this is bbc news — these are the headlines. as england reports another record number of daily coronavirus cases — health officials warn the days ahead will be crucial as hospitalisations continue to rise. the government needs to make a difficult decision if it's can introduce restrictions. but if the number of hospitalisations keep going up at the rate that they are then you can see why they would need to change their mind. new year honours for leading figures in the battle against covid. professors chris whitty and jonathan van tam are knighted. drjenny harries and drjune raine are both made dames. darling, you don't need this. i am

our darling, you don't need this. i am your mirror- _ darling, you don't need this. i am your mirror. how _ darling, you don't need this. i am your mirror. how do _ darling, you don't need this. i am your mirror. how do i _ darling, you don't need this. i am your mirror. how do i look? - your mirror. how do i look? fabulous- — it's absolutely fabulous forjoanna lumley who is made a dame, whilst the outgoing james bond — daniel craig — is made a cmg. in sport, husband and wife jason and laura kenny are made a knight and a dame for services to cycling. the president of south africa pays tribute to desmond tutu as "the spiritual father of our new nation". and the archbishop's daughter also spoke movingly at his funeral. we say, thank you, daddy, for the many ways you showed us love, for the many times you challenged us, for the many times you comforted us. today is officially the hottest new year's day on record — with temperatures reaching 16.2 degrees in st james's park in central london. and manchester city beat arsenal to extend their lead at the top of the premier league — that and rest of the day's sport in sportsday — in half an hour.

a senior health official has warned, that the "next few days are crucial," in the battle against the omicron variant of coronavirus. chris hopson, the chief executive of nhs providers, which represents health trusts, says the government "must be ready to introduce new restrictions, if they're needed." latest figures show hospital admissions in england, have risen to their highest level, since january last year. the health secretary, sajid javid, has warned new restrictions on freedom "must be an absolute last resort." here's our health correspondent, sophie hutchinson. a new year and with it, the hope that in 2022 will draw us closer to the end of the pandemic.

but once again, january is likely to see soaring infection rates. last night restrictions in some places and advice in others meant more subdued celebrations, but some were determined to celebrate. we have our boosters we've done our things, we followed the guidance. it is a funny one this year because we obviously want to stay safe but also in 15 years of living here i've never been and done the london fireworks so boris had a cheese and wine party so why can't i come and see the fireworks? come in and take a seat. some had resolved to get protected for the new year and went for boosters today. this is a third shot, booster, want to make sure that i got all the protection we can get meeting friends and family and living a normal life. the main priority right now is to keep everyone safe, keep spreading the awareness, please get vaccinated, it's so important. whether it is the first, second ghost or booster, and to look out for each other

and protect one another. the health secretary is hoping vaccines will prevent the need for more restrictions and said additional measures would be a last resort. the debate about whether it is safe to mix or if we need more restrictions will continue but the question is, just how effective might those be? government commissioned modelling from warwick university suggest the window to suppress the peak may already have passed and that the last opportunity to introduce effective restrictions was a week ago, on boxing day. the number of patients in hospital with covid—i9 has increased by about 70% in a week according to nhs providers. they say it is too early to know how this wave will play out. if the evidence shows that we are getting very significant numbers of people coming into hospital with covid, then the government needs to be ready to introduce further restrictions at pace.

what we are trying to balance this against is the fact that the vaccines have changed the rules of the game. with most days now bringing record numbers of infections and the virus spreads rapidly amongst us, the health secretary in england is want of a big increase in hospitalisations this month, which is likely to test the limits of the nhs. sophie hutchinson, bbc news. we heard in sophie's report some of what the head of nhs providers, chris hopson, had to say — let's see a little more from that interview on bbc news earlier — began by explaining just how much pressure the nhs was under. if you look over each of the last five days we have had 1,000 more people with covid—19 in hospital compared to the day before, so you can see the number of hospitalisations beginning to rise. we're at 12,500 now which compares to 311,000 injanuary, this time last year, a year ago, but we need to remember

how busy the nhs is with other care, so very busy accident and emergency care pathway, and we have those planned elective surgery cases which we can't delay any longer and we are going full pelt to extend the booster vaccine campaign. 0ur colleagues in social care have come under real pressure again. and then at the same time we have growing numbers of staff absences because of covid—19 so wherever you look, you have a care system under huge pressure, and clearly if the numbers of covid cases increase at the speed with which they are currently going up, that is obviously a concern, especially if it lasts for a long period of time. so, because of all those other factors, staff shortages, elective procedures, the fact that the numbers are not as high as they were this time last year, that still means the pressure is on the nhs right now? yeah, we need to stop just comparing the covid cases to one year ago

and trying to use that as a proxy measure for the total pressure that the nhs is under. because if you look at january 2022, it is a very different situation to january 2021, so we know there are no where near as many urgent and emergency pathway patients back in a year ago compared to now. we know there are many more cases where we simply have to get through that planned surgery in a way we did not injanuary 2021. that's understood. i appreciate that. given that and the increasing numbers we are going to see, what do you make of the comments from sajid javid that new restrictions must be an absolute last resort? we have been clear about the position on restrictions which is that if the evidence shows that we are getting very significant numbers of people coming into hospital with covid then the government needs to be ready

to introduce further restrictions at pace and what we are trying to balance this against is the fact that the vaccines have changed the rules of the game and if you go back 18 months, to be frank, restrictions on social contact were the only way that we could counter this disease. vaccines are now a very important line of defence and therefore the decision the government has to make about when to introduce those restrictions on social contact are different, so i absolutely recognise that the government needs to make a difficult decision, if it is going to reintroduce those restrictions, but if the number of hospitalisations keeps going up at the rate they are, you can see why they would need to change their mind. well due to the holiday period, the government's latest coronavirus figures aren't complete, but there were a record 162,572 new infections recorded,

in the latest 24—hour period in england alone, and 154 deaths, that's of people who died within 28 days of a positive test. leading figures in the battle against covid 19, are in the new year's honours list. the uk government's chief medical advisor, professor chris whitty, and his deputy, jonathan van—tam have been knighted, along with the chief medical 0fficers for scotland and wales. in all, more than twelve hundred people have been recognised, including sports stars and actors, and others who've made extraordinary contributions in their fields and communities. here's lizo mzimba. their faces have become familiar to the public throughout the pandemic. now the chief medical officers for england, chris whitty... if lots of people are vaccinated, that reduces the risk of transmission in the community. ...for scotland, gregor smith, and for wales, frank atherton, have all been knighted. a knighthood, too, for england's deputy chief medical officer, jonathan van—tam.

# wheels on fire...# in the entertainment world, joanna lumley says she is stunned to be made a dame... patsy stone — 47. both for her acting career... i'll sue! ..and for her campaigning work. when i saw that sentence saying dbe, i burst into tears. it was the most extraordinary shock. it was such a shock, i put my head in my hands and sobbed like a baby. then i thought, "how has this happened?" "is it a mistake?" i truly was completely thrown by it. i'm thrilled to bits. james bond actor daniel craig has been made a cmg, the same honour held by the fictional spy. ashley says he's humbled and proud to become an mbe. black ashley says he's humbled and proud to become an mbe.— to become an mbe. black lives matter. several— to become an mbe. black lives matter. several olympians - to become an mbe. black livesl matter. several olympians have to become an mbe. black lives - matter. several olympians have been honoured including _ matter. several olympians have been honoured including jason _ matter. several olympians have been honoured including jason kenny - matter. several olympians have been honoured including jason kenny and l honoured including jason kenny and laura kenney. they are thought to be

the first couple ever to receive a knighthood and a damn good at the same time. we knighthood and a damn good at the same time. ~ . my knighthood and a damn good at the same time. ~ ., . ., same time. we are lucky we get to share our careers _ same time. we are lucky we get to share our careers and _ same time. we are lucky we get to share our careers and to _ same time. we are lucky we get to share our careers and to share - same time. we are lucky we get to share our careers and to share the | share our careers and to share the honours is very special.— honours is very special. obviously when i open _ honours is very special. obviously when i open it. — honours is very special. obviously when i open it, we _ honours is very special. obviously when i open it, we were - honours is very special. obviously when i open it, we were together| when i open it, we were together where _ when i open it, we were together where we — when i open it, we were together where we could? i was like, you just never— where we could? i was like, you just never in _ where we could? i was like, you just never in your— where we could? i was like, you just never in your childhood dreams think von're going — never in your childhood dreams think you're going to be a dame or a server~ — you're going to be a dame or a server. ., y you're going to be a dame or a server. ., , , .., , you're going to be a dame or a server. ., , , , ., you're going to be a dame or a server. ., _ , ,., ~ server. tom daly becomes an obe for divin: and server. tom daly becomes an obe for diving and his — server. tom daly becomes an obe for diving and his work— server. tom daly becomes an obe for diving and his work on _ server. tom daly becomes an obe for diving and his work on lgb _ server. tom daly becomes an obe for diving and his work on lgb q - server. tom daly becomes an obe for diving and his work on lgb q rights. | diving and his work on lgb 0 rights. swimmer adam petey has also been knighted 0be. successful parent 0lympians recognised include a cbe and katina cox is been made in 0be. at us open tennis champion emma raducanu says she's proud and grateful to be made in mbe. separately from the main new year honours buckingham palace has announced that tony blair will

receive a knighthood from the order of the guard or an appointment within the gift of the queen. most of those being honoured aren't in the public eye though. people like this young fundraiser next fundraiser who has raised over hundred and £50,000 through a series of walking and cycling challenges. i never thought in my wildest dreams that i had get an indictment by the queen. i am so excited. i'm actually going to get to meet her. 11—year—old tobias who received the british empire metal is thought to be the youngest ever recipient of the honour. lizo mzimba, bbc news. julie west was awarded a british empire medal for her voluntary work for veterans spanning 65 years. i spoke to her a little earlier and she told me about the moment she found out about the honour. very honoured and i was very excited about it. did you manage to keep it a secret? yes, i did, i did.

very good. it's hard for me to keep a secret but i did. very pleased you did. it makes it all more special today. i'm pleased we get to recognise and talk a little bit about the reason why you've been honoured. this is work going on 65 years you have done now. one of you been doing? it all started, my father was killed in the war when i was six. and we moved my mother and aunt they bought general stores and we moved in 1950. and when i started to work i was 15. and those days you just went to work and that's what started at work life. it was in one of the offices and he knew that my father was killed in the war and he was allowed to do with the branch of the british legion and he got me involved with that.

and i started selling poppies for him. the first poppy that i sold, it was very, very small. in the way of background. very dangerous, actually. well it's a very busy. for you every single year, isn't it? you've raised an extraordinary amount of money. yes, and i enjoy, it was an honour to know that i been... the things i had enjoyed doing. i do enjoy selling the poppies. for the two weeks that we are able to sell them and i should continue to do them until i can't do them any more. well, that is good to hear. i'm told in 2012 alone you manage your raise £380,000. if you think over how many years that is just a remarkable amount

of money and a remarkable remarkable amount of good you been able to do. yes and the people are very, very generous indeed. and you mentioned there's no sign of stopping. have you ever missed a remembrance period or have you been out every year? 0nly last year when we couldn't do it because of the covid. every other year, what a record that is. no plans to stop anytime soon. no, no. separately from the main new year honours list, buckingham palace has announced that tony blair will receive a knighthood. the former prime minister will be appointed a knight companion of the most noble order of the garter — the oldest and most senior british order of chivalry. joining him, as the first black member of the order, is lady amos — who served in his cabinet. 0ur political correspondent chris mason gave us some background to the title of knight companion of the most noble 0rder of the garter which has been awarded to tony blair. it is a kind of souped up, turbo—charged knighthood,

and we get this waterfall of the alphabet on days like this, with the honours announcement, cbe, mbe, 0be, you name it, but then this additional category which is separate, in the direct gift of the queen. tony blair becoming a knight companion of the most noble order of the garter. this has existed since 1348 when edward iii was around. his idea was to have this assembly of aristocratic blokes to advise him, really, and since then it has moulded into something else. it is meant to mark the most distinguished public service. there are very few of them at any one time, a maximum of 24, and you hold the title until you are dead. there are now 21 occupants, given the rise of tony blair and baroness amos.

the way it works, each year they go to windsor castle for a shindig and they wear a lot of velvet and indeed some ostrich feathers and they proceed through a procession through windsor and they have lunch. it is the most senior title that can be offered by the queen. former prime minister tony blair having to wait 15 years almost, since standing down in 2007. his predecessorjohn major had to wait around eight years, so often people are kept waiting, although few as long as tony blair. chris mason, there. the latest headlines on bbc news.... as england reports another record number of daily coronavirus cases — health officials warn the days ahead will be crucial as hospitalisations continue to rise.

new year honours for leading figures in the battle against covid. professors chris whitty and jonathan van tam are knighted. drjenny harries and drjune raine are both made dames. the president of south africa pays tribute to desmond tutu as "the spiritual father of our new nation". and the archbishop's daughter also spoke movingly at his funeral. the funeral service for archbishop desmond tutu, has taken place in cape town. he was a key figure in south africa's anti—apartheid movement, and winner of the nobel peace prize. he'd insisted there should be no lavish spending on his funeral. today, south africa's president, cyril ramaposa, described him, as "a crusader forjustice." here's nomsa maseko. family, friends and politicians bidding farewell to a man who became one of the most important voices of the 20th century. this was a final sendoff

for archbishop desmond tutu, following a week of events to honour him. speakers shared memories of the anglican priest who did all he could to expose and to heal the wounds of south africa's brutal past. many of the messages we received have said, "thank you for sharing him with the world." well, it actually is a two—way street. because we shared him with the world, you shared part of the love you held for him with us. south africa's president delivered the main eulogy. archbishop desmond tutu has been our moral compass, but he has also been our national conscience. it was during south africa's long and violent struggle against the country's brutal regime that he rose to prominence. we will be free!

after the country became a democracy, he presided over the tumultuous reconciliation process. in accordance with his wishes, the archbishop will be aquamated — this is a greener alternative to cremation. his ashes will be interred beneath floor here at st george's cathedral. it is the end of an era — the last of south africa's well known freedom fighters leaves behind a difficult task for the leaders to rid the country of corruption and racial divisions, and to also forge the way forward in the spirit of the moral compass that many believe was the driving force to tutu's leadership. nomsa maseko, bbc news, cape town. the archbishop of canterbury has urged people today not to despair when it comes to climate change. justin welby, who's head

of the worldwide anglican communion, has used his new year's message to reflect on the challenges the issue creates but also the work being done to help solve the problem. police have identified a 15—year—old boy who was stabbed to death in south london. zeyean amarblay lina was found in ashburton park in croydon on thursday evening, but was prononounced dead at the scene. another 15—year—old boy was arrested on suspicion of murder, but has since been released on bail. police say they're working around the clock to give zaian's family the answers they deserve. new customs rules on goods imported into the uk from the european union have come into force. there will be border checks, and importers will have to make a full customs declaration. the checks had been due to take affect six months ago but were delayed because businesses said they needed more time to prepare. a new law banning plastic packaging on most fruit and vegetables comes into effect in france today. cucumbers, lemons and oranges are among the 30 varieties banned

from being wrapped in plastic. larger packs as well as chopped or processed fruit will be exempt. president emmanuel macron called the ban "a real revolution" and said it showed the country's commitment to phase out single use plastics by 2040. now, park lane stables is a facility in london which helps children with disabilities. 2021 was a year full of ups and downs — starting with it being under threat of closure, only to survive after a huge fundraising effort led by natalie o'rourke. all all her hard work has now been acknowledged with an mbe. fiona lamdin has been to see natalie and herfamily. guy's, i have got something to tell you. i have got this letter, and i can't quite believe i'm saying this, but i have got a special award from the queen. are you proud of mummy? yes. do you want to have a look at the letter? yes. there you go.

it has been quite some yearfor natalie and the stables she has saved. an mbe from the queen for her outstanding service to the community. is it good? good, yes. she is kind and she is caring - and she doesn't get angry too much. thrilled, thrilled. she has had a hell of a year, as most people have, of course, but apart from nearly losing the stables, all the work she has done with the disadvantaged has been rewarding and i am so proud. but a year ago, things looked very, very different. but now the landlord wants to sell up, so the community has only one week left to raise £1 million. they are desperate for any help. 350 disabled people are relying on us, so i absolutely

have to do it for them. we all want the best _ for our children, but when you get some one like dominic, - just seeing the joy and what that activity can give him, - like nothing else can do, that's why it is so important. there are big smiles at the stables. what a difference of 24 hours makes! all day, the moneyjust kept coming in, by phone, in person, and online. thank you so much. that is so kind of you. they had just seven days to raise the rest of the money, and unbelievably, by mid morning they had done it. so i've got something to tell you. i got this letter, and i have got an award from the queen. in the new year's honours. so when you got the letter and you opened it up, what was your first reaction?

well, to be honest, i thought it was may be a joke. i thought it might be a wind up from one of my friends, so i called the number on the letter to check that it was real because i couldn't actually believe it. and then when you realised it wasn't a joke? ijust feel really proud, i feel really humbled. i'm a very, very ordinary girl from birmingham. i feel like there's always an invisible army of people behind me, supporting me, and really they should all have it as well, and we should all go to the palace. with an award from the queen, and the stables now there for ever, 2022 is certainly getting off to an incredible start. a runner who set himself the challenge to run at least 5 kilometres every day for a year to raise awareness of knife crime has completed his mission. david fitzgerald — who's from liverpool was inspired to do it after a family friend was stabbed to death in 2017.

samantha nanda reports. david has run almost 2500 kilometres. that is more than 1500 miles over the last 365 days, with no days off. it has been amazing, a hell of a journey that i have been on. the highlight was running with jamie carragher, one of my heroes. every type of weather you can think of. snow, rain, storms. christmas day? yes, it was really good and i deserved my christmas dinner afterwards. he started his running challenge after hearing adam ellison's family talk about the devastating impact of knife crime. adam was fatally stabbed in the neck in 2017, and a foundation was set up in his memory. just so proud of him and what he is doing. he really is wonderful. in all weathers, he has been ill as well and still gone out. i am just so pleased that he is on with us,

our adam foundation. we are in awe. it takes some doing, you know? you think, "could i do something like that? i no." he's amazing, what he has achieved over the last 365 days. we are super, super proud of him. there is still more to do because it is still happening in this city and other cities around the country, so there's still a lot of work to do. it's been four years since adam was killed, and all his family want for 2022 is to find those responsible. no—one should be taking a knife out with them. it needs to stop. it has taken too many innocent lives and they are still out there. we need justice for adam. well done, daddy! what are you going to do after this? either rest on the couch, orjust keep going and try to get to 500 or 1000.

today is officially the hottest new year's day on record. the met office say temperatures have reached 16.2 degrees in stjames's park in central london. the previous record was set in bude, cornwall in 1916 when it reached 15.6 celcius. they've also confirmed that scotland has just recorded its hottest new years day temperature. achnagart hit 15.9c this morning — breaking the pervious record of 14.5c at inverurie from 1992. let's get the lastest weather now with ben rich. hello there. the warmest new year's eve on record has been followed provisionally by the warmest new year's day on record with temperatures in the capital hitting above 16 celsius. as we head to the night is going to be another mild miles long but perhaps not as mild as last night. some clear spells but as you can see, outbreaks of heavy rain working and for the west at times. temperature is six to 12 degrees with up as we head into tomorrow

this area of wet weather will clear away from northern and eastern england, some drier weather following him behind but some spells of sunshine all the rain will swing back into southwest england and wales and work eastward through the day. northern ireland and scotland will see some sunny spells but also showers some of which could be heavy. another pretty windy day out there but temperatures a shade down and where they have been, nine to 13 degrees. set to turn quite a lot colder as we head towards the middle part of the week put up with that there will be some wintry showers a time and we stick with that somewhat chilly or feel as we head towards the end of the week.

the government needs to make a difficult decision if it's going to introduce restrictions but if the numbers of hospitalisations keep going up at the rate they are, you can see why they would need to change their mind. idea? can see why they would need to change their mind.— can see why they would need to change their mind. new year honours for leadin: change their mind. new year honours for leading figures _ change their mind. new year honours for leading figures in _ change their mind. new year honours for leading figures in the _ change their mind. new year honours for leading figures in the battle - for leading figures in the battle against covid. doctorjenny harries, and jonathan van damme are knighted. husband and wife jason and laura kenny made a knight and aim for services to cycling. the president of south africa pays tribute to desmond tutu as the spiritual father of our new nation. today is

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