if you'll have been watching you'll have heard a lot of their answers to questions that were raised by members of the public. among the announcements, from the 8th of march all children will be expected to go back to school and people will be able to meet one other person outdoors. the aim is to lift all restrictions by latejune. borisjohnson was asked when he hoped to be able to say to the public the pandemic was finally over. this was his response. this isn't the end today but it is very clearly a road map that takes us to the end and takes us in a one—wayjourney. we very much hope if we can stick to it if the data continues to support the decisions we have taken at the pace that we want to take them so you ask when, well, you've got the key dates, april the 12th, may the 17th, then during the 21st for everything to be open again. —— thenjune the 21st.

things that we couldn't do last year —like night clubs and all the rest of it, theatres, to be back up and running again but, you know, we will be guided by their data and by the photographs that we make and that is why it is important also to be cautious and to recognise that i think people would rather see a certainty about these dates, as much certainty about these dates, as much certainty as we can give, then haste. —— we will be guided by the data and by the progress that we make. that's the trade—off that we have got to make. in make. that's the trade-off that we have got to make.— make. that's the trade-off that we have got to make. in the numbers and i have been — have got to make. in the numbers and i have been very _ have got to make. in the numbers and i have been very careful— have got to make. in the numbers and i have been very careful not _ have got to make. in the numbers and i have been very careful not to - have got to make. in the numbers and i have been very careful not to put - i have been very careful not to put forward _ i have been very careful not to put forward numbers if i can possibly help it _ forward numbers if i can possibly help it into — forward numbers if i can possibly help it into the public domain because _ help it into the public domain because theyjust do not think it is helpful— because theyjust do not think it is helpful of— because theyjust do not think it is helpful of in fact meaningful but 'ust helpful of in fact meaningful but just thinking about it in relative terms — just thinking about it in relative terms every year in the uk is in every— terms every year in the uk is in every other_ terms every year in the uk is in every other country you get substantial numbers of people dying

from respiratory infections. flu is the one _ from respiratory infections. flu is the one everyone thinks about. an average _ the one everyone thinks about. an average year might be about 9000 people _ average year might be about 9000 people a _ average year might be about 9000 people a year. badgers are particularly more than that. but you also have _ particularly more than that. but you also have pneumonias under other viruses _ also have pneumonias under other viruses and — also have pneumonias under other viruses and about a lot of other visibility— viruses and about a lot of other visibility -- _ viruses and about a lot of other visibility —— respiratory infections. this year i think of it is going — infections. this year i think of it is going to _ infections. this year i think of it is going to be added to that list of things— is going to be added to that list of things that those who are vulnerable even willi— things that those who are vulnerable even with vaccination might be at risi

take the rates right down and we will not be rid of it. let's speak to our deputy political editor vicki young. there has been a lot of dissenting cabinet about her past to lift the lockdown and where to bring the relationships and social impact of covid. —— has been also dissent in cabinet about how fast to lift the lockdown. i cabinet about how fast to lift the lockdown. ~ cabinet about how fast to lift the lockdown. ,, ., , cabinet about how fast to lift the lockdown. ,, .,, , , , lockdown. i think those disputes were last time _ lockdown. i think those disputes were last time round _ lockdown. i think those disputes were last time round and - lockdown. i think those disputes were last time round and we - lockdown. i think those disputes were last time round and we arej lockdown. i think those disputes i were last time round and we are on to lockdown three and there is no doubt about it it does feel as though things have changed and the prime minister and the government have been the key is many times of looking down too early and then relaxing restrictions too quickly, allowing providers to search again, so maybe they have decided this time around that this is not how they are going to do it. —— allowing the virus to search again. i think there is a lot more unity in the cabinets about that because what they are hoping because of the vaccine programme, the very successful vaccine programme that is going on, they can extend some of the financial help to businesses and to

workers and then they will hope very much that this will be the end of it, that they won't need to lockdown again because they are taking a more cautious approach where they are going to leave these five weeks between each measure so that they can look at the data, assess the impact it has had, rather than opening lots of things at the same time. that is their plan and i think you detected there from the prime minister before he talked in a much more exuberant fashion, some would say over promising that things were going to return to normal very quickly. we can remember him talking about things being normal by november but this time there is the optimism there but it is far more measured, far more guarded, because he doesn't want to be proved wrong again. he doesn't want to have to go back and lifting any of these restrictions.— back and lifting any of these restrictions. �* ., , restrictions. but economically, i mean, restrictions. but economically, i mean. the _ restrictions. but economically, i mean, the furlough _ restrictions. but economically, i mean, the furlough scheme, . restrictions. but economically, i mean, the furlough scheme, i l restrictions. but economically, i- mean, the furlough scheme, i think, only extends to march so some of these measures to the easing of the lockdown will not actually continue for business going forward to, say, gee and when it all ends. prime

minister reluctant to actually commit any further help. —— going forward to, say, june. a lot is going to depend, isn't it, and the budget next week? that going to depend, isn't it, and the budget next week?— budget next week? that is right, buduet budget next week? that is right, budget coming — budget next week? that is right, budget coming op _ budget next week? that is right, budget coming up next _ budget next week? that is right, budget coming up next week - budget next week? that is right, j budget coming up next week and budget next week? that is right, l budget coming up next week and i think that is the reason why he hasn't gone into details today but the expectation is very much the source of these economic packages will be extended in order to cover those businesses. —— that a lot of the source of these economic packages. particularly ones like nightclubs that have never been able to reopen and have been close the whole time through. we never got to that point on the other times when things were unlocked and relaxed so a loss of the spot goal hospitality industry, you know, has been really suffering. —— a lot of the hospitality industry. i think the budget next week will not be about trying to claw any of that £6 billion back, it will be much more about helping people over this last

hurdle, they hope, before and opening up of business and society in the summer.— in the summer. consultation on a vaccine passport, _ in the summer. consultation on a vaccine passport, is— in the summer. consultation on a vaccine passport, is that - in the summer. consultation on a vaccine passport, is that really i in the summer. consultation on a| vaccine passport, is that really the start of the u—turn? vaccine passport, is that really the start of the u-turn?_ start of the u-turn? there are certainly two _ start of the u-turn? there are certainly two things _ start of the u-turn? there are certainly two things here. - start of the u-turn? there are certainly two things here. i - start of the u-turn? there are i certainly two things here. i think one is having some kind of vaccine passport for international travel. now, of course, that is slightly out of the hands of the british government. if other countries say you can't come here unless you have some proof that you have been vaccinated then the government says it will facilitate people and having that proof in the same way that you do for certain other inoculations. the other question that i think is more thorny and much more difficult for the government is about having certification, something, a bit of paper or something on your phone to show, again, they have been vaccinated or that you have antibodies against covid said you can do things in this country, so that you can maybe go to the theatre and you will be allowed into certain places without it. now, that is far

more problematic. you have the pi minister they're talking about a review was also pointing out the ethical issues, the problem about discrimination, the legal issues around it and even where employers can say that employees have to be vaccinated. —— even whether employers can say that their employees every vaccinated. all of this is quite difficult territory for politicians. obviously what they want to do is to talk about it and we will have to see what comes out at the event. there is an interesting parallel here in israel where they have been a lot of people vaccinated on the uptake amongst younger people hasn't been that high, partly, of course, because young people haven't been adversely affected by it so what they have done is introduce something is similar, i think to encourage and the people to be vaccinated, and i think that maybe something the government things of here. thank you ve much government things of here. thank you very much for— government things of here. thank you very much for that. _ government things of here. thank you very much for that. we _ government things of here. thank you very much for that. we may _ government things of here. thank you very much for that. we may now- government things of here. thank you | very much for that. we may now speak to the former health secretary jeremy hunt who is now chair of the select committee on health. thanks forjoining us here on bbc news. it

was only a few weeks ago that you were quoted in an article i think in the guardian saying that he wanted the guardian saying that he wanted the government to proceed with a great deal of caution for the easing of the lockdown. is this approach cautious enough? i of the lockdown. is this approach cautious enough?— of the lockdown. is this approach cautious enough? i think it is and i think that boris _ cautious enough? i think it is and i think that boris johnson _ cautious enough? i think it is and i think that boris johnson has - cautious enough? i think it is and i think that boris johnson has got i think that borisjohnson has got this exactly right because we have to be honest with people about what we don't know and the big unknown, even after a year of this horrible pandemic, and these variants and mutations and wejust pandemic, and these variants and mutations and we just don't know from the 11,000 cases that we are having every single day at the moment, whether one of those cases could be a mutation or a variant thatis could be a mutation or a variant that is immune to the vaccines that we currently now have. it is unlikely but it is not impossible and so that is why doing this in a four step way is very, very sensible and i think she has got the balance right. speaking as someone who has criticised him in the past i think this time it is absolutely right. you also, in that same article,

called for a south korean style intensive contact tracing system in place. is the contact tracing system that we have here good enough at the moment? ads, that we have here good enough at the moment? �* ., , , moment? a need to get better. it is a lot better — moment? a need to get better. it is a lot better than _ moment? a need to get better. it is a lot better than it _ moment? a need to get better. it is a lot better than it was _ moment? a need to get better. it is a lot better than it was but - moment? a need to get better. it is a lot better than it was but what - a lot better than it was but what they managed to do in korea, japan, is something called backwards contact tracing, so they don'tjust ask who you have seen since you got the virus, they try and work out where you got the virus and who you got it from, and then trace all the people that that person was worth, and that she just cannot do when you have got, you know, 11,000 new cases every single day. it is just too many. but once you get the case is really low you can. it is very, very thorough and i think if we can get to the point where we can do that, then we can be very confident that we will be able to quarantine anyone who could pass on a virus, even a mutation of a virus, to someone else. i mutation of a virus, to someone else. ., ., , ., mutation of a virus, to someone else. ., ., i. .. ., else. i wonder what your reaction was to professor _

else. i wonder what your reaction was to professor whitty - else. i wonder what your reaction was to professor whitty and - else. i wonder what your reaction was to professor whitty and sub i was to professor whitty and sub patrick vallance's comments about the vaccine because, i mean, the vaccine has been tremendous good news and everybody seems to accept that from all political divides but there is still a worrying factor that they take up isn't as high in social groups, for example at bame and even for front line care workers as well? —— in certain groups, for example at bame. do you think that needs to be prioritised? i example at bame. do you think that needs to be prioritised?— needs to be prioritised? i think the overall victory _ needs to be prioritised? i think the overall victory is _ needs to be prioritised? i think the overall victory is very _ needs to be prioritised? i think the overall victory is very encouraging | overall victory is very encouraging with much higher take—up of the vaccine and we initially anticipated but it is true that there are certain groups, bame groups and also among deprived communities where the take of his low and that of course is a very big risk for the people in those groups and so the government does have a plan to do this. the select committee will obviously be looking at that plan because this is one of those situations where if there is a chink in the armour that there is a chink in the armour that the virus can get through than it will try and do that and our defences as a country will be

weakened. defences as a country will be weakened-— defences as a country will be weakened. , ., ., ., weakened. does that mean that the care workers _ weakened. does that mean that the care workers she _ weakened. does that mean that the care workers she would _ weakened. does that mean that the care workers she would support - weakened. does that mean that the care workers she would support the | care workers she would support the idea of a vaccination passport? well, the wording that the government use tonight was, i think, very significant. we have a free country and we are not of country that likes to say that it is compulsory to have any type of medicine but if you are in a role where not having that vaccine could put the people you are working within danger, then that is obviously very serious and so that is why i think this was to use the phrase that there is a very clear expectation that everyone in health and care roles will take the vaccine. �* , ., �* well,| vaccine. and if they don't? well, i think, it is — vaccine. and if they don't? well, i think, it is for _ vaccine. and if they don't? well, i think, it is for individual _ think, it is for individual organisations to work out but everyone, ultimately, has a duty to treat their patients say. i mean, it is a very, very important thing for hospitals, for care homes to do, i do know they take that responsibility extremely seriously. we are not going to a0 covid, unlike

other nations around the world. that sage propose a couple of days ago, saying that inevitably with the easing of the lockdown the number of casings and deaths will rise. —— we are not going a0 covid unlike other nations around the world. something that you are fearful of? some of the figures could be up to 30,000 deaths and is thus an acceptable price to pay for the easing of the lockdown? i think we have got to be very careful when you have this model is as to what scenarios they are actually predicting, but, the pie minister was very honest and right that we are going to see more deaths as a result result of this easing of restrictions and we are going to have to learn to live with covid. despite the prime minister was very honest tonight. the zero covid approach that was pursued by new zealand and, in a way by korea and japan has been very successful in the last year of keeping cases down and avoiding those countries having

to do national lockdown is that in the end unless you're going to close yourself off to the world forever yourself off to the world forever you cannot sustain that kind of strategy. you have to find a way of living with some level of risk which i think is why the approach we're taking, a cautious approach, a gradual approach, taking, a cautious approach, a gradualapproach, but taking, a cautious approach, a gradual approach, but an approach that means we do start to open up is the right one. that means we do start to open up is the right one-— the right one. jeremy hunt, thank ou ve the right one. jeremy hunt, thank you very much _ the right one. jeremy hunt, thank you very much indeed _ the right one. jeremy hunt, thank you very much indeed for - the right one. jeremy hunt, thank you very much indeed forjoining l the right one. jeremy hunt, thank. you very much indeed forjoining us here on bbc news. there was good news, as we have today, about the effectiveness of that he vaccine is currently in use in the uk. there was good news today about the effectiveness of the two vaccines currently in use in the uk. separate studies, one carried out in england, one in scotland, show the vaccines are having a significant impact reducing levels of hospitalisation and death. we knew about the success of the vaccines from their clinical trials, but this is the first evidence from those who've been given the jab as part of the uk's vaccination programme. here's our medical editor fergus walsh. put your faith in this,

a few millilitres of vaccine. one in three adults in the uk already has, and that trust is being repaid. both covid vaccines are highly effective, including among those who need them most. and that's you done, you've had your first vaccine. what we're particularly encouraged about is that we are seeing these benefits in the elderly. the elderly were not studied so much in the original trials, and so this is really one of the first looks at the effects in the elderly population, and really pleased to see that. it's very encouraging. early results from england suggest that, after three weeks, one dose of pfizer vaccine reduced the risk of hospitalisation and death by at least 75% among the over—80s. a separate study in scotland, looking at the first dose of either the pfizer or astrazeneca vaccines, was similarly impressive. it found four weeks post—immunisation, the risk of hospitalisation among

the over—80s was cut by a combined figure of 81%. a separate study of hospital workers in england found that a single dose of the pfizerjab cut the risk of being infected with coronavirus by more than 70%, rising to 85% after the second shot. this shows vaccines may also reduce transmission, as you cannot spread the virus if you're not infected. the vaccines being rolled out now will give a good level of protection, particularly against severe disease. we think that's in the 75 to 85% ballpark in the short term, and as we get second doses and then new vaccines, that protection will only increase. the evidence on vaccine effectiveness is, quite simply, stunning. what matters most is keeping people out of hospital, and both the pfizer and astrazeneca vaccines offer strong protection. it'll be even better after two shots — so it's vital that

if people are offered a jab, they turn up for both appointments. take—up of the vaccine has been lower among black, asian and minority ethnic communities, and a drive is under way to encourage adults of all backgrounds to come forward. alors. ce va piquer. france, like several other european countries, does not recommend the oxford—astrazeneca vaccine for the over—65s, citing lack of evidence of effectiveness. the data today clearly shows for the first time that the jab does provide strong protection for adults of all ages. fergus walsh, bbc news. the latest government figures show there were 10,6a1 new infections recorded

in the latest 2a—hour period. it an average of 11,187 new cases were recorded per day in the last week. in the last 2a hours, 178 deaths have been recorded — that's people who died within 28 days of a positive covid test. on average, a80 deaths were announced every day in the past week. the total number of people who've died is 120,757. more than 1a0,000 people had their first dose of a vaccine in the latest 2a—hour period. more than 17.7 million people have now had theirfirstjab. so how are the other nations — scotland, wales and northern ireland — looking at exit plans for their lockdowns. we heard from our correspondents around the uk. is when nicola sturgeon is going to lay out her plan for how scotland will exit lockdown tomorrow

and you probably won't be surprised to hear she is likely to be considerably more cautious than boris johnson. instead of giving dates by which it's hoped that certain activities might be able to resume, she will instead lay out what progress has to be made against the virus before any rules can be changed, but she will tell us in what order restrictions are likely to be lifted. the top priority is getting more pupils back into school, followed by allowing loved ones to meet up — outdoors at first — before slowly starting to reopen the economy. and, crucially, scotland will not come out of lockdown altogether. there will be returned to the level system, so certain parts of the country may be able to enjoy some freedoms before worst affected areas. wales was the first uk nation to go into this lockdown. at the moment, it looks set to be the first to exit. if infection rates keep going down,

then that stay—at—home requirement will end here in three weeks' time. that's where nonessential retailers will be able to open their shops again, maybe even the first haircuts of 2021 in the middle of march. three weeks later, around easter weekend, potentially tourism re—opening here, or at least self—contained self catering accommodation. now, that all seems to be in a fast forward from the plan in england but it is a different pace for the schools here. yes, the youngest pupils went back today but it is another three weeks before more primary pupils go back,m and today the welsh government confirmed that some in secondary schools won't go back until after those easter holidays, causing the opposition parties to question if ministers here have got their priorities right. in northern ireland, the devolved government here at stormont is working on its exit strategy. it's due to publish that plan a week from now on the 1st of march. one date is already set. on monday the 8th of march, younger children in primary schools will become the first to return to the classroom. the number of positive tests he has been falling and there's been

a significant drop in the number of hospitalisations and deaths over the last few weeks. for instance, in this part of the uk yesterday, just one person was newly admitted to hospital with covid—19. but ministers are warning people shouldn't expect any major relaxation of restrictions before easter, that northern ireland will be coming out of lockdown gradually, cautiously, and carefully, and today police and politicians have issued warnings saying that as far as they're concerned there were too many big crowds at beauty spots over the weekend. well we can speak now to ian blackford, member of parliament for ross, skye and lochaber and westminster group leader for the scottish national party. the prime minister and the commons pays you for today. is it right that england are setting the bar that scotland should follow? i england are setting the bar that scotland should follow?- england are setting the bar that scotland should follow? i think it is vital that _ scotland should follow? i think it is vital that they _ scotland should follow? i think it is vital that they should - scotland should follow? i think it is vital that they should be - scotland should follow? i think it is vital that they should be a - is vital that they should be a degree more optimism with is all getting back to a degree of normality and being able to see loved ones again and obviously the first of that being able to do so

outdoors. and ate all the effort of the vaccination programme is delivering a lot of good news and we are making a loss of good news we are making a loss of good news we are making a loss of good news we are making also progress but however the word of caution i want to give to everyone is that we must give away the gains we had over the last few weeks. we still have a very dangerous virus. the level of infection is still too high. the level of hospitalisation are still too high. the death rate, sadly, is still too high. let us not forget that the reason all others are making these enormous sacrifices that we so far have done is to make sure that we get this under control. none of us want to go back into a situation where we are looking at an additional lockdown. none of us want to be losing a loved one so i think the message is that we have to act with caution. we have got schoolchildren back in schools today in scotland and in limited way and we will do this in a softly softly basis to make sure that we ski people save on the one thing i did say to the prime minister today —— to make sure that we keep people safe. i really feel that we need to go further on those that are

arriving on our shores and i really feel we ought to be doing what the scottish government are doing a thing anyone coming from abroad needs to be coming into quarantine. we have left the back door open and we need to deal with that so we're keeping people safe. again, one of the things i would say to everybody is that we have aware of the sacrifices that people are making. we are aware that the health service is doing an absolutely heroicjob but it does mean that where we have had the concentration on dealing with the virus that a lot of day—to—day medical care, a lot of elective surgery, is having to be postponed, and we need to get back to a situation that we can offer people hope. hope that we deal with this virus but also hope that we can deal with all the other health issues that we face and we get back to get back to normal but we do that in a cautious way.— in a cautious way. letters 'ust look at those issues * in a cautious way. letters 'ust look at those issues in h in a cautious way. letters 'ust look at those issues in our _ in a cautious way. letters 'ust look at those issues in our bit _ in a cautious way. lettersjust look at those issues in our bit more - at those issues in our bit more detail. schoolchildren max of one children went back to the bitterness that could approach. ——

schoolchildren, p1—p3 went back today bitterness staggered approach. do you think that was the right decision? �* ., ., ., . . , decision? i'm not going to criticise boris johnson _ decision? i'm not going to criticise boris johnson for _ decision? i'm not going to criticise boris johnson for what _ decision? i'm not going to criticise boris johnson for what he - decision? i'm not going to criticise boris johnson for what he has - decision? i'm not going to criticise| boris johnson for what he has done borisjohnson for what he has done in england but i do think it is fair to say our government is going to take a caution approach. i note that the risk of drivers is much lower in younger people but what we to do is take the step—by—step so we can see the impact the impact that i was has. the impact that virus has. my has. the impact that virus has. my mate does that mean that you think the initial approach is import incautious? borisjohnson is responsible for what he does but when you look at the evidence and then last year we have acted with babs a degree more caution than has been the case in the government in england but that is inflected with the fact that we have a lower level of infection and certainly the strategy of the scottish government is to drive this infection down as low as possibly possible is the best way to give

protection to people in the best way of getting the economy back up and running. of getting the economy back up and runninu. ., . ~' of getting the economy back up and runninu. ., ., ,, ., ,., of getting the economy back up and runnin. ., ., ,, ., ,., . ,, running. you talk about the back door being _ running. you talk about the back door being kept _ running. you talk about the back door being kept open _ running. you talk about the back door being kept open in - running. you talk about the back door being kept open in terms . running. you talk about the back| door being kept open in terms of running. you talk about the back - door being kept open in terms of the quarantine and ijust door being kept open in terms of the quarantine and i just wonder about in terms of relaxation for families, though, just looking at the step process, could it be that at some stage over the next few months english families will be able to be united but not to meet their family members in scotland? irate united but not to meet their family members in scotland?— united but not to meet their family members in scotland? we all want to see family members, _ members in scotland? we all want to see family members, don't _ members in scotland? we all want to see family members, don't we? - members in scotland? we all want to see family members, don't we? we l members in scotland? we all want to. see family members, don't we? we all miss not seeing parents, children, grandchildren, i have grandchildren that i have barely seen over the course of the last year, now, but it is important that we do that on the basis that we keep people safe. it is important that we do it by finding a way out of this, that we finding a way out of this, that we find a way that means we don't have to go backwards again. i think there's a recognition that the first steps that we can take is to allow families to meet outdoors. we know that meeting in confined spaces is more dangerous, so, again, we want to create the circumstances where families can meet up but it has to be done on the basis that if we do

that we have got the infection down to a level that gives us hope and gives the security. {lilia to a level that gives us hope and gives the security.— gives the security. 0k, ian blackford, _ gives the security. 0k, ian blackford, we _ gives the security. 0k, ian blackford, we will - gives the security. 0k, ian blackford, we will leave i gives the security. 0k, ianl blackford, we will leave you gives the security. 0k, ian - blackford, we will leave you there. thank you very much indeed for joining us. time for us to catch up with somewhere. —— with some weather. hello. those areas across the north and the west that have seen the lion's share of today's sunshine are about to be cloudier, wetter and windier. now, initially with clear skies tonight, it'll turn quite chilly, especially in the east, a touch of frost, a few fog patches around. temperatures, though, recover later in the night. the wind picking up. here comes the rain to northern ireland, western scotland, parts of wales and western england as we go into tuesday morning. that rain hangs around northern ireland, cumbria, scotland tuesday into wednesday, especially though in scotland, where there is a met office amber warning. parts of the southern uplands, southern highlands, most there could be over 100 mm of rain and furtherflooding. so, a risk of flooding from the rain in scotland, northern ireland, cumbria as it turns heavy and persistent during tuesday. there will still be some patchy ran around parts of wales

and western england, especially more so tuesday night into wednesday. all areas turning windy, some gusts near 70 mph in northern ireland and scotland. eastern england staying dry and even warmer than this on wednesday. hello this is bbc news. the headlines. coming out of lockdown in england — the prime minister sets out his roadmap with the aim of lifting all restrictions by latejune. the end really is in sight, mr speaker. and a wretched year will give way to a spring and a summer that will be very different, and incomparably better than the picture we see around us today. from march the 8th, all children will be expected to go back to school, secondary pupils may have to wear face masks in class. also from march the 8th, people will be able to meet one other person outdoors for a coffee

or a picnic, it's hoped two households will be able to meet from the end of march. early new data shows that the vaccines are significantly reducing the number of people being admitted to hospital and dying. there will be a long wait for cafes, pubs and restaurants, not expected to open fully to customers indoors until may. and disappointment for tourism businesses and holiday makers as in england we won't be allowed to stay away from home until after easter. as we've heard, under the plans outlined today, all schools in england will reopen from the 8th of march. but secondary pupils will be required to wear masks in class unless social distancing can be maintained — that'll be reviewed at easter. further education colleges will reopen.

and there'll be new requirements for testing. in scotland and wales, some children started back at school today, as our education editor bra nwen jeffreys reports. just two weeks more of this — key worker mums like gemma dropping off, waiting for schools to go back to normal. it's about time. the kids need the routine, they need the structure to the day. and if we don't start getting back to normal soon, a whole generation of children will have massive mental health, social problems that we're not going to be able to fix. that's the last one... from the school and a local bakery, food deliveries for parents. first stop is tracy... ..ready for her son to go back. thank you very much! i think it will be betterfor the children. i think they need to be in school learning and they need to be mixing again. they need to get back to normality. butjoanne, with four at home, told me she's less certain. if it's not safe, i'd rather

theyjust stayed off. i really would. i'd rather keep them at home if the time's not right for them to go back. for primary pupils, no testing. instead, continued testing for staff to keep schools open. everything that we can do to avoid having to be in this position again, i think, is fundamental, so i think a softly, softly approach. we've got to make sure we do it correctly and the communications have got to be really, really good this time. secondary schools already testing staff are gearing up for pupils. so we've got four desks at the ready for testing when the students come back... teenagers will have to do four tests on return — three at school, one at home. we think we can do about a00 students, a50 students a day, maximum, and do it safely and properly. and then from the prime minister, more detail for schools to take in. secondary pupils will be asked to test twice a week at home.

i mean, i have concerns about how we ensure that the tests at home are being done effectively and efficiently. i also worry that it's not always easy to carry such tasks out at home by some parents, so how are we going to guarantee that there's consistency of approach by everybody? when these corridors start filling up, it's going to rely on a lot of trust — trust in teenagers to test themselves properly and to report the results, because if they don't, there's nothing a school can do except appeal to their parents. teenagers will have to wear masks, notjust in corridors but in england's classrooms too, wherever they can't socially distance. northern ireland has also advised masks in secondary classrooms. their return starts with primary pupils in two weeks. in wales, the youngest primary pupils were back today. when teenagers return, a promise of testing.

scotland's youngest also back today. across the uk, the first steps to get children's lives back to normal. branwen jeffreys, bbc news. well we can speak now to the former leader of the green party, and green mp for brighton pavillion, caroline lucas. have the government got this right? they are going in the right direction. i must say it does seem as if the prime minster now has learned it is better to under promise and over deliver rather than the other way around, better to overpromise and under deliver. i look in this more cautious approach. i still have some concerns, while the vaccination programme is going really well i welcome that i think there are concerns that we still don't have a functioning test and trace and isolate and support system. the fact that only three in ten people who should be self isolating are doing that because they cannot afford otherwise is a

real problem, what of the government's on advisers is called that a gaping hole in the heart of the government's covert —— covid strategy. learning from countries in the united states and new york for example, there are really high rates of self—isolation because of the financial support given to people to do that. they are offered rooms and hotels if that is easier because of homes being overcrowded were having multi—generationalfamilies. sojust because we have a good vaccination system does not mean we can just ignore the importance of keeping the transmission rates low via having a much more efficient scheme. i paras much more efficient scheme. i was listenin: much more efficient scheme. i was listening to — much more efficient scheme. i was listening to those _ much more efficient scheme. i was listening to those questions - much more efficient scheme. i was listening to those questions had didn't seem to be a complete full answer to any of that but would you have the budget next week. i would

what pressure you think rishi sunak is under to expend those schemes because as you say statutory sick pay is very low for most people. it's one of the lowest in the countries. more on that and again taking as an example, the people there can get full pay during the time that they are self isolating. by time that they are self isolating. by self isolating people doing the right thing and making a gesture to keep others safe and we ought to keep others safe and we ought to keep them safe as well. i think they there will be pressure. and the other side to support the business which is still crying out for longer term support and i appreciate perhaps the prime minister could set out that today with the budget coming up in a couple of weeks' time. but it is crucial that the businesses note that the business rates holiday will continue and the reduction in vat will continue, that

further will be fully paid in the 3 million who have been excluded from any supports of par, the self—employed and freelancers they absolutely need to get the support that they need. because this more cautious way forward at the prime minister is setting out, well it's one that i support, it obviously makes things more difficult for businesses and they absolutely have to have the financial support they need. he to have the financial support they need. ,., ., ., �* to have the financial support they need. ., ., �* , need. he said that he wouldn't pull the ru: need. he said that he wouldn't pull the rug out — need. he said that he wouldn't pull the rug out from _ need. he said that he wouldn't pull the rug out from beneath _ need. he said that he wouldn't pull i the rug out from beneath businesses that we will have to wait and see for next week. for that we will have to wait and see for next week.— that we will have to wait and see for next week. ., , , for next week. for the self-employed the ru: has for next week. for the self-employed the rug has never _ for next week. for the self-employed the rug has never been _ for next week. for the self-employed the rug has never been there, - for next week. for the self-employed the rug has never been there, it's i the rug has never been there, its extraordinary that 3 million self—employed people, limited company directors, freelancers our absolutely the core of so many small businesses and the entrepreneur economy that you would think more shots would want to support, they have had no money at all since march. that's almost a year now. so the idea that is not quite up for the idea that is not quite up for the rug under theirfeet, they've never even seen the rug. fin the rug under their feet, they've never even seen the rug.- never even seen the rug. on the responsibility — never even seen the rug. on the responsibility that _ never even seen the rug. on the responsibility that people i never even seen the rug. on the responsibility that people have l never even seen the rug. on the| responsibility that people have to

each other on vaccination take which we think about this idea of the vaccine passport? something which the government did seem to be on a week or so ago but now that will have review on that, if you are a care worker and working in the front line and you don't want to have a vaccination against covid then you should not be allowed to work on the front line? h should not be allowed to work on the front line? ~ �* , . should not be allowed to work on the front line? ,, �* , ., ., , front line? i think it's a really difficult subject _ front line? i think it's a really difficult subject to _ front line? i think it's a really difficult subject to be - front line? i think it's a reallyj difficult subject to be honest. front line? i think it's a really. difficult subject to be honest. i have some sympathy with the position you just set out but you have questions about how it was policed and some reason why they cannot have and some reason why they cannot have a vaccine. we need to have a national conversation about exactly how we are going to roll out the vaccine passwords there. issues around determination or whether or not they will be introduced before they will have the chance to get their vaccination. that's going to be a next big issue to discuss.

clearly to do with overseas travel it's much easier, if someone requires you to have a vaccination passport in order to be able to enter a certain country then we are used to being able to do that. the used to being able to do that. the use of that domestically is a lot more challenging and certainly we need to have that discussion. {lilia need to have that discussion. ok, thanks very _ need to have that discussion. ok, thanks very much. _ with the prime minister warning a "zero—covid" world is impossible, what are the criteria for a further loosening of restrictions? the government says continued success of the vaccination programme will be essential, alongside evidence to show those jabs are reducing the deaths and the number of people admitted to hospital. it says it will also continue to assess if there's any impact from new or emerging variants of the disease in the coming months. borisjohnson said that the nhs must not be at risk of being overwhelmed by a surge in covid infections from the changes to lockdown. but with many hospitals still treating similar numbers of patients as they did during the first surge of the pandemic last spring, our health editor hugh pym has been

to milton keynes university hospital in buckinghamshire to see what it's like for frontline staff now. oh, yeah, it takes no prisoners... matthew, who's 79, is recovering from covid in hospital. he had chest pains and a fall at home two weeks ago, and then tested positive for the virus. you wouldn't wish it on anybody. terrible. you feel so weak, you know you have to rely on everybody. he was keen to tell me how grateful he was to the staff. iadmire them... they looked after you very well. very well. no complaints.

henry, who's a consultant, and jane, a senior sister, are reviewing covid patients and agreeing that the pressure has eased a bit. the wards had been quite busy, but we're kind ofjust getting over that hump now, where it's starting to calm down. there are times when we've been on our knees, - but we've just kept going. i and it's seeing the patients getl better and going home that gives you the enthusiasm to carry on. during the surge in patient numbers injanuary, milton keynes university hospital was one of the busiest in england. at one stage last month, more than half the adult beds in the hospital were occupied by covid patients — over 200. now that number's below 100, but that's still pretty close to the first peak last april. daily covid hospital admissions illustrate how much pressure there is across the uk. from below 100 in august, they started moving up in the autumn and increased rapidlyjust before the new year, to hit more than a,000 a day injanuary.

but they've fallen steeply since then to below 1,500. health service leaders say that's still a high number and the nhs will be under strain for some time. we're seeing increased pressure because of the longer—term consequences of covid, increased demand for mental health services and, of course, the additional work that's generated by the vaccination programme. i think it's fair to say that the next 12 months still bring an enormous amount of additional pressure on nhs teams and services. matthew got a round of applause as he left hospital today, on his way to a rehab facility. staff know they'll be treating many more like him whatever happens from here. hugh pym, bbc news, milton keynes. we can speak now to dr alison pittard, who's dean of the faculty of intensive care medicine do you agree with that analysis in

the report that it will be another 12 months before the nhs still to be under huge pressure?— under huge pressure? difficult to see how long _ under huge pressure? difficult to see how long we _ under huge pressure? difficult to see how long we are _ under huge pressure? difficult to see how long we are going i under huge pressure? difficult to see how long we are going to i under huge pressure? difficult to see how long we are going to be | see how long we are going to be under this pressure, because before covid many nhs services were under pressure throughout most of the year and particularly overwinter. and even at the moment even the numbers are coming down as we heard from the report that we are still at numbers almost at the same level of the peak in april. and there's no doubt that as we go through the next 12 months things are going to be back how they were just over 12 months ago so it's going to be a very difficult year for us all i think. is going to be a very difficult year for us all i think.— going to be a very difficult year for us all i think. is this road map the riaht for us all i think. is this road map the right route? _ for us all i think. is this road map the right route? as _ for us all i think. is this road map the right route? as he _ for us all i think. is this road map the right route? as he gets i for us all i think. is this road map the right route? as he gets really im ortant the right route? as he gets really important to _ the right route? as he gets really important to any _ the right route? as he gets really important to any decisions i the right route? as he gets really important to any decisions made | the right route? as he gets really i important to any decisions made in terms of reducing the restrictions are based on the data. and i trust the data, and i trust the scientists who are interpreting that data. we

need to allow time to assess the impact that those reductions in restrictions are having both on the transmission of covid in the community and also on hospital admissions as well. that gives us time to take a step back and not move onto the next stage. and time to take a step back and not move onto the next stage. and are those five weeks, _ move onto the next stage. and are those five weeks, i _ move onto the next stage. and are those five weeks, i suppose - move onto the next stage. and are those five weeks, i suppose you i those five weeks, i suppose you could call them fire breaks, is that long enough? if could call them fire breaks, is that long enough?— could call them fire breaks, is that long enough? if we look at the data we know that _ long enough? if we look at the data we know that once _ long enough? if we look at the data we know that once you _ long enough? if we look at the data we know that once you start - long enough? if we look at the data we know that once you start to i long enough? if we look at the data we know that once you start to see | we know that once you start to see an increase in positive cases it's another couple of weeks before that translates into hospital admissions, and that another couple of weeks before the end of an intensive care units. forweeks before the end of an intensive care units. for weeks is probably the time to start looking at with the impact that is having on the nhs, and therefore i can only assume that

the four to five week time between the four to five week time between the changes in restrictions is a reasonable approach. for the changes in restrictions is a reasonable approach. for those of us that know many _ reasonable approach. for those of us that know many people _ reasonable approach. for those of us that know many people working i reasonable approach. for those of us that know many people working on . reasonable approach. for those of us i that know many people working on the front lines and in intensive care people are exhausted, they have been through just the most traumatic year, even professionals, the numbers of people that have been dying in front of them and have not been able to do much about it, how are you going to re—energize and rejuvenate staff who basically probably need a couple of months off? ,, ., , ., probably need a couple of months off2)... , ., off? staff are absolutely exhausted, and it's notjust _ off? staff are absolutely exhausted, and it's notjust staff— off? staff are absolutely exhausted, and it's notjust staff working i and it's notjust staff working normally in intensive care, it's the huge numbers of staff that have come to help us in intensive care and also other members of staff notjust working and intensive care, the whole system has been under pressure and it's really important that health care workers have the time to

recover both their physical and mental well—being so that they can then be there and be resilient to support as we slowly start to resume normal planned activity. so we do need to have time, and i think that's where the staged approach to reducing the lockdown measures, allowing time to see what impact that has on the health care system. which hopefully will allow staff to have some downtime to have some time away from the clinical settings so that can recover.— that can recover. thank you very much indeed. _ it's just short of a year since the first nationwide lockdown was brought in. since then, businesses across the country have faced uncertain and changing conditions, with many hoping that today can now provide some certainty on which to base future plans. our consumer affairs correspondent sarah corker has been finding out what businesses in the hospitality and tourism sectors — both hit particularly badly in the last year — make of today's announcements.

navigating a course out of a third lockdown was never going to be easy. on the shores of lake windermere, hotels and holiday parks are desperate to reopen when it's safe to do so and claw back covid losses. most of our income is taken between april and september, in three peaks... parkdean resorts employ up to 6,000 people across the uk, and these holiday lets and self—catering lodges are now set to welcome visitors back again in mid—april. today's road map sets out the principles of that transition. what's your reaction? well, whilst it's great we have got a date to work to, the 12th of april, it's very disappointing that we're going to miss easter for the second consecutive period. that's a challenge for us — we missed last year's easter. and also, what it causes is a knock—on delay of us being able to hire people. nearly 20 million people visit

the lake district every year and tourism businesses have spent huge amounts of money making their premises covid—safe at a time when there's no money coming in, and their hopes now rest on a strong bounce back this summer. outdoor socialising in beer gardens could be allowed from mid—april, too, but indoor hospitality in pubs, restaurants and hotels will have to wait till the month after. the landlady of the albert pub in bowness says they'll need continued support to get through to may. our beer garden is one fifth of the business, so i can't have all my staff back to work for one fifth of the business. we're going to need grants, hopefully flexi—furlough, orfurlough in itself, and help with the vat and business rates to ensure that we stay afloat. if strict conditions are met, large parts of the economy will start reopening from april 12, including hairdressing and retail. has it been a fight to keep going?

yeah, it's totally been a fight. this is my business, it's my livelihood. we're all fed up, we're all ready... spring is in the air, there's a chink of light at the end of the tunnel, but i'd rather not rush at it if it needs a couple of steps towards it and we get it right this time. this is a cautious unlocking, as the health impacts are weighed against the continuing damage to the economy, but the lake district is well—positioned to capitalise on the desire for outdoor, socially distanced holidays this summer. sarah corker, bbc news, in windermere. dr chris smith works as a consultant virologist at addenbrooke's hospital in cambridge and presents the the naked scientists podcast. hejoins us now. is this cautious enough? or overcautious? ihla is this cautious enough? or overcautious?— is this cautious enough? or overcautious? . ,, , . overcautious? no i think they are doinu overcautious? no i think they are doin: the overcautious? no i think they are doing the right — overcautious? no i think they are doing the right thing. _ overcautious? no i think they are doing the right thing. we - overcautious? no i think they are doing the right thing. we are i overcautious? no i think they are i doing the right thing. we are going to take small steps and learn as we

go along. and i think that's the right thing to do under the circumstances. they have used some pretty strong language with a say that these are good to be changes that these are good to be changes that will be irreversible. i'm not sure i would go that far but i do think it's cautious small steps gaining confidence with each one of them. . , , , will gaining confidence with each one of| them-_ will you them. could it be sped up? will you could do anything _ them. could it be sped up? will you could do anything faster... - them. could it be sped up? will you could do anything faster... sorry, i could do anything faster... sorry, if thins could do anything faster... sorry, if things progressed _ could do anything faster... sorry, if things progressed really - if things progressed really significantly, more than had been anticipated could it be sped up? i don't see why not but by being cautious it takes time to learn the things to bed in to get data, to see if things are moving in the direction that we are, not being misled or fooled direction that we are, not being misled orfooled by blips in the data or something. so i think that the trajectory is a cautious one, but at the same time it does allow room to manoeuvre. is suddenly there was evidence that we could speed things up i think they probably could. but this way they are planning for the worst and hoping for the best. is planning for the worst and hoping for the best-— planning for the worst and hoping for the best. is the biggest fear in

new variant? _ for the best. is the biggest fear in new variant? they _ for the best. is the biggest fear in new variant? they will _ for the best. is the biggest fear in new variant? they will keep i for the best. is the biggest fear in i new variant? they will keep cropping u . new variant? they will keep cropping u- because new variant? they will keep cropping op because the _ new variant? they will keep cropping up because the virus _ new variant? they will keep cropping up because the virus is _ new variant? they will keep cropping up because the virus is a _ new variant? they will keep cropping up because the virus is a moving i up because the virus is a moving target. when it grows and spreads and makes genetic spelling mistakes and makes genetic spelling mistakes and some of those genetic mistakes just by chance can confer on the various additional abilities or additional optimised behaviours that mean that it gets selected and enriched in the population, so it spreads more. at the moment we know where they're happening because we are looking for them. and it's up a —— almost certain that we will get them and that before we tread the virus down with the vaccine. it's like a game of cat and mouse. how quickly can we get people vaccinated to get the levels right down before we give the virus to many more roles of the genetic dice.— of the genetic dice. having developed _ of the genetic dice. having developed a _ of the genetic dice. having developed a vaccine i of the genetic dice. having developed a vaccine at i of the genetic dice. having i developed a vaccine at lightning speed would be easier to tweak it to deal with these new variants orjust on the fear of a really new powerful

variant, a vaccine which would not be able to deal with it at all? thea;r be able to deal with it at all? they are very easy _ be able to deal with it at all? they are very easy to — be able to deal with it at all? they are very easy to update. _ be able to deal with it at all? they are very easy to update. if - be able to deal with it at all? tia: are very easy to update. if you be able to deal with it at all? tta: are very easy to update. if you ask the teams that invented them they will tell you that by and large they created the vaccine concept in a weekend or so. but making it at scale and then getting it into people at scale that's where the headache is. because as we are seeing is taken a gargantuan and monumental effort to get it into half a million people per day in this country. and there is a danger we will end up in a position like the fourth bridge where we'll finish vaccine the country and have to start all over again. by the fourth bridge had to start repainting at the minute you finish painting it when you got to the far end. the good news is that the vaccines are agile committed technology allows us to update things, the bad news is that we still remain a big population. and one way or another if you end up having to update your vaccine you will have to update your vaccine. the middle ground is that we do have some evidence from almost

certainly these vaccines are protecting us at the moment. and therefore one might suspect that they may well, even if there was a new even more tooled up very emerging, they may well continue to protect us enough to convert what would otherwise be a lethal infection, into a non—lethal infection. let's hope that's the case. r , infection. let's hope that's the case. a. infection. let's hope that's the case. . ~ infection. let's hope that's the case. a. . ~ infection. let's hope that's the case. as always thank you very much indeed. we now know when outdoor sports will be able to resume, when you'll be able to go to the gym again, and — this is a big one forfans — when crowds could be allowed back into sporting events. with more details, here's patrick gearey. it's been a long bleak winter, and for most of us, sport has become a simple, solitary experience done alone or at home. courts, gyms and clubs closed. today, for england at least, we got an idea of the path from here. cheering. to there. sport, at itsjoyous, communal, normal best. i now call the prime minister to make his statement.

prime minister. the route, the prime minister says is cautious. it's divided into four steps, each subject to four tests based on the latest data on the virus. they will be at least five weeks between each, and any of them could be delayed. so what is the plan? well, when schools return on the 8th of march pupils will be allowed to take part in sport. then three weeks later on the 29th, still part of step one, tennis courts and outdoor pools can reopen. organised team sport can kick off once more as well. in step two, no earlier than april the 12th, the gyms can reopen their doors and indoor sports will be allowed again. then on may the 17th step three can begin, and that might allow the return of fans for the first time this year. up to 1000 indoors, and up to a000 at smaller outdoor venues. while a crowd of up to 10,000 could be allowed into larger stadiumsjust in time for the end of the premier league season. the turnstiles of our sports stadia will once again rotate, subject in all cases to capacity limits depending on the size of the venue. and we will pilot larger events using enhanced testing with the ambition of further easing of restrictions in the next step.

the government held a similar pilots last year, and fans were eventually allowed in, but not for long. the hope is that the vaccine will prop the stadium doors open this time around. byjune the 21st it's possible that all restrictions on crowds may have gone, and the semi finals and final of the euros could be held at a full wembley stadium. it seems a long way off, and some will disagree with the speed and direction, but at least now we can see the path. patrick gearey, bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with nick miller. hello. those areas across the north and the west that have seen the lion's share of today's sunshine are about to be cloudier, wetter and windier. now, initially with clear skies tonight, it'll turn quite chilly, especially in the east, a touch of frost, a few

fog patches around. temperatures, though, recover later in the night. the wind picking up. here comes the rain to northern ireland, western scotland, parts of wales and western england as we go into tuesday morning. that rain hangs around northern ireland, cumbria, scotland tuesday into wednesday, especially though in scotland, where there is a met office amber warning. parts of the southern uplands, southern highlands, most there could be over 100 mm of rain and furtherflooding. so, a risk of flooding from the rain in scotland, northern ireland, cumbria as it turns heavy and persistent during tuesday. there will still be some patchy ran around parts of wales and western england, especially more so tuesday night into wednesday. all areas turning windy, some gusts near 70 mph in northern ireland and scotland. eastern england staying dry and even warmer than this on wednesday.

this is bbc news. the british prime minister sets out his road map for england to come out of lockdown. schools will return in two weeks — and the aim is to lift all restrictions by latejune. the uk's speedy vaccine roll—out has decisively shifted the odds in the battle against the virus, says mrjohnson we're now travelling on a one—way road to freedom. is america really back? secretary of state antony blinken meets his eu counterparts — but dealing effectively with russia will take more than warm words. also in the programme...