levelling with the british people

about the country's finances — the chancellor warns of the enormous strains, following the response to the coronavirus pandemic. speaking ahead of next week's budget, rishi sunak warned britain's finances were exposed and a bill would have to be paid. warmer weather tempts people to enjoy the outdoors, as a government advisor warns the public to still comply with current restrictions. military honours for captain sir tom moore, as his family bid him farewell. you may be gone, but your message and your spirit lives on. and wales catch england by surprise in cardiff, to stay unbeaten in the six nations.

good evening. the chancellor, rishi sunak, says he will level with the british people that the response to the coronavirus pandemic has left public finances "exposed" when he unveils his budget next week. the government has borrowed £271 billion this financial year, and some are urging him to raise taxes. labour have said support programmes should be extended to give businesses "breathing space". our political correspondent, damian grammaticas, reports. a year into this pandemic, is an end in sight? perhaps. and as the mood lifts, a question — when should the massive support given to the economy stop? a year ago, rishi sunak delivered his very first budget as chancellor. since then, he's had to borrow £270 billion — a record. we're setting up a new coronavirus

job retention scheme... for now, this national debt is relatively cheap to pay back, but if interest rates rise, that will change. today, the chancellor said that's why, in his coming budget, he wants to talk about "levelling with people about the public finances and our plans to address them." adding, "all of us conservative mps are elected by the british people because they trust us to run the economy responsibly." labour says the government's overseen the worst downturn of any major economy, despite all the cash it's spent. now is not the time to withdraw support for hard—hit firms and families. the chancellor is preparing new measures. so, i'm supposed to pour this milk into the yogurt? farabi, who still lives at home with his family, could benefit from a new scheme in the budget to help home—buyers with small deposits get a mortgage. ajunior doctor in london, farabi hasn't been able to afford his own place. on an nhs salary which, you know,

i'm in the higher band, being a doctor, people who are carers, people who are nurses, physios, etc, if you don't help the rest of us on low incomes purchase property, then you're stuck in a sticky situation where you could be renting for the rest of your life. and the chancellor is facing pressure on all sides. there are some tory mps who won seats off the opposition at the last election who want more spending to level up more deprived areas. the labour party, along with businesses and unions, say any tax rises now could choke off any recovery, and others who say we should start paying down all that debt now. every sensible person knows that this spending we've embarked on to stop the economy collapsing is the taxpayer spending, and if we don't get it under control before inflation comes back and then interest rates go up, we'll face a financial crisis. all this is a sign that as the immediate crisis recedes, its after—effects will linger —

on people's health and jobs, the nation's well—being and wealth. let's pick up on some of those points. he has got a toughjob ahead, what can we expect to hear? the chancellor is sending tough messages, we hear today, and we will hear more of that in the budget. because he is facing these very difficult choices. we have this enormous amount of borrowing, historic, never been seen outside wartime before. so the big questions he faces are, first of all, whether to continue those huge programmes, the business support, the furlough programme, the uplift to universal credit, and the indications are that thatis credit, and the indications are that that is likely to continue, those will go on. the question then, how long? will it be just as long as the restrictions go? are we talking to no longer? that, we don't know. it seems, the labour party are saying it should go beyond that, because they believe there should not be any

cliff edges which would be difficult for people, difficult for businesses and they say that has happened before with extending the furlough scheme. the most difficult questionable, about paying this back. the chancellor will want to sound and send a tough message. he is under pressure. some on the conservative right don't want any tax rises, they say you should just let the economy grow. the labour party say, don't bring in business taxes now, corporation taxes, delay there should not be any cliff edges which would be difficult for people, difficult for businesses and they say that has happened before with extending the furlough scheme. the most difficult questionable, about paying this back. the chancellor will want to sound and send a tough message. he is under pressure. some on the conservative right don't want any tax rises, they say you should just let the economy grow. the labour party say, don't bring in business taxes now, corporation taxes, delay those a bit .they want to send a business friendly message. but i think the chancellor will a little down the lane tax rises will come. damian, thank an update on the coronavirus figures now. there were 7,434 new confirmed infections in the latest 24—hour period. it means an average of 9,263 cases per day were recorded

over the past week. the number of patients in hospital with coronavirus across the uk dropped below 15,000 for the first time since mid—november. in the past 2a hours, 290 deaths have been reported — that's people who died within 28 days of a positive covid test. now, on average, 334 deaths were announced every day in the past week. and it brings the total number of people who've died to 122,705. the vaccination statistics show 504,493 people had their first dose of a vaccine in the latest 24—hour period. with almost 19.7 million people having now had their firstjab. while the number of deaths and cases reported continue to fall, the health secretary stressed yesterday that one in five areas had still seen a rise in new cases. today, people were out enjoying the warmer weather, as one government adviser urged the public to keep to current covid restrictions.

here's our health correspondent katharine da costa. out in york, enjoying the early spring sunshine. after a tough winter lockdown, hopes are high with new freedoms in sight. but like some areas, the city's seen a slight increase in cases in the last week and health officials have urged people to stick to the rules. in york, people are still doing their best, but i think the more the restrictions are lifted, it will be more tempting to bend those rules a little bit. i think everyone is sticking to the rules to the best of their ability, really. i think it probably is a bit unfair to suggest if someone bends the rules ever so slightly that they're some kind of criminal. those advising the government on how to ease restrictions say the message needs to be clear. we still have a very high level of transmission and we also have new variants coming along. in this situation, it's absolutely vital that everybody keeps up their guard in terms of social—distancing, in terms of wearing masks when needed, hand hygiene. all those measures that will protect yourself and protect others. covid cases have been falling in most regions, but they're still at a high level.

and in some areas of northern ireland, scotland and england, they've risen in the last week. take south holland, in lincolnshire, it had 199 cases per 100,000 — an increase of 22%. in tamworth, in staffordshire, it had 250, that's an increase of 31%. and in north warwickshire, it had 247 — cases there rose by 34%. the local council leader says cases there have been bubbling up in recent weeks. we have a number of distribution centres in north warwickshire and, certainly, we've seen some increases in those. we've also seen them in supermarkets as well. we're looking at working with employers to help us to identify any outbreaks immediately and to manage to close down those as quickly as possible. there are brighter days ahead, as more of us are vaccinated and pressure on hospitals is eased.

but we'll have to wait a little longer yet before we can get back to enjoying something closer to a normal life. katherine da costa, bbc news. the scottish labour party has elected anas sarwar as its new leader. he won the vote by nearly 60% and will replace richard leonard, who had been in post for the past three years. mr sarwar said the party under his leadership would, �*focus on what unites the country, not what divides it'. now, the funeral of captain sir tom moore took place today, with his family paying tribute to the veteran and charity fundraiser. sir tom, of course, captured the hearts of the nation after raising tens of millions of pounds for nhs charities by walking a hundred laps of his garden before his 100th birthday. he died earlier this month. 0ur correspondent john maguire has the story. his was a story born out of lockdown, and as the hearse left his house this morning, pandemic restrictions meant people adhered to the family's wishes to stay at home.

soldiers from the yorkshire regiment, the modern equivalent of captain sir tom moore's wartime unit, who were with him as he made his famousjourney, joined him once more as he made his finaljourney. he received full military honours. 0n the coffin, his medals, including his knighthood and a specially—commissioned officer's sword. on one side, the regimental motto, "fortune favours the brave", and on the other, his motto, "tomorrow will be a good day". and in clear blue skies above bedford cemetery, the silence was broken by a fly—past from a wartime dakota. to us, he was a veteran and a record—breaking fundraiser who walked 100 laps of his back garden to mark his 100th birthday, raising almost £40 million for nhs charities in the process.

but for his daughters, lucy and hannah, he was first and foremost a father. daddy, you would always tell us, "best foot forward", and true to your word, that's just what you did last year, raising a fortune for the nhs and walking your way into the nation's hearts. we are all so proud of everything you have achieved and promise to keep your legacy alive. thank you for all the special times we've shared. 0ur relationship cannot be broken by death. you will be with me always. and for his grandchildren, benji and georgia, who've grown up living with their grandad, it was a time to remember cherished moments. if there is a lesson i have learned from living with you these past 13 years, it's the power of positivity and kindness. i truly do not believe i'd be the person i am today

without your sound guidance. he tells stories of his loved ones, the people left behind. _ he doesn't cry, or moan, or shout. he just says, "best be kind." during the funeral service, we learnt so much more about captain sir tom moore — the man, the grandfather and the father — about his humour, his honesty and his humility, qualities that have sent his name around the world and ensure that it lives on beyond today, for generations to come. last post plays and he became a favourite for millions of people around the world, who were inspired by his words and deeds to walk, to be kind and to support good causes... # walk on through the wind...# ..reassuring us all that we would never walk alone. john maguire,

bbc news, bedfordshire. with all the sport now, here's lizzie greenwood—hughes, at the bbc sport centre. alun wyn, kate, thank you, good hello, kate, thank you, thanks very much. good evening. wales have beaten england to win the triple crown in rugby union's six nations championship. they won 40 points to 24 in cardiff — their highest score against england. 0ur correspondent joe wilson reports. in cardiff, implications stretch far, onejones, eddie, wants england to win, but thisjones, mccarthy, sees wales in sight. england players were locked in a conference, the captain protested, referee, you told me to me to talk to my team, then you play done, basically. you me to me to talk to my team, then you play done, basically.— you play done, basically. you have to cive us you play done, basically. you have to give us time _ you play done, basically. you have to give us time to _ you play done, basically. you have to give us time to set. _ please. i talk first, 0k? referee gauzere regretted rien.

next, liam williams gathered up a loose ball to cross the line. well, had louis rees—zammit knocked it forwards onto his leg? try, it forwards onto his leg? said the officials. 0k, tho rees—zammit. try, said the officials. 0k, thought rees—zammit. england got back into the match, there see—through anthony watson. they levelled the score in the second half, ben youngs and belief, briefly. but england kept conceding penalties and callum sheedy kept kicking them. wales finished with four tries and an overwhelming victory. they also got a trophy. when you beat three home nations, they give you the triple crown. three weeks ago, no one really gave wales a hope. we have shown character _ really gave wales a hope. we have shown character in _ really gave wales a hope. we have shown character in the _ really gave wales a hope. we have shown character in the previous . really gave wales a hope. we have | shown character in the previous two games and we are not going to say we had a bit of luck today, bouncing the ball and decisions on what have you, but if it wasn't us, it would be someone else. . you, but if it wasn't us, it would be someone else.— you, but if it wasn't us, it would be someone else. . we were not good enou:h be someone else. . we were not good enough today. — be someone else. . we were not good enough today. we _ be someone else. . we were not good enough today, we got _ be someone else. . we were not good enough today, we got tough _ be someone else. . we were not good enough today, we got tough calls, - be someone else. . we were not good enough today, we got tough calls, we | enough today, we got tough calls, we have to _ enough today, we got tough calls, we have to adapt to the game and the

referee, _ have to adapt to the game and the referee, if— have to adapt to the game and the referee, if the referee is going to adapt _ referee, if the referee is going to adapt -- — referee, if the referee is going to adapt -- to— referee, if the referee is going to adapt —— to play like that, we have to adapt— adapt —— to play like that, we have to adapt to — adapt —— to play like that, we have to adapt to it. adapt -- to play like that, we have to adapt to it— to adapt to it. adapting was never encland's to adapt to it. adapting was never england's plan- — to adapt to it. adapting was never england's plan. no _ to adapt to it. adapting was never england's plan. no catch - to adapt to it. adapting was never england's plan. no catch wales, l to adapt to it. adapting was neverj england's plan. no catch wales, if you can. ireland claimed their first win of the tournament, thrashing italy 48—10 in rome. they scored six tries in the one—sided contest, which was italy's 30th consecutive six nations defeat. scotland's match tomorrow has been postponed — due to a covid outbreak in the france squad. match of the day and sportscene in scotland are on later, so if you want to wait for the football results, then avert your attention because they're coming now. manchester city have extended their incredible winning streak to 20 matches in all competitions. today, they beat the in—form west ham 2—1 to move 13 points clear at the top of the premier league table. pep guardiola called city's run "one of the greatest achievments of our careers." in the day's other matches, leeds lost at home to aston villa. newcastle drew with wolves, and second from bottom west brom beat brighton, who missed two penalties.

celtic made a winning start to life without manager neil lennon. they held—on to beat aberdeen 1—0 in the scottish premiership. assistantjohn kennedy is now in temporary charge. elsewhere, there were wins for motherwell and st mirren. that's it from me, the bbc sport website has plenty more including how britain's adam yates finished second in cycling's uae tour, despite crashing heavily. but that's it from me. back to you, kate. that's all from me. the chancellor and the shadow chancellor will both be guests on the andrew marr show tomorrow morning at 9am on bbc one. goodnight.

hello. this is bbc news. in a series of video calls with members of the public, the duke and duchess of cambridge have been urging people to put aside their concerns about the covid vaccine and get inoculated. william and kate spoke to two families with long—term health conditions who have been shielding over the past year, and are now eligible to receive the vaccine. their royal highnesses talked

to asthma sufferer, fiona doyle, and shi—va—lee modha, who has type two diabete. ——and shivalee modha, who has type two diabete. just who has type two diabete. like this condition, this virus, just like this condition, this virus, the idea of this vaccination is new, but the more people that get it realise that actually it's helping, and the numbers are showing that's because they are coming down and they are all positive things. catherine and i are not medical experts — catherine and i are not medical experts by any means, but if it's any consolation, we can wholeheartedly support you having vaccinations. it's really important. we've _ vaccinations. it's really important. we've spoken to a lot of people about _ we've spoken to a lot of people about it — we've spoken to a lot of people about it. you know, the uptake has been _ about it. you know, the uptake has been amazing so far. we've got to keep— been amazing so far. we've got to keep it _ been amazing so far. we've got to keep it going so the younger generations also feel, you know, that it's — generations also feel, you know, that it's really important for them to have _ that it's really important for them to have it — that it's really important for them to have it. so it's great that you've _ to have it. so it's great that you've taken the time to work it out and come _ you've taken the time to work it out and come to— you've taken the time to work it out and come to a conclusion that you know, _ and come to a conclusion that you know. i_ and come to a conclusion that you know, i need to do this. because sociat— know, i need to do this. because social media is awash sometimes with rumours _ social media is awash sometimes with rumours and _ social media is awash sometimes with rumours and misinformation, so we have _ rumours and misinformation, so we have to _ rumours and misinformation, so we

have to be — rumours and misinformation, so we have to be careful and where we get our information from. especially those _ our information from. especially those who— our information from. especially those who are clinically venerable is welcome it's so important that those _ is welcome it's so important that those vaccinations are done. so good luck _ those vaccinations are done. so good luck i _ those vaccinations are done. so good luck. , , �* , ~ ., luck. i guess it's the unknown. think that's — luck. i guess it's the unknown. think that's the _ luck. i guess it's the unknown. think that's the case _ luck. i guess it's the unknown. think that's the case with - luck. i guess it's the unknown. | think that's the case with most people. it'sjust think that's the case with most people. it's just something that's unknown right now. i people. it'sjust something that's unknown right now.— unknown right now. i can't wait, es. i'm unknown right now. i can't wait, yes- i'm priority _ unknown right now. i can't wait, yes. i'm priority group - unknown right now. i can't wait, yes. i'm priority group six, - unknown right now. i can't wait, yes. i'm priority group six, so i unknown right now. i can't wait, i yes. i'm priority group six, so any day now. — yes. i'm priority group six, so any day now. i'rn _ yes. i'm priority group six, so any day now, i'm really— yes. i'm priority group six, so any day now, i'm really hoping - yes. i'm priority group six, so any day now, i'm really hoping to - yes. i'm priority group six, so any day now, i'm really hoping to get| day now, i'm really hoping to get called _ day now, i'm really hoping to get called up~ — called up. good. - called up. - good. anyways with called up. — good. anyways with vaccinations? are you good _ good. anyways with vaccinations? are you good with needles? fine. good. anyways with vaccinations? are you good with needles?— you good with needles? fine. i don't love them. — you good with needles? fine. i don't love them. i— you good with needles? fine. i don't love them, i mean, _ you good with needles? fine. i don't love them, i mean, who _ you good with needles? fine. i don't love them, i mean, who does? - you good with needles? fine. i don't love them, i mean, who does? but i you good with needles? fine. i don't i love them, i mean, who does? but i'm very pro-vaccine — love them, i mean, who does? but i'm very pro-vaccine i've _ love them, i mean, who does? but i'm very pro—vaccine. i've a _ love them, i mean, who does? but i'm very pro—vaccine. i've a pro _ very pro—vaccine. i've a pro vaccination _ very pro—vaccine. i've a pro vaccination policy— very pro—vaccine. i've a pro vaccination policy at - very pro—vaccine. i've a pro vaccination policy at the - very pro—vaccine. i've a pro - vaccination policy at the nursery, where _ vaccination policy at the nursery, where i_ vaccination policy at the nursery, where i much _ vaccination policy at the nursery, where i much prefer— vaccination policy at the nursery, where i much prefer children- vaccination policy at the nursery, where i much prefer children to i vaccination policy at the nursery, - where i much prefer children to have had their— where i much prefer children to have had their mmr— where i much prefer children to have had their mmr and _ where i much prefer children to have had their mmr and any— where i much prefer children to have had their mmr and any kind - where i much prefer children to have had their mmr and any kind of- had their mmr and any kind of essentiai— had their mmr and any kind of essential vaccines— had their mmr and any kind of essential vaccines before - had their mmr and any kind of essential vaccines before they| essential vaccines before they start — essential vaccines before they start so _ essential vaccines before they start so i _ essential vaccines before they start. so i have _ essential vaccines before they start. so i have always - essential vaccines before they start. so i have always been i start. so i have always been somebody— start. so i have always been somebody who _ start. so i have always been somebody who truly - start. so i have always beenl somebody who truly believes start. so i have always been i somebody who truly believes in vaccines — somebody who truly believes in vaccines i_ somebody who truly believes in vaccines. i truly _ somebody who truly believes in vaccines. i truly believe - somebody who truly believes in vaccines. i truly believe in - somebody who truly believes in . vaccines. i truly believe in science and medicine _ vaccines. i truly believe in science and medicine. you— vaccines. i truly believe in science and medicine. you know, - vaccines. i truly believe in science and medicine. you know, i- vaccines. i truly believe in science and medicine. you know, ithinki and medicine. you know, ithink that's— and medicine. you know, ithink that's the — and medicine. you know, ithink that's the best _ and medicine. you know, ithink that's the best way _ and medicine. you know, ithink that's the best way to, - and medicine. you know, ithink that's the best way to, you - and medicine. you know, ithinki that's the best way to, you know, look— that's the best way to, you know, look ahead — that's the best way to, you know, look ahead to _

that's the best way to, you know, look ahead to have _ that's the best way to, you know, look ahead to have a _ that's the best way to, you know, look ahead to have a much - that's the best way to, you know, i look ahead to have a much brighter future _ look ahead to have a much brighter future and — look ahead to have a much brighter future and go — look ahead to have a much brighter future and go back— look ahead to have a much brighter future and go back to _ look ahead to have a much brighter future and go back to normality. i look ahead to have a much brighterl future and go back to normality. so, yeah. _ future and go back to normality. so, yeah. i_ future and go back to normality. so, yeah. in1assiveiy_ future and go back to normality. so, yeah, i massively believe _ future and go back to normality. so, yeah, i massively believe in- yeah, i massively believe in vaccines— yeah, i massively believe in vaccines and _ yeah, i massively believe in vaccines and i— yeah, i massively believe in vaccines and i hope - yeah, i massively believe in vaccines and i hope as - yeah, i massively believe in| vaccines and i hope as many yeah, i massively believe in- vaccines and i hope as many people as possible. — vaccines and i hope as many people as possible. you _ vaccines and i hope as many people as possible, you know, _ vaccines and i hope as many people as possible, you know, when - vaccines and i hope as many people as possible, you know, when they. vaccines and i hope as many people . as possible, you know, when they get called _ as possible, you know, when they get called up _ as possible, you know, when they get caiied up for— as possible, you know, when they get called up for it. — as possible, you know, when they get called up for it, that _ as possible, you know, when they get called up for it, that they— as possible, you know, when they get called up for it, that they take - as possible, you know, when they get called up for it, that they take it. - called up for it, that they take it. and once — called up for it, that they take it. and once you _ called up for it, that they take it. and once you have _ called up for it, that they take it. and once you have had _ called up for it, that they take it. and once you have had the - called up for it, that they take it. i and once you have had the vaccine, what change do you think it will allow you apart from worrying less and being able to move about a bit more? i and being able to move about a bit more? ~ �* , and being able to move about a bit more? ~' �* , ., ., , more? i think i'm trying to not see it as a magic _ more? i think i'm trying to not see it as a magic cure, _ more? i think i'm trying to not see it as a magic cure, i'm _ more? i think i'm trying to not see it as a magic cure, i'm not - more? i think i'm trying to not see it as a magic cure, i'm not going . more? i think i'm trying to not see | it as a magic cure, i'm not going to id it as a magic cure, i'm not going to go out— it as a magic cure, i'm not going to go out looking _ it as a magic cure, i'm not going to go out looking lamposts _ it as a magic cure, i'm not going to go out looking lamposts or - it as a magic cure, i'm not going tol go out looking lamposts or anything straightaway — go out looking lamposts or anything straightaway. did _ go out looking lamposts or anything straightaway-— straightaway. did you do that before? i _ straightaway. did you do that before? i am _ straightaway. did you do that before? i am probably - straightaway. did you do that before? i am probably goingl straightaway. did you do that i before? i am probably going to straightaway. did you do that - before? i am probably going to do what i will before? i am probably going to do what i will do _ before? i am probably going to do what i will do normally, _ before? i am probably going to do what i will do normally, i - before? i am probably going to do what i will do normally, i will- before? i am probably going to do | what i will do normally, i will keep the hand _ what i will do normally, i will keep the hand shall, _ what i will do normally, i will keep the hand shall, where _ what i will do normally, i will keep the hand shall, where mass, - what i will do normally, i will keep| the hand shall, where mass, social distance _ the hand shall, where mass, social distance but— the hand shall, where mass, social distance, but it's _ the hand shall, where mass, social distance, but it's got _ the hand shall, where mass, social distance, but it's got nice - the hand shall, where mass, social distance, but it's got nice to - the hand shall, where mass, social distance, but it's got nice to knowl distance, but it's got nice to know that mentai— distance, but it's got nice to know that mental you _ distance, but it's got nice to know that mental you have _ distance, but it's got nice to know that mental you have that - distance, but it's got nice to know that mental you have that layer. distance, but it's got nice to knowj that mental you have that layer of protection — that mental you have that layer of protection and _ that mental you have that layer of protection and that _ that mental you have that layer of protection and that if— that mental you have that layer of protection and that if you - that mental you have that layer of protection and that if you do - that mental you have that layer of protection and that if you do and i that mental you have that layer of i protection and that if you do and up being _ protection and that if you do and up being unfortunate _ protection and that if you do and up being unfortunate enough - protection and that if you do and up being unfortunate enough to - protection and that if you do and up being unfortunate enough to catch. protection and that if you do and up i being unfortunate enough to catch up to commit— being unfortunate enough to catch up to commit one — being unfortunate enough to catch up to commit one to— being unfortunate enough to catch up to commit one to be _ being unfortunate enough to catch up to commit one to be as _ being unfortunate enough to catch up to commit one to be as severe - being unfortunate enough to catch up to commit one to be as severe as - being unfortunate enough to catch up to commit one to be as severe as it. to commit one to be as severe as it might— to commit one to be as severe as it might have — to commit one to be as severe as it might have been _ to commit one to be as severe as it might have been without _ to commit one to be as severe as it might have been without having - to commit one to be as severe as it might have been without having toi to commit one to be as severe as it. might have been without having to —— having _ might have been without having to —— having been _ might have been without having to —— having been vaccinated. _ 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 coronavirus 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.

a controlled detonation has been carried out in exeter following the discovery of an unexploded second world war bomb nearthe main university campus. about two and a half thousand people in exeter — including students in 12 university halls of residence — were evacuated from the area. a 400 metre cordon was in place while bomb disposal specialists dealt with the device. from a collapse in revenue, to staff withoutjobs — grappling to protect and maintain the uk's heritage sites during the pandemic, continues. after a long but successful community campaign for its restoration, a castle hidden in london woodland reopened to the public in 2014. but, nearly a year of lockdowns means the monument is at real risk of falling into disrepair for a second time. nickjohnson reports. looming above the tree tops of 0xleas woods in south—east london, this gothic monument emerges as a striking scene to the unsuspecting woodland walker. there are 86 steps all the way to the top. severndroog castle was

built in the 1780s — a local woman's memorial to her late husband, sirwilliamjames, and named after one of the battles he fought off the coast of india, the history of which many visitors are entirely unaware. people either know about, so they stumble upon us, they will walk through the woods and then through the trees, they see this weird quirky romantic building, and they wonder what it is. they are interested, they want to have a look around. but the castle's past hasn't been quite so idyllic. in the late �*80s, greenwich council could no longer afford the upkeep of the monument. it was boarded up and fell into disrepair, where it stayed for more than two decades. curious building. it was in a terrible state when we first came. the windows were blocked up with steel. the outside of the building was covered in graffiti. but in 2013, after a hard—fought campaign by a group of locals, severndroog castle received a grant from the heritage lottery fund,

allowing it to reopen to the public a year later. i remember the day that i got the letter, that was a real punching the air moment, you know? we'd got the main grant, which was about 800,000 at the time. so, all in all, we've raised about £1 million to restore the building. and one of the castle's main attractions — the stunning views, once you have climbed all the way to the top of the 86 steps. the monument is perched on top of shooters hill, one of the highest points in greater london, but nearly a year of on—and—off covid lockdowns has meant very few people have been able to enjoy these spectacular views. the pandemic means severndroog has remained closed for a large part of the past year. ian has volunteered at the castle most days since it first reopened to the public eight years ago. it has really got me down not having contact with people because i live alone. it's kind of been my life, really.

the castle relies on people coming through its doors to stay afloat. as that's not been happening, a cloud of uncertainty hangs over the months ahead. it's quite a precarious time for us. so we don't get admissions, we don't get money from events. we don't get money from weddings and our hires, so a lot of our income streams have disappeared. there's no other grant funding for the castle now, so it all depends on the support from the community. by the time we get out of this, people are going to be desperate for places to come and enjoy and exercise, and i think the castle could be a real focal point for that. eight years ago, severndroog was rescued thanks to the tireless efforts of the local community. in 2021, that community is being called on again to save the castle for a second time. nickjohnson, bbc london. now it's time for a look

at the weather with tomasz schafernaker. hello. the weather has been pretty good across most of the uk lately, and there's every reason to believe that's how it's going to stay over the next few days. there is a possibility that we will have some rain in the south of the country come wednesday, but not for now. that's a big area of high—pressure that sitting on top of the uk. it's dominating the weather across much of western and central europe as well, so it's notjust us enjoying the sunshine. so, through the early hours, a lot of the uk is clear. there will be a touch of frost, but milder in the northwest of the country, i think in belfast and glasgow, around five celsius person, whereas parts of south central england, around freezing early in the morning. now, iwill england, around freezing early in the morning. now, i will point out it may start off cloudy at least in

the morning, even foggy in places, even spots of drizzle in the southeast and east anglia. eventually, the sunshine will develop. i think especially outlets, we are in for a beautiful sunny day. that's it for me. enjoy.