will stay in hospital and individual will stay in hospital and with the delta variant i believe it's roughly around nine days and if that was cut for example to 56 days then of course that would help with capacity. first of all, we cannot assume that because what we are seeing in terms of the hospitalisation and the impact in south africa, hospitalisations are rising very rapidly and hundreds of people are on ventilators. it's hard to read across given that the average age of the south african population is about 27 years so it's hard to read that across. but i hope you would agree with me that similar to the point i have just made on severity that even if the hospitals stay is half of what it is at the moment at the rate this thing is growing and if it continues to grow at that rate that could be —— that benefit could be cancelled in two

days. he benefit could be cancelled in two da 5. , w benefit could be cancelled in two da 5. , . . . benefit could be cancelled in two da 5. , ., ., ., days. he is facing a lot of criticism _ days. he is facing a lot of criticism from _ days. he is facing a lot of criticism from behind - days. he is facing a lot ofj criticism from behind him days. he is facing a lot of - criticism from behind him and he should _ criticism from behind him and he should be — criticism from behind him and he should be assured that on these benches — should be assured that on these benches we absolutely recognise the dangers _ benches we absolutely recognise the dangers of the variance in front of him _ dangers of the variance in front of him does— dangers of the variance in front of him. does he accept that having coming — him. does he accept that having coming to— him. does he accept that having coming to his post saying the end of restrictions— coming to his post saying the end of restrictions was irreversible, that he has _ restrictions was irreversible, that he has created an expectation and which _ he has created an expectation and which is _ he has created an expectation and which is why he is facing so much disappointment now. he which is why he is facing so much disappointment now.— which is why he is facing so much disappointment now. he may have heard earlier _ disappointment now. he may have heard earlier when _ disappointment now. he may have heard earlier when i _ disappointment now. he may have heard earlier when i started - disappointment now. he may have heard earlier when i started my i heard earlier when i started my remarks specifically about vaccine escape variant. i want to talk about this variant and the vaccines. i will give way one more time. my views on this are well understood. ghen— views on this are well understood. given the — views on this are well understood. given the case _ views on this are well understood. given the case he _ views on this are well understood. given the case he is— views on this are well understood. given the case he is setting - views on this are well understood. given the case he is setting out, l given the case he is setting out, one thing — given the case he is setting out, one thing i— given the case he is setting out, one thing i am— given the case he is setting out, one thing i am puzzled - given the case he is setting out, one thing i am puzzled by- given the case he is setting out, one thing i am puzzled by his . given the case he is setting out, i one thing i am puzzled by his why given the case he is setting out, - one thing i am puzzled by his why he is only— one thing i am puzzled by his why he is only going — one thing i am puzzled by his why he is only going as _ one thing i am puzzled by his why he is only going as far _ one thing i am puzzled by his why he is only going as far as _ one thing i am puzzled by his why he is only going as far as he _ one thing i am puzzled by his why he is only going as far as he is. - one thing i am puzzled by his why he is only going as far as he is. can- is only going as far as he is. can you exolain_

is only going as far as he is. can you exolain to _ is only going as far as he is. can you explain to us _ is only going as far as he is. can you explain to us why— is only going as far as he is. can you explain to us why the - is only going as far as he is. can- you explain to us why the measures are equal— you explain to us why the measures are equal to— you explain to us why the measures are equal to the _ you explain to us why the measures are equal to the situation _ you explain to us why the measures are equal to the situation he's- are equal to the situation he's describing? _ are equal to the situation he's describing? it's _ are equal to the situation he's describing?— are equal to the situation he's describing? it's a fair question. the measures _ describing? it's a fair question. the measures we _ describing? it's a fair question. the measures we are _ describing? it's a fair question. the measures we are setting i describing? it's a fair question. i the measures we are setting out, describing? it's a fair question. - the measures we are setting out, we are taking into account the very best advice we are being given including making sure we are not just listening to every piece of advice or every forecast we are seeing. my honourable friend will remember back in the summer, if we had listened to some of the advice we would not have opened up in the way we did. we are taking account of the advice and deciding on whether they should influence our decision making and coming to a proportionate response which other measures i have talked about. but also for example increasing the booster programme. i must make some progress. i do want to talk about the importance of what we have learnt about omicron and the

vaccines. vaccines have proven to be highly effective against previous variance for example the alpha and delta variance. this has weakened the link between cases and hospitalisations and deaths and has allowed us to reopen our country. but recent analysis from the uk hsa has shown that two doses of our vaccine provide much lower levels of protection against symptomatic infections from omicron when compared to the delta variant. but more encouragingly the effectiveness rose considerably in the early period after a booster dose providing around 70 to 75% protection against symptomatic infections. this data shows the importance of booster doses and why we are working so hard to get many more boosters into arms. i will say more boosters into arms. i will say more about that in a moment. our strategy is to take proportionate action now, to come down hard on

this virus and strengthen our defences rather than waiting until it's too late. defences rather than waiting until it's too late-— it's too late. surely the whole oint is it's too late. surely the whole point is that _ it's too late. surely the whole point is that we _ it's too late. surely the whole point is that we cannot - it's too late. surely the whole point is that we cannot be - point is that we cannot be complacent about assuming that this likely huge increase in infections is all going to have very mild symptoms. therefore what the government is doing is taking modest steps to ensure that if that doesn't happen we will be prepared. will he promised that if it doesn't materialise then he will be able to relax some of the rules? late materialise then he will be able to relax some of the rules?— materialise then he will be able to relax some of the rules? we all want to relax and — relax some of the rules? we all want to relax and l — relax some of the rules? we all want to relax and i wish _ relax some of the rules? we all want to relax and i wish i _ relax some of the rules? we all want to relax and i wish i was _ relax some of the rules? we all want to relax and i wish i was more - to relax and i wish i was more relaxed right now than i already am. but my honourable friend is right. i give way. i appreciate this is an escalating — give way. i appreciate this is an escalating situation which needs urgent _ escalating situation which needs urgent attention but the reality is, if we _ urgent attention but the reality is, if we are _ urgent attention but the reality is, if we are enabling social mixing, that is— if we are enabling social mixing, that is the — if we are enabling social mixing, that is the very place where we are going _

that is the very place where we are going to _ that is the very place where we are going to see transmission, as we did with delta _ going to see transmission, as we did with delta last december. will he review _ with delta last december. will he review these measures because they nright— review these measures because they might already be out of date. it is im ortant might already be out of date. it is important of _ might already be out of date. it 3 important of course that we keep measures in review but i do believe for the reasons i said earlier that these set of measures are the right balance. we are going to leave the house of commons. we are going to holyrood and at the scottish parliament now wait first minister nicola sturgeon is making a statement about possible restrictions in scotland. let's listening. today's overall restrict —— statistics _ today's overall restrict —— statistics. the number of pcr tests yesterday _ statistics. the number of pcr tests yesterday were slightly lower than in recent _

yesterday were slightly lower than in recent days and i want to take this opportunity to appeal to people not to— this opportunity to appeal to people not to put— this opportunity to appeal to people not to put off going for a pcr test if you _ not to put off going for a pcr test if you have — not to put off going for a pcr test if you have symptoms. no one wants to test _ if you have symptoms. no one wants to test positive or isolated christmas protesting is a really vital— christmas protesting is a really vital part— christmas protesting is a really vital part of our defence and there is no _ vital part of our defence and there is no shortage of capacity so please do get _ is no shortage of capacity so please do get tested. 541 people are currently in hospital with covid, 20 fewer _ currently in hospital with covid, 20 fewer than — currently in hospital with covid, 20 fewer than yesterday, but i can also confirm _ fewer than yesterday, but i can also confirm that we now know of two confirmed — confirm that we now know of two confirmed omicron cases who are in hospital _ confirmed omicron cases who are in hospital. the actual total is likely to he _ hospital. the actual total is likely to be higher. 38 people are in intensive _ to be higher. 38 people are in intensive care with covid which is one fewer— intensive care with covid which is one fewer than yesterday and sadly a further— one fewer than yesterday and sadly a further six _ one fewer than yesterday and sadly a further six deaths have been reported _ further six deaths have been reported taking the total number of deaths _ reported taking the total number of deaths to— reported taking the total number of deaths to 9725. i want to send my condolences again to everyone who has lost _ condolences again to everyone who has lost a _ condolences again to everyone who has lost a loved one. on omicron specifically. — has lost a loved one. on omicron specifically, our current assessment

is that— specifically, our current assessment is that it _ specifically, our current assessment is that it is — specifically, our current assessment is that it is spreading very rapidly in scotland. the best indicators of this is— in scotland. the best indicators of this is the — in scotland. the best indicators of this is the proportion of cases showing — this is the proportion of cases showing what is called the dropout. for about _ showing what is called the dropout. for about 95% of cases in scotland tests _ for about 95% of cases in scotland tests are _ for about 95% of cases in scotland tests are currently processed in a way that — tests are currently processed in a way that allows us to know if the s gene _ way that allows us to know if the s gene is _ way that allows us to know if the s gene is present or not. this shows that omicron cases are increasing exponentially, faster than any variant— exponentially, faster than any variant that has gone before it. when _ variant that has gone before it. when i — variant that has gone before it. when i made a statement this time last week— when i made a statement this time last week around 4% of cases showed this 5 _ last week around 4% of cases showed this 5 gene _ last week around 4% of cases showed this 5 gene dropout and by wednesday that was— this 5 gene dropout and by wednesday that was 7% and on friday it was about— that was 7% and on friday it was about 15%~ — that was 7% and on friday it was about 15%. to date is 27.5%. we estimate — about 15%. to date is 27.5%. we estimate that the doubling time is two to— estimate that the doubling time is two to three days, more rapid than anything _ two to three days, more rapid than anything experienced in the pandemic so far. _ anything experienced in the pandemic so far. and _ anything experienced in the pandemic so far, and we expect omicron to become — so far, and we expect omicron to become the — so far, and we expect omicron to become the dominant strain circulating in scotland within days. this matters because omicron is significantly more transmissible than delta. the our number

associated with delta is around one but they— associated with delta is around one but they are number four omicron appears _ but they are number four omicron appears to— but they are number four omicron appears to be well over two and it is possibly— appears to be well over two and it is possibly above for. cases in scotland — is possibly above for. cases in scotland in total have increased by a quarter— scotland in total have increased by a quarter in — scotland in total have increased by a quarter in the past week. they have _ a quarter in the past week. they have risen— a quarter in the past week. they have risen in all age groups except over 85— have risen in all age groups except over 85 is — have risen in all age groups except over 85 is. but as it becomes the dominant— over 85 is. but as it becomes the dominant strain it is much higher r number— dominant strain it is much higher r number numberwill dominant strain it is much higher r number number will dominate and that will drive _ number number will dominate and that will drive us _ number number will dominate and that will drive us deeper increase in cases — will drive us deeper increase in cases that— will drive us deeper increase in cases. that is why i warned on friday— cases. that is why i warned on friday that _ cases. that is why i warned on friday that we are facing a likely tsunami — friday that we are facing a likely tsunami of cases in the weeks ahead. some _ tsunami of cases in the weeks ahead. some are _ tsunami of cases in the weeks ahead. some are suggesting omicron may be mild in _ some are suggesting omicron may be mild in its _ some are suggesting omicron may be mild in its impact on individual health— mild in its impact on individual health and delta and obviously we all hope _ health and delta and obviously we all hope that is the case. however, we don't _ all hope that is the case. however, we don't yet — all hope that is the case. however, we don't yet know that is the case and there — we don't yet know that is the case and there is— we don't yet know that is the case and there is some initial evidence from _ and there is some initial evidence from denmark that may suggest otherwise. even if it does prove to be milder, —

otherwise. even if it does prove to be milder, simple arithmetic means the challenge it poses will still be significant. let me illustrate that. in recent — significant. let me illustrate that. in recent months they put a portion of delta _ in recent months they put a portion of delta cases needing hospital care has been _ of delta cases needing hospital care has been around 2%. that means an average _ has been around 2%. that means an average of— has been around 2%. that means an average of daily case numbers of 2700 _ average of daily case numbers of 2700 will— average of daily case numbers of 2700 will result in around 400 hospital— 2700 will result in around 400 hospital admissions a week. if cases rise significantly to say 10,000 a day because of omicron's rated transmissibility, and this is well within— transmissibility, and this is well within the — transmissibility, and this is well within the model estimates, then even _ within the model estimates, then even if— within the model estimates, then even if the — within the model estimates, then even if the hospitalisation rate turned — even if the hospitalisation rate turned out to be half that of delta at just _ turned out to be half that of delta at just l% — turned out to be half that of delta at just 1% we would see 700 hospital admissions _ at just 1% we would see 700 hospital admissions a week. the basic and very hard — admissions a week. the basic and very hard fact is this. a much more transmissible infection, even if ntilder— transmissible infection, even if milder in— transmissible infection, even if milder in terms of severe illness, can still— milder in terms of severe illness, can still place a bigger burden on the nhs — can still place a bigger burden on the nhs. more people infected will result— the nhs. more people infected will result in— the nhs. more people infected will

result in more severe illness and tragically— result in more severe illness and tragically more people will die. surging — tragically more people will die. surging level of will also result in many— surging level of will also result in many more people being off work due to mild _ many more people being off work due to mild illness and isolation so the impact _ to mild illness and isolation so the impact on — to mild illness and isolation so the impact on our economy and on our ability— impact on our economy and on our ability to— impact on our economy and on our ability to deliver critical services will also — ability to deliver critical services will also be severe. we are starting to see _ will also be severe. we are starting to see these impacts already. all of this explains why we must take omicron — this explains why we must take omicron extremely seriously. this is not a _ omicron extremely seriously. this is not a choice — omicron extremely seriously. this is not a choice between protecting health _ not a choice between protecting health and protecting the economy. let me _ health and protecting the economy. let me turn to what in the government plasma judgment we need to do now— government plasma judgment we need to do now to this challenge. in doing — to do now to this challenge. in doing so— to do now to this challenge. in doing so i_ to do now to this challenge. in doing so i ask everyone again to think— doing so i ask everyone again to think in— doing so i ask everyone again to think in terms of a race between the virus _ think in terms of a race between the virus and _ think in terms of a race between the virus and the — think in terms of a race between the virus and the vaccine. our vaccination programme is running fast and _ vaccination programme is running fast and we are the most vaccinated part of— fast and we are the most vaccinated part of the _ fast and we are the most vaccinated part of the uk. 46% of the over 12 population— part of the uk. 46% of the over 12 population have had boosterjabs already~ — population have had boosterjabs already. however, just as vaccines started _ already. however, just as vaccines started to — already. however, just as vaccines started to win this race the virus learned — started to win this race the virus learned to— started to win this race the virus

learned to run faster. that means we must _ learned to run faster. that means we must deliver— learned to run faster. that means we must deliver boosters even faster and this— must deliver boosters even faster and this is— must deliver boosters even faster and this is all the more important in light— and this is all the more important in light of— and this is all the more important in light of early data telling us that the — in light of early data telling us that the protection we have against omicron _ that the protection we have against omicron infection with just one that the protection we have against omicron infection withjust one or two doses— omicron infection withjust one or two doses at significantly lower than _ two doses at significantly lower than it— two doses at significantly lower than it is— two doses at significantly lower than it is for delta. we need a booster— than it is for delta. we need a boosterjab to ensure a level of protection _ boosterjab to ensure a level of protection against omicron. we are taking _ protection against omicron. we are taking steps now to give boosters faster. _ taking steps now to give boosters faster, getting fully vaccinated is the best— faster, getting fully vaccinated is the best thing any of us can do to protect— the best thing any of us can do to protect ourselves, our loved ones in the country — protect ourselves, our loved ones in the country. so please book your booster— the country. so please book your boosterjab the country. so please book your booster jab as the country. so please book your boosterjab as soon as possible. speeding — boosterjab as soon as possible. speeding up vaccination is essential and i want _ speeding up vaccination is essential and i want to assure the nation today— and i want to assure the nation today that _ and i want to assure the nation today that it is the government's top priority. i will set out more detail— top priority. i will set out more detail on— top priority. i will set out more detail on exactly how we are going about— detail on exactly how we are going about doing that. but while this is necessary— about doing that. but while this is necessary ourjudgment is that in the short— necessary ourjudgment is that in the short term it will not be sufficient. where we are speeding up vaccination _ sufficient. where we are speeding up vaccination we must also try to slow

down _ vaccination we must also try to slow down omicron. that is why we are also proposing today some further protective — also proposing today some further protective measures. i also proposing today some further protective measures. lam also proposing today some further protective measures. i am appealing to everyone — protective measures. i am appealing to everyone to follow today's advice to everyone to follow today's advice to help _ to everyone to follow today's advice to help slow omicron down. let me be clear, _ to help slow omicron down. let me be clear. we _ to help slow omicron down. let me be clear. we do— to help slow omicron down. let me be clear, we do not do this likely. i know— clear, we do not do this likely. i know how— clear, we do not do this likely. i know how hard it is and please believe — know how hard it is and please believe me when i say i would not be asking _ believe me when i say i would not be asking for— believe me when i say i would not be asking for yet more sacrifice if i did not— asking for yet more sacrifice if i did not genuinely consider this to be necessary in the face of a threat that is— be necessary in the face of a threat that is very— be necessary in the face of a threat that is very real. let me set out now _ that is very real. let me set out now what — that is very real. let me set out now what is _ that is very real. let me set out now what is being asked. we want to keep businesses open but to help achieve _ keep businesses open but to help achieve this we are asking them to step up— achieve this we are asking them to step up the — achieve this we are asking them to step up the protections in place in the premises. we intend to amend regulations to put a legal requirement on those running businesses are providing services to take measures which are reasonably practical— take measures which are reasonably practical to— take measures which are reasonably practical to minimise the risk of transmission. we will issue guidance this week— transmission. we will issue guidance this week to— transmission. we will issue guidance this week to make clear what that means _ this week to make clear what that

means for— this week to make clear what that means. for example in retail it will involve _ means. for example in retail it will involve a _ means. for example in retail it will involve a return to the kind of protections in place at the start of the pandemic, for example measures to avoid _ the pandemic, for example measures to avoid crowding and bottlenecks. this will— to avoid crowding and bottlenecks. this will include physical distances and measures to control the flow of customers — and measures to control the flow of customers. the hospitality it will mean _ customers. the hospitality it will mean for— customers. the hospitality it will mean for example measures to avoid crowding _ mean for example measures to avoid crowding at _ mean for example measures to avoid crowding at bars and between tables. for employers the guidance will make clear the _ for employers the guidance will make clear the enabling staff who were working _ clear the enabling staff who were working from home at the pandemic to do so _ working from home at the pandemic to do so again— working from home at the pandemic to do so again is now a legal duty. i am hugely— do so again is now a legal duty. i am hugely grateful to employers who are already allowing staff to work at home — are already allowing staff to work at home where possible but we are not maximising the impact of home—working. we recognise there are people _ home—working. we recognise there are people who _ home—working. we recognise there are people who cannot work from home. we are asking _ people who cannot work from home. we are asking anyone in this position to test— are asking anyone in this position to test regularly before going to work _

to test regularly before going to work we — to test regularly before going to work. we have extended their workplace testing scheme which delivers — workplace testing scheme which delivers lateral flow kits twice a week— delivers lateral flow kits twice a week to — delivers lateral flow kits twice a week to all businesses who have signed _ week to all businesses who have signed up — week to all businesses who have signed up to it and i would encourage any business with ten or more _ encourage any business with ten or more employees tojoin up encourage any business with ten or more employees to join up and encourage staff to test wrigley. we will also _ encourage staff to test wrigley. we will also be reinforcing the rules on the _ will also be reinforcing the rules on the importance of wearing face coverings— on the importance of wearing face coverings properly. my hardest request— coverings properly. my hardest request today is of the general public — request today is of the general public i— request today is of the general public. i want to be clear, i am not asking _ public. i want to be clear, i am not asking anyone to cancel christmas, but in _ asking anyone to cancel christmas, but in the _ asking anyone to cancel christmas, but in the run up to christmas i am asking _ but in the run up to christmas i am asking everyone to reduce as far as possible _ asking everyone to reduce as far as possible and to a minimum the contacts— possible and to a minimum the contacts we have with people in other— contacts we have with people in other households. we are not planning _ other households. we are not planning or restricting household mixing _ planning or restricting household mixing in — planning or restricting household mixing in law as before, we understand the negative impact this has on _ understand the negative impact this has on mental health and well—being, but we _ has on mental health and well—being, but we are _ has on mental health and well—being, but we are asking everyone to cut down _ but we are asking everyone to cut down as— but we are asking everyone to cut down as far— but we are asking everyone to cut down as far as possible the number of people _

down as far as possible the number of people outside our own households we interact _ of people outside our own households we interact with. this will help break— we interact with. this will help break transmission chains. my key request— break transmission chains. my key request is— break transmission chains. my key request is this, before and after christmas — request is this, before and after christmas please minimise your social— christmas please minimise your social mixing with other households as much— social mixing with other households as much as — social mixing with other households as much as you can. if you do plan on socialising either at home or in indoor— on socialising either at home or in indoor public places we are asking that you _ indoor public places we are asking that you limit the number of households represented in your group to a maximum of three and make sure you test— to a maximum of three and make sure you test before you go. i know this is a tough — you test before you go. i know this is a tough thing to ask people to do, especially at this time of year, so i want _ do, especially at this time of year, so i want to— do, especially at this time of year, so i want to be clear why we are making — so i want to be clear why we are making this request. one of the things— making this request. one of the things we — making this request. one of the things we have already learned about omicron _ things we have already learned about omicron is _ things we have already learned about omicron is that it has a very high attack— omicron is that it has a very high attack rate _ omicron is that it has a very high attack rate. this means ifjust one person— attack rate. this means ifjust one person in— attack rate. this means ifjust one person in a — attack rate. this means ifjust one person in a gathering is infectious that person is likely to infect many more _ that person is likely to infect many more people in the group than was the case _ more people in the group than was the case with the delta variant. by reducing _ the case with the delta variant. by reducing the numbers of people and households gathering together we help limit the extent of spread.

turning — help limit the extent of spread. turning to _ help limit the extent of spread. turning to christmas day specifically whenever you have your main _ specifically whenever you have your main family celebration, we are not asking _ main family celebration, we are not asking you — main family celebration, we are not asking you to cancel or change your plans— asking you to cancel or change your plans and _ asking you to cancel or change your plans and we are not proposing limits— plans and we are not proposing limits on— plans and we are not proposing limits on the size of household gatherings. places of worship will remain— gatherings. places of worship will remain open with appropriate mitigations. but we will issue guidance _ mitigations. but we will issue guidance to help you make christmas safer~ _ guidance to help you make christmas safer. reducing your contacts in advance — safer. reducing your contacts in advance of _ safer. reducing your contacts in advance of before and after christmas will help do this. keeping your celebrations is small as your family— your celebrations is small as your family circumstances allow it sensible _ family circumstances allow it sensible. sure everyone in your gathering — sensible. sure everyone in your gathering is vaccinated and has done a test _ gathering is vaccinated and has done a test in _ gathering is vaccinated and has done a test in advance. keep rooms ventilated _ a test in advance. keep rooms ventilated and follow hygiene rules. i know _ ventilated and follow hygiene rules. i know how much i am asking of everyone — i know how much i am asking of everyone today after a difficult and painful— everyone today after a difficult and painful two years. i would not be doing _ painful two years. i would not be doing so— painful two years. i would not be doing so if— painful two years. i would not be doing so if i did not believe it to be absolutely necessary. it could be argued _ be absolutely necessary. it could be argued we _ be absolutely necessary. it could be argued we should be going further

which _ argued we should be going further which is _ argued we should be going further which is why i need to also explain a significant limitation on our ability— a significant limitation on our ability to— a significant limitation on our ability to act in the way we think necessary— ability to act in the way we think necessary to protect public health. in this _ necessary to protect public health. in this context i am genuinely not seeking _ in this context i am genuinely not seeking to— in this context i am genuinely not seeking to make a political point, simply— seeking to make a political point, simply to— seeking to make a political point, simply to set out the factual position _ simply to set out the factual position. many of the protections that help — position. many of the protections that help curtail covid come at a financial— that help curtail covid come at a financial cost to individual and businesses so wherever we can we put in place _ businesses so wherever we can we put in place financial packages to protect— in place financial packages to protect people's health, jobs and livelihoods. but the scottish, welsh and northern ireland governments do not have _ and northern ireland governments do not have the ability to borrow to meet _ not have the ability to borrow to meet the — not have the ability to borrow to meet the covid funding challenge. uk funding _ meet the covid funding challenge. uk funding arrangements mean we rely on the treasury _ funding arrangements mean we rely on the treasury to do so. the treasury has responded well throughout this pandemic. although scottish taxpayers foot our share of the bill, _ taxpayers foot our share of the bill, many— taxpayers foot our share of the bill, many only flows to the devolved governments when the uk government makes decisions. financial— government makes decisions. financial support is not triggered if the _ financial support is not triggered if the devolved governments take decisions — if the devolved governments take decisions we consider appropriate the public— decisions we consider appropriate the public health reasons even though— the public health reasons even though it — the public health reasons even though it is our responsibility to

do so _ though it is our responsibility to do so so— though it is our responsibility to do so. so because the uk government is at this— do so. so because the uk government is at this stage not proposing any further— is at this stage not proposing any further protections, a position i don't _ further protections, a position i don't agree with, there is no funding _ don't agree with, there is no funding generated to compensate businesses for any protections we think— businesses for any protections we think are — businesses for any protections we think are necessary and wish to put in place _ think are necessary and wish to put in place. that is not acceptable in current _ in place. that is not acceptable in current circumstances and with the welsh _ current circumstances and with the welsh and — current circumstances and with the welsh and northern ireland governments we are pressing for a further— governments we are pressing for a further approach that takes account of all— further approach that takes account of all responsibilities for protecting public health. but for now this — protecting public health. but for now this is the situation we are in and it— now this is the situation we are in and it means our responses curtailed by lack— and it means our responses curtailed by lack of— and it means our responses curtailed by lack of finance. there are further— by lack of finance. there are further steps we could and would have _ further steps we could and would have considered the particularly around — have considered the particularly around hospitality had we the financial— around hospitality had we the financial ability to do so but we don't — financial ability to do so but we don't but— financial ability to do so but we don't. but i can confirm with some difficulty— don't. but i can confirm with some difficulty we have managed to identify— difficulty we have managed to identify within our own resources around _ identify within our own resources around £100 million that he will use all businesses, mainly those in hospitality and in the culture sector, —

hospitality and in the culture sector, affected by our advice. the finance _ sector, affected by our advice. the finance secretary and hood officials will be _ finance secretary and hood officials will be engaging with affected sectors — will be engaging with affected sectors immediately to consider the details _ sectors immediately to consider the details of— sectors immediately to consider the details of support. we will try to make _ details of support. we will try to make money available as soon as possible — make money available as soon as possible. businesses who have previously risked —— received support— previously risked —— received support will be contacted directly. we have _ support will be contacted directly. we have also identified an additional £100 million to ensure the self— additional £100 million to ensure the self isolation support grant is available — the self isolation support grant is available for those who needed given the expected increase in the number of eligible _ the expected increase in the number of eligible people who will be asked to isolate. making this money available _ to isolate. making this money available with involved with re—prioritisation but we recognise the importance of providing as much help as _ the importance of providing as much help as we _ the importance of providing as much help as we can. this is the limit of what _ help as we can. this is the limit of what we _ help as we can. this is the limit of what we are — help as we can. this is the limit of what we are able to do within our own resources. it does not go far enough _ own resources. it does not go far enough in — own resources. it does not go far enough in compensating businesses for what _ enough in compensating businesses for what we are asking of them and of course _ for what we are asking of them and of course no — for what we are asking of them and of course no government can rule out having _ of course no government can rule out having to _ of course no government can rule out having to go _ of course no government can rule out having to go further in the weeks ahead _

having to go further in the weeks ahead we — having to go further in the weeks ahead. we are pressing the uk government to increase support to enable — government to increase support to enable us _ government to increase support to enable us to respond adequately. i will turn _ enable us to respond adequately. i will turn now to our actions to speed — will turn now to our actions to speed up— will turn now to our actions to speed up delivery of booster vaccinations. anyone aged between 40 and 60 _ vaccinations. anyone aged between 40 and 60 who— vaccinations. anyone aged between 40 and 60 who has not already an appointment has now received an invitation— appointment has now received an invitation to do so. in addition since — invitation to do so. in addition since yesterday all 30 to 39—year—olds have been able to book their boosterjabs online and i confirm — their boosterjabs online and i confirm today that 18 to 29—year—olds will be able to book online _ 29—year—olds will be able to book online from tomorrow. our aim is that by— online from tomorrow. our aim is that by the — online from tomorrow. our aim is that by the 31st of december everyone over 18 well have been able to book _ everyone over 18 well have been able to book booster appointment. it's not possible to guarantee absolutely everyone _ not possible to guarantee absolutely everyone over 18 will have been vaccinated by the 31st of december and some — vaccinated by the 31st of december and some appointments will run into the new— and some appointments will run into the new year, for example some people _ the new year, for example some people will not be eligible by the end of— people will not be eligible by the end of december because it will still be — end of december because it will still be less than 12 weeks since

the second dose, some people have not yet _ the second dose, some people have not yet come forward for the first or second — not yet come forward for the first or second dose and despite our best efforts— or second dose and despite our best efforts and — or second dose and despite our best efforts and will not come forward to book a _ efforts and will not come forward to book a booster driver. in addition, despite _ book a booster driver. in addition, despite the — book a booster driver. in addition, despite the strenuous work in the way, _ despite the strenuous work in the way, we — despite the strenuous work in the way, we know that some capacity challenges between now and the end of the _ challenges between now and the end of the year— challenges between now and the end of the year had inevitable flavour. notwithstanding all of that we are aiming _ notwithstanding all of that we are aiming to reach as close as possible to 80% _ aiming to reach as close as possible to 80% uptake by the end of december with the _ to 80% uptake by the end of december with the balance of appointments taking _ with the balance of appointments taking place injanuary. i do not underestimate the challenge of this. vaccination teams are already making a bl- vaccination teams are already making a big effort— vaccination teams are already making a big effort and we are asking a great _ a big effort and we are asking a great deal of them. in addition, reaching — great deal of them. in addition, reaching that level of uptake depends on people continuing to come forward _ depends on people continuing to come forward and get jabs, even over the holiday— forward and get jabs, even over the holiday period. this will not be easy — holiday period. this will not be easy but _ holiday period. this will not be easy. but we are working on the basis _ easy. but we are working on the basis that— easy. but we are working on the basis that the higher we aim the further— basis that the higher we aim the further we — basis that the higher we aim the further we will get. let me set out

the steps — further we will get. let me set out the steps we're taking to the additional capacity. given its vital importance against omicron we will prioritise _ importance against omicron we will prioritise the covid booster programme over the remainder of the flu vaccination programme for the next few— flu vaccination programme for the next few weeks. this will allow many more _ next few weeks. this will allow many more booster appointments to be made available _ more booster appointments to be made available. our clinical advice is available. 0ur clinical advice is that— available. 0ur clinical advice is that for— available. our clinical advice is that for those in the highest risk groups— that for those in the highest risk groups for— that for those in the highest risk groups for flu uptake of the vaccine issue _ groups for flu uptake of the vaccine issue is— groups for flu uptake of the vaccine issue is already high and 4/65 —year—olds it is 88% which is higher than last— —year—olds it is 88% which is higher than last year. secondly and in line with advice — than last year. secondly and in line with advice from the uk chief medical— with advice from the uk chief medical officers the requirement for people _ medical officers the requirement for people to _ medical officers the requirement for people to wait in the vaccine centre for 15_ people to wait in the vaccine centre for 15 minutes after they receive a vaccine _ for 15 minutes after they receive a vaccine is — for 15 minutes after they receive a vaccine is being removed, this will speed _ vaccine is being removed, this will speed up— vaccine is being removed, this will speed up vaccination times and enable — speed up vaccination times and enable many more appointments. health _ enable many more appointments. health boards are working to offer additional drop in capacity within local— additional drop in capacity within local vaccination centres. additional venues for vaccination are also— additional venues for vaccination are also being identified. in terms

of human— are also being identified. in terms of human resources we plan to extend the number— of human resources we plan to extend the numberand of human resources we plan to extend the number and role of volunteers to ensure _ the number and role of volunteers to ensure clinical staff can spend as much _ ensure clinical staff can spend as much time — ensure clinical staff can spend as much time as possible supporting the administration of vaccines. we will continue _ administration of vaccines. we will continue to— administration of vaccines. we will continue to expand the size of the overall— continue to expand the size of the overall vaccination workforce as much _ overall vaccination workforce as much as— overall vaccination workforce as much as possible and make full use of any— much as possible and make full use of any military support that is available. we will of course keep parliament updated on the delivery of these _ parliament updated on the delivery of these plans. however, at this stage _ of these plans. however, at this stage i— of these plans. however, at this stage i want to again thank everyone working _ stage i want to again thank everyone working so— stage i want to again thank everyone working so hard to design and deliver— working so hard to design and deliver the biggest and the most important logistical project in our peacetime history. let me stress that were — peacetime history. let me stress that were the focus of my statement today— that were the focus of my statement today is _ that were the focus of my statement today is on _ that were the focus of my statement today is on boosters, if you have not had — today is on boosters, if you have not had your first associate please do book— not had your first associate please do book it — not had your first associate please do book it now. it's more important than ever— do book it now. it's more important than ever to — do book it now. it's more important than ever to do so. in the new year we will— than ever to do so. in the new year we will also — than ever to do so. in the new year we will also complete second doses for 12 _ we will also complete second doses for 12 to _ we will also complete second doses for 12 to 17—year—olds and i hope

that we — for 12 to 17—year—olds and i hope that we might also soon get regulatory approval to offer vaccination to under 12. before i close _ vaccination to under 12. before i close today there are some further issues _ close today there are some further issues that— close today there are some further issues that i want to highlight. firstly— issues that i want to highlight. firstly let me reiterate the changed advice _ firstly let me reiterate the changed advice on _ firstly let me reiterate the changed advice on self isolation. for now household — advice on self isolation. for now household contacts of the person test positive the covid are being advised — test positive the covid are being advised to south isolate for ten days _ advised to south isolate for ten days this _ advised to south isolate for ten days. this advice applies to everyone _ days. this advice applies to everyone in the household regardless of age. _ everyone in the household regardless of age, vaccination status or test results — of age, vaccination status or test results. business is an organisation provided _ results. business is an organisation provided vital services can apply for an— provided vital services can apply for an exemption to allow essential workers _ for an exemption to allow essential workers to— for an exemption to allow essential workers to return to work subject of them _ workers to return to work subject of them being — workers to return to work subject of them being symptom—free and taking certain— them being symptom—free and taking certain precautions. beyond this advice _ certain precautions. beyond this advice we — certain precautions. beyond this advice we are not recommending that entire _ advice we are not recommending that entire school classes are required to isolate — entire school classes are required to isolate when to pull tests positive _ to isolate when to pull tests positive. the advice on school isolation — positive. the advice on school isolation will be risk—based. a key aim is— isolation will be risk—based. a key aim is to — isolation will be risk—based. a key aim is to ensure that schools stay

open _ aim is to ensure that schools stay open if _ aim is to ensure that schools stay open if at — aim is to ensure that schools stay open if at all possible to minimise further— open if at all possible to minimise further disruption to education but it is vital— further disruption to education but it is vital that schools are safe for pupils _ it is vital that schools are safe for pupils and staff. to help achieve _ for pupils and staff. to help achieve this we continue to secondary school pupils to take lateral — secondary school pupils to take lateral flow test regularly. in addition _ lateral flow test regularly. in addition their advisory subgroup and education _ addition their advisory subgroup and education is meeting today to provide — education is meeting today to provide further advice on how schools — provide further advice on how schools can operate safely in the new year — schools can operate safely in the new year and we will send this advice — new year and we will send this advice to— new year and we will send this advice to schools by the end of this week _ advice to schools by the end of this week we — advice to schools by the end of this week. we will continue to consider appropriate protective measures for people _ appropriate protective measures for people in— appropriate protective measures for people in institutional settings such— people in institutional settings such as — people in institutional settings such as care homes while ensuring that visitors — such as care homes while ensuring that visitors can continue. last week— that visitors can continue. last week we — that visitors can continue. last week we recommended that care staff take test— week we recommended that care staff take test on a daily basis and we are also— take test on a daily basis and we are also recommending that individual visits in care homes should — individual visits in care homes should not involve any more than two households _ should not involve any more than two households visiting any patient at a time _ households visiting any patient at a time we _ households visiting any patient at a time. we are asking anybody visiting a care _ time. we are asking anybody visiting a care home — time. we are asking anybody visiting a care home to test before every visit~ _ a care home to test before every visit the —

a care home to test before every visit. the hospitals we are recommending that no more than two people will visit a patient at any one time — one time and again we are recommending a lateral flow test before _ recommending a lateral flow test before each visit. finally, i fully understand that omicron will be especially concerning the people on the highest risk list and therefore i want _ the highest risk list and therefore i want to— the highest risk list and therefore i want to give assurances to all of you that — i want to give assurances to all of you that the chief medical officer will be _ you that the chief medical officer will be writing to you shortly with further _ will be writing to you shortly with further advice on assurance. this is not the _ further advice on assurance. this is not the update i wanted to be giving a few _ not the update i wanted to be giving a few days _ not the update i wanted to be giving a few days before christmas and i am painfully _ a few days before christmas and i am painfully aware that it is not an update — painfully aware that it is not an update anyone wanted to hear. but we have a _ update anyone wanted to hear. but we have a duty _ update anyone wanted to hear. but we have a duty to take decisions no ntatter— have a duty to take decisions no matter how difficult or unpopular that will— matter how difficult or unpopular that will get us through this as safely— that will get us through this as safely as— that will get us through this as safely as possible and i will not shy away— safely as possible and i will not shy away from that responsibility. the fact _ shy away from that responsibility. the fact i — shy away from that responsibility. the fact i am asking for further sacrifice — the fact i am asking for further sacrifice today underlines how severe — sacrifice today underlines how severe we think the risk poses —— posed _ severe we think the risk poses —— posed by— severe we think the risk poses —— posed by omicron might be. so please follow _ posed by omicron might be. so please follow the _ posed by omicron might be. so please follow the advice i have set out

today — follow the advice i have set out today. while this is a difficult iuncture _ today. while this is a difficult juncture in the course of the pandemic, please rememberthat pandemic, please remember that vaccination pandemic, please rememberthat vaccination does still put us in a better— vaccination does still put us in a better position than last year. also, — better position than last year. also, hard though they say is we are not powerless in the face of the virus _ not powerless in the face of the virus we — not powerless in the face of the virus. we know the steps we can take to slow _ virus. we know the steps we can take to slow down. please get fully vaccinated as soon as possible. please — vaccinated as soon as possible. please test regularly if you are going — please test regularly if you are going to — please test regularly if you are going to meet other people and minimise — going to meet other people and minimise this as much as possible. take _ minimise this as much as possible. take a _ minimise this as much as possible. take a test— minimise this as much as possible. take a test before you go every time _ take a test before you go every time the — take a test before you go every time. the tests are easy to take on despite _ time. the tests are easy to take on despite an— time. the tests are easy to take on despite an issue with online ordering _ despite an issue with online ordering yesterday they are easy to -et ordering yesterday they are easy to get hold _ ordering yesterday they are easy to get hold of. tests can be collected from _ get hold of. tests can be collected from local— get hold of. tests can be collected from local pharmacies and test centres — from local pharmacies and test centres without bookings. wear face coverings _ centres without bookings. wear face coverings on public transport and in shops— coverings on public transport and in shops and _ coverings on public transport and in shops and were moving about in hospitality settings and make sure your face — hospitality settings and make sure your face coverings fully covers your _ your face coverings fully covers your mouth and nose. keep windows

open if— your mouth and nose. keep windows open if meeting people indoors. follow— open if meeting people indoors. follow all— open if meeting people indoors. follow all advice on hygiene, work from _ follow all advice on hygiene, work from home — follow all advice on hygiene, work from home wherever possible. and please _ from home wherever possible. and please follow the new advice i have outlined _ please follow the new advice i have outlined today. please do not think of it as _ outlined today. please do not think of it as optional. cut down unnecessary contacts as much as possible _ unnecessary contacts as much as possible in— unnecessary contacts as much as possible in the run—up to christmas and after— possible in the run—up to christmas and after christmas avoid socialising with people in the household is as much as you can. if you are _ household is as much as you can. if you are socialising indoors at home limit the _ you are socialising indoors at home limit the number of households represented in your group to a maximum _ represented in your group to a maximum of three and test before you io maximum of three and test before you go and _ maximum of three and test before you go and please follow the advice to keep christmas day as safe as possible _ keep christmas day as safe as possible. we face an extremely difficult — possible. we face an extremely difficult period again and i cannot tell you _ difficult period again and i cannot tell you otherwise. but i know we will get _ tell you otherwise. but i know we will get through it more safely if we do _ will get through it more safely if we do right by each other as we have done _ we do right by each other as we have done all— we do right by each other as we have done all along. please get vaccinated, test regularly and follow — vaccinated, test regularly and follow all of the other rules and guidance — follow all of the other rules and guidance in place for our own

protection. let us pull together again— protection. let us pull together again and — protection. let us pull together again and let's help each other through — again and let's help each other throu~h. . again and let's help each other throu~h. , ~ , ., through. the first minister will now take questions. _ through. the first minister will now take questions. i _ through. the first minister will now take questions. iwill— through. the first minister will now take questions. i will allow - through. the first minister will now take questions. i will allow 70 - take questions. i will allow 70 minutes for the questions. i would be grateful if members were to press their request to speak buttons now. douglas ross. the their request to speak buttons now. douglas ross-— their request to speak buttons now. douglas ross. the situation with new omicron variant _ douglas ross. the situation with new omicron variant changed _ douglas ross. the situation with new omicron variant changed the - omicron variant changed the circumstances in which we are all dealing _ circumstances in which we are all dealing with. the scottish and uk governments have both examined the new variant _ governments have both examined the new variant and it's more transmissible. with the potential to severely— transmissible. with the potential to severely impact the nhs and other vital services. so let me reiterate the key— vital services. so let me reiterate the key requests to everyone, those who can _ the key requests to everyone, those who can go — the key requests to everyone, those who can go out and get fully vaccinated and get your boosterjab as soon _ vaccinated and get your boosterjab as soon as — vaccinated and get your boosterjab as soon as possible. take a covid test as— as soon as possible. take a covid test as often as you can. take a test _ test as often as you can. take a test before _ test as often as you can. take a test before you go to bars and restaurants. before you go to meet

your family— restaurants. before you go to meet yourfamily and restaurants. before you go to meet your family and before you go to work _ your family and before you go to work and — your family and before you go to work. and take every precaution possible — work. and take every precaution possible to protect your family and the people around you. but the government must also live up to their— government must also live up to their end — government must also live up to their end of the bargain of the most important _ their end of the bargain of the most important defence we have against this virus— important defence we have against this virus is— important defence we have against this virus is the booster vaccine. the vaccine _ this virus is the booster vaccine. the vaccine booster scheme is going well and _ the vaccine booster scheme is going well and the volunteers and staff undoubtedly deserve our praise and thanks— undoubtedly deserve our praise and thanks but— undoubtedly deserve our praise and thanks but now we need to go even faster~ _ thanks but now we need to go even faster~ we — thanks but now we need to go even faster. we kept awake my party has come _ faster. we kept awake my party has come to _ faster. we kept awake my party has come to this chamber and asked the first minister to prepare to bring in mass — first minister to prepare to bring in mass vaccination centres. it the scottish— in mass vaccination centres. it the scottish government have delayed and now they— scottish government have delayed and now they are scrambling to find venues — now they are scrambling to find venues at — now they are scrambling to find venues at the last minute. can i ask the first _ venues at the last minute. can i ask the first minister why has it taken so long _ the first minister why has it taken so long for— the first minister why has it taken so long for the government to accept our calls— so long for the government to accept our calls and indeed launch mass vaccination — our calls and indeed launch mass vaccination centres that were so crucial— vaccination centres that were so crucial and — vaccination centres that were so crucial and successful in the original— crucial and successful in the original roll—out of the vaccine? my party _ original roll—out of the vaccine? my party is _ original roll—out of the vaccine? my party is also — original roll—out of the vaccine? my

party is also called the extra support— party is also called the extra support to be made available to protect— support to be made available to protect scottishjobs support to be made available to protect scottish jobs and help businesses who are already struggling and losing income right now _ struggling and losing income right now as _ struggling and losing income right now. as we saw over the weekend, up and down _ now. as we saw over the weekend, up and down scotland. last week, we said that _ and down scotland. last week, we said that businesses would be impacted. impacted at one of their busiest _ impacted. impacted at one of their busiest times of the year and they desperately needed financial support. yesterday, we call for an emergency— support. yesterday, we call for an emergency cancellation compensation fund to— emergency cancellation compensation fund to protectjobs emergency cancellation compensation fund to protect jobs and emergency cancellation compensation fund to protectjobs and so it is very— fund to protectjobs and so it is very welcome that these calls have been listened to and support is coming — been listened to and support is coming from the scottish government to scottish _ coming from the scottish government to scottish businesses, but can i ask the — to scottish businesses, but can i ask the confirmation the payments will reach — ask the confirmation the payments will reach these businesses before christmas — will reach these businesses before christmas. i'm sure, like me, the first _ christmas. i'm sure, like me, the first minister who said that she didn't— first minister who said that she didn't want to make a critical point will welcome the announcement from british— will welcome the announcement from british rishi sunak. during a briefing _ british rishi sunak. during a briefing on friday. it was announced on saturday—

briefing on friday. it was announced on saturday that household with a positive _ on saturday that household with a positive case of any variant had to self—isolate meaning that a single case could lead to a householder of four or— case could lead to a householder of four or five — case could lead to a householder of four or five people having to isolate — four or five people having to isolate for that entire ten day period. — isolate for that entire ten day period, even if they had tested negative — period, even if they had tested negative. we period, even if they had tested neuative. ~ ., ., negative. we agreed that the level of caution--- _ negative. we agreed that the level of caution... we _ negative. we agreed that the level of caution. .. we will— negative. we agreed that the level of caution. .. we will pull— negative. we agreed that the level of caution... we will pull away - negative. we agreed that the level| of caution... we will pull away from hollywood there, where we heard nicola sturgeon first minister scotland asking for people in scotland asking for people in scotland to minimise their social mixing, only to socialise with up to two other households are the size of christmas. she is not asking anyone to cancel christmas, but to limit their socialising either side of the holiday. let us go to our correspondent who was in glasgow first now. i wonder what people in scotland are going to make of that request from nicola sturgeon to minimise their socialising over christmas. i minimise their socialising over christmas-— minimise their socialising over christmas. i am not sure it will come, christmas. i am not sure it will come. sorry. _ christmas. i am not sure it will come. sorry. it _ christmas. i am not sure it will come, sorry, it is _ christmas. i am not sure it will come, sorry, it is quite - christmas. i am not sure it will. come, sorry, it is quite windy here and it caught my breath. i'm not

sure it will come as too much of a surprise here in scotland. we have been hearing over the last couple of weeks about the sharp increase in cases and the steady rise in the number of omicron cases. the doubling time is now every two to three days. the first minister was talking about a tsunami of cases coming up in the next few weeks. she talked about their hospital admissions that will potentially happen. she said that it could be up to 700 a day. she also talked about the art number associated with the omicron variant. she said that could be around to, but it also could be as much as four. she talked about the race between the virus and the vaccine. she said the virus had started to run a bit faster. she

said moore had to be done, but they needed to be a speeding up of the vaccination process. they also needed to be something done to slow down the spread of omicron and i think you mention some of it there. she said that she wasn't going to cancel christmas, that brought back memories of this time last year when i was also standing here giving quite a similar message, but she also did say that she was asking people to reduce household contacts. on friday, you might remember that she recommended or advised people to cancel christmas parties or to defer them into the new year. and now what she is saying is to reduce any kind of social contact on the run—up to christmas. and also, in the immediate aftermath. just so that people could have as much of a normal christmas as possible. but she has talked about this being a very difficult time. she said it is

not the message that she wanted to have to deliver to people today. and have to deliver to people today. and 'ust have to deliver to people today. and just briefly. — have to deliver to people today. and just briefly, alexandra, that is going to have a knock—on effect. on the hospitality industry in scotland, particularly this idea that people should socialise less over the christmas holiday period. yes, absolutely. we did a piece on friday following that message to cancel christmas parties. we were in one restaurant in the centre of glasgow in their message, what other people are saying across the country, you know, that many of the bigger tables had been cancelled, that some people were still going out but many of the bigger tables that you would normally have this golden quarter where a lot of the hospitality industry makes their money, but you know, yet again, this is not going to be possible. not in the run—up to christmas. ok. the run-up to christmas. ok, alexandra. — the run-up to christmas. ok, alexandra, thank _ the run-up to christmas. ok, alexandra, thank you - the run—up to christmas. 0k, alexandra, thank you very much indeed. that is the latest from scotland. nicola sturgeon urging

people there to minimise their social mixing and only socialise with up to two other households either side of christmas. and there has been another major development with the health secretary confirming the removal of all 11 african countries from the uk's red list from tomorrow morning. angola, botswana, eswatini, lesotho, malawi, mozambique, namibia, nigeria, south africa, zambia and zimbabwe were on the list. the red list was reintroduced in late november. that was because of the omicron variant that was first detected in south africa and of course, the south africa and of course, the south africans were pretty angry with that decision to put them on the red list and they said it wasn't much of a reward for the world due to the fact of this omicron variant. this is a health secretary making that announcement in the commons in the last few minutes. we that announcement in the commons in the last few minutes.— the last few minutes. we won't keep measures in —

the last few minutes. we won't keep measures in place _ the last few minutes. we won't keep measures in place for— the last few minutes. we won't keep measures in place for a _ the last few minutes. we won't keep measures in place for a moment - measures in place for a moment longer than we need to and for example, now that there is community transmission of omicron in the uk and it has spread so widely across the world, the travel red list is now less effective in slowing the incursion of omicron from abroad. i can announce today that while we will maintain our temporary testing measures for international travel, we will be removing all 11 countries from the travel red less effective from the travel red less effective from 4am tomorrow morning. that would their— from 4am tomorrow morning. that would their house _ from 4am tomorrow morning. that would their house secretary in the commons. let's go to nick eardley, our political correspondent at westminster for us right now. our political correspondent at westminsterfor us right now. this was widely expected, but a lot of people will be angry and then there is a question of those people who are currently quarantining in hotels. ~ . are currently quarantining in hotels. . ., ., , , , are currently quarantining in hotels. ~ ., ., ,, , ., are currently quarantining in hotels. ., , ., , hotels. what happens to them? yes, there has been _ hotels. what happens to them? yes, there has been no _ hotels. what happens to them? yes, there has been no clarity _ hotels. what happens to them? yes, there has been no clarity on - hotels. what happens to them? yes, there has been no clarity on that - there has been no clarity on that just yet because they were told the government is seeking guidance on that. the simple reason we had from

the house secretary there of why the government is doing it is because the community transmission in the uk of the omicron variant is not, there is not much point in stopping people coming from other countries where it was initially detected and initially a problem. isuppose, in that was initially detected and initially a problem. i suppose, in that sense, it makes sense for the government to take that decision now. it is one that will be, i am sure, welcome by the travel industry. it is worth pointing out i will say that you will still have to be pre—to start your —— predeparture test and test once you arrive back in the uk from anywhere. that is the element of the story, some tory backbenchers will be fairly happy with that. there are other parts of it we know, ben, that tory mps are furious about. i am standing in the central lobby where they are having a debate at the moment which is being dominated by

that question of covid passports and whether they are introduced in england that vote will pass because the government has labour backing on it, but we are expecting that around 6:30pm tonight, we will see the biggest ever rebellion under boris johnson's premiership of composed don't conservative mps, could be up to 80 according to estimates. as we have seen in recent boats, sometimes those numbers dwindle a bit on the actual day, but it is a very tense day the government. i think that shown by the fact that just one hour those votes, this afternoon at around 530 this evening, by chance will be speaking to the backbench committee, trying to rally the troops and make the case for the restrictions he is bringing in. very interesting. we were just hearing from nicola sturgeon about the stricter measures scottish government is bringing in the run—up

to christmas and borisjohnson is already facing a lot of pressure from his own mps about measures for england but don't go as far as those which are already in place in scotland. which are already in place in scotland-— which are already in place in scotland. ., ,, , ., , which are already in place in scotland. . ~' , . scotland. nick, thank you very much indeed. scotland. nick, thank you very much indeed- we — scotland. nick, thank you very much indeed. we are _ scotland. nick, thank you very much indeed. we are going _ scotland. nick, thank you very much indeed. we are going to _ scotland. nick, thank you very much indeed. we are going to go - scotland. nick, thank you very much indeed. we are going to go back- scotland. nick, thank you very much indeed. we are going to go back to i indeed. we are going to go back to the house of commons now for that debate, which is nick was saying we will get a vote on at around 6:30pm tonight. the rebellion on the tory backbenchers is expected. up to 80 tories potentially voting against those tougher restrictions as a result of omicron. we have been listening to the health secretary sajid javid who has been telling a piece about how dangerous corners. health and social care to get their business too. i hear that concerns have been raised about the impact of the measures. on the workforce, madam deputy speaker, especially during these winter months, although even before the pandemic, workplace policies were in place requiring the

hepatitis b vaccine for those who had to perform certain clinical procedures. we are already allowing a 12 week grace period to give people the chance to make the positive choice to get protected and we are aiming to start enforcing these requirements from the 1st of april next year, subject of course to the well of this house. today, i will give way if it is on this point. will give way if it is on this oint. , ., ., ._ point. very grateful for giving way. if a point. very grateful for giving way. if a member _ point. very grateful for giving way. if a member of _ point. very grateful for giving way. if a member of the _ point. very grateful for giving way. if a member of the nhs _ point. very grateful for giving way. if a member of the nhs decide - point. very grateful for giving way. | if a member of the nhs decide they don't want to be vaccinated, will they be given the redundancy payment? if they are not, why not, and if not, how much would that cost the taxpayer? it and if not, how much would that cost the taxpayer?— the taxpayer? it would not be classed as — the taxpayer? it would not be classed as redundancy - the taxpayer? it would not be. classed as redundancy because the taxpayer? it would not be - classed as redundancy because that job would not become redundant. if that individual chooses not to get vaccinated than that of course is a decision for them to make, as i stressed, the way that this will be

end limited by the nhs and the way it should be implemented by the nhs and i know it will be is that getting vaccinated should always be a positive choice. the nhs has put in place a number of methods and ways to try and provide the information that people want to share and also including one—to—one consultations dividing more information, especially for those who may have received misinformation. the outcome of this with the care homes, when a similar thing was fermented earlier was that many of them, when provided with the right positive information chosen to act to become vaccinated rather than leave theirjobs. i act to become vaccinated rather than leave theirjobs.— leave their “obs. i must continue, i am leave theirjobs. i must continue, i am sorry--- _ leave theirjobs. i must continue, i am sorry... order, _ leave theirjobs. i must continue, i am sorry... order, order, - leave theirjobs. i must continue, i am sorry... order, order, the - am sorry... order, order, the secretary— am sorry... order, order, the secretary of _ am sorry... order, order, the secretary of state is right. he must make _ secretary of state is right. he must make progress. please, let us allow him to— make progress. please, let us allow him to continue his speech.- him to continue his speech. thank ou. just

him to continue his speech. thank you- just to _ him to continue his speech. thank you. just to finish _ him to continue his speech. thank you. just to finish on _ him to continue his speech. thank you. just to finish on this - you. just to finish on this particular regulation today, the chief executive of the nhs england has written to me, reinforcing the insurance of getting a jab in the interest of patients and staff safety. i will be placing a copy of this letter in the library of both houses today stop despite the concerns some people have raised, we have seen an increase of 55,000 nhs staff vaccinated with the first oh since we started the policy in september. as i firmly believe that these are protection against the greatest risk i know the honourable members have a question about whether we would extend these measures further, and i would like to say very clearly to the house today and say this once and for all, that although we have seen plans for universal mandatory vaccination in some countries in europe, i will never support them in this country. i firmly believe that getting

vaccinated is something that should be a positive decision and i can assure the house that government has no intention to extending the condition deployment to any other services or employing it more widely. the regulations we are debating today are not measures that any of us would like to put in place, but they are measures that i think the situation demands. because when the facts change, our response must change also. as we look ahead to a winter with omicron in the mix, the measures we have put forward today will fortify our national defences and guard us all against this deadly virus. i commend these regulations to the house.— this deadly virus. i commend these regulations to the house. thank you. the question — regulations to the house. thank you. the question is _ regulations to the house. thank you. the question is as _ regulations to the house. thank you. the question is as on _ regulations to the house. thank you. the question is as on the _ regulations to the house. thank you. the question is as on the order- the question is as on the order paper— the question is as on the order paper before i call the shadow secretary of state, it might be helpful— secretary of state, it might be helpful to say that the ayes will

have _ helpful to say that the ayes will have an — helpful to say that the ayes will have an immediate timing to five minutes— have an immediate timing to five minutes on backbench speeches which will reduce _ minutes on backbench speeches which will reduce later in the afternoon, but initially, five minutes. shadow secretary— but initially, five minutes. shadow secretary of state.— but initially, five minutes. shadow secretary of state. thank you, madam de - u secretary of state. thank you, madam deputy speaker- can _ secretary of state. thank you, madam deputy speaker. can i— secretary of state. thank you, madam deputy speaker. can i begin _ deputy speaker. can i begin by acknowledging that the are sincere and deeply held views on both sides of the debate we're having this afternoon and indeed on both sides of the house. i expect those taking a different view to the one that i will be outlining on behalf of the opposition. can i also say that we owe it to our country to give them debate worthy of the fine traditions of this house and in light of comments made in recent days by one conservative mp comparing these measures to the situation in germany in the 1930s, i should just say that it should not be for me as the shadow secretary of state that we —— to point out that we are not living in the 1930s and the secretary of state and his team are not nazis. on

their shoulders, state and his team are not nazis. on theirshoulders, rest state and his team are not nazis. on their shoulders, rest the health of our nation and the responsibility to protect our nhs. indeed, it is a responsibility we all share. they need our support. and they are owed better and better treatment than they have received from sun on their own side in recent days and even this afternoon. but no matter how dysfunctional the conservative party has become, the country can rely on labour. we will act in the interest of the public as we have done through the pandemic, putting public health before party politics and supporting the motion is under consideration this afternoon. we do not do so lightly. throughout the pandemic, we have asked the british people to make big sacrifices to support the national effort against coronavirus. sacrifices which have impacted on lives, livelihoods and liberties. whenever this house considers such measures, we owe it to the british people to explain why they are necessary. we believe these

measures are necessary and necessary as a response to the omicron, necessary to protect ourselves, the ones we love, and necessary to protect our nhs. we can't yet be sure about the severity of the omicron variant. but we can be certain that it is spreading and spreading fast, faster than any other variant. and even if a smaller proportion of omicron victims are hospitalised, the rapid advance of the virus through the population could see high numbers of people admitted to hospital during the months in which the nhs is on the greatest pressure and they should be no complacency about this. the winter months resent the greatest pressure on the nhs that in any normal gear and as we know, this is farfrom a normal year. the nhs is contending with winter pressures, a serious backlog, the delta variant

and now the omicron variant. and when people invoke the story of the boy who cried wolf, the warnings that came before but never materialised, people should remember that in the end, there was a wall. many of these challenges facing the nhs are understandable, given the unprecedented challenges of the covid—19 pandemic. but we have got to be honest and acknowledge that confronting these challenges has been made much harder because we went into the pandemic with nhs waiting list that were to record a 4.5 million, 100,000 staff vacancies and a shortage of hundred and 12,000 vacancies in social care. it wasn't just that they didn't fix the roof while the sun was shining, it was they dismantled the roof and remove they dismantled the roof and remove the floorboards. now the nhs is locked in a race against time. a race against the fastest variant of covid—19 that we have seen to date. a race to get as many people boosted

as possible before the end of this month. on the side of the house, we support them in that task. and let me say on behalf of all of us in the labour party, to every nhs worker, every gp, every pharmacist, every public health official in local government, every member of our armed forces in every volunteer stepping up to meet this enormous task that we are with them 100% and if anyone can do it, they can. i will certainly give way.- will certainly give way. could you exlain to will certainly give way. could you explain to me — will certainly give way. could you explain to me why _ will certainly give way. could you explain to me why the _ will certainly give way. could you explain to me why the labour- will certainly give way. could you i explain to me why the labour party supported not mandatory vaccinations for care workers but now have change their mind nhs workers? the honourable _ their mind nhs workers? the honourable gentleman will have to be patient as i come onto that later my speech. we need to buy them some time. the measures put forward for consideration today are an attempt to dojust that consideration today are an attempt to do just that by slowing the spread of the virus while trying to protect christmas so that people can

enjoy the festive season safely. by limiting our interactions in the workplace, by wearing face coverings in settings where the virus finds it easier to spread, by testing before we attend large indoor gatherings, and by getting behind the booster roll—out to ensure that everybody is protected. will you give way? i’m protected. will you give way? i'm very grateful _ protected. will you give way? i“n very grateful to my honourable friend for giving way and he is absolutely right that we are all very conscious about how important this time of year is the hospitality sector, but would he agree that the greatest threat to the hospitality sector is not the kind of restrictions that are coming today, but the of control and widespread cancellations from the sector must remark these restrictions today enable the hospitality sector to survive this really difficult time, but also enable us to take proportionate steps to ensure that this virus doesn't go out of control. i this virus doesn't go out of control-— this virus doesn't go out of control. ., ., , ., control. i wholeheartedly agree with mountable friend _ control. i wholeheartedly agree with mountable friend indeed. _ control. i wholeheartedly agree with mountable friend indeed. one - control. i wholeheartedly agree with

mountable friend indeed. one of. control. i wholeheartedly agree with | mountable friend indeed. one of the primary reasons for supporting these measures today is because we support businesses on these benches, and we support them through this difficult time. normally, trading would be at its busiest right now. the goal at the end must of course be to learn to live at the virus. that means effective vaccination, antiviral treatment, and public health measures have minimal impact on our lives, jobs, and businesses. so let me now take each of these measures in turn and explain why labour supports them and no doubt will take interventions as we go through each one. madam deputy speaker, no one enjoys wearing a mask, i certainly don't, but it is nothing compared to the cost of more draconian measures about our lives and livelihoods. mats are simply a way for us to... they are proven to be effective and not only that, but in times of rising infections when people are

feeling extremely cautious, it is vital to our economy that people feel safe. boarding a busy bus or entering a crowded theatre. in our view, the government never should have got rid of the requirement to wear mass in these settings. but we know why they did. we have counted in recent weeks honourable members opposite not wearing mass, i'm glad to see the compliance is risen considerably, but we know the feminist are no longer has the ability to lead the party, but i'm grateful that they have listened to the health secretary. turning to vaccine passes, on to testing for larger events, i'm glad that the government has listening to labour and has responded. we are arguing consistently against vaccine passports and insisting on people having the option to show a negative

test. further, we argue that they should not be required for access to essential services. on both accounts, the government has listened and amended the regulations and we can support that notion today. it is not a vaccine passports, it is a default requirement to give a negative result to enter places with... i will give way. he result to enter places with... i will give way-— result to enter places with... i will give way. he is making a very aood will give way. he is making a very good point _ will give way. he is making a very good point on _ will give way. he is making a very good point on this. _ will give way. he is making a very good point on this. is _ will give way. he is making a very good point on this. is the - will give way. he is making a very good point on this. is the reality i good point on this. is the reality not that if we didn't introduce these measures, there would be a danger that our night—time economy, pubs, venues and other events would have to shut completely. this pass is actually a pass for freedom to allow us to continue to enjoy activities that otherwise, would be shut down and those libertarians opposite should be welcoming it, not bemoaning it. i opposite should be welcoming it, not bemoaning it— bemoaning it. i will wholeheartedly a . ree with bemoaning it. i will wholeheartedly agree with my _ bemoaning it. i will wholeheartedly agree with my honourable - bemoaning it. i will wholeheartedly

agree with my honourable friend. l bemoaning it. i will wholeheartedly i agree with my honourable friend. let me be clear, we in the labour party support this approach because we support this approach because we support british business. this is about giving people the confidence to go out and about despite the presence of omicron. will you give way? i presence of omicron. will you give wa ? . .. presence of omicron. will you give wa ? ., ,, ,, ., ., presence of omicron. will you give wa? way? i thank the shadow secretary of state for giving _ way? i thank the shadow secretary of state for giving way. _ way? i thank the shadow secretary of state for giving way. i _ way? i thank the shadow secretary of state for giving way. i wonder - way? i thank the shadow secretary of state for giving way. i wonder if - state for giving way. i wonder if he shares my concern that reports over the past couple of days that there's been an absence or a lack of lateral flow devices to be sent out for testing. what is also alarming is the lack of support for the domestic diagnostics market and the manufacture of lateral flow devices in this country there are much more accurate, reliable and superior to the current government lateral flow devices. if these devices are to make a difference, we must have the best quality devices in place. i do auree best quality devices in place. i do agree with _ best quality devices in place. i do agree with the — best quality devices in place. i do agree with the honourable gentleman. i of course, for this measure to work as effectively as we wish, there has to be an adequate supply

of lateral flow test. i there has to be an adequate supply of lateralflow test. i heard there has to be an adequate supply of lateral flow test. i heard what the secretary of state said yesterday about the availability of testing, but it is no good if the tests are in the warehouse, they need to be available to people where they need them, when they need them. we have had supply issues and needs really do need to be resolved, not least in light of other measures which i will come in to shortly. i will give way. which i will come in to shortly. i will give way-— which i will come in to shortly. i willuivewa . . ,, , . will give way. thank you very much for aaivin will give way. thank you very much for giving way- _ will give way. thank you very much for giving way- l — will give way. thank you very much for giving way. i don't _ will give way. thank you very much for giving way. i don't accept - will give way. thank you very much for giving way. i don't accept that l for giving way. i don't accept that rather than giving confidence to people, these measures and the background against which they have been introduced have actually reduced confidence. when you have predictions of 75,000 deaths, when you are telling people that they can't go to venues unless they have certain tests. the experience in northern ireland already has been that the hospitality industry has lost millions of pounds of orders coming up to the christmas period because people are free to go! i will say to the honourable gentleman

in dispatches from the shadow secretary of state for northern ireland, where northern ireland is ahead of england on this, he had a perfectly nice time out last night, as is my understanding, on enjoying the best norton irish hospitality and i think people are drawing confidence from this. during on the experience of other countries, look at italy, look at france, look at denmark, countries with strict covid passport rules have seen their retail and recreation sector fare far better than here in the uk because there's been consistency and confidence on this. and with passes and lateral flow test, venues can operate at 100% capacity, punters can be confident that they are safe to attend and enjoy themselves and at this time of year, the show goes on and everybody stays in a job. without these measures, just a moment, without these measures, with rising infections and more

hospitalisations, we would risk seeing the government forced to impose more draconian measures on these sectors shutting down... we will leave the commons once again and we will be back there for the debate as it carries on this afternoon. let mejust debate as it carries on this afternoon. let me just tell you by the we head towards the weather forecast that three members of labour shadow government have actually tested positive today. shadow chancellor, shadow educational secretary and another tweeting about receiving positive results, as a result, none of them will be able to vote in the key vote tonight as we are expecting a rebellion against the prime minster. labour will be backing the measures. so they should go through, despite that tory rebellion. all right, as promised, it is the forecast now. it has been a very wire mild today

today. a few breaks in the cloud. for most places, it is cloudy and we still have rain in the far north of scotland. patchy in the rest of the country. overnight, will see that band of rain thinking southwards across western scotland, and eventually into northern ireland. had a bit, some breaks in the cloud, and other parts of northern england and other parts of northern england and wales, north england, one or two mist and fog patches, could be down to 5 degrees. more southern parts of the country should be milder. grey and gloomy throughout tomorrow. one or two spots of drizzle. a good part of northern england and midlands, patchy rain affecting cumbria and lancashire and perhaps arising at northern ireland and southern scotland. some sunshine coming through now again. it will be a breezy day, a mild day, temperatures likely in double figures.

this is bbc news. the headlines... scotland's first minister nicola sturgeon tightens restrictions — says she doesn't want people to �*cancel christmas' — but calls for less household mixing — to curb the spread of omicron in the run—up to and in the immediate aftermath of christmas, i am asking everyone to reduce as far as possible and to a minimum the contracts we have with people in other households. mps have begun debating new covid rules for england, with borisjohnson facing a major commons rebellion. the health secretary says more must be done to tackle the spread of omicron. scientists have never seen a covid-19 _ scientists have never seen a covid—19 variant— scientists have never seen a covid—19 variant that - scientists have never seen a covid—19 variant that is - scientists have never seen a i covid—19 variant that is capable scientists have never seen a - covid—19 variant that is capable of spreading — covid—19 variant that is capable of spreading so— covid—19 variant that is capable of spreading so rapidly— covid—19 variant that is capable of spreading so rapidly so _ covid—19 variant that is capable of spreading so rapidly so we - covid—19 variant that is capable of spreading so rapidly so we have i covid—19 variant that is capable ofl spreading so rapidly so we have to

look at _ spreading so rapidly so we have to look at what — spreading so rapidly so we have to look at what we _ spreading so rapidly so we have to look at what we can _ spreading so rapidly so we have to look at what we can do _ spreading so rapidly so we have to look at what we can do to - spreading so rapidly so we have to look at what we can do to slow- look at what we can do to slow omicron's _ look at what we can do to slow omicron's advance. _ ministers have removed all the countries on the uk's red list for travel introduced after the emergence of omicron. eleven african nations were on the list. online bookings for covid tests are unavailable in england as health officials warn of a very difficult four weeks ahead. and a woman is convicted of murdering her partner's 16—month—old daughter. the court hears that star hobson died of utterly catastrophic injuries. scotland's first minister nicola sturgeon has told people in scotland to limit their socialising before and after christmas to help combat the omicron coronavirus variant. she said, however,

it was guidance rather than rules. in a statement to the scottish parliament, the first minister has set out the new advice to prevent the spread of the variant while the booster programme is rolled out. it's the toughest approach of any of the four uk nations. let's take a look at the new guidelines: people across scotland will be asked to reduce to a maximum of three the number of households meeting in social settings around christmas. but the first minister added that this would not apply on christmas day and that plans should not be cancelled. firms will also be encouraged to bring back physical distancing and screens in shops and hospitality venues. over 18s will be able to book their boosterjabs from tomorrow but she conceded that "not everyone will have been vaccinated by the end of december". the first minister said the extra measures were needed because even if the omicron variant

was milder than the delta variant, it was more transmissible. let me set out now what is being asked _ let me set out now what is being asked. firstly we want to keep businesses open but to help achieve this we _ businesses open but to help achieve this we are — businesses open but to help achieve this we are asking them to step up the protections in place in the premises _ the protections in place in the premises. we attend to amend regulations to put a legal requirement on those businesses providing — requirement on those businesses providing services to take measures which _ providing services to take measures which are _ providing services to take measures which are reasonably practical to minimise — which are reasonably practical to minimise the risk of transmission. we will— minimise the risk of transmission. we will issue guidance this week to make _ we will issue guidance this week to make clear— we will issue guidance this week to make clear that —— what that means. for example — make clear that —— what that means. for example in retail it will involve _ for example in retail it will involve a _ for example in retail it will involve a return to the kind of protections in place at the start of the pandemic, for example, measures to avoid _ the pandemic, for example, measures to avoid crowding. this will include physical— to avoid crowding. this will include physical distancing on measures to control— physical distancing on measures to control the — physical distancing on measures to control the flow of customers. for hospitality, it will mean for example measures to avoid crowding at bars _ example measures to avoid crowding at bars and _ example measures to avoid crowding at bars and between tables and a reminder— at bars and between tables and a reminder of the requirement to collect — reminder of the requirement to

collect contact details of customers to help _ collect contact details of customers to help with contact tracing. for employers more generally the guidance will make clear the enabling staff working from home at the start _ enabling staff working from home at the start of the pandemic to do so again— the start of the pandemic to do so again is— the start of the pandemic to do so again is now a legal duty. i am grateful— again is now a legal duty. i am grateful to employers who are already — grateful to employers who are already allowing staff to work from home _ already allowing staff to work from home are — already allowing staff to work from home are possible but we are not yet maximising _ home are possible but we are not yet maximising the impact of home—working. we recognise of course there are _ home—working. we recognise of course there are people who cannot work from _ there are people who cannot work from home, we are asking anyone in this position — from home, we are asking anyone in this position to test regularly before — this position to test regularly before going to work. we have extended their workplace testing scheme — extended their workplace testing scheme which delivers lateral flow kit twice _ scheme which delivers lateral flow kit twice a — scheme which delivers lateral flow kit twice a week to all businesses who have — kit twice a week to all businesses who have signed up to it and i would encourage _ who have signed up to it and i would encourage any business with ten or more _ encourage any business with ten or more employees tojoin up encourage any business with ten or more employees to join up and encourage staff to test regularly. we will _ encourage staff to test regularly. we will also be reinforcing the rules— we will also be reinforcing the rules on— we will also be reinforcing the rules on public health messaging on the importance of wearing face coverings — the importance of wearing face coverings and wearing them properly. my had _

coverings and wearing them properly. my had request today is the general public _ my had request today is the general public i— my had request today is the general public. i want to be clear, i am not asking _ public. i want to be clear, i am not asking anyone to cancel christmas, but in _ asking anyone to cancel christmas, but in the _ asking anyone to cancel christmas, but in the run up to and in the immediate— but in the run up to and in the immediate aftermath of christmas i am asking _ immediate aftermath of christmas i am asking everyone to reduce as far as possible — am asking everyone to reduce as far as possible and to a minimum the contacts— as possible and to a minimum the contacts we have with people in other— contacts we have with people in other households. i will say more other households. ! will say more about— other households. i will say more about christmas day in a moment. we are not— about christmas day in a moment. we are not banning or restricting household mixing on low as before, we understand the negative impact it has a _ we understand the negative impact it has a mental health and well—being, but we _ has a mental health and well—being, but we are _ has a mental health and well—being, but we are asking everyone and we will issue _ but we are asking everyone and we will issue strong guidance to this effect, _ will issue strong guidance to this effect, to— will issue strong guidance to this effect, to cut down as far as possible _ effect, to cut down as far as possible number of people outside our own— possible number of people outside our own households we are interacting with. this will help break— interacting with. this will help break transmission chains. mikey requested — break transmission chains. mikey requested a is this, before and after— requested a is this, before and after christmas please minimise your social— after christmas please minimise your social mixing with other households as much— social mixing with other households as much as — social mixing with other households as much as you can. if you do plan on socialising either at home or in indoor— on socialising either at home or in indoor public places we are asking that you _ indoor public places we are asking that you limit the number of households represented in your group to a maximum of three and make sure

you test— to a maximum of three and make sure you test before you go. i know this is a tough — you test before you go. i know this is a tough thing to ask people to do, especially at this time of year, so i want _ do, especially at this time of year, so i want to— do, especially at this time of year, so i want to be clear why we are making — so i want to be clear why we are making this request. one of the things— making this request. one of the things we — making this request. one of the things we have already learned about omicron _ things we have already learned about omicron is _ things we have already learned about omicron is that it has a very high attack— omicron is that it has a very high attack rate _ omicron is that it has a very high attack rate. this means that ifjust one person — attack rate. this means that ifjust one person in a gathering is infectious that person is likely to infect _ infectious that person is likely to infect many more people in the group than was _ infect many more people in the group than was the case with the delta variant~ — than was the case with the delta variant~ so — than was the case with the delta variant. so by reducing the numbers of people _ variant. so by reducing the numbers of people and households gathering together— of people and households gathering together we help limit the extent of its spread — our correspondent, alexandra mackenzie, is in glasgow for us. it is guidance, request a people to minimise socialising over the christmas period. but will people follow her guidance? it is guidance and she said _ follow her guidance? it is guidance and she said follow _

follow her guidance? it is guidance and she said follow the _ follow her guidance? it is guidance and she said follow the new- follow her guidance? it is guidance and she said follow the new advice| follow her guidance? it is guidance | and she said follow the new advice i have outlined today. she said although it is guidance please do not think of it is optional. we have spoken to people over the last few days and their advice was to cancel christmas parties and put them off until the beginning of the year. people on the whole did seem to follow that advice because we then heard from the hospitality industry who had said they had had many cancellations on friday afternoon and over the weekend. so some people certainly were following that advice. the people we have heard, is on the streets of glasgow, as saying they don't want christmas to be ruined and they did plan to go ahead with christmas gatherings. what nicola sturgeon has said today is that she doesn't want people to cancel christmas, what she said is to enable people to have the

christmas they have been planning is to limit social contacts up to christmas and beyond. so notjust cancelling work christmas parties but also to limit those social gatherings to three households. nicola sturgeon had said that was not the message she wanted to give today but she did say we were in for a very difficult time and she also was given advice to people in hospitality and retailjust was given advice to people in hospitality and retail just to take more care in terms of social distancing and also advising people to wear face coverings when they are out in public places.— out in public places. thank you very much for that _ out in public places. thank you very much for that update. _ the health secretary sajid javid has been defending the government's

decision to impose more restrictions on daily life because of coronavirus. speaking in the house of commons' debate on the latest plan b covid measures, he said curbs should be placed on our freedoms only in the gravest of circumstances, and promised the measures would be continually reviewed. mps will vote later on covid passports, more mandatory facemasks, and compulsory vaccination for health workers. the health secretary gave this update to mps on the spread of the omicron variant. it is more transmissible than the delta variant. the growth is now merrily mirroring the increase we are seeing in south africa and the current observed doubling time is

around two days. although yesterday we reported they were 4713 confirmed cases of omicron in the uk, the uk hse estimate that for the number of daily infections was 42 times higher at 200,000. scientists have never seen a cobra 19 variant that is capable of spreading so rapidly so we have to look at what we can do to slow omicron's advice. labour's wes streeting said the nhs was locked in a race against time to protect people from the virus, and today's new restrictions would help slow the spread of omicron. he explained why his party was supporting the government. firstly on mask wearing, no one enioys _ firstly on mask wearing, no one enioys wearing _ firstly on mask wearing, no one enioys wearing a _ firstly on mask wearing, no one enjoys wearing a mask. - firstly on mask wearing, no one enjoys wearing a mask. i- firstly on mask wearing, no one i enjoys wearing a mask. i certainly don't _ enjoys wearing a mask. i certainly don't but— enjoys wearing a mask. i certainly don't but it — enjoys wearing a mask. i certainly don't but it is _ enjoys wearing a mask. i certainly don't. but it is nothing _ enjoys wearing a mask. i certainly don't. but it is nothing comparedl enjoys wearing a mask. i certainly. don't. but it is nothing compared to the cost _ don't. but it is nothing compared to the cost that— don't. but it is nothing compared to the cost that more _ don't. but it is nothing compared to the cost that more draconian - the cost that more draconian restrictions— the cost that more draconian restrictions have _ the cost that more draconian restrictions have in _ the cost that more draconian restrictions have in our- the cost that more draconian restrictions have in our livesl the cost that more draconian . restrictions have in our lives and livelihoods — restrictions have in our lives and livelihoods and _ restrictions have in our lives and livelihoods and liberties. - restrictions have in our lives and livelihoods and liberties. masksl restrictions have in our lives and i

livelihoods and liberties. masks are simply— livelihoods and liberties. masks are simply a _ livelihoods and liberties. masks are simply a price — livelihoods and liberties. masks are simply a price worth _ livelihoods and liberties. masks are simply a price worth paying - livelihoods and liberties. masks are simply a price worth paying for- livelihoods and liberties. masks are simply a price worth paying for ourl simply a price worth paying for our freedom _ simply a price worth paying for our freedom to — simply a price worth paying for our freedom to go _ simply a price worth paying for our freedom to go out _ simply a price worth paying for our freedom to go out and _ simply a price worth paying for our freedom to go out and live - simply a price worth paying for our freedom to go out and live our- simply a price worth paying for ourl freedom to go out and live our lives during _ freedom to go out and live our lives during this — freedom to go out and live our lives during this pandemic. _ freedom to go out and live our lives during this pandemic. they- freedom to go out and live our lives during this pandemic. they are - during this pandemic. they are proven— during this pandemic. they are proven to — during this pandemic. they are proven to be _ during this pandemic. they are proven to be effective - during this pandemic. they are proven to be effective and - during this pandemic. they are proven to be effective and notl during this pandemic. they are - proven to be effective and not only that but _ proven to be effective and not only that but in — proven to be effective and not only that but in times _ proven to be effective and not only that but in times of— proven to be effective and not only that but in times of rising - that but in times of rising infections _ that but in times of rising infections when - that but in times of rising infections when people i that but in times of rising. infections when people are that but in times of rising - infections when people are feeling increasingly— infections when people are feeling increasingly cautious— infections when people are feeling increasingly cautious it _ infections when people are feeling increasingly cautious it is - infections when people are feeling increasingly cautious it is vital - infections when people are feeling increasingly cautious it is vital to l increasingly cautious it is vital to our economy— increasingly cautious it is vital to our economy that _ increasingly cautious it is vital to our economy that people - increasingly cautious it is vital to our economy that people feel. increasingly cautious it is vital to i our economy that people feel safe boating _ our economy that people feel safe boating a — our economy that people feel safe boating a busy— our economy that people feel safe boating a busy bus _ our economy that people feel safe boating a busy bus or— our economy that people feel safe boating a busy bus or entering - our economy that people feel safe boating a busy bus or entering a i boating a busy bus or entering a crowded — boating a busy bus or entering a crowded theatre. _ boating a busy bus or entering a crowded theatre. in _ boating a busy bus or entering a crowded theatre. in our- boating a busy bus or entering a crowded theatre. in our view - boating a busy bus or entering a| crowded theatre. in our view the government— crowded theatre. in our view the government should _ crowded theatre. in our view the government should never- crowded theatre. in our view the government should never have i crowded theatre. in our view the i government should never have got crowded theatre. in our view the - government should never have got rid of the _ government should never have got rid of the requirements _ government should never have got rid of the requirements to _ government should never have got rid of the requirements to wear— government should never have got rid of the requirements to wear masks i government should never have got rid of the requirements to wear masks in| of the requirements to wear masks in the first— of the requirements to wear masks in the first place — of the requirements to wear masks in the first place. but _ of the requirements to wear masks in the first place. but we _ of the requirements to wear masks in the first place. but we know- of the requirements to wear masks in the first place. but we know why - the first place. but we know why they did — the first place. but we know why they did we _ the first place. but we know why they did. we have _ the first place. but we know why they did. we have counted - the first place. but we know why they did. we have counted in. the first place. but we know why . they did. we have counted in recent weeks _ they did. we have counted in recent weeks honourable _ they did. we have counted in recent weeks honourable members- they did. we have counted in recent. weeks honourable members opposite not wearing _ weeks honourable members opposite not wearing masks _ weeks honourable members opposite not wearing masks and _ weeks honourable members opposite not wearing masks and i— weeks honourable members opposite not wearing masks and i am - weeks honourable members opposite not wearing masks and i am glad - not wearing masks and i am glad compliance — not wearing masks and i am glad compliance has— not wearing masks and i am glad compliance has risen— not wearing masks and i am glad compliance has risen somewhatl compliance has risen somewhat considerably _ compliance has risen somewhat considerably. we _ compliance has risen somewhat considerably. we know- compliance has risen somewhat considerably. we know the - compliance has risen somewhat i considerably. we know the prime minister— considerably. we know the prime minister no — considerably. we know the prime minister no longer— considerably. we know the prime minister no longer has _ considerably. we know the prime minister no longer has the - considerably. we know the prime . minister no longer has the authority to lead _ minister no longer has the authority to lead his — minister no longer has the authority to lead his own— minister no longer has the authority to lead his own party— minister no longer has the authority to lead his own party but _ minister no longer has the authority to lead his own party but i'm - to lead his own party but i'm grateful— to lead his own party but i'm grateful that— to lead his own party but i'm grateful that members- to lead his own party but i'm i grateful that members opposite to lead his own party but i'm - grateful that members opposite have at least _ grateful that members opposite have at least listens _ grateful that members opposite have at least listens to _ grateful that members opposite have at least listens to the _ grateful that members opposite have at least listens to the health - at least listens to the health secretary _ our political correspondent, nick eardley, is at the houses of parliament. borisjohnson will be grateful of

labour support tonight because a huge chunk of his own mps are going to vote against him.— to vote against him. dozens on that measure to — to vote against him. dozens on that measure to introduce _ to vote against him. dozens on that measure to introduce covid - measure to introduce covid certificates for some venues in england. that is notjust for people who have been double jabbed but it will include negative lateral flow tests but there are many conservative mps from different wings of the party, it's notjust those who have been slightly reluctant to introduce restrictions in the past, people from across the party are quite worried about the plans the prime minister is going ahead with. they will pass because they have the backing of the vast majority of labour mps so they will get through, but we are expecting this potentially to be the biggest rebellion borisjohnson has had as prime minister. some of the mps i was speaking to this morning were suggesting it could be as much as 80 toadies rebelling against the government. the liberal democrats and some labour mps are likely to

vote against as well. so it is a significant moment and it matters because for the last two weeks we have been talking a lot about boris johnson plasma position and some of the pressure he has been under over christmas parties held in downing street allegedly. this is now a question about his authority and whether he can persuade conservative mps to do things they might not want to because they back him. he has a majority of about 80 so if 80 mps were to vote against the government tonight that would mean that had all the opposition voted that way as well the government could lose, despite the fact borisjohnson when that landslide election in 2019. d0 that landslide election in 2019. do ou that landslide election in 2019. do you get the sense that some of these mps might be rebelling tonight not just over these measures put in a sense to punish borisjohnson auto him up because they don't think he's doing a very good job? from

him up because they don't think he's doing a very good job?— doing a very good “ob? from the vafious doing a very good “ob? from the various rebels — doing a very good “ob? from the various rebels i _ doing a very good job? from the various rebels i have _ doing a very good job? from the various rebels i have spoken - doing a very good job? from the various rebels i have spoken to i doing a very good job? from the i various rebels i have spoken to this morning, they have been downplaying that saying there are different reasons for voting against vaccine passports, things like the fact they don't think they work because double jabbed people are not as protected against omicron as they might have beenin against omicron as they might have been in the past. also there is real concern that it's just the government doing something for the sake of being seen to do something. there are certainly some who will rebel against the government tonight who are concerned about the way for number ten operation has been working in the last few weeks. but the thing that a significant share and the thing that will worry boris johnson and worry his advisers is it's notjust the awkward squad, not just the people who have voted against a lot of restrictions in the past and made things difficult, it's also some centrists from the party and people who in the past have been

quite supportive of extra measures. there is also this fascinating distinction between what we are talking about here and what alexandra was talking about in glasgow. in scotland the rules are about to get even tighter and the guidance for people to limit their household mixing is going to be tightened in the run—up to christmas. here, borisjohnson would struggle to do that because he is already struggling to get some of the more controversial parts of his plan b through and that is without moving towards telling people try not to go to the people's houses if you can avoid it. the headlines on bbc news... scotland's first minister nicola sturgeon says she doesn't want people to cancel christmas, but calls for less household mixing — to curb the spread of omicron. mps have begun debating new covid rules for england — with borisjohnson facing a major commons rebellion.

ministers have removed all the countries on the uk's red list for travel introduced after the emergence of omicron. 11 african nations were on the list. the uk's health security agency is warning of a "very difficult four weeks ahead" as the omicron variant shows a higher rate of infection. dr susan hopkins told a committee of mps that people should take a lateral flow test before they socialise. latest figures suggest ten people are in hospital in england with omicron. our health correspondent, anna collinson, reports. the accelerated booster programme is under way and snaking queues outside vaccination sites can be seen across the country. in bristol, people have been queueing for more than three hours.

i am really surprised at how many people are here, i got here half an hour before it opened and i thought there might be a bit of a queue, but i think there are just so few options. many more are in virtual queues, trying to book appointments to protect themselves from the omicron variant. we have shown that in the uk this is growing very fast, with a growth rate of initially 2—3 days and that growth rate seems to be shortening rather than lengthening at the moment. we are concerned, with the large volume of individuals who are being infected every day in our nation, that we are going to have a very difficult four weeks. it's been a whirlwind of people coming — it's been a whirlwind of people coming forward and clinics opening longer— coming forward and clinics opening longer and — coming forward and clinics opening longer and we have managed to do that in— longer and we have managed to do that iniust — longer and we have managed to do that injust a day.

high demand for lateral flow tests is also in —— expected to intensify from today. is also in -- expected to intensify from today-— from today. hopefully people are bein: from today. hopefully people are being sensible _ from today. hopefully people are being sensible and _ from today. hopefully people are being sensible and only - from today. hopefully people are being sensible and only getting i from today. hopefully people are i being sensible and only getting test when they— being sensible and only getting test when they need _ being sensible and only getting test when they need them. _ being sensible and only getting test when they need them. if— being sensible and only getting test when they need them. if people - being sensible and only getting testj when they need them. if people can hold off— when they need them. if people can hold off and — when they need them. if people can hold off and not _ when they need them. if people can hold off and not get _ when they need them. if people can hold off and not get extra _ when they need them. if people can hold off and not get extra tests - hold off and not get extra tests 'ust hold off and not get extra tests just in — hold off and not get extra tests just in case _ hold off and not get extra tests just in case that _ hold off and not get extra tests just in case that would - hold off and not get extra tests just in case that would also - hold off and not get extra tests just in case that would also be i just in case that would also be helpful — just in case that would also be helful. ., , , , ., helpful. data suggests a booster will provide _ helpful. data suggests a booster will provide significant _ helpful. data suggests a booster| will provide significant protection from the omicron variant but the former head of the uk's vaccine task force has warned mps that in the future cheaper ways to administer jabs will be needed.— future cheaper ways to administer jabs will be needed. whether that is atches or jabs will be needed. whether that is patches or pills _ jabs will be needed. whether that is patches or pills or— jabs will be needed. whether that is patches or pills or whatever - jabs will be needed. whether that is patches or pills or whatever they - patches or pills or whatever they may be, we need to find the tweak vaccines that can address the viruses as well as delivering them in a way that doesn't cause the country to have to pay billions

more. ., ., country to have to pay billions more, ., ., ., country to have to pay billions more. ., ., ., , ., more. for now though the focus for politicians. — more. for now though the focus for politicians, scientists _ more. for now though the focus for politicians, scientists and _ more. for now though the focus for politicians, scientists and health . politicians, scientists and health officials is protecting the public from the approaching omicron wave and posters are the main defence. professor adam finn is a member of thejoint committee on vaccination and immunisation. let me ask you, this target the prime minister has said of effectively a million booster vaccines every day, do you think it's realistic that we can make that by the end of the month?- by the end of the month? that's a hard question _ by the end of the month? that's a hard question to _ by the end of the month? that's a hard question to answer. - by the end of the month? that's a| hard question to answer. everyone by the end of the month? that's a i hard question to answer. everyone is going to do their utmost to make it happen. clearly the system is under extreme pressure at the moment in terms of booking. we are looking for additional people to come and give

the vaccines. on the other hand, the british people have a long tradition of working together and overcoming challenges when they arrive. so i think we will all give it the best possible shot. the general principle is that we do need to try and get this booster programme happening as fast as we can. this booster programme happening as fast as we can-— fast as we can. maybe the idea is to set a target — fast as we can. maybe the idea is to set a target and _ fast as we can. maybe the idea is to set a target and whether _ fast as we can. maybe the idea is to set a target and whether that - fast as we can. maybe the idea is to j set a target and whether that target is met or not doesn't matter, it's the idea of getting everybody galvanised. the idea of getting everybody galvanised-— the idea of getting everybody calvanised. ~ , ., , ., galvanised. absolutely. that is how tar: ets galvanised. absolutely. that is how targets work- _ galvanised. absolutely. that is how targets work. we _ galvanised. absolutely. that is how targets work. we use _ galvanised. absolutely. that is how targets work. we use them - galvanised. absolutely. that is how targets work. we use them a - galvanised. absolutely. that is how targets work. we use them a lot. i targets work. we use them a lot. it's just to give us all something to aim for and i guess to get the message out that this is really important and people really do need to engage with it. haifa important and people really do need to engage with it.— to engage with it. how worried to think we should _ to engage with it. how worried to think we should be _ to engage with it. how worried to think we should be about - to engage with it. how worried to i think we should be about omicron? to engage with it. how worried to - think we should be about omicron? we know it is very transmissible but on the other hand there is a piece on

one of the papers today from a doctor in south africa who was one of the first people to deal with the omicron variant saying actually we are overreacting and it's very mild. i don't think we should be complacent because of anecdotal reports like that. i am sure she is an experienced gp but she can only tell us what she can see and we do need better data than that. i think we can cautiously hope this variant may be milder than the previous ones in terms of the likelihood of landing you in hospital, but unfortunately if it's a very transmissible one the number of people that can end up in hospital will still be higher because more people will get the infection. so we are all hoping for a milder variant i'm afraid it doesn't mean we can relax and imagine it won't cause a problem. this relax and imagine it won't cause a roblem. �* . relax and imagine it won't cause a roblem. �* , ,, relax and imagine it won't cause a roblem. a ., ,, ., problem. as the booster 'abs we are bein: problem. as the booster 'abs we are

being asked — problem. as the booster 'abs we are being asked to t problem. as the booster 'abs we are being asked to have _ problem. as the booster 'abs we are being asked to have a _ problem. as the boosterjabs we are being asked to have a stopgap - problem. as the boosterjabs we are being asked to have a stopgap until| being asked to have a stopgap until we get the vaccine tweaks so that it can deal with omicron? ih we get the vaccine tweaks so that it can deal with omicron? in a we get the vaccine tweaks so that it can deal with omicron?— can deal with omicron? in a sense that's true- _ can deal with omicron? in a sense that's true. but _ can deal with omicron? in a sense that's true. but they _ can deal with omicron? in a sense that's true. but they do _ can deal with omicron? in a sense that's true. but they do the - can deal with omicron? in a sense that's true. but they do the job . can deal with omicron? in a sense that's true. but they do the job so | that's true. but they do the job so we know that a third dose puts up your antibody levels to a very high level and that is sufficient to neutralise the virus. we have already got data coming in showing that people who have had the booster at least two weeks ago and much more well protected against the infection than people who only had the two doses. we have concrete evidence that these vaccines will make a difference. that these vaccines will make a difference-— difference. we've had lots of variants in _ difference. we've had lots of variants in the _ difference. we've had lots of variants in the last _ difference. we've had lots of variants in the last few - difference. we've had lots of l variants in the last few months difference. we've had lots of - variants in the last few months and this is the first one we have really worried a lot about. all we ever going to be able to relax in the sense that they might be levels when we have other variants but then

something like omicron pops up again? i something like omicron pops up auain? ., ., , , ., something like omicron pops up auain? ., ., , again? i am not sure i share your memory. — again? i am not sure i share your memory. we _ again? i am not sure i share your memory. we are _ again? i am not sure i share your memory, we are were _ again? i am not sure i share your memory, we are were all- again? i am not sure i share your memory, we are were all pretty i memory, we are were all pretty worried about alpha and delta. each time it has caused a great deal of concern. �* ., , ., concern. but after delta we were told they were — concern. but after delta we were told they were quite _ concern. but after delta we were told they were quite a _ concern. but after delta we were told they were quite a few- concern. but after delta we were told they were quite a few that i told they were quite a few that weren't of great concern. that is uuite weren't of great concern. that is quite true- _ weren't of great concern. that is quite true. there _ weren't of great concern. that is quite true. there are _ weren't of great concern. that is quite true. there are variants i weren't of great concern. that is i quite true. there are variants that emerge and then go extinct and most efficient ones are transmitting and evading immunity are the ones that will predominate. as to the future, i think the predictions are that we will ultimately generate sufficient immunity that these big waves will come down and the virus will not really be able to go on evolving quite so radically to invade our defences in the way it has done during these first two years. but the exact timing of that is hard to

be sure about. i think ultimately we are looking forward to a more calm and normalfeature are looking forward to a more calm and normal feature and this is are looking forward to a more calm and normalfeature and this is not going to go on forever. that and normal feature and this is not going to go on forever.— going to go on forever. that is a very nice _ going to go on forever. that is a very nice thing _ going to go on forever. that is a very nice thing to _ going to go on forever. that is a very nice thing to hear- going to go on forever. that is a very nice thing to hearjust - going to go on forever. that is a i very nice thing to hearjust before christmas. thank you very much. the health secretary sajid javid told mps today during the covid debate that he was taking all 11 african countries off the uk's travel red list. angola, botswana, eswatini, lesotho, malawi, mozambique, namibia, nigeria, south africa, zambia and zimbabwe were all put on the red list in late november — after omicron was identified in south africa. the change takes effect at 4am tomorrow. with me is our transport correspondent katy austin. a huge relief for those countries

and people who want to travel there may be for christmas who have already changed their plans because those nations had been put on the red list and maybe they can change them back again. it’s red list and maybe they can change them back again.— them back again. it's fair to say this announcement _ them back again. it's fair to say this announcement will- them back again. it's fair to say this announcement will get - them back again. it's fair to say this announcement will get a i them back again. it's fair to say - this announcement will get a mixed reaction. it will be welcomed by people who had plans to come to the uk from the countries on the red list but there is also huge frustration from people i have spoken to who are already in quality hotels and who have been caught up in this policy. they are very frustrated and it's still unclear whether those people in the hotel now we'll have to see out their time, the ten days they have paid for, whether they will now be released. the health secretary said in parliament today that in previous times people have had to sit out this day but it's something he's looking at. we may get more detail on what is going to happen with that later today. on what is going to happen with that latertoday. let's on what is going to happen with that later today. let's talk about the reasoning behind this. the

government's argument has been that the red list needed to be introduced as a swift precautionary measure to try and stop omicron being imported and taking hold. to slow the introduction into the uk. now that it's already in the uk it is transmitting in the community and in so many other countries, the government's reasoning is it's not effective any more to have this limited list of 11 countries where people have to quarantine in hotels. so the point it seems is no longer valid. howeverthis so the point it seems is no longer valid. however this has got some of the travel industry saying, if that's the logic, why have we still got the extra testing requirements that have been introduced over the last couple of weeks? so people had to take over tests within 48 hours of coming into the uk and they have to take a pcr test within 48 hours of arriving here. the travel industry saying what about those laws as well because that is what is putting people off booking because

they say it applies to everybody. but it looks like the government is not prepared to go any further at this moment in time and do anything with those broader testing plans. let's talk to the bbc�*s head of statistics robert cuffe. how do we make sense of 1600 confirmed omicron cases and 200,000 new omicron infections yesterday? we are hearing some smaller numbers and huge numbers. i am we are hearing some smaller numbers and huge numbers.— and huge numbers. i am not sure either number _ and huge numbers. i am not sure either number is _ and huge numbers. i am not sure either number is particularly... i and huge numbers. i am not sure i either number is particularly... the new infections per day is just not the same as the daily cases. it's better to look at daily omicron cases and hopefully we can show

that. the most recent data we have is that by last friday... you can also see from the chart last friday it is properly doubled again by today and by thursday doubling again and that would be around 80,000 cases. so it's growing very quickly. the reason why the 1600 number took so long to come through is because once you think cases omicron you send it away for testing and that takes another few days and that is why it takes a while for those confirmed numbers to come through. such ajavid confirmed numbers to come through. such a javid was talking about yesterday new infections and all of the people who are infected...

rob, iam rob, i am sorry we are having a few problems with your line. we will leave it there. now it's time for a look at the weather with darren bett. hello there. it's been a very mild today. temperatures widely in double figures. into this evening, there could still be a few breaks in the cloud, but for most places it's cloudy. we have still got that rain sitting in the far north of scotland. some patchy rain ahead of it in the western part of the country. overnight, we see that band of rain sinking southwards across western scotland and eventually into northern ireland and the far north—west of england. ahead of it, some breaks in the cloud across other parts of england and north wales and the north midlands. one of two mist and fog patches forming perhaps and temperatures could be down to five degrees. for more southern parts of england and wales it's milder,

but this blanket of low cloud will keep it grey and gloomy through tomorrow. there still could be one or two spots of drizzle. some sunshine for a while for north wales, perhaps the north midlands, and a good part of northern england. some patchy rain affecting cumbria and perhaps lancashire and also arriving across northern ireland and central southern scotland. some sunshine coming through now and again. it is going to be a breezy day. a mild day. temperatures widely in double figures. hello this is bbc news. the headlines... scotland's first minister nicola sturgeon tightens restrictions — says she doesn't want people to cancel christmas, — but calls for less household mixing — to curb the spread of omicron. mps have begun debating new covid rules for england — with borisjohnson facing a major

commons rebellion. the health secretary says more must be done to tackle the spread of omicron. ministers have removed all the countries on the uk's red list for travel introduced after the emergence of omicron. 11 african nations were on the list. online bookings for covid tests are unavailable in england — as health officials warn of a very difficult four weeks ahead. and a woman is convicted of murdering her partner's 16—month—old daughter. the court hears that star hobson died of utterly catastrophic injuries. sport and for a full round up from the bbc sport centre. sarah is their first talking about the impact of covid—19 on football. we've been getting further news this afternoon about how premier league clubs are tackling the rising coronavirus cases —

and we've heard now that players and staff will have to have daily have covid—19 tests to get into training grounds, they will have to limit physical treatment, more mask wearing and with increased social distancing. a record 42 players and staff across the premier league have tested positive in the last week, with cases reported at brighton, tottenham, leicester, aston villa and norwich — but that game between norwich and villa tonight will go ahead as things stand. that's more than can be said for manchester united's trip to brentford — as an outbreak at united has lead to the postponement of tonight's league game. united had already closed their training ground and delayed their trip to london. another match that does go ahead, two out of three, the leaders manchester city will take on leeds.

well, the sports minister, nigel huddleston, has refused to rule out reducing capacities or even closing venues to spectators altogether in future. his comments came on the back of plan b coming into effect tomorrow, which will require fans to show proof of double vaccination or a negative test to attend sporting events with crowds of more than 10,000. the plan b measures we have implemented at the moment where because we believe they are the right measures for right now. in terms of the measures brought in, facemasks, vaccination certificates and so on for major events, we believe they are proportionate and the goal is to try and reduce transmission. they are proportionate measures and we don't want any of these things to be any longer than absolutely necessary, but the prime minister has said that we are taking one day at a time and looking at the data and that will drive decisions. arsenal have stripped pierre—emerick aubameyang of the club captaincy and said

he won't be considered for selection against west ham tomorrow night. aubameyang was dropped for saturday's win over southampton for what manager mikel arteta described as a "disciplinary breach". reports suggest he returned late from a trip to france. the club said, "we expect all our players, particularly our captain, to work to the rules and standards we have all set and agreed". manchester united defender viktor lindelof is undergoing tests after he suffered breathing difficulties during their win at norwich on saturday. he was forced off during the second half, but the incident isn't believed to be connected to the covid—19 outbreak at the club. united said he had recovered well and was having a series of precautionary investigations. the second ashes test begins on thursday and despite the capitulation in the first, england captainjoe root believes there is reason to be optimistic. they may have lost by nine wickets and suffered two batting collapses, but root has stressed the positives

heading into that day—night test match with australia in adelaide. without sounding too cliched, there were things there we just have to do for longer. and we could be looking at a very different scoreline. and that's the sort of confidence that you have to take forward. and i think that's why it doesn't feel like previous tours, leaving brisbane where we have been absolutely battered and completely on the wrong end of the result, i think we're actually leaving there with a slightly different perspective. elise christie has announced her retirement from short track speed skating at the age of 31. in a statement posted on twitter, christie said she had been putting the decision off. but it will not be the last we see of her in sport. she said she won't reveal her sporting plans for 2026, but her olympic medal dream isn't overjust yet. christie suffered huge

dissapointment at the winter olympics in sochi and pyeongchang — and fresh heartbreak after failing to qualify for the games in beijing next year. we will wait and see what her new plans are. that is all the sport for now. a woman has been found guilty of murdering her partner's 16—month—old child. star hobson endured months of assaults and also psychological harm — before suffering what was described as "utterly catastrophic" injuries in her home. they were inflicted by savannah brockhill, the partner of star's mother, frankie smith. smith was cleared of murder and manslaughter at bradford crown court — but convicted of causing or allowing the toddler's death. our correspondent danny savage reports. star hobson — a happy little girl seen here with her great—grandfather.

but over a period of months, she went from this — you are about to see a distressing image of star asleep, covered in bruises. she was seen by police and social services but was always allowed to stay with her abusers. david fawcett used to frequently look after her before the abuse began and has been left devastated. i know for a fact we'll never, ever get over losing star. i'm going to work crying some mornings, when i'm going to work, itjust hits you, and you just get overcome with it, it's... you just can't believe we're never going to see her again, it's... her own mother and her partner lied repeatedly about how she had been hurt, while subjecting her to a horrifically cruel campaign of abuse. frankie smith and savannah brockhill deprived their little girl, of sleep, played cruel psychological tricks,

and kept concerned social workers away from her. pretty girl. you're a spoiled pretty girl. star hobson was anything but spoiled. smith and brockhill posted these caring images publicly, but privately they were horrible to her. on one occasion, brockhill took star to her work at a recycling centre. cctv here later caught the amateur boxer beating the toddler. star died aged just 16 months. in the months before her death, david fawcett and his partner anita raised chilling concerns with social services. anita says, well, you don't want another baby p on your hands, do you? she said, how do you mean? so anita says, well, think about it, that little baby p a couple of years ago, he got let down by social services, so we just want you to go see what problems is here. but that was it, we never heard

a thing, theyjust said the case were closed, and that was that. ambulance service, is the patient breathing? on september 22nd last year, star hobson was murdered by brockhill. on the day she died, her killer searched the internet for how to bring a baby out of shock. that was 15 minutes before she calmly made this call. she was crying, and then she stopped crying, and then she was sick, and now she'sjust a little bit floppy, to be honest with you. i find it very difficult to believe that somebody could inflict the injuries that's been inflicted onto a child of that age. i am very conscious that they're yet to be sentenced and don't want to say anything at this stage which may prejudice the sentencing. star, do you love your mums? when challenged by authorities, her mother and her partner lied and said she'd fallen, or claimed complaints were malicious and from people who didn't

like their relationship. today, savannah brockhill was found guilty of murder. frankie smith was convicted of causing or allowing the death of a child. was star hobson's death avoidable? could more have been done by the authorities? many questions are raised by the short life of this sweet little girl. that report from danny savage. david fawcett was star hobson's great grandfather. he spoke outside court. i am just pleased that we got a murder conviction for savannah brockhill. because to me, she was just pure evil. i just can't believe she could do something like that to our baby girl. as i say, we werejust a quiet and lovely family and she ascended from the bowels of hell and just completely devastated and wrecked our family.

took our baby star's life. the evidence against her was overwhelming. yes, yes. it is like we said, i know frankie, she could have got her out of that situation, but if frankie had never met savannah brockhill, this never would have happened and we wouldn't have been here today talking about it. frankie was cleared of murder. and manslaughter. yes. are you ok with that? do you think she was coerced and bullied? she was coerced, bullied, yes. abused. we saw frankie covered in bruises. long before things started happening with star, so we knew then that something wasn't right, and we did our best, but she was isolated, she took her away from us in baildon to keighley, took star, blocked all the phones so there was no contact.

it was just classic sort of brainwashing, absolutely. can i just ask about social services, what are your thoughts on social services having listened to all the evidence throughout this entire horrific trial, what are your thoughts on what they did, or didn't do? well, it is what they didn't do. it is disgusting because they had five referrals and not one of them sort of did anything. my partner anita, she actually did the second referral and they never got back to us, they never came to see us and they never told after they'd been there that they had been, and closed the case. they classed it as malicious gossip and savannah brockhill said that anita, for doing this referral was a weirdo and a freak.

david fawcett. joining me now isjoanna barrett, associate head of policy at the nspcc. here we are another horrific death of another child in another review being launched. what has gone wrong do you think in this case? i being launched. what has gone wrong do you think in this case?— do you think in this case? i think it is really _ do you think in this case? i think it is really difficult _ do you think in this case? i think it is really difficult to _ do you think in this case? i think it is really difficult to say - do you think in this case? i think it is really difficult to say what i it is really difficult to say what has gone wrong in this case. the investigation will answer these questions. the really tragic death that we heard about in the last week orso that we heard about in the last week or so really do make a stop and think about whether our child protection system is specifically resourced to do its job and protect our children. in resourced to do its 'ob and protect our children.h our children. in both cases, there were clear— our children. in both cases, there were clear warning _ our children. in both cases, there were clear warning signs - our children. in both cases, there were clear warning signs i - our children. in both cases, there were clear warning signs i have i our children. in both cases, there i were clear warning signs i have been ignored. i were clear warning signs i have been innored. .. were clear warning signs i have been innored. ~' ,., were clear warning signs i have been innored. ~' , , ignored. i think with both cases, we have to ignored. ! think with both cases, we have to think— ignored. i think with both cases, we have to think about _ ignored. i think with both cases, we have to think about the _ ignored. i think with both cases, we have to think about the impact i ignored. i think with both cases, we have to think about the impact of i have to think about the impact of lockdown and inevitably heighten the risk to children, children who were

already in violent and abusive situations, had to stay there. lockdown came a point when our children's social care system was already in the massive strain on the funding that has been put in in the last decade does not match the level of demand placed on it. with health visiting, we know it is under huge strain, so we both of these cases, we really need to ask ourselves whether we have sufficiently prioritised children pass safety and arguably, that needs political leadership to make sure the children are invested in an children safety is prioritised. 50 are invested in an children safety is prioritised.— is prioritised. so it is about resources. _ is prioritised. so it is about resources. but _ is prioritised. so it is about resources. but it _ is prioritised. so it is about resources. but it is - is prioritised. so it is about resources. but it is also i is prioritised. so it is about i resources. but it is also about scepticism or lack of scepticism by social workers, scepticism or lack of scepticism by socialworkers, police scepticism or lack of scepticism by social workers, police and officials who visit these families? we know these abusive parents can often be incredibly clever and manipulative and hiding the injuries they have

inflicted on children. i and hiding the injuries they have inflicted on children.— and hiding the injuries they have inflicted on children. i think these are specific— inflicted on children. i think these are specific questions _ inflicted on children. i think these are specific questions that i inflicted on children. i think these are specific questions that the i are specific questions that the reviews need to look at and social work staff do an incredible job every day to really try and protect children, but if there have been things missing or information not shared, the reviews need to look at than absolutely, that cannot happen. that is fundamental to the child protection system. but if we have services which are not resourced and professionals who don't have the time to really build relationships with families and get underneath what is happening, then we really need to look at that as well. this is not necessarily about individual cases, but up and down the country, generally how we are offered prioritising children's safety. late prioritising children's safety. we seem to be talking about these issues and questions for years and years. notjust these two cases and i hear what you are saying about this one made perhaps exacerbated by lockdown and covid restrictions, but we have had the case of baby p and

many others also, too numerous to list. we don't seem to have learnt the lessons from these horrific cases. �* . ~' the lessons from these horrific cases. ~ ., ~ ., cases. again, i think we need to look at whether, _ cases. again, i think we need to look at whether, what _ cases. again, i think we need to look at whether, what it - cases. again, i think we need to look at whether, what it tells i cases. again, i think we need to look at whether, what it tells us j cases. again, i think we need to i look at whether, what it tells us is that our child protection services are built on professional services and we need to look at whether that's happened in these cases and weather arrangements in local areas are effective at supporting children. overthe are effective at supporting children. over the last decade, we know there has been a massive funding gap growing terms of children social care and what we are putting into it does not meet the demand. there was a welcome announcement in the budget recently of 4.8 billion going into social care, but with demands on adults and we need to make sure that children are prioritised within the and that are prioritised within the and that a significant proportion of spend

goes into children social care, because without that, our professionals will be too strained and it is children who suffer the risk of that.— and it is children who suffer the risk of that. ., ,, , ., , . risk of that. thank you very much. thank you — risk of that. thank you very much. thank you very — risk of that. thank you very much. thank you very much _ risk of that. thank you very much. thank you very much for - risk of that. thank you very much. thank you very much for being i risk of that. thank you very much. | thank you very much for being with us on bbc news. the headlines on bbc news... scotland's first minister nicola sturgeon says she doesn't want people to cancel christmas but calls for less household mixing — to curb the spread of omicron. mps have begun debating new covid rules for england — with borisjohnson facing a major commons rebellion. ministers have removed all the countries on the uk's red list for travel introduced after the emergence of omicron. 11 african nations were on the list. let's ta ke let's take you back to the commons for that debate on new measures. we

can listen to one of the mps liam fox making his comments in the commons now. in fox making his comments in the commons now.— fox making his comments in the commons now. in the elements of necessity are _ commons now. in the elements of necessity are these _ commons now. in the elements of necessity are these measures i commons now. in the elements of necessity are these measures are | necessity are these measures are proportionate? are they impossible and will they be effective? this was and will they be effective? this was a bad measure to begin with. it was disproportionate and likely to see a recurrence of the pandemic all over again, so i'm glad that is being dropped. but i have to say, the point made by the honourable member for exeter is an absolutely key one which must be answered by the government, if having the red list is pointless, if having enforced ten day quarantine is pointless, why do we still have people in this enforced quarantine? it is absolutely incumbent on the government having a this policy to let those people go free, otherwise ifear let those people go free, otherwise i fear they may face legal action. he is making an important point.

welsh rugby players who were in quarantine in south africa for ten days and are now in quarantine in england and have been told they need to complete the quarantine in the uk. . ., ., ., to complete the quarantine in the uk. ~ ., ., ., ., , uk. what that would not require is more advice _ uk. what that would not require is more advice for _ uk. what that would not require is more advice for ministers - uk. what that would not require is more advice for ministers on i uk. what that would not require is more advice for ministers on the i more advice for ministers on the subject, we require decisions from ministers on the subject. about masks, i get letters as i imagine all people do, saying there is no point wearing masks, they don't actually stop transmission, imagine loads of people —— those people wouldn't like their surgeons to webmaster in surgery. this is nonsense. it is common sense thing for us to do. if it reduces transmission to some level and inconveniences the minority of people, it is sensible for the government to bring it forward and i support it. i cannot say the same for the covid passports. i don't believe in passes passing the

necessity tensed and the good working of the insurance industry and civil remedy in the courts is enough to drive behaviour at venues towards sensible health policy. i think that we as a government should not be creating criminal offences unnecessarily. i worry about enforcement, penalties on a system thatis enforcement, penalties on a system that is already overloaded. there is no evidence from scotland elsewhere that the covid passports actually work. france was mentioned earlier. there are more than twice as many people in france in hospital with covid—19 than there are in the united kingdom. i have given away once and i'm very conscious colleagues wants weeks i will not again. come back to the point of lateralflow again. come back to the point of lateral flow test. i again. come back to the point of lateralflow test. i presume again. come back to the point of lateral flow test. i presume that we have had do your own test and it has to be externally validated will add a cost to anybody who wants to get any of these venues and which i suggest therefore is not going to help the hospitality industry that has been suggested by the government

front bench and the opposition front bench today. i would briefly touch on the issue of compulsory vaccines. many people in this house took the view that when we had the introduction for care workers, it was the thin end of the wedge. but we were assured it would be care workers and no one else. now it is all nhs workers, with a few exemptions. the grounds for the compulsory vaccines they will be dealing with vulnerable members of the public, so will the police, so well retailers, so will post office, start once you begin this? the point was made by the honourable gentleman very validly that this is a retrospective change in the terms and conditions of people who already work in the nhs and is likely that we will lose staff as a consequence. completely in my view, unnecessarily. we have seen over 91% of nhs staff and volunteers are ready to have the vaccine. i think

it is disproportionate and i don't think it will be effective for those reasons. i also believe it is illogical because if the logic for the government's position on the covid passport you must be given no train being vaccinated and getting a daily lateral flow test, why does that operate for the health service also? they also must have a choice between these things. it is the lack of logic and many of these which i think is actually diminishing support for the government because my case. can i and on a positive note. many of these measures are relative the small compared to what we can achieve from the bicester campaign. ithink we can achieve from the bicester campaign. i think it is essential that the one message we leave this house with is that everyone of us has a duty to say to our constituents, go out, get immunised, get a booster because it is the best way that you can help. you, your family, your communities and the wider public health. if there is be

unanimity at this time of year, in this house, that should be the message that is resonating. thank ou, mr message that is resonating. thank you. mr deputy — message that is resonating. thank you, mr deputy speaker. - message that is resonating. thank you, mr deputy speaker. the i message that is resonating. thank you, mr deputy speaker. the influx there, one of the conservative mps taking part in that debate on the new proposed covid measures. for england, we are expecting a vote this evening. and expecting a big conservative rebellion against those measures, although they should go through with labour support. nick eardley our political correspondent telling us up to 80 tory mps could be rebelling against those covid restrictions. big tech companies should be forced to take tougher action against online crimes and abuse. that's according to a parliamentary committee calling for significant changes to a proposed online safety bill. it says the dominant tech firms have failed to self—regulate — and they must do more to protect children, stop fraud, tackle racist abuse and violence against women. marianna spring has this report. from child abuse to online hate,

scams, fraud, racist posts and violence against women — social media companies have come under increasing pressure to tackle crime and harm links to their sites. celebrities, parents and insiders have all been speaking out. it baffles me... some testifying to a committee of mps scrutinising an online safety bill that would regulate big tech. today that committee has asked for those proposals to be made tougher. the bill needs to be much more specific about what offences it includes, what we expect the social media companies to do in response to it, so how do we deal with racist abuse, how do we deal with abuse against women and girls, how do we deal with content that promotes self—harm, what do we expect the companies to do. welcome to this further evidence session of the joint committee... these cross—party group of mps want social media sites — including facebook, twitter, instagram, youtube and tiktok — to face sanctions and fines from ofcom, if they don't do more to protect users. and they want several things to be made illegal —

notjust content promoting suicide, but also cyberflashing. that's something sophie has experienced. she was on the tube in london when she was airdropped indecent photos. and then the man who did it started to follow her. he was looking at me, he was looking at his phone, i looked down at my phone and saw the request coming in, and kind ofjust in that moment it was so unnerving that somebody was able to send me these quite horrendous unsolicited images. love island influencer amy hart, who gave evidence to mps, fears how cyber flashing could escalate into more offline harm. once the thrill of that cyber flashing is gone, where does it go from there? does it go to physical flashing? and then as we've seen in the news recently, once the thrill of physical flashing is gone, where does it go from there? social media sites have also been criticised for promoting anti—women hate after a bbc panorama investigation, and the safety of women and children online has been a key concern of former facebook employee frances haugen, who also shared her experience with these mps. and there is an opportunity

for the uk to be really world leading in terms of keeping i think on the order of billions of people safe, because someone has to stand up for what's right. social media sites all say they're committed to tackling harmful content, and meta, which owns facebook, has welcomed these latest proposals. the recommendations now go to the government, and the bill is likely to come up for a vote next year. marianna spring, bbc news. we will bring you off in the commons, the debate on the government's latest covid measures for the uk later. this afternoon we will bring you that live here on bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with darren bett. hello. we have seen a bit of sunshine here earlier on today. that will keep it mild for the time of the year, but there will be some areas of mist and patchy fog, but what little rain there is at the moment will be

moving away. we have seen this band of cloud here stretching all the way across into northern scotland. ahead of it, we have got these milder winds coming in from the atlantic. hence those against the atlantic today. we've also got this weather front bringing rain there is not moving very far at the moment and are still setting across the far north of scotland. patchy rain over the western parts of the country. elsewhere, generally dry. it is mount as well thanks to those south—westerly breezes. this band of rain will continue southwards, eventually to northern ireland and in the far north of england. some breaks in the cloud across north england and perhaps into north wales in north england, fog patches here and temperatures may dip away to 5 degrees. malls are further south across england and wales where we got the blanket of low cloud keeping it gloomy into wednesday and still one or two slots of drizzle. sunshine had of that for a while at least, for parts of wales and the

north—west midlands. over in cumbria, perhaps patchy rain that also if northern ireland and parts of scotland, but also sunshine. the amount they are everywhere, temperatures around 12 or 13 degrees. the patchy rain from the weather front gets pushed out of the way as we move into thursday. it is getting squeezed away by that building area of high pressure. what is left of any rain is heading up towards shetland on thursday. elsewhere generally dry and a lot of low cloud around. may be and fog patches also cover best of early sunshine in eastern scotland and north—east england going down for a while. there's temperatures are still above average for the time of the year. the high pressure continues to build across the uk by the end of the week and once it arrives, it is going to hang around for quite some time. round the edge of the high pressure, we have got some slightly strong winds through the english channel, into cornwall, perhaps the north—west of scotland and may be more sunshine across northern scotland, elsewhere many places grey and temperatures

continuing to ebb away but still highs of 10 celsius.

this is bbc news. the headlines: scotland's first minister, nicola sturgeon, tightens restrictions and says she doesn't want people to 'cancel christmas', but calls for less household mixing to curb the spread of omicron in the run—up to and in the immediate aftermath of christmas, i am asking everyone to reduce as far as possible and to a minimum the contracts we have with people in other households. mps have begun debating new covid rules for england — with borisjohnson facing a major commons rebellion. the health secretary says more must be done to tackle the spread of omicron. scientists have never seen i a covid—19 variant that is capable of spreading so rapidly, _ so we have to look at what we can do to slow omicron's advance.

ministers have removed all the countries on the uk's red list for travel, introduced after the emergence of omicron. eleven african nations were on the list. online bookings for covid tests are unavailable in england, as health officials warn of a 'very difficult' four weeks ahead. and a woman is convicted of murdering her partner's 16—month—old daughter. the court hears that star hobson died of 'utterly catastrophic injuries'. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. scotland's first minister, nicola sturgeon, has told people in scotland to limit their socialising before and after christmas to help combat the omicron coronavirus variant. she said, however,

it was guidance rather than rules. in a statement to the scottish parliament, the first minister has set out the new advice to prevent the spread of the variant while the booster programme is rolled out. it's the toughest approach of any of the four uk nations. let's take a look at the new guidelines. people across scotland will be asked to reduce to a maximum of three the number of households meeting in social settings around christmas. but the first minister added that this would not apply on christmas day and that plans should not be cancelled. firms will also be encouraged to bring back physical distancing and screens in shops and hospitality venues. over 18s will be able to book their boosterjabs from tomorrow but she conceded that "not everyone will have been vaccinated by the end of december". the first minister said the extra measures were needed because even if the omicron variant was milder than the delta variant, it was more transmissible.

let me set out now what is being asked. firstly, we want to keep businesses open, but to help achieve this we are asking them to step up the protections in place in their premises. we attend to amend regulations to put a legal requirement on those businesses providing services to take measures which are reasonably practical to minimise the risk of transmission. we will issue guidance this week to make clear what that means. for example, in retail it will involve a return to the kind of protections in place at the start of the pandemic, for example, measures to avoid crowding. this will include physical distancing on measures to control the flow of customers. for hospitality, it will mean for example measures to avoid crowding at bars and between tables and a reminder of the requirement to collect contact details of customers to help with contact tracing. for employers more generally the guidance will make clear the enabling of staff who were working from home at the start of the pandemic to do

so again, and it is now a legal duty. i am grateful to employers who are already allowing staff to work from home where possible but we are not yet maximising the impact of home—working. we recognise of course there are people who cannot work from home. we are asking anyone in this position to test regularly before going to work. we have extended the workplace testing scheme which delivers lateral flow kits twice a week to all businesses who have signed up to it and i would encourage any business with ten or more employees tojoin up and encourage staff to test regularly. we will also be reinforcing the rules on public health messaging on the importance of wearing face coverings and wearing them properly. my hardest request today is of the general public. i want to be clear, i am not asking anyone to cancel christmas, but in the run up to and in the immediate aftermath

of christmas i am asking everyone to reduce as far as possible and to a minimum the contacts we have with people in other households. i will say more about christmas day in a moment. we are not banning or restricting household mixing as before. we understand the negative impact it has on mental health and well—being, but we are asking everyone and we will issue strong guidance to this effect, to cut down as far as possible the number of people outside our own households we are interacting with. this will help break transmission chains. my key request is this, before and after christmas, please minimise your social mixing with other households as much as you can. if you do plan on socialising either at home or in indoor public places we are asking that you limit the number of households represented in your group to a maximum of three and make sure you test before you go. i know this is a tough thing to ask people to do, especially at this time of year, so i want to be clear why

we are making this request. one of the things we have already learned about omicron is that it has a very high attack rate. this means that ifjust one person in a gathering is infectious, that person is likely to infect many more people in the group than was the case with the delta variant. so by reducing the numbers of people and households gathering together we help limit the extent of its spread. let's bring you up—to—date with the latest coronavirus statistics. a very high number of positive cases, 59,000, the fifth highest since the

pandemic began. also in terms of the boost as we know the prime minister has asked for a million a day to be given but so far in the last 24—hour period only half that total reached. 513,722 was the total number of boosters given so half a million or so boosterjabs, so far it is not reaching the prime minister's target of a million a day. 793 people admitted to hospital. deaths within 28 days of a positive covert test, 150. 793 people admitted to hospital. those are the latest figures. half the number of boosters the prime minister once administered per day and a very high number of cases. the fifth highest daily total during the pandemic.

our scotland correspondent, alexandra mackenzie, has more on nicola sturgeon's covid update. nicola sturgeon said follow the new advice i have outlined and said although it is guidance, please do not think of it as optional. we have spoken to people over the last few days as you might remember on friday and the advice was to cancel christmas parties and put them off to the beginning of the year. people on the whole did seem to follow that advice because we then heard from the hospitality industry who had said they had had many cancellations on friday afternoon and over the weekend. so some people certainly were following that advice. other

people, we have heard when we were out on the streets of glasgow, saying they don't want christmas to be ruined and that they did plan to go ahead with christmas gatherings. what nicola sturgeon has said today is that she doesn't want people to cancel christmas and what she said to enable people to have the christmas they have been planning is to limit social contacts up to christmas and beyond. so not cancelling work christmas parties but also to limit those social gatherings to three households between now and christmas and also after christmas. nicola sturgeon had said that wasn't the message she wanted to give today, but she did say that we were in for a very difficult time. she was also giving advice to in hospitality and retail groups just to take more care advice to in hospitality and retail

groupsjust to take more care in terms of social distancing and also advising people to wear face coverings when they are out in public places and to take lateral flow tests if people were going to socialise. the health secretary sajid javid has been defending the government's decision to impose more restrictions on daily life because of coronavirus. speaking in the house of commons' debate on the latest plan b covid measures, he said curbs should be placed on our freedoms only in the gravest of circumstances, and promised the measures would be continually reviewed. mps will vote later on covid passports, more mandatory face masks, and compulsory vaccination for health workers. from westminster, iain watson reports.

demand for vaccinations has certainly been given a boost following dire warnings from the government about a tidal wave of covid infections and predictions about dramatic increase in the number of people likely to need a hospital bed. but ministers are still struggling to make the case to many of their own mps that more restrictions are needed to slow the spread. but it's the fact that omicron hospitalisations are low that means it's the _ hospitalisations are low that means it's the best time to act and we have _ it's the best time to act and we have seen— it's the best time to act and we have seen during previous waves the la- have seen during previous waves the lag between infections and hospitalisations, it's about two weeks — hospitalisations, it's about two weeks. when infections are rising so quickly— weeks. when infections are rising so quickly we _ weeks. when infections are rising so quickly we are likely to see a substantial rise in hospitalisations before _ substantial rise in hospitalisations before any measure is starting to have _ before any measure is starting to have an _ before any measure is starting to have an impact. so there really is no time _ have an impact. so there really is no time to— have an impact. so there really is

no time to waste. the have an impact. so there really is no time to waste.— have an impact. so there really is no time to waste. the prime minister could do with — no time to waste. the prime minister could do with the _ no time to waste. the prime minister could do with the boost _ no time to waste. the prime minister could do with the boost as _ no time to waste. the prime minister could do with the boost as the i could do with the boost as the country faces its latest crisis. several polls have put labour ahead, some for the first time since the election, and the move to introduce covert passes in england with proof of vaccination or a negative test to enter night clubs and large venues is seen by some of his own mps as authoritarian and ineffective and in conservative. i authoritarian and ineffective and in conservative-— conservative. i was looking last ni . ht at conservative. i was looking last night at some _ conservative. i was looking last night at some photographs - conservative. i was looking last| night at some photographs from conservative. i was looking last- night at some photographs from italy way in _ night at some photographs from italy way in a _ night at some photographs from italy way in a restaurant _ night at some photographs from italy way in a restaurant the _ night at some photographs from italy way in a restaurant the police - night at some photographs from italy way in a restaurant the police went. way in a restaurant the police went into a _ way in a restaurant the police went into a restaurant _ way in a restaurant the police went into a restaurant and _ way in a restaurant the police went into a restaurant and asked - way in a restaurant the police went into a restaurant and asked to - into a restaurant and asked to inspect— into a restaurant and asked to inspect everybody's_ into a restaurant and asked toi inspect everybody's vaccination certificates _ inspect everybody's vaccination certificates. i— inspect everybody's vaccination certificates. i don't— inspect everybody's vaccination certificates. i don't think - inspect everybody's vaccination certificates. i don't think we i inspect everybody's vaccinationl certificates. i don't think we live in a certificates. idon't think we live in a country— certificates. i don't think we live in a country where _ certificates. i don't think we live in a country where that - certificates. i don't think we live in a country where that sort - certificates. i don't think we live in a country where that sort of. in a country where that sort of thing — in a country where that sort of thing is — in a country where that sort of thing is acceptable. _ in a country where that sort of thing is acceptable. [- in a country where that sort of thing is acceptable.— in a country where that sort of thing is acceptable. i have not seen the evidence _ thing is acceptable. i have not seen the evidence from _ thing is acceptable. i have not seen the evidence from places _ thing is acceptable. i have not seen the evidence from places that - thing is acceptable. i have not seen the evidence from places that have | the evidence from places that have already— the evidence from places that have already got these passports that they actually work and therefore part of _ they actually work and therefore part of getting through this pandemic is taking the nation with you and _ pandemic is taking the nation with you and if— pandemic is taking the nation with you and if they see something that doesn't _ you and if they see something that doesn't look right then you wonder why we _ doesn't look right then you wonder

why we are — doesn't look right then you wonder why we are going down that particular road.— why we are going down that particular road. boris johnson is facin: his particular road. boris johnson is facing his biggest _ particular road. boris johnson is facing his biggest rebellion - particular road. boris johnson is | facing his biggest rebellion since the election. many of his own mps have genuine concerns about covid passports. at some of the rebels also want to put down a marker. they are hoping a show of strength today will dissuade the prime minister from introducing further restrictions in the weeks to come as covid cases continue to rise. the official uk government line is that there is no plan to go beyond plan b but the scottish and welsh governments are considering further restrictions. even to get the current measures through parliament borisjohnson will have to rely on a helping hand from labour. we boris johnson will have to rely on a helping hand from labour.- helping hand from labour. we will act in the national _ helping hand from labour. we will act in the national interest - helping hand from labour. we will act in the national interest that . helping hand from labour. we will} act in the national interest that we have done throughout the pandemic, putting public health before party politics and by supporting the motion is under consideration this afternoon. we do not do so lightly. throughout the pandemic we have asked the british people to make big

sacrifices, to support the national effort against coronavirus. sacrifices which have impacted on lives, livelihoods and liberties. whenever this house considers such measures we owe it to the british people to explain why they are necessary. people to explain why they are necessary-— people to explain why they are necessa . ., ,, . ., , necessary. the health secretary will take comfort — necessary. the health secretary will take comfort from _ necessary. the health secretary will take comfort from recent _ necessary. the health secretary will take comfort from recent polling - necessary. the health secretary will take comfort from recent polling is| take comfort from recent polling is suggesting public recent polling is suggesting public support the covid passports but he will still be facing catcalls from his own side in parliament. our political correspondent nick eardley is in parliament. how many tory mps could vote against the government? it’s how many tory mps could vote against the government?— the government? it's hard to say because quite — the government? it's hard to say because quite often _ the government? it's hard to say because quite often some - the government? it's hard to say because quite often some mps i the government? it's hard to say l because quite often some mps will the government? it's hard to say - because quite often some mps will be picked off at the last minute. you may see that some just don't turn up. a former cabinet minister said this morning the gym deliberately arranged plans for this evening so they didn't have to take part in the

vote. but i do think it's quite plausible that we could see the biggest rebellion since boris johnson became prime minister. certainly since the landslide election he won in 2019. it worth pointing out exactly what that rebellion is likely to be over. it's not over the whole move to plan b. i have listened to the debate in the commons chamber and there are some mps who are going to back the government on measures like compulsory masks in certain settings and compulsory vaccines for health workers, but there are many who are uncomfortable with the move towards covid passports. you don't have to be double jab that it's possible to to a negative lateral flow test 48 hours and that will work if you need to get into one of the events covered by the scheme. but there is

a deep concern amongst different parts of the conservative party that this isn'tjust some of parts of the conservative party that this isn't just some of the parts of the conservative party that this isn'tjust some of the awkward squad we have seen in the past to have been against extending restrictions at various points, this is quite a wide range of different people within the conservative party. some say it goes too far when it comes to civil liberties and some say itjust doesn't work it comes to civil liberties and some say it just doesn't work and it comes to civil liberties and some say itjust doesn't work and some say itjust doesn't work and some say it's the government doing something to be seen to doing something. it's a contrast between what is happening in london this afternoon and what happened in edinburgh earlier with nicola sturgeon. the scottish government is going ahead with further restrictions in the run—up to christmas, they are not legally binding but they are advisory that people should limit household mixing to three households. in london the government is struggling to get support from the conservative backbenches the covid passports and that means if they did want to introduce some of the measures, that

might be difficult. ultimately it will probably happen because the labour party is backing the government. the government is not going to lose because it has labour's backing. that borisjohnson knows he has a growing number of rebels who are unhappy with the direction he is taking. the question is, will that influence further decisions he has to make. the headlines on bbc news: scotland's first minister nicola sturgeon says she doesn't want people to 'cancel christmas' but calls for less household mixing to curb the spread of omicron. mps have begun debating new covid rules for england, with borisjohnson facing a major commons rebellion. ministers have removed all the countries on the uk's red list for travel, introduced after the emergence of omicron. eleven african nations

were on the list. let's get more on the measures announced by scotland's first minister this afternoon at holyrood. joining me now is dr christine tait—burkard, research fellow at the university of edinburgh's roslin institute who specialises in coronaviruses. what did you make of what nicola sturgeon was saying? the key point is this is guidance and asking people in scotland to socialise less but will they listen to her? bi; people in scotland to socialise less but will they listen to her?- but will they listen to her? by and [an e the but will they listen to her? by and large the scottish _ but will they listen to her? by and large the scottish people - but will they listen to her? by and large the scottish people have - but will they listen to her? by and i large the scottish people have been very good _ large the scottish people have been very good at listening to advice and we have _ very good at listening to advice and we have heard the advice of cancelling christmas parties especially when they are with work colleagues and people have listened to that _

colleagues and people have listened to that advice by and large last week — to that advice by and large last week it's _ to that advice by and large last week. it's likely they will continue to listen_ week. it's likely they will continue to listen to — week. it's likely they will continue to listen to the government. it is obviously— to listen to the government. it is obviously a — to listen to the government. it is obviously a proportionate measure and it's_ obviously a proportionate measure and it's very much putting more emphasis — and it's very much putting more emphasis on people plasma gun responsibility and their own of risk which _ responsibility and their own of risk which is _ responsibility and their own of risk which is obviously pertinent as we move _ which is obviously pertinent as we move to _ which is obviously pertinent as we move to live with this virus that people — move to live with this virus that people also take their own responsibility. i people also take their own responsibility.— people also take their own responsibility. people also take their own resonsibili . , , responsibility. i suppose the bad news is for _ responsibility. i suppose the bad news is for scottish _ responsibility. i suppose the bad news is for scottish businesses l responsibility. i suppose the bad i news is for scottish businesses like the hospitality industry and people cancelling parties and all sorts of social events.— cancelling parties and all sorts of socialevents. , . ., ., social events. exactly. we have also heard that new— social events. exactly. we have also heard that new protection _ social events. exactly. we have also heard that new protection measures which _ heard that new protection measures which will— heard that new protection measures which will be legally binding need to he _ which will be legally binding need to he put— which will be legally binding need to be put in place by businesses which _ to be put in place by businesses which could reduce footfall in shops as well— which could reduce footfall in shops as well and at the same time we heard _ as well and at the same time we heard an — as well and at the same time we heard an announcement of financial support— heard an announcement of financial support from the scottish government

for hospitality today which will be very important because less people will probably be going out to begin with and _ will probably be going out to begin with and their capacity and hospitality business will be likely reduced — hospitality business will be likely reduced with new protection measures --oin reduced with new protection measures going to _ reduced with new protection measures going to he _ reduced with new protection measures going to be legally binding. but reduced with new protection measures going to be legally binding.— going to be legally binding. but her messare going to be legally binding. but her message was. _ going to be legally binding. but her message was, don't _ going to be legally binding. but her message was, don't cancel- going to be legally binding. but her. message was, don't cancel christmas. this is still going to be different from last christmas. yes this is still going to be different from last christmas.— this is still going to be different from last christmas. yes and as we started to live _ from last christmas. yes and as we started to live with _ from last christmas. yes and as we started to live with the _ from last christmas. yes and as we started to live with the virus - from last christmas. yes and as we started to live with the virus and i started to live with the virus and we have — started to live with the virus and we have to — started to live with the virus and we have to keep in mind that we have a lot of— we have to keep in mind that we have a lot of vaccinated people and most importantly we have got the all—important boosters into the most vulnerable _ all—important boosters into the most vulnerable already two weeks ago so they will _ vulnerable already two weeks ago so they will be well protected from omicron — they will be well protected from omicron. it'sjust a matter of slowing — omicron. it'sjust a matter of slowing down omicron so we don't overwhelm — slowing down omicron so we don't overwhelm the health care service as well as— overwhelm the health care service as well as ramping overwhelm the health care service as wellas ramping up overwhelm the health care service as well as ramping up the booster programme and at the same time keeping _ programme and at the same time keeping that all—important mental health— keeping that all—important mental health up— keeping that all—important mental health up because that has suffered over the _ health up because that has suffered over the past couple of years and

obviously — over the past couple of years and obviously balancing all of the health. — obviously balancing all of the health, economic health, social health— health, economic health, social health or— health, economic health, social health or indeed the mental health. speaking _ health or indeed the mental health. speaking of mental health, people in scotland as everywhere else are presumably utterly exhausted with the pandemic and with all of these requirements on them. this is a request and this is advice from the first minister but do you think, i'vejust had enough. {iii first minister but do you think, i've just had enough. of course. peole i've just had enough. of course. peeple are _ i've just had enough. of course. people are tired _ i've just had enough. of course. people are tired and _ i've just had enough. of course. people are tired and everyone's| people are tired and everyone's personal— people are tired and everyone's personal risk will come into how they— personal risk will come into how they are — personal risk will come into how they are balancing this. large events— they are balancing this. large events are not cancelled and you can -et events are not cancelled and you can get into _ events are not cancelled and you can get into them with a vaccine passport— get into them with a vaccine passport but you can also get into them _ passport but you can also get into them with— passport but you can also get into them with a negative lateral flow test~ _ them with a negative lateral flow test if _ them with a negative lateral flow test. if you are not vaccinated that as you _ test. if you are not vaccinated that as you going into a very high risk environment because you are likely to catch _

environment because you are likely to catch the virus if someone has it, especially with omicron which spreads— it, especially with omicron which spreads well in large groups. that is where _ spreads well in large groups. that is where people need to make their own choices. but sadly also live with _ own choices. but sadly also live with the — own choices. but sadly also live with the consequences and that is e>

target of a million booster vaccines a day. they have not reached that according to these new figures. this according to these new figures. is you say there is clearly not i you say there is clearly noti million but you can say it is starting to ramp up. normally what we see is a good day on the saturday and then it falls on sunday and slowly drifts back up over the course of the week. we are seeing today not that kind of slow drift up at the shop jump up from 300 and something thousand yesterday to about half a million. so we are seeing big improvements but as any cricket fan will know if you are not scoring the runs early in the innings you have to score them later. in innings you have to score them later. , ., ., ., , . ., later. in terms of how many omicron

cases there — later. in terms of how many omicron cases there are. _ later. in terms of how many omicron cases there are, the _ later. in terms of how many omicron cases there are, the government - later. in terms of how many omicron l cases there are, the government have talked about 200,000 infections, but you look at the daily cases and it seems to be a different figure. it’s seems to be a different figure. it's hard to seems to be a different figure. it�*s hard to square the 200,000 infections yesterday and 60,000 cases today. 200,000 on the drum new infections yesterday if that's true, those people, about half of them won't get sick and those who do want to get sick until about thursday. so they will start to show up and on thursday or friday of this week so what sajid javid meant was we should be seeing around 100,000 omicron cases on thursday. if you look at the trends we have seen in omicron cases and hopefully we can show that, it's probably ballpark reasonable. last friday about 20% of cases in england were suspected to

be omicron. if we are genuinely doubling every two days well you double about three times between last friday and thursday so that brings you from 10,000 up to about 100,000. 50 the brings you from 10,000 up to about 100,000. so the numbers he says probably aren't an exaggeration but he's talking about a different measure to the number we see. with millions looking to get their boosterjab — and people struggling to find covid tests — my colleague danjohnson has been to one pharmacy in south east london. this is one pharmacy that is acting as a booster clinic. these people have got an appointment and so they know when to turn up. they have stopped doing walk—in appointments. theyjust don't have the capacity. what they have also run out of, have a look at the sign on the window, there are no more lateral flow tests available at this pharmacy today. that's a situation that i have found right across this area. i have been to six other

chemist this afternoon. none of them have any lateral flow tests available. we can talk to victor who is the chief of staff here. how's it going, victor, with the boosters and with the testing? it has been really busy. we have been flat out. if you are coming out at around nine o'clock, there is a huge queue. we are thanking people for their patients, but we are getting through a lot of patients. we are at 100% capacity right now, trying to play our part to try and deliver these vaccinations. good to see people come forward presumably, but can you meet the demand? we are really struggling on the walk—in side. maybe an hour or two a day, week and maybe get some walk—ins, but no, it is chock—a—block and buttons at the moment. particularly, talking about lateral flow test, what needs to happen to smooth the delivery in the supply chain? so, we need an increase of deliveries of lateral flow test to us so that we can then give them out. at the minute, we are only receiving 50 a day. we need to be receiving

closer to 200. how quickly did they run out? they ran out in about two hours' time. if you multiply that by 24, that's how many tests we need. do you think you can meet the challenge of the weeks ahead, getting everybody boosted officially by the end of the year? yes, we want to, we are opening extra clinics, we are opening later to try and increase the number of vaccinations we can give, we are employing more staff to be able to get more vaccinations and importantly, we are asking for more volunteers to help manage the people, help manage the workflow and get that done. i am really confident. it is going to be a tough christmas, but we will be working especially hard to make this happen. thank you, victor. we will let you get on with the work, you have a busy afternoon. lots of people here, some being turned away who have tried to walk in for a booster. that is not possible here this afternoon. hopefully, things will ease in the days ahead. in terms of lateral flow tests, earlier today, the nhs website was not able to offer any, but now it seems that situation has eased a little bit already.

the health secretary sajid javid told mps today during the covid debate that he was taking all eleven african countries off the uk's travel red list. angola, botswana, eswatini, lesotho, malawi, mozambique, namibia, nigeria, south africa, zambia and zimbabwe were all put on the red list in late november after omicron was identified in south africa. the change takes effect at 4am tomorrow. earlier i spoke to our transport correspondent, katy austin, who gave us this update. this announcement will get a mixed reaction. it will be welcomed by people who had plans to come to the uk from the countries on the red list but there is also huge frustration from people i have spoken to who are already in quarantine hotels and who have been caught up in this policy. they are very frustrated and it's still unclear whether those people

in the hotels now will have to see out their time, the ten days they have paid for, or whether they will now be released. the health secretary said in parliament today that in previous times people have had to sit out their stay, but it's something he's looking at. we may get more detail on what is going to happen with that later today. let's talk about the reasoning behind this. the government's argument has been that the red list needed to be reintroduced as a swift precautionary measure to try and stop omicron being imported and taking hold, to slow the introduction into the uk. now that it's already in the uk, it is transmitting in the community and in so many other countries, the government's reasoning is it's not effective any more to have this limited list of 11 countries where people have to quarantine in hotels.

so the point it seems is no longer valid. however this has got some of the travel industry saying, if that's the logic, why have we still got the extra testing requirements that have been introduced over the last couple of weeks? so people have to take a covid test within 48 hours of coming into the uk and they have to take a pcr test within 48 hours of arriving here. the travel industry is saying, what about those rules as well? because that is what is putting people off booking because they say it applies to everybody, not just people from a narrow list of countries. but it looks like the government is not prepared to go any further at this moment in time and do anything with those broader testing requirements. that is katie aston, our transport correspondent. now it's time for a look at the weather.

good evening. we have got a south—westerly breeze with us at the moment which is why it's quite mild out there at the treatment moment. there are some rain with the rain band moving southwards into northern ireland and down towards cumbria. ahead of it, breaks in the cloud in other parts of north england in north wales to east anglia. they could be mist and fog around also. it is mild overnight and into tomorrow, in southern parts of england and wales, we should see more. in perhaps lancashire and into a central southern scotland and northern ireland, we could have cloud, some patchy rain to the northern part of that cloud, but sun in the north of scotland. mal david weather at ten or ii in the north of scotland. mal david weather at ten or 11 degrees. whether settling down as high pressure takes charge. accompanied by lots of cloud, keeping it mild through the rest of the week, mist and fog around in the rain that we

are seeing at the moment will eventually push away. thank you, darren. we are going to get back to the house of commons because the debate is continuing. this is mark harper. debate is continuing. this is mark harer. ., , debate is continuing. this is mark harer. . , harper. that is four times the risk of hospitalisation. _ harper. that is four times the risk of hospitalisation. i— harper. that is four times the risk of hospitalisation. i have - harper. that is four times the risk of hospitalisation. i have seen - harper. that is four times the risk| of hospitalisation. i have seen and i look forward _ of hospitalisation. i have seen and i look forward to _ of hospitalisation. i have seen and i look forward to the _ of hospitalisation. i have seen and i look forward to the information l i look forward to the information from the uk in one of the points i've been making in my constant repetitions which my vulnerable friend from the south—west of wiltshire has been repeating is that we are learning new information every day and when we gather information. we might need to make new dishes and is and the house needs to be involved in those decisions, notjust by ministers. i don't understand why ministers won't give that a chance. it will build a lot of trust and goodwill with colleagues and i don't understand

why they won't give that commitment. these decisions have significant economic and social impact, as well as impact on the nhs delivering non—covert treatments, my honourable friend already pointed out that the n hs is going to scrap a whole load of elective surgeries and consultations with gps in order to get boosters delivery to the delivered. i don't how long it's going to take us to recover of the new creation of the backlog over the coming months. if the government fears that the secretary of state is carried out are confirmed, i want to know what is the exit strategy, what is the approach they will take that means that we don't face on and off seasonal restrictions forever. a point made by other colleagues also. it is a very serious question, if we are going to have an economy that functions and an nhs that can

functions and an nhs that can function and deliver the other health care that we require. let me just turn to plan b. very happy to support the measures on self isolation, ijust note that two weeks ago when we were asking to restrict them, i voted against the man two weeks later, they basically agreed that i was right two weeks ago to vote against them and it is effectively revoking, so to leave that thought with colleagues when they decide to listen to the minister others. in the government because my own plan b, is very clear that minister preferences from vaccine only passports. it is very clear to me that the only reason why tests have been added is to buy or support of the opposition. the minister's preference is for vaccine only passports. we know what they would like to do if they could get away with it. the secretary of state

also made some commitments about not being in support of mandatory vaccination for the entire population. all i would say is the only reason why that needed to be said was effectively it was the prime minister two weeks ago who put on the table the whole concept of mandatory vaccination when he talked about having a national conversation about having a national conversation about it. all i would say is that ministers need to be very careful again, if they wish to build trust and goodwill, need to be very careful about what they say and don't fling these very troubling concepts around without thinking about them. words have consequences and that is both in terms of what happens in the real world and the trust that you build boats with members of parliament and with members of the public. the final thing on vaccine passports as they are very limited at the moment in what they propose, but that was true everywhere they have been introduced around the world. everywhere they have been introduced, they have been

extended, in terms of venues applied to and we have seen that in wales where labour in power. anyone who thinks that we will stick to what is currently on the order paper are kidding themselves. the final thing i would say to colleagues as this, the vote on vaccine passports is not just about the regulations on the order paper. it is a signal about how we wish to treat this house, how we wish to be treated on behalf our constituents and our direction of travel out of this. i would say to my colleague, if you wish to send the government a clear signal that it needs to rethink its approach and certainly on vaccine passports, voting against them, send the government a clear message. we can do that, there is a better way to do this, send that message today. mark half there, former conservative chief whip saying to colleagues to send the government a message to

vote against vaccine passports. it looks like he will be part of that rebellion on tory back benches. it could be as big as 80 mps voting against the government but the measures will go through because labour are going to the bottom. more from the commons coming up, but let's get the latest from the bbc sport centre. it is all covid, even in sport. we've been getting further news this afternoon about how premier league clubs are tackling the rising coronavirus cases — and we've heard now that players and staff will have to have daily covid—i9 tests to get into training grounds, they will have to limit physical treatment, more mask wearing and increased social distancing. on the back of a record 42 players and staff across the premier league have tested positive in the last week, with cases reported at brighton, tottenham, leicester,

aston villa and norwich — those two teams play tonight, but that game between norwich and villa tonight will go ahead as things stand. that's more than can be said for manchester united's trip to brentford — as an outbreak at united has lead to the postponement of tonight's league game. united had already closed their training ground and delayed their trip to london. another match going ahead. also tonight, leaders manchester city take on leeds. well, the sports minister, nigel huddleston, has refused to rule out reducing capacities or even closing venues to spectators altogether in future. his comments came on the back of plan b coming into effect tomorrow, which will require fans to show proof of double vaccination or a negative test to attend sporting events with crowds of more than 10,000. the plan b measures we have implemented at the moment were because we believe they are the right measures for right now. in terms of the measures brought in,

facemasks, vaccination certificates and so on for major events, we believe they are proportionate and the goal is to try and reduce transmission. they are proportionate measures and we don't want any of these things to be any longer than absolutely necessary, but the prime minister has said that we are taking one day at a time and looking at the data and that will drive decisions. it's notjust football impacted, we've seen rugby union struggle, with one game in the champions cup called off last weekend. and now there's doubts over more this weekend — as leinster say an additional number of senior players have tested positive for covid ahead of friday's game against montpellier in france. this follows four cases at the province last week. montpelier have reported a fifth positive result but that team now training in a separate group and more testing to come with

them. we see how that develops. arsenal have stripped pierre—emerick aubameyang of the club captaincy and said he won't be considered for selection against west ham tomorrow night. aubameyang was dropped for saturday's win over southampton for what manager mikel arteta described as a "disciplinary breach". reports suggest he returned late from a trip to france. the club said: "we expect all our players, particularly our captain, to work to the rules and standards we have all set and agreed". we have made this decision that unfortunately is a tough one. obviously, if i had to choose, i wouldn't like to be sitting here talking about it. but we had to do it. and the next one is that for now, he is not involved in sport. we want to take our culture and demands to a different level and were no standards are not met, you know, you cannot participate in our daily basics. former yorkshire head coach andrew gale will not return to his position as assistant coach

of men's hundred side northern superchargers in 2022. gale was one of 16 people sacked by yorkshire in the aftermath of racism allegations made by azeem rafiq. he was on a one—year contract with the superchargers for the 2021 season, which will not be renewed. three—time work gold medallist, elise christie, has announced her retirement from short track speed skating at the age of 31 — but she insists this isn't the last we'll see of her in sport. in a statement christie said she had been putting this decision off. after the heartbreak of failing to qualify for the winter olympics in beijing next year. she added that she still has sporting plans for 2026, insisting her olympic medal dream isn't overjust yet. she suffered huge dissapointment at the winter games in sochi and pyeongchang. that's all the sport for now. a woman has been found guilty

of murdering her partner's i6—month—old child. star hobson endured months of assaults and also psychological harm — before suffering what was described as "utterly catastrophic" injuries in her home. they were inflicted by savannah brockhill, the partner of star's mother, frankie smith. smith was cleared of murder and manslaughter at bradford crown court — but convicted of causing or allowing the toddler's death. our correspondent danny savage reports. star hobson — a happy little girl seen here with her great—grandfather. but over a period of months, she went from this — you are about to see a distressing image of star asleep, covered in bruises. she was seen by police and social services but was always allowed to stay with her abusers. david fawcett used to frequently look after her before the abuse began and has been left devastated.

i know for a fact we'll never, ever get over losing star. i'm going to work crying some mornings, when i'm going to work, itjust hits you, and you just get overcome with it, it's... you just can't believe we're never going to see her again, it's... her own mother and her partner lied repeatedly about how she had been hurt, while subjecting her to a horrifically cruel campaign of abuse. frankie smith and savannah brockhill deprived their little girl of sleep, played cruel psychological tricks, and kept concerned social workers away from her. pretty girl. you're a spoiled pretty girl. star hobson was anything but spoiled. smith and brockhill posted these caring images publicly, but privately they were horrible to her. on one occasion, brockhill took star to her work at a recycling centre. cctv here later caught the amateur

boxer beating the toddler. star died aged just 16 months. in the months before her death, david fawcett and his partner anita raised chilling concerns with social services. anita says, well, you don't want another baby p on your hands, do you? she said, how do you mean? so anita says, well, think about it, that little baby p a couple of years ago, he got let down by social services, so we just want you to go see what problems is here. but that was it, we never heard a thing, theyjust said the case were closed, and that was that. ambulance service, is the patient breathing? on september 22nd last year, star hobson was murdered by brockhill. on the day she died, her killer searched the internet for how to bring a baby out of shock. that was 15 minutes before

she calmly made this call. she was crying, and then she stopped crying, and then she was sick, and now she'sjust a little bit floppy, to be honest with you. i find it very difficult to believe that somebody could inflict the injuries that's been inflicted onto a child of that age. i am very conscious that they're yet to be sentenced and don't want to say anything at this stage which may prejudice the sentencing. star, do you love your mums? when challenged by authorities, her mother and her partner lied and said she'd fallen, or claimed complaints were malicious and from people who didn't like their relationship. today, savannah brockhill was found guilty of murder. frankie smith was convicted of causing or allowing the death of a child. was star hobson's death avoidable? could more have been done by the authorities? many questions are raised by the short life of this sweet little girl.

danny savage but that report. scotland's first minister nicola sturgeon tightens restrictions — says she doesn't want people to cancel christmas, but calls for less household mixing — to curb the spread of omicron. mps are debating new covid rules for england — with borisjohnson facing a major commons rebellion. ministers have removed all the countries on the uk's red list for travel introduced after the emergence of omicron. 11 african nations were on the list. one of those countries were in south africa. so let's talk about south africa. so let's talk about south africa where the variant of omicron was first detected. i'm joined now by prof salim abdool karim — part of the africa task force for covid—i9. it was established by the african

centres for disease and control. thank you for being with us. festival, let's talk about what you think omicron is currently doing in african south africa where it was first detected.— african south africa where it was first detected. what we are seeing is very rapid _ first detected. what we are seeing is very rapid rise _ first detected. what we are seeing is very rapid rise in _ first detected. what we are seeing is very rapid rise in cases. - first detected. what we are seeing is very rapid rise in cases. in - is very rapid rise in cases. in those parts of south africa where the epidemic was first observed. what we have seen is a very rapid increase that the doubling time is about 25% faster than what we saw with the delta variant. the conditions are slightly different in that we don't have as many restrictions in place during this wave than what we had under the delta variant, but notwithstanding that, the increased transmissibility is clearly evident and that is leading to a rapid rise in admissions also. 50 leading to a rapid rise in admissions also.- leading to a rapid rise in admissions also. so it is very transmissible, _ admissions also. so it is very transmissible, but _ admissions also. so it is very transmissible, but let - admissions also. so it is very transmissible, but let me - admissions also. so it is very| transmissible, but let me put admissions also. so it is very i transmissible, but let me put to

admissions also. so it is very - transmissible, but let me put to you what a doctorow from south africa is writing, a south african gp that said she was one of the doctors that was first to treat omicron and a set actually the world is overreacting because the symptoms are very, very mild. i because the symptoms are very, very mild. ., because the symptoms are very, very mild. . ., , ., mild. i am not so sure that we can 'ust take mild. i am not so sure that we can just take it — mild. i am not so sure that we can just take it for _ mild. i am not so sure that we can just take it for granted _ mild. i am not so sure that we can just take it for granted that - mild. i am not so sure that we can just take it for granted that it is i just take it for granted that it is only mild. i think there was an overreaction, certainly the travel bans were never a reaction. a bit of panic, in my view. we know how to restrict and mitigate the potential spread of travel, so there was no need for that. despite that, when we look at our cases, we do see that the cases are less severe than what we have seen before, so if you look at the previous three waves, roughly two out of every three patients that we admitted were severe cases, needing oxygen or ventilation or

icu, in the current wave, it is only one out of four. it is that we are seeing far fewer patients requiring oxygen and needing ventilation that is evident in our hospitals as well. that is a good sign, it is early days so i don't wanna comment too early, but certainly at this point, there are no red flags. so early, but certainly at this point, there are no red flags. 50 a early, but certainly at this point, there are no red flags. so a smaller ro ortion there are no red flags. so a smaller proportion are _ there are no red flags. so a smaller proportion are serious, _ there are no red flags. so a smaller proportion are serious, but - there are no red flags. so a smaller proportion are serious, but if - there are no red flags. so a smaller proportion are serious, but if it - proportion are serious, but if it is so transmissible and there are many, many more cases and seems to be the case, certainly in the uk at the moment, then that is worrying because in the end, you will end up with a lot more serious cases just because the number of total cases are so high. because the number of total cases are so high-— are so high. you are absolutely correct. even _ are so high. you are absolutely correct. even if— are so high. you are absolutely correct. even if omicron - are so high. you are absolutely correct. even if omicron is - are so high. you are absolutely correct. even if omicron is less severe, by rapid transmission and large numbers of people becoming ill at the same time, we will see pressure on hospitals and that is how we have planned in hospital to deal with this fourth wade, i think

that one of the other advantages we have, as you have an uk is our adult population, elderly population is people over the age of 60, we have a much higher vaccination coverage rate there. we close to 70% vaccinated in that group, so that is another reason why, even though the disease is spreading as rapidly, we are not seeing that many severe cases among the elderly. and so it is a combination of many things. it is a combination of many things. it is holding us in good stead at this time. ., ., ., .. ., ., , time. you mention vaccinations. here in uk, the government _ time. you mention vaccinations. here in uk, the government have - time. you mention vaccinations. here in uk, the government have pushed l in uk, the government have pushed this vaccination booster programme because they say that actually, two doses of the vaccine don't really deal with omicron really well but if you have the booster, it really does. what is happening in terms of that in south africa and africa

generally? i that in south africa and africa generally?— that in south africa and africa renerall ? . . , ., , ., ., generally? i am apt that is going to be the case- _ generally? i am apt that is going to be the case- i— generally? i am apt that is going to be the case. i think _ generally? i am apt that is going to be the case. i think when _ generally? i am apt that is going to be the case. i think when you - generally? i am apt that is going to be the case. i think when you give. generally? i am apt that is going to| be the case. i think when you give a booster, it might lastjust for a booster, it might last just for a short booster, it might lastjust for a short period. i don't think it has any effect that will go well beyond two months, as we have seen with the two months, as we have seen with the two doses of the pfizer vaccine. where the benefit seems to appear most is in giving individuals who have had astrazeneca a pfizer booster. i think that's the data that came out of england and that certainly was more compelling. there is a case to be made of giving booster doses to some of these groups, but i think it needs to be used judiciously. what we're seeing in south africa that several reinfection infections from people who were infected in the past by the baiter and alpha variants and we are seeing large numbers of breakthrough infections in individuals that have

had both vaccinations and so our government are now rolling out a booster dose as they want to in the next two weeks, in order to give a booster dose in particularly in the elderly in order to boost their immunity. elderly in order to boost their immunity-— elderly in order to boost their immunity. what do you say to the arc ument immunity. what do you say to the argument and _ immunity. what do you say to the argument and it _ immunity. what do you say to the argument and it has _ immunity. what do you say to the argument and it has been - immunity. what do you say to the argument and it has been made i immunity. what do you say to the - argument and it has been made many times since omicron emerged, we are going to get variants emerging in places like africa where vaccination rates are relatively low and we need to be vaccinating much more of the world's population?— world's population? there is no question- _ world's population? there is no question- if— world's population? there is no question. if we _ world's population? there is no question. if we are _ world's population? there is no question. if we are going - world's population? there is no question. if we are going to - world's population? there is no| question. if we are going to deal with a pandemic. that means we have got to control the spread of this virus everywhere in the world. there is no scenario that sees is defeating a pandemic where it is controlled in parts of the world are not in other parts of the world. and thatis not in other parts of the world. and that is a critical piece of, part of our approach. that is a critical piece of, part of ourapproach. it that is a critical piece of, part of our approach. it is important to

recognise that originally, when we first heard about the efficacy of the vaccines, we thought, we have a virus, we have a vaccine, or we need to do is actually everybody and we will be able to control this particular disease. when the first variants emerged, that whole concept went out of the water, so the variants have changed the covid—i9 endgame, which means we have to take a different approach and that different approach is to use vaccines which are essential to prevent severe disease and to help reduce some transmission, but we have got to combine it with public measures. use them judiciously so that we can really mitigate the impact of covid—i9. that we can really mitigate the impact of covid-19.— that we can really mitigate the impact of covid-19. professor, very aood to impact of covid-19. professor, very good to talk — impact of covid-19. professor, very good to talk to _ impact of covid-19. professor, very good to talk to you, _ impact of covid-19. professor, very good to talk to you, very _ good to talk to you, very interesting. thank you so much for your time. thank you. there's been a i3% increase in the number of state school pupils in england absent for covid—related reasons, according to department for education attendance figures released today.

236,000 pupils missed school for covid—related reasons on the 9th of december — although fewer than half of them had a confirmed case of coronavirus. schools in some high infection areas are struggling to stay fully open. our education correspondent, elaine dunkley, reports. joining me now is the ceo of the education policy institute, natalie perera. what these figures tell us? as you sa , at what these figures tell us? as you say. at the — what these figures tell us? as you say. at the end — what these figures tell us? as you say, at the end of— what these figures tell us? as you say, at the end of last _ what these figures tell us? as you say, at the end of last week, - what these figures tell us? as you say, at the end of last week, we . what these figures tell us? as you l say, at the end of last week, we saw an increase in people is absent due to covid related reasons. about 30,000 extra pupils compared to the previous week, but we also saw was a significant number of teachers absent for covid related reasons, just over 12,000 teachers absent at the end of last week. what that tells us is that the rates of

infection and needing to isolate for close contact reasons are rising rapidly. and thereby, that is creating more disruption for people in schools. and that means a government really needs to closely monitor the situation and make sure that any guidance they put out to schools must be clear and timely. are not educational disruption, you mention presumably that the theories that will get worse and worse for the omicron variant is fashionably, which we are hearing is extra transmissible and there will be more cases. ~ ., transmissible and there will be more cases. . . ., ., , ., cases. what the government does not translate is how _ cases. what the government does not translate is how the _ cases. what the government does not translate is how the absent _ cases. what the government does not translate is how the absent data - translate is how the absent data varies across the country. what we could be seeing is particular pockets of the country more disrupted, may be whole classes or even whole schools having to close because they cannot operate with very few teachers, for example. and

it is really important that schools have the resources to stay open where they can aware it is safe to do so, but also make sure that they can support their pupils when they have to stay at home as well. that is particularly important for the most vulnerable pupils, who we know have lost the most amount of learning over the course of the pandemic. learning over the course of the pandemic-— learning over the course of the andemic. , .,, i. _ , learning over the course of the andemic. , .,, i. , ., pandemic. yes, as you say, they have already lost — pandemic. yes, as you say, they have already lost so — pandemic. yes, as you say, they have already lost so many _ pandemic. yes, as you say, they have already lost so many learning, - pandemic. yes, as you say, they have already lost so many learning, the - already lost so many learning, the children, you hopefulfor next year, 2022, it will be a better year in terms of education? we 2022, it will be a better year in terms of education?— 2022, it will be a better year in terms of education? we are hopeful that every year _ terms of education? we are hopeful that every year is — terms of education? we are hopeful that every year is a _ terms of education? we are hopeful that every year is a better _ terms of education? we are hopeful that every year is a better year - terms of education? we are hopeful that every year is a better year for l that every year is a better year for pupils, particularly given what they've been through this year. the government needs to keep an eye on how much additional learning is going to be lost as a result of the new variant. it needs to reconsider whether the funding is provided so

far for education recovery is enough. at the moment, there has been about £4.9 billion that has been about £4.9 billion that has been announced by the government, but we estimate that it is more like 13.5 billion that is needed and targeted particularly to the most disadvantaged pupils, so the government really needs to review whether it can increase recovery funding for young people. natalie, thank ou funding for young people. natalie, thank you very _ funding for young people. natalie, thank you very much. _ funding for young people. natalie, thank you very much. rita - funding for young people. natalie, thank you very much. rita is - funding for young people. natalie, thank you very much. rita is up i funding for young people. natalie, l thank you very much. rita is up next at five o'clock, first though, let's look at the latest weather forecast. that is a rather nice sunrise or sunset, darren. who knows? what i wanted to tell you is that cloud has been fair in iraq today across parts of england and wales, and the husband is a sign around. that is coming in short supply for the rest of the week because there will be a lot of cloud, low cloud also. mild

everywhere but areas of mist and fog but with high pressure building in the areas of the uk, it will be turning dry. the high pressure is not arrived yet and we have got this ribbon of cloud stretching across the atlantic into northern scotland, thatis the atlantic into northern scotland, that is a weather front producing rain and it will stumble its way southward into some parts of the uk. most of the rain in the far north of scotland at the moment becomes patchy and lighter and moves down through western scotland and eventually into cumbria. ahead of that, we will see breaks in the cloud, perhaps into east anglia and across north wales. that means temperatures here could be 5 degrees and mist involved also. milder further south and in northern wales, but they could be rain tomorrow. once the mist and fog goes, more sunshine across parts of wales, midlands, lancashire and particularly cumbria will be cloudy and patchy rain, and southern scotland has it brightens up through the day in northern parts of

scotland. it will be mild everywhere with temperatures particularly around 11 or 12 degrees in the south—westerly breeze. as we had it be on the night into thursday, that gets pushed away as high pressure starts to build on and win start to become lighter as well. we have got a little bit of rain in shetland on thursday, but it otherwise looks cloudy with mist and fog patches, best of the sunshine in eastern scotland and east and north england and maybe into lincolnshire as well. temperature is above average for the time of year. with winds being like, the able stagnate and cloud will spread out, so high pressure tends to build right across the uk. they could be some sunshine. in northern scotland this time on friday, otherwise it looks pretty cloudy out there. low cloud, mist and fog in there. low cloud, mist and fog in the hills, the blanket of blue covering parts of the country. temperatures not quite so high on friday. they will tend to drop away a little bit during this weekend. it

will start to feel a little bit colder, but with high pressure in charge of the weather, it is going to stay fine and dry, difficulty knowing about how much cloud there will be in the long term. this is bbc new. the headlines. scotland's first minister nicola sturgeon tightens restrictions — says she doesn't want people to 'cancel christmas' — but calls for less household mixing — to curb the spread of omicron. him after that i am asking everyone to use as far as possible among the contacts we have with people and other households. more long queues forjabs — as borisjohnson warns a huge spike of omicron cases is on its way. mps are debating new covid rules for england — with borisjohnson facing a major commons rebellion. the health secretary says more must be done to tackle the spread of omicron. scientists have never seen a