this is bbc news. i'm lukwesa burak. the headlines at 7. more than 30 million people in the uk have now received their first covid vaccine dose, according to the latest government figures. ahead of restrictions easing in england, the nhs warns not to "squander" the progress made against covid — as the culture secretary says plans to lift lockdown are on target. at the moment we are on track, so thanks to the work of the british people and the excellent vaccine roll—out we are confident both in going ahead with the easings from tomorrow and the next stages. police are to investigate allegations of sexual harassment, abuse and rape in schools and universities — setting up a dedicated helpline. efforts continue to dislodge the ship that's blocking the suez canal —

there are hopes an evening high tide might help to re—float the vessel. coming up at 7:30 — the click team looks at how the pandemic has changed the way we access health services — and if that's set to stay. and at 7:45 — we'll have all of today's sports news — as lewis hamilton triumphs over max verstappen at the bahrain grand prix. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. a new milestone has been reached in the uk's battle against coronavirus, with more than 30 million people having now received their first dose of one of the vaccines. the health secretary matt hancock has said that reaching this new threshold

was "a phenomenal achievement". it comes as the government says it's "on track" to ease the lockdown in england. meanwhile, the first minister of wales, mark drakeford, revealed there had been high—level talks across the four nations about the idea of so—called "vaccine passports". here's our political correspondent chris mason. the green of windy west yorkshire in the spring. the strides towards liberty are long, putting the preparations in place for the return of golf in england tomorrow. fix, preparations in place for the return of golf in england tomorrow. a good three months _ of golf in england tomorrow. a good three months now _ of golf in england tomorrow. a good three months now we _ of golf in england tomorrow. a good three months now we have - of golf in england tomorrow. a good three months now we have had - of golf in england tomorrow. a good - three months now we have had members at home, on facebook, posting things about what they are doing, chipping and putting in the garden, putting duvets over the washing line and hitting into them. they want to get

out. figs hitting into them. they want to get out. �* , . , hitting into them. they want to get out. �* , .,, ., hitting into them. they want to get out. a ., out. as well as outdoor sport returning. — out. as well as outdoor sport returning, from _ out. as well as outdoor sport returning, from tomorrow . out. as well as outdoor sport returning, from tomorrow in | out. as well as outdoor sport - returning, from tomorrow in england six people or two households can meet outside including in private gardens. it will be another fortnight at least before a haircut can be done by a professional, but that mac of course they could be delayed if the situation deteriorates but at the moment we are on track so thanks to the work of the rich people in the excellent vaccine roll—out, we are confident both in going ahead with the easings from tomorrow in the next stages. there is then the cautious prospect of the streets of hebden bridge and elsewhere slowly looking a little less empty. the hope of normality or near normality by the summer, but alongside hope, jitters from some. i alongside hope, jitters from some. i have to say i'm a little bit nervous about _ have to say i'm a little bit nervous about a _ have to say i'm a little bit nervous about a full— have to say i'm a little bit nervous about a full relaxation in june. obviously— about a full relaxation in june. obviously we all want to relax as far as _ obviously we all want to relax as far as it— obviously we all want to relax as far as it is— obviously we all want to relax as far as it is safe to do so, and it

will_ far as it is safe to do so, and it will be — far as it is safe to do so, and it will be important that the government continues to be guided by the data _ government continues to be guided by the data in_ government continues to be guided by the data in that respect. and this is particularly important, exactly how well — is particularly important, exactly how well are the vaccines performing. at this rate we can get quite _ performing. at this rate we can get quite close — performing. at this rate we can get quite close to our full release. and hue quite close to our full release. and huge questions _ quite close to our full release. fific huge questions spring forth about the tools to help normality returned as governments around the uk ponder whether it is possible, practical to have some sort of passport that says we have been vaccinated, tested or had covid. i we have been vaccinated, tested or had covid. ~ ., had covid. i think there are definitely _ had covid. i think there are definitely prizes _ had covid. i think there are definitely prizes to - had covid. i think there are definitely prizes to be - had covid. i think there are definitely prizes to be won | had covid. i think there are - definitely prizes to be won through domestic— definitely prizes to be won through domestic vaccine certification but there _ domestic vaccine certification but there are — domestic vaccine certification but there are some very big practical and ethical challenges to face as well _ and ethical challenges to face as well. , , ., and ethical challenges to face as well. .. . ., and ethical challenges to face as well. .. . well. the speed and specifics of unlockin: well. the speed and specifics of unlocking vary _ well. the speed and specifics of unlocking vary around _ well. the speed and specifics of unlocking vary around the - well. the speed and specifics of unlocking vary around the uk. l well. the speed and specifics of. unlocking vary around the uk. the state local rule was scrapped here in wales yesterday. from friday, the instruction to stay local will begin instruction to stay local will begin in scotland, replacing the edict to

stay—at—home. in northern ireland six people from two households will be able to meet in private gardens from thursday. we can speak now to dr mike tildesley, a member of spi—m, the modelling subgroup of sage — and a professor of infectious disease modelling at the university of warwick. thank you forjoining us here on bbc news. as far as the road map to easing and coming out of lockdown, what are your thoughts on it? is the right pace and the right time? i think if we look at all the metrics, if you look at cases, cases have been coming down. in the last few weeks they have saturated the little bit but that is partly because we are doing a lot more testing of secondary schoolchildren, so that is why that has not come down quite so rapidly. hospitaladmissions why that has not come down quite so rapidly. hospital admissions and deaths have been coming down rapidly so i think we are in a good position particularly with the success of the vaccination campaign to start to

cautiously ease lockdown but the key is that needs to be done at pace so the vaccinations can keep up with it so i think it is the right decision to start relaxing, but we do need to start monitoring it after monday and the weeks to come to make sure there are not resurgent suzanne to make sure that we can keep on track. i am relatively confident that if things keep going as well as they have been doing we should be on target to hopefully relax all those measures byjune. 50 hopefully relax all those measures b june. . , ~ ., , hopefully relax all those measures b june. . , ~ ., by june. so many unknowns of the last 12 months. _ by june. so many unknowns of the last 12 months. how— by june. so many unknowns of the last 12 months. how likely - by june. so many unknowns of the last 12 months. how likely is - by june. so many unknowns of the last 12 months. how likely is it- last 12 months. how likely is it that the uk will be hit by another wave. ~ ., , , that the uk will be hit by another wave. . . , , .., . wave. we have been seeing concerning situations in continental— wave. we have been seeing concerning situations in continental europe - wave. we have been seeing concerning situations in continental europe in - situations in continental europe in terms of cases starting to go up in some countries reintroducing lockdown policies. a slightly different from last year because last year we had a situation where italy and spain and other countries in europe were about three weeks ahead of us so when we saw waves they are we saw waves in the uk a little bit later. this time we have

got a very successful vaccination campaign with high levels of protection amongst the vulnerable, so we may see cases rise a little bit but hopefully because we have that high level of protection for the vulnerable population we won't see a similar rise in hospital occupancy and rise in deaths. there is this feeling _ occupancy and rise in deaths. there is this feeling or _ occupancy and rise in deaths. there is this feeling or thought _ occupancy and rise in deaths. there is this feeling or thought that - occupancy and rise in deaths. there is this feeling or thought that for the british public it is a case of jab and go. what are your concerns over that attitude? i jab and go. what are your concerns over that attitude?— over that attitude? i think it is a difficult one. _ over that attitude? i think it is a difficult one. i _ over that attitude? i think it is a difficult one. i think— over that attitude? i think it is a difficult one. i think what - over that attitude? i think it is a difficult one. i think what we - over that attitude? i think it is a l difficult one. i think what we need to do to be honest as encourage as many people as possible to take the vaccine. this kind of approach is not something i would necessarily support but what we need to concentrate on is ensuring we give vaccine availability to all. we know there are some communities were vaccine access is not quite as good and the worry is that even with high levels of protection there are certain pockets of communities were vaccine uptake is lower and we could see the virus persisting, so the key

thing to me as encouraging as many people as possible to take the vaccines so that we can hopefully start to release lockdown come the summer. �* , start to release lockdown come the summer. 3 , start to release lockdown come the summer. �*. , ., summer. let's carry that point throu~h. summer. let's carry that point through- we — summer. let's carry that point through. we can _ summer. let's carry that point through. we can vaccinate - summer. let's carry that point through. we can vaccinate the| summer. let's carry that point. through. we can vaccinate the uk summer. let's carry that point - through. we can vaccinate the uk but isn't the case growing for us to really spread those vaccines out? there is talk now of some of the vaccine is going to ireland and northern ireland, but if we don't vaccinate the rest of the worlds we are going to get these escaped variance and it is going to be bicesterjab after bicesterjab, so how does that fit into your modelling? it how does that fit into your modelling?— how does that fit into your modelling? how does that fit into your modellin. ? . . , ,., , modelling? it is absolutely right, and it is a point _ modelling? it is absolutely right, and it is a point several- modelling? it is absolutely right, and it is a point several others i and it is a point several others have been making for some time, that it is tempting to look at our own vaccination campaign and say we are doing really well. my point is domesticated but easy for us to get back to level of freedom given how well a vaccination campaign is going on, but this is a problem. it could be a very long time before some

countries in the world get the vaccine doses they need to be able to thoroughly unlock and of course start international travel again, so we do need to look more widely. if we do need to look more widely. if we want to have sort of a free uk as we want to have sort of a free uk as we did 18 months ago but also allow international travel, we do need to think about sending vaccines to those countries where they are not able to acquire the level of the vaccines we have been able to. thank ou ve vaccines we have been able to. thank you very much _ vaccines we have been able to. thank you very much for _ vaccines we have been able to. thank you very much for your— vaccines we have been able to. thank you very much for your time. - let's take a look at some more of those latest government figures. there were 3,862 new coronavirus infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period — on average 5,355 new cases were reported per day in the last week. the latest figures show 4,560 people were in hospital across the uk. 19 deaths were reported in the latest 2a hour period — that's people who died within 28 days of a positive covid—i9 test. on average in the past week, 62 deaths were announced every day. the total number of deaths is now 126,592. as for vaccinations more than 423,852 people have

had their first dose of a covid vaccine in the latest 24—hour period, bringing — as we've reported — the total to over 30 million. and over 3.5 million people, have had both doses of the vaccine. police are to investigate thousands of allegations of sexual harrassment, abuse, and in some cases rape — made by young women and school pupils through an online campaign. many of the accounts concern leading private schools and have been posted on the website �*everyone's invited.�* a senior police officer has told the bbc today that a dedicated helpline is being set up, with the aim both of investigating allegations of criminal behaviour and challenging any culture within educational settings which has tolerated misogyny and abuse. 0ur correspondent

sarah campbell reports. a walk—out at a north london private school after more than 200 former and current pupils anonymously made allegations of abuse, misogyny and even rape. highgate school has set up an external review and it is clear many more educational establishments are going to have to tackle difficult issues. in just three weeks, a website set up to allow people to share their experiences of what is being called a rape culture has received more than 6000 testimonies. initially flooded with accounts from pupils from leading private

schools, the founder of everyone, invited to me that is no longer the case. we have seen a significant increase and widening of that demographic with state schools and universities being mentioned as well as a wider variety of ages as well, older people, younger people, boys and girls, and i think what this really shows is that this is a universal problem. in recent years the sporting world has been rocked by the stories which emerged of young boys who had been abused by football coaches. the chief come to the bow involved in that operation is now helping i suspect it will probably be the next child sexual abuse scandal

that engulfs the nation, as the football association revelations did. we have a huge challenge and ultimately this is down to parents and guardians making sure their children understand what healthy relationships are like, what healthy sexual relationships are like, and it is so important that schools reinforce that message consistently. a helpline set to be launched by the department for education in the next week for those wishing to get support and potentially report those they believe have abused them. 0ur news correspondent sarah campbell, whose report you just heard, explained a little earlier what's going to happen next with the allegations. from the conversations i have had today people are taking it so seriously. it really started you heard that they are with people wanting to start a conversation about what had happened to her, and it clearly resonated with thousands of people. and more and more every day are getting in touch, and i

think it is the speed and the volume of those responses which meant that the police and the department for education and the home office felt that something needed to happen, so they met with her on friday and now have announced this joint initiative where they are going to give support, protection and advice to those reporting abuse, including contacting professionals or the police if they wish, so clearly the implication that a potential police investigations and prosecutions down the line. allison havey co—founded the rap project, which holds workshops about rape and sexual assault at many of the schools named on the everyone's invited website. thank you very much forjoining us here on bbc news. such a difficult and yet shocking subject to be confronted with. can you explain to us what experiences you have when you go into the schools? i

us what experiences you have when you go into the schools?— you go into the schools? i certainly well, thank — you go into the schools? i certainly well. thank you _ you go into the schools? i certainly well, thank you for _ you go into the schools? i certainly well, thank you for having - you go into the schools? i certainly well, thank you for having me. - you go into the schools? i certainly| well, thank you for having me. this is a fast—moving story but it has taken a long time to get here and i am so pleased at these courageous young people who have written letters and initiated campaigns online. it is fantastic. even though it is very difficult situation. so i co—founded the wrap project in 2500 core message from the outset was to educate students about the sexual, legal definitions of sexual assault, rape, consent. sexual harassment. also how online pornography on social media are influencing attitudes and expectations and behaviours, and body image. from the very first school we ever spoke in, we have heard anecdotes and stories from young women, in some cases

young men, but women who have been peer pressured into drinking too much, may be peer pressured into drinking too much, may be selected and may be much, may be selected and may be agreed to kiss someone, and they passed out and when they awoke they found out they had either had sex were sexually assaulted. young men have come forward to say that a close female friend of theirs had been raped by a classmate and she was too frightened to say anything because she didn't want to ruin his future. and in state schools as well the project speaks mostly to private school students but also to redress this balance we have found that the foundation in 2019, a charity which provides workshops on to state schools free of charge. [30 provides workshops on to state schools free of charge.- schools free of charge. do the -u - ils schools free of charge. do the pupils you _ schools free of charge. do the pupils you speak— schools free of charge. do the pupils you speak to _ schools free of charge. do the pupils you speak to actually i pupils you speak to actually understand what consent is? that is a very good — understand what consent is? that is a very good question. _ understand what consent is? that is a very good question. we _ understand what consent is? that is a very good question. we think - understand what consent is? that is a very good question. we think they do, because we have been in over 225 schools and they keep asking us back, but this is the thing, and we have spoken to many heads of

pastoral, many dsl, many heads, this is not a lesson that can be taught once, from year six, because the average age british young person first comes across pornography where consent is not communicated clearly, is 11 years old. consent needs to be taught from year six through year 13, every year, in a more age—appropriate and mature level. it has to be done that way. this cannot just be delivered to tick a box, which i am afraid happens in many schools. i which i am afraid happens in many schools. ., ., which i am afraid happens in many schools. . . ., schools. i had a look through the website and _ schools. i had a look through the website and it _ schools. i had a look through the website and it was _ schools. i had a look through the website and it was quite - schools. i had a look through the i website and it was quite traumatic, i have to say. what came across to me was that as an outsider, somebody looking at that might think, teenagers are hormonal, teenagers experiment, somebody could put that argument across, but is one of the

most upsetting things is that when it came to peer on peer, when girls went to speak to their girlfriends that was often the girls as well who were part of that rape culture and bullying and not encouraging their friends to go forward, and harassing as well. that is something that has to be addressed. you as well. that is something that has to be addressed.— as well. that is something that has to be addressed. you are telling me, select shaming _ to be addressed. you are telling me, select shaming absolutely _ to be addressed. you are telling me, select shaming absolutely has - to be addressed. you are telling me, select shaming absolutely has to - to be addressed. you are telling me, select shaming absolutely has to be| select shaming absolutely has to be eradicated. —— shut shaming. they need people to rely on and the best sort source of support as each other. they have to learn to be active bystanders, good people and good citizenship and support each other. they have to talk about gender stereotypes and toxic masculinity, and one thing that we are very passionate about is to bring about this conversation amongst each other, the peers should

speak to each other about toxic masculinity. toxic masculinity is a controversial phrase, but i am afraid a component of our society practices toxic male behaviour, laddish behaviour, banter that is misogynistic, homophobic and racist, and it is not on. i would just like to say, i was asked the other day, how do i think young men feel about this? i have spoken to a lot of young men after the story has broken and what i would say is a lot of them feel relief because they don't have to see their girlfriends and in some cases their male friends go through this without support. they feel remorse, that they didn't say anything, that their friend who was getting that girl drunk, they let them. some are apathetic and i am afraid some of them are laddish and have this opinion of innocent until proven guilty.

have this opinion of innocent until proven guilty-— proven guilty. very quickly, obviously — proven guilty. very quickly, obviously the _ proven guilty. very quickly, obviously the safer - proven guilty. very quickly, obviously the safer schools | obviously the safer schools partnership traditionally has only beenin partnership traditionally has only been in state schools and there is a big question as to why private schools don't think they have ever needed it, but as well as looking at the abuse and harassment and the educational side of it, what support is there for these school pupils who are dealing with ptsd, because what is very obvious from that website as there are testimonials that go back ten years. it sticks with these people. i ten years. it sticks with these eo - le. ., ten years. it sticks with these ”eole. ., ,., ten years. it sticks with these --eole. . . . ten years. it sticks with these n-eole. ., ., ., ten years. it sticks with these neale, ., ., ., people. i am so glad that you asked for that. whenever _ people. i am so glad that you asked for that. whenever we _ people. i am so glad that you asked for that. whenever we go _ people. i am so glad that you asked for that. whenever we go into - for that. whenever we go into deliver these presentations in the schools, we always tell the kids to be emotionally intelligent and resilient and not to keep these things bottled up. if they ever are a victim or have been, they need to report it to an adult, to the police, if it was ten years ago it is probably not going to be prosecuted, but if anything happens they definitely have to speak to a teacher they trust, the head of

pastoral care and in state schools there is the dsl, and either social services or the police can get involved. but on a bigger picture anyone who is a victim of any of these crimes must get professional help, because it is not a crime that can get swept under the carpet and forgotten about. a lot of people feel shame and they should not feel shame, it is not theirfault. if they were drunk and flirtatious and didn't consent, it is not their fault. get professional help because it will prevent it from manifesting in depression, anxiety or addictions.— addictions. fascinating conversation, - addictions. fascinating conversation, thank i addictions. fascinatingl conversation, thank you addictions. fascinating - conversation, thank you very addictions. fascinating _ conversation, thank you very much. and we'll find out how this story — and many others — are covered in tomorrow's front pages at 10:30 and 11:30 this evening in the papers — our guestsjoining me tonight arejohn stevens, the deputy political editor of the daily mail and benedicte paviot, uk correspondent for france 24.

there's been widespread international condemnation of the military in myanmar after more than 100 demonstrators were killed yesterday. defence chiefs from 12 countries, including the us, britain and japan, have issued a joint statement saying armed forces should protect, rather than harm, the people they serve. yesterday was the deadliest day for protestors since myanmar�*s military coup eight weeks ago. 0ur correspondent laura bicker has been monitoring the situation from thailand and sent this report. my son, my son, why can't you hear me, she cries. this 13—year—old boy was playing in the street when he was and killed. witnesses say troops opened fire even though no protests were nearby. his family are now adding their voices to a chorus calling for revolution.

these children in this time of crisis are being kept in the safest place by the family, these children are not on the street, not even in the living rooms. they are hiding. even the children are not safe so that means no one is safe in burma. over 400 people have now died in myanmar since the military seized power last month. some protesters have started to fight back using home—made weapons. but they are no match against trained fighters and live rounds. the us has accused the general of presiding over a reign of terror. his regime has already been hit by some sanctions but he still has powerful friends. russia's deputy defence minister was given a front row seat

for yesterday's armed forces day. 0ther diplomats were also in the crowd including from china. but 12 military leaders from around the world issued a rare joint statement reminding the general that an army is supposed to protect its people. not turning their guns on them. and yet the protests continue undeterred. the will of a defined people determined to restore democracy has so far refused to bend, even under relentless fire. a second mp has defected from the snp to join the new pro—independence party launched by the former scottish first minister, alex salmond. neale hanvey, who represents kirkcaldy and cowdenbeath at westminster, follows the formerjustice secretary kenny macaskill, who announced

yesterday he would stand as a candidate for the alba party. salvage teams trying to free the giant cargo ship still blocking the suez canal are hoping this evening's high tide as well as more tugs and dredging will dislodge it. with hundreds of vessels stuck either side of the ship, egypt's president says they should prepare to lift containers off to lighten the load. 0ur correspondent helena wilkinson has this report. it's still stuck. this huge container vessel remains stubborn, refusing to move. 14 tug boats have been used to pull and push this 400—metre—long ship. they've managed a small victory, moving it 30 degrees. sand has also been dredged to try to dislodge it, and water has now started running underneath it. but at some point, probably soon, they may have to bring in specialist equipment, including cranes, to start removing containers.

the ever given got stuck on tuesday. this satellite image shows the wedged container ship and, around it, more than 300 cargo ships left waiting. 0ne boat's refusal to budge has crippled global supply chains, 12% of which pass through this canal. it's billions of trade held up every single day, so it's a huge effect on the global economy, and it's affecting a lot of different supply chains. so, we do have fuel tankers there, a lot of oil going through the suez every single day, and we also have a lot of container vessels. and we have bulk cargo, so that will be grains or coal, and these sort of things. so, it does affect us very, very widely. the worry now is that if tug boats and dredging don't manage to shift this ship, the complex operation to remove containers may be needed — an operation that could last weeks. helena wilkinson, bbc news.

so let's return now to coronavirus and what exactly will be permitted from tomorrow in england as lockdown restrictions are eased. 0ur correspondent katie prescott has been looking at what changes — including the key �*stay at home' message — and what's still to come. spring has sprung and the uk is opening up once again. from tomorrow in england that will be easier to catch up with friends and family, just like in wales this weekend, when we are allowed to get together in groups of six outside or to households. or two households. there will be more to do locally, as outdoor sports opening up again. something to keep us entertained perhaps until the next key date. 12th april in england and one week earlier in scotland, shops well here they tills ringing once again as they are allowed to reopen. you can go out for dinner or a drink, but a cold one as it is alfresco only, and the role of six are two and the role of six or two

households still applies. haircuts and manicures will be allowed and gyms and theme parks reopen. may 17, the next big date. we will be able to go to the cinema again and forget patio heaters, we can eat inside in bars and restaurants in groups of up to six but outside most restrictions are mainly lifted and you can meet in groups of up to 30 people. and if you are dreaming ofjetting away, foreign travel was likely pencilled in from 17th may but that is still very much under review. by 21stjune, nights out in clubs will start again if all goes to plan and things may be back to some kind of normal as restrictions on social contact are scrapped. we may even have seen the last of elbow bumping. as we've heard there are of course different rules for different parts of the uk. you can find more information about restrictions in wales, scotland and northern ireland

on the bbc website. now it's time for a look at the weather with ben rich. hello. have this week will bring a burst of spring warmth for many of us. north—western parts will see heavy and persistent rain which could cause some localised flooding in leicester and persistent rain which could cause some localised flooding in western scotland, the wet weather piling on through the night. very mild for many, 12 in hull, so i'll start for monday especially where we see thick cloud and misty and murky in western coasts and hills, some outbreaks of rain moving out of northern ireland but rain continuing through the day in high ground in western scotland. north—eastern scotland may see some brightness

with the temperature in the high teens in four parts of england and wales especially towards the eastern side we see values up to 20 or 21 celsius. tuesday could be a warmer speu celsius. tuesday could be a warmer spell for many back for a mid week onwards cold air pushes down from the north, chile for most of us as we head into the easter weekend. more than 30 million people in the uk have now received their first covid vaccine dose, according to the latest government figures ahead of restrictions easing in england, the nhs warns not to "squander" the progress made against covid — as the culture secretary says plans to lift lockdown are on target. this is bbc news. i'm lukwesa burak. the headlines at 7. more than 30 million people in the uk have now received their first covid vaccine dose, according to the latest government figures. ahead of restrictions easing in england, the nhs warns not to "squander" the progress made against covid — as the culture secretary says plans to lift lockdown are on target. at the moment we are on track, so thanks to the work of the british