this is bbc news. these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. as ten million people receive their first covid jab across the uk, a trial is launched to look at the impact of having different vaccines for the first and second dose. it will hopefully maintain the uk at the forefront of research into covid vaccines. we are very proud of our track record, obviously, on the vaccine task force and the deployment programme. this is another part of the armoury. with pressure growing to ease lockdown restrictions in the uk, a scientist advising the government says things could be more or less back to normal for the summer. what do you think about the restrictions where you are? if you'd like to get in touch about that or any of our stories you can contact us on twitter

@annita—mcveigh or #bbcyourquestions the us state department calls for "serious consequences" for china after a bbc report alleging women were systemically raped and tortured in uighur camps. but china calls it �*lies and disinformation�*. the uk and eu agree to work intensively to sort out problems with post—brexit trade in northern ireland. myanmar�*s military blocks facebook after protests continue to spread against monday's military coup. and coming up this hour: tennis officials say the australian open will start as planned on monday, despite hundreds of players and staff being forced to isolate again in melbourne.

hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. a new trial has launched here in the uk to look at the impact of giving people different coronavirus vaccines for their first and second doses. the mix—and—match approach could provide more flexibility in the event of any supply problems. scientists say it's possible that having different vaccines might even provide better protection than having the same one twice. it comes as the uk yesterday passed the milestone of giving 10 million people their first jabs. dominic hughes reports. with more than ten million people now having had their firstjabs across the uk, the vaccination roll—out is well under way. but could mixing doses of the oxford—astrazeneca and the pfizer—biontech vaccines offer the body even more chances to develop defences against the virus? that's what's behind a new trial being unveiled today.

the study will involve 820 volunteers, none of whom have yet had the vaccine. all will be aged 50 or over, part of the group to be vaccinated in the next priority wave. the trial will run initially at eight sites across england. what we're doing here is we are looking to see how well people's immune systems respond if you give the first dose with one covid vaccine, the second with another. and the reason we want to do that is to build flexibility into the uk immunisation schedule for covid vaccines, and even globally. it makes it much easier to administer these vaccines if you don't have to worry too much about always giving the second dose the same as the first dose. that also brings resilience into the immunisation schedule. if there were to be supply problems with one of the vaccines, then you are protected against that by being able to immunise with the other vaccine as an alternative. researchers believe there are good reasons to think it may work. for example, exactly this process was used in the fight against ebola. introducing flexibility

in the vaccination programme could also help, should there be disruption to vaccine supplies, and it may be of huge benefit to developing countries that have yet to get vaccination programmes up and running. the first results should be known by the early summer. dominic hughes, bbc news. let's pick up on this with our chief political correpondent adam fleming at westminster. we saw the grass at the press conference yesterday in that the number of vaccinations is shooting up number of vaccinations is shooting up rapidly, the number of cases is falling rapidly and the number of hospitalisations and deaths is slowing down and following but not as rapidly as the other indicators. some conservative mps will be looking at this and asking if we can go faster with lifting the lockdown in england. good schools open earlier than the 8th of march? the

government is sticking to its approach which it describes as cautious rather than a slow and that is, look at the data on the 15th of february, published a plan on the week of the 22nd and the schools on the eighth. the prime minister has| made it very clear that, on the 22nd of february, - there will be a road map for how we intend to reopen the economy, beginning with schools on - the 8th of march and then gradually the rest of the economy. _ you have to set yourself targets. and you hope everything goes well. scientists seem very cautious at the moment and chris whitty said there are hints in the data that the vaccination programme are starting to work and effect the progress of the virus in the over 80s but they are only hints and he has not convinced and it will be two weeks before that happens. in the scientific community some people are

starting to talk about how bright the future might be fairly soon. this is the professor from university college london on the committee which advises the government on new respiratory viruses. once the most vulnerable people, and particularly those over 50 and those with chronic illnesses, are vaccinated, then, yes, i think we can see a significant return to normality. and that, you know, in addition to the fact that coronavirus is a seasonal disease, i think will make a big difference and allow us to open up. and i think what we will see is a phased opening up as the vaccination levels increase. and then we will be more or less back to normal for the summer, i would imagine. another part of this complex equation of opening up is stopping people potentially bringing their virus in in the first place. we have

been looking at hotel quarantine over the last two weeks. what is the government saying? it is over the last two weeks. what is the government saying?— government saying? it is getting confusin: , government saying? it is getting confusing, the _ government saying? it is getting confusing, the prime _ government saying? it is getting confusing, the prime minister i government saying? it is getting i confusing, the prime minister said matt hancock, they help secretary would make a statement today. we were then told that the prime minister had misspoke in and that was not the intention. if you look back at the recordings of parliamentary proceedings last week, the home secretary said matt hancock would be making a statement this week. there was an expectation and government that something would happen and something has not happened yet. the chief executive of the best western hotels group was on the best western hotels group was on the radio this morning and he is frustrated because he says his hotel chain has a plan ready to go to implement the quarantine for returning travellers but he has had very little engagement from the government. i think we are going to have to wait and see although they have to wait and see although they have pointed out to me it is a big logistical challenge and sometimes whitehall takes a little while to

get its head around big logistical challenges. the united states has condemned china after bbc reports of allegations of systematic rape and torture of women in so—called re—education camps for the uighur muslim minority. the state department says it is "deeply disturbed" by what it called "the atrocities" outlined in the report broadcast on this channel. and its demanding a powerful response — urging that china's actions, which it says "shock the conscience, be met with serious consequences."a group of republican senators has joined human rights groups in calling on the international olympic committee to move next year's winter games out of china — but the biden adminstration says it won't stop us athletes attending. but the chinese foreign ministry has dismissed the bbc report as �*lies and disinformation�*. this from the ministry's weekly press conference. translation: there is no so-called systemic sexual assault _ and abuse against women. china is a country ruled by law. our constitution guarantees and protect human rights and it is embodied in our legal system and the government's work.

the education and training centres strictly abide by constitutional laws to guarantee the students' basic rights and forbids any insult or abuse. matthew hill is the reporter who did the bbc story. he says the piece was thoroughly researched. we spent a long time, over a year, really, looking at this in greater detail. we've spoken to several women outside of xinjiang, intensively interrogated them to make sure what they are telling us is credible. and we have also, you know, we have done a lot of checking of our sources on this one. and so, yeah, it has had a big reaction internationally. ipac, the international parliamentary alliance on china produced a statement saying that 50 leading politicians around the world, from 19 different countries, had all signed a letter,

a joint statement of concern of genocide on the back of the report. including senator menendez, chair of the senate foreign relations committee in the usa, and also australia, they have done a statement. marise payne the australian foreign minister, has made a statement where she is calling on china to allow international observers, including the un commission of human rights, to be allowed access, and get access to the country of the back of this. we will have more on this story where an urgent question is going to be asked in the house of commons about uighur women in camps. the uk and eu have said

they will work hard to resolve these checks were agreed as part of the brexit trade deal. talks last night described as constructive are continuing between the governments after border controls were stopped this week. our europe correspondent explains. it was a “oint correspondent explains. it was a joint statement _ correspondent explains. it was a joint statement and _ correspondent explains. it was a joint statement and a _ correspondent explains. it was a joint statement and a virtual- joint statement and a virtual meeting that a0 minutes last night, the deputy minister for northern ireland and the first minister from the dup, and ultimately, it is a history of last week's trouble with the catastrophe in which it has admitted by the eu intended to trigger article 15 to suspend its usual application meaning there could be a border between ireland and northern ireland with the vaccine checks happening there. they

had stopped that, but a letter yesterday morning published by michael gove was sent to the eu saying after that problem, we have seen threats to eu northern irish staff at the board, staff being suspended from work since tuesday, still off work at the moment, those checks not in place on certain foodstuffs, we need some resolution. there is a grace period for certain products, supermarket products, meat and medicines, we need to continue this scenario up until 2022. it was a a0 minute meeting, the end result was it would be a constructive way of finding solutions, the ego will come to northern ireland next week. the eu will continue to impose fully these checks and the uk are still pushing for a grace period to extend it. in the last few minutes we have

had bbc radio ulster, the foreign ministerfor ireland and he said that the idea of the grace period now, we will look to put in place and possible to extend some of the grace period, i think it is under consideration but nothing dramatic in terms of protocol. perhaps some very small room for manoeuvre but the eu wants assurances now for the staff to go back to work at the port safely. let's talk to stephen kelly, chief executive of manufacturing northern ireland, a trade body that has been helping business adjust to the new trading arrangements. i spoke to glyn roberts a while ago and i was asking him, we talk about jargon like article 16, what does it actually mean on a practical level? how is the situation affecting on a

practical level the people you represent?— practical level the people you reresent? , ., ., , ., represent? there is no doubt that janua represent? there is no doubt that january was _ represent? there is no doubt that january was an — represent? there is no doubt that january was an incredibly - represent? there is no doubt that january was an incredibly difficult| january was an incredibly difficult month, the business community did warn in the absence of detail, people did not have the time to get ready. that is what we experienced on the 1st of january. it was a bit like the scene from wallace and gromit when gromit lays down the track in front of the train avert disaster. businesses were working in credibly hard to keep going in the midst of the turmoil that was the beginning of this year. on top of that, the covid—19 pandemic affecting us all. that, the covid-19 pandemic affecting us all.— that, the covid-19 pandemic affecting us all. that, the covid-19 pandemic affectin: us all. , ~ ., ., affecting us all. yes, we know that scene. in affecting us all. yes, we know that scene- in the _ affecting us all. yes, we know that scene. in the meantime, - affecting us all. yes, we know that scene. in the meantime, if- affecting us all. yes, we know that scene. in the meantime, if you - affecting us all. yes, we know that i scene. in the meantime, if you can't get items you normally get from great britain because of the situation, where are you getting them from?— situation, where are you getting them from? ., , , ., them from? one of the benefits of them from? one of the benefits of the protocol _ them from? one of the benefits of the protocol is _ them from? one of the benefits of the protocol is that _ them from? one of the benefits of the protocol is that business -

them from? one of the benefits of the protocol is that business and i the protocol is that business and northern ireland can continue to trade with the eu. there are more restrictions and customs and tariffs on rules of origin, but many manufacturing businesses have re—orientated how they are supplied. our membership in the last few days, 25% of businesses have said they have worked out a way to get the products they would normally have got to make the things that they make, shipping them from continental europe through southern irish ports are using transit systems to transit across the uk, across great britain back into northern ireland. one benefit of the protocol in terms of our european trade, that shouldn't change at all. fist our european trade, that shouldn't change at all-— change at all. at the moment, businesses — change at all. at the moment, businesses in _ change at all. at the moment, businesses in great _ change at all. at the moment, businesses in great britain - change at all. at the moment, businesses in great britain are losing out because of the situation. they would normally, before the deal, have been supplying the farms that you represent and now they are not? , ., ., ., , , .,

not? they are not to. this is a sovereign _ not? they are not to. this is a sovereign choice _ not? they are not to. this is a sovereign choice of _ not? they are not to. this is a sovereign choice of the - not? they are not to. this is a sovereign choice of the uk - sovereign choice of the uk government to make this decision. the island of britain was a centre of distribution for this as well. sadly, that has been hindered in significant ways that the government has decided it wishes to be out of the single market, the customs union, with that comes cost and complexity and businesses will find the least resistance in terms of trade. people are moving to different supply modes. from your perspective. _ different supply modes. from your perspective. what _ different supply modes. from your perspective, what is _ different supply modes. from your perspective, what is the _ different supply modes. from your perspective, what is the answer i different supply modes. from your perspective, what is the answer to | perspective, what is the answer to this conundrum? we are hearing about grace grace period being extended. that doesn't really solve anything in the immediate future, does it? it buys time in terms of trying to find alternative and workable solutions. there is no doubt that there are significant frictions on the irish sea between great britain and northern ireland. they are painful for businesses trying to adjust.

they have had no time to do that and it will take considerable time to make those adjustments. the reality is the protocol is not going away, it is an international treaty that the uk has signed alongside the european union and has legal obligations. both parties need to demonstrate that they want to make the protocol work. the uk government is trying its best, working hard with us as a business community, the european union has to do more. thank ou ve european union has to do more. thank you very much- — the headlines on bbc news: is 10 million people received the jab across the uk, look at a different dosage. the us state department looks part serious consequences for china after women say they were raped and tortured in

uighur camps. the uk and eu agreed to work intensively to sort out problems with post—brexit trade in northern ireland. days after staging a coup, myanamar�*s military leaders have blocked facebook, the main source of internet access for people in the country. officials say it was shut down to boost stability. the un secretary—general, antonio guterres, has pledged to mobilise international pressure to ensure, as he put it, that the military coup in myanmarfails. there's been no word on the whereabouts of the country's de factor leader aung san suu kyi and president win myint since monday. for a second day protesters banged pots and sounded car horns in the country's largest city. our reporter nye—in chan aye filed this report from yangon. this is where people are showing their frustration

and anger against the military coup that has taken place on monday. this is the second night in a row people in yangon have been banging pots and pans, honking their car horns, in protest against the military coup that took place on monday. essentially, what people here are saying is that they don't want to live or work under the military any more. singing. translation: we only respect our i elected president, no one else. l if the president wanted the military to take over, then we would have accepted that. but this coup is not fair, so we are expressing our feelings in a peaceful way. we are the voice of the little people. translation: | witnessedl the coups in 1962 and 1988. we know all about what happens under military takeovers, so we have to do this.

if we take to the streets, they will shoot us dead. under these circumstances, i support this kind of protest. we want the elected leaders back. translation: people don't accept the coup. j that's why we want to drive them out, by doing this. i singing. on the other hand, the military is taking total control of the country. the military have installed an 11—memberjunta, which they say will rule under the year—long state of emergency. the people of yangon have come out here tonight again, in larger numbers than yesterday, to say they want their vote on voice to be heard.

our correspondent jonathan head is in bangkok in neighbouring thailand. i think everyday people are trying to find other ways in which they can show their opposition to this coup. you have to remember that the reason people are so angry, apart from the depressing prospect of being thrown back to military governments that have chronically failed the country in the past, is that they have just had an election in which there was a surprisingly large turnout, during the covid pandemic, and voted overwhelmingly again for aung san even though her party has been a power for five years. they gave her another term in office. this week, parliament was supposed to be sitting to formalise that new term of office. the new mps were supposed to sit. that has been stopped by the coup. in fact, some of the mps that were detained initially have now started to come together, and they are trying to form a kind of informal parliament away

from the parliament building, to try to establish a kind of alternative, legitimate government. so, this kind of tussle are still going on. we are hearing very little from the military government themselves. they have mostly acted in the capital, naypyida. they are still holding aung san suu kyi herself and her ally, the president, in custody. and they have charged them with what seemed like it, frankly, absurd charges. she is charged with having illegal walkie—talkies in her house, used by her security guards. but it looks like they are going to try and get a criminal charge against her, because that would disqualify her from running for office. remember, the military is talking about, eventually, holding another election once they have got through this year long period of emergency rule. everyone is sitting and waiting to see whether they can find ways to oppose the military safely without getting shot. we are seeing small protests today, they have been chased away by police. and waiting to see what the military says about how they are going to handle the power they have now given themselves. is there any more word on how

aung san suu kyi is? because the un, for example, saying they are concerned about her well—being ? well, we understand she has been remanded in custody for two weeks on these rather bizarre charges. before she will be formally charged, we are not sure how long it will take to bring her to trial. we have heard that she is in good health and there is nothing particularly wrong with her. she is a 75—year—old woman. i imagine, probably knowing her, that the biggest problem is how angry she must feel about what has happened. but the concern, i think, is much more for the future, particularly of myanmar itself. this is a country whose economy has been badly hit already by covid. there is a lot of extreme poverty there. what the military has done is bound to have a very negative effect on that economy. that can make people angry enough in the future to come out and challenge the military. and everybody should remember from them a's history that in the past, when it has happened, the military has not

hesitated to shoot people. in russia, officials have charged lyubov sobol, an ally of kremlin critic alexei navalny, with breaching covid—19 restrictions by calling on people to join a nationwide protest last month, that's according to her lawyer. the case against sobol is part of a police crackdown on navalny�*s allies after they staged nationwide rallies to protest his imprisonment. there are big problems for organisers of the australian open tennis. up to 600 players, officials and support staff, have been forced to go into isolation after a worker at one of the event's quarantine hotels, tested positive for coronavirus. the tournament starts on monday, and tennis australia says it'll go ahead as planned. another few days of the main event on monday that we are told by officials is going to go ahead as it stands. i am officials is going to go ahead as it stands. iam here officials is going to go ahead as it stands. i am here in melbourne park and normally things would be much

busier, it is pretty empty here right now. we were expecting some high profile names, some top names of the sport, to be playing, to be on apart some warm up events. it has all been cancelled. this was a chance for some practice especially needed for the players who were holed up in quarantine last month when covid—19 cases were recorded on their aeroplanes. when covid—19 cases were recorded on theiraeroplanes. none when covid—19 cases were recorded on their aeroplanes. none of that is happening today. another big blow to the australian open, much to the frustration of the players and organisers and the people of melbourne who are really excited that this is happening. this city has seen one of the longest and harshest lockdown is and they are looking forward to coming back to life. the 500 to 600 players and

officials and coaches have to come back with negative test before they can return to the competition. we are expecting those results to come in later today within the next few hours. as tennis australia being optimistic saying things will go ahead from monday as planned? from a -la er ahead from monday as planned? from a player perspective _ ahead from monday as planned? from a player perspective they _ ahead from monday as planned? from a player perspective they are _ ahead from monday as planned? from a player perspective they are right - ahead from monday as planned? from a player perspective they are right to - player perspective they are right to be confident in the sense that the will not have been directly in contact with the players because they were quarantining in their rooms, they are rightly confident that there should not be too many transmissions, however, the bigger concern is the wider community transmission, they are a few days behind the worker at the hotel who had a taste on the 29th of january and there is positive test came up

on the 2nd of february. there are a few days when he could have created a spike within the community in theory or something. if the state was forced into lockdown, that would put serious pressure on the tournament. in terms of player transmission, they are tentatively confident there won't be too many problems. the confident there won't be too many roblems. ., ., , , ., problems. the organisers are expecting _ problems. the organisers are expecting tens _ problems. the organisers are expecting tens of _ problems. the organisers are expecting tens of thousands | problems. the organisers are l expecting tens of thousands of spectators that they are hoping to host. could there be an impact there? where are the spectators coming from? our date from the state are right across australia? i coming from? our date from the state are right across australia?— are right across australia? i think the are are right across australia? i think they are coming _ are right across australia? i think they are coming from _ are right across australia? i think they are coming from the - are right across australia? i think they are coming from the state. i are right across australia? i think - they are coming from the state. that is one of the things to be watched out for at the minute. it will depend on the number of cases, how many people are allowed an, at the minute, they are planning to go full

steam ahead. they were looking at around 30,000 a day. i'd be surprised if they are aware that many in the end now but the next few days i going to be important to see the capacity crowds are allowed an. australia is then a better position with regards to coronavirus than many other parts of the world, to get a major tournament under way and to see it through to a conclusion would be an achievement in this time a pandemic. it would be an achievement in this time a pandemic-— a pandemic. it been a massive operation. _ a pandemic. it been a massive operation, charter _ a pandemic. it been a massive operation, charter flights - a pandemic. it been a massive operation, charter flights to i a pandemic. it been a massive i operation, charter flights to bring operation, charterflights to bring in more than 1000 people into the country, arranged a separate visa list to other australians who want to come back, put them into a quarantine, some of them are allowed to practice every day and those who were unfortunate to be on flights there where there were positive tests have not been allowed to

practice and have been shoved into a hard quarantine. it is a massive operation and the idea of it being cancelled, they have spent a lot of money, paid forflights cancelled, they have spent a lot of money, paid for flights and accommodation, it has been a really, really expensive operation for the country. i hope for their sake does happen and they are confident at the minute that it will but it is a changing situation and you can never say anything with certainty whether the virus. . ., say anything with certainty whether the virus. ., ,, , ., , say anything with certainty whether the virus. . ~' , ., , . the virus. thank you very much. let's hope _ the virus. thank you very much. let's hope everything _ the virus. thank you very much. let's hope everything goes i the virus. thank you very much. i let's hope everything goes smoothly come monday. some breaking news, the regulator ofcom is revoking or has revoked the licence of cgt n, china global television network. they are saying that after a study, they have concluded that the licence was

wrongfully hailed by star china media limited. cgt n has a right of response and a right to question this ruling but ofcom has revoked the license of the satellite channel saying the licence was wrongfully heard by star china media limited. that is all we have at the moment on the piece of breaking news. take a look at these images of the white cliffs of dover. this footage, captured by a local fisherman, shows chunks of the famous chalk—lined cliffs crumbling and falling into the english channel. dave waterfield said he heard a loud crack and then started filming. seconds later the ground at the top started to buckle, before an entire section gave way. a study carried out in 2016 found the cliffs are retreating by up to 12 inches a year because of coastal erosion.

some of scotland's mountain ski centres are having their best winter conditions in years but frustratingly for boarders and skiiers remain closed due to lockdown restrictions. this is cairngorm mountain in the scottish highlands, as you can see, with plenty of high quality snow on its slopes. glencoe mountain said it was experiencing the best conditions it had ever seen for the time of year following weeks of frequent snowfalls and freezing temperatures, with more wintry weather expected this weekend. however, ski centres, like the vast majority of businesses, remain closed in line with restrictions. the headlines... as 10 million people receive their first covid jab across the uk, trailers launched a look at the impact of having different vaccines for the first and

second dose. it different vaccines for the first and second dose-— second dose. it will hopefully maintain the _ second dose. it will hopefully maintain the uk _ second dose. it will hopefully maintain the uk at _ second dose. it will hopefully maintain the uk at the i second dose. it will hopefully i maintain the uk at the forefront of research into covid vaccines. we are very proud of our track record, as you know, on the vaccine task force, and the deployment programme. this is another part of the armoury. itriuiith is another part of the armoury. with ressure is another part of the armoury. with pressure growing — is another part of the armoury. with pressure growing to ease lockdown restrictions in the uk, a scientist advising the government says things could be more or less back to normal for the summer. the us state department calls for serious consequences for china after a bbc report alleging women were systematically raped and tortured in uigher camps, but china because it lies and disinformation. the uk and eu agree to work intensively to sort out problems with post—brexit trading northern ireland. the myanmar military box facebook after protests continue to spread against monday's military coup. borisjohnson has praised what he

described as the colossal effort to vaccinate 10 million people. this milestone means the uk looks likely to reach the government target of protecting 15 million of the most vulnerable people by the middle of this month. how feeling? excited, please we are on with the show. _ how feeling? excited, please we are on with the show. thank _ how feeling? excited, please we are on with the show. thank you. i how feeling? excited, please we are on with the show. thank you. the i on with the show. thank you. the rocess on with the show. thank you. the process is — on with the show. thank you. the process is simple and quick. first, everybody is checked in. then a short wait, just a few minutes. todayis short wait, just a few minutes. today is my first day of working as a nurse _ today is my first day of working as a nurse i— today is my first day of working as a nurse. i have rejoined the nursing regisien _ a nurse. i have re'oined the nursing reuister. ., ., g ., register. imogen, who will give john his vaccine. — register. imogen, who will give john his vaccine, left _ register. imogen, who will give john his vaccine, left nursing _ register. imogen, who will give john his vaccine, left nursing five - register. imogen, who will give john his vaccine, left nursing five years . his vaccine, left nursing five years ago to start a family. but she is back. i ago to start a family. but she is back. ., ., , ., , back. i thought it was a very excitin: back. i thought it was a very exciting opportunity - back. i thought it was a very exciting opportunity and i i back. i thought it was a very i exciting opportunity and i wanted back. i thought it was a very - exciting opportunity and i wanted to play a _ exciting opportunity and i wanted to play a part— exciting opportunity and i wanted to play a part in it. exciting opportunity and i wanted to play a part in it—

play a part in it. fantastic, a step in the right _ play a part in it. fantastic, a step in the right direction. _ play a part in it. fantastic, a step in the right direction. thank i play a part in it. fantastic, a step in the right direction. thank you. | in the right direction. thank you. my in the right direction. thank you. my wife is being done tomorrow. i have just been reading a whatsapp message from a brother—in—law in south africa, who is in hospital there with it. with covid. and he is not well at all. so, yeah, you know, it's touching everybody in some way. next in line, anotherjohn who is being looked after by his neighbour, deborah. john's wife is in a care home and he has not been able to see her. it home and he has not been able to see her. . , , home and he has not been able to see her. ., , , ., home and he has not been able to see her. , ., , ., home and he has not been able to see her. .,, , ., , ., ., her. it has been a bad year for everybody. — her. it has been a bad year for everybody, regardless - her. it has been a bad year for everybody, regardless of i her. it has been a bad year for everybody, regardless of who | her. it has been a bad year for. everybody, regardless of who you are. everybody has suffered in some way or another. are. everybody has suffered in some way or another-— are. everybody has suffered in some way or another. hard not seeing your wife? very difficult. _ way or another. hard not seeing your wife? very difficult. and _ way or another. hard not seeing your wife? very difficult. and this - way or another. hard not seeing your wife? very difficult. and this is i wife? very difficult. and this is for all people _ wife? very difficult. and this is for all people in _ wife? very difficult. and this is for all people in care _ wife? very difficult. and this is for all people in care homes i wife? very difficult. and this is l for all people in care homes and hospitals, it's very difficult. deborah was here a few days ago with her husband, who have a heart transplant three years ago. it has been a very _ transplant three years ago. it has been a very worrying _ transplant three years ago. it has been a very worrying time. i transplant three years ago. it has been a very worrying time. we i transplant three years ago. it i:s been a very worrying time. we have been a very worrying time. we have been shielding since last march. i brought in for his vaccination on

saturday. it was thrilling. pulling awa from saturday. it was thrilling. pulling away from that _ saturday. it was thrilling. pulling away from that report _ saturday. it was thrilling. pulling away from that report to - saturday. it was thrilling. pulling away from that report to go i saturday. it was thrilling. pulling away from that report to go to i saturday. it was thrilling. pulling l away from that report to go to the house of commons, where we are seeing nigel adams, the ministerfor asia, answering an urgent question on the treatment of uigher women. the bbc report that my honourable friend refers to is chilling. it includes deeply distressing testimony of the rape, torture and dehumanisation of uigher women in xinjiang detention centres. it is a further body of evidence of the human rights violations perpetrated against uigher minorities in the of the scale and severity of these revelations is far reaching. it paints a truly harrowing picture. if china wishes to dispute this evidence, it must allow unfettered access to the region for the un high commissionerfor human access to the region for the un high commissioner for human rights, access to the region for the un high commissionerfor human rights, or another independent fact—finding

body. this government is committed to robust action on xinjiang, which is why the foreign secretary announced a series of targeted measures to ensure that british organisations are not complicit in organisations are not complicit in or profiting from human rights violations in the region. this includes a review of export controls as they apply to xinjiang, the introduction of financial penalties for businesses that do not comply with the modern slavery act, and support for uk government bodies to exclude suppliers complicit in forced labour. it represents to china that there is a representational and economic cost to its policies in xinjiang. it is why the uk has played and will continue to play a leading role in building international pressure on china to change course. in october 2019 and june 2020, the uk led the

first twojoint 2019 and june 2020, the uk led the first two joint statements on xinjiang at the un. 38 countries joined the uk in a statement at the un third committee on october 2020. this diplomatic action is vitally important. more countries than ever are speaking out about xinjiang. china has already been forced to change its narrative about the camps, and its denial of these violations is increasingly hard to sustain. the foreign secretary has made clear the extent of our concern directly to his counterpart, the foreign minister, and i have raised theissue foreign minister, and i have raised the issue with the chinese ambassador, the former chinese ambassador, the former chinese ambassador in london. on forced birth control, we have used our statement to draw attention to this

deeply concerning issue. i have assured the house that i will continue to work with international partners, including with the new us administration and through our g7 presidency, to hold trainer account for its actions. we have repeatedly called for those to be released to have been arbitrarily detained. i am sure the honourable members will join me in reiterating that call. i thank the minister for his powerful statement. yesterday, the bbc broadcast harrowing footage of orchestrated abuse against uigher women on an unprecedented scale. they had an electric stick, and it was pushed inside my genital tract, torturing me with electric shocks. that is the testimony of person alpha—macro. they did whatever their evil minds could think of, they were

barbarians. ifelt i had died. i was dead, she said. then there were the gang rapes, by the police, in front of other camp detainees, as a form of other camp detainees, as a form of re—education, seeking out those who look to push them even further. the horrifying stories add to the huge and worrying body of evidence, detailing evidence of atrocities perpetrated in xinjiang, which may even be genocidal. this has led to the board of deputies of british jews comparing the holocaust. but nothing is being presented to the european court ofjustice. how is the minister going to get the court judgment it needs to act, when all international routes are paralysed by china. we cannot be bystanders to

the deliberate attempt to exterminate a group of people. not again. well the minister make a promise today that no further deepening of any ties of any kind, deepening of any ties of any kind, deepening of any ties of any kind, deepening of any ties of any kind will take place with china until a fulljudicial inquiry has investigated these crimes? and will the minister commit to meet with a uigher survivor, a brave woman risking her safety to save her family and her people. finally, the united kingdom cannot stand by and do nothing about the extermination of the uigher. mass rapes, scalping and for sterilisations. we can act and for sterilisations. we can act and we must act. thank you. can i thank herfor her

powerful questions on her speech. i know how important this is to her. i would reiterate we have announced a series of measures, the foreign secretary, the 12th of january, series of measures, the foreign secretary, the 12th ofjanuary, in terms of the human rights situation in xinjiang. this will help ensure that uk businesses are not complicit in human rights violations. we are leading international efforts to hold china to account. of course, i will meet with the uigher lady that the honourable friend refers to. i will be delighted too. but it is important that we continue to work on this incredibly crucial issue with, alongside our international partners, pulling together alongside germany, 38 other countries to make the statement that we did late last year. we will work with the new us administration under president biden. can i thank her again for bringing this incredibly powerful

testimony to the house. anybody that has seen the report that the bbc, and i congratulate the bbc on this report, anybody who has seen that cannot help but be moved and distressed by what are clearly evil acts. ,, , ~ ., , acts. stephen kinnock, fifa minutes was to knock _ acts. stephen kinnock, fifa minutes was to knock the _ acts. stephen kinnock, fifa minutes was to knock the chinese _ was to knock the chinese government's _ was to knock the chinese government's brutal- was to knock the chinese i government's brutal campaign was to knock the chinese - government's brutal campaign of oppression in xinjiang is a scar on the conscience of the world and the labour— the conscience of the world and the labour party stands shoulder to shoulder— labour party stands shoulder to shoulder with the uigher people. we already— shoulder with the uigher people. we already know about the forced labour camps _ already know about the forced labour camps. yesterday we heard utterly heartbreaking testimonies from uigher— heartbreaking testimonies from uigher women who have been systematically raped, sexually abused — systematically raped, sexually abused and tortured. it follows le sommer's— abused and tortured. it follows le sommer's harrowing accounts from uigher— sommer's harrowing accounts from uigher women who were victims of forced _ uigher women who were victims of forced to— uigher women who were victims of forced to sterilisation and forced iud forced to sterilisation and forced "10 insert— forced to sterilisation and forced iud insert station. the chinese government statistics show that pregnancies fell by a third, meaning that it _

pregnancies fell by a third, meaning that it may— pregnancies fell by a third, meaning that it may meet the definition of genocide — that it may meet the definition of genocide. last month, the foreign secretary— genocide. last month, the foreign secretary rightly condemned the events _ secretary rightly condemned the events in — secretary rightly condemned the events in xinjiang is barbarism that we hoped _ events in xinjiang is barbarism that we hoped was lost to another era. surety— we hoped was lost to another era. surely the — we hoped was lost to another era. surely the time for tangible action has now— surely the time for tangible action has now come? first, where on earth are the _ has now come? first, where on earth are the magnitsky sanctions that way on these _ are the magnitsky sanctions that way on these benches on the cross the house _ on these benches on the cross the house had — on these benches on the cross the house had been calling for since last house had been calling for since tastjune? — house had been calling for since lastjune? the foreign secretary said the — lastjune? the foreign secretary said the body of evidence is large and growing, and we know the names of the _ and growing, and we know the names of the senior— and growing, and we know the names of the senior chinese officials responsible for these atrocities. the us— responsible for these atrocities. the us sanctioned them last summer. who in— the us sanctioned them last summer. who in committee is holding this up? 20% of— who in committee is holding this up? 20% of the _ who in committee is holding this up? 20% of the well's cotton comes from xinjiang _ 20% of the well's cotton comes from xinjiang. we welcome the steps the uk cover— xinjiang. we welcome the steps the uk cover and xinjiang. we welcome the steps the uk coverand has xinjiang. we welcome the steps the uk cover and has state are taken to prevent— uk cover and has state are taken to prevent uk— uk cover and has state are taken to prevent uk businesses from being complicit — prevent uk businesses from being complicit in forced labour. but they didn't— complicit in forced labour. but they didn't do— complicit in forced labour. but they didn't do enough. they must be accountable, notjust transparent. accountable, not just transparent. will he _ accountable, notjust transparent. will he bring forward legislation that brings mandatory due diligence? next tuesday, when the trade bill

returns. _ next tuesday, when the trade bill returns, this house has a chance to send _ returns, this house has a chance to send a _ returns, this house has a chance to send a united message to the world that genocide can never be met with indifference, impunity or inaction. this should — indifference, impunity or inaction. this should not be a partisan issue. given— this should not be a partisan issue. given it _ this should not be a partisan issue. given it is _ this should not be a partisan issue. given it is a — this should not be a partisan issue. given it is a long—standing government commitment that courts, not the _ government commitment that courts, not the government, must rule on genocide — not the government, must rule on genocide, will he join with us and colleagues across the house to give uk courts _ colleagues across the house to give uk courts the power is to determine genocide _ uk courts the power is to determine genocide, and therefore prevent the uk from _ genocide, and therefore prevent the uk from ever doing trade deals with genocidal— uk from ever doing trade deals with genocidal states?— genocidal states? thank you, mr seaker. genocidal states? thank you, mr speaker- i— genocidal states? thank you, mr speaker. i thank— genocidal states? thank you, mr speaker. i thank the _ genocidal states? thank you, mr speaker. i thank the honourable| speaker. i thank the honourable gentleman for these questions. he raises a number of issues. he mentioned the us announcement regarding genocide. it is worth pointing out that the us has a different process for determining genocide that is not linked to a court decision. with regards to the issue of sanctions, we have had

targeted measures in response to this. onjanuary targeted measures in response to this. on january the 12th, targeted measures in response to this. onjanuary the 12th, the foreign secretary announced a series of actions, robust actions, to ensure that no companies will be profiting from forced labour. and we will target in a forensic way those companies that are doing so, whether deliberately or otherwise. of course, we are carefully considering any further designations under our global human rights regime, with all evidence on... global human rights regime, with all evidence on. . ._ evidence on... nigel adams, responding _ evidence on... nigel adams, responding to _ evidence on... nigel adams, responding to the _ evidence on... nigel adams, responding to the urgent i evidence on... nigel adams, i responding to the urgent question about the treatment of uigher women in camps. that follows a bbc report alleging that women were raped and tortured in these camps. nigel adams, saying the government was

committed to taking robust action. he said china's denial of these allegations is increasingly hard to sustain. nusrat ghani, responding, said that we could not be bystanders to this. that continues in the house of commons. one of the world's leading climate scientists says borisjohnson risks humiliation if he allows a new coal mine to begin operating at whitehaven in cumbria. drjames hansen, whose testimony in the us congress in 1988 helped raise awareness of global warming, has urged the prime minister to step in — and halt production. borisjohnson has the opportunity to change the whole climate story. he could be the knight in shining armour who puts the world on a different pathway. all he has to do is follow the science. a downing street spokeswoman said the government was a world leader in climate policy, but would not be changing

its decision on the coal mine. our environment analyst is roger harrabin is here. when doctorjames hansen say something like this, i think most people will sit up and listen. but as we have just heard, the government, the uk government, says it is not changing its policy with regards to this coalmine. tell us more about the background? ok. regards to this coalmine. tell us more about the background? ok, the back round more about the background? ok, the background is — more about the background? ok, the background is that _ more about the background? ok, the background is that a _ more about the background? ok, the background is that a firm _ more about the background? ok, the background is that a firm put - more about the background? ok, the background is that a firm put in i more about the background? ok, the background is that a firm put in for. background is that a firm put in for permission to dig a coalmine off the coast of cumbria. that application went to cumbria county council, the county council has said they could not find good grounds for opposing it. so they passed it. now, that point, the government could have stepped in, the community secretary robertjenrick could have called in that decision and overruled it. he chose not to. he said the county council was the appropriate level of government for the decision to be made at. that caused an outcry with greenpeace saying, well, let's hope that the chinese provinces don't take this attitude, otherwise the

world is toast. since then, the row has rumbled on. now doctor hansen has rumbled on. now doctor hansen has got involved. as you say, he is not a trivial figure. he knowsjoe biden, he knowsjoe biden�*s climate envoyjohn kerry. he is a powerful character and he has copied the letter that he sent to boris johnson. he has copied that tojohn kerry. he is trying to stir up as much embarrassment as possible. do you think the government in the uk is going to have to do more to say we have got these green credentials, we have got these green credentials, we are a leading government when it comes to going green, and yet we are allowing this coalmine to open and operate? there is some disagreement within government itself over this? there is indeed. mps have repeatedly, over the past several years, complained that the government is very good at talking green, and much less get up actually delivering policies. people are concerned about this one because of its impact on the international stage. so, the uk, with boris johnson in charge, is going to be

leading a global climate conference in november, a climate summit, which is a really big deal in climate terms. it has also set up an organisation that it calls powering past coal, so people do not burn coalin past coal, so people do not burn coal in power stations. the fact that it coal in power stations. the fact thatitis coal in power stations. the fact that it is permitting a coalmine on its own territory is proving extremely controversial. you mentioned downing street. they say off the record that the issue is that this is not an organisation that this is not an organisation thatis that this is not an organisation that is trying to dig for coal to fuel power stations, it is an organisation digging for coking coal for the steel industry. the committee on climate change says this does not wash, because permission has been given for the mind to continue producing right up to the middle of the century, whereas we need to have stopped burning coking coal to make steel by 2035. they are saying the permission should not have been given. but it looks like downing street are battening down hatches and are willing to have a row on this one. i

must say, just from an analytical point of view, it could cause quite a lot of international stress, for a relatively small number ofjobs. relatively small number of jobs. it's relatively small number ofjobs. it's interesting why the decision has been made. it it's interesting why the decision has been made.— has been made. it will be interesting _ has been made. it will be interesting to _ has been made. it will be interesting to watch - has been made. it will be interesting to watch that l has been made. it will be . interesting to watch that one has been made. it will be - interesting to watch that one in the context of what you have been saying. thank you very much. the number of people in critical care beds has started to fall, but around one in ten major hospital trusts in england had no spare adult critical care beds last week, according to the latest figures from nhs england. a total of 15 out of 140 acute trusts reported 100% occupancy of all open beds each day from january the 25th to the 31st. here to talk about what the figures mean for front line staff is mike adams, directorfor england mean for front line staff is mike adams, director for england at the royal college of nursing. thank you very much forjoining us. i want to get you first of all to explain what those figures mean. we are being

told a number of people in critical care beds in england is starting to fall. but we're told that one in ten hospitals had no spare critical care beds? ~ . , ., ., beds? what is important to understand _ beds? what is important to understand in _ beds? what is important to understand in a _ beds? what is important to understand in a position . beds? what is important to - understand in a position around critical care bed capacity at the moment is that the amount of beds that we have available has dramatically been increased over this wave of the pandemic. so while there might be some drop in the number of beds right now, this is coming from a point where some trusts have increased their icu capacity by 200%. so any dropping of the useful icu beds now is very much an early sign that things are moving in the direction. it is not a change in the direction. it is not a change in pressure on front line staff at this moment in time who are working

through the most incredibly trying conditions. ~ ~ , , through the most incredibly trying conditions. , , ., through the most incredibly trying conditions. , ., ., conditions. mikey, tell us what that actually means _ conditions. mikey, tell us what that actually means for _ conditions. mikey, tell us what that actually means for front _ conditions. mikey, tell us what that actually means for front line - conditions. mikey, tell us what that actually means for front line staff i actually means for front line staff in terms of the hours they are working, the number of patients they are looking after, compared to the numbers they would normally be looking after? what are the ratios lie? we are seeing lots of reports of staff staying on for hours after their shift has ended to ensure that people are properly looked after. i think the word is exhaustion. most of the front line staff will be reporting right now. it is, obviously, we talk a lot about icu areas and there have been changes to staffing levels there that, in normal circumstances, we would not want to see. specialist trained icu nurses are looking after more than 121 patients, with support from other staff. that is not what is happening in normal circumstances. we do need to get back to that.

there is pressure all across the system, notjust icu. it is general practice nurses, community district nurses, all under pressure from staffing levels, all under pressure from having to be spread more thinly, as there was more sickness levels as people are ill with covid and have to isolate. but also as services are not available, as in normal times, that puts more pressure on other services to compensate. so, it is hugely pressurised at the moment. there is no doubt that at some point staff across all professions, but from a nursing perspective, staff are going to need a rest. they leave has been cancelled, as you say, many staff are doing wildly over the normal hours. this will have a long—term toll on the people we have to look after. ~ ., ., ., ~ ., after. we have often talked about what can be _ after. we have often talked about what can be done _ after. we have often talked about what can be done in _ after. we have often talked about what can be done in the _ after. we have often talked about what can be done in the medium| after. we have often talked about. what can be done in the medium and longer term to improve things for client staff. in the short term, the

only thing that will make a difference for front line staff is people sticking to the rules and not getting ill or not passing on this virus to other people, who then get ill and end up in hospital?— ill and end up in hospital? yeah, absolutely- _ ill and end up in hospital? yeah, absolutely. probably _ ill and end up in hospital? yeah, absolutely. probably my - ill and end up in hospital? yeah, absolutely. probably my words l ill and end up in hospital? yeah, l absolutely. probably my words do little to actually convey the pressure that people are under and the conditions people are working under right now. i don't know if i do itjustice, what you see and what we talk to members about, what friends and family of mine who are in nursing staff convey. at the way to get through this in the short term is to get the spread of the virus down, so that there are less people becoming ill. we do have some great progress on the vaccination programme, which again is a huge effort from staff within health services. but everyone still needs to keep doing their bit by making sure this virus does not spread

again. sure this virus does not spread a . ain. ., sure this virus does not spread aaain. ., i. sure this virus does not spread aaain. ., .,�* sure this virus does not spread a.ain_ ., .,�* 4' ., sure this virus does not spread aaain. ., .,�* ~ ., again. you say you don't know if you can do justice _ again. you say you don't know if you can do justice to _ again. you say you don't know if you can do justice to convey _ again. you say you don't know if you can do justice to convey that - can do justice to convey that message to the general public about what they need to do. what is the key thing that people need to do to help the front line staff, nurses, doctors, everybody who is working in hospital settings, really. fine doctors, everybody who is working in hospital settings, really.— hospital settings, really. one of the main things _ hospital settings, really. one of the main things that _ hospital settings, really. one of the main things that keeps - hospital settings, really. one of- the main things that keeps emerging at the moment is any kind of doubt that this is really happening. people really need to challenge that. this is a very real experience for nursing staff. they are having to deal with circumstances, the amount of people they are saying to the end of their lives is beyond what people would reasonably expect when they come into nursing. please

do believe when you see nurses in the press talking about their experiences, please believe them and please believe that you can have an impact on their experience by making sure that this virus does not spread. sure that this virus does not s - read. ., . sure that this virus does not sread. ., ., ., . �* �* sure that this virus does not sread. ., . ., . �* �* , joanna gosling will be here next to take you through to one o'clock. before that, a look at the weather with carol. hello again. over the next few days, particularly into the weekend, we are looking at where it's been mild turning much colder, for some of us a drop of 13 degrees or so. and we will see further snow coming further south than it has gone through this week. today, though, we've got some cloud, rain and sleet at levels with some snow mostly on the hills, but coming down to lower levels in parts of northern scotland during the day and also gusty winds blowing that snow. at the same time, we've got some heavy, potentially thundery showers moving north, but in between, a lot of dry weather. those showers move towards north

north—east england through this evening and overnight, there is a risk of localised flooding from them and at the same time, you can see how the rain and snow pushes north across scotland, the rain curling into northern ireland with a few showers in the west. cold in the south but colder in the north. from midnight tonight until 6pm on saturday, the met office has an amber weather warning in force in parts of scotland for a heavy snow. that means increased likelihood of impact due to the severity of the weather. we could have as much as ten to 15 centimetres, that is roughly six inches of fresh snow at lower levels, double that above 150 metres. so you can see how it is moving across parts of the highlands, grampians, up to caithness and sutherland. some more showers coming in across the west and gusty winds coming in to north—east england where we'll have some rain and eastern scotland, but still relatively mild across southern areas. as we head into the weekend, our low pressure moves further east and south and that has an impact on the weather, you can see some snow on that chart. so on saturday, further snow

coming in across scotland and northern england, blowing in the wind, for the rest of england we are looking at outbreaks of rain, some of that affecting northern ireland at times, these are our temperatures, going down where it has been so mild. as we head into sunday, that cold air eventually moves across the whole of the uk, this is when we will see the big drop in temperatures, down to maybe 2 degrees in the london area and there is a potential for some snow across southern parts of england and also wales. don't take this as gospel, the position of this snow could change but this is what we think at the moment and, again, blowing, and with temperatures like this, and the wind, it will feel bitter.

this is bbc news. the headlines at 11 10 million people are vaccinated in the uk. a new trial is looked at having different vaccines for different doses.— having different vaccines for different doses. , ., , , different doses. this will hopefully mean the uk _ different doses. this will hopefully mean the uk is _ different doses. this will hopefully mean the uk is at _ different doses. this will hopefully mean the uk is at the _ different doses. this will hopefully mean the uk is at the forefront. different doses. this will hopefully mean the uk is at the forefront of| mean the uk is at the forefront of research in to vaccines. this is another part of the armoury. 1with another part of the armoury. with ressure another part of the armoury. with pressure growing _ another part of the armoury. with pressure growing to _ another part of the armoury. with pressure growing to ease lockdown restrictions, a sage member suggests things could be more or less back to normalfor things could be more or less back to normal for the things could be more or less back to normalfor the summer. things could be more or less back to normal for the summer. the things could be more or less back to normalfor the summer. the uk things could be more or less back to normal for the summer. the uk and the eu agreed to work intensively to

sort out problems with post—brexit trading northern ireland. the us and uk has condemned china after a report alleging that women were systematically raped and tortured in uighur camps. china calls this lies and disinformation.— and disinformation. they did whatever they _ and disinformation. they did whatever they wanted - and disinformation. they did whatever they wanted and l and disinformation. they did i whatever they wanted and they and disinformation. they did - whatever they wanted and they didn't spare any part of my body. tennis officials say the australian open will start as planned on monday, despite hundreds of players and staff being forced to isolate again in melbourne. and coming up in the next hour. the scheme that helps young children in care reconnect with family members a new trial has launched

here in the uk to look at the impact of giving people different coronavirus vaccines for their first and second doses. the mix—and—match approach could provide more flexibility in the event of any supply problems. scientists say it's possible that having different vaccines might even provide better protection than having the same one twice. it comes as the uk yesterday passed the milestone of giving 10 million people their first jabs. dominic hughes reports. with more than ten million people now having had their firstjabs across the uk, the vaccination roll—out is well under way. but could mixing doses of the oxford—astrazeneca and the pfizer—biontech vaccines offer the body even more chances to develop defences against the virus? that's what's behind a new trial being unveiled today. the study will involve 820 volunteers, none of whom have yet had the vaccine. all will be aged 50 or over, part of the group to be vaccinated in the next priority wave. the trial will run initially

at eight sites across england. what we're doing here is we are looking to see how well people's immune systems respond if you give the first dose with one covid vaccine, the second with another. and the reason we want to do that is to build flexibility into the uk immunisation schedule for covid vaccines, and even globally. it makes it much easier to administer these vaccines if you don't have to worry too much about always giving the second dose the same as the first dose. that also brings resilience into the immunisation schedule. if there were to be supply problems with one of the vaccines, then you are protected against that by being able to immunise with the other vaccine as an alternative. researchers believe there are good reasons to think it may work. for example, exactly this process was used in the fight against ebola. introducing flexibility in the vaccination programme could also help, should there be disruption to vaccine supplies, and it may be of huge benefit to developing countries that have yet to get vaccination programmes up and running. the first results should be known

by the early summer. dominic hughes, bbc news. our political correpondent nick eardley is at westminster. not nick eardley is at westminster. for the first time, 1 rumblings not for the first time, there are rumblings of politicians and scientists being at odds over what the next steps are. what are you hearing at westminster?- hearing at westminster? you're absolutely _ hearing at westminster? you're absolutely right. _ hearing at westminster? you're absolutely right. there's - hearing at westminster? you're absolutely right. there's a - hearing at westminster? you're absolutely right. there's a ways j absolutely right. there's a ways been tension between some of the scientists who are saying this needs to be a slow process coming out of lockdown, and some of boris johnson's own party who were knocking on his door regularly saying, we need to get out of lockdown. as soon as possible. we had that yesterday from the coronavirus research group saying that england should try and resume schools earlier than the target date of march, following the example of scotland, where some schools are going back on the 22nd of february. so borisjohnson is going to see

some more pressure in the next few weeks to spell out how he is going to get things back to normal, given that the vaccine roll—out seems to be going extremely well, given that those graphs we see from downing street, a number of cases are going down pretty quickly, even if the number of hospitalisations are going down a lot slower. we heard from the vaccines minister this morning and he was asked about this about the pressure to set out how england will be unlocked. the prime minister has| made it very clear that, on the 22nd of february, - there will be a road map for how we intend to reopen the economy, beginning with schools on the 8th| of march and then gradually the rest of the economy. i you have to set yourself targets. and you hope everything goes well. the government isn't moving away at the moment from the timetable of

giving details of what things are going to look like towards the end of february. but this is the tension we have had the whole time, isn't it? wanting to keep the virus under control, which is borisjohnson's priority and i think is actually something that is really high in the minds of people at number ten just now because they don't want to unlock and then have to go into lockdown again like resortjust before christmas, but at the same time, feeling that political heat from those who are saying, we need to get schools back and start the economy moving again. we to get schools back and start the economy moving again.- to get schools back and start the economy moving again. we got the understanding _ economy moving again. we got the understanding that _ economy moving again. we got the understanding that quarantine - economy moving again. we got the i understanding that quarantine hotels is going _ understanding that quarantine hotels is going to _ understanding that quarantine hotels is going to be something considered in the _ is going to be something considered in the uk _ is going to be something considered in the uk quite some time ago now and we _ in the uk quite some time ago now and we are — in the uk quite some time ago now and we are yet to understand what the protocols are. we set out a set of protocols, we've shared that information of suggested protocols and we've — information of suggested protocols and we've offered our support and we are yet— and we've offered our support and we are yet to _ and we've offered our support and we are yet to hear anything. that and we've offered our support and we are yet to hear anything.— are yet to hear anything. that was the boss of _ are yet to hear anything. that was the boss of great _ are yet to hear anything. that was the boss of great western - are yet to hear anything. that was the boss of great western hotels i the boss of great western hotels talking about something very different, he was talking about the quarantine plans, one of the areas

where the government is also feeling pressure, because we heard a couple of weeks ago that quarantining in hotels is going to come in four people arriving in england from the most at—risk countries. we don't know what that is going to look like yet, the logistics are still being figured out, we had the prime minister suggested yesterday that we would get details today, we are not getting those details today and that clip was just a sense of some of the frustration we are hearing from the hotels industry, that they are trying to put forward some ideas and they are not getting anything back from the government at the moment, so that's another area where the government is feeling the heat. thank you very much. i am joined now by professor andrew hayward, he's director of the ucl institute of epidemiology and a member of sage. welcome. thank you very much. you have said that the uk could be more or less back to normal by the summer. tell us what you envisage by that. ~ ~ ., summer. tell us what you envisage by that. ~ ~ . ., that. well, i think what we need to bear in mind _ that. well, i think what we need to bear in mind is _ that. well, i think what we need to bear in mind is that _ that. well, i think what we need to bear in mind is that at _ that. well, i think what we need to

bear in mind is that at the - that. well, i think what we need to | bear in mind is that at the moment, we are still in a very fragile position. despite the fact that rates are coming down, we still have very high levels of disease and amongst the highest levels in the world of both disease and deaths. it is too early to be unlocking yet and what we are essentially needing to do is to time that with the vaccination programme which fortunately is going very well. i think obviously, as more people get vaccinated, there is more pressure to unlock, but what we need to bear in mind is that whilst we vaccinate delay limit had vaccinated a high proportion of the very most vulnerable groups, really there are still plenty of people who remain vulnerable to being hospitalised, developing severe disease and ending up developing severe disease and ending up in itu. so we do have to take that cautiously, but as those groups start to be vaccinated, and as the

natural seasonality of coronavirus kicks in, then i think we will be in a very different landscape towards the end of spring and summer. 50. the end of spring and summer. so, 'ust 'ou the end of spring and summer. 50, justjog through the the end of spring and summer. 50, just jog through the timeframe that justjog through the timeframe that you envisage with that. because just looking at the figures, 10 million people have been vaccinated so far, looking at the group of nine due to be vaccinated, the 50s and over and the vulnerable, that is a total group of 32 million. so going by the pace of vaccination so far, that would take is to the end of april. but that's not taking into account those who would need to have the second vaccination. which would presumably add in another month also to that timeframe. that would then be the end of may. is that what you would say is actually the time you are looking at? i’m would say is actually the time you are looking at?— would say is actually the time you are looking at? i'm envisaging what ou are are looking at? i'm envisaging what you are likely _ are looking at? i'm envisaging what you are likely to _ are looking at? i'm envisaging what you are likely to see, _ are looking at? i'm envisaging what you are likely to see, this _ are looking at? i'm envisaging what you are likely to see, this is - are looking at? i'm envisaging what you are likely to see, this isjust - you are likely to see, this is just me talking, i'm not talking on

behalf of sage. i would envisage, as the vaccination rates... then we will be able to ease restrictions over time, will be able to ease restrictions overtime, it will be able to ease restrictions over time, it won't be a case of, it's suddenly 0k to go back to normal, it will be phased. and it's suddenly ok to go back to normal, it will be phased. and so, what would _ normal, it will be phased. and so, what would unlock _ normal, it will be phased. and so, what would unlock first? - normal, it will be phased. and so, | what would unlock first? obviously, what would unlock first? obviously, what with got in the schedule thursday schools on the 8th of march but that's yet to be confirmed. i think it will be schools that will be first and it's likely to be primary schools before secondary schools. certainly, what we can see is that primary schools are less of a concern in terms of community transmission, so secondary schools we tend to see, when rates start increase in secondary school

children, they move up the age groups and of course it takes time for them to move up the age groups and during that time is whilst we are vaccinating towards those people who are still vulnerable. and are vaccinating towards those people who are still vulnerable.— who are still vulnerable. and when ou talk who are still vulnerable. and when you talk about _ who are still vulnerable. and when you talk about life _ who are still vulnerable. and when you talk about life looking - who are still vulnerable. and when you talk about life looking back - who are still vulnerable. and when you talk about life looking back to | you talk about life looking back to normal by the summer, deeming everything with that, like the prospect of foreign travel over the summer holidays, nor is it going to look a bit more like what is happening in australia and new zealand, where it is life pretty much back to normal, but the minutes there is any case, it's stamped on very firmly on the board is, effectively, remain shut? well, we are still going _ effectively, remain shut? well, we are still going to _ effectively, remain shut? well, we are still going to need _ effectively, remain shut? well, we are still going to need to _ effectively, remain shut? well, we are still going to need to be - are still going to need to be careful about travel, particularly with the epidemic being very different in different parts of the world and new variants arising in different parts of the world, so thatis

different parts of the world, so that is one area that will be affected. and i think it's difficult to say, for example, whether mass gatherings and those sorts of things would be a good idea at this time. i think we do need to play that bit by ear. and see how the epidemiological situation plays out. 50. ear. and see how the epidemiological situation plays out.— situation plays out. so, when we talk about _ situation plays out. so, when we talk about life _ situation plays out. so, when we talk about life looking _ situation plays out. so, when we talk about life looking back - situation plays out. so, when we talk about life looking back to i talk about life looking back to normal by the summer, it's not potentially what people are going to envisage. to think it's important to be very careful on the language around this because obviously, people will have expectations and hopes and we are in very difficult times when people are vulnerable and need to know, want to know what lies ahead it’s need to know, want to know what lies aheaa �*, '. need to know, want to know what lies aheaa �* , ' . ., need to know, want to know what lies ahea- �*, '. .,. ahead it's difficult to balance the lan . ua . e. ahead it's difficult to balance the language- i _ ahead it's difficult to balance the language. ithink— ahead it's difficult to balance the language. i think we _ ahead it's difficult to balance the language. i think we do - ahead it's difficult to balance the language. i think we do well- ahead it's difficult to balance the language. i think we do well to l language. i think we do well to signify that there is some light at the end of the tunnel here. and obviously we're not talking about lockdown measures and intensive

restrictions being something that is going to be needed long—term, i think there is a certain amount of uncertainty about next winter in terms of understanding how long immunity will last and of course there is always new variants to throw into the picture. so i don't think we can be completely confident about anything, but i think the summer in particular should be a time when things will be much easier. ., , ,., time when things will be much easier. ., , ., ~ , ., the irish foreign minister, simon coveney, says the eu is considering whether to extend grace periods for checks on goods entering northern ireland from great britain, that were agreed as part of the brexit trade deal. talks, described last night as constructive, are continuing between the eu and the uk governments after border controls were stopped this week.

i spoke to our europe correspondent, gavin lee, a little earlier and he explained where both sides were in the talks at the start of this morning. as a joint statement, vertigo, from michael gove, from the eu side, the vice president, and in addition to that meeting virtual meeting that lasted 40 minutes last night with the deputy first minister of northern ireland from sinn fein and the first ministerfrom the dup, and ultimately, the potted history of this, after last week's trouble with the catastrophe, which is admitted by the eu that it intended to trigger article 15 of the northern ireland protocol, basically suspending its usual application and meaning there could be a border between ireland and northern ireland, with the vaccine checks happening there. they stopped that, but a letter yesterday morning, published by michael gove, sent to the eu, said, actually, after that problem, they have seen threats to northern ireland,

eu staff at the ports, those staff something suspended from work, since tuesday, they are still off work for the moment, so those checks are not in place on certain food stuffs. and we need some resolution here. there is a grace period for certain products, supermarket products, chilled meats, parcels, medicines, things like that, other pets, we need to continue this scenario up until the end of 2022, so there is a 40 minute meeting, the end result was this will be a constructive way of finding solutions, it means maros sefcovic estimates will come to northern ireland next week, different implications in brief, essentially, the eu is saying it will continue to impose fully these checks and the uk still pushing for a grace period to extend it. i should say this, the last two minutes, we have had simon coveney, on bbc radio ulster, he is the foreign minister for ireland, and also a significant eu official in the past, who said, "the idea of the grace period now, we will look to put in place, if it is possible, to extend some

of the grace periods, i think that is under consideration, but nothing drastic here in terms of the protocol." stephen kelly is the chief executive of manufacturing northern ireland, a trade body that has been helping business adjust to the new trading arrangements. earlier he explained what the situation meant on a practical level for the business community. there was no doubt that january was a difficult month. the business community here did one for some time that in the absence of detail, people just didn't have the time to get ready and that's what we experienced come the 1st of january. in many respects, it was a bit like that scene from wallace and gromit, where he is laying tracks down in front of the train to avoid disaster. businesses were working hard to keep going in the midst of the turmoil that was the beginning of this year and on top of that, the covid pandemic which is affected at all.

the headlines on bbc news. i tried is not to look at the impact of having a different vaccine for the first and second dose. scientists from the sage advisory committee say things could be more or less back to normalfor the summer. the uk and the eu agreed to work intensively to sort out problems with post—brexit to trade in northern ireland. the united states has condemned china after bbc reports of allegations of systematic rape and torture of women in so—called re—education camps for the uighur muslim minority. the state department says it is "deeply disturbed" by what it called "the atrocities" outlined in the report broadcast on this channel. and its demanding a powerful response — urging that china's actions, which it says "shock the conscience, be met with serious consequences." a group

the report has been described as chilling. the bbc spoke with a woman who was held at one of the camps in xinjiang region. she said she was held in a cell with 13 other women in the camps seen in the satellite images. she said three men visited the cell. they did whatever evil they could think of and didn't spare any part of my body. to the extent that it was disgusting to look at. they didn'tjust rape. they were barbaric. they had bitten all over my body. the bbc also heard from another inmate who now lives in istanbul. i

worked six months as a cleaning worker for the worked six months as a cleaning workerfor the women. chinese men would pay money to have their pick of the pretty young inmates. myjob is to remove their clothes completely and then handcuff them on their beds so they can't move. the chinese foreign ministry has dismissed the report as lies and disinformation.— dismissed the report as lies and disinformation. , ., _ , . disinformation. there is no systemic sexual assault _ disinformation. there is no systemic sexual assault and _ disinformation. there is no systemic sexual assault and abuse _ disinformation. there is no systemic sexual assault and abuse against - sexual assault and abuse against women — sexual assault and abuse against women. our constitution guarantees and protect— women. our constitution guarantees and protect human rights and it is valid _ and protect human rights and it is valid in— and protect human rights and it is valid in our— and protect human rights and it is valid in our legal system and to which _ valid in our legal system and to which governments work. constitutional laws to guarantee rights _ constitutional laws to guarantee rights and forbid any insult nor abuse —

rights and forbid any insult nor abuse. ,, . ~' rights and forbid any insult nor abuse. ,, .,~ ., ., , abuse. sneaking in the commons in the last hour. _ abuse. sneaking in the commons in the last hour, nigel— abuse. sneaking in the commons in the last hour, nigel adams - abuse. sneaking in the commons in the last hour, nigel adams told - abuse. sneaking in the commons in the last hour, nigel adams told thej the last hour, nigel adams told the uk was putting international pressure on china to change course. i acknowledge the strength of feeling by honourable members right across this house and the bbc report that my honourable friend refers to is chilling. it includes deeply distressing testimony of the rape, torture and dehumanisation of uighur women in xinjiang region dimension centres. gross human rights violations being perpetrated against uighur muslims and other minorities in xinjiang region. the evidence of the scale and the severity of these violations is now far—reaching. it paints a truly harrowing picture. if china wishes to dispute this evidence, they must allow unfettered

access for... law another fact—finding body. let's speak to the reporter who did the bbc story, matthew hill. we spent a long time, over a year, looking at this in great detail. we spoke to several women outside of xinjiang region. we forensically interrogated them to make sure what they were telling us is credible. we've also done a lot of checking of our sources on this one, and so it has had a big reaction internationally. the international parliamentary alliance in china produced a statement saying 50 leading politicians around the world from 19 different countries had all signed a letter, joint statement of concern of genocide. there has been,

including the chair of the senate foreign relations committee in the usa and also in australia, they've released a statement, they've done a statement where they are calling on china to allow... including the un commission for human rights to be allowed access to the country off the back of this. days after staging a coup, myanamar�*s military leaders have blocked facebook, the main source of internet access for people in the country. officials say it was shut down to boost stability. the un secretary—general, antonio guterres, has pledged to mobilise international pressure to ensure, as he put it, that the military coup in myanmarfails. there's been no word on the whereabouts of the country's de factor leader aung san suu kyi, and president win myint since monday. for a second day, protesters banged pots and sounded car horns

in the country's largest city. our reporter nye—in chan aye filed this report from yangon. this is where people are showing their frustration and anger against the military coup that has taken place on monday. this is the second night in a row people in yangon have been banging pots and pans, honking their car horns, in protest against the military coup that took place on monday. essentially, what people here are saying is that they don't want to live or work under the military any more. singing. translation: we only respect our i elected president, no one else. l if the president wanted the military to take over, then we would have accepted that.

but this coup is not fair, so we are expressing our feelings in a peaceful way. we are the voice of the little people. translation: | witnessed| the coups in 1962 and 1988. we know all about what happens under military takeovers, so we have to do this. if we take to the streets, they will shoot us dead. under these circumstances, i support this kind of protest. we want the elected leaders back. translation: people don't accept the coup. j that's why we want to drive them out, by doing this. i singing. on the other hand, the military is taking total control of the country. the military have installed an 11—memberjunta, which they say will rule under the year—long

state of emergency. the people of yangon have come out here tonight again, in larger numbers than yesterday, to say they want their vote and voice to be heard. our correspondentjonathan head is in bangkok in neighbouring thailand. he told us why blocking facebook was such a big step. you have to remember, even just ten years ago, in myanmar there was virtually no telecommunications at all. nope we had mobile phones, there was no internet for most bumese. and when mobile phones arrived, as myanmar opened up, the phone companies were offering data packages. facebook offered its platform without the use of data. and almost everyone in myanmar latched on to that and used facebook as a kind of default browser to access everything. now, there have been problems with that, serious problems with misinformation,

hate speech whipping up ethnic tension in the last few years. but it is how everybody accesses information. this ban that the military has imposed is apparently only for four days. i think they realise that you simply cannot shut down something so essential for a very long period. indeed, the military itself is still using facebook, although its senior officers have been banned from its platforms. so, they are trying to, at this stage, it looks like they are very nervous in the early days of the coup about young people in particular, or others organising through social media. some form of resistance of opposition. and they hope that by shutting down the main platform, they can slow that down. but, of course, the more tech savvy urban burmese will find ways round it. they are using vpns, there is a big move over to twitter, which hadn't been used much until now. i think even the generals will understand that trying to put a plug in the whole of social media doesn't last very long.

tennis officials have insisted the australian open will begin next week, despite more than five hundred players and support staff being forced to self—isolate. they were forced to take the action after a security guard at the hotel in which they were quarantined, tested positive for covid. we can speak to the former british number one and current tennis pundit, annabel croft. thanks forjoining us. are you feeling positive that it will go ahead on monday?— feeling positive that it will go ahead on monday? well, i've been listenin: ahead on monday? well, i've been listening to — ahead on monday? well, i've been listening to the _ ahead on monday? well, i've been listening to the statements - ahead on monday? well, i've been listening to the statements of - listening to the statements of tennis australia, and they sound pretty positive. i think there's a lot of protocols in place. this is extra precaution. ithink lot of protocols in place. this is extra precaution. i think they have to test all of these and staff and entourage in the hope that one of them tests positive. even if 12 of them tests positive. even if 12 of them do test positive overnight, they will probably have something in place to make those players isolate, they male may not... and they can

still go ahead with the open, but one things for sure, you wouldn't want to be in the shoes of tennis australia now, because they are iugghng australia now, because they are juggling quite a lot the moment. what you think of the weights been handled so far on the way the have responded?— handled so far on the way the have resonded? ~ i. ~ ., ~ responded? well, you know, i think at first when — responded? well, you know, i think at first when the _ responded? well, you know, i think at first when the players _ responded? well, you know, i think at first when the players all- responded? well, you know, i think at first when the players all went i at first when the players all went down there and everybody was in the press about a few players complaining, it didn't go down very well with the australian public because of course they've all been in lockdown for quite some time and then being let out, they certainly don't want these players who were they would consider to be on their own little bubble coming in trying to make money playing tennis when the health of their nation in their country was at stake. so i think what's happened is that a lot of players... tennis australia fail at la lotto lot of players have been remarkable now, the statement they've made, they feel that they have got it, it's a much bigger problem, though no the tournament is

quite small in comparison to everything, so all the protocols are in place, everyday could have possibly been doing, working very closely with the victorian government and health officials, with a tournament wouldn't go ahead without all of that in place. if you do get this tournament played and the players are able to make money, the players are able to make money, the fans are able to watch some tennis, then that some ticks on the right direction, isn't it? i think everybody has put it in perspective as to what it is, it a bit of a crisis going on globally. idol as to what it is, it a bit of a crisis going on globally. not a treat crisis going on globally. not a great way _ crisis going on globally. not a great way to _ crisis going on globally. not a great way to prepare - crisis going on globally. not a great way to prepare for - crisis going on globally. not a great way to prepare for a - great way to prepare for a tournament, though. how have they managed to do that in lockdown? well, that's a really good question. without wanting to sound... it's difficult for anybody who has to isolate in one room, have your meals delivered to the door and for athletes who are free—spirited, they are used to their routines, their schedules, they usually very superstitious, so they want everything to be how they wanted in preparation so that their minds can be in the right place to be able to

play competitive tennis and of course you have this situation where some of the tour were allowed out for five hours a some of the tour were allowed out forfive hours a day some of the tour were allowed out for five hours a day to practice and prepare and the rest who arrived on planes where somebody had tested positive on those planes, suddenly they were locked down for 14 days with no access to get outside and even hits tennis balls. so they were resorting to hitting balls across the wall, doing the fitness routines, running up and down in their room and doing five kilometres in a short space, so it's been very difficult, but i think they've all accepted now that to put it in perspective, if they are able to play the tournament, then great, but you are going to have a situation where some of the players are much better prepared than others and i think what it will come down to is a psychology. how do you get over the fact that your preparation isn't perfect, it's got to be about how your attitude is to the adversity that everyone is facing and it's not easy for anyone. find

that everyone is facing and it's not easy for anyone.— that everyone is facing and it's not easy for anyone. and that's a really fascinatin: easy for anyone. and that's a really fascinating aspect _ easy for anyone. and that's a really fascinating aspect of _ easy for anyone. and that's a really fascinating aspect of it, _ easy for anyone. and that's a really fascinating aspect of it, isn't - easy for anyone. and that's a really fascinating aspect of it, isn't it? - fascinating aspect of it, isn't it? because when you say the players now haveitin because when you say the players now have it in perspective, you can't have it in perspective, you can't have a mental shift so quickly, i wouldn't think, when basically, tennis, of any sportsperson, that their lives and you talk about the routines... it's going to be an interesting one to watch, isn't it? yes, it really is. i think tennis is all about your character and your strength of character and adversity, you have to ride the crest of waves of pressure and you can't get a more pressurised situation. this is the first grand slam of the year. this is the first big event, before normally we have the french open, wimbledon and the us open. in tennis terms, we have the big grand slams and this is the start of the year. so it's a big event, it holds a lot of weight in history, it holds the prize money, there is a lot attached to it, so they all want to play well

in these grand slam events are normally, you would have perfect preparation so that you peek at the right time in a grand slam. but of course, it's been anything but perfect operation because as i said, certain characters will cope without adversity better than others. the highly emotional players might, you know, lose it a little bit mentally. roger federer isn't going to be there, but we are used to say of him, he's so relaxed about any scenario, you can imagine that he would have coped well with this scenario, but he won't be there. will have to watch and see. thanks so much. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol. hello again. where it has been so mild of late, it is going to turn much colder, particularly so by sunday and more of us will see some snow. today, there is a snow in the forecast and in the hills of the north pennines, in scotland, at times in scotland, that will be down at lower levels, but generally speaking,

maybe some sleet. the north at lower levels is going to be rain, maybe some sleet. meanwhile in the south, we have a band of heavy showers, potentially thundery, moving across england and wales, in in between something drier and brighter. eventually, this band arrives across north—east england and a band of rain, sleet and snow continues to migrate northwards across the northern half of the country. it will be cold up there, with a risk of some ice to untreated surfaces and some fast, not as cold as we push further south. from midnight tonight, until 6pm on saturday, the met office has an amber weather warning for heavy snow across parts of scotland. we could have as much is between 10—15 centimetres, that is roughly six inches, at lower levels, and double that above 150 metres, so take care. hello, you're watching bbc news. i will headline set as a people receive their first covid—19 jab across the uk, china is lighter to look at the impact of having different vaccines for the first and

second dose. it different vaccines for the first and second dose-— second dose. it well, hopefully maintain the _ second dose. it well, hopefully maintain the uk _ second dose. it well, hopefully maintain the uk in _ second dose. it well, hopefully maintain the uk in the - second dose. it well, hopefully| maintain the uk in the forefront second dose. it well, hopefully - maintain the uk in the forefront of research into covid—19 vaccines, we are very proud of our track record, obviously, i'm vaccines parcels, and others in a deployment programme, but this is another part of the armoury. but this is another part of the armou . ~ but this is another part of the armoury— but this is another part of the armou . ~ , , , ., ., armoury. with pressure growing to ease lockdown _ armoury. with pressure growing to ease lockdown restrictions, - armoury. with pressure growing to ease lockdown restrictions, the - ease lockdown restrictions, the scientist on the sage advisory commission says that things could be more or less back to normalfor the summer. the uk and the eu have agreed to work intensively to sort out problems with post brexits trade in northern ireland. the us and the uk condemn china after a bbc report alleging women were systemically raped and tortured in uighur camps. china calls it lies and disinformation. time fro full spots ran up and we can get the full violators. hello there. that makes for a full round—up. the cross

question marks over at the austrian open, the man in charge, though, says he is absolutely confident that the tournament will go ahead. that is despite the latest problems caused by the pandemic. more than 500 people connected to the tournament are in self isolation, after a number of tough to quarantine at a hotel and tested positive there. 160 players are amongst those isolating. we fully expect will be negative. and hopefully can play like we planned was that if we had to go through this again, we were at those we will do so. we have another three and have weeks of tests, lots of supply and we fully expect to keep on schedule want to get past that. wimbledon meanwhile is "likely to look very different this year" according to the all england club. organisers say they remain committed to staging the championships this year and — although a reduced capacity is the most likely option — they haven't ruled out

having full stadia. the tournament is scheduled to start at the end ofjune. liverpool have now lost back—to—back games at anfield, after previously going 68 games unbeaten at home in the premier league. the champions lost 1—0 to brighton, who were impressive on the night and fully deserved the win. steven alzatey, with the only goal of the game. brighton are now unbeaten in four league matches. liverpool meanwhile are seven points off leaders manchester city. they've played a game more, and the two sides meet on sunday. the solution is always the players, the information that the players have and at the moment, they have to have and at the moment, they have to have the physical condition to do it. now i say, is a tough time anyway, but they did it really well. three years ago, six days ago, that is fine. for the night, it was not enough. we have now one more day until city come and visit they are flying. so we have these in time, that's how it is.

so as liverpool struggle, manchester city look unstoppable. they won their 13th game in a row by beating burnley 2—0. gabrieljesus opened the scoring at turf moor, before raheem sterling added a second. there were wins too last night for leicester, everton and west ham. ian wright says he's 'tired' and 'disappointed' after a teenager who sent him racist abuse avoided a criminal conviction. the former arsenal and england striker, who's now a bbc pundit, was sent the messages on social media by 18—year—old patrick o'brien from ireland, who sent them after losing a match on the fifa computer game. he was given probation, with the judge saying he saw nothing to gain from a criminal conviction. however, wright says that sends the wrong message. meanwhile, southampton say their teenage midfielder alex jankervitch, has been racially abused on social media. he was sent off early on in their 9—0 defeat to manchester united. the club say they've passed the messages to the police. zak crawley�*s been ruled out

of the first two tests against india after injuring himself in what's been called a 'freak�* accident. the opener slipped on a marble floor during practice yesterday and has sprained his wrist. it's expected he'll be replaced in the battling line up by either ollie pope or dan lawrence. meanwhile, former captain michael vaughan says current incumbentjoe root will end his career as england's greatest player in history. the first test in chennai will be root�*s 100th, and he's keen to make sure he remembers the occasion for the right reasons. it will be a very special day, a special game, but there is business to do, there are things that are more important and again, that is enough to read a good start. that will be my full focus when we walk out to play. on friday, and i will sure i will look out on it very funny, but once the game starts, it will be about scoring big brands and leading the team on.

that's all the sport for now. government sources have confirmed a bill will be introduced to finalise to leave for officeholders. it would allow them to take six months maternity leave on full pay. until now, arrangements have been agrees on an informal basis at the discretion of the prime minister. i'mjoined by basis at the discretion of the prime minister. i'm joined by deputy political editor young. it was effectively not going to be allowed to be allowed but i believe, less the always change. this to be allowed but i believe, less the always change.— the always change. this is quite surrisina the always change. this is quite surprising in — the always change. this is quite surprising in a _ the always change. this is quite surprising in a way, _ the always change. this is quite surprising in a way, this - the always change. this is quite surprising in a way, this goes i the always change. this is quitej surprising in a way, this goes to the way that cabinet ministers are employed. they are appointed by the prime minister, so they do not come under the normal employment law. that is not to say that women who have been ministers in the past have been denied maternity leave, but is not the case, they have been allowed to take it, but as i say, it has been on an informal basis and really, it is up to the prime

minister. the issue of isabella braverman, she is the attorney general, but is different, she is a law officer, although she also does attend cabinet. in her case, because of her particular responsibilities, they cannot just of her particular responsibilities, they cannotjust be delegated to somebody else for six months or however long she wants to go on to maternity leave. the government has decided to formalise the whole thing, notjust for ministers, but for those who have particularjobs in the opposition. the leader of the opposition, for example, and there are other posts in the opposition, where you would also be allowed to benefit from this. i think it does show, really, how rare it is for a cabinet minister to be someone who is having a baby. and for so we let bradman it does mean that she can keep a job and have her maternity leave and she will be paid in full pay for up to six months. it does shine a light. — pay for up to six months. it does shine a light, on _ pay for up to six months. it does shine a light, on equality - pay for up to six months. it does shine a light, on equality and - pay for up to six months. it does l shine a light, on equality and how things work there. is it likely to lead to other aspects. i

things work there. is it likely to lead to other aspects.— things work there. is it likely to lead to other aspects. i think it is a sin, lead to other aspects. i think it is a sign. that _ lead to other aspects. i think it is a sign. that very _ lead to other aspects. i think it is a sign, that very few _ lead to other aspects. i think it is a sign, that very few women - lead to other aspects. i think it is a sign, that very few women still| a sign, that very few women still have been in the cabinets, i think it has shown that really it has taken quite a time for the house of commons to change. there has been a lot of campaigning over the year, harriet harman, a very senior labour figure of course, pursuing a lot of this, but it is interesting that it was only january 2019 that the introduced proxy votes for women mps who are on maternity leave. all of thatis who are on maternity leave. all of that is quite recent. so i think it does show that it can take time to catch up with the rest of the world. i think it is worth remembering that particularly cabinet ministers, their careers are not the same as other people, because they can be, let's face it, in a reshuffle, sacked over nights, they are not subject to the same kind of employment laws that the rest of us are. but i think on the issue of maternity leave, they clearly want to make this a more formal process and i think it would allow them for

someone to step in as attorney general, that's a placement process, becomes a lot easier. especially if it is all formalised in law, so that will go through the house of commons, they hope, and has of lords, in one day next thursday. just a quick thought, then does it affords greater protection if they had a baby? because they could then just go in and reshuffle immediately after or during it that there was a reshuffle? ., , after or during it that there was a reshuffle? . , ., ., ., , ., reshuffle? that is a good question. i think politically, _ reshuffle? that is a good question. i think politically, for _ reshuffle? that is a good question. i think politically, for a _ reshuffle? that is a good question. i think politically, for a prime - i think politically, for a prime minister to sack a woman while she was on maternity leave, probably it would not be a good look, so i don't think that would happen anyway, but it could well mean that they are afforded some protection. thank you. boris afforded some protection. thank you. lhoris johnson — afforded some protection. thank you. boris johnson has _ afforded some protection. thank you. boris johnson has praised _ afforded some protection. thank you. boris johnson has praised what - afforded some protection. thank you. boris johnson has praised what he - borisjohnson has praised what he's described as the "colossal" effort to vaccinate 10 million people. this milestone means the uk looks likely to reach the government's target of protecting 15 million of the most vulnerable people by the middle of this month. our reporter graham satchell sent this report from epsom racecourse in surrey, one of the vaccination hubs.

how are you feeling about today? fine. excited, pleased that we are all on with the show. thank you. the process is simple and quick. first, everyone is checked in. then, a short wait, just a few minutes. today is my first day of working as a nurse here. i've rejoined the nursing register. imogen, who will give john his vaccine, left nursing five years ago to start a family. but she's back. i thought it was an exciting opportunity. i wanted to, sort of, play a part in it. fantastic. yeah. it's a step in the right direction. thank you. my wife is being done tomorrow. i've just been reading a whatsapp message from my brother—in—law in south africa who is in hospital there with it. with covid. and he's not well at all.

oh, dear. so, yeah, you know. it's touching everybody in somewhere. next in line, another john who is being looked after by his neighbour, deborah. john's wife is in a care home and he hasn't been able to see her. well, it's been a bad year. for everybody. regardless of who you are. everybody has suffered in somewhere another. hard not seeing your wife. it's very difficult. very difficult not to see her. and this is for all people who have people in care homes. very difficult. debra was here just a few days ago with her husband who had heart transplant three years ago. it's been a very worrying time. we have been shielding, really, since last march. i brought him to his vaccination on saturday and it was brilliant. it really was thrilling. exciting, so, yeah. it's a relief? it's emotional. very emotional. they vaccinate around 70 people an hour here. on average, between 700 and 900 every day.

the headlines on bbc news... isa10 is a 10 million people receive a covid—19 vaccine across the uk, china is lodged to have a look at the different impacts for the doses of the first and second. the pressure is going to ease lockdown restrictions, the site is an estate advisory could make things do make say things could be back to normal for the summer. you uk and the eu agreed to stop work intensively to work out prospective trade in northern ireland. —— post—brexit. here is at which to. he has hopes that the plan is to step in and hop production. that the plan is to step in and hop production-— production. boris johnson has ameni . production. boris johnson has amenity- you _ production. boris johnson has amenity. you can _ production. boris johnson has amenity. you can change - production. boris johnson has amenity. you can change the | production. boris johnson has - amenity. you can change the whole climate story. he could be the

knight in shining armour. he puts the world on a different pathway. all he has to do is follow the signs. pl. all he has to do is follow the sins. �* ,, , ., signs. a downing street spokesman said that it was _ signs. a downing street spokesman said that it was eight _ signs. a downing street spokesman said that it was eight leading - signs. a downing street spokesman said that it was eight leading in - said that it was eight leading in the policy. our analysis gave us the back end this. the the policy. our analysis gave us the back end this.— back end this. the backline is that -auttin in back end this. the backline is that putting in a _ back end this. the backline is that putting in a coco _ back end this. the backline is that putting in a coco crack— back end this. the backline is that putting in a coco crack cocaine, i back end this. the backline is that. putting in a coco crack cocaine, and off the _ putting in a coco crack cocaine, and off the coast — putting in a coco crack cocaine, and off the coast of cambrai, that acts like the _ off the coast of cambrai, that acts like the application went to the county— like the application went to the county council and the county council — county council and the county council said they could not find good _ council said they could not find good grounds for opposing it, as they passed it. at that point, the government could have stepped in. the committee secretary could have called _ the committee secretary could have called in _ the committee secretary could have called in that decision and overruled it, but he chose not to. he said _ overruled it, but he chose not to. he said that — overruled it, but he chose not to. he said that the county council was the appropriate level of government for the _ the appropriate level of government for the decision to be made out. that— for the decision to be made out. that caused an outcry cry and green peas, _ that caused an outcry cry and green peas, saying, well, let's hope the chinese _ peas, saying, well, let's hope the chinese provinces don't take this attitude — chinese provinces don't take this attitude otherwise you what is toast~ — attitude otherwise you what is toast. anyway, since then, the world

-- make— toast. anyway, since then, the world " make the— toast. anyway, since then, the world —— make the row has rumbled on, and she is— —— make the row has rumbled on, and she is not— —— make the row has rumbled on, and she is not a _ —— make the row has rumbled on, and she is not a trivial figure, he knows — she is not a trivial figure, he knows dry— she is not a trivial figure, he knows dry by then, he knows his climate. — knows dry by then, he knows his climate. his— knows dry by then, he knows his climate, his envoy, john kerry, he is a powerful— climate, his envoy, john kerry, he is a powerful character and he has copied _ is a powerful character and he has copied his — is a powerful character and he has copied his letter, that he sent to boris _ copied his letter, that he sent to borisjohnson, he has copied that to john kerry— borisjohnson, he has copied that to john kerry and he is trying to stare up john kerry and he is trying to stare up as— john kerry and he is trying to stare up as much— john kerry and he is trying to stare up as much embarrassment as possible — up as much embarrassment as possible. in up as much embarrassment as ossible. ., ., , possible. in the uk, there are many families, possible. in the uk, there are many families. the _ possible. in the uk, there are many families, the biggest _ possible. in the uk, there are many families, the biggest struggle - families, the biggest struggle during the pandemic has been a big impact on personal finances. during the pandemic has been a big impact on personalfinances. the government has boosted the amount of universal credit available, but with this extra support due to come to an end, many are worried about what it will mean for them. our political respondent alex forsyth has more. lepers mightjust double—check, so we need to see what you do for your poem. —— c. we need to see what you do for your poem- -- c— we need to see what you do for your poem. -- c. jess is embroiled in the home schooling _ poem. -- c. jess is embroiled in the home schooling struggle. _ poem. -- c. jess is embroiled in the home schooling struggle. she - poem. -- c. jess is embroiled in the home schooling struggle. she is - poem. -- c. jess is embroiled in the home schooling struggle. she is a i home schooling struggle. she is a single mother to oliver, and money has been tied but through the pandemic, she says it has been worse. being at home has pushed up

the bells and without a car, shopping locally can be pricey. get mad although our cupboards are full, ourfridge is a bit mad although our cupboards are full, our fridge is a bit empty, mad although our cupboards are full, ourfridge is a bit empty, and this is the week when we don't really have much faster. == is the week when we don't really have much faster.— is the week when we don't really have much faster. -- we don't really have much faster. -- we don't really have much — have much faster. -- we don't really have much fresh _ have much faster. -- we don't really have much fresh stuff. _ have much faster. -- we don't really have much fresh stuff. it _ have much faster. -- we don't really have much fresh stuff. it is - have much faster. -- we don't really have much fresh stuff. it is bill - have much fresh stuff. it is bill week. have much fresh stuff. it is bill week- she _ have much fresh stuff. it is bill week. she works _ have much fresh stuff. it is bill week. she works in _ have much fresh stuff. it is bill week. she works in a - have much fresh stuff. it is bill - week. she works in a supermarket but also relies on supermarket it back universal credit. the government put up universal credit. the government put up by universal credit. the government put up by £20 a week at the start of the pandemic to help those likejess who has had to make some tough choices. i had to scrape together food from the tens — i had to scrape together food from the lens i— i had to scrape together food from the tens. i have had to go to the food _ the tens. i have had to go to the food bank. _ the tens. i have had to go to the food bank, we always make sure oliver _ food bank, we always make sure oliver has — food bank, we always make sure oliver has everything he needs. i would _ oliver has everything he needs. i would go — oliver has everything he needs. i would go without. there have been times— would go without. there have been times when i've had to struggle, i had to— times when i've had to struggle, i had to phone up the utility bills and ask— had to phone up the utility bills and ask it— had to phone up the utility bills and ask if i could set up a payment plan to— and ask if i could set up a payment plan to pay— and ask if i could set up a payment plan to pay off the month spell. it has been — plan to pay off the month spell. it has been a — plan to pay off the month spell. it has been a big part of mine and oliver's~~ — has been a big part of mine and others - -_ oliver's... out and playing half hockey has _ oliver's... out and playing half hockey has been _ oliver's... out and playing half hockey has been a _ oliver's... out and playing half hockey has been a big - oliver's... out and playing half hockey has been a big lifeline i oliver's... out and playing half. hockey has been a big lifeline for the two of them, and with support from a charity, she has worked hard to support her finances. the x

universal credit has helped, and she is hopeful that things will get easier. ., ., ., ._ , easier. the one thing i have always been worried _ easier. the one thing i have always been worried about _ easier. the one thing i have always been worried about is _ easier. the one thing i have always been worried about is if _ easier. the one thing i have always been worried about is if i'm - easier. the one thing i have always been worried about is if i'm doing i been worried about is if i'm doing the right thing for him. hopefully, he learns the value of hard work. we will get there eventually, i think. there has been a heavy economic price to this pandemic. it is obvious in any high street. the government has put billions into supporting businesses and individuals. it says that it is committed to helping the lowest paid families. it points to the increases in welfare and grants for things like boot food and bills. it is being urged to make a decision on the extra income many of those has run come to rely on. the government is under some pressure to keep the increased rate of universal credit, but if it does, that means a pretty big bill for the treasury. about £6 billion. at the moment, the chancellor's working out his budget, and the government says part of that process is looking at the state of the pandemic and the state of public finances and also working out the

best way to support people. mr; best way to support people. m children will best way to support people. m1 children will never know that best way to support people. m1: children will never know that i struggle. my children will never know that i worry. because i will always be daddy for them. for anthony. _ always be daddy for them. for anthony. the _ always be daddy for them. for anthony, the extra £20 a week has been a lifeline. he is a single dad of two, including 23—year—old florence was that he said any drop in income that would be a real struggle. $5 in income that would be a real strunle. r ., in income that would be a real strunle. a. ., , ., struggle. as a household, if we were to have the — struggle. as a household, if we were to have the hits _ struggle. as a household, if we were to have the hits like _ struggle. as a household, if we were to have the hits like that, _ struggle. as a household, if we were to have the hits like that, we - struggle. as a household, if we were to have the hits like that, we are - to have the hits like that, we are going to have to be constantly at the food bank and we are going to have to ask for assistance for bills, but it is difficult for everybody at the moment. we have to make do. universal credit makes us just make do. the make do. universal credit makes us just make do— make do. universal credit makes us 'ust make do. ., ., , , just make do. the government has yet to decide whether— just make do. the government has yet to decide whether to _ just make do. the government has yet to decide whether to keep _ just make do. the government has yet to decide whether to keep the - to decide whether to keep the increased rates. there is no escaping the impact of this pandemic on public and personalfinances. anthony has had support from the christians against poverty charity, which he says has been invaluable. there are places out there. but

sometimes you do not know you can reach out to those places because you are embarrassed because you are exhausted. and i will have to say, do it, because it is the best thing i did. the only way we can move forwards is moving forward together. there is high praise for a scheme that helps there's high praise for a scheme that helps young children in care reconnect with family members. 'lifelong links' aims to help vulnerable children and young people build and maintain support networks that many take for granted. young people who grow up in care are still more likely to do poorly at school and to end up in prison. this scheme is trying to counter that. lifelong links was set up by the family rights group, whose chief executive, cathy ashley, joins me now. welcome, thank you forjoining us. pleasure. so can you just expend a bit more about how this actually works? ., ., , ., ., works? how it works is that an independent — works? how it works is that an independent coordinator - works? how it works is that an independent coordinator who i works? how it works is that an i independent coordinator who we train, well work with the young

person to identify all the people who could be important in their lives. they could include extended family, some they may have met, some they may never have met, but it also includes other people who may care about them, but as a result of the care system, they may have ended up moving away or breaking those relationships. for example, a child may have been at school in an area and have schoolmates and their parents may have looked out for that child's, but as a result of going into care, they may have ended up having to leave the school, they may have ended up no longer living with their brothers and sisters. what this charity does is try and reconnect those positive relationships in that child's life.

if i understand it correct then, it is effectively empowering the child to say, tell us about the people who you have felt a connection with your past, or the ones that you feel like you would like to develop that connection with, or get in touch with you —— make they will get in touch with you and try to form a bond, a more durable bond, that right? bond, a more durable bond, that riht? , , bond, a more durable bond, that riht? , _, bond, a more durable bond, that riht? , , . ., ., right? yes, it is about creating a lasting support _ right? yes, it is about creating a lasting support network- right? yes, it is about creating a lasting support network for - right? yes, it is about creating a lasting support network for the i lasting support network for the child. notjust whilst lasting support network for the child. not just whilst they are lasting support network for the child. notjust whilst they are in the care system, but throughout their lives. we all need people who we know love and care about is, that we know love and care about is, that we can turn to, or that we have had to call for emotional things, and thatis to call for emotional things, and that is what lifelong links aims to do. it is proving very effective. there is one child, for example, who did not know about their grandparents and yet his grandparents, ran at the ice cream, and the child remembered having them being bought but presence, being in

the cupboard, waiting for them, when they were able to reconnect. that grandparents did not know how to contact the grandchild once the grandchild was in care and meanwhile, no one talked to the child about their grandparents who they loved and cared about. it is heartbreaking, _ they loved and cared about. it is heartbreaking, isn't it? to think about, what must be going out on it back on in a child for my cat, when they have been abandoned, but is just through circumstance. how important is it to reverse that for a child? ., , important is it to reverse that for a child? . , ., ., important is it to reverse that for achild? . , ., ., ., a child? really important. part of the aim of— a child? really important. part of the aim of the _ a child? really important. part of the aim of the charity _ a child? really important. part of the aim of the charity is - a child? really important. part of the aim of the charity is not - a child? really important. part of the aim of the charity is not only| the aim of the charity is not only to recreate the network for that child, but also to encourage local authorities to think about ways in which those relationships are not broken in the first place. if a child does need to go into the care system, to look at how they can create those and maintain those bonds as much as possible, and it is

really important as i say, for all of us, but it is particularly important for children in care. it is one of the reasons why, often, particularly when they leave the care system, they do feel so isolated. so alone, and white that could be as bad for some children in the care system.— the care system. there it always work out? _ the care system. there it always work out? from _ the care system. there it always work out? from what _ the care system. there it always work out? from what you - the care system. there it always work out? from what you have i the care system. there it always - work out? from what you have said, i'm trying to work out that it sounds like you might be contacted by the coordinated team at coordinator on behalf of the child, who is in that person as an important figure in their life, whether it is the parent of a friend of the teacher or whatever, and it might not be expecting to get that call. and also, on the family side of things, is there a risk of petting a child back into a situation that could cause problems —— of putting a child at a situation

that could cause the problem that meant it went into care in the first place? meant it went into care in the first lace? a , . , place? many children will trying -- like many children _ place? many children will trying -- like many children in _ place? many children will trying -- like many children in care - place? many children will trying -- like many children in care will - place? many children will trying -- like many children in care will end| like many children in care will end “p like many children in care will end up trying to find family members by themselves without support, without being taken through all the potential risks and potential protections and the way that it is done is not in keeping with a positive way for the kids. what is positive way for the kids. what is positive about our charity is that it is planned out, there is thought through, that the child's foster carer, or perhaps in a children's home, there parent there is involved in the process. as well as a social worker, said that there are people, who the child may be at risk from colour it is finding a way of ensuring that the child understands that risk. it is also enabling the child is to know, the young person, to know who could be a positive support for them in their lives, but also who could maybe he support for them in their lives, but also who could maybe be negative, who to stay away from, or ways that they can have contacts in a safe

manner. often, children in care will do this anyway. but secretly. and it is treated as something that is to be ashamed of, as opposed to what we are saying with lifelong licks, and what should be said, we all need those relationships out in the open, celebrated, and to do it any really positive manner. it will only happen if the wants to. the child will be doing at their pace and they will only meet family members or friends who they wish to.— who they wish to. thank you. thank ou, so who they wish to. thank you. thank you. so much- _ who they wish to. thank you. thank you, so much. for— who they wish to. thank you. thank you, so much. for talking _ who they wish to. thank you. thank you, so much. for talking is - who they wish to. thank you. thank| you, so much. for talking is through that. right, let's get the weather. hello again. over the next few days, particularly into the weekend, we are looking at where it's been mild turning much colder, for some of us a drop of 13 degrees or so. my my rest was ice and snow. there is some snow in the hills of the north pennines and in scotland.

meanwhile in the south, we have a band of heavy showers, potentially thundery, moving across england and wales, in between something drier and brighter. eventually, this band arrives across north—east england and a band of rain, sleet and snow continues to migrate northwards across the northern half of the country. it will be cold up there, with a risk of some ice to untreated surfaces and some fast, not as cold as we push further south. from midnight tonight, until 6pm on saturday, the met office has an amber weather warning for heavy snow across parts of scotland. we could have as much is between 10—15 centimetres, that is roughly six inches, at lower levels, and double that above 150 metres, so take care.

will have to watch and see. thanks so much. this is bbc news. the headlines. is 10 million people receive their first dose of the vaccine across the uk, trial has launched a look at the impact of having different vaccines for the first and second dose. it will hopefully make the uk at the forefront of research into covid vaccines. we are very proud of our track records on the vaccines task force and of course, the deployment programme. this is another part of the armoury. scientist on the sage advisory committee suggest things could be back to normal by the summer. the us and the uk condemn china after a bbc

report alleges women were systematically raped and tortured in uighur camps. systematically raped and tortured in uighur camps-— systematically raped and tortured in uighur camps. they did whatever evil their mind thinks _ uighur camps. they did whatever evil their mind thinks and _ uighur camps. they did whatever evil their mind thinks and they _ uighur camps. they did whatever evil their mind thinks and they didn't - their mind thinks and they didn't spare any part of my body. the uk and eu agreed _ spare any part of my body. the uk and eu agreed to _ spare any part of my body. the uk and eu agreed to work _ spare any part of my body. the uk and eu agreed to work intensively| spare any part of my body. the uk l and eu agreed to work intensively to sort out problems with post brexits trading northern ireland. tennis officials say the australian open will start as planned on monday, despite hundreds of players and staff being forced to isolate in melbourne. any trial has launched in the uk to look at the impact of giving people different coronavirus vaccines for their first and second doses. the mix—and—match approach could provide

flights ability in the event of any supply problems. scientists say it is possible that having different vaccines may provide better protection than having the same one twice. it comes as the uk yesterday passed the milestone of giving 10 million people their first injections. dominic hughes reports. with more than ten million people now having had their firstjabs across the uk, the vaccination roll—out is well under way. but could mixing doses of the oxford—astrazeneca and the pfizer—biontech vaccines offer the body even more chances to develop defences against the virus? that's what's behind a new trial being unveiled today. the study will involve 820 volunteers, none of whom have yet had the vaccine. all will be aged 50 or over, part of the group to be vaccinated in the next priority wave. the trial will run initially at eight sites across england. what we're doing here is we are looking to see how well people's immune systems respond if you give the first dose with one covid vaccine, the second with another. and the reason we want to do

that is to build flexibility into the uk immunisation schedule for covid vaccines, and even globally. it makes it much easier to administer these vaccines if you don't have to worry too much about always giving the second dose the same as the first dose. that also brings resilience into the immunisation schedule. if there were to be supply problems with one of the vaccines, then you are protected against that by being able to immunise with the other vaccine as an alternative. researchers believe there are good reasons to think it may work. for example, exactly this process was used in the fight against ebola. introducing flexibility in the vaccination programme could also help, should there be disruption to vaccine supplies, and it may be of huge benefit to developing countries that have yet to get vaccination programmes up and running. the first results should be known by the early summer. dominic hughes, bbc news. professor andrew hayward, a member

of sage said that as more people are vaccinated, there will be some form of normality by the summer. what vaccinated, there will be some form of normality by the summer. what we need to bear— of normality by the summer. what we need to bear in _ of normality by the summer. what we need to bear in mind _ of normality by the summer. what we need to bear in mind is _ of normality by the summer. what we need to bear in mind is that _ of normality by the summer. what we need to bear in mind is that at - of normality by the summer. what we need to bear in mind is that at the - need to bear in mind is that at the moment, we are still in a very fragile position. despite the fact that rates are coming down, we still have very high levels of disease, amongst the highest levels in the world of both disease and deaths. so it is... and what we are potentially needing to do is to time that with the vaccination programme which, fortunately, is going very well. i think obviously as more people get vaccinated, there is more pressure to unlock, but what we need to bear in mind is that whilst we vaccinated a high proportion of the very most vulnerable groups, really, there's still plenty of people remain vulnerable to being hospitalised, developing severe disease and ending up

developing severe disease and ending up in itu from this disease and if we release now, things will be bad. so we do have to take that cautiously. but as those groups start to be vaccinated, and as the natural seasonality of coronavirus kicks in, then i think we will be in a very different landscape towards the end of spring and summer. lets go to our political correspondent at westminster. how in tune other scientists and the politicians about this time frame? well, i think we got a pretty clear signalfrom the prime minister last night at the press conference that he is pretty onside with the scientists at the moment. he was pretty cautious in the way he was talking about unlocking, pretty cautious in talking about those signs of optimism we've seen with reducing the number of cases, going down quite rapidly, the slightly slower reduction in the number of

hospitalisations and deaths as well. but there are some and there have been for some time, those mps who are prepared to knock on boris johnson's door as much as possible and say to him, you need to think about the plan for getting the economy moving again and for unlocking. the plan in government is still to wait a few more weeks to see how the data is then, but if you add into the mix the fact that the vaccination programme seems to be going so well, i think that only adds to some of the evidence that some tory mps will draw on to argue that lockdown needs to be listed as soon as possible. it's a point that was put to the vaccine minister this morning. was put to the vaccine minister this mornin. ~ , ., , was put to the vaccine minister this mornin. ~ , .,, ., morning. the prime minister has made it ve clear morning. the prime minister has made it very clear that _ morning. the prime minister has made it very clear that on _ morning. the prime minister has made it very clear that on the _ morning. the prime minister has made it very clear that on the 22nd _ morning. the prime minister has made it very clear that on the 22nd of - it very clear that on the 22nd of february. — it very clear that on the 22nd of february, they will be a road map for how— february, they will be a road map for how we — february, they will be a road map for how we intend to reopen the economy, — for how we intend to reopen the economy, beginning with schools on the 8th— economy, beginning with schools on the 8th of— economy, beginning with schools on the 8th of march and then gradually the 8th of march and then gradually the rest _

the 8th of march and then gradually the rest of— the 8th of march and then gradually the rest of the economy. you have to set yourself _ the rest of the economy. you have to set yourself targets and you hope everything goes well.— everything goes well. also, questions _ everything goes well. also, questions about _ everything goes well. also, questions about what - everything goes well. also, questions about what is - everything goes well. also, - questions about what is actually the plan with hotel quarantine. the boss of one hotel chain saying, they have not been given any advice at all. i feel like we've spoken about hotel quarantine for weeks if not months now and that's because the government has kind of been moving slowly towards this policy of forcing some people coming back from the highest risk countries to quarantine in specified hotels. the main reason is that they want to stop the new variants of the virus that we've been hearing about in south africa and brazil, for example, to stop them coming into the country where possible. a couple of weeks ago, there were hints this was going to happen, it was announced it was going to happen, but we still don't know exactly what is actually going to happen. we thought we were going to get that detail this week, we are now not and

it looks like it will be next week before we get the specifics about what this is going to look like. so industry are quite frankly baffled that it's taken so long. we heard this morning from the boss of the best western hotels about some of the conversations he has been having with the government. lirate the conversations he has been having with the government.— with the government. we got the understanding — with the government. we got the understanding that _ with the government. we got the understanding that quarantine i with the government. we got the i understanding that quarantine hotels were something that was going to be considered _ were something that was going to be considered in the uk quite some time a-o considered in the uk quite some time ago now— considered in the uk quite some time ago now and we are yet to understand exactly _ ago now and we are yet to understand exactly what the protocols are required — exactly what the protocols are required of the hotels, so we're going _ required of the hotels, so we're going to — required of the hotels, so we're going to set out a set of protocols, with share — going to set out a set of protocols, with share that information of suggested protocols and with offer our support and we are yet to hear anything — our support and we are yet to hear an hin. ., anything. so, the government say we are auoin anything. so, the government say we are going to — anything. so, the government say we are going to get _ anything. so, the government say we are going to get an — anything. so, the government say we are going to get an update _ anything. so, the government say we are going to get an update on - anything. so, the government say we are going to get an update on that i are going to get an update on that in the next few days. but it's one of these issues that has just dragged on and on and on and there are many in the political world saying, why has it taken so long? it's hard, operationally it's hard, but many people should have been brought in earlier and others think

that it should go a lot further. remember, scotland is saying that anyone who arrives in scotland will be forced to quarantine in a government mandated hotel, which is a lot further than the uk government is going. a lot further than the uk government is anoin. ., ~ a lot further than the uk government is anoin. . ~' ,, a lot further than the uk government isuaoin. ., is going. thank you, nick. the vaccines minister _ is going. thank you, nick. the vaccines minister is _ is going. thank you, nick. the vaccines minister is going i is going. thank you, nick. the vaccines minister is going to i is going. thank you, nick. the | vaccines minister is going to be making a statement in the comments in the next half an hour about the vaccine roll—out and we will bring that to you live just as soon as it starts. we are also going to be hearing from scotland as well, so both of those live events running up on the bbc news channel. there's been international condemnation of china the bbc reported alleged systematic rape and torture of women in so—called re—education camps for the uighur muslim minority. atrocities outlined in the report broadcast it on bbc news. it is demanding a powerful response, urging china's actions be met with

serious consequences. in the commons, the foreign office minister describes the bbc report is chilling and called upon china to allow unfettered access to refute the allegations. the bbc spoke with a woman who was held at one of the camps in xinjiang region. she said she was held in a cell with 13 other women in the camp seen any satellite images. she said that three men visited the cell after midnight. they did whatever evil their minds could think of. and they didn't spare any part of my body. biting it to the extent that it was disgusting to the extent that it was disgusting to look at. they didn'tjust rape. they were barbaric. they had bitten all over my body. they were barbaric. they had bitten all over my body-— all over my body. and, the bbc is heard from _ all over my body. and, the bbc is heard from a _ all over my body. and, the bbc is heard from a former _ all over my body. and, the bbc is heard from a former inmate i all over my body. and, the bbc is heard from a former inmate from| all over my body. and, the bbc is i heard from a former inmate from the camp who let our lives in istanbul.

she said she was employed at the camp and was forced to be complicit in the rape of the women. i camp and was forced to be complicit in the rape of the women.— in the rape of the women. i worked six months — in the rape of the women. i worked six months as _ in the rape of the women. i worked six months as a _ in the rape of the women. i worked six months as a cleaning _ in the rape of the women. i worked six months as a cleaning worker. in the rape of the women. i workedj six months as a cleaning worker for the women. chinese men would pay money to have their pick of the pretty young inmates. myjob is to remove their clothes completely and then handcuff them on their beds so that they cannot move. the then handcuff them on their beds so that they cannot move.— that they cannot move. the chinese forein that they cannot move. the chinese foreign ministry _ that they cannot move. the chinese foreign ministry has _ that they cannot move. the chinese foreign ministry has dismissed i that they cannot move. the chinese foreign ministry has dismissed the| foreign ministry has dismissed the report is lies and disinformation. there is no systemic and sexual abuse _ there is no systemic and sexual abuse against women. china's constitution guarantees and protect human— constitution guarantees and protect human rights and it is embedded in our legal— human rights and it is embedded in our legal system and the government's work. the... is strictly— government's work. the... is strictly abide by constitutional laws _ strictly abide by constitutional laws to— strictly abide by constitutional laws to guarantee the student's basic— laws to guarantee the student's basic rights and forbid any insult abuse _

basic rights and forbid any insult abuse. ., , . basic rights and forbid any insult abuse. ., ' . , abuse. the foreign office minister told mps the _ abuse. the foreign office minister told mps the uk _ abuse. the foreign office minister told mps the uk was _ abuse. the foreign office minister told mps the uk was a _ abuse. the foreign office minister told mps the uk was a leading i told mps the uk was a leading international pressure on china. i acknowledge the strength of feeling about the human rights situation in xinjiang region shared by honourable members quite across this house. the bbc reports that my honourable friend refers to is chilling. it includes deeply distressing testimony of the rape, torture and dehumanisation of uighur women in xinjiang region detention centres. it's a further compelling addition to the gross human rights violations being perpetrated against uighur muslims and other minorities in xinjiang region. the evidence of the scale and severity of these violations is now far—reaching. it makes a truly harrowing picture. if china wishes to dispute this evidence, they must allow unfettered access to the region that the un

high commissionerfor access to the region that the un high commissioner for human access to the region that the un high commissionerfor human rights ought another fact—finding body. high commissionerfor human rights ought anotherfact—finding body. its, ought another fact—finding body. a reporter on the piece says it was thoroughly researched. i reporter on the piece says it was thoroughly researched.— reporter on the piece says it was thoroughly researched. i spoke to several women _ thoroughly researched. i spoke to several women in _ thoroughly researched. i spoke to severalwomen in istanbul, i thoroughly researched. i spoke to severalwomen in istanbul, in i several women in istanbul, in america, in holland, in sweden. and i interview them forensically. a consistent picture emerges from their testimony of rape, of hair being shaved off. on one occasion, 100 women were forced to watch a young woman being gang raped in one of these re—education camps and that they say it was a means of control. anyone who looked away, there were repercussions for them. anyone who looked away, there were repercussions forthem. depiction anyone who looked away, there were repercussions for them. depiction of torture, a very specific torture, which involves an electric rod. also, forcible, forcibly having iuds

put in, and in some cases, forced sterilisation. so these are very serious and the women were in tears. their emotion to me seem to be very, very genuine. their emotion to me seem to be very, very genuine-— very genuine. that was matthew hill re ortin. very genuine. that was matthew hill reporting- let _ very genuine. that was matthew hill reporting- let me — very genuine. that was matthew hill reporting. let me bring _ very genuine. that was matthew hill reporting. let me bring you - very genuine. that was matthew hill| reporting. let me bring you breaking news. voted unanimously in favour of keeping interest rates at 0.1%. in a statement, the bank has also reduced its estimate for economic growth from 7.25% to 5% this year, whilst increasing its forecast for next year from 6.25% to 7.25%. it says that uk gross domestic product is expected to have risen a little in the last quarter

of last year to a level that was around 8% lower than the last quarter of the year before, so obviously that's a shrinkage in the growth last year... revised down to 5% from 7.25%. the headline from that bank of england monetary policy report is that interest rates will remain at 0.1%. we are just waiting to hearfrom remain at 0.1%. we are just waiting to hear from scotland's remain at 0.1%. we are just waiting to hearfrom scotland's first minister, nicola sturgeon. from her daily covid briefing, let'sjust bring you an update on our headlines while we wait for that. is 10 million people receive theirfirst covid jab across the uk, research is done into having different vaccines for the first and second dose. pressure grows to these lockdown as

sage scientist savings could be more or less back to normalfor the summer. the uk and the eu agreed to work to sort out a post—brexit trade problems in northern ireland. 1159 positive cases reported yesterday. that represents 4.9% of the total number of tests and means that the overall number is now 183,218. as you heard me say many, many times before, we should never read too much into a single day's figures. that said, any day where test positivity is below 5%, particularly given the face of the pandemic we are in right now, is welcome and today is the first time we've had that in more than a month. we shouldn't overstate it and i'm going to stress that point, but

nevertheless, i think particularly given how grim things have been recently, we should allow ourselves just to reflect a little bit on the rays of sunshine when we are here and that is undoubtedly a small ray of sunshine. of today's new cases, 339 were in greater glasgow and clyde, 190 in lanarkshire and 159 in lothian and the remaining cases are across nine other health board areas. 1812 people are currently in hospital, which is 53 fewer than yesterday, and 127 people are in intensive care, which is forfewer than yesterday, so again, we are starting to see the numbers in hospital and intensive care stabilise and start to decline, albeit gradually, and again, that's positive news, although workers on the front line of our health service continue to be under very, very severe pressure. i'm sorry to report that 53 additional deaths have been

registered in the past 24 hours of patients who have tested positive over the previous 28 days in the total number of deaths under that measurement is now 6000 322. as we start to see case numbers and numbers of hospitalised patients needing intensive care decline, it obviously takes longer for the numbers of people dying to start to decline as well. and we should therefore remember that even though we might be starting to see some positive signs in the statistics, there are too many families across there are too many families across the country still losing loved ones and i again today want to send my condolences and my thoughts to everybody who is grieving, particularly those who are recently bereaved, but everybody was lost a loved one over the course of the pandemic. latertoday, loved one over the course of the pandemic. later today, we will publish the latest estimate they are our number. the r number remains

below one which is further evidence of the progress we're making. however, for all that positive progress, it is important for me to stress that if we are to maintain that suppression of the virus, it is essential that all of us continue to follow the stay at home except for essentials rule. that is vital. it is all of us doing that that is leading to this positive progress and the infectiousness of the virus, especially the new strain that we are dealing with over the past few weeks means that progress could very easily be reversed if we drop our guard prematurely. iwant easily be reversed if we drop our guard prematurely. i want to turn out to vaccination, if we suppress this virus, is a vaccine programme. as i reported already, we have now vaccinated 98% of older residents in care homes and 89% of staff working in care homes have now also had the first dose of the

vaccine. let me be clear, these are not figures for people offered vaccination, these are figures of the people actually vaccinated. these are quite extraordinary uptake numbers and they are hugely important given that all the virus are taken on older people in care homes. i can also report that as of this morning, at least 90% of those aged over 80 and living in a community have been vaccinated. the work being done, to refine the total number of people in that over 80s group of the population actually suggest that that percentage in reality is higher than 90%. again, the importance of a high number of older people who are vulnerable to this virus can't be overstated. however, and you've heard me say this as well, targeting maximum uptake in these most vulnerable groups does take time. that has meant that overall numbers vaccinated in scotland have been lower. that has been subject to

criticism on a fair enough, for people to do that. but it has been about trying to protect the maximum number of lives and i think that is important. however, i'm pleased to report that having achieved such high uptake in the most vulnerable groups, we are also now seeing the pace of the programme overall pick up pace of the programme overall pick up significantly as we always said it would. so as of half past eight today, a total of 694,347 people have received the first dose of the vaccine. that is an increase of 45,085 from the number we reported yesterday and that daily total of more than 45,000 is the highest daily total we've recorded so far. this is the third day of a record high daily total and today's is 52% higher than the same day last week. so if we look at this week so far, we vaccinated 55% more people than

in the same period last week, so that gives you a sense of the exhilaration that we are now seeing in the pace of the programme overall. the overall number that i've just reported include 38% of 75 to 79—year—olds living in the community who have also now received the first dose and we will see that number rise rapidly over the days to come. we are on track to meet the target wave set of all the over 70s and all adults classed as clinically extremely vulnerable by mid—february. over 65 is are also now receiving the vaccine. in short, the vaccination programme in scotland is going well. it has been focused on protecting those most vulnerable first and that is important, and then working as quickly as possible to allow everyone else. i want again today to take the opportunity to thank everyone who was working hard across the country to achieve this. i also

want to thank you, the public, and those of you in the group you avoid been prioritised for the vaccine for coming forward in such large numbers so far. the uptake rates we are seeing, and i hope this continues as we get into the younger population groups, way beyond anything i could ever have believed would be possible. way beyond what we see in the flu vaccine programme, so that is testament to the willingness and the enthusiasm, i would say, people to come forward, be vaccinated for their own safety, but also to be part of that collective effort that we need to have to beat this virus. as we vaccinate more and more people, it remains vital that, for the moment, we do stick with lockdown restrictions. they are necessary, and i think as we are seeing now in the data, we are working, i said earlier this week that we will keep these in place until at least the end of this month. because they are so necessary, but i know they are really hard for everyone. so the two

other issues i want to briefly highlight today relate to support the businesses and some support and advice which is available to help individuals and families. in relation to businesses, as many of you know, the scottish government set up the strategic framework businesses fund to help many of the hospitality, leisure and retail businesses that have been required to close. in december, as we brought tighter restrictions into force, we announced top up funding for those businesses in addition to the monthly grants we are receiving. the top up support is worth £25,000 for large hospitality businesses and 9004 larger leisure and retail premises. the reason i am highlighting the support today is that the businesses on the mainland with slightly longer time frames to apply for the special islands funding, the deadline for applying for these is tomorrow. let me be clear, if you are a business that has already applied to the strategic framework fund, you don't need to reapply. if you are currently

receiving monthly payments, you will get these top up grants automatically. but if you are eligible for support from the framework fund and you have not yet applied, then please do so otherwise you risk missing out further. you can find details about... on the business support website. even if you don't qualify under the strategic framework fund, the website can help you find details of other programmes that you might be eligible for. the second and final point i want to highlight relates to mental health. this week as children's mental health week. it takes place in early february every year, but this year of course, it's more significant than ever. the last 11 months have been really difficult for all of us, but i don't think there is any doubt that children and young people have borne a really big burden from everything that they've had to do to deal with this virus.

they've had their schools closed on education disrupted and of course, unable to interact with friends as normal. i want to highlight some resources that are in place to help children and young people at this time. i know lots of children and young people will be struggling right now, including struggling with mental health. for example, the organisation place to be, place to be with a two written as the number two. these are designed to help children find creative ways to share their thoughts and feelings, they are able to be adapted for use in school learning from home and independent learning. in addition, the young scot campaign, i feel, independent learning. in addition, the young scot campaign, ifeel, the use of the scottish word aye, also provides good advice as to how to

support children's mental health. also the lay your head site can help provide support. i know it's a priority for the parents and grandparents are watching this, but it is a priority for the scottish government. that's why we are continuing to prioritise a return to school albeit a phased careful return to school ahead of easing lockdown in other ways. there may be lockdown in other ways. there may he points in weeks to come where adults are asking me to open pubs and restaurants and open the places that we as adults enjoy going and there may be a period where i'm saying we can't do that yet. the reason we can't do that yet. the reason we can't do that yet. the reason we can't do it is because we need to keep all of the flexibility we have to get children back into school and when we get to that stage, as i suspect we will add points over the next few weeks, please remember that thatis next few weeks, please remember that that is the priority of the government. the well—being and education of children. i know it's one that is shared across the

country, but it will demand of adults a bit of patience in the weeks to come. so please, for adults, rememberthat this weeks to come. so please, for adults, remember that this is a tough time for you as well. there is help and support out there. the see national mental campaign is dedicated today is the time to talk day. one of the things were pointing out is that often when people feel down and are struggling with things, often a small gesture, phoning up somebody sending them a card, can make a big difference. if you're in a position to do so, maybe think about whether you can reach out to somebody today for later this week. if you're feeling down yourself, remember the nhs website has lots of information and you can call nhs 24 on 111 as well. my point today is that we are 11 months into this

pandemic, we still have some tough times ahead. everyone is struggling. it's affecting all of us in different ways but it is affecting all of us. so if you feel you need some help, please reach out and remember, be kind to each other. let's all try as we have done throughout these last 11 months, to try to continue to support each other as much as we can. and finally, let's keep focusing on the light at the end of the tunnel. we're not quite at the end of the tunnel yet. there are still some tough times ahead. but there is no doubt that the light is more visible now than it's been at any point in recent weeks. we see that in the figures. case rates are falling, numbers of people in hospital and intensive care are starting to fall. vaccination is exhilarating. we have more work to do. we need case numbers to get to a lower level, we need to get them as low as we possibly can, but we are making progress. so let these trends give us hope for the future and from that hope, let's all draw the strength that we need to keep going right

now. please continue to stay at home except for essential purposes. when you're out and about, make sure that you're out and about, make sure that you're following all of the facts and advice to keep yourself and each other safe. stay at home, protect the nhs, save lives. that's the mantra that is serving as well. that's the mantra that it will stick to it, it will get is through these next few weeks. thank you very much indeed for listening. we are going to move straight to questions now and of course, it know how we answer those. if i can call firstly today on katie hunter from the bbc. ., ~ firstly today on katie hunter from the sac. ., ~ 1 ., firstly today on katie hunter from the sac. ., ~ i. ., the bbc. thank you, can i ask when ou first the bbc. thank you, can i ask when you first expect _ the bbc. thank you, can i ask when you first expect to _ the bbc. thank you, can i ask when you first expect to see _ the bbc. thank you, can i ask when you first expect to see the - the bbc. thank you, can i ask when you first expect to see the impact i you first expect to see the impact of the _ you first expect to see the impact of the vaccination programme in terms _ of the vaccination programme in terms of— of the vaccination programme in terms of easing pressure on the nhs? and also— terms of easing pressure on the nhs? and also com a quick question about the weather? are there any concerns that snow. _ the weather? are there any concerns that snow, the impact on vaccination supplies— that snow, the impact on vaccination supplies again certain parts of the country— supplies again certain parts of the country are indeed making people make _ country are indeed making people make their appointments and what preparations if any have been taken

place. _ preparations if any have been taken place, given the forecast? | rthrill place, given the forecast? i will hand over _ place, given the forecast? i will hand over to — place, given the forecast? i will hand over to the _ place, given the forecast? i will hand over to the owner- place, given the forecast? i will hand over to the owner who i place, given the forecast? ii-n' ii. hand over to the owner who will also maybe want to reflect on what we might see an impact of the vaccination programme on a case members, hospitalfigures, etc. i think it is hard to be really defensive about that, because we do not yet know exactly what the impact of the vaccine is. on transmission, i mean, we know that it suppresses illness and hope for death, but there is still more doubt over whether we had some good indications that we could, in terms of the oxford vaccine, but it does have a positive impact on transmission. we do not know if it's stops you getting or passing on the virus, but, this is why we have focus so much on starting the most clinically vulnerable groups, but at maximising uptake there, we would hope that in a reasonably short order, we would see the 98% of care home residences, the eldest, being vaccinated, starting to have a positive impact on their propensity to become very seriously ill and die, similarly, in

the over—80s gross. i hope we would see that impact on hospitalisations in intensive care, pendency of the number of deaths, starting to feed into the weeks to come. longer term, hopefully, we have seen long time, a reasonably short longer term, horizon, hopefully, we start to see a greater impact on transitions as well. we have to be cautious, i think now, we have talked about last summer, we talked a lot about it,, caution, we should have been more cautious, then, international travel being one of them, but right now, we really need to be cautious and not to squander the progress we have made. to give this vaccination programme as much as they like as much time as possible, as much opportunity, to do what needs to do before we start to ease up too much and risk reversing our progress. the owner might want to say about that on whether or not like i have just been having a discussion coming about whether concerns about whether over the next few days, i am always concerned, where there is a severe

weather, forecast, but we always want to be able to make sure people get to vaccination centres and the forecasts and reports of heavy snow clearly concerning and make my heart sink a little bit. but as part of a resilient preparation, and local authorities resilience, there is lots of work to make sure that gritting and snow cleaning were necessary, so that we keep the vaccination programme running as smoothly as possible even when there is bad weather. of course, logic and common sense tell you that severe weather does not have an impact —— make it does have an impact on this, but wejust have make it does have an impact on this, but we just have to men impact that we had to minimise as much as possible. the adaptive as minister of scotland will be leading the meeting tomorrow, and part of his response abilities will be the oversight of this, whether resilience, and we will be able to see more about whether the weather forecast, but how it materialises into reality, tomorrow, but is something that is very much on my mind at the moment.— something that is very much on my mind at the moment. fiona? thank

ou. as mind at the moment. fiona? thank you- as everyone — mind at the moment. fiona? thank you. as everyone knows, _ mind at the moment. fiona? thank you. as everyone knows, when i mind at the moment. fiona? thank. you. as everyone knows, when there is a time _ you. as everyone knows, when there is a time of— you. as everyone knows, when there is a time of pressure for the nhs, so even _ is a time of pressure for the nhs, so even without covid—19, we would have increased pressure, whether it is slips _ have increased pressure, whether it is slips on _ have increased pressure, whether it is slips on the ice, or whether it is slips on the ice, or whether it is in _ is slips on the ice, or whether it is in particular, the respiratory illness — is in particular, the respiratory illness. we have been very fortunate this year. _ illness. we have been very fortunate this year, not to see high prevalence of flu, circulating, so that has— prevalence of flu, circulating, so that has made a real difference in terms _ that has made a real difference in terms of— that has made a real difference in terms of holding —— with holding the pressure _ terms of holding —— with holding the pressure on — terms of holding —— with holding the pressure on the nhs. the pressure that we _ pressure on the nhs. the pressure that we are — pressure on the nhs. the pressure that we are seeing now with people who have _ that we are seeing now with people who have covid—19 is interesting in terms _ who have covid—19 is interesting in terms of— who have covid—19 is interesting in terms of younger people, from that in the _ terms of younger people, from that in the first— terms of younger people, from that in the first wave, in our hospitals, because _ in the first wave, in our hospitals, because they have better access to treatment. — because they have better access to treatment, we know and understand more _ treatment, we know and understand more and _ treatment, we know and understand more and that meant we now understand more about the others, how to _ understand more about the others, how to treat people, there is meaning _ how to treat people, there is meaning that people unfortunately, our living, _ meaning that people unfortunately, our living, but are in hospital for longer~ — our living, but are in hospital for longer. there is a strange difference between this wave and the first wave. _ difference between this wave and the first wave, in terms of the pressure on the _ first wave, in terms of the pressure on the nhs — first wave, in terms of the pressure on the nhs and the new variants, which _ on the nhs and the new variants, which is _ on the nhs and the new variants, which is more transmissible. that

means— which is more transmissible. that means that — which is more transmissible. that means that although our rates are coming _ means that although our rates are coming down, we think that the impact — coming down, we think that the impact on — coming down, we think that the impact on the nhs is still going to stay, _ impact on the nhs is still going to stay, for— impact on the nhs is still going to stay, for some considerable time, in terms _ stay, for some considerable time, in terms of— stay, for some considerable time, in terms of that link is in the younger population— terms of that link is in the younger population and of course, the upholder— population and of course, the upholder population are now protected with the vaccine, in a relatively— protected with the vaccine, in a relatively sheltered and violent at the moment. forthe relatively sheltered and violent at the moment. for the first 21 days, of the _ the moment. for the first 21 days, of the first— the moment. for the first 21 days, of the first immunisation, many of them _ of the first immunisation, many of them in _ of the first immunisation, many of them in care — of the first immunisation, many of them in care homes, that will be shared. — them in care homes, that will be shared, that shows a good result, we see good _ shared, that shows a good result, we see good numbers of antibodies and that then, _ see good numbers of antibodies and that then, from the research and the trials. _ that then, from the research and the trials. shows— that then, from the research and the trials, shows evidence reducing severities — trials, shows evidence reducing severities and produce... should begin— severities and produce... should begin to — severities and produce... should begin to see that ticking in from now _ begin to see that ticking in from now. that's of course, will help in terms _ now. that's of course, will help in terms of — now. that's of course, will help in terms of the — now. that's of course, will help in terms of the pressure of the nhs, if the courses— terms of the pressure of the nhs, if the courses are much better, because people _ the courses are much better, because people are _ the courses are much better, because people are becoming less ill. we would _ people are becoming less ill. we would expect to see that. we need to encourage _ would expect to see that. we need to encourage everyone, of course, to come _ encourage everyone, of course, to come to— encourage everyone, of course, to

come to the — encourage everyone, of course, to come to the vaccination centre if you are — come to the vaccination centre if you are called and if i could see the clip — you are called and if i could see the clip of— you are called and if i could see the clip of people who are coming to the clip of people who are coming to the larger— the clip of people who are coming to the larger vaccination centres about some _ the larger vaccination centres about some of— the larger vaccination centres about some of the processes we see. some of these _ some of the processes we see. some of these vaccination centres run from _ of these vaccination centres run from it— of these vaccination centres run from it again, untilapm. we see that make — from it again, untilapm. we see that make this a large volume is of people _ that make this a large volume is of people and — that make this a large volume is of people and there are many people vaccinating their and we are very grateful— vaccinating their and we are very grateful for them and all the support— grateful for them and all the support staff who are doing an amazing — support staff who are doing an amazing job. support staff who are doing an amazingjob. if support staff who are doing an amazing job. if you feel at the end of the _ amazing job. if you feel at the end of the evening, you may see a number of the evening, you may see a number of vaccinators — of the evening, you may see a number of vaccinators are not actually vaccinating, and i would ask you to be patient — vaccinating, and i would ask you to be patient because people will have heard _ be patient because people will have heard of— be patient because people will have heard of wastage and there is an industry— heard of wastage and there is an industry norm of 5% wastage being acceptable. in scotland, we have it back are _ acceptable. in scotland, we have it back are wasting less than 2% of the vaccine _ back are wasting less than 2% of the vaccine but — back are wasting less than 2% of the vaccine, but if you draw the vaccine up, vaccine, but if you draw the vaccine up. then— vaccine, but if you draw the vaccine up. then you — vaccine, but if you draw the vaccine up, then you administrate. if a vaccinator— up, then you administrate. if a vaccinator has ten doses to administer per day, then they will have _ administer per day, then they will have to _ administer per day, then they will have to give that vaccine. you may see at _ have to give that vaccine. you may see at the — have to give that vaccine. you may see at the end of an evening, vaccinators who do not have vaccine to vaccinate — vaccinators who do not have vaccine to vaccinate, perhaps a smaller number, — to vaccinate, perhaps a smaller number, to— to vaccinate, perhaps a smaller number, to do that, and i would ask

you to _ number, to do that, and i would ask you to be _ number, to do that, and i would ask you to be patient, you will be vaccinated if you turn up at the vaccination _ vaccinated if you turn up at the vaccination centre, but at the end of the _ vaccination centre, but at the end of the evening, you may have to, you may think— of the evening, you may have to, you may think that there are some people who are _ may think that there are some people who are not _ may think that there are some people who are not vaccinating, but actually, _ who are not vaccinating, but actually, it is about us balancing the amount of vaccines that we have with the _ the amount of vaccines that we have with the people that we have there. we should _ with the people that we have there. we should begin to see, it is only says. _ we should begin to see, it is only says. but— we should begin to see, it is only says, but we should begin to see that reduction in death, that reduction in severity of disease in at the _ reduction in severity of disease in at the coming weeks.— reduction in severity of disease in at the coming weeks. thank you. a new study from _ at the coming weeks. thank you. a new study from aberdeen - at the coming weeks. thank you. a | new study from aberdeen university has found _ new study from aberdeen university has found international _ new study from aberdeen university has found international travel - has found international travel showed — has found international travel showed the _ has found international travel showed the biggest _ has found international travel showed the biggest impact i has found international travel| showed the biggest impact on increases _ showed the biggest impact on increases in _ showed the biggest impact on increases in death _ showed the biggest impact on increases in death rates- showed the biggest impact on increases in death rates in- showed the biggest impact onj increases in death rates in the first— increases in death rates in the first wave _ increases in death rates in the first wave. he _ increases in death rates in the first wave. he said _ increases in death rates in the first wave. he said mandatoryj first wave. he said mandatory quarantine _ first wave. he said mandatory quarantine will— first wave. he said mandatory quarantine will be _ first wave. he said mandatory quarantine will be in - first wave. he said mandatory quarantine will be in place i first wave. he said mandatory quarantine will be in place forj first wave. he said mandatory. quarantine will be in place for all international— quarantine will be in place for all international rivals _ quarantine will be in place for all international rivals into - quarantine will be in place for all| international rivals into scotland, but when — international rivals into scotland, but when is — international rivals into scotland, but when is this _ international rivals into scotland, but when is this likely _ international rivals into scotland, but when is this likely to - international rivals into scotland, but when is this likely to begin? i international rivals into scotland, i but when is this likely to begin? do you have _ but when is this likely to begin? do you have a — but when is this likely to begin? do you have a proposed _ but when is this likely to begin? do you have a proposed date? - but when is this likely to begin? do you have a proposed date? can i but when is this likely to begin? do you have a proposed date? can you -ive you have a proposed date? can you give us _ you have a proposed date? can you give us an— you have a proposed date? can you give us an idea _ you have a proposed date? can you give us an idea of— you have a proposed date? can you give us an idea of the _ you have a proposed date? can you give us an idea of the timeline i you have a proposed date? can you give us an idea of the timeline that| give us an idea of the timeline that you working — give us an idea of the timeline that you working to? _ give us an idea of the timeline that you working to? and _ give us an idea of the timeline that you working to? and given- give us an idea of the timeline that you working to? and given the i you working to? and given the findings — you working to? and given the findings of— you working to? and given the findings of this _ you working to? and given the findings of this study, - you working to? and given the findings of this study, is - you working to? and given the findings of this study, is it i you working to? and given the i findings of this study, is it likely that managed _ findings of this study, is it likely that managed quarantine -

findings of this study, is it likely that managed quarantine will. findings of this study, is it likelyj that managed quarantine will be findings of this study, is it likely. that managed quarantine will be in place _ that managed quarantine will be in place long — that managed quarantine will be in place long after— that managed quarantine will be in place long after lockdown - that managed quarantine will be in place long after lockdown has i that managed quarantine will be in. place long after lockdown has eased? i cannot _ place long after lockdown has eased? i cannot give — place long after lockdown has eased? i cannot give you _ place long after lockdown has eased? i cannot give you the _ place long after lockdown has eased? i cannot give you the specific - i cannot give you the specific dates, just as i said in parliament, is weak, we have some significant practical arrangements to put in place, to support managed quarantine, but we are working through that as quickly as possible and we hope to introduce that sooner. we will give more detail of that, hopefully over the course of next week. we are and they said, standing at the moment, and intend to have a much more comprehensive system of managed quarantine that is currently planned for other parts of the uk, i suspect, we may see it as moving in future. i would say, though, just because that system is not in place right now, does not mean that we do not have very stringent travel restrictions in place. you should not be travelling right now unless it is essential. that applies within scotland, it applies from scotland to and from other parts of the uk and and it applies to overseas travel as well, so do not be booking holidays right now and do not be travelling. that is unless it is essential. litil’e

now and do not be travelling. that is unless it is essential.— is unless it is essential. we are auoin to is unless it is essential. we are going to leave _ is unless it is essential. we are going to leave scotland - is unless it is essential. we are | going to leave scotland because macpherson is there with the update there on covid—19, saying that 694,000 people in scotland have been vaccinated. 10 million now across the uk vaccinated and we are now expecting a statement from the back on the progress of the vaccine programme. we arejust on the progress of the vaccine programme. we are just looking at the comments, i think it is about to begin, so let us listen in. litil’e the comments, i think it is about to begin, so let us listen in.— begin, so let us listen in. we call them on a _ begin, so let us listen in. we call them on a full _ begin, so let us listen in. we call them on a full covid-19 - begin, so let us listen in. we call them on a full covid-19 vaccine i them on a full covid—19 vaccine deployment to make a statement, thank you very much, madam deputy speaker. can i begin by thanking you and with permission, i would like to make a statement on coronavirus, but before that, i wish my shadow opposite number a happy birthday today. our nation, madam deputy speaker is getting safer every day. as more and more people get protected by the biggest immunisation programme in the history of our health service. over

10 million people have now received their first dose of one of our coronavirus vaccines, this is almost one in five adults. that is in the united kingdom. we are vaccinating at scale, while at the same time, retaining a close focus on the most vulnerable in our society. to make sure those at greater risk are at the forefront of the queue. i am pleased to inform the house that we have now vaccinators almost nine in ten of 80s, in the uk, almost nine in ten over 75 and over half of people in their 70s. we have also visited every elderly care home possible with older residents in england and have offered vaccinations to all the residents and staff. this means that we are currently on track to meet our targets of office by offering a

vaccine to the four most runnable groups by the end of every. this is an incredible effort and has drawn on the hard work of so many and i want tojust take on the hard work of so many and i want to just take a moment to thank every single person who has made this happen, the hundreds of thousands of volunteers, up and down the country, the scientists, of course, our colleagues, in the nhs, the gps, the doctors, nurses, the vaccinators, social care, the manufacturers, the local authorities, the armed forces, the civil service, authorities, the armed forces, the civilservice, he authorities, the armed forces, the civil service, he worked night and day to make this deployment possible. and also anyone else who has played a part in this hugely day my cute endeavour, it really is a combination of the best of the united kingdom. —— make this huge endeavour. at this time of national need, you have given it a big boost at our fight against this deadly

virus, which remains a big threat to us all. there are still over 32,000 covid—19 patients in hospital and the level of infection is still alarmingly high. we must all stay vigilant and keep our resolve. while we keep expanding our vaccination programme, so that we can get more people protected even more quickly, we have an ambitious plan to do this, we are boosting our supply of vaccines and our portfolio now stands at over 400 million doses, some of which will be manufactured in the united kingdom. we are opening vaccination sites as well. i'm pleased to inform the house that 39 new sites have opened their doors this week, along with 62 more pharmacy led sites. this includes a church in worcester, selhurst park at the home of crystal palace football club, and a fire station in

basingstoke, supported by fires ideas and support staff from hampshire fire and rescue service. one of the greatest —— but when the greatest precious to me, over the past few months has been seeing the wide range of vaccination sites that have been set up right in the heart of our local communities, cinemas, mosques, food courts and are so many other institutions have now been transformed into live facilities giving hope to people every day. thank you to the massive —— thanks to this rapid expansion, we have now got the massive infrastructure when now 89 massive taxation centres and 184 sites run by high—street palaces, along with 1000 gp led surgeries and over 250 hospital hubs. state's and others that will mean that even more people will live close to a major vaccination sites so that we can make vaccinating the most vulnerable even quicker and even simpler. we have always believed in the power of science and

ingenuity to get through this crisis and i was pleased earlier this week to seep up that make to see compelling findings in the british medicaljournal reinforcing our oxfords at a showing that it provides sustained protection of a 76% during the 12 week interval between the first and second dose and that the vaccine seems likely to reduce the transmission to others by 60%. this is of course great for us all, but we will not rest on our laurels. —— two thirds. no one is really safe until the whole world is safe. oursent really safe until the whole world is safe. our sent scientific planners will keep innovating until we can help the whole world and our collective fight against this virus. i saw how wonderful and powerful this ingenuity could be when i was one of the thousands of volunteers who took part in the nova max clinical trial, a trial that published a very promising results

in a few days ago. today i am pleased to announce another clinical trial, another world first study that will help cement the united kingdom because max position as a global hub for vaccination research. this trial will look at whether different vaccines can be safely used for a two dose regime in the future, to support a more flexible programme of immunisation. i want to just reinforce, that this is a year—long study and there are no current plans to change our existing vaccine programme which we will continue —— make which will continue to use the same doses, but it will perform a vital role helping the world understand the different vaccines can be safely used, and our scientists have played a pivotal part in our responses to this deadly virus and once again, they are leading the way, helping us to learn more about this virus and how we should respond. it has been heart—warming to see how many people have excited to get the vaccine, and seeing the work taking place in

local committees to encourage people to come forward to get the jab. honourable members, of course, have an important role to play as well, and i was heartened to see colleagues from all sides of the house going together to encourage take—up within monetary ethnic communities, through a joint video which was posted on social media last week. —— minority ethnic videos. the video rightly says the mps do not always agree, but i'm taking the vaccination, we do. i could not agree more with the video. i am grateful to every single member who has come forward to support this national effort. we want to make it as easy as possible for colleagues to do so. this week, we published new resources for honourable members that provides more information on the vaccine roll—out in what colleagues can do to create the take—up —— to increase the take—up of the vaccine in their constituency. this is an extremely valuable resource and i would urge all members to take a look and think about what they can do within their

constituencies. maladaptive, our vaccination programme is our way out of the pandemic, but even though this programme is accelerating rapidly and as the chief medical officer said yesterday, we appear to be past the peak, this remains a deadly virus and it will take time for the impact of the vaccination is to be felt, so alchemy we must all stand firm, to keep following the steps that we know will make a real big difference until the science can make us safe. i commend this statement to the house. thank you. ha - statement to the house. thank you. happy birthday _ statement to the house. thank you. happy birthday to _ statement to the house. thank you. happy birthday to the _ statement to the house. thank you. happy birthday to the honourable i happy birthday to the honourable member— happy birthday to the honourable member for— happy birthday to the honourable member for nottingham - happy birthday to the honourable member for nottingham north. i happy birthday to the honourable i member for nottingham north. thank ou. i am member for nottingham north. thank you. i am grateful— member for nottingham north. thank you. i am grateful to _ member for nottingham north. thank you. i am grateful to the _ member for nottingham north. you. i am grateful to the minister for advanced side of his statement and for— for advanced side of his statement and for the — for advanced side of his statement and for the kind words about my birthday— and for the kind words about my birthday and for yours as well. the -lad birthday and for yours as well. the glad tidings is the news, that more than 10 _ glad tidings is the news, that more than 10 million people have received the first— than 10 million people have received the first dose. once again, our incredible _ the first dose. once again, our incredible national national health service _ incredible national national health service has delivered for us. i delivered _ service has delivered for us. i delivered that visited a site in nottingham earlier in the weekend to

see the _ nottingham earlier in the weekend to see the team of the nhs on fourth as fourth _ see the team of the nhs on fourth as fourth as— see the team of the nhs on fourth as fourth as well as local councils, volunteers _ fourth as well as local councils, volunteers and many more coming together— volunteers and many more coming together is— volunteers and many more coming together is really an uplifting and an incredible sight. we welcome to today's— an incredible sight. we welcome to today's announcements come about new clinical_ today's announcements come about new clinical trials. — today's announcements come about new clinicaltrials. it today's announcements come about new clinical trials. it is clear we will live with — clinical trials. it is clear we will live with covid—19 for a long time and indeed, it mutations. this is the best— and indeed, it mutations. this is the best way to get out in front of it. the best way to get out in front of it we _ the best way to get out in front of it we were — the best way to get out in front of it. we were very glad, also, to hear the results — it. we were very glad, also, to hear the results regarding from the astrazeneca vaccine, reducing transmission and maintaining protection over 12 weeks. again, as the minister— protection over 12 weeks. again, as the minister said, it is very clear that— the minister said, it is very clear that vaccines are the way out of this pandemic. the cases are now going _ this pandemic. the cases are now going a _ this pandemic. the cases are now going a court full, but it is vital that— going a court full, but it is vital that the — going a court full, but it is vital that the government does not repeat previous— that the government does not repeat previous mistakes and take the foot of the _ previous mistakes and take the foot of the gas. — previous mistakes and take the foot of the gas, just as things looked to be getting — of the gas, just as things looked to be getting better. i wonder if the minister— be getting better. i wonder if the minister could update us on if he expects — minister could update us on if he expects cinema —— similar trial data to be _ expects cinema —— similar trial data to be published for the backs of acting — to be published for the backs of acting if— to be published for the backs of acting. if the government is on trial— acting. if the government is on trial to — acting. if the government is on trial to be _ acting. if the government is on trial to be vaccinating the top four priority— trial to be vaccinating the top four priority groups by the middle of this month, we really knock on this and i— this month, we really knock on this and i commend the work of the

minister— and i commend the work of the minister in _ and i commend the work of the minister in this regard. in that spirit — minister in this regard. in that spirit of— minister in this regard. in that spirit of cooperation, ijust need to press— spirit of cooperation, ijust need to press on— spirit of cooperation, ijust need to press on a couple of points about what comes— to press on a couple of points about what comes next. firstly, regarding datai _ what comes next. firstly, regarding data. we _ what comes next. firstly, regarding data, we are all very concerned about _ data, we are all very concerned about reports of lacking take—up amongst —— amongst minority ethnic amenities. _ amongst —— amongst minority ethnic amenities, as well as poor commuters, and i would associate myself _ commuters, and i would associate myself with the comments and the brilliant _ myself with the comments and the brilliant work done with my colleagues to fight this. we know of the pandemic is that it is these groups— the pandemic is that it is these groups that will be worst affected. we will _ groups that will be worst affected. we will need them to take up the vaccine — we will need them to take up the vaccine i— we will need them to take up the vaccine. i am conscious that much of what _ vaccine. i am conscious that much of what we _ vaccine. i am conscious that much of what we hear— vaccine. i am conscious that much of what we hear is based on the anecdotal stories, rather than hard data. _ anecdotal stories, rather than hard data, particularly at a community level. _ data, particularly at a community level. split — data, particularly at a community level, split by ethnicity. i wonder whether— level, split by ethnicity. i wonder whether the minister can say what data he _ whether the minister can say what data he has in this regard and when colleagues — data he has in this regard and when colleagues can get cancer ward level data so _ colleagues can get cancer ward level data so that we can all be part of this effort— data so that we can all be part of this effort to drive up take—up. also. _ this effort to drive up take—up. also. as — this effort to drive up take—up. also, as the first phases come in, could _ also, as the first phases come in, could the — also, as the first phases come in, could the minister update on the number— could the minister update on the number of care home staff who have received _ number of care home staff who have received their first dose and what the plan — received their first dose and what the plan is — received their first dose and what the plan is perhaps to encourage those _ the plan is perhaps to encourage those who— the plan is perhaps to encourage those who have not taken it? upon second _ those who have not taken it? upon second reflection. regarding second

doses. _ second reflection. regarding second doses, when he gets the beginning of april. _ doses, when he gets the beginning of april. well— doses, when he gets the beginning of april, we'll start to have those who have the _ april, we'll start to have those who have the first dose expecting and needing — have the first dose expecting and needing the second one. watch assurances can be minister say around — assurances can be minister say around there being enough supply to ensure _ around there being enough supply to ensure that everyone who is due the second _ ensure that everyone who is due the second dose gets it? as well as those _ second dose gets it? as well as those of— second dose gets it? as well as those of us think about managing those _ those of us think about managing those he — those of us think about managing those he will get their first one. the foreign secretary would not offer _ the foreign secretary would not offer this — the foreign secretary would not offer this commitment in regards of the government recently, and i hope the government recently, and i hope the vaccine _ the government recently, and i hope the vaccine minister will be able to do so _ the vaccine minister will be able to do so. colleagues have raised with me and _ do so. colleagues have raised with me and receive a national letter and called _ me and receive a national letter and called 119 _ me and receive a national letter and called 119 to book or not being offered — called 119 to book or not being offered local pcn options. can the minister— offered local pcn options. can the minister confirmed that this should not be _ minister confirmed that this should not be the — minister confirmed that this should not be the case and that he would welcome — not be the case and that he would welcome options where this would be happening, so that we can change that _ happening, so that we can change that we — happening, so that we can change that we as— happening, so that we can change that. we as opposition has fully supported the government in some vaccinating those who are the greatest _ vaccinating those who are the greatest risk of dying in those top priority— greatest risk of dying in those top priority categories, but as we move onto the _ priority categories, but as we move onto the cattery is 5— it is important to show the data that those _

important to show the data that those work who are regularly exposed to codd-19— those work who are regularly exposed to covid—19 have high that higher death— to covid—19 have high that higher death rates than the rest of the population. by prioritising these workers — population. by prioritising these workers in a groups of 5—9, and people — workers in a groups of 5—9, and people with underlying health conditions as well as the age of 50, we can— conditions as well as the age of 50, we can reduce transmission further. we can— we can reduce transmission further. we can protect more people and keep the vital— we can protect more people and keep the vital services that they provide running _ the vital services that they provide running smoothly, including reopening the schools. but in the politics _ reopening the schools. but in the politics of— reopening the schools. but in the politics of this to one side, we raised — politics of this to one side, we raised the _ politics of this to one side, we raised the suggestion over a week a-o raised the suggestion over a week ago now. — raised the suggestion over a week ago now, but can the minister say whether— ago now, but can the minister say whether he — ago now, but can the minister say whether he had those conversations with the _ whether he had those conversations with the jc— whether he had those conversations with the jc vi or will he at least commits— with the jc vi or will he at least commits to asking them to look at how this _ commits to asking them to look at how this might work as a suggestion? is how this might work as a suggestion? is hiv _ how this might work as a suggestion? is hiv testing week. those living with hiv — is hiv testing week. those living with hiv are in category six. if the doctor— with hiv are in category six. if the doctor knows they are hiv status, they will— doctor knows they are hiv status, they will have their opportunity is planned — they will have their opportunity is planned. however, some choose, perfectly— planned. however, some choose, perfectly legitimately and for some very profoundly important reasons to access _ very profoundly important reasons to access the _ very profoundly important reasons to access the health care through other means. _ access the health care through other means, such as an hiv clinic. the doctor— means, such as an hiv clinic. the doctor therefore would not or may not know — doctor therefore would not or may not know their status and they may well be _ not know their status and they may well be missed out. in this very specific— well be missed out. in this very specific case, with the minister committed to having a look at what

may be _ committed to having a look at what may be a _ committed to having a look at what may be a possible workaround this? allowing _ may be a possible workaround this? allowing hiv connects to connect with them but we support any effective _ with them but we support any effective way. giving that it is world — effective way. giving that it is world a — effective way. giving that it is world a day, i wonder what consideration the minister has given to vaccinating household members of the clinically extreme venerable to -ive the clinically extreme venerable to give another layer of protection to blood _ give another layer of protection to blood cancer patients and other ctv people _ blood cancer patients and other ctv people and — blood cancer patients and other ctv people and an argument that i think is a strongly supported by the reports — is a strongly supported by the reports that these transmissions are reduced _ reports that these transmissions are reduced by— reports that these transmissions are reduced by these vaccinations. to conclude — reduced by these vaccinations. to conclude, this programme really is the light— conclude, this programme really is the light at— conclude, this programme really is the light at the end of the tunnel. our nhs — the light at the end of the tunnel. our nhs has delivered and we must support— our nhs has delivered and we must support it _ our nhs has delivered and we must support it to continue to do so by making _ support it to continue to do so by making the — support it to continue to do so by making the right policy decisions. thank— making the right policy decisions. thank you — making the right policy decisions. thank ou. ~ . making the right policy decisions. thank ou. ~ , ., ~ making the right policy decisions. thank ou. ~ , ., ,, �* thank you. minister. thank you. i'm rateful to thank you. minister. thank you. i'm grateful to the _ thank you. minister. thank you. i'm grateful to the honourable - thank you. minister. thank you. i'm grateful to the honourable general i grateful to the honourable general gentleman and his constructive way of engaging with the vaccination deployment programme. on trials, we have two trials running currently. the vivaldi trial, both with public health england which is testing members of care homes, which are in

category one of thejcvi categories and the second is cyrus, which is testing front line health workers who are in category twomac. as jonathan van tam said, we will know in the next few weeks the data from that, both in terms of infection and transmission and of course, the oxford data is a very promising it needs to be peer—reviewed, but those trials will then capture the oxford vaccine, because of his that came from onside injanuary. in terms of the priority, thejcvi looked very closely at both the ba and e and of course, other considerations, including professions and came down very clearly on the slide —— backside of age, that the deciding factor in terms of people's risk of dying from covid—19 was that this is

a race and this is why we are going through the categories and why we have them, we will consider dick kenny to go through them. a number of professions will be captured in those categories, of course, those who have severe extreme illness will be captured in category for, it's really vulnerable, and then of course, others will be captured in the further categories, down the phase one list. i certainly think it would be wrong to change thejcvi recommendation because categories from 1—9, is 99% fatality. and we would of asked the question of the jcvi, ask them whether professions like teachers, shop workers, police officers, who, through their work, will come into contact with much quicker volumes of the virus than others that do —— make that others

do, and we would advise accordingly. on the amd and of nhs now collecting and we are now publishing it, —— black, asian minority ethnic. we are working with the nhs to making —— make to make sure we bring in the local governments, to begin to share data with local government and i for one would very welcome is working very closely with local government, so that we can identify as an individual level, people that we need to reach to protect as soon as possible. i want to see ccg sharing data, i want to put that on record, i have had a number of colleagues who, including, ican i have had a number of colleagues who, including, i can see madam deputy speaker, nodding away vigorously! that the ccg is shed and must engage with local politicians because actually, mps get a lot of

e—mails and telephone calls from concerned constituents who happened to be in those top four most vulnerable categories. and of course, the nhs has planned to publish ccg level data very soon. in terms of care home staff is asked about, we have a fantastic response, obviously, through the care home vaccination programme, which is category one, and we continue to do more with staff, to encourage them to be vaccinated, notjust on the return visits, because we have four visits, into care visits, one is for the photos, another visit is to try and vaccinate those who may have been affected because you cannot vaccinate in the last 28 days, and to visit there is the second date and so on, that make the second dose. we are getting great attraction with ken himself, but he is quite right to mention that, it is quite right to mention that, it is a big focus on helping them to hospital have.— is a big focus on helping them to hospital have. that is the vaccine minister updating _ hospital have. that is the vaccine minister updating the _ hospital have. that is the vaccine minister updating the comments| hospital have. that is the vaccine i minister updating the comments on the latest progress of the vaccine roll—up. all of the latest of

elements coming up soon, with jane hill and the one o'clock news. that is time to look at the weather. hello again. for he now, is part of scotland that are going to the heavy snow. we have an amberwarning in are going to the heavy snow. we have an amber warning in force for the heavy snow, causing significant disruption anywhere from parts of perth up to kinross, ross, ann sutherland as well, and tottenham at the high ground, from 20 to 30 centimetres of snow over the next couple of days. that snowfall is causing disruption across parts of scotland, or down to this slow—moving weather front, scotland, or down to this slow—moving weatherfront, quite slow—moving weather front, quite brisk slow—moving weatherfront, quite brisk easterly wind coming in. open to the south, and lower levels and the east of scotland, it is falling as rain, and much milderairforthe rest of the uk, but we have plenty of scattered showers working their way northwards and eastwards through into this evening and overnight. tonight, there could be so mist and fog patches forming in the south, and we could still have that snow and we could still have that snow and ice across many central and

northern parts of scotland as well. reasonably mild as well, as we had through friday, particularly across england and northern ireland, the more showers here in the west, north east scotland, and also for the north east of england, we are seeing that mix of rain, sleet and significant heavy snowfall across the higher ground. again, through the higher ground. again, through the day tomorrow, that is snow. temperatures in double figures, which is in london at ten, but three celsius in aberdeen. as we head into the weekend, things are going to be had colderfor all of us the weekend, things are going to be had colder for all of us and there will be further snowfall in places as well. moving through friday night and into saturday, though pressure starts to drift away towards the south, that snow will fall down to lower levels across much of scotland and it will start to fall across northern england as well. in the south about, england and wales, as well it will be drier, on saturday, i northern ireland, but temperatures are down on recent days, so between 2-8, are down on recent days, so between 2—8, on saturday, and as we move through into the second half of the

weekend, we can see the blue colours, this is the cold air, the easterly wind is going to be blowing and that is across all of the uk, moving on into sunday. so, there is likely to be some snowfall, particularly in the east and across parts of southern and eastern england, east anglia asceticism so full, but the position of the snow in detail could change over the next few days. it is turning much colder, potentially some disruptive snow for many of us in the south—east. goodbye.

a trial is launched to see whether different covid vaccines could be given to people for the first and second dose. the approach could give more flexibility in the event of disruption to supplies, and may even offer greater protection. liiiil’e disruption to supplies, and may even offer greater protection.— offer greater protection. we are very proud _ offer greater protection. we are very proud of— offer greater protection. we are very proud of our— offer greater protection. we are very proud of our track - offer greater protection. we are very proud of our track record. i very proud of our track record. obviously on the vaccine task force, the deployment programme. but this is another part of the armoury. liiiil’e is another part of the armoury. we will have the latest about that trial from our medical editor. also... is the vaccination programme progresses quickly, questions are asked about when lockdown could be lifted. the economy will rebound strongly from the spring, largely as a result of the vaccine programme. so says the bank