this is bbc news with the latest headlines. the chancellor's promising to spend nearly £7 billion improving transport in england's city regions outside london, as one of the spending pledges unveiled ahead of next week's budget. there'll also be half a billion pounds to support families in the budget, but the labour party calls it a "smokescreen." a fresh push for people to get their boosterjabs. it comes amid fears over rising coronavirus cases in england. i'm very fearful that we are going to have another lockdown christmas if we don't act soon. we know that with public health measures, the time to act is immediately. a leading teaching union calls for tougher action against covid in england's schools,