this is bbc news with the latest headlines. a record day for vaccines in england yesterday — more than 444,000 doses were registered. but the health secretary issues a warning to those who have had them. we don't yet know the impact on how much the vaccine impacts on how much you transmit the virus. that is why it is so important that people continue to stay—at—home after they have had the vaccine. police fines as more than 300 people attend an illegal rave in east london — organisers reportedly locked the doors from the inside to stop officers getting in. severe weather warnings as snow and ice sweep across the uk —

amid fears of travel disruption. leaving the union — the snp to present its national assembly with what it's calling a road map to a new referendum on scottish independence. and a dramatic rescue in china — as 11 gold miners who'd been trapped underground for two weeks are brought out alive. and captainjoe root hits 186 to keep england's hopes alive in sri lanka. good afternoon. the health secretary matt hancock says 77 cases of the extra virulent south african variant of covid have been found here in the uk. but all have links to international travel and there is no evidence to date that it is spreading

in the community unchecked. matt hancock has also said we are a "long way" from restrictions being eased — as scientists warn people may still be able to pass on the virus even if they've been vaccinated. it comes as a further 443,330 people in england received their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine yesterday — a new record. 0ur health reporter jim reed has more. the vaccination roll—out in the uk continues. hundreds of thousands of those most at risk are receiving theirjabs this weekend, but as we try and navigate our way out of this pandemic, scientists think new variants of coronavirus are a real concern. a mutation first found in cases from south africa is thought to spread faster. some worry it could also make a vaccine less effective,

though that is not yet certain. speaking on the andrew marr programme, the health secretary said the government is monitoring it closely. there are 77 known cases of the south african variant here in the uk. they are under very close observation and we have enhanced contact tracing to do everything we possibly can to stop them from spreading. the majority of those have had contact with or come from south africa, and that's why we've got such stringent border measures in place. the government has said all international travellers will need to show a negative covid test before arrival, but the opposition is calling on ministers to go further. on monday, we've got this delayed announcement, yet again delayed. we would fully expect the government to bring in tougher quarantine measures, we would expect them to roll out a proper testing strategy and we would expect them to start checking up on people who are quarantining. only three out of every 100 people who are asked to quarantine when they arrive in the uk are actually facing

any checks at all. that is simply not sufficient. 470,000 doses of the vaccine were given over the last day. ministers said three quarters of those over 80 have now had theirfirst dose. but government scientists are warning those who have received theirjabs so far will not be fully protected and may still spread the disease. the message, then, is still for everyone to follow social distancing rules, probably for months to come. jim reed, bbc news. chris mason our political correspondent is with me. looking over the whole situation with vaccination, there is quite a lot looking over the whole situation with vaccination, there is quite a lot of looking over the whole situation with vaccination, there is quite a lot of good looking over the whole situation with vaccination, there is quite a lot of good news. looking over the whole situation with vaccination, there is quite a lot of good news. but looking over the whole situation with vaccination, there is quite a lot of good news. but quite looking over the whole situation with vaccination, there is quite a lot of good news. but quite a looking over the whole situation with vaccination, there is quite a lot of good news. but quite a lot looking over the whole situation with vaccination, there is quite a lot of good news. but quite a lot of uncertainty. fix, lot of good news. but quite a lot of uncertainty-— uncertainty. a huge amount of uncertainty- — uncertainty. a huge amount of uncertainty- i— uncertainty. a huge amount of uncertainty. i think _ uncertainty. a huge amount of uncertainty. i think what - uncertainty. a huge amount of uncertainty. i think what is - uncertainty. i think what is important here is the expectation management. 0ne, because of the uncertainty, so why make predictions that would prove to be wrong? but secondly, if you recall from last march and the months after, all sorts of bold predictions were made about being back to normal within a

certain number of months, that christmas will be fine. there was a huge disappointment. now, i think, apart from their vaccine targets, on any question that is down the channel of "when will we get back to normal?" they say they don't know. the briefing at the language emphasises that things may take a little longer than we perhaps anticipated.— little longer than we perhaps anticiated. , ., anticipated. good news for the country in _ anticipated. good news for the country in terms _ anticipated. good news for the country in terms of _ anticipated. good news for the country in terms of the - anticipated. good news for the i country in terms of the vaccine roll—out. we are third or fourth internationally, i think, roll—out. we are third or fourth internationally, ithink, in how roll—out. we are third or fourth internationally, i think, in how we are doing this. we still haven't resolved, though, that point about the second dose, if it is necessary, and when. ,, ., , the second dose, if it is necessary, and when. ,, . , ., , and when. quite. that still remains and when. quite. that still remains a big question- _ and when. quite. that still remains a big question. matt _ and when. quite. that still remains a big question. matt hancock - and when. quite. that still remains a big question. matt hancock said l a big question. matt hancock said this morning that people who have had that vaccine will get that second job within 12 weeks, but there are some saying it must happen much quicker. there are quit still questions about the vaccine and

vaccine supply chain. of course, thatis vaccine supply chain. of course, that is bound to cause some concern given the deadlines that the government has set itself. but there is no doubt that the government has a good story to tell on vaccines, and is very keen to make international comparisons. what they are not keen for her, is for international comparisons to be drawn on deaths per 1000 people, or the economic impact, the slump in national income as a result of the measures of the last 12 months, where again in the uk is in a relatively disadvantageous position. but i think what we are going to get, whether it is on schools reopening or the easing of the restrictions, the constraints on our liberties, what we are not going to get this time, i think, is predictions of a particular date being associated with a particular easing, because as i say they do not want to surprise on the downside,

but also with these new variants, they simply do not know. i think they simply do not know. i think they have realised that there is a virtue acknowledging a certain amount of ignorance, if it is ignorance as that is understandable. is there joined up thinking now? when i have been reading around this, gavin williamson had hoped schools would be opened maybe before, after half term. that seem to come from nowhere. where are we? for all those skates still being home—schooled at the moment? i for all those skates still being home-schooled at the moment? i have 'ust been home-schooled at the moment? i have just been chasing _ home-schooled at the moment? i have just been chasing that _ home-schooled at the moment? i have just been chasing that question. - home-schooled at the moment? i have just been chasing that question. i - just been chasing that question. i haven't got much more clarity yet, other than they are acknowledging they don't really know. matt hancock this morning saying they cannot guarantee schools going back, because it is too soon to know whether the data will allow that, and they are not dismissing suggestions that it might be easter or after easter before schools reopen, which is a grim prospect, as

are so many millions of families juggle are so many millions of families juggle home school and working. thank you very much. police have issued more than £15,000 in fines after people were caught at a rave in east london — a breach of covid regulations. the metropolitan police say it followed officers receiving intelligence that an "unlicensed music event" was taking place in hackney on saturday night. an estimated 300 people attended. police called it a "serious and blatant breach of the public health regulations". as high—risk groups continue to be vaccinated against the virus, there are growing concerns that people with learning disabilities have been missed out. despite a recent public health england report warning they are six times more likely to die from coronavirus, as a group, they have not been prioritised for a vaccine. 0ur disability affairs

correspondent, nikki fox, reports. you know, you can't smell it, you can't see it. you can't hear it. it's like a silent killer. everyone here has a learning disability. they meet up regularly to talk about and understand death and bereavement. it is scary at times. these chats have never been more important. all i keep thinking is, am i going to be next? you know, am i going to be the next one to die? i would hate to be in hospital and end up dying on my own. people with learning disabilities are up to six times more likely to die from coronavirus. that's according to analysis by public health england, which looked at the number of deaths during the first wave of the pandemic. however, only those with down's syndrome and severe learning disabilities are being prioritised for the vaccine. people adore her. tilly is one of those being prioritised. and it can't come soon enough. i get so fearful for her. historic inequalities in health care and the knowledge that even before

covid people with learning disabilities had such a low life expectancy means, for many families, any visit to hospital is a worry. we have had too many instances where she's been refused treatment, because they can't work out how to treat somebody with a learning disability. for me to think about that happening, if she had the virus and she had to go into hospital, it's terrifying, absolutely terrifying. deciding who is eligible for priority access is not an easy task. the initial priority programme was based on the risk of hospitalisation and death. the committee which advises government examined a different set of data to public health england. it believes those with milder learning disabilities are not at such an increased risk. individuals with learning disabilities we recognise is a very disadvantaged group, so that's why we decided to make a clinical decision to prioritise those with profound and severe learning disabilities within our first six categories.

with such conflicting figures, experts fear that by not immunising everyone with a learning disability as a priority... we need to protect this population. ..there will be many who will not get the vaccine in time. lots of people with learning disabilities have things like diabetes or heart problems, or lung problems. even before covid, more than four in ten people with a learning disability died of a lung condition like pneumonia. it's clear that, as a group of people, they really are at risk, and they should be prioritised. we're just as important as everybody else that should have a chance of having the vaccine. but we need it now, rather than later. death after death and crisis i after crisis, ijust can't cope... legal action on the grounds of discrimination is being taken against the government. however, the department of health and social care says it is working hard to vaccinate all those at risk. they should be on top of the list. but with learning disabilities

being such a complex, often misunderstood condition, campaigners believe that, once again, this group of people are being forgotten. nikki fox, bbc news. the snp will present its national assembly with what it's calling a road map to a new referendum on scottish independence. the plan sets up the possibility of a showdown in the courts with the westminster government over the legality of a fresh poll. borisjohnson opposes another referendum — even if the snp wins a majority in this year's scottish parliament elections. speaking on the andrew marr show, their leader said they would push ahead with the plans, even if the prime minister was against them. he's frightened of democracy. the polls now show a majority of people in scotland want independence. if the snp win the scottish election in a few months�* time on a proposition of giving

the people that choice, then what democrat could rightly stand in the way of that? boris johnson clearly just fears the verdict and the will of the scottish people. let's speak now to jackie baillie — the acting leader of the scottish labour party. welcome to bbc news. thank you for joining us. and a bit confused about where labour stands on this. 2014, you seem to have a view. that seem to change. where are you today? the labour party is very proud of its history— labour party is very proud of its history on— labour party is very proud of its history on devolution, and you need to remember that we were developing plans for— to remember that we were developing plans for a _ to remember that we were developing plans for a scottish parliament when the snp _ plans for a scottish parliament when the snp stood against us. what is going _ the snp stood against us. what is going on— the snp stood against us. what is going on currently at the moment is frankly— going on currently at the moment is frankly a _ going on currently at the moment is frankly a distraction. we should be spending _ frankly a distraction. we should be spending all of ourtime, frankly a distraction. we should be spending all of our time, the snp government, in fighting the pandemic, not a constitutional battle — pandemic, not a constitutional battle. where the first minister is entirely— battle. where the first minister is entirely wrong is that poll after poll has — entirely wrong is that poll after poll has shown that people do not regard _ poll has shown that people do not regard the independence referendum

as a priority. they want to see recovery— as a priority. they want to see recovery from the pandemic, economic recovery. _ recovery from the pandemic, economic recovery, because people are losing theiriohe _ recovery, because people are losing theirjobs. we are facing a really extraordinary cost of living crisis. can i_ extraordinary cost of living crisis. can ijust — extraordinary cost of living crisis. can ijust absolutely hammered down where you stand on another independence referendum? are you saying... last november, it was said that it was up to the people of scotland to decide, he is your constitution spokesperson. is scotland to decide, he is your constitution spokesperson. is that what you're _ constitution spokesperson. is that what you're saying? _ constitution spokesperson. is that what you're saying? no, - constitution spokesperson. is thatl what you're saying? no, ultimately we do _ what you're saying? no, ultimately we do believe in democracy. it is up to the _ we do believe in democracy. it is up to the people of scotland to decide. but we _ to the people of scotland to decide. but we do _ to the people of scotland to decide. but we do not think now is the right time to— but we do not think now is the right time to have a referendum. all of our focused _ time to have a referendum. all of our focused or _ time to have a referendum. all of our focused or you _ time to have a referendum. all of our focused or you say _ time to have a referendum. all of our focused or you say now - time to have a referendum. all of our focused or you say now is - time to have a referendum. all of our focused or you say now is not| our focused or you say now is not the right forgive me, alex salmond said it wasjust the right forgive me, alex salmond said it was just going to be a once in a generation thing. you are saying now is not the right time. are you saying, maybe when coronavirus is over, it might be the right time. coronavirus is over, it might be the riaht time. ., ., ~'

coronavirus is over, it might be the riaht time. .., ., . coronavirus is over, it might be the riuhttime. ., . , right time. look, economic recovery and recovery — right time. look, economic recovery and recovery of _ right time. look, economic recovery and recovery of the _ right time. look, economic recovery and recovery of the nhs _ right time. look, economic recovery and recovery of the nhs will- right time. look, economic recovery and recovery of the nhs will take i and recovery of the nhs will take far and recovery of the nhs will take for longer— and recovery of the nhs will take far longer thanjust a few and recovery of the nhs will take far longer than just a few months. it is far longer than just a few months. it is the _ far longer than just a few months. it is the principal. do you believe in the principle of independence for scotland if the people want it? you have made your case about coronavirus, the principal, would you support it? it is coronavirus, the principal, would you support it?— you support it? it is entirely a matter for— you support it? it is entirely a matter for the _ you support it? it is entirely a matter for the people - you support it? it is entirely a matter for the people of - you support it? it is entirely a - matter for the people of scotland to decide _ matter for the people of scotland to decide. but i do not think it is the right— decide. but i do not think it is the right time — decide. but i do not think it is the right time for a referendum, and neither— right time for a referendum, and neither do— right time for a referendum, and neither do the people of scotland, because _ neither do the people of scotland, because in— neither do the people of scotland, because in poll after poll they prioritise _ because in poll after poll they prioritise the economy and jobs, the health— prioritise the economy and jobs, the health service, education, the environment way above having a second _ environment way above having a second independence referendum. but if you're second independence referendum. emit if you're looking at the economics, i don't need to interrupt you, economics don't make sense at all, do they? when you look at the original referendum, that was predicated on the price of oil, which is far in excess of what it is now. if you look at the borrowing or the deficit or the grs figures, scotland needs all of the money coming from the westminster

government and couldn't afford to do it itself without having huge tax cuts and a reduction in spending. that is indeed the point, and that is why— that is indeed the point, and that is why i_ that is indeed the point, and that is why i and — that is indeed the point, and that is why i and the labour party do not support— is why i and the labour party do not support a _ is why i and the labour party do not support a referendum happening any time soon _ support a referendum happening any time soon. ., , , time soon. forgive me, but it is the same point- — time soon. forgive me, but it is the same point- we _ time soon. forgive me, but it is the same point. we need _ time soon. forgive me, but it is the same point. we need to _ time soon. forgive me, but it is the same point. we need to prioritise . same point. we need to prioritise economic recovery. _ same point. we need to prioritise economic recovery. if _ same point. we need to prioritise economic recovery. if we - same point. we need to prioritise i economic recovery. if we separated from _ economic recovery. if we separated from the _ economic recovery. if we separated from the uk, there is instantly an immediate — from the uk, there is instantly an immediate £15 billion black hole. that is— immediate £15 billion black hole. that is as — immediate £15 billion black hole. that is as much as we spent on the nhs in _ that is as much as we spent on the nhs in scotland. that would be wiped out in _ nhs in scotland. that would be wiped out in an— nhs in scotland. that would be wiped out in an instant. rather, i would have _ out in an instant. rather, i would have the — out in an instant. rather, i would have the resources of the scottish government and the uk government working _ government and the uk government working together, focused on economic recovery and creating jobs in scotland. — economic recovery and creating jobs in scotland, and also getting the nhs back on track. that is much more important. _ nhs back on track. that is much more important. a _ nhs back on track. that is much more important, a much bigger prize, then constitutional infighting. we would rule constitutional infighting. we would ruie it— constitutional infighting. we would rule it out— constitutional infighting. we would rule it out for the duration of the next _ rule it out for the duration of the next parliament in order to focus on recovery— next parliament in order to focus on recovery from the pandemic.

constitutionally, can scotland go ahead? the snp are expecting to do well in may, you know that. you are running third behind the tories in scotland. but constitutionally, can the snp push ahead with a referendum?— the snp push ahead with a referendum? ,, ., ., referendum? the snp would require a section 30 order _ referendum? the snp would require a section 30 order from _ referendum? the snp would require a section 30 order from the _ referendum? the snp would require a section 30 order from the uk - section 30 order from the uk government. it would be hugely problematic for them to contemplate an illegal— problematic for them to contemplate an illegal referendum, because then that would _ an illegal referendum, because then that would jeopardise their relationships with the eu, with the un, relationships with the eu, with the un. with _ relationships with the eu, with the un, with lots of other bodies like that _ un, with lots of other bodies like that so — un, with lots of other bodies like that so it— un, with lots of other bodies like that. so it is a requirement that it should _ that. so it is a requirement that it should he — that. so it is a requirement that it should be illegal referendum. i think— should be illegal referendum. i think what we are seeing today is the high — think what we are seeing today is the high command of the snp throwing some red _ the high command of the snp throwing some red meat to their activists, because — some red meat to their activists, because they know that without the section _ because they know that without the section 30 — because they know that without the section 30 order they cannot proceed _ section 30 order they cannot proceed. and frankly, i think people have other— proceed. and frankly, i think people have other priorities. i've said that— have other priorities. i've said that consistently, because that is what _ that consistently, because that is what the — that consistently, because that is what the polls are telling us. an independence referendum is not a priority. _ independence referendum is not a priority, and therefore we should resist _ priority, and therefore we should resist that — priority, and therefore we should resist that-—

resist that. what about labour's osition? resist that. what about labour's position? what _ resist that. what about labour's position? what we _ resist that. what about labour's position? what we have - resist that. what about labour's position? what we have done . resist that. what about labour's position? what we have done is resist that. what about labour's - position? what we have done is work very closely — position? what we have done is work very closely with _ position? what we have done is work very closely with key _ position? what we have done is work very closely with key stand _ position? what we have done is work very closely with key stand and - very closely with key stand and gordon — very closely with key stand and gordon brown on looking at what a new settlement for the whole of the uk would _ new settlement for the whole of the uk would look like —— keir starmer and gordon— uk would look like —— keir starmer and gordon brown. we have a devolved assembly— and gordon brown. we have a devolved assembly in_ and gordon brown. we have a devolved assembly in wales, we have seen through— assembly in wales, we have seen through this pandemic they call for more _ through this pandemic they call for more power is going to regions in england — more power is going to regions in england i— more power is going to regions in england. i would like to look at it as a new— england. i would like to look at it as a new settlement for the whole of the uk. _ as a new settlement for the whole of the uk. and — as a new settlement for the whole of the uk, and the labour party, under the uk, and the labour party, under the direction — the uk, and the labour party, under the direction of the new leadership of keir_ the direction of the new leadership of keir starmer, is set in place a constitutional commission that will look exactly at that. and i think it is time _ look exactly at that. and i think it is time to— look exactly at that. and i think it is time to have that very grown—up, adult _ is time to have that very grown—up, adult conversation for all of the uk. so conceivably, a few years time, pandemic— uk. so conceivably, a few years time, pandemic over, _ uk. so conceivably, a few years time, pandemic over, labour, i time, pandemic over, labour, conceivably in power, could he be the prime minister to oversee the break—up of the union? i the prime minister to oversee the break-up of the union?— the prime minister to oversee the break-up of the union? i don't think so. i hoe break-up of the union? i don't think so- i hope you _ break-up of the union? i don't think so. i hope you are _ break-up of the union? i don't think so. i hope you are correct, - break-up of the union? i don't think so. i hope you are correct, and - break-up of the union? i don't think so. i hope you are correct, and i - so. i hope you are correct, and i certainly— so. i hope you are correct, and i

certainly hope that keir starmer is our prime — certainly hope that keir starmer is our prime minister in 2024. but i have _ our prime minister in 2024. but i have to _ our prime minister in 2024. but i have to say. _ our prime minister in 2024. but i have to say, we believe in the strength — have to say, we believe in the strength of the united kingdom working — strength of the united kingdom working together. i demonstrated that to _ working together. i demonstrated that to you just with the budget position— that to you just with the budget position scotland would be in. there is strength— position scotland would be in. there is strength in being part of a greater— is strength in being part of a greater family that is the united kingdom. it has served us well for more _ kingdom. it has served us well for more than — kingdom. it has served us well for more than 300 years, and i hope it will serve _ more than 300 years, and i hope it will serve us — more than 300 years, and i hope it will serve us well into the future. thank— will serve us well into the future. thank you — sport, what is happening in the cricket? let's begin with the cricket, and another outstanding innings from england captainjoe root, who's kept his side in the second test against sri lanka in galle. at stumps on day three, england were 339—9, just 42 runs behind. here's our sports correspondent, joe wilson. he's one face of england cricket's face so far. here is how the captain managed to make another 100 against sri lanka. there were lots of shot like that.

you see his perfect timing when you slow it down. sri lanka could have used an extra fielder. sri lanka grabbed this chance to get rid of butler. replays revealed the ball bouncing from but to boot. it didn't hit the ground, so he was out for 55. here is anotherface hit the ground, so he was out for 55. here is another face of the series. england depended on their captain, butjoe root was feeling the wear and tier after hours in the middle. as england gradually neared sri lanka's score. joe root knew the way. with this shot, another celebration. his score to 150. batting from sunrise to sunset,

almost. he kept improvising, kept scoring. the final minutes of the day. replays showed the bail coming off before his bat reached the crease. 186 and gutted. five games in the fa cup today. chelsea are through to the fifth round after they won the early game against championship side luton town. frank lampard's side put their premier league struggles to one side, coming away with a 3—1win, tammy abraham putting them two up in the first half. luton pulled a goal back — jordan clark's effort creeping past kepa here. abraham completed his hat—trick in the second half to make the game safe. barnsley are their opponents in the next round. and it's half—time in

the game between brentford and leicester, the championship side 1—0 up, mads bech sorensen with the goal. the winners here play brighton in the fifth round. also it's half—time, all premier league tie — fulham v burnley with burnley one up. later on, the tie of the round is live on bbc one — it's premier league leaders manchester united against liverpool. coverage starts at 4:30pm, with kick—off at 5pm. arsenal midfielder mesut ozil has completed his move to turkish side fenerbahce. the 32—year—old former germany international spent eight years at the emirates and won three fa cups but hasn't played for the first team in nearly a year. ozil has signed a three and a half year contract. england's tyrrell hatton produced a stunning final round to win the abu dhabi championship. it was extremely tight at the top of the leadboard at the start of the day, but hatton surged ahead with a six—under—par 66. 0vernight leader rory mcilroy finished five shots back. hatton said it was a big boost to win so early in the season, especially with ryder cup points at stake. elfyn evans was unable to end

britain's 53—year wait for a monte carlo rally winner. he'd already surrendered the lead yesterday to his toyota team—mate and world champion sebastien 0gier, and the frenchman ran away with it today, winning three of the four stages to claim a record eighth victory in the event. evans finished runner—up, 32 seconds behind. that's all the sport for now. you can find more on all those stories, including the latest from the women's super league, on the bbc sport website. earlier, manchester united went top. that's bbc.co.uk/sport. see you a on. —— see you later on. four vaccination centres in wales have been closed after heavy snow as wintry conditions sweep across much of the uk this was the scene in sutton coldfield this morning — south west england and the midlands saw some early snowfall before it moved east to london and surrounding areas. the snow has been welcomed

with delight by many on social media, but there are weather warnings in place for much of the midlands and south of england, as well as wales, scotland and northern ireland, until the end of the day. 0ur correspondent simonjones is at newlands corner near guildford, where it has been snowing heavily. when the snow came down, it came down quickly and heavily. it has stopped snowing now, but there is a big blanket of snow. a lot of people have come out to the hills at surrey to enjoy the conditions. people tell me they are just having a break from the seemingly unending conditions of lockdown, although the government would rather we all stay at home wherever we can. people here say they are just coming out here for a bit of exercise and to enjoy the conditions, and enjoy the view. we've seen a lot of people making snowmen, a lot of people with sledges, even people on skis! because it is quite unusual, particularly in southern england, to get such an amount of snow in one

go that does remain. it's notjust here that has been affected. particularly wales has been bearing the brunt. four coronavirus vaccine centres had to shut because it wasn't considered safe for people to go there. elsewhere in the uk, there have been very grim conditions in parts of scotland, northern ireland, particularly the midlands. in some areas, people have been out with shovels trying to make a path through to the coronavirus vaccine centres to try and keep those vaccinations ongoing. a yellow weather warning remains in place for much of the uk until midnight. although it may not be snowing here at the moment, the problem you have got is that you have the snow which has fallen on land which was already saturated after days of rain. we've had icy conditions, too. underfoot is treacherous, and treacherous on the roads. driving here,

very difficult conditions on the motorways. that may be down to lockdown as well, because in order for a grit and salt to work it needs a certain volume of vehicles to actually activate that on the motorway and the major roads. because there's been less traffic, that hasn't happened. and we are not out of the woods yet, because although it is going to be snowy in parts for the rest of the day, we are told temperature is slight could fall to —10 celsius, and in terms of the conditions coming up in mid—week, we are told it is more likely to turn wet and more windy. that is going to cause more concerns for parts of the country that have already suffered flooding. 11 gold miners trapped underground in china for two weeks have been rescued. a total of 22 workers were trapped 600 metres below ground at the mine in shandong province, following an explosion. it's not clear if others are still alive underground. 0ur correspondent

steve mcdonell has more. the first miner came to the surface after two weeks trapped underground. rescuers cheered but he was barely conscious. he had been found by himself, caught in another part of the mine, separated from the main group. wearing a blindfold after being in the dark for so long, he was taken straight to an ambulance and then rushed to hospital for treatment. soon, others were emerging. there were injuries, but many could walk with the assistance of rescuers who had been battling through freezing conditions, night after night, to reach them. translation: the critical patient comes first, before the less serious one. which is the principle of mine rescue. the miners had been told it would take 14 more days to dig a rescue tunnel, penetrating 600 metres of tough granite. however, somehow a large

ventilation shaft was cleared, which led all the way to the main group of ten. suddenly, the rescue was happening in hours rather than weeks. translation: the rescuers checked the miners to see l if they had any injuries and covered their eyes for protection. after lifting up the trapped miners, we will search for the missing ones. 0njanuary 10th, a blast caught 22 workers underground. initially, the accident wasn't reported for 30 hours, costing precious time. the local communist party secretary and mayor have both been sacked because of the delay and will likely face more strict punishment. one of those trapped, who'd been in a coma following head injuries caused by the explosion, has died. others are missing. but hopes are great for the survival of those already taken to hospital. congratulations. now it's time for a look at the weather with helen willets. hello, there.

heavy snow is moving its way across northern ireland, england and wales, bringing with it some transport disruption. it did get up into the far north of england. it is cold and snowy, and there is more of that to come. quite treacherous, out and about. it will clear out the way. then they will just be a few showers following mostly across scotland, but it will be bitterly cold. just about everywhere, but particularly where we have seen the snow in england and wales. still numerous dwellings. if you wintry showers elsewhere still to contend with. not much warner. sunlight will help during the day. there are warnings in place because of the snow still falling and the treachery icy conditions that will follow after dark.