emma simpson, bbc news, dover. a black physician in indianapolis has died with covid—19 weeks after accusing a doctor of denying her proper medical care because of her race. in a video from her bed at indiana university hospital north, dr susan moore said she had to "beg" for treatment. the hospital offered its condolences and said it takes accusations of discrimination very seriously but could not comment on specific patients. 0ur news reporter gareth barlow gave us the details. video was posted on december four, seven mini video in which she detailed what she said was her struggle to get adequate medical attention and adequate health pain medication as well while at the indiana hospital. she was aware of what was going on, asa she was aware of what was going on, as a physician herself she said she had to beg for a scan, and beg for doses of an anti covid drug and she was discharged at one point but her condition worsened and she was then returned to hospital to she said that she then had to work harder and hard

emma simpson, bbc news, dover. king felipe of spain has been giving his annual christmas address — with an optimistic message for his people — after a difficult year. he highlighted the hope provided by the development of covid vaccines — but urged people to take personal responsibility to stop the spread of coronavirus. his address comes days before spain — along with other european countries — begins its vaccination campaign. the celebrated israeli violinist, ivry gitlis, has died in paris at the age of 98. he's been described as one of the modern greats of classical music. in 1955 gitlis became the first israeli musician to play in the soviet union. the bbc‘s tim allman looks back at his life and career. ivry gitlis didn'tjust have talent, he had charisma. commanding the stage, consumed by his passion for music. he loved to improvise and experiment. and he didn'tjust confine himself to the world of classical music. here he is performing with members of the beatles and the rolling stones. tributes pou

emma simpson, bbc news, dover. let's get some of the day's other news now. democrats in the us congress have failed in their attempt to increase direct covid relief payments to americans. the increase was demanded by president trump on tuesday, but republicans in congress have blocked the change. mrtrump has mr trump has refused to say if he will sign the bill if those payments are not increased. the authorities in south africa say hospitals in the western cape are under severe pressure from a rising number of covid—19 cases, which are possibly linked to a new variant of the coronavirus. the country is experiencing a surge in infections, with more than 111,000 new cases recorded on wednesday. levels of coronavirus are continuing to rise, with one in 85 people in england infected, according to officialfigures. in wales, the virus is infecting one in 60 people — a sharp increase. infection levels are also up in northern ireland. we are going to stay with that story, as the uk reports another 39,036 new cases of covid—19 and 574 deaths in the past 2a hour

emma simpson, bbc news. as you've been hearing, the uk prime minister is heading to brussels later today to meet with the european commission president in what's seen as a make or break moment in the trade talks. joining me now is lesley batchelor, chief executive of export boot camps. good morning, good to see you. talk through the logistics that we had in that report there of problems at ports for various reasons already. at the boot camp, whatare reasons already. at the boot camp, what are you telling those who want advice? on how to cope with the next few months? thank you, good question. the only thing we can say is that obviously we need to get there and keep everyone looking at government websites because that is where news is posted and a great tool that we have under the word transition, and it will help you through how changes will actually work a new and it will ask you if you are importing or exporting, et cetera et cetera and it is a great tool and i have to say it is very, very hard times for u

emma simpson, bbc news, dover. stay with us on bbc news, still to come: we look back on the life of one of the world's greatest violinists, ivry gitlis, who's died at the age of 98. the world of music has been paying tribute to george michael, who's died from suspected heart failure at the age of 53. he sold well over 100 million albums in a career spanning more than three decades. the united states' troops have been trying to overthrow the dictatorship of general manuel noriega. the pentagon says it's failed in its principle objective to capture noriega and take him to the united states to face drugs charges. the hammer and sickle was hastily taken away. in its place, the russian flag was hoisted over what is now no longer the soviet union, but the commonwealth of independent states. day broke slowly over lockerbie, over the cockpit of pan am's maid of the seas, nosedown in the soft earth. you could see what happens when a plane eight storeys high, a football pitch wide, falls from 30,000 feet. christmas has retur

emma simpson, bbc news, portsmouth. the international criminal court in the hague says it has reason to believe british forces committed war crimes in iraq between 2003 and 2011. the icc says it has decided not to take action against the uk because it says it did not find sufficient evidence that the british government had acted to shield soldiers from prosecution. our defence correspondent, jonathan beale, is with me. very serious allegations? the headline the court will not be pursuing a case against the british government, that has been welcomed by the ministry of defence which says there is new —— is no new evidence brought to light by the 180 page report, but the report says there is reason to believe such crimes were committed against iraqi detainees while in uk custody including illegal killings, murder, torture and rape. the reason you explained they will not pursue the case is that they say there is not enough evidence to prove the government shielded troops from prosecution. that said, there is still the p

emma simpson, bbc news, st albans. the man who murdered the british backpacker grace millane in new zealand has been convicted of sex attacks on two more women. jesse shane kempson can now be named after a court ruled his identity should no longer be suppressed. the 28—year old was jailed for life in february, for killing grace millane on the eve of her 22nd birthday. phil mercer reports. jesse kempson has now been revealed as a serial sexual predator. it can now be reported that, before grace millane was killed, he'd raped another british woman in new zealand and terrorised a former girlfriend. he was found guilty in both cases. his identity was kept secret after his conviction for ms millane's murder, so that those subsequent trials wouldn't be jeopardised. kempson is serving a minimum sentence of 17 years for killing the backpacker from whitford in essex. they met two years ago on the dating app, tinder. security cameras showed them in the centre of auckland visiting bars and restaurants. her family said grace was

emma simpson, bbc news, portsmouth. the latest government figures show there were 16,578 new coronavirus infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period. the average number of new cases reported per day in the last week, is now 15,367. 1,359 people had been admitted to hospital on average each day over the week to last friday. 533 deaths were reported, that's people who died within 28 days of a positive covid—i9 test. that means on average in the past week, 412 deaths were announced every day. it takes the total number of deaths so far across the uk to 62,566. medical regulators have recommended that people with a history of significant allergic reactions should not be given the pfizer—biontech vaccine. it comes after two nhs workers had an adverse reaction to the jab yesterday. they've both recovered. thousands of other people have received the vaccine without any issues. 0ur health correspondent dominic hughes reports. they've been together ever since they met while working at basildon hospital more than five d

emma simpson, thank you. pubs, bars and restaurants will have to close injersey at midnight to try to tackle the biggest surge in coronavirus cases on the island since april. what's being called a ‘hospitality ciruit breaker‘ is likely to be in place until early january. the chief minister says there is a "real and immediate risk" to health services injersey. from there, robert hall reports. the plan seemed to be working. six months when summer felt much like normal. unlike its sister island guernsey, jersey had opted to keep its borders open. the island was confident that its rigorous testing, combined with an effective track and trace system, would contain covid—i9 cases. but as autumn crept in, a minority who ignored the rules have turned that plan on its head. last night, the island's government revealed that cases have almost trebled in a month. with a population ofjust over 100,000, jersey had 300 cases and rising. that puts it among the uk's worst affected regions. i know that, collectively, thes

our business correspondent emma simpson has more details. debenhams, a big part of bristol for half a century. anchor stores in so many of our towns and cities, like brighton. i think it's really sad, i used to work for them a long time ago. and on the corner here in leeds. but for how much longer? we won't have any shopping centres left, we'll have no town centres left when everybody shops online. in edinburgh today, nostalgia from younger shoppers, too. i know girls who bought their prom dresses there. it's memories, you know what i mean? and staff arriving for work to find out that when the doors open tomorrow, the stock starts to be cleared, liquidation and a closing down sale. i think it's been like a long, slow decline for debenhams. it's not really changed. it's been a constant presence through the decades, but its problems have been many years in the making. an incredibly sad day. i really feel for the teams involved. sir ian cheshire was chairman months before debenhams went into administration last year. and then limped on, control

emma simpson, bbc news. under normal circumstances you might be looking forward to your work's christmas party this weekend. sadly, as we know too well, this is not a normal year. with most traditional parties cancelled because of covid restrictions, some companies are trying to find alternative ways to bring colleagues together. jayne mccubbin has been invited to join the festive fun. ah, the work christmas party cancelled because of covid, but let's just cross over to party poopers anonymous. raise a hand if you are actually really relieved the office party isn't happening this year? and not everyone is disappointed. because it's just stressful when you have to go to a christmas party with work people, pretend you like them, pretend you're interested! you don't want to be sat around making small talk with your boss, do you? no. 0h, they're just terrible, aren't they? i mean, you get dragged around pubs you don't want to go to, with people you don't want to be with. if you leave too early, you're a party po

emma simpson, bbc news. public health england plans to release its findings into the new mutation of covid—19 within the next fortnight — after the health secretary, matt hancock, said the strain could be linked to the faster spread of the virus in some areas. 0fficials stressed there was no evidence the variant caused more severe forms of the disease or was resistant to vaccines. 0ur health correspondent michelle roberts has more. every virus mutates. these tiny genetic changes happen as the virus makes new copies of itself to spread and thrive. most are inconsequential and thrive. most are inconsequential and if you can even be harmful to the viruses survival but some can't make it more infectious or threatening to the host. for covid, that host is us. and experts are working to understand precisely what these new changes that have been identified might mean. some viruses do this at a very, very fast rate, like hiv or the flu, for example. 0thers like hiv or the flu, for example. others are more indole

emma simpson, bbc news. many more people are getting the coronavirus vaccine today as the roll—out of the pfizer—biontech jab continues across the uk. but people with a history of significant allergic reactions have been advised not to have the vaccine as a precaution. it comes after two nhs workers had reactions after being immunised yesterday. the nhs says they are both recovering well. our health correspondent jim reed reports. sharp scratch now, angela. at a hospital in south london this morning, it was the turn of care home workers to get their jabs. i'm pleased to have it, you know. we are all in it together, let's just get it done. another 150 people at st george's hospital in tooting will get vaccinated today. it is wonderful because it's like a little ray of sunshine in what has been the most difficult year i have ever had in my career over 27 years. across the uk thousands have now received their first doses. they will all need a follow—up booster in three weeks' time before it is fully effec

our business correspondent, emma simpson, reports. debenhams, a big part of bristol for half a century. anchor stores in so many towns and cities, like brighton. i think it's really sad, used to work for them a long time ago. and on the corner in leeds. but for how much longer? we won't have any shopping centres left, town centres left when everybody shops online. in edinburgh today, nostalgia from younger shoppers, too. i know girls that bought their prom dresses there. it is memories, you know what i mean? and staff arriving for work to find out that when the doors open tomorrow, the stock starts to be cleared, liquidation and a closing down sale. i think it has been a long, slow decline for debenhams. that hasn't really changed. it has been a co nsta nt really changed. it has been a constant presence through the decades, but its problems have been many years in the making. an incredibly sad day. sir ian cheshire was chairman months before debenhams went into administration last year. and then limped on, controlled by its lenders. i

emma simpson, bbc news. now it's time for newswatch. hello and welcome to newswatch, with me, samira ahmed. different nations different tiers. is bbc news keeping all parts of the uk equally informed about covid—19 infections and restrictions? or is it making too much of a deal of when england — and specifically london — go into higher tiers, causing resentment and confusion elsewhere? the pandemic has had different impacts in different parts of the uk, and with devolved govenrments in scotland, wales and northern ireland, that's meant different rules in different places, whatever is decided by the national government in westminster. but it's also made life difficult for broadcasters such as the bbc. take the announcement reported on monday's lunchtime news. as coronavirus cases 01’ as coronavirus cases or london faces a move to tier 3. england's highest level of restriction. with ministers and officials said to be deeply concerned while pubs bars and restau ra nts concerned while pubs bars and restaurants could close. concerned

let‘s speak to our business correspondent emma simpson. emma, just how likely is this to happen? yes, could mike ashley really co m e happen? yes, could mike ashley really come to the rescue at the 11th hour? it does all come down to price and just how credible an offer he makes. remember, last week we we re he makes. remember, last week we were told the business was starting to be wound down. that closing sale is already under way. although the administrators said the end of the initial sales process had taken place, they would always look at any alternative offers. so now they are in talks with frasers group. it did put ina in talks with frasers group. it did put in a bid in october which was rejected because it was too low, so he‘s having another go. mike ashley has been here before, he tried to buy debenhams last year and ended up losing his entire £150 million stake in doing so, as the chain ended up in the hands of its lender. so could this be the final throw of the dice for him? in a statement this morning, frasers group said it hoped a rescue package could be put in pl

emma simpson, bbc news, portsmouth. elizabeth dejong is director of policy at logistics uk. way back to your companies, whether the finding, how hard and he finally got the moment? with the problems that are occurring. there are two things happening. there are delays in the deep sea containment and the issues at felix stowe have been with us issues at felix stowe have been with us for a while and our focus of concerted efforts around this. there are also concerns about the impact of brexit going forward on other ports as well. but today, there are other trade associations that have written to the department that will show that these issues will be worked on together and will give them the help to do so. the pandemic, it is a global issue, how do you get global help and get this to work its way through? some of these are doing it felix stowe will help with the resources at the moment. and the government will say, giving it additional hours and drive us giving it additional hours and drive us to service for help but, we do believe you're getting on top of the peak but you are

emma simpson, bbc news, st albans. this is 0utside source live from the bbc newsroom. 0ur lead story. nearly 3000 lorries are still stuck near the uk port of dover — over fears a new strain of coronavirus might spread to europe. france has said it will begin to ease its uk travel ban from wednesday. but that doesn't necessarily impact freight. this hour we've looked at coronavirus in the uk, europe and the us. well, next let's look at taiwan — because it has reported its first local coronavirus transmission, ending 253 days of being virus—free. health authorities say a woman in her 30s tested positive after coming into contact with a "foreign pilot" working for a taiwanese airline. taiwan has recorded just 770 coronavirus infections and seven deaths after it shut its borders early and implemented strict quarantine rules. here's our taiwan correspondent cindy sui. this locally transmitted case was a woman who had contact with a new zealand pilot. the pilot got covid—19 after going to the united states and the ph

our business correspondent emma simpson reports. it's one of london's top hotels but it's barely breaking even. keeping going as best they can but once again, business is coming to a standstill. and you wish to cancel this booking due to the tier 3 restrictions? customers don't have any choice and there has been more than 100 cancellations already. the restaurants are doing a final serving. going to do about 160 today, lunch and dinner and then we will close, again. heartbreaking. they are making christmas lunch for the staff today, to use up some of the surplus food. a taste of what thousands of hospitality businesses are now dealing with as they go into tier 3. it's the lack of notice. the lack of understanding. and i actually think the decisions are wrong! the damage, you know? we cannot recover. there is many of us, many hotels, many restaurants and bars that won't get over this. and that is the frustration and the anger. an awful lot of businesses haven't even reopened from the previous lockdown and those that have were banking

emma simpson, bbc news. now if you‘ve been looking for an excuse to get your festive knitwear out early this year — comedian dom joly has the answer. this friday is ‘christmasjumper day‘ and by wearing your santa sweater, you can not only impress yourfriends, you help raise money for charity. to explain i‘m joined by comedian and save the children ambassador dom joly. we really need this this year? yes, i think we really need this this year? yes, ithink so, we really need this this year? yes, i think so, and one thing they are pushing, save the children, is that people are strapped for cash, so there is no need to buy another christmas jumper, which unless you are very strange christmas jumper, which unless you are very strange you only wear once are very strange you only wear once a year, so what we want people to do is up cycle stuff, people have old jumpers, christmas jumpers, pimp them up is the idea, but i think people are just desperate for a really good christmas this year and they just want

emma simpson, bbc news. there's just a week to go until christmas day. despite the rising number of covid infections, up to three households are being allowed to mix in england, scotland and northern ireland, with slightly tighter rules in wales. around half the population is planning to form a bubble with friends or relatives for christmas, according to research by the office for national statistics. our home editor mark easton has been talking to people from all walks of life about their plans and whether they‘ re now thinking of changing them. ‘tis the season to be jolly careful, says the prime minister. so how will britons celebrate christmas in this strangest of years? and what's people's reaction to the decision to relax the regulations on festive get—togethers just as the pandemic threatens to overwhelm parts of the nhs? with the help of analysts britain thinks, we've assembled a focus group of people across the uk. well, season's greetings to you all. i'm interested to know how your christmas plans have changed, and specifically, how many p

and just to let you know, i am seeing from our colleague emma simpson, she has reported thatjd sports has just announced that it has pulled out of announced that it has pulled out of a rescue deal with debenhams. a short statement to the stock market. jd sports fashion plc, the leading retail at four sports fashion and out the brand confirms discussions with administrators about a potential acquisition of debenhams have now been terminated. that short statement just have now been terminated. that short statementjust coming in which is confirming what was expected. yes, absolutely. as we said, shareholders did not like the deal one bit. as you heard in the report a little earlier, the big problem with the arcadia collapse and administration was that a lot of the concessions that did quite well in debenhams stores were those of arcadia brands. you could walk into debenhams and you might find a smaller miss selfridge's or burton's concession, some topshop clothing and accessories in those stores and that was one of the things that was keeping debenhams going to. if there we re keeping de

emma simpson, bbc news. and just a reminder that we would love to hear your comments if you wa nt to love to hear your comments if you want to get in touch with us about any of the stories covering today. do get in touch with me on twitter. the headlines on bbc news... the prime minister will fly to brussels later in what could be the final attempt to salvage talks on a post—brexit trade deal. cabinet minister michael gove says the government wants a deal but the eu would need to temper its demands. thousands receive the first coronavirus vaccine but there's a warning of a long road ahead. and it is hoped the oxford job could also be available for use after a study found it was safe and effective. the coronavirus vaccination will continue to be given out across the uk today, after thousands of people received the first jabs yesterday. the health secretary, matt hancock, has said the nhs now faces a herculean task as it embarks on the largest programme of mass vaccination in its history. people aged over 80

emma simpson, bbc news. at least four people have been killed after a car ploughed through a pedestrian area in western germany. a baby is among the dead, and a number of others have been injured. the incident happened in the city of trier — in an area where a christmas market is usually held. it was cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic, but shops in the street were still open. these are pictures from the scene. the suspect drove through the street for around a kilometre before being stopped by the police. a local man has been arrested, but his motive is not yet clear. china has successfully landed a spacecraft on the moon — in a mission to collect rock that's not been achieved since the soviets 44 years ago. the probe is equipped with remote—sensing instruments, a scoop and a drill — and will collect samples of rock and dust to bring back to earth. it's hoped the samples will add to understanding about the history of the solar system. dr megan argo is an astronomer at the university of cent

gemma simpson, thank you. —— emma. the mother of a girl who died following an asthma attack has told an inquest that she would have moved house immediately, had she known the effects of dangerous levels of air pollution on her daughter's health. nine—year—old ella adoo—kissi—debrah died in 2013. a second inquest is investigating whether air pollution near the family's home may have contributed to her death. 0ur environment correspondent, claire marshall, reports. this picture of ella, two months before she died, is on display in the court room, as details emerge about the story surrounding her death. the coroner's court has already heard how she was exposed to years of dangerous and illegal levels of air pollution. coughing ella became ill ten years ago. her mother, rosamund adoo—kissi—debrah, has fought so hard to be heard. their family home was beside london's busy south circular road. they would walk to school along it. rosamund said, at the time, no connection was made between ella's fatal asthma attack

emma simpson, bbc news. the headlines on bbc news... health leaders urge people to follow the tougher coronavirus restrictions due to come into force across much of the uk, as concern continues to grow about rising infection rates. it comes as northern ireland announces a new six week lockdown beginning on boxing day — including supermarkets being told to close at 8pm for the first few days. more than 300 schoolboys kidnapped by gunmen in northern nigeria a week ago have arrived back in the state capital after their release. tens of millions of people have been affected after a powerful snowstorm swept through the north—east of the united states, breaking records in massachusetts, pennsylvania and new york. it created a lot of extra work — but also brought smiles to plenty of faces. tanya dendrinos has the details. a dusting of magic. the sound of heavy snowfall, music to the ears of anyone dreaming of a white christmas. the snowstorm was record—breaking. new york city received the same amount as it

emma simpson, bbc news. it is 2:45pm. under normal circumstances, you might be looking forward to your work's christmas party this weekend. sadly, as we know too well, this is not a normal year. with most traditional parties cancelled because of covid restrictions, some companies are trying to find alternative ways to bring colleagues together. jayne mccubbin has been invited to join the festive fun. ah, the work christmas party cancelled because of covid, but let's just cross over to party poopers anonymous. raise a hand if you are actually really relieved the office party isn't happening this year? and not everyone is disappointed. because it's just stressful when you have to go to a christmas party with work people, pretend you like them, pretend you're interested! you don't want to be sat around making small talk with your boss, do you? no. 0h, they're just terrible, aren't they? i mean, you get dragged around pubs you don't want to go to, with people you don't want to be with. if you leave too early, yo

emma simpson, bbc news. the coronavirus vaccination will continue to be given out across the uk today, after thousands of people received the first jabs yesterday. the health secretary, matt hancock, has said the nhs now faces a "herculean task" as it embarks on the largest programme of mass vaccination in its history. people aged over 80, care home workers and some health staff are currently the highest priority for the vaccination. it will mean that i can go out more, because at the moment i have been completely confined at home, i have had hardly any social life at all. and now i will feel as though i'm a bit safer. i won't be so scared about going out. meanwhile, the us supreme court has rejected a lawsuit brought by allies of donald trump, seeking to overturn the results of the presidential election in pennsylvania. the court dismissed the request to discount more than 2.5 million postal votes, without stating any reasons. it's the latest of dozens of legal cases brought by the trump campaign to have fa

emma simpson, bbc news, dover. churches across the uk will be holding scaled back christmas celebrations today. the archbishop of canterbury has said elderly and vulnerable churchgoers should consider the risks and not feel obliged to go to church. even for those that do go, services will feel very different and many will be broadcast online. harry farley reports. the darkness is deep. yet, light penetrates the darkness. a homily to an empty building. midnight mass at westminster cathedral last night was streamed online, but members of the public were not allowed to attend. earlier, cardinal vincent nichols had presided at an afternoon service with strict social distancing in place. but cathedral staff feared the popular midnight mass service would attract crowds and moved the service online. at the vatican later today, pope francis will deliver his christmas message indoors, not from the balcony of st peter's. and here at westminster cathedral, cardinal nichols said the crisis was a crossroads in our history. have

our business correspondent emma simpson reports. debenhams, a big part of bristol for half a century. anchor stores in so many of her towns and cities, like brighton. i think it's really sad. i used to work for them a long time ago. and on the corner in leeds. but for how much longer? we won't have any shopping centres left, we'll have no town centres left when everybody shops online. in edinburgh today, nostalgia from younger shoppers, too. i know girls who bought their prom dresses there. it's memories, you know what i mean? and staff arriving for work to find out that when the doors open tomorrow, the stock starts to be cleared, liquidation and a closing down sale. i think it's been a long, slow decline for debenhams. it's not really changed. it has been a constant presence through the decades, but its problems have been many years in the making, too. but the pandemic tipped debenhams into administration again during lockdown. jd sports had been closing in on a rescue deal, but they got cold feet and pulled out this morning. the

emma simpson has more. so, what has gone wrong? container ships are the arteries of global trade. covid—19 has disrupted the flow, especially from china. ports around the world are now having problems. it's just a perfect storm at the moment where we have a situation with post—pandemic rates and orders, pre—brexit stockpiling, and also christmas being a particularly busy period. we will get through this, we are confident the sector can deal with this. itjust may take a bit of time and we ask people to bear with us. felixstowe, britain's biggest container port, has been hardest hit here. it is grappling with a surge in containers ahead of christmas as well as brexit stockpiling, and it had a backlog of ppe containers, too. the ports say things are improving, but volumes could remain high for months. the whole supply chain now wants the government to look at ways to improve capacity, to keep these containers on the move. as well as impacting deliveries and supply chains, a no—deal brexit would also make eu goods more expensive in the uk. no deal means using world trade organ

our business correspondent emma simpson has more. this all comes down to how much mike ashley is prepared to pay and whether it's a credible enough offer for the administrators. he made a bid during the initial sales process, but this was rejected because it was too low, so now he's having another go at the 11th hour. you can probably see the signs in the window here. the closing down sale is already under way. and one potential sticking point might be how to value all the stock that's already disappearing out the doors here. now, frasers group this morning said this had to be done quickly, time was short. it hoped for a rescue package to savejobs, but there was no certainty that this could be done. and, of course, mike ashley has long had his eye on debenhams. he lost out big time last year in a battle for control. so this really is his final chance and possibly the last chance for debenhams. even if he did do a deal, it's highly unlikely that he would keep all the stores in the longer term. the poorest areas in england have seen di

some royal mail customers have been experiencing delays, as our business correspondent emma simpson reports. mariusz lucza kowski runs a small chocolate company in worcestershire and uses royal mail to send out orders to customers via first class delivery. over the past few days, he says he has received emails from customers complaining of delays — sometimes of seven or more days. tell us about your situation? we have been experiencing a lot of delays. we started sending our first christmas collections out at the beginning of november and we have been contacted by our customers that they haven't received the parcels. so we have been checking and some of them have been delayed by eight to ten delays in november. —— by eight to ten days. so the delays were kicking and even in november? yes, evenin kicking and even in november? yes, even in november, we had some parcels delayed by eight to ten days. those parcels were sent with first class royal mail. and obviously, the volume of mail overall has been building since then. have you been in touch with royal mail to ask about deliveries or

our business correspondent emma simpson has more. this all comes down to how much mike ashley is prepared to pay and whether it's a credible enough offer for the administrators. he made a bid during the initial sales process, but this was rejected because it was too low, so now he's having another go at the 11th hour. you can probably see the signs in the window here. the closing down sale is already under way. and one potential sticking point might be how to value all the stock that's already disappearing out the doors here. now, frasers group this morning said this had to be done quickly, time was short. it hoped for a rescue package to savejobs, but there was no certainty that this could be done. and, of course, mike ashley has long had his eye on debenhams. he lost out big time last year in a battle for control. joe biden has named his health team today, the men and women who will play a crucial role in tackling the covid—i9 pandemic, the attorney general of california xavier becerra will be the new secretary of health. in char

emma simpson, bbc news. i'm joined now by simon rance who is sales director of timco, which is an importer and wholesaler of building materials. welcome. are you seeing an impact on your supplies? absolutely, since covid first came in. we saw a massive drop off of sales initially, but the construction market has recovered very strongly, and far greater then what we first anticipated. and what we are now experiencing is whilst the far east is manufacturing on time to schedule, now getting stock into the uk is causing a huge problem. partly shipping lines have increased their costs dramatically through the inconvenience of having to come to uk parts. also they are now refusing to ta ke uk parts. also they are now refusing to take uk containers, or is one of your earlier speakers mentioned we are also seeing vessels avoiding uk parts and even dropping off containers in areas such as rotterdam and then having to use feeder vessels to get it into the uk. costs are going up massively. for example a shipping contai

emma simpson, bbc news. you've been letting us know how much you appreciate your postie. charlie has emailed to say that wayne the postie has been working extra days and long hours to clear a two—week backlog of letters. so charlie wants to send a big thank you from everyone in victory pier apartments in medway, kent. sue is in rotherham, south yorkshire. she has ms and says her postie, jack, always makes sure she's ok with a wave or knock on the door with a smile. she says he doesn't seem to have many days off and has kept me going through the covid restrictions. every day working no matter what the weather. and one of the residents of silverstone village in northamptonshire has written in to thank their postie, alison, who is "one of the best" and has worked hard through everything to keep the deliveries running. my my postie has a really lovely smile. one of those smiles that light up your day. nice shorts? sometimes, yeah. they almost always wear shorts no matter what the weather. he always gives me a way. keep those thoughts coming in. if you have heroes, dig thing

things have clearly changed since that interview was done by emma simpson in september and with me now to see how retailers can survive is digital entrepreneur and former dragons den dragon p0 slyney. what do you think has changed so radically? is it the arcadia collapse? ! piers linney. this is a permanent change, i grew up this is a permanent change, i grew up in this is a permanent change, i grew upina this is a permanent change, i grew up in a town where out—of—town retailers decimated the local high street and we will see the same in terms of online retailers causing a massive problem. what covid has done in many ways, including me sitting here now, is changing how we do things permanently. technology is advancing and we need to think long and hard about what we do about our high streets because this was a slow motion car crash and i think we have seen that pace accelerate, sadly. motion car crash and i think we have seen that pace accelerate, sadlym you are an employee, one of 25,000 people who works for the arcadia or debenhams brand, thinking myjob is about to go, i want to

earlier, our business correspondent, emma simpson, told me what was behind the move. at the start of the pandemic, retail and hospitality were given a business rates holiday for the year to survive. but of course the supermarkets remained open throughout, and they have enjoyed a sales boom, albeit with higher costs. now, just the four big grocers alone, its estimated that they received about £1 in every £6 of business rates relief. in recent weeks, they have been coming under increasing political fire amid concerns that that support could have been better targeted to other bits of retail and hospitality that are still in crisis, especially when some of them have been paying big dividends to shareholders. yesterday, tesco came out and said it would be repaying £585 million in support by the end of the day. morrison said it was doing the same. this morning, sainsbury‘s, aldi and asda, in the last hour, havejoined in. so, tesco piling on the pressure theere on rivals to follow suit. of course, for the treasury, every little helps. labour leader sir keir starmer has