this is bbc news — these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. getting to work — president biden starts by reversing a number of his predecessor's key policies and signs more than a dozen executive orders. i have never been more optimistic about america than i am this very day. there isn't anything we can't do, if we do it together. coronavirus infection rates may have risen in england since the beginning of the lockdown, according to a study tracking the spread of the virus. the vaccination rollout continues with another 65 centres opening across england, as more over—70s start to receive theirjabs. the education secretary says schools in england will be given a "two week notice period" before they reopen to pupils.

and if you would like to get in touch about any of the stories we are covering — you can get in touch. contact me on twitter @annita—mcveigh and use the hashtag #bbcyourquestions. nearly 200 flood warnings are in place across greater manchester and north wales. thousands were asked to evauate their homes. a warehouse holding supplies of the oxford coronavirus vaccine has been saved after the building in wales experienced mild flooding. and coming up this hour — the uk has engaged in a diploatic row with the european union over the status of the eu's ambassador in london. hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. "there is no time to waste" —

those were the words ofjoe biden — as he made his way to the white house for the first time, following his inauguration to become the 46th president of the united states. the work to undo some of donald trump's key policies began soon after he arrived in the oval office. in total, mr biden signed 15 executive orders — these are written orders to the federal government, which do not require congressional approval. on coronavirus, the president is setting up a new office to respond to the pandemic. and he's also halting the process to withdraw from the world health organization. something started by donald trump. the us will also rejoin the paris climate agreement — from which president trump withdrew last year. other trump policies being reversed include ending the travel ban on some majority—muslim countries and stopping funding for the mexico border wall. kamala harris�* firstjob as vice—president was in the senate, where she swore in the new democrat senators, which give her party the slimmest possible majority

in the upper chamber of congress. all of this came before a star—studded celebration in washington where mr biden said he had never been more optimistic about the future of america. our washington correspondent, nomia iqbal, reports. there was no traditional ball for president biden and vice president harris but they got bruce springsteen and tom hanks. now, it is my honour to introduce the president of the united states, joseph r bidenjr. this is a great nation, we're a good people. and to overcome the challenges in front of us requires the most elusive of all things in a democracy — unity. hours earlier, the new leaders of america were sworn in on capitol hill. so help me god. _ congratulations, mr president. applause. soon, president biden headed into his new office and started signing away donald trump's legacy with a pen.

he green—lighted 15 executive orders, some of them included calling for a nationwide facemask mandate and rejoining both the paris climate agreement and the world health organization. mr biden did receive a letter from his predecessor, though, which is a tradition. the president wrote a very generous letter. because it was private, i will not talk about it until i talk to him. but, you know, it was generous. that was the only tradition mr trump upheld on the day, though. he didn't attend the inauguration. instead, he flew home to florida with his wife, melania trump, who looked like she was ready for a holiday. # fireworks # come on, show them what you're worth.# this administration says it wants to set a unifying and optimistic tone for america. we are bold, fearless, and ambitious. we are undaunted in our belief that we shall overcome,

that we will rise up. but this new start comes just a few weeks after donald trump's loyal supporters stormed the capital. the stakes for what president biden does the next few years couldn't be higher. nomia iqbal, bbc news, washington. earlier when i spoke to nomia, she explained the balancing act facing the new president, as he reverses policies that were popular among his predecessor's supporters. it's going to be a tricky one, i have to say. because, as you say, the policies were popular with americans. i've met a lot of donald trump's supporters, not all of them liked mr trump's style of being a president, but they did like a lot of his policies, such as the border wall with mexico, the tough stance on immigration, standing up to lots of big establishments. they enjoyed all of that. president biden is on a mission to dismantle donald trump's legacy

as quickly as possible, but he wants to unite people behind him. he constantly uses the words "unify" and "unite". he knows this country is very politically divided. to be fair, it always has been, but it has really become divided under donald trump. it will be interesting to see how many people he can get onto his side whilst, at the same time, removing a lot of the policies that made mr trump popular in the first place. we are seeing that president biden will be signing a further ten executive orders today, his first full day as president to fight the coronavirus pandemic, including directing the disaster funds be used to help reopen schools and requiring that people wear masks on planes and buses. he said in his inauguration speech yesterday, "we are entering what may be the toughest and deadliest period of the virus and

must set aside politics and finally face the pandemic as one nation." that order on mask wearing in airports and certain modes of public transportation, including many trains, aeroplanes and intercity buses, his officials said will be made an executive order today. ten executive orders to fight the coronavirus pandemic. in the past hour, the us infectious disease expert anthony fauci has been addressing the world health organization, a day after presidentjoe biden reversed donald trump's decision to leave the un agency. he told the meeting that the biden adminstration will fully engage with the global struggle against coronavirus. it is an honourfor me to be here, representing the united states of america on behalf of the newly inaugurated biden—harris administration. and as the chief medical adviser to president biden. i also am here to represent the scientists, public health officials, and front line health

care workers, and community health workers, who have worked so heroically this past year, to fight covid—i9. developing medical countermeasures at a truly phenomenal speed, adapting policy responses as we learn more about the virus, and courageously treating the millions of people who have been stricken by this historic scourge. one year ago to this very day, the united states confirmed its first case of sars—cov—2 in the state of washington. today, in my country and around the world, we have surpassed 90 million cases, a devastating number that continues to grow. let's speak now to markjit, professor of vaccine epidemiology at the london school of hygiene

and tropical medicine. very good to have you with us. given the number of cases doctor felt she was just referring to, how important do you think it is, as we tackle coronavirus globally that the us is backin coronavirus globally that the us is back in the fold of the world health organization? —— doctorfelt she. this will be crucial. the organization? -- doctor felt she. this will be crucial.— this will be crucial. the us has alwa s this will be crucial. the us has always played _ this will be crucial. the us has always played a _ this will be crucial. the us has always played a very _ this will be crucial. the us has always played a very leading i this will be crucial. the us has i always played a very leading role. scientifically and in terms of leadership in the world health organization and the who is leading on many initiatives to bring technical advice to support countries working out the best way to tackle the coronavirus problem. as you look at tackling this globally, how do you deal with different expectations, including cultural expectations and concerns around vaccination?— around vaccination? vaccines are really one _ around vaccination? vaccines are really one of— around vaccination? vaccines are really one of the _ around vaccination? vaccines are really one of the points - around vaccination? vaccines are really one of the points of - around vaccination? vaccines are really one of the points of good l really one of the points of good news we have had in this pandemic

and probably one of the most important tools we are going to have going forward. it is really important that we are able to use this tool as effectively as possible across whole populations come across different countries. because this is a global pandemic. it will really take different populations and different countries coming together. what is the situation looking like, with different roll—outs across europe. with different roll-outs across euro e. a , with different roll-outs across euroe. , ., , ., europe. many european countries have started vaccinating. _ europe. many european countries have started vaccinating. it _ europe. many european countries have started vaccinating. it has _ europe. many european countries have started vaccinating. it has been - started vaccinating. it has been slightly slower than in the uk, but only by a week or two. i expect that there will be an acceleration in the weeks to come. find there will be an acceleration in the weeks to come.— weeks to come. and looking at dosaaes, weeks to come. and looking at dosages. and. _ weeks to come. and looking at dosages, and, obviously, - weeks to come. and looking at dosages, and, obviously, the l weeks to come. and looking at. dosages, and, obviously, the uk's decision to give more people an initial dose, rather than fewer people two doses and how that contrasts with the approach

elsewhere, what are your thoughts on the effectiveness of these varying approaches? depending, of course, of the supply of vaccination. because there are concerns, and they have been flagged up here and elsewhere, but making sure that the supply of vaccinations and vaccines comes through. vaccinations and vaccines comes throu . h. , vaccinations and vaccines comes throu~h. , , vaccinations and vaccines comes throu~h. , .., , ., through. every country in the world doesnt through. every country in the world doesn't have _ through. every country in the world doesn't have as _ through. every country in the world doesn't have as many _ through. every country in the world doesn't have as many doses - through. every country in the world doesn't have as many doses as - through. every country in the world| doesn't have as many doses as they would like to, because, mean, we would like to, because, mean, we would all like to be vaccinating our entire population. every country is having to make difficult decisions. the uk has made a decision to try to get the vaccines to as many people as possible by giving them one dose. we will need to closely the situation to see how well this dose is doing. it might not be the final word on it. but, i mean, definitely, this one dose is going to give better protection than zero doses. in terms of the impact of the variants on vaccination programmes, we know for example that pfizer have

said their vaccine works on the variant here in the uk, do you have concerns around that? about the ability of vaccines to deal with these variants? and if manufacturers have a vaccine, how quickly can those vaccines be adapted, if necessary, and we don't know if it is necessary, but if it is necessary, to cope with these mutations? figs necessary, to cope with these mutations?— necessary, to cope with these mutations? a ., mutations? as you said, so far, i mean--- — mutations? as you said, so far, i mean- -- the _ mutations? as you said, so far, i mean... the pfizer _ mutations? as you said, so far, i mean... the pfizer vaccine - mutations? as you said, so far, i | mean... the pfizer vaccine seems mutations? as you said, so far, i. mean... the pfizer vaccine seems to work against the variant, so this is a vaccine that will work in the uk and other countries against the coronavirus that people are facing right now. in the future, there is definitely a concern that since we have seen some variance, there may be more variants emerging. there have been reports from the manufacturers that they can adapt the vaccine quite quickly, if we do need to do that. but obviously it is not simply a scientific issue, it will be a regulatory issue, logistics issue, to approve the

vaccines and get them to people when that happens. i think we do need to be... putting measures in place so that if it becomes necessary, we can do it very quickly. that if it becomes necessary, we can do it very quickly-— do it very quickly. good to talk to ou, do it very quickly. good to talk to you. thank— do it very quickly. good to talk to you. thank you — do it very quickly. good to talk to you, thank you for _ do it very quickly. good to talk to you, thank you for your _ do it very quickly. good to talk to you, thank you for your time - do it very quickly. good to talk to i you, thank you for your time today. thank you. so let's return to president joe biden's first full day in the white house. joining me now from miami isjosh gerstein from poilitico. isjosh gerstein from politico. let's reflect first of all, if we may, on yesterday and that speech, that inauguration speech, i felt was very modest in many ways, what did you make of it? i very modest in many ways, what did you make of it?— you make of it? i thought there was a definite effort _ you make of it? i thought there was a definite effort to _ you make of it? i thought there was a definite effort to shift _ you make of it? i thought there was a definite effort to shift the - you make of it? i thought there was a definite effort to shift the tone - a definite effort to shift the tone in washington. he was really focused on bringing forth unity but at the same time, he was acknowledging what went before. he talked about uncivil war in country and red pitted against blue. he had him sort of

talking about trying to go back to an era where politicians of different parties actually negotiated with each other and tried to pass legislation instead of basically screaming at each other on social media. that the one thing that was perhaps curious about it was that he didn't make any mention of donald trump in the entire address. ., ., , , , , ~ of donald trump in the entire address. ., , , ~ ., ,, address. notably, yes. and he talked about sometimes _ address. notably, yes. and he talked about sometimes we _ address. notably, yes. and he talked about sometimes we will— address. notably, yes. and he talked about sometimes we will be - address. notably, yes. and he talked about sometimes we will be able - address. notably, yes. and he talked about sometimes we will be able to l about sometimes we will be able to lend a hand and sometimes we will offer to help, links to his reaching out to the rest of the world and re—establish relationships and alliances. re-establish relationships and alliances. ., re-establish relationships and alliances. . ., �* , re-establish relationships and alliances. ., ., �* , , re-establish relationships and alliances. . . �*, , ., alliances. yeah, that's definitely a theme. before, _ alliances. yeah, that's definitely a theme. before, when _ alliances. yeah, that's definitely a theme. before, when he - alliances. yeah, that's definitely a theme. before, when he was- alliances. yeah, that's definitely a theme. before, when he was vice| theme. before, when he was vice president, and even when he served in the us senate, this is one of his main areas of focus, foreign relations, international alliances. you would see him over and over again at these nato conferences, for example. and this was something that the trump administration really not

just ignored, because i think sometimes republican administrations have downplayed those a little bit, but it seems like there was an effort to provoke american allies. and that was something the establishment, the foreign policy establishment, the foreign policy establishment, in washington really reacted negatively against. and it is quite clear that biden is going to try to set a different tone as he takes his first few steps. but to try to set a different tone as he takes his first few steps.— takes his first few steps. but his focus, undeniably, _ takes his first few steps. but his focus, undeniably, must- takes his first few steps. but his focus, undeniably, must be - takes his first few steps. but his - focus, undeniably, must be domestic in terms of priorities and just before we came to you, josh, i was looking at the latest copy coming from washington, saying the president will sign a further ten executive orders today to fight the coronavirus pandemic. including directing the disaster funds be used to help reopen schools and making it mandatory for people to wear masks on planes, buses, etc. during the trump presidency, we know that scientists, science, was berated at times. and not a lot of value was placed on what scientists were saying, certainly, at times. so how

difficult do you think it is going to be forjoe biden to basically change that mindset amongst some americans? that masks will be required? that they should get a vaccination, when it is available and so on?— vaccination, when it is available and so on? ~ ~ �*, ., and so on? well, i think it's going to be an uphill— and so on? well, i think it's going to be an uphill battle _ and so on? well, i think it's going to be an uphill battle with - and so on? well, i think it's going to be an uphill battle with some l to be an uphill battle with some people. but i think that also has just been sort of a vacuum of leadership in this area. the administration perhaps 6—9 months ago essentially gave up on informing the public about the state of the pandemic. you may remember, we were having those daily briefings at the white house about the coronavirus response that basically went off the rails with bizarre comments by the president. and him regularly fighting publicly with the health professionals that were brought out to brief us. in the white house has already signalled they will come back and start having regular daily briefings on the state of the pandemic and the state of the response. i think they're going to start feeding that information and

maybe people will get used to it although it is pretty clear there will be some folks that will refuse to comply and may refuse to comply specifically because the information is coming from the biden administration.— is coming from the biden administration. �*, ., ,, ., administration. let's talk about commander — administration. let's talk about commander harris. _ administration. let's talk about commander harris. in - administration. let's talk about commander harris. in america | administration. let's talk about. commander harris. in america and right around the world, if people didn't vote for the democrats, most people would recognise that is quite a moment —— kamala harris. to see her sworn in as vice president. we are used to vice president p being in the background until the end of the presidency but what kind of role will she take on and will we see a lot of her? we will she take on and will we see a lot of her?— will she take on and will we see a lot of her? we will see quite a lot of her. lot of her? we will see quite a lot of her- she _ lot of her? we will see quite a lot of her. she had _ lot of her? we will see quite a lot of her. she had already _ lot of her? we will see quite a lot i of her. she had already established a foothold in the us senate. i also thought during the inauguration ceremony we saw a different tone towards multiculturalism and diversity than we had seen from the trump administration. i have to say, it was very, very common to see

pictures for example coming out of the cabinet room at the white house of the most senior leaders in this administration and it would be entirely a meeting that consisted of white men, occasionally maybe one or two exceptions. but sometimes no exceptions at all. it will be very interesting to see somebody sitting right next to the president who is a black woman, south asian woman, and the first person with that background to serve in the role as vice president. in almost all the decisions and all the optics here, the administration will be putting forward a message of diversity that i thought was really on display through the whole inaugural event yesterday. through the whole inaugural event esterda . ., g ., through the whole inaugural event esterda . ., �* �*, yesterday. one line from joe biden's seech, yesterday. one line from joe biden's speech. there _ yesterday. one line from joe biden's speech, there were _ yesterday. one line from joe biden's speech, there were many, _ yesterday. one line from joe biden's speech, there were many, but - yesterday. one line from joe biden's speech, there were many, but one l speech, there were many, but one thatjumped out at me was when he said we must reject the culture in which facts themselves are manipulated or even manufactured. as a journalist, manipulated or even manufactured. as ajournalist, i manipulated or even manufactured. as a journalist, i wonder as a journalist working in the states, you've had this onslaught of donald trump talking about fake news and the media being the enemy of the

people, what did it feel like to hear the new president say that? well, it certainly felt there may be a massive change in tone. i tell you, it wasn'tjust president biden's statements, the white house went ahead and literally within hours of him being sworn in, they conducted its first news briefing in the white house, in the briefing room, that has gone unused for months and months. and hasn't had a regular white house briefing in more than a year now. just to see them come into that room and the new press secretary answer reporters' questions in a way, there wasn't a lot of information that was conveyed, but there was something of a dialogue and a sign of respect, that they would be an effort to try to respond to legitimate questions about what the administration was doing. and have that sort of back and forth, which has been normal

under democratic and republican administrations for decades but fell into this terribly acrimonious relationship under the trump administration. . relationship under the trump administration.— relationship under the trump administration. , good to talk to ou, administration. , good to talk to you. josh- _ scientists tracking the spread of coronavirus in england say infection levels in the community did not fall — and may have even risen — at the start of the latest lockdown. the past few days have seen a slowdown in the number of lab—confirmed cases reported daily by the government but the imperial college london researchers say their data is more up to date. swab tests taken from 143,000 volunteers as part of the react study suggest that between the 6th and 15th of january, 1.58% had covid—i9 — or one in every 63 people. the highest level was in london — where 2.8% of people had the virus. ministers say the study does not yet reflect the impact of the national lockdown in england.

professor paul elliott is director of the programme and i spoke to him earlier. well, certainly, you know, we have to look at our study in the context of all the data streams. clearly, there's the symptomatic testing, which has been coming down, up until now. and there are other surveys. so, we are just one piece of the puzzle, if you like. as you said in your introduction, we sent out swabs to over 140,000 people. and those people are randomly selected in the population. so, some of them will have symptoms, but many of them will not have symptoms and will not know that they are carrying the virus. we are picking up the early signal of people who, at the time of the swab, are asymptomatic and some of those may go on to have symptoms and may get tested later. you think that is a more realistic picture, that is basically what you are saying? we think we may be just a little bit ahead of the signal. i should say that there was a very, very high prevalence earlier, before we came back into the field.

we were last in the field at in the beginning of december, where we saw that upturn, at the end of lockdown two, which turned out to be, actually, this new, more highly transmissible variant. clearly, rates got extremely high. the r rates now are high, but not quite as high as they were a week or so ago when we weren't in the field but as reported from the office for national statistics. so i think it's quite a complex picture. we did see a bit of a dip at the beginning of lockdown but now we see, essentially, a level... level with an r of around one. but we are not seeing that fall that we really need to see from these very high prevalence levels. professor paul elliot, director of the react programme.

the education secretary, gavin williamson, says he can't guarantee when schools in england will re—open to all pupils. he did say however that schools will get two weeks' notice before reopening. well, we were in a position where we had to close schools very much as a national decision, very much in the national interest, to relieve pressure on the nhs, reduce movement, as part of the actions as the national lockdown. as you and so many of your viewers will be wanting to see schools opening at the very earliest opportunity. but we had to do that on the basis of the very best scientific and health advice. we're not in a position to be able to say exactly when that date is, but what i can reassure you and your viewers is that we will give, you know, notjust schools and teachers time to be able to prepare but also, you know, we're giving children the time to get ready and parents enough notice to be able to get everything ready. so we will be hoping to give everyone two weeks' notice in order for them to be ready to return

back to school. you have been getting in touch about some of our stories. adrian says the pictures of empty classrooms give the wrong impression that schools are closed. my daughter is a primary school teacher has a stressful time with the children of key workers and providing online lessons at the same time and covering staff absences. we are careful to say schools are closed to most peoples, but we are aware they are open to vulnerable children and children of key workers. a shout out to all the teachers who are keeping those schools are running for those pupils and doing those online lessons, as well. more have been getting in touch about the virus generally and restrictions. elaine says it isn't going to stop spreading because this is not a lockdown like march, april last year. she says this government needs to wake up. it is like putting

oil on the fire. alison says why are unused hotels not being used as quarantine hotels? she's not talking so much about people coming back from other parts of the world, although not much trouble is supposed to be happening right now, she says those found breaking the rules should be placed there immediately and held for two weeks and have to pay for it. those going in voluntarily as they have been told to self—isolate should have costs paid. one more from ahmed who is asking will schools open in february? as we heard early in the programme, that decision hasn't been made. the education secretary for england has said he will give teachers two weeks notice. by the way, if you want to send in comments about any other stories, please do that. get in touch on twitter. use the hashtag bbc your cat! questions. let us know about your area and flooding, that is a story we are moving onto the next —— your

questions. thousands of homes across england and wales were evacuated overnight, after widespread flooding caused by storm christoph. rivers reached record high levels in parts of greater manchester and north wales. there are more than 180 flood warnings in place — four of them severe. andy moore reports. storm christoph started with strong winds and heavy rain but now temperatures are falling. many places are dealing with a difficult combination of rising water levels and falling snow. at didsbury, near manchester, the river mersey rose to record levels. we've been told to evacuate. however, during corona, where do you evacuate to? you don't want to impose yourself on other people. so, we're trying to hold on as long as we can and hopefully it will pass. it's risen slightly higher than its previous high so... but, clearly, at the moment, it's holding good, it's holding firm. we've been here in melington avenue - 33 years and we've never had it. quite as bad as this. and more alarming even when

the river got to a record level. | this was a picturesque, but fortunately empty, cottage at chorley in lancashire before and after the floods. some places are expected to get two months of rain in just a few days. just a few miles from didsbury, severe flood warnings were in place overnight for the river bollin at heatley. and just across the welsh border, at bangor—on—dee, homes were evacuated. across england and wales, several severe flood warnings have been in place overnight. in north wales, police helped some people leave their homes in ruthin, while warning others not to come to the area for sight seeing of the floods. near machynlleth yesterday, this river burst its banks, sending half a metre of water through some nearby homes. the river came in throughout the garden, all of the garden, rather than just the odd little hole through the side of the bank. and it didn't catch us by surprise, but the sheer volume of it and the persistence of it has

caught us out. we are often told not to drive through flood water but this driver didn't get the memo. wrong speed, wrong speed! laughter. their experience showed that most cars, not even axlis, aren't built to negotiate deep floodwaters. andy moore, bbc news. we were telling you a little while ago... pumps and sandbags were brought in to successfully protect supplies of the oxford astrazeneca vaccine from the risk of flood water at a warehouse in wrexham last night. let's talk to the leader of wrexham county borough council mark pritchard who can tell us more about this. you are welcome, thanks forjoining us on bbc news, a vital operation. tell us more about when concerns were raised.

tell us more about when concerns were raised-— tell us more about when concerns were raised. good morning. i got a -hone were raised. good morning. i got a phone call— were raised. good morning. i got a phone call about _ were raised. good morning. i got a phone call about the _ were raised. good morning. i got a phone call about the company - were raised. good morning. i got a phone call about the company that| phone call about the company that produces the vaccine and they had serious concerns about a river adjacent to the warehouse storage facility, it wasn't the production line, it was the warehouse. without hesitation, we put resources in there, men, six to eight men pumps, dally mds, sandbags the staff worked tirelessly during the night to divert it, hundreds of sandbags were put around the property, the industrial unit, and it was successful. we monitored it during the day in case we had another downfall stop but we were pleased to help out because of the vaccinations and the demand for them. absolutely. absolutel , and the demand for them. absolutely. absolutely. sorry _ and the demand for them. absolutely. absolutely, sorry to _ and the demand for them. absolutely. absolutely, sorry to talk _ and the demand for them. absolutely. absolutely, sorry to talk over - and the demand for them. absolutely. absolutely, sorry to talk over you. - absolutely, sorry to talk over you. i can only imagine that everyone

involved in this operation absolutely had at the front and centre of their mind the thought that they have got to stop this water reaching the factory where the vaccine supplies were. that water reaching the factory where the vaccine supplies were.— vaccine supplies were. that is absolutely... _ vaccine supplies were. that is absolutely... listen, - vaccine supplies were. that is absolutely... listen, i - vaccine supplies were. that is absolutely... listen, i can. vaccine supplies were. that is | absolutely... listen, i can only complement the staff. from the chief officer, darren williams, and all the staff in the environment department, they work through the night to monitor it it and keep it safe. i am night to monitor it it and keep it safe. iam here night to monitor it it and keep it safe. i am here talking to you but i didn't do the work. it is a big thank you forfrom didn't do the work. it is a big thank you for from to them. as i say, it isn'tjust an impact on wrexham, we are having an impact across the country and into europe —— a big thank you from me to them. the last thing we want to do is lose any vaccinations. it wasn't just on the industrial estate the river dee was close to bursting its banks and we might have to evacuate 200—300 people. we are monitoring the situation closely and we hope the weather will fall. we have had

issues with the quenneville river bursting its banks. all over wrexham, we have been inundated. i would like to thank the emergency services, police, fire, you know, the ambulance... and our colleagues in all authorities. the amount of phone calls that i've had and e—mails, asking if we need any help and support, as as far south wales, the w lga has offered health —— help and support. aha, the w lga has offered health -- help and support-— and support. a big team effort, clearl . and support. a big team effort, clearly- do _ and support. a big team effort, clearly. do you _ and support. a big team effort, clearly. do you have _ and support. a big team effort, clearly. do you have any - and support. a big team effort, clearly. do you have any idea, l and support. a big team effort, l clearly. do you have any idea, as and support. a big team effort, i clearly. do you have any idea, as a matter of interest, how many doses of the vaccine were in that warehouse? no. and i wouldn't want to give you a false number. we know it was in the thousands. but as i say, the company contacted us, we immediately responded to it, no hesitation. staff were pooling their resources and we won the day. but it wasn't me, it was the staff and everybody

involved. and we are keeping a close eye on it. we go back every hour and check that everything is ok. so far, fingers and everything else crossed, it's good at the moment. we fingers and everything else crossed, it's good at the moment.— it's good at the moment. we must leave it there, _ it's good at the moment. we must leave it there, but _ it's good at the moment. we must leave it there, but i _ it's good at the moment. we must leave it there, but i appreciate - it's good at the moment. we mustj leave it there, but i appreciate you talking to us and well done to everybody involved in that effort to divert flood water away from the warehouse with the vaccine supplies. let's talk now to the councillor for didsbury west in manchester. he has been evacuated from his home and is talking to us from didsbury mosque, which is open for residents who need shelter from the floods. and you were personally affected by this, clearly. what a difficult situation to be in, firstly the floods and secondly having to deal with this in the covid times. how has everyone been managing?— been managing? well, being a

representative _ been managing? well, being a representative of _ been managing? well, being a representative of this - been managing? well, being a i representative of this community been managing? well, being a - representative of this community is generally quite a privilege because it shows spirit in the darkest times of the pandemic. you're right, covid has been a major pressure on residents. when i was knocking on my neighbours' doors last night, helping with the evacuation effort, the number of people who showed clear signs of anxiety after spending 12 months being told that the safest thing to do was stay in their homes, to then be told that their homes, to then be told that the safest thing to do is to evacuate their properties and contact friends and family. so i think anxiety was at an all—time high, but spirits are equally high in the area and the community has done what it has always done, which is look after each other. i done what it has always done, which is look after each other.— is look after each other. i imagine there were _ is look after each other. i imagine there were some _ is look after each other. i imagine there were some people - is look after each other. i imagine there were some people who - is look after each other. i imagine | there were some people who were simply too worried to come out of their homes, more worried about the virus than they were about the prospect of flooding?- virus than they were about the prospect of flooding? yes. residents i soke to, prospect of flooding? yes. residents i spoke to, particularly _ prospect of flooding? yes. residents i spoke to, particularly elderly - prospect of flooding? yes. residents i spoke to, particularly elderly and i i spoke to, particularly elderly and vulnerable residents, were extremely

anxious about making any decision. and in an area like didsbury where we are used to our defence as being very reliable, it came as quite a shock. i think a lot of people were in denial. so you have to weigh up all of those different things. people have to make a personal decision. personally, idecided people have to make a personal decision. personally, i decided to evacuate my property and come here to didsbury mask. i was helping set “p to didsbury mask. i was helping set up the mask for residents in the area who might have to evacuate —— i was helping set up the mosque. but i never considered i might be one. were waiting for a statement from the health secretary about the vaccine roll—out, so i may have to cut you off mid—answer, so i will give you that warning. tell us about how, as a community, you have managed to be covid compliant while getting people to move from their homes and go to other locations?

well, we were blessed that didsbury mosque, obviously being a religious community site here, is 100% covid compliant for its worshippers. so we were able to offer people somewhere to come. there is plenty of space for social distancing, and almost acts like a triage. so people have an opportunity to come here, get one, think about what to do next and contact family and friends. when we were evacuating people in the early hours of the morning, many residents had not been given a leaflet like in other areas to let them know there was a possibility that an evacuation could happen. so people were left in the lurch and were trying to contact friends and family in the early hours of the morning. so i am just grateful to the team at didsbury mosque. i grateful to the team at didsbury mos ue. ., ,., ., , grateful to the team at didsbury mosuue. ., ., , ., ., mosque. i apologise, we have to leave it there. _ mosque. i apologise, we have to leave it there. councillor - mosque. i apologise, we have to leave it there. councillor richard j leave it there. councillor richard kilpatrick. let's listen to the

health secretary matt hancock. mr health secretary matt hancock. ii speaker, we are in the midst of one of the toughest periods of this pandemic. yesterday saw 1820 deaths, which is the highest total since the crisis began. as we endure these dark days and the restrictions we must all follow to save lives, we know that we have a way out, which is our vaccination programme and thanks to the hard work of so many, we now have an immense infrastructure in place that day by day is protecting the most vulnerable and giving hope to us all. i'm glad to report to the house that we have now given over 5 million doses of vaccine across the uk to 4.6 million people are making good progress towards our goal of offering everyone in priority groups one to four their first dose by the

15th of february. this is a huge feet and one in which we can all take pride. we are vaccinating at a greater daily rate than anywhere in europe, twice the rate of france or spain or germany. but these first 5 million doses are only the beginning. we are opening more sites all the time in cathedrals and food courts, stadiums and conference centres, gp surgeries and many more. today, a cinema in aylesbury, a mosque in birmingham and a cricket club in manchester have all come on board as part of 65 pharmacy led sites across england that are joining our vaccination programme this week. this ongoing expansion will help us to protect even more of the most vulnerable even more quickly. also from today, we will publish more localised granular data, broken down by nhs stp area as well as by region so that the public

have the best information about all of this work. mr speaker, this virus is a lethal threat to us all and as we respond through this huge endeavour, let's all take comfort in the fact that we are getting 200 vaccinations every minute. but in the meantime, everyone must follow the meantime, everyone must follow the rules to protect the nhs and save lives. and we can do that safe in the knowledge that the tide will turn and that with science, we will prevail. mr turn and that with science, we will revail. ~ ,,, ., ,, turn and that with science, we will revail. i ,,, ., «i ., «i i. ., prevail. mr speaker, thank you for aurantin prevail. mr speaker, thank you for granting this _ prevail. mr speaker, thank you for granting this urgent _ prevail. mr speaker, thank you for granting this urgent question - prevail. mr speaker, thank you for granting this urgent question andl prevail. mr speaker, thank you forj granting this urgent question and i thank the secretary of state both for his update and all the time and devotion he gives to this matter and also the vaccines minister, who is doing an amazing job. everyone is doing an amazing job. everyone is doing an amazing job. everyone is doing an amazing job across the country to roll out this vaccine and i salute them all. that includes my

westminster office manager, who has been vaccinating herself. in my part of rural east sussex, the vaccine has been slow to reach battle and heathfield residents. in the 200 square miles i represent, only one surgery has been vaccinating. that has got better from this week and i welcome the sussex community nhs foundation team. adam doyle and his team have been amazing. three questions for the secretary of state for the rural areas. firstly, questions for the secretary of state forthe ruralareas. firstly, can questions for the secretary of state for the rural areas. firstly, can we draw up a new vaccine contract for gps which guarantees that they will only receive astrazeneca and not pfizer, which of course, they find difficult to store? many gps in my area tell me they will sign the contract if they can get astrazeneca only. that would be like the pharmacy contracts. secondly, we will soon have the welcome challenge of delivering the vaccine to cohorts priority groups five to nine, but we

will also have to deliver the second dose to priority groups one to four, who are vulnerable. can we ensure that the latter priority groups perhaps go to the herbs, because they find it easier to travel, and that we use our local gp surgeries to re—dose parity groups one to four? thirdly, i know the government relies on the manufacturers for supplies, but can we give more supply level to our county teams so that have indicative estimates to plan better on the ground? finally, i welcome the statement from the government. i would ask that there is an opportunity every week for colleagues to be able to question members of the government. we have course receive those updates from our own community teams. it is surely right that we can put questions to the front bench. secretary of state.—

questions to the front bench. secretary of state. thank you, mr seaker. secretary of state. thank you, mr speaker- 0n _ secretary of state. thank you, mr speaker. on that _ secretary of state. thank you, mr speaker. on that last _ secretary of state. thank you, mr speaker. on that last point, - secretary of state. thank you, mr speaker. on that last point, we i speaker. on that last point, we typically do come forward with a statement at least once a week and i am happy to answer questions at any time. ., . ., . time. order. can i correct the secretary _ time. order. can i correct the secretary of _ time. order. can i correct the secretary of state? _ time. order. can i correct the secretary of state? we - time. order. can i correct the secretary of state? we have l time. order. can i correct the i secretary of state? we have not time. order. can i correct the - secretary of state? we have not had one for— secretary of state? we have not had one for over— secretary of state? we have not had one for over a week.— one for over a week. thank you, but icall , one for over a week. thank you, but typically. i — one for over a week. thank you, but typically. i have _ one for over a week. thank you, but typically, i have come _ one for over a week. thank you, but typically, i have come forward - one for over a week. thank you, but typically, i have come forward at - typically, i have come forward at least once a week and i am happy to do that and respond to questions at any time. i'm glad the technology is working and i am able to do that from self—isolating at home as i am now. on the substance of the questions from my wall, i am firstly delighted that there are new centres opening in sussex, in ticehurst village hall this week, so the roll—out can reach all parts. i will consider the point he makes about

cohorts five to nine which will need the vaccination for the first dose at the same point as we start the second dose for those who have been vaccinated from the start of january. making sure that we have those second doses available as close as possible to the largely elderly population who will need to get the second doses when we restart with those is an important issue and i will take away the point he raises. the challenge on the contract is that it is tied in with the first and third of his questions. the challenge to supply is that we have a lumpy supply. the manufacturers are working incredibly hard to deliver the supply as fast as possible, and i have paid tribute to them and their work, but it is

challenging. therefore, it is impossible to give certainty as far out as many gps and those delivering on the ground would like. the worst thing would be to give false certainty. we do try to give information about what is coming next week, but going further out than that until the supply smooths out, which it will over time, that would give false certainty. and the worst thing would be to have gps booking in large numbers of people and then having to reschedule those appointments unnecessarily. so i will take into account the point that of course the oxford astrazeneca vaccine is easier to deliver in rural areas, and they request that some people may be able to do that. but at the moment, we have to use the contract we have got. i have to use the contract we have tot, . .,

have to use the contract we have iot_ ,, ., ., have to use the contract we have got. i called the shadow secretary of state jonathan _ got. i called the shadow secretary of state jonathan ashworth. - of state jonathan ashworth. yesterday i visited the vaccination centre at leicester racecourse, and it was inspirational to see the joy on the faces of those vaccinated and the pride of the staff and volunteers doing the vaccination. 4.6 million is indeed welcome, and it is a reminder that when the nhs is put in charge and tasked with implementing a large—scale project across our communities, they get on with it and deliver. the secretary of state has a target to vaccinate care home residents by the end of the week. could he update us on progress towards that target? today we have had the latest imperial survey and the findings are alarming, especially concerning that infection rates are so high in london. yet london and east of england appear to be behind the rest of the country on the vaccine roll—out. can he tell us what action is being taken to speed up vaccination across london and the east of england? the imperial survey also highlights the disproportionate infection rates amongst key workers

and those from black and asian minority ethnic backgrounds. once the nine priority groups are vaccinated, is it his expectation that we will then move to prioritise key workers, teachers, police officers, firefighters, transport workers, supermarket staff, who are more exposed to the virus at the moment? he will know there are 11,000 community pharmacists. that could mean up to 30,000 pharmacists at the heart of delivering this vaccine. we should be using them not just because of the volumes of doses they can administer, because they have years of experience and building trust and vaccine acceptability within hard to reach groups and minority ethnic communities. i was speaking to a pharmacist this week in dudley who was telling me this. they also raised concerns about the wider supplier of consumables needed to administer the vaccine. can he guarantee that there will be no delay or shortages in the delivery of this wider kit? the new variants remind us we have to go further and faster on vaccination and work

harder to break transmission chains. early analysis suggests the south african variant brings a reinfection risk, which means vaccines may need to be redesigned. has he got a contingency plan in place? finally, yesterday? death numbers were horrific. vaccination has to go hand—in—hand with measures to suppress this virus. that means further containment measures. not everybody can work at home comfortably or isolate themselves. the system is still expecting families to go hungry to stop spreading infection. can i urge him again to fix sick pay and give people properfinancial again to fix sick pay and give people proper financial support so they can isolate and we can drive infection rates down?— they can isolate and we can drive infection rates down? secretary of state. infection rates down? secretary of state- thank— infection rates down? secretary of state. thank you, _ infection rates down? secretary of state. thank you, mr _ infection rates down? secretary of state. thank you, mr speaker. - infection rates down? secretary of state. thank you, mr speaker. i i state. thank you, mr speaker. i aree state. thank you, mr speaker. i agree with _ state. thank you, mr speaker. i agree with the _ state. thank you, mr speaker. i agree with the honourable - state. thank you, mr speaker. i - agree with the honourable gentleman that the nhs is doing a greatjob and is being supported by so many. in particular, i thank the volunteers who have stepped forward,

thousands of them, and are now working to deliver the vaccination programme alongside nhs staff and members of our armed forces. in fact, there are several members of this house who as we speak are supporting vaccination and some of them are vaccinating themselves. so i am grateful to all the volunteers. he raises the question of pharmacies. they are absolutely going to be important, especially for reaching into those communities who may otherwise be harder to reach. the nhs as a whole is highly respected and trusted in all communities of this country, and so is well placed to do that. pharmacy colleagues within the nhs particularly so, because they are often the closest their communities. we have opened 65 vaccination

centres that are pharmacy led this week, with more to come. he asks about the residence of elderly care homes. i am delighted to say that 63% of residents in elderly care homes have now received vaccination. that is a significant increase over the last week and we are on track to deliver on our goal of vaccinating elderly care home residents by the end of this month, and i hope sooner than that. finally, he asked about the potential need for vaccine redesign if there is a new variant thatis redesign if there is a new variant that is not effectively dealt with by these vaccines. obviously, we are vigilant to this and keep it under review. i am glad to say the early implications are that the new

variant is dealt with by the vaccine just as much as the old variant. but of course, we are vigilant to the new variants we are seeing overseas. he mentioned the south africa variant. there is also a variant of concern that was first identified in brazil. and we are of course vigilant on these matters too. in summary, all of these things just support the need for everybody to follow the rules and stay at home. it is critical that everybody does their bit to try and stop the spread of this virus whilst we get the numbers under control, thus protecting the nhs and getting this death toll down because it is far too high. death toll down because it is far too hih. ., ., , . too high. chair of the select committee. _ too high. chair of the select committee, jeremy - too high. chair of the select committee, jeremy hunt. i too high. chair of the select - committee, jeremy hunt. thank you, mr speaker- — committee, jeremy hunt. thank you, mr speaker. this _ committee, jeremy hunt. thank you, mr speaker. this week _ committee, jeremy hunt. thank you, mr speaker. this week the _ committee, jeremy hunt. thank you, mr speaker. this week the ons - committee, jeremy hunt. thank you, mr speaker. this week the ons said | mr speaker. this week the ons said

prevalence rates nearly doubled during the november lockdown and today's study says infections are still rising. isn't the reality that these new strains are massively more dangerous and hard to control than many realise? if we are going to bring down the horrific death rates we are now seeing, should we not be securing our borders with quarantine hotels, ending household mixing outside bubbles and following germany in mandating ffp to masks in shops and on public transport to give better protection to wearers? thank you, mr speaker. we have looked at the question of ppe. with respect to the new variant, the clinical advice i have received is that the current guidelines are right and appropriate. an international travel, as my right honourable friend nose, we have brought insignificant measures last week close the travel corridors and week close the travel corridors and we remain vigilant to what we need

to do to guard against new variants coming in from abroad. the new variants do change this question, because it's notjust about ensuring that we don't get extra cases coming in from abroad, in which case if a country has a lower case rate than ours, there is no more risk than people staying here in this country, it's about making sure that new variants that might not be dealt with as effectively by the vaccine, making sure that those new variants dent arrive and stopping them from coming —— making sure those new variants don't arrive. we are of course keeping it under close review. ~ ., ., ., course keeping it under close review. . ., . ., . review. we now head to the snp spokesperson — review. we now head to the snp spokesperson martin _ review. we now head to the snp spokesperson martin day, - review. we now head to the snp spokesperson martin day, who l review. we now head to the snp| spokesperson martin day, who is participating visually.— participating visually. studio: health secretary _ participating visually. studio: health secretary matt - participating visually. studio: | health secretary matt hancock, answering questions about vaccination roll—out and supply. he

was saying that covid—19 vaccines are being given in england at the rate of 200 a minute. he anticipates that people in groups five to nine of the first phase due to get their vaccines will be getting their first jabs at the same time as people who already have been vaccinated need their second jab. already have been vaccinated need theirsecond jab. he already have been vaccinated need their second jab. he was also talking about a lumpy supply of vaccines, praising the manufacturers but saying it is not always possible to know how much is coming and when in terms of gp surgeries wanting to know how many doses they might be getting. that is continuing in the house of commons. a diplomatic row has broken out between britain and brussels over the status of the european union's ambassador in london, a post created after brexit. bbc news has learned that the government is refusing to grantjoao vale de almeida the full diplomatic protections given to other ambassadors. our diplomatic correspondentjames landale has the story. at the moment, most diplomats around the world, in london,

everywhere else, they'll get the protection of the vienna convention, that means their embassies are protected, they're protected from arrest and detention and things like that. it's a sort of mutual agreement between nations, to protect each other�*s diplomats. but those are for national diplomats, representing sovereign states. the european union is obviously, you know, an unusual organisation. however, when its foreign service was set up, you know, under the lisbon treaty in 2010, 142 countries around the world that all have eu ambassadors in residence said, "look, we'lljust give them the same protections and status "as all normal diplomats". that was sort of agreed. the british have decided that now they have left the european union and they need an eu ambassador here in this country, that they're not going to give them that full status. they are going to treat the eu as a sort of international organisation that has some protections but not the same legal protections and immunities that all other diplomats have. and it's causing something of a row.

our europe correspondent, gavin lee, is in brussels. tell us more about the reaction from europe. tell us more about the reaction from euroe. , .., , tell us more about the reaction from euroe. , .. , tell us more about the reaction from euroe. i .. , europe. officially, it has come in the form of _ europe. officially, it has come in the form of a _ europe. officially, it has come in the form of a letter _ europe. officially, it has come in the form of a letter saying - europe. officially, it has come in the form of a letter saying that l the form of a letter saying that there are concerns that the eu has. that was from the eu foreign affairs chief. this is something that has been under the pipeline for quite some time. there have been negotiations on this. unofficially, i have spoken to representatives from six countries today plus the european commission, who say this is petty. they believe this was not something that was being organised and frankly, they believe it is something they are a standby. all 142 other officials are recognised with full diplomatic status, and they say they are not an international organisation in the sense that they have their own currency and their own jurisdiction rights legally, and they have their

own courts as well. a quick side note on this — joao vale de almeida, who is the ambassador, new boris johnson in the 90s. we are told it is nothing personal between the two of them. perhaps i'm told it can be leveraged for the uk in future talks put brexit. let's see how this land, but there is a meeting about it on monday. but there is a meeting about it on monda . but there is a meeting about it on monda. �* ,, , monday. gavin lee in brussels, with the eu's reaction. _ monday. gavin lee in brussels, with the eu's reaction. martine _ monday. gavin lee in brussels, with the eu's reaction. martine croxall. the eu's reaction. martine croxall will be here with your neck to take you through to one o'clock. we will have more on president biden as he enters his first full day as president, issuing more executive orders, mainly so far designed to tackle the covid pandemic in the states. also more on the flooding, with news on the weather forecast and the latest over the next couple of hours. you're watching bbc news.

now it's time for a look at the weather with matt taylor. hello. thankfully, the worst of storm christoph has now departed but not before dropping huge amounts of rain across the western half of the country. its wettest spots were across snowdonia and in parts of yorkshire and lancashire, we saw well over a month's worth of rain fall in the space of two and a half days. understandable that river levels are high. check out the latest flood warnings, they're going to fluctuate throughout the day and indeed through the next few days. all the details on the bbc weather website. also watch today the north—east of scotland, persistent rain could start to cause some flooding here. lots of snowfall across the grampians being blown around by strong winds. appalling conditions on the mountains, with blizzards and drifting. wintry showers elsewhere across scotland, northern ireland, into western parts of england and wales. the odd rumble of thunder. pushed through by quite a stiff breeze, strongest of those winds, though, will be towards the north—east of the uk. touching 50, 60 miles an hour. that will have a big

impact on temperatures. a cold day already, but with an added wind chill across the north, sub zero in places. you'll also notice this afternoon, more persistent rain arrives towards the english channel. that mightjust scrape those southern coastal counties of england and it will mainly affect the channel islands before clearing through tonight. there will be more in the way of wintry showers across the north and west, giving a further few centimetres of snow here and there. but, really, tonight, it's going to be a case of a widespread frost and given the fact that there's so much water around at the moment, be prepared for ice just about anywhere into tomorrow morning. for much of england and wales, it will be a dry and bright day with some sunshine, a few showers south—west of the channel islands into north—west england. again, the further north you are, the more likely they will be wintry but the showers most frequent across northern ireland, north and west of scotland. but, overall, even better day than today in the east of scotland. still cold, though, round 4—8 degrees. as we go through into the weekend, we will see things start frosty again, dry and bright. sleet and snow flurries, the air is cold enough for a few centimetres of snow even to lower levels at times if you get some of the heavy showers go through. some of you will stay dry throughout the day on saturday,

particularly to the south and east. temperatures, though, only around 2—6 c, that cold air is in place as we go through saturday night and into sunday. and as we start to see another little developing weather system work through into that colder air, there is perhaps a greater chance we will see some snow across england and wales, especially across, say, wales, the midlands and south. there could be a few centimetres, it may cause disruption. open to a bit of a question mark at the moment over where exactly that will fall, so keep up—to—date with the forecast. that's it from me, take care.

this is bbc news. the headlines at 11. coronavirus infection rates may have risen in england since the beginning of the lockdown, according to a study tracking the spread of the virus. the vaccination roll—out continues with another 65 centres opening across england. the health secretary says good progress is being made to vaccinate 15 million people by mid—february. as we respond through this huge endeavour, let's all take comfort in the fact that we are giving 200 vaccinations every minute. the education secretary says schools in england will be given a �*two week notice period' before they reopen to pupils. nearly 200 flood warnings are in place across greater manchester and north wales. thousands were asked to evauate their homes.

a warehouse holding supplies of the oxford coronavirus vaccine has been saved after the building in wales experienced mild flooding. and, the uk has engaged in a diplomatic row with the european union over the status of the eu's ambassador in london. good morning and welcome to bbc news. scientists tracking the spread of coronavirus in england say infection levels in the community did not fall — and may have even risen — at the start of the latest lockdown. the past few days have seen a slowdown in the number of lab—confirmed cases reported daily by the government, but the imperial college london researchers say their data is more up to date. swab tests taken from 143,000 volunteers as part of the react

study suggest that between the 6th and 15th of january, 1.58% had covid—19 — or1 in every 63 people. the highest level was in london, where 2.8% of people had the virus. ministers say the study does not yet reflect the impact of the national lockdown in england. professor paul elliot is director of the react programme. we send out swabs to over 140,000 people and those people are randomly selected in the population, so some of them will have symptoms, but many of them will not have symptoms and will not know that they are carrying the virus. so we are picking up that early signal of people who, at the time of the swab, are asymptomatic and some of those it may go on to have symptoms and get tested later. we think that we may be just a little bit ahead of the signal and i should say

that there was a very, very high prevalence earlier before we came back into the field. we were last in the field in the beginning of december when we saw the upturn at the end of lockdown to, which turned out to be this new, more highly transmissible variants and clearly, rates got extremely high and the r rates now are high, but not quite as high as they were we go so ago when we went in the field, but as reported from the office for national statistics. so, i think it's quite a complex picture. we saw a little bit of a dip at the beginning of the lockdown but now we see essentially a level... with a sort of level, with an r around one. but we are not seeing that fall that we really need to see in these very high prevalence levels.

sixty—five new covid vaccination centres including a mosque in birmingham and a cinema in aylesbury, have opened today in england. in some regions the over 70s are now receiving the jab, while in others, those in their 80s are still waiting. in the past hour, the health secretreay matt hancock, has been giving a statement to mps about the vaccination programme. today, about the vaccination programme. a cinema in aylt today, a cinema in aylesbury, a mosque in birmingham and a cricket club in manchester have all come on board as part of 55 pharmacy lead sites across england that are joining our vaccination programme this week. this ongoing expansion will help us to protect even more of the most vulnerable even more quickly. also from today, we will publish more localised, granular data, broken down by nhs stp area, as well as by region, so the public have the best possible information about all of this work. the speaker,

this virus is a lethal threat to us all and as we respond through this huge endeavour, let's all take comfort in the fact that we are giving 200 vaccinations every minute, but in the meantime, everyone, everyone, must follow the rules to protect the nhs and save lives. we can do that safe in the knowledge that the tide will turn and that with science, we will prevail. let's get more from our political correspondent damian grammaticas at westminster. the health secretary, keen to underline the speed with which people are receiving vaccines but there is quite a big difference in terms of where you live and when you will get it. terms of where you live and when you will et it. , ., , terms of where you live and when you will et it. , .,, , terms of where you live and when you will et it. , ., , ., , «i will get it. yes, he has been asked about this in _ will get it. yes, he has been asked about this in the _ will get it. yes, he has been asked about this in the last _ will get it. yes, he has been asked about this in the last few - will get it. yes, he has been asked about this in the last few minutesl about this in the last few minutes about this in the last few minutes about the patchiness around the country, about the different speeds

with which people are being vaccinated, the fact that different age groups seem to be getting it in different parts of the country, some parts of the country, 70—year—olds are getting it, other parts of the country, the over 80s haven't yet got it. he was joking about the potential lumpiness with supply, as politicians say. what they mean by thatis politicians say. what they mean by that is that they get it in bursts, there supply comes through, and mr hancock was saying that it is down to local areas that the vaccine is being provided to local areas and it's up to how they are rolling things out, given some supply constraints as well. all of this is important because it points to the difficulties the government has in iugghng difficulties the government has in juggling the situation, when you've got quite a few different dynamics going on. you have a vaccine supply and the roll—out and the issues around that, but at the same time,

you have the virus and the spread of that in the background, as you were hearing from that survey and what thatis hearing from that survey and what that is found, all of this plays into the decision is that it makes. education as well, the question there that many parents want to know there that many parents want to know the answer to is, when will children be able to go back to schools? when will they reopen fully in england and that is something that gavin williamson, the education secretary, was being asked about this morning and he said that the hope is that the government will be able to give two weeks notice to schools to allow them to prepare for a reopening. well, we were in a position where we had to close schools very much as a national decision, very much in the national interest, to relieve pressure on the nhs, reduce movement, as part of the actions as the national lockdown. as you and so many of your viewers will be wanting to see schools opening at the very earliest opportunity. but we had to do that on the basis of the very best scientific and health advice. we're not in a position to be able to say exactly when that date is,

but what i can reassure you and your viewers is that we will give, you know, not just schools and teachers time to be able to prepare but also, you know, we're giving children the time to get ready and parents enough notice to be able to get everything ready. so we will be hoping to give everyone two weeks' notice in order for them to be ready to return back to school. and that idea of giving two weeks notice obviously would be helpful to schools but it does mean that the government has to be taking decisions ahead of time. if you look forward to the february half term, which is a point at which is has been mooted possibly that schools could go back, they have to make a decision early in february and that isn't far away. then, that takes you

back to the react survey you are talking about earlier. the overall levels of the virus and where that sitting at the minute, and looking at that survey, its high and it appears, from that survey, they did data suggest that it's not coming down, which said which suggests that the current restrictions may not be enough to bring levels down and that again will impact on the possibility of opening schools. so a very complicated set of circumstances, all of which indicate that the government is having trouble bringing the virus levels down and the decisions that follow from that. thank you. almost six and a half thousand coronavirus—related offences were prosecuted in the first six months of the pandemic. that's according to figures released by the crown prosecution service. assaults on emergency workers were the most common covid—related offence, with almost seventeen—hundred charges between april

and september last year. in the same period there were also more than eleven—hundred offences relating to unneccesary travel and unlawful gatherings. the tour operator, saga, has said anyone going on one of its holidays or cruises this year must be fully vaccinated against covid—19. the company, which specialises in holidays for the over—50s, said it wanted to protect customers' health and safety. it will delay restarting its travel packages until may to give travellers enough time to getjabs. one person has died with coronavirus following an outbreak at a dairy factory in somerset. in total, 47 cases of the virus have been detected at the muller yoghurts factory in north petherton, near bridgewater. a further 48 employees are self—isolating. the company said there is no risk to it products, but production has been reduced. thousands of homes across england and wales were evacuated overnight, after widespread flooding caused by storm christoph. rivers reached record high levels in parts

of greater manchester and north wales. there are more than 180 flood warnings in place, five of them severe. andy moore reports. storm christoph started with strong winds and heavy rain but now temperatures are falling. many places are dealing with a difficult combination of rising water levels and falling snow. at didsbury, near manchester, the river mersey rose to record levels. we've been told to evacuate. however, during corona, where do you evacuate to? you don't want to impose yourself on other people. so, we're trying to hold on as long as we can and hopefully it will pass. it's risen slightly higher than its previous high so... but, clearly, at the moment, it's holding good, it's holding firm. we've been here in melington avenue - 33 years and we've never had it. quite as bad as this. and more alarming even when the river got to a record level. | this was a picturesque,

but fortunately empty, cottage at chorley in lancashire before and after the floods. some places are expected to get two months of rain in just a few days. just a few miles from didsbury, severe flood warnings were in place overnight for the river bollin at heatley. and just across the welsh border, at bangor—on—dee, homes were evacuated. across england and wales, several severe flood warnings have been in place overnight. in north wales, police helped some people leave their homes in ruthin, while warning others not to come to the area for sight seeing of the floods. near machynlleth yesterday, this river burst its banks, sending half a metre of water through some nearby homes. the river came in throughout the garden, all of the garden, rather than just the odd little hole through the side of the bank. and it didn't catch us by surprise, but the sheer volume of it and the persistence of it has caught us out.

we are often told not to drive through flood water but this driver didn't get the memo. wrong speed, wrong speed! laughter. their experience showed that most cars, not even 4x4s, aren't built to negotiate deep floodwaters. andy moore, bbc news. let's show you how it looks at the moment. the helicopter is up over didsbury in greater manchester, which as we heard in that report, is one of the areas in the country where about 2000 homes in total, in north wales and merseyside as well, were affected and people were asked to evacuate their homes overnight. we are hearing that the levels are starting to recede in didsbury, but you wouldn't know it from these

pictures, would you? widespread flooding caused by storm cristoph. just to repeat, there are more than 200 flood warnings in place. five of them are severe and we've also got weather alerts on top of that the rain and snow. but people are being asked to evacuate their homes during asked to evacuate their homes during a lockdown, but the rules do provide for them to be able to leave in an emergency. but several residents were saying, well, where'd you go? you don't want to impose yourself on anyone else when your home isn't fit to be lived in. but the environment secretary george eustis has told the house of commons that they are prepared for a further impact as rainfall works its way through the river system and of course, with those weather warnings in place, they could be more problems to face next week. but this is the river mersey now that we are looking at. we expect to be able to take a look

at what's happening in north wales a bit later and that was where there was mild flooding at one of the factories where the oxford coronavirus vaccine is being prepared. but they have managed to safeguard those premises. pumps and sandbags were brought in to successfully protect supplies of the oxford astrazeneca vaccine from the risk of flood water at a warehouse in wrexham last night. the leader of wrexham county borough council mark pritchard said they were able to act quickly to secure the site. we had a phone call of the company that produces a vaccine that they had serious concerns of flooding, that could come to the storage facility. it wasn't the production line, it was the storage facility warehouse. without hesitation, we put resources in there. we got six to eight men in there, pumps,

sandbags, the staff worked tirelessly during the night. hundreds of sandbags around the property and it was successful. obviously, we will monitor it during the dayjust in case we have more of a downfall but we were so pleased to help out because of the vaccinations and the demand for them. the headlines on bbc news. coronavirus infection rates may have risen in england since the beginning of the lockdown, according to a study tracking the spread of the virus. the vaccination roll—out continues with another 65 centres opening across england. the health secretary says 200 people are receiving the vaccine every minute. the education secretary says schools in england will be given a �*two week notice period' before they reopen to pupils. �*there is no time to waste' —

those were the words ofjoe biden — as he made his way to the white house for the first time, following his inauguration to become the 46th president of the united states. the work to undo some of donald trump's key policies begun soon after he arrived in the oval office. in total, mr biden signed 15 executive orders — these are written orders to the federal government, which do not require congressional approval. on coronavirus, the president is setting up a new office to respond to the pandemic. and he's also halting the process to withdraw from the world health organization. something started by donald trump the us will also rejoin the paris climate agreement — from which president trump withdrew last year. other trump policies being reversed include ending the travel ban on some majority—muslim countries and stopping funding for the mexico border wall. kamala harris' firstjob as vice—president was in the senate, where she swore in the new democrat senators, which give her party the slimmest possible majority in the upper chamber of congress.

all of this came before a star—studded celebration in washington where mr biden said he had never been more optimistic about the future of america. our washington correspondent, nomia iqbal reports. there was no traditional ball for president biden and vice president harris, but they got bruce springsteen and tom hanks. now it is my honour to introduce the president of the united states — joseph r bidenjr. this is a great nation. we're good people. and to overcome the challenges in front of us requires the most elusive of all things in a democracy — unity. hours earlier, the new leaders of america were sworn in on capitol hill. so help me, god. congratulations, mr president. soon, president biden headed into his new office and started signing away donald trump's legacy with a pen. he green—lighted 15 executive orders — some of them included calling

for a nationwide facemask mandate, and rejoining both the paris climate agreement and the world health organization. mr biden did receive a letter from his predecessor, a tradition. he wrote a very generous letter. i won't talk about it until i talk to him but it was generous. that was the only tradition donald trump held up. he didn't attend the inauguration, instead flying to florida with his wife. # ..firework. # come on, show �*em what you're worth. this administration says it wants to set a unifying and optimistic tone for america. we are bold, fearless and ambitious. we are undaunted in our belief that we shall overcome, that we will rise up.

but this new start comes just a few weeks after donald trump's loyal supporters stormed the capitol. the stakes for what president biden does in the next few years couldn't be higher. nomia iqbal, bbc news. nomia explained the balancing act facing the new president, as he reverses policies that were popular among his predecessor's supporters. it's going to be a tricky one, i have to say. because, as you say there, the policies were popular with americans. i've met a lot of donald trump's supporters, not all of them liked mr trump's style of being a president, but they did like a lot of his policies, such as the border wall with mexico, the tough stance on immigration, standing up to lots of big establishments. they enjoyed all of that. president biden is on a mission to dismantle donald trump's legacy as quickly as possible, but, yes, he wants to unite people behind him.

in face, he constantly uses the words "unify" and "unite". he knows this country is very politically divided. to be fair, it always has been, but it has really become divided under donald trump. so it will be interesting to see how many people he can get onto his side whilst, at the same time, removing a lot of the policies that made mr trump popular in the first place. the us infectious disease expert anthony fauci has been addressing the world health organization this morning, a day after presidentjoe biden reversed donald trump's decision to leave the un agency. he told the meeting that the biden adminstration will fully engage with the global struggle against coronavirus. it is an honourfor me to be here, representing the united states of america on behalf of the newly inaugurated biden—harris administration. and as the chief medical adviser to president biden. i also am here to represent

the scientists, public health officials, and front line health care workers, and community health workers, who have worked so heroically this past year, to fight covid—19. developing medical countermeasures at truly phenomenal speed, adapting policy responses as we learn more about the virus, and courageously treating the millions of people who have been stricken by this historic scourge. one year ago to this very day, the united states confirmed its first case of sars—cov—2 in the state of washington. today, in my country and around the world, we have surpassed 90 million cases, a devastating number that continues to grow.

leaders from around the world have been sending in their congratulations to new us presidentjoe biden. the italian prime minister described the inauguration a "great day for democracy" and the european commission president tweeted that the "united states is back". there's also been celebrations in ireland and india, as paul hawkins reports. i, joseph robinette bidenjr, do solemnly swear... the moment the great—great—grandson of irish immigrants became the 46th president of the united states. a moment of pride back in ireland. this is ballina, the home ofjoe biden's great—great—great—grandfather, edward blewitt, who emigrated to the us in 1850. his descendants watching one of their own become the leader of the free world. it's been crazy, you know, just waiting to see the results in november and now he is actually become president, so hopefully we will get to go to the white house soon. there were similar

celebrations in india. this village, the home of vice president harris's maternal grandfather. translation: we are very happy right now as she becomes - the vice president of- the united states of america. it brings hope to us that we canj also achieve whatever we want, even being a woman. she's a role model for. villagers and girls here. the indian prime minister also tweeted his congratulations, calling it a historic occasion. he speaks german. around europe, the change of american leadership was also headline news. eu leaders broadly keen to rebuild their relationship with the us, following the strained years of the trump administration. i'm very much looking forward to seejoe biden as president in the white house. to have a friend there. but for the british prime minister, borisjohnson who courted president trump, some awkward questions. joe biden is now the president of the united states. he did once say that you were a physical and emotional

clone of donald trump. as he assumes office, do you still think perhaps as theresa may clearly does, that you need to convince him otherwise? well, i, obviously, it is thejob of all uk prime minister- is to have a very close relationship with president, a close _ working relationship, - with the president and a good working relationship with president of the united states. _ do you think, as some senior politicians in britain seem to, that president biden is woke? i can't comment on that, i... what i know is that he is a fervent believer. in the transatlantic alliance. but withjoe biden an outspoken critic of brexit, how special that relationship will still be, remains to be seen. a diplomatic row has broken out between britain and brussels over the status of the european union's ambassador in london, a post created after brexit. bbc news has learned that the government is refusing

to grantjoao vale de almeida the full diplomatic protections given to other ambassadors. our diplomatic correspondentjames landale has the story. at the moment, most diplomats around the world in london, everywhere else, they all get the protection of the vienna convention. that means the embassies are protected, they are exempt from arrest and detention and things like that. it's a sort of mutual agreement between nations to protect each other�*s diplomats. but those of a national diplomats, representing sovereign states. the european union is obviously, you know, an unusual organisation. however, when its foreign service was set up, under the lisbon treaty in 2010, 142 countries around the world that all have eu ambassadors there in residence, they also say, look, we are just going to give them the same protections and status is all normal diplomats. that was sort of agreed. the british have decided that, now they have left the european union, and they need an eu ambassador here in this country,

they are not going to give him that full status. they are going to treat the eu as a sort of international organisation, that has some protections, but not the same legal protections and immunities that all of the diplomats have and it's causing something of a row. lets get more from our head of statistics robert cuffe. quite a few figures that have come out today regarding the reactor study and the test and trace figures. let's start with this reactor study. just explain what it is and what it's showing.— reactor study. just explain what it is and what it's showing. well, it's a study that _ is and what it's showing. well, it's a study that picks _ is and what it's showing. well, it's a study that picks people - is and what it's showing. well, it's a study that picks people at - is and what it's showing. well, it's. a study that picks people at random and tests for coronavirus. it's different to the figures that we normally hear about because it tells us about infections. the daily case figures we are about people that come forward to get tested who probably have symptoms. there's been a difference between those figures. what the reactor study saying is that infections rose quite quickly

between december and january and then in the week up to 15th, they think that cases were probably stable, may be going up and down a little, but not very much. that adds a very different picture to cases because they spiked sharply over the christmas period and then came down just as sharply. the truth is that, probably, the case figures exaggerated that rise and exaggerated that rise and exaggerated that rise and exaggerated that full, and we will have to wait for maybe a week more to see how infections pan out as we get more data from reactor. but the way we tie those two things together is probably that the rises haven't been as sharp and the falls haven't been as sharp and the falls haven't been as sharp as the daily case numbers suggest. ok. been as sharp as the daily case numbers suggest.— been as sharp as the daily case numbers suggest. been as sharp as the daily case numbers su: est. ., ., ., «i numbers suggest. ok, we need to look at it sort of a — numbers suggest. ok, we need to look at it sort of a longer— numbers suggest. ok, we need to look at it sort of a longer period _ numbers suggest. ok, we need to look at it sort of a longer period of - at it sort of a longer period of time thanjust at it sort of a longer period of time than just day—to—day. what we know about the pressure all of this is on hospitals?— is on hospitals? we've had new fiures is on hospitals? we've had new figures out _ is on hospitals? we've had new figures out this _ is on hospitals? we've had new figures out this morning - is on hospitals? we've had new figures out this morning from l is on hospitals? we've had new. figures out this morning from the nhs and they say that 40 hospitals in england are reporting that they

are, their critical care beds, are more than 95% full and 15 are reporting that they have been full every night over the last week. many of those smaller hospitals, but it includes the university trust in birmingham, where they have 170 critical care beds, they have been full every night for the last week. those figures have been going up in recent weeks and they've been going up recent weeks and they've been going up faster, even though we are seeing more and more critical care beds laid on in hospitals, so they are adding more beds, but that's not keeping up with demand. it's a reminder of the pressure that all the infections we have seen in recent weeks are putting on hospitals when, eventually, they translate into people getting seriously ill and a the numbers come down, that pressure will continue. we also need to keep an eye on the test and trace figures. what do they look like? , ., , ., ., ., look like? there is a bit of good news in the _ look like? there is a bit of good news in the test _ look like? there is a bit of good news in the test and _ look like? there is a bit of good news in the test and trace - look like? there is a bit of good i news in the test and trace figures in that, in the week including a

little bit of data after the reactor study, they are continuing to see case number coming down, so few people coming forward for testing. they are getting tests back to people a bit faster, so that slightly more than half of tests were returned to people within 24 hours, if they went into a testing centre. and it is worth saying that you do get your test results back to you do get your test results back to you a lot faster if you go in person thanif you a lot faster if you go in person than if you send back in the post, the numbers are very different. in terms of contact tracing, it's pretty stable, getting to about 506 people who test positive, if i name someone is a close contact, they are getting to about 70% of those, so not much difference there, but better news in the number of positive cases and how fast they are finding out about them.— positive cases and how fast they are finding out about them. robert, very useful to have _ finding out about them. robert, very useful to have those _ finding out about them. robert, very useful to have those figures - finding out about them. robert, very

useful to have those figures there. i tha nkfully thankfully a lot more sunshine today but the impact from the storm will continue. plenty of flood warning across england and wales. latest details on the bbc website. risk of flooding increasing to the north and east of scotland. heavy rain around the coast, inland poor conditions, showers dotted around the western half of the country. rain, sleet, hail, rumble of thunder. more rain through the channel islands and english channel coast. not as windy as yesterday for the north and east it will be windier. it will feel significantly colder. sub zero winch across parts of northern eastern scotland and north—eastern england. more sleet and snow, one or two centimetres and showers in the west. given the fact the ground is so wet in places whenever you are tomorrow

morning, be prepared for ice. take care. hello this is bbc news. the headlines... coronavirus infection rates may have risen in england since the beginning of the lockdown, according to a study tracking the spread of the virus. the vaccination rollout continues with another 65 centres opening across england. the health secretary says good progress is being made to vaccinate 15 million people by mid—february. as we respond through this huge endeavour, let's all take comfort in the fact that we are giving 200 vaccinations every minute. getting to work. president biden starts by reversing a number of his predecessor's key policies and signs more than a dozen executive orders. the education secretary says schools in england will be given a "two—week notice period," before they reopen to pupils.

nearly 200 flood warnings are in place across greater manchester and north wales. thousands were asked to evacuate their homes. sport and for a full round up from the bbc sport centre, here's jane. good morning. liverpool will start tonight's premier league home match against burnley six points behind leaders manchester united, although the defending champions do have a game in hand. manchester city had moved top for a few hours after beating aston villa last night, before united went three points clear, after winning at craven cottage against fulham. joe lynskey reports. football still has a challenge to play on through the lockdown, butjust like the players, the teams at the top are so hard to separate. it could make this title race the most exciting for years. manchester united lead it by two points, but they still show vulnerability. they went 1—0 down at fulham, but then the fightback came. fulham's goalkeeper was once edinson cavani's team—mate.

he might have never made it easier for the striker to score. 1—1 and united fighting, so paul pogba went for something special. it was a game that needed a magic moment to separate the sides, and that is exactly that. we have always said paul can do anything. when you win tight games, we have done that a few times this season, and those two extra points instead of a draw, that is vital. watching from home didn't seem so bad in manchester, but right now, city and aston villa would play in any weather. the home side were on for nine wins in a row, while villa's first team last played on new year's day. but for now out of isolation, they made city look out of practice. villa held them back for 80 minutes, but when the goal came, it was controversial. manchester city have finally broken through, and aston villa _ are unhappy about it. they rush to the referee. the problem wasn't the strike, but in the build—up. city's forward came back from offside to steal the ball. the official said that was fine. villa's boss said otherwise.

sent off to the stands, he then watched his team concede a penalty and then a second goal. in his post—match interview, he wanted answers. can you clear it up for me? listen, i'm watching, i've been involved 30 years in football and i see coming back from ten yards in an offside position and tackling a playerfrom behind and they score and is given. farcical. if the game can carry on, then it knows the reward. so many teams are in close contact, and this unique season could have a special finish. celtic dropped more points as they try to chase rivals rangers at the top of the scottish premiership. celtic�*s game at livingston was one of their matches in hand. they came from behind to lead, thanks to nir bitton, who was onside here. but a slip in the wintry conditions cost celtic, as jay emmanuel thomas got the equaliser for the home side. the game finished with a layer of snow, at the tony macaroni stadium.

celtic are 20 points behind rangers, withjust two games in hand now. england have made one change for the second and final test against sri lanka, which starts early tomorrow morning. james anderson replaces stuart broad, who is being rested. england captainjoe root expects a stronger challenge from sri lanka. the tourists won the first test by seven wickets, but after a woeful start, sri lanka steadily improved throughout the match. we know shrill anchor are very good, especially at this ground, have a very good record. and will be wanting to come back harder at us so we will play some smart cricket again. tomorrow, starting tomorrow, for the majority of, if not all of the game. we cannot be happy with what we have achieved so far on this trip in these conditions, we have got to look for going further and getting better. and we're very of doing that. a good first round for rory mciroly in golf�*s

european tour in abu dhabi. the northern irishman is top of the leaderboard by two shots with a 64. mcilroy didn't manage a win last season, only the third time that has happened in his professional career. that's all the sport for now. i'll have more for you in the next hour. president biden has taken up residence in the white house, with what some have described as a herculean task ahead of him. top of the agenda will be providing a fiscal boost to the economy, a prospect that sent us markets to new highs on thursday. in his inaugural address, he outlined the biggest challenges facing his presidency, a devastating pandemic, massive job losses, a threatened environment, calls for racial justice, and a resurgence in political extremism. but he got straight to work, signing no less than 17 executive actions, as michelle fleury explains. joe biden enters the white house facing several crises. on the economic front, the pandemic has deepened existing economic problems.

the poor have become poorer, and for the unemployed, rejoining the workforce will be a problem that lingers long after the health crisis has passed. congratulations, mr president. the urgency of the moment was not lost onjoe biden as he was sworn in as america's 46th president. i understand that many of my fellow americans view the future with fear and trepidation. i understand they worry about theirjobs. i understand, like my dad, they lie in bed at night staring at the ceiling and wondering, "can i keep my health care? can i pay my mortgage?" thinking about their families, about what comes next. i promise you, i get it. and with the stroke of a pen, joe biden got straight to work, signing his first executive order,

reversing some of trump's policies. mr biden signed 17 executive actions, including extending a moratorium on evictions, which was due to expire at the end of the month. and as part of his plan to address climate change, revoking the permit for the controversial keystone pipeline. exiting the presidential stage, donald trump leaves behind a divided nation, whose reputation abroad is badly tarnished. marking a sea change from trump's go—it—alone america first approach, joe biden promised to repair fraying alliances. the world is watching, watching all of us today. so here's my message to those beyond our borders. america has been tested, and we've come out stronger for it. we will repair our alliances and engage with the world once again, not to meet yesterday's challenges, but today's and tomorrow's challenges. joe biden wants unity

at home and abroad. he believes america will need its friends to thrive and outcompete a rising china. but a complete reversal in foreign policy is unlikely, leaving many us allies relieved and weary too. leaving many us allies relieved and wary too. as another 65 vaccination centres open across england today, gps have raised concerns over the low uptake of covid—19 vaccination among bame patients, warning that misinformation has left patients reluctant to come forward. let's speak now to charles kwaku—odoi, chief officer at the caribbean and african health network, an organisation working to reduce health inequalities for people of caribbean and african descent in greater manchester. thank you very much. how concerned are you by these figures? irate thank you very much. how concerned are you by these figures?— are you by these figures? we are concerned. _ are you by these figures? we are concerned, but _ are you by these figures? we are

concerned, but this _ are you by these figures? we are concerned, but this is _ are you by these figures? we are concerned, but this is not - are you by these figures? we are concerned, but this is not new. l are you by these figures? we are i concerned, but this is not new. this has been the same with the flu uptake of vaccine. i think the biggest barrier we know is mistrust of the system, so it is not new. we have been aware of this. truth? of the system, so it is not new. we have been aware of this.— of the system, so it is not new. we have been aware of this. why do you believe it is — have been aware of this. why do you believe it is happening? _ have been aware of this. why do you believe it is happening? what - have been aware of this. why do you believe it is happening? what is - believe it is happening? what is going on amongst black and asian and minority ethnic people? i going on amongst black and asian and minority ethnic people?— minority ethnic people? i think there is a _ minority ethnic people? i think there is a lack— minority ethnic people? i think there is a lack of _ minority ethnic people? i think there is a lack of trust - minority ethnic people? i think there is a lack of trust for - minority ethnic people? i think there is a lack of trust for the i there is a lack of trust for the system as well as for government. these minority communities do not feel we have been ever prioritised before. also, there are issues around lack of community engagement, explaining and addressing some community concerns. and there are so many assumptions made about the communities that the aha to reach, but we know that's not the case. —— that they are hard to reach. we know about the religious concerns that people have, so whilst there are responses developed to the

scientific concerns, there have not been many conversations had in those faith —related spaces. about concerns that people have. faith -related spaces. about concerns that people have. explain what ou concerns that people have. explain what you mean _ concerns that people have. explain what you mean by _ concerns that people have. explain what you mean by that, _ concerns that people have. explain what you mean by that, charles? l concerns that people have. explain - what you mean by that, charles? what are the religious grounds on which people might have quandaries, concerns about the vaccines? for exam - le, concerns about the vaccines? if?" example, within the black community, who may predominantly be pentecostal christians, there is the conversation around the end of the world and remark of the beast and you referred to the misinformation out there. i don't think as a country we are doing enough challenge this misinformation put out accurate information. there are people concerned, thinking there may be chips within the vaccine that will get people monitored and people receiving the mark of the beast as

in the book of revelations. those are some concerns people have. but we haven't seen any robust discussions, addressing some of those concerns. people are concerned about the ingredients of the vaccine and we're not hearing much information and lots of discussions around that. fit information and lots of discussions around that-— information and lots of discussions around that. at the risk of sounding very defensive _ around that. at the risk of sounding very defensive over _ around that. at the risk of sounding very defensive over what _ around that. at the risk of sounding very defensive over what we - around that. at the risk of sounding very defensive over what we do - around that. at the risk of sounding very defensive over what we do it i very defensive over what we do it the bbc, we have a disinformation correspondence, we have the reality check correspondence will try to correct some of these ideas. this incorrect information that is out there. how do you believe that information should be best conveyed to the people who need to hear it? thanks, it is a great question. what we keep advocating for is to get voluntary sector led organisations who have relationships of trust with the communities to lead those engagements. for example, 17 black gps and senior consultants were

brought together who had received a jab to engage with communities, not surprisingly, we had over 1000 people on zune consistently, we have over 430 on youtube and 250 on facebook live engaging. they can hear some of the concerns, so whilst it's great we have government working on this, the bbc and others, we need resources for voluntary sector organisations for faith —based organisations have relationships of trust to run complimentary campaign in the initial feedback complimentary campaign in the initialfeedback we had complimentary campaign in the initial feedback we had from 170 people in 24 hours, 23% changed their mind and were willing to receive the vaccine if offered. our call to the system and government is more resources for voluntary sector led organisations to run complimentary campaigns and have those discussions, reassuring

people. i think lived experience is really important and the event with the black gps and consultants went down really well and we have seen significant outcome from that and we need to build on that. so whereas 83% of the over 1600 people felt that information session was useful, 55% want further conversations and further information about the vaccines. . , ., ., ,, further information about the vaccines. . , . ., ,, ., vaccines. certainly an appetite for more and more _ vaccines. certainly an appetite for more and more information - vaccines. certainly an appetite for more and more information from| more and more information from various quarters. good to have you on the programme, thank you very much. . ii on the programme, thank you very much. . «i i. the headlines on bbc news... coronavirus infection rates may have risen in england since the beginning of the lockdown, according to a study tracking the spread of the virus. the vaccination rollout continues with another 65 centres opening across england. the health secretary says 200 people are receiving the vaccine every minute. the education secretary says schools in england will be given

a "two—week notice period" before they reopen to pupils. borisjohnson has boris johnson has been borisjohnson has been meeting people who have been evacuated from their homes. let's listen. we are very worried about the risk of flooding every year and i have come here to thank the environment agency for what they are doing to prepare but also to help people. as you know, overnight, quite a few people, hundreds, got notice to leave their homes because of the risk of flooding from the river mersey and what i am seeing is the amazing preparations the environment agency makes, the way they are able to use sluice gates, improvised emergency flood defences to protect

homes and i think 10,000 homes in the manchester area and didsbury area to be protected just as a result of what they have been doing overnight. there will be more to come, there will be further rain next week, so it is vital that people who are in potentially affected areas follow the advice and get the environment agency flood alerts where they can. you can get them on your, you can get an app that will let you notes going on but ijust that will let you notes going on but i just wanted to thank the environment agency and the emergency services, the police, for everything we're doing. it’s services, the police, for everything we're doing-— services, the police, for everything we're doing. it's the worst possible time for people _ we're doing. it's the worst possible time for people to _ we're doing. it's the worst possible time for people to be _ we're doing. it's the worst possible time for people to be evacuated . we're doing. it's the worst possible time for people to be evacuated in | time for people to be evacuated in the middle of a pandemic. this is an area that has been affected by flooding before. labour did call in decemberfor a task force flooding before. labour did call in december for a task force on flood preparedness during the pandemic. why hasn't moore been done? huge amount has — why hasn't moore been done? huge amount has done _ why hasn't moore been done? huge amount has done here _ why hasn't moore been done? huge amount has done here in _ why hasn't moore been done? iii“ amount has done here in greater

manchester. another 60 million has input into protecting the greater manchester area. you can see the defences we had in place to protect peoples homes and lives. be in no doubt everybody who visits a flood area, anyone who has been through a flat nose knows the huge psychological and emotional and financial cost to people, that is why we will put more investment —— everyone who has been through a flood knows the huge. part of a £2 billion investment over the next six years into flood defences. if you think about what we need to do as a country to come out of covid—19 and as we bounce, one of the things we will need to do is help to generate jobs, employment, inputting flood defences. one idea everybody in the environment agency talks about and i believe in absolutely passionately

is planting trees on the higher ground to help absorb some of that rainfall, to help mitigate the effects of flooding. this government has a very ambitious tree planting programme, but in my view we're not going fast enough. as the spring comes and we come out of the pandemic, we are going to want to see a done to build the long—term resilience against flooding and climate change and planting trees is one part of that. b, climate change and planting trees is one part of that.— one part of that. a question of coronavirus. _ one part of that. a question of coronavirus. a _ one part of that. a question of coronavirus. a study _ one part of that. a question of coronavirus. a study has - one part of that. a question of - coronavirus. a study has suggested it's not working as well as the previous lockdown has and are we looking at some rather than spring? i think it is too early to say when we can left some restrictions. we're looking at february the deadline as you know for the jcvi groups, looking at february the deadline as you know for thejcvi groups, for the elderly, the first vaccinations.

15 million people across the uk have been offered a vaccination slot by the 15th of february. we will then look at how we're doing. but i think what we're seeing in the ons data, the reactor survey, we are seeing the reactor survey, we are seeing the contagious miss of the new variant we saw arrived just before christmas. there is no doubt it spreads very fast indeed. it is not more deadly, but it's much more contagious and the numbers are very great. so as we get the vaccination programme out there, as we continue to expand, i think we are to 4.6 million people today, 5 million jobs, we have got to observe —— 5 millionjabs, we have got to jobs, we have got to observe —— 5 million jabs, we have got to observe the stay at home message, protect each other in the nhs, absolutely crucial in what is unquestionably going to be a tough few weeks ahead.

thank you. i'm joined now by dawn docx, deputy chief fire officer with greater manchester fire and rescue. thanks forjoining us on what an immensely busy day for you and your offices. at its worst, what were they having to cope with? it was basically the _ they having to cope with? it was basically the intensity _ they having to cope with? it was basically the intensity of - they having to cope with? it was basically the intensity of the - basically the intensity of the preparation work. and then the short period of time in which we had to work with partners. and police, to warned the residents of south manchester. that was the pressure that was upon us. if i can take you back to, it was declared a major incident early on yesterday. because of all the information that was coming through from the environment agency. about what we might expect

and of course we can get this information out to the public, we are not going to start actively trying to encourage them to leave their homes until we know that it really is severe conditions. so the preparation that we were doing was making sure that we had the right equipment, specialist equipment for water rescue, high—volume pumps and having them across the whole of the city region. it was also compounded by neighbouring areas, cheshire, they were in conditions, so we assisted them with a number of their in incidents. and we had so many calls coming in, at one point, we

received 121 for the greater manchester area alone and that resulted in about 84 incidents. i suppose the real work of our crews and officers started when it was declared at the strategic coordination group at about half past five that it was, the weather conditions were severe. and at that point, we took to the streets with our partners and were knocking on doors, about 2000 households that we had to try and reach within three hours. . , ., ., ., , had to try and reach within three hours. . , . ., ., , ., hours. that is all against a backdrop _ hours. that is all against a backdrop of _ hours. that is all against a backdrop of course - hours. that is all against a backdrop of course people | hours. that is all against a - backdrop of course people finding it difficult to know where to go to because of locked—in restrictions. thank you very much for taking time to talk to us today.—

the education secretary gavin williamson says he can't guarantee when schools in england will re—open to all pupils. he did say however that schools will get two weeks' notice before reopening. we are in a position where we had to close _ we are in a position where we had to close schools very much as a national _ close schools very much as a national decision, very much in the national_ national decision, very much in the national interest, to relieve pressure _ national interest, to relieve pressure on the nhs, rent reduce movement— pressure on the nhs, rent reduce movement as part of the national locked-id — movement as part of the national locked—in. as you and so many viewers — locked—in. as you and so many viewers want to see schools opening at the _ viewers want to see schools opening at the very— viewers want to see schools opening at the very earliest opportunity but we have _ at the very earliest opportunity but we have to — at the very earliest opportunity but we have to do that based on the very best scientific and health advice. we're _ best scientific and health advice. we're not — best scientific and health advice. we're not in a position to be able to see _ we're not in a position to be able to see exactly when that date is but what i _ to see exactly when that date is but what i can _ to see exactly when that date is but what i can reassure you and viewers is that _ what i can reassure you and viewers is that we _ what i can reassure you and viewers is that we will give not just schools _ is that we will give not just schools and teachers, the time to be able to _ schools and teachers, the time to be able to prepare, but also we will .ive able to prepare, but also we will give children the time to get ready and parents enough notice to be able to get— and parents enough notice to be able to get everything ready. so we will be hoping — to get everything ready. so we will be hoping to give everyone to weeks

notice _ be hoping to give everyone to weeks notice in _ be hoping to give everyone to weeks notice in order for them to be ready to return _ notice in order for them to be ready to return back to school. we can speak now to geoff barton, general secretary of the association of school & college leaders. previously, he was a english teacher and headteacher. thanks very much forjoining us. how adequate is to weeks notice? i thanks very much forjoining us. how adequate is to weeks notice?- adequate is to weeks notice? i think an notices adequate is to weeks notice? i think any notices better _ adequate is to weeks notice? i think any notices better than _ adequate is to weeks notice? i think any notices better than no _ adequate is to weeks notice? i think any notices better than no notice. i any notices better than no notice. we don't want to be back where we were at the beginning of the start of january. you were at the beginning of the start ofjanuary. you had the prime minister on the bbc saying yes they will be back tomorrow then on the monday beware and by the end of the day he said we're closing schools for the majority young people. one of the frustrations for us is it always sounds like it is all or nothing and i do wonder whether it could be reissuing to parents and the rest of us that there is a plan b but what we said is certain year groups are going to be priorities. the exam year groups for example. we will do everything we can to them,

or early years who have not been established in some habits of learning. i think it could be more nuance so parents can plan accordingly and teachers can plan accordingly and teachers can plan accordingly but in response to your question, two weeks is better than none at all. question, two weeks is better than none at all-— none at all. how much of a priority to ou none at all. how much of a priority to you believe _ none at all. how much of a priority to you believe vaccinations - none at all. how much of a priority to you believe vaccinations should | to you believe vaccinations should be for the teachers, staff and school communities generally? nobody is talking about — school communities generally? nobody is talking about teachers _ school communities generally? nobody is talking about teachers wanting - school communities generally? nobody is talking about teachers wanting to - is talking about teachers wanting to jump is talking about teachers wanting to jump the queue. we understand there needs to be emphasis on people most at risk from this but also we know distinctively if you are a teacher you come into contact with lots of young people who we know can transmit the virus more than any previous incarnation and we also know that in the career of teaching if a teacher is not there, it affects a class of 30 or more if you are a secondary teacher. therefore i think there's a really strong argument, i think we like to hear the education secretary make that argument because that would give reassurance to parents and young

people that this revolving door of education we are sometimes in and sometimes not, could stay open and we could have some continuity. horse we could have some continuity. how im ortant we could have some continuity. how important is — we could have some continuity. how important is it _ we could have some continuity. how important is it for— we could have some continuity. how important is it for schools to open based on local transmission rates rather than just having one date where everyone is expected to reopen? it is something england's deputy chief medical officer has talked about. i deputy chief medical officer has talked about.— talked about. i listened with interest to _ talked about. i listened with interest to that. _ talked about. i listened with interest to that. on - talked about. i listened with interest to that. on the - talked about. i listened with interest to that. on the face talked about. i listened with i interest to that. on the face of talked about. i listened with - interest to that. on the face of it and i am not an expert, that would seem logical. what we saw before christmas is that even within a region you would find schools which were being very differently affected because they had for example 50 members of staff having to self—isolate, whereas a school across town did not have any. that's the weight worked out, so whilst there is clearly a logic to saying let's do this on a regional basis, ultimately i would suggest it's about school leaders, their

governors, knowing what is appropriate for them and communicating that a parent so that we reassure them we are doing it in a phased way rather than an all in nothing approach.— a phased way rather than an all in i nothing approach._ thank nothing approach. thank you. thank ou. thankfully a lot more sunshine today but the impact from the storm will continue. plenty of flood warning across england and wales. latest details on the bbc website. risk of flooding increasing to the north and east of scotland. heavy rain around the coast, inland poor conditions, plenty of snow. few showers dotted around the western half of the country. rain, sleet, hail, rumble of thunder. more rain through the channel islands and english channel coast. not as windy as yesterday for the north and east it will be windier. it will feel significantly colder. sub zero winch across parts of northern eastern scotland and north—eastern england. more sleet and snow, one or two centimetres

and showers in the west. given the fact the ground is so wet in places whenever you are tomorrow morning, be prepared for ice. take care.

this is bbc news i'm martine croxall. the headline at midday. coronavirus infection rates may have risen in england since the beginning of the lockdown, according to a study tracking the spread of the virus. the prime minister visit communities in greater manchester affected by heavy rain and flooding following storm christoph with thousands asked to evacuate their homes. what i'm seeing here is the amazing preparations that the environment agency makes of the way they are able to use sluice gates, they way they are able to use improvised emergency flood defences to protect homes. the vaccination rollout continues with another 65 centres opening across england. the health secretary says good progress is being made to vaccinate 15 million people by mid—february.

as we respond, through this huge endeavour, let's all take comfort in the fact that we are giving 200 vaccinations every minute. getting to work — president biden starts by reversing a number of his predecessor's key policies and signs more than a dozen executive orders. i have never been more optimistic about america than i am this very day. there isn't anything we can't do, if we do it together. also coming up this hour — the organisers of the london marathon say they hope to have a record 50,000 runners on the streets of the capital for october's race. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. scientists tracking the spread

of coronavirus in england say infection levels in the community did not fall — and may have even risen — at the start of the latest lockdown. the past few days have seen a slowdown in the number of lab—confirmed cases reported daily by the government, but the imperial college london researchers say their data is more up to date. swab tests taken from 143—thousand volunteers as part of the react study suggest that between the 6th and 15th of january, 1.58% had covid—19 — or1 in every 63 people. the highest level was in london — where 2.8% of people had the virus. ministers say the study does not yet reflect the impact of the national lockdown in england. professor paul elliot is director of the react programme. priti patel will be giving a press conference at five o'clock. we send out swabs to over 140,000

people and those people are randomly selected in the population, so some of them will have symptoms, but many of them will not have symptoms and will not know that they are carrying the virus. so we are picking up that early signal of people who, at the time of the swab, are asymptomatic and some of those it may go on to have symptoms and get tested later. we think that we may be just a little bit ahead of the signal and i should say that there was a very, very high prevalence earlier before we came back into the field. we were last in the field in the beginning of december when we saw the upturn at the end of lockdown to, which turned out to be this new, more highly transmissible variants and clearly, rates got extremely high and the r rates now are high, but not quite as high as they were we go so ago when we went in the field,

but as reported from the office for national statistics. so, i think it's quite a complex picture. we saw a little bit of a dip at the beginning of the lockdown but now we see essentially a level... with a sort of level, with an r around one. but we are not seeing that fall that we really need to see in these very high prevalence levels. sixty—five new covid vaccination centres, including a mosque in birmingham and a cinema in aylesbury, have opened today in england. in some regions the over 70s are now receiving the jab, while in others, those in their 80s are still waiting. in the past hour, the health secretreay matt hancock, has been giving a statement to mps about the vaccination programme. today, a cinema in aylesbury, a mosque in birmingham and a cricket club in manchester have all come on board as part of 55 pharmacy—led sites across england that arejoining our vaccination programme this week.

this ongoing expansion will help us to protect even more of the most vulnerable even more quickly. also from today, we will publish more localised, granular data, broken down by nhs stp area, as well as by region, so the public have the best possible information about all of this work. mr speaker, this virus is a lethal threat to us all and as we respond through this huge endeavour, let's all take comfort in the fact that we are giving 200 vaccinations every minute, but in the meantime, everyone, everyone, must follow the rules to protect the nhs and save lives. we can do that safe in the knowledge that the tide will turn and that with science, we will prevail. in the past few minutes

the prime minister was asked when it might be possible to lift some of the restrictions in the uk. i think it's too early to say when we will be able to lift some of the restrictions. we are looking at the deadline of february the 15th for thejc deadline of february the 15th for the jc vi groups that we want to vaccinate first, that 15 million people across the uk that we want to have been offered vaccination slot by the 15th of february. we will then look at how we are doing. but i think what we are seeing in the ons data, in the reactor survey, we are seeing the contagious nurse of the new variant that we saw arrive just before christmas. —— we are seeing how contagious the new variant is. it is not more deadly, but it is much more contagious. the numbers

are very great. so, as we get the vaccination programme out there, as we continue to expand and i think we are up to 4.6 million people today, 5 millionjobs, we have got to observe the lockdown, the stay—at—home message. protect each other, protect the nhs. that's absolutely crucial in what is unquestionably going to be a tough few weeks ahead. our health correspondent nick triggle is here. these reactor figures from these reactorfigures from imperial couege these reactorfigures from imperial college suggest that things are worse than we would imagine is the case from the number of cases that are coming out is positive from the test centres. it are coming out is positive from the test centres-— test centres. it is very confusing, because we _ test centres. it is very confusing, because we have _ test centres. it is very confusing, because we have seen _ test centres. it is very confusing, because we have seen from - test centres. it is very confusing, because we have seen from the l test centres. it is very confusing, - because we have seen from the daily figures cases look like they are coming down and coming down quite quickly. an average of around 60,000 cases a day at the turn of the year.

now, we are seeing under 40,000 new diagnoses of covid a day. what seems to be happening, and react is a random survey of infection levels in the population. they have only looked at the period from the 6th of january to the 15th of january. they said it is quite flat. on the other hand, we are seeing a sharp rise, a reasonably sharp fall in the daily figures. what seems to have happened is that over christmas, people may have delayed going for tests and that made the peak look a bit sharper than it actually was, so the true level of infections may be a bit flatter than those daily figures suggest and therefore the fall we have seen with the daily figures is a bit flatter. that's what react is hinting at. it has been looking just at the short window. i think the next week will be crucial and will tell us what's happening. i think react are survey more people randomly and of course, we will have

more data and it may be that the falls we have seen are not as sharp as we have seen, but of course coming down. as we have seen, but of course coming down-— coming down. yes, but a lot of --eole coming down. yes, but a lot of people are _ coming down. yes, but a lot of people are still _ coming down. yes, but a lot of people are still very, _ coming down. yes, but a lot of people are still very, very - coming down. yes, but a lot of people are still very, very sick| coming down. yes, but a lot of. people are still very, very sick and a lot of people each day are dying from covid—19. so what are the pressure is like on hospitals? this mornin , pressure is like on hospitals? this morning. we _ pressure is like on hospitals? ti 3 morning, we have some fresh data on that very thing. it does show incredible pressures in the hospitals, in particular critical care. we now havejust hospitals, in particular critical care. we now have just shy of 6000 aduu care. we now have just shy of 6000 adult critical care beds open in england. that's a rise of 40% since the start of november and the thing is for these intensive care services, they haven't got 40% more staff. so they are having to bring staff. so they are having to bring staff in from other areas, which has an impact on things like routine care and cancer treatment. it also

means intensive care specialist, specialist nurses, are having to stretch across a greater number of patients. even if we look at these extra beds that have been open, we can see that occupancy levels are also increasing. more of these beds are being filled. nearly one in three intensive care beds, sorry, nearly one in three hospitals have more than 95% of intensive care beds occupied. 95% is incredibly high. you think there is 5% wiggle room, but intensive care should only be 85% full to ensure that services can be run safely. so those are really dangerously full, those wards. there are huge pressures there in hospitals. are huge pressures there in hospitals-— are huge pressures there in hositals. ., ,, . ., , are huge pressures there in hositals. ., ,, . hospitals. the health secretary matt hancock has — hospitals. the health secretary matt hancock has been _ hospitals. the health secretary matt hancock has been talking _ hospitals. the health secretary matt hancock has been talking about - hospitals. the health secretary matt hancock has been talking about the l hancock has been talking about the vaccine roll out again saying 200 people every minute of being vaccinated, but it's quite different in different parts of the country, isn't it? which age groups are currently being given the jab. yes.

currently being given the 'ab. yes, we hiring a — currently being given the 'ab. yes, we hiring a iot * currently being given the 'ab. yes, we hiring a lot about _ currently being given the jab. ia: we hiring a lot about vaccinations, a lot of positive news. those figures that the health secretary points to also show that there were 2 million vaccinations given over the last seven days. 2 million as a figure that they were aiming for to get to help them reach that target of offering everyone over 70, the extremely clinically vulnerable, and health and care workers are vaccine by mid—february, but at the same time, we are hearing of some problems in some areas and i think what's happening here is the government is having to balance between a rapid roll—out, trying to get these jabs to as many people as possible, but in doing that, it does risk leaving some individuals, some local areas behind, and there is a lot of work to get these vaccines out to areas where people say they haven't got great access to the vaccination. the government hopes it is trying hard to reach those groups. i think we have got quite a

fragile supply system. and quite an uneven distribution set up. but in the coming weeks, ministers say that things will improve and the numbers getting vaccinated will continue to rise. , , , ., , rise. yes, the pipeline are still being fully _ rise. yes, the pipeline are still being fully filled, _ rise. yes, the pipeline are still being fully filled, isn't - rise. yes, the pipeline are still being fully filled, isn't it? - rise. yes, the pipeline are still being fully filled, isn't it? you| being fully filled, isn't it? you very much. we will come back to coronavirus later. the prime minister has been in didsbury, greater manchester. i worry about flooding every year and i have come here to didsbury greater manchester to thank the environment agency for all they have done to prepare but also... overnight, hundreds of people got notice to leave their homes because of the risk of flooding from the river mersey. what i'm seeing here is the amazing preparations that the environment agency makes. the way they are able to use sluice gates,

they are able to use sluice gates, the way they are able to use improvised emergency flood defences to protect homes and i think 10,000 homes in the manchester area, the didsbury area, have been protected, just as a result of what they've been doing overnight. there will be more to come, there will be further rain next week, so it's vital that people who are in potentially affected areas follow the advice and get the environment agency flood alerts where they can. you can get them on, you can get them on an app which will let you know what's going on. really, ijust wanted to thank the environment agency and the emergency services, the police, for everything they're doing. lets show ou what's everything they're doing. lets show you what's happening _ everything they're doing. lets show you what's happening from - everything they're doing. lets show you what's happening from the - you what's happening from the helicopter and the extent of the flooding. these are the pictures from cheshire. we've heard that the waters of started to recede, but even though this is no longer being

regarded as a major incident, it doesn't mean that the fire services are withdrawing resources. farfrom it. you are watching bbc news. schools in england will be given a two—week notice period before they are told to re—open. the education secretary, gavin williamson, has said he hopes pupils will be back in the classroom before easter, but that any date would be dependent on whether pressures on the nhs had eased sufficiently. well, we were in a position where we had to close schools very much as a national decision, very much in the national interest, to relieve pressure on the nhs, reduce movement, as part of the actions as the national lockdown. as you and so many of your viewers will be wanting to see schools opening at the very earliest opportunity. but we had to do that on the basis of the very best scientific and health advice. we're not in a position to be able to say exactly when that date is, but what i can reassure

you and your viewers is that we will give, you know, notjust schools and teachers time to be able to prepare but also, you know, we're giving children the time to get ready and parents enough notice to be able to get everything ready. so we will be hoping to give everyone two weeks' notice in order for them to be ready to return back to school. well the labour leader has urged for the government to open schools as soon as possible. in his criticism of the secretary of state for education, sir keir starmer said the safe opening of schools was �*not rocket science'. we were saying back in september, use schools base, build if you need to, put up prefab classrooms, have rotors and have testing. we were calling for testing back in

september. it's unbelievable that it's still not possible to get that testing and place in schools. all of that, i believe, can be done. i thought all of this could be done through a task force last summer. i think most parents and those who work in schools think, for heaven's sake, get on with a blindingly obvious. i sake, get on with a blindingly obvious. ,,. ,, ., . sake, get on with a blindingly obvious. ,, ., . ., obvious. said keir starmer. we are ex-iectin obvious. said keir starmer. we are expecting to _ obvious. said keir starmer. we are expecting to hear— obvious. said keir starmer. we are expecting to hear from _ obvious. said keir starmer. we are expecting to hear from the - obvious. said keir starmer. we are l expecting to hear from the education secretary. he is making a statement on the education white paper, but of course we will be listening in to see if he mentions anything to do with schools and covid—19. the headlines on bbc news. coronavirus infection rates may have risen in england since the beginning of the lockdown, according to a study tracking the spread of the virus. the prime minister visit communities in greater manchester affected by heavy rain and flooding following storm christophe with thousands asked to evacuate their homes. the vaccination roll—out continues with another 65 centres opening across england. the health secretary says 200 people are receiving the vaccine every minute.

sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here's jane. organisers of the london marathon say they are hoping to beat their record and get 50,000 people to take part this year. it's hoped the record will make up for the disappointment of 2020 when the race had to be counsel for amateurs due to coronavirus. meaning many charities lost out on funding. organisers say the 50,000 virtual runners can participate on a course of their own choice. england have made one change for the second and final test against sri lanka which started early tomorrow morning. james anderson replaces stuart broad who is resting. the england captain atjoe root expects a stronger challenge from sri lanka. the tourist won the first test by seven wickets but after a woeful start,

sri lanka improve throughout the match. 5ri sri lanka improve throughout the match. ,, . sri lanka improve throughout the match, ,, ., ., sri lanka improve throughout the match. ,, ., ., , sri lanka improve throughout the match. ,, . ., , ., match. sri lanka are very good at this ground. _ match. sri lanka are very good at this ground, they _ match. sri lanka are very good at this ground, they have _ match. sri lanka are very good at this ground, they have a - match. sri lanka are very good at this ground, they have a very - match. sri lanka are very good at| this ground, they have a very good record, very proud record and will be wanting to come back harder, so we have to play some smart cricket again tomorrow the majority if not all of the game. we can't be happy with what we've achieved so far on this trip and in these conditions, we had to look to go one further and keep getting better. we are very capable of doing that. a good first round for rory mciroly in golf�*s european tour in abu dhabi. the northern irishman is top of the leaderboard by one shot with a 64. mcilroy didn't manage a win last season — only the third time that has happened in his professional career. there have been complaints from some of the 72 tennis players having to quarantine ahead of the australian open, but some have decided to make the best of the situation and entertain themselves during the 14 days of isolation. here's what french player edouard roger—vasselin

has come up with. a chain reaction obstacle course. with10 days of quarantine remaining, he made use of a pillow, tennis bag, bananas, racquets and tennis ball cans, among other hotel room objects in a short video he posted on social media. i wonder how long it took him to do that. that's all the sport for now. you can find more on all those stories on the bbc sport website. an excellent way to keep yourself occupied. the work to undo some of donald trump's key policies began. in total, mr biden signed 15 executive orders. these are written orders to the federal government which don't require congressional approval. on coronavirus, the president

is setting up a new office to respond to the pandemic. and he's also halting the process to withdraw from the world health organization. something started by donald trump the us will also rejoin the paris climate agreement — from which president trump withdrew last year. other trump policies being reversed include ending the travel ban on some majority—muslim countries and stopping funding for the mexico border wall. kamala harris' firstjob as vice—president was in the senate, where she swore in the new democrat senators, which give her party the slimmest possible majority in the upper chamber of congress. all of this came before a star—studded celebration in washington where mr biden said he had never been more optimistic about the future of america.0ur washington correspondent, nomia iqbal reports. after four years after four yea rs of after four years of turbulence, it seemed calmer this morning. there was no traditional ball for president biden and vice president harris, but they got bruce springsteen and tom hanks. now it is my honour to introduce the president of the united states — joseph r bidenjr.

this is a great nation. we're good people. and to overcome the challenges in front of us requires the most elusive of all things in a democracy — unity. hours earlier, the new leaders of america were sworn in on capitol hill. so help me, god. congratulations, mr president. soon, president biden headed into his new office and started signing away donald trump's legacy with a pen. he green—lighted 15 executive orders — some of them included calling for a nationwide facemask mandate, and rejoining both the paris climate agreement and the world health organization. mr biden did receive a letter from his predecessor, a tradition. he wrote a very generous letter. i won't talk about it until i talk to him but it was generous. that was the only tradition donald trump held up. he didn't attend the

inauguration, instead flying to florida with his wife melania trump, who looked like she was ready for a holiday. the fears of violence in the run—up to the ceremony didn't happen. president biden and vice president harris hope that they can now inspire and unite the country. # ..firework. # come on, show �*em what you're worth. this administration says it wants to set a unifying and optimistic tone for america. we are bold, fearless and ambitious. we are undaunted in our belief that we shall overcome, that we will rise up. but this new start comes just a few weeks after donald trump's loyal supporters stormed the capitol. the stakes for what president biden does in the next few years couldn't be higher. nomia iqbal, bbc news.

our correspondent gary o'donoghue is in washington. already, a different tone for the presidency. already, a different tone for the presidency-— already, a different tone for the iresiden . , , , . presidency. yes, it is, we expected that, didn't — presidency. yes, it is, we expected that, didn't we? _ presidency. yes, it is, we expected that, didn't we? part _ presidency. yes, it is, we expected that, didn't we? part of _ presidency. yes, it is, we expected that, didn't we? part of his - presidency. yes, it is, we expected that, didn't we? part of his usp - that, didn't we? part of his usp during the campaign was doing things differently, being nicerto during the campaign was doing things differently, being nicer to one another etc. a message of unity and he is busy trying to follow through on that in the first hours of the presidency, but he has a lot of problems. let's not make any bones about that. he has this huge pandemic that he will be focusing on today. yesterday was the second highest numbers of deaths since the pandemic hit. more than 4000 people died here yesterday, because of coronavirus. and the biden administration is telling people that they have inherited no distribution system effectively for the vaccine. that's going to be an

enormous challenge, as you might put it today. particularly for the target of inoculating 100 million people in these first 100 days. haifa people in these first 100 days. how far-reaching _ people in these first 100 days. how far-reaching of _ people in these first 100 days. how far—reaching of these executive orders that he assigned? he signed 15, i think, orders that he assigned? he signed 15, ithink, within orders that he assigned? he signed 15, i think, within the first 24 hours in office, which eclipses his predecessor's by quite some margin. yeah, a lot of them were on doing things that the trump administration had put in place. there is clearly some signalling going on in them. so if you look at different categories, take the environment, they sent a signal by rejoining the paris climate change agreement. he has cancelled the keystone oil pipeline that connects canada down to the gulf. those of the sort of thing is that the environmental groups will be very happy about. when you look at immigration reform, he has cancelled that ban on people coming from certain muslim countries and also talked about regularising the

position of people, people who arrived here when they were children as illegal immigrants. so there is some messaging in that area as well. and then on the pandemic, you have this nationwide mask challenge, ensuring that masks are worn on federal property and in federal buildings and encouraging, where he doesn't have the actual power to do it, more wearing of masks on transport and interstate travel. there is quite a lot of that already in force at the moment. especially on airlines, most airlines demand you wear a mask when travelling. but you wear a mask when travelling. but you can see that he is trying to tip the nod at a whole bunch of policy areas very early on to try, i think, to keep the coalition on side. his party, like any other, is a coalition.— party, like any other, is a coalition. , ., «i , ., , coalition. gary, thank you very much.

the us infectious disease expert anthony fauci has been addressing the world health organization this morning , a day after presidentjoe biden reversed donald trump's decision to leave the un agency. he told the meeting that the biden adminstration will fully engage with the global struggle against coronavirus. it is an honourfor me to be here, representing the united states of america on behalf of the newly inaugurated biden—harris administration. and as the chief medical adviser to president biden. i also am here to represent the scientists, public health officials, and front line health care workers, and community health workers, who have worked so heroically this past year, to fight covid—19. developing medical countermeasures at truly phenomenal speed, adapting policy responses as we learn more about the virus, and courageously treating the millions of people who have been stricken by this historic scourge.

one year ago to this very day, the united states confirmed its first case of sars—cov—2 in the state of washington. today, in my country and around the world, we have surpassed 90 million cases, a devastating number that continues to grow. now it's time for a look at the weather with matt. thankfully a lot more sunshine today but the impact from the storm will continue. plenty of flood warnings across england and wales. latest details on the bbc website. risk of flooding increasing to the north and east of scotland. heavy rain around the coast, inland poor conditions, snow

inland poor conditions, with blizzards. showers dotted around the western half of the country. rain, sleet, hail, rumble of thunder. more rain through the channel islands and english channel coast. not as windy as yesterday, for the north and east it will be windier. it will feel significantly colder. sub zero wind chill across parts of northern eastern scotland and north—eastern england. more sleet and snow, one or two centimetres and showers in the west. given the fact the ground is so wet in places, whenever you are tomorrow morning, be prepared for ice. take care.

hello this is bbc news. the headlines... coronavirus infection rates may have risen in england since the beginning of the lockdown, according to a study tracking the spread of the virus. the prime minister visit communities in greater manchester affected by heavy rain and flooding following storm christophe with thousands asked to evacuate their homes.

what i'm seeing here is the amazing preparations that the environment agency makes of the way they are able to use sluice gates, they way they are able to use improvised emergency flood defences to protect homes. the vaccination roll—out continues with another 65 centres opening across england. the health secretary says good progress is being made to vaccinate 15 million people by mid—february. as we respond through this huge endeavour, let's all take comfort in the fact that we are giving 200 vaccinations every minute. getting to work. president biden starts by reversing a number of his predecessor's key policies and signs more than a dozen executive orders. a diplomatic row has broken out between britain and brussels over the status of the european union's ambassador in london,

a post created after brexit. bbc news has learned that the government is refusing to grantjoao vale de almeida the full diplomatic protections given to other ambassadors. our diplomatic correspondentjames landale has the story. at the moment, most diplomats around the world in london, everywhere else, they all get the protection of the vienna convention. that means their embassies are protected, they are exempt from arrest and detention and things like that. it's a sort of mutual agreement between nations to protect each other�*s diplomats. but those of a national diplomats, representing sovereign states. the european union is obviously, you know, an unusual organisation. however, when its foreign service was set up under the lisbon treaty in 2010, 142 countries around the world, that all have eu ambassadors there in residence, they also say, "look, we are just going to give them the same protections and status is all normal diplomats." that was sort of agreed.

the british have decided that, now they have left the european union, and they need an eu ambassador here in this country, that they are not going to give him that full status. they are going to treat the eu as a sort of international organisation that has some protections, but not the same legal protections and immunities that all other diplomats have, and it's causing something of a row. peter stano is the lead spokesman for foreign affairs at the european commission and joins us from brussels. thank you very much forjoining us here on bbc news. what explanation have you had from the united kingdom as to why they have changed the status of your diplomat? goad status of your diplomat? good afternoon- _ status of your diplomat? good afternoon. it _ status of your diplomat? good afternoon. it is _ status of your diplomat? good afternoon. it is not _ status of your diplomat? good afternoon. it is not a - status of your diplomat? good afternoon. it is not a habit - status of your diplomat? good | afternoon. it is not a habit that status of your diplomat? good afternoon. it is not a habit that we would _ afternoon. it is not a habit that we would be — afternoon. it is not a habit that we would be commenting on the explanations giving to us in confidential discussions by partners. but what we're asking is basically— partners. but what we're asking is basically very simple. we want to have _ basically very simple. we want to have the — basically very simple. we want to have the reciprocal recognition which — have the reciprocal recognition which date back, which goes back to the convention which was mentioned

already. _ the convention which was mentioned already. there isjust equal treatment and usual treatment, the european _ treatment and usual treatment, the european union has representations, delegations all around the world. we have 143 _ delegations all around the world. we have 143 delegations, everywhere except _ have 143 delegations, everywhere except the uk we have been granted the same _ except the uk we have been granted the same status as the representations of the national state. — representations of the national state. its— representations of the national state. it's only the uk which still is working — state. it's only the uk which still is working on the way how they will be treating — is working on the way how they will be treating us, but two things are very important. this process is not concluded — very important. this process is not concluded so there is no final decision— concluded so there is no final decision and it's nothing new. we have _ decision and it's nothing new. we have negotiated this since 2019. it's have negotiated this since 2019. it's fairly— have negotiated this since 2019. it's fairly pertinent for us to be able to understand as members of the public why the united kingdom has chosen to do this. i public why the united kingdom has chosen to do this.— chosen to do this. i think these are leitimate chosen to do this. i think these are legitimate questions _ chosen to do this. i think these are legitimate questions for _ chosen to do this. i think these are legitimate questions for the - chosen to do this. i think these are legitimate questions for the uk - legitimate questions for the uk representatives and they would be best placed to explain... but representatives and they would be best placed to explain. . .— best placed to explain... but they have told you _ best placed to explain... but they have told you why. _ best placed to explain... but they have told you why. i _ best placed to explain... but they have told you why. i can - best placed to explain... but they have told you why. i can tell - best placed to explain... but they have told you why. i can tell you i best placed to explain... but they i have told you why. i can tell you on behalf of the _ have told you why. i can tell you on behalf of the european _ have told you why. i can tell you on behalf of the european union - have told you why. i can tell you on behalf of the european union only i behalf of the european union only what we're trying to achieve based on what _ what we're trying to achieve based on what is — what we're trying to achieve based on what is going back to the lisbon

treaty— on what is going back to the lisbon treaty to— on what is going back to the lisbon treaty to the way the eu is represented on external affairs abroad — represented on external affairs abroad and the lisbon treaty remember was co—signed by the united kingdom _ remember was co—signed by the united kingdom and nothing has changed since _ kingdom and nothing has changed since then, so this is something recognised also worldwide by every single _ recognised also worldwide by every single other state including international organisations. if the uk needs— international organisations. if the uk needs to provide explanations to the domestic public, i would let uk representatives do it. but the domestic public, i would let uk representatives do it.— representatives do it. but for the uk and people — representatives do it. but for the uk and people who _ representatives do it. but for the uk and people who voted - representatives do it. but for the uk and people who voted for - representatives do it. but for the i uk and people who voted for brexit, they want to see some meaningful change to the relationship between britain and the eu. why do you feel it's necessary to have an ambassador with the full status that they are used to when that relationship was very different? the used to when that relationship was very different?— used to when that relationship was very different? the uk may have left euro -e or very different? the uk may have left europe or the _ very different? the uk may have left europe or the european _ very different? the uk may have left europe or the european union - very different? the uk may have left europe or the european union but i very different? the uk may have left europe or the european union but it| europe or the european union but it did not— europe or the european union but it did not leave the neighbour, the circle _ did not leave the neighbour, the circle of— did not leave the neighbour, the circle of friends and allies and we said all— circle of friends and allies and we said all along we are committed and willing _ said all along we are committed and willing to _ said all along we are committed and willing to continue close cooperation with the uk even outside of the _

cooperation with the uk even outside of the eu _ cooperation with the uk even outside of the eu framework and why should we have _ of the eu framework and why should we have an — of the eu framework and why should we have an ambassador, we have it around _ we have an ambassador, we have it around the — we have an ambassador, we have it around the world everywhere, 143 delegations around the world, almost every single country, so why should the uk _ every single country, so why should the uk be _ every single country, so why should the uk be any exception if they claim _ the uk be any exception if they claim they are also committed to a close _ claim they are also committed to a close partnership and co—operation? how likely— close partnership and co—operation? how likely is it this as a bargaining position by the uk? again, i cannot go into explain the motivation — again, i cannot go into explain the motivation on the uk site. i can only— motivation on the uk site. i can only say— motivation on the uk site. i can only say that granting reciprocal treatment based on the vienna convention is a standard practice and we're — convention is a standard practice and we're confident we will be able to this _ and we're confident we will be able to this with— and we're confident we will be able to this with friends in london in a satisfactory — to this with friends in london in a satisfactory and speedy manner. thank— satisfactory and speedy manner. thank you — satisfactory and speedy manner. thank you very much forjoining us today. thank you very much for “oining us toda . . ii thank you very much for “oining us toda . . «i i. here, the prime minister has warned there'll be "tough weeks to come", as the uk reported another all—time high of daily coronavirus deaths. a further 1,820 people have died within 28 days of a positive covid test, according to government figures. over the last week, an average of 39,068 people in the uk were in hospital with coronavirus.

that includes suspected cases in wales. it's putting huge pressure on staff working on the frontline. we asked three medics to record their experiences, and jayne mccubbin joined them to hear about the emotional impact it's having on their lives. the pressure has never been greater. in birmingham, 400 troops are being deployed to hospitals. very, very busy, and the flood is showing no signs of stopping. in london, police officers are being trained as ambulance drivers. there's just... there's no words. in liverpool, the children's hospital has started admitting adults. so that's a bit of a worry for us.

and the fact that the patients are young and fit, that's- a bit of a concern. we've asked three medics from each city to share a night shift with us and reflect on the emotional impact of this crisis. three weeks ago when i came over, there were 59 patients. now we have nearly 140. and a lot of them are really, really sick. we've probably trebled the capacity of looking after critically unwell patients, but it has come at high cost. and the biggest problem is staffing. the staff feel anxious _ about being asked to look after more and more patients when there aren't any more nurses, and there's no - easy solution to that. hello.

hi, everyone. hi, peter. hi, nitton. hi, emily. it is worse than april. it's the rate of admissions. we are surpassing april easily. this is onjust a whole other scale. we are way beyond the april peak. and remember, this is where in april, everyone was convinced, everyone was enthusiastic. everyone was willing to go in all out. now i have about 20% of my medical workforce in ic that is off sick long—term with covid, self—isolating or something. everyone's tired, everyone's stressed and we are short of people. and we have more patients, a lot more patients than we had the first time. nearly 50% more. covid admissions and deaths are at a record high. while hospitals are creating capacity to bring patients in, they can't magic up staff.

i had a 32—year—old patient. he was six months older than me, and i reassured him that he would be fine. and then, he didn't live. we're seeing about four times as many deaths as we normally do, and there is the guilt of not being able to supply them with our usual high standard of intensive care. the reason itu works _ is because we've got one to one nursing and the nurses look- after the patient and they document every single observation. so if you dilute that, l you're going to dilute the effect of intensive care. absolutely. i'm taking care of two, three or four itu patients. and that's way beyond what i would usually be doing. when i first came here, i felt incredibly guilty. and i think that's

why i was struggling. i would go awayjust feeling horror at what i had seen and what i couldn't do. what i wonder is how much of a psychological toll we are storing up for icu staff? i think we will need to have a lot of support in place for health care staff once this ends. there will be a psychological reckoning here at some point. medics describe guilt for the things they cannot do and guilt for asking colleagues to do more and more and more. so, i'm asking my colleagues to step up again. _ "can you do some extra work?" and you know that you've already asked them to do that and you'rej asking them again and asking. the nurses to do it again so that, you know, and you're also saying, "yeah, but we want to look- after you," and kind - of like contradictory things.

sometimes it feels worse to be on a break, because you just feel like you should be in the hospital, you're getting texts from your trust saying, "urgent call to arms. we need extra, extra anybody." i completely agree with emily. all of this has come at a cost and there is anger. i'm angry. really angry. what a lot of us are really angry about is the covid deniers and the people that have been walking around videoing outpatient clinics at midnight. and recently, two people were arrested in my hospital and fined just for trespassing. so that's the sort of people that generally our anger is against. it's just after nine o'clock . and we've had the handover from the night team. a huge increase in the number. of patients with covid in the trust. we've got 550 patients now, - and that was from yesterday morning. so it's probably higher now.

and another bit of bad news - is the two cubicles on our hdu have just flooded overnight. so that's really unhelpful, | when we're trying to make more space for patients. it feels like people are tired i of hearing about the situation and sort of want to deny what's going on. - and i think that feeds into staff morale. - what peter was saying, morale is low and there'sjust a sense of hopelessness. it'sjust galling to be coming in and be around, seeing what the general public are doing, and knowing that you're about to put in a 12 and a half hour stint in, because people just for some reason, are apathetic or don't believe or whatever. as their cities wait,

they prepare for home to sleep then face the same again tomorrow. death rates and hospital admissions have yet to hit their peak. i'm just coming out from my shift. and i'm just walking past stacks and stacks of ambulances. they have lived through this stress for a year. and a lot of people are very near breaking point. what i'm hoping is, and what all of my colleagues are hoping is, that in the next few weeks, as more and more people get vaccinated, the numbers will start coming down. and if i never see a patient with covid again in my life, i will be crying for it. the scottish government has launched a roll up your sleeves campaign to encourage take up of covid vaccination jabs. deputy first minister john swinney has been giving an update on the coronavirus

situation in scotland.. ican i can also confirm that by 8:30am, 300 330 4000, 871 people have received their first dose of the vaccine. we remain on track to give ourfirst dose of vaccine. we remain on track to give our first dose of the vaccine to all people who are over 70 by the middle of february. and we are launching a new campaign today, the roll up your sleeves campaign designed to increase uptake of the vaccine to encourage everyone to get their first . one more than yesterday in hospital. 161 people are in intensive care which is an increase of five from yesterday. i regret to say that 89 additional deaths have been registered in the last 24 hours

of a patient who first tested positive over the last 28 days. that means the total number of deaths under this daily measurement is 5468 would. that under this daily measurement is 5468 that total is a stark reminder once again of the grief and heartbreak virus continues to cause and i want to extend my sympathies and condolences to all those who have lost a loved one during this pandemic. john swinney briefing from the scottish government earlier. more news about coronavirus development here. this time what is happening with the glastonbury music festival. they were hopeful they would continue with it but alas, not. it's with great regret, they say, we must announce this years festival will not take place and this will be another enforced fallow year for us. this is from michael and emily

eavis, the organisers. in spite of our efforts, it has become clear we cannot make professional happiness year. we are so sorry to let you all down. as with last year, we would like to offer those who secured a ticket the opportunity to roll their £50 deposit over to next year and guarantee the chance to buy a ticket for glastonbury 2022. we are appreciative of the faith and trust placed in us with those of you with deposits and we're confident we can deliver something really special for us all. we thank you for your continued support, let's look forward to better times ahead. huge amounts of disappointment for there hoping to get a ticket for this year, having been disappointed in 2020. we know that lockdown can be tough for everyone, but for parents of children with disabilities, the pressures are particularly difficult. jo is a single mum of three daughters, all of whom all have a rare genetic condition, and she's made the tough decision

to keep them all at home. she's been recording a video diary of their lockdown experience and she's spoken about it to our reporter, caroline bilton. hello! i am these three monkey's mumm . hello! i am these three monkey's mummy. olivia _ hello! i am these three monkey's mummy. olivia is _ hello! i am these three monkey's mummy. olivia is 19. _ hello! i am these three monkey's mummy. olivia is 19. i— hello! i am these three monkey's mummy. olivia is 19. i have - hello! i am these three monkey's i mummy. olivia is 19. i have sophie howard 17 and they have got a condition known as... short hands and feet, intellectual developmental delay and seizures. icv advantage of having a forever child is i will never get empty nest syndrome. i have missed singing lessons. never get empty nest syndrome. i | have missed singing lessons. what have missed singing lessons. what have we found _ have missed singing lessons. what have we found out _ have missed singing lessons. what have we found out we _ have missed singing lessons. what have we found out we can - have missed singing lessons. inst have we found out we can do? have missed singing lessons. mat have we found out we can do? do have missed singing lessons. wisgit have we found out we can do? do it on zoom!. have we found out we can do? do it on zoom-—

have we found out we can do? do it on zoom!. ?, 'j~ i, ;;:: , on zoom!. those over 18 are 30 times more likely — on zoom!. those over 18 are 30 times more likely to — on zoom!. those over 18 are 30 times more likely to die _ on zoom!. those over 18 are 30 times more likely to die from _ on zoom!. those over 18 are 30 times more likely to die from the _ more likely to die from the coronavirus. forjo, she feels she must keep our girls at home. i cannot let them go, because nobody knows really what covid—19 would do to anyone. and with my girls, with their underlying condition, there is not much known about. naturally does fight me. m0! not much known about. naturally does fiuht me. ., ., not much known about. naturally does fight me- the _ not much known about. naturally does fight me.- the pressures - not much known about. naturally does fight me.- the pressures on i fight me. no! no! the pressures on families with _ fight me. no! no! the pressures on families with disabilities _ fight me. no! no! the pressures on families with disabilities are - families with disabilities are magnified in this lockdown. just come upstairs— magnified in this lockdown. limit come upstairs for a magnified in this lockdown. lmit come upstairs for a couple of minutes. it is... harderthis come upstairs for a couple of minutes. it is... harder this time already. because the weather is rotten. and they cannot get in the garden. come on, tinkerbell. good morning! i am trying to keep with

the school bedtime routine. on weekdays. time to get up. what lesson are we doing?— weekdays. time to get up. what| lesson are we doing?- can weekdays. time to get up. what - lesson are we doing?- can you lesson are we doing? maths. can you show me a triangle? _ lesson are we doing? maths. can you show me a triangle? i _ lesson are we doing? maths. can you show me a triangle? i am _ lesson are we doing? maths. can you show me a triangle? i am mindful - lesson are we doing? maths. can you show me a triangle? i am mindful of| show me a triangle? i am mindful of the fact that there are a lot of parents that are faced with real tough schoolwork and lockdown. i have the joys of play—doh, baking. do you miss school? ha. it is what do you miss school? no. it is what it is. do you miss school? no. it is what it is- they — do you miss school? no. it is what it is. they have moments but they are joyous and funny. and they keep me going like i keep them going. laughter the headlines on bbc news... coronavirus infection rates may have risen in england since the beginning of the lockdown, according to a study tracking the spread of the virus. the prime minister visit communities in greater manchester affected by heavy rain and flooding following storm christophe with thousands asked to evacuate their homes. the vaccination rollout continues with another 65 centres

opening across england — the health secretary says 200 people are receiving the vaccine every minute. the foreign secretary, dominic raab, has called on wealthier countries to support global access to covid—19 vaccines. speaking in kenya at the start of a visit to eastern africa, mr raab said britain had provided £500 million to aid the distribution of inoculations across the world. of course every country wants to vaccinate their own people, but we all have a shared interest in making sure that we are all safeguarded from this appalling virus. that's why we're collaborating on a bilateral level, astrazeneca oxford, with the trials you're having here in kenya. that's also why the uk is one of the leading funders of gavi and covax, which of course is the leading international body and organisation for making sure that we get

the virus, a billion doses, to the countries that need it most, and that group that will benefit from covax includes kenya. a british man who was diagnosed with a terminal form of cancer two years ago has completed the first stage of a bicycle ride that he is hoping will take him all the way to china. luke grenfell—shaw set off from bristol on a tandem injanuary. our correspondentjonah fisher caught up with him as he made it to ukraine. i am cycling with the knowledge that my cancer could come back at any time. in 2018, luke grenfell—shaw was told he had an advanced form of cancer that very few people survive. the primary tumour that was beneath my left shoulder blade, which was the size of an aubergine, it was enormous, that had spread to my lungs. the 24—year—old underwent chemotherapy and then surgery, keeping his spirits up by running and riding long distances —

and dreaming of adventure. the day that i was diagnosed, i realised that if i could only do one more thing with my life, then i want to cycle around the world. adventure ahead. a year ago, the cancer in remission, luke set off from bristol, hoping to reach china. smooth roads. it's pretty nice. that's cold! in front of me is germany. behind me is the netherlands. i think it's fair to say that this tent is no longer particularly waterproof. then the coronavirus pandemic struck, closing borders and blocking luke's way east. i have no idea what we're going to do. with each passing minute, heading back to the uk just seems

like a more sensible option. and that's what he did. but five months later, luke was back on the road again. we have no wheel. so we've got a bit of a problem right now. that is serbia right there. we're just crossing the danube right now. luke caught and recovered from the coronavirus in romania. and as he made his way across ukraine, i asked him the big question — why? if you can take good care of your body, if you can look after yourself, it doesn't give you any guarantees, but it puts you in a better position and, i guess, mentally, you also know that you are doing the things that you can do to improve your situation, even when there's so much uncertainty and there's so much that you can't control. how's your russian doing?

after a two—week slog across ukraine completed his europeanjourney, luke called his mum back home. i have felt for you with those icy cold headwinds on your own with that tandem and the trailer and all the weight of it. yeah, a massive achievement. i'm so proud of you, really, really an inspiration that you have just had the grit to keep going against so many odds. missing you! so far, luke's epic journey has raised £43,000 for cancer—related charities. all being well, he will ride across asia before arriving in china in about a year's time. jonah fisher, bbc news, eastern ukraine. police in naples have recovered a stolen 500—year—old painting,

despite not being aware it had been stolen. the painting, a copy of the world's most expensive leonardo da vinci's salvator mundi, was found in a bedroom cupboard, as tim allman reports. solving a robbery no—one knew had actually happened, a 500—year—old painting unveiled by police, after being discovered in a hidden room. this, a copy of leonardo da vinci's salvator mundi, saviour of the world, would normally be found at a chapel in naples. but, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the collection was closed to the public and the painting's disappearance went unnoticed. it was found at the apartment of a local businessman, a 36—year—old man now accused of trafficking in stolen goods. translation: it's a person without a criminal record. . it's very unlikely that this person could have a direct interest. $400 million is the bid, and the piece is sold.

da vinci's original, itself only rediscovered 15 years ago, sold at auction in 2017 for more than $400 million, the most expensive painting ever sold. this is a lot less valuable, but it is, at last, back where it belongs. professorjonathan professor jonathan van—tam is professorjonathan van—tam is a familiar face to professorjonathan van—tam is a familiarface to us, professorjonathan van—tam is a familiar face to us, often at the press conferences held in the afternoon. he told his mum, elizabeth, 79, that she was at risk of coronavirus because of a rage and so she absolutely had to have the vaccine when it was offered to her. because of her age. here she is going along today to her gp surgery just outside peterborough in cambridgeshire, following her son's

instructions and getting her coronavirus jab. well done, elizabeth. it pays to listen to your son. in the moment, the bbc news at one with jane hill, but first it's time for a look at the weather and all the latest on the floods with ben rich. the heavy rain has been easing during today, but there is enough a lot of water still to work through. the river catchments, a number of severe flood warnings enforced. check the latest on the bbc weather website. over the last few days the rain has been relentless across northern england and wales, no wonder we have seen that flooding with over 150 millimetres of rain falling in some spots, more than a month's in a few days. now with colder air from the north we have snow showers in places, more persistent across parts of scotland. that will continue across northern scotland through the day, rain close to the coast. quite

windy as well. scattered wintry showers elsewhere and persistent rain grazing into southern and south—eastern parts. quite a chilly end to the day and through this evening that rain will work across the far south—east. further rain, sleet and snow across the north of scotland. a few showers in the west giving rise to icy conditions. temperatures dipping to freezing. friday, the area of low pressure that brought the stormy weather over the last couple of days will be setting close to the north—east so still bringing northerly flow of winds feeding further snow showers across northern scotland. we could see a few centimetres more per wintry sheraton northern ireland, north—west england, south wales and the of england. some spells of sunshine on a chilly day. saturday looks like a mainly dry day with

spells of sunshine. fog patches first thing. rain close to the south coast and wintry showers. could bring some snow even to quite low levels. again, a cold day. temperatures 2—6. with that in place during saturday night this is one to watch. a frontal system pushing in from the west, uncertainty about timing and position but that could give snow across parts of england and wales, even low levels. we will keep you up—to—date with that. brighter elsewhere on what will be a cold feeling day.

65 new covid vaccination centres have come into operation across england. a mosque and a cinema are among the venues being used — but distribution of the jab is uneven, with some over 80s still waiting. it comes as a new study suggests coronavirus infection rates may have risen in england since the start of the lockdown. so, as we get the vaccination programme out there, as we continue to expand, i think we are up to 4.6 million people today, 5 million jabs, we've got to observe the lockdown, the stay—at—home message. we'll have the latest from our health correspondent. also this lunchtime: