Concerns about the Omicron coronavirus variant have dominated Westminster this week,

with all of the government's energies focused on the booster programme.

This is a national mission, and we all have a role to play.

If we want to give ourselves the best chance of a Christmas with our loved ones,

the best thing we can all do is step up, roll our past sleeves and get protected when the time comes.

Welcome to Payne's Politics, your central insider guide to what's happening in British politics

from the Financial Times, with me, Sebastian Payne.

In this episode, we'll be delving into the new coronavirus strain,

which you heard held Secretary Sajjejavid speak about at the top.

What do we know about Omicron so far, and how worried should we be about it,

and are more restrictions likely to return?

Health editors Sarah Neville and science editors Clive Cooxon will dissect.

And later, we'll be looking at the Bexley & Old Sidcock by-election result

where the Conservatives returned a comfortable majority,

but crucially, we saw collaboration not for the first time between Labour and the Liberal Democrats.

Could this pose a greater threat to the Tories in the future?

Political editor George Parker will discuss with our political correspondent Jasmine Cameron Sileshi.

But Clive and Sarah, welcome back to the pod.

Thanks, Seb.

Thanks, Seb. Good to be back.

Well, obviously, as you can hear, I'm a little bit full-up with cold at the moment,

despite having had my flu jab and trying to wrap up during this slightly chilly week.

...