Tuesday evening news briefing: How your Covid tier is being worked out

Chris Price
·6 min read
A man wearing a mask walks past street art in Manchester - Martin Rickett/PA
A man wearing a mask walks past street art in Manchester - Martin Rickett/PA

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The metrics that will determine your lockdown tier

Which tier will we be living in after lockdown? That is the question on everyone's mind, but how will it be decided? The Government's plan to break England into three tiers is based on five measures shrouded in secrecy, which experts are now rushing to analyse. Though the Prime Minister's Covid Winter Plan stops short of revealing exact lockdown triggers, it does give the key indicators determining how tough rules will be in different parts of the country from December 2. Alex Clark and Dominic Gilbert reveal how local areas in England compare on these five lockdown metrics. Tory MPs have warned Mr Johnson's new "toughened" tier system risks reigniting the north-south divide, amid a mounting rebellion. Camilla Tominey reveals how Conservative WhatsApp groups have been lighting up with "fury" and "anger" over the post-lockdown plan. Here is a reminder of the new tier rules.

As the country gears up to unlock from lockdown next week, Britons are awaiting news as to whether they will be able to meet up with family for Christmas. Nicola Sturgeon has said any easing of rules over Christmas will be "temporary, limited and accompanied by advice" while asking Scots to "use any flexibility carefully". Matt Hancock says he "doesn't yet know" what Christmas will look like across the UK. However, the Health Secretary did say the roll out of coronavirus vaccines and mass lateral flow tests will get the UK back to normal after Easter. It comes as official figures show the number of weekly deaths involving Covid-19 have reached the highest since May. Search confirmed cases by postcode.

How millions of pension savers could lose £73k

Millions of savers could see £73,000 wiped off the value of their gold-plated "final salary" pension if the Government presses ahead tomorrow with a change in the way inflation is calculated. The Chancellor is likely to announce plans that could change the inflation measure and wipe 20pc of the value off defined benefit pension pots for more than 10 million savers. Read why this could come about and click here for everything we know about the Comprehensive Spending Review.

Helen Mirren: Don't teach Shakespeare in schools

Many children have returned after a day at school and complained about their Shakespeare homework. Perhaps, then, there may be some hope for pupils who consider the Bard a burden, after an intervention by Dame Helen Mirren. Speaking via Zoom to Gregory Doran, the RSC's artistic director, as part of the RSC's series Talking Shakespeare, from her home in Lake Tahoe in America, Mirren explained why she thinks Shakespeare’s plays should not be taught in the classroom.

At a glance: Latest coronavirus headlines

Also in the news: Today's other headlines

'Two speed Europe' | The EU can prevent more Brexit style referendums by creating an inner circle of countries deepening political integration and others frozen out, according to Portugal's prime minister.

Around the world: Joe Biden to announce top team

Joe Biden plans to formally introduce proposed members of his cabinet today. The team will include a host of former Obama administration officials. Mr Biden's choices will signal a shift away from Donald Trump's "America First" policies, and a return to US engagement on the global stage. Nick Allen outlines who is poised to get the top jobs while Dominic Green analyses how the last stand of Mr Trump's supporters before his concession today shows the US Right has got it very wrong.

Tuesday interview

'I'm sure one day One Direction will get back together'

Louis Tomlinson
Louis Tomlinson

Former One Direction star Louis Tomlinson tells Eleanor Halls why he's done being sad, what inspired his second album, and tackles those pesky reunion rumours as he announces an upcoming gig

Read the full interview

Comment and analysis

You Are Not Alone: Getting you through lockdown

  1. Mission in homemade boat | How Major Mick's maritime marathon captured the nation

  2. BBC's Christmas line-up | This TV is so depressing, we might as well be locked down

  3. Kettlebell craze | The lockdown fitness trend and why you need to do it

Business and money briefing

Brexit fears | Nissan has dismissed claims it is to shut its Sunderland plant after a German automotive trade magazine reported that the UK factory’s fate had already been decided. Read on for details.

Sport briefing

Chris Tremlett interview | It is 10 years since Chris Tremlett helped England to a rare Ashes success in Australia, but he looks vastly different now. Nick Hoult reveals how he went from 'Twiggy' to Mr Universe.

Tonight's TV

The Great British Bake Off: The Final, Channel 4, 8pm | It has been one of the real joy-givers of this autumn’s TV but, after 10 all-too-short weeks, the nation’s favourite baking competition reaches its climax. Read more.

And finally... for this evening's downtime

Comedy Pet Photography Awards | The Mars Petcare Comedy Pet Photo Awards called on all animal lovers to submit hilarious images of their funny furry friends for a chance of winning £3,000 and with the added bonus of raising money for the Blue Cross Pet Charity. Click through this gallery of this year's winners and favourites.