Reports emerging today suggest that Boris Johnson is currently weighting up three different sets of coronavirus restrictions.
According to The Telegraph, these range from another full-on lockdown to advice suggesting people limit their social contact over the holidays.
The government is holding an emergency cabinet meeting this afternoon to discuss a path forward as Omicron cases rise following a record-breaking weekend for new Covid-10 cases.
There are reportedly three different sets of restrictions on the table, which could be implemented before Christmas Day.
The lowest level of these would see the Government advising people to limit their social contacts, especially indoors, but with no legal enforcement.
A second, stricter option would mean the reintroduction of a curfew as well as enforced restrictions on indoor mixing.
The second proposal puts forward an 8pm curfew for pubs and restaurants, plus the return of social distancing measures.
Option three would be a full lockdown, with The Timesreporting a two-week-long ‘circuit breaker’ is being considered.
It would mean a ban on indoor mixing unless for work purposes, and pubs and restaurants forced to return to outdoor-only operating for the fortnight… in the middle of winter.
The Sunday Times has reported that restrictions are expected to be announced on Boxing Day, and come into force on December 27.
But speaking on the Andrew Marr Show yesterday, Health Secretary Sajid Javid refused to rule out that more restrictions may need to be introduced before Christmas.
There were 82,886 new confirmed Covid-19 cases in the UK yesterday.
A major incident has now been declared in London by its Mayor Sadiq Khan, where there is a huge surge in cases.
A state of emergency was announced in the capital over the weekend, with Khan appearing on the final Andrew Marr show yesterday to warn that 30,000 new Covid-19 cases had been reported over the weekend and over 130,000 in the last seven days.
Khan said that the introduction of new restrictions was "inevitable" and warned against the potential collapse of the NHS during his appearance on the show.
Britain's 20 biggest cities have been ranked, and Leeds has done pretty well.
Although, you wouldn't be able to tell judging by the overwhelmingly lacklustre description we've been given.
The listing comes from The Telegraph and ranks Britain's 20 biggest cities from worst to best, taking into account visitor appeal and where offers most to tourists.
Leeds comes in at a very respectable number 10, however judging from what they've said about our city you'd think we were much, much lower.
Kicking things off, the description reads: "There’s an untidy quality to Leeds, borne of a patchwork of periods in its built environment and the fact that a lot of regeneration is underway (cranes rise at every corner)."
Image: Unsplash
Yep, not off to a good start but it's only down hill from there as Leeds is then said to have a 'certain shapelessness'.
But perhaps the worst part is yet to come: "There are some ugly, run-down streets very close to the centre, and while the Headrow and other high streets have a fair number of shops, there’s no real boulevard or grand square.
"The most atmospheric spaces are Queens Arcade and perpendicular Cross Arcade, and Thornton’s Arcade; Grand Arcade is also Victorian but looks and feels less uplifting."
By the end it starts to get slightly more positive, emphases on 'slightly': "Leeds’ strongest points might be its small size and its north-central location; it’s easy to walk everywhere inside the city, and a short ride away are Ilkley, Skipton and the Dales."
Our visitor appeal gained a 6.5/10, beating Cardiff, Sheffield, Brighton and Nottingham.
Taking the top spot was Liverpool followed by Edinburgh, Belfast and Glasgow. Read the full ranking here.
Yorkshire railways to receive huge investment as government unveils £45 billion Northern Powerhouse Rail project
Clementine Hall
Regional leaders have confirmed a rail project in the North of England with first improvements taking place in Yorkshire.
The long-awaited Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) project will see a whopping £45 billion worth of upgrades.
The first phase will see the construction of a new station in Bradford followed by upgrades in Leeds, York and Sheffield.
The electrification of lines between Sheffield and Leeds, Leeds and York and Leeds and Bradford will be the first priority and is expected to be completed in the 2030s.
The scheme has been described as "a once in a generation commitment to improving transport across the North".
Announcing the scheme, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: "I spent three happy years in Leeds as a university student, a vibrant city I was proud to call home, but I've seen first-hand what underinvestment and empty pledges do to cities across the North.
"This government is rolling up its sleeves to deliver real, lasting change for millions of people through a major new rail network across the North that will deliver faster, more frequent services."
"This cycle has to end. No more paying lip service to the potential of the North, but backing it to the hilt. That's why this government is rolling up its sleeves to deliver real, lasting change for millions of people through Northern Powerhouse Rail: a major new rail network across the North that will deliver faster, more frequent services."
Stage two of the plan will include upgrades around Manchester, with the final stage delivering a new railway between Bradford and Huddersfield that wouldn't be delivered until the 2040s.
In a combined statement, the regional mayors of West, South and North Yorkshire said: "The long-term commitment will transform Yorkshire's transport network and deliver improved links across our region and on to Manchester, Liverpool, and Newcastle.
"It'll mean we can deliver quicker, more reliable journeys, opening up more choice around work, skills and opportunity for everyone across Yorkshire."
The Hoot -
20th December 2021 
