lancashire becomes the second region in england after liverpool to be put in the highest alert level of coronavirus restrictions. it means pub closures and bans on households mixing indoors and in most outdoor venues. but, unlike in liverpool, gyms won't close. if we don't get to grips with the virus, in three weeks‘ time, the admissions to hospital in lancashire will be at the height that they were at the peak when it was at its height. it comes as the government criticises the mayor of greater manchester for continuing to resist efforts to impose the toughest measures there. also this lunchtime... borisjohnson says the uk must prepare for a "no—deal" trade relationship with the european union at the end of the year.

i concluded that we should get ready forjanuary the 1st with arrangements that are more like australia's — based on simple principles of globalfree trade. new coronavirus cases in england jumped by 50% between october 2nd and the 8th, new figures suggest. how the coronavirus crisis could push some care homes out of business. and the chairman ofjohn lewis tells us of her plans to modernise the firm, in the face of falling sales. and coming up in the sport on bbc news: manchester united manager ole gunnar solskjaer says his captain harry maguire will bounce back from a dip in form, but he might miss their match tomorrow. good afternoon and welcome to the bbc news at one.

lancashire has become the latest area in england to be put into the highest coronavirus alert level, after the government came to an agreement with local leaders. it becomes the second region, after liverpool, to face the toughest measures, with different households banned from mixing indoors or outdoors in hospitality venues or private gardens. it comes amid government criticism of the mayor of greater manchester, andy burnham, who is resisting efforts to put his area in the highest level, saying he wants more financial support for people affected. london, essex, york and parts of surrey, derbyshire and cumbria will move into the high alert level at midnight, meaning different households are not allowed to mix indoors. here's our political correspondentjessica parker. beautiful beaches, iconic buildings. but blackpool, like all of lancashire, is moving to the highest tier of restrictions from tomorrow. like everybody else in tier three,

pubs and bars will close, but we managed to convince government that we've got sufficient measures in place to monitor the performance of leisure centres and gyms, so at this stage they won't be closing but obviously we've got to keep checking on them. for manchester, no destination has been arrived atjust yet. the mayor says plans for the area are flawed. the prime minister says... i am, i have area are flawed. the prime minister says... iam, i have to area are flawed. the prime minister says... i am, i have to say, concerned about what is happening in manchester, were clearly the levels of infection are rising steeply, the levels of hospitalisation are rising steeply, and we do need to see action and, you know, you say i would much rather not impose things, i would much rather we were able to work out something together. but pressure continues on the prime minister's neighbour the chancellor for more financial support. one local leader in greater manchester says talks with the government have

been respectful, but... they have not really been in negotiations. the governance has been very much in the position of saying this is what is on offer, take it or we will impose it, basically, and we have had to say, you haven't got evidence that these measures are effective and we have evidence that suggests they won't be there is certainly not enough financial compensation for people who have been put out of work, businesses. downing street once buy in from local leaders as it seeks to simplify the system with these local disease micro—alert levels but the talks have proved far from smooth so the process of setting new restrictions for some areas has become messier and more complicated. and a warning from one leading scientist against taking two piecemeal an approach. what we don't wa nt piecemeal an approach. what we don't want now is a fragmentation, confusion, one area or region or city pitched against another. i think that would be very, very

damaging to public health and the ability of the country to respond. in lancashire leaders say they have extra cash to help businesses. it is targeted action, they want to avoid a national lockdown. that may show comparisons as different areas which different deals. jessica parker, bbc news. our deputy political editor, vicki young, is in westminster. a real patchwork of measures across the country now. yeah, and i think that's the point. the lockdown in the spring was at least simple, despite, of course, the terrible harm that it brought. the problem now is things have become more complicated but not just now is things have become more complicated but notjust that. far more fractious. you have a situation now where i think there is really political jeopardy on all now where i think there is really politicaljeopardy on all sides here for the government. they are being accused of not putting up the money to help businesses, to keep people in theirjobs, to keep businesses afloat, and on the other side the accusation against some of the local mayors, but also against some conservative mps who don't want all

of this, is that they are delaying decisions that could in fact save lives. all of this taking a lot longer. you've got health officials are longer. you've got health officials a re really longer. you've got health officials are really pushing for some quick decisions, and that means that there isa decisions, and that means that there is a lot of uncertainty for businesses who actually don't even know whether they are going to be allowed to open in a few hours or a few days' time, and we've also got the problem of course with this arguing, really, between all these different people that ultimately, does it undermine the message? if you have a local conservative mps or a local labour mayor saying they don't agree with these rules, well that ultimately mean that people just don't follow them enough and that compliance really does start to drop? 0k. many thanks. i'll be putting some of your questions to our health correspondent in a moment, but first a reminder ofjust what the new covid alert levels in england mean. until yesterday, most areas were on the medium alert level, where the rule of 6 and the iopm hospitality curfew apply. the high level of restrictions mean no household mixing indoors,

and the rule of 6 applying outdoors. the most severe alert level is very high, meaning no mixing of households indoors or in most outdoor spaces — that includes homes, private gardens and hospitality venues. but people are allowed to meet in groups of 6 or less in certain outdoor public spaces, such as parks. pubs and bars must close unless they provide what's called "substa ntial meals", and people are advised not to travel in and out of the area. joining me now as our health correspondent cath burns. we've had various questions in. verity: will my relatives in london — soon to be tier 2 — be able to come and visit me in wiltshire — tier 1? so this isn't necessarily the news that verity will want to hear. it's going to be illegalfor people that verity will want to hear. it's going to be illegal for people from these high risk areas, like london, visit the homes of people in a lower

risk areas like where verity lives. that will also apply to meeting them inside pubs and restaurants. but obviously this doesn't mean that she can't see her family. obviously this doesn't mean that she can't see herfamily. if obviously this doesn't mean that she can't see her family. if she's got a garden that's fine. she could go for a drink ordinner garden that's fine. she could go for a drink or dinner outside. now obviously this isn't the news people wa nt to obviously this isn't the news people want to hear coming into winter but it's all about keeping us safe and stopping the virus spreading so the next few months we will all merely have to wrap up warm. 0k. sue: we are in tier 2, can i meet my friend in my garden if she has to come through the house to access it? so the short answer to this one is no. if sue's friend has to walk through the house to get to the garden, she can't do it. this is something that is stricter than it used to be. you might remember in england, earlier in the summer when the lockdown was starting to be eased, people were allowed to walk through homes quickly to go to gardens and they were even allowed to nip in and use the toilet. i called the department of health and social care today to check and they say that is no longer the case. luke: me and my partner both live

alone in separate houses — can we visit one another? so this is a good chance to talk about bubbles. there are two kinds. child care and support. support is the one that would apply to luke and his other half. a support bubble is where an adult lives alone and joined unto another household. if thatis joined unto another household. if that is what luke and his other half of done then absolutely they can visit each other and stay overnight. and finally, geo asks, can cleaners still work in houses? we know people are still being asked to work from home if they can. clearly some people cannot and that would apply to cleaners, so, yes, they can. if people need any work in their house, any tradesperson, an electrician, plumber, they are allowed to come in and do their work. they do not count towards the rule of six but it has towards the rule of six but it has to be socially distanced. cath, thank you very much. the prime minister has warned the eu that unless it changes its approach to trade talks,

the uk will settle for no deal. borisjohnson said there were only ten weeks left to find an agreement, and businesses should prepare for the possibility of trading in january without one being reached. eu leaders have been meeting in brussels to take stock of negotiations. mrjohnson had previously set the summit as a final deadline for a deal. nick beake reports. europe's leaders gathered once again in person, despite covid, having sent london an ultimatum. you need to give ground first if there is to be a brexit trade deal. this lunchtime, boris johnson hit back, saying the uk should now prepare for no—deal. given that this summit appears explicitly to rule out a ca nada—style deal, i concluded that we should get ready forjanuary the ist with arrangements that are more like australia's, based on simple principles of global free trade. the prime minister claimed once again that would be a good outcome for britain. after 45 years of membership,

they are not willing, unless there is some fundamental change of approach, to offer this country the same terms as canada. and so, with high hearts and with complete confidence, we will prepare to embrace the alternative, and we will prosper mightily as an independent, free—trading nation controlling our own borders, our fisheries, and setting our own laws. back in brussels, eu leaders, who have all been stepping up anti—covid measures at home, will have noted that boris johnson did not say the uk was walking away from talks. the german leader, speaking before mrjohnson's announcement, had spot had struck a more optimistic note. translation: we have asked the united kingdom to remain open to compromise so that an agreement can be reached. this, of course, means that we, too, will need to make compromises. each side has its red lines. dramatic language has often swirled

around these brexit talks and, despite the prime minister's latest declaration, eu negotiators say they will be back in london next week, hoping to agree a deal. nick beake, bbc news, brussels. let's talk to our political correspondent jonathan blake. do the prime minister's words mean we are heading for no—deal — or is this last—minute brinkmanship? bit of both, perhaps. for a long time it has been the uk's a position that they would like a free trade agreement with the eu, similar to the one it has with canada where there is no limit on the amount of goods that can be traded between both sides and no tariffs or charges on those goods being traded, that the country would prepare for a future without one. and for everything that borisjohnson said this morning, that remains the uk's position. the prime minister had set this eu summit that is just wrapping up this eu summit that is just wrapping up as this eu summit that is just wrapping upasa this eu summit that is just wrapping up as a deadline, and had said that ifa up as a deadline, and had said that if a deal wasn't likely by this point he would walk away from the

process. he hasn't done that. he has said, though, that a deal now depends on a fundamental shift in the eu's position. a couple of things to remember today. this is not where either side wants to be. both the uk and the eu have said it is their preference to do a deal, and also with everything that the brexit process has shown us and taught us up until this point, it's perhaps not surprising that have come and gone and that negotiations look as if they will go down to the wire. thank you very much, jonathan. approximately one in every 160 people in homes in england had coronavirus in the week up to the 8th of october, according to the latest snapshot from the office for national statistics. that's a rise of approximately 50% on the figure for the previous week. our head of statistics, robert cuffe, is in west london. robert, more evidence if it were needed of increasing cases.

absolutely. that figure up by a half ina week absolutely. that figure up by a half in a week or doubling roughly in a fortnight, although at a much slower rate of growth than we saw at the peak of the epidemic when it was doubling every couple of days, is probably a worrying one because it sets our expectations for what happens when people get sick and ultimately dying in the coming weeks. we pay particular attention to this survey because it gives us appear to lack a clear picture of what is going on with the virus now. the number of people testing positive everyday can arise, or it can fall if there are bottlenecks in the system. this survey cuts through all of that and gives us, to be honest, pretty familiar picture. the rate of infections is highest in the north of england, highest in teenagers and young adults. but it is rising everywhere, every region in england, in wales and northern ireland. the study doesn't have information for scotland. and in almost every age group. we have seen the number of people dying or going

into hospital with coronavirus doubling roughly every fortnight for the last month, but they reflect infections that happen quite some time ago so that the macro what this data tells us is that even if all the measures happening today get the virus under control we should still expect to see those more serious numbers going up in the next few weeks as the number of people infected now, a small proportion of them get very sick and an even smaller proportion sadly go on to die. robert, thanks very much. wales faces a limited "circuit—breaker lockdown" which is expected to be announced in the next few days. the welsh government says there's a growing consensus that more measures are needed to control the virus. people in parts of the uk with high rates of covid—i9 will be barred from travelling to wales from six o'clock tonight, as tomos morgan reports. tags this is what we lost in the first lock down from 23rd of march through until 13th ofjuly.

yesterday's announcement this is what we have lost so far. we fully expect to lose all this. and at least that. lucy miller's self catering and camping holiday rentals are on anglesey, one of few places in wales that is not a local lockdown. she says the overwhelming majority of her clients come from the north—west of england, a covid hotspot i'm from this evening areas with high levels of the virus in other parts of the uk will be banned by law from entering wales. the hospitality industry is the lifeblood of north wales. cutting that off is going to have long—term, far—reaching effects on people's livelihoods and businesses. so many companies are going to go bust. those living in places like wrexham, already under local restrictions, are banned from leaving their area

and it is illegal to enter another area under lockdown without a valid excuse. the village government say the enforcement of this new travel ban will be the same as how they have dealt with local lockdown measures here —— the welsh government. fines, and sending people home. the first minister has promised extra police patrols on the border. however the police federation and opposition parties say this approach is unenforceable. as well as this travel ban that comes into force this evening, the welsh government have begun planning more stringent measures as the number of coronavirus hospital admissions here has risen by almost 50% ina admissions here has risen by almost 50% in a week. the bbc understands that wales is just days away from announcing another potential national lockdown that could last for at least two weeks. it is a prospect being met with mixed views. i think it probably would be a very good thing for a couple of weeks,

just to dampen the virus spread. good thing for a couple of weeks, just to dampen the virus spreadlj think we could do other restrictions that would be easier to live with, that would be easier to live with, that maybe wouldn't affect us in such a harsh way. the authorities in cardiff have already began talks with industry is about the impact of any further restrictions. this would bea any further restrictions. this would be a short, sharp, shock to the virus which could turn back the clock, slowing down its spread and buying us more time. the number of covid hospital admissions have risen by almost 50% in a week, so increase measures are looking more certain to be announced next week, but the questions from unions, industries and the public are, how strict will they be, and for how much longer? tomos morgan, bbc news, menai

bridge. new coronavirus restrictions will come into force in northern ireland at six o'clock this evening. pubs, restaurants and hotels will be significantly affected. business leaders have warned that a financial support scheme set up by the devolved government is inadequate. let's talk to our correspondent, emma va rdy. how are people preparing for these new restrictions? just a few hours left of trading until bars, cafe is, restau ra nts, left of trading until bars, cafe is, restaurants, will have to close their doors, some trying to get rid of the stock they have, the provisions, a lot of the beer in their cellars will go off over this period. here in belfast there are a few customers in enjoying a final few customers in enjoying a final few drinks and a meal out, before that will be closed off to people for the next few weeks. 6pm tonight is when there is measures start. as well as pubs and bars, it is also close contact services like hairdressers and beauticians that will also have to close. this is all happening because northern ireland, like many places is seeing as

numbers of confirmed cases going up and up. northern ireland has had some of the highest infection rates within the uk. there has been lots of criticism from business groups about the second period of lockdown restrictions. the belfast chamber of commerce says the support measures don't cut it and they are calling on westminster to be more generous with the funding package that will be available. a lot of businesses will be closing their doors, but others have tried to find innovative ways to keep business ticking over during this period. they are setting up a little local shop over the period of lockdown, they have got a piece of iron intake keep some takeaway business ticking over, they hope to keep on their staff over the period but other businesses will not be so fortu nate. the time isi:20pm. our top story this lunchtime: lancashire agrees a deal to enter the highest level

of coronavirus restrictions — but gyms will stay open and there's a significant increase in financial support. and the insiders' guide to the best places to walk in your area. coming up in the sport in the next 15 minutes on bbc news: on the eve of the challenge cup final, the head of rugby league says it's right to play the game at an empty wembley. but the sport still needs financial help from the government. the rapid increase in coronavirus infections across the uk has been mirrored over much of europe. millions of people on the continent have been told to live under strict new measures, with deaths from the virus now exceeding a thousand a day. the world health organization has warned tough restrictions are "absolutely necessary" to save lives. here's richard galpin. across many parts of europe now, cases of coronavirus are rising rapidly. the result of a potent second wave of the virus hitting the region.

here in france, there has been a big jump in the number of daily cases, which was already high. they have now gone up from around 22,000 a day, to more than 30,000, a new record. with a night—time curfew in paris now and eight other cities, coming into force tomorrow, businesses are having to shut down, the situation bleak. translation: with this nine o'clock curfew we cannot afford to do a service. because we start our service at 7:30pm. dinner services usually end at around 10:30pm. so, so it is impossible for us to tell our clients at 8:30pm, you have to leave. in spain, it's a similar story. cases hitting more than 13,000 a day, the second highest daily count since latejune. the evolving epidemiological situation in europe raises great concern.

daily numbers of cases are up, hospital admissions are up, and covid is now the fifth leading cause of death, and the bar of 8000 deaths per day has now been reached. looking at this party on wednesday night in the netherlands, it is perhaps no surprise cases have been rising in europe, particularly amongst the young. people here, determined to socialise in large groups, right up to the last minute when measures came into force, closing bars, restaurants and coffee shops, apart from takeaway, and limiting the number of guests allowed in the home. richard galpin, bbc news. the coronavirus pandemic has pushed the care system for older and disabled people even closer to the edge, according to regulators. the care quality commission says some care homes may go out of business,

and the need for investment and reform is now urgent. our social affairs correspondent alison holt is with me now. why is the watchdog saying this? this is part of the cqc's annual look at how the health and social ca re system look at how the health and social care system is going. it praises the professionalism of staff during a pandemic but says existing inequality has been magnified by these pressures. on adult social care, it says it was fragile before covid, but the underlying problems of the need for long—term reform, better investment and the difficulties of recruiting and keeping staff, have just been exacerbated in recent months. the government has put extra money into the care system, but the report says those providing services are struggling to see the impact of that on the front line, and the report says many care businesses already operate on wafer thin margins, and need money, not in a week or a month, they need it today. in mental

health services the report highlights the poor care that inspectors continue to find in inpatient units for people with learning disabilities and autism, and the proportion of the service is rated inadequate has risen from 4% last year up to 13% this year, and that's not because of the pandemic, that's not because of the pandemic, thatis that's not because of the pandemic, that is an indication of the underlying problems within this sort of very complex care. in the report, the regular —— regulator says so many missed opportunities to see people, operations, investigations and so on, we have to ensure, in their words, that no one is left behind. alison, many thanks. the john lewis partnership, which includes waitrose, has launched what it calls a bold new plan to transform the business and boost its profits, which have slumped in recent years. it's investing £1 billion in online services, and improving stores, over the next five years. but it also wants to become less reliant on shops to make money, by offering new services such

as home insurance and housing. our business correspondent, emma simpson, reports. this employee—owned business has been going for 91 years, but what about the next? nothing's guaranteed for retailers any more, and these big department stores are under the most pressure. right now, for every £100 that's spent atjohn lewis, £60 of it is done online, meaning it's harder for these stores to make money. time for some new ideas. more virtual services, for instance, like the christmas shop. more affordable prices, and more investment online, like expanding food deliveries, but in future, this business is going to depend on more than just retail. so, financial services, we're already in, in a small way but we can see big opportunity to expand in an ethical way given the trust in the brand. we're already a landlord

with a number of our stores today, so we're looking at how we can expand housing to be even more important to the community, and outdoor living. again, both brands are quite active but in quite a small way. and for me, we're an employee—owned business, we're not a conventional business, and retail margins are compressing, so, over the longer term, if we want — if i, as chairman, want to be able to invest in my partners and invest back into customers, we've got to find new sources of growth that our customers love that are going to provide more sustainable profitability for us. and, as you see, we're expecting that by 2030, about 40% of our profits will come from outside retail, allowing us to pay our partners better, allowing us to invest even more in oui’ customers. it's a big shift. stores remain important. question is, will they need as many of them in the future?

emma simpson, bbc news. going out for a walk was a welcome escape for lots of people during the national lockdown, and many of us took the opportunity to explore the great outdoors. but the best and safest routes are often hidden away. now volunteers across the country have stepped in to create "slow maps" for walkers, as david sillito has been finding out. we're in ledbury, and sue and nina, have, like millions of us, taken the government advice to walk if you can, but while this is an area thick with footpaths, the suggested route on our phone to get to the next village was far from pleasant or safe. horn blares i'm starting to feel as though i've made a terrible decision here. i'm really starting to regret my route here. i don't think it's really working. i think we need to find a better way to wellington heath — and someone has been

working on that. what is it? slow ways is a project to create a network of walking routes that connect all of great britain's town, cities and thousands of villages. this is daniel raven ellison, geographer, walker and the man behind the slow map of britain — an attempt to show the best, direct, safe, pleasant walking route between our towns and villages. surely, it's all on my phone these days, isn't it? when a lot of us use the typical navigation platforms we use for driving, but for walking instead, actually, they can take us down some pretty dodgy and unsavoury routes. you've been doing all of them, have you? well, during lockdown, about 700 people came together on the project and created 7,000 routes that stretch for 100,000 kilometres, which is the equivalent of 2.5 laps of the equator. so this is the theory that your volunteers have come up with. now it's got to be tested, i'm guessing.

yeah, some of these routes just may not work in practice on the ground, so we need to find 10,000 people to help us walk 100,000 kilometres of slow ways routes. which takes us back to sue and nina, and plan b. i took out dan's map and suggested the new slow route, which took us away from the cars, through a hereford cider orchard. so, let'sjust stop here for a second, shall we? so this is the slow route. erm. . . better than my first one? yes, it's really nice, isn't it? it smells different and it sounds different and it's beautiful. nice underfoot. a huge improvement. i mean, this is what walking is all about for me, being out in an apple orchard, birdsong — what more do you want? so, route one is a winner. just another 999,998 kilometres to go. david sillito, bbc news, ledbury. time for a look at the weather. here's nick miller