how— lot more time in westminster than i did. how is — lot more time in westminster than i did.ster than i did. how is it possible that at a - did. how is it possible that at a certain— did. how is it possible that at a certain point. _ did. how is it possible that at a certain point, even— did. how is it possible that at a certain point, even the - did. how is it possible that at a certain point, even the tory- did. how is it possible that at a i certain point, even the tory party, lovers _ certain point, even the tory party, lovers of— certain point, even the tory party, lovers of political— certain point, even the tory party, lovers of political power _ certain point, even the tory party, lovers of political power that - certain point, even the tory party, lovers of political power that theyl lovers of political power that they are, lovers of political power that they are. didn't — lovers of political power that they are. didn't say— lovers of political power that they are, didn't say this _ lovers of political power that they are, didn't say this is— lovers of political powe

at last the motorcade entered the grounds of westminster college. gymnasium was packed with invited guests and dignitaries. loud speakers outside the auditorium delivered the speech to an overflow crowd. a special section near the stage was reserved for the mothers of local men who had died in the war. the atmosphere was one of anticipation and uncertainty as churchilled had kept the content of his speech close to the vest. in the buildup to this moment, churchill held court with the u.s. press corps on the train trip to missouri. i think no commenting is a splendid expression, he told reporters who asked what he would say in fulton. i'm using it again and again. throughout his life churchilled had a craved the -- churchilled had craved the world stage ors and here he was once again drawn to the fire of controversy that his words were sure to bring. this was the moment he'd waited for to voice his ominous warning about the threat of communism in europe. churchill had always possessed an uncanny premonition of history. his rich oratory often inspired

at last, the motorcade entered westminster college.nasium was packed with invited guests and dignitaries. loud speakers delivered the speech to overflowed crowd. special section near the stage was reserved for the mother of local men who had died in the war. atmosphere was one of anticipation and uncertainty as churchill kept the content of speech close to the vest and build-up to this moment, charge hill kept court with press corp. press co. churchill had craved world stage and here he was once again drawn to the fire of controversy that his words were shoe to bring. this was the moment he waited for warning about the threat of communism in europe. churchill had always processed a prom in addition of history and importations, his rich often inspired range of reactions. everyone anticipated controversy, churchill did not disappoint. [inaudible] >> populations around them lie and all our country not only soviet influence but very high increasingly -- [inaudible] >> from moscow. and for populations and i must call the soviet still. in on

westminster was in shock as — town, it really is.ned one of its i in shock as it mourned one of its own. sir david was not then the only mp who died in office this year. dame cheryl gillan died after a long office. —— long illness. james brokenshire also. the end of the month saw the prime minister in rome for the g20. ., month saw the prime minister in rome for the g20. . ., .,, . s, , for the g20. hearing no ob'ections it is so decided. * for the g20. hearing no ob'ections it is so decided. followed _ it is so decided. followed immediately _ it is so decided. followed immediately by _ it is so decided. followed immediately by the - it is so decided. followed immediately by the long l it is so decided. followed _ immediately by the long anticipated cop26 climate in glasgow. after a major diplomatic effort by the uk, an agreement was reached but it didn't go as far as had been hoped. i'm deeply sorry. i also understand the deep disappointment, but i think as you have noted, it's also vital that we protect this package. applause meanw

there is pressure in westminster to make it clear that there is pressure in westminster to make it clear— make it clear that england would follow. make it clear that england would follow for _ make it clear that england would follow. for the _ make it clear that england would follow. for the time _ make it clear that england would follow. for the time being, - make it clear that england would follow. for the time being, it - make it clear that england would i follow. for the time being, it won't come in for the remainder of 2021, the message will be caution, not to compulsion. the message will be caution, not to compulsion-— the message will be caution, not to compulsion. there will be no further measures before _ compulsion. there will be no further measures before the _ compulsion. there will be no further measures before the new— compulsion. there will be no further measures before the new year. - compulsion. there will be no further measures before the new year. we l measures before the new year. we will not be taking any further measures, of course, people should remain cautious as

ian watson in westminster, _ boxing day. ian watson in westminster, thank - boxing day.tminster, thank you l boxing day. ian watson in i westminster, thank you very boxing day. ian watson in - westminster, thank you very much. pre—christmas journeys at home and abroad are surging today — but rail travellers face disruption caused by a combination of omicron and industrial action, and heavy traffic is predicted on the roads. meanwhile, people heading abroad are having to deal with a tangle of travel restrictions. simon calder, travel editor of the independent, is at gatwick airport for us. starting with planes, if you are lucky enough to try to have a holiday, a lot of countries are making it very difficult for british travellers to arrive.— making it very difficult for british travellers to arrive. they certainly are, and travellers to arrive. they certainly are. and that _ travellers to arrive. they certainly are, and that is _ travellers to arrive. they certainly are, and that is why _ travellers to arrive. they certainly are, and that is why gatwick - travellers to ar

we'll get the latest from westminster.opean stock markets fall as investors eye new restrictions. the netherlands goes into national lockdown with switzerland, france, denmark and ireland bringing in stricter measures. the premier league holds emergency talks with club bosses about a potential pause to matches, because of covid. pleas for urgent supplies in the philippines, as the number killed by a super typhoon is now at 375. the chinese tennis star peng shuai retracts an accusation of sexual assault against a former top communist party official — but critics still fear she may have been speaking under duress. hello and welcome. countries around the world are scrambling to track the omicron variant and deciding when and if more measures are needed. here — the british cabinet has been meeting, to discuss how to deal with the surge in cases here. the uk has the highest number of confirmed omicron cases in europe. the bbc has been told, civil servants have prepared three different options, ranging in severity — with boris j

thomas's hospital in westminster.— to st. thomas's hospital in westminster. ., ., ., westminster. day of extraordinary _ westminster. today was a day of extraordinary numbers. - westminster. today was a day of extraordinary numbers. 4.4- westminster. today was a day of i extraordinary numbers. 4.4 million people _ extraordinary numbers. 4.4 million people trying to visit the nhs booking website. five hours of queue in drop-in _ booking website. five hours of queue in drop—in centres and the telegraph from patients so people were advised not to _ from patients so people were advised not to cali— from patients so people were advised not to call 999 to try and get lateral — not to call 999 to try and get lateral flow tests, which is lovely. the times — lateral flow tests, which is lovely. the times coverage looks pretty much at how _ the times coverage looks pretty much at how unrealistic it is for the government to have said that we could _ government to have said that we could deliver a million boosters a day, _ could deliver a million boosters a day, even — could deliver a million

you don't even think about the dogs. - the westminster- story had more legs.own - because it's an absolutely disgraceful thing. - ian birrell. i would say it's the second anniversary of the pandemic on wednesday, december 8th. if you believe china and the official world health organization, that was the date the first person, a 41—year—old accountant in wuhan fell ill. it shows the duplicity of china. thank you. we know that's a flawed narrative and cases documented going back to middle of november, so it raises the question as to why china has been allowed to get off the hook for lying and deceiving people over the origins of the pandemic. thank you very much. damian, finally. i'd like to go to china, too, and the situation in xinjiang. severe repression of uighur people, culture, one million peple there. i think what's significant, chaired by seniorjudge tribunal like... not a formal court, found this amounted to under any legaljustification, genocide. thank you all very much. that's dateline for this week. we'll see you next time next week. goodbye. hello t

westminster was in shock as it mourned one of its own.ear. fellow conservative dame cheryl gillan passed away after a long illness. james brokenshire, a well—liked former minister, died after the return of his lung cancer. the end of the month saw the prime minister in rome for the g20. hearing no objections, it is so decided. followed immediately by the long—anticipated cop26 climate in glasgow. after a major diplomatic effort by the uk, an agreement was reached, but it didn't go as far as had been hoped. i'm deeply sorry. i also understand the deep disappointment, but i think as you have noted, it's also vital that we protect this package. silence in auditorium. applause. meanwhile in westminster, a political storm had been brewing. parliament's standards committee said a tory mp had egregiously broken lobbying rules and recommended a 30—day suspension. the mp 0wen paterson denied all wrongdoing. downing street told tory mps to vote to pause the punishment and try and change the disciplinary process. long—suffering, camel's back. if the

the westminster- story had more legs.reet all the foreign office — downing street all the foreign office knew _ downing street all the foreign office knew about _ downing street all the foreign office knew about it, - downing street all the foreign office knew about it, that's. office knew about it, that's really. _ office knew about it, that's really. really _ office knew about it, that's really, really disgraceful. l really, really disgraceful. thank _ really, really disgraceful. thank you _ really, really disgraceful. thank you very _ really, really disgraceful. thank you very much. - ian birrell. i would say it's the second anniversary of the pandemic on wednesday, december 8th. it was — if you believe china and the official world health organization narrative — that was the date the first person, a 41—year—old accountant mr chen in wuhan fell ill. in fact, what it shows the duplicity of china. and the complicity of the world health — and the complicity of the world health organization and the scientific establishment

nick eardley at westminster, _ question. nick eardley at westminster, think - question.think you | question. nick eardley at. westminster, think you very question. nick eardley at - westminster, think you very much. before you move on, just to say, interesting character. she ran a pub interesting character. she ran a pub in northern ireland during the heights of the troubles in a pub regarded in those days, to use crude language, bandit country, so she has had a lot of real—life experience well beyond whitehall, she also interestingly was the civil servant trusted to investigate an allegation against the cabinet minister andrew mitchell. in number of people read sworn he had been aggressive with a police officer who tried to stop him getting his bicycle into downing street. the third thing, a former member of the top team in the liver democrats during the coalition government, what he says about him in his memoirs, sue grey decide what happened, and if sue grey was not happy with something, he did not happen, did not get done, and i sue grey was not happy with something,

it is not a party season in westminster.— it is not a party season in westminster. �* ., , ., westminster thank— westminster. being right, we got you in the end, thank you _ westminster. being right, we got you in the end, thank you so _ westminster. being right, we got you in the end, thank you so much. - mark drakeford, the first minister of wales, has been in talks this afternoon with the cabinet minister michael gove and the first ministers of scotland and northern ireland. they're coordinating their efforts to offer every adult a booster vaccine to deal with the new variant of coronavirus called omicron. england and scotland have both agreed a target of the end of january, but as yet, that target has not been agreed by wales and northern ireland. nhs england is issuing detailed guidance to hospitals, pharmacists and gps about expanding the booster roll—out. at westminster, the health secretary, sajid javid, urged people to be "sensible" around christmas and consider taking regular tests. here's our health editor hugh pym. a vaccination centre on anglesey, preparing like so many other

that's a never—ending he westminster conversation, who's the next prime minister.hey all want to be it! as a newbie, i was surprised how easy it was to get people to talk about it, but it's actually become even easier this week! yeah, because it's a real serious conversation now, right? so it's not frivolous leadership speculation, which you're right, politicians in all parties love and adore. they love talking about themselves — sorry, but it's true. they love talking about their own ambitions, and often very noble ambitions, to try to do what they think the right thing is for the country. but the fiasco of the last few weeks has meant that this is a conversation that is now happening very overtly in the conservative party. overtly covertly. yeah, very overtly covertly, but also i think seriously. and i think it's far fetched to consider that right now there's going to be an immediate challenge. although one former minister said to me today he'd had two approaches in the last few days to "put in a letter", and that's tory code for putting a letter to the boss of t

laura kuenssberg, bbc news, westminster. working from home where possible today as part of the restrictions to tackle the rising number of covid infections. network rail has reported a 20% drop in footfall at stations in london, birmingham and manchester as commuters stayed home. but many shops and businesses fear it will mean quieter town and city centres in the run up to christmas, as our business editor simonjack reports. ok, don't need this. make sure that the video call is unmuted — working from home, here we go again. the work from home message was heard loud and clear at this housing association in norwich, but half of its 1,1i00—strong workforce don't have that option. 50% of our staff have to work from their vans, in our tenants�* homes. for the 50% who can work in the office, we have really clear instructions that if you can work from home, do work from home and if you absolutely need to be in the office, then we have a desk—booking system which means we can monitor how many are coming in, and at the moment, it's l

helen catt in westminster, thank you. right now. not only are more people likely to be hospitalised as 0micron spreads, but the health service's own staff numbers are also under strain. according to the royal college of physicians, 10.5% of its members across the uk were absent from work in recent days. in london, the figure reached 14% in the three days to tuesaday. the college says the figure is the highest since the beginning of the pandemic. i'm joined now by dr andrew goddard, president of the royal college of physicians. he is in derby. good to speak to you. thank you very much forjoining us on bbc news. let me ask you first of all hub what impression are you getting above these absences? are they 0micron? are they delta? are they a significant number of days or is this a relatively brief period along for the fact people have to isolate until they can be sure that they are no longer at risk of spreading this to someone else? figs no longer at risk of spreading this to someone else?— no longer at risk of spreading thi

the circumstances, _ westminster, haven't you? the circumstances, let's _ westminster, haven't you?s be absolutely clear, those are entirely— absolutely clear, those are entirely down to the conservative party, nobody else — conservative party, nobody else. they also through the kitchen _ else. they also through the kitchen sink at us. they wanted to win — kitchen sink at us. they wanted to win the — kitchen sink at us. they wanted to win the seat. i did try very hard — to win the seat. i did try very hard at — to win the seat. i did try very hard at it— to win the seat. i did try very hard at it was too late. they have — hard at it was too late. they have been taking people for granted for too long and that is what — granted for too long and that is what they would telling us on the — is what they would telling us on the doorsteps, they felt they— on the doorsteps, they felt they were taken for granted by this government, the chaos in downing — this government, the chaos in downing street and the carry on and behaviour was the last straw— and behaviour was the last straw for— and b

what's the thinking in westminster? interesting fi . ure in thinking in westminster?in westminster? interesting figure in follows a _ thinking in westminster? interesting figure in follows a few _ thinking in westminster? interesting figure in follows a few days - thinking in westminster? interesting figure in follows a few days where i figure in follows a few days where the reported figure of confirmed infections seem to be plateauing a bit. by don't think the figure of 106 new infections will come as a surprise at all in white whole or in any of the developed nations. we are still within a rising wave infections that is going across the country and this is what officials had expected. but we have seen as a fracturing of the response to these figures across the uk and so we have seen governments in wales, scotland and northern ireland have tighter curbs for activities after christmas day whereas if we wait to see if thatis day whereas if we wait to see if that is a path that the westminster government is going to go down for england. at the moment, they have said no

by—election doesn't change really anything in terms of the political settlement in westminster. liberal democrats calling cards is that they do a lot more leaflets and a lot more that you would see surgeries and local campaigning. and that is their pets, really is that you will have the best local champion who won't get caught up in the machinations and the complexity of national party politics. i expect that helen will be a really good mp but this in the end isn't about, and it is why by—elections come with so many different sets of voter behaviour to general elections is that it is very substantially about sending a message and sending a message to the conservative party that lots and lots of their stalwart supporters, and you know north rocks is a constituent be that stayed conservative throughout the blair years and turned yellow at this by—election is really, really very significant. to have that many conservative voters who simply cannot bear to hold their nose and go out and vote for boris johnson's team or are willing to switch their vote is genuinely remarkable and a re

let's be absolutely — westminster, haven't you?absolutely clear, those are i be absolutely clear, those are entirely— be absolutely clear, those are entirely down to the conservative party. nobody else — conservative party. nobody else. they also through the kitchen _ else. they also through the kitchen sink at this. they wanted _ kitchen sink at this. they wanted to win this seat and they— wanted to win this seat and they did _ wanted to win this seat and they did try very hard. but it was — they did try very hard. but it was too _ they did try very hard. but it was too late because they had been — was too late because they had been taking people for granted for too — been taking people for granted for too long and that is what they— for too long and that is what they were telling us on the doorstops. they felt they had been — doorstops. they felt they had been taken for granted by this government. the chaos in downing _ government. the chaos in downing street and the behaviour was the last straw for people who see this government

five musicians you've never met before and the camera crew and then doing life takes to camera at westminster to be great at this. i think we were both nervous, but, yeah, honoured to have been asked to be a part of it and to play with her. it wasjust fantastic. now — the clock�*s struck midnight here in the uk, you should be tucked up in bed, all happy and gay. the stockings are hung, the turkey�*s in brine, don't worry about timings — the food will be fine! but alas its' all true — tests are showing bold lines of two. many will spend christmas apart, missing loved ones from the bottom of their heart. but whilst this year may differ, i do guarantee, santa is leaving presents under your tree. and if you listen up close, perhaps you can hear, prancer, vixen, and rudolph are near. so as santa makes his way from leeds to osaka. let's check in on his progress via the norad santa tracker. he has across latin america at the moment. us army major bryen freigo gave me an update a little earlier. we haven't detected any problems as we have been tracking him around the world. ee do know that internatio

and laura kuenssberg is at westminster.downing street. and it is, isn't it, a matter of trust and integrity, at the end of the day. where does borisjohnson stand tonight? i the day. where does boris johnson stand tonight?— stand tonight? i think in a very tricky spot- — stand tonight? i think in a very tricky spot- it _ stand tonight? i think in a very tricky spot. it has _ stand tonight? i think in a very tricky spot. it has been - stand tonight? i think in a very tricky spot. it has been a - stand tonight? i think in a very| tricky spot. it has been a frenzy today, all sorts of claims swirling around. let's pause and think why this does matter. because downing street has always, throughout this pandemic, needed to muck things to try to manage the covid pandemic which, right now, is coming back with this new variant, at a lightning speed. they have needed the public cooperation, and they have needed political goodwill to try to hold off the worst of the potential consequences for our health, the economy and all the social

claim, members of the ruling conservatives have admitted to hosting one of the parties in their westminster headquarters during lockdown last year. as a raft of similar downing street to get together are said to be investigated for breaching covered rules. ah, well guessing my direct from studios and moscow, this is art international. i'm john thomas. certainly glad to have you with us. now russia says that a ukrainian navy ship was approaching its waters without authorization and posted a threat to navigational safety of other vessels in the area. finally, the ship, which was named the dumbass, changed its course and failed away from crimea as carried straight. but i got to talk to my colleague kevin about the latest developments. well, as everyone was expecting the was the last we had seen were, were reports that this command ship of the ukrainian military was approaching the strait of coach a very well guarded, very sensitive area. where. busy there's a bridge linking russia and crimea, and a very narrow passage with a lot of ships, 80 odd ships when the incident took place, waiting in l

last night, a recording of their carol concert at westminster abbey was shown on itv.lliam and catherine will be with their children at their home, anmer hall, in norfolk. no doubt they and the rest of the royal family, and particularly the queen, will look back on a year which has not been without its difficulties while looking forward to next year and the queen's platinum jubilee, when the nation will have the chance to mark her 70 years on the throne. nicholas witchell, bbc news. charlotte gallagher is in windsor. not her usual residence for christmas this year, charlotte. hat christmas this year, charlotte. not at all. christmas this year, charlotte. not at all- merry _ christmas this year, charlotte. ijrrt at all. merry christmas from here at windsor where the queen will be spending the day. she usually goes to sandringham, but unfortunately this year she decided that wasn't possible. we think there are two reasons behind this. the queen always likes to set an example and to be seen to be doing the right thing and perhaps having a large family christmas and hundre

damien glow massacres at westminster, _ it. damien glow massacres at westminster, for _ it.w - it. damien glow massacres at westminster, for now thank i it. damien glow massacres at i westminster, for now thank you it. damien glow massacres at - westminster, for now thank you very much. —— —— damian gramaticas. how have the public been reacting to reports of christmas parties and also plan b measures? let's speak to patrick english, political research manager at the polling company you gov we are telling we have done research on the last couple of days and was able to reflect the latest of elements on the story? pigment yes we have been looking into the story in depth and what we're finding is the public simply do not believe what boris johnson the public simply do not believe what borisjohnson are saying, what the government is saying in regards to the christmas parties. 80% of the public believe that the parties did happen. that includes 70% of 2019 conservative voters and, again, 73% think that if there were parties the metropolitan police of the police at large should be

nick eardley, bbc news, westminster.nstitute for government who's been giving her reaction to simon case's departure. i think it is the right thing to do at this stage. it is really important that the process commands public confidence and that the outcome of it, the outcome of the enquiry, is seen to be accurate and that it comes swiftly. the question is why he didn't recognise that it was not appropriate for him to conduct the enquiry in the first conduct the enquiry in the first place, and why it has had to come to those that the person running this has had to change midway through. ..to establish credibility and make clear every possible thing is looked at? currently things are only coming out through this drip of leaks and things get added piecemeal into the enquiry. i think it is important. it is the responsibility, she is used to. used to conducting this sort of enquiry not necessarily in these high—profile circumstances. as you say, the difficulty is the way this was approached from the start. what you would have

there is no doubt that what has been happening in westminster has cut through.they say, yes, they found it disgusting. they were upset by it, and they wanted to show boris johnson and the conservative party that they were not happy about it. clearly they have done that. i literallyjust clearly they have done that. i literally just got off a clearly they have done that. i literallyjust got off a phone call with helen morgan, the liberal democrat winnerjust a with helen morgan, the liberal democrat winner just a few with helen morgan, the liberal democrat winnerjust a few moments ago, and she said that actually committed was the events of the last week. this has been a tightly fight campaign. the liberal democrats have had a really good crack addict. they have poured people in from across the country canvassing in areas where people don't normally get political campuses, they don't get leaflets in the door. they have put a huge effort in, but helen said to me that she did feel in this last week, it was the events in westminster that had started to chime through wi

you asked about borisjohnson, he is leading the westminster governorate in charge of restrictions for the uk government about whether or not to tighten restrictions further, to try to slow the spread of omicron. i don't think these figures themselves are going to change anything at all. they expected this tsunami of cases. what the politicians are looking at is the politicians are looking at is the extent to which these cases translate into hospitalisations, which translate into mortality. at the moment, the uk government does not have that data, it says, to change its plans for now. you bring me on to what _ change its plans for now. you bring me on to what i _ change its plans for now. you bring me on to what i wanted _ change its plans for now. you bring me on to what i wanted to - change its plans for now. you bring me on to what i wanted to ask i change its plans for now. you bringj me on to what i wanted to ask you. on monday, the prime minister said the data was being analysed on an hourly basis, and then on tuesday he said there would be no change in restrictions before christ

these farming communities are a world away from westminster.ws twice a day and relying on one generator. we have to have electricity to run the machines to milk cows, and it won't wait. otherwise they get very uncomfortable, you get health problems, mastitis, etc. in aberdeenshire, this couple in torphins are relying on one fire in one room. as time has gone on, _ i think we've become more and more ragged and exhausted. no lighting. and so, it's really been a struggle, and slowly this granite building - is getting colder and colder. in areas like these people are used to working together in a crisis. but as the days go on, they say they need more than community spirit. fiona trott, bbc news, northumberland. the women's tennis association has suspended all tournaments in china. the move is in response to concerns about the wellbeing of the chinese player peng shuai, who disappeared from public view for three weeks after accusing a top chinese official of sexual assault. the wta chief, steve simon, said he had "serious doubts" about claims that s

at westminster, the government has outlined more details of its 10—year plan to reform the social carein september, today's announcement details how they'll spend £1.7 billion of money raised by a new health and social care levy. the government will be investing £300 million in housing, with a focus on increasing the range of new supported housing options. and £500 million will be spent on the social care workforce over the next few years, focusing on training for staff. but labour says the plan "falls woefully short of the mark" and fails to deal with immediate pressures facing the social care system. our social affairs editor alison holt reports. tick "clinician" in the corner. and then push "go". this is the sort of gym session that helps steve maintain his strength. i set it for an hour. he broke his neck in a car accident as a teenager. he has live in support as well as daily visits from care workers like jasmine. the ambition of the government plans is to make it easierfor more people to live independently, partly with the help of technology and adapted housing. obviously, i can

let's return to westminster _ to a maximum of three. maximum of three. let's return to westminster where the major - to a maximum of three. let's return i to westminster where the major votes a number of what's happening but the one they're focused on was on covid—19 passes for certain venues and mps have bulleted 369 through 126 just explained there was not any political drama here in terms of whether it would pass because we knew from yesterday neighbour indicated it would support the government. but we were looking for was how many conservative party mps would go against the prime ministers wishes and we don't know how many of that are conservative and it seems likely a significant number of them will be in which case it is a shot across the bows from these rebels and saying to the prime minister be wary of trying to bring in any further covid—19 restrictions something he may have to consider depending on what's happened with omicron. let's look closer at the covid pass rule. it comes into place from wednesday. it means anyone enteri

and what was happening in number 10. in westminster and what was happening in numberio.and what was happening in number 10. i think it was challenging time for him. the fact that he wasn't from the local area i don't think really helped him either. that can be overcome, that has been overcome before, but the wider context, it can feel a bit like an uphill battle from his perspective i think. qm. bit like an uphill battle from his perspective i think. 0k, we will leave _ his perspective i think. 0k, we will leave it _ his perspective i think. 0k, we will leave it there _ his perspective i think. 0k, we will leave it there for _ his perspective i think. 0k, we will leave it there for now. - will leave it there for now. thank you very much forjoining us. we will cross to elizabeth at north shropshire. what is happening? we at north shropshire. what is happening?— at north shropshire. what is hauenina? «a, , ., happening? we think any moment now the 14 candidates _ happening? we think any moment now the 14 candidates in _ happening? we think any moment now the 14 candidates

vicki young in westminster.th of january with close to 60 thousand. england's chief medical officer chris whitty has warned the hospitals are facing a significant increase in the number of covid patients being admitted and long queues have continued at vaccination centres across the uk. our health editor, hugh pym, reports. high—level concern about the new variant is increasing and the rapid roll—out of boosterjabs is seen as a vital part of the official response. there was no shortage of people queueing for boosters in bristol today, though finding staff to do them hasn't been easy. it is difficult to recruit enough staff, both vaccinators and admin people. and they've all been working on this programme since the beginning of the year. and in swindon, a long queue as well and a wait of several hours. i've been here since nine o'clock, and i'm supposed to have work at two o'clock but they told me that the queue's going to be until 3.30. not happy. i've got better things to doi than stand here in a queue. just un

laura kuenssberg, bbc news, westminster. home where possible today as part of the restrictions to tackle the rising number of covid infections. network rail has reported a 20% drop in footfall at stations in london, birmingham and manchester as commuters stayed home. but many businesses fear it will mean quieter town and city centres in the run up to christmas. our business editor simonjack has more. make sure that the video call is unmuted, working from home, here we go again. the work from home message was heard loud and clear at this housing association in norwich, but half of its 1400 strong workforce don't have that option. but half of its 1400 strong 50% of our staff have to work from their vans, and in our tenants' homes. for the 50% who can work in the office, we have really clear instructions that if you can work from home, do work from home and, if you absolutely need to be in the office, then we have a desk booking system which means we can monitor how many are coming in and at the moment, that is less than 5%, fr