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.

hello and welcome to our look ahead to what the the papers will be bringing us tomorrow. with me are natalie fahy, the editor of the nottingham post, and david bond, who's deputy political editor at the london evening standard. welcome to both. let's quickly look through tomorrowfront pages. the metro leads with the confirmation from the prime minister that they'll be no new restrictions before christmas. the telegraph also leads with the news of no fresh measures — but that new restrictions are expected before the new year. the i says borisjohnson is waiting for the latest data from london hospitals — before deciding on whether to introduce new restrictions after the festive period. the mirror calls it a christmas of "cheer and fear" — as businesses voice concerns

despite the £1 billion support package. the growing crisis in ukraine leads the ft — as russian president vladimir putin warns of a military response to nato activity. natale, david, let's start with the front page of the daily telegraph this evening because i think what we pick up are the splits. more of the splits within the cabinets, we hear that despite that prime minister's reassurances there will be no new measures before christmas, the foreign secretary, less stress, once a thorough assessment of the economic impact of renewed restrictions before they are introduced —— liz truss. . restrictions before they are introduced -- liz truss. , that's exactly right- — introduced -- liz truss. , that's exactly right. it's _ introduced -- liz truss. , that's exactly right. it's no _ introduced -- liz truss. , that's exactly right. it's no surprise i introduced -- liz truss. , that's exactly right. it's no surprise to| exactly right. it's no surprise to see that most of the front pages are focusing on this for tomorrow. they are cabinet tensions we have heard about with people like michael gold and sajid javid taking a hard line on lockdown, they are gatherings

behind the scenes coming out in public as well. the only result that is having his causing confusion and fear among people. is having his causing confusion and fearamong people. i is having his causing confusion and fear among people. i know most of the front pages are saying, oh, great, we can have christmas, but actually, all we've got is more uncertainty, more wary, more empty pubs and restaurants in cities around the uk, and it's actually not around the uk, and it's actually not a good thing. we shouldn't be in the situation in the first place. who knows what boxing day will bring but i don't think mostly by feeling this kind of happiness that we are seeing on the front pages. i think they struck the wrong tone. i do think as we go through the papers, we are going to pick up the criticism that there was not enough certainty early enough, and when you compare the tone of the pie minister of the last two days, with what we just heard from joe biden who is saying to people in america get on with that, if you have a vaccine, you are much better protected than those who

haven't. is that what we were missing haven't. is that what we were missin: ., ., , welcome missing over the last week? welcome i think the problem _ missing over the last week? welcome i think the problem for _ missing over the last week? welcome i think the problem for boris - i think the problem for boris johnson _ i think the problem for boris johnson is that he has been so politically— johnson is that he has been so politically weakened by a whole series _ politically weakened by a whole series of — politically weakened by a whole series of events, but particularly that backbench revolt last week with 100 of— that backbench revolt last week with 100 of his _ that backbench revolt last week with 100 of his backbencher voting against — 100 of his backbencher voting against the plan b measures on the covid _ against the plan b measures on the covid passports. he is completely conscious— covid passports. he is completely conscious of the split and cabinets but also _ conscious of the split and cabinets but also the fact that if he wants to go— but also the fact that if he wants to go with tougher measures, he would _ to go with tougher measures, he would have to recall parliament and probably— would have to recall parliament and probably see a bigger rebellion. at the same — probably see a bigger rebellion. at the same time the scientific data is going _ the same time the scientific data is going the _ the same time the scientific data is going the wrong way and telling him that he _ going the wrong way and telling him that he probably needs to act harder and faster. that's why we ended up in this— and faster. that's why we ended up in this impasse, this ridiculous situation — in this impasse, this ridiculous situation where you have got certainty _ situation where you have got certainty for may be 24 hours and then— certainty for may be 24 hours and then tomorrow there may be a meeting of the _ then tomorrow there may be a meeting of the cabinet again, there will be discussions about whether something should _ discussions about whether something

should be, _ discussions about whether something should be, tougher measures should be brought— should be, tougher measures should be brought in after christmas, but parliament would need to be called for that _ parliament would need to be called for that. the wheels would need to be set _ for that. the wheels would need to be set in _ for that. the wheels would need to be set in motion. the rules can change — be set in motion. the rules can change ray— be set in motion. the rules can change ray quickly tomorrow. when ou look at change ray quickly tomorrow. when you look at the _ change ray quickly tomorrow. when you look at the infections, _ change ray quickly tomorrow. bfg�*uéi�*i you look at the infections, things are going the wrong way. the telegraph have a rundown of the figures. looking at the total infections which have hit 93000 and just come back to around 90,000 each day over the last few days, but it's the hospitalisations which are key, and this is what borisjohnson is looking at. 7801 people and hospital according to the telegraph as of december 20. that is on the up 1% on the previous week. so there will be people in the cabinet sink at the infection is not great but should we be shutting down? should we have more restrictions on hospital rates at the moment, we know there is a lag, but at the moment, they are not going up.

lag, but at the moment, they are not oiiin u, ., �* , lag, but at the moment, they are not auoin u-. ., �*, , lag, but at the moment, they are not ioini ui. ., �*, , . going up. that's the problem. we 'ust don't going up. that's the problem. we just don't know _ going up. that's the problem. we just don't know at _ going up. that's the problem. we just don't know at the _ going up. that's the problem. we just don't know at the moment. l just don't know at the moment. perhaps we do need to wait a few more days. that's why so many mps on the conservative backbench are opposed to this because they say, well, you cannot lock downjust opposed to this because they say, well, you cannot lock down just in case. that's why we haven't had anything so far. it is no secret that hospitals around the country are struggling. we've spoken to nottingham university hospitals over the past three days and they are struggling with all kinds of admissions, notjust covid admissions, notjust covid admissions, but that has been the case for several years now. so our nhs is already a stretching point. it's a difficult situation and needs to be watched closely. who knows what the coming days will bring. irate what the coming days will bring. we will talk about the front page of the mirror in a second about what the mirror in a second about what the business community makes up the chancellors announcement today can i just want to draw your attention to the cartoon on the bottom of the newspaper. a man in an empty pubs saying "i don't want to drink and i'vejust come in here

saying "i don't want to drink and i've just come in here to self—isolate" which probably is the moment in the pub. let's talk about the front page of the mirror. christmas cheer and fear. again, this issue, £6,000 per premises, that's handy, thank you very much, but the damage has already been done ioy but the damage has already been done by the lack of certainty. i was by the lack of certainty. i was sieakini by the lack of certainty. i was speaking to _ by the lack of certainty. i was speaking to business - by the lack of certainty. i was speaking to business groups | by the lack of certainty. i was speaking to business groups about this delay, calling it a sticking plaster— this delay, calling it a sticking plaster and saying it isjust not enough — plaster and saying it isjust not enough. it's quite interesting because _ enough. it's quite interesting because 24 hours ago to meet and tell how— because 24 hours ago to meet and tell how fast things are moving. there wasn't a sense that this was coming _ there wasn't a sense that this was coming from the treasury. i was speaking — coming from the treasury. i was speaking to a minister last night and they— speaking to a minister last night and they were certainly saying that they didn't anticipate anything today— they didn't anticipate anything today and of course we got that indecision— today and of course we got that indecision out of cabinets and the growing _ indecision out of cabinets and the growing pressure from business and actually _ growing pressure from business and actually do — growing pressure from business and actually do something. they've been hit so _ actually do something. they've been hit so hard _ actually do something. they've been hit so hard particularly in central london — hit so hard particularly in central london and westend where revenues are down— london and westend where revenues

are down by 70% and ferried of premises — are down by 70% and ferried of premises have now up shop early before _ premises have now up shop early before christmas. this is the most important — before christmas. this is the most important time of the year for them, it really— important time of the year for them, it really sort — important time of the year for them, it really sort of underpins a lot of their— it really sort of underpins a lot of their profitability through the year — their profitability through the year. they are trying to limp into the new — year. they are trying to limp into the new year, but the big question is if there — the new year, but the big question is if there are further restrictions coming, — is if there are further restrictions coming, then will they get something a bit more _ coming, then will they get something a bit more concrete, something around — a bit more concrete, something around bat, an extension of the dat cut or— around bat, an extension of the dat cut or perhaps some further help on business _ cut or perhaps some further help on business rates. that's what they are crying _ business rates. that's what they are crying out _ business rates. that's what they are crying out for and this probably will not — crying out for and this probably will not help them sustain their business for very long. that thinks what's important _ business for very long. that thinks what's important to _ business for very long. that thinks what's important to business - business for very long. that thinks what's important to business it - business for very long. that thinks what's important to business it is l what's important to business it is the scientists and the minister is in the pay minister, they all speak with one voice. i was talking to one restaurant you're at an age that a full book of bookings that have been there since august that all went in one day whenjenny harris the chief executive of the uk health security agency when she came out and said you need to limit your social interactions. suddenly everybody can

sell then had to lie in a dark room because effectively this christmas was, you know, what was going to save him from from a difficult year. so it's really important that we get clarity and a simple straightforward message from people in power. exactly. this is what we have been saying for 18 months now. there's been confusion on all fronts about every single thing. the point is if we go into another lockdown or something with my restrictions, can we afford that as a country? we have already got higher rates of inflation and people are saying who we should bring back furlough, but can we afford that? i'm no expert on finances in this country, but i would say we probably can't and i plan to be a, going back to the restaurants and pubs and how empty they are, you say london is badly affected, it's not the only place. nottingham, we've been speaking to

pub landlords there. one pubs adds their bookings are down 85% this month. it'sjust outrageous, how are they supposed to survive? £6,000 is not going to help. we they supposed to survive? £6,000 is not going to help-— not going to help. we focus an awful lot on people — not going to help. we focus an awful lot on people who — not going to help. we focus an awful lot on people who are _ not going to help. we focus an awful lot on people who are going into - lot on people who are going into hospital and people who are dying, but we are not focusing enough on, you know, the desperation and depression that a lot of business people are feeling right now with empty coffers, david.— people are feeling right now with empty coffers, david. that's right. it's a desperate, _ empty coffers, david. that's right. it's a desperate, desperate - it's a desperate, desperate situation. there are other sectors who will— situation. there are other sectors who will be — situation. there are other sectors who will be disappointed that they were not— who will be disappointed that they were not included in what looks very eye—catching, £1 billion and net cash _ eye—catching, £1 billion and net cash grants, which will be distributed to your local authorities, but you think about the travel— authorities, but you think about the travel sector, you think about retaii~ — travel sector, you think about retaii~ it's_ travel sector, you think about retail. it's not, you know, we do focus _ retail. it's not, you know, we do focus a — retail. it's not, you know, we do focus a lot— retail. it's not, you know, we do focus a lot on the hospitality sector, — focus a lot on the hospitality sector, especially at this time of year— sector, especially at this time of year because it's been hit so hard, but there — year because it's been hit so hard, but there are other businesses really— but there are other businesses really struggling.— but there are other businesses really struggling. let's talk about the next newspaper, _

really struggling. let's talk about the next newspaper, because - really struggling. let's talk about| the next newspaper, because you really struggling. let's talk about - the next newspaper, because you work on a london paper and what it's saying is that london is very much the test case that ministers are looking at what's happening here because it was the epicentre of the outbreak and the figures have been so high over recent days. they are looking closely at what hospitalisations do in the coming week. . �* , , , week. that's very interesting. he heard from _ week. that's very interesting. he heard from steve _ week. that's very interesting. he heard from steve barkley - week. that's very interesting. he heard from steve barkley this - heard from steve barkley this morning — heard from steve barkley this morning the cabinet office minister when _ morning the cabinet office minister when he _ morning the cabinet office minister when he did the needy around talking about— when he did the needy around talking about how— when he did the needy around talking about how they were all watching london closely, and if you look at some _ london closely, and if you look at some of the data for london, it's really— some of the data for london, it's really shocking. 152,000 covid cases in london _ really shocking. 152,000 covid cases in london in — really shocking. 152,000 covid cases in london in the past week. an increase — in london in the past week. an increase of— in london in the past week. an increase of 258%. these are eye watering — increase of 258%. these are eye watering number is. i think what all the scientists are now looking for is whether— the scientists are now looking for is whether that storage in cases, how that — is whether that storage in cases, how that transfers into hospitalisations and this question around _ hospitalisations and this question around the severity of omicron because — around the severity of omicron because there is some hope out there that it _ because there is some hope out there that it is _ because there is some hope out there that it is milder, but even if it is

mild _ that it is milder, but even if it is mild and — that it is milder, but even if it is mild and leads to 1% of this fast title wave — mild and leads to 1% of this fast title wave of new cases, that wealth still mean _ title wave of new cases, that wealth still mean hospitals in london being overwhelmed that many thousands of cases that _ overwhelmed that many thousands of cases that they. overwhelmed that many thousands of cases that they-— cases that they. siddique karen, the ma or of cases that they. siddique karen, the mayor of london _ cases that they. siddique karen, the mayor of london has _ cases that they. siddique karen, the mayor of london has been _ cases that they. siddique karen, the mayor of london has been quite - cases that they. siddique karen, the | mayor of london has been quite blunt about it today, natalie, the number of workers that are off because of omicron at the moment and the pressure it's putting on public services. what dc and nottingham? because clearly in london, according to the i hear, there is a real problem with worker shortages. lee did say in our editorial conference this morning we need to look at what's happening in london, because it's probably coming in a couple of weeks. people around the country are looking at what's happening in london. as i said a few minutes ago comedy hospitals like the queens medical centre, the two main hospitals in nottingham, they are already feeling the strain from normal winter pressure is, so even a small increase in hospitalisations is going to be bad news. iirruiiith

small increase in hospitalisations is going to be bad news. with this announcement _ is going to be bad news. with this announcement briefed _ is going to be bad news. with this announcement briefed on - is going to be bad news. with this announcement briefed on the - is going to be bad news. with this| announcement briefed on the front pages this morning, they are going to cut the ten day isolation to seven days. would that make a difference. do people think that would make a difference? i difference. do people think that would make a difference? i think that sensible. _ would make a difference? i think that sensible. yes. _ would make a difference? i think that sensible. yes. if— would make a difference? i think that sensible. yes. if people - would make a difference? i think that sensible. yes. if people are| that sensible. yes. if people are testing negative, the tendon isolation period affects all kinds of industries. it affects journalism. we can send reporters out, for example. that's a minor side effect in the grand scheme of things, but it's affecting me as an editor, it's affecting the nhs, schools when they go back in a couple of weeks, that's not that far away. the department for education is coming retired teacher is back. it's obviously anticipating some kind of a pandemic of people being locked down again that people are going to test and be let out sooner. but i think they should be able to test and let out straightaway, but maybe that will come afterwards. brute

maybe that will come afterwards. we focused a lot on england, let's mention scotland's because one of the problems for borisjohnson has been the fact that nicola sturgeon is seeminglyjust one step ahead of him, one day ahead of him usually and putting down tighter restrictions and she's done it again today. it's table service and pubs, no spectators and most stadiums. if no spectators and most stadiums. if you want to know where we're headed in england. _ you want to know where we're headed in england, just like north of the border when it comes to to lockdown measures _ border when it comes to to lockdown measures i— border when it comes to to lockdown measures. i mean also in wales as welli _ measures. i mean also in wales as well, they— measures. i mean also in wales as well, they have introduced tougher restrictions coming down the track. ithink— restrictions coming down the track. i think it _ restrictions coming down the track. i think it goes back to the politics of all— i think it goes back to the politics of all of— i think it goes back to the politics of all of the setting than on the problem that boris johnson of all of the setting than on the problem that borisjohnson has with his own _ problem that borisjohnson has with his own tory party and that it's much — his own tory party and that it's much more _ his own tory party and that it's much more difficult for him to impose — much more difficult for him to impose tougher restrictions than it is very— impose tougher restrictions than it is very nicola sturgeon. whether we now see _ is very nicola sturgeon. whether we now see something similar to that in

terms _ now see something similar to that in terms of— now see something similar to that in terms of the limits on sporting events— terms of the limits on sporting events effectively banning crowds and banning those big events in any yeari _ and banning those big events in any year. we _ and banning those big events in any year, we will probably have to find out very— year, we will probably have to find out very soon because as i say, and peace _ out very soon because as i say, and peace would — out very soon because as i say, and peace would have to be recalled in the next _ peace would have to be recalled in the next 48 hours to ensure that they can — the next 48 hours to ensure that they can come back and vote on it if it is a _ they can come back and vote on it if it is a vote, — they can come back and vote on it if it is a vote, if— they can come back and vote on it if it is a vote, if it requires legislation. if they need a vote, they— legislation. if they need a vote, they will— legislation. if they need a vote, they will have to come back next week _ they will have to come back next week. . . �* , ., ,, ., they will have to come back next week. . . �*, ., ,, ., week. natalie, let's make a comment on this story — week. natalie, let's make a comment on this story that's _ week. natalie, let's make a comment on this story that's on _ week. natalie, let's make a comment on this story that's on the _ week. natalie, let's make a comment on this story that's on the front - on this story that's on the front page of the telegraph, the welsh may still that is at the pub, but they will face a £60 fine if they dare to go to work. i'm wondering how you would feel about that if you wear an editor in wales. it’s would feel about that if you wear an editor in wales.— editor in wales. it's absolutely ludicrous _ editor in wales. it's absolutely ludicrous. i— editor in wales. it's absolutely ludicrous. i don't _ editor in wales. it's absolutely ludicrous. i don't know - editor in wales. it's absolutely ludicrous. i don't know where l editor in wales. it's absolutely l ludicrous. i don't know where to start. all of these rules are ridiculous and conflicted each other. why is that? i don't understand that. i get that they are trying to encourage people to work from home, but then it doesn't make

sense to the person on the