,bea beatwo launched next week, it will be a two consultation period that they will be leading, and it is very important that we do get feedback from the sector in order to be able to ensure there is the details of this policy are properly understood and work best, not just for schools are properly understood and work best, notjust for schools and colleges but most importantly for those who are receiving the grades. —— two—week consultation. given that the company computer centre awarded the £96 million contracts with no laptop kits to vulnerable children in the first lockdown, why is it secretary of state sticking with tory party donors from this company this time?

i would like to take the opportunity to pay tribute to a computer centre who have done an amazing job of distributing hundreds of thousands of devices right across the country. the honourable gentleman is right to say that we did direct award on the first contract as computer centre where one of the few businesses that we re where one of the few businesses that were ina where one of the few businesses that were in a position to be able to assist us at that time, but since then, tenders have gone out and computer centre however when those tenders through fair competition. —— have won those tenders. some north yorkshire schools are operating a full formal timetable with checks and balances including roll calls and balances including roll calls and marking, but some schools are not. does my right honourable friend agree that all schools should use

this kind of best practice to make sure students work as hard and is effectively remotely as they do when they physically attend school? effectively remotely as they do when they physically attend school7m effectively remotely as they do when they physically attend school? is a former north yorkshire county councillor and having been on the education committee of north yorkshire county council, i absolutely do agree with my honourable friend. it is absolutely vital that we keep as much formal education in place as possible. schools have moved forward in absolute leaps and bounds in the fa ct absolute leaps and bounds in the fact that they are able to put there, but we do recognise there has been very rare ability and that is why we have taken the actions we have, including the actions we will ta ke have, including the actions we will take with ofsted to ensure there is good, high quality remote education delivered in all of our schools right across the country. thank you,

madam deputy speaker. i would like to place on record my thanks to the national education union and unison for the work they have been doing to keep the school, staff and pupils safe. in my constituency of liverpool, i have been inundated with enquiries from worried parents and nursery staff about nurseries remaining open and the risk that poses, particularly when elderly grandparents are often used to pick up grandparents are often used to pick up grandchildren as part of support bubbles. i'm afraid the narrative from the secretary of state that this group are leased at risk is not enough and does not instill will be secretary of state fully explain to my constituents why nurseries and early years settings are not closing with the exception of providing services to key worker children? early evidence from sage has showed that early years provision had a smaller impact on transmission rate than in primary schools, which in

turn has a smaller impact than secondary schools, so that is why the decision was taken. the honourable lady mentions national education union and i would like to thank both the national education union and unison for recognising the fa ct union and unison for recognising the fact that the action they take and the advice that they gave their members on sunday was incorrect and they have withdrawn that advice. it was the wrong advice and i am glad that they have reflected upon it and recognised it was the wrong advice. thank you, madam deputy speaker. ministers will know how bitterly disappointed i was when schools were so disappointed i was when schools were so abruptly closed because of the impact on mental health, the attainment gap and safeguarding. to give certainty and enable schools to plan ahead, will be secretary of

state make the february half term at the default target date fur return? it for those schools remaining open for key workers and vulnerable children, will they make sure this time they're not turning away children on e hc plans in particular on the basis they could not safely look after them? as i am already hearing complaints that children who are entitled to attend are being placed on waiting lists. my honourable friend is absolutely right to point out that children on an ahc plan are entitled and should be allowed into schools and receive that care and support that school provides, to those incredibly important children. i will categorically make that clear to all schools and colleges as well. i would like to see schools open tomorrow, as my right honourable friend would know. i never want to

see schools in a position where they are not able to welcome children, but we have had to take this incredibly difficult decision. i wa nt to incredibly difficult decision. i want to see all schools opening on the 22nd of february, but we obviously do have to take into account the scientific and health advice. but certainly from a department point of view and from a school point of view, everyone of us is working towards all children back on the 22nd of february, but we obviously continue to have to listen to the advice of both scientific and public health community as to how we continue to beat this virus. thank you, madam deputy speaker. the secretary of state has made a timely decision to scrap gcses, eas levels and a levels and i very much hope we can avoid the heartache that some of

my constituents and suffered last year when the algorithm adjusted grades cause them to miss out on university places they had worked so ha rd university places they had worked so hard for. this year, since exams are not being sacked or needed to be marked, there is no need to delay announcement upgrades until august and it would help university to manage a and it would help university to manageafair and it would help university to manage a fair admissions process and allow time for appeals and resits. will be secretary of state with discussions with quual consider bringing forward the date with which assessment greats are released? —— assessment greats are released? —— assessment greats. it is an important point and it is something i have already raised in discussions with quual. we obviously have to make that judgment call with quual. we obviously have to make thatjudgment call in line with the whole system and we do not want the whole system and we do not want the whole system of awarding it to be dictated by the date where youngsters get their grades, but it will be one of those issues that is

an active consideration because as the honourable lady said, it gives stu d e nts the honourable lady said, it gives students more time if there is a need for appeals and also gives more time to make the best choices for them and their future. madam deputy speaker, the secretary of state should know the incredible dedication and self—sacrifice shown by teachers and staff shown in my constituency since the start of this pandemic. their determination to reorganise its schools to keep eve ryo ne reorganise its schools to keep everyone safe and continue to provide the highest standard of education must be commended. but we schools are closing as part of the lockdown, they will have to do everything they can to move classes for the majority of students online to minimise the impact on their education. however, as in—person teaching will still be going ahead for vulnerable children and the children of critical workers, would

right honourable friend please clarify whether only one parent or both need to be critical workers in orderfor both need to be critical workers in order for their children to continue to attend school in person?” order for their children to continue to attend school in person? i would very much like to join to attend school in person? i would very much like tojoin my to attend school in person? i would very much like to join my honourable friend in paying tribute to notjust the teachers in romford, but all those support staff who open up the schools, welcome the children, it is such an important part of the fabric of that school community, so i would very much like to join of that school community, so i would very much like tojoin him in that and in answerto very much like tojoin him in that and in answer to his question, it is one parent, if they are a critical work out, it is deemed that they would have access to that school place for their child. —— critical worker. thank you. many of my university student constituents have contacted me because they are

desperately worried about the impact covid—i9 restrictions are having on their learning, their research, their learning, their research, their educational success, their future careers, their finances and their mental health and well—being. does the secretary of state believe it is fairfor them does the secretary of state believe it is fair for them to continue to be paying full fees and full rent when they are not receiving the university experience they expected? and what will he do to support those students, especially those facing financial hardship? the honourable lady will probably be aware that just before christmas the government announced it additional support for stu d e nts announced it additional support for students at universities in terms of an extra package to help those youngsters that are most vulnerable and will continue to work with the sector to look at how best we can support students and the sector as a whole. thank you, madam deputy

speaker. i cannot hide my disappointment and sadness to see school gates closed to 70 students. —— so school gates closed to 70 students. —— so many students. home—working has many problems, so will he get textbooks just to beat to deter people from disadvantaged backgrounds, so they do not fall victim to digital divide? —— get textbooks distributed to people. we all recognise what an important role textbooks play in helping and supporting learning and some of the brilliant work and investment that has been made in terms of producing exceptionally high quality material

in textbooks. i look forward to meeting him next week to discuss ideas of how we can get this distributed, especially into some of the communities that are most disadvantaged across our country. thank you. can i say that i welcome the secretary of state's u—turn on gcses and a—levels, late though it was, adding to the pressure on schools and teachers. i'm sorry that his approach on be texas appears to be an afterthought and an abdication of responsibility. —— en bead text. but can i ask about primary assessments? does he accept that proceeding with sacks this year would place an unnecessary burden on schools? —— with sats? would he cancel them and do so in time?|j cancel them and do so in time?” a lwa ys cancel them and do so in time?” always enjoy working with the

honourable member, including what the work we do with the motor neurone disease association over a number of years and i always learn that he often speaks a lot of good sense and justice sadly in the one—party. but madam deputy speaker, ican one—party. but madam deputy speaker, i can absolutely confirm that we will not be proceeding with sats this year. we do recognise that this will be an additional burden on schools and it is very important that we are very much focused on welcoming students back into the classroom at the very earliest opportunity. i very much commend my right honourable friend for the work being done to roll out on my learning, but very significant proportion of my constituents, there isa proportion of my constituents, there is a small practical problem that up to 13% of households either have a very slow or no to 13% of households either have a very slow oi’ no access to 13% of households either have a very slow or no access to broadband

at all and mobile data is also nonexistent in many villages, so what practical support can my right honourable friend offer for those pupils living in such households competing against other member is of the household trying to work or learn with no or little broadband? this is an incredibly challenging problem for many living in rural communities and i would be very happy to meet with my honourable friend to discuss as to what further measures we could take. i'm beginning to think some of the additional resource of textbooks and other resources that can be may be made available to families and communities which have these acute problems and it is not something that we are going to be able to work around in terms of the technical solution, but there may be other brutes for it. i will ask my department to organise swiftly a meeting to discuss this issue and any other educational issues. ——

there may be other routes forward. if we have a problem there, we will go back to lisa cameron. meanwhile go back to lisa cameron. meanwhile go to claudia webb. thank you, madam deputy speaker. the pandemic has highlighted the injustice of tuition fees. students are incurring on average 57,000 worth of debt to be isolated in university halls or restricted to online learning. even beyond this, education must be a universal right, not a costly privilege. the last decade of extortionate tuition fees have saddled young people with debt. deterred working class people from gaining higher education and have reduced our universities to profit seeking businesses. where the government to take this opportunity

to support students by refunding rents, scrapping tuition fees and cancelling student debt for good? the statistics would actually bear out rather different to what the honourable lady said. we have seen a massive expansion in the university sector with more young people going to university than ever before. but also, if the honourable lady took the time to look at the statistics and the facts, as against may be just not basing her question on the statistics of facts, she would discover there are more children from the most disadvantaged families going to university, often for the first time in that family, than ever before. that is something this party should feel incredibly proud of and i would like to see even more youngsters from the most deprived backgrounds are going to some of our best universities in the country. we

will go back to doctor lisa cameron. many thanks, madam deputy speaker. president of the royal college has now described the covid—i9 pandemic of the greatest threat to mental health since the second world war. a share of the parliamentary group, i have been receiving e—mails from right across the united kingdom regarding mental health. given that children have experienced isolation, trauma and for many bereavement, will be secretary of state now take the opportunity to now strengthen funding for much—needed mental health and well—being strategy for children? is like to thank the honourable lady for raising such an incredibly important point and it would be a great opportunity to meet up would be a great opportunity to meet up with members of the all—party parliamentary group to may be actually discuss some of these wider

issues that we do notjust face in schools in england, but of course face in schools across the whole of the united kingdom and there have been various different initiatives, some uk wide for the higher education centre that universities have done so much on, but also initiatives in england, scotland, wales and northern ireland and it would be really good to have a four nations approach on how we support young people with the real challenges of mental health and i look forward to having that discussion with her, because i note she feels passionately about this issue, as in so many of the house do. to the cross party issue and i hope we can find some cross—party solutions on how we can best support oui’ solutions on how we can best support our young people. thank you, madam deputy speaker. could i ask my right

honourable friend about early learning and the honourable lady for liverpool waiver tree has already raised the point, but i would like my right honourable friend to explain why in bromley, early learning centres, semi schools really, a re learning centres, semi schools really, are still open? and they have a real problem, because all are privatised and there is a certain loss of income, too, so it is a problem and could i ask my right honourable friend, not that i dispute what he is going to say, but could i ask for an explanation of why these places are open and primary schools are not? at every stage i'd like to assure my honourable friend that at every stage we will go above and beyond to keep education settings open, and the prime minister has many times outlined the government's commitment

and priority to education. if we are able to keep a sector of the education system open, because we know such enormous benefits are proved, not just to know such enormous benefits are proved, notjust to the children, whether in early leers setting, primary school, secondary school, i'm credibly great, but also important for parents and families who often rely on those settings in terms of supporting them. so when the advice came through, and just to reiterate it, that the early evidence from sage showed that the early years provision had a smaller relative impact on transmission rates in primary schools, which again had a much lower relative transmission impact than secondary schools, we felt it was the right thing to do, because yes it is about

supporting the children, but it is also about supporting the families as well. thank you, madam deputy speaker. we all want children back in school as as soon as possible, so why don't we work together to try and make that happen? with that in mind, can the secretary of state tell me when he last met teachers unions and what practical steps he agreed with them that the department would take to have more space in schools so that children and teachers can spread out? what steps did he agree to make schools even safer so that we can get children backin safer so that we can get children back in school as quickly as possible? i think the honourable lady is absolutely right, where there is a shared commitment to seek schools open, it is really important to work together. i regularly meet lots of organisations, including trade unions, on a very regular basis. i'm afraid nowadays we do not

get to meet physically and of course it is all online, but we have regular meetings and i onlyjust in the last week have had the opportunity to speak with a number of union leaders. thank you, madam deputy speaker. happy new year to you and everyone else at the house. for those students due to have sat gcses, aes and a levels this year, we have had to make the difficult decision to cancel the exams, which will undoubtably cause a great deal of anxiety. can my right honourable friend assure me and the house that his department will make every effort to provide them with the vital clarity they will need in the weeks ahead? i know that my honourable friend has been a great

champion in terms of defending his schools and actually doing everything he can do to ensure that pa rents everything he can do to ensure that parents in his constituency have been able to have access to their schools, but he raises an important point about the clarity. i hope what we have set out today brings a lot of clarity for further detailed consultation. 0fqual will be rolling out at the early part of next week the next stage in terms of consulting schools as to these next steps. we recognise that when that is fully completed, it is really important that we are supporting schools, the teaching profession and of course colleges and lecturers in terms of those next steps in at the awarding of grades in summer fete a—levels and other vocational and technical qualifications as well.

thank you, madam deputy speaker. despite serious safety concerns, the toll that btecs were still going ahead, only to be told last night it was up to schools and colleges to decide if it was safe or not, the secretary ignored education unions and organisations when they repeatedly told it was not safe to fully open schools, colleges and nurseries on monday and nurseries are still open in full today, despite widespread anger and disbelief from the sector, nor any local scientific evidence from the secretary today that nurseries do not act as transmission of the virus. it is the secretary's responsibility. up to one in 50 now have the virus and the number continues to climb, so will he actually listened now to education

unions and organisations, cancel btecs, urgently have the same safety approach on nurseries that he has on schools and provide vaccine access to all settings currently open to vulnerable and key worker children? cani vulnerable and key worker children? can ijust vulnerable and key worker children? can i just say what is vulnerable and key worker children? can ijust say what is delighted his to have the honourable member as shadow secretary of state, because at least she seems to be enthusiastic about actually having children in schools, colleges and other settings, unlike the previous shadow secretary of state. we have put the safety and the security of children and the workforce at the very heart of what we do. as the chief medical officers, notjust of england, but of scotland, wales and

northern ireland, have said that actually the best place fair children is in school, but we have had to take unprecedented action as a result of the chief medical 0fficerfor england a result of the chief medical officer for england advising the fa ct officer for england advising the fact that this nation, we have to move to a cave alert level five and when that decision was taken to move to covid lets level five, it was right that additional actions were taken, as right that additional actions were ta ken, as reluctantly right that additional actions were taken, as reluctantly as i was to see us taken, as reluctantly as i was to see us be in that position. but as at every stage, and i think it is a little unfair of the honourable lady to imply that the safety and security of staff and children are not at the heart of all our actions, because it is, but we do know that children benefit from being in school. we do know that children benefit from having the opportunity to sit in front of their teacher in

the classroom, so that is why, on the classroom, so that is why, on the side of the house, we have a lwa ys the side of the house, we have always been so enthusiastic for schools to have children in and i hope eventually she will become a convert to that idea herself, as her successor has. last year, the approach to gcses and a—levels meant that private candidates such as home educated children were unable to obtaina educated children were unable to obtain a grade. can my right honourable friend confirm that this yet they will be able to do so? —— this year. i know that my honourable friend will be speaking notjust for many of her constituents in the question that she asks, but actually for many thousands of youngsters right across the country who will be really worried about this. i have asked 0fqual to take up this issue, to look at it directly and to make

sure that there are measures in place so that those students are going to be in a position where they are able to be in a place where they are able to be in a place where they are able to get a grade. i have asked 0fqual to included as part of their consultation, which they will be doing next and we have already discussed as to how this can be done as believe that it will be possible to do so. thank you, madam deputy speaker. the secretary of state clearly prefers testing rather than vaccination is the means to making sure our teachers and learners will be safe when it schools can reopen. the prime minister wants that to happen in six or seven weeks' time. to have an adequate testing regime in every school will require working around the clock every minute available between now and then, so can the secretary of state confirm to me that every school in my constituency have the access to the support they need to make sure such a regime will be in place in time? we have already seen the mass

distribution of testing kits and all the equipment that is required in schools and colleges where they are taking years seven and above. we will be looking at how we can roll out testing beyond secondary schools into primary settings and those earlier years to support staff as well, but actually, i think the honourable gentleman may... i am a susie unstick is vaccination as he is, -- susie unstick is vaccination as he is, —— as enthusiastic as he is. with all secondary schools receiving the initial deliveries and all schools will be getting that level of support in secondary settings and we are looking at expanding that in primary settings as well and that would include all the schools in his

constituency as well as all of our constituencies. i appreciate that the secretary of state is giving thorough and detailed answers to a great many questions, but we have already ta ken great many questions, but we have already taken up more than an hour, considerably more than an hour, in the statement. i still have 13 more people to participate and i would like to give everyone a chance to ask the question, but i must ask them to not make speeches or statements, just ask a question and if it isa statements, just ask a question and if it is a short question, then the secretary of state will be able to give quite a short answer. and maria morris. the future of the country is very much in your hands, the children are our future, much in your hands, the children are ourfuture, andi much in your hands, the children are ourfuture, and i would like to pay tribute to my local school. but closing schools is one thing, what

is your plan to open them, what are your criteria? it is your plan to open them, what are your criteria ? it cannot is your plan to open them, what are your criteria? it cannot be ending look of the devastating effect on children's mental health. what are your visions and plans for optimising children's life chances and giving a clear map of the future for children, parents, teachers, universities, employers? what in your eyes does the future look like? idid ask your eyes does the future look like? i did ask the honourable lady not to make a speech but to ask a question, she has asked several questions which i'm sure the secretary of state will answer but well we have virtual proceedings in this chamber, people who participate virtually must adhere to the same rules we adhered to in this chamber, nobody calls the secretary of state you. you means the chair, the secretary of state has the right honourable gentleman. secretary of state. my

honourable friend is right to pay tribute to all those who work in schools and colleges and nurseries in newton abbot, and i would like to add my thanks to the work they do. we have been clear that the testing regime isa we have been clear that the testing regime is a key element of opening schools. we do rely do rely on the pressure the nhs is feeling to be lifted and that is one of the key reasons we had to take the difficult and unpalatable decision to close schools. i have been contacted by a distraught young lady from my constituency, she works full time, she is studying for a—levels. her exams are cancelled, students in standard schools will have predicted great assessments from teachers, but self—taught students will have no such thing. last year thousands of

private a—level candidates went without any grade when the exams we re without any grade when the exams were cancelled. what the secretary of state will work with the example to make provisions for self—taught stu d e nts to to make provisions for self—taught students to do what is necessary to make sure that students like my constituents are not overlooked and to ensure that their money, time and studying really does pay off?” certainly will do that. we have already had those discussions with of state will work with example to make provisions for self—taught stu d e nts to make provisions for self—taught students to do what is necessary to make sure that students like my constituents are not overlooked and to ensure that their money, time and studying really does pay off? i certainly will do that. we have already had those discussions would call an intern with exam boards and i would like to refer the honourable lady to the comments i made to the honourable member for beaconsfield. as someone who is campaigning to keep schools open, i recognise how difficult these decisions have been for my right honourable friend, but ifi for my right honourable friend, but if i could press on two points. i know my right honourable friend has made his view on vaccinations clear but could i implore him to look again at vaccinations for sen schools where the line between teaching and caring is very blurred

indeed, and secondly can he review catch up funding for schools, especially the areas of deprivation to make sure it is targeted so the attainment gap does not widen as a result this lockdown? both my honourable friend and myself were both championing the importance of keeping all schools open at every stage and i very much thank you for support. i spy in the distance the health secretary who is obviously progressing slowly to the chamber, andi progressing slowly to the chamber, and i can absolutely guarantee that i will make those arguments as forcibly as possible about the importance of recognising those children who are in special schools and those that work is a crossover between education and care, but we will also recognise the broad clinical requirements that the department of health have to operate under, but i will echo those comments with the health secretary.

i love the honourable gentleman to questions because i could not get in quickly enough to stop the second one. from now on, one question, no speeches, no statements. poll suggests many as 1.78 million children do not have access to a computer. what the education secretary has announced today is a 10% reduction in those numbers by the end of next week which still leaves 1.6 million children unable to access a computer. bridging the digital divide is essential, so when are those 1.6 million going to receive laptops and the 900,000 children who do not have data access as well? i would like to refer him to my statement earlier which covered most of the points as he raced in his question. —— raised.”

know my right honourable friend did everything he could to keep schools open and that he shares my consent for the welfare of the hundreds of thousands of young people now isolated at home. can i ask him to look urgently at the reports of harm caused to children by social isolation? absolutely. the impact of social isolation has a real impact on young people, children are the ones who just missed out so much with not just being ones who just missed out so much with notjust being in school but you have the impact of their teacher but also their friends in the socialisation that comes with it and i'm always happy to meet with my honourable friend to discuss this and what more we can do to support schools and teachers and the education communities to our children. where and when will families be able to find out exactly what free services to mobile operators are providing and how will he make sure that is as

straightforward as possible to access and is he making sure the devolved governments are fully in on this and they will get any consequential is of additional spending on laptop and tablet distribution? of course we will a lwa ys distribution? of course we will always work closely with the devolved governments, and it obviously benefits the union, we are able to work together and also work out considerable scale in order to deliver benefits to all parents and children. any additional spend on anything has consequential is which means that scotland benefits from being in the uk and the financial support of the whole uk gains from being together. i know from my own children that a life lesson taught online is much more effective than

learning resources being placed online. while teachers always need to be able to use their discretion to be able to use their discretion to ta ke to be able to use their discretion to take account of specific circumstances, can my right honourable friend assure me that the default expectation during this lockdown is for online live teaching? we have already set out really detailed guidance for all schools about setting the expectation levels for all schools and what they are providing pupils. we do recognise that there will be a blend in terms of a range of different teaching, but we have set the expectations clearly and where schools fall below it there is the course that parents can take, either with the school directly or ultimately through 0fsted. with the school directly or ultimately through ofsted. as stu d e nts ultimately through ofsted. as students have been advised not to return to university for the

foreseeable future, most will be left paying for accommodation they cannot use. it's unfair that stu d e nts cannot use. it's unfair that students in private accommodation will be left thousands of pounds out of pocket and the government's miserly 20 union pounds to the hardship fund obviously is not enough. does the education secretary agreed that the government has a responsibility to refund students that accommodation costs? -- £20 million. as i have set out, the government before christmas recognise the need to give additional support to students through university and that's why we put the additional financial arrangements in place support them. i want to put on record my thanks to all the teachers and support workers in health. does my right honourable friend agree with me thatjust handing out laptops is no substitute for the support and guidance from a

dedicated, committed teacher? will he do everything in his power to enable teachers to return to school, including considering vaccinations? i would very much like to add my thanks to all the teachers in telford, especially as one of my daughters is privileged to be able to get benefit from those teachers in her constituency. i would very much like to echo her point that actually supporting children and terms of learning is notjust about giving them a device but how that is used, how that child is supported on the work we have undertaken over the last few months to support that in terms of a national academy, resources available are an important pa rt resources available are an important part of that, and in terms of vaccinations and testing, we will a lwa ys vaccinations and testing, we will always push the boundaries to maximise this for our education settings right across the country.

the secretary of state has placed the decision about whether to open nursery schools on government votes. we will leave that debate there with gavin williamson, the education secretary, confirming that gcse and a—level exams will not go ahead this summer. a—level exams will not go ahead this summer. he said he wanted to reassure eve ryo ne summer. he said he wanted to reassure everyone that i schools have not suddenly become unsafe but the limiting the number of people who attend them as essential as the covid rates climb. he said gcc, a.s. and a—level exams in england will be replaced by assessments instead. he said the government had set out legally, binding requirements for schools to provide high quality remote education, mandatory for all state funded schools and post by 0fsted. he said schools will provide 3-5 0fsted. he said schools will provide 3—5 hours of teaching a day and there will be free data usage

provided by major internet providers the key educational sites. he also confirmed that schools and colleges can choose to offer or cancel btec exams, even though some people have been sitting btec examinations today. he also announced funding to help schools provide food parcels ought to enable children to access free school meals if eligible. the education secretary keen to avoid the chaos we saw last year. do you think he has done that?” avoid the chaos we saw last year. do you think he has done that? i speak on behalf of the nation, saying i hope so. but equally i think lots of people particularly young people listen to that statement and saying, that sounds like a dereliction of duty. the young people we are talking about in terms of this coming summer's exams have been in the system all the time, they were not affected by last summer's fiasco. the issue with them as either getting enough teaching and how would that be assessed? when we

hear him talking about a plan b, where is that? to announce they will now be a consultation on this, the consultation should have happened last autumn. it should be saying, what if we could not run the exams? but the government has said, next summer's exams will run and look where they are now. we don't have plans in place to reassure those young people they will be fairly and consistently assessed in the summer and frankly they will sit there thinking, this feels like negligence. he has made clear that the assessment will come from teachers, he wants there to be some sort of standardisation and consistency in that, but that raises as many questions as it answers. consistency in that, but that raises as many questions as it answersm does, the particular reasons. if you look to scotland and wales which have made the decision they will move have made the decision they will m ove a cross have made the decision they will move across to teacher assessments, they have a proud tradition of trusting their teachers so what you

already had was a safety net for those young people of assessments in the back. last summer we said to the secretary of state, wouldn't it be a goodidea secretary of state, wouldn't it be a good idea if we started during the autumn term to get some of those assessments in place on the off chance they might not sit the exams at the end of the year? but because of this obsession the exams are the a nswer to of this obsession the exams are the answer to everything in the english system we don't have the infrastructure for that and i heard the secretary of state saying there will be a programme of training for teachers. that programme should have been going on during the autumn term or the previous lockdown, so there isa or the previous lockdown, so there is a real sense that a lot of people will respond today, thinking, frankly, this is not good enough. we heard in that debate mps pointing out that this was an education secretary who won the man threatened legal action against schools if they did not stay open and then ordering them to close within weeks but the government would argue we are in the middle of this pandemic, no one can foresee what is happening tomorrow

let alone next week or month.” foresee what is happening tomorrow let alone next week or month. i go back to my previous point. we are in the middle of a pandemic. these young people have been in the middle ofa young people have been in the middle of a pandemic and we have known that theissue of a pandemic and we have known that the issue for them is how do you make upfor the issue for them is how do you make up for lost teaching time? decider you can run a normal suite of exams next summer, tinkering at the edges with subject content, quite how that would happen we still did not know about and we would not have known about untiljanuary. that is not good enough excuse. we should have been saying is, what are the different scenarios that may arise? that reassurance. and that is what has happened in the example scotland which not everyone will agree with but at least everybody knew weeks ago what was what and what the assessment system might look like. pa rents assessment system might look like. parents and pupils have wanted clarity and some sort of idea of what the plan is. when it comes to

btecs, the plan seems to be you make your own decisions to the schools. that is a very good and timely example because if you are a btec student, and there are around 130,000 students taking btecs or similar vocational qualifications, very important in the skills market for those young people, they will have listened to the prime minister saying the education largely for the majority of young people will not continue, they will have heard the mantra stay at home and they will have known that there btecs should be taking place this week. and therefore the people i represent will be thinking, those presumably will be thinking, those presumably will not take place, they will have dealt with invigilators who should be looking after exams saying, i will stay at home, some young people think they ought to stay at home, others worried about whether they should be, and this idea we leave it down to the individual college to decide whether to run a national

exa m decide whether to run a national exam or not again as a dereliction of duty and we would not hit the secretary of state saying that about gcses and a—levels. and in that it says something about the government's attitude to vocational and technical education, they don't give the same status as they would those other examinations. he also announced no science. he did not quite an ounce of that. he mentioned in response to a question. people have been texting me saying, did you hear what i heard ? have been texting me saying, did you hear what i heard? there will be a sense of rejoicing across the land because it would be madness with young people having missed out in many cases won so much young people having missed out in many cases won so much learning to think that we should then be paddling them towards a test which is as narrow as the key stage two tests. that is a good decision. i wish the secretary of state had put that up front because maybe that would be a little bit of good news amongst what we heard from him today. when most people criticise

any secretary of state, it is normally followed by the sentence, they should resign. yes, i don't particularly get into that because it seems to me that ultimately there isa it seems to me that ultimately there is a team of people... i was a head teacherfor a long time is a team of people... i was a head teacher for a long time and is a team of people... i was a head teacherfor a long time and i represent head teachers and principals, chief executives of trusts, if they lose the confidence of the people they are looking after and they always feel on the back foot, they would probably end their situation thing, with all the accountability they have got, i think they would look at their position. you have lost confidence in this education secretary, have you? this could be a line in the sand moment, this could be the moment he says, we have made a lot of mistakes here, let's genuinely work with you now. what we want to do is to prepare a system in place for young people in the summer. i would respond by saying, you have made the decision to cancel all exams, understood, but what that does do is it gives lots more

teaching time because you can now have those young people in school right through untiljuly and frankly it should not just right through untiljuly and frankly it should notjust be that you do gcse or a—level history, it should be because you want to learn about history, that we now have more time to teach about that. you want a light touch but rigorous assessment at the end. talk to us like that and we will help you to construct that and that is what we have been trying to do so in terms of me losing confidence instead of that i would say, could you work differently, could we stop the tribal politics and start saying in behalf of the nation's young people now is the time to build the legacy when actually we were able to do something that was the right thing on their behalf? always good to talk to you, thank you so much for your time this afternoon. let's talk to our education correspondent. pupils have wa nted our education correspondent. pupils have wanted clarity, have they got it now? it would depend to you asked. we have spoken to a lot of families who say they are unhappy,

particularly those who were due to ta ke particularly those who were due to take those vocational and technical exams such as btecs. in fairness to the government, they say they think they had hoped those exams had gone ahead because some professions like electricians need licenses but we do hit on one of many changes of reverses a position when on monday night there was talk of btecs, vocational exams, scheduled for january going ahead, butjust hours later the government said, we would like them to go ahead but ultimately it will be down to individual colleges and schools to decide whether they judge it safe colleges and schools to decide whether theyjudge it safe to do so. a lot of people watching will find that confusing. this issue of teacher assessed grades and training for teachers to ensure some sort of consistency, how does that work? what gavin williamson was trying to do there will speak to both parents and teachers and command a bit more confidence when he said he wants to

trust teachers and algorithms. everybody watching will remember last summer when algorithms that combine to teacher assessed grade along with where an individual student ranked within their class and the historical performance of that school or college led to four in ten people having their grades downgraded, it was branded as unfair and ultimately it led to that being withdrawn. thank you very much. i have just seen that matt hancock is standing up in the house of commons andi standing up in the house of commons and i think we had go over and see what he is saying. these costs are by far outweighed by the costs we would bear without action, and i give way to the honourable gentleman. don't they always mutate, viruses, and having the government planned for that? of course. we have been not only watching the mutations

but indeed testing for mutations throughout. and it is partly because the uk has the biggest genomic testing capability of all countries around the world that we have been able to pick this one up, and there may be new mutations in other countries that do not have the scale of genomic testing. just under 50% of genomic testing. just under 50% of all genomes that are sequenced of covid—19 deposited with the world health organization are deposited by the uk because of this capability. that leads to a challenge which it is the countries that have the genomic testing capability that spot the new variant and report it. there are countries where there may be variations that are not known about and not discovered in this way but cannot be reported, but that is the nature of the pandemic and my strong view is that we should be transparent and clear with our international friends when we do find a new variant like this that is

difficult to deal with. madam deputy speaker, when i have come to this house before to ask support for national restrictions, we have had to ta ke national restrictions, we have had to take it on trust that there would be an exit because that is... that has been before a vaccine has been approved. today i come seeking approval of these regulations, knowing from the huge pressure on the nhs right now that this action is necessary today, but also with the certain knowledge that we have a way out. madam deputy speaker, before turning to the details of the regulations, i want to set up that plan about how we get out of that because that is critical. this country was the first in the world to deploy not one but two vaccines and more than1.3 to deploy not one but two vaccines and more than 1.3 million people have been vaccinated already, including a quarter of the over 80s, andi including a quarter of the over 80s, and i give way to my honourable friend. i don't like it one bit, but

i will support the health secretary tonight. the reason i would do it andi tonight. the reason i would do it and i suspect the reason why there's such high public support for these measures is because of the position the nhs finds in and the stage five ruling we hear, but as we have then vaccinated the top four groups by the middle of february, does the logic not follow that at that point we will be able to lift restrictions on our constituents' lives?” we will be able to lift restrictions on our constituents' lives? i will come and precisely to my honourable friend's point because that is a critical question that i know people are rightly asking, which is, if we will have these restrictions, how do we get out of them? and frankly how do we get out of all of the restrictions we have had to put in place? and i give way. the secretary of state mentions the vaccine being the route out of this and i pay tribute to scientists and nhs staff who are preparing to deliver that

but one of the things my constituents are asking me is how can we be sure of the production of the vaccine will meet the patients that the prime minister and others have set out in that we are building the types of facility to continue to mmp the types of facility to continue to ramp up production to the highest possible levels we can do? i was concerned to hear about the factory thatis concerned to hear about the factory that is not operating seven days a week, why is that, they're not getting enough supply into their system ? getting enough supply into their system? the secretary of state answers the question. of course we can have interventions but they must not be long interventions. the time limit for backbench speeches will now be three minutes from the beginning and even with three minutes not everyone on the order paper will be called because that is not enough time. i will try to a nswer not enough time. i will try to answer these interventions briefly, but they are important because people want to know what the way out of these restrictions are, and that is absolutely essential to the case that i am making. the plant in

wrexham is doing a brilliantjob but can only fill and finish files at the speed at which the vaccine material which is a biological material which is a biological material can be produced so they are doing a brilliant job material can be produced so they are doing a brilliantjob at the pace they need to go and we are manufacturing... astrazeneca and pfizer are manufacturing the material themselves and are working as fast as they can and i want to pay tribute to them and their teams who are doing a terrificjob. i will give way to my right honourable friend and then the honourable gentleman. approving these regulations today would allow the lockdown for three months until the end of march. he will have heard my exchange with the prime minister earlier when the prime minister said that he did not think we would have to wait that long for an opportunity

to wait that long for an opportunity to choose whether to end regulations or not. will he go further now and give a commitment to a further vote at the end of january and at the end of february so this house will have control over what is happening? what i would say to my right honourable friend is that while these regulations do provide the new restrictions until the end of march, this is not because we expect the full national lockdown to continue until then but to allow the steady control and evidence led move down through the tears on a local basis, and those changes do require a vote in parliament. the restrictions will therefore be kept under continuous review, there is a statutory requirement to review every two weeks and a legal obligation to remove them if they no longer are deemed necessary to limit the transmission of the virus and i will give way. can i thank the secretary

of state ? give way. can i thank the secretary of state? i understand the reasons for the regulations. can i ask, is there any intention of the health department in conjunction with the education minister to make sure teachers are given a priority vaccine because of the work they do with nurseries and sen children. vaccine because of the work they do with nurseries and sen childrenm course we are considering that. 0nce we have vaccinated those who are clinically vulnerable, of course we are considering who then should be the next priority for vaccination and teachers of course have got a very strong and teachers of course have got a very strong case and teachers of course have got a very strong case is that those who work in nurseries and many collea g u es work in nurseries and many colleagues across the house have made that point, and we will consider that. from the middle of next month... just to pick up this point where he cites the knowledge that there is, the whole point of

the right honourable gentleman's intervention is that there is uncertainty, so can i ask him what contingency plans there are if there isa contingency plans there are if there is a mutation resistant to either of these vaccines, and we have to be in these vaccines, and we have to be in these measures for longer, and will he consider in particular that we have drawn fairly on the numerous people in the armed forces to create extra nhs capacity, we could do so much more of that if necessary, is that part of the plan? it is very much part of the plan, it is happening right now. on the question of mutation, of course, as with the flu, flu mutations mean we have to change the vaccine each year for flue, and we may have to update any vaccine in the future, but that is not our understanding of the situation now but of course that is

being double checked and tested both with the scientists in portadown and as we roll out the vaccine in areas where there is a high degree of the new variant with a pharmacological surveillance of those who have been vaccinated we will be able to see the real impact of this vaccine on the real impact of this vaccine on the new variant, and the goal is, as my right honourable friend said, that by the middle of next month we plan to have offered the first dose to everyone in the top full priority groups, and they currently account forfour groups, and they currently account for four out of five covid fatalities. i'm not sure this is a point that has been fully addressed, because of the strong correlation between age and fatality from covid, it means that we will be able to vaccinate those who account for four out of every five fatalities within the top four cohorts. it does then

ta ke the top four cohorts. it does then take 2—3 weeks from the first dose to reach immunity but the vaccine therefore is the way out of this pandemic and it is the way to a better year ahead. i'm grateful. was on that specific point you raised, he knows i understand that point, because at exactly the point i raised with him last week in the house when we were recalled last week and i welcome his commitment to it. can ijust take it back to the question from the member for winchester, because it is this point, once we vaccinate those four groups and they have immunity and we have taken care therefore of 80% of the risk of death, what possible reason is there at that point for not rapidly relaxing the restrictions that are in place on the rest of our country? we have to see the impact of that vaccination on the reduction in the number of deaths, which i very much hope we

will see at that point. and so that is why we will take this evidence led move down through the tiers, when we have broken the link i hope between cases and hospitalisations and deaths. we will need to see those numbers, we will need to see the protection in reality, in lived reality on the ground, but we will watch this like a hawk and my aim is to keep these restrictions in place not a moment longer than necessary. thank you for everything he is doing. but the logic of him anticipating what is going to happen in two or three or four weeks' time when the number of cases we are getting at the moment is that we could do the same in reverse. that is to say when we have a sufficient number of people vaccinated up, we can anticipate in two or three or four weeks' time how many deaths have been avoided. that means since it cuts both ways, he will be able

to make a decision on when we should end these restrictions as my right honourable friend has just suggested. the logic of the case that my honourable friend makes is the right logic and we want to see that happen in empirical evidence on the ground. madam deputy speaker, this hope for the weeks ahead does not take away though from the serious and immediate threat posed now. i just wanted serious and immediate threat posed now. ijust wanted to turn serious and immediate threat posed now. i just wanted to turn to what is in the regulations and the actions we need to take. the office for national statistics has reported that one in 50 of the population has the disease. sum with symptoms, some without. the latest figures show we have 30,074 over 19 patients in uk hospitals and that the nhs is under significant pressure. admissions are now higher than at any point in the pandemic. and so on monday, all four

uk chief medical officer is under significant pressure. admissions are now higher than at any point in the pandemic. and so on monday, all four uk chief medical officers recommended we moved the country to cover19 recommended we moved the country to cover 19 alert level five. in practice this means they believe that without action, there is a material risk of health care services are being overwhelmed. it is for this reason that we have placed england into a national lockdown alongside action taken in each of the devolved nations. every single citizen needs to take steps to control this new variant and this personal responsibility is important. to give the nhs a fighting chance to do its vital work of saving lives, it is on all of us to support them. these regulations set out that everyone must stay at home, except for a limited number of reasons are permitted in law, including essential shopping, work if you reasonably do so from home, education or childcare if eligible, medical needs including getting a covid test or getting vaccinated,

exercise, escaping domestic abuse and for support bubbles where people are eligible. these regulations are based on the existing tier for restrictions which reinforce the stay at home regulations. this includes closing sport and leisure facilities, although allowing playgrounds and allotments to remain open for i know these further restrictions are but they are u nfortu nately necessary, restrictions are but they are unfortunately necessary, because we have to absolutely minimise social interaction to try to get this virus back under control. these measures came into force on first thing this morning under the emergency procedure and will remain in force subject to this house's approval today. yes, of course. i havejust been talking to my right honourable friend for north somerset, doctor. he showed me the ridiculous form he has had to fill in to make this

simplejab, has had to fill in to make this simple jab, diversity, equality training. when he is in creating an old lady, he is not going to ask who she has come into contact with, so the secretary of state has to cut all this bureaucratic rubbish. i'm a man after my own right on the frame's heart and i can tell because we have removed a series of the unnecessary training modules that have been put in place, including fire safety, terrorism and others. will write to him with the full training that is not required and we have been able to remove and we make this change as of this morning and i'm glad to say it is enforced. i'm afan of i'm glad to say it is enforced. i'm a fan of busting bureaucracy and in this case, agree with him that it is not necessary to undertake anti—terrorism training in order to inject a vaccine. and it is also a story about vaccines on sunday which

is asi story about vaccines on sunday which is as i understand it, they think there will be sufficient vaccines for a seven day inoculation if someone ensures for a seven day inoculation if someone ensures they will be topped up, which is a little different to what the telegraph said today. up, which is a little different to what the telegraph said todaym quite right. the supply of vaccines can take place on all seven days of the week, but on a regular way, we do it on six days of the week and then on the seventh day people can either arrest or deliver further vaccine if that is what is necessary and asa vaccine if that is what is necessary and as a result of this, there has been no point at which somebody or any area has been short of a vaccine because of this delivery schedule. —— can either rest or deliver further vaccine. we need to increase the amount of vaccine available and the amount of vaccine available and the current rate limiting factor on the current rate limiting factor on the back seat role it is the supply of approved, tested, safe vaccine and we are working with both astrazeneca and pfizer to increase that supply as fast as possible and

they are doing a brilliantjob, but thatis they are doing a brilliantjob, but that is the current rate limiting step. is that supply increases, we are going to need more people to vaccinate. we will need the pharmacists involved, i very much hope to get my honourable friend, a doctor, involved in vaccinations and others. we will need more people, but he current rate limiting factor is the supply of vaccine. that is not to say that the companies are not to say that the companies are not providing all these schedule thatis not providing all these schedule that is agreed, they are and they are doing their bit, but we do need to increase that supply and then the nhs will increase as delivery and i hope to make absolutely crystal clear that point, because the phe work to get the vaccine out, that is not a rate—limiting step. the current discussions we are having with pharmacists, that is not a rate—limiting factor. what is a rate—limiting factor. what is a

rate—limiting factor. what is a rate—limiting factor is the amount of the actualjuice available, the actual vaccine, which is not manufactured like a chemical. it is effectively... it is a biological product. it is a bit like if you bake your own bread, madam deputies biko, i don't know if you do, i do, but it is a bit like the creation and growth of yeast. it is probably the best way to think of it, it is a complicated and difficult task and thatis complicated and difficult task and that is the rate—limiting factor and i pay that is the rate—limiting factor and i pay tribute to those who are engaged in the manufacturing process of this critical profit. he knows i am assessed with this. he mentioned the agreed schedule of delivery, will he consider publishing that so we can see what the agreed schedule is? what i can assure my honourable friend is that that agreed schedule of delivery will enable us to offer

vaccinations to everybody in the top four priority groups by the middle of february and that is why the prime minister could commit us to this delivery schedule. ijust prime minister could commit us to this delivery schedule. i just want to turn it for a moment to the support that has been outlined, because we are providing an additional 4.6 billion of support to businesses, including those in retail, hospitality and leisure, who have been forced to close once again, on top of of course the £280 billion plan for jobs again, on top of of course the £280 billion plan forjobs which includes the extension of the furlough scheme until april and i will give way. just on that point my honourable friend raised, the reason he raised it is we had a fantastic call last week, early this week, with the minister further vaccine delivery and we asked this question a number of times about the agreed schedule and did not get a clear answer, so it has been agreed with companies, why can't he just publish it so that

we know when vaccines will roll out and it will give people the confidence that we will deliver on the prime minister's commitment to the prime minister's commitment to the country? i will happily take that point away, but what i can tell my right honourable friend is that that supply does allow for the delivery of the schedule and the target the prime minister has set which my whole team is working to. madam deputies biko, yes of course. . . madam deputies biko, yes of course... he stressed that the problem is the introduction of the vaccine, presumably there is a limited number of sites on which it is being done. why have we not expanded the number of sites? we have we spent the summer working on that. i know the vaccine has into prominence in the public debate over the past month or so, but of course we have been working on that through the whole of the last year and there is further expansion still to come,

iam glad is further expansion still to come, i am glad to be able to assure him. i will close now just i am glad to be able to assure him. i will close nowjust by reiterating that if we do not act now, we know that if we do not act now, we know that eventually the nhs will not be able to cope and i note that no member of this house wants to see scenes that have been witnessed elsewhere in the world with hospitals overrun or doctors forced to make the choice of who to treat and who to turn away. we know that while the winter weeks will be difficult, we now know what the way out looks like and accelerating the deployment of covid vaccines, making the most vulnerable groups safe and eve ryo ne the most vulnerable groups safe and everyone playing their part on the way to get us there, that is the route out of this pandemic. i will ta ke route out of this pandemic. i will take any final interventions.” thank the secretary of state for everything he has done for this and will he alsojoined everything he has done for this and will he also joined me everything he has done for this and will he alsojoined me in everything he has done for this and will he also joined me in thanking the residents of wolverhampton for the residents of wolverhampton for the community testing they have done, when they have all come

together to defeat this virus.” will and i'm very glad i took that final intervention, because the people of wolverhampton have come together to deliver community testing in an incredibly impressive way and i've heard about the work at the gurdwara, bringing together faith leaders of all different faiths to make sure we get testing at the community and we need to do the same with the vaccine programme as well as testing, as both of these are critical. in the meantime, we must stay at home, protect the nhs and save lives and that eventually will carry us to a brighter future. thank you, the question is a measure number three related to public health as on the order paper. just before i call the right honourable gentleman, i confirm that there will bea gentleman, i confirm that there will be a time limit of three minutes imposed immediately upon backbench speeches. thank you, madam deputy speaker. we will support these

public health regulations tonight, but i like the secretary of state, i did not come into politics to restrict people's freedoms like this and someone who represents the city of leicester, a city that has effectively been in a form of restriction since last march, i well understand the devastating impact restrictions can have on our economy, our way of life and the mental health and well—being of our constituents. indeed, many of our constituents. indeed, many of our constituents will be devastated at the prospect of weeks and weeks, possibly more, until the end of march possibly, in isolation, feeling anxious, lonely. last year, in the months following the long lockdown, 19.6 million antidepressants were prescribed, a 496 antidepressants were prescribed, a 4% increase on the same period in the year before. more than 6 million people in england, the highest on record. if we are to support lockdown, we need assurances from ministers that mental health services will be fully resourced, will stay open, will be able to respond to people's needs throughout

this lockdown. i know that many people find solace through prayer, so people find solace through prayer, so i'm grateful that i can continue through the lockdown and can adjust with the indulgence of the house ta ke with the indulgence of the house take this opportunity to thank leicester city council and our councillors, who have all worked so ha rd councillors, who have all worked so hard with our many mosques, temples, gurdwaras, synagogues and churches on ensuring covid secure worship.” think it is really important for the shadow minister to add prayer. would he agree and call, as i have in the past, for a national day of prayer in this country? i think that is a very good recommendation and can i extend an invitation of the honourable gentleman to return to leicester to watch our great football tea m leicester to watch our great football team when we are allowed and out of this lockdown and perhaps i will take him around and show him some of the great interfaith work we

do in leicester as well. this lockdown will also hugely impact the well—being of our children, some are planned to get children back safely asa planned to get children back safely as a priority. to get children back you cannot access learning public from home. there will be children at risk of abuse and violence. members might know, i have spoken of my own experiences growing up in a home with a parent who had a problem with alcohol. many children will be facing the prospect of being locked in their homes who abuses a drink or drugs, so can i urge ministers to work with and fund those children's advocacy and support groups such as the national association for children of alcoholics, which i have worked with closely, who have been doing so much throughout this lockdown, but today, i agree with the secretary of state. we do u nfortu nately have the secretary of state. we do unfortunately have to restrict freedoms further in order to safeguard freedoms for the future and save lives. as the secretary of

state said, the tragic reality is the virus is out of control and to be blunt about it, there is no freedom for our constituents if they are in the graveyard. there is little freedom also for those who suffer from the enduring debilitating effects of long covid as well. yesterday, almost 50,000 55,000 cases reported in england. 0ne 55,000 cases reported in england. one in 50 have the virus. those in hospital number more than in april. 0ver hospital number more than in april. over 1800 hospital number more than in april. 0ver1800 in intensive care. yesterday, there were over 3300 hospitalisations, a record. admissions are going up in every region. this is a national emergency and a national lockdown is a necessary. indeed, we should have locked down sooner. we are voting this lockdown through on a 12th night, yet in the run—up to christmas, the alarm bells should have been ringing. the secretary of state came to the house on the 14th of december to report a new strain,

and he told the house then initial analysis suggest this variant is growing faster than existent variants. the panellist at the end of the rapid spread of the new variant on the 18th of december. the nerve target group met that group and concluded the new strain added at least not .4 to the r and on the 21st of december, the chief scientific adviser said the new strain was everywhere and cases would rise after the inevitable mixing of the christmas. the lesson i think you have to learn about this virus is it is important to get ahead of it in terms of action. sage met on december the 22nd, the following day, and concluded it is highly unlikely that measures of stringency in line with the measures in november would be sufficient to maintain r below one in the presence of the new variant. and here we are, two weeks later, with half a million infections since the 22nd of december, 33,000 hospitalisations

since the 22nd of december, this is a national tragedy. and why is it this prime minister, with all the scientific expertise at his disposal, all that the power to make a difference, always seems to be the last to grasp what is needed to happen? the prime minister has not been short of data. he has been short ofjudgment. and yet again, we are all praying. is the secretary of state said, there is light at the end of the tunnel. vaccination is how we ultimately are released from these restrictions and i want to pay tribute to all involved in helping distribute and administer 1.3 million vaccine doses so far. this isa million vaccine doses so far. this is a great achievement, but we need to go further and faster. the prime minister has promised almost 14 million will be offered the vaccine by mid—february. that depends on around 2 million a week average. both he and the prime minister have reassured us in recent days that it is doable based on orders. but in the past, ministers have told us

that they had agreements for 30 million astrazeneca doses by september 2020 and 10 million pfizer doses by the end of 2020. so i think people just want to understand the figures stop cannot ministers tell us figures stop cannot ministers tell us how many of the ordered doses have been manufactured? how many have been manufactured? how many have been manufactured? how many have been delivered to the nhs and how many batches are awaiting clea ra nce how many batches are awaiting clearance through the rha checking process is? 2 million a week would be fantastic, but it should be the limit of our ambitions. we should be aiming to scale up to three, five, 6 millionjabs over the aiming to scale up to three, five, 6 million jabs over the next few weeks. i miss right, thank you to be secretary of state for pointing that out, i must read my script. if we could vaccinate millions of people, deaths and hospitalisations would be reduced by 99%. that is what we should be targeting now. of course. . .

should be targeting now. of course... i think in forgiving way. 0bviously course... i think in forgiving way. obviously the opposition will support tonight. further to exchanges a number of members had come at what point will he and leader of the opposition be calling for restrictions to be released? and please do not say when it becomes obvious it is going to happen. well, the honourable gentleman asked a perfectly reasonable question. as we vaccinate more, mortality rates, we'll be able to save peoples lives, but will be those who will be not vaccinated, exposed to the virus and possibly develop long covid as a result of exposure to the virus, so of course i do believe that we can begin to ease restrictions once we increase the proportions of those who are vaccinated, but we will not be able to go back to normal yet, because the virus will still be

circulating and even though people may not end up in hospital and on ventilation, there are many who have contracted this virus he will remain incredibly ill as a result of the virus. yes. the generally positive way in which he approaches this does him great credit, can i perhaps help him great credit, can i perhaps help him outand him great credit, can i perhaps help him out and make a suggestion that every year we accept a certain amount of tragic, sad deaths of seasonal flu, up to 28,000 amount of tragic, sad deaths of seasonalflu, up to 28,000 in recent yea rs. seasonalflu, up to 28,000 in recent years. would it be reasonable to anticipate the number of deaths that are going to be caused by this virus and try to make a political judgment, a political judgment and try to make a political judgment, a politicaljudgment is what it is, on what we feel is acceptable? and that will give us our criteria for deciding when to lift this lockdown. the honourable gentleman again it makes a reasonable point, but it is notjust a simple calculation about the number of deaths that are saved. he has much more clinical experience than i have, obviously, but there are people who suffer long—term

debilitating conditions as a result of this virus. reports of people developing psychosis as a result of this virus, reports of people developing long—term breathing problems, problems with the rhythm of their heart as a result of this virus. it remains an extremely dangerous virus, regardless of whether you end up in hospital or not or on ventilation, but the honourable gentleman is quite right, in the end, this will be a judgment for politicians and for this house, not a judgment for the chief medical 0fficer not a judgment for the chief medical officer and a chief scientific adviser, although i would hope that ourjudgment in the end is guided by them. let me make a little progress. i will and that will be my last one. i also commend him for the constructive approach he has adopted and clearly has a very good relationship with my right honourable friend. can ijust relationship with my right honourable friend. can i just ask him to accept this proposition which is actually public confidence in this vaccination programme is critical if we want people to comply

with these lockdown measures and that we must do nothing that creates false expectations or unrealistic expectations about how this vaccination programme will go? we must be modest in what we promise and hopefully we will overachieve. can he assist my right arm were found in the objective? of course, i a lwa ys found in the objective? of course, i always think as a role in politics it is always better to under promise and over deliver and may on the treasury bench because on that advice to the prime minister, because it has had the opposite approach to some of these matters i would say. i'm a big target should be to vaccinate more, particularly nhs staff, because many on the front line in the face of danger are exhausted and many feel, as they have said to me, that they were sent out in the initial weeks of the first wave without the protection of ppe and now they are exposed again without the protection of

inoculation. will be ministers move heaven and earth to get all the front line nhs staff vaccinated urgently and can we have a clear date by which of those nhs staff on the front line will receive the vaccine? and if manufacturers can increase supply, what more can be done to increase distribution? in addition to gps, i know community pharmacists have tremendous links with hard to reach communities and we need to be making full use of them. vaccination not only saves lives, not only is it the route out of restrictions, it is also urgent, because we are now in a race against time. the b 117 strain is fast becoming dominant and has done in just a matter of weeks. the more virus there is circulating, the more there are opportunities for further mutations. mutations that could give this virus great advantage, possibly a variant where vaccines no longer work, risking another devastating first microwave in winter 2021.

vaccination both at home and across the world is urgent and the rest vaccinate is literally erased against —— literally erased. we know we have to reduce transmission out thatis we have to reduce transmission out that is why we are asking people to stay at home, but not everyone can work from home at their laptops. there are 10 million key workers in the united kingdom, of which only 1496 the united kingdom, of which only 14% can work from home. key workers, many low—paid, often using public transport to travel to work, in jobs that by necessity involve greater social mixing and more exposed to risk. and often, because of their home circumstances, they end up exposing others to risk as well. we witnessed this in leicester, where it is suspected a spike back in the summer was a result of a spill—over of infections into the community

from those sweatshops that did not adhere to proper safety rules. we need to make sure our workplaces are covid secure, otherwise we will not get on top of transmission. so what support is the government offering to install ventilation systems into workplaces? when be government introduce a safety threshold for ventilation of indoor workplaces without outside air? and given that the b 11 strain is so much more transmissible, is the government considering reintroducing the two metre rule? and when if than 20% of those who should isolate do so fully, will the government finally accept that sick workers need proper sick pay and support? 0therwise accept that sick workers need proper sick pay and support? otherwise they will be forced to work, spreading this illness. madam deputy speaker, the british public have done so much over the last year and made great sacrifices. we are a great country and our people can and will rise to the occasion. all that everyone asks

is for the government to do the right thing at the right time. make all workplaces are covid secure, vaccinate health workers as soon as possible, introduce decent sick pay and support to isolate, go about a mass vaccination programme that we have not seen before. this is a race against time and evolution and we will support this lockdown tonight. now introduce the three minute time limit andl now introduce the three minute time limit and i remind honourable and right honourable members that when a speaking limit is in effect for the back a countdown clock will be visible on the screens of honourable and right honourable members participating virtually and the screens in the chamber. for honourable and right honourable members are participating physically in the chamber, the usual clock in the chamber will operate. we now go to robert. i want to begin by

thanking the health secretary, his ministers and advisers for all they are doing a working day and night to try and keep the country safe. whilst i understand the government's health measures, i really worry about school closures and we need to know if a risk assessment has been done as to the loss of learning, impact on mental health and safeguarding hazards to children not in school. not so long ago, 1500 members of the world college of paediatrics wrote that school closures significantly paediatrics wrote that school closures sig nifica ntly affect children's well—being. we now know there has been a huge fourfold increase in eating disorders amongst young people, in part due to school closures and social isolation. children's groups and charities have warned of a new frontier of vulnerabilities, children out of school exposed at online harms, exposed to county line gangs, exposed to county line gangs, exposed to county line gangs, exposed to tough situations at home like domestic abuse and we know that school closures put enormous pressure on parent's life and

well—being as they have to juggle work was looking afterjudging and reduce their hours. i would urge the government to consider the following, first to ensure that teachers and support staff are given priority for vaccinations, alongside nhs workers, solely for the purpose of getting school open sooner rather than later. second, for more resources to be put into mental health, having practitioners in all schools to help with the fallout from closures and isolation, so that pupils, parents, teachers and support staff can access mental health support whenever they need it. and third, that the 0fsted should partner with schools as candid friends to ensure quality remote education for all that pupils. the chief inspector of schools has said that one day of national school closures equals around 40,000 child years in total, thatis around 40,000 child years in total, that is a grim statistic. is a country, a choice should be made. do we value the coming generation of our children or not? are we going to risk their life chances to climb the

educational ladder of opportunity by shutting down real schooling from their lives? we need a guarantee that the plans for school to reopen after the february half term is signed in blood and notjust a guideline, but we absolutely need to be careful of this awful virus. we cannot risk an epidemic of educational poverty and mental health affecting our younger generations for years to come. we now go to the snp spokesperson. let's pull away from that for a moment, bbc parliament if you want to keep watching that, but let's talk to our political correspondent. hearing from the chair of the education committee, and education is the other topic that is hot in westminster at the moment as well as this debate on the lockdown. westminster at the moment as well as this debate on the lockdownm absolutely is. over the weekend, we saw that change from wanting children to go back to school to than the national lockdown in

schools closing, and the government has been very clear that it is concerned about the impact that has on children not being in the classroom. earlier we heard from gavin williamson for example but this year that internet exams they will put their trust in teachers rather than algorithms this year, a problem to last year's results. there are concerns about what will happen to children not in classrooms. the shadow health secretary put that concern up, what support will children get who are at home with parents who have problems with alcohol or drugs. it is not just a feeling about the educational opportunities for children but about the social aspect as well and how you protect children not in the classroom. labour says they will vote with the government, there is no question of not going through. labour has said it will vote for

these restrictions. they will pass this retrospective vote. the legislation has already come into force, the rules came into force this morning, this is a retrospective vote, but with labour backing it, it will pass. both government and opposition agree that these new lockdown restrictions are needed because of the ultimate spread of the virus. they differ perhaps and how they got there, labour saying this is not bad luck, but the government should have done this sooner. the restrictions will come in or have come in rather so they will pass this vote later but what we have been hearing this debate about some of the questions raised around it. matt hancock very much repeating what the prime minister said, there is a certain way out of this, that this lockdown will come to an end after they vaccinated the right number of people. the questions we have been hearing from conservative backbenchers is what point is that?

is that once you have vaccinated all of those who are particularly vulnerable, is there then a point you should lift restrictions? they are worried about the fact that this legislation means that restrictions could stay in place until the end of march. matt hancock saying that is not the intention but the reason you have that there is so that after the 15th of february we might start to see the gradual easing of restrictions in a tiered way. echoing what borisjohnson said earlier, that when this lockdown comes to an end they will not come to an end with a big bang but it would be a gradual moving back down that regionalised tier system but at the same time the government wanting to say there is a way out and vaccination is that way. let's look at what the education secretary has been talking about. he has concern —— confirmed that exams will not go ahead this summer and he wanted to reassure eve ryo ne ahead this summer and he wanted to reassure everyone that i was have not become unsafe but that limiting the number of people who attend them

as essential as covid rates climb. he said gcse, a.s. and a—level exams will be replaced by school—based assessments instead with training given to make sure that grades are consistent. he said the government has set out legally binding requirements for schools to find high quality remote education, mandatory for all state funded schools and on. i stayed. he also said that schools will provide we heaven five hours of teacher training ata heaven five hours of teacher training at a and there will be three data usage for key educational sites. he also confirmed that schools and colleges can choose to offer or cancel btec exams, even though some people have been sitting btec examinations today. he also announced funding to help schools provide school parcels will enable children to access free school meals if eligible. there are around 130,000 students taking btec and i am joined by one of them. and i'm

alsojoined by a am joined by one of them. and i'm also joined by a year 13 student who would have been taking his a—levels this summer. thank you for hanging on. joshua, btecs, ithink this summer. thank you for hanging on. joshua, btecs, i think you were due to be taking an exam on friday, so due to be taking an exam on friday, so what is the situation now? that's correct. good afternoon and thank you for having me on. the situation has changed dramatically in the past few hours. 0riginally i had on friday and monday for health and social care. the original stance from the department for education was that gcses and a—levels would be cancelled but vocational exams such as mine would go ahead. that has now changed and that it is at the discretion of each college. my couege discretion of each college. my college has decided btec exams will not go ahead. so as far as i am concerned that is where i am at this moment in time. and presumably that

would be ok if all colleges were doing the same thing, but if some and some aren't there is an instant unfairness there. 10096, from my perspective that is not an equal playing field. i know my exams are not going ahead but my heart goes out to the thousands of pupils across the country that still might be doing their exams and whether or not the colleges have confirmed that i'm not too sure but it's unbelievable, it is not good at all, the fact that so much uncertainty. jake, you wrote to the education secretary yesterday, you are not happy with all of this. i think we may have lost jake. happy with all of this. i think we may have lostjake. while we saw that line—out, let's return to joshua. do you think your college had any choice in this? as soon as the education secretary said it is down to you and puts colleges in a

very difficult position. definitely. without a doubt. first and foremost, my college has been superb in handling the situation. but they did not have much of a choice and is 100% the correct decision. their main priority is to ensure the safety a nd main priority is to ensure the safety and well—being of pupils and staff and if that means cancelling a few exa ms staff and if that means cancelling a few exams for the sake of safety than i 100% stand by that. few exams for the sake of safety than i 10096 stand by that. and what is it like doing vocational courses online? is quite difficult. currently i'm on a two week schedule so one currently i'm on a two week schedule so one week i will attend college in person for two days in the next week it will be via microsoft teams. personally, i'm finding it all right, the teachers are superb, they have managed to teach or the content adequately. i am learning all the content. it could be worse from my

perspective. and you have a good wi—fi signal which helps! i think we have sorted that one out with jake. i was saying that i think you wrote to gavin williamson yesterday?” did. i to gavin williamson yesterday?” did. lam to gavin williamson yesterday?” did. i am not very happy. it feels like the new decision feels like everything is in the past now and it feels like my results have already been decided and it is obvious that exams will not continue. gavin williamson needs to be more clear. and whether that is through more formal assessments of things like that, there needs to be more clarity for schools so we have the same approach to different schools and everyone is doing the same thing. what he is saying yes it will be done to teachers to assess that there will be some sort of standardisation in that process. isn't that the fairest way, given that teachers probably know you better than anyone else? that teachers probably know you better than anyone else ?” that teachers probably know you better than anyone else? i think so, but now we are spending less time at

school it will be done over zoom which makes it harder for teachers to know where you are at and separately to that it feels like it forgets about the students that feel they could do better in exams, sol think i can do better in exams than lam doing think i can do better in exams than i am doing currently but if feel lost because i don't know howl prove that to my teachers. with a limited time i will be spending at school. what do you think gavin williamson should do? what did you say at the end of your letter to him? i was suggesting, thinking about not exams but smaller exams that are still regulated by 0fcom well so instead of telling schools how to do it, i was thinking we could have exams that are actually carried out to gauge where you are out without it will be down to teachers. would you let me know if you get a response? i will, thanks.

joshua, what does the future hold? how damaging how is this last 12 months been? iron vote in september so months been? iron vote in september so to be honest it has not been that bad to me but my heart goes out to me to the year two students. i feel sorry for them. but my long—term career goals, i will hopefully go on and study paramedics at university. joshua, we wish you all the luck in the world for that, thank you, joshua and jake, and i suspect we will talk to you again. if you do get a response from the educational —— the education secretary, let us know. let us bring you news coming in from know. let us bring you news coming infrom our know. let us bring you news coming in from our correspondent in northern ireland, where the storm on the education minister has confirmed that all gcse, a.s. and a—level

examinations in northern ireland will not go ahead this year because of the covid—19 crisis. he has tweeted, as you can see there. some gcse exams were due to take place next week and was scheduled for february, may and june, as we can see there, not now going ahead. with the escalation in cases of coronavirus, there's huge pressure on the government to get its vaccination programme right. covid vaccine deployment minister nadhim zahawi says he hopes deaths will start to reduce as early as this spring. dominic hughes reports. the nhs is under intense pressure, driven by a big surge in new cases of covid—19,

more than 60,000 yesterday. the office for national statistics says last week in england alone one in 50 people in private households had the virus, rising to one in 30 in london. that means some tough weeks ahead for the health service. this position is the most serious we have been in so far in this pandemic. we are now seeing the number of patients in hospital 40% higher than the cases at the peak in march and april, and we know the cases in the community are still rising. that means that we expect to see further admissions to hospital and we expect to see further deaths. we are in a better position than we were in march, april. people have had a lot of experience in treating coronavirus over the last year and we have got extra data from clinical trials over what the right treatments are to give to individuals. better treatments for the very ill and a vaccine. the government's target is to vaccinate an estimated 13 million people by the middle of february — that works out at around 2 million people per week. they come from four priority groups — care home residents and workers, then people over 80 and front—line health and social care staff, those in the 75—79 age group are next in line,

followed by 70—74—year—olds, including everybody identified as extremely clinically vulnerable. if i do it well and we deliver the protection for those first four categories in the most vulnerable categories, then we can begin to see the relationship. there will come a moment when the intersection between both hospitalisation and of course mortality and the vaccination programme, and therefore spread in communities, will begin to tilt in our favour and actually reduce the death rate and reduce the hospitalisation rates. but getting 13 million people vaccinated within the next six weeks is going to be tough and local pharmacists, experienced in delivering vaccines, are asking why so far they are not part of the plan. 90% of the population of england are within a 20—minute walk of their local pharmacy, so let's use that convenience and geographical proximity

to maximise the vaccine roll—out. getting a second jab in east london this morning with was this man. now in his 80s, he is part of a bangladeshi community that has been badly hit by the virus. accompanied by his grandson, he knows some are reluctant to receive the vaccine, but he wants to lead by example. get the last injection today, i feel better. iam happy. take everybody injection. that's good for everyone. i think it's very important that people from the bangladeshi community and other minority communities are aware of the importance of getting vaccinated and getting tested for corona. the contrast between the future hope offered by the vaccine and the current crisis in the health service is stark. there will be some difficult days to come. dominic hughes, bbc news. dr mike tildesley from the university of warwick is a member of the sage subgroup, the scientific pandemic influenza group on modelling, known as spi—m.

the group provides advice on epidemiology and infectious disease modelling to the uk government. what do you think of the message we seem what do you think of the message we seem to be getting from the government today? what we do need really as consistent messaging going forward. we have the situation where we have just entered the next lockdown, we know it time ahead, and there is uncertainty from the government in terms of how long that will last. actually what i think we need to do... what we have done previously is put on measures and then extended them, so maybe the public have not bought into that because you might feel it will mutate in a short period of time and thenit mutate in a short period of time and then it gets extended. what i would like to see is that to be the other way round, we expect measures to be in place until early march but if we do get high levels of it here and

get ahead of this and get the number down and get high levels of vaccination we will be able to relax them earlier, and almost incentivising people to adhere as much as possible and do what they can to bring these numbers down. more carrot, less stick? it needs to be because we are saying, we will put these measures and the couple of weeks and then evaluate, and then i can weeks and then evaluate, and then i ca n totally weeks and then evaluate, and then i can totally understand the public‘s perspective, things have not come down, then it gets extended and then it seems like this endless cycle we can never get out of. people work better to having some kind of deadline, something to work towards, and if it turns out we can relax earlier, that is great, but we need to baton down the hatches, it needs to baton down the hatches, it needs to be clear advice, we will be in this situation for two months at least u nless this situation for two months at least unless we really get the r—number below one in the next few weeks and then we may be able to relax earlier. to be fed to the

government, though, the new variant of coronavirus has thrown this whole thing away, and whilst there was optimism about the vaccination and there still is, it is clear that this new variant has changed the whole dynamic of this. you're absolutely right. we can look at the november lockdown. we can argue that that was nowhere near as stringent as the lockdown back in april and may, but you are right, the new variant emerged during that time, our predictions suggest it is at least 50% more transmissible, possibly more, that means you don't have anywhere near as much margin for movement in terms of locking down to get the r—number below one. we have a really long way to go so we might have expected tier 3 has happened before lockdown would have been effective in december to bring us been effective in december to bring us below one, and it was clear that was not the case, so unfortunately

it does mean we will have to do more severe controls over the next few weeks, hopefully get this lockdown working and get people adhering to the rules, really tighten it up, but it will be really touch and go as to whether even with the messages we have in place on school closures we will get the r—number below one. where is it headed at the moment, do you think? there are early signs that certainly it is going in the right direction, that we are starting to produce things and the contacts have come down, and the r—number is going down, but we have a way to go. and then of course we will be throwing in over the next few weeks as we start to get more people vaccinated, hopefully we will get more positive impact from that, but again that will be mid—february at least until we start to see any indication in the data of hospital occupancy going down in the number of deaths going down. the next few weeks will be crucial, we will get a good signal in 2—3 weeks' time as to

the relative effectiveness of this lockdown compared to the lockdown in november. thanks for your time this afternoon, could talk to you. —— good to talk to you. bbc tv is to help children keep up with their studies during the latest lockdown by broadcasting lessons on bbc two and cbbc, as well as online. the bbc will show curriculum—based programmes on tv from monday january 11th. they will include three hours of primary school programming every weekday on cbbc, and at least two hours for secondary pupils on bbc two. the primary programmes will be broadcast on cbbc from 9am every day. bbc radio one presenter kate thistleton will front new content from bitesize daily — shejoins me now. hejust explain what

he just explain what you will show and when. we have had a busy day! basically, we did this in the first lockdown, we filmed all of these new show is called bbc bite—size daily, different episodes, and we had a new one every day. there is a programme for primary school students in secondary school students as well and all of the different age groups within that. i present quite a lot of them, there are other children's tv presenter and other famous faces and we have real teachers on their who take us through many lessons, learning the curriculum students are not able to do in class. this time we're putting them out on tv so previously they were just available on the iplayer and red button but obviously we know and it has been in the news a lot that not everyone has access to the internet, not every house has broadband and not everyone has access to a device we want to make it as accessible as possible

for all the young people and children so that is the difference, it will be on the telly every you can almost hear the breath of relief from parents who have been doing this themselves. what reaction have you had to this announcement? it's been incredible. people really excited about the first time around but now i don't know whether we need more hope more than ever, we are feeling like we need to utilise what we given, and there has been such a focus on will go on with schools, will they go back or not, what will happen with exams? teachers have had it tough and so have parents, it's really ha rd it tough and so have parents, it's really hard for them, so we have had an amazing response. i really hard for them, so we have had an amazing response. i was really hard for them, so we have had an amazing response. i was sat watching bbc drama last night, i had so watching bbc drama last night, i had so many watching bbc drama last night, i had so many messages from watching bbc drama last night, i had so many messages from parents and teachers who are really pleased about it so i'm glad it's getting the recognition it deserves. the bbc does amazing educational content so i'm glad everybody knows its then they will use it. hard work for you?

when we were filming, it was all very quick. we did not know what would happen the first time around and everyone worked so hard, we were working really long days, filming and trying to get them out, and luckily i did not have to learn anything because it would have taken early if i had to swot up on my english and maths for gcses but luckily we had real teachers there but it has been really busy because thisjob has put but it has been really busy because this job has put lots but it has been really busy because thisjob has put lots of but it has been really busy because this job has put lots of freelances and work so it's been a really nice positive part of what has been going on. we wish you all the luck in the world with it. good luck with that. really good to talk to you. it's the election that will decide who controls the us senate and the extent to which president— electjoe biden will be able to advance his agenda. and right now it's looking good for his democratic party. with two senate seats up for grabs,

raphael warnock and jon 0ssoff have claimed victory. paul adams reports. another long night of counting in a state that has done little else for the past two months. georgia's seismic shift seems to have continued. first electing joe biden as president and now possibly two senators from the same democratic party, giving mr biden a narrow but vital edge in congress. 0ne, raphael warnock, looks set to become the state's first black senator. that in itself a moment of history, here in america's deep south. tonight, we proved that, with hope, hard work and the people by our side, anything is possible. for legions of newly energised african—american voters, it's a moment to savour. inspired by local politician and voting rights champion stacey abrahams, tens of thousands of black and young georgians have registered since november.

pamela frink wanted her daughter to be there. just the joy of being able to see her understand what today means and what it holds for our future, it has made me feel proud. the other race is closer but the democratjon 0ssoff is ahead. at 33, he would be the country's youngest senator, a distinction once held decades ago byjoe biden. in washington, congress is set to confirm mr biden as the country's next president. a formality finally drawing a line under november's result. donald trump says he is looking to his vice president mike pence to hold the process up. reports suggest mr pence is unwilling. he has made it clear to trump that constitutionally he has no power, and that is correct, the vice president has never had a role overturning election results. there was some lawsuit that was shut down about a week ago because the republicans were trying to contest this idea that the vice

president could actually challenge the state electorate, but he can't. some republicans will object, but it is symbolic, members like ted cruz thinking about their own future political battles, not this one. mr trump's angry supporters have descended on washington to make their voices heard. it won't make any difference. but it shows what a deeply polarised america joe biden is inheriting. paul adams, bbc news. we have had more wintry weather over the country. mixed fortunes in terms of any sunshine. this was the picture earlier on wednesday, some blue sky there. further south, we have had a lot of cloud. that has been bringing a mix of rain, sleet and snow full over the higher ground. the area is now clearing

away and our attention turned to the next weather front moving in from the north—west bringing rain and snowfall but the here and now we are still in the cold i the blue colour is still with us. not as blustery as it has been over some recent days. for the rest of the day, we have the area of rain and sleet in this clearing from the south—east, heavy showers for the channel isles. temperature is only 1—6. showers for the channel isles. temperature is only 1—6 . the rain quickly turns to snow as it moves in across the north west scotland, bringing sleet and snow across northern ireland. quite a lot of snow and ice in this developing across northern areas is that front pushes its way in. further south, icy stretches and fog patches. temperatures getting down to minus 4——6, not as cold in the far south—eastern east anglia but what you will notice is freezing fog patches that will linger to the day, particularly to parts of northern

england towards the midlands, central southern england and wales, so central southern england and wales, so freezing fog lingering for some of us but gradually starting to break up. sunshine and wintry showers moving on from the north and he is that with the front which continues its progress south, bringing several centimetres of snow to southern scotland pushing into northern england. a cold day, temperatures 1—5 thursday afternoon. and looking towards the end of the week into friday, we still have this week front making its way south but it fizzles out so still bringing wintry precipitation to the course of friday, moving south, potentially through the midlands, wales, snow here, feathery wintry showers across parts of scotla nd wintry showers across parts of scotland as well. a bit of sunshine away from the wintry flurries but another cold day, temperatures 2—4 , icy stretches around through friday, and then things will turn a bit milder as we had to the weekend and into next week. goodbye for now.

this is bbc news. the headlines: the education secretary says that students in england whose summer exams have been cancelled will be graded by their teachers and not an algorithm. gcses, a—levels and as—level exams will not go ahead this summer. this year, we are going to put our trust in teachers rather than algorithms. where the secretary of state goes, case and confusion follows and its children, families and education staff across the country can pay the price for his incompetence. the prime minister says the end of england's lockdown will not happen with a "big bang" but will instead be gradual. as the number of cases

breaks another record, a warning from public health england as hospital pressure mounts. we know that the cases in the community are still rising and that means that we expect to see further admissions to hospital and we expect to see further deaths. on a knife—edge — with most votes counted in georgia, president—electjoe biden's democrat party looks set to gain control of the senate. supporters of donald trump are gathering in washington, where he will be addressing what his team have coined the "save america" rally. and digging for victory, the dramatic rescue involving dizzie the deaf cocker spaniel and a jcb digger.

the education secretary gavin williamson has confirmed that gcse and a—level exams in england won't go ahead this summer. he said he wanted to reassure everyone that schools haven't suddenly become unsafe, but that limiting the number of people who attend them is essential because of the climbing rates of covid—19. gavin williamson said gcse, as and a—levels in england will be replaced by a form of school—based assessments, with training given to make sure grades are fair and consistent. he added that it is now legally binding for all state funded schools to provide high—quality remote education and that this will be enforced by ofsted. he said schools must provide three to five hours of teaching a day and he praised uk internet providers for offering free data at key educational sites. in terms of vocational qualifications, the education

secretary said schools and colleges can decide whether to cancel btec exams, even though some pupils have been sitting some today. he also announced funding to help schools provide food parcels, or to enable children to access free school meals if they're eligible. mr williamson said the government had learnt lessons from mistakes that were made with exams last year. this year we are going to put our trust in teachers rather than algorithms. the department and 0fqual have already worked over a range of contingency options. while the details will need to be fine—tuned in consultation with 0fqual, the exam boards and teaching representative organisations, i can confirm now that i wish to use a form of teacher—assessed grades with training and support provided to ensure these are awarded fairly

and consistently across the country. i know students and staff have worked hard to prepare for the january exams and assessments of vocational and technical qualifications and we want to tell our schools and colleges to continue with these assessments where they judge it is right to do so. no college should feel pressure to offer these and we will ensure all students are able to progress fairly, just as we will with vtqs in the summer. 0ur education correspondent sean dilley is with me. is there relief? is there a clear explanation now? what is your sense of what teachers and parents really will be feeling today? we have had across the bbc news channel that there are certainly some teachers who say the confusion continues and some students. the government have set out in the clear details that

they would expect, subject to some fine tuning as they would put, the idea of some kind of teacher assessed system of marking replacements for gcses and a—levels and they say they will look into what there is a may be. as for the more vocational and technical exams such as btecs, that is still in the hands of individual colleges and schools. we have to remember, not two days ago, the government were really rather insistent that they will go ahead. that changed that very same day two they could go ahead if schools and colleges wanted it to. there are an awful lot of leaders in that context that felt that was not clear guidance and that much has not changed. right, yes, because people watching will think why is there that distinction with that vocational qualifications? why is it being left up to the academic institutions to make that decision? to be fed to the government, there was a to be fed to the government, there wasaa to be fed to the government, there was a a lot of people would take

vocational qualifications and need a licence, so it would give them an opportunity to pursue that career, but the association of colleges being one that said if the government said this is the policy you should do and this is what you should not do, they would find that easier to understand in terms of continuity. what the government did say about btecs is anyone who is unable to take it related to the current lockdown situation is they would look to find alternative ways of grading. used the word grading, let's talk a little bit more about gcses and a—levels, because my goodness, we remember last year, there will be students up and down there will be students up and down the country who will be working so ha rd towards the country who will be working so hard towards thinking they have exams this may, june. talk a little more about confidence and how there grades are going to be arrived at. because gavin williamson used the word algorithm. he was speaking in specific terms, because we might remember back in the summer that when exams had to be cancelled,

there was a mathematical algorithm to ta ke there was a mathematical algorithm to take predicted grades and combine them with where somebody might sit in the rankings of their class and how historically well the school has performed in exams. that had to be booted by the government at the time after complaints that it was not fair, that four out of ten pupils at that period were downgraded as a result. he did say at the time it was important for the integrity, people had have confidence in exams and so when he stood out in the house of commons and he said he trusted teachers, not algorithms, it caused matters amongst the backbenchers from some mps have spoken to this afternoon. thanks very much for now. spoken to this afternoon. thanks very much for labour has - their the commons. labour has given their reaction. the shadow education secretary kate green said a consistent approach is needed

across the country. mr speaker, months ago, the education secretary gave a cast—iron commitment that exams would go ahead. at that moment, we should have known they were doomed to be cancelled. i wanted exams to go ahead fairly, but i was always clear that there must be a plan b if that was not possible. for months, there was no sign of any such plan, although the risks that exams could not happen has always been predictable. the secretary of state says he will be providing support to teachers to award grades. can he tell me when they will receive the support and what form it will take and confirm that it will be available in all schools? and can he tell me exactly what will be done to ensure that all the grades are fair, consistent and support pupils to move on in their education or employment? i heard what he said about technical and vocational exams. but frankly, he is failing to show leadership on the exams taking place injanuary and he is leaving it simply to schools and colleges to decide what they should do

in difficult circumstances. will he now do the right thing and cancel this week's btec exams, as parents, colleges and the association of colleges are calling for? kate green there for labour with the opposition response to that statement from the education secretary, gavin williamson. let's focus on students, teachers and what it all means for those who should have been taken exams later this year. anita ellis is the headteacher of royal wootton bassett academy in wiltshire. shejoins me now. . for gcses, no a—levels, what are your thoughts? we are relieved to hear this has contributed is a snippet, it is lacking any detail struck yet again, we are feeling like having to these pieces together

as if it is a really big jigsaw puzzle. what we have got out there the members are students, parents and staff who are asking questions we have not had time to piece any in that detail together yet and we need time to be able to do that, that it would have been nice this afternoon to have had an awful lot more flesh on the bones. 0k, what is it that you are hoping to hear? what sort of detail will be hoping to hear that you have not? to describe what is going to happen moving forward as teacher assessed grades is very different from sensuous assessed grades which is what you did last year. with a significant process thatis year. with a significant process that is to be put in place. —— centre assessed grades. to make sure grades and nationally, so that you do not have the was calling cornel and his gullible chair that might roderick raise in a particular way. —— a school in cornwall and his school in wiltshire that might

moderate in a specific way. that not what gavin williamson said he was aiming for? he was talking about training to make sure exams are consistent across the country, if that's not what he was driving at? absolutely, but if i stand up there ona absolutely, but if i stand up there on a monday morning in three's times with all of my staff and are issuing sound bites or part statements of a plan, i need to be clear with my staff and say there's more to come. there is more advice to come. i have to say that this has raises some questions yet again and we are in school environments, paste kick faced with questions from parents, children and students. most who were sitting btecs this morning u nsuccessfully sitting btecs this morning unsuccessfully this morning, but stu d e nts unsuccessfully this morning, but students are asking questions and we have to be professional and reassure

the public, and it looks like the plan has yet to be created. —— recruit successfully this morning. when he says this year we're putting our trust in teachers, not algorithms corrected that give staff confidence? i'm hitting his word trust and i'm pleased to reinforce that. also talking about fats, —— sats, primary schools will be pleased about that. what are your thoughts about, almost a personal level, just as someone who has done thejob, i don't know how level, just as someone who has done the job, i don't know how many years he had been in thejob, but your thoughts of what this all means the stu d e nts thoughts of what this all means the students who have been working so hard, irrespective of whether you think it is the right decision, what

this means the kids who have been thinking i have big exams coming up and now that is not the case?” thinking i have big exams coming up and now that is not the case? i have been a head teacher since april this year and been a head teacher since april this yearandi been a head teacher since april this year and i have been at royal wootton bassett academy for 19 yea rs. wootton bassett academy for 19 years. i know all our community and stu d e nts years. i know all our community and students incredibly well and i have to say when a borisjohnson stated about the lockdown directory days ago, at the very first thing i wrote to parents about figure 11 is an 30s was that because we were not sure of the plan moving forward, we have to continue to engage. to walk around to find the 11 and year 13 students 100% engaged in lessons absolutely fills my heart with glee, because what that is saying is that students are recognising that they may not be an exam at the end of this, an official form will examine the summer, but they are continuing to work hard. that but ‘s not forget education is not about exams. it is about a learning process and young

people learning, gaining knowledge and becoming more confident. that of the learning process and i'm happy to see throwing themselves into this was we have at 100% support from our pa rents. was we have at 100% support from our parents. thank you very much, he did ta ke parents. thank you very much, he did take a good job as an interesting time, didn't you? will be talking more about exams only because of the afternoon. in the last few minutes the latest goverment data has been 1,041 new covid—19 deaths have been reported within 28 days of a positive test.

that compares with 830 deaths on tuesday. so, there has been a jump that. in the last few minutes the latest government data has been published showing the uk has reported 62,322 new cases. of course, more on that to come as well. right now, we'll turn our attention to the united states. it's the election that will decide which party controls the us senate, and the extent to which president—electjoe biden will be able to advance his agenda. and right now it's looking good for his democratic party. with two senate seats up for grabs, the democrats raphael warnock and jon 0ssoff have claimed victory. paul adams reports. another long night of counting in a state that has done little else for the past two months. georgia's seismic shift seems to have continued.

first electing joe biden as president and now possibly two senators from the same democratic party, giving mr biden a narrow but vital edge in congress. 0ne, raphael warnock, looks set to become the state's first black senator. that in itself a moment of history, here in america's deep south. tonight we proved that with hope, hard work and the people by our side, anything is possible. for legions of newly energised african—american voters it is a moment to savour. inspired by local politician and voting rights champion stacey abrahams, tens of thousands of black and young georgians have registered since november. pamela frink wanted her daughter to be there. just the joy of being able to see her understand what today

means and what it holds for our future, it has made me feel proud. the other race is closer but the democratjon 0ssoff is ahead. at 33, he would be the country's youngest senator, a distinction once held decades ago byjoe biden. in washington, congress is set to confirm mr biden as the country's next president. a formality finally drawing a line under november's result. donald trump says he is looking to his vice president mike pence to hold the process up. reports suggest mr pence is unwilling. he has made it clear to donald trump that constitutionally he has no power and that is correct, the vice president has never had a role overturning election results. there was some lawsuit that was shut down about a week ago because the republicans were trying to contest this idea that the vice president could actually challenge the state electorate. but he can't. some republicans will object, but it is symbolic, members

like ted cruz thinking about their own future political battles, not this one. mr trump's angry supporters have descended on washington to make their voices heard. it won't make any difference. but it shows what a deeply polarised america joe biden is inheriting. paul adams, bbc news. meanwhile president trump has tweeted that mike pence has the power to change the result of the election. he said... he goes on to say that many states want to decertify the mistake they made in certifying incorrect and even fraudulent numbers in a process not approved by their state legislatures. mike can send it back! that of a recent tweet from president trump.

0ur washington correspondent lebo disekojoins me now. this is another extraordinary tweet, because it isn't everybody saying the vice president has no such power? not just everybody, the vice president has no such power? notjust everybody, the constitution says that. mike pence's roll is essentially ceremonial. he receives that the votes as they come, it opens envelopes and passes them to the tellers who verify and count the votes. if there are objections quickly is a member of representatives and a senator to back an objection. at the moment we know of three. there be more. if that happens, they break out, they have two hours to talk about it, debate and then a very well take place. in order objection stand, unity has representatives and the senate to pass the vote, remember the democrats hobby the house of representatives and you can just imagine how likely it is that the democrats will vote forjoe biden's

fights to be kicked out, very unlikely indeed. just to give you an idea of how extraordinary it is, the last thing something like that happens where an objection was upheld in this way it was in the reconstruction period, shortly after the civil war in the 1800s, a long time ago. it is not the first time objections have been had, but in the context of a president refusing to accept the results of the election, it is very significant. also, talking to you, we are looking at these images from elsewhere in washington. i'm just trying to see the pictures of crowds at now, admittedly i'm looking at a fairly small screen, you may have a better sense of this than i do, but we know that donald trump and some of his tea m that donald trump and some of his team are urging people to come out onto the streets. tell us more about this. yes, there are several protests planned all around washington, dc today, this afternoon

as well. donald trump is due to speak at one, rudy giuliani was speaking not long ago. we saw some of his protest is just outside the capital and they are essentially repeating chung's claims which have been kicked out of court up and down the country, it is 50 cases have had to be without merit. —— donald trump's claims. his allies are yet to provide evidence of this widespread fraud they claim. this, we have work, just a couple of weeks to go until the operation. yes, this is essentially the last step before the inauguration and it really does look... even though this is going to bea look... even though this is going to be a protracted process of for half an hour that it usually is, there is little doubt that at the end of the dayjoe biden will be declared to be the winner and the inauguration will go ahead as planned. donald trump

and his allies have suggested incorrectly that the inauguration can be delayed, it cannot. the 20th of the next date in our calendar we will be looking ahead to. right, for now, thank you very much indeed. the wikilea ks founder, julian assange, has been refused bail, while the united states appeals against a decision not to extradite him. the us wants to prosecute him in relation to the publication of hundreds of thousands of classified documents. a judge at westminster magistrates' court said there was a risk he may abscond. julian assange's supporters say they will appeal. a former goldman sachs banker, richard sharp, will be confirmed later this week as the next chair of the bbc trust. richard sharp recently served as an adviser to the chancellor, rishi sunak. he will succeed sir david clementi, whose term expires in february. the french restaura nteur and chef albert roux has died at the age of 85,

after a long period of illness. albert roux opened le gavroche restaurant in london in 1967 with his brother michel, who died last year. le gavroche was the first restaurant in the uk to be awarded three michelin stars. albert's son michel rouer said he was a mentor and a real inspiration to budding chefs. the prime minister says he had no choice but to introduce a new lockdown in england. the figures for covid infections are surging and hospitals are near breaking point. today's figures show another grim record, with more than 60,000 credit cases and more than 1000 deaths for the first time since april. bat coronavirus cases the commons has been recalled from recess for the second time,

for the second time, to debate and retrospectively vote on the measures tonight. damian grammaticus reports. in a capital with soaring infection rates, mps recalled today for an extraordinary sitting. the prime ministerjust a few days ago did not foresee this lockdown happening this fast. how long are we in this for, prime minister? but n the capital, one in 30 people have been infected by the virus in just the past week. inside there was ceremony, but few to see it happen, a handful of mps present in parliament. a new year, a new variant and so tighter restrictions. i now call the prime minister to make a statement, borisjohnson. it is inescapable that the facts are changing and we must change our response and so we have no choice but to return to a national lockdown in england with similar measures being adopted by the devolved administrations. so we can control this new variant until we can take the most likely victims out

of its path with vaccines. under england's new restrictions, you can only leave home for essential reasons. no mixing of households is allowed indoors or out but you can meet one person for exercise and there are exceptions for child care and medical needs or support bubbles. mps are concerned about how long restrictions may last. they could be in place until the end of march, but there will be fortnightly reviews, including in mid—february, by when 13 million vaccinations may have been offered. with england back under lockdown, it is that timeline for vaccinations that is so important. last time there was a vote, more than 50 of the government's own mps did not support new restrictions. this time most will and so will opposition parties. what is different? the new variant of the virus is on the loose but also there is the prospect of millions being immunised in the coming weeks. the labour leader keir starmer

confirmed his party would vote for the new restrictions but was critical of the government's actions. the situation we face is clearly very serious. perhaps the darkest moment of the pandemic. but this is notjust bad luck. it is not inevitable. it follows a pattern. in the first wave of the pandemic, the government was repeatedly too slow to act. some conservative mps said they wanted regular chances to vote on whether the restrictions should be ongoing. many of us are concerned, being asked to approve a lockdown which could continue until the 31st of march. can i ask my right honourable friend to reconsider and to offer the house a vote at the end ofjanuary and at the end of february as well, not on whether to lift restrictions but on whether to continue them or not? with broad support this time, borisjohnson has less disquiet to worry about.

he said the return of schools after the february half term was a priority and restrictions could be relaxed area by area, depending on local circumstances. damian grammaticus, bbc news, westminster. daily and are talking about that debate, it is still going on and you can continue to watch the lockdown debate in the comments on our sister channel, bbc parliament. we will just pause for a moment here to take a look at the weather prospects. we have certainly started 2021 on a cold wintry notes and temperatures are still well below average for the time of year. if you wintry flurries for parts of eastern england, the south—east has seen rain, sleet and hill slope which is slowly clearing. rain showers the channel islands be rested today, temperatures one to 6 degrees. is one to 6 degrees. is

releva nt degrees. is one to 6 degrees. is relevant will. .. degrees. is one to 6 degrees. is relevant will. . . through degrees. is one to 6 degrees. is relevant will... through scotland and northern ireland tonight, there will be snow. snow and ice around as temperatures plummet well below freezing once again for the concert tonight. you'll also notice notice some everything from patches rounds which will be slow to care, reducing visibility through the day. much of england and wales having a mostly dry day, but we will have the effect of living and funny enough, so further snowfall for scotland and northern england later. stakeholder in the south. goodbye. —— micro staying cold in the south.

hello, this is bbc news. the headlines... a further 1,041 deaths from coronavirus have been reported in the uk. it's the first time since april the daily figures have exceeded 1,000.

as lockdown comes into effect, the highest number of daily coronavirus cases have been reported for the second day running with more than 62,000 people testing positive. the education secretary says that students in england whose summer exams have been cancelled will be graded by their teachers and not an algorithm. gcses, a—levels and as—level exams will not go ahead this summer. this year, we're going to put our trust in teachers rather than algorithms. where the secretary of state goes, chaos and confusion follows, and it's children, families and education staff across the country who pay the price for his incompetence. the prime minister says the end of england's lockdown will not happen with a big bang but will instead be gradual.

on a knife edge. with most votes counted in georgia, president—electjoe biden's democrat party looks set to gain control of the senate. good afternoon. increasing coronavirus cases continue to have an impact on sport. in the last few minutes premiership rugby has released what it's calling a series of enhanced measures to help prevent the spread of coronavirus amongst players. in terms of training, schedules will be reviewed to reduce the amount of time players are there, all non—training staff and injured players will have to be socially distanced and wear face coverings. matchday protocols are being stepped up too with one of the changes no more face to face celebrations

after a try has been scored. meanwhile, exeter chiefs are one of many clubs to have more positive tests but their game against bristol on saturday will still go ahead. chiefs head coach rob baxter believes the new covid protocols might help — but won't stop the problem. the rugby club itself is probably the safest place for players because everything is place already but what you cannot allow for is what happens outside, so it's impossible for me to say if the strengthening of the rules would stop more covid outbreaks. no one has complete control of what happens, you still have to go shopping, you are still at risk everywhere. well, a number of northampton saints players have also tested positive for covid—19, causing their match against leicester this weekend to be cancelled. the game will not be rescheduled, a premiership rugby

panel says it'll allocate points "in due course". it's the fifth premiership game to be cancelled in such circumstances this season. northampton's training ground has also been closed, they're not expected to train again until monday. next to cricket, england's touring party in sri lanka have passed coronavirus tests. they were all retested after moeen ali's positive result on monday. he's in a ten day quarantine, as well as chris woakes who was deemed a close contact. england started restricted training today in hamba ntota, but players and staff will need to have a third test tomorrow, ahead of the start of the first test match next thursday. arsenal women have asked for their wsl game against aston villa on saturday to be postponed after an unsanctioned trip to dubai led to a coronavirus case. three players, who have not been named, visited the united arab emirates over christmas without telling the club beforehand. 0ne tested positive for covid—19 after returning, leading to others self—isolating. arsenal say the trips were made

for commercial reasons in line with permitted business travel at the time. saturday's fa cup third round tie between southampton and shrewsbury is in doubt after a significant number of shrewsbury players and staff tested positive for coronavirus. their league one derby against crewe was called off due to the outbreak with all affected now self isolating. all teams are being tested 72 hours before matches. the club's league game agaisnt lincoln next weekend is also thought to be in doubt. and derby county will play their under—23 and under—18 squad players to ensure their third round match at non league chorley goes ahead. the club's first team and their interim manager wayne rooney are currently self isolating after a number of positive tests at the club, which led to their training ground being shut down. and manchester city have had three more positive covid tests — two players including scott carson plus another member of staff. their league cup semifinal tonight however will still go

ahead. they're playing rivals manchester united at old trafford who are on a brilliant run of form in the league. they're level on points with leaders liverpool. they did however lose to city at the same stage of the competition last year.. and just some breaking news before we go — the english football league and professional footballers' association have just announced that they will be introducing twice—weekly covid—19 testing for all 72 efl clubs from monday. the will be funded by the pfa. more on that in the next hour. the democratic party of president—elect, joe biden, is on the verge of taking control of the senate as results come in from elections for two seats in georgia. with 98% of votes counted, raphael warnock, a pastor from atlanta, is projected to have secured one of the seats. a joint session of congress

will start in just over an hour's time in washington to confirm mr biden's victory in the presidential election, though a number of republican politicians say they'll formally object. president trump has yet to concede, claiming widespread fraud. he's due to address a rally of his supporters shortly. as you can see from the banners, the tribe is calling this a save america march, and we think we will hear from donald trump there in the next little while, so we are keeping an eye on that. there are several

marches and rallies across washington, dc and we are keeping an eye on the two senate seats in georgia as well because, if they do both go democrat, then that in fact it leaves you with a 50—50 split in the senate, the us upper house, which effectively gives control to the democrats because it means that the democrats because it means that the vice president has the final say. with me now is republican strategist matt terrill, he has served as chief of staff to florida senator marco rubio. good afternoon. thank you for joining us. let's start with the pictures of the rally we were just looking at their ndc, the save america march as president trump and

his team calling it. what are people meant to make of this? there are clearly a lot of people in the republican party and the tramp base who care about the president's rhetoric surrounding the election. we saw last night in georgia that the president's presents in that race, he has an ability to uniquely energise people to vote for him and the candidates he campaigns in behalf of an at times energises people to vote against the candidates. it is a double—edged sword. last night in georgia, president trump's team has been working in that race. they are on the beth path forward to winning back georgia. i want to talk about the races in just back georgia. i want to talk about the races injust a back georgia. i want to talk about the races in just a second back georgia. i want to talk about the races injust a second but back georgia. i want to talk about the races in just a second but in terms of what those rallies in washington right now, are there no senior republicans trying to speak to donald trump to say, we are two

weeks from the inauguration, mr president, you are only president for the next two weeks, you didn't win, is there no one counselling him in that regard? many republican senators have come up with different viewpoints, some today will be voting against president biden being sworn in and others will take a different path but that is up to individual senators. but at the end of the day they pick the underlying theme here is not what the president would do between now and inauguration day. it is about what will happen going forward, the party is very divided particularly surrounding issues surrounding the election in november. and for the party to have a chance for winning back states like georgia and arizona, it is really important to come together and think beyond the

20th of january, but with that said president trump can exit the political stage, his presence with the republican party will clearly be here for quite some time. is that really something he wants, do you believe? to see genuinely still want to play a part in us politics, or is this him just continuing with that rhetoric untiljoe biden is sworn in? they have been rumours out there with regards to a potential 2024 campaign. the bigger question here though is not just campaign. the bigger question here though is notjust what the president wants but what republican voters wa nt, president wants but what republican voters want, is it going to be a party going forward that has a strong party going forward that has a strong presence party going forward that has a strong presence with a trump base, will it move forward with different leadership? it is an existential quest for the republican party but the bigger theme here goes back to unity. the republican party assuming it loses the majority of the senate,

it loses the majority of the senate, it needs to focus on coming back in 2022 to win back the house of representatives, they need to win back the white house in 2024, but can the party do that while maintaining the trump base in the party while providing the best for the party as well? georgia is changing, it has been changing for quite some time, the demographics of the state are changing, it is a politically different state to what it was before, and the republican party needs to figure out the best path forward for that. and that is so path forward for that. and that is so interesting, i'm interested about what you think about the situation in georgia because if we see two democratic senators elected there, you have your youngest ever senator coming in and you have got the first african—american senator for that state. this is a fascinating time in the state, is that because they are two fa ntastic the state, is that because they are two fantastic candidates, or to what extent did donald trump and his

recent rhetoric really do for the republican candidates there? he has a bit of time to figure out exactly the elements of this, it's very clear that president trump has an ability to go in and campaigned for himself and candidates and re—energise voters for him all the candidates he is campaigning for or at times against them, but the bigger question here though is, would they have been voter or —— better orfor would they have been voter or —— better or for a would they have been voter or —— better orfor a president would they have been voter or —— better or for a president to talk about the current senate races instead of talking about his past election in november? that is the bigger question here for many republican strategists. ultimately what has been taking place in this election in states like georgia is not new. in other words, georgia could go from being a bright red republican state that has been taking place for quite some time, it's up to the republican party now to learn the lessons out of georgia

and pick at the best path forward about winning back georgia and arizona and other states nationwide. thank you, matt, interesting for your reflections on the future of the party and unity, we will talk about that in the future, i'm sure. and this is the scene in washington, dc and we will keep an eye on that. now, the return of another lockdown is having an impact on us all and we all need to stay emotionally and metally well. the prime minister was unable to give any end date to this third lockdown.

it means we are all looking at weeks, possibly months of "quality" time at home. so what steps can you take to look after your overall wellbeing and the wellbeing of those around you? let's talk now to behavioural psychologist jo hemmings. good afternoon. goodness! we probably shouldn't count how long this has all gone on but we feel like we have been living and talking like we have been living and talking like this certainly since last march, they have been a few changes to the rules since that period but it has been an awfully long time. people are fair enough to feel fed up, aren't they? it has been a yo-yo cycle between hope and disappointment, over and over again, and we are now in an extraordinary position where almost a conflict of mood between some great hope with the vaccine but also some despair because the numbers are going up so

much. that has had an impact on everybody in terms of their mood, that can be irritability, anger, depression, despair, uncertainty, full sleeping patterns, it will have affected every single one of us over the past year in some way or another. and what is happening with us another. and what is happening with us is it is an excess of adrenaline and cortisol, they are the two stress hormones which normally we are able to self regulate but because of the situation we are in, we are literally awash with them, and it's very hard to take our minds off what is going on, even when we try and distract ourselves. the key thing to do is self—care, the things you might have found excessive or indulgent, do them, whatever makes you feel good, exercises really key, if you can get out, perhaps just

once a day, even for 15 minutes, that will release endorphins into our system which is a mood enhancer. an exercise means you sleep better as well, there is a key link there? absolutely, sleep is really key bill because without good sleep at any time it's very hard to get a good perspective on life, being fatigued is anxiety inducing in itself. 0ther things like volunteering, but does not necessarily mean in the normal sense, but doing things for other people, baking a cake for your neighbour or doing gardening, sharing some of your skills or what you can offer to others, that releases a hormone called dopamine which is a feel—good reward home run which is a feel—good reward home run which makes other people feel good because you have done something nice for them and makes you feel better because you have done exactly that. —— hormone. we have got to focus on

the things we can change we can adapt to in our own lives, having a routine of some sort, although it may not be your usual routine, is important, and the more we can focus in on what we are doing and how we are leading our lives and not listening to rolling news, sorry for that, bbc! i hear you! because we need to have worry windows in a day perhaps when we are up—to—date, that is very important, but not to be overwhelmed with it. and it gives us permission to laugh and talk about something else and write down plans and goals for when this pandemic is done, all those things help build resilience, and many people have shown much more resilience this year than we ever thought we had in us because we have never been challenged in this way. you're not

the first psychologist today who i've heard say, stop watching the news! and even i feel better when i don't watch it! i shouldn't even admit that. but some of this... i'm loving here, but some of this is very serious because i hear what you say about self—care, it makes sense in terms of exercise, routine, trying to get good sleep and eat a healthy diet but there will be people listening thinking, but thanks to coronavirus i have lost my job, i have limited money coming in, may be no money coming in, i don't have to feed myself or my children. there are people who have suffered to an extraordinary extent since last march. i don't know what you can say to those people. all i can really say to them is, we do have that hope in us all, a vaccine that life will get back to some normality and hopefully they will be able to work again in some way. don't

despair, reach out and share it, tell people how you are feeling. social media gets a very bad rap but at the moment there is quite a lot of resonance with people who are there to support you and also information, if there is any way that you can get some financial support that you may not know about, google it, find out about it, ask about it. there are food banks to go to. people are only too willing to help out, but they need to know that you need that help and people will understand and do what they can. thanks very much for now for all your advice there. we will talk more about coronavirus about the latest figures because in the last half—hour we have had that fresh set of government data and there are more stock numbers for us this afternoon, more than 1000 new

deaths were reported in the last 24—hour period, 1041 deaths recorded within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test, and that is the highest daily level of deaths recorded since april last year. there was also another record number of cases, 62,322 people testing positive for the virus. in all since the pandemic began, 77,346 people have died within 28 k of a positive test. let's unravel those figures with our health correspondent. another depressing day and another depressing set of figures. they are very start, as you say. but sadly they were to be expected. we have been seeing rising numbers of infections ever since the start of december, the numbers we are seeing

now, we have had over a week of in excess of 50,000 new cases a day, over 62,000 confirmed today. that is full times higher than it was at the start of december and is the month went on we saw rising numbers ending up went on we saw rising numbers ending up in hospital, it has passed 30,000 patients in hospital with covid today. that's 50% higher than it was on christmas day, so you can see that the sharp trajectory in the numbers of people becoming seriously ill, translating sadly to more people dying. 0ne caveat around the figure for the number of deaths today, over 1000, for the first time the second wave, and we have not seen the second wave, and we have not seen these figures since april. they are affected though by the festive period when we saw delays in reporting so if we look at the average number of deaths is actually just below 700, that still 40% higher than it was before christmas

so higher than it was before christmas so it is going up for a caveat around that 1000 figure which is very stark and distressing, but it's important to remember that these figures willjust continue going up. this week's infections are next week's hospital admissions and the people ending up in hospital next week, some of those will sadly die the following week. we obviously have a lockdown now in england and also elsewhere in the uk, but it will take some time for that to have an impact on the numbers infected and the concern is, with the more transmissible variant, the impact will be less than it has been in the previous lockdown's. i'm sure you've explained this, but for clarity, what period are we talking about here? it is the 6th of january, and we all know about the slight easing of restrictions around christmas,

but there were people living around the country around christmas, has that will come true now? remind us of the actual dates we were talking about here. these infections we are seeing here are people who went for a test over the last few days, so they are people who will have been infected around the christmas period, so that is translating to that. there were parts of the country that entered tier 4 which was almost a lockdown prior to christmas, and we have seen in london, the southeast and east some slowing of that rise so there is a tiny bit of good news in there, but it is still going up, but the infections we are seeing now are the people who would have been infected around that festive period and as i say the infections today, some of those will be admitted into hospital next week, hospitals are incredibly busy and the strain is just going to

u nfortu nately get busy and the strain is just going to unfortunately get worse, but lockdown has been introduced in the hope is that will start dragging those numbers down, but it takes a little time for that to have an impact. nick, for now, thank you very much indeed. and the debate about the lockdown in england is taking place in the commons, as i'm sure you are aware. some of it remotely, of course, but it reminds you how many people are actually physically inside westminster. i don't know whether we willjust listen in to a little of this, we will have a vote in the next couple of hours. here is yvette cooper, the head of the home affairs select committee. when the prime minister says we have taken stop —— strong action by stopping flights he's kidding himself. currently, at which cheques are weak and not taken

seriously. travellers are not tested before arrival or on arrival, u ntested, before arrival or on arrival, untested, they get public transport from the airport, pop into the shops to get milk before going home, and the checks on self isolation arrangements are minimal. the ft says the government's plans to introduce pre—travel testing have been delayed because the transport department once uk residents to be exempt. if true, that it's ridiculous and dangerous because covid does not discriminate on we cannot afford to lay. 0ther countries have strict rules including quarantine, hotels, regular tests, airport testing, repeated testing, quarantine taxis, look at new zealand, italy, south korea, the uk has to get serious about this, and that means we fail to do that the first time round and asa to do that the first time round and as a result we face our third difficult lockdown now, we cannot afford further waves of this virus, we have to make sure we do not make

those mistakes again. can i again congratulate the government on this amazing foresight in getting so far ahead of the game in terms of the vaccination programme? a few minutes ago, i spoke to a prominent gp. for the last couple of weeks, he and his tea m the last couple of weeks, he and his team have been busy contacting local over 80s, booking the men and getting them into the surgery to get the inoculations done. but in order to do this he has had to get all his staff on the phone, all the restocked —— all the receptionists, and this is having a real effect on the day—to—day work that the surgery, so the day—to—day work that the surgery, so perhaps dewitt can pass on to the minister that we should give gpsa on to the minister that we should give gps a bit more help with bookings. —— the whip. especially that this will ramp up as more vaccines become more available. throughout all of this, many people have been... we will leave that for

now. if you would like to see the rest of the debate, you can follow that in its entirety on bbc parliament, you will have much more from all of the day's news but right now let's look at that whether prospects. we have had the yet more wintry weather. mixed fortunes in terms of any sunshine. this was the picture earlier on wednesday, some blue sky, but further south we have had a lot of cloud, this is redhill in surrey. that has brought in rain, sleet and snow for over the higher grounds of kent, surrey and sussex. the area is clearing away and we turn to our next weather front moving in from the north—west bringing rain and snowfall through tonight but for the here and now we are still in cold air so the blue colours are still with us, not as blustery as it has been though the recent days. for the rest today, we have the area of rain and sleet and is clearing from the south—east,

heavy showers for the channel isles, dry weather as we head to the remainder of the day but is only 1-6. remainder of the day but is only 1-6 . the remainder of the day but is only 1—6 . the rain turns to snow as it moves in across the north—west of scotland, bringing sleet and snow across northern ireland. quite a lot of snow and iciness developing across northern areas is that front pushes on. further south, across northern areas is that front pushes on. furthersouth, icy stretches and fog patches. temperatures widely tonight getting down to minus 4—6, temperatures widely tonight getting down to minus 4—6 , not as cold in the far south—east and east anglia but what you will notice as freezing fog patches that will linger through the day, particularly through parts of northern england towards the midlands, central southern england and wales. freezing fog lingering for some of us but that will gradually break up. sunshine and wintry showers moving from the north and here is this weather front which continues its progress south, bringing several centimetres of snow to southern scotland and pushing into northern england as well. a cold day, temperatures just 1—5

into northern england as well. a cold day, temperaturesjust1—5 the thursday afternoon. looking towards the end of the week into friday, we still have this week front making its way south but it fizzles out, so still bringing wintry precipitation to the course of friday, moving south potentially to the midlands and wales, there could be snow here, for the wintry showers across scotla nd for the wintry showers across scotland as well. a bit of sunshine away from the wintry flurries but another cold day, temperatures 2—4 , icy stretches around through friday and then things will turn a bit milder as we head to the weekend and into next week as well. goodbye for now.

this is bbc news i'mjane hill. the headlines at five. a further 1,041 deaths related to coronavirus have been reported in the uk. it's the first time since april the daily figures have exceeded a thousand. and as lockdown comes into effect, a record number of daily coronavirus cases have been reported for the second day running, with more than 62,000 people testing positive. borisjohnson says the new variant of coronavirus has brought renewed pressure on the nhs and changes everything. it is inescapable that the facts are changing and we must change our response and so we have no choice but to return to a national lockdown in england with similar measures being adopted by the devolved