today at six: keep getting the jab — borisjohnson's advice as questions continue over the astra—zeneca vaccine and rare blood clots. millions across the world have now received the vaccine — the prime minister says it's the medical regulators who decide on safety. the best thing people should do is look at what the mhra say, our independent regulator. that's why we have them, that's why — they're independent. the risks of getting sick or dying of covid for all the people currently being offered first and second doses, are far and away greater than any small, theoretical risk that may exist relating to these cases, which are extremely rare. we'll be looking at why scientists think we may still get a third wave of infections. also tonight:

the argument over so—called covid passports — you may need it to travel abroad — but you will definitely not need it for essential services. the disappearance of 19—year—old richard okorogheye — the met police say they are still trying to identify a body. the crowd should disperse immediately. _ in northern ireland, the stormont assembly's recalled after several nights of violence. the sky at night — with less light pollution during the lockdown, we've had some spectacular views. and and coming up on the bbc news channel. an audition for europe's most wanted as borussia dortmund's erling haaland prepares to face manchester city in their champions league quarter—final first leg.

good evening and welcome to the bbc news at six. it's a question that's being asked both here and in the eu and today it was put again to borisjohnson — is there a link between the astra—zeneca covid vaccine and rare blood clots? speaking on a visit to the company's factory in macclesfield mrjohnson said it was up to the independent medical regulator to adjudicate on the matter. it's carrying out an ongoing review. meanwhile scientists advising the government have warned that — even with a successful vaccination programme — the further easing of covid restrictions could lead to a third wave of infections. here's our medical editor fergus walsh. there is considerable uncertainty about the future path of the epidemic here. but three academic groups modelling the outbreak all have multiple scenarios showing a third covid wave after a final lifting of restrictions in england in latejune.

this model from warwick university looks at the number of patients in hospital with covid, which have been falling fast since a peak injanuary. looking ahead, the assumption is that the reopening of shops and outdoor hospitality won't cause major problems for the nhs, but once all restrictions are lifted, a third wave follows, though likely much smaller than previous peaks. but it could be more or less severe depending on how effective vaccines are at preventing covid and stopping transmission. a seasonal drop in coronavirus could push that third wave well into the autumn. as we start to unlock, i suspect we may see the r number increasing, and we may see another wave. my hope is it will be a somewhat different wave, and we can keep hospital admissions and deaths relatively low. and i think that's the really crucial thing, that if we can do

that, then hopefully we are still on track with the road map to release restrictions towards the end ofjune. european and uk drug regulators are continuing to examine whether there's any connection between the astrazeneca vaccine and extremely rare cases of blood clots. germany and france are among several countries which have restricted use of the jab to those over 60. and france the over 55s. so it's not just. .. yes. the prime minister visiting and astrazeneca plant in macclesfield, once again gave his firm support to the vaccine. the best thing people should do is look at what the mhra say, our independent regulator, that's why we have them, that's why they're independent. and their advice to people is to, you know, keep going out there, get yourjab, get your second jab. last week, the mhra said there had been 30 rare cases of blood clots,

including seven deaths after 18 million doses of the astrazeneca vaccine. and its benefits far outweighed any risks. both of the vaccines we're using are highly effective against covid, and the risks of getting sick or dying of covid, for all the people currently being offered first and second doses, are far and away greater than any small theoretical risk that may exist relating to these cases, which are extremely rare. despite a fall in supply, the government says the uk remains on track to offer all adults a first dose of one of the three approved covid vaccines by the end ofjuly. fergusjoins me now. we are expecting some sort of statement from the eu regulator. the euro ean statement from the eu regulator. tue: european medicines statement from the eu regulator. tte: european medicines agency is expected to come up with an updated regulation, either tomorrow or on thursday. the problem in mainland europe is there is a real patchwork

of who is actually using the astrazeneca vaccine. denmark and norway have still kept complete suspension and some are limiting it to older adults. overall your risk of getting any kind of blood clot appears to be lower if you have had any covid vaccine, including the astrazeneca jab, than in the general population. but what we are talking about here is that concerns about these very rare blood clots in the brain, perhaps around one case in every 600 thousands vaccinations with the astrazeneca jab in the uk. by with the astrazeneca jab in the uk. by comparison, if you are in your 40s and you get covid you have a one in 1000 chance of dying. if you are in 1000 chance of dying. if you are in your 20s in 1000 chance of dying. if you are in your20s and in 1000 chance of dying. if you are in your 20s and 30s, the risk—benefit analysis is not so clear cut. but all medicines, like paracetamol, have side effects and it's possible that regulators add blood clots as a possible side effect, while still urging people to

have the jab. mil effect, while still urging people to have the jab-— effect, while still urging people to have the jab. have the “ab. all right, thanks very much. let's take a look at the latest government figures for coronavirus. there were 2,379 new coronavirus infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period, which means that on average the number of new cases reported per day in the last week is 3,256. across the uk an average of 3,536 people over the seven days to 1st april. 20 deaths were reported — that's people who died within 28 days of a positive covid—19 test. on average in the past week — 30 deaths were announced every day. the total number of deaths so far across the uk is 126,882. the uk is continuing its programme of mass vaccinations, in the latest 24—hour period, more than 40,000 people have had their first dose of one

of the three approved covid—19 vaccines, taking the overall number of people who've had theirfirstjab tojust over 31.6 millon. the number of people who've had their second dose of the vaccine in the latest 24—hour period is 6a,590. that takes the total number of people who've had their second jab to just under 5.5 million people. the government says it's right to be looking at the idea of covid passports as a means of returning to a more normal life. today borisjohnson said they could help signal a person is not contagious. while the details are yet to be confirmed, the passports would be used to prove you have immunity from the virus. they would show whether you've had a coronavirus vaccination, or a recent negative coronavirus test result. or indeed proof of natural immunity, because you've had covid in the previous six months. ministers have made it clear that

what it calls covid certification would not be needed to access essential services, but some conservative mps are still warning that the plans could create a two—tier society. our political correspondent, iain watson, has more. if this looks normal to you it's probably a sign of how covid has changed the world. the prime minister was visiting and astrazeneca act today but as lockdowns are about to ease in england it doesn't want to see another wave. the government is trialling the use of covid status certificates, or vaccine passports, this spring at big sporting events. so what information could these contain? fix, so what information could these contain? �* , ., so what information could these contain? , ., , so what information could these contain? �* , ., , ., , ., contain? a number of signals that ou can contain? a number of signals that you can give _ contain? a number of signals that you can give that _ contain? a number of signals that you can give that you're _ contain? a number of signals that you can give that you're not - you can give that you're not contagious. so first of all, your immunity. if you had it that's going to be important, and number two, vaccination will be useful. but don't forget also the importance of testing. don't forget also the importance of testinu. ., , ,

testing. the government believes that certificates _ testing. the government believes that certificates could _ testing. the government believes that certificates could be - testing. the government believes that certificates could be of - testing. the government believes that certificates could be of most | that certificates could be of most use for venues such as nightclubs and sports stadiums were social distancing is difficult. with downright unattractive. but this won't happen straightaway. the government has made it clear that covid certificates foot�*s will not be required from april the 21 beer gardens and nonessential shops open in england, or on may the 17th went into hospitality along with theatres and cinemas are due to reopen but afterjune the 21st when the government hopes to remove most remaining restrictions it is possible certificates could be introduced. a government document introduced. a government document introduced yesterday states covid status certification is likely to become a feature of our lives until the threat from the pandemic recedes. so if this is to become the new normal, we asked different generations in leeds how they would adapt. generations in leeds how they would ada t. . , �* generations in leeds how they would ada t. ., , �* , generations in leeds how they would adat. . , �* , ., adapt. certainly i'd be more confident — adapt. certainly i'd be more confident about _ adapt. certainly i'd be more confident about going - adapt. certainly i'd be more confident about going to - adapt. certainly i'd be more confident about going to a l adapt. certainly i'd be more - confident about going to a cinema or theatre if there were vaccine passports. theatre if there were vaccine newsroom-— theatre if there were vaccine --assorts. ., ., ., ,, , passports. yeah, i would happily car a passports. yeah, i would happily carry a piece _ passports. yeah, i would happily carry a piece of— passports. yeah, i would happily carry a piece of paper _ passports. yeah, i would happily carry a piece of paper that - passports. yeah, i would happily carry a piece of paper that said l passports. yeah, i would happilyl carry a piece of paper that said i'd had the _

carry a piece of paper that said i'd had the vaccine and i've had a test. ithink_ had the vaccine and i've had a test. i think it _ had the vaccine and i've had a test. i think it might be a bit damaging for businesses. _ i think it might be a bit damaging for businesses. ti _ i think it might be a bit damaging for businesses.— i think it might be a bit damaging for businesses. �* , .. , for businesses. a significant number of boris johnson's _ for businesses. a significant number of boris johnson's own _ for businesses. a significant number of boris johnson's own mps - for businesses. a significant number of boris johnson's own mps are - for businesses. a significant number of boris johnson's own mps are up i for businesses. a significant number| of boris johnson's own mps are up in of borisjohnson�*s own mps are up in arms about covid certificates, denouncing them as intrusive and divisive. but some others are more concerned about how widely they might be used are perhaps notjust for big events but later in the year even for a trip to the local pub. so a row is brewing in westminster. and as the government hasn't ruled out allowing nonessential retailers to ask if you're covid free, labour are hardening their opposition. t’m ask if you're covid free, labour are hardening their opposition.- hardening their opposition. i'm not auoin to hardening their opposition. i'm not going to sopport _ hardening their opposition. i'm not going to sunport a _ hardening their opposition. i'm not going to support a policy _ hardening their opposition. i'm not going to support a policy that - hardening their opposition. i'm not going to support a policy that for i going to support a policy that for here in my list a constituency of sunbury wants to go into next, or h&m, they have to produce a proper vaccination certificate on their phone on an app. i think that discriminatory.— phone on an app. i think that discriminato . ~ , discriminatory. the prime minister hasn't made _ discriminatory. the prime minister hasn't made a _ discriminatory. the prime minister hasn't made a final— discriminatory. the prime minister hasn't made a final decision - discriminatory. the prime minister hasn't made a final decision on - hasn't made a final decision on covid certificates but is now at least considering things that would have seemed unthinkable last spring.

iain watson, bbc news. police searching for missing student richard okorogheye said today that inquiries are continuing, following the discovery of a man's body in epping forest in essex. the 19—year—old, who has sickle cell disease, was last seen leaving his home in west london two weeks ago. sangita myska has the latest. it is here, the remote woodland of epping forest, that has become the focus of the police investigation into the disappearance of the teenager richard okorogheye. following a search by police divers, a body was found in this lake yesterday. officers have yet to identify who it is. the whereabouts of richard, a 19—year—old student at oxford brookes university, remains unknown, though officers today say they have made intensive efforts to find him. our officers, with the assistance from specialist search teams, dogs and police horses and colleagues from essex police have been carrying out extensive

searches in epping forest since 19—year—old richard was last seen on cctv in the area two weeks ago. the body was found in the lake behind me late last night by local officers who had been working in the area. they contacted the metropolitan police who are in charge of the investigation into richard's disappearance. although the fingertip searches seem to have come to an end, large sections of epping forest remain sealed off. richard left his west london home on 22nd march. he has sickle cell disease and had been shielding throughout lockdown. but his family say he left without medication or a jacket. richard was seen taking a bus at around 8:45pm. he was next picked up on this cctv camera in essex. a short walk away from epping forest at i2:a0am in the morning. richard's mother says it took police another five days before they began to look for her son. i was told that richard

was an adult, he can make his decisions, he can go out and come back whenever he feels like. in response, the police tonight told the bbc that they have worked tirelessly to find richard and they are continuing to appeal to anyone with information to contact them. sangita myska, bbc news, epping forest. the stormont assembly is set to be recalled from easter recess for an emergency debate following days of violence and disorder in parts of northern ireland. police say 41 of its officers have been injured as a result of the unrest in some loyalist areas. ten arrests have been made so far. our ireland correspondent emma vardy has been looking at what's behind the violence. the crowd should disperse - immediately as force is about to be used against violent individuals. armoured land rovers braced over successive days. this is the most violence on the streets of northern ireland has seen for some time. the attacks, mostly carried out by teenagers, cause real harm to

officers. burns and head injuries. when officers responded to the incidents that they are met with petrol bombs, with heavy masonry, with debris that has already been prepared. so to me that indicates a degree of orchestration, preparation and an attempt by the people involved. tension has been building in loyalist areas over this past lockdown. rising resentment over the brexit arrangements, a new partition for trade in the irish sea, which many of you is weakening northern ireland's place in the uk. and fury over sinn fein politicians who escaped prosecution for attending the funeral of a former ira leader, which many saw as a blatant disregard for covid rules. what i see within the unionist and loyalist community now is grassroots legitimate and justified anger, which is widespread throughout the entire community. you say there is legitimate anger, but is that to legitimise violence?

do you condemn what has happened? when it comes to loyalists on the ground there has been a lot of protests that are taking place, there will probably be a lot more, and like i said, loyalist activists are doing their utmost to dissuade people from engaging in violence. the rioting was sporadic and still considered relatively low level here. but police believe paramilitary organisations who still have influence in some communities, had some involvement. signs of anger over the irish sea border are everywhere you look here. but to say that what happened at the weekend is a direct result of brexit isn't the full picture. loyalist paramilitaries are under pressure from police who have been cracking down on their criminal activities. a series of recent raids and arrests have targeted paramilitary links drugs operations. i certainly think in a particular area of northern ireland that there are malign and criminal elements who are whipping up some of our young people. i've spoken to some of the youth workers in that area and i do

think there is a need to bring those young people into diversionary activities. unauthorised marches by loyalist flute bands were last night a symbol of non—violent protest, and sources say more are planned in the days ahead. emma vardy, bbc news. the time is 6:17pm. our top story this evening. the prime minister advises people to keep getting the jab as questions continue over the astra—zeneca vaccine and rare blood clots we vaccine and rare blood clots are stargazing under d and we are stargazing under dark skies and with less light pollution during lockdown we have had some spectacular views. coming up on sportsday on the bbc news channel. england's sarah taylor on why now is the right time to return to professional cricket in this summer's hundred after her retirement from playing because of anxiety issues two years ago.

the pandemic may be a massive medical challenge but for millions of families it is also a financial one. according to government figures, nearly nine million people had to borrow more money last year because of the impact of coronavirus. the virus has heightened regional inequalities and widened the gap between the high paid and low paid. our business correspondent sarah corker has been speaking to two families — and just a warning — her report contains flashing images. we were like basically reaching out and saying, look, we are scared about what is happening. can we pay 65% of our rent this month so we've got a bit of money back? the main thing isjust trying to pay the bills and that's the hardest bit. i'm one of the fortunate ones because my daughter helps me out and i feel bad about that. it should be the other way round. family finances squeezed by the pandemic.

across britain, covid has changed the way we live, work, and our ability to pay the bills. basically they served us with a court notice for eviction. for the morgan family, the impact was immediate and unexpected. akeem and eleanor run their own company, running creative art workshops across liverpool but all of that stopped. what impact did lockdown have on your ability to earn money? we went from being self—employed on regular work to basically universal credit. it was really difficult, because it wasn't just our roles as professionals within our community, it was also as a family and parents and how do we navigate this? covid has also brought regional inequalities into sharper focus. outside of london and the south—east, you are less likely to be able to do yourjob from home. in parts of the north

of england they have had especially high infection rates and have been under severe local lockdowns far longer than anywhere else. not all parts of the country will be able to bounce back from this pandemic in the same way. so areas in the north of england, for example, will be starting this pandemic from a point of low resilience, lower levels of public health and fewer opportunities for people. in mansfield in nottinghamshire, margaret's work as a supply teacher dried up. everybody is trying to compete for the few jobs that are out there. she will have to work at least another five years to get her state pension, but has struggled to find another job. so the roles have reversed. daughter cordelia is the main breadwinner with her salary of around £16,000. it's a huge responsibility. because most of my money is going on running - the house and supporting my mum as well. - so, there often isn't much left for me. i i feel bad that i'm having

to put her in this situation, because, you know, well, we had no choice, really, and my daughter has been very generous. she has given me most of her wage at the moment which is allowing us to tick over. my son is a student so he can't contribute very much. margaret is now retraining with the help of a university grant. akeel and eleanor have caught up on the bills as their work comes back. and both families hope that the worst is now behind them. sarah corker, bbc news. let's take a look at some of today's other news. nicola sturgeon has confirmed she expects all schools in scotland to fully reopen after the easter holidays, with only pupils who are shielding remaining out of the classroom. the first minister also welcomed the arrival of the first batch of the moderna coronavirus vaccine in scotland saying it would provide "greater security of supply". mental health "hubs" for new, expectant or bereaved mothers are to be set up around england.

the 26 sites, due to be opened by next april, will offer physical health checks and psychological therapy in one building. nhs england said these centres would provide treatment for about 6,000 new parents in the first year. kremlin critic alexei navalny has said he has a persistent cough and temperature, and that there have been cases of tuberculosis in his prison. he has now started a hunger strike to protest at his medical care and one of his doctors was arrested during a protest outside the prison earlier today. the kremlin says he is getting appropriate care. a 34—year—old man has appeared in court charged in connection with a car crash that killed a two—week—old boy in a pram. ciaran leigh morris was being pushed along the pavement by family members, when he was struck on sunday afternoon. our correspondent, phil mackie, is at the scene of the crash for us this evening.

just tell us what the court heard today. just tell us what the court heard toda . , ., ., , ., today. first of all let me explain where i today. first of all let me explain where i am- _ today. first of all let me explain where i am. this _ today. first of all let me explain where i am. this is _ today. first of all let me explain where i am. this is where - today. first of all let me explain where i am. this is where they l today. first of all let me explain - where i am. this is where they have been bringing flowers, cards, toys and messages all day and all along the high street they have dressed it with blue ribbons. this is where ciaran was being pushed in his buggy y ' bugg ' h|s d in ' g pushe be|n as n w ciara by ciaran was being pushed in his buggy by his parents who were just teenagers, on sunday afternoon, when a bmw driven byjames davis came teenagers, on sunday afternoon, when a bmw driven by james davis came off the road and hit the pram and sadly ciaran was killed. james davis appeared at wolverhampton magistrates�* court today and has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, causing death by driving without insurance as well as failing to stay at the scene and failing to stay at the scene and failing to stay at the scene and failing to report the collision. he has been remanded in custody and will appear at wolverhampton crown court next month. we have had some statements from ciaran�*s parents who said that their hearts will always ache. we did not get to keep you along, but we are happy we had the

chance to meet you and even the police officers investigating say they are numb at what happened here. george? sir ed davey has launched the liberal democrat�*s campaign for england�*s local and mayoral elections next month. the party�*s leader gave a speech calling on voters to "choose a new direction" for communities to recover and rebuild from the coronavirus pandemic, before visiting a local pub in watford. he also pledged to invest more in greener neighbourhoods. if you vote conservative you are voting against your community, and against a healthy local environment. if you vote labour, you are voting for a party that really listens to community and isn�*t standing up to this conservative government. —— rarely. but if you vote liberal democrat, you are voting for your community, for your environment. for a party with a real vision fora fairer, greener, more caring country. the actor paul ritter, who was best known for his role

in friday night dinner on channel four, has died of a brain tumour at the age of 5a. he played martin goodman in the popular comedy. he also appeared in the drama, chernobyl, and the films harry potter and the half—blood prince, and quantum of solace. his family said he died peacefully at home with his family at his side. now, it�*s hard to find an upside to the pandemic but one unexpected benefit of lockdown has been some truly stunning views of the night sky. according to new research from a countryside charity it�*s because levels of light pollution fell dramatically during the pandemic. as our chief environment correspondent, justin rowlatt reports, light pollution can affect human health and wildlife by disturbing biological cycles and behaviours. this is what a truly dark sky looks like. billions of stars wheel above the kielder observatory

in northumberland. set deep in a forest, the observatory enjoys the darkest skies in england. and, throughout lockdown, senior astronomer dan monk has been filming the incredible views. people often do get emotional when they sit underneath this amazing dark sky and they realise how small they are in the universe. it can actually make people cry, at times. it�*s estimated 85% of us have never seen a truly dark sky. it means we are missing out because — it gives us a sense of our place in the universe, the awesome vastness of space. but look at this. even a tiny light is enough to extinguish the stars and bring us right back down to earth. the reduction in light pollution this year is an exception. satellite images show the night sky

has been getting steadily lighter across the world. changes in light have been linked with obesity, heart disease, depression and even cancer. you see, she's shaking? and some animals suffer even more profoundly. there are such a range of animals which are negatively impacted from this. when you think of our migrating birds, for instance, which are drawn off course by lights. insects, vast numbers of moths drawn to those lights, where they batter themselves to death or where they are predated by bats which change their behaviour to visit those lights, perhaps to their advantage, but to the deficit of other species of bats. so all of this is happening out there in our night. so what can be done? the good news is we can tackle light pollution relatively easily. small measures like businesses making sure they are turning their lights off at night time when the buildings aren't in use. also, local government making sure that street lamps are properly

shaded and the lights targeted, so it is not spilling out there and creating unnecessary light blight. that will mean more of us can see sights like this. justin rowlatt, bbc news, northumberland. time for a look at the weather. clear skies tonight and we have a really nippy night on the way, just like last night with the arctic area still over a split over the next couple of days it will turn less cold compared to what we have had in the last day or so. let�*s have a look at the forecast through the evening. still wintry showers around but they are starting to die away and also the current of cold air that has been over us will move out into the north sea, so the winds are falling later tonight and there will be one or two icy patches here and there and the temperatures down to freezing or below as far as the south coast of england and certainly

in the glens of scotland around “4 or five in the glens of scotland around “4 orfive again. tomorrow in the glens of scotland around “4 or five again. tomorrow looks something like this, waking up to crisp sunshine in the morning and there might be one or two wintry showers in the morning across scotland but through the afternoon there will be a change and the winds. to come off the atlantic and they will dragon some cloud, so after a sunny, crisp morning it looks like for most of us that the afternoon is looking a little more overcast, but still pretty cold at 4 degrees in newcastle and seven or eight in the south. on thursday the low pressure will temporarily bring a milder weather in our direction, so it will not be quite as cold. the reason is this where front moving in to bring outbreaks of rain or at least some cloud to north—western areas and the wind direction changes out of the south—west and the temperatures pick up, and the south of the country around double figures, even far north, i2 celsius with sunshine but rain in western parts of scotland. this will only be a temporary recovery to the temperatures and on thursday and friday you can see 11 degrees for

london and cardiff but by the time we get to the weekend it does look as though it will turn just that little bit colder again, so below average for the time of year throughout. that�*s all from the bbc news at six — so it�*s goodbye from me — and on bbc one we nowjoin the bbc�*s news teams where you are.