keeping people injobs — the chancellor says the furlough scheme for seven million workers across the uk — will be extended for four months the scheme will stay in place until october — with changes from the end ofjuly when employers will be asked to share the cost we believe in the dignity of work. and we are doing everything we can to protect people currently unable to protect people currently unable to work. we'll be looking at what the chancellor's announcement means for you. also this lunchtime... schools in england are working out how they can reopen with staggered start times and only 15 pupils in a class for the first time figures show a decline in the overall number of deaths from the virus in the uk, but also show there have been 50,000 more deaths than would normally be expected many ethnic minorities are at higher

risk of coronavirus — we visit wembley, one of the worst—hit communities, to ask why? the health secretary says people should not expect to go on an international holiday this year we've clapped them in the streets — now we're being asked to shine a light from our windows — as we mark international nurses day good afternoon and welcome

to the bbc news at one. in the past half hour the chancellor rishi sunak has said the government's job retention scheme will be extended until the end of october. he told mps that more than seven—and—a—half—million people in the uk are currently being supported by the scheme. the chancellor said changes will be made to the package from the end ofjuly when employers will be asked to share the cost of workers going back part time. it comes as more guidance has been issued on re—opening schools, going back to work safely and using public transport in england. official figures released this morning show that the number of deaths in the uk mentioning covid 19 has dropped substantially for the first time since the epidemic began. but the figures also show there were approximately 50,000 more deaths registered in the weeks since the middle of march to may 1st than would be expected at this time of year. more on that later but first this report from our political correspondent, jessica parker. the prime minister, back in march,

the chancellor by his side. today i'm joined by the chancellor of the exchequer, rishi sunak. to make an unprecedented move. for the first time in our history, the government is going to step in to help pay people's wages. already extended untiljune, the scheme came as part of the economy shut down, supporting millions of people, there have been calls for it to continue. we don't wa nt to calls for it to continue. we don't want to make any employees redundant. we want our teams to be in place because it takes years to build good teams and i think there's a reasonable prospect a decent recovery next summer, a reasonable prospect a decent recovery next summer, 2021. and in the commons in the last hour. recovery next summer, 2021. and in the commons in the last hourlj recovery next summer, 2021. and in the commons in the last hour. i can announce today that the job retention scheme will be extended forfour months. retention scheme will be extended for four months. until the end retention scheme will be extended forfour months. until the end of 0ctober. by that point, we will have provided eight months of support to british people and businesses. until the end ofjuly, there will be no changes whatsoever. then, from august to october, the scheme will

continue for all sectors and regions of the uk but with greater flexibility to support the transition back to work. first of all we must acknowledge that people do not want to be furloughed, it occurred through no choice of their own, following government advice about the closure of their sectors, and it's critically important that they are not penalised for that choice. i welcomed the flexibility mentioned, we have asked for this repeatedly and of course, it applies in many other countries, it has been a long time coming but i welcome the fa ct a long time coming but i welcome the fact it's occurring now. but where people can get back to work of the government is now encouraging them to do so. from home, if possible, in the office or on site if not come up with new guidelines for england on how to make it side. i think people understand that it is important that people can't get back to work, because there is a massive, massive economic cost to what we are having to do for health reasons. after

accusations that borisjohnson ‘s road map ad of lockdown lacked a vital detail there's been a flurry of documents on schools, exercise, work, but an emphasis too uncommon sense, as people are asked to absorb a more complicated message. and fresh guidance today on public transport. which people are being asked to avoid but if they cannot, advised to wear a face covering, keep two metres apart and avoid rush hour. parts of the economy happened just slowed, they've stopped altogether. making sure that the blocks are there to build it back up again will be a lengthy and expensive task. jessica parker, bbc news. let's speak to our economics correspondent andy verity. the chancellor is still on his feet in the commons, what has he basically announced 7 in the commons, what has he basically announced? this is a very significant announcement, simon, basically announced? this is a very significantannouncement, simon, a momentous decision back in march for the government to step in and pay the government to step in and pay the wages are private companies, something that's never happened

before. the fact that it's gone on for months already, then there'll be another four months on top is equally momentous, it means government support private firms will carry on for that long, add a huge cost. we should remember this scheme is costing roughly around £10 billion every month. now they are extending it until october, that's very big news, the other really important thing is that nothing is going to change until the end of july. there had been a lot of people for example in the hospitality and leisure sectors, people who own restau ra nts a nd leisure sectors, people who own restaurants and pubs and hairdressers who were worried because the guidance out yesterday suggested they could not reopen untiljuly at the earliest but it was looking like the support might run out. now rishi sunak has made it clear it will go on and changed into july, from august, equally important announcement, there will be part—time following, this means that some employers who have some work but not as much as they normally would, instead of shoving a whole bunch of employees under furlough and the rest are still on full time

they can put some on part—time, that make sense. take a house—builder for example, you might have a breaky on for two days a week, a plumber for two days a week, you can get the house bill but at the moment as things stand, you cannot. andy, thank you. primary schools in england have been advised to limit class sizes to 15 — when some pupils d0 return. it's hoped that could happen next month. headteachers have also been told to stagger breaks and make more use of outside space. but the national education union says the reopening plans are ‘reckless'. ministers in scotland, wales and northern ireland have seperate plans. sean dilley reports. some primary school children in england could be back to school within three weeks, but with the nation's health still under threat from the coronavirus pandemic, plans are being drawn up for a very different learning experience. 0nly children in reception, year one and a may start to from the 1st of june at the earliest.

class sizes will be limited to 15 pupils and break times will be staggered. teachers will ensure frequent hand washing but face masks are not being recommended. the government says their protective measures reflect scientific advice that children who catch the disease suffer much milder symptoms than adults. they are at risk, they are a vector for this and they are pretty efficient spreaders as well but the good thing is they are not going to get severely unwell if they get it. i think it's a very sensible approach, staged approach, you start with individuals who are at very low risk if they do catch the disease. they are going to benefit enormously from the socialisation and the opportunity to get back into the swing of school. one teaching union has branded the government plans is reckless. it is introducing far too many children into school too quickly, before we have other safeguards in place to stop there being, the spread of coronavirus in schools. and the potential harm that

this will do to some children, but also to other people working in schools. as with all measures to ease restrictions, the government says it will closely monitor to see if the reproduction rate, otherwise known as r, increases. they will be looking to countries like denmark where primary schools reopened on the 15th of april with safety precautions. we have divided the schoolyard into zones where the children play. with their playgroups. and we have created play groups of five children. we also wash our hands, we teach outside as much as possible. and we have lunch brea ks much as possible. and we have lunch breaks in different hours so we use, two and a half hours a day. to have lunch breaks with the children. but it works out perfectly. in the uk, some parents have been sharing their concerns on the bbc ‘s education facebook page. the government has ruled out fining parents who choose not to send their children to school

before the summer holidays. they say safety as their top priority. and we'll be answering some of the many questions you've been sending us about the easing of restrictions and the government guidance later in the programme with some of our expert correspondents figures released today show there have been 50,000 more deaths in the uk since the middle of march, than would have been expected at this time. however, the figures also show the number of coronavirus deaths are falling — including in care homes. 0ur head of statistics robert cuffe is here. 50,000 isa 50,000 is a huge figure. far bigger than we are used to hearing. i think, the figure we hear from the government every day is the number of people who have tested positive for coronavirus and then died, 28,000, ithink for coronavirus and then died, 28,000, i think we can show that to the viewers. people who never get tested, in care homes, it misses them, so if you go back and look at death certificates that mention covid—19, by the 1st of may, you get about 36,000 deaths, that figure

increases but 50,000 is what happens when you look at all the debts we've seen when you look at all the debts we've seen and when you look at all the debts we've seen and compare when you look at all the debts we've seen and compare that to the normal deaths we see at this time of year, people are pretty happy to attribute that to the barriers but it captures indirect deaths, people not getting or seeking care, the string that puts in society and the 50,000 numbers pretty striking but it similarto numbers pretty striking but it similar to the total extra winter deaths we saw two years ago and it's only at this stage of the epidemic so only at this stage of the epidemic so far, but still that comparison gives context. some positive news if you like in terms of the trend because figures are on the way down? yes, the total number of deaths we are seeing each week reached a plateau of about 25000 and we can see that by the red line, far, far above what we would expect this time of year. came down a little bit last week and it's fallen from about 25 down to about 20,000 now, significant improvement and in care homes, the first sign of good news, we've been expecting this improvement in hospital, but turned to look at care homes specifically. we will see that the numbers there

have also fallen and that's the first time. the total number of deaths in care homes has come down and the total number of deaths that mention covid—19, the red part of the block has also come down in the last week but still running far above average. past the peak but not back at the bottom. robert, thank you. the northern ireland executive has been outlining its five—stage plan for easing the lockdown. the first minister arlene foster told stormont that it was important not to lift the restrictions too soon and that ministers would not be driven by a timetable. 0ur ireland correspondent chris page is in belfast at the moment, little change? yes, that's right, simon, there is a plan but no dates set against it and some business groups have already expressed some disappointment about that, saying they had hoped for a sort of tentative timetable so they could plan for reopening. the five stage plan may kick in at the end of this month, on the other hand, it may not, the lockdown is extended in northern ireland until the 28th of

may and ministers say they will move when and only when the scientific evidence suggests its right to do so. evidence suggests its right to do so. in that first step takes shape, there will be some significant changes, groups of up to six people who do not live together would be allowed to meet outdoors, they observe social distancing guidelines. churches would be able to open for private prayer, so would some big retailers like garden centres, and people who cannot work from home will be encouraged to return to their workplace on a phased basis. the fifth and final step would see pubs, restaurants, cafe is reopening, also public transport fully operating again, as for schools, we know they are not going to be reopening the side of the summer holidays, the earliest pupils will return, again on a phased basis will be september, the start of the autumn term. chris, thank you. the national crime agency says at least ten tons of class a drugs have been seized globally over the past six weeks, as gangs try to move supplies in greater quantities than before. the figures, disclosed to bbc news, come amid claims some young people

who were caught up in gangs and drug crime before the lockdown may be having a rethink. our home affairs correspondent, danny shaw, reports. shouting. police! an early morning wake—up call in east london. police on the trail of drug gangs — a three—year operation and almost 600 arrests. these raids took place as the coronavirus began to spread — and more have followed. it's all about bearing down on violence across london and dealing with drug trafficking, street dealing and all the crime — the violence, the anti—social behaviour — that comes with drug dealing. sirens wail. just before lockdown, we went out with police in south london. there are over 300 gangs in the capital. they stop a suspected dealer. relax your hand now! relax your hand! relax! the restrictions haven't stopped drug dealing and violent crime but the criminals are on the back foot for now.

there are far less cars on the streets, far less movement of people, and so therefore if known drug dealers are seen moving from a to b, they stick out more. so increased risk for gangs but the price of heroin has doubled. there's money to be made. the drug supply chain is driven by greed. they don't stop in times like this. even in a pandemic, they are still moving drugs or attempting to move drugs. globally, thousands of kilos of class a drugs were seized last month — more than usual, as gangs risk moving larger consignments. so, the streets are quieter, overall crime is down and police are finding it easier to spot suspects who venture out. and for some of those who are lying low, it seems this long period of lockdown may be having unexpected benefits. for them, it's been a really profound reflection. they've really had to think

about their futures. brixton youth worker mohammed says this could be a turning point for vulnerable young people caught up in drugs and violence. because they are living in such a fast manner in terms of their lifestyle, they never really get that time to kind of slow down and really digest where their actions are taking them, whether it's a significant sentence injail, whether it's carrying weapons, and i think that's what they've been given the opportunity to do. only when the lockdown measures are relaxed will we know if there's been a lasting positive change or if the drug deals and knife crime will carry on as before, with police in pursuit. danny shaw, bbc news, south london. the health secretary matt hancock has said most british people are unlikely to be able to take foreign holidays this summer because of the virus. he was speaking to itv‘s this morning. social distancing of some kind is going to continue and i think, you know, the conclusion from that is that it's unlikely that big, lavish, international holidays

are going to be possible for this summer. i just think that's the reality of life. it is just after quarter past one. our top story this lunchtime: the chancellor says the furlough scheme for seven million workers across the uk will be extended until october. and coming up, we'll answer some of your questions on the government's new guidance for people across england. coming up in sport, the four—time formula 1 world champion sebastian vettel is to leave ferrari at the end of the season when his contract expires. we're getting used to thanking all of our frontline workers on a thursday night. but this evening at 8:30pm — to mark international nurses day and the 200th birthday of florence nightingale, the lady with the lamp — we're invited to do something different, to show our appreciation

by shining a light from a window. 0ur scotland correspondent lorna gordon has been following the journey of one new nurse who cut short her training to join the fight against covid—19. heading off to start a busy 12 and a half hour night shift. bye! becky mason is a third year student nurse at the royal alexandra hospital in paisley. she's one of more than 2000 nursing and midwifery students in scotland who joined the workforce early when the call for extra help was made. ppe now just another part of the uniform. the patients can only really see my eyes, so i think it's important the way i speak to people. sometimes we can talk too fast, so it's about learning to slow yourself down and still have that empathy and touch with patients even though they're only seeing your eyes when you have all that equipment on. so i'm just walking onto the ward. all the patients that becky is helping to care for have tested positive for covid—19. i think i wasn't mentally prepared for what i was seeing. patients with covid appear really

well, they look really healthy but actually they are really clinically unwell. it can be quite a challenge because these patients don't have any visitors so it can be quite emotional. some of the shifts have been quite challenging. tonight i'm looking after a room of six females who are all elderly and all tested positive for covid—19, and they are at various different stages in regard to what symptoms they have and how their covid is being managed, along with any other conditions that they have. a month into the job and the routines are becoming familiar. as are the highs and lows of her new career. there have been some patients who have left the ward and we clapped them out and it really is a celebration, but there have been patients who have passed away and patients who have passed away without their relatives. so i am on shift four. four shifts in a row. a week of four. i am feeling tired but managing well. halfway through the shift so not long to go. a constant that's kept them going,

the weekly clap for carers. i am just on the ward on my shift. it is the eight o'clock clap for key workers. after her long shift, it's time to head home. the worry of bringing the disease back to her family always on her mind. they are proud of the role she is playing. yeah, you do worry but this has been a long time coming. she's been studying for five years to get here, so... just really proud of her. her children, emily and jack, agree. i'm proud. lorna gordon, bbc news, paisley. early research has shown that coronavirus is disproportionately impacting black men and women compared with white people. the risk factor is also high for other ethnic minority groups, including those with a pakistani or indian background. the government has ordered a review into this, and that will report by the end of the month. the bbc asian network's shabnam mahmood has been

looking at the issue in one of the worst—affected areas in london. wembley, home to english football. it's also home to one of britain's most diverse communities, many now united in grief after losing loved ones to the coronavirus. the underlying issues were just diabetes and stuff, which is common nowadays, but it wasn't enough to take his life. in the shadows of wembley stadium is where mahindra shah from india spent most of his life, surrounded by family and friends. but he died alone in hospital, something his daughter and her family are still coming to terms with. driving across wembley, it's not difficult to find other families also suffering the pain of loss. this disease has hit people from all religions in the area. sadia lost her mum and her aunt within days of each other to the virus.

herfamily is of a pakistani muslim heritage, which often means hundreds of people gather for a funeral to pay their respects. a month on, i went on friday to the graveyard and it's hard for me to accept not seeing my mum around, or because i haven't grieved, i haven't hugged my brothers or sisters, i haven't hugged my dad, so... i don't feel like i've let it out. she believes government messages on lockdown and keeping safe just didn't reach communities like hers. there isn't a family that will not tell you that they've not lost someone. just a few streets away, sharon fraser has lost seven people close to her to coronavirus. i've lost my uncle dante, my oldest daughter has lost her grandfather, we've had one family in the area that lost mum, dad and a sister. experts say the virus doesn't discriminate,

but here there's a story of disparity in places where black, asian and minority ethnic communities live. shabnam mahmood, bbc news. another ugly ending to a white house press conference, as president trump stopped it abruptly after a contentious exchange with an asian—american journalist. he responded to a question, saying she should "ask china." things then went downhill very fast. 0ur north america correspondent peter bowes reports. the message of the day, america is doing more coronavirus testing than any other country, according to donald trump. this week the united states will pass 10 million tests conducted, nearly double the number of any other country. the president's blatant boasting about the number of tests being carried out in the us prompted this question from a chinese—american reporter. why is this a global competition to you if every day americans are still losing their lives and we're still seeing more cases every day? well, they're losing their lives

everywhere in the world, and maybe that's a question you should ask china. don't ask me. ask china that question, 0k? when you ask them that question you may get a very unusual answer. yes, behind you, please. sir, why are you saying that to me, specifically? i'm telling you. i'm not saying it specifically to anybody. i'm saying it to anybody that would ask a nasty question like that. that's not a nasty question. please go ahead. ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much. appreciate it. but instead of allowing another question, mr trump abruptly ended the press briefing and headed back to the white house. peter bowes, bbc news, los angeles. lots of advice and guidelines have been published in the past 2a hours on how things may change as the lockdown is gradually eased in england. and many of you have been contacting the bbc with your questions. here are some of our correspondents with answers to just a few of them.

this question from mollie varey asks, how can we expect 15 pupils, a teacher and a teaching assistant to operate safely in a classroom when everywhere else you have to be two metres apart? well, this is a question that head teachers are going to have to grapple with, because from the 1st ofjune, schools will reopen for reception, year one and year six. now, this is going to be a big problem for young children to socially distance themselves. children are lively and tactile, they love to play and explore and learn with their friends. and primary schools tend to be a sensory, interactive environment. so keeping children apart is going to be difficult, and at times not possible. teachers will have to make hygiene a priority. hand washing, stocking up on sanitiser and having a pretty strict cleaning regime. and let's not forget also the business of teaching children who have missed valuable time in the classroom. one of the big issues will be space in the classroom, the canteen and in corridors. some schools will have to minimise the number of children sitting at desks to maybe one or two, and some are exploring putting

markers on the floor as a guide for children. the government says safety is a priority, with smaller class sizes and things like staggered drop—off and pick—up times to reduce the numbers of parents at school gates. but this is a big puzzle which will require critical thinking from the government and schools to ensure the safety of pupils and teachers. we've had this question from dave, who asks... well, the simple answer to that question, dave, is that the government doesn't actually want you to take public transport. it says all those people who can work from home should continue to do so. if you must travel, it says, it would prefer to see people cycling or walking or travelling by car. and if you can't avoid using public transport, it says you should try to maintain social distancing wherever possible. if you can't, it says, you should try to minimise the amount of time you spend in close contact with other people,

and it also recommends you wear some kind of face covering while you travel. a question from yvonne. where are the public supposed to get facemasks from, and do we have to source them ourselves or will they be supplied? well, yvonne, the government's been very careful to talk not about facemasks, but about face coverings. and that's so we don't create a shortage for those people who really need them, which are the health and social care workers who were actually treating people with covid—19. if we talk about face coverings, well, you can buy things like this from diy shops or even something like this, which i got from the pharmacyjust over my shoulder. and this is the sort of thing people have been making at home, this is a simple bit of cloth with some elastic around it. the key thing is the advice has changed. in england, scotland and northern ireland we are now advised to wear some form of face covering when we cannot maintain social distance. so that might be on public transport or in some shops. now, the science behind this is that wearing a face covering offers you some protection from those

people who might be infected with covid—19 but aren't yet showing any symptoms, and also offers other people protection from you if you should find yourself in that situation. jane naden asks, how is it safe for me to meet any one person in a park where i have no control over how other members of the public may behave, but not safe for me to meet my son in my garden where i can ensure that the environment is secure? well, this is a difficult one. what the government are trying to do is increase the amount of time that people are spending exercising and the amount of time people are spending outdoors, so you can come to the park more than once a day, you can even sit on the grass. you can even meet one person from outside your household one on one, and even play tennis with them. but what the government is trying to stop people doing is going to each other‘s homes, where they might touch surfaces like gates, doors, door handles, garden furniture. so they'd rather you met someone

from your family in a public space, one—on—one, and to avoid things like park benches, of course. a bit further down the line, they may allow two households to mix together in a kind of bubble, as is happening in new zealand, but we haven't got to that stage yet. it is time for a moment of madness. the glitz of glam of eurovision should have been taking place this saturday night in rotterdam. but it had to be cancelled. however, fans will still be able to enjoy all 41 acts performing their songs for tv viewers — but without the judging and the live audience. one of those fans is our moscow correspondent steve rosenberg. hejoins me now he joins me now from hejoins me now from his spare room. and i know you're taking requests later, but let's hear one of your favourites — johnny logan's hold me now.

that's right, the 1987 winner. this is not my spare room, that is naughty. this is the dutch embassy in moscow, the very plush surroundings, they are hosting is for this bbc news facebook request show, i will be playing all your requests from 3pm, but you want a bit of hold me now? here it comes. he plays piano. studio: i told you it was a moment of madness. we will leave steve and his spare room alone! he is playing john logan's hold me now. time for a look at the weather, here's susan powell.