go through and they dip away, as we go through the week. the warnings are on the website. this is bbc news. the headlines: captain sir tom moore, who raised millions of pounds for the nhs during the pandemic by walking laps of his garden, has died. by walking laps of the 100—year—old second world war veteran — who was knighted last year — had been in hospital battling pneumonia and covid—19. his family says he will stay alive in their hearts — captain sir tom used his brief presence in the public eye to offer words of encouragement to a nation in lockdown. those people who are finding it difficult at the moment, the sun will shine on you again and the clouds will go away.

flags are lowered over downing street and borisjohnson describes captain sir tom as a national inspiration, and a beacon of hope for the world. the uk variant of coronavirus has mutated again — the health secretary says he's seen cases of concern in bristol and liverpool. meanwhile, 80,000 people in england are tested to stop the spread of the virus variant from south africa. scotland is to introduce travel quarantines for overseas arrivals — and plans are put in place to open scottish schools later this month. travel disruption in parts of the north of england and scotland — as heavy snow brings chaos.

good afternoon. in the last hour, it's been announced that captain sir tom moore has died. captain tom, who was 100 years old, and had raised almost £33 million for the nhs, was taken to hospital earlier this week, with coronavirus. the army veteran, originally from keighley in west yorkshire, came to prominence by walking 100 laps of his garden in bedfordshire, during the first national lockdown. he was knighted by the queen last summer. buckingham palace has issued a statement saying: "the queen and the royal family's thoughts are with captain sir tom moore's family, and she is sending a private message of condolence." captain tom's family have issued a statement saying:

david sillito takes a look back at his life. it began as a little family challenge. 100 laps of the garden to mark a 100th birthday — and so began tom moore's extraordinaryjourney. born in keighley in 1920, hejoined the west yorkshire regiment and served in burma. after the war, he ran a business, and before the virus the closest he'd come to fame... and appearing this christmas... ..was an appearance on blankety blank. tom, have you got family or anybody i you'd rather not be watching this? i yes, i've two girls. coming up 16, coming up 1a. but everything changed when his family set up a fundraising page for captain tom. the hope was to raise £1,000 for nhs charities to support the nurses and doctors in the midst

of the coronavirus outbreak. just over a week later, the total had passed £1 million. by the time he celebrated his 100th birthday, it had topped 30 million. # walk on, through the wind, walk on through the rain... # he also had a number one single, a duet with michael ball. captain tom had become known around the world. he received more than 140,000 cards. the regimental medal for your dedication... | he was made an honorary colonel, he received a knighthood, and the raf staged a birthday fly—past. i'm absolutely delighted with all the people like you who have come to wish me a very happy birthday. it really is absolutely awesome. in a time of illness, death, and global lockdown,

captain tom's optimism and determination truly was a little beacon of good cheer. i never, ever, anticipated, ever in my life, anything like this. it really is amazing, and i must say to everyone, thank you very much to everyone, wherever you are. music swells # you'll never walk alone... # tom: you'll never walk alone. captain sirtom captain sir tom moore, who has died at the age of 100. the prime minister has paid tribute.

and the flags at downing street are at half mast this evening. 0ur reporterjon maguire is outside bedford hospital. doctors were trying to save captain sir tom. doctors were trying to save captain sirtom. he had pneumonia, he also had covid—19. he had not been able to have the coronavirus faxing because of that pneumonia, john? yes, absolutely right. as we have been saying, he was obviously, he would have been right at the top of

the list of people to receive a vaccine injection, partly because of the publicity that it would have engendered, and the support it would have given to the vaccine roll—out. could there be a more recognisable figure over the last ten months, really, than captain sir tom? but because of the new money and the medication he was receiving for it, the decision was made he could not have the vaccine, so that is basically the situation as it was over the last few weeks. i suppose we all thought _ over the last few weeks. i suppose we all thought we _ over the last few weeks. i suppose we all thought we knew _ over the last few weeks. i suppose we all thought we knew captain . over the last few weeks. i suppose we all thought we knew captain sir tom because he was such a big part of our lives, such an inspiration during the pandemic, but you actually did know him pretty well because you filmed with him a lot from the beginning, just tell us your impressions of the man and what he was really like. i your impressions of the man and what he was really like.— he was really like. i have been thinkin: he was really like. i have been thinking about _ he was really like. i have been thinking about this _ he was really like. i have been thinking about this a _ he was really like. i have been thinking about this a lot, - he was really like. i have been - thinking about this a lot, actually, how do you describe him when there is so much hyperbole, so many superlatives, how to sum up a

character like tom moore with mcbean on the planet for 100 years. the public hadn't heard of him until his 99th year until he embarked on that walk that was initially just a familyjoke, something to keep him busy, but ijust catapulted him into the most extraordinary international fame. but he really was a great man, very kind man, optimistic, as we know, always had a pearl of wisdom, a word of advice. i remember one of the pieces that we did with him, because when he set up his foundation after the success of his initial fundraising, foundation after the success of his initialfundraising, one of foundation after the success of his initial fundraising, one of the ideas, one of the objectives of that foundation was to tackle loneliness. so he put together several people across the uk by a zoom calls who had experienced quite severe loneliness, and their excitement at getting to meet, you know, a range of ages from a range of different backgrounds, and he spent as much

time as we were allowed with them, talked to them, listened to them, for a 100—year—old man to have a conversation with someone via zoom is impressive but he was very giving of his time and his advice, and they really lift that conversation with a spring in their step, just that twinkle in his eye, those pearls of wisdom, just made a real difference to those lucky enough to have that personal contact with him.- to those lucky enough to have that personal contact with him. thank you so much. personal contact with him. thank you so much- an — personal contact with him. thank you so much. an hour— personal contact with him. thank you so much. an hour thanks _ personal contact with him. thank you so much. an hour thanks to - personal contact with him. thank you so much. an hour thanks to you - personal contact with him. thank you so much. an hour thanks to you for. so much. an hour thanks to you for bringing his amazing achievements and him to our screens. —— and thanks to you. well, buckingham palace has led the tributes to sir captain tom moore, saying the queen is sending a private message of condolence to his family. the health secretary matt hancock said:

the singer michael ball, who recorded a charity single with sir tom that reached number one, wrote on twitter: the bbc breakfast presenter dan walker said: and the fitness coach, joe wicks said: just a flavour of some of the tributes that are coming in. adam larkum was the illustrator of captain tom's picture book

for young readers, �*0ne hundred steps'. hejoins me now. thanks for being with us. tell us a bit about the book. it’s thanks for being with us. tell us a bit about the book.— thanks for being with us. tell us a bit about the book. it's a wonderful ro'ect to bit about the book. it's a wonderful project to work _ bit about the book. it's a wonderful project to work on, _ bit about the book. it's a wonderful project to work on, it _ bit about the book. it's a wonderful project to work on, it seemed - bit about the book. it's a wonderful project to work on, it seemed to i project to work on, it seemed to come out of the blue. 0ne project to work on, it seemed to come out of the blue. one minute i was watching a channel 4 come out of the blue. one minute i was watching a channel a documentary about captain tom, thinking, these pictures look so interesting, i would love to draw this. not really thinking much about it and then i got this e—mail about the commission and it wasjust like got this e—mail about the commission and it was just like a dream got this e—mail about the commission and it wasjust like a dream come true. a wonderful chance to do something really good. so true. a wonderful chance to do something really good.- true. a wonderful chance to do something really good. so tell us about what _ something really good. so tell us about what we _ something really good. so tell us about what we see _ something really good. so tell us about what we see in _ something really good. so tell us about what we see in the - something really good. so tell us about what we see in the book, l something really good. so tell us i about what we see in the book, tell us about... it is for young children, so it's a picture book, explain a bit more about it. so the icture explain a bit more about it. so the picture book. _ explain a bit more about it. so the picture book. i _ explain a bit more about it. so the picture book, i loved _ explain a bit more about it. so the picture book, i loved all— explain a bit more about it. so the picture book, i loved all the - picture book, i loved all the photographs of the 1920s and wartime images and things like that, so doing that kind of thing is great

for me so i did lots of sketches, and actually finding out that vera lynn had entertained his troops, and the publisher hadn't realised, so they researched about vera lynn being there and i got to draw vera lynn. being there and i got to draw vera l nn. ., ., , . being there and i got to draw vera lnn.., , being there and i got to draw vera lnn.., being there and i got to draw vera lnn. ., ,�* lynn. fantastic pictures. and he was such an inspiration, _ lynn. fantastic pictures. and he was such an inspiration, wasn't - lynn. fantastic pictures. and he was such an inspiration, wasn't he, - such an inspiration, wasn't he, during such a difficult time for the whole country because mckee brought a lot of inspiration to people at a difficult, painfultime. —— because he brought. difficult, painfultime. -- because he brought-— difficult, painfultime. -- because he brought. positivity is something we really need _ he brought. positivity is something we really need right _ he brought. positivity is something we really need right now _ he brought. positivity is something we really need right now and - he brought. positivity is something we really need right now and we i he brought. positivity is something i we really need right now and we have needed all the way through this and then captain tom came along and it wasjust

then captain tom came along and it was just like, then captain tom came along and it wasjust like, wow, here comes a little bit of british eccentricity but it's what we need, we needed someone like him and he led the way to kind of get feeling positive about how we can get through this, he was amazing. d0 about how we can get through this, he was amazing.— he was amazing. do you think children have _ he was amazing. do you think children have related - he was amazing. do you think children have related to - he was amazing. do you think children have related to him l he was amazing. do you thinkl children have related to him as he was amazing. do you think - children have related to him as well for his positivity, as well as adults? i for his positivity, as well as adults? ., for his positivity, as well as adults? ~' , , ., , for his positivity, as well as adults? ~' , , .,, ., ~ adults? i think everybody has taken on board what _ adults? i think everybody has taken on board what he's _ adults? i think everybody has taken on board what he's said. _ adults? i think everybody has taken on board what he's said. we - adults? i think everybody has taken on board what he's said. we see . adults? i think everybody has taken on board what he's said. we see so | on board what he's said. we see so many people also going and doing their own kind of charity runs and different things, and he has been such an inspiration to so many people. he has been what the nation has needed, he's been fantastic. and has needed, he's been fantastic. and a national treasure, maybe that is an overused term but in his case definitely not. he achieved that national treasure status in just a short period of a few months. i think we bandy that term around but in his case he is a one—off. there is nobody macro else that deserves that as much as him. —— there is no

one else that deserves. that as much as him. -- there is no one else that deserves.— one else that deserves. thank you for talkin: one else that deserves. thank you for talking to _ one else that deserves. thank you for talking to us. _ one else that deserves. thank you for talking to us. lovely _ one else that deserves. thank you for talking to us. lovely to - one else that deserves. thank you for talking to us. lovely to see - one else that deserves. thank you j for talking to us. lovely to see the book as well, many thanks. in parliament, the house of commons deputy speaker nigel evans announced the news of captain sir tom moore's passing. let's listen back to that. some very sad news has broken that captain sir tom moore has sadly died. on behalf of the house of commons, can i pass our deepest condolences to his family? he brought joy to the nation. he was an inspiration to everybody in this country and his achievement was properly recognised by a knighthood, which was movingly presented by her majesty the queen in person at a special ceremony, and i know that the entire nation will mourn his passing. mike kane. well, mr deputy speaker, that is very sad news indeed.

some people are born great, some people achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them, and i think sir tom probably was all three of those things, and i'm sure the minister and i'm sure the minister will concur when he comes back a little later. an inspiration to the whole nation at a time of crisis, a real candle in the gloom for the british people and i wholeheartedly concur with your comments, mr speaker. tributes in the house of commons, as there have been around the country. let's talk to our political correspondent damian grammaticas. we have heard tributes led by the perimeter and flags at downing street at half mast this afternoon. that's right. they have lowered the flag that flies above number ten downing st to have mastered this afternoon. he read out the prime minister's statement earlier, and we've heard the same thing echoed by

the leader of the opposition, sir keir starmer and this is one of those moments, and there have been others in the pandemic, where all sides come together, the prime minister had talked about sir tom being a national inspiration and a beacon of hope who cheered us all up. sir keir starmer reflecting that as well, also calling him a beacon of hope for millions. he said captain tom put others first at a time of national crisis, this is incredibly sad news. tributes also from the chancellor, rishi sunak, who described him as a proud yorkshireman, dedicated army officer, a tireless fundraiser and above all an inspiration to us all. and from matt hancock, the health secretary, captain tom did so much to raise money for the nhs, and the focus on those working on the nhs. matt hancock saying, i'm so sorry to hear captain tom has passed away, he was a great british air that showed the best of our country. so, tributes all round.—

the best of our country. so, tributes all round. thank you very much indeed. _ tributes all round. thank you very much indeed. just _ tributes all round. thank you very much indeed. just seeing - tributes all round. thank you very much indeed. just seeing those . much indeed. just seeing those pictures of the flags in downing street at half half—mast at this evening for we are also hearing that wembley is being lit up this evening in tribute. earlier i spoke to ellie 0rton, chief executive of the nhs charities together. captain sir tom moore is and was an absolute inspiration to all of us. particularly at nhs charities together, you know, in the matter of weeks, he fundraised and raised nearly £40 million, including gift aid for our covid—19 appeal. that is just unheard—of and has never been done before and it is not just the funds that he raised, it is the inspiration that he has been to so many people throughout the country and that he inspired them to take on their own challenges, whether that was walking

just a few steps every single day, or whether that was running hundreds of miles or more, and it is because he had this attitude of you are never too old, you are never too anything to care, to help, and to make a difference, and his legacy will be and is felt throughout the whole of the nhs, throughout the whole of the country. how much of a surprise was it when he ended up raising notjust £1,000, which was the original, very modest plan, although that would have been quite an achievement in itself, but to end up with £32.7 million? utterly extraordinary achievement. absolutely incredible. record—breaking, quite literally, and i don't think any of us saw it coming. i certainly know the family didn't see it coming and we didn't see it coming, but he really was an extraordinary man and i think that combination

of his service during world war ii as a veteran, that combination with how he described his incredible gratitude to the nhs for how he had been cared for previously, and what that meant to him and his admiration for the nhs, and his ability to just inspire people through his optimism and his attitude, and he isjust a phenomenal man that touched the hearts of every single person in this country and throughout the world just, you know, just to give and to support his fundraising, which was amazing. and in the end, the nhs that he had raised so much money for looked after him in his last few days and did their best for him. but sadly couldn't save him.

no, absolutely, and i know that everybody at bedford hospital would have known that they had somebody very, very precious to care for and they would have made his last moments and his last days with his family very, very well cared for and done their absolute best for him and for the family. our hearts go out to them, to his family, to his friends, and we are absolutely devastated by this news. also our gratitude to them will be forever more because he has really changed the landscape of nhs charities and his support and the difference his fundraising has made throughout the uk and nhs right now is just incredible. i suppose it was notjust the money raised but that he became a sort

of national inspiration at a time of such national difficulty and pain. absolutely. his hope, i think, is definitely the word that he brought to so many of us and i used to be told in so many occasions by people i spoke to that he had inspired and particularly inspired so many artists as well who really wanted to capture that essence of him as a man, of the hope and the inspiration that he brought to others, and there is a particular artist that was telling me about, every time he saw him on the tv during the first lockdown, just what a difference just listening to captain tom made to him at that time. for lots of isolated people who are really struggling through the first lockdown, he really was that beacon of hope and light and, you know, touched all of us in an incredible way.

ellie 0rton, chief executive of nhs charities together, which sir tom raised all that money for. let's go back to that achievement that brought captain tom into the nation's hearts last year. he finished his walking challenge on 16th april, just two weeks before he turned 100, with a military guard of honour to celebrate his achievement. news correspondentjon maguire was there for the moment. and here he comes, captain tom moore, approaching his 100th birthday. 100 laps of his garden during lockdown, all of the money going to nhs charities. a guard of honourfrom the 1st going to nhs charities. a guard of honour from the 1st battalion the yorkshire regiment. inches to go and there he is. congratulations. well done. absolutely amazing, amazing

achievement. it done. absolutely amazing, amazing achievement-— done. absolutely amazing, amazing achievement. ., , . ., achievement. it was indeed, weldon, sir tom, achievement. it was indeed, weldon, sir tom. an — achievement. it was indeed, weldon, sir tom, an amazing _ achievement. it was indeed, weldon, sir tom, an amazing achievement. it| sir tom, an amazing achievement. it inspired the nation and almost £32 million. —— well done. captain sir tom moore, who has died at the age of 100. now the rest of the daily�*s news. —— the day's news. now, the latest on coronavirus. the so—called kent variant of coronavirus has mutated yet again — with changes scientists describe as "worrying". there is some concern that this mutation might make vaccines less effective. and there are also worries about the variant which started in south africa — now found in eight areas of england with no links to travel. emergency testing is being offered to 80,000 people in these postcodes, and they've been told it's critical they stay at home. this afternoon the health secretary

said there have also been 11 cases of concern in bristol and 32 in liverpool. the government says that over half of people in their 70s have now received their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine. nicola sturgeon announced that lockdown measures across mainland scotland will remain in place until the end of february. but she did say a phased return of schools would hopefully begin from the 22nd of this month. and she announced a system of "managed quarantine", which would mean that everyone arriving in scotland from overseas will have to self—isolate for ten days. in the last hour, we've had the latest government figures on coronavirus cases and deaths in the uk. another 14119 coronavirus cases and deaths in the uk. another 1419 have died within 28 days of a positive virus test. and in terms of cases, a further 16,840

cases have been confirmed in the last 24—hour period. the total number of people who have received the first dose of the vaccine now stands at 9,646,715. a little earlier, we heard from the health secretary, who gave an update on the vaccination programme. he said it continues apace but he also said the government has to remain cautious about the new variants.— government has to remain cautious about the new variants. despite this 0 timistic about the new variants. despite this optimistic backdrop _ about the new variants. despite this optimistic backdrop we _ about the new variants. despite this optimistic backdrop we must - about the new variants. despite this i optimistic backdrop we must continue to act with caution, not least because of the renewed challenges posed by new variants of the coronavirus. we have found here 105 new cases of the variant first identified in south africa. including 11 cases which do not appear to have any links to international travel. as with the variant first identified here in the uk, there is currently no evidence to suggest it is any more severe, but we have to come down on it hard. 0ur but we have to come down on it hard.

our mission must be to stop its spread altogether and break those chains of transmission. in those areas where this variant has been found, parts of broxbourne, london, maidstone, southport, walsall and woking, we are putting in extra testing and sequencing every positive test, working with local authorities, we are going door—to—door to test everyone in those areas, and mobile testing units will be deployed offering pcr tests to people who have to leave their home for work or other essential reasons. we have also seen 11 cases of mutations of concern in bristol, 32 in liverpool, and we are taking the same approach. in all these areas, it is imperative that people must stay at home and only leave home where it is absolutely essential. a leave home where it is absolutely essential. ., ,, ., ., essential. matt hancock. the shadow health secretary _ essential. matt hancock. the shadow health secretary said _ essential. matt hancock. the shadow health secretary said the _ essential. matt hancock. the shadow| health secretary said the government isn't doing enough to support the

amount of people who have to self—isolate, which could increase due to the new variant spreading. he wants to come down hard on this burn, but isn't the lesson of mass testing that people are hesitant to take a test if they are not compensated for any loss of income associated with self—isolation? are fighting this virus with one hand tied behind our back, asking the low paid to go hungry in order not to spread the virus. transmission chains will not be broken without decent sick pay and isolation support. we have seen the kent variant spread with speed. public health england's latest technical briefing reports that the sequencing with the e484k and this has now been identified and this is worrying because this mutation which is

thought to be behind the partial vaccine division surely suggests further action is going to be needed. , ., ., ., ~ , ., �*, needed. jonathan ashworth. let's get the latest from _ needed. jonathan ashworth. let's get the latest from our _ needed. jonathan ashworth. let's get the latest from our health _ the latest from our health correspondent. just press up to date with where we are cases and deaths. and deaths, there were 1440 —— 1449 new deaths reported. we often see the figures jump on a tuesday. the average at the moment is just over 1000 cases a day. there is better news with cases, 16,840 cases, the lowest since early december. it compares to an average of nearly 60,000 a day in earlyjanuary. we saw last week numbers of cases regularly above 20,000 so it is on a downward trend, and that are translating to fewer people being admitted to hospital. just over 2600 new admissions to hospital. a couple

of weeks ago we were seeing well over 4000, sometimes over 4500 new admissions a day for covid so it shows the impact lockdown is having and obviously the hope is that those reducing numbers of admissions will translate to the numbers of deaths falling, especially when we take into account the impact of vaccinations yet to kick in, in a couple of weeks. hopefully we will see significant drops in deaths stop at the emergence of the new variants, the south african variant, and we are hearing the kent variant has got another mutation itself, how worried should we be about all of this? because there are a lot of cases popping up in different parts england. there are. viruses do mutate so the fact this is happening should not come as a surprise. what we have heard today, yesterday it was about the south african variant, 11 cases being found in a variety of

different neighbourhoods that had no direct link to travel to south africa, which suggests community transmission. what we have heard todayis transmission. what we have heard today is that the virus which was already circulating in the uk may have gained some extra mutations, and these mutations are the e484k mutation, similar to the one we have seenin mutation, similar to the one we have seen in south africa and brazil, the concern is it may reduce the effectiveness of the vaccine. that doesn't mean it renders it completely ineffective, the level of protection is still considered good, butjust not protection is still considered good, but just not as protection is still considered good, butjust not as good as it was. the government is trying to slow the spread because we are at a very delicate point with the vaccine roll—out going quickly, vulnerable groups developing immunity and we don't want anything to interfere with that. 0nce immunity is built up

at the impact of these mutations is diluted. whilst we have to be very careful now, this does not spell the end of our way out of the pandemic. and in the future, we can re—engineer these vaccines relatively easily to make them more effective against these mutations so thatis effective against these mutations so that is also something that is possible in the future. you can tweak the _ possible in the future. you can tweak the vaccine. _ possible in the future. you can tweak the vaccine. 0k, - possible in the future. you can tweak the vaccine. 0k, thank l possible in the future. you can i tweak the vaccine. 0k, thank you very much indeed. breaking news coming in in the last few minutes, a court in moscow has ruled that kremlin critic alexei navalny should serve three and a half yearjail term for embezzlement. it was first imposed as a suspended sentence in 2014 and he has already served a year under house arrest which will be deducted from that total. he was a leader of the opposition movement in russia. he is in —— he has inspired a big protest in russia. this last weekend and the weekend

before, with thousands of his supporters being arrested. they have called for him to be freed from detention. he was subjected to that nerve agent attack, that novichok nerve agent attack, that novichok nerve agent attack, that novichok nerve agent attack. he said it was the work of the kremlin and vladimir putin and his agents, he was taken to germany for emergency medical treatment and then after he recovered, he returned to russia. and he has now been sentenced to three and a half years injailfor embezzlement. we will have much more on that as more details come in. for the moment, let's look at the weather forecast. treacherous conditions across the north of england and central and southern scotland because of the snow and ice risk with temperatures down to freezing on surfaces. the snow drifting around more because the wind is picking up. further south, slightly brighter, but with

plenty of showers packing in and a real temperature contrast from where we have got that rather wintry weather in the north to the heavy showers with a rumble of thunder in the south. we keep them milder in the south. we keep them milder in the south. we keep them milder in the south overnight, further showers, probably longer spells of rain, towards morning. this is pushing on toward southern areas. but we still have that continuation of the snow blowing around and still very icy as temperatures fall away. we start the day with rain are potentially in southern areas clearing to brightest raise and showers later. snow continues to fall particularly on the hills and blows around in that wind which will make it feel pretty bitter in the north.

hello, this is bbc news. the headlines: captain sir tom moore — who raised millions of pounds for the nhs during the pandemic by walking laps of his garden — has died.

the 100—year—old second world war veteran — who was knighted last year — had been in hospital battling pneumonia and covid—19. his family say he will stay alive "in their hearts". captain sir tom used his brief presence in the public eye to offer words of encouragement to a nation in lockdown. we shall be all 0k again. and to all those people who are finding it difficult at the moment, the sun will shine on you again and the clouds will go away. flags are lowered over downing street. borisjohnson describes captain sir tom as a "national inspiration", and a "beacon of hope for the world". the queen is to send a private message of condolence to his family, and says her thoughts are with them. the uk variant of coronavirus has mutated again — the health secretary says he's seen cases of concern in bristol and liverpool. meanwhile, 80,000 people in england are tested to stop the spread

of the virus variant from south africa. detained russian opposition leader alexei navalny has been given a three and a half year prison sentence on charges of embezzlement. let's continue our look back at the achievements of captain sir tom moore, whose death was announced this afternoon. at the age of 100. last year, 135,000 birthday cards for captain tom moore lined up at bedford school — it's where his 16—year—old grandson, benjie, would normally go to school. the head teacher of bedford school, james hodgson, joins me now. thank you so much for being with us. tell us first about the birthday cards. ., , ., ., , tell us first about the birthday cards. ., ., cards. thousands and thousands of them. it cards. thousands and thousands of them- it was _ cards. thousands and thousands of them. it was absolutely _ them. it was absolutely extraordinary. it was a massive outpouring of love, i think notjust

from the whole nation, from all around the world. we have got families here from all around the world because it is a boarding school and we had messages from all over the place. 135,000 cards, it was an amazing tribute to him at the time. and i think he hasjust stayed on everybody�*s hearts to be honest. your school has a special connection because his grandson benjie would normally be there. because his grandson ben'ie would normally be therei normally be there. yes, ben'ie has been here since i normally be there. yes, ben'ie has been here since yeari normally be there. yes, ben'ie has been here since year three. i normally be there. yes, benjie has been here since year three. and i normally be there. yes, benjie has| been here since year three. and he is now, hejust turned been here since year three. and he is now, he just turned 17. been here since year three. and he is now, hejust turned 17. he has been very much a permanent fixture here, he is an absolutely delightful boy. he would be so sad, he has been living with his grandfather all his life really. certainly, his sentient life. and i think not only will he miss him hugely, but he will look back certainly on this last year of his life with the most immense pride

and he has shown that i think all year. and he has shown that i think all ear. ~ . , . and he has shown that i think all ear. . ., , . , . year. we have been reflecting since we heard of— year. we have been reflecting since we heard of his _ year. we have been reflecting since we heard of his sad _ year. we have been reflecting since we heard of his sad death _ year. we have been reflecting since we heard of his sad death on i year. we have been reflecting since we heard of his sad death on what l year. we have been reflecting since. we heard of his sad death on what an amazing achievement he made, and quite a short period of time, captain sirtom, a quite a short period of time, captain sir tom, a national treasure by the end of his life really. what do you think he meant notjust adults in this country at a time of such pain and difficulty, but also to children?— such pain and difficulty, but also to children? ~ ~' , , to children? well, i think everybody loved him. to children? well, i think everybody loved him- it— to children? well, i think everybody loved him. it was _ to children? well, i think everybody loved him. it was very, _ to children? well, i think everybody loved him. it was very, very - to children? well, i think everybody loved him. it was very, very hard i loved him. it was very, very hard not to love him. and it was reciprocal. he loved people, too. that is what made him such an infectious personality in a sense, because he was such a beautiful man. so kind and generous and he had time for people. 0bviously, so kind and generous and he had time for people. obviously, it is a shame we only got to know him in the last year when we were not able to get to know him very well, but the boys he is certainly in that they were just in awe of him, they loved him and they took him to their hearts just like many children around the whole country did. find

like many children around the whole country did-— like many children around the whole country did. and those values are so im ortant country did. and those values are so important i — country did. and those values are so important i suppose _ country did. and those values are so important i suppose when _ country did. and those values are so important i suppose when you i country did. and those values are so important i suppose when you are i important i suppose when you are bringing up children and teaching children, the values he embodied, kindness, generosity and so on as you have been mentioning. without a doubt. in service _ you have been mentioning. without a doubt. in service to _ you have been mentioning. without a doubt. in service to us, _ you have been mentioning. without a doubt. in service to us, too. - you have been mentioning. without a doubt. in service to us, too. he i doubt. in service to us, too. he knew that he had been place in a lucky position —— and service to other people. at a pivotal moment. and he was determined to make the most of that notjust and he was determined to make the most of that not just for and he was determined to make the most of that notjust for him, but for other people, he loved people. and i think the boys learnt a lot from that, we had a lot of assemblies about it, i can tell you. james, thank you so much for being with us and sharing your memories, james hodgson, head teacher of bedford school, thank you for your time. tributes have been coming in since we broke the news of captain sir tom's death. we have got one in from the defence secretary ben wallace.

he says, in national emergencies, ordinary people do extraordinary things and inspire us all to pull together to overcome adversity. the few will have heard of captain sir tom before this crisis, but his contribution and example now live on in us all. we have also heard from the prime minister who, in the last few minutes, has released this video on twitter in which he paid tribute to captain sirtom. on twitter in which he paid tribute to captain sir tom.— on twitter in which he paid tribute to captain sir tom. captain sir tom moore was — to captain sir tom. captain sir tom moore was a _ to captain sir tom. captain sir tom moore was a hero _ to captain sir tom. captain sir tom moore was a hero in _ to captain sir tom. captain sir tom moore was a hero in the _ to captain sir tom. captain sir tom moore was a hero in the truest i to captain sir tom. captain sir tom i moore was a hero in the truest sense of the word. in the dark days of the second world war, he fought for freedom and in the face of this country's deepest post—war crisis, he united us all. he cheered us all “p he united us all. he cheered us all up and he embodied the triumph of the human spirit. it is quite astonishing that at the age of 400, he raised more than £32 million for the nhs, on his own. and so gave countless others their own chance to thank the extraordinary men and

women who have protected us throughout this pandemic. he became notjust national inspiration, but a beacon of hope for the world. our thoughts today are with his daughter hannah and all his family, and his legacy will long live after him. that statement from boris johnson. in which he paid tribute to captain sir tom, whose death has been announced this afternoon at the age of 100, after an extraordinary life. and a statement from his family said that in the last few days, they were able to be with him in hospital in bedford to reflect upon his amazing achievements over the last year. and we just saw that statement from the prime minister and these are the flags in downing street flying at half mast tonight in tribute to captain sirtom. you

half mast tonight in tribute to captain sir tom. you are watching bbc news. let's talk about the situation in northern ireland. checks on food arriving at the ports of belfast and larne have been suspended for fears for safety to staff working there. goods are arriving under the terms of the brexit deal but graffiti opposing the checks has appeared in some loyalist areas and our correspondent chris pages at the port of larne right now. how worried are politicians in northern ireland and the police about what has happened there? == the police about what has happened there? , ., ., . ., , ., there? -- chris page. politicians of all shades northern _ there? -- chris page. politicians of all shades northern ireland - there? -- chris page. politicians of all shades northern ireland have i all shades northern ireland have strongly condemned the threats which have seen staff withdrawn from inspection duties at larne port and belfast port. the cheques have been happening since new year's day as a result of the part of the brexit deal known as the northern ireland protocol which means northern

ireland stays in the eu single market for goods and the rest of the uk has left. the point that was to mean there was no need for checks on the land border with the irish republic. but unionists have strongly criticised the protocol and said it amounts to an economic border between this part of the uk and england, scotland and wales. graffiti appeared here in larne recently that's it workers involved in inspections were targets and workers themselves had raised concerns that some people were perhaps gathering personal information. police have said they are concerned about rising tensions in the loyalist communities, but a senior officer said today he doesn't believe loyalist paramilitary groups are involved in this intimidation. thank you for that, i will let you get into the dry because it is bucketing down. thank you very much indeed. deaths caused by alcohol hit a new high during the first nine months of 2020, provisionalfigures

for england and wales show. between january and september 2020, 5,460 deaths were registered with alcohol as the cause. that is a 16% increase from the same months in 2019, and the biggest death toll recorded since the records began in 2001. i'm joined now byjulie breslin, who's head of programme at the drink wise, age well charity. thank you very much for being with us. and that is quite a shocking figure, although in some ways, people will not be surprised because there have been a lot of reports of increased alcohol consumption during the pandemic. increased alcohol consumption during the pandemic-— the pandemic. certainly, the figures are alwa s the pandemic. certainly, the figures are always very _ the pandemic. certainly, the figures are always very tragic _ the pandemic. certainly, the figures are always very tragic when - the pandemic. certainly, the figures are always very tragic when we i the pandemic. certainly, the figures are always very tragic when we see l the pandemic. certainly, the figures are always very tragic whl this, see l we haven't ones behind the numbers. we haven't quite understood the spike we have seenin quite understood the spike we have seen in 2020 and i don't think we

can necessarily put that down to covid because alcohol specific deaths, very often, they are the result of an accumulation of harm over a period of time. so we would not have seen that period of time happening as quickly as we would have in relation to the pandemic to really explain why we have seen such a spike. i really explain why we have seen such a sike. ., ., a spike. i gather from the statistics _ a spike. i gather from the statistics that _ a spike. i gather from the statistics that people i a spike. i gather from the | statistics that people aged a spike. i gather from the - statistics that people aged between 55 and 64 are particularly badly affected. what, setting aside covid and coronavirus, what are the factors leading to so many deaths, do you think? this factors leading to so many deaths, do you think?— factors leading to so many deaths, do you think? this has been a trend we have seen _ do you think? this has been a trend we have seen a _ do you think? this has been a trend we have seen a significant - do you think? this has been a trend we have seen a significant increase | we have seen a significant increase of deaths people —— in people aged 55 to 79 since 2001. we are seeing people taking heavy drinking cultures into later life, so people that alcohol would have become much more acceptable and available in the

19705 more acceptable and available in the 1970s and 1980s and that behaviour is continuing into middle age. we also will have a core group of people who had been drinking problematically for a long time and they are starting to experience negative health results as a result of that. we also see about one in three people who are problem drinkers aged over 65 and they are late onset drinkers, which means life transitions like retirement, bereavement or a loss of sense of purpose, and so their alcohol use may increase, which is very important around the time of the pandemic and lock down because we will see similarfactors pandemic and lock down because we will see similar factors affecting people. will see similar factors affecting --eole. . will see similar factors affecting eo le, ., , , will see similar factors affecting ..eole, ., , , ., will see similar factors affecting n-eole. ., , ,., will see similar factors affecting n-eole. ., , ., people. that sets out the scale of the problem. _ people. that sets out the scale of the problem, let's— people. that sets out the scale of the problem, let's talk— people. that sets out the scale of the problem, let's talk about i people. that sets out the scale of the problem, let's talk about the | the problem, let's talk about the solutions in a nutshell, what would you like to see changed? currently, four out of— you like to see changed? currently, four out of five _ you like to see changed? currently, four out of five people _ you like to see changed? currently, four out of five people who - you like to see changed? currently, four out of five people who are i four out of five people who are alcohol —dependent are not in alcohol —dependent are not in alcohol treatment so firstly, we need to make alcohol support treatment much more accessible and we need to fund it and have a public

health, wider public health approach to that so people can get help when they need it. there is wider policy issues we need to consider around things like minimum unit pricing and accessibility to alcohol that need to be addressed. we also need to reduce the stigma around alcohol problems and make sure people know it is ok to come forward and get help. our it is ok to come forward and get help. 0urwebsite it is ok to come forward and get help. our website has got a web chat service and we have helplines available to people. so if anybody is looking to access a bit of advice or support around alcohol use, they can contact us. ker; or support around alcohol use, they can contact us— can contact us. key very much indeed, julie _ can contact us. key very much indeed, julie breslin, - can contact us. key very much indeed, julie breslin, with i can contact us. key very much l indeed, julie breslin, with those very worrying figures on alcohol deaths —— thank you very much. julie breslin, thank you for your time. scotland's first minister nicola sturgeon, has announced that lockdown in the scottish mainland will continue until the end of february, and that pupils will begin a phased return to school from 22nd february,

with the youngest going back to the classroom first. she also said a system of "managed quarantine" would be introduced for anyone arriving directly into scotland from overseas. the firm view of the scottish government is in order to minimise the risk of new strains coming into the risk of new strains coming into the country, managed quarantine must be much more comprehensive. i can therefore confirm to date we intend to introduce a managed quarantine requirement for anyone who arrives to directly into scotland's regardless of which country they have come from. 0bviously, regardless of which country they have come from. obviously, we cannot unilaterally implement immediate managed quarantine for people who arrive in other parts of the uk before travelling on to scotland so we will continue to urge the uk government to adopt a similar comprehensive approach. however, if they don't wish to do so as is entirely their prerogative, we will ask them to work with us to reduce the risk among people travelling to scotland via ports elsewhere in the uk and we will set out more detail of how and exactly when the managed

quarantine system will be operational as soon as possible. nicola sturgeon. the united states has threatened to impose sanctions on myanmar after a military coup. troops are on the streets of the capital and the biggest city where a curfew has been put in place. the army stationed at key checkpoints around the country's parliaments and main roads have been blocked. the main roads have been blocked. the main international airport has also been closed down. we have this report from bangkok. all along the oversize boulevards of myanmar�*s capital, so to still make their presence felt a day after seizing power. this city was built by the military as its own citadel, in the days before it allowed myanmar�*s democratic experiment to begin, and experiment it has abruptly halted. somewhere behind these army units, dozens of elected politicians are still being detained. among them, aung san suu kyi, who —— whose enduring

popularity was able to win her party a decisive victoryjust three months ago. she has not been seen since she was detained. in the main commercial city, a stronghold of her party, there were few signs of open opposition to a coup which caught most by surprise. but there is plenty of anger over what many see as a cynical power grab by the burmese generals. translation: i burmese generals. translation: ., ., , translation: i thought the military would step back _ translation: i thought the military would step back after _ translation: i thought the military would step back after it _ translation: i thought the military would step back after it happened. i would step back after it happened. the duty of the military is to protect the country, not to relate. translation: we protect the country, not to relate. translation:— protect the country, not to relate. translation: ~ ., , ., translation: we can only say we are ve sor translation: we can only say we are very sorry about — translation: we can only say we are very sorry about what _ translation: we can only say we are very sorry about what has _ translation: we can only say we are very sorry about what has happened, l very sorry about what has happened, but i do not say we cannot accept the coup. but i do not say we cannot accept the cou -. �* the coup. the new biden administration _ the coup. the new biden administration in - the coup. the new biden i administration in washington the coup. the new biden - administration in washington has joined a chorus of western disapproval and is britain's new sanctions. the response from myanmar�*s neighbours has been more muted, notably from china.

translation:— muted, notably from china. translation: ., , ., , translation: china is a friendly neiuhbour translation: china is a friendly neighbour of _ translation: china is a friendly neighbour of myanmar _ translation: china is a friendly neighbour of myanmar we i translation: china is a friendly neighbour of myanmar we hope l translation: china is a friendly i neighbour of myanmar we hope that all parties in myanmar will properly handle their differences under the constitution and within the legal framework to maintain political and social stability. imilly framework to maintain political and social stability.— social stability. with diplomatic cover from _ social stability. with diplomatic cover from china, _ social stability. with diplomatic cover from china, there - social stability. with diplomatic cover from china, there is i social stability. with diplomatic cover from china, there is little coverfrom china, there is little international pressure can do to make the military change course. it's coup risks dragging myanmar back to a darker age of oppression and international isolation. the generals don't appear to care. buy now pay later agreements which let customers burrow interest free in shops will be regulated. the financial watchdog says the deals allows people to build up debt and many are already in arrears elsewhere. 5 million people in the uk used the arrangements buying goods worth more than £2 million.

slick marketing and celebrity endorsements, promising a repayment plan that is hassle—free. but the financial regulator is not convinced. it says there is a significant risk that by now pay later projects could harm vulnerable consumers such as lower earners and they need to be regulated. i consumers such as lower earners and they need to be regulated.— they need to be regulated. i didn't have the money _ they need to be regulated. i didn't have the money my _ they need to be regulated. i didn't have the money my bank - they need to be regulated. i didn't have the money my bank at i they need to be regulated. i didn't have the money my bank at that i they need to be regulated. i didn't i have the money my bank at that point so i thought, if i can pay for it in a couple of months, i can put it to the back of my head. i have done it numerous times before and never had an issue, but on this occasion, i didn't make the payment on splitting payments at the checkout is proving hugely popular. last payments at the checkout is proving hugely popular-— hugely popular. last year, the industry quadrupled _ hugely popular. last year, the industry quadrupled in - hugely popular. last year, the industry quadrupled in size i hugely popular. last year, the | industry quadrupled in size and hugely popular. last year, the i industry quadrupled in size and is now worth £2.73 a year. the main providers are clearpay and swedish firm klarna, and they have 5 million uk users. big—name retailers such as marks & spencer is, asus and jd sports have embraced the products,

unsurprising when one study found nearly a quarter of users spend more than they planned.— than they planned. people say, i have exhausted _ than they planned. people say, i have exhausted the _ than they planned. people say, i have exhausted the credit i i than they planned. people say, i have exhausted the credit i can i than they planned. people say, i i have exhausted the credit i can get with one _ have exhausted the credit i can get with one by now pay later lender, it's ok. _ with one by now pay later lender, it's ok. i— with one by now pay later lender, it's ok, i will go on to the next one _ it's ok, i will go on to the next one so — it's ok, i will go on to the next one so it— it's ok, i will go on to the next one so it is— it's ok, i will go on to the next one. so it is pretty easy although each _ one. so it is pretty easy although each lender only expends —— extends £200 _ each lender only expends —— extends £200 of— each lender only expends —— extends £200 of credit each, easy for a consumer— £200 of credit each, easy for a consumer to rack up something much more _ consumer to rack up something much more like _ consumer to rack up something much more like £1000.— consumer to rack up something much more like £1000. missed payments can lead to debt collectors _ more like £1000. missed payments can lead to debt collectors getting - lead to debt collectors getting involved, but then to say they offer a cheaper alternative to credit cards or overd rafts. a cheaper alternative to credit cards or overdrafts. we a cheaper alternative to credit cards or overdrafts. we already have in lace cards or overdrafts. we already have in place robust _ cards or overdrafts. we already have in place robust eligibility _ cards or overdrafts. we already have in place robust eligibility checks i in place robust eligibility checks and additional— in place robust eligibility checks and additional affordability i in place robust eligibility checks i and additional affordability checks to make _ and additional affordability checks to make sure _ and additional affordability checks to make sure consumers- and additional affordability checks to make sure consumers are i to make sure consumers are protected _ to make sure consumers are protectfli but_ to make sure consumers are protected. but there - to make sure consumers are protected. but there is - to make sure consumers arei protected. but there is more to make sure consumers are - protected. but there is more that we can do— protected. but there is more that we can do across — protected. but there is more that we can do across the _ protected. but there is more that we can do across the industry, - protected. but there is more that we can do across the industry, we - protected. but there is more that we can do across the industry, we are i can do across the industry, we are working _ can do across the industry, we are working with — can do across the industry, we are working with the _ can do across the industry, we are working with the credit _ can do across the industry, we are working with the credit reference. working with the credit reference agencies — working with the credit reference agencies to— working with the credit reference agencies to ensure _ working with the credit reference agencies to ensure that - working with the credit reference agencies to ensure that there - working with the credit reference agencies to ensure that there isi agencies to ensure that there is visibility— agencies to ensure that there is visibility of _ agencies to ensure that there is visibility of buy— agencies to ensure that there is visibility of buy now _ agencies to ensure that there is visibility of buy now pay - agencies to ensure that there is visibility of buy now pay later. visibility of buy now pay later products _ visibility of buy now pay later products across _ visibility of buy now pay later products across providers. i visibility of buy now pay later products across providers. some consumers _ products across providers. some consumers have _ products across providers. some consumers have decided - products across providers. some consumers have decided it - products across providers. some consumers have decided it is - products across providers.“ consumers have decided it is simpler to pay upfront. more? consumers have decided it is simpler to pay upfront-— to pay upfront. now if i want to buy something. — to pay upfront. now if i want to buy something. i— to pay upfront. now if i want to buy something, i know _ to pay upfront. now if i want to buy

something, i know i _ to pay upfront. now if i want to buy something, i know i have _ to pay upfront. now if i want to buy something, i know i have got - to pay upfront. now if i want to buy something, i know i have got the i something, i know i have got the money for it and i prefer to just pay it outstanding so i don't have that debt or the idea i have got to owe something.— that debt or the idea i have got to owe something. there is pressure on the government _ owe something. there is pressure on the government to _ owe something. there is pressure on the government to act _ owe something. there is pressure on the government to act quickly, - owe something. there is pressure on the government to act quickly, given| the government to act quickly, given the government to act quickly, given the speed with which this predominantly younger market is growing. the weather is coming up in a moment and george will be here with the news at six o'clock. one more story first. the hundreds of schools have been closed and travel has been disrupted after heavy snow fell across parts of northern england. it has also led to the cancellation of coronavirus vaccinations in some areas. a number wore their warning has been issued by the met office signed up to six inches of snow could fall on higher ground. —— an amber weather warning. the snow started before dawn this evening in some areas. on the 62 where it climbs over the pennines, a

jackknifed lorry blocked the eastbound carriageway on the greater manchester side. despite lighter traffic than normal, there were numerous accidents and road closures. the roads were far from empty. this was the view from the cab of the snow pile near huddersfield. you can't clear the roads if you can't get through. a large part of northern england is affected. the snow is forecast to turn to rain later, but weather warnings are in place for here in scotland until midnight. hilly roads in leeds proved too much of a challenge for some vehicles. local authorities across the north appealed to people to stay at home. those who could not get to their vaccine appointments were assured they wouldn't miss the opportunity to have their injection. late morning in this part of north yorkshire and the unscientific measurement of the snow depth is somewhere between 11 centimetres. normally, this sort of weather would

close schools and stop people getting to work, but because of covid restrictions, most pupils are learning at home and most adults are not going anywhere either, so the problems are not as bad as they normally would be. online learning means there is no chance of an old—fashioned snow day for school pupils. lessons carried on as normal. eating into valuable sledging time. this appears to be the most widespread and heaviest snow of the winter so far. there is the possibility of more to come later this week. definitely, then, not the weather for unicycles. still treacherous conditions with snow coming down and blowing in a stronger wind that is picking up and it will be quite icy, warnings on the website. we have this battle

between mail at landcare coming and that happened yesterday. bumping into this cold arctic air. but gradually as low pressure becomes slow—moving in the north, winds coming from the east and pushing southwards and it pushes the colder air and we lose that mild debt in southern areas by the end of the week and the weekend. any further mild air is pushed to the south. for all parts, it is going to get colder. as the week progresses. most definitely by the weekend. for the rest of today, snow coming down with centimetres at lower levels. still across the north of england, the hills of northern ireland and central and southern scotland. the wind is a feature, increasing wind blowing the snow around. the temperature is close to freezing at the surface, it will be icy, too. a different story further south, much milder air throwing in showers, that progresses into parts of northern ireland. towards the end of the

afternoon. it will be mostly snow on the hills here. there is a contest, and that continues through tonight so the snow risk continues for scotland even at lower levels, the far north east of england. that next area of showers bumps into that cold air that renews the risk of more snow. in the south, we have another area of wet weather we are watching. there is some uncertainty as to the detail of where this will go, but it could push its way across southern parts of the uk through the latter parts of the uk through the latter part of tonight into tomorrow morning. onto saturated ground. that is not good news. further north, slightly milder air pushes and across northern ireland and northern england so we see a snow melt at lower levels. a continued risk over the hills, particularly in scotland. so that snow melt and that rain will feed into the river systems and there are numerous flood warnings in force with more showery rain coming later. but temperatures are a little bit down in southern areas by that stage, despite a bit more sunshine

and they dip away as we go through the week. the warnings are on the website.

today at six... captain sir tom moore has died in hospital with the coronavirus. a national treasure — he raised more than 30 million for the nhs last april — 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday. he was knighted injuly, the queen led tributes this afternoon — while borisjohnson said he'd united the nation. captain sirtom captain sir tom moore was a heroine in the word. in the dark days of the second world war fought for freedom and in the face of this country's deepest post—war crisis, he united us all. also tonight... scientists say the coronavirus has mutated again in the uk. new strains have been discovered in liverpool and bristol —

scientists say vaccinations remain crucial.