i don't think the regional solution isafairone i don't think the regional solution is a fair one either because that disruption has affected regions this is bbc news, with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk differently but areas within differently but areas within and around the world. different regions differently as well so i think that would be very ha rd to well so i think that would be very hard to make work. do you have the first doses of the pfizer concerns about any potential coronavirus vaccine are expected disparities as well between private to arrive in the uk soon, but scientists warn restrictions schools and schools, state schools will need to remain for some time. especially in more disadvantaged we need more vaccines, areas? i think the issue is not but we also need people to realise that these are not an instant ticket necessarily between private and out of anywhere at the moment. state schools, i think if we go back we are in for some hard winter to the national lockdown in march, months, where people must continue the differential in terms of equity to follow the guidance. was around access to devices and therefore disadvantaged students may and if you've got any well have been further disadvantaged concerns or questions about the vaccine, let us know. by not having access to resources to learn from home and that is not necessarily the same for the difference between private and state about that or any of our other schools and since september, the issueis stories. on twitter, it's @annita—mcveigh schools and since september, the issue is around infection rates and

or #bbcyourquestions. the mayor of los angeles orders how they have impacted on different the city's four million schools regardless of whether they residents to stay at home are private or state in different because of what he calls a "terrifying increase" in covid cases and the number of people being admitted to hospital. areas of the country differently. interesting to hear your thoughts on more generous grades and advance that, i expect we will return to notice of topics are some this subject again and again, rachel of the measures for pupils sitting exams in england next summer warwick, thank you very much. because of the disruption caused by coronavirus. brexit talks stretched late into last night as the clock ticks we do believe that exam down to the deadline for a trade deal. assessment is the best form, several pizza boxes were delivered to the westminster venue where talks but we do equally recognise that we're going to have to take have been taking place late last extraordinary measures to support night, as officials from london and brussels tried children as they take their gcses, to hammer out a deal. as they take their a—levels and do the transition period ends on december 31st, their vocational qualifications. but there's fear that unless a deal is agreed by the middle students in england face a staggered of next week, it can't be return to university after christmas to avoid a surge turned into law in time. in coronavirus cases. new plans to ban the export of live the former president of animals from england and wales — france valery giscard d'estaing has to be slaughtered abroad — died at the age of 94, after contracting covid—19. by the end of 2021. he led the country for a single seven year term from 1974 until 1981 and is credited for pushing for greater european integration. president emmanuel macron said his predecessor had transformed

france during his time in office. france will implement random border hello and welcome, if you're checks and quarantine measures watching in the uk or around as a way of deterring people from travelling abroad the world, and stay with us for skiing holidays. for the latest news and analysis from here and across the globe. france, in common with germany and italy, is shutting its ski lifts over christmas to stop the spread the uk has become the first country of covid—19, but swiss slopes remain open. to authorise a coronavirus sirjee foorkarda reports. vaccine by pfizer/biontech. the first doses of the vaccine, manufactured in belgium, could french mountains will be quieter arrive in britain within hours. than usual this christmas. a mass vaccination programme resorts will be able to open but ski will begin next week, after the uk approved lifts will remain like this, the jab yesterday. andy moore reports. which means downhill skiing will effectively be impossible in france at least untiljanuary. the uk has become the first country by not allowing ski lifts in the western world to authorise the use of a vaccine. to run and by keeping bars and restaurants shut, at a press conference, vaccine development was once again the french government hopes compared to a train coming to contain the spread down the track. the train has now of covid—19, but the decision has sparked protests. slowed down safely. it has now stopped in the station, ski resorts and businesses say and the doors have opened. that the weeks surrounding christmas

that was the authorisation and new year are crucial by the mhra. what we need now is for people for their survival. to get on that train and travel translation: we don't understand how safely to their destinations. they could claim there are more risks in a ski lift queue than in the metro in paris. the prime minister called it "a huge moment", but he also urged caution. the metro is covered indoors — it's all the more vital that, here, we are in the open. as we celebrate this all of this is going to damage the economy of the valleys scientific achievement, we're not carried away with over—optimism, or fall and employment in the long—term. into the naive belief i am convinced that in the years that the struggle is over. it's not. to come, we're going to have we've got to stick repercussions from the closure to our winter plan. of resorts, which is in my opinion, completely irresponsible. 800,000 doses of the vaccine are due to arrive in the uk shortly. france is not alone in its decision to limit skiing they have to be kept during the festive season. at very low temperatures, so distribution at first will be germany and italy will also close their lifts over christmas, through major hospitals. and french authorities are now that means that care home residents, worried holiday—makers will go although top of the government's priority list, are unlikely to get skiing to neighbouring switzerland the vaccine first. the uk regulator said the process where the slopes remain open. of authorisation had been rapid, to avoid this, france will impose but no less thorough. random checks on the swiss border no corners have been cut. and french skiers will face a seven—day quarantine on their return.

our experts, scientists and clinicians have worked translation: we are still living round the clock carefully, methodically, poring over tables with the virus, it still is a threat and analyses and graphs on every to our country and our people, therefore we need to take every single piece of data. possible measure in order to avoid the vaccine roll—out is due a third wave of the pandemic. to happen across all four nations of the uk at the same pace. in switzerland itself, in northern ireland, the situation is still unfolding. officials have set aside a new hospital emergency department as one of seven designated alpine resorts want to minimize vaccination sites. restrictions but the government will decide on friday whether to impose a limit on visitors. in scotland, the first doses are expected to be given on tuesday. 0ther vaccines are also on the horizon. 0ne developed by oxford university and astrazeneca is currently being reviewed by the uk regulator. hello this is bbc news. the headlines... another, from the american company moderna, is also being examined the first doses of the pfizer by regulators around the world. coronavirus vaccine are expected to arrive in the uk soon but scientists warn restrictions it will take months to roll out will need to remain for some time. vaccines to everyone in the uk who wants one, but the process is set to begin very shortly. we need more vaccines, andy moore, bbc news. but we also need people to realise that these are not an instant ticket out of anywhere at the moment.

earlier, the deputy chief medical 0fficerfor england, we are in for some hard winter professor jonathan van—tam, answered your questions on the vaccine. months, where people must continue to follow the guidance. many of them related to the anxiety some of you are feeling about having the vaccine. here was some of his answer. the mayor of los angeles has ordered the city's 4 million residents to stay at home because of what he calls a terrifying increase in covid cases. i genuinely have said to my, you know, 78—year—old mum, more generous grades and advance notice of topics who is probably listening now, are some of the measures for pupils that, mum, you must have this sitting exams in england next summer vaccine or any of the vaccines that the mhra approves as soon because of the disruption caused by coronavirus. as they are available. students in england face a staggered return to university after christmas to avoid a surge this is really important in coronavirus cases. because you are so at risk. there are plans to ban the export of live animals so, that is a kind of personal from england and wales piece, if you like. to be slaughtered abroad i am very confident by the end of 2021. in the assessments the mhra makes. professor van—tam has become well known for his use of metaphors to explain the stage we're at in the pandemic. this is how he phrased it earlier. let's stay with that story. sending live animals abroad for slaughter will be banned in england and wales, under government plans announced today. i would say that, you know, it is the environment secretary, george eustice, has told the bbc

the measures could be in place clear in the first half, you know, by the end of 2021 and would cut the away team gave us an absolute the amount of time animals spend battering. in trucks in the uk. our political correspondent helen catt has more. what we have done now, it is the only a few thousand of the millions 70th minute, they got a goal and in of animals bred for meat in the uk end up being shipped the 70th minute, we have now got an to europe for slaughter. but their long journeys can cause equaliser. 0k? the 70th minute, we have now got an equaliser. ok? we have got to hold them distress and even injury. so there have been calls for decades oui’ nerve now, see for the practice to be banned. equaliser. ok? we have got to hold our nerve now, see if we can get another goal and nick it. but the now the government says it will be in england and wales, key fingers not to lose it, not to it hopes, by the end of 2021. throw it away at this point, because we have got points on the board, we we think we've struck have got the draw —— the key the right balance here. this will remove the trade fingers. so from that perspective, that i think most people what i am saying is we need more are concerned about, vaccines, but we also need people to which is predominantly the export of lambs for slaughter to continental europe. realise that these are not an insta nt but it will enable high—value realise that these are not an instant ticket out of anywhere at breeding stock still to be traded. the moment. we are in for some hard those tend to be transported winter months, where people must in very good conditions. an outright ban like this continue to follow the guidance. they must continue to follow the was impossible under eu law. we know that, because a council guidance whether or not they've had in kent tried it in 2012, after more than a0 sheep had to be the vaccine. and, you know, let the put down at the port in ramsgate.

the high court ruled it was a breach scientists see how this vaccine of eu free trade rules. programme is unfolding, see how it there had been fears a ban may not be possible under is taking us into a different world, global trade rules either, but ministers are confident this is in line with them. and we will absolutely give the signal to our politicians, our the rspca has always said to the government, we don't mind how you get to your goal of stopping live decision—makers of what the future exports, we just want to stop them. is beginning to look like. hopefully the end goal is the most important much brighter, but you may have to thing, how to stop all of our live animals going abroad and us losing be patient until may be late spring control over where they go or how they're killed. that, for the rspca, on this one. right, well, thank you, is the most important thing. that will improve animal welfare. that gives of some sense of ending live animal exports has perspective on how we look at the often been held up as one of the things that the government future. but that's a very urgent could and would change once question for the immediate future, we leave the single market and the customs union next month. for the next few weeks, which jennifer in st albans would very it was a promise too in the conservative manifesto much like to ask. jennifer, over to at last year's election. you. hello, good morning. i have so it won't happen in time forjanuary the 1st. three children at home and they were but the political will to make asking this morning about father the change does seem to be there. christmas and wanting to know the government also plans to cut whether he will be front of the the number of hours animals can queue to get the vaccine. 0h, spend in transit within the uk. the national farmers' union has absolutely. the jcvi made a very warned that any big changes could have a massive impact on the uk's food supply chain. special case for father christmas.

helen catt, bbc news. he is going to be absolutely the top of our list. professor van-tam answering that very important let's go to the house question about santa claus put to of commons where the education secretary, gavin him by my colleague rachel burdon. williamson, is speaking. an outstanding teacher from around if you want to get in touch about the world. our very own doctorjamie the vaccine roll—out or the other stories today, do get in touch with me on twitter. and we will try to frost, maths leader at pippin school in kingston upon thames, has been lead out some of your comments. shortlisted for this after his a new, tragic record tuition website went viral in from the united states. more than 2,700 people lockdown helping millions of people died with coronavirus on wednesday alone — the highest figure since in the united kingdom and around the the pandemic began. world continue their studies at the country has been hit by a surge home. studio: we are expecting the in coronavirus infections. more than 100,000 americans are in hospital education secretary momentarily to and health resources speak more about his plans to are becoming increasingly stretched. ensure, in his words, that pupils in the top disease control official, dr robert redfield, has england taking exams next get a fair warned the next three months could be the most difficult in america's public health history. and he said the us is facing a devastating winter unless public assessment. an entire year of health advice is heeded. stu d e nts by assessment. an entire year of students by cancelling next year's

exams. exams are the best form of assessment we have and we are therefore taking steps to make sure that any student preparing to sit them in 2021 has every chance you know, we looked at the original possible to do their very very best. spring, we lost about 100,000 we support the decision from quual we lost about 100,000 people, that in awarding next year's at in the summer, 100,000 people in the fall, 100,000 people. gcse, a.s. and a levels, grading will be as generous and will these are sacred lives that were lost as a consequence of this pandemic. we are potentially looking maintaina similar will be as generous and will maintain a similar profile to those grades awarded this year. this is to at another 150 to 200,000 people before we get into february. so, this is really a significant time. the mayor of los angeles has recognise the exceptional issued an emergency order for the city's residents to stay circumstances that students and at home with immediate effect teachers continue to work under and following, what health officials described, to make sure that students are not a terrifying increase ata in cases of the disease. to make sure that students are not at a disadvantage compared to previous years. quual is also peter chin—hong is a professor of medicine and infectious disease specialist at the university working with the exam boards to make of california san francisco — he told the bbc about what he's sure students studying for experiencing there. we've had the fourth straight day of increasing hospitalisations and, of course, vocational and technical once we see our hospitals being filled up and our icu beds qualifications and other general being taken, we are in dire straits. qualifications and other general qualifications benefit from the same

generous approach. i know that there is some variation across the state. stu d e nts generous approach. i know that students and teachers are making enormous efforts to catch up with in some counties — for example, in northern california, there is upwards of 90% occupancy any enormous efforts to catch up with a ny loss to enormous efforts to catch up with of icu beds. any loss to learning. to support in other counties, 80%. those most affected by the continuing disruption, the end of january students are going to be given advanced notice of the topic areas they will be assessed on in in my own hospital, we have seen their their gcses and a—levels which a two to three times increase means they will be able to focus on in hospitalisations due to covid in the last month alone. these areas in more depth and target so, there are three main factors their revision accordingly. students that i think make this wave very different from the previous waves in the us. will also be given exam aids such as the first is, of course, the season. in previous waves, people were able formula sheet in recognition of the to mitigate risk by going outdoors. time lost in the classroom and to currently, people are gathering more indoors. give them more confidence and reduce the second, of course, is pandemic fatigue. some have re—casted this the amount of information they need as pandemic resentment. to memorise in preparation for their and the third, of course, exams. all these measures have been is the fire that is covid drawn up with the most effected in all around the country, so that there's no real escape, so to speak. mind and we will be sharing the advance notice about what exactly the measures will entail with california is being boxed schools and colleges at the end of

in after having a relatively unscathed past. january. students taking vocational that's why it is very dire right and technical qualifications or now, because it is a surge on top of the surge. other general qualifications can also expect a number of concessions when you think about christmas, that is a surge on top of a surge including a reduced number of units on top of a surge. so, on thanksgiving, to be assessed. we want as many that was a record travel day stu d e nts to be assessed. we want as many for the us for the year, students as possible to be able to sit their exams and for this reason with more than1 million people travelling. so, if you think about that, we have a contingency package to make sure they can do so including that is really going to be looking really bad in about two weeks. spacing the exams more widely as it is austere. well as enabling vulnerable students people are a little bit demoralised because ofjust the marathon to sit exams at home if they need that the last few months have been. to. in the minority of cases, where we thought that we would be over it by now, but it's even getting worse. stu d e nts to. in the minority of cases, where students cannot sit all their and i think we're just trying papers, orfor the students cannot sit all their papers, or for the very small number of people who miss all of them, to brace ourselves for the last mile there will be means by which they of the marathon, where it seems that can still be awarded a grade we're running out of water. including additional papers are available after the main exam a pretty dire situation in los series. mr speaker, the fundamental angeles. problem with this year's exams is joining me now is dr zoltan kis, research associate in the future vaccine manufacturing that we try to award grades without hub at the department actually holding exams. we are not of chemical engineering at imperial college london. thank you very much forjoining us going to be repeating that same

on bbc news. looking at the mistake again. with the measures i situation in the states, around the world, indeed, it is clear that a have outlined, we are confident that every student who is preparing to vaccination, a successful vaccination, a successful vaccination programme is by way the sit exams this summer will be fastest route out of this, although awarded a qualification. as the we are not there yet, clearly. how virus continues to be a fact of life much more messaging needs to be done for all of us, schools and colleges around the safety of vaccines? are making impressive efforts to because not only is the make sure education can continue for those students who must remain at pfizer/biontech vaccine, but also the moderna one based on new home. we have reviewed and updated technology and also new manufacturing processes have had to the guidance for remote education so that schools, parents and pupils all be designed as well. yes, indeed. so know exactly what to expect from it. these are new vaccines using a new primary schools need to provide an technology. called mrna vaccine absolute bare minimum of three hours absolute bare minimum of three hours technology. called mrna vaccine technology. basically, what they a day on average remote education contain is they contain ingredients and secondary schools an absolute minimum of at least four. schools 01’ contain is they contain ingredients or components, the type of components which naturally occur in will also be expected to check and oui’ components which naturally occur in provide feedback on pupils' work at our bodies all the time. these include the mrna cell, and basically least weekly as well as inform pa rents least weekly as well as inform parents immediately where engagement isa parents immediately where engagement

is a concern. the department will a droplet of fats. and all of this also ask schools to set out details is in a droplet of fats. and all of this isina a droplet of fats. and all of this is in a water—based solution. so all of the remote provision on their of these components are naturally website so that parents can better present in our bodies. and the way this vaccine works is that this understand their school's remote liquid at this water—based solution education offer. as levels of covid containing the liquids —— the lipids infection continue to fluctuate, we and the mrna is injected into the know different areas will experience varying levels of disruption to muscle tissue of humans basically. learning. we will therefore and then once the mrna is injected, commission an expert group to assess any local variations and the impact their virus is having on students' the lipids, the fat droplets, have education. i would that mrna delivered into the cells their virus is having on students' education. iwould now like their virus is having on students' education. i would now like to move and once the rna is in the cells, it on to the measures we are taking in respect of school and college tells the body, it reviews the spike accountability framework for 2021. we need to make sure the protein the coronavirus and that arrangements for inspection and performance measures are fair and induces the immune response and based on this immune response, the reflect the current public health body learns how to basically destroy situation. they need to take into account the enormous challenges that the spike protein. and later on, if schools and colleges have been the spike protein. and later on, if the actual coronavirus enters the facing but equally, we must continue body, the body will have been able

to provide the information and to use this from the vaccine to reassurance that parents need about their children's education. we will destroy the virus. there are a not be publishing the normal couple of key advantages in terms of performance tables based on test exa m performance tables based on test safety a nd exam assessment data next year. couple of key advantages in terms of safety and efficacy based on this instead, my department will publish innovation. firstly, there is no data on the subject students have virus in this vaccine, so there is taken, how well schools and colleges no coronavirus. part of the virus is support students in their next being produced inside the body based destination, and attendance data on the instructions provided in the taking account of the impact of covid—19. we will also publish national and regional data on 2021 rna so the first advantages there is no virus, there is no risk of developing the coronavirus disease. exams, tests and assessments. we the second advantage is that the rna will make the exam data, importantly, available to ofsted, itself will disappear, it degrades, and to schools themselves, but we itself will disappear, it degrades, it is only present for a short will not be publishing it on period of time. but the immune performance tables. mr speaker, i response the rna creates using the spike protein will be longer would now like to let the house know lasting. that is a really how our plans for school and college interesting explanation and very clear as well. talk to us more, are affected how our plans for school and college a re affected by how our plans for school and college are affected by inspections. it is because what you do is look at the our intention that ofsted routine new technology around the development of vaccines, about the graded inspections will remain

suspended for the spring term but challenges with the particular vaccine we're looking at in the uk, will resume in a carefully considered way from the summer term. the pfizer/biontech vaccine, because of those issues around having to in the meantime, ofsted will carry store it at very low temperatures and the implications of that, for out monitoring inspections in schools and colleges most in need of the ability of people to access that support. this will include those that are currently judged vaccine. yes, so there are challenges indeed. manufacturing inadequate, and some that require challenges indeed. manufacturing challenges and also distribution challenges. and these challenges are improvement. inspectors will be caused by the scale and urgency of this need for this vaccine. but focusing on areas that are basically, one of the biggest particularly relevant at this time challenging —— biggest challenges such as curriculum delivery, remote during the distribution is this has to be stored at —70 celsius so that education, and, importantly, attendance. there will also be a is very cold. this together with the fa ct is very cold. this together with the fact that the vaccines cannot be focus on those pupils who are particularly vulnerable. but i would taken out of the cold storage for a long time and they are shipped in a like to stress that they will not be fixed quantity, all of this makes making graded judgments and that any distribution more remote basis to inspection activity will be the number of patients more sensitive to the additional pressures that schools are working difficult, at least initially. so under at this current time. as in

currently, there are still challenges with that. and hopefully, the autumn, ofsted will also be able to inspect a school in response to any significant concerns about that will go well. so if we look at what has been learnt in less than a safeguarding, but also about the year basically with this whole process of getting a vaccine to this delivery of remote education by that point, vaccines to this point, the school. in both the early years science, technology, manufacturing and so on, is this new technology sector and the independent schools sector, the intention is also that something that can be applied to the standard inspections will remain other diseases, both once we already suspended for the spring, with know about like cancer and once that assurance inspections in the early we don't know about yet? perhaps the yea rs assurance inspections in the early years and non—routine inspections in next pandemic, wherever that comes independent schools taking place in the mean time. i trust this provides from. yes, that is a very good point, it is very new technology and the mean time. i trust this provides very promising in the sense that the the house with reassurance that we are providing the right balance in same technology can be used our accountability and inspection virtually against any disease. arrangements. mr speaker, iwould because it is a different approach like to finish today by outlining in making a vaccine. so now we don't make the actual virus, or part of our proposalfor the like to finish today by outlining our proposal for the curriculum and testing in primary schools to the virus, we make instructions or recognise the particular challenges an information molecule which tells that they are facing. assessment in the body had to produce one part of the body had to produce one part of the virus. and because of this, new primary schools next summer will

focus on phonics, mathematics and technology, vaccines in the future should be made a lot quicker. even english reading and writing to. this quicker probably than in the current pandemic. and this is new means that for 2021 only, we will technology, although it has been in remove all tests at key stage 1, the development for over two decades, it english grammar, punctuation and has never been used on this scale and it has never been proved so we spelling test at key stage 2 and science teacher assessment at both key stages. the introduction of the are the posts —— the first to prove this vaccine technology and there multiplication tables check will be are this vaccine technology and there a re lots of this vaccine technology and there are lots of premises ahead. yes, but postponed for a further year but there are still challenges in terms of manufacturing and distribution schools can use it if they want to for this pandemic. but overall, it and it is a resource available to isa for this pandemic. but overall, it is a very promising technology which all schools and we would encourage can actually change a lot and can them to do so if they can. we will basically help us to fight future also add more flexibility to the timetable so if there is any infectious outbreaks and potentially cancer as well. really interesting disruption due to coronavirus in a school, pupils will be able to take to talk to you very much for your the test when they return to the time, from the future manufacturing school. these measures will help us to address lost learning time and will give us a chance to support pupils of schools who need help. vaccine hub, drzoltan kis. they will also provide vital

information for parents and better the welsh government has help to pupils to make a successful announced cross—border travel into wales will be allowed for people living in tier1 and 2 step into the next stage of areas in england, but those from districts in tiers 3 will remain under a travel ban. education going to secondary school. mr speaker, everyone in all of our they will not be allowed to travel schools and colleges is working as into wales. ha rd schools and colleges is working as hard as they can to make sure that during england's national lockdown, which ended on december 2nd, travel in and out of wales no pupil loses out because of covid was banned unless it was for essential reasons, such as work, and that the future they are education or to deliver care. dreaming of its still very much tourism businesses in wales were left confused over within their reach. i am determined whether they could accept bookings from guests in england when the lockdown came to an end. that the coronavirus is not going to jeopardise the life chances of this yea r‘s jeopardise the life chances of this year's pupils and i am confident this plan is the fairest way of the new arrangements, doing this and i commend this which come into force tomorrow, statement to the house. we come to are less prohibitive than those in force before the english lockdown, which banned travel from tier 2 and 3 areas. the shadow secretary of state, kate green. thank you, mr speaker, and i so from tomorrow, people in england living in tier1 and surge areas, thank the secretary of state for an advance copy of his statement and will be allowed to travel into wales also the schools minister for and if you are in tier 3, you briefing yesterday. may i also join will be allowed to travel into wales and if you are in tier3, you remain under a travel ban. students who'll sit a—levels the secretary of state in

and gcses in england next summer congratulating doctor frost and are to be given advance notice wishing him well for the finals of of some topics in the exams, the global teacher of the year and graded more generously. the changes have been announced awards. mr speaker, i'm glad the in a bid to compensate government have finally responded to for the disruption to teaching caused by the coronavirus pandemic. let's look at some of the measures the pleas of students, their parents that have been announced. and teachers who have been asking grading will be more generous than normal. this will be in line for months how next summer's exams with results from summer 2020, so that this year's cohort will be conducted fairly. but while is not disadvantaged. i welcome will be conducted fairly. but while | welcome measures will be conducted fairly. but while i welcome measures to help pupils be advance warning assessed on what they have learnt of some topics will be given, but not the questions. that reserve papers will be in place for people who might miss else, that some study aids will be allowed. performance tables will be suspended this could be a formula sheet or a vocabulary list provided and that routine ofsted inspections in some exams to cut down will not resume injanuary, many of on the memorising required. the measures that labour called for, and some special today's announcement is still takes measures will be used to work out grades, if an exam in fundamental inequities between is missed due to illness students are up suffered different or self—isolation. levels of disruption to their learning. mr speaker, the government a little earlier, the education secretary for england, has known since september that an gavin williamson, explained how the new exam system was going to work. ongoing pandemic would create huge challenges in schools and four months they will have her to school predicted grades and teacher leaders, parents and members on the assessment, most disadvantage children from black side of the house calling for a and ethnic minority backgrounds. credible plan to address them and it

so, we do believe that exam assessment is the best form, has taken until december to provide one. candy secretary of state tell but we do equally recognise us what took him so long? why did he that we are going to have to take leave the student in a horrible and extraordinary measures to support children as they take their gcses, uncertain limbo? the truth is that as they take their a—levels, the delay has limited the do their vocational qualifications. department's options. had they acted sooner, they could have done more to that's why we've put a package make the system fairer. i do welcome of measures together. the decision to make the distribution of great similar to and it's notjust what la st distribution of great similar to last year's to ensure that pupils sitting exams this year do not feel we've announced today. u nfa i rly sitting exams this year do not feel unfairly disadvantaged. but we know it's the fact we are moving exams that last year, while grades rose across the board, some pupils, back by three weeks so that particularly those in private children get extra time schools, were more likely to see a in the classroom, it's the fact sharp right so how is he going to that we are changing the way we are doing some of those exams. ensure this year that key we are moving the oral element distribution of great is spread from study of languages, so that children are able evenly schools and postcodes to to focus their studies more. we are moving some of the practical elements within science assessment ensure that the most disadvantaged pupils are treated fairly? and if in order to ensure that students are in the best possible position you not concerned that providing to be ready for those exams. information in advance about the these are measures that we wouldn't subject content will at best a ever usually be expecting to take. benefit pupils at random with those we wouldn't usually be who happen to have already covered expecting to have this level

of generosity in the the assessment material benefiting at those who did not and at worst grading system as well. will it not in fact mean that pupils more now on this story from our who faced the greatest disruption to education editor. their learning lose the most? there heading home to self—isolate, year 11 at this secondary school. is significant support for greater just before it was confirmed, some optional tea in exams and his shared their gcse fears with me. department has taken this approach for some exams already which allows i have a lot of worries about gcses because i really feel like there's people to be assessed on what they not much being done about the amount have learnt with a few of pupils of time we missed. but i'm especially worried losing out at random —— greater about english and maths optionality. if it works for some because those are a must—have for any sixth form. subjects, can he explain why it is i prefer to be in school to learn. not part of the announcement? what are steps is he taking to address so, the disruption to that isjust going to really knock my the fact that over a million pupils focus off my education. we re the fact that over a million pupils were out of school this week? he so, would narrowing down the topics talked about regional disparity and in each subject help? we know that exam classes in some i think that will be the most beneficial thing, regions have faced disproportionate one of the most beneficial things levels of disruption. can he tell us when the expert group will report, that they can do, because it really why it has been established so late, like, gives you that tiny bit i understand just last week, and will it include representatives of of hope that we need at this time, just so then we get that little bit school leaders and teachers? on of help that we notice. remote learning, i notice requirements but how many laptops

i wish there was a bit have been delivered to students who more done, honestly. need them? why are we continuing to ifeel like, obviously, it's hear reports of schools receiving going to help, but it might not be enough to really make everyone feel laptops only after students isolate, comfortable with what they're doing, wasting valuable time getting them because personally, i'm not confident with what i'm doing, but i feel like it to set up why it has the national will help a little bit. how will gcse and a—level tutoring programme now been exams work in 2021? grades will be more stretched more thinly across two generous than normal, mainly in line with 2020. years? can he even guarantee that advance warning of some all students on free school meals topics will be given, but not the questions. will have access to tutoring? we know that many students sitting some study aids will be allowed. exams next summer want to go on to that could be a formula university or college. what discussions is he having with or a vocabulary list. coueges discussions is he having with and special measures will be used to work out colleges and universities to any grades for an exam missed. after a term of covid disruption, additional support these students this does give schools might need will be in place for them a bit more certainty. but they're going to have to wait next september? does he believe any changes will be needed to the timing until january to find out what topics will be of university admissions? can you in which exam papers. tell us when people taking and there's still one big vocational and technical unanswered question — qualifications will receive further how do you take account of the fact clarity? what steps is he taking to that some kids have missed so much more learning than others? clear the logjam on the testing of apprentices functional skills in maths and english? does he so, an expert group will look at that bigger picture, acknowledge that there are more but grades aren't likely likely to be more appeals than in a

to be adjusted. normal year? how will he ensure all students can access a fair appeals and here, they're worried process? and will he ensure that about disruption after christmas. if we stick to the plan there are the makos with the time and the continued disruption and resources needed to grade papers across the country happens right through until, whether it's march in time particularly in the second or april, i think you're going to have a massive impact exam window? mr speaker, i want on the well—being of young students to have the chance to show people and families. what they have achieved in the most and we're going to see challenging of circumstances. but a very unfair system, and probably a return after months of silence, these to the debacle of last summer. proposals fall short of the fair northern ireland also plans to hold exams, but in wales, exams the secretary of state they've been cancelled. promised. this is at best a requires while scotland only plans to have exams for highers. improvement. i thank you mr speaker schools are still dealing and i'm glad the honourable member with coronavirus. could bring herself to welcome the faith in these plans will be tested in the next few months. branwen jeffreys, measures, slightly grudgingly, and bbc news, herne bay. it is no thanks to the party the shadow education secretary kate opposite that schools are back and green welcomes the announcement children are in schools put it is no thanks to the party opposite that we on exams this morning, we re thanks to the party opposite that we were getting over 1.6 million but says it has come too late. children back into school... is it

in greater manchester, possible to face me a little bit as for example, where i'm an mp, we've been under significant covid restrictions for months well? i note that you always love and our students will have suffered more lost learning than perhaps in other parts of the country. secretary of state to look adoringly i asked the secretary of state a couple of weeks ago at you, mr speaker! i will take that if he could tell me how many times students had been absent from school and i still don't is dutifully rebuke to but the party have that information. things that we have suggested that opposite have never championed could help to recognise pupils because they have not fought where learning has been to get students back into schools. significantly disrupted — more optionality in the exam papers it was actually the mayor of greater so that students would at least know manchester that wanted to send children out of school and back that there would be a part of the paper that they could answer, where they had covered that part home. but this party stands for of the syllabus, even if they getting children back into school. had had to miss other the honourable lady highlights a parts of the syllabus. number of issues and it is we've also suggested a sort of regional dimension disappointing that labour had not to standardising results, so that engaged in a positive debate. they different regions of the country that have suffered more disruption, couldn't even be bothered to respond that could be reflected in the way to the quual qualification about that end grades are, as it were, exams. they seem to have missed the moderated for students. opportunity. may be got lost in the i recognise that we are in a very post or may be quite simply they just couldn't be bothered. we do difficult situation this year

and there's no perfect answer. recognise there are significant i am worried, however, challenges in terms of delivering that if we can't have education at this time and that is fair exams next summer, we need to know what the plan b is. why we have taken a package of truly we can speak now to rachael warwick. she's the executive headteacher unprecedented measures. in order to of the ridgeway education trust, she is also a member of the association of school assist schools, in order to assist and college leaders. thank you so much forjoining us teachers, but most importantly, to today on bbc news and the word kate green used was fairness, that is so assist pupils themselves. i am sure important next summer. do you think the honourable lady would grudgingly these plans announced by the education secretary in england will help ensure that the process is acknowledge that all academic studies have continuously fair? good morning. ithink highlighted that children from the help ensure that the process is most disadvantaged backgrounds, fair? good morning. i think that it isa fair? good morning. i think that it is a really difficult situation. and children from black and ethnic it is impossible to make it minority communities, are the ones com pletely it is impossible to make it completely fair. and given that context, i think that at least who always outperform predicted having certainty now is something grades when they sit exams. and that that school leaders will welcome. is why it is so important, and it is good to see we have a common view on and students taking those gcses and a— levels and students taking those gcses and a—levels next summer and their this, and! families. because what we were most good to see we have a common view on this, and i note that chuntering worried about i think was not having from the honourable gentleman sat in the chief whip's seat, that there is clarity about the way forward. therefore not being able to adjust a common view on the importance of our plans to enable students to do

exams. and the measures we have as well as they possibly could do. taken, by giving people advanced what you say to the point we have notice, we do recognise that discussed already, how do you ensure children will miss out elements of fairness if, in some particular the curriculum. but giving them that advance notice gives them the parts of england, individual schools opportunity along with their teachers to use that time to focus have been particularly disrupted 00:26:19,917 --> 4294966103:13:29,430 because of covid—19? in on those areas of the curriculum they know they will be tested on. we are also recognising the importance on technical and vocational qualifications and we will be looking at making sure that information is shared at a similar time as to when we share it on gcses and a—levels. the honourable member highlights some important issues in terms of potential for extra appeals and making sure that is properly resourced and that is certainly what we will also be doing as well. we recognise there are challenges by giving extra learning time and the fa ct giving extra learning time and the fact that we have moved exams or

most exams back by three weeks. this will put added pressure on the exam boards and we are working closely with them to support them in terms of being able to get the right resources in place and to be able to deliver the grades when and as we would expect, at the end of august. theirchairof the would expect, at the end of august. their chair of the select committee, robert halford. thank you, mr speaker. i think it is right we have exams in the summer form next year because at least it gives pupils much needed structure and i thank the secretary of state because there is no easy or perfect option. but i have two questions i would like to raise with my right honourable friend. firstly, we possibly baking grade inflation into the system as we saw in 2020? could we not ensure that grade boundaries are in line with 2019 result or at least between 2019 and 2020 results so we can revert to the standards of 2019 whilst no one loses out and start transitioning back to normality?

from a socialjustice position, thus inflating all the grades move the goalposts in that the difference between disadvantaged pupils and their better off peers remained the same? secondly, we know from the dfe's own data that 798,000 pupils in the state funded schools were not in school for kobe 19 related recent on thursday 26th of november —— covid—19. is there a way we can track everything a child to assess the learning he or she is getting from the school and that ofsted will be givena from the school and that ofsted will be given a much stronger role to ensure children are learning and we use the £143 million allocated to the catch—up programme to make sure every pupil is prepared for this year's exams rather than rolling over that money and funding in the next year? studio: that discussion is ongoing and house of commons about the government plans to adapt next summer's school exams in england but more on that through day here on bbc news.

time now for a look at the weather forecast. over the next few days and nights the focus will be cold and we will have some snow. a lot of it will have some snow. a lot of it will be in the hills but at times we could see some at lower levels but by no means are we all go to see it. todayis by no means are we all go to see it. today is colder than yesterday, rain or showers, some wintry in the hills point at the rain moves across the east of england and pushes north, heavy at times in kent and sussex in the afternoon with brisk winds through the english channel and this engages with the colder air in the midlands and northern england where we will see some hill snow. in scotla nd we will see some hill snow. in scotland and northern ireland, sunshine and showers with showers increasingly confined to the north and west but in some heavier ones there could be wintry ones. and in any showers we could see some hail and thunder and lightning. this evening and overnight, the rain moves up the north sea and pivots

into eastern scotland and north—east england. rain on the coast but inland we will see some snow, potentially at lower levels again and in the south—east we have some rain but also the potential for sleet and snow, apps by morning in the chilterns we could see slushy accumulations. increasingly, rain and snow in scotland will turn back to rain, heavy at times with gales in the west and on the irish sea. we can see there will be a lot of dry weather also with fewer showers but still some will be wintry on the hills and tomorrow it will feel cold wherever you are. heading to the weekend, drier conditions, still feeling cold put at the driest day will be sunday because on saturday the low pressure is still dominating and we have all these showers and rain rotating around us. in between that we should see some brightness and sunshine at times in northern ireland and southern scotland. temperatures on saturday, still no

heat wave, lighter winds and temperatures of 5—7 . on sunday, this is when we have drier conditions. frosty after clear skies to start the day and also looking at some sunshine. still a few showers dotted around but not as prolific so a bit ofa dotted around but not as prolific so a bit of a breather from what we have been used to. but it will still feel cold, temperatures of 5—8 .

this is bbc news, i'm joanna gosling. the headlines at 11...

the first doses of the pfizer/biontech covid vaccine are expected to arrive in the uk soon — but scientists warn restrictions will need to remain for some time. we need more vaccines but we also need people to realise that these are notan need people to realise that these are not an incident ticket out of anywhere at the moment. —— instant. we are in for some hard winter months where people must continue to follow the guidance. more generous grades and advance notice of topics are some of the measures for pupils sitting exams in england next summer because of the disruption caused by covid—19. iam i am determined that the coronavirus is not going to jeopardise the life chances of this year's pupils and i am confident that this plan is the fa i rest am confident that this plan is the fairest way of doing this. students in england face a staggered return to university after christmas to avoid a surge

in coronavirus cases. new plans to ban the export of live animals from england and wales — to be slaughtered abroad — by the end of 2021. the first doses of the pfizer—biontech covid—19 vaccine could arrive in britain very soon. a mass vaccination programme will begin next week after the uk became the first country in the world to approve the jab yesterday. but england's deputy chief medical officerjonathan van—tam has warned that there will be no immediate return to normal life, saying ‘we have to take it really carefully.‘ andy moore reports.

uk has bet with the —— become the first country to authorise a vaccine. at a press conference, it was compared to a train coming down the track. conference, it was compared to a train coming down the trackm conference, it was compared to a train coming down the track. it has slowed down safely at has stopped and the station. the doors opened. that was the authorisation by the nhra. what we need now is for people to get on that train and travel safely to their destinations. the prime minister called it a huge moment but he also urged caution. prime minister called it a huge moment but he also urged cautionm is all the more vital that has been celebrate their scientific achievement we are not carried away with overoptimism or fall into the naive belief that the struggle is over, it is not, we have got to stick to our winter plan. 800,000 doses of the vaccine are due to arrive in the uk shortly. they have to be kept at very low temperatures, so distribution at first will be through major hospitals. that means

that care home residents, although top of the list, are unlikely to get the vaccine first. the uk regulator said the process of authorisation had been rapid but no less thorough. no corners have been cut. our expert site iss and clinicians have worked around the clock, carefully, methodically poring over tables and nls is in graph on every single piece of data. the vaccine roll-out is due to happen across all four nations at the same pace. in northern ireland, officials have set aside a new hospital emergency department as one of seven designated vaccination sites. in scotland, their first doses are expected to be given on tuesday. other vaccines are also on the horizon. one developed by oxford university is currently being reviewed by the uk regulator. another from the american company is

also being examined by regulators around the world. it will take months to roll out vaccines to eve ryo ne months to roll out vaccines to everyone in the uk who wants one. the process is set to begin very shortly. earlier the deputy chief medical 0fficerfor england, professor jonathan van—tam answered your questions on the vaccine. many of them related to the anxiety some of you are feeling about having the vaccine. here's what he had to say to one viewer. i genuinely have said to my, you know, 78—year—old mum, who is probably listening now, that, mum, you must have this vaccine or any of the vaccines that the mhra approves as soon as they are available. this is really important because you are so at risk. so, that is a kind of personal piece, if you like. i am very confident in the assessments the mhra makes. professor van tam has become well known for his use of metaphors

to explain the stage we're at in the pandemic. this is how he phrased it earlier. i would say that, you know, it's clear in the first half, you know, the away team gave us an absolute battering. what we have done now, it's the 70th minute, they got a goal and, in the 70th minute, we've now got an equaliser. 0k? we have got to hold our nerve now, see if we can get another goal and nick it. but the key thing is not to lose it, not to throw it away at this point, because we've got points on the board, we've got the draw. so, from that perspective, what i'm saying is, we need more vaccines, but we also need people to realise that these are not an instant ticket out of anywhere at the moment. we are in for some hard winter months, where people must continue to follow the guidance.

they must continue to follow the guidance, whether or not they've had the vaccine. and, you know, let the scientists see how this vaccine programme is unfolding, see how it's taking us into a different world. and we will absolutely give the signal to our politicians, our decision—makers, of what the future is beginning to look like. hopefully, much brighter, but you may have to be patient until maybe late—spring on this one. right, well, thank you. that gives us some sense of perspective on how we look at the future. but there's a very urgent question for the immediate future, for the next few weeks, which jennifer in st albans would very much like to ask. jennifer, over to you. hello, good morning. i have three children at home and they were asking this morning about father christmas and wanting to know whether he will be front of the queue to get the vaccine.

oh, absolutely. thejcvi made a very special case for father christmas. he is going to be absolutely the top of our list. what about everyone else? we learned yesterday it may not turn out exactly as we expected because those in care homes have been top the list for some time but has emerged they may spike ma not be practical to vaccinate them first. professor anthony harnden is deputy chair of the joint committee on vaccination and immunisation, which advises the government. he is also a practicing gp and has been suffering from long—covid. it has had a devastating impact on you personally, but first of all, in terms of who gets vaccinated when, we have seen that list of nine categories in the first phase of the programme for some time. right at

the top has been resident in a care home, so obvious they that has been an anticipation of all those who we re an anticipation of all those who were expected to get it, yesterday that may not be the case, it was revealed. when might they get vaccinated? it is not his remit to give you timelines but what i can say is that we will give every effort to press for care homes to be notified as soon as possible, there are problems with the transport stability of this specific vaccine but one way around this will be that we encourage this, they care home staff are immunised, albeit maybe in a hospital setting so that when they go back to look after these elderly and vulnerable residents, there will be some degree of protection from transmission. we are encouraging this very much and i would remain optimistic that we will resolve this

problem over the weeks to come. we all know it is a horrible thing when hope is crushed, what would you say to those care home residents who have been thinking they are at the top of the queue and also their family members who have had that expectation? i don't think they should feel they hope is christ, they are right at the top of our list. they will be getting the vaccine as soon list. they will be getting the vaccine as soon as list. they will be getting the vaccine as soon as possible, that we can deliver operationally. there are logistic issues, we realised that ad we make clear recommendations that vaccine supply and transport issues may interrupted the exact priority by which people get the vaccine, but rest assured we are going to make sure that those care home staff are immunised which will give these elderly people protection and as soon as feasible we would expect those residents to be immunised. how many are in that first phase of the

programme in total, and how quickly would you expect them all to be got through with vaccines?” would you expect them all to be got through with vaccines? i think within the first group of residents homes at the over 805, there is an order of a couple of million, so this is a huge logistical exercise. i think people have to be patient but also understand that we have great experience and success at delivering mass immunisation programmes. we immunised 15 million people a year from influenza, and this will work eventually, we will get this to work, but this is very early stages, it is great news and it is early stages, it is great news and it i5a early stages, it is great news and it is a pivotal moment in this country's fight against, our collective fight against coronavirus. but they are just needs to bea

coronavirus. but they are just needs to be a little bit of patience, and as to be a little bit of patience, and a5 jonathan mentioned earlier to be a little bit of patience, and asjonathan mentioned earlier in your clip, it really is important that the public remain vigilant, that the public remain vigilant, that they carry on wearing their ma5ks, social distancing and washing their hands, because this is not going to be an instant recovery from coronavirus. i remain optimi5tic that by ea5ter we will be in a very different position than now. as we we re different position than now. as we were hearing, there is flexibility for practical reasons and we heard yesterday in the briefing that there could also be flexibly around areas where there are high levels of ca5e5, potentially also other key workers having to be prioritised away from the nhs. how much fix ability do you expect there to be?|j ability do you expect there to be?” expect that the people in charge of the operation stick a5 expect that the people in charge of the operation stick as closely to our list of priority is at all

po55ible, our list of priority is at all possible, but we do accept that what we do not want to do is wa5te possible, but we do accept that what we do not want to do is waste any vaccine, so for example, if we had a vaccine, so for example, if we had a vaccine batch which we gave to a group of 18—year—old5 i do a fuel left at the end and somebody at the age of 79 turned up to the clinic, we would have cost expected is likely to be used. —— 80—year—old. the list has been carefully crafted according to clinical vulnerability, and we want that list to be kept to as strictly a5 and we want that list to be kept to as strictly as feasible.” and we want that list to be kept to as strictly as feasible. i mentioned the long covid—19 for you, that has given you a personal perspective on the importance of the vaccination, which you would hold strongly anyway, but tell as how that has affected your perspective?

anyway, but tell as how that has affected your perspective ?” developed covid—19 in early march and still nine months later have symptoms of raised inflammatory symptoms of raised inflammatory symptoms in my blood, it has altered my perspective, this is not a benign virus, this is not a simple re5piratory virus, this can have effects on people like myself who are effects on people like myself who a re really effects on people like myself who are really fit and healthy, for very long periods of time, and it is absolutely critical that when you are offered the vaccine that you accept. a5 jonathan are offered the vaccine that you accept. asjonathan says, my parents are elderly, likejonathan's, and my mother is disabled, and my father phoned up and said, should i have this vaccine? i said, of course you 5hould, this vaccine? i said, of course you should, it is really important that people that are offered have it. let's discuss this further with dr david matthews, a virologist at the university of bristol. thank you forjoining as. your team

has been doing work on the oxford university vaccine. tell i5 has been doing work on the oxford university vaccine. tell is more. we have worked with the oxford team to study the virus that they made which i5 study the virus that they made which is genetically modified version of chimpanzee virus, we were looking at the design they constructed, they had already tested it in various different ways but we were using a brand—new technique to basically dig deeper and make sure the vaccine was following its people instructions absolutely to the letter. that is indeed what it is doing. what we had expected from the work they had done in all the other tests that are normally done for these kind of vaccines. we wanted to apply this absolutely cutting—edge brand—new technique to dig even deeper and harder to make sure there is no 5urpri5e5, harder to make sure there is no surprises, and there are no 5urpri5e5. it is doing as we

expected. so the oxford team have now said all of their data to the nhra for approval, the uk regulator body that has improved the pfizer vaccine. would you expect that approval to come soon? obvious the idea don't know anything about the process , idea don't know anything about the process, but i would imagine it would, i don't think it will be a long wait for further new5. would, i don't think it will be a long wait for further news. when we look at the different types of vaccine, the oxford one works differently from the pfizer vaccine, we are all becoming semi—instant expert5 we are all becoming semi—instant experts on their staff. when people are thinking about what might happen when they get offered the vaccine, its 5ound5 unlikely anyone will get a choice, but is it important for people to have a level of understanding of what they are

actually being offered ? understanding of what they are actually being offered? we know that obviously there is concern within quite a lot of people about the prospect of getting a vaccine that has been developed so quickly.” think it is certainly the case that people should ask questions because a n5we r5 people should ask questions because answer5 out there, it is not a mystery, it has an open proce55, answer5 out there, it is not a mystery, it has an open process, the oxford vaccine is a type of vaccine that has been around for 20—30 years, has not fallen out of a clear blue sky, they are not as new as people make out, maybe they feel they are. we should ask questions but people should not be concerned. the issue about the pace of the vaccines development says more about how quickly it can be done if eve ryo ne how quickly it can be done if everyone works together and then ta kes everyone works together and then takes the whole programme of getting a vaccine to very quickly. what people forget i5 a vaccine to very quickly. what people forget is that typically companies well wait for each phase

to finish and wait for the data to come out i'd analyse the data and make another decision about the next round of investment at whether they wa nt to ta ke round of investment at whether they want to take it forward, in this case governments and they are devote this and majorly were not taking financial risk, the going to assume that phase one would work and assume phase two would work, start phase three. they started manufacturing the vaccine long before they got the a n5we r5. the vaccine long before they got the answer5. not because they thought they were deftly going to get a yes, but they thought if they do get a ye5, but they thought if they do get a yes, they do not want be hanging around waiting for each stage, let's ju5t around waiting for each stage, let's just assume it well work out. if it doesn't, it doesn't, but thankfully it has, that is one of the reasons why everything has gone much faster. al5o why everything has gone much faster. also the regular terry —— regulatory authorities are not doing anything el5e authorities are not doing anything else but looking at getting this data analysed properly but as quickly as possible. it is more

about the fact that everybody is on board and running in the same direction, that is why we have made the tremendous progress quickly, not that any corners are being cut. no 5hort that any corners are being cut. no short cuts being used. you said it i5 absently right for people to ask que5tion5 i5 absently right for people to ask questions about their concerns, it took me back to the centres that you do quite early on, genetically modified version of chimpanzee called virus, that is what has led to the developing topless vaccine at trip off the tongue quite easily, but to lay people that sounds pretty scary. just explain why... how it works. for a long time we have been using a common cold virus, mild cold, everyone has had it as well but it's a way easy, and we have known for about 40 years that you can genetically hobble that virus so

that it can only grow in special conditions in a lab, and what you hobble it you can add genetically structures —— instructions for other viruses, proteins that that virus is causing problems, you add that i do all this modified cold virus will do is get into sales in your body and it will get the cells in your body to make this protein from another virus, in this case spike protein from the coronavirus, and then the sales in your body start to look like they are infected with real coronavirus and that is what gets it interested , coronavirus and that is what gets it interested, your immune system develops a defence that look like the infected and it gets rid of all those cells, but in that process your immune system is trained and pre—arm so that when the real coronavirus comes in, your immune system has a head start, you have stacked all the odds in favour of

your immune system in this fight against the virus. that process of genetically modifying a harmless common cold virus has been worked on darfur 30—40 common cold virus has been worked on da rfur 30—40 years. we common cold virus has been worked on darfur 30—40 years. we understand that in a lot of detail. what the oxford team have done is simply taken that cold from a chimpanzee, similar virus to the ones that affect humans, and they have civilly done the same process and they have done the same process and they have done that so that when they introduced us virus into you, your immune system is focused solely on the new genetic constructions and not distracted by thinking this is a common cold virus that it has seen before. it will focus solely on the business of recognising the coronavirus proteins made by your own sales, faking an infection, and training itself upon that. that is how these types of vaccines work. thank you, absolutely fascinating to hear you explain that.

at three thirty this afternoon we're going to be looking at what you've been asking about vaccines in your questions we're going to be speaking to dr bharat pankhania from the university of exeter medical school and professor markjit from the london school of hygeine and tropical medicine. so get in touch with us with your questions. you can get in touch on twitter using the hashtag #bbcyourquestions and you can email us on yourquestions@bbc.co.uk students who'll sit a—levels and gcses in england next summer are to be given advance notice of some topics in the exams, and graded more generously. the changes have been announced in a bid to compensate for the disruption to teaching caused by the coronavirus pandemic. let's look at some of the measures that have been announced. grading will be more generous than normal. this will be in line with results from summer 2020, so that this year's cohort is not disadvantaged. advance warning of some topics will be given, but not the questions.

some study aids will be allowed. this could be a formula sheet or a vocabulary list provided in some exams to cut down on the memorising required. and some special measures will be used to work out grades if an exam is missed due to illness or self—isolation. in the past hour, the education secretary, gavin williamson, has been speaking in the house of commons, giving further details on how exams will be graded next year in england. exams are the best form of assessment we have, and we are therefore taking steps to make sure that any student preparing to set them in 2021 has every chance possible to do their very very best. we support the decision that in awarding next year's gcses, a.s. and a—levels, grading will be as generous and will be maintained in a similar profile to those grades

awarded this year. this is to recognise the exceptional circumstances that students and teachers continue to work under. and to make sure that students are not ata to make sure that students are not at a disadvantage compared to previous years. our education editor, branwen jeffreys, has more. heading home to self—isolate, year 11 at this secondary school. just before it was confirmed, some shared their gcse fears with me. i have a lot of worries about gcses because i really feel like there's not much being done about the amount of time we missed. but i'm especially worried about english and maths because those are a must have for any sixth form. i prefer to be in school to learn. so the disruption to that is just going to really knock my focus off my education. so would narrowing down the topics in each subject help? i think that will be the most beneficial thing, one of the most beneficial things that they can do, because it really like, gives you that tiny bit

of hope that we need at this time, just so then we get that little bit of help that we notice. i wish there was a bit more done done honestly. i feel like, obviously it's going to help, but it might not be enough to really make everyone feel comfortable with what they're doing, because personally, i'm not confident with what i'm doing, but i feel like it will help a little bit. how will gcse and a—level exams work in 2021? grades will be more generous than normal, mainly in line with 2020. advance warning of some topics will be given, but not the questions. some study aids will be allowed. that could be a formula or a vocabulary list. and special measures will be used to work out grades for an exam missed. after a term of covid disruption, this does give schools a bit more certainty. but they're going to have to wait until january to find out what topics will be in which exam papers. and there's still one big

unanswered question. how do you take account of the fact that some kids have missed so much more learning than others? so an expert group will look at that bigger picture, but grades aren't likely to be adjusted. and here, they're worried about disruption after christmas. if we stick to the plan and the continued disruption across the country happens right through until, whether it's march or april, i think you're going to have a massive impact on the well—being of young people and families. and we're going to see a very unfair system and probably a return to the debacle of last summer. northern ireland also plans to hold exams, but in wales, they've been cancelled. while scotland only plans to have exams for highers. schools are still dealing with coronavirus. faith in these plans will be tested in the next few months. branwen jeffreys, bbc news, herne bay.

students heading back to university in england after christmas face a staggered return to avoid a surge in coronavirus cases. plans drawn up by the government will see those on more practical courses — such as science or medicine — going back in earlyjanuary, while those studying subjects like english, history and maths may have to wait until february. the announcement comes as a seven—day "travel window" opens today to allow students to return home for the christmas break. sending live animals abroad for slaughter will be banned in england and wales, under government plans announced today. the environment secretary, george eustice, has told the bbc the measures could be in place by the end of 2021 and would cut the amount of time animals spend in trucks in the uk. our political correspondent, helen catt, has more. only a few thousand of the millions of animals bred for meat in the uk end up being shipped to europe for slaughter. but their long journeys can cause them distress and even injury. so there have been calls for decades for the practice to be banned.

now the government says it will be in england and wales, it hopes, by the end of 2021. we think we've struck the right balance here. this will remove the trade that i think most people are concerned about, which is predominantly the export of lambs for slaughter to continental europe. but it will enable high—value breeding stock still to be traded. those tend to be transported in very good conditions. an outright ban like this was impossible under eu law. we know that, because a council in kent tried it in 2012, after more than 40 sheep had to be put down at the port in ramsgate. the high court ruled it was a breach of eu free trade rules. there had been fears a ban may not be possible under global trade rules either, but ministers are confident this is in line with them. the rspca has always said to the government, we don't mind how you get to your goal of stopping live exports, we just want to stop them. the end goal is the most important thing, how to stop all of our live animals going abroad and us losing control over where they go

or how they're killed. that, for the rspca, is the most important thing. that will improve animal welfare. ending live animal exports has often been held up as one of the things that the government could and would change once we leave the single market and the customs union next month. it was a promise too in the conservative manifesto at last year's election. so it won't happen in time forjanuary the 1st. but the political will to make the change does seem to be there. the government also plans to cut the number of hours animals can spend in transit within the uk. the national farmers' union has warned that any big changes could have a massive impact on the uk's food supply chain. helen catt, bbc news. the house of lords conduct committee has recommended lord maginnis is suspended for at least 18 months. the peer was accused of verbally abusing security staff in parliament and using homophobic language about mp5. the eu's chief brexit negotiator has said a major gap still exists on fisheries, as the clock ticks down

to the deadline for a trade deal. michel barnier, who is in london for talks, said britain must come with a ready deal. he said negotiators are millimetres away from the european union's red lines but insisted that what remains to be agreed is "quite substantial". the transition period ends on december 31st, but there are fears that, unless a deal is agreed by the middle of next week, it can't be turned into law in time. the welsh government has announced cross—border travel into wales will be allowed for people living in tier! and 2 areas in england, but those from districts in tier 3 will remain under a travel ban. during england's national lockdown, travel in and out of wales was banned unless it was for an essential reason. the new arrangements, which come into force on friday, are less prohibitive than before the england lockdown, which banned travel from tier 2 and 3 areas. the transport secretary, grant shapps, has been telling mp5 about the government's plans to make

it easier for people looking to travel during the christmas period. engineering works on the railways have been postponed, and there'll be an increase in train and coach services. but he warned that people would still need to plan ahead before travelling. a lot of families will be getting together for the first time, households are mixing, maximum of three, and christmas journeys households are mixing, maximum of three, and christmasjourneys are likely to be a more difficult than usual as a result. passengers will wa nt to usual as a result. passengers will want to plan theirjourneys very carefully. to help passengers prepare, we are putting in place a number of different planes including clearing 778 miles worth of roadworks, ensuring 95% of the rail network will be unaffected by engineering work by either postponing or altering them, lengthening trades and adding additional rail services, travelling the number of coach services available, ensuring that lateral flow testing is available at six different sites for transport workers in order to ensure that they

are available and healthy to work, and many real companies are relaxing their peak fares. i have also appointed sir peter hendy to look after this period of time to ensure that people can travel as smoothly as possible. grant shapps announcing that realm of work has been postponed, which previously they said would not be happening. —— railway work. breaking news on test and trace, the figures are better. new figures show that the contact tracing performance has gone up from 60.5% to 72.5%. but there is a caveat. apparently it is largely due to a new way of counting household contacts. before last week test and trace could only count people who lived with and infected a person if they actually spoke to them. as of this week, they can count some people as reached if the first person in the house says they

will speak to them, and that reduces the burden on households by reducing the burden on households by reducing the number of phone calls they receive. people working in test and trace hope it will improve people a willingness to be contacted and ultimately to isolate. it has improved the contact tracing performance figure from 50.8% to 72% for people living in the same household in a single week. performance for people who don't live in the same house hasn't changed much in a week. people who live in the same house as an infected person accounts for 80% of named contacts in the data for the week to the 18th of november, so it's clear to see why that would have an impact on the overall improvement in the figures now that they have changed the way of tracing people who live in the same house. another thing worth noting is that test and trace says in the last week there has been a decrease of 28% compared to the previous week of people testing positive, with six point 7% of people tested testing positive. we will get more analysis

of those figures in a little while. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol kirkwood. we have a cold day ahead and it will be cold for the next few days and the weekend. some of us have already seen some snow. as we go through today, the rain in the south is going to continue to push east and north. it will be heavy across sussex and kent. there is colder air in the midlands at northern england, so we will see some hill snow. in scotla nd so we will see some hill snow. in scotland and northern ireland, sunshine and showers, still wintry in the west in heavier bursts. tonight, moving up the north sea, coming into eastern scotland and northern england ahead of the band of rain. we will see some snow, potentially at low levels, and we could see some slushy accumulations around the chilterns, for example, following from a cold night. tomorrow, that's no increasingly turns back to rain and still simmering to come with hill snow in the north. a brisk wind, touch and

gale force at some western areas. hello. this is bbc news. the headlines... the first doses of the pfizer coronavirus vaccine are expected to arrive in the uk soon, but scientists warn restrictions will need to remain for some time. we need more vaccines but we also need people to realise that these are not an instant ticket out of anywhere at the moment. we are in for some hard winter months where people must continue to follow the guidance. more generous grades and advance notice of topics are some of the measures for pupils sitting exams in england next summer because of the disruption caused by coronavirus. students in england face a staggered return to university after christmas to avoid a surge in coronavirus cases. there are plans to ban the export of live animals from england and wales to be slaughtered abroad

by the end of 2021. sport now, and a full round—up from the bbc sport centre. good morning. across england last night, many felt the life and soul of football returning. it started to sound normal again, with fans in the ground — this was the scene at shrewsbury in league one. fans sat in their household bubbles, and socially distanced from others. the 2,000 fans were also all wearing masks, as they watched the 2—2 draw with accrington stanley. that was one of six games in the efl where supporters could be in the stadiums, because they are located in tier! or tier 2. and, if we needed a reminder of the impact of fans at games, it came at luton town, where 1,000 spectators saw their side send championship leaders norwich to their first defeat in 11 games. the norwich boss, daniel farke,

suggested — you guessed it — that the fans might have influenced the referee. things really are edging back to normal. still no fans at old trafford, with greater manchester in tier 3, and united could have done with the support, as they lost to paris st germain in the champions league. neymar got two goals in a 3—1win for the french side, manchester united also had midfielder fred sent off. they will still qualify for the last 16 if they avoid defeat against rb leipzig in theirfinal group game. elsewhere, chelsea thumped sevilla 4—0. champion jockey oisin murphy has spoken for the first time since being banned for testing positive for cocaine. he's serving a three—month ban, and says that investigators accepted that he hadn't taken the drug. in this exclusive interview with our sports news reporter, laura scott, he says he will "have to live with the consequences" of not removing himself from the situation.

i have no self—pity. i made a mistake and i have to live with the consequences. this is the champion jockey oisin murphy, winner of this yea r‘s jockey oisin murphy, winner of this year's 2000 guineas. levy but he's been hit with a ban for cocaine. he maintains he maintains he never took the drug and told me how he believes it got into his system.” the drug and told me how he believes it got into his system. i became aware of a situation where cocaine was present in my environment, and i saw it there, and i didn't remove myself from that situation immediately, and, when you sign for your jockey‘s licence immediately, and, when you sign for yourjockey‘s licence every year, yourjockey‘s licence every year, you have to abide by the rules, and that was my error. it's very hard to pinpoint exactly how it was transmitted, but it was, and that's obvious and clear. murphy's defence

case referenced a sexual encounter as being the cause of environmental contamination. what do you say to the people who doubt your story? well, it's impossible to doubt if you read the report. a hair sample cove rs a you read the report. a hair sample covers a period, and that concludes that i was subjected to a dose of a maximum of five mg, but it proves that i didn't knowingly take any amount of cocaine. so, yeah, it's there in black and white. murphy isn't the first to have broken cocaine rules, joining frankie dettori and kieren fallon. having established himself at the top of the sport, he acknowledges this has caused significant reputational damage and he must make changes to his personal life. do you feel regret at what happened? sure, this is going to go down on my cv, nobody is going to go down on my cv, nobody is going to forget about this overnight. i have projected myself

asa overnight. i have projected myself as a good ambassador for the sport but clearly a good ambassador for the sport doesn't fail a drug test, no matter how minimal that quantity is. charity work will fill the void during this break from the sport and there will also be time for reflection. for so long, there will also be time for reflection. forso long, he there will also be time for reflection. for so long, he sought to bea reflection. for so long, he sought to be a role model but on this occasion he doesn't want anyone to follow in his footsteps. that's all the sport for now. i'll have more for you in the next hour. the latest figures for the number of people being contacted under the nhs test and trace scheme in england havejust been released. they are better but there has been change in the way they are working. let's talk about it with our health correspondent. tell us what the figures are and explain the change. first of all, 85% of people that get a positive test, either through a walk in or try through centre, that state about stable. we are talking

at the headline figure of contacts reached, which has gone up slightly. it had been sitting at around about 60% of all contacts were being reached each week. that has risen to 72.5%. but it is down to the way that they record households, numbers on households. previously, test and trace would ring a household every timea trace would ring a household every time a child under 18 needed to isolate. that meant that households we re isolate. that meant that households were receiving numerous phone calls for children but lived with them, so now what happens is a parent agreed to tell their children that they are required to isolate, so it's to cut the number of phone calls that each household receives, and that means they have seen that increase in household contacts reached. so, on turnaround times, 52 —— 50 4.2% got their results in 24 hours, slightly up their results in 24 hours, slightly up from last week at 51%. this has

been gradually improving since a low point in early october, which was 1596. point in early october, which was 15%. you might remember in the summer boris johnson had 15%. you might remember in the summer borisjohnson had said the target was that everyone should get their result within 24 hours by the end ofjune. it's about 54.2 at the moment, so still some way to go for the test and trace likes to look at the test and trace likes to look at the next day figure rather than the 24 hourfigure window, the next day figure rather than the 24 hour figure window, and that has also improved, so that 85% got their results the following day. it is an improving picture. they also would say that capacity is increased, a new lighthouse lab has come online, so they are able to turnaround tests ina much so they are able to turnaround tests in a much wider part of the population, and they are getting 700 testing sites, so the distance you have to travel has come down as well. they say that they think they have got capacity, as we come up to

christmas, to cope if people require tests, that you should be able to get one. thank you. let's return to the rollout of the first coronvirus vaccine, the first stocks of which are due to arrive in the uk soon. the particular requirements of the pfizer—biontech vaccine mean its transport and distribution can be complicated. dr phil greening is a professor of logistics at heriot—watt university, and one of the research programmes he currently runs looks at covid vaccine distribution. thank you forjoining us. took us through the logistics, as you see it, and the difficulties.” through the logistics, as you see it, and the difficulties. i guess the first thing to say is it is really good news we got the vaccine in the first place. in terms of the logistics system and how it will operate, it presents a number of challenges, and those are mainly focused on the really ultracold supply chain that needs to be

maintained. for as long as possible. these vaccines can be stored at a higher temperature nearer to where they are being put into the arm, as it were. as with all logistics problems, the main challenges in the detail, and the detail here that is challenging is how many vials you can get in a container and how many times you can access that container to get the vials out and what temperature and for how long can those files be stored once they come out of the ultralow temperature freezer. obviously these are issues that have been discussed. the people responsible for rolling out the vaccine are well aware of them and there have been reassurances given, albeit that obviously we are told the process is going to take months

to roll out. that's because of the numbers involved. are you confident that it will roll out as smoothly as is hoped? well, i think, in the near term, yes. iwould is hoped? well, i think, in the near term, yes. i would think the low numbers we are talking about are very manageable. we have got a mature cold chain in the uk, compared to some other countries, and we have a well developed ultralow capability, so i think, in the short term, yes, the vaccinations will probably go quite smoothly. there may be a restriction on who can access them because of the packaging that's involved here. the real challenge though will be when we get into the real mass vaccination, where we are doing really big numbers, numbers we have never seen in the vaccination

programme in the uk before. it's been said that 30 million people are vaccinated for the flu every winter. we are not going to be looking at a larger number than that at any one time, are we? obviously, it's a rolling programme. yes, absolutely, so the flu vaccination, as measured by people, is 30 million. if you have to deliver two vaccines to a population, that comes out at 60 million, which is considerably larger, of course. and the fact it isa larger, of course. and the fact it is a rolling programmejust larger, of course. and the fact it is a rolling programme just begs the question, how long are you having the programme over? and you do want to do it as quickly as possible, i guess, to get as many people vaccinated in the shortest possible time, and it will still be the biggest vaccination programme we

have seen by an order of magnitude. and, when we say rolling programme, it might not just and, when we say rolling programme, it might notjust be over the course of the year, there could be a need to have this vaccination every single year. that's a huge amount of resources , single year. that's a huge amount of resources, if it ends up being that way. absolutely, but having got the resources in the right places once, the problem, or the challenge, gets a little smaller each time. do you have any concerns about the impact of brexit on the supply chain? i've been asked this question a few times. i don't think so, is the honest answer. i would be very surprised indeed if a process got in the way of these vaccinations doses coming into the country. i think we may need to think about how we get them into the country, so you don't

wa nt them into the country, so you don't want a truck with vaccines on to get into a port and not be able to get out of it because of congestion. but there are ways around that. you could use aircraft, for instance, to use doses of the vaccine in. the main logistical advantage of vaccines are they are small, so you can geta vaccines are they are small, so you can get a lot of them into a small space. that allows you to think about multiple loads of transport. thank you. more than 2,700 people died with coronavirus in the us yesterday — that's the highest figure since the pandemic began. the country has been hit by a surge in coronavirus infections. more than 100,000 americans are in hospital and health resources are becoming increasingly stretched. the top disease control official, dr robert redfield, has warned the next three months could be the most difficult in america's public health history.

and he said the us is facing a devastating winter unless public health advice is heeded. you know, we looked at the original spring, we lost about 100,000 people, in the summer, 100,000 people in the fall, 100,000 people. these are sacred lives that were lost as a consequence of this pandemic. we are potentially looking at another 150 to 200,000 people before we get into february. so, this is really a significant time. the mayor of los angeles has issued an emergency order for the city's residents to stay at home with immediate effect, following what health officials described as a "terrifying increase in cases" of the disease. peter chin—hong is a professor of medicine and infectious disease specialist at the university of california, san francisco. he explained what's happening there. we've had the fourth straight day of increasing hospitalisations and, of course, once we see our hospitals being filled up and our icu beds

being taken, we are in dire straits. there is some variation across the state. in some counties — for example, in northern california, there is upwards of 90% occupancy of icu beds. in other counties, 80%. in my own hospital, we have seen a two to three times increase in hospitalisations due to covid in the last month alone. so, there are three main factors that i think make this wave very different from the previous waves in the us. the first is, of course, the season. in previous waves, people were able to mitigate risk by going outdoors. currently, people are gathering more indoors. the second, of course, is pandemic fatigue. some have re—casted this as pandemic resentment. and the third, of course, is the fire that is covid all around the country, so that there's no real escape, so to speak. california is being boxed in after having a relatively unscathed past.

that's why it is very dire right now, because it is a surge on top of a surge. when you think about christmas, that is a surge on top of a surge on top of a surge. so, on thanksgiving, that was a record travel day for the us for the year, with more than1 million people travelling. so, if you think about that, that is really going to be looking really bad in about two weeks. it is austere. people are a little bit demoralised because ofjust the marathon that the last few months have been. we thought that we would be over it by now, but it's even getting worse. and i think we're just trying to brace ourselves for the last mile of the marathon, where it seems that we're running out of water. let's return to the extra measures to help students takeing gcses and a—levels next summer, announced today by ministers. more generous grading, advance notice of exam topics and additional papers are promised by the department for education to make up for the disruption faced

by students during the pandemic. we can speak now to dr mary bousted, joint general secretary of the national education union. thank you forjoining us. so its exams but not as we know them. what do you think? the most important thing to say is at least we have some clarity now about what is going to happen, because teachers and pupils, in addition to working in the time of a pandemic, which is very stressful, have been hugely stressed by not knowing what is going to be happening with the exams, so at least now we have some clarity, but i have to say the clarity, but i have to say the clarity we have been given, while welcome, doesn't answer some fundament of questions. what are the questions you want answered?” fundament of questions. what are the questions you want answered? i was get told off for long answers!” questions you want answered? i was get told off for long answers! i can tell you have had your media training for the much obliged.” think the questions are all the

mitigations the government has announced are all pupils, and that is right, but the fact of the matter is right, but the fact of the matter is that many hundreds of thousands of pupils will have had far less time in school because they would have been isolating and, if they are in areas of high covid infection, they are much more likely to be isolating for longer periods and isolating for longer periods and isolating repeatedly the tip for example, they would before half—time, in knowsley, 40% of secondary school pupils were absent from school, so those are high figures. —— the week before half—time stop those pupils have had less time being taught and many of them will have a very disruptive experience and will be in school one week and then isolating for ten days and then in school for another week, so it's really difficult for them to learn stuff they are also more likely to be poor, to not have an internet connection or a laptop, so it's more difficult for them to learn remotely. so, even with these mitigations, they will not be on a

level playing field with pupils who are more advantaged. can you see any real way to level the playing field? well, i think it's difficult, but i do think that the group the government has set up to advise them on learning lots and, particularly, the different learning lots of different children, they need to be robust and independent and, if they come up with further mitigation, the government needs to listen. my fear is that the government has asked the wrong question, how can we make exams work rather than how can we make this year's assessment the fa i rest ca n make this year's assessment the fairest can be for pupils? how would you answer that second question? i guess the desire to make the exams work this year was because of what happened last year the algorithm, which ended up being so flawed. i guess it was a kind of, let's make exams work as far as we possibly can. given the huge disruption this

year and given that, when we asked our teacher members, did they think they would be able to cover the syllabus, and 80% said no, and they still don't know what topics will be coming up on the papers, and they won't know until the end of january, which is too late. given that, i would have had a mixed system of fewer exams, the exams notjust knowing what topics but every topic in the syllabus being on the paper, so that pupils have the chance and teachers have the chance to say, when you get the paper, answer these topics, because this is what you have covered, so, if you have had less time in school, at least you know the topics you have been taught will come up, and i would have had a plan b, how do we get centre assessed grades robust and moderated so you don't get unmoderated grades, which caused huge spikes in performance this summer. i would have had a bigger safety net this year and the government has announced. this is obviously

focusing on the cohort taking exams for next year. the kids behind them have been affected as well, and the kids behind them. where does the knock—on stop? kids behind them. where does the knock-on stop? i think this will be with us for a long time, and you are right, we need to be looking at mitigations that will help pupils this year, but we also need to keep examining this next year at the year after, and the only way to do that is to ask teachers what they think and how they can evidence what the learning loss is, how far with pupils the learning gap is, and we need to do better at supporting schools to help those students catch up. the government catch up programme is to come located and it's coming too late and it won't have the effect it should have. do you think it would be realistic and fairto you think it would be realistic and fair to have a situation where there is an expectation that, in 2022, exams are back to normal? or is it more likely that there has got to be a grasping of the situation right

now and looking much longer term about how these situations look?” think that's absolutely right, i think that's absolutely right, i think what the government can be criticised for is that, at every stage in their response to the education crisis caused by covid, they have done too little and it's been too late and it's taken too long to get the information out. they have made an announcement for this year, at least it's an announcement, that something, i don't think it's enough, but they now need to look at what's going to happen in subsequent years to make the assessment as fair as possible. gcses and a—levels and vocational qualifications provide the gateway to life chances, and we need to know that children and young people have not been disadvantaged through no fault of their own. thank you. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol kirkwood. over the next few days and nights,

the focus will certainly cold. some of us will see some snow forced up a lot of the snow will be in the hills, but at times we could see some at lower levels. by no means are we all going to see it. today, colder than yesterday. we have rain and showers, some of them wintry in the hills. the rain moving across east england and pushing through the day, heavy at times in kent and sussex in the afternoon, with brisk winds in the english channel. across the midlands and northern england, sam hill snow. for scotland and northern ireland, sunshine and showers, but the show was increasingly confined to the north and west. the heavier ones could be wintry put up many of the showers today could have some hail or some thunder and lightning. this evening and overnight, a band of rain moves up and overnight, a band of rain moves up the north sea and pivots in across eastern scotland and north—east england. there will be rain on the coast but inland we will see some snow, potentially at lower levels, and the south—eastern corner will have some rain, but also the

potential for some sleet and snow, and perhaps by morning in the chilterns we could see some slushy accumulations. increasingly, rain and snow across scotland will turn back to rain, heavy at times with gales in the west and through the irish sea. there will also be a lot of dry weather, with fewer showers, but still some of those will be wintry in the hills. tomorrow will feel cold wherever you are. for the weekend, drier conditions, still feeling cold, and the driest day will be sunday. on saturday, low pressure system dominating our weather, and we have the showers with bands of rain rotating around them. in between, we should see some practice and sunshine, for northern ireland and southern scotland. temperature wise on saturday, still node heatwave, but lighter winds, and temperatures between five and seven. into sunday, this is when we see some drier conditions. frosty with clear skies to start the day for the summer sunshine under those

clear skies, still if you showers dotted around, but not as prolific. a bit ofa dotted around, but not as prolific. a bit of a breather from what we have been used to, but it's going to feel cold, between five and eight. this is bbc news — the headlines...

the first doses of the pfizer/biontech covid vaccine are expected to arrive in the uk soon — but scientists warn restrictions will need to remain for some time. we need more vaccines but we also need people to realise that these are not an instant ticket out of anywhere at the moment. we are in for some hard winter months where people must continue to follow the guidance. an improvement in the test and tace figures — due largely to a new way of counting household contacts. more generous grades and advance notice of topics are some of the measures for pupils sitting exams in england next summer because of the disruption caused by covid—19. i am determined that the coronavirus is not going to jeopardise the life chances of this year's pupils and i am confident that this plan is the fairest way of doing this. new plans to ban the export of live animals, from england and wales, to be slaughtered abroad, by the end of 2021.

the first doses of the pfizer—biontech covid—19 vaccine could arrive in britain very soon. a mass vaccination programme will begin next week after the uk became the first country in the world to approve the jab yesterday. but england's deputy chief medical officerjonathan van—tam has warned that there will be no immediate return to normal life, saying ‘we have to take it really carefully.‘

earlier the deputy chief medical 0fficerfor england, professor jonathan van—tam, answered your questions on the vaccine. many of them related to the anxiety some of you are feeling about having the vaccine. here's what he had to say to one viewer. i genuinely have said to my, you know, 78—year—old mum, who is probably listening now, that, mum, you must have this vaccine or any of the vaccines that the mhra approves as soon as they are available. this is really important because you are so at risk. so, that is a kind of personal piece, if you like. i am very confident in the assessments the mhra makes. professor van—tam has become well known for his use of metaphors to explain the stage we're at in the pandemic. this is how he phrased it earlier. i would say that, you know, it's clear in the first half, you know, the away team gave us an absolute battering. what we have done now, it's the 70th minute, they got a goal and, in the 70th minute, we've now got an equaliser. 0k?

we have got to hold our nerve now, see if we can get another goal and nick it. but the key fingers not to lose it, not to throw it away at this point, because we've got points on the board, we've got the draw. —— thing is. so, from that perspective, what i'm saying is, we need more vaccines, but we also need people to realise that these are not an instant ticket out of anywhere at the moment. we are in for some hard winter months, where people must continue to follow the guidance. they must continue to follow the guidance, whether or not they've had the vaccine. and, you know, let the scientists see how this vaccine programme is unfolding, see how it's taking us into a different world. and we will absolutely give the signal to our politicians, our decision—makers, of what the future is beginning to look like.

hopefully, much brighter, but you may have to be patient until maybe late—spring on this one. right, well, thank you. that gives of some sense of perspective on how we look at the future. but there's a very urgent question for the immediate future, for the next few weeks, which jennifer in st albans would very much like to ask. jennifer, over to you. hello, good morning. i have three children at home and they were asking this morning about father christmas and wanting to know whether he will be front of the queue to get the vaccine. oh, absolutely. thejcvi made a very special case for father christmas. he is going to be absolutely the top of our list. at 3:30 this afternoon we're going to be looking at what you've been asking about vaccines in your questions answered.

we're going to be speaking to dr bharat pankhania from the university of exeter medical school and professor markjit from the london school of hygeine and tropical medicine. so get in touch with us with your questions. you can get in touch on twitter using the hashtag #bbcyourquestions and you can email us on yourquestions@bbc.co.uk students who'll sit a—levels and gcse‘s in england next summer are to be given advance notice of some topics in the exams, and graded more generously. the changes have been announced in a bid to compensate for the disruption to teaching caused by the coronavirus pandemic. let's look at some of the measures that have been announced. grading will be more generous than normal. this will be in line with results from summer 2020, so that this year's cohort is not disadvantaged. advance warning of some topics will be given, but not the questions. some study aids will be allowed. this could be a formula sheet or a vocabulary list provided in some exams to cut down on the memorising required. and some special measures will be used to work out grades if an exam

is missed due to illness or self—isolation. earlier, the education secretary, gavin williamson, gave mp5 further details on how exams will be graded next year in england. exams are the best form of assessment we have, and we are therefore taking steps to make sure that any student preparing to sit them in 2021 has every chance possible to do their very, very best. we support the decision that in awarding next year's gcses, as and a—levels, grading will be as generous and will be maintained in a similar profile to those grades awarded this year. this is to recognise the exceptional circumstances that students and teachers continue to work under. and to make sure that students are not at a disadvantage compared to previous years.

our education editor branwenjeffreys has more. heading home to self—isolate, year 11 at this secondary school. just before it was confirmed, some shared their gcse fears with me. i have a lot of worries about gcses because i really feel like there's not much being done about the amount of time we missed. but i'm especially worried about english and maths because those are a must have for any sixth form. i prefer to be in school to learn. so the disruption to that is just going to really knock my focus off my education. so would narrowing down the topics in each subject help? i think that will be the most beneficial thing, one of the most beneficial things that they can do, because it really like, gives you that tiny bit of hope that we need at this time, just so then we get that little bit of help that we notice. i wish there was a bit more done, honestly. i feel like, obviously it's going to help, but it might not be enough to really make everyone feel comfortable with what they're doing,

because personally, i'm not confident with what i'm doing, but i feel like it will help a little bit. how will gcse and a—level exams work in 2021? grades will be more generous than normal, mainly in line with 2020. advance warning of some topics will be given, but not the questions. some study aids will be allowed. that could be a formula or a vocabulary list. and special measures will be used to work out grades for an exam missed. after a term of covid disruption, this does give schools a bit more certainty. but they're going to have to wait until january to find out what topics will be in which exam papers. and there's still one big unanswered question. how do you take account of the fact that some kids have missed so much more learning than others? so an expert group will look at that bigger picture, but grades aren't likely to be adjusted. and here, they're worried

about disruption after christmas. if we stick to the plan and the continued disruption across the country happens right through until, whether it's march or april, i think you're going to have a massive impact on the well—being of young people and families. and we're going to see a very unfair system and probably a return to the debacle of last summer. northern ireland also plans to hold exams, but in wales, they've been cancelled. while scotland only plans to have exams for highers. schools are still dealing with coronavirus. faith in these plans will be tested in the next few months. branwen jeffreys, bbc news, herne bay. we have just heard word of how the first batch of the pfizer vaccines are coming to the uk, some of the

initial delivery is travelling via the eurotunnel to the uk today. we do not know what time it will arrive but it is coming in from belgium stop that is news on when and how it is coming, today. we will keep you updated. robert halfon mp is the chair of the education committee. thank you forjoining us. if this going to be a level playing field?” welcome that there is no certainty, i also think it is right that exams in one form or another go—ahead next year because they are a fair form of assessment they give structure to pupils and schools. we have got to make sure we do not take great inflation into the system, i would prefer the department for education pigs the result to 2019 rather than 2020, which was an exceptional year. we also need to make sure that those left behind pupils, children who are

home, currently around 800,000 because of covid—19, are learning, able to have a level playing field in order to do the exams next year. there are kids who have lost so much more skill than others. how could that possibly be taken into account in this system? i would like the government to track every single student with the local authorities, school academies, every student that had to stay home or has been left behind during the covid—19, although student should be assessed in terms of the lost learning and the catch ups needed and then the government should use the fund to make sure the children are learning, and we need to also give ofsted a more candid role working with jewels, safeguarding issues, but to make sure that children who are home are still able to learn on real ——

online. —— working with schools. there will be kids who are thinking they had been left behind and there's literally no way they can catch up. there is a lot more online learning that is going on and i genuinely pay tribute to initiatives like bbc bite size, available on television, as the internet. we have got the believe oak academy, a lot more they are banned there was any early days of the initial lockdown. you are right, it will be unacceptable for pupils at home not to be doing any learning and then be expected to do exams, the government need to make it clear that all these children will have a level playing field. you talked about not wanting great inflation baked in, there was a 10% increase in performance last year, so that will be happening next year. is it then inevitable that the year. is it then inevitable that the year after the same thing happens,

aduu year after the same thing happens, adult top of that, where does the impact of covid—19 actually stop? the kids who are coming up behind the ones taking the exams next year have also been affected. this is my concern. if you inflate all the grades from a socialjustice position, you just are moving the goalposts because the difference between the disadvantaged pupils at their better off peers remains the same. i would their better off peers remains the same. iwould have their better off peers remains the same. i would have preferred, as i mentioned, that the grades were pegged to 2019 results and adjust to grade boundaries to make it fair so that pupils... but that hasn't happened, so where we are now, i am going to pause for a moment. wejust need to say goodbye to viewers watching us on bbc two. thank you very much for your company, we will be continuing this discussion aren't a—levels and gcsess on the bbc news channel. have a good afternoon. see you soon. sorry, back to that point,

i know what you're saying that you to happen but it is not happening, so that is the reality going ahead. on on the plus side, it is not exactly how i would have preferred it, our own cue committee will be interviewing ofcom and the schools minister next tuesday about these things. the priority for the government is that they have said the exams will take place next year, thatis the exams will take place next year, that is a good thing. they have to absolutely make sure those left behind pupils, that has to be the priority, i going to be kept learning if they are forced to stay home. on that, talking to them next week about these things, do you think that changes could yet be made? could you make that argument persuasively and put pressure for that to change? we need to discuss these things with our schools minister and also my fellow

education committee members, then we will make a decision as to how we should respond to the government's statement. the crucial thing is we must not, at least to stop the baking of grade inflation, there must be a transition to 2019 of some kind, and from ajer to —— social justice perspective, we have to make sure that there behind pupils, many in the north of england, those who we re in the north of england, those who were not learning, get that level playing field to do the exams next year. it is now the time to be thinking also about 2022.” year. it is now the time to be thinking also about 2022. i think the priority for the government is to get next year right to make sure that the proposals announced today happen, and god forbid if there is a coronavirus shock next year that we do not do about, that there are contingency plans. i am sure there will be a long—term thought going into the following year, but we have to make sure that exams, that they

are valued by employers and that there is not a continued grade inflation year after year. thank you very much forjoining us. the eu's chief brexit negotiator has said a major gap still exists on fisheries as the clock ticks down to the deadline for a trade deal. michel barnier, who is in london for talks, said britain must come with a ready deal. he said negotiators are millimetres away from the european union's red lines but insisted that what remains to be agreed is "quite substantial". the transition period ends on december 31st, but there are fears that unless a deal is agreed by the middle of next week, it can't be turned into law in time. sainsbury‘s has said it will hand back more than £440 million it saved from the business rates holiday the government gave as support during the pandemic. bosses at sainsbury‘s said sales and profits have been stronger than expected since the start of the second national lockdown in england. it comes after its supermarket rivals, tesco and morrisons, promise to give back more than £850 million and aldi confirmed it would return £134 million.

supermarkets whose sales have boomed in the crisis have been criticised for taking government support while paying dividends to shareholders. students heading back to university in england after christmas face a staggered return to avoid a surge in coronavirus cases. plans drawn up by the government will see those on more practical courses — such as science or medicine — going back in earlyjanuary, while those studying subjects like english, history and maths may have to wait until february. the announcement comes as a seven—day "travel window" opens today to allow students to return home for the christmas break. we can speak now to grace grinham who is studying film and tv at the university of nottingham — she's hoping to travel home on saturday after her first term at uni. thank you forjoining us. you are going home quite early before christmas and now possibly facing the prospect of not going back into

favouri, how do you feel about that? at the moment it is kind ofjust... inaudible a lot of my classes are online, by learning does not change that much, it just changes for the learning does not change that much, itjust changes for the people who have to go in for lectures, and so this tie could return of going back in february can cause issues for people. how do you feel about your university experience so far?” think they have done all they could do. it would have been better to have in person lectures and get or lecturers on a more personal level rather than through a screen, but it has been ok. i have made friends and had fun while i can. do you feel you have been able to integrate properly it is student life? i think student

life could have been better if coronavirus was not a thing, obviously, we would have been able to go to bars and clubs i'd had a student lifestyle, but i think it has been all right. i have had a lot of fun here. there are figures out this morning on dropouts from university this year, it certainly figure is about the same as last year, not an increase, very appealing expectation that the numbers might have gone up. from your perspective and those around you, what would you say have been the discussions around being at university in this particular time and whether they might been any other options? i think if you do not like uni, you do not really like uni. it doesn't really depend if it was during coronavirus time or not. the friend thing might have played a pa rt the friend thing might have played a part in if you would have stayed or not, but if you do not make friends

in your holes, you may not have made for integral holes in any other year. i think if you like uni as you are enjoying yourself, there would be no reason to go home. —— in your wholes. wish you a happy christmas, thank you forjoining us. the house of lords conduct committee has recommended that the independent unionist lord maginnis is suspended for at least 18 months. the peer was accused of verbally abusing security staff in parliament and using homophobic language about mp5. our political correspondent nick eardley is at westminster, he's been following the story. bigger is up—to—date with what he is said to have done and what is going to be happening. i suspect this report will be a pretty uncomfortable read. —— report will be a pretty uncomfortable read. -- bring us up—to—date. uncomfortable read. -- bring us up-to-date. it is damning of lord maginnis's actions, referring to an incident in january where maginnis's actions, referring to an incident injanuary where he was

accused of verbally abusing a member of security staff in parliament. the report says he bullied that person and also believe the snp mp hannah bardell who tried to intervene. it was after the incident that she brought up in parliament that he gave an interview to the huffington post where he was quoted as calling her a queer. he was also found guilty by this committee of harassment for that language and also going on to harass two labour mp5, again in using offensive language about one of their sexualities. the committee says he should be suspended from the house of lords for at least 18 months, and they at least part is key, because it finds that he has shown no remorse for those actions and if he doesn't go to any behavioural training to try and correct some of that behaviour, you should not be allowed back into the lords. this has to be approved by the full

chamber, that is likely to happen later this week. we have not heard from michael yet. —— lord maginnis yet. let's go to holyrood where scotland's first minister nicola sturgeon is taking part in first minister's questions. the housing minister has decided to go further in providing safeguards andi go further in providing safeguards and i can confer we will introduce regulations to legally prevent any eviction notice being enforced during the six—week period from 11th of december to 22nd of january u nless of december to 22nd of january unless there are exceptional circumstances such as anti—social or criminal behaviour or cases of domestic abuse. finally, let me highlight that the health secretary will make a statement later updating msps on our clients to vaccinate people against covid—19 and we are preparing for the first vaccinations in scotland to take place next tuesday, that will be a significant landmark in our collective struggle

against the virus. although we still have difficult months ahead, the awareness that vaccination is starting will make many of us feel more hopeful as we enter the christmas period. the prospect of vaccination and a return to something more like normality should give us a further incentive in the weeks ahead to keep ourselves and loved ones safe. we can all play a pa rt by loved ones safe. we can all play a part by sticking to the rules and guidelines. let me end by asking people to continue to do so, the postcode checker on the website is therefore anybody who doesn't have what the rules are in their area. in general, do not fit other people's out, stick to travel advice and follow facts, face coverings, avoid crowded places, clean hands, keep two metres distance, self—isolate and get tested if you have symptoms. we turn now to first minister's questions, i will take supplementary is at the end. i called ruth

davidson. the approval of the pfizer vaccine for widespread use is the news that millions of people across the country have been waiting for. now we need to make sure it gets out to people as quickly and efficiently as possible. first, the vaccine needs to be stored in specialist freezers at an ultralow temperature. the public health minister has announced that three of the 23 freezers i going to the highlands, so can the first minister confirm how many freezers each of the other health board areas will receive under the scottish cup and's plan and whether they are all already in place? i will make sure we put a list of the exact locations in getting there, but there will be 23 freezers cited in nhs board vaccine deployment centres in every nhs board. the first vaccines delivered, we are expecting to get in the region of 65.5 thousand doses of the

vaccine by next tuesday, one of the issues not yet certain is subject to ongoing discussion is the ability to move the vaccines from these ultralow temperature freezers to ca re ultralow temperature freezers to care homes, i'd wear that may not be possible immediately, it is something we hope will become possible very soon. that depends on these ongoing discussions. there is noissue these ongoing discussions. there is no issue more important than making sure this vaccination programme works effectively and efficiently. as soon as we have supplies of vaccine they are used to vaccinate people in the order of priority, set out by thejoint people in the order of priority, set out by the joint committee on vaccination and immunisation, and the focus of the, the health secretary and government in making sure all the probit steps are taken. every bit as important as where the vaccination will be stored, where people will be able to get it. the

health secretary has suggested that gp surgeries will not be used as hubs in orderto gp surgeries will not be used as hubs in order to allow them to continue operating as usual. this is understandable but it leaves people needing to know where they will go. the first minister confirmed on the 10th of november that plans were being drawn up for mass vaccination centres, including local ones run by pharmacies. she told me she would publish more details in the coming weeks. esta first minister no any position to publish the full list of locations that will be used to administer the vaccine, including those venues opening this month for the vaccinate of that are scheduled before christmas? the health secretary will make a statement that afternoon and we will shortly be in afternoon and we will shortly be in a position to publish the locations where vaccines will be delivered in this first phase of the programme. there are still, i alluded to the main one in my earlier answer, still some uncertainty given the particular characteristics of the pfizer vaccine about the extent to

which these vaccines will be movable from the deployment centres in each nhs board to other locations. there isa nhs board to other locations. there is a matter that we hope will get greater clarity around over the days and weeks to come. to start with, delivery will be close to these vaccine deployment centres, and that is of course to ensure that we can make maximum use of the first supplies of the vaccine that we get and that can be overseen by experienced pharmacy staff stop the health secretary will update, we are also exploring a number of option to add larger vaccination centres, venues add larger vaccination centres, venues that will come on stream later once we have supplies in sufficient quantities to support the establishment of these larger centres, there will be a number of other possible locations use, including where it is appropriate to primary care settings as well. all

of these plans and options are there and will be implement aid. just as soon as we get the fine detail and clarity of some of the particular issues around the characteristics of the vaccines, we are respecting some of them, we hope that over the weeks to come we will see other vaccines get the same authorisation that the pfizer one dead, they do not all have identical characteristics and requirements, so we have to flex our players to take account of the particular characteristics of each of them as they become available. that is it that what we will do. the way in which this vaccine is stored and transported means it will be extremely difficult to bring it to individual care homes, a point acknowledged by the health secretary added first minister moment ago, by the head of scottish care is warning that medicare home residents are too frail of the rubble to be transported to the harbour where the vaccine is. care home residents and their families have suffered enough

and the possibility that promised vaccines could now be delayed as yet another blow. what now is the plan for scotland's care home residents who were promised they would be the first in the queue to receive this vaccine? it is important to understand the issues, and i heard the prime minister talk about except what i am going to talk about, because this is not something that is in any way unique to scotland, this is about the particular characteristics of the pfizer vaccine, and ruth davidson is right to point about being mainly about the ultralow temperatures that it has to be stored out. there is a requirement for that vaccine for two agents to be mixed. this is something all four nations are concerned with. i took part in a four nations call where this was an issue under discussion. we will use this vaccine as soon as they become available, as closely as possible in line with the order of privatisation that has been set out. if for the

first period it is difficult to get the vaccine to care homes, we will use these supplies for nhs and staff who work in care homes. this is the bit that i prime minister and other first ministers cannot be definitive about because discussions are ongoing. our pharmaceutical civil serva nts ongoing. our pharmaceutical civil servants were discussing yesterday this very point, so even though this may not be possible for this vaccine to be moved to care homes immediately, i remain hopeful, based on the discussions that have happened to date, that that will become possible at an early—stage after we start receiving those supplies had a hope we will have greater clarity either in the days to come. to be clear, this is not something that is unique to scotland's vaccination programme, this is an issue all four nations across the uk have to content with, and what is absolutely beyond any question is that the safe delivery of this vaccine is an absolute

priority and it is in all of our interests to make sure, in line with the gc vi, advice that we have received, elderly care home residents get vaccinated just as quickly as is possible. let me turn to the scottish government's longer term plan, because the health secretary made it clear ina because the health secretary made it clear in a statement a fortnight ago that the scottish government hoped to complete the vaccination programme in full by next spring. but this morning she told the bbc it would only be phases one and two of the vaccination is completed by spring and only after that would we move to vaccinate people under age 65. can i ask the first minister to clarify which is right? does she expect all waves of vaccinations to be completed by spring or not, and does she agree it is critical for the government to set out clear benchmarks to people to avoid raising expectations that cannot be met? we very much hope that what the health secretary set out in parliament is what we will be able

to deliver. that is what we are working towards. but i have to be, andi working towards. but i have to be, and i think the point about being clear with people is a very important one... we are still in a position where we have had the fantastic news this week of the authorisation to supply the pfizer vaccine. there are a number of other vaccines that our overall vaccination programme are dependent on receiving that vaccination and then supplies of those vaccines flowing in the quantities and at the pace we expect. we have no reason feel pessimistic about any of that, but these are regulatory processes we are not in control of. it is important that all of these vaccines go through these very rigorous and robust processes, and that's also an important part of ensuring public confidence. every step of the way, as we did yesterday, as soon as we got the news about the pfizer vaccine, set out our expectations for when the vaccine programme will start, what some of the issues are

we are grappling with, we will do that as soon as these other authorisations for the other vaccines, including the astrazeneca oxford university one, which is the one that the biggest number of doses in the uk have been procured off, so we will set out every step of the way clarity to the public and we will communicate directly with members of the public as well. question two, richard leonard. can i begin by sending our condolences to the family of maria fyfe. maria was a pioneer who fought for she believed in to the very end. she was an inspiration to generations of labour party members, me included, and many people beyond. instrumental in campaigning for this parliament, she led the constitutional convention working party on equal representation of women. we are all in herdebt. we representation of women. we are all in her debt. we mourn her passing today, but we celebrate her life.

cani today, but we celebrate her life. can i turn now to the vaccination programme? we, of course, welcome andjoin in the programme? we, of course, welcome and join in the news this week that and join in the news this week that a vaccine will be available in just five days' time. however, we know that the roll—out of the flu vaccine this winter has been problematic. here's what one person told me just yesterday. he said, my personal experience with the current flu jab arrangement is a bad one. no letter of invitation from the health board had come this year by the beginning of november. wife rinse up, offered precisely timed appointments on the 4th of november at a church. turn up, no record of our appointment, get vaccinated nevertheless, staff at church excellent, two weeks later get a of invitation for vaccination. and many people have had the same

experience. this was the experience of world— renowned biologist professor hugh pennington. we know that the covid vaccine requires not one but two doses, that they have to be 21 to 28 days apart, so the logistics and administration of delivering this vaccine will be even more critical. first minister, are you really going to leave the current minister for public health in charge of this? before i respond to the question about vaccines, can i take the opportunity to express my condolences to the family, friends and colleagues, including those in the labour party, on the sad passing of maria fyfe. richard leonard rightly said that maria fyfe was an inspiration to colleagues in the labour party put up can i say she wasn't just an inspiration labour party put up can i say she wasn'tjust an inspiration to collea g u es wasn'tjust an inspiration to colleagues in the labour party, i of course for all of my political life have been in a different party but, when i was a young woman starting in politics, she was one of very few women in the front line politics and

she was a feminist icon that i looked up to, didn't agree with on everything but much looked up to and found her example inspirational, and i think many of us, particularly women in politics today and many others owe her a great debt of gratitude, and i want to pass on my thoughts and condolences to everybody who loved her. on the vaccine point, on the flu vaccine, flu vaccination programme had to be delivered very differently this year because of the challenges of covid, and because of that i readily acknowledge, is the health secretary has done, there were some issues in some nhs boards is that programme rolled out. steps were taken to address and resolve those, and the flu vaccination programme is now progressing extremely well, and u pta ke progressing extremely well, and uptake in many of the eligible groups is as high and indeed higher than we perhaps would have expected it to be in that programme will continue to conclusion. in terms of responsibility for the covid vaccine

and all aspects of the covid response, whether it's the health secretary, the public health minister or any minister, we are collectively responsible and engaged in making sure we respond effectively to all aspects of this crisis. on all of these things, the buck stops with me, and that is right and proper, but the government is focused intensely on making sure that all of the difficult, and they are very that all of the difficult, and they are very difficult logistical challenges around the covid vaccination programme are getting the attention they need and merit, and that, as we face challenges with it, as undoubtedly we and other countries will, we address them and get these vaccines to the maximum number of people as quickly as possible, because for the first time in nine months it gives us hope for the future. it gives us that light at the end of the tunnel that all of us have been so desperate to see, so it's vital that it proceeds as quickly as is feasible, and that's the commitment i give. thank you, and thank you for that answer.

figures for the take—up of the winter flu vaccine... that was first minister's questions. the doses of the first vaccine roll—out expected by tuesday, and a reminder that we have learnt that the first batch of doses coming from belgium to the uk are travelling by eu rostar belgium to the uk are travelling by eurostar today. a cross—party group of mp5 has published a review into the government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic. it claims ministers are "gambling with the uk's future" by relaxing restrictions over christmas and calls for a "covid—secure" exit strategy or risk a third spike in the new year. layla moran is chair of that group of mp5 and joins us from oxford. thank you forjoining us. the government'sjob is to thank you forjoining us. the government's job is to try and balance protecting lives and the nhs, which it has been clear about, with the knock—on impact of those measures. do you think they have got that balance wrong? we challenge

that balance wrong? we challenge that it that balance wrong? we challenge thatitis that balance wrong? we challenge that it is a balance in the way the government has described, in so far as the narrative they have been pushing is one that either you have restrictions that bear down on the virus or you risk hurting businesses, and actually what we found, and this is really important to say, there are other countries that have been tackling this virus much better. we totally appreciate there is no handbook for this. the government has had a difficult choices to make. but we do say that that balance that they claim they haveis that balance that they claim they have is a false choice, because those countries that have done much better have kept on top of the virus, kept cases low and, as a result, their economies have blossomed in this very difficult time. and we think that, with our covid secure plan that we put forward to them today, yes, we are critiquing, but we are also offering a positive solution to how we can never get the next few months. that

is going to be our way through this, notwithstanding the brilliant news of the vaccine. what is your template for the next few months?m comes in three phases. what has been going wrong, to look backwards for a moment, is we have to put an end to the boom and bust mentality we are seeing, cases getting out of control, we go into lockdown, which is devastating for business, it's causing backlogs in the nhs, and so there are three phases. the first is control, and that's what the lockdowns have been doing, and here we are at the end of the second of such a phase, but the next phase is suppressed. we keep restrictions relatively high, we test a lot, but critically we upped the amount of testing happening at airports. we have a unique geography in the uk that we haven't been exploiting. we should be much better at controlling the virus coming into our borders. the third phase is where the vaccine comes in, and that's the eliminate phase, where we get to herd

immunity, but it's worth saying this government has, and we identify this in the report, which has 44 recommendations. it's had over 3000 different submissions from people who advise the who, people have lost loved ones and suffer from long covid, and in that we recognise that the government throughout this has over promised and under delivered, and that has led to people losing trust and not complying as much as they could. so, by following this plan, we think this is the way out of this mess, and there is a lot of uncertainty still to come. what the country needs now is a lot of honesty in government. are we heading into the endgame of this? it's important at every step to look at lessons learned and improve things, but now we have the vaccine coming down the line pretty quickly. i hope that is true, and i hope

that's right, but my concern has been, if you look at the last few days, we have had varying statements from the health secretary, saying that by easter we can start going back to normal, or maybe it's summer. meanwhile, as questions to nicola sturgeon just before you came to me showed, there are huge logistical challenges with getting the two microdoses of the vaccine is out. there are many vaccines that are potentially going to be used. we cannot underestimate that challenge. meanwhile, here we are, in a tier system which didn't work, which got us into the second spike and the second lockdown. there are suggestions of relaxing restrictions quite significantly over christmas. our concern is that the government is going to take its eye off the ball. yes, the vaccine is coming, and that is the third phase of our plan, but don't forget phase two. we have had all this hard work to get cases as low as they have, and we have to focus on that. the way we do

thatis have to focus on that. the way we do that is we also fix test, trace and isolate. the isolate past is what we have identified as needing urgent fixing. people are not able to do it, they are not supported well enough. in countries like norway and finland, where they have got test, trace and isolate system is working really well, they are essentially paying people to do it. are giving them significant amounts of money so they don't have to worry about where food is going to come from for their families. meanwhile in the uk we know that less than half the people who are asked to isolate find themselves able to stop they could fix this immediately and it would have an immediate impact on our ability to curb this virus. in turn thank you. we have breaking news of an explosion at a warehouse in avonmouth in bristol. avon fire and rescue said they have been called to a large explosion at 11:22am in a warehouse on keynes western lane.

crews from avonmouth, southmead, yate, patchway, kingswood and temple are currently attending. they are joined by avon and somerset police and ambulance on site. that incident is ongoing for top but is from avon fire and rescue service. a little bit more detailfrom fire and rescue service. a little bit more detail from bristol post, saying that eyewitnesses reported the emergency services that i have just described rushing to the scene with at least ten ambulances along with at least ten ambulances along with police and fire crews. they are also saying that the bristol recycling centre has also been closed following an incident nearby. it's unclear if that is linked. very few details at the moment. we will, of course, keep you updated. currently many rescue crews on their way to the scene, at the scene of

that explosion at a warehouse in avonmouth in bristol. we will, of course, keep across those reports and keep you updated. rescue services were first called at 11:22am. it's a pretty recent incident still unfolding, and we will keep you updated. labour leader sir keir starmer has denied any divisions within his party over supporting a brexit deal, saying labour is "absolutely united". asked directly if his party would back any deal, sir keir said his party would consider the detail closely but emphasised the importance of the prime minister's negotiating team actually securing a deal. we will have a look at that deal as soon as we see it and make our decision then, but i can't emphasise enough how ideal is in the national interest. we a re enough how ideal is in the national interest. we are a united party, pulling forward, focusing on the future, and that's the way we have been operating for the last eight or nine months since i have been the

leader of this party. sending live animals abroad for slaughter will be banned in england and wales, under government plans announced today. the environment secretary, george eustice, has told the bbc the measures could be in place by the end of 2021 and would cut the amount of time animals spend in trucks in the uk. our political correspondent helen catt has more. only a few thousand of the millions of animals bred for meat in the uk end up being shipped to europe for slaughter. but their long journeys can cause them distress and even injury. so there have been calls for decades for the practice to be banned. now the government says it will be in england and wales, it hopes, by the end of 2021. we think we've struck the right balance here. this will remove the trade that i think most people are concerned about, which is predominantly the export of lambs for slaughter to continental europe. but it will enable high—value breeding stock still to be traded. those tend to be transported in very good conditions. an outright ban like this was impossible under eu law.

we know that, because a council in kent tried it in 2012, after more than 40 sheep had to be put down at the port in ramsgate. the high court ruled it was a breach of eu free trade rules. there had been fears a ban may not be possible under global trade rules either, but ministers are confident this is in line with them. the rspca has always said to the government, we don't mind how you get to your goal of stopping live exports, we just want to stop them. the end goal is the most important thing, how to stop all of our live animals going abroad and us losing control over where they go or how they're killed. that, for the rspca, is the most important thing. that will improve animal welfare. ending live animal exports has often been held up as one of the things that the government could and would change once we leave the single market and the customs union next month. it was a promise too in the conservative manifesto at last year's election. so it won't happen in time forjanuary the 1st. but the political will to make the change does seem to be there. the government also plans to cut

the number of hours animals can spend in transit within the uk. the national farmers' union has warned that any big changes could have a massive impact on the uk's food supply chain. helen catt, bbc news. the former president of france valery giscard d'estaing has died at the age of 94, after contracting covid—19. he led the country for a single seven year term from 1974 until 1981 and is credited for pushing for greater european integration. president emmanuel macron said his predecessor had transformed france during his time in office. therapists around the world have seen a surge in couples seeking relationship counselling during lockdown. they say the pandemic has placed unprecedented pressures on families. the bbc‘s emma ailes spoke to some whose relationships have ended during lockdown. covid—19 to me is defined

by my partner of nine years leaving me during melbourne's stage four lockdown restrictions. cooped up in homes all over the world, many couples have felt a strain on their relationship. therapists are saying that is translating into more and more couples seeking relationship counselling. lots of therapists are reporting a real demand for couples therapy and relationship therapy at the moment. people are saying they are struggling with communication, there is an impact on desire, but also just a huge amount of pressure for being a couple, being a family, working and living all in the same space without an outlet. australian musician keiron and his girlfriend began experiencing problems in the spring. because we were in lockdown and there was limits to what we could and couldn't do, we entered this routine funk. itjust went down really quickly. in brazil, richard and rafaela say lockdown accelerated the end

of their marriage. early figures from some countries suggest a possible rise in divorce rates since lockdown began. south africa, saudi arabia and indonesia have all reported an increase. but it will be some time before global trends become fully clear. my perspective is that, kind of, on net, we'll see a decline in divorce in 2020 and probably a slight uptick in 2021, 2022, and then a decline longer term. certainly for some couples, all that's transpired over the last year is going to lead them down the road towards divorce court. but it's important to

understand that a majority of couples are also reporting a deeper sense of appreciation and commitment. but, for those whose relationships have ended, navigating a break—up during lockdown presents further challenges. while this hurts like hell, i think we outgrew one another. but i think that itjust went down in a really traumatising way because of lockdown, because of covid—19. the welsh government has announced cross—border travel into wales will be allowed for people living in tier! and 2 areas in england — but those from districts in tier 3

will remain under a travel ban. during england's national lockdown, travel in and out of wales was banned unless it was for an essential reason. the new arrangements, which come into force on friday, are less prohibitive than before the england lockdown — which banned travel from tier 2 and 3 areas. the transport secretary, grant shapps, has been telling mp5 about the government's plans to make it easier for people looking to travel during the christmas period. engineering works on the railways have been postponed, and there'll be an increase in train and coach services. but he warned that people would still need to plan ahead before travelling. with families getting together for the first time and households mixing a maximum of three, christmas journeys are likely to be more difficult than usual this year as a result, and passengers will want to plan their journeys result, and passengers will want to plan theirjourneys very carefully. to help passengers prepare, we are putting plans in place, including clearing 778 miles worth of

roadworks, ensuring that 95% of the rail network will be unaffected by engineering work by either postponing or altering them, lengthening trains and adding additional rail services, tripling the number of coach services available, ensuring that lateral flow testing is available at six different sites for transport workers, in order to ensure they are available and healthy to work, and many rail companies, including lner, ema and others, are relaxing their peak fares. —— emr. ema and others, are relaxing their peakfares. —— emr. i have appointed sir peter headed to look after this period of time to ensure people can travel as smoothly as possible. —— sir peter hendy. france will implement random border checks and quarantine measures as a way of deterring people from travelling abroad for skiing holidays. france, in common with germany and italy, is shutting its ski lifts over christmas to stop the spread of covid—19, but swiss slopes remain open. sergi forcada reports. french mountains will be quieter than usual this christmas.

resorts will be able to open but ski lifts will remain like this, which means downhill skiing will effectively be impossible in france at least untiljanuary. by not allowing ski lifts to run and by keeping bars and restaurants shut, the french government hopes to contain the spread of covid—19, but the decision has sparked protests. ski resorts and businesses say that the weeks surrounding christmas and new year are crucial for their survival. translation: we don't understand how they could claim there are more risks in a ski lift queue than in the metro in paris. the metro is covered indoors — here, we are in the open. all of this is going to damage the economy of the valleys and employment in the long—term. i am convinced that in the years to come, we're going to have repercussions from the closure

of resorts, which is, in my opinion, completely irresponsible. france is not alone in its decision to limit skiing during the festive season. germany and italy will also close their lifts over christmas, and french authorities are now worried holiday—makers will go skiing to neighbouring switzerland, where the slopes remain open. to avoid this, france will impose random checks on the swiss border and french skiers will face a seven—day quarantine on their return. translation: we are still living with the virus, it still is a threat to our country and our people, therefore we need to take every possible measure in order to avoid a third wave of the pandemic. in switzerland itself, the situation is still unfolding. alpine resorts want to minimise restrictions but the government will decide on friday whether to impose a limit on visitors. now it's time for a look at the weather.

it's been a cold day today and we have got a wintry mix of weather to come tonight and tomorrow, with some snow likely over some hills. this cloud has brought a cold, cloudy, miserable, wet day for england and wales. we have had some sunshine in scotla nd wales. we have had some sunshine in scotland and northern ireland stop it's a bit messy overnight, but the wetter weather transfers further east, pushing into eastern scotland. moves inland into the cold and icy weather, we will find snow falling widely in scotland for a while, and some snow over the top of the fed pennines and cumbrian. in south wales and the south—west, some showers. it will be cold, patchy thrust for england and wales, more widespread for scotland and northern ireland. it will be icy and snowy in the morning in scotland, which could lead to travel disruption earlier in the day, particularly over higher—level routes. we will briefly get some snow at lower levels, but that will turn to rain to stop that will happen over much of the country

in the morning, pushing down into northern ireland on strengthening winds. this rain clearing the south—east and east anglia, heading into northern england. they could be some sleet in there and some snow developing over the pennines but, for the midlands, friday afternoon looks dry with sunshine. a cold day again, feeling colder because the wind will be stronger, especially around coastal areas. though stronger winds around the area of low pressure bringing wet weather on friday to stop at the weekend, the scent of the loaf drifts towards france, taking awake most of the wet weather, and the wind will be dropping. it comes down this weekend and gradually turns drier, but we're in that cold air. we still have wetter weather around on saturday, may be a bit of sleet and snow over the peak district and the welsh hills and the mountains in scotland, as we see wetter weather coming in across the eastern side of the country. elsewhere, generally dry, bit of sunshine, six or 7 degrees and the winds gradually easing through the day, continue to drop

overnight. with clearer skies, it could turn frosty and foggy in some parts early on sunday. once that frost and fog forms, it could take much of the morning to lift. very little rain around by sunday. most places will have a dry day and, outside that mist and fog, some sunshine. lighter winds, but outside that mist and fog, some sunshine. lighterwinds, but it doesn't feel much warmer. temperatures are stuck around five to seven.

the bbc understands that some of the initial delivery

of the pfizer coronavirus vaccine is being brought to the uk today, via eurotunnel. england's deputy chief medical officer says every effort will be made to get the vaccine into care homes as soon as possible. the top priority that the g sake —— dejcvi has the top priority that the g sake —— de jcvi has identified the top priority that the g sake —— dejcvi has identified is care homes for older people, and also the workers in care homes, and the reason for that is the death toll in ca re reason for that is the death toll in care homes has been awful. we'll have the latest on how quickly the vaccine can be rolled out. also this lunchtime. students sitting a—levels and gcses in england next year will be graded more generously, to try to compensate for lost