you're watching bbc news with me, tim willcox. the headlines at eight... caution over coming out of lockdown. borisjohnson gives no guarantees, saying we are in a battle with nature. we wa nt we want this lockdown to be the last, and we want progress to be cautious, but also irreversible. the uk's vaccination programme moves onto its next target to jab the first nine priority groups, including everyone over 50, by the end of april. the first arrivals check into hotel quarantine. we speak to some preparing for their enforced stay.

not particularly looking forward to the next _ not particularly looking forward to the next 11 days, but, yeah, just hoping — the next 11 days, but, yeah, just hoping it— the next 11 days, but, yeah, just hoping it goes back quickly. the prime minister's former aide, dominic cummings, tells the high court that he didn't ask for a company to be awarded a government contract because its bosses were his friends. victory for west ham over sheffield united see them climb above liverpool in the premier league and into the top four. and coming up, a tale of slow mail. how a postcard sent by a royal navy recruit during the second world war has only just reached its destination. good evening and welcome to bbc news. the prime minister says �*science

is in the ascendancy�* over covid, but he wants any changes to the lockdown in england to be �*cautious and irreversible.�* borisjohnson is due to set out his promised "roadmap" for relaxing the restrictions next monday and hopes to give some provisional dates. but while 15 million people have now received their first dose of the covid vaccine, the prime minister says that infection rates also need to be "really, really low" before restrictions can be eased completely. our political correspondent, alex forsyth, reports. it seems a while since school playgrounds were noisy... ..since these empty pubs were bustling. next week, we�*ll find out when and how some of this might start to return. for so many families, it�*s been a long wait. missing work, missing just hugging people, really. driving instructor harvey�*s business has been parked. his daughter grace can�*t go

to school, and they haven�*t seen parents and grandparents for months. really, it�*s been about a year since we�*ve actually had them down here. and nobody�*s getting any younger, so you just think let�*s hope, but i don�*t want to rush it and be back in this position again. that�*s what he is trying to avoid. even with good vaccine news, urging caution. we want this lockdown to be the last, and we want progress to be cautious, but also irreversible. ministers are waiting on data due later this week about the virus and the vaccine before making any decisions about opening up. schools will be the priority. it�*s hoped they�*ll start back in three weeks in england. more outdoor meetings could come next, followed by some shops opening, then possibly pubs and restaurants. but there�*s no fixed timetable or firm plan yet.

scotland and northern ireland are going at their own pace, and from wales, a warning — there can be no absolutes. prime minister, you say you want this to be the last lockdown, but can you really give that guarantee given the unpredictable nature of this pandemic? no, i can't give that guarantee, of course not. people should be very, very much encouraged by what's going on at the moment, but we want to set out a timetable that's realistic. and that means one that is obviously cautious. all the time restrictions last, labour says there must be support. if we are to ease out - of lockdown with caution, you need to put these other measures in place to stop the _ spread of the virus, - like paying people sick pay, like ventilating buildings. i think if you do that, _ then this can be the final lockdown, and it has to be the final lockdown. with the fast roll—out of vaccines, there�*s pressure from some tory mps to ease restrictions by may. but the prime minister�*s been accused of getting people�*s hopes up, overpromising,

then under delivering at other points in this pandemic. downing street doesn�*t want to open up just to have to close down again. they know politically, and for the sake of public health and confidence, they have to get this right. for holiday and hospitality businesses, it means no certainty just yet. this caravan park in cornwall has a backlog of bookings, but still isn�*t sure people can come. we are now fully booked for easter, which is fantastic news. and that is 50 families desperate to come and have a holiday. we will know more about the possibilities next week, but for now, nothing is set in stone. so much still up in the air. alex forsyth, bbc news. with the uk passing the 15 million mark for the first dose of vaccinations, attention is now focusing on offering jabs to the next group of people, starting with those aged over 65 and younger people with underlying health conditions.

the government aims to inoculate everyone over 50 by the end of april. but there�*s concern from some vulnerable groups that they�*ve been missed out in the first phase — people with asthma or learning difficulties, for example. our health editor hugh pym has more. thank you very much, good morning. visiting a vaccination centre today, the prime minister was keen to praise all those involved in getting more than 15 million people in the uk inoculated with a first dose. if you look at what�*s happened in the last few weeks, it�*s been an unbelievable effort by the nhs and the doctors and nurses, the gp surgeries, the hospitals. of course, the army�*s been fantastic, the pharmacists have done a greatjob. warehouse workers and logistics experts help to get the vaccines to hospitals, doctors�* surgeries and other hubs. this company�*s drivers covered more than 200,000 miles in two months, delivering more than 5 million vaccines in england.

people aged 70 and over, nhs and care staff and residents, and those who are clinically extremely vulnerable are in the first target groups. on friday, the welsh government was the first in the uk to report that everyone in the top four priority groups had been offered a first dose of the vaccine. since then, ministers in england and scotland have also confirmed that target has been hit. in northern ireland, officials say everyone in those groups will have been offered it by the end of this month. from today, the next priority groups will be offered vaccinations, starting with the 65—69 age range, nearly 3 million people. then comes those under 65 with underlying health conditions, more than 7 million. next will be the 60—6li—year—olds, nearly 2 million. and then those in their 50s, more than 5 million, with a target of more than 17 million in the uk by the end of april. some with asthma, like ellie, who has to use her inhaler four times a day, did not know

whether they would be considered part of the priority group with health conditions. she says the communication�*s been poor. for me personally, it'sjust been the confusion over whether or not you qualify for the vaccine. it's been a pretty stressful couple of months. officials have said those with severe asthma will be offered jabs at this stage. others like ellie are deemed to be lower risk. come on, good boy. amanda, who has mild learning disabilities, said there was also confusion for her and others about getting the vaccine. i was told i couldn't i have it to begin with. and then ijust kept ringing my gp, and i still got nowhere. _ and this morning, i rang them and they said i could go- to the local centre and have it done. i all this means the latest phase could be more complex than before, with the added pressure of people

from the first wave of vaccinations needing their second dose. hugh pym, bbc news. let�*s have a look at the latest government figures now, and there were 9,765 new infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period. an average of 12,580 new cases were recorded per day in then last week. 23,341 people are in hospital with coronavirus across the uk. in the last 2a hours, 230 deaths have been recorded — that�*s people who died within 28 days of a positive covid test. 657 deaths were announced on average every day in the past week. the total number of people who�*ve died now stands at 117,396. as for the latest vaccination

numbers, 8 237,962 people had a first dose of one of the two available covid—19 vaccines in the latest 2a hour period, which takes the number of people who have now had their first jab to 15,003,151. earlier, our medical editor, fergus walsh, explained that the vaccination numbers gave hope for optimism, but there were still reasons to be cautious. there are still nearly 3,000 covid patients on ventilators in hospital and 1600 covid patient admissions every day and, as you said, more patients with covid in hospitals than at the peak last april. this time of course, we�*ve got the huge success of vaccination. and there are tentative — and i say tentative — early signs that the vaccine may be reducing hospitalisations and deaths in the over—80s, but it�*s difficult to separate that at the moment from the effects

of lockdown, and the chief medical officer said tonight at the downing street briefing that he wanted to gather a week or two more data on that. but from israel, which is further advanced than the uk in its immunisation, very clear signs there that the pfizerjab which they�*re using there is dramatically reducing covid infections, symptomatic, and almost completely stopping serious illness. but the take—home message from scientists advising the government is they want a very cautious emergence from lockdown with perhaps a three—week gap between each measure of relaxation so they can calculate the effects. the european centre for disease prevention and control is warning of a significant increase in covid—19 infections and deaths in the coming months, because of an increased circulation of coronavirus variants across the eu.

the ecdc says hospital admissions remain at very high levels. josepjansa is the emergency response manager at the european centre for disease prevention. i think this is your 14th risk assessment. things really are not improving. assessment. things really are not imrovinu. ~ , assessment. things really are not imrovin~.~ , , assessment. things really are not improving-— improving. well, this is the 14th date, but improving. well, this is the 14th date. but we — improving. well, this is the 14th date, but we have _ improving. well, this is the 14th date, but we have also - improving. well, this is the 14th date, but we have also been - date, but we have also been introducing specific risk assessments for particular cases, like the paediatric inflammatory disease. but, yeah, the situation is improving sometimes, and going down, going up. this is the dynamic of a pandemic. going up. this is the dynamic of a andemic. ~ . , going up. this is the dynamic of a pandemic— going up. this is the dynamic of a andemic. ~ ., , ., pandemic. what is the risk factor? where are you _ pandemic. what is the risk factor? where are you at _ pandemic. what is the risk factor? where are you at the _ pandemic. what is the risk factor? where are you at the moment - pandemic. what is the risk factor? where are you at the moment in i where are you at the moment in europe? do not do it in europe, why individual countries?—

individual countries? well, as you know, the different _ individual countries? well, as you know, the different countries - individual countries? well, as you| know, the different countries have different momentum �*s in the pandemic, so we look at both things. which is now declining for three weeks. then we identified different indicators like reported cases, testing, how much tests are done and how many positive testing is detective. the people admitted in icu. what we see is that different situations according to those indicators and different member states. ~ . . indicators and different member states. ~ ., ., indicators and different member states. ., ., . ., , states. what are your pro'ections over the coming * states. what are your projections over the coming months, - states. what are your projections - over the coming months, particularly regarding the kent variant and the south african variant?— regarding the kent variant and the south african variant? well, as you know, south african variant? well, as you know. because _ south african variant? well, as you know, because of _ south african variant? well, as you know, because of that _ south african variant? well, as you know, because of that has - south african variant? well, as you know, because of that has been - know, because of that has been

almost every day in the press for the last couple of months, those variants are of high concern. 0ne the last couple of months, those variants are of high concern. one of the main challenges of those variants, we can say two. one is they could be detected enough in member states and all of the world, which means that necessary amount of sequencing of the virus that has... and the other main concern is we know that those variants are especially transmissible, which of course includes consequently impacts on all the other indicators you mentioned. positivity, hospitalisation and negative immortality. but hospitalisation and negative immortality-— hospitalisation and negative immortali . �* ., , immortality. but it would help if ou had immortality. but it would help if you had more — immortality. but it would help if you had more vaccines. - immortality. but it would help if. you had more vaccines. absolutely. the question _ you had more vaccines. absolutely. the question is _ you had more vaccines. absolutely. the question is having _ you had more vaccines. absolutely. the question is having the - you had more vaccines. absolutely. the question is having the vaccine, | the question is having the vaccine, having the roll—out of the vaccines

and the different member states, the capacity in place, the covid �*s tragedy in place —— covid strategy. in terms of their vaccine strategy. so, all those in the vaccine are inessential in terms of containing and managing properly the pandemic. although several european countries have a problem with an anti—vaccination sentiment. i�*m thinking about france in particular. ijust thinking about france in particular. i just wondered about thinking about france in particular. ijust wondered about pandemic fatigue as well. which countries were showing that at the moment? which countries are you most worried about in terms of pandemic fatigue, where people aren�*t adhering to the lockdowns and the restriction of movement?—

lockdowns and the restriction of movement? ., ., , ., movement? yeah, those factors that ou movement? yeah, those factors that you mentioned _ movement? yeah, those factors that you mentioned are _ movement? yeah, those factors that you mentioned are of— movement? yeah, those factors that you mentioned are of course - movement? yeah, those factors that you mentioned are of course in - movement? yeah, those factors that you mentioned are of course in the i you mentioned are of course in the pipeline, managing properly the vaccination strategy. pandemic fatigue, as it has been defined as who, is the to motivation following the measures. who, is the to motivation following the measures-— the measures. which countries in articular the measures. which countries in particular are _ the measures. which countries in particular are you _ the measures. which countries in particular are you concerned - the measures. which countries in i particular are you concerned about? that has been occurring in different protests in different countries. you mentioned, for example, the anti—vaccine movement in france. there have been protests in germany, there been protests in spain and other countries all over the world and in the eeo, but we cannot point out one specific country —— and in the eu. this is something that is happening and it depends on the current epic nomological situation in member states, so it�*s difficult to identify one particular country where the pandemic fatigue is more relevant than other.— relevant than other. josep jansa, i

a- reciate relevant than other. josep jansa, i appreciate your — relevant than other. josep jansa, i appreciate your time. _ relevant than other. josep jansa, i appreciate your time. thank - relevant than other. josep jansa, i appreciate your time. thank you i relevant than other. josep jansa, i l appreciate your time. thank you for joining us on bbc news. we�*ll be and we�*ll find out how coronavirus and many other stories are covered in tomorrow�*s front pages at 10.40 and 11.30 this evening in the papers. 0ur guestsjoining me tonight are kate andrews, economics correspondent at the spectator and sienna rodgers, editor at labourlist. the headlines on bbc news. caution over coming out of lockdown — borisjohnson gives no guarantees, saying we are in a battle with nature. the uk�*s vaccination programme moves onto its next target, to jab the first nine priority groups, including everyone over 50, by the end of april. the prime minister�*s former aide, dominic cummings, tells the high court that he didn�*t ask for a company to be awarded a government contract because its bosses were his friends.

let�*s pause and catch up with the world of sports with katie. we�*ll start with the premier league and west ham united have moved into the champions league qualification places with a 3—0 win over bottom side sheffield united. west ham took the lead five minutes before half time after they were awarded a penalty when chris basham fouled jess lingard. declan rice then converted from the spot. they doubled their advantage 12 minutes after half—time when aaron creswell�*s corner was headed in by issa diop, ryan fredericks added a third late on. west ham are up to fourth, two points clear of liverpool west ham are up to fourth, two points clear of liverpool chelsea could replace them in fourth if they beat newcastle at stamford bridge this evening. it's it�*s currently 0—0 with 18 minutes on the clock. chelsea are still unbeaten in the league under new manager thomas tuchel champions league football returns tomorrow and we�*re into the last 16 knockout stages

of the tournament. liverpool are the first british side in action. the first leg away against leipzig tomorrow will actually be played in budapest, because of the coronavirus travel restrictions in germany. that�*s also why the liverpool managerjurgen klopp wasn�*t able to attend his mother�*s funeral last week. but he insists that despite everything going on in his personal life and the champions losing their last three in a row, he�*s doesn�*t need a break from football. of course, were influenced by things that happen around but no—one has to worry about me. i, honestly, i might look like this because the weather is cold and the great and the beard gets more and more, all of this kind of things. yes, i don�*t sleep a lot, that�*s all true, but i�*m full of energy. honestly, the situation is a challenge, the boys are ready, i�*m ready and we will give absolutely everything. scotland�*s first minister, nicola sturgeon has urged football to "make sure it�*s house is in order". it�*s follows rangers launching an internal investigation

after a party at the weekend had to be broken up by police. covid—19 lockdown restrictions means that no indoor mixing of households is allowed in scotland under normal circumstances.rangers said they were "aware of an alleged incident" and would make "no further comment," as they investigate. cani can i say to football and sport generally, please make sure your house _ generally, please make sure your house is— generally, please make sure your house is in— generally, please make sure your house is in order? because it shouldn't— house is in order? because it shouldn't take me standing here to stay to— shouldn't take me standing here to stay to highly paid footballers that you've _ stay to highly paid footballers that you've got to obey the rules. the fact that — you've got to obey the rules. the fact that it— you've got to obey the rules. the fact that it does take that is usually— fact that it does take that is usually frustrating to me, and i don't _ usually frustrating to me, and i don't care — usually frustrating to me, and i don't care which team it is. it's not on. — don't care which team it is. it's not on. so _ don't care which team it is. it's not on, so please stop breaking the rules— not on, so please stop breaking the rules of _ england�*s cricketers are heading for a heavy defeat in the second test in chennai. india are odds on to square the four match series with still two full days left to play. england need 482 to win. no side has managed that in the history of test cricket. they�*ve already lost openers rory burns, dom sibley and nightwatchman,

jack leach and will resume tomorrow morning on 53 for three. the quarterfinals get underway at the australian open overnight with serena williams and novak djokovic taking to the court for the last two matches of the day. earlier, rafa nadal continued his superb form. he�*s chasing a 21st grand slam singles title, and is yet to drop a set at this year�*s tournament with his latest victory coming against the 16th seed, fabio fognini. nadal won in straight sets against italian to take him through to the quarter—finals where he�*ll face the fifth seed, stefanos tsitsipas. and the world number one and home favourite ash barty is through. a no—nonense straight sets win against the american shelby rogers. she�*ll now face karoleena mukova in the last eight, knowing that there hasn�*t been an australian winner in melbourne since christine 0�*neil back in 1978. that�*s all the sport. you can find more on all those stories on the bbc sport website, and watch live coverage from day one of snooker�*s welsh 0pen.

three—time world champion, mark selby is up against barry pinches. just go to bbc.co.uk/sport. bye for now. see you later, katie. anyone who�*s arrived in england today after being in a high—risk covid country now has to quarantine in a government—approved hotel. the list of 33 countries includes portugal, brazil and south africa. the aim is to stop new covid variants entering england. the government has secured just under 5,000 rooms in 16 hotels. people will have to pay 1,750 pounds to quarantine for 10 days. anyone breaking the rules could face fines of up to £10,000. in scotland, the rule applies to travellers returning from all countries. 0ur transport correspondent caroline davies has been talking to some of the first travellers staying in the new quarantine hotels. it�*s small, might get a bit claustrophobic as time goes on.

a different arrival to the uk. some of the first passengers destined for quarantine hotels escorted out of the airport through photographers�* flashes and onto their hotels. coaches have been arriving throughout the course of the morning, bringing passengers from heathrow airport to the quarantine hotels. everybody on board will have declared that they�*ve been in a red list country in the course of the last ten days. guests won�*t leave these walls for 11 nights or ten full days. but for those arriving today, there was some company outside their windows. how�*s the room? good, thanks. it's ok. this man flew from south africa via qatar. he�*s starting a newjob here in march, and his visa only started today. he says that passengers that travelled from red list countries and those that didn�*t were together on the flight and in the airport. i was probably about two seats from someone that doesn�*t come from a red list country. we�*re all in the same facility, breathing the same air. he split the room with a friend for the 11 nights. we�*re either going to

as really good friends or we�*re going to hate each other. so, i guess only time will tell. it�*s small, might get a bit claustrophobic as time goes on. windows unfortunately don�*t open. it would have been nice to maybe get some fresh air in. but i guess it is what it is. i�*m not particularly looking forward to the next 11 days, but, yeah, just hoping it goes by quickly. there are no internationalflights from northern ireland or wales at the moment, but those flying into scotland have to quarantine regardless of which international country they started from. this man and his daughterflew in from america this morning. yeah, hey, whatever it takes. and back in america, i work in the medical field, you know? and even though i got my covid shots already, whatever it takes to make everybody safe, i'm all for it. early indications suggest that the number of passengers flying today was low and that the queues relatively short. but there are concerns that

new checks will mean delays, which could be a risk to passengers and staff. i every additional check the officerl has to do slows up that transaction i every additional check the officer i has to do slows up that transaction, increases the risk of infection to the officer and to - the traveller from the officer. and as those queues build, i of course the different people of course the different planes mixing with one another, i that builds up and increases the risk from traveller to traveller that the virus willjust spread. - some airports has the policy does not have an end date and the number of countries on the red list could get longer. these hotels maybe see passenger through their doors in the next two weeks and months. meanwhile, in scotland all travellers returning from all international destinations will from today have to quarantine in hotels for ten days at their own cost. 0ur scotland editor sarah

smith has the latest. there is this glaring loophole in the middle of the scottish government�*s policy of trying to quarantine everybody who�*s coming in from any foreign country. so, there are discussions ongoing with the uk government about this because there is this way out. if you fly directly into scotland, of course, you go straight to a quarantine hotel. if you fly into england and then travel up to scotland, well, then you�*re expected to self—isolate at home for ten days and take two covid tests but that�*s obviously much cheaper than staying in a hotel and it�*s obviously much harder for the authorities to enforce. so, nicola sturgeon says it would be so much better and so much easier if the rules were the safe in all four nations of the united kingdom but the way to achieve that, she thinks, is for borisjohnson to adopt her policy of quarantine for travellers coming from any foreign country, notjust those on the red list. there is one other option, and that would be if the uk government would enforce quarantine for people coming into english airports — through heathrow or stansted or wherever — make them quarantine regardless

of what foreign country they�*ve come from if it is their intention to then travel onto scotland. that would need to be enforced by the uk government as near as possible to the point of arrival in england, so that would need cooperation between the two administrations and there are conversations ongoing about that. the mayor of blackburn in lancashire has resigned after being fined £200 forflouting covid rules. iftakhar hussain has also suspended himself from the council�*s ruling labour group. he has apologised for attending a wedding on saturday, where up to 30 people were present, describing it as an "error ofjudgement". the father of a woman who disappeared in 2009 has died without ever knowing what happened to his daughter. claudia lawrence was 35 when she was last seen in york. police believe she was murdered, but her body was never found. herfather, peter

lawrence, died aged 74. a statement by his family said he�*d conducted a "tireless campaign" to find her. phil bodmer reports. he was the shy solicitor thrust into a national limelight following the disappearance of his daughter, claudia. police believe the york chef was murdered, but her body has never been found and no one has ever been charged. all of a sudden, she wasn�*t there. it eats into you, literally, eats into you all the time, and that�*s the not knowing what happened. and it carries on and on and on. mr lawrence campaigned tirelessly for a guardianship bill, allowing relatives to take control of their missing loved ones�* financial matters. known as claudia�*s law, it came into force injuly 2019. claudia's law is an amazing gift that he's given to a relatively small community of people that have to go through this situation. it's a shining light that he left

out of something so awful. something so good came of it for families that have to go through this. appointed an 0be on the queen�*s birthday honours list in 2018, the award recognised his campaign for change. but what he wanted more than anything were answers to the mystery surrounding claudia�*s disappearance. he's died and no one - necessarily knows at this point where claudia is still. and that, i think, from a human i point of view, is probably the most difficult thing to deal with. in the 12 years since she was last seen and a huge police investigation, detectives still don�*t know where claudia is. and despite the lack of conclusion, those who know peter well say his efforts have not been in vain. i think he leaves a number of legacies behind. obviously, we'll always know him for being claudia's dad and

working tirelessly to try and find some kind of answer as to what has become of her. mr lawrence, who was 74, passed away on thursday at saint leonard�*s hospital in york after a short illness, still searching for answers to whatever happened to a precious daughter. phil bodmer, bbc look north, york. i mentioned our paper review coming up i mentioned our paper review coming up at 1030 and 1130. one of the uk�*s oldest paperboys has postponed his plans to retire after being given an electric bike. george bailey, who is 80, was thinking of stepping down from his daily delivery route around headcorn, in kent, but says the new bike could see him staying in the job a little while longer. if the bicycle i�*ve got, if it lasts ten years,

then i�*ll probably say, "that�*s it — i�*m packing up at 90." well done! now it�*s time for a look at the weather with matt taylor. hello. the cold weather we experienced last week and at the start of the weekend is now across eastern europe. for us, we�*re back to atlantic winds dominating this week which means much milder conditions. doesn�*t mean there will be sunshine all the time though. there will be rain every so often and some windy conditions and the rain coupled with high temperatures means snowmelt and rising river levels, one to watch this week. even tonight, we�*ll see rain across many parts. some in east anglia and the south east may stay dry, same to the north—east of scotland but some heavy rain at times and some gusty winds. those winds all coming in from the south and south west mean temperatures by night are higher than they should be by day at this time of year. so, a mild start tomorrow, a windy day by and large. rain at times channel islands, east anglia, south east through good part of the day before brighter later. in the west, sunshine and showers. some may get through the day largely

dry but downpours never too far away, some of them on the heavy side. and a windy day, windiest of all across western scotland — could see gusts in excess of 60 mph, and that means temperatures down a degree or so today but still pretty mild for this stage in february. hello this is bbc news. i�*m tim willcox. the headlines. caution over coming out of lockdown — borisjohnson gives no guarantees — saying we are in a battle with nature. we want this lockdown to be the last, and we want progress to be cautious but also irreversible. the uk�*s vaccination programme moves onto its next target, to jab the first nine priority groups — including everyone over 50, by the end of april. the prime minister�*s former aide, dominic cummings, tells

the high court that he didn�*t ask for a company to be awarded a government contract because its bosses were his friends. the tuc — together with nearly two dozen women�*s organisations and charities — have asked the uk�*s equalities watchdog to investigate if the government has broken the law in its response to the pandemic. the groups claim some of the decisions taken by government are deepening inequalities faced by women. let�*s talk to sian elliott, who�*s women�*s equality officer at the tuc. in what way had —— are they discriminatory? in what way had -- are they discriminatory?— in what way had -- are they discriminatory? in what way had -- are they discriminato ? ., ., , ., discriminatory? the government has a leual du discriminatory? the government has a legal duty to — discriminatory? the government has a legal duty to publish _ discriminatory? the government has a legal duty to publish the _ discriminatory? the government has a legal duty to publish the impact - discriminatory? the government has a legal duty to publish the impact of - legal duty to publish the impact of any decisions they make which is important in a time of crisis where decisions are being made quickly often with limited evidence. but they have a responsibility to make

sure that they have favour and better decision—making, and we think that the decisions they have made during this crisis and we can�*t see any evidence they�*ve complied... for example when it comes to statutory sick pay, we highly break that this crisis that 2 million workers are excluded from receiving statutory sick pay because they are on low pay and 70% of those 2 million workers are women. and that means that they can�*t access vital financial support during a global pandemic and the government have done nothing to change that situation. those women are still missing on a statutory sick pay a year later. the other u-rou sick pay a year later. the other group that _ sick pay a year later. the other group that l — sick pay a year later. the other group that i picked _ sick pay a year later. the other group that i picked up - sick pay a year later. the other group that i picked up on - sick pay a year later. the other group that i picked up on was l sick pay a year later. the other. group that i picked up on was the self—employed women on maternity leave. i�*m not sure what sort of numbers we are talking about there. are we talking about tens of thousands or what?- are we talking about tens of

thousands or what? we're talking about a significant _ thousands or what? we're talking about a significant number- thousands or what? we're talking about a significant number of- thousands or what? we're talking about a significant number of the | about a significant number of the population that are self—employed, mums that are actually more likely to be self—employed than dads are and they are being discriminated against if they take maternity leave and the three year calculation period versus how much how much financial support they are... the hmrc are treating it as if these months... they are discriminating in a way against women in a way they�*re not discriminating against men who don�*t had to take maternity leave. this has been put to the government, we have told them the evidence and impact it�*s having, how badly it is affecting women�*s time of great need, and again they are digging their heels in, they are not listening. and what that means is women and theirfamilies listening. and what that means is women and their families lose out by losing pay and vital financial support.

losing pay and vital financial su ort. ,, ., ., losing pay and vital financial su oft, ,, ., ., ., ., support. sian elliott, we are having a few problems _ support. sian elliott, we are having a few problems with _ support. sian elliott, we are having a few problems with your _ support. sian elliott, we are having a few problems with your line, - support. sian elliott, we are having a few problems with your line, i - a few problems with your line, i think we managed to catch most of what you�*re saying, sian elliott, from the tuc. a study of hospital workers in leicester has raised concerns about black employees not coming forward for the covid vaccine. it�*s also found a lower uptake among people who are younger or who come from deprived communities. jeremy ball reports. the front line in the fight against covid. hospital workers are dealing with the worst of this pandemic. many have had the virus themselves, so they�*re at the front of the queue for vaccines. now, a study billed as the first of its kind has looked at the uptake in leicester among 90,000 hospital workers — from doctors to porters to backroom staff. it found one in three still hadn�*t had the jab for whatever reason. the biggest shock was the breakdown between different ethnicities... it was lower for south asian staff

at 59%, but look or how low it was for black workers — only... well, obviously, it is worrying for a number of reasons. first of all, that there is this risk to the health care professionals themselves and theirfamilies, even more so to their patients that there treating. that they�*re treating. the other reason it is a worry is many of the people in the general population take advice from health care professionals. if health care professionals are reluctant to take the vaccine, that message will then go to the general population as well. but many of that general population are desperate to be vaccinated. almost one in five people have now had the jab across derbyshire, nottinghamshire, leicestershire and rutland. that�*s around 600,000 first doses. it's a credit to our community to recognise the importance of this vaccination programme, and there's been very, very few people who've actually refused at the vaccine, refused the vaccine, and there's been a tremendous

recognition of it. and going forward, obviously, that's absolutely critical. and that move forward being helped by research here at the university of nottingham where they�*re now developing a second generation vaccine. the new one doesn�*tjust rely on antibodies. it contains a separate protein that triggers a different part of the immune system. this is a response that will help identify and kill any infected cells to prevent further replication of the virus. so, any virus that gets through the anti—body response to fight the spike protein will encounter this sort of back—up plan, this is second line of defence of t cell immunity against the nuclear protein. but some still need convincing to have to covid jab, and now the leicester researchers are now trying to find out why some hospital workers still haven�*t had the vaccination and what might persuade them to get it. jeremy ball reporting there for the bbc�*s east midlands today. with more than 15 million people now

vaccinated across the uk, panorama has investigated those trying to derail the roll—out. activists targeting those with fears about the coronavirus vaccine in a social media blitz have accumulated millions more followers during the pandemic. mariana spring, our specialist disinformation reporter, has more. the majority of people in the uk want the vaccine. can i have another two patients, please? but there is a committed minority deploying anti—vaccine messaging online to influence those who are hesitant about the jab. this is rosemary and donald, who are in their 80s from norwich. they were on the government�*s vaccine priority list but then they received a video called ask the experts on whatsapp. it features 33 people, some brandishing medical credentials. some allege, contrary to scientific evidence, that the vaccines are unsafe

and they can alter a person�*s dna. so this is the video that you�*d seen. let�*s have a watch. the covid—19 vaccine is not proven safe or effective. i it left me in quite a lot of anxiety because it sounded so real and the people were so plausible and they were named as clinicians and doctors, surgeons. the video frightened rosemary so much that she felt unsure about having the vaccine. the real danger is to people in fact those who have the most to lose by not having this vaccine who face the most severe threats from mortality and death from covid, but also long—term illness from covid. panorama contacted all of those in the video. of the people who responded, four defended its contents. five said if we refer

to them as anti—vaccine they would take legal action. 0racle films, who produced the video, chose not to comment on its contents. this isjust one part of an online anti—vaccine blitz. social media use has increased across the board during the pandemic, but exclusive bbc monitoring research reveals a huge spike in followers of accounts promoting anti—vax claims, especially on instagram, which is used by younger people. facebook, which owns instagram, has removed some pages highlighted by panorama. the company says it removes harmful misinformation and actively promotes good information. back in norwich, once rosemary realised many of the claims in the video were false, she made her decision. how are you feeling about having the vaccine today? so pleased i can�*t even say. relieved. i think we both are really looking forward to having it done. 0k?

yeah, sure. but the ask the experts video continues to circulate on whatsapp. thank you. that's it, all done. and as long as it�*s there it could still scare those yet to have theirjabs. mariana spring, bbc news. and that is on panorama. the former aide to borisjohnson, dominic cummings, has told a judge he did not ask for a company to be given a contract because bosses were his "friends". mr cummings said he would "never do such a thing". he defended the award of the contract to public first after a campaign group accused him of "apparent bias" and took legal action. earlier we heard from our correspondent, lucy manning. what is happening is the campaign group the good law project, they have crowd funded, they have raised money to sue the cabinet office to say that a contract that was awarded at the first stage of the pandemic for a communications company called public first, that that contract was given under apparent bias that it shouldn�*t have been given and it was for more than £500,000 because the people

who ran the company were friends of dominic cummings. it�*s run by two people, james frayne and rachel wolf, who used to work with mr cummings and the allegation is that he gave them the contract because they were friends. now, in his witness statement, dominic cummings does admit they were friends. he says he saw that as a bonus, not as a problem because he knew that the company did good work, that it was important to the beginning of the covid crisis that the government was able to communicate properly with people about what was going on, and also to find out if the messages were getting through, and that was why he needed to hire them. but the good law project qc for them says there should have been a proper process, that he shouldn�*t have just been able to give his "mates" in inverted commas this sort of size of contract. and, actually, one of the civil servants, one of her e—mails have been revealed in the court process

today where she writes and says, "these were dominic cummings�* mates and that�*s why they seem to get "all this work." now, mr cummings denies that and the government denies that it�*s acted improperly. there are actually rules during an emergency that you can give out contracts without them going out to competition, without them being done in the normal way. but what that has done is lead to a lot of allegations of cronyism and people being reported as we�*ve seen with the ppe, the protective equipment contracts, when maybe they shouldn�*t have done. —— people being rewarded. so, this case is still going on today. we�*re not likely to get the decision from the judge today but i think it will come at some stage later. lucy manning. 8:44pm. the headlines on bbc news... caution over coming out of lockdown — borisjohnson gives no guarantees — saying we are in

a battle with nature. the uk�*s vaccination programme moves onto its next target to jab the first nine priority groups — including everyone over 50, by the end of april. the prime minister�*s former aide, dominic cummings, tells the high court that he didn�*t ask for a company to be awarded a government contract because its bosses were his friends. myanmar�*s military has warned protesters across the country that they could face up to 20 years in prison if they obstruct the armed forces. in prison if they obstruct demonstrators are still taking to the streets after the army stepped in to overturn the re—election of the civilian leader, aung san suu kyi two weeks ago. last night what sounded like volleys of gunshots were heard as people gathered in cities across the country. jonathan head reports. gunfire. even for a country shocked at being back under military rule, it has been a stressful 24 hours. rumours of a full—scale army operation were strong,

and here in myitkyina, repeated bursts of gunfire from the security forces made people think it was already happening. most of the shots, though, were fired into the air. then, an eight—hour, nationwide internet blackout. for what purpose, we still aren�*t clear. this morning, the military was making itself visible in yangon and other cities. that didn�*t stop people from protesting again over their power grab, as they have for the past ten days. if anything, the soldiers provoked people to speak out even more over seeing their democracy crashed by the generals. this armoured vehicle found itself surrounded by hostile traffic, the drivers honking their anger. and here at the headquarters of the party led by aung san suu kyi, more anger. "release our leaders,"

they shouted at the police surrounding the building. they haven�*t forgotten that they re—elected her by a landslide just three months ago. she�*s still in military custody, her detention extended today for who knows how long. the military�*s plans from now are hard to guess. the soldiers, though, are an ominous sign. these are combat units used to fight armed insurgents on myanmar�*s borders, and in previous unrest to shoot protesters. and they�*re back on the streets again. jonathan head, bbc news. the former high courtjudge, sir william macpherson — who led the inquiry into the murder of stephen lawrence almost 30 years ago — has died. he was 94. sir william�*s investigation examining why the metropolitan police repeatedly failed to catch

the black teenager�*s killers concluded the force was "institutionally racist". the review led to police forces throughout the uk reassessing issues of race, including the use of stop and search powers. the metropolitan police commissioner, cressida dick, said says sir william leaves an incredible legacy and his recommendations changed not only policing, the law and public services, but also had a massive impact on society more widely. jaguar has announced that it will produce only electric vehicles from 2025. moving away from the internal combustion engine, the company said that, by the end of the decade, all of its cars — including land rover models — would be powered by electricity, in an effort to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2039. it also said it had no plans to close any manufacturing facilities in the uk. the world trade organization has named their new boss. for the first time, the top job will be held by a woman — from africa.

ngozi 0konjo—iweala is a former nigerian finance minister and a former managing director of the world bank. the wto faces a number of challenges including trade disputes, growing protectionism and the economic slump caused by the coronavirus pandemic. i am humble and proud to be the first woman and the first african. so, i wouldn�*t minimise the fact that the membership have done a historic thing today. but for me principally, there�*s so many problems to be solved and first and foremost is the issue of the pandemic of covid—19, and looking at how wto rules and how the wto can help make access to vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics more accessible and affordable for poor countries so that we don�*t have a phenomenon where rich countries are vaccinating their populations and poor countries have to wait behind.

a postcard sent by a royal navy recruit during world war ii has been delivered to his childhood home in liverpool more than 77 years late. bill caldwell was 18 and in his first week of training at hms raleigh in torpoint, cornwall, when he wrote saying he was "in blue at last". mr caldwell�*s adult children have now seen the postcard for the first time. let�*s talk to them. helen and tony caldwell. welcome to you both. what a lovely story but i was reading earlier on. 77 years, seven months. we complain about our post be made but this is ridiculous, isn�*t it? helen, take it back to when it was written. it ridiculous, isn't it? helen, take it back to when it was written. it has 'ust been back to when it was written. it has just been wonderful. _ back to when it was written. it has just been wonderful. it _ back to when it was written. it has just been wonderful. it was - back to when it was written. it has just been wonderful. it was on - just been wonderful. it was on friday night my cousin dan just pinged it into my inbox via whatsapp

and i was reading it and pinged it into my inbox via whatsapp and i was reading itand it pinged it into my inbox via whatsapp and i was reading it and it wasjust unbelievable to read it and think, "gosh, dad wrote this when he was 18 to his uncle fred!" and as you are reading it, you are thinking he must have only left home a week before he wrote it. he was younger than our children are now and the words in the postcard are just so gorgeous. you can just keep the postcard are just so gorgeous. you canjust keep reading them the postcard are just so gorgeous. you can just keep reading them and read so much into it. but he says things like, "i�*ve only been here a week, you don�*t get much time to yourself, do you?" but i like it all right. yourself, do you?" but i like it all riuht. �* , ., ., , right. an understatement. tony the thin . right. an understatement. tony the thin wasi right. an understatement. tony the thing was i think— right. an understatement. tony the thing was i think i _ right. an understatement. tony the thing was i think i read _ right. an understatement. tony the thing was i think i read that - right. an understatement. tony the thing was i think i read that he - thing was i think i read that he wanted tojoin up at thing was i think i read that he wanted to join up at the angel of 15 but his mother wouldn�*t let him. is that right was a —— at the age. almost right from the story we heard yet we _ almost right from the story we heard yet we were told that he did go and 'oin yet we were told that he did go and join up _ yet we were told that he did go and join up and — yet we were told that he did go and join up and they must have known he

was too _ join up and they must have known he was too young but they took him, they accepted him, and it was then that nty— they accepted him, and it was then that my grandmother went down and the story— that my grandmother went down and the story we heard, it was only her version _ the story we heard, it was only her version that — the story we heard, it was only her version that she made absolute mixed meal of— version that she made absolute mixed meal of the _ version that she made absolute mixed meal of the idea that the idea they were going to take a little boy off at 15 who — were going to take a little boy off at 15 who was the eldest son. he wasn't _ at 15 who was the eldest son. he wasn't allowed at 15 or 16 but pretty— wasn't allowed at 15 or 16 but pretty much as soon as he was 18, there _ pretty much as soon as he was 18, there was— pretty much as soon as he was 18, there was no— pretty much as soon as he was 18, there was no stopping him. he 'oined u . there was no stopping him. he 'oined u- and there was no stopping him. he 'oined up and have — there was no stopping him. he 'oined up and have and i there was no stopping him. he 'oined up and have and that i there was no stopping him. he 'oined up and have and that might _ there was no stopping him. he 'oined up and have and that might be h there was no stopping him. he joined up and have and that might be the i up and have and that might be the clue, might it, why he adjusts the car to his uncle fred because his uncle fred had been in the navy as well? yeah. and the first world war? no, not in the first world war. he had done some trading in the navy, he was much older than dad and he lived with him at the time. dad and uncle fred were really good friends and they had been excited planning this together that dad would go off. and so it is so wealthy that within

a week, his uncle fred he has written to and he is telling it to him what is like the first week, but then reassuring him, tell the rest of the family, saddened that my love and i will write them a longer letter soon.— and i will write them a longer lettersoon. ~ ., �* ~ ., letter soon. we don't know if he did, maybe _ letter soon. we don't know if he did, maybe those _ letter soon. we don't know if he did, maybe those will _ letter soon. we don't know if he did, maybe those will appear. letter soon. we don't know if he i did, maybe those will appear over the next few years! tony, he had quite a long more career, didn�*t he? did he talk very much about what he did in the war? yes did he talk very much about what he did in the war?— did he talk very much about what he did in the war? yes but when we were ounrer, did in the war? yes but when we were younger. he — did in the war? yes but when we were younger. he would — did in the war? yes but when we were younger, he would not _ did in the war? yes but when we were younger, he would not say _ did in the war? yes but when we were younger, he would not say anything i younger, he would not say anything for so _ younger, he would not say anything for so long — younger, he would not say anything for so long. he really didn't. i think— for so long. he really didn't. i think he — for so long. he really didn't. i think he saw some terrible things. i know— think he saw some terrible things. i know he _ think he saw some terrible things. i know he saw terrible things in dj and i_ know he saw terrible things in dj and i know— know he saw terrible things in dj and i know he saw the terrible things— and i know he saw the terrible things of— and i know he saw the terrible things of course injapan and i know he saw the terrible things of course in japan after the bomb _ things of course in japan after the bomb -- — things of course in japan after the bomb -- in — things of course in japan after the bomb. —— in dj. it was only after the 50th — bomb. —— in dj. it was only after the 50th dj — bomb. —— in dj. it was only after the 50th dj anniversary that that there _ the 50th dj anniversary that that there was— the 50th dj anniversary that that there was one of the ships he was on, there was one of the ships he was on. at _ there was one of the ships he was on. at some — there was one of the ships he was on, at some reunion type of thing

and then— on, at some reunion type of thing and then he — on, at some reunion type of thing and then he got very involved in that, _ and then he got very involved in that, and — and then he got very involved in that, and a _ and then he got very involved in that, and a couple of my sisters help— that, and a couple of my sisters help with — that, and a couple of my sisters help with that. —— 50th d—day anniversary. and he went over to may, _ anniversary. and he went over to may, so — anniversary. and he went over to may, so it— anniversary. and he went over to d—day, so it was later in life that he talked — d—day, so it was later in life that he talked about it. initially not. helen, — he talked about it. initially not. helen, he — he talked about it. initially not. helen, he died a few years ago now, didn�*t he? helen, he died a few years ago now, didn't he? ~ ., , , . helen, he died a few years ago now, didn'the? ., ,, . ,, ..,, didn't he? what is pencil specials, it has almost _ didn't he? what is pencil specials, it has almost been _ didn't he? what is pencil specials, it has almost been 25 _ didn't he? what is pencil specials, it has almost been 25 years - didn't he? what is pencil specials, it has almost been 25 years ago... sorry, 1996. so he died quite young. he was about 70, but i think as tony said later run, some of this story is, the lovely memory that i have of him talking about is i think his shipwreck picked up some prisoners of warfrom japan shipwreck picked up some prisoners of war from japan and took them into australia. and he always talked about the really warm welcome that his ship got in australia and he loved australia because of that and he was always encouraging us to travel because of the time that he had had again through the navy,

wishing he could have travelled more in peace time. wishing he could have travelled more in peace time-— in peace time. what is extraordinary to my mind — in peace time. what is extraordinary to my mind anyway _ in peace time. what is extraordinary to my mind anyway is _ in peace time. what is extraordinary to my mind anyway is you _ in peace time. what is extraordinary to my mind anyway is you still - in peace time. what is extraordinary to my mind anyway is you still have| to my mind anyway is you still have relatives living in the same address, tony, which is how you got to see this postcard.— to see this postcard. yes, it was alwa s a to see this postcard. yes, it was always a lovely _ to see this postcard. yes, it was always a lovely place _ to see this postcard. yes, it was always a lovely place to - to see this postcard. yes, it was always a lovely place to go - to see this postcard. yes, it was always a lovely place to go of i always a lovely place to go of course — always a lovely place to go of course. my grandfather was a character, _ course. my grandfather was a character, my grandmother, lovely, but she— character, my grandmother, lovely, but she could be tough. we were scared _ but she could be tough. we were scared of— but she could be tough. we were scared of her. 0ur dad's younger sister, _ scared of her. 0ur dad's younger sister, she — scared of her. 0ur dad's younger sister, she stayed and looked after him a _ sister, she stayed and looked after him a little — sister, she stayed and looked after him a little bit so she was given the house — him a little bit so she was given the house which was fair enough. and ultimately. _ the house which was fair enough. and ultimately, it went down to you ntight— ultimately, it went down to you might have heard dan, the one who now got— might have heard dan, the one who now got the — might have heard dan, the one who now got the card. it's still in the family — now got the card. it's still in the famil . �* ., , ., now got the card. it's still in the famil . �* ., i. ., family. and helen have you tried to find out where _ family. and helen have you tried to find out where this _ family. and helen have you tried to find out where this card _ family. and helen have you tried to find out where this card has - family. and helen have you tried to find out where this card has been i find out where this card has been for 77 years and seven months? it is for 77 years and seven months? it is a such a mystery- — for 77 years and seven months? it 3 a such a mystery. and we would love

to know, we would absolutely love to know. we are so grateful that it was delivered. and there is no second stamp on it, so the original stamp it says "posted in 1943 at 1030 and that has eight sand expert saying posteriorly." so it is not even the queen on the stamp. it is the old king. there is so much you want to know about that. what we are thinking is it must have got lost in a cupboard or something but i think the royal mail, what they said is that it has probably been reposted. but there isn�*t a second post, so we don�*t know. it came through the letterbox with the ordinary post. but we would love to know more, if anybody knew or could pass on any info, we are in treatment we are just so grateful, and we honestly don�*t mind it was late because it has brought us so much joy. don�*t mind it was late because it has brought us so muchjoy. it is has brought us so much 'oy. it is the most has brought us so muchjoy. it is the most wonderful story and let's

the most wonderful story and let�*s hope somebody watching out might reveal the mystery or what happened behind the mysterious appearance of this card. helen and tony caldwell, governor to speak you, thank you for joining us here in bbc news. we must race to the weather, match. good evening. after the icy wind some of us experienced through the weekend, it felt like spring today when the sun was out. and that�*s going to continue this week. the cold air, the blue colours here, still on the chart towards the east. but the above average oranges and reds may weaken a little bit midweek, but they�*re there through much of the time. and, in fact, you can see those oranges deepen into the weekend, by which point southerly winds on saturday could lift temperatures in eastern parts of england to 17 celsius, 63 fahrenheit, a big turnaround. 17, though, doesn�*t mean it�*s sunshine all the way. there�*ll be rain at times this week and some fairly windy conditions, too. and with that rain and the higher temperatures, snow melt could give some flooding issues as river levels rise. and there�*ll be another batch of rain coming in overnight tonight. this area of low pressure pushing it towards us, where this weather front will bring rain across many areas by the time

we see first light tomorrow morning. heaviest of the rain will be in the west, and the winds will be strengthening, reaching gale—force to the north of northern ireland by the time we go towards dawn. it does mean, though, with south—to—southwesterly winds, it will be an incredibly mild night, 5—10 degrees. temperatures by the afternoon are usually around 7—8 degrees this time of the year, so we start with temperatures above average. they�*ll only climb a little bit further. it will be a windy day, though, tomorrow, winds strongest towards the west of scotland. rain, though, on and off through much of the day towards the channel islands, the south east and east anglia. maybe something brighter later. the more persistent rain across western scotland will ease, and really, for many of you, it will be sunshine and showers through tuesday. and that wind�*ll be pushing those showers through quite smartly, with some of the showers in the west heavy and thundery. strongest of the winds, though, western scotland. lowest of the temperatures here, still above average at 8—9 degrees. most, though, around 10—13 celsius. now, as we go into the start of tuesday night, dry for a while, but then the next area of low pressure pushes in for wednesday.

again, another batch of weather fronts working their way through, too, so most of us will see rain at times to start wednesday. rain, though, could linger throughout across southern counties of england, particularly towards the south west and south wales, where it�*ll get heavier later in the day. further north, there�*ll be some sunshine between the downpours, and there�*ll be a slightly cooler feel across scotland, northern ireland, northern england on wednesday. but still nine degrees, above where we should be for the time of year. and then, after another brief dip across the north on thursday, temperatures climb into the weekend. some rain at times, but in the east, highs as i said of around 16 or 17.

this is bbc news. this was the busiest weekend for air travel in the us since the beginning of the year, as the administration confirms it has no plans for domestic pre—flight screening. but in england, travellers arriving from countries on the so—called �*red list�* will now have to quarantine in hotels for ten days as officials try to limit the spread of the coronavirus variants. so, as the first arrivals go into quarantine in london, we�*ll look at how the new rules compare to those in other countries that have introduced similar systems. 0ur blood holds the secrets to the viruses we�*ve encountered without us even knowing it, so would a global blood bank alert us in the future to the risk of a new pandemic? also in the programme....

texas is known for its heatwaves and sprawling deserts, but right now, it�*s shivering in freezing cold temperatures.