A further 88,376 Covid cases have been confirmed in the UK - another record high as the Omicron variant drives a spike in infections
And another 146 deaths are reported within 28 days of a positive test
Meanwhile Prime Minister Boris Johnson insists England is not being put into lockdown by stealth
His spokesman says family visits over Christmas will be down to individuals to decide on
England's chief medical officer Chris Whitty tells MPs people must make their own choices about festive socialising
France puts tough new restrictions on travellers from the UK, who will need a "compelling reason" to go
From Saturday, travellers to France will have to have a negative Covid test within less than 24 hours
The Bank of England raises interest rates from 0.1% to 0.25% despite fears Omicron could slow the UK economy
Image source, PA MediaThe NHS has given a record number of booster and third doses of Covid-19 vaccines for the second day in a row.
There were 745,183 jabs reported in the UK on Wednesday, up from the 656,711 the day before.
More than 25.4 million booster and third doses have now been delivered in the UK, with nearly 3.8 million in the past seven days alone.
Image source, UK ParliamentJoy Morrissey deleted her tweet criticising Prof Whitty
Labour says Conservative MP Joy Morrissey should apologise or face the sack as Dominic Raab's parliamentary aide for criticising Chris Whitty after his Covid warnings on Wednesday.
In a tweet, which has now been deleted, the MP accused England's chief medical officer of exceeding his authority as an unelected official.
It came after Prof Whitty advised people to "prioritise" events that matter to them ahead of Christmas, amid rocketing Covid cases.
Speaking to MPs earlier, Prof Whitty said chief medical officers had given the public advice since the job was introduced in the 1850s and he was not "treading on [ministers'] toes", adding: "This is my job."
Read more here.
We have more reaction to the changes to travel requirements between the UK and France, this time from the port of Dover.
"The changes announced by the French today reflect the continuing challenges posed to our key international tourist route," a spokesperson said.
Quote MessageDue to the existing barrier of Covid-19, tourism volumes through this gateway are already significantly reduced and these recent changes are another dampener on the pre-Christmas getaway period."
Port of Dover
Port officials also asked customers to contact their chosen ferry operator for the latest information and to follow government travel advice.
They reiterated the fact that HGV drivers were exempt from the changes (as we reported earlier), and that freight continued to move through the port, "keeping shelves stacked for Christmas".
Hamza on the right, with his mother, two younger brothers and younger sister
Hamza Taouzzale is another one of those who has had to cancel a trip - a family holiday to Disneyland Paris.
"We only told the kids yesterday and they were so excited. They've never been to Disneyland before," he told the BBC.
"We were planning to go from the 21st to the 26th to spend a couple of days at Disney and some in Paris. We were all packed and ready to leave too.
Quote Message"Just heard the news this morning and we are devastated. Would have been the first family trip in five years"
Hamza Taouzzale
Under the new rules imposed by France for travellers arriving from the UK, there is a list of "compelling reasons" needed to justify a trip.
A statement from the French prime minister's office lists them as:
Image source, Dayne MartinDayne and his mum
Dayne Martin, who works for the BBC, had been looking forward to getting away from London for his Christmas holiday on Sunday - but following France's new travel restrictions, he will now not be going anywhere.
"As a shielder who is clinically extremely vulnerable, Mum and I haven’t been anywhere for the last 21 months, following every government restriction and rule to the letter," he says.
"So this holiday meant the world to us as people who have not seen outside our four walls very often for nearly two years. The last time we went away was Christmas 2019, to the area we were going to this weekend.
"I don’t necessarily blame the French government, the sheer number of UK positive cases on Wednesday has understandably caused alarm.
Quote MessageWhile this affects everyone in the same situation, it feels like it is particularly punishing those who have shielded, more than any other group. We have been nowhere, for our health and the greater good, and it is just so upsetting"
Dayne Martin
Simon Browning
Business Reporter
Image source, ReutersAfter France this morning announced plans to drastically tighten travel rules for people arriving from the UK, a look at flights and trains to France tomorrow shows availability is swiftly thinning.
From 23:00 GMT on Friday, travellers must have a compelling reason to visit - tourism and non-urgent work won't count.
Ryanair flights from Stansted to Bordeaux, Marseille and Toulouse tomorrow are now sold out. British Airways has one seat left from Heathrow to Marseille at £406.
Eurostar has sold out its standard class compartments for its five London to Paris trains departing after 9:30am on Friday. Tickets for earlier trains cost £195 each, while fares for travel at the weekend, once the new rules are in force, are available from £86.
Tickets are available from Heathrow to Paris at £75 for tomorrow morning. As the rule change approaches in the evening, tickets jump to £315.
But DFDS ferries has said there is plenty of availability for its sailings on Friday.
Image source, Getty ImagesWhen the government recently brought in new restrictions in England, it didn't reintroduce limits on socialising - so people can still hold parties in private houses, pubs and nightclubs.
However, England's chief medical office Chris Whitty said: "Don't mix with people you don't have to for either work or for family things." He urged them to prioritise the events and celebrations "that really matter to them".
In Scotland, the government had already urged workers to forego work Christmas parties, and has now also asked people to restrict time spent with other households.
Wales' health minister Eluned Morgan said she does not want to "cancel" Christmas, but cannot rule out the need for tougher restrictions. At the moment, there is no limit to the number of people who can meet indoors or outdoors.
In Northern Ireland, there's no requirement to socially distance outside. But there are rules for indoor settings. A maximum of 30 people from an unlimited number of households can meet indoors in domestic settings. Social distancing should be maintained as much as possible.
Read more here.
Image source, Getty ImagesFamily visits over Christmas will be down to "individual circumstances and judgment", No 10 says.
The prime minister's official spokesman says the public already recognises clinically extremely vulnerable people are most at risk and they would want to do everything possible to "protect their loved ones" during the festive season.
He suggests people should follow government guidance and use measures like testing and being boosted or vaccinated if they are planning on visiting relatives.
"But it will be down to individuals to decide what is right for them", the spokesman adds.
Image source, Getty ImagesScottish pop band Deacon Blue is the latest act to postpone the remainder of their tour over concerns about the spread of the Omicron variant of coronavirus.
Lead singer Ricky Ross says he is "disappointed" the authorities have not made any decision about live gigs.
"However, it's clear to us Deacon Blue should not be playing and people shouldn't be asked to attend gigs just now," he says.
Scottish Trad Music band Skerryvore have also postponed their last five shows.
Earlier this month, Stereophonics announced the postponement of their gigs planned for December in Cardiff amid growing concerns about the new Omicron variant of Covid. The Libertines also cancelled their gig in the Welsh capital.
And last month pop group Steps announced they were postponing the remainder of their UK tour due to positive Covid-19 cases in their touring party.
Meanwhile, West End hits The Lion King and The Life of Pi are among a number of shows that have been forced to cancel performances due to Covid-19 outbreaks.
Image source, Getty ImagesBooster campaigns are being brought forward across the UK because of Omicron. Let's look at how each nation is getting on.
Northern Ireland's booster plan is being accelerated. People aged from 18 to 29 will be able to get their booster at walk-in hubs from Monday.
In England, all adults can now book their vaccination online, external from two months after their second dose.
Scotland also aims to offer booster appointments to all eligible adults before the end of the year. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she couldn't guarantee everyone would get one by then, hoped to get 80% done by then.
Wales is also hoping to deliver boosters by the end of the year. People are asked to wait to be invited for their booster, with older and higher-risk people being prioritised.
Read more - including about how long it takes to get protection after your booster - here.
We are not cancelling stuff, says Boris Johnson
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has insisted England is not being put into lockdown by the backdoor, despite accusations from some of his own MPs.
Asked if the government was imposing one by stealth, he says the situation was "very different" from last year due to the existence of vaccines and testing.
"If you want to go to an event or a party... the sensible thing to do is to get a test and to make sure that you're being cautious," the PM adds.
His comments follow England's chief medical officer Chris Whitty advising people to "prioritise" activities in the run up to Christmas.
MP Steve Brine is accusing the government of "putting hospitality into effective lockdown", while fellow Tory backbencher, Steve Baker, says hospitality businesses in his constituency have seen "massive cancellations", despite the government "formally" allowing them to remain open.
An economist has described decision by the Bank of England to raise interest rates to 0.25% as "surprising" in the context of the uncertainty driven by the Omicron variant.
Suren Thiru, head of economics at the British Chambers of Commerce, says the rise will have "little effect" on most businesses, but many will see it as a "the first step in a longer policy movement" - rather than as a partial reversal of the cut at the start of the pandemic.
He explains it is "vital" that the UK government starts to "provide some more practical solutions" to issues with supply chains and labour shortages that are main factor driving the current inflation spike.
New figures published on Wednesday revealed the cost of living rose by 5.1% in the 12 months to November, its highest rate in 10 years.
You can read more about the Bank of England's decision here.
Quote MessageWhile policymakers are facing a tricky trade-off between surging inflation and a stalling recovery, with the current inflationary spike mostly driven by global factors, higher interest rates will do little to curb further increases in inflation.
Suren Thiru, Head of Economics, British Chambers of Commerce
Image source, PA MediaThe Omicron variant is set to become the dominant strain of Covid-19 in Scotland by Friday, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said.
She tells MSPs that 45% of the 5,951 Covid cases reported on Thursday were suspected to be the variant.
The first minister adds Omicron overtaking the current dominant Delta variant as the dominant strain by Friday, will likely "drive an even more rapid increase in cases".
Ms Sturgeon urged people to reduce contact with other households "as much as you possibly can".
We've got some more reaction now from the travel industry to France's tightening of Covid restrictions for people travelling from the UK.
Mark Tanzer, chief executive of travel trade association Abta, says the measures are a "hammer blow" .
"The winter sports and school travel markets are particularly exposed, and the government must now bring forward a support package if we are not to see company failures and job losses," he says.
Ferry operator DFDS says it is continuing to run its services as usual and warns it expects Friday to be busy as people get away for Christmas.
"We hope that these short-term measures in response to the spread of the Omicron variant will be lifted in the new year," the operator adds.
Image source, ReutersAs we've been hearing, France is set to tighten Covid restrictions for travellers arriving from the UK, as its government tries to slow the spread of the Omicron variant.
From Saturday all non-residents will have to give a compelling reason for travelling to France - tourism and non-urgent work do not qualify.
Confirmed Omicron cases are currently much higher in the UK than in France.
The UK reported a record 78,610 new Covid cases on Wednesday, with 10,000 confirmed as Omicron.
France, in comparison, reported 65,713 new Covid cases over a similar period but has only confirmed 240 cases of Omicron.
Covid: Chris Whitty on the growth on Omicron numbers
As the Queen takes a "sensible precautions" and cancels Christmas lunch, Chris Whitty has been telling MPs it's one way to slow down the rate of spread of the Omicron variant.
He's been giving evidence to the Health Select Committee this morning.
Sean Coughlan
BBC News, royal correspondent
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Queen, pictured here in October, has called off her pre-Christmas lunch
This shows that the Queen, like everyone else, is trying to navigate another Covid Christmas.
Despite claims she would carry on as normal, the Queen has decided to cancel a big traditional date in her diary.
It’s also a public statement as well as a private family decision. A public figure leading by example, as families make their own choices about meeting at Christmas.
The pre-Christmas family lunch at Windsor Castle early next week, before the Queen usually goes to Sandringham, could have brought together more than 50 people.
Calling it off this year was “the right thing to do for all concerned” the BBC was told.
With Omicron rapidly on the march, it would “put too many people’s Christmas arrangements at risk if it went ahead”.
Even people in castles don’t want to spend Christmas in isolation.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Queen, pictured last Christmas, was due to host the lunch on Tuesday
A bit more now on news the Royal Family's pre-Christmas lunch has been called off.
Plans are thought to have been fully in place for the event next Tuesday at Windsor Castle, which the Queen traditionally hosts every year for her extended family - including her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She usually holds it before going to Sandringham for Christmas.
Last year's event had been cancelled as well because of coronavirus.
This is the Queen's first Christmas since the death of her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh.
They spent Christmas in Windsor without the rest of their family in 2020.
The Queen has been carrying out light duties only since the end of October after royal doctors ordered her to rest.
Image source, Getty ImagesWe've just heard that the Royal Family was cancelling its pre-Christmas family lunch - but there have been no such qualms in the Netherlands, where the royal family held an 18th birthday party for Princess Amalia, the heir apparent, last week.
The family has since expressed regret over its decision to hold the party, to which 21 people were invited, contrary to current coronavirus guidance, which allows only four guests in the home.
The family said those attending the event held in the palace gardens were all vaccinated and tested, and required to observe social distancing.
But King Willem-Alexander later admitted to Prime Minister Mark Rutte that the party was not appropriate.
The Netherlands is currently under strict coronavirus restrictions after a surge in cases in November.