this is bbc news. the headlines: a new variant of coronavirus has been found in the uk — which the health secretary says could be associated with the rise in infections in the south of england. i must stress at this point that there is currently nothing to suggest that this variant is more likely to cause serious disease, and the latest clinical advice is that it's highly unlikely that this mutation would fail to respond to a vaccine, but it shows we've got to be vigilant. greater london, and parts of essex and hertfordshire, will move into the highest tier of coronavirus restrictions from wednesday. we'll be speaking to a virologist, to find out how this new variant might affect our

journey back to normality. and the health secretary will be leading today's government coronavirus briefing — he'll be joined by chief medical officer chris whitty, and professor kevin fenton, from public health england. that is at six o'clock this evening. also coming up: that's it, scratch! coronavirus vaccinations are under way in care homes in scotland, and in gp surgeries in england. both the european union and the uk say progress is being made in negotiations over the future trading relationship, but warn the talks could yet fail.

hello. a new variant of coronavirus has been detected to be growing faster in some parts of england. it's one of the reasons the government has decided to place london and parts of the south east into the highest tier of coronavirus restrictions, tier 3, in order to slow rising rates of infection. it means that a further 10 million people willjoin the 23 million people aleady living under the most stringent level of measures. the restrictions will be brought in from midnight on wednesday morning. parts of essex and hertfordshire will also enter tier 3 at the same time. under tier 3, there must be no mixing of households, unless outdoors and in a public space. and pubs and restaurants can only offer takeaway services. on the new variant of coronavirus that's been detected,

the health secretary said it shouldn't have an impact on vaccinations and that it had been detected in 60 local authorities. matt hancock will be leading a downing street briefing at 6pm, which you can see on the news channel, but speaking in the commons earlier, he had this to say on the newly detected variant. over the last few days, thanks to our world—class genomic capability in the uk, we have identified a new variant of coronavirus which may be associated with the faster spread in the south east of england. initial analysis suggests that this variant is growing faster than the existing variants. we've currently identified over 1,000 cases with this variant, predominantly in the south of england. although cases have been identified in nearly 60 different local authority areas and numbers are increasing rapidly. similar variants have been identified in other countries over the last few months. we've notified the world health organization about this new variant and public health england is working hard to continue its expert analysis at porton down.

mr speaker, i must stress at this point that there is currently nothing to suggest that this variant is more likely to cause serious disease, and the latest clinical advice is that it's highly unlikely that this mutation would fail to respond to a vaccine. but it shows we've got to be vigilant and follow the rules, and everyone used to take personal responsibility not to spread this virus. that was matt hancock in the commons. the government's decision to put london and other parts of the south east into tier 3 means that more than thirty million people in england will now be living under the most serious restrictions. the health secretary said the decision was aimed at keeping people safe. we've therefore decided to move greater london, the south and west of essex — which includes basildon, brentwood, harlow, epping forest, castle point, rochford, maldon, braintree and chelmsford — along with thurrock and southend—on—sea borough councils, and the south of hertfordshire —

which means broxbourne, hertsmere, watford and the three rivers local authority — into tier 3, which is the very high alert level. this means that people can only see friends and family they don't live with, or are in a support bubble with, in outdoor public places and, of course, in line with the rule of six. hospitality settings must close, except takeaway and delivery. and people should avoid travelling outside their area and reduce the number of journeys they make, wherever possible. now, i know that this is difficult news and i know that it will mean plans disrupted. and that for businesses affected, it will be a significant blow. but this action is absolutely essential, notjust to keep people safe, but because we've seen early action can help prevent more damaging and longer lasting problems later. mr speaker, these restrictions will come into force at midnight on wednesday morning. because when the virus moves

quickly, we must move quickly too, and we must take the actions that are not necessarily easy, but are effective. in response, the shadow health secretary, jonathan ashworth, said the ‘buffer zone‘ that the restrictions were supposed to create was getting smaller, and he had several questions for matt hancock. this is a virus that, without adequate restrictions in place, spreads with ferocity. and case rates are increasing again, and hospital admissions climbing, the r edging up. last week, the england rate was 159 per 100,000. now it's 188 per 100,000. that's a 20% increase. across london, cases have increased 30%. across the east of england, 36%. so, none of us are surprised at the action he has taken today. indeed, he was warned that tier 2 would not be enough to contain the spread of the virus in many places. and indeed, it looks like in some areas such as kent, tier 3 isn't enough to contain

the spread either. elsewhere in the country, tier 3 does appear to be allowing the virus to flatline and, indeed, the north west is trending down. but overall, the increasing areas are rising faster than the decreasing areas are falling. and as things stand, we are heading into the christmas easing with diminishing headroom. the buffer zone these tiers were supposed to provide is getting much thinner. so, what is his plan to keep people safe through christmas and avoid huge pressures on the nhs injanuary? what is his plan to support an exhausted, underfunded, understaffed nhs through january, to deliver the care patients will need? and is he confident that our nhs won't be so overwhelmed injanuary that it impacts the vaccination programme? jonathan ashworth for labour.

our health correspondent nick triggle gave some more background to the new restrictions and explained why people shouldn't be too alarmed about the new variant. we have seen mutations before. there was one that emerged in spain over the summer. but it doesn't necessarily mean it will cause more serious disease or impact on the effectiveness of the vaccine. in fa ct, effectiveness of the vaccine. in fact, mr hancock did say his medical advisers said it is highly unlikely to affect or disrupt the vaccine. but we do need to know more. the scientists at the porton down government laboratory are having a look at this new variant. he did say that it may be associated with faster spread in the south east, but that's not the same as saying it is causing it. and all these things have to be explored more. but i would caution about being too alarmed at the moment because we do see the sort of thing with viruses. and in terms of the new tier 3

restrictions for london and elsewhere, as we have mentioned, the government obviously felt they had to move very fast on this because of race and case numbers in the south east. they were due to review it on wednesday, but they have gone quicker than that. —— because of rates. remarkable how quickly the picture has changed. a month ago, we we re picture has changed. a month ago, we were seeing rising rates in the north of thing then and much of the midlands, now it has completely changed, reversed, it is the south east where we have seen cases going up east where we have seen cases going up —— north of england. much of the rest of the country is seen cases come down. what has been caused concern is we have beginning to see rates going up in the over—60s and hospital admissions in london and the surrounding areas, parts of hertfordshire, essex and kent, are also rising. there is no more than 2,000 patients in london hospitals with covid. a month ago, it wasjust 1,200, and there are onlyjust over 1,000 beds free in london hospitals.

so it is notjust raising infections, it is which age groups they are rising in and the fact people are ending up in hospital that has forced the government to act quickly. and one question matt hancock was asked by one mp was, why is it only going to be tier 3 in parts of hertfordshire and essex, but all of london? in other words, why has london not been separated into its constituent districts, areas and different tiers imposed? there is a variation in infection rates in the different london boroughs, but most are rising and most are above kind of the average for england. but what we see, especially essex is a prime example of that, in northern parts of essex, cases over the past week have been below 100 per 100,000 people. cases over the past week have been below100 per100,000 people. but cases over the past week have been below 100 per 100,000 people. but in the south of the borough, it is tipping over 500, 600 cases per 100,000 so there is a huge

variation. and those areas touching london, infection rates, as they are in london, are going up, and that is why we have seen parts of those counties go into tier 3, but not the whole county. that is our health correspondent. so, how much do we know about this new variant, and how concerned should we be? dr naomi forrester—soto is a virologist at keele university. thank you for being with us. the health secretary suggesting this new variant could fuel the rise in cases in the south of england, do you think that is likely? i think that thatis think that is likely? i think that that is potentially a possibility, but there is also the possibility of a case numbers would have risen a nyway a case numbers would have risen anyway from people ‘s behaviour and it just so happens anyway from people ‘s behaviour and itjust so happens this variant has been transmitted most predominantly in london on the south east at the moment. so until we know more, it is probably a little bit early to speculate. there is certainly a

correlation, whether it is a causation, we don't know yet. how worried should we be about the idea thatis worried should we be about the idea that is this new variant? we already knew that coronavirus mutates, but tell us more about what the government may mean when they say there is this new mutant? so, viruses do mutate all the time, particularly rna viruses, of which coronavirus is one, and although coronaviruses do tend to be more sta ble coronaviruses do tend to be more stable than other rna viruses, they do mutate and create new variants. occasionally, one may enter the right time and group of people to start spreading and become dominant over all the others and that can be simply due to chance or it can be due to the fact that the virus is just a little bit better adapted than its previous ones. that doesn't mean it is going to cause more severe disease and it certainly doesn't mean it will prevent the vaccine from working. it is a normal thing viruses do, we see it all the time in different rna viruses. it was to be expected. ijust think

until we know more and until more investigations have been done, it is a little early to speculate as to how this will affect things. that is what matt hancock was saying, it should not affect the new vaccine and how well that works. but we are pretty clear about that, are we? although at the moment we only have the pfizer vaccine anyway, but you are the pfizer vaccine anyway, but you a re pretty the pfizer vaccine anyway, but you are pretty confident whatever vaccines we do end up with, they will be able to cope with different variants like this? particularly if it is only one mutation, it is very likely the vaccine will be able to cope with it. i haven't seen the details of what the mutation is so until then, i details of what the mutation is so untilthen, iam details of what the mutation is so until then, iam reluctant details of what the mutation is so until then, i am reluctant to comment. but i think that unless it isa comment. but i think that unless it is a major shift and that doesn't sound what this is like, i wouldn't be concerned. we also hear about new strains of a virus. is this different, is a variants different from a new strain of the virus? u nfortu nately, from a new strain of the virus? unfortunately, that is kind of a bit ofa unfortunately, that is kind of a bit of a loaded question in virology. depending on the type of virus,

there are different definitions for strain versus variant. i noticed they were very careful to use variant, which to me suggests a mutation has arisen that seems to be coming up more frequently than we would maybe have expected otherwise. astrain, i would maybe have expected otherwise. a strain, i would expect to see a few more mutations mutating a little bit more together and that would be a little bit more difference between the coronaviruses for a strain. but everybody, i work with alpha viruses usually and they are a bit different from coronaviruses so everybody has a slightly different definition. really good to talk to you, dr forrester—soto, a virologist at keele university. let's talk through the political implications of this. nick ed leigh is at westminster. a very big decision for the government to put london in particular into tier 3 to put london in particular into tier3 —— nick to put london in particular into tier 3 —— nick ed leigh. although other parts of london are under tier 3 already, we shouldn't forget that.

london is key economic rates and the government have jumped the gun because they were supposed to be reviewing this on wednesday and they have announced this already, that's right. it is interesting because when the new tier restrictions were brought in after the england lock down, there were questions about with the number of cases we were seeing in london, why it wasn't put in the highest tier. then the expectation in the last few days was it was coming, but it might not happen until the weekend. but you are absolutely right. it is a sign of how seriously the government is taking the data for london that it has made this decision to put it into tier 3 quicker than was expected. so from one minute past midnight on wednesday morning. it is a big deal because it affects many millions of people and it has a huge economic impact as well. just as it has had in places like greater manchester over the last few weeks. it was interesting speaking to people who are on that call with the

health secretary about a couple of hours ago know when they were briefed on what was happening, i think there is an acceptance that there is such concern about the number of cases in london that they felt it was necessary to do this. i suppose a couple of questions we are hearing politicallyjust now, one can come out of tier 3. there it is real concern once areas end up in restrictions with the huge economic impact that has, it's difficult to move back into tier 2 and we have heard in the commons mps in parts of england already in tier 3 saying, how do we get back into tier 2 for christmas? not totally clear. secondly, christmas itself. there is a five—day period where people are being given grace to travel around the country if they want to form those christmas bubbles with friends and family for five days, to spend some thing like a normal festive

period. i think there is increasing concern about that frankly both in westminster and in parts of the health community that that is a terrible idea and potentially, millions of people leaving london to go to other parts of the united kingdom could be a bad idea. and i think what we're hearing from the government is a real urging of people to be cautious and sane, we can do this, but don't feel you have to. there is no need to push the rules. if you can can stay where you live and if you are in a tier 3 area, live and if you are in a tier 3 area , you live and if you are in a tier 3 area, you should try and do that are possible. we heard that from the scottish first minister today and there is a nervousness that that relaxation over christmas could potentially mean the virus spreading quite significantly. many thanks indeed, nick eardley. most of essex is going into tier 3. we can speak now to sir bernard jenkin, the conservative mp for harwich and north essex — part of essex which will remain in tier 2.

thank you for being with us. you signed letters from essex mps to the government saying the counties should effectively not all be put into tier 3, it should be in different tiers, so you have got what you want, but is at the right approach? people in london might say, why have you not carved up london into different tiers? well, i think the fact that essex, which is a very large county of 2 million people, has been divided shows that if there was a case for it in london, the government would have done it in london. you also mentioned the government has brought forward this decision. i think that shows how evenhanded the government is being with regard to some of the controversy about the north. this is not a punishment of any part of england. this is being as tough on london as the government is being on other parts of the country. so i am very relieved that east essex is left out of this because we are next

to suffolk, suffolk is in tier 2, infection rates, positivity rates, hospital capacity has far more in common with suffolk than with the western parts of essex which have far more in common with london because they are much more affected by commuting from london. we have heard from the prime minister and health secretary in the past he said that the trouble is that people drive around a county, they move around and go from work to their home or home from work to —— in a different area so, this is what borisjohnson said when they originally made tiers around the counties, you have to do it county by county. there has been a complete change of mind? there is nothing medically significant from a plurality of epidemiology point of view about county boundaries. leicester was on lockdown and the whole of leicestershire was not in lockdown and there is little evidence it spread from leicester to the rest of leicestershire.

similarly, there is no evidence. i mean, i challenge you to find how many people travel from brentwood every day compared to the number of people who commute to london from brentwood every day. you need to ta ke brentwood every day. you need to take an intelligent look at this and not get religious about county boundaries. what about those who say we are bringing in tier 3 in parts of essex and london now, but we are effectively over christmas going to go into tea are zero and it is more ofa go into tea are zero and it is more of a free referral? all that work will be undone. —— tier 0. of a free referral? all that work will be undone. -- tier 0. if you are in tier3 will be undone. -- tier 0. if you are in tier 3 or tier 2, or the restrictions apply. except, you are allowed to enlarge your household bubble. in tier 3, allowed to enlarge your household bubble. in tier3, there allowed to enlarge your household bubble. in tier 3, there is no mixing of households in gardens except those allowed in the bubble, the hospitality in tier 3 will be closed down over christmas. and some essential retail may be closed down as well. so i think, don't pretend

we are all going on holiday at christmas. in fact, we are all going on holiday at christmas. infact, if we are all going on holiday at christmas. in fact, if anything, the messages, you have got extra responsibilities at christmas because you have got extra freedoms. —— the message is. but please use these new freedoms as wisely and sensibly as you can or more people will be in tier 3 or you will be in tier 3 for longer. because of the accelerated transmission of the virus. but i think everybody agrees giving families a little break at christmas is the least we can do. it is only for a short period, not during the new year period. but there could be a heavy price to pay for it, couldn't there? well, there could be, that depends on how people behave. it is notjust about the rules. let's face it, most people obey the rules not because they are going to get caught but because they are feeling responsible. and the few people that break the rules are going to break the rules whatever they do. and what we hope is that

people will we are appealing to people will we are appealing to people plus make sense of responsibility. and in fact, there isa responsibility. and in fact, there is a strong argument that as we all get used to do service being in society, we can depend more on people's sense of responsibility and rely less on rules, but it will be interesting to see whether that turns out to be the case. in schools, apparently, secondary schools, apparently, secondary school age children are driving the rise in cases in the south east. should schools be closing early and reopening late? well, they are closing in two or three days anyway. and one of the arguments for perhaps delaying tier 3 altogether, which is what we argue for the whole of essex, it was, let'sjust what we argue for the whole of essex, it was, let's just get the school is closed because the highest incidents of virus spread comes from education settings. and that should help and counterbalance the family bubbles we are allowing to expand during christmas. but i think we all

agreed that we want our young people to carry on receiving the education. if there is one thing you run a country for it is the young people and theirfuture. country for it is the young people and their future. so the emphasis is on keeping the schools open. and as the vaccinations become more widespread and more vulnerable people are protected from the disease, i hope that it will matter less that there is virus spread in educational settings amongst young people. sir bernard, good to talk to you, thank you for your time on bbc news this evening. let's talk to someone whose business will be directly impacted by london's move from tier 2 to tier 3 on wednesday. wilfred mafham is the founder and co—owner of the restaurant pasta nostra in central london. your response to this news london is going into tier 3 from wednesday? yes, it is another crushing blow to

oui’ yes, it is another crushing blow to our industry. it is devastating because so much work was put into reopening the business after the second lockdown. and that takes so much time and money and careful planning to reopen. and so many people, like me, were in a position where we were not even 100% sure whether financially, it was worth reopening for that period between the end of the second lockdown and christmas break. but we knew that we had three weeks of trading and that would, it is what we love doing. and of course, it was worth the effort. so to find out now that we have gone into tier 3 and we are closing on wednesday and we don't really know what the situation is, when we will be out of tier 3 and when we can reopen injanuary, be out of tier 3 and when we can reopen in january, yes, be out of tier 3 and when we can reopen injanuary, yes, it is very ha rd to reopen injanuary, yes, it is very hard to take. i have spoken to so many pub landlords and restaurant owners in the last few months who

are not sure they can survive. can you survive this? well, i think it isa you survive this? well, i think it is a really tough question. i think any independent restaurant at the moment is looking at the year that we have just had and thinking, moment is looking at the year that we havejust had and thinking, can we havejust had and thinking, can we do it? and to be honest, it is unknown. because i suppose for any restau ra nt, unknown. because i suppose for any restaurant, especially one that is independent and lives off that trade, to close and to reopen and with your the expense of that, i don't know. we're at next year thinking, what is the way out? —— with all the expense. we need a road map to forecast, to plan. the road map to forecast, to plan. the road map seems to be with the vaccinations, it should be a lot better by the spring, by easter, thatis better by the spring, by easter, that is what the politicians have told us. i suppose if i rephrase the question, if you have too, could you survive until easter? we could. yes,

we could. but i think you will find that so many of the amount of redundancies that will be made, the amount of jobs lost redundancies that will be made, the amount ofjobs lost in this industry, hospitality industry which is the third biggest in the uk, it is the third biggest in the uk, it is going to have a massive, massive effect. i think it is great furlough scheme is being extended. you will be looking at restaurants and businesses looking into 2021 now thinking, yes, we can do it, but we are going to have to cut costs seriously hard. so i think a lot of places will look at closing down sites and i think a huge amount of redundancies will be made and it is scary. looking into next year. 0k, go to, thank you. we lost your picture for a moment and we are showing a nice picture of your restau ra nt showing a nice picture of your restaurant instead. good luck to you and we will make we all hope that you do survive this crisis, many

thanks. as we've been hearing — london will move into the highest tier of covid restrictions on wednesday. rupa huq is the labour mp for ealing central and acton. thank you for being with us. what is your view of this announcement? tier 3 for all of london, does that make sense? i guess given the way the cases are moving up sense? i guess given the way the cases are moving up in every part of london, it is said that —— sad but inevitable really. so i guess given the numbers. i mean, these things do change. ealing was number one the day that we went into tier 2 in london. last week, it was number 20, but even there, it is creeping up again. so it has to be done. what about this argument about, should london be separated into the highest areas where coronavirus cases have been rising very rapidly and may be put them into three and keep other

areas in tier2? put them into three and keep other areas in tier 2? that has been done in essex and hertfordshire, we were discussing that with bennerjenkin, does that be does that make more sense to be more nuanced about this? i think not because london is a very interconnected city, people travel all across the other side of it for work reasons, i was nearing this morning and i am in westminster now. people go to hospitals outside their immediate area. so i think, i was saying even when ealing was the number one coronavirus borough in london, i did the interview with the mpfor london, i did the interview with the mp for wavering and he was low and we we re mp for wavering and he was low and we were high and he said, we shouldn't be in this. papering is now number one. these things change and healing is now number 20. we just have to move as things change. we were talking to a restaurant, what about businesses in your constituency, how hard will they be hit and how many frankly will not be able to survive all of this?” hit and how many frankly will not be able to survive all of this? i do really feel for our retail and

hospitality and leisure, all of those industries. what is annoying for them is the way they are told to crank up and crank down at the drop ofa crank up and crank down at the drop of a hatch really. they have got 48 hours notice. a lot of them will be ordering in fresh produce. so it is irritating for them, but itjust a lwa ys irritating for them, but itjust always looks a bit haphazard the weight this is done because they need to plan properly. so i think they need a full compensation package really. i mean, as it is, we are in tier2 package really. i mean, as it is, we are in tier 2 which means that you can't go to any of those restaurant facilities unless it is with your own family. that was already a bit ofa own family. that was already a bit of a kick in the teeth for them and now this foreclosure apart from takeaway, it is really sad because it feels like a lot of them will never be coming back on the other side of this. in ealing broadway, things are shutting up since that first lockdown that will not be reopening. i think the government has done it before with other sectors and it did it with the eat

out to help out which seems to boost our chances a lot. it needs a full compensation package. and our cultural sector, i have a theatre in my borough, london is the home of these leisure and cultural industries and we need proper compensation. because in the long run, we want them to come back, they are viable and it is not their fault they have had to close because there isa they have had to close because there is a global pandemic. so i think we need proper compensation really. one very quick question, does it still make sense going into tier 3 to have the relaxation over the christmas period? it just the relaxation over the christmas period? itjust seems completely inconsistent that suddenly, there is going to be a christmas amnesty for five days in the middle of this. i mean, i have been on two different calls with ministers today and it feels a bit of mixed message in greeley. either we are going to do it properly or not. it is tough really because people like to be around their family christmas and everybody has had a hard year. ——

mixed message really. for people, the message needs to be clear and understandable and there needs to be compliance as well. we saw when dominic cummings had his eye test and drove to the castle, there was a massive drop in compliance because people thought, well, it doesn't really matter, does it? if they are not going to follow it, why should i? we do have to tread carefully and make it consistent, understandable and clear. it is such a shame because the vaccines are coming online now and the end is in sight. ijust, we were told in one of these calls today to only mix if you absolutely have too so it is a possibility for christmas, but it is not mandatory people can maybe see off putting their mum and dad until they are vaccinated which should be in the new year for most people, bennett makes sense. rupa huq, labourmpfor bennett makes sense. rupa huq, labour mp for ealing central and acting, many thanks for being with us on acting, many thanks for being with us on bbc news this evening.

hello, this is bbc news. the headlines — a new variant of coronavirus has been found in the uk, which the health secretary says could be associated with the rise in infections in the south of england. i must stress at this point that there is currently nothing to suggest that this variant is more likely to cause serious disease, and the latest clinical advice is that it's highly unlikely that this mutation would fail to respond to a vaccine, but it shows we've got to be vigilant. greater london and parts of essex and hertfordshire will move into the highest tier of coronavirus restrictions from wednesday. coronavirus vaccinations are under way in care homes in scotland, and in gp surgeries in england. both the european union and britain say progress is being made in negotiations over the future trading relationship,

but warn the talks could yet fail. the health secretary matt hancock is leading a news briefing at downing street at 6pm. he will bejoined by the uk chief medical adviser professor chris whitty, and the london regional director for public health england professor kevin fenton. we will bring it to you live on the bbc news channel. now a full round—up from the bbc sport centre. former liverpool manager gerard houllier has died at the age of 73. he took over at anfield in 1998, and was in charge for six years, leading liverpool to five major trophies including a cup treble in 2001. later that year, he underwent emergency heart surgery, but returned to the dugout. in a statement, liverpool said they were

deeply saddened, while many of their former players have paid tribute, including chris kirkland who played under him at liverpool for three seasons. when he said anything, you never doubted that, because he said it in such a way and he backed up his opinions that you knew that that was going to be the best for the team, and it certainly worked out that way. 2005, obviously won the five trophies in 2001, the 2005 champions league was his team, more or less, i know this set was there, but it was —— i know rafa was there, but it was —— i know rafa was there, but gerard was in the dressing room afterwards celebrating at the way it should have been. he helps to make players better. chris kirkland a member and former liverpool manager gerard houllier who has died at the age of 73. —— remembering former liverpool manager. fans will not be allowed to attend any sporting events in london as of wednesday. it is after the capital was put into tier 3 following a rise in covid

cases. the world darts championship must follow the rules. fans will be allowed in tomorrow but not thereafter. chelsea manager frank lampard thereafter. chelsea manager frank la m pa rd however wa nts thereafter. chelsea manager frank lampa rd however wants supporters thereafter. chelsea manager frank lampard however wants supporters to be allowed into stadiums even in tier 3 areas. 2000 fans were at their last two matches at stamford bridge. we are making it up as we go along, that is not to sound critical but it isjust a fact, we have never beenin but it isjust a fact, we have never been in this position before, and when you're talking about controlling the situation, i think clubs have shown so far that they can control it. sol clubs have shown so far that they can control it. so i would like to have thought there could be something done to make it exempt where we can get that 2000 number in. but again, that goes above my station, i'm just saying what i think. chelsea face arguably the ha rd est think. chelsea face arguably the hardest task of all the english sides in the draw for the last 16 of the champions league. they will take on atletico madrid. meanwhile, liverpool will face last season's semifinalists rb leipzig in the last 16 of the competition, that knocked out manchester united last week. here's the full manchester city take

on german side borussia monchengladbach. elsewhere, 13 time winners real madrid play atalanta, and barcelona have drawn it last yea r‘s and barcelona have drawn it last year's runners—up paris st germain. holders bayern munich will face lazio. all three english clubs will be away for the first legs in mid—to—late fabric. manchester united have dropped into the europa league and have a delete tough draw in the last 32 against spanish league leaders real sociedad. there are all the ties for the british sites. more details on the bbc sport website. ireland, and scotland have been drawn in the same rugby world cup pool for the second time in a row. ireland will the only team to qualify last time around. they also won the sides' six nations match in federally. england, beaten by south africa last year in the final, faced japan, and argentina. —— will face japan, and argentina. —— will face japan and argentina. and wales once

again have a group with australia and fiji. as for hosts france, they will be up against a three—time winners new zealand and six nations rivals italy in pool a. and nice centurions have been named as the tufting to take part in next yearsuper league. tufting to take part in next yea rsuper league. they tufting to take part in next yearsuper league. they had a vacant space yearsuper league. they had a vacant s pa ce after yearsuper league. they had a vacant space after toronto wolfpack withdrew due to financial problems. they are high quality stadium in fanbase is thought to have swung the decision. the season starts in march. that is all the support from us march. that is all the support from us for now. about 100 gp practices in england are receiving doses of the pfizer biontech coronavirus vaccine today, to start immunising patients over the age of 80. the surgeries will operate seven days a week, from 8am to 8pm , and people eligible for a jab will be contacted by their gp. there's some flash photography in sophie hutchinson's report.

batches of the coronavirus vaccine being prepared for delivery today and this warehouse in the midlands. each box here contains almost 1,000 doses, and this centre has distributed more than 40,000 doses this morning. the vaccine is being taken to more than 100 gp practices in england. most of their patients will get it tomorrow. but a tiny minority, like this surgery on the outskirts of birmingham, will have the jabs as early as this afternoon and this gp will be one of the first to administer them. covid—19 and the pandemic has been unprecedented in the nhs. we are used to delivering a mass vaccination, we do the flu programme every year, this is a different vaccine, yes, logistically it is different in terms of how we handle it and deliver it, but we feel so ready. gps have to work at speed.

the vaccine has to be stored at ultra low temperatures. it is then thawed, and practices havejust three and a half days to use it. this one in central london is aiming to vaccinate as many as 1,000 people in the next few days. that will mean injecting up to 40 patients every hour. nevertheless, many will have to wait for an appointment, and doctors are urging people to be patient. inevitably, with the relatively small number of centres, not everybody will have access to it straight away. but over the months working through the priority list, the expectation is that perhaps the 30 million or so people in the country that require the vaccine will actually receive it. the roll—out to gp surgeries comes less than a week since margaret keenan made history by becoming the first person to receive the vaccine as part of the nationwide roll—out. people aged 80 and over along with health care staff are being prioritised

in what is the largest immunisation programme the nhs has ever undertaken. it's taken a huge amount of work, lots of people with lots of different backgrounds and experience. we've worked with scientists, people from the army, supply, logistics, estates, all sorts of people who have come together to make sure that we can offer vaccinations as gps, as pharmacists, as nurses, so we are really very lucky, and it's been a phenomenal endeavour so far. and some gps will be running mass vaccination programmes from larger centres, such as this one at epsom racecourse. nhs staff plan to vaccinate up to 300 patients a day here. to be able to do this at scale, and get the number of patients vaccinated in a timely fashion, is really good to do it in a central hub where everything is on site and set up correctly, where the right precautions are taken and we can be sure it is a safe and quality service.

centres like this are part of a rapid scaling up what will be over 1,000 vaccination sites in the coming weeks, in the hope the virus' race may soon be run. sophie hutchinson, bbc news. a 90—year—old woman in south lanarkshire has become the first care home resident in scotland to receive the coronavirus vaccine. older people in care homes and staff have been prioritised in the vaccine roll—out. the health secretary for scotland said distribution of the vaccine to care homes was a challenge, but she was "delighted" the programme had begun. this from our scotland correspondent james shaw. you might end up with a wee bit of a bruise. oh, well, i'm full of bruises anyway. an historic moment over in seconds. hey! well done. annie innes, a former carer, became the first of thousands of residents in scottish care homes to be given the pfizer vaccine. the start of a process which should allow a return to some sort of normality.

oh, it's been a terrible year, terrible. i would like to see it a lot brighter for everybody else, then. all 52 residents and the staff who look after them at abercorn house care home in hamilton will get the vaccine. in this health board area alone, there are nearly 9000 residents and carers to be vaccinated, a huge logistical challenge. the last week has been really, really challenging. just trying to overcome each of the logistic hurdles that has come at us with this vaccine. however, the staff across lanarkshire, across the partnerships and the care home staff, have been absolutely fantastic in all the planning and overcoming each hurdle that we've come across and at the time, the sense of excitement that we are actually going to be vaccinating in care homes. so far, scotland has enough doses of the vaccine for around 33,000 people to get a first injection

and then a booster three weeks later. ca re care home residents and staff are being traumatised from our current supply of the vaccine. she said prioritised from our current supply of the vaccine. over a period of time, particularly once we get signed off for the oxford and the moderna vaccines, the space and the pace will be able to be increased. we are all working as fast as we can but it will be a slow start and then gathering speed. the process of protecting people from coronavirus and ending the long nightmare of the pandemic has begun, but no one yet knows how long this beginning of the end will take. james shaw, bbc news, glasgow.

the health minister for wales vaughan gething has announced that people in care homes in north wales will begin receiving the covid—19 vaccine from wednesday. vaughan gething made the announcement at the welsh he made the announcement at the welsh government's daily briefing. we started vaccinating people last week, giving us real hope that next year will be different and better than 2020. in the first few days, more than 6,000 people received the first dose of the vaccine. clinics will continue this week, and we will begin vaccinating people living in care homes, starting in north wales, from wednesday. we are starting this phase of the programme slowly. we need to make sure that we can safely transport the vaccine to people who can't come to clinics. the vaccine has to be stored in ultralow temperatures. repackaging the vaccine into smaller

quantities for use in care homes has there is a risk that it becomes less potent if it is moved too much once it has been thawed. this week, we will check that we can repackage and deliver the vaccine without wasting any and crucially, that it still protects people. if all goes well this week, we will roll out care home vaccination at a much greater pace ahead of christmas, bringing a new level of protection to some of our most vulnerable people. unfortunately, there are very few reasons to be cheerful about the very serious situation we currently face in wales. we continue to see very high cases across wales. in the last week, there were more than 14, 000 confirmed cases of coronavirus and one in five tests carried out has been positive. the latest figures show cases

are rising in all but one local authority areas in wales. all this tells us that coronavirus is widespread within our communities and the chance of catching it and spreading it whenever we are in that is why we are asking everyone not to mix with people you don't live with. a nurse working on the front lines in new york has become the first american to be vaccinated against coronavirus, as the country begins its largest ever immunisation campaign. it comes as the us approaches 300,000 deaths from coronavirus, with case numbers still accelerating. the nurse, sandra lindsay, received her vaccination at the long island medical center in new york city. she had her dose of the pfizer—biontech vaccine streamed live with new york governor andrew cuomo. front—line health workers

like sandra will be the first to get it, followed by elderly people in care homes. she said there's nothing to be afraid of. iam i am feeling well. i would like to thank all the front line workers, my colleagues, who have been doing an incredible job colleagues, who have been doing an incrediblejob to colleagues, who have been doing an incredible job to fight this pandemic all over the world. i feel hopeful today, relieved, pandemic all over the world. i feel hopefultoday, relieved, i pandemic all over the world. i feel hopeful today, relieved, ifeel pandemic all over the world. i feel hopeful today, relieved, i feel like healing is coming. i hope this marks the beginning of the end of a very painful time the beginning of the end of a very painfultime in our the beginning of the end of a very painful time in our history. the beginning of the end of a very painfultime in our history. that was sandra lindsay, a nurse in new has become the first in america to be vaccinated against coronavirus. but there are concerns about public perception of the vaccine. the number of americans willing to take the vaccine has gone up, although it's not clear

if it'll be enough to achieve protection for the entire population — so—called herd immunity. a recent study by the pew research centre found that 60% said they would get a vaccine. and of those who said they definitely or probably would not get a coronavirus vaccine, about half of this group — or 18% of us adults — say it's possible they would change their mind once more information becomes available. to that end, the trump administration is now rushing to roll out a $250 million public education campaign to encourage americans to take the vaccine. let's speak to our correspondent in washington, gary o'donoghue. it is called vaccine hesitancy sometimes. how hesitant are the american people about the vaccine? well, you mentioned that 60% figure, and that is something that concerns health professionals here, and that is why they will spend this money to try and persuade people to have it. they will also use what you might

call influence us, people having the vaccine very publicly on tv, for example three former presidents —— influencers, obama, clinton and bush have already said they are prepared to do it on television. i dare say the various advertising agencies around this country, of which there is no shortage, will be researching every youtuber, influencer that there is to try and level of that kind of effect. so it is a concern, because what they are looking for a 70 to 80% of immunisations in order to get to that point you said about herd immunity. that could take into the end of the third quarter of next year. in the vaccine, we saw the now is getting it in new york, it could not have been more timely, because death rates and case rates in the united states are really rocketing. yeah, one figure that struck me this morning is that it took eight months

for us to get to 8 million cases in the united states. the second 8 million took eight weeks. so really it is absolutely spiralling here, and of course, we have reached that 300,000 death mark. 1.4 million cases last week. then it is a lot of risk ahead before the vaccine is good to start making a difference to significant numbers of people, and thatis significant numbers of people, and that is why the mitigation messages are still going out to wash your hands, wear a mask, social distance, and of course, a lot of concern now about what happens over christmas, coming off the back of thanksgiving last month and people getting together and feeling that they are entitled to some any bit of a break from all this. but the experts are saying that could have some big risks to go along with it. gary, many thanks indeed. gary o'donoghue there, a washington correspondent.

in a few moments, the health secretary matt hancock will host a virtual news briefing at downing street. he will be joined by the chief medical officer professor chris whitty, and the london regional director for public health england professor kevin fenton. we will have full coverage of that on the bbc news channel. a bit earlier in the house of commons, conservative mp tobias ellwood asked the health secretary whether the new restrictions meant that the christmas grace period would need to be revisited. 2020 has been the most difficult of yea rs. 2020 has been the most difficult of years. my concern is that letting down our guard forfive years. my concern is that letting down our guard for five days during christmas could be very dangerous indeed. could i ask the secretary of state to review those restrictions, which will put together some time ago,, back to the house with a new version, so that we do not begin the

new year with a third wave?|j version, so that we do not begin the new year with a third wave? i think is views very seriously, and i sit everyone in bournemouth and across the country is that the best way to help the area come into a lower tier is by exercising personal restraint, not seeing the rules as something to push against, but rather to act well within them as much as possible, to ensure that this virus does not spread. health secretary matt hancock there in the house of commons. the head of the eu commission ursula von der leyen had said there is "movement" in the brexit trade talks. she was speaking as negotiators from both sides resumed intensive discussions in brussels on their outstanding differences. downing street said that a no—deal outcome was still possible but that work continues to try and reach an agreement. jessica parker reports where are we going with this? hopes forfinding a deal go down and edge up again. arriving to brief ambassadors, the eu's chief negotiator. the cameras can follow michel barnier out here,

but not into the negotiating room. fishing rights still unresolved, also shared competition rules and standards and what happens should they diverge. today, claims there is movement in the talks, but... if the uk wants a seamless access to the single market, and the single market of the european union is the largest one in the whole world, they are welcome, but they either have to play by our rules, because this is a matter of fairness for our companies in the single market, or the other choice is there is a price on it, and the price is tariffs. in brussels, for further discussions today, lord frost, the uk's chief negotiator. both sides saying they will go the extra mile. it is what businesses want, it is what people in our country want, and that is precisely what we're doing. we are not going be walking away from these talks. if we are going to get a deal with the eu, it has to be

on the basis that the eu understands that the uk is a sovereign nation and an independent nation. the uk left the eu injanuary but it has been following eu rules and regulations since then while the two sides work towards a future relationship, but there is not long left now until that arrangement expires. borisjohnson briefed his cabinet yesterday after another phone call with brussels. both sides agreeing to stretch sunday's deadline a little further. so yesterday's deadline came and went, and notably, a new one wasn't set, but of course there is that ultimate deadline of the 31st of december, in just over two weeks' time, when the brexit transition period comes to an end. but a senior uk government source says talks can't go on that late because both sides need time to ratify any agreement. we all want to get a deal over the line. we are up against the wire. the prime minister went to the country with one promise a year ago, that he would get brexit done.

he as good as said he had a deal. he needs now to deliver on it. but both sides need to keep negotiating, both sides need to compromise. yesterday, the prime minister said a no deal, which would mean new trade taxes called tariffs, was still the most likely picture. a different relationship with the eu is just around the corner, it's just not quite clear exactly what the new year will bring. jessica parker, bbc news. now time for a look at the weather forecast. good evening. some sunshine to be had today if you managed to dodge the downpours. we had plenty of hefty showers, even some longer spells of rain, and more rain in the forecast for the rest of this week, it will often be windy, but as so often at this time of year, with wet and windy weather comes mild weather. temperatures above the norm for this time of year. so on the satellite picture,

you can see these different clumps of cloud psychos in around an area of cloud psychos in around an area of low pressure. showers are longer spells of rain. some are more persistent rain across parts of the south—east, that will continue to drift its way through. behind it, plenty of showers packing into night, especially across western areas. more on the way of dry weather with some clear spells further east. not a particularly cold night, temperatures generally between four and eight celsius. and then tomorrow, another sunshine and showers stay. the showers again will be focused across western areas, where you have this a fairly brisk south—westerly wind, when us further east, parts of eastern england is particularly through the afternoon in the north—east scotland, not too many showers, more on the way of dry weather, and some spells of sunshine. temperatures again a little above average, eight to 11 celsius. now, as we head through tuesday evening, the showers will for a time fade. we will see a quieter drier interlude, but it will not last long, because for wednesday, we have got this area of low pressure which is going to be

pushing very close to the republic of ireland, quite a deep blow that will bring some very strong winds indeed for parts of the republic of ireland, —— quite a deep low, and also bringing some windy conditions to the west of the uk. rain which becomes lighter further east. but these are wind gusts we can expect through the day, up to possibly 60 mph for exposed western spots, from the far south—west of england and perhaps northern ireland as well, the strong winds could combine with high tides to give some coastal flooding. again, temperatures pretty mild, nine to 11 celsius. moving into thursday, this little bump in the isobars, a very brief transient ridge of high pressure. so something a little bit drierfor many ridge of high pressure. so something a little bit drier for many of us on thursday, with some spells of sunshine, but some rain into the west, and for friday, heavy rain for most of us, brisk winds, but it will be mild.

11 million more people in england are placed under greater restrictions as a new variant of coronavirus is identified in the uk. it may be what's driving the rise in cases as the government puts london and parts of essex and hertfordshire into tier 3. initial analysis suggests that this variant is growing faster than the existing variants. we've currently identified over 1,000 cases with this variant, predominantly in the south of england. bars, pubs and restaurants will be forced to close, except for takeaways. owners say it's a blow just before christmas. we are going to lose business, we will lose money. i don't know how we are going to those rents. the health secretary says the new covid variant has been identified in other countries, and a vaccine is likely to be effective against it.