rupa huq, labourmpfor bennett makes sense. acting, many thanks for being with us on bbc news this evening. hello, this is bbc news. the headlines — a new variant of coronavirus has been found in the uk, which the health secretary says could be associated with the rise in infections in the south of england. i must stress at this point that there is currently nothing to suggest that this variant is more likely to cause serious disease, and the latest clinical advice is that it's highly unlikely that this mutation would fail to respond to a vaccine, but it shows we've got to be vigilant. greater london and parts of essex and hertfordshire will move into the highest tier of coronavirus restrictions from wednesday. coronavirus vaccinations are under way in care homes in scotland, and in gp surgeries in england. both the european union and britain say progress is being made in negotiations over the future trading relationship, but warn the talks could yet fail. the health secretary matt hancock is leading a news briefing at downing