has said the same _ scottish conservative has said the same was — scottish conservative has said theent for the sake of it. every time that some of your own mps rebel. _ it. every time that some of your own mps rebel, any prime minister loses a bit of— mps rebel, any prime minister loses a bit of authority. and then that is compounded by the fact you have labour _ compounded by the fact you have labour going to make sure these laws passed _ labour going to make sure these laws passed and _ labour going to make sure these laws passed and you saw the labour leader in a televised address earlier this evening _ in a televised address earlier this evening effectively commit more shots _ evening effectively commit more shots and — evening effectively commit more shots and likes to call him captain heisele _ shots and likes to call him captain heisele and he is trying to play the role of— heisele and he is trying to play the role of did — heisele and he is trying to play the role of did a sensible essay he supported the government in the best interest— supported the government in the best i

. - the scottish conservatives welcomed some of the budget measures — including a commitment to double with rates relief. presiding officer, we understand that budgets are about choices and the lead _ that budgets are about choices and the lead up to today's statement, we made _ the lead up to today's statement, we made choices that show it is possible _ made choices that show it is possible to balance the support for puhiic _ possible to balance the support for public services and the move to net zero with— public services and the move to net zero with the protection ofjobs and stimulating economic growth. such is that concern, and on the back of what _ that concern, and on the back of what businesses were telling us, we wanted _ what businesses were telling us, we wanted the snp to extend 75% rates relief to _ wanted the snp to extend 75% rates relief to customer facing businesses in the _ relief to customer facing businesses in the next — relief to customer facing businesses in the next financial year, a measure _ in the next financial year, a measure which would be worth its hundre

minister on, he was a senior minister under teresa mae saying that he didn't agree with the scottish conservativesid passports given the experience that they say they have had with apparently not claiming working north of the border. so this isn'tjust one part of the conservative party, there can significant concerns across different wings of the party. the question, i suppose, different wings of the party. the question, isuppose, is different wings of the party. the question, i suppose, is whether some of that opposition will be reduced this evening because, one of the messages from the prime minister, because the republicans are in the real concern from the scientists we have seen over how quickly i'm a spread from a professor clay chris whitty the chief medical officer briefed a number of mps this afternoon about some of the concerns that he has about how quickly the virus is spreading, and another thing i've been told this afternoon is that may well have convinced some of the rebels either to sit on their hands are potentially to vote with the government this evening. we will find out exactly,

leader of the scottish conservatives, douglas ross, says the cabinet secretary's investigation needs to light and clearly they have not given artists — answers that will satisfy the public and you can understand why opposition parties are raising questions and we can understand why the country is upset it happened and why the responses from downing street have been as they are for the last week or ten days. given what we know now, do you think that boris johnson may have misled parliament over all of this? the prime minister was very clear last weekend and again this week that he does not believe there was a party. you think there was one? that is my reading of it. but crucially we have to find out through the cabinet secretary enquiry what happened and first of all why was a party even allowed in downing street? let's take that issue first when everyone else was telling people not to have these parties yet people in downing street thought they could, and what it means for the public trust going forward and what it means for the people who did make the sacrifices and did not see thei

douglas ross, leading of the scottish conservatives. ut in the last hour or so senior cabinet ministers have been in number ten behind me and more recently a couple of cabinet ministers have left as we've seen grant shapps the working pension secretary, and sajid javid, the health secretary, recently leaving number ten and no responses to questions about further restrictions possibly being on the way but we were expecting ministers to meet today to discuss possible options and in response to the new omicron and in response to the new omicron and those would be under the government plan b that it set out early in the year with face mask being required in more people are asked to work from home and possibly the introduction of vaccine passports in some settings as well. if ministers have been discussing and have decided on those measures this afternoon, i would expect a statement in parliament, possibly from the health secretary and possibly a news conference at some point as well but so far no confirmation, even that the cabinet have met

the leader of the scottish conservatives, douglas ross, is as well.nvestigated for a potential breach of the rules on registering outside earnings. staff from 58 universities across the uk have begun a three—day strike. it�*s to protest about their pay, pensions and working conditions, and there are worries more strikes could take place if a deal cannot be reached. our education correspondent, elaine dunkley reports. university staff on strike. angry about pensions, pay and working conditions. it�*s destroyed my faith in education. i�*ve been in higher education for 30 years. and ijust feel it needs a radical, radical change. many protesting say this is about protecting pensions, and say vice chancellors want to make changes to the scheme they on all based on a flawed evaluation of finances. our members are looking at 35% cut to their guaranteed pension, and we are arguing it is not necessary. the key reason why is, the valuation that suggested there was a deficit and therefore a need to change, that was conducted in march last year. there was a globa

earlier at holyrood, the scottish conservatives said ms sturgeon should have moved faster on boosterrepare to bring in mass vaccination centres, but only now, only today, has that been accepted. _ the first minister's statement also included legally—enforceable measures to stop crowding and maintain physical distancing in shops and hospitality venues. and there'll be £200 million to support businesses affected by the changes, and to help people to self—isolate. nicola sturgeon was adamant she did not want to cancel christmas. nevertheless, these changes will make big differences to people's festive season. there's definitely an atmosphere in the air, people are just getting a bit more worried and people are not going to have the christmas they hoped for. i feel like, by now, - people have stopped caring a little bit, especially now with the festive spirit. - people are kind of desperate to go out and socialise _ and go back to their normal lives. with things going on at downing street and parties and things like that, itjust makes you think, "what's the point if they're not sticking

last year has raised "serious questions" that need answered, according to the leader of the scottish conservativese, obtained by the sunday mirror, was just one still image, but that downing street must clarify what happened. he added would not defend the prime minister if it transpired a party was held in breach of covid restrictions. this causes me no difficulty at all to comb out irresponsible behaviour. it potentially causes a huge impact in terms of compliance by the rest of the public to follow government advice that is one still picture. we need to get more information but if, as it betrays, there was a party in downing street and the prime minister tended then i'm not going to defend that. it is absolutely the wrong thing to do when everyone else here in scotland and across the uk were not having these parties. they were not having these parties. they were following the guidance to the letter of the law to suppress this virus. the test many within the article said they were four teams of six and a boozy event. staff huddled around computers. it was an online zoom christmas quiz. the prime

their of the scottish conservatives, douglas ross, is the subject of another inquiry.s website says mr rees—mogg is being investigated for a potential breach of the rules on registering outside earnings. damian grammaticas joins me. damian grammaticasjoins me. tell us about the standards commissioner and what is going on. this about the standards commissioner and what is going om— about the standards commissioner and what is going on-_ what is going on. this is 'ust a re ort what is going on. this is 'ust a report or i what is going on. this is 'ust a report or notice �* what is going on. this is 'ust a report or notice that h what is going on. this is 'ust a report or notice that the h what is going on. this isjust a - report or notice that the standards commissioner is investigating so jacob rees—mogg on the one hand, and also douglas ross, leader of the scottish conservatives. no more information than that. but we know there have been, in all the talk recently around mps standards, both men, there were issues raised, douglas ross went forward to put before the commi

the scottish conservatives said ms sturgeon should have moved faster and booster vaccinations. imeeknations. week after week at my party _ and booster vaccinations. week after week at my party has _ and booster vaccinations. week after week at my party has come - and booster vaccinations. week after week at my party has come to - and booster vaccinations. week after week at my party has come to the i week at my party has come to the chamber— week at my party has come to the chamber and _ week at my party has come to the chamber and asked _ week at my party has come to the chamber and asked the _ week at my party has come to the chamber and asked the first - week at my party has come to the i chamber and asked the first minister to bread _ chamber and asked the first minister to bread -- _ chamber and asked the first minister to bread -- to— chamber and asked the first minister to bread —— to prepare _ chamber and asked the first minister to bread —— to prepare to _ chamber and asked the first minister to bread —— to prepare to bring - chamber and asked the first minister to bread ——

however, the leader of the scottish conservatives, douglas ross, said that the current situation was expanding vaccinations — and that the measures would have a significant impact on businesses. why has it taken so long for the government the first minister announced that from _ the first minister announced that from saturday household contacts for a positive _ from saturday household contacts for a positive case of any variant had to self—isolate for a full ten days. meaning — to self—isolate for a full ten days. meaning 6 — to self—isolate for a full ten days. meaning a single positive case would be to household of four or five people — be to household of four or five people having to isolate for that entire _ people having to isolate for that entire ten day period. even if they tested _ entire ten day period. even if they tested negative. we agreed for the need for— tested negative. we agreed for the need for caution and at the level of cases— need for caution and at the level of cases that — need for caution and at the level of cases that the government is expected by next week,

the scottish conservatives said ms sturgeon should have moved faster on booster vaccinations. has that been accepted. the first minister's statement also included legally enforceable measures to stop crowding and maintain physical distancing in shops and hospitality venues. and there will be £200 million to support businesses affected by the changes, and to help people to self—isolate. nicola sturgeon was adamant she did not want to cancel christmas. nevertheless, these changes will make big differences to people's festive season. there is definitely an atmosphere in the air, people are just getting a bit more worried and people are not going to have the christmas they hoped for. i feel like by now, - people have stopped caring a little bit, especially now with the festive spirit. - people are kind of desperate to go out and socialise and go back- to their normal lives. with the things going on at downing street with parties and things like that, it makes you think, what is the point if they are not sticking to it? the first minister set out a plan which is designed to see sco

the scottish conservatives said ms sturgeon should have moved faster and booster vaccinations.n physical distancing in shops and hospitality venues. and there will be £200 million to support businesses affected by the changes, and to help people to self—isolate. nicola sturgeon was adamant she did not want to cancel christmas. nevertheless, these changes will make big differences to people's festive season. there is definitely an atmosphere in the air, people are just getting a bit more worried and people are not going to have the christmas they hoped for. i feel like by now, - people have stopped caring a little bit, especially now with the festive spirit. - people are kind of desperate to go out and socialise and go back- to their normal lives. with the things going on at downing street with parties and things like that, it makes you think, what is the point of they are not sticking to it? the first minister set out a plan which is designed to see scotland through the winter, but no—one can predict with certaintyjust how severe this new wave will be. james shaw, bbc news, gla

the scottish conservatives said it was led by— scottish conservatives said it was led by a _ scottishe wasn't expecting to talk about covid jabs but he was comfortable to talk about it. obviously really happy with his own decision. .. , obviously really happy with his own decision. ,,., , ., , �* obviously really happy with his own decision. , �* , , . decision. sally hasn't slept much, b the decision. sally hasn't slept much, by the way- _ decision. sally hasn't slept much, by the way- you _ decision. sally hasn't slept much, by the way. you are _ decision. sally hasn't slept much, by the way. you are at _ decision. sally hasn't slept much, by the way. you are at sports - by the way. you are at sports personality of the year last night doing those interviews. you personality of the year last night doing those interviews.— doing those interviews. you said last ear doing those interviews. you said last year again! _ doing those interviews. you said last year again! have _ doing those interviews. you said last year again! have you - doing those interviews. you said last year again! have

separately, the leader of the scottish conservatives douglas rossis the scottish conservatives douglas me is professor beate kampmann, director of the vaccine centre at the london school of hygiene and tropical medicine, and dr helen wall, senior responsible officer for the vaccination programme in bolton. welcome. helen, a question from paul. he said my partner and i recently tested positive for covid and have self isolated. we no longer have symptoms and are planning to travel to slovakia on the 15th of december to see family but have been told not to have a pcr test as it will probably still retain a positive result. how do we get proof that we are fit to travel and return as pcr tests are now required on return to the uk?— return to the uk? that is an interesting _ return to the uk? that is an interesting question - return to the uk? that is an interesting question and i return to the uk? that is an | interesting question and one return to the uk? that is an i interesting question and one which return to the uk? that is an - interesting question and one which i come across quite a

the scottish conservatives were very clear that the focus of this budget should be twofold, and supportingrespect, and we welcoming the doubling of the child payment, which is something we have called for. laughter we had called for it. i can keep a straight face. the presiding officer, we understand that budgets are about choices, and the lead up to today's statement, we make choices to show it is possible to balance point for public services, and the move to net zero, with the protection ofjobs and stimulating economic growth. searches that concern, and on the back of what businesses are telling us, we wanted the snp to extend 75% rates relief to customer facing businesses the snp to extend 75% rates relief to customerfacing businesses in the snp to extend 75% rates relief to customer facing businesses in the next financial year. a measure which would be worth 600 and 51 million to businesses. we think businesses will be disappointed by today's budget statement. can i ask why there is no commitment to a clear programme to a long—awaited structural reform to the scottish recovery, especia

the scottish conservative leader douglas ross has called for an end for covid passes saying there isrk at the severity of the impact of it. ~ , . work at the severity of the impact ofit. ~ , ., ., of it. i think it is a proportionate approach- _ of it. i think it is a proportionate approach- we — of it. i think it is a proportionate approach. we are _ of it. i think it is a proportionate approach. we are now— of it. i think it is a proportionate approach. we are now at - of it. i think it is a proportionate approach. we are now at a - of it. i think it is a proportionate approach. we are now at a point where the availability of lateral flow test is going to be incredibly important over the coming weeks. people are struggling to get hold of them, in fact yesterday it was impossible to get hold of them for a time on the website. i know we have tried this morning at at one point they were not any available, there are now some showing to be available. how are you going to resolve that problem of supply when people will need them everyday? the: problem is people will need them everyday? t

was our best ever and on the swing we achieved, dozens of conservative seats would fall to the liberal democrats in the next election. in scottishnp emerged as the big winners with what they saw as a fresh mandate for a new referendum. the snp won the election on a commitment for a referendum when we're through the crisis. we won the election overwhelmingly, and in any normal democracy, that would be respected. in wales, labour remained in charge, agreeing a co—operation deal with plaid cymru. a great pleasure to have the opportunity to sign, formally, the agreement between our two parties. as northern ireland celebrated its centenary year, arlene foster stepped down as the leader of the dup. can you tell us what happened in there? did you face a motion of no confidence? are you still the leader of the party? her successor edwin poots lasted just 21 days. then the mp sirjeffrey donaldson took over. in may, dominic cummings, who quit as a number 10 aide in late 2020, made an explosive return to the headlines. in a marathon session at a parliamentary committee looking into the pandemic, the prime minister's former advisor accused

and on the swing we achieved, dozens of conservative seats would fault of the liberal democrats in the next election. in democrats in the next election. in scottish big winners with what they saw as a fresh mandate for a new referendum. we what they saw as a fresh mandate for a new referendum.— a new referendum. we won the election on _ a new referendum. we won the election on a — a new referendum. we won the election on a commitment - a new referendum. we won the election on a commitment for. a new referendum. we won the election on a commitment for a referendum when we're the crisis. we won the election overwhelmingly and in any normal democracy that would be respected. in in any normal democracy that would be resoeeted-_ be respected. in wales, labour remained _ be respected. in wales, labour remained in — be respected. in wales, labour remained in charge, _ be respected. in wales, labour remained in charge, agreeing l be respected. in wales, labour remained in charge, agreeing a co—operation deal with plaid cymru. a pleasure to have the opportunity to sign formerly the agreement between our two parties. this to sign formerly the agreement bet

scottish highlands. i can see five of them. they are such peaceful looking creatures. magnificent. tom shows his passion of the west highlands with travellers. part of his job is working to conserve you do?- future generations. tell me about what you do? i am a deer stalker and _ about what you do? i am a deer stalker and i _ about what you do? i am a deer stalker and i look _ about what you do? i am a deer stalker and i look after - about what you do? i am a deer stalker and i look after the - stalker and i look after the balance. stalker and i look after the balance-— balance. what were the predators _ balance. what were the predators before? - balance. what were the i predators before? wolves, bears, links. _ predators before? wolves, bears, links. it— predators before? wolves, bears, links. it is- predators before? wolves, bears, links. it isjust- predators before? wolves, bears, links. it isjust us i bears, links. it isjust us now. bears, links. it is 'ust us now. ~ ., ., ., bears, links. it is 'ust us now. ., now. what do you say to people who say the _ now. what do you say to people who say the stocking _ now. what do you say to people who say the stocking is - now. what d

because now we have a labour party and the conservative party which means there bringing covid—19 passports and their colleagues in scotland have been opposing scottishnt messaging and clear consistent leadership in the face of what is an ever—changing situation with this virus. ever-changing situation with this virus. . ~' , ., ever-changing situation with this virus. . ,, , ., ., ever-changing situation with this virus. . ., germany's new chancellor, olaf scholz, leader of the social democrats, has been sworn in, closing the long chapter of angela merkel�*s 16 years as the head of government. he's just the fourth chancellor of germany in nearly forty years — as our correspondentjenny hill reports from berlin. in the powerful heart of europe, a new political era has begun. no pomp, little ceremony... olaf scholz isn't known for his charisma or stirring speeches, but the social democrat and former finance minister's style, his manner, his politics, remind many germans of angela merkel, and they like him for it. mr scholz had promised the country a new government for christmas. his other pledges, to create a fairer, more liberal society, and a climate

was our best ever and on the swing we achieved, dozens of conservative seats would fall of the liberal democrats in the next election. in scottishes, labour remained in charge, agreeing a co—operation deal with plaid cymru. a great pleasure to have the opportunity to sign formally the agreement between our two parties. as northern ireland celebrated its centenary year, arlene foster stepped down as the leader of the dup. did you face a motion of no confidence? are you still the leader? her successor edwin poots lasted just 21 days. then the mp sirjeffrey donaldson took over. in may, dominic cummings, who quit as a number 10 aide in late 2020, made an explosive return to the headlines. in a marathon session at a parliamentary committee looking into the pandemic, the prime minister's former advisor accused his old boss of a list of serious failures. he described it as the new swine flu. did you tell him it wasn't? certainly, but the view of various officials inside number 10 was that if we have the prime minister chairing cobra meetings and hejust tells everyone it is swine flu, "don't worry, i'll have chris whitty "going on tv wi

conservative mp. this is why the investigation will be key. let's cross to holyrood where the first minister of scotland nicola sturgeon is updating the scottish decisions that we have had to make. and i'm afraid this is another moment when such frankness is really important. the purpose of today's update is to level with you on what we know so far about the spread in scotland of the new omicron variance. and also to share our estimate at this stage of what we are likely to face in the days and weeks to come. we face a renewed and severe challenge in the face of the omicron variance. because of the much greater and faster transmissibility of this new variant, we may be facing, indeed we may be starting to experience a potential tsunami of infections. now, we are not alone in that, far from it, everything i am about to share with you about the situation in scotland is broadly reflected in the data for the rest of the uk as well and although i am not familiar with the data elsewhere, i would suspect it is reflected there as well. we have just suspect it is reflected there as well. we havejust published suspect it is reflected there as well. we h