this is bbc news. i'm jane hill. the headlines. angerfrom nhs workers in england, after they're told of a proposed pay rise this year of 1%. staff urge the government to think again. ijust implore boris to just take himself back to this time last year, i believe, when he was taken care of in a fantastic nhs hospital and was given excellent care, and that's what we give. no other public sector employee is receiving a pay rise, and so it's against that backdrop that the government has decided that, and all we can afford, is the 1%. new figures show the number of people with coronavirus fell by about a third last week across the uk.

the duke of edinburgh has been moved back to a private hospital in london, for recuperation after a heart procedure earlier this week. cyprus says any britons who've had both doses of a vaccine can travel there without quarantine, from first may — even though foreign holidays are still illegal. they sing a warm welcome as the pope becomes the first pontiff to visit iraq — despite covid and security fears. hello. unions are calling it "a kick in the teeth" —

nhs staff in england have reacted angrily to the government proposal of a 1% pay—rise. the royal college of nursing says the increase should be 12.5%, and have set up a fund to prepare for any potential strikes. ministers say public finances are under pressure, and many other public sector workers are to have their pay frozen. the labour leader, sir keir starmer, says health workers deserve better. our political correspondent iain watson reports. nhs staff have been working hand—in—glove with each other, pulling together in a pandemic unprecedented in their lifetimes. for many, the cost hasn't just been financial. it's has been a difficult, difficult time. i know nurses that have been suffering with ptsd. for some nurses, i honestly believe this is going to be the final straw. well before the pandemic in 2018, a three—year pay settlement was agreed in england, but now a new deal is needed for the next financial year. the government submission to the nhs

pay review body proposes a i% pay rise for health service staff in england. the royal college of nursing have said this is "pitiful," saying it would amount to only an extra £3.50 a week take—home pay for an experienced nurse, and they're calling for a 12.5% increase. but the government insists that nhs pay is more generous than it first appears. those earning less than £24,000 will get a bigger cash injection than i%. nurses have had an increase of 12% over the past three years, and newly—qualified junior doctors can get an 8% rise. health ministers say that nhs staff in england have been well treated compared to everyone else in public service jobs, and they were pleased that the chancellor could find any extra cash at all. i knew that we had frozen public sector pay, that no—one in the public sector was receiving a pay rise, so i was pleasantly surprised that we were making an offer. and i think it'sjust worth mentioning as well that in the private sector, many people are actually

losing theirjobs and have been on very much reduced incomes over the past year. it may feel like winter, but the political temperature is rising. this morning, the nurses�* union, the rcn, said they were setting up a £35 million strike fund. this would be to compensate their members for any loss of earnings if they decide to take action over pay. it's notjust health service workers who've been on the front line during the pandemic. teachers have been holding classes for children of key workers, police and other emergency services can't work from home, so labour wants to see everyone in the public service rewarded with an increase. public sector workers should get a pay rise, they shouldn't have their pay frozen. they have been keeping our country going throughout this pandemic. it is absolutely wrong to freeze their pay at this time. but labour hasn't said how the estimated cost of £1 billion would be met, and the party has ruled out any emergency tax rises. the government has been keen to show

its appreciation for nhs staff, but health unions say last year's clap for carers has been replaced now by a hands—off attitude to public sector pay. iain watson, bbc news, westminster. let's get the latest from jonathan blake. the government must be aware of the strength of feeling. it certainly is, there is no letup in the pressure on ministers over this i% the pressure on ministers over this i% offer and the criticism of it. the latest coming from the public service union unison, who described it as pitiful and are encouraging people in the tradition of that clap for carers, where people were encouraged to show their appreciation for nhs staff and other key workers by coming out and holding a round of applause, they

are looking to turn back on the government and are encouraging people to take part in a "slow handclap" this coming thursday in what they hope will be a show of support for nhs staff who are clearly not happy, and those representing them are not happy at this offer from the government. unions saying the offer is derisory and are encouraging people to take part in something of a protest. the government is sticking to its guns so far, sources pointing out that at the moment inflation is 0.7% say this i% the moment inflation is 0.7% say this i% offer of a pay rise is above inflation, although of course it is projected to go up in the coming months, so that's where the debate comes on about whether this is an above inflation pay increase or not. and this lunchtime, the prime minister spokesman saying this offer is what is affordable and that the pandemic has had real consequences and the government has done all it can to protectjobs and save

livelihoods. d0 can to protect “obs and save livelihoods._ can to protect “obs and save livelihoods. ~ ., , livelihoods. do we think that this is the beginning _ livelihoods. do we think that this is the beginning of— livelihoods. do we think that this is the beginning of a _ livelihoods. do we think that this| is the beginning of a negotiation, that there might be some movement? the government would say there are other front line workers who have been vital during the pandemic such as police officers and they have not been offered a pay rise, so there are other public sector examples, is what the government would say. that is ke in what the government would say. that is key in the — what the government would say. twat is key in the context of this. last year the government announced that a lot of public sector workers would see their pay freeze in. so you mention police officers, prison staff and others who will not get a pay rise of any kind in the coming year, so that is one factor here. the process is that the department of health has made a recommendation to the independent pay review body he will then consider it and make its recommendation to the government and it is for ministers to ultimately decide. whether in a few weeks or a couple of months, while

the process takes its course, the government has a change of heart and actually decides to offer a more generous pay rise, we will have to see. certainly there is no indication that they are open to any kind of negotiation and the message is that this i% pay increase is the limit of what the government can afford if they were to offer anything more, they would have to make cuts elsewhere. thank you. coronavirus infection rates are continuing to fall across the uk, according to the office for national statistics. the data suggests the number of people with the virus fell by about a third last week. the r number currently stands at between 0.7 and 0.9, meaning the prevalence of the virus is decreasing. as the vaccination programme continues, bbc news has found that some people with asthma who are eligible for a jab are being refused one by some gps. 0ur health correspondent katharine da costa reports.

as a child, sophie says she was hospitalised many times because of her asthma. she takes a daily steroid to manage the condition, but was told by her gp she would still have to wait for her age group, the over 40s, to get her vaccine. i've had bronchitis and pneumonia several times, so i probably have lung scarring. i was told that i am in phase two because of my age group. government guidance recommends that those with severe asthma should be prioritised in group six. in some patients have been told only recent hospital admissions count. campaigners want more clarity. we think there needs to be an urgent communication out to gps to clarify the guidance. but also to help find these people, if gp systems are not quite fit for purpose in this regard. it also speaks to gps being able

to use their clinicaljudgment. while the uk is moving apace, vaccinating more than one in three adults, the eu is still lagging behind. production delays have affected both pfizer and astrazeneca. italy has now blocked a shipment of a quarter of a million doses of vaccine to australia. it's a little ironic that europe didn't seem very keen - on the astrazeneca vaccine a few weeks ago and all of a sudden i once the uk demonstrated it was a good vaccine, - we see a shipment. to australia blocked. back in the uk, infections continue to fall from a peak in early january. the latest survey from the office of national statistics show the number of people with the virus dropped by about a third in this week's data. in england, one in 220 had the virus. it was one in 285 in wales,

one in 325 in northern ireland and in scotland one in 335 had the virus. as it grows exponentially, it falls exponentially. - so this could be things continuing to come down at the same rate. i if we look at hospital figures, - they show a more consistent decline and there is no particular indication of that - slowing anytime soon. the government has promised a bumper month, is vaccine supply here is ramped up. but keeping infections low is seen as crucial to protect those still waiting for a jab and to minimise the risk if new variants emerge. katharine da costa, bbc news. professor anthony harnden is deputy chairman of thejoint committee on vaccination and immunisation which advises the government on the best strategy for vaccination. he's also a gp and professor of primary care at oxford university. he is speaking to us today in a personal capacity.

hejumped he jumped good afternoon. let's start with the asthma issue. there is concern among some groups. is it a valid concern? t there is concern among some groups. is it a valid concern?— is it a valid concern? i can understand _ is it a valid concern? i can understand the _ is it a valid concern? i can understand the concern. l is it a valid concern? i can i understand the concern. the is it a valid concern? i can _ understand the concern. the evidence asthma is a risk factor. the problem is, the evidence shows that mild asthma is no more, people are no more at risk for their age than the rest of the population. it's about trying to reach out to those with severe or poorly controlled asthma and it is difficult to define. we came up with some guidance about steroids or recurrent recent hospital admissions or under hospital admissions or under hospital care for severe asthma, to try and get to those that have very severe asthma. 0ne try and get to those that have very severe asthma. one must remember that asthma is a continuum and it's

only the severe end of the spectrum that should be at risk. we wanted to make sure that a captured but not the millions and millions of pushed forward in the list at the expense of someone else who may be more vulnerable who don't have any more risk than the average age for the population. risk than the average age for the pepulation-_ population. that is the difficulty of organising — population. that is the difficulty of organising a _ population. that is the difficulty of organising a roll-out - population. that is the difficulty of organising a roll-out across l population. that is the difficulty l of organising a roll-out across the of organising a roll—out across the country and keeping it fair, i suppose. and trying to get the message out that as far as you are concerned, it is fair. i'm not trying to diminish someone with asthma but a couple of weeks ago we were talking about whether teachers should be prioritised. i suppose every so often we think of people we feel should be given priority and i suppose yourjob is to make sure it operates in the most medically effective way. operates in the most medically effective way-— operates in the most medically effective wa . , , ., , effective way. yes, we must realise that the predominant _ effective way. yes, we must realise that the predominant risk _ effective way. yes, we must realise that the predominant risk factor - effective way. yes, we must realise that the predominant risk factor is i that the predominant risk factor is age, without any shadow of a doubt. what we've done is try and construct

a simple and understandable programme based around age and those with underlying health conditions within group six, and those vulnerable within group four. it has been challenging but we are trying to be fair because we must remember, we are still working down the age bands and there are many of those aged 50 to 60 who are critically ill on itu at the moment, who would have benefited from having the vaccine. we really do not want to, there's an opportunity cost that for every person you give a vaccine to who isn't at risk, you are denying someone who is more at risk. it is really important we keep this as fair and really important we keep this as fairand simple as really important we keep this as fair and simple as possible and i think we've achieved that to date and the programme has acknowledged the wide success and we are rapidly immunising many millions of people, about 21 million to date with their

first dose. we try to be fair and equitable and follow the science. tt equitable and follow the science. it is interesting, you have answered when i was going because you say that you think we've achieved that. anecdotally, we talk about it and we talk about it in terms of older relations and geographical variation. the 65—year—old in one part of the country might have had their first dose and another part they haven't. is thatjust the nature of the roll—out? are you still broadly satisfied it is progressing as it should? tau still broadly satisfied it is progressing as it should? you are alwa s progressing as it should? you are always going _ progressing as it should? you are always going to — progressing as it should? you are always going to hear— progressing as it should? you are always going to hear anecdotes . progressing as it should? you are l always going to hear anecdotes and there will always be bits of the country slightly ahead of other bits. but actually the government have been really good about this. they've tried to even out the supply right across the country, said the areas falling behind will be given more vaccine supply in the coming weeks. broadly it has kept the priority groups which we suggested. the biggest problem is reaching out to those communities who are less

taking up the vaccine at the moment. we know there are issues within the black, asian and ethnic minority communities and some of the more deprived communities. we want to reach out to them and make the vaccine both accessible and make people confident it is safe and effective. stories of some people slipping through the net is more of a concern than the odd person that ends up being given the vaccine when they shouldn't have been privatised. i'm not so concerned about the anecdotal reports, i am more concerned the programme continues to reach out to those communities that are disproportionately affected by the pandemic. tier? are disproportionately affected by the pandemic-— are disproportionately affected by the pandemic. very interesting and we have reflected _ the pandemic. very interesting and we have reflected a _ the pandemic. very interesting and we have reflected a lot _ the pandemic. very interesting and we have reflected a lot on - the pandemic. very interesting and we have reflected a lot on that - the pandemic. very interesting and we have reflected a lot on that in i we have reflected a lot on that in the last few weeks. they are just asking about the latest r number because the estimate is three for england as being between 0.7 and 0.9. we are still broadly in

lockdown. i'mjust 0.9. we are still broadly in lockdown. i'm just interested in what you think of that figure, whether you would like to see it a little better, by which i mean we are all talking about schools going back next week and getting into a time of more easing in relation to that. tt time of more easing in relation to that. , . . , time of more easing in relation to that. , . ., , , , that. it is clearly good news is that. it is clearly good news is that it's going _ that. it is clearly good news is that it's going down _ that. it is clearly good news is that it's going down but - that. it is clearly good news is that it's going down but we i that it's going down but we anticipate the r number will slightly increase when schools return next week. there are two key things, one is that we must keep the vaccine programme running quickly and at speed because vaccination is the way out. at the same time, we need to unlock slowly and we need to carry on obeying the rules. if we don't obey the rules, what will happen is the virus will become more prevalent again and will transmit more frequently. it will mutate more and we will start seeing some vaccine escape. we will rapidly be getting back to square one again. it's important we vaccinate quickly

and cover as many people as possible but that we also unlock down very slowly. if we can do that and get to the summer, i think we'll be in a really good position before next winter to consider very carefully whether we will need a booster dose of the vaccine and protect ourselves fully in the next winter. what we really don't want to see is any more lockdown is. we are fed up with it. you and i, everyone, and all your listeners, we want to get our lives back and we understand that but we just need to be patient over the next few months.— just need to be patient over the next few months. , ., , , ., next few months. yes, absolutely and it's interesting — next few months. yes, absolutely and it's interesting you _ next few months. yes, absolutely and it's interesting you look _ next few months. yes, absolutely and it's interesting you look ahead - next few months. yes, absolutely and it's interesting you look ahead to - it's interesting you look ahead to next winter because we haven't done that very much, perhaps we dent sometimes. as you are a gp, what stories are you hearing, what are patients saying to you and would you like more messaging around

maintaining social distancing? i'm thinking of whatjonathan van—tam said about how he had patients say, i've had one child, can i go out and about now and enjoy myself —— i had one jab. about now and en'oy myself -- i had one 'ab. , ., ., ., ., one jab. there is a natural thought there and i— one jab. there is a natural thought there and i do _ one jab. there is a natural thought there and i do many _ one jab. there is a natural thought there and i do many gp _ one jab. there is a natural thought there and i do many gp things - one jab. there is a natural thought there and i do many gp things and| there and i do many gp things and media things and it's always, we've had the jab, can we go out and party or kiss our grandchildren? the messages really, really clear. we mustn't do this. we give it all away now. the last few months, if we can hold on in there, we've done so well in the uk given the position we a few months ago and we've done so well with the vaccination programme and our adherence to the rules, i think people, i think that message is getting across and i think if people can just be patient and just

wait a little bit longer, we will really have cracked this in the uk. we'll be in a much better position moving forward to next winter. we can makejudgments moving forward to next winter. we can make judgments about what will need to do to keep coronavirus at a very low prevalence. we are nearly there yet, we are doing well, just don't throw it all away at the moment. don't throw it all away at the moment-— don't throw it all away at the moment. ., . ., ~ , ., don't throw it all away at the moment. ., . ., ~ moment. sage advice, thank you so much. professor— moment. sage advice, thank you so much. professor anthony _ moment. sage advice, thank you so much. professor anthony haden - moment. sage advice, thank you so much. professor anthony haden is i moment. sage advice, thank you so i much. professor anthony haden is the deputy chair of thejcvi. just much. professor anthony haden is the deputy chair of the jcvi. just to remind you we are expecting another two briefing at 5pm. and the health secretary matt hancock will be leading a downing street news conference at 5pm this afternoon. there'll be full coverage on bbc one in england and the bbc news channel. that is due at five o'clock.

the duke of edinburgh has been moved back to a private hospital in central london after his successful heart procedure earlier this week. let's go to the king edward vii hospital now and speak to our correspondentjon donnison. . how much is being said? buckingham palace of being — . how much is being said? buckingham palace of being pretty _ . how much is being said? buckingham palace of being pretty tight-lipped. - palace of being pretty tight—lipped. they confirmed he is being transferred to king edward vii hospital this morning, he was transferred by ambulance. it is a pretty short journey from saint bartholomew is. he came by ambulance with close protection officers and went into the back of the hospital. buckingham palace says he is expected to remain here for a number of days for continuing treatment following the successful procedure on a pre—existing heart condition which took place on wednesday. he

will remain, we are told, simply for a few more days, that is as much as we can say i think?— we can say i think? yes, not even that. a number— we can say i think? yes, not even that. a number of _ we can say i think? yes, not even that. a number of days _ we can say i think? yes, not even that. a number of days is - we can say i think? yes, not even that. a number of days is what i we can say i think? yes, not even l that. a number of days is what they are saying, so that is a broad brush. he's been in hospitalfor i7 brush. he's been in hospitalfor 17 days, he is 99 years old, so they are obviously being careful. broadly i think this should be seen as a positive sign. i certainly don't think they would have moved him if it wasn't seen to be on the mend. buckingham palace are saying he's likely to be in a number of days and that would take us over the weekend and possibly up to three weeks in hospital. and possibly up to three weeks in hosital. . ~ and possibly up to three weeks in hosital. ., ~ , ., the duchess of sussex said she had given an in—depth interview to us chat show host oprah winfrey because she was now free to speak for herself, now that she and her husband, prince harry had quit royal duties. meghan markle said said it is "really liberating" to be

"able to make a choice on your own" in the latest teaser clip of her interview with 0prah. let's take a look. i couldn't have said yes to you then, that wasn't my choice to make, so as an adult who lived a really independent life, to then go into this construct that is... ..different than i think what people imagine it to be, it's really liberating to be able to have the right and be privileged, in some ways, to be able to say, yes, i'm ready to talk. and to say it for yourself and to not have to consult with anybody at this point. yeah, to just be able to make a choice on your own and just be able to speak for yourself. some breaking news. the high court has ruled the mail on sunday must publish a front—page statement

about the duchess of sussex's victory in her copyright claim against the newspaper. the duchess of sussex took legal action after a series of articles published in the mail on sunday and mail0nline in 2019 reproduced parts of a handwritten letter sent from meghan to herfather, thomas markle. last month, the high court ruled she had a "reasonable expectation that the contents of the letter would remain private". that ruling the mail on sunday must publish a front—page statement about the duchess of sussex's victory. that has just emerged in the last few moments. the interview with 0prah few moments. the interview with oprah winfrey is due to air on us tv this weekend. let's talk to katie nicholl, vanity fair's royal editor and author of the book harry and meghan. good afternoon. so, building up to a

big weekend in america we understand. vanity fair that you work for of course has a big us circulation, lots of american readers. give us a sense of what is being said about it in the us and what the expectation is.- being said about it in the us and what the expectation is. there is a hu . e what the expectation is. there is a huge sense _ what the expectation is. there is a huge sense of— what the expectation is. there is a huge sense of excitement - what the expectation is. there is a huge sense of excitement about i what the expectation is. there is a i huge sense of excitement about this. it is going to be one of the best rated shows, capitalising on that we had another trailer released, nothing short of drama and the americans are absolutely fascinated. they want to know where the fairy tale came undone. this is going to be the first time we hear from the couple speaking since their decision to step down from the royal family. we are told by 0prah to step down from the royal family. we are told by oprah winfrey it is a no holds barred interview, she

wasn't restricted from asking anything and clearly nothing is off—limits. anything and clearly nothing is off-limits— anything and clearly nothing is off-limits. ., ., . off-limits. what the balancing act for harry and _ off-limits. what the balancing act for harry and meghan _ off-limits. what the balancing act for harry and meghan in - off-limits. what the balancing act for harry and meghan in terms i off-limits. what the balancing act for harry and meghan in terms of| off-limits. what the balancing act i for harry and meghan in terms of how frank they can be? given that they have, well, we spent the last team weeks talking about harry's grandfather being in hospital, given that his brother is the air to the throne and we used to be told they were so close as brothers. where is that balance? the were so close as brothers. where is that balance?— that balance? we have yet to see that. that balance? we have yet to see that- they _ that balance? we have yet to see that- they can — that balance? we have yet to see that. they can be _ that balance? we have yet to see that. they can be as _ that balance? we have yet to see that. they can be as frank- that balance? we have yet to see that. they can be as frank as i that balance? we have yet to see| that. they can be as frank as they want but to what cost? family relations are already under a huge amount of tension and this has reopened that rift between william and harry. the brothers having got backin and harry. the brothers having got back in touch, this has set back the healing process and the members of the royal family are obviously very concerned about the interview and exactly what the couple are going to

say. meghan has talked about the firm, she talking about the royal family or the men in grey at the palace? it is hard to see how any goodis palace? it is hard to see how any good is going to come out of this when it comes to family relations. i'm sure for the queen, who is clearly very preoccupied with her husband and has a lot on her plate, this is really the last thing she needs, particularly given how accommodating she has been of the couple. it is interesting hearing meghan feeling talking about being liberated. when i look back at the amount of freedom they were given, she clearly felt she had her wings clipped, she clearly felt her voice was taken away and this is her opportunity now to speak up, to speak out. opportunity now to speak up, to speak out-— opportunity now to speak up, to seak out. ~ , ., ., ., speak out. when she got engaged to prince harry — speak out. when she got engaged to prince harry and _ speak out. when she got engaged to prince harry and it _ speak out. when she got engaged to prince harry and it was _ speak out. when she got engaged to prince harry and it was clear - speak out. when she got engaged to prince harry and it was clear she i prince harry and it was clear she was going tojoin prince harry and it was clear she was going to join the royal family, you will know far better than lots

of people, will staff, people who work with the royal family, will they not have had conversations with her explaining how the family operates, how life is in the uk? not to try to patronise, but she didn't grow up in this country, so to try to explain the role of the royal family, with not have been explained to her? , �* ., family, with not have been explained toher? ,�* .,, to her? there isn't a princess manual as — to her? there isn't a princess manual as such _ to her? there isn't a princess manual as such but _ to her? there isn't a princess| manual as such but absolutely to her? there isn't a princess - manual as such but absolutely there is a support network and an infrastructure at the palace. i know when kate middleton was preparing to marry into the royal family, when kate middleton was preparing to marry into the royalfamily, she had access to private secretaries and was able to seek advice. meghan had infrastructure in place, she was supported. certainly at the beginning there was help on hand and of course she had harry. it was a whirlwind romance, unlike kate and william, she didn't have ten years to work out how the firm worked as an institution. she is an

intelligent, articulate, well read woman. she knew what she was getting herself into. she was listed as a feminist on the royal family website but if there was any idea in her mind she was going to be able to voice her political opinions, obviously that simply wouldn't be the case. tn obviously that simply wouldn't be the case. , ., the case. in terms of their life in america and _ the case. in terms of their life in america and the _ the case. in terms of their life in america and the future - the case. in terms of their life in america and the future and i the case. in terms of their life in america and the future and how| the case. in terms of their life in i america and the future and how they live and pay for their life, what commercial opportunities they are looking for, they are presumably going to be mindful of all of that in the interview. they are super famous but they do have to make a living and that presumably is part of the calculation with the oprah winfrey interview at. absolutely. i think one of _ winfrey interview at. absolutely. i think one of the _ winfrey interview at. absolutely. i think one of the key _ winfrey interview at. absolutely. i think one of the key reasons i winfrey interview at. absolutely. i think one of the key reasons they | think one of the key reasons they left, they felt. by the media but there is a reality to this which is that they wanted to be free, they

wanted to be financially independent and this interview is their debut to their new lives as nonworking royals. the pandemic has meant they haven't really been able to have a platform before, this is their introduction on a global stage as harry and meghan. a lot of people can see through that this is about making money, taking up the spotlight on a different capacity to what they had before. a quick thought, it's on in the uk on monday. do you watch it, do you get an advance copy? how secretly guarded is it? t get an advance copy? how secretly guarded is it?— guarded is it? i wish i had an advance copy _ guarded is it? i wish i had an advance copy but _ guarded is it? i wish i had an advance copy but i _ guarded is it? i wish i had an advance copy but i will- guarded is it? i wish i had an advance copy but i will be i guarded is it? i wish i had an i advance copy but i will be having very late night and watching it through a special feed via cbs on the night it goes out, it will be a very late and early—morning. i will be on the bbc for breakfast so we shall see more then.— be on the bbc for breakfast so we shall see more then. thank you very

much. now it's time for a look at the weather with stav danaos we end the working week with another chilly note but with high—pressure overhead, it's mostly dry across the uk, albeit rather cloudy. as we head through tonight we will see some breaks in the cloud which means temperatures will drop below freezing in places, mist and fog developing but other areas will hold onto the cloud and also maybe just one or two isolated showers which will be over the higher ground but it is a chilly start to saturday. you can see sub zero values from many areas. this weekend high—pressure dominates, it will stay more mostly dry and settled but it will remain chilly. cold start to saturday but we should see sunshine around, other areas seeing variable amounts of cloud. through the day cloud will build up in many places. the chance of some showers pushing into the north and west of scotland but elsewhere apart from the shower it should be dry and chilly. through

sunday at a similar story but then through the new week, it turns more unsettled. the atlantic comes back to life sending wetter and windy weather and milder weather our way. hello this is bbc news. the headlines... plans to give nhs staff in england a i% pay rise are dismissed by unions as a "kick in the teeth," but ministers defend the proposal. 0ur priority has been protecting

jobs and livelihoods because without those jobs and businesses continuing and peoples employment continuing, we need that vibrant economy in order to fund the nhs full we need that vibrant economy in order to fund the nhs full coronavirus infections in the uk are down by a third in the most recent week of data. the duke of edinburgh has been moved back to a private hospital in london for recuperation, after a heart procedure earlier this week. quarantine—free holidays in cyprus from may for british holiday—makers, if they've been vaccinated. and pope francis lands in baghdad at the start of the first ever papal visit to iraq. sport now and a full round up, from the bbc sport centre. good afternoon. a century from rishabh pant means that india are very much in control

of the fourth and final test against england. joe root�*s men started the day well, but india are closing in on a series victory, asjoe wilson reports: there was no rest in the fourth decisive test, not for ben stokes. friday morning, england needed wickets quick. 0ne forjack leach. the ball for stokes to catch from folks. stokes flew. robert sharma had made 49. sharma had made 49. lbw gone, stokes was keeping england in the game. dom bess was trying his best to reboot his bowling satnav. the afternoon _ reboot his bowling satnav. the afternoon was _ reboot his bowling satnav. the afternoon was pushing 40 degrees. england went, rishabh pant. he accelerated as england wilted. they had only picked two seam bowlers.

they can't stop. the ball was flying from rishabh pant�*s bat and stokes knew, they knew, in scott mckenna they were leading. he grew more audacious by the minute. absolutely thrilling unless you are bowling. boxing terms attempting when an exhausted opponent is knocked out. 100 like that. india so not a great day for england's bowlers. but their spin coach says they gave it everything. the guys put a lot of effort into today. it's fair for them to be tired. maybe a little bit annoyed about how the afternoon went. we were in a good position to really take the game and get ahead of the game but it didn't pan out that way. newcastle boss steve bruce has confirmed that he did have a training ground row

with midfielder matt ritchie, but insists the matter is now resolved. bruce has also denied being the person who leaked the news that goalkeeper karl darlow would be dropped for the recent match against wolves. newcastle are just three points above the relegation zone and play fellow strugglers west brom on sunday. there is no denying that i have had a row with matt ritchie. but let me tell you, that happens up and down training grounds every other week, every other... you are dealing with 25 men, emotions run high, fiercely competitive. these things happen. u nfortu nately. unfortunately for us, with newcastle, it gets blown into all sorts of proportions. world champion charlotte bankes's impressive season continues she's won gold at the snowboard cross world cup in georgia. she found herself at the back of the field early in the final but came through with a strong finish. bankes used to compete for france but switched to represent britain. the country of her birth, 3 years ago. she won her first world title last month and is seen as a huge prospect

for success at the beijing winter 0lympics next year. that's all the sport for now. cyprus's government says any britons who have had both doses of a coronavirus vaccine can enter cyprus from 1st may without having to quarantine. people in the uk still aren't allowed to take a foreign holiday, and restrictions won't be lifted for people in england until at least may 17th. before the pandemic, about a million britons visited cyprus every year. richard galpin reports. the warm beautiful beaches of cyprus, a world apart from the dark and claustrophobic

days of winter and locked—in. but no holidays in the sun here are on offer from the 1st of may, but now, holidays in the sun here are on offer from the 1st of may, even though it will be illegal for british tourists to travel abroad until at least the middle of that month. the authorities in cyprus are convinced it is still possible. british people will be able to enter our country for their summer holidays, not having to go through any testing whatsoever. as of the 1st of may. this is a decision that went through our deputy ministry of tourism and we are really delighted with these developments. there will also be no requirement to quarantine in cyprus. all that is needed for a holiday is to have had both doses of a covid vaccine. and what cyprys is done is now being looked

into by other eu member states, with the prospect of a vaccine passport, also called a green pass, being developed for ease of travel within the eu. we have to work towards resuming tourism as fast as possible in a safe way. i guess the green pass will be the huge answer to that challenge, because if you're not vaccinated, but if you have a test oryou are immune, you can travel safely. as we all want. enabling british tourists to return to popular destinations across europe will be welcomed by the industry, which has been hit particularly hard by the coronavirus pandemic. we've seen cyprus putting| its head above the parapet and welcoming british tourists. i think we are gonna see more - and more of these destinations now. these british tourists _ are essential to those economies. they can't wait to | get the brits back. and yet with lingering

uncertainties here in the uk about travelling abroad, many people have been booking staycations, holidays in this country, and costs have already shot up. the high levels of vaccination in this country compared with parts of europe perhaps influencing the decision to holiday in the uk. richard galpin, bbc news. an interesting shoe lines coming from the department for transport. there will be new rules which kick in on monday we are told. anyone travelling internationally from england, england only at this stage, will need to carry a new form which sets out that their trip is permitted under the current restrictions. there will be legal obligations around this, so it says for example carriers, airlines, ferry firms i assume, will be legally obliged to set out on their website that the form has to be completed before travelling and it

will be compulsory for airlines and so on to check that the forms have been completed before boarding. any passengers who do not have this form may not be allowed onto whatever journey it is they have booked. it is a form which has to be downloaded from .uk it has to be cart carried with you in paper version or downloaded onto a phone. airlines will be obliged to check that the form is either at check—in or the departure gate. passengers who do not have a valid reason for travel may be denied access. that kicks in on monday so anyone travelling internationally from england and there is quite a lot more detail in this document from the department for transport about potential fines and so on ifjourneys are not valid. so you're going to have to prove through a form that your trip is permissible. there are various categories to do with work and so on that are permissible but you will have to prove it at check—in. we

will talk more about that after 3pm. pope francis has arrived in baghdad for the first papal visit to iraq, and his first international trip since the start of the pandemic. the pope will show his support for iraq's christian minority and attempt to foster inter—religious dialogue. 0ur correspondent mark lowen is in baghdad. it's an extremely historic trip for pope francis. the first papal trip to baghdad ever and his first trip since the covid—19 pandemic so an audacious trip and a risky one. the christian community as you laid out in the introduction is dwindling, under threat, 1.5 million estimated before the 2003 invasion. now numbering around 250,000. his message will be very much to try to reassure and comfort iraq's christian community. it is also a

message urging interreligious dialogue. he is now holding meetings with the president and prime minister. we understand he is speaking of the need for fraternal coexistence. strengthening iraq's democracy and tomorrow pope francis has a hugely symbolic meeting with iraq's top shear cleric. that's a meeting of the top figure in iraq, one of the most powerful men in the country and the leader of 1.8 billion catholics around the world. a hugely symbolic meeting. yet it's a risky trip because it's a country torn by interreligious and sectarian conflict and also of course the covid—19 pandemic which sees new highs, many had advised pope francis not to travel at this time. he told me on the plane out here from rome that as he described it was a special trip. to

that as he described it was a special trip-— that as he described it was a secial tri -. ., , ., special trip. to time the trip now it was a lsold _ special trip. to time the trip now it was a bold statement - special trip. to time the trip now it was a bold statement because| it was a bold statement because although iis has been pushed back its not been eliminated. the covid—19 pandemic has not been eliminated and there are security risks. �* .., , eliminated and there are security risks. �* , ., eliminated and there are security risks. , ., ., " risks. because of the covid-19 risk, there are limited _ risks. because of the covid-19 risk, there are limited public _ risks. because of the covid-19 risk, there are limited public gatherings| there are limited public gatherings apart from mass on sunday in northern iraq in which up to 10,000 people are expected to attend and that has raised fears that this whole trip could become a super spreader. you mentioned the risk from islamic militants and jihadist attacks. there were rocket attacks last week into the green zone here in baghdad there was a 20 suicide bombing which killed 32 people so it's an extremely risky trip. probably his riskiest but one he feels absolutely determined to have come on which his predecessors

wanted to do, they never managed because negotiations broke in with saddam hussein so pope francis is the first pope to come to this country. the birthplace of the prophet abraham. 0ur italy correspondence peaking earlier. the united nations says it is yet to see evidence from the united arab emirates that the daughter of dubai's ruler, princess latifa, is still alive. in secretly recorded videos obtained last month by the bbc, princess latifa accuses her father, sheikh mohammed, of holding her hostage in dubai and says she fears for her life. the un has requested proof from the uae government that she is alive, but there's been no response so far. china has announced sweeping reforms to hong kong's electoral system,

which will further strengthen beijing's grip on the territory. the british government has urged the chinese authorities to uphold commitments made to the territory's people. stephen mcdonnell reports. nearly 3,000 delegates are in the chinese capital to rubber stamp initiatives already approved by the upper echelons of the communist party, and over the next week the many challenges this country is facing will be presented in various forms. however, one issue is set to dominate the news — the complete overhaul of hong kong's electoral system. a change which will remove even limited opposition from formal politics in the city. the chinese government says there is nothing wrong with this because only patriotic hong kongers should be allowed to hold office anyway. translation: we will stay true to the spirits of the principle i of one country, two systems,

and reach the people of hong kong, administer hong kong. this change will be ushered in without even a hint of dissent here. but why rebuild an electoral system already rigged in favour of your allies? it could be because of the shock result in the most recent local council elections, when pro—democracy teams seized control of all but one municipality. so under the new rules, notjust anybody will be able to stand for election in hong kong. they must first be vetted by an election committee controlled by beijing. the same committee will also directly appoint a large proportion of the city's mini parliament, the legislative council. it will be almost impossible for any candidate advocating democratic change to be elected. the chinese communist party is trying to annihilate the electoral system of hong kong and its proposal is moving backwards in terms of its openness and fairness and it has become an extremely

autocratic election system. here in the chinese capital, the central government is rapidly changing the very nature of hong kong. for party loyalists, they are celebrating rolling victories over a rebellious city that needed to be brought under control. there's not even the slightest bit of acknowledgement that ever—deteriorating freedoms there seem to show a breach of promises made at the time of handover. loyalty to the motherland is paramount. nothing else is getting a look in. stephen mcdonnell, bbc news, beijing. the return to the classroom for pupils in england begins on monday. students and everyone in their household will be offered lateral flow testing kits. but what about those parents and children who've been shielding? in a moment, we will be speaking to gemma adams, who is the headteacher at burhill primary school in surrey, but first, here is a clip

of a rather unusual video she made with her colleagues to welcome her students back. music: footloose by kenny loggins and i am delighted to say gemma joins me now. fracking good afternoon. afternoon. goodness. what are you thinkin: in afternoon. goodness. what are you thinking in terms _ afternoon. goodness. what are you thinking in terms of _ afternoon. goodness. what are you thinking in terms of you _ afternoon. goodness. what are you thinking in terms of you and - afternoon. goodness. what are you thinking in terms of you and your i thinking in terms of you and your staff and the pupils? we thinking in terms of you and your staff and the pupils?— staff and the pupils? we are so read to staff and the pupils? we are so ready to have _ staff and the pupils? we are so ready to have our _ staff and the pupils? we are so ready to have our children i staff and the pupils? we are so ready to have our children backj staff and the pupils? we are so i ready to have our children back here at the school. we really are. we

have missed having them on site. we have missed having them on site. we have had children in and we have just missed being together. so we are ready for them.— just missed being together. so we are ready for them. have you been doin: are ready for them. have you been doing zone — are ready for them. have you been doing zone classes? _ are ready for them. have you been doing zone classes? yes, - are ready for them. have you been doing zone classes? yes, we i are ready for them. have you been j doing zone classes? yes, we have, all on teams. _ doing zone classes? yes, we have, all on teams, children _ doing zone classes? yes, we have, all on teams, children have - doing zone classes? yes, we have, all on teams, children have been i doing zone classes? yes, we have, i all on teams, children have been set “p all on teams, children have been set up with their own accounts so have been having live lessons, they have been having live lessons, they have been having live lessons, they have been having group work with their class teachers, so yes, they have become very familiar with online learning. tt’s become very familiar with online learnina. fl ., , become very familiar with online learnina. �*, ., , ., learning. it's lovely you are excited and _ learning. it's lovely you are excited and enthusiastic i learning. it's lovely you are | excited and enthusiastic and learning. it's lovely you are - excited and enthusiastic and going on thejudgment of excited and enthusiastic and going on the judgment of my friends with children, the parents are the most excitable, i have to say. there is an element of seriousness about it. i know you still have to look after people, how are you and your team feeling about, it looked like you are outside quite a big building. we

are outside quite a big building. - are a large school, we need to be sensible, lots of risk assessments in place, making sure our children and staff are very safe during this time. ., ' , time. how different will things feel? you _ time. how different will things feel? you are _ time. how different will things feel? you are teaching - time. how different will things feel? you are teaching their i time. how different will things i feel? you are teaching their young children and i think that's hard, isn't it? to explain to them and what on earth has been going on in this country for the last year. tt is really difficult for some of younger children to understand and here we were all together in the autumn term, so we hope things will not look too different for children when they come back on monday. are any of your staff bit when they come back on monday. are any of your staff— any of your staff bit nervous? i take on board _ any of your staff bit nervous? i take on board the _ any of your staff bit nervous? i take on board the excitement. any of your staff bit nervous? i i take on board the excitement but there are health issues around this. have you had to have some kind of tricky conversations in the run—up to monday? i am so well supported by

the team and we want what is best for children and of course we do need to look after each other but we do have those safety measures in place and we just want to do what's right for the community and we know thatis right for the community and we know that is by having children back to school. do you take a view on vaccinations? some might be of an age where they have had their first jab anyway but do you take a view on whether that would have helped you get back any earlier miss what you think about that?— think about that? obviously we would, i would _ think about that? obviously we would, i would love _ think about that? obviously we would, i would love my - think about that? obviously we would, i would love my staff. think about that? obviously we would, i would love my staff to think about that? obviously we i would, i would love my staff to have had their vaccinations but we are waiting on that. some have which is really positive so they are rolling through the programme quite quickly but no, we'rejust through the programme quite quickly but no, we're just working through that. but no, we're 'ust working through that. , ., ., but no, we're 'ust working through that. , a ., but no, we're 'ust working through that. , ., that. very good luck for monday. i ho -e it that. very good luck for monday. i hope it goes _ that. very good luck for monday. i hope it goes swimmingly. - that. very good luck for monday. i hope it goes swimmingly. i - that. very good luck for monday. i hope it goes swimmingly. i hope i that. very good luck for monday. i i hope it goes swimmingly. i hope it's enjoyable. i know it's a of work but all the best eu and the whole team

for you green spaces are known to improve health and wellbeing, as well as providing benefits for the environment and wildlife. more of us are increasing the amount of greenery in our front gardens, by opting for plants instead of paving. the rhs says 40 square miles of new trees, flowers and grass has been created across the uk over the last 5 years. tim muffett has been meeting some keen gardeners to find out what changes they've made. that garden has got me through what has been a really challenging three years. when camilla added plants to herfront garden in sheffield, the effects were far—reaching. four years ago, the front garden was in really bad shape, so it had been used pretty much as a builders' yard.

and at the same time, my mum was diagnosed with cancer, so we had a pretty rough time as a family. being able to go outside and just make everything a little bit better i think was one of the few things that i could do at that time. the uk's front gardens are getting greener, according to the royal horticultural society. its research suggests that plant cover has increased by almost 40 square miles over the past five years. what's been really lovely is seeing how people respond to the garden, because, you know, we're a little street, so you see people walking up and down, and if somebody stops and smiles, then that's very much the reward. in woking, another front garden with plants instead of paving. when i come home, i feel good about arriving at my own door. and because it changes every day, you get involved, you get interested in what's going on. neighbours stop to talk, so i know more people in my road.

compared to 2015, it's thought more than 1 million more front gardens in the uk now contain only greenery, so why the big change? well, in 2008, paving or concreting over a front garden did become more difficult. since then, you've needed planning permission to do that for an area over five square metres. gardens max your physical, mental, and social well—being. _ with the covid—19 impact, i i think people are recognising the health benefits. the royal horticultural society's garden in wisley. it's notjust home to thousands of beautiful plants — a lot of research goes on here. there's a new science centre being built. we've just recently done a study where we put two tiny planters i and a tree in a salford street, and we measured cortisol, i which is a stress hormone. we found a 6% decrease in stress, which is equivalent to eight - mindfulness sessions.

and for anyone without a front garden, the team here believe a window box or a pot can also make a big difference, helping pollinators such as bees, or even reducing pollution. just some silver—leafed plants will really help. things like stachys byzantina would be really good. any plant that's covered in lots and lots of tiny hairs, they have a larger surface area, they can lock in all of the dust particles in the atmosphere. plant in as big a pot as you can, and always line terracotta with a plastic bag, and thatjust stops all of the waterjust leaching out into the environment, and locks it into the soil where you need it. punch a few holes in the bottom so the water can drain away, and the plant's roots aren't sitting drowning, literally, in all of the excess water that they don't need. the small acts that you do, they contribute to a huge great tidal wave of achievement, really. a new season is approaching, and for many, a new sense of optimism.

there's a growing appreciation, it seems, for the power of nature. tim muffett, bbc news. we just need to look at images like that to calm down after last year. now it's time for a look at the weather with stav. we end the week on a quiet not because we have got a big area of high pressure sitting right on top of the uk. i have the air mass to show you it's also pretty cold and not particularly sunny. quite a bit of cloud under there. probably favoured spots of sunshine across parts of scotland, wales, south—west england. 0therwise parts of scotland, wales, south—west england. otherwise a lot of cloud and thick enough for showers and parts of southern scotland and north and east england, moving brisk north—easterly breeze. chilly

anywhere, highs of 4—7. this evening and overnight, mostly sustained largely dry. with clear spells likely to see frost developed and the orgy shower continuing across northern eastern england and southern scotland. the sort of temperatures. a wintry flavour over the higher ground. cold night and widespread frost. into the weekend with high—pressure dominating, it will remain quite chilly. cold air mass still locked in place. we start saturday morning cold, frost around and also mist an fog. some sunshine, probably more than what we have had for the last couple of days. again through the afternoon the cloud may build and there could be the orgy shower affecting eastern parts of england. the chance of thicker cloud and showers —— could be the odd shower. highs of around seven. away

from coasts a bit milder across the far north—west, leading to part two of the weekend, changes for the north and west, windy and wet, elsewhere chilly, building into the afternoon and foremost a chilly day for the time of year. temperatures creeping up a bit across the north and west. into next week, the pressure sequence shows big changes. the atlantic comes back to life sending weather fronts and deep areas of low pressure our way to bring a spell of rain and gales. you will notice the blue being replaced ljy will notice the blue being replaced by orange and yellow as the wind direction changes. from the north—east to the west and south—west. more unsettled through next week. wet and windy weather and temperatures will recover.

spotlight on a different capacity to what they had before. this is bbc news, i'mjane hill. the headlines. angerfrom nhs workers in england, after they're told of a proposed pay rise this year — of 1%. staff urge the government to think again. ijust implore boris to just take himself back to this time last year, i believe, when he was taken care of in a fantastic nhs hospital and was given excellent care, and that's what we give. no other public sector employee is receiving a pay rise, and so it's against that backdrop that the government has decided that, and all we can afford, is the 1%. the duke of edinburgh has been moved back to a private hospital in london, for recuperation after a heart procedure earlier this week.

the duchess of sussex says she wasn't allowed to give an interview to oprah winfrey before her wedding, but is now able to speak out. it is really liberating to be able to have the right and the privilege, in some ways, to be able to say, yes, i'm ready to talk. new figures show the number of people with coronavirus fell by about a third last week across the uk. cyprus says any britons who've had both doses of a vaccine can travel there without quarantine, from first may — even though foreign holidays are still illegal. a warm welcome as the pope becomes the first pontiff to visit iraq, despite covid and security fears.

unions are calling it a kick in the teeth — nhs staff in england have reacted angrily to the government proposal of a 1% pay—rise. the royal college of nursing says the increase should be 12.5%, and have set up a fund to prepare for any potential strikes. ministers say public finances are under pressure, and many other public sector workers are to have their pay frozen. the labour leader, sir keir starmer, says health workers deserve better. 0ur political correspondent iain watson reports. pulling together in a pandemic unprecedented in their lifetimes. for many, the cost hasn't just been financial. it has been a difficult, difficult time. i know nurses that have been suffering with ptsd. for some nurses, i honestly believe

this is going to be the final straw. well before the pandemic in 2018, a three—year pay settlement was agreed in england, but now a new deal is needed for the next financial year. the government submission to the nhs pay review body proposes a 1% pay rise for health service staff in england. the royal college of nursing have said this is "pitiful," saying it would amount to only an extra £3.50 a week take—home pay for an experienced nurse, and they're calling for a 12.5% increase. but the government insists that nhs pay is more generous than it first appears. those earning less than £24,000 will get a bigger cash injection than 1%. nurses have had an increase of 12% over the past three years, and newly—qualified junior doctors can get an 8% rise. health ministers say that nhs staff in england have been well treated compared to everyone else in public service jobs, and they were pleased that the chancellor could find any extra cash at all. i knew that we had frozen public

sector pay, that no—one in the public sector was receiving a pay rise, so i was pleasantly surprised that we were making an offer. and i think it'sjust worth mentioning as well that in the private sector, many people are actually losing theirjobs and have been on very much reduced incomes over the past year. it may feel like winter, but the political temperature is rising. this morning, the nurses�* union, the rcn, said they were setting up a £35 million strike fund. this would be to compensate their members for any loss of earnings if they decide to take action over pay. it's notjust health service workers who've been on the front line during the pandemic. teachers have been holding classes for children of key workers, police and other emergency services can't work from home, so labour wants to see everyone in the public service rewarded with an increase. public sector workers should get a pay rise, they shouldn't have their pay frozen. they have been keeping our country going throughout this pandemic.

it is absolutely wrong to freeze their pay at this time. but labour hasn't said how the estimated cost of £1 billion would be met, and the party has ruled out any emergency tax rises. the government has been keen to show its appreciation for nhs staff, but health unions say last year's clap for carers has been replaced now by a hands—off attitude to public sector pay. iain watson, bbc news, westminster. 0ur political correspondent jonathan blake says the 1% rise reflects caution in government about public finances. there is no letup in the pressure on ministers over this 1% offer and the criticism of it. the latest coming from the public service union unison, who described it as pitiful and are encouraging people in the tradition of that clap for carers, where people were encouraged to show their appreciation for nhs

staff and other key workers by coming out and holding a round of applause, they are looking to turn back on the government and are encouraging people to take part in a "slow handclap" this coming thursday in what they hope will be a show of support for nhs staff who are clearly not happy, and those representing them are not happy at this offer from the government. unions saying the offer is derisory and are encouraging people to take part in something of a protest. the government is sticking to its guns so far, sources pointing out that at the moment inflation is 0.7%, so this 1% offer of a pay rise is above inflation, although of course it is projected to go up in the coming months, so that's where the debate comes on about whether this is an above inflation pay increase or not.

and this lunchtime, the prime minister's spokesman saying this offer is what is affordable and that the pandemic has had real consequences and the government has done all it can to protectjobs and save livelihoods. do we think that this is the beginning of a negotiation, that there might be some movement? the government would say there are other front line workers who have been vital during the pandemic such as police officers and they have not been offered a pay rise, so there are other public sector examples, is what the government would say. that is key in the context of this. last year, the government announced that a lot of public sector workers would see their pay freeze in. ——lot of public sector workers would see their pay frozen. so you mention police officers, prison staff and others who will not get a pay rise of any kind in the coming year, so that is one factor here. the process is that the department of health has made a recommendation to the independent pay review body who will then consider it and make its recommendation to the government

and it is for ministers to ultimately decide. whether in a few weeks or a couple of months, while the process takes its course, the government has a change of heart and actually decides to offer a more generous pay rise, we will have to see. certainly there is no indication that they are open to any kind of negotiation and the message is that this 1% pay increase is the limit of what the government can afford if they were to offer anything more, they would have to make cuts elsewhere. coronavirus infection rates are continuing to fall across the uk, according to the office for national statistics. the data suggests the number of people with the virus fell by about a third last week. the r number currently stands at between 0.7 and 0.9, meaning the prevalence of the virus is decreasing. as the vaccination programme continues, bbc news has found that some people with asthma who are eligible for a jab are being refused one, by some gps. 0ur health correspondent

katharine da costa reports. as a child, sophie cairns says she was hospitalised many times because of her asthma. she takes a daily steroid to manage the condition, but was told by her gp she would still have to wait for her age group, the over—40s, to get her vaccine. i've had bronchitis and pneumonia several times, so i probably have lung scarring. and even so, i was told that i am in phase two because of my age group. government guidance recommends that those with severe asthma should be vaccinated in priority group six. but some patients have been told only recent hospital admissions count. campaigners want more clarity. we think there needs to be an urgent communication out to gps to clarify the guidance. but also to help find these people, if gp systems are not quite fit for purpose in this regard.

it also speaks to gps being able to use their clinicaljudgment. while the uk is moving at pace, vaccinating more than one in three adults, the eu is still lagging behind. roll—out in europe has been hampered by production delays, affecting both pfizer and astrazeneca. italy has now blocked a shipment of a quarter of a million doses of the oxford vaccine being exported to australia. it's a little ironic that europe didn't seem very keen - on the astrazeneca vaccine a few weeks ago and all of a sudden i once the uk demonstrated it was a good vaccine, i we see a shipment. to australia blocked. back in the uk, infections continue to fall from a peak in early january. the latest survey from the office of national statistics show the number of people with the virus dropped by about a third in this week's data.

as it grows exponentially, it also falls exponentially. so this could be things continuing to come down at the same rate. i if we look at hospital figures, - they show a more consistent decline and there is no particular indication of that - slowing anytime soon. the government has promised a bumper month, as vaccine supply here is ramped up. but keeping infections low is seen as crucial to protect those still waiting for a jab and to minimise the risk of new variants emerging. katharine da costa, bbc news. and the health secretary matt hancock will be leading a downing street news conference at 5pm this afternoon. there'll be full coverage on bbc one in england and the bbc news channel.

the duke of edinburgh has left the nhs hospital where he had a heart procedure on wednesday, and will continue his recovery at the private king edward vii hospital. he was first admitted there more than two weeks ago. jon donnison is there. buckingham palace are being pretty tight—lipped. they confirmed he has been transferred here to king edward vii hospital this morning, that was at 1130 this morning. he was transferred by ambulance. it's a pretty short journey from st bartholomew's, a couple of miles. he came by ambulance with his close protection officers behind him and went into the back of the hospital. buckingham palace say he is expected to remain here for a number of days for continuing treatment following that successful procedure which was on a pre—existing heart condition which took place on wednesday. find

which took place on wednesday. and we are told he will remain there for a few more days, that is as much as we can say i think.— we can say i think. yes, in fact not even that. — we can say i think. yes, in fact not even that. a _ we can say i think. yes, in fact not even that, a number— we can say i think. yes, in fact not even that, a number of— we can say i think. yes, in fact not even that, a number of days i we can say i think. yes, in fact not even that, a number of days is i we can say i think. yes, in fact not. even that, a number of days is what they are saying. that gives us a pretty broad brush. he's been in hospital now for 17 days, he is 99, so they are obviously being careful. broadly i think this should be seen as a positive sign, i certainly don't think they would have moved him if he wasn't seen to be on the mend. as i say, buckingham palace saying that he is likely to be in for a number of days and that would take us over the weekend and possibly up to three weeks in hospital for the possibly up to three weeks in hospitalfor the duke. cyprus is the first country to say it will allow british tourists, who have been fully vaccinated against coronavirus, to visit without further restrictions — from the start of may. if travellers can prove they had had

both doses of a vaccine, they won't need to be tested on arrival or go into quarantine. travel abroad from the uk is currently only allowed for exceptional reasons — until at least may 17th. the deputy minister of tourism in cyprus is savvas perdios. he's been talking to our transport correspondent caroline davies about the decision to allow brits to travel there from may. from the 1st of may we will be accepting british travellers with a vaccination passport but i would like to go further back and make sure everyone is aware that from the 1st of april, we are beginning flights again from the uk and everybody is going to be able to fly from the uk to cyprus, as long as they have the necessary tests. we are categorising the uk with a traffic light system. basically or

there is green, orange or red. if you are in the green category, no testing is required. 0range category, one test is required. read category, one test is required. read category means a double test is needed. no matter what the case, there will be no quarantines unless of course you test positive when you get here. so, this is a very open system, we want to make sure that everybody flying from the uk or everybody flying from the uk or everybody who wants to fly from the uk, they are able to come to cyprus. for us, this is the basic principle. then on top of that, we said that from the 1st of may, anybody flying from the 1st of may, anybody flying from the 1st of may, anybody flying from the uk who has been vaccinated will not need to have a test prior to flying. it's just a facilitation. if a vaccination certificate is available, we will accept that instead of a test. let me say, it is obvious and i want to stress that whether people are going to be allowed to fly or when they will be

allowed to fly or when they will be allowed to fly from the uk is entirely dependent on the uk government. i do not want to give the impression that our decisions are about that. people still need to follow uk government rules. so, if thatis follow uk government rules. so, if that is on the 17th of may or earlier or later, it is entirely up to the uk government. hour earlier or later, it is entirely up to the uk government. how are you ”lannin to the uk government. how are you planning to _ to the uk government. how are you planning to be — to the uk government. how are you planning to be able _ to the uk government. how are you planning to be able to _ to the uk government. how are you planning to be able to assess - planning to be able to assess whether someone has had a vaccination or have had two vaccinations before they travel to cyprus? vaccinations before they travel to c rus? , , cyprus? this is where we need the hel of cyprus? this is where we need the help of the — cyprus? this is where we need the help of the uk _ cyprus? this is where we need the help of the uk government, i cyprus? this is where we need the help of the uk government, and i cyprus? this is where we need the | help of the uk government, and we started the technical discussions. it's very important for us that the vaccine is a vaccine which has been approved by the european medicines association. at the moment, there are three that are approved, hopefully more to come in the near future. the second prerequisite, but the second dose has been administered at the seven day prior to flying. we will need from the uk government especially a border control, is to be sure that the

vaccine certificate is indeed authentic. whether this means a digital system, authentic. whether this means a digitalsystem, bar code authentic. whether this means a digital system, bar code or a certificate from the gp for example, thatis certificate from the gp for example, that is entirely up to the uk government. we are quite open to that, it depends on what the uk government wants to implement as a system of authentication. we will be flexible. discussions had started so i do hope that we will have more on that soon. the deputy tourism minister in cyprus talking about that announcement from his government today. just to remind you. the department for transport has announced that uk passengers travelling internationally from next monday will need to carry a new form that sets out that their trip is permitted. let's get reaction to this with the independent�*s travel the form can be downloaded from the

government website but airlines and others will be obliged to check you have it. let's get reaction to this with the independent�*s travel editor simon calder. good afternoon. here is one of these forms, hot good afternoon. here is one of these forms. hot off _ good afternoon. here is one of these forms, hot off the _ good afternoon. here is one of these forms, hot off the press. _ good afternoon. here is one of these forms, hot off the press. it's - good afternoon. here is one of these forms, hot off the press. it's going . forms, hot off the press. it's going to be a matter of getting your passport ready, your ticket ready and getting your declaration to travel ready. this is something we have never seen before. it is a declaration that you have to fill in, effectively an exit permit to let you out of the country. as from monday morning, anybody turning up at a port, an airport or a railway station going abroad has to produce this form duly completed, there are spaces for your name and passport details and then you tick the box saying whether you are going abroad for work, saying whether you are going abroad forwork, education, saying whether you are going abroad for work, education, volunteering or whatever. it is the latest draconian move that really makes it pretty

impossible to leave england. similar rules apply in northern ireland, wales and scotland. ultimately underpinning this is the do not travel, simply do not leave your home rule, which effectively bans all holidays both domestically and internationally. however, this has been brought in because the home secretary said there were too many people leaving the uk and coming back again. people leaving the uk and coming back aaain. , . ., back again. yes, and there are certain exceptions _ back again. yes, and there are certain exceptions where - back again. yes, and there are certain exceptions where you | back again. yes, and there are i certain exceptions where you can travel and it is on the government website. the form is to prove you fall into the work of family and so on categories. it's been interesting this is coming out on the day that cyprus is flying the flag and saying, come and visit us, as long as you've had both doses. the tourism minister, quite interesting there but he did say, we don't wish to pre—empt the british government. do you think that is about cyprus reminding holiday—makers, we want

your tourism money and as soon as it is permitted, please think of us, we'll make it as easy for you as we can. , , ., ., . we'll make it as easy for you as we can. , , ., w ., can. yes, there is a race for the sun. can. yes, there is a race for the sun- forget _ can. yes, there is a race for the sun. forget all— can. yes, there is a race for the sun. forget all this _ can. yes, there is a race for the sun. forget all this stuff - can. yes, there is a race for the sun. forget all this stuff about. can. yes, there is a race for the i sun. forget all this stuff about the european union digital green pass, it is every country for themselves. already, estonia, poland, romania, they said if you've had both jabs, in yukon. cyprus is really interesting because it's the first mainstream holiday destination which has come out and said this and is really, term i have heard is "pre—suading" people. you warm them up "pre—suading" people. you warm them up in advance and really there's a lot to be said for sitting with a glass of wine and enjoying the warmth of the sunshine, and they are doing a pretty good job at saying, effectively, you're doing really well at your vaccine programme, last

year you might have been the sick man of europe but now the girls and boys of summer and come on down. it is very, very much a bit of marketing, effectively done. as we'vejust marketing, effectively done. as we've just heard from the deputy tourism minister, they are not treading on uk ties and they are not saying come here even though you're not allowed to. just to remind everybody, no holiday is completely illegal, certainly from england and at lunchtime the first minister of scotland nicola sturgeon made it absolutely clear that there is not going to be any loosening of the no international travel rule in scotland in the nearfuture. absolutely, no holidays, we keep hearing that. it is interesting, i wonder whether you think other countries will follow suit? by definition, certain age groups will be able to go, if that is the rule. we all know which category you have to be in for the vaccine to have had

both pot so they know the category of person he will be flying over. absolutely. it is now "clubjab". if they will make arrangements for people who haven't been vaccinated able to come over with their families, there will be a testing regime. if rates in uk continue to drop, it may even be that the ist of april, that the uk finds itself in the green list at which point there aren't any restrictions to anybody. but it does show you how quickly things are moving. the greeks have done quite a bit of softening up but cypriots are the first people who have come out and said, we've got the mediterranean sunshine for you and we are ready for you to turn up, particularly if you've had those

vaccinations, expect some reaction from the other end of the mediterranean in spain and also portugal which is still of course on the red list, which is as bad as it gets. when you come back from there at the moment you have to go into hotel quarantine for ii at the moment you have to go into hotel quarantine for 11 nights and coming back into the uk at the moment requires three tests and at least ten days of self—isolation. very interesting. we'll see what happens next. thank you. "pre—suading", i like that, i'll be using that again. the duchess of sussex said she had given an in—depth interview to us chat show host oprah winfrey because she was now free speak for herself, now that she and her husband, prince harry had quit royal duties. meghan markle said said it is "really liberating" to be "able to make a choice on your own" in the latest teaser clip of her interview with oprah. let's take a look.

i couldn't have said "yes" to you then, that wasn't my choice to make, so as an adult who lived a really independent life, to then go into this construct that is... ..different than i think what people imagine it to be, it's really liberating to be able to have the right and be privileged, in some ways, to be able to say, "yes, i'm ready to talk." and to say it for yourself and to not have to consult with anybody at this point. yeah, to just be able to make a choice on your own and just be able to speak for yourself. katie nicholl, vanity fair's royal editor and author of the book "harry and meghan" told me earlier what she is expecting from the programme. there is a huge sense of excitement about this. it is going to be one of the best rated shows, capitalising on that, we had another trailer released,

nothing short of drama and the americans are absolutely fascinated. they want to know where the fairy tale came undone. this is going to be the first time we hear from the couple speaking since their decision to step down from the royal family. we are told by oprah winfrey it is a no holds barred interview, she wasn't restricted from asking anything and clearly nothing is off—limits. what is the balancing act for harry and meghan in terms of how frank they can be? given that they have, well, we spent the last two weeks talking about harry's grandfather being in hospital, given that his brother is the heir to the throne and we used to be told they were so close as brothers. where is that balance? we have yet to see that. they can be as frank

as they want, but to what cost? family relations are already under a huge amount of tension and this has reopened that rift between william and harry. the brothers having got back in touch, this has set back the healing process and the members of the royal family are obviously very concerned about the interview and exactly what the couple are going to say. meghan has talked about "the firm," is she talking about the royal family or the men in grey at the palace? it is hard to see how any good is going to come out of this when it comes to family relations. i'm sure for the queen, who is clearly very preoccupied with her husband and has a lot on her plate, this is really the last thing she needs, particularly given how accommodating she has been of the couple.

it is interesting hearing meghan talking about feeling liberated. when i look back at the amount of freedom they were given, she clearly felt she had her wings clipped, she clearly felt her voice was taken away and this is her opportunity now to speak up, to speak out. the united nations says it is yet to see evidence from the united arab emirates that the daughter of dubai's ruler, princess latifa, is still alive. in secretly recorded videos obtained last month by the bbc, princess latifa accuses her father, sheikh mohammed, of holding her hostage in dubai and says she fears for her life. the un has requested proof from the uae government that she is alive — a un spokesman told reporters there'd been no response so far. the leading racehorse trainer

gordon elliott has appeared before a disciplinary panel in ireland, after an image emerged of him straddling a dead horse. we've chosen to crop the photograph you're about to see. the circulation of this photo of the grand national—winning trainer has sparked fury and disgust across the sport. gordon elliott faces a possible ban after what he has described "a moment of madness". he's been temporarily barred from racing in britain, pending the irish investigation. let's speak to our sport correspondent laura scott. tell us more about the hearing and what's happening. the tell us more about the hearing and what's happening-— what's happening. the irish horse racina what's happening. the irish horse racing regulatory _ what's happening. the irish horse racing regulatory board _ what's happening. the irish horse racing regulatory board has - what's happening. the irish horse racing regulatory board has been| racing regulatory board has been holding a referral hearing today at an undisclosed location in ireland. that started at 9:30am. they are considering their investigation into

the image of gordon elliott which circulated last weekend showing him sitting astride the body of a dead horse. gordon elliott has apologised but it has caused widespread condemnation both within horse racing and beyond it. we know that they have a series of rules about they have a series of rules about the conduct of participants in horse racing and the assumption in the racing and the assumption in the racing industry is that they will be looking closely at a section of their rules which relate to behaviour which might be considered prejudicial to the good reputation. raising. as yet, no white smoke from the hearing. the british horseracing authority doesn't have any direct involvement but they have temporarily put a ban on gordon elliott from having any runners in britain while the investigation is ongoing and they would be expected to reciprocate any sanction but the irish authorities put in place. nearly six hours since the hearing

began, we are still awaiting the outcome. we began, we are still awaiting the outcome. ~ ~ , outcome. we think there will be something _ outcome. we think there will be something today? _ outcome. we think there will be something today? it's _ outcome. we think there will be something today? it's really - something today? it's really difficult to — something today? it's really difficult to say. _ something today? it's really difficult to say. we - something today? it's really difficult to say. we know - something today? it's really| difficult to say. we know that something today? it's really - difficult to say. we know that part of the evidence will be that image which has been in circulation since last saturday, we don't know what other evidence they might be considering. anything from gordon elliott himself in terms of his reaction to this and any context he might give. there has been some whatever the outcome of that hearing today whether or not we get that result today, there are clearly some major possible implications will the cheltenham festival in two weeks' time. he is due to saddle a number of favourites. he was leading trainer at the festival previously. there is the grand national at aintree next month. he trained a grand national winner three times and there are several other major

race meetings in ireland as well. big decisions for his owners. has park said they were shocked by the images and with two horses. other owners have big decisions to make. he has lost two sponsors and clearly the future of his stables staff is uncertain. they are devastated by what has happened. there are major implications for the horse racing industry as a whole. many think this episode has caused untold damage.— now it's time for a look at the weather with stav. we end the working week on a rather chilly note but with high—pressure overhead, it's mostly dry across the uk, albeit rather cloudy. as we head through tonight, we will see some breaks in the cloud, so that means temperatures will drop below freezing in places,

a bit of mist and fog developing, but other areas hold onto the cloud, a wintry flavour over the higher ground but it is a chilly start to saturday. you can see sub zero values from many areas. this weekend high—pressure dominates, it will stay more mostly dry and settled but it will remain chilly. cold start to saturday but we should see sunshine around, other areas seeing variable amounts of cloud. through the day, cloud will build up in many places. the chance of some showers pushing into the north and west of scotland, but elsewhere, apart from the shower it should be dry and chilly. as we head through sunday at a similar story but then through the new week, it turns more unsettled. the atlantic comes back to life sending wetter and windy weather and milder weather our way. hello this is bbc news. the headlines... plans to give nhs staff in england a i% pay rise are dismissed by unions as a "kick in the teeth"

but ministers defend the proposal. our priorities have been protecting people jobs and livelihoods because without those businesses continuing and peoples employment continuing, we need that vibrant economy in order to fund the nhs. the duke of edinburgh has been moved back to a private hospital in london, for recuperation after a heart procedure earlier this week. the duchess of sussex says she wasn't allowed to give an interview to oprah winfrey before her wedding, but is now able to speak out. it's really liberating to be able to havem _ it's really liberating to be able to have... and the privilege in some ways— have... and the privilege in some ways to _ have... and the privilege in some ways to ways to be able to say yes i am ready— ways to ways to be able to say yes i am ready to — ways to ways to be able to say yes i am ready to talk. cyprus says any britons who've had both doses of a vaccine can travel there without quarantine, from ist may, even though foreign holidays are still illegal. and a warm welcome as the pope

becomes the first pontiff to visit iraq, despite covid and security fears. coronavirus infection rates are continuing to fall across the uk, according to the office for national statistics. the data suggests the number of people with the virus fell by about a third last week. the r number currently stands at between 0.7 and 0.9, meaning the prevalence of the virus is decreasing. as the vaccination programme continues, bbc news has found that some people with asthma who are eligible for a jab are being refused one, by some gps. professor anthony harnden is the deputy chairman of thejoint committee on vaccination and immunisation. speaking to us in a personal capacity, he explained the challenges of rolling out the vaccine, and suggested why some people with asthma had not been given the jab.

the evidence asthma is a risk factor. the problem is, the evidence shows that mild asthma is no more... people are no more at risk for their age than the population. it's about trying to reach out to those with severe or poorly controlled asthma, and this is difficult to define. we came up with some guidance about the use of steroids or recurrent recent hospital admissions or under hospital care for severe asthma, to try and get to those that have very severe asthma. one must remember that asthma is a continuum and it's only the severe end of the spectrum that should be at risk. we wanted to make sure that those are captured but not the millions and millions of pushed forward in the list at the expense

of someone else who may be more vulnerable who don't have any more risk than the average age for the population. that is the difficulty of organising a roll—out across the country and keeping it fair, i suppose. and trying to get the message out that as far as you are concerned, it is fair. i'm not trying to diminish someone with asthma but a couple of weeks ago we were talking about whether teachers should be prioritised. i suppose every so often we think of people we feel should be given priority and i suppose yourjob is to make sure it operates in the most medically effective way. yes, we must realise that the predominant risk factor is age, without any shadow of a doubt. what we've done is try and construct a simple and understandable programme based around age and those with underlying health conditions within group six, and those vulnerable within group four.

it has been challenging but we are trying to be fair because we must remember, we are still working down the age bands and there are many of those aged 50 to 60 who are critically ill on itu at the moment, who would have benefited from having the vaccine. we really do not want to... there's an opportunity cost that for every person you give a vaccine to who isn't at risk, you are denying someone who is more at risk. it is really important we keep this as fair and simple as possible and i think we've achieved that to date and the programme has been acknowledged to be a wide success and we are rapidly immunising many millions of people, about 21 million to date with their first dose. so we try to be fair and equitable and follow the science. it is interesting, you have half—answered where i was going because you say that you think we've achieved that.

anecdotally, we talk about it and we talk about it particularly in terms of older relations and geographical variation. a 65—year—old in one part of the country might have had their first dose and another part they haven't. is thatjust the nature of the roll—out? are you still broadly satisfied it is progressing as it should? you are always going to hear anecdotes and there will always be bits of the country slightly ahead of other bits. but actually the government have been really good about this. they've tried to even out the supply right across the country, said the areas falling behind will be given more vaccine supply in the coming weeks. broadly it has kept the priority groups which we suggested. the biggest problem is reaching out to those communities who are less taking up the vaccine at the moment. we know there are issues within the black, asian and ethnic minority communities and some of the more deprived communities.

we want to reach out to them and make the vaccine both accessible and make people confident it is safe and effective. stories of some people slipping through the net is more of a concern than the odd person that ends up being given the vaccine when they shouldn't have been privatised. i'm not so concerned about the anecdotal reports, i am more concerned the programme continues to reach out to those communities that are disproportionately affected by the pandemic. that is very interesting and we have reflected a lot on that in the last few weeks. while you are here, they are just asking about the latest r number because the estimate is three for england as being between 0.7 and 0.9. we are still broadly in lockdown. i'm just interested in what you think of that figure, whether you would like to see it a little better, by which i mean we are all talking about schools going back next week and getting into a time of more easing

in relation to that. it is clearly good news is that it's going down but we do anticipate the r number will slightly increase when schools return next week. there are two key things. one is that we must keep the vaccine programme running quickly and at speed because vaccination is the way out. at the same time, we need to unlock slowly and we need to carry on obeying the rules. because if we don't obey the rules, what will happen is the virus will become more prevalent again, it will transmit more frequently, it will mutate more and we will start seeing some vaccine escape. then we will rapidly be getting back to square one again. it's really important we both vaccinate quickly and cover as many people as possible, but that we also unlock very slowly. if we can do that and get

to the summer, then we'll be in a really good position before next winter to consider very carefully whether we will need a booster dose of the vaccine and protect ourselves fully in the next winter. what we really don't want to see is any more lockdowns. we are all fed up with it. you and i, everyone, and all your listeners, arejust fed up, we want to get our lives back and we understand that but we just need to be patient over the next few months. yes, absolutely. and it's interesting you look ahead to next winter, because we haven't done that very much, perhaps we daren�*t sometimes. as you are a gp, what stories are you hearing, what are patients saying to you, and would you like better or more messaging around maintaining social distancing? i'm thinking of whatjonathan van—tam said last week about how he had patients say, basically i've had one jab, can i go out and about now

and enjoy myself? there is a natural thought there and i do many not only gp things and media things, radio phone ins and it's always, we've had the jab, can we go out and party or kiss our grandchildren? the message is really, really clear. we mustn't do this. we mustn't give it all away now. at really the last few months. if we can hold on in there. we were in a few months ago and we've done so well with the vaccination programme and our adherence to the rules, i think people, i think that message is getting across and i think if people can just be patient and just wait a little bit longer, we will really have cracked this one in the uk. and we'll be in a much better position moving forward to next winter.

when we can make judgments about what will need to do to keep the coronavirus at a very low prevalence. so we are nearly there yet, we are doing well, just don't throw it all away at the moment. that message from the deputy chair of the joint can immunisation and vaccination. the government has "no plan" to meet climate change targets, two years after setting them in law, according to parliament's public accounts committee. it says ministers need to come up with a coordinated strategy to remove carbon emissions from britain by the middle of the century. the government has dismissed the cross—party report as inaccurate and unfair. our energy and environment analyst roger harrabinjoins us now.

the committee says one thing, the government says another. what is a viewer to make of this? the government _ viewer to make of this? the government set _ viewer to make of this? the government set a _ viewer to make of this? inez government set a target to viewer to make of this? i“i9 government set a target to meet viewer to make of this? i“i9: government set a target to meet near zero emissions by 2050 and its thinking of ways it can do that. it will have an industrial decarbonisation programme and a transport decarbonisation strategy. the committee are frustrated that these sort of things are taking far too long. they point out that with the uk hosting this huge climate change summit at the end of the year, the uk really needs to be able to show that it has got a credible plan for meeting that ambitious target of 2050. it says at the moment the plan doesn't exist. government is saying as i suggested that it will have a plan but the committee says that's not good enough. you have to have the plan now. they take into account things like the treasury, the treasury is setting guidance to other departments of how to green up their policy but the treasury hasn't shown

exactly how this will work, according to the committee. they put the framework in place but nothing will happen because they have not shown how it will work in practice. 24 shown how it will work in practice. 2a hours ago we were talking about the eu ruling and what the eu had said about britain and targets but equally you're making the point that lots of other european countries were similarly being chastised, if i can put it that way. so is this about the government thinking it is too expensive to try to make everything work or are we as a nation grappling with similar problems that lots of nations are grappling with? mi problems that lots of nations are grappling with?— grappling with? all nations are ara- lin: grappling with? all nations are grappling with _ grappling with? all nations are grappling with this _ grappling with? all nations are grappling with this problem . grappling with? all nations are grappling with this problem of| grappling with this problem of climate change which presents us with a challenge, the like of which humanity has never seen before. previously we were making economic changes depending on improvement of technology. this time around we have to change the entire economy the way everything works to take into

account the need to have a stable climate. it's massively, massively difficult, but the committee suggest the government should and could be doing better on this agenda, especially given that wish to lead the world on the issue which it frequently claims it is. if you ask the government they will say we have world leading carbon emissions cuts and that's true, but it's also true that when you look ahead, the government is veering away from its climate change targets and the committee says this is absolutely the wrong way to be going. for now, thank ou the wrong way to be going. for now, thank you very _ the wrong way to be going. for now, thank you very much. _ the wrong way to be going. for now, thank you very much. our— the wrong way to be going. for now, i thank you very much. our environment analyst. we are talking about this story a lot over the next few days for obvious reasons. there'll be a mixed emotions on monday when all children in england are able to return to school. many parents may breathe a sigh of relief as their home schooling duties end.

after weeks of lessons at the kitchen table and in the lounge, how are parents and children feeling about their return to the classroom? in a moment we will hear from the comedian sophie mccartney, whose tired �*n tested channel records life as a parent home—schooling two children. here's an excerpt from one of her videos. 2021, 202i, bring it on, new year, new media, i am 202i, bring it on, new year, new media, iam in 202i, bring it on, new year, new media, i am in activewear, 202i, bring it on, new year, new media, iam in activewear, i have trainers and an apple watch. boris to make an announcement? i'm not sure i understand. you and

me both. on her last day of home—schooling, sophiejoins me now. i have a few friends who would think you made a video for them. first thoughts about monday. your children go back to school i assume and give us a sense of how your feeling. yes. us a sense of how your feeling. yes, the do. i us a sense of how your feeling. yes, they do. i would _ us a sense of how your feeling. yes, they do. i would like _ us a sense of how your feeling. yes, they do. i would like to _ us a sense of how your feeling. i9: they do. i would like to week to add event, like christmas. but more exciting. we are looking forward to monday. the kids are really looking forward to it as well and maybe if they had been asked at the beginning they had been asked at the beginning they thought home—schooling was the best thing and then after a few months of mummy school the h to get back. we months of mummy school the h to get back. ~ :, ~ months of mummy school the h to get back. ~ . ~ ., back. we will talk about the challenges _ back. we will talk about the challenges but _ back. we will talk about the challenges but actually - back. we will talk about the - challenges but actually everybody says whatever age their children are, they are desperate to be back in the classroom with their friends. this whole experience has been the best advert for school ever. they

actually want to go back. absolutely. my little boy has been a bit of a home bird, i don't like going to school, but even now, he has relented that actually school is the much better option and they miss their friends and the interaction and my two have been at home throughout all the many lockdowns. they have just had enough. they need the social interaction. they need a person who is actually trained in the art of teaching because it is an art, not anybody can do it at all. and they need to get back into that classroom and get back to it. find classroom and get back to it. and there has been _ classroom and get back to it. and there has been for parents very, very serious side to this because a lot of people have been trying to do the best that they feel they can for their child, but actually hold down a job at the same time. and we know about working from home and incessant zoom calls and everything it entails how people are meant to

both at once. it it entails how people are meant to both at once-— both at once. it is near impossible and something — both at once. it is near impossible and something has _ both at once. it is near impossible and something has got _ both at once. it is near impossible and something has got to - both at once. it is near impossible and something has got to give - both at once. it is near impossible| and something has got to give and both at once. it is near impossible i and something has got to give and in this situation, mental health has 100% suffered. i cannot do the job that i was used to doing when the children went out at school all day. so now i am home—schooling them with two of them being quite little and one who is eight years old. i have to spend one morning doing one and then move on to the others so by the time we finish, the school day is 95 and then i start myjob at 5pm, they go back in front of some kind of technology and then they go to bed and i work till about 2am. the effect that has on my sleep and how i am feeling and getting up in the morning and starting the whole cycle again is exhausting. we have put a lot of pressure on ourselves to try and juggle everything throughout this pandemic and a lot of it has fallen into the hands of mums. there

have been a lot of studies that have shown the case that it is the females who are taking on that role as the home educator and that stay at home parent and it has been a lot to take on board, very overwhelming and moving out of lockdown and into the future i think the long lasting effects on peoples mental health might be quite an issue especially children's mental health because they are taking on a lot and add not used to it and for them to try and express how they are feeling in this situation, it's difficult for them. i think we will be talking about that a lot in the weeks and months ahead. all the very best for next week. i hope you catch up on a bit of sleep and i know then you have to think about work. thank you very much. we are cutting that off because i want to bring you some news back on coronavirus specifically. we are just hearing that the missing person

who tested positive for the brazilian variant of concern has now been found. you will remember that one person, problems with documentation, firms not fell down its understood public health officials have traced all that individual�*s contact so they have traced and found a person and everyone that person has been associated with. that's all the detail i have at the moment. i am trying to remember how exactly long that has been going on. i am sure you will remember the brazil variant getting into the country in england and scotland. health officials say that they have found that person and traced that person is contacts. no details about who the person is, where they are, age, anything like that or indeed why the documentation was not in order but there is clearly an awful lot to emerge but we are hearing some positive news as

far as public health officials are concerned. doubtless there will be more on that after lipm. green spaces are known to improve health and wellbeing, as well as providing benefits for the environment and wildlife. more of us are increasing the amount of greenery in our front gardens, by opting for plants instead of paving. the rhs says a0 square miles of new trees, flowers and grass has been created across the uk over the last 5 years. tim muffett has been meeting some keen gardeners to find out what changes they've made. that garden has got me through what has been a really challenging three years. when camilla added plants to herfront garden in sheffield, the effects were far—reaching. four years ago, the front garden

was in really bad shape, so it had been used pretty much as a builders' yard. and at the same time, my mum was diagnosed with cancer, so we had a pretty rough time as a family. being able to go outside and just make everything a little bit better i think was one of the few things that i could do at that time. the uk's front gardens are getting greener, according to the royal horticultural society. its research suggests that plant cover has increased by almost a0 square miles over the past five years. what's been really lovely is seeing how people respond to the garden, because, you know, we're a little street, so you see people walking up and down, and if somebody stops and smiles, then that's very much the reward. in woking, another front garden with plants instead of paving. when i come home, i feel good about arriving at my own door. and because it changes every day, you get involved, you get

interested in what's going on. neighbours stop to talk, so i know more people in my road. compared to 2015, it's thought more than i million more front gardens in the uk now contain only greenery, so why the big change? well, in 2008, paving or concreting over a front garden did become more difficult. since then, you've needed planning permission to do that for an area over five square metres. gardens max your physical, mental, and social well—being. _ with the covid—19 impact, - i think people are recognising the health benefits. the royal horticultural society's garden in wisley. it's notjust home to thousands of beautiful plants — a lot of research goes on here. there's a new science centre being built. we've just recently done a study where we put two tiny planters i and a tree in a salford street, and we measured cortisol, i which is a stress hormone. we found a 6% decrease in stress, which is equivalent to eight - mindfulness sessions.

and for anyone without a front garden, the team here believe a window box or a pot can also make a big difference, helping pollinators such as bees, or even reducing pollution. just some silver—leafed plants will really help. things like stachys byzantina would be really good. any plant that's covered in lots and lots of tiny hairs, they have a larger surface area, they can lock in all of the dust particles in the atmosphere. plant in as big a pot as you can, and always line terracotta with a plastic bag, and thatjust stops all of the waterjust leaching out into the environment, and locks it into the soil where you need it. punch a few holes in the bottom so the water can drain away, and the plant's roots aren't sitting drowning, literally, in all of the excess water that they don't need. the small acts that you do, they contribute to a huge great

tidal wave of achievement, really. a new season is approaching, and for many, a new sense of optimism. there's a growing appreciation, it seems, for the power of nature. tim muffett, bbc news. we all need more of that. much more coming up from lipm. now it's time for a look at the weather with stav danaos. we end the week on a quiet not because we have high pressure sitting right on top of the uk. i have the air mass on there to show you it's pretty cold and not particularly sunny. quite a bit of cold trapped under there, probably favouring spots of sunshine across scotland, wales, south—west england, otherwise quite a lot of cloud and thick enough for the shower in parts of southern scotland, northern and eastern england moving on that brisk breeze. chilly anywhere, highs of

4-7. breeze. chilly anywhere, highs of 4—7. into this evening and overnight, most places stay largely dry with clear spells, frost developing and the odd shower across north and eastern england and southern scotland. these are the sorts of temperatures. a wintry flavour over the high ground. cold to come and widespread frost. into the weekend. with high—pressure dominating it will stay mostly dry but it will remain chilly as well. cold air mass still in place. we start off saturday morning with cold, frost around and mist an forward, some sunshine, probably more around than what we have had, through the afternoon it cloud may build and affecting eastern parts of england. thicker showers affecting northern scotland but most places dry, chilly with highs of five to seven. milderaway

dry, chilly with highs of five to seven. milder away from posts. part two of the weekend, changes taking place, turns when the and wetter for the north—west of scotland. elsewhere chilly with sunshine, another chilly day for the time of year. temperatures creeping up, rain tonight suite, the pressure sequence shows we will see big changes. we atlantic comes back to life sending weather fronts and deep areas of low pressure which could bring rain. the blue colour is being replaced by orange and yellow as the wind direction changes from north—east to the west and south—west. more unsettled through next week, wet and windy weather with temperatures recovering.

this is bbc news, i'mjane hill. the headlines. angerfrom nhs workers in england, after they're told of a proposed pay rise this year of i%. staff urge the government to think again. ijust implore boris to just take himself back to this time last year, i believe, when he was taken care of in a fantastic nhs hospital and was given excellent care, and that's what we give. no other public sector employee is receiving a pay rise, and so it's against that backdrop that the government has decided that, and all we can afford, is the 1%. the duke of edinburgh has been moved back to a private hospital in london, for recuperation after a heart procedure earlier this week. the duchess of sussex says she wasn't allowed to give

an interview to oprah winfrey before her wedding, but is now able to speak out. it is really liberating to be able to have the right and the privilege, in some ways, to be able to say, yes, i'm ready to talk. new figures show the number of people with coronavirus fell by about a third last week across the uk. the mystery person who tested positive for the brazil variant of concern in the uk has been found following a nationwide hunt. a warm welcome as the pope becomes the first pontiff to visit iraq, despite covid and security fears. good afternoon.

unions are calling it a kick in the teeth — nhs staff in england have reacted angrily to the government proposal of a i% pay—rise. ministers say it's "what's affordable" at the moment and that many other public sector workers are about to have their pay frozen. labour says nhs staff need to be properly rewarded for their efforts during the pandemic. the royal college of nursing has called the pay proposals "pitiful" and has set up a £35 million fund to prepare for possible strike action. it comes as new data from the office for national statistics shows levels of coronavirus infections in the uk continue to fall — in fact they're down by about a third in the most recent week of data. the latest r number is between 0.7 and 0.9, suggesting infection numbers are shrinking. it means that, on average, every ten people with covid will infect between seven and nine others. and officials have confirmed that the mystery individual in england who tested postive for the concerning brazilian variant of covid—i9 has been found.

more on that shortly, but first, with more on the pay rise dispute, here's our political correspondent, iain watson. nhs staff have been working hand—in—glove with each other, pulling together in a pandemic unprecedented in their lifetimes. for many, the cost hasn't just been financial. it has been a difficult, difficult time. i know nurses that have been suffering with ptsd. for some nurses, i honestly believe this is going to be the final straw. well before the pandemic in 2018, a three—year pay settlement was agreed in england, but now a new deal is needed for the next financial year. the government submission to the nhs pay review body proposes a i% pay rise for health service staff in england. the royal college of nursing have said this is "pitiful," saying it would amount to only an extra £3.50 a week take—home pay for an experienced nurse, and they're calling for a 12.5% increase. but the government insists that nhs pay is more generous

than it first appears. those earning less than £24,000 will get a bigger cash injection than i%. nurses have had an increase of 12% over the past three years, and newly—qualified junior doctors can get an 8% rise. health ministers say that nhs staff in england have been well treated compared to everyone else in public service jobs, and they were pleased that the chancellor could find any extra cash at all. i knew that we had frozen public sector pay, that no—one in the public sector was receiving a pay rise, so i was pleasantly surprised that we were making an offer. and i think it'sjust worth mentioning as well that in the private sector, many people are actually losing theirjobs and have been on very much reduced incomes over the past year. it may feel like winter, but the political temperature is rising. this morning, the nurses�* union, the rcn, said they were setting up a £35 million strike fund. this would be to compensate their members for any loss

of earnings if they decide to take action over pay. it's notjust health service workers who've been on the front line during the pandemic. teachers have been holding classes for children of key workers, police and other emergency services can't work from home, so labour wants to see everyone in the public service rewarded with an increase. public sector workers should get a pay rise, they shouldn't have their pay frozen. they have been keeping our country going throughout this pandemic. it is absolutely wrong to freeze their pay at this time. but labour hasn't said how the estimated cost of £1 billion would be met, and the party has ruled out any emergency tax rises. the government has been keen to show its appreciation for nhs staff, but health unions say last year's clap for carers has been replaced now by a hands—off attitude to public sector pay. iain watson, bbc news, westminster. coronavirus infection rates are continuing to fall across the uk, according to the office for national statistics. the data suggests the number

of people with the virus fell by about a third last week. the r number currently stands at between 0.7 and 0.9, meaning the prevalence of the virus is decreasing. as the vaccination programme continues, bbc news has found that some people with asthma who are eligible for a jab are being refused one, by some gps. our health correspondent katharine da costa reports. as a child, sophie cairns says she was hospitalised many times because of her asthma. she takes a daily steroid to manage the condition, but was told by her gp she would still have to wait for her age group, the over—40s, to get her vaccine. i've had bronchitis and pneumonia several times, so i probably have lung scarring. and even so, i was told that i am in phase two with of my age group. government guidance recommends that those with severe asthma should be vaccinated in priority group six. but some patients have been told only recent

hospital admissions count. campaigners want more clarity. we think there needs to be an urgent communication out to gps to clarify the guidance. but also to help find these people, if gp systems are not quite fit for purpose in this regard. it also speaks to gps being able to use their clinicaljudgment. while the uk is moving at pace, vaccinating more than one in three adults, the eu is still lagging behind. roll—out in europe has been hampered by production delays, affecting both pfizer and astrazeneca. italy has now blocked a shipment of a quarter of a million doses of the oxford vaccine being exported to australia. it's a little ironic that europe didn't seem very keen - on the astrazeneca vaccine a few weeks ago and all of a sudden i once the uk demonstrated it was a good vaccine, - we see a shipment. to australia blocked.

back in the uk, infections continue to fall from a peak in early january. the latest survey from the office of national statistics shows the number of people with the virus dropped by about a third in this week's data. as it grows exponentially, it also falls exponentially. so this could be things continuing to come down at the same rate. i if we look at hospital figures, - they show a more consistent decline and there is no particular indication of that - slowing anytime soon. the government has promised a bumper month, as vaccine supply here is ramped up. but keeping infections low is seen as crucial to protect those still waiting for a jab and to minimise the risk of new variants emerging. katharine da costa, bbc news.

dr vishal sharma is the deputy chair of the bma's consultants committee and joins me now. welcome since you have about what the government is proposing, because it is notjust pay but pensions too? absolutely. healthcare workers have gone through the most difficult year in living memory. they are absolutely gutted and morale is at an all—time low. this is an insulting suggestion that after all of that, they will be getting a i% pay rise. on top of that, the pension freeze is a real concern for us because obviously it doesn't sound like much but the effect of that will be quite significant. doctors in particular will be hitting the allowance in the 50s and will be looking to be forced to retire as a result and the last thing we need at the moment is for people to leave the profession which

is exactly what will happen with these changes.— is exactly what will happen with these changes. is exactly what will happen with these chances. :, . :, , , these changes. how much worse is it that this is coming _ these changes. how much worse is it that this is coming at _ these changes. how much worse is it that this is coming at the _ these changes. how much worse is it that this is coming at the end - these changes. how much worse is it that this is coming at the end of- these changes. how much worse is it that this is coming at the end of a . that this is coming at the end of a year when health workers have been under so much pressure because of the pandemic? i% wouldn't be welcomed at any time but this year even less so i'm guessing.- even less so i'm guessing. exactly riuht. it's even less so i'm guessing. exactly right. it's been _ even less so i'm guessing. exactly right. it's been an _ even less so i'm guessing. exactly right. it's been an awful _ even less so i'm guessing. exactly right. it's been an awful time - even less so i'm guessing. exactly right. it's been an awful time for l right. it's been an awful time for everybody. people have gone above and beyond to care for patients and as i mentioned it really feels like we aren't valued and it's a bit of an insult. we expect there to be some recognition for what has happened but this doesn't go far enough. but happened but this doesn't go far enou . h. �* happened but this doesn't go far enouah. �* :, ., happened but this doesn't go far enouah. �* :, :, , enough. but the government would be criticised if they _ enough. but the government would be criticised if they weren't _ enough. but the government would be criticised if they weren't trying - enough. but the government would be criticised if they weren't trying to - criticised if they weren't trying to rein in some of the spending, if they weren't trying to pay back some of that money that's been borrowed to keep so many people going over the last year. the argument is that thatis the last year. the argument is that that is all the treasury can afford, i%. that is all the treasury can afford, 1%. ~ :, , that is all the treasury can afford, 1%. . ., , that is all the treasury can afford, 1%.: ., _ .,

that is all the treasury can afford, 1%. ., _ ., ., 1%. what they said and reported that the can't 1%. what they said and reported that they can't pay _ 1%. what they said and reported that they can't pay more _ 1%. what they said and reported that they can't pay more than _ 1%. what they said and reported that they can't pay more than 1% - 1%. what they said and reported that they can't pay more than 1% unless l they can't pay more than 1% unless they can't pay more than 1% unless they re—prioritise. that suggests they re—prioritise. that suggests they don't see the health of the nation and the welfare of health care workers as a priority. that's the bit that is really hard to take. this is about choices and this is the wrong choice to take for health care workers and patients. iinelith care workers and patients. with re . ard to care workers and patients. with regard to the — care workers and patients. with regard to the pensions, the lifetime pension cap isn't going to just apply to doctors, is it? there will be, it is a concern a lot of people will have, although it's been taken for financial reasons and the government doesn't see why people should basically have a bottomless pot they can fill with pension. why should doctors be any different? doctors are in a slightly different position to people in the private sector for example because in the nhs you can't adjust your pension savings independently of your earnings, they are directly linked. that's the problem. you can't be paid more, it is linked to what you

earn. that's the problem and that's why it forces you to effectively come out of the scheme and retire effectively because otherwise you get these large penalties. i5 effectively because otherwise you get these large penalties. is there evidence that _ get these large penalties. is there evidence that is _ get these large penalties. is there evidence that is actually _ get these large penalties. is there evidence that is actually going - get these large penalties. is there evidence that is actually going to l evidence that is actually going to happen? evidence that is actually going to ha--en? evidence that is actually going to ha en? �* ~ : :, evidence that is actually going to ha. .en? �* ~“ ., :, evidence that is actually going to hauen? �* ~ ., :, ., , , happen? the bma have done a survey and before the — happen? the bma have done a survey and before the budget _ happen? the bma have done a survey and before the budget we _ happen? the bma have done a survey and before the budget we had - happen? the bma have done a survey| and before the budget we had rumours of this happening and 72% of doctors said they would retire earlier as a result of this and over 60% said that they would reduce their hours as a result of these changes. 50 as a result of these changes. so they don't fall foul of the limit? but of course, doctors are paid by the taxpayer, is it right that when so many of the public sector workers are being squeezed, some are going to face a freeze not just a are being squeezed, some are going to face a freeze notjust a i% increase, but that pensions should be allowed to fill up and up and up without limit? the be allowed to fill up and up and up without limit?—

without limit? the problem is the effect of these _ without limit? the problem is the effect of these changes. - without limit? the problem is the effect of these changes. because| effect of these changes. because there is no flexibility in the scheme, essentially that is driving behaviour and that's why people will be. to retire as a result. only a few weeks ago the government made an exception forjudges, for example. exception for judges, for example. they exception forjudges, for example. they said, this is a real problem in thejudiciary, we will they said, this is a real problem in the judiciary, we will exempt them from this. they've done that in one sector where it's a problem. exactly the same problem happens in the nhs where it is a recruitment and retention problem, because of the pension tax on at the same solution to be found for people in the nhs and the public sector. we to be found for people in the nhs and the public sector.— to be found for people in the nhs and the public sector. we have heard that one of the _ and the public sector. we have heard that one of the nursing _ and the public sector. we have heard that one of the nursing unions - and the public sector. we have heard that one of the nursing unions is - that one of the nursing unions is looking at the potential for industrial action over pay. how likely is it that doctors would go on strike over it too? it’s on strike over it too? it's important _ on strike over it too? it's important to _ on strike over it too? it�*s important to remember that these changes haven't happened yet, we have a pay review process and one of the reasons we have these bodies in the reasons we have these bodies in the public sector is to avoid the

sort of disputes. the pressure is now on the doctors and dentist body, they have to recommend a fair pay award for doctors. that is going to be absolutely crucial that they demonstrate this real independence. if we are in a situation down the line where it is a i% or lower pay award, will have to consult our members about what we do next. doctor sharma, thank you. and the health secretary matt hancock will lead a downing street news conference at 5pm. we'll have full coverage here on bbc news and on bbc one in england. the duke of edinburgh has left the nhs hospital where he had a heart procedure on wednesday, and will continue his recovery at the private king edward vii hospital. he was first admitted there more than two weeks ago. jon donnison is there. what are they saying about his

condition? the palace is being quite tight—tipped, they have been all the way through, not wanting to give a running commentary on his condition. they had issued a short statement saying that after a successful procedure on a pre—existing heart condition on wednesday, he was transferred this morning at 11:30am, he travelled by ambulance, just a couple of miles across central london and was brought in around the back of king edward vii hospital. buckingham palace say that he will remain here for a number of days for continuing treatment, broadly i think it must be seen as a positive sign because i don't think they would have moved him if they didn't think he was on the mend. he has now beenin think he was on the mend. he has now been in hospitalfor i7 think he was on the mend. he has now been in hospitalfor 17 days and think he was on the mend. he has now been in hospital for 17 days and the queen and the rest of the royal family will surely be hoping he will be back home at windsor within the

next few days. the high court has ruled that the mail on sunday must publish a front—page statement about the duchess of sussex's victory in her copyright claim against the paper over its publication of a letter to her estranged father. another clip of oprah winfrey's cbs interview with meghan and harry has been released. in it, meghan says it's "really liberating" to now feel she can speak for herself. the interview will be aired in the us on sunday. i couldn't have said "yes" to you then, that wasn't my choice to make, so as an adult who lived a really independent life, to then go into this construct that is... ..different than i think what people imagine it to be, it's really liberating to be able to have the right and be privileged, in some ways, to be able to say, "yes, i'm ready to talk." and to say it for yourself and to not have to consult

with anybody at this point. yeah, to just be able to make a choice on your own and be able to speak for yourself. meghan markle in the interview which will be aired on sunday in the us. dr shola mos—shogbamimu is a lawyer and activist — who believes meghan was a victim of smear campaign. shejoins me now. it is going to make some very fascinating watching, i'm sure you'll agree. why do you believe she has been the victim of a campaign, what is the evidence you can actually point to rather than a sense that you get? this actually point to rather than a sense that you get?- actually point to rather than a sense that you get? this isn't a sense that you get? this isn't a sense that _ sense that you get? this isn't a sense that we _ sense that you get? this isn't a sense that we get. _ sense that you get? this isn't a sense that we get. i _ sense that you get? this isn't a sense that we get. i can't - sense that you get? this isn't a sense that we get. i can't even| sense that we get. i can't even believe that question is being asked. think about the fact that what we've seen today, with respect to meghan, is definitely an attempt to meghan, is definitely an attempt to smear her before this apparent tell all interview on sunday. they are repackaging claims that came up

two years ago against her, in order to put her in the wrong light in the eyes of the public. they are even linking earrings she wore to the jamal khashoggi murder. it wouldn't take a lot to see the reasoning that is happening here. that is why... targeted deliberately because of the interview shall be doing on sunday. but if there are concerns about anybody�*s conduct in the past, surely it's right they are examined and we have a right to know these complaints are made. she wants free speech in every direction.— speech in every direction. nobody is sa int speech in every direction. nobody is sa in: that speech in every direction. nobody is saying that it _ speech in every direction. nobody is saying that it shouldn't _ speech in every direction. nobody is saying that it shouldn't be _ saying that it shouldn't be investigated but why weren't they investigated but why weren't they investigated in 2018? why bring them up investigated in 2018? why bring them up days before the interview? these aren't new planes, they happened

then. why wasn't it investigated then? people have to understand that especially when it comes to black women, accusing us or calling us with the label "bully" is sentencing us without any proof. that is the point. this is not about why don't we have the investigation? have the investigation, but you must ask why didn't you have the investigation two and a half years ago. ioirolhozit didn't you have the investigation two and a half years ago. what you think meghan _ two and a half years ago. what you think meghan hopes _ two and a half years ago. what you think meghan hopes to _ two and a half years ago. what you think meghan hopes to achieve - two and a half years ago. what you think meghan hopes to achieve by| think meghan hopes to achieve by speaking to oprah winfrey? she's chosen one of the most famous tv hosts in the world to do an interview at a time when she wants us to believe that she left britain to escape media scrutiny. it seems contradictory. the to escape media scrutiny. it seems contradictory-— contradictory. the contradiction is our contradictory. the contradiction is your question- — contradictory. the contradiction is your question. she _ contradictory. the contradiction is your question. she never - contradictory. the contradiction is your question. she never told - contradictory. the contradiction is| your question. she never told you, she and harry never said they were escaping media scrutiny. what they said was they don't want intrusion, they said they wanted to step back

from senior royal duties. they want to have a life of service on their own terms. there's nothing wrong with that. i never said they wouldn't engage with the media. in fact they made a point of setting out guidelines of who in the media they would engage with. i think your question is deliberately twisted in a way that makes it sound as though, well, they are contradicting themselves. they are not. but well, they are contradicting themselves. they are not. but if you cautht themselves. they are not. but if you cau . ht the themselves. they are not. but if you caught the media _ themselves. they are not. but if you caught the media for _ themselves. they are not. but if you caught the media for your _ themselves. they are not. but if you caught the media for your own - caught the media for your own purposes, sometimes that can go wrong. purposes, sometimes that can go wron. ~ , :, purposes, sometimes that can go wron.~ purposes, sometimes that can go wron. :, :, wrong. when you say can go wrong, let us understand _ wrong. when you say can go wrong, let us understand this. _ wrong. when you say can go wrong, let us understand this. i _ wrong. when you say can go wrong, let us understand this. i think- let us understand this. i think anybody in the public eye that does something wrong, and if there is legitimate grounds to criticise them, by all means do so. if something goes wrong harry and maggie have the right to sue the newspapers or members of the media —— harry and meghan. all they said

if they are asking them to be fair, they are saying, don't make up lies about us. they are saying it has been so intrusive and oppressive and when you listen to the oprah interview, when she uses words like liberating, i think that has a profound sense of liberty. that's not because she doesn't want to be a member of the royal family. not because she doesn't want to be a member of the royalfamily. i think it's important to look at the totality of circumstances. this is a woman, and they are a couple, who face and unrelenting, absolutely relentless assault from the media, lies and misinformation, but they couldn't speak up, they couldn't defend themselves and the palace was definitely not defending them. there were no statements put out to

protect them or speak on their behalf like they did with prince andrew. it's important for people to understand the context because those who don't like meghan, those who are ready to attack her, would say what did she think she was doing when she went to the royal family? did she think she would just be about to speech? her use of the word liberating is key and you need to understand the circumstances and the fact she's used the word privileged to be able to speak for myself. if there are rules that make it impossible for you to be you, those rules should be broken. it's not meghan, not diana, the royalfamily and those rules must evolve otherwise it becomes oppressive and that would be a real problem. i think that is where meghan is coming

from. :, ~ think that is where meghan is coming from. . ,, i. the government has "no plan" to meet climate change targets, two years after setting them in law — that's the damning conclusion of a report from the influential public accounts committee. it also says that ministers still don't have a coordinated strategy to remove almost all the carbon emissions from britain by 2050. our energy and environment analyst roger harrabinjoins us now. what has the government managed to achieve? clearly it's not enough. the government has a lot of plans going towards a plan. it has said it is working on decarbonisation strategy for transport for instance and also one for industry and several other sectors of the economy. it is moving the banking system to a more sustainable footing. it says all of those things are under way and reports will be published before too long. the committee says that isn't good enough, it has been two years since the government said it was going to

adopt this stringent target. really the government should have come up with the solution is by now as to how it was going to achieve that. it said that the treasury has instructed other departments that it should take more care of the environment with his policies but it hasn't spelt out how to do that. a lot of good intentions from the government but not enough action. what have they said in response? the what have they said in response? i“i9 government has said it's on the way there but the question is, is it on there but the question is, is it on the way fast enough? i should say this isn't the only critical report out today about the environment, another committee, the business select committee have criticised the way the government is preparing for this autumn's crucial un climate summit. it said the government goes far too and woolly —— the government

goals are too vague and woolly and there was no way of knowing whether there was no way of knowing whether the summit would have succeeded or failed. the government says it is doing its best but the business committee says it should set a really clear goal and the overarching goal should be, is this summit going to deliver policies from all nations which are equivalent to keeping clan temperature rise below 1.5 celsius? that, the committee says, should be the benchmark so we know the november weather we have succeeded in protecting the climate or failed. to what extent has the pandemic set back the government? i to what extent has the pandemic set back the government?— back the government? i think it has set the government _ back the government? i think it has set the government backing - back the government? i think it has set the government backing all- back the government? i think it has| set the government backing all sorts of ways because the sort of effort that would be going into this summit has been diverted in many departments into the other problems.

the committee says this really isn't good enough, both committees say it isn't good enough and the government has to be sharper and commit itself. if you look back at the budget this week, the government has been heavily criticised by many broad green organisations for the lack of specific policies to drive down emissions now. it has given a new remix to the bank of england to take environment into account but in terms of reducing now, over the next five years, ten years, there was precious little in the budget to do that and there is no increasing pressure on the government to really start producing firm policies that will produce some action instead of the fine words that borisjohnson offers so regularly to un audiences. now, stav danaos has the weather. we end the week on a quiet night

because we have a big area of high pressure sitting on top of the uk. i've got the air mass on there to show you that it's also a pretty old high and not particularly sunny. there's quite a bit of cloud trapped under there. there's quite a bit of cloud trapped underthere. glimmers there's quite a bit of cloud trapped under there. glimmers of sunshine here and there but otherwise quite a lot of cloud with the odd shower in parts of southern scotland, northern and eastern england. it's going to be chilly wherever you are. as we head into this evening and overnight, most places are staying largely dry with some clear spells, likely to see some frost developing and there will be the odd shower continuing across northern and eastern england and southern scotland. it is a cold night come with widespread frosts and mist and fog. into the weekend, high—pressure dominating, staying mainly dry and settled but it will remain quite chilly with this cold air still

locked in place. saturday morning starts off cold with some frost around and also some mist and fog. some sunshine around but through the afternoon the cloud will build at times. there could be the odd shower in eastern parts of england. the chance of thicker cloud and showers in north—west scotland. most places try. —— dry. saturday night a cold one with some frost around. moving into the second part of the weekend, some changes in the north and west of scotland, turning windy and wet with a chilly start, some sunshine and cloud building up into the afternoon. for most chilly day with temperatures just creeping up across the north and the west. next week, the north and the west. next week, the pressure sequence shows she we will start to see some changes with the atlantic coming back to life sending weather fronts and deep

areas of low pressure, bringing rain and gales. blue being replaced by oranges and yellows as wind direction changes from the north—east to the west and south—west. turning more unsettled through next week with wet and windy weather and temperatures recovering too.

i'm martine croxall building up to the latest coronavirus briefing from the government today led by the health secretary matt hancock. nurses prepare for strikes over a proposed pay rise of 1% this year. nhs staff who've worked through the pandemic urge the government to think again: ijust implore boris to just take himself back to this time last year, i believe, when he was taken care for in a fantastic nhs hospital and was given excellent care and that's what we give. no other public sector employee is receiving a pay rise and, so, it's against that backdrop

that the government has decided that all we can afford is the 1%.