it "a ' “ar it't ‘u15 emit it'-‘a:*'a:15; emit unu— it'-‘a:*'a:15; emit ncu— u— nwur but up u— ”it luur bljl w l— 55l il5 one thing but they have got to look at the security of their business going forward, and that is what the big question mark is, particularly on business rates relief, what happens in april next year? that is a critical question that the government will need to turn their might to as quickly as possible.” know you have been talking to businesses up and down the country, which areas in particular have been worst hit by this? there are different categories, different geographies, the difference between out—of—town and local high streets versus urban centres, so it is clothing, footwear, beauty there have been the categories that have been most hard—hit, and also in city centres, so big centres that historically pre—pandemic was so reliant on heavy footfall, lots of

people traffic, obviously that has been curtailed even before these announcements, so many businesses been curtailed even before these announcements, so many businesses in those areas were already struggling. for those that have got a strong digital business they have fared better because we have been so reliant on retail over the past few months but it could not come at a worse time, hence the need in the hope that it as quickly as possible so hope that it as quickly as possible so that those businesses can find a route into recovery into next year. do you think all that has happened has spurred so many more businesses now to move... to improve their online offering? that is the key to differentiating the difference between those businesses that have gone 0k and those that have really suffered. we have seen a huge pivot

by many retail businesses investing in the resources and effort and being able to deliver for their customers 2a slash seven. online retail sales for non—food items have grown by up to 60% year on year by the past few months, so those businesses that have been able to do that have indeed fared better, but we are still seeing a lot of pressure, particularly the businesses that don't have the capacity to be able to do that and therefore need that targeted support going forward as we look into 2021. in the brexit deadline is looming as well, is that also something on the minds of retailers you have been talking to? it is, but it comes as number two. is the consequent system

of the severity of what's been happening over the past few weeks, and obviously just ta ken happening over the past few weeks, and obviouslyjust taken a bigger today. but the criticality of knowing whether or not, or what that deal looks like is so key in these last couple of, not even a couple of weeks now, of december. knowing whether we have any tariffs, it's really tariffs that would be the thing that is going to impact us all as shoppers, because for food items the tariffs that would apply if we have no deal are ten, 20, 30, 40% plus in some cases on food goods that come in from the eu and that would put pressure on prices for consumers. thank you so much for talking to us. now it's time for a look at what the weather holds. hello again. the

heavy rain we see in recent days to the working into our river catchments causing a few issues, we've got similar flooding in and you can see the rivers coming over the banks here and was to share, and is not just the banks here and was to share, and is notjust across parts of the middle to rear sync flood warning for him we've got that enforced across other areas of england, wales and scotland. about 30 flood warnings and force of the moment. ted has been a day of sunshine and showers and overnighter showers will continue to be driven in on the strong, gusty winds which will cost around 30 or a0 mph around our western coast and hills overnight. easter should areas come in predict of the cold our overnight lows between four and six celsius for most. tomorrow another day of sentient and showers and like today most frequent across the northwest but probably merge together to give longer spells of rain for a time, the weather becoming a bit drier for a time in wales and southwest england. wiltshire went to across the northwest and a cooler day nationwide with highest between eight and nationwide with highest between

eightand11. hello this is bbc news. the headlines. nearly 18 million people in london and south—east england move into stricter tier a restrictions from midnight — people must stay at home, and non—essential shops have to close. for those in tier a — it means the relaxation of rules at christmas has been scrapped — and reduced to one day, the 25th, for the rest of england. we must be realistic. we are sacrificing the chance to see our loved ones this christmas so we have a better chance of protecting their lives, so that we can see them at future christmases. the new restrictions are due to a spike in cases — that's being blamed on a fast—spreading new variant of the disease. the whole of wales is to be placed under lockdown from midnight, with festive rules cancelled

for all but christmas day. scotland reduces the five—day festive window for mixing with other households indoors to just christmas day itself — and imposes a "strict travel ban" between itself and the rest of the uk. let's recap on the very significant changes that have been announced for christmas and london and the south east — affecting 17.7 million people. the prime minister said the new variant of the virus has led to an alarming spread of covid—19 across the south east, east of england and london. he said it was 70% more transmissible than the original virus. so the upshot is that the planned relaxation of coronavirus rules for christmas has been scrapped for those affected areas and in other parts of england, the gathering of three households for the feastive season, can now only take place christmas day. from midnight tonight, the tightest restrictions will be part of a new tier a

category,similar to the last national lockdown in november, and it will affect areas such as kent, essex, bedfordshire, buckinghamshire and all 32 boroughs of london. people will be advised not to travel into or out of tier a areas, and the restrictions come in from midnight tonight. in tier a — a stay at home order will be issued to residents — although those who have to travel for education or work may continue to do so. social mixing will be restricted to meeting one other person in an open public space. all non—essential retail will have to close along with hairdressers, nail bars and indoor entertainment venues. and let's take a look at those scaled back christmas plans — for people in tier a — there is no household mixing for areas in tierfour. but support bubbles are unaffected by that. and for areas in tiers 1 to 3 — people can only mix on christmas day

for one day only good afternoon everybody and thank you forjoining the latest coronavirus press conference. yesterday afternoon, i was briefed on the latest data that shows the virus spreading more rapidly in london and the south east of england than were being expected given the tough restrictions already in place. i also received an explanation as to why the virus is spreading more rapidly in these areas. it seems that the spread is now being driven by the new variant of the virus which we spoke about earlier this week. and learned about earlier this week. 0ur advisory group on new and emerging respiratory virus, nervtag, has spent the last few days analysing this new variant.

there is no evidence that it causes more severe illness or higher mortality. but it does appear to be passed on significantly more easily. the early analysis firm nervtag suggests the new variant could increase the r by century or more and may be up to 70% more transmissible than the original version of the disease. this is early data and subject to review but it is the best that we have at the moment and we have to act on information as we have it because this is now spreading very fast. the uk has by far the best genomic sequencing ability in the world which means that we are better able to identify new strains like this than any other country. the chief medical officer last night submitted our findings so far to the world health organisation and we will continue to be totally transparent with our global partners.

there is still much that we do not know, fairly certain that the variant is transmitted more quickly but there is no evidence to suggest that it is more lethal or that it causes more severe illness and equally there is no evidence to suggest that the vaccine will be any less effective against the new variant. our experts will continue their work to improve our understanding as fast as we can. so we are learning about it as we go but we already know enough, more than enough to be sure that we must act now. so i met ministers on the covid operations committee last night and again this morning and cabinet met at lunchtime to agree the following actions. first we will introduce new restrictions in the most affected areas specifically those

parts of london, the south—east and east of england which are currently in tier 3. these areas will enter a new tier a which will be broadly equivalent to the national restrictions in place in england in november. that means that residents in those areas must stay at home apart from limited exemptions set out in the law. nonessential retail, indoor gyms and leisure facilities and personal care services must close. people must work from home if a can but may travel to work if this is not possible for example in the construction and manufacturing sectors. people should not enter or leave them to areas and tempter residents must not stay overnight away from home. individuals can only meet one person from another household in an outdoor public space. unlike the november restrictions communal worship can continue to take place in tier a areas that these measures will take effect

from tomorrow morning. all tiers will continue to be regularly reviewed in line with the approach previously set out with the next formal review taking place on the 30th of december. we are issuing new advice on travel. although the new variant is concentrated in tier a areas it is nonetheless present at lower levels around the country, so we are asking everyone in all tiers to stay local. people should carefully consider whether they need to travel abroad, and they should follow the rules in their tier. those in tier a areas will not be permitted to travel abroad, apart from limited exceptions such as for work purposes. third, we must, i'm afraid, look again at christmas and, as prime minister, it's my duty to take difficult decisions,

to do what is right to protect the people of this country. given the early evidence we have on this new variant of the virus, the potential risk it poses, it is with a very heart i must tell you we cannot continue with christmas as planned. in england, those living in tier a areas should not mix with anyone outside their own household at christmas, though support bubbles will remain in place for those at particular risk of loneliness or isolation. across the rest of the country, the christmas rules allowing up to three households to meet will now be limited to christmas day only rather than the five days, as previously set out. as before, there will be no relaxation on the 31st of january, so people must not break the rules at new year. they must not break the rules at new year —

it's very, very important to emphasise that. i know how much emotion people invest in this time of year and how important it is, for instance, for grandparents to see their grandchildren, for families to be together, so i know how disappointing this will be. but we have said throughout this pandemic that we must, and we will, be guided by the science. when the science changes, we must change oui’ response. and when the virus changes its method of attack, we must change our method of defence. and as your prime minister, i sincerely believe there is no alternative open to me. without action, the evidence suggests that infections would soar, hospitals would become overwhelmed, and many thousands more would lose their lives. and i want to stress that we are not

alone in this fight or in taking these types of decisions — many of our european friends and neighbours are being forced to take similar action. we're working closely with the devolved administrations to protect people in every part of the uk and, of course, there is now real, real hope that we will soon be rid of this virus, and that prospect is growing with every day that passes and every vaccine dose that is administered. as you know, the uk was the first country in the western world to start using a clinically approved vaccine, and so, please, if the nhs contacts you, then get your vaccine and join the 350,000 people across the uk who have already had theirfirst dose. yes, christmas this year will be different, very different, but we must be realistic.