let's go to nick eardley in downing street. may be improving mood music as kevin says, but slightly downbeat assessment from the prime minister in the last few minutes in that interview, saying the two sides still very far apart on key issues. it's interesting, isn't it? a couple of days ago, we were talking about a no—deal outcome, no trade deal being agreed, borisjohnson saying that was very, very likely. he is still saying today that people should prepare for it. but it does feel like the fact these talks are continuing potentially for a good few more days is significant for a couple of reasons. firstly, because neither side at the moment is prepared to walk away. yes, those big issues are still there, but neither side is prepared to hold its hands up and say, look, we just don't think this process has any way to go. it was also integer —— interesting in that interview boris johnson hasjust done that he didn't say whether there had been any political movement. whether there had been a nod and a link between the two lea

nick eardley, thank you very much indeed. nick beake is in brussels. this dinner tonight, what is on the menu? well, simon, it is not looking particularly appetising, let's be honest. we know for sure feature at some point because they still have not sorted out eu access to uk fishing waters. as for a main course, maybe they will try and tackle the chilly issue of optician rules, maybe there is a side dish of government subsidies. if anyone is still hungry after that, for dessert may be they could consider policing a deal in the future, to make sure that no one side tries to have their ca ke that no one side tries to have their cake and eat it in the future. it doesn't sound great, let's hope the after—dinner mint sissoko are a bit better for if they want to talk to the cameras, as nick was suggesting, what we are being guided is that they will not be saying, even if it has gone amazingly well, we have sealed a deal. instead, the hope here in brussels would be that it gives a bit of momentum and an opportunity to try and kickstart the stalled talks b

nick eardley, bbc news. so, how has the coronavirus mutated, and what do we know about how infectious this new variant is? here's our health correspondent catherine burns. since the pandemic started, we've learnt a lot about coronavirus, but it's been learning about us too. it's had practice at dealing with our immune systems and has developed an extra way of fighting us — this new variant. it's changed 23 times. many differences are linked to the all—important spike protein — the part of the virus that lets it bind onto human cells. so, the worry is that this mutation could make it easier for the virus to infect us. doctors think this new variant could spread up to 70% faster, although that figure is just an estimate. scientists advising the government also say it could increase the r number, which shows how the virus can spread, by between 0.4 and 0.9. when we find the virus, we're finding the virus in the nose and throat. the higher amount of virus means that people are likely to be more infectious

our political correspondent nick eardley reports. what a difference a day can make. london's oxford street, normally one of the busiest for shopping in europe, deserted today as parts of england entered a new lockdown and millions more faced up to a significantly scaled back christmas. i was pinning all of my hopes on this moment now to get home for christmas. people like michaela mccann, who works as an occupational therapist in surrey and now can't get home to northern ireland. everybody had made their plans, itjust seems like it's just a bit too late. it's just really difficult to accept. and i feel like, myself, my resilience has sort of depleted through the year. i think this is just one, like, final kick. the government said it was forced to act because of a new variant of the virus that's thought to spread much quicker. the new variant is out of control and we need to bring it under control, and this news about the new variant has been an incredibly difficult end to, frankly, an awful year. wales entered lockdown again at midnight. in scotland and northern ire

nick eardley reports. london last night, where some made a last—minute journey before lockdown started. but there won't be the usual christmas getaway this year. significant restrictions are now in place in large parts of england and in the whole of wales. and they are coming in scotland. and for millions, christmas visits will be considerably shortened or cancelled altogether. for lesley nelson, who has terminal cancer, that means she won't be able to spend time with her sister. literally, i just sat in my chair in floods of tears. and messaging my family, you know, what are we going to do? itjust seems so unfair. for somebody like me, i'm terminally ill, i won't be here next christmas. people may think, 0k, that's all right. we'll celebrate christmas in the summer. i don't know if i'm going to be here in the summer. my sister is going to be sitting at home by herself 100 miles away, and her presents are under the tree. 70 million people in england are back in lockdown. in london, the east and south eas

nick eardley reports. london last night, where some made a last—minute journey before lockdown started. but there won't be the usual christmas getaway this year. significant restrictions are now in place in large parts of england and in the whole of wales. and they are coming in scotland. and for millions, christmas visits will be considerably shortened or cancelled altogether. for lesley nelson, who has terminal cancer, that means she won't be able to spend time with her sister. literally, i just sat in my chair in floods of tears. and messaging my family, you know, what are we going to do? itjust seems so unfair. for somebody like me, i'm terminally ill, i won't be here next christmas. people may think, 0k, that's all right. we'll celebrate christmas in the summer. i don't know if i'm going to be here in the summer. in london, the east and south east of england, people are being urged to stay at home. nonessential shops are closed, plans to allow christmas baubles have been cancelled. —— bubbles. i

nick eardley. what is this question, who is tabling it and why? they are trying to find out what is going on behind closed doors in brussels this afternoon. we‘ll hear from behind closed doors in brussels this afternoon. we‘ll hearfrom penny mordaunt for the government, not sure we will get a whole lot of detail, to be honest, because at the same time that urgent question is taking place, the bigger talks are going in here as well. boris johnson, ran for pm, will be on the phone it to the european commission chief ursula von der leyen. they will be trying to find out if, after all the charm of the last few days, discussions of issues unresolved, what room there is no for manoeuvre, whether there can be a compromise, political compromise, to try and get a deal over the line. westerly talks have any room left to go or whether this has perhaps got to a point where neither side can compromise on those three remaining issues — fisheries, the issue of how any deal is governed, the rules in place, a

nick eardley, at westminster, thank you very much. the latest developments have sparked bans on travel from the uk into several countries — including france, which is barring arrivals by air, sea, rail or road, including freight. germany, italy, the netherlands and ireland are also restricting travel. here's our transport correspondent, caroline davies. this weekend has already seen queues of lorries waiting at dover. today's news that france has banned all forms of transport from the uk for 48 hours from midnight, including goods being transported as freight, has many worried this will get much worse. this is an absolute hammer blow after all the queues we've had at ports in the last week caused by brexit stockpiling and, of course, the christmas rush. so, there's real confusion, real uncertainty in the industry tonight. obviously, the ban is into france, other routes that these goods could be taken into in a different part of europe instead? there are other routes, other sea routes, other ports to other parts of europe that can be

our political correspondent nick eardley is here. all this just before christmas, many argue that this could be done earlier but it is happening now. just 72 hours ago borisjohnson said it would be inhuman to cancel the relaxation is christmas but it feels like a pretty big picture emerging of the number of new cases in many parts of the country in england and also in other parts of the uk. and there is concern about this new variant of the virus that the chief medical officer for england chris whitty has been talking about this morning and it is that backdrop which means that borisjohnson is done to announce some pretty big restrictions within the next hour or so. restrictions within the next hour or so. there's going to be attempted in england, something the government was desperate to avoid but now feels it must introduce and that will cover london and large parts of the south—east of england at a minimum, it could apply to other parts of the country as well. i expect that that will feel quite close to lough dan, nonessential sh

nick eardley, bbc news. just to bring rely we are getting from number ten the last minute or two, a spokesman for number ten has just released a statement that says the prime minister will chair a cobra meeting tomorrow to discuss the situation regarding international travel, in particular the steady flow of freight into and out of the uk. further meetings are happening this evening and tomorrow morning to ensure robust plans are in place. this of course is a response to a number of countries including france and ireland saying that there will not be allowing air travel in and out of their countries from the uk. so just to reiterate, out of their countries from the uk. sojust to reiterate, there out of their countries from the uk. so just to reiterate, there will be a cobra meeting chaired by the prime minister tomorrow to discuss the ever—changing situation with international travel, in particular freight into and out of the uk over the next couple of days. more and that of course as and when we get it he

nick eardley, bbc news. so how has the coronavirus mutated and what do we know about how infectious this new variant is? here's our health correspondent catherine burns. since the pandemic started, we've learnt a lot about coronavirus, but it's been learning about us too. it's had practice at dealing with our immune systems and has developed an extra way of fighting us — this new variant. it's changed 23 times. many differences are linked to the all—important spike protein — the part of the virus that lets it bind onto human cells. so, the worry is that this mutation could make it easier for the virus to infect us. doctors think this new variant could spread up to 70% faster, although that figure is just an estimate. scientists advising the government also say it could increase the r number, which shows how the virus can spread, by between 0.4 and 0.9. when we find the virus, we're finding the virus in the nose and throat. the higher amount of virus means that people are likely to be more infectious th

nick eardley, bbc news. what does the prime minister's party make of these tier 4 restrictions? well i've been getting the reaction of tory mp sir david amess to the latest changes. the area i represent, we have gone from tieri to tier numeric form, and it was a complete shock. all this happened since parliament rose on thursday, and i'm still waiting to hear the indicators locally, but i understand that hospital admissions are increasing and infections are rising dramatically, but it's just so desperately disappointing, given that on wednesday it seemed an absolute certainty that we would all be able to celebrate christmas over a five—day period. to celebrate christmas over a five-day period. i've just been looking at the figures for your area, and basildon, a 20 minute drive away from your constituency, has the highest rate of coronavirus now in england. yes, this is a very worrying trend. the last thing we wa nt worrying trend. the last thing we want is for anyone to become unwell asa want is for anyone to become unwell as a result of this mutating of the virus. so, yes, we

nick eardley, bbc news, westminster. new york was the epicentre of the initial coronavirus outbreak in the us. the city that never sleeps was put into hibernation by covid as cases and deaths soared. covid—19 has exposed many of america's long—term ailments, and for many in new york, its effects haven't gone away. nick bryant sent this report from the city about how the virus has changed america and americans. christmas 2020. where the carols sound more like laments. and where the traditional decorations come with the new protocols of the pandemic. social distancing, at a time when people normally congregate together. for many new yorkers, the festive season sounds more like a misnomer. it's a time of empty chairs at the family table. a time to think of loved ones who didn't survive the year. last time i was here was with my dad. the funfair at coney island brings back memories for angelina pryer, of herfather richard, a keen long—distance runner, who died from the coronavirus at the beginning of the outbreak. he w

nick eardley, thank you. italy has announced a nationwide lockdown for much of the christmas and new year period, in an effort to slow their rising number of coronavirus infections. bars and restaurants will be closed and movement restricted. italy now has the highest number of covid—related deaths anywhere in europe, more than 68,000. here's our rome correspondent, mark lowen. paolo maccionni has lived through many vintages. the third generation to run the century—old family restaurant built on the ruins of ancient rome. but christmas 2020 might bring it all to an end. his hopes for a crucial boost after the worst year they have had dashed with another lockdown. translation: my work is my life. i have been doing it for so many years. it passed from my grandfather to my father to me. if this goes on, we are likely to close. it is terrible. i don't see a future now. not much merriness before a two—week shutdown from christmas eve, though some shops can open for four of the days. there will be strict limi

our political correspondent nick eardley is at downing street. i think we will hear something shortly. we are expecting a statement from the prime minister in 20 minutes. in five minutes, we are going to hearfrom ursula von der leyen about what has happened in a conversation with borisjohnson this morning. at the moment it is kind of a guessing game. we cannot be sure but there are a few things to bear in mind. boris johnson but there are a few things to bear in mind. borisjohnson is having a conversation with his cabinet at the moment telling him what has happened in that call, telling him what he expects to happen next. it is worth pointing out that call seems to be fairly short, it seems to have been half an hour today, less than some of the previous phone calls the two have had where they had been trying to thrash things out. you could read that either way. coming back to what they were saying ten minutes ago, it is important to note there was a note this morning from both sides great european leaders like merkel, micheal martin, tea shop in

that was nick eardley. nigel nelson is the political editor for the people and the sunday mirror here in the uk. i asked him his thoughts on the latest of elements. welcome at the moment, ifind it almost inconceivable that we would go out of the middle of covid without a deal. but all the evidence is pointing towards the fact that this is exactly what is going to happen, and it will be an absolute shambles if we do. i live town in kent, i am expecting county to be gridlocked when there are 7000 lorries to be backed up to dover. they have not much longer to get things sorted out. the eu tends to like to ta ke out. the eu tends to like to take these things to the wire, but we still have these major sticking points. the line seems to be it is actually the eu that still has to budge. but it certainly the line being picked up certainly the line being picked up by certainly the line being picked up by some of the papers. what do you make about. i imagine they both have to budge. this isa they both have to budge.

nick eardley, bbc news. so, how has the coronavirus mutated, and what do we know about how infectious this new variant is? here‘s our health correspondent, catherine burns. since the pandemic started, we have learned a lot about coronavirus, but it has been learning about us, too. it has had practice at dealing with our immune systems and has developed an extra way of fighting us. this new variant. it has changed 23 times. many differences are linked to the all—importa nt times. many differences are linked to the all—important spike protein. the part of the virus that lets it bind on to human cells. so the worry is that this mutation could make it easierfor the virus to is that this mutation could make it easier for the virus to infect us. doctors think this new variant could spread up to 70% faster, although that figure is just an estimate. scientists advising the government also say it could increase the r number, which shows how the virus can spread, by between 0.4 and 0.9. when we find the virus, w

nick eardley reports. london last night, as some made a last—minute journey before lockdown started. but there won't be the usual christmas getaway this year. significant restrictions are now in place in large parts of england and in the whole of wales. and they are coming in scotland. and for millions, christmas visits will be considerably shortened or cancelled altogether. for lesley nelson, who has terminal cancer, that means she won't be able to spend time with her sister. literally, i just sat in my chair in floods of tears. and messaging my family, you know, what are we going to do? itjust seems so unfair. for somebody like me, i'm terminally ill, i won't be here next christmas. people may think, 0k, that's all right. we'll celebrate christmas in the summer. i don't know if i'm going to be here in the summer. my sister is going to be sitting at home by herself 100 miles away, and her presents are under the tree. 70 million people in england are back in lockdown. in london, the east and south east o

nick eardley reports. london last night, as some made a last—minute journey before lockdown started. but there won't be the usual christmas getaway this year. significant restrictions are now in place in large parts of england and in the whole of wales. and they are coming in scotland. and for millions, christmas visits will be considerably shortened or cancelled altogether. for lesley nelson, who has terminal cancer, that means she won't be able to spend time with her sister. literally, i just sat in my chair in floods of tears. and messaging my family, you know, what are we going to do? itjust seems so unfair. for somebody like me, i'm terminally ill, i won't be here next christmas. people can think, 0k, that's all right. we'll celebrate christmas in the summer. i don't know if i'm going to be here in the summer. my sister is going to be sitting at home by herself 100 miles away, and her presents are under the tree. 70 million people in england are back in lockdown. in london, the east and south east o

nick eardley is with me. borisjohnson was boris johnson was taking borisjohnson was taking us through england, there are also the other nations, we have heard about wales? huge restrictions in england, almost a third of the population under tier 4, which is a form of lockdown, and for everyone else christmas bubble is limited to one day, wales has announced in the last 20 minutes that it will go into a full lockdown from midnight tonight, that was expected just after christmas, it is now happening from midnight tonight, now happening from midnight tonight, now level four will be adopted from 12 o‘clock. they have also limited the christmas relaxation to one day. i‘m expecting in the next few minutes we were here very similar message from nicola sturgeon, the relaxation of the christmas will be significantly curtailed probably just a one day, and the potential that some areas will go fairly soon into their top tier level four, which is quite similar to lockdown as well with nonessential shops and things li

our political correspondent nick eardley is here. nick, we are starting to get a feel of what is to come. yes, i think people should be prepared for significant new restrictions being announced by the prime minister in announced by the prime minister in an hourorso, it announced by the prime minister in an hour or so, it will involve a new top tier of restrictions in england. we think that would apply to london and parts of the south east, at a minimum. it may well be elsewhere, too. that tier 4 is going to feel a lot like lockdown. i expect it will mean that nonessential shops close, it may well mean that people are told not to leave their homes and to stay local as well. which will have a huge impact on people's christmas plans. the latest we are hearing is that that is likely to come in this weekend, so it is coming very soon. that is england. new restrictions are being discussed is a possibility in scotland, though i do not think they are going to be as severe in scotland. scotland already has a higher level of restrictions. that

nick eardley with that report. iain watson is at westminster for us now. the prime minister has some optimism. is it shared? not necessarily, simon. ithink optimism. is it shared? not necessarily, simon. i think he was indulging in megaphone diplomacy ahead of brussels and effectively saying that there are a range of things that we would find unpalatable, so take them off the menu and we will get a deal. he did say there was a deal to be done. i think what the premise was pointing out was that he does not want to sign up to anything that would in the future mean that the uk would have to automatically follow eu rules and also said sovereign control of waters and everyone fishing rights were essential as well. i think it does, because they might not have to sign up automatically to what the eu decides in the future, and that will come down to negotiating and arbitration and a panel to sort out any dispute, so and a panel to sort out any dispute, so there is some wriggle room, and also some wriggle room in fishing. i

in a moment we will talk to our political first to nick eardley at westminster. good morning to both of you. nick eardley, first of all, is this the last opportunity do you think to really get rid of the glow thatis think to really get rid of the glow that is holding these sticking points together for the two sides? yes, look, it is an important day because dave's talks have been stuck for the best part of a week now, according to the uk side, very little progress has been made since friday. so this is a chance for the politicians do come in and try to find some way through the arguments that have been there for some time. i suppose it is a bit like coming up with the jump leads to restart a car, to see if that process can somehow get back on the road in the next few days. there is no guarantee that will happen. it is quite clear, speaking to downing street this morning, that there is still that pessimism there, they're not com pletely pessimism there, they're not completely convinced that there is a way through, but they are going to try. it was interesting hear

nick eardley there. the uk government has promised that the provisions agreed in the withdrawal agreement will protect the right of people and businesses in northern ireland. chris page is in belfast. chris, what is the sense there, the reaction to this protocol? yes, businesses say a few questions have been answered, but still plenty others remain unanswered. the northern ireland protocol, the part of the brexiteer that means northern ireland in effect remains in the eu legal market for goods —— single market, the implication that means there will be some checks on new goods arriving into the likes of here, belfast port, from the rest of the uk, michael gove gave some details come up we know the agreement reached by the uk and eu yesterday, as regards to foods in supermarkets, one area of concern, the supply of goods into supermarkets could be disrupted, supermarkets could be disrupted, supermarkets are getting a three month grace period, so—called, no big change until the end of march. and then u

nick eardley there. the results of a survey by the polling organisation yougov suggest the majority of people in the uk believe the relaxation of restrictions over christmas should be scrapped. the survey of nearly 4,000 adults indicated that 57% believe the plans should be dropped and the current rules should remain in place during the festive period. 31% believe the easing should go ahead as planned. 12% of the respondents said they were unsure. tanya abraham is associate director at yougov. and shejoins us now. i was interested to see government the demographics here —— interested to see,, the 182a goals saying they wa nted see,, the 182a goals saying they wanted this like seshan to be scrapped, which rather surprised me. did it surprise you? we found restrictions are largely something the public have supported since the beginning of the year and throughout the last few months, and indeed like you said, the majority of all age groups have said that they would support the restrictions over the peri

this report from nick eardley. after a year in which few things have been normal, christmas is going to be different, too. gone are the office parties and big gatherings of family and friends. there are plans to relax some rules to allow limited mixing but with cases rising in many areas, some have called for a rethink, saying the decision could cost lives. will we still get christmas, prime minister? leaders from across the uk held talks yesterday and it looks like the rules will still be relaxed for christmas. in england, there's no plan for a change of heart and it is understood to be likely other parts of the uk will stick to the plan, too. the final decisions are still to be made, but if confirmed, that would allow three households to form a christmas bubble for five days, starting from 23rd december. but the government is expected to tell us all to be very cautious. in the next few days, ministers are likely to urge the public to limit social contact in the days before forming a bubble, to think carefully abo

our political correspondent nick eardley has the details. the view in london is that there is going to have to be a decision in the next few days before christmas, and it is a big call for borisjohnson again over whether he signs up to this trade deal. there are two things in particular on which the talks are stuck. one is state subsidies. that is the extent to which governments can pour money into domestic industries to try to give them some sort of advantage in competition. both sides are worried about that because they don't want one undercutting the other. the second issue, one that has been an issue since the start of these negotiations, is fishing access, the extent to which eu boats can come into uk waters after the transition period ends. my understanding is there has been some movement between the two sides on fishing. they are coming slightly closer together. but the view in london tonight is that they are still quite far apart and the language coming from a government source tonight is interesting. they say there has not been enou

with the view from london and brussels, here are our correspondents nick eardley and kevin connolly. the talks are going to go on for a few hours yet. we know they are into the nitty—gritty. it is really crossing tees and dotting the eyes. the latest we heard is that it is likely to be included in the next few hours and it looks like it will be the morning before we know for sure that the deal is done. it seems to be going that way andi it seems to be going that way and i don't think anything has happened that necessarily makes us happened that necessarily makes us think that there is not going to be a deal agreed between the eu and the uk in the next few hours. but if you are holding your breath for a deal tonight i think you will be disappointed. it looks like the morning rather than a late one tonight. it has been a rather strange day here when that historic agreement has really seemed within touching distance all day but has not quite been touched yet. 0ur understanding is that the small hours of the morning here and that the talking will continue through the night, perhaps, on

our political correspondent nick eardley reports. what a difference a day can make. london's oxford street, normally one of the busiest for shopping in europe, deserted today as parts of england entered a new lockdown and millions more faced up to a significantly scaled back christmas. i was pinning all of my hopes on this moment now to get home for christmas. people like michaela mccann, who works as an occupational therapist in surrey and now can't get home to northern ireland. everybody had made their plans, itjust seems like it's just a bit too late. it'sjust really difficult to accept. and i feel like, myself, my resilience has sort of depleted through the year. i think this isjust one, like, final kick. the government said it was forced to act because of a new variant of the virus that's thought to spread much quicker. the new variant is out of control and we need to bring it under control. and this news about the new variant has been an incredibly difficult end to, frankly, an awful year. wales entered lockdown again at midnight. in scotland and northern irela

with the view from london and brussels, here are our correspondents nick eardley and kevin connolly. the talks are going to go on for a few hours yet. we know they are into the nitty—gritty. it is really crossing tees and dotting the eyes. the latest we heard is that it is likely to be included in the next few hours and it looks like it will be the morning before we know for sure that the deal is done. it seems to be going that way and i don't think anything has happened that necessarily makes us think that there is not going to be a deal agreed between the eu and the uk in the next few hours. but if you are holding your breath for a deal tonight i think you will be disappointed. it looks like the morning rather than a late one tonight. it has been a rather strange day here when that historic agreement has really seemed within touching distance all day but has not quite been touched yet. our understanding is that the small hours of the morning here and that the talking will continue through the night, perhaps, on the vexed question of fisheries but it sums up the state of the negot

earlier i spoke to our political correspondent, nick eardley. what a difference 72 hours makes because a few days ago we were talking about a much stricter message when it came to christmas, urging people not to travel, but the rules being kept in place. something has changed in the last 2a hours which is the data that ministers are getting is extremely concerning, it has worried them and the scientific advisers who in a hastily arranged meeting last night decided the action had to be taken, it was decided this morning that this new tier 4 in england, something that boris johnson was desperate to avoid which some ministers had completely dismissed as a prospect but which clearly now is something that they think is necessary. i think boris johnson will take a lot of political criticism for this because it was on wednesday that he accused others of wanting to cancel christmas, of saying it would be inhuman to cancel christmas. that is effectively what has happened for many people in tier 4 now and for millions of others in england it has been mass

our political correspondent nick eardley is at downing street. we have had thatjoint statement, we have had boris johnson we have had thatjoint statement, we have had borisjohnson brief in the cabinet. at the moment the two side keep talking, they are going as they say, the extra mile. deadlines in this process have been about as reliable as a chocolate teapot. the reason they matter is the big question was always, is either side prepared to walk away? put their hand up and say, we do not think this can work. neither side has been prepared to do that. all the mood music we heard on the andrew marr show this morning was about how both sides wanted to really exhausted all options before calling this a day. that is exactly what has happened. the fact that talks are continuing matters because it suggests both sides think it is all to play for, that it sides think it is all to play for, thatitis sides think it is all to play for, that it is possible those unresolved issues can somehow be resolved. the language from ursula von der leyen was quite impor

our political correspondent nick eardley reports. after a year in which few things have been normal, christmas is going to be different, too. gone are the office parties and big gatherings of family and friends. there are plans to relax some rules to allow limited mixing but with cases rising in many areas, some have called for a rethink, saying the decision could cost lives. will we still get christmas, prime minister? leaders from across the uk held talks yesterday and it looks like the rules will still be relaxed for christmas. in england, there is no plan for a change of heart and it is understood to be likely other parts of the uk will stick to the plan, too. the final decisions are still to be made but if confirmed that would allow three households to form a christmas bubble for five days, starting from 23rd of december. but the government is expected to tell us all to be very cautious. in the next few days, ministers are likely to urge the public to limit social contact in the days before forming a bubble, to think carefully a

nick eardley our political correspondent is here. the expectation is that the prime minister will be announcing a new higher tier of restrictions for england, 84, which we are not com pletely england, 84, which we are not completely sure exactly what it will involve. it will be stricter than tier 3 at the moment. the closure of nonessential retail, potentially restrictions on travel as well, and we are expecting that tier 4 will apply from this weekend to london and the south east of england at least. now, the exact details of what that will mean for all of us are not completely clear. we are expecting more at 4pm when the prime minister stands up with the chief medical officer and scientific adviser. but as we've been discussing, there is real concern in government and the scientific community about a new version of the virus which has been transmitting particularly in the south—east of england, and the expectation is that that will mean this new tier for is introduced as soon as this weekend. i should say, if you are outside lond

that was ursula von der leyen. our political correspondent nick eardley is at downing street (05) there was a joint statement between her and boris johnson after the phone call earlier. yes, it was and it looks like those talks might resume pretty much immediately between officials from both sides trying to see if some of those issues which have been outstanding for quite some time now can be solved. i think it is significant that the mood music coming from ursula von der leyen was considerably more optimistic than we have seen over the last couple of weeks. remember, it was only three days ago that borisjohnson was saying that the likelihood, it was very likely now, that the trade talks would finish without a deal, before that telling businesses that they now needed to start preparing for that eventuality, that no trade deal with the eu will come into force on the ist of january, when the transition period ends. it does seem that word constructive tends to suggest that there is something that both sides think they can talk about, but the specifics really matter. it is worth remembering

our political correspondent nick eardley sent us this update from downing street. i spoke to him a little earlier and it seems clear that neither side wa nted it seems clear that neither side wanted to be given the blame for walking away from these talks. we got a real sense from both sides, notjust from ursula von der leyen orfrom borisjohnson, but from various eu leaders this morning as well that they don't want to be the ones to walk away from these negotiations and basically put an end to any talks of the trade deal coming into place on the 1st of january. that said, the fact that this conversation has happened this afternoon, both sides have agreed that they should get back around the negotiation table, isn't insignificant because if there really was no way forward, they wouldn't be doing that. borisjohnson has made clear that if he thinks that this has reached the end of the road, he would be prepared to step back from the process and many thought that potentially, today could be the day that he decided to do so. not so. what we don't know at the moment, is b

nick eardley is with me. we have been following the build—up to this are now reaction are starting to come in, so take us through what people are thinking and how they are feeling. through what people are thinking and how they are feelinglj through what people are thinking and how they are feeling. i think is quite a lot of shock at how quickly the situation has moved on 72 hours from the law stays the same for christmas to christmas effectively being cancelled for a lot of people and huge lockdown measures being brought in for massive parts of the uk. politically, ithink brought in for massive parts of the uk. politically, i think boris johnson will get criticism for not making this decision earlier, we heard keir starmer saying this evening that he supports the decision but wishes that boris johnson had said something a bit earlier. interestingly, we are hearing from a number of tory mps who are lockdown sceptics who are saying they are frustrated that this has not been brought before parliament, they wan

nick eardley is with me. it is obviously and clearly a serious situation for the government to change its plants are rapidly in this way. what a difference 72 hours makes because a few days ago we were talking about a much stricter message when it came to christmas, urging people not to travel, but the rules being kept in place. something has changed in the last 2a hours which is the data that ministers are getting is extremely concerning, it has worried them and the scientific advisers who in a hastily arranged meeting last night to fight —— decided the action had to be taken, it was decided this morning that this new tier 4 in england, something that boris johnson this new tier 4 in england, something that borisjohnson was desperate to avoid which some ministers had completely dismissed asa ministers had completely dismissed as a prospect but which clearly now is something that they think is necessary. i think borisjohnson will take a lot of political criticism for this because it was on wednesday that

our political correspondent nick eardley has the details. the view in london is that there is going to have to be a decision the next few days before christmas, and it is a big call for boris johnson. again over whether he signs up to this trade deal, there are two things in particular on which the talks are stuck. one is state subsidies, that the extent to which governments can poui’ money into domestic industries to try and give them some sort of advantage competition. both sides are worried about that because they don't want one undercutting the other. the second issue, one that's been issued since the start of these negotiations, it's fishing access. extent to which you both can come into waters after brexit, after the transition period ends. there has been some movement between the two sides on fishing, they are coming slightly closer together. but the view in london tonight is that they are still quite far apart. and the language coming from a government source tonight is interesting. they say that there has not been enough flexibili

our political correspondent nick eardley has the details. the view in london is that there is going to have to be a decision in the next few days before christmas, and it is a big call for borisjohnson. again over whether he signs up to this trade deal, there are two things in particular on which the talks are stuck. one is state subsidies, that the extent to which governments can pour money into domestic industries to try and give them some sort of advantage in competition. both sides are worried about that because they don't want one undercutting the other. the second issue, one that's been issued since the start of these negotiations, it's fishing access. extent to which you both can come into waters after brexit, after the transition period ends. there has been some movement between the two sides on fishing, they are coming slightly closer together. but the view in london tonight is that they are still quite far apart. and the language coming from a government source tonight is interesting. they say that there has not been enough flexibi

earlier our political correspondent, nick eardley. nicola sturgeon has announced tighter festive restrictions for scotland, reducing a five—day window for mixing with other households indoors to just christmas day itself. let's hear what scotland's first minister had to say earlier. in order to reduce the risk of more of this strain being imported into scotland, we intend to maintain a strict travel ban between scotland and the rest of the uk. unfortunately, and i am genuinely sorry about this, that ban will remain in place right throughout the festive period. we simply cannot risk more of this new strain entering the country if we can possibly avoid it. that means people from scotland not visiting other parts of the uk and vice versa, cross—border travel for all but the most essential purposes is not permitted. we're also asking police scotland and transport operators to consider how the enforcement of this can be strengthened in the period ahead although, of course, how that is done is an operational matter for the chief constab

earlier our political correspondent, nick eardley. he says the new restrictions comes after the government looked at fresh data on the pandemic in the past few days. it in the past few days. was only a few days ago that we re it was only a few days ago that we were talking about yes, a much stricter message when it came to christmas, urging people not to travel, but the rules being kept in place. something has changed in the last 2a hours, which is the data that ministers are getting is extremely concerning. it has worried them and it has worried the scientific advisers who have hastily arranged a meeting last night and decided that action had to be taken. it was decided this morning that that would mean this new tier 4 in england, something that boris johnson was desperate to avoid, which some ministers had completely dismissed as a prospect but which clearly now is something they think is necessary. i think borisjohnson will take a lot of political criticism for this because it was on wednesday that he was accusing others of wanting

the british prime minister speaking a little earlier. our political correspondent nick eardley is at downing street. it is pretty clear that neither side wa nts to it is pretty clear that neither side wants to be blamed for the breakdown in these talks but substantively, has everything moved 7 in these talks but substantively, has everything moved ?|i in these talks but substantively, has everything moved? i think that is absolutely right. we have a real sense from both sides, notjust from ursula von der leyen or boris johnson but from eu leaders this morning as well that they don't want to be the ones to walk away from these negotiations and basically put an end to any talks of the trade deal coming into place on the 1st of january. that said, the fact that this conversation has happened this afternoon, both sides have agreed that they should get back on the negotiation table, isn't insignificant. if there really was no way forward, they wouldn't be doing that. boris johnson no way forward, they wouldn't be doing that. borisjohnson has made clear that if you think this has reached t

i spoke to nick eardley who was in downing street. i said it looks pretty clear that neither side wants to be seen to be walking away from negotiations. we got a real sense from both sides, notjust from ursula von der leyen orfrom borisjohnson, but from various eu leaders this morning as well that they don't want to be the ones to walk away from these negotiations and basically put an end to any talks of the trade deal coming into place on the 1st of january. that said, the fact that this conversation has happened this afternoon, both sides have agreed that they should get back around the negotiation table, isn't insignificant because if there really was no way forward, they wouldn't be doing that. borisjohnson has made clear that if he thinks that this has reached the end of the road, he would be prepared to step back from the process and many thought that potentially, today could be the day that he decided to do so. not so. what we don't know at the moment, is because the inner circle of the people in that room negotiating is so tig

here's our correspondent in westminster nick eardley. look, there's been a lot of movement on fishing in the last few days. it was perhaps the big outstanding issue at the weekend. there was also the issue of how you police competition rules. but fisheries has really been one of those issues that's been totemic for both sides. because in the uk, it was obviously seen as symbolic of some of the worst elements of being in the european union. and for many european countries, it's really important that their fishermen still have access to uk waters. so, at the weekend, there was some pretty big movement from both sides, and it did seem they were heading in the right sort of direction where there could be a compromise. so the big question is whether that's gone far enough and whether it can be signed off tonight. we've not had that confirmed yet. there's no guarantee that it will be. and if we've learnt anything from the last few months of the brexit process it's that sometimes last—minute hurdles do appear. so don't be sitting there tonigh

with the view from london and brussels, here are our correspondents nick eardley and kevin connolly. the talks are going to go on for a few hours yet. we know they are into the nitty—gritty. it is really crossing tees and dotting the eyes. the latest we heard is that it is likely to be included in the next few hours and it looks like it will be the morning before we know for sure that the deal is done. it seems to be going that way and i don't think anything has happened that necessarily makes us think that there's not going to be a deal agreed between the eu and the uk in the next few hours. but if you are holding your breath for a deal tonight i think you will be disappointed. it looks like the morning rather than a late one tonight. it's been a rather strange day here not for the first time when that historic agreement has really seemed within touching distance all day but has not quite been touched yet. our understanding is that the small hours of the morning here and that the talking will continue through the night, perhaps, on the vexed question of fisheries but it sums up th

our political correspondent nick eardley sent us this update from downing street. we got a real sense from both sides, not just from a we got a real sense from both sides, notjust from a have underlain an borisjohnson but notjust from a have underlain an boris johnson but from various notjust from a have underlain an borisjohnson but from various eu leaders, that they don't want to be the ones to walk away from these negotiations and basically put an end to any talks of a trade deal coming into place on the 1st of january, but that said, the fact that conversation happen this afternoon, both sides of agreed that they should get back round the negotiating table, is not insignificant. because if there was really no way for they wouldn't be doing that. boris johnson really no way for they wouldn't be doing that. borisjohnson has made clear that if he thinks that has reached the end of the road he would be prepared to step back from the process. and many thought potentially could be the day he decided to do so. not so. what we don't know at the moment is because the in