harry farley, bbc news, gloucester. this is bbc news the headlines at 7pm: a pledge that every adult in the uk will be offered their first dose of coronavirus vaccine by the end ofjuly — a month ahead of schedule. it's because of the success of the vaccine roll—out that we're able to do that and that will have an impact on how quickly we'll all be able to return to normal, which is obviously what everyone wants to see. borisjohnson meets ministers and scientific advisers to put the final touches to plans to bring england out of lockdown. a pioneering breakthough for children needing a heart transplant — a machine that keeps hearts beating outside the body for up to 12 hours. it's transplanting patients that otherwise would not get an organ and that's the real beauty of this machine. in tennis, world number one novak djokovic wins a ninth australian open title

with a comfortable victory over daniil medvedev. good evening. welcome to bbc news. the prime minister has promised all adults in the uk will now be offered their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine by the end ofjuly, ahead of the original estimate of sometime in the autumn. borisjohnson says the new target will allow more vulnerable people to be protected "sooner" and would help ease lockdown restrictions across the country. more details are expected on a possible relaxation of the rules in england tomorrow. so far more than 330,000 people have had their first dose of one of the approved covid—19 vaccines in the latest 24—hour

period, taking the total to over 17.5 million people. that's around one in three of all adults in the uk. the labour party has welcomed the new vaccine targets, but called on the government to prioritise people, based on theirjobs. 0ur political correspondent, helen catt, has the latest. it's a tiny bottle that could have a big impact. more than 17 million people in the uk have now had their first dose of the vaccine. they now have some protection against covid—19. and it's been announced we'll all be offered a vaccine sooner than thought. everyone over 50, and all adults with underlying health conditions, will be able to get their first dose by the middle of april, two weeks earlier than planned. every adult in the uk will be offered a first jab by the end ofjuly. critical, of course, is that as many people as possible are vaccinated because the more who are vaccinated, the more individuals are protected, and the more

society as a whole is protected. in england, the prime minister promised that this lockdown would be different because the vaccine offered a path out. so does this brighter news bring hope for lifting the restrictions soon? there are signs the numbers in hospital are falling much more sharply than they were in the first wave and there's further analysis to be done on that. but, clearly, the level is still far too high, that's what the prime minister will be sending out a road map. we can't lift the measures right now but we can see that direction of travel. the road map has been finalised and will go to cabinet for approval tomorrow. for now, only a handful of senior ministers and scientists know exactly what's in it. downing street has said top priority is getting all children back into school. it's expected the road map will confirm that is happening on march the 8th. teaching unions are concerned and would prefer a phased return but the labour leader wants to see all children back, too.

ideally, the 8th of march. we'll have to see where the data is, where the science is, _ with that is what we will be working towards. - if that means more testing, if that means nightingale . classrooms or other measures, let's do that _ beyond schools, downing street says the absolute priority in england is allowing families and friends to start meeting again. for most of us, the government is looking to the outdoors for social contact. that's likely to start with a tweak to the rule on exercising with one other person to allow meeting to socialise, too. but care home residents will be allowed regular indoor visits from one named person from the 8th of march. tomorrow's road map will signal another step towards starting the end of lockdown in england. wales, scotland and northern ireland will set out their own routes. but the progress of the vaccine roll—out continues to provide a backdrop of hope right across the uk. there'll be more from helen in a moment,

but as we've been hearing, the government says it wants to focus on "data rather than dates" in deciding whether to ease the lockdown in england. and at what stages. the latest figures show there were 9,834 new infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period to sunday, with an average of 11,062 new cases recorded per day in the last week. there have been 215 deaths recorded, of people who died within 28 days of a positive covid test, meaning, on average, 488 deaths were announced every day in the past week. that takes the total to 120,580. the government's vaccine programme, offers protection programme offers protection against the two most commonly found variants in the uk, but it's unclear how they work against the south african mutation of covid—19. a single case of that

strain has been confirmed in brentwood in essex, and surge testing is now being expanded there. our health correspondent, sophie hutchinson, has more. so, what is a safe way out of lockdown? it seems to rely on a mix of high vaccination numbers and low rates of infection. the government stressed any reopening will be based on data, not dates, and scientists say data about the nhs is likely to be key. almost half of our hospitalisations are in the under—70s, so if we eased off very rapidly now, we would get another surge in hospitalisations. so we have to ease very gradually, otherwise we will put the health service under pressure again, and we'll get a surge in hospitalisations and indeed deaths. so far, 17.5 million people have had a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine in the uk. the new, accelerated plan means by the 15th of april, jabs will be rolled out to everyone aged over 50 and younger people with underlying health conditions.

and by the end ofjuly, all adults in the uk should've been offered one dose of the vaccine. it's hoped by lowering the number of infected people, the vaccination programme will reduce the chance of new variants emerging. brentwood in essex is the latest place where residents will undergo testing, after a case of the south africa variant was discovered there. we do think that the measures that we've taken, both the enhanced contact tracing — really clamping down when you see one of these — and the measures at the border, are reducing those new variants here. but there's been real concern about the increased infectiousness of the new variants. we mustn't relax. vaccination, while stopping, - while preventing severe disease, we're not entirely sure - whether it stops transmission. so we still need a lot - of restrictive measures to not only bring down cases, but to make sure - that they stay down. in israel, almost half of the population has

now received a vaccine, and society is opening up. early data, which is not definitive, suggests transmission may have fallen there. if true, it could be a game changer in the fight against the coronavirus. sophie hutchinson, bbc news. 0ur political correspondent, helen catt, is here. what is the kind of thinking behind what we will get tomorrow? in other words, what is the sort of thought processes that will lead them to the results that we don't actually know until they announced? this results that we don't actually know until they announced?— until they announced? this is a series of political _ until they announced? this is a series of politicaljudgments i until they announced? this is a i series of politicaljudgments that politicians have got to make. they have got the advice from the scientists but what they have got to weigh up is, firstly, how do they control the virus? that is more than just looking at the number of people who have been vaccinated, they will take into account other bits of data in terms of trying to control the virus. but they've also got a balance that against the economic cost, the social costs, keeping these sort of restrictions in place for any sort of length of time.

they've got to balance those. that is why it comes down to the politicians to decide what is the right balance and when you can start to open things up. i think the success of the vaccine programme so far has really raised the stakes on this, that they have got to get this road map right in england. even ministers will admit that they have not got everything right in this pandemic. and i think there is a real sense that this is one that they do really need to get this right. they do really need to get this riuht. ~ ., ., , ., right. we are in a strange situation. _ right. we are in a strange situation, in _ right. we are in a strange situation, in a _ right. we are in a strange situation, in a sense, - right. we are in a strange - situation, in a sense, because right. we are in a strange _ situation, in a sense, because there are four governments, effectively, in the united kingdom. that is the uk government, which on this domestic question is responsible for the lockdown in england. administrations in wales, northern ireland, scotland effectively going at their own pace but all drawing from the same scientific advice. that must create tensions? it does. and we've seen _ that must create tensions? it does. and we've seen it _ that must create tensions? it does. and we've seen it throughout - that must create tensions? it does. and we've seen it throughout the i and we've seen it throughout the pandemic actually that each nation goes according to the speed that they believe is best for their area. as you have said, we have seen them resulting in different rules of the most obvious example at the moment

is school the openings. in scotland, northern ireland and wales, some peoples are going back from tomorrow. but they are going in a phased return over several weeks. we don't exactly know what will be in the government to's road map for england tomorrow but all the indications are that they want a wholesale return on march the 8th of all school children. not that a phased return. that is a really clear difference of when they are taking very different approaches. despite getting the same scientific advice. that is because it is up to decide what is the level of risk they are comfortable with, what do they are comfortable with, what do they think it's going to be the best way forward to hit that balance between that social damage and the restricting the virus. in between that social damage and the restricting the virus.— restricting the virus. in the end, it is a judgment _ restricting the virus. in the end, it is a judgment call? _ restricting the virus. in the end, | it is a judgment call? absolutely restricting the virus. in the end, l it is a judgment call? absolutely a 'ud . ment it is a judgment call? absolutely a judgment call _ it is a judgment call? absolutely a judgment call for _ it is a judgment call? absolutely a judgment call for the _ it is a judgment call? absolutely a judgment call for the politician - it is a judgment call? absolutely a judgment call for the politician to | judgment call for the politician to make and they are keen to get right. in england, so far, what we have had from government sounds like they are erring on the side of caution in this. that's not what we have heard. tomorrow will be a big day for england. —— that is what we have

heard. it sounds like things won't change significantly on a daily basis. that is some weeks off. thank ou. the prime minister will set out england's roadmap out of lockdown in the house of common's tomorrow afternoonboris johnson will also be leading tomorrow's downing street coronavirus briefing. as helen was saying. we'll have full coverage on the bbc one and the bbc news channel from 7pm tomorrow evening. and we'll find out how this story — and many others — are covered in tomorrow's front pages at 10:30 and 11:30 this evening in the papers — our guestsjoining me tonight are the personal finance commentator, anne ashworth and the sun's chief sport reporter, martin lipton. there might even be a few more hints as to what is in the road map. there is a man who is desperate for progress out of lockdown. he's probably been looking enviously at the australian open and the crowds there. a four—year—old girl and two adults have died

in a house fire in exeter. three other children, who were in the house, are in a stable condition in hospital. duncan sleightholme reports. behind these blackened windows, three members of a family have lost their lives. a bunch of flowers placed outside this home in tribute to those who have died. forensic officers and detectives looking for evidence to work out how this tragedy has happened. the emergency services were called in the early hours of this morning. a 28—year—old woman, a 29—year—old man and a four—year—old girl have died. three other children are being treated in hospital — two boys, aged four and nine, and a seven—year—old girl. it's a huge tragedy for all involved. the family, those who knew the family, the broader community here in exeter, as well, all of whom will be greatly affected by this. throughout the day, specialist fire investigators have been working with police and forensic officers to gather evidence about how this fire started. cordons are likely to remain in place around the house in clayton road near st david station for the next couple of days as the investigation continues.

we don't know, at this stage, exactly what's happened. we have people working at the scene really hard to try to establish exactly what's happened. but, as i said, we don't think there's any third—party involvement and we're not looking for anybody else at this stage in connection with the fire. the next of kin of those who have died had been informed. the police say the three children in hospital are in a stable condition and are expected to be transferred to bristol children's hospital for further treatment. duncan sleightholme, bbc spotlight, exeter. two teenage boys have been arrested on suspicion of kidnap, after a car was stolen in birmingham, with the owner's two children inside. a police armed response unit took part in the search before forcing the car to a halt on the a38 bristol road. it had been spotted going the wrong way down a dual carriageway. both the children inside — aged two and four — were unharmed. seven people have been killed after a nigerian airforce plane crashed while approaching the runway

at abuja airport. this eyewitness described what she saw. for us, it is very painful. because when the plane just landed, wham, once i heard wham, when i heard wham, ijust see it explode with fire and smoke together. i could not go there. later, when i get here, i saw the dead body on the ground. our correspondent in abuja, ishaq khalid, gave us more details about the crash. what we have so far is that seven people were on board the military aircraft. all of them have died. the authorities are saying the aircraft developed an engine problem on its way to the central city of minna after its take—off from this airport in the capital, abuja. then it returned. on its return at the airport, it hit the runway and then burst into flames. witnesses say that it hovered before crashing and there was a loud sound there after the crash and then the aircraft actually

went into flames. so the authorities are investigating, they are now pointing at a technical problem. but the weather here is also quite hazy, there is some sort of fog but they are not mentioning the weather at the moment but possibly maybe one of the things that they are going to consider in their investigations. an engine failurejust after take—off, has landed on a residential area in the us state of colorado. the boeing 777 was flying from denver to honolulu when the accident happened. it was able to return safely and land, and there have been no reported injuries. mark lobel reports. the chilling view from inside, moments after takeoff from denver, when its right engine catches fire. some of the 231 passengers using their phones to film what could be their last flight.

0thers nervously texting loved ones goodbye. you could just feel it, like, boom and you could hear it. and you just... we started shaking. we were right on the wing, so i looked out and i could see some smoke coming and ijust knew, you know. my daughter was sitting on the window and she's af... you know, iwasjust like, "don't look," like, "let's just close it up," and "let's just pray", so that's what we did. we just kind of held hands and said some prayers. as the boeing 777 destined for hawaii suddenly circles back for an emergency landing... che, why don't we get going, because these things are just falling? ..parts of the plane were raining down on the city of broomfield. landing in the park, streets and on people's front lawns. this casing was meant to be keeping the plane's engine free from ice, and literally weighs a tonne. it initially struck this pickup truck with its ownerjust metres away. a lot of people said they heard that

really loud explosion, which scared a lot of people, and then they started seeing basically what they thought was a plane falling from the sky. what it was, was debris. it's hard to determine exactly what it is. i did kind of comb through the park, i was taking a look at some of the debris, it looks like possibly some exterior pieces of the plane. this whole town is now effectively behind police lines, only residents permitted to enter with investigators requesting that debris is left alone. america's national transportation safety board has opened an investigation into what they're calling an "engine event." for all those who were onboard and on the ground below, it's certainly an event none of them will ever likely forget. mark lobel, bbc news. the headlines on bbc news... a pledge that every adult in the uk will be offered their first dose of coronavirus vaccine by the end ofjuly — a month ahead of schedule. borisjohnson meets ministers and scientific advisers to put the final touches to plans to bring

england out of lockdown. a pioneering breakthough for children needing a heart transplant, which helps reduce waiting list times. the duke of edinburgh is preparing to spend a sixth night in a london hospital. he was visited yesterday by his son, the prince of wales. prince charles spent around half an hour at the king edward vii hospital, before returning to his highgrove home in gloucestershire. prince philip, who's 99, was admitted to hospital on tuesday on the advice of his doctor after feeling unwell. a0 dedicated mental health support units are set to be opened across the country as the nhs expands support for staff after the toughest year in the health service's 70—plus history. staff can access services over the phone with onward referral to online and one—to—one expert help from qualified mental health clinicians, therapists, recovery workers and psychologists. senior managers say it's vital

that the people who played such a big role getting the country through the pandemic are given additional support. let's talk to paul farmer from the mental health charity, mind. thank you very much for being with us. this is obviously good news, any new service is a good news, but we are 11 months into this pandemic. the mental health crisis affecting the civilian population has been stark enough, it's hard to underestimate, i guess, or overestimate, rather, how significant the mental health impact has been on the clinicians, the people who have been on the front line for the best part of that year. absolutely. you know, it's important too, you know, welcome the arrival of these new hubs but there is no doubt that those staff who've been on the front line and in particular those staff who have been on the very front line on the front line, in other words, intensive care nurses, people who are working

directly with covid patients, their mental health has been sorely tested during this period. and i think it's so important that the nhs is now putting into place support for those staff to recognise that despite the really good training that they receive, they've been put into a truly exceptional circumstances. and anyone in that situation will find their mental health being tested. in terms of the practicalities of this, what facilities already exist? this has been described as additional hubs, what is out there already? this applies to the nhs in england, presumably rather than uk wide? yes. presumably rather than uk wide? yes, this is an nhs — presumably rather than uk wide? is: this is an nhs england announcement covering england. ithink this is an nhs england announcement covering england. i think one of the challenges that the nhs has faced has been that up to now, there has been a bit of a sort of patchwork quilt of support, if you like, for staff. partly because, of course, the nhs is not one organisation, it is many organisations. and partly

because, in different places, the sort of recognition of the importance of the mental health of staff has been quite variable. at its heart has been the recognition that, like any of the rest of us, people who work in the health service have got the right to access the same kind of mental health support as we have. however, that is a little bit more complicated, because sometimes there's a stigma around mental health inside the nhs. and sometimes, people can be reluctant to reach out and actually seek help. and i think these hubs are really an important sign that the nhs is taking the mental health of its staff incredibly seriously. notjust in terms of their response to the pandemic, but for a much longer period, as well. i to the pandemic, but for a much longer period, as well.— longer period, as well. i can imaaine longer period, as well. i can imagine that _ longer period, as well. i can imagine that those - longer period, as well. i can imagine that those watching who are ready access mental health services or trying to access mental health services, while they would be pleased to see support for medical staff, i worry about the availability of services which is already difficult to access in some parts of the country —— they might worry about. ila

parts of the country -- they might worry about-— parts of the country -- they might worry about. no doubt that mental health services _ worry about. no doubt that mental health services are _ worry about. no doubt that mental health services are obviously - worry about. no doubt that mental health services are obviously open | health services are obviously open and have been open all the way through this period. a lot of credit to mental health staff for really ensuring that that's the case. we also know that mental health services are extremely stretched at the moment. because the whole population has experienced, you know, real challenges. and we know that there are certain services that are very much stretched. so i think it's important to stress that these are additional resources that have been put in place to support nhs staff. but i think it is part of why we need to take a much broader view about the kind of support that's needed. and also how we can work in partnership. so we, along with a number of other mental health charities have set up another support for any national health service worker. we are about to set “p service worker. we are about to set up communications, we set it up nine months ago. flan up communications, we set it up nine months age-— up communications, we set it up nine months ago-— months ago. can i 'ust very quickly briefl months ago. can i just very quickly briefly interrupted, _ months ago. can i just very quickly briefly interrupted, is _ months ago. can i just very quickly briefly interrupted, is that - months ago. can i just very quickly l

briefly interrupted, is that 200,000 different staff? 0r briefly interrupted, is that 200,000 different staff? or would that be some people who have contacted it more than once? do you see what i mean? :: :: i: i: :: more than once? do you see what i mean? :: :: i: i: i: , more than once? do you see what i mean? 111: 11111: , ., more than once? do you see what i mean? 1: z: z: z: z: , ., ., mean? 200,000 contacts, rather than 200,000 mean? 200,000 contacts, rather than 200.000 staff. _ mean? 200,000 contacts, rather than 200,000 staff. and _ mean? 200,000 contacts, rather than 200,000 staff. and it _ mean? 200,000 contacts, rather than 200,000 staff. and it is _ mean? 200,000 contacts, rather than 200,000 staff. and it is across - mean? 200,000 contacts, rather than 200,000 staff. and it is across not. 200,000 staff. and it is across not just the nhs but people who work in social care and other front line workers. but i think it's a good example of the kind of range of support that is available to people. but also the very kind of pressing need that we know people have just to seek help and reassurance. this doesn't necessarily mean that people are then going to need clinical care. it's often that people are just anxious or concerned about how they're feeling. and that extra piece of information, support and guidance canjust make piece of information, support and guidance can just make all the difference between somebody who might be struggling with their mental health and somebody who then becomes clinically unwell. pauli becomes clinically unwell. paul farmer, chief _ becomes clinically unwell. paul farmer, chief executive - becomes clinically unwell. paul farmer, chief executive at mind, the mental health charity, thank you very much for being with us on bbc news. the uk has introduced a new heart transplant technique for children that reanimates a donor heart outside the body and can even

repair any damage sustained by the organ during death. this programme, a collaboration between the royal papworth and great 0rmond street hospitals, significantly increased the number of such life—saving operations carried out in the uk last year. 0ur health correspondent, anna collinson, has this report. just a year ago, one of these sisters had a failing heart and was put on an urgent transplant list. freya heddington was warned she may have to wait up to two years. and within months, the 14—year—old could start doing the things she loved most. i'm ecstatic that i gotjust such an amazing gift of a heart. it is also upsetting to know that someone also died. a donor's family must be consented before surgery, as this training simulation shows. until a year ago, almost all paediatric heart transplants came from patients who had suffered brain death. their heart may beat, but they will never wake up. life support is withdrawn, and

the heart is stopped and retrieved. but this new programme uses hearts which have been allowed to cease beating on their own, after life support is withdrawn. as soon as this happens, the heart begins to deteriorate. by using this machine, demonstrated here using red dye, they can effectively restart it and repair the damage. by using this machine demonstrated here using red dye at the royal papworth hospital, doctors can effectively restart it and repair the damage. you would have the heart sitting with the connector at the top, the aorta. these tubes move blood through the heart which keeps it healthy for up to 12 hours, giving surgeons much more time to carry out checks, and even transport it to other locations. this organ care system is now used by adult cardiac transplant centres across the uk. but 12 months ago, the team here in cambridge joined forces with great 0rmond street hospital to extend their world—leading service to children, and despite the pressures of the pandemic, treated six patients in 2020.

in the adult world, we double the amount of heart transplantation and we reduce the waiting time period. and we had to do exactly the same thing for the paediatric recipients at the same time for both populations to reduce the mortality in the waiting list. and this is what we achieved. 0nce retrieved, the hearts are delivered to great 0rmond street hospital for transplantation. children normally have to wait around two and a half times longer than adults for a new heart. for many of our transplant patients now, they are so sick that they have to wait in the hospital for their transplants, sometimes for six months, perhaps even over a year. so not only is it reducing wait times but it is transplanting patients that otherwise would not get an organ. freya's family will never forget what they've been through, or the people and the machine that saved her life. it will always be there i in the back of our minds. but, you know, we know now she's got a lovely healthy heart _ and her future's bright.

a funeral has taken place in myanmar for a young woman who has become a national symbol of resistance to miltary rule. the military overthrew the elected government earlier this month. mya thwet thwet khaing died on friday after being shot during a protest against the coup. a hearse carrying her coffin was driven through the capital naypyidaw. thousands lined the streets to honour her, some making the three—fingered salutes used by demonstrators. across myanmar, protesters have taken to the streets again despite the previous day being the worst violence yet in weeks of protests. two demonstrators were killed in mandalay after police opened fire. the united nations, the united states, britain and france have strongly condemned the use of force by the authorities. myanmar�*s ministry of foreign affairs insists the authorities are exercising restraint. israel has advised people to avoid all its beaches, after an oil spill polluted much of its mediterranean coast. thousands of volunteers have joined soldiers in efforts to clear

the black sticky substance, which has also harmed wildlife. the cause of the spill is unclear, but investigators are looking at nine ships that were in the area at the time. israel has eased many of its covid lockdown restrictions. nearly half of the country's population has received at least one dose of the vaccine. gyms, hotels and tourist attractions are re—opening, but entry will only be allowed to those with a green pass, which shows they've either had the jab or the virus. nickjohnson reports. beer to persuade some. pizza to persuade others. israel's programme at getting covid jabs in arms continues at pace. the country has the highest vaccination rate in the world, more than 49% of people have had at least one dose. it's all part of the national effort to break free from this new normal. shops and restaurants closed,

an economy at risk, people's lives on hold. after a steep resurgence in covid infections, the country entered its third lockdown just after christmas. but health officials say progress in their vaccination programme is now starting to make a difference in the number of infections, allowing the country to begin reopening its economy. studies in israel showed that the pfizer vaccine is 95.8% effective in preventing hospitalisations and death. from today, shops, libraries and tourist attractions are able to reopen, but social distancing and masks will still be required. we do need to hurry up and get everyone on board the vaccination programme because with all of those variants rising their heads, we could be facing, you know, other setbacks in the future and we need to really, you know, hurry up with community immunity.

but in order to be allowed into shops, museums and libraries, israelis will have to download a so—called green badge to carry around as proof of inoculation. announcing the scheme last night, prime minister benjamin netanyahu urged israelis to use the pass as a way of getting their lives back. "it's for you." as israel begins to ease restrictions, it is hoped the country's so—far successful vaccination programme of work as a blueprint for other countries hoping to begin their own journeys out of lockdown. nickjohnson, bbc news. the united arab emirates has sent 20,000 covid—19 sputnik v vaccines to the gaza strip. the russian—made vaccines arrived in gaza via the rafah border crossing with egypt. health offficials in gaza said they would begin vaccination tomorrow, with priority for medical workers and those with chronic diseases.

australia's covid—19 vaccination programme is officially underway — but the launch didn't quite go to plan.