this is bbc news with the latest headlines. david cameron has indicated that he's prepared to give evidence to mps investigating how the government responded when he lobbied ministers on behalf of the collapsed finance company, greensill capital. surge testing for the south african covid variant is expanded — it's now taking place in four london boroughs — in a bid to halt its spread. say his name! duante wright! a fourth night of protests in the us city of minneapolis, following the fatal shooting of a young black man — daunte wright — by a white police officer, who's been charged with second—degree manslaughter. the us confirms it will complete its military withdrawal from afghanistan by september the 11th — the 20th anniversary

of the al-qaeda terror attacks. rehearsals have been taking place ahead of the funeral of the duke of edinburgh on saturday. we'll find out details of who will attend later. and a major landslide sends 4,000 tonnes of rock tumbling onto a beach on dorset�*sjurassic coast. hello and welcome to bbc news. david cameron says he'll "respond positively" to any requests for him to give evidence to the lobbying inquiry into greensill. the former prime minister has faced criticism for contacting ministers in an attempt to win financial support for the firm before it collapsed.

it's sparked a wider row over private companies�* attempts to influence government. 0ur political correspondent helen catt reports. the way david cameron used his contacts with ministers on behalf of the businessman who employed him, lex greensill, sparked a row about lobbying that has dominated westminster for days. yesterday, conservative mps voted against setting up a special parliamentary investigation. so the noes have it, the noes have it. but an existing committee of mps will look into at least some of it. greensill capital has since collapsed. the treasury select committee will look into the lessons that can be learned from that, and how the treasury itself responded to lobbying on the firm's behalf. it's thought other committees might do the same, and one of them is likely to ask david cameron to give evidence. his spokesman said he would respond positively to any such requests when the terms of reference were clear. the controversy is likely to come up again today in parliament. lord pickles, who chairs the body which vets jobs ministers and senior

officials can take when they leave government, is due to appear before mps. it's been planned for a while, but earlier this week he expressed concerns when it emerged that a senior civil servant, bill crothers, had been allowed to work part—time for greensill in 2015 whilst still doing his governmentjob. the most senior civil servant in the country, simon case, has told the heads of all departments they have to declare by the end of the week if any of their officials have second jobs like this. none of this affects the review announced by borisjohnson into the links between greensill and government. that is being led by a lawyer, who the prime minister says will have free rein to speak to whoever he needs to. the evidence will be heard privately, but it's due to report the result injune. helen catt, bbc news. 0ur chief political correspondent adam fleming joins me now. so, labourdidn�*t so, labour didn't get at the inquiry it wanted yesterday in that vote, however what we now have is a number

of investigations over and above the nigel boardman review announced by the prime minister. goad nigel boardman review announced by the prime minister.— the prime minister. good morning, labour failed _ the prime minister. good morning, labour failed in _ the prime minister. good morning, labour failed in their— the prime minister. good morning, labour failed in their tactic - labour failed in their tactic yesterday in getting a new committee established which could investigate all of this stuff but they achieved their objective, or it has been achieved for them, because there will be a slew of enquiries which will be a slew of enquiries which will have the power to call witnesses and speak to them in public. and we will see some of that happening in about half an hour's time because lord nicholls, former conservative cabinet minister who no chairs the committee that advises ministers and civil servants when they take up jobs ministers and civil servants when they take upjobs in ministers and civil servants when they take up jobs in the private sector, is going to be giving evidence and he has quite strong views and is a plain speaking sort of person, so i imagine we will get some more headlines about this whole relationship between government, civil service, former government, former civil service and business. and i suppose the big question will be, when we put all of these different enquiries and investigations together, where we get what amounts to the gold

standard of transparency in all of this? it standard of transparency in all of this? , , ., ., this? it depends what the gold standard of — this? it depends what the gold standard of transparency - this? it depends what the gold i standard of transparency actually is, people would be fine that in different ways and that is that the question. we will get a lot of sound and fury, and over the next few weeks we could even see david cameron himself appearing before a select committee, in front of the cameras, being asked questions for hours potentially. maybe we will get rishi sunak, the chancellor, dragged in, too. what about lex greensill, the businessman at the heart of it? will he be summoned to give evidence? at the big question is whether that leads to any change in the rules. in terms of number ten's thinking, they have commissioned their own inquiry led by a lawyer and it will report by the end of june and i think they are waiting to see what that says before then deciding what to do about the system, but you can bet your bottom dollar that eric pickles, the chair of the advisory committee on business appointments, will make some pretty strong suggestions

because he feels he could have a lot more power to scrutinise how people take up jobs more power to scrutinise how people take upjobs in the private more power to scrutinise how people take up jobs in the private sector after they have been paid by the public purse. after they have been paid by the public purse-— after they have been paid by the ublic urse. �* ., . ~' ,, , public purse. adam, thank you very much. iain anderson is executive chair of cicero amo, one of the country's biggest consultant lobbying companies. very good to have you with us. for those who don't know exactly what the lobbying industry does, tell us and what rules do you operate under? yes, so i have to operate under some very strict rules. i have to declare who my clients are, i have to declare who my lobbyists are. what is lobbying about? it is a legitimate part of any democracy. it is about trying to influence government policy, influence legislation, so trade unions can do it, businesses can do it, charities can do it. the really important point about this, though, is

transparency, we really need to see who is lobbying to an 80% of the time, we can't.— who is lobbying to an 80% of the time, we can't. you say you operate under strict _ time, we can't. you say you operate under strict guidelines _ time, we can't. you say you operate under strict guidelines but _ time, we can't. you say you operate under strict guidelines but lots - time, we can't. you say you operate under strict guidelines but lots of i under strict guidelines but lots of people would say, actually, that guidelines are way too elastic. even the prime minister in houses of parliament yesterday said, the house of commons, said that some people may not have fully understood where the boundaries lay, so are they strict or are they too elastic? well, the laws that the david cameron, rather ironically, the david cameron government put in place in 2014 are a joke. they don't cover 80% of lobbying, they capture people like me. we are about to hear from eric pickles in terms of what shall we say, the revolving door rules between whitehall and lobbying, but it is a completely ridiculous state of affairs to see a former prime minister engaging in secret lobbying and a former civil servant, when he was a civil

servant, when he was a civil servant, also acting for outside interests. it is a mess and it needs to be reformed.— to be reformed. even if there is reform, to be reformed. even if there is reform. what — to be reformed. even if there is reform, what is _ to be reformed. even if there is reform, what is to _ to be reformed. even if there is reform, what is to stop - to be reformed. even if there is| reform, what is to stop lobbying happening in private?— reform, what is to stop lobbying happening in private? well, the way we sou~ht happening in private? well, the way we sought all— happening in private? well, the way we sought all of— happening in private? well, the way we sought all of this, _ happening in private? well, the way we sought all of this, i _ happening in private? well, the way we sought all of this, i think, - happening in private? well, the way we sought all of this, i think, is - we sought all of this, i think, is quite simple. rather than a register of lobbyists, let's get a register of lobbyists, let's get a register of lobbying. so everybody can see who is trying to influence the public policy process. what we can't haveis public policy process. what we can't have is secret lobbying going on. 0ften, have is secret lobbying going on. often, i come on these programmes to say there is no lobbying scandal. this is a lobbying scandal and, hopefully, it is time for a reset. but how would it register of lobbying, ratherthan but how would it register of lobbying, rather than lobbyists, deal with that issue of people having conversations in private through back channels, which are never transparent?— never transparent? well, this is about ethics. _ never transparent? well, this is about ethics. so _ never transparent? well, this is about ethics. so this _ never transparent? well, this is about ethics. so this is, - never transparent? well, this is about ethics. so this is, for- never transparent? well, this isj about ethics. so this is, for me, never transparent? well, this is l about ethics. so this is, for me, a story that goes way beyond lobbying.

this is about ethics, about standards in public life. this is what we call in the business community, about good governance. right now, whitehall and westminster clearly don't have a very good governance and some questionable ethics. i governance and some questionable ethics. ., r' governance and some questionable ethics. . ~ ., ., ethics. i asked adam fleming a moment ago — ethics. i asked adam fleming a moment ago whether _ ethics. i asked adam fleming a moment ago whether all - ethics. i asked adam fleming a moment ago whether all of - ethics. i asked adam fleming a l moment ago whether all of these different enquiries, committees etc into this whole affair will get to what is the gold standard of transparency and he said there are different opinions on what that gold standard is. what do you say it is? i say you declare who is lobbying, you declare who you are lobbying on behalf of and everybody should have to do that, whether or not it is me, as a registered consultant lobbyist, or a trade group or a business or a bank, whoever it is, we are far too far away from that right now. it feels like groundhog day on this story and i really hope this is a moment to reset the entire lobbying

world. ., moment to reset the entire lobbying world. . ~ ,., . world. 0k, iain anderson, executive chair of cicero, _ world. 0k, iain anderson, executive chair of cicero, thank _ world. 0k, iain anderson, executive chair of cicero, thank you _ world. 0k, iain anderson, executive chair of cicero, thank you for - world. 0k, iain anderson, executive chair of cicero, thank you for your i chair of cicero, thank you for your time. four out of every five positive rapid coronavirus tests taken in the last month appear to have returned a correct result — that's according to the latest figures from public health england. there had been concerns about the reliability of the lateral flow tests, but scientists say the latest results show they can be a valuable tool in controlling the pandemic. the tests are now available for free to everyone in england, while a similar scheme will be introduced in scotland from the end of the month. introducing so—called coronavirus vaccine passports could amount to unlawful discrimination — that's the warning from the equalities watchdog. the government is considering introducing the covid—status certificates for entry into some events and venues in england. but the equalities and human rights commission says the scheme risks creating a two—tier society and further marginalising poorer people and those from some ethnic minority groups. northern ireland is expected to announce plans later to allow

hairdressers to re—open a week from tomorrow. under the proposed timetable, non—essential shops would also re—open at the end of the month. unlike the rest of the uk, northern ireland has yet to publish a road map out of lockdown. 0ur ireland correspondent chris page is in belfast. at stormont, where the discussions will be taking place. chris, what more can you tell us about key dates and the future of any road map out of lockdown there?— of lockdown there? yes, there is definitely a _ of lockdown there? yes, there is definitely a sense _ of lockdown there? yes, there is definitely a sense of— of lockdown there? yes, there is definitely a sense of anticipation | definitely a sense of anticipation here in northern ireland this morning. so far, as you say, there are no dates in place for all of the different sectors of the economy to reopen, though restrictions have been eased somewhat over the last few weeks and, also, the devolved government here at the stormont executive have set out a five stage plan to move northern ireland out of lockdown, although there wasn't a

firm timetable attached to each of the five steps in that plan. that may well be changing today, the executive will be meeting later on this morning and it's they will be considering a paper which is setting out some dates over the next few weeks for reopening. for example, next friday, the 23rd of april, under the plan," tax services like hairdressers would come back, also driving tests would resume —— close contact services. after that, all shops reopening on the 30th of april and into next month, the 10th of may, hospitality businesses could reopen with up to six people from two households allowed to sit outside and enjoy a meal and a drink. so those are the key dates as regards many people and some sort of semblance of normal life returning. beyond that, the executive will, it is thought, decide, really from the 1st ofjune, it will be the earliest

there can be a wider reopening. for example, hotels wouldn't be able to reopen before then and indoor socialising wouldn't be allowed before the start ofjune, although it looks like, beforejune, the number of people able to meet up outside inside private gardens will be increased, so people from up to three households could meet in a garden, for example, so all of this to be decided by ministers and they will publish the latest health advice but all the indications are coronaviruses under control here, the number of deaths and hospitalisations have fallen a lot and the stormont assembly has been recalled for a special sitting at 3pm this afternoon, so that points towards a significant announcement. let me also ask you about a meeting due to take place today between brandon lewis, secretary of state for northern ireland, andy island forest minute —— foreign minister simon coveney, questions around the northern ireland protocol and perhaps something else on the agenda. tell us about that. that is

ri . ht, agenda. tell us about that. that is right. simon _ agenda. tell us about that. that is right, simon coveney _ agenda. tell us about that. that is right, simon coveney is _ agenda. tell us about that. that is right, simon coveney is in - agenda. tell us about that. that is right, simon coveney is in london| right, simon coveney is in london for two days to have talks with senior members of the government, brandon lewis, as you mentioned and the foreign secretary dominic raab, the foreign secretary dominic raab, the government's chief brexit negotiator lord frost and he will also be meeting with keir starmer and senior members of the shadow cabinet, so on the agenda for all of those talks, as you say, the northern ireland protocol. while simon coveney can't negotiate on the details of the protocol, there will be various ideas around to smooth its operation and smooth the trade between northern ireland and the rest of the uk, because those negotiations are handled by brussels, of course, not by dublin, but he can certainly talk to the government about various aspects of the protocol and how it is operating and also of course about the recent street violence in northern ireland, most of which has taken place in loyalist areas. there have been nearly 90 police officers injured in

a week of trouble on the streets, up until last friday night, so that it has, of course, raised much concern here in belfast, also in london and dublin and one of the significant factors in all of that was a sense of unease in loyalist areas about the northern ireland protocol, which loyalists see as imposing a trade border between northern ireland and great britain, said that it's all in the mix. talks between the uk and the mix. talks between the uk and the eu do seem to be progressing and simon coveney�*s visit will discuss both the wider picture of the northern ireland protocol, the brexit arrangements were northern ireland and what has been happening on the ground here with those very unfortunate scenes of rioting in belfast and other places across northern ireland.— belfast and other places across northern ireland. chris, thank you very much- _ performance statistics for the nhs in england will be published this morning, detailing a&e attendance figures for march and elective surgery and cancer waits for february. last month, those waiting lists hit

a record high of 4.6 million, with 300,000 having to wait more than a year — that's compared to 1,600 before the pandemic. we can speak now to dr emeka 0korocha, who is an emergency doctor in east london. good to have you with us and we are waiting on those latest stats, as we said in the introduction but ijust wonder, looking at the most recent figures we have and the story they tell, how much your experience chimes with the story of people having to wait, huge pressure on the nhs, of course. having to wait, huge pressure on the nhs. of course-— nhs, of course. yes, so we know, in the nhs, nhs, of course. yes, so we know, in the nhs, there _ nhs, of course. yes, so we know, in the nhs, there has— nhs, of course. yes, so we know, in the nhs, there has been _ nhs, of course. yes, so we know, in the nhs, there has been huge - the nhs, there has been huge pressure for many years in terms of waiting times and i do bear with patience because often when you see them with a&e, they are presented because they haven't been able to get an appointment or the pain or whatever sinton has become too much and they have to see us, and sometimes these appointments have to be expedited and they have to be admitted, but over the last year,

the priority has obviously been coronavirus, so we have had to redeploy a number of nhs workers into the emergency sector and this has obviously meant a little waiting time on elective procedures and stuff, which would normally be outpatient dates. like any system in the uk, we have had to change things up the uk, we have had to change things up a little bit and this unfortunately has had an effect on patients and we know waiting times have increased, but now we see ourselves slowly getting out of the pandemic, we see the case numbers dropping and the death toll dropping and we are finally getting back into and we are finally getting back into a position where we can cater to the patients who come and other out outpatient appointments still pending. i outpatient appointments still endinu. , , ., pending. i my next question about how it has been _ pending. i my next question about how it has been in _ pending. i my next question about how it has been in recent - pending. i my next question about how it has been in recent weeks, i how it has been in recent weeks, let's look back over the last month, do you feel an easing of the pressure? clearly there is a great build—up of demand for various medical services but, perhaps, build—up of demand for various medicalservices but, perhaps, in emergency medicine, your area, are you seeing an easing of the pressure?—

you seeing an easing of the ressure? . , , ., , ., pressure? that is the beauty of medicine. _ pressure? that is the beauty of medicine. it — pressure? that is the beauty of medicine, it is _ pressure? that is the beauty of medicine, it is 24-hours, - pressure? that is the beauty of| medicine, it is 24-hours, seven pressure? that is the beauty of- medicine, it is 24-hours, seven days medicine, it is 24—hours, seven days a week and never really stops, but we have seen a difference in their patients. we had so many patients presenting with shortness of breath and covid symptoms during the winter months and it was very difficult, because the influx of patients all at the same time was making a&e very, very busy and it was very difficult for patients presenting with other symptoms. now we have seen an easing of that, we are getting into a routine where we are seeing a lot more different presentations of patients, seeing a lot more ailments, so you are seeing fractures, heart attacks, a lot of stuff we were seeing before and patients who were a little bit tentative to come to a&e are now presenting, which obviously is good in terms of a medical sense but from a covid point of view, it is showing us the difference between what a&e was before, during and after covid. we can see it on the frontline but

the patients probably can't see the way we can. the patients probably can't see the way we can-— way we can. looking back over the last ear way we can. looking back over the last year or _ way we can. looking back over the last year or so. — way we can. looking back over the last year or so, what _ way we can. looking back over the last year or so, what stands - way we can. looking back over the last year or so, what stands out i way we can. looking back over the | last year or so, what stands out for you and is there anything, in retrospect, you would have done differently in terms of your approach to it and how you personally have handled it? honestly, it was a very difficult year because me, personally, i worked in a&e but i was redeployed onto covid wards and the difficult part for me was being on those wards dealing with those patients day in, day out and having to liaise with their families, day out and having to liaise with theirfamilies, because a lot day out and having to liaise with their families, because a lot of them didn't get better. a lot of them didn't get better. a lot of them unfortunately aren't with us any more and i think i wasn't quite ready for the approach of doing that every day, speaking to family members every day and telling them, unfortunately, your loved one may not make it or there has been a turn for the worse and i think, mentally, that takes a big toll on you and i didn't realise just how much of a toll it would take on me personally. i think in terms of a&e, we were always doing ourjob, we would bring patients in, take care of them, do

the initial approach into their care and admit them, but when you are actually on the covid ward, seeing patients day by day, you get attached to the patients, you get familiar with the families and unfortunately, when you lose a patient, it takes its toll on you and that is something i don't think anyone was really prepared for, especially myself. he anyone was really prepared for, especially myself.— anyone was really prepared for, especially myself. he qualified in 2016, was it? — especially myself. he qualified in 2016, was it? yes, _ especially myself. he qualified in 2016, was it? yes, that's - especially myself. he qualified in 2016, was it? yes, that's right. || 2016, was it? yes, that's right. i ruess 2016, was it? yes, that's right. i guess you _ 2016, was it? yes, that's right. i guess you never _ 2016, was it? yes, that's right. i guess you never expected - 2016, was it? yes, that's right. i guess you never expected so - 2016, was it? yes, that's right. || guess you never expected so soon 2016, was it? yes, that's right. i- guess you never expected so soon in your career to deal with that number of patients dying and having to talk to their families. of patients dying and having to talk to theirfamilies. doctor of patients dying and having to talk to their families. doctor emeka 0korocha, thank you very much your time, thanks to you and your colleagues for all of your work and we will be getting those stats in the next short while, the latest figures for a&e and also waiting lists for a number of services, including elective surgeries and cancer weights, so we will bring those as soon as we can and i'm interested to hear what your

experience of the nhs has been over the last year. have you gone to a&e? are you currently waiting for some sort of treatment that otherwise, if the pandemic hadn't happened, you would expect to have had by now? do send me your stories, you can send them on twitter and we will read some of those out. president biden is ending america's longest—ever war. american soldiers invaded afghanistan in 2001 — almost 20 years later, they are still there. but not for much longer. he will withdraw the remaining 2,500 troops by september the 11th — the anniversary of the terror attack that led to the invasion. here's what president biden had to say. keeping thousands of troops grounded and concentrated in just one country at a cost of billions each year makes little sense to me and to our leaders. we cannot continue the cycle of extending or expanding our military presence in afghanistan,

hoping to create ideal conditions for the withdrawal, and expecting a different result. so how will president biden's announcement affect the millions of afghans living in a deeply divided country? the taliban still control many areas, including parts of balkh province. from there, our correspondent secunder kermani reports. victory, they believe, is theirs. as american troops prepare to leave afghanistan, the taliban promises to create what they call an islamic government. but where does that leave millions of ordinary afghans? we've been given rare access to their territory to find out. early morning, we set off from the northern city of mazar—i—sharif. this province was once one of the most stable, now it is one of the most violent. we are just around half an hour's drive outside the main city, and already we're in taliban territory. 0ur hosts have put

on a show of force. their violent insurgency has cost the lives of tens of thousands of people. through checkpoints like this, the militants assert their authority. and where does the government control, then? us troops will be withdrawn later this year, but the fighting here will likely continue. negotiations between the taliban and afghan government has achieved little so far. for the past year, you've not been fighting against the americans, you've been fighting against other afghans, other muslims. this man is the taliban's shadow mayor in this part

of balkh province. he gives us a tour of the area. 0ne, one, one. class one? class one. there are girls. in the 1990s, the taliban banned female education, and in other areas there are reports they still don't allow older girls to attend school. but, here, at least, they are supporting it. the school is funded by the government, but monitored by the taliban. local sources told us the taliban removed art and citizenship studies from the curriculum, adding islamic subjects, but otherwise follow the national syllabus. the taliban wanted to present us with a positive image. throughout the trip, we were accompanied by them at all times.

residents we spoke to at a local bazaar expressed support for the group, saying they brought security, but later we were told about villagers being slapped for shaving their beards, or having stereos smashed for listening to music. many, particularly in afghan cities, fear the taliban want to recreate their repressive islamic emirate of the 1990s. do you think that you did things wrong back then, and would things be different now? there's a diplomatic push for the taliban to agree to a power—sharing arrangement. so far, though, the group has shown little desire to compromise. the price of peace may well mean getting into more of their demands. giving into more of their demands.

secunder kermani, bbc news, balkh province. a major landslide has sent 4,000 tonnes of rock tumbling onto a beach on dorset�*s jurassic coast. it's the biggest landslip to happen there in 60 years and, as you can see, the incident has dramatically changed the coast�*s landscape. 0ur correspondentjohn maguire is in bridport, where the landslide happened. good morning. so what weather conditions that caused this huge landslip? we conditions that caused this huge landsli - ? ~ ., ~ conditions that caused this huge landsli? ~ ., ,, ., ., landslip? we will talk about that in 'ust a landslip? we will talk about that in just a second _ landslip? we will talk about that in just a second with _ landslip? we will talk about that in just a second with an _ landslip? we will talk about that in just a second with an expert. - landslip? we will talk about that in just a second with an expert. it - landslip? we will talk about that in just a second with an expert. it is i just a second with an expert. it is a combination of wet dry geology coastal erosion and all sorts of different factors, but we will unpack the science in a second. i just wanted to show you this. since we have been here this morning, obviously the currents and tides have brought this silt across, which still material coming down from the

landslide, and although we are shooting into the sun so it is a bit tricky and, of course, we are keeping a safe difference, it gives you an idea ofjust how much material has come down. it looks like mud to the naked eye but when you look closely, there are huge boulders in amongst it and out into the water you can also see trees and bushes and some of the vegetation that would have come down from a certain part of the cliff. we think the cliffs here are probably around 500 feet high, so a spectacular sight to say the least. sam, good morning, from thejurassic heritage trust, a geologist and anita was asking what has caused this? it is a com - letel asking what has caused this? it is a completely natural— asking what has caused this? it is a completely natural event, - asking what has caused this? it is a completely natural event, of- asking what has caused this? it is a l completely natural event, of course, the cliffs _ completely natural event, of course, the cliffs doing their thing but the particulars here are all down to the arrangement of the geology. you have this grey— arrangement of the geology. you have this grey clay and on top of that, beds _ this grey clay and on top of that, beds are — this grey clay and on top of that, beds are quite porous sandstone which _ beds are quite porous sandstone which has — beds are quite porous sandstone which has soaked up water over the wet winter— which has soaked up water over the wet winter months and you can see it

dribbling _ wet winter months and you can see it dribbling out across the top of the l rey dribbling out across the top of the grey clay — dribbling out across the top of the grey clay on the cliff face, the wet patches _ grey clay on the cliff face, the wet patches are where the water is literally— patches are where the water is literally flowing out from inside the cliff— literally flowing out from inside the cliff out onto the cliff face. so you — the cliff out onto the cliff face. so you have this heavy, wet sandstone on top and, as it starts to dry— sandstone on top and, as it starts to dry out, — sandstone on top and, as it starts to dry out, its properties start to change _ to dry out, its properties start to change and — to dry out, its properties start to change and it weakens and it collapses. but why here? why this particular— collapses. but why here? why this particular spot? nobody knows and these _ particular spot? nobody knows and these things are always completely unpredictable. find these things are always completely unpredictable-— unpredictable. and they do happen uuite unpredictable. and they do happen quite often- _ unpredictable. and they do happen quite often. although _ unpredictable. and they do happen quite often. although this - unpredictable. and they do happen quite often. although this is - unpredictable. and they do happen quite often. although this is a - unpredictable. and they do happen quite often. although this is a very| quite often. although this is a very large one and it's spectacular to us to see, this stretch of coastline, these events happen fairly regularly, don't they? yes, it is one of the _ regularly, don't they? yes, it is one of the best _ regularly, don't they? yes, it is one of the best things - regularly, don't they? yes, it is one of the best things about. regularly, don't they? yes, it is| one of the best things about the world _ one of the best things about the world heritage site, it is a largely natural— world heritage site, it is a largely natural coastline which is allowed to evolve — natural coastline which is allowed to evolve on its own with natural processes — to evolve on its own with natural processes and this is it, the coast doing _ processes and this is it, the coast doing its— processes and this is it, the coast doing its thing. some people will look at _ doing its thing. some people will look at this and think it is damaging the coast in some way and, of course, _ damaging the coast in some way and, of course, it— damaging the coast in some way and, of course, it is a hazard for people

that this, — of course, it is a hazard for people that this, in— of course, it is a hazard for people that this, ina— of course, it is a hazard for people that this, in a sense, is coast being — that this, in a sense, is coast being created and how this beautiful environment formed.— being created and how this beautiful environment formed. obviously no one will this away — environment formed. obviously no one will this away but _ environment formed. obviously no one will this away but a _ environment formed. obviously no one will this away but a natural— will this away but a natural element, that stretch of the beach, covered to shingle, as we have here. what is likely to have happened is that well— what is likely to have happened is that we'll have brought down a whole load of _ that we'll have brought down a whole load of very— that we'll have brought down a whole load of very big boulders with it but. _ load of very big boulders with it but. as— load of very big boulders with it but, as you said earlier, a lot of it is— but, as you said earlier, a lot of it is very— but, as you said earlier, a lot of it is very loose mud and sand and clay which— it is very loose mud and sand and clay which will be slowly stripped away _ clay which will be slowly stripped away naturally by the sea and the rain, _ away naturally by the sea and the rain. so _ away naturally by the sea and the rain. so if — away naturally by the sea and the rain, so if you came back it up the winter. _ rain, so if you came back it up the winter. for— rain, so if you came back it up the winter, for example, a lot of that would _ winter, for example, a lot of that would probably be gone but what is left may— would probably be gone but what is left may be a big boulder arc, so that might — left may be a big boulder arc, so that might be there for hundreds of years _ that might be there for hundreds of years so _ that might be there for hundreds of years. so we may never get back to this shingle — years. so we may never get back to this shingle beach in that spot again — this shingle beach in that spot aaain. ~ ~' ., this shingle beach in that spot aaain. ~ ~ ., ., ., ., , again. we know the nationaltrust, that owns the _ again. we know the nationaltrust, that owns the land _ again. we know the nationaltrust, that owns the land and _ again. we know the nationaltrust, that owns the land and the - that owns the land and the clifftops, have closed the coastal footpath that runs across the edge of the cliff, so clearly people should respect nature, respect what is happening here and keep their death markedly distance. the

foot - ath death markedly distance. the footpath has _ death markedly distance. the footpath has been diverted, i should say, the _ footpath has been diverted, i should say, the countryside rangers have been _ say, the countryside rangers have been working with the national trust. — been working with the national trust, but they have cordoned off 250 metres of clifftop and within that cording, they are still expecting some cliff edge to collapse, so it is an active event. not only— collapse, so it is an active event. not only here on the beach with the silt and _ not only here on the beach with the silt and mud and you can imagine how treacherous _ silt and mud and you can imagine how treacherous it would be to try and cross. _ treacherous it would be to try and cross. but — treacherous it would be to try and cross, but the cliff edge is dangerous at the basic message is you can _ dangerous at the basic message is you can observe it from a safe distance — you can observe it from a safe distance but best to stay away and to be _ distance but best to stay away and to be honest, the drone footage and spectacular photographs taken from the air— spectacular photographs taken from the air by— spectacular photographs taken from the air by people is the best way to look at _ the air by people is the best way to look at this— the air by people is the best way to look at this thing. you the air by people is the best way to look at this thing.— look at this thing. you won't a better way _ look at this thing. you won't a better way for _ look at this thing. you won't a better way for -- _ look at this thing. you won't a better way for -- a _ look at this thing. you won't a better way for -- a better - look at this thing. you won't a l better way for -- a better view. better way for —— a better view. thank you very much. i don't know if you will be able to see this, it might be tricky to pick out shooting into the sun but where the top of the lower grade cliff is, there are sheep. the lower grade cliff is, there are shee -. ~ the lower grade cliff is, there are shee, . the lower grade cliff is, there are shee. ~ , the lower grade cliff is, there are sheep-— they i the lower grade cliff is, there are - sheep._ they didn't sheep. we can see them. they didn't come down — sheep. we can see them. they didn't come down with _ sheep. we can see them. they didn't come down with the _ sheep. we can see them. they didn't come down with the landslide. - sheep. we can see them. they didn't come down with the landslide. lookl come down with the landslide. look at them. the local sheep here...

they are pretty sure—footed, aren't they, they can cope with a lot of stuff. really dramatic, though and really curious to see the trees and the plants in the water. thank you very much for bringing us up to date in bridport. now it's time for a look at the weather. gosh, what a scenery. stunning. full stop and the weather is stunning across many parts of the uk this morning. it will remain so throughout this afternoon. we will see a little bit of cloud bubbling up see a little bit of cloud bubbling up here and there. across east anglia and the south—east, there is a possiblyjob a few showers by the time we get to early afternoon. they could be breaking out anywhere from norfolk, suffolk, essex and into the greater london area, possibly the south coast. but the vast majority of the country are in for a mostly sunny day. i think the mildest spot will be in scotland today. glasgow

and inverness, probably around 14 degrees or so. tonight, we do it all over again. the weather is settled, the wind is light and we are in for another frost. the wind is light and we are in for anotherfrost. it looks the wind is light and we are in for another frost. it looks like the wind is light and we are in for anotherfrost. it looks like it the wind is light and we are in for another frost. it looks like it will be just about frost free in western areas. inland, temperatures down to about minus two celsius. then, friday and into the weekend, the weather is looking fine as well, with more sunshine. but it is just that little bit cooler than what we would like for the time of the year. that's it, goodbye. hello, this is bbc news. the headlines... david cameron has indicated that he's prepared to give evidence to mps investigating how the government responded when he lobbied ministers on behalf of the collapsed finance company, greensill capital. surge testing for the south african covid variant has been extended to four london boroughs —

in a bid to halt its spread. a fourth night of protests in the us city of minneapolis, following the fatal shooting of a young black man — daunte wright — by a white police officer, who's been charged with second—degree manslaughter. the us confirms it will complete its military withdrawal from afghanistan by september the eleventh — the 20th anniversary of the al-qaeda terror attacks. rehearsals have been taking place ahead of the funeral of the duke of edinburgh on saturday — we'll find out details of who will attend later. and a major landslide sends 4,000 tonnes of rock tumbling onto a beach on dorset�*sjurassic coast. sport — and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here's jane. good morning. manchester city reached the semi finals of the champions league after beating borussia dortmund, but liverpool are out, losing to real madrid on aggregate. and it wasn'tjust a disappointing

night for the club on the pitch at anfield — as our sports correspondent joe wilson reports. the streets outside anfield, as close as the crowd could get, supporting their team. but look what happened to real madrid's bus. damage liverpool football club described as totally unacceptable and shameful. 0n the pitch, liverpool started two goals behind. two minutes into this second leg, well, that seemed too good a chance to waste. and just before half—time, this miss put the "why" into wijnaldum. move on, implored the manager. well, liverpool kept madrid out and kept going themselves, but having lost the first leg 3—1, 0—0 meant nothing. goalless and gone. meanwhile, at borussia dortmund, manchester city began 2—1 up but stand by for a lad from the english west midlands levelling the tie for the german team. commentator: jude bellingham with a fantastic finish! _ bellingham's just 17.

these days, germany is often the finishing school. now manchester city knew they had to score. there was urgency, there was de bruyne... there was the crossbar. nothing for city in the first half, but soon another chapter of confusion in the handball handbook. the ball struck emre can, penalty given. manchester city's manager had no doubts but the officials did. they looked at replays. did it hit his head first? was that arm natural? still a penalty. riyad mahrez�*s opportunity. commentator: manchester city are level! _ 3—2 to city overall, and now they had an away goal. then dortmund made a critical error. they left phil foden with time and space — for this. commentator: foden tries his luck, and scores. - if this is city's year for europe, well, maybe it's foden who makes the difference. joe wilson, bbc news. it's only the second time that

manchester city has reached the semi—finals of the competition and it means they're still in with a chance of winning four trophies this season. psychologically for all of us, for the players, myself, of course, for all of the staff, the chairman, for this moment, the quarterfinals, to get to the semifinal, that was necessary. now, of course, we want more. we are going to prepare the game, we know how tough they were, we will see what happens and how we arrive. forthe we will see what happens and how we arrive. for the club, we will see what happens and how we arrive. forthe club, especially we will see what happens and how we arrive. for the club, especially the players, good moment for all us. tonight, manchester united face grenada in the second leg of their quarter final tie in the europa league — and manager 0le gunner solskjaer will be hoping for a better home performance than of late. that's because the red seats at old trafford have been causing them problems — according to solsjkaer. this is how the stadium has looked for much of the season, but watch the lower tier on the left hand side of the picture. a few weeks ago the seat covers were changed to black, because the players complained they were in their peripheral

vision, making it hard to pass to each other. no excuses now. ben stokes has been named wisden's leading cricketer in the world for the second year in a row. he's currently injured with a broken finger, ruling him out of the ipl. but there was also a surprise inclusion in the bible of cricket. kent's darren stevens has become the oldest person since 1933 to be named as one of wisden's five cricketers of the year, and the fourth oldest recipient of all time. he's 44—years—old. just a baby! with fewer than 100 days to go until the tokyo 0lympics, adam peaty has given us a taste of what he's capable of. competing at the british olympic selection trials, he won the 100 metre breastroke with ease. his time of 57.39 seconds was more than a second quicker than anybody else — and he's now recorded the 20 fastest

times in the history of the event. there is more details on all of those stories on the bbc sport website. that's it for now. there's been a fourth night of protests in minneapolis following the fatal shooting of a young black man, daunte wright, by a police officer, kim potter, who has resigned from the police and faces manslaughter charges. she said she meant to draw her taser, rather than her gun. protesters have been demanding justice for daunte wright. but the manslaughter charge against the policewoman who killed him wasn't good enough for them. they wanted it to be murder. and so, another face—off with

police, the fourth night of unrest. kim potter had already resigned before she was arrested and booked into the countyjail. a bitter end to 26 years in the force. she was actually training a new officer when they stopped mr wright because of an expired car registration. they discovered a previous warrant for his arrest, and he tried to flee. the police department said she attempted to tase him but mistakenly drew her gun. ijust shot him. the civil rights attorney who represents the wright family called this an unlawful use of force, not an accident. all this training, at what point did you not feel that this was a gun in your hand, versus a taser? this has amplified tensions around the trial of derek chauvin, who is charged with killing george floyd. the latest witness was for the defence. he said mr floyd died of medical complications, rather than the force of mr chauvin's knee on his neck. 0r or is it your opinion that derek chauvin's me in any way impact of the structures of mr floyd's next?

no, did not, none of the vital structures _ all the defence needs to do is establish doubt that the former policeman is guilty, and only in the mind of onejuror. the jury is expected to begin consideration early next week. barbara plett usher, bbc news, minneapolis. military rehearsals have been taking place ahead of the funeral of the duke of edinburgh, who will be remembered at a service in windsor on saturday. around 730 members of the armed forces are expected to be out on parade for the ceremony— including four military bands. 0ur defence correspondent, jonathan beale, has been given special access to the first full rehearsal. 0ur royal correspondent sarah campbell is at windsor castle. we are expecting the names of the attendees to be announced, many of them will be close family members, but there will be room for others? good morning, a beautiful morning in windsor. the sun is shining over windsor. the sun is shining over windsor castle. quite a busy morning. 0bviously windsor castle. quite a busy morning. obviously there is lots of

preparations under way for the funeral, which is two days away now. as you say, announcements we are expecting today are more detail about the service itself on saturday, at 3pm. 0ne about the service itself on saturday, at 3pm. one of the guest list, as you say. in normal times, pre—pandemic, we would have expected something like 800 people to be filling st george's chapel. but that number has been reduced down tojust 30. of course, all will be socially distance and be wearing masks. as you say, its family. this is a family funeral. the queen and the duke of four children and eight grandchildren. that will take up quite a lot of the church. but we would also expect there to be so members of the duke of edinburgh's family, his blood relatives expected to be there as well. we will get those full details later this afternoon, as well as some other detail is a long time lines, who is doing what, what roles will be for certain members of the royalfamily.

there has been some controversy over military uniforms?— military uniforms? there has been, it has become _ military uniforms? there has been, it has become a _ military uniforms? there has been, it has become a bit _ military uniforms? there has been, it has become a bit of— military uniforms? there has been, it has become a bit of an _ military uniforms? there has been, it has become a bit of an issue - military uniforms? there has been, it has become a bit of an issue in i it has become a bit of an issue in the run—up to the funeral. that is because of the first of all prince harry, who served in afghanistan, but stepped back as a senior working member of the royal family. but stepped back as a senior working member of the royalfamily. he had his honorary military titles removed. and so he, under royal protocol, would not be allowed to wear a military uniform. prince andrew, who has also stepped back from front line royal duties, would have been allowed to wear a military uniform. 0n have been allowed to wear a military uniform. on an event, an occasion such as this one, would have expected senior men's of the royal family to wear uniforms. to save this from becoming a distraction, the compromise being reported in many papers this morning is that none of the senior members of the royalfamily will wear none of the senior members of the royal family will wear uniform. none of the senior members of the royalfamily will wear uniform. no royal family will wear uniform. no confirmation royalfamily will wear uniform. no confirmation from buckingham palace about that at the moment, but we

would expect a confirmation later this afternoon. i should say that also happening today, there will be also happening today, there will be a full military rehearsal happening within the grounds of windsor castle. of course, the military personnel haven't had very long to prepare for this funeral. but they will be wanting it to be absolutely perfect, not least to match up to the duke of edinburgh's no doubt very exacting standards. they want to make a perfect, not only as a sign of respect for the queen, but also, as i say, because that is what the duke of edinburgh would have expected. the the duke of edinburgh would have exected. ., , the duke of edinburgh would have exected. . , ., _, expected. the family have continued to -a expected. the family have continued to pay tribute _ expected. the family have continued to pay tribute to _ expected. the family have continued to pay tribute to him _ expected. the family have continued to pay tribute to him by _ expected. the family have continued to pay tribute to him by releasing . to pay tribute to him by releasing some select images, photos? same some select images, photos? some reall nice some select images, photos? some really nice photos _ some select images, photos? some really nice photos that _ some select images, photos? some really nice photos that were - really nice photos that were released yesterday evening from private collections. 0nce released yesterday evening from private collections. once that hadn't been seen before. i think probably the one that has been on most of the front pages this morning is the queen and the duke of edinburgh, surrounded by seven of their great—grandchildren. it was a photograph taken by the duchess of

cambridge back in 2018, at balmoral. at that point, they only had seven great grandchildren. 0f at that point, they only had seven great grandchildren. of course, now they have ten, with another one on they have ten, with another one on the way, as meghan, the duchess of sussex,is the way, as meghan, the duchess of sussex, is due to give birth this year. some lovely images. prince harry and the duke of edinburgh, but also ones, there was an image of the duke of edinburgh and prince charles playing polo, some personal images showing what a grandfather, great—grandfather the duke of edinburgh was. a family man, very much the head of the family. we were telling you we were expecting some performance statistics for nhs england, and those have just come through. we are hearing now that the total number of people waiting for routine operations in england is 4.7 million. that is the highest figure

since modern records began in 2007. last month we will tell you that waiting list hit a record high of 4.6 million. that list has grown since and it now stands at 4.7 million waiting for routine operations and procedures. so, the figures out this morning from nhs england for february also showed there were nearly 388,000 patients waiting more than a year for nonurgent surgery, from 304,000 the previous month. so, a significant uplift in the number of people waiting for nonurgent surgery. just by way of contrast, in february, the year before the pandemic hit, there werejust 1600 year before the pandemic hit, there werejust1600 people year before the pandemic hit, there were just 1600 people waiting year before the pandemic hit, there werejust1600 people waiting more than a yearfor werejust1600 people waiting more than a year for nonurgent surgery. so, from 1600, two 380,000 in february of this year. that is coming from hugh pym. we will be talking more about this with the royal college of nursing later in

this half hour. in three weeks' time, voters across england, scotland and wales will go to the polls for a series of elections. there'll be increased safety measures due to the pandemic and it will take longer to get the results. across bbc news today we're looking ahead to those elections and taking a look at the role local and devolved government plays in society. in a moment we'll speak to ailsa irvine from the electoral commission — but first let's take a look at what's happening where. it's the biggest election day until the next general election — and due to the cancellation of last year's local elections, on may the 6th thousands of seats across the uk are up for grabs. in england, they'll be voting in 143 local council authorities — with about 5,000 seats in contention. councillors are in change of many services — from bin collections to social care, sport facilities and libraries. there are also 13 mayoral elections — including greater manchester — the west midlands, london and for the first time in west yorkshire.

voters in london will also elect 25 members of the london assembly — who examine the mayors decisions voters in england & wales will also be asked to elect police and crime commissioners. they set the budget and priorities for police in their area. there are also national elections in scotland & wales. 129 seats are up for grabs in the scottish parliament. that's made up of 73 constituencies — and a further 56 seats made up from regional lists and in wales — 60 seats are in play — 40 constituencies — and a further 20 seats again made up from the regional list system. the election is on may 6th, but due to the coronavirus restrictions it will be a few days until we find out the results. joining me now is ailsa irvine from the electoral commission. that is, of course, the independent

body which oversees elections in the uk. ailsa, thank you very much for joining us. let's begin with how we can vote in these elections, and vote safely. what changes have been brought in because of the pandemic? local councils across great britain have been working hard over the last year to make sure polling stations will be safe places to vote on the 6th of may. so, polling stations will look different than they have donein will look different than they have done in previous elections. you can expect to see the kind of measures you are used to in other aspects of their day—to—day lives, like when they go to shops or banks. we are encouraging people to bring their own pencil to minimise contact, keep themselves and others are safe, voters should wear face coverings as they go to the polling station. you should be expecting to be asked to sanitise your hands on the way in and out, there will be measures in place to ensure social distancing, such as one—way systems and floor markings. so while these are in place to make sure that voters can vote confidently, if people do not

feel like they want to go to a polling station, they can vote by post. polling station, they can vote by ost. ., polling station, they can vote by ost. . , polling station, they can vote by ost. ., , . ., polling station, they can vote by ost. . , . ., , polling station, they can vote by ost. ., , .., , post. the deadline is coming up soon if ou want post. the deadline is coming up soon if you want to — post. the deadline is coming up soon if you want to apply _ post. the deadline is coming up soon if you want to apply for _ post. the deadline is coming up soon if you want to apply for a _ post. the deadline is coming up soon if you want to apply for a postal - if you want to apply for a postal vote? hf if you want to apply for a postal vote? , ., ., ., vote? if you live in england and wales, vote? if you live in england and wales. you _ vote? if you live in england and wales. you only _ vote? if you live in england and wales, you only have _ vote? if you live in england and wales, you only have until- vote? if you live in england and wales, you only have untilspmj vote? if you live in england and i wales, you only have until 5pm on tuesday the 20th of april to get your application in. you should go it online to the electoral commission website, download a form and get it back to your counsel as quickly as possible. in scotland, the deadline for postal voting has passed. in all cases, you can vote by proxy, which means appointing someone you trust to vote on your behalf. you have until 5pm on the 27th of april if you want an application for that. pare 27th of april if you want an application for that. 27th of april if you want an a- lication for that. �* , ., , application for that. are you seeing application for that. are you seeing a noticeable _ application for that. are you seeing a noticeable surge _ application for that. are you seeing a noticeable surge in _ application for that. are you seeing a noticeable surge in people - a noticeable surge in people applying for postal votes, or for someone else to vote for them? i think what we are seeing is that people are still come in the main, confident voting in person at a polling station, that is still the preferred method of voting. in scotland, where the deadline has passed, we have seen it has increased up to almost 25% of the electorate, but want to vote by post. that compares to an 18%, in the last comparable election in

2016. we are seeing that increase coming through. ii 2016. we are seeing that increase coming through-— 2016. we are seeing that increase coming through. if you are voting in erson coming through. if you are voting in person and — coming through. if you are voting in person and you _ coming through. if you are voting in person and you have _ coming through. if you are voting in person and you have forgotten - coming through. if you are voting in person and you have forgotten your| person and you have forgotten your mask, will you be able to get into a polling station in that circumstance? ~ , circumstance? absolutely, polling station staff— circumstance? absolutely, polling station staff will _ circumstance? absolutely, polling station staff will have _ circumstance? absolutely, polling station staff will have spare - circumstance? absolutely, polling station staff will have spare face l station staff will have spare face coverings, so if you have forgotten to bring one, they will be able to provide you with one. it will be possible to go in and cast your vote. ih possible to go in and cast your vote. , ., .. ., vote. in terms of the actual counting — vote. in terms of the actual counting of _ vote. in terms of the actual counting of the _ vote. in terms of the actual counting of the votes - vote. in terms of the actual counting of the votes and i counting of the votes and notification of results, we were mentioning in the introduction that is going to take longer than normal. put that in context, how much longer? put that in context, how much loner? , ., . longer? given the social distancing measures, longer? given the social distancing measures. the _ longer? given the social distancing measures, the fact _ longer? given the social distancing measures, the fact there _ longer? given the social distancing measures, the fact there are - longer? given the social distancing measures, the fact there are less i measures, the fact there are less staff employed and less people and accounts, it will take longer. and there are complex elections taking place, more ballots to be counted, people not starting voting until the day after the poll, when people might have previously counted overnight. we will see that happening over saturday, that is normal, and to be expected so it can

be done safely and accurately. ailsa, one more thought, do you think because of what we have been through in the last year, people have been at home more and think much more locally, do you think there is a greater appreciation and understanding, and perhaps interest in investigating how their localities are run and who runs them? ~ , , localities are run and who runs them? absolutely, people are going to be interested _ them? absolutely, people are going to be interested in _ them? absolutely, people are going to be interested in these _ them? absolutely, people are going to be interested in these elections. l to be interested in these elections. people are starting to engage, and we're starting see parties stepping up we're starting see parties stepping up their campaigns. i think people are engaged, looking for information on how to take part. i think the most important thing for anyone is if you are interested and you want to take part, you need to be registered to vote by midnight on monday. if you have recently moved home, or you have not registered before, get online, go to the website and do that now. thank you ve much website and do that now. thank you very much for— website and do that now. thank you very much for that, _ website and do that now. thank you very much for that, ailsa. _ website and do that now. thank you very much for that, ailsa. ailsa - very much for that, ailsa. ailsa irving, from the electoral commission, which oversees elections in the uk. let's return to those figures from the nhs out in the last

few minutes. they certainly bear repetition. this is from nhs england. the total number of people waiting for routine operations and procedures in england is 4.7 million. that figure is the highest since modern records began in 2007. so these figures were nhs england for february, they also show there were nearly 388,000 patients waiting more than a year for nonurgent surgery. compare that to february of the previous year, before the pandemic had hit in the uk, and there werejust1600 pandemic had hit in the uk, and there were just 1600 waiting for more than a year. so, from 1600 to 388,000. that really paints a picture of the pressure that the nhs right across the uk, although these figures are for nhs england, the pressure the nhs is under. we can speak now to patricia marcus, regional director for the royal couege regional director for the royal

college of nurses. i have pronounced your surname properly? i meant to check that in advance, apologies i didn't. those stats and the record figure for the total number of people waiting for routine operations and procedures, now at a record high, 4.7 million. you know, clearly that is having a bearing on the nurses that you represent? absolutely. it's really clear that the nhs has got a huge, huge task ahead of it, a lot to catch up on. but what that means is the staff within the nhs, the nurses within the nhs, they are going to have to continue to work at levels beyond what you would normally expect. that comes on top of the last year—and—a—half, where, because of covid, they have been going above and beyond. so, it does look like a really, really tough picture. the nurses across the nhs and outside the nhs, they absolutely want to make sure that as many patients as

possible get the treatment that they need as soon as they can. but we have to balance that against the impact that the levels of work have had already on the staff in the nhs, and what looks like we'll continue now for many years, in fact, to come. , now for many years, in fact, to come, , , . ., , now for many years, in fact, to come. , ,, , ,, come. yes, because the pressure, thankfully. — come. yes, because the pressure, thankfully, from _ come. yes, because the pressure, thankfully, from covid _ come. yes, because the pressure, thankfully, from covid seems - come. yes, because the pressure, thankfully, from covid seems to i come. yes, because the pressure, | thankfully, from covid seems to be easing in terms of the impact on the nhs. but as you say, the huge waiting lists that have built up, that means the pressure will continue. talk to me about nursing vacancies. 0f continue. talk to me about nursing vacancies. of course, existing staff are under pressure, huge pressure, but there are considerable numbers of nursing vacancies?— but there are considerable numbers of nursing vacancies? there are. we went into the _ of nursing vacancies? there are. we went into the pandemic— of nursing vacancies? there are. we went into the pandemic with - of nursing vacancies? there are. we went into the pandemic with about i went into the pandemic with about 40,000 vacancies in the nhs alone. that does not include where nurses work outside the nhs. we now know as well that there are many experienced staff who are thinking of leaving. we know that many people who were planning to retire over the last

year have stayed to help all the efforts, as well as a large number who have come back. but, actually, as the pandemic is subsiding and people are exhausted, they are now thinking, what next? many are thinking, what next? many are thinking of leaving. which has not been helped by the impact of the government's announcement about pay, for example. 0ver government's announcement about pay, for example. over the past year we saw lots of very warm words, clapping, real recognition of the contribution that nurses make to the nhs. and yet the government thought it was ok to announce that, potentially, a 1% rise was going to be adequate. there are signals that the government values, but actually doesn't really value. and that is not going to help us we come out of the pandemic, and don't actually start to pull back on activity. it will need to continue at these really, really significant levels. so, not good. taste really, really significant levels. so. not good-— really, really significant levels. so, not aood. ~ . ., ., ., so, not good. we have heard about a record number— so, not good. we have heard about a record number of _ so, not good. we have heard about a record number of people _ so, not good. we have heard about a record number of people being - record number of people being interested in a career in nursing.

clearly, they will take time to train. so, in the meantime, these 40,000 vacancies, who is going to make up that shortfall in terms of the effort, the sheer hard work that is represented by thosejobs? absolutely brilliant news that there are more numbers than ever interested in becoming students. that is fabulous. and we look forward to the time that they start, the time that they complete and come out into the workforce as registered nurses. in the meantime, the government might go needs to do all it can to keep every one of the staff that it currently has. they are looking to recruit overseas, looking to recruit back those that have retired and might want to go to the roles, and be innovative in the way that they seek to work. but the reality is that for all the great work that the nhs can do and is doing to try to recruit and retain, it is not going to be enough if they

don't really look after the well—being of the staff, pay them properly and really put them at the forefront of their minds. beds and equipment are only a small part of the story of what the nhs is going to need over the next four years. the priority has to be to get the stuff to —— the staff, to treat them well and do everything they can to make sure that staff have a good experience, which will lead to a better patient experience. thank you ve much better patient experience. thank you very much for— better patient experience. thank you very much for your _ better patient experience. thank you very much for your time. _ now it's time for a look at the weather with tomasz. nice, sunny day out there today. the winds are light as well. it's starting to feel warmer and warmer in that strong april sunshine, and not much change expected over the next two or three days. a look at the headline, dry for most. implying there could be some sprinkles of rain. even with this high pressure today, it's not going to be completely dry. in fact, we are expecting showers to form anywhere from lincolnshire, east anglia, the south—east,

home counties possibly, even to the south coast. places like brighton, perhaps portsmouth and southampton might catch one or two showers. and the breeze is also coming off the north sea. so it is a little on the chilly side with that north—north—east wind. you know how sometimes we mention there are a lot of isobars on the maps and it's windy? well, look, there's hardly any isobars, just one circling the uk. so, very little in the way of wind, which means that temperatures of 9—13 degrees in the april sunshine feels absolutely fine. so, here's the forecast for this evening and overnight. it's going to be a repeat performance of what we've been used to for quite some time now. so, clear skies and light wind, leading to frost. not desperately cold this coming night. i think most towns and cities will be hovering around about the zero mark, and some of these western coasts should be frost free. here is the high pressure for tomorrow. you can see it's actually centred across scandinavia. still influencing us, but weather fronts are trying to push in.

i think they will park themselves just to the west of ireland and the western isles during the course of friday. there might be some splits and spots of rain getting into the outer hebrides, but the vast majority of scotland should have a fine day. sunny for aberdeen, glasgow, liverpool and birmingham, all the way down to the south coast. another fine day tomorrow. i don't think we will have any showers in the south—east tomorrow. here's a look at a saturday. the high pressure is still there across scandinavia. it's still influencing our weather and the weather fronts are still to the north—west of us, they are just brushing us. so, the outlook as we head into the weekend, well, for most of us it's looking absolutely fine. out of the two, i'd say saturday is the better day. there'll be more sunshine around. temperatures will be about 13 degrees or so. in the north—west of the country, as we head through the weekend, cloud amounts will increase and there will be some spots of rain.

this is bbc news — these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. david cameron has indicated that he's prepared to give evidence to mps investigating how the government responded when he lobbied ministers on behalf of the collapsed finance company, greensill capital. latest figures reveal the total number of people waiting for routine operations and procedures in england is 4.7 million, the highest since modern records began in 2007. say his name! duante wright! a fourth night of protests in the us city of minneapolis, following the fatal shooting of a young black man — daunte wright — by a white police officer, who's been charged with second—degree manslaughter.

the us confirms it will complete its military