near the chancellor is set to announce an extra £400 million for museums, theatres and galleries in his budget tomorrow. officials in nigeria say nearly 300 schoolgirls abducted from their boarding school by an armed gang last week have been released. france reverses its decision not to give the oxford astrazeneca vaccine to over 65s. the scottish government says it will make public key legal advice it received during its court battle with former first minister alex salmond. liverpool great ian stjohn has died at the age of 82, the club have announced.

hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. the chancellor is set to announce millions of pounds�* worth of extra support to the badly—hit culture sector in his budget tomorrow. £408 million will help museums, theatres and galleries in england to reopen once restrictions start to ease. rishi sunak will also announce a £150 million fund to help communities to take over local pubs. treasury officials said a "significant chunk" will be given to cricket, as fans prepare to return to stadiums this summer. and an extra £77 million will be given to the devolved administrations in scotland, wales and northern ireland to provide their culture groups with similar backing. 0ur political correspondent, chris mason has this report.

how do you save your local pub? many were already closing permanently before the pandemic. how many more might follow now we are out of the habit of propping up the bar? in the budget tomorrow, the chancellor will announce that community groups across the uk could be given up to a quarter of a million pounds to help take over struggling pubs. they will be helped, too, to buy into theatres and sports clubs. —— that will be helped, too. rishi sunak will also say he will spend £300 million of taxpayers�* money to help summer sports such as tennis, horse racing and cricket. the pandemic means the chancellor has borrowed vast amounts, built up a giant pile of debt and faces a huge political question — should taxes go up to pay for it all? the former conservative chancellor lord clarke said yes, they should, the other day. now the former tory leader lord hague has said the same in this morning's daily telegraph.

rishi sunak has said he will level with people about the challenges we face. tomorrow, we will find out exactly what he means by that. chris mason, bbc news, at westminster. the business secretary, kwasi kwarteng, spoke to the bbc this morning — but he wasn't giving much away. what i would say is that the chancellor, working very closely here with our team and, clearly, the treasury, provided a huge amount of support to the economy over the last year. something like £285 billion has been put into the economy to keep jobs, to keep businesses — particularly small businesses — afloat during what has been a difficult time. so let's see what the chancellor comes out with tomorrow. i think it'll be an exciting budget, i think it'll be a very supportive budget, i think there'll be interesting measures along the lines you've just described. 0ur political correspondent damian

grammaticas is at westminster. so, much more spending to come in this budget, it would seem, before, at some point, we start paying for it? i at some point, we start paying for it? 4' ., ,., at some point, we start paying for it? ~ ., a, it? i think he gave something away from what i — it? i think he gave something away from what i can _ it? i think he gave something away from what i can see, _ it? i think he gave something away from what i can see, he _ it? i think he gave something away from what i can see, he said - it? i think he gave something away from what i can see, he said in - it? i think he gave something away| from what i can see, he said in that interview, the business secretary, the chancellor has already indicated we will be extending furlough and that will be part of the public pronouncement. that is significant because over the past you days we have had the chancellor saying that support would continue for as long as restrictions are in place —— over the past few days. that would imply untiljune. at the minute support and in march and april, the personal support, the business support and furlough, 6 million people who have

been receiving furlough payments to keep their attachment to their employer and keep money coming in, thatis employer and keep money coming in, that is a big question for them and that is a big question for them and thatis that is a big question for them and that is what kwasi kwarteng said this morning. from what the chancellor saying at the weekend, the big question is the indication that things will continue, will they be withdrawn from june or will the support last longer, and that is really important for businesses and households, and flowing from that, as you indicate, the subsequent question about the cost. yes, the debt is mounting up, particularly the deficits, the overspend that is now happening and what the government will do about that, how will it be seeking to reduce costs, and raise taxes? kwasi kwarteng indicated it was important that the

government continues to support business, he said he thought the right thing was to see the economy growing, that was the way to deal with this, before looking at tax rises. �* , ., , . . rises. but you very much, damian grammaticae _ rises. but you very much, damian grammaticas. if— rises. but you very much, damian grammaticas. if you _ rises. but you very much, damian grammaticas. if you are _ rises. but you very much, damian grammaticas. if you are getting i rises. but you very much, damian | grammaticas. if you are getting in touch, you are welcome to send us an e—mail. what do you want from the chancellor in tomorrow's budget in the uk? 279 schoolgirls abducted by gunmen last week in north—west nigeria have been released. the governor of zamfara state said all those who had been taken had been freed and no ransom had been paid. some of the children have been reunited with their parents. one of the girls who was abducted has spoken about her ordeal. most of us got injured on our feet and we could not continue tracking. so the captors said would shoot anybody who did not continue to walk. we walked across a river and they hid us, and they let us sleep under shrubs in a forest. 0ur correspondent in lagos, mayenijones, told us more about how the girls were released.

so the governor of zamfara has a peace initiative that he launched. it's an area that has a huge problem with kidnapping for ransom and has had this problem for years. and one of the solutions he's been trialling is to try and bring some of these criminals into the fold, giving them the opportunity to hand over their weapons and stopped their criminal activities in exchange for some economic opportunities — cars, housing, jobs, etc. and so he had told local media that he had used some of these repentant bandits — bandits is the term that is used here to identify anybody who kidnaps for ransom, any criminal that kidnaps for ransom — he'd used some of these repentant bandits to talk with the most recent abductors and try and strike some sort of deal. it's not clear exactly how they were able to convince them to release the girls, but president buhari on friday did tweet admitting that state governments in the past have paid a ransom to kidnappers,

and urging them to stop doing that. there's fresh evidence that the uk vaccine rollout is having a big effect on the number of people taken into hospital — with admissions down by 80% for those aged over 80 after a single dose. despite the positive signs, doctors are urging everyone to remain cautious and continue to follow restrictions. vishala sri—pathma reports. the speedy roll—out of the vaccine across the uk has meant that 20 million people have had a jab in their arm over the last few months, and new evidence suggests it's having a significant impact. public health england data show that a single shot of either the astrazeneca—oxford or the pfizer cuts the risk of needing hospital treatment for covid by up to 80% for those over the age of 80. 5,455 new infections were recorded in the past 2a hours, which is the lowest figure since september. and 14,808 people with covid in hospital, a significant drop

from even just a few weeks ago. this all suggests that the vaccines offer strong protection. some believe this could help ease restrictions earlier than planned. according to government policy, they can only shift into the future. we can only delay if the initial results of each phase of relaxation are disappointing. but i believe we should equally allow them to be advanced if the early success with the vaccine continues to outpace the assumptions that were sensibly made. it's wise to be cautious, but if things turn out to be better than expected, it is sensible to allow yourself to take that into account when that happens. but the message from the medical experts is not to get ahead of ourselves. it gives us those first glimpses of how, if we are patient and we give this vaccine programme

time to have its full effect, it is going to, hopefully, take us into a very different world in the next few months. but we have to be patient, we have to push on with the vaccine programme. there is concern that the success of the vaccine may be undermined by new variants, with several new cases of the brazilian strand now identified here in the uk. suppressing new variants will be easier if cases are kept low and the vaccine take—up continues to be high. health officials are keen that people still remain vigilant. the french government has reversed its decision not to give the oxford astra zeneca covid vaccine to over 65s — it will now allow the jab to be given to people between 65 and 74. health officials had previously restricted the vaccine to younger age groups —

because of a lack of data from trials about its efficacy among the elderly. the us infectious diseases expert anthony fauci has warned his country against shifting to a single dose strategy for the pfizer and moderna vaccines. he said that delaying a second dose to innoculate more americans creates risks that would leave people less protected and enable variants to spread, as well as boost scepticism amongst some of the public who are already hesitating over getting the jab. reports from germany say it's likely to extend its coronavirus lockdown to march 28th. hairdressers in germany reopened yesterday and chancellor angela merkel is due to discuss further lockdown easing with the leaders of germany's 16 federal states tomorrow. latest reports say the german government may allow small private gatherings to go ahead, but will appeal to people to avoid domestic and foreign travel over easter. deaths from covid—i9 in the uk fell by a quarter in the week of february 19th, according to new figures. the office for national statistics says a total

of 15,577 deaths were registered that week — about i8% above expected levels for this time of year. but the numbers were also down on the previous week. when 17,136 deaths were registered, the scottish government says it will make public key legal advice it received during its court battle with former first minister alex salmond. i asked our political correspondent nick eardley why the government was doing that now. basically, because the deputy first minister in scotland was facing a no—confidence vote later this week, and he was probably going to lose it. there's been a big row over this legal evidence for some time, and as you said, we are finally going to see it later today. basically, this all goes back to some of the big accusations that alex salmond was making, that the government was involved in some sort of malicious campaign against him when he stood trial for sexual assault.

you will remember, he was acquitted. one of the questions was, when mr salmond took the government to court over its harassment policy, should it have admitted defeat earlier? they eventually admitted defeat injanuary, but alex salmond has always claimed that they knew a couple of months earlier that they were going to lose that legal fight, and therefore should have done it in october. we are going to find out exactly what the legal advice said today, but we have already seen a letter which suggests that some of what mr salmond was saying was right, because the deputy first minister in scotland, john swinney, has written a letter saying that, yes, reservations were raised back in october 2018 about the government's legal position. as i say, it took another couple of months before it got to the place where they decided to admit defeat in that court case. why does it matter? is this just really complicated legal stuff? not necessarily, because alex salmond reckons that if he's right, it could be a breach of the ministerial code,

because ministers are supposed to act within the law and take their legal advice at face value, so this is going to be a big row today, where we finally see that legal advice, and it's all part of this massive bust up between alex salmond and nicola sturgeon which is coming to a head tomorrow when we finally hearfrom nicola sturgeon when she appears before msps. and the scottish government's top legal adviser — the lord advocate, james wolffe — has just started giving evidence to the inquiry. let's take a listen. and they deserve your trust too. the crown is a central institution of our criminaljustice system. by all means, hold me to account off on the integrity of the crown and the hard—working people who work for it.

i will be glad to answer your questions now.— i will be glad to answer your questions now. thank you, lord advocate- _ questions now. thank you, lord advocate- i _ questions now. thank you, lord advocate. iwill— questions now. thank you, lord advocate. i will start _ questions now. thank you, lord advocate. i will start off - questions now. thank you, lord advocate. i will start off before | questions now. thank you, lord | advocate. i will start off before i io advocate. i will start off before i go on _ advocate. i will start off before i go onto — advocate. i will start off before i go on to the deputy convener. as a member_ go on to the deputy convener. as a member of— go on to the deputy convener. as a member of the scottish government, can i ask_ member of the scottish government, can i ask you — member of the scottish government, can i ask you to set out the scotland _ can i ask you to set out the scotland act passed by the uk parliament to create the scottish parliament? can you run us through that element of the legislation and talk us _ that element of the legislation and talk us through your role in government and explain a little if you will_ government and explain a little if you will on— government and explain a little if you will on the role of the crown? | you will on the role of the crown? i and you will on the role of the crown? and glad to you will on the role of the crown? i and glad to do that. the office of the lord advocate, whoever holds that office from time to time has a wide range of functions. among those functions are the responsibilities of the head of the system of criminal prosecution and

investigation. in those functions the lord advocate act entirely independently of any other person. the lord advocate is also, by statute, a member of the government, that was true before devolution when the lord advocate was a member of your uk government, it has been the position since devolution when the lord advocate has been a member of the scottish government. within government, the lord advocate is the government's senior law officer and sometimes characterised as the government's principal legal adviser. the role of a law officer goes beyond the giving of legal advice. as the government's senior law officer i am responsible, as i have explained in previous sessions,

four, in effect, the whole panoply of legal aspects in the work of government, i unsupported and that by the scottish government legal directorate, my own secretariat. i have responsibilities to help the government maintains its commitment to the rule of law and the administration ofjustice. administration of 'ustice. studio: james administration of 'ustice. studio: james wolffe. — administration ofjustice. studio: james wolffe, the _ administration ofjustice. studio: james wolffe, the lord _ administration ofjustice. studio: james wolffe, the lord advocate, | james wolffe, the lord advocate, beginning his evidence at that hollywood inquiry. as he said, he is the government's most senior law officer and head of the prosecution service in scotland, so those dual roles near his evidence should be particularly interesting. and nicola sturgeon, the first minister of scotland, giving evidence to that inquiry tomorrow. the headlines on bbc news... the chancellor is set to announce an extra £400 million for museums, theatres and galleries in his budget tomorrow. officials in nigeria say nearly 300 schoolgirls abducted

from their boarding school by an armed gang last week have been released. france reverses its decision not to give the oxford astrazeneca vaccine to over 65s — it will now be given to people aged between 65 and 74. the former liverpool and scotland forward ian stjohn has died at the age of 82. he helped the team win two english league titles and the fa cup — later in his career becoming a tv personality. the former scotland international pat nevinjoins me know. pat, how well did you know ian? i got to know him quite well, when i first went to chelsea, he was a representative for puma, those were the only bit that i would wear. he was a very famous player with liverpool and scotland, but he was

like your best mate, right away. this is a large, you said in your build—up that he was an amusing pundit, he was more than that, he was exceptional, he was running the show. as you well know, he was the anchor, he was the straight man that he had the jokes. anchor, he was the straight man that he had thejokes. people said it was just a light—hearted show, as you know, that is sometimes the hardest possible thing to do, he completely change the way punditry was done, along withjimmy greaves. the? change the way punditry was done, along with jimmy greaves. they did, because quite _ along with jimmy greaves. they did, because quite often _ along with jimmy greaves. they did, because quite often the _ along with jimmy greaves. they did, because quite often the way - along with jimmy greaves. they did, because quite often the way people | because quite often the way people describe football was rather post—haste, and they were the first two points at the absurdities and take the mickey out of it. —— was rather po—faced. take the mickey out of it. -- was rather po-faced._ take the mickey out of it. -- was rather po-faced. yes, i was living in scotland _ rather po-faced. yes, i was living in scotland when _ rather po-faced. yes, i was living in scotland when they _ rather po-faced. yes, i was living in scotland when they started - rather po-faced. yes, i was living in scotland when they started off| in scotland when they started off and i would not have been watching english football league path from the fact that saint and greavsie

were on, i always wanted to watch them because they had greatjokes, good interviews when they had to be serious. i was really impressed by then. it was altered with love and affection but with incredible lightness and professionalism. it sounds easy but it is hard. considering the saints had been an absolute top level player, a legendary player, he turned his hand to quite a number of things

the len league cup. the site i am aware that lots of our viewers all younger and will not have a clue about ian stjohn. he started with motherwell. anyone who has done that has had enough of the game anyway. all the other thing he did, started to bring liverpool to become a giant

of world football, he was a major part of that. he was a centre forward, he often played with roger hunt, i think it was. he had greater understanding, he was a natural goal—scorer, a clever enough player to drop deeper late in his career. an incredible career, played for scotland many times, scored a load of goals. in. anything he could half—turn in the game, he did, even at the end of his career, he went to tranmere rovers and another club i played for and he was still very fondly remembered, everywhere he went, notjust for his ability but for whom he was in his personality, he was absolutely love that anything you hear all read about him today, police edge. you hear all read about him today, police edge-— you hear all read about him today, police edge. what a lovely tribute. can ou police edge. what a lovely tribute. can you remember, _ police edge. what a lovely tribute. can you remember, briefly, - police edge. what a lovely tribute. | can you remember, briefly, against whom his last international told was? it was at wembley, who was it

against? i was? it was at wembley, who was it aaainst? ., , , .,, ., against? i only wish it was england. it was, 1965. _ against? i only wish it was england. it was, 1965. thank— against? i only wish it was england. it was, 1965. thank you _ against? i only wish it was england. it was, 1965. thank you so - against? i only wish it was england. it was, 1965. thank you so much . against? i only wish it was england. j it was, 1965. thank you so much for that tribute, pat nevin on ian st john. an american father and son have arrived in tokyo after their extradition on charges that they helped the disgraced former head of nissan flee japan in 2019. prosecutors allege special forces veteran michael taylor and his son peter received $1.3 million for helping conceal carlos ghosn on board a privatejet to lebanon, which has no extradition treaty with japan. our correspondent in tokyo, rupert wingfield hayes, says the pairface a lengthy time in custody. as we know from the carlos ghosn case, if you are suspected of a crime injapan and you are arrested by prosecutors, you can go into detention for a very prolonged period of time. carlos ghosn himself, i think, spent around 107 days in detention before he was released on bail.

the two men will certainly go into detention, i suspect for an initial period of three weeks, when they will undergo daily interrogation. that then may be extended further or they may be charged and remanded in custody until their trial, and that could be months until that trial opens. and it's very unlikely that they will be granted bail because of course they helped, or they are alleged, accused of helping carlos ghosn to escape when he was given bail injapan on the 29th of december 2019. so i suspect they will be in custody until their trial, and that could be quite a long time. residents in exeter have spent another night away from home after the discovery of a bomb from the second world war. a controlled explosion was carried out at the weekend, after the device was found in an allotment. police say people living within 100 metres of the site must continue

to stay in temporary accommodation. properties in the area are being assessed for structural damage. our reporter sarah ransome is in exeter now. sarah, what's the latest? as you were saying, some of those residents who live very close to the site where the bomb was found on friday are still waiting to hear when they can go back into their homes. it all started to win. over the weekend when this 2200 furlough 1000 kg was discovered on friday by builders. —— when this 1000 kg bomb. builders stuck part of it up before they called the emergency services. police called it a major incident on friday and evacuated around 2600 people. some were allowed back after

the controlled explosion on saturday evening but there is a core group still waiting to hear whether they can go back. as you can imagine, there is a lot of structural assessment being carried out, one structural engineer spoke to a colleague of mine yesterday when the engineer went back on site and said it was the creator that was left after the controlled explosion, it was around the site of about three double—decker buses. —— said that the crater which was left. they will need to work out what damages any has been done to the properties. some residents have said they have had windows blown out, ruth damaged by debris and shrapnel, as they called it, landing. so they are trying to work out how safe the houses and flats are before anyone can go back in. around 900 exeter university students have been allowed back, leaving about 500 displaced in hotel accommodation

always friends, we are not sure at the moment how many residents will be allowed back today all, in fact, are still waiting to see what they can do, but we are waiting waiting to get from one resident, she will go back in with a structural engineer, see what damage has been done to her house and takes in pictures and grab some cakes before she happens to leave. —— and grab some kit. in none covid times that would be pop—up rescue centres, places where people could go, but at the moment it is very difficult in the moment it is very difficult in the shadow of covid, so most people are staying with family and friends, some are being put up in hotels. thankfully no one was injured during this but there is still concern among some residents that they have not been given enough information and they are desperate to go back to

find out what has happened to their own properties, so hopefully they will get some knowledge today but at the moment they are still waiting. thank you. the duke of edinburgh is expected to remain in hospital until at least the end of the week. he was transferred yesterday from king edward vii's hospital, where he had spent the last fortnight, to st bartholomew's. meanwhile, the queen is carrying on with her official duties. on her first video call to australia yesterday, she virtually unveiled a statue of herself. earlier our correspondent tom symonds gave us this update. clearly the palace is going to guard the prince's health confidentiality pretty closely. so very, very few details have been given — just a short statement yesterday saying that he had been brought here with an infection, he was being tested and observed for a pre—existing heart condition. and i think the word is that he is responding to treatment and remains comfortable. and, of course, bart's, st bartholomew's, here on the edge of the city of london,

is the place to be if you have a pre—existing heart condition. it is one of the world's leading heart specialist centres. there are apparently ten operating theatres here and a host of specialists able to step in, should he need that sort of attention. and a heart condition is what he has had in the past. in 2011 he was admitted to hospital, in papworth hospital in cambridgeshire — he had a chest pain and went through treatment with a stent being fitted. that's a balloon that's added to the artery, expanded, and then a... we're just checking what's going on here, because of course we are interested in any visitors... i think...i think that's ok. ..any visitors to the hospital from the royal family. so far, the only visit to him was prince charles at the previous hospital — the king edward vii hospital in west london. and that's it, and obviously we are interested in seeing who else comes to visit him.

but, as i was saying, since 2011 he has had a series of hospital admissions. this is turning out to be his longest. and of course everybody is concerned for his health, but so far the word is he is remaining comfortable. the headlines on bbc news... the chancellor is set to announce an extra £400 million for museums, theatres and galleries in his budget tomorrow. officials in nigeria say nearly 300 schoolgirls abducted from their boarding school by an armed gang last week have been released. france reverses its decision not to give the oxford astrazeneca vaccine to over 65s. the scottish government says it will make public key legal advice it received during its court battle with former first minister alex salmond. liverpool great ian stjohn has died at the age of 82, the club have announced.

world athletics president sebastian coe has said a roadmap for russia's reintegration to the sport was just the beginning of a long journey aimed at "rebuilding trust". the country is banned from international athletics but the sport's governing body is now looking, gradually, towards its return if the conditions are met. paul hawkins reports. six years ago russia was banned from all athletics events by its governing body. tonight, our sport finds itself in the shameful situation, and that is why i can confirm that the council has overwhelmingly voted, with immediate effect, to suspend the russian federation. the reason — widespread, state—sponsored doping. it's worse than we thought. we found cover—ups, we found destruction of samples in the laboratories, we found payments of money in order to conceal doping tests. six years on, russia could be closer to returning

to the international stage — but only if it decides to follow what world athletics is calling its "roadmap to trust". in other words, a list of changes with deadlines relating to the sport's governance and funding, the anti—doping regime and the education of athletes, plus policies to encourage whistle—blowing, measures to punish those regions resisting change and to increase athlete input into how the sport is run in the country. however, it also acknowledges that irreversibly changing the culture in russia will take a generation. it can take a lot of time, but i think it's a first step in the right direction, and they are well surrounded, and they know we are watching, so i think it's a good step. we want clean sport and we want fair play, so i think they have heard that and i'm really hopeful, yeah. weightlifter christine won medals at the 2008 and 2012 games, but wasn't given them until years later when her competitors were stripped of theirs for cheating.

i actually got one from beijing ten years later, and this 16 years, and this one, six years, from london, so it took a long time. i had time to have three babies! it was a long time. no date has been set for russia's admittance to world athletics. the country has yet to respond to the plan. as for this summer's tokyo olympics, world athletics says in two weeks' time it will consider whether russian athletes who were proven to be clean can take part. paul hawkins, bbc news. now, if you think you've had a busy lockdown — what about this tale. rachel taylor and scott gretton, who apparently were school sweethearts, had a whirlwind two years together — moving in together, getting engaged and having two babies in lockdown. let's talk to them now, with their babies oscar and chester. hello scott and hello rachel. look at you. what a gorgeous family. so

one baby wasn't enough within the space of 12 months? were you bored? we did plan it this way but i think everyone had the same id this time around. we everyone had the same id this time around. ~ ., everyone had the same id this time around. ~ . . .,, around. we wanted them close together- _ around. we wanted them close together- we _ around. we wanted them close together. we were _ around. we wanted them close together. we were shocked - around. we wanted them close together. we were shocked at| around. we wanted them close - together. we were shocked at how close _ together. we were shocked at how close together they actually came! i close together they actually came! wonder close together they actually came! i wonder because of lockdown, does that mean you had even more time with your children?— with your children? time that we never would _ with your children? time that we never would have _ with your children? time that we never would have had. _ with your children? time that we i never would have had. absolutely. with oscar, _ never would have had. absolutely. with oscar, it _ never would have had. absolutely. with oscar, it was _ never would have had. absolutely. with oscar, it wasjust. .. - never would have had. absolutely. with oscar, it wasjust. .. we - never would have had. absolutely. with oscar, it wasjust. .. we were| with oscar, it was 'ust. .. we were in complete _ with oscar, it wasjust. .. we were in complete lockdown. _ with oscar, it wasjust. .. we were in complete lockdown. oscar - with oscar, it wasjust. .. we were in complete lockdown. oscar was l with oscar, it wasjust. .. we were - in complete lockdown. oscar was born on the 31st of — in complete lockdown. oscar was born on the 31st of march, _ in complete lockdown. oscar was born on the 31st of march, a _ in complete lockdown. oscar was born on the 31st of march, a week- in complete lockdown. oscar was born on the 31st of march, a week after- on the 315t of march, a week after the first— on the 315t of march, a week after the first lockdown came in. we went, ithink— the first lockdown came in. we went, i think we _ the first lockdown came in. we went, i think we must have went, probably a couple _ i think we must have went, probably a couple of— i think we must have went, probably a couple of months without seeing a single _ a couple of months without seeing a single soul — a couple of months without seeing a single soul. and it was brilliant! it single soul. and it was brilliant! it was _ single soul. and it was brilliant! it was amazing. we just know that we

would _ it was amazing. we just know that we would never— it was amazing. we just know that we would never get this normally. rachel, — would never get this normally. rachel, i— would never get this normally. rachel, i wonder, would never get this normally. rachel, iwonder, where both would never get this normally. rachel, i wonder, where both boys born in hospital? rachel, ! wonder, where both boys born in hospital?— born in hospital? yes, they were. very different _ born in hospital? yes, they were. very different labour— born in hospital? yes, they were. very different labour for - born in hospital? yes, they were. very different labour for both - very different labour for both advance. i very different labour for both advance. ., , ., ., ., ,~' very different labour for both advance. ., , ., ., ., with advance. i was going to ask. with oscar, it advance. i was going to ask. with oscar. it was _ advance. i was going to ask. with oscar, it was literally _ advance. i was going to ask. with oscar, it was literally the - advance. i was going to ask. with oscar, it was literally the first - oscar, it was literally the first week of lockdown, it was deserted. it was like a desert town, 25 hours labour with oscar, but this little one, with coronavirus, they didn't have anything, ppe. the maternity ward was isolated. _ have anything, ppe. the maternity ward was isolated. when - have anything, ppe. the maternity ward was isolated. when we - have anything, ppe. the maternity ward was isolated. when we had i ward was isolated. when we had chester, ward was isolated. when we had chester. i _ ward was isolated. when we had chester, i had _ ward was isolated. when we had chester, i had to _ ward was isolated. when we had chester, i had to go _ ward was isolated. when we had chester, i had to go onto - ward was isolated. when we had chester, i had to go onto a - ward was isolated. when we had | chester, i had to go onto a board, have a covid test, i was actually pretty much giving birth with a lady snoring across the way. i was trying to be as quiet as i could. you didn't want — to be as quiet as i could. you didn't want to _ to be as quiet as i could. you didn't want to wake - to be as quiet as i could. you didn't want to wake her - to be as quiet as i could. you

didn't want to wake her up? to be as quiet as i could. you - didn't want to wake her up? yes, it was completely _ didn't want to wake her up? yes, it was completely different _ didn't want to wake her up? yes, it was completely different but - was completely different but thankfully... was completely different but thankfully. . .— was completely different but thankfully... was completely different but thankfull ., . ~ .., thankfully... right on cue! all come a little chester, _ thankfully... right on cue! all come a little chester, that's _ thankfully. .. right on cue! all come a little chester, that's all— thankfully... right on cue! all come a little chester, that's all right. - a little chester, that's all right. chester was two hours, done and dusted. . , .., . ., dusted. perfect second child in that resect. dusted. perfect second child in that respect- scott. _ dusted. perfect second child in that respect. scott, when _ dusted. perfect second child in that respect. scott, when did _ dusted. perfect second child in that respect. scott, when did you - dusted. perfect second child in that i respect. scott, when did you propose to rachel? irate respect. scott, when did you propose to rachel? ~ ., respect. scott, when did you propose to rachel? . . ,.. to rachel? we had oscar the next ear, to rachel? we had oscar the next year. they — to rachel? we had oscar the next year. they kept — to rachel? we had oscar the next year, they kept rachel _ to rachel? we had oscar the next year, they kept rachel and - to rachel? we had oscar the next year, they kept rachel and oscar| to rachel? we had oscar the next. year, they kept rachel and oscar in overnight— year, they kept rachel and oscar in overnight and i had the ring on me and the _ overnight and i had the ring on me and the baby grow as well, when he was born— and the baby grow as well, when he was born but obviously, after 25 hours. _ was born but obviously, after 25 hours. i— was born but obviously, after 25 hours, i thought... was born but obviously, after 25 hours, ithought... i was born but obviously, after 25 hours, i thought... i thought she could _ hours, i thought... i thought she could probably do without that as well so _ could probably do without that as well so the next day i went back to pick them — well so the next day i went back to pick them up. and i took the ring and the _ pick them up. and i took the ring and the baby grow and the midwives actually— and the baby grow and the midwives actually help me. they got him dressed — actually help me. they got him dressed into the baby grow, they distracted rachel for me, they turned — distracted rachel for me, they turned her away. help me with getting — turned her away. help me with

getting him dressed because i had never— getting him dressed because i had never addressed a tiny little baby like that— never addressed a tiny little baby like that before in my life. they .ot like that before in my life. they got him — like that before in my life. they got him in — like that before in my life. they got him in the baby grow and they said. _ got him in the baby grow and they said, mummy, will you marry my daddy at, said, mummy, will you marry my daddy at. and _ said, mummy, will you marry my daddy at. and i_ said, mummy, will you marry my daddy at, and i put _ said, mummy, will you marry my daddy at, and i put the ring on and rachel turned _ at, and i put the ring on and rachel turned around and saw him. then she said yes, _ turned around and saw him. then she said yes, thankfully!— said yes, thankfully! thank goodness- _ said yes, thankfully! thank goodness. what _ said yes, thankfully! thank goodness. what did - said yes, thankfully! thank goodness. what did you i said yes, thankfully! thank i goodness. what did you think said yes, thankfully! thank - goodness. what did you think when you saw the ring and your little newborn son with that gorgeous baby grow saying mummy, will you marry my daddy? grow saying mummy, will you marry my dadd ? ., , , ., ., daddy? honestly, i would never have exected it daddy? honestly, i would never have expected it in — daddy? honestly, i would never have expected it in a _ daddy? honestly, i would never have expected it in a million _ daddy? honestly, i would never have expected it in a million years - daddy? honestly, i would never have expected it in a million years and - expected it in a million years and we talked about getting married, haven't we? but i was just, i was already in a whirlwind, anyway and then to have that, it was just, it was magical, to be honest. i was on my own in this whole ward, it was like a private hotel suite and everyone was waving and clapping. all the midwives, they were so excited. ~ ., excited. when i went out, when i asked for the _ excited. when i went out, when i asked for the baby _ excited. when i went out, when i asked for the baby grow - excited. when i went out, when i asked for the baby grow they - excited. when i went out, when i asked for the baby grow they alll asked for the baby grow they all came _ asked for the baby grow they all came running down the corridors. come _ came running down the corridors.

come and — came running down the corridors. come and look at this! how wonderful, absolutely wonderful. so when did you first meet? did you meet at school or what? how long have you been together? irate meet at school or what? how long have you been together?— have you been together? we were to . ether have you been together? we were together when _ have you been together? we were together when we _ have you been together? we were together when we were _ have you been together? we were together when we were 16, - have you been together? we were | together when we were 16, weren't we? and then i was your first love, wasn't i? you were. and as you do, you go apart and we hadn't seen each otherfor you go apart and we hadn't seen each other for about 14 you go apart and we hadn't seen each otherfor about 14 years. you go apart and we hadn't seen each other for about 14 years. yes, you go apart and we hadn't seen each otherfor about 14 years. yes, yes. we thought we had better catch up. i bumped into rachel two years ago, she was— bumped into rachel two years ago, she was covering a shift in a restaurant, a friend '5 restaurant. it restaurant, a friend '5 restaurant. it was _ restaurant, a friend '5 restaurant. it was a _ restaurant, a friend '5 restaurant. it was a total of one off. ijust walked — it was a total of one off. ijust walked in— it was a total of one off. ijust walked in there and bumped into her. i walked in there and bumped into her. idon't _ walked in there and bumped into her. idon't even _ walked in there and bumped into her. i don't even work there! and we got talking _ i don't even work there! and we got talking and — i don't even work there! and we got talking and that was that. here we are. ., talking and that was that. here we are, ., ., , ., , talking and that was that. here we are. ., .,, ., , ~ ., , talking and that was that. here we are. ., ., , ~ ., , ., are. how fabulous. i know mums hate it, new are. how fabulous. i know mums hate it. new mums — are. how fabulous. i know mums hate it, new mums hate _ are. how fabulous. i know mums hate it, new mums hate it _ are. how fabulous. i know mums hate it, new mums hate it when _ are. how fabulous. i know mums hate it, new mums hate it when people - are. how fabulous. i know mums hate j it, new mums hate it when people ask this but i am going to ask it because i feel that i can. do you have plans for more children? ida.

have plans for more children? no, absolutely not! _ have plans for more children? iifr, absolutely not! all the midwives remembered us, didn't they? and i promised them they will never see us again. honestly. on this work on my own, ringing your man, and i couldn't have any pain relief. it wasn't by choice that i gave birth on two paracetamol, let me tell you that! i was on the phone to my man, nearly crying, saying i cannot do this again. i need to have this baby before tonight. she told me to try and bear with it but i will never do it again! irate and bear with it but i will never do it arain! ~ ., and bear with it but i will never do itarain!~ . , and bear with it but i will never do itaain! . ., , ., it again! we have exactly what we want. we it again! we have exactly what we want- we are _ it again! we have exactly what we want. we are very _ it again! we have exactly what we want. we are very lucky. - it again! we have exactly what we want. we are very lucky. healthyl want. we are very lucky. healthy bo s. want. we are very lucky. healthy boys. absolutely. _ want. we are very lucky. healthy boys. absolutely. listen, - want. we are very lucky. healthy boys. absolutely. listen, many l boys. absolutely. listen, many congratulations, what a beautiful family you have and all the best and have a wonderful wedding and have an amazing rest of your lives! thank ou ve amazing rest of your lives! thank you very much- _ amazing rest of your lives! thank you very much. thank— amazing rest of your lives! thank you very much. thank you - amazing rest of your lives! thank you very much. thank you very . amazing rest of your lives! thank - you very much. thank you very much. thank ou you very much. thank you very much. thank you both- _ you very much. thank you very much. thank you both. my _ you very much. thank you very much. thank you both. my goodness, - you very much. thank you very much. thank you both. my goodness, it's . you very much. thank you very much. thank you both. my goodness, it's so |

thank you both. my goodness, it's so nice to have some positive news, isn't it? in less than a week's time, schools in england will have fully reopened — but secondary pupils will need a negative covid test before heading back into the classroom. fiona lamdin has been talking to students and teachers about how it will work. school biology labs transformed into testing centres. up and down, on your tonsils, a good four strokes of each tonsil. all secondary school pupils will need a negative test before they are allowed back into the classroom next week. these key worker children have been in school since january. they are now used to the tests. i felt a bit nervous at first, but then, as soon as the test was finished, i felt much more relieved. it feels like i have got a protection bubble around us and my classmates. that everyone has got a test. we all know that we are safe. other schools have turned their drama and dance hall into a testing site. that's it and then in that test—tube there for me, please. by the end of the week, they will be testing over 1000

students in two days. they come into the hall, they pick up their registration card and then they queue before being tested in one of these eight booths. the first time, it is kind of scary, but, once you do it again, then you get used to it and it is much more normal and easier. it feels normal. the first two times, yeah, it felt tickly. normally, these staff work in the admin team, sorting out admissions and exams. now they are running the whole operation. i think it is fair to say, in education, in the past 12 months, we have been used to turning our hand to many things, but, yes, setting up an nhs test site has probably been the biggest one. we have taken a pragmatic approach. we have started testing earlier. we tested thursday, friday this week and we are testing again on monday, tuesday. that means that all children will be back into their normal timetable from wednesday morning. teachers are also being tested. many welcome the extra measures. ifeel more reassured knowing

there is testing going on. especially with the idea that students are possibly asymptomatic. i think it is just an added layer to provide a little bit more reassurance. but it won't be long before students will be doing this at home. you are trying to avoid touching your teeth, your tongue, or the roof of your mouth. the reason why we are doing three tests in school is because we want them to be competent and confident with their technique, so that when they are at home, they know exactly what they are doing. instead of students, boxes with thousands of covid tests are now filling classrooms, as schools prepare for their next logistical challenge. children across the globe have missed out on more than 70 days of school each since the pandemic started — and those in developing countries have been hardest hit. that's according to a survey by the charity save the children. in total, an estimated 12 billion days of education have been lost across 194 countries.

children in latin america, the caribbean and south asia have been the worst affected. with me is james cox from save the children, and from uganda we're joined by eva nalumu from kikusa primary school in wakiso district in uganda. welcome to both of you and thank you for talking to us. james, first of all, the number of days lost in total is astounding, isn't it? yes, it's incredible. _ total is astounding, isn't it? yes, it's incredible. i— total is astounding, isn't it? yes, it's incredible. i think _ total is astounding, isn't it? yes it's incredible. i think children have been facing the biggest education crisis the world has ever seen. and i think we have seen amazing efforts from teachers, from parents, from children to keep learning alive during this crisis. yes, many of the lessons have been supporting zoom lessons at home and a big shout out to them but many children have been affected and with the average school year between 160 200 days a year, 74 days have been lost and our new study shows how

disproportionate schooling on different children with the poorest and most marginalised facing the biggest brand. and most marginalised facing the biggest brand-— and most marginalised facing the bi est brand. ., ., .,, , biggest brand. eva, how has it been for ou biggest brand. eva, how has it been for you trying _ biggest brand. eva, how has it been for you trying to _ biggest brand. eva, how has it been for you trying to teach _ biggest brand. eva, how has it been for you trying to teach pupils - biggest brand. eva, how has it been for you trying to teach pupils in - for you trying to teach pupils in the last year? eva, can you hear me? eva, can you hear me? i the last year? eva, can you hear me? eva, can you hear me?— eva, can you hear me? i beg your ardon. eva, can you hear me? i beg your pardon- tell _ eva, can you hear me? i beg your pardon. tell me _ eva, can you hear me? i beg your pardon. tell me what _ eva, can you hear me? i beg your pardon. tell me what it's - eva, can you hear me? i beg your pardon. tell me what it's been i eva, can you hear me? i beg your. pardon. tell me what it's been like trying to teach your children in the last year. irate trying to teach your children in the last ear. ~ ., trying to teach your children in the last ear. . . , , last year. we have used this learnin: last year. we have used this learning period _ last year. we have used this learning period and - last year. we have used this learning period and facilities last year. we have used this i learning period and facilities to learn _ learning period and facilities to learn when they are absent from school — learn when they are absent from school. after the closure of the school, — school. after the closure of the school, we _ school. after the closure of the school, we use it to go to homes to visit them, —

school, we use it to go to homes to visit them, they use home packages. being _ visit them, they use home packages. being gifted by save the children. how do _ being gifted by save the children. how do you think your students will be affected by the change in the way you had to teach them? ok. be affected by the change in the way you had to teach them?— you had to teach them? ok, for now when they are _ you had to teach them? ok, for now when they are learning _ you had to teach them? ok, for now when they are learning and - you had to teach them? ok, for now when they are learning and using - when they are learning and using resources — when they are learning and using resources and the home packages, at least they— resources and the home packages, at least they don't forget what they learn _ least they don't forget what they learn from their school. they don't for: et? learn from their school. they don't forget? that's _ learn from their school. they don't forget? that's good. _ learn from their school. they don't forget? that's good. they - learn from their school. they don't forget? that's good. they don't i forget? that's good. they don't forget? that's good. they don't forget? are they going to be able to catch up with things they have missed? i catch up with things they have missed? ~' ., missed? i think the government will rovide missed? i think the government will provide some _ missed? i think the government will provide some of— missed? i think the government will provide some of the _ missed? i think the government will provide some of the classes - missed? i think the government will provide some of the classes but - provide some of the classes but others — provide some of the classes but others are — provide some of the classes but others are still at home. sol provide some of the classes but others are still at home. so i think let us— others are still at home. so i think let us work— others are still at home. so i think let us work with them, those who are

not here, _ let us work with them, those who are not here, at— let us work with them, those who are not here, at school, they are getting — not here, at school, they are getting some little learning when they are — getting some little learning when they are at home.— getting some little learning when they are at home. james, you said, there is a clear _ they are at home. james, you said, there is a clear divide _ they are at home. james, you said, there is a clear divide between - there is a clear divide between children in the poorest parts of the world and the wealthier countries. what are some of the differences she had found? i what are some of the differences she had found? ~ ' . had found? i think the difference we have seen is — had found? i think the difference we have seen is children _ had found? i think the difference we have seen is children in _ had found? i think the difference we have seen is children in latin - have seen is children in latin america, the caribbean, south asia, losing triple the number of days of education compared to those in western europe. and that's on top of the disparities we've all seen within countries as well, children from wealthier backgrounds have a decent internet connection, multiple devices at home possibly, compared to children who are relying on at home learning packages or whatever else there may be available. and we know from previous crises in learning, the impacts of these, for children most affected, that will last a long time so from the

pakistan earthquake some years ago, we know children most affected were about one and a half years behind, four years on so without the right support, these impacts will last a long time for the children. but are there mechanisms _ long time for the children. but are there mechanisms in _ long time for the children. but are there mechanisms in place - long time for the children. but are there mechanisms in place to - long time for the children. but are l there mechanisms in place to bridge this gap in all the countries that you surveyed?— this gap in all the countries that you surveyed? this gap in all the countries that ou surve ed? , . . , ., you surveyed? yes, certainly we are advocatin: you surveyed? yes, certainly we are advocating for _ you surveyed? yes, certainly we are advocating for those _ you surveyed? yes, certainly we are advocating for those mechanisms i you surveyed? yes, certainly we are advocating for those mechanisms to j advocating for those mechanisms to be put in place. there is a great evidence we have from the charity and other educational actors in programming about adaptive learning so simple learning assessments, when children return, you know what level they need to be taught at so they get the support they need because we know those learning lessons will be falling differentially on them and what we are calling for and advocating for around the world is for governments to support teachers, and school systems to put in the processes of adaptive learning and the mental health support the children need when they come back to be able to catch up, both front lost

learning and the rider development. thank you james, and eva, thank you for talking to us. and good luck. thank you. i'm so sorry. you are over there! he has frequently been touted as a future democratic party presidential candidate — but the governor of new york, andrew cuomo, is now facing growing pressure to resign. a third woman has come forward, accusing him of an unwanted sexual advance, and that's after two of his former aides have already accused him of sexual misconduct. the details from our north america correspondent, david willis. andrew cuomo is the son of mario cuomo who was himself governor of new york, of course, for many years. and he is the most senior elected official in one of the biggest, most powerful states in the united states. and he became something of a household name during the height of the coronavirus pandemic here, for his measured daily briefings and was seen

as a welcome relief from the often ranging, chaotic briefings of the trump administration and there was talk at one time of him possibly running for president under the democrat banner but now, he is facing quite from two women who have come forward in the course of the last week. one of them claims that he kissed her against her will, the other claims that he asked leading questions about her sex life when they were on a government plane. so he has initiated an inquiry into this and as youe mentioned in your introduction, he has issued a statement in which he apologises for what he says is often insensitive or too personal regard for women. the government in northern ireland is expected to publish its plans today on how the country will exit lockdown. ministers are due to meet later to finalise a roadmap

on easing restrictions. our ireland correspondent chris page reports. the ovens are still being loaded with lockdown loaves, but the artisan bread is for takeaway only. customers haven't sat inside for months. the owners of this bakehouse in ballycastle hope the exit strategy will provide clarity. we don't want to open unless it's totally viable for us and our staff. although we have been able to be quite flexible, it has been really sad in a way to see a business you've built up over so many years be paused. ciara has had her third child during the covid era, but many of her relatives haven't met her daughter. the family would love reunions to be possible in the summer. she will be one injuly and ijust think that her party, hopefully, it is going to be a big celebration of her birth and her first year. the last 12 months have brought challenges and changes here.

sarah has just opened a coffee hut, because her hair salon has been closed for so long. she says reopening will take some preparation. with people not having their hair done for so long, we nearly need double the product, double the time. so, really, notice is the best thing the assembly could give us. the number of positive tests, hospital admissions and deaths have been falling in this part of the uk. but ministers in the devolved government are stressing that restrictions will be eased slowly, cautiously and, they hope, permanently. a brighter spring is beckoning, but it is thought the plan will not include firm dates for relaxing the rules. chris page, bbc news in county antrim. a congregation in herefordshire have been shocked to discover a fairly ordinary—looking painting of the last supper in their church is actually a long—lost masterpiece. sian lloyd has been to see it.

an imposing painting of the last supper. it has hung in this parish church since the beginning of the last century. gifted by a localfamily, who brought it back from a visit to italy. never had it been supposed that the 12.5 foot artwork would be an original. but it had not always looked like this. two years ago, extensive renovation work was commissioned, and more of the picture was revealed. it had, over the centuries, got very dark. it was brown and sludgy, and didn't look at all inspiring. and then it was restored and we see what we have now. and it is a joy and a delight. the restoration was carried out by art historian ronald moore, in his studio on the welsh english border. he was inspired to delve further. 11,000 hours of research, in fact, in which he uncovered its history. examination under ultraviolet light revealed the inscribed name of titian, one of the 16th century's greatest masters, and he's convinced

the artwork was created by painters from the titian workshop, a common practice of the time. there is sufficient evidence, not just with the signature, but many, many facets, all come together to show that this is indeed a titian workshop picture. we've got a lot of evidence to indicate that. it's extremely important in that there is no titian workshop picture on this scale which has been undiscovered for such a long period of time. he believes that the apostle wearing the golden robe is titian as a young man. the most likely painter of this figure, he believes, was titian's son. the value of the artwork can only be guessed at. a titian workshop painting last sold for more than £7 million. but at the parish church where it hangs in ledbury,

its worth is not measured by its monetary value, but by the joy it brings to the congregation. they say it will be displayed here for years to come. sian lloyd, bbc news, ledbury. next — ice—surfing. it's a high—speed sport — tim allman has more. helsinki, they certainly know how to improvise. much of the baltic sea is frozen this time of year, so little opportunity to hang ten. but you know what they say, necessity is the mother of invention. they call it ice surfing. the combination of windsurfing and ice skating. going across the surface, you can reach speeds of up to 100 kilometres an

hour. ., ., , ., , . hour. conditions are perfect, i call them happiness — hour. conditions are perfect, i call them happiness machines - hour. conditions are perfect, i call them happiness machines formall hour. conditions are perfect, i call. them happiness machines formal to really make people smile. it's such a joy. your movement and right now, it's on. ., a joy. your movement and right now, it's on. . , ., ., , it's on. there are estimated to be around 1000 _ it's on. there are estimated to be around 1000 competitors - it's on. there are estimated to be around 1000 competitors around | it's on. there are estimated to be i around 1000 competitors around the world. mostly based in northern europe, russia and north america. but which is best? surfing the waves or surfing the ice? translation: they are so different, i can't really choose between them. the attraction in summer is the waves make it more challenging but in winter, you can start raising straightaway. there is, of course, one potential flight in the ointment. as temperatures rise and theice ointment. as temperatures rise and the ice melts, the opportunities for fun disappear. so the moral of the story is, keep surfing while you can! the only painting thought to have been completed by winston churchill during the second world war, has sold at auction for more than 8—million—pounds.

the artwork depicts a 12th—century mosque in marrakech at sunset, with the atlas mountains in the background. it has had several owners — including angelina jolie and her then partner brad pitt. you're watching bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol. hello again. it's been a fairly cloudy and for some foggy start to the day. a lot of this will lift as we go through today, many of us will have a dry day with some sunny spells. but, some of the cloud will stick and be with us for much of the day only to reform again tonight. some high pressure is firmly in charge of our weather. look at the spacing in the isobars, not much wind to break up the cloud and later we have this weather front coming from the south—west, introducing some showers. so the areas likely to hang on to the cloud are across parts of the midlands, parts of eastern england and we see some haar rolling on short from the north sea

across eastern scotland but it will improve across the south, some sunshine coming through, sunshine for wales, north—west england and much of scotland, and the cloud in northern ireland breaking. these are the sustained wind speeds, nothing to write home about and the temperatures, if you are stuck under low cloud, we are looking at about 4—6 but in the sunshine we could get between 13 and 15. as we go through this evening and overnight, we see the fog reforming quite quickly, there will be lots of cloud around, becoming more extensive as we go through the night and we've got showers continuing to come up from the south—west. the cloud remains broken and we've got clear skies, cold enough for some frost but it is going to be a cold night across the board, away from the south—west. that's because of this weather front, which throughout the course of tomorrow will be continuing to push further north and further east. taking the showery outbreaks of rain with it. some of those will be heavy, potentially thundery, a lot of cloud tomorrow, but you see there will be some breaks in the west, and as the showers come through, they should also break up

the cloud, allowing some sunshine to come through. the top temperatures tomorrow could well be 14 degrees in any sunshine, but once again, 4—6 if you are stuck under cloud all day. as we head towards the end of the week, a new area of high pressure develops across iceland and as it moves across our shores, the wind around it coming from the north or the north—east, a colder direction for us. so that leads us into a cold few days. on thursday, any showers in the south—east will clear. a lot more cloud around. but brighter and still cold as we head into friday.

this is bbc news. iamjoanna i am joanna gosling. the headlines at 11.00: the chancellor is set to announce an extra £400 million for museums, theatres and galleries in his budget tomorrow. the vaccine effect is being seen in hospital admissions, which are down 80% for those over 80 years old — after a single dose, new evidence shows. in half an hour's time i'll be joined by dr naomi forrester—soto and professor andrew hayward to answer your questions on the coronavirus vaccines, so send them in using #bbcyourquestions. scotland's most senior law officer rejects criticism of the crown office, during an appearance before a holyrood inquiry into the scottish government mishandling of complaints against alex salmond. any suggestion from any quarter that the crown's decision—making has

at any time been influenced by irrelevant considerations or improper motivations would be wholly without foundation. liverpool's great ian stjohn has died at the age of 82, the club have announced. and coming up this hour... a congregation in herefordshire are shocked to discover an ordinary looking painting of the last supper is actually a long—lost masterpiece. the chancellor is set to announce millions of pounds worth of extra support to the badly hit culture sector in his budget tomorrow. £408 million will help museums, theatres and galleries in england to re—open once restrictions

start to ease. rishi sunak will also announce a £150 million fund to help communities to take over local pubs. treasury officials said a "significant chunk" will be given to cricket, as fans prepare to return to stadiums this summer. and an extra £77 million will be given to the devolved administrations in scotland, wales and northern ireland to provide their culture groups with similar backing. our political correspondent, chris mason, has this report. how do you save your local pub? many were already closing permanently before the pandemic. how many more might follow now we are out of the habit of propping up the bar? in the budget tomorrow, the chancellor will announce that community groups across the uk could be given up to a quarter of a million pounds to help take over struggling pubs. there will be help, too, to buy into theatres and sports clubs. rishi sunak will also say he will spend £300 million of taxpayers' money to help summer

sports such as tennis, horse racing and cricket. the pandemic means the chancellor has borrowed vast amounts, built up a giant pile of debt and faces a huge political question — should taxes go up to pay for it all? the former conservative chancellor lord clarke said yes, they should, the other day. now the former tory leader lord hague has said the same in this morning's daily telegraph. rishi sunak has said he will level with people about the challenges we face. tomorrow, we will find out exactly what he means by that. chris mason, bbc news, at westminster. our political correspondent, damian grammaticas, is at westminster. wright is so damian, we have heard today some of the giveaway is only going to come tomorrow, but how balanced is the budget going to be in terms of how it is paid for? fine. in terms of how it is paid for? one, i think actually _

in terms of how it is paid for? one, i think actuallyjust _ in terms of how it is paid for? one, i think actually just before - in terms of how it is paid for? our i think actuallyjust before moving on to that, but actually the business secretary may be let out something pretty significant on breakfast this morning on the bbc. he said, we will be extending furlough, or in fact he said he was asked about it and he said that, i think the chancellor has already indicated that we will be extending furlough. i think that has been part of a public announcement. there will be other measures we will see tomorrow. com now, that is really important, i think because what we know so far is that the chancellor has been saying in the past few days support will be extended for as long as the restrictions are in place, but he hasn't given any more detail than that and one of the really big questions for 6 million people who have been benefiting from job furlough were, with theirjob is being supported by the government at a cost of about £6 billion a year, i think, is well that go on beyond march, april, when at the minute it

is set to expire? and what the business secretary has said this morning is, we will be extending it, so that is pretty important. the question then, as you say, what about the future of all of these things? the important thing there i think to focus on is as long as restrictions stay in place and that indicates what the chancellor was saying at the weekend, at least until may orjune, when the current restrictions in england are set to be lifted, that is the point at which it seems the more difficult decisions are facing the government. will they wind things down then? and beyond that, as you were hearing, questions of how are they going to continue to pay for the deficit? the gap in spending that has opened up, some lord haig talking about the need for tax rises. there are questions for down the line. the indications at the moment are the government may well say, we are going to have to deal with this, but

rather than those tough words there is not any clear indication they are actually going to do anything or have anything in place. possibly something on corporation tax. that has been talked about in the last few days, but much, much more, i have to say the focus is all going to be on continuing support, as the business secretary indicated today. thank you very much, damian grammaticas. there's fresh evidence that the uk vaccine roll—out is having a big effect on the number of people taken into hospital, with admissions down by 80% for those aged over 80 after a single dose. despite the positive signs, doctors are urging everyone to remain cautious and continue to follow restrictions. vishala sri—pathma reports. the speedy roll—out of the vaccine across the uk has meant that 20 million people have had a jab in their arm over the last few months, and new evidence suggests it's having a significant impact. public health england data show that a single shot of either the astrazeneca—oxford or the pfizer cuts the risk of needing hospital treatment for covid by up to 80%

for those over the age of 80. 5,455 new infections were recorded in the past 24 hours, which is the lowest figure since september. and 14,808 people with covid in hospital, a significant drop from even just a few weeks ago. this all suggests that the vaccines offer strong protection. some believe this could help ease restrictions earlier than planned. according to government policy, they can only shift into the future. we can only delay if the initial results of each phase of relaxation are disappointing. but i believe we should equally allow them to be advanced if the early success with the vaccine continues to outpace the assumptions that were sensibly made. it's wise to be cautious, but if things turn out to be better than expected,

it is sensible to allow yourself to take that into account when that happens. but the message from the medical experts is not to get ahead of ourselves. it gives us those first glimpses of how, if we are patient and we give this vaccine programme time to have its full effect, it is going to, hopefully, take us into a very different world in the next few months. but we have to be patient, we have to push on with the vaccine programme. there is concern that the success of the vaccine may be undermined by new variants, with several new cases of the brazilian strand now identified here in the uk. suppressing new variants will be easier if cases are kept low and the vaccine take—up continues to be high. health officials are keen that people still remain vigilant. vishala sri—pathma, bbc news.

the french government has reversed its decision not to give the oxford astrazeneca covid vaccine to over 65s — it will now allow the jab to be given to people between 65 and 74. health officials had previously restricted the vaccine to younger age groups because of a lack of data from trials about its efficacy among the elderly. deaths from covid—19 in the uk fell by a quarter in the week of february 19th, according to new figures. the office for national statistics says a total of 15,577 deaths were registered that week — about 18% above expected levels for this time of year. but the numbers were also down on the previous week. when 17,136 deaths were registered, and just after 11.30 this morning we'll be answering your questions on the coronavirus vaccines. i will be joined by virologist dr naomi forrester—soto and university college london's professor andrew hayward. send in your questions using #bbcyourquestions or

by emailing yourquestions@bbc.co.uk. you can also get in touch about anything else about coronavirus. that's coming up at 11:35 here on bbc news. the duke of edinburgh is expected to remain in hospital until at least the end of the week. he was transferred yesterday from king edward vi! hospital, where he had spent the last fortnight, to st bartholomew's. let's get the latest from our correspondent, tom symonds, who's outside st bartholomew's hospital in central london. any updates this morning, tom? no, no sin of any updates this morning, tom? no, no sign of any — any updates this morning, tom? iirr, no sign of any visits or no updates from the palace, just the simple holding position that the duke is responding to treatment and is comfortable. i think you can read in between the lines to the current situation a little bit. he was in hospital, a private hospital, the king edward vii's hospital, in the

west end of london for 13 days and now approaching his longest ever hospital admission procedure. he was therefore an infection and now the palace has talked about a period of testing and observation for a pre—existing heart condition. of course, st bartholomew's is one of the pre—eminent heart facilities in the pre—eminent heart facilities in the country, if not europe. it has a wide range of surgeons, ten operating theatres, false gunning facilities, so clearly he is here almost certainly because of his heart —— full scanning facilities. clearly he is here, certainly because there is heart condition. in 2011 he was admitted to a hospital in cambridgeshire after suffering chest pains and went on to have a stent fitted, a device that really keeps the blood vessel open. he has been looked at over the years for that. despite somebody in pretty

good health for his age, 99, that he has done well. so far we have no other intelligence as to what might be happening in the hospital. the only thing that has happened which i think is notable in the last 12 hours or so is that the palace released a video of the queen doing a zoom call to the governor leave governor and the premier of south australia, the reason being that they had installed a new statue of her at government house and she was joking, saying that, it would be alarming for somebody to look out the window and think that the queen was coming on an unexpected visit. this was last wednesday, but the tone was light and friendly and they didn't seem to be any sign of concern from that video, but of course we are very much reading between the lines.— course we are very much reading between the lines. thank you very much, between the lines. thank you very much. tom _ between the lines. thank you very much, tom symonds. _ dr aseem malhotra is a consultant cardiologist and joins me now.

welcome, good morning. good morning. what do you read into the description of him being kept in that hospitalfor a description of him being kept in that hospital for a period description of him being kept in that hospitalfor a period of testing and observation from pre—existing heart condition? testing and observation from pre-existing heart condition? sure, so joanna gosling, _ pre-existing heart condition? sure, so joanna gosling, i _ pre-existing heart condition? sure, so joanna gosling, i think _ pre-existing heart condition? sure, so joanna gosling, i think there i pre—existing heart condition? �*ie sojoanna gosling, i think there are a few things to interpret and of course it is difficult for me to give a diagnosis without the full information, but from what we know he was obviously in hospital for several days, in a private hospital, being treated for an infection. again, we don't know where that is coming from, but for someone of his age are certain things in common, so are you an infection or something that had affected its kidneys, it may have been more complicated and leading antibiotics, it could have been a chest infection, but because of his underlying background of a heart disease issue and you will correspond it was actually spot on there, he had a stent implanted, which is a device that helps to keep the arteries open, it means he has a background of underlying coronary disease and that is already established from many years ago. so

got what that means a someone of his age suffering an infection that is complicated in the sense that it needed more intense management is that it would likely put a strain on his heart and i suspect what has probably happened is that some sort of event while he has been in hospital has affected his heart. it could be anything from something relatively minor, even a very small heart attack, do something that caused his heart to be under more strain and for that reason he was then transferred to a specialist cardiac centre. one of the other things that is important to emphasise as well here is that if you are particularly unwell, then you are particularly unwell, then you really don't want to be in a private hospital. the nhs is the best place to be because the nhs has much better facilities, best place to be because the nhs has much betterfacilities, better infrastructure, more experienced teams of staff to deal with sick patients, so i'm sure all those things were taken into consideration before they transferred him to st bartholomew's. having said that, i think what is promising and good is there hasn't been any... duration.

he is 99, yes, relatively frail compared to someone 30 years younger, but we know he is a very robust man and there is every good chance that he will make a quick and rapid recovery and hopefully he will be home in the next few days, a week to ten days or so. 50 be home in the next few days, a week to ten days or so.— to ten days or so. so what would you exect to to ten days or so. so what would you expect to be — to ten days or so. so what would you expect to be happening _ to ten days or so. so what would you expect to be happening over- to ten days or so. so what would you expect to be happening over the i expect to be happening over the coming days? what would they be looking for and what sort of tests would be run?— looking for and what sort of tests would be run? yeah, so it depends what the original— would be run? yeah, so it depends what the original issue _ would be run? yeah, so it depends what the original issue was. - would be run? yeah, so it depends what the original issue was. if i would be run? yeah, so it depends what the original issue was. if it i what the original issue was. if it is related to his underlying background of coronary heart disease they will be doing monitoring on him, looking at its heart rhythm to make sure that is kept stable and give him any medications or treatment if that was to become unstable, if there was a funny rhythm, something called a chalk fibrillation, for example. if there was concern there was an online reduction of blood flow to his heart then they may be doing something called a khadi onjam, which is a direct visualisation of the heart done through a keyhole surgery, a relatively straightforward procedure

with low risk of complications, takes about 20 minutes, and if they found another blockage that needed treating they would then go go ahead and do that and relieve the strain on the heart and if that is done successfully, which in most cases it is done in a relatively straightforward manner, then he wouldn't need from that perspective to stay in hospital more than a couple more days.— to stay in hospital more than a couple more days. thank you very much, dr aseem _ couple more days. thank you very much, dr aseem malhotra. i meanwhile, the queen is carrying on with her official duties. good morning, i don't know what kind of date is to you.— of date is to you. people take photographs. _ of date is to you. people take photographs, ma'am. - of date is to you. people take photographs, ma'am. oh, i of date is to you. people take i photographs, ma'am. oh, really? of date is to you. people take - photographs, ma'am. oh, really? they o, photographs, ma'am. oh, really? they to, her photographs, ma'am. oh, really? they go. herfirst— photographs, ma'am. oh, really? they go, her first video _ photographs, ma'am. oh, really? they go, her first video call _ photographs, ma'am. oh, really? they go, her first video call to _ go, her first video call to australia yesterday, where she virtually unveiled a statue of herself. i'm sure you noticed as well be handbag on the statue. the scottish government's senior legal adviser has rejected criticism of the crown office as he appeared at an inquiry at holyrood.

msps are investigating the scottish government's handling of complaints against former first minister, alex salmond. as you have reminded witnesses and members the actions of the crown are not within the remit of this committee. nevertheless, comments have been made about the crown which are without foundation and the public is entitled to hear the truth about these matters from me. as head of the system of criminal prosecution in scotland, it is my responsibility to establish arrangements for the proper administration of criminaljustice and that is what i have done in relation to this case. from the outset, i put its conduct entirely in the hands of principal crown counsel, scotland's senior professional prosecutor. like other crown counsel, he holds a commission which authorises him to exercise to the full my prosecutorial powers as lord advocate, and to do so without any which authorises him to exercise to the full my prosecutorial powers as lord advocate, and to do so without any reference to me. i also put in place specific arrangements so that the law offices have no personal involvement in this case. i did that to reinforce confidence in the absolute integrity

of the administration ofjustice. for that reason, the decisions in relation to contempt of court and other matters which have arisen since the trial have also been put entirely in the hands of crown counsel. any suggestion from any quarter that the crown's decision—making has at any time been influenced by irrelevant considerations or improper motivations would be wholly without foundation. insinuations or assertions to the contrary are baseless. let's go to our political correspondent, nick eardley, who's in edinburgh. a significant day because we are expecting the release of legal advice to the government. this evidence also going on. what is the latest? , ., ., ., ., , evidence also going on. what is the latest? ., ., ., , , latest? there is a lot of latest, is the easy answer, _ latest? there is a lot of latest, is the easy answer, joanna. - latest? there is a lot of latest, is the easy answer, joanna. anyone latest? there is a lot of latest, is i the easy answer, joanna. anyone who watched alex salmond give evidence on friday will know there are so many accusations that have been made

against the scottish government and senior people in scottish life that this story really is a crisis that is touching so many different institutions. so you heard the lord advocate they're getting vote giving a pretty passionate defence of his job and the department he runs, the crown office, saying that, there is no way we were influenced by politics. there is no way we were a cover—up to try to take some of alex salmond's evidence down last week. it was a pretty robust and staunch defence we heard from him there, after all that criticism last week. later on today we are going to get some legal advice, which is another element of this story, which is should the scottish government have admitted to alex salmond that they were going to lose a court case against him a lot sooner? alex salmond reckons that they knew two months before the admitted defeat that they were going to lose. this legal advice has been a big row over the last few months and is finally going to be published today, but already we have scotland's deputy

first minister, john swinney, admitting that their lawyers that they bought in externally had some reservations about this case as early as october. it wasn't until january that the case was dropped and the accusation we are going to hear today from opposition parties is that that cost the taxpayer in scotland hundreds of thousands of pounds, so we have got all these different elements to this story and it can be quite hard to keep up sometimes, butjust remember nicola sturgeon is before this committee tomorrow. it is going to be a really big moment because alex salmond has made allegations which are opponents as saying if they are proved to be correct she would have to resign. she has denied them and said she is looking forward to putting her defence, but this is a really big week in scottish politics and i think we are finally going to get right to the heart of what is going on in this massive story, where alex salmond is accusing the woman who was once his protege of breaking the ministerial code and many people

around her being part of this conspiracy to bring him down. thank ou, nick conspiracy to bring him down. thank you, nick eardley. _ 279 schoolgirls abducted by gunmen last week in northwest nigeria have been released. the governor of zamfara state said all those who had been taken had been freed and no ransom had been paid. some of the children have been reunited with their parents. one of the girls who was abducted has spoken about her ordeal most of us got injured on our feet and we could not continue tracking. so the captors said would shoot anybody who did not continue to walk. we walked across a river and they hid us, and they let us sleep under shrubs in a forest. our correspondent in lagos, mayenijones, told us more about how the girls were released. so the governor of zamfara has a peace initiative that he launched. it's an area that has a huge problem with kidnapping for ransom and has had this problem for years. and one of the solutions he's been trialling is to try and bring some of these criminals into the fold, giving them the opportunity

to hand over their weapons and stopped their criminal and stop their criminal activities in exchange for some economic opportunities — cars, housing, jobs, etc. and so he had told local media that he had used some of these repentant bandits — bandits is the term that is used here to identify anybody who kidnaps for ransom, any criminal that kidnaps for ransom — he'd used some of these repentant bandits to talk with the most recent abductors and try and strike some sort of deal. it's not clear exactly how they were able to convince them to release the girls, but president buhari on friday did tweet admitting that state governments in the past have paid a ransom to kidnappers, and urging them to stop doing that. mayenijones reporting. the former liverpool and scotland forward ian stjohn has died at the age of 82. he helped the team win two english

league titles and the fa cup —— league titles and the fa cup — later in his career becoming a tv personality. earlier, the former scotland international pat nevin, payed this tribute to him. well, first of all, he started with motherwell and at that period of time he was there there was a famous group called the 'ancell babes'. i was at motherwell as well at the end of my career and they were still talking about the ancell babes 40 years later. he had a great time there and then left to go to liverpool. at liverpool, he became a legendary figure, not only for the team. liverpool had been struggling in the second division. they got back up and bill shankly himself said that was the start of liverpool becoming a great club. stjohn, he scored a goal in the fa cup final. if you get a chance to watch it, i think it was '65 or '66, an absolute cracker of a header that won it in extra time, so anyone who has done that has done enough in the game anyway, if you have just done that, but all the other things he did, as well. he started to bring liverpool

to become what it was, a giant of world football and he was a major, major part of that. he was a centre—forward who often played up with roger hunt, i think it was, and they had a great understanding, but he was a natural goal—scorer. but a clever enough player to drop deeper later in his career, as well. an incredible career. played for the national team in scotland many times, as well. scored a lot of goals for scotland, as well. so everything he could have done in the game he just about did. even at the end of his career, he went to tranmere rovers, another club that i played for, and he is still very, very fondly remembered there. everywhere he went, not just for his ability, but for who he was and the personality he was, he is absolutely loved and anything you hear or read about the saint now today, believe it. remembering ian stjohn. an american father and son have arrived in tokyo after their extradition on charges

that they helped the disgraced former head of nissan flee japan in 2019. prosecutors allege special forces veteran, michael taylor, and his son, peter received one point peter received $1.3 million for helping conceal carlos ghosn on board a privatejet to lebanon, which has no extradition treaty with japan. our correspondent in tokyo rupert wingfield hayes says the pairface a lengthy time in custody. as we know from the carlos ghosn case, if you are suspected of... you can go to prison for a very, very long time. carlos ghosn himself spent around 70 days in detention before he was released on bail. two men will certainly go into detention, i suspect for an initial period of three weeks, when they will undergo daily interrogation. that there may be extended further or they may be charged and remanded in custody until their trial and that could be months until their

trial opens. it is very unlikely that they will be granted bail because of course they helped or they are alleged, accused of helping carlos ghosn to escape when he was given bail injapan on the 29th of december 2019, so i suspect they will be in custody until their trial and that could be quite a long time. rupert wingfield—hayes reporting. the government in northern ireland is expected to publish its plan for the gradual easing of the lockdown there. ministers are due to meet later to finalise the details. it's understood the rules will be relaxed in stages. schools are expected to return from next week, but it's believed there won't be any other major changes to the restrictions before easter. residents in exeter have spent another night away from home after the discovery of a bomb from the second world war. a controlled explosion was carried out at the weekend — after the device was found in an allotment. police say people living within100

metres of the site must continue to stay in temporary accommodation. properties in the area are being assessed for structural damage. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol kirkwood. hello again. we started off the day with a lot of cloud, some dense fog and some mist. some of that will stick around as we go through today, particularly across parts of central england and the east coast of england. we'll also see some haar lapping onshore from the north sea across eastern scotland. it will brighten up across southern areas, some sunshine for wales, northern ireland, north—west england and also scotland. in the sunshine and temperatures could get up to between 13 and 15 in the sunshine temperatures could get up to between 13 and 15 but if you are under that cloud, more likely to be 4 or 6. where we see the cloud today, it will be with us tonight and far more extensively across the uk, with showers coming from the south—west. not as cold in the south—west as it will be in other parts of the uk. under clear skies, a touch of frost, but first thing tomorrow, some sunshine. showers tomorrow pushing northwards and eastwards will also help break

up the cloud and when the sun comes out in the south, we could see temperatures get up to 14 degrees, but still cold under that cloud.

hello this is bbc news withjoanmna gosling. the headlines: the chancellor will extend the furlough scheme as part of tomorrow's budget, the business secretary confirms. the vaccine effect is being seen in hospital admissions, which are down 80% for those over 80—years—old after a single dose, new evidence shows. scotland's most senior law officer rejects criticism of the crown office during an appearance before a holyrood inquiry into the scottish government mishandling of complaints against alex salmond. any suggestion from any quarter that the crown's decision—making has at any time been influenced by irrelevant considerations or improper motivations would be

wholly without foundation. liverpool great ian stjohn has died at the age of 82, the club have announced. in just a few minutes i'll be joined by dr naomi forrester—soto and professor andrew hayward to answer your questions on the coronavirus vaccines, so send them in using the hashtag #bbcyourquestions. sport now and a full round up from the bbc sport centre. good morning. the liverpool legend ian stjohn has died at the age of 82 after a long illness. the club said they were deeply saddened. he began his career with motherwell before joining liverpool in 1961 and becoming a key member of bill shankly�*s famous team which transformed the club from a second—tier outfit to one of the biggest sides in europe. he was also capped 21 times for scotland. after retiring as a player, he began a successful television career as a pundit, later teaming up withjimmy greaves

for the popular saint and greavsie show in the 1980s and '90s. another former scotland international, pat nevin, became friends with stjohn and recalls how influential he was at liverpool. at liverpool he became a legendary figure, not only for the team, liverpool had been struggling in the second division. bill shankly himself said it was the start of liverpool becoming a great club. he scored a goal in the fa cup final, a cracker of a header that won it in extra time. anyone who has done that enoughin extra time. anyone who has done that enough in the game anyway. all the other things he did as well. he started to bring liverpool to become what it was, a giant of world football. liverpool players past and present have been quick to pay tribute on social media. vice—captainjames milner said simply "rip ian stjohn — what a player, what a man". left—back andy robertson wrote "a man of warmth, humour, knowledge, wisdom and joy. scotland and liverpool has lost a true giant".

this from former captain phil thompson — "so sad to hear of the passing of the saint. he gave me one of my greatest childhood memories in him winning the fa cup in '65". ex—forward john aldridge said, "so sad to hear the news of the great ian stjohn passing away. what an inspiration watching from the terraces at anfield he was, also a cracking bloke". the government has backed a plan by the football associations of the uk and ireland to put together a joint bid to host the world cup in 2030. prime minister borisjohnson is fully on board, pledging £2.8 million to kick—start the process. a formal bid wouldn't begin to take shape until next year, after the five governing bodies have completed a feasilbility study. leading trainer gordon elliot fears his licence will be taken away after a picture emerged on social media showing him sitting on a dead horse. david jennings, deputy irish editor at the racing post, has interviewed elliott, who has apologised for what he called a "moment of madness".

elliott won the grand national twice with tiger roll, but he's been suspended from running horses in great britain until an investigation into the image is concluded. he is licensed in ireland, but the british horseracing authority said it was appalled by the photograph and it's has been condemned across the sport. it was an act of crass stupidity, but there are some things that you just can't do. unfortunately for him who will need to be made an example of. we can't stand here and say we are looking after horses and we are giving them dignity when we are clearly not. there are people out there that don't like the sports and i can't argue with them when they see a picture like that. for an unrelated reason, tiger roll has been withdrawn from this year's grand national. according to the gigginstown stud, the weight handicap he'd been given was unfair and didn't

reflect his age or his form. they said they hoped he would run next as planned in the cross country race at cheltenham on the 17th of march, and after that they'd consider his future wellbeing, which may involve retirement. that's all the sport. now on bbc news, it's your questions answered. you've been sending in your questions about the coronavirus vaccines. here to try and answerjust some of them is virologist from keele university, dr naomi forrester—soto, and director of the ucl institute of epidemiology and health care, professor andrew hayward. thank you forjoining us. malcolm price asked, to scientist think eventually people refusing the vaccine could cause never ending problem in control of the virus and

variance? it problem in control of the virus and variance? , ., problem in control of the virus and variance? , . , variance? it is an interesting question- — variance? it is an interesting question- i _ variance? it is an interesting question. ithink— variance? it is an interesting question. i think we - variance? it is an interesting question. i think we have i variance? it is an interesting question. i think we have to| question. i think we have to understand every time someone gets infected with the barrister is the potential for new variants to arise. in that respect, yes, a people to refuse the vaccine and therefore get infected there is always the possibility for new variants to arise, so it is very important we bring numbers of cases down and get as many people vaccinated as possible. as many people vaccinated as ossible. �* ,., ., ., ,~' possible. andrew, someone asked i have allergies _ possible. andrew, someone asked i have allergies to _ possible. andrew, someone asked i have allergies to the _ possible. andrew, someone asked i have allergies to the vaccine - possible. andrew, someone asked i have allergies to the vaccine and i l have allergies to the vaccine and i will have a look from a doctor to prove this, well i still be able to travel? i prove this, well i still be able to travel? ~' ., ., ., , travel? i think internationally eo - le travel? i think internationally people are — travel? i think internationally people are looking _ travel? i think internationally people are looking at - travel? i think internationally people are looking at the i travel? i think internationally i people are looking at the concept of vaccine _ people are looking at the concept of vaccine passports and in particular the european union is looking at this _ the european union is looking at this they— the european union is looking at this. they are likely, if they do happen, — this. they are likely, if they do happen. to _ this. they are likely, if they do happen, to be digital and there would — happen, to be digital and there would be — happen, to be digital and there would be a system for recording vaccination and potentially also for recording — vaccination and potentially also for recording the results of recent

tests — recording the results of recent tests for— recording the results of recent tests for those who can't have vaccinations. i am tests for those who can't have vaccinations. lam pretty tests for those who can't have vaccinations. i am pretty sure that it is within — vaccinations. i am pretty sure that it is within the thinking of this to think— it is within the thinking of this to think about people who can't have vaccinations. so think about people who can't have vaccinations.— vaccinations. so there would be a worker and _ vaccinations. so there would be a worker and potentially _ vaccinations. so there would be a worker and potentially with i vaccinations. so there would be a worker and potentially with a i vaccinations. so there would be a l worker and potentially with a series of testing? i worker and potentially with a series of testinr ? ~ ., �* , worker and potentially with a series of testinr ? ~ ., �*, , of testing? i think that's is the lan of testing? i think that's is the ian at of testing? i think that's is the plan at the _ of testing? i think that's is the plan at the moment, - of testing? i think that's is the plan at the moment, althoughj of testing? i think that's is the i plan at the moment, although there is still— plan at the moment, although there is still a _ plan at the moment, although there is still a lot— plan at the moment, although there is still a lot of uncertainty about how and — is still a lot of uncertainty about how and when and where these will be introduced _ how and when and where these will be introduced. ., ., ~ ., ., fi’, introduced. naomi, alan asks, when can we expect _ introduced. naomi, alan asks, when can we expect to _ introduced. naomi, alan asks, when can we expect to receive _ introduced. naomi, alan asks, when can we expect to receive a _ introduced. naomi, alan asks, when can we expect to receive a date i introduced. naomi, alan asks, when can we expect to receive a date for l can we expect to receive a date for a second vaccination? mine is due before the end of march. i am heafinr before the end of march. i am hearing from _ before the end of march. i am hearing from people - before the end of march. i am hearing from people who i before the end of march. i —n hearing from people who are due for the second vaccinations that they are starting to get their letters and their second dose. i would expect that you would be hearing before the end of march and it will come, everyonejust before the end of march and it will come, everyone just really wants to be done with this as soon as possible. it is in the process and people are getting their second doses. ~ ., , . people are getting their second doses. e . , . ., doses. what is the evidence of the programme _ doses. what is the evidence of the programme being _ doses. what is the evidence of the programme being stepped - doses. what is the evidence of the programme being stepped up, i

doses. what is the evidence of the i programme being stepped up, because the government is talking about a major stepping up in march, potentially 5 million doses a week? in order to potentially 5 million doses a week? in orderto maintain potentially 5 million doses a week? in order to maintain the on—board trajectory with the first dose and take give people their second dose, we do need to opt out. that is the rationale for that and hopefully we will see the evidence of that in the numbers in the next few weeks. abs, numbers in the next few weeks. a question for you, andrew from kevin tidy. he asked, do i need to shield between vaccination to pick and get the second one before the 31st of march? i the second one before the 31st of march? ., _ the second one before the 31st of march? ., , , i. the second one before the 31st of march? ., , , ., march? i would say yes. if you are on the shielding _ march? i would say yes. if you are on the shielding list, _ march? i would say yes. if you are on the shielding list, then - march? i would say yes. if you are on the shielding list, then that i on the shielding list, then that means— on the shielding list, then that means you are at a substantially increased — means you are at a substantially increased risk of severe disease if you do— increased risk of severe disease if you do get— increased risk of severe disease if you do get infected. the vaccine, the first— you do get infected. the vaccine, the first dose, will reduce the risk of that— the first dose, will reduce the risk of that by— the first dose, will reduce the risk of that by up to two thirds, starting _ of that by up to two thirds, starting from about two weeks after the vaccine, but that still leaves given _ the vaccine, but that still leaves given the — the vaccine, but that still leaves given the fact that we have got high

levels _ given the fact that we have got high levels of— given the fact that we have got high levels of infection still, that still— levels of infection still, that still leaves a reasonable chance of infection _ still leaves a reasonable chance of infection so, yes, i would continue to shield _ infection so, yes, i would continue to shield until i had had my second dose _ to shield until i had had my second dose at _ to shield until i had had my second dose at least. to shield untili had had my second dose at least.— dose at least. naomi, a question fromjohn _ dose at least. naomi, a question from john dixon, _ dose at least. naomi, a question from john dixon, the _ dose at least. naomi, a question| from john dixon, the government claims all in the clinically extremely vulnerable group have been given a vaccine. i am and i haven't heard from anyone. what could be the reason? i’m heard from anyone. what could be the reason? �* ., , , heard from anyone. what could be the reason? �* . , , ., heard from anyone. what could be the reason? �* ., , , ., ., reason? i'm really sorry to hear that that has _ reason? i'm really sorry to hear that that has happened, - reason? i'm really sorry to hear that that has happened, john. | that that has happened, john. although the vaccine roll—out has been doing really well, there will been doing really well, there will be who do fall through the gaps and cracks, and if you are one of them contact your gp and have a discussion with them about what is going on and they should be able to direct you where to go to get the vaccine. ., . . direct you where to go to get the vaccine. ., .. ., ., ., vaccine. you can go online and rerister vaccine. you can go online and register through _ vaccine. you can go online and register through the _ vaccine. you can go online and l register through the government website for your vaccine. yes, i believe so. andrew, a question, what data is there about how long a vaccine provides protection and

whether the uk is making plans for boosterjabs?— whether the uk is making plans for boosterjabs? booster 'abs? there are two aspects to this. boosterjabs? there are two aspects to this- one — boosterjabs? there are two aspects to this- one is _ boosterjabs? there are two aspects to this. one is the _ boosterjabs? there are two aspects to this. one is the concept - boosterjabs? there are two aspects to this. one is the concept of - to this. one is the concept of waning — to this. one is the concept of waning immunity. we know that with natural— waning immunity. we know that with natural infection we have got pretty .ood natural infection we have got pretty good solid — natural infection we have got pretty good solid immunity for at least six to nine _ good solid immunity for at least six to nine months and probably a lot longer _ to nine months and probably a lot longer. with vaccine —related immunity. _ longer. with vaccine —related immunity, because the vaccine has been _ immunity, because the vaccine has been more — immunity, because the vaccine has been more recent, we don't have as strong _ been more recent, we don't have as strong follow—up, but certainly in the region— strong follow—up, but certainly in the region of 3—6 months and probably— the region of 3—6 months and probably much longer. it is likely that immunity will wane over time. there _ that immunity will wane overtime. there is— that immunity will wane over time. there is also this issue of new variants — there is also this issue of new variants of— there is also this issue of new variants of this train coming along to which— variants of this train coming along to which the vaccine may be less effective — to which the vaccine may be less effective. it is quite likely that there — effective. it is quite likely that there will be booster doses for people — there will be booster doses for people in— there will be booster doses for people in the highly clinically vulnerable groups sometime later this year — vulnerable groups sometime later this year. it is likely that will move — this year. it is likely that will move into _ this year. it is likely that will move into an annual vaccination schedule — move into an annual vaccination schedule. , , w' , move into an annual vaccination schedule. , ., schedule. just quickly on the vaccines and _ schedule. just quickly on the vaccines and the _ schedule. just quickly on the

vaccines and the new - schedule. just quickly on the i vaccines and the new variants. we hear repeatedly that it looks like the vaccine should not be completely scuppered by the new variants. is that based on scientific expectation. how much analysis is being done in labs right now to test it? ., , ., ., 4' being done in labs right now to test it? ., , ., ., «m being done in labs right now to test it? .,~',, ., it? lots of work is being done in the labs and _ it? lots of work is being done in the labs and what _ it? lots of work is being done in the labs and what they - it? lots of work is being done in the labs and what they seem i it? lots of work is being done in the labs and what they seem to | it? lots of work is being done in i the labs and what they seem to show is that— the labs and what they seem to show is that both _ the labs and what they seem to show is that both are south african and brazilian — is that both are south african and brazilian strains can escape immunity to a certain extent, such that vaccines are less effective, but what — that vaccines are less effective, but what we can see is that even when _ but what we can see is that even when people are getting infected following vaccination for example, you still— following vaccination for example, you still have quite a reduction in the risk— you still have quite a reduction in the risk of— you still have quite a reduction in the risk of death. it is likely it will not — the risk of death. it is likely it will not take us back to square one, but it— will not take us back to square one, but it is— will not take us back to square one, but it is likely there would be a reduction — but it is likely there would be a reduction in protection that would make _ reduction in protection that would make it _ reduction in protection that would make it worthwhile updating the vaccine — make it worthwhile updating the vaccine regularly. a make it worthwhile updating the vaccine regularly.—

vaccine regularly. a question for michael clayton, _ vaccine regularly. a question for michael clayton, would - vaccine regularly. a question for michael clayton, would it i vaccine regularly. a question for michael clayton, would it be i michael clayton, would it be possible to combine covid and the flu in the same way that an mmr is? we are facing the prospect of an enormous vaccination programme annually every year at the moment. at the moment i don't see that it would necessarily be combined. i could say that you would be given both shots at the same time, and flew dose and coronavirus vaccine at the same time. that to me seems much more reasonable. it is possible that if a combined vaccine was developed, but it would have to be tested and that would take time. at least initially i would expect that you could have two doses, but at the moment not a combined job. moment not a combined 'ob. matthew wants to renew. — moment not a combined 'ob. matthew wants to know, once i moment not a combined job. matthew wants to know, once your— moment not a combined job. matthew wants to know, once your household i wants to know, once your household has been fully vaccinated, can you then mix with other fully vaccinated households anywhere without having to distance? ., , households anywhere without having to distance? . , ., , ., to distance? certainly, that is not the rules at _ to distance? certainly, that is not the rules at the _ to distance? certainly, that is not the rules at the moment. - to distance? certainly, that is not the rules at the moment. the i the rules at the moment. the government aren't really taking into

account— government aren't really taking into account whether you have been vaccinated within the social mixing rules~ _ vaccinated within the social mixing rules~ part — vaccinated within the social mixing rules. part of the reason that is uncertainty _ rules. part of the reason that is uncertainty about how the extent to which _ uncertainty about how the extent to which vaccination reduces transmission. there is emerging data that shows _ transmission. there is emerging data that shows that it does reduce transmission, but it doesn't eliminate it. at the moment the rules— eliminate it. at the moment the rules are — eliminate it. at the moment the rules are the same whether you have been vaccinated or not and i understand mixing within households for up _ understand mixing within households for up to— understand mixing within households for up to two households are six people — for up to two households are six people would be on the cards i think on the _ people would be on the cards i think on the 17th— people would be on the cards i think on the 17th of may, something like that _ on the 17th of may, something like that. a, ' ~ on the 17th of may, something like that. ' ~ ~ that. may 29, ithink. write! there are so many _ that. may 29, ithink. write! there are so many dates _ that. may 29, ithink. write! there are so many dates but _ that. may 29, ithink. write! there are so many dates but we - that. may 29, ithink. write! there are so many dates but we are i that. may 29, ithink. write! there are so many dates but we are not. are so many dates but we are not meant to look at the dates, we are meant to look at the dates, we are meant to look at the data, i think. do i really need a second pfizerjab asks one person, i got sick after the first one. mil

asks one person, i got sick after the first one.— asks one person, i got sick after the first one. all the data that we have about _ the first one. all the data that we have about protection _ the first one. all the data that we have about protection really i the first one. all the data that we have about protection really is i the first one. all the data that we have about protection really is a i have about protection really is a couple of doses. it is considered important that everybody gets that second dose to have the full efficacy of the vaccine i am really sorry about that. is efficacy of the vaccine i am really sorry about that.— efficacy of the vaccine i am really sorry about that. is it supposed to be the case _ sorry about that. is it supposed to be the case that _ sorry about that. is it supposed to be the case that you _ sorry about that. is it supposed to be the case that you get - sorry about that. is it supposed to be the case that you get really i be the case that you get really unwell if you have previously had it, whether you are new or not? i haven't heard that. what i have heard is that the second dose is not as pleasant as the first for quite a few people. it can actually be worse for the second than the first. it can be difficult to persuade people to take that second injection but i think it is necessary at the moment. sorry, pat, that is probably not the reassuring news you are looking for. harry radford asked, if you have had the vaccine and then contract covid build your immune system becomes stronger and possibly resist new

restraints? i stronger and possibly resist new restraints? ~ ,., stronger and possibly resist new restraints?— stronger and possibly resist new restraints? ~ ., .. ., restraints? i think both vaccine and natural infection _ restraints? i think both vaccine and natural infection increased - restraints? i think both vaccine and natural infection increased your i natural infection increased your immunity. _ natural infection increased your immunity, so, if you like, it is almost — immunity, so, if you like, it is almost like _ immunity, so, if you like, it is almost like having a booster dose, depending — almost like having a booster dose, depending on the strain which you .et depending on the strain which you get reinfected. most people won't .et get reinfected. most people won't get reinfected. most people won't get reinfected with the vaccine because — get reinfected with the vaccine because it reduces the chance of that by— because it reduces the chance of that by two thirds in the first dose. — that by two thirds in the first dose, 95% in the second dose. if you dose, 95% in the second dose. if you do get _ dose, 95% in the second dose. if you do get reinfected it is likely to boost — do get reinfected it is likely to boost your immunity. depending on the strain— boost your immunity. depending on the strain with which you're reinfected it might widen your immunity to different strains, as well _ immunity to different strains, as well h_ immunity to different strains, as well. �* , ., ., ., ., well. a question from paul, we are all worrying _ well. a question from paul, we are all worrying about _ well. a question from paul, we are all worrying about mutations i well. a question from paul, we are all worrying about mutations beingj all worrying about mutations being worse for us, but he says is it likely that covid—19 will eventually mutate enough to form a less invasive milder version of itself, like the spanish flu in 1918? it is an interesting _ like the spanish flu in 1918? it is an interesting question. we already

have four— an interesting question. we already have four different types of coronavirus circulating instrument that we _ coronavirus circulating instrument that we classify as the common cold. there _ that we classify as the common cold. there is— that we classify as the common cold. there is a _ that we classify as the common cold. there is a theory among researchers that they— there is a theory among researchers that they all — there is a theory among researchers that they all started out like covid-i9 _ that they all started out like covid—19 and caused a significant epidemic— covid—19 and caused a significant epidemic or pandemic, we don't have the data _ epidemic or pandemic, we don't have the data for— epidemic or pandemic, we don't have the data for that because it happened because it happened before we were _ happened because it happened before we were aware of it, but now they 'ust we were aware of it, but now they just circulate generally in the population. it is possible that this virus _ population. it is possible that this virus may— population. it is possible that this virus may act the same way, but only time will— virus may act the same way, but only time will tell, i'm afraid. we hope that is— time will tell, i'm afraid. we hope that is the — time will tell, i'm afraid. we hope that is the case but we won't know until it _ that is the case but we won't know until it happens.— until it happens. james wants to know anyone — until it happens. james wants to know anyone who _ until it happens. james wants to know anyone who has _ until it happens. james wants to know anyone who has received i until it happens. james wants to i know anyone who has received the vaccine, have any of them died? unfortunately, yes. no vaccine is 100% _ unfortunately, yes. no vaccine is 100% effective. yesterday we heard some _ 100% effective. yesterday we heard some of— 100% effective. yesterday we heard some of the new public health england — some of the new public health england reports on the real world effects _ england reports on the real world effects of— england reports on the real world effects of the vaccine. both the astrazeneca and pfizer vaccines are showing _ astrazeneca and pfizer vaccines are showing a _ astrazeneca and pfizer vaccines are showing a two thirds reduction in whether— showing a two thirds reduction in whether or— showing a two thirds reduction in whether or not people get mild disease — whether or not people get mild disease. if they do go on to get

mild _ disease. if they do go on to get mild disease, about a 50% reduction in their— mild disease, about a 50% reduction in their risk— mild disease, about a 50% reduction in their risk of hospitalisation or death — in their risk of hospitalisation or death. that level of protection increases _ death. that level of protection increases with the second dose, as well _ increases with the second dose, as well. whilst it will dramatically reduce — well. whilst it will dramatically reduce people? chances of ending up in hospital— reduce people? chances of ending up in hospital or gang, unfortunately it doesn't— in hospital or gang, unfortunately it doesn't completely 100% remove it. it it doesn't completely 100% remove it it is _ it doesn't completely 100% remove it. it is getting pretty close to that — it. it is getting pretty close to that i — it. it is getting pretty close to that. , ., ., that. i question from me, i saw some research this — that. i question from me, i saw some research this week _ that. i question from me, i saw some research this week that _ that. i question from me, i saw some research this week that it _ that. i question from me, i saw some research this week that it found i research this week that it found confusing which is thatjust one in ten people who has covid would pass it on to somebody that they live with. how does that tally with social distancing and what we know about how it spreads? i social distancing and what we know about how it spreads?— about how it spreads? i think that is one study- _ about how it spreads? i think that is one study. she _ about how it spreads? i think that is one study. she would _ about how it spreads? i think that is one study. she would have i about how it spreads? i think that is one study. she would have to i about how it spreads? i think that | is one study. she would have to be very careful — is one study. she would have to be very careful at looking at the results — very careful at looking at the results of one study. if you look across _ results of one study. if you look across the — results of one study. if you look across the global literature on this it is much—

across the global literature on this it is much higher than that, certainly— it is much higher than that, certainly in the 40% type of area. i think— certainly in the 40% type of area. i think that — certainly in the 40% type of area. i think that is — certainly in the 40% type of area. i think that is a bit of an outlier as a study. — think that is a bit of an outlier as a study. to— think that is a bit of an outlier as a study, to be honest. although it is in no _ a study, to be honest. although it is in no way— a study, to be honest. although it is in no way guaranteed that you will spread infection within your home, — will spread infection within your home, so— will spread infection within your home, so it is worth taking precautions when somebody is with though— precautions when somebody is with though within the home because you can prevent it. you also have this concept _ can prevent it. you also have this concept of— can prevent it. you also have this concept of different people have different levels of infectiousness. we know — different levels of infectiousness. we know that transmission rates are highest _ we know that transmission rates are highest in _ we know that transmission rates are highest in the home and in the sort of interactions in the home are the highest _ of interactions in the home are the highest risk— of interactions in the home are the highest risk of transmission. it is interesting _ highest risk of transmission. it 3 interesting about why it is that some people are more likely to transmit it. how much more is known about that? late transmit it. how much more is known about that?— transmit it. how much more is known about that? . ~ ., ., ., ., about that? we know quite a lot more about that? we know quite a lot more about that? we know quite a lot more about that but — about that? we know quite a lot more about that but we _ about that? we know quite a lot more about that but we also _ about that? we know quite a lot more about that but we also have _ about that? we know quite a lot more about that but we also have to - about that? we know quite a lot more about that but we also have to think. about that but we also have to think about that but we also have to think about the fact that with coronavirus there seems to be what we call super

spreader events, where one person can in fact a lot of people. that depends a lot on circumstances and place and timing, it is not necessarily dependent on the person, but more on the circumstances under which they can transmit. we do know of cases where one person has infected a significant number, which then increases the rate for everybody else, even if they are not infecting that many people because it has maybe been inflated by the super spreader events. there is always a risk indoors and everybody should try to protect themselves as much as possible.— much as possible. thank you both very much — much as possible. thank you both very much for— much as possible. thank you both very much for answering - much as possible. thank you both very much for answering those i very much for answering those questions, dr naomi forrester—soto and professor andrew hayward. the headlines on bbc news: the chancellor will extend the furlough scheme as part of tomorrow's budget, the business secretary confirms. the vaccine effect is being seen

in hospital admissions, which are down 80% for those over 80 years old after a single dose, new evidence shows. scotland's most senior law officer rejects criticism of the crown office during an appearance before a holyrood inquiry into the scottish government's mishandling of complaints against alex salmond. in less than a week's time, schools in england will have fully reopened, but secondary pupils will need a negative covid test before heading back into the classroom. fiona lamdin has been talking to students and teachers about how it will work. school biology labs transformed into testing centres. up and down, on your tonsils, a good four strokes of each tonsil. all secondary school pupils will need a negative test before they are allowed back into the classroom next week. these key worker children have been in school since january. they are now used to the tests.

i felt a bit nervous at first, but then, as soon as the test was finished, i felt much more relieved. it feels like i have got a protection bubble around us and my classmates. that everyone has got a test. we all know that we are safe. other schools have turned their drama and dance hall into a testing site. that's it and then in that test—tube there for me, please. by the end of the week, they will be testing over 1,000 students in two days. they come into the hall, they pick up their registration card and then they queue before being tested in one of these eight booths. the first time, it is kind of scary, but, once you do it again, then you get used to it and it is much more normal and easier. it feels normal. the first two times, yeah, it felt tickly. normally, these staff work in the admin team, sorting out admissions and exams. now they are running the whole operation. i think it is fair to say, in education, in the past 12 months,

we have been used to turning our hand to many things, but, yes, setting up an nhs test site has probably been the biggest one. we have taken a pragmatic approach. we have started testing earlier. we tested thursday, friday this week and we are testing again on monday, tuesday. that means that all children will be back into their normal timetable from wednesday morning. teachers are also being tested. many welcome the extra measures. ifeel more reassured knowing there is testing going on. especially with the idea that students are possibly asymptomatic. i think it is just an added layer to provide a little bit more reassurance. but it won't be long before students will be doing this at home. you are trying to avoid touching your teeth, your tongue, or the roof of your mouth. the reason why we are doing three tests in school is because we want them to be competent and confident with their technique, so that when they are at home, they know exactly what they are doing. instead of students, boxes with thousands of covid tests are now filling classrooms, as schools prepare for their next logistical challenge.

a congregation in herefordshire have been shocked to discover a fairly ordinary—looking painting of the last supper in their church is actually a long—lost masterpiece. sian lloyd has been to see it. an imposing painting of the last supper. it has hung in this parish church since the beginning of the last century. gifted by a localfamily, who brought it back from a visit to italy. never had it been supposed that the 12.5 foot artwork would be an original. but it had not always looked like this. two years ago, extensive renovation work was commissioned, and more of the picture was revealed. it had, over the centuries, got very dark. it was brown and sludgy, and didn't look at all inspiring. and then it was restored and we see what we have now. and it is a joy and a delight. the restoration was carried out by art historian

ronald moore, in his studio on the welsh english border. he was inspired to delve further. 11,000 hours of research, in fact, in which he uncovered its history. examination under ultraviolet light revealed the inscribed name of titian, one of the 16th century's greatest masters, and he's convinced the artwork was created by painters from the titian workshop, a common practice of the time. there is sufficient evidence, not just with the signature, but many, many facets, all come together to show that this is indeed a titian workshop picture. we've got a lot of evidence to indicate that. it's extremely important in that there is no titian workshop picture on this scale which has been undiscovered for such a long period of time. he believes that the apostle

wearing the golden robe is titian as a young man. the most likely painter of this figure, he believes, was titian's son. the value of the artwork can only be guessed at. a titian workshop painting last sold for more than £7 million. but at the parish church where it hangs in ledbury, its worth is not measured by its monetary value, but by the joy it brings to the congregation. they say it will be displayed here for years to come. sian lloyd, bbc news, ledbury. the only painting thought to have been completed by winston churchill during the second world war has sold at auction for more than £8 million. the artwork depicts a 12th—century mosque in marrakech at sunset, with the atlas mountains in the background. it has had several owners — including angelina jolie

when you think of surfing — you probably think of wide open beaches and big waves. but there are alternatives. there's wind—surfing of course — but what about ice—surfing? it's a high—speed sport — but there's not a wave in sight. tim allman explains. in helsinki, they certainly know how to improvise. much of the baltic sea is frozen this time of year. so little opportunity to hang ten. but you know what they say — necessity is the mother of invention. they call it ice surfing, a combination of wind surfing and ice skating. shooting across the surface, you can reach speeds of up to 100 kilometres an hour. conditions are just perfect. i call them happiness machines. they really make people smile. and it's such a joy, pure movement, and right now it's on. there are estimated to be around 1,000 competitors around the world, mostly based

in northern europe, russia and north america. but which is best? surfing the waves or surfing the ice? translation: they are so different. i can't really choose between them. the attraction in summer is that the waves make it more challenging, but in winter you can just race in straightaway. there is, of course, one potential fly in the ointment — spring. and as temperatures rise and the ice melts, the opportunities for fun disappear. so the moral of the story is, keep surfing while you can. tim allman, bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol kirkwood. hello, again. it's been a fairly cloudy and for some foggy start to the day. a lot of this will lift as we go through today, many of us will have a dry day with some sunny spells. but, some of the cloud will stick and be with us for much of the day only to reform again tonight.

some high pressure is firmly in charge of our weather. look at the spacing in the isobars, not much wind to break up the cloud and later we have this weather front coming from the south—west, introducing some showers. so the areas likely to hang on to the cloud are across parts of the midlands, parts of eastern england and we see some haar rolling on short from the north sea across eastern scotland but it will improve across the south, some sunshine coming through, sunshine for wales, north—west england and much of scotland, and the cloud in northern ireland breaking. these are the sustained wind speeds, nothing to write home about and the temperatures, if you are stuck under low cloud, we are looking at about 4—6 but in the sunshine we could get between 13 and 15. as we go through this evening and overnight, we see the fog reforming quite quickly, there will be lots of cloud around, becoming more extensive as we go through the night and we've got showers continuing to come up from the south—west. the cloud remains broken and we've got clear skies, cold enough for some frost

but it is going to be a cold night across the board, away from the south—west. that's because of this weather front, which throughout the course of tomorrow will be continuing to push further north and further east. taking the showery outbreaks of rain with it. some of those will be heavy, potentially thundery, a lot of cloud tomorrow, but you see there will be some breaks in the west, and as the showers come through, they should also break up the cloud, allowing some sunshine to come through. the top temperatures tomorrow could well be 14 degrees in any sunshine, but once again, 4—6 if you are stuck under cloud all day. as we head towards the end of the week, a new area of high pressure develops across iceland and as it moves across our shores, the wind around it coming from the north or the north—east, a colder direction for us. so that leads us into a cold few days. on thursday, any showers in the south—east will clear. a lot more cloud around. but brighter and still cold as we head into friday.

this is bbc news, i'mjoanna gosling. the headlines at midday: the chancellor will extend the furlough scheme as part of tomorrow's budget, the business secretary confirms. i think the chancellor has already indicated that we will be extending furlough. i think that has been part of a public announcement. i think there will be other measures that we will see tomorrow. scotland's most senior law officer rejects criticism of the crown office, during an appearance before a holyrood inquiry into the scottish government's mishandling of complaints against alex salmond. any suggestion from any quarter that the crown's decision—making has at any time been influenced by irrelevant considerations or improper motivations would be wholly without foundation. the number of covid deaths

in england and wales has fallen by a quarter in one week, new figures from the office for national statistics show. liverpool great ian stjohn has died at the age of 82, the club have announced. and coming up this hour... ..a congregation in herefordshire are shocked to discover an ordinary—looking painting of the last supper is actually a long—lost masterpiece. hello, and welcome to bbc news. the business secretary kwasi kwarteng has confirmed this morning that the chancellor will extend the furlough scheme in the budget tomorrow, where the taxpayer has paid millions of people's wages during the covid crisis. we've also heard that there will be extra support for the badly hit culture sector. £408 million will help museums,

theatres and galleries in england to re—open once restrictions start to ease. rishi sunak will also announce a £150 million fund to help communities to take over local pubs. treasury officials said a "significant chunk" will be given to cricket, as fans prepare to return to stadiums this summer. and an extra £77 million will be given to the devolved administrations in scotland, wales and northern ireland to provide their culture groups with similar backing. our political correspondent, chris mason, has this report how do you save your local pub? many were already closing permanently before the pandemic. how many more might follow now we are out of the habit of propping up the bar? in the budget tomorrow, the chancellor will announce that community groups across the uk could be given up to a quarter of a million pounds to help take over struggling pubs. there will be help, too, to buy into theatres and sports clubs. rishi sunak will also say he will spend £300 million

of taxpayers' money to help summer sports such as tennis, horse racing and cricket. the pandemic means the chancellor has borrowed vast amounts, built up a giant pile of debt and faces a huge political question — should taxes go up to pay for it all? the former conservative chancellor lord clarke said yes, they should, the other day. now the former tory leader lord hague has said the same in this morning's daily telegraph. rishi sunak has said he will level with people about the challenges we face. tomorrow, we will find out exactly what he means by that. chris mason, bbc news, at westminster. our political correspondent, damian grammaticas, is at westminster. quite a bit of detail coming through, damien, and this morning the news that the furlough scheme is

going to be extended. there has been a lot of pressure for that to happen. a lot of pressure for that to has en. , ., , a lot of pressure for that to has-en. , ., ., a lot of pressure for that to has-en. , . . ., a lot of pressure for that to ha en, , .,, ., ., ., ., happen. yes, there has, and a lot of ruestions happen. yes, there has, and a lot of questions about _ happen. yes, there has, and a lot of questions about whether _ happen. yes, there has, and a lot of questions about whether it - happen. yes, there has, and a lot of questions about whether it would i happen. yes, there has, and a lot of| questions about whether it would be. not much clarity from the government, otherthan not much clarity from the government, other than saying that support would continue and this morning, it may have been slightly inadvertent, but the business secretary has said that it will be ongoing. he was on bbc breakfast television and in case and he was asked very directly, will be furlough scheme continue? this is what he said. i think the chancellor has already indicated that we will be extending furlough. i think that has been part of the public announcement. i think there will be other measures that we will see tomorrow. and it used to be the case that, you know, budgets weren't divulged that often. i am not prepared to go into particular details, particularly as the chancellor is going to be introducing his budget tomorrow. so we will be extending furlough, he

said, that is really significant. 6 million people have been in that scheme, remember, brought in place last year, where the government has been paying 80% of wages through businesses, so a really significant measure for businesses as well. that was designed to try to prevent a wave of redundancies, where the government all those businesses to close their doors, so it makes sense that that will continue, as long as those businesses are being told they can't open, so until the end of restrictions, which ultimately for some businesses will bejune. that seems to be the likely end point at the minute. that is what we are not clear about, the minute. that is what we are not clearabout, is the minute. that is what we are not clear about, is at what point this would start to be withdrawn and how. that is a very difficult question for the government to address. he also said there are about other measures. the bbc understands from cabinet sources that that includes the universal credit additional £20

a week that has been added to universal credit since last year as well. that is £1000 a year for people, again there is significant for a very large number of people. the understanding is that that should continue for another six months again really important for very many people. months again really important for very many people-— months again really important for very many people. thank you very much, damien. _ very many people. thank you very much, damien. well, _ very many people. thank you very much, damien. well, one - very many people. thank you very much, damien. well, one of- very many people. thank you very much, damien. well, one of the i much, damien. well, one of the things that is expected tomorrow is a £400 million giveaway for the arts sector to help museums, theatres and galleries reopen. well, we can speak now to the executive director of the royal shakespeare company, catherine mallyon. thank you very much forjoining us. it sounds like a lot of money. obviously, there are a lot of organisations for it to go round, but what is your response to that? yes, of course. this is really good news and we are grateful for that support, as we have been all the way through this pandemic. it is also very good news to hear what you are just talking about in terms of the cg rs scheme and following. we also need support for our freelance community, self—employed people are really not getting the same level of

support and that is very important to us. and of course it does sound a lot of money because it is a lot of money, but it is a sector that has been quick to incredibly hit, about £1 billion worth of sales has been lost this sector. this year. it is not a giveaway, it is a real investment in a whole swathe of activity that is so important to us as people, in terms of our society and in terms of our economic recovery. and in terms of our economic recovery-— and in terms of our economic recove . , ., ., ., recovery. tell us more about how the r0 al recovery. tell us more about how the royal shakespeare _ recovery. tell us more about how the royal shakespeare company - recovery. tell us more about how the royal shakespeare company has i recovery. tell us more about how the| royal shakespeare company has been hit over the past year. weill. royal shakespeare company has been hit over the past year.— hit over the past year. well, in common _ hit over the past year. well, in common with _ hit over the past year. well, in common with so _ hit over the past year. well, in common with so many - hit over the past year. well, in common with so many people| hit over the past year. well, in i common with so many people we hit over the past year. well, in - common with so many people we have lost the majority of our non—funded income and we have had to close our theatres. we had managed to carry on online with education work and with some outdoor activity last summer, but we are still away from being able to open our theatres to audiences again. and of course, the road map is great to hear and hopefully from may and even more from june we will be getting close to being able to do that. we will open, we will be back in person

entertaining audiences and we will be welcoming and safe venues, but it won't be overnight because we need to make sure that the social distancing arrangements are reduced in a way to actually operate to capacity. and until we can operate at capacity, we really would also like be reduced vat rate to be continued on to have theatre tax relief extended until that time that we really can operate at full stretch. and also to see if we can get some government insurance support, in the same way that the tv and film industry has, because at the moment we can't get that and the shows are big, expensive shows and we need a lot of support to be the successful things they are. do you think that the — successful things they are. do you think that the creative _ successful things they are. do you think that the creative arts - successful things they are. do you think that the creative arts can i think that the creative arts can spring back, with the support? is it going to be enough to make sure that the things that we all knew and loved before will be there when we return, when this is over? i loved before will be there when we return, when this is over?- return, when this is over? i think it well. return, when this is over? i think it well- of _ return, when this is over? i think it well. of course _ return, when this is over? i think it well. of course we _ return, when this is over? i think it well. of course we will, -

return, when this is over? i think it well. of course we will, we i return, when this is over? i thinkj it well. of course we will, we will come back, we will deliver great art for everybody as a sector in the way we have, but i fear it will be different and i think it will be free to quite a while to be back for somewhere like the west end to be flourishing in full is going to take a time. as i said at the start, the impact on many of the freelance workers, who are 70% of our sector has been really serious and we will sadly have lost some talent and it is going to take time to recover from that. but in terms of commitment and dedication and ambition to do that, absolutely, the sector well. ambition to do that, absolutely, the sectorwell. but, ambition to do that, absolutely, the sector well. but, as you say, with the support that is entirely appropriate to have to make that possible. appropriate to have to make that ossible. ., , ., possible. catherine mallyon, executive — possible. catherine mallyon, executive director _ possible. catherine mallyon, executive director of - possible. catherine mallyon, executive director of the i possible. catherine mallyon, i executive director of the royal shakespeare company, they give very much forjoining us.— there's fresh evidence that the uk vaccine roll—out is having a big effect on the number of people taken into hospital, with admissions down by 80% for those aged over 80 after a single dose. despite the positive signs, doctors are urging everyone to remain cautious and continue to follow restrictions.

vishala sri—pathma reports. the speedy roll—out of the vaccine across the uk has meant that 20 million people have had a jab in their arm over the last few months, and new evidence suggests it's having a significant impact. public health england data show that a single shot of either the astrazeneca—oxford or the pfizer cuts the risk of needing hospital treatment for covid by up to 80% for those over the age of 80. 5,455 new infections were recorded in the past 2a hours, which is the lowest figure since september. and 14,808 people with covid in hospital, a significant drop from even just a few weeks ago. this all suggests that the vaccines offer strong protection. some believe this could help ease restrictions earlier than planned. according to government policy, they can only shift into the future.

we can only delay if the initial results of each phase of relaxation are disappointing. but i believe we should equally allow them to be advanced if the early success with the vaccine continues to outpace the assumptions that were sensibly made. it's wise to be cautious, but if things turn out to be better than expected, it is sensible to allow yourself to take that into account when that happens. but the message from the medical experts is not to get ahead of ourselves. it gives us those first glimpses of how, if we are patient and we give this vaccine programme time to have its full effect, it is going to, hopefully, take us into a very different world in the next few months. but we have to be patient, we have to push on with the vaccine programme. there is concern that the success of the vaccine may be

undermined by new variants, with several new cases of the brazilian strand now identified here in the uk. suppressing new variants will be easier if cases are kept low and the vaccine take—up continues to be high. health officials are keen that people still remain vigilant. vishala sri—pathma, bbc news. deaths from covid—19 in the uk fell by a quarter in the week of february 19th, according to new figures. the office for national statistics says a total of 15,577 deaths were registered that week, about 18% above expected levels for this time of year. but the numbers were also down on the previous week, when 17,136 deaths were registered. the french government has reversed its decision not to give the oxford astrazeneca covid vaccine to over 65s. it will now allow the jab to be given to people 65—74. health officials had previously restricted the vaccine to younger age groups

because of a lack of data from trials about its efficacy among the elderly. the us infectious diseases expert anthony fauci has warned his country against shifting to a single dose strategy for the pfizer and moderna vaccines. he said that delaying a second dose to innoculate more americans creates risks that would leave people less protected and enable variants to spread, as well as boost scepticism amongst some of the public, who are already hesitating over getting the jab. and a reminder that this afternoon we'll be answering your questions on the currentjobs market with the founder of the black young professional network and ceo of the youth group for advice on graduate opportunities, unemployment and how to re—train mid—career. send in your questions by emailing yourquestions@bbc.co.uk or by using #bbcyourquestions. that's at 3.30pm here on bbc news.

if you're watching on bbc two it's time to say goodbye. thanks for your company, hope you have a good afternoon and see you soon. the headlines on bbc news: the chancellor will extend the furlough scheme as part of tomorrow's budget, the business secretary confirms. scotland's most senior law officer rejects criticism of the crown office during an appearance before a holyrood inquiry into the scottish government mishandling of complaints against alex salmond. the number of covid deaths in england and wales has fallen by a quarter in one week, new figures from the office for national statistics show. sport now and, for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre, here's gavin. the liverpool legend ian stjohn has died at the age of 82

after a long illness. the club said they were deeply saddened. he began his career with motherwell before joining liverpool in 1961 and becoming a key member of bill shankly�*s famous team which transformed the club from a second—tier outfit to one of the biggest sides in europe. he was also capped 21 times for scotland. after retiring as a player, he began a successful television career as a pundit, later teaming up withjimmy greaves for the popular saint and greavsie show in the 19805 and '90s. another former scotland international, pat nevin, became friends with stjohn and recalls how influential he was at liverpool. at liverpool he became a legendary figure, not only for the team, liverpool had been struggling in the second division. they got back up and bill shankly himself said it was the start of liverpool becoming a great club. he scored a goal in the fa cup final, a cracker of a header that won it in extra time. anyone who has done that enough in the game anyway if you've just done that. all the other things he did as well.

he started to bring liverpool to become what it was, a giant of world football. leading trainer gordon elliot fears his licence will be taken away after a picture emerged on social media showing him sitting on a dead horse. david jennings, deputy irish editor at the racing post, has interviewed elliott, who has apologised for what he called a "moment of madness". he said his world was crumbling. elliott won the grand national twice with tiger roll, but he's been suspended from running horses in great britain until an investigation into the image is concluded. he is licensed in ireland, but the british horseracing authority said it was appalled. for an unrelated reason, tiger roll has been withdrawn from this year's grand national. according to the gigginstown stud, the weight handicap he'd been given was unfair and didn't reflect his age or his form. they said they hoped he would run next as planned in the cross country race at cheltenham on the 17th of march, and after that they'd consider his future wellbeing, which may involve retirement. that's all the sport. more for you in the next hour. very much, gavin, see you later. the scottish government's

senior legal adviser — who's been giving evidence to an inquiry at holyrood — has rejected criticism of the crown office. msps are investigating the scottish government's handling of complaints against former first minister, alex salmond. as you have reminded witnesses and members the actions of the crown are not within the remit of this committee. nevertheless, comments have been made about the crown which are without foundation and the public is entitled to hear the truth about these matters from me. as head of the system of criminal prosecution in scotland, it is my responsibility to establish arrangements for the proper administration of criminaljustice and that is what i have done in relation to this case. from the outset, i put its conduct entirely in the hands of principal crown counsel, scotland's senior professional prosecutor. like other crown counsel, he holds a commission which authorises him to exercise to the full my prosecutorial powers as lord advocate, and to do so without any reference to me. i also put in place specific arrangements so that the law offices have no personal involvement in this case. i did that to reinforce confidence

in the absolute integrity of the administration ofjustice. for that reason, the decisions in relation to contempt of court and other matters which have arisen since the trial have also been put entirely in the hands of crown counsel. any suggestion from any quarter that the crown's decision—making has at any time been influenced by irrelevant considerations or improper motivations would be wholly without foundation. insinuations or assertions to the contrary are baseless. our political correspondent, nick eardley, is following the story for us. anyone who watched alex salmond give evidence on friday will know that there are so many accusations that are being made against the scottish government and senior people in scottish life that this story really is a crisis that is touching so many different institutions. so, you heard the lord advocate

there giving a pretty passionate defence of his job and the department he runs, the crown office, saying that there is no way we were influenced by politics, there is no way that we were part of a cover—up to try and take some of alex salmond's evidence down last week. it was a pretty robust and staunch defence we heard from him there, after all that criticism last week. later on today, we are going to get some legal advice, which is another element of this story which is, should the scottish government have admitted to alex salmond that they were going to lose a court case against him a lot sooner? alex salmond reckons that they knew two months before they admitted defeat that they were going to lose. this legal advice has been a big row over the last few months. it's finally going to be published today, but already we have scotland's deputy first minister, john swinney, admitting that their lawyers that they brought in externally had some reservations about this case as early as october. it wasn't untiljanuary that the case was dropped.

the accusation you are going to hear today from opposition parties is that that cost the taxpayer in scotland hundreds of thousands of pounds. so we have all these different elements to the story. it can be quite hard to keep up sometimes, butjust remember, nicola sturgeon is before the committee tomorrow. it is going to be a really big moment because alex salmond has made allegations which her opponents say, if they are proved to be correct, would mean she has to resign. she has denied them, she has said she is looking forward to putting over her defence, but this is a really big week in scottish politics and i think we are finally going to get right to the heart of what was going on in this massive story, where alex salmond is accusing the woman who was once his protege of breaking the ministerial code, and many people around her of being part of this conspiracy to bring him down. nick eardley reporting. this morning, the health select

committee held its first session of an inquiry to examine government plans to reform the nhs and social care. the session considered plans for reforms of social care, workforce numbers and the extension of the powers of the secretary of state. we can speak to the former health secretary and now chair of the health and social care committee, jeremy hunt. hello, committee, jeremy hunt. thanks forjoining us. ho big hello, thanks forjoining us. how big are a change is in prospect here? u, ., big are a change is in prospect here? ., ., here? good afternoon, joanna. iwas health secretary _ here? good afternoon, joanna. iwas health secretary when _ here? good afternoon, joanna. iwas health secretary when we _ here? good afternoon, joanna. iwas health secretary when we had - here? good afternoon, joanna. iwas health secretary when we had to - health secretary when we had to augment the lansbury reforms and it is a massive risk for the government to make big changes to nhs structures, as we all found out in that period. i think the mood of the committee this time was a cautious welcome, but we think there are some very big gaps in what the government is proposing, mainly on social care and workforce. social care is the sector that always seems to get forgotten and in the last year i think we have just seen how brilliant front line and care workers have been in care homes and going round to people's homes. so i

think that was the main mood, really, let's make sure that we don't forget to do long—term workforce reforms that have long term, accountability, but if we can sort out those things this is broadly a step in the right direction. i broadly a step in the right direction-— broadly a step in the right direction. ~ ., ., ., ., direction. i know that you want a ten ear direction. i know that you want a ten year plan _ direction. i know that you want a ten year plan for _ direction. i know that you want a ten year plan for the _ direction. i know that you want a ten year plan for the social- direction. i know that you want a ten year plan for the social care | ten year plan for the social care sector, in the same way as was done for the nhs under you previously. is that looking like it is going to happen? that looking like it is going to ha en? ~ , . that looking like it is going to ha..en? . ,., , that looking like it is going to ha . en? . , ., , , happen? well, i shall be listening really carefully — happen? well, i shall be listening really carefully to _ happen? well, i shall be listening really carefully to what _ happen? well, i shall be listening really carefully to what the - really carefully to what the chancellor says tomorrow, but i think the problem is that in the treasury officials are always advising the chancellor. but if you sign up to something like this you will create a big expectation about more money. my argument to the chancellor would be, unless you look at the problems in the social care sector strategically it is going to end up costing us more because we are going to have to end up paying agency, nurses, locum doctors, more people going into the care homes. compare that to someone like denmark, where they've got a

national plan to reduce the number of people going into care homes by helping them to live independently at home, that actually ends up being much cheaperfor the at home, that actually ends up being much cheaper for the taxpayer as well. �* , ., . much cheaper for the taxpayer as well. �* y., ., much cheaper for the taxpayer as well. �* ., ., much cheaper for the taxpayer as well. �* y., ., ., ., well. and you have said about what well. and you have said about what we have seen _ well. and you have said about what we have seen and _ well. and you have said about what we have seen and learned - well. and you have said about what we have seen and learned over - well. and you have said about what we have seen and learned over the | we have seen and [earned over the past year. doesn't the last year been really strong sign that... that the can and can't cake keep been kicked down the road when it comes to social care?— to social care? yes, i would put it another way _ to social care? yes, i would put it another way actually, _ to social care? yes, i would put it another way actually, which - to social care? yes, i would put it another way actually, which is - to social care? yes, i would put it| another way actually, which is that if we are not going to reform the social care system properly this year, after a year in which the whole country has seen the sacrifices made by care workers, who frankly have had to put their lives at risk in periods where they couldn't access the ppe they needed, whether testing wasn't happening, and i think we all know how much we owe them if we are not going to sort out profound problems in that sector that this time, then i think people will start to give up and say, we werejust will start to give up and say, we were just never will start to give up and say, we werejust never going to will start to give up and say, we were just never going to do this. i want to ask you about covid, of

course. we got that good news today on the impact of the vaccine. hospital admissions down 80% for those over 80 years old, after a single dose. and the number of cases obviously being dramatically reduced. yesterday the 5455 new cases. ijust wondered, reflecting on what cases. i just wondered, reflecting on what you cases. ijust wondered, reflecting on what you said last month about where we need to be followed and to be eased, you said 1000 cases a day was the benchmark then. do you think we are making faster progress than may have been anticipated at the beginning of last month? and actually, we could end up in a position where lockdown could be lifted sooner than the 21st ofjune? it is a good question. the biggest risk we have got at the moment, which has also been on your programme a lot, has been these new variants and mutations and they worry that we are going to get a mutation that is immune to the viruses vaccines that we have. the best way that we do that is to bring

down the number of daily cases, which is why i said we should get them down to 1000 or below because that reduces the risk of new variants. and the vaccine is the biggest ally in doing that because the other big news about the vaccine is notjust the 80% reduction in those going to hospital, but the fact it is now looking pretty clear that the vaccine stops you picking up that the vaccine stops you picking up the virus and passing it on a symptomatic to others, so it really does cut the spread of the virus in the community. so i think it is really encouraging, but i think what we got to do is in a way learn from what we didn't do last summer. as these cases come down, we then need to introduce really strong, ruthless test and trace quarantining systems for the people who do have the virus, so that we keep it under lock and key and stop it mushrooming again, which might lead to a need for another lockdown. find again, which might lead to a need for another lockdown.— again, which might lead to a need for another lockdown. and what would that look like? —

for another lockdown. and what would that look like? because _ for another lockdown. and what would that look like? because currently - that look like? because currently the nhs test and trace system is in place, people get pinged in order to stay at home. is it clear how many of those people who get ordered to stay at home test positive? because thatis stay at home test positive? because that is the sort of statistic we need to know about, isn't it, as we go into a new phase of opening up the economy and trying to three people, unless they really have to stay at home?— people, unless they really have to stay at home? that would be really helful. i stay at home? that would be really helpful. i think— stay at home? that would be really helpful. i think it _ stay at home? that would be really helpful. i think it is _ stay at home? that would be really helpful. i think it is fair _ stay at home? that would be really helpful. i think it is fair to - stay at home? that would be really helpful. i think it is fair to say - helpful. i think it is fair to say the nhs test entry system is doing much better than before in terms of statistics, contacting over 90% of contacts and so on, but the one thing that is of concern is the around 20% of people who are not isolating when they are asked to buy test and trace. these are people who have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for covid and some of them are still going to work. that is something we really do need to sort out because if someone has been near someone with covid, we need them to quarantine. and once the numbers start to go quite low, i think we could learn how to get

better at enforcing that. jeremy hunt, better at enforcing that. jeremy hunt. thank _ better at enforcing that. jeremy hunt, thank you _ better at enforcing that. jeremy hunt, thank you very _ better at enforcing that. jeremy hunt, thank you very much. - better at enforcing that. jeremy i hunt, thank you very much. thank ou. the duke of edinburgh is expected to remain in hospital until at least the end of the week. he was transferred yesterday from king edward vii hospital, where he had spent the last fortnight, to st bartholomew's. our correspondent tom symonds is outside the hospital where the duke is being treated. no sign of any visits or no updates from the palace. just the simple holding position that the duke is responding to treatment and is comfortable. i think you can read in between the lines to the current situation a little bit. he was in hospital, a private hospital, the king edward vii�*s hospital, in the west end of london, for 13 days and now approaching his strongest ever hospital admission procedure. he was therefore an infection and now the palace has talked about a period of testing and observation before a

pre—existing heart condition. of course, st bartholomew's is one of the pre—eminent heart facilities in the pre—eminent heart facilities in the country, if not europe. it has a wide range of surgeons, ten operating theatres, full scanning facilities, so clearly he is here almost certainly because of his heart condition, which dates back to 2011. he was admitted to hospital in cambridgeshire in 2011, after suffering really chest pains and went on to have a stent fitted. that is a device that keeps the blood vessel open. and he has been looked over and over the years for that. despite being somebody who is a pretty good health, despite his age, he is of course 99. so i think that is the priority here, making sure thatis is the priority here, making sure that is looked after. and so far really we have no other intelligence as to what might be happening in the hospital. the only thing that has happened which i think it is notable in the last 12 hours or so is that the palace released a video of the

queen doing a zoom call to the governor and the premier of south australia. the reason being that they had installed a new statue of her at government house and she was joking, saying that it would be alarming for somebody to look out the window and think that the queen was coming on an unexpected visit. this was last wednesday, but the tone was light and friendly and there didn't seem to be any sign of concern from that video. but of course we are very much reading between the lines.— course we are very much reading between the lines. well, let's see more of what _ between the lines. well, let's see more of what tomtom _ between the lines. well, let's see more of what tomtom was - between the lines. well, let's see i more of what tomtom was referring between the lines. well, let's see - more of what tomtom was referring to there with official duty. melt. more of what tomtom was referring to there with official duty.— there with official duty. well, it is morning _ there with official duty. well, it is morning to — there with official duty. well, it is morning to me, _ there with official duty. well, it is morning to me, i— there with official duty. well, it is morning to me, i don't - there with official duty. well, it is morning to me, i don't know| there with official duty. well, it - is morning to me, i don't know what time of day it is to you. on her first video call to australia yesterday, she virtually unveiled a statue of herself. now it's time for a look at the weather with louise lear. hello, again.

once again it has been a day of contrast across the country. we've seen some beautiful sunshine across western fringes, as you can see quite clearly. a lot of cloud lingering close to those north sea coasts and perhaps it will continue like that all day. you can see clearly where that powder spelling of the north sea on the satellite picture. of the north sea on the satellite icture. ~ ., of the north sea on the satellite icture. a, . ., , picture. more cloud putting in throuuh picture. more cloud putting in through the — picture. more cloud putting in through the evening - picture. more cloud putting in through the evening and - picture. more cloud putting in - through the evening and overnight and at the same time a week where the front pushing into the far south—west that will bring some showers into cornwall and south wales by the end of the night. here perhaps temperature staying at six or 7 degrees, low single figures under the cloud, may be just below freezing if the cloud continues to be well broken. so tomorrow we can split the country into three. sharp showers from the from the south—west, the cloud once again lingering over the east coast, sheltering areas of western scotland and north—west england may be dry and north—west england may be dry and sunny. the temperature is disappointing out of the east, a maximum of 1a.

hello, this is bbc news with joanna gosling. the headlines: the chancellor will extend the furlough scheme as part of tomorrow's budget, the business secretary confirms. i think the chancellor has already indicated that we will be extending furlough.

i think that has been part of a public announcement. i think there will be other measures that we will see tomorrow. scotland's most senior law officer rejects criticism of the crown office during an appearance before a holyrood inquiry into the scottish government mishandling of complaints against alex salmond. any suggestion from any quarter that the crown's decision—making has at any time been influenced by irrelevant considerations or improper motivations would be wholly without foundation. the number of covid deaths in england and wales has fallen by a quarter in one week, new figures from the office for national statistics show. liverpool great ian stjohn has died at the age of 82, the club have announced. more than a million people were overcharged by energy firms during the process of switching

suppliers, the regulator ofgem has said. 18 suppliers, including some of the biggest names in the sector — british gas, e.on, edf, npower, scottishpower, sse and octopus — made the mistakes, which led to overcharging of £7.2 million. our business reporter vivienne nunis is here. it isa it is a lot of money cumulatively, isn't it, vivian, not so much individually. what have they said about what needs to happen now, ofjen? you what have they said about what needs to happen now, ofjen?— to happen now, ofjen? you need to imaaine to happen now, ofjen? you need to imagine you're _ to happen now, ofjen? you need to imagine you're signed _ to happen now, ofjen? you need to imagine you're signed up _ to happen now, ofjen? you need to imagine you're signed up with - to happen now, ofjen? you need to imagine you're signed up with your. imagine you're signed up with your energy company on a monday, they had been your energy company for a while, but you decide you want to switch. they say, ok, we will get this process under way, but that can take anything from a few days to three weeks. meanwhile, while you're still signed up with your energy company on a monday, they had been your energy company for a while, but

your energy company for a while, but you decide you want to switch. they say, ok, we will get this process under way, say, ok, we will get this process underway, but say, ok, we will get this process under way, but that can take anything from a few days to three weeks. meanwhile, while you're still signed up at that first energy company, on tuesday they decided to hike up energy charges, you have already flagged that you are leaving, so ofjen says she should never have been charted at higher rates, but you did get caught up on that and you are charged extra. that is why ofjen saying that more than a maple —— a million people who went through that will get a refund. because it was only a few days or a couple of weeks you would charge that higher tariffs, that is why it is not enough a large amount, only about £6 per person. if you're someone who received higher energy bills, you would receive more. what bills, you would receive more. what the said bills, you would receive more. what they said to — bills, you would receive more. what they said to the _ bills, you would receive more. what they said to the energy _ bills, you would receive more. what they said to the energy company is about it. they have to give the money back, but is there more than a rap over the knuckles over this? this came from a number of energy companies themselves to flag the regulator who said that that some of their customers have been paying more than they should have, given that given that ruled they shouldn't have been charged more. once ofjen was notified at that they said ok,

we will ask all energy suppliers to look back at their accountancy of more people were affected. in terms of the worst offender, they had nearly 250,000 companies cut up in this. shell, scottishpower, british gas, sse had more than 100,000 customers affected by this and they will get a refund. some of them will get goodwill payments as well, so close to the energy suppliers of around £10 million. since face to face visits in care homes were stopped in march last year, many families have been unable to have any close contact with their loved ones. during the latest lockdown, some homes in england have been able to allow visits at their own discretion, as long as safety guidance has been followed, but on monday, care home restrictions in england are being relaxed. new rules will allow residents to have visits from one designated person. they will be able to meet indoors and hold hands, but not get closer. the visitor must test negative for coronavirus before entering the home and wear ppe at all times.

whilst the relaxation of the rules has been welcomed, some campaigners say choosing just one nominated visitor is an impossible decision and one that families shouldn't have to make. west end star ruthie henshall has only been able to see her mum through a window for the past six months. she's been speaking to graham satchell about the impact this is having on her, and herfamily. can you see me? wave! i love you! i love you so much. it makes me very... it makes me very emotional, because i am watching my mother die from a window. that is what is happening. i love you, mummy. i miss you so much.

i promise i'll get to see you soon. # i dreamed a dream in time gone by # when hope was high and life worth living... ruthie henshall is a star of west end musical theatre. # i dreamed that love would never die...# she says she owes her success to her mum gloria. gloria was a drama teacher. she nurtured a generation of actors and performers. she was a very inspirational woman. she taught me very early on that you have to make your own luck, kind of thing. and that you need to be at the front if you want to get seen.

# there's somebody i'm longing to see # i hope that he turns out to be # someone who'll watch over me #. ruthie's mum now has dementia. they face—time like this and visit through the window. but ruthie hasn't been able to see gloria in person since october. in that time, her mum's dementia has worsened considerably. she was walking and talking before lockdown and, four months later, she couldn't speak, she couldn't walk. they were mushing up herfood. she took such a severe dive. and i was completely shocked. i wanted to ask you how mum was the last time you saw her. she was better than the last time, but, obviously, she has gone down considerably and rapidly

in this lockdown. this is ruthie's sister, abi. their mum's care home allows one visitor perfamily — behind a screen with no physical contact, in accordance with current government guidance in england. because of ruthie's work commitments, they decided abi should be the designated visitor. how does that make you feel, knowing that you are the only one who goes to see her — you know, the good and bad of it? well, i think it's unfair. i think it's unfair to you and susan. i think it's unfair to mum. it's cruel to leave old people wasting away mentally, physically, emotionally. it's cruel. there's no other word for it. the new guidelines in england, starting next week, will still only allow one visitor, but will let them meet loved ones without a screen, and hold hands. ruthie says that is not enough. she is part of a campaign group called rights for residents. it says that with testing and ppe, at least two family members should be able to visit with proper

physical contact, hugging. i am begging the government to do the right thing. i think if you ask every single one of those people in the homes, they would say, "please let me see my loved ones. i'll swallow the risk, that small, tiny risk, for the fact that i could get to touch them and hold them again." you can understand, can't you, care homes needing to be cautious, because they've lost so many of their residents? yes, but the risk is minimal. and you have to weigh it up against the risk of them dying of loneliness. imagine that you are in a world of dementia where you are losing reality, you are losing memories, and you are not even allowed

to be touched, either. you can't have that luxury. that is all they have left. give them their family. ruthie's mum's care home says it will follow the government's new guidance. the government in westminster told us the guidance is a cautious first step to allow greater visiting in the future. but, for now, ruthie is left having to visit her mum through a window. i'm here, mummy. i'm here. i'm not going to leave you. and i love you. the former liverpool and scotland forward ian stjohn has died at the age of 82.

he helped the team win two english league titles and the fa cup, later in his career becoming a tv personality. the former liverpool and england player alan kennedy knew ian stjohn. thank you forjoining us. how will you remember him? it is thank you forjoining us. how will you remember him?— thank you forjoining us. how will you remember him? it is very sad news, you remember him? it is very sad news. first _ you remember him? it is very sad news. first of— you remember him? it is very sad news, first of all, _ you remember him? it is very sad news, first of all, when _ you remember him? it is very sad news, first of all, when i - you remember him? it is very sad news, first of all, when i heard i news, first of all, when i heard that this morning. on behalf of the football club and the ex—players, as well. he was part of that ex—players committee. i remember him being chairman. everybody saying how good he was at his job. as a footballer, as well, we should remember him for that. appearing in cup finals and winning titles, as well. very, very sad news and are countenances go to his family. sad news and are countenances go to his famil . ~ ., , sad news and are countenances go to his famil . ~ .,, ,., _ his family. when he was bought by the club from _ his family. when he was bought by the club from motherwell -

his family. when he was bought by the club from motherwell in - his family. when he was bought by the club from motherwell in 1961, l his family. when he was bought by| the club from motherwell in 1961, a record £37,500 was paid for him. there were questions at the club around whether that is money that should be paid and bill shankly said we can't afford not to buy him. what impact did have club? has we can't afford not to buy him. what impact did have club?— impact did have club? as club? as soon as he — impact did have club? as club? as soon as he came _ impact did have club? as club? as soon as he came to _ impact did have club? as club? as soon as he came to the _ impact did have club? as club? as soon as he came to the club, - soon as he came to the club, everything changed. they change theirformation, they everything changed. they change their formation, they went more direct at the time. it proved a great point that liverpool wanted to be part of the top two or three teams in the old first division. he was certainly... he played his part in terms of his contribution. he never missed that many games. i think at times he was kicked from pillar to post, but hejust got think at times he was kicked from pillar to post, but he just got on with it. consequently, got some trophies at the end of it. i think he was very pleased and stayed on

merseyside for most of his life, so coming from scotland, i know he went back up there as a manager of one of the teams, but he felt as though he was comfortable on merseyside. hagar was comfortable on merseyside. how loved was he — was comfortable on merseyside. how loved was he on _ was comfortable on merseyside. how loved was he on merseyside? well, l loved was he on merseyside? well, his record is — loved was he on merseyside? well, his record is right _ loved was he on merseyside? well, his record is right up _ loved was he on merseyside? well, his record is right up there - loved was he on merseyside? -ii his record is right up there with the players of the time, the roger hunt's players of the world, they were beacons for the fans, they came to watch centre forward scored goals and he certainly did that. he listened to what bill shankly had to say, he took everything in and of course, again, he had his own opinion as well on one or two occasions, and that led him into fisticuffs with a lot of football players, but certainly take nothing away from his ability. his ability

was second to none. he was a natural, natural goal—scorer and people will always remember him for maybe the cup finals of 1965, 1966, but he was such a great, great player. but he was such a great, great -la er. �* but he was such a great, great laer. , ., , player. and the personality was able to shine more _ player. and the personality was able to shine more again _ player. and the personality was able to shine more again through - player. and the personality was able to shine more again through the - to shine more again through the saint and greavsie tv show. that was so funn , saint and greavsie tv show. that was so funny. wasn't _ saint and greavsie tv show. that was so funny, wasn't it? _ saint and greavsie tv show. that was so funny, wasn't it? i _ saint and greavsie tv show. that was so funny, wasn't it? i remember - saint and greavsie tv show. that was | so funny, wasn't it? i remember some of its, so funny. when i played for liverpool in 19781 remember saint and greavsie being on tv. we couldn't leave the programme to go and play the football match until the programme had finished. we had ronnie moran and joe fagan sang, we have to go, we have a football match kicking off at three o'clock, but we couldn't wait because they were

tremendous ex—players putting it all together and making us feel comfortable. a great programme, loved it to bits and everybody will remember him certainly for his football career, but also for state and greavsie. i football career, but also for state and greavsie.— football career, but also for state and greavsie. i love that you were han . inc and greavsie. i love that you were hanging back _ and greavsie. i love that you were hanging back to — and greavsie. i love that you were hanging back to get _ and greavsie. i love that you were hanging back to get the _ and greavsie. i love that you were hanging back to get the full - and greavsie. i love that you were hanging back to get the full dose l and greavsie. i love that you were l hanging back to get the full dose of him on tv before playing! that’s him on tv before playing! that's riuht. we him on tv before playing! that's right. we actually _ him on tv before playing! that's right. we actually got _ him on tv before playing! that's right. we actually got to - him on tv before playing! that's right. we actually got to the - him on tv before playing! that's . right. we actually got to the ground sometimes a little bit after what should have been. if you got past two o'clock you start worrying a little bit, you're getting the kids out and all that. he used to finish his show and he would sometimes come into the dressing room withjimmy tarbuck in one or two of the others. we used to have fits of laughter before again. he is giving team talks and all that and telling us how to play. i swear, it was so funny. it made us go out there and

he said this a lot of the times, when you go out there, you are playing for liverpool football club, and we stood a bit taller, we stayed and we stood a bit taller, we stayed a bit broader and we made sure that we were representing the club and he was part of that, i must admit. that is so nice to — was part of that, i must admit. that is so nice to hear, _ was part of that, i must admit. that is so nice to hear, the _ was part of that, i must admit. that is so nice to hear, the camaraderie, the stardust, the impact on new players after he was actively involved with the club. because he was in ex-players. _ involved with the club. because he was in ex-players, and _ involved with the club. because he was in ex-players, and he - involved with the club. because he was in ex-players, and he was - involved with the club. because he j was in ex-players, and he was still was in ex—players, and he was still wanting to be out with us. never mind that other scottish centre forward, kenny dalglish i think it was at the time, never mind about him, get ian stjohn in, he is still not too old to be part of the team, he still felt part of it! he had so

much going on. when he spoke it was all sensible. we were all going, well, he must be right, it is ian st john. ~ ., ., ~ well, he must be right, it is ian st john. ~ ., . ~' well, he must be right, it is ian st john. ~ ., ., ~ i. well, he must be right, it is ian st john. ~ ., . ~ . john. wonderful. thank you so much for 'oinin: john. wonderful. thank you so much forjoining us— john. wonderful. thank you so much forjoining us in _ john. wonderful. thank you so much forjoining us in sharing _ john. wonderful. thank you so much forjoining us in sharing your- forjoining us in sharing your memories. is. g. the headlines on bbc news: the chancellor will extend the furlough scheme as part of tomorrow's budget, the business secretary confirms. scotland's most senior law officer rejects criticism of the crown office, during an appearance before a holyrood inquiry into the scottish government mishandling of complaints against alex salmond. the number of covid deaths in england and wales has fallen by a quarter in one week, new figures from the office for national statistics show. now on bbc news, as part of a four—part series, our political correspondent alex forsyth looks at how the pandemic has affected people's relationship with those who represent them in power at a more local level.

today's focus is on mayors. even in lockdown, manchester's not lost its vibe. but the shoppers can't browse when the shutters are down. the city has grown used to restrictions. they stayed in place here last year even when elsewhere things seemed more upbeat. that prompted anger from greater manchester's mayor, remember this? this is no way to run the country in a national crisis. he said, despite significant government support, parts of the north were getting an unfair deal. at this restaurant, the owner has a similar view. she has kept ticking over with takeaways but feels hospitality in manchester was hard hit. all of a sudden, london was saying, we are going down a tier now, so we can open all our bars, restaurants, shops, and it can sort of go back to normal. you think, well, it's almost like two different rules for one country. manchester wasn't the only place to push back against government policy, despite ministers saying

it was fair. this was the conservative mayor when the west midlands faced extra restrictions. it's in my view not the right decision, both for the health and indeed the livelihoods of citizens across the west midlands. the pandemic raised the profile of these elected mayors, who are meant to boost their areas with budgets and powers independent of westminster. but head across england, not everywhere has got one. there are different systems of local government in place. powers have been handed down at a different pace. in hull, two councils have teamed up hoping for a mayor with local clout. some think towns and cities should have more say over what happens in their area, whether on a very local basis, or more regionally, which could mean more elected mayors, with powers and budgets to make decisions away from westminster. the question is whether or not that would help the government keep its promise of tackling inequalities across the country, which will be so important as we recover from coronavirus.

take ella. she's had help from a council scheme to start her own beauty business but says young people often don't know where to look for support. i don't think anybody my age knows anything about that, like, where to turn to. obviously if a mayor came in and sort of knew how to engage with people my age, it would work. the government says it will rebuild the economy in a way that is fair across the country, empowering communities with local resources and more money and control. so is a mayor the answer for hull? i think there is plenty of scope for local choice now. when it goes bad, they blame westminster. when it goes good, they take the praise for it. i don't think you need another layer of decision. do you think the government in westminster understands what this area needs? no. i don't think they do. look what boris did l for london, you see? he was mayor, wasn't he? he was. so, yeah, i think maybe a mayor

would be a good idea. _ back in manchester, businesses cannot wait to open their doors. normally this would be full of pianos and full of people trying them out. unfortunately, that can't be happening at the moment. dawson's music has shops shut across the country but the owner is hopeful of bouncing back if, he says, local and national politicians work together. there is that adage that those who shout loudest kind of get. and we need to make sure that manchester, and, you know, the cities, do that. there needs to be a balance. yes, we fight for what we need, but not at the expense of not having a voice at national level. that is the tension thrown up by this pandemic. who knows what's best for where we live? who should hold the power and make decisions that could be crucial as towns and cities start moving again? alex forsyth, bbc news.

let's return now to the news that the former liverpool and scotland forward ian stjohn has died at the age of 82. he helped the team win two english league titles and the fa cup, later in his career becoming a tv personality. roy evans is liverpool's former manager. lovely to see you. thank you for joining us. our sad day for all liverpool fans.— joining us. our sad day for all liverpool fans. joining us. our sad day for all liveroolfans. . , liverpool fans. yeah, very sad day. unfortunately. _ liverpool fans. yeah, very sad day. unfortunately, one _ liverpool fans. yeah, very sad day. unfortunately, one of _ liverpool fans. yeah, very sad day. unfortunately, one of our - liverpool fans. yeah, very sad day. unfortunately, one of our greats i liverpool fans. yeah, very sad day. l unfortunately, one of our greats has passed away and we send our condolences to his family from everybody. it is a sad day. one of the early players in the bill shankly era, thatjoke liverpool from being a second division team, basically, to being one of the english greats, if you like. how instrumental _ english greats, if you like. how instrumental was _ english greats, if you like. how instrumental was he _ english greats, if you like. how instrumental was he in - english greats, if you like. how instrumental was he in the transformation?—

instrumental was he in the transformation? ~ , ., transformation? well, he played a bi art, transformation? well, he played a big part. but _ transformation? well, he played a big part. but it— transformation? well, he played a big part. but it is— transformation? well, he played a big part, but it is always _ transformation? well, he played a big part, but it is always about - transformation? well, he played a big part, but it is always about the team. it is notjust about one gag, but everybody doing theirjob, but he made a big difference to his enthusiasm, determination and his ability was absolutely fantastic. i was only a young lad when he joined the club, probably in the mid—19 60s, and i was a supporter who used to stand and watch him and he was my hero, which most centre forwards are, the glory boys. he was one of them, one of the guys that everybody liked how he played. you them, one of the guys that everybody liked how he played.— liked how he played. you went on to meet that hero. _ liked how he played. you went on to meet that hero. can _ liked how he played. you went on to meet that hero. can you _ liked how he played. you went on to meet that hero. can you tell - liked how he played. you went on to meet that hero. can you tell us - liked how he played. you went on to | meet that hero. can you tell us more about your personal memories of him, it must have been quite a moment when you first met him. he it must have been quite a moment when you first met him.— it must have been quite a moment when you first met him. he was one of those guys. _ when you first met him. he was one of those guys, great _ when you first met him. he was one of those guys, great sense - when you first met him. he was one of those guys, great sense of- of those guys, great sense of

humour, but if you did something wrong, he would tell you as well, he would be on your case. he was a great enthusiast. he wanted things to be right. i was only a young lads and on the training pitch he would be a help to young lads, trying to make them better. he was a true professional and, as i say, he brought an excitement to the team, just with his name only. ian st john, what a name that is, it brought people to understand what he was. great player and a sad loss. again, after the football he went to the management side and then he went and did the same ten greavsie tv stuff, which i think was great to watch because she felt she could join in and have a laugh. they were both serious about the game but both had a bit of humour to the way they

produced it. i had a bit of humour to the way they produced it— produced it. i was talking to alan kennedy earlier, _ produced it. i was talking to alan kennedy earlier, he _ produced it. i was talking to alan kennedy earlier, he was - produced it. i was talking to alan kennedy earlier, he was saying l produced it. i was talking to alan i kennedy earlier, he was saying that they would all watch that programme before playing, and sometimes they would get to the ground is a little bit late because they didn't want to miss what he said. he would also sometimes come to the ground afterwards after the game and be in the changing room with them. man the changing room with them. alan kennedy always _ the changing room with them. ffjfii"! kennedy always had excuses for the changing room with them. .fjfii�*u kennedy always had excuses for being late! he would get to the ground sometimes leads. i would say he was a massive football enthusiast. he was scottish and had a great love for the scottish side of football, but when he came to liverpool he really took to another level. rot; really took to another level. roy evans, really took to another level. roy evans. thank — really took to another level. roy evans, thank you _ really took to another level. roy evans, thank you forjoining us. now it's time for a look at the weather with louise lear hello there. contrasting conditions once again across the country.

it was a cold night into the far north—west, with a frost, but that has brought some beautiful sunshine. just take a look at keswick in cumbria this morning, not a cloud in the sky. a different story further east, once again close to the north sea we are likely to keep the low cloud, the misty murkiness, which will have quite an impact on the temperature. and the satellite picture is really illustrating that point quite nicely. the western fringes of scotland, north—west england, wales, down into the south—west so far has seen the best of the suntan. as we go through the day we are confident that some of that cloud will start to burn back to north sea coasts, but it may linger once again across parts of eastern england down into lincolnshire and those temperatures are likely to struggle as well. so at the very best, we could just see around 5 or 6 degrees here, top temperatures through the afternoon peaking at 13 celsius. now, as we move into the evening we are likely to see more fog returning in off the north sea. by contrast, a bit more of a breeze will pick up and a weak weather front

will bring some showers into the far south—west of cornwall and devon as we go through the end of the night. here temperature staying at around 7 degrees, elsewhere with the cloud around we will perhaps keep those temperatures above freezing. so this little front is going to enhance some showers down to the south—west, spreading their way slowly northwards as we go through the day on wednesday. some of those showers could be quite heavy, maybe the odd rumble of thunder feeling their way steadily out of wales towards the midlands and maybe perhaps along that m4 corridor as well. to the north and east, we keep some cloud. it stays disappointing where the cloud is at around [i or 5 degrees, top temperatures once again in the south—east if we get some sunshine at 1a. but the weather story is set to change, the colder air will return as a new area of high pressure drifts in from the north and we start to see the wind direction swinging round to more of a north—easterly. that is going to drive in a cooler air mass across the country eventually, so by thursday a different feel for all of us. there will be a fair amount of cloud

around as well by comparison. top temperatures likely to be 5—8 degrees. we mightjust scrape double figures into the far south—west, but this cooler, quieter story is set to stay with us right into the weekend. no significant rain, but a disappointing feel.

figures going in the right direction: deaths from covid in the uk are down by a quarter in one week. driven by the effects of lockdown and the success of the vaccination programme, which has now reached more than 20 million people. we'll be asking what it means for the timing of easing of restrictions. also this lunchtime... the day before the budget — and confirmation from a government minister that furlough will be extended. i think the chancellor has already indicated that we will be extending furlough, i think that's been part of a public announcement. i think there'll be other measures that we'll see tomorrow. scotland's top lawyer faces questions about the scottish government's handling of complaints against former first minister alex salmond. changes of mind in europe: after france says it will now offer

the oxford vaccine to the over 65s — germany looks set to follow suit