be extra restrictions. they are to be extra restrictions. they are really making the case for it and saying to people reluctantly they will have to bring this in. i think thatis will have to bring this in. i think that is because lots of people in the first wave very much on side with what happened with the restrictions that were brought in by the government that people have been through a very difficult time and to face that again now, i think the government realises they have to try to explain to people and you could see very starkly the particular problems in the north—west, the north—east but then as you could see from the graphs, starting to encroach on the east midlands and other places also. although the worst of it at the moment is in cities such as liverpool and manchester, they feel this is not just an issue for the north of england and so that is why later on at half past three in the house of commons we will hear from the prime minister about what those

restrictions will be or the broad parameter of that. now, which area itself sits is a little bit more complicated. going back to what happened the first time around as well, there were simplicity and the fa ct we well, there were simplicity and the fact we were all in it together and that has been a very different picture with the localised lockdowns and criticism of a lack of clarity over that. what can you tell us about what we are likely to hear later on with the three tier system and how it would operate and how areas would know where they are going to be locked down? areas would know where they are going to be locked down7m areas would know where they are going to be locked down? it was in order to provide the clarity, to have neighbouring areas sometimes neighbouring boroughs with different rules even though the number of cases might be the same. it was supposed to be, let's make this more simple, so for example tijuana is

the rule of six and the ten o'clock cu rfew the rule of six and the ten o'clock curfew —— tier one. kia two is about having no interaction between three is about the unknowns. what will they be more severe? will it be about closing down pubs and restau ra nts, about closing down pubs and restaurants, would it include travel restrictions for example, will it include, but we don't think it will, shutting down the shops? it doesn't seem to be in the frame at the moment. the government has realised again that they need to consult more with local leaders, we have heard from many of the mehmet ali from the city is saying they want to be more involved so they know best what is the best —— the mayors. this comes to the funding, what happens to the business is fast to closed. ——

michael forced to closed. that has completed the matter more than the government for that in the beginning. and i think what we don't know yet, the one thing we have not heard about is what will be the trigger, how will you decide what criteria will inform the decision of where an area sits in which of those tiers. it is unlikelyjust to be cases because as we heard from some people, as you look at cities such as nottingham, the student numbers are skewing that, hospitalisations have not risen so much so far so they will look at a broad criteria for deciding where an area goes, how much they were the local leaders have? i do not think it would be a simple and straightforward as people would hope for. on the front where there is the divergence in attitudes and approach, what it should be, how

much is that undermining trust in the decision—making? much is that undermining trust in the decision—making ? because much is that undermining trust in the decision—making? because we have ina very the decision—making? because we have in a very different phase on that front whereas the first time around there was a widespread acceptance of there was a widespread acceptance of the past that we were heading down and now as you say local leaders are questioning more, less agreement within the political parties as well. we should be very clear that even talking about local measures, at the moment there is no suggestion it is returning even in those areas to the lockdown we had before. we're not talking about closing schools or offices or even retail and those kind of things. it is not going back to what we had before. that is certainly not what any local leaders oi’ certainly not what any local leaders or the government in london is talking about. i think i'll so it is worth bearing in mind that some of the polls suggest that some people do want these extra restrictions, the majority of people do think that

something needs to be done when they look at the figures can the case numbers are rising, the hospitalisations they think they need to be more restrictions for step of because not everyone agrees, but certainly here in westminster among conservatives and some labour mps, they do not think this is required. we have seen a backlash over the ten o'clock curfew, they do not think they have seen the evidence for how it might work and people would still anxiety on the impact on the economy, the amount of money being spent already in the furlough scheme in helping businesses, huge amount of money, the government is talking about spending a more but there are people saying that will not be enough. the bala nces saying that will not be enough. the balances need to be weighed up, it will be interesting when boris johnson gets to his bit to make feet at 3:30pm what you hear from the backbenchers who have been very relu cta nt to backbenchers who have been very reluctant to go for extra restrictions anywhere in england.

thank you very much. let's go over the evidence we heard on the medical front just a few the evidence we heard on the medical frontjust a few moments ago. very much setting the tone of what we will hear from the prime minister later in terms of the three tier lockdown measures would look like. just give us your overview of what you heard because it was a very sobering briefing. perhaps the most sobering briefing. perhaps the most sobering statistic came from stephen powis when he reminded us that now there is many people in hospital now with covid—i9 as well in hospital on the day of lockdown back on the 23rd of march. we havejust the day of lockdown back on the 23rd of march. we have just under three and a half thousand people in england with covid—i9 hospitalised bust up if you look at the graph that looks at what has been happening, the trend with the

regions. look how much further ahead at the north west followed by the northeast and yorkshire are than the rest of the country. the other regions are in great but they are pulling ahead you can see in blue the north west and the north east and yorkshire. that is really why they are going to try to justify with these figures having a more regional approach because clearly things are accelerating to a degree where they are worried about whether hospitals will be able to cope and the medical lead from manchester royal infirmary doctor jane eddleston as saying that 30% of patients in acu in that hospital are hospitalised with covid—i9. patients in acu in that hospital are hospitalised with covid-19. the geographical divide that we see in the hospitalised with covid-19. the geographical divide that we see in the graph that you are showing us and we were repeatedly heard about in the briefing is clear but the message was also very clear that

areas everywhere it is picking up. all the indicators and data is moving in the wrong direction u nfortu nately. even moving in the wrong direction unfortunately. even in the area such as the south—west which remained pretty and touched during the peak of the pandemic and even in london which has been growing much lower than the north west and north—east. the other bad news, it is bleeding from younger age groups where it has been the most prevalent into much older age groups and that is very dangerous because again they are more likely to be hospitalised and more likely to be hospitalised and more likely to die. we get that in this graph. you can see hospitalisations happening since the middle of august, the steepest incline is now in the 85 plus age group. the next as steep as in the 65 to 84. and group. the next as steep as in the 65 to 8a. and much lower down, though under 60 files. a reminder that even though —— it can very

easily slip into the older age groups and that is a rebuttal to those, including some scientists, arguing that younger members of society should be allowed to live their lives and then we should shield the older members. they are saying that is not possible because it will bleed into the older age groups. and in terms of which areas are likely to go first into the three tier measures, it is not as straightforward as the cases per 100,000 because there is a lot of talk about liverpool being the first to go in, there was a statement from local leaders talking about bars, pubs closing alongside other hospitality areas. but they are not the highest in terms of the cases per 100,000. the highest now is nothing on, that has got the worst

number of cases but as vicki young was alluding to, if you have a younger population, a student population, that might mean they recover quicker and not hospitalised. in the next graph, this is a reminder that certain trusts are under phenomenal pressure. the one that is really worrying is liverpool university hospitals university foundation trust and we were told during that briefing that they have now got 250 covid patients in their beds. it is not just those, there covid patients in their beds. it is notjust those, there is also newcastle upon tyne hospitals, leeds, also the wirral. they are seeing rises but particularly bad in liverpool which is why the briefing we had overnight from number 10 was steering us in the direction that liverpool was going to see this toughest tier of measures. and also they are putting the nightingale

hospital is back on standby in three key areas, manchester, sunderland and harrogate, remembered the hospitals where temporary field hospitals where temporary field hospitals which in the end didn't get use much during the first peak but they clearly want to have that capacity ready again. and the other interesting thing is they will do more testing in hospitals including of staff who do not have any symptoms and that is because they wa nt to symptoms and that is because they want to make sure they can keep hospitals ring fenced and virus free. thank you very much, naomi. there will be lots of movement today because we will hear from the prime minister making a statement in the commons at 3:30pm and there is a televised news briefing at 6pm so the details of the new restrictions being clarified then. stay with us for all of that coverage throughout the day. now time for a look at the weather. hello again. we are in for another fairly cloudy and wet day ahead.

we're got a couple of weather fronts coming in from the west. they are going to be pushing steadily eastwards as we go through the course of the day, taking the rain with them and, as they clear the west, what you'll find is it will brighten up, but there will be some showers around and still quite brisk winds. so, what we have got at the moment is a fair bit of cloud, and all this rain continuing to journey steadily eastwards, so brightening up for western scotland, northern ireland, later across north—west england, north wales and later again, south—west england. mid afternoon, we've got rain across the channel islands, extending in through southern england, through the midlands, cloudy in wales, brighter across north—west england. northern ireland and west of scotland, for you we're looking at sunshine and showers, but still gusty winds with exposure gusting a0 or 50 miles an hour gusts in exposure. temperatures today, nine to about 1k celsius, and feeling cool if you are exposed to the wind or indeed in the rain. through this evening and overnight, our weather front bulges into the north sea, but you can see that we do have rain

across east anglia and also parts of scotland and northern england. and still showers packing in across some western areas. under clear skies, anywhere in the north, we could see temperatures fall low enough for a touch of frost, but more especially in the north—east. tomorrow, we start off with the rain in scotland sinking further south across england, getting into north wales. we will also have a weather front in the south east producing some rain, drifting further west through the course of the day, so the driest conditions are likely to be across scotland and northern ireland. even here, though, we'll still see some showers and a brisk wind. by the time we get to wednesday, something drier is coming our way. but still a brisk, cool, north—easterly wind, blowing in showers to eastern parts of england, some of those getting over towards wales and the south west. making it feel cooler than the temperatures you see would suggest. so drier conditions across northern ireland and scotland, temperatures once again 10—11i, maybe 15 degrees. then as we head on into thursday, we start off in northern ireland

and western scotland with a touch of frost, but a lot of dry weather, brisk winds in the south—east, something drier with lighter winds for friday.

this is bbc news, the headlines... borisjohnson is to announce new lockdown restrictions for specific areas of england, under a new three—tier system. england's deputy chief medical officer says the viruses spread is "heating up" across the country. the key point is that having had a rather flat summer with a very low amounts of covid —positive patients in the uk, you can see that from early september, there has been a marked pick—up. the liverpool city region is expected to face the toughest restrictions with pubs, gyms and bookies closed. the region's mayor says agreement on it has not yet been reached. the only thing that is open to us is to try and influence the package of support, and so we have been negotiating

since friday evening, late friday evening, and genuinely burning the midnight oil. talks have gone on way into the early hours because we are not going to roll over and just have our bellies tickled. we wanted to understand what that package was. nhs nightingale hospitals in manchester, harrogate and sunderland have been put on standby to help with the spike in covid cases. hello. boris johnson is preparing to announce a new coronavirus warning system for different parts of england, where every area will be classified as being at a "medium,"

"high" or "very high" level of alert. it comes as leading government scientists have in the last few minutes warned of a marked pick—up in coronavirus cases "nationwide" — notjust a problem for northern england alone. a graph was produced by deputy chief medical officerjonathan van tam showing things are heating up across swathes of england, where the dark brown areas show areas most affected. i think we will be able to show you that in a moment. the scientists also produced a graph showing a rise in hospital admissions. greater manchester is seeing one of biggest rises in admissions to hospitals. nightingale hospitals have been put on standby in manchester, sunderland and harrogate. they say infections amongst people aged 16—29 is creeping up the age bands and is spreading to those above 30 in northern england. to protect staff and patients regular testing of hospital staff in high risk areas is being introduced.

turning to the right—hand chart, of rather more concern, the dark brown areas indicate the latest data on where things are heating up. and dark brown means things are clearly heating up and you can see that any breach of the dark brown colours is further south into a greater landmass across england. in fa ct, greater landmass across england. in fact, i received these slides this morning. i showed a very similar data to mps and the house of lords on friday and the brown chart had not extended that a far south. so it has changed in a matter ofjust eight fewer days and that is clearly of concern to me. —— just a few days. stephen powis the national medical director for nhs england outlined what preparations were being put in place.

we are announcing two measures today, specifically targeting those areas of the country where infections are going the most. first, to protect our staff and patients, we will introducing, with tests provided by the test and trace, regular testing for staff in at these high—risk areas, even when they do not have symptoms. this will help us keep the staff and patients in those as safe as possible. and secondly, we have asked that the nightingale hospitals in manchester, sunderland and harrogate to prepare for this next phase. they are being asked to mobilise over the next few weeks to be ready to accept patients if necessary. the support they provide and how they will be used will be up to local clinicians, whether it is for covid—19 patients requiring ventilation, patients recovering from covid—19 or in order to maintain essential elective and diagnostic services with patients

with conditions other than covid—19. finally, it is a sad truth that whilst we have done much to improve any ca re whilst we have done much to improve any care of those who are infected, and a wealth of scientific research continues apace, that is still no cure nor no vaccine continues apace, that is still no cure nor no vaccine for covid—19. that means, sadly, as the number of those infected increases, then so will the number of people who die. that is why the government is looking at what other measures could be introduced in the areas where infection is surprisingly most. as at the secretary of state for health and said, if we do not take measures to control the spread of the virus, the death toll will be too great to bear. stephen powis. watching that press conference alongside us was our health correspondent naomi grimley. a very sobering news conference and it has at the moment it is the north—east and north—west of england are bearing the brunt of covid—19

cases, but it is a nationwide picture absolutely. to think they're worried about, this inevitability that it does notjust stay in the younger age groups. with lots of stu d e nts younger age groups. with lots of students getting ill, but it bleeds into these older age groups too. the other thing is that they are worried, that really all of the data across the uk is pointing in the wrong direction so even though, as we saw in those class, the northwest, northeast and yorkshire are the worst affected at the moment when it comes to hospitalisations,. there are also added that essentially they are doubling every two weeks, hospitalisations right across the board. did you hear much optimism that the measures that are being brought in are enough now to turn things around? well, i think you have just got a sense from them that the almost, a sense of regret that the almost, a sense of regret that they had not brought virus levels down enough in the summer months. i mean, jonathan van tam actually admitted that one of the problems with the north at the

moment might have been that the embers, if you like, of the virus spread had not been put out enough in august and that meant that once schools came back, once the weather turned, you know, virus levels leapt back up too quickly. so the hope is that doing things like, you know, more restrictions on pubs, it will mean we are less likely to be crowded together, less likely to be speaking loudly in pubs, bars and restau ra nts, speaking loudly in pubs, bars and restaurants, that kind of thing. but really, no one knows. i think the really, no one knows. i think the really interesting thing is that they are leaving open the option that we may yet have to go down into something more akin to what we saw backin something more akin to what we saw back in the spring. and on the closure of pubs and bookmakers and gyms, they were asked about the scientific evidence behind that. i mean, there has been a lot of discussion about what the evidence is for the 10pm curfew, for instance. what was said on that front? and e-briefing to mps last

week, they actually suggested that hospitality was responsible for about 30% of infections. they did not actually repeat that number today. i think there will be more pushback from mps and also from the hospitality industry to really press them on whether that is an area where spread is happening. many people are worried that universities still remain one of the biggest problems, particularly with people coming from all around the country and then the problem is that you get with social distancing in a whole of residence and lecture theatres and that kind of thing. so also worries about schools and whether schools are more of a driver of it. jonathan van tam did say that below the age of16, it van tam did say that below the age of 16, it does not seem to be that kids are drivers about, it is after that age. and particularly going into young adult age groups of 20-29, that is

into young adult age groups of 20—29, that is the age group really worried about at the moment. they said, please don't hold back from contacting the nhs. 0f said, please don't hold back from contacting the nhs. of course, when there was the lockdown before, nonurgent surgeries were cancelled, waiting lists built up. across the board there was restricted access to medical services. what have they said about preparedness at this time around because obviously people will be concerned about the knock—on impact again? they are vowing that they do not want to have the kind of blunt lockdown that disrupted so many treatments, things like hip and knee replacements that have people ina lot knee replacements that have people in a lot of pain. they do not want to see all of that derailed like last time. so they are putting on stand by the nightingale hospitals in areas such as manchester, sunderland and harrogate that will help the nhs cope if they surge continues. also, they are doing more testing of nhs staff to pick up a symptomatic transmission and they hope there is that would mean you would be able to carry on with more

regular treatment. of course, we know they have done a lot are ready to ring fence covid words from non—covid words. to ring fence covid words from non-covid words. thank you very much, naomi. let's go to gotoa go to a deputy political editor —— our deputy political actor, vicki young. we have been hearing from the medical staff which has a prelude to what we'll be hearing from the prime minister later. that is really showing the geographical spread of covid in what people are now calling the second wave across england. plus the second wave across england. plus the age group being affected and thatis the age group being affected and that is happening on hospitals. the big question is what the government do about it and no doubts they are going to be more restrictions coming. i remember, we have been speaking for a couple of weeks about this new tier system, three tiers. the government has decided it does

not want any more national organs, it will avoid those. at all costs. national mac —— national lockdowns. they were looking at different areas of the country and realising all these restrictions were being interpreted and brought in differently. the idea was to have three tiers, so that you knew if your area was in one of us what the restrictions would be. it has become slightly more accompanied than that because the government has realised they do have to speak to speak to and communicate with local leaders. council leaders or mayors in the cities where they have them and this has become this ongoing dialogue over has become this ongoing dialogue over the last few days about how it is going to work. we don't know the details yet, the prime minister will give us more when he stands up and he has, that have passed three. there is a lot of speculation about how it will work and —— at 330. there will be those differences in a tier one, the will of six we know that, that curfew on pubs and restau ra nts. that, that curfew on pubs and restaurants. into tier two, that, that curfew on pubs and

restaurants. into tiertwo, likely to mean that you cannot mix households. the real question is in tier three where the most severe restrictions will be, what will they include and will there be some local leeway so that certain mayors and councillors can say, we have to do the slightly differently? that is likely to involve further closures. a big? 0ver whether there could be restrictions on travel as well what they do not want is people from hotspots travelling and potentially making it much more widespread is all of these things are still being talked about. we understand merseyside mps are at the moment speaking to the health secretary, all desperate to know what is going to happen. there will be some parts of the country who do want further restrictions, want to be put into maybe tier two to try and control this so all of that at the moment seems to be negotiated between central government and local leaders, which is, of course,

slightly delaying some of these announcements, so slightly delaying some of these announcements, so by the end of today, it is not entirely clear what we will now under the big question is what will be the trigger? what are the criteria for what pitsea region into one of those tears? it is unlikely to be cases because they are worried that sometimes a university has testing lots of gents, they might skew it, they will be looking at prevalence as well as hospitalisations. —— testing lots of students. boris johnson will be updating mps in the house of commons will be updating the house of mps in the house of commons of commons on the new coronavirus measures at half past three this afternoon, and he will also be holding a briefing from downing street at around six o'clock this evening, along with the chancellor rishi sunak and the chief medical officer for england professor chris whitty — we'll bring all that to you live here on bbc news. we will say goodbye if you're watching on bbc one. let's turn to other aspects of the follett from covid—19.

more than 1300 hundred arts venues and organisations are to receive money from the government's culture recovery fund, to help them survive the pandemic. grants worth a total of £257 million have been announced. beneficiaries include the cavern club in liverpool and other theatres, museums and ballet companies across england. the funds are intended to help the organisations produce work and keep going until the spring. all pregnant women are being encouraged to take up the offer of a free flu vaccination before the winter. health experts say the jab is even more important than usual, because of covid—19. more people have been offered the vaccine this year. anyone over 50 in england is also eligible. the headlines on bbc news... borisjohnson is to announce new lockdown restrictions for specific areas of england, under a new three—tier system. the liverpool city region is expected to face the toughest restrictions with pubs, gyms and bookies closed. the region's mayor says agreement on it has not yet been reached.

nhs nightingale hospitals in manchester, harrogate and sunderland have been put on standby to help with the spike in covid cases. the wales health minister vaughan gething is giving an update on possible new coronavirus measures. let's listen in. we are going to keep you updated on what happens there. it will start in two minutes, patently so we will go back. for tens of thousands of people working in hospitality, it's been a nervous wait ahead of today's government announcement on england's latest coronavirus restrictions. they're in an industry expected to be most affected by the new "three tier" system, and as luxmy gopal has been finding out, many are fearful of what's to come.

livelihoods already blows my lockdown, these business owners are now bracing themselves for worse. the prospect of further restrictions and more uncertainty. it is awful. i am not sleeping, but i do not think anyone is slipping at the moment. each day we are taking is what is going to happen, what is going to happen. nicola's pub has been losing 70% of we can trade since the curfew came in. after the last announcement, the champion curfew, i thought let's figure it out, but with this next march, i feel —— 10pm cu rfew. with this next march, i feel —— 10pm curfew. i feel i am needing with this next march, i feel —— 10pm curfew. ifeel i am needing my limit my mental capacity to deal with this. it has a lot. bar owner martin has branches in loch yorkshire, liverpool and nottingham, all the brink of lockdown. -- tighter measures. we are borrowing money to see us measures. we are borrowing money to see us through what could be essentially six months of effectively closure. that will take

ten yea rs effectively closure. that will take ten years to be off and we are worried about losing our home, losing everything. it is a delicate balance between protecting livelihoods and protecting lives. coronavirus rates are rising fastest in parts of northern england and we are being told nationally we had at are being told nationally we had at a tipping point. this restaurant brought on more staff for the eat out to help us keep. now it has had to slash opening hours as hannah so quiet. can you remember... we are now going to e—briefing from the wales health minister vaughan gething. as the first minister said on friday, there is clear evidence that coronavirus is waking up for the winter. the virus is now present and spreading in every part of wales. the snap on screen now shows that the current spread of coronavirus in wales. —— this map.

the darker the area, the higher the seven—day incidence rate. the darkest areas have an incident rate of more than 100 cases per 100,000, clustered in parts of south wales and at the four counties in north wales with a whole county restrictions. the latest areas have an incidence rate of less than 50 cases per 100,010 these are largely in wales's most rural areas. the all wales is now more than 100 cases per 100,000 people. we have seen coronavirus move 100,000 people. we have seen coronavirus move from east to west across the uk and likewise, from east to west across wales. this is why the latest in affected is anger, as coronavirus has moved swiftly across north wales —— bangor. there has been a surge of cases in the

city associated largely, but not wholly with younger people and the student population. local restrictions were introduced on the city on saturday night. we are closely monitoring the wider situation in gwynedd and neighbouring authorities. we will meet local leaders to discuss the situation early this week. the measures we have put in place at both a local and national level to date have helped us to keep the spread of the virus in check. however, there is growing concern that these will not be enough to help see us through the winter because the virus is spreading so quickly. we could see coronavirus infections reach the same level as the spring peak in the next couple of weeks. this week, we expect to see tougher measures introduced by the uk government in the hardest—hit

areas of england, and a new three tier intervention system to help it control the spread of the virus. this morning, the first minister and myself discussed these measures at a corporate meeting chaired by the prime minister. in scotland, the betty strict firebrick measures which include the closure of hospitality came into force over the weekend and the central belt —— in a cobra meeting. i do not want to scare people but i want people to understand we potentially face a very difficult few months ahead of us. very difficult few months ahead of us. i want to run through some of the figures and some slides with you, which will explain why we are taking the current situation so seriously. the latest figures show the seven—day incidence rate for wales is no more than 100 cases per 100,000 people. the first graph

shows very clearly how cases have risen sharply since the end of august in wales. we have more than 600 new cases of coronavirus confirmed on many days in the last week and we are carrying out, in the region of 10,000 tests a day. this slide also shows in the second graph a clear increase in the number of deaths since the summer. when there we re deaths since the summer. when there were long periods where no people died from this highly infectious virus. my thoughts remain with eve ryo ne virus. my thoughts remain with everyone who has lost a loved one during this unfinished pandemic. very sadly, we know that more people will die from coronavirus this winter. the results from the office for national statistics latest infection survey suggest that one person in every 500 has coronavirus in wales. the r number is now estimated to be at around 1.37. the

number of people with coronavirus in hospital is increasing steadily. there are more than 330 people with coronavirus in hospital across wales, that's up by more than a 100 from last week. there about a two—week delay between cases in any community hospital admissions. as we see cases rise in the community, we can see a corresponding increase in people admitted to hospital and intensive care. we are seeing a steady increase in the number of people who are seriously ill and need intensive care treatment, including four coronavirus. the nhs is implementing its plans to increase critical care capacity and once again transforming theatres and recove ry areas once again transforming theatres and recovery areas into intensive care settings to treat the most seriously ill people. 2020 has been a difficult year. we have all been

through so much already. but we must be prepared for the difficult winter ahead of us. coronavirus is moving quickly through the uk and in wales. it isa quickly through the uk and in wales. it is a highly infectious virus. for most people, it will cause a mild illness, but we know a significant number of people will need hospital treatment and sadly, some people will die. we all know —— we also know some people will suffer after effects long after they recover from the illness, sometimes known as long covid. no more than ever, we need to act together to keep a wales a say. i will take questions from journalists and we will broadcast all the questions live on oral social media channels. —— all our social media channels. —— all our social media channels. good afternoon, given what you have just told us about the growing concern

that the measures we have in place now will not be enough to see us through the winter, is it time for you to perhaps a level with people to suggest that we will need to think or move into a national knock—down in wales sooner rather than later? —— national knock—down. and what is on the table? as i said this morning, we are considering all measures whether we maintain a local restrictions on a national picture and what that national picture might be. you will have seen the bell advertise conversations and suggestions about having a firebrick ora suggestions about having a firebrick or a circuit break as scotland have introduced and we are considering all of those options here. we need to understand what might be required and what we might need to do, not just for that period of time, but what might come afterwards. we have not made a decision on that and we continue to have those conversations here in wales with her scientific advisor and the chief medical

officers department, but we know that as can solicit advice that has been given to government is in the uk -- been given to government is in the uk —— consistent advice. i think in wales this will be a particularly important week as we look to have not just conversations, important week as we look to have notjust conversations, but they make decisions through the rest of this week. thank you. given the very worrying pattern of disease spreading community is quite close at our borders, what is the latest thinking in terms of restricting travel of anybody from england into parts of wales with a lower incidence? parts of wales with a lower incidence ? what parts of wales with a lower incidence? what is the latest thinking on that? well, myself and the first minister are meeting later again today but we are both deeply disappointed that the prime minister is still taking an approach where there is only going to be guidance on whether people should or should not travel out of highly infected areas. this is notjust an issue for wales, it is an issue for the whole

uk. lower prevalence areas in england will be affected as well as low prevalence areas in wales and we understand there has already been an importation of coronavirus cases from contact with some of those high prevalence areas in england. we will meet later today and they need to make choices given that there does not appear to be a resolution on this with england only measures, which would have been the right choice to make. about those very high prevalence areas —— very high prevalence areas where we expect there will be further action taken today and over the next few days, but sadly, the prime minister has chosen not to act, so we were be making choices here in wales. wells's health minister vaughan gething. a couple of key points arising there. he was asked whether there could be a second national knock—down in wales and he said we are considering measures —— wales's whether we maintain the situation we

have got to go further, we have not made a decision. currently 17 areas of wales are under local restrictions. he was also asked about restricting travel from england to wales and he spoke of his angen england to wales and he spoke of his anger, actually, and deep disappointment he said that in the cobra meeting this morning, the prime minister only mentioned issuing guidance on travelling out of areas with high infection rates. wheels's first minister mark dra keford has wheels's first minister mark drakeford has also said the same. he said he is deeply disappointed at the inadequate proposals to travel restrictions in high infection areas in england. —— wales's first minister mark drakeford. in england. —— wales's first minister mark dra keford. that in england. —— wales's first minister mark drakeford. that is something they're going be looking at. well, a three tier system that is going to be announced by the prime minister later is expected to see liverpool become the first area to go into those highest level of new restrictions. we were hearing in the briefing earlier from new restrictions. we were hearing in the briefing earlierfrom the

scientific advisers that the bits are currently more severe scientific advisers that the bits are currently more severe in the north—east and north—west of england and has been the case for some time but they said it is a national picture. cases are increasing everywhere. let's speak to the mayor of the north of tyne, jamie driscoll. thank you forjoining us. hello. tell us what you expect the picture to be for your area. what we want to happen is for people to stay safe. that is the number one thing. and for that, it has more about making sure that the restrictions that are in place are properly working. there's no point in putting restrictions in place if people are not following them. one of the biggest barriers to falling reductions as people's financial circumstances, so if you people who are —— following restrictions. we have to make sure we are supporting people. we are looking to the data and have been speaking to government and have been speaking to government and are not 100% clear what is going to be happening. our officials are working with government officials

and we want to see where the evidence takes is because it is true that aspect and that they seem to be large their own universities and not any wider community so it is somewhat distorting the data picture. on the aspect of noncompliance with the current restrictions and your concerns around financial issues being the biggest block on that front, the chancellor has said that two thirds of salaries would be covered for people who are unable to work because of lockdown. is that not sufficient as far as you're concerned? well, if you think about... it is a very good question, if you think about what happened backin if you think about what happened back in march, we had an 80% for a lower rate and that was when we did not know what was going to happen. six or seven months on we are now and lots of people have burnt through their financial reserves, businesses are struggling and you cannot add someone a minimum wage, cannot add someone a minimum wage, can you just get by on two thirds of that level. dash may ask someone. it is not like they can go to the

supermarket and ask if they can only pay for two thirds of their shopping. that is number one. when you are tested, showing symptoms and waiting for your test, you're supposed to self—isolate. there are about1.5 supposed to self—isolate. there are about 1.5 million people in the country self—employed who are not covered by that so again, they are going to have to continue to work if it isa going to have to continue to work if it is a choice between feeding your kids and working, that is what will happen. we have asked very clearly this morning again from government, could you tighten it up, please? can you make sure people follow the rules. —— can follow the rules. if we do that, it will help. some additional things have been discussed such as businesses that are doing a cracking job, hospitality businesses where everybody is sanitising their hands, one—way systems in place where you check—in, it is working. those businesses, to close them is not going to make any difference to the infection rate. other businesses, some ten shock sometime supermarkets where people are not wearing masks. what we have got now is a tightening

up what we have got now is a tightening up of the regulation so that local authorities can act. that is one of the thing that will help. what we really wa nt the thing that will help. what we really want is to make sure that we keep our economy going, supporting our people to stay safe and keeping both of those things in the frame. talking about the turning of the restriction so local authorities can act. there is a disconnect between the desire to act where the rules are being flouted. the real difficulties that people are facing when it comes to being in lockdown and as you say you have great sympathy for that. how do you marry up sympathy for that. how do you marry up those two factors? you have said you want more help from the government and some additional measures have been discussed. will it be enough to fix that issue? we have discussed it and not yet had confirmation, so myself, all of the local authority leaders were

speaking to government this morning, saying coming of a guarantee, local authorities incredibly cash—strapped, that we will have the money to fix this? we are told, we are talking to treasury, we can't give you a guarantee yet. time is ticking on this. these are the things that make a difference was that we have local test and trace and isolate teams who are used to this, dealing with this involved in testing trace, they are professionals, been doing it for decades. we need the funding to ramp up decades. we need the funding to ramp up the teams and that is what will make a more of a difference than anything else. in your view, would you want to see somebody fined for not following the rules because they can't afford to follow them? exactly. you live in a democracy, you can't put the onus on people, saying you must do this, but we're not going to make it possible for you to do it and still pay our rent. something has got to give there. the way out is for government to acknowledge that the people in the north east, it is a very high number

of people who are low paid, we need to keep our economy going. thank you very much. now let's catch up with the weather. to keep our economy going. thank you very much. now let's catch up with the weather. hello. if you are just heading outside, make sure you take a brolly because if you have not got the rain yet, it is coming your way. we have a clutch of weather fronts moving from the west to the east, not particularly heavy rain and it will fragment through the day but lots of cloud, brisk winds from the north east blowing in the showers across scotla nd east blowing in the showers across scotland and northern ireland through the afternoon but brightening up here with temperatures up to in degrees in the south. overnight, the first batch of rain clears away but it will become ensconced in the south—eastern parts of scotla nd ensconced in the south—eastern parts of scotland and northern england. still the brisk wind blowing in showers. tomorrow, the rain in the south—east gradually moves further west, the rain in scotland sinks

further south across more of northern england into north wales and we have some showers coming in across the south—west. potus conditions in scotland and northern ireland but still a brisk wind. —— are the best conditions. hello this is bbc news with joanna gosling. the headlines... borisjohnson is to announce new lockdown restrictions for specific areas of england, under a new three—tier system. england's deputy chief medical officer says the viruses spread is ‘heating up' across the country. the key point is that having had a rather flat summer with a very low amounts of covid—positive patients in the uk, you can see that from early september, there has been a marked pick—up. the liverpool city region is expected to face the toughest restrictions with pubs, gyms and bookies closed. the region's mayor says agreement

on it has not yet been reached. nhs nightingale hospitals in manchester, harrogate and sunderland have been put on standby to help with the spike in covid cases. there will be three tiers to the alert level, medium, high and very high. joining me now is sacha lord, the night time economy adviser for greater manchester. thank you forjoining us. obviously the area you represent could potentially be very hard hit, has been hard hit. what is your view of where we are now? it is catastrophic, a mess. iwasjust listening to the previous interview with cbbc@bbc.co.uk from the north

east then. how arrogant is it that this —— with the mayor of the north east. they didn't pick up the phone to the local leaders from the likes of andy burnham, steve rotherham in liverpool until friday night. it is a disgrace and i think we are now seeing a proper north south divide and to go back on the point when talking about fellow, when it was lockdown, it was 80%. now if you work in hospitality in the north and you go into lockdown like a livable, you go into lockdown like a livable, you are getting 67% furlough. why is that? we shouldn't accept it. he will be subject to whatever measures are brought in. there is talk of legal action by some in the hospitality industry against the measures to try to protect the

hospitality industry. what is your view of that? it is actually me that is leading that. i thought it might be, i wasn't sure. is leading that. i thought it might be, iwasn't sure. so is leading that. i thought it might be, i wasn't sure. so tell us more. we have the legal team together now we met with queens council this morning, backing from the night—time industry association, the pub association, the major breweries across the north west and big operators and we are legally challenging, if there is a shutdown in the north west of manchester, we will take it to judicial review was that they have never engaged with the operators and we kept saying show us the scientific evidence and we will shut down and work with you. but last week public health england brought statistics out that only 3% of covid related to cases were to do with the night—time economy. when you give your details at the pub,

wearing a mask, you pay, you choose on the menu with the qr code, you pay by credit card can be lead by a one—way system, people will not stop socialising. if you set the pace is down people will socialise within their homes and houses and that is where there is evidence of the transmission rates going up. it will do more harm than good it is an ill thought out knee jerk reaction. on theissue thought out knee jerk reaction. on the issue of the evidence for closing down hospitality. jonathan van—tam in the briefing said it is the three cs, the clue closed spaces, the close contact and the duration people are in close contact. he also mentioned the volume of the level of noise including strong evidence of shouting and singing. i mean, those are shouting and singing. i mean, those a re factors shouting and singing. i mean, those are factors that apply. how do you get around that? we have not seen as

evidence. but they are talking about is anecdotally but we have not seen it, we want to see it. another decision... do you doubt that where those factors are in play, it is a ripe environment for the spread of the disease? i do doubt it because if we are asking for it, why can we not see that? some are being interviewed could not say where the information was coming from. we talk about people shouting, congregating, this was the government that held every single licensed premises, bar, restau ra nt, every single licensed premises, bar, restaurant, pub to shut at ten o'clock. any operator you spoke to in the uk could have told them exactly what was going to happen, we predicted it happen, we saw overloaded transport, supermarkets, ta ke overloaded transport, supermarkets, take a parties, people dancing in the streets. we have seen it, we have all seen it, it went viral. they need to engage with us like

other countries like france, germany, spain have, because what they are doing now is they are forcing mass closures and redundancies. i know operators who are going to hand their keys and at the end of this month because it is not just about finance. the the end of this month because it is notjust about finance. the mental pressure they have been put under since march is phenomenal and people are at there breaking points. this is playing with people's lives, their mental health is shot. thank you very much. breaking news, we are hearing nicola sturgeon has said that scotland is going to be developing its own tier framework and will hope to idea with the other uk nations. she says it makes sense to do that. she has stressed operational decisions about which tier law should apply to different

nations will be taken at a devolved level —— different regions. also news on gcses and a—levels. we are hearing that gcse, a.s. and a—level exams will go ahead next summer although students and teachers will have a more time to prepare for the exams because most exams will take place three weeks later than usual. english and maths gcses will take before half term to try to manage potential disruption and a:s., a—level and gcse results will be given in the same week of august. and the government is working with the exams regulators for all potential scenarios. so we had previously in scotland that the exams for 16—year—olds are not going to be happening next year, it will

be done on the basis of classwork and teacher assessment. it may have led some to think whether gcses would follow suit but we are hearing now that gcses will certainly be going ahead next summer as well as a temp eye and a—level exams. and the prime minister borisjohnson will be updating mps in the house of commons on the new coronavirus measures at half past three this afternoon, and he will also be holding a briefing from downing street this evening, along with the chancellor rishi sunak and the chief medical officer for england professor chris whitty — we'll bring all that to you live here on bbc news. more than 1300 hundred arts venues and organisations are to receive money from the government's culture recovery fund, to help them survive the pandemic. grants worth a total of £257 million have been announced. beneficiaries include the cavern club in liverpool and other theatres, museums and ballet companies across england. the funds are intended to help the organisations produce work and keep going until the spring.

all pregnant women are being encouraged to take up the offer of a free flu vaccination before the winter. health experts say the jab is even more important than usual, because of covid—19. more people have been offered the vaccine this year — anyone over 50 in england is also eligible. british airways chief executive alex cruz has stepped down after li.5 years in the role. mr cruz will stay on as nonexecutive chairman for a transition period. the last few months of his tenure have been tough, as he was tasked with driving through thousands ofjob cuts at the airline. an interesting announcement this morning from iag, remember, that is the parent company of british airways. now headed up by a man called luis gallego, who replaces himself. willie walsh, many viewers will know willie walsh headed up ba for a long time, and then the parent company, iag. what we're told is that alex cruz will leave with immediate effect and that is because the airline is going through such an unprecedented time of difficulty.

but mr cruz not without his critics, too. you may remember that he presided over the baggage handling crisis at the new terminal 5 at heathrow, that left thousands without their bags for many days, caused disruption for planes and passengers trying to get around the world. he was also in the top job when there was the huge data breach and hack at british airways that leaked data from passengers to criminals. and now in the midst of what is pretty much unprecedented, as far as the crisis in the aviation industry is concerned. you touched on the job losses that have been announced at ba, 13,000 of them are currently at risk. there's been a lot of criticism about how they've handled this. some suggesting that staff have been forced to step down from theirjobs and then be rehired on worse terms and conditions, so on a new contract but one that does not pay anywhere near what it paid before.

so, lots of concern as far as staff are concerned. but the new boss at iag says, look, he's going to get rid of alex cruz and instead sean doyle will take over. he is the current boss of aer lingus — part of the same group but nonetheless, they are hoping the new man might be able to steer the airline in the right direction amidst so much turbulence for the airline industry right now. the headlines on bbc news... borisjohnson is to announce new lockdown restrictions for specific areas of england, under a new three—tier system. the liverpool city region is expected to face the toughest restrictions with pubs, gyms and bookies closed. the region's mayor says agreement on it has not yet been reached. nhs nightingale hospitals in manchester, harrogate and sunderland have been put on standby to help with the spike in covid cases. students and teachers are set to be given more time to prepare for exams, with most exams taking place three weeks later than usual.

let's talk to our education correspondent elaine dunkley. obviously anyone who is expecting to be taking a—levels and gcses next year has been keenly awaiting news on what will happen, so tell us. the government is very keen to avoid the word algorithm. thinking of the summer word algorithm. thinking of the summer when there were exams cancelled, protests about results. there was a man down after the exam regulator process to the max. there was a u—turn with centre assessed grades being awarded for a—levels and gcses. the big test is how to avoid that situation again. gavin williamson is delaying the start of next summer's a—level and gcse exams by three weeks to give teachers and pupils more time to prepare. english and maths gcse that take place before half term to help manage potential disruption was that the government is clear that exams will government is clear that exams will

go ahead, however more plans will be announced perhaps in the darter because there may be stricter requirements for heart exams with vegetation and grading. the mark grades could be used to assess results. in the event of them being able to sit. some or all of the exams in the summer. for those stu d e nts exams in the summer. for those students in exams next year, it has been a difficult time due to the pandemic, head teachers have estimated that students have already missed out on around three months of classroom teaching. there are stu d e nts classroom teaching. there are students at home isolating because their year group or students at home isolating because theiryeargroup ora students at home isolating because their year group or a bubble has been sent home because of a suspected case of coronavirus. the disruption is far from suspected case of coronavirus. the disruption is farfrom over. whilst the government has announced that exams will be delayed, there will also need to come up with other contingency plans as things develop. we have also seen in scotland last

week the government said it would not hold exams for its national five qualification, its equivalent of gcses and would award grades using a new system of the school assessments. also the timetable for scottish tires and advanced highers would be delayed. gcses and a—levels will start a week later. wales is expected to announce its plans at the end of this month. thank you very much. scotland will develop its own coronavirus tiering framework and will look to align as closely as possible with other uk nations. the scottish first minister, nichola sturgeon, stressed that the scottish first minister, nicola sturgeon, stressed that operational decisions about which tiers should apply to different parts of each nation will be taken at a devolved level. she was speaking at her daily coronavirus briefing. i have just not long ago come from a cobra meeting with the prime

minister and the leaders of the other devolved governments. the main topic of discussion this morning was the uk proposal for a topic of discussion this morning was the uk proposalfor a three tier system of alerts for different parts of england. we saw the detail of their proposal this morning but we will look at it very closely. as i said to parliament last week, we intend to develop our own clearing framework to take that to parliament over the october recess and that will coincide with the ending of the temporary reset restrictions announced last week. at a strategic level, we will be looking to align as closely as possible with the other uk nations. i think it is important and it makes sense to try to do that though i would stress the operational decisions about which tea rs operational decisions about which tears may apply in which parts of our nations will be each of us to ta ke our nations will be each of us to take at a devolved level. the publication of a new framework will bea publication of a new framework will be a key step to guide us through the next phase of the pandemic but

it is by no means the only step we will take over the next couple of weeks. what we want to do is ensure the temporary restrictions don't simply slow or reverse the increasing cases for a while, though thatis increasing cases for a while, though that is a clearly important, before things return to normal or as they we re things return to normal or as they were before restrictions. what we wa nt to were before restrictions. what we want to do is use the two weeks to secure a want to do is use the two weeks to secure a longer term benefit and greater resilience as we know we will be living with this virus for some will be living with this virus for some time yet to come. for example, later this week, we will introduce new regulations to extend the mandatory use of face coverings in indoor communal settings for example staff in canteens and corridors and workplaces, we are also going to be taking action to strengthen compliance with the different strands of the facts advice. that will focus on isolation because that

is essential to reducing transmission. but it is also an area where we know for understandable reasons where we know for understandable reasons that compliance is not yet as high as we needed to be. we also talking to different sectors of the economy including hospitality and retail to help them ensure that they can operate even a more safely. we have already asked shops to return to two metre distancing and introduce other measures like one—way systems. finally, as i said last week in parliament, we are reviewing again our testing strategy. as we continue to expand our testing capacity, we are looking at the basis on which we would test more people including groups of people who don't have symptoms but may if the virus is not detected help to generate or risk community transmission or transmission.

the children's author michael rosen has told the bbc the 7a year old contracted coronavirus back in march. he spent 12 weeks in hospital — with 48 days in intensive care. he is far from fully recovered, he's lost hearing and sight on his left hand side, and has had to learn to walk again. he told my colleague victoria derbyshire how thankful he is to the nhs and the staff who treated him. of course, my family couldn't visit me, my wife couldn't visit me because of the covid restrictions. so they did try various things, they celebrated my birthday, which i didn't, i knew nothing at all about, which was in may. they showed me pictures of the family. i believe they showed me pictures of arsenal football team. but it was when they arranged, they wheeled me out on the bed onto an area outside of the ward and i met with my wife. she came and she spoke to me and showed pictures of my children. i remember nothing of this. this is all from what she's told me.

and apparently this was like a sort of trigger moment, that it was this moment that i then responded logically and sensibly as opposed to sort of writhing around in the bed and waving my arms about apparently. and then what the consultant told me was that when they wheeled the bed back into the lift to go back to the ward, i became lucid and that was the key moment towards the end of may, that was a key change from being out of it, not knowing what was going on and then responding to the things around me, so it was seeing my wife and talking with her. and there's a photograph of us holding hands, which is... i can't speak. anyway, yeah... yeah. i mean, you know, i have water in my eyes as well, the way you're describing this, and i'm sure other people are as they're listening to you this morning. when you had recovered enough, you went to a rehabilitation unit

hospital where they taught you how to stand up and walk again. yes. what was that like? terrifying to start off with because i arrived at the rehabilitation centre and i didn't know what my next state of being would be. would i be a wheelchair person? would i...? what kind of person was i going to be? and these wonderful occupational therapists came to my bedside and said, "today, you're getting up". and some ots, as they're called, had tried before when i was on the wards after the intensive care and it had just been a disaster, i just sort of flopped. so ijust thought, "oh, well, here goes again". and i stood up and i can still hear the kind of weird, rasping, panting noise that i made as i stood up and was shaking from top—to—toe, and it was a mixture of the fact that i had very low blood pressure, but also was nervous, i was very anxious. when people say, and maybe

they haven't said it to your face, but you will have heard people say, "yeah, but at least you're alive, michael". i mean, how do you feel about that? yeah, they're totally entitled to say that. you know, i asked the consultant about people dying on my ward and, you know, there were, of course. that ward that i was on, it was touch and go for a lot of people and many died, and that's the same for all the intensive care wards around the country at that time in march and april. you can see the statistics and obviously they've improved their care. so, of course, people are right in that sense. yeah, i'm alive. in fact, i always point out to people when they see me and strangers, i say, "i'm not dead". and they say, "yeah, i know, i can see that" and we're agreed. so, yeah, of course. and, you know, it feels mean to be complaining when obviously there are people dead and also plenty of people whose post—covid, long covid effects are worse than mine.

now it's time for a look at the weather with ben rich. it hasn't been the brightest of sta rts it hasn't been the brightest of starts to the new week, not the warmest of starts either, it is cool warmest of starts either, it is cool, cloudy, some outbreaks of rain in many places. things are set to change through the coming week, it will turn gradually dry but it will stay a rather chilly with temperatures below power. through the rest of today, a band of rain pushing eastwards, the further west, some pushing eastwards, the further west, some sunshine, but some showers heavyin some sunshine, but some showers heavy in western parts of scotland and northern ireland. those of the temperatures for the evening, just eight or 9 degrees for some north sea coastal areas. a cool afternoon leading into a cool night. through the night, we will see the outbreaks of rain linger through the south—east of england and then feedback across scotland and

north—east england and further west clear spells and showers. most places hold up up to 7 degrees, could be a bit cold for parts of south—west scotland and northern england. tomorrow, low pressure in charge, the frontal system bringing a spiral of wetter weather across the british isles, you can see rain across the british isles, you can see rain across parts of scotland, pushing down into northern england, parts of wales. heavy showers pushing southwards in south england. drier and brighter in the south—east or some and brighter in the south—east or some rain may return to eastern coast later and it will brighten up the northern ireland and scotland with sunny spells in a small chance by each shower. windy in the northern half of the uk and it coming down from the north east, never a warm wind direction, so temperatures around 11, 12 or 13 degrees. wednesday, there will be some degrees. wednesday, there will be some showers, chiefly as we go through the day across england and wales, something drierfor

through the day across england and wales, something drier for scotland and northern ireland. strongest winds in the south. where you get shelter, 15 degrees as possible in plymouth, the generally 12—11i. the end of the week, high pressure will try to take charge of the weather. a various frontal systems around the edges but the high will find those off. temperature

boris johnson will announce tough new local coronavirus restrictions in england this afternoon, as experts warn of a "marked pick—up" in cases since last month. hospitality and leisure are likely to face tough new rules in areas with the highest spikes. medical advisers warned of the dangers of failing to act. if we do not take measures to control the spread of the virus, the death toll will be too great to bear. we'll be reporting from across the country as england prepares for a three—tiered system of tighter restrictions. also this lunchtime: as three nightingale hospitals are put on standby, it's revealed there are now more people in hospital with covid—19 than when a national lockdown was imposed in march. an anxious wait for businesses to hear whether they will be in the most restricted zones, and how they'll cope if they are.