tonight at ten — there will be no extra covid restrictions for england in the days before christmas. at the same time, the government warns that nothing can be ruled out for the period after christmas. in scotland, the traditional hogmanay party for new years�* eve is cancelled among extra measures. none of these are being proposed lightly, but we do consider them necessary to help stem the increasing cases, safeguard health and protect the nhs, the emergency services and the economy. meanwhile, the hard—hit hospitality sector across the uk, including pubs and restaurants, can apply for new grants. we've responded, ithink, generously today. the grants that we've outlined, up to £6,000, are comparable to the grants that we provided for hospitality businesses when they were completely closed earlier this year.

we'll have the latest on the decisions being made in all four home nations as christmas approaches. also tonight... the foodbanks reporting a sharp rise in demand. they claim a cut in universal credit is partly to blame. and we have the story of what's thought to be the biggest divorce settlement in british legal history. and in sportsday, we will have all the latest — and in sportsday, we will have all the latest sports, _ and in sportsday, we will have all the latest sports, interviews - and in sportsday, we will have all the latest sports, interviews and i the latest sports, interviews and features — good evening. there will be no extra covid restrictions introduced in england in the days before christmas, but in making that announcement, borisjohnson went on to warn that nothing could be ruled out in the period after christmas.

he said the situation was finely balanced and that the omicron variant of coronavirus was still spreading very rapidly. during the day, the first minister of scotland announced new restrictions, especially on large—scale events, starting on boxing day. in wales and northern ireland, ministers will announce their decisions tomorrow. our health editor, hugh pym, has been monitoring the latest developments. christmas has become clearer today in england. the message from the government was that people could go ahead with plans as there won't be any new measures which might affect them. but given the threat of omicron, nothing can be ruled out after that. speaking before the announcement, one minister suggested they weren't rushing tojudgment. we're looking very closely at the data, that's why the prime minister said we reserve the option of coming back with further measures, but we're not at that stage because obviously, there is very significant economic disruption, should we do that. merry christmas! that still leaves uncertainty

beyond christmas, and labour said more clarity was needed. families need to be able to plan their own activities, and crucially, business needs to be able to plan for their trading. and the problem with the dither and delay that we're seeing from borisjohnson, entirely as a result of wranglings within his own political party, is that that lack of grip is costing the country dear. with case numbers rising week on week, some experts argue there may need to be intervention soon, but it's reasonable to wait a little longer for more data. there is great uncertainty at the moment. personal view is that i think we can wait, at the moment, until there are more restrictions formally placed, but each of us can do a lot of things today that would make the chances of further restrictions lighter. and more data will be available tomorrow. getting more people jabbed is seen as vital, and one of the fears

about omicron is that it will spread rapidly among those who haven't been vaccinated. there's an understandable focus on boosters, but progress still needs to be made with second doses. in scotland and wales, followed by england and northern ireland, it's onlyjust over 80% who've had that second dose. that is expressed as a share of all those aged 12 and over, though the roll—out for younger teenagers has only just got underway. within england, measured slightly differently, there is a lot of variation. in london, for example, just 62% have had that second jab, though it does have a younger population. the booster programme, meanwhile, is aimed towards ha rd—to—reach groups. here in cornwall, fishing boats have come into port and the crews are able to getjabbed when they come ashore. they want everybody to get your boosters, to get their boosters, and if you're trying to do your own surgery, and they're telling you it's

going to be a long time, it's good. it's good, it's the best way of protection. analysing data and assessing omicron, there is still a lot for ministers and officials to focus on right up to christmas and beyond. hugh pym, bbc news. the latest official figures for the pandemic in the uk show there were 90,629 new infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period. the average over the past week is now 87,958 new cases every day. the number of people in hospital with covid has risen slightly to 7,801, the highest for nearly a month. 172 deaths were recorded of people who died within 28 days of a positive test, which means 115 covid—related deaths were recorded on average every day in the past week. on vaccinations, 828,682 people a day had boosters on average

in the past seven days, bringing the booster total tojust under 30 million, that's 52% of the population aged over 12. live to westminster and our political correspondent ben wright. this announcement by borisjohnson today, ben, a big debate about whether it is science or politics thatis whether it is science or politics that is driving the decision, how do you read it?— that is driving the decision, how do ou read it? , , you read it? huw, the prime minister is havin: you read it? huw, the prime minister is having to — you read it? huw, the prime minister is having to wake _ you read it? huw, the prime minister is having to wake up _ you read it? huw, the prime minister is having to wake up both. _ you read it? huw, the prime minister is having to wake up both. in - you read it? huw, the prime minister is having to wake up both. in his - is having to wake up both. in his video message this evening boris johnson said the evidence at the moment did notjustify tougher restrictions in england at this stage and he urged people instead to exercise caution, to wear a mask when required and to get a booster jab. in contrast to scotland and wales, there does remain great uncertainty about what will happen in england after christmas day. the prime minister said the situation remained extremely difficult and the government had not ruled out further

curbs as early as next week. you touched on the politics, we know the cabinet is split on this, there are a variety of opinions, and when ministers met yesterday, the majority of them were quite adamant that they wanted to see more data about the impact of omicron, its severity, the effect on hospitalisation took over before they would agree to any action that could have quite an impact on businesses. so, borisjohnson is soon going to have to make a tough call, and he knows that if he does go down the route of introducing further restrictions, then it could trigger a fresh fight with many of his own mps, because new legislation would require the recall of parliament. he also knows that this decision, if he missed judges it, could put a big impact and a lot of stress on an nhs that may struggle to cope. so, people feel �*s christmas plans are secure but the weeks ahead remain wrapped in uncertainty. weeks ahead remain wrapped in uncertainty-— uncertainty. ben wright, many thanks.

as we mentioned earlier, the first minister of scotland has announced a series of restrictions on large—scale events and hospitality to come into effect on boxing day. edinburgh's hogmanay party has been cancelled. nicola sturgeon urged people to stay at home as much as possible and to keep contacts with other households to a minimum. all outdoor events including football games will be limited to just 500 people. indoor events such as concerts will be limited to 200 people if they are seated or 100 if standing. from 27th december, table service will be reintroduced for venues serving alcohol and one—metre social distancing will be required between groups in indoor hospitality settings or leisure venues. the new measures are to last for three weeks, as our scotland correspondent lorna gordon reports. firework explodes. it is off. no large hogmanay celebrations this year — cancelled because of covid. scotland instead ringing in another year in this pandemic.

the first minister said these new restrictions limiting numbers at both indoor and outdoor public events aimed to help slow the spread of the omicron variant. this will, of course, make sports matches including football effectively spectator—free over this three—week period, and it will also mean, unfortunately, that large—scale hogmanay celebrations, including that planned here in our capital city, will not proceed. i know how disappointing this will be for those looking forward to these events and for the organisers of them. those running hospitality venues like this restaurant in glasgow said a return to physical distancing will make trading gruelling during what should be their busiest time of year. it could have been worse. anything could always be worse, but i think it's another death knell for the industry. it's everything, it's lockdown in everything but the word. it's a bit sore for everybody today i think to take, but the one thing that we do take and we accept, and we have

been at the forefront since the start of this, was everyone's safety. among those facing these changes in just a few days' time, a mixture of weariness, resignation and acceptance. it's very difficult to know what the right thing to do is, but what we don't want to do is wait till we've run out of hospital beds and then decide it's the right thing to do. two years down the line, and nothing's changed, so, yeah, pretty annoyed, but... nicola sturgeon said it remained a priority to reopen schools as normal after the holidays, and that one of the reasons for asking adults to make these sacrifices for a period after christmas was to minimise the impact on children's education. the aim is that 80% of those eligible will be fully vaccinated by the new year. the hope, that the booster will beat back the need for these restrictions to say stay in place longer than the planned three weeks. lorna gordon, bbc news. in wales and nothern ireland, extra measures will be discussed tomorrow.

let's speak to our correspondents hywel griffith, who's at the senedd in cardiff, and chris page in belfast. starting with you, hywel, what can the people of wales expect tomorrow? well, huw, we know that ministers here in wales are seeing much of the same data as those in england. i understand what they have decided is that more measures are needed for the period immediately after christmas. so, tomorrow, the first minister, mark drakeford, will set them out in a press conference before he goes before members of the seneddin before he goes before members of the senedd in a specially reconvened a virtual session, senedd in a specially reconvened a virtualsession, not senedd in a specially reconvened a virtual session, not for senedd in a specially reconvened a virtualsession, not fora senedd in a specially reconvened a virtual session, not for a vote but to explain his decisions. what are those decisions likely to be? we know they have grappled with the idea of implement in more restrictions in hospitality, maybe the return of the rule of six and table service in pubs, bars and restaurants. we also know that they have considered guidance for people mixing in their own homes. all of that on top of the things already announced. we know that from boxing day, spectators have been banned

from live sporting events in wales, from live sporting events in wales, from the 27th, night clubs will have to close, and there is already now a legal requirement in wales to work from home if you can, which now comes with the threat of a £60 fine for people who don't comply. maw; for people who don't comply. many thanks, hywel. _ for people who don't comply. many thanks, hywel, let's— for people who don't comply. many thanks, hywel, let's go _ for people who don't comply. many thanks, hywel, let's go to - for people who don't comply. many thanks, hywel, let's go to talk to chris in belfast. how do things look in northern ireland?— in northern ireland? yes, huw, ministers _ in northern ireland? yes, huw, ministers in _ in northern ireland? yes, huw, ministers in the devolved - in northern ireland? yes, huw, - ministers in the devolved government are meeting tomorrow to decide which restrictions— are meeting tomorrow to decide which restrictions to reimpose. heavenly, businesses — restrictions to reimpose. heavenly, businesses are essentially able to open _ businesses are essentially able to open fully but there are some rules, for example, you have to wear face coverings _ for example, you have to wear face coverings and it comes to socialising in the home, that is limited — socialising in the home, that is limited to— socialising in the home, that is limited to a maximum of 30 people. so, limited to a maximum of 30 people. 50. among _ limited to a maximum of 30 people. so, among the measures which ministers — so, among the measures which ministers may be considering tomorrow, possibly closing night clubs. _ tomorrow, possibly closing night clubs. it — tomorrow, possibly closing night clubs. it is — tomorrow, possibly closing night clubs, it is understood, some more regulations— clubs, it is understood, some more regulations for the wider hospitality sector, for example, limiting — hospitality sector, for example, limiting table sizes in bars and restaurants, and perhaps bringing

back social distancing in some other workplaces, too. any new restrictions that are decided upon are unlikely to come in before christmas. the omicron variant is spreading — christmas. the omicron variant is spreading slightly less quickly here at the _ spreading slightly less quickly here at the moment compared with the rest of the _ at the moment compared with the rest of the uk, _ at the moment compared with the rest of the uk, but certainly political leaders — of the uk, but certainly political leaders here, as well as medics and scientists. _ leaders here, as well as medics and scientists, have been expecting that to change _ scientists, have been expecting that to change in between now and january. — to change in between now and january. you will see the main building — january. you will see the main building here in stormont is lit up in green — building here in stormont is lit up in green behind me as part of a mental health awareness campaign on what is _ mental health awareness campaign on what is the _ mental health awareness campaign on what is the longest night of the year. _ what is the longest night of the year. the — what is the longest night of the year, the winter solstice, the turning — year, the winter solstice, the turning point in winter, and the main— turning point in winter, and the main message really coming out of here over— main message really coming out of here over the last few days is that the extent — here over the last few days is that the extent of restrictions over the next month will be directly linked to the _ next month will be directly linked to the number of people who are comihg _ to the number of people who are coming forward for their booster vaccine — coming forward for their booster vaccine. say it is the vaccination vaccination _ vaccine. say it is the vaccination vaccination campaign more than anything — vaccination campaign more than anything else that will turn the tide against the omicron variant. many— tide against the omicron variant. many thanks to chris page in belfast and hywel griffith in cardiff. the chancellor, rishi sunak,

has announced some financial support to help struggling businesses and the arts sector as they face the impact of the latest surge of infections. after days of pressure from business leaders, the treasury announced a £1 billion scheme that will provide grants of up to £6,000 for hospitality and leisure firms across the uk. there will also be an extra £30 million to support theatres and museums in england. a statutory sick pay rebate scheme for small— and medium—sized firms is also being brought back, as our business editor, simonjack, reports. this restaurant in peterborough is preparing for what should be the busiest period of the year. but in the last three weeks, owner damien has seen £60,000 worth of bookings cancel. he is grateful for today's help and he's going to need it with the bills that he's facing. the business rates, the vat, the energy supply, gas, water, electric, broadband, everything, i mean, it's a colossal loss. so if we would actually sell around 70—80%, we could go through, but our sales is dropping to 30%

of normal usual december. businesses are wondering whether the chancellor has any more help to offer if restrictions are tightened after christmas. now, of course, i will always respond proportionately and appropriately to the situation that we face. people can have confidence in that, but where we are now, we've responded, ithink, generously today with the grants that we've outlined, up to £6,000, are comparable to the grants that we've provided for hospitality businesses when they were completely closed earlier this year, so there's a benchmark for you. pub owner fullers have had to shut 20 of their city centre pubs as workers stay at home. the chief executive has described the announcement as a step in the right direction but said it fell short of what was needed. what the chancellor hasn't done today is given any relief on business rates, no extension of vat, and more fundamentally, if there are going to be further restrictions, there is no extension of furlough. so if you look at running a business, if there are further restrictions put in, businesses simply won't,

the £6,000 will barely touch the sides when it comes to covering costs. business and particularly hospitality groups have welcomed the recognition by the chancellor that in this, their most crucial period, collapsing consumer confidence, collapsing commuter numbers in our city centres can be every bit as damaging as being forced to close, but he was keen to stress today that these grants are in keeping with what was offered during lockdown, a hint perhaps that for grants, at least, this may be as good as it gets. hospitality is not the only sector devastated by the latest covid wave. travel has arguably had it even worse, as consumer caution has been compounded by international restrictions. there's an extra £100 million for other sectors to claim via local authorities, but getting hold of that money is not straightforward, as this travel agent has found. we're having to go to our councils literally on bended knees to get the grants that we so rightly deserve. now, if we are still applying for these a week before christmas, that cover the period of august

to october, when on earth are we going to get the money that is owed to us right now because of the restrictions that are being put in place that effectively close our doors? perhaps the most crushing thing of all for business is the day—to—day uncertainty. the chancellor might argue that the unpredictability of the virus is something beyond even his control. simon jack, bbc news. experts say the official covid data in the next few days and weeks will be crucial. london is being monitored closely. it's been at the centre of the outbreak in the uk, with surging cases in some areas driven largely by people in their 20s. hospital admissions have been rising, too. our health correspondent sophie hutchinson reports from lambeth in south london, which has seen the highest covid rates in the uk. brixton high street in lambeth, currently the borough at the epicentre of the uk's omicron outbreak. infections here are rocketing. we've got more cases than anywhere in the whole country in lambeth.

no way! u nfortu nately. do you know people who've got the infection? yeah, a lot of them. yes, my cousin, my brother, my friends. i don't get frightened easily by stuff, and i know it's - ridiculous, but i feel immune and i'm probably not. - so just how bad are things? in england last week there were more than 700 infections per 100,000 people, and compare that to london where the rate was almost 1300 infections, but here in the borough of lambeth in south—west london, that rate was 2500 infections, almost four times as high as the average area in england. and the surge seems to be driven by younger age groups, with people in their 20s making up a third of all cases. we think it's to do with having a young and very mobile and diverse population and a busy and active

night life in the borough. and one in five people are testing positive in the borough, which is a higher rate than at any stage in the pandemic. just what the increase in infections will mean for the nhs is a major concern. in london, hospital admissions have been rising since the end of november. a number of trusts are warning that planned operations might need to be cancelled in the new year. the immediate impact felt in london on emergency departments is staff sickness rates and they are higher and that's making it difficult to run emergency departments. it's not the first time london has been at the front of a coronavirus wave. as an international hub, it's perhaps more vulnerable to changing patterns of infection. what happens in the next week or so may be an indicator of the impact of omicron on the rest of the uk. sophie hutchinson, bbc news. let's take a brief look at the other

covid developments around the world. the new chancellor of germany, olaf scholz, has announced extra measures to fight coronavirus, including the temporary closure of nightclubs and restrictions on how many people can meet. from 28th december, private gatherings of people who've been vaccinated or who've recovered from covid will be limited to ten people. portugal has ordered nightclubs and bars to close, and told people to work from home, from boxing day to the start of january. negative covid tests are also needed to stay at hotels in portugal, while outdoor gatherings will be limited to groups of 10 people on new year's eve. israel's prime minister has announced that his government intends to offer a fourth dose of the covid vaccine to people over 60, those with compromised immune systems, and some medical workers. the decision has yet to be formally approved by health officials. and president biden announced this

evening that 10,000 new vaccination sites will to be opened in the us, and 500 million rapid action home test kits will be distributed free of charge, to tackle the omicron variant, which now accounts for nearly three—quarters of all new cases. in other news today, a high courtjudge has awarded what's believed to be the biggest divorce settlement in british legal history, to the former wife of one of the world's richest men. princess haya ofjordan has received assets worth more than half a billion pounds from herformer husband, sheikh mohammed al—maktoum of dubai. the princess fled to britain with her children in 2019, saying she feared for her life. our security correspondent frank gardner is here. frank, this is a highly unusual case. it is extraordinary and that's what the judge called it is extraordinary and that's what thejudge called it. this it is extraordinary and that's what the judge called it. this case it is extraordinary and that's what thejudge called it. this case has shone a spotlight on part of middle eastern royal life we would never normally see with eye watering sums

being awarded and most of that for the security of the princess and her children. that is because she fears her children would be abducted by mohammed al—maktoum and rendered back to dubai. but we had other developments in the course of the case such as hacking and blackmail. the princess was blackmailed because she had an affair with one of her bodyguards and she paid £7 million of her own money to stop it getting out. the sheikh found out and she felt inferior for life. out. the sheikh found out and she felt inferiorfor life. the niche out. the sheikh found out and she felt inferior for life. the niche of the hacking which the court used forensic evidence to stand up that the sheikh had used very sophisticated israeli manufactured software to infect the phones of princes princess haya and her lawyer baroness shackleton and that probably did not help his case. for now it is over and the sheikh has

said never wanted anything but the best interests of my children and have no intention of harming my wife and do not intend to comment further but the paradox is this man is the architect of one of the most successful and prosperous middle east cities and yet there is a darker side that went on behind the palace walls. darker side that went on behind the palace walls-— palace walls. frank gardner, any thanks. foodbanks are reporting a sharp rise in demand for their services, which they say is largely caused by the impact of benefit cuts, and the rising cost of living. a £20 a week increase to universal credit, introduced at the start of the pandemic, was removed in october, while inflation hit 5% last month — the highest rate in a decade. the government says it is providing extensive support for those on the lowest incomes — and increasing the minimum wage and helping with the cost of fuel bills. our social affairs correspondent michael buchanan reports from the west midlands. i had to leave home because of domestic violence, and i've basically got nothing.

the calls are constant at imran hamid's emergency food bank. i lost myjob, and i don't get any benefits for two weeks. travelling the area night and day, delivering aid. i had to buy a new washer and a new cooker cos i was broke. an unexpected bill, cuts to universal credit and rising energy prices have made life difficult. yeah, we've got heating. i just limit it at the minute because i can't afford to have it on. i'm going to do the wash now, wash the uniforms and then i put it on to dry that, and we have it on for an hour when we wake up. we could get a call anytime from social services, domestic violence, the police, fire brigade even, so we just keep on going. down the road at the west brom food bank, referrals are up on a year ago, a regular stream of new people needing help. what was it like walking in here for the first time today? a bit daunting. on a visit last month, i met dean williams, he was waiting on a hip replacement operation before returning to work as a lorry driver. in the meantime, the £20 a week cut

to universal credit had hit hard. i don't get paid, i think, until the end of the month. i think i have about a penny to my name. i've never been this bad off in my life, to be honest. dean was confident, however, of being back at work injanuary once he'd had his surgery. in this part of the west midlands, wages are lower than the british average, so changes to universal credit allowing people to keep more of their earnings do help, but many still struggle. kate runs a cleaning business but uses the pantry to make ends meet. for £4, she can choose about £20 worth of food, helping the mum of three get through the week. you just need to think about what we're buying, what we eat and how we manage ourspending, really. back in west bromwich this week, moments of christmas cheer and happiness. sa nta! santa, say hello. but unfortunately, dean is back.

how are your finances? pfft, what finances? his operation was postponed. it could be almost two years before it's rescheduled. i can't keep doing this, you know what i mean? this is ridiculous. it's great britain — we should be able to live now. there are at least nine food banks in sandwell, and this week, like every week, they'll try to lift the spirits of every family they meet. do you like sweets? michael buchanan, bbc news, west bromwich. before we go tonight — a thought for those many thousands of people whose christmas plans, for the second year running, have been disrupted or ruined by the ongoing public health crisis. our corespondent andrew plant has been talking to a range of people about their hopes for christmas and how they've been adapting. sherie and kate's first christmas together in their new home. merry christmas. but any party plans have gone on hold after both tested positive for covid.

we are in isolation until... till the day after boxing day, so we can't go anywhere, so we're going to enjoy it here. it's been a confusing build—up to christmas. less organised this year than i was last year. kate mccarey�*s plans are up in the air, unsure if she'll see her grandchildren, due to fly over from america on thursday. if they come, how much we will be able to do? because we don't know what's going to happen immediately after christmas, and therefore, whether it's worth them taking the risk. it has been busy here today with shoppers and day—trippers, but most people have said they've taken a cautious approach to this christmas, not making any big plans in the first place, just in case they have to cancel. we are worried to go away in case something happens and we can't get back, and we can't be stuck away. normally there would be about 25 of us, all have like a big dinner and everything together.

but now it'sjust going to be the four of us, and we'lljust, if we are allowed to, we'lljust try and pop round and see people. mum ordered the food about two months ago, and she'll be living off turkey forjanuary if it doesn't go ahead. everyone carrying on with christmas plans as much as they can. this panto expecting to sell out their seats this week... i think everyone's making theatre—going as safe as it can be. ..hoping coronavirus doesn't stop performances for the second year in a row. the issue which we haven't had but we could have is a member of the panto company tests positive and has to self—isolate. covid obviously can rip through a company very quickly. i think that's our biggest concern. just a few days to go, and many still unsure of their plans, though some, of course, already know exactly where they'll be come christmas day. andrew plant, bbc news, in bath. that's it. now on bbc one, time for the news where you are. have a very good night.

hello there. we're going to see some changes in our weather through wednesday as cloud thickens across western areas with some rain on the way. however, a chilly start with patches of frost for central and eastern areas of the uk. temperatures in the coldest parts of scotland —9, —10 degrees even. but as we go through the day, after a bright start across the north and the east, the cloud will tend to thicken. rain arrives quickly in northern ireland before spreading northwards and eastwards along with freshening and strengthening southerly winds. those winds will be bringing milder air, so by the end of the day, temperatures about ten degrees in plymouth, but cooler across eastern and north—eastern areas. now, there may well be still some temperatures below freezing in some of the scottish valleys as this band of rain works in. that leads to a risk of ice, weather from freezing rain or from rain falling on those frozen surfaces, but either way, it could be pretty slippy. on into thursday, a band of rain pushes northwards accompanied by some very mild air.

this is bbc news, the headlines... president biden has announced new measures to tackle the surge in covid infections in the us fuelled by the new omicron variant. he's announced a significant increase in the vaccination effort with ten thousand new vaccination sites opening. borisjohnson says there will be no new restrictions in england before christmas. the uk government has also announced a billion dollar grant — for the hospitality sector. large scale events, including new year celebrations, in scotland have been cancelled. rescuers reaching islands in the philippines cut off by last week's super typhoon have discovered scores more dead bodies and villages that have been flattened. the number of people killed has risen to more than 375. and the high court in london has ordered the ruler of dubai to pay more than 700 million dollars in a divorce settlement to his ex—wife — princess higher ofjordan.