this is bbc news i'm clive myrie. the headlines... the prime minister visits scotland, saying it's important the uk works together in the fight against coronavirus — but the first minister had already questioned the need for the visit. me travelling from edinburgh to aberdeen to visit a vaccination centre right now is not essential and borisjohnson travelling from london to wherever in scotland he's going to do the same is not essential. i know in my capcity as prime minister of the whole country, to thank our working officials and public servants across the whole of britain who are doing fantastic work. scientists say they're disappointed that covid infections aren't falling quickly enough in england to ease

pressure on hospitals. there has been a slight increase in cases. public health england defends the astrazeneca vaccine after germany says it will not recommend giving it to the over—65s. the government insists there will be no interruption to the uk's vaccine supplies from astrazeneca, in a continuing row with the eu about a supply shortage. singing. and, how singing classes can help people cope with the breathlessness and fatigue that comes with long covid. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. on a visit to scotland, the prime minister has thanked nhs staff and emphasised the importance

of the uk working together in tackling coronavirus. of the uk working together scotland's first minister nicola sturgeon has questioned whether it's right for borisjohnson to be travelling round the country in the middle of a pandemic. downing street says its a fundamental part of the pm's job to meet people on the front line. the trip comes amid growing calls for another scottish independence referendum. our scotland correspondent james shaw reports. borisjohnson arriving for the start of his visit to scotland at the queen elizabeth university hospital in glasgow, despite a warning from nicola sturgeon yesterday that the rules against nonessential travel apply to everyone, including political leaders. is it really, really essential? that's the test. and i would say me travelling from edinburgh to aberdeen to visit a vaccination centre right now is not essential and borisjohnson travelling from london to wherever in scotland he's going to do the same is not essential.

but borisjohnson and his cabinet colleagues insist it is right to point out that the uk government has made a big contribution to the fight against the virus in scotland. there are 80 new vaccination centres that are opening in scotland as a result of the british army's efforts. i think it's only right that the prime minister goes to the front line, learns from those who are responsible from the vaccine roll—out and also make sure that we do even better. you know, that is part of the job of any leader, to thank those who are making a difference in keeping us safe, but also to hear direct and unvarnished what we can do to make sure that the delivery is even better. over the course of the pandemic, there have been tensions between the different parts of the country, but this feels different. it has all got a bit more political and there's a simple reason for that — scottish elections in just three months�* time. and this particular election

is vitally important to both first minister and prime minister. just as the pandemic might be starting to ease, the future of the uk will once again be in question. two polls now have confirmed that around one in five of those people who voted no in 2014 are amongst those who say that maybe scotland would have handled the pandemic better as an independent country and it's also clear from that same polling that at least half of this group, probably slightly more, are no longer supporters of no, they're now supporters of yes, so it does look as though that stark differential perception of how the scottish government has handled the pandemic and how the uk government has done has added another notch to the widening support for independence. these are just the opening shots being exchanged by the conservatives and the snp ahead of polling day at the start of may.

both nichola sturgeon and borisjohnson are formidable campaigners but it could be a long and gruelling campaign for both. james shot reporting there. well, borisjohnson has been visiting valneeva, a manufacturing site in livingston. he was asked by reporters about the question of scottish independence. | i don't think the right thing to do| is to talk endlessly about another referendum when i think- what the people of the country and what i think the people i of scotland want in particular is for us to fight this pandemic. as i say, it's great to see everything that scotlandl is contributing to the national effort, it's quite amazing, - and i think what people - want to see is us bouncing back more strongly together. i don't see the advantage l of getting lost in pointless constitutional wrangling when, after all, we had a referendumi not so very long ago.

if people keep voting for a referendum, however frustrating you might find that, who are you to stand in the way from the people having that second choice? don't forget, the very same people who make the point that you just . made and go on and on about another referendum also said only a few - years ago in 2014 that this - was a once in a generation event and that was... i am inclined to stick- with what they said last time and i genuinely look at what's going on here, we have - fantastic effort being made by scottish scientists, - by scottish vaccination operation i to protect the whole of the country. that's what people want. you've got the british army working | to protect the whole of the countryl and i think we should come together as a country, get through this - pandemic and bounce back

even stronger and that's . where our focus should be. our political correspondent nick eardleyjoins me. net, the prime minister says he doesn't want to get into pointless constitutional wrangling in the middle of a pandemic. james shot in his piece suggested the problem is that all of this is wrapped together now, isn't it? the question of independence, the handling of the pandemic on both side of the border as it were in the future of scotland. they are all wrapped up into one. i scotland. they are all wrapped up into one. ., �* ~ ., scotland. they are all wrapped up into one. ~ ., scotland. they are all wrapped up intoone. ~ ., into one. i don't know if you picked u . into one. i don't know if you picked u- some into one. i don't know if you picked up some of— into one. i don't know if you picked up some of the _ into one. i don't know if you picked up some of the frustration - into one. i don't know if you picked up some of the frustration there i into one. i don't know if you picked up some of the frustration there as well, clive, that you could here in boris johnson's well, clive, that you could here in borisjohnson�*s voice when asked about the referendum. and to be honest, there's been a lot of head scratching going on in government about what to do about the apparent rising support at the polls suggest for scottish independence for six months, 20 consecutive polls have suggested that support for scottish independence is no higher than support for the union in scotland. i

think what you are going to hear from the uk government is more and more talk about how getting out of the pandemic and economic recovery, getting the vaccine properly rolled out across the population is easier as part of uk. it's one of the benefits of the union. but so far, that argument hasn't really been doing the government all that's good. that's one of the reasons borisjohnson has gone to scotland today, despite the fury around whether or not it's a essential travel. ijust a couple of things to think about, two of the key reasons that keep coming up in conversations that keep coming up in conversations that i'm having with unionist politicians, pro—uk politicians for why more people in scotland are open to independence are intricately linked to borisjohnson as a politician. 0ne linked to borisjohnson as a politician. one is brexit, remain voters in scotland who might now think independence is a better option outside the eu, excuse me,

secondly, the pandemic, because all of the polls suggest that nicola sturgeon has done better than boris johnson. excuse me my voice is totally going. people think that nicola sturgeon has done better than borisjohnson and scotland. you nicola sturgeon has done better than boris johnson and scotland.- boris johnson and scotland. you got throu~h boris johnson and scotland. you got through there. _ boris johnson and scotland. you got through there, mate. _ boris johnson and scotland. you got through there, mate. no _ boris johnson and scotland. you got through there, mate. no worries. i through there, mate. no worries. nick early there at westminster. they say they are disappointed about the latest study by imperial couege about the latest study by imperial college london shows a decline in the infection rate in london, the southeast and southwest, but slight signs of a slight rise in the east midlands. katharine da costa has more. shut up shops, empty classrooms, life on hold. three weeks into england's third national lockdown, many want to know when this will all be over. there are now some signs things may be going in the right direction. imperial college has published full results for its survey. it gathered a random sample of swabs from over 160,000 volunteers in england between the 6th and 22nd of january.

it found one in 64 had the virus over that period. it suggests infections are gradually falling or plateauing in most regions, except for the east midlands. but rates are still highest in london and among 13—21i—year—olds. the prevalence is so high, the pressure on the health service is so high, that it's really important that we get these rates down as quickly as we possibly can. as i say, we've got a hint in the last seven days that things are now moving in the right direction, but not fast enough, so we just have to do more. there has been some progress. daily case numbers are falling. 70% of swab results were returned in 2a hours, up from just over 50% last week. contact tracing has remained stable, with just under 70% of close contacts reached and asked to isolate. the vaccine rollout continues to be ramped up. this islamic centre in derby now one of around 1,400

vaccination sites in england. more than seven million of the most vulnerable have had their first dose and, despite supply issues, the government says it's still confident it can offer vaccines to 15 million by mid—february, but scientists say the rollout needs to be worldwide, notjust in the uk. there is only one answer to all of this and that is to drive down transmission, to keep it low and to make these vaccines available globally. otherwise, we will see new variants coming up, new strains of this virus which will come back to all of our countries and, not now, but at some point in the future, may escape these amazing tools of vaccination. health officials say vaccinations won't relieve pressure on the nhs in the short term. while the number of covid patients in hospitals is starting to fall, there is still huge demand in icus. latest figures show critical care beds in nearly a third of hospitals are more than 95% full, despite nearly 50% more

being added since november. the more contagious uk variant means stopping the spread of the virus is that much harder. restrictions and social distancing are likely to be with us for some time to come. katharine da costa, bbc news. let's take a look at the latest uk government coronavirus figures. there were a further 1,239 deaths within 28 days of a positive covid—i9 test, and there were 28,680 new covid infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period. the current death toll in the uk is now 103,126. we are nowjoined by professor neil ferguson, an epidemiologist at imperial college london who — in march — predicted that up to 500,000 britons could die from covid—19, which led to the government enforcing a nationwide lockdown.

professor it's good to see you. thanks for being with us. first of all, your reaction from i suppose, given that you are a modular in this regard to the fact that over 100,000 people have now died. yes. regard to the fact that over 100,000 people have now died.— people have now died. yes, it's traaic. people have now died. yes, it's tragic it's _ people have now died. yes, it's tragic it's a — people have now died. yes, it's tragic. it's a far _ people have now died. yes, it's tragic. it's a far higher- people have now died. yes, it's tragic. it's a far higher toll - people have now died. yes, it's tragic. it's a far higher toll than i ever hoped for. it demonstrates really the threat this virus has opposed to the worlds and to this country specifically. many people have criticized me and colleagues around the country for being alarmist, but the fact is that, i mean, this virus, if allowed to run out of control, can basically kill 1% of the people it infects, and that leads to a devastating toll and devastating hospital demand as well. you advocated lockdown, a severe lockdown, and yet, we have more than 100,000 people who have died. was

the problem that the lockdown simply came too late? 50 i the problem that the lockdown simply came too late?— came too late? so i think in march, when we had _ came too late? so i think in march, when we had less _ came too late? so i think in march, when we had less information - came too late? so i think in march, | when we had less information then, one can criticize decisions made, but i think where we didn't learn lessons, frankly, this is not a specific criticism of uk government, but it's true across europe, is that in september, i think some of the political consensus and population consensus around the need to suppress this virus, if you want to protect your health services, never mind say people's lives, had broken down. and that had led to delays, frankly. had we kept the virus at a lower level, had we acted on stage recommendations earlier in september, then we would be in a different position now. i mean, inevitably, we can't predict things like the new variants. unfortunately, we would still have

had many people die, but it could've been substantially less than we have seen. �* .., , been substantially less than we have seen.�* ..,, h been substantially less than we have seen.�* , �*, ., seen. because it's a little under 3096 of those — seen. because it's a little under 3096 of those deaths _ seen. because it's a little under 3096 of those deaths occurring i seen. because it's a little under- 3096 of those deaths occurring after 30% of those deaths occurring after the in the last two or three months, i think. are you suggesting then that because that... it's worse than that. a third of the deaths have occurred in the last six weeks. half the deaths have occurred since the 7th of november. so, was not complacency through the summer months and about leading to the breakdown in this consensus that you talked about in terms of, you know, having a robust lockdown? i talked about in terms of, you know, having a robust lockdown?— talked about in terms of, you know, having a robust lockdown? i mean, my ersonal having a robust lockdown? i mean, my personalview— having a robust lockdown? i mean, my personalview is— having a robust lockdown? i mean, my personal view is the _ having a robust lockdown? i mean, my personal view is the government, - personal view is the government, certainly the prime minister, matt hancock, would've acted earlier had it not been for, let's say, the unfortunate influence of people really propagating views with no evidence base, the covid skeptics

out there and lockdown skeptics. unfortunately, what we have seen unfold as both disproving a lot of the disinformation put out, but also, highlighted the need for us to react early. the fact is, in controlling this virus, the countries which have acted earlier have had least economic impact in terms of their economies and social well—being and have been able to lift measures sooner, so reacting later is always the worst thing to do. ~ ., ., , ., later is always the worst thing to do. ~ ., ., ,., .,~ later is always the worst thing to do. ~ ., ., .,~ ., later is always the worst thing to do. ~ ., ., ., ., do. what do you make of the fact now it seems from — do. what do you make of the fact now it seems from the _ do. what do you make of the fact now it seems from the latest _ do. what do you make of the fact now it seems from the latest data - do. what do you make of the fact now it seems from the latest data that - it seems from the latest data that we are not seeing the kind of precipitous fall in infection rates that perhaps we were hoping the lockdown might have produced by now. so we are seeing a mixed picture, and if i'm honest i don't fully

understand it, need to do my colleagues across the country, and we are seeing very rapid drops in community testing in what's called killer to testing. the cases reported every day, in most areas, but not all, and we are seeing a much slower late rate of decline in those critical infection surveys, random surveys of the population run by the office of national statistics and imperial college react study and also quite slow declines in hospital admissions, which we sort of expect because there's a leg there and hospital admissions. the good news is that hospital admissions appear to be is that hospital admissions appear to i); ~ , to be declining everywhere. what we — to be declining everywhere. what we don't _ to be declining everywhere. what we don't know - to be declining everywhere. what we don't know is - to be declining everywhere. | what we don't know is quite to be declining everywhere. - what we don't know is quite what the trajectory will be in the next few weeks because of this disconnect between different data streams. so the next two weeks of data will be critically important for a number of reasons. first of all, just to understand the impact lockdown is having and also the time period where we will start to see the impact of the vaccination programme. i don't know if you have heard this

news out of germany about astrazeneca. should we be worried about this, given that the british authorities have said that it is fine for this vaccination programme to include the over 60 fives? it’s a to include the over 60 fives? it's a sli . htl to include the over 60 fives? it's a slightly subtle _ to include the over 60 fives? it's a slightly subtle scientific _ to include the over 60 fives? it�*s —. slightly subtle scientific point. so, the astrazeneca trial of the vaccine didn't include as many very old people, people over the age of 65 to 85 as, for instance, the pfizer trial dead. 65 to 85 as, for instance, the pfizertrial dead. so, if youjust look at pfizer trial dead. so, if you just look at the pfizertrial dead. so, if youjust look at the trial results in 65 plus population from you don't have a lot of statistical power to reallyjudge efficacy in that group. the uk government concluded that because the immune response, the antibody response in people over that age in the trial, it's very similar to younger people, that it was likely to have a very similar impact in terms of reducing disease. the

german equivalent has taken a more scientific conservative perspective and said, well, we don't really have the data to prove efficacy in that group, and therefore, we are going to be cautious about rolling it out. i don't think it's a different —— i it's a difference in perspective i don't think either one is right or wrong. don't think either one is right or wronu. ~ , ., don't think either one is right or wron~.~ , ., i. don't think either one is right or wron~.~ , ., ~ don't think either one is right or wron~.~ , ~ . ., wrong. why do you think infection rates are not _ wrong. why do you think infection rates are not going _ wrong. why do you think infection rates are not going down - wrong. why do you think infection rates are not going down as - wrong. why do you think infection l rates are not going down as quickly as they should be? 50. rates are not going down as quickly as they should be?— as they should be? so, i think in terms of the _ as they should be? so, i think in terms of the ons _ as they should be? so, i think in terms of the ons study - as they should be? so, i think in terms of the ons study and - as they should be? so, i think in terms of the ons study and the | terms of the ons study and the imperial react study, we wouldn't expect with this new variant being at least 40% more transmissible, if not 70% were transmissible that the lockdown we have in place now would bring down infection rates as fast as, for instance, they were brought down in march, april of last year. nevertheless, we are still, frankly, studying it hard. there are some aspects of how the virus is behaving now that we don't fully understand,

and that may be because of the new variant and having different properties, and as i said before, the next two weeks of understanding what is going on will be critical to informing really how soon we can come out of lockdown. the good news is that the lockdown is clearly having an effect bringing case numbers down. it's bringing hospital admissions down.— numbers down. it's bringing hospital admissions down. ~ ., admissions down. would you recommend that there should _ admissions down. would you recommend that there should be _ admissions down. would you recommend that there should be a _ admissions down. would you recommend that there should be a blanket _ admissions down. would you recommend that there should be a blanket ban - that there should be a blanket ban on people coming into the country and, obviously, those who are british citizens should be quarantined as opposed to certain red list countries, as it were. i mean, i try to look at the evidence. so, i think if you're going to impose broader restrictions, you've got to understand what you are trying to achieve. are you trying to achieve slowing how quickly a virus and new strain gets into the country, orare and new strain gets into the country, or are you trying to stop it altogether? if it's the former, then having a selective approach is appropriate. i mean, it minimizes

disruption. if you are trying to stop something from getting in, then you have to impose merger coney and restrictions and a more blanket policy. restrictions and a more blanket oli . ., policy. 0k, we will leave it there. professor neil _ policy. 0k, we will leave it there. professor neil ferguson, - policy. 0k, we will leave it there. professor neil ferguson, thank. policy. 0k, we will leave it there. i professor neil ferguson, thank you forjoining us, thank you.— forjoining us, thank you. thank ou. professor ferguson they're talking about whether or not there should be about whether or not there should be a blanket ban on visitors coming into the uk and on citizens having to quarantine. traveling from abroad come in the transport secretary has just tweeted to confirm that the uae, united arab emirates, burgundy and rwanda will be added to the uk's red list. so those countries where, if you are a foreign national to me will not be allowed into the country, but if you are a brick traveling from those countries, you will have to quarantine. they have been added to the red list as of this friday, tomorrow at one o'clock in the afternoon. that means people arriving from those countries are transiting through will be denied

entry except for british, irish and third country nationals with residents who must self—isolate for ten days at home. so, the uae, united arab emirates, but run the have been added to the uk's red list for travelers. the government has insisted there will be no interruption —— the government has insisted there will be no interruption to uk vaccine supplies from astrazeneca, after the european union demanded doses from the british allocation, in a row about shortages. the shortfall in supplies to the eu, which astrazeneca blames on "teething problems", could be as many as 75 million doses. the eu commission has confirmed that officials in belgium have been investigating an astrazeneca site near brussels, to corroborate claims that there have been problems with production there. nick beake reports from brussels. europe is really struggling to get hold of covid jobs, especially in spain. in the jet they have had to cancel nearly all vaccines for nearly a week.

in the french city of strasburg, also difficulties of protecting people. translation: there is a real feeling of frustration. - there is a very strong demand and an organisation here and ready but we cannot go to full capacity because there is a lack of vaccines. it is set to get even worse. the european union claims that one supplier, astrazeneca, will be delivering 75 million fewer doses than promised over the next two months. the eu is demanding thatjabs mid—in the uk are devoted to mainland ——the eu is demanding thatjabs made in the uk are devoted to mainland europe to make up the shortfall. when asked about that idea one senior british minister said there should be no disruption to british supplies. it is the case that the supplies which have been paid for and scheduled should continue, absolutely. there will be no interruption to that. but again i think that the right approach to take with ourfriends in europe is to make sure that we foster a cooperative dialogue to see how

we can do everything we can to help. the eu is now investigating if astrazeneca jabs me did mainland europe have already been sent to britain. it insists it must receive its fair share. we can and will get doses of the vaccine from the series of plans which are mentioned in the contract including those in the united kingdom. the eu and astrazeneca say they are working more closely together to try to sort this out but there are still many specific unanswered questions swirling around. there are plenty of legal and moral arguments being made. what health experts say is the last thing we need is so called vaccine nationalism, that this is the time for countries to cooperate to get out of the pandemic as quickly as possible. vaccine specialists point out increasing production of new products is not an easy business. we are used to seeing delays in complex construction

projects similar to this, vaccine production is much more complex than anything we have ever done in the world before, so it is completely natural to have these delays. this row between the uk and the eu is farfrom being resolved. europe is the engine of the global vaccine making process and countries further afield are asking how these arguments and delays will affect them as well. a new research paper has assessed the performance of the nightingale hospital in east london looking after covid patients. it found that despite the logistical challenges of setting up new intensive care facilities at the excel conference centre outcomes were broadly similar to other hospitals. in total 5a patients with covid were cared for at the london nightingale. our health editor hugh pym is here. so, what are the details of the figures that have come out of this report?

figures that have come out of this re ort? ~ , , , report? well, this study in the “ournal report? well, this study in the journal intensive _ report? well, this study in the journal intensive care - report? well, this study in the | journal intensive care medicine looks back at what happened in the nightingale hospital in london's east end in the xl center, the first one to be set up. they looked after, as you say, 5a patients in april and may, and they've looked back at all the outcomes and, very sadly, the mortality rate was 48%. that included amongst some patients who had been sent from the nightingale onto other hospitals having arrived there. that was slightly more than outcomes and other intensive care units across the nhs. odd, actually, internationally, it was over 50%. and what they say is that this was an early stage of the pandemic, not nearly enough was known about the virus at that stage compared to now. so, actually, given that they had to set it up from scratch, they didn't have easy oxygen supplies, that actually, the outcomes were not too bad in the circumstances, and they go on to say that this model, the nightingale model, if there was a

future pandemic, it shows that you can set up these facilitators —— facilities with ventilators and intensive care beds and make it work. is intensive care beds and make it work. , ., ., ., ., work. is that one of the main conclusions _ work. is that one of the main conclusions we _ work. is that one of the main conclusions we can _ work. is that one of the main conclusions we can draw - work. is that one of the main | conclusions we can draw from work. is that one of the main - conclusions we can draw from this moving forward, it was potentially a goodidea? moving forward, it was potentially a aood idea? , ~ . good idea? yes. i think that the model, good idea? yes. i think that the model. in _ good idea? yes. i think that the model, in terms _ good idea? yes. i think that the model, in terms of— good idea? yes. i think that the model, in terms of setting - good idea? yes. i think that the - model, in terms of setting something up, bringing in specialists and setting up ventilators in that way, at least, did as well as could be expected for the patients that came through, but it then begs another question, what about the rest of the nightingale network, and why are they not being used now?- nightingale network, and why are they not being used now? that's the big question. _ they not being used now? that's the big question, isn't _ they not being used now? that's the big question, isn't it? _ they not being used now? that's the big question, isn't it? you _ they not being used now? that's the big question, isn't it? you have - big question, isn't it? you have been into i see you units, i have as well, we have seen the crush and i stress on the staff and patients, effectively being packed in. why aren't the nightingales being used? exactly. in fact, the london nightingale treated covid patients 54 nightingale treated covid patients 5a of them, very few of the rest

have done. some are being used for other patients stepped down. that means they are recovering, recuperating from other conditions or possibly they have tested negative having had covid but need time to recuperate before going home. some are being used as vaccination centers. but it also seems to be staffing. if you set up this network with beds and ventilators in all these conference centers and so on, you need specialist staff to work with them. the nhs just doesn't have enough of those, but intensive care nurses, you cannotjust train them in a few months, and understandably, the big hospitals needed to hold onto their specialist staff. so i think that is a lesson that you can set all the kids up, it's obviously worked in london for a couple of months, they have the staff to move in there, but it hasn't happened across england and the equivalence in scotland, wales and northern ireland. this does no wales and northern ireland. this does go to _ wales and northern ireland. this does go to a _ wales and northern ireland. this does go to a longer—term problem in terms of staffing and the nhs, doesn't dig?— terms of staffing and the nhs, doesn't din ? ~ ,,., , ,, doesn't dig? absolutely. the nhs

went into this _ doesn't dig? absolutely. the nhs went into this pandemic - doesn't dig? absolutely. the nhs went into this pandemic with - doesn't dig? absolutely. the nhs| went into this pandemic with fewer doctors per head of population, fewer intensive care unit beds, fewer intensive care unit beds, fewer scanners, the nhs internationally was not nearly as well—equipped as some other countries, and that's decades of underinvestment are not enough investment by successive governments. that remains the problem, staffing. and just talking to specialists last week, as you have done at the royal london, you can set up beds in hospitals, but if you haven't got enough staff, then that's not necessarily going to help. so that's one of the big priorities coming through, the supporting staff, many of whom are burnt out and stressed, and also recruiting the staff of the future, and that takes time to train them. 0k, and that takes time to train them. ok, thank you our health editor there. let's return to our stop at top story, borisjohnson has insisted that the scottish independence debate is irrelevant to most people as he urges the country to unite against covid. apply minister was speaking during a trip to scotland to emphasize the strength of the uk working together

during the pandemic. the snp said he was panicking, his opinion polls show the climbing support for the union. joining us from edinburgh is andy and he is a former advisor to scottish conservatives, now a director of the pr firm. hello to you, andy. thanks for being with us. given the circumstances surrounding the prime minister's visit, was it a goodidea the prime minister's visit, was it a good idea for him to do that? well. good idea for him to do that? well, i think it depends _ good idea for him to do that? well, i think it depends on _ good idea for him to do that? well, i think it depends on which - good idea for him to do that? -ii i think it depends on which lens you look through his visits. from a coronavirus point of view, you can have a discussion about whether or not it was unnecessary trip, and so on, and that has been a fairly hot topic of discussion here today. from an independence point of view, you can have an argument as to whether or not he is an asset to the unionist campaign or is in fact a aspect of the nationalist campaign. we get this a lot when borisjohnson visit scotland. ultimately, i think the reality is that those who just like him don't want him to come, and those that do, do. they generally cancel each other out. but

those that do, do. they generally cancel each other out.— those that do, do. they generally cancel each other out. but these are the most feeble _ cancel each other out. but these are the most feeble of _ cancel each other out. but these are the most feeble of times, _ cancel each other out. but these are the most feeble of times, aren't - the most feeble of times, aren't they? we are in the middle of a pandemic. local elections coming in may, and polls all suggesting that a rising number of scott's feel that independence is the way forward. what do you think? doesn't make sense for him from unionist perspective to come to scotland at this moment in time? ila. perspective to come to scotland at this moment in time?— this moment in time? no, i think that at the _ this moment in time? no, i think that at the moment, _ this moment in time? no, i think that at the moment, and - this moment in time? no, i think that at the moment, and the - this moment in time? no, i think. that at the moment, and the reason is that i don't think that boris johnson or the uk government yet have an adequate message to send to scotland on unionism. this is not a new trend for the snp. the snp have in fact been taking the lead in the polls, and in a very gradual way for the last three and half years. it's only the last year or so that they have tipped the balance and started to win the polls regularly. at this trend has been happening for years. it's not new. the reality is that the uk government and the current unionist strategy is pushing quite a lot of people towards nationalism. rather than being to cool towards nationalism by the snp. so what i would've said to borisjohnson is,

you can visit scotland, and in fact, it might be a decent idea to visit scotland at some point, but you probably need to get your story straight first as to what unionism is going to look like, what uk is going to look like, because of the moments, the settlement that we have is not popular, and that is what is causing the difficulty. find is not popular, and that is what is causing the difficulty.— causing the difficulty. and how is the coronavirus _ causing the difficulty. and how is the coronavirus pandemic - causing the difficulty. and how is - the coronavirus pandemic potentially helped to dent the unionist cause? well, there is no doubt that in the short—term, people here see nicola sturgeon as having done a betterjob on coronavirus than borisjohnson. her approval ratings are sometimes up her approval ratings are sometimes up to 75% in terms of how she has handled covid, particularly how she has communicated. there is no question that in the quite a lot of no borders, unionists, think that nicola sturgeon is doing well and think borisjohnson is doing badly. i think the key question is that when the pandemic is over, and hopefully it will be in the relatively near future, will that support stick with nicola sturgeon and potentially move to the nationalist community from the

unionist community, or will it start to drift back again when they start to drift back again when they start to focus more on independence issues and less on covid issues? that is an open question, but there is no question about the fact that the perception of the handling of covid is that nicola sturgeon has done well and borisjohnson has not. andy, you have given a little bit of advice for the conservatives nationally and boris johnson. advice for the conservatives nationally and borisjohnson. how would you advise the scottish conservatives at this moment in time? what should they be doing as we get closer towards the may elections?— elections? the truth is, historically, _ elections? the truth is, historically, there's - elections? the truth is, historically, there's not| elections? the truth is, - historically, there's not much that's scottish conservatives can do, they have had a bit of a resurgence since 2014, but if they —— because they really built on that unionist tag that they had got themselves, ruth davidson became the leader of unionism more than conservatism, and that's really what boosted them in the 2016—2017 elections here. that has gone away a little bit, and i think it's back to the traditional problem for scottish tories that they are very much led by what's going on in london. so

when people go to the ballot box in may, they will not have douglas ross�* head in their minds when they are crossing the box. they will be thinking about borisjohnson, and ultimately, they will vote in may according to whether or not they think that boris johnson according to whether or not they think that borisjohnson and the tories in london are doing a good job. that�*s, i�*m afraid to say, is the story of the scottish tories, very much led by westminster without being able to hugely influence what�*s happening up here with themselves topic ok, we will leave it there. former advisor to the scottish conservatives, thank you forjoining us, andy. now we will have a bit more support what�*s go to the bbc sport center. that have a bit more support what's go to the bbc sport center.— the bbc sport center. that evening. we will start — the bbc sport center. that evening. we will start with _ the bbc sport center. that evening. we will start with manchester - the bbc sport center. that evening. | we will start with manchester united who have condemned the racial abuse that has been directed out their players on social media following last nights defeat at old trafford. the winning goal was defected off axel who went on to be substituted in the 83rd minute after starting his first premier league game of the season. abuse was aimed at his and anthony�*s instagram account with a

number of users posting racist comments and symbols on old photos. manchester united put out a statement today saying... manchester united have put out a statement today saying... they go on to say that... and that�*s a position the former newcastle goalkeeper shaka hislop, who�*s now honourary president of show racism the red card, agrees with. i was involved in a roundtable earlier this week with the department for culture, media and sport about the government�*s own responsibility towards dealing with and confronting social media companies in the abuse that�*s allowed press on their platforms. just as we have spent 25 years

dealing with these issues, i think the moment calls for exactly that same approach and resolve even more today. there�*s a big game at 8pm this evening, the champions liverpool go to tottenham looking for their first win in five games in the premier league. they�*ve slipped to fifth in the table, only a point above spurs and are 21 points worse off than they were at this stage last season. butjose mourinho says repeating that was always going to be tough. would anybody expect liverpool to have a similar run last season? winning and winning, and winning nonstop? i wouldn�*t expect that, because what they did is so difficult that to win it a second time in the same way is even more difficult. that challenges absently fine. it's all about — that challenges absently fine. it's all about how you approach it —— that_ all about how you approach it —— that challenges absently fine. like

i said. _ that challenges absently fine. like i said. we — that challenges absently fine. like i said, we are not happy about the situation, — i said, we are not happy about the situation, but we think we can sort it, situation, but we think we can sort it. whatever, — situation, but we think we can sort it, whatever, and that's what we do. we will_ it, whatever, and that's what we do. we will fight. england�*s paul casey is three shots off the lead after his opening round of the dubai desert classic golf. he birdied the first four holes of his opening round to go to the top of the early leaderboard, but couldn�*t maintain that momentum and ended the day on five under par. scotland�*s robert mcintyre is also at five under with south africa�*s richard sterne a shot clear of the field at eight under par. next to cricket in karachi — where kagiso rabada has taken his 200th test wicket, but south africa suffered a late mini—collapse on the third day of the first test against pakistan. rabada took the wicket of hasan ali to become the third—fastest south african to reach 200. pakistan all out for 378 in the end, but south africa stumbled late on losing three

wickets, including aiden markram, who�*d shared a 127 run partnership with rassie van der dussen. they closed play 187 forfour, a lead of 29 runs. world number—onejudd trump is through to the quarter finals of the german masters snooker after beating joe perry 5—3. perry had led 3—2 at one stage, and was close to taking the match into a decider at 4—4, but trump produced a clearance of 58, finishing with this black, to set up a quarter final against ding junhui. the vendee globe, round—the—world sailing race, has been won by the man, who finshed third, but was given a bonus of more than ten hours, for his role in rescuing a fellow competitor. yannick bestaven, was declared the winner when he arrived in france this morning. he had gone out of his way to help, a fellow frenchman, whose boat eventually sank off the cape of good hope during the race in november. there�*s more on that story on sportsday. john watson is here at 6.30pm,

join him for that if you can, that�*s all your sport for now. as borisjohnson continued his visit to scotland, the devolved government set out its budget plans for the coming year. the finance secretary kate forbes says there would be no changes to income tax rates, and she pledged extra funding forjobs and skills. it�*s notjust the pandemic that has taken its toll on scotland�*s�*s economy. the wrecking ball of a dismal brexit deal is compounding matters. so today�*s budget will help bring much—needed support and stability to ensure our economy recovers and we protect those who have been hit the hardest. our approach continues to target support in the immediate term as well as tracking a course over the coming year to build a fairer, stronger and greener economy. fundamentally, it focuses on three key priorities. creating jobs and a sustainable economy, responding to the health pandemic, and tackling inequalities.

this is a time of great fiscal uncertainty. in the absence of a uk budget, much of the information we need to plan with certainty is missing. we must persevere with a budget based on a partial settlement, left waiting until the uk budget to see the full hand being dealt to us. i have repeatedly welcomed the additional covid funding, largely borrowed, provided by the uk government. i do so again, but i also have a duty as finance secretary to make the case forcefully when i believe more is required. there is £21 billion sitting in the uk�*s covid reserve. our share of that funding would help meet the ongoing needs of our businesses, nhs and other public services, and in the interests of providing certainty and based on the balance of consequentials received to date, i have made a prudent funding assumption and allocated £500 million against what we expect to flow to us from that covid reserve next year. germany�*s vaccine committee has said astrazeneca�*s covid jab should only be given to people aged under 65.

the committee cited "insufficient data" for the effectiveness of the vaccine for older people. the move comes as eu countries face vaccine shortages and criticism over the pace of vaccination. earlier, we spoke to professor adam finn of the university of bristol, a member of thejoint committee on vaccination and immunisation. i asked him for his reaction to the story. the first thing i heard was from a colleague in germany that this was in fact a leak. so we�*re not absolutely sure that that is what stiko will say, and they�*re still discussing it. so i think we should be reporting a bit cautiously, because we aren�*t quite sure whether it�*s really true. but let�*s assume that it is. stiko is the equivalent of thejcvi in germany — they�*re not the licensing authority, they�*re the policy advisory committee for the german government. and what they�*re saying is that they don�*t want to get use the astrazeneca vaccine in the over—65s. and i think that actually reflects

the fact that up to this point, there are relatively small number of elderly people in that study who�*ve come through and actually developed covid—19. so there�*s actually quite limited evidence on the efficacy in that elderly age group. as is the case, in fact, for the other studies in the other vaccines. so it�*s not really news that this — this isn�*t really news to us, because we�*ve already seen this data and we know how well the vaccine works. well, we already have advised the government. we�*ve already seen the data on the astrazeneca vaccine, and importantly, we�*ve also seen the evidence on the ability of the vaccine to introduce antibody responses and elderly people, which have been published in the lancet. and on the basis of that, as well as the safety record of the vaccine, we�*ve already advised that the vaccine should be

used in elderly people — and of course, that�*s going on at the moment. we�*re busy watching to see just how well the vaccine works, but we are confident that it will be effective to an extent, as will the other vaccines being used. i was quite silent in that interview, wasn�*t i? but i did ask them questions and he did answer. dustin swain told an anti—lockdown group that statistics on the virus appears to be manipulated and risks to the nhs were manageable —— desmond swain. both priti patel and michael gove have called for him to apologise. two men have each been... west yorkshire police say the man, both in their early 20s, were

tracked down after hundreds of people gathered for more than two hours on 14january, and footage of the fight was shared on social media. the force described the event as creating "a significant and completely unnecessary risk of increasing the spread of the virus". crime in england and wales fell by around 13% in the four weeks up to 20 december, compared to the same period the previous year — that�*s according to new crime and policing statistics released by the npcc. however, data also show that there was rise in assaults on emergency workers up by 4%. here�*s the home secretary, priti patel, speaking a short while ago. well, the prime minister is absolutely committed to that target of 20,000 more police officers. it was a manifesto commitment for our party going into the general election in december 2019. we are ahead of our target, we are exceeding our target. so today, we�*re announcing that 6,620 police officers have been recruited. here in hertfordshire,

that�*s another 111 police officers — and that basically means a safer streets. that�*s our priority — getting crime down, cutting crime, protecting the public from criminalisty, but also safeguarding victims. and this government is absolutely committed to that agenda of law and order, and we�*re absolutely delivering on it. these new officers are out on about on the streets every single day, so there are a part of that national coronavirus effort, the coronavirus response — when it comes to the fines and dealing with the breaches, but also protecting their local communities and keeping our citizens safe. but i think we should always reflect upon and remember that our police officers are out there day in, day out putting themselves in harm�*s way to keep us safe. the headlines on bbc news... the premise or has visited scotland, saying it is important the uk works

together to fight the coronavirus. at the first minister already questioned the need for the visit. the latest covid—19 figures have been released for the uk, with a further... down from 1725 yesterday. however there has been a slight increase in cases. public health england defends the astrazeneca vaccine after germany says it will not recommend giving it to the over—65s. labour has called on the government to bring forward the vaccination of teachers, alongside other key workers. the party has already suggested that february half term could be used to vaccinate school staff. labour�*s deputy leader has told the bbc that teachers are more at risk from covid—19, the recent data found the risk to schoolteachers is in line with the general population. jonathan ashworth told us earlier that while the vaccine programme has been

impressive, labour is suggesting prioritising teachers in the half term. ~ . ~ , prioritising teachers in the half term. . ,, , ., term. we are likely to hit the taruet of term. we are likely to hit the target of vaccinating - term. we are likely to hit the target of vaccinating the - term. we are likely to hit the | target of vaccinating the most vulnerable groups by mid february. ministers have given assurances that vaccine supplies will continue and mmp vaccine supplies will continue and ramp up, and we are expecting good news from other vaccine manufacturers in the coming weeks, such asjohnson &johnson. so we are suggesting to the government that, given it�*s a national priority to do everything we can to leave no stone unturned to get our schools back fully functioning, they are still open for certain children, so all children can go back to school, we are suggesting why not use the half term for teachers? ahead of the nhs, simon stevens has suggested that key workers should be considered priority, the children�*s commissioner herself has suggested it. so we think it is a reasonable, constructive proposal to use that half term to give our teachers that vaccination so it is part of the

overall package of getting our schools open again for all children. to be clear, you believe a fit and healthy 25—year—old teacher should get the vaccine ahead of someone who is over 50? ~ . �* ._ get the vaccine ahead of someone who isover50? ~ . �* , is over 50? what we're saying is that... that's _ is over 50? what we're saying is that... that's a _ is over 50? what we're saying is that... that's a fact, _ is over 50? what we're saying is that... that's a fact, isn't - is over 50? what we're saying is that... that's a fact, isn't it? - is over 50? what we're saying is| that... that's a fact, isn't it? no, it would be _ that... that's a fact, isn't it? no, it would be for— that... that's a fact, isn't it? no, it would be for] _ that... that's a fact, isn't it? no, it would be for] cvi _ that... that's a fact, isn't it? no, it would be for] (vi to _ that... that's a fact, isn't it? no, it would be for] (vi to ensure - that... that's a fact, isn't it? no, it would be for] (vi to ensure we it would be forj cvi to ensure we can work through those priority schedules. and given that we are expecting increased supply of vaccinations, this should not be an either or. and at the end of the day, this is about leadership, about taking tough decisions and not shirking them, as borisjohnson does. and if we think the implications of children losing almost a years worth of face—to—face learning — we know we went into this crisis with the childhood obesity problem, i shudder to think how much

worse our problems will be because of children not being in school for pe and running around, and so on. we think it is a national priority to get children back in school, and we could do that, but part of that is vaccinating teachers quickly over the school half term.— the school half term. jonathan ashworth there. _ a scottish man who has been held in an indian jail without conviction for three years has told the bbc he was tortured to sign a blank confession. jagtar sinthohal is accused of conspiring to murder a number of political leaders — charges he denies. our south asia correspondent rajini vaidyanathan reports from delhi. the first dance forjagtar singh johal on his wedding day in 2017. the 33—year—old from dumbarton in scotland had travelled to india for the celebrations. days later while out shopping with his new wife, he was taken away by police in the state of punjab.

he�*s been in detention ever since. seen here at a court hearing, jagtar sinthohal�*s accused of conspiracy to murder. indian authorities allege he was involved in a series of killings of right—wing hindu leaders. officials claim he is a member of the separatist organisation they describe as a terrorist gang. they say mrjohal paid £3,000 to the group to help fund the crimes. jagtar sinthohal denies the allegations. his family say he is a peaceful activist who has written about human rights violations against sikhs. i believe he is innocent and he�*ll be proven innocent through the courts if a trial starts. what�*s your message to the uk government? he�*s been subject to torture and mistreatment and you have failed him. please bring my brother back home so he can continue and start his life with his wife. the family sayjagtar sinthohal wrote this letter detailing allegations of torture. it claims he was stripped

and beaten, given electric shocks, and that his legs were pulled apart each time he was questioned. the bbc�*s been unable to independently verify these claims which the authorities deny. jagtar sinthohal claims he was tortured into signing a confession letter and made to record this video leaked to indian media. his lawyer told me the authorities have yet to provide him with any evidence linking mrjohal to the crimes. he fears his client�*s being framed. translation: i am very worried. our immediate concern is that we get a fair trial which proceeds quickly. until then, he is languishing injail. jagtar sinthohal�*s being held here at delhi�*s maximum security tihar jail. he is one of thousands of people being held in prisons across india without conviction — some for many years. the human rights charity reprieve, is concerned that some

of the charges he is awaiting trial for here carry the death penalty as the maximum punishment. but experts stress that executions in india are extremely rare. reprieve has asked the foreign secretary to call for mrjohal�*s immediate release. the foreign office told the bbc that dominic raab did raise the case with his indian counterpart during his trip to india in december. this is the most recent timejagtar sinthohal was seen at court. british officials also say they are in regular contact with prison staff and his family about his well—being. but his brother remains concerned. in august last year he was joined by dozens who protested outside downing street. jagtar sinthohal pro�*s case has attracted international attention. his supporters say they won�*t give up until his back home. rajini vaidyanathan, bbc news, delhi.

and that he will remain behind bars. the prudent critic appeared in court via video link. he was arrested on arrival from germany where via video link. he was arrested on arrivalfrom germany where he had been treated... he�*d announced today�*s court proceedings as illegal. translation: i illegal. translation: , ., , , translation: i understand my rights. i want to draw— translation: i understand my rights. i want to draw the _ translation: i understand my rights. i want to draw the attention _ translation: i understand my rights. i want to draw the attention of - translation: i understand my rights. i want to draw the attention of the - i want to draw the attention of the court that since the detention, i�*ve not had a single opportunity to meet with my defenders and private. not a single one. neither of the police station or the detention centre. the stationery chain, paper chase, has been rescued in a deal that will secure around 1,000 jobs. it�*s thought that around 70% of stores will be retained by the new owner, but 250 jobs at the chain will still be lost. paper chase has blamed the cumulative impact of lockdowns and restrictions on a collapse in sales. staying with the power of music —

because it�*s also being used to help people living with the effects of covid—19. english national opera is offering a singing therapy programme to some of those suffering from what�*s known as "long—covid". our arts correspondent, david sillito, has been checking it out. she sings lullaby. sing it with me. when it comes to zoom meetings, this is as stress—free as it gets. a lullaby, some singing, and a lesson... i am breathing in ten. ..in breathing. i am breathing out ten. they practice voice exercises. wonderful! and this is what it is all about, these vocal exercises i am being given to do our part of the breathe programme, and taking me through my paces is suzi zumpe from english national opera, who has a vital area of expertise. breathing. it�*s one of the things that�*s really hard if you�*ve been

unwell for a long time, is that you�*ve potentially never been particularly conscious of how you breathed when you were well, then it�*s been a struggle, and so getting back to what normal feels like when it isn�*t something that you are terribly conscious of remembering is already difficult. sheba was hospitalised in march and since then has spent months isolated, anxious and breathless. could you have ever imagined that, essentially, singing teaching could have helped? not in my wildest dreams, no, not at all. this connected me with my flock of fellow sufferers but in the most positive and musical way. this pilot programme is now being extended to another 1,000 long—covid patients. the evidence so far suggests it�*s helping people recoverfaster. with use of the lullabies that calm the patients and with use of the exercises that they do in between the classes, we can see that people�*s breathing

patterns are better. # summertime and the... but it�*s also about more than breathing. music can be healing in many ways. # fish arejumping... david sillito, bbc news. time for a look at the weather news. to the north of the country, it stays cold, scotland and wales will see further rain and sleet and heavy snow at further levels. you can see the extent of the mild air through the extent of the mild air through the day, but still that cold air has been looming across the northern half of scotland, and that will win out as we move to the end of the week into the weekend. so it stays very wet with further snow across much of scotland this evening and overnight. the main ran band clears

away, but lots of showers across england and wales. there will be some further showers in between. a fairly mild night across most of england and wales, cold across scotland with the risk of ice here. we start varied unsettled across northern countries, rain, sleet and snow with ice to watch out for. plenty of showers across the south but through the day, a ridge of high pressure starts to build in and conditions will gradually improve, with the rain petering out in the north. quite a bit of clout around but some brightness, and mild in the south with double figure values here, cold seeping into friday night with 1-2 here, cold seeping into friday night with 1—2 showers. we look to the southwest, a new area of low pressure and a weather front will bring outbreaks of rain, increasing amounts of snow over the high ground. mild to get across is far southwest as we head on into saturday, the risk of ice. uncertainty into this forecast this weekend, it looks like this area of low pressure will bump into that

cold air, bringing a mixture of rain, sleet and snow for northern ireland, parts of the midlands don�*t into the south east, mainly over high ground here. but we could see significant accumulations over the high ground of wales, perhaps into the south pennines too. but the far southwest will have mainly rain, still some uncertainty to all this, you�*ll really have to stay tuned. double figure values for plymouth, much colder further north with sunshine. sunday morning starts very cold, the risk of ice in places. much of the country will be dry and bright, a new area of low pressure will push into the west to bring further rain, sleet and snow from northern ireland, wales, the midlands and towards the southwest. a colder day for all areas of on sunday.

tonight at six — the government says the uk�*s vaccine supply is not at risk as the eu threatens legal action to secure its own supplies. the european union, which is struggling with a shortage of vaccine, has asked astrazeneca if it can divert supplies from britain. the prime minister visits a vaccine laboratory near edinburgh — he calls arguments about a scottish independence referendum "completely irrelevant" while the uk battles coronavirus. we�*ll be asking how worried the government is about the state of the union. also tonight... in prison afterflying home from medical treatment in germany — russia�*s opposition leader, alexei navalny, calls his detention illegal as a court rejects an appeal against his arrest. the cladding crisis — the woman who lost everything after buying a flat that turned out to be unsafe. and get your skates on — the new lockdown craze sweeping the globe.

and coming up on bbc news...