this is bbc news. i'm ben brown — our top stories. plans for a £5 billion grant scheme for pubs, shops and restaurants in england worst—hit by the pandemic — as the chancellor says he'll continue to protect people through the pandemic. it's difficult out there for many of these businesses. they've been brilliant at trying to adapt. we want to support them as they reopen, and i want people to be reassured that we will have support in place to help them move along the prime minister's road map as we move forward on that path. police in hong kong have charged a group of 47 activists with conspiracy to commit subversion under a new security law. us regulators become the first in the world to approve the single dosejohnson and johnson covid vaccine for everyone aged 18 and over.

gunfire. violence against anti—coup protests in myanmar — with reports that at least four people have been killed. hello and welcome to bbc news. here in the uk — the chancellor rishi sunak says he's committed to supporting businesses and helping those on the lowest income saying the public should "feel assured" ahead of wednesdays budget. labour has urged the government to keep the furlough scheme for as long as there is health restrictions on our lives. there are plans for a five billion pound grant scheme, to help pubs, restaurants, shops, and other businesses in england to re—open safely. our business correspondent, katie prescott, reports. the first signs of spring and with them hope of new beginnings

for businesses as lockdown eases but it has not been an easy ride. despite government support, salons like this one still have rents and overheads. we can't do takeaway haircuts, we can't go into people's homes. there is no way a hair salon or beauty salon can pivot or make any income during these lockdowns so when we are shut, we are losing money every day. to help reopen their doors, the government is offering new one—off grants to businesses that have been forced to close by covid, replacing the current monthly grant scheme. nonessential retailers will receive up to £6,000 for each shop they own. hospitality, gyms and beauty businesses will get up to £18,000 per premises as they're due to open with more restrictions or later in the year. 0verall, 700,000 businesses will be

eligible and they will be distributed by local authorities in england from april. some businesses say it is not enough. although the £18,000 is fantastic, it is certainly something and it will help a lot of people, it is not going to help me very much. the larger salons, many of us are losing over £1,000 a day. that will not cover half of a month we are closing down. these little crumbs of acknowledgement and grants that come out really probably less than cover the cost of shutting for one month. that might be some help for some businesses but the truth is the damage done to balance sheets is very severe and we'll need a much more substantial package than this. in that package, businesses are hoping for an extension to the business rates holiday, the furlough scheme

and the lower rate of vat. but the chancellor is treading a difficult path. between spending to support companies like this and what borrowing to pay for it means for the future of the country's finances. katie prescott, bbc news. with me now is our political correspondentjonathan blake. we've been hearing from the chancellor, he is facing huge issues. a massive black hole in the nation's finances but also a conservative manifesto commitment not to raise key taxes. how do you feel that black hole? that not to raise key taxes. how do you feel that black hole?— feel that black hole? that is the main challenge _ feel that black hole? that is the main challenge facing _ feel that black hole? that is the main challenge facing the - feel that black hole? that is the - main challenge facing the chancellor ahead of the budget on wednesday. he has said he wants to address what he described as the challenge facing the economy with such huge levels of debt built up by the government to pay for its response to coronavirus. how soon and how exactly does he go about doing that? the message that

has come from rishi sunak this morning, he's been speaking on the andrew marr show on bbc one in the last hour, is that while that is seemingly his longer term aim, there is every indication from the chancellor that he is going to keep on spending and keep at the very least be support schemes in place that are there, the furlough scheme, self—employment, increase in universal credit. while not confirming that he is all but done so, saying the important thing right now is to support the economy in the short term. ., �* now is to support the economy in the short term-— short term. you're right about the sensitivity of _ short term. you're right about the sensitivity of our _ short term. you're right about the sensitivity of our debt _ short term. you're right about the sensitivity of our debt interest - sensitivity of our debt interest rates — sensitivity of our debt interest rates we _ sensitivity of our debt interest rates. we have borrowed a lot so of course _ rates. we have borrowed a lot so of course we _ rates. we have borrowed a lot so of course we are much more sensitive to changes— course we are much more sensitive to changes in_ course we are much more sensitive to changes in those rates. they had been _ changes in those rates. they had been very— changes in those rates. they had been very low but of course they can change. _ been very low but of course they can change. in _ been very low but of course they can change, in the same way that household will think about their own mortgage, _ household will think about their own mortgage, we have to think about those _ mortgage, we have to think about those things as well. it's also important to worry about these things— important to worry about these things for— important to worry about these things for other reasons. if i think about_ things for other reasons. if i think about how— things for other reasons. if i think about how i've been able to respond in this— about how i've been able to respond in this crisis. — about how i've been able to respond in this crisis, i think generously and comprehensively, i was only able

to do that _ and comprehensively, i was only able to do that because we came into it with strong — to do that because we came into it with strong public finances and a strong _ with strong public finances and a strong economy. i want to make sure when _ strong economy. i want to make sure when the — strong economy. i want to make sure when the next crisis comes along, the person— when the next crisis comes along, the person sitting in this chair can do what _ the person sitting in this chair can do what i've — the person sitting in this chair can do what i've done and we elected them _ do what i've done and we elected them to— do what i've done and we elected them to do that. also i want to deliver— them to do that. also i want to deliver on— them to do that. also i want to deliver on the promises we made on strong _ deliver on the promises we made on strong public services, sol deliver on the promises we made on strong public services, so i think in the _ strong public services, so i think in the round strong public finances are important and that's why i want to levei— are important and that's why i want to level with people about the challenges and address them. that is the challenge — challenges and address them. that is the challenge as _ challenges and address them. that is the challenge as rishi _ challenges and address them. that is the challenge as rishi sunak - challenges and address them. that is the challenge as rishi sunak has - challenges and address them. that is the challenge as rishi sunak has set| the challenge as rishi sunak has set it out himself. 0ne the challenge as rishi sunak has set it out himself. one of the things he can do now or later on to redress that balance and bring down debt, tax rises is the only major one that he has at his disposal. a couple of things which have been talked about but speculatively, not confirmed by the treasury at all, arise in corporation tax and possibly the chancellor could freeze the income tax thresholds. so not actually putting up the rate of tax but it would mean more people pay the higher rate and brought into the income tax bracket as a whole overtime as their pay goes up. we'll

have to wait and see what the chancellor says on wednesday about those tricky decisions and of course lots of conservative mps are lobbying him not to raise taxes now. in the aftermath of the pandemic many people say that is the last thing the economy needs. we've also been hearing — thing the economy needs. we've also been hearing from _ thing the economy needs. we've also been hearing from the _ thing the economy needs. we've also been hearing from the labour- thing the economy needs. we've also been hearing from the labour party, | been hearing from the labour party, what are they saying? the been hearing from the labour party, what are they saying?— what are they saying? the labour osition is what are they saying? the labour position is interesting _ what are they saying? the labour position is interesting because i what are they saying? the labour| position is interesting because the party has been saying for a while that arise in corporation tax on company profits is something that it would perhaps want to do. its position now is that in the immediate aftermath of the pandemic oras immediate aftermath of the pandemic or as the pandemic continues, the time isn't right to do that. that has put the shadow chancellor anneliese dodds in a tricky position and she's had a bit of a difficult time answering questions on this. also on the issue of universal credit, the increase in payments, whether that should stay or not is

difficult territory for the government because they want to reform the system longer term. also about the support schemes, the furlough scheme and other financial support that the government has put in place. the chancellor this morning all but confirming those will stay for the time being. i don't really have an attack line there as well. nevertheless anneliese dodds did criticise the government's short—termism over its approach to taxes. it government's short-termism over its approach to taxes.— approach to taxes. it certainly shouldn't _ approach to taxes. it certainly shouldn't be _ approach to taxes. it certainly shouldn't be right _ approach to taxes. it certainly shouldn't be right now- approach to taxes. it certainly shouldn't be right now in - approach to taxes. it certainly l shouldn't be right now in terms approach to taxes. it certainly - shouldn't be right now in terms of immediate — shouldn't be right now in terms of immediate tax rises and yet that's what _ immediate tax rises and yet that's what we're — immediate tax rises and yet that's what we're seeing with council tax rises _ what we're seeing with council tax rises that — what we're seeing with council tax rises that the government is forcing them _ rises that the government is forcing them to— rises that the government is forcing them to local authorities, up to 5% for struggling families. that isn't the approach that's being taken by other— the approach that's being taken by other countries. we are an outlier base _ other countries. we are an outlier base and — other countries. we are an outlier base and having had the worst economic— base and having had the worst economic crisis of any major economy but now— economic crisis of any major economy but now also— economic crisis of any major economy but now also in having a government that seems— but now also in having a government that seems to be focused on increasing tax right now on families when _ increasing tax right now on families when other— increasing tax right now on families when other countries are focused on

securing _ when other countries are focused on securing the — when other countries are focused on securing the recovery. i'm not sure what we've learned from the chancellor's comments or the shadow chancellor's comments but this is rishi sunak�*s second only budget when he will take to the dispatch box on wednesday and the one thing that is certain is he is facing decisions he probably couldn't have imagined he would be facing when he took on the job a year ago. facing when he took on the “0b a ear aro. ., ~' facing when he took on the “0b a ear aro. . ~ i. police in hong kong have charged 47 pro—democracy activists and opposition figures with conspiracy to commit subversion. it's the biggest single use so far of the controversial security law introduced by beijing last year. the law was widely condemned for giving china wide ranging powers to control protest and free speech. the charges are in relation to attempts lastjuly to organise unofficial primary votes to select opposition candidates ahead of legislative elections. the authorities said the accused had aimed to paralyse the government".

let's go to hong kong and speak to alvin lum who's a political reporter at hong kong citizen news. so, what do these charges mean? does this signify a clampdown by the authorities and how worried will protesters and pro—democracy demonstrators in hong kong be by all of this? ., �* ., , of this? you're right to say it is the single _ of this? you're right to say it is the single largest _ of this? you're right to say it is the single largest prosecution l the single largest prosecution against anyone under the national security law. the opposition however is only calling, queueing up in support of these young activists. where does the pro—democracy movement go now? clearly, the authorities are using the security law more and more popular indeed, it

was... there was a fundamental change from beijing towards the opposition camp. in the past, the opposition were allowed to run, they have quite wide support in previous elections. but now, when beijing signalled only those patriots could run in elections there were questions over whether these pro—democracy activists could still run in future elections. in the meantime, beijing is also trying to drastically reform the election system. so, it could mean that some of them could no longer be run especially if they are charged, if they are prosecuted and convicted in future. 50. charged, if they are prosecuted and convicted in future.— convicted in future. so, slowly but surel , convicted in future. so, slowly but surely. beijing _ convicted in future. so, slowly but surely. beijing is— convicted in future. so, slowly but surely, beijing is getting - convicted in future. so, slowly but surely, beijing is getting its - convicted in future. so, slowly but surely, beijing is getting its way i surely, beijing is getting its way in hong kong, isn't it?— surely, beijing is getting its way

in hong kong, isn't it? well, the situation deteriorated _ in hong kong, isn't it? well, the situation deteriorated seriously. situation deteriorated seriously afterjuly when the national security law came into place. but the bigger picture in a sense is beijing doesn't only want to stop the protests but to also regain control in all fronts, political, economy and by squeezing the room where these opposition figures could manoeuvre. in the past they were still allowed to have some opposition but now they will continue to exist even in hong kong without being prosecuted or persecuted is very questionable. thank you. us regulators have authorised the use of thejohnson & johnson covid vaccine. it's the first time this vaccine — which only needs one dose to be effective —

has been approved for use anywhere. the us food and drug agency will allow the drug to be shipped out to vaccine centres immediately. because this drug only needs one dose it's likely to be more cost effective and easier to administer. it can be stored in a refrigerator rather than a freezer. the world health organisation's covax scheme has ordered 500 million doses, while the uk has bought 30 million. 0ur north american correspondent david willis told us more about the advantages of the new vaccine. it doesn't have to be kept in a freezer, unlike the pfizer and moderna vaccines. that makes its transportation and storage easier. it is a one—shot deal. that means it's a lot easier for mobile vaccination centres, for homeless shelters and people who can't guarantee they will be able to come back for a second shot in three to four weeks' time. sailors, people at sea, that sort of thing.

as you mentioned, these first doses should be available at the start of next week, and altogether the us government has ordered 100 million doses of this new vaccine. they are hoping it will make a significant contribution, combined with the 600 million doses of the pfizer and moderna vaccines that are expected to be available here by the summer. a senior german immunologist has urged his country to change course — and allow people over the age of 65 to receive the oxford astrazeneca coronavirus vaccine. in an interview with the bbc, the head of the german society for immunology, carsten watzl, said misinformation had led to a poor uptake, across all ages, of the astrazeneca jab, despite the country having large quantities of it. twice—weekly rapid coronavirus tests are to be made available to families

in england when children return to school. adults working with children — such as bus drivers and after—school club leaders — will also be offered them. it's hoped the programme will reduce the chances of cases increasing when pupils return to classrooms on the eighth of march. 0ur health correspondent, naomi grimley, reports. if you live with a school—age child in england, get ready to start using these — the 30—minute tests also called lateral flow tests are already used in universities and by key workers. and secondary schools will be supplied with them as they open their doors again. but this latest announcement means all children and anyone who lives with them, as well as people like school bus drivers and carers, will be offered two tests per person each week. health officials hope it will uncover hidden cases of the virus and break the chains of transmission. testing has expanded greatly over the last few months and it is one important component

of our battle against coronavirus. if anyone tests positive, they will still need a laboratory—assessed test to double—check the result. naomi grimley, bbc news. nearly two million people aged 60—63 in england are being invited to book a coronavirus vaccine. nhs england says people in that age bracket will start receiving letters explaining how to book a jab. nearly 20 million people in the uk have now received their first dose, with the government aiming to offer a first dose to all adults by the end ofjuly. there have been clashes in the irish capital between police and protesters angry at coronavirus restrictions. crowds gathered in a central dublin park to protest against the third national lockdown. a total of 23 arrests were made. the philippines has received its first batch of coronavirus vaccines.

they arrived on a military aircraft from china. the country's president was at an airbase in manila as six 600,000 doses of the sinovac jab were unloaded. the vaccines will be used to kick off a nationwide immunisation campaign. the philippines have been severely affected by the coronavirus pandemic, resulting in some of the longest lockdowns in the world. the headlines. a £5 billion boost for pubs, shops and restaurants in england worst—hit by the pandemic. police in hong kong say they've charged a group of 47 activists with conspiracy to commit subversion. violence against anti—coup protests in myanmar — with reports that police have shot dead at least four people. the leaders of 60 black—majority churches are joining forces today, to support the uk's coronavirus vaccination programme. they'll be urging their congregations to seek out the facts about the vaccine

from trusted sources. vaccination rates are significantly lower in black, asian and minority ethnic communities than among white people. here's our religion reporter, harry farley. in east london, one of the first pop—up vaccination centres in a black majority church. we've got about 145 people coming in the next two hours... scientists, health leaders and government ministers have all raised concerns that those from ethnic minority communities are significantly less likely to get the coronavirus vaccine than white people. but black people are up to four times more likely to die with covid—19 than white people. if we look at our white population in general, the overall uptake is about 70%. we have a big ethnic minority population here, so in our pakistani community it is between 45% and 50%. but when we look at the black african community, it is closer to 36%, 38%. so the uptake has been really low.

places of worship around the country have been turned into vaccine centres in an effort to counter hesitancy. now 60 influential black church leaders are telling their congregations that if they want to love their neighbour they should get the jab. this is the best and fastest route out of this terrible pandemic. i am going to take the vaccine i myself, so is my wife, so are my children and because it is notjust about you, it is about _ protecting others. i believe also that it is part. of the answer to our prayers. i said to my congregation, _ we have been praying for god to give the scientific community wisdom, for them to get a vaccine. - there's a vaccine now _ so prayers have been answered, why don't you go ahead and take the vaccine? i he says churches can play a key role in driving uptake. it has already made a difference, i can tell you that — _ that quite a number of people that |were not going to take the vaccine j

are now going to take it. quite a number who were sitting on the fence who have been - assured by this campaign. harry farley, bbc news. police in myanmar have moved swiftly to suppress new protests against an army coup, firing live rounds and rubber bullets at demonstrators in cities across the country. there are reports that at least four people have been killed and 20 others injured, but that number is expected to rise. three of the deaths are reported in dawei in the south. in myanmar�*s largest city, yangon, police have taken up positions at main protest sites. as the bbc�*s nick marsh described from singapore, they're trying to contain demonstrators within small areas. it is becoming quite clear now that this will be the most violent day since these protests began, around three weeks ago after that february the 1st coup. it's getting quite

hard to keep track of how many protesters have been shot by the security forces. we are seeing some really graphic images on social media. local news is reporting that at least three people have died, like you mentioned. we can't substantiate that in any concrete way at the moment but what is definitely clear is that security forces are stepping up their response in quite a harsh way. not that that is deterring the protesters, however. hundreds of thousands still coming out onto the streets across several cities in myanmar, demonstrators from the countrysidejoining the myanmar, demonstrators from the countryside joining the city protests, and they continue to demand an end to this coup. they want democracy to be restored, aung san suu kyi, the country's civilian elected leader, to be released from detention. judging by what we are seeing today, it doesn't seem like the military command is in any mood to start listening. bind the military command is in any mood to start listening.— to start listening. and the military don't seem _ to start listening. and the military don't seem to _ to start listening. and the military don't seem to care _ to start listening. and the military don't seem to care at _ to start listening. and the military don't seem to care at all- to start listening. and the military don't seem to care at all about - don't seem to care at all about international worldwide

condemnation.- international worldwide condemnation. ., ., . condemnation. no, not really. we saw m anmar's condemnation. no, not really. we saw myanmar's former _ condemnation. no, not really. we saw myanmar's former ambassador - condemnation. no, not really. we saw myanmar's former ambassador to - condemnation. no, not really. we saw myanmar's former ambassador to the | myanmar's former ambassador to the un may quite an emotional plea to the assembly on friday. he basically begged other countries to use any means necessary, to do anything in their power to end this coup and restore democracy. clearly they saw that as a huge betrayal, he was an appointee before the military takeover, he has been fired. what happens now is we have to see whether there could be any kind of dialogue being fostered, but that prospect actually looks quite unlikely at the moment. donald trump will make his first big speech since leaving office, later today, at a gathering of conservative republicans in florida. the annual c—pac event is the first big gathering of republican party supporters since the presidential election. it's thought mr trump might indicate whether he's planning to run again in 202a. hollywood is preparing for the golden globe awards, which will be given out at a virtual ceremony later.

it's the first major event of the awards season, and is often a good indicator for the oscars. british stars up for awards include sacha baron cohen, and rosamund pike. 0ur los angeles correspondent sophie long reports. well, we're two months into the year and so far everything appears to be just as strange as it was for the vast majority of last year. the golden globes will be no exception. this was last year, all the stars crammed onto one carpet. the excitement was palpable. brad! as sequins and smiles sparkled in the sunshine, it all seems like some kind of golden yesteryear. now, instead of queueing for passes that could grant you access to some of the hottest people on the planet, we queue for three separate covid tests so we can stand outside an event that we'd normally be inside. but, hey, that's ok, because who wants to hang out with a—list celebrities anyway? luckily, the people who run these kind of things in hollywood are totally down with the fact that the show must go on.

what a year for movies! these two are back to offer some comic relief. a year for movies? it's hollywood's most glamorous night. they will be on different coasts of the continent, but what's 3,000 miles if not a safe social distance? in terms of potential winners, mank, a tale of old hollywood and all its glamour and sleaze is the most nominated movie. season four of the crown, the very british portrayal of strange royal relations, is likely to reign once again in the television categories. preparations have been made for a socially distanced ceremony, but the golden globes will be the same celebration of creativity and talent on and behind the screens both big and small. or rather small and smaller, given that most cinemas have been closed. you were one of those lucky people... but there will be some notable differences. for the first time, more women than men have been nominated for best director. chloe zhao for nomadland,

a very real human journey through the american west. emerald fennell for promising young woman, a feminist film full of vengeance and payback. and regina king for her historical fiction, one night in miami. there's no guarantee of course that any of them will win. i don't see your name in lights. chadwick boseman has been nominated posthumously for his final acting role in ma rainey�*s black bottom. i got talent. what is problem, officer? borat is back, and his creator sacha baron cohen is a double globe nominee this year. he could also be recognised for his rather different role in the trial of the chicago 7. there may be no red carpet and far fewer champagne corks will pop, but despite the same criticism of the obscure voting body's practices, the golden globes will still be the opening ceremony of the award season, and they could still give some indication as to who is in pole position for those coveted academy awards.

sophie long, bbc news, hollywood. you're watching bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with ben rich. hello, it is turning into a fine, sunny sunday for most of us. a lot of dry weather, certainly. we had some fog around first thing and some of that is struggling to clear, much of it shifting but with high pressure in charge it is going to remain predominantly dry through the rest of the day. so we will keep some areas of cloud, mist and murk for some eastern and southern coastal counties of england, the odd patch of mistiness elsewhere but for the majority it's fine with some spells of sunshine. a bit more cloud into western scotland, that could give just the odd spot of rain in a few places. the winds will be light for most but a little breezier than it was yesterday across the southern counties of england and as far as the temperatures go, in the sunniest spots we are looking

in mind it will be a little cooler than that if you get stuck in mist and murk all day long. through this evening and tonight it remains dry with long, clear spells but an area of cloud, mist and fog is going to roll this way in towards the southern half of england, a good part of wales as well, one or two fog patches elsewhere into scotland and northern ireland. the lowest temperatures will be where we have the clearest of the skies, getting down to freezing or a touch below. not quite as cold as we look towards the south—east of england, that's because here we'll have more cloud, quite a grey and murky start to tomorrow, actually, across many parts of england, parts of wales as well. some of that mist and fog could linger through parts of yorkshire and at the same time we will see some cloud and fog pushing in from the north sea towards eastern coasts of scotland and north—east england. where we see some sunshine tomorrow, temperatures again up to ten, maybe 11 degrees but much cooler than that if it stays grey and murky where you are. we look ahead to tuesday, very similar weather, some cloud, mist and murk, especially

for eastern coastal counties. elsewhere it should tend to lift and break in most places but if anything, temperatures are heading down just a touch by this stage. now, late on tuesday we'll see a few showers approaching the south—west, a little weather feature that's going to be moving its way through during wednesday, the odd hefty downpour with that, but high pressure builds back for the end of the week. this high, though, is building from the north. it's going to bring some cooler air with it so temperatures if anything will be dipping as we head towards the end of the week. still a lot of dry weather, some spells of sunshine, but the odd wintry shower possible in the far north—east.

this is bbc news, i'm ben brown, the headlines: plans for a £5 billion grant scheme for pubs, shops and restaurants in england worst hit by the pandemic — as the chancellor says he'll continue to protect people through the pandemic. police in hong kong have charged a group of 47 activists with conspiracy to commit subversion. us regulators become the first in the world to approve the single dosejohnson and johnson covid vaccine — for everyone aged 18 and over. violence against anti—coup protests in myanmar — with reports that police have shot dead at least four people. now on bbc news, clare balding looks at what it means to be a gay woman in sport.