will leave millions of families struggling in 2022 — according to a leading think tank. england and manchester city footballer, raheem sterling, says society must never let its guard down over racism in the game. we tend to address it for that period, you know, that five days of that week and then normally we brush it up under the carpet, things are all fine now. we will be looking at life after brexit. claims of sleaze and rule breaking in westminster and the significance of peppa pig. that is the year in politics. welcome if you are watching in the uk or around the world. the prime minister borisjohnson has defended the decision not to impose restrictions to tackle the current spike in coronavirus infections in england saying that the omicron variant is "obviously" milder than the delta strain. he also has reiterated his call for people in the uk to come forward and get their boosterjab saying people are far more likely to get seriously ill if they've not been boosted. speaking at a vaccination centre in milton keynes in the last hour the pm said that the "overwhelming majority" of patients in intensive care had not received a booster shot. the omicron variants continues to cause real problems. we are seeing cases rising in hospitals. but it is obviously milder than the delta variant and we are able to proceed in the way that we are. but there is one reason and one reason only why we are able to do that and that is because such a huge proportion of the british public have come forward to get vaccinated, and particularly to get vaccinated, and particularly to get vaccinated, and particularly to get boosted. we have done about 32.5 million, may more, boosterjabs now. it is allowing us to go ahead with new year in the cautious way that we are. but i cannot stress too much how vital it is for everybody to get that boosterjab. particularly the 2.4 million people who have had twojobs, but particularly the 2.4 million people who have had two jobs, but haven't yet had their booster. they had two jobs more than six or seven months ago, so they are eligible for their booster, but they are not coming forward. come forward and get your booster, it is a fantastic thing to do and it makes a huge amount of difference to you, it protects you. i am sorry to say this, but the overwhelming majority of people who are currently ending up in intensive care in our hospitals are people who were not boosted. i have talked to doctors who say the numbers are running up to 90% of people in intensive care who are not boosted. if you are not vaccinated, you are eight times more likely to get into hospital altogether. eight times more likely to get into hospitalaltogether. it eight times more likely to get into hospital altogether. it is a great thing to do, it is very, very important, get boosted for yourself and enjoy new year sensibly and cautiously. and enjoy new year sensibly and cautiousl . ~ , and enjoy new year sensibly and cautiously-— cautiously. why have you acted differently _ cautiously. why have you acted differently to _ cautiously. why have you acted differently to the _ cautiously. why have you acted differently to the other - cautiously. why have you acted l differently to the other devolved nations? — differently to the other devolved nations? we differently to the other devolved nations? ~ ., ., ., ~' differently to the other devolved nations? ~ ., ., nations? we have looked at the balance of— nations? we have looked at the balance of the _ nations? we have looked at the balance of the risks. _ nations? we have looked at the balance of the risks. together l nations? we have looked at the i balance of the risks. together we can set our strategies together, we see the data showing that yes, the cases are rising and, yes, hospitalisations are rising, but what is making a huge difference is the level of booster resistance, the level of vaccine induced resistance in the population. what we need to do now is really finish off that work. i have no doubt at all that by january the 1st, by the new year, everybody, every adult in the country will have been offered the slot to get a booster. they will be given a slot to get one. are we getting people forward to take advantage of those slots? that is what needs to happen. meanwhile, the scottish parliament will be recalled this afternoon as first minister nicola sturgeon delivers an update on rising coronavirus infections. in response to a surge in cases, the scottish government has already introduced new measures, including one—metre physical distancing at large events, with limited numbers. the pressure is also mounting on health authorities in the uk to look again at how long people should isolate after a covid infection. it follows the isolation period for those testing positive in the us being reduced from ten days to just five. and uk pharmacies are warning that people are turning up to request lateral flow tests roughly every five minutes and often aren't able to get one due to low supplies. the uk health security agency has said it's doubled the number of lateral flow tests available. the uk government booking portal shows there has also been a shortage of pcr tests in england today. more on all that but first let's listen to what the prime minister had to say a short while ago. the prime minister defending not bringing in further measures, how much is pressure mounting to challenge that decision? i much is pressure mounting to challenge that decision? i think a lot of peeple _ challenge that decision? i think a lot of people will _ challenge that decision? i think a lot of people will look _ challenge that decision? i think a lot of people will look at - challenge that decision? i think a lot of people will look at what - challenge that decision? i think a | lot of people will look at what has happened in england and what has happened in england and what has happened in england and what has happened in the other home nations and england is out of step, in terms of the level of restrictions. we saw the prime minister doubling down on his strategy and using the strongest language yet about the severity of the omicron variant. he said it is obviously milder than the previous delta strain, which is the furthest he has gone on that. clearly feels confident now having seen the scientific data that that is the case. he did acknowledge cases are rising and hospitalisations are rising, but the difference with this year compared to last year he said, was the booster programme. he turned to a familiar message in terms of people going out and getting boosted. he is confident the uk will meet its target of offering everyone a boosterjab by the time the year is out. the question is, how many people will take up that offer? and also, interesting to note the language on the severity of the virus for people who have not been vaccinated. he said it is up to eight times more likely he will get seriously ill with coronavirus if you haven't been fully vaccinated and 90% of people in intensive care units have not had their booster jabs. so i suppose borisjohnson putting the hard words on those who are yet to either get their first or second jobs or indeed their booster. thank you, that's our political correspondent. the scottish parliament will be recalled this afternoon as first minister nicola sturgeon delivers an update on rising coronavirus infections. she's expected to tell ministers figures will rise further over the coming days. the deputy first minister has urged people not to travel to england for new year celebrations to get around the more stringent covid—i9 restrictions north of the border. james reynolds reports. this month in scotland, there have been long queues for booster shots. but the newlyjabbed won't all be able to get together for a post—booster celebration. restrictions on large gatherings are now back in place. we need to do it, but to shut everything down at once is a wee bit hard, as well. we can go out, but not to nightclubs. i feel like now that we've got all of our vaccines, _ there is not actually. another step forward. that's all we can do. across scotland, it is table service only in pubs and bars, and no more than three households in every group. the new set of rules that have come in have just pushed everything a further step backwards. there is so much uncertainty going on. people don't know if they have jobs to come back to, or when we are going to get back to any normality. if these restrictions are to stay in scotland, someone is going to have to find furlough, because that is going to be the only way to protectjobs. we are all going to have desperately uncomfortable conversations if there is not a way of plugging the wage bill gap. wales has also imposed restrictions of its own. events are limited to 30 people indoors, or 50 outdoors, and nightclubs have closed. in northern ireland, pubs, cafes and restaurants are providing table service only and no more than six people from different households will be allowed to sit together. by contrast, england has not imposed restrictions. the health secretary said people should be cautious and, if possible, celebrate new year's eve in the open air. earlier this month, the prime minister promised that every adult in england would have the chance to get their booster shot before the new year. the nhs is now messaging hundreds of thousands more people this week, urging them to get their shot and enjoy what officials call a "jabby" new year. james reynolds, bbc news. let's speak now to dr chaand nagpaul, who chairs the council of the british medical association. thank you very much forjoining us this morning. i would like to ask you first of all about what we have been hearing from the prime minister who said that 90% of people in intensive care with covid haven't been boosted yet. is that some think that you see, does that reflect the picture you are aware of? yes. that you see, does that reflect the picture you are aware of? yes, the fiuures picture you are aware of? yes, the fi . ures to picture you are aware of? yes, the figures to show— picture you are aware of? yes, the figures to show those _ picture you are aware of? yes, the figures to show those that - picture you are aware of? yes, the figures to show those that are - picture you are aware of? yes, the figures to show those that are not| figures to show those that are not vaccinated or had their full course, including the booster vaccination, are at a much higher risk of being in hospital, including intensive care. but one of the things to point out is that not everyone is eligible juliet for a booster. in fact, we estimated 11 million people will go into the new year who won't yet be into the new year who won't yet be in time for their booster because they will have only had their vaccine, one vaccine or the second vaccine, one vaccine or the second vaccine just a few weeks ago. if everyone came forward, we still won't have boosted the nation come the new year. we must therefore ensure they are also protected from becoming infected through other measures of not having infection to social mixing. just measures of not having infection to social mixing-— social mixing. just to clarify the level of vaccinations _ social mixing. just to clarify the level of vaccinations we - social mixing. just to clarify the level of vaccinations we are - social mixing. just to clarify the i level of vaccinations we are talking about. are we talking about the majority of people intensive care with covid being unvaccinated, are they many people who haven't had any of theirjabs, haven't had their first or second jab? or, of theirjabs, haven't had their first orsecond jab? or, if of theirjabs, haven't had their first or second jab? or, if they have had one and two, because you haven't had the booster, you are just as vulnerable? we haven't had the booster, you are just as vulnerable?— just as vulnerable? we are still t in: to just as vulnerable? we are still trying to analyse _ just as vulnerable? we are still trying to analyse the _ just as vulnerable? we are still trying to analyse the data, - just as vulnerable? we are still trying to analyse the data, but| just as vulnerable? we are still. trying to analyse the data, but it does appear at the first two jabs offer some protection, albeit not too great. it is the booster that adds the further level of protection, around 75% against symptomatic disease. even if everyone he was eligible for their booster came forward now and if everyone had their booster, they would still be about 11 million adults he will not yet be in the position to be offered a booster in the new year. there will be a significant number of people who will not yet be eligible for their booster. what is important is for everyone to get into the trajectory of being vaccinated. if you haven't had any vaccines, if you have had one, get your second and then he will get your booster. we cannot rely entirely on everyone coming forward at this moment in time because there will be millions who won't be able to have their booster now. so for that reason, you have to have measures within the community to reduce the spread of omicron, to protect those people.— protect those people. bearing that in mind, protect those people. bearing that in mind. how _ protect those people. bearing that in mind, how comfortable - protect those people. bearing that in mind, how comfortable do - protect those people. bearing that in mind, how comfortable do you i protect those people. bearing that i in mind, how comfortable do you feel that the government has macro decision to not bring in any further covid measures before the new year? i think the government needs to do what is required to bring this infection rate down. because the other impact this is having, which isn't factored into his announcement, is the impact on staff shortages. when you have covid circulating at these alarmingly high levels, you are getting nhs staff also becoming infected. we have seen about a doubling in the numbers of health care workers off work in london where you have got the greatest spread of omicron, in literally seven days before christmas. that is a huge number. as we speak, there will be thousands of patients for whom their gp appointments will be cancer later because the gt will be self isolating. that is creating a lot of distress for us as doctors, health care workers, it is causing a lot of distress for patients. there is an impact on staff absence that has to be understood in terms of how we respond to the current situation. just briefly, you have said the government needs to do what is required to limit the spread, what do you think they should be doing? i think it is pretty clear the spread is greatest when people are mixing close together. so that will be places like nightclubs, enclosed, crowded bars, restaurants without social distancing that are not ventilated. what the government should firstly do is if, like in scotland, wales and northern ireland, if there measures were implemented, i do think hospitality needs to be provided with financial recompense. it is not right to see people's livelihoods suffer. that recompense would be more than offset by having more people in work, not isolating and having multiple able to look after patients within the nhs. the second thing, i do think the guidance is confusing the public. if you think of an everyday person, they are confused as to why just crossing the border you have different rules and you have different rules and you have different rules and you have different rules in england. it is hard to tell people in england to follow the advice of meeting outdoors on new year's eve if it is cold and everyone is going into a nightclub. it is hard to have ventilation if you have an enclosed environment without any windows. i think the government could do, like some other nations such as germany, invest in airfiltration some other nations such as germany, invest in air filtration equipment that makes the air, recycled new get rid of the viral particles in the air to make it much safer and far less likely to see the spread of omicron. that should also be invested in schools as well. for the health care sector, for people like myself, the other thing we are concerned about its protective equipment. we are being given at the moment that our normal type surgical mask, they are not able to filtrate the fine airborne spread of omicron. what we are worried about, as more and more people come to see is within confined spaces, we are at risk of becoming infected ourselves. we are calling for higher grade mass, respirator masks, which we know will protect health care workers from airborne spread. a gp like myself, we are inches away from a patient who may be coughing or sneezing and it isn't right we are not given the right, effective protective equipment to keep ourselves safe.— protective equipment to keep ourselves safe. ., ~ , ., ., , ., ourselves safe. thank you for your time. pharmacists are warning of patchy supplies of rapid covid tests following changes to self—isolation rules. we are joined now by dr leyla hannbeck, chief executive of the association of independent multiple pharmacies. thank you forjoining us, just to get a clear picture, what are you seeing in terms of supply shortages? we are definitely seeing a much higher demand in terms of people wanting to get access to their lateral flow test. the request we are getting from around the country, every two to five minutes, people are coming into pharmacists asking for a test. because of the shortages, because of the inconsistency and patchiness of the suoply, inconsistency and patchiness of the supply, we are having to then tell people that we don't have them in stock. it is not something we are happy to do, but unfortunately it is out of our control. the government sa s out of our control. the government says people — out of our control. the government says people should _ out of our control. the government says people should persevere - out of our control. the government says people should persevere with| says people should persevere with trying to get hold of these tests, what do think the government to do, what do think the government to do, what would you like to see them doing to help pharmacy businesses the country? we doing to help pharmacy businesses the country?— the country? we have to have consistency — the country? we have to have consistency in _ the country? we have to have consistency in supply. - the country? we have to have| consistency in supply. because without that, it is very difficult. patients come in and they are expecting to get the flow test, they have the code. and also the bureaucratic burden that goes around with it will need to be addressed. it is very important that the government prioritises this. it is part of the guidelines for people to do a lateral flow test and if that is part of the guidelines, people are being responsible doing that and the government needs to make sure the government needs to make sure the supply is steady and consistent. is there any indication as to when people might expect a less patchy supply, people might expect a less patchy supply, has the industry been given a heads up about that? that supply, has the industry been given a heads up about that?— a heads up about that? that is the roblem, a heads up about that? that is the problem. we _ a heads up about that? that is the problem, we don't _ a heads up about that? that is the problem, we don't know— a heads up about that? that is the problem, we don't know when - a heads up about that? that is the | problem, we don't know when they will be available. it is very difficult to plan and let our patients know in terms of when to come back and when it will be in the pharmacy. it is a very stressful situation but also very much so for the patients that come to see us. briefly, what are pharmacists telling customers? is there anything customers can do to try and help the situation? �* ., , .., , customers can do to try and help the situation? �* ., , .. , ., _ situation? basically, we are saying that we are — situation? basically, we are saying that we are doing _ situation? basically, we are saying that we are doing everything - situation? basically, we are saying that we are doing everything we i situation? basically, we are saying i that we are doing everything we can, highlighting the issues and making sure the supplies are available so we can address this as soon as possible. we can address this as soon as ossible. . ~ we can address this as soon as ossible. ., ~ , ., , we can address this as soon as ossible. ., ~ i. , . sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here'sjohn. good morning. arsenal manager mikel arteta has tested positive for covid—i9 again, which means he'll miss the new year's day match against manchester city. arteta first contracted the virus in march 2020, which prompted the shutdown of football at the start of the pandemic. in the battle for the title, liverpool lost ground to manchester city last night, losing at leicester to remain six points behind the league leaders. that could become nine if city win at brentford later. mo salah, top scorer in the league, missed a penalty, and then the follow up that would've given liverpool the lead. and leicester substitute ademola lookman scored what proved to be the winner. so often these boys gave me an opportunity to stand here and say, wow, what a game! but it went the other way, so how did that happen? and so i will watch it back and hopefully will understand it slightly better. but it didn't look good. it didn't look good. it didn't look like us and that is obviously the main thing we have to think about and change immediately. raheem sterling says he's enjoying playing for england more than ever before, but won't be satisfied until he's won a major international trophy. sterling — who was guest editing radio 4's today programme — says manager gareth southgate has transformed the environment and should be credited for it. while southgate remains modest, he agreed that things had to change in the england changing room. i remember us talking about the pressure the team were feeling. but really a lot of the pressure on the team when we took over because of what happened he has a go. not your fault as a generation, but the generations before when the fans had been disappointed with the team and there was a build—up of 15 years and they were talking it's 20 years, it is 25 years. that is not your fault, it is the failures of the past. i remember we did some videos of what had gone wrong in the past. you know, my penalty needed to be in there because, that is gone, how do we make our own history? we have talked quite a bit about doing things our way.— talked quite a bit about doing thins ourwa . ., , , ., things our way. from my first game in the squad — things our way. from my first game in the squad to _ things our way. from my first game in the squad to now, _ things our way. from my first game in the squad to now, you _ things our way. from my first game in the squad to now, you can - things our way. from my first game in the squad to now, you can see, l in the squad to now, you can see, with_ in the squad to now, you can see, with the _ in the squad to now, you can see, with the conversation with the boys, how enjoyable it is to actually come. — how enjoyable it is to actually come, even if it is camping in septemberor come, even if it is camping in september or october, everyone cannot_ september or october, everyone cannot wait to come. speaking on text messages nowadays, i don't think_ text messages nowadays, i don't think it _ text messages nowadays, i don't think it was quite that way previously. sometimes i think it was a lot more _ previously. sometimes i think it was a lot more difficult, players felt a huge _ a lot more difficult, players felt a huge weight on their shoulders, but the actual— huge weight on their shoulders, but the actual thought process he put into it _ the actual thought process he put into it to — the actual thought process he put into it to try and help us lift that weight— into it to try and help us lift that weight off— into it to try and help us lift that weight off our shoulders and give us the best— weight off our shoulders and give us the best possible chance to win football — the best possible chance to win football matches, for me and the boys, _ football matches, for me and the boys, we — football matches, for me and the boys, we would like to say a massive thank _ boys, we would like to say a massive thank you. _ boys, we would like to say a massive thank you, for sure. the last couple of years— thank you, for sure. the last couple of years with — thank you, for sure. the last couple of years with gareth, we can see the steps _ of years with gareth, we can see the steps we _ of years with gareth, we can see the steps we have been making as a team on the _ steps we have been making as a team on the field, _ steps we have been making as a team on the field, off the field. the most — on the field, off the field. the most important is on the field, we want _ most important is on the field, we want our— most important is on the field, we want our hands on a trophy because it is more _ want our hands on a trophy because it is more important for me, but i think— it is more important for me, but i think a _ it is more important for me, but i think a lot — it is more important for me, but i think a lot of— it is more important for me, but i think a lot of the lads will agree, there _ think a lot of the lads will agree, there is— think a lot of the lads will agree, there is nothing bigger than winning a major— there is nothing bigger than winning a major tournament with england. australia's david warner believes england's poor start to the series in brisbane contributed to their meek showing as they slippped to defeat in the five match series. joe root was criticised after winning the the toss but opting to bat first in conditions which could have favoured the english bowlers. they didn't start well. when we go to england, you have to start well. if you don't start well in the series, you are up against it. last time we were in the first test, it is in great position, the confidence and your chest gets pumped out and you have that belief. it is really crucial you well. and novak djokovic has pulled out of this week's atp cup in sydney, heightening speculation he could skip the australian open next month. the world number one is yet to confirm if he's received the coronavirus vaccination having previously expressed his oppostion to it. all players and staff competing in melbourne must be jabbed or have a medical exemption from medical professionals. that's all the sport for now. millions of families in the uk are facing a "cost of living catastrophe" according to a leading think tank. the resolution foundation says stalling wages, rising taxes and soaring energy bills means, from april, households face an increase in their living costs of nearly £1200. the government says it's provided more than four billion pounds worth of support for families. the chief executive of the resolution foundation is torsten bell and he explained why the pressures on household budgets are particularly strong now. everyone's already feeling, in their pockets, the cost of prices rising more quickly than their wages. we had the highest inflation in ten years back in november with 5%, and that's projected to get over 6% by next april. so, this is. you know, yes, we have seen fast price rises before, but this will be a very different feel to it, particularly because a lot of it will come all in one go in april next year as we see a particularly large rise in energy bills and tax rises at the same time. a merseyside police officer has been sacked for gross misconduct, after it emerged he'd shared racist and homophobic pictures. the guardian, which broke the story, also reports that he took selfies at a murder scene. an anti—corruption inquiry into the behaviour of ryan connolly uncovered several years of misdemeanours. merseyside police said connolly's behaviour was "deplorable" — and his dismissal sent a "clear message" that any abuse of office would not be tolerated. the hong kong pro—democracy media outlet stand news has said it's shutting down, after hundreds of national security police raided its offices. seven former and current employees were arrested,, for publishing what police described as "seditious publications". stand news, set up in 2014 was the most prominent remaining pro—democracy publication in hong kong. its closure raises further concerns about media freedoms in the former british colony, which returned to chinese rule in 1997 with the promise that a wide range of individual rights would be protected. our correspondent danny vincent is there. i'm standing outside the offices of stand news here. this news outlet is considered one of the last pro—democratic publications in hong kong. earlier in the year, apple daily, perhaps the most popular tabloid newspaper in the city, was raided, several times. many of their executives were arrested and it seems that something similar has happened here at stand news today. former and current members of staff from stand news were arrested. one individual, also the chairman of the hong kong journalists association, has been released. there are a number of stand news journalists currently inside the stand news office. earlier they were speaking to lawyers and trying to decide what would happen next. they are not currently speaking to the media but there are journalists here, still outside here, trying to get a glimpse inside this news organisation and trying to speak to people when they come out. there was a large media scrum after the police arrived in the early hours of the morning. we heard there were more than 200 police officers raiding the premises, they took boxes of what the described as journalistic material out of the office. many of the journalists here definitely feel that this is once again seen as another attack in the city against the freedom that the press should have. there are more than 1.3 million people living with brain injuries in the uk — people who've survived accidents, strokes, or sports injuries. now a brain rehabilitation centre which uses outdoor activities such as canoeing and fell—climbing to help people recover has opened in the lake district. it's the first of its kind in the uk, and megan paterson has been to visit. a morning paddle. roger and his friends come from different parts of the uk. a few months ago, they had never met, but they have all suffered significant brain injuries and are in the lake district rebuilding their lives together. i had a hip replacement, then i came home, i was walking after that. - then i got upstairs at home and i had a stroke whilst i was upstairs, and my wife called the ambulance. i wanted to get better quicker and i thought, i will get better quicker here. i had a serious motorcycle accident involving my bike and a fire engine. and i lost! so, yeah. bleed on the brain. i'm still here. look at what i am doing. according to data, every 90 seconds someone is admitted to hospital with a brain injury. many of those people will need some form of rehabilitation. the focus here is using the spectacular landscape to help people with brain recovery, and to help them find lost confidence. we all know that being out in that green space, in the fresh air, just really helps lift the mood and has a positive impact on your mental health. the calvert ethos is that nothing is impossible. we can get you out on a canoe, despite mobility issues, or cognitive issues, or any of the above. and to see those expressions on people's faces when they make it in the canoe for the first time, or complete the first summit of a fell, there is nothing like it. the residential centre, a uk first, can offer ten people up to 24 weeks of rehab. as well as outdoor therapy and clinical assessments, a big part of the process is forming relationships and relearning skills like cooking, shopping and socialising. skills which help people return to independent living. we have had questions like, where is your physio gym? the rehab itself, people have said, when does the rehab start? because they are just seeing this as really enjoyable. it's not until you remind them of what they have achieved in the last three weeks that they recognise, this is rehab,