pressure mounts on borisjohnson over who funded the refurbishment of his downing street flat, as labour demands an inquiry. batting away criticism — the prime minister responds to criticism of his transparency and integrity. if there's anything to be said about that, any declaration to be made, that will of course be made in due course. if there is a straightforward answer, well, give it. and if there isn't, then, there are very serious questions to be asked. as westminster swirls with claims over the refurbishment, and over lobbying and leaks, we'll bring you all the latest. also this lunchtime... as india records a grim world high of daily covid—19 cases for five straight days, doctors say people are dying on the streets outside hospitals.

former rugby stars sign up for research into the links between contact sport and dementia. a government advert to encourage younger people to come forward for the covid vaccine, which is being extended to 44—year—olds. and sir anthony hopkins becomes the oldest oscar winner, taking best actor for his role in the father. well, here i am in my homeland in wales, and at 83 years of age, i did not expect to get this award, i really didn't. and i'm very grateful to the academy, and thank you. and coming up on the bbc news channel... former arsenal player thierry henry says social media companies aren't doing enough to tackle racism. it's ahead of a boycott this weekend by football clubs in england.

good afternoon and welcome to the bbc news at one. borisjohnson is under intensifying pressure over transparency after a series of explosive allegations made by his former top adviser dominic cummings, including that he sought money from tory donors to help refurbish his downing street flat. this morning, the prime minister said that "any declaration to be made on payments for the refurbishment would be made in due course". mps are today questioning the head of the civil service on a series of potentially damaging issues for the prime minister, including whether a leak inquiry was stopped, and also the rules about lobbying. labour says the claims go to "the heart of ethics and integrity" in the government. here's our political correspondent helen catt.

borisjohnson on a visit to wales this morning. but he is still being forced to bat away awkward questions after accusations by his former aide dominic cummings last week. firstly, about a refurbishment of his home at number 11 downing street. like many people, borisjohnson and his fianc e carrie symons redecorated the flat after moving in. this was what it looked like when theresa may and philip may lived there. as downing street is a public building, prime are entitled to taxpayer money money towards the upkeep, £30,000 a year. but it is understood boris johnson's revamp cost more and questions continue to be asked about who paid. the prime minister insists he did. if who paid. the prime minister insists he did. , ., , ., , he did. if there is anything to be said about _ he did. if there is anything to be said about that, _ he did. if there is anything to be said about that, any _ he did. if there is anything to be said about that, any declaration | he did. if there is anything to be l said about that, any declaration to be made, that will, of course, be made in due course, and i am finding that actually what people here in north wales, here in wrexham, want us to concentrate on is making sure we get on with the vaccine roll—out.

there have been several reports that the prime minister had planned to have party donors pay for the work. dominic cummings said he told mr johnson the plans were unethical, foolish and possibly illegal. it’s foolish and possibly illegal. it's all very well — foolish and possibly illegal. it�*s all very well the prime minister saying now, well, i'm paying for it, but the critical question was, what was the original arrangement? and why is it so complicated? if there is a straightforward answer, well, give it. and if there isn't, then there are very serious questions to be asked to the political watchdog the electoral commission is currently gathering information. downing street says no rules were broken. so downing street says no rules were broken. , ., , ., broken. so why does it matter if it turns out that _ broken. so why does it matter if it turns out that somebody - broken. so why does it matter if it turns out that somebody else - broken. so why does it matter if it| turns out that somebody else even temporarily paid for the prime minister's refurbishment? you well, it doesn't if it is completely transparent who did, which is why there are rules around things like gifts and donations, it is to avoid the perception that any sort of personal benefit or hidden obligation could have been created. the funding of the downing street flat is something that mps are likely to ask simon case, the most

serious civil servant in the country, later. he willalso serious civil servant in the country, later. he will also face questions about an inquiry into who leaked plans for the second lockdown in england back in late october. dominic cummings has said boris johnson considered halting the inquiry it implicated a friend of his fianc e. downing street says thatis his fianc e. downing street says that is absolutely false. and helen is at westminster now. as you were detailing there, there are claims on several fronts against the prime minister, where do you think things stand this lunchtime at? , . , , ., think things stand this lunchtime at? , , at? yes, as you said, multiple fronts on _ at? yes, as you said, multiple fronts on which _ at? yes, as you said, multiple fronts on which the _ at? yes, as you said, multiple fronts on which the prime - at? yes, as you said, multiple - fronts on which the prime minister is facing questions. you heard there about questions about the refurbishment of his flat and you heard what he had to say about that. on the issue about whether or not he 0n the issue about whether or not he had interfered in the leak in quite, he was asked about this morning and he was asked about this morning and he replied, absolutely not. there are also questions around the pandemic, in particular he was asked about the comments reported in the daily mail this morning, claims that he had said that rather than have another lockdown in england, let the bodies pile high in their thousands.

now, that was put to borisjohnson this morning on his visit. asked if he said that, he said no. so, there are a number of issues that the prime minister is having to address here, some of those are to do with him personally, as we'vejust outlined there, labour, though, wants more transparency and clarity on a number of other issues around government to do with the handling of contracts in the pandemic, to do with the contact between ministers and lobbyists, for example, as we have seen over the last few weeks in terms of the stories that have come out about contact between the former prime minster david cameron and the current government. so, there is a huge amount of things here that the prime minister is facing questions on. it is a distraction at the very least and it doesn't look like it is going away anytime soon.- least and it doesn't look like it is going away anytime soon. helen catt at westminster, _ going away anytime soon. helen catt at westminster, many _ going away anytime soon. helen catt at westminster, many thanks. - doctors in delhi say people are dying on the streets outside hospitals, as india struggles with record coronavirus infections and a critical shortage of oxygen. 352,000 infections have been

reported in the last 2a hours alone and there are indications that the situation could be far worse than the official figures suggest. rajini vaidyanathan reports, and a warning her report contains some distressing images. she came to hospital to be saved. instead, this is where she died. they don't have oxygen, they don't have doctors, people are dying out here, her brother said. we were standing here in the car park for an hour. now, my sister is no more. a horror story on repeat, as oxygen and bed shortages claim lives that could have been saved. patients left to fend for themselves, struggling for help, as they struggle to stay alive. they say there is no bed, and that i should look for another hospital, this man said. but i would be dying on the way. i need the oxygen here. with supplies still

low, international help is on its way to india, ventilators and oxygen concentrators are being sent from the uk government. the eu, the us and even pakistan, among the other nations pledging help. but it still isn't nearly enough to meet demand. as far as the number of cases and the number of serious patients requiring hospital admission is concerned, i think it will take at least a couple of weeks in delhi and the surrounding states to even start normalising and then possibly declining. normalising and then possibly declininu. �* , declining. and so, every day, hundreds _ declining. and so, every day, hundreds queue _ declining. and so, every day, hundreds queue in _ declining. and so, every day, hundreds queue in india's- declining. and so, every day, . hundreds queue in india's capital declining. and so, every day, - hundreds queue in india's capital to try and get their hands on supplies. translation: i've been waiting here for two hours. if i don't get anything, i don't know what i will do. my brother is sick at home, he can barely breathe. i'm scared he won't make it.— won't make it. with the helplessness, - won't make it. with the | helplessness, mounting won't make it. with the _ helplessness, mounting frustration. a year after the country's first wave, many ask why the government didn't do more to scale up

healthcare facilities. instead, it has come to this. the geneva do nothing, bbc news. our correspondent nikhil inamdar is in miraj in the state of maharashtra. just describe to us how things are where you are?— where you are? well, luckily, better, where you are? well, luckily, better. at _ where you are? well, luckily, better, at least _ where you are? well, luckily, better, at least in _ where you are? well, luckily, better, at least in the - where you are? well, luckily, l better, at least in the financial capital, mumbai, where we have seen that the demand for ventilator beds, oxygen, as well as the supply of beds, has improved, as the caseload has actually come down from a peak of around 11,000 to roughly 3700 today. but as you heard in that report, things really pretty grim if you look at the overall india numbers, a fifth straight day of record spikes that we have seen, and one report i read seemed to suggest that india is still detecting about 243 that india is still detecting about 2113 fresh new covid infections every

minute, we are far away yet from a peak. in terms of the oxygen supply situation, particularly around delhi and the northern indian states, it continues to remain precarious with demand far outstripping supply at this point if time. graveyards and credit or is, as you see, overwhelmed over there. —— graveyards and crematoriums. the prime minister has said he is going to be putting up an oxygen plant in every district of india but that is not something that is going to alleviate the situation immediately. meanwhile we are seeing now that more and more parts of the country are actually going into lockdown. we have seen the capital extend its lockdown by a week and now one southern indian state, which is home to bangalore, india's software capital, has said it could be having a 14—day lockdown starting tomorrow. also, india's border countries such as bunker dash have now closed their borders to india. so, it seems to be a pretty grim situation. —— such as

bangladesh. a pretty grim situation. -- such as bangladesh-— people in scotland and in wales are enjoying new freedoms, as more coronavirus restrictions have been eased. after a four—month lockdown. and in wales, outdoor hospitality is back up and running. alexandra mackenzie. first, the latest on the changes in scotland, from alexandra mackenzie. the first pint to be pulled at the cart vale pub in glasgow since october. food can now be served inside until 8pm, but if you want to enjoy that pint, you must sit outside in the beer garden. we're really excited about this day coming around. at last! our customers are excited. a huge amount of support from the local community, which is really encouraging, and that has given us just the energy to get on and throw

everything at it, really. nonessential retail can also reopen. forjanice, that is a huge relief. it's very hard to put into words without breaking down, which sounds silly for some people. but this is my life, my clients are my life. a lot of people have bought online, like nicole my client, and made so many mistakes. i am not knocking online, it is a big thing for people, but interior design, you can't buy that online, it's got to be done here. her clients are also delighted to be back. to come into the shop, to see people, to chat, to be able to look at things and touch things, it's wonderful. for those who want to enjoy the great outdoors and head for the highlands, nevis range and fort william will reopen this week. the gondola has been idle all winter. the ski season may be over but the mountains remain enticing.

we've done lots of preparation to make the place as covid—safe as we possibly can. sanitiser points everywhere, temperature checks in the gondola hall. but we've got big open spaces for everybody to come and enjoy, so we just want everybody to come, use the gondola, ride on your bike, get on the mountain and enjoy yourself. for the first time in months, it is now possible to book an overnight stay, though staying with friends or family is not yet an option. i think it will be very busy this season. i think everybody needs to go somewhere, and they would like to go somewhere. foreign travel has been more difficult, so i'm hoping they are all going to come here. it's a marvellous place. the last few months may have seemed endless, but as the country begins to cautiously re—emerge, it's hoped there will be brighter days ahead. alexandra mackenzie, bbc news. after being shut for the best part of five months,

having a bite to eat or a casual drink with a friend is welcome once again here in wales. oh, very nice. yes, and lovely food as well and the sun is coming out, so enjoying myself again. it'll be interesting because i know quite a few people who have been shielding and actuallyjust going out at the moment, communicating is going to be quite an issue. the 160 seats outdoors at the botanist in the welsh capital is fully booked all week. open forjust six weeks before the first lockdown last year, it feels like the first grand opening here today. it feels like their third grand opening here today. it's viable for now. you have to get back open, its nice to gradually open and then hopefully on may the 17th when we can open inside we can go full whack on every seat in the house. as well as groups of six being able to sit outside

in hospitality venues today, outdoor weddings of up to 30 are allowed, two people can visit care homes together, and outdoor organised activities of up to 30 are also allowed. and that includes fitness classes like this one at six o'clock this morning. but it's a bittersweet moment for the industry in wales. they are still feeling exasperated that gyms have another week before they can reopen. there is added frustration for the fitness industry here in wales, the fact that our counterparts in england are able to operate as normal. so, although hospitality welcome that six people can meet outside for a coffee, a meal ora pint again, many places across wales don't have this outdoor space, so will have to remain closed for at least another three weeks until they can hopefully reopen. but before then there is the small matter of the welsh assembly election and how will the results of that vote impact the unlocking of the rest of welsh society? tomas morgan, bbc news, cardiff. the british—iranian woman

nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe has been sentenced to another year in jail in tehran after being found guilty of "propaganda" against the regime in iran. let's speak to our correspondent caroline hawley. another bitter blow for the family. very bitter blow. her husband richard said this was a really bad sign, it is what herfamily had feared. at the moment she is at her parents' house and has not been summoned to appear in prison. but this is the court case came about a week after her five year sentence on charges of working against the regime had ended and her ankle tag had been removed. what happened this morning is that her lawyer was summoned to the office of the judge who had tried her and he was told about this verdict, the one—year sentence, the one—year travel ban. it has been condemned by the foreign secretary as totally inhumane and

wholly unjustified and by the prime minister as just plain wrong. caroline, many thanks. our top story this lunchtime... pressure mounts on borisjohnson over who funded the refurbishment of his downing street flat, as labour demands an inquiry. and coming up... a government advert to encourage younger people to come forward for the covid vaccine, which is being extended to aa—year—olds in england. coming up on the bbc news channel... ben ainslie's great britain team won the opening event of sailgp season after beating australia. the aussies had taken four of the previous five races, before ainslie's team were victorious in the winner—ta kes—all final. serious concern about rugby players who've gone on to suffer permanent brain damage has been growing in recent years. now dozens of former elite players, including wales' record try scorer shane williams and england's world cup winner

ben kay, have joined a study looking into the early warning signs of dementia. some footballers are also going to be monitored as part of research by the alzheimer's society. our health editor hugh pym reports. london scottish lions in training, an amateur rugby union team preparing to start playing for real as lockdown eases. there are strict protocols to deal with head injuries, but in previous decades, there was less awareness of the risks. and now a new study will look at the brain health of retired top—level players. one of those taking part will be ben kay, the former england international. as someone that will undoubtedly have suffered head trauma, mild head trauma when i was playing rugby, if i can be part of the process that examines how that might affect notjust sportspeople but anyone who has suffered head trauma in their life at some point, and absolutely i want to throw my weight behind it.

an existing study funded by alzheimer's society started in 2013, it involves 700 people aged between a0 and 59. they have intensive tests every two years, including scans to monitor brain function. now 50 former elite rugby players from that age range will be added, and any changes compared to the wider group can be assessed. a small number of former professional footballers will also be recruited. we are looking, almost in real time, we are following people during their midlife, between a0 and 59, and we are looking at the subtle changes in their brain and trying to understand not only what caused them but what effect they are having and what they go on to develop. so we can in the future create treatments and measures to stop people suffering from dementia and other diseases. are you 0k there? yeah, good, thanks. the former welsh international shane williams is already part of the study. his brain scans were shown in a bbc wales documentary last year on rugby and concussion.

there was always that fear of what were they going to find on these scans, really? but i'm so glad i did it, i'm so glad that i could take part in this study because if i can do it and i can help people moving forward, then i've done something right. the new research comes at a time of intensifying debate about the risks of serious head injury in top—level rugby. some former internationals including world cup winner steve thompson are planning legal action against the game's authorities, claiming that playing the sport left them with permanent brain damage. the global governing body, world rugby, has said player safety was taken very seriously and injury prevention strategies were implemented based on the latest research. concerns about heading in football have also been voiced. the former england player alan shearer has signed up for the new study. he said work directed at understanding the earliest stage of dementia was incredibly

important. hugh pym, bbc news. the former chief executive of the post office has resigned from the boards of morrisons and dunelm after the it scandal which led to the wrongful convictions of former postmasters. our correspondent colletta smith is at morrisons headquarters in bradford. she has gone, did the pressure get too great for her?— too great for her? well, it certainly _ too great for her? well, it certainly was _ too great for her? well, it certainly was an _ too great for her? well, it| certainly was an avalanche too great for her? well, it i certainly was an avalanche of pressure this weekend after the overturning of those convictions. paula vennells has now announced she is stepping down not only from the board here at morrisons, and the retailer dunelm, but also from her duties as an ordained minister in the church of england. the companies are very keen to distance themselves from that scandal that is swirling around the post office at the moment and doing considerable damage to the reputation of the brand, especially as over the coming weeks and months

paula vennells will have to answer questions from the government's enquiry about what exactly she knew about flaws in the it system that was used in the unlawful convictions of potentially hundreds of sub postmaster is right across the uk. in a statement she has said again that she apologises to sub postmaster is, but now because she has stood down from these roles she can fully focus on working with the ongoing government enquiry. maw; ongoing government enquiry. many thanks, colette _ ongoing government enquiry. many thanks, colette smith. _ many thanks, colette smith. around 500,000 more people in england can now book theirfirst coronavirus vaccine. aa—year—olds should receive a text message today inviting them to get a jab. a0 to a3—year—olds in england are expected to be contacted later this week. the health secretary says it's "a huge few days for vaccinations". our health correspondent jim reed reports. in places like this football ground in wimbledon, the vaccination drive continued this morning. all those aged aa years old being invited to book theirjabs

in england, with those from a0—a3 likely to be added later this week. people are still at risk of getting covid, they are still at risk of severe disease, and of course we know that there are other side—effects such as long covid that can be a consequence of this virus. so it is really crucial that everybody is vaccinated. 95% of all over—50s in england have already accepted that offer of a vaccine, a higher rate than even ministers and scientists expected. but convincing those younger age groups under a5 who are far less likely to suffer from a severe covid infection could be more difficult. so new tactics are being used, like this tv campaign which will run in the adverts during the soap opera emmerdale this evening. join the millions already vaccinated to protect yourself and others. -

you need two doses - for maximum protection. new pop—up vaccination clinics are also being set up in places like shopping centres. in scotland, letters are now being sent to over—a5s, inviting them to get their first dose. in northern ireland, jabs are being offered to those as young as 35. while in wales, one health board has already asked all those over 30 to come forward. the number of daily covid cases has fallen to its lowest level since the start of september. lockdown rules are now being lifted across the uk. as that happens, it is hoped the vaccination campaign can continue to keep the pandemic in check. jim reed, bbc news. the pandemic has led to the biggest jobs crisis for older workers since the 1980s. that's the stark conclusion of new research carried out by the resolution foundation, which focuses on the living

standards of those on low to middle incomes. it says workers in their fifties and sixties are taking longer to find anotherjob, and when they do they earn on average substantially less than they did before. here's our business correspondent emma simpson. the shock i think came not so much that we closed, it came with the speed with which we closed. mandy reynolds managed this arcadia store for 13 years in stoke—on—trent. it shut, like all the rest, and aged 51, she's now looking for work. there are a lot ofjobs out there, but i'm really struggling to find one. and i think part of that is i feel that the experience that we have and the knowledge that i've gained and the capabilities and skills that i have can be transitioned across to a different role, in a different environment, but it's trying to convince other industries and individuals on a piece of paper, that that's actually the case, because you aren't actually getting a foot through the door. are you starting to feel the pressure a bit?

occasionally i do, i'm not going to lie. it has been tough, it is much tougher than i thought it would be. most of us know by now that it's younger workers who've been the hardest hit during this crisis, but older workers, classed as the over—505, have also been badly affected. for instance, they've seen a fall in employment twice as big as those in the middle of their careers. and losing yourjob at this age can come at a big cost. it can take longer to find a newjob, and when you do, it can lead to a significant reduction in salary, as well as impact retirement plans. older workers form a really large proportion of the current workforce, about one in five people in work is over the age of 55. so obviously that's a huge component, and what's particularly worrying is, if we see a big uptake in unemployment among that large group, that's a lot of people who are really going to struggle to retire with secure finances.

back in stoke, as we filmed, mandy received two job interviews. i love to work, i have a lot to offer and a lot to contribute, so ijust need to do that. i will find the right job, iwill find it. emma simpson, bbc news. now, the big winner at this year's oscars awards was the film nomadland. the drama about a woman living in her van in the american west after the financial crash won the top prize for best film. its director, chloe zhao, became the first woman of colour to win best director, and the veteran british actor sir anthony hopkins won best actor for his role in the father. our entertainment correspondent colin paterson reports on a unique, socially distant ceremony. the year the oscars were held in a train station best picture went to a film about a van. nomadland. francis mcdormand plays a woman who has lost herjob and her husband and takes to the roads to find

work and community. no, i'm not homeless. i'm just houseless. she celebrated by encouraging people to go back to the cinema and then paid tribute to the film's sound mixer michael wolf snyder, who took his own life last month. we give this one to our wolf. she howls. she also won best actress for a third time, while the film's director chloe zhao became only the second woman in the 93 year history of the oscars to win best director. at the age of 83 sir anthony hopkins became a double oscar winner and the oldest ever winner of an acting oscar playing a man with dementia in the father. i am not leaving my flat. but just like at the baftas he wasn't there. the academy congratulates anthony hopkins and accepts the oscar on his behalf.

it was the final award of the night and meant the oscars had a very flat ending. but four hours later he posted his acceptance speech on instagram. here i am in my homeland in wales and at 83 years of age i did not expect to get this award, i really didn't. i'm very grateful to the academy and thank you and i want to pay tribute to chadwick boseman who was taken from us far too early. earlier, britain's daniel kaluuya was named best supporting actor for playing the black panther fred hampton injudas and the black messiah. the black panthers are forming a rainbow coalition of oppressed brothers and sisters of every colour. and managed to thoroughly embarrass his sister. like, its incredible. my mum and my dad, they had sex, it's amazing. like i said, i'm here. so i'm so happy to be alive. there was a very different feel to this year's oscars. it was far less star—studded, there were very few laughs and very few film clips. the opening was designed to look like a movie,

although if it had not been live regina king would have asked for take two. oh, live tv, here we go. and on the night glenn close tied peter o'toole for having the most acting nominations without ever winning, eight, she showed she wasn't too downhearted by taking part in a film quiz and doing a dance. there were british wins in eight categories. emerald furnell was nurse patsy in calld the midwife emerald furnell was nurse patsy in call the midwife and camilla in the crown. now an oscar winner for best original screenplay for her female revenge film promising young woman. i'm trying very hard not to cry which is very difficult as an english person because we don't cry ever, ever. good night. all in all it was a very strange and rather muted oscars. hollywood will be hoping they can leave the train station when normal service is resumed next year. time for a look at the weather. here's susan powell.

good afternoon. so much dry weather