this is bbc news. the headlines... at eight. down by a quarter injust a week. deaths from covid in the uk are the lowest level since the start of the year. are the lowest level since the start of the year-— of the year. what all this shows is that the vaccine _ of the year. what all this shows is that the vaccine is _ of the year. what all this shows is that the vaccine is working. - that the vaccine is working. reducing the number of deaths among those who are vaccinated first and preventing hospital admissions. this is real—world evidence. irate preventing hospital admissions. this is real-world evidence.— is real-world evidence. we will have all the latest — is real-world evidence. we will have all the latest on _ is real-world evidence. we will have all the latest on coronavirus - is real-world evidence. we will have all the latest on coronavirus as - is real-world evidence. we will have all the latest on coronavirus as the l all the latest on coronavirus as the search for the person linked to the brazilian variant is narrowed to just a few hundred thousand in southeast england. the chancellor says he will protectjobs in tomorrow's budget is the furlough scheme is to be extended. pontoons makes change changes after whistle—blowers as it routinely

discriminated against iris look irish families with a black list of some surnames without back on tv after six years. the bbc revives the general behind normal people, killing eve and feedback. tributes to sirjohn and one half insects who died at the age of 82. and hundreds of people in exeter are still waiting to return to their homes after they were evacuated for a controlled explosion of a second world war bomb. controlled explosion of a second world war bomb. good evening welcome to bbc news. there is growing evidence tonight that a culmination of national lockdown and the highly successful roll—out of vaccines is leading to a

sharp reduction in covid deaths. according to the latest figures from the office of national statistics and a number of registered coronavirus deaths in england and wales has fallen by more in a week to the lowest level since the start of the year. the reduction has been welcomed by both scientific and health experts. although some have warned of the need to remain cautious especially with schools in england reopening next week. here is our health editor hugh pam. the streets may still look quiet but we are on the road to recovery. that's the message from ministers in england today. with positive news about the impact of vaccines preventing serious illness and deaths. and they hung for a missing person infected with the brazilian variant of coronavirus has been narrowed down to 379 households in southeast of england. the health secretary while warning of the need from caution gave mps in our upbeat assessment was up the vaccine is working. assessment was up the vaccine is workinu. . , ., working. reducing the number of

deaths among — working. reducing the number of deaths among those _ working. reducing the number of deaths among those who - working. reducing the number of deaths among those who are - deaths among those who are vaccinated first and preventing hospital admissions. this is real—world evidence that the vaccine is protecting the nhs and saving lives. ., , ., ., lives. one measure of the covid im act is lives. one measure of the covid impact is the — lives. one measure of the covid impact is the total _ lives. one measure of the covid impact is the total number - lives. one measure of the covid impact is the total number of i lives. one measure of the covid - impact is the total number of excess deaths in the uk. this line shows the five—year weekly average for a total reported death. and here's what's been happening since the start of 2020. and there was a sharp spike last april largely because of covid. then the numbers fell back again before another steep increase at the end of last year and into january. since then the number has been falling back. this map shows cases per 100,000 in different parts of the uk. light blue shows the lowest number. overall numbers are falling but there are still some hotspots. in eastern and central england shown here in red. the numbers are moving in the right direction but there is still in ten strain on the front line of the nhs.

with no sign of respite for hospital staff who had to cope with a huge serve in covid patient numbers since the new year. this serve in covid patient numbers since the new year-— serve in covid patient numbers since the new ear. �* , , , _, ., the new year. as the cases come down were coming — the new year. as the cases come down were coming down _ the new year. as the cases come down were coming down from _ the new year. as the cases come down were coming down from a _ the new year. as the cases come down were coming down from a really - the new year. as the cases come down were coming down from a really high l were coming down from a really high level. across our hold membership we are hearing from nhs leaders that covid—19 remains a major pressure. at a probably will do so for some time. , , , at a probably will do so for some time. ,, , ., ., , ., time. russell is normally fit and active but he's _ time. russell is normally fit and active but he's recovering - time. russell is normally fit and active but he's recovering from | active but he's recovering from covid at home after leaving hospital last week. it's like drowning, it's horrible. he had been an award where others did not pull through. his message is, don't think covid has gone away. message is, don't think covid has gone away-— message is, don't think covid has gone away. you will know it about it's serious. _ gone away. you will know it about it's serious, so _ gone away. you will know it about it's serious, so serious. _ gone away. you will know it about it's serious, so serious. i've - gone away. you will know it about it's serious, so serious. i've seen| it's serious, so serious. i've seen people _ it's serious, so serious. i've seen pe0ple pass _ it's serious, so serious. i've seen people pass by and it's not very nice _ people pass by and it's not very nice pete: _ people pass by and it's not very nice. pete: might think they remove immune _ nice. pete: might think they remove immune from it or scared of the vaccine — immune from it or scared of the vaccine i— immune from it or scared of the vaccine. i wish i'd had the vaccine in max _ vaccine. iwish i'd had the vaccine in max i— vaccine. i wish i'd had the vaccine in may. i take it straightaway without — in may. i take it straightaway without a _ in may. i take it straightaway without a shadow of a doubt. it�*s a without a shadow of a doubt. it's a reminder that _ without a shadow of a doubt. it's a reminder that the _ without a shadow of a doubt. it�*s —. reminder that the vaccination programme has a way to go and that

people are still getting very sick with covid. but the overall picture is looking brighter than it was. the devolved government in northern ireland has published its 5—step plan for easing lockdown cases. unlike england and its so—called road map, there are no datesjust conditions to be met on infection rates and hospitalisations. the first stage will see the rules around outdoor socialising relax along with the partial return of teaching in classrooms. our correspondent has theirs. fancy a cocktail? know died out though. take at this once lively up at ease belfast have been keeping business taking over during the doldrums of lockdown. what pubs will reopen in stage four of the plans was about when that will arrive isn't clear. close for seven months last year when i closed for three months at

least this year. what we are hoping for? i wanted to be open and the first of april of the 12 or the 29th above. we wanted some clear indication on a date.— above. we wanted some clear indication on a date. how quickly it northern ireland _ indication on a date. how quickly it northern ireland moves _ indication on a date. how quickly it northern ireland moves through i northern ireland moves through these. , . , northern ireland moves through these. , ., , ., , , ., ., these. five stages of its plan, how cuickl these. five stages of its plan, how quickly places _ these. five stages of its plan, how quickly places like _ these. five stages of its plan, how quickly places like this _ these. five stages of its plan, how quickly places like this can - these. five stages of its plan, how quickly places like this can open i quickly places like this can open again— quickly places like this can open again will— quickly places like this can open again will all be dictated by key health— again will all be dictated by key health figures.— health figures. such is the art number hospitalisations i health figures. such is the art number hospitalisations in i health figures. such is the art| number hospitalisations in the number hospitalisations in the number of people who have had the vaccine. by not including dates ministers have left them to go more consciously of cases were to rise again. but for many that's the biggest source of frustration. taste biggest source of frustration. we will not be driven by hard dates. we recognise _ will not be driven by hard dates. we recognise that everyone will be looking — recognise that everyone will be looking for a certainty but we do not want — looking for a certainty but we do not want to send potentially unachievable dates that will only disappoint. unachievable dates that will only disa oint. .. , unachievable dates that will only disauoint. , ., ., �* , disappoint. places that don't sell alcohol like _ disappoint. places that don't sell alcohol like this _ disappoint. places that don't sell alcohol like this bakery _ disappoint. places that don't sell alcohol like this bakery and i disappoint. places that don't sell alcohol like this bakery and cafel disappoint. places that don't sell l alcohol like this bakery and cafe on the north coast will get to open earlier in stage two.— the north coast will get to open earlier in stage two. we've really felt the soap _ earlier in stage two. we've really felt the soap and _ earlier in stage two. we've really felt the soap and show— felt the soap and show responsibility- felt the soap and showl responsibility especially felt the soap and show- responsibility especially in a felt the soap and show— responsibility especially in a small time _ responsibility especially in a small time we — responsibility especially in a small time we dont— responsibility especially in a small time. we don't want _ responsibility especially in a small time. we don't want to _ responsibility especially in a small time. we don't want to open i responsibility especially in a small. time. we don't want to open unless it's totally _

time. we don't want to open unless it's totally safe _ time. we don't want to open unless it's totally safe to _ time. we don't want to open unless it's totally safe to do _ time. we don't want to open unless it's totally safe to do so. _ time. we don't want to open unless it's totally safe to do so.— it's totally safe to do so. while school popils _ it's totally safe to do so. while school pupils in _ it's totally safe to do so. while school pupils in england i it's totally safe to do so. while school pupils in england can i it's totally safe to do so. while i school pupils in england can return on monday in northern ireland it's only some in primary and those taking exams. with most staying home till after easter. i taking exams. with most staying home till after easter.— till after easter. i think we have traditionally _ till after easter. i think we have traditionally been _ till after easter. i think we have traditionally been more - till after easter. i think we have i traditionally been more cautious. we have also had probably more time to think and learn from the mistakes that have perhaps been made in other jurisdictions. the that have perhaps been made in other “urisdictions. ' . , ., jurisdictions. the effects of liftinu jurisdictions. the effects of lifting restrictions - jurisdictions. the effects of lifting restrictions will i jurisdictions. the effects of lifting restrictions will be . lifting restrictions will be measured constantly. i will be reviewed every four weeks. we will begin to taste freedom will only come gradually. so don't put that big night out in your diaryjust yet. the latest official figures show there were 6391 new coronavirus recorded over at the latest 2a hour period. it means an average of 7680 new cases were recorded per day in the last week. across the uk 12,748 people are in hospital with

coronavirus. of the past 24 hours 343 deaths have been recorded for the people who have died within 28 days of a positive covid test. on average 280 for deaths were announced every day in the past weeks bringing the total number of people who have died to 123,296. onto the vaccination figures. 233,000 -- 203,168 have had onto the vaccination figures. 233,000 —— 203,168 have had their vaccine in the latest. nearly 20 and a half million people have now had their first a half million people have now had theirfirstjob. it is budget day tomorrow all eyes on what the chancellor will do to take the country through lockdown and beyond. the government has made it clear that the furlough scheme which is brought millions of employers will be sent. rishi sunak has vowed to do whatever it takes to support people through the pandemic. our economic editor of faisal islam looks ahead

to a budget that will take place against an unprecedented economic background. there is never been a budget backdrop like this with lockdown restrictions still in place events companies such as ruby leman and essex are left with empty offices its business obliged to shut down. in the months to come there is a path out of this but for now several million britons and their employers such as hers remain reliant on government support for wages and livelihood. if reliant on government support for wages and livelihood.— wages and livelihood. if furlough isn't extended _ wages and livelihood. if furlough isn't extended until— wages and livelihood. if furlough isn't extended untiljune - wages and livelihood. if furlough isn't extended untiljune or- wages and livelihood. if furlough i isn't extended untiljune or further we would potentially have to close. because we wouldn't have the capacity, we wouldn't be able to pay our employees for the time until events came back.— our employees for the time until events came back. when the furlough scheme was — events came back. when the furlough scheme was first _ events came back. when the furlough scheme was first established - events came back. when the furlough scheme was first established just i scheme was first established just under a year ago around 9 million workers had up to 80% of their wages paid. that fell as the economy reopened over summer but is gone back up in the latest lockdown to

less than the first lockdown but still just less than the first lockdown but stilljust under 5 million. they cost so far is £55 billion and counting. the business secretary this morning acknowledged that the scheme will continue. i this morning acknowledged that the scheme will continue.— scheme will continue. i think the chancellor _ scheme will continue. i think the chancellor has _ scheme will continue. i think the chancellor has already _ scheme will continue. i think the chancellor has already indicated | chancellor has already indicated that we — chancellor has already indicated that we will be extending furlough. ithink— that we will be extending furlough. i think that's been part of a public announcement. i think there will be other— announcement. i think there will be other measures that we will see tomorrow — other measures that we will see tomorrow-— tomorrow. this is the budget document — tomorrow. this is the budget document for _ tomorrow. this is the budget document for tomorrow. i tomorrow. this is the budget document for tomorrow. the j document for tomorrow. the chancellor — document for tomorrow. the chancellor today _ document for tomorrow. chancellor today was document for tomorrow.- chancellor today was putting the final touches to his budget speech. meeting young workers on a video call. he promised to deploy the full fiscal but not firepower of the treasury and tomorrow's statement. includes in their very personal social media preview that protecting livelihood is the title of the statement and the support isn't going anywhere. find statement and the support isn't going anywhere-— statement and the support isn't auoin an here. �* ., �*, ., ., going anywhere. and that's not going to start. going anywhere. and that's not going to start- this — going anywhere. and that's not going to start. this is _ going anywhere. and that's not going to start. this is actually _ going anywhere. and that's not going to start. this is actually last - to start. this is actually last ears to start. this is actually last years budget. _ to start. this is actually last years budget, the _ to start. this is actually last years budget, the numbers| to start. this is actually last i years budget, the numbers never to start. this is actually last - years budget, the numbers never saw the light of day. the pandemic

officially declared just hours after this was published, no mention of furlough. that scheme both extremely expensive but it could be cheap at half the price if as designed millions ofjobs basically put into hibernation in the lockdowns can be restored as some sort of normality returns on the back of the roll—out of the vaccine. self employed workers such as these musicians have also been calling on the government alongside the opposition and other mps to address gaps in their separate support scheme. so support will be the priority alongside warnings about high borrowing. but the chancellor will also try to paint a picture of a post pandemic, provost did not post—brexit green recovery in the years to come. while our deputy political editor says the chancellor will tomorrow set out the difficult decisions he'll have to

take in order to get the public finances back under control. i think it will be very _ finances back under control. i think it will be very clear— finances back under control. i think it will be very clear tomorrow i finances back under control. i think it will be very clear tomorrow that l it will be very clear tomorrow that we are still in the emergency phase of all of this. there will be more help after unprecedented levels of spending and borrowing. but he wants to continue to supportjobs and businesses. the other part of this is his language. promising to be honest about difficult decisions ahead. by that he signalling that he wants to get borrowing back under control. the question is, there is going to be language around warning saying to people this is going to be tough, bills that need to be paid but how much detail will there be about exactly he's going to do? and under pressure for some conservatives who traditionally want to talk about balancing the books. it is also the prime minister who quite like spending on big shiny product during that project was up he got mps that would like to do the same. i think where those tax rises fall, who has to pay them when they

come, all of that still very much open. but i think he will very much know that spending the money is the easy part. taking it away is a much bigger political challenge. let’s bigger political challenge. let's s - eak to bigger political challenge. let's speak to the — bigger political challenge. let's speak to the chairman - bigger political challenge. let's speak to the chairman of- bigger political challenge. let's speak to the chairman of federation of small businesses and a small business owner himself. it seems that the furlough scheme will be extended. universal credit increases will continue for a while, as well. but with the caveat, with a warning that once we are through this pandemic and coming out the other side it will have to stop. it is that good — side it will have to stop. it is that good enough? - side it will have to stop. it is that good enough? it - side it will have to stop. it 3 that good enough? it deepens what he actually means by when it's going to stop. i don't think any of us expected nearly a year ago this was going to last longer than three maybe six months. of course we saw the extension of furlough into the autumn and it sends been extended even further. clearly, training for nonessential retail, pubs,

restaurants, gyms, headdresses is notjust going to come backjust like that. some of those sectors it's going to take a long time before they get back to certain normality. and obviously depends on how long social distancing may or may not be in place. so furlough as we've said for a long time has to be taken off it. that's what is required, it cannotjust stop when things come back on the 21st of june. it does need to continue and take on words. the other thing that employees have had to suffer for some time is the ongoing contributions the national insurance and pensions that aren't covered at the moment. where as they were covered in the first lockdown on march the 23rd. a lot to be done. if what we have seen trialed so far it comes to fruition and what he says tomorrow there's going to be a lot of help out there. badly needed help. because the next two to three

months as the economy starts to get back to some sorts during accents of martin normality it's normality backs on loans not having customer base, not being able to transfer into e—commerce sites and things like that. it really a difficult time at the moment. this help is going to be absolutely essential. we hope to hear about all that help tomorrow. hope to hear about all that help tomorrow-— hope to hear about all that help tomorrow. ., ., , ., , ., , ., tomorrow. how do you shape that ta - ir? tomorrow. how do you shape that tapir? what _ tomorrow. how do you shape that tapir? what equation _ tomorrow. how do you shape that tapir? what equation do - tomorrow. how do you shape that tapir? what equation do you i tomorrow. how do you shape that tapir? what equation do you use | tapir? what equation do you use before you reduce that support? this massive spending cannot continue indefinitely, obviously. everyone accepts that. what is the formula to bring the support down?— bring the support down? clearly trade is not _ bring the support down? clearly trade is not going _ bring the support down? clearly trade is not going to _ bring the support down? clearly trade is not going to return i bring the support down? clearlyl trade is not going to return 100% bring the support down? clearly i trade is not going to return 100% on the 21st ofjune. it's going to have to be tapered as it was previously. when we saw the tapering off between all these september and october last

year. something similar i would hope he's got up his sleeve. of course we all know that at some point public sector finances are going to have to be brought under better control. we know that. but now is not the time for tax increases, now is time to help thousands of businesses and individuals who missed out on a lot of the support so far to get that extra help to stop just to see them over the short—term bump and get back to some sort of normality as we move... ., . y back to some sort of normality as we move... ., ., , , .,, ., back to some sort of normality as we move... ., ., , , ., move... how many people are you aware of have — move... how many people are you aware of have missed _ move... how many people are you aware of have missed out - move... how many people are you aware of have missed out on i move... how many people are you aware of have missed out on all i move... how many people are you aware of have missed out on all ofj aware of have missed out on all of this? because those with limited companies, directors, have they received any help so far are not? there are a lot of individuals that are self—employed, new start ups, company directors you alluded to. i don't think anybody knows the true figure. but it's hundreds of thousands who have not yet been able to allow themselves or the existing

support structures that have been in place. all of the support has been incredibly welcome for businesses. i think we would hope tomorrow that they chancellor will address some of these gaps. they chancellor will address some of these aa s. ., , they chancellor will address some of these as. . , , , these gaps. ultimately, it seems likel , these gaps. ultimately, it seems likely. i'm _ these gaps. ultimately, it seems likely. i'm not — these gaps. ultimately, it seems likely, i'm not sure _ these gaps. ultimately, it seems likely, i'm not sure if— these gaps. ultimately, it seems likely, i'm not sure if you've i these gaps. ultimately, it seems likely, i'm not sure if you've read the comments, that taxation is going to have to rise. corporation tax which of course is a tax on profits is probably one of the way of doing it. would that be something that you would accept and understand as part of the way of paying back the money? i think certainly increasing some business taxes has got to happen. i think we all accept that. it's a question of where these tax increases fall. i think concern for small businesses and businesses across who are spaced users, it's the business rate system that drastically needs total reform. we

would hope that where the government putting this off until the autumn it really does give us all time to get full reform of business rates. which is paid out before you even make £1 is paid out before you even make e1 of sale. and look at that in the context of overall tax situation. of course we've got insurance contributions and we hope that maybe something tomorrow which will enable jobs to be better created by either reduction or deferral to get those jobs back up and running and have the businesses alongside the support that he's going to offer. fikag. the businesses alongside the support that he's going to offer.— that he's going to offer. okay. i'm sure it will — that he's going to offer. okay. i'm sure it will be _ that he's going to offer. okay. i'm sure it will be back _ that he's going to offer. okay. i'm sure it will be back to _ that he's going to offer. okay. i'm sure it will be back to you - sure it will be back to you tomorrow. will be finding about the budget and all the predictions are. in tomorrow's front pages at 10:40pm and 11:30pm this evening in the papers. my my guest tonight our deputy political editor of sunday and the broadcast author hope

you canjoin you can join us you canjoin us for you can join us for that. it is 18 minutes past eight. time for all the sports. hello. we haveit time for all the sports. hello. we have it fixed up that tennis match yet but we will. one match in the english premier league this evening. manchester city are looking for a 21st successive win in all competitions and they're hosting wolves. victory at the etihad would take them 15 points clear at the top. they have discord in the past couple of minutes. currently one nailed to manchester city. 17 and a half minutes played in that one. 17 and a half minutes played in that one. tributes have been pouring in for ian stjohn today — after it was announced the liverpool legend died at the age of 82 following a long illness. stjohn joined liverpool in 1961 from motherwell and was a key member of the famous bill shankly side, that became one of the biggest teams in europe. capped 21 times by scotland — he later established a career in television — alongsidejimmy greaves,

for the popular saint and greavsie show back in the 80's and 90's, and former liverpool defender phil thompson told us earlier of his fondness of watching it. will always remember the saints laugh. it was quite loud and he would just laugh at everything that came about. so it was different. yes, he was serious when it needed it. but they had a laugh, they had the crack, they have a little bit of fun banter and it made our saturday afternoons. so it was something different from what we'd always been served. leading trainer gordon elliot says he fears his licence will be taken away, after a picture emerged on social media showing him sitting on a dead horse. he told david jennings of the racing post that his world was crumbling. eliott has apologised, saying it was a "moment of madness" but he's been suspended from racing in great britain until an investigation is concluded. elliott has won the grand national three times — twice with tiger roll and he's licensed in ireland but the british horseracing authority

said it was appalled. the formula one constructors champion mercedes have presented their new car for the season ahead. it carries on the anti—racism black paint theme, updated with a flick of silver to represent their traditional colours. world champion lewis hamilton is aiming for what would be a record eighth career title, in what could be his final season with the team despite extending his contract until the end of this campaign. firstly, i'm kind of any fortunate position where i have achieved most of the stuff that i have wanted to achieve up until this point. so there is no real need, necessarily, to plan too far ahead in the future. i think we live in quite an unusual period of time in life, and ijust wanted one year, then we can talk about if we do more and keep adding if we have to. england's cricketers will be looking to level their series against india when the fourth test gets under way in ahmedabad on thursday. they were beaten inside two days in the previous match,

but opening batsman zak crawley says there's no reason why england can't end the series on a high. there is definitely the way back. we've already won one game down, we've on the test in first test match. it's still requiring us to get a good first lead and that's going to require us to back really well. i've been doing nicely. and then get a nice lead in the first and after the runner i think... and finally world rugby has recommended the 2021 rugby world cup for women be delayed for a year. this follows a number of covid cases in auckland and the problems of teams having to quarantine before the tournament starts. it was due to begin on september the 18th and is the first women's world cup in this sport to be held in the southern hemisphere, hosted by the five time and reigning world champions. just a quick instructor open being

played in milton keynes henry the same time world champion is three —— one down against england in that one. if you like it tennis, i like this look a little bit more actually. all rights catch you in the next hour or so. let's turn now to the bitter row between scotland's minister and nicola sturgeon over how that administration handled that sexual harassment against them. tonight they are calling for nicola sturgeon to resign up the scottish government confirmed that its lawyers expressed reservations about its battle with mr salmond more than two months before it admitted defeat and had to pay him more than half £1 million in legal costs. here's our scotland editor. nicola sturgeon and alex salmond have been calling each other liars for months. today some of the truth behind their biddle battle was revealed as her government handed

over legal advice that had been refused to release. faced with losing a vote of no—confidence the deputy first minister was forced to back down. , , ., , , back down. episode 'ust ten minutes a . o back down. episode 'ust ten minutes ago content _ back down. episode 'ust ten minutes ago content that i back down. episode just ten minutes ago content that this _ back down. episode just ten minutes ago content that this government i ago content that this government holds for this parliament. for months the committee has been calling for publication of the legal advice. there've been to vote in parliament last year calling for it to be published. only now at the very last moment with a today, some of the truth behind their bitter battle was revealed, as her government handed over legal advice they had been refusing to release. i think he said that a gun had been metaphorically held to my head. now, i don't think, presiding officer, that is appropriate terminology for one member of parliament to use to another. msps are angry it has taken so long to get the advice and about the timing of its release. how does the deputy first minister

propose the members of the committee will be able to pursue questions that might arise from the legal advice with the first minister or indeed anyone else in this government, given it has been produced to us so late in the day? the information will be available later this afternoon, so unless mr fraser goes to his bed at five o'clock, he can read it tonight. alex salmond took the scottish government to court in 2018 to challenge the way it investigated complaints of sexual harassment against him. he won and was paid over half £1 million in legal cost, when the government admitted to acting unlawfully. so was nicola sturgeon warned months earlier that the government was highly likely to lose but are much if so, and she carried on regardless, alex salmond says that is a breach of the ministerial code that could cost her herjob. nicola sturgeon says she will relish the opportunity to give evidence to the inquiry tomorrow. she will be question four hours, under oath, over what she knew and when about the allegations

against alex salmond and that legal advice. expect a resolute rebuttal from the woman who knows her career could be on the line. little earlier political correspondent explained the significance of that legal advice. the scottish government has released ahead of nicola sturgeon is evidence tomorrow. this is developing and pretty complicated. i say the heart of it these two colossal figures in scottish politics. once the best of fran and now peter m doing my enemies. they had evidence given to msp and the scottish parliament on friday. he left so many questions about the way nicola sturgeon had dealt with harassment allegations against him. as we start to see some of the answers to those questions i think the situation is getting worse by the hour for nicola sturgeon at the moment. she's facing a number of

claims when she gives evidence tomorrow. there is a claim that she lied to parliament. there is a claim that she failed to tell the truth about meetings she held there is a claim that her government waste of taxpayer money by not dropping a legal action involving him when the lawyers were telling him they were probably going to lose. that's just the start of it. the number of allegations that they have made about nicola sturgeon would probably keep me here all night. she's going to have a real test tomorrow to answer all of those questions. have got to say, for a politician whose party is doing so well in the polls just nine weeks out from scottish parliament election, this is a really dangerous moment for nicola sturgeon. it feels to me like the pressure tonight is really growing ahead of her appearance tomorrow. this

evenina her appearance tomorrow. this evening scottish _ her appearance tomorrow. this evening scottish conservative say they will table. he was also asked if he thought that no—confidence vote could potentially bring down nicola sturgeon. mr; vote could potentially bring down nicola sturgeon.— vote could potentially bring down nicola sturgeon. my instinct at the moment is no _ nicola sturgeon. my instinct at the moment is no because _ nicola sturgeon. my instinct at the moment is no because although i nicola sturgeon. my instinct at the l moment is no because although the smp are a minority party in the scottish parliament, if you add in the support of the greens who are also pro—independence, they have the majority and the soundings coming from the greens tonight suggest that they want to see the parliamentary inquiry go forward before they try and bring down the first ministerjust a few before they try and bring down the first minister just a few weeks before an election. from the greens tonight suggest that they want to see the parliamentary inquiry go forward before they try and bring down the first ministerjust a few weeks before an election. that said, nicola sturgeon is, you know, facing some really difficult moments over

the next few weeks. so we mentioned a moment ago that suggestion that she's broken the ministerial code — that's the rules that ministers in the uk have to abide by. if that's true, normally she'd be expected to resign, and there are a number of allegations against her when it comes to the ministerial code. but she denies them, and tomorrow — probably over several hours, by the way — we're going to hear her give her version of events and try and launch a defence of her own actions and the actions of her government. as i say, nicola sturgeon's a politician who's been really popular over the last few years who's been largely seen in the polls as successful in government — although there have been some big problems. tomorrow is a really tough day. nicola sturgeon is due to appear in front of the holyrood inquiry tomorrow. we'll bring you full coverage from 9am here on the bbc news channel. the public inquiry into the manchester arena attack has heard, for the first time, that firefighters who were prevented from going to the scene of the bombing were so upset, they later turned their backs on a senior officer.

the revelation came during evidence from a firefighter who was on duty that night. our north of england correspondent, judith moritz reports. ambulances and police cars surged towards manchester arena after the bomb but no fire engines. they were held back for two hours, some crews even sent in the opposite direction to a fire station three miles away. we did study the sheet long and hard, to say, "phillips park, phillips park, why are we going there?" and we thought we were going there because there was a planned. and did it become apparent to you, i'm just asking about your view, i whether there was in fact a plan? there was no plan. an hour after the explosion, frustration amongst firefighters was mounting, prompting watch manager andrew simister to make this call into the fire control room. asa fireman as a fireman here...

by the time the first engines made it to the scene, it was too late for firefighters to help carry injured people out of the arena. when they went back to their station later, several of them turned on the senior officer. everybody was angry, all ashamed to be wearing the uniform. did you and other firefighters l turn your backs on a cfo harris and walk away from him, in what you describe i in your statement as discussed? yes, sir, that's correct. this is the first time that rank and file firefighters have spoken to the public enquiry about their feelings. i felt ashamed to be a firefighter. i felt like we had let the people of greater manchester down. people were crying. i've never seen firefighters cry to debrief, never. 22 people died when the bomb exploded at the arena. the inquiry will have to establish whether any lives could have been saved if the emergency response had been better. judith moritz, bbc news, manchester.

one of reggae's most important voices, bunny wailer, has died at the age of 73. the musician was a founding member of the wailers, who went on to find international fame with bob marley. the star, whose real name was neville o'riley livingston, had been a childhood friend. he was also the winner of three grammys and was given jamaica's order of merit in 2017. his death was confirmed by his manager and jamaica's culture minister. bunny had been in hospital since having a stroke injuly last year. now it's time for a look at the weather with louise lear. good evening. more of this to come through the night tonight, low cloud and mist rolling in off the north sea once again. but there will be the risk of a few showers developing from this little weather front moving into the southwest, and that'll push its way out of cornwall, devon and in the south wales towards dawn tomorrow morning. so, yes, those showers will continue to drift their way along the m4 corridor.

the fog will slowly lift and the low cloud should burn back to north sea coasts. out to the north and west again, we should see a drier, brighter, sunnier moments from time to time. so it's a messy weather story to try to tell as we go through wednesday afternoon. in terms of the feel of things, well, cooler into the north, particularly if the cloud lingers, 4—6 celsius with maximums likely of 14 celsius into the southeast corner. as we move through thursday into friday, we keep that dry weather, but cooler for all the temperatures struggling to get a double figures. that's it, take care. hello, this is bbc news. i'm tim wilcox. it is 10:33pm, the headlines... down by a quarter in just a week, deaths from covid in the uk are at the lowest level since the start of the year.

what all this shows is that the vaccine is working, reducing the number of deaths among those who were vaccinated first and preventing hospital admissions. this is real—world evidence. the search for the person linked to the brazilian variant is narrowed to a few hundred houses in south east england. the chancellor says he'll be protecting jobs in tomorrow's budget. the furlough scheme is to be extended. there are calls tonight for the first minister of scotland, nicola sturgeon to resign, after newly—published legal advice raised more questions about the investigations into her predecessor, alex salmond. holiday firm pontins makes changes after a whistle—blower reveals it routinely discriminated against irish families — with a blacklist of some surnames. and coming up: as the uk looks ahead to leaving lockdown, we'll head to one part of the british isles going back in. the holiday company, pontins, has agreed to change its working

practices after it emerged it had a blacklist of irish surnames used to screen out bookings from gypsies and travellers. it follows an equality and human rights commission investigation after it was contacted by a whistle—blower. the company had 40 mainly common irish names on its blacklist. our business correspondent vivienne nunis said that there has been widespread condemnation of pontins working practises in light of the ehrc�*s investigation. they are, look, the detail in this story is quite shocking in some ways. when you look at the list of names that was published on the internet — we're talking about names like murphy, mcginnis, really kind of common irish surnames — any potential customer who would try and book with that surname or, indeed, try and ring up — if they had an irish accent, were kind of red flagged by this company who sought to then blacklist them, prevent them from bookings

so they couldn't stay at the six holiday parks that pontins owns across england and wales. pontins have been forced to sign this legally—binding agreement agreement saying they will change their working practices. the ehrc will then monitor them for a year and make sure that there are no further breaches like we've seen in the past. if there are breaches, it could lead to court action further down the road. but for now, that's all pontins will have to do. there has been a lot of reaction, though. alastair pringle, the executive director of the ehrc, said, "it's hard not to draw comparisons of what pontins have been doing in the signs displayed in pub windows 50 years ago explicitly barring irish people and black people." the ceo of the traveller movement, yvonne macnamara, has said, "well, this is a truly shocking case." she's not surprised because she frequently hears of gypsies and travellers being turned away from holiday parks because of their ethnicity — across the country, that is,

not just this company. and also, the prime minister's official spokesperson was asked about this, and he said, "it's completely unacceptable to discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity, and it's right that the ehrc and pontins have been investigated over this." so quite a strong reaction, given those claims that were so damning, really. sarah mann is the director of friends, families and travellers — a charity dedicated to help the gypsy, traveller and roma community. i must say when i first saw this story, it reminded me of those signs and hotels and shops 50—60 years ago. it seems extraordinary. when did you first hear about this, and do you know any of the people affected? , . , do you know any of the people affected? , ., , , �* do you know any of the people affected? , . , , �* ., affected? this really isn't a surrise affected? this really isn't a surprise to _ affected? this really isn't a surprise to us _ affected? this really isn't a surprise to us because i affected? this really isn't a l surprise to us because we've affected? this really isn't a - surprise to us because we've been seeing these stories and hearing these calls coming to our helpline over several years now. i've heard a mother in tears over the phone because their family's holiday, which she had booked and saved for,

had been cancelled in short notice over an e—mailfor stops had been cancelled in short notice over an e—mail for stops she was told it was because she wasn't on the electoral roll. i didn't know you need to be on that to have a british holiday. she was distraught and humiliated, herfamily didn't get the break they needed. now she lived on a traveller site, and both she and i thought that was a reason she and i thought that was a reason she had been refused. but of course, it's very difficult to prove ed individual allegation until you have somebody like this very brave whistle—blower who's come forward and provided the evidence. [30 whistle-blower who's come forward and provided the evidence.- and provided the evidence. do you live and provided the evidence. do you give pontins _ and provided the evidence. do you give pontins any _ and provided the evidence. do you give pontins any of— and provided the evidence. do you give pontins any of the _ and provided the evidence. do you give pontins any of the benefit i and provided the evidence. do you give pontins any of the benefit of. give pontins any of the benefit of the doubt at all? do you accept that perhaps historically, there have been problems with traveller families at some stage of the year, specific ones, but not all targeted and bunched up together? i mean, do you take that point? so

and bunched up together? i mean, do you take that point? 50 oii and bunched up together? i mean, do you take that point?— you take that point? so of course, any holiday _ you take that point? so of course, any holiday provider— you take that point? so of course, any holiday provider is _ you take that point? so of course, any holiday provider is entitled i you take that point? so of course, any holiday provider is entitled to | any holiday provider is entitled to refuse business to a family that caused difficulty at their site. but that doesn't extend to the discriminating against a whole group of individuals, as we've seen. and i think that would apply to any other ethnic minority. if we were to translate this into another ethnic minority group, then i think we would be seeing things quite differently. ii i would be seeing things quite differently-— would be seeing things quite differently. ifi make, i'll 'ust read out a i differently. ifi make, i'll 'ust read out a statement i differently. ifi make, i'lljust read out a statement from i differently. ifi make, i'lljust- read out a statement from pontins, which i think we can show our viewers now. .is . is that good enough for you? it's aood to . is that good enough for you? it�*s good to see that they'll do that, but really, pontins should be

issuing a formal apology to the families whose holidays they destroyed. and they have an opportunity here to reach out to gypsy opportunity here to reach out to gypsy and traveller families through gypsy gypsy and traveller families through gypsy and traveller families through gypsy and traveller families through gypsy and traveller organisations to make things right... find gypsy and traveller organisations to make things right. . .— gypsy and traveller organisations to make things right... and maybe offer some free holidays _ make things right... and maybe offer some free holidays when _ make things right... and maybe offer some free holidays when the - some free holidays when the restrictions are lifted? i think it's making — restrictions are lifted? i think it's making sure _ restrictions are lifted? i think it's making sure that - restrictions are lifted? i think| it's making sure that traveller families are welcome, as any other group would be. and i think that's all anyone would ask for. tell group would be. and i think that's all anyone would ask for.- all anyone would ask for. tell me about why _ all anyone would ask for. tell me about why this _ all anyone would ask for. tell me about why this commission i all anyone would ask for. tell me about why this commission still l about why this commission still exists for the traveller community, like education, health, and even getting married in church services where some churches are reluctant to help out? 50 where some churches are reluctant to hel out? , . ., help out? so the experience of discrimination _ help out? so the experience of discrimination is _ help out? so the experience of discrimination is sadly - help out? so the experience of discrimination is sadly all i help out? so the experience of discrimination is sadly all too l discrimination is sadly all too common an experience for gypsy and traveller families, common an experience for gypsy and travellerfamilies, who common an experience for gypsy and traveller families, who find their holiday park booking refused, their

campsite or caravan park they perhaps hoped to stay in is suddenly full, or doesn't take that kind of caravan, when referring to a caravan model by hobby... it's notjust holidays, it can be home and vehicle insurance which is vital, registration with the dentist, which is absolutely critical. and as you mentioned, wedding reception bookings all refused once the name or the postcode on the vehicle dashed or the vehicle type are known. there's many ways to practice this discrimination without being completely outright.— this discrimination without being completely outright. sarah, thank ou ve completely outright. sarah, thank you very much — completely outright. sarah, thank you very much indeed _ completely outright. sarah, thank you very much indeed for - completely outright. sarah, thank you very much indeed forjoining i completely outright. sarah, thank. you very much indeed forjoining us on bbc news this evening. thank you very much indeed forjoining us on bbc news this evening. we reported earlier on how tomorrow's budget will help the millions on furlough, but what happens to all those who've lost their jobs altogether? the budget will set aside a £126 million fund to help retrain people. with unemployment at its highest level in nearly five years,

apprenticeship schemes and courses have become a lifeline for those now having to reconsider work in other sectors. our correspondent elaine dunkley has met three people in the west midlands with new careers on the horizon. covid happened and i'd lost myjob, and i've got a daughter, and i want to be the best for her and show her that the sky is the limit in what you can do. job losses, redundancies, and furlough. the last year has been difficult for many. iman lost herjob because of the pandemic but has now retrained at a local college in solihull and has a newjob working in construction. it was hard to begin with, going from bar work, all those kind ofjobs. it's a lot different, but then it is kind of the same, where you are interacting with a lot of people as well. i feel so empowered, especially when you walk onto the site into the beginning, you do get your kind of like, can she do this? can she do that? but i think it gives

me more motivation. for the first time, all the colleges across the west midlands are working together to offer free courses and new skills to thousands of people who have lost theirjobs during the pandemic. the jobs are beginning to open up again, the economy is beginning to open up again. you know, we do have vacancies in engineering and manufacturing, for example, in construction, in health and life sciences and we want local people to retrain to take those jobs. you don't really have to use the brakes on these, - because they break themselves. david thompson is one of them. i worked for 15 years _ for a recycling company and then i was made redundant. in these uncertain times, he wants to retrain in a sector that offer security. i wanted to better myself and going to vehicle i mechanics for electric cars. obviously, combustion engines are out of date now, _

and they will be gone in 10—15 years' time, i so i think retraining - is the best way forward. financially and emotionally, the last year has been difficult for many. sonia lowe has been a personal trainer for 20 years. when you lose yourjob, you feel powerless. it was like a bereavement with me. losing your identity, losing your profession, losing what you do every single day. after a ten—week course, she now works for the civil service. it's given her the chance to keep going until the fitness industry picks up. they helped me to find that confidence within me again, to move forward and to perhaps completely change direction. having a positive mental attitude, that will take you everywhere in life. it's just knowing that we can move on, and we have to do, we have no choice. the pandemic has left many at a career crossroads. the hope lies in rebuilding confidence and skills for the future. elaine dunkley, bbc news. the isle of man will go back into lockdown from midnight tonight after a sharp rise in coronavirus cases. the circuit—breaker restrictions

will last at least three weeks — with people required to stay at home, non—essential businesses ordered to close, and schools shut to most pupils. alex bell reports. for the last month, life on the isle of man has felt normal. but this morning came the message no one wanted to hear. i know there's a great cost in locking down our island and our lives. but we believe the alternative is now even more costly. i know we've asked you so much in the past — and i know we're asking you so much again. and i'm truly sorry that this is happening. restrictions were eased at the beginning of february after an outbreak in the uk. now, a new cluster of more than 50 cases has emerged after a worker on a ferry tested positive for covid. and from midnight tonight, businesses and schools will once again be asked to close, and the public to stay at home. compared to many places, the isle of man has fared reasonably

well during the pandemic. 25 deaths have been registered here — the majority of them during the first peak of infections last spring. but because the policy here has always been to eliminate, rather than suppress the virus, it only takes a small number of new community cases for new restrictions to be brought in. i feel it's a bit of a shock, really. i mean, we've had a good run on having every thing open. but, yeah, a bit disappointed. it's probably the right choice, i guess. all you can do is take their word for it, i guess. what do you do for work? taxi driver. so you'll be carrying on? i will carry on. but the trade won't be there. but what can you do? andy owns this pub in douglas. for him, another lockdown means money literally down the drain. we thought we were coming through the end of it. the next thing, we restock — and all of a sudden, we've got all that stuff on our shelves and we can't sell it. we've got beer in the cellars that will have to go down the drains. that's a blow, isn't it? just a month after

everything unlocked? a huge blow for any small business. he'll receive financial help from the government to furlough his staff. but with no other income support available, surviving beyond three weeks could be difficult. there's no rate reductions, there's no help with the rent in any way. a furlough lockdown at this stage, coming so quickly after another lockdown with very little support for the actual businesses is a real threat, and i'm concerned how whether this business will survive. the last circuit breaker saw the island bring the virus back under control in just 25 days. everyone here is hoping for the same fortune this time around. alex bell, bbc north west tonight, in douglas. it is 8:47pm. bbc three will return as a fully—fledged tv channel in january 2022, six years after it moved online. hello, queens! cheering the channel has since been responsible for major hits including fleabag,

normal people, and ru paul's drag race uk — prompting calls for it to be brought back. the bbc said the move was part of its drive to deliver more value to audiences. our media editor explains why this decision has been taken now, after the channel was originally moved to online—only in 2016. since then, a few different things have happened. one is young people have definitely gone towards digital platform — that acceleration away from linear has accelerated. but bbc three has had a number of absolutely enormous hits. you mentioned a couple there — there's fleabag, normal people, killing eve, this country, rupaul�*s drag race. but also, the third thing that's happened is the bbc has come under huge pressure to prove it's relevant to young people. they've done a bit of market research, and what they've discovered is that there is still a hard core of young people who will watch bbc three on linear tv. and the calculation they've made — with the circumstances of 2021 —

is that despite the need to save money, it's worth putting these massive hits back on a linear channel they've gone because it's upside, you know, it's a few more young people. and when the bbc comes to have it's very difficult negotiation with the government, and the government says, "but you're irrelevant to young people" — having this linear station as an offer to young people which is getting an audience will be handy. with me to discuss what the future of bbc three may look like — i'm joined by the tv critic, scott bryan. and also i'm joined by the broadcaster, beth webb, who last year hosted her own bbc three documentary, dirty streaming. i'll come to you both. our media editor was saying that the bbc has done audience research here, but six years after it was taken off, do you think the audience might�*ve gone now, scott, to netflix and the other streaming channels? i now, scott, to netflix and the other streaming channels?— streaming channels? i mean, it's really hard. _ streaming channels? i mean, it's really hard, isn't _ streaming channels? i mean, it's really hard, isn't it? _ streaming channels? i mean, it's really hard, isn't it? it— streaming channels? i mean, it's really hard, isn't it? it goes - really hard, isn't it? it goes against everything that bbc three has been saying about the future of online viewing and where young

audiences are heading. but i think, just because you look at the amount of competition that's out there with netflix and disney, there was a risk that, despite some of its successes, a lot of bbc three shows were essentially getting a bit lost. you'd find them on the bbc iplayer�*s home page and you'd see them tweet about it, and it would always show the odd episode at the very odd time on bbc one. but you always had to go out of your way — and that's the problem. by having it back on the linear schedules, problem. by having it back on the linearschedules, it problem. by having it back on the linear schedules, it highlights the importance of duration, that even though there's an endless supply of tv out there, we really quite like it when someone makes a decision on what's on at a certain time, and we can revolve our lives around it even just a little bit.— just a little bit. what you think, beth? in 2016, _ just a little bit. what you think, beth? in 2016, |_ just a little bit. what you think, beth? in 2016, 1 had _ just a little bit. what you think, beth? in 2016, 1 had 11 - just a little bit. what you think, beth? in 2016, 1 had 11 million | beth? in 2016, i had 11 million viewers which was pretty good going - 25% of viewers which was pretty good going — 25% of the viewers which was pretty good going - 25% of the 16-311 viewers which was pretty good going — 25% of the 16—34 age group, do you think it can recover that? you worked there, what do you think? i

worked there, what do you think? i think absolutely. i think the decision_ think absolutely. i think the decision to go back on itself and bring _ decision to go back on itself and bring bbc— decision to go back on itself and bring bbc three to linear television is bring bbc three to linear television must— bring bbc three to linear television isiust a _ bring bbc three to linear television isjust a testament bring bbc three to linear television is just a testament to the voice that bbc— is just a testament to the voice that bbc three has defined over the last five _ that bbc three has defined over the last five years. i don't know where else i_ last five years. i don't know where else i would — last five years. i don't know where else i would be in a documentary that featured a drag queen, for example — that featured a drag queen, for example. i think they've really come through. _ example. i think they've really come through, they've defined a clear voice _ through, they've defined a clear voice for— through, they've defined a clear voice for themselves, the talent that they've nurtured through bbc three _ that they've nurtured through bbc three has— that they've nurtured through bbc three has gone on to international recognition, i'm thinking of normal people _ recognition, i'm thinking of normal people which was nominated for two golden— people which was nominated for two golden globes. so it has a loyal following — golden globes. so it has a loyal following and, if the research suggests, there is an appetite for linear_ suggests, there is an appetite for linear television. suggests, there is an appetite for lineartelevision. i suggests, there is an appetite for linear television. i think it'll be quite _ linear television. i think it'll be quite exciting.— linear television. i think it'll be quite exciting. scott, ithink it's on from 7-9 _ quite exciting. scott, ithink it's on from 7-9 p.m. _ quite exciting. scott, ithink it's on from 7-9 p.m. to _ quite exciting. scott, ithink it's on from 7-9 p.m. to 4am, - quite exciting. scott, ithink it's on from 7-9 p.m. to 4am, so l quite exciting. scott, i think it's i on from 7-9 p.m. to 4am, so it's on from 7—9 p.m. to 11am, so it's cutting into some of the other channels for kids. in terms of

programming, fleabag, little britain was there... programming, fleabag, little britain was there"— was there... gavin and stacey, tassed was there... gavin and stacey, gassed op _ was there... gavin and stacey, gassed up by _ was there... gavin and stacey, gassed up by a _ was there... gavin and stacey, gassed up by a lot _ was there... gavin and stacey, gassed up by a lot of _ was there... gavin and stacey, gassed up by a lot of big - was there... gavin and stacey, | gassed up by a lot of big shows was there... gavin and stacey, - gassed up by a lot of big shows with stars in there. but gassed up by a lot of big shows with stars in there. bu— stars in there. but hasn't in elsewhere? _ stars in there. but hasn't in elsewhere? the _ stars in there. but hasn't in elsewhere? the way - stars in there. but hasn't in elsewhere? the way i - stars in there. but hasn't in elsewhere? the way i see l stars in there. but hasn't in | elsewhere? the way i see is stars in there. but hasn't in - elsewhere? the way i see is that bbc three has been _ elsewhere? the way i see is that bbc three has been successful _ elsewhere? the way i see is that bbc three has been successful in - elsewhere? the way i see is that bbc three has been successful in stages. | three has been successful in stages. it had its late 905... then there were concerns it was going increasingly lowbrow, . .. were concerns it was going increasingly lowbrow,... i were concerns it was going increasingly lowbrow, . .. i watched that, and it _ increasingly lowbrow, . .. i watched that, and it was _ increasingly lowbrow, . .. i watched that, and it was compelling. - increasingly lowbrow, . .. i watched that, and it was compelling. it - increasingly lowbrow, . .. i watched that, and it was compelling. it is l that, and it was compelling. it is tuite that, and it was compelling. it is quite compelling, _ that, and it was compelling. it 3 quite compelling, it's something you would now find on itv to. increasingly there trying to stand out a lot more in a crowded market. because if you think about it, netflix and disney have an infinite amount of money. disney pluses setting up their own budgets, netflix has doubled their budget in

the uk over the last year. it's a spending battle, and the bbcjust cannot get into that fight, they don't have limitless pockets, as you are saying earlier, they have had to make cutbacks elsewhere. so i really think that bbc three has an opportunity to try to be distinct with its programming, saying something very reflective about where we are today, with stories that would not be of interest to the streaming services which are trying to be a great big success rather than having a smaller niche audience. the challenge isjust a matter of trying to keep young people compelled, and i think with young audiences, they really love important issues told in an original way. but theyjust don't have the patience for the normal conventional form of storytelling. so that's the challenge it's trying to preemptively know what your audiences want when they've got practically everything else. exactly, and beth, how will they do that? also, just to address scott's

point about funding, because savings must be made elsewhere, budgets have to be good enough to create tv which will be well produced and slick? {lit will be well produced and slick? of course, the standards for production are gastronomic lehigh these days, and bbc_ are gastronomic lehigh these days, and bbc has said it will double the spending — and bbc has said it will double the spending on commissions for bbc three _ spending on commissions for bbc three for— spending on commissions for bbc three for the next two years —— gastronomic lee high. i know the bbc has come _ gastronomic lee high. i know the bbc has come under controversy where it is now— has come under controversy where it is now putting pressure on over 75 still pay— is now putting pressure on over 75 still pay their tv licenses. so it's interesting — still pay their tv licenses. so it's interesting especially because the move _ interesting especially because the move online for bbc three was said to save _ move online for bbc three was said to save millions of pounds for the bbc every— to save millions of pounds for the bbc every year. so it is stressful in terms — bbc every year. so it is stressful in terms of— bbc every year. so it is stressful in terms of being able to raise this production— in terms of being able to raise this production value, but the strength of the _ production value, but the strength of the voices, as i've said, is incredibly— of the voices, as i've said, is incredibly strong. if you think about— incredibly strong. if you think about this country which was these two hoard _ about this country which was these two board siblings from gloucester who were — two board siblings from gloucester who were able to create this extra

near comedy with international legs, if you _ near comedy with international legs, if you think _ near comedy with international legs, if you think about michaela call with i_ if you think about michaela call with i may destroy you... if you think about michaela call with i may destroy you. . .- if you think about michaela call with i may destroy you... let's look forward to — with i may destroy you... let's look forward to next _ with i may destroy you... let's look forward to next year _ with i may destroy you... let's look forward to next year when - with i may destroy you... let's look forward to next year when bbc - with i may destroy you... let's lookl forward to next year when bbc three comes back on air. thank you both very much indeed. hundreds of people in exeter are still waiting to return to their homes after they were evacuated before a controlled explosion of a world war two bomb. the university of exeter said about 300 students had been affected by the explosion. jon kay reports. the crater is as deep as two double—decker buses, and now the wider impact is clear. bomb damage in a quiet residential area of devon. the 2,000lb german device was found by builders and detonated in a controlled explosion at the weekend. shown here from different angles.

thousands of homes were evacuated, and now, you can see why. today, we were allowed inside the cordon. debris thrown 250 metres. to give you an idea of the power of the blast, these giant pieces of steel were put on top of the bomb to encase itju5t before it was detonated. now, i can hardly shift them an inch, and yet, these flew through the air and ended up on rooftops. they have had to be removed by crane. it looks horrific. terry's come back to collect some possessions. his flat will have to be repaired, leaving him an evacuee at 85. we went through the blitz in 40—41 and now he's caught up with me. hitler didn't get me out of my house then. 79 years later, he's done it! the council says no buildings are in danger of collapse,

so some residents have now been allowed back, including hundreds of university students, but it will be some time before all the damage can be repaired. smashed buildings and doors blown off, locked garages that were blown open with the force of the bomb, cracked walls, that kind of stuff. things that will require builders to go in and take a look. as the clean—up begins, some residents are asking why the bomb was not taken away and diffused. but the ministry of defence says detonating it was the safest option because the device was corroded and could have been booby—trapped. they insisted all went to plan. there is relief here that the bomb was found on a disused piece of land, and that no one was hurt. despite the mess, they feel lucky. jon kay, bbc news, exeter. now it's time for a look at the weather with louise lear.

good evening. more of this to come through the night tonight, low cloud and mist rolling in off the north sea once again. but there will be the risk of a few showers developing from this little weather front moving into the southwest, and that'll push its way out of cornwall, devon and in the south wales towards dawn tomorrow morning. so, yes, those showers will continue to drift their way along the m4 corridor. the fog will slowly lift and the low cloud should burn back to north sea coasts. out to the north and west again, we should see a drier, brighter, sunnier moments from time to time. so it's a messy weather story to try to tell as we go through wednesday afternoon. in terms of the feel of things, well, cooler into the north, particularly if the cloud lingers, 4—6 celsius with maximums likely of 111 celsius into the southeast corner. as we move through thursday into friday, we keep that dry weather, but cooler for all the temperatures struggling to get a double figures. that's it, take care.

this is bbc news — defending his bureau, and deflecting blame. the fbi director calls the capitol seige an act of "domestic terrorism". as for any presence of fake trump supporters or antifa? not the case, says christopher wray. he says domestic terrorism plots are on the rise. we speak to one of the democrats who tried donald trump on charges of insurrection. texas opens up — the governor says businesses can soon open their doors 100% and a mask mandate that's going to end. the white house isn't happy. also in the programme... the us announces more sanctions on russia, over the poisoning of opposition leader alexey navalny. it's the first time the biden administration has targetted kremlin officials.