a ritualfor millions. the advice is to stay close to home, to wear something bright and of course to keep your distance. our correspondent david sillito has joined some of the keen walkers reclaiming the night. see you later. it has, for many of us, become a lockdown ritual, as darkness descends, instead of settling down, it's the moment to head out. short winter days often mean the only time we can escape to exercise is after dark. caroline, i'm guessing. hello. caroline whiteman is a passionate nightwalker. our hearing becomes more sensitive. my sense of smell is more acute. and you can really appreciate the air on yourface. in a way that, during daylight hours, these things go unnoticed. with short winter days and lockdown,

walking and running in the dark has, for many of us, become a daily ritual. when things do eventually return to normal, maybe we will remember all of this as just a fleeting phenomenon, but it is already starting to make people think. so, it is much busier in the streets than normal. it certainly is. ijoined professor loretta lees, whose specialism is how life is changing in towns and cities. do you think there will be a positive benefit? i think it will change people's perceptions of safety in their own city. they will realise that perhaps it is not as unsafe as they had thought. here, we have somebody else with a light that is coming along. you are not alone. this is proof that we are not alone. thoughts also shared by caroline, who feels that this is a freedom we should consider more. does this fly in the face of advice, especially for women, about not going out walking at night?

i agree, and i would challenge that, and say that everybody should be entitled to have this experience of having an adventure by night and that shouldn'tjust be the preserve of men. we have been conditioned, as women, to believe we have no place out in the night, and yet, when you can create a place of safety for yourself whilst night walking, it builds confidence. it's different, neighbourhood to neighbourhood, but for some of us, lockdown has made the dark a little less forbidding. david sillitoe, bbc news, sleaford. that's it. now on bbc one, time for the news where you are. have a very good night. hello, and welcome to our look ahead to what the papers will be bringing us tomorrow.

with me are the deputy political editor of the spectator, katy balls, and uk political editor at politico, jack blanchard. tomorrow was �*s front pages... let's start with the financial times. it says borisjohnson has expressed his confidence that vaccines being used in the uk are effective against variants of the virus. the telegraph leads with comments from england's deputy chief medical officer, who suggested the south africa variant was unlikely to become dominant in the uk in the short term. over—70s in england who have not yet had their coronavirus vaccine are being asked to contact the nhs. that's in the i. a different story in the metro — it reports on disruption caused by storm darcy, with coronavirus vaccination centres and schools shutting in some areas. and the daily mail leads with a campaign to help lockdown pupils study from home — it says 6,500 laptops have been pledged. so let's begin. let's start with the headline "call

nhs if you still need a jab, over 70s told." nhs if you still need a jab, over 705 told." if i nhs if you still need a jab, over 70s told." if i thought back to this time injanuary when the government had the 15 million target, this type of headline where they're basically saying they've done everything they can, please get in touch — some people might have been sceptical? yes, i think a lot of people are sceptical probably because the government had been developing a reputation for overpromising and under delivering. but actually the vaccine roll—out has been a success so far. clearly a lot of that is down to the nhs administering all the jabs. but we are seeing a positive news stories, ministers wanting to talk about their involvement would you don't always get with government schemes, particularly in the news, and saying a change in advice. so previously ultimately people were told to wait until they are called. now the

government is saying, "if you haven't been reached out to yet and you don't have an appointment and you don't have an appointment and you are over 70, get in touch with the nhs and get it done."jack. you are over 70, get in touch with the nhs and get it done." jack, why was the government _ the nhs and get it done." jack, why was the government which - the nhs and get it done." jack, why| was the government which struggled so much with so many other things during the pandemic, including the timing of other lockdowns, procurement of equipment — why did this work out well when there were so many problems?— this work out well when there were so many problems? they've taken a different approach _ so many problems? they've taken a different approach to _ so many problems? they've taken a different approach to this. - so many problems? they've taken a different approach to this. they've l different approach to this. they've setup _ different approach to this. they've setup a _ different approach to this. they've set up a vaccine task force led by a venture _ set up a vaccine task force led by a venture capitalist, a unusual approach _ venture capitalist, a unusual approach when you consider the european — approach when you consider the european commission approach which was more _ european commission approach which was more like an exercise. it turned out to— was more like an exercise. it turned out to be _ was more like an exercise. it turned out to be a — was more like an exercise. it turned out to be a very astute thing to do, she did _ out to be a very astute thing to do, she did arr— out to be a very astute thing to do, she did an excellentjob at procuring the vaccines very quickly that we _ procuring the vaccines very quickly that we needed. then we were in a position— that we needed. then we were in a position to — that we needed. then we were in a position to approve them very quickly, — position to approve them very quickly, and the nhs and its wider network— quickly, and the nhs and its wider network has proved to be a very good resource _ network has proved to be a very good resource in _ network has proved to be a very good resource in terms of setting up very

quickly— resource in terms of setting up very quickly these vaccine centres and getting _ quickly these vaccine centres and getting them rolled out quickly. we can also— getting them rolled out quickly. we can also thank the great british public— can also thank the great british public for— can also thank the great british public for not showing this vaccine scepticism — public for not showing this vaccine scepticism in the sort of percentage numbers— scepticism in the sort of percentage numbers we've seen in some other countries — numbers we've seen in some other countries so— numbers we've seen in some other countries. so it really is a unique effort _ countries. so it really is a unique effort by— countries. so it really is a unique effort by the country and it really is about — effort by the country and it really is about time we had a success story to celebrate — is about time we had a success story to celebrate. last year the uk cieariy — to celebrate. last year the uk clearly didn't deal with the outbreak well at all compared to other— outbreak well at all compared to other countries. but i feel like this has— other countries. but i feel like this has been a very positive start to this _ this has been a very positive start to this year — this has been a very positive start to this year-— this has been a very positive start to this ear. ~ ., ., . . to this year. where did that vaccine hesitancy go? _ to this year. where did that vaccine hesitancy go? i _ to this year. where did that vaccine hesitancy go? i think— to this year. where did that vaccine hesitancy go? i think from - to this year. where did that vaccine hesitancy go? i think from the - hesitancy go? i think from the beginning. — hesitancy go? i think from the beginning. if— hesitancy go? i think from the beginning, if you _ hesitancy go? i think from the beginning, if you think - hesitancy go? i think from the beginning, if you think back i hesitancy go? i think from the - beginning, if you think back about vaccine scepticism in terms of other countries, the uk has always done fairly well on those charts. but you heard matt hancock today talking about having people who hope to get the vaccine in these age groups and how it has already succeeded that. so there are a few factors here, obviously there's been a big effort notjust obviously there's been a big effort not just from the obviously there's been a big effort notjust from the government but generally messaging, you've had lots of public figures coming out when

they were vaccinated to say it was safe. there is still clearly some outreach needed and concerns about certain demographics and lower uptake. but broadly speaking, it's a positive picture that they anticipated a good case scenario. as jack says, this work doesn'tjust go back a few months, but like last year when you had ultimately a government having to make plans not knowing if these vaccines would be green lit, make plans for manufacturing and transport — and so far it's all come together. manufacturing and transport - and so far it's all come together.— far it's all come together. looking at the fte, _ far it's all come together. looking at the fte, let's _ far it's all come together. looking at the fte, let's stay _ far it's all come together. looking at the fte, let's stay on _ far it's all come together. looking at the fte, let's stay on the - at the fte, let's stay on the pandemic, what else would we talk about? "johnson puts faith in astrazeneca jab as south africa halts roll—out." there are different ways of looking at the story. when i was on duty over the weekend, some people focused on the fact that this was not going to stop infections, others said it still might stop you

from dying, which is perhaps a more crucial thing. and that's obviously what boris johnson crucial thing. and that's obviously what borisjohnson is crucial thing. and that's obviously what boris johnson is focused crucial thing. and that's obviously what borisjohnson is focused on. there's no evidence at all that this vaccine _ there's no evidence at all that this vaccine doesn't stop serious illness and death, — vaccine doesn't stop serious illness and death, even with what appears to be the _ and death, even with what appears to be the worst of the new variants. but there — be the worst of the new variants. but there isn't a lot of data on that— but there isn't a lot of data on that anyway. the crucial info we heard _ that anyway. the crucial info we heard from _ that anyway. the crucial info we heard from jonathan van tam at the press _ heard from jonathan van tam at the press conference. at the moment the country— press conference. at the moment the country is _ press conference. at the moment the country is in _ press conference. at the moment the country is in a real crisis, and it's— country is in a real crisis, and it's not— country is in a real crisis, and it's not the _ country is in a real crisis, and it's not the south african variant but the — it's not the south african variant but the one we found in the uk, and that's— but the one we found in the uk, and that's what— but the one we found in the uk, and that's what the vast majority of coronavirus in the country. we know this vaccine — coronavirus in the country. we know this vaccine works really well against — this vaccine works really well against it. let's focus on that for now _ against it. let's focus on that for now we — against it. let's focus on that for now. we heard over the weekend that oxford _ now. we heard over the weekend that oxford astrazeneca are already partway— oxford astrazeneca are already partway through developing a booster 'ab partway through developing a booster jab that— partway through developing a booster jab that will combat this variant. you need — jab that will combat this variant. you need to take these things one step at— you need to take these things one step at a _ you need to take these things one step at a time. there will be more variance _ step at a time. there will be more variance arriving this and next year. — variance arriving this and next year. and _ variance arriving this and next year. and it— variance arriving this and next year, and it sounds like for a few

years— year, and it sounds like for a few years to — year, and it sounds like for a few years to come. luckily we have these amazing _ years to come. luckily we have these amazing scientists who hopefully will be _ amazing scientists who hopefully will be able to stay one step ahead of the _ will be able to stay one step ahead of the virus — will be able to stay one step ahead of the virus each time and keep us up-to-date — of the virus each time and keep us up—to—date with whatever variant we are facing _ up—to—date with whatever variant we are facing |s— up-to-date with whatever variant we are facina. , . . up-to-date with whatever variant we are facina. , ., ., ., ., , are facing. is amazing how many scientists are _ are facing. is amazing how many scientists are household - are facing. is amazing how many scientists are household names. j are facing. is amazing how many - scientists are household names. you got scientists like pop stars in this pandemic. you talked about taking one step at a time — sometimes we have to take it every hour, something looks good and something looks bad. when you worked on the spectator, did you have to boil it all down to one view in the end of the day? irate boil it all down to one view in the end of the day?— boil it all down to one view in the end of the day? boil it all down to one view in the end ofthe da ?~ ., ., ,, end of the day? we have a website as well, but end of the day? we have a website as well. but you — end of the day? we have a website as well, but you have _ end of the day? we have a website as well, but you have to _ end of the day? we have a website as well, but you have to look— end of the day? we have a website as well, but you have to look into - well, but you have to look into detail when all this news comes out. as we say with this one, it's a very small sample which has led to all these headlines about the efficacy of the vaccine on the south african variant. ultimately it's tempting to read too much into it, which i think is why we still need to tread quite carefully. but i think part of the reason you're seeing lots of people worried about the south african variant is there's only 100 or so

identified cases. but you don't have to rewind to fire back when that was the case with the original coronavirus pandemic — just a small is enough to calm some nerves. earlier you said ministers were now very available and approachable. does this mean when things go wrong, do you send out a message or whatsapp message and there's nothing from them? ~ ., ., ., , from them? what i meant was when ou're from them? what i meant was when you're turning _ from them? what i meant was when you're turning on — from them? what i meant was when you're turning on the _ from them? what i meant was when you're turning on the various - you're turning on the various channels, there are lots of ministers who are very keen to talk about the vaccine programme — perhaps they are enrolled with it, which are not seeing so much with the hotel quarantine. it's harder for the hotel quarantine policy to work out exactly who's in charge, which is usually a sign it's not going completely to plan. that's uuite a going completely to plan. that's quite a key _ going completely to plan. that's quite a key point _ going completely to plan. that's quite a key point in _ going completely to plan. that's quite a key point in our- going completely to plan. that's quite a key point in our next - going completely to plan. that's i quite a key point in our next paper, the guardian, which talks about hotel quarantine and borders. "johnson urged to tighten borders as variance threatened vaccine plan."

i'm now scanning for an england minister and i can't see one immediately, so let's see how that holds up. this is a really tricky one for the government because for months and months, people have said you need to be much tighter with the borders. is this a new plan than? it's a full year! ads, borders. is this a new plan than? it's a full year!— it's a full year! a full year, yes. but for that _ it's a full year! a full year, yes. but for that year, _ it's a full year! a full year, yes. but for that year, the _ it's a full year! a full year, yes. i but for that year, the government has said _ but for that year, the government has said we don't need to close the borders, _ has said we don't need to close the borders, then we tighten them a bit. 0ther— borders, then we tighten them a bit. other countries have been much stricter— other countries have been much stricter than on this from the start — stricter than on this from the start the _ stricter than on this from the start. the most laughable thing about— start. the most laughable thing about this fiasco is they've now decided — about this fiasco is they've now decided they want to do it — they're not ready— decided they want to do it — they're not ready to — decided they want to do it — they're not ready to do it and we're still waiting — not ready to do it and we're still waiting weeks from the decision having _ waiting weeks from the decision having been made to get an infrastructure in place so people arriving — infrastructure in place so people arriving from certain countries can arrive _ arriving from certain countries can arrive to _ arriving from certain countries can arrive to certain hotels. this should — arrive to certain hotels. this should have been done months ago, or at least _ should have been done months ago, or at least the _ should have been done months ago, or at least the preparation made months a-o at least the preparation made months ago so _ at least the preparation made months ago so they— at least the preparation made months ago so they were in a position to introduce — ago so they were in a position to introduce policy like this. sadly we've _ introduce policy like this. sadly we've had _ introduce policy like this. sadly we've had more weeks coming into the

-- of— we've had more weeks coming into the -- of people _ we've had more weeks coming into the —— of people coming into the country from _ —— of people coming into the country from areas _ —— of people coming into the country from areas they shouldn't be than whether— from areas they shouldn't be than whether we are in a position to check— whether we are in a position to check if— whether we are in a position to check if they're ill or not. is whether we are in a position to check if they're ill or not. is it check if they're ill or not. is it worth comparing _ check if they're ill or not. is it worth comparing ourselves to other countries which have island borders such as australia, which has had pretty draconian policy? yes, there on summer at the moment which makes it easier, but they are able to state the australian open with spectators because of the tough border policy. it’s spectators because of the tough border policy-— spectators because of the tough border oli . fl ., border policy. it's worth comparing because when _ border policy. it's worth comparing because when the _ border policy. it's worth comparing because when the government - border policy. it's worth comparing because when the government are | because when the government are planning this hotel quarantine, they're looking very closely at australia. and that is in no way the model for this. australia. and that is in no way the model forthis. i australia. and that is in no way the model for this. i think it's different in the sense that the uk is only going for high risk countries. but you're already seeing that you have these variance in countries that are not currently deemed high risk. so we aren't going for an all country approach, which is what i think countries with tighter control are. is what i think countries with tighter controlare. but is what i think countries with tighter control are. but at the same time, where australia is going for zero covid, we heard today the

deputy chief medical officer that thatis deputy chief medical officer that that is not their approach. the uk is trying to move the graph to make current coronavirus more like seasonal flu current coronavirus more like seasonalflu — current coronavirus more like seasonal flu — so a disease that can ultimately be dealt within the community. so there are but ultimately that is the blueprint to a degree. ultimately that is the blueprint to a decree. ~ ., ultimately that is the blueprint to adearee. ~ ., ~ , ., ., ., ,, ., a degree. would australia work as a model? it's — a degree. would australia work as a model? it's hard _ a degree. would australia work as a model? it's hard to _ a degree. would australia work as a model? it's hard to say, _ a degree. would australia work as a model? it's hard to say, australia . model? it's hard to say, australia is very remote — model? it's hard to say, australia is very remote country _ model? it's hard to say, australia is very remote country compared | model? it's hard to say, australia i is very remote country compared to the uk _ is very remote country compared to the uk we — is very remote country compared to the uk. we are right on the edge of europe, _ the uk. we are right on the edge of europe, and — the uk. we are right on the edge of europe, and i've obviously been a hub for— europe, and i've obviously been a hub for international travel for a long _ hub for international travel for a long time —— have obviously been. it would _ long time —— have obviously been. it would be _ long time —— have obviously been. it would be rather faster to bring in poiicies _ would be rather faster to bring in policies if— would be rather faster to bring in policies if we are going to do it. i don't _ policies if we are going to do it. i don't think— policies if we are going to do it. i don't think so, i think this is more about— don't think so, i think this is more about trying — don't think so, i think this is more about trying to slow the introduction of these new variance, and also _ introduction of these new variance, and also be — introduction of these new variance, and also be in a position if when the next — and also be in a position if when the next variant is spotted in another— the next variant is spotted in another country, to quickly clamp down _ another country, to quickly clamp down on — another country, to quickly clamp down on that. it all feels too little. — down on that. it all feels too little. too _ down on that. it all feels too little, too late for me to be honest with you _ little, too late for me to be honest

with you. you also get this tension within— with you. you also get this tension within government where something like this— within government where something like this is— within government where something like this is suggested and put forward, _ like this is suggested and put forward, the other half of the cabinet — forward, the other half of the cabinet always says this will be bad for the _ cabinet always says this will be bad for the economy and going too far, we shouldn't do this. we've had that tension _ we shouldn't do this. we've had that tension with — we shouldn't do this. we've had that tension with almost every decision made, _ tension with almost every decision made. and — tension with almost every decision made, and that has slowed these decisions — made, and that has slowed these decisions so when they come in they are not— decisions so when they come in they are not effective. it ends up falling — are not effective. it ends up falling between two stalls and it's the worst — falling between two stalls and it's the worst of both worlds. let�*s falling between two stalls and it's the worst of both worlds. let's look at the independent, _ the worst of both worlds. let's look at the independent, which - the worst of both worlds. let's look at the independent, which talks - at the independent, which talks about benefits. "the boost will be needed for another year," warren mps. cutting it sooner we'll send thousands and the poverty. rishi sunak is reported to be pushing against the payments which cost £6 billion annually.— billion annually. yes, the chancellor _ billion annually. yes, the chancellor i _ billion annually. yes, the chancellor i think- billion annually. yes, the chancellor i think is - billion annually. yes, the chancellor i think is quite billion annually. yes, the - chancellor i think is quite widely reported now and understood to be very reluctant to extend this. speaking of other options, the big concern of the treasury is that ultimately what was emergency spending or spending for the

pandemic is something that the country want to avoid, they worry about the lockdown effect on the economy where the money goes, where it comes from, and this is why the chancellor has been proposing the idea of almost a one of 1000 payments — ultimately trying to show this is a contemporary measure. but we know this is not the work of pension secretary to be the first choice. she'd much prefer an uplift because it's more sustainable and is of better use to those receiving it. we don't have clarity yet, but the question is if the uplift is extended, how long for? because the report the independent refers to says it's ultimately needed for another year. says it's ultimately needed for anotheryear. i says it's ultimately needed for another year. i think even if the treasury agreed to extend it, they'd be reluctant to extend it for that long. i mentioned earlier on about permanent spending.—

permanent spending. briefly, is rishi sunak _ permanent spending. briefly, is rishi sunak winning _ permanent spending. briefly, is rishi sunak winning arguments| permanent spending. briefly, is - rishi sunak winning arguments and governments these days?