this is bbc news, i'm simon mccoy. the headlines: anger in the commons over the standard of food parcels for parents in lockdown. labour leader sir keir starmer tells the prime minister he's putting families last. can i ask the prime minister, would he be happy with his kids living on that? under this government we will do everything we can to ensure that no child goes hungry as a result of the privations caused by this pandemic. covid restrictions in scotland are to be tightened from this weekend around takeaway food and click—and—collect services. the education secretary has suggested that following the cancellation of exams, pupils in england could sit mini tests and external assessments to help determine their grades. the government says the nhs will launch a round—the—clock vaccination service as soon as possible.

losing his grip — days before he leaves office, some in donald trump's own party say they want him out sooner too. "disgraceful", "low value", "poor quality" — and "awful". that's how the prime minister described the food parcels which have been sent out to some families by his own government during lockdown. borisjohnson said immediate action will be taken — when he spoke to footballer and campaigner, marcus rashford on the issue. there'll be further grilling of the prime minister at 3.30 this afternoon when he faces the liaison committee on the government's response, both to covid and brexit. meanwhile, the education secretary gavin williamson has suggested a level and gcse students in england might be asked to sit external tests

in place of the formal exams which were abandoned last week. and scotland is tightening its lockdown rules, with more restrictions on click and collect services and takeaway food from saturday. more on all those stories to come — but our first report — and the political row around food parcels — is from our political correspondent iain watson. food for thought — is this adequate nutrition for growing children? companies, on behalf of schools, have been sending food parcels as a short—term substitute for free lunches. but the contents were denounced by, amongst others, the footballer and campaigner marcus rashford. he said this was just not good enough. the prime minister spoke to him this morning and agreed that the contents of the parcel were unacceptable. i don't think anybody in this house is happy with the disgraceful images that we have seen of the food parcels that have been offered. they are appalling, they are an insult to the families that have received them, and i am grateful, by the way,

to marcus rashford, who highlighted the issue and is doing quite an effective job, by comparison with the right honourable gentleman, in holding the government to account for these issues, and the company in question has rightly apologised and agreed to reimburse. but the labour leader said that the prime minister shouldn't simply be blaming the companies who provide the meals, but blaming themselves. i've checked the government guidance on free school meals, the current guidance published by the department of education. i have it here. it sets out example parcels for one child for five days. department of education, prime minister, you want to be held to account — one loaf of bread, two baked potatoes, block of cheese, baked beans, three individual yoghurts. sound familiar? that's the images, prime minister, you just called "disgraceful". it was a conservative government that instituted free school meals, universal free school meals, not a labour government. at the first pmqs of the new year, it wasn't just the adequacy

of free school meals that was called into question. the labour leader also believed that the current restrictions may not be adequate and could need tightening. hello, catherine? how are you today? good, thank you. unlike in the first lockdown in march, nurseries have remained opened, so too have children's playgrounds, and estate agents can still show prospective buyers around homes for sale. when death rates are much higher than last march, why on earth are restrictions weaker than last march? to listen to the right honourable gentleman over the last 12 months, you would think he had absolutely no other policy except to plunge this country into 12 months of lockdown. the immediate outlook remains bleak. the government wants even more compliance with existing rules rather than introducing new restrictions — but note, in the commons today, the prime minister ruled nothing out. iain watson, bbc news. as we've heard there has been political anger over the inadequate food parcels sent out to struggling families. a mother who posted a photo

of a food parcel she received has told of the "sense of sadness" she felt on seeing what it contained. our education correspondent sean dilley reports. school meals haven't traditionally been associated with gourmet cuisine, but downing street has described this offering from catering company chartwells as "totally u na cce pta ble". it's an image that went viral after it was shared by the food campaigner and footballer marcus rashford. the mother who posted it has asked to be identified only as sarah. one of my children came in and saw me laying this out on the floor and asked why, and i said i was going to picture it because i didn't think it looked like a lot. and i could see the child's realisation that this is what i have been given to eat for a week and just the sense of sadness, where has the rest of the food gone? you know, this is meant to be a week's food. why is it so mean? the catering company chartwells has apologised. they initially said that the contents did not match

the specification of one of their hampers, before saying the quantity of food pictured fell short. but sarah's case is not isolated. other parents shared their images of food parcels delivered to them as part of the government's commitment to continue providing free school meals to eligible english school students during lockdown. when i saw that picture, i was absolutely disgusted. as a dad myself, ijust sort of thought, "how could a family in receipt of that really be expected to deliver, you know, five nutritious meals as is required?" it's just not acceptable. it's been made absolutely clear to chartwells, and to the whole sector, that that sort of behaviour is just not right. it will not be tolerated. we will not live with that. the department for education says it will give schools the freedom to arrange local voucher schemes of up to £15 per eligible pupil

per week, but food parcels will still be available for schools who opt for them. the prime minister phoned marcus rashford this morning to thank him for highlighting the issue. the footballer welcomed "a good conversation" via his twitter feed and said borisjohnson has committed to take immediate action and review the supply chain. feeding hundreds of thousands of pupils across england is a challenge, but it's one some food suppliers believe should never have fallen down. so this is a huge challenge for these companies, but they shouldn't have tendered for them had they not been able to step up to the plate and actually deliver on their promises. i think they really let the vulnerable families down and the taxpayer down at the same time. they should have been able to do this, and from the contents of the boxes i saw yesterday, i'm really disappointed. the biggest losers, absolutely, were the vulnerable families who need it at this time the most. the government is asking any parent who is concerned about their free school meal provision in england to come forward so their cases can be investigated too.

first minister nicola sturgeon has announced a further tightening of coronavirus restrictions in scotland. from saturday, only shops selling essential items will be allowed to offer click and collect services and customers won't be able to go into takeaway food and drinks venues. i've been speaking to our scotland correspondent lorna gordon about the details. nearly 1800 people are now in hospital here in scotland with a confirmed case of covid. the first minister says the situation is precarious and that these figures underline the pressure on the health service and the fact that these pressures are increasing. she says that's what a further tightening she says that's why a further tightening of restrictions are needed. most of scotland is already under a very strict lockdown where it's illegal to leave your home apart from essential purposes. so there's not much wiggle room. but there are six areas where the rules and regulations will be tightened and they will come in from saturday. the big one is that only retailers selling essential items will be able to use click and collect. appointments for click and collect will have to be staggered

and customers will not be allowed to go into shops. there is changes to takeaways as well. no going inside premises to pick up takeaways. you'll have to pick them up from a hatch, or a doorway. it will also become illegal to drink alcohol in outdoor public areas across the whole of mainland scotland. there will be a legal obligation on employers to allow more working from home. there will also be guidance on workers entering homes. the guidance will be tightened. i know that none of this makes for enjoyable listening. if it's any comfort, i don't expect it will be, it gives me no pleasure to be talking about further restrictions on businesses and on our individual freedoms to come and go as we please. but please know that we would not be doing any of this if we did not believe it essential to get and keep this potentially deadly virus under control. case numbers are still so high and the new variant is so infectious that we must be as tough and effective as we possibly can be to stop it spreading. the scottish conservatives

are questioning whether the grants available for businesses affected are being released quickly enough. scottish labour had questions about the support grant. the first minister said they would look at what more can be done to support people here in scotland at this time but nicola sturgeon said these are dark and difficult times and this is a critical and dangerous moment. she said the further tightening of restrictions was regrettable but necessary. the education secretary, gavin williamson, has said a level and gcse students in england might be asked to sit external tests in place of the formal exams which were abandoned last week. in a letter to the exams regulator, he said it would help teachers, who will be responsible for assessing grades. mr williamson was questioned by mps on the education select committee earlier. i outlined in my letter to quual how this is going to be teacher

judgment in terms of the awarding of grades, how we create the structure and support for teachers. one thing that was clear from teachers is that they wanted it to be clearly outlined, the structures that would be there to support them in arriving at the right and appropriate grade for their pupils so they could explain to them and parents as to when that is done. but you know, these are important measures. the consultation is being undertaken from the start of this week. it will run for two weeks and the information will be shared very rapidly. we will set out very clearly how teacher grading is going to be done. find clearly how teacher grading is going to be done. �* ., ., , ., to be done. and one more question if i ma . to be done. and one more question if ima . in to be done. and one more question if i may- in terms— to be done. and one more question if i may. in terms of— to be done. and one more question if i may. in terms of teacher _ to be done. and one more question if i may. in terms of teacher assessed l i may. in terms of teacher assessed grades _ i may. in terms of teacher assessed grades being moderated, are you in favour_ grades being moderated, are you in favour of— grades being moderated, are you in favour of that moderation and if so who should — favour of that moderation and if so who should be involved? how should

an appeals— who should be involved? how should an appeals system work given the concerns— an appeals system work given the concerns that many students, especially of bame background, there outcomes_ especially of bame background, there outcomes in terms of fairness? quite siml outcomes in terms of fairness? quite simply teacher _ outcomes in terms of fairness? quite simply teacherjudgment _ outcomes in terms of fairness? quite simply teacherjudgment is _ outcomes in terms of fairness? (iii fez simply teacherjudgment is what we are relying on. we are obviously putting, in terms of working with the sector, to make sure there is proper and fair checks and balances. it's teacherjudgment proper and fair checks and balances. it's teacher judgment that we proper and fair checks and balances. it's teacherjudgment that we are relying on and it's important, you know, it's absolutely vital and clear that any changes to grades as any result of an external quality assurance process should be the exception because it's teacher judgments we are relying on, not algorithms. there needs to be a strong and robust appeals process and that's also what we've asked quual to put in place in order to

back the process. the government has been defending the rollout of the coronavirus vaccine and this afternoon the prime minister said the vaccine programme would be in operation 2a hours a day, seven days a week "as soon as we can". our health correspondent naomi grimley reports. it is still a humbling sight. the country over, vulnerable people are queueing to get the protection they need from this cruel virus. several mass vaccination centres are swinging into action, and the roll—out is accelerating. according to the latest figures, just over 145,000 people had their first dose of one of the three approved vaccines in the most recent 24—hour period. that takes the overall number of people who have had their first jab to more than 2.4 million. we have the clear line of sight for volumes all the way through till end of february,

which means i'm confident of hitting the target of the four most vulnerable cohorts being offered a vaccine by mid—february. britain is doing well on the speed of the roll—out compared to most countries. but should we be vaccinating people round the clock? appointments in the small hours have been snapped up at these vaccination centres in new york, a city which never sleeps, so ministers are under pressure to do the same here. we will be going to 24—7 as soon as we can, and the health secretary will be setting out more about that in due course. the big issue in the uk remains the supply of the vaccine itself. there is tremendous pressure on the manufacturing plants that finish off these vials, ready to be used. there are, of course, logistical issues arising from such a mammoth undertaking. there are reports that some gps have been told to hit pause before they continue vaccinating down

the pecking order. but one of nhs england's bosses has said that might be because other areas of the country need to catch up first. the amount of vaccine being administered and given to people is incredible, but what we need to do is make sure that it is level across the country, not overly manage it, but make sure that somebody isn't getting into groups five and six when somebody in the over—80s in another part of the country has not been offered their vaccine. the government says more than 40% of the over—80s in england have now been vaccinated. they remain the government's top priority, along with health care workers. some countries are fast—tracking key workers such as teachers, too, but the man in charge of the uk's priority list told mps there is logic to what they are doing, at least for this first phase. the estimates are that we have

to vaccinate only about 250 people aged over 80 to save one life, and for care home residents we only need to vaccinate somewhere between 25—45 care home residents to save one life. if you were trying to vaccinate, for example, train operators, then you would have to vaccinate many thousands of train operators to save one life. the number of covid patients in hospitals is now over 30,000 — higher than in the first wave. all eyes are on whether the government will have vaccinated 15 million of the most vulnerable by this time next month. that is when we should begin to see the effects of vaccine immunity filter through. naomi grimley, bbc news. the headlines on bbc news. there's anger in the commons over the standard of food parcels for parents in lockdown. covid restrictions in scotland are to be tightened from this weekend around takeaway food and click—and—collect services. the education secretary

has suggested that following the cancellation of exams, pupils in england could sit mini tests and external assessments, to help determine their grades. the prime minister will be facing questions later this afternoon from the commons liaison committee — that's the one that consists of all the select committee chairs. and they're not going to be short of issues to grill him on today, from food parcels to fresh lockdown restrictions and the vaccines delivery roll—out. let's speak now to former mp dr sarah wollaston, who was chair of the liaison committee from 2017-2019. good to talk to you. not too late to say happy new year to you. these committees, we all look forward expectantly committees, we all look forward expecta ntly to committees, we all look forward expectantly to them. what would you hope that this one achieves? i expectantly to them. what would you hope that this one achieves?- hope that this one achieves? i think the main point _ hope that this one achieves? i think the main point of _ hope that this one achieves? i think the main point of this _ hope that this one achieves? i think the main point of this is _ hope that this one achieves? i think the main point of this is that - hope that this one achieves? i think the main point of this is that it - the main point of this is that it gives the chance for the prime minister to be directly held to account by a select committee

chairs. unlike normal hearings for example prime minister's questions, they get the chance to ask follow—up questions and they are all expert questions. today they will concentrate on the response to covid. i'm sure that will include the vaccination roll—out but also the vaccination roll—out but also the end of the transition period, the end of the transition period, the arrangements, for instance the chaos in northern ireland and the shortage of products on shelves. what's happening for instance to fishermen who want to export to the eu. a number of issues will be raised but i know they will concentrate on those two areas, britain's place in the world, the end of transition and the response to covid. ., , ., , ., , ., to covid. lots of questions on those issues. to covid. lots of questions on those issues- the — to covid. lots of questions on those issues. the question _ to covid. lots of questions on those issues. the question is _ to covid. lots of questions on those issues. the question is whether - to covid. lots of questions on those | issues. the question is whether they will be answers. we are getting used to questions being asked of senior politicians but answers never quite coming. i politicians but answers never quite cominu. ~' ., . politicians but answers never quite cominu. ~ ., ., ., �*, politicians but answers never quite cominu. ~' ., . ., �*, , �*, coming. i know, and that's why it's im ortant coming. i know, and that's why it's important to _ coming. i know, and that's why it's important to have _ coming. i know, and that's why it's important to have the _ coming. i know, and that's why it's important to have the chance - coming. i know, and that's why it's important to have the chance to i coming. i know, and that's why it's| important to have the chance to ask follow—up questions and have people who are expert questioners holding the prime minister to account. the

trouble is that he'll try and bluster and change the subject and want to keep coming back to the question he wants to answer rather than the one he's being asked. i think that's where it's really important that the chair keeps bringing him back to order, to be held to account rather than just be blustering. held to account rather than 'ust be blusterinu. ~ ., , . ., ., blustering. who picks the chair of the committees? _ blustering. who picks the chair of the committees? normally - blustering. who picks the chair of the committees? normally it - blustering. who picks the chair of l the committees? normally it would blustering. who picks the chair of - the committees? normally it would be elected. in the committees? normally it would be elected- in the — the committees? normally it would be elected. in the past _ the committees? normally it would be elected. in the past the _ the committees? normally it would be elected. in the past the liaison - elected. in the past the liaison committee chair was always elected by other parliamentarians but i'm afraid that at the moment the prime minister changed the rules and picked his own chair, which i think is unfortunate. all of the other select committee chairs other than the chair of the select committee are directly elected by mps from across the house of commons. that's what makes them a very powerful forum, because these are all people who aren't there to be helpful to

the government but to hold them to account. , , . , ., ., , ., account. this is as influential as a committee _ account. this is as influential as a committee can — account. this is as influential as a committee can get, _ account. this is as influential as a committee can get, isn't - account. this is as influential as a committee can get, isn't it? - account. this is as influential as a | committee can get, isn't it? well, that's the point. _ committee can get, isn't it? well, that's the point. it's _ committee can get, isn't it? well, that's the point. it's all _ committee can get, isn't it? well, that's the point. it's all of - committee can get, isn't it? well, that's the point. it's all of the - that's the point. it's all of the select committee chairs and they're all used to cutting through the nonsense. they're all trusted to be people who will be impartial but also be good at notjust asking those patsy questions that invite the prime minister, to flatter his ego. this is genuinely a chance for true accountability. normally of course it would be at close quarters, around the table. i'm sure now it will be remote, so you won't have quite the same atmosphere but it's a group of expert questioners with the opportunity for follow—up questions. i think they've got so many things that they need to ask and they must make sure the by minister answers the questions

rather than evading them. i thought he was a friend _ rather than evading them. i thought he was a friend of— rather than evading them. i thought he was a friend of yours? _ rather than evading them. i thought he was a friend of yours? he - rather than evading them. i thought | he was a friend of yours? he avoided cominu he was a friend of yours? he avoided comin: to he was a friend of yours? he avoided coming to the _ he was a friend of yours? he avoided coming to the liaison _ he was a friend of yours? he avoided coming to the liaison committee - he was a friend of yours? he avoided coming to the liaison committee forl coming to the liaison committee for as long as possible, cancelling at short notice on four occasions which i think is very regrettable. but he's turning up today and i welcome that. i think there are some really keyissues that. i think there are some really key issues for instance around the handling of the coronavirus. if you look at our excess deaths, those over and above what you'd expect, we are way behind other comparable nations. how is it that we've had such high death rate? what was it about our response that made us such an outlier internationally? irate an outlier internationally? we havinu an outlier internationally? we having slight problems with your connection. we were the first to give the ok to the two vaccines. we do see light at the end of perhaps a shorter tunnel than some other

countries. shorter tunnel than some other countries-_ shorter tunnel than some other countries. ~ . , shorter tunnel than some other countries. ~ ., , ., countries. indeed. we were early to a- rove countries. indeed. we were early to approve the — countries. indeed. we were early to approve the vaccine _ countries. indeed. we were early to approve the vaccine which _ countries. indeed. we were early to approve the vaccine which is - approve the vaccine which is positive. i will spend all of tomorrow delivering coronavirus vaccines. i think the limiting factor at the moment is getting the supplier to the surgeries. we are there, ready and waiting to make sure we can deliver those vaccines. holding the prime minister to account for what's happening around the supplier, i think it's also going to be important today. i was auoin to going to be important today. i was going to ask— going to be important today. i was going to ask what _ going to be important today. i was going to ask what you're _ going to be important today. i was going to ask what you're doing. so you actually delivering vaccines into arms. when the patient is sitting with you, what do they ask you? what are their main gripes? well, i think everyone is very pleased to be getting the vaccine and as i say, the real concern at the moment is how soon they can get the moment is how soon they can get the vaccine. that's the key question people are asking me, when can i be vaccinated? it's really important

that it vaccinated? it's really important thatitis vaccinated? it's really important that it is prioritised. i think as well there were some concerns about the way that very many returning clinicians were facing miles of red tape to get themselves into a position where they could be there as part of that huge workforce that wants to come back and be part of the national effort. i'm glad to see the national effort. i'm glad to see the government is addressing the red tape. because we really need all hands—on deck. there are two issues, how we can have people physically delivering the vaccine and also the supply of it, which are both important. at the moment the limiting factor is having the suppliers. general practices across the country are really keen to get their hands on this and get moving. as a former mp, a recent one, what do you make of the change? you're on the front line literally in the

pandemic. is there a disconnect between politics and what's going on in the real world? yes. between politics and what's going on in the real world?— in the real world? yes, there always has been. in the real world? yes, there always has been- i— in the real world? yes, there always has been. i think— in the real world? yes, there always has been. i think one _ in the real world? yes, there always has been. i think one problem - in the real world? yes, there always has been. i think one problem for. has been. i think one problem for the nhs is that it went into the pandemic with a very significant workforce shortfall. that's something, when i was chair of the health and social care select committee we were constantly raising with the government. because it's the workforce that's at the heart of the workforce that's at the heart of the delivery. the other issue the government must address is the inequalities that covid has further highlighted. it was already the case that in very many parts of the country, there is a ten year gap in life expectancy and a huge gap in terms of healthy life expectancy, between the richest and poorest. and thatis between the richest and poorest. and that is going to get much wider as a result of covid. so also there needs to be attention on what we do as we come out of covid, to actually

address some of that inequality and unfairness. and of course it's been very starkly illustrated by what's been happening regarding the campaign on child hunger. it'sjust part of it. there are very many people who are at much greater risk of dying because of the inequalities they were already facing. if you had our old they were already facing. if you had your old position _ they were already facing. if you had your old position back— they were already facing. if you had your old position back and - they were already facing. if you had your old position back and the - they were already facing. if you had | your old position back and the prime minister in front of you this afternoon as chair of the committee, what's your first question? trailing afternoon as chair of the committee, what's your first question?— what's your first question? why is it that as one _ what's your first question? why is it that as one of _ what's your first question? why is it that as one of the _ what's your first question? why is it that as one of the richest - it that as one of the richest nations on earth we are such an outlier and have have so many excess deaths as a result of covid? i think it's about the government acknowledging their failure to see this as sars rather than the flu. the strategy they went down from the start wasn't about trying to eliminate this. i'm afraid we've always been taking the measures that

needed to be taken on scientific advice too late. and of course there are the issues around ppe that we saw at the start of the pandemic. it is very encouraging that we now have the vaccine. i'd also be wanting to look to the future and make sure the government is doing everything it can about the workforce, about the supply of the vaccine and addressing inequalities. supply of the vaccine and addressing ineaualities. _, ., ., ., ,, supply of the vaccine and addressing ineaualities. ., ., ,, ., inequalities. good to talk to you auain, inequalities. good to talk to you again. thank— inequalities. good to talk to you again, thank you. _ inequalities. good to talk to you again, thank you. nice - inequalities. good to talk to you again, thank you. nice to - inequalities. good to talk to you again, thank you. nice to speak| inequalities. good to talk to you i again, thank you. nice to speak to ou, b e. let's go over to washington live now, where the house of representatives — the lower house in the us congress — is debating whether to impeach the outgoing president donald trump over his role in the violent attack launched by thousands of his supporters on congress last week. this is the scene live as the hearings get under way. democrats holding a majority in the house. the vote is likely to past. the case will then be for the senate where a trial will be held to determine the

president's guilt. several senior republicans have turned on donald trump, and said they will now support moves to remove him from office a week before his term ends. democrats intend to push for a vote on impeachement this evening at the house of representatives. the move became almost certain after the vice president, mike pence, said he was not prepared to use his powers to remove mr trump and become acting president. paul adams reports. as donald trump flew back to the white house last night, perhaps for the last time, his grip on power was slipping. applause from loyal staffers but he knows he faces an unprecedented stigma. the only us president to face impeachment twice. in congress his opponents in the democratic party are determined. the president has to go. not next week, but now. every second that donald trump is president, the nation is at risk.

we have the power to do something about it. mike pence must do his duty, invoke the 25th, and if he won't, we will move with urgency to do ours and impeach donald trump again. efforts to persuade the vice president to use his constitutional powers failed. invoking the 25th amendment, mike pence said, was not in the best interests of the nation. among republicans, some of the president's most vociferous supporters sprang to his defence. they wanted to impeach president trump on his first day in office. and it looks like they are going to want to impeach him on his last day, too. but as details of last week's violent assault on the capital continue to emerge, the republican party is fracturing. some seniorfigures now favour impeachment. a furious liz cheney, daughter of the former vice president, accused mr trump of summoning a mob and lighting the flames. the united states senate will not be intimidated. all eyes are on mitch mcconnell, the leading

republican in the senate. according to the new york times, he now thinks impeachment is the best way to purge donald trump from the party. mitch mcconnell is said to be furious. and of course procedurally, what happens next is all in his hands because once the house passes the article of impeachment, then mcconnell would be the one to decide whether to take on the impeachment in the senate and reconvene the senate. the impeachment of donald trump... it has been almost exactly a year since donald trump's first impeachment trial opened in the senate. republicans rallied around their man and its failure was a foregone conclusion. a year on, in the dying days of this most disruptive presidency, a very different outcome is now possible. paul adams, bbc news. i'm joined now by our correspondent gary o'donoghue in washington. for the next few hours we have a reasonable idea of what's going to

happen. reasonable idea of what's going to ha en. . ., . reasonable idea of what's going to hauen. . ., ~ ., reasonable idea of what's going to hauen. . ., . ., ., happen. yeah, we do. a lot of boring rocedural happen. yeah, we do. a lot of boring procedural stuff _ happen. yeah, we do. a lot of boring procedural stuff on _ happen. yeah, we do. a lot of boring procedural stuff on the _ happen. yeah, we do. a lot of boring procedural stuff on the floor - happen. yeah, we do. a lot of boring procedural stuff on the floor of - happen. yeah, we do. a lot of boring procedural stuff on the floor of the i procedural stuff on the floor of the house. they will debate the impeachment article and when they get onto the debate, that will take two hours and possibly a result of the vote later this afternoon. maybe in six or seven hours. that could change but that's how things are panning out. this growing number of republicans also planning to vote along with their democratic opponents. along with their democratic opponents-_ along with their democratic opponents. along with their democratic ouonents. , , , ., ., opponents. the republicans that have turned, opponents. the republicans that have turned. these — opponents. the republicans that have turned, these are _ opponents. the republicans that have turned, these are influential - turned, these are influential figures? turned, these are influential fi . ures? ., turned, these are influential fiaures? . ., ., figures? yeah, some of them are. they have — figures? yeah, some of them are. they have key _ figures? yeah, some of them are. they have key positions _ figures? yeah, some of them are. they have key positions on - figures? yeah, some of them are. they have key positions on some. figures? yeah, some of them are. l they have key positions on some of the committees in the house, giving them some influence. the principal one, liz cheney, numberthree them some influence. the principal one, liz cheney, number three in terms of the house leadership for the republicans. she has enormous influence. i think a lot of people

expect her to do this very public and for that to sway others, too. she said this was the greatest betrayal by a president to his oath to the constitution. it isn't stepping over the line a bit, it is the greatest betrayal, according to her, which will give license to others to follow suit. may be up to ten, 20, two dozen. we don't know but it means they can call it bipartisan. there is nothing more unstable than a tiger when it's cornered. are we around for a tense few days? i fear we are. around for a tense few days? i fear we are- because — around for a tense few days? i fear we are. because there _ around for a tense few days? i fear we are. because there is _ around for a tense few days? i fear we are. because there is a - around for a tense few days? i fear we are. because there is a sense i around for a tense few days? i fear| we are. because there is a sense in which people believe the president is in a rather unpredictable state at the moment. he has cut himself off gradually from all sorts of people, many of those senior republicans have now turned on him, the vice president spoke to him this

week, we understand, but there doesn't seem to be any great reconciliation the. he hasn't spoken to mitch mcconnell since the middle of december, we are told. and he is in the white house and getting increasingly angry, we understand, at the impeachment process, the question of the 25th amendment, the blame that he is being blamed for last week's events, and of course the election which he still thinks it was stolen. so all of these things are coming together. and i think certainly here in washington and around the country, there is a great deal of anxiety about what might happen in terms of protests at the weekend and on inauguration day, and that is why you in dc, they have drafted in 15,000 members of the national guard and a certain number of them will be armed.— of them will be armed. thank you very much- _ now it's time for a look at the weather with susan powell. hello.

wintry weather looks set to pose some problems across the northern half of the uk through the remainder of the day, overnight and into tomorrow morning. the met office has issued an amber warning for heavy snow. some of the higher ground of scotland and northern england, down to the northern pennines, 10—20 centimetres of snow is possible. 5—10 at lower levels. the snow keeps falling through the course of the night and well on into thursday. to the south, we are looking at rain but we may see the odd flake of sleet or snow as far south as east anglia through the night. you can see the divide between the cold air to the north and east and the milder conditions in the west where we'll have rain. thursday daytime, the front stalls so we have more snow in the north in the morning. rain i think mostly across the midlands. maybe wintry for a time. rain for the south—east of england, too. peters out as the day goes on. quite a slowjob. we are left with a bit of cloud and it will feel chilly for central and eastern areas. in the west, milder,

some sunshine in northern ireland. hello, this is bbc news. the headlines: anger in the commons over the standard of food parcels for parents in lockdown — labour leader sir keir starmer tells the prime minister he's putting families last. covid restrictions in scotland are to be tightened from this weekend around takeaway food and click—and—collect services. the education secretary has suggested that, following the cancellation of exams, pupils in england could sit mini tests and external assessments to help determine their grades. the government says the nhs will launch a round—the—clock vaccination service as soon as possible. sport now, and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here'sjohn watson. good afternoon. we'll start with some breaking news in the past half an hour, the women's six nations has been postponed until later in the year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

it usually runs alongside the men's tournament and was due to begin at the start of next month. our sports reporter jo curriejoins us now, what more can you tell usjo? this is announcement we were expecting, i think many would have hoped that rather than just say the tournament will be postponed to spring or early summer, there would have been more of a guarantee as to when the tournament will take place. it is essential happening for safety reasons and it is hard to argue against, because of the nations who take part, and the england are a full—time professional setup which means that all the other sides have jobs to go to and cannot commit to biosecure bubbles and testing are just not possible at this time, so at the moment it is understandable why it has to be moved back, but it's a shame they can't say right now when it is going to take place. there are some positives but to come out of this, the argument it is not competing against the men's tournament, the two normally take place at the same time, but it is building its own momentum, they have time to secure a big broadcast deal.

and of course the further back in the year the tournament gets pushed, there's more chance of having fans through the door, but in a world cup year, it's not a great look that three weeks out from the tournament it's been told it's will be moved. absolutely, and we are told the under 20s tournament as well. you talk about the world cup, only read in the year is looking fairly congested, what are the wider implications on the women's tournament? in implications on the women's tournament?— implications on the women's tournament? , ., ., , . tournament? in terms of the domestic lea . ue, the tournament? in terms of the domestic league, the women's _ tournament? in terms of the domestic league, the women's premier - tournament? in terms of the domestic league, the women's premier 15, - league, the women's premier 15, that's due to finish at the end of april, beginning of may, but it's already thought it might have to move back because of postponements they've had in the league, so that could clash because of the six nations, depending on when the six nations, depending on when the six nations is, the summer we had the olympic games in tokyo, fingers crossed that goes ahead, and some of the players that play for the home nations that would want to play in the six nations would also be eyeing spots in the rugby team gb which may mean they they have to make a decision about where they want to go. but until we know exactly when

the tournament will be played, and some of those games should be acting as world cup qualifiers, another thing to consider, wejust as world cup qualifiers, another thing to consider, we just do as world cup qualifiers, another thing to consider, wejust do not have all the answers right now. thanks for that update. as for the men's six nations, tournament organisers say that plans for the tournament to kick off on february sixth remain as scheduled. england, though, will be without prop kyle sinkler who will miss the first match against scotland after being banned for two weeks for swearing at a referee. a disciplinary panel found that his shout towards karl dickson during bristol's premiership match with exeter was "aggressive" and warranted a red card. he'll miss a club game for bristol against bath and then england's six nations opener, but will be free to return to face italy a week later on the 13th february. there's a new name to look out for in the main draw at next months australian open — britain's franjones, who's come through qualifying to reach herfirst grand slam. the 20—year—old from bradford beat china's lu jia—jing, losing just one game on the way,

coming through three matches in total to reach the main draw. what's even more remarkable, she was born with a rare gentic condition which means she only has three fingers and a thumb on each hand, and plays with a lighter racket and smaller grip. great to see her playing in australia. next to the masters snooker, where seven time champion ronnie o'sullivan is in first round action against china's ding junhui. and we can bring you live pictures from the marshall arena in milton keynes. ronnie o'sullivan was three frames down but has just won the last two is a 3—2 at the moment, hoping to avoid an early exit. this tournament being played in milton keynes. the first to six frames will earn a place in the quarterfinals you can watch it right now over on the bbc sport website and via the app. that's all the sport for now.

i'll see you at 3:30pm. i'm not sure you will, without the prime minister speaking at the liaison committee, but we'll see! we can go through our timetables for the next few weeks, let's do it off—line! see you later. a large—scale trial of a new treatment which it's hoped will prevent covid—19 patients from developing severe illness has begun in the uk. it involves inhaling a protein called interferon beta which the body produces when it develops a viral infection. the hope is it will stimulate the immune system, priming cells to be ready to fight off viruses. justin rowlatt reports. alexandra konstantine inhales the new treatment deep into her lungs. the 34—year—old was admitted to hull royal infirmary with covid—19 on monday night. she has a young daughter at home she is desperate to get back to. just a short move, or try to make

myself comfortable, i start to feel very tired and i start sweating and all my body starts to be in pain. i neverfelt this before. it's horrible. alexandra is the first patient to receive the treatment as part of this new clinical trial. the treatment uses a protein called interferon beta, which is part of our body's natural immune response. so this is the device that actually aerosolises the drug. professor tom wilkinson is overseeing the trial. it is helping the cells really reconstitute their immune response and fight off the virus. therefore, there's less damage to the lung, less symptoms, less risk of admission to intensive care, or even death. and so that's what we're studying in the trial, those effects. the drug was developed here at southampton university hospital. bbc news filmed an earlier trial last year.

the results were very promising. it suggested it cut the odds of a covid—19 patient in hospital getting severe disease by almost 80%, and brought a significant reduction in breathlessness, a key symptom. but the trial was small, just 100 patients. this new so—called phase three clinical trial will involve more than 600 patients in 20 countries. but drugs often don't live up to their early promise, warns dr latif. although it's exciting, we have to see what the results show. i and we've also had other drugs in similar circumstances. - we've had hydroxychloroquine, for example _ but again, when thatl reached further trials, it wasn't as promising as it initially made out to be. i so that's something to really take note for this current drug. - this building behind me is southampton hospital's brand new intensive care unit. the doctors here say because of the covid crisis,

it is full at the moment. this drug trial should be finished byjune. if the drug proves effective, the company hopes approval will follow shortly after that. then it will be available to help patients and, of course, to alleviate pressure on the nhs. justin rowlatt, bbc news, southampton. back now to the plans to step up the uk's coronavirus vaccine programme. let's speak now to professor adam finn from the university of bristol, who is researching the impact of vaccination on transmission of respiratory viruses and bacteria. good afternoon. hello. we get so many questions — good afternoon. hello. we get so many questions about _ good afternoon. hello. we get so many questions about the - good afternoon. hello. we get so many questions about the impact on immunosuppressed patients, particularly after we had one guest last week saying that the oxford vaccine is not ok for the immunosuppressed. was that right? no, i think that was wrong,

actually. i think that guest very rarely gets things wrong but on this occasion he has. the vector in the oxford vaccine, though it's derived from an adenovirus, is not capable of replicating and causing an infection so it doesn't really qualify as the kind of vaccine where we have concerns that they might cause problems in immunosuppressed people, but it is the case for all vaccines that immunosuppressed people are unlikely to make such a good responses and be as protected as other people because of course you need an immune response in order to get an effect from a vaccine. the oxford vaccine, _ to get an effect from a vaccine. the oxford vaccine, and i am out of my comfort zone here, correct me if i get this wrong, the oxford vaccine includes a viral vector, that means it's a live vaccine, does that complicated things? it’s it's a live vaccine, does that complicated things? it's important to emphasise. _ complicated things? it's important to emphasise, it's _ complicated things? it's important to emphasise, it's not _ complicated things? it's important to emphasise, it's not live - complicated things? it's important| to emphasise, it's not live vaccine. essentially what has happened here is that the machinery of a virus that enables it to get into a sale

has been used to actually post the dna from the coronavirus in there. —— that enables it to get into a cell. at the machinery in the virus it needs to reproduce itself and cause infection has been removed, and in some researched and recently in bristol by colleagues here in collaboration with oxford, with shown definitively that if you infect human cells with this vector you do not get expression of the adenovirus and you don't get an infection, so it's not a live vaccine. infection, so it's not a live vaccine-— infection, so it's not a live vaccine. , . ., infection, so it's not a live vaccine. , . . ., , vaccine. so these particular group of patients _ vaccine. so these particular group of patients should _ vaccine. so these particular group of patients should be _ vaccine. so these particular group of patients should be priority - of patients should be priority candidates for any vaccine? bud candidates for any vaccine? and indeed, they — candidates for any vaccine? and indeed, they are. _ candidates for any vaccine? fific indeed, they are. if you candidates for any vaccine? fific indeed, they are. if you look at candidates for any vaccine? el"ic indeed, they are. if you look at the recommendations, we are recommending the clinic is a very vulnerable, the people who have been shielding all of these months, including those who are immune suppressed, the prioritised, along with people in their 70s, so they will be receiving their 70s, so they will be receiving

the vaccine very soon. fin their 70s, so they will be receiving the vaccine very soon.— the vaccine very soon. on a practical — the vaccine very soon. on a practical level, _ the vaccine very soon. on a practical level, of _ the vaccine very soon. on a practical level, of course, i the vaccine very soon. on a - practical level, of course, you're talking about vulnerable people and there is an issue in getting to the place where you get to your vaccination, that is the highest moment of risk in this entire process, isn't it? it moment of risk in this entire process, isn't it?— process, isn't it? it is, and i think the — process, isn't it? it is, and i think the great _ process, isn't it? it is, and i think the great advantage i process, isn't it? it is, and i| think the great advantage of process, isn't it? it is, and i - think the great advantage of the oxford vaccine over the pfizer vaccine is that it is stable at refrigerator temperatures, so much more portable and much easier to get that vaccine at least closer to the places where these people are. in the case of very elderly people living in residential homes, the vaccine will go to the homes. we cannot expect those people to come to their gp or to a vaccination centre. and for people who are immune suppressed, here likewise unable to go out at all who are not immobile, similar arrangements will be made. but for the most part these vaccines will be delivered to such people at their gp surgeries with

appropriate precautions being taken. we get so many e—mails here at the bbc, one specific question, about that length of time between the first and second jabs, there is concern that the government is saying we can push that distance back a bit without particularly pfizer saying that is recommended. what is your view? i pfizer saying that is recommended. what is your view?— pfizer saying that is recommended. what is your view? i am very much in su ort of what is your view? i am very much in support of this _ what is your view? i am very much in support of this measure _ what is your view? i am very much in support of this measure we _ what is your view? i am very much in support of this measure we are - support of this measure we are taking at the present time of this crisis. we do need to prioritise first doses. the first is of the vaccine gives very high level protection, particularly against severe disease. we cannot afford to be holding onto these doses in the freezer in order to give them a second dose as they need to be getting into people's arms as soon as they can because of the pressure on the nhs right now. it is a very urgent situation. furthermore, people should not be concerned that their protection from that first doses will somehow evaporate immediately after the course of the first month. this is not the case.

vaccines don't do that. in fact, if you space at doses between vaccines a bit more, you actually get bigger and stronger response to the second dose which will last longer into the coming yearand give dose which will last longer into the coming year and give better protection through into the next winter. , ., ~ protection through into the next winter. , ., ,, ., protection through into the next winter. , .,~ ., ., winter. lets take me out of the eauation winter. lets take me out of the equation for — winter. lets take me out of the equation for now, _ winter. lets take me out of the equation for now, talk- winter. lets take me out of the equation for now, talk directlyl winter. lets take me out of the i equation for now, talk directly to the immunosuppressed watching you have any doubts, what your message to them directly?— to them directly? absolutely receive the vaccine as _ to them directly? absolutely receive the vaccine as soon _ to them directly? absolutely receive the vaccine as soon as _ to them directly? absolutely receive the vaccine as soon as it _ to them directly? absolutely receive the vaccine as soon as it is - the vaccine as soon as it is offered, the protection it gives will be worth having, even if you're immunosuppressed, though your protection may not be as good as a fully healthy person, it is protection worth having. we fully healthy person, it is protection worth having. we good to talk to you. — protection worth having. we good to talk to you, thank _ protection worth having. we good to talk to you, thank you. _ protection worth having. we good to talk to you, thank you. thank - protection worth having. we good to talk to you, thank you. thank you. i the headlines on bbc news... there's anger in the commons over the standard of food parcels for parents in lockdown. covid restrictions in scotland are to be tightened from this weekend around takeaway food and click—and—collect services. the education secretary has suggested that following the cancellation of exams, pupils in england could sit mini tests and external assessments

to help determine their grades. the irish prime minister has formally apologised for the the state's �*profound failure' in its treatment of unmarried women and their babies in homes run by the catholic church. a six year inquiry published yesterday concluded that 9000 children died in such homes across ireland. for decades young pregnant women were hidden from society. many were denied access to their babies, before being forced to give them up for adoption. ireland's taoiseach micheal martin told politicians it was a �*generational wrong' and said sorry for the shame and stigma many still face today. and so, on behalf of the government, the state and its citizens, i apologise for the profound generational wrong visited upon irish mothers and their children who ended up in a mother and baby home or a county home.

as the commission says plainly, they should not have been there. i apologise for the shame and stigma which they were subjected to and which they were subjected to and which for some remains a burden to this day. in apologising, i want to emphasise that each of you were in an institution because of the rooms of others, each of you is blameless, each of you did nothing wrong and has nothing to be ashamed of. —— you're in an because of the wrongs of others. each of you deserve so much better. they rack up —— the lack of respect for your fundamental rights and dignity as mothers and children is hop humbly acknowledge and deeply, deeply regretted. the irish state is the main funding authority for the majority of these

institutions had the ultimate duty of care to protect citizens of the robust regulatory and inspection regime. this authority was not exerted and the state's duty of care was not upheld. the state failed you, the mothers and children in these homes. nearly half of intensive care staff in england could be suffering from post—traumatic stress disorder, severe anxiety or problem drinking — that's the finding of new research which has indicated how much pressure the pandemic has placed on nhs workers. king's college london spoke to more than seven hundred icu staff during the first wave of the pandemic last summer. graham satchell reports. monitors beep. the thin line between life and death is played out here in intensive care. but never has the pressure on staff been so great.

intensive care units are full. the staff are incredibly stretched at the moment. and, really, i guess many people are breaking themselves to try and make this work right now. staff "breaking themselves". this pandemic has been going on for almost a year, and the consequences for nhs staff are now becoming clear. a new report shows high levels of stress, depression, anxiety. we're all supporting each other, luckily. and we're trying to save lives. um... we're alljust doing what we can to save people's loved ones. the relentless pressure laid bare in this video by nurse shirley watts in the first wave last april. and we're sinking a little bit, but we're still turning up and we're trying to do our best. today's study by king's college london shows poor mental health is now common amongst intensive care staff.

it says 40% have symptoms of post—traumatic stress. 11% have severe anxiety. and 13% have frequent thoughts of being better off dead or hurting themselves. doctors like zudin puthucheary are used to saving people's lives, not having them die in huge numbers. part of being in intensive care is that you give up a lot of yourself to try and do your best for your patients. and sometimes, when it doesn't work out, it can be very painful. this is st george's hospital in london. the sheer number of patients here causing significant stress. i'm looking after many more sick patients than i normally look after. it'sjust overwhelming, the whole situation. i personally cry when i get home quite a lot, actually, at the moment. sleep — we're suffering with sleep problems, i think, a lot of nurses and doctors at the moment, as well. we just do have to keep

going because we have to be here for patients. but i do worry, you know, about the scars that will leave some of our staff with. an nhs spokesperson told us they've invested £15 million in mental health support. but the intensive care society, which represents staff, says not enough is being done. it's now appealing to the public for support to help maintain the well—being of front—line medical workers. we need to raise funds for these resources, because there is no plan in how we'll rehabilitate the staff in the pandemic. this pandemic will have many unfortunate lasting legacies. one is the damage it's doing to nhs staff. graham satchell, bbc news. people across spain are continuing to experience disruption amid freezing temperatures that have followed the heavy snowfalls of storm filomena over the weekend. roads and train routes continue to be affected, with the army being deployed in some areas to clear the snow. gail maclellan reports.

after the snow, a deep freeze. several people have died across the country in temperatures as low as —25 celsius. madrid experienced the heaviest snowfall in 50 years. trees fell over, many water pipes break. countless roads have been blocked by snow and workers deployed to clear them as an emergency was declared in the capital. prime minister pedro sanchez visited emergency unit headquarters to see what has been put into place, as the interior minister warned of continuing problems. translation: we want to emphasise that we are still on alert due - to this cold wave that is hitting the centre and east of the country, with the lowest temperatures between —12 and —16 degrees. the ice is treacherous. 2000 injuries from falls have put hospitals under pressure. the snow has also hampered

the country plus my efforts the country's efforts to increase the pace of its coronavirus vaccination programme, amid rising infections. storm filomena has swept away, but temperatures are set to hold at below zero until thursday. gail maclellan, bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with susan powell. hello. after a gloomy and wet morning across the uk, our focus turns to things becoming increasingly wintry for scotland and northern ireland through the afternoon into the evening and overnight. in response to this, the met office have issued an amber warning for heavy snowfall. there is a risk of disruption. the area highlighted behind me, highest ground could see 10—20 centimetres, that's up to eight inches of snow. lower ground, though, at 5—10 centimetres, that warning at the moment stands until 10am tomorrow. why is this happening? well, the cold air across scandinavia at the moment extending

to the east of the uk. weather front trying to come in from the west. much milder air behind it but as that front runs into the colder air, so we see that snow for scotland and across northern england overnight, extending further south into the pennines, if anything, overnight, perhaps a little sleet and snow even as far south as east anglia. further west, we are still in the milder air, it's rain we are talking about for parts of wales and down towards the south—east of england. and a mild night, 10 degrees there in plymouth, contrast that to temperatures around freezing for scotland and northern england. ice could be an issue, as well, first thing on thursday. here's the weather front, notice high pressure trying to build behind it, high pressure trying to build ahead of it. it's got nowhere to go. it will slowly weaken through thursday but i think only slowly and it stays in one place, so more snow for scotland and across northern england first thing, perhaps even a few flakes possible, some sleet down into the midlands. i think it will be rain, though, that we see persisting across the south—east. you can see things ease back as we go out into the day on thursday

but still quite wintry across the north—east, it will certainly feel so with temperature three or 4 degrees, towards the west, brighter for northern ireland, some sunshine, up to 9 degrees, actually pretty mild here. we start to balance things out, though, come friday. the high from the west builds in. we'll see quite a lot of cloud hanging in but not a bad day for the weekend, wet and windy weather swinging in from the atlantic for saturday. so friday, still on the chilly side, especially with all of the cloud around, but much clearer conditions overall. saturday, it becomes milder but it does looking wet and windy. sunday, quieter once again but turning a little colour. but turning a little cooler. but for now, our major concern as we started out is that snow, developing to the north of the uk. a reminder, we could see some disruption for parts of scotland and northern england.

this is bbc news. the headlines. anger in the commons over the standard of food parcels for parents in lockdown — labour leader sir keir starmer tells the prime minister he's putting families last. can i ask the prime minister, would he be happy with his kids living on that? under this government we will do everything we can to ensure that no child goes hungry as a result of the privations caused by this pandemic. covid restrictions in scotland are to be tightened from this weekend around takeaway food and click—and—collect services. the education secretary has suggested that following the cancellation of exams, pupils in england could sit mini tests and external assessments to help determine their grades. the government says the nhs will launch a round—the—clock vaccination service as soon as possible.

the us house of representatives will move to impeach president donald trump after last week's violent assault on the capitol. debate is currently under way. "disgraceful", "low value", "poor quality" — and "awful". that's how the prime minister described the food parcels which have been sent out to some families — by his own government — during lockdown. borisjohnson said immediate action will be taken, when he spoke to footballer and campaigner, marcus rashford on the issue. there'll be further grilling of the prime minister at 3.30 this afternoon when he faces the liaison committee on the government's response — both to covid and brexit. meanwhile, the education secretary gavin williamson has suggested

a—level and gcse students in england might be asked to sit external tests in place of the formal exams, which were abandoned last week. and scotland is tightening lockdown rules with more restrictions on click and collect services and takeaway food from saturday. more on all those stories to come — but our first report — and the political row around food parcels — is from our political correspondent iain watson. food for thought — is this adequate nutrition for growing children? companies, on behalf of schools, have been sending food parcels as a short—term substitute for free lunches. but the contents were denounced by, amongst others, the footballer and campaigner marcus rashford. he said this was just not good enough. the prime minister spoke to him this morning and agreed that the contents of the parcel were unacceptable. i don't think anybody in this house is happy with the disgraceful images that we have seen of the food parcels that have been offered. they are appalling, they are an insult to the families that have received them, and i am grateful, by the way, to marcus rashford, who highlighted the issue and is doing quite an effective job, by comparison

with the right honourable gentleman, in holding the government to account for these issues, and the company in question has rightly apologising and agreed to reimburse. the labour leader said that the prime minister shouldn't simply be blaming the companies who provide the meals, but blaming themselves. i've checked the government guidance on free school meals, the current guidance published by the department of education. i have it here. it sets out example parcels for one child for five days. department of education, prime minister, you want to be held to account — one loaf of bread, two baked potatoes, block of cheese, baked beans, three individual yoghurts. sound familiar? that's the images, prime minister, you just called "disgraceful". it was a conservative government that instituted free school meals, universal free school meals, not a labour government. at the first pmqs of the new year, it wasn't just the adequacy of free school meals that was called into question. the labour leader also believed that the current restrictions may not be adequate

and could need tightening. hello, catherine? how are you today? good, thank you. unlike in the first lockdown in march, nurseries have remained opened, so too have children's playgrounds, and estate agents can still show prospective buyers around homes for sale. when death rates are much higher than last march, why on earth are restrictions weaker than last march? to listen to the right honourable gentleman in the last 12 months, you would think he had absolutely no other policy except to plunge this country into 12 months of lockdown. the immediate outlook remains bleak. the government wants even more compliance with existing rules rather than introducing new restrictions — but note, in the commons today, the prime minister ruled nothing out. iain watson, bbc news. as we've heard, there has been political anger over the inadequate food parcels sent out to struggling families. a mother who posted a photo

of a food parcel she received has told of the "sense of sadness" she felt on seeing what it contained. our education correspondent sean dilley reports. school meals haven't traditionally been associated with gourmet cuisine, but downing street has described this offering from catering company chartwells as "totally u na cce pta ble". it's an image that went viral after it was shared by the food campaigner and footballer marcus rashford. the mother who posted it has asked to be identified only as sarah. one of my children came in and saw me laying this out on the floor and asked why, and i said i was going to picture it because i didn't think it looked like a lot. and i could see the child's realisation that this is what i have been given to eat for a week and just the sense of sadness, where has the rest of the food gone? you know, this is meant to be a week's food. why is it so mean? the catering company chartwells has apologised. they initially said that the contents did not match the specification of one of their hampers, before saying the quantity of food

pictured fell short. but sarah's case is not isolated. other parents shared their images of food parcels delivered to them as part of the government's commitment to continue providing free school meals to eligible english school students during lockdown. when i saw that picture, i was absolutely disgusted. as a dad myself, ijust sort of thought, "how could a family in receipt of that really be expected to deliver, you know, five nutritious meals as is required?" it's just not acceptable. it's been made absolutely clear to chartwells, and to the whole sector, that that sort of behaviour is just not right. it will not be tolerated. we will not live with that. the department for education says it will give schools the freedom to arrange local voucher schemes of up to £15 per eligible pupil per week, but food parcels will still be available for schools who opt for them.

the prime minister phoned marcus rashford this morning to thank him for highlighting the issue. the footballer welcomed "a good conversation" via his twitter feed and said borisjohnson has committed to take immediate action and review the supply chain. feeding hundreds of thousands of pupils across england is a challenge, but it's one some food suppliers believe should never have fallen down. so this is a huge challenge for these companies, but they shouldn't have tendered for them had they not been able to step up to the plate and actually deliver on their promises. i think they really let the vulnerable families down and the taxpayer down at the same time. they should have been able to do this, and from the contents of the boxes i saw yesterday, i'm really disappointed. the biggest losers, absolutely, were the vulnerable families who need it at this time the most. the government is asking any parent who is concerned about their free school meal provision in england to come forward so their cases can be investigated too.

the education secretary gavin williamson has said a—level and gcse students in england might be asked to sit external tests in place of the formal exams, which were abandoned last week. in a letter to the exams regulator, he said it would help teachers, who will be responsible for assessing grades. mr williamson was questioned by mps on the education select committee earlier. i outlined in my letter to quual how this is going to be teacher judgment in terms of the awarding of grades, how we create the structure and support for teachers. one thing that was clear from teachers is that they wanted it to be clearly outlined, the structures that would be there to support them in arriving at the right and appropriate grade for their pupils so they could explain to them and parents as to when that is done. but you know, these are important measures.

the consultation is being undertaken from the start of this week. it will run for two weeks and the information will be shared very rapidly. we will set out very clearly how teacher grading is going to be done. and one more question if i may. in terms of teacher—assessed grades being moderated, are you in favour of that moderation and if so who should be involved? how should an appeals system work given the concerns that many students, especially of bame background, the outcomes in terms of fairness? quite simply, teacherjudgment is what we are relying on. we are obviously putting, in terms of working with the sector, to make sure there is proper and fair checks and balances.

it's teacherjudgment that we are relying on and it's important, you know, it's absolutely vital and clear that any changes to grades as any result of an external quality assurance process should be the exception because it's teacher judgments we are relying on, not algorithms. there needs to be a strong and robust appeals process and that's also what we've asked quual to put in place in order to back the process. in just under half an hour, the prime minister will be facing questions on all of these issues from the commons liaison committee — that's the one that consists of all the select committee chairs. let's go live to westminster now and our political correspondent nick eardley. there's so much the government is facing questions on. the vaccination programme is particular one that was the focus in prime minister's

questions and no doubt he'll face questions later today. there seems to be a disconnect between claims there is a shortage in supply of the vaccines and then getting into people's arms. whether there's disconnect between the processes. it's white and i suspect the vaccine roll—out is going to be one of the keyissues roll—out is going to be one of the key issues that the boy minister is asked about in the session when it starts at about 3:30pm —— the prime minister is asked about. rolling out the programme quickly and efficiently, the government believes this is the way out of it. boris johnson has consistently faced the question about whether the government has the infrastructure in place, whether it has the orders and whether it has the chain of supply, really, to make sure that can happen quickly. i think you're right, we'll hear a fair quickly. i think you're right, we'll heara fair bit quickly. i think you're right, we'll hear a fair bit about the vaccines in that session. there are also broader questions to be asked about

what's happened over the last month or so. what's happened over the last month orso. because what's happened over the last month or so. because it's quite remarkable to think that four, five weeks ago around this time in december, vast parts of england were still in tier 3. you could still go to the pub and have lunch and have a point 20 tier 2. things have moved massively over the last month and mps on that committee will want to probe a bit more about how exactly we've got from one stage to the one we're in now. the big difference is the new variant of the virus which has caused real alarming government and has led to many of these decisions. there's a couple of things to watch out for. one is the scrutiny element of this, figuring out what's happened and how decisions have been taken and crucially whether they've been taken quickly enough. then there's the other element of what happens next. i suspect many people watching it at home are going to

want details of where the vaccine programme is going to go and when we waste the —— when we may see some restrictions to lift. an indication from the point minister earlier that he is reluctant to put more restrictions in place now because they're still looking at the data to see what impact the new lockdown in england has had. but also it's quite clear that the government isn't completely in control of this. it's reacting to a virus, our understanding of which is changing all the time, so borisjohnson is reluctant to give any cast—iron guarantees about what's going to happen. guarantees about what's going to ha en. ., guarantees about what's going to ha en, ., , guarantees about what's going to hauen. ., ,., guarantees about what's going to hauen. ., , . ., happen. you said viewers are going to want to know _ happen. you said viewers are going to want to know the _ happen. you said viewers are going to want to know the answers - happen. you said viewers are going to want to know the answers to - to want to know the answers to certain questions. we all want to know the answers. we always get excited about the liaison committees and then the questions aren't answered. i don't want to put a damper on this but we've seen in recent days, often questions are

ignored. borisjohnson has formed on that. he ignored. boris johnson has formed on that. ., , ., that. he does. the liaison committee is the chairs — that. he does. the liaison committee is the chairs of— that. he does. the liaison committee is the chairs of all— that. he does. the liaison committee is the chairs of all of _ that. he does. the liaison committee is the chairs of all of the _ is the chairs of all of the committees in the house of commons. a number of them will be asking the prime minister about the relevant expertise. under theresa may i would agree with you, they were a damp squib and we'd often sit here in the afternoon and nothing would come out of them. the last couple of times borisjohnson has been at the committee he said quite a lot. some of the probing here will be from people in his own party who wants to know more about his plans as well as opposition parties. it's quite possible we'll find out more in the 90 minute session. i should say as well that about half of it is going to be on coronavirus but there's another massive hero divining issue happening. —— era defining issue. you're talking about brexit? ii

happening. —— era defining issue. you're talking about brexit? if it wasn't for _ you're talking about brexit? if it wasn't for the _ you're talking about brexit? if it wasn't for the coronavirus brexit is all we'd be talking about because there are huge ramifications of the new trade treaty coming into play at the moment. many viewers in northern ireland will be going to the supermarket and finding out certain produce isn't there because supermarkets have decided it isn't worth trying to import certain goods into northern ireland at the moment. many viewers in scotland will know that business owners, especially when it comes to seafood are saying, i'm not going to bother selling to the continent because of delays and some of the paperwork are causing problems. interesting tizzy held borisjohnson squares some of those circles because —— interesting to see how borisjohnson squares some of those circles because he said brexit wouldn't lead to red tape for those companies. there would be of the initial period where things have to bed in. the government said that in the long—term it will be good for the uk. interesting to see how the response to some of those real—life

problems that have been shown to be happening over the last few weeks. i was going to ask you to tell me where we are on brexit but that would have been a joke and worthy of that coughing! thanks, nick. first minister nicola sturgeon has announced a further tightening of coronavirus restrictions in scotland. from saturday, only shops selling essential items will be allowed to offer click and collect services and customers won't be able to go into takeaway food and drinks venues. i've been speaking to our scotland correspondent lorna gordon about the details. nearly 1800 people are now in hospital here in scotland with a confirmed case of covid. the first minister says the situation is precarious and that these figures underline the pressure on the health service and the fact that these pressures are increasing. she says that's what a further tightening of restrictions are needed. most of scotland is already under a very strict lockdown where it's illegal to leave your home apart from essential purposes. so there's not much wiggle room.

but there are six areas where the rules and regulations will be tightened and they will come in from saturday. the big one is that only retailers selling essential items will be able to use click and collect. appointments for click and collect will have to be staggered and customers will not be allowed to go into shops. there is changes to takeaways as well. no going inside premises to pick up takeaways. you'll have to pick them up from a hatch. or a doorway. it will also become illegal to drink alcohol in outdoor public areas across the whole of mainland scotland. there will be a legal obligation on employers to allow more working from home. there will also be guidance on workers entering homes. the guidance will be tightened. i know that none of this makes for enjoyable listening. if it's any comfort, i don't expect it will be, it gives me no pleasure to be talking about further restrictions on businesses and on our individual freedoms to come and go as we please. but please know that we would not be doing any of this if we did not believe it essential to get and keep this potentially deadly virus under control.

case numbers are still so high and the new variant is so infectious that we must be as tough and effective as we possibly can be to stop it spreading. the scottish conservatives are questioning whether the grants available for businesses affected are being released quickly enough. scottish had questions about the support grant. the first minister said they would look at what more can be done to support people here in scotland at this time but nicola sturgeon said these are dark and difficult times and this is a critical and dangerous moment stop she said the further tightening of restrictions was regrettable but necessary. the government has been defending the roll—out of the coronavirus vaccine and this afternoon the prime minister said the coronavirus vaccine programme would be in operation 2a hours a day, seven days a week "as soon as we can". our health correspondent naomi grimley reports. it is still a humbling sight. the country over, vulnerable people

are queueing to get the protection they need from this cruel virus. several mass vaccination centres are swinging into action, and the roll—out is accelerating. according to the latest figures, just over 145,000 people had their first dose of one of the three approved vaccines in the most recent 24—hour period. that takes the overall number of people who have had their first jab to more than 2.4 million. we have the clear line of sight for volumes all the way through till end of february, which means i'm confident of hitting the target of the four most vulnerable cohorts being offered a vaccine by mid—february. britain is doing well on the speed of the roll—out compared to most countries. but should we be vaccinating people round the clock? appointments in the small hours have been snapped up at these vaccination centres in new york, a city which never sleeps, so ministers are under pressure

to do the same here. we will be going to 24—7 as soon as we can, and the health secretary will be setting out more about that in due course. the big issue in the uk remains the supply of the vaccine itself. there is tremendous pressure on the manufacturing plants that finish off these vials, ready to be used. there are, of course, logistical issues arising from such a mammoth undertaking. there are reports that some gps have been told to hit pause before they continue vaccinating down the pecking order. but one of nhs england's bosses has said that might be because other areas of the country need to catch up first. the amount of vaccine being administered and given to people is incredible, but what we need to do is make sure that it is level across the country, not overly manage it,

but make sure that somebody isn't getting into groups five and six when somebody in the over—80s in another part of the country has not been offered their vaccine. the government says more than 40% of the over—80s in england have now been vaccinated. they remain the government's top priority, along with health care workers. some countries are fast—tracking key workers such as teachers, too, but the man in charge of the uk's priority list told mps there is logic to what they are doing, at least for this first phase. the estimates are that we have to vaccinate only about 250 people aged over 80 to save one life, and for care home residents we only need to vaccinate somewhere between 25—45 care home residents to save one life. if you were trying to vaccinate, for example, train operators, then you would have to vaccinate many thousands of train operators to save one life. the number of covid patients

in hospitals is now over 30,000 — higher than in the first wave. all eyes are on whether the government will have vaccinated 15 million of the most vulnerable by this time next month. that is when we should begin to see the effects of vaccine immunity filter through. naomi grimley, bbc news. several senior republicans have turned on donald trump and said they will now support moves to remove him from office, a week before his term ends. democrats intend to push for a vote on impeachement this evening in the house of representatives. the move became almost certain after the vice—president mike pence said he was not prepared to use his powers to remove mr trump and become acting president. paul adams reports. as donald trump flew back to the white house last night, perhaps for the last time, his grip on power was slipping. applause from loyal staffers but he knows he faces an unprecedented stigma. the only us president

to face impeachment twice. in congress his opponents in the democratic party are determined. the president has to go. not next week, but now. every second that donald trump is president, the nation is at risk. we have the power to do something about it. mike pence must do his duty, invoke the 25th, and if he won't, we will move with urgency to do ours and impeach donald trump again. efforts to persuade the vice president to use his constitutional powers failed. invoking the 25th amendment, mike pence said, was not in the best interests of the nation. among republicans, some of the president's most vociferous supporters sprang to his defence. they wanted to impeach president trump on his first day in office. and it looks like they are going to want to impeach him on his last day, too. but as details of last week's violent assault on the capitol continue to emerge, the republican party is fracturing. some seniorfigures now

favour impeachment. a furious liz cheney, daughter of the former vice president, accused mr trump of summoning a mob and lighting the flames. the united states senate will not be intimidated. all eyes are on mitch mcconnell, the leading republican in the senate. according to the new york times, he now thinks impeachment is the best way to purge donald trump from the party. mitch mcconnell is said to be furious. and of course procedurally, what happens next is all in his hands because once the house passes the article of impeachment, then mcconnell would be the one to decide whether to take on the impeachment in the senate and reconvene the senate. the impeachment of donald trump... it has been almost exactly a year since donald trump's first impeachment trial opened in the senate. republicans rallied around their man and its failure was a foregone conclusion. a year on, in the dying days of this

most disruptive presidency, a very different outcome is now possible. paul adams, bbc news. democrats hold a majority. then it will go to the senate where they can determine the president's guilt. i'm joined now by our correspondent gary o'donoghue in washington. that we know but what happens after, we don't. ., ., �* , ,, we don't. no, we don't. the process here is worth _ we don't. no, we don't. the process here is worth some _ we don't. no, we don't. the process here is worth some consideration i here is worth some consideration because when the impeachment vote goes through, and bearing mind impeachmentjust means charge, impeachment just means charge, indict, impeachmentjust means charge, indict, that has to be handed on to the senate for a trial. the senate isn't in session at the moment and isn't in session at the moment and isn't due to be in session until the 19th, next tuesday. there's a lot of pressure on the leader of the

senate, mitch mcconnell, the republican leader at the moment, to bring it back early. he doesn't seem very keen to do that. when they get the article of impeachment they have to have a trial and then there's a question of whether that takes up all the timejoe biden would like the senate to be using to confirm his cabinet nominations as part of the political process. a lot of iugghng the political process. a lot of juggling to be done by the democrats on this one. some suggestion that trial could actually be delayed some way down the line. you might think, what's the point of that, then? for the democrats, the impeachment and conviction are important things in their own right which would have the possibility of barring donald trump from running again. bud possibility of barring donald trump from running again.— from running again. and that's at the heart of _ from running again. and that's at the heart of this _ from running again. and that's at the heart of this for _ from running again. and that's at the heart of this for many - from running again. and that's at the heart of this for many of- from running again. and that's at i the heart of this for many of them, isn't it? but you're dealing with a man who can be unpredictable and we've only got a few days left of him. ., , �* ,

we've only got a few days left of him. . , �*, ., ., ., him. yeah, but he's haemorrhaging friends in high _ him. yeah, but he's haemorrhaging friends in high places, _ him. yeah, but he's haemorrhaging friends in high places, as _ him. yeah, but he's haemorrhaging friends in high places, as you i him. yeah, but he's haemorrhagingj friends in high places, as you might say, like nobody�*s business. he's made an enemy of the vice president, of mitch mcconnell, the republican leader in the senate. he has some support left in the house, sure, but even republicans there are starting to leach away to back the democrat moves to impeach him. what does he do? he can make an appeal like you did last week to his supporters. that's a real possibility and a real threat, something people are worried about over the next seven days. people have said, what about the military? it's worth bearing in mind that he is commander—in—chief and they have to obey his orders. but they have to obey his orders. but the key thing about the military in this country is that the orders have to be legal. you aren't allowed to be an order if it's illegal, as a military, a member of the military top brass here. so there would be a

process if he tried to use the military for any nefarious reason. so there's a lot of constraints on what he can do other than what he's doing at the moment, sitting in the white house and seething. perhaps drawin: u- white house and seething. perhaps drawing up a _ white house and seething. perhaps drawing up a list — white house and seething. perhaps drawing up a list of— white house and seething. perhaps drawing up a list of people - white house and seething. perhaps drawing up a list of people to i drawing up a list of people to pardon, top of which could be donald deschamps?— deschamps? yes, donald trump and famil , deschamps? yes, donald trump and family. that's — deschamps? yes, donald trump and family, that's the _ deschamps? yes, donald trump and family, that's the debate _ deschamps? yes, donald trump and family, that's the debate that's i family, that's the debate that's going on at the moment —— donaldj trump. you can have a kind of blanket pardon which has been done before. it was done for richard nixon. he hadn't been charged when gerald ford pardoned him. there can be generic pardons, in a way. you don't have to name people necessarily. he could pardon the people named in last week's protests without naming them. that was done for people who dodged the draft after the vietnam war. so there are some things he could do that would

be incredibly disruptive and divisive before next week. but certainly i would think a pardon is one of the things he's looking out for himself because he's not a man, i don't think, who would want to face a lot of litigation in the future because he's got a bunch of other problems, not least financial problems to deal with when he leaves office. ~ ., . ~ problems to deal with when he leaves office. ,, ., . ,, ., problems to deal with when he leaves office. «e ., . «e ., , ., office. the knack of being a good “ournalist office. the knack of being a good journalist is _ office. the knack of being a good journalist is being _ office. the knack of being a good journalist is being on _ office. the knack of being a good journalist is being on the - office. the knack of being a good journalist is being on the right i journalist is being on the right place at the right time and that's you, isn't it? place at the right time and that's you. isn't it?— you, isn't it? well, i take no credit for— you, isn't it? well, i take no credit for the _ you, isn't it? well, i take no credit for the accident i you, isn't it? well, i take no credit for the accident of i you, isn't it? well, i take no i credit for the accident of fate, i must say! yeah, the last six years i've been in this country have been an absolute roller—coaster and i'll tell you what, it's shaken all of our beliefs in our ability to understand power, the workings of politics, the art of the possible. the key phrase i know about that now is that what was the art of the possible yesterday isn't the same as the art of the possible today. the

goalposts move, and how they move. we are all feeling that. thank you. now it's time for a look at the weather with susan powell hello. wintry weather looks set to pose some problems across the northern half of the uk through the remainder of the day, overnight and into tomorrow morning. the met office has issued an amber warning for heavy snow. some of the higher ground of scotland and northern england, down to the northern pennines, 10—20 centimetres of snow is possible. 5—10 at lower levels. apologies, susan, straight to the liaison committee. the chairman and the prime minister borisjohnson. the session was the december session that was held over until now for your convenience, prime minister, but i hope you can confirm there will still be three 2021 sessions. i can indeed confirm that, and i look

forward very much to further such sessions. , . ., ,., forward very much to further such sessions. , . ., ., sessions. the second part of the da 's sessions. the second part of the day's session. — sessions. the second part of the day's session, will— sessions. the second part of the day's session, will concentrate i sessions. the second part of the l day's session, will concentrate on the uk post—brexit but we start with the uk post—brexit but we start with the government's response to covid. jeremy hunt. the government's response to covid. jeremy hunt-— jeremy hunt. prime minister, thank ou for jeremy hunt. prime minister, thank you forjoining _ jeremy hunt. prime minister, thank you forjoining us — jeremy hunt. prime minister, thank you forjoining us at _ jeremy hunt. prime minister, thank you forjoining us at such _ jeremy hunt. prime minister, thank you forjoining us at such a - jeremy hunt. prime minister, thank you forjoining us at such a busy i you forjoining us at such a busy time _ you forjoining us at such a busy time its— you forjoining us at such a busy time. it's obviously horrific right now on— time. it's obviously horrific right now on the _ time. it's obviously horrific right now on the nhs front line, and i wondered — now on the nhs front line, and i wondered if we could just start by you updating us on what the situation _ you updating us on what the situation is now in our hospitals, and specifically, do you think we will have — and specifically, do you think we will have enough critical care beds, icu will have enough critical care beds, icu beds, _ will have enough critical care beds, icu beds, for those who need them in the next _ icu beds, for those who need them in the next few— icu beds, for those who need them in the next few weeks?— the next few weeks? thanks very much. the next few weeks? thanks very much- you're _ the next few weeks? thanks very much. you're absolutely - the next few weeks? thanks very much. you're absolutely right i the next few weeks? thanks very| much. you're absolutely right that the situation is very, very tough indeedin the situation is very, very tough indeed in the nhs, and i think people should really go beyond the normal, we pay a lot of tributes to the nhs workers over the last few months and the last year, but they never really are fighting very, very hard to contain this pandemic ——

they are now really fighting very hard after months in which they had been working flat out, and i think the strain is colossal. there are about 70% more because of my patients than there were at the peak in april. and the pressure is very considerable. —— 70% more covid patients. if you ask me, when do i think the icu capacity is likely to be over i cannot give you a prediction for that, but all i can say for that is that the risk is very substantial and we have to keep the pressure of the nhs, and the only way to do that is to follow the current lockdown, and that's why i would urge —— what i would urge everybody to do, stay at home.

yesterday, there is a discussion of the apparently dangerous new strain from brazil that has escaped to japan was up should we be introducing an immediate travel ban for flights from brazil to introducing an immediate travel ban forflights from brazil to reduce the risk of getting here? your for flights from brazil to reduce the risk of getting here? your abs at the right. _ the risk of getting here? your abs at the right, we _ the risk of getting here? your abs at the right, we are _ the risk of getting here? your abs at the right, we are concerned i the risk of getting here? your abs i at the right, we are concerned about the new brazilian variant, which is why we have already got tough measures, as you know, to protect this country from new infections coming in from abroad. we are taking steps to do that in respect of the brazilian variant. i think it is fair to say there are lots of questions we still have about that variant, and we do not know, for instance, any more than we know about the south african variant, whether it is vaccine resistant. i want to ask a couple of questions about the long—term lesson, we've been looking at that in our committee, and then i will wrap up

ljy committee, and then i will wrap up by asking about the vaccine roll—out. one of the key pressures, as you know, has beenjust getting enough doctors and nurses to look after people in the government has done well to commit to 40,000 new nurses but the truth is we have never been very good at training enough doctors and nurses in the nhs. i wonder, enough doctors and nurses in the nhs. iwonder, after the enough doctors and nurses in the nhs. i wonder, after the pandemic, would you consider long—term reform involving getting a body like the ons or an independent body to make predictions aboutjust how many doctors and nurses we will need in a decade or so's time, to make sure we really are training enough? yes. decade or so's time, to make sure we really are training enough?— really are training enough? yes, i think that is _ really are training enough? yes, i think that is the _ really are training enough? yes, i think that is the kind _ really are training enough? yes, i think that is the kind of _ really are training enough? yes, i think that is the kind of thing i really are training enough? yes, i think that is the kind of thing we | think that is the kind of thing we should be looking at, jeremy. just so people know the figures, there are now almost 299,200 full—time equivalent nurses, that's 13,300 equivalent nurses, that's13,300 more than last year, 122,400 doctors, 6000 more than last year, but as you rightly say, demand, particularly at the moment, is

enormous. and so we are looking at making sure we have the right measures for the long term to recruit, to encourage, to retain and to make sure that we train people in the right way. and we are determined, as a government committed fulfil our promise, for instance, to deliver notjust the 50,000 more nurses by the end of this parliament, 50,000 more nurses, but also to give them confidence and encouragement to, by doing things to support them in their careers and retaining them. let support them in their careers and retaining them.— support them in their careers and retaining them. let me ask if i may about social — retaining them. let me ask if i may about social care. _ retaining them. let me ask if i may about social care. on _ retaining them. let me ask if i may about social care. on the _ retaining them. let me ask if i may about social care. on the steps i retaining them. let me ask if i may about social care. on the steps of i about social care. on the steps of downing street, you said, i am quoting, i'm announcing now on the steps of downing street that we will fix the crisis in social care once and for all with a clear plan. can i

ask, given what has happened the public finances in the last year, does that commitment still stand? yes, it does. i think the pandemic has highlighted the difficulties of the social care sector is in, it clearly needs reform and needs improvement. but there is also the issue of people being forced to sell their homes, to pay for their care, and that's something we want to address and will be we should have a long—term plan, and clearly, if you're going to reform social care, it's more difficult for

older people, but you need the younger generation to start thinking about the eventual cost of their social care and having that conversation with the public. band conversation with the public. and finall , if conversation with the public. and finally. if i _ conversation with the public. and finally, if i could _ conversation with the public. and finally, if i could just move on to the vaccines programme, most people, i the vaccines programme, most people, ithink. _ the vaccines programme, most people, ithink. are _ the vaccines programme, most people, ithink, are incredibly the vaccines programme, most people, i think, are incredibly encouraged that we _ i think, are incredibly encouraged that we are — i think, are incredibly encouraged that we are doing better than any similar— that we are doing better than any similar size country in the world in terms _ similar size country in the world in terms of— similar size country in the world in terms of vaccine... but this is the biggest _ terms of vaccine... but this is the biggest peacetime operation of our lifetimes, — biggest peacetime operation of our lifetimes, the most important for the country. can ijust ask you, why are the _ the country. can ijust ask you, why are the public not allowed to know anything _ are the public not allowed to know anything except for the most basic information as to how many people have actually had the jab? for example. _ have actually had the jab? for example, there are no plans to publish — example, there are no plans to publish how many people have had the 'ab in publish how many people have had the jab in each _ publish how many people have had the jab in each local authority area. people — jab in each local authority area. people really do want to know how many _ people really do want to know how many people have had a newry, mourne and down _ many people have had a newry, mourne and down. we

many people have had a newry, mourne and down. ~ ., ., , , .,, ., and down. we -- how many people have had it close to — and down. we -- how many people have had it close to them. _ and down. we -- how many people have had it close to them. you _ and down. we -- how many people have had it close to them. you want _ and down. we -- how many people have had it close to them. you want to - and down. we -- how many people have had it close to them. you want to be i had it close to them. you want to be transparent, we know the figures for the number ofjobs delivered, that's about 2.8 million or was this morning, obviously it is going up the whole time. 2.4 million people. you know the ambition to get to 12 million people in england by the 15th of february, 15 million across the whole of the uk. and i think you know a little bit about how we are doing it, we've got the army, pharmacists, huge nhs operation, hospital sites, pharmacists, huge nhs operation, hospitalsites, mass pharmacists, huge nhs operation, hospital sites, mass vaccination centres. but i think it is reasonable that as soon as we get regional, good regional data, for instance, we should be showing that as well and we will be publishing as soon as possible later this week, we'll be the regional breakdowns and

i can tell you that some of the figures are very interesting. there are parts of the country where they've done incredibly well in, for instance, vaccinating the over 80s, more than 50%, well over 50% now in the north—east and yorkshire. less goodin the north—east and yorkshire. less good in some other parts of the country. so we want to be clear about that. and the crucial thing is that we want the data that those who have been vaccinated in local authorities to be shared and it will happen by the end of this week with public health directors in local authorities, because as we go forward, this is vaccine programme is going to find that there are people we need to reach that we can only reach with the nhs, working hand in glove with local government. my hand in glove with local government. my mother, not that i want to reveal that she _

my mother, not that i want to reveal that she is _ my mother, not that i want to reveal that she is over 80, but she had her vaccine _ that she is over 80, but she had her vaccine this — that she is over 80, but she had her vaccine this morning in surrey, but i vaccine this morning in surrey, but i have _ vaccine this morning in surrey, but i have no— vaccine this morning in surrey, but i have no idea how many other people are vaccinated in cerry, i wonder if you could — are vaccinated in cerry, i wonder if you could possibly look into whether we could _ you could possibly look into whether we could release that data by local authority— we could release that data by local authority areas? i think it would be very interesting. finally, one other bit of— very interesting. finally, one other bit of data — very interesting. finally, one other bit of data which is very important as the _ bit of data which is very important as the wastage, because every person who is— as the wastage, because every person who is not— as the wastage, because every person who is not vaccinated because of waste _ who is not vaccinated because of waste is — who is not vaccinated because of waste is potentially put in peril. so could — waste is potentially put in peril. so could we look at publishing wasted — so could we look at publishing wasted rates by vaccination centres 'ust wasted rates by vaccination centres just to _ wasted rates by vaccination centres just to encourage everyone to treat each vaccine very preciously? we willt each vaccine very preciously? we will try and _ each vaccine very preciously? - will try and publish as each vaccine very preciously? e will try and publish as much data as we can. there is a very important point about wastage, which is that we want, in the stage, when our big constraint is supplier of the vaccine, we want to absolutely minimise waste and so people say why don't you get, you know, all of the 9000, maybe 12,000 community pharmacies to be doing this because

they're fantastic, you know, they're wonderful people, they've got clean premises and so on and so forth, they could do it. the trouble there, they could do it. the trouble logistically, he would have teams going around dropping off supplies of vaccine in 12,000 9000 outlets and then at the end of each evening would have a proportion that were not used, still in the fridge, and the risk is that when we are still constrained by supply, we don't want that happening at this stage. but as we go forward, with the roll—out, and as i say, as really dig into those groups that have not yet come forward and don't know how to do it, i think community pharmacies, which are trusted, well known, will play an important part in the rowlatt. but on local authority publications,

we will do whatever we can. the important thing we will do whatever we can. the thing is we do whatever we can. the regional breakdown is very interesting.— regional breakdown is very interestinu. . «e interesting. thank you, prime minister- _ interesting. thank you, prime minister- my _ interesting. thank you, prime minister. my local— interesting. thank you, prime minister. my local hospital- interesting. thank you, prime | minister. my local hospital had targeted nhs workers standing by to use up any spare vaccine at the end of every session, even though they were not officially on the priority list. other hospitals have not done that and they have been wasting vaccine. can we promote best practice? vaccine. can we promote best ractice? , ., vaccine. can we promote best practice?— vaccine. can we promote best ractice? , . �*, , ., ,, vaccine. can we promote best ractice? , . �*, , ., practice? yes, and it's perhaps also worth saying _ practice? yes, and it's perhaps also worth saying that _ practice? yes, and it's perhaps also worth saying that there _ practice? yes, and it's perhaps also worth saying that there is _ practice? yes, and it's perhaps also worth saying that there is a - practice? yes, and it's perhaps also worth saying that there is a big, i practice? yes, and it's perhaps also worth saying that there is a big, or| worth saying that there is a big, or there can be differences in the amount of vaccine that, the quantity of vaccine that is necessary to vaccinate a given number of people depending on the skill of the vaccinator, and that's why in these early stages we really want to maximise the use of people who are very, very proficient in giving the vaccinations. brute very, very proficient in giving the vaccinations.— vaccinations. we all understand, prime minister, _

vaccinations. we all understand, prime minister, that _ vaccinations. we all understand, prime minister, that the - vaccinations. we all understand, i prime minister, that the committee has asked me to ask these questions, there are limitations on the vaccine supply and there is an agreed schedule delivery, but what steps is the government taking to increase supply of the agreed schedule beyond the agreed schedule, so we can accelerate the whole programme? b5 accelerate the whole programme? el; you know, there is, this government has secured a bigger supply of vaccines, i think but absolutely and per head, than virtually any other country in the world. so we have a big, big stream of vaccines coming down the track. but there is also a programme to accelerate the delivery of the oxford vaccine, so the remaining pfizer vaccine is being brought forward, the moderna vaccine, as well, we are doing everything we can to bring forward

the manufacturing process as fast as we can so we can start getting it into people's arms in the tiniest way. and there has been —— in the most timely way. way. and there has been -- in the most timely way.— way. and there has been -- in the most timely way. there has been some concern that — most timely way. there has been some concern that astrazeneca _ most timely way. there has been some concern that astrazeneca requested i concern that astrazeneca requested their technicians and production workers should be prioritised for the vaccine so that they don't suffer the sickness rates there are suffering at the moment, that would seem critical to the vaccine programme?— seem critical to the vaccine rouramme? , ., �* programme? yes, i mean, you're makin: programme? yes, i mean, you're making an — programme? yes, i mean, you're making an excellent _ programme? yes, i mean, you're making an excellent point, i programme? yes, i mean, you're making an excellent point, and i programme? yes, i mean, you're| making an excellent point, and as the committee knows, thejcvi have set up the rankings of nine groups, we starting with the first four groups by the 15th, and we will in general leave these decisions about

which groups should be prioritised to the joint committee on vaccination and immunisation, i am sure that is the right thing to do. but clearly when it comes to the manufacture of vaccines, there is a critical role for those workers and that has to be taken into consideration.— that has to be taken into consideration. �* , ., consideration. and in terms of delivering _ consideration. and in terms of delivering the _ consideration. and in terms of delivering the programme, i consideration. and in terms of| delivering the programme, the consideration. and in terms of- delivering the programme, the mod confirmed yesterday they could deploy up to 10,000 people if necessary and they suffer, only one third of the personnel on standby have been deployed —— so far, only one third had been deployed. can you confirm that that offer is available to wales, northern ireland and scotland if they are getting behind with their programmes and need that capacity? edit with their programmes and need that ca aci ? . ., , ., with their programmes and need that caaci ? , ., capacity? of course, and i can say that the armed _ capacity? of course, and i can say that the armed services _ capacity? of course, and i can say that the armed services of- capacity? of course, and i can say that the armed services of the i capacity? of course, and i can say that the armed services of the uk| capacity? of course, and i can say i that the armed services of the uk on deployment throughout the uk as they have been throughout the pandemic. and there are plans to step up the

involvement, they've already embedded at virtually every level armed services in the vaccine the light programme. but we will start that up as the distribution campaign accelerates. as i say, at the moment, that is not the constraint. nhs england is recruiting new people, rerolling nhs staff to vaccination programme, and at the moment, refusing the offer of the mod�*s trained vaccine quick reaction teams, which would seem to be a sensible use of resource at this particular moment.— sensible use of resource at this particular moment. that's not my information. _ particular moment. that's not my information, and _ particular moment. that's not my information, and i— particular moment. that's not my information, and i was _ particular moment. that's not my information, and i was in - particular moment. that's not my information, and i was in a i particular moment. that's not my information, and i was in a long i information, and i was in a long session yesterday with both the army and the nhs, and as you know, brigadier phil prosser and others are integrated at the highest level and the armed services are of great use. but that will increase as the

tempo grows. but use. but that will increase as the tempo grows-— tempo grows. but there is a very ainful tempo grows. but there is a very painful process _ tempo grows. but there is a very painful process for _ tempo grows. but there is a very painful process for the _ tempo grows. but there is a very painful process for the nhs i tempo grows. but there is a veryj painful process for the nhs team tempo grows. but there is a very i painful process for the nhs team to get a request through the nhs system, as we've discovered once already, perhaps you could just take that one away. i already, perhaps you could 'ust take that away.— that one away. i will certainly have a look at that. _ that one away. i will certainly have a look at that. on _ that one away. i will certainly have a look at that. on local— a look at that. on local authorities, _ a look at that. on local authorities, i— a look at that. on local authorities, iwill- a look at that. on localj authorities, iwill come a look at that. on local. authorities, i will come to a look at that. on local- authorities, i will come to the hc a look at that. on local— authorities, i will come to the hc g committee in a moment, but we know that local authorities should have been involved in the test and trace programme much earlier and that was a mistake. so why are nhs england officials, according to many of our colleagues, being instructed not to share information with partners about vaccine locations and things like that, undermining trust and cooperation, when we should all be pulling together in this massive emergency? you're absolutely right that it emergency? you're absolutely right thatitis emergency? you're absolutely right that it is vital that the nhs and local authorities collaborate in this, and i think all colleagues will be familiar with the experience

of local friction between the will be familiar with the experience of localfriction between the nhs and local authorities and in some cases will have come across that, it is vital that we work together, but also that the nhs shares data about who has been vaccinated and who has not. because, as i say, there will be groups who are hard to reach. particularly from the black and minority ethnic community, possibly, we are seeing some evidence of that, and it is vital that we have strong local community engagement as we get towards the really high numbers that we find everybody who needs a vaccine and encourage them to take it. �* , thank vaccine and encourage them to take it-_ thank you. - vaccine and encourage them to take it._ thank you, good i it. clive betts. thank you, good afternoon. _ it. clive betts. thank you, good afternoon, prime _ it. clive betts. thank you, good afternoon, prime minister. i it. clive betts. thank you, good i afternoon, prime minister. prime minister. — afternoon, prime minister. prime minister, the national audit office has done — minister, the national audit office has done a review of the national

tracing _ has done a review of the national tracing system, and has said that before _ tracing system, and has said that before the — tracing system, and has said that before the costings were set up to track— before the costings were set up to track people who have got covid and their contacts, there was no business _ their contacts, there was no business case done, no value for money— business case done, no value for money assessment. has one been done now? _ money assessment. has one been done now? |_ money assessment. has one been done now? e' money assessment. has one been done now? «e , , , , now? ithink, clive, the business case for testing, _ now? ithink, clive, the business case for testing, tracking - now? ithink, clive, the business case for testing, tracking and i case for testing, tracking and tracing is overwhelming, and is to do with saving lives. but. tracing is overwhelming, and is to do with saving lives.— do with saving lives. but, given that the national— do with saving lives. but, given that the national system - do with saving lives. but, given that the national system has i do with saving lives. but, given i that the national system has been successfully contacting about 60% of the people they're to contact, when the people they're to contact, when the ones _ the people they're to contact, when the ones they cannot contact, the 40% that — the ones they cannot contact, the 40% that are passed over to local councils. — 40% that are passed over to local councils, there contacting 75% or more _ councils, there contacting 75% or more of— councils, there contacting 75% or more of those people, a much higher ratio for— more of those people, a much higher ratio for much less cost. wouldn't it make _ ratio for much less cost. wouldn't it make sense to transfer more of the responsibility and more of the

resources — the responsibility and more of the resources to local councils? country, _ resources to local councils? country, perhaps, to the widespread impression, local councils have been involved from the very beginning. —— perhaps contrary to the widespread impression. they've done an outstanding job and nhs test and try several, i don't know whether the community is aware, have tested 56 million people, or have conducted 56 million people, or have conducted 56 million tests. and that is an astonishing number, i believe it is the highest in europe. and although, clearly, it has been extremely difficult to control the disease by test and trace alone, it has played an important part and we would not know some of the vital things we do know some of the vital things we do know about, for instance, the new variant, the south african variant, if we weren't doing massive daily genomics thanks to nhs test and

trace. , ., , trace. right, but the reality, prime minister, trace. right, but the reality, prime minister. is — trace. right, but the reality, prime minister, is its _ trace. right, but the reality, prime minister, is its less _ trace. right, but the reality, prime minister, is its less successful i trace. right, but the reality, prime minister, is its less successful at i minister, is its less successful at the national level and it is at local— the national level and it is at local level in actually contacting people. — local level in actually contacting people, so i am asking for a switch of the _ people, so i am asking for a switch of the programme in that regard, not that we _ of the programme in that regard, not that we shouldn't be doing track and trace. _ that we shouldn't be doing track and trace. but— that we shouldn't be doing track and trace, but we could do it better at local— trace, but we could do it better at local level. — trace, but we could do it better at local level. you say local authorities have been involved from the beginning, that is not their impression. i will come the beginning, that is not their impression. iwill come now the beginning, that is not their impression. i will come now to commentary made byjeremy hunt and the chair— commentary made byjeremy hunt and the chair about local authority involvement in the vaccine programme. local government chronicle — programme. local government chronicle ran a story the other day with the _ chronicle ran a story the other day with the support of council and director— with the support of council and director of public health saying there _ director of public health saying there was a wall of silence on the nhs. _ there was a wall of silence on the nhs. they— there was a wall of silence on the nhs, they were getting no data about what was _ nhs, they were getting no data about what was happening with regard to vaccinations in their area, and they need _ vaccinations in their area, and they need that— vaccinations in their area, and they need that data, for example, and you've _ need that data, for example, and you've just— need that data, for example, and you've just referenced it, to contact _ you've just referenced it, to contact particularly hard to reach groups. — contact particularly hard to reach groups, people in the bame community were take _ groups, people in the bame community were take up may be lower and to get communications out there, but they do not _ communications out there, but they do not know— communications out there, but they do not know how many vaccines have been _ do not know how many vaccines have been delivered in which parts of their— been delivered in which parts of their area. _ been delivered in which parts of their area, will that change next

week? _ their area, will that change next week? it— their area, will that change next week? it will change this week, and as i week? it will change this week, and as i said _ week? it will change this week, and as i said ., week? it will change this week, and as i said . _ ., as i said earlier,, by the end of this week. _ as i said earlier,, by the end of this week. i — as i said earlier,, by the end of this week, i want _ as i said earlier,, by the end of this week, i want directors i as i said earlier,, by the end of this week, i want directors of. this week, i want directors of public health and local government to know who has been vaccinated in their communities. it's going to be essential as we go forwards that local authorities know who has been vaccinated and can lead the fight in their areas. 50 vaccinated and can lead the fight in their areas-— their areas. so there could be an assessment. _ their areas. so there could be an assessment, sake _ their areas. so there could be an assessment, sake of— their areas. so there could be an assessment, sake of clinically i assessment, sake of clinically extremely vulnerable people who haven't _ extremely vulnerable people who haven't been vaccinated, of care workers — haven't been vaccinated, of care workers who haven't been vaccinated, that detailed information will be available to councils and directors of public — available to councils and directors of public health?— of public health? that's exactly ri t ht. of public health? that's exactly right- that's — of public health? that's exactly right. that's really _ of public health? that's exactly right. that's really helpful. i of public health? that's exactly right. that's really helpful. can | of public health? that's exactly | right. that's really helpful. can i also sa , right. that's really helpful. can i also say. is _ right. that's really helpful. can i also say, is now— right. that's really helpful. can i also say, is now going _ right. that's really helpful. can i also say, is now going to - right. that's really helpful. can i also say, is now going to be i right. that's really helpful. can i also say, is now going to be the| also say, is now going to be the case _ also say, is now going to be the case that— also say, is now going to be the case that local authorities are going — case that local authorities are going to — case that local authorities are going to be involved in the planning of the _ going to be involved in the planning of the vaccine roll—out programme and can— of the vaccine roll—out programme and can help with identifying sites, help with _ and can help with identifying sites, help with communications, can do an awful— help with communications, can do an awful lot _ help with communications, can do an awful lot of— help with communications, can do an awful lot of things work in

conjunction? in sheffield there is really— conjunction? in sheffield there is really good working relationships between — really good working relationships between the council, the ccg in the hospitals. _ between the council, the ccg in the hospitals. we'll let now be enabled to happen —— will that be enable to happen— to happen —— will that be enable to happen at— to happen —— will that be enable to happen at a — to happen —— will that be enable to happen at a national level to stop it and _ happen at a national level to stop it and blockages in the way of data sharing? _ it and blockages in the way of data sharint ? . , sharing? yes, it will end my experiences, _ sharing? yes, it will end my experiences, it _ sharing? yes, it will end my experiences, it obviously i sharing? yes, it will end my i experiences, it obviously may not sharing? yes, it will end my - experiences, it obviously may not be identical across the country, but my experience, the examples i have been given, similarto experience, the examples i have been given, similar to the ones you quote, are of local authorities really pulling out all the stops to help the nhs to find sites, to get things going, and you're making a very good point about data, we've got to have that data properly shared. and just to repeat and clarify what i have been assured is that local authorities will get data about all the people who have been vaccinated by the end of this week. that will obviously need to be continually refreshed and updated. just one final point, then. looking

to the _ just one final point, then. looking to the future, will that information be available to local authorities and to— be available to local authorities and to the public about what is going — and to the public about what is going to — and to the public about what is going to happen with regard to future — going to happen with regard to future sites and future rowlatt? just from — future sites and future rowlatt? just from my own point of view, i was refused _ just from my own point of view, i was refused information about which sites were _ was refused information about which sites were going to be open in sheffield. —— and future roll—out. i was told _ sheffield. —— and future roll—out. i was told i— sheffield. —— and future roll—out. i was told i would have to go to nhs england _ was told i would have to go to nhs england for that information to be reteased~ — england for that information to be released. don't we need to take the public— released. don't we need to take the public into— released. don't we need to take the public into our confidence and give them _ public into our confidence and give them the — public into our confidence and give them the information so they can have _ them the information so they can have an _ them the information so they can have an awareness of what is happening in theirarea? have an awareness of what is happening in their area? yes, i think the issue _ happening in their area? yes, i think the issue may _ happening in their area? yes, i think the issue may be - happening in their area? yes, i think the issue may be that - happening in their area? yes, i think the issue may be that we | happening in their area? yes, i - think the issue may be that we want to allow the system to make the decision about which sites are going to be used and then working with local government and other stakeholders together before getting into a public debate, perhaps, or argument about it, but there will be argument about it, but there will be a continual expansion, as you know. i think there are about more than

1000 primary care network operations going on, about 233 hospitals, as i said before, 200 pharmacies, and 50 mass vaccination sites, and clearly, the exact location, for instance, of the exact location, for instance, of the mass vaccination sites will be subject to gain public interest and debate and it is important to get it right. it debate and it is important to get it riuht. , , ~ right. it is, but i think the presumption _ right. it is, but i think the presumption should - right. it is, but i think the presumption should be, l right. it is, but | think the - presumption should be, then, right. it is, but i think the - presumption should be, then, that right. it is, but i think the _ presumption should be, then, that as much _ presumption should be, then, that as much information as possible should be made _ much information as possible should be made publicly available as quickly— be made publicly available as quickly as possible. i completely airee. quickly as possible. i completely auree. as quickly as possible. i completely agree- as the — quickly as possible. i completely agree. as the public _ quickly as possible. i completely agree. as the public accounts i agree. as the public accounts committee — agree. as the public accounts committee learned _ agree. as the public accounts committee learned that - agree. as the public accounts committee learned that the i committee learned that the assumption in your programme is that there needs to be 75% take—up of the vaccine to hit the targets, and getting that 75% as the programme progresses is going to get harder and harder unless everybody is cooperating. and harder unless everybody is cementing-— and harder unless everybody is cooeratinu. ., �* , cooperating. you've put your finger on the point- _ cooperating. you've put your finger on the point. for _ cooperating. you've put your finger on the point. for the _ cooperating. you've put your finger on the point. for the vaccine - on the point. for the vaccine programme to be successful as we wanted to be, we must ensure that

people are encouraged to come forward for testing and they have every reason to be confident and happy in doing so, and actually, we are seeing is a very encouraging data showing that people are more and more enthusiastic about being vaccinated rather than the reverse. just very briefly, one—word answer, when will we know whether those vaccinated are safe to let out that they can't spread the virus, one will you know that the vaccine actually enables people to go back to their daily lives? i actually enables people to go back to their daily lives?— to their daily lives? i can't tell ou to their daily lives? i can't tell you about _ to their daily lives? i can't tell you about transmission - to their daily lives? i can't tell you about transmission yet. to their daily lives? i can't tell| you about transmission yet but to their daily lives? i can't tell - you about transmission yet but as soon as we have that data, we will of course be publishing it.- of course be publishing it. thank ou. of course be publishing it. thank you- thank _ of course be publishing it. thank you- thank you. _ of course be publishing it. thank you. thank you, prime _ of course be publishing it. thank you. thank you, prime minister. j you. thank you, prime minister. aart you. thank you, prime minister. apart from _ you. thank you, prime minister. apart from directing _ you. thank you, prime minister. apart from directing these - you. thank you, prime minister. apart from directing these food | apart from directing these food companies possibly to specsavers who have treen— companies possibly to specsavers who have been supplying schools with less than — have been supplying schools with less than food boxes, will you not 'ust less than food boxes, will you not just take — less than food boxes, will you not just take these companies to toss, but given— just take these companies to toss, but given they have worked off the taxpayer, — but given they have worked off the taxpayer, make sure these schools

-et taxpayer, make sure these schools get a _ taxpayer, make sure these schools get a refund but also look at the public _ get a refund but also look at the public guidance that in terms of food _ public guidance that in terms of food to— public guidance that in terms of food to vulnerable children? you're riaht to be food to vulnerable children? you're right to be obviously _ food to vulnerable children? you're right to be obviously outraged - food to vulnerable children? you're right to be obviously outraged by i right to he obviously outraged by the images we have seen and the companies in question, or one of the most notorious pictures, the company responsible for that and others have been holed over the coals, asked to explain how this has happened, they have apologised, and they have reimbursed the schools concerned and pledged not to do it again. i should stress that the images do not reflect the actual government guidance, which is for about double the quantity of food for lunch packs for five days that you've seen. if not more. but it is vital that

people understand that this government is there to provide support, provide as we have an extra hundred 70 million —— extra 170 million for the covid grant scheme and hundred £20 million for the grant food programme, and we are now rolling out again at national free school meal voucher schemes. it's up to schools to decide whether to use lunch packs or to use a voucher system. most of them use vouchers, about 75% are distributed through vouchers. and so we will increase the voucher value as well. irate vouchers. and so we will increase the voucher value as well. we know that school — the voucher value as well. we know that school closures _ the voucher value as well. we know that school closures potentially - that school closures potentially will reduce the attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and their better off peers by as much as

75%. _ their better off peers by as much as 75%, according to the department for education _ 75%, according to the department for education official and the education endowment foundation. we know that mental— endowment foundation. we know that mental health problems amongst young people _ mental health problems amongst young people is— mental health problems amongst young people is on the rise with the royal society— people is on the rise with the royal society paediatricians reporting a 400% _ society paediatricians reporting a 400% increase since the first lockdown _ 400% increase since the first lockdown in terms of eating disorders amongst young people, partly— disorders amongst young people, partly caused by school closures and socialisation. ijust want to understand, what specific assessment is the _ understand, what specific assessment is the government making of the impact _ is the government making of the impact of— is the government making of the impact of school closures on children's— impact of school closures on children's educational attainment and mental health to inform decision making? _ and mental health to inform decision making? and will schools reopen again— making? and will schools reopen again after the half term? and if, as is— again after the half term? and if, as is clear. — again after the half term? and if, as is clear, schools can reopen soon, — as is clear, schools can reopen soon. if— as is clear, schools can reopen soon. if we _ as is clear, schools can reopen soon, if we get teachers of the priority— soon, if we get teachers of the priority list for vaccinations, is this— priority list for vaccinations, is this not— priority list for vaccinations, is this not worth doing? the priority is, if we this not worth doing? the priority is. if we can _ this not worth doing? the priority is, if we can achieve _ this not worth doing? the priority is, if we can achieve what - this not worth doing? the priority is, if we can achieve what we - this not worth doing? the priority| is, if we can achieve what we want to achieve with the vaccination programme, the priority is obviously

to get schools open as soon as possible, whether we can do that after the half term break in the middle of february, or whether we can begin to do that, depends on a number of things. it depends on the success of the vaccination programme, depends on us not finding, for instance, that the south african or the brazilian variant are immune resistant, it depends on us not finding something else at about the disease that mixes we calculate. i should stress, by the, we have no evidence at present to think these strains are vaccine resistant, important emphasise, we have no evidence they are vaccine resistant. but that has got to go well. and then the crucial thing is that the overall lockdown measures have got to continue to work. what we are seeing today, as i speak to you, is some early signs of

progress, in restraining the growth of the virus, some signs of perhaps flattening, levelling off, in some parts. but it is far, far too early for us to say that this means we can into any kind of relaxation in the middle of siberia. we have to work very, very hard to achieve that. —— in the middle of february. and the tragedies for so many kids that they will not get the education that they need, that is why we desperately fought to keep schools open for as long as we possibly could and i know that was a position that was shared by many colleagues in parliament, we did everything we could, and what we want to do, just to answer the question about support, we think the way to address differential learning is through all sorts of techniques

but one engagement, one—to—one tutorials, we think can be very valuable. the reason i ask about the impact assessment, especially on educational attainment, assessment, especially on educationalattainment, because assessment, especially on educational attainment, because we know that _ educational attainment, because we know that the institute for fiscal studies — know that the institute for fiscal studies has said that the poorest students — studies has said that the poorest students spent less time learning than their— students spent less time learning than their richer peers, have fewer resources — than their richer peers, have fewer resources at — than their richer peers, have fewer resources at home to learn effectively. since september pupils in areas _ effectively. since september pupils in areas of— effectively. since september pupils in areas of higher disadvantage have missed _ in areas of higher disadvantage have missed more days than school —— of school _ missed more days than school —— of school than — missed more days than school —— of school than others and truancy rates doubled _ school than others and truancy rates doubled in _ school than others and truancy rates doubled in autumn of 2020. i welcome the £1_ doubled in autumn of 2020. i welcome the £1 billion cutup fund and i campaigned for it many months. given the extent— campaigned for it many months. given the extent of what's happening and the extent of what's happening and the potential damage being done to the potential damage being done to the younger generation what i'm trying _ the younger generation what i'm trying to— the younger generation what i'm trying to understand is what is the educational pool out of the coronavirus. you talked about a longer— coronavirus. you talked about a longer term plan for social care, but surely—

longer term plan for social care, but surely we should have a plan for education _ but surely we should have a plan for education and skills as well. we but surely we should have a plan for education and skills as well.- education and skills as well. we do indeed have _ education and skills as well. we do indeed have a _ education and skills as well. we do indeed have a long-term _ education and skills as well. we do indeed have a long-term plan - education and skills as well. we do indeed have a long-term plan for l indeed have a long—term plan for education and skills and to title disadvantage in school as well. we have another 2.4 billion that disadvantaged pupils are receiving through the pupil premium. i've mentioned the sums we are spending on the holiday activities and food programme. 0n skills, as you know, we've got a massive programme, the lifetime skills guarantee for everybody who is currently not able to access funding for post—18, post 23 training. it's a huge gap in our provision that we are now filling with the lifetime skills guarantee. it would be good to have a good old—fashioned white paper on that, prime minister. irate old-fashioned white paper on that, prime minister.—

prime minister. we have to be sure that we aren't _ prime minister. we have to be sure that we aren't kicking _ prime minister. we have to be sure that we aren't kicking away - prime minister. we have to be sure that we aren't kicking away the - that we aren't kicking away the educational opportunities for young people _ educational opportunities for young people. we educational opportunities for young --eole. ~ . . people. we are running behind. the auestions people. we are running behind. the questions and _ people. we are running behind. the questions and answers _ people. we are running behind. the questions and answers have - people. we are running behind. the questions and answers have got - questions and answers have got longer so can i urge colleagues to ask short questions and then i can ask short questions and then i can ask the prime minister to be brief in his answers. if his answers are too long then he'll have to stay for longer! thank you, prime minister. we'll move on to catherine mckenna will. . ~' we'll move on to catherine mckenna will. . ~ , ., we'll move on to catherine mckenna will. . ~ �* ., ., will. thank you. before i ask you about childhood _ will. thank you. before i ask you about childhood poverty, - will. thank you. before i ask you about childhood poverty, the - about childhood poverty, the petition _ about childhood poverty, the petition launched _ about childhood poverty, the petition launched by- about childhood poverty, the petition launched by marcusl petition launched by marcus rashford. _ petition launched by marcus rashford. i_ petition launched by marcus rashford, i wanted - petition launched by marcus rashford, i wanted to - petition launched by marcus rashford, i wanted to ask . petition launched by marcus i rashford, i wanted to ask you petition launched by marcus - rashford, i wanted to ask you about one rashford, ! wanted to ask you about one of— rashford, i wanted to ask you about one of the _ rashford, ! wanted to ask you about one of the most— rashford, ! wanted to ask you about one of the most popular— rashford, i wanted to ask you about one of the most popular e—petitionsj one of the most popular e—petitions delivered _ one of the most popular e—petitions delivered to — one of the most popular e—petitions delivered to parliament, _ one of the most popular e—petitions delivered to parliament, to - one of the most popular e—petitions delivered to parliament, to preventl delivered to parliament, to prevent donald _ delivered to parliament, to prevent donald trump — delivered to parliament, to prevent donald trump from _ delivered to parliament, to prevent donald trump from making - delivered to parliament, to prevent donald trump from making a - delivered to parliament, to prevent donald trump from making a state| donald trump from making a state visit to _ donald trump from making a state visit to the — donald trump from making a state visit to the uk_ donald trump from making a state visit to the uk in _ donald trump from making a state visit to the uk in 2017. _ donald trump from making a state visit to the uk in 2017. given - visit to the uk in 2017. given events. _ visit to the uk in 2017. given events. do— visit to the uk in 2017. given events, do you _ visit to the uk in 2017. given events, do you regret - visit to the uk in 2017. given events, do you regret saying visit to the uk in 2017. given i events, do you regret saying in visit to the uk in 2017. given - events, do you regret saying in 2017 that donald — events, do you regret saying in 2017 that donald trump _ events, do you regret saying in 2017 that donald trump is— events, do you regret saying in 2017 that donald trump is worthy- events, do you regret saying in 2017 that donald trump is worthy of- events, do you regret saying in 2017 that donald trump is worthy of a - that donald trump is worthy of a nobel— that donald trump is worthy of a nobel peace _ that donald trump is worthy of a nobel peace prize? _ that donald trump is worthy of a nobel peace prize? i’m“- that donald trump is worthy of a nobel peace prize?— that donald trump is worthy of a nobel peace prize? i'm sorry... i'm in favour of— nobel peace prize? i'm sorry... i'm in favour of the _ nobel peace prize? i'm sorry... i'm in favour of the prime _ nobel peace prize? i'm sorry... i'm in favour of the prime minister - nobel peace prize? i'm sorry... i'm in favour of the prime minister of l in favour of the prime minister of the uk having the best possible

relationship with the president of the united states. i had an excellent conversation very recently with president—electjoe biden. qm. with president-elect joe biden. 0k, well on the — with president-elect joe biden. 0k, well on the free _ with president—electjoe biden. 0k, well on the free school meals i know you've _ well on the free school meals i know you've seen — well on the free school meals i know you've seen the _ well on the free school meals i know you've seen the shocking _ well on the free school meals i know you've seen the shocking images - well on the free school meals i know you've seen the shocking images of| you've seen the shocking images of half a _ you've seen the shocking images of half a tomato — you've seen the shocking images of half a tomato and _ you've seen the shocking images of half a tomato and half _ you've seen the shocking images of half a tomato and half a _ you've seen the shocking images of half a tomato and half a bag - you've seen the shocking images of half a tomato and half a bag of - you've seen the shocking images ofj half a tomato and half a bag ofjune as part _ half a tomato and half a bag ofjune as part of— half a tomato and half a bag ofjune as part of a — half a tomato and half a bag ofjune as part ofa ten— half a tomato and half a bag ofjune as part of a ten day— half a tomato and half a bag ofjune as part of a ten day food _ half a tomato and half a bag ofjune as part of a ten day food parcel. - as part of a ten day food parcel. you said — as part of a ten day food parcel. you said you'd _ as part of a ten day food parcel. you said you'd put _ as part of a ten day food parcel. you said you'd put it— as part of a ten day food parcel. you said you'd put it right - as part of a ten day food parcel. you said you'd put it right but . as part of a ten day food parcel. . you said you'd put it right but why do children— you said you'd put it right but why do children have _ you said you'd put it right but why do children have to _ you said you'd put it right but why do children have to keep - you said you'd put it right but why do children have to keep taking i you said you'd put it right but whyl do children have to keep taking the government— do children have to keep taking the government by— do children have to keep taking the government by surprise? _ do children have to keep taking the government by surprise? isn't i do children have to keep taking the government by surprise? isn't the i government by surprise? isn't the point _ government by surprise? isn't the point minister— government by surprise? isn't the point minister being _ government by surprise? isn't the point minister being ashamed i government by surprise? isn't the point minister being ashamed of. point minister being ashamed of being _ point minister being ashamed of being schooled _ point minister being ashamed of being schooled on— point minister being ashamed of being schooled on feeding - point minister being ashamed of| being schooled on feeding hungry children— being schooled on feeding hungry children by— being schooled on feeding hungry children by marcus _ being schooled on feeding hungry children by marcus rashford? i being schooled on feeding hungry. children by marcus rashford? well, being schooled on feeding hungry children by marcus rashford? well, i soke to children by marcus rashford? well, i spoke to marcus _ children by marcus rashford? well, i spoke to marcus rashford _ children by marcus rashford? well, i spoke to marcus rashford today i children by marcus rashford? well, i spoke to marcus rashford today and | children by marcus rashford? well, i | spoke to marcus rashford today and i think he's doing an excellentjob of pointing these issues out. and i said that to him. i think when you look at some of these images, they don't reflect the guidance but it is a scandal, a disgrace, that some companies are trying to get away with the provision that they're

offering. we've taken the steps... the steps we have and i want to see the companies that provide these lunch packs doing so properly. it's not good enough. you can't assume that households have the supplies of other ingredients to use to make the lunches. that's obvious. and clearly the packages that were on offer were woefully inadequate and that's why we've taken the steps we have. {line we've taken the steps we have. one ofthe we've taken the steps we have. one of the frustrations _ we've taken the steps we have. one of the frustrations is the use of these _ of the frustrations is the use of these private _ of the frustrations is the use of these private contracts, - of the frustrations is the use of these private contracts, the i of the frustrations is the use of i these private contracts, the profits that can _ these private contracts, the profits that can be — these private contracts, the profits that can be made _ these private contracts, the profits that can be made by— these private contracts, the profits that can be made by the _ these private contracts, the profits. that can be made by the middlemen when _ that can be made by the middlemen when really— that can be made by the middlemen when really the _ that can be made by the middlemen when really the £15 _ that can be made by the middlemen when really the £15 rather _ that can be made by the middlemen when really the £15 rather than i that can be made by the middlemen when really the £15 rather than £5. when really the £15 rather than £5 worth— when really the £15 rather than £5 worth of— when really the £15 rather than £5 worth of food _ when really the £15 rather than £5 worth of food should _ when really the £15 rather than £5 worth of food should be _ when really the £15 rather than £5 worth of food should be deliveredj when really the £15 rather than £5. worth of food should be delivered to children _ worth of food should be delivered to children the — worth of food should be delivered to children. the government— worth of food should be delivered to children. the government has- worth of food should be delivered to. children. the government has handed out billions _ children. the government has handed out billions of — children. the government has handed out billions of pounds _ children. the government has handed out billions of pounds on _ children. the government has handed out billions of pounds on failed - out billions of pounds on failed

covid _ out billions of pounds on failed covid contracts, _ out billions of pounds on failed covid contracts, money- out billions of pounds on failed covid contracts, money for- out billions of pounds on failed i covid contracts, money for unusable facemasks. — covid contracts, money for unusable facemasks. the _ covid contracts, money for unusable facemasks, the test _ covid contracts, money for unusable facemasks, the test and _ covid contracts, money for unusable facemasks, the test and trace - covid contracts, money for unusable facemasks, the test and trace app, i facemasks, the test and trace app, but doesn't — facemasks, the test and trace app, but doesn't seem _ facemasks, the test and trace app, but doesn't seem to _ facemasks, the test and trace app, but doesn't seem to trust - facemasks, the test and trace app, but doesn't seem to trust parents. but doesn't seem to trust parents enough _ but doesn't seem to trust parents enough to— but doesn't seem to trust parents enough to give _ but doesn't seem to trust parents enough to give them _ but doesn't seem to trust parents enough to give them the - but doesn't seem to trust parents enough to give them the money. enough to give them the money directly— enough to give them the money directly so — enough to give them the money directly so that _ enough to give them the money directly so that they _ enough to give them the money directly so that they can - enough to give them the money directly so that they can feed i enough to give them the money. directly so that they can feed their children _ directly so that they can feed their children why— directly so that they can feed their children. why won't _ directly so that they can feed their children. why won't the _ directly so that they can feed their l children. why won't the government do this? _ children. why won't the government do this? �* . . , children. why won't the government do this? x . , �* children. why won't the government dothis? a ., �* , children. why won't the government dothis? a ._ �* , do this? actually, i'm sure you wouldn't want _ do this? actually, i'm sure you wouldn't want to _ do this? actually, i'm sure you wouldn't want to inadvertently| wouldn't want to inadvertently mislead anybody but it's the decision of the schools to decide whether or not to have vouchers or lunch packs. as i said earlier, the majority of schools, 75% use the vouchers. what happens is that the school sometimes wishes to continue to support their caterers, the arrangements that they've made. they think lunch packs are a better way of doing it. and what we've seen is on people, and it's not all of them, by the way. important to say that. some companies have been providing scandalously inadequate lunch packs

and they've now agreed to correct it and they've now agreed to correct it and to reimburse the schools for their failings. and to reimburse the schools for theirfailings. but and to reimburse the schools for their failings.— their failings. but i minister the direct parent — their failings. but i minister the direct parent to _ their failings. but i minister the direct parent to parents - their failings. but i minister the direct parent to parents is i their failings. but i minister the direct parent to parents is not l their failings. but i minister the l direct parent to parents is not on offer— direct parent to parents is not on offer to— direct parent to parents is not on offer to families _ direct parent to parents is not on offer to families or— direct parent to parents is not on offer to families or those - direct parent to parents is not onl offer to families or those schools. but isn't _ offer to families or those schools. but isn't it— offer to families or those schools. but isn't it time _ offer to families or those schools. but isn't it time that _ offer to families or those schools. but isn't it time that normalising. but isn't it time that normalising emergency— but isn't it time that normalising emergency food _ but isn't it time that normalising emergency food aid _ but isn't it time that normalising emergency food aid in _ but isn't it time that normalising emergency food aid in modern . but isn't it time that normalising i emergency food aid in modern britain isiust_ emergency food aid in modern britain is just deemed — emergency food aid in modern britain isjust deemed unacceptable - emergency food aid in modern britain isjust deemed unacceptable and i isjust deemed unacceptable and undignified? _ isjust deemed unacceptable and undignified? what— isjust deemed unacceptable and undignified? what is— isjust deemed unacceptable and undignified? what is the - isjust deemed unacceptable and i undignified? what is the government strategy— undignified? what is the government strategy for _ undignified? what is the government strategy for dealing _ undignified? what is the government strategy for dealing with _ undignified? what is the government strategy for dealing with this - undignified? what is the government strategy for dealing with this so i undignified? what is the government strategy for dealing with this so we . strategy for dealing with this so we don't _ strategy for dealing with this so we don't keep— strategy for dealing with this so we don't keep descending _ strategy for dealing with this so we don't keep descending into- strategy for dealing with this so we don't keep descending into crisis? i don't keep descending into crisis? well. _ don't keep descending into crisis? well. actually. _ don't keep descending into crisis? well, actually, what _ don't keep descending into crisis? well, actually, what is _ don't keep descending into crisis? well, actually, what is not - don't keep descending into crisis? well, actually, what is not normal and what is unprecedented is having to close schools, which we very much don't want to do as a result of the pandemic. what people have reasonably said is that when kids are forced to stay at home because schools are closed, then those who would normally be in receipt of free school meals should be helped, and that's what we're doing. it's right that's what we're doing. it's right that we do so. it’s

that's what we're doing. it's right that we do so.— that we do so. it's not 'ust about the cosurer * that we do so. it's not 'ust about the closure of i that we do so. it's notjust about the closure of schools. _ that we do so. it's notjust about the closure of schools. we i that we do so. it's notjust about the closure of schools. we have| that we do so. it's notjust about| the closure of schools. we have a food _ the closure of schools. we have a food poverty— the closure of schools. we have a food poverty problem _ the closure of schools. we have a food poverty problem in - the closure of schools. we have a food poverty problem in this i the closure of schools. we have a i food poverty problem in this country and that's— food poverty problem in this country and that's what _ food poverty problem in this country and that's what marcus _ food poverty problem in this country and that's what marcus rashford i food poverty problem in this country and that's what marcus rashford is i and that's what marcus rashford is campaigning — and that's what marcus rashford is campaigning on _ and that's what marcus rashford is campaigning on i— and that's what marcus rashford is campaigning on. i would _ and that's what marcus rashford is campaigning on. i would the - campaigning on. i would the government— campaigning on. i would the government to _ campaigning on. i would the government to publish - campaigning on. i would the government to publish a - campaigning on. i would the - government to publish a strategy for dealing _ government to publish a strategy for dealing with — government to publish a strategy for dealing with this _ government to publish a strategy for dealing with this and _ government to publish a strategy for dealing with this and ensuring - government to publish a strategy for dealing with this and ensuring that l dealing with this and ensuring that every— dealing with this and ensuring that every child — dealing with this and ensuring that every child can _ dealing with this and ensuring that every child can eat. _ dealing with this and ensuring that every child can eat. but _ dealing with this and ensuring that every child can eat. but i - dealing with this and ensuring that every child can eat. but i wanted l dealing with this and ensuring thati every child can eat. but i wanted to ask one _ every child can eat. but i wanted to ask one other— every child can eat. but i wanted to ask one other question, _ every child can eat. but i wanted to ask one other question, very- ask one other question, very quickly, _ ask one other question, very quickly. about— ask one other question, very quickly, about hospitality. i ask one other question, very- quickly, about hospitality. because we have _ quickly, about hospitality. because we have a — quickly, about hospitality. because we have a petition— quickly, about hospitality. because we have a petition in— quickly, about hospitality. because we have a petition in parliament i quickly, about hospitality. because we have a petition in parliament ati we have a petition in parliament at the moment— we have a petition in parliament at the moment and _ we have a petition in parliament at the moment and the _ we have a petition in parliament at the moment and the hospitality . the moment and the hospitality industry— the moment and the hospitality industry is _ the moment and the hospitality industry is a _ the moment and the hospitality industry is a major— the moment and the hospitality industry is a major employer. the moment and the hospitality industry is a major employer in| the moment and the hospitality i industry is a major employer in the country. _ industry is a major employer in the country. not — industry is a major employer in the country. not to— industry is a major employer in the country, not to mention _ industry is a major employer in the country, not to mention the - industry is a major employer in the country, not to mention the hearti country, not to mention the heart and soul— country, not to mention the heart and soul of— country, not to mention the heart and soul of many— country, not to mention the heart and soul of many communities i country, not to mention the hearti and soul of many communities and they've _ and soul of many communities and they've suffered _ and soul of many communities and they've suffered more _ and soul of many communities and they've suffered more than - and soul of many communities and they've suffered more than most. and soul of many communities and i they've suffered more than most from they've suffered more than most from the covid _ they've suffered more than most from the covid disruption. _ they've suffered more than most from the covid disruption. we _ they've suffered more than most from the covid disruption. we spent- they've suffered more than most from the covid disruption. we spent two. the covid disruption. we spent two days debating _ the covid disruption. we spent two days debating in— the covid disruption. we spent two days debating in the _ the covid disruption. we spent two days debating in the summer- the covid disruption. we spent two. days debating in the summer weather a scott _ days debating in the summer weather a scott hoch — days debating in the summer weather a scott hoch is — days debating in the summer weather a scott hoch is a _ days debating in the summer weather a scott hoch is a substantial- days debating in the summer weather a scott hoch is a substantial meal- a scott hoch is a substantial meal or not— a scott hoch is a substantial meal or not -- — a scott hoch is a substantial meal or not -- a — a scott hoch is a substantial meal or not —— a scotch _ a scott hoch is a substantial meal or not —— a scotch egg _ a scott hoch is a substantial meal or not —— a scotch egg is- a scott hoch is a substantial meal or not —— a scotch egg is a - or not —— a scotch egg is a substantial _ or not —— a scotch egg is a substantial meal- or not —— a scotch egg is a substantial meal or- or not —— a scotch egg is a substantial meal or not i or not —— a scotch egg is a. substantial meal or not and or not —— a scotch egg is a - substantial meal or not and the or not —— a scotch egg is a _ substantial meal or not and the 10pm curfew, _ substantial meal or not and the 10pm curfew, with— substantial meal or not and the 10pm curfew, with the _ substantial meal or not and the 10pm curfew, with the prime _ substantial meal or not and the 10pm curfew, with the prime minister- substantial meal or not and the 10pm curfew, with the prime minister meet petitioners _ curfew, with the prime minister meet petitioners who — curfew, with the prime minister meet petitioners who feel— curfew, with the prime minister meet petitioners who feel it _ curfew, with the prime minister meet petitioners who feel it is _ curfew, with the prime minister meet petitioners who feel it is time - curfew, with the prime minister meet petitioners who feel it is time for- petitioners who feel it is time for the government— petitioners who feel it is time for the government to _ petitioners who feel it is time for the government to have - petitioners who feel it is time for the government to have a - petitioners who feel it is time for. the government to have a dedicated minister— the government to have a dedicated minister for— the government to have a dedicated minister for hospitality— the government to have a dedicated minister for hospitality to _ minister for hospitality to understand _ minister for hospitality to understand the _ minister for hospitality to understand the diverse . minister for hospitality to - understand the diverse nature of minister for hospitality to _ understand the diverse nature of the sector— understand the diverse nature of the sector and _ understand the diverse nature of the sector and get— understand the diverse nature of the sector and get things _ understand the diverse nature of the sector and get things right _ understand the diverse nature of the sector and get things right for- understand the diverse nature of the sector and get things right for the i sector and get things right for the industry— sector and get things right for the industry in — sector and get things right for the industry in this _ sector and get things right for the industry in this crisis _ sector and get things right for the industry in this crisis and - sector and get things right for the| industry in this crisis and beyond?

if i industry in this crisis and beyond? it i may— industry in this crisis and beyond? if i may say— industry in this crisis and beyond? if i may say so, _ industry in this crisis and beyond? if i may say so, i— industry in this crisis and beyond? if i may say so, i think— industry in this crisis and beyond? if i may say so, i think she's - industry in this crisis and beyond? if i may say so, i think she's right| if i may say so, i think she's right to identify the particular troubles... right to identify the troubles... right to identify the troubles of the hospitality sector. they've been through a very difficult time. we're doing everything can to support them. the chancellor, the business secretary and i meet regularly with representatives of that sector. we've given them all the grants, the recent increase in grants that you know of, £3000 grant for the hospitality sector on top of the furlough scheme and bounce scheme. the best thing for the hospitality sector is really that we all work together to defeat the virus in the way that i'm certain we can, with disciplined action and the vaccine roll—out and getting back on their

feet. i'm sure that's the best thing for them. ., ~ feet. i'm sure that's the best thing for them. ., ,, i. ~ , for them. thank you, prime minister. darren jones- — for them. thank you, prime minister. darren jones. thank _ for them. thank you, prime minister. darren jones. thank you, _ for them. thank you, prime minister. darren jones. thank you, so - for them. thank you, prime minister. darren jones. thank you, so burn. . darren jones. thank you, so burn. 800,000 people _ darren jones. thank you, so burn. 800,000 people have _ darren jones. thank you, so burn. 800,000 people have lost - darren jones. thank you, so burn. 800,000 people have lost their. darren jones. thank you, so burn. i 800,000 people have lost theirjobs since february last year and the chancellor— since february last year and the chancellor says things are going to -et chancellor says things are going to get worse — chancellor says things are going to get worse. why haven't you announced a jobs _ get worse. why haven't you announced a jobs and _ get worse. why haven't you announced a jobs and skills programme to match the scale _ a jobs and skills programme to match the scale of— a jobs and skills programme to match the scale of the problem?— the scale of the problem? there's been a huge _ the scale of the problem? there's been a huge programme - the scale of the problem? there's i been a huge programme announced, £280 billion programme to help people maintain theirjobs and livelihoods throughout the pandemic. i mentioned to rob the lifetime skills guarantee, the work doing to help people, moving down from the hospitality sector... it has come under huge pressure and there will be people looking forjobs in other sectors. the lifetime skills guarantee is there to help them, the £2 billion kick—start fund, there to

help them, especially young people. jobs, jobs, jobs are obviously our focus. but the way to deliver the jobs, jobs, jobs agenda, as you know, is jabbed, jams, jabs. the faster we can do that, the better employment prospects for the country. employment prospects for the count . ., �* ., country. you've committed to levellina country. you've committed to levelling pp — country. you've committed to levelling up the _ country. you've committed to levelling up the country, - country. you've committed to levelling up the country, this| country. you've committed to l levelling up the country, this is about— levelling up the country, this is about the — levelling up the country, this is about the long—term jobs picture but what does _ about the long—term jobs picture but what does this really mean? are we to measure — what does this really mean? are we to measure your success by checking employment figures and take—home pay? employment figures and take-home .a ? , ., ., employment figures and take-home .a ? , ., employment figures and take-home pay? good question. if you look at the er pay? good question. if you look at the per capita _ pay? good question. if you look at the per capita gdp _ pay? good question. if you look at the per capita gdp of _ pay? good question. if you look at the per capita gdp of the - pay? good question. if you look at the per capita gdp of the whole i pay? good question. if you look at the per capita gdp of the whole of| the per capita gdp of the whole of the per capita gdp of the whole of the uk, disaggregated, looking at parts of the uk you can see that certain parts over the last a0 years have been getting steadily richer and more successful at one rate and

other parts have been getting richer and more successful but at a slower rate. i think that is unfair. i think there is talent and genius everywhere in the country and so by uniting and levelling up, with better infrastructure and education, with a focus on skills and high technology, we want to see progress everywhere and unlock the talents of everyone in the country. the everywhere and unlock the talents of everyone in the country.— everyone in the country. the concern is that levelling _ everyone in the country. the concern is that levelling up _ everyone in the country. the concern is that levelling up is _ everyone in the country. the concern is that levelling up is becomes - everyone in the country. the concern is that levelling up is becomes as - is that levelling up is becomes as vacuous— is that levelling up is becomes as vacuous as — is that levelling up is becomes as vacuous as the big society. the brexit— vacuous as the big society. the brexit related delays at the border are bringing food shortages and increased prices especially in northern ireland. last year you said there _ northern ireland. last year you said there will— northern ireland. last year you said there will be no extra... at the border— there will be no extra... at the border post—brexit. why did you say that? _ border post-brexit. why did you say that? , ., ., ., that? the situation in northern ireland is that _ that? the situation in northern ireland is that trade _ that? the situation in northern ireland is that trade is - that? the situation in northern ireland is that trade is flowing l ireland is that trade is flowing smoothly, as i understand it and exporters are benefiting from the

unfettered access between great britain and northern ireland. i believe things are flowing so smoothly from great britain to northern ireland for instance that many hauliers are now using that route rather than the holy had to dublin route —— holyhead dublin route. i'm not going to deny that there are teething problems and issues we need to sort out. there are changes involved. but the deal has been of great assistance to our businesses in smoothing this. teething problems are normally short—term so hopefully they are fixed _ short—term so hopefully they are fixed soon. i wrote to you yesterday to author _ fixed soon. i wrote to you yesterday to author a — fixed soon. i wrote to you yesterday to author a cross—party commission to author a cross—party commission to bring _ to author a cross—party commission to bring in— to author a cross—party commission to bring in a — to author a cross—party commission to bring in a new plan to eradicate... we can all agree that we should — eradicate... we can all agree that we should be able to eradicate child poverty _ we should be able to eradicate child poverty. i'm a labour mp offering to

work with _ poverty. i'm a labour mp offering to work with you, a conservative prime minister— work with you, a conservative prime minister come on that. will you take up minister come on that. will you take up the _ minister come on that. will you take up the call— minister come on that. will you take up the call and set up a cross—party commission— up the call and set up a cross—party commission to eradicate child poverty? _ commission to eradicate child poverty? gf commission to eradicate child ove ? . ., , commission to eradicate child ove ? , , ., commission to eradicate child ove ? , poverty? of course we share your ambition to _ poverty? of course we share your ambition to eradicate _ poverty? of course we share your ambition to eradicate child - poverty? of course we share your. ambition to eradicate child poverty. we have reduced the number of households with poorer children in them, suffering from poverty. and we are working in the teeth of the pandemic to minimise the impact on the poorest households. that's why we've operated universal credit, an extra £1000, we've increased the local housing allowance, which is a huge proportion of families's costs and increased the living way by a record amount last year and again this year. these are very valuable things for families. we this year. these are very valuable

things forfamilies. we intend to continue with them. we've discussed extensively what doing to support families in need of help with free school meals. universalfree families in need of help with free school meals. universal free school meals were proposed, invented by the conservative government.— conservative government. stephen timms. conservative government. stephen timms- thank— conservative government. stephen timms. thank you, _ conservative government. stephen timms. thank you, so _ conservative government. stephen timms. thank you, so by. - conservative government. stephen timms. thank you, so by. good . timms. thank you, so by. good afternoon. _ timms. thank you, so by. good afternoon, prime _ timms. thank you, so by. good afternoon, prime minister. - timms. thank you, so by. good afternoon, prime minister. you| afternoon, prime minister. you mentioned _ afternoon, prime minister. you mentioned -- _ afternoon, prime minister. you mentioned —— sir— afternoon, prime minister. you mentioned —— sir bernard. - afternoon, prime minister. you i mentioned —— sir bernard. people have _ mentioned —— sir bernard. people have been— mentioned —— sir bernard. people have been able _ mentioned —— sir bernard. people have been able to _ mentioned —— sir bernard. people have been able to buy— mentioned —— sir bernard. people have been able to buy food - mentioned —— sir bernard. people have been able to buy food at - mentioned —— sir bernard. people have been able to buy food at a i have been able to buy food at a supermarket _ have been able to buy food at a supermarket rather— have been able to buy food at a supermarket rather than - have been able to buy food at a supermarket rather than going i have been able to buy food at a i supermarket rather than going to a food bank— supermarket rather than going to a food bank but _ supermarket rather than going to a food bank but now— supermarket rather than going to a food bank but now people - supermarket rather than going to a food bank but now people are i supermarket rather than going to a i food bank but now people are worried about _ food bank but now people are worried about the _ food bank but now people are worried about the proposed _ food bank but now people are worried about the proposed benefit _ food bank but now people are worried about the proposed benefit cut - food bank but now people are worried about the proposed benefit cut in i about the proposed benefit cut in april _ about the proposed benefit cut in april isn't— about the proposed benefit cut in april isn't it _ about the proposed benefit cut in april. isn't it unfair, _ about the proposed benefit cut in april. isn't it unfair, leaving i about the proposed benefit cut in april. isn't it unfair, leaving it i april. isn't it unfair, leaving it until— april. isn't it unfair, leaving it until march, _ april. isn't it unfair, leaving it until march, before _ april. isn't it unfair, leaving it until march, before they- april. isn't it unfair, leaving it until march, before they find i april. isn't it unfair, leaving it i until march, before they find out whether— until march, before they find out whether the _ until march, before they find out whether the cut _ until march, before they find out whether the cut is _ until march, before they find out whether the cut is going - until march, before they find out whether the cut is going ahead. i until march, before they find out| whether the cut is going ahead. i whether the cut is going ahead. think... by the way, i don't whether the cut is going ahead.“ think... by the way, i don't want whether the cut is going ahead]. think... by the way, i don't want to rule out working with darren on eradicating poverty. i didn't want to sound dismissive of your proposal. i'll study it. but on your

point, stephen, about universal credit, i take your point, i think what we want to see is jobs. we want to see people in employment, we want to see people in employment, we want to see people in employment, we want to see the economy bouncing back. most people in this country would rather see a focus on jobs and growth in wages than focusing on welfare but clearly we have to keep all these things under review. eaten all these things under review. even with the increase _ all these things under review. even with the increase in _ all these things under review. even with the increase in universal credit— with the increase in universal credit there has been a huge surge of food _ credit there has been a huge surge of food bank demand in the pandemic. do you _ of food bank demand in the pandemic. do you agree that we all want to be seeing _ do you agree that we all want to be seeing that reversed?— seeing that reversed? well, i think that peeple — seeing that reversed? well, i think that people who — seeing that reversed? well, i think that people who help _ seeing that reversed? well, i think that people who help with - seeing that reversed? well, i think that people who help with food i seeing that reversed? well, i think i that people who help with food banks do a wonderfuljob and i thank them for it. yeah, in an ideal world, people would be able to have

absolute confidence in getting what they need from their weekly shop. that's why we're focusing so much on things like the living way, increasing pay wherever we can with increases in pay fori million key workers this year, and doing everything we can for the poorest and neediest. of the £280 billion that has been spent since the pandemic began on supporting jobs and livelihoods, the benefit has gone overwhelmingly to the poorest and neediest groups. melt. gone overwhelmingly to the poorest and neediest groups.— gone overwhelmingly to the poorest and neediest groups. well, there are many people — and neediest groups. well, there are many people still— and neediest groups. well, there are many people still claiming _ and neediest groups. well, there are many people still claiming the - many people still claiming the old—style benefits, jobseeker's allowance, job—seekers support allowance. the legacy bennett rates are the _ allowance. the legacy bennett rates are the same as the uc rates but

weren't— are the same as the uc rates but weren't increased by £20 a week. what _ weren't increased by £20 a week. whatjustification is weren't increased by £20 a week. what justification is therefore paying — what justification is therefore paying them £20 a week less? we want eve bod to paying them £20 a week less? we want everybody to move _ paying them £20 a week less? we want everybody to move onto _ paying them £20 a week less? we want everybody to move onto universal - everybody to move onto universal credit. we think a successful system. i note with some anxiety that it's still the stated policy of the labour party to abolish universal credit. i don't think that's the right way forward. it universal credit. i don't think that's the right way forward. if you take people _ that's the right way forward. if you take people for — that's the right way forward. if you take people for example _ that's the right way forward. if you take people for example with - that's the right way forward. if you take people for example with severe disabilities, they aren't allowed to claim _ disabilities, they aren't allowed to claim universal credit and yet their benefit _ claim universal credit and yet their benefit hasn't been updated in line with universal credit. surely it should — with universal credit. surely it should be. if the question about universal— should be. if the question about universal credit is resolved, will the question of the legacy benefit rates _ the question of the legacy benefit rates be _ the question of the legacy benefit rates be addressed as well? we are committed to _ rates be addressed as well? we are committed to doing _ rates be addressed as well? we are committed to doing everything i rates be addressed as well? we are committed to doing everything we i rates be addressed as well? we are i committed to doing everything we can to address the needs of those on welfare. we believe strongly in

universal credit. it's helping, putting more money into the pockets of families across the country, especially with the £1000 increase. but the best thing is to get people into employment and that's what we working for. ion into employment and that's what we workin: for. ., into employment and that's what we workin: for. . ., , into employment and that's what we workin: for. ., . , . into employment and that's what we working for-— working for. can i raise a final area? we _ working for. can i raise a final area? we spoke _ working for. can i raise a final area? we spoke in _ working for. can i raise a final area? we spoke in the - working for. can i raise a final area? we spoke in the liaison j area? we spoke in the liaison committee in may about hard—working law—abiding families with no recourse _ law—abiding families with no recourse to public funds and you made _ recourse to public funds and you made a — recourse to public funds and you made a point which i very much agreed — made a point which i very much agreed with, that people who work hard for— agreed with, that people who work hard for this country, who live and work— hard for this country, who live and work here, — hard for this country, who live and work here, should have support of one kind _ work here, should have support of one kind or— work here, should have support of one kind or another. work here, should have support of one kind oranother. i work here, should have support of one kind or another. i think that's right— one kind or another. i think that's right but— one kind or another. i think that's right but unfortunately that isn't current — right but unfortunately that isn't current policy. in my area it is one of the _ current policy. in my area it is one of the factors in the spread of the pandemic — of the factors in the spread of the pandemic. people can't stop working because _ pandemic. people can't stop working because they can't claim social security— because they can't claim social security so they have to carry on working — security so they have to carry on working. shouldn't this nrpf be

suspended? | working. shouldn't this nrpf be suspended?_ working. shouldn't this nrpf be suspended? working. shouldn't this nrpf be susended? ., ., , , ., suspended? i totally understand the louic suspended? i totally understand the lo . ic of suspended? i totally understand the logic of your — suspended? i totally understand the logic of your argument _ suspended? i totally understand the logic of your argument but - suspended? i totally understand the logic of your argument but the - logic of your argument but the problem is that it's a very long—standing provision in this country, nrpf should not... should apply, for those, for instance, who are here illegally or unlawfully. i think that it would be not the right way forward to change that. and what i think we also discussed, stephen, was just because people have their nrpf it doesn't mean they aren't eligible for support of many kinds

provided for local councils or otherwise. ihla provided for local councils or otherwise-— provided for local councils or otherwise. j ., �* otherwise. no but they're aren't able to claim — otherwise. no but they're aren't able to claim universal- otherwise. no but they're aren't able to claim universal credit i otherwise. no but they're aren't. able to claim universal credit and many— able to claim universal credit and many people are forced to carry on working _ many people are forced to carry on working. the current arrangements carrying _ working. the current arrangements carrying on — working. the current arrangements carrying on from 2012, we've seen the education department being helpful, — the education department being helpful, giving people access to free school meals and rough sleepers have been— free school meals and rough sleepers have been accommodated but it is the home _ have been accommodated but it is the home office, still in a windrush mindset— home office, still in a windrush mindset that isn't picking up your point _ mindset that isn't picking up your point about people who should get support _ point about people who should get su ort. ~ ., �* point about people who should get su--ort. ~ ., �* . support. well, i don't agree with that and to _ support. well, i don't agree with that and to go — support. well, i don't agree with that and to go to _ support. well, i don't agree with that and to go to the _ support. well, i don't agree with that and to go to the point - support. well, i don't agree with that and to go to the point i i support. well, i don't agree with that and to go to the point i was| that and to go to the point i was making earlier, nrpf people, who have massive sympathy for, but they have massive sympathy for, but they have access to the coronavirusjob retention scheme, to furlough, to funds that the local authorities can make available to help people in

particular hardship. £7.2 billion of funding made available to local authorities. so this country does not allow people to fall through the cracks even if they are classified as nrpf. the point you've made about uc is a valuable one but i think i've given what i hope is an intelligible reason for why we want to make a distinction between those who are eligible for uc and those who are eligible for uc and those who are eligible for uc and those who are nrpf.— who are eligible for uc and those who are nrpf. thank you, stephen. caroline nokes. _ who are nrpf. thank you, stephen. caroline nokes. thank— who are nrpf. thank you, stephen. caroline nokes. thank you, - who are nrpf. thank you, stephen. caroline nokes. thank you, prime i caroline nokes. thank you, prime minister, specifically _ caroline nokes. thank you, prime minister, specifically for _ caroline nokes. thank you, prime minister, specifically for making l minister, specifically for making domestic— minister, specifically for making domestic abuse _ minister, specifically for making domestic abuse so _ minister, specifically for making domestic abuse so central- minister, specifically for making domestic abuse so central to i minister, specifically for making i domestic abuse so central to your broadcast — domestic abuse so central to your broadcast last— domestic abuse so central to your broadcast last week. _ domestic abuse so central to your broadcast last week. it _ domestic abuse so central to your broadcast last week. it was i domestic abuse so central to your broadcast last week. it was really| broadcast last week. it was really welcomed — broadcast last week. it was really welcomed by— broadcast last week. it was really welcomed by the _ broadcast last week. it was really welcomed by the sector. - broadcast last week. it was really welcomed by the sector. can i i broadcast last week. it was really| welcomed by the sector. can i ask what _ welcomed by the sector. can i ask what additional— welcomed by the sector. can i ask what additional protections - welcomed by the sector. can i ask what additional protections have i what additional protections have been _ what additional protections have been put — what additional protections have been put in _ what additional protections have been put in place _ what additional protections have been put in place to— what additional protections have been put in place to help - what additional protections have j been put in place to help victims what additional protections have i been put in place to help victims of domestic— been put in place to help victims of domestic abuse _ been put in place to help victims of domestic abuse who _ been put in place to help victims of domestic abuse who have - been put in place to help victims of domestic abuse who have insecure| domestic abuse who have insecure immigration — domestic abuse who have insecure immigration status? _ domestic abuse who have insecure immigration status?— domestic abuse who have insecure immigration status? well, since the andemic

immigration status? well, since the pandemic began. — immigration status? well, since the pandemic began, we've _ immigration status? well, since the pandemic began, we've done - immigration status? well, since the pandemic began, we've done what i immigration status? well, since the l pandemic began, we've done what we can to encourage people who are the victims of domestic abuse to come forward. we've set up special helplines, we've been investing, as you know, caroline, in independent domestic violence advisers. but also its a condition, although the lockdown rules are very strict, as you know, people, they don't apply to victims of domestic abuse because we don't think we should stop people from seeking the help that they need. , ., �* , , need. indeed they don't but is there any specific — need. indeed they don't but is there any specific policy — need. indeed they don't but is there any specific policy for _ need. indeed they don't but is there any specific policy for victims - need. indeed they don't but is there any specific policy for victims who i any specific policy for victims who might— any specific policy for victims who might be — any specific policy for victims who might be here on a tier a visa or on their— might be here on a tier a visa or on their spouses— might be here on a tier a visa or on their spouse's status? what specific programmes have been put in place to supply— programmes have been put in place to supply them with the support they

need? _ supply them with the support they need? , ., ., ., ., need? they would have the normal su ort need? they would have the normal sopport that _ need? they would have the normal sopport that any — need? they would have the normal support that any victim _ need? they would have the normal support that any victim of - need? they would have the normalj support that any victim of domestic abuse has in this country. we don't tolerate domestic abuse and we want those who are responsible for it to be found out and punished. there are some who have _ be found out and punished. there are some who have all— be found out and punished. there are some who have all through _ be found out and punished. there are some who have all through the - some who have all through the cracks — some who have all through the cracks. you said you didn't want anyone — cracks. you said you didn't want anyone to — cracks. you said you didn't want anyone to fall through the cracks. can i_ anyone to fall through the cracks. can i ask— anyone to fall through the cracks. can i ask about another group of people _ can i ask about another group of people who have fallen through, namely— people who have fallen through, namely those reliant on british sign language _ namely those reliant on british sign language for their interpretation of the covid _ language for their interpretation of the covid lockdown rules. those who might _ the covid lockdown rules. those who might have _ the covid lockdown rules. those who might have learning difficulties. and i_ might have learning difficulties. and i asked, when the home secretary says the _ and i asked, when the home secretary says the current rules are clear and the commission of the metabolic and police _ the commission of the metabolic and police says— the commission of the metabolic and police says it is preposterous that anyone _ police says it is preposterous that anyone can — police says it is preposterous that anyone can be unaware of the rules, why are _ anyone can be unaware of the rules, why are we — anyone can be unaware of the rules, why are we still not doing a better 'ob why are we still not doing a better job of— why are we still not doing a better job of explaining to vulnerable people — job of explaining to vulnerable people what the rules are? ifi job of explaining to vulnerable people what the rules are? if i may, i've now people what the rules are? if i may, we now been _ people what the rules are? if i may, i've now been asked _ people what the rules are? if i may, i've now been asked this _ people what the rules are? if i may, i've now been asked this a - people what the rules are? if i may, i've now been asked this a couple i people what the rules are? if i may, i've now been asked this a couple of times about sign language in

particular. i'm... there are obviously various logistical issues to be overcome but i'm going to take that away and see what we can do to increase sign language but what i can tell you is that the campaigns that... the normal tv broadcasts for instance, the campaigns that we have are available and accessible and provided in accessible formats and translations. we have multiple media channels that we use to help reach people. the stay at home poster for instance was produced with a voice—over and british sign language interpretation. can voice-over and british sign language interpretation.— interpretation. can you write to us on that subject? _ interpretation. can you write to us

on that subject? very _ interpretation. can you write to us on that subject? very happy - interpretation. can you write to us on that subject? very happy to i interpretation. can you write to us on that subject? very happy to do | on that sub'ect? very happy to do so. on on that sub'ect? very happy to do on the — on that subject? very happy to do so. on the 12th _ on that subject? very happy to do so. on the 12th of— on that subject? very happy to do so. on the 12th of october- on that subject? very happy to do so. on the 12th of october you i on that subject? very happy to do | so. on the 12th of october you said there hadn't _ so. on the 12th of october you said there hadn't been _ so. on the 12th of october you said there hadn't been enough - so. on the 12th of october you said there hadn't been enough time i so. on the 12th of october you said there hadn't been enough time to l so. on the 12th of october you said i there hadn't been enough time to get a bsl— there hadn't been enough time to get a bsl interpreter and today you are still taking — a bsl interpreter and today you are still taking it away. it is shameful that we _ still taking it away. it is shameful that we haven't done better when the welsh _ that we haven't done better when the welsh and _ that we haven't done better when the welsh and scottish government have. i welsh and scottish government have. i wanted _ welsh and scottish government have. i wanted to— welsh and scottish government have. i wanted to ask to access to health care in— i wanted to ask to access to health care in the — i wanted to ask to access to health care in the pandemic. more men than women _ care in the pandemic. more men than women have — care in the pandemic. more men than women have been impacted by covid by the evidence shows that women are finding _ the evidence shows that women are finding access to specific services difficult~ — finding access to specific services difficult i— finding access to specific services difficult. i was contacted by a constituent yesterday who was told her surgery is not currently doing smear— her surgery is not currently doing smear tests. what is your response to her— smear tests. what is your response to her when— smear tests. what is your response to her when she says, how long is it acceptable — to her when she says, how long is it acceptable for her to have to wait to get _ acceptable for her to have to wait to get her— acceptable for her to have to wait to get her smear test?— to get her smear test? well, obviously — to get her smear test? well, obviously l — to get her smear test? well, obviously i sympathise i to get her smear test? well, obviously i sympathise very| to get her smear test? well, i obviously i sympathise very much with anybody who's had any service or treatment on the nhs delayed as a result of the pressure on the nhs. and sadly that's what we're seeing.

we are seeing delays cancer, seeing delays in smear tests and vital services that people need. that's as a result of the increase in the numbers of covid patients and that's why we've got to work flat out to get the virus under control and reduce the current wave and give people the service that they need. what i'd say to your constituent is that i am very sorry for the delay that i am very sorry for the delay that she's experienced.— that she's experienced. women especially- -- — that she's experienced. women especially... last _ that she's experienced. women especially... last question. i especially... last question. disproportionately - especially... last question. | disproportionately employed especially... last question. i disproportionately employed in low—paid and insecure disproportionately employed in low— paid and insecure work. what specific _ low— paid and insecure work. what specific parts of the kick—start scheme or scheme is the government considering _ scheme or scheme is the government considering putting aside for bame or women— considering putting aside for bame or women who have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic? | disproportionately impacted by the andemic? �* disproportionately impacted by the andemic? ., pandemic? i can't give you a secific pandemic? i can't give you a specific portion, _ pandemic? i can't give you a

specific portion, caroline. i specific portion, caroline. unemployment can i ask a question. back in— unemployment can i ask a question. back in november you made a pledge to make _ back in november you made a pledge to make sure there were more women in parliament. is the house of lords included _ in parliament. is the house of lords included in — in parliament. is the house of lords included in parliament, in your view? — included in parliament, in your view? and _ included in parliament, in your view? and why haven't we seen appointments to the lord is increasing the number of women, where _ increasing the number of women, where you — increasing the number of women, where you could make a direct difference? we where you could make a direct difference?— where you could make a direct difference? ~ , . ., , difference? we believe in increasing the numbers — difference? we believe in increasing the numbers of— difference? we believe in increasing the numbers of women _ difference? we believe in increasing the numbers of women in _ difference? we believe in increasing the numbers of women in every i difference? we believe in increasingj the numbers of women in every part of our parliament and i'm thrilled that we now, i think, have more female ppss van male ones and the numbers are growing steadily. parliament is unrecognisable from what it was like when i was elected, let alone from when bernard was elected. it wasn't that much earlier. and long may that change continue and accelerate. you ask about the impact of women on covid,

the impact of covid on women. in fighting covid, we've had spectacular female leadership from kate bingham of the vaccine task for, dido harding of nhs test and trace, and many others.— for, dido harding of nhs test and trace, and many others. women in the lords, in trace, and many others. women in the lords. in fact. — trace, and many others. women in the lords, in fact, prime _ trace, and many others. women in the lords, in fact, prime minister, - lords, in fact, prime minister, where — lords, in fact, prime minister, where you _ lords, in fact, prime minister, where you have failed to put 50% of women _ where you have failed to put 50% of women in _ where you have failed to put 50% of women in either of the two appointment rounds you've had. well, ou're appointment rounds you've had. well, you're pointing — appointment rounds you've had. well, you're pointing out — appointment rounds you've had. well, you're pointing out a _ appointment rounds you've had. well, you're pointing out a very _ appointment rounds you've had. it you're pointing out a very important statistic and we'll do what we can to address it. it's not something that's been so far drawn to my attention, but thank you. the 50-50 cam aiun attention, but thank you. the 50-50 campaign is — attention, but thank you. the 50-50 campaign is close — attention, but thank you. the 50-50 campaign is close to _ attention, but thank you. the 50-50 campaign is close to my _ attention, but thank you. the 50-50 campaign is close to my heart, i attention, but thank you. the 50-50 campaign is close to my heart, as i campaign is close to my heart, as you understand, by minister, that we get more women into parliament. moving to the home affairs select committee chair, a prominent women

in parliament, yvette cooper. thank you, check, thank you, prime minister _ thank you, check, thank you, prime minister it— thank you, check, thank you, prime minister it is— thank you, check, thank you, prime minister. it is nearly four weeks since _ minister. it is nearly four weeks since we — minister. it is nearly four weeks since we were warned about the south africa _ since we were warned about the south africa variant but if i still wanted to travel— africa variant but if i still wanted to travel to south africa today i could _ to travel to south africa today i could get — to travel to south africa today i could get a flight to dubai or istanbul— could get a flight to dubai or istanbul with no test before a lack no test _ istanbul with no test before a lack no test you're in, no test on arrival, — no test you're in, no test on arrival, go — no test you're in, no test on arrival, go straight onto the cheap from _ arrival, go straight onto the cheap from heathrow, and then travel home by train _ from heathrow, and then travel home by train across the conditions of use said — by train across the conditions of use said measures were being taken to protect _ use said measures were being taken to protect the country but why on earth _ to protect the country but why on earth are — to protect the country but why on earth are you allowing this to happen— earth are you allowing this to happen legally for the last four weeks? — happen legally for the last four weeks? , , ., happen legally for the last four weeks? , i. , happen legally for the last four weeks? , y., , ., , weeks? sorry, did you see illegally? all this could — weeks? sorry, did you see illegally? all this could happen _ weeks? sorry, did you see illegally? all this could happen legally. i i all this could happen legally. i could — all this could happen legally. i could arrive in the country and get onto— could arrive in the country and get onto public— could arrive in the country and get onto public transport, why is that allowed? — onto public transport, why is that allowed? ., ,., ., ., allowed? the reason we have wanted to have a balanced _ allowed? the reason we have wanted to have a balanced approach - allowed? the reason we have wanted to have a balanced approach in i allowed? the reason we have wanted to have a balanced approach in our i to have a balanced approach in our border policy is obviously you need to make sure you're balancing the

threat to health with the threat to the economy, but passengers from all international destinations are now going to have to produce a negative test result before they arise in england, and of course, we've gone further and provided additional protection for those coming from south africa. i will look at the point you make about the route you describe. taste point you make about the route you describe. ~ ., . , ., describe. we no direct flights are not enough. _ describe. we no direct flights are not enough. in — describe. we no direct flights are not enough, in the _ describe. we no direct flights are not enough, in the first _ describe. we no direct flights are not enough, in the first wave, i describe. we no direct flights are i not enough, in the first wave, there is only— not enough, in the first wave, there is only i%_ not enough, in the first wave, there is only i% of— not enough, in the first wave, there is only 1% of cases and to the country— is only 1% of cases and to the country came from china, 63% came from _ country came from china, 63% came from france — country came from china, 63% came from france or spain. and the pre-travel_ from france or spain. and the pre—travel tests that the prime minister— pre—travel tests that the prime minister refers to, that you refer to, prime — minister refers to, that you refer to, prime minister, are very welcome but other— to, prime minister, are very welcome but other countries brought them in months _ but other countries brought them in months ago. we are not bringing them in until— months ago. we are not bringing them in until friday. why did you not bring _ in until friday. why did you not bring them in november when other countries _ bring them in november when other countries did?—

countries did? well, sorry, we've had measures — countries did? well, sorry, we've had measures at _ countries did? well, sorry, we've had measures at the _ countries did? well, sorry, we've had measures at the border- countries did? well, sorry, we'vej had measures at the border since countries did? well, sorry, we've i had measures at the border since the 8th ofjune last year, and actually, 3.5 million passengers have been spot checked and in the last seven days alone, 30% of all arriving passengers have been checked. and there is a great deal of effort that goes into checking the passenger locator firms, goes into checking the passenger locatorfirms, that goes into checking the passenger locator firms, that people are obliged to fill in. —— passenger locator forms. obliged to fill in. —— passenger locatorforms. taste obliged to fill in. -- passenger locator forms.— obliged to fill in. -- passenger locator forms. ~ . , ., locator forms. we heard this morning that those firms _ locator forms. we heard this morning that those firms are _ locator forms. we heard this morning that those firms are just _ locator forms. we heard this morning that those firms are just text - that those firms are just text simply— that those firms are just text simply to see if people have filled them _ simply to see if people have filled them in — simply to see if people have filled them in. we also heard from the border— them in. we also heard from the border first— them in. we also heard from the border first that 90% of cases were not being _ border first that 90% of cases were not being checked and we heard there was even _ not being checked and we heard there was even less follow—up when people then return _ was even less follow—up when people then return across the country, having — then return across the country, having travelled by public transport. so you have been repeatedly warned about the weaknesses in the quarantine system, a system _ weaknesses in the quarantine system, a system we _ weaknesses in the quarantine system,

a system we heard experts describe this morning as, it might as well be voluntary. _ this morning as, it might as well be voluntary, because so few czechs are taking _ voluntary, because so few czechs are taking place. why have you not strengthened that system? —— so if you checks — strengthened that system? —— so if you checks are taking place. we strengthened that system? -- so if you checks are taking place. we have strenath in you checks are taking place. we have strength in that _ you checks are taking place. we have strength in that system _ you checks are taking place. we have strength in that system and - strength in that system and passengers arriving from all international locations are required to present a negative test before arriving in england. they will be from friday, but once again, you could have _ from friday, but once again, you could have introduced a testing system — could have introduced a testing system from thursday, you could also have in _ system from thursday, you could also have in place — system from thursday, you could also have in place testing again on arrival— have in place testing again on arrival rather than simply 72 hours beforehand, you could have stronger guarantine _ beforehand, you could have stronger quarantine and stronger checks like many— quarantine and stronger checks like many other— quarantine and stronger checks like many other countries do. let me pass you on— many other countries do. let me pass you on the _ many other countries do. let me pass you on the brazil issue. you were warned _ you on the brazil issue. you were warned about the brazil variant three _ warned about the brazil variant three days ago. we don't know yet whether— three days ago. we don't know yet whether that could potentially undermine the vaccination programme. so why— undermine the vaccination programme. so why aren't _ undermine the vaccination programme. so why aren't you taking immediate action— so why aren't you taking immediate action on— so why aren't you taking immediate action on a — so why aren't you taking immediate action on a precautionary basis? we are.

action on a precautionary basis? are. and we action on a precautionary basis? - are. and we are putting in extra measures to ensure that people coming in from brazil are checked andindeed coming in from brazil are checked and indeed stopping people coming from brazil. 50 and indeed stopping people coming from brazil. ., , ., and indeed stopping people coming from brazil. . ., �*, from brazil. so are you? that's then a new announcement. _ from brazil. so are you? that's then a new announcement. you - from brazil. so are you? that's then a new announcement. you just i from brazil. so are you? that's then a new announcement. you just told | a new announcement. you just told jeremy— a new announcement. you just told jeremy hunt earlier on in this evidence _ jeremy hunt earlier on in this evidence session that you are still looking _ evidence session that you are still looking at— evidence session that you are still looking at this. when are you going to bring _ looking at this. when are you going to bring those new measures in place? — to bring those new measures in place? i — to bring those new measures in lace? ., place? i said what we were looking at was the question _ place? i said what we were looking at was the question of _ place? i said what we were looking at was the question of whether - place? i said what we were looking at was the question of whether or. at was the question of whether or not the brazilian variant was a mean resistant. 50 not the brazilian variant was a mean resistant. ., , ., ., resistant. so has a new travel ban been announced _ resistant. so has a new travel ban been announced on _ resistant. so has a new travel ban been announced on flights - resistant. so has a new travel ban been announced on flights from i been announced on flights from brazil? —

as of today, the south africa variant, _ as of today, the south africa variant, no test is required to enter— variant, no test is required to enter the _ variant, no test is required to enter the uk variant, no test is required to enterthe uk and variant, no test is required to enter the uk and won't be until fridav — enter the uk and won't be until fridav you _ enter the uk and won't be until friday. you can't tell me any additionai— friday. you can't tell me any additional measures that are put in place _ additional measures that are put in place but _ additional measures that are put in place but you keep using the words we are _ place but you keep using the words we are putting additional images in. please _ we are putting additional images in. please tell— we are putting additional images in. please tell me what they are. i'd be reassured _

please tell me what they are. i'd be reassured to hear what they are. you'd _ reassured to hear what they are. you'd have — reassured to hear what they are. you'd have to show, from all countries, that you've got a negative test in order to come to this country. negative test in order to come to this country-— this country. that's not until frida . this country. that's not until friday- it — this country. that's not until friday. it still— this country. that's not until friday. it still months - this country. that's not until friday. it still months later. this country. that's not until - friday. it still months later than other— friday. it still months later than other countries have done so. here's the problem — other countries have done so. here's the problem. we were warned about the problem. we were warned about the border— the problem. we were warned about the border measures back in... from june we had — the border measures back in... from june we had a _ the border measures back in... from june we had a mandatory _ the border measures back in... from june we had a mandatory ten - the border measures back in... fr'frrn june we had a mandatory ten day quarantine for people coming from countries not on the approved travel corridor list, as you know. as we heard in the home affairs select— as we heard in the home affairs select committee this morning, the quarantine — select committee this morning, the quarantine you introduced injune so much _ quarantine you introduced injune so much weaker than in other countries, people _ much weaker than in other countries, people can _ much weaker than in other countries, people can still get directly onto public— people can still get directly onto public transport, 90% of cases are not checked to even see if they even filled not checked to even see if they even fitted in _ not checked to even see if they even fitted in the — not checked to even see if they even filled in the forms and there's very little further follow—up that quarantine system is simply not working — quarantine system is simply not working. the problem, prime minister. _ working. the problem, prime minister, is this. you were warned in the _ minister, is this. you were warned in the spring — minister, is this. you were warned

in the spring about the need for stronger— in the spring about the need for stronger measures, you were warned again— stronger measures, you were warned again now— stronger measures, you were warned again now and you've still got delays — again now and you've still got delays in _ again now and you've still got delays in getting the kind of border nreasures— delays in getting the kind of border measures in place. we haven't got a system _ measures in place. we haven't got a system sorted out on the south africa _ system sorted out on the south africa or — system sorted out on the south africa or brazil variant, this is on top of— africa or brazil variant, this is on top of delays in dealing with lockdowns, with schools and so on. you give _ lockdowns, with schools and so on. you give the — lockdowns, with schools and so on. you give the impression each time that you've — you give the impression each time that you've just delayed all of the most _ that you've just delayed all of the most uncomfortable decisions until the last— most uncomfortable decisions until the last possible minute when so many _ the last possible minute when so many lives — the last possible minute when so many lives are at stake, is this really— many lives are at stake, is this really the _ many lives are at stake, is this really the leadership we need? ifi really the leadership we need? if i ma really the leadership we need? may say so, really the leadership we need? if i may say so, this country has led really the leadership we need? lfl may say so, this country has led the world and indeed the whole of europe in rolling out a vaccine, and one of the things that you don't often hear from commentators on your side of the political divide is that that is the political divide is that that is the case. and i disagree strongly with what you said about the protections we have that uk borders,

we are conducting huge quantities of text, we insist on people going into quarantine when they arrive from non—travel corridor areas, we are putting in measures to protect this country but against the south african variant, the brazilian variant, we will continue to be very tough indeed. we have a pandemic thatis tough indeed. we have a pandemic that is being driven by, in large part, by the new variant that seems to have originated, though obviously we cannot be sure, that seems to have originated in a mutation or several mutations in this country. and we're doing everything we can to bear on that. but if you look at the achievement of this country in fighting the vaccine, i don't think you should neglect the roll—out of the, in fighting the virus, the speed of the vaccine programme so far. ~

speed of the vaccine programme so far. . , , ., , speed of the vaccine programme so far. ~ , , ., , ., speed of the vaccine programme so far. ,, ., , ., far. we desperately want the vaccine s stem to far. we desperately want the vaccine system to work. _ far. we desperately want the vaccine system to work, all _ far. we desperately want the vaccine system to work, all of _ far. we desperately want the vaccine system to work, all of us _ system to work, all of us desperately wanted to work, that's why we _ desperately wanted to work, that's why we need to make sure an international variant, please look again— international variant, please look again at— international variant, please look again at the border measures. thank you. again at the border measures. thank ou. . ~' again at the border measures. thank ou. . ~ , ., ~ again at the border measures. thank ou. ., ~ . ., again at the border measures. thank ou. ., . ., , you. thank you. we are well behind now, i'm afraid, _ you. thank you. we are well behind now, i'm afraid, but— you. thank you. we are well behind now, i'm afraid, but that _ you. thank you. we are well behind now, i'm afraid, but that was - you. thank you. we are well behind now, i'm afraid, but that was long l now, i'm afraid, but that was long questions and long answers, so as quickly as we can, please.- quickly as we can, please. thank ou, mr quickly as we can, please. thank you. mr chair- — quickly as we can, please. thank you, mr chair. moving _ quickly as we can, please. thank you, mr chair. moving on - quickly as we can, please. thank you, mr chair. moving on to - quickly as we can, please. thank you, mr chair. moving on to the | you, mr chair. moving on to the section about _ you, mr chair. moving on to the section about britain's - you, mr chair. moving on to the section about britain's place - you, mr chair. moving on to the section about britain's place in| section about britain's place in post—brexit. in section about britain's place in post-brexit— section about britain's place in post-brexit. section about britain's place in ost-brexit. , . , 11" post-brexit. in december 2019, prime minister, post-brexit. in december 2019, prime minister. you — post-brexit. in december 2019, prime minister, you said _ post-brexit. in december 2019, prime minister, you said there _ post-brexit. in december 2019, prime minister, you said there was _ post-brexit. in december 2019, prime minister, you said there was no - minister, you said there was no question— minister, you said there was no question on— minister, you said there was no question on checks _ minister, you said there was no question on checks on - minister, you said there was no question on checks on goods i minister, you said there was no- question on checks on goods coming from great _ question on checks on goods coming from great britain _ question on checks on goods coming from great britain to _ question on checks on goods coming from great britain to northern - from great britain to northern tretand, — from great britain to northern tretand, do— from great britain to northern ireland, do you _ from great britain to northern ireland, do you remember- from great britain to northern i ireland, do you remember saying that? _ ireland, do you remember saying that? l_ ireland, do you remember saying that? ., ., ., ., that? i do, and indeed, thanks to the deal that _ that? i do, and indeed, thanks to the deal that we _ that? i do, and indeed, thanks to the deal that we have, _ that? i do, and indeed, thanks to the deal that we have, there - that? i do, and indeed, thanks to the deal that we have, there is, l the deal that we have, there is, traders flowing so smoothly, as i said in answer to an earlier question, between great britain and northern ireland that it is now the

preferred route of holies. ishield. northern ireland that it is now the preferred route of holies.- preferred route of holies. well, if it's auoin preferred route of holies. well, if it's going so _ preferred route of holies. well, if it's going so smoothly, _ preferred route of holies. well, if it's going so smoothly, prime - it's going so smoothly, prime minister. _ it's going so smoothly, prime minister. why— it's going so smoothly, prime minister, why have _ it's going so smoothly, prime minister, why have we - it's going so smoothly, prime minister, why have we seen i it's going so smoothly, prime - minister, why have we seen some empty— minister, why have we seen some empty shetves _ minister, why have we seen some empty shelves in— minister, why have we seen some empty shelves in supermarkets i minister, why have we seen some empty shelves in supermarkets inl empty shelves in supermarkets in northern— empty shelves in supermarkets in northern ireland? _ empty shelves in supermarkets in northern ireland? why— empty shelves in supermarkets in northern ireland? why has- empty shelves in supermarkets in northern ireland? why has the i northern ireland? why has the northern— northern ireland? why has the northern ireland _ northern ireland? why has the northern ireland agriculture i northern ireland agriculture nrinister— northern ireland agriculture minister warned _ northern ireland agriculture minister warned that - northern ireland agriculture minister warned that a - northern ireland agriculturel minister warned that a range northern ireland agriculture - minister warned that a range of frozen — minister warned that a range of frozen and _ minister warned that a range of frozen and chilled _ minister warned that a range of frozen and chilled foods - minister warned that a range of frozen and chilled foods could i minister warned that a range of. frozen and chilled foods could be unavailable — frozen and chilled foods could be unavailable after _ frozen and chilled foods could be unavailable after the _ frozen and chilled foods could be unavailable after the temporary. unavailable after the temporary grace _ unavailable after the temporary grace period _ unavailable after the temporary grace period ends, _ unavailable after the temporary grace period ends, and - unavailable after the temporary grace period ends, and why- unavailable after the temporary grace period ends, and why did| unavailable after the temporary . grace period ends, and why did the bll grace period ends, and why did the big supermarkets— grace period ends, and why did the big supermarkets write _ grace period ends, and why did the big supermarkets write to - grace period ends, and why did the big supermarkets write to the - big supermarkets write to the chancellor _ big supermarkets write to the chancellor of _ big supermarkets write to the chancellor of the _ big supermarkets write to the chancellor of the duchy - big supermarkets write to the chancellor of the duchy of - big supermarkets write to the - chancellor of the duchy of lancaster this week— chancellor of the duchy of lancaster this week to— chancellor of the duchy of lancaster this week to call— chancellor of the duchy of lancaster this week to call for— chancellor of the duchy of lancaster this week to call for early— this week to call for early intervention— this week to call for early intervention to _ this week to call for early intervention to prevent . this week to call for early- intervention to prevent further disruption? _ intervention to prevent further disruption? if— intervention to prevent further disruption? if it's _ intervention to prevent further disruption? if it's all— intervention to prevent further disruption? if it's all going - intervention to prevent further disruption? if it's all going sol disruption? if it's all going so well? — disruption? if it's all going so well? ~ , ., , ., disruption? if it's all going so well? ~ , ., ., well? well, if you listen to what the supermarkets _ well? well, if you listen to what the supermarkets actually - well? well, if you listen to what | the supermarkets actually saying today, i believe that the retail cessation subset supply was pretty much back to normalfor supermarkets in northern ireland was up —— the retail association said that. what

retail association said that. what supermarkets — retail association said that. what supermarkets are _ retail association said that. what supermarkets are worried - retail association said that. what supermarkets are worried about is what _ supermarkets are worried about is what may— supermarkets are worried about is what may happen _ supermarkets are worried about is what may happen if— supermarkets are worried about is what may happen if the _ supermarkets are worried about is what may happen if the grace - supermarkets are worried about is i what may happen if the grace period, let's take _ what may happen if the grace period, let's take the — what may happen if the grace period, let's take the three _ what may happen if the grace period, let's take the three month _ what may happen if the grace period, let's take the three month grace - let's take the three month grace period _ let's take the three month grace period that — let's take the three month grace period that ends _ let's take the three month grace period that ends at _ let's take the three month grace period that ends at the - let's take the three month grace period that ends at the end - let's take the three month grace period that ends at the end of. period that ends at the end of march. — period that ends at the end of march. during— period that ends at the end of march, during which- period that ends at the end of march, during which they - period that ends at the end of| march, during which they don't period that ends at the end of- march, during which they don't have to provide _ march, during which they don't have to provide expert _ march, during which they don't have to provide expert health— to provide expert health certificates _ to provide expert health certificates for - to provide expert health certificates for all- to provide expert health certificates for all of- to provide expert health certificates for all of the to provide expert health- certificates for all of the food and atrophied — certificates for all of the food and atrophied products— certificates for all of the food and atrophied products they're - atrophied products they're transporting _ atrophied products they're transporting into - atrophied products they're transporting into northernl atrophied products they're - transporting into northern ireland -- and _ transporting into northern ireland -- and agrifood _ transporting into northern ireland —— and agrifood products. - transporting into northern ireland —— and agrifood products. they. transporting into northern irelandl —— and agrifood products. they are worried _ —— and agrifood products. they are worried about _ —— and agrifood products. they are worried about what _ —— and agrifood products. they are worried about what happens - —— and agrifood products. they are worried about what happens if - —— and agrifood products. they are worried about what happens if thatl worried about what happens if that is not _ worried about what happens if that is not extended _ worried about what happens if that is not extended stop— worried about what happens if that is not extended stop you _ worried about what happens if that is not extended stop you can- worried about what happens if that is not extended stop you can give. is not extended stop you can give reassurance — is not extended stop you can give reassurance if— is not extended stop you can give reassurance if possible _ is not extended stop you can give reassurance if possible today. - is not extended stop you can givel reassurance if possible today. can you guarantee _ reassurance if possible today. can you guarantee to _ reassurance if possible today. can you guarantee to supermarkets i reassurance if possible today. can. you guarantee to supermarkets and shoppers _ you guarantee to supermarkets and shoppers in— you guarantee to supermarkets and shoppers in northern _ you guarantee to supermarkets and shoppers in northern ireland - you guarantee to supermarkets and shoppers in northern ireland that l shoppers in northern ireland that the grace — shoppers in northern ireland that the grace period _ shoppers in northern ireland that the grace period will— shoppers in northern ireland that the grace period will be _ shoppers in northern ireland that the grace period will be extended after the — the grace period will be extended after the end _ the grace period will be extended after the end of— the grace period will be extended after the end of march? - the grace period will be extended after the end of march? i- the grace period will be extended after the end of march? i can - after the end of march? i can certainly _ after the end of march? i can certainly guarantee _ after the end of march? i can certainly guarantee that - after the end of march? i can certainly guarantee that if. after the end of march? i can i certainly guarantee that if there are serious problems in supplying supermarkets in northern ireland, because of some piece of bureaucracy, then we will simply exercise article 16 of the protocol, because it's absurd that there should be such difficulties. and we will make sure that supplies

continue. this goes without saying, any difficulties that remain will naturally fall away anyway, because the people of northern ireland have to vote to retain the protocol in four years time. it’s to vote to retain the protocol in four years time.— four years time. it's not supply bureaucracy. — four years time. it's not supply bureaucracy, it _ four years time. it's not supply bureaucracy, it is _ four years time. it's not supply bureaucracy, it is the - four years time. it's not supply bureaucracy, it is the very - four years time. it's not supply - bureaucracy, it is the very essence of the _ bureaucracy, it is the very essence of the northern _ bureaucracy, it is the very essence of the northern ireland _ bureaucracy, it is the very essence of the northern ireland protocol. of the northern ireland protocol which _ of the northern ireland protocol which you — of the northern ireland protocol which you negotiated. _ of the northern ireland protocol which you negotiated. turning l of the northern ireland protocoll which you negotiated. turning to something — which you negotiated. turning to something else _ which you negotiated. turning to something else you _ which you negotiated. turning to something else you said - which you negotiated. turning to something else you said many. which you negotiated. turning to - something else you said many times, you've _ something else you said many times, you've referred — something else you said many times, you've referred to _ something else you said many times, you've referred to the _ something else you said many times, you've referred to the uk _ something else you said many times, you've referred to the uk gaining - you've referred to the uk gaining control— you've referred to the uk gaining control of— you've referred to the uk gaining control of our— you've referred to the uk gaining control of our waters. _ you've referred to the uk gaining control of our waters. why - you've referred to the uk gaining control of our waters. why is - you've referred to the uk gaining control of our waters. why is it . control of our waters. why is it that _ control of our waters. why is it that some _ control of our waters. why is it that some of— control of our waters. why is it that some of the _ control of our waters. why is it that some of the scottish - control of our waters. why is it i that some of the scottish fishing fleet is— that some of the scottish fishing fleet is currently— that some of the scottish fishing fleet is currently tied _ that some of the scottish fishing fleet is currently tied up - that some of the scottish fishing fleet is currently tied up rather. fleet is currently tied up rather than _ fleet is currently tied up rather than out — fleet is currently tied up rather than out fishing? _ fleet is currently tied up rather than out fishing?— fleet is currently tied up rather than out fishing? i... i understand very much — than out fishing? i... i understand very much the _ than out fishing? i... i understand very much the frustrations - than out fishing? i... i understand very much the frustrations of - than out fishing? i... i understand l very much the frustrations of people who are fishing communities and scottish fishermen and women who are

facing i believe temporary frustration insofar as there are delays caused by a variety of problems, we will compensate those... there's fishing businesses. but there is a massive opportunity for scotland and for the whole of the uk with the increase in culture that we get from the deal. —— increase in quota. 25% by the end of the transition period, hundreds of thousands of tonnes more fish, and the ability to fish in scottish waters from the end of that period. so are you telling us today that you think— so are you telling us today that you think there's — think -- so are you telling us today that you think -- those _ so are you telling us today that you think —— those difficulties _ so are you telling us today that you think —— those difficulties because. think —— those difficulties because they can't— think —— those difficulties because they can't get _ think —— those difficulties because they can't get their _ think —— those difficulties because they can't get their product - think —— those difficulties because they can't get their product to - they can't get their product to market— they can't get their product to market are _ they can't get their product to market are only— they can't get their product to market are only temporary? i they can't get their product to - market are only temporary? yes. but isn't it the case _ market are only temporary? but isn't it the case that red tape market are only temporary?“ but

isn't it the case that red tape and - isn't it the case that red tape and bureaucracy— isn't it the case that red tape and bureaucracy was— isn't it the case that red tape and bureaucracy was the _ isn't it the case that red tape and bureaucracy was the inevitable i bureaucracy was the inevitable conseguence _ bureaucracy was the inevitable consequence of— bureaucracy was the inevitable consequence of the _ bureaucracy was the inevitable consequence of the trade - bureaucracy was the inevitable - consequence of the trade agreement you have _ consequence of the trade agreement you have negotiated _ consequence of the trade agreement you have negotiated with _ consequence of the trade agreement you have negotiated with the - consequence of the trade agreement you have negotiated with the eu? i consequence of the trade agreement i you have negotiated with the eu? one freight— you have negotiated with the eu? one freight expert — you have negotiated with the eu? one freight expert has _ you have negotiated with the eu? one freight expert has described _ you have negotiated with the eu? one freight expert has described a - freight expert has described a matter— freight expert has described a matter red _ freight expert has described a matter red tape _ freight expert has described a matter red tape brought - freight expert has described a matter red tape brought in i freight expert has described a matter red tape brought in on freight expert has described a - matter red tape brought in on the 1st matter red tape brought in on the lst of— matter red tape brought in on the 1st ofjanuary. _ matter red tape brought in on the 1st ofjanuary. isn't _ matter red tape brought in on the 1st ofjanuary. isn't that _ matter red tape brought in on the 1st ofjanuary. isn't that the - 1st ofjanuary. isn't that the consequence _ ist ofjanuary. isn't that the consequence of— 1st ofjanuary. isn't that the consequence of leaving - 1st ofjanuary. isn't that the consequence of leaving the | 1st ofjanuary. isn't that the - consequence of leaving the single market _ consequence of leaving the single market and — consequence of leaving the single market and the _ consequence of leaving the single market and the customs - consequence of leaving the single market and the customs union? l consequence of leaving the single i market and the customs union? this isjust— market and the customs union? this isiust a _ market and the customs union? this isiust a fact. — market and the customs union? this isiust a fact. is _ market and the customs union? this isjust a fact, is it— market and the customs union? this isjust a fact, is it not? _ market and the customs union? this isjust a fact, is it not?— isjust a fact, is it not? that's not compatible _ isjust a fact, is it not? that's not compatible with - isjust a fact, is it not? that's not compatible with what - isjust a fact, is it not? that's not compatible with what we | isjust a fact, is it not? that's i not compatible with what we are seeing with the volumes of traffic moment from db2 ni. —— from gb to ni. and i think one of the external things about the 1st of january is that it did not produce the disruption people claimed it would. —— one of the extraordinary things. i don't doubt there would be problems and businesses must prepare for change, things will be different and you have to get the right forms, you have to be conscious of the certificates that you need. but i

believe that all that is readily, can be readily done and overall, as i say, traffic at the moment is smooth and there are, as far as i know, no queues and we will address all issues as fast as we can.— all issues as fast as we can. thank ou. one all issues as fast as we can. thank you- one final. — all issues as fast as we can. thank you. one final, brief— all issues as fast as we can. thank you. one final, brief question, - all issues as fast as we can. thank you. one final, brief question, is . you. one final, brief question, is it true— you. one final, brief question, is it true the— you. one final, brief question, is it true the uk rejected an offer from _ it true the uk rejected an offer from the — it true the uk rejected an offer from the european union during the negotiations for a 90 day visa free period _ negotiations for a 90 day visa free period for— negotiations for a 90 day visa free period for uk musicians he wanted to id period for uk musicians he wanted to go on _ period for uk musicians he wanted to go on tour— period for uk musicians he wanted to go on tour in — period for uk musicians he wanted to go on tour in europe? no, period for uk musicians he wanted to go on tour in europe?— go on tour in europe? no, that's not true. my understanding _ go on tour in europe? no, that's not true. my understanding is... - go on tour in europe? no, that's not true. my understanding is... it- true. my understanding is... it wasn't offered? no. _ true. my understanding is... it wasn't offered? no. we - true. my understanding is... it| wasn't offered? no. we wanted true. my understanding is... it- wasn't offered? no. we wanted to have reciprocal— wasn't offered? no. we wanted to have reciprocal rights _ wasn't offered? no. we wanted to have reciprocal rights for - wasn't offered? no. we wanted to l have reciprocal rights for musicians to tour, but before everybody worries, shejust to tour, but before everybody worries, she just stressed that what we have is the right for —— i should just stressed that we have is right for uk musicians to go and play in eu countries for 90 out of 190 days.

thank you. eu countries for 90 out of 190 days. thank ou. . ~ eu countries for 90 out of 190 days. thank ou. ., ,, ,., eu countries for 90 out of 190 days. thank ou. . ,, y., . , ., thank you. thank you. pete wishart. we can't hear _ thank you. thank you. pete wishart. we can't hear pete _ thank you. thank you. pete wishart. we can't hear pete wishart. - thank you. thank you. pete wishart. we can't hear pete wishart. pete, i we can't hear pete wishart. pete, ou need we can't hear pete wishart. pete, you need to _ we can't hear pete wishart. pete, you need to eat. _ we can't hear pete wishart. pete, you need to eat. -- _ we can't hear pete wishart. pete, you need to eat. -- you _ we can't hear pete wishart. pete, you need to eat. -- you need - we can't hear pete wishart. pete, you need to eat. -- you need to l you need to eat. —— you need to unmute — you need to eat. -- you need to unmute. , ., you need to eat. -- you need to unmute-— you need to eat. -- you need to unmute. , ., ., unmute. pete, you need to unmute. i'll start again — unmute. pete, you need to unmute. i'll start again with _ unmute. pete, you need to unmute. i'll start again with that! _ unmute. pete, you need to unmute. i'll start again with that! can - unmute. pete, you need to unmute. i'll start again with that! can i - i'll start again with that! can i start. — i'll start again with that! can i start. and _ i'll start again with that! can i start, and i'm _ i'll start again with that! can i start, and i'm pretty- i'll start again with that! can i start, and i'm pretty sure - i'll start again with that! can i| start, and i'm pretty sure that i'll start again with that! can i- start, and i'm pretty sure that you and i. _ start, and i'm pretty sure that you and l. prime — start, and i'm pretty sure that you and i, prime minister, _ start, and i'm pretty sure that you and i, prime minister, are- start, and i'm pretty sure that you and i, prime minister, are both. and i, prime minister, are both democrats _ and i, prime minister, are both democrats and _ and i, prime minister, are both democrats and we _ and i, prime minister, are both democrats and we both - and i, prime minister, are both democrats and we both believe and i, prime minister, are both- democrats and we both believe that in a parliamentary _ democrats and we both believe that in a parliamentary democracy - in a parliamentary democracy majority— in a parliamentary democracy majority should _ in a parliamentary democracy majority should be _ in a parliamentary democracyl majority should be respected, in a parliamentary democracy . majority should be respected, so therefore. — majority should be respected, so therefore, can— majority should be respected, so therefore, can you _ majority should be respected, so therefore, can you tell— majority should be respected, so therefore, can you tell me, - majority should be respected, so therefore, can you tell me, if - majority should be respected, so therefore, can you tell me, if a l therefore, can you tell me, if a majority— therefore, can you tell me, if a majority of— therefore, can you tell me, if a majority of the _ therefore, can you tell me, if a majority of the scottish - therefore, can you tell me, if a majority of the scottish people | therefore, can you tell me, if a - majority of the scottish people want their country— majority of the scottish people want their country to _ majority of the scottish people want their country to be _ majority of the scottish people want their country to be an _ majority of the scottish people want their country to be an independent. their country to be an independent nation. _ their country to be an independent nation. how— their country to be an independent nation, how did _ their country to be an independent nation, how did the _ their country to be an independent nation, how did the democratically -- how— nation, how did the democratically -- how do— nation, how did the democratically -- how do they— nation, how did the democratically —— how do they democratically-

—— how do they democratically achieve — —— how do they democratically achieve that _ —— how do they democratically achieve that objective? - —— how do they democratically achieve that objective? let- -- how do they democratically achieve that objective? achieve that ob'ective? let me tell ou, buti achieve that objective? let me tell you. but i think — achieve that objective? let me tell you, but i think they _ achieve that objective? let me tell you, but i think they should - achieve that objective? let me tell you, but i think they should do - achieve that objective? let me tell you, but i think they should do is . you, but i think they should do is hold a referendum such as the one that was held in 2014, and when they say that to the people of that country and indeed all of the uk that that's a once in a generation event, which is what they said, that they should, in a democratic spirit, that pledge. flan they should, in a democratic spirit, that pledge-— they should, in a democratic spirit, that ”lede_ ., ., , that pledge. can we unpack a couple of these things, _ that pledge. can we unpack a couple of these things, again, _ that pledge. can we unpack a couple of these things, again, that - that pledge. can we unpack a couple of these things, again, that is - that pledge. can we unpack a couple of these things, again, that is on - of these things, again, that is on at a load — of these things, again, that is on at a load of— of these things, again, that is on at a load of rubbish. _ of these things, again, that is on at a load of rubbish. there - of these things, again, that is on at a load of rubbish. there is - at a load of rubbish. there is nothing _ at a load of rubbish. there is nothing in _ at a load of rubbish. there is nothing in any— at a load of rubbish. there is nothing in any legal- at a load of rubbish. there is nothing in any legal texts - at a load of rubbish. there is i nothing in any legal texts about once _ nothing in any legal texts about once in— nothing in any legal texts about once in a — nothing in any legal texts about once in a generation, _ nothing in any legal texts about once in a generation, the - nothing in any legal texts about - once in a generation, the edinburgh agreement. — once in a generation, the edinburgh agreement, there _ once in a generation, the edinburgh agreement, there is— once in a generation, the edinburgh agreement, there is no _ once in a generation, the edinburgh agreement, there is no mention- agreement, there is no mention whatsoever— agreement, there is no mention whatsoever of _ agreement, there is no mention whatsoever of once _ agreement, there is no mention whatsoever of once in _ agreement, there is no mention whatsoever of once in a - agreement, there is no mention- whatsoever of once in a generation. and i_ whatsoever of once in a generation. and i think— whatsoever of once in a generation. and i think you _ whatsoever of once in a generation. and i think you said _ whatsoever of once in a generation. and i think you said that— whatsoever of once in a generation. and i think you said that with - whatsoever of once in a generation. and i think you said that with the i and i think you said that with the brexit— and i think you said that with the brexit extension _ and i think you said that with the brexit extension you'd _ and i think you said that with the brexit extension you'd be - and i think you said that with the brexit extension you'd be dead . and i think you said that with the | brexit extension you'd be dead in and i think you said that with the . brexit extension you'd be dead in a ditch. _ brexit extension you'd be dead in a ditch. you're — brexit extension you'd be dead in a ditch, you're still— brexit extension you'd be dead in a ditch, you're still in _ brexit extension you'd be dead in a ditch, you're still in front _ brexit extension you'd be dead in a ditch, you're still in front of- brexit extension you'd be dead in a ditch, you're still in front of us! i ditch, you're still in front of us! so if— ditch, you're still in front of us! so if the — ditch, you're still in front of us! so if the scottish _ ditch, you're still in front of us! so if the scottish people - ditch, you're still in front of us! so if the scottish people want i ditch, you're still in front of us! | so if the scottish people want to achieve — so if the scottish people want to achieve independence, - so if the scottish people want to achieve independence, how- so if the scottish people want to achieve independence, how is. so if the scottish people want to . achieve independence, how is that democratically— achieve independence, how is that democratically achievable? - achieve independence, how is that democratically achievable? what'si democratically achievable? what's the answer? —

democratically achievable? what's the answer?— the answer? pete, with great resect, the answer? pete, with great respect. we _ the answer? pete, with great respect, i've given _ the answer? pete, with great respect, i've given you - the answer? pete, with great respect, i've given you my i the answer? pete, with great i respect, i've given you my answer, as far as i can see, the brexit extension has come and gone, we are out of the eu, scottish fishermen, fishing businesses, have access to unparalleled marine wells in the course of the next few years, i hope they exploit it, i hope the snp isn't so deranged is to hand back control of our fisheries to the eu, and i remember distinctly alex salmond and nicola sturgeon saying it was a once in a generation event, did you not hear them say that? there is nothing in any legal text about— there is nothing in any legal text about once — there is nothing in any legal text about once in _ there is nothing in any legal text about once in a _ there is nothing in any legal text about once in a generation. i there is nothing in any legal text about once in a generation. did. there is nothing in any legal text about once in a generation. did they sa that? about once in a generation. did they say that? you _ about once in a generation. did they say that? you not _ about once in a generation. did they say that? you not answering - about once in a generation. did they say that? you not answering the i say that? you not answering the cuestion. say that? you not answering the question- are — say that? you not answering the question. are you _ say that? you not answering the question. are you seriously i say that? you not answering the i question. are you seriously saying democracy— question. are you seriously saying democracy in _ question. are you seriously saying democracy in scotland _ question. are you seriously saying democracy in scotland doesn't i question. are you seriously saying i democracy in scotland doesn't matter that a _ democracy in scotland doesn't matter that a majority— democracy in scotland doesn't matter that a majority shouldn't _ democracy in scotland doesn't matter that a majority shouldn't be _ that a majority shouldn't be respected? _ that a majority shouldn't be respected? i— that a majority shouldn't be respected? i can— that a majority shouldn't be respected? i can only- that a majority shouldn't be respected? i can only think| that a majority shouldn't be l respected? i can only think of another— respected? i can only think of another sort _ respected? i can only think of another sort of— respected? i can only think of another sort of rogue - respected? i can only think of another sort of rogue leader. respected? i can only think of. another sort of rogue leader that would _ another sort of rogue leader that would deny— another sort of rogue leader that would deny democracy _ another sort of rogue leader that would deny democracy like i another sort of rogue leader that would deny democracy like that i another sort of rogue leader that i would deny democracy like that and he is currently — would deny democracy like that and he is currently sitting _ would deny democracy like that and he is currently sitting in _ would deny democracy like that and he is currently sitting in the - would deny democracy like that and he is currently sitting in the white l he is currently sitting in the white house _ he is currently sitting in the white house -- — he is currently sitting in the white house. —— leader. _ he is currently sitting in the white house. —— leader. are— he is currently sitting in the white house. —— leader. are you - he is currently sitting in the white| house. —— leader. are you serious he is currently sitting in the white i

house. —— leader. are you serious in saying _ house. —— leader. are you serious in saying that _ house. —— leader. are you serious in saying that for — house. —— leader. are you serious in saying that for scottish _ house. —— leader. are you serious in saying that for scottish people - saying that for scottish people democracy _ saying that for scottish people democracy doesn't _ saying that for scottish people democracy doesn't count? i. saying that for scottish people democracy doesn't count? i think you need to ask — democracy doesn't count? i think you need to ask yourself _ democracy doesn't count? i think you need to ask yourself whether - democracy doesn't count? i think you need to ask yourself whether you i democracy doesn't count? i think you need to ask yourself whether you are | need to ask yourself whether you are seriously saying that right now, in the middle of the pandemic, whether the middle of the pandemic, whether the people of scotland are the uk or anywhere think it's sensible to have anywhere think it's sensible to have a referendum on the constitutional issue when we are trying to, as we have discussed earlier, to get the pandemic down, to generate millions ofjobs that we are going to need over the next few years, to allow this whole country to bounce back together. i think that's what the people of this country wants to focus on. i think it's incredible that the scottish national party is focusing on referendum and you can't say, by the way, what you want this referendum to discuss, you can't say what the prospectus is for the destruction of the united kingdom, you want to scrap the army, the

pound, the queen, what is it? you can't say what your objective is, you can say is that you want to break up the uk in some way, and i think that the people of this country, i think the people of this country, i think the people of this country wants to focus on fighting covid and get on with building back better together. i got covid and get on with building back better together.— better together. i got a good solution for _ better together. i got a good solution for that, _ better together. i got a good solution for that, prime - better together. i got a good i solution for that, prime minister, let's have — solution for that, prime minister, let's have a — solution for that, prime minister, let's have a referendum, - solution for that, prime minister, let's have a referendum, not- solution for that, prime minister, let's have a referendum, not now when _ let's have a referendum, not now when there — let's have a referendum, not now when there is— let's have a referendum, not now when there is a— let's have a referendum, not now when there is a pandemic, - let's have a referendum, not now when there is a pandemic, but i let's have a referendum, not now when there is a pandemic, but in| let's have a referendum, not now. when there is a pandemic, but in the first part _ when there is a pandemic, but in the first part of _ when there is a pandemic, but in the first part of our — when there is a pandemic, but in the first part of our next _ when there is a pandemic, but in the first part of our next parliamentary l first part of our next parliamentary session. _ first part of our next parliamentary session. let's— first part of our next parliamentary session, let's have _ first part of our next parliamentary session, let's have a _ first part of our next parliamentary session, let's have a referendum, i session, let's have a referendum, you put— session, let's have a referendum, you put that — session, let's have a referendum, you put that case _ session, let's have a referendum, you put that case to _ session, let's have a referendum, you put that case to the _ session, let's have a referendum, you put that case to the scottish i you put that case to the scottish people — you put that case to the scottish pe0ple. you _ you put that case to the scottish pe0ple. you put _ you put that case to the scottish people. you put the _ you put that case to the scottish people. you put the case - you put that case to the scottish people. you put the case for- you put that case to the scottish| people. you put the case for why they shouldn't _ people. you put the case for why they shouldn't be _ people. you put the case for why they shouldn't be an _ people. you put the case for why| they shouldn't be an independent nation, _ they shouldn't be an independent nation, and — they shouldn't be an independent nation, and let— they shouldn't be an independent nation, and let them _ they shouldn't be an independent nation, and let them decide, - they shouldn't be an independent. nation, and let them decide, that's what _ nation, and let them decide, that's what the _ nation, and let them decide, that's what the scottish _ nation, and let them decide, that's what the scottish people _ nation, and let them decide, that's what the scottish people want, - nation, and let them decide, that's. what the scottish people want, there are17_ what the scottish people want, there are17 opinion — what the scottish people want, there are 17 opinion polls— what the scottish people want, there are 17 opinion polls now— what the scottish people want, there are 17 opinion polls now show - what the scottish people want, there are 17 opinion polls now show the - are 17 opinion polls now show the majority— are 17 opinion polls now show the majority of— are 17 opinion polls now show the majority of scottish _ are 17 opinion polls now show the majority of scottish people - are 17 opinion polls now show the majority of scottish people wanti are 17 opinion polls now show the i majority of scottish people want an independence — majority of scottish people want an independence referendum. - majority of scottish people want an independence referendum. you - majority of scottish people want an i independence referendum. you know, prime _ independence referendum. you know, prime minister. — independence referendum. you know, prime minister. i_ independence referendum. you know, prime minister, i know, _ independence referendum. you know, prime minister, i know, everybody- prime minister, i know, everybody watching— prime minister, i know, everybody watching the — prime minister, i know, everybody watching the snow— prime minister, i know, everybody watching the snow is _ prime minister, i know, everybody watching the snow is that - prime minister, i know, everybody watching the snow is that the - watching the snow is that the referendum _ watching the snow is that the referendum is— watching the snow is that the referendum is coming. - watching the snow is that the referendum is coming. why. watching the snow is that the - referendum is coming. why can't we 'ust referendum is coming. why can't we just get— referendum is coming. why can't we just get on— referendum is coming. why can't we just get on with _ referendum is coming. why can't we just get on with it? _ referendum is coming. why can't we just get on with it? why— referendum is coming. why can't we just get on with it? why don't - referendum is coming. why can't we just get on with it? why don't we . just get on with it? why don't we have _ just get on with it? why don't we have this — just get on with it? why don't we have this referendum, _ just get on with it? why don't we have this referendum, that - just get on with it? why don't we have this referendum, that the l have this referendum, that the scottish— have this referendum, that the scottish people _ have this referendum, that the scottish people choose, - have this referendum, that the scottish people choose, is- have this referendum, that the scottish people choose, is new global— scottish people choose, is new

global brexit _ scottish people choose, is new global brexit britain _ scottish people choose, is new global brexit britain so - scottish people choose, is new. global brexit britain so wonderful they'll— global brexit britain so wonderful they'tt vote — global brexit britain so wonderful they'tt vote for _ global brexit britain so wonderful they'll vote for it? _ global brexit britain so wonderful they'll vote for it? why— global brexit britain so wonderful they'll vote for it? why can't - global brexit britain so wonderful they'll vote for it? why can't we i they'll vote for it? why can't we 'ust they'll vote for it? why can't we just get— they'll vote for it? why can't we just get on— they'll vote for it? why can't we just get on with _ they'll vote for it? why can't we just get on with it? _ they'll vote for it? why can't we just get on with it?— they'll vote for it? why can't we just get on with it? because we had a referendum _ just get on with it? because we had a referendum on _ just get on with it? because we had a referendum on the _ just get on with it? because we had a referendum on the issue - just get on with it? because we had a referendum on the issue in - just get on with it? because we had a referendum on the issue in 2014, | a referendum on the issue in 2014, which senior members of your party, perhaps not you, said was a once in a generation event, it was on that basis that people voted in the way that they did, very substantial, to keep our wonderful union together, and if you look at, and i think we all want to focus on fighting the pandemic, and i think, by the way, one of the weirdest things i've heard of the last couple of days is that the scottish nationalist party is so averse... that the scottish nationalist party is so averse. . ._ is so averse... scottish national pa . is so averse... scottish national party- scottish _ is so averse. .. scottish national party. scottish national- is so averse... scottish national party. scottish national party i is so averse... scottish national party. scottish national party is| is so averse... scottish national i party. scottish national party is so averse to anything _ party. scottish national party is so averse to anything that _ party. scottish national party is so averse to anything that comes - party. scottish national party is so | averse to anything that comes from england that i'm told you won't even use the word oxford vaccine. perhaps you would like to say something in favour of the oxford vaccine? i’iiii favour of the oxford vaccine? i'll tell you what i will say to you, prime — tell you what i will say to you, prime minister, _ tell you what i will say to you, prime minister, your- tell you what i will say to you, prime minister, your own - tell you what i will say to you, - prime minister, your own response to these _ prime minister, your own response to these questions — prime minister, your own response to these questionsjust_ prime minister, your own response to these questions just demonstrates i

these questions just demonstrates these questions just demonstrates the pitiful— these questions just demonstrates the pitiful state _ these questions just demonstrates the pitiful state that _ these questions just demonstrates the pitiful state that the _ these questions just demonstrates the pitiful state that the scottish . the pitiful state that the scottish conservatives _ the pitiful state that the scottish conservatives are _ the pitiful state that the scottish conservatives are in _ the pitiful state that the scottish conservatives are in just - the pitiful state that the scottish conservatives are injust now. i conservatives are injust now. you're — conservatives are injust now. you're prepared _ conservatives are injust now. you're prepared to _ conservatives are injust now. you're prepared to deny- conservatives are injust now. you're prepared to deny us i you're prepared to deny us democracy, _ you're prepared to deny us democracy, you _ you're prepared to deny us democracy, you talking - you're prepared to deny us . democracy, you talking about you're prepared to deny us - democracy, you talking about oxford vaccine _ democracy, you talking about oxford vaccine is, _ democracy, you talking about oxford vaccine is, what _ democracy, you talking about oxford vaccine is, what the _ democracy, you talking about oxford vaccine is, what the scottish- democracy, you talking about oxford vaccine is, what the scottish peoplei vaccine is, what the scottish people want is, _ vaccine is, what the scottish people want is, you're _ vaccine is, what the scottish people want is, you're not— vaccine is, what the scottish people want is, you're not even— vaccine is, what the scottish people want is, you're not even prefer- vaccine is, what the scottish people want is, you're not even prefer to l want is, you're not even prefer to give _ want is, you're not even prefer to give that — want is, you're not even prefer to give that i— want is, you're not even prefer to give that. i don't _ want is, you're not even prefer to give that. i don't know— want is, you're not even prefer to give that. i don't know why- want is, you're not even prefer toj give that. i don't know why you're even _ give that. i don't know why you're even bothering _ give that. i don't know why you're even bothering standing - give that. i don't know why you're even bothering standing in- give that. i don't know why you're even bothering standing in the . give that. i don't know why you're i even bothering standing in the next scottish _ even bothering standing in the next scottish election, _ even bothering standing in the next scottish election, surely _ even bothering standing in the next scottish election, surely you - even bothering standing in the next scottish election, surely you know. scottish election, surely you know continuing — scottish election, surely you know continuing to _ scottish election, surely you know continuing to say— scottish election, surely you know continuing to say no _ scottish election, surely you know continuing to say no to _ scottish election, surely you know continuing to say no to scotland . scottish election, surely you know continuing to say no to scotland is unsustainable _ continuing to say no to scotland is unsustainable and _ continuing to say no to scotland is unsustainable and there _ continuing to say no to scotland is unsustainable and there will - continuing to say no to scotland is unsustainable and there will be i unsustainable and there will be another— unsustainable and there will be another referendum. _ unsustainable and there will be another referendum. [- unsustainable and there will be another referendum.— unsustainable and there will be another referendum. i think what --eole in another referendum. i think what peeple in this _ another referendum. i think what people in this country _ another referendum. i think what people in this country come - another referendum. i think what | people in this country come across this country, want, in scotland and elsewhere, is for us to focus on their needs and from where i sit, i see the scottish national party, with your nationalist or not, it's a matter for you, with your nationalist or not, it's a matterforyou, i with your nationalist or not, it's a matterfor you, i would with your nationalist or not, it's a matter for you, i would say, with your nationalist or not, it's a matterfor you, i would say, by with your nationalist or not, it's a matter for you, i would say, by any definition of that word, you were, they see them failing on crime, failing in education, failing on tax, and with nothing to say except that you want to break up the united kingdom. that's all you have got to say. and what you won't see is what the purpose of the referendum is.

you want to say whether you want to keep the pound, whether you, what happen pension, you want to say what will happen to the diplomatic service, the security services, the military, the monarchy, you won't say anything about it, all he will say anything about it, all he will say is that you want a referendum and you had one in 2014 and the result was decisive. as i think snp leaders set in 2014.— leaders set in 2014. let's have a referendum _ leaders set in 2014. let's have a referendum and _ leaders set in 2014. let's have a referendum and let _ leaders set in 2014. let's have a referendum and let the - leaders set in 2014. let's have a referendum and let the people | referendum and let the people decide — referendum and let the people decide on _ referendum and let the people decide. ., referendum and let the people decide-_ on - referendum and let the people decide._ on the - referendum and let the people | decide._ on the future referendum and let the people - decide._ on the future of decide. on what? on the future of scotland. decide. on what? on the future of scotland the _ decide. on what? on the future of scotland. the scottish _ decide. on what? on the future of scotland. the scottish people - decide. on what? on the future of| scotland. the scottish people want to be _ scotland. the scottish people want to be an _ scotland. the scottish people want to be an independent _ scotland. the scottish people want to be an independent nation. - scotland. the scottish people want to be an independent nation. let. to be an independent nation. let them _ to be an independent nation. let them decide~ _ to be an independent nation. let them decide~ i— to be an independent nation. let them decide._ to be an independent nation. let them decide.— to be an independent nation. let them decide. i think you've got to exlain them decide. i think you've got to expiain what _ them decide. i think you've got to expiain what you _ them decide. i think you've got to explain what you mean _ them decide. i think you've got to explain what you mean by - them decide. i think you've got to explain what you mean by that. i them decide. i think you've got to - explain what you mean by that. thank ou. it's explain what you mean by that. thank you- it's quite — explain what you mean by that. thank you. it's quite simple, _ explain what you mean by that. thank you. it's quite simple, prime - you. it's quite simple, prime minister- _ you. it's quite simple, prime minister. you _ you. it's quite simple, prime minister. you put _ you. it's quite simple, prime minister. you put the - you. it's quite simple, prime - minister. you put the proposition for the _ minister. you put the proposition for the union. _ minister. you put the proposition for the union, we _ minister. you put the proposition for the union, we put— minister. you put the proposition for the union, we put a _ minister. you put the proposition i for the union, we put a proposition for the union, we put a proposition for independence, _ for the union, we put a proposition for independence, will— for the union, we put a proposition for independence, will let - for the union, we put a proposition for independence, will let the - for independence, will let the scottish— for independence, will let the scottish people _ for independence, will let the scottish people choose - for independence, will let the scottish people choose and i for independence, will let the - scottish people choose and decide, and whatever— scottish people choose and decide, and whatever they _ scottish people choose and decide, and whatever they decide _ scottish people choose and decide, and whatever they decide is - scottish people choose and decide, and whatever they decide is what i and whatever they decide is what will happen _ and whatever they decide is what will happen. it's _ and whatever they decide is what will happen. it's very— will happen. it's very straightforward. - will happen. it's very straightforward. you| will happen. it's very. straightforward. you did will happen. it's very- straightforward. you did it will happen. it's very— straightforward. you did it with brexit — straightforward. you did it with brexit if— straightforward. you did it with brexit if you _ straightforward. you did it with brexit. if you can _ straightforward. you did it with brexit. if you can have - straightforward. you did it with brexit. if you can have your- brexit. if you can have your democracy _ brexit. if you can have your democracy brexit, - brexit. if you can have your democracy brexit, why - brexit. if you can have your democracy brexit, why can| brexit. if you can have your. democracy brexit, why can the scottish— democracy brexit, why can the scottish people _ democracy brexit, why can the scottish people not _ democracy brexit, why can the scottish people not have - democracy brexit, why can the

scottish people not have their| scottish people not have their democracy— scottish people not have their democracy about _ scottish people not have their democracy about the - scottish people not have their democracy about the scottish | scottish people not have their- democracy about the scottish future? ithink— democracy about the scottish future? i think what— democracy about the scottish future? i think what people _ democracy about the scottish future? i think what people want _ democracy about the scottish future? i think what people want to _ democracy about the scottish future? i think what people want to focus - democracy about the scottish future? i think what people want to focus on i i think what people want to focus on there was addressing this pandemic. i think the last thing this country needsis i think the last thing this country needs is to wrap itself into years of constitutional wrangling on a prospectus that, from that account, was very, very unclear.— was very, very unclear. moving on. simon hoare- _ was very, very unclear. moving on. simon hoare. thank— was very, very unclear. moving on. simon hoare. thank you, - was very, very unclear. moving on. simon hoare. thank you, good - simon hoare. thank you, good afternoon. _ simon hoare. thank you, good afternoon, prime _ simon hoare. thank you, good afternoon, prime minister. - simon hoare. thank you, good i afternoon, prime minister. there simon hoare. thank you, good - afternoon, prime minister. there was hu-e afternoon, prime minister. there was huge relief— afternoon, prime minister. there was huge relief when the protocol was agreed _ huge relief when the protocol was agreed and signed off, talk of invoking — agreed and signed off, talk of invoking article 16 which should be avoided _ invoking article 16 which should be avoided at — invoking article 16 which should be avoided at all cost, it would do huge _ avoided at all cost, it would do huge damage to the good friday agreement, as you're aware, and also damage _ agreement, as you're aware, and also damage the _ agreement, as you're aware, and also damage the relationship between our country— damage the relationship between our country and the united states. but it does— country and the united states. but it does seem to ask on the evidence -- it— it does seem to ask on the evidence -- it seems— it does seem to ask on the evidence —— it seems to us on the evidence we have _ —— it seems to us on the evidence we have taken— —— it seems to us on the evidence we have taken on — —— it seems to us on the evidence we have taken on the committee that there _ have taken on the committee that there needs to be significant work across— there needs to be significant work

across agencies of government, inctuding — across agencies of government, including but not exclusively the northern — including but not exclusively the northern ireland office, northern iretand _ northern ireland office, northern ireland executive, treasurer hmrc, defra, _ ireland executive, treasurer hmrc, defra, cabinet office, dft and the repubtic— defra, cabinet office, dft and the republic in order to make sure that exporters— republic in order to make sure that exporters do northern ireland knows the rules— exporters do northern ireland knows the rules because they want to confirm — the rules because they want to confirm to them. i think your right to say— confirm to them. i think your right to say that — confirm to them. i think your right to say that trade is starting to get back to _ to say that trade is starting to get back to a — to say that trade is starting to get back to a certain degree of normalcy, but we need a huge educational campaign amongst gb—based businesses so that they know— gb—based businesses so that they know what it is they need to do both in the _ know what it is they need to do both in the grace — know what it is they need to do both in the grace period and afterwards. so what _ in the grace period and afterwards. so what assurance can you give us that the _ so what assurance can you give us that the joint committee is going to use the _ that the joint committee is going to use the grace period between now and the 31st _ use the grace period between now and the 31st of— use the grace period between now and the 31st of march in order to ensure that att— the 31st of march in order to ensure that all of— the 31st of march in order to ensure that all of the creases are ironed out rather— that all of the creases are ironed out rather than having a cliff edge at the _ out rather than having a cliff edge at the end — out rather than having a cliff edge at the end of march where we see some _ at the end of march where we see some of— at the end of march where we see some of the current disruption continuing unnecessarily? thanks,

simon, continuing unnecessarily? thanks, simon. and _ continuing unnecessarily? thanks, simon, and thanks _ continuing unnecessarily? thanks, simon, and thanks for— continuing unnecessarily? thanks, simon, and thanks for what - continuing unnecessarily? thanks, simon, and thanks for what you i continuing unnecessarily? thanks, i simon, and thanks for what you said about the operation of the protocol. i think, as i said to an earlier question, it's inevitable that there is going to be teething problems and you have a change as substantial as the one we have just had. the you have a change as substantial as the one we havejust had. the uk now controls its borders, it slows, we can do free trade deals around the world, we control our waters, we have substantial sums of cash we now have substantial sums of cash we now have available we didn't have before, and we need to get on and make the most of it. we've also got to make sure we minimise the impacts on business, and so the trade support service is going to be ramped up and i'm told that since the ist of january, 95% of the online declarations that you have to make are done within15, completed

in and process within15 minutes, and as i say, the volumes remain significantly higher going gb— ni than on gb — ireland roots. that may change as we go forward and further pressures emerge but we will do our best time them all out.— best time them all out. certainly our understanding _ best time them all out. certainly our understanding is _ best time them all out. certainly our understanding is that - best time them all out. certainly | our understanding is that capacity at the _ our understanding is that capacity at the ports, both gb and northern iretand, _ at the ports, both gb and northern iretand, is— at the ports, both gb and northern ireland, is sufficient, that there is plenty— ireland, is sufficient, that there is plenty of capacity and infrastructure there, it isjust this— infrastructure there, it isjust this tack— infrastructure there, it isjust this lack of confidence, if you will, — this lack of confidence, if you will, between british businesses exporting to ni, which is leading a lot exporting to ni, which is leading a tot of— exporting to ni, which is leading a lot of people to say, we won't bother, — lot of people to say, we won't bother, we want to see greater clarity — bother, we want to see greater clarity. and that needs to be addressed quickly. so i hope the joint _ addressed quickly. so i hope the joint committee will very proactively pull together all those agencies — proactively pull together all those agencies of government to make sure our exporters and got the best

opportunity because the risk has to be, opportunity because the risk has to he, does _ opportunity because the risk has to he, does it— opportunity because the risk has to be, does it not, that producers in the republic will say, let's trade north- _ the republic will say, let's trade north— south far more on that will be of— north— south far more on that will be of disadvantage to gb—based businesses will stop completely right, _ businesses will stop completely right, that's why we sort out all this problems, right, that's why we sort out allthis problems, i right, that's why we sort out all this problems, i believe, are capable of speedy resolution. flan all this problems, i believe, are capable of speedy resolution. cant capable of speedy resolution. can i take ou capable of speedy resolution. can i take you back _ capable of speedy resolution. can i take you back to _ capable of speedy resolution. can i take you back to your— capable of speedy resolution. can i take you back to your previous department at the foreign office, you'll— department at the foreign office, you'll be — department at the foreign office, you'll be aware the fco commissioned report— you'll be aware the fco commissioned report into _ you'll be aware the fco commissioned report into ira terrorism, that report— report into ira terrorism, that report was submitted to the foreign office _ report was submitted to the foreign

office many, many months ago and silence _ office many, many months ago and silence has— office many, many months ago and silence has been the response from the fco~ _ silence has been the response from the fco. there are continuing talks within— the fco. there are continuing talks within the — the fco. there are continuing talks within the united nations about campaigns to defrost, if you will come _ campaigns to defrost, if you will come a — campaigns to defrost, if you will come a frozen libyan assets, some of which _ come a frozen libyan assets, some of which are _ come a frozen libyan assets, some of which are held in the uk. can you ask the _ which are held in the uk. can you ask the foreign secretary to get a tong. _ ask the foreign secretary to get a tong. if— ask the foreign secretary to get a long, if you will come to publish that report and set out how the government is going to going to respond — government is going to going to respond to this very important issue. — respond to this very important issue, which has dragged on, i'm sure _ issue, which has dragged on, i'm sure you'll— issue, which has dragged on, i'm sure you'll agree, for far too long? i'm very grateful to william shawcross for what he's done, and his effort in solving a difficult problem. the potentialfor compensation from libyan funds for victims of ira terrorism whose injuries or were killed as a result

of syntax or other weapons supplied