after nearly 500 of a major incident after nearly 500 of their staff were absent because of covid, which has led to extremely high pressure on urgent care. we welcome viewers now. it will be led by borisjohnson alongside professor so chris whitty and the chief scientific officer for the uk, sir patrick vallance. let's speak to our little correspondent ione wells, who joins us now from westminster. what are the competing, conflicting demands on the government at this time, because clearly some people think there should be more restrictions, some people think there shouldn't be any? exactly and we are seeing _ there shouldn't be any? exactly and we are seeing different _ there shouldn't be any? exactly and we are seeing different parts -

there shouldn't be any? exactly and we are seeing different parts of - there shouldn't be any? exactly and we are seeing different parts of the | we are seeing different parts of the uk responding differently at the moment to similar data. at the moment to similar data. at the moment ministers in the uk government are cautiously optimistic about the data that back in, while we have seen these graphs showing steep rises in cases, hospitalisations also rising as well, health secretary, sajid javid has said the number of patients needing intensive care treatment for covid are broadly flat which is why at the moment uk ministers don't say that they need any further restrictions other than the current plan b in england, so, the use of face coverings in certain public spaces, the work from home guidance as well. ., , ., , ., as well. previous waves of the pandemic _ as well. previous waves of the pandemic didn't _ as well. previous waves of the pandemic didn't have - as well. previous waves of the pandemic didn't have a - as well. previous waves of the pandemic didn't have a single | as well. previous waves of the . pandemic didn't have a single day with more — pandemic didn't have a single day with more than 100,000 new cases reported~ _ with more than 100,000 new cases reported. on one day last week we had 200,000 people test positive. and the _ had 200,000 people test positive. and the latest figure today is another_ and the latest figure today is another 218,000, although that includes — another 218,000, although that includes some delayed reports. so, anyone _ includes some delayed reports. so, anyone who — includes some delayed reports. so, anyone who thinks our battle with

covid _ anyone who thinks our battle with covid is _ anyone who thinks our battle with covid is over, i'm afraid, is profoundly wrong. this is a moment for the _ profoundly wrong. this is a moment for the utmost caution. but our position— for the utmost caution. but our position today differs from previous waves _ position today differs from previous waves in _ position today differs from previous waves in two crucial respects. first, — waves in two crucial respects. first. we _ waves in two crucial respects. first, we now know that omicron is milder_ first, we now know that omicron is milder than— first, we now know that omicron is milder than previous variants, so, while _ milder than previous variants, so, while hospital admissions are rising quickly, _ while hospital admissions are rising quickly, with over 15,000 covid quickly, with over15,000 covid patients— quickly, with over 15,000 covid patients now in hospital in england atone, _ patients now in hospital in england atone, this — patients now in hospital in england alone, this is not yet, thankfully, translating — alone, this is not yet, thankfully, translating into the same numbers needing _ translating into the same numbers needing intensive care that we saw in previous— needing intensive care that we saw in previous waves. second, thanks to the fantastic — in previous waves. second, thanks to the fantastic national effort to get britain _ the fantastic national effort to get britain boosted, we now have a substantial level of protection, higher— substantial level of protection, higher than any substantial level of protection, higherthan any of substantial level of protection, higher than any of our european neighbours, with over 34 million boosters — neighbours, with over 34 million boosters administered, including in england _ boosters administered, including in england reaching more than 90% of the over— england reaching more than 90% of the over and 86% of the over—505. and so, _ the over and 86% of the over—505. and so, together with the plan b measures— and so, together with the plan b measures that we introduce before christmas, — measures that we introduce before christmas, we have a chance to ride

out this— christmas, we have a chance to ride out this omicron wave without shutting — out this omicron wave without shutting down our country once again — shutting down our country once again we _ shutting down our country once again. we can keep our schools and our businesses open and we can find a way— our businesses open and we can find a way to— our businesses open and we can find a way to live — our businesses open and we can find a way to live with this virus. but the weeks — a way to live with this virus. but the weeks ahead are going to be challenging, both here in the uk and across— challenging, both here in the uk and across the _ challenging, both here in the uk and across the world. there is no escaping _ across the world. there is no escaping the fact that some services will be _ escaping the fact that some services will be disrupted by staff absences. but we've _ will be disrupted by staff absences. but we've been working through christmas to prepare for this wherever— christmas to prepare for this wherever possible. and if we all play our — wherever possible. and if we all play our part in containing the spread — play our part in containing the spread of— play our part in containing the spread of this virus, the disruptions we face can be far less severe _ disruptions we face can be far less severe than— disruptions we face can be far less severe than the national lockdown, with att— severe than the national lockdown, with all the — severe than the national lockdown, with all the devastation that would brin- with all the devastation that would bring for— with all the devastation that would bring for the livelihoods and the life chances of our children. so, the government is acting to protect critical— the government is acting to protect critical national services to keep soppty_ critical national services to keep supply chains open and fortify our nhs to— supply chains open and fortify our nhs to withstand the pressures ahead — nhs to withstand the pressures ahead. we've identified 100,000

critical— ahead. we've identified 100,000 critical workers in areas from food processing — critical workers in areas from food processing to transport to our border— processing to transport to our border force, and from tenth january. _ border force, and from tenth january, we will be rolling out taterat— january, we will be rolling out lateral flow testing for all these workers. — lateral flow testing for all these workers, available on every working day. workers, available on every working day~ we _ workers, available on every working day~ we will— workers, available on every working day. we will be sending testing kits directly _ day. we will be sending testing kits directly to _ day. we will be sending testing kits directly to these organisations and liaising _ directly to these organisations and liaising with them on the logistics. we've _ liaising with them on the logistics. we've asked qualified teachers who have left _ we've asked qualified teachers who have left the profession to come back and — have left the profession to come back and help fill temporary absences and i want to thank them and all— absences and i want to thank them and all teachers, parents and pupils for taking _ and all teachers, parents and pupils for taking the precaution to test yourselves and to wear a mask in the classroom. _ yourselves and to wear a mask in the classroom, enabling vital face—to—face education to continue. we're _ face—to—face education to continue. we're increasing nhs capacity by building — we're increasing nhs capacity by building on—site nightingale hospitals as well as creating 2500 virtuat— hospitals as well as creating 2500 virtual beds where people can be safely _ virtual beds where people can be safely treated at home. we've bought more antivirals per person than anywhere — more antivirals per person than anywhere else in europe, there was are the _ anywhere else in europe, there was are the tablets which reduce your chances — are the tablets which reduce your chances of— are the tablets which reduce your chances of going to hospital once you've _ chances of going to hospital once you've caught covid. we're

mobilising our volunteers, the emerging territorial army of the nhs, _ emerging territorial army of the nhs, and — emerging territorial army of the nhs, and we're working to identify those _ nhs, and we're working to identify those nhs trusts which are most likely— those nhs trusts which are most likely to — those nhs trusts which are most likely to need actual military support— likely to need actual military support so that this can be prepared now _ support so that this can be prepared now as _ support so that this can be prepared now as our— support so that this can be prepared now. as our nhs moves to a war footing, _ now. as our nhs moves to a war footing, i_ now. as our nhs moves to a war footing, i will be recommending to cabinet _ footing, i will be recommending to cabinet tomorrow that we continue with plan _ cabinet tomorrow that we continue with plan b. because the public have responded _ with plan b. because the public have responded and changed their behaviour, changed your behaviour, buying _ behaviour, changed your behaviour, buying valuable time to get boosters in arms— buying valuable time to get boosters in arms and help the nhs to cope with the _ in arms and help the nhs to cope with the omicron wave. so, please carry— with the omicron wave. so, please carry on— with the omicron wave. so, please carry on observing those measures for now. _ carry on observing those measures for now, work from home if you can, wear— for now, work from home if you can, wear face _ for now, work from home if you can, wear face coverings on public transport _ wear face coverings on public transport and in indoor places and take a _ transport and in indoor places and take a test— transport and in indoor places and take a test before you go to a high-risk— take a test before you go to a high—risk venue or meet those who are elderly— high—risk venue or meet those who are elderly or vulnerable and of course — are elderly or vulnerable and of course follow the relevant rules if you live _ course follow the relevant rules if you live in — course follow the relevant rules if you live in scotland or wales or northern— you live in scotland or wales or northern ireland. above all, if you haven't— northern ireland. above all, if you

haven't already done so, please, please _ haven't already done so, please, please get — haven't already done so, please, please get that booster. since i launched — please get that booster. since i launched the get boosted now campaign in december, we've delivered _ campaign in december, we've delivered 10 million extra boosters across _ delivered 10 million extra boosters across the — delivered 10 million extra boosters across the uk. we've doubled the rate of— across the uk. we've doubled the rate of vaccination from 450,000 doses— rate of vaccination from 450,000 doses a _ rate of vaccination from 450,000 doses a day to a peak of more than 900,000 — doses a day to a peak of more than 900,000. we've matched the nhs's previous— 900,000. we've matched the nhs's previous record and then beat it again— previous record and then beat it again and — previous record and then beat it again and again and we've met our target— again and again and we've met our target of— again and again and we've met our target of offering a booster to every — target of offering a booster to every eligible adult a whole month earty~ _ every eligible adult a whole month early the — every eligible adult a whole month early. the freedoms we're able to maintain — early. the freedoms we're able to maintain in — early. the freedoms we're able to maintain in the teeth of this omicron _ maintain in the teeth of this omicron wave have been made possible by the _ omicron wave have been made possible by the number of people getting boosted — by the number of people getting boosted. and i want to thank again everyone _ boosted. and i want to thank again everyone who assisted in this extraordinary national effort over christmas — extraordinary national effort over christmas. our gps and their teams, pharmacists. — christmas. our gps and their teams, pharmacists, everybody in our fantastic — pharmacists, everybody in our fantastic nhs, the thousands of volunteers, the ingenious initiatives of local communities like the — initiatives of local communities like the one in redbridge town hall

which _ like the one in redbridge town hall which vaccinated 1700 people on christmas — which vaccinated 1700 people on christmas day. and everyone of you who has _ christmas day. and everyone of you who has come forward and done your bit by— who has come forward and done your bit by getting jab. but there are still almost 9 million people eligible who have not had their booster, — eligible who have not had their booster, and it is absolutely heartbreaking that as many as 90% of those _ heartbreaking that as many as 90% of those who _ heartbreaking that as many as 90% of those who are intensive —— in intensive _ those who are intensive —— in intensive care with covid have not had their— intensive care with covid have not had their booster and over 60% of those _ had their booster and over 60% of those in _ had their booster and over 60% of those in intensive care with covid have _ those in intensive care with covid have not— those in intensive care with covid have not had any vaccination at all. people _ have not had any vaccination at all. people are — have not had any vaccination at all. people are dying needlessly because they haven't had theirjabs and they haven't— they haven't had theirjabs and they haven't had that booster. and there are 2 _ haven't had that booster. and there are 2 million booster slots available this week alone. it's already— available this week alone. it's already the case that to travel to some _ already the case that to travel to some countries, you need a booster to be _ some countries, you need a booster to be considered fully vaccinated. and it's _ to be considered fully vaccinated. and it's likely that within weeks, this witi— and it's likely that within weeks, this will increasingly become the norm _ this will increasingly become the norm so. — this will increasingly become the norm. so, if you haven't done it

already. — norm. so, if you haven't done it already. get— norm. so, if you haven't done it already, get yourself boosted this month— already, get yourself boosted this month exactly a year after the uk administered the first astrazeneca vaccine, _ administered the first astrazeneca vaccine, a — administered the first astrazeneca vaccine, a british invention that has enabled 2.5 millionjobs vaccine, a british invention that has enabled 2.5 million jobs around the world, — has enabled 2.5 million jobs around the world, the best way to contain this virus. — the world, the best way to contain this virus, help our nhs and keep our country— this virus, help our nhs and keep our country open is to get boosted, so, please, — our country open is to get boosted, so, please, get boosted now. thank you, so, please, get boosted now. thank you. and _ so, please, get boosted now. thank you, and chris, overto so, please, get boosted now. thank you, and chris, over to you for the slides _ you, and chris, over to you for the slides. . ~' , ., you, and chris, over to you for the slides. ., ,, , ., , , slides. thank you, prime minister, first slide love _ slides. thank you, prime minister, first slide love like _ slides. thank you, prime minister, first slide love like this _ slides. thank you, prime minister, first slide love like this is - slides. thank you, prime minister, first slide love like this is a - first slide love like this is a familiar slide, the number of people testing positive for covid—19 in the uk, and i think everybody knows there has been a very substantial increase over the last few weeks. next slide, please. i thought however it was probably sensible, because there have been significant changes in the way testing is done, better to actually just look particularly at the office for national statistics, ons, data, which is in the public domain and there will be updates on this soon. and as you can see, these dots

represent how many people had covid at various points in time going back to may 2020, using the same methodology, and the extraordinary increase on the far right, where we've now got to the situation where in the last week, they have reported one in 25 people in england had covid, more in some areas, around 2 million people in all. and the expectation is, those numbers will in fact go up. next slide, please. as several people have commented, and one of the good things that we've learned since the last time we did a press conference on this, is, data both from south africa but also now all around the world including the uk, demonstrating that there are lower rates of hospitalisation lower does not mean there are not hospitalisations, there are significant numbers. just to give some kind of feel for this, at the

moment, there arejust some kind of feel for this, at the moment, there are just over 15,000 people in hospital in england, the data here are for the uk and are for slightly later in time. if we go back to september when we were still in the delta wave, the number in hospital was between 6000 and 6500, so, a very substantial increase. people are not admitted to the hospital in the nhs in winter unless they have a clear need for hospitalisation. and then to compare it to the previous waves, the wave that we had in the early part of 2020 had 18,974 people at the absolute peak, so, we are relatively close to that initial peak, the january peak last year was higher. slide, please. if we look around the country, we can see obviously quite a variety of different patterns. london has been in advance of the rest of england and indeed other

parts of the united kingdom. the numbers however are still going up, there may be some slowing but they are still going up. and the thing which i would like to add in terms of the local epidemiology in london is that it does look as if the numbers in younger adults are levelling off orfalling, although we need to be quite careful because this was before the effects of new year have actually taken effect. but rates in older people look as if they are still going up and these are the people who are much more likely to be hospitalised. and the thing which is likely to reduce that, to go back to the prime minister's point is the fact that people have got boosted, but anybody who has not been boosted and is eligible really should do so. i think the idea that this is a mild disease as opposed to less likely to be hospitalised i think it is easily demonstrated to be incorrect based on these data. next slide, please. there's quite a bit of commentary and ijust wanted to put some

numbers on this, about whether people are primarily in hospital because of covid or because they haveit because of covid or because they have it incidentally they have another medical problem but they have covid on top. there are of course people with both, that has been true all the way through the pandemic. the majority of people who are admitted and have covid will actually have covid as their primary reason for admission, actually have covid as their primary reason foradmission, but actually have covid as their primary reason for admission, but obviously there are people, and it is a significant minority, where that is not the case, they are in blue, and the orange data or people who have got a primary diagnosis of covid. next slide, please. one thing which we have seen and this is obviously extremely good news, compared to where we were with previous waves, is that the mortality rate does not appear to have risen. the numbers have been artificially low over the last two or three days because it is a longer weekend and they will be artificially high tomorrow, but we are not seeing a surge in mortality that we saw in previous waves, but

there will be people, particularly people who are vulnerable for other reasons, because of age or medical conditions, who will sadly die with this. next slide, please. turning to the booster and the vaccination campaign, ithink the booster and the vaccination campaign, i think there are really two very important positives to highlight. the first of which is the extraordinary speed with which colleagues in the nhs and volunteers have been able to provide, and people have come forward for, boosters, and the very rapid increase we've had. and additionally, and this is extremely important, people who previously had had no vaccines have come forward for their first vaccine, had no vaccines have come forward for theirfirst vaccine, and people who previously had had a first vaccine have come forward for the second. and each one of these will help provide additional protection. but we now have confidence that the booster provides around 88% overall protection against being

hospitalised, and it is likely to be even greater than that for severe disease and mortality. next slide, please. and finally, just a slide i have shown before because ijust want to emphasise this, that at every age band, being vaccinated, whether it was for previous variants and it is likely to be true for this variant, in every age band, people are significantly protected by vaccination. and it is really critical, whatever age people are, that they do get vaccinated. we are confident this will also lead to a reduction in people actually having covid, and there for a reduction in people likely to be passing on covid, but the data are still being developed, so we don't have the exact numbers, but in terms of reducing hospitalisations, we are now confident that boosting provides very significant protection and that the one or two vaccines provide some

level of protection. thank you very much indeed. level of protection. thank you very much indeed-— level of protection. thank you very much indeed. ., ,, , ., , �* , much indeed. thank you, chris. let's no to much indeed. thank you, chris. let's go to questions _ much indeed. thank you, chris. let's go to questions from _ much indeed. thank you, chris. let's go to questions from the _ much indeed. thank you, chris. let's go to questions from the public. - much indeed. thank you, chris. let's go to questions from the public. and | go to questions from the public. and we've _ go to questions from the public. and we've got— go to questions from the public. and we've got a — go to questions from the public. and we've got a question from david in kent _ we've got a question from david in kent given — we've got a question from david in kent. given the covenant has said it would _ kent. given the covenant has said it would be _ kent. given the covenant has said it would be guided by the data, what level of— would be guided by the data, what level of daily infections, hospitalisations or that will the government implement tougher covid restrictions? thank you, david, i think— restrictions? thank you, david, i thinkthat— restrictions? thank you, david, i think that is _ restrictions? thank you, david, i think that is the key question that many— think that is the key question that many people have been thinking about throughout the omicron pandemic, and you have _ throughout the omicron pandemic, and you have to— throughout the omicron pandemic, and you have to think about omicron as a disease. _ you have to think about omicron as a disease. an— you have to think about omicron as a disease, an infection, really, on its own — disease, an infection, really, on its own as— disease, an infection, really, on its own. as soon as we saw it emerge. _ its own. as soon as we saw it emerge, we knew that it was likely to present — emerge, we knew that it was likely to present a problem, and if you recall. _ to present a problem, and if you recall. we — to present a problem, and if you recall, we put in measures on, i think. _ recall, we put in measures on, i think, decemberthe recall, we put in measures on, i think, december the 8th, recall, we put in measures on, i think, decemberthe 8th, we introduced plan b, and ijust want to say— introduced plan b, and ijust want to say that —

introduced plan b, and ijust want to say that i'm incredibly grateful to say that i'm incredibly grateful to the _ to say that i'm incredibly grateful to the nhs, to everybody who is working — to the nhs, to everybody who is working so hard in our hospitals now. _ working so hard in our hospitals now. to — working so hard in our hospitals now, to deal with the pandemic, but i do now, to deal with the pandemic, but i do think— now, to deal with the pandemic, but i do think the balance of measures that we _ i do think the balance of measures that we have is the right one, and the right— that we have is the right one, and the right one for omicron. we will continue — the right one for omicron. we will continue to— the right one for omicron. we will continue to monitor it clearly, but what _ continue to monitor it clearly, but what we _ continue to monitor it clearly, but what we are — continue to monitor it clearly, but what we are saying is that you've -ot what we are saying is that you've got to _ what we are saying is that you've got to stick— what we are saying is that you've got to stick with plan b, you've got to follow _ got to stick with plan b, you've got to follow guidance, you've got to sure you — to follow guidance, you've got to sure you wear a mask in confined spaces. _ sure you wear a mask in confined spaces. on — sure you wear a mask in confined spaces, on public transport, you've -ot spaces, on public transport, you've got to— spaces, on public transport, you've got to make — spaces, on public transport, you've got to make sure you get a test before _ got to make sure you get a test before you go to a value where you're — before you go to a value where you're going to meet people that you don't normally make. make sure that you do— don't normally make. make sure that you do not— don't normally make. make sure that you do not take unnecessary risks, particularly — you do not take unnecessary risks, particularly without delay people. and you've got to make sure that you

-et and you've got to make sure that you get a _ and you've got to make sure that you get a vaccination. that is the most important — get a vaccination. that is the most important thing. we wanted to have a mixture _ important thing. we wanted to have a mixture of— important thing. we wanted to have a mixture of plan b and a greatly accelerated booster programme. and i 'ust accelerated booster programme. and i just want— accelerated booster programme. and i just want to _ accelerated booster programme. and i just want to say, david, that it is always— just want to say, david, that it is always difficult to balance these things — always difficult to balance these things. there is no easy answer to a problem _ things. there is no easy answer to a problem like — things. there is no easy answer to a problem like omicron. there's no easy— problem like omicron. there's no easy lockdown, no easy restriction on people's— easy lockdown, no easy restriction on people's lives or livelihoods. and the — on people's lives or livelihoods. and the best thing i think we can do now is— and the best thing i think we can do now is to _ and the best thing i think we can do now is to continue to follow the guidance. — now is to continue to follow the guidance, protect our nhs in the way that we _ guidance, protect our nhs in the way that we are. — guidance, protect our nhs in the way that we are, increase the support that we are, increase the support that we're — that we are, increase the support that we're giving to the nhs, and as you know. _ that we're giving to the nhs, and as you know, you heard from what i said earlier— you know, you heard from what i said earlier on. _ you know, you heard from what i said earlier on, we're increasing the numbers— earlier on, we're increasing the numbers of— earlier on, we're increasing the numbers of staff, i think we've got a record _ numbers of staff, i think we've got a record number of people working in the nhs _ a record number of people working in the nhs now, than at any time in the past. _

the nhs now, than at any time in the past. 5000 _ the nhs now, than at any time in the past, 5000 more doctors, 10,000 more nurses— past, 5000 more doctors, 10,000 more nurses you — past, 5000 more doctors, 10,000 more nurses you will have heard what i've said about _ nurses you will have heard what i've said about all the volunteers. but the best— said about all the volunteers. but the best way to help the nhs is for everybody to follow the guidance, followed — everybody to follow the guidance, followed plan b, and above all, get posted _ followed plan b, and above all, get posted. and ijust to that earlier project — posted. and ijust to that earlier project reflection that so many people — project reflection that so many people going into the nhs, so many people _ people going into the nhs, so many people who are being hospitalised, sadly. _ people who are being hospitalised, sadly, david, have not been vaccinated. as i said, about 61% of those _ vaccinated. as i said, about 61% of those in _ vaccinated. as i said, about 61% of those in intensive care have not been _ those in intensive care have not been vaccinated at all, and perhaps 90% have _ been vaccinated at all, and perhaps 90% have not been boosted. so, the single _ 90% have not been boosted. so, the single best _ 90% have not been boosted. so, the single best thing we can all do to protect— single best thing we can all do to protect the nhs is to get boosted and to— protect the nhs is to get boosted and to get vaccinated. but we will continue — and to get vaccinated. but we will continue to watch what happens very closely. _ continue to watch what happens very closely. but — continue to watch what happens very

closely, but we think that this is the right— closely, but we think that this is the right approach to take. it's a balanced — the right approach to take. it's a balanced approach, it has to balance a lot of— balanced approach, it has to balance a lot of consideration took over, it has to— a lot of consideration took over, it has to balance the effect on people's— has to balance the effect on people's lives and livelihoods of lockdowns, which are painful, which take away— lockdowns, which are painful, which take away people you list life chances _ take away people you list life chances and which do a great deal of damage _ chances and which do a great deal of damage to _ chances and which do a great deal of damage to people is mental health as well as— damage to people is mental health as well as damage to the colony. so, it is a difficult — well as damage to the colony. so, it is a difficult balance to strike but that is— is a difficult balance to strike but that is where we are. chris, anything _ that is where we are. chris, anything to add to that? thank you. let's _ anything to add to that? thank you. let's go _ anything to add to that? thank you. let's go to— anything to add to that? thank you. let's go to amanda from cheshire. amanda _ let's go to amanda from cheshire. amanda says... i had covid at the beginning — amanda says... i had covid at the beginning of november...

chris, i chris, lam chris, i am going to defer to you on this one _ chris, i am going to defer to you on this one. . ~ chris, i am going to defer to you on this one. ., ,, i. , , this one. thank you, prime minister. the answer — this one. thank you, prime minister. the answer is _ this one. thank you, prime minister. the answer is that _ this one. thank you, prime minister. the answer is that the _ this one. thank you, prime minister. the answer is that the key _ this one. thank you, prime minister. the answer is that the key thing - the answer is that the key thing which the lateral flow is really goodis which the lateral flow is really good is the fact that it is a pretty good is the fact that it is a pretty good guide, very good guide, actually, to whether someone is at that moment infectious. and so, the reason that we feel it is a useful tool to allow on day six and day seven, if someone has isolated because they know they have got covid, up today five, and then they have a negative test on day six and a negative test on day seven, we have confidence they are much less likely to be in any way infectious to other people if they then leave isolation than if they had not done those tests. that's the reason why adding those tests on allowed ministers to move from ten days isolation down to seven, but the last two, you do the lateral test because they are very protective of

how infectious someone is. obviously if they are still positive, then they need to stay in isolation until it goes negative. the pcr tests, which are the other way of testing, they can remain positive for a long time after someone has had an infection, including beyond the point where they are infectious. so, we find the pcr is extremely good because they are very sensitive and they tell you which type of variant of covid, there are many advantages, but the lateral flows are really good at helping to determine whether someone is infectious at that point. thank you, let's go to hugh pym from bbc news _ thank you, let's go to hugh pym from bbc news. . .. thank you, let's go to hugh pym from bbc news. ., ,, , ., thank you, let's go to hugh pym from bbc news. ., ,, i. , , bbc news. thank you, prime minister. would ou bbc news. thank you, prime minister. would you say — bbc news. thank you, prime minister. would you say it's _ bbc news. thank you, prime minister. would you say it's now— bbc news. thank you, prime minister. would you say it's now unlikely - bbc news. thank you, prime minister. would you say it's now unlikely or- would you say it's now unlikely or highly unlikely that further restrictions will be introduced in england? and a question for sir patrick and sir chris, how worried are you about what might yet happen and what do you think might be a threshold requiring further action?

thank you very much. ijust want threshold requiring further action? thank you very much. i just want to thank you very much. ijust want to id thank you very much. ijust want to go back— thank you very much. ijust want to go back to — thank you very much. ijust want to go back to what i was saying to david _ go back to what i was saying to david earlier on. we will monitor everything — david earlier on. we will monitor everything very closely, we clearly can't _ everything very closely, we clearly can't rule — everything very closely, we clearly can't rule everything out, but what we are _ can't rule everything out, but what we are trying to do is to take a balanced — we are trying to do is to take a balanced approach, where we rely on people _ balanced approach, where we rely on people to _ balanced approach, where we rely on people to implement plan b carefully, to behave carefully with other— carefully, to behave carefully with other people, and people are doing that, other people, and people are doing that. you _ other people, and people are doing that, you can tell that people have really _ that, you can tell that people have really responded to this, and they're — really responded to this, and they're doing their absolute best, in spite _ they're doing their absolute best, in spite of— they're doing their absolute best, in spite of the extreme transmissible atty of omicron. what we're _ transmissible atty of omicron. what we're also _ transmissible atty of omicron. what we're also doing is massively accelerating the booster roll—out, and it _ accelerating the booster roll—out, and it has — accelerating the booster roll—out, and it has gone incredibly fast i think— and it has gone incredibly fast i think that — and it has gone incredibly fast i think that at the moment, it depends _ think that at the moment, it depends. and to be absolutely frank with you. _ depends. and to be absolutely frank with you. i— depends. and to be absolutely frank with you, i think it depends on

whether— with you, i think it depends on whether the virus will behave in the way that— whether the virus will behave in the way that perhaps it has behaved in south _ way that perhaps it has behaved in south africa, whether it peaks, how quickly _ south africa, whether it peaks, how quickly it _ south africa, whether it peaks, how quickly it blows through. but if you ask me _ quickly it blows through. but if you ask me to— quickly it blows through. but if you ask me to guess, i would say, as i said earlier— ask me to guess, i would say, as i said earlier on, i would say we have a good _ said earlier on, i would say we have a good chance of getting through the omicron _ a good chance of getting through the omicron wave without the need for further— omicron wave without the need for further restrictions and without the need certainly for a lockdown. and the reason — need certainly for a lockdown. and the reason we are in that position, unlike _ the reason we are in that position, unlike many— the reason we are in that position, unlike many other countries in the world. _ unlike many other countries in the world, certainly unlike many other countries — world, certainly unlike many other countries in — world, certainly unlike many other countries in europe, is that we just have _ countries in europe, is that we just have such — countries in europe, is that we just have such a — countries in europe, is that we just have such a high level now of booster— have such a high level now of booster protection. but that is no reason _ booster protection. but that is no reason for— booster protection. but that is no reason for everybody not to get more — reason for everybody not to get more in — reason for everybody not to get more. . reason for everybody not to get more. , ., ., ., ~ more. in terms of what do we think auoin more. in terms of what do we think going forward. _ more. in terms of what do we think going forward, well, _ more. in terms of what do we think going forward, well, we _ more. in terms of what do we think going forward, well, we know- more. in terms of what do we think going forward, well, we know two i going forward, well, we know two things— going forward, well, we know two things well. — going forward, well, we know two things well, and _ going forward, well, we know two things well, and that _ going forward, well, we know two things well, and that is, - going forward, well, we know two things well, and that is, this- going forward, well, we know two things well, and that is, this is. things well, and that is, this is very— things well, and that is, this is very transmissible, _ things well, and that is, this is very transmissible, and - things well, and that is, this is very transmissible, and we - things well, and that is, this is. very transmissible, and we have extraordinary— very transmissible, and we have extraordinary high _ very transmissible, and we have extraordinary high levels - very transmissible, and we have extraordinary high levels of - extraordinary high levels of infection— extraordinary high levels of infection at— extraordinary high levels of infection at the _ extraordinary high levels of infection at the moment, . extraordinary high levels of| infection at the moment, as extraordinary high levels of - infection at the moment, as indeed do many— infection at the moment, as indeed do many other— infection at the moment, as indeed do many other countries. _

infection at the moment, as indeed do many other countries. so, - infection at the moment, as indeed do many other countries. so, large| do many other countries. so, large numbers— do many other countries. so, large numbers of— do many other countries. so, large numbers of people _ do many other countries. so, large numbers of people have _ do many other countries. so, large numbers of people have the - do many other countries. so, large . numbers of people have the disease. we also _ numbers of people have the disease. we also know — numbers of people have the disease. we also know that _ numbers of people have the disease. we also know that this _ numbers of people have the disease. we also know that this is _ numbers of people have the disease. we also know that this is not - numbers of people have the disease. we also know that this is not as - we also know that this is not as severe. — we also know that this is not as severe. there _ we also know that this is not as severe, there is _ we also know that this is not as severe, there is a _ we also know that this is not as severe, there is a reduced - we also know that this is not as l severe, there is a reduced chance we also know that this is not as - severe, there is a reduced chance of hospitalisation. _ severe, there is a reduced chance of hospitalisation, that— severe, there is a reduced chance of hospitalisation, that is— severe, there is a reduced chance of hospitalisation, that is now- severe, there is a reduced chance of hospitalisation, that is now clear. i hospitalisation, that is now clear. it's hospitalisation, that is now clear. it's a _ hospitalisation, that is now clear. it's a mixture _ hospitalisation, that is now clear. it's a mixture of— hospitalisation, that is now clear. it's a mixture of the _ hospitalisation, that is now clear. it's a mixture of the virus - hospitalisation, that is now clear. it's a mixture of the virus itself. it's a mixture of the virus itself perhaps— it's a mixture of the virus itself perhaps being _ it's a mixture of the virus itself perhaps being less— it's a mixture of the virus itself perhaps being less severe - it's a mixture of the virus itself perhaps being less severe and | it's a mixture of the virus itself. perhaps being less severe and the immunity— perhaps being less severe and the immunity that _ perhaps being less severe and the immunity that is _ perhaps being less severe and the immunity that is in _ perhaps being less severe and the immunity that is in the _ perhaps being less severe and the | immunity that is in the population. but the _ immunity that is in the population. but the chance _ immunity that is in the population. but the chance is _ immunity that is in the population. but the chance is down _ immunity that is in the population. but the chance is down by- immunity that is in the population. i but the chance is down by somewhere between _ but the chance is down by somewhere between 50% — but the chance is down by somewhere between 50% and _ but the chance is down by somewhere between 50% and 70% _ but the chance is down by somewhere between 50% and 70% in _ but the chance is down by somewhere between 50% and 70% in terms - but the chance is down by somewhere between 50% and 70% in terms of - between 50% and 70% in terms of getting _ between 50% and 70% in terms of getting into — between 50% and 70% in terms of getting into hospital. _ between 50% and 70% in terms of getting into hospital. so, - between 50% and 70% in terms of getting into hospital. so, those i between 50% and 70% in terms of. getting into hospital. so, those two things— getting into hospital. so, those two things together _ getting into hospital. so, those two things together mean _ getting into hospital. so, those two things together mean we've - getting into hospital. so, those two things together mean we've got - getting into hospital. so, those two things together mean we've got a l things together mean we've got a chance _ things together mean we've got a chance of— things together mean we've got a chance of more _ things together mean we've got a chance of more people _ things together mean we've got a chance of more people going - chance of more people going into hospital— chance of more people going into hospital because _ chance of more people going into hospital because of _ chance of more people going into hospital because of the _ chance of more people going into hospital because of the degree i chance of more people going into hospital because of the degree of infection. — hospital because of the degree of infection, and _ hospital because of the degree of infection, and some _ hospital because of the degree of infection, and some lesser- hospital because of the degree of| infection, and some lesser chance because _ infection, and some lesser chance because of— infection, and some lesser chance because of the _ infection, and some lesser chance because of the mildness. - infection, and some lesser chance because of the mildness. what. infection, and some lesser chancej because of the mildness. what we don't _ because of the mildness. what we don't know. — because of the mildness. what we don't know. and _ because of the mildness. what we don't know, and these _ because of the mildness. what we don't know, and these are - because of the mildness. what we don't know, and these are two - don't know, and these are two things that we _ don't know, and these are two things that we don't— don't know, and these are two things that we don't know _ don't know, and these are two things that we don't know which _ don't know, and these are two things that we don't know which are - don't know, and these are two things that we don't know which are key, i don't know, and these are two thingsj that we don't know which are key, we don't _ that we don't know which are key, we don't know— that we don't know which are key, we don't know when— that we don't know which are key, we don't know when the _ that we don't know which are key, we don't know when the peak— that we don't know which are key, we don't know when the peak is - that we don't know which are key, we don't know when the peak is going i that we don't know which are key, we don't know when the peak is going to| don't know when the peak is going to occur— don't know when the peak is going to occur and _ don't know when the peak is going to occur and how— don't know when the peak is going to occur and how big _ don't know when the peak is going to occur and how big the _ don't know when the peak is going to occur and how big the peak— don't know when the peak is going to occur and how big the peak will- don't know when the peak is going to occur and how big the peak will be, l occur and how big the peak will be, that is— occur and how big the peak will be, that is one — occur and how big the peak will be, that is one thing _ occur and how big the peak will be, that is one thing which _ occur and how big the peak will be, that is one thing which will - that is one thing which will determine _ that is one thing which will determine much _ that is one thing which will determine much disease . that is one thing which will - determine much disease comes on that is one thing which will _ determine much disease comes on in terms _ determine much disease comes on in terms of— determine much disease comes on in terms of hospitalisation, _ determine much disease comes on in terms of hospitalisation, and - determine much disease comes on in terms of hospitalisation, and the - terms of hospitalisation, and the second _ terms of hospitalisation, and the second really— terms of hospitalisation, and the second really important - terms of hospitalisation, and the second really important thing - terms of hospitalisation, and the second really important thing is. second really important thing is that this — second really important thing is that this has _ second really important thing is that this has largely— second really important thing is that this has largely been - second really important thing is that this has largely been an i that this has largely been an infection— that this has largely been an infection amongst— that this has largely been an infection amongst younger. that this has largely been an - infection amongst younger people up until now. _ infection amongst younger people up until now. and — infection amongst younger people up until now, and it's— infection amongst younger people up until now, and it's moving _ infection amongst younger people up until now, and it's moving up - infection amongst younger people up until now, and it's moving up the - until now, and it's moving up the a-e until now, and it's moving up the age range — until now, and it's moving up the age range now _ until now, and it's moving up the age range now as— until now, and it's moving up the age range now. as it _

until now, and it's moving up the age range now. as it moves - until now, and it's moving up the age range now. as it moves up . until now, and it's moving up the i age range now. as it moves up the a-e age range now. as it moves up the age range. — age range now. as it moves up the age range. you _ age range now. as it moves up the age range, you would _ age range now. as it moves up the age range, you would expect- age range now. as it moves up the age range, you would expect to . age range, you would expect to see more _ age range, you would expect to see more hospitalisations, _ age range, you would expect to see more hospitalisations, and - age range, you would expect to see more hospitalisations, and we - age range, you would expect to seej more hospitalisations, and we don't know— more hospitalisations, and we don't know for— more hospitalisations, and we don't know for sure — more hospitalisations, and we don't know for sure how— more hospitalisations, and we don't know for sure how that _ more hospitalisations, and we don't know for sure how that is _ more hospitalisations, and we don't know for sure how that is going - more hospitalisations, and we don't know for sure how that is going to l know for sure how that is going to manifest— know for sure how that is going to manifest and _ know for sure how that is going to manifest and what _ know for sure how that is going to manifest and what degree - know for sure how that is going to manifest and what degree of - know for sure how that is going to - manifest and what degree of disease. so, i manifest and what degree of disease. so. ithink— manifest and what degree of disease. so. i think with — manifest and what degree of disease. so, i think with the _ manifest and what degree of disease. so, i think with the degree _ so, i think with the degree of infection— so, i think with the degree of infection we've _ so, i think with the degree of infection we've got, - so, i think with the degree of infection we've got, we - so, i think with the degree of infection we've got, we are l so, i think with the degree of- infection we've got, we are going to see more _ infection we've got, we are going to see more hospitalisations, - infection we've got, we are going to see more hospitalisations, for- infection we've got, we are going toj see more hospitalisations, for sure, 15.000 _ see more hospitalisations, for sure, 15.000 per— see more hospitalisations, for sure, 15.000 per day— see more hospitalisations, for sure, 15.000 per day at _ see more hospitalisations, for sure, 15,000 per day at the _ see more hospitalisations, for sure, 15,000 per day at the moment, - see more hospitalisations, for sure,| 15,000 per day at the moment, that see more hospitalisations, for sure, i 15,000 per day at the moment, that i expect— 15,000 per day at the moment, that i expect to _ 15,000 per day at the moment, that i expect to increase _ 15,000 per day at the moment, that i expect to increase and _ 15,000 per day at the moment, that i expect to increase and that _ 15,000 per day at the moment, that i expect to increase and that will - 15,000 per day at the moment, that i expect to increase and that will be - expect to increase and that will be associated — expect to increase and that will be associated with _ expect to increase and that will be associated with increased - expect to increase and that will be | associated with increased pressure and ultimately. _ associated with increased pressure and ultimately, of— associated with increased pressure and ultimately, of course, - associated with increased pressure and ultimately, of course, with- associated with increased pressure i and ultimately, of course, with some fatalities— and ultimately, of course, with some fatalities as _ and ultimately, of course, with some fatalities as well. _ and ultimately, of course, with some fatalities as well. i— and ultimately, of course, with some fatalities as well. i think _ and ultimately, of course, with some fatalities as well. i think what - and ultimately, of course, with some fatalities as well. i think what we - fatalities as well. i think what we now need — fatalities as well. i think what we now need to _ fatalities as well. i think what we now need to look _ fatalities as well. i think what we now need to look for _ fatalities as well. i think what we now need to look for is _ fatalities as well. i think what we now need to look for is when - fatalities as well. i think what we now need to look for is when this speaks _ now need to look for is when this speaks and — now need to look for is when this speaks and starts _ now need to look for is when this speaks and starts to _ now need to look for is when this speaks and starts to come - now need to look for is when this speaks and starts to come down. now need to look for is when this - speaks and starts to come down. can i 'ust add speaks and starts to come down. ijust add to that, i think from a health service point of view, i would divide it into some different groups. i don't think we think that the intensive care pressure is going to be like it was in previous waves, but there is very substantial pressure on the emergency services part, ambulances, a&es, and my colleagues on the emergency side of the nhs are having an extremely difficult time, because they have got a simultaneous wave of people coming in with covid on top of the

usual winter pressures, and you've got a wave of people who are off sick because they have got covid or indeed for other reasons, but covid is a very substantially can to beating to beat into that. we now expect the peak in younger people to come before the peak in older people so it may well be that the workforce problems start to decrease before we start to see any decrease in the number of people coming into hospital, in fact, they could still, very well, be going up for quite some time. so, workforce problems also apply to things like transport and critical services and so on. so i think they will end up in two slightly different places because of this age effect. in terms of threshold, for the nhs it is less that there is a single threshold, and more that little by little, routine and then urgent but not emergency, and then... things are rolled back, so little by little, the nhs has to retreat to the most

urgent things, overtime. obviously we hope that we can still keep urgent but nonemergency services running everywhere, but in every winter there's precious and times when hospitals have some difficulties. what covid will do is to make that considerably more difficult, so it will be patchy in different areas of the country, and at different points along the epidemic, and it will not reach a threshold but there will certainly be some hospitals and some areas of the country which will come under very substantial pressure over the next couple of weeks. to very substantial pressure over the next couple of weeks.— next couple of weeks. to build on something _ next couple of weeks. to build on something we _ next couple of weeks. to build on something we said _ next couple of weeks. to build on something we said at _ next couple of weeks. to build on something we said at the - next couple of weeks. to build on something we said at the outset, | something we said at the outset, there _ something we said at the outset, there are — something we said at the outset, there are three _ something we said at the outset, there are three things _ something we said at the outset, there are three things which - something we said at the outset, i there are three things which cause there are three things which cause the big _ there are three things which cause the big worry. _ there are three things which cause the big worry, hospitalisations, i the big worry, hospitalisations, staff— the big worry, hospitalisations, staff absences, _ the big worry, hospitalisations, staff absences, is _ the big worry, hospitalisations, staff absences, is a _ the big worry, hospitalisations, staff absences, is a second, . the big worry, hospitalisations,�* staff absences, is a second, and things— staff absences, is a second, and things like — staff absences, is a second, and things like the _ staff absences, is a second, and things like the testing _ things like the testing infrastructure, - things like the testing infrastructure, which. things like the testing - infrastructure, which could things like the testing _ infrastructure, which could become incredibly— infrastructure, which could become incredibly stretched _ infrastructure, which could become incredibly stretched as _ infrastructure, which could become incredibly stretched as you - infrastructure, which could become incredibly stretched as you get - infrastructure, which could become incredibly stretched as you get to l incredibly stretched as you get to these _ incredibly stretched as you get to these very — incredibly stretched as you get to these very high _ incredibly stretched as you get to these very high numbers - incredibly stretched as you get to these very high numbers and - incredibly stretched as you get to i these very high numbers and there becomes— these very high numbers and there becomes difficult— these very high numbers and there becomes difficult to _ these very high numbers and there becomes difficult to operate. - these very high numbers and therel becomes difficult to operate. thank ou ve becomes difficult to operate. thank you very much- _ becomes difficult to operate. thank you very much. amelie _ becomes difficult to operate. thank you very much. amelie morgan - becomes difficult to operate. thank you very much. amelie morgan of. becomes difficult to operate. thank i

you very much. amelie morgan of itv. prime minister, _ you very much. amelie morgan of itv. prime minister, you _ you very much. amelie morgan of itv. prime minister, you say _ you very much. amelie morgan of itv. prime minister, you say that _ you very much. amelie morgan of itv. prime minister, you say that we - you very much. amelie morgan of itv. prime minister, you say that we have. prime minister, you say that we have a chance to ride this wave out without having extra restrictions, but isn't the cost of that patient care? are you absolutely confident that all patients will be cared for safely in the coming weeks? thanks, of course, safely in the coming weeks? thanks, of course. i — safely in the coming weeks? thanks, of course, i want _ safely in the coming weeks? thanks, of course, i want to _ safely in the coming weeks? thanks, of course, i want to thank— safely in the coming weeks? thanks, of course, i want to thank the - safely in the coming weeks? thanks, of course, i want to thank the nhs i of course, i want to thank the nhs for what _ of course, i want to thank the nhs for what they are doing, they are doing _ for what they are doing, they are doing an — for what they are doing, they are doing an amazing job, and as i've said before. _ doing an amazing job, and as i've said before, i know that they are now. _ said before, i know that they are now. as — said before, i know that they are now, as chris and patrick have also said. _ now, as chris and patrick have also said. the _ now, as chris and patrick have also said, the nhs is now under a lot of pressure — said, the nhs is now under a lot of pressure. but i'm also confident that we — pressure. but i'm also confident that we can get through it, and what we're _ that we can get through it, and what we're doing — that we can get through it, and what we're doing is supporting the nhs in anyway— we're doing is supporting the nhs in anyway that we can, and we will continue — anyway that we can, and we will continue to— anyway that we can, and we will continue to do that. but what we need _ continue to do that. but what we need to— continue to do that. but what we need to do— continue to do that. but what we need to do is to remember a few things. _ need to do is to remember a few things, first of all, lockdowns, further— things, first of all, lockdowns, further restrictions, are not cost free. _ further restrictions, are not cost free, they're not cost free for lives. — free, they're not cost free for lives. for _ free, they're not cost free for lives, for livelihoods, for life chances. _ lives, for livelihoods, for life chances, closing schools, these are very. _ chances, closing schools, these are very. very—

chances, closing schools, these are very, very difficult things to do, and have — very, very difficult things to do, and have long—term consequences. and as everybody— and have long—term consequences. and as everybody can see, although omicron — as everybody can see, although omicron does cause lots of hospitalisations, it does result in, at the _ hospitalisations, it does result in, at the moment, pretty clearly, result— at the moment, pretty clearly, result in— at the moment, pretty clearly, result in fewer people in icu and thankfully at the moment certainly less mortality than we've seen from other— less mortality than we've seen from other variants. less mortality than we've seen from othervariants. so, less mortality than we've seen from other variants. so, that's why we think— other variants. so, that's why we think the — other variants. so, that's why we think the balanced approach that we're _ think the balanced approach that we're taking is the right one. and to keep _ we're taking is the right one. and to keep going with plan b+, this acceleration of the booster campaign, and that is the balance that we _ campaign, and that is the balance that we are — campaign, and that is the balance that we are striking. lbc.- that we are striking. lbc. thank ou, that we are striking. lbc. thank you. prime _ that we are striking. lbc. thank you, prime minister. _ that we are striking. lbc. thank you, prime minister. two - that we are striking. lbc. thank- you, prime minister. two questions to you, if i may. firstly, your winter plan for tackling covid says the government is committed to doing whatever it takes to prevent the nhs from being overwhelmed, but with one

in ten staff off sick, operations being cancelled and more and more trusts declaring critical incidents, isn't the nhs already overwhelmed, and you're not doing very much at all to stop it? and secondly, on the issue of staff absences, at lbc we've been hearing about lots of nhs workers who say that even now they haven't been given the fp3 grade medical masks to protect them from covid, others say they can't access lateral flow tests to prevent them having to isolate, what would your response to then be? and if i could just ask sir chris very quickly, how frustrated are you as a medic about the number of beds being taken up by people who have rejected the offer of a vaccine? people who have re'ected the offer of a vaccine?_ people who have re'ected the offer of a vaccine? thanks very much. on our of a vaccine? thanks very much. on your point — of a vaccine? thanks very much. on your point about — of a vaccine? thanks very much. on your point about fp3 _ of a vaccine? thanks very much. on your point about fp3 masks - of a vaccine? thanks very much. on your point about fp3 masks and - your point about fp3 masks and lateral— your point about fp3 masks and lateral flow tests, i will take that up, indeed we are doing everything we can— up, indeed we are doing everything we can do— up, indeed we are doing everything we can do make sure that the nhs is supplied _ we can do make sure that the nhs is supplied with all the ppe that they

need and — supplied with all the ppe that they need and generally speaking there has been _ need and generally speaking there has been a heroic effort to get people — has been a heroic effort to get people what they need and i will perhaps— people what they need and i will perhaps ask chris to comment on that in a minute _ perhaps ask chris to comment on that in a minute. on your basic point, ben. _ in a minute. on your basic point, ben. about. _ in a minute. on your basic point, ben, about, is the nhs overwhelmed? look. _ ben, about, is the nhs overwhelmed? look. the _ ben, about, is the nhs overwhelmed? look, the numbers are high, the numbers— look, the numbers are high, the numbers of— look, the numbers are high, the numbers of people going into hospital— numbers of people going into hospital right now are high. that's clear~ _ hospital right now are high. that's clear~ and — hospital right now are high. that's clear. and there are 15,000 currently. _ clear. and there are 15,000 currently, covid patients, in the nhs— currently, covid patients, in the nhs in— currently, covid patients, in the nhs in england. there was, as you will have _ nhs in england. there was, as you will have heard from chris, not all of those _ will have heard from chris, not all of those are — will have heard from chris, not all of those are there entirely because of those are there entirely because of covid. _ of those are there entirely because of covid, some of them, perhaps 25%, 30%. _ of covid, some of them, perhaps 25%, 30%. have _ of covid, some of them, perhaps 25%, 30%, have contracted the infection so you _ 30%, have contracted the infection so you have — 30%, have contracted the infection so you have got to think about that. you've _ so you have got to think about that. you've also— so you have got to think about that. you've also got to recognise that this is— you've also got to recognise that this is a — you've also got to recognise that this is a milder variant in the sense — this is a milder variant in the sense that it keeps people in hospital— sense that it keeps people in hospital perhaps for a shorter period — hospital perhaps for a shorter period. that is not in anyway to minimise — period. that is not in anyway to minimise the pressure on the nhs

now _ minimise the pressure on the nhs now. it isn't where minimise the pressure on the nhs now. it isn't where it minimise the pressure on the nhs now. it isn't where it was in the january peak— it isn't where it was in the january peak yet~ — it isn't where it was in the january peak yet. the best way that i think we can— peak yet. the best way that i think we can prevent that is to continue with the _ we can prevent that is to continue with the strategy that set out. that is everybody being sensible, following the guidance, implementing plan b. _ following the guidance, implementing plan b, but also getting boosted. to your point— plan b, but also getting boosted. to your point about people who haven't been vaccinated, i mean how absolutely crazy that is, absolutely crazy that — absolutely crazy that is, absolutely crazy that there are 2 million slots this week— crazy that there are 2 million slots this week for people to get vaccinated and yet the majority of people _ vaccinated and yet the majority of people in — vaccinated and yet the majority of people in i— vaccinated and yet the majority of people in i see you for covid aunt vaccinated — people in i see you for covid aunt vaccinated. over 61%. and the overwhelming majority of those in i see you _ overwhelming majority of those in i see you haven't been boosted. ——

people _ see you haven't been boosted. —— people in— see you haven't been boosted. —— people in icu for covid are not vaccinated, over 61%, and the overwhelming majority of those in icu haven't been boosted. the — icu haven't been boosted. the prime minister asked me to comment briefly. there are two separate questions. i question, a technical question, for which there is a debate about what are the situations where it is useful and it isn't. they aren't much fun to work in. but they must have them when they are in the right place and that's a technical discussion. there are several different views on it. a separate question, if people need it, is it available, and in that situation we are far better placed than we were last year but if everybody has shortages that needs to be escalated because it is important people have the kit needed when it is required. the one you asked me about did i get frustrated. i would say that my experience of

having talked to people in that situation i am rather saddened. the great majority aren't against vaccinations, but there are three questions people want to know an answer to. they want to know if this disease is important enough to get vaccinated against. and i would say very clearly the fact they are in hospital means this is a serious disease. the second question is, don't vaccines work. we are confident they work. 88% protection is our current estimate. it reduces the chance of you going into hospital and into intensive care as the prime minister said. thirdly, and this is where there was misinformation on the internet, a lot of it deliberately placed, is the worry about side effects. that's understandable. it's thejob the worry about side effects. that's understandable. it's the job of health professionals not to get frustrated by that but simply to

say, let's order your questions systematically and say which ones are fair and which ones, as in many cases, are really completely untrue and that have been put into the public domain deliberately often to scare people. insofar i am frustrated, it is simply people deliberately trying to scare fellow citizens away from getting something which is going to be potentially life—saving for them, and stop them getting a hospital admission, and protect people around them. the final thing people want is convenience. that's what the booster programme has allowed. there is a massive expansion of our capacity. if people have not yet had a vaccine at all now is a good time to get it. there is a lot of capacity and we would like to use it. whether it is second or third doses people are needing. second or third doses people are needini. ., .. second or third doses people are needini. ., ,, i. second or third doses people are needini. ., ,. ,, ., ., second or third doses people are needini. ., ,, ., ., needing. thank you. rowena mason, the guardian- — needing. thank you. rowena mason, the guardian. what _ needing. thank you. rowena mason, the guardian. what is _ needing. thank you. rowena mason, the guardian. what is your _ the guardian. what is your definition _ the guardian. what is your definition of _ the guardian. what is your definition of the _ the guardian. what is your definition of the nhs - the guardian. what is your - definition of the nhs becoming overwhelmed? _

definition of the nhs becoming overwhelmed? and _ definition of the nhs becoming overwhelmed? and is- definition of the nhs becoming overwhelmed? and is this - definition of the nhs becoming overwhelmed? and is this stilll definition of the nhs becoming - overwhelmed? and is this still your guiding _ overwhelmed? and is this still your guiding principle _ overwhelmed? and is this still your guiding principle that _ overwhelmed? and is this still your guiding principle that you _ overwhelmed? and is this still your guiding principle that you would - guiding principle that you would bring _ guiding principle that you would bring in — guiding principle that you would bring in restrictions— guiding principle that you would bring in restrictions if— guiding principle that you would bring in restrictions if the - guiding principle that you would bring in restrictions if the nhs. guiding principle that you wouldl bring in restrictions if the nhs is at that— bring in restrictions if the nhs is at that point? _ bring in restrictions if the nhs is at that point? because - bring in restrictions if the nhs is at that point? because a - bring in restrictions if the nhs is at that point? because a lot- bring in restrictions if the nhs is at that point? because a lot of. at that point? because a lot of people — at that point? because a lot of people working _ at that point? because a lot of people working in _ at that point? because a lot of people working in the - at that point? because a lot of people working in the health l at that point? because a lot of- people working in the health service feel it's _ people working in the health service feel it's been — people working in the health service feel it's been reached _ people working in the health service feel it's been reached already. - people working in the health service feel it's been reached already. to. feel it's been reached already. to the chief— feel it's been reached already. to the chief scientific— feel it's been reached already. to the chief scientific officer - feel it's been reached already. to the chief scientific officer and - the chief scientific officer and chief— the chief scientific officer and chief medical— the chief scientific officer and chief medical officer, - the chief scientific officer and chief medical officer, do - the chief scientific officer and chief medical officer, do you i the chief scientific officer and - chief medical officer, do you agree with andrew— chief medical officer, do you agree with andrew pollard _ chief medical officer, do you agree with andrew pollard that _ chief medical officer, do you agree with andrew pollard that we - chief medical officer, do you agree with andrew pollard that we can't i with andrew pollard that we can't keep _ with andrew pollard that we can't keep on— with andrew pollard that we can't keep on getting _ with andrew pollard that we can't keep on getting booster- with andrew pollard that we can't keep on getting boosterjabs - with andrew pollard that we can't. keep on getting boosterjabs every six months — keep on getting boosterjabs every six months that _ keep on getting boosterjabs every six months that it _ keep on getting boosterjabs every six months that it is _ keep on getting boosterjabs every six months that it is unsustainablej six months that it is unsustainable for that— six months that it is unsustainable for that to — six months that it is unsustainable for that to keep— six months that it is unsustainable for that to keep happening - for that to keep happening forevermore? _ for that to keep happening forevermore?— for that to keep happening forevermore? . , . forevermore? thanks very much. i think the nhs _ forevermore? thanks very much. i think the nhs is _ forevermore? thanks very much. i think the nhs is under— forevermore? thanks very much. i think the nhs is under huge - think the nhs is under huge pressure. i won't provide a pressure. iwon't provide a definition— pressure. i won't provide a definition of what being overwhelmed would _ definition of what being overwhelmed would constitute because i think different— would constitute because i think different trust in different places at different moments will feel at least _ at different moments will feel at least temporarily overwhelmed. anybody — least temporarily overwhelmed. anybody in hospitals at the moment are sending out signals as you know saying _ are sending out signals as you know saying they— are sending out signals as you know saying they are feeling the pressure hugely~ _ saying they are feeling the pressure hugely~ i_ saying they are feeling the pressure hugely. i understand that. i thank them _ hugely. i understand that. i thank them for— hugely. i understand that. i thank them for the work they are doing. it's absolutely fantastic. there

aren't — it's absolutely fantastic. there aren't as — it's absolutely fantastic. there aren't as many covid patients in the nhs now— aren't as many covid patients in the nhs now as — aren't as many covid patients in the nhs now as there were in the january peak _ nhs now as there were in the january peak not— nhs now as there were in the january peak. not by a long way. but sadly, the numbers are likely to grow. there _ the numbers are likely to grow. there are — the numbers are likely to grow. there are various mitigations that i've already mentioned. the relative mildness _ i've already mentioned. the relative mildness and shortness of stay and so on _ mildness and shortness of stay and so on the — mildness and shortness of stay and so on. the fact people don't go into icu so on. the fact people don't go into icu nearly— so on. the fact people don't go into icu nearly as much, and so on, as has already— icu nearly as much, and so on, as has already been said. in the end, it is people — has already been said. in the end, it is people in the hospital. it's the pressure on a&es, it is the ambulance is creating that huge sense _ ambulance is creating that huge sense of— ambulance is creating that huge sense of pressure, and i totally understand that. i've just got to say to— understand that. i've just got to say to people that, and as i said yesterday. — say to people that, and as i said yesterday, there will be a difficult period _ yesterday, there will be a difficult period for— yesterday, there will be a difficult period for our wonderful nhs for the

next few— period for our wonderful nhs for the next few weeks because of omicron. i 'ust next few weeks because of omicron. i just think— next few weeks because of omicron. i just think that we have to get through— just think that we have to get through it as best as we possibly can _ through it as best as we possibly can we — through it as best as we possibly can. we will give the nhs all the support— can. we will give the nhs all the support we can. in the meantime, the thing _ support we can. in the meantime, the thing we've _ support we can. in the meantime, the thing we've got to do as responsible members _ thing we've got to do as responsible members of the public is follow the guidance. _ members of the public is follow the guidance, try to stop transmission as much— guidance, try to stop transmission as much as — guidance, try to stop transmission as much as we can, and get boosted. i as much as we can, and get boosted. i can— as much as we can, and get boosted. i can see _ as much as we can, and get boosted. i can see the — as much as we can, and get boosted. i can see the limit in the value of people _ i can see the limit in the value of people like — i can see the limit in the value of people like me, you know, endlessly saying _ people like me, you know, endlessly saying from — people like me, you know, endlessly saying from our pulpits come on and -et saying from our pulpits come on and get vaccinated, but we do need everybody tojoin this get vaccinated, but we do need everybody to join this movement. there _ everybody to join this movement. there are — everybody to join this movement. there are many, many evangelists for this now _ there are many, many evangelists for this now we — there are many, many evangelists for this now. we need everybody to build a movement. there is a big opportunity to turn this around. 9 million _ opportunity to turn this around. 9 million people still to get a vaccine _ million people still to get a vaccine. now is the time. in terms ofthe vaccine. now is the time. in terms of the vaccine _ vaccine. now is the time. in terms of the vaccine question. _ vaccine. now is the time. in terms of the vaccine question. the - vaccine. now is the time. in terms

of the vaccine question. the good | of the vaccine question. the good news is as you get vaccinated more the immune system broadens its response so that it covers more variance macro. the immune system tends to get broad as you get more exposed to infection or you get vaccinated. —— more varients. some have a very long lasting memory of what you've seen before, and therefore will provide some durability. i think andrew pollard is right, it would be a situation which is untenable where it is said everybody needs a new vaccine every six months. that's not the long—term view. there may be some people who require an additional dose but longer term i would think as this becomes a disease which is endemic, in other words we have it circulating and it comes back every year, it'll be something like an annual vaccine like the flu. we

don't know what the vaccine will be for that yet, it is what people will work on in the coming months and years as we look at long—term strategies. i don't see this as something you end up having a vaccine for as frequently as you do now. we need it now because it is at the early stages of the disease, and we need to get boosted for this variant at this moment. there will be a change over time and that'll settle into a much more routine type of vaccine programme as we have four other infectious diseases. —— for other infectious diseases. —— for other infectious diseases. —— for other infectious diseases. you said it'll become increasingly for three — you said it'll become increasingly for three vaccinations. _ you said it'll become increasingly for three vaccinations. when - you said it'll become increasingly for three vaccinations. when are i you said it'll become increasingly. for three vaccinations. when are you planning _ for three vaccinations. when are you planning on — for three vaccinations. when are you planning on making _ for three vaccinations. when are you planning on making that _ for three vaccinations. when are you planning on making that the - for three vaccinations. when are you planning on making that the rule - for three vaccinations. when are you planning on making that the rule in. planning on making that the rule in britain? _ planning on making that the rule in britain? wouldn't _ planning on making that the rule in britain? wouldn't it— planning on making that the rule in britain? wouldn't it be _ planning on making that the rule in britain? wouldn't it be totally- britain? wouldn't it be totally unfair. — britain? wouldn't it be totally unfair. given— britain? wouldn't it be totally unfair, given that _ britain? wouldn't it be totally unfair, given that millions - britain? wouldn't it be totally unfair, given that millions ofi unfair, given that millions of people — unfair, given that millions of people who _ unfair, given that millions of people who have _ unfair, given that millions of people who have suffered i unfair, given that millions of. people who have suffered from omicron — people who have suffered from omicron over— people who have suffered from omicron over the _ people who have suffered from omicron over the christmas - people who have suffered from i omicron over the christmas period have _ omicron over the christmas period have to _ omicron over the christmas period have to wait —

omicron over the christmas period have to wait 28 _ omicron over the christmas period have to wait 28 days _ omicron over the christmas period have to wait 28 days for— omicron over the christmas period have to wait 28 days for a - omicron over the christmas period have to wait 28 days for a jab. - have to wait 28 days for a jab. also. — have to wait 28 days for a jab. also. can _ have to wait 28 days for a jab. also. can i _ have to wait 28 days for a jab. also, can i draw— have to wait 28 days for a jab. also, can i draw your- have to wait 28 days for a jab. | also, can i draw your attention have to wait 28 days for a jab. i also, can i draw your attention to an article — also, can i draw your attention to an article you _ also, can i draw your attention to an article you wrote _ also, can i draw your attention to an article you wrote for— also, can i draw your attention to an article you wrote for the - also, can i draw your attention to an article you wrote for the sun l also, can i draw your attention to| an article you wrote for the sun in 2016— an article you wrote for the sun in 2016 where — an article you wrote for the sun in 2016 where you _ an article you wrote for the sun in 2016 where you said _ an article you wrote for the sun in 2016 where you said if— an article you wrote for the sun in 2016 where you said if we - an article you wrote for the sun in 2016 where you said if we leave . an article you wrote for the sun in i 2016 where you said if we leave the eu energy — 2016 where you said if we leave the eu energy bills— 2016 where you said if we leave the eu energy bills will— 2016 where you said if we leave the eu energy bills will be _ 2016 where you said if we leave the eu energy bills will be lower- 2016 where you said if we leave the eu energy bills will be lower for- eu energy bills will be lower for everyone. — eu energy bills will be lower for everyone. eu _ eu energy bills will be lower for everyone, eu rules— eu energy bills will be lower for everyone, eu rules mean- eu energy bills will be lower for everyone, eu rules mean we i eu energy bills will be lower for- everyone, eu rules mean we cannot take vat — everyone, eu rules mean we cannot take vat off— everyone, eu rules mean we cannot take vat off those _ everyone, eu rules mean we cannot take vat off those bills, _ everyone, eu rules mean we cannot take vat off those bills, and - everyone, eu rules mean we cannot take vat off those bills, and the - take vat off those bills, and the least _ take vat off those bills, and the least wealthy _ take vat off those bills, and the least wealthy are _ take vat off those bills, and the least wealthy are particularly - take vat off those bills, and the. least wealthy are particularly hard up. least wealthy are particularly hard up you _ least wealthy are particularly hard up. you said — least wealthy are particularly hard up. you said if— least wealthy are particularly hard up. you said if we _ least wealthy are particularly hard up. you said if we vote _ least wealthy are particularly hard up. you said if we vote leave - least wealthy are particularly hard up. you said if we vote leave we. up. you said if we vote leave we will be _ up. you said if we vote leave we will be able _ up. you said if we vote leave we will be able to _ up. you said if we vote leave we will be able to scrap _ up. you said if we vote leave we will be able to scrap this - up. you said if we vote leave we . will be able to scrap this damaging tax. will be able to scrap this damaging tax~ yet _ will be able to scrap this damaging tax~ yet as— will be able to scrap this damaging tax. yet as prime _ will be able to scrap this damaging tax. yet as prime minister- will be able to scrap this damaging tax. yet as prime minister you - will be able to scrap this damaging tax. yet as prime minister you are| tax. yet as prime minister you are refusing _ tax. yet as prime minister you are refusing calls _ tax. yet as prime minister you are refusing calls to _ tax. yet as prime minister you are refusing calls to cut _ tax. yet as prime minister you are refusing calls to cut vat _ tax. yet as prime minister you are refusing calls to cut vat or- tax. yet as prime minister you are refusing calls to cut vat or scrap i refusing calls to cut vat or scrap vat on _ refusing calls to cut vat or scrap vat on energy— refusing calls to cut vat or scrap vat on energy bills. _ refusing calls to cut vat or scrap vat on energy bills. what's - refusing calls to cut vat or scrap - vat on energy bills. what's changed or where _ vat on energy bills. what's changed or where you — vat on energy bills. what's changed or where you misleading _ vat on energy bills. what's changed or where you misleading voters? - vat on energy bills. what's changed | or where you misleading voters? hot or where you misleading voters? not at all. on or where you misleading voters? at all. on your point about certification and the booster. —— were _ certification and the booster. —— were you — certification and the booster. —— were you i_ certification and the booster. —— were you. i understand what you are saying _ were you. i understand what you are saying we _ were you. i understand what you are saying. we don't want to be unfair to anybody — saying. we don't want to be unfair to anybody. there will clearly be countries — to anybody. there will clearly be countries that will start saying for travel _ countries that will start saying for travel purposes, for instance, that getting _ travel purposes, for instance, that getting a _ travel purposes, for instance, that getting a booster is their condition

for allowing brits to arrive there. it'll for allowing brits to arrive there. it'll be _ for allowing brits to arrive there. it'll be very — for allowing brits to arrive there. it'll be very much to peoples advantage. let me put it that way. it'll advantage. let me put it that way. it'll be _ advantage. let me put it that way. it'll be very — advantage. let me put it that way. it'll be very much to peoples advantage to get your booster and when _ advantage to get your booster and when we _ advantage to get your booster and when we propose to change the definition of vaccine certification we will— definition of vaccine certification we will be — definition of vaccine certification we will be sure to give people plenty — we will be sure to give people plenty of _ we will be sure to give people plenty of time and plenty of opportunity. i take your point about the unfairness of people who have had omicron over christmas. that's a very reasonable point. on your point about— very reasonable point. on your point about vat— very reasonable point. on your point about vat on energy bills, i mean, i think— about vat on energy bills, i mean, i think it _ about vat on energy bills, i mean, i think it is _ about vat on energy bills, i mean, i think it is slightly paradoxical that this _ think it is slightly paradoxical that this is now the campaign for people _ that this is now the campaign for people who wanted to remain in the eu and _ people who wanted to remain in the eu and still— people who wanted to remain in the eu and still do when it would be impossible to deliver within the eu. we will— impossible to deliver within the eu. we will continue to listen to businesses and consumers about how to abate _ businesses and consumers about how to abate the cost of energy. in the meantime. —

to abate the cost of energy. in the meantime, there are all sorts of things— meantime, there are all sorts of things that we can do to help people _ things that we can do to help people i_ things that we can do to help people. i appreciate the difficulties that people are facing because — difficulties that people are facing because of the increase in gas prices — because of the increase in gas prices. we've got the warm home discount. — prices. we've got the warm home discount, £140 rebate on energy bills. _ discount, £140 rebate on energy bills. the — discount, £140 rebate on energy bills, the winter fuel payments that cover— bills, the winter fuel payments that cover "a _ bills, the winter fuel payments that cover 11.4 million pensioners, and cold weather payments and so on, as well as— cold weather payments and so on, as well as a _ cold weather payments and so on, as well as a £500 million contribution through— well as a £500 million contribution through our local government to help those _ through our local government to help those who— through our local government to help those who need it most. i'm not ruling _ those who need it most. i'm not ruling out — those who need it most. i'm not ruling out further measures. you are quite _ ruling out further measures. you are quite right— ruling out further measures. you are quite right to draw attention, as i did in— quite right to draw attention, as i did in that — quite right to draw attention, as i did in that piece, to the potential that's— did in that piece, to the potential that's contained in the freedom to regulate _ that's contained in the freedom to regulate our own vat. the argument, as you _ regulate our own vat. the argument, as you know. — regulate our own vat. the argument, as you know, is it is a bit of a blunt— as you know, is it is a bit of a blunt instrument and the difficulty is you _

blunt instrument and the difficulty is you end — blunt instrument and the difficulty is you end up also cutting fuel bills— is you end up also cutting fuel bills for— is you end up also cutting fuel bills for a _ is you end up also cutting fuel bills for a lot of people who perhaps _ bills for a lot of people who perhaps don't need the support in quite _ perhaps don't need the support in quite the — perhaps don't need the support in quite the direct way that we need to -ive quite the direct way that we need to give it _ quite the direct way that we need to give it we — quite the direct way that we need to give it. we need to help people who are in— give it. we need to help people who are in fuel— give it. we need to help people who are in fuel poverty than most but, as i say. _ are in fuel poverty than most but, as i say. we — are in fuel poverty than most but, as i say, we will listen to consumers and to businesses as we go forward _ consumers and to businesses as we go forward. rishi sunak and others are very mindful of the increase in energy— very mindful of the increase in energy prices and the effect of the increase _ energy prices and the effect of the increase in— energy prices and the effect of the increase in energy prices on people up increase in energy prices on people up and _ increase in energy prices on people up and down this country. we are going _ up and down this country. we are going to — up and down this country. we are going to do — up and down this country. we are going to do what we can to help them _ going to do what we can to help them. anything you want to say about energy— them. anything you want to say about energy prices, chris? i�*m them. anything you want to say about energy prices, chris?— energy prices, chris? i'm ok, thanks. chuckles good. who is next? one more to go. nick cecil— good. who is next? one more to go. nick cecil of — good. who is next? one more to go. nick cecil of the standard. first good. who is next? one more to go. nick cecil of the standard.— nick cecil of the standard. first to the prime minister _ nick cecil of the standard. first to the prime minister and _ nick cecil of the standard. first to the prime minister and sir -

nick cecil of the standard. first to the prime minister and sir chris. | the prime minister and sir chris. given— the prime minister and sir chris. given the — the prime minister and sir chris. given the covid _ the prime minister and sir chris. given the covid situation - the prime minister and sir chris. given the covid situation in- the prime minister and sir chris. . given the covid situation in london and the _ given the covid situation in london and the fact— given the covid situation in london and the fact that _ given the covid situation in london and the fact that so _ given the covid situation in london and the fact that so many - given the covid situation in london and the fact that so many central l and the fact that so many central london _ and the fact that so many central london businesses _ and the fact that so many central london businesses have - and the fact that so many central london businesses have been. and the fact that so many central london businesses have been so| and the fact that so many central - london businesses have been so hard hit by— london businesses have been so hard hit by the _ london businesses have been so hard hit by the plan — london businesses have been so hard hit by the plan b— london businesses have been so hard hit by the plan b measures _ london businesses have been so hard hit by the plan b measures and - hit by the plan b measures and omicron — hit by the plan b measures and omicron concerns, _ hit by the plan b measures and omicron concerns, what's - hit by the plan b measures and omicron concerns, what's yourl omicron concerns, what's your message — omicron concerns, what's your message to _ omicron concerns, what's your message to people _ omicron concerns, what's your message to people about - omicron concerns, what's your - message to people about returning to pubs. _ message to people about returning to pubs, restaurants, _ message to people about returning to pubs, restaurants, and— message to people about returning to pubs, restaurants, and clubs - message to people about returning to pubs, restaurants, and clubs in - pubs, restaurants, and clubs in central— pubs, restaurants, and clubs in central london? _ pubs, restaurants, and clubs in central london? to _ pubs, restaurants, and clubs in central london? to sir- pubs, restaurants, and clubs in central london? to sir patrick, | pubs, restaurants, and clubs in i central london? to sir patrick, do you think— central london? to sir patrick, do you think the _ central london? to sir patrick, do you think the omicron _ central london? to sir patrick, do you think the omicron wave - central london? to sir patrick, do you think the omicron wave has i central london? to sir patrick, do . you think the omicron wave has now peaked _ you think the omicron wave has now peaked in _ you think the omicron wave has now peaked in london, _ you think the omicron wave has now peaked in london, and _ you think the omicron wave has now peaked in london, and if— you think the omicron wave has now peaked in london, and if so, - you think the omicron wave has now peaked in london, and if so, given. peaked in london, and if so, given evidence _ peaked in london, and if so, given evidence from _ peaked in london, and if so, given evidence from south _ peaked in london, and if so, given evidence from south africa, - peaked in london, and if so, given evidence from south africa, how. evidence from south africa, how quickly _ evidence from south africa, how quickly good _ evidence from south africa, how quickly good cases _ evidence from south africa, how quickly good cases for? - evidence from south africa, how quickly good cases for? and - evidence from south africa, how. quickly good cases for? and finally, prime _ quickly good cases for? and finally, prime minister, _ quickly good cases for? and finally, prime minister, as— quickly good cases for? and finally, prime minister, as a _ quickly good cases for? and finally, prime minister, as a former- quickly good cases for? and finally, prime minister, as a former mayorl quickly good cases for? and finally, i prime minister, as a former mayor of london. _ prime minister, as a former mayor of london. will— prime minister, as a former mayor of london. will you _ prime minister, as a former mayor of london, will you push— prime minister, as a former mayor of london, will you push for— prime minister, as a former mayor of london, will you push for a _ london, will you push for a long-term _ london, will you push for a long—term sustainable - london, will you push for a . long—term sustainable funding london, will you push for a - long—term sustainable funding deal to transport — long—term sustainable funding deal to transport for— long—term sustainable funding deal to transport for london _ long—term sustainable funding deal to transport for london to - long—term sustainable funding deal to transport for london to help - long—term sustainable funding deal to transport for london to help the| to transport for london to help the city to— to transport for london to help the city to recover? _ to transport for london to help the city to recover?— to transport for london to help the city to recover? who is doing covid in london? — city to recover? who is doing covid in london? we _ city to recover? who is doing covid in london? we both _ city to recover? who is doing covid in london? we both are, _ city to recover? who is doing covid in london? we both are, i - city to recover? who is doing covid in london? we both are, i can - city to recover? who is doing covid in london? we both are, i can go l in london? we both are, i can go first. i in london? we both are, i can go first- lwill— in london? we both are, i can go first. iwillask_ in london? we both are, i can go first. i will ask rather— in london? we both are, i can go

first. i will ask rather indirectly. i first. i will ask rather indirectly. until we've actually had the peak in the most vulnerable, that is the people most likely to go to hospital, any measures that are taken that help slow down the peak are beneficial in terms of reducing the height of the wave and that having an effect on businesses, homes, and the nhs, and individual peoples health. people have been incredibly responsive and i think we should all be incredibly grateful for the response. there is a need. we need to be very careful still. as the prime minister said work from home, use masks, and also to prioritise, as we've talked about several times before, the response to that is one of the reasons why the rates haven't gone up even faster and even further. obviously, hopefully there will come a point in the not—too—distant future when the

rates are coming down. that's the point at which these things are much easier to address. before we reach the peak in the most vulnerable people, i think we need to keep the messaging really study on this. shall i build on that?— shalli build on that? yes, go ahead. shalli build on that? yes, go ahead- in _ shalli build on that? yes, go ahead. in terms _ shalli build on that? yes, go ahead. in terms of— shalli build on that? yes, go ahead. in terms of has - shalli build on that? yes, go ahead. in terms of has it - shall i build on that? yes, go - ahead. in terms of has it reached a -eak in ahead. in terms of has it reached a peak in london. — ahead. in terms of has it reached a peak in london, the _ ahead. in terms of has it reached a peak in london, the answer - ahead. in terms of has it reached a peak in london, the answer is - ahead. in terms of has it reached a | peak in london, the answer is there is no evidence it has clearly reached a peak. whilst it may be the case that in the younger age groups this is flattening off or possibly beginning to come down, not least because there has been such a big wave of infection, that's not true in the older age groups. it is still going up in older age groups. i think it would be very wrong, and chris has alluded to this, to suggest that there is a peak and all overin suggest that there is a peak and all over in london. it may well be flattening in some of the younger age groups, but it is in the older age groups, but it is in the older age groups, but it is in the older age groups where we have the biggest risk of that turning to

hospitalisation and complications. and that's not the case yet. we need to keep watching. we don't know when the peak will occur or how big it'll be, but we need to see it happen in all of the age groups, notjust call it when one age group looks like it is turning. just to build on the other point about plan b, it wasn't plan b alone which was important to bring it down, it was the behaviour that everybody took up really well in the run—up to christmas and the holiday period to change their behaviours, to reduce social contacts, as initially suggested by jenny harries and chris before christmas. that's a really important part of this. until we've got to the older age groups coming down, it is important we retain that caution. {lin important we retain that caution. on our important we retain that caution. on your point about transport for london. — your point about transport for london, neverforget your point about transport for london, never forget that it was left with— london, never forget that it was left with a — london, never forget that it was left with a very considerable sum of money— left with a very considerable sum of money by— left with a very considerable sum of money by the outgoing on the previous— money by the outgoing on the previous mayor who left the coffers

full, previous mayor who left the coffers full. not _ previous mayor who left the coffers full, not least crossrail and everything else... however, we are where _ everything else... however, we are where we _ everything else... however, we are where we are, and it is vital that our great — where we are, and it is vital that our great capital city has got to be able to— our great capital city has got to be able to move around. of course ridership— able to move around. of course ridership has been down because of the pandemic but i know that you and i and the pandemic but i know that you and i and the _ the pandemic but i know that you and i and the current mayor hope that ridership— i and the current mayor hope that ridership will come back, and wonder it'll come _ ridership will come back, and wonder it'll come back without masks on, we hope. _ it'll come back without masks on, we hope. and _ it'll come back without masks on, we hope, and our capital city will be buzzing — hope, and our capital city will be buzzing again. so it is vital it is properly— buzzing again. so it is vital it is properly provided for. but it also requires — properly provided for. but it also requires a — properly provided for. but it also requires a mayor who will institute a sensible. — requires a mayor who will institute a sensible, pragmatic fares policy, not the _ a sensible, pragmatic fares policy, not the retrograde one we saw in the early stage _ not the retrograde one we saw in the early stage of the current mayor's term~ _ early stage of the current mayor's term~ that — early stage of the current mayor's term. that is what we are looking to achieve _ term. that is what we are looking to achieve 0k. — term. that is what we are looking to achieve. 0k, unless you want to say anything _ achieve. 0k, unless you want to say anything more about fares on london

transport. _ anything more about fares on london transport, we will conclude it there — transport, we will conclude it there. thank you everybody. studio: _ there. thank you everybody. studio: that is the end of the downing street press briefing. we heard omicron is milder, not as many people in icu, but not to mistake this as a disease that isn't going to cause a lot of health problems for people and people are still dying from it. our health correspondence was listening to that, as well. an interesting mix of saying that it is really serious, we still need people to have vaccines, but we are not moving away from plan b. but we are not moving away from plan b, there will be information about some modelling that came out relating to restrictions.— that came out relating to restrictions. , , .. ., restrictions. yes, this came out 'ust restrictions. yes, this came out just before _ restrictions. yes, this came out just before new— restrictions. yes, this came out just before new year's - restrictions. yes, this came out just before new year's eve. - restrictions. yes, this came out just before new year's eve. it i restrictions. yes, this came out i just before new year's eve. it was from warwick university which is one of the key modelling bodies for the government. it is important to remember that severe restrictions like lockdown do not stop the virus, theyjust like lockdown do not stop the virus, they just delay the like lockdown do not stop the virus, theyjust delay the spread. this modelling showed that because it looked at whether if you introduced

a lockdown bar leaving school is open, all that would do is when that lockdown lifted, and there would be a rebound in infections. you are largely delaying those infections. now, that could and certainly would help the nhs but it needs to be balanced against the cost to society and wider health. the problem for the government and the modelling pointed this out, to have an impact on this way, a significant impact in terms of flattening that peak, they would have been needed to have been brought in on boxing day if not earlier. and it is largely too late now to have a major impact on the peak of cases and hospitalisations. —— on hospitalisations. in the lead up —— on hospitalisations. in the lead up to christmas, one in 25 people, thatis up to christmas, one in 25 people, that is 2 million people across the

uk, had the virus. now, those levels of infection cannot continue forever. but what matters to the nhs is whether that will peak. some suggest that could peak in the next week or two macro, but that will have a huge bearing on the nhs's ability to cope. —— the next week or two. ability to cope. -- the next week or two. ., ~ ability to cope. -- the next week or two. . . ,, ability to cope. -- the next week or two. thanks. we can speak to our volitical two. thanks. we can speak to our political correspondence. - two. thanks. we can speak to our political correspondence. a - political correspondence. a recognition there from the prime minister that services in some sectors are going to have to be protected. sectors are going to have to be protected-— sectors are going to have to be arotected. .. , ., ., �* , protected. exactly right and that's been a big concern _ protected. exactly right and that's been a big concern on _ protected. exactly right and that's been a big concern on ministers' i been a big concern on ministers' minds. they have been cautiously optimistic, saying there is no need to go further than the current plan b restrictions in england, they are, however, worried about staff shortages both in the nhs and the food supply chains, in transport, in other areas of the economy. this is why one of the big announcements from that press conference was this

announcement that 100,000 critical workers have been identified and from the 10th of january they will be getting daily lateral flow tests on every working day to mitigate against some of these sickness rates we are seeing in some of these key areas like transport and food production chains. i think that's one of the measures they are going to take. though, as we heard, still a lot of questions, really, about what exactly the government is going to do if these shortages continue with the rates of sickness being the way they are at the moment. as high as they are at the moment. one of the big defences against this, which the big defences against this, which the government has been stressing today, is the vaccination programme. while everybody eligible has been offered a boosterjab, the prime minister did stress that there are people who haven't taken up that offer. quite staggering statistics, particularly around the people in icu with 90% of those in icu being

treated for covid people who haven't had their third boosterjab, and 60% of people in there not having any vaccine at all. that stresses the difference between the position we were in last year when there were lots of people who hadn't had the vaccination and the position now. the contrast between those who are vaccinated and those who are not is also something concerning ministers, too. the prime minister saying the nhs is being put on a war footing and that some hospitals are going to need military support. we already know that may be as many as ten hospitals have already declared a major incident. that's right and it shows the message from the prime minister and the scientists today that this issue hasn't gone away. covid hasn't gone away. cases are still very high. there are concerns about staff shortages in the nhs becoming a problem, as well. it was only days

ago that chris hopson said staff shortages in the nhs would soon overtake the issue of people being treated for covid in a way and that was becoming such an escalating issue. this is also the reason, i think, as the prime ministerjust stated, as explicitly as he did so there, that he is going to recommend his fellow government ministers tomorrow when they meet for cabinet that the plan b measures in england are extended. this is things like wearing face coverings in certain settings, also the work from home guidance, and covid passports. that may raise eyebrows amongst some conservative mps who weren't fans of the measures in the first place, with some of them voting to reject these measures in the house of commons, meaning the government had relied on labour votes to pass some of these through. the prime minister pretty clear he wants to see those extend past the 26th of january to do everything they can to keep those cases at a manageable level in the

nhs, as the covid wave continues. london has been seen as a measure here. we've seen it as the percent of the omicron variant at the moment. if those hospitalisations in london creep up, as was said nothing has been ruled out, there could be more restrictions in england if necessary, but at the moment no plan to move beyond plan b. thanks very much. time for a look at the weather now with matt. today came as a shock to the system after that exceptionally warm start of the year. temperatures were in the mid teens. this afternoon, barely a few degrees above freezing. that said, closer to how it should feel in january. cold conditions continue tonight. most snow showers across the north of scotland. more sleet and snow showers for northern ireland, wales, may be into north

west midlands. away from that, clear skies. could be ice where the ground is wet. showers through the night, but then a frost returns to take us into wednesday morning. for many a crisp and sunny start. snow showers in the north of scotland. a few showers but not many across the western areas. a chance of rain showers for the eastern coast of england in the day. the strongest winds will be here adding to the winds will be here adding to the wind chill. lighter winds further west across the country. it'll feel colder than it did this afternoon. temperatures not far off the average, four to 7 degrees in most parts of the uk. with clearer skies and sunshine to end the day and lighter winds it could be an even colder night from wednesday night into thursday morning. where there are some showers late in the day there could be some ice around. —9 in some parts of eastern scotland.

slightly milder air coming in towards island. we are likely to see snow for a time. —— towards ireland. on the hills in wales and increasingly so into northern england and the north midlands and scotland heavier showers. sunshine and showers in the wake of that front. the front never quite reaches east anglia until late in the day, but even there it stays on the cold start, temperatures around 4 degrees. a patchy frost to take us from thursday into friday morning as that system clears. then a day of sunshine and showers. showers across western areas mainly. many eastern and southern parts should stay dry, bright, and temperatures around three to 6 degrees. that's how things are looking.

today at six... lawyers for prince andrew argue for the first time in court that the sexual assault civil lawsuit against him should be thrown out. they say he can't be sued because of an agreement signed by his accuser, barring "potential defendants" from court action. but some believe there is no good outcome for the prince. in a but some believe there is no good outcome for the prince.— outcome for the prince. in a way what happens — outcome for the prince. in a way what happens in _ outcome for the prince. in a way what happens in this _ outcome for the prince. in a way what happens in this case - outcome for the prince. in a wayl what happens in this case doesn't matter, the damage has been done. when it comes to prince andrew, one can see no role in royal life for him in the immediate future or the judge says he will deliver a decision soon. thejudge in new york says he'll deliver his decision soon. also on the programme...

the prime minister