this is bbc news — these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. joe biden honours the 400,000 americans who have died during the covid pandemic, ahead of being sworn in as the 46th president of the united states. to heal, we must remember. it is hard sometimes to remember, but that is how we heal. it is important to do that as a nation. i stand before you, truly proud of what we have achieved together. we did what we came here to do and so much more. this is the scene live in washington where, in the final hours of his presidency, donald trump has pardoned more than 70 people.

25,000 troops will line streets for the inauguration later — but the traditional crowds will be absent. and if you want to get in touch about the inauguration — what it means for the united states and the rest of the world — or indeed any of our other stories, you can contact me on @annita—mcveigh or #bbcyourquestions. the former uk prime minister theresa may accuses borisjohnson of abandoning britain's position of global moral leadership. some of the uk's biggest music stars accuse the government of failing the country's performers over the brexit deal. and coming up this hour.... solving the puzzle of how butterflies take to the air. scientists let us in on the secret.

hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. joe biden will become the 46th president of the united states today. mr biden will stand alongside kamala harris, who will become the first woman to take the office of vice—president. donald trump has carried out one of his final presidential acts before departing the white house, issuing a series of pardons. among those pardoned is his former chief strategist, steve bannon, who was facing fraud charges connected to one of mr trump's signature policies, the building of a wall with mexico. in all, 73 individuals received pardons and another 70 had their sentences commuted. they include a pardon for the rappers lil wayne and kodak black. they were both prosecuted on weapons charges. 0n the eve of his inauguration, president—elect biden spoke of the need for the nation to heal,

as he led a memorial ceremony for the 400,000 americans who've died of covid—19. here's our washington correspondent nomia iqbal. church bells rang out from the national cathedral to remember the victims of covid—19. the reflecting pool at the national mall was lit up for the 400,000 people who have lost their lives. democrats held a memorial at capitol hill, where the inauguration ceremony will take place later. the victims were honoured across the country and by the incoming leadership of america. between sundown and dusk, let us shine the lights in the darkness along the sacred pool of reflection and remember all whom we lost. tonight, we grieve and begin healing together. though we may be physically separated, we, the american people,

are united in spirit. then a touching tribute from a nurse who works in the front line. # amazing grace # how sweet the sound... at exactly 12pm eastern time, donald trump will become a civilian and joe biden the president. but this is an inauguration like no other. there won't be crowds watching because of the pandemic, and the large military presence here means things are even more restricted. among the crowds will be representatives from many different countries, including the uk. i think this is going to be a very warm relationship. it is built on a very solid bedrock of all the things that make the relationship important

and special, deep, profound, successful cooperation on defence, security, intelligence, and increasingly on the economy, on science and on prosperity. president trump won't be there, though. but had this to say to his successors. we extend our best wishes, and we also want them to have luck, a very important word. it wasn't entirely a goodbye. i want you to know that the movement we started is onlyjust beginning. there has never been anything like it. under the constitution, mr trump can run for office again, but he is facing another impeachment trial, and he is also losing the support of some top republicans following the deadly riots on capitol hill. the mob was fed lies. they were provoked by the president and other powerful people, - and they tried to use fear - and violence to stop a specific proceeding of the first branch

of the federal government. which they did not like. america under president trump has been stormy and spellbinding. four years on, joe biden hopes under him this country can be calm and still. nomia iqbal, bbc news, washington. bofta yimam is a correspondent for cbs news in the united states. she explained how president trump's pardons have been received since being announced. that has happened in the last several hours of president trump's really his time in office and it took many people by surprise. some other folks were not too surprised by it but it is who is on the list and who is not. so if we look at the list, the biggest one that stands out of course is steve bannon, the former white house chief strategist he was pardoned, and president's attorney,

rudy giuliani, is not right now. the president still has until noon when his term officially ends to continue if he would like to. 70 commutations, let's add that, 70 commutations were done by the president in the past several hours, including people like the famous rappers lil wayne and kodak black. switching to capitol hill where i am right now, we have over 20,000 national guard members around the dc area, road closures, anyone trying to get anywhere near where the inauguration is taking place needs a formal invite. this is a socially distanced event, it is about unity, healing, celebrating america is the inaugural theme that we expect to hear throughout the speech tonight. we also know this will take place at noon, right in the middle of the day, where many folks may be taking their lunch break and now in 2021, be able to actually see an inauguration take place virtually, on their couch at home, knowing that dc is completely blocked off

with police and security. let's take a look at what is planned for inauguration day itself. we are seeing use of a number of executive audios from joe biden in his first day in office, some of them have been publicised but one is that he will order that the us returns to the world health organization, become a member once 0rganization, become a member once again, then they will rejoin the paris climate accords, that has been heavily publicised as well. a bit more detail on that in fact, the announcement that he is issuing will also include what is described as a sweeping order to review all of donald trump's actions on weakening climate change protections, including a vital permit for the keystone oil pipeline project from canada being revoked and also a

moratorium on oil and gas leasing activities in the alaska national wildlife refuge that the trump administration had recently opened to development. we are also seeing in terms of tackling covid, let me just find the detail on that because lots of this is coming through... in fact, i will read this first, joe biden will halt the border wall construction, the war with mexico, as part of one of those executive orders —— the wall with mexico, as part of one of those executive orders in his first day in office and he is restoring much greater power to scientists in terms of dealing with his response to the covid pandemic so a raft of executive orders coming through and joe biden getting down to business straightaway and either calling a halt to or overturning some of the decisions made during the trump administration. we will get more detail on all of those as they become apparent. but right now, we

will take a look at what is planned for the day itself. the ceremony will begin outside the capitol building at around 1100 eastern time or 1600 gmt. lady gaga will sing the national anthem before vice president kamala harris is sworn in byjustice sonia sotomayor — the first woman of colour to become vice president and the first woman of colour to sit on the supreme court. thenjoe biden will be sworn into office to become the 46th president of the united states. he will make his inaugural address and sign his first presidential documents. a "pass—in review" will then take place — a ceremony in which the new commander—in—chief checks the state of readiness of the military and which marks the peaceful transfer of power to the new leader. president biden and vp harris, along with former presidents 0bama, bush and clinton will then travel to arlington national cemetery, to lay a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier. after that, the new president will travel back

into central washington from where he will be given a presidential escort to the white house. in the evening, there will be a star—studded gala event broadcast on television and social media channels in the us called celebrating america, hosted by tom hanks. we can speak now to moe vela, former advisor tojoe biden when he was vice president. thank you forjoining us. tell us, what wasjoe biden like to work for and work with? what was joe biden like to work for and work with?— what was joe biden like to work for and work with? wow, this is such a secial and work with? wow, this is such a special day- — and work with? wow, this is such a special day. thank _ and work with? wow, this is such a special day. thank you _ and work with? wow, this is such a special day. thank you for - and work with? wow, this is such a special day. thank you for having i special day. thank you for having me. he is exactly what you see right now, this beautiful, humble, gracious man, who always puts everybody else first. he is just steady as she goes. he is calm and comforting and hejust steady as she goes. he is calm and comforting and he just elicits hope. honestly, i have never seen anybody connect in such a beautiful and authentic way as joe biden

connect in such a beautiful and authentic way asjoe biden does with everybody he meets. it is an amazing gift that he has. for me today, this is an emotional day, and an exciting day, and a very hopeful day for the country and for the biden family. and what you describe as his gift and the some of his many years of experience in washington, he is going to need all of that, isn't he? it is difficult to know the true scale of the task of reconnecting and reuniting people, depending i suppose on the level of influence donald trump as in the future so how challenging is that going to be for him? ~ , ., , , ., him? well, this gift of his is going to come in — him? well, this gift of his is going to come in extremely _ him? well, this gift of his is going to come in extremely handy, - him? well, this gift of his is going to come in extremely handy, andl him? well, this gift of his is going | to come in extremely handy, and it is going to be absolutely necessary, as you say. that ability to connect in such an authentic way, with no pretence, is going to be really vital, to be able to find common ground with folks from the opposing parties. we are a very divided nation, as you will know. that is

going to require his temperament, his characteristics, and these traits that i am referring to, more than ever before. as i put it in a capsule, right man, right time, right temperament, right characteristics.— right temperament, right characteristics. , characteristics. and as i was 'ust sa in: to characteristics. and as i was 'ust saying to mi characteristics. and as i was 'ust saying to the view is i characteristics. and as i was 'ust saying to the view is a i characteristics. and as i was 'ust saying to the view is a fewh characteristics. and as i wasjust - saying to the view is a few moments ago, we are seeing coming through now the news of the various executive orders that he is issuing in this, what will be his first day in this, what will be his first day in office, getting up and running and either putting a halt to or overturning decisions from the trump administration so we have talked about the us rejoining the world health organization, we have talked also about the us rejoining the paris climate accord, very significant, symbolic and on a practical level. and also, joe biden will end donald trump's muslim travel ban, and a major action of course on dealing with the covid

pandemic. how important is this bow saw his domestic priorities and for how —— both for his domestic priorities and how america received by the rest of the world? it is by the rest of the world? it is extremely — by the rest of the world? it is extremely important - by the rest of the world? it 3 extremely important and if by the rest of the world? it 1 extremely important and if you will notice, even starting last night at the memorial service for those we have lost a covid, the 400,000 innocent souls we have lost a covid, it is about changing the tone. if you go through those executive orders again, right, you will see that what he is doing is changing the tone and he is letting all of the tone and he is letting all of the americans and all of our allies around the world, letting everybody know it is a new day in america. we are back. that means repairing our friendships and relationships with allies around the world. by rejoining the climate accord, right? by rejoining the climate accord, right? by rejoining the world health organization again. these are

0rganization again. these are messages that set a tone that america is back and we honour and cherish ourfriendships america is back and we honour and cherish our friendships around the world. that is what he is doing immediately. so i am so proud of him and so excited about where we're headed a nation. you and so excited about where we're headed a nation.— and so excited about where we're headed a nation. you know, donald trump has — headed a nation. you know, donald trump has created _ headed a nation. you know, donald trump has created this _ headed a nation. you know, donald trump has created this narrative i trump has created this narrative that the election was stolen from him. many of his supporters fervently believe what he says. as the impeachment trial in the senate unfolds, and whatever other action may take place, do you think that republicans are in any way, shape or form, going to givejoe biden anything of a honeymoon period, given that some of them will be looking to elections coming up in the relatively near future, looking to elections coming up in the relatively nearfuture, and be concerned for their own jobs because of the continuing influence of donald trump and his supporters? i donald trump and his supporters? i think that there will be plenty of reasonable minded republicans that

will actually be open to finding common ground. again, joe biden has the ability to connect and collaborate and find consensus. so i think that combining his beautiful ability to do that with some reasonable minded republicans, i think, who are open to trying to heal the nation and unite, and a great example is in about two hours, when the new president, or rather, there seem to be president, i still call him vice president because that is when he was my boss, but the soon to be president is going to attend mass with the republican leaders in congress. that right there again sets a new tone and sets an example of actually trying to come together for the betterment of our nation and for the betterment of our nation and for our relationships with our allies around the world. finally, what can you — allies around the world. finally, what can you tell— allies around the world. finally, what can you tell us _ allies around the world. finally, what can you tell us about -

allies around the world. finally, what can you tell us about his . what can you tell us about his thoughts on the uk and what do you think his priorities are in terms of dealing with this part of the world, europe, both the eu countries and the uk outside the eu? deer europe, both the eu countries and the uk outside the eu?— the uk outside the eu? over four decades, the uk outside the eu? over four decades. for— the uk outside the eu? over four decades, for over _ the uk outside the eu? over four decades, for over four _ the uk outside the eu? over four decades, for over four decades, i the uk outside the eu? over four. decades, for over four decades, joe decades, for over four decades, joe biden has been working with, collaborating and nurturing our relationships with our allies, including the united kingdom. for overfour including the united kingdom. for over four decades, including the united kingdom. for overfour decades, and he knows how important it is for those relationships to be healthy and functional and mutually beneficial. so i think the people of the uk, and frankly, people all over the world listening today will have a friend backin listening today will have a friend back in the white house, somebody who understands that our relationships with countries and friends around the world are vital for the entire global human family to thrive. so i think you will have a friend back in the white house, simple as that.—

simple as that. thank you for “oininu simple as that. thank you for joining us- — simple as that. thank you for joining us- a _ simple as that. thank you for joining us. a former - simple as that. thank you for joining us. a former adviser l simple as that. thank you forl joining us. a former adviser to simple as that. thank you for - joining us. a former adviser to joe joining us. a former adviser tojoe biden when he was vice president, there. let me read out your comments about this today. claire asks if president biden will consider the uk a close ally. hopefully you have heard the answers from some of the guests we have had today. anastasia says as an american living in the uk, she is heartbroken over what donald trump has done to the usa and although she misses her country terribly, she did not go back for visits but she is real history is made today but the concern is the cultists, she says they need the programming and counselling. nick says joe programming and counselling. nick sastoe biden will be a disaster for the usa, economically, socially, financially and for race relations. and then we have me, who said today is going to be the first day of a new freedom and hope stop "i feel like the pale dragon from harry potter, set loose and breathing the clean air for the first time today, it's going to be a great day". thank you for your comments and if you would like to send in your thoughts about that story or any others we are talking about today, you can do

that by following me on twitter and using the hashtag bbc your questions. we'll have extensive coverage ofjoe biden's inauguration throughout the day here on the bbc news. full coverage starts from 4pm gmt — that's11am on the east coast of the united states — with a bbc news special live from washington presented by katty kay. theresa may has accused borisjohnson of "abandoning" the uk's moral leadership on the world stage. in an article for the daily mail, the former prime minister took aim at mrjohnson for his threat to break his agreement with the eu over brexit, and for cutting the overseas aid budget. she said... "threatening to break international law by going back on a treaty we had just signed, and abandoning our position of global moral leadership as the only major economy to meet both the 2% defence spending target and the 0.7% international aid target...were not actions which, in my view, raised our credibility in the eyes of the world." and the fomer pm went

on to say that... earlier i spoke to our chief political correspondent adam fleming and asked him about the timing of theresa may's attack on the prime minister. she has made some criticism of the government in the house of commons quite regularly, every time she stands up, she seems to get some kind of little dig in, whether it is about the fate of the union or security after brexit but today, packaging up all of these criticisms in this way, on this day, is, in the words of one of her former very close advisers, "quite a punchy thing to do". she does not mention borisjohnson by name but she picks out two specific things that have annoyed her and she thinks jeopardise the uk's international reputation, as you said, the reduction in the international aid budget, so some of the money can be spent on the covid response

at home and also the threat, that was never actually used or realised, to overrule some of the brexit deal in the heat of the negotiations with the eu. now, the diplomats and officials that want to make the relationship with the new president work are looking to the future and that relationship. they talk about this word "convergence", which is a posh way of saying the prime minister and the new president agree on lots of things and this is how the home secretary priti patel described it. the fact of the matter is, we have a strong working relationship. the prime minister and president—elect biden have already been in touch. they have already spoken, they have had discussions about, you know, leading the world on many of the shared challenges that we all face. we face these as two strong, healthy democracies, two global leaders when it comes to international values, our place in the world, how we work bilaterally, with multilateral institutions. that is going to continue. that will go from strength to strength and i say that within the context of uk leadership

in the world right now as well. we are holding the presidency of the g7 this year, hosting cop 26. we hold the chair of the un security council. these are substantive global platforms. and there is sometimes this caricature about transatlantic relationships, that the conservatives get on better with republicans and the labour party get on better with democrats but listen to the shadow foreign secretary lisa nandy, and she basically almost says exactly the same. we have got the covid crisis which we are all dealing with, and next year, the uk is hosting a major climate change conference which we hope will start to set the world on a path to climate safety which is something that is of great significance to the united states as well. we have been talking to them about that but also how we repair these relationships. one thing i have heard from diplomats, though, is that they are expecting the biden administration to focus on the huge domestic problems in the united states at first, and it will be a couple of weeks

or maybe a couple of months before they engage fully with the rest of the world. then we are expecting to see president biden in the uk in cornwall for the g7 injune. the british government says it wants to vaccinate members of the emergency services sooner than planned. the home secretary priti patel spoke about the plans to the bbc. both police, fire and otherfront line workers and the health secretary and i are working to absolutely try to make that happen so i'll be very clear about that. this is notjust something we are thinking about. there's a lot of work taking place in government right now. if thejoint committee on vaccination and immunisation says that is a possibility, we can make it happen, we have the supply and the logistical plans in place, we will absolutely work to make that happen. professor anthony harnden, the deputy chair of thejoint committee on vaccination and immunisation, said the strategy was under consideration. so the focus on phase two

of the programme will be to carry on throughout the nine priority groups, which are the over 50s but possibly at the same time, look at introducing phase two of the programme which will also be concentrating on those that are vulnerable from getting disease and getting severe effects of disease but also, those that potentially have exposure risks so that, for instance, teachers and policemen who may be exposed to members of the public and children that actually transmit the virus, and those that are important to keep the economy running. so there are a lot of factors in phase two which we will be looking at in depth. the government has told schools to pause the daily coronavirus testing of students and staff in england, five weeks after it was announced by the education secretary gavin williamson. public health england said the balance of the risks and potential benefits of daily testing were now "unclear" after the emergence of the more

transmissible variant of covid—19. in a statment public health england said... there are more than 200 flood warnings and flood alerts across the uk, as much of northern, eastern and central england are braced for extreme rainfall from storm christoph. the environment agency is warning of a "volatile situation", with heavy rainfall and melting snow. police forces in south yorkshire and greater manchester have declared major incidents. 0ur correspondent luxmy gopal is in west yorkshire, and described the preparations being made to protect against the floods.

yes, i need to, as you can see, the river is quite high, the calder river behind me, it is quite fast flowing in with and ride in west yorkshire and this, along with many other places in the valley is a place that has experienced flooding before. it was most recently hit badly in the floods of february 2019, and people have been watching and waiting because they don't want to go through that again. there is a flood alert in place here and flood wardens have been out and about throughout the night, checking the river levels, in some cases every hour. the flood siren went off in a nearby village, the dreaded sound to residents in the calder valley, but luckily the flooding that was anticipated overnight did not happen and it is expected that things will peak around 6pm today but it is a movable feast, changing as the weather

conditions change. the rain has been relentless today, which is why there is the risk of flooding and there are flood alerts and warnings, as you say, across parts of the north, central and east of england and a yellow weather warning across much of the rest of the country which has brought with it travel disruption, including delays and cancellations to some rail services. northern rail is advising passengers to check before they travel. meanwhile, here and in other places that have been affected by flooding before and know to expect it, people have been putting in place preparations like sand bags and flood defences to protect their property. they have been moving valuables and equipment upstairs to make sure that they minimise any risk from potential flooding, but it is a case of waiting and seeing. they have got to just see what the rain levels will be like and what the river levels will be like. in the uk, a group of mps has demanded to know why some taxpayers, including self—employed workers and freelancers, haven't received financial support during the pandemic. the commons public accounts committee says the government's out—of—date systems mean too many people have fallen through the cracks. ministers insist they've done

"all they can" to help as many workers as possible. earlier i spoke to our economics correspondent andy verity who explained who's not getting any help or financial support. (sot there are thought to be about 22 categories of people who have been excluded as the press groups would say from the financial support available to other people. one of the biggest groups is 1.1 million people who were excluded from the furlough scheme because the data was not available to validate their employers' claims. one has to remember that these schemes which have supported a lot ofjobs, 12 million plus in the case of furlough, and many supported by the self—employed income support scheme, were implemented at speed at the beginning of the pandemic. but what mps have been calling for since june last year is for the government to close these gaps that have arisen. some of the gaps are understandable, when you have to implement a scheme at speed, there are certain corners that have to be cut, if you like. for example, hmrc was concerned

about fraud that for example, people might claim for dividend income when they were investors rather than taking their dividend income as managers of a company. distinguishing between those two is very difficult, because hmrc did not have the systems and the data available to do it. but what the mps have said and what we have heard now from the public accounts committee and also the national audit office is that it cannot be beyond the wit of man to obtain this data and include people because up to 2.9 million people and theirfamilies have not had a penny from either scheme now for ten months. they are pressing the government to include them or explain why not. more now on the us inauguration and joe biden is set to become the 46th president later today, alongside kamala harris who is the first woman to become vice president. security is very tight. the secret

service is in command of security, backed up by police. washington dc itself is in a state of emergency and will remain that way until after the inauguration. as we look ahead to the inauguration, let's discuss the day itself. clodagh harringtonjoins me. also i'm joined by shadow foreign minister catherine west. thank you forjoining us. . we are seeing a raft of executive orders thatjoe biden will issue in his first day in office today. they include the creation of a covid 19 response coordinator, restoring the national security council's cal security and bio defence directorate

and including halting the border wall construction, the war with mexico, whole thing funding to that —— the wall with mexico. also ending the travel ban from majority muslim country so a raft of measures, not to mention rejoining the world health organization and the paris climate accord. the tone, straightaway, as expected, is completely different. it couldn't be more marked n is a deviation the past four years and as you read it out, what a to—do list. they have their work cut out for them. it is going to be an arduous task but nonetheless they seem keen, optimistic, focus, professional, prepared and that is what the country needs desperately at the moment. how challenging it is there to do less going to be in terms of

hearts and minds convincing republicans in congress and reaching out to people who voted for donald trump as well? it is out to people who voted for donald trump as well?— trump as well? it is going to be a challenge. _ trump as well? it is going to be a challenge, there _ trump as well? it is going to be a challenge, there is _ trump as well? it is going to be a challenge, there is no _ trump as well? it is going to be a challenge, there is no doubt. - trump as well? it is going to be a challenge, there is no doubt. thej challenge, there is no doubt. the national psyche at the moment is quite damaged. it has been a tumultuous time. the first three years of the donald trump presidency where a roller—coaster and the past year, since covid—19 really aren't all that has happened since, all the mismanagement on the back of that, it has been absolutely catastrophic for the country. i think, you know, joe biden, if there was anyone who might be capable proper meaningful outreach, it could be him. some say thatis outreach, it could be him. some say that is naive, but i don't know what the alternatives are to dig deep and go hyper partisan and turn away from the opposition. i'm not sure that could make the country any better. he is the man for the job and it could make the country any better. he is the man for thejob and it is quite very reassuring to see kamala

harris by her side and looking at her as the future. in harris by her side and looking at her as the future.— her as the future. in terms of outreach. _ her as the future. in terms of outreach, what _ her as the future. in terms of outreach, what do _ her as the future. in terms of outreach, what do you - her as the future. in terms of outreach, what do you think. her as the future. in terms of| outreach, what do you think it her as the future. in terms of- outreach, what do you think it means for the uk because domestic priorities will be what is consuming the joe priorities will be what is consuming thejoe biden kamala harris administration at least two we the joe biden kamala harris administration at least two we have an real opportunity _ administration at least two we have an real opportunity now. _ administration at least two we have an real opportunity now. the - an real opportunity now. the government here needs to reach out tojoe _ government here needs to reach out tojoe biden and repairthe government here needs to reach out tojoe biden and repair the light failing _ tojoe biden and repair the light failing at— tojoe biden and repair the light failing at the time of the election in november that many commentators thought— in november that many commentators thought donald trump could have won that election and there was a slight feeling _ that election and there was a slight feeling that boris johnson was slow off the _ feeling that boris johnson was slow off the mark to congratulate joe biden_ off the mark to congratulate joe biden and the history around some of the comments he made about barack 0bama _ the comments he made about barack 0bama does not go down very well with the _ 0bama does not go down very well with the democrats. don't forget there _ with the democrats. don't forget there is— with the democrats. don't forget there is a — with the democrats. don't forget there is a heavy burden around trying — there is a heavy burden around trying to— there is a heavy burden around trying to tackle race as an issue in the us— trying to tackle race as an issue in the us as — trying to tackle race as an issue in the us as there is in the uk, but it is very— the us as there is in the uk, but it

is very reat — the us as there is in the uk, but it is very real. climate change gives us a wonderful diplomacy, it is a neutrai— us a wonderful diplomacy, it is a neutral topic we can all agree on and that's— neutral topic we can all agree on and that's a wonderful opportunity for the _ and that's a wonderful opportunity for the uk — and that's a wonderful opportunity for the uk tojoin up and show and that's a wonderful opportunity for the uk to join up and show some leadership, — for the uk to join up and show some leadership, but we will have to be more _ leadership, but we will have to be more radical ourselves on climate domestically. yesterday, the signing off of another coal mine in the north— off of another coal mine in the north of— off of another coal mine in the north of england, there are a number of challenges we have here to convince _ of challenges we have here to convince the world that we are serious — convince the world that we are serious about climate. that does seem _ serious about climate. that does seem to — serious about climate. that does seem to be an cop 26, the g7, ways to cement that relationship, to put it on a new footing, in the early days of the donald trump presidency there was a lot of talk about future trade agreements with the us in the post—brexit world. we are now outside the eu in the uk, so on that front, what do you see happening in

terms of trade talks with the us? the us army lobby does not go away. it is the us army lobby does not go away. it is dealing _ the us army lobby does not go away. it is dealing with the same reality is there — it is dealing with the same reality is there i— it is dealing with the same reality is there. i would hope it is dealing with the same reality is there. iwould hope it's it is dealing with the same reality is there. i would hope it's way that we do _ is there. i would hope it's way that we do things and that is whether... we will— we do things and that is whether... we will not — we do things and that is whether... we will not see as much talk of trade _ we will not see as much talk of trade wars _ we will not see as much talk of trade wars in an aggressive tone. i'm trade wars in an aggressive tone. i'm hoping — trade wars in an aggressive tone. i'm hoping we can talk collaboratively. we will find that what _ collaboratively. we will find that what we — collaboratively. we will find that what we had under the eu agreement is very— what we had under the eu agreement is very difficult to replicate externally because we have high standards but we also have that close _ standards but we also have that close relationship geographically. it is close relationship geographically. it is not _ close relationship geographically. it is not an easy one and i do not think— it is not an easy one and i do not think it _ it is not an easy one and i do not think it is — it is not an easy one and i do not think it is going to be quick. there is a lot— think it is going to be quick. there is a lotto — think it is going to be quick. there is a lotto he — think it is going to be quick. there is a lot to be getting on with that is a lot to be getting on with that is not _ is a lot to be getting on with that is not only— is a lot to be getting on with that is not only about trade, there is a lot of— is not only about trade, there is a lot of geopolitics, on the relationship between russia and china, _ relationship between russia and china, there is a lot to be getting on with— china, there is a lot to be getting on with thanjust china, there is a lot to be getting on with than just a trade —related. but the _

on with than just a trade —related. but the important is how strong our friendship— but the important is how strong our friendship is. sadly, we have a growing — friendship is. sadly, we have a growing far right that we have to stand _ growing far right that we have to stand up — growing far right that we have to stand up against and we need to really— stand up against and we need to really understand how the far right is operating on the internet and do more _ is operating on the internet and do more in _ is operating on the internet and do more in terms of cyber security. we are more in terms of cyber security. are waiting to more in terms of cyber security. - are waiting to see how the senate trial of donald trump will unfold and the charges brought against him, to what extent do you think the continuing presence of donald trump is going to have an impact on what joe biden and kamala harris are able to achieve? the influence his supporters might bring on republicans who may decide to act in case they are voted out at the next elections in the us, if they think that donald trump supporters are still wielding a significant level of influence in the state political life? ~ , ,., y of influence in the state political

life? absolutely. it strikes me as a toxic game — life? absolutely. it strikes me as a toxic game of _ life? absolutely. it strikes me as a toxic game of chess. _ life? absolutely. it strikes me as a toxic game of chess. there - life? absolutely. it strikes me as a toxic game of chess. there is - life? absolutely. it strikes me as a| toxic game of chess. there is really a desperate need for the country to unite and i am sure the vast majority of people believe that on a personal level whatever their politics. all these vested interests and the consequences and 2022 and the mid—term and what it might mean. those angry donald trump supporters will be very light. donald trump will be very light. donald trump will remain loud. one hopes that the more grounded members of the republican party at elite and grassroots level might put the country before the party. that is desperately what needs to happen. thank you very much for your thoughts today. the european union has expressed hope about mr biden's inauguration. the transatlantic relationship has been under strain during donald trump's presidency and was marked by trade disputes and concerns about washington's reliability over security issues.

the head of the eu commission, ursula von der leyen, told meps europe now had a friend in the white house. this new dawn in america is the moment we've been waiting for so long. europe is ready for a new start with our oldest and most trusted partner. and that is why the commission recently has adopted a new forward—looking transatlantic agenda and it focuses on where we can togetherjoin forces to push for global change based on our common values, interests and global influence. the biden administration looks set to reverse many of the foreign policy decisions made during donald trump's presidency. one part of the world that will be watching developments keenly is the asia pacific region. our correspondents in beijing, seoul and tokyo have this assessment. what many in government here are hoping that an incoming biden administration might offer

the chance for something of a reset in beijing—washington relations, especially given how frosty they have been in recent times. however, can we expect the new us leadership to have different attitudes on, say, the south china sea, the trade war, alleged human rights abuses in this country? well, the realists in beijing think that at least a joe biden presidency won't be as chaotic and dysfunctional, meaning it could open the door to sensible discussions on at least some fronts. yet, the foreign policy challenges in this region remain enormous. just look at the korean peninsula. just as it was for donald trump, north korea will remain one ofjoe biden's key national security concerns, especially after the last week when kim jong un voted to build more nuclear weapons. he even announced a wish list of an arsenal.

and he showed off some new technology in a parade. analysts believe that the door to diplomacy with north korea is still open, but they also believe joe biden's team has to act now if they want to avoid more missile tests over this peninsular. for its part, seoul is keen forjoe biden's team to engage with pyongyang as soon as possible and the united states is keen for a meeting with its allies in this region. they want to counter a strengthening china. but that will require tokyo and seoul to ease the tensions and that takes you to my colleague. here in tokyo, i think the japanese government's big question is will president biden's asia policy be more of an 0bama or will it be more of a continuation of what president trump has been doing over the last four years? because the assessment here in tokyo certainly is that president 0bama's asia policy was

something of a failure. that he didn't take their rising threat from china seriously enough fast enough and when it came to the south china sea, america completely dropped the ball, allowing china to build those enormous island bases in the south china sea and effectively can take control of the enormous area of ocean. so when it comes to president biden, i think tokyo is looking for a continuation of the assertiveness against china but also a recommitment by america to its old allies like japan and a re—engagement with international agreements such as the paris climate accord, the iran nuclear accord and even perhaps america re—entering the trans pacific although i have to say that one is a bit of a long shot. the uk reached a new record

yesterday with the highest number of covid deaths in a 24—hour period. in scotland there are almost 2,000 covid patients being treated in hospitals — nearly a third more than in the first wave. james cook visited an intensive care unit in north lanarkshire at the height of the pandemic last year — he's since returned to see how staff and patients are coping. mid—morning, and intensive care seems calm. don't be fooled, though, monklands is in the grip of winter. the fourth season of this epic struggle. the first thing i noticed when i arrived here this morning is that it is much busier than it was during the first wave in the spring. in fact, the rest of the hospital is full. and what that means as there is much more pressure on the staff here in intensive care. we are all having to do extra shifts so that we can help each other out so that there is enough staff nurses in here to look after the sick patients. and we are happy to do that but we are

all physically, mentally and emotionally drained now. then, we leave intensive care to meetjim who works for a gas company. he is not so old. 56. but he tells me he's struggling. what do you want to say to people watching this? you do not want to be doing this to any body, you know? a kid or your mother. just nobody. jim has since been moved to intensive care. he is now on a ventilator. one more patient and a unit struggling to cope, short of beds and short of staff.

this winter, monklands has had to transfer one third of its sickest patients elsewhere. we have had to call on our sister hospitals at wishaw and sometimes even other health boards to take that pressure off so that we can can prepare for the next person who requires our care. but there hasn't yet been a point where every hospital has been in that position at the same time? not yet, but we are worried about the coming weeks. the predictions look scary, i guess, is the right word to use. but again, we'll get through that if we keep the hospital efficient. part of the challenge for staff is dealing with more young, healthy patients. patients like may who is only 26. may and her parents were vaccinated on christmas eve for theirjobs. but it is likely that they already had covid—19 as they tested positive three days later and are onlyjust home from hospital 110w. you must have been worried about your daughter? yeah, i am feeling

really unwell as well. myself. how ill were you? i couldn't breathe. it was really bad because i've been moved so quickly to get me on oxygen and they told me to lie on my stomach pretty much three days. all i could think about was wanting to come home, but then, at the same time, i knew that if i didn't have enough oxygen, even _ if i went home, i would never have survived. there are some signs that this latest surge may be easing, but it is not over. these are still dark and difficult days. james cook, bbc news, at monklands hospital in airdrie. a new variant of the covid—19 virus has emerged in south germany. the strain was detected amongst 35 patients in bavaria. it comes after other variants have been discovered in recent weeks — including from brazil, and of course here in the uk.

how worried are scientists about these new strains? and how much of a threat do they pose in the battle to contain coronavirus globally? here to discuss that is dr deepti gurdasani who is a clinical epidemiologist. what more do we know about the new strain of the virus in germany? the virus contains one of the mutations in common with the uk variant, it is not the uk variant on south african variant, and does not contain the key mutation associated with transmission. they had not been sequenced yet so we do not know what their virus as and its limitations are concerning so we have to wait till the data is available which should be in the next two or so. we know viruses mutate, in this case with covid—19, are we seeing more

mutations than what one would normally expect? latte mutations than what one would normally expect?— mutations than what one would normally expect? we are certainly seeinu normally expect? we are certainly seeing many _ normally expect? we are certainly seeing many different _ normally expect? we are certainly seeing many different variants - seeing many different variants emerging in different parts of the world that have the same mutations in common, associated with increased transmissibility or possible escape from immunity to an extent. that suggests these are adaptations of the virus that are favourable. the mutations have occurred at a greater rate than we expected and we think that the reason for this may be that these infections have spread from people who were infected and had a poor immune system and were treated with antibodies leading to the virus evolve faster with the name and spread to others. it is only a theory. we are certainly seeing a greater accumulation of mutations in these variants and we expect based on the time when they emerged. are the new variants leading to people becoming more unwell,

certainly they are more transmissible, are people becoming more unwell and well these new variants still be able to be dealt with by vaccination?— variants still be able to be dealt with by vaccination? currently the data strongly _ with by vaccination? currently the data strongly suggest _ with by vaccination? currently the data strongly suggest that - with by vaccination? currently the data strongly suggest that these l data strongly suggest that these variants are not increased hospitalisation or death. if a person has a variant, the course of the disease will be similar to the previous virus. but having a more transmissible variant of rl leads to more cases and more deaths even if it is not more fatal than having a more fatal variant. increased transmissibility is far more worrying. the second question, vaccines, i think it looks for example that the uk variant is susceptible to the current immune response by vaccines. at least from the data we are seeing so far. we are not as concerned about that. but there are real concerns about the south african mutation. it is

worrying that we have seen the south african variant in the uk. in the laboratory receive lower levels of neutralisation by antibodies. this does not necessarily translate to lower vaccine effectiveness and we need further studies. i want to stress it is important that people are offered the vaccine that they take it because it is going to have some degree of efficacy even against the new variant and it is better to take it than not take it at all. more than 150 leading figures from the world of music have accused the government of "shamefully failing" the country's performers with its brexit deal. sir eltonjohn, liam gallagher and nicola benedetti are among the musicians who've signed a letter in the times. they say the lack of any special arrangement on free movement for musicians will make many tours unviable. well ,let�*s get more on this from our arts and entertainment correspondent colin patteron.

who has signed the letter and what are their concerns about their ability to move on tour around europe? ability to move on tour around euro e? ., ability to move on tour around euroe? ., , , ., , europe? some of the biggest names in music have signed _ europe? some of the biggest names in music have signed theirs, _ europe? some of the biggest names in music have signed theirs, elton - music have signed theirs, elton john, the six pistols, ed sheeran, leanne galliford, roger daltrey who was one of the year mutations to openly say he was brexit. they are complaining that there is a lack of a deal to allow uk musicians to travel around europe for 90 days without the need for a work permit. the current situation means when turing resumes you will sign all kinds of documentation to go to a new country, £350 for a permit, take an instrument into a country, and the government an responses that those who are signing the letter should be asking the eu why they rejected the deal that the uk offered to them which the uk government says was perfectly

reasonable. what we do not know is the details of what the uk offered the details of what the uk offered the eu. yesterday parliament the culture minister was asked about this, the snp mp. he used to be in a rock band, before that he was then big country when they were thrown off and alice cooper for being too weird. not many mps can say they have been thrown off and alice cooper tour for being too weird. he put this question and this is what she had to say. the eu did not offer a deal that would have worked for musicians. it is quite simple, the eu in fact made a very broad offer which would not have been compatible with the government's manifesto commitment to take back control of our borders and i would remind him that the british people, the british public, voted for that at successive elections. to the extent that the eu proposals may have covered music, they also would not have worked for touring artists at all.

their proposals covered ad hoc performances. they also would not have covered support staff or technicians at all, which as he will remember from his touring days, you just, you know, they are completely essential. i would love him to explain to me how tours will happen without support staff or technicians because i'm not a music professional but i can't see how that could be the case. the uk's proposals were actually based upon what the music industry said they wanted. we spoke to them long and hard about this. i mean, i am fascinated to think that he knows better than bodies like the musicians union, who fought very hard for what they wanted. the eu would not play ball. but let's focus on the future. if the eu is willing to consider the uk's very sensible proposals, then the door is open. yes, mr speaker, i am very happy to walk through it, i will be the first through the door. a mutually beneficial deal is not

what the snp want, though, is it? i mean, they voted for a no—deal brexit so under their plans, it would have been even harder. and as the music industry themselves have said, what they need now is clarity, not recriminations. and that, mr speaker, is what the british government are working to provide. the culture secretary will be hosting a roundtable discussion with musicians on this matter. i do not know if the six pistols have been invited. and, thank you very much. a new study has helped solve the puzzle of how butterflies take to the air. for decades, scientists thought their large wings were aerodynamically inefficient. but they've now worked out that butterflies cup their wings when taking off, forming an air pocket that pushes the insect forward — helping it to escape predators. laura foster reports. it was this moment that has left scientists all aflutter. high—speed cameras confirming

what had been suspected for half a century, that butterflies don't just flap their wings, but clap them together. theirflexible wings bending to form a cup, or a pocket, of air. when they collapse, this thrust is even stronger and more efficient. it's only now thanks to modern technology and a swedish wind tunnel that we can see it. it's a challenge to work with any living flying animal but with butterflies it's maybe even more because they are smaller, they are fast in their behaviour, difficult to predict their behaviour and also when flying them in a wind tunnel, it's difficult to get them to behave as you want to, when you want to and also to fly where you want them to fly. for a long time, scientists wondered how these creatures could actually avoid predators because of their awkward shape. if you look at their wings, you can see they are very large and broad compared to the size of their body and aren't considered

to be very aerodynamic. but this to make of clapping and cupping now appears to have given them an evolutionary advantage. the thinking is this technique developed by the humble butterfly could be applied to modern technology to make drones and underwater vehicles faster, travel further and last for longer. laura foster, bbc news. let's see that live shot of the white house again... 25,000 troops for the inauguration and a huge security operation. because of covid—19, the traditional acts will be absent. jae because of covid-19, the traditional acts will be absent.— acts will be absent. joe biden will be stopping _ acts will be absent. joe biden will be stopping the — acts will be absent. joe biden will be stopping the construction - acts will be absent. joe biden will be stopping the construction of i acts will be absent. joe biden will. be stopping the construction of the mexico border wall which was a key

tramp policy and taking the united states back into the world health organization and back into the paris climate agreement. you are watching bbc news. and 110w now the weather. still a fair few hours of rain to come across some parts of the uk including those under the met office amber weather warning at the moment, parts of the north—east midlands, towards yorkshire and across parts of lancashire and the southern pennines. further flooding certainly possible here and the latest warnings and flood warnings are on the bbc weather website and on the app. you can see the cloud is across much of the uk from storm christoph as it pushes its way in. clearer skies to the west of scotland and northern ireland today. cold but bright here. some snowfall in the north of scotland and a bit on the southern uplands, but further south across england and wales, the rain at its most relentless in the west, a wetter day today compared with yesterday across parts of the midlands, east anglia and the south—east. the mildest weather here

but the strongest wind, touching gale force in places. but into scotland and northern ireland come chilly conditions and temperatures on some of the hills not getting above freezing through the day, not helped by snow falling. at long last tonight, the rain will eventually ease from western parts of england and wales but some heavy rain before it departs and a bit of snow for a time across the higher ground of wales, the pennines and peak district. the winds strongest in the south and east of england and the wind will strengthen in eastern scotland where through the night and into tomorrow, we could see as much as may be 5—10 centimetres of snow to lower levels. on the hills, up to around 40 centimetres possible, fresh snow on the grampians, and with the wind strengthening, we could see blizzards and drifting of the snow as we go through thursday. colder airfor all of us. an ice riskjust about anywhere into tomorrow morning. tomorrow, it will be brighter, the persistent rain has gone and a mix of sunshine and showers for england, wales and northern ireland but more snow to come across the north—east of scotland. around lower—level sites towards the coast, we will see heavy rain and the risk of minorflooding.

into chilly conditions to end thursday but even though the rain had stopped, i have to give you a quick heads up, some of the rivers will continue to rise, notjust through friday but into the weekend. friday, at least dry conditions dominating, with wintry showers across the north and west of the country. some of those on the heavy side. but longer spells of dry weather in central and eastern parts after a frosty start, staying on the chilly side at around 3—8 degrees. into the weekend, low pressure still to the north, some cold air with us, frosty mornings but we could see some weather systems scraping the south with a mixture of rain, sleet and snow not out of the question. goodbye for now.

this is bbc news. i'm joanna gosling. the headlines at 11. aides tojoe biden say he'll sign a raft of executive orders to reverse many of donald trump's policies. ahead of being sworn in as the 46th president of the united states, mr biden called for healing. to heal, we must remember. it's hard sometimes to remember. but that's how we heal. it's important to do that as a nation. i stand before you truly proud of what we have achieved together. we did what we came here to do and so much more. this is the scene live in washington where, in the final hours of his presidency, donald trump has pardoned more than 70 people.

25,000 thousand troops will line streets for the inauguration later — but the traditional crowds will be absent. the former prime minister, theresa may, accuses borisjohnson of abandoning britain's position of global moral leadership. the environment agency warns of a "volatile situation" as parts of northern england prepare for torrential rain and flooding caused by storm christoph. could freelancers finally be brought in to government support schemes — such as furlough? the covid tax system faces heavy criticism — with mps demanding government explains itself within six weeks. some of the uk's biggest music stars accuse the government of failing the country's performers over the brexit deal. and coming up this hour — solving the puzzle of how butterflies take to the air. scientists let us in on the secret.

good morning. joe biden will become the 46th president of the united states today. he will stand alongside kamala harris, who will become the first woman to take the office of vice—president. donald trump has carried out one of his final presidential acts before departing the white house — issuing a series of pardons. among those pardoned is his former chief strategist, steve bannon, who was facing fraud charges, connected to one of mr trump's signature policies — the building of a wall with mexico. in all, 73 individuals received pardons and another 70 had their sentences commuted. they include a pardon for the rappers lil wayne and kodak black. they were both prosecuted on weapons charges. on the eve of his inauguration, president—elect biden spoke of the need for the nation to heal, as he led a memorial ceremony for the 400,000 americans who've died of covid—19. here's our washington

correspondent nomia iqbal. church bells rang out from the national cathedral to remember the victims of covid—19. the reflecting pool at the national mall was lit up for the 400,000 people who have lost their lives. democrats held a memorial at capitol hill, where the inauguration ceremony will take place later. the victims were honoured across the country and by the incoming leadership of america. between sundown and dusk, let us shine the lights in the darkness along the sacred pool of reflection and remember all whom we lost. tonight we grieve and begin healing together. though we may be physically separated, we, the american people, are united in spirit. then a touching tribute from a nurse

who works in the front line. # amazing grace # how sweet the sound. at exactly 12pm eastern time, donald trump will become a civilian and joe biden the president. but this is an inauguration like no other. there won't be crowds watching because of the pandemic, and the large military presence here means things are even more restricted. among the crowds will be representatives from many different countries, including the uk. i think this is going to be | a very warm relationship. it is built on a very solid bedrock of all the things that make - the relationship important, l and special, deep, profound, successful cooperation on defence, security, intelligence, _ and increasingly on the economy,

on science and on prosperity. - president trump won't be there, though. but had this to say to his successors. we extend our best wishes, and we also want them to have luck, a very important word. it wasn't entirely a goodbye. i want you to know that the movement we started is onlyjust beginning. there has never been anything like it. under the constitution, mr trump can run for office again, but he is facing another impeachment trial, and he is also losing the support of some top republicans following the deadly riots on capitol hill. the mob was fed lies. they were provoked by the president and other powerful people, and they tried to use fear and violence to stop a specific proceeding of the first branch of the federal government which they did not like. america under president trump has been stormy and spellbinding. four years on, joe biden hopes

under him this country can be calm and still. nomia iqbal, bbc news, washington. bofta yimam is a correspondent for cbs news in the united states. she explains how presidet trumps pardons have been received since being announced. that's happened within the last several hours of president trump's. really, his time in office. and it took many people by surprise. some other folks weren't too surprised by it but it is who is on the list and who is not. so if we look at the list, the biggest one that stands out of course, steve bannon, former white house chief strategist, who was pardoned. who wasn't pardoned, at least right now, the president's attorney, rudy giuliani. the president actually still has until noon today when his term officially ends, to continue pardoning if he would like to. 70 commutations, i want to make sure we add that in, that 70 commutations were also done by the presidentjust

in the past couple of hours, including people like lil wayne, the famous rapper, and kodak black. switching of course to what is going on right now where i am on capitol hill, we have more than 20,000 national guard members all around the dc area, road closures. anyone who is trying to get anywhere near where this inauguration is taking place, if you didn't have that formal invite. this is really a socially distanced event, it's about unity, healing, celebrating america is the inaugural theme, what we expect to hear throughout the speech tonight. and we also know that this is going to take place at noon, right in the middle of the day, where many folks may be taking their lunch break and being able to now, in 2021, actually seeing inauguration day take place virtually, on their couches at home, knowing that dc is completely blocked off with police and security. let's take a look at what is planned for inauguration day itself. the ceremony will begin outside

the capitol building at around 1100 eastern time or 1600 gmt. lady gaga will sing the national anthem before vice president kamala harris is sworn in byjustice sonia sotomayor — the first woman of colour to become vice president and the first woman of colour to sit on the supreme court. thenjoe biden will be sworn into office — to become the 46th president of the united states. he will make his inaugural address and sign his first presidential documents. a "�*pass—in review�* will then take place; a ceremony in which the new commander—in—chief checks the state of readiness of the military and which marks the peaceful transfer of power to the new leader. president biden and vp harris, along with former presidents 0bama, bush and clinton will then travel to arlington national cemetery, to lay a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier. after that, the new president will travel back into central washington from where he will be given a presidential escort to the white house. in the evening, there will be a star—studded gala event broadcast on television and social media channels in the us called �*celebrating america',

hosted by tom hanks. president—electjoe biden has already announced a number of things he will do on his first day in office — including reversals of trump policies to be signed into law as a series of executive orders. it's been confirmed this morning that more than a dozen of these will be signed, including: us will rejoin the world health organization — with dr anthony fauci representing the us at a who meeting on thursday. he will halt construction of the trump border wall between the us and mexico. and biden will sign an order to rejoin the paris climate deal. well, to discuss the significance of trump's departure from office and biden's arrival — we can speak now to — timothy snyder — professor of professor of history at yale university and author of "on tyranny." it isa it is a book analysing america's thoughts on authoritarianism. thank you forjoining us. so much to talk

about with trump's legacy and what happens now and what the biden administration will look like. we have had clear signals this morning with news of those executive orders. what is uppermost in your mind? uppermost in my mind is whether my country can become a society of trust again rather than a society of belief. the root problem in my country is that there are too many lies and they are too easy to spread and our last president spread a big lie, namely that he had won an election. he has to be held to account for that and others too. the root problem is creating good local media and we have things to talk about so we can establish some kind of new equilibria going forward. hagar of new equilibria going forward. how eas is it of new equilibria going forward. how easy is it going to be to establish that? how lasting are the effects of

the trump's presidency going to be? he is going with the lowest public approval rating. but with a sense that he has changed so much? the basic that he has changed so much? the: basic question that he has changed so much? ti;s: basic question is that he has changed so much? ti9 basic question is not so much about trump but trumpism. the crucial thing is does this big lie at last trump or we do we put a stop to it now. the way to put a stop to it is for leaders, especially republican leaders, to tell the truth about the election. the other way is for the biden harris administration to have new policies. in the long run we have to think more seriously about the whole information infrastructure and how necessary factual reporting is important. fin and how necessary factual reporting is important-— is important. on those points you raise, we is important. on those points you raise. we do _ is important. on those points you raise, we do have _ is important. on those points you raise, we do have as _ is important. on those points you raise, we do have as you - is important. on those points you raise, we do have as you have - is important. on those points you -

raise, we do have as you have heard, new executive orders coming in. trying to end the decisiveness. we have heard the most senior republican in congress, mitch mccullen, saying he lays the blame with donald trump. how far do those moves go to achieve the things you want to see? i moves go to achieve the things you want to see?— moves go to achieve the things you want to see? i think those are steps in the right — want to see? i think those are steps in the right direction. _ want to see? i think those are steps in the right direction. mr— in the right direction. mr mcconnell�*s signals are important. there is a reason why people speak about truth and reconciliation and thatis about truth and reconciliation and that is that truth comes before reconciliation. we have got a few days or weeks or months to fix just what happened on the 6th of january in our minds. it is a very important to move forward, that is president biden'sjob. to allow to move forward, that is president biden's job. to allow the political atmosphere to change what you cannot move forward unless you have figured out what has happened. it is

important that judicially, out what has happened. it is important thatjudicially, factually important that judicially, factually and important thatjudicially, factually and historically we get that story right otherwise we will keep coming back to the bad parts of american history. the racism, the polarisation and adrian that led to january the 6th. —— hatred. it is january the 6th. -- hatred. it is the impeachment _ january the 6th. —— hatred. it is the impeachment process part of that or does it risk getting bogged down in the past? it is or does it risk getting bogged down in the ast? , , : or does it risk getting bogged down in the past?— in the past? it is very much part of that. i judicial— in the past? it is very much part of that. ijudicialforum _ in the past? it is very much part of that. i judicial forum is _ in the past? it is very much part of that. ijudicial forum is a _ in the past? it is very much part of that. ijudicial forum is a place - that. ijudicialforum is a place where facts come forward. historically trials are places where nations make decisions about themselves so i think it is important that impeachment and other efforts go forward. i think the idea that we cannot do it because it is decisive is cowardly. you have to face the hard truth and then having faced them, you can move forward reinvigorated.— faced them, you can move forward reinviuorated. :. ~ : :, reinvigorated. thank you so much for “oininu us. we'll have extensive coverage ofjoe biden's inauguration

throughout the day here on the bbc news channel and on bbc one. you are watching bbc news. the headlines on bbc news... joe biden honours the 400,000 americans who have died during the covid pandemic, ahead of being sworn in as the 46th president of the united states. in the final hours of his presidency, donald trump pardons more than 70 people, including his former adviser steve bannon. the former uk prime minister, theresa may, accuses borisjohnson of abandoning britain's position of global moral leadership. let's stay with those comments from theresa may. theresa may has accused borisjohnson of "abandoning" the uk's moral leadership on the world stage. in an article for the daily mail, the former prime minister took aim

at mrjohnson for his threat to break his agreement with the eu over brexit, and for cutting the overseas aid budget. she said, "threatening to break international law by going back on a treaty we had just signed, and abandoning our position of global moral leadership as the only major economy to meet both the 2% defence spending target and the 0.7% international aid target...were not actions which, in my view, raised our credibility in the eyes of the world." and the fomer pm went on to say that "the world does not owe us a prominent place on its stage. whatever the rhetoric we deploy, it is our actions which count. we should do nothing which signals a retreat from our global commitments." there are more than 200 flood warnings and flood alerts across the uk, as much of northern, eastern and central england are braced for extreme rainfall from storm christoph. the environment agency is warning of a "volatile situation", with heavy rainfall and melting snow. police forces in south yorkshire and greater manchester have declared major incidents.

in westgate, a driver was rescued from his truck after it came into difficulty in the flooding. at 5 o'clock yesterday county durham & darlington fire & rescue service helped theh driver to safety in what it called �*challenging conditions�*. a spokesman said one man was rescued from the scene. our correspondent luxmy gopal is in west yorkshire, and described the preparations being made to protect against the floods. as you can see, the river is quite high, the calder river behind me, it is quite fast flowing in mytholmroyd in west yorkshire and this, along with many other places in the valley is a place that has experienced flooding before. it was most recently hit badly in the floods of february 2019, and people have been watching and waiting because they don�*t want to go through that again. there is a flood alert in place here and flood wardens have been out and about throughout the night, checking the river levels,

in some cases every hour. the flood siren went off in a nearby village, a dreaded sound to residents in the calder valley, but luckily the flooding that was anticipated overnight did not happen and it is expected that things will peak around 6pm today but it is a movable feast, changing as the weather conditions change. the rain has been relentless today, which is why there is the risk of flooding and there are flood alerts and warnings, as you say, across parts of the north, central and east of england and a yellow weather warning across much of the rest of the country which has brought with it travel disruption, including delays and cancellations to some rail services. northern rail is advising passengers to check before they travel. meanwhile, here and in other places that have been affected by flooding before and know to expect it, people have been putting in place preparations like sand bags and flood defences to protect their property. they have been moving valuables and equipment upstairs to make sure that they minimise any risk

from potential flooding, but it is a case of waiting and seeing. they have got to just see what the rain levels will be like and what the river levels will be like. jack reeder is the owner of chapter 17, a bar and restaurant in hebden bridge. welcome. i know you live four miles away. tell us what the situation is currently for your business and your home? at currently for your business and your home? : :, , :, ,:, currently for your business and your home? : :, , :, : home? at home it is not so bad. we have not home? at home it is not so bad. we have got some _ home? at home it is not so bad. we have got some compensation - home? at home it is not so bad. we have got some compensation last i have got some compensation last year, so that will be fine. in hebden, the business is a little bit more temperamental. it is raining heavily at the moment. we are optimistic that we could get through it but it is touch and go at the moment. it but it is touch and go at the moment-— it but it is touch and go at the moment. 9 :, :, :, :, moment. what have you done to rotect moment. what have you done to protect the _ moment. what have you done to protect the business? _ moment. what have you done to protect the business? we - moment. what have you done to protect the business? we have l moment. what have you done to l protect the business? we have put flooduates protect the business? we have put floodgates then, _ protect the business? we have put floodgates then, extra _ protect the business? we have put floodgates then, extra barriers -

protect the business? we have put floodgates then, extra barriers in l floodgates then, extra barriers in front of the floodgates, sandbags, we have raised everything we can at ground level. we have installed as sump pump, we have a petrol generator back—up, there is plenty going on. generator back-up, there is plenty auoin on. . :. generator back-up, there is plenty auoin on. , :, ., generator back-up, there is plenty auoin on. , :, :, ., going on. times are hard right now for everyone _ going on. times are hard right now for everyone with _ going on. times are hard right now for everyone with covid. _ going on. times are hard right now for everyone with covid. how- going on. times are hard right now for everyone with covid. how are i going on. times are hard right now l for everyone with covid. how are you feeling about those two things that you are contending with right now? not great, really. the big thing for us is that this only happened has 11 months ago, we were flooded. since then we have had the pandemic. it is almost a triple whammy coming in now. yeah, we really can�*t hold on much longer with us. now. yeah, we really can't hold on much longer with us.— much longer with us. explain a bit more about _ much longer with us. explain a bit more about what _ much longer with us. explain a bit more about what you _ much longer with us. explain a bit more about what you mean - much longer with us. explain a bit more about what you mean by - much longer with us. explain a bit| more about what you mean by cant hold on a bit longer.— hold on a bit longer. financially we have taken — hold on a bit longer. financially we have taken on _ hold on a bit longer. financially we have taken on grants. _ hold on a bit longer. financially we have taken on grants. we - hold on a bit longer. financially we have taken on grants. we have - hold on a bit longer. financially we i have taken on grants. we have taken the business loan which we have

spent a lot of already. so, if we are hit by the slide, then that is going to hit as and we have to pay that back somehow.— going to hit as and we have to pay that back somehow. without opening we cannot do — that back somehow. without opening we cannot do that. _ that back somehow. without opening we cannot do that. am _ that back somehow. without opening we cannot do that. am i _ that back somehow. without opening we cannot do that. am i right - that back somehow. without opening we cannot do that. am i right in - we cannot do that. am i right in thinking you are not insured because of the history of the flooding there? :. . ~ of the history of the flooding there? :, , : :., of the history of the flooding there? :, , : : :, there? that is right. we could claim last ear there? that is right. we could claim last year in — there? that is right. we could claim last year in february _ there? that is right. we could claim last year in february but _ last year in february but unfortunately this time round we will not be able to claim. i unfortunately this time round we will not be able to claim.- unfortunately this time round we will not be able to claim. i can see from your— will not be able to claim. i can see from yourjacket _ will not be able to claim. i can see from yourjacket that _ will not be able to claim. i can see from yourjacket that you - will not be able to claim. i can see from yourjacket that you are - will not be able to claim. i can see from yourjacket that you are also | will not be able to claim. i can see| from yourjacket that you are also a flood warden. tell us what that entails, what have you been doing? there are a few of us in each town in the valley who volunteer to basically go out on the street. we check drains, we make sure people are doing 0k, giving advice. provide social media updates. we check watercourses and divert water courses where we can, just generally help out wherever we can nr

capacity. help out wherever we can nr caaci . ~ :. . help out wherever we can nr caaci .~ :, , , capacity. what is the community sirit capacity. what is the community spirit like? _ capacity. what is the community spirit like? it _ capacity. what is the community spirit like? it is _ capacity. what is the community spirit like? it is very _ capacity. what is the community spirit like? it is very odd - capacity. what is the community spirit like? it is very odd this - spirit like? it is very odd this time round. _ spirit like? it is very odd this time round. normally - spirit like? it is very odd this time round. normally there l spirit like? it is very odd thisl time round. normally there is spirit like? it is very odd this i time round. normally there is a spirit like? it is very odd this - time round. normally there is a big presence of people around. everyone is trying to help out, you can be assured that you have got you have got your community behind you to get you through it with the aftermath. this time round it would be a lot different. we this time round it would be a lot different. ~ :, :, different. we mentioned covid in terms of the _ different. we mentioned covid in terms of the business. _ different. we mentioned covid in terms of the business. at - different. we mentioned covid in terms of the business. at the - different. we mentioned covid in i terms of the business. at the social distancing aspect of how people manage after this, it does make things materially different. how does that get managed?- things materially different. how does that get managed? well, it is 'ust down does that get managed? well, it is just down to _ does that get managed? well, it is just down to manpower, _ does that get managed? well, it is just down to manpower, there - does that get managed? well, it is just down to manpower, there are| does that get managed? well, it is| just down to manpower, there are a lot less of us that can do anything. if the building fills with mud tonight, we will have to scoop it out ourselves. there is not much anyone else can do to help us

unfortunately.— anyone else can do to help us unfortunately. really wish you all the best and _ unfortunately. really wish you all the best and hope _ unfortunately. really wish you all the best and hope you _ unfortunately. really wish you all the best and hope you are - unfortunately. really wish you all the best and hope you are spared from the flooding. thank you very much forjoining us. a group of mps has demanded to know why some taxpayers — including self—employed workers and freelancers — haven�*t received financial support during the pandemic. the commons public accounts committee says the government�*s out—of—date systems mean too many people have fallen through the cracks. ministers insist they�*ve done "all they can" to help as many workers as possible. let�*s talk to ester de roij — a sole trader who works as a freelance camerawoman. thank you very much forjoining us. tell us what your situation has been, have you had any income or any support? i been, have you had any income or any su ort? :. . been, have you had any income or any su - ort? :, , :, :, support? i have been fortunate in that i support? i have been fortunate in that i have _ support? i have been fortunate in that i have been _ support? i have been fortunate in that i have been able _ support? i have been fortunate in that i have been able to - support? i have been fortunate in that i have been able to get - that i have been able to get universal credit throughout this. i guess— universal credit throughout this. i guess my— universal credit throughout this. i guess my situation is that i work in wildlife _ guess my situation is that i work in wildlife film—making which always has a _ wildlife film—making which always has a level over the winter, during

january— has a level over the winter, during january and — has a level over the winter, during january and february are quite months — january and february are quite months. so the lastjob i actually did was— months. so the lastjob i actually did was in— months. so the lastjob i actually did was in december 2019. and all the money— did was in december 2019. and all the money i save from thatjob did was in december 2019. and all the money i save from that job was used _ the money i save from that job was used in _ the money i save from that job was used injanuary and february. and then— used injanuary and february. and then the _ used injanuary and february. and then the week after lockdown happened and i was due to go out for a three _ happened and i was due to go out for a three weeks shoots back to back and when — a three weeks shoots back to back and when lockdown happened overnight, i lost all of my income. basically— overnight, i lost all of my income. basically have not been able to work since _ basically have not been able to work since we _ basically have not been able to work since. we are now back in that winter— since. we are now back in that winter lull— since. we are now back in that winter lull where the whole industry has changed, because international travel— has changed, because international travel is _ has changed, because international travel is still massively disrupted. i travel is still massively disrupted. i don't _ travel is still massively disrupted. i don't foresee getting any work... if i i don't foresee getting any work... if i am _ i don't foresee getting any work... if i am fortunate i might get some work— if i am fortunate i might get some work in _ if i am fortunate i might get some work in april in me. so universal credit— work in april in me. so universal credit has— work in april in me. so universal credit has been a massive lifeline to me _ credit has been a massive lifeline to me but— credit has been a massive lifeline to me. but since about september i now live _ to me. but since about september i now live on — to me. but since about september i now live on my own. so pretty much everything _ now live on my own. so pretty much everything i— now live on my own. so pretty much everything i get from universal

credit— everything i get from universal credit covers my rent so i don't get through— credit covers my rent so i don't get through that system, i do not have any spending money. how through that system, i do not have any spending money.— through that system, i do not have any spending money. how have you been managing? — any spending money. how have you been managing? again, _ any spending money. how have you been managing? again, i— any spending money. how have you been managing? again, i am - any spending money. how have you been managing? again, i am one i any spending money. how have you| been managing? again, i am one of the fortunate _ been managing? again, i am one of the fortunate ones _ been managing? again, i am one of the fortunate ones in _ been managing? again, i am one of the fortunate ones in that _ been managing? again, i am one of the fortunate ones in that i - been managing? again, i am one of the fortunate ones in that i have - the fortunate ones in that i have been _ the fortunate ones in that i have been able — the fortunate ones in that i have been able to get a bank loan. and that has— been able to get a bank loan. and that has had to kind of supplement what i _ that has had to kind of supplement what i get — that has had to kind of supplement what i get from universal credit. that is— what i get from universal credit. that is alone. that is not... that is something _ that is alone. that is not... that is something i will have to pay back at the _ is something i will have to pay back at the end — is something i will have to pay back at the end of the day. sol is something i will have to pay back at the end of the day. so ijust feel like — at the end of the day. so ijust feel like compared to a lot of people. _ feel like compared to a lot of people, everyone who has been from -- excluded — people, everyone who has been from —— excluded from government support has had _ —— excluded from government support has had to— —— excluded from government support has had to sacrifice a dose fortunate amount of their life. what would ou fortunate amount of their life. what would you say _ fortunate amount of their life. what would you say to — fortunate amount of their life. what would you say to the _ fortunate amount of their life. twat would you say to the people making the decisions on where the support is going? it the decisions on where the support is auoin ? . . the decisions on where the support is auoin ? , , ~ , is going? it is 'ust. .. as the excluded _ is going? it isjust. .. as the excluded have _ is going? it isjust. .. as the excluded have always - is going? it isjust. .. as the| excluded have always asked is going? it isjust. .. as the - excluded have always asked for, they are not— excluded have always asked for, they are not asking for charity, they are asking _ are not asking for charity, they are asking for— are not asking for charity, they are asking for parity. pretty much all

of the _ asking for parity. pretty much all of the government systems that are there. _ of the government systems that are there. that — of the government systems that are there, that is available to everyone who has— there, that is available to everyone who has been able to access all of the other— who has been able to access all of the other grant schemes as well. all we are _ the other grant schemes as well. all we are asking for is to get exactly the same — we are asking for is to get exactly the same fair treatment that everyone else has been able to access— everyone else has been able to access these last ten months. because — access these last ten months. because of me being able to access bank loans— because of me being able to access bank loans and universal credit means— bank loans and universal credit means i— bank loans and universal credit means i am one of the lucky ones. that— means i am one of the lucky ones. that is— means i am one of the lucky ones. that is wrong, there is nothing right— that is wrong, there is nothing right about that. there are people who are _ right about that. there are people who are struggling to feed their families— who are struggling to feed their families over christmas and it is just. _ families over christmas and it is just. it — families over christmas and it is just, it feels like it is completely inhuman— just, it feels like it is completely inhuman that they have actively chosen — inhuman that they have actively chosen to — inhuman that they have actively chosen to leave out a tenth of the entire _ chosen to leave out a tenth of the entire workforce. most of which only really _ entire workforce. most of which only really earn _ entire workforce. most of which only really earn around £23,000 a year. how much — really earn around £23,000 a year. how much longer will the bounce back loan last year and what happens when that runs out? into loan last year and what happens when that runs out?— that runs out? into spring. i 'ust have to kind �* that runs out? into spring. i 'ust have to kind offi that runs out? into spring. i 'ust have to kind of keep * that runs out? into spring. i 'ust have to kind of keep some h that runs out? into spring. ijust have to kind of keep some hope| that runs out? into spring. ijust - have to kind of keep some hope that i can have to kind of keep some hope that i can get— have to kind of keep some hope that i can get some work. if not, you

know, _ i can get some work. if not, you know. as — i can get some work. if not, you know, as everyone probably knows with all— know, as everyone probably knows with all otherjobs, there is so much — with all otherjobs, there is so much competition because of the huge unemployment rates now. i have absolutely no idea what else to do. i absolutely no idea what else to do. i have _ absolutely no idea what else to do. i have been— absolutely no idea what else to do. i have been working towards this for the last— i have been working towards this for the last seven years and it just feels _ the last seven years and it just feels like — the last seven years and it just feels like because of the pandemic, my career— feels like because of the pandemic, my career has been taken away before it has— my career has been taken away before it has been— my career has been taken away before it has been able to really take off. so there _ it has been able to really take off. so there is— it has been able to really take off. so there is a huge, huge mental toll on top _ so there is a huge, huge mental toll on top of— so there is a huge, huge mental toll on top of that as well and one of the main — on top of that as well and one of the main threads i keep seeing is that people who have been excluded from government support keep on talking _ from government support keep on talking notjust loss from government support keep on talking not just loss of income that massive _ talking not just loss of income that massive loss of confidence. everyone has lost _ massive loss of confidence. everyone has lost confidence in what they do. thank— has lost confidence in what they do. thank you _ has lost confidence in what they do. thank you forjoining us and we are sending you our very best. the british government says it wants to vaccinate members of the emergency services

sooner than planned. the home secretary, priti patel, spoke about the plans to the bbc. we will try and make this happen. this is— we will try and make this happen. this is not— we will try and make this happen. this is notjust something we are thinking — this is notjust something we are thinking about, if there joint committee on vaccination and immunisation says that it is a possibility and we can make it happen, — possibility and we can make it happen, we have the supply and logistical— happen, we have the supply and logistical plans in place, we will work— logistical plans in place, we will work to— logistical plans in place, we will work to make that happen. professor anthony harnden, the deputy chair of the uk�*s joint committee on vaccination and immunisation, confirmed the strategy was under consideration. the focus on phase two of the programme will be to carry on our nine _ programme will be to carry on our nine priority— programme will be to carry on our nine priority groups. but possibly at the _ nine priority groups. but possibly at the same time look at introducing phase _ at the same time look at introducing phase two _ at the same time look at introducing phase two of the programme which will also _ phase two of the programme which will also be concentrating on those that are _ will also be concentrating on those that are vulnerable from getting disease — that are vulnerable from getting disease and severe effects of disease, _ disease and severe effects of disease, but also those who potentially have exposure risks. so

that for— potentially have exposure risks. so that for instance teachers and policemen who may be exposed to members — policemen who may be exposed to members of the public and children, that transmit the virus, and those who are _ that transmit the virus, and those who are important to keep the economy— who are important to keep the economy running. there are factors in place _ economy running. there are factors in place that— economy running. there are factors in place that we need to look in depth — well meanwhile, the home secretary, priti patel, has reportedly told a group of conservative party supporters that she argued in favour of closing the uk�*s borders last march. the guido fawkes website has released a short audio clip of the comments — reportedly made on a zoom call with the conservative friends of india last night. we can speak now to our political correspondent, leila nathoo. what did she say. this is the first time a cabinet minister has broken ranks. she was speaking at a private same call to a group of conservative supporters. she in the clip released on the website, she says, in an audio clip, should we have. orders

earlier smart answer is yes and she also says i was an advocate of closing them last march. if you cast your mind back to the start of the pandemic last march in the beginning of 2020, there was lots of talk about whether flight should be banned from overseas. there were some restrictions at the time on people coming in from initially wuhan, china and then other areas, for example to iran where the virus was circulating widely before it came to the uk. those quarantine measures at the time were weaker than what was being introduced in other countries. there was a strong defence from government ministers at the time saying we don�*t need to close our borders as such because there was an argument including from government scientist saying it would not make much difference because the virus is already here anyway and there would have to be a total shut down. there was not the confidence they could stop the virus getting in

place. there was the economic argument about how this would affect the aviation industry as well as british citizens abroad trying to get home at the time the pandemic was really taking off. it seems a long time ago but there has been a lot of criticism of britain�*s border policy lagging behind other countries who have had much more stringent rules in place. it was not untiljune last year that quarantine restrictions, the requirements for people coming into the uk to isolate for 14 days, that has been brought down. that was not brought in until lastjune last summer and then there was those travel corridors introduced are countries where there were lower infection rates. those were lower infection rates. those were turned on and off according to what was happening in other countries. this is a significant moment to say that priti patel is... had been arguing for borders to have been, far tougher border restrictions. there have been some reports at the time of a cabinet

split but this is significant if she has been the first cabinet minister to break ranks and this when there has been such a strong defence from the government on why the uk�*s border policy has been weaker than other countries. labour are calling this a shocking admission by the home secretary, calling it a complete lack of strategy. saying the government has left the doors open, calling for a rethink of border policy. there has been no travel corridors because of the new variants. there is now a requirement for all travellers to produce a negative test within 72 hours of travelling into the uk and having to still quarantine for ten days. so there are no those border restrictions in place, that is what the home office is pointing to. but clearly there was some debate at the highest level in government about whether these measures should have been brought in some time ago. thank ou ve been brought in some time ago. thank you very much- — been brought in some time ago. thank you very much. prime _ been brought in some time ago. thank

you very much. prime minister's you very much. prime minister�*s questions at midday. will bring you coverage of that. sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here�*s jane dougal. leicester city�*s win over chelsea last night has put them top of the premier league. goals from wilfried ndidi and james maddison gave them the 2—0 victory. they go above manchester united at the top, five years after they won the league title at odds of 5,000 to 1. leciester managed to mostly keep their celebrations socially distant. well, it�*s another result that raises questions for frank lampard at chelsea. despite spending huge amounts on transfers this season, they now sit eighth in the table. leicester are a good team, they are in good form. we are not in good form, that is clear tonight. but we could do better, we know that, and i�*m not going to dress it up any other way. how do you snap out of not being in good form? hard work, running, and the imperative is that the players bounce back.

this is what the younger players in the team or the new players to the premier league will really feel. this is the cut—throat nature of what it is. west ham united are only six points off the top after winning in last night�*s other premier league match. they beat west brom 2—1 at the london stadium, with the winner coming from michail antonio. west ham are seventh and have won four in a row in all competitions. southampton finally secured their passage into this weekend�*s fourth round of the fa cup. a covid outbreak at league one shrewsbury meant the two sides had to wait to face each other in the last of the third round ties, but southampton won 2—0 in the end. shrewsbury were being led by their assistant, as manager steve cotterill is in hospital having spent time in intensive care with the virus. just in the last few minutes we have

learned just in the last few minutes we have learned that the england head coach eddiejones is self isolating after his forwards coach matt proudfoot tested positive for corona virus. coach matt proudfoot tested positive for coronavirus. jones, along with fellow coach simon amor have been named as close contacts and will both isolate for ten days. the head coach is due to announce his squad for rugby�*s six nations on friday and the squad and coaching staff are scheduled to meet at st george�*s park on the 27th. we will bring you more on that study when we get it. —— story. tiger woods�* season is on hold after having back surgery for the fifth time in his career. it�*s after he said he felt discomfort at a tournament last month. woods is expected to make a full recovery, but will definitely miss two pga tour events. this year�*s first major — the masters at augusta — is due to start on april the eighth. the chairman of the british olympic association, sir hugh robertson, says he�*s optimistic this years says he�*s optimistic this year�*s olympic games will still go ahead. his comments follow those of the london 2012 chief executive keith mills, who told the bbc yesterday

that he thought it was unlikely the tokyo games would take place this summer due to the covid—19 pandemic. yes, i am very optimistic and any talk of cancellation at this moment —— cancellation and postponement is not what we are hearing. we have spoken in the last week to the tokyo organisation committee and other organisations, the americans, the canadians, the europeans, the australians. everybody is working on the basis that these games will go ahead and there is no talk of cancellation or postponement. two more australian open players and a member of staff have tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases associated with the tournament to ten. more than 70 players and their teams have been confined to their hotel rooms for a fortnight, after passengers on three charter flights returned positive tests. a number of players have complained about the conditions. the majority of the players understand and accept it and it is a minority that are struggling with it. but we are going to do whatever we can to make it better for them

and i do, you know, these players have been travelling around the world and have been in isolation and quarantine. it has been a very difficult experience for them, but they are going to be in the position when they do come out next week that they will be able to compete in the next four weeks for $83 million of prize money and be in a country that has managed the virus better than anyone else in the world. well, some of the 72 tennis players in quarantine in their hotel rooms are making their own entertainment, including former british number one heather watson. she�*s already run a 5k, now she�*s done a triathlon in her hotel room — sort of. this is the swimming part, obviously, getting her toes wet at least. the cycling is next. she looks exhausted already, doesn�*t she? then into the trainers

and the running section. a bit of water to rehydrate and then thatis a bit of water to rehydrate and then that is herfinishing, you�*ve got a bit of water to rehydrate and then that is her finishing, you�*ve got to admire her. that�*s all the sport for now. i�*ll have more for you in the next hour. i like that. thank you. netflix got a big boost from the pandemic last year, as demand for streaming movies and television soared. on thursday, it shared its full—year results with investors and its plans for next year. the company now has more than 200 million paid members, up more than 30% from 2019 — 8.5 million in the last three months alone. so what�*s the secret behind netflix�*s success? tv critic and broadcaster scott bryanjoins me now. i think the secret is we are all stuck at home and desperate to watch something good and everyone keeps passing on their recommendations, which has been very entertaining. in terms of theirfinancial which has been very entertaining. in terms of their financial position, does that success reflects on the balance sheet?— does that success reflects on the balance sheet? yes, i mean the way that netflix —

balance sheet? yes, i mean the way that netflix works _ balance sheet? yes, i mean the way that netflix works as _ balance sheet? yes, i mean the way that netflix works as essentially - that netflix works as essentially they try to get people to subscribe very cheaply, but also rely on debts. they have between 16 to $18 billion of debt so that is quite eye watering, but the idea is that they hope that we will all get by the great content and cheap prices, that we stay on there for many, many years, that they incrementally increase their prices, which they have been doing so, butjust by global growth, particularly surpassing 200 million, they hope that people will be able to basically subscribe enough to help sort of stop that debt and get out of it. and then also, become a dominant sort of player within the tv ecosystem for the next 50, 60, 70 years. they said, yesterday, as well as surpassing 200 million, they reckon they will not have to borrow any more. it brings into starkness about how we are spilling the content words, with disney spending millions and millions, amazon

spending an eye watering amount on at the lord of the rings tv series, and netflix as well. as well as all of these other players trying to get in on the game. i think you realise that for consumers, although these subscribers and streaming services may seem cheap, they are all increasing places, now to be increasing places, now to be increasing their prices, netflix increasing their prices, netflix increasing their price to £9 99 unless you are sticking with basic services. {131 unless you are sticking with basic services. :. , , unless you are sticking with basic services. :, , , :, :, services. of italy, they want to ush the services. of italy, they want to push the prices _ services. of italy, they want to push the prices up _ services. of italy, they want to i push the prices up incrementally, not to lose people —— obviously. but as you say, the cost of content, which they need to get people on the platform is expensive. it is. which they need to get people on the platform is expensive.— platform is expensive. it is. it is really expensive, _ platform is expensive. it is. it is really expensive, particularly i platform is expensive. it is. it is really expensive, particularly at | really expensive, particularly at the moment that they are all trying to spend a lot of money to try and get a level talent to be attached to these sorts of projects as well so i

think the idea is they are hoping that they can throw as much to let the ball, hopefully something will stick. and we have seen big successes over the last year. we have seen mandalorian for disney, but personally speaking, there have been quite a lot of failure is, very expensive failures and a lot of the streaming services do not like to reveal when they have done poorly. they only like to shed the successes of their shows. and a lot do not reveal their viewing figures publicly. a relies upon us journalists, siblings all the data, which ones we should really be talking about —— sifting through all the data. because these are subscription services, you get your unsubscribe if something doesn�*t seem suited for you any more. and the old days, even now if you�*re with sky or virgin, you might be

locked in a or three—year contract, which can be exquisitely expensive. i would i would i would recommend, if you�*re not watching a tv, do not pay for the streaming service it is on. :. ~' pay for the streaming service it is on. :. ~ , :, y pay for the streaming service it is on. :. ~' , :, , : more now on the us inauguration — and joe biden is set to become the 46th president later today, alongside kamala harris who is the first woman to become vice president. in the final hours of his presidency, donald trump has pardoned 73 people, including his former adviser steve bannon, who is facing fraud charges, and rappers lil wayne and kodak black. with me is bryan lanza, former communications director for trump�*s transition team. and i�*m alsojoined by inge kjemtrup, chair of democrats abroad uk. welcome both of you. thank you for joining us. already we have had a list of what the biden harris administration is going to be doing, sending out a strong signal to the world when one of the first action

is going to bejoining in the world health organization in the paris climate accord, also reviewing everything donald trump did on climate change that was detrimental to action on climate change, halting the mexican border wall. what you make of what is coming? i am overjoyed _ make of what is coming? i am overjoyed that _ make of what is coming? i am overjoyed that this _ make of what is coming? i am overjoyed that this day - make of what is coming? i am overjoyed that this day has i make of what is coming? i —n overjoyed that this day has arrived thatjoseph biden and kamala harris will shortly be our next president and vice president. in so many other americans have been ready for their stay for a long time, but as you mentioned, there is a sort of soul mood as well because there are so many enormous issues to tackle and —— a sort of sombre mood. i am encouraged by the seriousness of the biden administration to come, sending out specific plans about what they�*re going to do in the next ten days, but it is also notjust of these plans, which we will perhaps get into later, but also the images. you think of the final image of the trump error that is, to me all of

the thugs are breaking into the nation�*s capital —— trump error. yesterday you saw the flags and lights marking the 400,000 americans have died of covid and there is a feeling of seriousness and reflection and compassion and that gives us a hint of the kind of leadership we are going to be seen from biden and harris. brute leadership we are going to be seen from biden and harris.— from biden and harris. we are heafina from biden and harris. we are hearing that — from biden and harris. we are hearing that the _ from biden and harris. we are hearing that the biden - from biden and harris. we are hearing that the biden and i from biden and harris. we are i hearing that the biden and harris administration will undo much that try to do through executive order and other slow democrats control both houses of congress and trump is going out with the lowest rating of any outgoing president according to any outgoing president according to any polling, 34%. is he now going to be consigned to history politically? could he ever come comeback within the republican party? i could he ever come comeback within the republican party?—

the republican party? i think you still have support _ the republican party? i think you still have support within - the republican party? i think you still have support within the i still have support within the republican party for the president. ithink— republican party for the president. i think he _ republican party for the president. i think he can certainly be the nominee. _ i think he can certainly be the nominee, whether he wins a an election. — nominee, whether he wins a an election, that is a much different conversation. he still remembers a someone _ conversation. he still remembers a someone popular in the republican party, _ someone popular in the republican party, even if it is 50%, 50% of a republican— party, even if it is 50%, 50% of a republican primary wins it. if you were _ republican primary wins it. if you were to _ republican primary wins it. if you were to decide to run for another 2024. _ were to decide to run for another 2024. i_ were to decide to run for another 2024, i think he would probably when the republican primary and then you have the _ the republican primary and then you have the reader of the 20 election, which _ have the reader of the 20 election, which would be much different. people — which would be much different. people with actually campaigning this time around, so we will see what _ this time around, so we will see what happens. this time around, so we will see what happens-— this time around, so we will see what happens. this time around, so we will see what hauens. ~ :, ~ :, , what happens. would you like to see the republican _ what happens. would you like to see the republican party— what happens. would you like to see the republican party get _ what happens. would you like to see the republican party get behind i what happens. would you like to see | the republican party get behind them again, because anytime these nine days and hours of his presidency, we see his presidency, we see has a vice president not attending the centre for him. we have had any more senior republican in congress putting the blame for what happened at the capitol firmly at the feet of donald trump. it definitely feels like they want to wash their hands of him. i like they want to wash their hands of him. ~ , like they want to wash their hands of him. ~' ,:, , , like they want to wash their hands of him. ~ , , ., , of him. i think the party is ready to turn the _ of him. i think the party is ready to turn the page. _ of him. i think the party is ready to turn the page. they - of him. i think the party is ready to turn the page. they have i of him. i think the party is ready to turn the page. they have had| of him. i think the party is ready i to turn the page. they have had four consequential years of a tremendous

amount— consequential years of a tremendous amount of— consequential years of a tremendous amount of achievements, also some tremendous defeats, but i think the republican party is ready to turn the page — republican party is ready to turn the page. i hope president trump is ready— the page. i hope president trump is ready to _ the page. i hope president trump is ready to turn the page and become an elder statesman to this country and we can— elder statesman to this country and we can see — elder statesman to this country and we can see more videos and images like last— we can see more videos and images like last night and the speech last night, _ like last night and the speech last night, as— like last night and the speech last night, as opposed to those images we saw in _ night, as opposed to those images we saw injanuary the night, as opposed to those images we saw in january the 6th. night, as opposed to those images we saw injanuary the 6th. the president has an opportunity to do that, _ president has an opportunity to do that, i_ president has an opportunity to do that, i think he wants to engage in partisan _ that, i think he wants to engage in partisan politics again and get involved — partisan politics again and get involved in a presidential race, but it will— involved in a presidential race, but it will be _ involved in a presidential race, but it will be divisive for us as a country— it will be divisive for us as a country and there is no better rallying — country and there is no better rallying unifying calls for the democratic party none donald trump. so think— democratic party none donald trump. so think strategically, it becomes very difficult for him to make that come _ very difficult for him to make that come back— very difficult for him to make that come back into the white house. igne. _ come back into the white house. igne. how— come back into the white house. igne, how do you see unification of a country going forward? how much any challenges that are going to be? trump has been impeached twice and i think one of the outcomes of the trial in the senate as he will not be able to run again. the republican

-a is in be able to run again. the republican party is in tatters — be able to run again. the republican party is in tatters and _ be able to run again. the republican party is in tatters and i _ be able to run again. the republican party is in tatters and i do _ be able to run again. the republican party is in tatters and i do not i party is in tatters and i do not know how they will put together. there will be a larger challenge for us to come together as a nation, but i think it is something thatjoseph biden, with his long history in the senate and his history as the vice president will be able to do along with kamala harris. these are practical people who see things straightforward way. we see they are talking about where we are right now with covid and about how slow the vaccine take—up has been so there is a relief package under way right now offering relief checks to americans, the idea also is to increase minimum wage to $15 an hour and support small businesses. so i think there is a balance between... i think there is a feeling of americans understanding that these leaders are serious, but also that they are compassionate as well and understand

how deeply the nation has suffered for the past four years and particularly under this pandemic. ii particularly under this pandemic. if president trump had behaved differently after the loss of the election and had handled it with grace, it could be a very different story for him right now. do you think he would have been able to do things differently? it think he would have been able to do things differently?— things differently? it would have been a different _ things differently? it would have been a different story _ things differently? it would have been a different story because i things differently? it would have | been a different story because he would have thrown on his record of slow growth and... we would have thrown on his record of slow growth and. . ._ would have thrown on his record of slow growth and... we would not have seen the scenes _ slow growth and... we would not have seen the scenes at _ slow growth and... we would not have seen the scenes at the _ slow growth and... we would not have seen the scenes at the capitol - slow growth and... we would not have seen the scenes at the capitol and i seen the scenes at the capitol and would _ seen the scenes at the capitol and would have judged him on his record. covid _ would have judged him on his record. covid was _ would have judged him on his record. covid was a _ would have judged him on his record. covid was a devastating impact on the well, — covid was a devastating impact on the well, notjust covid was a devastating impact on the well, not just the covid was a devastating impact on the well, notjust the united states. _ the well, notjust the united states, but when you look at the policies — states, but when you look at the policies before covid hit, i think it was— policies before covid hit, i think it was a — policies before covid hit, i think it was a landslide of her would have won _ it was a landslide of her would have won we _ it was a landslide of her would have won. we talk about biden coming in and trying _ won. we talk about biden coming in and trying to pass a $15 minimum wagem _ and trying to pass a $15 minimum wade. .. , . and trying to pass a $15 minimum wade. .. , , :, and trying to pass a $15 minimum wade... . :, , :, and trying to pass a $15 minimum wade... , :, :, 9 :, wage... just to focus it on. what i'm wage... just to focus it on. what i'm thinking _ wage... just to focus it on. what i'm thinking is _ wage... just to focus it on. what i'm thinking is that _ wage... just to focus it on. what i'm thinking is that unravelling i wage... just to focus it on. what| i'm thinking is that unravelling of i�*m thinking is that unravelling of the trump presidency right at the

end when it seems that we are in a position which was not necessarily anticipated that he would lose and then that the republicans would also lose control of the senate.— lose control of the senate. listen, i think in lose control of the senate. listen, | think in 2008 — lose control of the senate. listen, | think in 2008 when _ lose control of the senate. listen, i think in 2008 when barack i lose control of the senate. listen, | i think in 2008 when barack obama i think in 2008 when barack 0bama won, _ i think in 2008 when barack 0bama won, republicans only had 40 senators — won, republicans only had 40 senators and the democrats had 60 senators. _ senators and the democrats had 60 senators, so that was a high water mark _ senators, so that was a high water mark these — senators, so that was a high water mark. these things happen in elections _ mark. these things happen in elections and then two years later, the democrats lost control of commerce. these things are cyclical, we anticipate winning in 2022. —— we anticipate _ we anticipate winning in 2022. —— we anticipate winning the house and the senate _ anticipate winning the house and the senate back. nothing is pertinent when _ senate back. nothing is pertinent when it— senate back. nothing is pertinent when it comes american elections, yours _ when it comes american elections, yours have — when it comes american elections, yours have a — when it comes american elections, yours have a short time window to do things _ yours have a short time window to do things. biden has a short time window— things. biden has a short time window with a very tight and divided senate _ window with a very tight and divided senate and he will not be able to check _ senate and he will not be able to check its — senate and he will not be able to check its policy goals. i think we all know— check its policy goals. i think we all know that already. the republican party, every two years, the democratic party and republican party go— the democratic party and republican party go through changes and that is the process here and we'll do that again. _ the process here and we'll do that again. but— the process here and we'll do that again, but they low water mark for the republican party was 2008 when

barack— the republican party was 2008 when barack 0bama became president and he had 60 _ barack 0bama became president and he had 60 democratic senators. we are far from _ had 60 democratic senators. we are far from that. they are tied in the us senate — far from that. they are tied in the us senate so we are far from this wave _ us senate so we are far from this wave that — us senate so we are far from this wave that the democrats think they have and _ wave that the democrats think they have and naturally, they will overplay_ have and naturally, they will overplay their hand and we will come back and _ overplay their hand and we will come back and take control of congress in two years _ back and take control of congress in two ears. :. ~ back and take control of congress in two ears. :, ,, ,:, back and take control of congress in two ears. :, ,, back and take control of congress in two ears. :, �* two years. thank you both, bryan lanza two years. thank you both, bryan lanza and — two years. thank you both, bryan lanza and inge — two years. thank you both, bryan lanza and inge kjemtrup. - more now on the news that the home secretary, priti patel, has reportedly told a group of conservative party supporters that she argued in favour of closing the uk�*s borders last march. the guido fawkes website has released a short audio clip of the comments — reportedly made on a zoom call with the conservative friends of india last night. let�*s speak to the chair of the home affairs select committee — the labour mp yvette cooper. welcome, thank you very much for joining us. well, obviously what we see normally from government is that collected responsibility, the united front. naturally, conversations will happen behind the scenes, there will be disagreements, but now

disagreements that were reported as much have come into the public with the release of this video. what you make of the significance of it? it is the first partial recognition by anybody in government that they got things wrong back in the spring last year. but it is also an astonishing statement by the home secretary because i have raised this issue in march, april, in may and again with the home office injune, july and every time at the home secretary and the home office defended the government�*s decision not have quarantine place, not to have testing in place and for the government now to be, the home secretary now to be saying that she did argue for these measures, i think it raises a huge number of questions about well, if she did, why was she not listen to a? if she did, what evidence did she gather? in support of her case? we also found that the home office had not asked the basic questions about what other countries were doing around the world and the number of people

who are coming into the united kingdom at that time with, probably with coronavirus.— with coronavirus. looking back to what was reported _ with coronavirus. looking back to what was reported on _ with coronavirus. looking back to what was reported on this i with coronavirus. looking back to what was reported on this at i with coronavirus. looking back to what was reported on this at the | what was reported on this at the time, it seems she was asking those questions. a matt hancock, the health secretary, was also raising reservations about flights coming in from iran and other countries, but the argument that when the day was that closing the borders would have meant british citizens being trapped in other countries and that was not the right thing to do. but in other countries and that was not the right thing to do.— the right thing to do. but what other countries _ the right thing to do. but what other countries had _ the right thing to do. but what other countries had done, i the right thing to do. but what| other countries had done, what the right thing to do. but what i other countries had done, what other countries did was to have proper quarantine arrangements in place, proper testing arrangements in place, their own citizens returned to new zealand, to australia and so on, but they also had proper quarantine and testing in place. and remember, what the uk government did was to actually reduce their measures in place. they actually cut their measures on the 13th of march and actually made it easier for people to come in with no

self—isolation, no border measures in place at all. so it�*s actually shocking what the government did in that period and we were advised that it meant up to 10,000 people may have returned to the uk or entered the uk during that period with covid who were not tested, were not asked to i said, were not quarantined and that contributed to the scale and case of the pandemic and that made the pandemic worse. there is clear evidence that was giving to our committee. evidence that was giving to our committee-— evidence that was giving to our committee. :, :, , ,:, committee. the government has said that the scientific _ committee. the government has said that the scientific input _ committee. the government has said that the scientific input has _ that the scientific input has overtly been absolutely vital throughout, but at different points of the pandemic, it has been treated in different ways. whether it has been seen more as an advice and in the end, a political decision has been taken or going back to the start, the government said at that point, the scientists really were, effectively, leading the show. they were saying, they did not think that

at that point closing the borders would have made a big difference. the government wasjust would have made a big difference. the government was just pulling scientific advice. in the government was 'ust pulling scientific advice.i scientific advice. in the end, ministers — scientific advice. in the end, ministers aside _ scientific advice. in the end, ministers aside and - scientific advice. in the end, ministers aside and they i scientific advice. in the end, | ministers aside and they also scientific advice. in the end, i ministers aside and they also have to ask questions. so i was asking basic questions that the home of. the key question we kept going back to was how many people do s metre coming into the country with coronavirus at this time west ooh so that we could have a sense of —— at this time? government ministers never asked that basic question, they dealt in big proportions and seem to have been reassured it was a small proportion, but actually, they never asked for the numbers and that is what they should have been doing at that time. i think that is what anybody sensible would have been doing at that time and they should also have been saying, why is our scientific advice supposedly so different from the advice that singapore or south korea or new zealand or australia seem to be following? can we look at their scientific advice as well? basic

questions that ministers should have been asking that i and other members of the home affairs committee repeatedly put to ministers and two officials, and we just did repeatedly put to ministers and two officials, and wejust did not repeatedly put to ministers and two officials, and we just did not get answers because they were not asking the most important questions. i think that it did mean we had much we can arrangements at the border, notjust in other countries, but clearly then we should have done. they also should have learned the lessons more quickly. we have had long delays getting the border measures in at this time around as well, testing arrangements that were in place in france or spain in november and have onlyjust been introduced in the uk. i think their management of the border isher�*s has actually been chaotic and has a really been very badly managed at every stage. there may be some emissions of that now, but we need much more openness of this and much more willingness to learn lessons that they do not get this wrong in future. yvette cooper, thank you.

let�*s return to joe biden�*s inauguaration. security is very tight in washington. law enforcement officials have been vetting plane passengers coming into the city. it follows warnings of violence from extremists emboldened by the attack on the capitol building two weeks ago. the secret service is in command of security plans, backed up by police. washington dc itself is in a state of emergency and will remain that way until after the inauguration. around 25,000 armed members of the national guard have been brought to washington from around the country. the fbi has screened all of them. large sections of the city have been shut, including the national mall, the memorial bridge and large parts of pennsylvania avenue. a high fence has been constructed around the capitol itself. the size of the celebration has been extremely limited by the coronavirus pandemic. only 1,000 tickets have been released. it�*s notjust washington dc that is on high alert. the national guard has been deployed to at least 21 state capitols

after the fbi issued warnings of potential domestic terrorism leading up to the inauguration. that includes michigan, a state that experienced tense, armed protests even before the attack on capitol hill and whose democratic governor has been a frequent target of president trump�*s supporters. nada tawfik has this report from the capital, lansing. a small group of protesters were outnumbered by security and members of the media. their views spoke volumes about america �*s predicament. volumes about america 's predicament.— volumes about america 's predicament. volumes about america 's redicament. ,, , :, , predicament. supporters of president trump suggested _ predicament. supporters of president trump suggested that _ predicament. supporters of president trump suggested that the _ predicament. supporters of president trump suggested that the radical- trump suggested that the radical left, were responsible for the

attack. there are people behind the curtains were pushing the buttons and leathers and i think that agenda is to completely ruin this country. there are also a few members of a french and thai government group banned by facebook for advocating violence. this group have grown in size online and are very visible presence in the flesh. hate size online and are very visible presence in the flesh.- size online and are very visible presence in the flesh. we feel our ri . hts to presence in the flesh. we feel our rights to liberties _ presence in the flesh. we feel our rights to liberties are _ presence in the flesh. we feel our rights to liberties are being i rights to liberties are being stepped on by government and stripped away from the people�*s and her government sentiment has rocked a chicken before. in her government sentiment has rocked a chicken before.— a chicken before. in april, i'm protesters — a chicken before. in april, i'm protesters tried _ a chicken before. in april, i'm protesters tried to _ a chicken before. in april, i'm protesters tried to enter i a chicken before. in april, i'm protesters tried to enter -- i a chicken before. in april, i'm i protesters tried to enter -- rocked protesters tried to enter —— rocked government before. an alleged plot to kidnap the state�*s democratic governor was disrupted. experts believe it emboldened other groups, including those at the capitol ndc. when you open a can of political violence. — when you open a can of political violence, you cannot screw the lid back— violence, you cannot screw the lid back on — violence, you cannot screw the lid back on we — violence, you cannot screw the lid back on. we have a sort of normalise political _ back on. we have a sort of normalise political violence in this country by allowing this to occur without the objection is that we are now

seeing — the objection is that we are now seeing for— the objection is that we are now seeing for over two years. so as a result, _ seeing for over two years. so as a result, people should be concerned. at least— result, people should be concerned. at least for— result, people should be concerned. at least for now, there is, at the capital. the extra security at state capitals is just one of the reminders. he will have little time to sell but his inauguration as it begins amid a country on edge in more ways than one. we�*ll have extensive coverage ofjoe biden�*s inauguration throughout the day here on the bbc news channel and on bbc one. full coverage starts from 3.30pm — with a bbc news special live from washington presented by katty kay. coming up just after 12 oclock — we�*ll bring you prime minister�*s questions. now it�*s time for a look at the weather with matt taylor. stop in and other still has the

upper weather wedding in place. through to the southern pennines and lancashire, there is going to be some furtherflooding. lancashire, there is going to be some further flooding. once the rain has eased, river levels will tend to rise. the bulk of the rainfall was persist in any wet, wet conditions compared with yesterday and parts of the midlands and east anglia, straight taste. touch and go first. some snow across the southern upland, far north of scotland, back to rise. the bulk of the rainfall must persist in any wet, wet conditions compared with yesterday and parts of the midlands and east anglia, straight taste. touch and go first. some snow across the southern upland, far north of scotland,, mount further south. but the windiest of the weather will pick up through tonight across southern and eastern areas. touching maybe 50 or 60 mph. not before dropping out a bit of snow across the tops of the hills in western england and wales, but across eastern parts of scotland we will see more significance now into tomorrow, especially over the higher ground with blizzards possible. bye for now.

this is bbc news. the headlines: joe biden�*s team says he will issue a raft of executive orders immediately after he is sworn in as the new us president, to undo much of donald trump�*s legacy. ahead of his inauguration, mr biden has spoken of the need for healing. to heal, we must remember. it�*s hard sometimes to remember. but that�*s how we heal. it�*s important to do that as a nation. i stand before you truly proud of what we have achieved together. we did what we came here to do and so much more. this is the scene live in washington where, within the next hour, donald trump is due to leave the white house. in the final hours of his presidency, mr trump pardoned

more than 70 people. the environment agency warns of a "volatile situation" with parts of england preparing for flooding as storm christoph sweeps in. the former prime minister, theresa may, accuses borisjohnson of abandoning britain�*s position of global moral leadership. and this is the scene in the house of commons where prime minister�*s questions is about to get underway. in a moment we�*ll take you to prime minister�*s questions — but of course it�*s the dayjoe biden will become the us president. let�*s take a look at what is planned for inauguration day. the ceremony will begin outside the capitol building at around 1100 eastern time or 1600 gmt. lady gaga will sing

the national anthem before vice president kamala harris is sworn in byjustice sonia sotomayor — the first woman of colour to become vice president and the first woman of colour to sit on the supreme court. thenjoe biden will be sworn into office — to become the 46th president of the united states. he will make his inaugural address and sign his first presidential documents. a �*pass—in review�* will then take place; a ceremony in which the new commander—in—chief checks the state of readiness of the military and which marks the peaceful transfer of power to the new leader. president biden and vp harris, along with former presidents 0bama, bush and clinton will then travel to arlington national cemetery, to lay a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier. after that, the new president will travel back into central washington from where he will be given a presidential escort to the white house. in the evening, there will be a star—studded gala event broadcast on television and social media channels in the us called �*celebrating america�*,

hosted by tom hanks. president electjoe biden has already announced a number of things he will do on his first day in office — including reversals of trump policies to be signed into law as a series of executive orders. this morning it�*s been confirmed that more than a dozen of these will be signed, including: us will rejoin the world health organization — with dr anthony fauci representing the us at a who meeting on thursday. he will halt construction of the trump border wall between the us and mexico. and biden will sign an order to rejoin the paris climate deal. we�*ll have extensive coverage ofjoe biden�*s inauguration throughout the day here on the bbc news channel and on bbc one. full coverage starts from 3.30pm — with a bbc news special — live from washington presented by katty kay. as we wait for prime minister�*s

questions, let�*s go to our correspondence. what are we expect then? we correspondence. what are we expect then? ~ �* :, , correspondence. what are we expect then? we will get boris johnson makin: a then? we will get boris johnson making a comment _ then? we will get boris johnson making a comment on - then? we will get boris johnson| making a comment on president biden�*s inauguration. he is keen to establish a close working relationship with the new american president despite those comparisons of borisjohnson and donald trump. donald trump called him britton trump. he will be keen to leave that behind. he will want to see what shared goals between the two countries there can be. and shared goals on climate change. it is a hope... goals on climate change. it is a hoe... , goals on climate change. it is a hoe". , :, , let�*sjoin prime minister�*s questions. i look forward to working with him and his new administration

strengthening the partnership between our countries and working on our shared priorities from tackling climate change and building back better from the pandemic and strengthening transatlantic security. i want to thank the environment agency and other emergency services for the work they are doing to support communities affected by the floods. i will be chairing a cobra meeting to coordinate a national response. i had meetings with ministerial colleagues in addition to duties to the house and i will have those later. a, the house and i will have those later. , :, the house and i will have those later. ,:, ,, later. may i start by filling associating _ later. may i start by filling associating myself - later. may i start by filling associating myself with i later. may i start by filling j associating myself with all later. may i start by filling i associating myself with all of the prime minister�*s opening comments. will the prime ministerjoin me in welcoming the fact that free school meal pupils will continue to receive free school lunches over the holidays thanks to the winter grant fund given by this government? yes.

fund given by this government? yes, indeed. i fund given by this government? yes, indeed- i can — fund given by this government? yes, indeed. i can confirm _ fund given by this government? i91 indeed. i can confirm that eligible pupils in leeds will receive free school meal support in the february half term. we have given £2 million to leeds city council and it is the intention of this government that no child should go hungry this winter as a result of the covid pandemic. can i also welcome the inauguration of president biden and vice—president harris. it is a victory for hope overheat in a real moment for optimism in the us and around the world. and i also thank all of those on the front line helping to deliver the vaccine, including the nhs, who are also doing so much to keep us safe under the most extraordinary pressure. mr speaker, it is ten days since the home office mistakenly deleted hundreds of thousands of vital

criminal records. including fingerprints, crime scene data and dna records. so can the prime minister tell the house how many criminal investigations could have been damaged by this mistake? the home been damaged by this mistake? ti9 home office is actively working to assess the damage and as the right honourable gentleman will know from the urgent question that was held in the urgent question that was held in the house only a few days ago, they believe that they will be able to rectify the results of this complex incident and they hope very much that they will be able to restore the data in question.— that they will be able to restore the data in question. that's not an answer to my _ the data in question. that's not an answer to my question. _ the data in question. that's not an answer to my question. and i the data in question. that's not an answer to my question. and it i the data in question. that's not anj answer to my question. and it was the most basic of questions, it was the most basic of questions, it was the first question that any prime minister would have asked of those briefing him, how many criminal

investigations have been damaged? so let me ask this second basic question that any prime minister would have asked those briefing him, how many convicted criminals have had their records wrongly deleted? i answered the first question entirely accurately. we don�*t know how many cases might be frustrated as a result of what has happened that i can tell you that there are 213 thousand offence records, 5000 are currently being investigated because they are the subject of this problem. they are the sub'ect of this problem-h they are the sub'ect of this roblem. ~ ,,, :, ,, :, :, problem. mr speaker, i have a letter here from the _ problem. mr speaker, i have a letter here from the national— problem. mr speaker, i have a letter here from the national police - problem. mr speaker, i have a letter here from the national police chief. here from the national police chief was my counsel. it makes it clear that 400 who —— like was my counsel. it makes it clear that 400 who -- like 4003000 was my counsel. it makes it clear that 400 who —— like 4003000 records may have been deleted, in addition to that, in addition to that, this is from the national police chief

was my counsel, in addition to that, 26,000 dna records from the dna database and 30,000 fingerprint records from the fingerprints database. this isn�*tjust a technical issue, it�*s about criminals not being caught on victims not getting justice. this letter makes clear that it includes data from criminals convicted of serious offences, it has impacted libellous police and vectors already and it includes rackets, including dna, marked for a definite retention following the conviction for serious inventions. that is the most serious offences. is there prime minister seriously telling us that ten days after this incident came to light, he still hasn�*t got to the bottom of the basic question and he can knock tell us how many cases have been

lost. how many serious offenders this concerns and how many police investigations have been investigated. it investigations have been investigated.— investigations have been investigated. investigations have been investidated. , , :, investigated. it is becoming a feature of _ investigated. it is becoming a feature of his _ investigated. it is becoming a feature of his questions i investigated. it is becoming a feature of his questions that l investigated. it is becoming a i feature of his questions that he fails to listen to the answer that i have just given. fails to listen to the answer that i havejust given. let fails to listen to the answer that i have just given. let me repeat, because he said... i think he quoted a figure of 413,000. i did some maths briefly in my head. if you look at, if you add 213,000, 175,000, you get, plus 15,000, you get to 403,000. if only he'd bothered to do that is essential, that swift computation in his head, he would have had his answer. it was there in the previous answer, mr speaker. of course it is outrageous that any data should have been lost, but at the moment, we are trying as i said in my first answer, we are trying, which i hope we heard, we

are trying to retrieve that data. the prime minister complains about not listening to answers. prime minister, that was the figure, plus the 26,000 plus... i said 4003000, plus... let rees dark the next question. 413,000. how long will it take for all the wrong way deleted records to be reinstated to the police database? that records to be reinstated to the police database?— records to be reinstated to the police database? records to be reinstated to the olice database? ., , ., police database? that will depend on how lona it police database? that will depend on how long it takes _ police database? that will depend on how long it takes to _ police database? that will depend on how long it takes to recover - police database? that will depend on how long it takes to recover them. i how long it takes to recover them. people are working around the clock having been debriefed on this both by myself and by the policing minister. we are working round the clock on this issue. any loss of data is of course unacceptable but it is this government, thanks to the strong economy we have had for the last few years that we have been able to invest massively in policing

and drive crime down. that is the most important thing of all and i am in in no doubt that we will caning to do that by relying on excellent data. ., ,, . ., , ., data. the home secretary said that the homeless _ data. the home secretary said that the homeless were _ data. the home secretary said that the homeless were still— data. the home secretary said that the homeless were still -- -- - data. the home secretary said that the homeless were still -- -- we . the homeless were still —— —— we don't know where the records are but they may have to be re—entered manually. which will obviously take along, long time. the letterfrom the national police chiefs council also makes clear that the obvious place to reinstate which is the dna database or fingerprint database, data base or fingerprint data base, have database or fingerprint database, have also themselves been compromised. his answers need to be seenin compromised. his answers need to be seen in that light. let me turn to another of the home secretary's responsibilities, the last night he said that... she said, should we have closed our borders earlier, i

said yes. why did the prime minister over rule the home secretary? i think it was last march that the right honourable gentleman along with many others was actually saying that we did not need to call —— my close borders. as usual, captain hindsight has changed his response to social events. we are in the middle of a national pandemic and this country are facing a very grave death toll and we are doing everything we can to protect the british public which i think you would expect. that is why we have instituted one of the strict virus regimes in the world, that is why we insist you have to get a test 72 hours before you fly, there must be a passenger locatorform hours before you fly, there must be a passenger locator form that you need to provide and quarantine for ten to five days if you do a second test. it is... iam

ten to five days if you do a second test. it is... i am delighted that he praises the home secretary. change of tune from the right honourable gentleman. i am delighted he is in favour of tough border controls because he was not last year. he campaigned for the leadership of the labour party on a manifesto to get back to free movement, mr speaker. he manifesto to get back to free movement, mr speaker. he talks of hindsiaht. movement, mr speaker. he talks of hindsight but _ movement, mr speaker. he talks of hindsight. but the _ movement, mr speaker. he talks of hindsight. but the home _ movement, mr speaker. he talks of hindsight. but the home side - movement, mr speaker. he talks of hindsight. but the home side said . hindsight. but the home side said last night is not disputed, it is not disputed. it is set —— like she was saying last march to the prime minister, you need to shut the borders. she was saying it. so i repeat the question to the prime minister, why did he overrule the home secretary who claims that she said last march that we should shut our borders? mr said last march that we should shut our borders?— our borders? mr speaker, we have instituted one _ our borders? mr speaker, we have instituted one of _ our borders? mr speaker, we have instituted one of the _ our borders? mr speaker, we have instituted one of the toughest - instituted one of the toughest border regimes in the world and it was only last march that he with many actors in his party were

continuing to support an open border approach. i must say the whole experience of listening to the right honourable gentleman over the last few months has really been like listening to a weather vane, watching a weather vane spin round and ryan depending on whether the races. we were getting on with tackling this pandemic through the most practical means that are available to us, rolling out a vaccine programme that has inoculated 4.2 million people in our country. whereas he would have joined the eu's scheme, if i remember, he attacked the vaccine task force to secure their suppliers on which we are relying. he stood on a manifesto on the last election to unbundle the very first —— pharmaceutical companies on his breakthrough is this country is relying. they continue to look backwards, to play politics and to select from the sidelines. we look forwards and get on with the job?

——! forwards and get on with the 'ob? --i ., , �* the forwards and get on with the 'ob? --i_ the nationalh --! rob butler. the national roll-out _ --! rob butler. the national roll-out of— --! rob butler. the national roll-out of covert _ --! rob butler. the national roll-out of covert mac -- - --! rob butler. the national- roll-out of covert mac -- covid-19 roll—out of covert mac —— covid—19 vaccines as a success story. it is in the past few days that over 80 roles in aylesbury have been able to get their firstjabs and many of my constituents have contacted me to say they are frustrated and worried that they have been either forgotten or pushed to the back of the queue. can my right honourable friend assure me that everyone in the aylesbury area in the most vulnerable groups will be vaccinated by the middle of february? i vulnerable groups will be vaccinated by the middle of february?- by the middle of february? i thank my honourable _ by the middle of february? i thank my honourable friend _ by the middle of february? i thank my honourable friend for— by the middle of february? i thank| my honourable friend for everything he does to fight for the interests of people of aylesbury and i can confirm that we are on track to deliver our pledges. there are constraints on supply but we are on track to deliver a first vaccine to everyone in the first four cohorts.

up everyone in the first four cohorts. up to scotland with the leader of the snp, — up to scotland with the leader of the snp, ian blackford. this afternoon. _ the snp, ian blackford. this afternoon, millions - the snp, ian blackford. t�*u 3 afternoon, millions around the the snp, ian blackford.t'13 afternoon, millions around the world will breeze a massive sigh of relief when presidentjoe biden and vice—president kamala harris are sworn into office. it gives us all hope that better days are ahead of us, that days will be a little bit brighter. turning the page on the dark chapter of trump's presidency isn't solely the responsibility of presidentjoe biden. it is also the responsibility in the tory party including the prime minister who cosied up to donald trump and his callous worldview. this morning, the former prime minister, the member former prime minister, the member for maidenhead, accuse the current prime minister of abandoning moral responsibility on the world stage by slashing international aid. so if

todayis slashing international aid. so if today is to be a new chapter, if today is to be a new chapter, if todayis today is to be a new chapter, if today is to be a new chapter, if today is to be a new chapter, if today is to be a new start, will the prime minister begin by reversing his cruel policy of cutting international aid for the world's purist? mr international aid for the world's urist? ~ .,~ ~ international aid for the world's urist? ~ ~' , purist? mr speaker, ithink it is important _ purist? mr speaker, ithink it is important that _ purist? mr speaker, ithink it is important that the _ purist? mr speaker, ithink it is important that the prime - purist? mr speaker, i think it is i important that the prime minister purist? mr speaker, i think it is - important that the prime minister of the uk has the best possible relationship with the president of the united states. that is part of the united states. that is part of the job description as i think all sensible members opposite would acknowledge. this country is embarking on a phenomenal year and we have already led the world with the summit for a global vaccination, raising $8.8 million. it was the first major country in the world to set a target of net zeal carbon emissions from 2015. all other countries are falling. —— net zero. we are working to promote global

work trade. and the transatlantic alliance and a tool which the scottish national party would unbundle. i don't know what their policy is on our armed services. perhaps they would like to explain. it is the scottish national party. i know_ it is the scottish national party. i know you — it is the scottish national party. i know you have a memory lapse on it. ian blackford. i somehow think we have lost— ian blackford. i somehow think we have lost ian blackford. nicole richards _ have lost ian blackford. nicole richards. nicola, you are muted. | richards. nicola, you are muted. i am richards. nicola, you are muted. am not richards. nicola, you are muted. i am not muted. can you hear me? can you hear me? get

am not muted. can you hear me? can you heor me?— you hear me? get the prime minister's — you hear me? get the prime minister's question. - you hear me? get the prime minister's question. can - you hear me? get the prime minister's question. can you j you hear me? get the prime - minister's question. can you hear me? it is not _ minister's question. can you hear me? it is not working. _ minister's question. can you hear me? it is not working. we - minister's question. can you hear me? it is not working. we will. minister's question. can you hear. me? it is not working. we will now move on- — me? it is not working. we will now move on- we _ me? it is not working. we will now move on. we will _ me? it is not working. we will now move on. we will come _ me? it is not working. we will now move on. we will come back. - me? it is not working. we will now move on. we will come back. we l me? it is not working. we will now i move on. we will come back. we will now move _ move on. we will come back. we will now move on — move on. we will come back. we will now move on to ed davey. have we got ed davey? — now move on to ed davey. have we got ed dave ? ., ~ ed davey? good afternoon, mr seaker. ed davey? good afternoon, mr speaker- can _ ed davey? good afternoon, mr speaker- can i _ ed davey? good afternoon, mr speaker. can i add _ ed davey? good afternoon, mr speaker. can i add my- ed davey? good afternoon, mr| speaker. can i add my warmest ed davey? good afternoon, mr. speaker. can i add my warmest of welcomes to present biden and vice—president harris on their inauguration in washington today. in answer to my question injuly, the prime minister promised an independent enquiry into the uk's response to covid. in the six months since, covid cases have soared, our nhs is on its knees, and 50,000 more people have died. the uk now has one of the highest death rates in the world, higher even than trump's

america. to learn the lessons from what has gone so devastatingly wrong under his leadership, will the prime minister commit to launching the enquiry he promised last year, this year? mr enquiry he promised last year, this ear? ~ ,,, ., ~ enquiry he promised last year, this ear? ~ ., , , enquiry he promised last year, this ear? ~ .,, , , enquiry he promised last year, this ear? ~ .,, , year? mr speaker, he answers his own auestion year? mr speaker, he answers his own question with — year? mr speaker, he answers his own question with a — year? mr speaker, he answers his own question with a preamble _ year? mr speaker, he answers his own question with a preamble that - year? mr speaker, he answers his own question with a preamble that he - year? mr speaker, he answers his own question with a preamble that he set l question with a preamble that he set out. the nhs is under unprecedented pressure. the entire british state is trying to fight covid and roll out their biggest vaccination programme in the history of our country and that includes virtually every single arm of officialdom. we should consecrate vast state resources to an enquiry now in the middle of the pandemic, does not seem sensible to me and i don't believe it would seem members to the house. of course there will be a time to reflect and to prepare for the next pandemic.—

time to reflect and to prepare for the next pandemic. let's reconnect with ian blackford _ the next pandemic. let's reconnect with ian blackford for _ the next pandemic. let's reconnect with ian blackford for his _ the next pandemic. let's reconnect with ian blackford for his second i with ian blackford for his second question — with ian blackford for his second cuestion. . ~ with ian blackford for his second cuestion. ., ~ , ., with ian blackford for his second cuestion. ., ~ i. ~ with ian blackford for his second cuestion. ., ~ ~ .,~ question. thank you, mr speaker. peole question. thank you, mr speaker. people would _ question. thank you, mr speaker. people would find _ question. thank you, mr speaker. people would find the _ question. thank you, mr speaker. people would find the prime - people would find the prime minister's claims about the uk's global leadership believable. last night he had not ordered his mps to vote down there amendment to the trade deal which would stop trade with countries that commit genocide. genocide is not a matter of history, it is happening in our world right now. the international community has stood idly by as muslim men and children are forced into concentration camps. genocide is taking place and the incoming secretary of state agrees with his view. as the prime minister prepared to follow that lead. is he prepared to follow that lead. is he prepared to stand up to date and clearly state that genocide is being committed against the uighur population of china. if he is, will

he urgently work with the new biden administration... he urgently work with the new biden administration. . ._ he urgently work with the new biden j administration. . ._ mr administration... prime minister. mr seaker, administration... prime minister. mr speaker. the — administration... prime minister. mr speaker. the right _ administration... prime minister. mr speaker, the right honourable - speaker, the right honourable gentleman knows very well that the attribution of genocide is a judicial matter. but i can see for myself that i regard what is happening in china and to the rigours is utterly abhorrent and i know that members of all sides of the house share that view. —— uighurs. i spoke to my colleague recently on what was happening and the steps we are taking to protect, to prevent british commercial engagement with goods that are made ljy engagement with goods that are made by forced labour and the measures and the steps we are taking against what is happening. what i might ask

in all sincerity is what he would propose by way of a scottish national, are not nationalist, or nationalforeign national, are not nationalist, or national foreign policy. national, are not nationalist, or nationalforeign policy. did he break up the foreign office, which he break up the fc you'll —— the offices which are in east kilbride? next week we mark holocaust memorial day and remember those killed by the nazis and paid tribute to the survivors. well he join nazis and paid tribute to the survivors. well hejoin me to nazis and paid tribute to the survivors. well he join me to thank the trust to organise events across the trust to organise events across the country to hear the testimony of one of the survivors. mi; the country to hear the testimony of one of the survivors.— one of the survivors. my honourable friend is absolutely _ one of the survivors. my honourable friend is absolutely right _ one of the survivors. my honourable friend is absolutely right to - one of the survivors. my honourable friend is absolutely right to warn - friend is absolutely right to warn us of the need to continue to inoculate our populations against

the virus of anti—semitism which has a tendency to recover and re—infect societies, including tragically our own. i will be happy tojoin my honourable friend in encouraging all members to encourage all schools, to tune into the event that she mentions. tune into the event that she mentions-— tune into the event that she mentions. �* ., ,, ., , ., mm mentions. alexander stafford. both i and many residents _ mentions. alexander stafford. both i and many residents across _ mentions. alexander stafford. both i and many residents across the - mentions. alexander stafford. both i and many residents across the valleyj and many residents across the valley are concerned about crime, drug abuse and anti—social behaviour. well the prime minister back my campaign and call on the crime and police commissioner to install a police presence and open a police station on the high street?- station on the high street? there can be no more _ station on the high street? there can be no more fervent _ station on the high street? there can be no more fervent and - station on the high street? there . can be no more fervent and effective advocate for the people of rather valley than my honourable friend. i am sure he has much support for his

campaign for am sure he has much support for his campaignfora am sure he has much support for his campaign for a police station. i hope that a solution can be found. in the meantime i can assure that there will be the police officers to put on that police station because we are delivering on our commitment to having 20,000 more police over the lifetime of this parliament. prime minister, contrary to the view of every political party here and all of those involved in logistics and retail, the secretary of state for ireland said there is no border in the irish sea and the destruction to supplies was a covid issue and nothing to do with brexit or the protocol. the papers are reporting plans to woo the biden administration through the topic of northern ireland. as they and we try to move on from trump and trumpism we are being straight with the people of northern ireland not being a good start?—

a good start? they know from what i said to the liaison _ a good start? they know from what i said to the liaison committee - said to the liaison committee several times, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. there is more transit now taking place between larne and stranraer and cairnryan then there is between holyhead and dublin because it is going so smoothly. mr holyhead and dublin because it is going so smoothly.— holyhead and dublin because it is going so smoothly. mr speaker, thank ou. going so smoothly. mr speaker, thank you- the- -- — going so smoothly. mr speaker, thank you. the... sorry. _ going so smoothly. mr speaker, thank you. the... sorry. it— going so smoothly. mr speaker, thank you. the... sorry. it is— going so smoothly. mr speaker, thank you. the... sorry. it is excellent- you. the... sorry. it is excellent that we are leading europe vaccinations and it is excellent that we have a strong health board about as the virus bounces around the world, there is a risk that it will mutate and be able to dodge the vaccines are reduced efficacy and there is concerning from south africa in that respect. will the government develop a new rapid pathway to allow the approval of new

variations of the vaccine so we can shut down any new strains quickly? yes, indeed. my honourable friend makes an important point. we have been talking about that, we have the scientists over the last days and weeks intensively, just in the last few hours. we are confident that the agency will be in a position to turn around new applications for new variants of maxine —— vaccines as new variants of the virus appear. thank you. lorries containing food produce sitting idle for days. it is a stark reminder that if post—brexit britain is to be itself sufficient, could the prime minister provide the infrastructure investment essential to tackling flooding in east

lancashire by giving the environment and agency —— like the environment agency to keep the pumps operational and to maintain the watercourses. this will be vital to ensure that the rich food producing lands of lancashire, essential to the security for supplies and our national and local economy... prime minister. national and local economy... prime minister- we — national and local economy... prime minister. we have _ national and local economy... prime minister. we have got _ national and local economy... prime minister. we have got to _ national and local economy... prime minister. we have got to get - national and local economy... prime minister. we have got to get through the questions. she minister. we have got to get through the questions-— the questions. she is entirely right and we will — the questions. she is entirely right and we will protect _ the questions. she is entirely right and we will protect those - the questions. she is entirely right and we will protect those areas - the questions. she is entirely right| and we will protect those areas and she is entirely right to call for flood defences. we have put £5.2 billion over six years into flood defences, including the pumping station refurbishments which the honourable lady mentions, which we have invented, £5.7 million to protect nearly 4000 homes. the

southwest has _ protect nearly 4000 homes. the southwest has an ambitious programme to build back better in both the green and blue sectors, investing in both clean growth and marine high—tech clusters. but to do so we will need continued investment in our infrastructure. will my right honourable friend assured us that levelling up does notjust involve the north, but every region of the united kingdom, including the south—west? mr united kingdom, including the south-west?— south-west? mr speaker, the otential south-west? mr speaker, the potential of — south-west? mr speaker, the potential of the _ south-west? mr speaker, the potential of the south-west, l south-west? mr speaker, the i potential of the south-west, the potential of the south—west, the greater southwest is enormous. southwest is enormous and particularly in the areas of green technology, blue and green technology, blue and green technology, and he can be assured that we will be giving massive investment in infrastructure to support the green industrial revolution in the south—west as well as in all parts of the uk. ben livreidshhw- —

as in all parts of the uk. ben bradshaw. when _ as in all parts of the uk. ben bradshaw. when the - as in all parts of the uk. ben bradshaw. when the prime l as in all parts of the uk. ben - bradshaw. when the prime minister told fishermen _ bradshaw. when the prime minister told fishermen in _ bradshaw. when the prime minister told fishermen in the _ bradshaw. when the prime minister told fishermen in the south-west i told fishermen in the south—west they would not face new export barriers or unnecessary form filling and when he told musicians and artists they would still be free to tour and work in the rest of the european union after brexit, neither of those statements were correct, were they? it of those statements were correct, were they?— were they? it is absolutely true that some _ were they? it is absolutely true that some british _ were they? it is absolutely true that some british fishermen i were they? it is absolutely true i that some british fishermen have faced barriers at the present time owing to complications over form filling and indeed one of the biggest problems is that a last there is a decline in appetite for fish and continental markets because most of the restaurants are shut but the reality is that brexit will deliver and is delivering a huge uplift in quota. already in the next five years, and by 2026 the fishing people of this country will have

access to all the fish in all the territorial waters of this country and to get them ready for that we are investing £100 million improving boats, the industry and getting fishing ready for the opportunities ahead. flan fishing ready for the opportunities ahead. . . ~ ahead. can i thank the prime minister and _ ahead. can i thank the prime minister and the _ ahead. can i thank the prime minister and the health - ahead. can i thank the prime - minister and the health secretary for the recent strength and guidance to allow parents access to neonatal intensive care units whenever they need to in this pandemic? and the prime minister confirm compliance with this guidance will be monitored and reassure parents once and for all we know they are integral to their child does not care in hospital and notjust their child does not care in hospital and not just visitors? absolutely. i know that my honourable friend knows of what she speaks and she is completely right

to say that partners in care should not be considered as visitors and thatis not be considered as visitors and that is why the current guidance is being put in place and we will be monitoring it to ensure that it is observed. {lin monitoring it to ensure that it is observed. ., a, . monitoring it to ensure that it is observed. ., . ., observed. on the 7th of march of this ear observed. on the 7th of march of this year my _ observed. on the 7th of march of this year my constituent - observed. on the 7th of march of this year my constituent parts i observed. on the 7th of march of| this year my constituent parts like unjustified five year prison sentence finally come to an end. what assurances has he had from the iranian authorities that she will have her ankle tag removed and gets her british passport back and be allowed to board a flight back to the gate uk in 45 days' time? i know she has campaigned _ the gate uk in 45 days' time? i know she has campaigned well— the gate uk in 45 days' time? i know she has campaigned well on - the gate uk in 45 days' time? i know she has campaigned well on behalf. the gate uk in 45 days' time? i know| she has campaigned well on behalf of her constituent and quite rightly and we are watching virtually round the clock to secure the release of all the dual nationals that concern

us in tehran and without going into the details of the cases, which are complex, we are doing everything we can to secure what we regard as the completely unjustified detention of nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe. as she knows she is out, admittedly on the conditions she describes. to yorkshire. with _ conditions she describes. to yorkshire. with yorkshire i conditions she describes. to - yorkshire. with yorkshire leading the wa in yorkshire. with yorkshire leading the way in the — yorkshire. with yorkshire leading the way in the vaccine _ yorkshire. with yorkshire leading the way in the vaccine roll-out, l the way in the vaccine roll—out, does the prime minister agree that once we have vaccinated the most vulnerable, the elderly and our wonderful health and social care workers we should then look at prioritising vaccinating police officers, emergency service workers, carers, teachers, nursery staff and there whose essential daily work plan for them contact with other people? he plan for them contact with other eo - le? , plan for them contact with other --eole? , ., .,

plan for them contact with other n-eole? , ., ., ., ., people? he is a great advocate for his constituents _ people? he is a great advocate for his constituents and _ people? he is a great advocate for his constituents and i _ people? he is a great advocate for his constituents and i much - people? he is a great advocate for his constituents and i much enjoy l his constituents and i much enjoy many exchanges with them and i thank him for what he is saying about those groups. we must rely on what the dc vi has to say the priorities that the experts have decided but of course we want to see those groups that he mentioned vaccinated as soon as possible and i am very pleased that in spite of the difficulties last week we gave up 1.5 million people theirfirst dose, last week we gave up 1.5 million people their first dose, up half a million on the previous week. iloatheh million on the previous week. when we lace million on the previous week. when we place our _ million on the previous week. when we place our social— million on the previous week. when we place our social care _ million on the previous week. when we place our social care workers for their immense response to the pandemic that includes over 100,000 care workers from the eu but new research shows many of them do not know anything about the prime minister's resettlement scheme and many more do not know that they have to apply by the end ofjune so we could see eu nationals losing the

right to live and work here from the 1st ofjuly. well the prime minister cancel or postpone the application deadline or extend the rights of eu nationals automatically as he previously promised to do. i thank him for drawing _ previously promised to do. i thank him for drawing attention - previously promised to do. i thank him for drawing attention to - previously promised to do. i thank him for drawing attention to the i him for drawing attention to the scheme. i respectfully disagree with him about the ignorance in whichever eu nationals have been because 4 million of them successfully applied and have been given residence thanks to the scheme we have instituted and it is a great success and we pay tribute to the wonderful eu nationals in our country who did a fantasticjob for this nationals in our country who did a fantastic job for this country. nationals in our country who did a fantasticjob for this country. to northampton. fantastic job for this country. to northampton. thank— fantastic job for this country. to northampton. thank you - fantastic job for this country. to northampton. thank you very i fantastic job for this country. to - northampton. thank you very much. for many years. _ northampton. thank you very much. for many years. my _ northampton. thank you very much. for many years, my right _ northampton. thank you very much. | for many years, my right honourable friend wrote many humorous articles that need serious points about the

dangers of over—regulation. the department of health and social care is consulting on how to increase regulations on food advertising significantly. can he reassure me that any implementation from this consultation will be in line with his and my long—held principles? indeed, i remain a champion for liberty in all its aspects, but i am the living embodiment of the risks of obesity and there is no question that it of obesity and there is no question thatitis of obesity and there is no question that it is a co—morbidity factor in the pandemic and that is something the pandemic and that is something the people of this country understand and they understand it is about individual responsibility to do what we can to get healthy, stay healthy, because that is one of the ways we can all help protect our nhs. ., , ways we can all help protect our nhs. .,, ,.,. , ways we can all help protect our nhs. , , , , nhs. doctors, researchers, experts, campaigners — nhs. doctors, researchers, experts, campaigners and — nhs. doctors, researchers, experts, campaigners and my — nhs. doctors, researchers, experts, campaigners and my constituents, i campaigners and my constituents, just under two thirds from bmae

backgrounds, have observed the pandemic disproportionately affecting bame communities. on the prime minister recognise this disparity is as a result of structural racism and can he outline what his government are doing to address this issue? i do what his government are doing to address this issue?— what his government are doing to address this issue? i do not agree with her last _ address this issue? i do not agree with her last point _ address this issue? i do not agree with her last point but _ address this issue? i do not agree with her last point but she - address this issue? i do not agree with her last point but she makes| address this issue? i do not agree | with her last point but she makes a very important point about the need to reach hard to reach groups in society and that is why it is so important the vaccine roll—out is conducted in coordination because it is local government that will know where we need to go to make sure that we reach those groups and we

must vaccinate and they may be vaccine hesitant.— must vaccinate and they may be vaccine hesitant. over the last week there has been _ vaccine hesitant. over the last week there has been yet _ vaccine hesitant. over the last week there has been yet again _ vaccine hesitant. over the last week there has been yet again very - there has been yet again very significant flooding in stafford. unfortunately my constituents in central stafford and bishops which are regularly experiencing the disruption and distress flooding causes so well my right honourable friend connect to my campaign to establish a flood control centre in stafford that residents can call directly which will provide 24—7 assistance for my constituents affected by flooding? i assistance for my constituents affected by flooding?- assistance for my constituents affected by flooding? i have every s math affected by flooding? i have every sympathy for _ affected by flooding? i have every sympathy for the _ affected by flooding? i have every sympathy for the residents - affected by flooding? i have every sympathy for the residents of - sympathy for the residents of stafford to have been affected by flooding, as with everybody who has been affected by flooding in the latest bout, and what i can see is that the environment agency is working hand in glove with her local

authority and other partners to find authority and other partners to find a particular solution to the flooding in sandyford book. thank you. my constituency is served by to local councils. recently there has been emergency action to save hundreds ofjobs has to make 20 million of cuts in the upcoming budget. last year the secretary of state for communities councils whatever it takes to get through the pandemic, so why instead is the prime minister dropping a council tax bombshell and asking my constituents to pay for his promises?— constituents to pay for his romises? ., , ., ., ~' �* , promises? last time i looked bexley was a conservative _ promises? last time i looked bexley was a conservative councillor- promises? last time i looked bexley was a conservative councillor in - was a conservative councillor in greenwich was labour, which may

explain part of the problem, but the reality is that we are supporting every council with £4.6 billion of support for local government so far during the pandemic. when she visits council tax perhaps you could have a word with her friend the mayor of london who is threatening to put up his council tax by 10%. final question- — his council tax by 10%. final question. derek— his council tax by 10%. final question. derek thomas. i his council tax by 10%. final. question. derek thomas. the announcement _ question. derek thomas. the announcement by _ question. derek thomas. iie announcement by my question. derek thomas. tie announcement by my right honourable friend at the g7 summit is to take place represents a tremendous opportunity for my constituency. can i thank the prime ministerfor their son can i ask whether he shares my belief that the g7 summit offers the perfect opportunity to secure a global commitment to embrace and accelerate our ambitious low—carb and industrial revolution? i do

indeed, and industrial revolution? i do indeed. and — and industrial revolution? i do indeed, and i _ and industrial revolution? i do indeed, and i believe that the g7 summit will not only be an opportunity to bring the world together to tackle covid, to build back better, to champion global free trade, to combat climate change, but also to showcase that wonderful part of the united kingdom and all the incredible technological developments happening, the spaceport and the ruffian mining going on there, showing cornwall leading the way —— lithium mining. and the copper mines. conroe once again at the heart of the 21st century green industrial revolution.

well, that was primer minister's questions. as anticipated, sir keir starmer hasta borisjohnson about that video in which priti patel says last march she was saying the government should close borders and he did not give a clear answer on why it was that she was overruled. we can speak now to our political correspondent, leila nathoo. what did you make a prime minister's questions the answer that boris johnson gave on that was that the uk currently has one of the top as per the regimes in the world. idon’t currently has one of the top as per the regimes in the world. now there are no travel— the regimes in the world. now there are no travel corridors _ the regimes in the world. now there are no travel corridors so _ the regimes in the world. now there are no travel corridors so anyone - are no travel corridors so anyone arriving into the uk as the quarantine for ten days, has to prove a negative test within 72 hours of arrival and flights from brazil and south africa are banned and other parts of south america, but the key question remains for borisjohnson but the key question remains for boris johnson what but the key question remains for borisjohnson what queer starmer was pressing him on was why this tough regime —— keir starmer was

oppressing him on. within the last couple of weeks or so theyjust brought this in. we do not have an answerfor borisjohnson brought this in. we do not have an answer for borisjohnson about this potential split where the home secretary priti patel has been telling conservative reported that she backed the closure of borders backin she backed the closure of borders back in march 2020 and admitting for the first time that the borders should have been close, restriction should have been close, restriction should have been tightened up full stop but as johnson should have been tightened up full stop but asjohnson pointed to keir starmer saying he was not calling for this back then, but clearly there are no questions to ask the government if it emerges —— has emerged that one of the leading cabinet ministers has been arguing on that front. keir starmer today chose to go on something that has been around for a few days — the deletion of hundreds of thousands of police records, trying to get some answers from a distance as to how many criminal investigations will have been affected of the deletion

of the records. as his previous role of the records. as his previous role of public director of prosecutions, keir starmer, he will have a keen interest in the subject. it is something borisjohnson has said the home office was working closely to investigate but he did not have an idea of how many cases had been impacted so far so that was something we had been working to be determined. —— was working to be determined. —— was working to be determined. away from today's news agenda, something that has been a big story in previous days, that was what keir starmer focused on. big story in previous days, that was what keir starmerfocused on. at big story in previous days, that was what keir starmer focused on. at the start, we got that acknowledgement from borisjohnson that start, we got that acknowledgement from boris johnson that there start, we got that acknowledgement from borisjohnson that there was going to be a cobra emergency committee meeting of different departments and officials across government to look into the response of flooding in parts of the country. we started off with that welcome by president biden, borisjohnson president biden, boris johnson shared president biden, borisjohnson shared goals, common areas of interest he hopes to work with

pleasant buydown.— interest he hopes to work with pleasant buydown. thank you, leila. -- to work — pleasant buydown. thank you, leila. -- to work with _ pleasant buydown. thank you, leila. -- to work with president _ pleasant buydown. thank you, leila. -- to work with president biden - pleasant buydown. thank you, leila. -- to work with president biden on. | joe biden knows his first task will be to unify a deeply divided country. on the campaign trail, biden has often played up his working—class roots and has especially focused on the swing state of pennsylvania and his home town of scranton. david grossman has been been speaking to residents there about what they expect from a biden presidency. the middle class isn't a numbers, it's a value set. values that have guided joe's entire life. they come from lessons learned growing up in scranton. i'm running because so many people are being left behind — people i grew up with in scranton, the middle class families like i grew up in in scranton. every time i walked out of my grandpa's house up in scranton, he would yell "joey, keep the faith". the housejoe biden grew up in is still there. there's not much to distinguish it from the others on the street. and that, i suppose, is the point — an ordinary american start in life. today this is a comfortable neighbourhood, and by all

accounts, it was back then. in the storyjoe biden tells of his life, it was the pain of being forced to leave this home when his father lost his job that still drives his politics. joe biden made a great deal of his roots here in scranton, growing up on north washington avenue. it was one of the reasons he said he was the only person who could beat donald trump. butjoe biden left this house nearly 70 years ago. in reality, how much of scranton is going with him to the white house? welcome home, joe! joe biden visited his childhood home on election day, trying to demonstrate, perhaps, that — in barack obama's words — he's still the same scrappy kid from scranton. among his friends here, there is real excitement about what a biden presidency means for the city and for the country. we are so proud of him. so proud of him. when i look at him, i go, "he's one of us".

i can see him on these streets, i can see him in our restaurants, in our churches, and we're confident injoe. but head out of scranton along the wyoming valley and you can see there is plenty of work forjoe biden to do. the coal from here once fuelled american industry and its factories supplied the world. many of the jobs in factories went overseas, hurried out of town by nafta, the north america free—trade agreement, put into law by bill clinton in 1993 and voted for by the then—senatorjoe biden. ifirst met richard and eileen a year ago. they live in the hills 25 miles south—west of scranton. then, they were wondering if any of the possible democratic candidates could tempt them away from donald trump. when biden was selected, everyone said, "oh, it's blue—collarjoe, he understands the people who voted for donald trump" and you used to vote democrat,

but then voted for trump. do you think he understands? no, he's really out of touch with the working people, and he's trying to get back in touch with the unions and all that, but he doesn't really understand. bringing jobs and prosperity back to this part of pennsylvania was always going to be tough, but with the pandemic ravaging the american economy and ballooning the federal budget, the headwinds now are stronger than ever. nonetheless, joe biden has made promises here, and he will be held to them. coming up after one o'clock — matthew amrilowalla will be here with much more on events in washington dc. before though, let's reflect for a few minutes on how donald trump won a surprise victory in 2016, partly because he promised to shake things up. he now leaves office with two impeachments and the nation on edge. but his supporters say he kept his promises. here's a look back at his four years in office. crooked hillary clinton.

goofy elizabeth warren. lyin' ted, the bible held high. "oh, i don't know what i said." and god bless america. not you, your organisation's terrible. always put america first. we have people coming into the country. these aren't people.

shouting and i was proud to step over the line. i thought you might do

that, i wasn't sure. applause. it's great to be with you.

hey, hey, ho, ho, donald trump has got to go! - impeach! guilty, guilty! car alarm wails black lives matter, black lives matter! j black lives matter! usa, usa, usa! siren wails you are warriors. i've been watching the fake news.

the president—electj of the united states of america, joe biden. we're going to walk down to the capitol. cheering

clamouring the past four years, we've had a president who's made his contempt for our democracy, our constitution, the rule of law clear, and yesterday was the culmination of that unrelenting attack. hello again. storm christophe continues to bring a deluge of rain

across england and wales. we have at the met office amber warning in force, particularly across parts of the midlands and northern england, but also a number of flood warnings across these areas and into parts of wales as well. we could see some further problems through the rest of today. here is the cloud associated with this tarmac. if anything, the rain will be getting heavier this afternoon —— with storm christoph. the risk of flooding is just going to increase hour by hour. more anyway of rain than we have seen over recent days across the south—east of england, but it is mild, 11, 12 celsius across england and wales, with gusty south—westerly winds. further north, cold, temperatures just three in aberdeen and glasgow and some snow around in the north of scotland. they were will start to turn to snow this afternoon around the southern upland, perhaps around the hills of the edinburgh area as well. this evening and overnight, that rain will turn more widely to snow across the system areas of scotland with large accumulations. the wind

strengthens and we could see some blizzards and drifting of the snow. very uncertain about north—east england, but the prospect, if we just see a small change in the direction of that a low pressure, we could see some of that rain turned her snow across north—east england, bringing some significant accumulation here, maybe five or ten centimetres in places. but there is quite a lot of uncertainty about the weather across that part of england. looking at the way the pictures are going to thursday, things become a bit more straightforward. more heavy snow to come across the hills of northern scotland, but around the coast, it is more likely to fall as rain and that could cause problems in terms of localised flooding. the wintry showers around as well. probably seen some accumulations of snow across the high ground of northern england and midian to wales as well. further southward, the weather drier and brighter, but a cold wind around as well. anywhere there is quite as we in the week, still with a cool, chilly north—westerly wind blowing bad day of sunshine and showers, those showers will be wintry and most frequent across northern areas, but —— western areas, but sharon is

working to parts of wales and the south—west of england from time to time. temperatures three, eight celsius. we continue with the showery theme at the weekend, that areas of low pressure may move quite close to england, maybe some snow but uncertainty.

ra re rare this is bbc world news. this the united states prepares for a new president. in a few hours, joe biden will be sworn in as the 46th and oldest president of the united states. he will focus on bringing america back together after a turbulent four years.- america back together after a turbulent four years. here we are toda . turbulent four years. here we are today- my — turbulent four years. here we are today- my family _ turbulent four years. here we are today. my family and _ turbulent four years. here we are today. my family and i, _ turbulent four years. here we are today. my family and i, about - turbulent four years. here we are today. my family and i, about to l today. my family and i, about to return to washington to meet a black woman of south asian descent to be sworn in as president and vice president of the united states. donald trump is leaving the white house, and has pardoned a number of

people, including his former