i think it is too early to say when we will be able to lift some of the restrictions. ourfinal report from the royal london hospital — the pandemic, a lesson in what nhs workers can and can't do in a crisis. we'll be looking at why some areas are doing so much better on vaccinations than others. also tonight... parts of the north west of england and wales are still under danger to life flood warnings —

hundreds of homes evacuated. signing away the trump legacy — from the pandemic to immigration and climate change, president biden orders a change of direction. chapter one... a book at bedtime — how going online has preserved those cherished moments with the grandparents. and coming up on bbc news... it's claimed uefa are considering staging the european championship in one country instead of across the continent as planned due to the pandemic. good evening and welcome to the bbc news at six. we're in it for the long haul. borisjohnson has warned that it's

too early to say whether or not restrictions might last till the summer. much will depend on the data. today public health england is reporting that covid case rates have fallen in every region. but some scientists are warning that any easing of the lockdown before may would cause another rise. by then, millions should have been vaccinated. as our medical editor, fergus walsh, reports, 65 new centres have opened today. queueing for the main feature, this cinema in aylesbury in buckinghamshire is now a covid vaccination centre, no popcorn on offer but the chance for people to get a jab in the heart of their community. this mosque in birmingham is the first in england to offer the vaccine. bame groups are at higher risk of covid so centres like this could be important in increasing uptake and countering misinformation about the jab.

uptake and countering misinformation about the jab-— about the “ab. there is nothing to be about the jab. there is nothing to be worried _ about the jab. there is nothing to be worried about. _ about the jab. there is nothing to be worried about. we _ about the jab. there is nothing to be worried about. we are - about the jab. there is nothing to be worried about. we are open i about the jab. there is nothing to be worried about. we are open to tell you it is genuine and this is in line with the teachings of islam. is there any other way of tackling this pandemic than the vaccine? i don't see any other way. zap this pandemic than the vaccine? i don't see any other way. 200 covid vaccines a minute _ don't see any other way. 200 covid vaccines a minute are _ don't see any other way. 200 covid vaccines a minute are being - don't see any other way. 200 covid vaccines a minute are being given i vaccines a minute are being given across the uk. the aim, by valentine's day, to immunise all over 70s, front line health workers and those shielding. nhs england data shows marked regional variations for the roll—out. in the north—east and yorkshire and north—west, around two thirds of over 80s had received the byjanuary the 17th. by contrast, only 50% of those in london have had theirfirst dose while in eastern england it was 53%. the south west, midlands and south—east were all around the 60% mark. across the other nations,

supply issues continue to hamper vaccine delivery. less than half those over 80 have been vaccinated in scotland and northern ireland. the key question is whether current lockdown measures are doing enough to contain the more contentious variant of coronavirus. every month imperial college london sent out testing kits to 140,000 plus people across england —— contagious variant point it picks up those both with and without symptoms and the latest findings are worrying. the swabs were carried out betweenjanuary six and 15th and they suggest that one 63 people in england was infected and there was no apparent decline in cases during those ten days. that is puzzling because we look at a uk wide positive tests and there was a sharp decline during the same period from around 60,000 cases per day to around 40,000. i

from around 60,000 cases per day to around 40900-— around 40,000. i think it sure is that the lockdown _ around 40,000. i think it sure is that the lockdown is _ around 40,000. i think it sure is that the lockdown is partially - that the lockdown is partially working, there has been a change in behaviour and the epidemic is not growing as fast as it would have done but we need it to be shrinking right now, just keeping it at levels is not enough given the pressure on hospitals and the number of deaths we have each day.— we have each day. lockdown restrictions _ we have each day. lockdown restrictions in _ we have each day. lockdown restrictions in northern - we have each day. lockdown l restrictions in northern ireland we have each day. lockdown - restrictions in northern ireland are being extended until the 5th of march. it is unclear when things might change in england. i march. it is unclear when things might change in england. i think it is too early _ might change in england. i think it is too early to _ might change in england. i think it is too early to say _ might change in england. i think it is too early to say when _ might change in england. i think it is too early to say when we - might change in england. i think it is too early to say when we will. might change in england. i think it is too early to say when we will be j is too early to say when we will be able to lift some of the restrictions. we are seeing the contagious nurse of the new variant that we saw arrive just before christmas —— the contagious nature. now doubt it does spread very fast indeed. it is not more deadly but it is much more contagious. we indeed. it is not more deadly but it is much more contagious. we need to look at the infection _ is much more contagious. we need to look at the infection rates, _ is much more contagious. we need to look at the infection rates, look - is much more contagious. we need to look at the infection rates, look at - look at the infection rates, look at the admission rates and look at the pressure _ the admission rates and look at the pressure on — the admission rates and look at the pressure on the nhs and, tragically, the death—

pressure on the nhs and, tragically, the death rates and we need to see those _ the death rates and we need to see those numbers moving and there was no party— those numbers moving and there was no party politics in this, everybody wants _ no party politics in this, everybody wants those numbers to come down which _ wants those numbers to come down which is _ wants those numbers to come down which is why it is very important everybody — which is why it is very important everybody complies with the government guidance. in everybody complies with the government guidance. in the race between the _ government guidance. in the race between the virus _ government guidance. in the race between the virus and _ government guidance. in the race between the virus and the - government guidance. in the race | between the virus and the vaccine, it is covid which still has a commanding lead, until pressure on hospitals begins to reduce, lockdown measures will remain firmly in place. 0ur political editor, laura kuenssberg, is in westminster. laura, borisjohnson laura, boris johnson is laura, borisjohnson is sometimes accused of easing restrictions too early but here he is refusing to say whether the summer might be a target point of that is right, none of his trademark optimism. the point of that is right, none of his trademark optimism.— trademark optimism. the home secretary also — trademark optimism. the home secretary also announced - trademark optimism. the home secretary also announced new l trademark optimism. the home . secretary also announced new finds tonight for people who get caught going to house parties in england and that it was too early to contemplate any easing of restrictions. in northern ireland the lockdown was extended until early march. in scotland it is already in place until the middle of next month and in wales there is no

sign of any change of heart obit restrictions. just going down that list, it's very clear the mood amongst the politicians who will be making the decisions about what happens next is very much still one of caution and very much one still of caution and very much one still of concern. yes, there are signs the intensity of the pandemic might be levelling off and of course there is a real kernel of hope and pride in how the uk has been rolling out the back seam, even though it is a bit of a patchwork. but in terms of moving into the next phase, even though politicians around the uk would desperately love to be able to do it soon, there is nothing in the diary, nothing is fixed and a real sense that no one wants to rush into this too quickly. it is very much a hope rather than a concrete expectation that a gradual unrolling of the restrictions on all our lives will be under way by the spring. laura, thank you very much. and our medical editor, fergus walsh, is here.

0ne one of the other things boris johnson said was it depends on the data coming in but it has to be said that some of the data is confusing, some conflicting. it that some of the data is confusing, some conflicting.— some conflicting. it is, george. these different _ some conflicting. it is, george. these different measures - some conflicting. it is, george. these different measures are l some conflicting. it is, george. - these different measures are looking at a slightly different of cases and infections around the country but the take—home message is this, that i that the epidemic is flat, or it is not falling fast enough. and lockdown measures are having some effect. if it wasn't for those, the epidemic would be out of control. but the problem is, it is this more contagious variant which is creating problems and we are in a very different situation to lockdown one. there was more movement, more people going to work, more signs are people being active than back at the end of march, you will remember, but the trouble is and the key measure is what is happening in nhs hospitals.

and we have nearly double the number of patients as at the peak in april and until those numbers, until the pressure on icus starts to come down, the lockdown measures are here to stay. down, the lockdown measures are here to sta . , ., ~ to stay. fergus, thank you very much. the latest government figures show there were 37,892 new coronavirus infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period, which means that on average the number of new cases reported per day in the last week is 40,485. as you can see, that number is continuing to fall. there were 38,676 people in hospital with coronavirus over the seven days to tuesday. 1,290 deaths were reported — that's people who died within 28 days of a positive covid—19 test. on average in the past week, 1,224 deaths were announced every day. the total number of deaths so far

across the uk is 94,580. let's get an update on the uk's programme of mass vaccinations which continues to ramp up. 363,508 people have had theirfirst dose of one of the three approved covid—19 vaccines in the latest 24—hour period. that's a new daily record for the roll—out. it takes the overall number of people who've had their firstjab to almost 5 million people. as we've just heard, there were another 1,290 deaths reported today, taking the overall figure ever closer to the 100,000 mark. but for every death, many more are being saved by medical staff working under greater pressure than at any time in the nhs�*s history. in his final report from the royal london hospital, clive myrie, along with camera journalist david mcilveen

and producer sam piranty, looks at the cost of the pandemic on patients and medics alike, and what their experience tells us about the nhs. you may find some of this report upsetting. and it does contain some flashing images. hello, am i speaking to shamima? my name is doctor healy, i'm ringing from the royal london hospital. it's about your husband, akhtar. consultant marie healy�*s words will sting. one of her covid patients isn't doing well in intensive care. he is quite sick, he could die from this, i'm sorry to have to say that. we've only been married for two years. he is the light of your life. he is. you know, he's never been away from me, for even a day. this is shamima, who already knows loss in this pandemic. her brother—in—law was buried last

month, a victim of covid—19 and this week her father—in—law died from the virus. now her husband's life hangs precarious. it is a feature of the second wave that whole families have been blighted. we feel so empty and for me not to have my husband by my side, life is too short and you want to spend it with your loved ones because i have to be strong for my mother, i have to be strong for my sister—in—law. you know, they kind of rely on me and if i break down, then, you know, i don't know what's going to happen to the family. asif lies limp, one of close to 4000 people across the uk now breathing with the aid of a machine due to covid—19. that is more than 4000 families praying for the best, fearing the worst, lives on hold. the nhs is a family, too,

and it has mourned its own. more than 200 frontline staff have died in the pandemic. and see you because they didn't want to get you tired. senior charge nurse don wood at the royal london feared he wouldn't make it after contracting the virus over christmas. i was doing everything i could to try and deep breath and everything that i tell everyone to do and that's quite a scary moment. because... you see... the trouble is, in the first wave and the second wave, i've seen what can happen. it's scary. we're all scared...

..that the grave—diggers will keep working due to covid. this cemetery in north—east london has had to expand because of the pandemic dead. today, across the uk, more than 94,000 — that's over 20,000 more than the number of civilians who died in our country in world war ii. we're all scared, that things will get worse before they get better. we're all scared of the cruel ripples of the pandemic — lockdowns, mental health problems, economic shock. so where is the light?

martin griffiths is a consultant trauma surgeon at the royal london, more used to dealing with gunshot wounds and stabbings. now he is helping out giving people vaccine jabs. what do you think of anti—vaxxers? they have my thoughts and prayers. they're wrong. they are so wrong. and either by a lack of knowledge, a lack of understanding, an unwillingness to accept reality, what we are seeing is they are actively contributing to the detriment of our society. next, please. salvation, then, at the end of a needle. and maybe soon we will all be able to smile. it's true, the nhs is here for us from cradle to grave, part of the origin myth of post—war modern britain, but coronavirus has given us a glimpse into a dark future, a time when the men

and women of the service cannot help everyone as they would like. is that the true lesson of this pandemic — that to see the nhs crumble means losing a part of who we are? clive myrie, bbc news. hundreds of homes have been evacuated overnight as storm christoph caused widespread flooding, especially in north—west england and wales. in england, nearly 170 warnings — among them three severe warnings which mean danger to life — were still in place by late this afternoon. in wales, the total figure was 25 and scotland had four flood alerts. no flood figures are available for northern ireland. one area particularly hit is the north west of england, from wherejudith moritz has sent this report. submerged streets and flooded

fields, this was warrington today. for months, the message has been to stay at home. this morning, in this area, whether by boat or on foot, it was to get out. my living room floor literally looks like a water bed. because the water has come straight under it, i had to turn off all the electricity and gas, everything. though the deluge was forecast, this area it was not one of those classed as at the highest risk, meaning a threat to life. i think it was a very frightening situation actually. the water grew and rose quite rapidly and i think, as the snow started to fall as well, it became quite a dangerous situation. in northwich in cheshire, a retirement village was cut off and those living there were taken away to a hotel. in didsbury in south manchester, the prime minister watched defences being shored up this

morning, but the area has not flooded as feared. last night, residents here were told to evacuate their homes. today they were allowed back and were pleased to be clearing away puddles of rain rather than floodwater. did you leave the house? myself and my two daughters did, we went to stay with my mum. she lives nearby. she's only five minutes away so we were very lucky. some people decided to go, some people decided to stay. we took it upon ourselves to make sure that the river was monitored every hour right through the night by the residents here. it's only when you get up into the air that you can see the extent of the water in manchester and cheshire. it is mostly lying on farmland, by design. as the river mersey was raging, to stop it _ as the river mersey was raging, to stop it overflowing they opened the sluice _ stop it overflowing they opened the sluice gates here and sent to the water _ sluice gates here and sent to the water along that drainage channel and out _ water along that drainage channel and out onto the flood plain. | and out onto the flood plain. cannot and out onto the flood plain. i cannot stress how close we got last night. cannot stress how close we got last niuht. ., . .,,

cannot stress how close we got last night-— within i night. how close did it get? within centimetres. _ night. how close did it get? within centimetres, and _ night. how close did it get? within centimetres, and across _ night. how close did it get? within centimetres, and across greater i centimetres, and across greater manchester the systems we have put in place have protected 23,000 properties. in in place have protected 23,000 properties-— in place have protected 23,000 --roerties. ., ~ ., , properties. in north wales, there was disruption _ properties. in north wales, there was disruption last _ properties. in north wales, there was disruption last night - properties. in north wales, there was disruption last night in - was disruption last night in wrexham, but relief that a centre producing the covid vaccine was spared any damage. this bridge was washed away by the force of the water. in yorkshire, river levels remain high. this is the 0use in york. the environment agency have said people should stay vigilant. the time is 19 minutes past six. our top story this evening. nearly 5 million people have been given their first coronavirus vaccination but borisjohnson says he still can't say when the lockdown will be lifted. and coming up, glastonbury is cancelled for the second year running. what will this mean for the music festival season? coming up on sportsday on bbc news... a strong start to the year for rory mcilroy on his return

to the european tour as he leads after the opening round in abu dhabi. as promised, presidentjoe biden has hit the ground running, wasting no time in overturning some of donald trump's key policies. he's signed a series of executive orders, which don't need congressional approval. top of the list are new measures to tackle the coronavirus pandemic. he's also begun the process of rejoining the paris climate change agreement. 0n immigration, he's removed the emergency funding used to build a wall along the border with mexico, and ended a travel ban on some majority—muslim countries. 0ur north america editorjon sopel reports on a busy day for the new president. and the first order i'm going to be signing here... and the first order i'm going to be signing here---_

and the first order i'm going to be signing here... president biden is a man in a hurry. _ signing here... president biden is a man in a hurry. a — signing here... president biden is a man in a hurry, a slew— signing here... president biden is a man in a hurry, a slew of— signing here... president biden is a man in a hurry, a slew of executive| man in a hurry, a slew of executive orders has been signed reversing many trump era policies. there will be more later on. and today, the first full day in the newjob, a virtual church service. prayers for the mission ahead, prayers for the united states. and look, everyone in the white house is wearing a mask now. it is obligatory. a big change, and deliberate. there will be a more vigorous approach to dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. last night, after a day of tension, amid concerns the inauguration could be disrupted, celebration. with the new president pulling in the megastars for a socially distanced concert. in the last few weeks and the last few years, we have witnessed deep divisions and a troubling rancour in our land. but tonight we ponder the united states of america. and

our land. but tonight we ponder the united states of america.— united states of america. and there was the sense _ united states of america. and there was the sense of _ united states of america. and there was the sense of a _ united states of america. and there was the sense of a new _ united states of america. and there was the sense of a new dawn - united states of america. and there was the sense of a new dawn from i was the sense of a new dawn from those performing. # here comes the sun #. joe biden comes to the job with a mountain of problems, and under the watchful gaze of abraham lincoln, a man who lead america through its civil war, spoke of the challenges he must now address. the question is, are we he must now address. the question is. are we up _ he must now address. the question is. are we up to _ he must now address. the question is, are we up to it? _ he must now address. the question is, are we up to it? will— he must now address. the question is, are we up to it? will we - he must now address. the question is, are we up to it? will we meet. is, are we up to it? will we meet the moment like ourfore bearers have? i believe we must, and i believe we will.— have? i believe we must, and i believe we will. ., ., ,�* , believe we will. two donald trump's fu , he believe we will. two donald trump's fury. he could _ believe we will. two donald trump's fury, he could never— believe we will. two donald trump's fury, he could never attract - believe we will. two donald trump's fury, he could never attract the - believe we will. two donald trump's fury, he could never attract the big i fury, he could never attract the big names to play for him four years ago. the new president had no such difficulties. while the biden family tap theirfeet, there difficulties. while the biden family tap their feet, there was an important contribution from the three amigos, three former presidents, but all of them still younger than the new occupant of the white house. i younger than the new occupant of the white house-— white house. i think the fact that three others _ white house. i think the fact that three others are _ white house. i think the fact that three others are standing - white house. i think the fact that three others are standing here i three others are standing here talking about a peaceful transfer of

power speaks to the institutional integrity of our country. america's first woman _ integrity of our country. america's first woman vice _ integrity of our country. america's first woman vice president, - integrity of our country. america's first woman vice president, first i integrity of our country. america's i first woman vice president, first vp of asian and black to send, set out the dream. brute of asian and black to send, set out the dream-— of asian and black to send, set out the dream. ~ , ., ., the dream. we shoot for the moon and then we planned _ the dream. we shoot for the moon and then we planned our _ the dream. we shoot for the moon and then we planned our flag _ the dream. we shoot for the moon and then we planned our flag on _ the dream. we shoot for the moon and then we planned our flag on it. - the dream. we shoot for the moon and then we planned our flag on it. we - then we planned ourflag on it. we are bold, fearless and ambitious. the evening ended with katy perry and fireworks shooting to the stars, and fireworks shooting to the stars, and the first couple settling into their new surroundings. there had been a peaceful transfer of power, despite the troubling events leading up despite the troubling events leading up to this unique inauguration. and covid is president biden's biggest headache, and he's trying to lead by example. for me to come onto the grounds i had to get a covid test before being allowed in. the numbers of people being allowed in have been reduced dramatically. i think what he's inherited from the previous president is a very lax

roll—out plan of the vaccine, and this will be his central concern. this is what he's going to need to gear america up to deliver. jon sopel, thank you very much. glastonbury festival has been cancelled for a second year running due to the impact of the pandemic. jon kay is in glastonbury. i guess this is notjust about music fans are missing out, but the effect on local people?— on local people? yes, a lot of --eole on local people? yes, a lot of people really _ on local people? yes, a lot of people really disappointed . on local people? yes, a lot of people really disappointed by| on local people? yes, a lot of- people really disappointed by this. notjust here in glastonbury itself and built in nearby where the festival takes place, but this affects thousands of people. for every paul mccartney or taylor swift that performed on the pyramid stage, there are hundreds of musicians you have probably never heard of who rely on events like glastonbury to make some money and make their names potentially. then there are thousands more people involved in the staging and security, the car

parks, the catering. to lose glastonbury for a second year in a row is devastating for them. some mps have been calling on ministers to introduce a government backed insurance scheme to protect these events. so far that hasn't happened, and ministers say instead they are putting money into the cultural recovery programme. they say this could trigger other events to cancel, notjust bigger ones but community events, village fairs, sports events, barbecues. if glastonbury is off, what about them? thank you very much. ministers have set out plans to reform post—16 education and training in england, saying it's an illusion to think university degrees are the only route to success. the department for education says the proposals will ensure funding is better targeted at providing training that is more relevant to the labour market. 0ur education correspondent elaine dunkley reports. rebuilding the economy, the pandemic has put pressure on jobs and skills.

to date, further education colleges have been put at the centre of transforming education and changing lives. jordan is 19 and now a qualified decorator after completing an apprenticeship. me and my girlfriend, we conceived when we were 15. we were still in school, we was in the middle of our gcses. i didn't do the best in school, i wasn't the brightest, but managed to get an apprenticeship. the department for education has announced £65 million of investment and an offer to fully fund college courses to all adults in england without an a level or equivalent qualification. in england without an a level or equivalent qualification. the association of colleges has called for more funding for student living costs, but the principle of 0ldham college says it is a landmark moment in education. well, it's around about 50% of the population currently, of 16—18—year—olds currently end up at university, but that begs the question of what happens to the other 50%, and of course

it's a much wider group adults who historically have not been through the university route. the aim of this white paper is to give them more choice and to create sets of qualifications, delivered locally, in partnership with employers. one of the biggest challenges for colleges is putting an end to the misconception that a degree is the only route to success. chloe, conor and emma all had offers at university but decided to do an apprenticeship in law at 0ldham college. if i was to go to uni, and i'd qualify with a degree, those who are doing that, i would then have three years experience at a law firm which is what employers are often looking for, and so that was a major factor for me. originally i did two years of university and i foundl that there was a lot of support - there, but because i was doing law which is a very popular subject, i remember my first lecture, i there were about 400 people in there! - here, it's much more localised. the government says reforming further education is about creating opportunity and potential. there are difficult times ahead but also there are big ambitions.

what are your hopes and dreams for the future? go on, tell me how big you're going to be. i want my own company, ideally. i want to cover every sector. i want to do it all, i want to be the biggest. elaine dunkley, bbc news, 0ldham. as lockdown has forced families apart, we've all had to find new ways of staying in touch and nurturing those special relationships. but a simple thing like reading a story together on video calls can make things just that bit easier, as daniela relph reports. hi, alicia! hi! how are you? good. what's that picture behind you? _ annette landy doesn'tjust read to her granddaughter, she matches her background to the story. the picture behind me is... it's got harry potter in it, ron and hedwig. chapter one, the worst birthday. not for the first time, an argument had broken out over breakfast... annette has been reading with alicia, who's eight, since march.

she's been isolating and wanted to maintain their close relationship. i certainly felt with alicia that there were less points of contact with her because her life and mine were getting very separated. and sort of reading to her was a way in to keeping that. and for alicia, it's been a lovely way to keep in touch with granny, who she calls "g—ma". well, the first bit... the first time we read together we read the first harry potter book. brilliant. then we read the secret garden. i love that one. mm—hm. and now we've just started harry potter two. started because we couldn't see g—ma. it's very nice to see g—ma's face. annette has also read to her youngest granddaughter, two—year—old sadie... what's on her necklace? ..who uses the contact for some important chat. did you have rice -

krispies for breakfast? i did have rice krispies for breakfast. you're quite right! idid! reading and sharing a story, such a simple idea, that becomes so meaningful when you've been forced apart. we need each other. we've had a lot of chat about how communities have come together, and that's been fantastic. but actually at the heart of communities are families. and i think that, you know, there have been times of being a bit disjointed, and maybe there's a moment in this for people to think, "well, actually, we really do have something that sort of holds us together." reading with granny is something that may linger beyond lockdown. sometimes it is just the small things that lift spirits. 0k, lots of love... daniela relph, bbc news. ..and i'll see you tomorrow night. time for a look at the weather, here's ben rich. good evening. the rain is relenting

but the flooding problems will take a while to ease. all that water has to