this is bbc news, i'm annita mcveigh, the headlines at nine. scientists tracking coronavirus in england say there's been a strong decline in infection levels since the current lockdown began. the duke of edinburgh has spent a second night in hospital after being admitted as a precautionary measure on tuesday evening. the government is being urged to gradually wind down the furlough scheme to keep a lid on rising unemployment. as ever, we're keen to hear from you. should the furlough scheme end gradually? what would happen to your job or your business if it was suddently taken away? i'm @annita—mcveigh or use the #bbcyourquestions on twitter. australia's prime minister has accused facebook of �*unfriending' his country, after it blocked news feeds in a row over a new social media law.

and seven minutes of terror. nasa's perserverence rover will face its terrifying descent to the surface of mars today. good morning and welcome to bbc news. good morning and welcome to bbc news. scientists tracking the coronavirus pandemic say there's been a strong decline in covid infection levels in england, since the current lockdown began. imperial college london's react study has been tracking the epidemic. it found that rates have dropped by two thirds across england since lockdown began, but it warns that virus levels are still high, with one in 200 people testing positive between the 4th and the 13th of this month. while infections are coming

down across england, they are falling fastest in the capital, south east and west midlands, but less steeply in the north west, north east and yorkshire and the humber. in london infections rates have dropped by 80%. our health correspondent jim reed reports. the react study measures infections in the community and is one of the largest of its type. researchers swabbed 85,000 randomly selected people in england over the first half of february. positive covid tests fell by more than two thirds since the last report injanuary. it's really important to note that the prevalence is still high. we are at the level we were at maybe in late september of last year. one in 200 people are testing positive in the population as a whole, and we really have to get those rates even lower. the timing of the study means tougher lockdown rules were likely to be behind the fall in infections, with the impact of the vaccine roll—out still to be felt.

there were regional variations. in london, around 0.5% of people were infected. down sharply since the last report. in the south—east of england, it was 0.3%, roughly the same as in the west midlands. the highest rates were in the north—west and north—east of england, though infections there were falling as well. in a statement, the health secretary matt hancock said the findings show encouraging signs we are now heading in the right direction across the country but warned the public must remain vigilant and follow the rules as the vaccination programme continues. but the number in hospital with covid is still above the peak of the first wave of the pandemic. infections might be falling but from a very high level. the government will have to make some difficult choices as it starts to set out its plan to ease the lockdown in england next week. jim reed, bbc news. and paul elliot, professor of epidemiology and public health medicine at imperial college london,

who we saw in that report, joins me now. he's also the director of the react programme. good news since we last spoke when the last set of results were published in terms of those infection rates coming down. absolutely. this is really encouraging years and as your reporter said, the rates overall have dropped by two thirds. this is happening right across the age ranges and again, as your report said, across the country, but more so in the south than the north. mb? so in the south than the north. why those variations between london and other parts of england? {iii those variations between london and other parts of england?— other parts of england? of course london got _ other parts of england? of course london got two — other parts of england? of course london got two incredibly - other parts of england? of course london got two incredibly high - other parts of england? of course i london got two incredibly high rates coming out of christmas into the beginning ofjanuary, where there was a very high peak. in some ages won in 25 were testing positive. it

started higher and it has fortunately come down quicker. that is really good news. we are not quite sure why rates are slower in the north, but we did see in the early stages of the second wave that the rates were higher in the north and that is what we are seeing again today. and that is what we are seeing again toda . ~ , ,., ~' and that is what we are seeing again toda . ~ ., and that is what we are seeing again toda .~ ., today. when i spoke to you a few weeks ago _ today. when i spoke to you a few weeks ago my — today. when i spoke to you a few weeks ago my final _ today. when i spoke to you a few weeks ago my final question - today. when i spoke to you a few weeks ago my final question to i today. when i spoke to you a few. weeks ago my final question to you was do you think, when we get the next set of data that we will start to see the impact of coronavirus vaccinations? you said possibly, but not yet according to this latest data. take us through that. yes. data. take us through that. yes, clearly the _ data. take us through that. yes, clearly the people _ data. take us through that. yes, clearly the people who _ data. take us through that. yes, clearly the people who have - data. take us through that. 1913 clearly the people who have been vaccinated are those most at risk, the older population. we do not see a bigger drop in that group then we see right across the age ranges. we don't think the vaccine programme currently is responsible for this fall. of course the vaccine is there

to protect the most vulnerable because they are the ones who get severe illness and go into hospital and sadly some die. we really need to keep an eye on what the vaccine effect is on transmission and of course we are measuring the prevalence of the virus in the population, which is looking at that transmission between people. [30 population, which is looking at that transmission between people. do you think that transmission between people. do you thinkthat as— transmission between people. do you think that as people _ transmission between people. do you think that as people and _ transmission between people. do you think that as people and younger - transmission between people. do you think that as people and younger age | think that as people and younger age groups start to get that vaccination we are going to see more of an impact from it? it we are going to see more of an impact from it?— we are going to see more of an impact from it? we are going to see more of an im act from it? ., , , , ., impact from it? it really depends on the effect of — impact from it? it really depends on the effect of the _ impact from it? it really depends on the effect of the vaccine _ impact from it? it really depends on the effect of the vaccine on - the effect of the vaccine on transmission of the virus, notjust on protecting people from severe disease. we are of course hopeful the vaccine will protect people and if that is the case, it will have an impact right across the population as you are suggesting. i impact right across the population as you are suggesting.— as you are suggesting. i want to have a look— as you are suggesting. i want to have a look with _ as you are suggesting. i want to have a look with you _ as you are suggesting. i want to have a look with you at - as you are suggesting. i want to have a look with you at the - as you are suggesting. i want to have a look with you at the age | have a look with you at the age groups where the rates relatively are higher. we are talking 18 to 2a—year—olds and five to 12—year—olds. particularly with that

latter group in discussions around when schools should reopen fully, what are your thoughts based on the data, based on the science currently?— data, based on the science currentl ? ~ , ., ., , currently? we did see a drop in prevalence _ currently? we did see a drop in prevalence across _ currently? we did see a drop in prevalence across all _ currently? we did see a drop in prevalence across all ages, - prevalence across all ages, including the younger people that you mentioned. but you are right, they now have the highest rates. they are still below 1%, but it is still very high. in terms of schooling, the younger age, five to 12—year—olds, more children are in school than it was the case in lockdown and as the criteria have opened up, more children are eligible to go to school. it is possible this is a source of infection and that needs to be balanced up against the very strong desire of everyone to get people back to school. clearly that has to be a number one priority for the government as they look at the data. but overall, as your report said,

the levels in the population are still high. we are looking at rates that are at a level that we saw last september. they are certainly higher than when we came out lockdown one inmate when we started our survey. professor paul elliott, good as ever to talk to you. thank you very much for your time. the director of the reactor study. we have heard about scotland and plans for getting back to school and today we will be talking to a head teacher in northern ireland later this hour. the duke of edinburgh has spent a second night in hospital after being admitted as a precautionary measure on tuesday evening. he is expected to stay at the king edward vii hospital in central london for the next few days, for rest and observation. sources say prince philip's illness is not related to coronavirus. 0ur correspondent, charlotte wright is outside king edward vii hospital in central london for us. any update on prince philip is my

condition? apologies, we will try to get back to charlotte very soon. the labour leader sir keir starmer will use a speech this morning to set out his own ideas for rebuilding the country after the covid crisis ends. he'll say there cannot be a "return to business as usual" in the wake of the pandemic, and is expected to suggest that a new partnership is needed between business and the state. 0ur chief political correspondent, adam fleming, is at westminster. what are we expecting from sir keir starmer later? there has been some criticism about his leadership in recent weeks. are we expecting an ideological speech from him? . ., , , ., from him? there will certainly be a lot of ideas — from him? there will certainly be a lot of ideas in _ from him? there will certainly be a lot of ideas in it _ from him? there will certainly be a lot of ideas in it and _ from him? there will certainly be a lot of ideas in it and it _ from him? there will certainly be a lot of ideas in it and it will- from him? there will certainly be a lot of ideas in it and it will be - lot of ideas in it and it will be split into two. there is the short term a bit, which is looking forward to the budget, which is a less than

two weeks. keir starmer will say that the government should continue the temporary increase to universal credit and continue the vat cut for hospitality to help them cope with the pandemic. that means he can get a bit of credit if the government ends up doing any of those things. then there is the longer term bit, which is saying after the budget the country will face a fog in the road where we will have to decide what kind of recovery we want and the recovery keir starmer is offering is one with a big state and an interventionist government and he thinks the pandemic proves that is what the public want. labour are having to take this approach, though, because their own research and their own contact with voters shows the general public do not think of coronavirus as a hugely political thing. they see it as an external thing that came in and borisjohnson the prime minister has had to do his best to deal with that threat. this is also an attempt and a chance for labour to reinject the politics into the debate about

coronavirus. 0ne politics into the debate about coronavirus. one of the other points keir starmer will be making, and one of the allegations he will make, is that the uk has had a worse outcome in the pandemic because of some of the decisions the tory government has made over the last decade. in the words of one labour adviser, labour are trying to do to the conservatives ahead of the next election what the conservatives did to labour during the financial crisis. �* ., ., ~ , ., , to labour during the financial crisis. �* . ., ~' , ., , . crisis. adam, thank you very much. adam fleming. _ crisis. adam, thank you very much. adam fleming, our— crisis. adam, thank you very much. adam fleming, our chief _ crisis. adam, thank you very much. adam fleming, our chief political . adam fleming, our chief political correspondent. that speech from the labour leader is expected shortly after 11 o'clock this morning. as we've been hearing the duke of edinburgh has spent a second night in hospital after being admitted as a precautionary measure on tuesday evening. 0ur correspondent, charlotte wright is outside king edward the seventh hospital

in central london for us. any updates? they do not give updates, they consider them private. it is the second morning the duke will be spending in the hospital. he was admitted on tuesday evening as a precautionary measure on the advice of his doctor. we were told he had been feeling unwell for a few days before he was admitted here. but he has been admitted for observation and rest we are told. they have ruled out coronavirus. they say he had his first vaccine last month at windsor castle alongside the queen as well. it does seem to be that he is here as a precautionary measure, as they have said. the queen has remained in windsor. she is still carrying out her royal duties there at the moment. we know the duke and duchess of cornwall as well have been continuing their royal duties as well. they were out on a royal visit yesterday. the message from the royals at the moment does seem

to be very much keep calm and carry on. as soon as we have an update, we will bring it to you here on bbc news. ., ., . ., news. charlotte right in central london for _ news. charlotte right in central london for us. _ the care minister, helen whately, has been speaking this morning about increasing the amount of visiting allowed at care homes. she said the government didn't want to have to wait until residents had had theirfull course of the coronavirus vaccination, but insisted that opening up had to be "step by step". as we come out of this national lockdown i really want to enable more visiting so that people can go back to holding hands, being able to have much more normal contact with their relatives and loved ones in care homes. i think it has been one of the hardest things in this pandemic so i really want us to open up. i don't want to have to wait for the second vaccinations. clearly thatis the second vaccinations. clearly that is really important to give care home residents maximum protection, but i really want us to be able to open up cautiously and

carefully, to enable residents some contact with family members, because i know it is so important. the headlines on bbc news. new research shows there's been a strong decline in corinavirus infection levels since the current lockdown restrictions were put in place. and the duke of edinburgh has spent a second night in hospital after being admitted as a precautionary measure on tuesday evening. the government is being urged to gradually wind down the furlough scheme to keep a lid on rising unemployment. around one—in—ten people who contract covid—19 still experience symptoms three months after their diagnosis, according to a study by the office for national statistics. now a group of mps say key workers and frontline staff who are suffering from long—term effects, and unable to return to work, should get compensation. tim muffett has more.

oh, no. 38.9. i don't know what to do. i actually don't know what to do. this is the highest temperature i have ever had. sophie is a nurse and midwife. she says she's been ruined by covid. my muscles ache all the time. i feel dizzy every day, i feel like i want to vomit every day. around one in ten people who contract covid experience symptoms 12 weeks after their diagnosis, according to preliminary research last year by the office of national statistics. myjourney started with a headache, the same headache that i now have 10.5 months on. and i became gravely unwell with covid at the age of 27. imagine running a marathon with no finish line at all. so ijust feel that i'm

running every single day, entirely exhausted, and i have no idea when this will end. i've got a sore throat, i wake up like this most mornings, and if i don't wake up like this, my tonsilsjust feel really, really sore. obviously you haven't been able to return to work. what impact has that had on you? i've never cried so much. the guidance says that coronavirus absence or coronavirus related absence should be full pay for the duration of the pandemic. but how employers interpret that is sort of up to their discretion, so i actually don't know how long i'm going to be on full pay for, i don't know if my contract is going to be terminated. you know, i've got a mortgage, i've got a partner, i have a family, how am i going to sustain all that?

you know, i was fit and well, i've never had any long—term illnesses, i have no underlying conditions. iona is a secondary school teacher. she used to run regularly. she contracted covid last march. standing up and breathing and walking is really, really difficult. it wasn'tjust not being able to work, it'sjust not being able to do anything, and it'sjust, as the weeks went on, it was... it sort of felt like being slowly erased because it was like all your plans and all the things you normally do in your life were just being taken away one by one. all my muscles hurt and ache all the time. i'm certain i caught it in the workplace because i was, i have a vulnerable family member so before everyone else was looking at locking down and using hand gel, i was taking every precaution. my digestion has been really all over the place.

iona attempted a phased return to work last year which was paused because of lockdown. she's set up a teachers with covid facebook page. teachers are a really dedicated bunch of people. and it's a whole, yeah, it's your whole life, it's who you are. to have that taken away, it's devastating financially, but also, it's not just a job, you know, it's a vocation, it's a career. just getting really dizzy... the government has today pledged a further £18.5 million to fund research into long covid. two inhalers here. to better understand the causes, symptoms and treatments. there are calls for more action. earlier this month, spainjoined other countries including france, germany and belgium in officially recognising covid as an occupational disease. that means that certain employees are entitled to compensation if they contract it during their employment.

evie would welcome a similar move here. she suspects she caught covid whilst working in a supermarket in dundee last march. i got sick the week of all the panic buying. and everyone going to the shops. i've been sick for nearly 11 months now. i have chronic fatigue, breathlessness, chest pains, brain fog, and exertional tachycardia whichjust means that my heart rate goes to high levels. as you can see, my heart rate has been all over the place today. i had to take a break in my four hour shift, just to go and try and get my breathing under control and i had chest pain. i was very lucky that my employer paid my full wage while i was off. but i do know there's other people that are getting just a statutory sick pay and that's not enough. the government says it is acutely

aware of the indiscriminate and lasting impacts covid—19 can have, as well as the dedication and hard work of so many front line staff. but for many who have survived covid, its long—term impact has been life changing. tim muffett, bbc news. 38.1. lets talk now to layla moran mp, chair of the all—party parliamentary group on coronavirus. thank you very much forjoining us this morning. it neverfails to strike me when i talk to people or listen to people who are suffering from the long—term impacts of covid just how debilitating this is on their daily lives. currently if someone is suffering from long covid, what are they entitled to by way of sick pay? is itjust statutory sick pay? it way of sick pay? is it 'ust statutory sick pay? it really de-ends statutory sick pay? it really depends on _ statutory sick pay? it really depends on their _ statutory sick pay? it really| depends on their profession statutory sick pay? it really - depends on their profession and one of the things we are calling for its employee guidelines, so that this

can be better managed across society at the moment. in terms of scale, one in ten people are potentially affected by this. that is a huge number of people, that is potentially hundreds of thousands of people. at the moment if you are an nhs worker there is a special pot they have set up so that you can receive full pay until the end of the pandemic, but no one knows what that actually means. people are concerned that when that day comes they will be left with nothing. we have heard about clinicians on the front line who went in in february, march, we know full well the stories about inadequate protective equipment that was available at that time. there was not even adequate testing then. they contracted coronavirus and had fairly mild symptoms at the time and learn months later the long covid is even worse they often report that the initial bout. they are worried they will end up losing their livelihoods. these are the very

people who have been saving lives. that is not right. if long covid is reclassified as an occupational disease what practical difference does that make? it disease what practical difference does that make?— disease what practical difference does that make? it would make a world of difference. _ does that make? it would make a world of difference. for— does that make? it would make a world of difference. for those - world of difference. for those front—line workers we are calling for a compensation scheme for them, similar to what we have for the armed forces. we successfully call for compensation for families for those front line workers who tragically passed away due to coronavirus. those families now get £60,000. this would be an extension of that, recognising that in the line of duty, while they were serving their country, they got sick and if they cannot go back to work they will be taken care of by the state. that is the main call we are making today. in addition to that we want more research. we welcome the funding announced today, although we point out that america and the us congress has earmarked $1.5 billion,

as opposed to 18.5 million in this country, so we do think more should be available. we want a national register because at the moment we don't know how many people are suffering from this. if you go to your gp you can get a diagnosis, but there is not a tick box for the gp to say long covid. we do not have that statistic. and that recognition from the employers and the welfare system is the main thing we need. how will we mitigate the impact of long covid across the whole of society now? b, long covid across the whole of society now?— long covid across the whole of socie now? �* , ., . ., , society now? a number of countries have already _ society now? a number of countries have already gone _ society now? a number of countries have already gone down _ society now? a number of countries have already gone down the - society now? a number of countries have already gone down the route l society now? a number of countries| have already gone down the route of classifying this as an occupational disease, germany, belgium, denmark and spain in the last few days. have you had any specific response from the prime ministerfor you had any specific response from the prime minister for this? you had any specific response from the prime ministerfor this? it is a week since a letter was sent to him from mps and peers across several parties, plus the british medical association. what is the process if the prime minister is agreeable for this for making this happen? i

raised this with him in prime minister's questions last week and he recognises that long covid exists. he said he is gratefulfor the work that front line workers have done, but i am afraid i think it is a bit of a dereliction of duty that this has not already happened. we first wrote to the prime minister about long covid and the issues we could already foresee were going to come back in august last year. the government has had a long time to announce a scheme like this and we have heard nothing from them in return for the letter. my sincere hope is thatjust like with the original compensation scheme that was announced for front line workers who pass away, the government will now put this into place and ensure that our front line workers, the nhs workers that we went out and clapped for every thursday, are able to get that peace of mind that comes with knowing that their livelihoods are not going to be lost because they did the right thing and save lives.

thank you very much. facebook has blocked users in australia from sharing or viewing news on its platform amid a growing dispute about a proposed law. the government legislation would force google and facebook to pay for news content, but the tech giants say this unfairly "penalises" their platforms. the ban has sparked a backlash, with many australians angry about their sudden loss of access to trusted and authoritative sources. phil mercer is in sydney for us. give us the background to all of this. we know it is about the new law that facebook objects to, give us the detail. this law that facebook ob'ects to, give us the debit us the detail. this is a media bargaining — us the detail. this is a media bargaining code _ us the detail. this is a media bargaining code that - us the detail. this is a media bargaining code that the - us the detail. this is a media - bargaining code that the australian government hopes will level the playing field between traditional media and social media platforms and search engines. now, australia, if this law was to progress, would be the first country in the world to force tech giants such as google and

facebook to pay for the news they repost on their services. what we have had today is facebook taking the pretty extraordinary decision to block australian users from viewing or sharing news sources, news items, from websites here in australia and overseas. the australian government is furious. the prime minister, scott morrison, saying his administration will not be intimidated. there is a feeling that facebook is being heavy—handed. for its part, facebook believes this new law fundamentally misunderstands the use of the internet and what it is for and how it is used. it is always said that by reposting other news from other sources it is essentially generating media or internet traffic and revenue for those traditional media sources. what we have here is a fight that has been brewing for

quite a long time and this fight promises to be a bout between two heavyweights. irlat promises to be a bout between two heavyweights-— heavyweights. not all the other latforms heavyweights. not all the other platforms are — heavyweights. not all the other platforms are taking _ heavyweights. not all the other platforms are taking this - heavyweights. not all the other platforms are taking this tough | platforms are taking this tough approach that facebook is. presumably facebook is concerned that if it was to pay for news content for its australian users, that would set a precedent that other countries might try to follow? we understand that authorities in canada and the european union are tracking the progress of this australian legislation very carefully indeed. if it goes through here, which seems likely, it would passin here, which seems likely, it would pass in the lower house on wednesday and it goes to the upper chamber, the senate, next week and we expected to be passed. the european union, canadian authorities and perhaps others may well be looking at the australian experience and perhaps expanding it elsewhere. google, as you say, is taking a very different tack in all of this. 0nce

different tack in all of this. once upon a time it was trenchant in its views like facebook, but we have seen quite a softening in recent times. this week google has struck deals under this bargaining code with three major australian publishers and broadcasters. google on the one hand is adhering to the government's legislation, facebook on the other hand is rolling up its sleeves and seems ready for a fight. phil, thank you very much. phil mercer in sydney. phil mercer in sydney. an investigation is under way after a house collapsed near bury in greater manchester overnight. two people were taken to hospital and residents from a number of nearby properties were also evacuated following reports of an explosion just after nine o'clock. emergency services remain at the scene. barclays bank has reported that its profits before tax are down 30% on last year, at £3.1 billion. while its investment division did well out of volatility in the markets, seeing a record performance, retail banking has been exposed to the uk economy and struggled to make money in a low

interest rate landscape. the bank's set aside nearly £5 billion for loans that it thinks won't be paid back. a report on the economic impact of the pandemic has found that almost two million people haven't worked for at least six months because they were unemployed or fully furloughed. the living standards think—tank, the resolution foundation, says its study highlights the lasting damage done to job security. a treasury spokesman said the government would continue to invest in protecting and creating jobs. let's talk to our business presenter ben thompson. talk to us about this figure of 2 million. how does the resolution foundation calculate that? it is fascinating _ foundation calculate that? it is fascinating because _ foundation calculate that? it 3 fascinating because on one hand the idea of a call for the furlough scheme to be extended is nothing new. we have heard it before, we

have heard it from any other supporters about extending the furlough scheme long before the april deadline. it is due to end at the end of april. the resolution foundation says there is a cliff edge coming because the number of people who have not been working is at 2 million. just shy of 2 million people have not been in any sort of work at all because of the impact coronavirus has had on the economy. they may, in some cases, have been out of work entirely for that time. some may have been on and off furlough according to the lockdown restrictions. some businesses have not been able to open, predominantly retail and hospitality. they are warning that at the end of the furlough scheme there could be a dramatic surge in unemployment because we must remember that in the official unemployment figures anyone who is currently on the furlough scheme is not classed as unemployed. so they fear there could be a sharp cliff edge that comes when the scheme is wound down.

8% had been told theirjob would not exist or they would be made redundant when the scheme ends so there is a realfear the headline rate of unemployment could soar when the government once done thejob support scheme. unemployment in the uk currently 5%, 1.7 support scheme. unemployment in the uk currently 5%,1.7 million people. there are concerns it could rise significantly to about 7—8% over the air as thejob support scheme is wound down equating to 2.6 million people out of work —— year. clearly the government is trying to avoid that but nonetheless no details yet as to whether the phyllo scheme will be affected. �* , ., be affected. briefly, there are calls for the — be affected. briefly, there are calls for the scheme - be affected. briefly, there are calls for the scheme to - be affected. briefly, there are calls for the scheme to be - be affected. briefly, there are i calls for the scheme to be wound be affected. briefly, there are - calls for the scheme to be wound up gradually rather than suddenly ——

that furlough scheme. many of the people currently unemployed who are on furlough would say, when normal times return, thejobs will be entirely viable again. times return, the jobs will be entirely viable again.- times return, the jobs will be entirely viable again. yes, but the bi issue entirely viable again. yes, but the big issue for _ entirely viable again. yes, but the big issue for many _ entirely viable again. yes, but the big issue for many industries - entirely viable again. yes, but the big issue for many industries is i entirely viable again. yes, but the i big issue for many industries is how long they can go for in lockdown making money. if you think about the amount of money that these businesses are having to payjust to keep their businesses closed. furlough does not come free, still paying a contribution in terms of tax and national insurance for each worker on top of things like rent they may be paying on properties. at they may be paying on properties. at the same time, was looking at who is most affected by this. 0nce the same time, was looking at who is most affected by this. once again, likely to be younger people, those on lower incomes with less stable jobs and particularly female workers, we have seen particularly in things like retail. those could be the most vulnerable if there are

further job be the most vulnerable if there are furtherjob cuts down the line. what we want to see is a gradual easing of the filo scheme, may be more specific support for specific sectors —— the furlough scheme. things should bounce back when lockdown is lifted but it depends if businesses can make up for the ground they have lost in lockdown. thank you. if you are a business owner with employees on furlough or and employee worried yourjob will not last if the furlough scheme comes to a sudden end, get in touch with us and tell us about your story. i am on twitter. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol. a cooler day today than it has been of late but temperatures will

recover once again on the weekend. we have a band of rain continuing journeying into the north sea. behind it, sunshine and showers except across the north—west of scotland where there is some rain. gusty winds particularly with exposure in the west. tonight most of the showers will fade, dry before the next band of rain in strengthening winds come in from the atlantic. 0vernight lows, maybe seven in the south—west. tomorrow the same band of rain will slowly push eastwards but it does not look like it will make it into some eastern areas which should remain dry. balefulswings eastern areas which should remain dry. baleful swings in the west. —— gail force winds.

hello, this is bbc news. the headlines: scientists tracking coronavirus in england say there's been a strong decline in infection levels since the current lockdown began. the duke of edinburgh has spent a second night in hospital after being admitted as a precautionary measure on tuesday evening. the government is being urged to gradually wind down the furlough scheme to keep a lid on rising unemployment. australia's prime minister has accused facebook of unfriending his country, after it blocked news feeds in a row over a new social media law. and seven minutes of terror for nasa — its perseverence rover will face its descent to the surface of mars today. sport, and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here's mike bushell.

good morning. fans are back for the australian open after five days without them. it follows the end of the latest lockdown in the state of victoria so the 7,000 strong crowd are cheering on the first men's semifinal which is under way. world number one novak djokovic is up against qualifier aslan karatsev from russia. novak djokovic is dominating. heading towards the final. now earlier, the fans will have wondered if they witnessed a bit of history. serena willams had been in great form but the trouble was she was up against the in—form naomi 0saka, who's on a 20—match winning run and she won 6—3, 6—4. it was rather fitting that some fans were back allowed back and they gave the seven—time champion, serena, a standing

ovation. serena is now 39, and placed her hand on her heart and each time she goes out of a grand slam event, there are questions about how many more times she would try to equal the record of 2a grand slam wins, and whether this might bea final goodbye to melbourne. i don't know. i wouldn't tell anyone. i don't know. i wouldn't tell an one. i don't know. i wouldn't tell anyone-— i don't know. i wouldn't tell an one. ., , anyone. saying about on. there is throu~h anyone. saying about on. there is through the _ anyone. saying about on. there is through the match, _ anyone. saying about on. there is through the match, considering i anyone. saying about on. there is l through the match, considering how well you _ through the match, considering how well you play to get at this stage, what _ well you play to get at this stage, what do _ well you play to get at this stage, what do you feel caused that? —— unforced — what do you feel caused that? —— unforced errors. was itjust a bad day at _ unforced errors. was itjust a bad day at the — unforced errors. was itjust a bad day at the office? | unforced errors. was it 'ust a bad day at the office?_ day at the office? i don't know. emotional— day at the office? i don't know. emotional scenes. _ day at the office? i don't know. emotional scenes. still- day at the office? i don't know. emotional scenes. still pretty l day at the office? i don't know. - emotional scenes. still pretty much straight after. you can understand the raw emotions. naomi 0saka will now be strong favourite in the final, as she faces fellow americanjennifer brady. brady and the czech karolina muchova went to a deciding set, which, after a final game, of more than ten minutes,

brady took 6—4 to reach her first grand slam final. she was beaten by 0saka in the us open semifinal last year. manchester city aren't talking about the premier league title yet, according to their manager pep guardiola. but everyone else is, as they made it seven wins on the trot and are now ten points clear at the top of the premier league, thanks to a 3—1win over everton. riyad mahrez and then bernardo silva making sure of the result, and the everton boss conceded it's almost impossible to compete with city these days. elsewhere, fulham drew one—all with burnley. when you have 42 points to fight and to play, february, middle of february, now is rest, we go to london, and after, three days, three days, everyone has to be ready. celtic are back in form and beat 4th—placed aberdeen,

but they are still 15 points behind the league leaders rangers. an early goal was enough to give neil lennon's side the three points. callum mchegor receiving the ball from the goalkeeper and eventually finding david turnbull who made it 1—0. it's a sixth game without a goal now for aberdeen. elsewhere, st mirren and hamilton academical drew 1—1. the tokyo 0lympic organising committe has a new president. seiko hashimoto, who competed in four winter and three summer games, takes over after yoshiri mori, a formerjapanese prime minister, was forced to resign last week after making sexist comments about women. great britain's elliot giles ran the second—quickest indoor 800m in history, also breaking the british record held by sebastian coe since 1983. the 26—year—old clocked 1.43.63 to beat compatriot

jamie webb in poland for a third victory of the series. that bodes well for one may move back outside leading up to the olympics of course. that's all the sport for now. thank you very much for that. getting children back to school as soon as possible is something the prime minister has indicated he wants to see as a priority. but how will this happen practically? the head of the association of school and college leaders, geoff barton, says that the government has accepted this should happen in a phased way. let's hear more from geoff barton. good to see you. before we talk about a phased return in more detail, i want your reaction to the report out in several places that there are plans for parents to test children twice a week at home as a method for getting more kids back to school. schools of course have been open throughout the pandemic for

vulnerable children and children of key workers. vulnerable children and children of key workers-— vulnerable children and children of key workers. yes, i don't know the details of that. _ key workers. yes, i don't know the details of that. i _ key workers. yes, i don't know the details of that. i kind _ key workers. yes, i don't know the details of that. i kind of— details of that. i kind of understand where it might have come from because you will remember before christmas there was talk about secondary schools needing to do some form of mass testing, lateral flow testing, which we will talk about. the expectation was with primary children that would not happen and instead tests would be sent home. the idea of testing being done at home is an entirely new. what is new from what i have read this morning is the idea at some point parents would have a responsibility to do that twice a week, i don't know where that has come from and i don't know how parents would respond. given people have questions about the efficacy of the tests, is it a good idea? what problem will that solve for us? that rives rise problem will that solve for us? that gives rise to — problem will that solve for us? that gives rise to a _ problem will that solve for us? that gives rise to a number of questions, people have questions about the efficacy of the tests, whether the tests are being done in the way that

is needed at home, and of course schools have been expecting to run this themselves, making preparations to run the test in themselves. if this was the case, it would be a bit of an about turn. do you think it could potentially work? aha, of an about turn. do you think it could potentially work? a number of thins are could potentially work? a number of things are going _ could potentially work? a number of things are going on _ could potentially work? a number of things are going on here. _ could potentially work? a number of things are going on here. festival, l things are going on here. festival, the decision has not been made, we will be listening, all of us, to hear what is announced on monday —— first of all. if testing is going to happen in secondary schools, which was always the intention, scrambling to try to put together forjanuary, if that is still the case, by definition, you will have to face the return of young people, if you are running a school as i use two of 1600 young people and you cannot send them to the classroom until you have done the lateral flow test, you would have to bring in different year groups at different points. so there would be a phased return. the

thing that has changed therefore is, are we saying you just do the testing initially and with the responsibility thereafter goes to the family estimate just as you would expect families to make sure children have their school uniform and homework. that is what appears from the newspapers this morning. my final point would be to say we have always said as a school and college leaders our expertise is in education rather than setting up field hospitals. if you are saying that it field hospitals. if you are saying thatitis field hospitals. if you are saying that it is useful initially to do that, it is reassuring, but then we can concentrate on education, that is something we would strongly endorse, get to the education and do the kind of recovery of learning young people need so much. aha, the kind of recovery of learning young people need so much. a phased return, young people need so much. a phased return. what — young people need so much. a phased return, what does _ young people need so much. a phased return, what does that _ young people need so much. a phased return, what does that mean - young people need so much. a phased return, what does that mean for - young people need so much. a phased return, what does that mean for you? | return, what does that mean for you? early years and final year ofjunior school and exam years and secondary schools? —— exam years in secondary schools. it schools? -- exam years in secondary schools. , , , . ., ., schools? -- exam years in secondary schools. . ., ., , , schools. it is speculation but they would be a _

schools. it is speculation but they would be a logic— schools. it is speculation but they would be a logic to _ schools. it is speculation but they would be a logic to that. - schools. it is speculation but they would be a logic to that. early - would be a logic to that. early years in primary years, not expecting schools to do anything other than what they do best, the education part, makes sense you would see those young people going back. an argument for saying in higher education the young people who are going to graduate this year particularly of medicine because we will need medics in the future, specialist equipment, and perhaps the exam years, yet 11, 13, so they can prepare for whatever the tests look like, an argument for that. we would also say the trouble with that is if i am a year seven child, just had a term, possibly disjointed, in secondary school, where does that leave me in all of this? we have been suggesting there are other ways, of having a rotor system where you try to get every young person to have some contact with their teacher in a phased way over the coming weeks so you could go into the easter break with every youngster having had some quality of education with the teacher assessing where we

are now and what we need to do for them in the future.— them in the future. good to talk to ou, them in the future. good to talk to you. geoff — them in the future. good to talk to you, geoff barton, _ them in the future. good to talk to you, geoff barton, general- them in the future. good to talk to l you, geoff barton, general secretary you, geoff barton, generalsecretary of association of school and college leaders. the northern ireland executive are meeting today to discuss the way out of lockdown. plans for easing of restrictions are expected later including when schools are due to go back. let's speak now to fiona kane, head teacher at st ronan's college, in lurgan. great to talk to you. what do you think should happen in regards to a timetable for opening up to all pupils? timetable for opening up to all .u ils? , ., ., timetable for opening up to all “uils? ., " pupils? good morning. ithinki would support _ pupils? good morning. ithinki would support the _ pupils? good morning. ithinki would support the phased - pupils? good morning. ithink i. would support the phased return pupils? good morning. ithink i - would support the phased return idea that geoff was discussing. we have had a couple of periods of lockdown and it would be very beneficial for everyone to take time and reopen everything slowly, more slowly may be done in the past. the lockdown is

definitely having a positive impact on transmission in our community and we don't want to rush to quickly and potentially have another period of lockdown or school closures. beaten lockdown or school closures. seven weeks since — lockdown or school closures. seven weeks since northern _ lockdown or school closures. seven weeks since northern ireland - lockdown or school closures. seven weeks since northern ireland entered the current lockdown. you talk about not rushing, which heard about the deputy chief science adviser talking to a commons committee yesterday or the day before that at this time she would like to see more of a gap between each phase of return to normality, so with regards to schools, quite a gap after that to see what impact schools were having. i wander around easter, see what impact schools were having. iwander around easter, do see what impact schools were having. i wander around easter, do you think it is worth bringing some children back to four than or you should hold tight and keep children home learning and bring them back after the easter break —— i wonder. irate the easter break -- i wonder. we will follow _ the easter break —— i wonder. - will follow the medical and scientific evidence and their advice

and guidance and our school has been open throughout this period of closure for vulnerable and key worker children and we are very happy with the levels of engagement with home learning. we would prioritise exam classes because we are going to enter a period of weeks and months ahead where we have to have two determine grades and we would love to have more confidence in young people and get them back to school, all of them, as quickly but as safely as possible.— school, all of them, as quickly but as safely as possible. good to hear ou have as safely as possible. good to hear you have had _ as safely as possible. good to hear you have had good _ as safely as possible. good to hear you have had good engagement. i as safely as possible. good to hear- you have had good engagement. some teachers have concerns about making the gap in lost attainment and lost progress. how would you manage around testing pupils?— progress. how would you manage around testing pupils? testing for the virus? yes, _ around testing pupils? testing for the virus? yes, i _ around testing pupils? testing for the virus? yes, i beg _ around testing pupils? testing for the virus? yes, i beg your - around testing pupils? testing for| the virus? yes, i beg your pardon, testin: the virus? yes, i beg your pardon, testing for — the virus? yes, i beg your pardon, testing for the _ the virus? yes, i beg your pardon, testing for the virus. _ the virus? yes, i beg your pardon, testing for the virus. i _ the virus? yes, i beg your pardon, testing for the virus. i agree - the virus? yes, i beg your pardon, testing for the virus. i agree with i testing for the virus. i agree with geoff barton- _ testing for the virus. i agree with geoff barton. we _ testing for the virus. i agree with geoff barton. we are _ testing for the virus. i agree with geoff barton. we are not - testing for the virus. i agree with geoff barton. we are not healthl geoff barton. we are not health professionals. we have not had to do that in northern ireland and i would urge against it and rather focus on

education. we cannot assess the gap in learning until the young people are back for teachers to assess that gap- are back for teachers to assess that i a . _ ., are back for teachers to assess that a -. ., ., ., are back for teachers to assess that ~a.- ., ., ., , ., , are back for teachers to assess that can. ., ., ., , ., , ., are back for teachers to assess that gap. you do not see any role. is actually carrying _ gap. you do not see any role. is actually carrying out _ gap. you do not see any role. is actually carrying out testing - actually carrying out testing themselves? you would prefer not to have to do that, even if it gives you more of a guarantee that schools can run in as normal a way as possible. can run in as normal a way as possible-— can run in as normal a way as ossible. ~ ., ., ., ., . ,, ., possible. we had to do track and trace and it _ possible. we had to do track and trace and it took _ possible. we had to do track and trace and it took an _ possible. we had to do track and trace and it took an incredible i trace and it took an incredible amount of time. it took us away from our core business. i understand that we were playing our part in that. with teenagers, a lot of them could be asymptomatic. the evidence in our local community is there wasn't transmission in school, it was community spread. we have put the onus on parents. since christmas, we

have not been tracking and tracing, we do not know what has been happening out there with families regarding... if they have tested positive for the virus. i would prefer not to test in school. i would prefer that we followed the guidance we have in place before christmas. ., ., ., guidance we have in place before christmas-— christmas. fiona, good to talk to ou, we christmas. fiona, good to talk to you. we wish _ christmas. fiona, good to talk to you. we wish you _ christmas. fiona, good to talk to you, we wish you and _ christmas. fiona, good to talk to you, we wish you and your- christmas. fiona, good to talk to - you, we wish you and your colleagues and pupils well and we watch with interest later to see what the northern island executive decides regarding the full reopening of schools. —— ireland. fiona kane from county armagh. for the past 12 years, a horse riding stables in south london has provided a place of comfort and therapy for hundreds of young people with disabilities. but with the landlord wanting to sell, the community have a week left to raise the £1 million needed to buy it, or face closure. fiona lamdin has the story. these are staples in south—west london have been here for nearly 200

years. forthe london have been here for nearly 200 years. for the last 12, they have been helping those with disabilities. but now the owner wants to sell. d0 disabilities. but now the owner wants to sell.— disabilities. but now the owner wants to sell. , ., ., ., wants to sell. do you want to give him a carrot? _ wants to sell. do you want to give him a carrot? 18-year-old - wants to sell. do you want to give | him a carrot? 18-year-old dominic has cerebral _ him a carrot? 18-year-old dominic has cerebral palsy. _ him a carrot? 18-year-old dominic has cerebral palsy. we _ him a carrot? 18-year-old dominic has cerebral palsy. we all- him a carrot? 18-year-old dominic has cerebral palsy. we all want - him a carrot? 18-year-old dominic| has cerebral palsy. we all want the best for our— has cerebral palsy. we all want the best for our children _ has cerebral palsy. we all want the best for our children but _ has cerebral palsy. we all want the best for our children but when - has cerebral palsy. we all want the best for our children but when you | best for our children but when you get someone like dominic who cannot access anything, just seeing the joy and the one activity that can give him what nothing else can do, that is why it is so important. sorry. that emotional. time is running out. they have just seven days to raise hundreds of thousands and they are desperate for help. i feel hundreds of thousands and they are desperate for help.— desperate for help. i feel enormous ressure desperate for help. i feel enormous pressure because _ desperate for help. i feel enormous pressure because 350 _ desperate for help. i feel enormous pressure because 350 disabled - desperate for help. i feel enormous i pressure because 350 disabled people are relying on us. i absolutely have

to do— are relying on us. i absolutely have to do it _ are relying on us. i absolutely have to do it for— are relying on us. i absolutely have to do it for them and i feel like i am carrying _ to do it for them and i feel like i am carrying the weight of them on my back _ am carrying the weight of them on my back i_ am carrying the weight of them on my back ifeel_ am carrying the weight of them on my back. i feel sick all of the time and i_ back. i feel sick all of the time and i am — back. i feel sick all of the time and i am worried to sleep because i think— and i am worried to sleep because i think i_ and i am worried to sleep because i think i am _ and i am worried to sleep because i think i am wasting hours when we only have — think i am wasting hours when we only have one week left. 14-year-old louis has autism. _ only have one week left. 14-year-old louis has autism. he _ only have one week left. 14-year-old louis has autism. he says _ only have one week left. 14-year-old louis has autism. he says the - louis has autism. he says the stables and the horses have changed his life. i stables and the horses have changed his life. . , stables and the horses have changed his life. ., , , ,, his life. i get really stressed, anic his life. i get really stressed, panic attacks. _ his life. i get really stressed, panic attacks, and _ his life. i get really stressed, panic attacks, and just - his life. i get really stressed, l panic attacks, and just coming his life. i get really stressed, - panic attacks, and just coming to the stables has really helped, being around the animals, being able to see them every day. give a pony a hug. see them every day. give a pony a hu. _ ,, ., �* ., see them every day. give a pony a hu~. ,, ., ~ ., ., ., see them every day. give a pony a hug. show me. and for hannah who is visually impaired, _ hug. show me. and for hannah who is visually impaired, without _ hug. show me. and for hannah who is visually impaired, without the - visually impaired, without the stables, she would be unemployed. it has improved my mental health dramatically. it has allowed me to

find out _ dramatically. it has allowed me to find out what i am good at. philippa has learning — find out what i am good at. philippa has learning difficulties _ find out what i am good at. philippa has learning difficulties and - find out what i am good at. philippa has learning difficulties and she - has learning difficulties and she has learning difficulties and she has been writing here for ten years. when i am with the horses, it makes me feel like another person because it makes me forget about everything and gets rid of my worries and everything. and gets rid of my worries and everything-— and gets rid of my worries and eve hinu. ., ., everything. the appeal has attracted some celebrity _ everything. the appeal has attracted some celebrity backing. _ everything. the appeal has attracted some celebrity backing. just - some celebrity backing. just brilliant the _ some celebrity backing. just brilliant the community has come together— brilliant the community has come together so quickly to raise half of the money needed to save it, but £1 million _ the money needed to save it, but £1 million is _ the money needed to save it, but £1 million is the target and time is ticking — million is the target and time is ticking. they have until the end of february — ticking. they have until the end of february. pretty urgent and i so hope _ february. pretty urgent and i so hope the — february. pretty urgent and i so hope the stables can be saved. the messare hope the stables can be saved. the message is — hope the stables can be saved. iie: message is clear, when hope the stables can be saved. "iie: message is clear, when they hope the stables can be saved. i“ie: message is clear, when they are taking every opportunity to spread. fiona lamdin, bbc news. recent studies have found a lower proportion of people from black, asian and minority ethnic communities have taken up the offer of a coronavirus vaccine. to try and address their concerns, and dispel myths about the jab,

for the first time in british media history, all the major commercial channels will simultaneously broadcast a video message, featuring a number of celebrities, this evening. let's take a look. the vaccine does not contain the virus itself, only harmless elements from it. taking the vaccine is the only way to boost your immunity against covid for you and your loved ones. the vaccine was available quickly because of a global effort. - because huge funds were made available by governments around the world. so something that would normally take years tookjust months. i it's very, very rare for vaccinesl to have a long—term side effect. but what we do know is that covid—19's long—term - implications are deadly. the covid—19 vaccines have gone through the same strict processes and regulations as other vaccines, such as for measles, mumps, rubella and tb. there is no chip or tracker in the vaccine to keep watching where you go. your mobile phone actually does a much betterjob of that.

pregnant women are not excluded i from the vaccine but should discuss their case with a doctor. there is also no evidence to suggest the vaccine affects fertility. the comedian and tv presenter romesh ranganathan is in that advert and he explained why he's got involved in the campaign. my mum is a key worker and where she works, it's a lot of people of south asian backgrounds, so my brother and i were obviously very worried about her and we just assumed that she was going to be willing and ready to take the vaccine. when it came down to us actually discussing it with her, she said, "i've actually got some doubts." it took us by surprise. we sort of were able to talk to her about it and explain the various issues and now she feels 0k to take it, but itjust feels so heartbreaking to me that people from ethnic minorities are inflicting a degree of separation upon themselves from not trusting in this, and i understand all the reasons why, i've heard all the arguments, but i just feel so strongly we need

to make sure we dispel some of these myths so that people are getting involved and we can get ourselves out of this pandemic. nasa will today attempt to put a space rover on the surface of mars. the six—wheeled robot — called perseverance — will be the first nasa mission since the 1970s to search directly for signs of life on the red planet. 0ur science correspondent rebecca morrelle has more. nasa calls it the seven minutes of terror. an approach to mars at 12,000 miles an hour. before a complex landing system brings the perseverance rover down to the ground. that's the plan, but only half of all mars landings have worked. there is danger everywhere. right in the middle, there is 60—80m tall cliffs that cuts right through the middle of the landing site. if you look to the west, there are craters that the rover can't get out of,

even if we were to land successfully there. if you look to the east, there are large rocks. landing on mars is not for the faint of heart. perseverance is the most advanced rover that nasa has ever built and it will be hunting for signs of life. its robotic arm is equipped with a drill to collect rock samples. the hope is any microscopic creatures that once lived on mars may still be preserved. for the first time, nasa will also be testing a mini mars helicopter to provide a new bird's eye view of the planet. and back on the ground, the rover will store some of the rocks. a future mission will bring them back to earth. this mission provides our best chance to finally answer whether life existed on mars. first, though, nasa needs to get its rover safely down. there are some nerve—racking hours ahead. rebecca morelle, bbc news. it has been described as seven minutes of terror, the final descent onto the surface of mars which will hopefully go to plan. we will be speaking to someone from the uk

space agency and the next hour. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol. temperatures a little bit lower today compared to yesterday but heading into the weekend in particular it will start to rise once again. today we have rain for a time which will cross most of the uk and clear except across the north west of scotland where we have the little weather front. you can see from the isobars, tightly packed, it will be windy, gusty winds, especially with exposure in the west. this morning's rain continues to edge off into the north sea. behind it, return to sunshine and showers. some could be heavy with thunder and lightning may be an rain lingering in the north—west. black circles indicate the strength of the wind gusts. you will notice the wind but it will be strongest in the west with exposure. as we go through the

evening and overnight, drying up for a time as a temporary ridge of high pressure crosses us. the next atlantic front coming in from the west introducing strengthening wins and heavy and persistent rain because tomorrow at this area of low pressure will be driving the weather with weather fronts bringing pressure will be driving the weather with weatherfronts bringing in pressure will be driving the weather with weather fronts bringing in the rain and look at the isobars across the uk, it will be windy with gail force gusts with persistent rain which could have impacts in the south—west of england, wales, parts of scotland as well. but it does not look as if it will get further east but it will be cloudier in the east. saturday, waving front. the forecast could change. at the moment, we think we have rain pushing up from the south affecting western and northern parts of the uk. it looks at the moment as if the east will stay dry, breezy, but windy in the

north and the west, temperature starting to climb with highs of 15 degrees. sunday, that's what front will produce thicker cloud and rain in parts of england and wales, looks like it could edge into southern and south—eastern scotland in the day, and either side of that, bright skies, some sunshine, temperatures rising potentially up to 16, 17.

this is bbc news, these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. scientists tracking coronavirus in england say there's been a strong decline in infection levels since the current lockdown began. the duke of edinburgh has spent a second night in hospital after being admitted as a precautionary measure on tuesday evening. the uk government is being urged to gradually wind down the furlough scheme to keep a lid on rising unemployment as ever, we're keen to hear from you. should the furlough scheme end gradually? what would happen to your job or your business if it was suddently taken away? i'm @annita—mcveigh or use the #bbcyourquestions on twitter.