Plans announced by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to send asylum seekers who arrive in the UK to Rwanda in Africa have been described as “chilling”, “cruel” and “immoral” by charities and politicians.

Boris Johnson said the £120m pilot scheme would “save countless lives”. He claimed it would break the business model of “vile people smugglers”.

The scheme would initially focus on single men arriving on boats or lorries in the UK. They would be sent on a 4,000-mile trip to Rwanda where they would be processed and, if granted asylum, be offered long-term accommodation in the African country.

The UK Home Secretary Priti Patel, who travelled to the Rwandan capital Kigali to sign the deal, said the “vast majority” of those arriving in the UK “illegally” would be considered for relocation to Rwanda.

More than 160 charities and campaign groups called on the UK government to abandon the plan, which they described as “shamefully cruel”, as well as unworkable and unlawful. The policy is expected to face legal challenge in the courts.

Other critics said the announcement was an attempt to distract from Boris Johnson’s political difficulties. It was unveiled shortly after he was found guilty of criminal conduct for breaking his own lockdown rules, with parties in Downing Street at the height of the Covid pandemic.

Reeta Chakrabarti presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Home Editor Mark Easton, Jessica Parker in Dunkirk and political correspondent Helen Catt at Westminster.

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The Prime Minister has told the Mayor of Greater Manchester that he is prepared to intervene and impose the highest level of coronavirus restrictions on the region if they can’t reach an agreement.

The Mayor, Andy Burnham, is seeking a bigger package of financial support for businesses that would be forced to close as a result of the Tier 3 restrictions.

He has told Boris Johnson that local leaders are ready to meet the government at any time to seek agreement. Manchester has some of the highest levels of coronavirus transmission in the UK.

Meanwhile Lancashire has agreed to impose the highest restrictions, joining the Liverpool city region on Tier 3 — or Very High Alert.

It means no mixing between households indoors — or outdoors in certain settings including private gardens. Pubs and bars will close unless they serve a substantial meal. And people must avoid non-essential travel into or out of the area.

However there are some difference between Manchester and Liverpool, despite them both being placed at Tier 3. In Lancashire, unlike Liverpool, gyms and leisure centres won’t have to close but soft play centres and car boot sales will.

The Mayor of Liverpool says it’s “madness” to have different rules for Lancashire and he’s warned that it is “sowing confusion”.

Meanwhile people from areas of the UK with high levels of coronavirus – including Tier 2 in England – are now banned from entering Wales.

Sophie Raworth presents BBC News at Ten reporting by deputy political editor Vicki Young, Judith Moritz in Lancashire and Wales correspondent Hywel Griffith.

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A boat carrying nearly 270 people has capsized off northern Cyprus as a search and rescue operation is under way.

The ship began taking on water and “was in danger of sinking at a location four nautical miles off Kyrenia Port,” the Turkish Interior Ministry said.

“There has been a loss of life and there are injuries,” the prime minister of the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus said.

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55 million people across England will be in the two toughest levels of measures when lockdown ends next week. What’s the rationale for the new tier system? Please subscribe HERE http://bit.ly/1rbfUog

Tougher rules for England will “strike a balance” when the national lockdown ends next week, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said.

At a Downing Street briefing, the prime minister acknowledged that the stricter three-tiered system of regional measures to tackle coronavirus would bring “heartbreak and frustration”.

Most of England will be in the toughest two levels of measures from 2 December and the system will be reviewed every two weeks, with the first review scheduled for 16 December – so an area’s tier level may change before Christmas.

Policy Editor Lewis Goodall reports and Kirsty Wark is joined by former health secretary Andrew Lansley, Labour shadow minister Cat Smith and former chair of Pizza Express Luke Johnson

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Joe Biden has said he is “honoured and humbled” after winning the US Presidential election. He crossed the threshold of 270 Electoral College votes needed by winning the states of Pennsylvania and Nevada.

In a statement the President-Elect said: “In the face of unprecedented obstacles, a record number of Americans voted. Proving once again, that democracy beats deep in the heart of America. It’s time for America to unite. And to heal.”

The election has seen the highest turnout since 1900. Mr Biden has won more than 73 million votes, the most ever recorded for a US presidential candidate.

The result denies Donald Trump a second term after a divisive presidency defined by the coronavirus pandemic, bitter culture wars and social unrest.

Tina Daheley presents BBC news reporting from north America editor Jon Sopel in Washington and Nick Bryant with the Biden campaign in Wilmington, Delaware.

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