjohn's ambulance and the nhs to offer— with stjohn's ambulance and the nhs to offer vaccinations _ with stjohn's ambulance and the nhs to offer vaccinations across _ with stjohn's ambulance and the nhs to offer vaccinations across all- with stjohn's ambulance and the nhs to offer vaccinations across all our- to offer vaccinations across all our centres _ to offer vaccinations across all our centres. , , ,., , ., to offer vaccinations across all our centres. , , , ., ., centres. this is something you have done for many _ centres. this is something you have done for many years? _ centres. this is something you have done for many years? yes, - centres. this is something you have done for many years? yes, this - centres. this is something you have done for many years? yes, this is i centres. this is something you have l done for many years? yes, this is my 19th ear, done for many years? yes, this is my 19th year. so — done for many years? yes, this is my 19th year. so a _ done for many years? yes, this is my 19th year, so a lot _ done for many years? yes, this is my 19th year, so a lot of— done for many years? yes, this is my 19th year, so a lot of experience. - 19th year, so a lot of experience. what _ 19th year, so a lot of experience. what keeps — 19th year, so a lot of experience. what keeps you _ 19th year, so a lot of experience. what keeps you coming - 19th year, so a lot of experience. what keeps you coming back? i 19th year, so a lot of experience. i what keeps you coming back? the energy— what keeps you coming back? the energy from — what keeps you coming back? the energy from crisis, _ what keeps you coming back? the energy from crisis, making - what keeps you coming back? the energy from crisis, making that i energy from crisis, making that difference — energy from crisis, making that difference and _ energy from crisis, making that difference and recognising - energy from crisis, making that| difference and recognising crisis christmas — difference and recognising crisis christmas is _ difference and recognising crisis christmas is a _ difference and recognising crisis christmas is a big _ difference and recognising crisis christmas is a big focal- difference and recognising crisis christmas is a big focal point - difference and recognising crisis christmas is a big focal point for supporting — christmas is a big focal point for supporting people _ christmas is a big focal point for supporting people in— christmas is a big focal point for supporting people in many- christmas is a big focal point for- supporting people in many different ways also— supporting people in many different ways also crisis _ supporting people in many different ways also crisis works _ supporting people in many different ways also crisis works across - supporting people in many different ways also crisis works across the i ways also crisis works across the encouraging _ ways also crisis works across the encouraging people _ ways also crisis works across the encouraging people to _ ways also crisis works across the encouraging people to work - ways also crisis works across the encouraging people to work and i encouraging people to work and engage — encouraging people to work and engage with _ encouraging people to work and engage with crisis _ encouraging people to work and engage with crisis and - encouraging people to work and engage with crisis and join - encouraging people to work and engage with crisis and join in i engage with crisis and join in participating _ engage with crisis and join in participating crisis— engage with crisis and join in participating crisis or - engage with crisis and join in - participating crisis or year—round, and that— participating crisis or year—round, and that is — participating crisis or year—round, and that is where _ participating crisis or year—round, and that is where we _ participating crisis or year—round, and that is where we can - participating crisis or year—round, and that is where we can help- participating crisis or year—round, i and that is where we can help move people _ and that is where we can help move people out— and that is where we can help move people out of— and that is where we can help move people out of homelessness. - and that is where we can help move people out of homelessness. john, i and that is where we can help move people out of homelessness. john, it is ureat people out of homelessness. john, it is great you — people out of homelessness. john, it is great you can _ people out of homelessness. john, it is great you can offer _ people out of homelessness. john, it is great you can offer this _ people out of homelessness. john, it is great you can offer this over - is great you can offer this over christmas, what about the rest of the year? it is a year—round issue. we will be providing services year round, _ we will be providing services year round, when we get to the end of the christmas _ round, when we get to the end of the christmas period, we will make sure as many— christmas period, we will make sure as many people as possible are linked — as many people as possible are linked into services.— as many people as possible are linked into services. what about the eo - le linked into services. what about the --eole at linked into services. what about the people at the _ linked into services. what about the people at the start _ linked into services. what about the people at the start of _ linked into services. what about the people at the start of the _ linked into services. what about the | people at the start of the pandemic, we heard everyone got a bed and was looked after, what happened after that and why did that not continue? the campaign was extraordinary and very successful and it did save lives — very successful and it did save lives but _ very successful and it did save lives. but of course, the underlying causes _ lives. but of course, the underlying causes of— lives. but of course, the underlying causes of homelessness haven't gone away and _ causes of homelessness haven't gone away and they will be with us until we make — away and they will be with us until we make those big policy changes to take them _ we make those big policy changes to take them away. things like the housing — take them away. things like the housing first work in manchester, liverpoot— housing first work in manchester, liverpool and birmingham, those decisions — liverpool and birmingham, those decisions need to be taken. until they are — decisions need to be taken. until they are taken, we will be here to help every— they are taken, we will be here to help every christmas.— they are taken, we will be here to help every christmas. thank you, i a- reciate help every christmas. thank you, i appreciate your — help every christmas. thank you, i appreciate your time _ help every christmas. thank you, i appreciate your time this - help every christmas. thank you, i appreciate your time this morning. help every christmas. thank you, i i appreciate your time this morning. a lot of work to do, lots of volunteers helping out here and lots of rough sleepers taking advantage of rough sleepers taking advantage of what is on offer here. it is worth remembering homelessness isn't just about rough sleeping and street homelessness, it comes in many different forms. there will be people sofa surfing this christmas trying to find somewhere to keep warm and some are safe to sleep. for now, thanks very much indeed in central london, danjohnson. a lost episode of the morecambe & wise show has been discovered in an attic after more than 50 years. it hasn't been seen since it was broadcast in october 1970, but will be shown on bbc two this christmas, as our media and arts correspondent david sillito reports. morecambe & wise, 0ctober1970, and what would become a familiar setting for many classic sketches — eric and ernie at home in pyjamas. and the name on the card is mr eric morecambe. - hello, mr morecambe. hello, hello! are you there, mr morgan? yes. speak up. _ but unlike so many of their shows, this hasn't been repeatedly re—shown. it was thought to have been lost. that is until eric's son gary paid a visit to his mother's attic. i was rummaging around mainly looking for paperwork. i was looking, actually, for old scripts, because some of them had gone missing. and then i came across all these cylinders. i thought very little of them, except they were big and old and were worth bringing down. he had no idea what was in the canisters until he got a call from someone who finally watched the footage and told him... i think you'll be very surprised to learn you've just found a missing show. and i really was, i was staggered. i thought that was incredible. would you care to try to hit me over the head with your umbrella, sir? hit you over the head with my umbrella? i yes, please. all right, if you insist. i didn't realise, at that point, just how far the bbc would go then to present it. that it would then get colourised, for instance, which is fantastic. so it's been brought bang up to date. don't light your pipe in here, it's not allowed! look out, the nurse is coming. get rid of it, quick. and also, what's really good is the quality. the quality of the show itself. you can see the embryonic morecambe and wise come through, and that's fantastic. so now, restored and colourised, a chance to see a bit of comedy history which has, until now, been lost in the family attic. mr morecambe. yes, that's true, that's true. mr morecambe. yes, that's me. | for £85.| oh, yes. do you have any idea whose voice this is? i it's you! david sillito, bbc news. fantastic. we can now speak to gary morecambe, son of eric morecambe. congratulations on finding this episode, how exactly did you come across it? ., , _ ., .. ., across it? clearly by accident, to be honest- _ across it? clearly by accident, to be honest- i _ across it? clearly by accident, to be honest. i mean, _ across it? clearly by accident, to be honest. i mean, it— across it? clearly by accident, to be honest. i mean, it has- across it? clearly by accident, to be honest. i mean, it has taken| across it? clearly by accident, to i be honest. i mean, it has taken 40 be honest. i mean, it has taken a0 years to sort the house out, hasn't it? it is a bit appalling. i should point out my mother's attic is like something out of indiana jones, you don't want to go in there. i finally got around to it and i was looking for scripts, as i said, and got around to it and i was looking forscripts, as i said, and i got around to it and i was looking for scripts, as i said, and ijust came across these canisters and that was how we found this incredible missing show. bud was how we found this incredible missing show-— was how we found this incredible missing show. and tell us about it, is it a classic? _ missing show. and tell us about it, is it a classic? well, _ missing show. and tell us about it, is it a classic? well, it _ missing show. and tell us about it, is it a classic? well, it is _ missing show. and tell us about it, is it a classic? well, it is always . is it a classic? well, it is always a classic with _ is it a classic? well, it is always a classic with morecambe - is it a classic? well, it is always a classic with morecambe and i is it a classic? well, it is always i a classic with morecambe and wise and this is eddie braden on board so you have the embryonic morecambe and wise coming through. 0bviously, they are not as they quite were by 1975. the illusion of ernie being a great playwright and all that, that had not begun. but the rest of the format and the introduction of them sharing a bed is very interesting. you have all that coming in again, which is lovely.— you have all that coming in again, which is lovely. how did your father feel about that _ which is lovely. how did your father feel about that bed _ which is lovely. how did your father feel about that bed scene? - which is lovely. how did your father feel about that bed scene? he - which is lovely. how did your father feel about that bed scene? he was| feel about that bed scene? he was never very — feel about that bed scene? he was never very keen. _ feel about that bed scene? he was never very keen, actually. - feel about that bed scene? he was never very keen, actually. he - feel about that bed scene? he was i never very keen, actually. he wasn't keen, he thought it gave out the wrong tone somehow for two middle—aged men to be sharing a bed, back then, anyway, in that era. it was eddie braden the writer again he said, it was good enough for laurel and hardy. and that was brilliant because they were the heroes of eric and ernie, laureland hardy, because they were the heroes of eric and ernie, laurel and hardy, that is really why they were in show business because of them as a double act. so that was it and he was hooked. i don't think he ever fully enjoyed it. but in most of those episodes where he is in the bed, he smoking a pipe, he thought it was more macho to do that. in itself, it was very odd to be smoking in bed. there we go! it seemed to appease him, anyway. unlike the flat routine, it became a staple of morecambe and wise —— and like. what morecambe and wise -- and like. what was it like to — morecambe and wise -- and like. what was it like to have _ morecambe and wise -- and like. what was it like to have a _ morecambe and wise —— and like. what was it like to have a father who was a phenomenal comedic star, did you hear a lot ofjokes and sketches around the dining table, did he talk about the show with you, how was it at home? ., .,, , ., ,, about the show with you, how was it at home? ., , ., ,, ., at home? no, we mostly talked about football, to be — at home? no, we mostly talked about football, to be honest. _ at home? no, we mostly talked about football, to be honest. no, _ at home? no, we mostly talked about football, to be honest. no, we - football, to be honest. no, we didn't. and also, i am constantly asked even by extremely famous people, what was it like? and i have to say, well, i didn't really know any different. i knew friends at school and their dads and they always said to me, your dad is so much more interesting than our dad! i don't know what that means exactly, but to me, it was just dad and that is what he did. i can't really, on that. what i find more staggering when i look back is less about myself and more how long they have gone on for, nearly a0 years later, they can go out at prime time on the bbc christmas day. i mean, that to me is staggering. i think that to me is staggering. i think thatis that to me is staggering. i think that is what kind of impacts me more, those kind of thoughts. bond that is what kind of impacts me more, those kind of thoughts. and it will be broadcast _ more, those kind of thoughts. and it will be broadcast on _ more, those kind of thoughts. and it will be broadcast on colour— more, those kind of thoughts. and it will be broadcast on colour for- more, those kind of thoughts. and it will be broadcast on colour for the first time. gary moore it is great to speak to you. i know we will be watching along with many people around the country —— gary malcolm. merry christmas, thank you. bit of breaking news: the scottish government has just announced that nightclubs in scotland will close for three weeks from 27th december. previously in scotland — nightclubs , which are defined as an "�*indoor standing event�* , were to be limited to a crowd of 100 people from boxing day , but that's now been scrapped and they are going to be closed altogether for three weeks.

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