this is bbc news. the headlines — the uk health secretary has ruled out any new coronavirus restrictions in england before the new year despite a record number of new infections. it comes as tighter restrictions have come into effect today in northern ireland and scotland. as covid cases increase rapidly in france, new covid restrictions are being introduced to combat an anticipated surge in omicron variant infections, but the authorities have stopped short of imposing a curfew or lockdown. new york city has made it compulsory for everyone aged 12 and above to be fully vaccinated against covid. it has also become the first us city to require vaccines for all workers. south africa has begun a week of events to commemorate the life of archbishop desmond tutu. the anti—apartheid leader died on sunday aged 90.

hello, and welcome to our look ahead to what the papers will be bringing us tomorrow. with me are sian griffiths, who's the education editor at the sunday times, and james moore, the chief business commentatorfor the independent. tomorrow's front pages, starting with... the daily telegraph says there won't be any new restrictions that would spoil new year's eve. you see some you see some very you see some very happy clubbers on the front page there. staying with covid rules, the i says there'll be no new restrictions before next year. meanwhile, the guardian says england goes it alone as extra measures are rejected before the new year. the daily mail calls it boris�*s new year cheer as new year's eve parties get the go—ahead. the times — there won't be any curbs

on new year's eve parties. same sort of line there. so, let's begin. note fresh restrictions to spoil new year's eve and i made reference to those happy clubbers on the front page of the telegraph and perhaps the smiles are as broad as those in hospitality who have not had much christmas cheer. james, can you hear me? , , ., 4' ., me? sorry. did not know you were auoin to me? sorry. did not know you were going to me _ me? sorry. did not know you were going to me first. _ me? sorry. did not know you were going to me first. i'm _ me? sorry. did not know you were going to me first. i'm sure - me? sorry. did not know you were going to me first. i'm sure they i me? sorry. did not know you were| going to me first. i'm sure they are delighted, but i look at the hospital numbers and if they are not as bad as they were this time last year but this is a second year in a row the nhs is very busy. the doctors union leader told our reporter that it was ludicrous not to have more restrictions in place. this is a very big gamble and i remember it was in february that i got hit by a truck and that is a

dated a long spell of hospital and it was an interesting experience. he showed me somewhere some of the cracks but also some of the good things about the nhs. what really scares me about this and what worries me is what would happen to somebody in my position now. what would that experience be like after two years of this? and the potential for very high number of new hospital cases coming in, so i can understand why people are smiling because they can celebrate and it's been a dark and difficult time. but i worry that this is a big gamble of the government is taking here. the? this is a big gamble of the government is taking here. they have taken this decision _ government is taking here. they have taken this decision after _ government is taking here. they have taken this decision after meeting - taken this decision after meeting with the chief medical officer today and sir patrick vallance the cheap significant visor but there has not been allowed to go on over the christmas period because the figures are not particularly reliable. but

it does not seem as if there has been an accidental rise in hospitalisations although as we come to later in the papers there is a clear problem with absenteeism hospitals. clear problem with absenteeism hositals. . , ., , , hospitals. that is absolutely right. the telegraph _ hospitals. that is absolutely right. the telegraph has _ hospitals. that is absolutely right. the telegraph has some _ hospitals. that is absolutely right. l the telegraph has some interesting figures _ the telegraph has some interesting figures it_ the telegraph has some interesting figures. it does have some figures and they— figures. it does have some figures and they do seem to be suggesting that there — and they do seem to be suggesting that there is not this exponential rise in_ that there is not this exponential rise in hospital admissions. as you said the opposite to be suggesting that omicron may be a milder variant than the _ that omicron may be a milder variant than the light delta was and therefore left it to put people in hospital. interesting is the way people — hospital. interesting is the way pe0pte in— hospital. interesting is the way people in england are so out of step with the _ people in england are so out of step with the other uk nations. in scotland. _ with the other uk nations. in scotland, wales and northern ireland, — scotland, wales and northern ireland, all three have actually bfought— ireland, all three have actually brought in covid curbs this week, particularly in places like nightclubs and restaurants in these curbs_ nightclubs and restaurants in these curbs limit— nightclubs and restaurants in these curbs limit mixing and also are designed — curbs limit mixing and also are designed to reduce transmission of the virus _ designed to reduce transmission of the virus. sol

designed to reduce transmission of the virus. so i think there must be a political element to boris johnson's decision today not to bring _ johnson's decision today not to bring in — johnson's decision today not to bring in new curbs before the new yeah _ bring in new curbs before the new yeah and — bring in new curbs before the new year. and there must be a link to the fact— year. and there must be a link to the fact that more than 100 or around — the fact that more than 100 or around 100 of his tory backbenchers were so_ around 100 of his tory backbenchers were so unhappy when they had that vote recently on bringing in things like covid — vote recently on bringing in things like covid certificates for venues. so i like covid certificates for venues. so i think— like covid certificates for venues. so i think he is under some political— so i think he is under some political pressure that perhaps leaders — political pressure that perhaps leaders in the other nations are not under— leaders in the other nations are not under to— leaders in the other nations are not under to the — leaders in the other nations are not under to the same extent. it's interesting to speculate about how much _ interesting to speculate about how much that — interesting to speculate about how much that is influencing his decision—making at the moment. of decision—making at the moment. (git course decision—making at the moment. course there decision—making at the moment. of course there was that big rebellion just before christmas and that clearly is utmost in his mind. but when your business is hat on, is a political decision but also it's an economic decision. if you look at the figures and there is not that rise in hospitalisation, it's difficult to go out there to hospitality and leisure and all suppliers to miss when it's a we had to shut it all down again. you

alwa s to shut it all down again. you always have _ to shut it all down again. you always have to _ to shut it all down again. gm. always have to understand that those sectors have had a real tough time, just being body blow after body blow. but there is an economic side of that and you look at the way the government has handled it, it's been late to the party every time when it's introduced restrictions. in what has happened? we have ended up with really long lockdowns and the economic impact from that has been brutal. so you could argue that not doing something now and acting early to head this off is really a false economy. and i think history has proven that to be the case. that's the oint proven that to be the case. that's the point the _ proven that to be the case. that's the point the independent - proven that to be the case. that's the point the independent makes| the point the independent makes because they say that boris johnson has been told and has urged people to continue to act cautiously but he has been told the nhs could soon be overwhelm other rise in cases and we have had doctors on today from hospitals around the country on the network say they have absenteeism of about 25%. ., �* ,

network say they have absenteeism of about 25%. . �* , ., �* , about 25%. that's right and it's the staffin: about 25%. that's right and it's the staffing shortages _ about 25%. that's right and it's the staffing shortages that _ about 25%. that's right and it's the staffing shortages that could - about 25%. that's right and it's the staffing shortages that could makej staffing shortages that could make things— staffing shortages that could make things so_ staffing shortages that could make things so difficult. but only in hospitals but also in schools when they return next week. teachers union _ they return next week. teachers union leaders are already warning that there — union leaders are already warning that there is going to be likely very— that there is going to be likely very high— that there is going to be likely very high staff shortages for teachers being hit by infections and having _ teachers being hit by infections and having to _ teachers being hit by infections and having to go home to isolate and so on and _ having to go home to isolate and so on and so _ having to go home to isolate and so on and so how are they going to keep schools_ on and so how are they going to keep schools open? given borisjohnson has made — schools open? given borisjohnson has made it— schools open? given borisjohnson has made it a priority of his and it said is— has made it a priority of his and it said is a _ has made it a priority of his and it said is a priority to keep schools open, to— said is a priority to keep schools open, to give this green light before — open, to give this green light before one of the busiest social evenings — before one of the busiest social evenings of the year, new year's eve, _ evenings of the year, new year's eve, it's — evenings of the year, new year's eve, it's very difficult to act cautiously if you are going to a new years— cautiously if you are going to a new year's eve — cautiously if you are going to a new year's eve party where alcohol is flowing _ year's eve party where alcohol is flowing and you are guaranteed to meet _ flowing and you are guaranteed to meet strangers. so despite what the secretary— meet strangers. so despite what the secretary of state for health is asking — secretary of state for health is asking the country to do and he said to please _ asking the country to do and he said to please try and act cautiously, i think— to please try and act cautiously, i think there is a real moment and it seems to me that you cannot prioritise everything. you

have _ cannot prioritise everything. you have to — cannot prioritise everything. you have to either prioritise reopening schools _ have to either prioritise reopening schools and protecting the nhs or you prioritise the economy and hospitality and other industries. but i'rn — hospitality and other industries. but i'm not sure that the balance they are — but i'm not sure that the balance they are striking at the moment seemsm — they are striking at the moment seemsm it— they are striking at the moment seems... it is asjames said a real gamble _ seems... it is asjames said a real gamble |— seems... it is as james said a real ramble. ., �* ~ ., ., gamble. i don't know about you too but i gamble. i don't know about you too buti not gamble. i don't know about you too but i not a gamble. i don't know about you too but i got a text _ gamble. i don't know about you too but i got a text yesterday _ gamble. i don't know about you too but i got a text yesterday urging . gamble. i don't know about you too | but i got a text yesterday urging me to go and get a booster and now i have had was in there is this big called out to every body. 12,000 jingle jabs administered on christmas day with the health service is now facing an official rise in admissions of older people, not facing that yet but we must underline that because there is a lag and we know lots of older people who had theirjabs probably ten or 12 weeks ago because they were front of the line and they had been with families over the christmas period so that will be one area of concern. what you've got to look at with that and i think you are right to say the

word yet because hospitalisations with covid, it's been a lagging indicator. the case count goes up and then you see the hospitalisation count follow and we have had a lot of intergenerational mixing, kids and their grandparents. anyone blossoming unvaccinated or vulnerable to a breakthrough infection which can still happen. we will see it come through in the next couple of weeks if it's going to get really nasty. and the worry is that it is going to get really nasty because while we have seen these reports, and it's not sort of absolutely bang on that this is a milder version. therejust seems absolutely bang on that this is a milder version. there just seems to be a run of reports suggesting that it might be. but it's a question of maths. even if you have got a milder disease, which puts less people in hospital, if it spreads at the rate it's spreading, you get the same result in the end anyway. so that is

the problem. aha, result in the end anyway. so that is the problem-— the problem. a toss up for the -a ers the problem. a toss up for the papers on what _ the problem. a toss up for the papers on what the biggest. the problem. a toss up for the i papers on what the biggest story the problem. a toss up for the - papers on what the biggest story of the day was. certainly on most of the papers, the energy bills crisis is up there. the telegraph with energy bills travel unless a £20 million fun is an up to help as a result of a meeting today between the business secretary and the industry watchdog. they are saying the wholesale price of gas is ballooning and we are all going to be paying a lot of money then we are paying at the moment. find be paying a lot of money then we are paying at the moment.— paying at the moment. and the firures i paying at the moment. and the figures i think _ paying at the moment. and the figures i think will _ paying at the moment. and the figures i think will alarm - paying at the moment. and the figures i think will alarm a - paying at the moment. and the figures i think will alarm a lot l paying at the moment. and the | figures i think will alarm a lot of families who are already struggling at the _ families who are already struggling at the moment. so the figures in this story— at the moment. so the figures in this story suggest that energy bills could _ this story suggest that energy bills could double to an average of around £2000 _ could double to an average of around £2000 a _ could double to an average of around £2000 a year. and that's a warning from _ £2000 a year. and that's a warning from stephen fitzpatrick the chief of britain posits second largest suppiien — of britain posits second largest supplier. we have already seen about 26 suppliers go bust in this energy

market _ 26 suppliers go bust in this energy market. and i think what the pliers rest in _ market. and i think what the pliers rest in the — market. and i think what the pliers rest in the government to do is to set up _ rest in the government to do is to set up this— rest in the government to do is to set up this £20 million fund that they can — set up this £20 million fund that they can use to cap, to continue to cap and _ they can use to cap, to continue to cap and support consumer so they can not see _ cap and support consumer so they can not see their _ cap and support consumer so they can not see their energy bills double. and the _ not see their energy bills double. and the idea is the supplies would be able _ and the idea is the supplies would be able to— and the idea is the supplies would be able to draw this fund, this £20 billion_ be able to draw this fund, this £20 billion fund — be able to draw this fund, this £20 billion fund if the government agrees — billion fund if the government agrees to provide it. and they would repay— agrees to provide it. and they would repay it _ agrees to provide it. and they would repay it over the course of about ten years — repay it over the course of about ten years at about £2 billion a year but it— ten years at about £2 billion a year but it would enable consumers bills to stay— but it would enable consumers bills to stay at _ but it would enable consumers bills to stay at i— but it would enable consumers bills to stay at i guess a reasonable tevet — to stay at i guess a reasonable level. they are already at record levels. _ level. they are already at record levels. i— level. they are already at record levels, i think. level. they are already at record levels, ithink. this level. they are already at record levels, i think. this is the story which _ levels, i think. this is the story which obviously in the winter at the moment, _ which obviously in the winter at the moment, i know at the moment we have fairly mild _ moment, i know at the moment we have fairly mild weather and a lot of the country— fairly mild weather and a lot of the country but — fairly mild weather and a lot of the country but obviously going into january. — country but obviously going into january, nobody wants to see families— january, nobody wants to see families having to choose between things— families having to choose between things like can they feed themselves and can— things like can they feed themselves and can they keep the house warm? which _ and can they keep the house warm? which is _ and can they keep the house warm? which is what some people have already— which is what some people have already been talking about. of

already been talking about. (git course already been talking about. course the already been talking about. of course the russians coming off some of the gas and gary to get the other way. and as she made reference to, what they are concerned about is the energy price cap is due to change in april. according to the yorkshire post, that's something the government will have to look at because as she says if the cost of living goes up, if the cost of gas is doubled, elect to one of the could be a problem for the conservatives. it could be a problem for the conservatives.— could be a problem for the conservatives. . ., , _, conservatives. it certainly could. talkin: conservatives. it certainly could. talking about — conservatives. it certainly could. talking about £2000 _ conservatives. it certainly could. talking about £2000 of - conservatives. it certainly could. talking about £2000 of a - conservatives. it certainly could. talking about £2000 of a cap - conservatives. it certainly could. talking about £2000 of a cap so| talking about £2000 of a cap so about 1270 at the moment for a typicalfamily for so about 1270 at the moment for a typical family for so that's a massive rise. it really is. you have to remember it's notjust energy that this affects because we're talking about consumer appeals here. but his businesses which are paying a lot more for their energy as well and what does that do? it pushes their prices up so you get the riskier of an inflationary spiral and we are already seeing prices rising at 5% clip. which is way

higher than the bank of england's target. so ijust think higher than the bank of england's target. so i just think there higher than the bank of england's target. so ijust think there is a lack of urgency here and this could be a real quiet thing that sneaks up on them if they don't address it pretty quickly and it bites down hard and of course we have got the local election in the new year and we will see how much of an issue thatis we will see how much of an issue that is then. we will see how much of an issue that is then-— that is then. sticking with the yorkshire post, _ that is then. sticking with the yorkshire post, the _ that is then. sticking with the yorkshire post, the saving i that is then. sticking with the i yorkshire post, the saving grace might be actually that we are in for a quiet balmy new year's day. 15 degrees i never know whether to enjoy a warmer to richer us as i always feel guilty now because of course we have climate change and we all worry about that. but it's only to be the warmest new year's day they say in ten years which actually is good news because people won't have their bowlers on i will be heating their homes in just the same way. i heating their homes in 'ust the same wa , ., ., " , heating their homes in 'ust the same wa . ., ., 4' , , heating their homes in 'ust the same wa. , , , way. i look is very good news especially — way. i look is very good news especially if _ way. i look is very good news especially if you're _ way. i look is very good news especially if you're someone | way. i look is very good news i especially if you're someone like way. i look is very good news - especially if you're someone like me who likes _ especially if you're someone like me who likes to— especially if you're someone like me who likes to go for a dip in a reservoirm _

who likes to go for a dip in a reservoir. . ._ who likes to go for a dip in a reservoir... �* , ., ., ., ., reservoir... are you a coldwater swimmer? _ reservoir... are you a coldwater swimmer? i _ reservoir... are you a coldwater swimmer? i am _ reservoir... are you a coldwater swimmer? i am a _ reservoir... are you a coldwater swimmer? i am a coldwater - reservoir... are you a coldwater - swimmer? i am a coldwater swimmer. to see those — swimmer? i am a coldwater swimmer. to see those pictures _ swimmer? i am a coldwater swimmer. to see those pictures in _ swimmer? i am a coldwater swimmer. to see those pictures in the _ swimmer? i am a coldwater swimmer. to see those pictures in the papers - to see those pictures in the papers on new— to see those pictures in the papers on new year's day of everyone braving _ on new year's day of everyone braving the chilly weather and dipping — braving the chilly weather and dipping into the sea. and if it's 15 degrees, — dipping into the sea. and if it's 15 degrees, the temperature should be pretty— degrees, the temperature should be pretty great actually. that's twice as hot _ pretty great actually. that's twice as hot as — pretty great actually. that's twice as hot as it — pretty great actually. that's twice as hot as it would normally expect, normally— as hot as it would normally expect, normally about 7—8 this time of year— normally about 7—8 this time of year so — normally about 7—8 this time of year so yeah looking forward to that _ year so yeah looking forward to that l — year so yeah looking forward to that. , , ., ., year so yeah looking forward to that. , , ., �* year so yeah looking forward to that. , ~ ., that. i tip my hat to you. are you a coldwater — that. i tip my hat to you. are you a coldwater swimmer, james? - that. i tip my hat to you. are you a coldwater swimmer, james? i - coldwater swimmer, james? i certainly am not. the jumbo certainly am not. thejumbo christmas is to cover the people going into the sea on christmas day and new year's day and i said not me, not a chance. ikla and new year's day and i said not me, not a chance.— me, not a chance. no more calls swimming _ me, not a chance. no more calls swimming then. _ me, not a chance. no more calls swimming then. let's _ me, not a chance. no more calls swimming then. let's turn - me, not a chance. no more calls swimming then. let's turn to - me, not a chance. no more callsj swimming then. let's turn to the front page of the guardian. pan not enough to be the junk food culture. this is your neck of the woods, about educating people how to eat healthy. schools do quite a decent job on it these days with the

problem is we are all bombarded by ads of unhealthy food. shifter problem is we are all bombarded by ads of unhealthy food.— ads of unhealthy food. after the government _ ads of unhealthy food. after the government has _ ads of unhealthy food. after the government has agreed - ads of unhealthy food. after the government has agreed to - ads of unhealthy food. after the j government has agreed to bring ads of unhealthy food. after the i government has agreed to bring in this 9pm _ government has agreed to bring in this 9pm watershed on television and also a _ this 9pm watershed on television and also a ban _ this 9pm watershed on television and also a ban on paying for online advertising for unhealthy food and drink _ advertising for unhealthy food and drink but — advertising for unhealthy food and drink. but this story on the front page _ drink. but this story on the front page of— drink. but this story on the front page of the guardian by andy gregory says that _ page of the guardian by andy gregory says that there is actually a report that clearly has been leaked to him which _ that clearly has been leaked to him which is _ that clearly has been leaked to him which is pretty damning and by the government's own obesity research unit saying — government's own obesity research unit saying that these measures, this hand — unit saying that these measures, this band and watershed are nothing enough _ this band and watershed are nothing enough to— this band and watershed are nothing enough to really address the problem that we _ enough to really address the problem that we have and we have a huge obesity— that we have and we have a huge obesity problem in britain. and even those _ obesity problem in britain. and even those schools are better and doing better— those schools are better and doing better at _ those schools are better and doing better at this, one those schools are better and doing betterat this, one in those schools are better and doing better at this, one in 311—year—olds leaves _ better at this, one in 311—year—olds leaves primary school obese or overweight. and so what this report is saying _ overweight. and so what this report is saying is— overweight. and so what this report is saying is that the whole environment around junk food have to change _ environment around junk food have to change in _ environment around junk food have to change in the government need to take a _ change in the government need to take a much more accounting and action _ take a much more accounting and action one — take a much more accounting and action. one of the things it can be

done _ action. one of the things it can be done of—