this is bbc news. these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. the british home secretary sets out new rules for asylum seekers who arrive in the uk. we will create safe and legal routes to enable people to come to the united kingdom in a safe way, so that they can also be resettled in the united kingdom. uk prime minister borisjohnson tells his party's mps that �*capitalism and greed' are behind the country's vaccine success — but then instantly withdrew the comments. questions remain over whether foreign travel from the uk will be allowed this summer, as europe faces a third wave of covid infections. what are your plans — have you already booked a holiday for the summer? or do you think we should just stay in the uk?

send me an e—mail... @vicderbyshire on insta or twitter or email me victoria@bbc.co.uk police in bristol arrest 1a people during a second night of protests against the uk government's police and crime bill. prince harry has a newjob — as "chief impact officer" at a california—based company that offers coaching and counselling. and coming up this hour. one of the world's busiest shipping routes is blocked by a grounded container ship — we'll speak to a ship's capitain about travelling through the suez canal. hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. the uk home secretary has announced plans for what she says are the biggest changes to the uk's asylum system in decades.

they include new rules which will make it harder for anyone arriving illegally to stay. an asylum—seeker is someone who's left their own country in order to seek protection from persecution. they haven't yet been legally recognized as a refugee and are waiting to receive a decision on their asylum claim. under the government's proposed changes, anyone applying to come to the uk through official international schemes will find it easier to stay than those who come in illegally —on boats in illegally on boats across the channel for example. priti patel says the new rules are "undeniably fair" and work to combat people smuggling. but refugee groups called the proposals "unjust" and "unreal". our home affairs correspondent june kelly has more. this is what the government is trying to stop. migrants who've paid thousands of pounds to traffickers for the final perilous leg of theirjourney to the uk. last year, 8,500 people arrived here by crossing the channel in small boats.

the majority of them are said to have claimed asylum. the home secretary believes those who come here in this way are rewarded, while others she describes as some of the most vulnerable, never make it to britain. under what is called the new plan for immigration, the home secretary says that if people arrive illegally, it will be harder for them to stay. those that are allowed to stay will have fewer family reunion rights and limited access to benefits. and they will be regularly reassessed for removal from the uk. she is closing off pretty much every door that people might use in order to flee persecution and rebuild their lives safely. it's not what a refugee convention really requires, it's not what the british public would, ithink, see as a fair system. the tenth anniversary of the start of the syrian conflict has refocused attention on the conditions people there are enduring

and trying to escape. the uk government says under a resettlement programme it's given a home to 20,000 people from this region. in future, anyone from syria who tries to come here using the channel route will not be made welcome. june kelly, bbc news. i'm joined by our politcal correspondent damian grammaticas. in terms of these plans, 183 people reached the uk in six boats yesterday, the highest daily figure so far. and almost as many in one day as for the whole of march last year. and this is the kind of thing that priti patel wants to stop happening?— that priti patel wants to stop haueninu? , , ,., ., happening? yes, this is one of the thins happening? yes, this is one of the things that — happening? yes, this is one of the things that is _ happening? yes, this is one of the things that is behind _ happening? yes, this is one of the things that is behind what - happening? yes, this is one of the things that is behind what we - happening? yes, this is one of the things that is behind what we are i things that is behind what we are seeing, that increased focus on the

number of arrivals coming across. you heard june kelly saying 8500 last year, the majority of whom claimed asylum across the channel in small boats like that. that is certainly one of the things the government wants to tackle. priti patel saying this morning she said are asylum system is broken and 60% of the people in the system have come illegally and it is clogging up. what the campaigners for refugees who take, those people have a right claim asylum, the numbers you are talking about are actually very, very small if you look at it in a global picture. those numbers are tiny compared to the numbers arriving in european countries, tiny compared to the numbers in countries hosting refugees close to conflicts. but what the home secretary is saying, the system here needs

changing and she wants to stop the illegal route, particularly the fact people use criminal gangs and people smugglers and this is what she was saying this morning. an end—to—end reform which will basically now look at how we can create safe and legal roots to protect people who are fleeing persecution and stop them from being put in the hands of people smugglers and criminal facilitators which we are seeing on a daily basis with people being smuggled into the united kingdom, taking perilousjourneys and dangerous journeys that are putting people's lives at risk — that is what we want to stop by changing the system. there is a legal system that was put in place for bringing some syrian refugees to the uk, but one of the questions this morning to the home secretary was about those legal roots. she said there were discussions going on, but what charities and refugee groups say, this will create a two—tier system

where effectively what you have is somebodyjudged not on the merits they bring and the persecution they are fleeing, but the route they took to get to the uk. and they say that under the geneva convention, under the refugee convention, people should not be penalised because of that, there is no obligation on them to claim asylum in a country they pass through. what the labour party is saying, they believe that by withdrawing rights to financial support, it could penalised those who have genuine claims and may be ultimately not deter people from turning to people smugglers. the process now though is this is a consultation, a proposal and it will go out to consultation and it would have to pass through both the commons, the loads and potential legal challenges as well.— commons, the loads and potential legal challenges as well. thank you very much. —

legal challenges as well. thank you very much, damien. _ legal challenges as well. thank you very much, damien. if— legal challenges as well. thank you very much, damien. if you - legal challenges as well. thank you very much, damien. if you are - very much, damien. if you are getting in touch with us, send us an e—mail. the third wave of coronavirus sweeping across europe means it's still too early for britons to book foreign holidays, according to prime minister borisjohnson and his scientific advisors. the warning came as the uk marked the anniversary of the first lockdown with lights and candles for the 126,000 lives lost. jon donnison reports. from belfast to blackpool... ..falkirk to cardiff. from countless homes around the uk, to perhaps its most famous one. the united kingdom lit up to remember the more than 126,000 people who've lost their lives here to covid—19. and a warning from the government's chief medical adviser for england that while uk cases had fallen sharply, the virus is here to stay. i regret to say that i think the chances of eradicating this

disease, which means getting rid of it absolutely everywhere, are as close to zero as makes no difference. we've only achieved eradication of one disease, which is smallpox, with a phenomenally effective vaccine over a very long period of time. but i think if you talk to anybody who looks out this really seriously, who understands how infectious diseases work, i don't think there's anybody who thinks eliminating from the uk, or eradicating globally for any long period of time, is a realistic prospect at this point in time. and while more than 28 million people in the uk have now received a first vaccine dose, progress is much slower in most european countries, many of which are now suffering a third wave of the virus. that's why people hoping for a long—awaited foreign holiday might be disappointed. most overseas travel is banned until at least mid—may. the government now says it will make an announcement on trips abroad from england on april the 5th, a week earlier than expected.

the prime minister says summer holidays this year still look difficult. jon donnison, bbc news. professor neil ferguson is the epidemiologist whose predictions prompted the uk to go into its first lockdown a year ago. he spoke to bbc breakfast a little earlier, and he was asked how soon people in the uk can hope to get back to some sort of normality. i have always said it's not going to be an event, it's going to be a gradual process, a getting back to normality. i think i'm optimistic we'll be able to start seeing each other again in the next month, which is within the road map plan. i am personally looking forward to a haircut, which will be a nice side of normality. and it will be a gradual process. depending on what happens in other areas of the world, travel may be one of the later things to be relaxed. but i think whilst not everything will be back to normal, by the summer, certainly by the autumn, it will feel a lot more normal.

professor mark woolhouse is a professor of infectious diseases epidemiology at the university of edinburgh, he also advises both the scottish and uk governments. i asked him whether he's certain the uk will experience a third wave. it is not absolutely inevitable. there is a range of scenarios as to what can happen over the next few months. the best case scenario is the vaccine roll—out continues to be as effective and impressive as it is now and any rise in cases doesn't translate into an enormous health burden on the nhs. so there are optimistic scenarios and pessimistic scenarios and the government has to weigh between the two. what scenarios and the government has to weigh between the two.— weigh between the two. what you think the vaccine _ weigh between the two. what you think the vaccine programme - weigh between the two. what you think the vaccine programme that j think the vaccine programme that potentially restricts the effect of a third wave?— potentially restricts the effect of a third wave? . , ., ., a third wave? certainly a third wave ofthe a third wave? certainly a third wave of the known _ a third wave? certainly a third wave of the known variants. _ a third wave? certainly a third wave of the known variants. the - a third wave? certainly a third wave of the known variants. the weight l of the known variants. the weight going on in europe at the moment is

driven by varying that was created, as best we know, into the uk. if that wash back on our shows, that would be our own fault, we have had that way. the government are worried about new variant that are better at evading the protection of the vaccine affords us and they do want to guard against that. in vaccine affords us and they do want to guard against that.— to guard against that. in your view, she had 18-year-olds _ to guard against that. in your view, she had 18-year-olds and - to guard against that. in your view, she had 18-year-olds and under- to guard against that. in your view, she had 18-year-olds and under b l she had 18—year—olds and under b vaccinated? it she had 18-year-olds and under b vaccinated?— vaccinated? it is not my view that counts, it vaccinated? it is not my view that counts. it is _ vaccinated? it is not my view that counts, it is the _ vaccinated? it is not my view that counts, it is the joint _ vaccinated? it is not my view that counts, it is the joint committee l vaccinated? it is not my view that. counts, it is the joint committee of vaccine and immunisation and they will look at the clinical trials going on in under 18—year—olds to see if the vaccine is safe and effective in that age group. if it is, and i am sure it will be, if it is, and i am sure it will be, if it is confirmed, it needs to be confirmed first, then we have to consider whether we need to vaccinate children in order to reach the herd immunity threshold. that is our best chance of keeping the

numbers of cases low of this disease in the long term. bud numbers of cases low of this disease in the long term.— in the long term. and we are going to talk to a — in the long term. and we are going to talk to a member— in the long term. and we are going to talk to a member of— in the long term. and we are going to talk to a member of the - in the long term. and we are going to talk to a member of the jcvi - in the long term. and we are going to talk to a member of the jcvi in i to talk to a member of thejcvi in half an hour or so. holidays, ifeel duty bound to ask you what your view is, whether we will be able to go abroad this summer or not. although no one actually knows, you have a view on whether it is likely or unlikely? i view on whether it is likely or unlikel ? ., �* ~' unlikely? i don't think the scientists _ unlikely? i don't think the scientists should - unlikely? i don't think the scientists should be - unlikely? i don't think the | scientists should be telling unlikely? i don't think the - scientists should be telling people whether or not they should be going on holiday. 0urjob is to advise government of the epidemiology kyl process is. doing nothing is not an option, we do need to take some precautions to protect ourselves from viruses introduced from overseas. but do the measures in place a month ago and last summer be enough? it doesn't look that way because we did get the introduction of variance from europe over last summer, so it looks like we need to take extra precautions. the question is, can travel be made safe by some

combination of testing and self isolation? 0r, combination of testing and self isolation? or, is that not enough and therefore we have to extend the very serious restrictions we have on travel? d0 very serious restrictions we have on travel? , ., ., ., ., ., , very serious restrictions we have on travel? ., ., ., ., travel? do you have a thought as to which it will— travel? do you have a thought as to which it will be? _ travel? do you have a thought as to which it will be? i _ travel? do you have a thought as to which it will be? i think _ travel? do you have a thought as to which it will be? i think there - travel? do you have a thought as to which it will be? i think there is - which it will be? i think there is time to do _ which it will be? i think there is time to do a — which it will be? i think there is time to do a little _ which it will be? i think there is time to do a little bit _ which it will be? i think there is time to do a little bit more - which it will be? i think there is i time to do a little bit more work. there has been a tremendous amount of interest in what kind of testing and self isolation regime would give you as much guarantee as possible that infections would not be brought in. i wouldn't completely rule out some travel to some locations yet if the government was willing to put the government was willing to put the investment into establishing whether or not we can make travel safe. let's hear from that member of the jcvi because there is one report in a british newspaper this morning that children in the uk will start receiving their vaccine as early as august. but the jcvi's receiving their vaccine as early as august. but thejcvi's professor adam then told me earlier no decision had been made. and while

clinical trials are under way to test the efficacy and safety in children and young adults, these trials have not concluded. this is what adam finn had to say. it may turn out to — what adam finn had to say. it may turn out to be _ what adam finn had to say. it may turn out to be necessary _ what adam finn had to say. it may turn out to be necessary to - what adam finn had to say. it may i turn out to be necessary to immunise children, but we have not made any decisions on that. the spokesperson you quoted is correct, the studies that will show us the vaccines in children are acceptable, is still under way. children are acceptable, is still underway. i children are acceptable, is still under way. i think it is premature to conclude that there will be a programme children, let alone that will start in august. the way the particular piece was written in the seems to have suggested that i was the person who told them that and i certainly wasn't. bk. the person who told them that and i certainly wasn't.— certainly wasn't. 0k, thank you for clearin: certainly wasn't. 0k, thank you for clearing that _ certainly wasn't. 0k, thank you for clearing that up. _ certainly wasn't. 0k, thank you for clearing that up. we _ certainly wasn't. 0k, thank you for clearing that up. we are _ certainly wasn't. 0k, thank you for clearing that up. we are giving - clearing that up. we are giving about 3 million doses of the vaccine every week. so far we are speeding through and there is this four—week delay of supplies from india which

could slow things down a little bit, but we are more than on track? yes. but we are more than on track? yes, i think but we are more than on track? yes, i think things — but we are more than on track? yes, i think things are _ but we are more than on track? yes, i think things are going _ but we are more than on track? yes i think things are going forward well. clearly we would have preferred not to have had this slightly disturbing information about limited supply. in fact, i think we were expecting that to happen at some point along the way. and certainly, every other aspect of the programme is going forward really well. we are interested to see what kind of coverage rates we get as we move down through the age groups. we are still in phase one, down to the age of 50 and people are coming forward in very large numbers to be immunised, which is very reassuring. in to be immunised, which is very reassuring-_ to be immunised, which is very reassurin. , . , ., reassuring. in israel, i understand the are reassuring. in israel, i understand they are vaccinating _ reassuring. in israel, i understand they are vaccinating 16 _ reassuring. in israel, i understand they are vaccinating 16 and - they are vaccinating 16 and 17—year—olds at the moment. what kind of studies are they looking at? in fact, the phase three data on the pfizer vaccine, which is the one being used in israel, did include a

reasonable number of 16, 17—year—olds. so the data to support using the vaccine in that age group already exists. and so that may have contributed to their decision to go forward in those older teenagers. we are currently assembling the evidence with the other vaccines and if routine immunisation of children does go forward at some point, it would be logical to start with older teenagers and work down, just in the same way we have done through the aduu same way we have done through the adult population. there is more transmission amongst teenagers than there is amongst younger children. sure, if we do go forward with that and vaccinate teenagers and perhaps younger, what will that mean for covid in this country? the younger, what will that mean for covid in this country?— covid in this country? the likely driver of any — covid in this country? the likely driver of any such _ covid in this country? the likely driver of any such policy - covid in this country? the likely driver of any such policy will. covid in this country? the likely driver of any such policy will be | driver of any such policy will be based on what we find, how well we find the vaccines interrupt transmission within the population.

the programme up until now has been focused on trying to stop people dying or getting very sick with covid, in other words individual direct protection of the people who get the vaccine. as we move down the population, the rates of serious illness are lower in younger age groups and it becomes more about trying to reduce the circulation of the virus, in the same way we are trying to do that with lockdowns and social distancing. when you get down to children, they are very few serious illnesses in children. it becomes almost entirely about trying to reduce spread. if it proves necessary to immunise children as well in order to achieve that, that would be the main argument for doing it. that would help keep schools open, which is very important for the benefit of children. and the benefit of children. and arents!

the european commission is expected to give details later of stricter controls on covid vaccine exports. brussels has accused the vaccine manufacturer astrazeneca of breaching its contract with the eu by delivering tens of millions fewer doses than promised. 0ur europe correspondent nick beake has the latest. i have been talking to people behind the scenes in brussels and their position they denied this would be an export ban on vaccines in itself. they talk about giving more flexibility to the european union and really the opportunity to get a stable supply of vaccine is going to the 27 eu member states because, as we know at the moment, there is a real problem getting hold of the vaccine. also there is problems persuading people to take it. so these new proposals that they are coming up with today, they will be officially unveiled in a few hours' time but they are looking to tighten the existing system and by that, that means commission officials will look, every time, a shipment of vaccine doses is to be sent outside of the eu, like to the united kingdom, for example, although official stressed the uk is not the target of these measures, and what officials will be doing is looking

at the vaccination rate in the country where the shipment is supposed to be going and if it is very high, potentially this consignment could be blocked. also, they'd be looking at the company that has made the batch and if this company is going to deliver on time but sending other vaccines at the very last minute, millions say in the last week, then potentially that could also be a reason why the containment is blocked. a massive container ship is blocking the suez calan in egypt — causing a trafficjam one of the world's most important shipping routes. the 400—metre—long ever given — owned by the taiwanese shipping firm evergreen, got stuck yesterday morning after losing power. the canal through egypt is a vital link for freight between asia and europe. 50 ships a day normally pass through it, carrying 12%

of the world's trade. let's talk to captain stephen gudgeon, who's been through the canal many times. this isn't a crisis, but it will probably be annoying, how does a tanker get stuck?— tanker get stuck? good morning, victoria. there _ tanker get stuck? good morning, victoria. there are _ tanker get stuck? good morning, victoria. there are many - tanker get stuck? good morning, victoria. there are many reasonsj tanker get stuck? good morning, - victoria. there are many reasons why you would lose control in the canal. 0ne you would lose control in the canal. one of them is engine failure. you lose control due to engine failure. you would lose control due to a steering failure or you would lose control, which appears to be the case here, because they have been, they have experienced high winds. these big containerships have a very, very big windage area and once that wind blows in excess of a speed which they are able to control the

ship, then you just end up going towards the bank. the bank then reacts to the size of the ship going past. and then you skew, like this one has. at this stage, we have no idea what the causes. itruiiiiii one has. at this stage, we have no idea what the causes.— idea what the causes. will it have to be really _ idea what the causes. will it have to be really strong _ idea what the causes. will it have to be really strong winds - idea what the causes. will it have to be really strong winds to - idea what the causes. will it have to be really strong winds to do i to be really strong winds to do that? this is a massive container ship. 0r that? this is a massive container ship. or is it because it is so huge, that when you are steering it... you have steered these things, tell us how hard it is to steer it when the wind is pushing you? it is very difficult. _ when the wind is pushing you? it 3 very difficult, very tricky. you have to be very, very careful and you have to be on the ball all the time. you cannot relax, you have to react as soon as something happens. and in a space like the suez canal, there's not a lot of time to be able to react. we are very fortunate, if

you work for a reasonable shipping company, they send all their masters on training courses to transit the suez canal. before you go there, you are aware of these problems and you are aware of these problems and you are aware of ways of mitigating circumstances like this. but it is tricky, it is tricky and you have to be on the ball. 0ne tricky, it is tricky and you have to be on the ball. one of the other things i would be looking at if i was investigating this, and it is commonly the first things investigators will look at, is seafarer fatigue on board. investigators will look at, is seafarerfatigue on board. they investigators will look at, is seafarer fatigue on board. they will make sure people have had proper rest before transiting the canal. it is really important. if you are tired, you cannot react quickly enough. that is one of the factors they first look at. i have some

concerns that due to the covid crisis, seafarers are going around the world and ships of the size carrying containers, carrying oil, carrying containers, carrying oil, carrying liquid gas and they are tired because they are not being relieved on time due to the covid crisis. closing down ports where they would be repatriated to go home and enable them to get proper rest and enable them to get proper rest and recreation. i mean, these guys join the ships and they are doing twice as many months on board as they are contracted to do.- twice as many months on board as they are contracted to do. which is how many months? _ they are contracted to do. which is how many months? well, - they are contracted to do. which is how many months? well, if- they are contracted to do. which is how many months? well, if i - they are contracted to do. which is how many months? well, if i givel how many months? well, if i give m self as how many months? well, if i give myself as an _ how many months? well, if i give myself as an example, _ how many months? well, if i give myself as an example, i - how many months? well, if i give myself as an example, i would i myself as an example, i would normally do three months on and three months. but ijust left my last ship after doing five months.

my last ship after doing five months. my colleagues on board would do for months, were doing eight months. the other teams who would normally do six months were doing between nine, ten and 11 months and people are exhausted. really, it is really good that you have given me the opportunity to highlight this to people. because this is a disaster in the suez canal, but there could be potentially disasters anywhere in the world which could create much more of an environmental or fatal reaction. because people arejust more of an environmental or fatal reaction. because people are just so tired. we reaction. because people are 'ust so tired. ~ ., ., ., ., tired. we are told that there are ten tankers _ tired. we are told that there are ten tankers carrying _ tired. we are told that there are ten tankers carrying up - tired. we are told that there are ten tankers carrying up to i tired. we are told that there are ten tankers carrying up to 13 i ten tankers carrying up to 13 million barrels worth of crude oil now stuck behind this tanker, so thatjust

now stuck behind this tanker, so that just shows you, now stuck behind this tanker, so thatjust shows you, i suppose, the potential knock—on effect of this mega trafficjam on the sewers? there is a massive knock—on effect. —— suez. looking at the pictures, it looks like it will take awhile to get it out. it is stuck in the how long? i have no idea how long. ships are often having incidents in the suez canal, for one reason or another, but nothing quite as big as this. this is one of the largest ships in the world. these have only just started to transit the suez canal. i know from talking to suez canal. i know from talking to suez canal pilots, they have always been a little bit concerned about the ships and the size of them and, you know, of the potential disaster that could happen. fiiq ithink it know, of the potential disaster that could happen. fiiq i think it will could happen. ok. i think it will take a while, so be prepared for

shortages in the shops. d0 take a while, so be prepared for shortages in the shops.- take a while, so be prepared for shortages in the shops. do you mean da s, shortages in the shops. do you mean days. weeks. — shortages in the shops. do you mean days, weeks, what _ shortages in the shops. do you mean days, weeks, what do _ shortages in the shops. do you mean days, weeks, what do you _ shortages in the shops. do you mean days, weeks, what do you mean? i i days, weeks, what do you mean? i think days. thank— days, weeks, what do you mean? i think days. thank you _ days, weeks, what do you mean? i think days. thank you very - days, weeks, what do you mean? i think days. thank you very much i days, weeks, what do you mean? i | think days. thank you very much for talkin: to think days. thank you very much for talking to us- _ think days. thank you very much for talking to us. a _ think days. thank you very much for talking to us. a captain _ think days. thank you very much for talking to us. a captain who - think days. thank you very much for talking to us. a captain who has i talking to us. a captain who has been through the service canal many times. israel's prime minister benjamin netanyahu is looking likely to struggle to form a new coalition, after the nation's fourth general election in two years. with 90% of the votes counted, he has won the largest number of seats, but will now need to search for partners in a new coalition. earlier he claimed the vote as a "huge win" for the right—wing and for his party, likud. translation: pay attention to the differences. _ we have over 30. the next party below us has less than 20 votes. they don't like to say that in the media but this is the biggest margin between the two leading parties

in tens of years going back. we are going out to world war iii, the war against corona. israel is the champion of the world in vaccinations. israel is a model for the whole world, it is a great success. our correspondent in jerusalem yolande knell says the task of forming a coalition government has been complicated by the unexpectedly strong showing of an israeli arab party. certainly a struggle for benjamin netanyahu to build a new struggle, which is what he says for once but israel a different coalition partners. different things have happened in the last few hours, there has been some political drama as unexpectedly, a small israeli arab party passed the threshold for entering the parliament. we saw

dancing in its headquarters. very unusually, its leader has actually expressed support for benjamin netanyahu during this election campaign, splitting off from other israeli arab parties. that makes him into a potential kingmaker, as benjamin netanyahu tries to form a new coalition. we know already that one of his long—time political rivals, somebody whose idea logically close to him, the former defence minister, he will have to win him round if he wants to have a chance of forming a narrow majority in the 120 seat israeli parliament. but things still remain extremely close and we won't get the final results until the end of the week. authorities in myanmar have released an estimated 600 people from prison in yangon after they were detained during anti—coup demonstrations. many of those released are young university students who haven't seen their families in weeks. protestors across the country have today staged a nationwide silent strike.

the streets have been deserted and many shops have closed for the first time since the military takeover. these pictures are in yangon which has seen some of the biggest rallies in recent weeks. the demonstators are calling for the immediate release of aung san suu kyi who still hasn't been seen since she was detained on february first. until she is free, protestors say they will continue to uphold a civil disobedience movement, which is growing increasingly violent. the latest victim is a seven—year—old girl, as mark lobel reports. the youngest person to reportedly die at the hands of the myanmar military, seven—year—old khin myo chit. her older sister was in their house with her and theirfather when soldiers stormed it. she described what happened. translation: they went upstairs and asked, i will you open the doors or not? and then they asked, who else is in this house?

when nobody opened the door, my dad replied, no one else, that's all. they said, don't like, and they fired gunshots while my sister was sitting against my dad's chest. they brutally shot a seven—year—old child. that followed the reported fatal shooting in the chest of this mother's1li—year—old son tun tun aung hs a de earlier by the gentle, in their low—cost housing comply. translation: my son tends to be i the one who closes unlocks the door. i feel so heartbroken by his death. this mother's15—year—old son was also reportedly fatally shot in the head by the military as he was leaving this local teashop translation: my son tends to be i the one who closes unlocks the door. translation: | feel - heartbroken by this military, as they brutally murdered my son.

i want to kill them, as they killed my son. i want them to lose their lives, like my own son did. charity save the children says it is horrified, and that... the death of these children is especially concerning, given that they reportedly were killed while being at home, where they should have been safe from harm. translation: | feel - heartbroken by this military, the military expressed sadness at the death of protesters but blamed them for bringing anarchy to the country. they say 164 people have been killed in protests. but activists fear the number could be much higher. mark labelle, bbc news. the headlines on bbc news... the british home secretary sets out new rules for asylum seekers who arrive in the uk. we will create safe and legal routes to enable people to come to the united kingdom in a safe way, so that they can also be resettled in the united kingdom. uk prime minister borisjohnson tells his party's mps that "capitalism and greed" are behind the country's vaccine success, but then instantly

withdraws the comments. questions remain over whether foreign travel from the uk will be allowed this summer, as europe faces a third wave of covid infections. police in bristol arrest 1a people during a second night of protests against the uk government's police and crime bill. prince harry has a newjob, as "chief impact officer" at a california—based company that offers coaching and counselling. the pandemic has created a perfect storm for online child sex abuse to rise. that's the message of the internet watch foundation, which says a growth in the demand for abusive content has come at a time when children are spending longer online than ever. the foundation is particularly concerned about an increase in offenders targeting siblings, in videos that are then distributed across the internet. in a moment we'll speak to the organisation's chief executive, susie hargreaves.

but first, here is the story of one woman whose eight—year—old daughter was targeted by an offender last summer on the online children's game movie star planet. she is being supported by the charity the nspcc and we've used an actor to protect her identity. we got her a tablet, and she wanted to play the online game movie star planet. it have parental controls, so we downloaded it. and within 12 hours, she came to me and said, money, i'm not comfortable, somebody�*s talking to me. this man, he said he was 16, had been sending her direct messages, private messages, telling her that she was sexy and hot, and asking her to download a chat app. we removed her account and created a new one under

account and created a new one under a different name, no picture. and within 12 hours, he found her again. so, this time i kept talking to him pretending i was my daughter, and i downloaded chat app, as he had requested, and that's when he started sending me explicit pictures of himself, and requesting that she send pictures of herself, undressed. the game had a report button so i reported the account, explaining what had happened. there was nothing — no reply, no acknowledgement. by the time we went to the police a week, ten days later, the account was still live. my fear is what would have happened if my daughter hadn't come to us. she's so fearful, she is in therapy, and to say this of our eight—year—old daughter is...

mind blowing. movie star planet's head of safety vernonjames told the bbc... "the safety of all children who use the games we produce is of paramount concern. we use a combination of ai filtering systems and live human moderation to evaluate content and do not hesitate to implement new safeguarding measures and technologies. suspected grooming cases are referred to law enforcement agencies." we can talk now to susie hargreaves from the internet watch foundation. hello to you, good morning. how do you think the pandemic has fuelled the fact that you have had a record number of reports of child abuse material in 2020?— material in 2020? well, the sad truth is that _ material in 2020? well, the sad truth is that we _ material in 2020? well, the sad truth is that we have _ material in 2020? well, the sad truth is that we have had - material in 2020? well, the sad i truth is that we have had children online pretty much 21w, we also have perpetrators online 21w, and despite the fact that the internet has been a lifeline in terms of

education and social activity and entertainment, it creates a perfect storm for perpetrators to go out and pray on children. so, we've seen a huge increase. we saw an increase in 15 weeks during lockdown of 50% in public reports, and of those, 65% increase in reports that contain child sexual abuse. and when you think that also in a four—week period at the beginning of lockdown, we had 8.8 million attempts to access our url, our blocking list, in the uk alone, which was reported to us from three providers only. so, we have this terrible situation, more children online, for longer, and not necessarily with the right parental controls and parental guidance. parental controls and parental . uidance. , parental controls and parental ruidance. , ., , guidance. tell us about this vile trend of groomers _ guidance. tell us about this vile trend of groomers targeting i trend of groomers targeting siblings. you had over 500 examples i think in which groomers were targeting sisters, brothers and

sisters, sisters and sisters, brothers and brothers, encourage them —— encouraging them into sex acts. them -- encouraging them into sex acts. , :: :: ., , acts. yes, in 2020 we saw a 77% increase in _ acts. yes, in 2020 we saw a 77% increase in self _ acts. yes, in 2020 we saw a 77% increase in self generated i acts. yes, in 2020 we saw a 77% i increase in self generated content, content where children are alone in their bedrooms and domestic settings and they are being encouraged into sexual acts. and they are being encouraged into sexualacts. it and they are being encouraged into sexual acts. it is really essential not to blame the children here because they are clearly the victims. but we started seeing this new phenomenon, actually we started seeing more than one chat. so we decided, we had better do a snapshot study of this, and during a three—month period we did notice 511 videos of children where we would suppose the siblings, we can't say absolutely that they are, but we feel that they are clearly living in the same house and know each other really well, and we are seeing children who are being the older children who are being the older

child being encouraged into sexual activities with the younger child, and it's really worrying, because of course, perpetrators are out there, they are opportunistic, they will bribe and coerce these children, they will encourage them, they will flatter them, and often these are children whose parents may feel they totally safe, because they are in the house, but they have absolutely no idea what is happening to them. and i think i am right in saying that often, this is the most severe form of abuse, because groomers are encouraging the siblings to re—enact videos that the groomers have shown them? , ., ,., ., them? yes, i mean, in some of the videos you — them? yes, i mean, in some of the videos you can _ them? yes, i mean, in some of the videos you can see _ them? yes, i mean, in some of the videos you can see the _ them? yes, i mean, in some of the videos you can see the children i videos you can see the children looking at a tablet and trying to copy what they are looking at. and clearly, we know that some of the children have been blackmailed into finding a friend or a sibling to abuse, and actually that is what has happened. we have seen videos with

children as young as three. so, clearly, you've got this situation where a very small children who are emotionally and physically not mature enough to know what is happening, have been tricked and manipulated into doing some really terrible stuff, and when we see it, remember, we don't know where it was originally sourced, but when we see it it has been captured and made its way onto a child sexual abuse website. and this is seen by people every day and we are now seeing this about eight times a day. haifa every day and we are now seeing this about eight times a day.— about eight times a day. how our arents, about eight times a day. how our parents. i — about eight times a day. how our parents, i mean, _ about eight times a day. how our parents, i mean, what _ about eight times a day. how our parents, i mean, what should i about eight times a day. how our. parents, i mean, what should they about eight times a day. how our- parents, i mean, what should they be doing to protect three—year—olds, five—year—olds, seven—year—olds, nine—year—olds, 12—year—olds, what should we do? the nine-year-olds, 12-year-olds, what should we do?— should we do? the first thing is to sa , it is should we do? the first thing is to say. it is never— should we do? the first thing is to say, it is never too _ should we do? the first thing is to say, it is never too late _ should we do? the first thing is to say, it is never too late to - should we do? the first thing is to say, it is never too late to start i say, it is never too late to start talking to your children. don't panic, because there is lots of help out there. and secondly, obviously, age—appropriate conversations. what you say to a three—year—old is going to be very different to what you say to be very different to what you say to a 17—year—old. but we have come

up to a 17—year—old. but we have come up with these four very easy steps using the acronym talk to help parents. don't panic, talk to your children, that is the first one, the second one, agree, agree what the ground rules are for your family, and so that you all stick to them. the third one is to learn about the apps that your children are losing. go online, learn about them, there are lots of resources out there, parents own, child net international, all of these places have guides to help you learn about these apps. and the last one, the k, is to know how to set filters, how to use safety settings. so, talk to agree, learn and know.— to use safety settings. so, talk to agree, learn and know. thank you very much — agree, learn and know. thank you very much for— agree, learn and know. thank you very much for talking _ agree, learn and know. thank you very much for talking to _ agree, learn and know. thank you very much for talking to us, i agree, learn and know. thank you very much for talking to us, susie | very much for talking to us, susie hargreaves, from the internet watch

foundation. if you need help or support on the issues like the ones we have just support on the issues like the ones we havejust been discussing, please go to our action line. hong kong and macau have temporarily suspended the use of the pfizer vaccine because of a packaging defect in one batch. the authorities said they were taking the action as a precautionary measure but that there was no evidence of any safety risk. they are holding an emergency meeting with the local company distributing the vaccine. here's our china correspondent robin brant. hong kong's health authorities believe that this is a temporary issue. it appears to be a defect on the cap at the top of some of these vials. they are in specific batches, the numbers of which have been made known to the public, butjust as a precaution the authorities in hong kong and also in macau, the former

portuguese colony very close by, say they are suspending use of the pfizer—biontech vaccine there. they continue to use the sinovac vaccine, which is manufactured on the chinese mainland and is being used there. that's the one that is being used more generally, more widespread across both those two areas. but for now, they have suspended the use of the pfizer—biontech one. but they are emphasising they believe that this is a temporary issue with specific batches and the clear implication is, they hope once they have sorted the problem specifically, to resume using both vaccines. trying to control the spread of coronavirus is a continuous global effort and part of that effort is trying to crack the virus's genetic code. a research lab in cambridge is analysing the dna of thousands of different virus samples, helping to identify new covid mutations before they spread.

here's our science correspondent, richard westcott. this is one of the most important rooms in the country for finding potentially dangerous new variants of covid. if you've tested positive, there's a chance a little bit of your virus ended up in one of these machines, having its genetic fingerprint taken. they read all the dna of each individual virus, known as its genome. the virus genome is much smaller than the human genome, maybe about 100,000 times smaller. and every one of these machines is able to look at 1,500 samples every 2a hours. there are 20 of these machines, and they are working 2a hours a day, seven days a week. starting from scratch a year ago, they've set up by far the biggest genome monitoring system in the world, going from 90 covid test samples in week one, to 20,000 a week today

from all over the uk. you've been doing this for a year. you were one of the key people set it all up in the first place. what was it like back then? it was absolutely crazy. it was all very new to us and how we could do it, and also the pressure and the importance of it, certainly weighed on our shoulders. this is how they spotted the more infectious kent variant that swept britain. why is speed so important to this process? the sooner that we've identified that that positive case was actually a variant of concern, the sooner the action can be taken the sooner that action can be taken to further identify that individual�*s contacts, test them, surge testing and make sure that that hasn't got the opportunity to spread further. there are thousands of different types of the sars—cov—2 virus, all with slightly different genomes, or genetic fingerprints. if two people have different types, they didn't catch it from each other. and that's really critical

information because that allows you to make, you know, it allows you to understand potentially how the virus is transmitting in a location. so, it might be within an outbreak in a workplace. if everyone's got the same virus, then the chances are that's happening inside the workplace. but if it's all different viruses, then it's likely it's happening in the community. so, that allows you to make decisions about how you manage an outbreak. so, this is like the world's biggest reconnaissance system, keeping tabs on how the enemy is changing and moving around. critical information if you want to stamp out future waves before they take hold. richard westcott, bbc news at the welcome sanger at the wellcome sanger institute in cambridge. the headlines on bbc news... the british home secretary sets out new rules for asylum seekers who arrive in the uk. uk prime minister borisjohnson tells his party's mps that "capitalism and greed" are behind the country's vaccine success, but instantly withdrew the comments.

questions remain over whether foreign travel from the uk will be allowed this summer, as europe faces a third wave of covid infections. officials in new south wales say a man has died in the flooding which continues across eastern australia. the 25—year—old died after he became trapped in a car in floodwaters in sydney's north west. while the rain has eased, emergency services warn the threat is far from over as tanya dendrinos reports. homes underwater, but finally some blue sky. a break in the deluge of rain that's caused the worst flooding in decades in parts of new south wales. and while it meant a slight sigh of relief, the reprieve offering a much—needed chance for crews to deliver food and supplies to those cut off, this

emergency is far from over. towns have been swallowed and swollen rivers across the state continue to rise. thousands and thousands of people are still on evacuation warnings. that the rivers will continue to swell, that catchments will continue to experience flows of water not seen in 50 years, and in some places, 100 years. the prime minister got a glimpse of the scale of the disaster from above, promising the federal government will be there supporting the state throughout what will undoubtedly be an extensive clean—up and recovery effort. the expanse of water that went right across that region was quite devastating to see. and to see the homes, only their roofs and those of out—sheds and things like that. in amongst incredible images were of course, some aussie icons. a kangaroo slowly wading through the floodwater. he's knackered. while in the red centre,

visitors were left in awe of spectacular cascading falls down all uluro. then, a far less inviting, a deadly funnel web spider. the team at the australian reptile park is issuing an urgent warning about the funnel web spider plague we will see because of the current weather conditions we're experiencing in eastern australia. one of multiple warnings. the rain may have eased, but with some rivers yet to peak, for many, the anxious wait continues. tanya dendrinos, bbc news. russia's entrant for this year's eurovision song contest has spoken of the hatred she's received after bring selected to represent the country. manizha sangin who is originally from tajikistan in central asia, has come in for a barrage of abuse from nationalist politicians and commentators. she's been speaking to our moscow correspondent steve rosenberg. one, two, three, four.

# you gonna, you gonna break the wall. it's russia's eurovision rap. but it's not music to everyone's ears. it was really hard to... understand that someone can hate you so much. manizha sangin's song russian woman has been met with a crescendo of criticism. some russians dislike the song's liberal message about female empowerment and the need to break down stereotypes of how russian women should look and behave. we're always hearing these advices from our childhood, like, you need to be like this, you need to be like this, your skirt should be longer or shorter.

this stereotype makes our life so bad, and i'm tired of that. manizha was born in tadjikistan, in central asia. not being ethnically russian has made the pop star an even bigger target of abuse. how surprised are you about the reaction? you can don't like my voice. you can don't like the song. but if you don't like me because i was born in tajikistan, that was hard. she is now a russian citizen. representing her adopted country at eurovision is a source of pride but manizha's been hurt by some of the comments. it was very hard to... understand that someone can hate you so much. like one woman who has two children wrote me a message, like, i will pray to god that your aircraft

will crash, you know, when you will go to rotterdam. and we're having some threats — like, if you're going to sing like this about russian women, you're not going to live any more here. # every russian woman needs to know. # you're strong enough to bounce against the wall. have there been any moments in the last few days when you've thought, you know, "i don't need this, i don't need this kind of abuse, that's it, i'm pulling out"? um...i'm a normal person. i'm a human, you know, i have feelings. and of course i had these thoughts, but now i have a lot of support. i can see it, like, not only from media and media people — from people who think, like, the same like me, you know, and these things are supporting me. this thing makes me stronger.

and i'm like, i will go on a stage, wherever it is i was going to say wherever it is i was go on a stage in order to do myjob. yeah, i'm going to do this. as for her eurovision song — russian woman — well, this british man is getting into it. steve rosenberg, bbc news, moscow. they call him harry around the office and he's getting on well in his newjob. that was the view of prince harry's new boss. on tuesday is was announced that the sixth in line to the british throne has been working as "chief impact officer" for a us professional coaching company called better up. the boss told us harry would have an appraisal like all other staff. tiffany sweeney reports. months into the role, prince harry is said to be focusing on changing the global dialogue on mental health. so what does his new boss think of him? i have obviously never talked to royalty before in my life and i think the most impressive

thing has just been his focus singularly on how he can be of service, how can he advance his vision? so i have a feeling he'll work out. what do you call him? you know, we are partners here, he likes to be called harry in the workplace, so we just address him as harry. so what will he actually be doing? everything from product design to product strategy, to co—creating content and new experience for our members and helping with partnerships. but one sceptic describes betterup's new chief impact officer as a made—up name, solely designed to bring pr sizzle to the san francisco tech start—up. this is a company that does coaching for managers mainly, _ it's mainly business coaching . and career coaching and i don't really think that british royalty is particularly well—suited i for that, to be honest. i don't think those experiences translate very well. _ so how will harry's new firm go aboutjudging the sixth in line

to the throne's progress? yes, lots can be said on the, as we call in the us, the modern performance review, we have a really open relationship and constant feedback and communication. so, i don't think we'll have any trouble there. the private company is, however, keeping his hours and pay, perhaps understandably, strictly confidential. tiffany sweeney, bbc news. the queen's granddaughter, zara tindall, has given birth to her third child, a baby boy, named lucas philip tindall. it's the queen and the duke of edinburgh's tenth great—grandchild. zara's husband mike tindall revealed the news this morning via his the good the bad and the rugby podcast, where he talking about how disappointed he was by england's performance in the six nations

championship last weekend. then that angerjust dissipated into 11.5 minutes of beautiful french joy. and sunday got even better because a little baby boy arrived. you are kidding! you're watching bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather, with carol. hello again. the weather over the next few days could essentially be described as a sunshine and showers. it is going to turn colder on friday, so some of those showers could well be wintry in nature, mostly on high ground. what we have this morning is a weak weather front, which is slowly pushing southwards and eastwards, taking its cloud and its patchy light rain with it in doing so. after a relatively bright start for some parts of the south—east, the cloud and the patchy rain will encroach. but for the south—west, wales, the midlands, northern england, eastern scotland, there will be a fair bit of sunshine. earlier, lighter showers in scotland and northern ireland will be replaced by heavier ones

in the afternoon, together with gusty winds, up to 50mph. you you can also see temperatures up to 13 degrees. this evening and overnight, the cloud in the south—east clears, we've got a band of cloud and rain pushing south—eastwards across england and wales. and then further heavy showers coming in across northern ireland and western scotland, but the winds will ease. these temperatures represent towns and cities, in rural areas, they will be a bit lower, low enough for some pockets of frost. we have the remnants of a front in the south—east on thursday still producing the odd spot of rain. and then a packet of showers coming in across the north and the west. but in between, there will be some sunshine. temperature—wise, very similar to today. moving into friday, we start to see a bit of a change in the weather, because we have got a cold front coming in, pushing southwards, bringing rain. behind that, cold air filters in on either a westerly or a north—westerly. so, you can see the blues representing the cold air

across the whole of the uk. so, although we start off on a milder note in the south—east, when this band of cloud and rain goes through, the temperature will drop, and behind it, we are looking at sunshine and showers. some of those will be wintry down to about 200 metres, as far south as the moors in the south—west. these black circles represent the strength of the wind gusts, and that will accentuate the cool feel to the day, most of us struggling to get into double figures. these temperatures in the south—east only hanging on for part of the day. but it won't last, because as we head into the weekend,

this is bbc news. i'm joanna gosling. the headlines at 11: the home secretary sets out new rules for asylum seekers who come to the uk. we will create safe and legal routes to enable people to come to the united kingdom in a safe way, so that they can also be resettled in the united kingdom. borisjohnson tells conservative mps the uk's vaccination programme success is because of "capitalism and greed" — but instantly withdrew his comments. questions remain over whether foreign travel from the uk will be allowed this summer, as europe faces a third wave of covid infections. police in bristol arrest 1a people during a second night of protests against the government's police and crime bill.

prince harry has a newjob — as chief impact officer at a california—based company that offers coaching and counselling. one of the world's busiest shipping routes is blocked by a grounded container ship — there are fears egypt's suez canal could be closed for days. the uk home secretary has announced plans for what she says are the biggest changes to the uk's asylum system in decades. they include new rules which will make it harder for anyone arriving illegally, to stay. an asylum seeker is someone who's left their own country in order to seek protection from persecution. they haven't yet been legally recognised as a refugee and are waiting to receive a decision on their asylum claim.

under thew government's proposed changes, anyone applying to come to the uk through official international schemes will find it easier to stay than those who come in illegally on boats across the channel, for example. priti patel says the new rules are "undeniably fair" and work to combat people smuggling. refugee groups call the proposals "unjust" and " unreal" our home affairs correspondent june kelly has more. this is what the government is trying to stop. migrants who've paid thousands of pounds to traffickers for the final perilous leg of theirjourney to the uk. last year, 8,500 people arrived here by crossing the channel in small boats. the majority of them are said to have claimed asylum. the home secretary believes those who come here in this way are rewarded, while others she describes as some of the most vulnerable, never make it to britain. under what is called the new plan for immigration, the home secretary says that if people arrive illegally, it will be harder for them to stay.

those that are allowed to stay will have fewer family reunion rights and limited access to benefits. and they will be regularly reassessed for removal from the uk. she is closing off pretty much every door that people might use in order to flee persecution and rebuild their lives safely. it's not what a refugee convention really requires, it's not what the british public would, ithink, see as a fair system. the tenth anniversary of the start of the syrian conflict has refocused attention on the conditions people there are enduring and trying to escape. the uk government says under a resettlement programme it's given a home to 20,000 people from this region. in future, anyone from syria who tries to come here using the channel route will not be made welcome. june kelly, bbc news.

i'm joined by our politcal correspondent damian grammaticas. tell correspondent damian grammaticas. us more abol under tell us more about what is planned under these changes because priti patel said there would be new and legal routes for asylum but i don't think she has spelt them out yet. no, she hasn't, and it's worth saying these are proposals that are being put forward and there will now being put forward and there will now be a consultation about them before they are put forward on legislation so there's quite a long way to go in this process, but this is a really sort of critical part of it because what she is saying is that they want to try to stop what she says is the illegal trade of people across the channel. in order to do that, what they are talking about is the lower status for those who come illegally so you might get a lower level of

protection, not an indefinite right to stay in the uk, lower levels of family reunification rights and they would seek to attempt to remove people back to countries they had passed through where they could seek to claim asylum instead of in the uk and then, as you indicate, talking about creating a safe route to apply for asylum. at the minute, there's been a system whereby some syrian refugees have been able to come to the uk but essentially that's not something that exists internationally because the process of claiming asylum involves people generally fleeing a regime where they cannot believe they have safety, crossing borders to claim asylum elsewhere, but this is the sort of system the home secretary outlined this morning that she wants to create. an end—to—end reform which will basically now look at how

we can create safe and legal routes to protect people who are fleeing persecution and stop them from being put in the hands of people smugglers and criminal facilitators which we are seeing on a daily basis with people being smuggled into the united kingdom, taking perilous journeys and dangerous journeys that are putting people's lives at risk — that is what we want to stop by changing the system. so what is the driver behind this? is it about cracking down on immigration or is it about creating a more humane system?- immigration or is it about creating a more humane system? well, what the home secretary — a more humane system? well, what the home secretary said _ a more humane system? well, what the home secretary said this _ a more humane system? well, what the home secretary said this morning i a more humane system? well, what the home secretary said this morning is i home secretary said this morning is that the system in her words was woken. she said 60% of the people in the system come illegally and it is clogged up. she said we want to protect people by keeping them out of the hands of smugglers but what refugee charities and organisations say is that this would be inhumane, it would create a two tier system where people would bejudged. someone from syria would bejudged not on the merits of the claim, but

on the route that they had taken to get here so you might have similar grounds but you end up with a different outcome. what they also say is that it's not illegal to claim asylum, it's not illegal to cross the channel, and there is no obligation on people to have to claim asylum in a different country, they can choose wherever they want to go to to claim it so i think she's going to face a lot of opposition, a lot of legal challenges potentially down the line. if she tries to get this through in the form that it is presented. through in the form that it is presented-— through in the form that it is resented. , ., presented. boris johnson is in hot water. he made _ presented. boris johnson is in hot water. he made comments i presented. boris johnson is in hot water. he made comments he i presented. boris johnson is in hot i water. he made comments he tried to immediately retract but they have blown up. tell us more about that. this was last night in a meeting that he had with conservative mps, a private meeting and he was discussing the vaccine and in that he was reported to have said that greed had played a part in the

vaccine roll—out. the thing that came out of that was, what did he mean by that? very quickly we are told that in that meeting, the prime minister then sought to clarify and say to people to strike that comment from their memories, moved on to say that he wasn't talking about the uk's vaccine programme and what we've heard from government sources thenis we've heard from government sources then is that he was talking not about the vaccine roll—out but the general development of vaccines and the commercial companies were behind this obviously have commercial imperatives. one of the reasons that might have been sensitive is that the astrazeneca vaccine developed in oxford is being produced at cost, not at profit. the other reason is the ongoing vaccine tensions with the ongoing vaccine tensions with the eu and the eu's concerns about

why it is receiving less of its contracted doses of vaccines from astrazeneca at a lower proportion than the uk has so i think there may have been concerns that those comments might have been seen in that light and that's something we're going to hear from you soon, the eu today with new measures edits vaccine controls —— in its vaccine controls and its export licensing, but i think it's a sign of the real sensitivity around this issue, how quickly those comments were withdrawn. taste quickly those comments were withdrawn-— quickly those comments were withdrawn. ~ ., ., ., ., withdrawn. we are waiting to hear from the eu _ withdrawn. we are waiting to hear from the eu commission - withdrawn. we are waiting to hear from the eu commission vice i from the eu commission vice president and also the eu health commissioner. we are expecting that anytime between now and have passed so will bring it to as soon as we can. it's thought that there will be a proposal announced to adopt existing export authorisation for covid vaccines which could stop

exports to countries that have higher vaccination rates. the uk would be in that camp. so we will see what comes out of that and bring it to you as soon as we can. let's go back to the changes in immigration being outlined today by priti patel. wejust heard it's the sort of a process. priti patel says it's the biggest change to immigration in decades. let's speak to sangeetha iengar, a barrister specialising in immigration, asylum and international human rights law. thank you very much forjoining us. first of all, the suggestion that there would be lower status and rights for anybody coming into this country through an illegal route, for instance, by crossing the channel. what is your reaction to that? , ~ ., , that? the bedrock of this entire lan that? the bedrock of this entire [an is that? the bedrock of this entire plan is the _ that? the bedrock of this entire plan is the political _ that? the bedrock of this entire plan is the political myth - that? the bedrock of this entire plan is the political myth of i plan is the political myth of illegal immigration. there is no such thing in law, it doesn't exist,

and it's notjust incorrect to conflate criminality with asylum but it's a dangerous lie for the home office to be perpetuating. all routes to enter the uk by any means are lawful and legitimate and the drafters of the refugee convention specifically recognise how difficult it is for people fleeing persecution in syria, in iraq, in the sudan to reach safety so the text itself, article 31, protects asylum seekers from being criminalised and crucially it also prevents the uk from disqualifying an asylum claim on the basis of entry because, as proud signatories to the refugee convention, the uk has a legal obligation to fully, fairly and properly assess all claims. there is no authority for the uk to prise one asylum seeker over another any more

thanit asylum seeker over another any more than it can prise one mode of entry of another in assessing protection because it isn't the way you flea that matters, it's whether you need protection —— the way you flee. the protection -- the way you flee. the home secretary — protection —— the way you flee. the home secretary is keen to tackle the backlog of cases in the courts. from what you are saying, it sounds like however the system is changed, it wouldn't stop there being legal cases being brought from anybody that comes through these routes that the government wants. what the government is basically trying to do is crackdown on the criminal gangs that are exploiting those who want to come to this country and this is the waiter is trying do that. this is another _ the waiter is trying do that. this is another myth _ the waiter is trying do that. this is another myth that _ the waiter is trying do that. try 3 is another myth that is propagated in these proposals laid out that appeals to prevent removals but exercising a legitimate legal right to stay isn't frustrating removal, it is upholding the rule of law, and

government decisions aren't automatically lawful. judges aren't the enemies of the people if they scrutinise government decisions in complying with —— and complying with a court order isn't disruption or delay so as the home office saying through the new proposals of wanting to expedite appeal that it is above the law, that it doesn't want to be challenged when it does something unlawful? surely we all want to live in a society where there is independentjustice in a society where there is independent justice system determining the claims. just the mechanics of what is being proposed, it is being trialled, we've had a fast—track asylum system in the uk before and in 2015 it was quashed. the court of appeal said it is not possible to be fairly fast tracked in such a process without sacrificing justice but what the home secretary can do is to speed up the backlog of deciding asylum claims. asylum claims are at a historic low this year but what has skyrocketed is how long people have to wait for a decision. that's got

nothing to do with the asylum process, that's purely internal home office working that is causing delay. office working that is causing dela . . ~ office working that is causing dela . ., ,, office working that is causing dela . . ~' , office working that is causing dela. .mg , . office working that is causing dela. . , . ., delay. thank you very much for “oininr delay. thank you very much for joining us- _ delay. thank you very much for joining us- if— delay. thank you very much for joining us. if you're _ delay. thank you very much for joining us. if you're watching i delay. thank you very much for joining us. if you're watching is| delay. thank you very much for i joining us. if you're watching is on bbc two, five i, see you soon —— bye—bye. bye— bye. we are bye—bye. we are awaiting a news conference from the eu with news expected on the way that vaccine exports are going to be managed and we will bring you that as soon as it begins. the headlines on bbc news... the home secretary sets out new rules for asylum seekers who come to the uk. boris johnson tells conservative mps the uk's vaccination programme success is because of "capitalism and greed" — but instantly withdrew his comments. questions remain over whether foreign travel from the uk will be allowed this summer, as europe faces a third wave of covid infections.

the third wave of coronavirus sweeping across europe means it's still too early to be planning holidays abroad, the prime minister and his chief medical adviser have warned. the advice came as the uk marked the anniversary of the first lockdown with lights and candles for the 126,000 lives lost. jon donnison reports. from belfast to blackpool... ..falkirk to cardiff. from countless homes around the uk to perhaps its most famous one. the united kingdom lit up to remember the more than 126,000 people who've lost their lives here to covid—19. and a warning from the government's chief medical adviser for england that while uk cases had fallen sharply, the virus is here to stay. i regret to say that i think the chances of eradicating this disease, which means getting rid

of it absolutely everywhere, are as close to zero as makes no difference. we've only achieved eradication of one disease, which is smallpox, with a phenomenally effective vaccine over a very long period of time. but i think if you talk to anybody who looks at this really seriously, who understands how infectious diseases work, i don't think there's anybody who thinks eliminating from the uk or eradicating globally for any long period of time is a realistic prospect at this point in time. and while more than 28 million people in the uk have now received a first vaccine dose, progress is much slower in most european countries, many of which are now suffering a third wave of the virus. that's why people hoping for a long—awaited foreign holiday might be disappointed. most overseas travel is banned until at least mid—may. the government now says it will make an announcement on trips abroad from england on april the 5th, a week earlier than expected.

but the prime minister says summer holidays this year still look difficult. jon donnison, bbc news. professor linda bauld is professor of public health at the university of edinburgh. what do you think, our summer holidays abroad going to be at all feasible this year? —— are. it’s feasible this year? -- are. it's difficult and _ feasible this year? -- are. it's difficult and i _ feasible this year? —— are. it�*s difficult and i think the travel industry are looking for us to be cautious are not to have lots of headlines that say it's never going to happen, don't bother etc. they are emphasising the message of if we can offer you insurance, please still go ahead but from a public health perspective, i think it really is risky to say that in the near future that's going to be something that would be advised. the main reasons for that hour we are making very good progress in this country in terms of suppressing this virus and rolling out the vaccine programme. that's not the case elsewhere. there is still a big risk

of importing variants and importing cases generally and our quarantine system at the moment really isn't fit for purpose, so any member of the public really has to consider what is right for them and their families but i really don't think we are going to see much advice that people can go on a beach holiday in the near future. people can go on a beach holiday in the nearfuture. 50 people can go on a beach holiday in the near future.— the near future. so basically, are ou the near future. so basically, are you saying _ the near future. so basically, are you saying that — the near future. so basically, are you saying that until _ the near future. so basically, are you saying that until other- you saying that until other countries get their situation is under control, we have to stop international travel in and out of this one? , ., .., ., international travel in and out of this one? , ., ., , this one? there is a common phrase that no one — this one? there is a common phrase that no one is _ this one? there is a common phrase that no one is safe _ this one? there is a common phrase that no one is safe and _ this one? there is a common phrase that no one is safe and i _ this one? there is a common phrase that no one is safe and i think i that no one is safe and i think there arejust some that no one is safe and i think there are just some really, really big scientific questions about this. if we look back to last summer, the genomic studies show that we did manage to get the virus down to low levels within our borders and then there were lineages brought on eitherfrom there were lineages brought on either from other parts of the uk there were lineages brought on eitherfrom other parts of the uk in some instances but also from europe and elsewhere and its a pattern we don't want to repeat when we are

trying to offer protection to more of our population. this global task force is due to report. the things that might make this possible in future, and they're not going to be quick, will be vaccine certification, much more robust testing protocols and thinking again about how we strengthen a quarantine system if needed, but these are very complex issues. they require elaboration between countries and it has to be done properly so that we can reassure the public and also minimise the public health risk. fin minimise the public health risk. on that point, we do have widely available testing now in this country, there is a quarantine system and obviously the vaccine roll—out has been to the extent that we see and there is discussion about children being vaccinated, potentially over the summer as well so why then should we worry? it’s so why then should we worry? it's about so why then should we worry? it�*s about getting it right and saying

that these things take time to put in place. just on children, the trials are under way. we will expect in the future, israel for example has offered vaccines to people under 17. if you are a family going abroad, you're not going to have children who have been vaccinated and younger adults may not have been vaccinated, certainly not with both doses and protection from the second doses and protection from the second dose by the thai military summer holidays, so i think those are good questions and the thing with testing, i would expect that to go hand—in—hand with some kind of vaccine certification because even if you are tested three days before, you can then pick it up subsequently so these things are difficult. i think some of the international discussion at the moment is around thinking, if we are not able to go overseas for the next few months a sense, except for essential purposes, then how do we support our domestic travel and tourism industry to get back on its feet? i think we need more discussion on that.

the government is introducing a new agency focused on responding to future pandemics and health crises, health secretary matt hancock has announced. speaking at the local government association's virtual annual public health conference, mr hancock said the new body, called the uk health security agency, will be a "dedicated, mission—driven national institution for health security" which will be established on april 1st. i'm so proud of what the team have achieved together over the past year across phe, nhs, and local and national directors of public health. we will now build on these foundations are dedicated, mission driven, national institution for health security that brings together all these capabilities and our ability to respond with total focus on the prevention and response to pandemics. communicable diseases and external threats to health. on the

1st of april, so next week, we will formally establish the new uk health security agency. it will be this country's permanent standing capacity to plan, prevent and respond to external threats to health. uksa will bring together capabilities from scientific excellence bodied by doctor susan hopkins and her colleagues in clinical public health to the extraordinary capability that nhs test and trace has built, led by dido harding so effectively, andj bc with that brilliance. i want everybody at uksa to wake up with a zeal to plan for the next pandemic. that sort of focus is vital when the crisis is live like now, but in a way that's the easy bit. the hard

bit is keeping that focus on the good times, too, when there is no pandemic on the horizon. as part of this planning, uksa will work with partners around the world and leave the uk's global contribution to health security research. a container ship stranded in the suez canal has been partially refloated and traffic is expected to resume soon. the ship has been blocking one of the world's most important shipping routes. the a00m long ever given — owned by the shipping firm evergreen — got stuck yesterday morning after losing power. the canal through egypt is a vital link for freight between asia and europe. 50 ships a day normally pass through it, carrying 12% of the world's trade, so you can imagine the level of disruption this blockage could have caused. earlier we spoke to captain stephen gudgeon, who's been through the canal many times.

i have experienced high winds. these big containerships have a very big windage area and once that wind blows in excess of a speed which they are able to control the ship, then you just end up going towards then you just end up going towards the bank. the bank then reacts with the bank. the bank then reacts with the size of the ship going past and you skew like this one has but at this stage we have no idea what the causes. it's very difficult and tricky, you have to be very, very careful and you have to be on the ball all the time, you can't relax. you have to react as soon as something happens, and in a space like the suez canal, there is a lot of time to be able to react —— there

is not a lot of time to be able to react. the uk's inflation rate unexpectedly fell to 0.4% in february, down from 0.7% injanuary. the drop was largely due to a fall in the cost of clothes, travel and second hand cars, though the cost of petrol and diesel has risen. february is traditionally a month where clothing prices would rise, but the office for national statistics said lockdown had disrupted seasonal patterns. john lewis has put out a statement announcing closures of stores. igrate announcing closures of stores. we knew that some were going to close, but they've put out more detail saying that some shops planned not to reopen in locations that cannot sustain a large store, the 34thjohn lewis stores will start reopening from the 12th of april but they are not going to be reopening eight of

42 stores as it balances to reflect how customers want to shop, they are saying, so 3a will reopen and eight will not. i don't think there is any detail on which eight. hang on, there is, i'm scrawling all the way down to the bottom of a lengthy piece of copy that's just come through. the eight shops proposed for closure are aberdeen, ashford... they have said the shops that are closing and the rationale is that others are nearby, so aberdeen because there are stores in edinburgh and stirling, also ashford will close, basingstoke, chester, peterborough, sheffield, tunbridge wells, york, and those are the ones that are closing. the rest will

reopen, so those eight stores will not be reopening in the rationale is that there are others that are relatively close by although some further than others. quite a distance between aberdeen, edinburgh and stirling, but they are closing these stores because of the way people have been shopping, the changes that have come in, financial imperatives as a result is what has been happening with the economy. 1a people have been arrested following another night of protests in bristol. the crowds had gathered to demonstrate against the government's new policing bill. on sunday night more than 20 police officers were injured during demonstrations which turn violent. andrew plant has more. for the second time in three days, riot police in the centre of bristol, moving in to disperse protesters who had gathered near the centre of the city. it was a peaceful protest, but scuffles broke out as officers moved in. avon and somerset police said current lockdown rules meant they had to disperse the group.

kill the bill! it's now after midnight here, and we've been in this situation here in bristol for more than an hour and a half now. you can see maybe up to 100 protesters sitting and standing there, and this line of riot police haven't moved for quite a long time. and the reason they're standing here is it prevents the protesters going back from here to where they started in the city centre. it comes after these violent scenes on sunday, 21 officers were injured when demonstrators gathered for the kill the bill protest against the proposed new police and crime bill. mounted police officer hannah clarke was working on sunday night with her horse mendip. certainly sunday was on another level from our point of view, i've not seen levels of violence that bad in my career. and i think probably people that have been working in the job for a lot longer than me would agree with that. certainly en route you could hear what was going on. you could hear the noise on the radio and the emergency

buttons going off and colleagues asking for help. so it was quite distressing listening as you're on your way. you just wanted to get there to kind of help, really. the aggression towards the police was astonishing, really. a lot of the windows had been damaged. there were vehicles on fire. there were hundreds of people on top of the ncp car parks, throwing items varying from street furniture, glass bottles. i think even a microwave got thrown down at one point. so it was certainly aggressive. how the police handle protests has been in the headlines since criticism of the metropolitan police's handling of a vigil for sarah everard. with protests legally allowed once again in england from monday, ministers will be thinking hard about how protests can be policed during a global pandemic. andrew plant, bbc news in bristol. let's go back to the news of major changes to the uk's asylum system. the new plan for immigration which will be announced by the home secretary in the commons later will

see people treated differently depending on how they arrive in the uk. anyone applying to come to the uk. anyone applying to come to the uk through official international schemes will find it easier to stay than those who make illegal channel crossings, for instance by boat. priti patel says her proposal would make the system fairer while combating people smuggling. i'm joined by the shadow home secretary nick thomas simmons. basically a plan to skew the system in favour of those who come here legally versus those who come through routes that are dangerous. a way to try to deter people smuggling. do you agree with that in principle? the smuggling. do you agree with that in --rincile? , ., ,., , ., ., smuggling. do you agree with that in --rincile? , ., ., , principle? the proposal we have seen from the government _ principle? the proposal we have seen from the government today _ principle? the proposal we have seen from the government today will i principle? the proposal we have seen from the government today will do i principle? the proposal we have seen from the government today will do a l from the government today will do a great deal to deal with the keenest crime of people trafficking or indeed to deal with the slowness in our asylum system, or stop people

from making dangerous crossings in the first place. the conservatives today are talking about a broken asylum system. they have been in power for 11 years. between 2014 and 2019, the number of asylum claims that had an initial decision within six months fell from 87% to 20%. it is the conservative failure at the home office... i is the conservative failure at the home office. . .— is the conservative failure at the home office... i would like to get our home office... i would like to get your thoughts _ home office... i would like to get your thoughts on _ home office... i would like to get your thoughts on what _ home office... i would like to get your thoughts on what you - home office... i would like to get your thoughts on what you would | home office... i would like to get i your thoughts on what you would do, not looking back historically, because what the government is doing is trying to introduce a new system to tackle the issue of people smuggling, people coming in via dangerous routes on which lives are lost every year, and talking about creating new legal ways of getting into the country, and in order to add a further deterrent to the dangerous routes, saying that they would be a different status, different rights for people who come in by those routes. if you don't

think that will work, what do you think that will work, what do you think would work?— think that will work, what do you think would work? personally, the validi of think would work? personally, the validity of asylum _ think would work? personally, the validity of asylum claims - think would work? personally, the l validity of asylum claims depending upon the route of people reaching the country, but three things in terms of dealing with the very dangerous channel crossings. firstly, the reopening of safe routes. the government closed down the deb scheme, which everyone expected it would take 3000 unaccompanied children, but was shamefully close down at 480. the government needs to redouble its efforts to make sure they have a workable agreement with the french authorities to try to deal with this situation. thirdly, the government needs to revisit its decision on abolishing the department for international development because that was the one government department that actually addressed why people leave their homes in the first place. war, poverty and persecution, and it is those three things the government should be focusing on.

things the government should be focusing on— focusing on. how would you stop --eole focusing on. how would you stop people coming — focusing on. how would you stop people coming across _ focusing on. how would you stop people coming across the - focusing on. how would you stop i people coming across the channel? those are the three things, as i have just indicated... those are the three things, as i have just indicated. . .— those are the three things, as i have just indicated... have 'ust indicated... that it does not have just indicated... that it does not sound hugely _ have just indicated... that it does not sound hugely at _ have just indicated... that it does not sound hugely at odds - have just indicated... that it does not sound hugely at odds with i have just indicated... that it does i not sound hugely at odds with what the government is talking about. you mentioned the scheme, which was fairly limited in scope, and they have been others and the criticism has been of how limited they are, but priti patel has said today that they would be new legal routes, new resettlement schemes, and if people coming on those schemes, they will automatically be offered an indefinite right to stay. i will have to have _ indefinite right to stay. i will have to have a _ indefinite right to stay. i will have to have a look- indefinite right to stay. i will have to have a look at i indefinite right to stay. i will have to have a look at the i indefinite right to stay. in ii. have to have a look at the detail of that. i have indicated that the things i think the government should be doing. let's not forget the government's record on safe routes. i mentioned the closure of the scheme in that premature way. i called on the government last summer when there was that terrible fire at

a refugee camp on lesbos to take in unaccompanied children. the government look the other way. look back a year, they suspended the resettlement scheme and only very slowly started to bring it back, so the government's record on safe routes is a poor one. i will have to look extremely carefully at any proposal but the government's record in this area is not one to be proud of. ., ., , ., , of. no details have been given numbers and _ of. no details have been given numbers and whether - of. no details have been given numbers and whether there i of. no details have been given numbers and whether there is| of. no details have been given. numbers and whether there is a desire in the new changes to further deter immigration or whether this really is a way of looking at a system and saying, we want to make it more humane by encouraging people to come through safer routes, by which they are guaranteed the right to stay. how would you characterise what you have heard so far?- what you have heard so far? look, the british — what you have heard so far? look, the british red _ what you have heard so far? look, the british red cross _ what you have heard so far? look, the british red cross said - what you have heard so far? look, the british red cross said this i the british red cross said this morning that they think these proposals were inhumane. i think we

have to look at the detail of them, but what is coming out so far is not filling me with any confidence at all. what the government should be focusing on now in terms of our borders is, firstly, we are still dealing with covid. the government has failed in terms of covid protection at our borders. i have argued for weeks and weeks for a hotel quarantine system which should be put into effect. the government also needs to be dealing with the nhs and our social care sector seek to recover from the effects of the pandemic. we have 100,000 vacancies in our care sector. these are the things the government should be focusing on, not simply trying to talk tough and trying to hide the government's own incompetence. you mentioned the borders in relation to covid. do you think that international travel should be allowed this summer or not? i think

it is far too — allowed this summer or not? i think it is far too early _ allowed this summer or not? i think it is far too early to _ allowed this summer or not? i think it is far too early to be _ allowed this summer or not? i think it is far too early to be talking i it is far too early to be talking about that. our priority at the moment should be to protect the gains that have come about because of the sacrifices of the british people over the past 12 months and indeed to protect our vaccine roll—out. i say that because the last thing we want is a variant reaching our shores that would actually threaten the efficacy of our vaccines. the prime minister was talking in this almost blase, relaxed wave about a third wave hitting our shores. rather than having that attitude, the prime minister should be putting protections at the border now and a compressive hotel quarantine system to make sure we have done all we can to make sure we have done all we can to protect our vaccine roll—out going forward, which has given us all so much hope. ii going forward, which has given us all so much hope.— all so much hope. if europe is not at the start _ all so much hope. if europe is not at the start of _ all so much hope. if europe is not at the start of a _ all so much hope. if europe is not at the start of a third _ all so much hope. if europe is not at the start of a third wave - all so much hope. if europe is not at the start of a third wave but. all so much hope. if europe is not at the start of a third wave but it | at the start of a third wave but it is clear which way the trajectory is going, two weeks ago over a million

new cases in europe, you say it is too early to decide what to do about this summer, it is only a matter of months away and people will need to plan what they are going to do, so is now or not the time to call it and say whether they should be international travel this summer? the prime minister has set out the road map and obviously there are various tests for each stage of that process which we have to go through. i understand why people want to plan ahead and i understand after the year everyone has had, why a holiday would be so important, but at the same time, the worst possible thing to happen that would be a variant reaching our shores that threatened the efficacy of our vaccines and pushed all this back. we really can't be taking that risk. that is why i have called for weeks and weeks for a comprehensive hotel quarantining system. i% of travellers coming into the country are being subject to hotel quarantine and that simply isn't

good enough and that should be the government's focus. [30 good enough and that should be the government's focus.— good enough and that should be the government's focus. do you know how effective it is? — government's focus. do you know how effective it is? how _ government's focus. do you know how effective it is? how many _ government's focus. do you know how effective it is? how many people - government's focus. do you know how effective it is? how many people who | effective it is? how many people who have been quarantined in hotels have tested positive for covid? the have been quarantined in hotels have tested positive for covid?— tested positive for covid? the hotel quarantining _ tested positive for covid? the hotel quarantining system's _ tested positive for covid? the hotel quarantining system's effectiveness quara ntining system's effectiveness obviously quarantining system's effectiveness obviously depends upon the number of days, the ten day system, and clearly... i5 days, the ten day system, and clearly- - -_ days, the ten day system, and clearl , . ., clearly... is there evidence that --eole clearly... is there evidence that peeple in _ clearly... is there evidence that people in hotels _ clearly... is there evidence that people in hotels are _ clearly... is there evidence that people in hotels are testing - people in hotels are testing positive for covid? obviously, that gives greater weight to rolling out the hotel system. ijust wonder whether you know what the statistics are and that is what is driving your desire for there to be a more widespread hotel quarantine? the reason i am _ widespread hotel quarantine? tue: reason i am arguing widespread hotel quarantine? tte: reason i am arguing for widespread hotel quarantine? tt2 reason i am arguing for a comprehensive hotel quarantining comprehensive hotel quara ntining system is comprehensive hotel quarantining system is because of this risk of new variants. the government has been behind the curve consistently on this. no formal quarantining untiljune last year, no testing at

the border untiljanuary this year, and the failure to introduce any hotel quarantining until the middle of february. this is a half baked a system that we have in place at the moment. the government is saying that hotel quarantining is effective but only using it for a tiny number of arrivals. that is why we are asking to be comprehensive, to put every possible practical measure in place and to give this covid protection at our borders. thank you very much- — protection at our borders. thank you very much- we _ protection at our borders. thank you very much. we will _ protection at our borders. thank you very much. we will get _ protection at our borders. thank you very much. we will get the - protection at our borders. thank you | very much. we will get the statement from priti patel outlining what her plans are for the immigration system after prime minister's questions, which starts at 20 minutes in midday. sport, and for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre, here's gavin. good afternoon. wales begin their world cup qualifying campaign later as they face the world's number one ranked side in belgium. captain gareth bale says reaching the tournament in qatar would mean he's achieved everything he wanted too in football.

it will be tricky, with only the top team qualifying automatically from the group. wales, who have a good recent record against the belgians, haven't made it to a world cup since 1958 and bale says he is determined to help change that. coming into my wales career, the main thing was to play in a major tournament. obviously, we managed to do that. and now, to take everything off the list, to qualify for a world cup. we want to do that, we don't want tojust qualify cup. we want to do that, we don't want to just qualify for one or two tournaments, we want to keep qualifying and making sure we are pushing wales in the right direction, and for me personally now, to qualify for a world cup would be amazing. now, there may be a few sore heads in brora this morning after the town's football team caused one of the biggest shocks in scottish cup history. the part—timers, who haven't played a game sincejanuary, beat hearts 2—1 last night, causing these celebrations. hearts have reached the final for the past two seasons, whilst brora had only trained five times in the lead up to the match. but they're into the third roud.

it was a tremendous achievement last night not tojust it was a tremendous achievement last night not to just go out and be heart of midlothian in the scottish cup but i think we did ourselves proud on the field as well. i don't think anybody would begrudge as our win last night, so, yeah, you know, we certainly stepped up to the plate. now to a potential breakthrough in dealing with head trauma in sport. pitch—side saliva tests for concussion have moved a step closer after a successful trial in rugby union players. it comes after rugby's governing bodies face a lawsuit from retired players suffering with early onset dementia. the tests are currently being carried out in a lab. it will be at least two years before the pitchside version is available. we have been working on concussion and concussion diagnostics for over two decades and there hasn't been a breakthrough like this, something thatis breakthrough like this, something that is quick and accurate and is immeasurable, almost from the point

of injury. the fact is it is noninvasive and accurate at the same time. it is quite a breakthrough for this field of work. just a few days until the start of the new formula one season — and a former champion returns, perhaps with a point to prove. fernando alonso believes he's better than many of the young drivers on the grid. as he returns to the sport with alpeen this season. although he does accept world champion lewis hamilton will take some stopping. he's been speaking to our reporter ben croucher i think we have a really competitive grid, and i think it's going to be a challenge to beat everyone on the track. do you think you're still as good as them? no, i'm better. you genuinely believe that? yes. so fernando alonso has got lewis hamilton in his sights. hamilton and tom brady are two athletes at the top of their game. hamilton has won seven formula one world championships while brady has won the super bowl seven times. but could the pair swap sports? well, in a conversation with james corden, brady seemed up for it,

hamilton less so. have a listen to this. i got the most beautiful gift. and you know what i realised? it doesn't fit! how can i be a driver when the helmets don't fit me? i'll send him one of mine and see how he likes it. i think we could get lewis in there for a few plays, i've seen his athletic ability, he's pretty talented in a lot of areas, he could do a lot of things on a football field. i would run the opposite way. that's just about all the sport for now. women's champions league quarter final first leg against barcelona in monza. quite an extraordinary statement to bring you from angela merkel. she has unexpectedly announced that the cancellation has been cancelled and she has said the decision was a

mistake. she said the mistake was herfault and she mistake. she said the mistake was her fault and she has asked the citizens for forgiveness. that is why i am saying it is quite an extra ordinary political statement, to hear a leader take ownership in that way, say it was a mistake, it was her fault and way, say it was a mistake, it was herfault and ask way, say it was a mistake, it was her fault and ask for forgiveness. they had been a lot of controversy in germany after that decision was announced of that strict lockdown over easter and so this morning, she has made an impromptu statement retracting the plan, so we will hope to speak to our correspondent for more on that little bit later. back now to the news of plans for major changes to the uk's asylum system. the new plan for immigration, which will be announced by the home secretary later today, will see people treated differently depending on how they arrive in the uk. anyone applying to come to the uk through official international schemes will find it easier to stay than those who make illegal channel crossings by boat. priti patel said her proposals

would make the system fairer while combatting people smuggling. our correspondent simonjones is in dover. how many people are making the crossing every day? tt how many people are making the crossing every day?— crossing every day? it has been another busy — crossing every day? it has been another busy morning - crossing every day? it has been another busy morning here - crossing every day? it has been another busy morning here forl crossing every day? it has been i another busy morning here for the border force and the lifeboat. the sea mist has descended a bit but we reckon three boats have managed to reach uk waters and then being escorted into dover. we have seen women and children being brought in by the border force. difficult to know precise numbers, they have yet to be confirmed by the home office today, but we have seen well in excess of 50 people. and in terms of numbers overall, this has been a route where numbers have been growing. for example, yesterday, we had 183 people arrive in a single day. that is the largest figure in a

single day so far this year. and almost as many as arrived in a single day as we saw in the whole of march 2020. last year, we saw more than 8000 people make this crossing in the course of a year. although, to put it into context of overall asylum figures, there are still people arriving by other routes. this is a small proportion. and in terms of the number of asylum claims last year, we are down overall. thank you, simon. prince harry's got a new role at a professional coaching firm in california. he's become the �*chief impact officer' at a californian—based company called betterup, where he says he'll be fostering "honest and vulnerable conversations" about mental health. mark lobel has this report.

months into the role, prince harry is said to be focusing on changing the global dialogue on mental health. so what does his new boss think of him? i had obviously never talked to royalty before in my life. and i think the most impressive thing has just been his focus singularly on how can he be of service, how can the advance his vision? so i have a feeling that he'll work out. what do you call him? erm... you know, we're partners here. he likes to be called harry in the workplace, so we just address him as harry. so what will he actually be doing? everything from product design to product strategy, to co—creating content and the experience for our members, and helping with partnerships. but one sceptic describes betterup's new chief impact officer as a made up name, solely designed to bring pr sizzle to the san francisco tech start—up. this is a company that does coaching for managers mainly, right? this is a company that does coaching for managers mainly, right? it's mainly business coaching and career coaching. and i don't really think that british royalty is particularly well suited for that, to be honest. i don't think those experiences translate very well. so how will harry's new firm go about

judging the sixth in line to the throne's progress? yes, well, lots can be said on the, as we call it in the us, the modern performance review. we have a really open relationship and constant feedback and communication, so i think we won't have any trouble there. the private company is, however, keeping his hours and pay, perhaps understandably, strictly confidential. mark lobel, bbc news. the prime minister is being urged to act on loneliness with a commitment to help people reconnect, as coronavirus restrictions are eased. a survey by the british red cross suggests almost 40% of adults believe they'll still feel lonely once the pandemic is over. olivia field is head of health and resilience at the british red cross. thank you very much forjoining us. great to be here. t thank you very much for “oining us. great to be hereh great to be here. i 'ust wondered if ou would great to be here. i 'ust wondered if you would define _ great to be here. ijust wondered if you would define loneliness, -

great to be here. i just wondered if. you would define loneliness, because we assume it means being alone, but it is deeper than that, isn't it? we have lost you for a moment, but if you could just define loneliness for us. you could 'ust define loneliness for us. ., , , you could 'ust define loneliness for us. ., , , , you could 'ust define loneliness for us. ., ,, , , you could 'ust define loneliness for us. ., ,,, , ., you could 'ust define loneliness for us. loneliness is exactly what you said, it is us. loneliness is exactly what you said. it is a _ us. loneliness is exactly what you said, it is a feeling _ us. loneliness is exactly what you said, it is a feeling and _ us. loneliness is exactly what you said, it is a feeling and it - us. loneliness is exactly what you said, it is a feeling and it is - us. loneliness is exactly what you said, it is a feeling and it is very l said, it is a feeling and it is very subjective, but it is a negative feeling, so it happens when there is a disconnect between the connections we have and those we would like. we do know that there is a strong link between being isolated and being alone and feeling lonely but they are two different things and isolation is not always negative but prolonged and unwanted isolation is and that is what we have all experienced to some extent throughout the covid pandemic. some of the people the british red cross has helped have been shielding for a year, since march last year, and they are feeling extremely isolated and worried about coming out of that experience of isolation and reconnecting with their communities. so tell us a bit more about who you

have identified. you mentioned that particular group. who in particular? or is it across the board?— or is it across the board? almost 40% of uk _ or is it across the board? almost 4094. of uk adults _ or is it across the board? almost 4096 of uk adults are _ or is it across the board? almost 4096 of uk adults are telling - or is it across the board? almost 4096 of uk adults are telling us l or is it across the board? almost i 4096 of uk adults are telling us that 40% of uk adults are telling us that they are more worried about their feelings of loneliness than before the pandemic. we do know that some people are particularly at risk. t people are particularly at risk. i am so sorry, i am going to have to stop you right there, because we have got to go to a news conference we have been waiting for. hopefully we have been waiting for. hopefully we can pick up with you a bit later. a news conference from the european commission talking about vaccine exports. good afternoon, everyone. let's start with a college readout. today, two proposals for children. a new copy if you strategy on the rights of the child and a proposal for consultation establishing european child guarantee. our colleagues will

present this to you during a press conference after this one. then, an action plan for development of an organic sector and the commissioner will present this to you in a press conference tomorrow morning. i am now moving to this press conference topic. today, the commission has adopted and implemented a mechanism for vaccines with the aim of preserving the security of our supply chains. as you will know, the mechanism was introduced on the 30th of january and was recently extended until the 30th ofjune with the wide support of eu member states. the system has introduced much needed transparency in relation to vaccine delivery is in the eu. we have used

this mechanism in a balanced way. we have authorised experts on the basis that they did not threaten the commitments undertaken by pharmaceutical companies and at their advanced purchase agreements. on 381 requests, 380 have been approved. only one request for export authorisation was not granted as it would have compromised the commitments of astrazeneca. astrazeneca has only delivered a small portion of its agreed contractual commitments. europe has taken every contractual commitments. europe has ta ken every step to contractual commitments. europe has taken every step to act fairly and responsibly, mindful of our global leadership role since the start of the pandemic. the eu remains the biggest global exporter of vaccines. we are the largest contributor to the low and medium income countries.

so, you can only have a look at the figures. 43 million vaccines to 33 countries since the end of january. and that is only covering the countries which are subject to export authorisation systems. there are many more at —— vaccines are being exported to other countries and there were many more vaccines exported prior to the export authorisation system was introduced, so no one else is doing so much. we see however that continued production are not distributed fairly across different countries. the eu is the only ocd producer which continues to export vaccines to countries that have production capacities of their own, but when these countries do not export to the eu, there is no reciprocity. the eu still faces a very serious situation

and continues to export significantly to countries whose situation is less serious than ours, whose vaccination roll—out is more advanced than ours. to address these imbalances, we called for reciprocity and that to be introduced. accordingly, we have today adopted two adjustments to the existing mechanism. these are necessary to achieve our objective of ensuring timely access to covid—19 vaccines to eu citizens. going forward, member states and commissions should now consider two additional elements when assessing the impact of planned exports. first, reciprocity. is the country of destination which has a large production capacity restricts its own exports of vaccines or

substances, either by law or by other means, it may be appropriate to consider whether exports to this country are justified. the second element is proportionality, which means finding the right balance. member states in the commission will consider the conditions prevailing in the country of destination, in particular the... and the existing availability of covid—19 vaccines. 0f availability of covid—19 vaccines. of course, important consideration concerning the respect of advanced purchase agreement remains. it is appropriate that we distinguish between a poorly performing company and well performing ones that are on track to meet their contractual obligations. in addition, the new act includes some countries previously exempt in the scope of the regulation. the primary objective of this adjustment is to

have transparency on export and to obtain a full picture on what is happening outside the eu as to avoid a possible circumvention of the rules. experts in low and middle income countries, supplies and exports to eu overseas countries and territories remain and exempted. the added value of this proposal is that it should allow us to arrive at a more cooperative approach with our partner companies —— countries, especially those in a less dire situation. this will also help ensure the well—functioning flow of vaccines and ingredients to ramp up global production and safeguard the fair distribution of vaccines. the regulation will help us to meet the expectations of eu citizens while maintaining our responsibilities to our partners around the world. their

most important thing at this crucial moment is to stabilise and accelerate the delivery of vaccines. thank you. i thank you. i will thank you. i will give thank you. i will give you, thank you. i will give you, ladies and gentlemen, i will give you a brief_ and gentlemen, i will give you a brief update of where we are today in terms _ brief update of where we are today in terms of — brief update of where we are today in terms of the situation. saying, to begin — in terms of the situation. saying, to begin with, that the revision of the export— to begin with, that the revision of the export transparency mechanism comes_ the export transparency mechanism comes at— the export transparency mechanism comes at a — the export transparency mechanism comes at a time where the situation is remaining — comes at a time where the situation is remaining alarming in many member states _ is remaining alarming in many member states we _ is remaining alarming in many member states. we are starting to see more and more _ states. we are starting to see more and more concerning circumstances. this is— and more concerning circumstances. this is evidenced by the fact that 19 countries are now reporting increasing case numbers, 15 member states— increasing case numbers, 15 member states are _ increasing case numbers, 15 member states are reporting increased hospital— states are reporting increased hospital and i see you admissions, white _ hospital and i see you admissions, white eight — hospital and i see you admissions, while eight member states are reporting increased number of deaths — reporting increased number of deaths -- _ reporting increased number of deaths. —— icu. the transmission

numher— deaths. —— icu. the transmission number is— deaths. —— icu. the transmission number is slightly above one, indicating a fairly stable level of transmission, but of course the situation — transmission, but of course the situation is _ transmission, but of course the situation is concerning because we have seen— situation is concerning because we have seen an increase in the number of variants _ have seen an increase in the number of variants over the last three weeks — of variants over the last three weeks. the uk variant is now the dominant— weeks. the uk variant is now the dominant strain circulating in the eu and _ dominant strain circulating in the eu and has— dominant strain circulating in the eu and has been identified in all but two — eu and has been identified in all but two countries. it represents up to 80% _ but two countries. it represents up to 80% of— but two countries. it represents up to 80% of the sequent specimen in some _ to 80% of the sequent specimen in some countries. the south african variant _ some countries. the south african variant is— some countries. the south african variant is also present at significant levels and has been present— significant levels and has been present in 18 countries, and the brazilian — present in 18 countries, and the brazilian variant identified in nine, — brazilian variant identified in nine, and _ brazilian variant identified in nine, and in this case, most cases are related — nine, and in this case, most cases are related to travel. member states have taken _ are related to travel. member states have taken or are planning to take some _ have taken or are planning to take some form — have taken or are planning to take some form of tougher public health measures— some form of tougher public health measures in response. this has prompted — measures in response. this has prompted concerns of a third wave if the situation continues to

deteriorate. as a result, we can expect— deteriorate. as a result, we can expect to — deteriorate. as a result, we can expect to see case numbers and hospital— expect to see case numbers and hospital and icu admissions increase further— hospital and icu admissions increase further in _ hospital and icu admissions increase further in the weeks ahead while mortality. — further in the weeks ahead while mortality, which had remained stable, — mortality, which had remained stable, will now see a slight increase _ stable, will now see a slight increase. bringing the situation under— increase. bringing the situation under control takes more than the public— under control takes more than the public health measures, the sacrifices we are asking from our citizens. — sacrifices we are asking from our citizens. it — sacrifices we are asking from our citizens, it requires, as the vice president — citizens, it requires, as the vice president said, access to safe and effective _ president said, access to safe and effective vaccines as quickly as possible — effective vaccines as quickly as possible. ijust wanted to end by saving _ possible. ijust wanted to end by saying that in parallel to the current _ saying that in parallel to the current situation, we are not taking our eyes _ current situation, we are not taking our eyes off— current situation, we are not taking our eyes off the variance. these are mutations— our eyes off the variance. these are mutations for which the currently approved — mutations for which the currently approved vaccines may one day it not be approved vaccines may one day it not he as— approved vaccines may one day it not be as effective. we have already taken _ be as effective. we have already taken this— be as effective. we have already taken this into account in several of our— taken this into account in several of our contracts and we are also today, _ of our contracts and we are also today, as — of our contracts and we are also today, as an— of our contracts and we are also today, as an immediate action and it, speeding up the authorisation of

adapted _ it, speeding up the authorisation of adapted covid—19 vaccines. this will be a adapted covid—19 vaccines. this will he a new_ adapted covid—19 vaccines. this will be a new fast—track procedure which will ensure _ be a new fast—track procedure which will ensure the effectiveness of the vaccines _ will ensure the effectiveness of the vaccines against the variance of the viruses _ vaccines against the variance of the viruses that — vaccines against the variance of the viruses that may evolve over time. this track— viruses that may evolve over time. this track of— viruses that may evolve over time. this track of work remains as important _ this track of work remains as important as the roll—out of the current — important as the roll—out of the current vaccines as we need to always— current vaccines as we need to always be _ current vaccines as we need to always be prepared and to be able to anticipate, _ always be prepared and to be able to anticipate, so ijust wanted to say that we _ anticipate, so ijust wanted to say that we are — anticipate, so ijust wanted to say that we are facing, i would say again. — that we are facing, i would say again. an _ that we are facing, i would say again, an exceptional situation and this is— again, an exceptional situation and this is why— again, an exceptional situation and this is why we are here today. updating, _ this is why we are here today. updating, revising our export transparency mechanism. thank you. thank— transparency mechanism. thank you. thank you _ transparency mechanism. thank you. thank you very much, before we take your questions, today we have interpretation into english, french, german, spanish, italian, greek... studio: a significant use confidence from the european commission on tightening up exports of vaccines from the eu to countries which have higher vaccine rates. we'll get more

reaction to that. let's cross to the house of commons where prime minister's questions is getting under way. the last 12 months have been the most difficult in a generation and our thoughts are with everyone who has lost loved ones during the pandemic. i want to pay tribute to everyone in the country for playing their part why they're working on their part why they're working on the front line, staying at home to prevent the spread of the virus or working on vaccine development and supply. it's that vaccination programme that has brought hope, allowing us to set out the cautious but reversible road out of road map. i had conversations with colleagues this morning in addition to my duties and will have more later today. duties and will have more later toda . a , duties and will have more later toda . a, , , duties and will have more later toda . n, , , .., , today. many independent countries from switzerland _ today. many independent countries from switzerland to _ today. many independent countries from switzerland to new _ today. many independent countries from switzerland to new zealand . today. many independent countries i from switzerland to new zealand have bitaterat— from switzerland to new zealand have bilateral agreements with the european union and faced lower nontariff— european union and faced lower nontariff barriers in the uk despite our very— nontariff barriers in the uk despite

our very high standards. with the food and — our very high standards. with the food and drink federation reporting a massive _ food and drink federation reporting a massive drop in uk food exports, over 90% _ a massive drop in uk food exports, over 90% in — a massive drop in uk food exports, over 90% in some areas, and furthermore sps checks for the northern— furthermore sps checks for the northern ireland protocol, shouldn't the prime _ northern ireland protocol, shouldn't the prime minister be making it a priority— the prime minister be making it a priority to — the prime minister be making it a priority to negotiate a bespoke uk, eu veterinary agreement?— eu veterinary agreement? that's exactly why _ eu veterinary agreement? that's exactly why we — eu veterinary agreement? that's exactly why we put _ eu veterinary agreement? that's exactly why we put in _ eu veterinary agreement? that's exactly why we put in the - eu veterinary agreement? that's i exactly why we put in the temporary and technical measures that we have to allow free trade to continue across the whole of the uk and it's very, very important for those who object to the measures we have taken that the protocol should uphold the principle of east, west to as well as north, south trade and that's exactly what we are trying to do. tit exactly what we are trying to do. in sussex by the end of this week we will have _ sussex by the end of this week we will have delivered 1 million covid

jabs _ will have delivered 1 million covid jabs well— will have delivered 1 million covid jabs. well my honourable friend join me in— jabs. well my honourable friend join me in paying tribute to the local vaccine — me in paying tribute to the local vaccine heroes, in particular adam dovte _ vaccine heroes, in particular adam doyle and — vaccine heroes, in particular adam doyle and his leadership, charlotte and doctor susie padgett, and will the prime — and doctor susie padgett, and will the prime minister agree with me that the _ the prime minister agree with me that the uk's success is built on the confidence people have in the fantastic— the confidence people have in the fantastic vaccine technology and shoot _ fantastic vaccine technology and shoot and when our constituents get contacted _ shoot and when our constituents get contacted for a vaccine, they should take up— contacted for a vaccine, they should take up the — contacted for a vaccine, they should take up the first available appointment? | take up the first available appointment?— take up the first available appointment? take up the first available anointment? . ., , ., appointment? i can certainly 'oin her in paying �* appointment? i can certainly 'oin her in paying tribute i appointment? i can certainly 'oin her in paying tribute to i appointment? i can certainly join her in paying tribute to adam i appointment? i can certainly join i her in paying tribute to adam doyle and charlotte and doctor susie and she's completely right in what she says about the foundations of the uk's vaccine success and i had my jab on friday, i don't know if you had yours, mr speaker. sigh i certainly have. i encourage everybody to get it. the right

honourable _ everybody to get it. the right honourable sir _ everybody to get it. the right honourable sir keir— everybody to get it. the right honourable sir keir starmer. l everybody to get it. the right i honourable sir keir starmer. can i start with joining _ honourable sir keir starmer. can i start with joining the _ honourable sir keir starmer. can i start withjoining the prime minister— start withjoining the prime minister in _ start withjoining the prime minister in his— start withjoining the prime minister in his remarks- start withjoining the prime minister in his remarks onl start with joining the prime i minister in his remarks on the reflection _ minister in his remarks on the reflection of— minister in his remarks on the reflection of that _ minister in his remarks on the reflection of that 126,000 - minister in his remarks on the i reflection of that 126,000 people who lost — reflection of that 126,000 people who lost their— reflection of that 126,000 people who lost their lives _ reflection of that 126,000 people who lost their lives to _ reflection of that 126,000 people who lost their lives to covid. i who lost their lives to covid. that's — who lost their lives to covid. that's a _ who lost their lives to covid. that's a shocking _ who lost their lives to covid. that's a shocking number. who lost their lives to covid. i that's a shocking number and who lost their lives to covid. - that's a shocking number and behind every— that's a shocking number and behind every one _ that's a shocking number and behind every one of— that's a shocking number and behind every one of those _ that's a shocking number and behind every one of those is _ that's a shocking number and behind every one of those is a _ that's a shocking number and behind every one of those is a grieving i every one of those is a grieving famitv — every one of those is a grieving famitv as _ every one of those is a grieving family. as soon _ every one of those is a grieving family. as soon as _ every one of those is a grieving family. as soon as restrictionsl family. as soon as restrictions lift, _ family. as soon as restrictions lift. there _ family. as soon as restrictions lift, there must— family. as soon as restrictions lift, there must be _ family. as soon as restrictions lift, there must be a _ family. as soon as restrictions lift, there must be a full- family. as soon as restrictions| lift, there must be a full public inquiry— lift, there must be a full public inquiry because _ lift, there must be a full public inquiry because that _ lift, there must be a full public inquiry because that is - lift, there must be a full public inquiry because that is the i lift, there must be a full public| inquiry because that is the only lift, there must be a full public- inquiry because that is the only way we can— inquiry because that is the only way we can get— inquiry because that is the only way we can get to — inquiry because that is the only way we can get to the _ inquiry because that is the only way we can get to the bottom _ inquiry because that is the only way we can get to the bottom of- inquiry because that is the only way we can get to the bottom of the i inquiry because that is the only way. we can get to the bottom of the many mistakes _ we can get to the bottom of the many mistakes that — we can get to the bottom of the many mistakes that were _ we can get to the bottom of the many mistakes that were made _ we can get to the bottom of the many mistakes that were made during i we can get to the bottom of the many mistakes that were made during the i mistakes that were made during the pandemic— mistakes that were made during the pandemic and — mistakes that were made during the pandemic and find _ mistakes that were made during the pandemic and find justice _ mistakes that were made during the pandemic and find justice for - mistakes that were made during the pandemic and find justice for those i pandemic and find justice for those who have _ pandemic and find justice for those who have suffered _ pandemic and find justice for those who have suffered so _ pandemic and find justice for those who have suffered so much. - pandemic and find justice for those who have suffered so much. why. pandemic and find justice for those i who have suffered so much. why did the prime _ who have suffered so much. why did the prime minister— who have suffered so much. why did the prime minister promise - who have suffered so much. why did the prime minister promise at- who have suffered so much. why did the prime minister promise at the i the prime minister promise at the last election — the prime minister promise at the last election that _ the prime minister promise at the last election that he _ the prime minister promise at the last election that he would, i- last election that he would, i quote — last election that he would, i quote not _ last election that he would, i quote, not he _ last election that he would, i quote, not be cutting - last election that he would, i quote, not be cutting our. last election that he would, i. quote, not be cutting our armed services — quote, not be cutting our armed services in — quote, not be cutting our armed services in any— quote, not be cutting our armed services in any form? _ quote, not be cutting our armed services in any form? mr- quote, not be cutting our armed services in any form? mr speaker, that was because _ services in any form? mr speaker, that was because what _ services in any form? mr speaker, that was because what we - services in any form? mr speaker, that was because what we were i services in any form? mr speaker, i that was because what we were going to do was actually increased spending on our armed services by the biggest amount since the cold

war. £24 billion modernising our armed forces, keeping our no redundancies, keeping it at 100,000 including reserves and i take it amiss from the honourable gentleman, when he stood on a manifesto to elect a man who wanted to pull this country out of nato. he’s elect a man who wanted to pull this country out of nato._ country out of nato. he's fighting the last war. _ country out of nato. he's fighting the last war, but _ country out of nato. he's fighting the last war, but is _ country out of nato. he's fighting the last war, but is he _ country out of nato. he's fighting the last war, but is he trying i country out of nato. he's fighting the last war, but is he trying to l the last war, but is he trying to pretend — the last war, but is he trying to pretend hidden in that answer that the army— pretend hidden in that answer that the army stands at over 100,000, a number— the army stands at over 100,000, a number of— the army stands at over 100,000, a number of the prime minister quoted there? _ number of the prime minister quoted there? because it's absolutely clear from the _ there? because it's absolutely clear from the secretary of state for defence's statement on monday, his words, _ defence's statement on monday, his words. i_ defence's statement on monday, his words, i have therefore taken the decision— words, i have therefore taken the decision to — words, i have therefore taken the decision to reduce the size of the army— decision to reduce the size of the army to — decision to reduce the size of the army to 72,500 by 2025. only this prime _ army to 72,500 by 2025. only this prime minister could suggest that a

reduction _ prime minister could suggest that a reduction from 82,000 to 72,000 is somehow— reduction from 82,000 to 72,000 is somehow not a cut but the prime minister— somehow not a cut but the prime minister didn't answer my question which _ minister didn't answer my question which was — minister didn't answer my question which was why did he make that promise? — which was why did he make that promise? he said before the last election. — promise? he said before the last election, we will not be cutting our armed _ election, we will not be cutting our armed services in any form. what did he do _ armed services in any form. what did he do this— armed services in any form. what did he do this week? he cut the british army— he do this week? he cut the british army by— he do this week? he cut the british army by 10,000, cut the number of tanks. _ army by 10,000, cut the number of tanks. cut— army by 10,000, cut the number of tanks, cut the number of planes for our raf _ tanks, cut the number of planes for our raf and — tanks, cut the number of planes for our raf and cut the number of ships for the _ our raf and cut the number of ships for the royal navy. i say he, the prime _ for the royal navy. i say he, the prime minister didn't have the courage — prime minister didn't have the courage to come to the house himself to say— courage to come to the house himself to say what— courage to come to the house himself to say what he was doing, so let me ask the _ to say what he was doing, so let me ask the prime minister a simple question. — ask the prime minister a simple question, going back to that promise before _ question, going back to that promise before the _ question, going back to that promise before the election, did he ever intend _ before the election, did he ever intend to — before the election, did he ever intend to keep his promise to our armed _ intend to keep his promise to our armed forces? not intend to keep his promise to our armed forces?— intend to keep his promise to our armed forces? not only did we keep our promise — armed forces? not only did we keep our promise in _ armed forces? not only did we keep our promise in the _ armed forces? not only did we keep our promise in the manifesto, i armed forces? not only did we keep our promise in the manifesto, we i our promise in the manifesto, we actually increased spending by 14% more than that manifesto commitment.

i think it's frankly satirical to be lectured about the size of the army when the shadow foreign secretary herself only recently wrote that the entire british army should be turned into a peace corps, and when i say the leader of the opposition stood in a manifesto to elect a leader who himself wanted to disband the armed services, this is a massive investment in our defences and in ourfuture, and it's wonderful to hear the new spirit ofjingo that has spread across the labour benches. ~ , benches. the prime minister might want to avoid _ benches. the prime minister might want to avoid the _ benches. the prime minister might want to avoid the promises - benches. the prime minister might want to avoid the promises he i benches. the prime minister mightl want to avoid the promises he made but i want to avoid the promises he made but i found _ want to avoid the promises he made but i found an interview he gave durinq _ but i found an interview he gave during the — but i found an interview he gave during the general election campaign under— during the general election campaign under the _

during the general election campaign under the headline, during the general election campaign underthe headline, no during the general election campaign under the headline, no troop cuts, tories _ under the headline, no troop cuts, tories witt— under the headline, no troop cuts, tories will maintain size of armed forces _ tories will maintain size of armed forces it — tories will maintain size of armed forces. it then goes on to quote the prime _ forces. it then goes on to quote the prime minister. borisjohnson has promised — prime minister. borisjohnson has promised that he will not make any new cuts— promised that he will not make any new cuts to — promised that he will not make any new cuts to the armed forces. he also promised to maintain numbers at their current _ also promised to maintain numbers at their current level including the army's 82,000. i know the prime minister— army's 82,000. i know the prime minister has form for making up quotes. — minister has form for making up quotes, but can he tell us, does he think— quotes, but can he tell us, does he think the _ quotes, but can he tell us, does he think the newspapers have somehow misquoted _ think the newspapers have somehow misquoted him or does he now remember making that promise? yes, because there — remember making that promise? yes, because there have _ remember making that promise? 23 because there have been no redundancies in our armed forces and i said to him if you include reserves, we are even keeping the army at 100,000, but on top of that, we are doing what is necessary to modernise our armed forces, taking them into the 21st century, building more frigates, investing in cyber

war, all the difficult labour shirked in their time in office including modernising and our nuclear deterrent which, again, half the shadow front bench would like to remove, leaving britain defenceless internationally. . t remove, leaving britain defenceless internationally. .— internationally. . i have every resect internationally. . i have every respect for— internationally. . i have every respect for our _ internationally. . i have every respect for our reservists i internationally. . i have every respect for our reservists by i internationally. . i have every. respect for our reservists by the prime _ respect for our reservists by the prime minister's playing with a numbers— prime minister's playing with a numbers and knows very well the numbers— numbers and knows very well the numbers have been cut. the trouble is you _ numbers have been cut. the trouble is you just _ numbers have been cut. the trouble is you just can't trust the conservatives to protect our armed forces _ conservatives to protect our armed forces. let's look at their last manifestos. these are the manifestos are opposites stood on. the 2015 manifesto — are opposites stood on. the 2015 manifesto. �* are opposites stood on. the 2015 manifeste— are opposites stood on. the 2015 manifesto. �* , ., manifesto. order. i'm struggling to hear the leader _ manifesto. order. i'm struggling to hear the leader of _ manifesto. order. i'm struggling to hear the leader of the _ manifesto. order. i'm struggling to hear the leader of the opposition l hear the leader of the opposition and i_ hear the leader of the opposition and i will— hear the leader of the opposition and i will hear— hear the leader of the opposition and i will hear him, _ hear the leader of the opposition and i will hear him, so _ hear the leader of the opposition and i will hear him, so please, i. and i will hear him, so please, i want _ and i will hear him, so please, i want the — and i will hear him, so please, i want the same _ and i will hear him, so please, i want the same respect - and i will hear him, so please, i want the same respect for i and i will hear him, so please, i want the same respect for the l and i will hear him, so please, i- want the same respect for the prime minister— want the same respect for the prime minister as— want the same respect for the prime minister as the — want the same respect for the prime minister as the leader— want the same respect for the prime minister as the leader of— want the same respect for the prime minister as the leader of the - minister as the leader of the opposition _

minister as the leader of the opposition-— minister as the leader of the o- osition. ::' ., , ., opposition. the 2015 manifesto, we will maintain _ opposition. the 2015 manifesto, we will maintain the _ opposition. the 2015 manifesto, we will maintain the size _ opposition. the 2015 manifesto, we will maintain the size of— opposition. the 2015 manifesto, we will maintain the size of the - will maintain the size of the regular— will maintain the size of the regular armed services. 2017 manifesto, we will maintain the overall— manifesto, we will maintain the overall size of the armed forces. 2019. _ overall size of the armed forces. 2019. the — overall size of the armed forces. 2019, the prime minister, we will not be _ 2019, the prime minister, we will not be cutting our armed services in any form _ not be cutting our armed services in any form. but the truth is since 2010, _ any form. but the truth is since 2010, our— any form. but the truth is since 2010, ourarmed any form. but the truth is since 2010, our armed forces have been cut by 45.000. _ 2010, our armed forces have been cut by 45,000, and our army will now be cut to _ by 45,000, and our army will now be cut to its _ by 45,000, and our army will now be cut to its lowest level in 300 years — cut to its lowest level in 300 years let _ cut to its lowest level in 300 years. let me remind the prime minister— years. let me remind the prime minister and years. let me remind the prime ministerand members years. let me remind the prime minister and members opposite why this matters. lord richards, former chlef— this matters. lord richards, former chief of— this matters. lord richards, former chief of defence staff, has warned that with — chief of defence staff, has warned that with an armed force of this size now. — that with an armed force of this size now, we almost certainly wouldn't _ size now, we almost certainly wouldn't be able to retake the falklands or stop genocide. that's lord richards, prime minister. after ten years— lord richards, prime minister. after ten years of— lord richards, prime minister. after ten years of conservative government, is the prime minister not ashamed of that? this conservative _

not ashamed of that? this conservative government | not ashamed of that? this | conservative government is not ashamed of that? tt 3 conservative government is massively proud of the investment that we made in our armed forces which is the biggest uplift since the cold war and he should look at what the nato secretary general had to say about our investment, which is absolutely vital for the future success of the alliance and for the security of many other countries around the world. £24 billion investment in the future combat air system and special army operations ranger regiment, £1.3 billion to upgrade the challenger battle tanks, massive investment in the typhoon squadrons and so on. we are investing in the future. of course we have had to take some tough decisions but that's because we believe in our defences and that they should be more than merely symbolic and it's the labour party who are consistently, historically, hilarious to be lectured about the falklands, who consistently are weak on protecting

this country and you heard it, it was most visible last week during the debate on the integrated review when it was plain that they shadow front bench couldn't even agree to maintain britain's nuclear deterrent. absolutely true. what's weaker than _ deterrent. absolutely true. what's weaker than making _ deterrent. absolutely true. what's weaker than making a _ deterrent. absolutely true. what's weaker than making a promise i deterrent. absolutely true. what's weaker than making a promise to l deterrent. absolutely true. what's i weaker than making a promise to our armed _ weaker than making a promise to our armed forcesjust before the election— armed forcesjust before the election then breaking it are not being _ election then breaking it are not being prepared to admit it? not having _ being prepared to admit it? not having the courage to admit it? there's— having the courage to admit it? there's a — having the courage to admit it? there's a courage mac pattern here, he promised — there's a courage mac pattern here, he promised the nhs they would have whatever— he promised the nhs they would have whatever they need, no nurses are getting _ whatever they need, no nurses are getting a _ whatever they need, no nurses are getting a pay cut. he promised a tax quarantee _ getting a pay cut. he promised a tax guarantee, now he's putting taxes up for families — guarantee, now he's putting taxes up forfamilies. he promised he wouldn't _ forfamilies. he promised he wouldn't cut the armed forces, now he's done _ wouldn't cut the armed forces, now he's done just that. so if the prime minister— he's done just that. so if the prime minister is — he's done just that. so if the prime minister is so proud of what he's doing. _ minister is so proud of what he's doing. so— minister is so proud of what he's doing, so determined to push ahead, why does— doing, so determined to push ahead, why does he — doing, so determined to push ahead, why does he at least had the courage to put— why does he at least had the courage to put this _ why does he at least had the courage to put this cut in the armed forces to put this cut in the armed forces to a vote _ to put this cut in the armed forces to a vote in — to put this cut in the armed forces to a vote in this house? i�*m

to put this cut in the armed forces to a vote in this house?— to a vote in this house? i'm proud of what we — to a vote in this house? i'm proud of what we are _ to a vote in this house? i'm proud of what we are doing _ to a vote in this house? i'm proud of what we are doing to _ to a vote in this house? i'm proud of what we are doing to increase l of what we are doing to increase spending on the armed forces by the biggest amount since the cold war. the only reason we can do that is because under this conservative government we have been running a sound economy and it's also because we believe in defence. we've been getting on with the job. he talks about nurses and investment in the nhs. i'm proud of the massive investment we have made in the nhs and we have 60,000 more nurses now in training and we've increased their starting salary by 12.8%. we are getting on with the job of recruiting more police, 20,000 more police, i think we found 7000 already. while they are out on the streets, demonstrations shouting kill the bill, that's the difference between our parties. we are low tax and when it comes to defence we got your backs. t do

and when it comes to defence we got our backs. ., ., , ., , your backs. i do not believe any member of _ your backs. i do not believe any member of parliament - your backs. i do not believe any member of parliament would i your backs. i do not believe any i member of parliament would support that kill— member of parliament would support that kill the _ member of parliament would support that kill the bill. _ member of parliament would support that kill the bill. we _ member of parliament would support that kill the bill. we are _ member of parliament would support that kill the bill. we are all— that kill the bill. we are all united _ that kill the bill. we are all united in— that kill the bill. we are all united in this _ that kill the bill. we are all united in this house - that kill the bill. we are all united in this house in i that kill the bill. we are all united in this house in the| that kill the bill. we are all- united in this house in the support and the _ united in this house in the support and the protection _ united in this house in the support and the protection that _ united in this house in the support and the protection that the - united in this house in the support and the protection that the policel and the protection that the police offer us _ and the protection that the police offer us and — and the protection that the police offer us and nobody _ and the protection that the police offer us and nobody would - and the protection that the police offer us and nobody would shy. and the protection that the police i offer us and nobody would shy away from that _ offer us and nobody would shy away from that. the _ offer us and nobody would shy away from that. , ., from that. the question, prime minister, from that. the question, prime minister. is _ from that. the question, prime minister, is why _ from that. the question, prime minister, is why not _ from that. the question, prime minister, is why not have i from that. the question, prime minister, is why not have the i minister, is why not have the courage _ minister, is why not have the courage to put it to a vote? that question— courage to put it to a vote? that question was avoided like all of the questions — question was avoided like all of the questions. we all know why he won't put it— questions. we all know why he won't put it to _ questions. we all know why he won't put it to a _ questions. we all know why he won't put it to a vote. let me quote his conservative mp, chair of the defence _ conservative mp, chair of the defence select committee because he recognises, and he has experience and respect across the house, he recoqnises — and respect across the house, he recognises this review means dramatic— recognises this review means dramatic cuts to our troop numbers, tanks, _ dramatic cuts to our troop numbers, tanks, armoured fighting vehicles and raf — tanks, armoured fighting vehicles and raf aircraft and he goes on to say, and raf aircraft and he goes on to say. your— and raf aircraft and he goes on to say, your mp, prime minister, that if tested _ say, your mp, prime minister, that if tested by— say, your mp, prime minister, that if tested by a parliamentary vote i

do not _ if tested by a parliamentary vote i do not believe it would pass, not me. _ do not believe it would pass, not me his — do not believe it would pass, not me his own— do not believe it would pass, not me, his own mps. mr speaker, can i say this— me, his own mps. mr speaker, can i say this because i want to turn to another— say this because i want to turn to another issue that affects thousands ofjobs _ another issue that affects thousands ofjobs and many communities across the countrv — ofjobs and many communities across the country. 5000 jobs are at risk at liberty— the country. 5000 jobs are at risk at liberty steel with many more in the supply— at liberty steel with many more in the supply chain. the uk steel industry— the supply chain. the uk steel industry is under huge pressure and the failure _ industry is under huge pressure and the failure of the government to privatise — the failure of the government to privatise british steel and infrastructure projects is costing millions— infrastructure projects is costing millions of pounds in investment so will the _ millions of pounds in investment so will the prime minister now commit to working — will the prime minister now commit to working with us and the trade unions _ to working with us and the trade unions to— to working with us and the trade unions to change this absurd situation _ unions to change this absurd situation, to put british steel first— situation, to put british steel first and _ situation, to put british steel first and do whatever is necessary to protect — first and do whatever is necessary to protect those jobs? | first and do whatever is necessary to protect those jobs? i am first and do whatever is necessary to protect those jobs?— first and do whatever is necessary to protect those jobs? to protect those 'obs? i am happy to eta-operate — to protect those 'obs? i am happy to eta-operate in — to protect those jobs? i am happy to co-0perate in any — to protect those jobs? i am happy to co-operate in any way _ to protect those jobs? i am happy to co-operate in any way but _ to protect those jobs? i am happy to co-operate in any way but the i to protect those jobs? i am happy to co-operate in any way but the steel| co—operate in any way but the steel output have to under the labour

government —— halved. i share the anxieties of steelworkers and that's why my friend mike to business secretary has had three meetings just in the last few days to take the question forward —— my honourable friend has had meetings. we are investing huge sums on modernising british steel making, making them more environmentally friendly but we have a massive opportunity but because this government is engaged in a £640 billion infrastructure campaign. hsz, the billion infrastructure campaign. hs2, the great dogger bank wind farms, all the things we are building, the beeching railway reversals, they will call for millions and millions of tonnes of british steel and thanks to leaving the european union we have an opportunity to direct that procurement at british firms in a way that we would want to do whereas i know that the honourable gentleman would like nothing more than to take this country back into the european

union and remove that opportunity for british steel and british steel workers. ., , , workers. last night i spoke with ounu workers. last night i spoke with young people _ workers. last night i spoke with young people in _ workers. last night i spoke with young people in aberconwy i workers. last night i spoke with i young people in aberconwy about their experiences of 12 months living — their experiences of 12 months living on— their experiences of 12 months living on lockdown. they were very articulated — living on lockdown. they were very articulated by the challenges they have overcome and about their concerns — have overcome and about their concerns for their future in finding a job, _ concerns for their future in finding ajob, moving concerns for their future in finding a job, moving to an university —— a new— a job, moving to an university —— a new university. thus the prime minister— new university. thus the prime minister have a message for the students — minister have a message for the students l — minister have a message for the students i spoke with and other young _ students i spoke with and other young people who are thinking about their future and life after lockdown?— their future and life after lockdown? , , , , ., lockdown? yes, my message is 'ust to thank them lockdown? yes, my message is 'ust to thankthem and — lockdown? yes, my message is 'ust to thank them and to i lockdown? yes, my message is 'ust to thank them and to say i lockdown? yes, my message is 'ust to thank them and to say thanki lockdown? yes, my message isjust to thank them and to say thank you i lockdown? yes, my message isjust to thank them and to say thank you for l thank them and to say thank you for what they have put up with and how sorry i am for how difficult it has been for their generation. i don't think there can be any group of young people who have had to sacrifice so much in our lifetimes and we owe it to them to repair their education and get them into work as fast as we possibly can and that's why we have set out the £2

billion kick start fund and many other schemes which i hope will be useful to his constituents. let’s other schemes which i hope will be useful to his constituents.— useful to his constituents. let's go to the leader _ useful to his constituents. let's go to the leader of _ useful to his constituents. let's go to the leader of the _ useful to his constituents. let's go to the leader of the snp, - useful to his constituents. let's go to the leader of the snp, ian i to the leader of the snp, ian blackford. to the leader of the snp, ian blackford-— to the leader of the snp, ian blackford. , , , a, blackford. yesterday my brilliant collea . ue, blackford. yesterday my brilliant colleague, the _ blackford. yesterday my brilliant colleague, the member - blackford. yesterday my brilliant colleague, the member for - blackford. yesterday my brilliant. colleague, the member for airdrie and shotts, made his final speech to this parliament. he is standing for the scottish parliament and is doing the scottish parliament and is doing the right— the scottish parliament and is doing the right thing by stepping down as an mp _ the right thing by stepping down as an mp by— the right thing by stepping down as an mp. by doing the right thing, he will avoid _ an mp. by doing the right thing, he will avoid a — an mp. by doing the right thing, he will avoid a dual mandate and a separate — will avoid a dual mandate and a separate by—election that would cost the public— separate by—election that would cost the public £175,000. mr speaker, the scottish_ the public £175,000. mr speaker, the scottish tory leader is also seeking a place _ scottish tory leader is also seeking a place in _ scottish tory leader is also seeking a place in the scottish parliament, but is _ a place in the scottish parliament, but is refusing to step down as an mp, but is refusing to step down as an mp. so_ but is refusing to step down as an mp. so as — but is refusing to step down as an mp, so as his boss, but the prime minisler— mp, so as his boss, but the prime minister ordered the member for murray— minister ordered the member for murray to — minister ordered the member for murray to resign his seat, avoid a dual— murray to resign his seat, avoid a dual mandate and save the taxpayer £175.000? — dual mandate and save the taxpayer £175,000? or dual mandate and save the taxpayer £175,000? 0rare

dual mandate and save the taxpayer £175,000? or are dual mandates one more _ £175,000? or are dual mandates one more tory— £175,000? or are dual mandates one more tory policy where they think greed _ more tory policy where they think greed is _ more tory policy where they think greed is good? i more tory policy where they think greed is good?— more tory policy where they think creed is aood? ~' , ., ., ., , greed is good? i think my honourable friend is doing _ greed is good? i think my honourable friend is doing an _ greed is good? i think my honourable friend is doing an excellent _ greed is good? i think my honourable friend is doing an excellent job - greed is good? i think my honourable friend is doing an excellent job of - friend is doing an excellentjob of holding the scottish national party to account for their manifold failings, not least in education, failings, not least in education, failing to deliver on crime, failing, in my view, to deliverfor the people of scotland, so caught up as they are in their desire for independence and another referendum and i'm amazed that he hasn't mentioned it so far, but perhaps he will now. ,, , , ., ., ., will now. simpler yet again a prime minister _ will now. simpler yet again a prime minister failing _ will now. simpler yet again a prime minister failing to - will now. simpler yet again a prime minister failing to answer| will now. simpler yet again a | prime minister failing to answer a question— prime minister failing to answer a question and that charge that greed is good _ question and that charge that greed is good in _ question and that charge that greed is good in tory policy. we know that tory leaders — is good in tory policy. we know that tory leaders in scotland have a habit _ tory leaders in scotland have a habit of— tory leaders in scotland have a habit of dodging democracy. baroness davidson— habit of dodging democracy. baroness davidson is— habit of dodging democracy. baroness davidson is fleeing the house of lords _ davidson is fleeing the house of lords and —

davidson is fleeing the house of lords and the current tory leader is too afraid _ lords and the current tory leader is too afraid to — lords and the current tory leader is too afraid to stand in a constituency. no wonder this morning's daily record declared that the scottish tories have exposed themselves as shameless, nasty and 'ust themselves as shameless, nasty and just plain _ themselves as shameless, nasty and just plain daft. they are led by a man— just plain daft. they are led by a man so— just plain daft. they are led by a man so devoid of imagination that when _ man so devoid of imagination that when asked what he would do if he was pre—minister for a day he replied, — was pre—minister for a day he replied, i_ was pre—minister for a day he replied, i would like to see tougher enforcement against gypsy travellers. does the prime minister really— travellers. does the prime minister really have — travellers. does the prime minister really have confidence in a scottish tory leader— really have confidence in a scottish tory leader that doesn't even have the courage to put himself before the courage to put himself before the voters in a scottish constituency? gf the voters in a scottish constituency? the voters in a scottish constituen ? , ~ constituency? of course, mr speaker, and the honourable _ constituency? of course, mr speaker, and the honourable gentleman - and the honourable gentleman represents a party that is so devoid of imagination that he can't come up with any workable solutions to help the people of scotland improve their education, improve the fight against crime, cut taxes in scotland where

they are highest in the whole of the uk. they are so devoid of imagination, they have a one track record of all they can talk about is a referendum to break up the united kingdom. that's twice he hasn't mentioned it. maybe he's getting nervous of singing that particular song. it's rather curious. he's not coming back, is he, but after easter let see if he mentions it again. this let see if he mentions it again. as my honourable friend has already said, _ my honourable friend has already said. the — my honourable friend has already said, the steel industry is fundamental to our future in the uk and we _ fundamental to our future in the uk and we can't reach our net zero commitments are infrastructure targets— commitments are infrastructure targets without steel. the steel specialists in my constituency has an uncertain future because of the uncertainty — an uncertain future because of the uncertainty faced by liberty steel grouo _ uncertainty faced by liberty steel grouo it— uncertainty faced by liberty steel group. it is of national importance so what _ group. it is of national importance so what shouldn't scare my honourable friend of my constituents that the _ honourable friend of my constituents that the government will do what it takes _ that the government will do what it takes to— that the government will do what it takes to safeguard jobs and livelihoods and secure the future of

steel— making livelihoods and secure the future of steel—making in the uk? | livelihoods and secure the future of steel-making in the uk?— livelihoods and secure the future of steel-making in the uk? i thank my honourable friend _ steel-making in the uk? i thank my honourable friend and _ steel-making in the uk? i thank my honourable friend and she _ steel-making in the uk? i thank my honourable friend and she is - steel-making in the uk? i thank my honourable friend and she is a - honourable friend and she is a passionate and successful advocate for her constituents, and for steel—making in this country, which this government passionately believes in, which is why i said to the honourable gentleman we are supporting the uk steel industry with more than 500 million of relief, but also with huge investments to make our steel—making more greener and more competitive. we will do everything we can to ensure that we continue with british jobs for british steel with the infrastructure investments that i've mentioned directing procurement of britishjobs in a mentioned directing procurement of british jobs in a way that we now can. british 'obs in a way that we now can. , , ., ., can. the pre-minister talks about restorin: can. the pre-minister talks about restoring freedoms _ can. the pre-minister talks about restoring freedoms as _ can. the pre-minister talks about restoring freedoms as we - can. the pre-minister talks about restoring freedoms as we emerge can. the pre-minister talks about - restoring freedoms as we emerge from the lockdown —— the prime minister. but is _ the lockdown —— the prime minister. but is pushing a bill that will restrict— but is pushing a bill that will restrict one of our most fundamental freedoms, _ restrict one of our most fundamental freedoms, the right to peaceful protest — freedoms, the right to peaceful protest and peaceable assembly.

tomorrow he's asking for another blank— tomorrow he's asking for another blank check to restrict everyone's freedoms — blank check to restrict everyone's freedoms until september even though we now— freedoms until september even though we now know the vast bulk of the coronavirus — we now know the vast bulk of the coronavirus act is not needed to tackle _ coronavirus act is not needed to tackle the — coronavirus act is not needed to tackle the pandemic. so will the prime _ tackle the pandemic. so will the prime minister, for once, match his actions _ prime minister, for once, match his actions to— prime minister, for once, match his actions to his — prime minister, for once, match his actions to his words, drop these draconian— actions to his words, drop these draconian laws and instead publish a road map— draconian laws and instead publish a road map to revive civil liberties and freedoms in our country? | and freedoms in our country? i sympathise with his desire to see freedoms restored and i want to do that as fast as we possibly can, that's why we've set out the cautious but we hope irreversible road map that we have that i hope the honourable gentleman supports. you can never tell. but what we also want to do is make sure that we are able to deal with the very considerable backlog that we've faced because of the pandemic, so

making sure we have power still to accelerate court procedures with zoom courts, to make sure we allow volunteers to volunteer and retired staff to come back, the powers that are necessary in education. it supported to be able to continue with those special measures for the months ahead and that's why we set out the bill as we have. my constituents _ out the bill as we have. my constituents tracy fell state is at the court — constituents tracy fell state is at the court of appeal today along with 41 other— the court of appeal today along with 41 other sub—postmasters. she is seeking _ 41 other sub—postmasters. she is seeking to— 41 other sub—postmasters. she is seeking to clear her name on a grotesque _ seeking to clear her name on a grotesque miscarriage ofjustice. the post — grotesque miscarriage ofjustice. the post office horizon scandal. the court _ the post office horizon scandal. the court has _ the post office horizon scandal. the court has heard that the institutional imperative of the flawed — institutional imperative of the flawed it system and to convicted sub—postmasters, destroying lives of decent _ sub—postmasters, destroying lives of decent men and women in a ruthless determination to protect the post office _ determination to protect the post

office come whatever may. taxpayers will be _ office come whatever may. taxpayers will be picking up the bill for this multi—million pound reckless wrongdoing. does the pre—minister agree _ wrongdoing. does the pre—minister agree with — wrongdoing. does the pre—minister agree with me that in order for justice — agree with me that in order for justice to — agree with me that in order for justice to be truly done —— prime minister— justice to be truly done —— prime minister agree that those responsible for this failure must be held to _ responsible for this failure must be held to account? does he agree that heads _ held to account? does he agree that heads should roll?— heads should roll? we've certainly... _ heads should roll? we've certainly... i— heads should roll? we've certainly... i certainly - heads should roll? we've - certainly... i certainly understand my honourable friend's strong feelings on this issue and her campaign is one that i think is shared by many members across this house and that's why we launched the post office horizon it inquiry which has made fast progress and we want to learn lessons, we want to make sure that the right people are held to account for what happened and that the post office never repeats a mistake like this.—

mistake like this. good afternoon. sub'ect to mistake like this. good afternoon. subject to certain _ mistake like this. good afternoon. subject to certain conditions - mistake like this. good afternoon. subject to certain conditions being made, _ subject to certain conditions being made. the — subject to certain conditions being made, the northern ireland act 1998 allows— made, the northern ireland act 1998 allows for— made, the northern ireland act 1998 allows for the secretary of state of northern _ allows for the secretary of state of northern ireland to call a referendum on irish reunification, for northern ireland to leave the united _ for northern ireland to leave the united kingdom within seven years of a previous— united kingdom within seven years of a previous referendum. these conditions _ a previous referendum. these conditions of referendum have all been _ conditions of referendum have all been more — conditions of referendum have all been more than met in scotland's referendum in 2014. we are allegedly a union— referendum in 2014. we are allegedly a union of— referendum in 2014. we are allegedly a union of equal nations so why is a democrat— a union of equal nations so why is a democrat -- — a union of equal nations so why is a democrat —— as a democrat for the ore-minister— democrat —— as a democrat for the pre—minister not agree to the democratic will of the people of scotland — democratic will of the people of scotland to be measured? is it because — scotland to be measured? is it because he is fearful of the likely outcome? — because he is fearful of the likely outcome? | because he is fearful of the likely outcome? ~ ., �* , because he is fearful of the likely outcome? ~' ., �* , ., outcome? i knew it wouldn't be long! the reason. — outcome? i knew it wouldn't be long! the reason, first _ outcome? i knew it wouldn't be long! the reason, first of— outcome? i knew it wouldn't be long! the reason, first of all, _ outcome? i knew it wouldn't be long! the reason, first of all, as _ outcome? i knew it wouldn't be long! the reason, first of all, as a - the reason, first of all, as a senior members of his party said, it was a once in a generation event in

2014. i think the point of view that is shared across the house and quite rightly, but the other reason that is plain to most people in this country is that we are all trying to build back better, get out of the pandemic and i think that is the priority for the british people. i think it's the priority for the whole country and i think people are frankly amazed to hear the scottish nationalist party still in these circumstances banging on about their constitutional obsessions. abs, constitutional obsessions. a scottish rugby legend lives on my constituency and has been diagnosed with motor— constituency and has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease. his foundation — with motor neurone disease. his foundation is campaigning alongside the research community, patients, mnd scotland and the mnd association for the _ mnd scotland and the mnd association for the government to invest £50 million _ for the government to invest £50 million over five years to establish a virtual— million over five years to establish a virtual mnd research institute. i understand positive discussions have

already— understand positive discussions have already taken place with the health secretary _ already taken place with the health secretary but it's important to ensure — secretary but it's important to ensure other priorities such as this are not— ensure other priorities such as this are not lost— ensure other priorities such as this are not lost in the pandemic. at the ore-minister— are not lost in the pandemic. at the pre—minister commit the government to supporting this initiative to work— to supporting this initiative to work towards finding a cure to this devastating disease? —— will the prime _ devastating disease? —— will the prime minister commit? | devastating disease? -- will the prime minister commit?- devastating disease? -- will the prime minister commit? i thank my honourable friend _ prime minister commit? i thank my honourable friend for _ prime minister commit? i thank my honourable friend for raising - prime minister commit? i thank my honourable friend for raising this i honourable friend for raising this important question and championing research into motor neurone disease and i thank him also for the excellent work of the foundation, and we spent £54 million in the last five years towards this cause and we are looking for ways to significantly boost the research that we are supporting. mr speaker, a ear into that we are supporting. mr speaker, a year into this _ that we are supporting. mr speaker, a year into this crisis _ that we are supporting. mr speaker, a year into this crisis and _ that we are supporting. mr speaker, a year into this crisis and more - a year into this crisis and more than _ a year into this crisis and more than 126,000 lives have been lost. behind _ than 126,000 lives have been lost. behind this staggering figure are millions— behind this staggering figure are millions grieving their loved ones.

in millions grieving their loved ones. ln my— millions grieving their loved ones. in my family, we have lost an entire generation — in my family, we have lost an entire generation i— in my family, we have lost an entire generation. i couldn't hold my mum's hand as _ generation. i couldn't hold my mum's hand as she _ generation. i couldn't hold my mum's hand as she lay dying and i recently lost both _ hand as she lay dying and i recently lost both my father and mother—in—law within days of one another — mother—in—law within days of one another. grieving families like mine want and _ another. grieving families like mine want and deserve to understand what happened _ want and deserve to understand what happened and if anything could have been done _ happened and if anything could have been done to prevent this tragedy. so will— been done to prevent this tragedy. so will the — been done to prevent this tragedy. so will the prime minister to take commit _ so will the prime minister to take commit to— so will the prime minister to take commit to launching a full public inquiry— commit to launching a full public inquiry into the handling of the pandemic as soon as current restrictions are lifted? | pandemic as soon as current restrictions are lifted? i want to sa to restrictions are lifted? i want to say to the _ restrictions are lifted? i want to say to the honourable _ restrictions are lifted? i want to l say to the honourable gentleman restrictions are lifted? i want to - say to the honourable gentleman that i know the whole house shares my sympathies and my sorrow for your loss, his loss, and we sympathise with his entire family and i know

that his experience is one, as he rightly says, that has been shared by far too many families up and down the country. that's why we are, of course, committed as soon as it is right to do so and as soon as it would be an irresponsible diversion of the energies and key officials involved, we had of course committed to an inquiry to learn the lessons, to an inquiry to learn the lessons, to make sure that something like this can never happen again. andrewjones. andrew jones. on the 3rd of may, wembley is _ andrew jones. on the 3rd of may, wembley is scheduled _ andrew jones. on the 3rd of may, wembley is scheduled to - andrew jones. on the 3rd of may, wembley is scheduled to hold - andrew jones. on the 3rd of may, wembley is scheduled to hold the finals _ wembley is scheduled to hold the finals of— wembley is scheduled to hold the finals of the fa vase and fa trophy, not from _ finals of the fa vase and fa trophy, not from this season but delayed from _ not from this season but delayed from the — not from this season but delayed from the last one, but it means no fans can _ from the last one, but it means no fans can go. — from the last one, but it means no fans can go, even though a trip to wembley— fans can go, even though a trip to wembley is— fans can go, even though a trip to wembley is like the holy grail. the mps for— wembley is like the holy grail. the mps for the clubs involved, north

west— mps for the clubs involved, north west durham and myself, have raised this with _ west durham and myself, have raised this with the fa. well the prime minister— this with the fa. well the prime ministerjoin us in encouraging those — ministerjoin us in encouraging those scheduling the matches to do all they— those scheduling the matches to do all they can to move the date so that fans — all they can to move the date so that fans can attend? i all they can to move the date so that fans can attend?— all they can to move the date so that fans can attend? i hope very much, that fans can attend? i hope very much. mr— that fans can attend? i hope very much, mr speaker, _ that fans can attend? i hope very much, mr speaker, that - that fans can attend? i hope very much, mr speaker, that the - that fans can attend? i hope very i much, mr speaker, that the football association will have listened carefully to what my honourable friend has to say and they do what they can. i look forward to may the 17th, when spectators, according to the road map, may return. 1? 17th, when spectators, according to the road map, may return. 17 months auo, the road map, may return. 17 months aao, i the road map, may return. 17 months ago. i stood — the road map, may return. 17 months ago. i stood in _ the road map, may return. 17 months ago, i stood in this _ the road map, may return. 17 months ago, i stood in this place _ the road map, may return. 17 months ago, i stood in this place and - the road map, may return. 17 months ago, i stood in this place and ask - ago, i stood in this place and ask you what— ago, i stood in this place and ask you what you were going to do to tackle _ you what you were going to do to tackle rare — you what you were going to do to tackle rare forms of epilepsy. you said you _ tackle rare forms of epilepsy. you said you recognised the desperate difficulties and you would take it a personal— difficulties and you would take it a personal with me. difficulties and you would take it a personalwith me. in difficulties and you would take it a personal with me. in the interim, we have developed new medicines, distributed them around the country, giving _ distributed them around the country, giving them free of charge. why are we discriminating against these

children? — we discriminating against these children? are they worth less that the general public? if you could please, — the general public? if you could please, prime minister, take this opportunity to give five minutes of your time — opportunity to give five minutes of your time today could go a long way. i am your time today could go a long way. l am very— your time today could go a long way. i am very happy to do whatever we can to meet with the honourable gentleman and take the matter forward, but the dutch government, i am told, has confirmed they will allow the continued supply of the oil until at least the summer, until july, as he rightly says, and the health secretary is working to find a permanent solution. i have no doubt he will be very happy to meet with the honourable gentleman. {sheen with the honourable gentleman. given the ast 12 with the honourable gentleman. given the past 12 months, _ with the honourable gentleman. given the past 12 months, i, _ with the honourable gentleman. given the past 12 months, i, like _ with the honourable gentleman. given the past 12 months, i, like many others, — the past 12 months, i, like many others, would not want the job of prime _ others, would not want the job of prime minister, even for all the tea in china, _ prime minister, even for all the tea in china, however the job does give opportunities to improve the lives

of people — opportunities to improve the lives of people who are very sick. march is brain— of people who are very sick. march is brain tuna— of people who are very sick. march is brain tuna awareness month —— brain— is brain tuna awareness month —— brain tumour— is brain tuna awareness month —— brain tumour awareness month and we know through covid that properly funded _ know through covid that properly funded research can provide care, treatment— funded research can provide care, treatment and a cure. will the prime minister— treatment and a cure. will the prime minister meet with me to receive the petition _ minister meet with me to receive the petition when it is safe to do so? yes, _ petition when it is safe to do so? yes, indeed, mr speaker, and i thank him for what he is doing to champion research into brain cancer and i know from activists in my own constituency, the hillingdon brain tumour group, constituency, the hillingdon brain tumourgroup, how constituency, the hillingdon brain tumour group, how vital it is, because people don't appreciate the number of people who are the victims of brain tumours, and we have put another £40 million into brain tumour research and we are certainly going to put more and i look forward

to meeting my honourable friend. my constituents' daughter currently lives _ constituents' daughter currently lives in — constituents' daughter currently lives in gran canaria. last year, aged _ lives in gran canaria. last year, aged just — lives in gran canaria. last year, aged just 33, she suffered an aneurysm. she remains and well and her family— aneurysm. she remains and well and herfamily are aneurysm. she remains and well and her family are crowdfunding to bring her family are crowdfunding to bring her back— her family are crowdfunding to bring her back home to live. they have been _ her back home to live. they have been advised that when she does return— been advised that when she does return home, she won't be eligible for the _ return home, she won't be eligible for the treatment that she needs on the nhs _ for the treatment that she needs on the nhs. please can the prime minister— the nhs. please can the prime minister support the crowdfund and .ave minister support the crowdfund and gave his _ minister support the crowdfund and gave his personal assurance that she will receive _ gave his personal assurance that she will receive the care that she needs from our— will receive the care that she needs from our nhs?| will receive the care that she needs from our nhs?— will receive the care that she needs from our nhs? i thank you very much for raising the — from our nhs? i thank you very much for raising the case _ from our nhs? i thank you very much for raising the case and _ from our nhs? i thank you very much for raising the case and my _ from our nhs? i thank you very much for raising the case and my deepest l for raising the case and my deepest sympathies with danielle and her family and we will make sure that the relevant health minister meets her to discuss the case as fast as possible. her to discuss the case as fast as

ossible. , ., ., , her to discuss the case as fast as possible._ thank . her to discuss the case as fast as i possible._ thank you, possible. kelly thomas. thank you, mr speaker- — possible. kelly thomas. thank you, mr speaker- 40 _ possible. kelly thomas. thank you, mr speaker. 40 years _ possible. kelly thomas. thank you, mr speaker. 40 years on _ possible. kelly thomas. thank you, mr speaker. 40 years on from i possible. kelly thomas. thank you, mr speaker. 40 years on from my l mr speaker. 40 years on from my predecessor's opposition to the closure — predecessor's opposition to the closure of— predecessor's opposition to the closure of chatham dockyard with the loss of— closure of chatham dockyard with the loss of thousands ofjobs, i am now opposing _ loss of thousands ofjobs, i am now opposing the closure of what today is chatham docs, with the loss of over— is chatham docs, with the loss of over 1000 — is chatham docs, with the loss of over 1000 skilled jobs. it is a regionally important asset, home to successful— regionally important asset, home to successful maritime and construction businesses. — successful maritime and construction businesses, all growing in spite of covid, _ businesses, all growing in spite of covid, to— businesses, all growing in spite of covid, to make way for flats, short—term profit for the landowner at the _ short—term profit for the landowner at the expense of long—term environment and business benefits. there _ environment and business benefits. there is— environment and business benefits. there is my— environment and business benefits. there is my right honourable friend agree _ there is my right honourable friend agree with — there is my right honourable friend agree with me that coastal infrastructure plays a significant role in _ infrastructure plays a significant role in the — infrastructure plays a significant role in the growth of our local economies, creatingjobs role in the growth of our local economies, creating jobs and clean maritime _ economies, creating jobs and clean maritime technology, contributing to our net _ maritime technology, contributing to our net zero ambition? yes, maritime technology, contributing to our net zero ambition?— our net zero ambition? yes, mr speaker. _ our net zero ambition? yes, mr speaker. one — our net zero ambition? yes, mr speaker, one of— our net zero ambition? yes, mr speaker, one of the _ our net zero ambition? yes, mr speaker, one of the reasons i our net zero ambition? yes, mrj speaker, one of the reasons we our net zero ambition? yes, mr i speaker, one of the reasons we put £24 billion into defence alone is that it drives 400,000 jobs around

the country, including the building of new frigates, new ships of all kinds, and i hope very much that chatham will benefit from the £100 million funding we put in on the 24th of december to rejuvenate coastal towns. the matter she raises, the planning issue she raises, the planning issue she raises, is a matterfor the raises, the planning issue she raises, is a matter for the local council but i do hope a solution can be found which gives the benefits that she describes for the local community. that she describes for the local community-— that she describes for the local communi . ., , ., ., community. last night, i met again with leaseholders _ community. last night, i met again with leaseholders whose _ community. last night, i met again with leaseholders whose lives i community. last night, i met again with leaseholders whose lives have| with leaseholders whose lives have been torn — with leaseholders whose lives have been torn apart by the cladding and building _ been torn apart by the cladding and building safety scandal. the prime minister— building safety scandal. the prime minister will recall that he told the house on the 3rd of february, and i_ the house on the 3rd of february, and l quote, — the house on the 3rd of february, and i quote, no leaseholder should have to _ and i quote, no leaseholder should have to pay — and i quote, no leaseholder should have to pay for the unaffordable cost of — have to pay for the unaffordable cost of fixing safety defects that they did — cost of fixing safety defects that they did not cause and are no fault of their— they did not cause and are no fault of their own. no ifs, no buts, an

unequivocal— of their own. no ifs, no buts, an unequivocal pledge. the government's measures— unequivocal pledge. the government's measures are so far fall well short of fulfilling it, so could the prime minister— of fulfilling it, so could the prime minister say now not what has been done _ minister say now not what has been done but _ minister say now not what has been done but what he will do to deliver his promise? mr done but what he will do to deliver his promise?— done but what he will do to deliver his romise? ~ ,,, ., ~ ., ., his promise? mr speaker, in addition to the £3.5 his promise? mr speaker, in addition to the £15 billion _ his promise? mr speaker, in addition to the £3.5 billion of _ his promise? mr speaker, in addition to the £3.5 billion of investment i to the £3.5 billion of investment that we are providing to remediate the cladding and the £1.6 billion that we have already done, we are providing a new scheme for leaseholders in the lower risk buildings, i think the kind he is describing, to pay for unsafe over the long term and they will also be a new levy and attacks on developers so that they also contribute to the remediation costs.— so that they also contribute to the remediation costs. before the prime minister became _ remediation costs. before the prime minister became prime _ remediation costs. before the prime minister became prime minister, i remediation costs. before the prime minister became prime minister, wej minister became prime minister, we had a _ minister became prime minister, we had a discussion to do with the prescribed medical use of cannabis and how— prescribed medical use of cannabis and how it — prescribed medical use of cannabis and how it was helping to save really — and how it was helping to save really seriously ill children, not hundreds— really seriously ill children, not hundreds or thousands, but about

150. hundreds or thousands, but about 150 we _ hundreds or thousands, but about 150. we changed the law in november 2018 to _ 150. we changed the law in november 2018 to make it legal for these prescriptions to be written, prescriptions to be written, prescriptions written by top consultants. today we have three children _ consultants. today we have three children that have it free on the nhs and — children that have it free on the nhs and around 150 children that have to _ nhs and around 150 children that have to beg and follow —— borrow their— have to beg and follow —— borrow their families and remortgage their homes _ their families and remortgage their homes so _ their families and remortgage their homes so that they can pay a roundabout £2000 a month. as a father, _ roundabout £2000 a month. as a father, like— roundabout £2000 a month. as a father, like i am, you would do everything _ father, like i am, you would do everything possible for your family, and if— everything possible for your family, and if these families are doing everything possible for their children. can we have a follow—up meeting _ children. can we have a follow—up meeting where i will bring one of the mothers who actually gets it free not— the mothers who actually gets it free not to stop her getting it free but to _ free not to stop her getting it free but to allow her to explain to the prime _ but to allow her to explain to the prime minister how wrong they say is that children's lives are going to be lost — that children's lives are going to be lost if— that children's lives are going to be lost if we have to go through the process— be lost if we have to go through the process that the nhs is proposing? mr speaker, this is the second time i have signed my right honourable friend and he is right to raise it

and we will make sure that we have a proper meeting with the department of health so that we can resolve the issue of how to make sure that the cannabis —based products that are coming from holland can be made secure and can continue. mr speaker, can i personally _ secure and can continue. mr speaker, can i personally thank— secure and can continue. mr speaker, can i personally thank you _ secure and can continue. mr speaker, can i personally thank you for - secure and can continue. mr speaker, can i personally thank you for your i can i personally thank you for your support— can i personally thank you for your support for— can i personally thank you for your support for parliament's covid memorial— support for parliament's covid memorial quilt. i will be presenting my cross—party private members bill, the coronavirus number two bill, to parliament — the coronavirus number two bill, to parliament. it is based on scientific— parliament. it is based on scientific advice, sage guidance and lessons _ scientific advice, sage guidance and lessons learned. will the prime minister— lessons learned. will the prime minister please commit to reading this bill— minister please commit to reading this bill and provide me with a written — this bill and provide me with a written response, may be by tomorrow. i know that is a bit of a

long _ tomorrow. i know that is a bit of a long cars. — tomorrow. i know that is a bit of a long cars, but if not within the next _ long cars, but if not within the next two — long cars, but if not within the next two weeks? thank you. | long cars, but if not within the next two weeks? thank you. i am very ha - to next two weeks? thank you. i am very happy to make — next two weeks? thank you. i am very happy to make that — next two weeks? thank you. i am very happy to make that commitment, i next two weeks? thank you. i am very happy to make that commitment, mrl happy to make that commitment, mr speaker. to happy to make that commitment, mr seaker. ., ., speaker. to paraphrase the late, ureat, speaker. to paraphrase the late, great. much _ speaker. to paraphrase the late, great, much missed, _ speaker. to paraphrase the late, great, much missed, eric- speaker. to paraphrase the late, great, much missed, eric forth, | speaker. to paraphrase the late, | great, much missed, eric forth, i believe _ great, much missed, eric forth, i believe in— great, much missed, eric forth, i believe in individual freedoms and individual— believe in individual freedoms and individual responsibility. i believe that individuals make better decisions for themselves, their families— decisions for themselves, their families and their communities than the state _ families and their communities than the state makes for them. i loathe the state makes for them. i loathe the nanny— the state makes for them. i loathe the nanny state and i believe in cutting — the nanny state and i believe in cutting taxes. prime minister, i a conservative?— cutting taxes. prime minister, i a i conservative?_ mr conservative? yes, mr speaker. mr seaker, conservative? yes, mr speaker. mr speaker. we _ conservative? yes, mr speaker. mr speaker, we learned _ conservative? yes, mr speaker. mr speaker, we learned today, - speaker, we learned today, unfortunately from the media rather than the _ unfortunately from the media rather than the minister, that the treasury has informed the veterans office that budget is to cut by 40% from £5

million _ that budget is to cut by 40% from £5 million to— that budget is to cut by 40% from £5 million to £3 million. this cannot be right, — million to £3 million. this cannot be right, as — million to £3 million. this cannot be right, asjust yesterday, a further— be right, asjust yesterday, a further £1_ be right, asjust yesterday, a further £1 million was announced to support— further £1 million was announced to support scottish veterans alone. these _ support scottish veterans alone. these disparate positions are irreconcilable. will the prime minister— irreconcilable. will the prime minister follow the snp's lead and assure _ minister follow the snp's lead and assure the house today that he will not allow _ assure the house today that he will not allow this cat to uk funding for veterans? — not allow this cat to uk funding for veterans? not not allow this cat to uk funding for veterans? ., ., , ., , , veterans? not only was this the first government _ veterans? not only was this the first government to _ veterans? not only was this the first government to create i veterans? not only was this the first government to create a i first government to create a veterans, with the charge of looking after veterans, we have also taken steps to protect our armed service veterans from vexatious litigation pursued by lefty lawyers, mr speaker, at times dating noti million miles from me today, who pursue them long after they have served queen and country and when no new evidence has been provided. we

try to protect them, we have protected them, and that party voted against it, mr speaker. the protected them, and that party voted against it, mr speaker.— against it, mr speaker. the prime minister has _ against it, mr speaker. the prime minister has always _ against it, mr speaker. the prime minister has always enjoyed i against it, mr speaker. the prime minister has always enjoyed his i minister has always enjoyed his visits— minister has always enjoyed his visits to — minister has always enjoyed his visits to my constituency of north west— visits to my constituency of north west leicestershire, whether it is on the _ west leicestershire, whether it is on the eve — west leicestershire, whether it is on the eve of the historic referendum or last august, he will therefore — referendum or last august, he will therefore be pleased and not surprised that leicestershire county council _ surprised that leicestershire county council for— surprised that leicestershire county council for the last three years has been _ council for the last three years has been the _ council for the last three years has been the most productive county authority— been the most productive county authority in the country despite also being the lowest funded. can my ri-ht also being the lowest funded. can my right honourable friend a short all the residents of leicestershire that our conservative controlled county council _ our conservative controlled county council will — our conservative controlled county council will imminently benefit from fairer— council will imminently benefit from fairer funding council will imminently benefit from fairerfunding and the council will imminently benefit from fairer funding and the government's levelling _ fairer funding and the government's levelling up agenda so it can continue _ levelling up agenda so it can continue to deliver excellent public services? _ continue to deliver excellent public services? , ~ .«i continue to deliver excellent public services? , ~ ., ,, services? yes, mr speaker, i thank leicestershire _ services? yes, mr speaker, i thank leicestershire county _ services? yes, mr speaker, i thank leicestershire county council i services? yes, mr speaker, i thank leicestershire county council for i leicestershire county council for the way they are conducting

themselves and for delivering value for money and that is what the elections that are coming up in may are all going to be about. invariably, it is conservatives who deliver better value, deliver better services and lower taxes, and that is what leicestershire county council has done, and i congratulate them on it and ifully agree council has done, and i congratulate them on it and i fully agree with what my honourable friend has said. the government has said that the community renewable fund is a fantastic— community renewable fund is a fantastic opportunity for wales yet bridgend county is not listed as a priority— bridgend county is not listed as a priority place for the fund. on the 10th of— priority place for the fund. on the 10th of february, at the dispatch box. _ 10th of february, at the dispatch box. the — 10th of february, at the dispatch box, the prime minister invented, and i_ box, the prime minister invented, and i quote, a world reading —— world _ and i quote, a world reading —— world leading battery plant for bridgend as a response to significantjob losses bridgend as a response to significant job losses over the last two years. — significant job losses over the last two years, something the prime minister— two years, something the prime minister has still refused to apologise to my constituents for. when _ apologise to my constituents for. when will — apologise to my constituents for. when will he stop treating my constituents as an afterthought? keep— constituents as an afterthought? keep true to his promise of not a penny— keep true to his promise of not a

penny less — keep true to his promise of not a penny less to wales and ensure he brings— penny less to wales and ensure he brings real— penny less to wales and ensure he brings real investment to my constituents in ogmore? well, i can tell that the — constituents in ogmore? well, i can tell that the right _ constituents in ogmore? well, i can tell that the right honourable i tell that the right honourable gentleman, in ogmore and across wales, the people of wales and the welsh government will receive an additional £5.2 billion of resource funding on top of the spring budget funding on top of the spring budget funding of 2020, 2021. £800 million of the levelling up front is going to the devolved nations and each local authority in wales, each local authority in wales will receive £125,000 in capacity funding and i look forward to working with him and with welsh local government to deliver those improvements. that is the final question _ deliver those improvements. that is the final question and _ deliver those improvements. that is the final question and i _ deliver those improvements. that is the final question and i am - deliver those improvements. that is the final question and i am now- the final question and i am now suspending _ the final question and i am now suspending the _ the final question and i am now suspending the house - the final question and i am now suspending the house for- the final question and i am now suspending the house for three minutesm _ minutes... we - minutes... we have i minutes... i we have got minutes... - we have got three minutes... — we have got three minutes to quickly talk about prime minister's questions. also the fact that coming up questions. also the fact that coming up after that is going to be the statement from priti patel on those

changes to immigration, and we have got time to discuss what was being announced by the european union on vaccine exports. not to packing over the next few minutes. first of all, your thoughts on prime minister's questions. i your thoughts on prime minister's questions. ~ questions. i think the highlight from the labour _ questions. i think the highlight from the labour leader, - questions. i think the highlight from the labour leader, sir- questions. i think the highlight| from the labour leader, sir keir starmer, his progress absolutely was on this question of the cuts he was saying were being made to the army, so reducing the number of members of the army from 82,000 two 72,000, so a cut of10,000, and the army from 82,000 two 72,000, so a cut of 10,000, and pointing to the fact that the prime minister had promised before the election that they would be no cuts to the armed forces, the size of the army. he came repeatedly back on that, sensing a point where he could try to pin the prime minister down. borisjohnson saying that he was proud that they were investing in the army, they were investing in

equipment, and there was an increase in the budget of 14% over and above that promised in the manifesto. so he was sidestepping the question that way. the other thing i would point out from that prime minister's questions was that emotional moment when the labour mp talking about his personal experience. he was talking about those who had lost loved ones, he said he had lost his mother, and in the space of a few days he had lost his mother—in—law and his father—in—law, asking about when would they be a public inquiry to learn the lessons and the tone became a lot more sombre at that point. the prime minister said they would be one but not now. he did not want officials dealing with the pandemic to be distracted. and the labour leader, sir keir starmer, also made it at the top of the session, but the government not looking to concede that at the minute. �* ., ~ , �*,

minute. before prime minister's questions. _ minute. before prime minister's questions, we _ minute. before prime minister's questions, we were _ minute. before prime minister's questions, we were listening i minute. before prime minister's questions, we were listening to| minute. before prime minister's. questions, we were listening to a news conference from the european commission. new measures to enable the restriction of exports, but what they could announce —— what they have announced could potentially mean vaccine is not being exported from the eu to the uk. this mean vaccine is not being exported from the eu to the uk.— from the eu to the uk. this is the earpansion — from the eu to the uk. this is the earpansion of— from the eu to the uk. this is the expansion of the _ from the eu to the uk. this is the expansion of the current - from the eu to the uk. this is the expansion of the current export i expansion of the current export control system they have put in place and what they are going to do, they are saying, is notjust look at, our company is supplying all the vaccines they are promising to the eu, but they are going to look at the countries where vaccines are being sent to, and things like the rates of infection in those country, the rate of vaccinations, what is the rate of vaccinations, what is the need for vaccines they are, compared to the eu. and secondly, what is the status with that country exporting vaccines or vaccine components in reverse back to the eu, and if there are concerns about either of those things, those would be grounds for the eu withholding permission for export of doses. the

eu has had its arguments with astrazeneca. it points out that the uk has had 10 million doses out of around 30 million that have been given here. 10 million have been pfizer doses and they have come from the eu to the uk, so the eu is quite concerned about this. the uk government is also concerned. the prime minister has been calling eu leaders to talk about this. the question will be, when eu leaders meet tomorrow, how much do they want to pursue it using these powers that they are giving themselves and could that then have an impact, but the prime minister has been saying that he has been trying to work with eu leaders to avoid any sort of blockages and also there is a plant in the netherlands, and astrazeneca plant, where there has been discussion that they could somehow share the output of that plant, so ways of trying to avoid any difficulties... i ways of trying to avoid any difficulties. . .— ways of trying to avoid any difficulties... ~ ., ., difficulties... i m going to enter because the _ difficulties. .. i m going to enter because the speaker— difficulties... i m going to enter because the speaker is - difficulties... i m going to enter because the speaker is getting | difficulties... i m going to enter i because the speaker is getting to his feet again to introduce the

statement from priti patel. i wish to make a statement on our new plan for immigration. the government has taken back control of illegal immigration by ending free movement and introducing a points—based immigration system. we are now addressing the challenge of legal migration head on. i am introducing the most significant overhaul of our asylum system in decades. a new compressive, fair but firm long—term plan. while people are dying, we have a responsibility to act. people are dying at sea in lorries and in shipping containers having put their lives in the hands of criminal gangs that facilitate illegal journeys to the of criminal gangs that facilitate illegaljourneys to the uk. to stop the deaths, we must stop the trade in people that cause them. our society has been enriched by illegal immigration. we celebrate those who have come to the uk lawfully and help build britain. we always will.

since 2015, we have resettled almost 25,000 men, women and children seeking refuge from persecution across the world. more than any eu country. we have welcomed more than 29,000 close relatives through refugee family reunion and created a pathway to citizenship to enable over 5 million people in hong kong to come to the uk. nobody can say that the british public are not fair or generous when it comes to helping those in need. but the british public also recognise that for too long, parts of the immigration system have been open to abuse. at the heart of our new plan for immigration is a simple principle, fairness. access to uk's asylum system should be based on need, not the ability to pay people smugglers. if you enter illegally, from a safe country like france, where you should and could have claimed

asylum, you are not seeking refuge from persecution as is the intended purpose of the asylum system. instead, you are choosing the uk as your preferred destination and you are doing so at the expense of those with nowhere else to go. our system is collapsing under the pressure of parallel legal routes to asylum, facilitated by criminal smugglers. the existence of parallel routes is deeply unfair. advancing those with the means to pay smugglers over those in desperate need. the capacity of our asylum system is not unlimited and so the presence of economic migrants which of these illegal routes introduce limit our ability to properly support others in genuine need of protection. this is manifestly unfair to those desperately waiting to be resettled in the uk. and it is not fair to the british people either, whose taxes pay for vital public services and an

asylum system which has skyrocketed in cost, now costing over £1 billion this year. they were more than 32,000 attempts to enter the uk illegally in 2019 with 8500 people arriving by small vote in 2020. of those, 87% were men, 74% were aged between 18 and 39. we should ask ourselves, where are the vulnerable women and children that they system it should exist to protect? the system is becoming overwhelmed. 109,000 claims are sitting in the asylum q, 52,000 are waiting an initial asylum decision, almost three quarters of those waiting a year or more. 42,000 failed asylum seekers have not left the country, despite having their claim refused. the persistent failure to enforce our immigration rules with a system thatis our immigration rules with a system that is open to gaming by economic migrants and exploitation by criminals is eroding public trust

and disadvantaging vulnerable people who need our help. that is why our new plan for immigration is driven by three fair but firm objectives. first, to support those in genuine need of asylum. second, to deter illegal entry into the uk, breaking their business model of people smugglers and protecting the lives of those they endanger. third, to remove more easily from the uk those with no right to be here. let me take each in turn, mr speaker. first we will continue to provide a safe refuge for those in need, strengthening support for those arriving through safe and legal routes. people coming to the uk through resettlement routes will be granted indefinite leave to remain. they will receive more support, to find work and integrate, and i will also act to help those who have

suffered injustice by amending the british nationality law so that members of the windrush generation will be able to obtain british citizenship more easily. second, this plant marks a step change in our approach as we toughen our stance to deter illegal entry and the criminals that endanger life by enabling it. many legal rivals have travelled through a safe country like france to get to the uk where they could and should have claimed asylum. we must act to reduce the pull factors of our system and dissent —— disincentivise illegal entry. forthe dissent —— disincentivise illegal entry. for the first time, people entering the uk will have an impact on how they asylum claim progresses and whether they claim is successful. we will deem their claim as inadmissible and make every effort to remove those who entered the uk illegally having travelled through a safe country first in which they could and should have claimed asylum. only weight removal is not possible will those who have

a successful claim is having entered illegally will receive a temporary protection status. this is not an automatic right to settle. they will be regularly reassessed for removal and will include limited access to benefits and limited family reunion rights. i would tough new stance will also include new maximum life sentences for people smugglers and facilitators, new rules to stop and scribble people posing as children and strengthening powers for border force. third, we will seek to rapidly remove those with no right to be here in the uk. establishing a fast—track appeals process, streamlining the appeal system and making quicker removal decisions for failed asylum seekers and dangerous foreign criminals. we will tackle the practice of meritless claims which clog up the courts with last—minute claims and appeals, a fundamental fairness last—minute claims and appeals, a fundamentalfairness —— last—minute claims and appeals, a fundamental fairness —— unfairness that lawyers tell me frustrate them too, because for too long our

justice system has been gained. almost three quarters of migrants in detention raise last—minute new planes, challenge other issues, with over eight in ten of these eventually being denied as valid reasons to stay in the uk. enough is enough. our new plan sets out a one—stop process to require all claims to be made upfront. no more endless, meritless claims to frustrate removal, no more stalling justice. i won't new system will be faster and fairer and will help us better support the most vulnerable. mr speaker, i when you plan builds on gaining back control of our borders, building a system that upholds our reputation as a country where illegal behaviour is not rewarded but is a haven for those in need. there are no quick fixes or short cuts to success, but this long—term plan pursued doggedly will fix our broken system. we know, mr speaker, that members of the

opposition would prefer a different plan, one that embraces the idea of open borders. many of them are reluctant to enter free movement, with members opposite on record as having said that all immigration controls are racist or sexist. and to those who say we lack compassion, i simply say that while people are dying, we must act to deter these journeys. and if you don't like our plan, where is yours? this government promised to take a common—sense approach of controlling immigration, legaland common—sense approach of controlling immigration, legal and illegal, common—sense approach of controlling immigration, legaland illegal, and we will deliver on that promise. the uk is playing its part to tackle the inhumanity of illegal migration and today, mr speaker, iwill inhumanity of illegal migration and today, mr speaker, i will press for global action at the 66. i commend this statement to the house. priti patel�*s statement on the immigration plan. more coming up on that on the one o'clock news in a few minutes. now it is time for the weather.

most of us have seen a bit of blue sky today. this was a picture taken a little bit earlier on today in county durham, so plenty of sunshine around there. for other areas, there are a few showers dotted here and there, particularly for the far south—east of england, and also for parts of scotland, northern ireland and the far north of england. temperatures in between around 13 or 14 degrees as we head through the late afternoon. this evening and overnight, we will continue to see this area of cloud with a few light showers move across england and wales. forsouth—east showers move across england and wales. for south—east england and east anglia, it remains cold and dry will stop there could be a touch of frost for a few prone spots on thursday morning. i know of sunshine and showers. most of the showers in northern ireland, western scotland, perhaps north west england as well. but highs around nine to 14 degrees. goodbye for now.

tougher immigration rules promised — as the government announces what it calls "the biggest overhaul of the uk's asylum system in decades". as more people make the hazardous journey across the channel — the home secretary says the current asylum system is collapsing under the pressure. persistent failure to impose immigration laws with a system open to exploitation by criminals is eroding public trust and disadvantaging vulnerable people who need our help. we'll be getting reaction to the government's proposals. also this lunchtime: as a third wave of covid sweeps europe, a leading scientist here remains confident that we'll be heading back to normality from the summer — but there's no room for complacency. the great suez snarl—up: the 200,000—tonne vessel

that's run aground and blocked one of the world's most important trade routes.