of listening and this initiative of listening and intelligence?— this initiative of listening and intelligence? this initiative of listening and intelliuence? , ~ ~, intelligence? yes. i can think of nothin: intelligence? yes. i can think of nothing finer — intelligence? yes. i can think of nothing finer than _ intelligence? yes. i can think of nothing finer than to _ intelligence? yes. i can think of nothing finer than to make - intelligence? yes. i can think of nothing finer than to make sure} intelligence? yes. i can think of- nothing finer than to make sure you can lead a choir of brexiteers... no, they are not brexiteers. can lead a choir of brexiteers. .. no, they are not brexiteers. on a tour of the _ no, they are not brexiteers. on a tour of the continent. _ no, they are not brexiteers. on a tour of the continent. but - no, they are not brexiteers. on a tour of the continent. but can - no, they are not brexiteers. on a tour of the continent. but can i i a tour of the continent. but can i add portugal— a tour of the continent. but can i add portugal to _ a tour of the continent. but can i add portugal to the _ a tour of the continent. but can i add portugalto the list? - a tour of the continent. but can i add portugal to the list? many . a tour of the continent. but can i | add portugal to the list? many of the issues — add portugal to the list? many of the issues are very much confined to certain— the issues are very much confined to certain countries of concern and it is not _ certain countries of concern and it is not due — certain countries of concern and it is not due to _ certain countries of concern and it is not due to any malevolence of those _ is not due to any malevolence of those countries it is the bedding down _ those countries it is the bedding down of— those countries it is the bedding down of move procedures and practices _ down of move procedures and practices which are unfamiliar to the officials in those countries so can i_ the officials in those countries so can i ask— the officials in those countries so can i ask you to not only advise lord _ can i ask you to not only advise lord frost— can i ask you to not only advise lord frost to attend these matters but also _ lord frost to attend these matters but also that there should be a foreign— but also that there should be a foreign office minister who is going to take _ foreign office minister who is going to take the — foreign office minister who is going to take the fight through the embassies into campaigns in the individual— embassies into campaigns in the individual countries but it needs to be addressed country by country otherwise — be addressed country by country otherwise we will make very slow progress — otherwise we will make very slow progress. it otherwise we will make very slow rouress. ., , , , ., .,

progress. it does. this is one of those opportunities _ progress. it does. this is one of those opportunities for - progress. it does. this is one of those opportunities for strong l those opportunities for strong bilateral engagement.- those opportunities for strong bilateral engagement. thank you very much famous — bilateral engagement. thank you very much famous for _ bilateral engagement. thank you very much famous for those _ bilateral engagement. thank you very much famous for those assurances i bilateral engagement. thank you very l much famous for those assurances and we will_ much famous for those assurances and we will now— much famous for those assurances and we will now go to she merryman who has been _ we will now go to she merryman who has been allowed to join we will now go to she merryman who has been allowed tojoin us in person— has been allowed tojoin us in person for— has been allowed tojoin us in person for his questions about transport _ person for his questions about transport. just make i went to ask about international travel. you said to the public that on the 5th of april, you will have more to say. it is the 5th of april the day when the global travel taskforce framework will be known to the public last? are we likely to see a framework that just sets out the criteria or will it be known which country goes into which criteria by the 5th of april? i criteria by the 5th of april? i think with the greatest of respect, you will have to wait until the 5th of april to see the details. the hope is that we can get people moving again by may the 17th by step

three in the way that i have set out on the road map. we willjust have to see where we get to and where the countries get to and what the data is telling us. countries get to and what the data is telling us— is telling us. that's great news because it's — is telling us. that's great news because it's a _ is telling us. that's great news because it's a week _ is telling us. that's great news because it's a week earlier - is telling us. that's great news | because it's a week earlier than is telling us. that's great news - because it's a week earlier than we thought the task force would publish. so, can i perhaps pursue does that mean that they might be a week earlier, where people can start flying and travelling again? we week earlier, where people can start flying and travelling again?— flying and travelling again? we are stickin: to flying and travelling again? we are sticking to the _ flying and travelling again? we are sticking to the road _ flying and travelling again? we are sticking to the road map. - flying and travelling again? we are sticking to the road map. so, - flying and travelling again? we are sticking to the road map. so, i - sticking to the road map. so, i can't pursue — sticking to the road map. so, i can't pursue earlier _ sticking to the road map. so, i can't pursue earlier than - sticking to the road map. so, i can't pursue earlier than the l sticking to the road map. so, i l can't pursue earlier than the 17th of may? can't pursue earlier than the 17th of ma ? ., ., ,., can't pursue earlier than the 17th ofma ? ., ., ., can't pursue earlier than the 17th ofma? ., ., ., , of may? no, the reason for that is epidemiological _ of may? no, the reason for that is epidemiological that _ of may? no, the reason for that is epidemiological that a _ of may? no, the reason for that is epidemiological that a five - of may? no, the reason for that is epidemiological that a five week l epidemiological that a five week interval is a sensible one and it gives you a chance to assess the impact of the previous changes. it will be five weeks on until the april 12 opening of nonessential retail. we need to couple the impact

of schools and everything else and we need to see what it has done. i we need to see what it has done. i understand. that is a great news that we are here a week earlier in terms of that news. can i ask you where we are in terms of discussions with other international leaders. obviously, the uk will need to land in another country. have you had conversations with president biden as to our ability to restart uk us flying again at the time we are ready to fly? taste flying again at the time we are ready to fly?— flying again at the time we are ready to fly? flying again at the time we are read tofl? . ,. ,, ready to fly? we are discussing the whole time- _ ready to fly? we are discussing the whole time- i— ready to fly? we are discussing the whole time. i know _ ready to fly? we are discussing the whole time. i know that _ ready to fly? we are discussing the whole time. i know that grant - ready to fly? we are discussing the whole time. i know that grant is i whole time. i know that grant is discussing the whole time, the travel secretary, with colleagues around the world about when we can get things moving. but all of us are looking at the pandemic and when it is sensible to do so. looking at the pandemic and when it is sensible to do— is sensible to do so. and in terms of prioritising _ is sensible to do so. and in terms of prioritising those _ is sensible to do so. and in terms | of prioritising those conversations. are you looking at the countries that are ahead of the game as we are with vaccination roll—outs. again, the us is a country that seems to

have marched forward in the way that uk has in terms of those conversations, so that we have some form of agreed standard on travelling? you have said before that vaccination certificates or passports will possibly be an inevitability. have we had those conversations about what the framework will be in terms of rules? i don't think there has been an international concord on vaccination passports but there is no doubt that there is a glowing global consensus that for the purposes of aviation evidence of fascination or immunity, that you have had the disease, or that you have had the disease, or that you have taken a negative test, all of these will be considered. [30 all of these will be considered. do ou all of these will be considered. idlr'r you regards this as a necessity. one that the government would not stand in the way of if it was a way to unlock people's ability to fly? i think there are obviously goals

there is a hierarchy between mandating something and permitting it orforbidding it. i think mandating something and permitting it or forbidding it. i think that some areas, as we were talking about earlier on, particular sectors, where vulnerable, elderly people are being cared of, they may be some need for a more permissive approach. all that will be set out in due course. . , ., ,~ all that will be set out in due course. . , ., a _, all that will be set out in due course. . , ., a i, ._ course. can i 'ust ask you, it may well be the — course. can ijust ask you, it may well be the case _ course. can ijust ask you, it may well be the case due _ course. can ijust ask you, it may well be the case due to _ course. can ijust ask you, it may well be the case due to what - course. can ijust ask you, it may well be the case due to what is l well be the case due to what is going on in europe and elsewhere that there are certain parts of the transport system that cannot operate as other parts of the economy can buy the 22nd ofjune. would you be willing to look again if there are government imposed barriers to travel domestically and internationally as a sector based on penn station scheme to ensure that those organisations can stay in

business. d0 those organisations can stay in business. , ., ., those organisations can stay in business. ., ., ., ., business. do you mean i aviation? aviation for _ business. do you mean i aviation? aviation for example. _ business. do you mean i aviation? aviation for example. aviation, i l aviation for example. aviation, i think we have _ aviation for example. aviation, i think we have supported - aviation for example. aviation, i think we have supported with . aviation for example. aviation, i i think we have supported with about £7 billion. we are going to continue to have issues that we will have to deal with in the aviation sector for a long time to come. the coach industry, we are supporting in all sorts of ways. not least in buying a lot of green buses but perhaps they are not so useful in the actual coach sector but the best things for all of those sectors is to get us all of those sectors is to get us all moving again and that depends on the roll—out of the vaccine and defeating the virus. the roll-out of the vaccine and defeating the virus.— the roll-out of the vaccine and defeating the virus. thank you. one last question _ defeating the virus. thank you. one last question if _ defeating the virus. thank you. one last question if i _ defeating the virus. thank you. one last question if i may. _ defeating the virus. thank you. one last question if i may. it _ defeating the virus. thank you. one last question if i may. it almost - last question if i may. it almost seems to be the case now that going abroad on holiday is a dirty word, which is an absolute tragedy given that you yourself as an internationalist and we have ruled the waves in terms of exploring

abroad, how do we get this market to open up again and had we get people to look further than the shaws? —— these shores. as soon as people feel like it is safe, you will feel miraculous change. we are getting their step—by—step, vaccine by vaccine and i will be saying more on april the 5th and then on the 12th and we will do what we can. and april the 5th and then on the 12th and we will do what we can. and you have 'ust and we will do what we can. and you have just unlocked _ and we will do what we can. and you have just unlocked me _ and we will do what we can. and you have just unlocked me so _ and we will do what we can. and you have just unlocked me so that - and we will do what we can. and you have just unlocked me so that i - and we will do what we can. and you have just unlocked me so that i can l have just unlocked me so that i can come down here. pare have just unlocked me so that i can come down here.— come down here. are you going to unlock yourself— come down here. are you going to unlock yourself and _ come down here. are you going to unlock yourself and allow - come down here. are you going to unlock yourself and allow yourself| come down here. are you going to. unlock yourself and allow yourself a international summer? i will be making sure to tell the british

public what i think is safe and sensible and i certainly won't be doing anything other than that. thank you. doing anything other than that. thank you-— doing anything other than that. thank ou. ., ~ thank you. thank you. if you can indulue thank you. thank you. if you can indulge us- _ thank you. thank you. if you can indulge us. i'm _ thank you. thank you. if you can indulge us. i'm sorry, _ thank you. thank you. if you can indulge us. i'm sorry, just - thank you. thank you. if you can i indulge us. i'm sorry, just another ten minutes — indulge us. i'm sorry, just another ten minutes. the chair of the procedure _ ten minutes. the chair of the procedure committee, karen bradley, would _ procedure committee, karen bradley, would like _ procedure committee, karen bradley, would like to ask about lifting covert — would like to ask about lifting covert restrictions —— covid—i9 restrictions— covert restrictions —— covid—i9 restrictions in parliament. covert restrictions -- covid-19 restrictions in parliament. thank ou ve restrictions in parliament. thank you very much- _ restrictions in parliament. thank you very much. prime _ restrictions in parliament. thank you very much. prime minister, | restrictions in parliament. thank. you very much. prime minister, we havejust seen a you very much. prime minister, we have just seen a real example of the hybrid parliament working, where we have had to have a physical participation rather than virtual. one thing that we can say about this is that the house of commons has been able to operate and has sat throughout the whole of the pandemic unlike many other national parliaments around the world and thatis parliaments around the world and that is thanks to the innovation of the digital team and the house staff for being able to make this happen.

but compromises have been required? prime minister, i am just curious about what is your view about how parliament has operated? i about what is your view about how parliament has operated?- about what is your view about how parliament has operated? i think it is been heroic. _ parliament has operated? i think it is been heroic. i— parliament has operated? i think it is been heroic. ithink— parliament has operated? i think it is been heroic. i think the - parliament has operated? i think it is been heroic. i think the staff- is been heroic. i think the staff has done an absolutely unbelievable job. don't forget that many of them can work in professions that we words, looking at the way the epidemic works, think it was quite high risk because they have to come into regular contact with large numbers of different people. they have to come in close proximity. we see the effects on some professions of the disease. so, i thank them very very much for what they have done. they have kept going. my broad instinct is that the public would like us as parliamentarians to be returning to life, pretty much as normal at the same pace as everybody

else. i think that is what we should go can ijoin you in thanking the staff. go can i 'oin you in thanking the staff. ~ , ., , ., ~' staff. we should remember the work that they do- — staff. we should remember the work that they do. you _ staff. we should remember the work that they do. you have _ staff. we should remember the work that they do. you have talked - staff. we should remember the work that they do. you have talked about| that they do. you have talked about staying in step with the road map out of lockdown for parliament. some colleagues would like to go faster. some colleagues think that the house of commons should show leadership and perhaps things like social distancing should not apply in the chamber when it does apply to the rest of the country. what is your view? ~ , , . rest of the country. what is your view? y , . , rest of the country. what is your view? g , . , ., ., view? my instinct is what i have 'ust view? my instinct is what i have just mentioned. _ view? my instinct is what i have just mentioned. i— view? my instinct is what i have just mentioned. i would - view? my instinct is what i have just mentioned. i would be - view? my instinct is what i have . just mentioned. i would be inclined to support an approach that is, you know, adopted everywhere. the house of commons should be like any other part of the uk. we should be meeting when it is safe to do so and when

the science says that that is ok. if i could bring us onto when we are back to some form of normality, the rate for female mp serving in the house of commons is far worse than male mps. we have got some figures from the house of commons library that indicate that women mps serve, on average, one parliamentary term less than their male counterparts. there may be many reasons for that but one of them might well be down to the procedures of the house of commons. i wonder based on our experiences over the last 12 months and the things that we have done over the last 12 months and, also, your experiences as a parliamentarian, are there any other experiences that we should look at that might mean that women were able to make a successful career in parliament? i to make a successful career in parliament?— to make a successful career in parliament? ., ., , ~ ., parliament? i do actually think that we need to harness _ parliament? i do actually think that we need to harness the _ parliament? i do actually think that we need to harness the best -

parliament? i do actually think that| we need to harness the best things. this has been a terrible pandemic but we have learnt to do things —— some things quite well. i think technology has been our friend and this is something that the government doesn't dictate at all. this is for the commons, for mp5, for the speaker to work out how to do it but, particularly family friendly improvements, where these improvements can be made, i would be on for that. i think the way the common works has improved a lot. i think it has helped us get more female mps but we have got to realise that there are still very considerable barriers and some of the deterrent that female mps face is absolutely appalling. we have

discussed the online trolling, the abuse, anything we can do to make these easier and more family friendly, seems to me to be something that would be sensible for the speaker and his team to look at. are there any particular innovations that you want to see perhaps continues that we have tried through the course of the pandemic? i am thinking about the way we are voting, may be some virtual participation? i voting, may be some virtual participation?— voting, may be some virtual participation? voting, may be some virtual --articiation? ., ., ., ., participation? i would not want to commit to any — participation? i would not want to commit to any particular - participation? i would not want to commit to any particular change, | commit to any particular change, karen. i think that generally we should be looking at the general benefits of remote debate. the way he has been able to do things differently. i think sometimes it has worked and sometimes it has been less successful. i have no doubt at

all, speaking personally, buti less successful. i have no doubt at all, speaking personally, but i want the chamber to be full again. i want people to have a sense that they can see the sentiment expressed in the room and understand where the debate is going by the movement of the benches. and see how their argument is working and here the abuse. i think that is very, very important. we need to learn directly from each other. i think that probably it is a goodidea other. i think that probably it is a good idea for colleagues to be able to mingle again in the lobbies. so, i would be inclined, i know it is incredibly old—fashioned, but insofar as we possibly can, i think that voting as a communal act

together has immense benefits because you really, it's notjust pressing a button, you really have to commit. you have to think about it, you have to be prepared to justify what you are doing to your friends and your colleagues as you go around these ancient buildings. i hope i don't sound like a crazed traditionalist when i say that i see merit in that there will be things that we can do differently and better and i really wouldn't want to better and i really wouldn't want to be too prescriptive about that. i think a lot of people will have spent a lot of time looking at what has worked and what hasn't worked and i would encourage them to harvest the best. just and i would encourage them to harvest the best.— harvest the best. just one final oint, harvest the best. just one final point. you _ harvest the best. just one final point. you have _ harvest the best. just one final point, you have said _ harvest the best. just one final point, you have said prime - harvest the best. just one final - point, you have said prime minister that this is a matter of the house but it is the government that has to provides time for debates on these matters and for the house to then make a decision. can you commit to

making some time for that debate? i am sure that is going to be a necessity. we are going to have to look at ways of improving our proceedings and making them more family friendly. i have no doubt about that. family friendly. i have no doubt about that-— family friendly. i have no doubt about that._ well, i family friendly. i have no doubt - about that._ well, prime about that. thank you. well, prime minister, about that. thank you. well, prime minister. is — about that. thank you. well, prime minister. is my _ about that. thank you. well, prime minister, is my personal _ about that. thank you. well, prime minister, is my personal view - about that. thank you. well, prime minister, is my personal view is - minister, is my personal view is someone — minister, is my personal view is someone who has also committed to a 50-50 _ someone who has also committed to a 50—50 parliament, ivery someone who has also committed to a 50—50 parliament, i very much welcome — 50—50 parliament, i very much welcome your open mind on this matter~ — welcome your open mind on this matter. can ijust draw your attention— matter. can ijust draw your attention to the proxy voting that has been — attention to the proxy voting that has been a great help to people who have caring — has been a great help to people who have caring responsibilities, who are mostly— have caring responsibilities, who are mostly women. if we go back to the pre—covid—i9 situation, we would in fact— the pre—covid—i9 situation, we would in fact be _ the pre—covid—i9 situation, we would in fact be re—invoking an indirectly discriminatory regime. so, i hope that perhaps you canjust discriminatory regime. so, i hope that perhaps you can just confirm that perhaps you can just confirm that you — that perhaps you can just confirm that you have an open mind on that question— that you have an open mind on that question as — that you have an open mind on that question as to whether additional proxy— question as to whether additional proxy votes could be of available to people _ proxy votes could be of available to people of— proxy votes could be of available to people of caring responsibilities. | people of caring responsibilities. certainly people of caring responsibilities. i certainly think we need to make

things more family friendly. i have said about the value of voting together but i'm sure that all mp5 get that point but the point you make is also a very good one. like ou, i make is also a very good one. like you. i am — make is also a very good one. like you. i am a _ make is also a very good one. like you, i am a traditionalist and the last thing — you, i am a traditionalist and the last thing i— you, i am a traditionalist and the last thing i want for ministers to have _ last thing i want for ministers to have proxy— last thing i want for ministers to have proxy votes are that they never see the _ have proxy votes are that they never see the love — have proxy votes are that they never see the love— have proxy votes are that they never see the love- can _ have proxy votes are that they never see the love- can i _ have proxy votes are that they never see the love- can i briefly . see the love exactly! can i briefly returned to _ see the love exactly! can i briefly returned to the _ see the love exactly! can i briefly returned to the cop _ see the love exactly! can i briefly returned to the cop 26, - see the love exactly! can i briefly returned to the cop 26, which - see the love exactly! can i briefly returned to the cop 26, which is l see the love exactly! can i briefly i returned to the cop 26, which is one of the _ returned to the cop 26, which is one of the top _ returned to the cop 26, which is one of the top priorities of the government in this calendar year and we have _ government in this calendar year and we have arranged for the president designator to appear before a different select committee that has interests _ different select committee that has interests in this bird is the concern _ interests in this bird is the concern that this doesn't yet look like this— concern that this doesn't yet look like this same consuming priority for this— like this same consuming priority for this government as other policies _ for this government as other policies. what can you do to ensure that all— policies. what can you do to ensure that all of— policies. what can you do to ensure that all of the government departments are engaged, all efforts

are being _ departments are engaged, all efforts are being made to secure the agreement to 190 countries and it engages _ agreement to 190 countries and it engages domestic policies as well? thank— engages domestic policies as well? thank you — engages domestic policies as well? thank you very much. unless i specifically tell you otherwise, i want you to know that i am engaged in some kind of cop conversation virtually every day. and that probably goes for every other secretary of state, or certainly, in many departments, there will be ministers who spent a lot of time every week now thinking about issues to do with the industrial revolution, the ten point plan, tackling climate change and the cop summit. it is a big cross governmental efforts. it is being led by... but we are gripped by it. how often should the committee meeting? it

how often should the committee meetin: ? . , �* ., ., how often should the committee meetin. ? ., , �* ., ., ., meeting? it hasn't met a great deal because we — meeting? it hasn't met a great deal because we have _ meeting? it hasn't met a great deal because we have been _ meeting? it hasn't met a great deal because we have been doing - meeting? it hasn't met a great deal because we have been doing a - meeting? it hasn't met a great deal because we have been doing a lot i meeting? it hasn't met a great deal| because we have been doing a lot of ad hoc meetings and about how it has been working. i have been meeting colleagues pretty continuously over the last few months and it will intensify because the question now really is to make sure that we can have a cop that is physical. to get back to the question that karen was talking about, i really think it would be a wonderful thing if by november, the uk can lead the world in all sorts of things but actually have a summit that is a big global summit, where everybody turns up and everybody turns up without fear. prime minister, thank you very much. we have _ prime minister, thank you very much. we have covered a lot of ground. we are looking _ we have covered a lot of ground. we are looking forward to seeing you towards _ are looking forward to seeing you towards the end of the summer and again. _ towards the end of the summer and again. the _ towards the end of the summer and again, the autumn. i am very

grateful— again, the autumn. i am very grateful for the time. it is a great help to _ grateful for the time. it is a great help to the — grateful for the time. it is a great help to the committees. order! order! — help to the committees. order! order! . ~' , ., that was boris johnson appearing in front of the liaison committee. the prime minister was therefore about 100 minutes. taking questions from the leaders of all the select committees — the chairs of the select committees. we are going to get more on that for a second but i will bring you up to date with the latest coronavirus figures from the government that we have. according to that data, there has been now 98 deaths in the last 24—hour period and batters in 28 days of positive covid—19 test. there has been 5605 new coronavirus cases in the last 204i new coronavirus cases in the last 204! was. we have had 28,653,000

people having received theirfirst dose of the vaccine, so that is a increase of well over 300,000. so, the vaccine roll—outs continuing at pace there. those are the latest coronavirus figures. now, we are going to go back to our news on the liaison committee. we have court heard borisjohnson answering questions of the chairs from the select committees. questions of the chairs from the select committees. let's speak to our political correspondent, jonathan blake — who's in westminster. the prime minister said it was a joy to appear before the committee will stop i wonder how deeply planted his tongue was in his cheek but he faced a lot of powerful questions and pointed questions as well. let's start with yvette cooper, chair of the health committee, wanting to know why there aren't adequate border restrictions and enough testing for holi is coming back from

france, for instance, in order to prevent the virus... france, for instance, in order to prevent the virus. . ._ france, for instance, in order to prevent the virus... yes, this was the testing _ prevent the virus... yes, this was the testing and _ prevent the virus... yes, this was the testing and definitely - prevent the virus... yes, this was the testing and definitely more i the testing and definitely more revealing exchanges. on that key issue of people coming into the uk from continental europe. holy is the most significant among them crossing the channel daily. given that countries that are having to impose more measures, there is a feeling here that the travel between the two needs to be more strictly controlled. this was something that yvette cooper was pressing the prime minister on as to whether there would be more restrictions imposed on that flow in the coming days and weeks and the prime minister said that it was certainly something that the government was looking at but he stressed the balance that he said needed to be struck between

protecting public health and protecting public health and protecting case levels here in the uk but also, allowing that trade to flow freely, stressing how heavily the uk relies on that cross channel route for food supplies, medicine supplies and much more besides. his key quote their was that the government would take a decision no matter how tough to interrupt that trade, if we think that is necessary. it may be that we have to do that very soon.— do that very soon. jeremy hunt of the health committee _ do that very soon. jeremy hunt of the health committee asked - do that very soon. jeremy hunt of| the health committee asked about possible retaliation to any potential banning of exports of vaccines by the eu and his response was quite interesting in that? yes. was quite interesting in that? yes, this is another _ was quite interesting in that? yes, this is another very _ was quite interesting in that? yes, this is another very timely - was quite interesting in that? yes this is another very timely issue of the supply of vaccines between the uk and european countries and other countries around the world. it has been very tense over the last couple of weeks or so now between the uk and the eu on the potential of blocking supplies coming from the eu

countries into the uk. this could have an impact on the roll—out of the vaccine here and elsewhere. the prime minister was very clear that he was against any kind of blockade. he said that they were not a good thing in principle and he said this, which i think was something of, perhaps a gentle nudge or a gentle offering to the eu and other countries, who might be looking at restricting the flow of vaccines applies to the uk, that they could be damaging and that perhaps companies who are investing in the supply and manufacture of vaccines, might look at such actions and draw conclusions about whether it is sensible to make future investments there. we sensible to make future investments there. ~ ., ., ., , ., ~ ., there. we are going to be talking to there. we are going to be talking to the chair of — there. we are going to be talking to the chair of the _ there. we are going to be talking to the chair of the defence _ there. we are going to be talking to the chair of the defence select - the chair of the defence select committee later on. before you go, they were talking about why the defence budget is not 3% as opposed to the 2.2% that the government has just put forward, making it clear

that the announcements and cuts to the defence budget this week, perhaps leaves the uk in a vulnerable position?- perhaps leaves the uk in a vulnerable position? yes, i think that was the _ vulnerable position? yes, i think that was the thrust _ vulnerable position? yes, i think that was the thrust of _ vulnerable position? yes, i think that was the thrust of the - vulnerable position? yes, i think. that was the thrust of the questions from tobias to the prime minister. the uk's place in the world as a whole... further, he was pressed on the uk's commitment to aid spending, which has recently reduced. but the prime ministerjustified that under the legislation that was passed to commit to the uk's spending as a proportion of its gross national product in law. but, particularly, that issue of defence funding, the prime minister said it was... some pressing questions for borisjohnson on defence spending and that is something that he found himself on the ropes over the prime minister questions today here at westminster

as well, thanks to so keir starmer focusing on that question. a testing session all around but i don't think he said anything that would cause him or his advisers to sleep and easily tonight.— easily tonight. jonathan blake, thank you- _ the home secretary has defended new plans for how asylum seekers are to be treated — after charities condemned them as 'inhumane' and 'unreal�*. under the proposals, people who enter the uk illegally will no longer have the same entitlements as those who arrive through government schemes. priti patel says the measures are designed to crack down on people smuggling — but campaigners say potential refugees should be assessed on what protection they need, not how they reach the uk. june kelly reports. dover this morning and the latest arrivals have been picked up from their inflatable and brought to shore. migrants pay 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. this is what the home secretary wants to stop. an end to end reform that will basically now look at how we can create safe and legal roots to protect people who are fleeing from persecution and stop them from being put in the hands of people smugglers and criminal facilitators, which we are seeing on a daily basis. 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 removalfrom 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 is not what the refugee convention really requires, it's not what the public would see as a fair system. hassan akkad who fled the conflict in syria documented hisjourney by boat in what became an award—winning film. now settled in this country, last year he signed up as a hospital cleaner during the pandemic. he has described himself as a labour supporter. it will put people off, but sadly, it will create a two—tier system and when people are in desperate situations, they tend to make, you know, extraordinary measures to get to safety. the uk government says that under a resettlement programme, it has given a home to over 20,000 people, who have escaped the syrian war. they have travelled through official routes.

now, the government message to those from syria and other countries who use the channel route is that in the future, they will not be made welcome. june kelly, bbc news. scotland's former minister has been given his reactions to that this week. he made it clear that nicola sturgeon did not miss the parliament. i have been talking to our correspondent nick eardley up in the holy route and he has been explaining the reaction. it was the last piece of this story about what his reaction would be. remember, it is only a few weeks... he was leaving the open door for nicola sturgeon having to stand down. two things that he said that he is going to do now. he is going to launch a

legal action in scotland's's highest civil court against the scottish government. another legal action, about the actions of the secretary lesley evans. she was in charge of the harassment policy that was used to investigate him back in 2018. there are no details about what that legal action is going to involve but he says that will be coming soon. the other thing that he is going to do is make a formal complaint to the police about the leak of the enquiry by the scottish government was taking place on 2018. dad appeared in a newspaper and mr salmon says that... this is the thing that many in the scottish government will be looking at the moment, he also makes it clear that he absolutely accepts the findings of the two reports that we have had this week. so, the report clearing nicola sturgeon of breaking the ministerial report. it

has been dismissed by some as political. he says in a statement that he has just sent out, the enquiries are over and despite the imitations, the findings are in and they must be accepted. i intend to move on just as scotland should now move on just as scotland should now move on. he is not disappearing from view completely because that legal action is coming and a complaint to the police but he is quite clearly accepting the findings of those two enquiries, despite the fact that both of them that he was claiming there was a lot more going on. hello. most of us have seen a bit of blue sky out there through the course of today. this was the picture taken by one of our weather watchers a little bit earlier on today in county durham, so certainly 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, one or two showers with the cloud here, and also for parts of scotland, northern ireland, the far north of england,

one or two showers to end the day. temperatures in between around about 13 or 1a celsius as we head through the late afternoon. now through this evening and overnight we'll continue to see this area of cloud with a few light showers moving south across much of england and wales. for the far south east of england in east anglia, it remains clear, quite cold and dry as it does for eastern scotland too, so there could be a touch of frost for a few prone spots first thing thursday. thursday brings another day of sunshine and showers. most of the showers on thursday for parts of northern ireland, western scotland, perhaps one or two into north west england as well, and the risk of a shower in the south—east later in the day but highs around 9—111 celsius. bye for now. hello this is bbc news with clive myrie. the headlines... tighter rules for people seeking asylum in the uk. the home secretary says the current system is collapsing under the pressure. the ersistent collapsing under the pressure. tue; persistent failure to collapsing under the pressure. iie; persistent failure to enforce immigration rules with a system that

is open to gaining by economic migrants and exportation by criminals is eroding public trust and disadvantaging vulnerable people who need our help. $5 a and disadvantaging vulnerable people who need our help.— who need our help. as a third covid wave sweeps _ who need our help. as a third covid wave sweeps year, _ who need our help. as a third covid wave sweeps year, at _ who need our help. as a third covid wave sweeps year, at the _ who need our help. as a third covid wave sweeps year, at the eu - who need our help. as a third covid l wave sweeps year, at the eu tightens vexing export controls. here the government says it remains confident in its supplies as the country is meeting its vaccination targets. john lewis is to shut eight more stores putting over 11100 jobs at risk. the closures are part of its new to adapt to online shopping. it's the great sioux is a snarl up, the 200,000 tonne vessel that has run aground and bought one of the world's most important trade routes. —— the great suez. the government says there is a —— been a serious rate and governance in liverpool city council and sensing commissioners to run services. singing in russian and coming up — we hear from russia's eurovision song contest hopeful, about the barrage of abuse she's received from her fellow—countrymen.

as you have been watching this afternoon on bbc news, borisjohnson faced questions from senior aep —— and peace at the liaison committee... as you've seen on bbc news this afternoon, borisjohnson faced questions from senior mps at the liaison committee — on the uk's place in the world, the government's response to the coronavirus pandemic, and the economy. the chair of the defence select committee and conservative mp for bournemouth east, tobias ellwood asked the prime minister if he agrees with the picture set out in the integrated review of the threats facing britain. hejoins me now. it is good to see you, thanks for being with us. were you satisfied with the response that the prime minister gave you to the suggestion that the strategic review this week and suggested there were lots of complex danger points i suppose for the uk and get spending on the armed forces is going down and not going up? i forces is going down and not going u . ? ., , ., , forces is going down and not going u? ., , ., , ' forces is going down and not going up? i was a little bit baffled by this. i introduced _ up? i was a little bit baffled by this. i introduced my - up? i was a little bit baffled by this. i introduced my first - up? i was a little bit baffled by - this. i introduced my first question to say do you agree with me that the world situation, the threat picture

is decaying whether it be from a security environment, democracy and pluralism across the world is on the decline, international institutions are unable to help, we see what's going on with russia and china aggression, terrorism is on the rise again and we have the new dimensions of space and a cyber to worry about. he agreed with me. the world is decaying in its ability to match those threats. aggression is on the rise, yet he wasn't willing to accept that we should go back to what we saw in the cold war of increasing defence spending to li%. we are on a peacetime footing right now of 2.2%. i would say the world is more dangerous and complex, we have to increase defence spending. the fact that we have not has led to a huge amount of cuts in our conventional capabilities from tanks and other fighting vehicles and indeed troops. this is the wrong time to produce our hard power capabilities. time to produce our hard power capabilities-— time to produce our hard power caabilities. ., ., capabilities. some would say that this would be _

capabilities. some would say that this would be the _ capabilities. some would say that this would be the right _ capabilities. some would say that this would be the right time. - capabilities. some would say that this would be the right time. the | this would be the right time. the amount of money that this country is spent on dealing with the covid pandemic, the coffers are not limitless and perhaps used being smarter in the way in the way we deploy defence forces and how we use them can justify a slightly lower settlements for the military. i hear that argument. _ settlements for the military. i hear that argument, there _ settlements for the military. i hear that argument, there is _ settlements for the military. i hear that argument, there is no - settlements for the military. i hear that argument, there is no doubt l that argument, there is no doubt that argument, there is no doubt that covid—19 and response to the pandemic is absolutely important. but without prosperity, without economic connections across the world and our post—brexit environment, we are not going to have the money to pay for anything let alone for the pandemic or indeed our armed forces as well. it's so important that security comes first and what is happening here is we increased our lethality with money going into saf but we have stepped back from our ability to do peacekeeping operations and post—conflict environment or indeed providing support to our allies across the world and they are getting nudged out in fact by

greater relationships with china and russia. the world i am afraid it's fragmenting into two. we reduce our armed forces at the sparrow —— at our peril at this time. do armed forces at the sparrow -- at our peril at this time.— our peril at this time. do you think that the threat _ our peril at this time. do you think that the threat and _ our peril at this time. do you think that the threat and the _ our peril at this time. do you think that the threat and the issues - our peril at this time. do you think that the threat and the issues that j that the threat and the issues that covid has wrought on the globe have sort of taken the sort of planners eyes of the other threats that exist? and as a result perhaps, defence has somehow been sidelined by the fact, and it is a pretty persuasive argument, well over 100,000 people have died as a result of covid but that sort of shifted our gaze away from those very real threats that are already so out there. it threats that are already so out there. . , , ., , threats that are already so out there. ., , ., , ., there. it has illustrated 'ust how fraaile there. it has illustrated 'ust how fragile fl there. it has illustrated 'ust how fragile our international]- fragile our international architecture is, the pandemic. countries have not worked together as closely, we have seen the two biggest superpowers arguing with each other because of this. countries are becoming more isolationist and retreating from global exposure. there is a 1930s feel i afraid to the world at the

moment. lack of international leadership, international institutions unable to hold aaron's countries to account. i can't underline how dangerous this world currently is. this is the wrong time to be reducing our hard powerfrom our soft power, our influence. the west needs to regroup, the west itself as an entity will get smaller, will retreat over the next ten years as other natures and destinations and spheres of influence from china grove. this is our opportunity in the spirit of global britain to step forward and that's why i'm saying i tighter increase will maintain a strong defence budget to make sure that we canjoin with defence budget to make sure that we can join with the united states that does want to step forward, does want to regroup west to take on some of these challenges around the world. briefly tobias if you would not mind, the prime minister it clear it seemed that nothing would be off the table when it comes to a concerted response to the european union potentially blocking exports of vaccines. what do you think of that?

it is very important where this has gone. i think there is a sense of almost paint —— panic and anger as countries face new restrictions that you have been speaking about for some itself is slow in securing bulk orders, we were ahead of the game on that front and it does not help with this premature dismissal of astrazeneca over blood clots and so forth, i wish for these discussions to take on behind closed doors not in the public and the next time we are faced with such a challenge on this level across europe, maybe nato should be taking responsibly for it with the witches school capabilities rather than the eu. filth. with the witches school capabilities rather than the eu. oh, interesting. it is a real interview _ rather than the eu. oh, interesting. it is a real interview -- _ rather than the eu. oh, interesting. it is a real interview -- real- rather than the eu. oh, interesting. it is a real interview -- real shame l it is a real interview —— real shame have an interview there. tobias ellwood, chair of the select committee. thank you so much for the interview. we will turn away from all of that and we will go to sports and here is gavin ranchjohn. hi gavin. good evening. manchester city have a huge job on their hands, if they're to make

the final four of the women's champions league. they lost the first leg of their quarter final against barcelona 3—0. asisat oshoala putting barcelona ahead. and they doubled that lead shortly after half—time. oshoala brought down, mariona scoring the penalty. city missed a penalty of their own — before barcelona rounded off the win. jenni hermoso with the finish. the second leg is next wednesday. and chelsea women are into the second half of their game against wolfsburg ladies. they are 2—1 up with around five minutes up. sam kerr with one of the goals. not long to go in that match which is taking place in budapest. wales get their world cup qualifying campaign under way later — they face the world's number one ranked side belgium. captain gareth bale says reaching the tournament in qatar would mean he's achieved everything he wanted too in football. only the top team qualify automatically from the group, so it will be tough. wales have a good recent record against the belgians — but they haven't made it to a world cup since 1958 and bale says he is determined to help change that. it's massive for us.

we want to try and take this opportunity to...yeah, to qualify for a world cup. obviously, we haven't done that for a long time and it's something that all us players dream of doing is playing in the world cup for wales. and, yeah, we'll give everything we can this campaign to do that. to one of the biggest shocks in scottish cup history now — brora, of the highland league knocked out last season's finalists, in one of the most incredible results in the competition. 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 with brora only having trained five times in the lead up to the match. but they're now into the third round. it was a tremendous achievement last night not to just go out and beat heart of midlothian in the scottish cup but, you know, i think we did ourselves proud on the field as well. i don't think anybody would begrudge us our win last night, so, yeah, you know, we certainly stepped up to the plate.

pitch—side saliva tests for concussion have moved a step closer, after a successful trial in rugby union players. it could mean big breakthrough, in developments dealing with head trauma in sport. it comes after rugby�*s governing bodies face a lawsuit from retired players suffering with early on—set dementia. the tests are currently being carried out in a lab and it'll be at least two years before the pitch side version is available. i have been working on concussion and concussion diagnostics for over two decades and there hasn't been a breakthrough like this, something that is quick and accurate and is measurable, almost from the point of injury. the fact is it is non—invasive 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 1 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. alonso knows that world champion lewis hamilton

will take some stopping, and reckons the british driver is up there with the likes of michael schumacher and ayrton senna. he has been driving better than anyone else, and when you win so many championships it's because you deserve it, as well. so, yeah, lewis was so dominating in the sport for many years and is the best in the history, or one of the best in history with michael and ayrton. that's it from me for today — olly foster will have more for you, in sportsday at 6.30. congratulations on the newjob, clive as well. gavin, thank you very much indeed for that. it was very good, thank you. we will get more on the news that the home secretary has defended new plans for how asylum—seekers are to be treated after charities condemned them as inhumane and unreal.

under the proposals, people who enter the uk illegally will no longer have the same entitlements as those who arrive through government schemes. joining me now is the general secretary of the immigration services union, lucy moreton. lucy thanks for joining lucy thanks forjoining us. it is good to see you. these government schemes, do you know what they are? know, the announcements that have been made both in the press release and in the house today are very high line. they are very aspirational. there are some good ideas but they lack the detail underneath. it's been difficult to tell quite how these are going to hit the ground. how do you think the changes on the face of them, the headlines according to the changes which are that if you come over with a people smuggler, you are more likely to be deported and sent back to wherever you came from rather than if you go through a legal process in order to try and find a sign on here, how would that affect your members on the ground? the would that affect your members on the ground?— the ground? the data impact on a rifle will probably _

the ground? the data impact on a rifle will probably be _ the ground? the data impact on a rifle will probably be relatively - rifle will probably be relatively minimal but if these proposals hit the ground the way they read, there could be a great deal more work in turning around individuals and returning them. but there is quite a lot more detail and more complexity in that it is one thing where you have a completely illegal entry where there was a legal alternate that could have been chosen. but many individuals needing international protection will at some point of theirjourney have engaged in some point of illegality so it's not entirely clear what the bite point of this is intended to be. �* , ., , ., , bite point of this is intended to be. �* ., i, be. and the problem potentially is it is our be. and the problem potentially is it is your members _ be. and the problem potentially is it is your members who _ be. and the problem potentially is it is your members who will- be. and the problem potentially is it is your members who will have i be. and the problem potentially is| it is your members who will have to sort through all of this at the border. ~ , ,., , ., sort through all of this at the border. ~ , , ., ., ., border. absolutely, and again there are simle border. absolutely, and again there are simple cases _ border. absolutely, and again there are simple cases where _ border. absolutely, and again there are simple cases where it _ border. absolutely, and again there are simple cases where it is - border. absolutely, and again there are simple cases where it is really l are simple cases where it is really obvious but these are human beings and in the majority of cases it will not be really obvious. even where we have lifted someone from a vessel in international waters, we know they have come from france, there is no one else they could have come from, it is not simple is a saying you

must have come from there and to attempt to send them back. in any event at this point, france won't accept them anyway. so change at the uk's laws to in some way make it harder or easier to do something that has actually been legal for 20 years or more to return someone to the safe third country to which they have traffic and if that country want to accept them, i revolves make no difference. want to accept them, i revolves make no difference-— no difference. sure, there is also the suggestion — no difference. sure, there is also the suggestion from _ no difference. sure, there is also the suggestion from some - no difference. sure, there is also i the suggestion from some charities that people who may end up on smugglers boats coming over, they may be victims of modern—day slavery, they may be victims themselves and as a result, try to sift them out from those who've simply paid some money to come over on their own volition. that's going to be difficult for your members to deal with. �* ., , to be difficult for your members to deal with. �* . , ., , ., deal with. and that is ultimately an as lum deal with. and that is ultimately an asylum claim- _ deal with. and that is ultimately an asylum claim. certainly _ deal with. and that is ultimately an asylum claim. certainly individuals| asylum claim. certainly individuals who have paid a great deal of money for these crossings predominantly they have not paid it because they have this money to spare. they are already engaged within modern slavery. and that's a significant

concern, it is not necessarily a —— reason to let them sit in the uk but it is certainly an issue and they will be mostly vulnerable. no one undertaking this journey does so without risk. there is also —— always an inherent vulnerability and that for some it is balancing the human need and human interaction with the framework of law and it's the framework of law we don't yet know because this is just an aspiration. d0 know because this is 'ust an espiretiemfi know because this is 'ust an asiration. y., ., ., aspiration. do you have enough officers to _ aspiration. do you have enough officers to deal _ aspiration. do you have enough officers to deal with _ aspiration. do you have enough officers to deal with these - aspiration. do you have enough - officers to deal with these changes? without knowing the detail of the changes, that's really hard to answer and the stark response of any trade union would be gosh, no we haven't! but until we see the detail, i can't really do you have enough officers to deal with these changes? without knowing the detail of the changes, that's really hard to answer and the stark response of any trade union would be gosh, no we haven't! but until we see the detail, i can't really... there is no scale on this yet. but detail, i can't really... there is no scale on this yet.— detail, i can't really... there is no scale on this yet. but i suppose from our no scale on this yet. but i suppose from your point — no scale on this yet. but i suppose from your point of— no scale on this yet. but i suppose from your point of view— no scale on this yet. but i suppose from your point of view and - no scale on this yet. but i suppose from your point of view and from l from your point of view and from that of your members, did something has to be done to try to stem the tide of illegal migration? the olitical tide of illegal migration? iie: political challenge tide of illegal migration? “iie: political challenge of tide of illegal migration? iie: political challenge of dealing with illegal or irregular migration has been going on for a decade or more. any solution that is tried is

imperfect and it is for the next government to bring the next solution. yes the system is creaking, yes there are massive challenges. more importantly there are human lives at risk and there are human lives at risk and there are criminals who are benefiting from this and any steps to address that are going to be positive. but by their very nature not likely to be the complete answer.- by their very nature not likely to be the complete answer. there is a lot of focus — be the complete answer. there is a lot of focus and _ be the complete answer. there is a lot of focus and pressed _ be the complete answer. there is a lot of focus and pressed attention l lot of focus and pressed attention on the boats that come across the channel. is that the main way that we see illegal migration into this country or are there actually other routes that perhaps need more attention? ., , routes that perhaps need more attention?— routes that perhaps need more attention? ., , , , attention? people on boats is very newsworthy _ attention? people on boats is very newsworthy and — attention? people on boats is very newsworthy and media _ attention? people on boats is very newsworthy and media where - attention? people on boats is very| newsworthy and media where they. attention? people on boats is very - newsworthy and media where they. but it's actually the tiny minority of individuals who entered the uk illegally. the most of them arrive through freight, either concealing themselves or being concealed by somebody else in a freight container under an articulated laureate. but you also have individuals who enter

the uk on documents that are not their own that have been forced or falsified who have lied to of these official or border officer in order to gain entry. there are lots of different ways and individuals on boats, that's a tiny proportion i am afraid. , , ., ., boats, that's a tiny proportion i am afraid. , ., ., ., afraid. this is all going out to consultation. _ afraid. this is all going out to consultation. one _ afraid. this is all going out to consultation. one of- afraid. this is all going out to consultation. one of the - afraid. this is all going out to i consultation. one of the points afraid. this is all going out to - consultation. one of the points you will be making on behalf of your members, what would that be? i have not seen the — members, what would that be? i have not seen the detailed _ members, what would that be? i have not seen the detailed consultation - not seen the detailed consultation document but reading what is available at the moment, there seems to be issues with how this interacts with international law. it comes very close to edging on the geneva convention if not possibly going over that line. convention if not possibly going overthat line. untilwe convention if not possibly going over that line. until we see details we won't know. there are elements of it that are not within the uk government's gift. we can be robust about moving individuals who don't have a right to be here but that relies on us being able to identify a country to send them to and that country being willing to accept them. there is lots of complexities and detail and we look forward to be able to see the detail and get some

quality response into that because thatis quality response into that because that is the best information that the home secretary can get in order to advise her policy. i am the home secretary can get in order to advise her policy.— to advise her policy. i am sure everyone _ to advise her policy. i am sure everyone would _ to advise her policy. i am sure everyone would like _ to advise her policy. i am sure everyone would like to - to advise her policy. i am sure everyone would like to see - to advise her policy. i am sure i everyone would like to see more detail on this. lucy moreton, the general secretary of the immigration services union, thank you. a police chief in west says front line police officers should have been prioritised for the covid vaccine. pam kelly said she agreed that nhs staff and the vulnerable should come first but she also wants her officers to be safe. our wales correspondent has more. who could have predicted the ways our lives were changed during the pandemic. taste lives were changed during the pandemic-— lives were changed during the andemic. ~ . ., ., ., pandemic. we have a call to say that --eole pandemic. we have a call to say that people who — pandemic. we have a call to say that people who should _ pandemic. we have a call to say that people who should not _ pandemic. we have a call to say that people who should not be _ pandemic. we have a call to say that people who should not be here - pandemic. we have a call to say that people who should not be here or. people who should not be here or having a party going on. increased owers having a party going on. increased powers and _ having a party going on. increased powers and new — having a party going on. increased powers and new laws _ having a party going on. increased powers and new laws have - having a party going on. increased powers and new laws have meantl having a party going on. increased - powers and new laws have meant more of our lives are now police. where we go, who we see.— of our lives are now police. where we go, who we see. unless you have a word to come — we go, who we see. unless you have a word to come in _ we go, who we see. unless you have a word to come in my _ we go, who we see. unless you have a word to come in my house?! _ we go, who we see. unless you have a word to come in my house?! the - word to come in my house?! the feedback we're _ word to come in my house?! iie: feedback we're getting is there about 70% in people that they are confident in the way that's gwent

police have police their communities. although crime has reduced this year, we are about 15% down, i would demand has increased significantly but it is hard because what we don't want to do is become the covid police. all fourforces and wells of stress they first wanted to engage, explain, and encourage people to comply with the rules before enforcement kicks in. but that front line rule comes with risks to staff. but that front line rule comes with risks to staff-— risks to staff. what you often see as olice risks to staff. what you often see as police officers _ risks to staff. what you often see as police officers with _ risks to staff. what you often see as police officers with family - as police officers with family members or them themselves becoming poorly. on a weekly basis i have been texting somebody who is poorly, i am texting people who have been in hospital, i have visited families and been to a number of funerals since i have been appointed as chief. it is been really difficult for everybody. ourfocus chief. it is been really difficult for everybody. our focus has chief. it is been really difficult for everybody. ourfocus has been very much on making sure the people working for south wales police know that we are there for them. working really hard to answer their questions and concerns, making people realise we care about their well—being. fiend

people realise we care about their well-being— people realise we care about their well-beina. �* ., ,, ., , well-being. and one issue remains unresolved- _ well-being. and one issue remains unresolved. i— well-being. and one issue remains unresolved. i understand _ well-being. and one issue remains unresolved. i understand totally i well-being. and one issue remains| unresolved. i understand totally the absolutely requirement _ unresolved. i understand totally the absolutely requirement for - absolutely requirement for vulnerable people to be vaccinated without _ vulnerable people to be vaccinated without question. but at this stage were now— without question. but at this stage were now the wider community are now bein- were now the wider community are now being vaccinated i feel very strongly that front line policing should — strongly that front line policing should be vaccinated first. i feel very strongly, it's been one of my biggest _ very strongly, it's been one of my biggest concerns throughout this crisis _ biggest concerns throughout this crisis. ~ , , ., biggest concerns throughout this crisis. ~ , ,., ,._ crisis. the welsh government say they follow _ crisis. the welsh government say they follow national _ crisis. the welsh government say they follow national advice - crisis. the welsh government say they follow national advice on - they follow national advice on vaccines which shows insufficient evidence to prioritise by occupation. that was our wales correspondent jenny reese reporting there. eurovision fans have just two months left to wait until the contest returns again — for the first time since 2019. but, despite the brewing excitement, russia's entrant for this year's competition has revealed the abuse she's received after being chosen to represent the country. our moscow correspondent steve rosenberg has the story. 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. she sings in russian 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. these stereotypes makes our life

so bad, and i'm tired of that. manizha was born in tajikistan, 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 the 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, iwill go and say whatever it is. i will go on the stage in order to do myjob. yeah, i'm going to do this. she sings in russian as for her eurovision song —

russian woman — well, this british man is getting into it. come on, steve! steve rosenberg, bbc news, moscow. # oh, yeah! time for a look at the weather news. he was sarah keith—lucas. hello there. there is a bit of springlike sunshine out there for many of us through the remainder of today but also a few showers on the cards as well. this is the picture in aberdare taken by one of our weather watchers a little bit earlier. beautiful blue skies, a bit of cumulus cloud, some showers coming out of the cloud and really through the rest of the week, we're looking at the mix of sunshine, a few scattered showers, colder conditions on the way by the time we get to friday. but for the here and now, we have got a weak weather front sitting across southern and eastern england. now, that's bringing a bit more cloud. a few spots of light, drizzly rain just coming out of that very weak weather front in the far south—east. clearer skies across the rest of england and wales with temperatures up to iii degrees or so.

northern ireland and scotland are seeing another frontal system which is bringing some showery rain into the evening hours. overnight tonight, that slips its way further south, so a few spots across northern england and the south—west of england. it will be quite a chilly night, where you keep the clear skies, for the likes of south—east england, east anglia and also eastern scotland. so, perhaps just a touch of frost in a few spots there, first thing thursday. thursday brings another day of some sunny spells and scattered showers. most of the showers will be in parts of scotland, northern ireland and north west england and also the chance of a few afternoon showers drifting into the southern and south—east of england but fairly few and far between. temperatures between about nine to iii degrees. relatively mild for this time of year. overnight thursday, when we move into friday, that's when this cold front works its way eastwards, opening the doors for a much colder air mass to come in from a north—westerly direction. friday will be a different feeling to the day. initially, we have got a band of cloud and rain pushing across england and wales,

followed by sunshine and some heavy showers. some of the showers will be wintry, particularly over the higher ground of highland and down towards cumbria and snowdonia. gusts of wind of 30 to 110 mph. more than that around exposed coasts and hills in the west. so, temperatures of about seven to 11 degrees. a cold feeling day, particularly when you add on those blustery winds on friday as well. heading towards the weekend, things will gradually turn a little bit warmer. some rain on the cards at times, especially in the north and west. a few showers, particularly later on on sunday but temperatures up to about 13 degrees in london and cardiff. bye for now.

a new plan to reform the asylum system — a new plan to reform the asylum s stem. ., , system. the government says the s stem is system. the government says the system is being — system. the government says the system is being abused _ system. the government says the system is being abused by - system. the government says the system is being abused by illegal| system is being abused by illegal traffickers who make many by putting people on boats or into containers. access to uk's asylum system should be based on need, not the ability to pay people smugglers. the measures outlined today _ pay people smugglers. the measures outlined today will _ pay people smugglers. the measures outlined today will do _ pay people smugglers. the measures outlined today will do next _ pay people smugglers. the measures outlined today will do next to - outlined today will do next to nothing — outlined today will do next to nothing to stop people from making dangerous crossings. we nothing to stop people from making dangerous crossings.— dangerous crossings. we will be lookinu dangerous crossings. we will be lookin: at dangerous crossings. we will be looking at how _ dangerous crossings. we will be looking at how other _ dangerous crossings. we will be looking at how other european i looking at how other european countries deal with refugees. also tonight... with higher jab rates. is that aimed at us?