joining us to talk about all of this is helen dickinson, british retail consortium chief executive. ix working days away from when the u.k. leaves the eu. no matter what happens, our supply chains ready for it? helen: certainly, retailers across the u.k. have been investing in really making sure they've got all the preparations that they need, but whatever happens over the next couple of weeks, there's going to be some disruption at our ports because there will be new procedures and goodsses that apply for transferring between the u.k. and the eu on january 1. so there will be some disruption. that from a food point of view will mainly be around french foods. there's no need for us as movers of the public to buy more food than we need. effectfor the brexit that is relevant to food, we have a sort of global container issue which is much more to do with covid and affecting nonfood items and imports coming from as far as asia into the u.k.. what does that do to the amount of prices we will pay for our food? if you have red tape, and there's extra forms to fill out, will retailers automa

let's speak to helen dickinson, chief executive of the british retail consortium.ny tailors on this important run—up to christmas. on so many tailors on this important run-up to christmas. indeed. you don't me —— you don't need me to tell any of your listeners that december, the run—up to christmas is such a crucial time for many retail businesses. and our own build—up to the gift—giving which is such a critical part of christmas, so it is devastating news for those businesses that are affected in the new tearful areas and in different parts of the country where further restrictions will be applied. do you wa nt to restrictions will be applied. do you want to the government has taken this decision? i wasjust talking to one of the cabinet earlier this afternoon. the big message certainly to retail businesses is that all the investment that they have made in safety critical over the past month, so this is not about saying that nonessential retail is not safe, this is about encouraging us all as members of the public in those areas to stay—at—home. and that things hav

there's also been a response from the british retail consortium. ermarkets said "every passing moment of uncertainty makes it harder for busiesses to prepare effectively for the 1st of january". earlier i spoke to tony connelly, europe editor of the irish broadcaster rte. he says negotiations are zeroing into this question of a what's called ‘the level playing field'. they are zeroing into this whole question of the level playing field. and the european union's real concern about what would happen if the uk diverged from eu standards, with that give british companies an unfair advantage over european ones and then you would have the level playing field no longer being level and then again, if the eu improved or tightened its standards in various fields, such as the environment and so on, over time, and the uk did not, again, could you have an unfair situation. so, what they seem to be really looking at is how quickly could the eu retaliate if they feel that the uk has diverged and that has caused a negative effect or a distortion or some kind of unf

the british retail consortium has calculated that it will mean 48% on beef mince, 16% on cucumbers andeu, it will mean a tariff of 10% on cars and 35% on dairy products. both sides are putting measures in place to reduce disruption from the start of january. in key areas such as transport, the eu said today that it would allow things to carry on broadly as they are, but only if the uk continue to follow existing rules on standards. and today, the eu has outlined temporary measures for areas other than trade. so, on aviation, they‘re saying that, for six months, uk planes can still fly to the eu, but they have to go to a single destination and then return. existing safety certificates would continue to be valid. and on fishing, they‘re saying that both sides should continue to access each other‘s waters for up to one year, but the uk would have to agree all of this. and there are other aspects of our relationship, including financial services and data sharing, that also need to be ironed out. this won‘t necessarily involve a negotiation. many things are changing, whether there‘s a trade

this time of year — and that would mean higher prices in the shops here according to the british retail consortiums now for a european perspective on that. ben butters is ceo of eurochambres, the association of european chambers of commerce and industry, which represents some 20 million businesses across europe. good to see you and thank you for talking to us. you represent millions of businesses in europe. what does a deal or no deal mean for your members? it's extremely important deal is being struck and members have been pushing for this since 2016 and we want to deal with the uk. it's historically one of the strongest partners for the rest of the european union and remains the third largest trading partnerfor remains the third largest trading partner for the remains the third largest trading partnerfor the eu, so it is crucial that our businesses, the 20 million or so across europe are businesses, the 20 million or so across europe are able to continue trading with their partners in the uk in a manner thatis partners in the uk in a manner that is with as few barriers as possible and notably ta

the british retail consortium estimates around 40% of all the food that supermarkets import comes across dover — the proportion of fresh produce is even higher. let's talk to philippe binard from freshfel europe, the fresh produce association. how much fresh fruit and veg is caught up in the closure? well, good morning. yes, there has been a lot of disruption in the overall supply chain in the last few days. there has been a lot of trucks that have been blocked and most of the fresh produce comes with trucks that we re produce comes with trucks that were in transportation. all of the trucks entered into the long queues, not return and couldn't bring back the fresh produce needed for the supplier to the supermarket. i we work in the sector with very limited stock so these are direct supply to the supermarket and that could not be done. there area that could not be done. there are a lot of trucks that are blocked which have not returned in time and i think to get that fixed, i think it will still ta ke fixed, i think it will still take a few days. and that will also affect the christmas si

the british retail consortium says any prolonged border closure will be a problem in the ten days before transition period with the eu. simonjack reports. scottish seafood, one of the crown jewels of uk exports, highly prized, highly perishable, which makes any delay to the ports very bad for businesses like this aberdeen—based exporter. today i had to phone the customer early this morning to say he wasn't going to get the product, therefore he didn't place another order for goods today. so i was unable to buy on the market today to supply my customer tomorrow, so it has a rolling effect. the uk exports £15 billion worth of food and drink to the eu annually, a third of which is perishable meat, fish and fresh produce. we import £35 billion worth, again the majority of which has a short shelf life and so is vulnerable to delay. so, does this mean we are facing food shortages? today, sainsbury said that while we have all the food we need for christmas, if nothing changes, we will start to see gaps over the coming days on lettuce, some salad leaves, cauliflowers, broccoli and citrus fruit,

british retailers, with the misery capped by non essential shopping this christmas cut short, due to coronavirus restrictions affecting large parts of england. the industry group, the british retail consortiumcisions to make, "stop start" covid rules are costing retailers £2 billion a week this festive season. emma simpson has returned to st albans to hear from shopkeepers there about what plans they are making now. summer in st albans, the first lockdown. a city full of independent businesses, worried about the road ahead. they are even more anxious now. for sarah and david, they should be some of their busiest days of the year with last—minute jewelry shopping. this latest closure will cost them dear. it is tens of thousands. it is a very large number for small businesses. massive. it is not even just that. we committed to stock way back in august for sale, now. if you can't sell it now, are people going to want to buy christmas presents injanuary? i don't think so. some of you is a long time ago, now. this is the third time businesses here have had to close, and a lot of them are now mentally and financially at the end of their tether. i'm feeling really sad. emotions on saturday were so

representing british retailers, including supermarkets, said "every passing moment of uncertainty makes it harder for busiesses to prepare effectively for the 1st of january. " the british retail consortiummbers were increasing their stocks of tins, toilet rolls and other longer life products. it said the main impact of changes from january would be on fresh produce such as fruit and vegetables, and warned the public there was no need to buy more food than usual. earlier i asked katrin pribyl, a german reporter based in london, about this morning's developments. germany was always saying it would do anything to actually get a deal. they would never walk away. they will try to negotiate anything till the very last minute. let's be honest, like, germany would be hit quite badly with a no deal scenario. they have been trying to get an agreement done. we know mrjohnson wa nted agreement done. we know mrjohnson wanted to talk to angela merkel and emmanuel macron but the eu said you had to keep talking to ursula von der leyen and the eu has a whole, not to individual leaders. do you think that might have made a difference to these negotiations? frankly, i was a bit surprised that emmanuel macr

the british retail consortium has calculated that it will mean 48% on beef mince, 16% on cucumbers andexports from the uk to the eu, it will mean a tariff of 10% on cars and 35% on dairy products. both sides are putting measures in place to reduce disruption from the start of january. in key areas such as transport, the eu said today that it would allow things to carry on broadly as they are, but only if the uk continue to follow existing rules on standards. and today, the eu has outlined temporary measures for areas other than trade. so, on aviation, they're saying that, for six months, uk planes can still fly to the eu, but they have to go to a single destination and then return. existing safety certificates would continue to be valid. and on fishing, they're saying that both sides should continue to access each other‘s waters for up to one year, but the uk would have to agree all of this. and there are other aspects of our relationship, including financial services and data sharing, that also need to be ironed out. this won't necessarily involve a negotiation. many things are changi

the british retail consortium has calculated that it will mean 48% on beef mince, i6% on cucumbers andhen it comes to exports from the uk to the eu, it will mean a tariff of 10% on cars and 35% on dairy products. both sides are putting measures in place to reduce disruption from the start of january. in key areas such as transport, the eu said today that it would allow things to carry on broadly as they are but only if the uk continue to follow existing rules on standards. and today, the eu has outlined temporary measures for areas other than trade. so, on aviation, they're saying that, for six months, uk planes can still fly to the eu, but they have to go to a single destination and then return. existing safety certificates would continue to be valid. and on fishing, they're saying that both sides should continue to access each other‘s waters for up to one year, but the uk would have to agree all of this. and there are other aspects of our relationship, including financial services and data sharing, that also need to be ironed out. this won't necessarily involve a negotiation. many th

the british retail consortium which represents major markets today repeated its warning that tariffs goods could lead to price rises for customers. it says its members are stocking up on longer life products to ensure availability but it says the greatest impact on potential disruption would be on fresh produce like fruit and veg which can't be stored for so long. for groups representing industries like manufacturing, there is relief the no deal scenario they say would be catastrophic has not come to pass today, but still anxiety that it remains a possibility. katy austin, bbc news. the united states is about to begin its most ambitious vaccination campaign ever, as millions of doses of the pzifer biontech vaccine arrive all over the country. the aim is to vaccinate 100 million people against the coronavirus by the end of march. us media are reporting that donald trump and mike pence will be among the first people to receive the jab this week, along with other white house staff. lebo diseko has more from washington. it's been a long and painful journey, but finally, help is on its wa

the british retail consortium which represents major markets today repeated its warning that tariffsead to price rises for customers. it says its members are stocking up on longer life products to ensure availability but it says the greatest impact on potential disruption would be on fresh produce like fruit and veg which can't be stored for so long. for groups representing industries like manufacturing, there is relief the no deal scenario they say would be catastrophic has not come to pass today, but still anxiety that it remains a possibility. and we'll find out how this story — and many others — are covered in tomorrow's front pages at 10:30 and 11:30 this evening in the papers — our guests joining me tonight are the chief business commentator at the independent, james moore, and the property and personal finance commentator, anne ashworth. they both really know their stuff so it will be interesting. if there is any bluster in there, james and ann will snuffle it out for us. the latest government figures on coronavirus show another 18,1147 infections recorded in the latest 24—hou

the british retail consortium says any prolonged border closure will be a problem in the final ten daysre's our business editor simonjack. scottish seafood, one of the crown jewels of uk exports, highly prized, highly perishable, which makes any delay to the ports very bad for businesses like this aberdeen—based exporter. today i had to phone the customer early this morning to say he wasn't going to get the product, therefore he didn't place another order for goods today. so i was unable to buy on the market today to supply my customer tomorrow, so it has a rolling effect. the uk exports £15 billion worth of food and drink to the eu annually, a third of which is perishable meat, fish and fresh produce. we import £35 billion worth, again the majority of which has a short shelf life and so is vulnerable to delays. so, does this mean we are facing food shortages? today, sainsbury said that while we have all the food we need for christmas, if nothing changes, we will stop to see gaps over the ——————we will start to see gaps over the coming days on letters, some salad leaves, cauliflowers, b

the british retail consortium, which represents major supermarkets, repeated its warning that tariffss could lead to price rises for customers. it says members are stocking up on longer life products to ensure availability but it says the greatest impact of potential disruption would be on fresh produce like fruit and veg, which cannot be stored for so long. for groups representing industries like manufacturing there is relief that the no deal scenario they say would be catastrophic has not come to pass today, but still anxiety that it remains a possibility. katie austin, bbc news. the latest government figures on coronavirus show another 18,447 infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period. it means the average number of new cases reported per day in the last week was 18,023. 1,530 people were admitted to hospital on average each day over the week to the 9th december. 144 deaths were reported for the last 2a hours. that's people who died within 28 days of a positive covid—19 test. on average in the past week there were 420 deaths per day. the total number of uk deaths is now 64,17

however, the british retail consortium which represents the supermarket has a more measured tone, theyd up on goods ahead of christmas which should prevent immediate problems, where houses are bulging with food at this particular time. i was in dover myself on thursday and there were tailbacks ten to 20 miles long at some point because you had this disruption of stuff coming out of china, a bit of pre—brexit stockpiling and that busy christmas period. one chief hauliers said to mejust when you period. one chief hauliers said to me just when you thought it couldn't get worse, it does get worse. so serious disruption in prospect here. and this is ten days before the uk goes into this rather on —— unknown period where we don't know what we are preparing for, so very testing times ahead. thank you, we will get an update on the brexit talks in brussels in a few moments. the latest government figures show( there were 35,928 new coronavirus infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period, which means an average number of 27,249 new cases per day in the last week. there were 1,821 people admi

british retailers. the british retail consortium, says "stop start" covid rules are costing retailers £2 billion a weekummer in st albans, the first lockdown. a city full of independent businesses, worried about the road ahead. they are even more anxious now. for sarah and david, these should be some of their busiest days of the year with last—minute jewellery shopping. this latest closure will cost them dear. it is tens of thousands. it is a very large number for small businesses. massive. it is not even just that. we committed to stock way back in august for sale, now. if you can't sell it now, are people going to want to buy christmas presents injanuary? i don't think so. summer feels a long time ago, now. this is the third time businesses here have had to close, and a lot of them are now mentally and financially at the end of their tether. i'm feeling really sad. emotions on saturday were so high, there were tears in here. sally runs a beauty salon. she could have done with more notice to squeeze in more appointments before shutting shop. terrified, to be honest. we have the next rent quarter due o

according to the british retail consortium, prices in shops are tumbling in the run—up to christmas,iam just a couple of people behind you, i am interested to find out whether there has been the sort of pick—up in trade that those physical shops have been hoping for? well, we are not seeing any signs of that here this morning. the primark behind me did open early doors, it will close at 11pm and there are primark stores around the company staying open for 24 hours. retailers are keen to make up 24 hours. retailers are keen to make upfor 24 hours. retailers are keen to make up for that lost ground incurred during the lockdown period, that is ending today, that has ended today. as you said, some shops are plummeting their prices, change get people to come in and to buy their products. if you gojust people to come in and to buy their products. if you go just down people to come in and to buy their products. if you gojust down here on bond street on the right—hand side, some small boutiques also reducing their prices, again to attract people. to speak to me this, iamjoined by attract peo

according to the british retail consortium, prices in shops are tumbling in the run—up to christmas,ter sima kotecha is on oxford street in central london now. yes, simon, whata yes, simon, what a week it has been for the high street. as you said, we saw debenhams go into liquidation, arcadia go into administration, and today we have heard bon marchais, a popular woman's store has also gone into administration —— bon marche, putting 1500 jobs at risk. we understand the stores will continue trading as other options are explored for example, they may find another buyer who wants to take on the chain. in other business news, we have heard tesco has decided it is going to repay its business rate relief. you may remember at the beginning of the pandemic the government paid some people's business rate. that is the tax paid on commercial properties, so properties on the high street, shops, estate agents etc all have to play that. the government paid it to help them get through those difficult days. tesco has now said it will pay back that almost £600 million after it received criticism that

according to the british retail consortium, prices in shops are tumbling in the run—up to christmas asn the road and we heard there were queues in birmingham, not here in london. this is the busiest shopping street in europe but we heard that arcadia, which owns burtons, dorothy perkins, top shop, went into administration, putting 13,000 jobs at risk so not good news. we've got a topshop here, there are 50% off some of the things inside. many shoppers have told us they are looking for bargains. we know that some shops have reduced their prices hoping to make up that lost ground which they incurred during the lockdown is. to speak to me about this is katie barron, director of brand engagement. tell me what you think the mood is like among consumers at the moment. surprisingly the mood is quite buoyant because i think statistics show that actually 70% of people are looking to spend at least as much as they did last year and christmas shopping because there is a sense of christmas being a beacon in a rather bleak winter so far so i think there isa certain bleak winter so far so i think th

continent would attract taxes or ta riffs continent would attract taxes or tariffs and the british retail consortiumntil sunday to see if a deal could be struck. i have to we music sounding sombre. with a look at this morning's weather. thanks. sunshine to southern and western areas but for most cloudy day in store. persistent rain through many parts overnight which is confined to easternmost counties of england particularly east anglia and kent and the eastern half of scotland, where it will remain. we could see river levels rising in parts of caithness, aberdeenshire and angus and still thoroughly wet by this afternoon. further west, plenty of showers into far west scotland, northern ireland, northern england, across wales and south—west england, across wales and south—west england with the odd rumble of thunder as they develop around the english channel. showers in the west, staying largely derived. later the south—east of england should look better. the rain never too far away. the winter light for most this afternoon although strong whens across the far north—east of scotla nd across the far no