this is bbc news. i'm ben brown. the headlines... with pubs and theatres due to reopen later this year, the prime minister tasks michael gove with looking into the use of vaccine passports. there are deep and complex issues that we need to explore, ethical issues about what the role is for government in mandating all people to have such a thing, or indeed banning people from doing such a thing. travel firms say there has been a surge in people booking overseas holidays since the road map out of lockdown was published. scotland's first minister says she aims to progressively ease restrictions every three weeks, with a view to reopening the economy from the end of april. this depends on us continuing to suppress the virus now and continuing to accept some

trade—offs for a period, for example international travel. but if we do so, i am very optimistic that we can make good progress in returning more normality to our lives and to the economy. buckingham place says the duke of edinburgh is receiving medical attention for an infection and is not expected to leave hospital for several days. unemployment hits its highest figure for five years — with people under the age of 25 worst affected. good afternoon. as the country prepares to start emerging from lockdown, there's a new focus on the use of so—called vaccine passports in england. the senior cabinet minister michael gove will lead

a review into the idea, looking at the ethics of such a scheme, as well as potential technical and legal difficulties. borisjohnson said a vaccine certificate scheme would be a "a novelty for our country". vaccine passports, he said, would involve "deep and complex" issues around whether people should have to prove they've been vaccinated against coronavirus if they want to take part in social activities such as going to the pub. it comes as a government adviser and modeller, dr mike tildesley, told bbc news there's a danger a divide will open up between those taking up the jab and those who haven't been vaccinated meanwhile, nicola sturgeon has said this afternoon that scotland should be able to move out of lockdown and into a tiered system of restrictions by the end of april; she outlined plans to ease rules every three weeks. well, the day after mrjohnson revealed his road map for england, he urged people to be "prudent" by continuing to follow the rules —

and he's warned nothing can be guaranteed. some of his mps still want him to relax restrictions faster. jonathan blake reports. a return to something like life as normal could come by the summer, under the roadmap announced by the prime minister yesterday. as more and more people are vaccinated, the idea of proving you have had the jab to do certain things is under review. visiting a school in south london this morning, the prime minister suggested it was being seriously considered. this is an area where we are looking at a novelty for our country. we haven't had stuff like this before. we've never thought in terms of having something that you have to show to go to a pub or a theatre, and so there are deep and complex issues with that we need to explore, ethical issues. there is no doubt vaccine passports, or covid status certificates, as the government is calling them, are a sensitive issue. i am for it. whether you want to travel, go to the pub, like you said,

people need to be vaccinated. i don't think the government has - a great record of it implementations and managing the technology veryi well, so i think it would very much depend on how the passport - was managed and how it was going to be used. we are all doing it for each other, you know? we're just trying to keep each other well, so i don't have a problem with it whatsoever. i don't think it should be a passport to say you can and can't do that with and without a vaccine. that is not my decision but is for each individual to make. venues hardest hit by the pandemic may be keen to draw people back however they can, but as the government reviews the use of covid certificates there is caution, and no consensus. as someone who believes in freedom it is a little bit of an uncomfortable thought thinking you might need a piece of paper to go to the pub or whatever it might be, but i think the government is right to conduct a really wide scale review into this and i am pleased it is going on at the moment. i don't think implementing such a system would be i simple but we already, l

clearly, have a situation where a number of employers are really confused. _ they don't know what the situation is going to be moving forward, - so a review is sensible but please i make sure it's a really inclusive i review, one that really drawsi on all the evidence available. in the nearer future, the road map out of lockdown starts on march the 8th, when all children can go back to school. two people are allowed to socialise outdoors and care home residents can have one regular visitor. then on the 29th of march, six people or two households can meet outdoors. and outdoor sports facilities can open. from the 12th of april, nonessential retail, hairdressers and other personal care businesses can open, along with gems and outdoor hospitality. on the 17th of may, most social contact rules will be lifted outdoors. along with gyms and outdoor hospitality. six people or people from two households can meet outdoors and indoor hospitality and hotels can open. from the 21st ofjune, all remaining restrictions should come to an end.

but, with the way out of lockdown in england, there comes new questions about living with coronavirus in the longer term. jonathan blake, bbc news. let's take a look at the latest daily covid figures for the uk. there have been a further 548 covid—related deaths — that's people who've died within 28 days of a positive test. this time last week, that figure was 799. another 8,489 people have tested positive in the past 2a hours. last tuesday, that figure was 10,625. and more than 17.9 million people in the uk have now received their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine. our political correspondent jonathan blake is at westminster. jonathan, 2a hours after we got the

road map from borisjohnson, politicians have been able to digest it in some detail, all 60 odd pages of it. what is the political reaction today?— of it. what is the political reaction today? of it. what is the political reaction toda ? ~ , ., reaction today? while there is a broad consensus _ reaction today? while there is a broad consensus at _ reaction today? while there is a | broad consensus at westminster reaction today? while there is a i broad consensus at westminster - broad consensus at westminster — aside from some pockets of resistance in the conservative party and criticism of borisjohnson from the smaller opposition parties, that the smaller opposition parties, that the road map he has set out is in fact the right approach. and it seems to strike the right balance, according to the majority of conservative mps, and most labour voices between opening up as soon as it's safe to do so but not going so quickly that you risk having to introduce restrictions further in the future and go into lockdown again. so despite, as i say, some opposition which continues from the conservative backbenchers, it seems when mps do get to vote on the plant to lift lockdown, these plans will pass easily. that said, there's a

debate under way about the specific issue of vaccine passports, or covid certificates, as the government calls them. this is something the prime minister talked about yesterday in that news conference in downing street, saying a review would be undertaken in government into how workable it is and what should be done. and he talked a bit more about it today, as you saw in the reportjust now. and i think this isjust in response the reportjust now. and i think this is just in response to a the reportjust now. and i think this isjust in response to a debate that's already under way. some are working unilaterally saying they require their employees to be vaccinated and some holiday firms requiring a vaccine before people book. this is something that needs to be looked at by the government seriously, so ministers have softened their stance somewhat because it wasn't that long ago that the idea was dismissed out of hand. and michael gove will lead a review. that said, there are some concerns about how we will —— it will work

and if it will pinch unduly on people's liberties and freedom. here's whatjonathan ashworth had to say on it here on bbc news a little while ago. we certainly need to look into it carefully, so we welcome that there will be a review. i think that a form of vaccine passport will probably be inevitable for international travel in the foreseeable future. that shouldn't be too controversial. many countries around the world insist on a yellow fever vaccination, for example, like african countries and far eastern countries. so we've conceded that principle. we've also never used passports for domestic arrangements in this country or in many countries. so we need to really understand the implications. i mean, i can see the arguments, but then, if you're going to have a passport for a covid vaccination, why not a passport for a flu vaccination? i mean, flu kills thousands of people every year. a lot of questions which the government will be looking at in

this review. it is due to report before that final stage of the road map out of lockdown comes on 21 june. there's also the issue of international travel, and i think thatis international travel, and i think that is an area where there is much more of a consensus and acknowledgement in government that something will need to be done simply because other countries may well require some sort of proof of vaccination or negative covid test status to gain entry. and on that, at the prime minister's spokesman told us this lunchtime that the uk will be looking to use its presidency at the g7 group of nations this year to try to work towards some sort of international framework to make that as easy as possible. framework to make that as easy as ossible. , ., ., ., ., ., ., , framework to make that as easy as ossible. , ., ., ., ., , i. possible. jonathan, good to see you, thank ou possible. jonathan, good to see you, thank you very _ possible. jonathan, good to see you, thank you very much _ possible. jonathan, good to see you, thank you very much indeed. - scotland's first minister, nicola sturgeon, has said she hopes to lift the "stay at home" restriction in scotland from early april, but is not interested in setting out any "abitrary dates" at the moment for furture stages.

—— future stages. let's take a look at what she announed. the next easing of restrictions will be on 15 march, where it's hoped all primary school children will go back to school, and some secondary school pupils for part of the week. there'll also be an easing on limits to outdoor socialising. from 5 april, the stay at home order will be lifted — all pupils will be back in school, and there'll be an easing on the rules on household gatherings. and it's hoped from the end of april, all of mainland scotland will return to the levels system — starting in level three, when nonessential shops and hospitality can reopen. nicola sturgeon made the announcement in holyrood earlier this afternoon. we envisage a progressive easing of the current level for restrictions that apply across most of the country at intervals of at least three weeks, along with changes nationally on education and care home visiting, and the immediate priority will continue to be the return of schools. all of these easings will of course depend on an assessment that it is safe to proceed. the first easing started yesterday with the partial return of schools.

in addition, universities and colleges are able to bring back a small number of students, no more than 5% of the total where face—to—face teaching is critical. we will also ease restrictions on care home visiting from early march, and guidance was set out at the weekend. the next phase of easing will be a minimum of three weeks later, so indicatively, from 15 march. we hope that this will include the next phase of school return, which will start with the rest of primary school years, 4—7, and also getting more senior phased secondary schools back into the classroom for at least part of the learning. we also hope, in this phase, to restart outdoors noncontact group sports for 12 to 17—year—olds, and we will also aim to increase the limit on outdoor mixing between households to four people from a maximum of two households, compared to two people from two households just now. and then, a minimum of three weeks after that, so from 5 april, it is our hope and expectation

at this stage that the stay—at—home restriction will be lifted. we would aim for any final phase of school return to take place on this date. communal worship will also, we hope, restart around 5 april, albeit with restricted numbers to begin with. however, in deciding the exact date for this, we will obviously take account of the timing of major religious festivals, for example easter and passover, so it may be a few days earlier when communal worship can restart. we will seek to ease the restrictions on household gatherings further, so it will be at least six people from two households can meet together. in this phase, we will also begin the reopening of retail that will start with the extension of the definition every essential retail and the removal of restrictions on click and collect, and then, three weeks after that, as i indicated earlier, so from 26 april, assuming the data allows it, we will move back to levels with hopefully all of scotland

that is currently a level four, moving to level three, albeit with some possible modifications. at that stage, we will begin to reopen the economy and society in the more substantial way that we are all longing for. nicola sturgeon. the conservative leader at holyrood, ruth davidson, said while she welcomed the first minister's update, it lacked a lot of detail that would give people in scotland hope for when they are able to begin living their lives again. we welcome the information that's contained within this statement today, particularly the details on school returns and care home visits. however, there is much that is not in this statement. there is nothing for the thousands of scots who had medical treatments, tests, or operations cancelled, about when and how services will get back up to speed. there's nothing for those who've already postponed huge life events like weddings for a year, about when they can walk down the aisle in front of family and friends. and there's nothing about when measures like social distancing will end, and we can do something as basic as give a loved one a hug.

the statement and the accompanying documents relate almost exclusively to the time between now and 26 april when the first mr plans to move the whole country to level three restrictions, pandemic permitting. which, to be clear, under current rules would still stop people leaving their council area. but there's nothing about what happens after 26 april. this isn't a route map out of covid, but a holding document for the next eight weeks. and everyone understands that we might not be able to give people absolute certainty. but they were expecting the first minister to give them some kind of hope. many will have tuned in today precisely because they were expecting to receive that. they didn't tune in today expecting to be told to tune in again in three weeks' time. and they have a right to be disappointed. first minister, why won't you let the people of scotland know the plan to get them fully out of lockdown? and back to their lives? earlier this afternoon, we heard from scotland's chief medical officer,

dr gregor smith. i think what we're seeing this afternoon is a picture of scotland where we recognise that we can't stay longer — and we definitely and we definitely don't want to stay any longer there indefinitely. but we have to plot our way out of lockdown very cautiously and in a safe way for the population of scotland. the environment we're dealing with is just very different from the last time that we exited the lockdown. a lot�*s change since that time. we are now dealing with variant b117, which has now become the predominant type of virus that we're seeing in scotland. and of course, we've got this wonderful, encouraging news of the vaccine programme and the effects that it's having in this early stage, as well. nonetheless, it's really important that at this stage, we pick our way through these next few weeks very, very carefully and making sure that what we don't precipitate is a rise in the number of cases that we are seeing across scotland again. the headlines on bbc news...

with pubs and theatres due to reopen later this year, the prime minister tasks michael gove with looking into the use of vaccine passports. scotland's first minister says she aims to progressively ease restrictions every three weeks, with a view to reopening the economy from the end of april. buckingham place says the duke of edinburgh is receiving medical attention for an infection and is not expected to leave hospital for several days. lawyers for alex salmond, the former first minister of scotland, have demanded an urgent explanation after evidence he submitted to an inquiry was taken down from the scottish parliament's webiste. mr salmond had handed over the written evidence to the inquiry investigating the botched handling of harassment claims against him. scotland's prosecution service had raised �*grave concerns' over the documents. 0ur scotland editor sarah smith told me more

yes, it's an extremely complicated story, but it's a very, very important one. let me run you through what's happened today. alex salmond had submitted two lengthy statements to the holyrood committee investigating the scottish government's handling of sexual harassment allegations against him and they were laying out his version of events. there was legal wrangling over the last few weeks about whether or not they could be published and last night they were put up on the scottish parliament's website and in so doing, they were paving the way for him to appear in front of the committee tomorrow and give evidence in person. mr salmond had said he wouldn't do that unless his evidence was published. no sooner were the documents put up there then the prosecuting authorities, the crown office, said they had very grave concerns about some legal issues about some of the things said in these statements, so this morning the scottish parliament has taken one of those statements down again. they are hoping they will be able to publish a revised version of it later today and that we will be able to look at that, but what is not clear at the moment

is whether enough of what mr salmond had to say will be in that revised version to allow him to give evidence. he's really concerned about this because, unless these statements are published, the committee can't refer to them in their findings, make them part of their report — he wants his version of events on the record and he may not appear if the committee is not able to publish what he has had to say. sarah smith, there. buckingham palace has said the duke of edinburgh will remain in king edward vii hospital for several days. in a short statement, they said he was comfortable and responding to treatment for an infection. in the last few minutes, prince edward said his father was looking forward to leaving hospital. your father the duke of edinburgh is in hospital at the moment. do you mind me asking how he is? as far as i'm aware, he is a lot better, thank you very much indeed. he is looking forward to getting out which is the real positive. we are keeping our fingers crossed.

sense of frustration of being in hospital? just a bit. i think that gets to all of us. you can only watch the clock so many times, and the wolves are only so interesting. we all wish him well. you're very kind. thank you very much for talking to us today. we have we've had some brilliant and lovely messages from all sorts from all sorts of people, so thank you very much for that. and i will be passing them on, so thank you. 0ur correspondent frankie mccamley is outside king edward vii hospital and gave us this update. a very short, very sharp statement from buckingham palace to say the duke of edinburgh remains at the king edward vii hospital where he is receiving medical treatment for an infection. he's comfortable and responding to treatment, but he'll be staying here for a few days. and as you heard from that clip, he's very much looking forward to leaving this hospital. it's unclear exactly what kind of infection the prince has, but we understand he's been treated for a bladder infection in the past.

and his statement from the palace very measured, very calm — and i think this is the feel we've really been getting from the palace since prince philip was admitted to the hospital seven days ago. we were told he arrived, he walked in unaided, he was in good spirits, he had just been feeling unwell and had come in for precautionary measures. it was only after the weekend where concerns were heightened when we were told that prince philip would be kept in for rest and observation. then prince charles came to visit his father — he made a 200 mile round—trip to come see his father forjust 30 minutes, and we are told by the hospital that their policy is to allow these kinds of visits only in exceptional circumstances. but since then, it's been very quiet here. none of the other family, we understand, have been in to see the duke of edinburgh. but yesterday we did hear from prince william speaking to a royal photographer. he was playing it down as well, saying his father is ok and he's

being cared for by the staff. buckingham palace, like i say, have just released that short statement to say he's responding well to treatment and is hoping to leave in the few days. travel firms say there has been a surge in people booking overseas holidays since the prime minister's announcement yesterday. foreign holidays are banned at the moment, and ministers say they won't lift the restrictions until mid—may at the earliest. but travel agencies and airlines say bookings have soared — as families bet the restrictions will be lifted by the summer. caroline davies reports. yesterday's announcement has meant the travel industry has their fingers crossed for brighter days. no earlier than 12 april, self—catered accommodation will open within households, and a global travel taskforce report to the prime minister presenting an idea of how international travel can restart.

the government will then decide and no earlier than 17 may hotels can and international travel might be able to return. it was enough to encourage natalie to book a family trip to yorkshire. we had been keeping our eye on a few places over the last few weeks in anticipation of lockdown being eased. yeah, just decided to go for it and book it in the hope that things would be back to relative normality come august. and international travel has also seen a surge in bookings. the response from the customers to the announcement yesterday was quite fantastic to see. we have been up some 630% on bookings at easyjet holidays, and this continues now throughout the morning. it just shows what we have said all along, that there is an enormous increase in pent—up demand. but travel may not look the same. the industry, the government, and other countries considering how we can get back to the skies. proof passengers have been vaccinated might be key.

there is clearly an important role for certification for international travel and we are working with colleagues around the world on that. the question of how much more broadly we can use that certification is one that we have put into a review because there are so many considerations. while this might look tempting, there is no guarantee that international travel will start again in mid—may. over the last few months, the travel industry has seen restriction put on top of restriction, including bans for entire continents and the introduction of quarantine hotels. removing those measures will take some careful unpicking. some are cautiously optimistic but have questions. will testing be a requirement? if so, how will government guarantee affordable testing for any member of the public that want to travel, and i think that is really important. and also hotel quarantine, that is going to be a significant deterrent, if those measures are still in place. what would the plans be there? also lots of discussion and talk around vaccination certificates. how international travel could work

will still take some deliberation. going on holiday is still illegal, so don't pack your suitcases quite yet. caroline davies, bbc news. paul charles is the ceo of the pc agency and co—founder of "save0ursummer" travel group. paul, has our summer been saved? i think it has mostly. there is certainly more confidence there, as you heard in that report, and many bookings which have started to flow in. that's what many travel firms needed. they are setting on a precipice and have not seen much cash flowing in, and outlast the has been unlocked. by a more confident road map, or a been unlocked. by a more confident road map, ora road map with been unlocked. by a more confident road map, or a road map with still several questions to be answered. your pressure group wrote to the prime minister saying that may was a

good time to unlock foreign travel. and you pretty much got what you want, haven't you? you said 17 may at the earliest, but it's looking good? at the earliest, but it's looking aood? v at the earliest, but it's looking aood? �* , _, ., at the earliest, but it's looking aood? �*, ., . ., , good? it's welcomed and clearly the government — good? it's welcomed and clearly the government will _ good? it's welcomed and clearly the government will be _ good? it's welcomed and clearly the government will be held _ good? it's welcomed and clearly the government will be held to - good? it's welcomed and clearly the government will be held to those i government will be held to those dates as long as the data improves in the vaccine roll—out goes according to plan. and obviously the 900 firms who signed up for that group trust the government to deliver on those dates. and i'm sure the travel task force that has been set up will now look urgently at those questions to reassure consumers and have the confidence they need to make sure they can be 100% certain. but of course, one of the things as they can book at the moment with the certainty of knowing that they will get a refund or can rebook should their trip not go ahead. and i think that the important point. it's not illegal to book, you can book and you can get your money back or re—fix your travel dates. your money back or re-fix your travel dates.— your money back or re-fix your

travel dates. ., ., ., . ., travel dates. one area of continuing uncertainty is _ travel dates. one area of continuing uncertainty is likely _ travel dates. one area of continuing uncertainty is likely to _ travel dates. one area of continuing uncertainty is likely to be _ travel dates. one area of continuing uncertainty is likely to be the - uncertainty is likely to be the whole quarantine issue, isn't it? especially with new variants popping up especially with new variants popping up here and there, we've already got those 33 read list countries. and that could continue, there could be more countries added to that list — so whatever happens with that 17 may date the government have set out, quarantining will still be a big issue for travellers? i quarantining will still be a big issue for travellers?— quarantining will still be a big issue for travellers? i think this issue for travellers? i think this is the time _ issue for travellers? i think this is the time for _ issue for travellers? i think this is the time for questions - issue for travellers? i think this is the time for questions about| is the time for questions about these policies that were set before these policies that were set before the vaccine roll—out has been so successful. policies around quarantine and whether it's really needed, policies around travel corridors after they are seemingly failed approach last year because they caused so much distress to consumers and so many problems for countries. and in fact, why not go back to testing, which so many have been calling for like the world travel and tourism council have widely said —— wisely said that testing is the only answer, and you can act on the information. but if

it was clear and there was clarity — no quarantine, no corridors and testing only — it would make it much easierfor testing only — it would make it much easier for consumers testing only — it would make it much easierfor consumers to testing only — it would make it much easier for consumers to understand what hurdles there may be in the future travel terms. the government sa s it is future travel terms. the government says it is looking _ future travel terms. the government says it is looking now _ future travel terms. the government says it is looking now at _ future travel terms. the government says it is looking now at the - says it is looking now at the possibility of vaccine passports. would you support that, would you support an airline that says you can only come on a flight with us if you've had the vaccination? know, and this is — you've had the vaccination? know, and this is a _ you've had the vaccination? know, and this is a catchall _ you've had the vaccination? know, and this is a catchall term - you've had the vaccination? know, and this is a catchall term that - and this is a catchall term that people are using. vaccine passports are different to digital health apps. vaccine passport may be your whole history and they're all sorts of concerns around that, discriminatory because there are various people who can't get a vaccine, maybe they live in a country where the vaccine roll—out has not gone well, maybe they are under the age of 18 and they can't get a vaccine. so they're all sorts of issues with that. where is a travel or digital app is for one journey — and that's what most people support, because then it

would enable travel for that particular journey. would enable travel for that particularjourney. so i think there might be a combination of testing and an app for your one journey. having a passport is not the answer is all. . , ., having a passport is not the answer is all. ., y., having a passport is not the answer is all. ., i. ,., having a passport is not the answer is all. . ,, i. , is all. have you booked your summer hohda ? is all. have you booked your summer holida ? i is all. have you booked your summer holiday? i have _ is all. have you booked your summer holiday? i have a _ is all. have you booked your summer holiday? i have a holiday _ is all. have you booked your summer holiday? i have a holiday booked - is all. have you booked your summer holiday? i have a holiday booked in l holiday? i have a holiday booked in the uk, and _ holiday? i have a holiday booked in the uk, and i've _ holiday? i have a holiday booked in the uk, and i've got— holiday? i have a holiday booked in the uk, and i've got one _ holiday? i have a holiday booked in the uk, and i've got one booked i holiday? i have a holiday booked in the uk, and i've got one booked in| the uk, and i've got one booked in europe. so i am confident they'll go ahead, i trust the government to deliver those dates.— deliver those dates. fingers crossed- — deliver those dates. fingers crossed. thanks _ deliver those dates. fingers crossed. thanks for - deliver those dates. fingers crossed. thanks for talking | deliver those dates. fingers i crossed. thanks for talking to deliver those dates. fingers - crossed. thanks for talking to us, paul. now it's time for a look at the weather with helen willets. good afternoon. an amber warning for heavy rain stays in force for the rest of today and tonight for parts of scotland in particular, but actually the rain is falling more widely, but these areas likely to have as much as 120 millimetres of rain. the ground is already saturated so expect disruption certainly and further flooding. you can see the area of rain giving some wet weather across northern ireland as well as northern england, and it is windy.

gales out there, up through the irish sea and into the west of scotland. windy wherever you are, so even in the sunshine, a mild 1a celsius will be quite blustery. and it will remain blustery through the night with yet more rain to come, similar areas up through wales and northern england into southern and central parts of scotland. yes, the temperatures are held up more than they should be by day at this time of year but the story is about that rain, which only slowly starts to peter out through tomorrow, just easing a little bit further eastwards during wednesday. but if the sun comes out in the east exceptionally warm, but still very wet in some areas. hello this is bbc news with ben brown. the headlines. with pubs and theatres due to reopen later this year, the prime minister tasks michael gove with looking into the use of vaccine passports. there are deep and complex issues that we need to explore, ethical issues about what the role is for

government in mandating all people to have such a thing, or indeed banning people from doing such a thing. scotland's first minister says she aims to progressively ease restrictions every three weeks, with a view to reopening the economy from the end of april. this depends on us continuing to suppress the virus now and continuing to accept some trade—offs for a period, for example international travel, but if we do so, i am very optimistic that we can make good progress in returning more normality to our lives and to the economy. buckingham place says the duke of edinburgh is receiving medical attention for an infection and is not expected to leave hospital for several days. travel firms say there has been a surge in people booking overseas unemployment hits its highest figure for 5 years — with people under the age of 25 worst affected.

jander was back with a little support from one of world football's most controversial figures, super agent mino raiola, has rejected accusations that he is greedy and a parasite. there have been claims that raiola earned £41 million from paul pogba's £89 million transfer from juventus to manchester united in 2016. in an exclusive interview with bbc sports editor dan roan, raiola insists his only interest is looking after his players. maybe, if this man is so greedy and so bad and so, i don't know what i am, i don't know what i have been called, how the hell are his players all happy and stay with him? that's what my real test is, you know? the? what my real test is, you know? they call ou a what my real test is, you know? they call you a parasite, _ what my real test is, you know? they call you a parasite, that's how you have been described at times by people. ma; have been described at times by neale, ~y , , have been described at times by --eole. y , , .,�* have been described at times by --eole. g , , .,�* have been described at times by n-eole. g , .,�* ., people. my players don't call me a arasite. people. my players don't call me a parasite- the _ people. my players don't call me a parasite. the only _ people. my players don't call me a parasite. the only one _ people. my players don't call me a parasite. the only one that - people. my players don't call me a parasite. the only one that i - people. my players don't call me a parasite. the only one that i work| parasite. the only one that i work for is my players. i don't work for

somebody else. and parasites have a very important role in their life, for their host. you have a big shark and you have a parasite under it. so i don't care what they call me. and you can see more from dan roan's exclusive interview with mino raiola in sportsday from 6:30. england women have beaten northern ireland 6—0 in their first match in a year. it was a friendly at st george's park which saw new interim head coach hege riise take charge for the first time. jill scott was given the captain's armband on her 150th cap. it didn't take long for the goals to come, ellen white pouncing on a mistake from the northern ireland defender to get england's first. her second was set up by lucy bronze and for her hatrick, white got on the end of a beautifully weighted ball from jill scott. england's fifth was set up by bronze who put the ball on a plate for rachel daly and the sixth was a penalty, a debut goal for ella toone.

heige riise was very pleased with the performance. 0bviously, six goals, four players getting their first cap, and we pushed over 90 minutes and we wanted more goals. we tried to find the pocket in between, run at them, and we showed character. scotland women have lost their last euro qualifier against portugal. they already knew they couldn't qualify for the tournament, but it was a chance for new interim manager stuart mclaren to get to know his squad. scotland had been dominating the match, but rachel corsie's pass back to keeperjenna fife put her under pressure, her kick was blocked by portugal's ana capeta, deflecting the ball into the back of the net before the half hour mark. despite numerous chances and having the majority of possession, portugal got a second in added time when a poor clearance from jen beattie was volleyed in by fatimo pinto.

a decision will be made by six nations organisers tomorrow over whether scotland's match against france can go ahead, following the coronavirus outbreak in the french squad. 10 players have tested positive, including captain charles 0llivon, although no further positive test have been returned today. scottish rugby say they want the game on as long as it's medically safe. england's billy vunipola says the incident has been a wake up call to all players. you go and then you come back and then you _ you go and then you come back and then you find out about the french situation, — then you find out about the french situation, and you realise how important _ situation, and you realise how important it actually is. and how important — important it actually is. and how important we do, like you said lamenting our distance, maintain washing — lamenting our distance, maintain washing our hands. wearing the masks — washing our hands. wearing the masks. because your campaign can be done the _ masks. because your campaign can be done the toilet with like one positive _ done the toilet with like one positive case because he will have two or— positive case because he will have two or three people with close contacts _

two or three people with close contacts. and then that's it. theres— contacts. and then that's it. there's no— contacts. and then that's it. there's no way to come back from it. britain's adam yates is up to second in cycling's tour of the united arab emirates after narrowly missing out on a win on today's third stage of the race to leader tadej pogacar. yates had been leading up the final climb, before the reigning tour de france champion came through to take the stage win. pogacar has a 43 second advantage in the overall standings. we'll have more for you in sportsday at 6.30pm. unemployment in the uk has risen to its highest rate in 5 years — with young people the worst affected. however, the 0ns said that there were some "tentative early signs" of the labour market stabilising. in the latest three month period — figures from the 0ns show the uk's unemployment rose to 5.1%. the number of redundencies still remains at record levels despite a fall in the latest three month period. and in those last three months —

unemployment for those aged between 16 and 2a rose by over 14%. our business presenter ben thompson says the under—25 figures is a particular concern. there are 726,000 fewer people now in employment then there were before this crisis began. and what is so interesting is that three fifths of those are people aged under 25 — and therefore, it seems that the burden of the slowing jobs market is being borne by young people. and there is some concern that younger people with maybe less experience will find it more difficult to get back into the jobs market, which will be particularly competitive after all of this is over. and if you look into those numbers too, it tells you a little bit about where the jobs are being lost — particularly its low—paid jobs that are disappearing, predominantly done by younger people come up also really reinforces the idea that it is retail and hospitalityjobs,

the sectors most badly affected, that are losing jobs faster than elsewhere. we've also had, for example, an indication about earnings — average earnings perversely have been going up during this pandemic, which might seem very strange, but it's almost a statistical quote because actually its low—paid jobs that are disappearing from the jobs market, and therefore that sort of skews wages higher. but nonetheless, we should also remember that there are still 6.5 million people currently furloughed — their wages and salaries being supported by the government, and therefore the true extent of the jobs picture isn't yet known. there is pressure on the chancellor to extend that beyond the current april deadline to make sure it goes well into the summer when, one would hope, the economy is able to reopen in some meaningful fashion. but there is some concern that the jobs that are being lost are hidden at the moment by the number of people who are on furlough,

which currently represents about 20% of the entire workforce. businesses now have a rough idea of when they might reopen — with restrictions expected to loosen in stages throughout the spring and early summer. but there's still a lot of uncertainty — and many firms say they will need continued support in the months ahead. emma simpson reports. was still in parliament e—mails were coming through, my fount was going crazy. brides were calling me and e—mailing. for the wedding industry, there is funnily light at the end of the tunnel. sophie designs high—end weddings. she is now back in business injune after 16 long months. iamso i am so relieved. my staff phoned yesterday after the announcement in tears, just so happy. but not so happy here, this gift shop had been hoping for an earlier restart. the owner has still got her easter

stock from last year and will not be able to sell at this time. we didn't think we would get the easter weekend which we thought, the weather is good, it could be a really good boost, a good start to get us going again. but obviously not. so yes, it is disappointing. we have lost all our main occasions. from the last year. businesses no there is a lot for the government to weigh up but this gym owner has plenty to worry about too. her april reopening can't come soon enough. obviously it is still two months away and that is two further months of outgoings and no income which obviously the business side of things isn't great, we do have our rent still to pay, we have no relief on those things so we have tens of thousands going out every month with nothing coming in. this is a long road back to normality. will businesses be able to cling on and make it to the finishing line?

pubs will have to wait three months before they are fully reopened. the hospitality industry says more government support is essential. we need to ensure that furlough support remains there so we don't just have people arriving on the unemployment lines in droves. we need to see the extension of the business right holiday. we need a vat rate on wet and dry sales to be cut to the bare minimum. the prime minister is promising the rug will not be pulled, a clear signal more help will be given, but businesses will have to wait until the budget next week for the details. emma simpson, bbc news. the public should be able to enjoy a full programme of concerts this summer, according to the music venue trust — a charity which represents grassroots venues. aside from a few pilot events and socially distanced gigs last

year, the industry hasn't been able to properly reopen. but yeesterday the government announced that in england, gigs and festivals could be back with no social distancing, from as early as the 21st ofjune — and limited capacity events could be back in may. mark davyd joins me now — he's chief executive of the music venues trust — an charity which represents grassroots venues like the forum in tunbridge wells, which he co—owns. thank you so much for being with us. are we going to have live music again, when do you think injune? i think there'll some socially distance shows the 17th of may onwards, very difficult to run those but there's a lot of enthusiasm to do that and then the 21st ofjune looks very likely date, the data says that could happen then and everything is progressing very well. always bumps along the road but we feel very confident right now. mould feel very confident right now. would bu the bi feel very confident right now. would buy the big events _ feel very confident right now. would buy the big events like _ feel very confident right now. would buy the big events like glastonbury has been postponed for another year but what about the big festivals in

the summer can they still go ahead? i think it's going to be very difficult and very close to that zist difficult and very close to that 21st ofjune date and things like licensing, policing and medical services are all things that need to be confirmed much earlier in the brakes. so really we are waiting to see how that progresses. i5 brakes. so really we are waiting to see how that progresses. is it brakes. so really we are waiting to see how that progresses.- see how that progresses. is it too late for some _ see how that progresses. is it too late for some venues, _ see how that progresses. is it too late for some venues, they - see how that progresses. is it too late for some venues, they have l see how that progresses. is it too i late for some venues, they have had such a hard year, how many have gone out of business?— out of business? surprisingly small number, actually. _ out of business? surprisingly small number, actually. which _ out of business? surprisingly small number, actually. which is- out of business? surprisingly small number, actually. which is up - out of business? surprisingly small number, actually. which is up to i out of business? surprisingly small| number, actually. which is up to do with the resilience of our sector but also the audience and communities that love these venues. a huge outpouring of support, millions of pounds donated. great support from local authorities and central government. we are pretty confident we can get every venue reopened to safely and revive live if we are giving the chance to do that, so this plan looks very positive for our sector. {lit that, so this plan looks very positive for our sector. of rain this year _ positive for our sector. of rain this year for— positive for our sector. of rain this year for all _ positive for our sector. of rain this year for all music - positive for our sector. of rain this year for all music fans - positive for our sector. of rain | this year for all music fans who cannot go see bands, singers or whoever their favourite musicians are but also the musicians

themselves. it's their lifeblood, isn't it? ~ , ,.., , isn't it? absolutely, the musicians at the front _ isn't it? absolutely, the musicians at the front line _ isn't it? absolutely, the musicians at the front line and _ isn't it? absolutely, the musicians at the front line and you've - isn't it? absolutely, the musicians at the front line and you've also i at the front line and you've also got the cruise, notes not forget the production crews, lighting engineers and sound engineers. just the guy who wields the amp sin. that's a proper living. it's a realjob and we do need the government to act next week in the budget to make sure these jobs are not lost as we come to this final hurdle as business rates we can manage, we keep work on vat, there's think they can do around insurance for these events and their direct problems they can tackle. we would like to see a package of economic measures matched to this road map to make sure venues are coming back, let's get there and let's get live music back up and running. let's get live music back up and runninu. �* ,, let's get live music back up and runnina.�* ,, ., , _ running. are you happy with the government _ running. are you happy with the government timetable - running. are you happy with the government timetable for - running. are you happy with the government timetable for easy | government timetable for easy restrictions as outlined yesterday? some have said it does not go fast enough, others are saying it's right to be cautious, where do you stand

on that? we to be cautious, where do you stand on that? ~ , . , , to be cautious, where do you stand on that? ~ , ., , , ., on that? we stand very firmly on the data. with analysing _ on that? we stand very firmly on the data. with analysing the _ on that? we stand very firmly on the data. with analysing the data - on that? we stand very firmly on the data. with analysing the data ever. data. with analysing the data ever since the middle of last year and some concerns around how lucky am restrictions were lifted last time around and there's a lot of information about the progress of the vaccine come a lot of rapid testing going on, we know a lot more about the virus. we are very confident we can build a model to bring back live music venues very safely and we would not be doing otherwise. that's very important for viewers to listen to. this is about bringing back every venue safely, not just bringing back every venue safely, notjust reopen it because we would like to but because we can do it and it can be safe. irate like to but because we can do it and it can be safe-— it can be safe. we are all looking forward to _ it can be safe. we are all looking forward to it _ it can be safe. we are all looking forward to it very _ it can be safe. we are all looking forward to it very much - it can be safe. we are all looking forward to it very much indeed. i forward to it very much indeed. thank you so much. chief executive of the music venues trust. the headlines on bbc news... with pubs and theatres due to reopen later this year, the prime minister tasks michael gove with looking into the use of vaccine passports. scotland's first minister says she aims to progressively ease restrictions every three weeks, with a view to reopening the economy from the end of april.

buckingham place says the duke of edinburgh is receiving medical attention for an infection and is not expected to leave just over a million face to protect workers from coronavirus have been withdrawn. more than a million high—grade masks used in the national health service may not meet the right safety standards. and have been withdrawn. department of health told the bbc there are 1.12 million of these masks, either in used in hospital stores and has told staff to stop using them. will the department of health said that the safety of front line staff is an absolute priority. is it the very latest from our special correspondent lucy manning. what more can you tell us about this? welcome of these are some of the

highest grade masks that are used in hospitals in areas like intensive care so they can really protect staff from covid. in a million were circulated into hospitals and into the store rooms of hospitals as well. but the department of health got extra information that led them to believe that there may be safety issues with these masks, and they don't meet the standards. they have called for them to be withdrawn from hospitals and to stop using them while they investigate. the department says this is only around 2% of the amount of the masks that a use and 4% of the masks in the store cupboard but the british medical association say it's very worrying that these masks got into hospitals in the first place if they are not safe enough to use. and they want to know how many have been used and whether there's any safety implications about that. the department said in a statement that the safety of front line staff and patients is our absolute priority, and we have a resilient supply of

these masks. it's worth saying for anyone reading this on the website in the last half hour or so the department of health originally told us that there were 12 million masks that they had to withdraw, they have now admitted that they got their figures wrong, it's1 million masks but they are still the highest quality masks and masks that are used in intensive care. also alongside that bbc news has discovered that 27 million gloves that are used have been put on hold as well put into quarantine and hospitals have been told to stop using those at the moment because they said on the packaging that they had not been tested to see if they were virus resistant. the company involved tell us that they believe that the tests have been passed and will be released back soon into hospitals but it's yet another example of problems with ppe that the government have been having. lucy, thank you very much indeed for

that. coming up at six coming up in a moment is the news at 6pm with george alagiah. but before we go — a little earlier, simon mccoy helped answer some of your questions on the easing of restrictions in england with two experts in your questions answered. and you've been sending in lots of questions about the government's roadmap for easing restrictions in england. here to answer them is public health expert professor sian griffiths, and the university of east anglia's professor paul hunter. thanks forjoining us. we are talking about a road map and i'm going to go into the first question. what are the rules around driving lessons and taking tests? paul? the road map does not say anything about driving lessons, but what it does say is that driving tests should be able to restart on 12

april, so i'm assuming that will also apply to driving lessons around then. presumably still wearing masks, and it is difficult to think of a more constraining atmosphere. you would be comfortable with a relative of yours doing that? i think so, and clearly it depends on the individual, if they are not a vulnerable individual then certainly that would be fine, but if they did suffer from a precondition which made them vulnerable or if they were particularly elderly i would probably prefer that they put that off until after they have had their immunisations. professor griffiths, this is in relation to the two house rule of six, our children included in the number? it is not a two—house rule of six, it is two households, to enable the difficult issue

if you have three children, for children, can you meet together, so basically this is about two households can mix, or you can have six people who may be living separately who could come together, so that probably answered her question. the question of whether what age children cannot have had rules which say when you have two people going for a walk with children under five not counting, so the question of whether under fives count in the rule of six or not it still has yet to be answered. the two—household rule could be as many children as what? as many as you have got within two households! they have to be all children. so two households put together, so for example my son and his two

could meet my daughter and herthree, so that you seven people, but they could all meet together. that is your understanding, paul? absolutely correct, yes. this question from alison, where the universities fit into the new plans for easing lockdown? university students have had a pretty raw deal. they have, yes. it is one of the sad things about the epidemic more than anything else, the impact that the epidemic and the restrictions have had on children and students, and hopefully that should not carry on for much longer. universities are not mentioned in the road map and it depends on your degree. if you are doing a degree that it is essential that you take part in practical teaching and access specialist facilities then you can start again

from the 8th of march so that would include medical students, nursing students, and other people with essential practical work. if there isn't essential practical work then, and i'm not going to mention any because i will probably get e—mails from people telling me that there is essential practical work in their degree, but if it isn't, then the government has not set a date yet and they have said they will review that after easter. professor griffiths, this i suspect reflects a concern from a lot of parents. diane in morley says, when the colleges open on the 8th of march, can i insist on my daughter continuing to do online lessons from home until i my vaccination? i'm not sure you can insist but it is more of a personal agreement. it will depend on what your daughter wants to do as well as what arrangements

at the college and what course she is doing, so it is not a simple answer and it needs discussion. i think within that, there's the assumption that our experience of covid at the end of last year was that many of the people who were either asymptomatic or had had it, were in student age groups, but that is not the case any more. your daughter if she is in a covid secure environment which i think many colleges and universities are working hard at providing as much protection in the environment, including testing, i think that your daughter may prefer to go back into the covid safe environment otherwise she needs to talk to her tutors and i think she needs to do the talking to her tutors to find out if she can continue. the assumption that you will be safe if you have the vaccine is also problematic because not everybody gets the response to the vaccine that means they have

antibodies but most people do. there are lots of variables that you need to discuss as a family and then with the college or institution when it is opening on the 8th of march and i don't know if paul agrees with me there? it was so windy and for many windy cloudy and wet and putting more of that rain to come, we can see this trailing band of cloud that's going to continue to push rain into similar areas where we have seen it today. the met office ever warning in force, about 0ffice ever warning in force, about 120 mm of rain expected here but for many other areas under that zone of cloud there will be a good 60 to 80 mm following as well. certainly a risk of flash flooding and disruption, and it's very windy to do with gale force winds up through the irish sea and up to western parts of scotland just pushing that

rain in through the evening night and into tomorrow as well. perhaps easing a little for northern ireland later into the south and east mostly dry but with all the cloud and wind and rain will be a mild night. the pictures higher than it would be during the day in late february. that mild air will continue to play a part in the month of rainfall that we get, just pumping that moisture in the flood warnings of the rising throughout the day, more information on the website because the weather front moves on wednesday. tightly packed isobars, perhaps less so across the north we have got slightly fresh air waiting in the wings here but still very warm air has been pushed up to the south of that weather front. if the sun does come out during the day on wednesday we could be seeing 16th or 17th in southern and eastern areas but the story is the strength of the wind, a blustery day. more wet weather to come again, perhaps not as much perhaps across northern ireland but close by and against southern central scotland, northern england and much of wales seeing that rain

continuing to fall. it should eventually move out of the way by the time we get to thursday, and then there's some good news, some drier weather on the way. the cloud does drag its heels across southern and eastern areas which means it could well be a great day here with damp and drizzly weather but in brighter skies further north. though google feels fresher, that westerly wind. just one or two showers and a lot drier and that's because we are starting to see the influence of high pressure building northwards, notjust high pressure building northwards, not just for the end high pressure building northwards, notjust for the end of high pressure building northwards, not just for the end of the high pressure building northwards, notjust for the end of the week but potentially into the weekend as well giving us by the front i bake giving us more sunshine. chilly nights and morning fog to watch out for. the warnings, as ever, or online.

today at six. the calls for vaccine passports, as we start to emerge from lockdown. it's a controversial idea, but some employers are already saying they'd want proof that their staff have had the jab. it's going to be the protection and safety of our staff and also the protection and safety of our customers. so i feel it's a no—brainer, basically. also tonight — nicola sturgeon sets out her plan to take scotland out of lockdown. non essential businesses like shops and bars, restaurants and gyms will start to reopen by the end of april. taking the brakes off too quickly will allow the virus to get ahead of us again and put our progress out of lockdown into reverse. prince philip will stay on in hospitalfor several days — he's being treated for an infection.