this is bbc news. the headlines: borisjohnson seeks to reassure the public about the oxford astrazeneca vaccine after questions about its effectiveness against the south african variant. all of them, we think, are effective in delivering a high degree of protection against serious illness and death, which is the most important thing. cut business rates permanently to help the ailing high street — that's the plea from a group of top companies. alex salmond, the former scottish first minister, will not now give evidence to msps tomorrow in their inquiry into the government's handling of harassment complaints. heavy snow and ice causes disruption in parts of the uk — people are being

urged not to travel. there urged not to travel. are some people out enjoying themselves there are some people out enjoying themselves and i brave young boy we saw on the seafront enjoying himself, having an ice cream with a flaked right in front of the sea in the snow. and, buying cars with bitcoin — tesla invests $1.5 billion in the cryptocurrency, and says it will begin accepting it as payment for products soon. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. borisjohnson hasjoined other ministers in seeking to reassure the public over the effectiveness of the oxford/astrazeneca covid—i9 vaccine. the prime minister said there was good evidence

it was reducing transmission of the virus and the vaccine programme remained of massive benefit to the country. a study has suggested the current jab offers only limited protection against mild disease caused by the south african variant. but scientists remain confident it will prevent death and serious disease. there have been fewer than 150 cases of this variant found so far in the uk, but some experts say it is very possible that it could be more widespread. our health correspondent jim reed reports. hundreds of thousands have been braving the winter weather to get their vaccines. 12 million people have now received their first dose, with a week to go until the government's deadline to reach the four most at—risk groups. the fight now, though, is also against new variants of the virus — genetic mutations to the spike protein, which scientists think could make the first generation of vaccines less effective. one version of the virus, first discovered in south africa,

now makes up 90% of cases there. the authorities in south africa are now suspending the roll—out of the astrazeneca oxford vaccine, after a small study suggested it did not stop mild disease in young people. and so, looking at that situation, we felt that there's now uncertainty as to whether the astrazeneca vaccine does indeed prevent severe infection and hospitalisation, which is what we're really interested in. and so, we need to ensure we have that data before we proceed with the roll—out. scientists in oxford are still very hopeful their vaccine can prevent that severe disease caused by the south african variant, and stop people needing hospital treatment. more tests will be needed to see if that is the case. in the uk, the government said 147 cases of the south african variant have been found so far. enhanced door—to—door testing has now been rolled out in ten areas

with confirmed infections to try to stamp out the spread. scientists say no vaccine can offer 100% protection against any form of the disease. even without the south african variant, we did believe that, actually, some people who had been vaccinated would be able to be infected and pass it on. so, it really is kind of a warning to people that even with the vaccine, you're not immune and you still need to take precautions until we have a high level of protection across the population. by far the main or dominant strain across the uk is still the variant found in kent and the south—east of england before christmas. speaking this afternoon, the prime minister said all the vaccines now in use are thought to be effective against the virus in this country. we're very confident in all the vaccines that we're using. i think it's important for people to bear in mind that all of them, we think, are effective in delivering a high

degree of protection against serious illness and death. 18 new vaccination centres opened today across england, including this one, at the home of leeds united. it's possible that vaccines given in places like this will need to be tweaked in the future to protect us against new variants of the disease. a reminder that covid is a new virus, but one we may have to live with and manage for many years to come. jim reed, bbc news. i've been speaking to our medical editor, fergus walsh, and i asked him how worried should people by this study. the key message is the current two vaccines are being used around the uk, the astrazeneca oxford vaccine and the pfizer vaccine, are highly effective against the dominant strain, the kent variant, in the uk. that's the key message and it's

vital people are not put off going for their vaccine, and we have had an incredibly successful roll—out so far. there is the danger the headlines talking about a very small study in south africa could potentially make people hesitate about going to have their jab, which would be utterly wrong. now, if the south african variant, which has been around here since december, suddenly started to take off in a big way and started displacing the kent variant, then perhaps at some point in the future people having vaccines would have less protection against mild and moderate disease, but it looks pretty likely that the vaccines we have would still protect against really serious disease. vaccines are the answer to this pandemic and fortunately it is quite simple to tweak them. so, it's possible come the autumn that we might need a boosterjab, but for now, roll up your sleeves and have the jab. fergus walsh, there. our political correspondent

jessica parker is in westminster. the jessica parker is in westminster. prime minister ar ministers the prime minister and other ministers at pains to get out the message that they believe in the oxford vaccine.— oxford vaccine. absolutely. ministers — oxford vaccine. absolutely. ministers will _ oxford vaccine. absolutely. ministers will be _ oxford vaccine. absolutely. ministers will be keenly - oxford vaccine. absolutely. - ministers will be keenly conscious that when it comes to a public health crisis, public health messaging is incredibly important, and that is why they have been stressing some of that context that we have already been hearing today, that this was a very small study and that this was a very small study and that the average age was 31 years old and that it looked at the effects on mild disease and we have heard from borisjohnson today amongst other ministers saying that the evidence shows that all the vaccines being deployed will protect against severe disease. in terms of the numbers of cases, 147 cases of the numbers of cases, 147 cases of the south african variant have been detected so far, those of the latest figures we have had, although they are now quite a few days old. we expect further updates in the coming days. i think it will refresh some

questions, nevertheless, about some of the other policies, the other things which are in the armoury to protect against things like the arrival of the south african variant, and one of the areas in which the government has been under pressure on and has received some criticism on is there borders policy. next monday, the new hotel quarantine policy will come into place, where people arriving from high—risk areas, largely british nationals and those with residency rights, who will be allowed to come from areas where there is a travel banker but they will be told to quarantine in hotels —— a travel ban. downing street have said no contracts have been signed with hotels, those based near airports and ports, for example, but we can expect further details later this week. �* , , . . expect further details later this week.�* ,, . ~' expect further details later this week. ,, ., ~ ., ., week. jessica parker, thanks for “oininu week. jessica parker, thanks for joining us- _ joining me now is professor kampmann, who's head of the vaccine centre

at the london school of hygiene and tropical medicine. she is also a working group contributor to the uk vaccine network. good afternoon. what do you make of this study into the south african vaccine? variant.— this study into the south african vaccine? variant. good afternoon. the first thing _ vaccine? variant. good afternoon. the first thing we _ vaccine? variant. good afternoon. the first thing we need _ vaccine? variant. good afternoon. the first thing we need to - vaccine? variant. good afternoon. the first thing we need to say - vaccine? variant. good afternoon. the first thing we need to say is l vaccine? variant. good afternoon. | the first thing we need to say is we need to keep things in perspective and acknowledge that we know new things every day. what is important is that we keep transmission down —— we learn new things every day. by reducing the amount of virus in circulation we are keeping down the potential of the viruses to mutate, so coming onto the south african study, clearly it is a concern, especially in south africa, where thatis especially in south africa, where that is now where 90% of the dominant circulation strain is over there so it is right they reflect on their strategies, there so it is right they reflect on theirstrategies, but there so it is right they reflect on their strategies, but what the study showed which was conducted in around 2000 individuals who had an average age of about 31, that the efficacy

of the astrazeneca vaccine was much reduced. it was more like 10%, but it is important to say that they only looked at mild—to—moderate cases, because in this age group you would not expect to find it severe cases, so currently there is no data to support that the severe cases and deaths are going to be equally affected by the vaccine having reduced efficacy, so we must trust that the prevention of death and severe illness remains a priority for the use of these vaccine especially in the uk where fortunately so far we have seen little of the south african variant. there might be no data to support the fact that the oxford vaccine doesn't protect against serious illness, but can we extrapolate that we are protected from serious illness in that case, in the case of the south african variant? the data is likel to the south african variant? the data is likely to also _ the south african variant? the data is likely to also come _ the south african variant? the data is likely to also come from - the south african variant? the data is likely to also come from south i is likely to also come from south africa because not only have they done the trials on the astrazeneca

vaccine but they have also done trials with other vaccines which have high efficacy also again severe cases, so we can extrapolate from the immune response that was induced through other vaccines and their efficacy in this severe group, to the immune response that might have been induced by the astrazeneca vaccine and that is called immuno bridging, and these studies are being conducted in labs, uncertain, see whether we can say if the immunity is equally high, then there no reason to assume that it won't also work against the severe cases, but we haven't got the efficacy data for that group because in 2000 young people you would not expect to have severe cases. flan people you would not expect to have severe cases-— severe cases. can we expect this to be happening _ severe cases. can we expect this to be happening reasonably _ severe cases. can we expect this to be happening reasonably regularlyl be happening reasonably regularly now as the virus mutates? are we simply going to have repeated

questions about the vaccines on offer and is this a test of the medical and scientific community in terms of the research that they are doing in trying to keep up with the virus? ,, ~ ., ., ., . ~ ., virus? sure. we have to acknowledge that there are — virus? sure. we have to acknowledge that there are many _ virus? sure. we have to acknowledge that there are many gaps _ virus? sure. we have to acknowledge that there are many gaps in - virus? sure. we have to acknowledge that there are many gaps in our - that there are many gaps in our understanding of how the virus will mutate, and what is really important is that we keep track of the sequences are rising and the genome sequencing in the areas of the world, it is really important to do that. we might also get to a position where it might be possible to predict to some degree where the next —— what the next patients might look like and there's no doubt the vaccines will have to evolve —— what the next variants might look like, and there is no doubt the vaccines will have to evolve, and hopefully we can tweak them, but this is still a new disease. we have a vaccine at the moment which is still highly effective, so let's please use them because that is good to use and

bring down transmission so that is the priority right now. so please go and get your vaccine. there is no reason to assume that hospitalisation and severe illness is not going to be protected with the variants we have at the moment. internationally we have got to look at this, with possibly booster vaccinations with new arising constructs. vaccinations with new arising constructs-— vaccinations with new arising constructs. , ,., ., ., vaccinations with new arising constructs. , ., ., ., constructs. the message, go out and net our constructs. the message, go out and get vourjab. — constructs. the message, go out and get vourjab. it _ constructs. the message, go out and get vourjab. it is _ constructs. the message, go out and get yourjab, it is coming _ constructs. the message, go out and get yourjab, it is coming out - constructs. the message, go out and get yourjab, it is coming out loud . get yourjab, it is coming out loud and clearfrom you get yourjab, it is coming out loud and clear from you and also other experts and ministers. one more question, are there any particular variants or mutation that scientists are going to focus on? that variants or mutation that scientists are going to focus on?— variants or mutation that scientists are going to focus on? at the moment the majority — are going to focus on? at the moment the majority of — are going to focus on? at the moment the majority of the _ are going to focus on? at the moment the majority of the vaccines _ are going to focus on? at the moment the majority of the vaccines that - the majority of the vaccines that are also in the pipeline are still focusing on the spike protein which is the main antigenic target for the virus and the antibody which is coming from it. maybe certain

mutations interfere with the spike protein in a particular way and we are still learning. i'm not a molecular virologist to give you insight into that but there might be other mutations which might prove less effective for the virus and its fitness. as we learn more about the mutations and the clinical spectrum that they can induce, we will also get better at predicting what might happen with certain mutations, and we learn more about the effect of the t cells also on containing the virus and maybe we will end up with vaccines that have a combination of spike proteins with various anticipated mutations in it already, or we are also including other parts of the virus which if we had antibody or t cell response might help dampening down the transmission and disease. ., ~' , ., help dampening down the transmission and disease. ., ~ , ., ,., help dampening down the transmission and disease. ., ~ i. . and disease. thank you so much. professor. _ and disease. thank you so much. professor, thanks _ and disease. thank you so much. professor, thanks for _ and disease. thank you so much. professor, thanks forjoining - and disease. thank you so much. professor, thanks forjoining us, | professor, thanks forjoining us, from the london school of tropical and hygiene medicine.

and the health secretary matt hancock will be leading today's downing street briefing alongside england's deputy chief medical officer, professorjonathan van tam and the medical director of nhs england, doctor nikki kanani. we'll have full coverage on the bbc one and the bbc news channel from 4:30 this afternoon. the former first minister of scotland alex salmond will not now appear tomorrow at an inquiry being held by members of the scottish parliament on the government's handling of harassment complaints against him. mr salmond is locked in a dispute with the committee over what material can be published. alexandra mackenzie has been explaining more about why alex salmond won't appear in front of msps at this time. alex salmond was due to appear at the holyrood enquiry into the government's handling of sexual harassment claims against him tomorrow but it was confirmed this morning that this session will now not go ahead. the former first minister

had sent a letter to committee members yesterday. he said he was willing to appear at any point until next tuesday, when the first minister is due to give her evidence. but he wanted certain written evidence that he had previously submitted to be published so it can be considered in the final report. today, a statement from a scottish parliament spokesperson said that mr salmond had been contacted to make it clear that he can speak freely in committee about all his contacts with nicola sturgeon and his views on her actions. it said he would have four hours to answer questions in public, and he was also invited to send more written evidence for publication after that meeting. it went on to say that the committee had already published two lengthy submissions from mr salmond. however, in the letter

from alex salmond's lawyers, it said that asking a witness to accept the constraints of speaking only to selected evidence is not acceptable and is offensive. the headlines on bbc news... borisjohnson seeks to reassure the public about the oxford astrazeneca vaccine — after questions about its effectiveness against the south african variant. alex salmond, the former scottish first minister, will not now give evidence to msps tomorrow in their inquiry into the government's handling of harassment complaints. cut business rates permanently to help the ailing high street — that's the plea from a group of top companies. the bosses of three supermarkets — tesco, asda, and morrisons — and the chief executive of waterstones have called for a permanent cut to business

rates once the covid crisis ends. in a letter to the chancellor rishi sunak, they say the current tax rules will make it even harder for struggling high street retailers to compete against online companies like amazon. katie prescott reports. another consequence of the pandemic — online retailers are doing a roaring trade, while high street stores have had to close. seniorfigures who run and own 10,000 bricks and mortar shops are questioning whether traditional tax structures on the value of property still make sense, as tax on shops is often far higher than warehouses. there are some of those businesses that say, unless they get to a fairer position in terms of how they're trading in respect of online retailing, which gets a very easy ride currently, with the current business rates system, unless we can get to a fairer position, then this situation, as i say, started before the pandemic but has been really exacerbated in the last year, this situation's only going to get worse and people

are going to see their high streets, i'm afraid, looking even less healthy and vibrant than they perhaps were before. in a letter to government, they've said nearly 15,000 jobs in the sector have already been lost, and more could follow. even before covid—19, the current system penalised physical shops. reducing business rates for retailers and rebalancing the tax system to ensure online retailers pay a fair share of tax would provide a vital boost to bricks and mortar retailers, and support communities in need of levelling up. we want our shops open because they're in communities and they're really important to us. for all sorts of reasons, but mainly because they employ people and i think sustain communities in the locations in which we are. we shouldn't be incentivised to concentrate instead on online. there is currently a review of business rates under way, and the government said it will consider the case for introducing an online sales tax as part of it. katie prescott, bbc news.

a teenager who is the youngest person in the uk to commit a terror offence has been given a two—year youth rehabilitation order. the 16—year—old boy from cornwall — who admitted 12 offences including downloading a bomb—making manual when he was only 13 — was spared jail by an old baileyjudge. heavy snow has brought disruption across parts of the uk, including the closure of coronavirus vaccination centres in some areas. storm darcy's strong easterly winds have brought freezing temperatures — and weather warnings have been issued for large parts of england, scotland and northern ireland. duncan kennedy reports from canterbury. kent has had some of the heaviest and widespread snow falls. the entire county was part of the covering that took in much of eastern england. it left some cars unable to cope with conditions and police say they have been extremely busy.

these are not council employees, they are factory workers, helping to keep the village open, not only for their plant but also for local people as well. we're obviously working at the moment. so, there are things inside that need to be done but obviously this takes priority, getting everybody in and out. don't want to get anyone snowed in in the area so why not get out and help the community a bit? in another nearby village, the race was also on to clear the streets before any more snow arrives. there's old people going up and down to the post office. so, i'm just doing my bit. the village tea room has opened for hot chocolate, even if the owners, sean and michelle, aren't expecting too many customers. it obviously affects business, but probably some light relief for people with what's going down at the moment. will there be an impact on the business? yes, there is, but we do sell a lot of hot chocolate and soup, that we've been doing lately. itjustu changes what people have. it's notjust the snow. the temperatures in much of eastern

england are below zero, making it incredibly difficult to drive on the smaller roads, which are still icy, and it has interrupted many train services as well. at clacton—on—sea in essex, they have seen around four inches of snow, all brought in on powerful eastern winds. it's like a bit of a hosepipe in the north sea. if you imagine that hosepipe spraying snow showers in some parts. in some areas you will get a lot of snow, 10—15 centimetres. but maybe ten, 20 miles north and south of that, you don't get as much. this was long stratton in norfolk. more roads blocked and some motorists were caught by the freezing conditions. the aa has asked people not to go out if they don't have to, as getting to any breakdowns could take longer than usual. for much of this week, it will remain snowy and very cold. duncan kennedy, bbc news, in kent.

our correspondent helena wilkinson is in southend in essex. even with a number of layers on it feels bitterly cold, we adjust by the sea which you may be able make out behind that amusement park. the temperature is —1 at the moment but it definitely feels much colder than that once the winds picks up, it gets very gusty indeed. this is one of the towns that has borne the brunt of the bad weather, completely covered in snow around this area, but it has had a knock—on effect on some vaccination centres. two of the largest ones in essex, clacton hospital and at colchester football club, they have both had to shut as a result and people will have to rebook. the snow is continuing to fall here this lunchtime and there are some people out enjoying themselves and are very brave young boy who we saw on the seafront enjoying himself having an ice cream with a flake right by the sea in the

snow. simonjones has spent the morning at a gritting depot in ashford in kent. they have been working 20 47 and parts of kent have seen more than 15 centimetres of snow and it is still snowing at the moment, and this is making a big dent on the supply of salt but that salt will be needed, much more in the coming days, with more bad weather forecast. much more in the coming days, with more bad weatherforecast. it much more in the coming days, with more bad weather forecast. it has been a really challenging time because when they lay down the assault on the road it needs traffic to get over it to activate it but because of the stay message because of the coronavirus and the weather, it means we have seen less traffic than normal so that has caused problems. add in storm darcy with gusts of wind of around 50 mph, that has been blowing snow and causing drifts to go across the road, now the snow that has fallen has been turning into ice. it is really,

really cold, about —4 when you look at the thermometer but if you add in the wind chill factor and it feels more like —7. there are weather warnings in place for the whole of the east of the uk and for today, tomorrow, and into wednesday, so we are certainly not out of the woods yet. are certainly not out of the woods et. ,, ., g ., , donald trump's second impeachment trial in the us senate gets under way this week. he's accused of inciting the 6th of january attack on the capitol by a mob of his supporters. but members of his republican party are mostly standing by him. paul adams has been looking back at the events leading to mr trump's impeachment trial — and what might happen next. article one is adopted. the resolution is adopted. without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table. donald trump is facing an impeachment trial — again. no president has ever been impeached twice, and no president has ever gone

on trial after leaving office. it's fair to say we're in pretty uncharted territory. so, what's the case against him? donald trump is accused of inciting violence against the government. specifically, this — the storming of congress by thousands of his supporters. hey his accusers say you have to go back a couple of months, to last november's presidential election. we know there was massive fraud. that was a rigged election. if you count the legal votes, i easily win. trump lost, but refused to admit it. not only that, but when the state of georgia was getting ready to hold a second round of voting to settle two very close senate races, mr trump is accused of trying to intervene, illegally. i only need 11,000 votes. fellas, i need 11,000 votes. gimmea break! it all came to a head onjanuary 6th, when congress was due

to confirm the results of the presidential election. in a long, bitter speech, mr trump railed against the entire election process. we fight like hell, and if you don't fight like hell, you're not going to have a country any more. within minutes of him finishing, some of his supporters were breaking into the capitol building. but did the president actually incite violence? america's first amendment, which protects freedom of speech, gives mr trump lots of leeway to say pretty much whatever he wants — short of ordering his supporters to storm the capitol, which he did not do. i know that everyone here will soon be marching over to the capitol building to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard. it'll be up to the senate's 100 members to decide if mr trump is guilty or not, and the democrats will need at least 17 republicans to join them to get a conviction. it's a really tall order. most republicans think the trial shouldn't even be happening.

this proceeding we're about to enter is unconstitutional. but what if it does go against him? well, then, donald trump will be the first president to be impeached and convicted. he'd almost certainly be barred from ever running for public office again. and he could lose his presidential pension and perks. but what if he wins? the democrats could still try and find some other way to punish the former president. but to survive impeachment twice in a year would, in the eyes of mr trump's loyal base, represent another victory against an establishment that's just out to get him — a useful platform, perhaps, on which to launch another presidential bid. paul adams reporting. now it's time for a look at the weather with tomasz.

the snow showers are being blown in by a strong east to north—easterly wind along these lines or streamers as we call them, so you get lots of snow, very little, and then snow again, it depends where you are. a very cold day, and the pattern continues through the night. snow streamers across the uk becoming perhaps less frequent in some areas as the night wears on, and the temperatures overnight will be cold in the glens of scotland, around —2 or —3, in a similar pattern tomorrow with the possibility of sleet and snow for the south—west of the uk and potentially the channel islands as well.

hello, this is bbc news. the headlines:

borisjohnson seeks to reassure the public about the oxford astrazeneca vaccine after questions about its effectiveness against the south african variant. cut business rates permanently to help the ailing high street — that's the plea from a group of top companies. alex salmond, the former scottish first minister, will not now give evidence to msps tomorrow in their inquiry into the government's handling of harassment complaints. heavy snow and ice causes disruption in parts of the uk — people are being urged not to travel. and buying cars with bitcoin — tesla invests $1.5 billion in the cryptocurrency, and says it will begin accepting it as payment for products soon. sport now, and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here's jon watson. many thanks. good afternoon. england need nine wickets

on the final day in chennai tomorrow if they're to seal an historic victory over india in the first test they're well placed, having bowled the hosts out for 337, joe root stretched their lead adding 178 in their second innings — which leaves the hosts chasing 420 for victory. that would be a record. it shows the size of the task facing india. root opted against declaring early, giving england less than hour at the end of play to begin knocking off the wickets needed — jack leach taking one, that of rohit sharma. england hoping they've got their tactics right. it's obviously the first game of the series, and while he wants to get off to reveal a strong start, you don't really want a chance to win. however, saying that, but some fine players, you also want to have attacking fielders the whole day, especially towards the spin bowlers around the back, and so to get as

much in advance has become, to keep the rate high for them, feels like our chance to. the complexities of test cricket there. one wicket down, the final day. lewis hamilton has committed his future to mercedes, signing a one year deal, keeping him with the team for a ninth season. the announcement made on social media after weeks of negotiations, he's been been out of contract after his previous £40 million a year deal expired in december. the new deal combines an agreement from both parties to boost diversity and inclusion in the sport. three weeks later than planned the australian open began overnight, with a host of big names in action, that included the defending champion in the men's singles novak djokovic. he's looking for a record extending ninth title in melbourne. he beatjeremy chardy in straight sets. djokovic one of the players who enjoyed the more comfortable surroundings in adelaide in the build up, whilst others faced quarantine for two weeks in melbourne. djokovic said he didn't have much respect off the court

for nick kyrgios as the war of words between the pair continued. the typically vocal australian also made a winning start, beating frederico ferreira silva in straight sets in front of a noisy but reduced capacity crowd. one of the favourites, us open champion dominic thiem, who lost to djokovic in last year's final won in straight sets against mikhail kukushkin. there were just over 17,000 on site on day one, well under the permitted 30,000 per day organisers are allowing. you can see a few watching on their as dominic team came through. and the austrian enjoyed being back in front of spectators. you cannot compare it to the last years here in australia. it was crazy atmosphere, just because the centre court of the courts are not allowed to be full, so it is obviously different, but it is also

way better than, for example, where there were no people at all, so i think it is a step in the right direction. in the women's draw, katie boulter lost her first round match, the only brit in action on day one, but the second seed simona halep is through. she dropped just three games in her win over lizette cabrera. serena williams and naomi osaka among the other big names to reach round two. tom brady cemeneted his legacy at the age of 43, guiding the tampa bay buccaneers to a 31—9 victory over the kansas city chiefs, extending his record of super bowl wins to seven — that's more than any single nfl team. tampa, wn it in their home stadium, led all the way by brady, who threw three touchdown passes and was named most valuable player in the showpiece for a record extending fifth time. that is all a new bbc sport centre for now. more throughout the afternoon. thank you so much. let's return to our

business story. the bosses of three supermarkets — tesco, asda, and morrisons — and the chief executive of waterstones have called for a permanent cut to business rates once the covid crisis ends. our business presents ben thompson joins me now. , this is a perennial complaint from the owners of physical stores, complaint from the owners of physicalstores, if complaint from the owners of physical stores, if you like, the difference between the taxes that they face and those that online store space. tell us more about what these companies are saying. yes. store space. tell us more about what these companies are saying. yes, you are absolutely — these companies are saying. yes, you are absolutely right. _ these companies are saying. yes, you are absolutely right. 18 _ these companies are saying. yes, you are absolutely right. 18 big _ are absolutely right. 18 big retailers calling on the treasury now to consider imposing a tax on online retailers. tesco, the furthest, saying it wants a 1% tax charge online retailers like amazon to try to level the playing field as far as retail is because we know the high street has particularly tough

of late, not least because of the pandemic that pandemic that has that many retailers with stores on high streets have not been able to open in any meaningful fashion for much of the last 12 months. that has also pushed more of us to shop online. it is speeding up a change that was already happening, and you might say online retailers have an unfair advantage in that they are not playing that high rents or rates that their physical counterparts have to pay. the rates system not perform for about 20 years, very much a throwback to a retail system that the longer exists, and therefore, what these retailers are calling for is a change to the rules that would make a more level playing field to allow some of those bricks and mortar stores to compete more fairly. the timing of this is particularly interesting, because today, really marks the end of an era as far as some big high street names are concerned. the arcadia

group by sir philip green, its last remaining plants have been solved. you may know the other week that a source port top shop, top man and miss selfridge. today, its rivalfor the rest of those, including dorothy perkins and burton. it brings to an end the era of lots of shops and lots of high streets we all shop. things have changed, and now there are real questions over what the high street with mike in future, because if you take the arcadia group, alongside debenhams, which also fell into administration, figures suggest 1.3 million square metres of retail space will now lie empty on high streets up and down the country as a result ofjust the collapse of those two firms. that is the equivalent of 190 football pitches around the country lying empty. so i think without any

radical change to the way taxes are charged on bricks and mortar retailers, it is likely to get much worse before it gets better. remember, the more shops empty and high streets, the less attractive they are to go to, which just speeds up they are to go to, which just speeds up the change. so these retailers today are calling for a fundamental overhaul of how the system is taxed, how what they are charged with a hope of making it more fairfor those bricks and mortar retailers to compete with those more nimble and in many cases much cheaper online rivals. that's an extraordinary statistic about the football pitches. clearly, the high street is a state transition, exacerbated by the covid crisis, but this was going to happen anyway. is there any way, looking further down the line, of thinking, how will it look every few years, yes, there have been so many predictions, so many proposals for what our high streets could look

like in future, and what our high streets could look like infuture, and i what our high streets could look like in future, and i think are 'ust there to say fl like in future, and i think are 'ust there to say that i like in future, and i think are 'ust there to say that the i like in future, and i think are just there to say that the pandemic . like in future, and i think are just i there to say that the pandemic has just spared on change that was happening already. it is notjust a result of coronavirus that retail is struggling. we were changing our habits already, and we now have to consider the role that high streets will play in our lives, because actually, over the past ten months, many of this loss may have been using our local high streets much less done in the past, whether that is picking up assemblage your coffee more when working at home, a welcome break to get out of the house and go somewhere nearby. we may need to think about what those high streets are full, sooner rather than being plain retail, it's got to be perhaps about coffee shops and maybe doctor's surgeries, hairdressers, things like that, community hubs rather than just purely retail, because we know, online surgery shopping is convenient, we can get

things delivered prices are often much cheaper. we can also keep up with changing fashions on the way changing the traditional retailers may struggle because of the logistics of getting things into store. if we reconsider what i streets are full, they should be about other things, the community come together, giving people a place to assemble and meet and use the services you simply can't buy online, because let's not forget, there are many things we need physical stores for. it's very simple to think we can buy everything on amazon, but there are things we need to buy on high streets, with a cup of coffee a haircut. so if we can reconsider what i streets are full, with perhaps a change of the tax regime to make it more fairfor those players to compete, we also might see more independent retailers finding it a see more independent retailers finding ita bit see more independent retailers finding it a bit easier to set up, because at the moment, the barriers to entry are so high as far as the rent and rates are concerned, and of course, the rent and staff costs.

perhaps if that were reformed, it would make it easierfor smaller firms to set up and provide real community have, and i streets could go back to what they always were, he a community, because a great statistic suggested that whatever for every pound you spend on a local high street, 40—50p is kept in the local community, supporting local jobs above apply street, so it is very much worth their while shopping locally, you just need to make it a bit easier for firms to set that up. many thanks, ben thompson. borisjohnson has led government ministers in trying to reassure the public of the effectiveness of the uk's vaccine stocks. he said they are still a "massive benefit", despite a study suggesting the oxford astrazeneca only offers minimal protection against mild disease caused by the south african variant. no we're all the vaccines are using, and we

think it all the vaccines are using, and "he: think it is very all the vaccines are using, and w2 think it is very important to people to bear in mind that all of them, we think, are effective in delivering a high degree of protection against serious illness and death, which is the most important thing. we will be continuing to study the results, the effectiveness of the vaccine roll—out, and that is going very, very fast indeed, and we will be looking at the ways in which the population is starting to respond to the vaccines, as we prepare to say what we are going to do in the wake of the 22nd, and what kind of road map we want to layout. but is it not the case that it doesn't stop people catching the virus, one must not be a delay to the relaxation of what? we virus, one must not be a delay to the relaxation of what?— virus, one must not be a delay to the relaxation of what? we think all the relaxation of what? we think all the vaccines — the relaxation of what? we think all the vaccines we _ the relaxation of what? we think all the vaccines we are _ the relaxation of what? we think all the vaccines we are using, - the relaxation of what? we think all the vaccines we are using, but - the relaxation of what? we think all the vaccines we are using, but the l the vaccines we are using, but the vaccines we are currently using, are effective, as i say, stopping

serious disease and death. we also think, particularly in the case of the oxford astrazeneca vaccine, that there is good evidence that it is stopping transmission as well. i think 67% reduction in transmission with the oxford astrazeneca vaccine. so there remains no would remain massive benefits to the country of the population as we go through the pandemic. i have no doubt that vaccines generally will offer a way out, and with every day that goes by, you can see that medicine is slowly getting the upper hand over the disease. speaking in the last few minutes, the labour leader, sir keir starmer, said it was vital everyone it was vital everyone has a vaccine when it is offered to them to stop the spread of new variants

of coronavirus. i think the south african variance is the _ i think the south african variance is the single biggest risk at the moment, — is the single biggest risk at the moment, and it is therefore very important — moment, and it is therefore very important that we secure our borders _ important that we secure our borders. we've known about the south african _ borders. we've known about the south african variant for some time. if you can — african variant for some time. if you can believe it, it's going to be 50 days _ you can believe it, it's going to be 50 days from knowing about the variant — 50 days from knowing about the variant to — 50 days from knowing about the variant to border restrictions, quality— variant to border restrictions, quality hotels, coming in, giving between— quality hotels, coming in, giving between now, today, this restriction is coming _ between now, today, this restriction is coming in — between now, today, this restriction is coming in from a 200,000 people are going _ is coming in from a 200,000 people are going to— is coming in from a 200,000 people are going to come into the country. add to _ are going to come into the country. add to that, — are going to come into the country. add to that, which is probably the most _ add to that, which is probably the most significant thing, a number of other— most significant thing, a number of other countries we now know south africa _ other countries we now know south africa variant, they are not even in the government scheme for quarantining in hotels. this leaves a hack— quarantining in hotels. this leaves a back door— quarantining in hotels. this leaves a back door open at a vital stage in the battle — a back door open at a vital stage in the battle against the virus. you — the battle against the virus. you agree with the prime minister that vaccines are out of this, or do you think there is more work with test and trace?— test and trace? trace is really important. — test and trace? trace is really important, because _ test and trace? trace is really important, because that - test and trace? trace is really important, because that is . test and trace? trace is really| important, because that is the test and trace? trace is really - important, because that is the only way in _ important, because that is the only way in which we can identify those who have — way in which we can identify those who have got the virus. the vaccine is the _ who have got the virus. the vaccine is the way— who have got the virus. the vaccine is the way out of this. it the light at the _ is the way out of this. it the light at the end — is the way out of this. it the light at the end of the tunnel, which is

ripe for— at the end of the tunnel, which is ripe for supporting the national effort _ ripe for supporting the national effort and say, let's get as many people _ effort and say, let's get as many people vaccinated as soon as possible _ people vaccinated as soon as possible. you see the contrast here. test, _ possible. you see the contrast here. test. trace _ possible. you see the contrast here. test, trace and isolate, which was outsourced — test, trace and isolate, which was outsourced and has not worked well, vaccine, _ outsourced and has not worked well, vaccine, which is being rolled out by the _ vaccine, which is being rolled out by the front line nhs, is working extremely well, and full credit to those _ extremely well, and full credit to those of— extremely well, and full credit to those of the front line. health _ those of the front line. health secretary matt hancock will lead to the downing street briefing citing the �*s deputy chief medical officer professorjonathan vance and director of nhsengland doctor mickey, ronnie. full coverage on the price of bitcoin has increased by more than 10% after the electric car manufacturer, tesla, said it had invested one— point— five— billion dollars in the digital currency last month. bitcoin jumped to a record forty— four— thousand dollars and is now up about 50% since the beginning

of the year. our technology correspondent rory cellan—jones is with me now. a basic question, really. who uses bitcoin? could i use it to do my weekly shop you reckon you would find it very difficult. it weekly shop you reckon you would find it very difficult.— find it very difficult. it has been auoin ten find it very difficult. it has been going ten years _ find it very difficult. it has been going ten years or— find it very difficult. it has been going ten years or so, - find it very difficult. it has been going ten years or so, in - find it very difficult. it has been going ten years or so, in the i going ten years or so, in the meantime it has failed to obtain some of the characteristics of a standard currency. i bought a pizza with one about seven years ago with half a bitcoin. i would be about $20,000 these days. it is very volatile. it's main use is mainly as a means of speculation, the people who believe it believe in it really strongly. it's almost a religion is mainly as a means of speculation, the people who believe it believe in it really strongly. it's almost a tesla. so today's announcement was really interesting. he has been promoting bitcoin on his twitter feed for some weeks along with

others more eccentric cryptocurrency called dogecoin, and it has been revealed that his company has bought $1.5 billion worth. it was already partly going up because people believe that will�*s wealthiest man, fight for a title with jeff believe that will�*s wealthiest man, fight for a title withjeff bizos, that it must be worth doing. he has put money behind it. the understanding _ put money behind it. the understanding of - put money behind it. the understanding of why he is doing this? he understanding of why he is doing this? , ., , ., ., . this? he is not the standard chief executive- _ this? he is not the standard chief executive. he _ this? he is not the standard chief executive. he behaves _ this? he is not the standard chief executive. he behaves in - this? he is not the standard chiefl executive. he behaves in eccentric ways from time to time he talks of man becoming an interplanetary species. he has these passions, and sometimes they get him into trouble. he got into trouble a few years ago by tweeting about plans to buy his

company back from shareholders, not a severe reprimand from regulators and was told to have his tweets approved, went quiet for a bit. he was told to have his tweets approved, and quiet for a bit. he has about various issues. he was involved in couple weeks back, this cryptocurrency fits with his image. it is antiestablishment than a couple weeks back, this cryptocurrency image. it is antiestablishment and irregular way, he has got a huge number of fans, are incredibly enthusiastic. critics will say that he is quite dangerous —— but it is quite dangerous to persuade some people to get things in regulated markets cannot afford to get in a lot of money. want to watch. many thanks. technology correspondent there. streets of westminster.

michael gove has been giving evidence to mps on the european scrutiny committee on the uk's new relationship with the eu post brexit — let's listen in. it is chaired by the conservative mp sue cash, who have asked them to discuss the situation in northern ireland. ireland. i adoption will ask you to be. i adoption will ask you to be. i think there are specific issues about which thejoint i think there are specific issues about which the joint committee set up, but those who sit on it, which include all the member states of the eu, also included representatives of northern ireland, the executive of the moment i represented on it, but it is explicitlyjoint committee, a creation of the withdrawal agreement. but it is explicitly joint committee, a creation of the withdrawal agreement. a table bringing indeed official in this area, he really wants to say bit more. i think it is worth clarifying that we draft — i think it is worth clarifying that we draft decisions of the decorations with parliament actually

published immediately after agreement between the joint committee co—chairs in early december their formal adoption on the 17th— december their formal adoption on the 17th of— december their formal adoption on the 17th of december, so those decisions — the 17th of december, so those decisions and decorations were available — decisions and decorations were available to pump it ahead of the 'oint available to pump it ahead of the joint committee which probably agreed — next question, and morris, please. —— and morris, please. how does the statutory prohibition on agreement by improve accountability if parliament cannot possess _ accountability if parliament cannot possess draft decisions of the committee for the have agreed to -ive committee for the have agreed to give back— committee for the have agreed to give back to when they think you made _ give back to when they think you made quite a bit of this when you put forward this position that the written _ put forward this position that the written procedure could be used ——

no written — written procedure could be used —— no written procedure could be used. i am no written procedure could be used. i am at _ no written procedure could be used. i am at a _ no written procedure could be used. i am at a loss— no written procedure could be used. i am at a loss to understand how we are going _ i am at a loss to understand how we are going to— i am at a loss to understand how we are going to have that transparency. our view, _ are going to have that transparency. our view, the government's collective view was that we should avoid this, so that we could ensure those things and that need to be approved by the joint committee were approved by the joint committee were approved by the respective co—chairs and others in the form of the joint committee through appropriate discussion. it was an attempt to ensure that we make the process as inclusive and open as possible, consistent with the institutional architecture of the institutional architecture of the joint committee, the institutional architecture of thejoint committee, but the institutional architecture of the joint committee, but again, the institutional architecture of thejoint committee, but again, i will refer to brendan threlfall. thank you. i think it is worth reiterating that in the terms of the agreement last december, the decisions were formally adopted at the joint _ decisions were formally adopted at the joint committee by the minister

of the _ the joint committee by the minister of the 17th— the joint committee by the minister of the 17th of december, before that, _ of the 17th of december, before that, very— of the 17th of december, before that, very shortly after the co-chair_ that, very shortly after the co—chair reached in principle agreement on a package on the 8th of december _ agreement on a package on the 8th of december. we publish those decisions in draft. _ december. we publish those decisions in draft, unilateral declarations, and transmitted others to this committee and other relevant committees in the commons. there was a period _ committees in the commons. there was a period of— committees in the commons. there was a period of time for scrutiny prior to the _ a period of time for scrutiny prior to the joint— a period of time for scrutiny prior to the joint committee.— to the joint committee. more broadl , to the joint committee. more broadly, specifically - to the joint committee. more broadly, specifically with - to the joint committee. m2 broadly, specifically with respect to the critical, as you know, the government published a white paper outlining the approach it would take towards the northern ireland protocol, which attracted some criticism from some parties. not the fact of its publication, but the direction of travel we wanted to take. that command paper made clear the governmentmake a determination to ensure the place of the united kingdom what ireland united kingdom were upheld by the uk government. ——

the place of northern ireland united kingdom. that's not to say plenty of areas would not be criticised, but that i hope the publication of the command paper hopes to inform not just parliament but also the eu about the approach we were going to take that question. did you want to ask a question four? by did you want to ask a question four? by all— did you want to ask a question four? by all means — did you want to ask a question four? by all means it _ did you want to ask a question four? by all means. it is _ did you want to ask a question four? by all means. it is a _ did you want to ask a question four? by all means. it is a natural- by all means. it is a natural secretary, _ by all means. it is a natural secretary, if i might. chancellor, so far, anyway, you have already— chancellor, so far, anyway, you have already alluded that you will be published information onjoint uk — eu decisions after their agreement. despite _ eu decisions after their agreement. despite the evidence that brendan threlfait— despite the evidence that brendan threlfall from 14 gave, i don't quite — threlfall from 14 gave, i don't quite see _ threlfall from 14 gave, i don't quite see how that improves transparency. —— from your team. i can't _ transparency. —— from your team. i can't see — transparency. —— from your team. i can't see a _ transparency. —— from your team. i can't see a clear timeline or a mechanism to enable parliament to

complete _ mechanism to enable parliament to complete their properly scrutinise matters — again, ithink again, i think we are operating through thejoint again, i think we are operating through the joint committee in a way that any government would negotiate with another international organisation or state. it's always the case that when you have negotiations of this kind, they happen, the government to government, executive chief executive, or in this case, the government to commission, or commission representative, but of course, we outline the approach we're taking is required papers, statements to parliament, there opportunity such as this. it is the case that during the course last year, i am other ministers appeared in front of the now defunct select committee, indeed, my colleague appeared before this committee, to explain the approach we were taken, thejudgments behind it, and the

trade—offs we were prepared to contemplate. i look forward to appearing in front of this committee as regularly as you would like me too, as the work of the joint committee and the council proceeds, and if it is the case that other ministers taken these responsibilities, i know they will be equally if not more assiduous making themselves available. delighted to hear you make yourself available _ delighted to hear you make yourself available as much as we should choose, — available as much as we should choose, and i hope in same spirit, you will, _ choose, and i hope in same spirit, you will, how— choose, and i hope in same spirit, you will, how shall i put it, encourage other ministers tojoin that enthusiasm forjoining us to discuss — that enthusiasm forjoining us to discuss matters. but perhaps i could pin you _ discuss matters. but perhaps i could pin you down, because it seems to me that despite _ pin you down, because it seems to me that despite your warm words, we are not getting _ that despite your warm words, we are not getting much specificity as to what _ not getting much specificity as to what we — not getting much specificity as to what we are going to get when. so will you _ what we are going to get when. so will you commit to prior publication of draft _ will you commit to prior publication of draft agenda is a decisions of the various uk— eu bodies with sufficient — the various uk— eu bodies with sufficient time, they would like you to tell— sufficient time, they would like you to tell me _

sufficient time, they would like you to tell me what you think that is, for parliament, but the stakeholders to assess _ for parliament, but the stakeholders to assess them, ask questions and raise _ to assess them, ask questions and raise concerns before the relevant meetings? — raise concerns before the relevant meetings? i raise concerns before the relevant meetinus? .. raise concerns before the relevant meetinus? ~" ., , ., meetings? i think there was no roblem meetings? i think there was no problem in _ meetings? i think there was no problem in publishing - meetings? i think there was no problem in publishing an - meetings? i think there was no | problem in publishing an agenda beforehand. and i think one of the things that may be helpful, and this is an offer i make other ministers they want to augment, is to allow me to appear before this committee, or another minister to appear, before appropriate meetings of the joint committee partnership council. i should add it is also the case that it is envisaged that there should be a joint parliamentary... i hesitate to say assembly. certainly committees with parliamentarians and uk parliamentarians beating, and again, as i have suggested other committees, for the house of commons to the itself what it takes the best means of effecting scrutiny and

ensuring cooperation might be. 50. ensuring cooperation might be. so, chances are. _ ensuring cooperation might be. so, chances are, what you say this to the house — chances are, what you say this to the house of commons, are you anticipating the leader of the house? — anticipating the leader of the house? how are you expecting the specificity — house? how are you expecting the specificity of this transparency to the serpent? and what is your thought— the serpent? and what is your thought on timing? because we need to move _ thought on timing? because we need to move forwards. | thought on timing? because we need to move forwards.— to move forwards. i quite agree. it has been our— to move forwards. i quite agree. it has been our habits _ to move forwards. i quite agree. it has been our habits so _ to move forwards. i quite agree. it has been our habits so far- to move forwards. i quite agree. it has been our habits so far to - has been our habits so far to introduce a written ministerial statement before everyjoint committee meeting with the agenda. it is also the case that, of course, parliament can, through urgent questions and statements, have me or any other ministers appear at the floor of the house. but with respect to how the house itself organises his committees... we are going to leave that session there of the cabinet office minister michael gove

giving evidence about the uk was in a relationship with the eu. he has said there are concerns across northern ireland about the protocol. now it's time for a look at the weather with tomasz. cold air is very established across the uk. amber warning is in place from the met office for heavy snow showers, effecting this afternoon parts of eastern england and central scotland, the show was being blown in by a strong east for the easterly winds along these lines or streamers as we call them, so you get lots of snow, very little, and it does depend where you are. very cold day, below freezing in most cities. that pattern continued through the night. the tv slow streamers across the night becoming less frequent in some areas of the night wears on. temperatures overnight will be

called on the grounds of scotland because it is around —2 or —3. a similar pattern tomorrow, the possibility of sleet and snow for the south—west of the uk, and also the south—west of the uk, and also the channel islands potentially as well. this is bbc news. we this is bbc news. the headlines borisjohnson seeks to reassure the public about the oxford astrazeneca vaccine — after questions about its effectiveness against the south african variant. all of them, we think, are effective in delivering a high degree of protection against serious illness and death, which is the most important thing. cut business rates permanently to help the ailing high street — that's the plea from a group of top companies. alex salmond, the former scottish first minister, will not now give evidence to msps tomorrow in their inquiry into the government's handling of harassment complaints. heavy snow and ice causes disruption in parts of the uk — people are being urged

not to travel. and buying cars with bitcoin — tesla invests $1.5 billion in the cryptocurrency, and says it will begin accepting it as payment for products soon good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. borisjohnson hasjoined other ministers in seeking to reassure the public over the effectiveness of the oxford astrazeneca covid—19 vaccine. the prime minister said there was good evidence it was reducing transmission of the virus and the vaccine programme remained of massive benefit to the country. a study has suggested the current jab offers only limited protection against mild disease caused

by the south african variant. but scientists remain confident it will prevent death and serious disease. there have been fewer than 150 cases of this variant found so far in the uk, but some experts say it is very possible that it could be more widespread. our health correspondent jim reed reports. hundreds of thousands have been braving the winter weather to get their vaccines. 12 million people have now received their first dose, with a week to go until the government's deadline to reach the four most at—risk groups. the fight now, though, is also against new variants of the virus — genetic mutations to the spike protein, which scientists think could make the first generation of vaccines less effective. one version of the virus, first discovered in south africa, now makes up 90% of cases there. the authorities in south africa are now suspending the roll—out of the astrazeneca oxford vaccine, after a small study suggested

it did not stop mild disease in young people. and so, looking at that situation, we felt that there's now uncertainty as to whether the astrazeneca vaccine does indeed prevent severe infection and hospitalisation, which is what we're really interested in. and so, we need to ensure we have that data before we proceed with the roll—out. scientists in oxford are still very hopeful their vaccine can prevent that severe disease caused by the south african variant, and stop people needing hospital treatment. more tests will be needed to see if that is the case. in the uk, the government said 147 cases of the south african variant have been found so far. enhanced door—to—door testing has now been rolled out in ten areas with confirmed infections to try to stamp out the spread. scientists say no vaccine can offer 100% protection against any form of the disease.

even without the south african variant, we did believe that, actually, some people who had been vaccinated would be able to be infected and pass it on. so, it really is kind of a warning to people that even with the vaccine, you're not immune and you still need to take precautions until we have a high level of protection across the population. by far the main or dominant strain across the uk is still the variant found in kent and the south—east of england before christmas. speaking this afternoon, the prime minister said all the vaccines now in use are thought to be effective against the virus in this country. we're very confident in all the vaccines that we're using. i think it's important for people to bear in mind that all of them, we think, are effective in delivering a high degree of protection against serious illness and death. 18 new vaccination centres opened today across england, including this one, at the home

of leeds united. it's possible that vaccines given in places like this will need to be tweaked in the future to protect us against new variants of the virus. a reminder that covid is a new disease, one we may have to live with and manage for many years to come. jim reed, bbc news. i've been speaking to our medical editor, fergus walsh, and i asked him whether we should be worried by this study. the key message is that the current two vaccines are being used around the uk, the astrazeneca oxford vaccine and the pfizer vaccine, are highly effective against the dominant strain, the kent variant, in the uk. that's the key message and it's vital people are not put off going for their vaccine. we have had an incredibly successful roll—out so far. there is a danger that headlines talking about a very

small study in south africa could potentially make people hesitate about going to have their jab, which would be utterly wrong. now, if the south african variant, which has been around here since december, suddenly started to take off in a big way and started displacing the kent variant, then perhaps at some point in the future people having vaccines would have less protection against mild and moderate disease, but it looks pretty likely that the vaccines we have would still protect against really serious disease. vaccines are the answer to this pandemic and fortunately it is quite simple to tweak them. so, it's possible come the autumn that we might need a boosterjab, but for now, "roll up your sleeves and have the jab." fergus walsh, there. our political correspondentjessica parker is in westminster. that message of roll up your sleeves and get the jab, we have heard this

from ministers this morning including the prime minister. ministers keen to emphasise that on the current evidence they have that all the jabs being rolled out across the country at the moment are effective against severe disease and this particular study, a small study, with an average age of 31, looking at the effects of the south african variant, if you have it in a mild way, and this is because there is a huge public health campaign going on to roll out the vaccine. public health messaging is so important in a campaign like this and so much is pinned on getting the vaccine out. minsters sound confident in terms of their targets looking forward but looking further ahead, they hope to unlock society and the economy and reopen schools, and the economy and reopen schools, and so they want people to keep going and getting those jabs. the issue of the south african variant issue of the south african variant is likely to come up at the press conference later which will be held at downing street by matt hancock

and something that the labour leader keir starmer has also been talking about. ~ .., keir starmer has also been talking about. ~ ., ., , about. the south african variant is the sinale about. the south african variant is the single biggest _ about. the south african variant is the single biggest risk— about. the south african variant is the single biggest risk at - about. the south african variant is the single biggest risk at the - the single biggest risk at the moment, and it is very important therefore — moment, and it is very important therefore that we secure our borders _ therefore that we secure our borders. we have known about this variant— borders. we have known about this variant for— borders. we have known about this variant for some time and if you can believe _ variant for some time and if you can believe it. _ variant for some time and if you can believe it. it — variant for some time and if you can believe it, it will be 50 days from knowing — believe it, it will be 50 days from knowing about the variant, border restrictions, quarantine and hotels, coming _ restrictions, quarantine and hotels, coming in. — restrictions, quarantine and hotels, coming in, and even between now, today, _ coming in, and even between now, today, those restrictions coming in, 200,000 _ today, those restrictions coming in, 200,000 people will come into the country _ 200,000 people will come into the country. add to that and this is the most _ country. add to that and this is the most significant thing, number of other— most significant thing, number of other countries we now know have the south _ other countries we now know have the south african variant and they are not even — south african variant and they are not even in — south african variant and they are not even in the government's scheme for quarantining in hotels, so this is leaving — for quarantining in hotels, so this is leaving a — for quarantining in hotels, so this is leaving a back door open at a vital— is leaving a back door open at a vital stage _ is leaving a back door open at a vital stage in the battle against the virus — vital stage in the battle against the virus. ,, ., ., , vital stage in the battle against the virus. ,, ., , the virus. keir starmer has been very critical _ the virus. keir starmer has been very critical of — the virus. keir starmer has been very critical of the _ the virus. keir starmer has been very critical of the government'sj very critical of the government's border policy, and a week today is when the new hotel quarantine policy will come in, when people arriving

from high risk countries will have to quarantine in hotels for ten days. there has been criticism as to how long it has taken to bring that policy about and downing street today have said they have not yet agreed any formal contracts with hotels near airports and ports, but borisjohnson earlier argued that boris johnson earlier argued that the borisjohnson earlier argued that the uk's quarantine policy is amongst the toughest in the world and that those types of policies when it comes to clamping down on who can come into the country are much more effective, he says, when rates of the virus are very low. jessica parker, thanks forjoining us. let's speak now to markjit, professor of vaccine epidemiology at the london school of hygiene and tropical medicine. he's also a member of the scientific pandemic influenza group on modelling — which feeds into sage. good afternoon. how do you view this study about the oxford astrazeneca

vaccine being less effective when it comes to preventing mild and moderate illness from the south african variant? 2,5 moderate illness from the south african variant?— moderate illness from the south african variant? a ., , , ., african variant? as many people have said, this african variant? as many people have said. this is — african variant? as many people have said, this is preliminary _ african variant? as many people have said, this is preliminary data - african variant? as many people have said, this is preliminary data from - said, this is preliminary data from a small study done after the trials, so the results do look concerning but what we really need to do now is to do larger studies with more outcome is out to be more certain about our conclusions. —— with more outcomes, to be more certain. igrate about our conclusions. -- with more outcomes, to be more certain. we are told there are — outcomes, to be more certain. we are told there are fewer _ outcomes, to be more certain. we are told there are fewer than _ outcomes, to be more certain. we are told there are fewer than 350 - outcomes, to be more certain. we are told there are fewer than 350 cases i told there are fewer than 350 cases of the south african variant in the uk and some think it could be more widespread than that, but at the moment the advice given is that the oxford astrazeneca vaccine is fully effective against the variants we know are much more prevalent here. at the moment the vaccines we are getting now, the astrazeneca and the pfizer vaccines are the ones to protect people in the uk against the

strains they are likely to get, so if you are eligible for it, this is the strain that you will be protected against for the next few months from getting covid, so if i was offered it, i would get it. we should be getting this vaccine. the signals we are getting from studies like the south african variant suggest we have got to monitor things closely and think how we can improve vaccines in the future encase these variants become more widespread in the uk but for now the we have is the one that is going to protect you now. do we have is the one that is going to protect you now— we have is the one that is going to protect you now. do you expect us to see other studies _ protect you now. do you expect us to see other studies coming _ protect you now. do you expect us to see other studies coming forth - protect you now. do you expect us to see other studies coming forth all. see other studies coming forth all the time about the efficacy of the vaccines on different variants? yes. vaccines on different variants? yes, we have seen _ vaccines on different variants? yes, we have seen it _ vaccines on different variants? yes, we have seen it many _ vaccines on different variants? yes, we have seen it many of _ vaccines on different variants? 123 we have seen it many of these studies, and we have seen increasingly study some countries which have experienced rolling them out, so some from israel regarding the pfizer vaccine, and i think we will soon see data from the uk looking at how successful the vaccine has been now we have been able to vaccinate many millions of

people with the first dose. the information _ people with the first dose. the information coming out in this study about the oxford vaccine in relation to the south african variant is that there are questions over whether it can prevent mild to moderate illness, although there is no data to suggest it won't prevent severe illness. does that then mean that the concern is really about transmissibility? about people being asymptomatic and transmitting the virus without knowing, despite having had the vaccine? the things we do know. _ having had the vaccine? the things we do know, this _ having had the vaccine? the things we do know, this vaccine _ having had the vaccine? the things we do know, this vaccine does - having had the vaccine? the things| we do know, this vaccine does work against the present variants, the ones most common in the uk, and we do know that the vaccine prevents against mild and severe infection for that, against mild and severe infection forthat, but against mild and severe infection for that, but what we are not sure about with the south african variant, how well the vaccine will

do, so this but say? on it. i think in terms of the long term we will need to know —— but this puts a question on it. for our immediate protection, the vaccine we have now is the one which is going to protect people in the uk.— is the one which is going to protect people in the uk. would you then say that although — people in the uk. would you then say that although there _ people in the uk. would you then say that although there are _ people in the uk. would you then say that although there are questions, i that although there are questions, but when it comes to the south african variant, that some degree of protection is better than none? yes. protection is better than none? yes, definitel . protection is better than none? yes, definitely. these _ protection is better than none? 123 definitely. these vaccines protection is better than none? 12: definitely. these vaccines are going to protect people in the uk and in most countries in the world very well, in fact, most countries in the world very well, infact, more most countries in the world very well, in fact, more than some protection. well, in fact, more than some protection-— well, in fact, more than some rotection. ., , ., protection. ok. professor, thanks for 'oinin: protection. ok. professor, thanks forjoining us- _ and, the health secretary, matt hancock will be leading today's downing street briefing alongside england's deputy chief medical officer, professorjonathan van tam and the medical director of nhs england, doctor nikki kanani. we'll have full coverage on the bbc

one and the bbc news channel from 4.30 this afternoon. heavy snow has brought disruption across parts of the uk, including the closure of coronavirus vaccination centres in some areas. storm darcy's strong easterly winds have brought freezing temperatures and weather warnings have been issued for large parts of england, scotland and northern ireland. kent has seen a blanket of snow. our correspondent duncan kennedy is in canterbury. it looks very cold. that is the sto of it looks very cold. that is the story of the _ it looks very cold. that is the story of the day, _ it looks very cold. that is the story of the day, actually, . it looks very cold. that is the | story of the day, actually, the perishing cold. it is not to do with the thermometer temperatures, that is saying —1, —2, because you have got to factor in the wind chill, which is taking it down to —6, —7, which is taking it down to —6, —7, which is taking it down to —6, —7, which is on a par with some scandinavian countries and even parts of russia today, so it really is perishing the cold. that is

having all kinds of effects, with ice on the roads and even for the transportation system, and it is not just here in kent where they are getting these kind of conditions, these kind of temperatures, it is right across the whole of the eastern side of england into lincolnshire, norfolk, these areas have got these extremely low temperatures and also lots of new snow flurries coming in this afternoon and again into the night, and that is causing all kinds of disruption both on the roads and the railway system right across this region. kent has had some of the heaviest and widespread snow falls. the entire county was part of the covering that took in much of eastern england. it left some cars unable to cope with the conditions and police say they have been extremely busy. these are not council employees, they are factory workers, helping to keep the village open, not only for their plant but also

for local people as well. we're obviously working at the moment. so, there are things inside that need to be done but obviously this takes priority, getting everybody in and out. don't want anyone snowed in in the area so why not get out and help the community a bit? in another nearby village, the race was also on to clear the streets before any more snow arrives. just doing it for the old people. they go up and down to the post office. so, i'm just doing my bit. the village tea room has opened for hot chocolate, even if the owners, sean and michelle, aren't expecting too many customers. it obviously affects business, but probably some light relief for people with what's going down at the moment. will there be an impact on the business? yes, there is, but we do sell a lot of hot chocolate and soup, that is what we've been doing lately. it just changes what people have. it's notjust the snow. the temperatures in much of eastern england are below zero, making it incredibly difficult to drive on the smaller roads, which are still icy,

and it has interrupted many train services as well. at clacton—on—sea in essex, they have seen around four inches of snow, all brought in on powerful eastern winds. it's like a bit of a hosepipe in the north sea. if you imagine that hosepipe spraying snow showers in some parts. in some areas you will get a lot of snow, maybe 10—15 centimetres. but maybe ten, 20 miles north and south of that, you won't get as much. this was long stratton in norfolk. more roads blocked and some motorists were caught by the freezing conditions. the aa has asked people not to go out if they don't have to, as getting to any breakdowns could take longer than usual. for much of this week, it will remain snowy and very cold. the word "brrrr" which was written

on that car, thatjust about sums it up. these temperatures are going to be last for —— lasting for the whole week in the south—eastern corner and “p week in the south—eastern corner and up and down the eastern side of the country, and in the early hours of tomorrow in kent and other parts of eastern england they are expecting more snow so that will compound the problem is because the snow is not melting. it is staying put and as it gets more snow on top of that that is likely to bring more disruption to both rail and road services. maw; to both rail and road services. many thanks. duncan _ to both rail and road services. many thanks. duncan kennedy _ to both rail and road services. many thanks. duncan kennedy reporting there. the headlines on bbc news... borisjohnson seeks to reassure the public about the oxford astrazeneca vaccine — after questions about its effectiveness against the south african variant. alex salmond, the former scottish first minister, will not now give evidence to msps tomorrow in their inquiry into the government's handling of harassment complaints. cut business rates permanently to help the ailing high street —

that's the plea from a group of top companies. staying with that last story... the bosses of three supermarkets — tesco, asda, and morrisons — and the chief executive of waterstones have called for a permanent cut to business rates once the covid crisis ends. in a letter to the chancellor rishi sunak, they say the current tax rules will make it even harder for struggling high street retailers to compete against online companies like amazon. katie prescott reports. another consequence of the pandemic — online retailers are doing a roaring trade, while high street stores have had to close. seniorfigures who run and own 10,000 bricks and mortar shops are questioning whether traditional tax structures on the value of property still make sense, as tax on shops is often far higher than warehouses. there are some of those

businesses that say, unless they get to a fairer position in terms of how they're trading in respect of online retailing, which gets a very easy ride currently, with the current business rates system, unless we can get to a fairer position, then this situation, as i say, started before the pandemic but has been really exacerbated in the last year, this situation's only going to get worse and people are going to see their high streets, i'm afraid, looking even less healthy and vibrant than they perhaps were before. in a letter to government, they've said nearly 15,000 jobs in the sector have already been lost, and more could follow. even before covid—19, the current system penalised physical shops. reducing business rates for retailers and rebalancing the tax system to ensure online retailers pay a fair share of tax would provide a vital boost to bricks and mortar retailers, and support communities in need of levelling up. we want our shops open because they're in communities and they're really important to us. for all sorts of reasons, but mainly because they employ people and i think sustain communities in the locations

in which we are. we shouldn't be incentivised to concentrate instead on online. there is currently a review of business rates under way, and the government said it will consider the case for introducing an online sales tax as part of it. katie prescott, bbc news. a teenager who is the youngest person in the uk to commit a terror offence has been given a two—year youth rehabilitation order. the 16—year—old boy from cornwall — who led a neo nazi group — admitted 12 offences including downloading a bomb—making manual when he was only 13 — was spared jail by an old bailey judge. the uk's official terror threat level has been reduced from "substancial" to "severe". let's talk to our security correspondent frank gardner. what are the reasons given for doing this? 1, , .., , what are the reasons given for doing this? 1, , .. , ., this? basically, the default level

for it is substantial _ this? basically, the default level for it is substantial which - this? basically, the default level for it is substantial which is - this? basically, the default level for it is substantial which is the i for it is substantial which is the middle one of the five tiers, and we went up briefly to severe which is the one above, last year, in november, following the attacks in europe, and it was felt by the joint terrorism analysis sensor, an independent body that advises government, —— centre. it was felt that enough time had passed since the terror attacks in paris and nice and vienna that it did not need to be as high as it was. what does substantial mean? it still means a terror attack is likely, and that can be in any form, a lone attacker with a screwdriver or something far more substantial using explosives, but it has been quite some time now since we have been at critical, which was in 2016 in the aftermath of the manchester arena bombing when it was thought that there was an attack that was imminent. it is good

news, qualified good news, but the threat has not gone away. the number of so—called subjects of interest is still over 3000, and far right extremism and you saw it referred to in the news item about the youngest terror offender being sentenced, thatis terror offender being sentenced, that is also growing, so that is still a worry. i that is also growing, so that is still a worry-— that is also growing, so that is still a worry. i was going to ask ou, still a worry. i was going to ask you. with _ still a worry. i was going to ask you. with that _ still a worry. i was going to ask you, with that news _ still a worry. i was going to ask you, with that news of- still a worry. i was going to ask you, with that news of a - still a worry. i was going to ask- you, with that news of a 16-year-old you, with that news of a 16—year—old boy being convicted, it is a reminder that terrorism comes from a far right groups as well as the islamist threat which people tend to associate it with.— associate it with. yes, that's ri . ht, associate it with. yes, that's right. and — associate it with. yes, that's right, and that _ associate it with. yes, that's right, and that threat - associate it with. yes, that's right, and that threat is - associate it with. yes, that's right, and that threat is still| right, and that threat is still growing, it's far smaller in terms of number of cases that the police and m15 are looking at, the vast majority of the terrorism threat cases they are investigating are still related to what they call international terrorism, things

inspired by al-qaeda and isis, but far right terrorism is certainly growing, you have only got to look at the things which have been coming out of the united states, some of the more extreme statements and what happened on capitol hill. there is always the fear amongst law enforcement that there be copycat actions, and to come back to your question, what has brought the terrorist threat level down to substantial, it is the fact we have not seen any copycat actions following the attacks in europe towards the end of last year. that is the fear which is why they raised the threat level. covid has had an effect, albeit briefly, because with fewer people gathering in public spaces, that deprives terrorists of an obvious target, but largely the intent has gone back to where it was. there are still people who want to carry out attacks and the police and m15 are still trying to stop them. ., .. and m15 are still trying to stop them. ., ~ ., ., them. frank gardner, thanks for 'oinin: them. frank gardner, thanks for joining us- _ the former first minister of scotland alex salmond will not

now appear tomorrow at an inquiry being held by members of the scottish parliament on the government's handling of harassment complaints against him. mr salmond is locked in a dispute with the committee over what material can be published. alexandra mackenzie has been explaining more about why alex salmond won't appear in front of msps at this time. alex salmond was due to appear at the holyrood enquiry into the government's handling of sexual harassment claims against him tomorrow but it was confirmed this morning that this session will now not go ahead. the former first minister had sent a letter to committee members yesterday. he said he was willing to appear at any point until next tuesday, when the first minister is due to give her evidence. but he wanted certain written evidence that he had previously submitted to be published so it can be considered in the final report. today, a statement from a scottish parliament spokesperson said that mr salmond had been contacted

to make it clear that he can speak freely in committee about all his contacts with nicola sturgeon and his views on her actions. it said he would have four hours to answer questions in public, and he was also invited to send more written evidence for publication after that meeting. it went on to say that the committee had already published two lengthy submissions from mr salmond. however, in the letter from alex salmond's lawyers, it said that asking a witness to accept the constraints of speaking only to selected evidence is not acceptable and is offensive. alexandra mackenzie, there. now it's time for a look at the weather with tomasz. the cold air is very established now across the uk, and the warnings in

force from the met office for heavy snow showers, affecting this afternoon parts of eastern england and also central scotland. the snow showers are being blown in by a strong east to north—easterly wind along these lines or streamers as we call them, so you get lots of snow, very little, and then snow again, it depends where you are. a very cold day, and the pattern continues through the night. snow streamers across the uk becoming perhaps less frequent in some areas as the night wears on, and the temperatures overnight around —2 or —3, in a similar pattern tomorrow with the possibility of sleet and snow for the south—west of the uk and potentially the channel islands as well.

this is bbc news. we hello, this is bbc news.

the headlines: borisjohnson seeks to reassure the public about the oxford astrazeneca vaccine after questions about its effectiveness against the south african variant. cut business rates permanently to help the ailing high street — that's the plea from a group of top companies. alex salmond, the former scottish first minister, will not now give evidence to msps tomorrow in their inquiry into the government's handling of harassment complaints. heavy snow and ice causes disruption in parts of the uk — people are being urged not to travel. buying cars with bitcoin. tesla invests $1.5 billion in the cryptocurrency, but says it will begin accepting it for payment for products soon. sport, and for a full

round up, from the bbc sport centre, here'sjon. many thanks. good afternoon. england will hope they've got their tactics right as they chase an historic victory over india in the first test in chennai. with india out for 337, england looked to press home their advantage. joe root with a quickfire 40 as england added to their sizeable lead. but with their run rate slowing, they opted not to declare, leaving england less than an hour today to begin chasing the wickets needed. jack leach with one of those, that of rohit sharma. and they'll need nine more tomorrow. it is obviously the first game of the series, while you want to get off to a really strong start, really want to give you the chance to win. however, saying that, they have got some fine players. and you also want to have attacking fielders the whole day, especially to our spin bowlers around the back, so to get as much

advantage as we can to keep the rate high for them feels like our best chance to win the game. lewis hamilton has committed his future to mercedes, signing a one—year deal, keeping him with the team for a ninth season. the announcement was made on social media after weeks of negotiations. he's been been out of contract after his previous £40 million a year deal expired in december. the new deal combines an agreement from both parties to boost diversity and inclusion in the sport. world number one novak djokovic began the defence of his australian open title with a straight sets win as organisers welcomed just over 17,000 fans to melbourne park on day one. pushed back from its usual start date by three weeks, djokovic wasted no time dismantling the 33—year—old jeremy chardy of france in straight sets. he said it was the most people he'd seen on a tennis court in 12 months — wimbledon was cancelled and the us open played without crowds.

meanwhile, the war of words continues between nick kyrgios and djokovic. the world number had said he doesn't respect the australian. who was again critical of the tournament staged by djocovic back injune which led to several positive coronavirus cases amongst the players and staff involved. he's a very strange cat, novak is. a heck of a tennis player, but unfortunately, someone who is pleased with his shirt off during the global pandemic, i don't think i can take epics like for that month. that's as bad as it gets for me. in the women's draw, serena williams started her quest for a record—equalling 24th grand slam in style with a 6—1, 6—1victory over germany's laura siegemund injust 56 minutes. katie boulter lost her first round match, the only brit in action on day one, but the second seed simona halep is through. i was happy just i was happyjust to get through.

i was happyjust to get through. i wasn't sure how my would be after a little bit of that shoulder, but it's feeling good, i'm feeling good, so felt really good. tom brady cemeneted his legacy at the age of 43, guiding the tampa bay buccaneers to a 31—9 victory over the kansas city chiefs, extending his record of super bowl wins to seven — that's more than any single nfl team. tampa won it in their home stadium, led all the way by brady, who threw three touchdown passes and was named most valuable player in the showpiece for a record extending fifth time. just really proud of all the guys, proud of all the coaches, the effort we put in, we knew we were playing a great football team tonight and we got thejob done. great football team tonight and we got the job done. if you want to get this far, you've got to get the job done, and we did it. that's all the sport for now. i'll have more for you in the next hour. thanks very much, john. now, news to bring you about myanmar. the us embassy in mart says

it has received reports of a curfew imposed from hpm to 4am in the biggest cities there gone and delay. —— of young gone and mandalay. he will be aware of the last few days. here are some pictures from the, mass protests across the country following the democratically elected leader aung san suu kyi by the military. there have been three straight days of process, and now this news from the us embassy there that there will be a curfew imposed from hpm to 4am in the biggest cities. —— hpm. borisjohnson has led government ministers in trying to reassure the public of the effectiveness of the uk's vaccine stocks. he said they are still a massive benefit, despite a study suggesting the oxford astrazeneca vaccine only offers minimal protection against mild disease caused

by the south african variant. we are very confident in all the vaccines that we are using, and i think it's important for people to bearin think it's important for people to bear in mind that all of them, we think, are effective in delivering a high degree of protection against serious illness and death, which is the most important thing, and we will be continuing to study the results, the effectiveness of the vaccine roll—out, and that is going very, very fast indeed. we will be looking at the ways in which the population is starting to respond to the vaccines as we prepare to say what we are going to do in the week of the 22nd, and what kind of road map you want to layout. but of the 22nd, and what kind of road map you want to layout.— of the 22nd, and what kind of road map you want to layout. but if it is the case that _ map you want to layout. but if it is the case that it _ map you want to layout. but if it is the case that it is _ map you want to layout. but if it is the case that it is not _ map you want to layout. but if it is the case that it is not actually - the case that it is not actually stopping people catching or passing

on the virus, will this be a delayed relaxation of lockdown? iloathe on the virus, will this be a delayed relaxation of lockdown?— relaxation of lockdown? who think that all the vaccines _ relaxation of lockdown? who think that all the vaccines we _ relaxation of lockdown? who think that all the vaccines we are - relaxation of lockdown? who think that all the vaccines we are using, | that all the vaccines we are using, both the ones we are currently using, are effective and, as i say, stopping serious disease and death. we also think, particularly in the case of the oxford astrazeneca vaccine, there is good evidence that it is stopping transmission as well. i think 67% reduction in transmission with the oxford astrazeneca vaccine, so there remains a massive benefit to our country and to the population as we go through the pandemic, and i have no doubt that vaccines generally are going to offer the way out, and with every day that goes by, you can see that medicine is slowly getting the upper hand over the disease. professor anthony harnden

is deputy chairman of thejoint committee on vaccination and immunisation, which advises the government on the best strategy for vaccination. he's also a gp and professor of primary care at oxford university. he is speaking to us today in a personal capacity. you afternoon to you, professor. how concerned are you about this study into the oxford vaccine and the south african variant?- into the oxford vaccine and the south african variant? well, it is of concern. _ south african variant? well, it is of concern, but _ south african variant? well, it is of concern, but what _ south african variant? well, it is of concern, but what we - south african variant? well, it is of concern, but what we must i of concern, but what we must remember is, the two predominant circulating strains of the and stamp of the kent virus, susceptible to the vaccines that we are deploying in the uk at the moment. there is a study from south africa which seems to suggest that the oxford astrazeneca vaccine is not as protective against viral disease, but there is no reason to suspect that all that it is not fully

protective against severe disease, including hospitalisation and death, so be moment is for people not to lose confidence in the vaccine programme that we have got, had to carry on rolling out any moves of those who as many people as possible as quickly as possible so that we can provide protection against severe disease in this country. so given that the whole impetus lockdown is to prevent the nhs becoming the world, you are suggesting if people do not suffer serious illness, there will still take the pressure of the nhs? yes. take the pressure of the nhs? yes, of course it — take the pressure of the nhs? yes, of course it will. _ take the pressure of the nhs? yes, of course it will. we _ take the pressure of the nhs? yes, of course it will. we need _ take the pressure of the nhs? 12: of course it will. we need to do two things. we need to press on with this immunisation programme to prevent serious disease in the vulnerable, you need to maintain social distancing of all the other measures which we have become accustomed to to prevent this virus from spreading, so there two prong

strategy, protecting the community through vaccination and preventing transmission through social distancing, both of those things are very important at the moment. shat distancing, both of those things are very important at the moment. at the very important at the moment. at the moment, very important at the moment. at the moment. we — very important at the moment. at the moment, we know— very important at the moment. at the moment, we know of _ very important at the moment. at the moment, we know of fewer _ very important at the moment. at the moment, we know of fewer than - very important at the moment. at the moment, we know of fewer than 150 i moment, we know of fewer than 150 cases of the south african variant of the uk, so a tiny number, but it is possible it is more widespread. would you be concerned with widespread?— widespread? clearly, it is of concern- — widespread? clearly, it is of concern. this _ widespread? clearly, it is of concern. this virus - widespread? clearly, it is of concern. this virus is - widespread? clearly, it is of. concern. this virus is mutating widespread? clearly, it is of- concern. this virus is mutating to become more transmissible. it wants to transmit to as many people as possible, that is its present tetra. but clearly, what we need to do is to try to stop the transmission, which we will do through vaccination and being very cautious, so we have to be patient get enough of the population is vaccinated, will start interrupting transmission chains. but we really must stay vigilant at

the moment. it is an absolutely critical time, and people must remember, if they have been vaccinated, it is likely to reduce their ability to transmit, but if their ability to transmit, but if the south african variant or another takes bigger hole, we will need to be really careful about the social distancing in terms of transmission. —— bigge hold. so it is good news that we believe this vaccine protects against severe disease and hospitalisation, but i really would urge the public, whether they have been vaccinated or not, to remain very cautious at the moment. there are also continuing _ very cautious at the moment. there are also continuing questions - very cautious at the moment. there are also continuing questions about the decision to leave 12 weeks between the first jab at the second jab. are you confident that remains the right decision, and particularly i am thinking of the pfizer vaccine? well, we know from the oxford astrazeneca vaccine that a delayed

protection does give really delayed protection, and possibly a delayed second dose will give you better longer term protection. there is no reason to suspect from the pfizer data which is going through that that would equally be the case, so we expect the substantial protection offered by the first dose will protect people from the severe disease and illness. people do require a second dose, and i must be absolutely clear, our advice is that absolutely clear, our advice is that a second dose must be given, but we still believed in the second verse by up to 12 weeks to devise many, many more people, and we have reached more than 12 million to date, this is the correct strategy for the population as a whole. thank you very much for talking to us. british lawyers assessing human rights abuses against the uighur people have said

there's a "very credible" case that the chinese government is committing genocide. the lawyers from the essex court chambers in london were instructed by uighur and human rights groups to evaluate publicly available evidence. the chinese embassy in london has said anti—china forces were fabricating the "lies of the century". for a diplomatic correspondent has more. they have gathered together all the publicly available evidence compiled by governments, research outputs, media, ngos, given the chinese government themselves and have assessedit government themselves and have assessed it through illegal prison. these barristers are more expensive human rights law and international law. they have set on the basis of the evidence already there, there is, to use their phrase, a credible case genocide is being carried out by the chinese government to against the uighurs in scheduling. they also

say the chinese president, because of his close involvement in these policies, there is a credible case against him for points against humanity and a plausible case that each episode case could be made against him personally. so it is very substantive stuff. because your argument is fixed is, if you look at the home against the uighurs, the measures taken to force women to not give birth,, in a variety of pretty dreadful ways, the forcible relocation of children to other areas, that together begins to meet the legal definition of genocide, which is a high bar to beat. it is significant because it shows the sort of part a british court could follow, where british courts allowed to hear genocide cases. at the moment, they can't. it is largely for international courts, but mps are pushing for british courts to have this right. they will be a big boatin have this right. they will be a big boat in the house of commons tomorrow. the government opposes it. it will be quite a tight vote. the

chinese said in a statement, uighur population in their view is rising in scheduling, they say that anti—china forces in the west are concocting disseminating false evidence about xinjian and describe these things of the light of the century that are sneering china's image. they say this is fabrication. sneering china's ridge. time for a look at the headlines now. borisjohnson seeks to reassure the public about the oxford astrazeneca vaccine after questions about its effectiveness against the south african variant alex salmond, the former scottish first minister, will not now give evidence to msps tomorrow in their inquiry into the government's handling of harassment complaints. cut business rates permanently to help the ailing high street — that's the plea from a group of top companies. the price of bitcoin has

increased by more than 10% after the electric car manufacturer, tesla, said it had invested $1.5 billion in the digital currency last month. bitcoin jumped to a record $44,000 and is now up about 50% since the beginning of the year. our technology correspondent rory cellan—jones explained how it could be used. bitcoin has been ten years or so, all that time, it has failed to acquire many of the characteristics of the standard currency. it is not a means of exchange. i once bought a pizza with one another so as a girl for half a bitcoin, which would be about $20,000 these days. —— i bought a pizza with one for about half a bitcoin. it's been used is speculation, and it's in it very strongly. it is almost a religion to them. they have been in recent weeks

by elon musk, the founder of tesla. today positive announcement was really interesting. he has been promoting caprica bitcoin on his twitter feed promoting caprica bitcoin on his twitterfeed for quite promoting caprica bitcoin on his twitter feed for quite some weeks, with a slightly more eccentric cryptocurrency calls dogecoin, and suddenly, it is revealed his company has bought $1.5 billion. going up, partly because people believe that everything 's most wealthy man, he fights for that title jeff bezos of amazon, but anything he does best, and he has confirmed he has put tesla's behind it. do you have any of why he done this? —— michael why he has to have? he is -- michaelwhy he has to have? he is not our -- michaelwhy he has to have? he is not your standard _ -- michaelwhy he has to have? he is not your standard chief _ —— michael why he has to have? h2 " not your standard chief executive. he behaves in quite eccentric ways from time to time. he talks about becoming an interplanetary species. he wants to land on mars. he has

these passions some time to get him into trouble. he got into trouble a few years ago by tweeting about plans to buy his company back from shareholders, have you got a severe reprimand from regulators and salt to have his tweets approved. he went quiet for a bit, to have his tweets approved. he went quiet fora bit, but to have his tweets approved. he went quiet for a bit, but he has now gone on another kind of tweets very open about various issues. he got involved in that pig of investor interest in the company gamestop a couple of weeks back, cryptocurrency is as latest thing. it fits with his image, because of this kind of antiestablishment, doing things in a regular way, the people who love him, and he has a huge number of fans, are incredibly enthusiastic. critics will say it is quite dangerous to persuade people to get into something which is completely regulated as a market, and there is a big danger people will get it, can't afford to get in, who is a lot

of money. our technology correspondent there. meanwhile, the government has promised people living in the uk unlawfully that they won't be risking deportation by coming forward for a coronavirus vaccine. ministers are urging illegal immigrants to register with a gp and they emphasise the vaccine is free, regardless of immigration status. joining me now to talk more about this is grey collier, advocacy director for the civil liberties organisation liberty. good doing to you. presumably this is something you welcome? goad is something you welcome? good afternoon- _ is something you welcome? good afternoon. yes, _ is something you welcome? good afternoon. yes, absolutely. - is something you welcome? good afternoon. yes, absolutely. it - is something you welcome? (13222 afternoon. yes, absolutely. it is important the government has recognised the need to protect everyone in promoting the public health of the entire population, so it is a good thing that people can access this vaccine regardless of whether their immigration status is settled or not. however, what we do say is that this pleasure probably does not go far enough. people have

good reason to be mistrustful of the relationship between the nhs and the home office, there is a risk people simply will not be willing to come forward without further assurances from the government about the future of the hostile environment. that from the government about the future of the hostile environment.— of the hostile environment. that is about the messaging _ of the hostile environment. that is about the messaging of _ of the hostile environment. that is about the messaging of this - about the messaging of this particular case, isn't it? what do you want the government to go to reassure people that it was time for public health crisis, they can go forward without fear for the vaccine? " . , forward without fear for the vaccine? ' . , , vaccine? the difficulty is, the government _ vaccine? the difficulty is, the government has _ vaccine? the difficulty is, the government has fallen - vaccine? the difficulty is, the government has fallen for - vaccine? the difficulty is, the i government has fallen for being would not be a great trust this area. we know from the recent windrush scandal for example, that things can happen to go horribly wrong for people, not only be people who some of your audience may be thinking of, but those who have been in this country for a long time, and legitimately so. see what we need to see is an end to the broader hostile environment policies, to nhs charging, the firewall between health services is an end to the broader hostile environment policies, to nhs charging, the

firewall between health services in essential public services, and the home office, so people can access health care that they need without fear, we technical population and promote public health. these are important questions, but in this moment of wider, pandemic or a public health is the priority, you want the government to get the message is that they can come forward to people without peer? daily to show we're just really, thatis daily to show we're just really, that is the key. i think at moment they have failed at times to do that. so they need to implement measures that will show we are serious about everybody getting a vaccine, and equal access for all people. thank you so much. he's a world famous rock star who played at the inauguration of president biden last month — but even dave grohl has to get stuck in with home schooling. the foo fighters frontman has caught up with our entertainment correspondent colin paterson for a chat about lockdown

life and his new album. # i've been waiting on a war since i was young... dave grohl, how does it feel to be releasing your new album in the middle of a global pandemic? it's a relief that people finally get to hear these songs that we recorded a year ago. i mean, when we... we wrote these songs maybe two years ago, we started recording, like, mid—2019, with the intention that this album was going to be the soundtrack to our 25th anniversary. it's our tenth album. we're going to go on this massive world tour. we're going to play stadiums and festivals and we were making this really upbeat, sort of danceable record because it's going to be the biggest party of our lives! and then everything went... he blows raspberry. ..and just stopped. so, you know, the dam finally broke and i wasjust like, let's just put it — let's get it out there. we can't get to stadiums right now but these songs were meant to be heard, so let's go. # it's times like these,

time and time again... you also recently played joe biden's inauguration. how was that experience? well, it was an honour, first of all, to be included in that. i mean, i voted for the guy, so... unfortunately, it was prerecorded. we couldn't be in washington, dc — which, i was bummed out because that's my hometown. so when i saw it on television, i was actually in hawaii on the couch in a tie—dyed t—shirt, drinking a beer. so it was... it was... it was a little surreal, but it was an honour nonetheless. the important question — how is home schooling going? my kids know who i am. 0k? i've read my report cards to my kids before, so they're not necessarily going to come to me for anything academic. they just don't. like, i could be a cheerleader, i can make you a great breakfast and i could make you smile before you start your day.

but you don't necessarily want me in your history lessons. you don't necessarily want me helping you with trigonometry. let's enlist you to do some music education to the children of britain, then. give them three albums they should listen to for their music education. wow. well, you're going to want to get the beatles' sgt pepper's. # it was 20 years ago today # sgt pepper taught the band to play... one reason is because that album still connects the way it did the day it came out. now, if you want to be a drummer, you're going to want to get the ac/dc album back in black. that is like... that is rock'n'roll drumming 101. music: back in black by ac/dc. a third album, i mean, i like myself a little party every now and then — i do like to dance. i mean, come on, let'sjust go with saturday night fever. like, look, if you put saturday night fever on, it's going to feel like saturday night.

it could be a monday morning! so, i would have to go with those three albums. that's a good way to start. and thus endeth dave grohl�*s music lesson. thank you very much for that. and he was talking her to colin paterson. let's take a look at that very cold weather now. here's tomasz. well, the snow showers are very hit and miss at the moment, but the overall pattern isn't going to change over the next few days. strong east to northeasterly winds bringing subzero wind chill values, lots of snow showers and hard overnight frost. there are amber warnings in force from the met office for parts of eastern england and also central scotland through the day. accumulations of 10—15cm of snow where you get stuck underneath these snow streamers, so these lines of snow that lined themselves with the wind and itjust keeps snowing in the same place over and over again.

you can see these striations, so some areas actually missed the snow altogether, just get a bit of dusting. these are the gusts, around 30—40 miles an hour in places, and that means it's going to feel a lot colder than what the thermometer shows. daytime temperatures of around zero, wind—chill, so the equivalent of losing heat of skin at around —7 celsius. so here are the streamers through the course of this evening, you can see snow showers there across parts of east anglia. also central scotland giving those further accumulations out towards the west, not much snow at all. these are the overnight lows of around —2 or —3 degrees in city centres, but colder in the scottish glens. and tomorrow, much the same. again, we have snow showers driven on the east, northeasterly wind. some of the showers escaping many of us, in fact, it will be a bright if not sunny day in places. and again, another cold one. let me show you the jet stream. middle part of the week,

it is actually way to the south of us, we are to the north, we are the cold areas. but that jet stream is so far south it is basically deflecting all the mild air, all the warmth towards the mediterranean, so we have got that sort of cold, snow—driven air across the northern half of europe for the time being. so wednesday , no different, but i would say that they showers so wednesday, no different, but i would say that the showers will probably become a little less frequent as we go through the course of the week. there will be more of that dry, crisp sunny weather. now, towards the end of the week and into the weekend, there will be a bit of a battle between mild air trying to set in, but it does look as though at least for the rest of the week, that cold beast from the east is here to stay.

this is bbc news. i'm ben brown. the headlines: borisjohnson seeks to reassure the public about the oxford astrazeneca vaccine — after questions about its effectiveness against the south african variant. all of them, we think, are effective in delivering a high degree of protection against serious illness and death, which is the most important thing. sir keir starmer presses the government to secure the uk's borders against the variant, suggesting a back door has been left open for it to spread further. we have known about this variant for some time and if you can believe it, it will be 50 days from knowing about the variant, to border restrictions,

quarantine and hotels, coming in. a plea to cut business rates permanently to help the ailing high street. former scottish first minister alex salmond will not give evidence to msps tomorrow in their inquiry into the government's handling of harassment complaints. heavy snow and ice causes disruption in parts of the uk — people are being urged not to travel. borisjohnson has sought to reassure people about the effectiveness of the oxford astrazeneca covid—19 vaccine. the prime minister says there's good evidence it's reducing transmission of the virus. it comes after a study suggested the currentjab offers only limited

protection against mild disease caused by the south african variant. but scientists are still confident it will prevent death and serious disease. there have been fewer than 150 cases of the south african variant found so far in the uk, but some experts say it could well be more widespread. our health correspondent jim reed reports. hundreds of thousands have been braving the winter weather to get their vaccines. 12 million people have now received their first dose, with a week to go until the government's deadline to reach the four most at—risk groups. the fight now, though, is also against new variants of the virus — genetic mutations to the spike protein, which scientists think could make the first generation of vaccines less effective. one version of the virus, first discovered in south africa, now makes up 90% of cases there. the authorities in south africa

are now suspending the roll—out of the astrazeneca oxford vaccine, after a small study suggested it did not stop mild disease in young people. and so, looking at that situation, we felt that there's now uncertainty as to whether the astrazeneca vaccine does indeed prevent severe infection and hospitalisation, which is what we're really interested in. and so, we need to ensure we have that data before we proceed with the roll—out. scientists in oxford are still very hopeful their vaccine can prevent that severe disease caused by the south african variant, and stop people needing hospital treatment. more tests will be needed to see if that is the case. in the uk, the government said 147 cases of the south african variant have been found so far. enhanced door—to—door testing has now been rolled out in ten areas with confirmed infections to try to stamp out the spread.

scientists say no vaccine can offer 100% protection against any form of the disease. even without the south african variant, we did believe that, actually, some people who had been vaccinated would be able to be infected and pass it on. so, it really is kind of a warning to people that even with the vaccine, you're not immune and you still need to take precautions until we have a high level of protection across the population. by far the main or dominant strain across the uk is still the variant found in kent and the south—east of england before christmas. speaking this afternoon, the prime minister said all the vaccines now in use are thought to be effective against the virus in this country. we're very confident in all the vaccines that we're using. i think it's important for people to bear in mind that all of them, we think, are effective in delivering a high degree of protection against serious illness and death. 18 new vaccination centres opened

today across england, including this one, at the home of leeds united. it's possible that vaccines given in places like this will need to be tweaked in the future to protect us against new variants of the virus. covid may be a new disease, but it's one we may have to live with and manage for many years to come. jim reed, bbc news. we have been getting the latest coronavirus figures. 14,104, so continuing the fall in the number of positive test results and deaths down slightly to 333, and those figures are sometimes lower on a monday because of the reporting lag over the weekend. in terms of

vaccinations, that figure isjust over 12 and a quarter million people now who have received their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine. it looks like a slight fall in the number of people who were vaccinated in the last 24—hour is and that might be because of the bad weather which has forced the closure of some vaccination centres around the country. our political correspondentjessica parker is in westminster. we have been hearing from the prime minister and other ministers seeking to reassure people about the efficacy of the oxford vaccine in particular in the light of the research in south africa. ministers have been keen _ research in south africa. ministers have been keen to _ research in south africa. ministers have been keen to stress - research in south africa. ministers have been keen to stress the - research in south africa. ministers i have been keen to stress the context we have been hearing, it is a small study, that the average age of participants was 31, and it looked at the effect of the vaccine on mild

disease. borisjohnson has said today that he is confident that the vaccines that are being rolled out in the uk, pfizer and oxford astrazeneca are effective in terms of the variants when it comes to tackling severe disease, and i think clearly ministers have in their minds, that they are in charge of this very important public health campaign to get the vaccine rolled out to millions and millions of people. they are sounding confident about the targets they set themselves, but in a public health campaign you need to maintain public confidence as well. another thing they have spoken about is how as it stands, the latest figures, 147 cases of the south african variant, so obviously a small number, but those figures are a few days old. we will get further updates late in the week and of course we have a press conference with matt hancock later on. the labour leader keir starmer has been talking about the situation

this afternoon. the south african variant is the single biggest risk at the moment, and it is very important therefore that we secure our borders. we have known about this variant for some time and if you can believe it, it will be 50 days from knowing about the variant, to border restrictions, quarantine and hotels, coming in, and even between now, today, those restrictions coming in, 200,000 people will come into the country. add to that and this is the most significant thing, a number of other countries we now know have the south african variant and they are not even in the government's scheme for quarantining in hotels, so this is leaving a back door open at a vital stage in the battle against the virus. on the borders issue borisjohnson has been talking about how he says that tough border controls are most effective when rates of the virus are relatively low, and they are still relatively high, but we learn from downing street today that in terms of the hotel quarantine policy

where people arriving in the uk from countries or countries where travel has been banned, those returning home or with residency rights, that policy of quarantining in a hotel will not come into effect until monday and the contracts have not been signed with hotels yet either, maybe not surprising, but critics of the government say the government has been too slow to act on this issue. the prime minister maintains that the country has one of the toughest border control systems in the world, though.— the world, though. jessica parker, thanks forjoining _ the world, though. jessica parker, thanks forjoining us. _ professor robert dingwall is professor of sociology at nottingham trent university — and a member of the government's advisory committee, the new and emerging respiratory virus threats advisory group. he is speaking to us in a personal capacity today. thanks forjoining us. what would you say about the south african

research into the variant there? casting doubt on the efficacy of the oxford astrazeneca vaccine especially when it comes to mild cases of the disease. it is especially when it comes to mild cases of the disease.— cases of the disease. it is very hard to see — cases of the disease. it is very hard to see why _ cases of the disease. it is very hard to see why this _ cases of the disease. it is very hard to see why this study - cases of the disease. it is very hard to see why this study has generated so much publicity. unless people are looking actively for bad news stories. what we have is a very small number of cases in a very unrepresentative population. with massive degrees of uncertainty around the result. i'm not an epidemiologist and i'm not a specialist in these kind of statistics but even i can see at first read and from talking to colleagues who are specialists in this area, that this is really not a piece of work that should command any great respect or confidence. obviously it is worth following up and taking a closer look at things but the idea that this one small piece of work should be used to

jeopardise public confidence or to provoke a shift in policy is really just a bit absurd. it provoke a shift in policy is really just a bit absurd.— just a bit absurd. it was quite a small sample, _ just a bit absurd. it was quite a small sample, 2000 _ just a bit absurd. it was quite a small sample, 2000 people, i just a bit absurd. it was quite a l small sample, 2000 people, and mainly young people, with an average age of about 30 in south africa. indeed. it was looking at claims that have never really been made for the vaccinations. if you look at the clinical trials which were the basis of government approval of the big contracts and the roll—out of the programme, the focus has always been on the fact that this is a vaccine that more or less eliminates the probability of dying from covid—19 and has a very strong effect on the rates of hospitalisation and serious illness. it has never really been claimed that this is something that is going to stop mild illness or asymptomatic illness, and what it

really does is to bring covid—19 in line with the 30 or so other respiratory viruses that affect humans, probably slightly at the more severe end, but not greatly more severe end, but not greatly more than a bad seasonal influenza. do you think it will have an impact on people having the jab in this country? more than 12 and a quarter million have had the jab so far in this country so the vaccine roll—out is going very well indeed. this country so the vaccine roll-out is going very well indeed.— this country so the vaccine roll-out is going very well indeed. indeed it is. i don't have _ is going very well indeed. indeed it is. i don't have inside _ is going very well indeed. indeed it is. i don't have inside knowledge . is. i don't have inside knowledge about this but from the published data it's clearly several days ahead of the government's own schedule and my understanding is that as soon as the four groups, the first four groups, the vaccination will go down to groups five and six. so a very

high proportion of the population will be getting protection. in addition to all of those who are protected as a result of naturally acquired immunity from previous infection. igrate acquired immunity from previous infection. ~ ., ., , infection. we will get more of these variants like — infection. we will get more of these variants like the _ infection. we will get more of these variants like the south _ infection. we will get more of these variants like the south african - infection. we will get more of these variants like the south african and l variants like the south african and the brazilian and the kent variant, there will be more down the road, but are you confident that the vaccine can be adapted and tweaked in time to adjust to these different variants? igrate in time to ad'ust to these different variants? ~ ., , ., , in time to ad'ust to these different variants? ~ ., , .,, a variants? we need to stop panicking about the notion _ variants? we need to stop panicking about the notion of _ variants? we need to stop panicking about the notion of a _ variants? we need to stop panicking about the notion of a variant, - variants? we need to stop panicking about the notion of a variant, there | about the notion of a variant, there are around 4000 variants that have been identified in the last 12 months, and only a few of which have any clinical significance. it is a competition if you like between the virus and the immune system. a shift in the virus that completely escapes the immune system probably means that the virus can't actually infect the cells so we are seeing fine

tuning. if we go back 12 months, i think the vaccine community said they would be very happy with something that gave 60% protection, which is a bit more than a flu vaccine gives you, and it was something of a miracle that clinical trials suggested we might get to 90% protection. in practice nobody quite expected the roll—out to be as good as that. but from the data that has been published it is clear that even on a single shot, the first round of jabs, people are getting 70% plus, and once the second vaccination comes around that will go up into the 80s, i would have thought. listening to my colleagues in the

fields talking to it, that is.- fields talking to it, that is. thank ou so fields talking to it, that is. thank you so much _ fields talking to it, that is. thank you so much for— fields talking to it, that is. thank you so much for putting - fields talking to it, that is. thank you so much for putting that - fields talking to it, that is. thank you so much for putting that into j you so much for putting that into perspective for us, shall we say. professor, thanks forjoining us. and, the health secretary, matt hancock will be leading today's downing street briefing alongside england's deputy chief medical officer, professorjonathan van tam and the medical director of nhs england, doctor nikki kanani. we'll have full coverage on the bbc one and the bbc news channel from 4.30 this afternoon. the former first minister of scotland alex salmond will not now appear tomorrow at an inquiry being held by members of the scottish parliament on the government's handling of harassment complaints against him. mr salmond is locked in a dispute with the committee over what material can be published.

alexandra mackenzie has been explaining more about why alex salmond won't appear in front of msps at this time. alex salmond was due to appear at the holyrood inquiry into the government's handling of sexual harassment claims against him tomorrow but it was confirmed this morning that this session will now not go ahead. the former first minister had sent a letter to committee members yesterday. he said he was willing to appear at any point until next tuesday, when the first minister is due to give her evidence. but he wanted certain written evidence that he had previously submitted to be published so it can be considered in the final report. today, a statement from a scottish parliament spokesperson said that mr salmond had been contacted to make it clear that he can speak freely in committee

about all his contacts with nicola sturgeon and his views on her actions. it said he would have four hours to answer questions in public, and he was also invited to send more written evidence for publication after that meeting. it went on to say that the committee had already published two lengthy submissions from mr salmond. however, in the letter from mr salmond's lawyers, it said that asking a witness to accept the constraints of speaking only to selected evidence is not acceptable and is offensive. alexandra mackenzie, there. tesco, asda and morrisons are among the major retailers calling for online stores like amazon to pay more tax once the pandemic has ended. the chief executives of 18 companies and groups have written to the chancellor, rishi sunak, asking for what they call a "more level playing field". amazon insists that it pays its tax and has created

thousands ofjobs in the uk. plans to help children catch up on lost school time will be outlined later this month. many have missed out on months of face—to—face teaching as a result of school closures, and the prime minister has said tackling this loss is the government's "single biggest priority". on february 22, in that week, we will be setting out much more about what we are going to do to help pupils catch up to help them catch up pupils catch up to help them catch up on the learning they have lost, and this is the single biggest priority now for the government. we can do things at great pace to try and remedy the gaps in provision for health care and the loss of health care people have suffered and we can speed up court cases but we have got to work flat out now as a country, as a society, to remedy the loss of learning that children have had, so

there is a big programme under way already, £300 million more we have an ounce for catch up, one—on—one tutorials, but we will certainly be setting out, gavin williamson will be setting out in more detail exactly what we want to do to help kids catch up and bounce back from this pandemic, because it will take a while to do that. the bemrose school in derby is putting on extra classes to help those who have struggled to connect to virtual lessons during lockdown. the head teacher of bemrose school neil wilkinsonjoins me now. and we're alsojoined by freddie whittaker, chief reporter and political editor at schools week. what are you doing at your school to alleviate the huge problem is that the prime minister was just outlining? the prime minister was 'ust outliningai the prime minister was 'ust outlinina? ., , ,. ., , outlining? we are very conscious that the journey _ outlining? we are very conscious that the journey children - outlining? we are very conscious that the journey children go - outlining? we are very conscious that the journey children go on i outlining? we are very conscious i that the journey children go on with their learning requires a teacher to

lead and we have tried to find time during the school day whereby pupils can do some catch up from the learning they have lost because of the may untiljuly closure, and we offer after—school tuition, anyway. the next opportunity we saw to step into was a saturday morning school where we have looked to engage around 120 learners in the take—up has been fantastic. —— and. thea;r has been fantastic. -- and. they have been _ has been fantastic. -- and. they have been all— has been fantastic. -- and. they have been all sorts _ has been fantastic. -- and. they have been all sorts of _ has been fantastic. —— and. they have been all sorts of suggestions for catching up, summer schools, even repeating the school year, extending school days, where are we with all of this? parents and children are still uncertain about how this catching up is going to be done. .1. , how this catching up is going to be done. , ~ how this catching up is going to be done. , . ., ., ., done. exactly. we have not had any firm announcements _ done. exactly. we have not had any firm announcements and _ done. exactly. we have not had any firm announcements and there - done. exactly. we have not had any firm announcements and there was| firm announcements and there was some _ firm announcements and there was some reporting over the weekend of things— some reporting over the weekend of things that _ some reporting over the weekend of things that the government is supposedly considering and you

mention— supposedly considering and you mention extending the school day in the summerterm of mention extending the school day in the summer term of this year, as things— the summer term of this year, as things that — the summer term of this year, as things that have been discussed, but we don't _ things that have been discussed, but we don't have any firm plans yet from _ we don't have any firm plans yet from the — we don't have any firm plans yet from the government, and we don't even _ from the government, and we don't even have _ from the government, and we don't even have firm plans on how schools are going _ even have firm plans on how schools are going to — even have firm plans on how schools are going to be open from march, whether— are going to be open from march, whether that will be everyone back at the _ whether that will be everyone back at the same time or a staggered approach — at the same time or a staggered approach. that is looking more likely — approach. that is looking more likely we _ approach. that is looking more likely. we don't even know that yet. it is likely. we don't even know that yet. it is still— likely. we don't even know that yet. it is still very early days in terms of what — it is still very early days in terms of what is — it is still very early days in terms of what is going on.— of what is going on. what do teachers say _ of what is going on. what do teachers say about _ of what is going on. what do teachers say about all- of what is going on. what do teachers say about all of- of what is going on. what do i teachers say about all of this? of what is going on. what do - teachers say about all of this? they have been working very hard with online classes, and that is hard work, because they are not in the classroom, that doesn't mean they are not working extremely hard at the moment. are not working extremely hard at the moment-— are not working extremely hard at the moment. , , ., ., the moment. exactly, i spoke to head teachers last — the moment. exactly, i spoke to head teachers last week _ the moment. exactly, i spoke to head teachers last week who _ the moment. exactly, i spoke to head teachers last week who spoke - the moment. exactly, i spoke to head teachers last week who spoke about i teachers last week who spoke about educating _ teachers last week who spoke about educating three separate groups of pupils. _ educating three separate groups of pupils, those who are in schools, those _ pupils, those who are in schools, those at — pupils, those who are in schools, those at home and have digital devices — those at home and have digital devices and those who are at home who still— devices and those who are at home who still need to be provided with worksheets which obviously need to

then be _ worksheets which obviously need to then be delivered to them. it has been _ then be delivered to them. it has been an— then be delivered to them. it has been an exhausting year for teachers and i been an exhausting year for teachers and i think— been an exhausting year for teachers and i think there would be a very fierce _ and i think there would be a very fierce backlash if these plans to lengthen the school day and the summer— lengthen the school day and the summer term lengthen the school day and the summerterm were imposed lengthen the school day and the summer term were imposed upon schools _ summer term were imposed upon schools. the important thing here is the head _ schools. the important thing here is the head teacher was explaining, that schools have the power to do this sort _ that schools have the power to do this sort of— that schools have the power to do this sort of thing themselves already. _ this sort of thing themselves already, and if you are going to do already, and if you are going to do a programme of catch up that involves— a programme of catch up that involves eating into the summer holiday. — involves eating into the summer holiday, saturdays, after school, before _ holiday, saturdays, after school, before school, that can'tjust be imposed — before school, that can'tjust be imposed on schools, and schools have .ot imposed on schools, and schools have got to _ imposed on schools, and schools have got to do _ imposed on schools, and schools have got to do it _ imposed on schools, and schools have got to do it themselves with funding and support from the government. it can'tjust_ and support from the government. it can'tjust be — and support from the government. it can'tjust be an imposition. as a can't 'ust be an imposition. as a head can'tjust be an imposition. as a head teacher, _ can'tjust be an imposition. as a head teacher, what _ can'tjust be an imposition. as a head teacher, what you - can'tjust be an imposition. ff." 2 head teacher, what you think of those ideas of longer days and are shorter holidays, that kind of thing, to try to get kids to catch up?

thing, to try to get kids to catch u . 2 . thing, to try to get kids to catch u . ? . ., ., thing, to try to get kids to catch u? . ., ., ., up? we have got to find where the ca aci is up? we have got to find where the capacity is in _ up? we have got to find where the capacity is in the — up? we have got to find where the capacity is in the system _ up? we have got to find where the capacity is in the system to - up? we have got to find where the capacity is in the system to be - up? we have got to find where the | capacity is in the system to be able to first of all have the children in a position where they can learn because if we extend the date, do they have the capacity at the end of they have the capacity at the end of the school day to continue with their learning? deep into the holidays. and also the teachers working very hard and tirelessly at the moment, we have got to find where they are and if they are in a state able to deliver that learning. we have engaged with staff at school who have volunteered and we pay them to do that work and a tutoring programme to try to find the additional time and the expertise to be able to do that work, but not all teachers will have the capacity and the time to be able to do that, with families and other commitments. d0 families and other commitments. do you think it is the case that some children will never catch up? i've seen estimates of a year to catch up, maybe even two and three years to catch up, but will it be the case

that some will never make it up? i don't think we will never make it up but it— don't think we will never make it up but it takes— don't think we will never make it up but it takes time at don't think we will never make it up but it takes time a— but it takes time at because learnin: but it takes time at because learning is _ but it takes time at because learning is a _ but it takes time at because learning is a journey - but it takes time at because learning is a journey and - but it takes time at because learning is a journey and it i but it takes time at because - learning is a journey and it doesn't happen with the flick of a switch and people need to engage with the teacher to make that happen. those who are closest to the transition point, year six, year seven, year 13, they are the most needy at this moment in time because they may have less exposure to a teacher in the long run going forward. they are the priority for us at the moment to consider. to say that children will never catch up, crafted, skilled teachers can do that but they need time and they need a period of sustained contact with that teacher to make that happen. goad sustained contact with that teacher to make that happen.— to make that happen. good luck to ou with to make that happen. good luck to you with all _ to make that happen. good luck to you with all of _ to make that happen. good luck to you with all of that _ to make that happen. good luck to you with all of that work _ to make that happen. good luck to you with all of that work ahead - to make that happen. good luck to you with all of that work ahead of. you with all of that work ahead of you. do both of you, thanks for joining us. —— two both of you.

michael gove has said it remains of "concern" that the european union reserves the right to potentially use article 16 of the northern ireland protocol again. the cabinet office minister has been speaking to the commons european scrutiny committee about the eu's move to trigger article 16 late last month. it was a moment when trust was eroded and when damage was done and where movement is required in order to make sure that we have an appropriate reset. the first thing to say, as the committee notes, but it is worth putting on the record, ordinarily article 16 should only be invoked after notice has been given and after a means of resolution of theissue and after a means of resolution of the issue at hand has been found through the joint committee, and it is meant to take 30 days in order to try to find a resolution. heavy snow has brought disruption across parts of the uk, including the closure of coronavirus vaccination centres in some areas.

storm darcy's strong easterly winds have brought freezing temperatures — and weather warnings have been issued for large parts of england, scotland and northern ireland. duncan kennedy reports from canterbury. kent has had some of the heaviest and widespread snow falls. the entire county was part of the covering that took in much of eastern england. it left some cars unable to cope with the conditions and police say they have been extremely busy. at chartham, these are not council employees, they are factory workers, helping to keep the village open, not only for their plant but also for local people, as well. we're obviously working at the moment. so, there are things inside that need to be done but obviously this takes priority, getting everybody in and out. don't want anyone snowed in in the area so why not get out and help the community a bit? in nearby chilham, the race was also on to clear the streets before any more snow arrives.

just doing it for the old people. they go up and down the road to the post office. so, i'm just doing my bit. the village tea room has opened for hot chocolate, even if the owners, sean and michelle, aren't expecting too many customers. it obviously affects business, but probably some light relief for people with what's going down at the moment. will there be an impact on the business? yes, there is, but we do sell a lot of hot chocolate and soup, that is what we've been doing lately. it just changes what people have. but it's notjust the snow. the temperatures in much of eastern england are below zero, making it incredibly difficult to drive on the smaller roads, which are still icy, and it has interrupted many train services as well. at clacton—on—sea in essex, they have seen around four inches of snow, all brought in on powerful eastern winds. it's like a bit of a hosepipe in the north sea.

if you imagine that hosepipe spraying snow showers in some parts. in some areas you will get a lot of snow, maybe 10—15 centimetres. but maybe ten, 20 miles north and south of that, you won't get as much. this was long stratton in norfolk. more roads blocked and some motorists were caught by the freezing conditions. the aa has asked people not to go out if they don't have to, as getting to any breakdowns could take longer than usual. for much of this week, it will remain snowy and very cold. duncan kennedy, bbc news, in kent. very cold indeed. now it's time for a look at the weather with tomasz. the cold air is very established now across the uk, amber warnings in force from the met office for heavy snow showers, affecting this afternoon parts of eastern england and also central scotland. the snow showers are being blown

in by a strong east to north—easterly wind along these lines or streamers as we call them, so you get lots of snow, very little, and then snow again, it depends where you are. a very cold day, below freezing in most cities, and the pattern continues through the night. snow streamers across the uk becoming perhaps less frequent in some areas as the night wears on. tthe temperatures overnight will be especially cold in the glens of scotland, but even in towns and cities around —2 or —3. a similar pattern tomorrow with the possibility of sleet and snow for the south—west of the uk and potentially the channel islands as well.

good afternoon. here are our latest headlines: borisjohnson seeks to reassure the public about the oxford astrazeneca vaccine after questions about its effectiveness against a south african variant. all of them are effective at delivering a high degree of protection against serious illness, which is the most important thing. for labour,, circular stammer for labour, , circular stammer suggest for labour,, circular stammer suggest a back door has been left open for the variant to spread. we have known about this variant for lon- we have known about this variant for longtime _ we have known about this variant for long time if— we have known about this variant for long time. if you can believe it, it is going _ long time. if you can believe it, it is going to — long time. if you can believe it, it is going to be 50 days from knowing about _ is going to be 50 days from knowing about the _ is going to be 50 days from knowing

about the variant to border restrictions, quarantine hotels coming — restrictions, quarantine hotels coming ih _