men's and it's going same day as the men's and it's going to look like a different tournament, a different format to what we've seen kicking off on saturday with the men. it seen kicking off on saturday with the men. , , . the men. it will still be cool with the men. it will still be cool with the women's _ the men. it will still be cool with the women's at _ the men. it will still be cool with the women's at six _ the men. it will still be cool with the women's at six nations, - the men. it will still be cool with the women's at six nations, so l the men. it will still be cool with l the women's at six nations, so the six countries will be split into two pools of three. whoever finishes top of both will play off in the finals weekend along with fifth and six. so the knock on effect is when they do actually lose two fixtures in their calendar, i think this year with covid, i don't think that will upset too many people, but i think long—term, that will be a concern that pictures are being taken away for the women. it does add a bit of extra excitement that there will be this big climax to the whole tournament, but there'll be a lot of things to be reviewed to see what can be taken forward and what will

ultimately be left behind.- ultimately be left behind. sarah, thank ou ultimately be left behind. sarah, thank you very — ultimately be left behind. sarah, thank you very much. _ it's social media companies could face heavy fines, if they fail to tackle on—line racist abuse towards footballers. people should not have to put up with racist abuse under any circumstances. footballers should not have to take it as a price of doing theirjob, and it's clear that we need to step up as a society and in terms of the reaction. itjust... apart from being personally wrong, itjust really apart from being personally wrong, it just really gets apart from being personally wrong, itjust really gets them down. you wouldn't expect to doing yourjob to

put up with that level of abuse, and they shouldn't have to either. i generally think social media compline these —— companies, if they fail to enforce and stand up to their duty of care, and we will impose fines and will impose very large fines indeed, for these social media companies. let's turn to tonight's games now, and quite a few are already underway. premier league leaders manchester city are at burnely this evening. it's approaching half time in both those games. three more still to kick off later on, including liverpool at home against brighton. scotland have the lead against ross county. rangers play at saint johnston later on. chelsea women have reached the final of the fa league cup after thrashing west ham. they will play either bristol city

or leicester city in the final with those teams playing each other later tonight. women's non—league football in england is currently suspended due to the pandemic, as it's considered non—elite sport. only the top two tiers have been allowed to continue. it's having a major effect on players' physical and mental health. sarah mulkerrins has been talking to some of those affected. our situation, we are in the fourth tier in the national women's league. we arejust not tier in the national women's league. we are just not playing football at the minute. we've not heard anything from the league whatsoever, so we're just sort of really uncertain of when we're going back, if we will go back. at this is sort of having an effect on the well—being of our players in our club. we effect on the well-being of our players in our club.— effect on the well-being of our players in our club. we are in the same situation. _ players in our club. we are in the same situation. our— players in our club. we are in the same situation. our last - players in our club. we are in the same situation. our last game i players in our club. we are in the same situation. our last game is| same situation. our last game is around _ same situation. our last game is around the — same situation. our last game is around the 15th of december. i think it stretches — around the 15th of december. i think it stretches far beyond just football now. i think we're talking

about— football now. i think we're talking about player welfare and mentality and mental health. my about player welfare and mentality and mental health.— and mental health. my local glass loo -s and mental health. my local glass loops football _ and mental health. my local glass loops football club _ and mental health. my local glass loops football club -- _ and mental health. my local glass loops football club -- grassroots. | and mental health. my local glass| loops football club -- grassroots. i loops football club —— grassroots. i think— loops football club —— grassroots. i think sometimes— loops football club —— grassroots. i think sometimes that's _ loops football club —— grassroots. i think sometimes that's the - loops football club —— grassroots. i. think sometimes that's the highlight of the _ think sometimes that's the highlight of the children's _ think sometimes that's the highlight of the children's week. _ think sometimes that's the highlight of the children's week. going - think sometimes that's the highlight of the children's week. going and i of the children's week. going and socialising — of the children's week. going and socialising with— of the children's week. going and socialising with the _ of the children's week. going and socialising with the team - of the children's week. going and socialising with the team and - of the children's week. going and | socialising with the team and with friends _ socialising with the team and with friends. ., ., , ., socialising with the team and with friends. ., . , ., , socialising with the team and with friends. ., ., , ., , ., friends. how are you trying to manaue friends. how are you trying to manage a _ friends. how are you trying to manage a team _ friends. how are you trying to manage a team like _ friends. how are you trying to manage a team like this? - friends. how are you trying to manage a team like this? it's| friends. how are you trying to - manage a team like this? it's been difficult. manage a team like this? it's been difficult- we _ manage a team like this? it's been difficult. we go _ manage a team like this? it's been difficult. we go right _ manage a team like this? it's been difficult. we go right the _ manage a team like this? it's been difficult. we go right the way - manage a team like this? it's been difficult. we go right the way back| difficult. we go right the way back to the _ difficult. we go right the way back to the start of the pandemic. i think— to the start of the pandemic. i think we — to the start of the pandemic. i think we need one more to win the league _ think we need one more to win the league and — think we need one more to win the league and progress, so to have that taken _ league and progress, so to have that taken away— league and progress, so to have that taken away was a killer. some players — taken away was a killer. some players are really not in a good place _ players are really not in a good place at — players are really not in a good place at the minute. it's like a constant — place at the minute. it's like a constant uphill battle. these

girism — constant uphill battle. these girls... they want to be professional footballer 's and to constantly get cast aside like they are, i_ constantly get cast aside like they are, i think it's really poor. what ou think are, i think it's really poor. what you think it _ are, i think it's really poor. what you think it would _ are, i think it's really poor. what you think it would do _ are, i think it's really poor. what you think it would do to - are, i think it's really poor. what you think it would do to you - are, i think it's really poor. lariat you think it would do to you guys if the season was null and void as well? what sort of message you think that would send? i well? what sort of message you think that would send?— that would send? i think it's beyond the message _ that would send? i think it's beyond the message it _ that would send? i think it's beyond the message it would _ that would send? i think it's beyond the message it would send - that would send? i think it's beyond the message it would send to - that would send? i think it's beyond the message it would send to me i that would send? i think it's beyond i the message it would send to me and my players _ the message it would send to me and my players. i think the message it sends— my players. i think the message it sends to _ my players. i think the message it sends to clubs across the uk. you try to _ sends to clubs across the uk. you try to sell— sends to clubs across the uk. you try to sell to — sends to clubs across the uk. you try to sell to the club. the female game _ try to sell to the club. the female game is _ try to sell to the club. the female game is worth back in and we're all trying _ game is worth back in and we're all trying to— game is worth back in and we're all trying to strive in the right way for the — trying to strive in the right way for the game year on year. but to completely— for the game year on year. but to completely lose two years, what does that say— completely lose two years, what does that say to _ completely lose two years, what does that say to these people who are fully in— that say to these people who are fully in the programme? what would ou like to fully in the programme? what would you like to see _ fully in the programme? what would you like to see happen _ fully in the programme? what would you like to see happen in _ fully in the programme? what would you like to see happen in the - fully in the programme? what would you like to see happen in the next i you like to see happen in the next couple of months? just you like to see happen in the next couple of months?— you like to see happen in the next couple of months? just a bit more clari of couple of months? just a bit more clarity of when _ couple of months? just a bit more clarity of when we _ couple of months? just a bit more clarity of when we will _ couple of months? just a bit more clarity of when we will be - couple of months? just a bit more clarity of when we will be back. i l clarity of when we will be back. i think that will give us as a squad

something to work towards. the bi est something to work towards. the biggest factor is trying to get the -irls biggest factor is trying to get the girls to _ biggest factor is trying to get the girls to stay _ biggest factor is trying to get the girls to stay as _ biggest factor is trying to get the girls to stay as much _ biggest factor is trying to get the girls to stay as much as - biggest factor is trying to get the girls to stay as much as you i biggest factor is trying to get the girls to stay as much as you can, j girls to stay as much as you can, whereas— girls to stay as much as you can, whereas boys, _ girls to stay as much as you can, whereas boys, i_ girls to stay as much as you can, whereas boys, i think— girls to stay as much as you can, whereas boys, i think it's- girls to stay as much as you can, whereas boys, i think it's quite l whereas boys, i think it's quite difficult — whereas boys, i think it's quite difficult to _ whereas boys, i think it's quite difficult to find _ whereas boys, i think it's quite difficult to find girls _ whereas boys, i think it's quite difficult to find girls that - whereas boys, i think it's quite difficult to find girls that enjoy| difficult to find girls that enjoy football — difficult to find girls that enjoy football and _ difficult to find girls that enjoy football and play _ difficult to find girls that enjoy football and play football. i. difficult to find girls that enjoy i football and play football. i think trying _ football and play football. i think trying to — football and play football. i think trying to keep _ football and play football. i think trying to keep the _ football and play football. i think trying to keep the girls' - football and play football. i think trying to keep the girls' interestl trying to keep the girls' interest in the _ trying to keep the girls' interest in the hardest _ trying to keep the girls' interest in the hardest thing. _ trying to keep the girls' interest in the hardest thing. [5 - trying to keep the girls' interest in the hardest thing.— in the hardest thing. is about caettin in the hardest thing. is about getting female _ in the hardest thing. is about getting female players i in the hardest thing. is about getting female players backi in the hardest thing. is about i getting female players back on the grass _ getting female players back on the grass. there are some drastic female players _ grass. there are some drastic female players in _ grass. there are some drastic female players in the national league and the tears _ players in the national league and the tears below. we've got international players who currently can't play — international players who currently can't play football, and that's beyond — can't play football, and that's beyond fair. i thinkjust a bit of consistency and clarity, just give these _ consistency and clarity, just give these girls an opportunity to play like they— these girls an opportunity to play like they want. we have asked the fa for a response and they sent us this:

let's take a look at some of the other sports stories making the headlines this evening. british cyclist tao geoghegan hart won't be defending his giro he will be defending his title. wigan warriors forward george burgess has left the club on medical grounds. the england international signed last year from australian side south sydney rabbitohs, but a persistent hip injury meant he only played eight times for wigan and he needs surgery. and after romain grosjean was burned in that horrific crash at the bahrain grand prix, he says his burns are almost healed and he's moving into indycar racing. he'll drive for dale coyne racing the usa, but not at the more dangerous ovals for the sake of his family.

finally, you'll remember the exciting finish to the vendee globe yacht race we brought you last week on sport today. clarisse cremer has broken the race record for a female skipper, which was held by britain's dame ellen macarthur for 20 years. she's been at sea for over seven days —— 87 days. we had confirmation of the story we brought you last night. england's test series against india will be broadcast on channel 4 after a last—minute deal was made over a right. more on the bbc sport website. from me, it's goodbye.

hello, good evening. you're watching bbc news. let's recap what we've been hearing this afternoon in the downing street briefing, led by borisjohnson alongside professor chris whitty, england's chief medical officer. borisjohnson confirmed the milestone passed earlier today, with more than 10 million people now having received their first dose of the vaccine. the prime minister said that vaccination milestone includes 90% of those aged 75 and over in england. borisjohnson said the rate of new cases is "alarmingly high", with 32,000 people still in hospital and a further 1,322 having died in the last 2a hours. professor chris whitty warned that the the number of deaths will "stay high for quite some time". turning to the number of people who have received a vaccine, professor whitty says this is "steadily increasing" in all four nations in the uk. we can speak now to the shadow health secretaryjonathan ashworth. good evening to you, mr ashworth.

some of the information ijust read out, 10 million people have now had their first dose of the vaccine. we know that there is data showing that the oxford vaccine reduces transmission, and there are also jabs being developed that might tackle variance by the autumn. 0verall, quite a good news day, isn't it? overall, quite a good news day, isn't it? ~ . ., , overall, quite a good news day, isn't it? ~ . . , , isn't it? well, it certainly hugely impressive. _ isn't it? well, it certainly hugely impressive, 10 _ isn't it? well, it certainly hugely impressive, 10 million _ isn't it? well, it certainly hugely impressive, 10 million vaccines l isn't it? well, it certainly hugely i impressive, 10 million vaccines have been administered. well done to the national health service for how they are getting on. it really is a success story. let's ensure they keep going and continue to get the resources to do it. the news about the vaccines stopping transmission is important, but hopefully it means we will be able to move beyond lockdown restrictions we're in. if we start vaccinating key workers in society who are mixing more, that should also have an impact on reducing the overall spread of the virus. but of course the virus of

the moment still remains dangerously high, still hundreds and hundreds of people dying every day. those death rates still awfully tragically high, so the lockdown has to continue and we also need to fix all the holes in our defences. we're still not paying people decent sick pay and isolation support. newsnight exposed this last night quite powerfully. if we want to get on top of the virus, if you're sick with covid, you need to be given the financial support to stay at home. government is still not doing that sadly. fine stay at home. government is still not doing that sadly.— not doing that sadly. one of the other tools _ not doing that sadly. one of the other tools that _ not doing that sadly. one of the other tools that is _ not doing that sadly. one of the other tools that is being - not doing that sadly. one of the other tools that is being talked | other tools that is being talked about is hotel quarantine for travellers. how would a labour approach that? are you in favour of that? i approach that? are you in favour of that? 4' approach that? are you in favour of that? ~ , ., ., that? i think you need to essentially _ that? i think you need to essentially take - that? i think you need to essentially take tougher| that? i think you need to i essentially take tougher action that? i think you need to - essentially take tougher action at

the borders —— i think we need to. schools are close and borders are opened. i think we should be quarantine people who come into the country. it's human bodies who bring this virus into the country, i think people would have to quarantine hotels. the government are planning to quarantine some people, but it doesn't kick into dude —— kick in until the 15th of february. doesn't kick into dude -- kick in until the 15th of february.- doesn't kick into dude -- kick in until the 15th of february. sorry to interru t. until the 15th of february. sorry to interrupt- at _ until the 15th of february. sorry to interrupt. at the _ until the 15th of february. sorry to interrupt. at the moment, - until the 15th of february. sorry to interrupt. at the moment, the i until the 15th of february. sorry to i interrupt. at the moment, the policy is for people to have to pay for their own hotel stay. would you make travellers pay hotel costs? i their own hotel stay. would you make travellers pay hotel costs?— travellers pay hotel costs? i think --eole travellers pay hotel costs? i think people who _ travellers pay hotel costs? i think people who are... _ travellers pay hotel costs? i think people who are... most _ travellers pay hotel costs? i think people who are... most people i travellers pay hotel costs? i think- people who are... most people should not be doing international travel, that's the first thing.— that's the first thing. sadly, eo - le that's the first thing. sadly, people are _ that's the first thing. sadly, people are trying _ that's the first thing. sadly, people are trying to - that's the first thing. sadly, people are trying to come i that's the first thing. sadly, i people are trying to come out to that's the first thing. sadly, - people are trying to come out to the country... i’m people are trying to come out to the count �* . . ,

country... i'm afraid there will be that obligation _ country... i'm afraid there will be that obligation on _ country... i'm afraid there will be that obligation on people, - country... i'm afraid there will be that obligation on people, and i country... i'm afraid there will be i that obligation on people, and that is understandable, but other countries across the world are taking far touch her mother �*s —— far tougher measures, like australia. they are doing very well at preventing the virus. they have far lower death rates than we have. although australia is not an international hub. sorry to cut across you, but making the point. they have other geographic advantages. the point is other nation are taking tougher action. the government are moving towards it, but it doesn't kick in until the 14th or 15th of february. i think the government need to get onto it —— get on with it. 5ir the government need to get onto it -- get on with it— -- get on with it. sir keir starmer toda he -- get on with it. sir keir starmer today he thought _ -- get on with it. sir keir starmer today he thought the _ -- get on with it. sir keir starmer today he thought the prime i -- get on with it. sir keir starmer. today he thought the prime minister was falsely accusing him of wanting to be part of the eu vaccination scheme, but he's had to apologise.

borisjohnson was talking about the medical agency trying to conflate that with the european vaccines to current. keir starmer was saying he's never wanted to join that, but he's never wanted to join that, but he was referring to the vaccine. but i tell you what, i think it's a good thing. if a politician makes a mistake like keir starmer did, he said i got that wrong, i think that's refreshing. i wish more politicians would do that. thank you ve much politicians would do that. thank you very much indeed. _ politicians would do that. thank you very much indeed. jonathan - politicians would do that. thank you i very much indeed. jonathan ashworth, labour's health spokesman. you're watching bbc news.