a big increase in boosterjabs and second doses to protect against the new omicron variant. everyone over 18 will be offered a booster three months after their second jab and 12—to—15—year—olds will be offered a second dose. our experience of fighting this virus has shown us it's best to act decisively and swiftly when we see a potential threat, which is why we're building our defences and putting these measures in place without delay. six cases of the new omicron

variant have been detected in scotland, five in england. there are likely to be more. the next three weeks will be critical to assess the impact of omicron. in the meantime, we'll give what answers we can. also tonight... over 100,000 people are facing a fourth day without power in the aftermath of storm arwen at the weekend. but for some marooned in a pub by the snow, the storm brought a convivial three—day lock—in. and prince charles is in barbados as the island becomes a republic, cutting its ties with the monarchy after 400 years. and coming up on sportsday later in the hour on the bbc news channel, arsenal and netherlands striker miedema wins the bbc women's player of the year award for the first time. good evening and welcome to the bbc news at six. as the world watches and waits to see the impact of the omicron covid variant, here boosterjabs are to be offered to everyone over 18.

the gap between the second vaccine dose and the booster will be cut from six months to three. and all 12—to—15—year—olds will now be offered a second vaccine dose. the government's deputy chief medical officerjonathan van—tam says it's pretty likely that vaccine effectiveness will be reduced by the new variant, but hopefully only to a small extent when it comes to preventing severe disease. as the number of cases increase in the uk and around the world, scientists believe it will take about three weeks to understand the effects of omicron. our health editor hugh pym has the latest. boosting the boosters, like those being given in derby today. that is now the official response to the new variant. experts have told ministers as well as all adults being offered boosterjabs, the gap between the second dose and the next should be slashed to three months. the message is that with the chance the vaccines would be so effective against

omicron, more immunity is needed. we omicron, more immunity is needed. - therefore want to provide boosters early enough such that it is before any possible wave. i'm not here predicting there will be a wave of the new variant, but should there be a wave we want to be in the best possible position.— a wave we want to be in the best possible position. that urgency, he said, was possible position. that urgency, he said. was by _ possible position. that urgency, he said. was by the — possible position. that urgency, he said, was by the time _ possible position. that urgency, he said, was by the time between - possible position. that urgency, he i said, was by the time between second and third doses should be cut and a three month gap would still mean good protection. we ask people in birmingham for their reaction. figs birmingham for their reaction. as soon as we get everybody vaccinated then we _ soon as we get everybody vaccinated then we can — soon as we get everybody vaccinated then we can make everywhere safer and more _ then we can make everywhere safer and more places can open up. it and more places can open up. reaches out and more places can open up. it reaches out to younger people and if it helps _ reaches out to younger people and if it helps then — reaches out to younger people and if it helps then it— reaches out to younger people and if it helps then it is— reaches out to younger people and if it helps then it is a _ reaches out to younger people and if it helps then it is a positive - it helps then it is a positive thing. _ it helps then it is a positive thing. really _ it helps then it is a positive thing, really.— it helps then it is a positive thin, reall . ~ . ~ ,, , ., thing, really. with a few kisses of the new variant _ thing, really. with a few kisses of the new variant being _ thing, really. with a few kisses of the new variant being confirmed l thing, really. with a few kisses of| the new variant being confirmed in scotland as well as england, the first minister made clear there was a need for extra cash —— a few cases. yellow might we all hope the emerging understanding of it will

reduce . ., . ., reduce rather than increase our level of concern, _ reduce rather than increase our level of concern, there - reduce rather than increase our level of concern, there is - reduce rather than increase our level of concern, there is no i reduce rather than increase our i level of concern, there is no doubt this presents potentially the most challenging development in the course of the pandemic for quite some time. fist course of the pandemic for quite some time-— course of the pandemic for quite some time. �* ~ , , ., some time. at westminster the health secretary explained _ some time. at westminster the health secretary explained why _ some time. at westminster the health secretary explained why new _ secretary explained why new restrictions where needed, including tougher rules on face coverings in england. we tougher rules on face coverings in encland. ~ . , ., england. we are building our defences and _ england. we are building our defences and putting - england. we are building our defences and putting these l england. we are building our - defences and putting these measures in place _ defences and putting these measures in place without delay. scientists are working at speed at home and abroad _ are working at speed at home and abroad to — are working at speed at home and abroad to determine whether this variant— abroad to determine whether this variant is— abroad to determine whether this variant is more dangerous, and i can assure _ variant is more dangerous, and i can assure the _ variant is more dangerous, and i can assure the house that if it emerges that this _ assure the house that if it emerges that this variant is no more dangerous than the delta variant, then we _ dangerous than the delta variant, then we won't keep measures in place for a day— then we won't keep measures in place for a day longer than necessary. but labour for a day longer than necessary. labour said for a day longer than necessary. emit labour said the government should have gone further.— labour said the government should have gone further. keeping masks in lace have gone further. keeping masks in place would — have gone further. keeping masks in place would always _ have gone further. keeping masks in place would always have _ have gone further. keeping masks in place would always have been - have gone further. keeping masks in place would always have been our i place would always have been our plan a. while the secretary of state extend the use of masks to hospitality and other settings? or does covid not spread in pubs? the new rules in —

does covid not spread in pubs? the new rules in masks that i en masse shot and on public transport in england will come into line with the rest of the uk tomorrow. this butcher in lincolnshire isn't happy. many people are now fed up of the situation _ many people are now fed up of the situation and don't really know whether— situation and don't really know whether they agree with the masking situation _ whether they agree with the masking situation so you will have problems with customers facing each other. chiidren— with customers facing each other. chiidren at— with customers facing each other. children at an essex school are being tested because of a link to a new variant face and more generally face masks are being recommended in communal areas in england. they are already required in scottish schools. there is a lot for the health secretary to think about as they are asked to ramp up the roll—out of the vaccination booster programme, and take care of patients as winter sets in. until more is known about the new variant the nhs can only focus on patients coming through the doors, and though hospitals are under a lot of pressure, covid numbers are well down on this time last year and considerably lower than injanuary, considerably lower than in january, largely thanks considerably lower than injanuary, largely thanks to the success of the

vaccines. these are uncertain times, but while officials argue it's not all doom and gloom, some ministers have been stressing people should plan for christmas as normal. hugh pym, bbc news. scientists are now in a race to establish whether the new variant is more transmissible than the current delta variant and whether it causes more severe disease. they'll also be assessing its impact on the effectiveness of vaccines. our medical editor fergus walsh has more. after alpha, beta, gamma, afteralpha, beta, gamma, delta, comes omicron, which scientists think could be the worst variant yet. is omicron more transmissible? it appears to be driving a rise in infections in south africa, but it's too early to be certain what's happening as cases only started increasing ten days ago from a very low level. the world health organization said omicron shows why the world needs a new global

agreement on how to prevent, prepare and respond to pandemics. brute agreement on how to prevent, prepare and respond to pandemics.— and respond to pandemics. we should all be wide awake _ and respond to pandemics. we should all be wide awake for the _ and respond to pandemics. we should all be wide awake for the threat - and respond to pandemics. we should all be wide awake for the threat of - all be wide awake for the threat of this virus — all be wide awake for the threat of this virus. but omicron's very emergence is another reminder that although— emergence is another reminder that although many of us might think we are done _ although many of us might think we are done with covid—19, it's not done _ are done with covid—19, it's not done with— are done with covid—19, it's not done with us. are done with covid-19, it's not done with us.— are done with covid-19, it's not done with us. . ., ,, , ,, ., done with us. another key unknown is whether omicron _ done with us. another key unknown is whether omicron causes _ done with us. another key unknown is whether omicron causes more - whether omicron causes more severe illness. doctors in south africa say they have been dealing with mild infections from the variant, but cases there are mostly in young adults. the real test will be when omicron starts moving into older and more vulnerable people. perhaps most crucial of all, will vaccines still work? current covid vaccines are based on the original wuhan strain of coronavirus, and they train the immune system to recognise the spike protein on its surface. the virus has changed considerably, but the

antibodies, that the vaccine creates, they still work. omicron has more mutations than any variant so far and there is concern it may be able to bypass our initial defences and cause infection. but evenif defences and cause infection. but even if it does, another part of the immune system, t cells, should give significant protection against severe disease. i significant protection against severe disease.— significant protection against severe disease. ., ., ., , severe disease. i do not want people to anic at severe disease. i do not want people to panic at this— severe disease. i do not want people to panic at this stage. _ severe disease. i do not want people to panic at this stage. if vaccine - to panic at this stage. if vaccine effectiveness is reduced, as seems pretty likely, to some extent, the biggest effects are likely to be in preventing infections and hopefully there will be smaller effects on preventing severe disease. flan there will be smaller effects on preventing severe disease. can we test for it? — preventing severe disease. can we test for it? omicron _ preventing severe disease. can we test for it? omicron has _ preventing severe disease. can we test for it? omicron has a - preventing severe disease. can we| test for it? omicron has a different genetic signature to delta, which often shows up on pcr tests, but only about half of uk lads can pick up only about half of uk lads can pick up the signal. gene sequencing will

also help track the spread of the variant here. we all want to know how much of a threat omicron poses, but it will be 2—3 weeks before science gives those answers. fergus walsh, bbc news. the government's latest coronavirus figures show there were 42,583 new infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period. on average, there were just over 43,000 new cases reported per day in the last week. the latest figures show there were 7,530 people in hospital being treated for coronavirus on friday. 35 deaths were recorded — that's of people who died within 28 days of a positive covid—i9 test. on average in the past week, 120 covid—related deaths were recorded every day. on vaccinations, nearly 17.9 million people have now had a boosterjab. since the discovery of the new variant, the government has introduced new regulations. our health correspondent sophie hutchinson has been looking at what those new rules are and how

they affect you. what are the changes to the rules on face coverings? well, from tomorrow wearing a mask in england becomes a legal requirement again. they'll be compulsory in shops and on public transport, and in addition to that from today all secondary school pupils were strongly advised to wear masks in communal areas, along with staff and visitors to all schools and childcare settings. but in the other three uk nations, face masks have already been mandatory on public transport and in other indoor settings, including in restaurants in scotland and northern ireland. what do you do if you are a close contact of an omicron infection? well, the rules for close contacts have been tightened for omicron. if you've been told you may have been exposed to the new variant, whether you're fully vaccinated or not, you will have to self—isolate for ten days.

what are the new rules around arriving in the uk, and when do they come into force? from 4am tomorrow, anyone entering the uk will have to take a pcr test within 48 hours of arrival and self—isolate until they get a negative result. and only uk and irish citizens will be allowed to return from red list countries and will have to pay for and quarantine in a government—approved hotel for ten days. will the government ask people to work from home? in scotland and northern ireland, ministers have been strengthening the message about working from home and asking employers to help wherever they can. in wales, people are also being asked to work remotely. but in england, there is no message about trying to work at home. instead, ministers say the additional precautions that we're now taking should help to slow the progress of the new variant.

that was our health correspondent sophie hutchinson with that report. now, more than 100,000 homes across the uk are without power tonight for a fourth day in the wake of storm arwen that battered the uk with winds close to 100 miles an hour. worst affected, with 32,000 people still without power, are these areas of the north—east of scotland. all schools in aberdeenshire are closed and they'll stay shut tomorrow. in england, 29,000 people across the north east, yorkshire and lincolnshire are still affected by power cuts. our north of england correspondent fiona trott reports. are you warm enough? battling the elements. but _ are you warm enough? battling the elements. but this _ are you warm enough? battling the elements. but this is _ are you warm enough? battling the elements. but this is indoors. - are you warm enough? battling the elements. but this is indoors. the i elements. but this is indoors. the title mike ross hill nursing home in county durham has been without power for three days —— the crosshill nursing home they are trying to keep warm as they can. a neighbour donated this heater. to get people awa from donated this heater. to get people away from the _ donated this heater. to get people away from the coldest _ donated this heater. to get people away from the coldest place - donated this heater. to get people away from the coldest place you i away from the coldest place you would _ away from the coldest place you would ever— away from the coldest place you would ever wish _ away from the coldest place you would ever wish to _ away from the coldest place you would ever wish to be _ away from the coldest place you

would ever wish to be in, - away from the coldest place you i would ever wish to be in, suddenly very cold, — would ever wish to be in, suddenly very cold, from _ would ever wish to be in, suddenly very cold, from the storm. - would ever wish to be in, suddenly very cold, from the storm. t0- very cold, from the storm. to come round through _ very cold, from the storm. to come round through the _ very cold, from the storm. to come round through the night _ very cold, from the storm. to come round through the night every - very cold, from the storm. to comei round through the night every hour. how much _ round through the night every hour. how much do you want electricity to come back on? i how much do you want electricity to come back on?— come back on? i would love it to come back on? i would love it to come on- _ come back on? i would love it to come on- l _ come back on? i would love it to come on. i think— come back on? i would love it to come on. i think the _ come back on? i would love it to come on. i think the staff- come back on? i would love it to | come on. i think the staff would, because — come on. i think the staff would, because they _ come on. i think the staff would, because they have _ come on. i think the staff would, because they have had _ come on. i think the staff would, because they have had very - come on. i think the staff would, because they have had very hard | come on. i think the staff would, - because they have had very hard work with it _ because they have had very hard work with it i_ because they have had very hard work with it idon't— because they have had very hard work with it. idon't think— because they have had very hard work with it. i don't think some _ because they have had very hard work with it. idon't think some of- because they have had very hard work with it. i don't think some of them - with it. i don't think some of them have _ with it. i don't think some of them have hardly— with it. i don't think some of them have hardly slept _ with it. i don't think some of them have hardly slept much. _ with it. i don't think some of them have hardly slept much.— with it. i don't think some of them have hardly slept much. some staff are even taking _ have hardly slept much. some staff are even taking food away - have hardly slept much. some staff are even taking food away to - have hardly slept much. some staff are even taking food away to cook. have hardly slept much. some staff| are even taking food away to cook it in their own homes. but they are frustrated as well.— in their own homes. but they are frustrated as well. it would be nice to know how _ frustrated as well. it would be nice to know how long. if _ frustrated as well. it would be nice to know how long. if on _ frustrated as well. it would be nice to know how long. if on friday - to know how long. if on friday we knew it would be a few days then obviously our contingency would have been different than the fact we are going hour by hour. it is notjust our residents at risk, but it is also the fact we're quite lucky because we are all together and have a lovely community. what about the poor vulnerable person who lives on their own and knows about? the people who they are going to find in a few days having not unfortunately survive this? we a few days having not unfortunately survive this?— survive this? we really feel for our customers — survive this? we really feel for our customers in _ survive this? we really feel for our customers in the _ survive this? we really feel for our customers in the circumstances . survive this? we really feel for our| customers in the circumstances and our team _ customers in the circumstances and our team are — customers in the circumstances and our team are really doing their best to get— our team are really doing their best to get the _ our team are really doing their best to get the lights back on sol

our team are really doing their best to get the lights back on so i ask for people — to get the lights back on so i ask for people to be patient with us. we are really— for people to be patient with us. we are really trying very best to help them _ are really trying very best to help them and — are really trying very best to help them and we are going to be there for them _ them and we are going to be there for them and we will keep them informed — for them and we will keep them informed as to how we go. the effects of— informed as to how we go. the effects of storm _ informed as to how we go. tie: effects of storm arwen are felt across the uk. at this nature reserve in berwickshire, around 800 grey seals have perished. in aberdeenshire residents into our thin are bracing themselves for a third cold night. stores have been set up with hot food and drinks. in abergele and conway itv have confirmed that i'm a celebrity programme will be scrapped for a third night while work continues to repair damage there. back at the nursing home, more help has arrived. a massive generator donated by the local fu nfair. a massive generator donated by the localfunfair. i a massive generator donated by the local funfair-— local funfair. i would 'ust like to live local funfair. i would 'ust like to give something h local funfair. i would just like to give something back. _ local funfair. i would just like to give something back. i- local funfair. i would just like to give something back. i don't - local funfair. i would just like to i give something back. i don't mind. tightness is keeping them going. in these pandemic times it is the community once again helping to keep people safe —— kindness is keeping

them going. fiona trott, bbc news, county durham. the time is quarter past six. our top story this evening... the government has announced a big increase in covid boosterjabs and second doses to protect against the new omicron variant. still to come... the father of eight—year—old saffie roussos who died in the manchester arena bombing says the response was shameful and inadequate. the response was shameful coming the response was shameful up in sports day in the 50 coming up in sports day in the next 50 minutes on the bbc news channel, we will hear from the england cricket captain joe we will hear from the england cricket captainjoe root we will hear from the england cricket captain joe root who says we will hear from the england cricket captainjoe root who says he has been in touch with azeem rafiq, former yorkshire team—mate, who claims he was a victim of racism at the county. prince charles has arrived in barbados to mark the moment it severs its ties with the queen. the caribbean island has had the monarchy as head of state for nearly 400 years. tomorrow it will become a republic but will remain in the commonwealth. celestina olulode reports from barbados.

gearing up for a moment in history. this island nation is making a strong statement about how it sees itself. the prime minister of barbados says the time has come. we believe that the unfinished business ought not to go past the 55th anniversary of independence. i am one of the biggest respecters of her majesty, but equally i need to know that my people could also do the same thing and respect the same thing. a nation with a complex past, slave ships once docked here, africans brought and exploited by the british. and it is the sugar cane fields where many were forced to work, cutting down the crop before it was processed. the backbreaking labour led many to die young. after slavery came to an end in 1834, barbados remained a british colony. despite gaining its independence in 1966, the queen has remained

the island's head of state but that is about to change. the transition comes at a time of uncertainty. the pandemic has had a sharp impact on this island's economy, which relies heavily on tourism. we need to be free. but people here still have strong views about becoming a republic. it changes nothing. is life going to be better tomorrow? 0k, we are going to be a republic. is it going to be better? are the people still going to be living from paycheck to paycheck? but sharon's daughter leshawna sees things differently. for me becoming a republic means the end of subservience to england and the monarchy and so on. signs of this island's colonial past are dotted throughout, but there are plans to introduce new symbols of national pride. for now, a ceremonial welcome.

prince charles will attend official events to mark the occasion, a controversial move for some. but the most crucial part of the story of the nation that has fought hard to stand tall on its own is how young barbadians view themselves and look back at this moment in the future. celestina olulode, bbc news, bridgetown, barbados. the father of the youngest victim of the manchester arena attack has said that the response to the attack was shameful and inadequate. saffie—rose roussos was 8 years old when she was killed. the public inquiry heard how saffie asked if she was going to die. her father andrew roussos said that instead of help from the emergency services, she just got "an advertising board and untrained people". judith moritz reports. saffie—rose roussos loved pop music, especially ariana grande. she was so excited when she got

tickets to the star's manchester concert for christmas. she went on a girly night with her mum lisa and sister ashley. the three were in the foyer when the bomb exploded. saffie called out for her mum and lay on the floor for half an hour. there were no stretchers, so she was taken down these stairs on a hoarding and a passing ambulance was flagged down. her father andrew arrived at the arena and had no idea where his little girl was. the response on that night was shameful and inadequate. everyone in that sitting room was let down and the people that excuse it should feel shame. what saffie went through, i will never forgive. that poor little girl hung in there for someone to come help her. what she received was a bloody advertisement board and untrained people doing the best they could. saffie was drifting in and out of consciousness.

those with her kept urging her to stay awake, but the little girl realised what was happening, and she asked a paramedic, "am i going to die?" i rememberthinking, "help will come soon, just stay where you are..." lisa roussos was severely injured and couldn't reach her daughter. i want to thank those that tried to help saffie that night and for being with her. i also want to say to the professionals, like the emergency services and m15, that this inquiry isn't about protecting yourjob, your reputation or your uniform. we understand the sheer panic and fear you were faced with that night, but until you admit the failings, how can there be a positive change? saffie died more than an hour after the explosion. experts disagree over whether she might have survived had her emergency care been different. judith moritz, bbc news, manchester. the scottish child payment will

double to £20 per week from april. the first minister nicola sturgeon has told her party's online conference that it will involve "hard choices elsewhere", but that eradicating child poverty is "essential" to scotland's future. she also pledged to begin the process to allow for another referendum on scottish independence by the end of 2023. here's our scotland editor sarah smith. with people's minds on covid and what omicron could mean for christmas, this is not the season for a hard sell on political ideas like scottish independence, so nicola sturgeon urged caution and emphasised that the pandemic is her top priority. while also announcing more money for gps, an increase in child payments for those receiving benefits. i am pleased to announce today in our budget on the 9th of december we will fund the doubling of the scottish child payment immediately from the start of the new financial year. the scottish child payment will increase to £20 per child per week, four times the amount originally

demanded by campaigners from april. nicola sturgeon is scathing about borisjohnson's leadership, accusing him of undermining the powers of the scottish parliament and condemning a political system that allows someone like him to become prime minister. i defy anyone to look at the broken, corrupt, self—serving westminster system that we are currently part of and conclude that it provides a secure basis for the future of scotland. so i would not be discharging my duty to the people of scotland if i did not seek to keep the promise on which we were elected, to offer the people of scotland the choice of a better future through independence. the campaign for scottish independence has been overshadowed by the pandemic but has not gone away. nicola sturgeon may not be able to push for another

referendum right now, but remains determined to have a vote within the next two years. in the course of next year i will initiate the process necessary to enable a referendum before the end of 2023. and just as importantly, our party will set out a fresh our party will set out afresh the positive case for independence. we will outline the opportunities and advantages that independence will open up. the people of scotland should be allowed to decide the country's future, said the snp leader, telling the prime minister not to try and prevent a vote on independence. but in a pandemic debate over scotland's place in the uk must wait until the worst of the crisis is past and no politician can say when that might be. sarah smith, bbc news, glasgow. a 14—year—old boy has appeared in court charged with the murder of a 12—year—old girl in liverpool last week. ava white was stabbed in the city centre on thursday and suffered what police described as "catastrophic" injuries. the boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons,

was remanded in secure accommodation and is due to appear at liverpool crown court on wednesday. a memorial service has been held for police sergeant matt ratana who was shot dead in a custody centre in croydon last year. sergeant ratana's funeral took place last november two months after he was killed but had to be kept small due to the pandemic. around 200 officers dressed in full black ceremonial uniform lined the memorial route in central london. in new york a jury has been selected to hear the trial of ghislaine maxwell, accused of grooming and recruiting underaged girls for the late financier and convicted paedophile jeffrey epstein. a former girlfriend of epstein, the 59—year—old faces eight charges of sex—trafficking and other crimes. she denies all the charges but could face the rest of her life injail if convicted. the trial is expected to last six weeks. the labour leader, sir keir starmer, is in the process of reshuffling his shadow cabinet. the move appeared to come as a surprise to the party's

deputy leader, angela rayner, who was giving a speech about government conduct when the news emerged. she told reporters she didn't know the details. let's speak to our political correspondent chris mason, who's at westminster for us. chris, what more can you tell us? this was to be a speech where angela redknapp is conservative corruption, as to speak with the team type acknowledged they bracket. angela rayner is directly elected _ they bracket. angela rayner is directly elected as _ they bracket. angela rayner is directly elected as the - they bracket. angela rayner is| directly elected as the labour's deputy leader and she cannot be

sacked by sir keir starmer and this is the second reshuffle in a row where it has been publicly obvious that they are battling against one another, rubbing up against each other in a pretty irritable manner. what about the reshuffle itself? we do not know a great deal about communicators, sheep move to the area as a michael gove on the issue about levelling up and 60 customers and staff have finally emerged after three nights marooned in britain's highest pub. the lock—in at the tan hill inn began on friday evening when storm arwen brought heavy snow to the yorkshire dales. that night, an oasis tribute band was playing and the musicians have been stuck there too. our north of england correspondent danny savage reports. welcome to what many people this weekend saw as the most enviable location in the land. at the tan hill inn,

they sorted their priorities, by digging through the snowdrifts to the front door and then locking it. they'd come to see an oasis tribute band, who — some might say — had a good weekend. but there's worse places to be stuck, you know what i mean? and everyone was just brilliant. staff were brilliant, the customers were brilliant... yeah, yeah. they looked after everyone. and it's been almost like blitz spirit again, you know? it's magical, really. lifetime of memories as well. we'll do a reunion, but we'll do it in the summer next time! yeah. take care! it's been lovely! nicola, the pub manager, was sorry to see them go. she realised late on friday night that this was going to be a weekend like no other. so the drifts were causing most. of the issues, more than anything, rather thanjust there being the snow. - and i thought, "yeah, _ these people are not going home." we've been doing karaoke, watching

movies, playing board games, - pub quizzes, chilling out. today, the road outjust about became passable and a fourth night at the inn was avoided. lots of people saying this must have been the best weekend of your life, locked into a pub for three nights. has it been? heaven. it's something i'll never ever forget. what was it like with a load of strangers, stuck in a remote pub? it wasjust fantastic community spirit, honestly. really good. that talk about having a reunion, i'm not sure i'll be back! - and so they dispersed, three days later than planned, but what a weekend they had. danny savage, bbc news, tan hill. i like the guy saying they might have a reunion, but he is not sure if he will be back. tell have a reunion, but he is not sure if he will be back.— if he will be back. tell us about the weather. _ if he will be back. tell us about the weather. at _ if he will be back. tell us about the weather. at least _ if he will be back. tell us about the weather. at least they - if he will be back. tell us about the weather. at least they had | the weather. at least they had refreshments, look on the bright side.

but we have had another very cold day across many parts of the uk. above freezing. however, things have started to change and more clout has been spilling in from the west and some milder air. been spilling in from the west and some milderair. in been spilling in from the west and some milder air. in western scotland it was cloudy and murky, but temperatures were up at 10 degrees. that process of milder air coming into the west will continue tonight. a lot of cloud and patchy rain and drizzle, but after an early frost, temperatures by the end of the night up temperatures by the end of the night up to 11 degrees. it will feel very different for most of us by tomorrow morning. but we will wake up to largely cloudy skies and that cloud produces outbreaks of rain and drizzle at times, especially up towards the north and the west. a little bit of brightness here and there and through the afternoon this band of heavy rain will swing into northern ireland and western scotland with a strengthening wind. afternoon temperatures up to 11 or

12, and away from the far north—east of scotland where that cold air will cling on. tomorrow night we have to keep an eye on this. an of low pressure that will be deepening as it crosses the uk, which could bring some quite windy weather on tuesday night and into wednesday. at the moment it does not look like we will see anything like the strong winds we had over the weekend, but it needs watching. parts of south—east scotland and northern england could see some wins may be touch gale force for a time. that is not wanted in that part of the country. as we go through wednesday the winds becomes northerly and we bring colder air back into the picture and wintry showers, especially in northern scotland. and those temperatures drop away once again. it is a real up and down story temperature —wise this week. thursday brings this ridge of high pressure with drier weather and then this frontal system pushes and from the west with rain and snow thursday

night into friday