this is bbc news — these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. the us house of representatives passes presidentjoe biden�*s $1.9 trillion coronavirus aid bill. the uk chancellor plans new measures to help people buy their own homes as he prepares his budget for next week. ministers in england launch a campaign to reassure parents it's safe for children to return to the classroom. and more protests in myanmar where police are using rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse demonstrators. and coming up... a hero's farewell — preparations for the funeral of captain sir tom moore, the war veteran who raised tens of millions of pounds for the nhs.

hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. the us house of representatives has just voted to pass presidentjoe biden�*s $1.9 trillion coronavirus aid bill. the republicans, who say it is too expensive, had fought to get it defeated in committees before it reaches the house floor. this was the moment when the speaker gave the final tally to members. on this vote, the yays are 219, the nays are 212. the bill is passed without objection. the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table.

applause its passage faces challenges in the senate, whose rules expert blocked a section of the bill that would double the mimimum wage to 15 dollars per hour. the american rescue plan would pay for vaccines and medical supplies and send a new round of emergency financial aid to households, small businesses and state and local governments. our washington correspondent lebo diseko sent us this latest update. it's not a surprise that this bill has passed in the house. democrats hold a majority there and it was just a simple majority that was needed to get it through. the real battle will come in the senate. democrats are using a special process called budgetary reconciliation and it means that there are two in reconciliation and it means that there —— too in the senate it willjust need a simple majority to pass. but there is no guarantee that the bill in its current form will get that. the real bone of contention has been

this issue of the $15 minimum wage and already there are two democratic senators who have said they will not vote for the bill if it contains that. so what we are likely to see is modifications made and that the bill will be sent back to the house to vote on it again. democrats really want this to get in front of president biden for him to sign by mid—march, because that is when some key unemployment benefits expire. and forjoe biden, this is his first big legislative package, so we are likely to see democrats do whatever they can to make sure that it does eventually pass. in the uk, the chancellor, rishi sunak, will unveil new measures to help people buy their own home in his budget next week. a scheme will encourage lenders to provide mortgages covering 95% of the value of properties up to £600,000. the chancellor will also say he's providing funding for 40,000 places on apprenticeship and trainee programmes in england.

our business reporter ramzan karmali reports. with government spending heading towards £300 billion to deal with the pandemic, the unemployment rate hitting its highest level in five years, and the uk economy shrinking almost 10% in 2020, all eyes will be on the chancellor next week when he delivers his budget on wednesday. one area that will be in focus will be the housing market. over the past year, banks have tightened their lending criteria for those attempting to get onto the property ladder. but now the government is aiming to make that easier. from april, buyers in the uk will only need a 5% deposit to take out a mortgage for a property worth up to £600,000. the government will offer lenders the guarantee they need to provide mortgages that cover the other 95%. the scheme is based on the help to buy scheme launched back in 2013, which helped more than 100,000 people buy homes. but there were concerns that it pushed up house prices. the chancellor will also make changes to england's existing traineeship schemes as part of next week's budget.

a new flexi—job apprenticeship will enable participants to work with a number of different employers in one sector. and the government will pay £3,000 to firms who take on an apprentice regardless of age. a lot of small businesses who obviously have struggled significantly throughout the covid—19 crisis, this opportunity of additional financial incentives to support new people into their business can only help them move forward. speaking in the financial times, mr sunak acknowledged there was an immediate need to spend to deal with the challenges of the pandemic. but he warned that britain's finances were exposed because of the level of debt the country has taken on. labour said that now is not the time for tax rises on families or businesses. ramzan karmali, bbc news. ministers in england have launched a campaign to reassure parents it's safe for children to return to the classroom. the back—to—school adverts will highlight extra measures, such as testing and masks, being introduced ahead

of schools reopening fully on march the 8th in england. 0ur correspondent, jon donnison, has the details. these are some of the reasons the government in england think it's important to get young people back to school. teachers�* unions, though, are urging caution. our view is that it is the right time to go back into school. we would have had a phased return because that is what we see in wales, in northern ireland and in scotland. we haven't really seen the evidence for why it is so different in england. 0n the other hand, this is all about managing risks. and the risks of children not being in school are very significant as well. so, yes, it is the right time. but let's be realistic and recognise that it must be done with a real sense of honesty and of caution. and the unions are unhappy that the government has rejected the idea of prioritising teachers for vaccinations. instead, age will continue to be the main factor driving the vaccination timetable.

the government has pledged to offer the vaccine to everyone over 50, as well as those in specific at risk groups, by mid april. it will then work down through the age groups, starting with those aged 40—49, then 30—39, and finally 18—29 — aiming that all adults should have been offered at least a firstjab by the end ofjuly. but despite the rapid progress on jabs, at the latest downing street briefing a warning not to become complacent. it's a bit like being 3—0 up in a game and thinking, "well, we can't possibly lose this now." but how many times have you seen the other side take it 4—3? do not wreck this now. it is too early to relax. and as we head towards spring, although cases are continuing to fall on a national level, in one in five local council areas infections have actually started to slightly rise again. jon donnison, bbc news.

police say it will take some time to deal with a large unexploded second world war bomb close to exeter university. hundreds of university students were evacuated from 12 halls of residence after the device was found, and officers declared a major incident. a 100—metre cordon is in place and a further 100 nearby properties were also evacuated. three parties in northern ireland's devolved assembly have requested an emergency meeting after the agriculture minister, gordon lyons, ordered a halt to the construction of brexit inspection posts. his democratic unionist party opposes the northern ireland protocol, which means there are checks on goods arriving from the rest of the uk. nigerian officials say a group of children abducted from a boarding school last week have been set free, but hundreds of others remain missing. the governor of niger state said the kidnappers released about a0 captives including 27 schoolboys who were taken from the government science college

in kagara ten days ago. their release comes a day after more than 300 schoolgirls were kidnapped in the northern nigerian town of jangebe. residents angry at the abductions there have attacked vehicles passing through the town. let's cross to abuja and speak to our reporter chris ewokor. hello. this is a deeply worrying phenomenon going on in nigeria. what response do the authorities have? well, basically on the one hand it is good news that the schoolboys from niger state have regained their freedom today alongside staff members and members of their family, but that is on one side. now, on the

other side, you also have in the neighbouring state 317 girls were still in captivity. they were abducted yesterday from their boarding school. putting the two together, it is a huge problem for the country and the government. it appears that this security situation is now... i mean, the security situation, the security forces are now sort of stretched because on one side they have to battle to secure the release of those already in captivity, and then the government has to ensure that other schools, other states that actually are having this problem have to be kept secure. to this extent the president yesterday said they will not succumb to attacks or any form of

intimidation by the kidnappers who are trying to, you know, kidnap young school children and making it difficult or save for them to go to school. they said the government will not negotiate with kidnappers and is not ready to pay ransom. but for the children who were abducted and released today, it is not clear if any ransom was paid for their rescue. . , ., more angry protests are taking place in myanmar following the military coup there earlier this month. in the main city, yangon, police used rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse demonstrators. there was a heavy police presence from early in the morning there. as protests continue, the military government has officially annulled the results of last november's general election, which saw a landslide victory for aung san suu kyi's party. earlier, a un special envoy said no country should recognise the current military government.

0ur correspondent nick marsh is in singapore. i asked him about reports that a woman demonstrator in myanmar had been killed. for now there has been no confirmation on our part that she has died, local media say she was shot dead. if that's true she would become the fourth protester to be killed in violence related to the coup which took place at the beginning of this month. i've been speaking to my colleagues and they say she was taken to the hospital and is in the intensive care unit. once people reach intensive care, it is difficult to get information. we are keeping across this, and as soon as we know more we will keep you updated. in terms of the wider picture, in myanmar, more protests in various cities, in yangon rubber bullets, tear gas and more people on the streets.

we will have to see how security forces respond to that. and no sign of the military backing down if they have annulled the results of the general election. that's right, this election in which aung san suu kyi got 80% of the vote. but the military said it was conducted fraudulently and have produced no evidence to back up that claim but they want to hold another election which they claim will be freer, fairer and more democratic. we will have to see how that unfolds but at the moment aung san suu kyi's allies are all under house arrest and there is no proposition of dialogue. perhaps we will see some of myanmar�*s regional neighbours exerting pressure in that regard, but no dialogue, no relenting from the military, as of yet.

the voice of our correspondent nick marsh. now some news to bring you about the race to become the leader of the scottish labour party. it has been won, saying it is the greatest honour of my life to be elected leader of scottish leda. anas sarwar is the new scottish labour leader. the headlines on bbc news... the us house of representatives passes presidentjoe biden�*s 1.9 trillion dollar coronavirus aid bill. the uk chancellor plans new measures to help people buy their own homes as he prepares his budget for next week. ministers in england launch a campaign to reassure parents it's safe for children to return to the classroom.

the funeral of the record—breaking fundraiser captain sir tom moore will take place today with an raf fly—past and a gun salute from his former regiment. almost £33 million worth of donations were made to nhs charities, after captain tom walked 100 laps of his back garden to mark his 100th birthday. john maguire reports. they were there by his side when he made that most famous journey. i'm surrounded by the right sort of people, so, yes, ifeel fine. i hope you're all feeling fine too. and today, they're with him once again as he makes his finaljourney. soldiers from the modern equivalent of captain sir tom moore's wartime regiment will provide full military honours for his funeral. it's an absolute honour to be here. i met captain sir tom moore last year to mark his 100th lap of his garden, as you know, you were there. i hand over the role of the regiment

sergeant major next week, so this is my actual final act and i could not think of a more honourable way to finish my ten years with the regiment of sergeant major of the yorkshire regiment. the preparations have been painstaking to ensure a suitable sendoff. it will be a small family funeral, and the public have been asked to stay away due to the pandemic. before his death, he had been very clear about his wishes for today. and i said, so i think your idea of the cardboard coffin and using the cheapest funeral is probably not going to cut it, these days. because he was always like, don't waste your money, once you're gone, you're gone. remember, this is the man. and i said, ijust don't think that's going to work. and he said, "what have you got in mind?" and i said, "i think it's not what i've got in mind, i think that you should think what you really want." we've kept to his wishes, we've kept it simple. there's eight of us, you can imagine how many people there could have been,

you know, in these times. he's met lots of new friends and lots of new supporters. we've created a funeral that i think he would look down on and say, "goodjob, girls." an aircraft he would have seen overhead in wartime burma, the dakota from the battle of britain memorial flight, will fly past at midday to mark the beginning of the ceremony, followed by a 1a—gun salute. the service itself will hear tributes from his daughters and grandchildren. # walk on through the rain. # though your dreams... and the music will include his record—breaking duet with michael ball singing you'll never walk alone. # walk on. # walk on, with hope in your heart. michael buble has recorded a version of the song smile especially for today's funeral. and on his coffin, draped with the union flag,

will be his knighthood medal, his campaign medals and a replica of his military cap. also, a specially commissioned officer's sword. on one side engraved with his regiment motto, "fortune favours the brave." and on the other, what else but his most memorable words, "tomorrow will be a good day." john maguire, bbc news, bedfordshire. 0ur correspondentjohn maguire is outside bedford crematorium. john, captain sir tom moore is going to his final resting place with full honours, isn't he?— to his final resting place with full honours, isn't he? yes, absolutely. full military — honours, isn't he? yes, absolutely. full military honours. _ honours, isn't he? yes, absolutely. full military honours. we _ honours, isn't he? yes, absolutely. full military honours. we know - honours, isn't he? yes, absolutely. full military honours. we know him as captain tom but you may remember he was made an honorary colonel of the training college in harrogate and his home county of, so today's

full military honours will be at that level as if he was a colonel in the army. it will strike that balance i think today between the public captain sir tom and the private, sojust eight public captain sir tom and the private, so just eight members of his family attending. his two daughters and their children, their two husbands, they will be doing the readings during the service, and then of course the military playing its part, all very much adhering to the wishes of captain sir tom himself who was very prescriptive of what he wanted to happen today. he may well have even ordered the amazing weather we are getting! especially talking to the celebrant who will be conducting the ceremony today, earlier she was saying it will strike the balance between solemn remembrance if you like, and a celebration of life. and what a

life it was, a pretty busy and full life it was, a pretty busy and full life up until he was 99 years old. then he burst onto the world stage, as it were, just over a year ago or just under a year ago with the walk in his back garden, we all came to know him. that incredible fundraiser with the great turns of phrase, the with the great turns of phrase, the wit that really touched many people from around the world. we can talk to the commanding officer of the yorkshire regiment. colonel, good morning to you. what is it like for you to be involved today? it is morning to you. what is it like for you to be involved today?- you to be involved today? it is a hue you to be involved today? it is a huge privilege — you to be involved today? it is a huge privilege for— you to be involved today? it is a huge privilege for the _ you to be involved today? it is a huge privilege for the regiment | you to be involved today? it is a huge privilege for the regiment and a great _ huge privilege for the regiment and a great honour to be asked by the family— a great honour to be asked by the family to — a great honour to be asked by the family to provide the military element _ family to provide the military element of the funeral for captain sir tom — element of the funeral for captain sirtom. he element of the funeral for captain sir tom. he was a remarkable element of the funeral for captain sirtom. he was a remarkable man, julie represented the best of us and it's a great— julie represented the best of us and it's a great privilege to be here today— it's a great privilege to be here today to — it's a great privilege to be here today to support the family. clearly a very— today to support the family. clearly a very sombre and dignified element that we _ a very sombre and dignified element that we provide, but absolutely

fitting — that we provide, but absolutely fitting of— that we provide, but absolutely fitting of his remarkable achievement and service throughout his life _ achievement and service throughout his life. ~ ., achievement and service throughout his life. ~ . , ., . his life. what struck me watching our his life. what struck me watching your heaps _ his life. what struck me watching your troops do — his life. what struck me watching your troops do their _ his life. what struck me watching your troops do their rehearsals i your troops do their rehearsals yesterday afternoon is some of them just so young really, perhaps some of them the same age captain tom was when hejoined in the second of them the same age captain tom was when he joined in the second world war. but tell us about the bond that still exists between such young soldiers, sometimes teenagers, and veterans who, as we know, are in their 90s?— their 90s? yes, absolutely, the history we _ their 90s? yes, absolutely, the history we have _ their 90s? yes, absolutely, the history we have in _ their 90s? yes, absolutely, the history we have in our - their 90s? yes, absolutely, the i history we have in our regimental system _ history we have in our regimental system just creates bonds of service from veterans to present—day soldiers _ from veterans to present—day soldiers. his service in world war ii, soldiers. his service in world war ii, in _ soldiers. his service in world war ii, in the — soldiers. his service in world war ii, in the campaigns he served in burma— ii, in the campaigns he served in burma and— ii, in the campaigns he served in burma and india absolutely will resonate — burma and india absolutely will resonate and still capture the imagination of our young soldiers today _ imagination of our young soldiers today the — imagination of our young soldiers today. the way he went about his life, today. the way he went about his life. the — today. the way he went about his life, the values and the character he had _ life, the values and the character he had resonates with the type of values _ he had resonates with the type of values we — he had resonates with the type of values we try to live up to in the arnry— values we try to live up to in the arnry and — values we try to live up to in the army and aspire to, and it was

really— army and aspire to, and it was really the _ army and aspire to, and it was really the exemplification of everything we aspire to as soldiers. you know. — everything we aspire to as soldiers. you know, his resolve, his indomitable spirit, his optimism and generosity— indomitable spirit, his optimism and generosity and selflessness are real qualities _ generosity and selflessness are real qualities that resonate with soldiers. | qualities that resonate with soldiers. ~ ., ., , soldiers. i think all of us following _ soldiers. i think all of us following the _ soldiers. i think all of us following the stories - soldiers. i think all of us following the stories at l soldiers. i think all of us - following the stories at several times have had to pinch ourselves really, especially when you consider the worldwide appeal, the message that travelled around the world. what do you think that was? i think it was the characters _ what do you think that was? i think it was the characters i _ what do you think that was? i think it was the characters i have - what do you think that was? i think it was the characters i have just - it was the characters i have just described~ _ it was the characters i have just described. it touched the mood of the nation, — described. it touched the mood of the nation, captured the public's imagination in a difficult time, as much _ imagination in a difficult time, as much of— imagination in a difficult time, as much of his— imagination in a difficult time, as much of his remarkable generation had done _ much of his remarkable generation had done many years ago. it is the same _ had done many years ago. it is the same kind — had done many years ago. it is the same kind of optimism and resolve, his genuine — same kind of optimism and resolve, his genuine belief that tomorrow would _ his genuine belief that tomorrow would he — his genuine belief that tomorrow would be a good day resonated and captured _ would be a good day resonated and captured everybody's imagination in a very— captured everybody's imagination in a very difficult 12 months we have all been _ a very difficult 12 months we have all been going through. we a very difficult 12 months we have all been going through.— all been going through. we often talk about him _ all been going through. we often talk about him being _ all been going through. we often talk about him being the - all been going through. we often talk about him being the light - all been going through. we often talk about him being the light in | talk about him being the light in

the darkness and so many people have said the last time we experienced things like that was during the second world war. i know that during his military career he was involved in training and made honorary colonel of the army foundation college, so the youngest of soldiers and the place they will come to be indoctrinated into the military life. again, that was important to him to maintain the links with the youngest. him to maintain the links with the ouncest. , ., , , him to maintain the links with the ounest. , . , , . youngest. yes, absolutely, and i know he greatly _ youngest. yes, absolutely, and i know he greatly enjoyed - youngest. yes, absolutely, and i know he greatly enjoyed his - youngest. yes, absolutely, and i know he greatly enjoyed his visit j youngest. yes, absolutely, and i i know he greatly enjoyed his visit to harrogate — know he greatly enjoyed his visit to harrogate and enjoyed seeing the soldiers _ harrogate and enjoyed seeing the soldiers undergoing their training. some _ soldiers undergoing their training. some of— soldiers undergoing their training. some of them are here today providing _ some of them are here today providing the honour guard and supporting the yorkshire regiment in our service _ supporting the yorkshire regiment in our service today. your supporting the yorkshire regiment in our service today.— our service today. your troops i know have _ our service today. your troops i know have been _ our service today. your troops i know have been working - our service today. your troops i know have been working very i our service today. your troops i i know have been working very hard our service today. your troops i - know have been working very hard for the last week or so, watching their final preparations yesterday they were doing an impressivejob and we will see that in a very short period of time. a lot of work goes into it but they all seem to take it extremely serious of course, but again that sense of honour and

privilege really has pervaded through once again, even to the young soldiers. through once again, even to the young soldiers— through once again, even to the young soldiers. absolutely. it is a very dignified _ young soldiers. absolutely. it is a very dignified and _ young soldiers. absolutely. it is a very dignified and sombre - young soldiers. absolutely. it is a | very dignified and sombre service. it is important we take time to get that right, — it is important we take time to get that right, and they have done. they will he _ that right, and they have done. they will be nervous, i am sure, but they will be nervous, i am sure, but they will do _ will be nervous, i am sure, but they will do an— will be nervous, i am sure, but they will do an appropriate and dignified 'ob will do an appropriate and dignified job in— will do an appropriate and dignified job in marking our respects to captain— job in marking our respects to captain sirtom. there job in marking our respects to captain sir tom. there will be nervous — captain sir tom. there will be nervous but they will hide it, in the training they have done will see them _ the training they have done will see them through, i'm sure.— them through, i'm sure. thank you for talkin: them through, i'm sure. thank you for talking to _ them through, i'm sure. thank you for talking to us. _ them through, i'm sure. thank you for talking to us. i'm _ them through, i'm sure. thank you for talking to us. i'm sure - them through, i'm sure. thank you for talking to us. i'm sure your - for talking to us. i'm sure your troops will do captain sir tom proud. we are hearing that the hearse has arrived at captain sir tom's house, only around eight miles away from bedford crematorium here, so it will be on its way shortly. arriving here for things to start officially with the fly—past, the firing squad, the gun salute at

around midday. so that all coming up in around half an hour's time. thank ou. john in around half an hour's time. thank you- john maguire — in around half an hour's time. thank you. john maguire reporting - in around half an hour's time. thank you. john maguire reporting for - in around half an hour's time. thank you. john maguire reporting for us, and we will be speaking tojohn again. as he mentioned, in about ten minutes we will be starting our special coverage of the funeral of captain sirtom and special coverage of the funeral of captain sir tom and that will include coverage of the funeral service itself, attended only by members of the family, and that will be starting in a little over half an hour's time. glastonbury might be off this year, but since borisjohnson announced his road map out of lockdown in england, a number of festivals have said their shows will go on and some are enjoying record ticket sales. creamfields, field day, reading and leeds are among those which have sold out, but some event organisers say they need more certainty from the government on when restrictions will be eased. this report from katie prescott contains some flashing images. dancing together, a distant memory. the echoes of crowds like these not heard for over a year.

but there are hopes that parks like this one might soon welcome them again. this festival organiser is planning an event here in september. but he is taking a big risk. with every single month that goes by from now until september we are investing heavily in this show. we currently have no insurance in place to ensure that we are going to get that money back. every single month that goes by, thousands of pounds are being spent on suppliers. we had to delay as many payments as was humanly possible until we're absolutely clear and certain that the festival can go ahead, and that what capacity, and with what measures. and that not knowing is particularly tough for freelancers, like performers. completely helpless. but then also, what can you do? i'm someone that definitely works in the moment, and when everything and all of the tools possible have been taken away and downed it makes it extremely hard. what are you going to do? # show me love.

the festival industry will be hoping the chancellor shows them some love in his budget on wednesday. a year on since the pandemic started, it will lay bare just how much it has cost to keep businesses going through covid. but the event industries are hoping that the government doesn't pull the plug on spending just yet. at least until audiences are able to return to venues like these. we need an extension of furlough. the business rates relief is really important. the 5% vat is interesting, but we've not been able to trade so we've not been able to benefit from that. but the crucial thing, we need a lead time to enable these events to bounce back. the hospitality industry can bounce back in a couple of weeks. when tickets are available, it seems people do want to buy them. we are, if anything, worried about the capacity we're going to have for the explosion of domestic tourism we are expecting to see in the uk this summer. international tourism obviously a completely different story. stonehenge, which is one of our most important sites,

we normally have 75% of visitors from overseas. so naturally that's going to make a big difference to us, the fact that they almost certainly won't be coming this year. after a year of silence, this summer could mark the start of a new dawn for festivals. even in a socially distanced world. katie prescott, bbc news. you're watching bbc news. over the next 90 minutes, we'll bring you coverage of the funeral for sir captain tom moore. the 100—year—old who raised millions for nhs charities by walking laps of his garden. i want to take you now to our correspondentjohn maguire at bedford crematorium. viewers are seeing pictures now of the hearse emerging from captain sir tom's house with the family inside. yes.

house with the family inside. yes, so they will _ house with the family inside. yes, so they will be _ house with the family inside. yes, so they will be leaving _ house with the family inside. yes, so they will be leaving the - house with the family inside. ya: so they will be leaving the house now. i think one of the interesting thing is of course about the captain tom story that we have all come to be so familiar with over the past ten months is despite the fact that his name travelled right around the world and he conducted interviews with something like 130 different countries by the newspapers, television or radio, he rarely left his garden. this was a story born of the pandemic. so on a couple of occasions, as we heard a few moments ago, he travelled north to visit the army foundation college, a place where he was made an honorary colonel, and famously last summer went to windsor castle for an audience of one with her majesty the queen as he received his knighthood. he was in bedford hospitalfor the last couple of days of his life, died obviously earlier this month.

the hearse will be making its way now through the village of marston martin. locals were out last night putting red ribbons on some of the bmp putting red ribbons on some of the lamp posts throughout the town. i was talking to the landlord of the p0p was talking to the landlord of the pop this morning who was telling me that he would be attaching red ribbons to even more of the lamp posts just to show their appreciation for what captain tom had done, not only for the village of course but for everyone, including the nhs charities he raised those tens of millions of pounds for. and the foundation set “p pounds for. and the foundation set up in his name to continue his good work, to continue working with various causes that were so close to his heart and will continue to help people for generations to come, really. he was very insistent, during the last ten months, that the

profile he'd developed, the platform he had, was one that should be taken advantage of. one that would enable him to carry on doing good. even after a day like today, even after his death. to ensure that his name goes forward. it is, of course, as i say, a story born of the pandemic. it was only the fact that it was locked down and the idea was that he would walk up and down his back garden, doing those 100 laps, a familyjoke. initially it was, see if you can walk 100 laps by your 100th birthday and we will give you a pound. we all know how that figure grew and grew and grew, as it captured the imagination of people locally and then of people right across the uk, and, eventually, around the world. tens of millions of pounds that was raised that will go to nhs charities to do good work. and, as i say, has provided the

foundation for his charitable foundation for his charitable foundation going forward. john, thank ou foundation going forward. john, thank you very _ foundation going forward. john, thank you very much _ foundation going forward. john, thank you very much for - foundation going forward. john, thank you very much for all - foundation going forward. john, | thank you very much for all that. foundation going forward. john, thank you very much for all that. we will be coming back to you shortly. at the moment, viewers are just watching the funeral cortege as it makes its way towards bedford crematorium. the funeral itself is a very small affair attended only by members of his immediate family. of course, with a figure as public as captain sirtom course, with a figure as public as captain sir tom moore there are public celebrations with a fly past, asjohn public celebrations with a fly past, as john was public celebrations with a fly past, asjohn was saying. and also a gun salute. while we watch these pictures, let's have a recap on some of the details of captain sir tom moore's life. he was born on the 30th april1920, originally from keighley in west yorkshire, captain sir tom was a former british army officer, serving in india and the burma campaign during world war ii

and he rose to the rank of captain. after the war, he worked his way up to managing director of a concrete company, and also was an avid motorcycle racer. but it was his efforts walking up and down and his garden that made him a national icon. the fundraising walk began in april last year, during the first uk lockdown of the coronavirus pandemic. his intention then was to raise £1,000 for nhs charities, but he soon became a social media phenomenon and had raised £12 million by the time he reached the finish line. as donations continued to grow, captain sir tom became a household name with the total fundraising sum reaching over £30 million. following that nhs fundraising triumph, the army veteran achieved a number one single, as you can see, with his rendition of you'll never walk alone, alongside michael ball, making him the oldest person to ever achieve a uk number one. captain sir tom celebrated his 100th

birthday in april last year and received thousands of cards from well—wishers all over the world, including greetings from the queen and prime minister. lastjuly, he was knighted by the queen in her first official engagement in person since the start of the first lockdown. the queen personally praised the veteran, telling him: "thank you so much, an amazing amount "of money you raised." captain tom said it was absolutely magnificent. what a life. captain tom's daughter, lucy teixeira, and herfamily are inviting people to come together to plant trees and grow a living legacy forest in his name. trees for tom is a collaboration between two environmental charities which the family have chosen for their track record in this field, and for their ethics and alignment with sir tom's values. the woodland trust in the uk and global reforestation charity. treesisters.org will grow sir tom's

legacy forest on behalf of his family. let's speak now to cali white from treesisters. hello, cali. a big day for anybody involved in captain tom's legacy, if you like. when people think of him, they tend to think of the nhs, inevitably, because that is why he was raising money. why is this link different? so, trees for tom is really an invitation to anybody who wants to give something back to a remarkable man who gave so much to so many of us during the last year, which was a really challenging for so many people. and to give back in a way that will create a living legacy through trees and through forests. you know, he is giving last year was all about giving to the caretakers, giving to the nhs. and so this is an

invitation for us to give back to him and give back to nature and the trees, which, ultimately, you know, are caretakers of all of us, really. and it's an invitation. it came from lucy. lucy is already a passionate treesisters and understands the important role of trees in the fight against climate change. the weak her father died, she was receiving so many flowers and cards and requests —— the weaker father died. saying what can we do, how can we show our love? shejust said, plant what can we do, how can we show our love? she just said, plant a tree. he would love that. he was a man of the outdoors. he was concerned for the outdoors. he was concerned for the environment and the future of his grandchildren. and within a couple of days, we had raised enough to plant 10,000 trees, which was just phenomenal. it is an invitation to anybody else who wants to, you know, to contribute in that way. i

think we are up to about 25,000 trees now. think we are up to about 25,000 trees now— think we are up to about 25,000 i trees now._ yeah, trees now. that is amazing. yeah, it's phenomenal. _ trees now. that is amazing. yeah, it's phenomenal. and _ trees now. that is amazing. yeah, it's phenomenal. and we - trees now. that is amazing. yeah, it's phenomenal. and we are - trees now. that is amazing. yeah, i it's phenomenal. and we are working with the woodland trust. people can donate to treesisters and the woodland trust and it will all be one big legacy forest for sir tom. if i canjust one big legacy forest for sir tom. if i can just but one big legacy forest for sir tom. if i canjust but in, where will these trees be planted? 50. these trees be planted? so, treesisters, _ these trees be planted? so, treesisters, we _ these trees be planted? srr, treesisters, we plant these trees be planted? 5c, treesisters, we plant in the tropics. we plant around the world in 11 different projects. in brazil and borneo and cameroon and mozambique stop and, of india and nepal. —— and mozambique. we plant there because tropical trees grow three times faster than temperate trees here and they sequester 3—9 times more carbon so in the fight against climate change, they are really vital. so any donations for sir tom's legacy forest will go to be planting forests in those countries. and in projects that are

creating and protecting environments for endangered species and helping local communities through giving them sustainable incomes. so, they are beautiful... they are all beautiful projects in their own way, making a real difference. and donations to the woodland trust will go to the schools and communities programme that are planting trees around the uk. i know that they are holding the vision of, you know, if there are enough donations, then what they would like to do is actually plant a physical memorial forest for sir tom in his name in yorkshire near keighley.- forest for sir tom in his name in yorkshire near keighley. thank you ve much yorkshire near keighley. thank you very much indeed. _ yorkshire near keighley. thank you very much indeed. cali _ yorkshire near keighley. thank you very much indeed. cali white - yorkshire near keighley. thank you very much indeed. cali white from| very much indeed. cali white from treesisters. i want to take you back to these pictures of the funeral cortege, which has been making its way from captain sir tom moore's home to bedford crematorium.

we are expecting it to arrive fairly shortly with a funeral service starting injust shortly with a funeral service starting in just around 20 minutes' time. as i've said, that funeral service is a very small affair. with simply members of the immediate family there. but we will be bringing it to you, of course, with the consent and request of the family. although in terms of people it will be a small affair, given that he is such a public character, there's a lot going on. there's going to be an raf fly past and also a gun salute. much to stay to watch for. one of those paying triubutes today is the leeds hospitals charity, which works for the benefit of both staff and patients at the city's hospitals — they were among those to receive a share of the £32.7 million

that the war veteran raised for nhs charities together last year. joining me now is esther wakeman, ceo, of the leeds hospitals charity. hello, esther. describe to me what difference the money has made that you've been given, as a result of his efforts. you've been given, as a result of his efforts-— you've been given, as a result of his efforts. �* , . ., , ., ., his efforts. it's made a phenomenal difference. so, _ his efforts. it's made a phenomenal difference. so, we've _ his efforts. it's made a phenomenal difference. so, we've been - his efforts. it's made a phenomenal difference. so, we've been able - his efforts. it's made a phenomenal difference. so, we've been able to i difference. so, we've been able to fund things like bedside tv and telephone contact. so, during the first pandemic, the first wave of the pandemic, patients weren't able to have visitors. to be able to keep in contact was really important. but also things like being able to increase the amount of clinical psychology available to staff who are obviously working very hard during the pandemic. refurbished staff rooms. even things like, you know, painful refreshments at the

covid vaccine centres have been thanks to the work of sir captain tom. and i think also the inspiration he gave to so many people to go out and do their fundraising to support nhs hospitals has been remarkable. so fundraising to support nhs hospitals has been remarkable.— has been remarkable. so these are tanuible has been remarkable. so these are tangible benefits _ has been remarkable. so these are tangible benefits but, _ has been remarkable. so these are tangible benefits but, clearly, - has been remarkable. so these are tangible benefits but, clearly, theyj tangible benefits but, clearly, they also help to boost morale within the workforce. ~ , , ,, also help to boost morale within the workforce. ~ , , i. , , ., ~ workforce. absolutely. if you speak to any member _ workforce. absolutely. if you speak to any member of _ workforce. absolutely. if you speak to any member of staff _ workforce. absolutely. if you speak to any member of staff in _ workforce. absolutely. if you speak to any member of staff in leeds - to any member of staff in leeds teaching hospitals, they are so passionate about delivering the very best care to their patients. and i think knowing that people like sir captain tom or were doing things like fundraising to support them and all the other people that got involved —— sir captain tom moore. it means a huge amount. he is our hero. he's done something really incredible. �* ., , ., hero. he's done something really incredible-— hero. he's done something really incredible. �* ., , ., ., incredible. and, for you, what will ca tain incredible. and, for you, what will captain sir— incredible. and, for you, what will captain sir tom _ incredible. and, for you, what will captain sir tom moore's _ incredible. and, for you, what will captain sir tom moore's lasting i captain sir tom moore's lasting legacy be? i captain sir tom moore's lasting legacy be?— captain sir tom moore's lasting lea be? ~ , , legacy be? i think the biggest thing is that he raised _ legacy be? i think the biggest thing is that he raised awareness - legacy be? i think the biggest thing is that he raised awareness of- legacy be? i think the biggest thing is that he raised awareness of the i is that he raised awareness of the work of nhs charities. i think,

before this, people didn't understand the difference that nhs charities could make. you know, things over and above what the nhs pays for. it has been fantastic. we've been very grateful to him forever for the way he's raised awareness of that. find forever for the way he's raised awareness of that.— forever for the way he's raised awareness of that. and am i right in thinkin: , awareness of that. and am i right in thinking, esther, _ awareness of that. and am i right in thinking, esther, that _ awareness of that. and am i right in thinking, esther, that there - awareness of that. and am i right in thinking, esther, that there is - awareness of that. and am i right in thinking, esther, that there is now i thinking, esther, that there is now a bronze bust of him in your grounds?— a bronze bust of him in your rounds? , �*, ., .,, . a bronze bust of him in your rounds? , �*, ., . grounds? yes! oh, it's fantastic. so we were very. _ grounds? yes! oh, it's fantastic. so we were very. very _ grounds? yes! oh, it's fantastic. so we were very, very pleased - grounds? yes! oh, it's fantastic. so we were very, very pleased to - grounds? yes! oh, it's fantastic. so we were very, very pleased to be i we were very, very pleased to be donated this bronze bust. it is lovely. it sits in the bexley wing in saintjames hospital, leeds' teaching hospital, one of the largest teaching hospitals in europe. we have a number of hospitals. being able to how's a really lovely memorial of him is just brilliant.— really lovely memorial of him is just brilliant. very good to talk to ou, just brilliant. very good to talk to you. thank _ just brilliant. very good to talk to you. thank you — just brilliant. very good to talk to you, thank you so _ just brilliant. very good to talk to you, thank you so much, - just brilliant. very good to talk to you, thank you so much, that - just brilliant. very good to talk to you, thank you so much, that is i you, thank you so much, that is esther wakeman, ceo of the leeds hospital charity.

just going to take you back now to the shops of the funeral cortege making its way to the crematorium, where the funeral will take place. it left the family home about 15 minutes ago. it's probably nearly there. let's speak tojohn maguire, who's outside the crematorim in bedford. john, obviously, a very sad day indeed for the family. but for everybody else, it is a chance to remember and celebrate a man who lived a very long and action packed life. , ., , ., lived a very long and action packed life. , ., i. lived a very long and action packed life. , ., ., , life. yes, rita, you can only imagine _ life. yes, rita, you can only imagine that _ life. yes, rita, you can only imagine that he _ life. yes, rita, you can only imagine that he is - life. yes, rita, you can only imagine that he is a - life. yes, rita, you can only imagine that he is a man i life. yes, rita, you can only. imagine that he is a man who life. yes, rita, you can only- imagine that he is a man who was on the planet for 99 years and already was a second world war veteran. he served in burma, as it was called then,in served in burma, as it was called then, in the second world war. so some of the most difficult conditions that any soldier has fought and served in in the war.

then, as i think you described earlier, went into a successful business in industry. he had two daughters. he was living a very full and happy life. 99 years of which were in some sort of obscurity, you could probably say. and then the last ten months of being just absolutely extraordinary. and his family have been with him, by his side, all the way. so, the family members that are attending the funeral service today, just eight of them, his two daughters, hannah and lucy. lucy with her husband, tom, and with their children, max and another tom. and then hannah's family, her husband colin and children benji and george. we've got to know hanna's family especially over the last ten months or so because that is where captain tom lived. they all moved in together into that house in the village of marston moretaine where you saw the

hearse leaving about 13 years ago. both sold their respective houses and moved in together. after he died, hannah told me last week of the week before that they were a five, a family unit of five that had suddenly gone down to four. she talked, i think very movingly, about how he was missed around the house. the normal morning routine would be that she would take a couple of steps down from her bedroom and look left to see whether her father was up left to see whether her father was up and about yet. they would hear him tinkering about in the house. and some lovely stories that i think we will hear some of later on in the service, this afternoon, especially from his grandchildren. he had a shedin from his grandchildren. he had a shed in his garden. granddad's fixing shed, they called it. hannah had found a sign in the united states, it was bad's fixing shed and she changed it to granddad's fixing shed and the children would go there with broken toys and bicycles and whatever needed repairing. captain

tom was never happier than when he was in his garden or in his shed with his grandchildren. and it also, family think, kept him young, rejuvenated him. he said that when he moved in with them, it would have beenin he moved in with them, it would have been in his mid—80s, that it willie wood you've dated him to have that young family around him. he took great interest in their lives and their friends, great interest in their lives and theirfriends, in the great interest in their lives and their friends, in the sports they were up to, in the education. he was an integral part of that family. the cards that are right for his 100th birthday in april last year, a quarter of a million cards. an extraordinary sight, all of which came through the local post office. i was there a couple of times to see the huge royal mail lorries pulling up the huge royal mail lorries pulling up and delivering these trolleys upon trolleys upon trolleys of letters right around the world to

wish him well from around the world. his son benji volunteered to open those cards. i'm not sure they realised what they were getting themselves in for! but the school hall, the flow of which, you can imagine a large school hall, absolutely covered in these cards. some home—made, a lot of them by children. that's one of the incredible things i think about the captain tom storey over the last ten months or so. the fact that he seems to connect so readily with children —— his story over the last ten months. his story inspired many young children to walk, to raise money for their local hospitals, for the local nhs charities. he inspired people closer to his own age, some of whom were not used to getting out and about and doing daily exercise. walk with tom was a hashtag, a campaign that captain tom foundation set up to encourage people to get out as best they could in lockdown to talk to each other, to enjoy a

bit of fresh air, to try to combat loneliness which was a subject very close to his heart. we can see the hearse making its way. the police will close the road immediately outside the crematorium and representatives from yorkshire regiment and the army foundation couege regiment and the army foundation college are here dressed in their best ceremonial dress. coffin bearers, six of them, will bring the coffin up to the crematorium. there will be a fly past at midday that we have been talking about. a dakota dc three, world war ii aircraft that he would have been familiar with from his service in the second world war. that will fly over it midday, the aircraft from the battle of britain. based at raf coniston. 1a man firing party will fire their salute as the coffin waits outside the crematorium before going inside. i suppose that

is the first part of the public face of this special day, this funeral today the military ceremony, their precision. we have been watching their rehearsals. we had from their commanding officer how hard they worked and the owner and their pride in which the young soldiers took in taking part today. that link between a veteran, a man 100 years old and some young soldiers, some of them in their teens or early 20s, a similar age to what he was when he would have first joined the age to what he was when he would have firstjoined the military back during the second world war. incredible to see those bonds still existing. i was talking to a young soldier yesterday, young lance corporal, who said that he had met captain tom when he travelled up north to the army foundation college and said he was just an north to the army foundation college and said he wasjust an inspiration. an incredible honour to meet him just to chat with him. he had heard so much about him, of course. he had read so much about him, seen him on the television. but you just get the chance to meet him, he said, he told

me, was a great privilege. and i know that myself and having worked with and filmed and interviewed captain tom several times over the last ten months. we talked a lot. he always had that glint in his eye, that cheeky smile. he would come out from his house behind that world famous walking frame and give you a big smile when he realised it was us. and kevin the cameraman here, once again. a big smile. he said, you have been busy but lovely to see you have been busy but lovely to see you again. it warms your heart, really, to be perfectly frank, to see him and have that recognition from him. because, as i say, he was someone who was ready so ready so incredibly busy. he crammed so much into that your heart, really, to be perfectly frank, to see him and have that recognition from him. because, as i say, he was someone who was really so incredibly busy. he crammed so much into that last ten his life. —— so incredibly busy. he would have made a very real difference to sojohn, one gets the impression that he had and john, one gets the impression that he had led who was an army veteran. but

thereafter had led a fairlylife, if one can put it that way, for someone who was an army veteran. but thereafter had led a what do you think he would have made of what is happening today? he was always very keen to remind you and his daughters, too, that he was always, and in many respects, will always be a proper yorkshireman at heart. you may have heard hannah talking about the fact that he had said to her, perhaps injest, perhaps not, that he would be happy to be buried in a cardboard coffin, not to waste the money. 0nce to be buried in a cardboard coffin, not to waste the money. once you had passed, once you were dead, that was it. but she had to say to him, you know, "look, thisjust isn't going to cut it, people will expect more, you're going to have to have a real thing about what you're expecting today from this special day —— real think. people will want to contribute as best as they can." of course, it is the pandemic, we are

once again in lockdown and captain tom's story is one of lockdown. it wouldn't have been a story, especially one that had travelled around the world, had it not been for the lock and perhaps the frustrations that we are all feeling. he tapped into that, didn't he, by saying tomorrow will be a good day? he helped us with a sense of optimism. that, really, even when the sun was shining in the spring last year, the days felt quite bleak. and without the vaccination programme that we have here at the moment, one really wondered whether there was much of an end in sight. i canjust see now there was much of an end in sight. i can just see now the hearse is turning onto the grounds of bedford crematorium. you can see the police out riders. his coffin at the front draped with the union flag. we will talk a little later about some of the items again. very specifically chosen by the family that had been placed on top of the coffin. a real nod to his military service. and i

remember when he crossed the line in april last year to complete his 100 laps and he said i am feeling fine because i am surrounded by the right people. and what he meant by that was the fact that the yorkshire regiment had provided a socially distanced guard of honour. he was surrounded by people he could identify with. surrounded by soldiers who have his heritage as yorkshireman and who understand some of what he went through in his life, some of the sacrifices he would have made. he was very honoured and very touched, i think, made. he was very honoured and very touched, ithink, to made. he was very honoured and very touched, i think, to be among them. of course, as we can see, the hearse just arriving now, he is among them once again. because it will be certainly the case of the regimental sergeant major, cheney pearson was on that day, last april forming the guard of honour ——janie pearson. he will be with the party and bearing

captain tom's coffin shortly. he will be marching him up to the doors of the crematorium. jon i think we are seeing pictures at the moment of the vehicles that have brought the family to the crematorium. yes, some family arriving... the family are _ yes, some family arriving... the family are arriving, _ yes, some family arriving... the family are arriving, yes. while we watch them getting out of the car, you mentioned there that there had been some very specifically chosen objects placed on top of the coffin. what were they?— objects placed on top of the coffin. what were they? yes, so you have a relica of what were they? yes, so you have a replica of captain — what were they? yes, so you have a replica of captain sir _ what were they? yes, so you have a replica of captain sir tom _ what were they? yes, so you have a replica of captain sir tom moore's i replica of captain sir tom moore's service cap from the second world war. you can only imagine the decades that have passed. he didn't have a service cap still in existence today. a replica one has been made for him. from the a wreath

yorkshire regiment, his campaign medals and the medal he had never been awarded but has been awarded in the last ten months or so. —— a wreath from the yorkshire regiment. and his knighthood medal stitched onto a cushion, which he told me and his daughter told me were the real highlights. the real highlight of the last ten months to have that special audience at windsor castle with her majesty the queen to receive his knighthood. something he was greatly, greatly honoured to receive. that'll be on top of the coffin. 0ne receive. that'll be on top of the coffin. one last thing, a specially commissioned officer's saud with a regimental motto for the yorkshire regiment —— officer's sword. and on the other side, his own motto, tomorrow will be a good day. those words we heard him mutter so many times that still matter so much to so many people.

times that still matter so much to so many people-— times that still matter so much to so many people. yes, indeed. the members of _ so many people. yes, indeed. the members of his _ so many people. yes, indeed. the members of his family... - so many people. yes, indeed. the members of his family... making i so many people. yes, indeed. the i members of his family... making his wa members of his family. .. making his wa u- members of his family... making his way up to- -- — members of his family... making his way up to--- sorry. _ members of his family... making his way up to... sorry, rita. _ members of his family. .. making his way up to... sorry, rita. i— members of his family... making his way up to... sorry, rita. i was - way up to... sorry, rita. iwas siml way up to... sorry, rita. iwas simply going _ way up to... sorry, rita. iwas simply going to _ way up to... sorry, rita. iwas simply going to say _ way up to... sorry, rita. iwas simply going to say that - way up to... sorry, rita. iwas simply going to say that the i way up to... sorry, rita. i was simply going to say that the members of his family, eight members of his family, two daughters, their partners and then four grandchildren. but you are saying, john, the objects on real value, emotional value that are there on top of his coffin.— top of his coffin. yes, so, as we sa , he top of his coffin. yes, so, as we say. he joked — top of his coffin. yes, so, as we say. he joked in _ top of his coffin. yes, so, as we say, he joked in earlier- top of his coffin. yes, so, as we say, he joked in earlier times i top of his coffin. yes, so, as we - say, he joked in earlier times about say, hejoked in earlier times about his funeral that had been very prescriptive. and the current serving members of the yorkshire regiment had really taken on board what sort of thing they could do. as i say, the sword with the regimental motto on one side and tomorrow will be a good day on the other. we will hear during the service from his two daughters, lucy and hannah and some of his grandchildren. there will be

specially chosen music as well. vera lynn's wartime classic, of course. we lost vera lynn last year but the white cliffs of dover and frank sinatra's my way. he was a proud yorkshireman and michael ball, the hs crime and making him the oldest person to achieve a number one record in the uk with you'll never walk alone. and a specially recorded song and specially recorded version of the song, smile by michael buble, one of sir captain tom or�*s favourite artists. he recorded it specially and send it to the family and will be played for the first time at the funeral service —— sir captain tom favourite artists. the hearse is coming into position. it will pull up coming into position. it will pull up outside the front door. the

coffin bearers, six members of the yorkshire regiment commanded by the regimental sergeant majorjamie pearson. they will take the coffin from the back of the hearse and place it onto their shoulders and they will wait for the flyover of they will wait for the flyover of the dakota aircraft which is due to come over head at midday in just a couple of minutes' time. as you can imagine, everything done with military precision to ensure that this sendoff is fitting, sombre and respectful. brute this sendoff is fitting, sombre and resectful. ~ ., this sendoff is fitting, sombre and resectful. ~ . , , respectful. we are 'ust seeing -ictures respectful. we are 'ust seeing pictures now. _ respectful. we are just seeing pictures now, john, _ respectful. we are just seeing pictures now, john, of- respectful. we are just seeing pictures now, john, of the - respectful. we are just seeing - pictures now, john, of the vehicle being opened. and the members of the yorkshire regiment standing in place. in order to carry it in.

two standard bearers who will be lowering their regimental colours, the regimental standards. 0ne lowering their regimental colours, the regimental standards. one of the yorkshire regiment and another of the duke of wellington's regiment, which was captain sir tom moore's original unit in the second world war. amalgamated into the yorkshires in 2006. they are both former serving soldiers and you can see their heads are bowed. firing party, 14 their heads are bowed. firing party, 1a men, standing ready to fire their salute once the dakota has flown over. the coffin bearers now preparing to escort captain sir tom on his finaljourney.